Tuesday 27th April 2004

Feroce Back?

Subaru based Delfino Feroce may now go into production

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Remember the Delfino Feroce? A distinctively styled convertible using a lightweight composite monocoque chassis and Subaru Impreza running gear, the one and only running prototype burst on to the scene amid enthusiastic reviews a couple of years back and then suddenly vanished. Literally. 
 
Although some claim it was a publicity stunt, the prototype mysteriously disappeared after going to a 'car casting' for possible use in a James Bond film, only to re-appear in the police pound some time later. It also went on to appear in coupe form on video screens around the world in the XBox game Project Gotham Racing.
 
Well now there are plans to make this 'virtual sports car' a production reality following a partnership approach to Delfino Cars by P2 Concepts, a company that has already been lead development contractor for several other sports car projects and comes with production experience.
 
Both Delfino Chairman Allard Marx and P2 Managing Director Paul Nankervis seem confident that their new partnership can deliver the goods, and while it's too early for any real details yet, it's anticipated that the production Feroce will have a price in the £55-65,000 range and maintain the impressive performance exhibited by the original prototype, which was clocked doing 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds.

Graham Bell

Link : www.delfino.co.uk

[v8thunder]

The styling certainly looks more resolved than the original Feroce, which for all its potential resembled a bodykit mule.

Hope it goes into production - would be good to have another independant British sportscar firm showing the world that Subaru power doesn't have to mean lairy wings and fussy headlights.

[Nightmare]

the prototype was fantastic to drive though, and personally I loved the looks (horses for courses and all that).

fingers crossed for Allard et al....

[murcielago]

Wow I love the look of that one That huuuuge loooong silver thing at the back is the exhaust I take it?

>> Edited by murcielago on Tuesday 27th April 17:51

[robbo64]

It looks great but do the back lights remind you of anything? Have they been nicked from a Ferrari 360?

>> Edited by robbo64 on Tuesday 27th April 18:37

[JamesS2]

That brings back some memories. I did all those renders for Delfino in beginning of 2001!

Wish they do make it onto the road!

[lee dogg]

I like it, I'm looking forward to seeing it in the flesh. If they can achieve 0-60 in 3.8secs I'll be really impressed especially for the money they are talking about. Surely that speed would put it into the top ten quickest road cars about. I wonder how realistic they are being?

[danmangt40]

^^James, what are those renders done in? I'd like to try my hand at this sort of thing over the next few years and I haven't decided on a software package. I'm most familiar with AutoCad and Solidworks, and I imagine this sort of curvy work is better done in something else...

[mazz]

re:lee dogg

i guess the 0-60 mph is possibly reasonable thanks to its 4wd train.

if u look at yesterdays autocar 0-100-00
and evo 8 fq330 clocked in at 4.58 and the subaru wr1 clocked in at 4.59 for the 0-60 sprint.

from my own past experience 0-60 isnt really a suitable means of comparing cars as getting a fast 0-60 involves issues of getting sufficient traction off the line (in the case of 4wd plenty of it!) and possibly having a 2nd gear that will clear 60mph!

just my 2 pence.

[PetrolTed]

A footnote to this - apparently the production car is unlikely to use a Subaru engine.

[Fer]

Was thinking about the whole "stolen/towed" saga, and wondered what ever happened to these guys.

Anyone know if these are on the road yet?