Wednesday 22nd July 2009

SV 9 Competizione

New Corvette C6 conversion adds Italian style to US muscle

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There is definitely something appealing about combining heavy American muscle with Italian flair and delicacy, and this new SV Corvette conversion is not the first to fall for the idea - but it is a tricky balance to strike.

The SV 9 Competizione could be the result of a genetic splicing experiment involving a Ferrari 599, an Alfa 8C and - well - a Corvette C6 (insert further influences ad infinitum here). The shape may divide opinion, but it's certainly better proportioned than many conversions and 'replicars' that drop into the PH mailbox.

Under the new carbon-fibre skin you'll find a subtly re-trimmed interior which actually looks quite 'OEM', with five different trim levels available to order. They've also improved the 'Vette's breathing with an uprated intake and exhaust system, bringing a modest power increase of just over 3%, and the headline figure to 450bhp.

SV claims that this, along with some Pirelli Pzero Rossos, helps the car get from 0-60 in just 4 seconds (down by 0.4 seconds on the standard C6), and on to a top speed of around 190mph. They also list an impressive quarter-mile time of 12 seconds, crossing the line at 123mph.

Adding to the bespoke feeling, only 1000 will be made, and at $99,995 (£61,079 at today's exchange rate) it is certainly significantly cheaper than the Italian supercars it aspires to.

The SV may not be to everyone's taste, but it's an intriguing mix of differing cultures. The deep-pan pizza of supercars, perhaps?

 

 

 

[AMGexigeS]

That is a grim pastiche of the Alfa. The rear view has a sort of 8c-esque kit car look to it. 8c on a bad acid trip if you like! Not that I'd know what a bad acid trip is of course, ahem.

[Shinobi]

Looks better then i expected.

[DJC]

Erm...that could get you sued by Alfa that could!

Its a bit too rip off for my liking.

[JohnGoodridge]

It's 80% really, isn't it? Not the worst 'homage' I've seen, but the whole concept is a bit of a non-starter for me. Unless it's a 100% visual replica of a long ceased production car, like say a CAV GT then I'm not really interested.

[BBS-LM]

[havoc]

How is this any different from someone doing an F355 replica based on a Mk2 MR2?

OK, granted the costs are higher and the donor car closer in performance, but it's still the same idea...

[davidcharles]

... whats wrong with the normal corvette c6 anyway?....its a nice looking car so leave it as nature intended.

[angry jock]

Oh dear!!! A poor rip off of one of the most beautiful cars ever made!
Wonder if they will try the Spider too.....

[dcowlives]

havoc said:

How is this any different from someone doing an F355 replica based on a Mk2 MR2?

LOL!! Just what I was thinking, reminded me of the guy turning his cougar/mondeo/whatever into the Audi R8.

Why take what is a symbolic and desirable american muscle car into a poor replica of an Italian thoroughbred!?!

Something in it's favour is that it is half the price (a reported £61k) of the Alfa 8C.

Edited by dcowlives on Wednesday 22 July 13:06

[White-Noise]

If you want a Vette, you buy one. If you want the 8C you buy one. Who is going to buy this!?

[annodomini2]

White-Noise said:

If you want the 8C you buy one.

2 Reasons someone may purchase this:

1. The 8C is more than £62K

2. They only made 500.

[jmatras]

There was a time when "hybrid" meant a Euro or Brit chassis with an American engine. Think Allard or Iso or Monteverdi or TVR/Griffith or Shelby Cobra or, well, the list goes on. But this isn't that. It's merely a reskin. I wonder what would go in the "make" and "model" boxes on the vehicle registration form.

But is THIS thing even real? I'd like to see real photographs of the thing out in the sunlight...

[DP 1]

Save the money and spend it on converting a ZR1 to RHD!

[Jimbo_vx]

looks terrible, cheap 8c rip off.

[JimexPL]

How are they going to find 1000 people to buy a rebodied C6 for the same money as a ZR1?

[Furyblade_Lee]

What a pointless exercise trying to turn a great looking car (Z06) into a copy of a stunning looking car (8C), and ending up with something far, far worse than both. It looks like its trying TOO hard to be an Alfa 8C with the wheels ect,especially in the sketch. And there is no cohesion with the styling tweaks, what the hell is going on with the front grill? Google Retroforza MX5 for a similar Italian rip off which ruins another pretty (getting rarer too) car.

[boldek1]

i kinda like it..i'd buy one should i stumble upon that lovely sum of money

[abu-bakr]

havoc said:

How is this any different from someone doing an F355 replica based on a Mk2 MR2?

OK, granted the costs are higher and the donor car closer in performance, but it's still the same idea...

Well its not a direct replica is it come on?!

its taking inspiration from 3 different cars and blending them into one [therefore] uniquely designed car..

all cars take inspiration from others its natural, this one is slightly more literal and it is highlighted in the article above so it made you make the comment you did

I love people doing this, the more cheaper super cars the better Now can someone blend a Zonda Cinque into a Lambo Reventon, the lp640 roadster and audi rsq hehehe

[mybrainhurts]

Oh, look....no driver

[Cole Trickle]

as italian as a deep pan pizza