Auto Car | 2005 Ultima GTR 640 | Previously regarded as the fastest, the top flight McLaren F1 has lost its place to the Ultima's new record-breaking GTR 640. As a street legal supercar, fitted with road tires and built to factory specification, the 640 has reached 0-100-0 mph more than a second faster then the mighty McLaren. During this run on the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, the Ultima accelerated to 60mph in 2.8 seconds, hit 100 mph 3.0 seconds later, and then slowed to a standstill after only 9.8!
Following the success of the 9.8 run, the GTR 640 has become the fastest accelerating and decelerating production car in the world. Furthermore, Ted Marlow, Managing Director of Ultima, is now convinced that a low nine second run "is possible". Considering the 640 has outperformed the 0-100-0 times during separate 0-60 and 0-100 mph tests, he is probably right.
The phenomenal results that the 640 can achieve are made possible thanks to its exceptional power to weight ratio. Sitting in the center of its well developed chassis is a normally aspirated 640 bhp 377ci Chevrolet V8 prepared by AmericanSpeed. Since the body and chassis are of a 'no frills' design, this engine provides 685 bhp per ton. In addition, if a customer is willing to sacrifice a little drivability, AmericanSpeed - the Illinois company responsible for developing the engine - can supply up to 720 bhp!
Since 1999, Ultima has been offering their low-volume GTR both as a kit and 'turnkey' car completed by the factory. The press has described these Ultimas as having McLaren F1 performance for a fraction of the £630,000 price. In fact, McLaren realized the potential of this chassis design when they used it to test the F1's engine and transmission. Since Ultima has created the chassis to handle many different power train combinations, one GTR with a DART 427 sold at the 2005 Barret-Jackson Auction for a cool $103 000 USD.
In all fairness, the McLaren/Ultima comparison is a little like apples and oranges. The Ultima is void where the McLaren offers perks such as upholstery, storage space, active aerodynamics and a LeMans-winning chassis. However, with no driving aids, both cars do have a direct connection to the road and are dedicated to performance unlike most other sports cars
today.
Following the success of the 9.8 run, the GTR 640 has become the fastest accelerating and decelerating production car in the world. Furthermore, Ted Marlow, Managing Director of Ultima, is now convinced that a low nine second run "is possible". Considering the 640 has outperformed the 0-100-0 times during separate 0-60 and 0-100 mph tests, he is probably right.
The phenomenal results that the 640 can achieve are made possible thanks to its exceptional power to weight ratio. Sitting in the center of its well developed chassis is a normally aspirated 640 bhp 377ci Chevrolet V8 prepared by AmericanSpeed. Since the body and chassis are of a 'no frills' design, this engine provides 685 bhp per ton. In addition, if a customer is willing to sacrifice a little drivability, AmericanSpeed - the Illinois company responsible for developing the engine - can supply up to 720 bhp!
Since 1999, Ultima has been offering their low-volume GTR both as a kit and 'turnkey' car completed by the factory. The press has described these Ultimas as having McLaren F1 performance for a fraction of the £630,000 price. In fact, McLaren realized the potential of this chassis design when they used it to test the F1's engine and transmission. Since Ultima has created the chassis to handle many different power train combinations, one GTR with a DART 427 sold at the 2005 Barret-Jackson Auction for a cool $103 000 USD.
In all fairness, the McLaren/Ultima comparison is a little like apples and oranges. The Ultima is void where the McLaren offers perks such as upholstery, storage space, active aerodynamics and a LeMans-winning chassis. However, with no driving aids, both cars do have a direct connection to the road and are dedicated to performance unlike most other sports cars
today.
Source : www.supercars.net
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