Unique ONES Maybe some of you have just heard the name of Perana (Perana Performance Group), it is a South African automotive company based in Pretoria. As quoted from Road and Track, the South African company has been known as the Ford tuner workshop since the 1960s and in the 2000s tried to expand its business into an automotive manufacturer.
Perana Z-One was born from a collaboration between renowned Milanese coachbuilders Zagato and Perana Performance Group, a South African vehicle manufacturer. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
Unmitigated, the South African company's efforts to build a good sports car that immediately gained public attention was by collaborating with Zagato, a well-known Milan-based automotive design house which was previously widely known for its collaboration with several world-renowned premium car brands such as Aston. Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and more.
Perana Z-One is a unique two-seater sports car featured with an extraordinarily long nose, aggressive wide stance and massive rear (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
And it is known that the collaboration resulted car, later known as the Perana Z-One is debuted as the concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The unique-shaped car is built on the Corvette C6's chassis, designed by Zagato in Italy, with performance developments of the builder Superformance (formerly Hi-Tech Automotive) in South Africa.
The Perana Z-One's interior isn't nearly as extraordinary as its exterior, and its configuration seems frankly dated compared to the fresh ergonomics in today's latest supercars. (Picture from: Autoblog)
So it's no surprise that the car might look like a Corvette C6 massively redesigned. Due to the high production costs of the Perana Z-One, which was later rebadged as the AC 378 GT Zagato and entered the production line as a product of AC Cars at the end of 2012.
Most of the Perana Z-One is powered by the Chevy small-block LS3 aluminum V-8, which is capable of spewing the power of 430 hp to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. (Picture from: CorvetteForum)
However the car production process is still faltered, by the original planned of 999 units to be built and selling for around $100,000, but fewer than a dozen (some said only 10 units) have made it out of Hi-Tech Automotive's production facility near Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Perana Z-One is a hand-crafted tube-frame sports car with composite body panels fitted with a very powerful Chevrolet's drivetrain. (Picture from: NetCarShow)
And it is suspected that only seven of these were ever shipped to the United States not as finished cars but as painted and trimmed bodies over a steel tube-frame chassis, without an engine. Thus were standard car regulations sidestepped, and the engine option was up to the buyer, and most of The Perana Z-One buyers were chose the Chevy small-block LS3 aluminum V-8 engine, which is capable of spewing the power of 430 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
In the past, the Perana Z-One might be overlooked a little, but now its destiny has turned into a rare sports car that will probably have a price tags more than $150,000 because in addition to its small population and of course as one of the Zagato designed cars also has been played a role to its exorbitant price tags. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK | HAGERTY | MOTORAUTHORITY | WIKIPEDIA ]
Concept ONLY Maybe this is one of the electric-powered concept cars that had ever tried its luck to appear in the world's automotive industry, but had no chance to emerge and then gone nowhere. The following environmentally friendly concept car named the GVA Eclipse Concept is created by the GVA’s experienced British design team. Maybe some of the world's automotive enthusiasts don't know the GVA. As quoted from All Car Index, the Global Vehicle Architecture (GVA) is an automotive design startup company based in China.
GVA
Eclipse Concept is developed by an automotive design startup company
based in China named Global Vehicle Architecture (GVA) back in the 2016.
(Picture from: AllCarIndex)
The GVA Eclipse electric-powered hypercar GVA’s in-house design and engineering team led by British Design Director named Narendra Karadia (now he's on Geely Design?), who has experience as a senior designer at several global major automotive companies such as Ford, Volkswagen, and Jaguar-Land Rover.
The company explains that the GVA Eclipse offers acceleration performance from rest to 100 kph in less than 3 seconds and 0-200 kph in less than 6 seconds before sprinting to a maximum speed of more than 330 kph. These incredible numbers were achieved through a combination of advanced lightweight construction techniques, the latest battery technology and most importantly the application of truly innovative aerodynamic concepts.
GVA
Eclipse Concept is envisioned to be built using ultra lightweight
carbon-fibre and powered by four electric motors each linked to an
electronically controlled gearbox to produce a total output of 1,300 bhp
with peak torque of 1,750 Nm. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
"We wanted to make a real statement with our first show car. It was not going to be enough to simply put some batteries in a sleek shape and call it a Hyper-car," said Karadia. "We wanted to find a more efficient way of gaining access to the 200 mph club so we decided to take a fresh look at the fundamental hard points of vehicle architecture."
