Friday 9th January 2004

Farboud GTS

Stunning Coupe ready to go!

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Rumours a few months ago were that Farboud were in demise and that the GTS would be another still-born dream. Farboud have scotched the rumours though by presenting two GTSs at the Autosport Show.

The silver car pictured is the first customer car and will be shipped off to its lucky owner in Monaco very shortly.

The GTS uses a twin turbocharged Audi V6 to generate its grunt, with options - if you're willing to pay for them - of up to 580bhp. The standard car comes with about 400bhp. The carbon fibre and kevlar body sits atop a chassis comprising an aluminium tub with a tubular steel shell around the passenger compartment.

We were told at the show that the price starts at just £70K for the basic model. If all cars come with the build quality seen in the show cars then Farboud will have no problem justifying that price tag and could soon have a very healthy order book. The balls out 580bhp model will retail for £150,000.

Link : www.farboud.com

[DustyC]

I was just beginning to think you were having a day off Ted!

I dont think this version looks as good as the unfinished prototype did. or maybe thats just because it was black

[dazren]

Looking good apart from the body colour paint around the windows on the doors. Needs to be black to maintain a tidy side profile.

DAZ

[dick dastardly]

Looked much better without the wing too

Anyway, anyone know what it drives like?

[deltaf]

Looks good to me.

[dinkel]

www.pistonheads.com/news/images/3541-as-18.JPG

. . . and how it sounds . . .

[focused]

That door/windscreen pillar looks like a serious blind spot problem though. Otherwise very nice.

[olly]

There is an article in this months EVO (page 19) to say they aren't going to be making the GTS after all, because they think the Garlardo/360S is a much better car for £150K, and will take away a lot of their potential sales. Instead they are aiming to plug the gap left by the demise of the Esprit & are aiming for a £60k car, but are now going to use a 350bhp version of Fords 4.6 V8

[RichB]

Yes I read that, and my first reaction was that it'll now be competing against the Noble and Tuscan S, and to be honest I'm not sure it'll hack it Rich...

[bennno]

Not good, Farboud are now up against extreme performance Tuscan S, everyday useability Carrera, top down crusing SL and manic mid engine Noble GTO3R.

Theres even more competition at 60-70k than there is at 150K.

With any sense he would be better off going after the Ultima market with this with a price tag of £35-£40k plus engine and gearbox.....

Shut lines and detailing are not as nice as the initial Porsche GT1 rip off...

Bennno

[RichB]

bennno said:

Not good, Farboud are now up against extreme performance Tuscan S, everyday useability Carrera, top down crusing SL and manic mid engine Noble GTO3R.

Yep, my thoughts entirly Ben, I hadn't even thought about a Porsche, but as you say that sector is well covered with terfic cars. The Noble has a excellent reputation with track day fans, the Porsche for what Porsche do well, the TVRs for sheer grunt etc. Why will anyone take a punt on (what will be more like £70k) on the Farboud?

[Stig]

So no-one thinks it looks like a TVR then?

Blimey!

[RichB]

Nah!!! Mind you it does look a bit like an Ultima Rich...

[fix it]

he he oh ye of little faith we told you it was coming we have been hard at work in both norfolk and cambridge.oh by the way Nick your were wrong about Fix it.yesterday has been the hardest secret to keep for the last 2 months. when car one was ready to go

[z064life]

I feel as if the car looks like a Ford GT.

[Frik]

Have to say that seeing the car today, I was really impressed. It looked like a well sorted car and so much better in 3D.

It was on the smallest of stands (well the car and a chair really) but it really held its own. If it's half as good to drive I reckon Mr Farboud's on to a winner...

[danmangt40]

excellent.

[danmangt40]

definitely ditch the wing, paint the nonessential lines (window surround and chin trim) black, paint looks a bit cheap.... overly sparkly like a crappy homebuilt... but that may be a photographic effect.... need more pix please!!!!!!!

[Samol]

dick dastardly said:

Looked much better without the wing too Anyway, anyone know what it drives like?

I'll ask my cousin!! he's the test driver for it.

>> Edited by Samol on Saturday 10th January 16:12

[danmangt40]

can't believe they didn't go with simpler taillights.

[Stuart]

If your cousin is who I think he is, I was looking over the car with him on Friday. Really impressive vehicle I thought. Very well built, good driving position, looks correct, and at £70k it's absolutely spot on.

Samol said:

I'll ask my cousin!! he's the test driver for it. >> Edited by Samol on Saturday 10th January 16:12