2019 Ginetta Akula

REVEALED: GINETTA'S ALL-NEW SUPERCAR

•All-new supercar to be unveiled at Geneva International Motorshow
•Designed from a blank sheet of paper and manufactured in-house from Ginetta's Leeds HQ to create an utterly capable supercar
•Mid-mid engine location allows exceptional weight distribution and near LMP3 levels of aerodynamics far in excess of traditional road cars
•Bespoke powertrain designed and manufactured in-house alongside racing division
•Headline stats: •Dry weight: 1150 kilograms
•Construction: carbon fibre monocoque with carbon fibre body
•Engine: 600bhp+ / 700nm dry sumped NA V8
•Gearbox: six-speed sequential paddle-shift with carbon propshaft
•Brakes: carbon ceramic
•Weight distribution: 49% front / 51% rear
•Downforce: 376kg at 100mph

•Limited to 20 units in the first production year of 2020, with 60% already sold
•Model name, pricing and further ownership experience details to be announced at Geneva

Garforth, 27th February 2019 – Ahead of an official unveiling at the Geneva International Motorshow, Ginetta has today revealed details, imagery and video of its new creation.

Combining the precision engineering expertise gained from manufacturing race cars for a range of global race series with the company's heritage in high-power, low-weight road cars, the new supercar is a driver-orientated yet usable package. Taking the unique Ginetta character and bloodline that goes back to road cars such as the giant-killer G10 of the 1960s and infusing technology from Ginetta's 2019 LMP1 car, the new supercar represents a truly individual supercar offering.

Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson commented: 'Racing at the highest level has taught us that to win you have to have your overall car concept and every detail exactly right, and we've brought that same philosophy to our first supercar. Starting with a blank sheet of paper allowed us to create a true mid-mid engine design with an all carbon monocoque, LMP-derived aerodynamics and an in-house designed powertrain resulting in a driver-orientated package for the road.'

This optimised design with mid-mid layout required a bespoke drivetrain which was developed entirely in-house specifically for the supercar. Given the low volume of production, Ginetta weren't compromised by having to utilise an existing chassis or drivetrain, allowing the engineers to optimise every aspect of the car. Key to the car's performance was not just the engine position but the design of the unit itself.

The engine is an ultra compact and lightweight unit mounted much further back than conventional supercars in a central mid-mid position. This layout allowed the engineers to achieve optimal aerodynamics, a weight distribution of 49% front and 51% rear, utilise a race-derived suspension set-up tweaked for excellent on-road feel and even create a large boot.

A dry-sumped 6-litre 90-degree V8, constructed from a single aluminium billet block with forged inners, the unit is manufactured in-house by Ginetta's engineers and even features Ginetta's own design of throttle bodies. Power is over 600bhp, with torque figures of 700Nm, resulting in a Power to Weight ratio of 545bhp per tonne. Being naturally aspirated engine response is immediate and balancing the car on the throttle requires no electronic aids.

The supercar utilises a full carbon fibre monocoque chassis clothed in carbon fibre body panels. The design language echoes that of Ginetta LMP1 cars and this influence not only creates a distinctive aesthetic but truly exceptional aerodynamic performance above traditional supercars.

A rear wing with the same aerofoil shape as the latest Ginetta LMP1 racer, underbody diffuser, efficient body ducting and slash-cut side-exit exhausts work together to create incredibly smooth airflow, with downforce at 100mph totalling 376kg – just 5% less than Ginetta's LMP3 car. As with all top-level race cars, this has all been achieved without the use of active aerodynamics.



Ginetta have partnered with another industry leading British manufacturer to create a bespoke gearbox for the new car – a six-speed sequential paddle-shift unit with carbon propshaft. This unit not only delivers lightning fast changes but provides a soundtrack akin to the supercar's racing siblings.

Wheels are Ginetta designed and manufactured units, 19 inches in the front and 20 inches in the rear. These are made specifically for the new supercar and use Ginetta's own centre locks as used on race tracks around the world. Behind these sit carbon ceramic brakes.