GVA
Eclipse Concept is claimed to be offered acceleration performance from
rest to 100 kph in less than 3 seconds and 0-200 kph in less than 6
seconds before sprinting to a maximum speed of more than 330 kph. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
All cars on the road today have what is commonly known in the automotive industry as a ‘drop-glass’. This describes the position of the side window in its open state and is a modern day requirement for all consumer-based cars that have to comply with access to toll booths, drive through outlets, etc.
The GVA Eclipse adheres to the same requirement but in a completely different way. The window moves in an upward direction and is located in the upper part of the door when in its fully open position. This has allowed a sleeker and narrower lower body section, never seen before in a road car and a revolutionary aerodynamic solution allowing the airstream to pass on the inside of the front wheel, along the side of the vehicle and then between the body and rear wheel (in principle, similar to the solution adopted by LMP racing cars).
GVA
Eclipse Concept will adopt the latest lithium-ion battery technology
with a proposed capacity of 85 kWh to deliver an exceptional range of
over 500 km on a full charge. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
The vehicle is envisioned to be built using ultra lightweight carbon-fibre and powered by four electric motors each linked to an electronically controlled gearbox to produce a total output in excess of 1,300 bhp with peak torque of a massive 1,750 Nm.
In addition, the concept will adopt the latest lithium-ion battery technology with a proposed capacity of 85KWH to deliver an exceptional range of over 500 km on a full charge, or 300 km when charged to 80% (in just 15 minutes).
GVA Eclipse Concept is applied the scissor-door types that allowing complete and easy access to the vehicle. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
"The GVA Eclipse is no normal electric hyper-car," continues Karadia, "and that’s not because of some future battery technology, but because ofour unique aerodynamic design innovation. In fact the concept achieves its performance goals based on current battery and motor technology."
Full aerodynamic testing has not yet been completed, but the extensive knowledge and expertise of GVA Chief Designer Riaz Sherazee (also British) was drawn upon heavily during the development of the car. It was during his tenure at VW Motorsport Design that he learned his aerodynamic craft, working on cars such as the Beetle RSI, VW formula V and the Le Mans winning Bentley EXP speed 8 LMP of 2004.
GVA Eclipse Concept has
the perfectly elliptical cabin encapsulates for three passengers with
interior space requirements have not been compromised, creating an
extremely roomy cabin environment. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
"The basic principles are the same; the idea is to reduce the frontal area of the vehicle and ease the passage of the airflow over and through the car," said Sherazee. "For a regular car travelling at moderate speeds the advantages are negligible, but at over 150 mph the laws of aerodynamics play a huge part, and at 200 mph plus, any aerodynamic advantage has a massive impact on the amount of power needed to propel the car to hyper speeds."
The revolutionary window concept became the car’s identity. No other vehicle on the road today has a similar architecture and the GVA Eclipse is therefore a totally unique proposition. The design adheres to form and technical requirements. Its svelte side section has a unique aesthetic likened to a toned athlete (taught and trim) translating into a new form of body section.
GVA Eclipse Concept has
two distinctive elements that combine to form a harmonious volume,
perfectly blending a mix of soft surfacing and hard, taught sweeps. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
The negative section gives a light aerodynamic visual to the form and you can imagine air passing through the vehicle rather than around it. The concept has two distinctive elements that combine to form a harmonious volume, perfectly blending a mix of soft surfacing and hard, taught sweeps.
The front angular surfaces slice through the air with the precision of a fighter jet, complemented by wraparound glass, which creates a sleek and stealthy profile. Viewed from above, the perfectly elliptical cabin encapsulates the three passengers. Interior space requirements have not been compromised, creating an extremely roomy cabin environment (something not normally associated with hypercars).
GVA
Eclipse Concept has a perfect combination of advanced lightweight
construction techniques, the latest battery technology and most
importantly the application of truly innovative aerodynamic concepts. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
Cameras are used to monitor the exterior giving a full panoramic view of the rear when required and these can also act as side mirrors.The doors themselves open in a scissor-like fashion allowing complete and easy access to the vehicle. The GVA Eclipse’s cabin is not being revealed at this stage as Patents are currently pending approval but it will be shown early next year featuring a design that takes HMI to a new level.
"We wanted a car that was deliverable and would pass through a vehicle development program and not lose any of its beauty and aesthetic appeal due to inadequate feasibility," said Karadia, "the GVA Eclipse is very much production orientated and not just a flight of fancy."
