Motoring A
spid Cars has released the first dramatic images of its new GT- 21 Invictus, which features a distinctive semi open wheel
appearance at the front of the car. Te multi-million Euro project will create up to 200 hi-tech jobs and builds on advanced lightweight technologies developed for the Aspid Super Sport technology demonstrator unveiled at previous motor shows. Discussions are nearing completion with investors to determine the most suitable manufacturing location. Both cars are expected to enter production within two years. “Te GT-21 Invictus complements the Aspid Super Sport, but is bigger and more powerful,” says the car’s chief designer and company founder Ignacio Fernández Rodriquez. “It has been a challenging styling exercise, but fortunately we have a
really talented design team in the company. Tey have done an excellent job evoking the values of the company in the car.” “Aspid Cars in the vanguard of technological and lightweight
vehicle development and we needed to convey this in the design. We also needed an element of aggressiveness
to reveal our motor sport credentials. Te design brief also demanded that we portray the elegance and beauty required for a premium car.” “From a visual perspective and to set us
apart, we needed to retain an element of the unique design form of an open wheel car as characterised by the Aspid Super Sport. Tis presented by far the biggest challenge in terms of packaging the interior volume for the driver and passengers, but we’ve successfully achieved this and have therefore maintained our unique visual identity, so the car is perceived as an Aspid the instant it’s seen.” Te Aspid GT-21 Invictus is bigger and
less compromised for interior space compared with the Aspid Super Sport, significantly increasing the level of comfort for the driver and passengers. It is more powerful and more technologically advanced thereby maintaining the company’s reputation for designing cars with a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio, significant CO2 reducing capability through lightweight efficiency, combined with sublime road handling. Te GT-21 employs the same chassis design that weighs a mere 80 kg in the Super Sport, which still sets an industry benchmark. Te GT-21 Invictus styling has been undertaken by IFR Automotive, which is also responsible of the design and engineering of the Aspid Super Sport which preceded it.
“Te Aspid GT-21 Invictus represents a new
generation of Gran Turismo fit for the 21st century” says Fernández. “With a weight that is less than 990kg when dry, the car features the latest generation BMW V8 engine capable of delivering 450 horsepower. It also incorporates a new generation of sports car hybridization, which increases the dynamic performance of the vehicle while being respectful of the environment. A lot of the technology we’ve developed will transfer to other road vehicles” Te Aspid GT-21 Invictus will offer the same astonishing acceleration as the Super Sport, reaching 100km/h (62mph) in less than three seconds, but with a higher maximum
Fernández says, “Each car will be custom
made and hand built in its own production bay. Tere is no production line as such. Each client can choose more than 100 different options, and most customers will want to visit the factory during the build of their personalised car.” Each car will be handed over to the customer at the factory by the team of engineers and technicians who build it. Each customer will also receive a special book signed by the factory team illustrating the assembly sequence. Customers will be able to purchase the car
from an elite group of 20 dealers across Europe, some of which have yet to be selected, able to deliver the high standard of sales and aftersales service. As well as maintaining the vehicle the dealer network will also help organise Aspid branded events and entertainment. Te configuration of each car will be tailored to suit the precise requirements of each customer, giving them the option, for example, to adapt the geometry and the electronics to their individual needs and personal taste. Te customer may at any time request the Aspid engineering department to change the car’s geometry and electronic settings for different needs. “Tis means that in addition to
aesthetic customization of the vehicle, the client can also customize its ride and handling characteristics to their own requirements,” says Fernández, who was
previously a race engineer as well as being an automotive engineer and car designer.
speed exceeding 300km/h (187mph) and a cornering ability in terms of g forces that similarly sets a new class benchmark. High speed stability and performance is enhanced through efficient aerodynamics. Te dimensions are those of a GT: 4.447mm long, 1,883mm wide and a height of 1,226mm. Te Invictus is aimed squarely at the premium sports car market and production will be limited to 250 a year to retain its exclusivity. Te manufacturing processes and suppliers
for the Aspid GT-21, being from aerospace and motorsport industries, are used to producing components at high levels of precision in small batches or even as unique parts. Te materials employed include aerospace grade aluminium, ultra-light high-strength steels, and composites. Te unique design of the car, choice of materials and manufacturing process ensure that every Aspid can be tailored to each individual customer.
“We aim to offer a unique and unforgettable experience when a customer buys one of our sports cars. We believe our factory model and our relationship with each customer will be unique and set a new standard in the market. It will be more like the relationship experienced between a professional race driver and his race engineer and race team. We’re very aware that every customer will be an ambassador for the brand, hence this close relationship which we aim to nurture.” “Te GT-21 Invictus is a significant step
forward for the Aspid brand,” adds Fernández. “We’re building on our experience of developing a high performance road and race car and technology demonstrator, which has helped us to establish IFR Automotive as an engineering consultancy. We have invested significantly in developing the technology and understanding the market for our new and exclusive road car.”
For more details visit
www.aspidcars.com; the company and the car’s development can also be followed on twitter @Aspid_Cars or
https://twitter.com/Aspid_Cars.
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