Tuesday 26th April 2005

New 320bhp car emerges from Korea

Proto Motors' Spirra offers 0-60 in 4.4 seconds

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Proto Spirra with 320bhp

There's a new sports car on its way from Korea, according to the Dutch publication, Autoweek. Proto Motors' mid-engined Spirra was shown at the Seoul Motor Show and will first appear in Korea only in 2006, though it will be exported later.

It's powered by 4.6-litre 320bhp V8 with some 300lb-ft of torque, propelling it to 60mph in 4.4 seconds. You'll also be able to specify a supercharged version.

Proto also wants to build lower-powered versions, presumably so it can build in greater volumes. The first is a 2.0-litre turbocharged version with 280bhp offering 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and 131mph top speed. The other will be a supercharged 2.7-litre V6 with 240bhp, and 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.

If your Dutch is up to it, find out more here.

Thanks to Wim te Riet for the translation and Autoweek for the picture

[flasheegee]

Not new for me,i have heard about the development from
over 1 year ago.
Looks an little bit Honda NSX like.
For more infos go to www.protomotors.com/renewal/

[eein]

nice to see something different comming from somewhere new to the sports car game. Will be interesting to here if it is any good (build quality, hanlding, etc). Any good reviews in english anywhere?

[Ray_Aber]

Also has some Hyundai Coupe DNA. Check the side windows and the angularity of the lights.

Not bad at all, though.

Ray

[will_t]

flasheegee said:

Not new for me,i have heard about the development from over 1 year ago. Looks an little bit Honda NSX like. For more infos go to www.protomotors.com/renewal/

my first thought was that it looked like a Honda design study. Looks a bit too toy like IMHO.

Will

[Car53]

is this the sports car bit of proton?

using their stolen lotus know how?

[mutt]

Given the price of most Korean cars I'll be interested to see how this is priced!

[klassiekerrally]

I think it doesn't look bad. But would I buy it if I had the money?
Probably not...

'You bought a WHAT???'

[Twincam16]

Has this got anything to do with Proton? If so, isn't it more likely to be the new Lotus Esprit?

[z_chromozone]

130 mph top speed from 280bhp does not say much for the areodynamics, unless it is limited.

Z

[4WD]

If they use a sensible new brand I'd consider it. Trouble is they're a bit dim when it comes to this part.

[d_drinks]

The car is also in GT4 if you fancy a look and and virtual test drive

[Soundwave]

Thats really nice.

Like the sound of it, hopefully if the pricing is keen there may be one on my drive in a few years time

[smele]

There is a video on the website: www.protomotors.com/renewal/spirra/spirra_gallery_04.htm

Looks ok in motion. The car in the video has no rear wing, which looks better. Sounds pretty good, but I don't suppose it's anywhere near production. They might want to put an airbag in it as well.

If it's cheap enough and handles, looks like a winner.






>> Edited by smele on Tuesday 26th April 16:44

[T4R]

There is some English text the website.

Go to site map, and English, or follow www.protomotors.com/renewal/spirra_eng/spirra_description.htm

I should warn you however that my hovercraft is full of eels.

[zaktoo]

Car53 said:

is this the sports car bit of proton? using their stolen lotus know how?

Stolen? I'm certain they acquired Lotus legitimately. Would you have considered GM to have "stolen" know-how from Lotus too? They owned them at one time, no?

[kik1.6se]

Looks good. Hopefully the handling will be good and the price fairly low. I was just wondering what engine they are using. It doesn't specify (as far as i could see anyway) whos engines they are using.

Kirk

[zaktoo]

Twincam16 said:

Has this got anything to do with Proton? If so, isn't it more likely to be the new Lotus Esprit?

I don't think so - with Protomotors being Korean and Proton being Malaysian...

Ciao

Zak

[egomeister]

I like the look of this from an engineering point of view. Looking at the history of the company on the site they have done some work for major manufacturers and know what it takes to do some good quality engineering (a lot more than can be said for a lot of small manufacturers) Also, the fit of the interior apprears to be pretty good too.

Ted, how about trying to blag a trip to Korea for a test drive!?

[peter450]

i think it looks great an seeeing as proton own lotus an want to expand into a credible car maker rather than supply milk floats to pensioners i'm surprised they have not thought of somthing like this a lotus tweaked proton sports car at around the 20k mark with a 5 sec 0 - 60 time would do wonders for the cars image. most people thought suburus were bit crap till thw impreza

[crankedup]

Will it also have that thing we call charactor, so many cars have come from the Pacific Basin area that have been engineering excellence but lacking in factor. Lets live in hope on this one.