But unfortunately to this day there are no more news about the GVA Eclipse electric-powered hypercar concept and its automaker. It seems, everything is stuck and stops only as the concept. It's too bad. 😑 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ALLCARINDEX | VIENNAAUTOSHOW2018 | CDN ]
The BEST of Its TIME Ghibli is the name of the North African windstorm. So what does that have to do with Maserati, the classic Italian brand Maserati? As we all knew, the Italian automotive manufacturer had a unique tradition in naming the car it produces. Of course you still remember several car models made by Maserati that adopted the names of the wind, such as Maserati Bora, Maserati Khamsin, Maserati Chubasco and others.
The Maserati Ghibli (in pictured is the coupe of 1967) is built based on Giorgetto Giugiaro design in 1966 while he worked for the Carrozzeria Ghia. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The next one is Maserati Ghibli. Well, the Italian brand adopted the name of the Ghibli windstorm for a beautiful grand tourer is built based on a design made by a young designer named Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1966. At the time, he was worked for an Italian coachbuilder company based in Turin called Carrozzeria Ghia.
The Maserati Ghibli (in pictured is the Spyder of 1969) was starting in production of 1967 while the Maserati's 41st anniversary as an independent company until 1973. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
He designed the two-seater Ghibli coupe in just three months and followed by the Ghibli spyder in 1969. Then the car was produced starting in 1967 on Maserati's 41st anniversary as an independent company. The Maserati Ghibli production carried out by Carrozzeria Ghia on between 1967 and 1972 with a total production of 1,170 coupes and 125 spyders.
The Maserati Ghibli (in pictured is the coupe of 1970) is powered by a 4.7 liter V8 engine coupled with Weber DCNL carburetor capable of spewing power up to 306 hp and torque of 340 lb.ft at 3,500 rpm. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
The 3,583 lbs GT coupe figure mounted to the rear of a typical body-integrated frame of welded steel tubes and
flat panels was an ancient live axle riding on leaf springs with independently sprung control arms carried the nose.
The
front-engined sports GT features pop-up headlights, front leather sports seats and alloy
wheels. Two rear seats consisting of nothing more than a cushion without
a backrest were added to the production model, allowing the Ghibli to
be marketed as a 2-door 2+2 fastback coupé. Deliveries started in March
1967.
Inside of the Maserati Ghibli has 2 front leather sports seats and 2 rear seats consisting of nothing more than a cushion without a backrest plus simple arrangement dashboard. (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Uniquely, the Maserati Ghibli produced during the heyday of the GT model between 1967 and 1972 known as the rival for the Lamborghini Miura and the Ferrari Daytona. The first generation of the Maserati Ghibli (consisting of Coupe and Spyder models) is equipped with a 4.7 liter V8 engine with Weber DCNL carburetor capable of spewing power up to 306 hp and 340 lb.ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
The engine power is then channeled to the rear wheels by using a 5 speed manual transmission system that capable make the car accelerating from rest to 100 kph in 6.4 seconds before running up to a maximum speed of 248 kph. In this car is also provided with a choice of 3 speed automatic transmission system.
The Maserati Ghibli SS is started in production of 1970 and powered by a 4.9 liter V8 engine of 330 hp at 5,500 rpm and 355 lbf⋅ft of torque at 4,000 rpm . (Picture from: Wikipedia)
Then in 1970, the Maserati Ghibli SS model (consisting of the Coupe and Spyder models) appeared on the market is powered by a 4.9 liter V8 engine with the power of 330 hp at 5,500 rpm and 355 lbf⋅ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Its top speed was 280 kph and made it the fastest Maserati road car ever produced at the time.
The most interesting thing about the Ghibli is that its quite poor fuel efficiency system, then makes the automaker have to add an additional pair of 50 liter capacity tanks on both sides of the car to help the performance of the V8 engine carried out by it. The Maserati Ghibli production was discontinued in 1973 succeeded the following year by the Maserati Khamsin designed by Bertone.
Still related to this model, at that time Maserati also presented the Ghibli's alternative model named the Maserati Indy which was produced ranging of 1969 to 1975 carried out by another Italian coachbuilder Vignale. Indeed the Maserati Ghibli is not the fastest. However, when the GT era entered its golden age in the 1960s to 1970s, the car was one of the best. Well, the Ghibli is a 'story' about how pure pleasure driving is. And to find out, you have to try it by yourself! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARANDDRIVER | WIKIPEDIA ]
Modern CREATIONs What is this? We were blown away when we've first saw this car on a Youtube video (on 11:12 to 12:20). This super car figure may look unusual for the current era. How not the shape that actually reminds us of the 1960s classic racing cars, but in reality the car was built in today's modern era. Then with full curiosity we started to find out the information about the super car on the internet.
