Ascari A10

Infobox Automobile


name = Ascari A10
manufacturer = Ascari Cars
parent_company =
aka =
production = 2006–present
assembly = Banbury, England
predecessor =
successor =
class = Sports car
body_style = 2-door coupe
layout = RMR layout
platform =
engine = 5.0 litre BMW V8
transmission = 6-speed manual (sequential manual in option)
wheelbase = Auto mm|2636|1
length = Auto mm|4300|1
width = Auto mm|1852|1
height = Auto mm|1138|1
weight = Auto kg|1280|0
fuel_capacity =
electric_range =
related = Ascari KZ1, Ascari KZ1-R, BMW M5
designer = Paul BrownThe Ascari A10 is an automobile produced by the British company Ascari Cars that was conceived by a Dutch billionaire. 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 Auto bhp|625|0cite web | url = http://www.ascari.net/subsecciones.php?idioma=2&&seccion=19&&subseccion=40 | title = Second British Supercar Emerges From the Ascari Stable | accessdate = 2008-05-09 | publisher = Ascari Cars ] , delivered via a six speed sequential manual gearbox, with a regular H-pattern 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 convert|1280|kg|lb|0|abbr=on. Ascari claims that the A10 is capable of a top speed of auto mph|220 and a 0-auto mph|60 acceleration time of 2.8 seconds.

The company plans to hand-assemble 50 A10s at its Banbury, England assembly plant, at a price of approximately £350,000 (US$695,000) each.

On the December 9th 2007 episode of Top Gear, the A10 set the fastest 'Power Lap' time around the Top Gear test track, posting a time of 1:17.3 - 0.3 seconds faster than the previous fastest car, the Koenigsegg CCX. Reviewing it during the same episode, Jeremy Clarkson described it as "A staggering car ... like a Koenigsegg but a million times more manageable." Praising the car's handling in his column in the Sunday Times, Clarkson stated "All car makers should be forced, by law, to drive an A10 so they can see what they’re aiming for." The A10's time was beaten by the Gumpert Apollo on the July 27th 2008 episode of Top Gear. The Apollo set a time of 1:17.1 - 0.2 seconds quicker than the A10.

pecifications

*Engine: 4941 cc V8
*Power: convert|625|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on
*Weight: convert|1280|kg|lb|abbr=on
*0-60 mph (0-100 km/h): 2.8 sec
*0-100 mph (0-160 km/h): 5.9 sec
*1/4 Mile (400m)10.8 seconds at 138 Mph
*Top Speed: convert|220|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on

References

External links

* [http://www.supercars.net/cars/3324.html A10 page on supercars.net with photos and specifications] (supercars.net)
* [http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article2452277.ece Sunday Times review of the A10] (timesonline.co.uk)