I've seen messages in newsgroups and in mailing-lists concerning pictures
about such cars as the Jaguar XJ220, Bugatti EB110 etc. etc.
Let me present You a selection of some of the finest among the current and near-current exotics.
Let's see a menu what cars'd be found in this page: (last updated on
the 31st of January, 1996).
Jaguar's present, supercat, the XJ220
Photos courtesy of Bolko Rawicz (brawicz@sfu.ca)
This car, according to John Lamm's wonderful article (Cat Tracks on p. 66 of
the Exotic Cars '94, Road&Track specials) started as an off-hours company
project in the mid-Eighties, a chance for engineers and designers to exercise
their imaginations in creating the ultimate Jaguar...
First conceived as a 4-wheel-drvie machine with a V-12 engine the XJ200 was
a hands-down winner from its debut at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show.
When the final go-ahead has been given, in the end of 1989 the specification
has been dramatically changed: no V12, no 4WD.
The twin-turbo V-6 although develops 542 HPs at 7000 rpm was not enough for
buyers, so most of the buyers ceasing their orders.
Photos and part of the info about the Buggati EB110 SuperSport courtesy
of Bolko Rawicz (brawicz@sfu.ca)
The Bugatti revival started in 1987. The foundations of Bugatti Automobili
were laid in Campogalliano during the summer of 1988, and the official
inauguration followed on the 15th of Septermber 1990, whilst on the same
date the previous year, the opening of the Ettore Bugatti Cultural Centre in
Ora (Bolzano), the Bugatti companies' programmes were disclosed.
EB110 refers to the 110 years (in '91) since the birth of Ettore Bugatti.
The EB110 was unveiled in Paris 1991. In Spring 1992, the EB110S was
presented in Geneva.
Here's one of the latest versions, the SE30. Only 150 are made.
It was presented in October of 1993, when Lambo celebrated the 30st
anniversary of its car making history.
It is powered by a version of the 5.7 litre V12 engine, with a power of 386
kW (525 HP) @ 7200/min, an a torque of 580 Nm @ 5200/min.
The Michalak Prototypen + Design Gmbh, an engineering firm from
Germany specialized itself designing various parts of cars (e.g.
handles of the Audi A8 etc.) From time to time they present a
prototype to gain interest of their work.
This year they presented a converted Challenger. As one of the
designers, the Hungarian-born Gabor Herczeg told me they got a wrecked nose
Chrysler Viper so they chose to transform the nose instead of repairing it.
They also modified the windshield: it's now asymmetrical. They also placed
a rollbar so the car look more racy.
Gabor also told me how bad the quality of the Viper is: "It's only
a year old and it already rusts over".
If you want to send comments, offer additions don't hesitate, write!
Address below.
Go back to the index!
Copyright January, 1996.
Although Bugatti went into receivership the
EB110 has to
be mentioned here.
In early 1993 the EB110 GT finally entered production. According to Autocar
up to date only 154 EB110s have been built - and that number includes cars
still on the assembly lane. Bugatti doesn't release sales figures, but the
sale of Lotus shows the size of the financial troubles.
Bugatti went into receivership in late 1995 and to the surprise of everyone
Artioli saved the Bugatti trademark: it is owned by the Luxembourg-based
Bugatti International. It was a dirty trick, so I won't think Artioli will be
back again.
The technical details of the EB110 SuperSport (this is not the normal version):
Lighter weight and even more power were major development targets.
Light weight being hig priority, the S.E. is based on the rear-drive Diablo,
rather than the all-wheel-drive VT. The weight quioted for the S.E. is
1450 kg (3200 lb). This not only has called for the deletion of the air
conditioning system and the radio (which, along with power-assisted steering,
remain options), but also has entailed some extensive re-design and a more
widespread use of light alloys and carbon-fiber materials.
In the cockpit, the lowered instrument cluster of the VT model has been
adopted, while leather has been replaced with a much lighter synthetic
covering. A nice touch is the reproduction of the original Lamborghini
badge of 1963 in the center of the newly designed steering wheel.
Top speed: 331 km/h (206 mph) and 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 4 secs.
Latest news: Lamborghini presented the ultimate Diablo, based on the SE30,
named as Diablo SE30 Jota. More power, less weight. Stay tuned!
Dodge Viper
I don't want to present here the "normal" Dodge Viper. For me it's too
common. It's sure exotic, but it's "mass" produced. So here goes a one-off
version, the Michalak Challenge/R.
Doge Viper GTS
From 1996 there's a closed variaton on the market of the Dodge Viper. The
Viper GTS Coupe will be the the Pace Car of the 1996 Indy 500 race (see the
pictures)
The Dodge Viper GTS Coupe includes as standard an 8.0-liter, 450-horsepower,
aluminum V-10 engine; an all-aluminum double-wishbone suspension;
dual-airbags; air conditioning; power windows; electronic door latching with
locking feature and security system; adjustable pedals; ligthweights seats
with active unibelt restraint system; polished aluminium wheels and
six-speaker CD system.
Sales will start from the spring with a MSRP of $66,700.
I'm no way related to the companies or their
products. I have no responsibility for the accuracy of the above info.
This document or parts of it cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Lamborghini Diablo SE30