- Oullim Spirra
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Oullim Spirra Manufacturer Oullim Motors Inc. Production 2010-present Assembly Kyunggi-do Province, S. Korea Predecessor Proto Spirra Class Sports car Body style 2-door coupe Layout RMR layout Engine 2.7L V6 Delta Turbo and Twin-turbo Transmission 6-speed manual transmission Wheelbase 2,660 mm (104.7 in) Length 4,357 mm (171.5 in) Width 1,924 mm (75.7 in) Height 1,216 mm (47.9 in) Related Proto Spirra The Oullim Spirra is a sports car manufactured by Oullim Motors, a subsidiary of Oullim Networks.[1] The company headquarters are located in Yangjae-dong in downtown Seoul while the production facility is located in Kyunggi-do province just south of Seoul. Oullim Motors was co-founded in 2007 by former Ssangyong Motors designer Han-chul Kim and Dong-hyuk Park, the founder and CEO of Oullim Networks.
The Spirra has been in production since 2008, and is available in various countries including China, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and The Netherlands.
Contents
Conception
The initial conception of a Korean exotic sports car was envisioned by Han-chul Kim in the mid 1990s, then a designer at Ssangyong Motors. Upon the inception of a tangible vision, Kim quit Ssangyong Motors to further pursue the dream of building a sports car and founded Proto Motors with his wife, a researcher at Asia Motor Company.
The original mid-engine, rear wheel drive design featured a 4.6 DOHC V8 32V engine with a power output of 320 hp (239 kW).[2] This engine was from the 1999/2001 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra. The engine delivered over 312 lb·ft (423 N·m) of torque to the ground. The Spirra has a claimed 0-62 mph time under 4.0 seconds with an expected top speed of 200 mph (320 km/h). A prototype, developed to compete with the likes of Ferraris, Porsches and Lamborghinis, was codenamed the PS-II and revealed to the public for the first time at the 2000 Seoul Motor Show. The PS-II was renamed the Spirra before being debuted at the 2004 Beijing Motor Show. Initial production attempts failed due to insufficient funds and the project was delayed indefinitely.
Mergers and Acquisitions
The production of the Spirra became feasible when Kim coincidently met Dong-hyuk Park, an advent car enthusiast and successful entrepreneur. Park had established Oullim Networks Inc, a firm specializing in internet securities and Oullim Motors, a subsidiary of the Oullim conglomerate concentrating on the development, design and innovation of motor vehicles. In 2007, Proto Motors was acquired by Oullim Motors with Kim as chief of development, and under new management the Spirra project was rejuvenated after five years of stagnation.[3]
Production models
The Spirra lineup consists of four different trims under the names Spirra N, Spirra S, Spirra Turbo and Spirra EX. All engines are based on the DOHC 2656 cc V6, manufactured by Hyundai. These engines undergo extensive calibrations and modifications for increased performance, power and responsiveness suitable for applications requiring such characteristics.
Specifications of the Spirra [N, S, T, EX Models]:- 0–100 km/h[62 mph] – 3.5s - 6.8 s
- Top speed – 220 km/h - 315 km/h [125 mph - 193 mph]
- Curb weight[dry] – 1320 kg - 1400kg [2460 lbs - 2600 lbs]
- Max. power [SAE net] – 175 hp - 500 hp
- Max. torque – 25 kg/m - 55 kg/m [165 lb-ft - 395 lb-ft]
Pricing: [Variable, depends on market location]
[In United States Dollars]- $74,000 - $175,000
Electric Spirra
As a complete car manufacturer, Oullim insists that it needs to develop its own powertrains. Considering options to develop its own engines, they have decided to develop electric powertrains instead believing that "Mclaren has taken the wrong timing to start its own engine business."
The first prototype was unveiled to the public for the first time at the "Low Carbon Green Growth Exhibition 2010" hosted by South Korea's Environment ministry in Seoul. Oullim claims a top speed of over 200 km/h and a 0–100 km/h acceleration time at less than 4 seconds. Production is planned for 2011 with European and Chinese markets at its sights.
The prototype appeared again a month later in Jeju island during the "Korea Smart Grid Week" held during the G20 summit. It sported a different livery and temporary number plates indicating this particular prototpye is currently in road testing phase. Oullim told the local media that "once the technology and the demand for electric cars matures, we intend to phase out our gasoline engines."
Racing
The racing version of the Spirra was designed to compete in the KGTM tour. The V6 2.7 24V Twin Turbo engine has been further tweaked to produce 600 hp (450 kW) and reach 338 km/h (211 mph). The team won its debut race at Yongin Speedway in the 2008 Extra Time Trial and took 1st place in the 2008 series.[4] Competent race cars such as the BMW M3 GTR, Porsche GT3 RSR and Nismo 350Z were participants in the KGTM tour.
References
Categories:- Cars of Korea
- Motor vehicle manufacturers of South Korea
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