The Fi GTP-13 Supersports car is built in house more than 8,000 hours of work by Rudolf and Alexander Fillafer in Winklern, Austria. (Picture from: GTP13)
It turns out that the unique car mentioned above is the Fi GTP-13, whose made by an Austrian father and son named Rudolf and Alexander Fillafer, although at first we thought it was made in America. Rudolf Fillafer is a teacher meanwhile his son, Alexander Fillafer is an aeronautical engineer.
The automaker estimates the value of this Fi GTP-13 Supersports car at around of one million euros. (Picture from: GTP13)
As quoted of GTP13, this unique-shaped car story began, when the father, Rudolf Fillafer was a teenager back in 1968 stumbled upon a tiny picture of a prototype race car in a motorsports magazine. It was the Ford P68 F3L, designed and built to race at the sportscar world championship at the time. To him, the appearance of the car in the picture was the essence of beauty, competitiveness and low-drag aerodynamics.
The exterior design of the GTP-13 is meant to recall the timeless beauty of it's historic precursor, the Ford P68 F3L. (Picture from: GTP13)
It is undeniable that in the 1960s, there many such race cars were found. They are the result of an extraordinary and beautiful engineering design of all time, made without the use of wind tunnels and computer-aided design. Today they are commonly called supersportscars. They will remain cherished and invaluable icons of history.
This is Rudolf Fillafer's dream car of 1968 Ford P68 F3L, then inspired the supersport car he built along with his son Alex and named the Fi GTP-13. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)
The memory of the Ford P68 F3L came back to the fore, when Rudolf Fillafer visited the legendary Festival of Speed in Goodwood, England. As he stood in one of the grandstands, suddenly the Ford F3L passed by with it's roaring DFV Cosworth engine. He describes the event as the same enchanting sight he has cherished in his memory for 33 years.
Rudolf Fillafier behind the wheel of the Fi GTP-13 along with his son Alexander Fillafier while on the test track back in the 2016. (Picture from: Kaernten.orf.at)
There she was a race car with its quirky radiator scoop, gull-wing doors, low profile (ducked into the airflow) and surrounded by the roaring of her eight-cylinder engine. Actually he really wants to have it. Due to the price is very expensive, he can only keep the desire to have the Ford's race car in the heart.
The Fi GTP-13's cockpit design, much effort was focused on reviving the timeless, elegant style of the 1960's supersportscars. (Picture from: GTP13)
Then he tries to find another ways to make his teenage dreams come true. In short, Rudolf and his son Alexander Fillafer decided to build by themselves a unique sports car inspired by the Ford P68 F3L. After wading through more than 8,000 hours of work in house they finally managed to make Rudolf's teenage dream come true, namely a unique sports car.
The Fi GTP-13 Supersports car is powered by a Ford Windsor's V8-SB Dart Aluminium block engine coupled with the Quaife ZFQ five speed (5+1R) gearbox. (Picture from: GTP13)
All of the building work for the GTP-13 was carried out in Winklern, Austria including manufacturing the car's parts ranging from the self-molded carbon fiber bodywork to the exhaust system, rims, aluminum chassis and even the smallest screws. While the V8 engine used to drive the car is taken from the Ford Windsor (a V8-SB Dart Aluminium block) could be spewed power of 600 hp. The engine's power is transmitted to the rear wheels by a Quaife ZFQ, which is a synchronized, handshifted five speed gearbox.
The Fi GTP-13 sealed cockpit bodywork is made of vacuum moded Kevlar-honeycomb
reinforced GFRP, Epoxy matrix and built on aluminium and steel sheet
metal based monocoque design chassis. (Picture from: GTP13)
At first glance, the GTP-13's exterior appearance reminds us of the figure of the 1968 Ford P68 F3L race car, of which there are only three left in the world. The streamlined silhouette of the American dream car sparked Rudolf Fillafer's passion for this sports car in his youth. Furthermore, he emphasized that's a brand new car, neither a replica.
In 2019 the GTP-13 was approved for road use by the Austrian government,
thus allowing you to drive it on the streets while in Europe (or at
least in Austria). (Picture from: GTP13)
The GTP-13 sealed cockpit bodywork is made of vacuum moded Kevlar-honeycomb reinforced GFRP, Epoxy matrix and built on aluminium and steel sheet metal based monocoque design chassis. The automaker says that the GTP-13 took about 7 more years from the idea to the first test drive. Well, in the fall of 2016, they only could be carried the GTP-13 to the test track for the first time.
In 2019 the GTP-13 was approved for road use by the Austrian government, thus allowing you to drive it on the streets while in Europe (or at least in Austria). The automaker estimates the value of this sports car at around of one million euros. It is not yet clear whether there will be another self-made product made in Carinthia.