Driver and passenger sit in lightweight ergonomic seats moulded into the car's carbon tub. Alcantara, carbon fibre and billet aluminium punctuate the interior, which is filled with practical technology to further bolster to the car's usability. With ABS, traction control, reverse camera, automatic headlights, park sensors, air conditioning, heated screens front and rear, wireless phone charging and more, the new supercar offers real world practicality with a no-compromise driving experience. What's more, the cavernous boot has a best-in-class, 675 litre capacity ideal for grand touring.

Dry weight is just 1150 kilograms even with a roll-over structure designed to current FIA specifications forming a robust safety cell and giving the chassis an impressive torsional rigidity, resulting in superb on-road driving characteristics.

Each owner will be taken through a bespoke specification programme with myriad configuration options available. Ginetta will also take customers through a tailored seat fitting to ensure each car fits the driver perfectly, support the cars with extensive factory warranty and offer an immersive ownership experience – further details of which will be announced at Geneva.

Tomlinson commented: 'When setting out on this project, it was important to me that being an owner of this car felt as individual and special as the car itself. We've always been a straightforward, personal and inherently British company and with this car we're offering the chance to own a limited production, truly bespoke supercar built alongside machines from the top level of prototype racing.'

'Our customers will get the opportunity to take to the race track in race cars built alongside their car and shake the hands of the engineers that built them. Our customers become part of the family and we believe that really sets Ginetta and the car apart in the supercar world.'

Source - Ginetta

GINETTA SUPERCAR MAKES DEBUT AT GENEVA MOTORSHOW AND IS NAMED AKULA

•Named Akula, the Russian word for 'shark', the supercar also shares its name with nuclear-powered attack submarines
•Ownership experience to include exclusive track experience in range of Ginetta models including thunderous G58 prototype racer
•940kg, 575bhp V8 G58 prototype will offer authentic race car experience for Akula owners alongside selection of other machines from Ginetta's back catalogue
•Priced at GBP 340,000 OTR in ÚK
•Limited to 20 units in first production year of 2020, with 60% already sold prior to unveiling
•Akula unveiled at Geneva finished in 'Typhoon Black'
Geneva, 5th March 2019 – Today the Ginetta supercar made its world debut at the Geneva International Motorshow where company Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson confirmed the name, pricing and further ownership details of its all-new supercar.

The combination of aerodynamically optimised design and potent performance found in the new supercar required a fitting name, and given the car's formidable presence Akula was chosen. Being the Russian word for 'shark' as well as a term for nuclear-powered attack submarines, the predatory character of both subjects lent themselves well to Ginetta's creation. Finished in 'Typhoon Black', the Akula captivated the crowd in Geneva with its menacing appearance.

Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson commented: 'The concept behind the Akula was to build something truly individual, something that other brands cannot do due to corporate constraints. Designed to cut through the air like a shark through water, the car unquestionably means business, and I'm proud to be manufacturing a car of such significance in the ÚK.'

A true limited-edition vehicle, the Akula is priced at GBP 340,000 on the road. Production will be limited to just 20 units in 2020, with 60% of this allocation already sold before the car was publicly unveiled.

Paramount to Ginetta's supercar programme was customer inclusion, with the barriers often associated with supercar ownership firmly removed. Aside from building a personal relationship with the engineers that built their car, Akula owners will also be given a full introduction to the Ginetta brand with a customer experience day culminating in track time in the G58 racer.

The G58 is the closest thing to strapping in to an endurance racer as non-professionals are likely to achieve. The G58 is powered by a 575bhp V8 power plant, weighs just 940 kilograms and showcases some of the race-derived technology utilised in the Akula to whole new levels.

With a Ginetta factory driver, full pit crew and a range of Ginetta vehicles from G40 up to G58 at their disposal, this exclusive ownership experience will be an induction into the Ginetta family for Akula owners and the start of a supercar ownership experience like no other.

Tomlinson commented: 'We're a small company but we pack a punch, and our customers should be the ones who truly benefit from that. We compete with other manufacturers on the race track, but with our supercar we're offering something different and aimed at those who want a true connection with the brand that built their car. Whether it be taking to the track in a G58 or making your bespoke specification choices with us at the factory, Akula owners will be truly involved in all things Ginetta.'

Source - Ginetta