Discussion
Interesting....
GTM blasts into 2006 with the Ballista
GTM Cars, one of the UK's most established kit car manufacturers, is blasting into 2006 with a brand new factory-built car called the Ballista.
The new car is being unveiled at the Autosport International Show, at the NEC, Birmingham on Thursday 12th January and can be seen in Hall 6 on the AWM stand 6230 from 9.50 am.
The Ballista has a 3 litre Duratec, V6 engine, producing 220 bhp and weighing in at a miniscule 600kg. This extraordinary power-to-weight ratio is achieved through the incorporation of a tubular frame chassis with choice of a glass or carbon fibre skin.
The Ballista is expected to achieve 0 - 60mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of over 150 mph. A racing braking system, 18 inch split rim alloy wheels, 225/18/35 tyres all round and an extremely rigid chassis and suspension system will help to manage this capability.
The cockpit interior provides a luxury leather sports car experience and new owners will be able to select from a wide range of colours for the exterior and interior finishes. The cars will also come equipped with some high tech electronics. In addition to a six speaker stereo sound system, the Ballista will have satellite navigation and the latest Auto-txt™ vehicle tracking and security system. (www.auto-txt.com)
Dave Keene, managing director of GTM said: “We are very excited with what we have achieved with the Ballista. It is an uncompromising sports car that looks great and delivers an awesome driving experience.
Our intention is to manufacture only 15 cars in the first year so initial ownership will be very exclusive but we anticipate increasing the numbers considerably in subsequent years.”
GTM will be taking orders at Autosport International with a deposit of £5,000 required. The first cars will be available for delivery in June 2006, at a total price of £34,950 (or £39,950 for the carbon fibre body option). The makers anticipate that it will create a new niche in the market, offering the power, excitement and prestige of sports cars in the £40,000 to £70,000 range, at a more accessible price.
The Ballista: key stats
o 0-60mph 3.8 seconds
o Top speed 150mph +
o Weight 600kg
o 3Litre Duratec V6 engine
o 220 bhp
o 18 inch split wheel alloys as standard
And in case you were wondering why it’s called the Ballista, it’s named after the devastating siege machine developed by the Romans which had such a powerful spring frame that it could project missiles faster and further than ever before. The power and acceleration delivered by the Ballista was the inspiration for GTM’s irresistible and totally unspoilt sports car.
Best Regards,
GTM Cars Ltd.
GTM blasts into 2006 with the Ballista
GTM Cars, one of the UK's most established kit car manufacturers, is blasting into 2006 with a brand new factory-built car called the Ballista.
The new car is being unveiled at the Autosport International Show, at the NEC, Birmingham on Thursday 12th January and can be seen in Hall 6 on the AWM stand 6230 from 9.50 am.
The Ballista has a 3 litre Duratec, V6 engine, producing 220 bhp and weighing in at a miniscule 600kg. This extraordinary power-to-weight ratio is achieved through the incorporation of a tubular frame chassis with choice of a glass or carbon fibre skin.
The Ballista is expected to achieve 0 - 60mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of over 150 mph. A racing braking system, 18 inch split rim alloy wheels, 225/18/35 tyres all round and an extremely rigid chassis and suspension system will help to manage this capability.
The cockpit interior provides a luxury leather sports car experience and new owners will be able to select from a wide range of colours for the exterior and interior finishes. The cars will also come equipped with some high tech electronics. In addition to a six speaker stereo sound system, the Ballista will have satellite navigation and the latest Auto-txt™ vehicle tracking and security system. (www.auto-txt.com)
Dave Keene, managing director of GTM said: “We are very excited with what we have achieved with the Ballista. It is an uncompromising sports car that looks great and delivers an awesome driving experience.
Our intention is to manufacture only 15 cars in the first year so initial ownership will be very exclusive but we anticipate increasing the numbers considerably in subsequent years.”
GTM will be taking orders at Autosport International with a deposit of £5,000 required. The first cars will be available for delivery in June 2006, at a total price of £34,950 (or £39,950 for the carbon fibre body option). The makers anticipate that it will create a new niche in the market, offering the power, excitement and prestige of sports cars in the £40,000 to £70,000 range, at a more accessible price.
The Ballista: key stats
o 0-60mph 3.8 seconds
o Top speed 150mph +
o Weight 600kg
o 3Litre Duratec V6 engine
o 220 bhp
o 18 inch split wheel alloys as standard
And in case you were wondering why it’s called the Ballista, it’s named after the devastating siege machine developed by the Romans which had such a powerful spring frame that it could project missiles faster and further than ever before. The power and acceleration delivered by the Ballista was the inspiration for GTM’s irresistible and totally unspoilt sports car.
Best Regards,
GTM Cars Ltd.
shangani said:
Sounds great - probably will look like a moose. We will wait and see. Certainly is light, but how practical. Elise vs caterham sort of practicality I am referring to before I get mobbed.
I like a bit practical too, beside's from being great to drive!
--Some shopping space
(remember I would take it everywhere) --A heater because I don't like cold, as most older people do
--Central locking(not a must though)
GTRene
shangani said:
Sounds great - probably will look like a moose. We will wait and see. Certainly is light, but how practical. Elise vs caterham sort of practicality I am referring to before I get mobbed.
