2008 Artega GT

The Artega® GT. Germany's alternative to the sports car establishment.

The new car brand Artega® is set to unveil a close-to-production prototype of its debut model. Artega®'s aim is the development and production of small-series sports cars that break the mould. Artega® was the brainchild of engineers in the development department at paragon, the globally successful electronics supplier based in Delbrück, in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia. The company's mission statement commits it to providing a convincing and sustained demonstration of both all-round automotive expertise and a passion for sporty cars.

Artega® and the Artega® GT represent a new beginning, with no brief to bring a historical brand back to life and no nostalgia agenda. The challenging, international setting of the Geneva Motor Show makes this a fitting venue for the first public unveiling of both brand and car.

The new Artega® GT combines the emotional appeal of a high-performance sports car with the defining attributes of a sports tourer. The development of the car hinged on four priorities:

• A distinctive design language. Renowned designer Henrik Fisker has created proportions with an unprecedented purity: broad, flat and compact. Given its restricted dimensions, an interior brimming with efficiency comes as something of a surprise. There is room inside the car not just for two adults, but also their luggage – and even a child seat can be integrated as an option.

• Agility, driving dynamics and safety. The key parameters in the development of the Artega® GT were lightweight construction and rigidity. A generously sized aluminium space frame teams up with a body made from carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials to ensure an impressive power-to-weight ratio. High-quality components sourced from the Volkswagen Group and a rear-engined arrangement make for top-class performance.The V6 powerplant with a direct-shift gearbox and a specially developed inverting stage was built into a compact module made from high-strength steel tubing. Active driving dynamics aids are an integral element of the GT, while exceptionally effective crash boxes protect the occupants in the event of an accident.

• Touring suitability. The development engineers attached great importance to creating an occupant-oriented package. A wide variety of stowage areas and two luggage compartments exceed the usual boundaries for a car with these dimensions. The key to this extraordinary spaciousness was the decision to mount the engine horizontally in the rear of the car.

• Controls. The expertise of the electronics specialists at paragon opened the door to a wide range of innovative control and driver information systems.With its groundbreaking new sensor switch panels and the unique dual-indicator speedometer/rev counter instrument, paragon's all-new interior ambience represents a significant standout feature of the new Artega® GT.

By the end of 2007 a state-of-the-art production facility will be constructed in Delbrück for the Artega® GT and other potential models.The new location will bring together component manufacturing, final assembly and a brand and sales centre, allowing the brand to meet the broadest possible range of customer specifications.

The new Artega® GT is no show car. It documents the nascent brand's intention to lay down a range of models which are designed for the long term and can secure it a place alongside the major manufacturers. The target group for these small-volume cars is a select band of enthusiasts who value ideas which step outside the norm and are therefore unlikely to be satisfied by large-series models.

Artega® aims to enrich the sports car world rather than providing extra competition.

Source - Artega

Statement by Klaus Dieter Frers at the Press Conference at the 2008 Autosalon International Motor Show in Geneva

Ladies and gentlemen,

Geneva is a very special place for us. It's good to be back home. Here two years ago I discussed my ideas for a sports car design having extraordinary proportions with Henrik Fisker and finally we signed the contract.

The world premiere was held one year ago at this very same place where we are gathered today. Back then we earned a lot of praise from professionals and media for the concept and its quality of detail.

And for the courage to set the Artega clearly apart from what we call 'exotic' cars. The flexibility of small-series production, joined with the quality and safety of large series production – is a new combination we have achieved in a truly exemplary manner. Allow me to acknowledge and thank the entire Artega team for this outstanding achievement.

Skill, passion and inspiration are the core values behind Artega. What started out as a reference work for paragon AG, a Tier 1 to the automotive industry I founded 20 years ago, assumed an astonishing momentum of its own in a very short time. The goal is clear: The Artega GT will enrich the sports cars scene with an innovative, lightweight design. And to launch a successful brand that draws its inspiration from the future.

A year ago today I presented to you in my role as the initiator of the project the prototype of the Artega GT. And now it's an honor for me – as chairman of the Artega company's advisory board – to unveil the Artega GT just the way you'll see it rolling off our assembly line in the middle of this year. Besides the breathtaking design, the
Artega GT's technology is fascinating.

The Artega GT is the first automobile in the world with an industrially crafted, full body made of polyurethane. It is this, along with the aluminum space frame and the high-tensile-steel component supports, which contributes to the remarkably low weight of about 1,100 kilograms.

With a length of about 4 meters it's as short as a compact, wide as a luxury limousine and as low as a supersportscar.

The car seems to be bigger inside than outside. It has got lots of storage compartments, 300 liters of room for suitcases, golf bags or indeed a child safety seat, and a 68-liter fuel tank (or an optional 80-liter one).

It shows outstanding driving performance with its 300 horsepower engine and six-speed direct-shift gearbox from VW, direct steering and a responsive suspension, that turns every trip into pure enjoyment because of the comfortable but sporty ride.



The newest ABS generation, the ASP stability program with four drive settings, and traction control – are features normally found only at the supersportscar level.

Our user-friendly system for control and driver information in the style of a high-end HiFi system is from paragon.

It is qualities like these that have made the first year's production almost completely sold out. We're very happy about this, since it shows just how popular and in demand our sports car is.

If you can't find what you're looking for from large-scale car makers and are searching for an alternative without having to turn to an exotic car, then the Artega is right for you.

When you buy from us you won't find equipment taken off the shelf from an accessories shop. The wheels, seats, steering wheel, headlights, outside mirrors, display and control components – all this and more – were developed especially for the Artega GT. This is what individuality looks like.

Following an unusually intensive testing program for a small-series automobile, which included a climate wind tunnel, a series of different crash tests and extensive road tests, the second quarter of this year will see the pilot and pre-production series. In late May we will inaugurate our Brand & Sales Center in Delbrück, and then in July
the big moment will come: The first Artega GT will be presented to its proud new owner.

And it will be a vehicle like the one shown here as we have come up with something very special for the start of the new Artega brand.



In addition to the 'Intro 2008' we are showing you a chassis frame without the body. It shows something you might otherwise not see - the kind of systematic quality manufacturing using aerospace standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com) It demonstrates impressively the amount of effort that our engineers have made to give the customer a car that in terms of safety goes well beyond what the law requires.

The new German sports car – the Artega GT – stands for a modern-day enrichment to the automobile market. Lightweight construction suitable for everyday driving and touring, with a fascinating design at an affordable price.

Thank you for coming. And keep watching us.

Source - Artega