Automotive

Survival of the fastest: Ultima Evolution leaves other supercars for dead

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The Ultima Evolution will run a standing quarter mile (0.4 km) in 9.2 seconds
The Ultima Evolution will run a standing quarter mile (0.4 km) in 9.2 seconds
The Ultima Evolution will do 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 2.3 seconds
The Ultima Evolution has a Le Mans Group C-inspired body-shape
The Ultima Evolution has upwards opening doors
Ultima Evolution seat with perforated leather and alcantara combination, with piping option
New rear Ultima Evolution badge, new rear-view camera and new hexagonal design rear grill for improved airflow and cooling
Wireless new control functions on the steering wheel
Stack display system integrated into the flat-bottom steering wheel
New Ultima Evolution logo instruments color coded with silver needles
The rear wing of the Ultima Evolution has been redesigned for improved visibility
Ultima Exolution billet interior door release handle
1,020 bhp engine supplied by American Speed with an Ultima Evolution hand-crafted air induction system
The Ultima Evolution 1,020 bhp engine has carbon rocker covers with Ultima Evolution badge logo
The 1,020 bhp Ultima Evolution engine installation
Ultima Evolution machined tailpipe trim rings and new rear grill design
The Ultima Evolution brake reservoir sensor arrangement
New Evolution front badge and personalized plate
Front carbon fiber splitter of the Ultima Evolution
Ultima Evolution cooling fans in a new position with twice the output for better cooling
New Ultima Evolution LED front headlight system with carbon cluster
The Ultima Evolution has a top speed of over 240 mph (386 km/h)
The Ultima Evolution is 1,850 mm (72.8 in) wide
Ultima Evolution side badge and new lightweight forged alloy wheels
Ultima Evolution carbon front brake ducts
Ultima Evolution billet quick shifter 6-speed manual with carbon center console
Carbon center console and new-style stainless steel handbrake lever
Ultima Evolution instruments and switch gear
The Ultima Evolution cockpit with roll cage stitching and interior door release handle
The Ultima Evolution switch gear
The Ultima Evolution with its panels and doors open
The rear wing of the Ultima Evolution has been redesigned for improved visibility
The view of the Ultima Evolution that other drivers will likely see most
A rear-side view of the Ultima Evolution
Hexagonal grill design for airflow and cooling
A close-up of the grill Ultima Evolution's grill design
Rear proximity sensor for reversing and leather trimmed roll-cage
Ultima Evolution logo on the seat and roll cage leather trimmed
Seat detailing in the Ultima Evolution
Ultima Evolution badge on the wheels, LED side indicator repeater, Evolution side badge and carbon brake vent
A side view of the Ultima Evolution
An X-ray view of the Ultima Evolution
Ultima Evolution billet quick-shifter and gold piping detail
The rear-view camera screen in the Ultima Evolution
The Ultima Evolution has forged alloy wheels
Ultima Evolution sun visor arrangement, wiper central park and interior detail
The Ultima Evolution has carbon wing mirrors
View gallery - 46 images

British carmaker Ultima describes its GTR as "the quickest accelerating and decelerating supercar of all time and multiple world speed record holder." Well, the GTR, along with the Can-Am, is no more. Ultima has announced their replacement, the Evolution.

Gone as they may be, the GTR and and the Can-Am are not forgotten, with the Evolution featuring the same Le Mans Group C-inspired body-shape as its forbears. The chassis has been further developed, however, with Ultima boasting of improved performance, road holding and safety as a result.

Despite this hat-tip to the older models, Ultima is keen to make one thing very clear: the Evolution is a vastly improved supercar in every sense. The firm talks of it being the culmination of over 15 years of continuous research since the launch of the GTR and the Can-Am.

The car is available as a coupé or a convertible. It is powered by a fuel-injected LS Chevrolet V8 engine and is available with over 15 different power level options ranging from 350 bhp to an impressive 1,020 bhp. That's a lot of ponies, but still quite a few less than the best from Hennessey and Koenigsegg. It does, however, weigh just 950 kg (2,094 lb), and that most certainly is among the least of any supercar. As a result, the Evolution is quick.

The Ultima Evolution has a top speed of over 240 mph (386 km/h)

Ultima says it has already recorded a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 2.3 seconds, a 0-100 mph (161 km/h) time of 4.9 seconds and a 0-150 mph (241 km/h) time of 8.9 seconds. The standing quarter mile (0.4 km) is reportedly achievable in 9.2 seconds, with the car hitting 156 mph (251 km/h).

Just to be clear, Ultima claims every one of those as a world record. The current list of fastest cars over a standing quarter mile provides a little more context. If it is verified, the Evolution's time will blow the rest of the competition away, smashing LaFerrari's time by a huge 0.5 seconds. Elsewhere, the the Evolution is said to produce 920 lb.ft (1,247 Nm) of torque and tops out at over 240 mph (386 km/h).

The car features a six-speed manual Porsche gearbox with a quick-shift cable change system. It has custom-made coil spring dampers that are fully adjustable for bump, rebound and ride-height, as well as unequal length double-wishbone suspension. Forged one-piece lightweight alloy wheels measure 9 x 18-in at the front and 13.5 x 18-in at the rear and are fitted with Michelin PS2 tires.

The Ultima Evolution with its panels and doors open

For all the high-performance bluster, there are also some points of conspicuous practicality in the Evolution. Rear parking sensors are employed, for example, along with a rear-view reversing camera mounted into the rear grill. LEDs are used for both the headlight and taillight clusters too.

Inside, there is a satnav system, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and an Alpine car stereo and speaker system. The steering wheel has wireless integrated button controls and a flat bottom for easier driver access.

Among other interior styling features are a carbon fiber central console, a new-style engine start button and a stainless steel handbrake lever. The seats and dashboard are finished in leather/alcantara trim, with stitching and piping available in a variety of colors.

The Ultima Evolution cockpit with roll cage stitching and interior door release handle

Ultima is accepting orders for the Evolution now, with prices starting at £65,995 (about US$100,000). The first cars are expected to be delivered in September, with international shipping available.

Source: Ultima

View gallery - 46 images
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6 comments
Milton
This thing is bad-ass!
Matt Fletcher
For $100,000 no factory produced vehicle comes close to it.
Milton
@Matt Fletcher:
Actually, their base-model ($100,000) is comparable in acceleration specs to a $100,000 P85D Tesla.
Granted the Tesla is a big-fat (~5,000 lbs) luxury sedan.
I like the mid-level Ultima specs, which push it beyond the $100,000 base-model price.
Andrew Zuckerman
I prefer 3 seats with driver in center like mclaren f1
yawood
Ho hum, another supercar. Let me know when they make one that is better than the Bugatti Veyron. There is obviously too many people with too much disposable income.
DaleCarter
Yawood - does it matter that this car is a small fraction of the cost of a Veyron?