The Libra and Spyder (same car, h-top & no top respectivly) are both quite practicale - compared to the Elise. Interior is about as roomy, but more comfort (all carpted & the standard seats are very nice). However, the Spyder has no boot, and can take upto the 1.8 VVC k-series. The Libra can take upto the kV6 engine. If it has the 1.8 or less you can get a boot too. The exterior finish is good - very good for a kit, not as good as the Elise, but some of the detailing is a bit poor - plastic rear engine cover, with plastic holders.
Going on that, I expect this new car to be as good. The new owners are very tight on build quality and design.
35k however, seems quite steep for a kit car built in a factory, that doesn't have the resale power of the Exige.
But as you say, we'll have to wait for the show.
jitsukadave said:
35k however, seems quite steep for a kit car built in a factory, that doesn't have the resale power of the Exige.
But as you say, we'll have to wait for the show.
you think? Its a car that should be on a performance par with Noble. Noble is hardly a car makes steeping with history but the resale values appear to be v good.
shangani said:
However, the Spyder has no boot, and can take upto the 1.8 VVC k-series.
The Spyder does have a boot, and plenty of storage behind the seats.. see the pics (Airtrack campsite at Le mans last year if you're interested). BTW the Spyder is the blue one, no idea what the lardy yellow crate is
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dclare@btopenworld.
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dclare@btopenworld.
>> Edited by gtmspyder on Wednesday 11th January 22:01
gtmspyder said:
However, the Spyder has no boot, and can take upto the 1.8 VVC k-series.
The Spyder does have a boot, and plenty of storage behind the seats.. see the pics (Airtrack campsite at Le mans last year if you're interested). BTW the Spyder is the blue one, no idea what the lardy yellow crate is
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dclare@btopenworld.
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dclare@btopenworld.
>> Edited by gtmspyder on Wednesday 11th January 22:01
I didn't say anything about the spider's boot - your editing went wrong there.
Rene - I was talking about that blue car in the link above.
>> Edited by shangani on Friday 13th January 16:21
shangani said:
Rene - I was talking about that blue car in the link above.
Ow, you where talking about that GTM Spyder, not my cup a tea, though comfy interiors? and low weight also...
Thats why I'm so curious how that new GTM Ballista will look like, can't find it anywhere
the other gtm's I found a bit strange? looking cars, can not find where to put them...
So I hope the new car will look different, and I think it will be...
>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 11th January 23:17
shnozz said:
35k however, seems quite steep for a kit car built in a factory, that doesn't have the resale power of the Exige.
But as you say, we'll have to wait for the show.
you think? Its a car that should be on a performance par with Noble. Noble is hardly a car makes steeping with history but the resale values appear to be v good.
I think you'll find Lee Noble is a bit of an auto legend...
Also whatever that blue car is above it's hideous!!
bob_defly said:
35k however, seems quite steep for a kit car built in a factory, that doesn't have the resale power of the Exige.
But as you say, we'll have to wait for the show.
you think? Its a car that should be on a performance par with Noble. Noble is hardly a car makes steeping with history but the resale values appear to be v good.
I think you'll find Lee Noble is a bit of an auto legend...
Also whatever that blue car is above it's hideous!!
I am aware of Lee's background. That does not mean that anything he produces will be devoid of depreciation. The product spoke for itself, as is the case with any make/model. Its a case of supply and demand. Have you noticed the early S2 Exiges are now in the same price territory as the S1 Exiges? How long before they pass each other on the way down? Is that a strong resale value?
If the GTM is as good to drive as the power to weight figures suggest
it might be, surely the car has to be judged on its own merits? If it is that good, it may be the break GTM need to get into the serious market and produce more cars. I certainly wouldn't dismiss it at this stage because of the badge. In fact, I think it sounds fecking excellent from the description and I am excited to see the pictures.
And its good to see people firing from the hip saying the blue car is hideous when its owned by a fellow PHer
Cos Elise/exige owners are really the best to judge aren't they! The Elise and Exige are hideous looking cars like a squashed beach buggy! Sounds like the usual "all sing from the lotus camp" song that is so regularly spouted on Seloc.
shnozz said:
35k however, seems quite steep for a kit car built in a factory, that doesn't have the resale power of the Exige.
But as you say, we'll have to wait for the show.
you think? Its a car that should be on a performance par with Noble. Noble is hardly a car makes steeping with history but the resale values appear to be v good.
I don't think Noble residuals are that great; 2 year old cars costing over 50k new now asking for 25-30k doesn't sound that fantastic to me, especially with the reported running costs, though somthing of a bargin for the new owners I think.
I like GTM and their current line up of cars, I used to work about 3 miles from them too - if I was still there, I may have tried to sneak a camera in yesterday lunchtime
I only used the Exige as an example of a similar priced new car. I know 2nd hand stock Elises and VX220s go for a lot more than 2nd hand tuned Libras and Spyders, and whilst the GTMs cost less new, they aren't much cheaper if you get a factory built one: www.gtmcars.com/libra_built_prices.php
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