Ascari KZ-1

Cars Mania Blog

Auto Car | Ascari KZ-1 | The Ascari A10 is an automobile produced by the British company Ascari Cars that was conceived by Dutch millionaire Klaas Zwart. It is a road-going evolution of the KZ1-R GT race car currently contesting the Spanish GT Championship, with both cars penned by ex-Formula One designer Paul Brown. It is the third road car produced by the company, after the Ecosse and the KZ1, with the name A10 intended to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the company.

The A10 features a modified 5.0 L BMW V8 engine producing 625 bhp (466 kW), delivered via a six speed sequential manual gearbox, with a regular manual transmission available as an option. The A10 shares the same basic carbon fibre chassis as the KZ1, with all-new bodywork and racing-derived suspension. Despite the addition of an FIA-spec roll cage and the fire-suppression system, the removal of soundproofing and such luxuries as air conditioning and a stereo system contributes to the A10's relatively light weight of 1,280 kg (2,822 lb). The company plans to hand-assemble 50 A10s at its Banbury, England assembly plant, at a price of approximately £350,000 (US$650,000) each.

The Ascari KZ-1 is quite a small supercar, measuring 4.3 metres long, 1.85 metres wide and just over 1.1 metres tall. The car weighs 1100kg, which, when combined with a Hartge tuned BMW 5.0-litre V8 engine, results in supercar levels of acceleration. Which is quite fitting really.

This BMW-sourced 4941cc 8-cylinder engine sits behind the driver in the mid-mount position, gifting the car with an optimum front:rear weight distribution, and its low ride height helps improve its centre of gravity.

Driving through a 6-speed sequential transmission, the 5.0-litre V8 has been tuned to dish out 388kW or 520hp @ 7000rpm, fulfilling that supercar requirement of high revability that many enthusiasts crave.

Peak torque of 550Nm @ 4500rpm ensures that the rear wheel drive super can sprint from rest to 100km/h in the Lambo-quick time of 3.8 seconds. Furthermore, it will do the 0-160km/h dash in less than 10 seconds - 9.1 seconds to be precise - and has a top speed of 319km/h, or just under the Imperial double ton - 200mph.

Specification

Make: Ascari
Model: KZ-1
Year: 2006
Country Of Origin: Scotland
Type: Supercar
Class: A
Engine: V-8, Naturally Aspirated, 4,941 CC, Gasoline
Horsepower: 500 BHP @ 7,000 RPM
Tourque: 406 LB FT @ 4, 500 RPM
Redline: 7,600 RPM
Brakes: Cross Drilled, Ventilated Steel Discs All Round
Wheels: 19 inch all round, aluminium alloy hubcaps
Handedness: Right
Dials: All Analouque
Readout: MPH
Transmission: 6 Speed H Pattern Manual
Driveline: M/R Mid Engined, Rear Wheel Drive
0-60: 3/7 Seconds
Top Speed: 201 MPH