Meet the Ginetta Akula, a bespoke limited-edition supercar derived from a racing machine

Area of interest British car-maker Ginetta is hoping so as to add to the plethora of limited-edition supercars with the arrival of its new Akula. The 66-year-old firm may not have the road-going pedigree of different premium automotive manufacturers, however its popularity on the observe is phenomenal. Based in 1958 and based mostly close to Leeds, the corporate continues to be British-owned and runs championship occasions for its personal G40 and G56 racing vehicles which have grow to be a longtime proving floor for worldwide motorsport.

The corporate additionally builds the GTR, a road-going model of its race sequence, and the extra road-focused G10, an up to date and enhanced model of the 1965 G10, which is awaiting the manufacturing go-ahead. What’s new is that this, the Ginetta Akula, an ultra-limited-edition supercar that condenses the corporate’s many years of observe expertise right into a highway automotive.

As is now de rigueur in such rarefied automotive circles, the Akula will likely be costly and extremely bespoke, with simply twenty examples deliberate. Costs begin from £275,000 plus tax, however you may make sure that the complete carbon-bodied bundle will include loads of customisation potential for purchasers used to exacting specs.

The headline statistics are that the Akula is only petrol powered, with a naturally aspirated 6.4-litre V8 producing round 600bhp. Experience in tuning, dynamics, aerodynamics and carbon fibre manufacturing will all be drawn from Ginetta’s racing automotive division. That extends to the built-in motorsport roll cage and the right 50:50 weight stability, achieved by inserting the engine instantly forward of the motive force, a ‘entrance mid-engined’ bundle.

It’s now 20 years because the enterprise was acquired by Dr Lawrence Tomlinson, and the Akula celebrates this milestone, therefore the version of 20. Derived partially from Ginetta’s Le Mans G61-LT-P1 LMP1 race automotive, the corporate calls the Akula, ‘motorsport engineering expressed in its purest type,’ and expects potential clients to be the kind of one that thinks nothing of a weekend jaunt to Germany’s Nürburgring for some observe time.

One take a look at the ultra-functional inside, with its naked carbon surfaces, race-car steering yoke and show display, signifies that the Akula may find yourself being extra sports activities automotive than tourer, though the massive 100-litre gas tank ought to give a spread of round 450 miles. Ginetta is emphasizing pure driving enjoyment, not all-out efficiency, though the 180mph+ high velocity and a pair of.9 second dash to 62mph say in any other case. Clients can select between a six-speed handbook or seven-speed computerized transmission.

The angular but ultra-streamlined bodywork is a robust sign of intent; not precisely lovely, however with a way of goal and poise that’s hardly ever present in highway vehicles. Beneath the wedge-shaped physique is a carbon fibre flat ground, with a rear wing and diffuser serving to create excessive ranges of downforce at velocity.

As with all good racing machines, weight is pared again to a minimal – simply 1,190kg. Different track-derived expertise contains Ginetta’s personal limited-slip differential, and a ‘Race Pack’ that provides in carbon ceramic brakes, a six-point racing harness and an all-important full race go well with. All clients can have the chance to tailor the driving place to their form.

‘Whereas our new supercar represents a really completely different path for Ginetta, it additionally embodies our motorsport engineering and driver-focused values to the best attainable requirements,’ Tomlinson says, ‘Anybody can construct a quick automotive, however at Ginetta, we create automobiles that go away their drivers breathless and eager to drive them time and again.’

Ginetta Akula, from £275,000 plus tax, Ginetta.com, @GinettaCars