DOME ZERO |
|
|
The Dome Zero was a prototype Super Car from DOME Co. Ltd that was exhibited at the 48th Geneva Auto Show in 1978 which was received very favorably. The 'Dome Project', started by Minoru Hayashi in 1975, had the goal of producing small volume sports cars using knowledge gained from his racing exploits. The Dome Zero was the first of such low volume Super Cars, and after failed attempts at getting Japanese domestic homologation their efforts were concentrated on overseas homologation. The project would never be completed.
It is not entirely clear exactly why the Dome Zero failed structurally to achieve Japanese homologation for such a successful concept car, but what is clear is that homologation rules were very strict at that time in Japan, and DOME did not have the funds to go through with the costly homologation procedure - which Japanese mainstream auto makers with their giant budgets had no trouble doing. (Text Adapted From: Wikipedia) (All Images Credit: CarRevsDaily) |
DOME ZERO - GALLERY |
|
 z |
|
|
CARDI CURARA |
|
The 1998 CARDI CURARA V12 is a convertible 2 seat Super Car emerging from the burgeoning new Russian economy after the fall of the Soviet Union. At first, the company was entirely devoted to the preparation and tuning of large luxury cars, later they decided to venture into developing and manufacturing their own cars. The Curara is one such exquisite and unique design, rather clever in its innovative styling cues. The front features a large central elliptical horseshoe like vent a la Veyron, a neatly framed top with large rectangular headlights and below them are slit ventilation grilles complemented with artful round fog lights, a superbly finished tilted elegant mini windshield, the rear sports a thirties like recessed and flush spare wheel housing, from there the boot beautifully tapers down to the almost invisible tail lights, embedded discreetly in a single slot that runs the full width of the car, stunning.
This Russian Super Car is no mug as it is powered by a 5.4 liter BMW V12 making 326 hp at 7000 RPM, coupled with a self-locking limited slip differential automatic gearbox which enables the Curara to achieve 0 to 100 km/h sprint in less than 7 seconds and a maximum electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The body is made entirely of fiber glass, the weight is maintained around 1,250 pounds (567 Kg), which gives the car an amazing power to weight ratio. (All Images Credit: carstyling.ru) |
CARDI CURARA - GALLERY |
|
|
JIOTTO CASPITA |
|
|
Jiotto Caspita even if largely unknown is probably the most famous Japanese Super Car. Don't be surprised if the name Caspita sounds more Italian than Japanese, such was the influence of the Italians when it came to creating impressive Super Cars, that many manufacturers adopted Italian nomenclature. This Super Car was conceived by Jiotto Design Inc. of Japan, then a new design studio and was developed by Dome, one of the most experienced engineering and motor sport companies in Japan. The Caspita was designed by Kunihisa Ito, an experienced automotive and industrial designer who have worked for many big companies like GM, Ford, Mazda and Nissan.
Dome with years on experience in motor sports and composite materials construction developed the car. The Caspita was a two-seat mid-engine Super Car similar in concept and layout with the endurance and Group C race cars. Dome have already build race prototypes including the Toyota prototypes that competed in LeMans during that period. The actual car was low and wide and not excessively big. It was also very light, weighing about 1100-1200 kg. Aerodynamically the car was very advanced. There was a movable rear airfoil and the underside of the car was flat with big diffuser channels in the rear. The suspension with double wishbones and rocker arms controlled the wheel movements while shielding all bulky components from the airflow.
Dome was established by using indigenous technology and the Jiotto Caspita was almost an all Japanese project. The engine of the car was provided by Subaru and it was a flat-12 derivative of the unsuccessful Subaru Formula-1 effort. A new flat-12 engine similar in concept to the Subaru flat-4 engines was developed in partnership Motori Moderni of Italy. The engine was mated to a custom 6-speed trans-axle made by Weismann. This engine powered the first prototype but later it was replaced by a Judd V10 engine, also originated from Formula-1. The Judd engine was more powerful with 585 hp and gave the car a maximum speed of 345 km/h and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds, very impressive figures indeed. The design of the car was simple and effective and it looks stunning and modern even today, 25 years later. The Jiotto Caspita never made it into production, the market for Super Cars was in decline by the time it was ready. Dome continues to operate successfully and Jiotto Design closed in 1999. The closest thing to a multi cylinder complete Super Car from Japan is the new Lexus LF-A but it is a more of a GT rather than a Group C car for the road like the Caspita. (All Images Credit: carstyling.ru)
|
JIOTTO CASPITA - GALLERY |
|
|
|
|
KODIAK F1 |
|
|
Kodiak F1 was a German car brand named after the fearsome Alaskan brown bear. The company Speed & Sport GmbH of Stuttgart, was led by Serbian born Mladen Mitrovic, it presented in 1983 the Kodiak F1 Coupe at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Subsequently, small scale production began but in 1985 production ended.
The handmade mid-engined rear wheel drive Kodiak F1 coupe had gullwing doors and somewhat resembled the Mercedes-Benz F-C-111 Super Car. The body was made of Kevlar and Epoxy and incorporated a seamless tubular steel frame. Suspension was based on proven Formula racing design. The F1 was powered by a 5.7 liter 1990 Corvette LT1 V8 engine rated at 320 bhp at 5000 rpm with Brodix aluminum cylinder heads and four Weber carburetors, torque was at 460 nm at 4000 rpm, the drive train was a 5-speed BMW ZF transmission equipped with a dual-disc clutch with limited slip differential. All electrical components were sourced from Bosch. The car weighed at 1,080 kg (2,380 lbs), this resulted in a power to weight ratio that provided fantastic acceleration and performance (Power Ratio was 4.6 kg/PS & 162 kW/T). The interiors were also in leather trim and the car was equipped with Mercedes sourced air conditioning system. (Images Credit: Autohistory.blog.hu)
|
KODIAK F1 - GALLERY |
|
MONTEVERDI HAI |
|
|
The Monteverdi Hai 450 SS was a prototype Swiss Super Car which made its debut at the 1970 Geneva Auto Show and is one of the most exclusive of all Super Cars. It was intended to be a direct competitor to the top of the list super sports cars of Lamborghini, Ferrari and Maserati. It had a 6,974 cc (425.6 cu in) V8 from Chrysler positioned behind the two front seats. It took its name from the output of the engine, and the German word for shark, Hai. A second car was made with a longer wheelbase and minor detail changes like door handles and red bodywork. This car was named GTS to mark the changes. Monteverdi initially planned to produce 49 copies, but the production was halted after the two prototypes. This is most likely due to the car's speculated $27,000 price tag, a considerable sum for such a car in that era.
In 1992 Monteverdi decided to re-enter the car scene. To achieve that he needed something stunning and capturing to cause a stir, such as the Monteverdi Hai 450 SS did back in 1970. The target was to create the ultimate supercar, and a true F1 car for the road. To accomplish that, the company used a Formula 1 chassis from the defunct Monteverdi - Onyx F1 team plus its engine. The car itself was built around an actual F1 chassis utilizing a Ford DFR V8 F1 engine, though in detuned form. The car was named Hai 650 F1, paying homage to its lineage started with the Hai 450 SS of 1970 and denoting the car's power output and F1 pedigree. (Images Credit: MotorsTown) |
MONTEVERDI HAI - GALLERY |
|
|