Picchio, an Italian supercar maker has almost completed its third Daytona Prototype chassis, with a fourth in the pipeline. It'll be ready for sale by the end of the year, reckoned the company, and has provided some detailed updates on progress.
The car was designed complying with the Grand-Am regulations and Picchio started building this model in 2002. Although the general structure follows Grand Am regulations, Picchio said its engineers have improved the chassis and given it more driver-friendly ergonomics.
The front aerodynamics have been modified to add downforce, and Picchio said this has been achieved without increasing drag, while the water radiator has been re-designed to provide better cooling. The improvements made on front, rear and roof aerodynamics make both the pedal area and the cockpit cooler, said Picchio.
The engine is semi-stressed, which Picchio said gives record results of bending and roll stiffness, and weight has been reduced. The engine-gearbox assembly is now an inch lower and the oil coolers have been relocated to the rear of the car. Engineers have also been working to channel heat out of the engine compartment to lower temperatures there.
The company has tested several types of shock absorbers and suspension components with the aim of improving roll and pitch behaviour.
An engine has yet to be chosen although Picchio said the car is designed to be able to switch from one engine type to another by changing the connections between the engine mounting points and the chassis.
More information from Picchio's Web site -- see link below. Beware that the site will maximise your browser window.