October 30, 2006 The latest Supercar contender made its first appearance at the 2006 MPH show in Birmingham (UK) late last week in the form the A10 from British manufacturer Ascari. Announced last December, and billed as a performance equivalent to the Ferrari Enzo FXX, the 225 mph A10 has a 5-litre V8 engine, with a six speed gearbox as standard and an optional sequential gearbox. Designed and hand built in Banbury, the 625bhp A10 weighs in at around 1200kg, thanks to its lightweight six-piece carbon fibre body. Unlike the EUR1.5 million Enzo FXX, the A10 is road legal and will sell for EUR522,000 (US$665,000). Reaching 60mph in just 2.8 seconds and 100mph in less than 6 seconds, the manufacturer claims the A10 will become the fastest road going production car around a race track. Although it was announced that 50 of the remarkable vehicles would be built, latest information suggests only ten of the species will be created, so better get the chequebook at the ready.
The A10 is more than just a revamped KZ1, which has found success in its first year of competing in the FIA GT3 series this year. It has new body panels, a reworked engine and suspension, with extensive brake modifications to cope with the extra power. Not surprisingly, with only ten vehicles being made, you can order all of the modern conveniences to be added such as remote central locking, electric windows and door mirrors, climate control and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm system.
The Birmingham MPH’06 show concluded yesterday and is now heading south to Earls Court in London where it will open again on November 2 for a further four days.
Chris Burton from Ascari says: “We are extremely excited by the prospect of launching the A10. This car’s roots are in the racetrack making it a truly inspiring driving machine, yet refined enough by design to be driven every day as a supercar.”