The only question is whether there those of You who is willing to pay the price for this car. What is clear is that the automaker guarantees the availability of spare parts if anyone is interested in making them. If you wanna have this unique-shaped sports car, contact the automaker here. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GTP13 | KAERNTEN.ORF.AT | AUTOPUZZLES | GT40S ]
One, Two, & Three Well, let's go back to our discussion about sports cars from the 1970s which have looks that may be rarely known by automotive enthusiasts today. And what will be discussed this time is an one-off concept car is built on the chassis of a car made by the French manufacturer called Matra.
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti had some minor design changes and a less conspicuous silver paint scheme when shown at the Montreal Auto Salon 1972. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
Matra? If there are some of today's automotive enthusiasts who have never known or even heard of the name of the French manufacturer, that's okay and no big deal due to the French brand has not existed in the global automotive market for a long time ago.
As quoted of Wikipedia, Matra (an acronym for Mécanique Aviation Traction) a French manufacturer (whose previously famous for its aeronautical and weaponary products) and then also known that later known to be involved in the automotive industry when the company for the first time is joined to race at the Formula 1 World Championship 1968 in one fully racing season.
When it was first debut at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show, the Matra Laser concept car appeared in the yellow colored body scheme. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
The peak of its motorsport involvement came just a year later, when the magnificent Matra designed MS80 race car and is used under the livery of the Tyrrell-Ford racing team won the Constructors Championship at the Formula 1 World Championship 1969 with Jackie Stewart as the driver of those race car also brilliantly winning the trophy of the World's Champion's title.
Along with its efforts in the Formula 1 racing events, the company also started producing road legal sports cars by itself, following the acquisition of Automobiles René Bonnet. The company's first-developed car product in 1967 and named the Matra M530 (the car's name inspired by the company's R530 surface-to-air missiles). Then the look of this model received a subtle facelift in the 1970 from the famous Italian automotive designer, Giovanni Michelotti.
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti also provided spacious cabin for two occupants. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
At almost the same time, the collaboration between Matra and Italian designers was also carried out during the construction of a one-off concept car called the Matra Laser in 1971. Although often underestimated and overlooked among the more popular 1970s concept cars, it turns out that the French's one-off concept car still has a style that can hold people's attention almost 50 years after its debut.
Speaking of cars made by Matra, actually before the French manufacturer produced its first production model of M530 and the Laser concept car, it turn out back in the 1965, the company also had made a one-off sports car called Matra Djet by taking over the René Bonnet's car project
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti is sitting just 1080 mm tall, the Laser had chunky door sills designed not
only to increase structural rigidity, but also to channel cool air to its engine behind. (Picture from: LotusEspritTurbo)
At glance the 1970s typical wedge styled concept car has a similar appearance at rear to an iconic American car named DeLorean DMC-12 that was born a decade later. This concept car is built on the chassis of the Matra M530 mid-engine sports car, which in posture has a very low height of only 1,080 mm.
In order to support its bodywork strength and the cooling system to distribute its 1,700 cc V4 engine heat, this car also has a very wide side sill and is equipped with the gull-wing door styles like those of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL had.
The Matra Laser concept car by Michelotti is powered by the Ford's 1,700 cc V4 engine stowed away behind the passenger compartment. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)
The Matra Laser concept car was appeared in yellow in its first debut to public at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and continued was shown at the Montreal Auto Salon 1972 after had some minor design changes and a less conspicuous silver paint scheme. Then one-off concept car was inducted into an automotive museum collection before seemingly disappearing forever in 1999.
As qouted of the ClassicDriver, even Michelotti’s son Edgardo tried in vain to trace the car for 10 years, considering it to be such an integral part of his father’s legacy. The unique French-made gull-wing door type concept car was miraculously seen at the 2nd Tokyo Concours D'Elegance back in the 2009. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OLDCONCEPTCARS | WIKIPEDIA | CLASSICDRIVER ]
And it is known that the collaboration resulted car, later known as the Perana Z-One is debuted as the concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. The unique-shaped car is built on the Corvette C6's chassis, designed by Zagato in Italy, with performance developments of the builder Superformance (formerly Hi-Tech Automotive) in South Africa.
In the past, the Perana Z-One might be overlooked a little, but now its destiny has turned into a rare sports car that will probably have a price tags more than $150,000 because in addition to its small population and of course as one of the Zagato designed cars also has been played a role to its exorbitant price tags. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ROADANDTRACK | HAGERTY | MOTORAUTHORITY | WIKIPEDIA ]
