Invicta launches supercharged S1
600bhp V8-powered two-seater to be unveiled at Autosport
Next week, the Invicta Car Company will reveal an ultra high-performance, supercharged version of its British-built S1 luxury two-seater sportscar. The new model will be unveiled on the Toyo Tyre stand (9340) in Hall 9 of the NEC at the Autosport International show on Thursday 13 January 2005.
Called the Invicta S1-600 and closely based on the current production model, the new car is powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre Ford V8 engine which produces more than 600 bhp at 4,500 rpm. As well as the new engine, which produces almost double the power of the standard S1-320 model, the showcar features a six-speed manual gearbox, refined aerodynamics and specially-made Toyo T1-R tyres.
The showcar was manufactured in mid-2004 for the dual role of 200 mph record breaker – for Britain’s fastest blind driver, 42-year old Barclays bank manager Mike Newman (right) and the ‘Vision 2020 the Right to Sight’ global charity – and to act as the development prototype for a range-topping 2005 Invicta production model for customers in search of ultra-high performance luxury. The Autosport International showcar is the same titanium silver S1-600 model that Mike Newman drove in the California desert last autumn.
“Everyone from Invicta and the Speed of Sight Project 200 was deeply disappointed that the record-breaking run planned for 14 October, World Sight Day 2004, had to be postponed,” said Invicta Chairman Michael Bristow. “But after our high-speed trials in the USA, we are now certain that the results of our wind-tunnel work, together with the new 600 bhp supercharged engine, the super-strong S1 chassis and the specially made Toyo tyres, will deliver a truly record-breaking performance – given the right road and weather conditions. Together with Mike and his team, we are going to re-schedule the record-breaking run during 2005.
“The Autosport International show marks a new beginning for Invicta. After building and testing two prototypes, including the supercharged S1-600, and several customer cars, we have incorporated numerous small but worthwhile improvements to the 170 mph, 4.6-litre, V8-powered production S1-320 in response to both media and customer comments. Our aim is to deliver 20 cars in the next 12 months,” concludes Bristow.
The Invicta S1-320 comes with metallic paint, full leather interior, air-conditioning, RDS tuner/CD player, reverse-parking sensors, satellite navigation, anti-theft alarm and Tracker recovery system. Distinctive 19 inch, five-spoke alloy wheels shod exclusively with Toyo Proxes T1-S directional tyres – are also included in the standard specification.
Designed to echo and surpass the effortless performance of pre-WWII Invicta cars, the Invicta S1 is designed to be a genuine grand tourer. It boasts race-bred suspension, steering and brakes, a spacious luxurious cabin, cavernous boot and 100 litre fuel tank for high speed, long distance cruising.
Twin Turbo said:
Good luck to 'em. I really like the S1. It's not exactly beautiful, but has masses of brutish appeal 
With 600bhp it should shift, too
Pictures do it no favours - in the flesh it is a very beautiful car and it has massive presence, more than most supercars have. It makes my Ultima look like a radical
it's a really really big car. It is (as Invicta say) a wonderful car. I spoke at length to Michael Brisow at the NEC last year and on several other occasions. I was very tempted with the S1 320 but even at £70k there wasn't enough performance there when stacked up against the likes of Noble, Ultima, Farboud and TVR for that sort of money.
I told Michael straight that it has the room under the bonnet and needed a supercharger then and so I am partly responsible for that decision in some small part
Just wonder what the price will be
Now if it was £70k with the blower on, that would be a bargain
As you may have gathered, I am more than slighty in love with the car.
, the final development of which also had a 600 bhp supercharged V8 (and cost over £200,000). Good luck to 'em! She did say it was a bit of a handful at over 180mph in the conditions on the dry lake bed with a poor surface and high side winds hampering the attempt at the speed record.
More info on the SHM web site www.seanhylandmotorsport.com/
>> Edited by Alicatt on Tuesday 11th January 18:32
ultimasimon said:
Good luck to 'em. I really like the S1. It's not exactly beautiful, but has masses of brutish appeal
With 600bhp it should shift, too
Pictures do it no favours - in the flesh it is a very beautiful car and it has massive presence, more than most supercars have. It makes my Ultima look like a radical
It is (as Invicta say) a wonderful car. I spoke at length to Michael Brisow at the NEC last year and on several other occasions. I was very tempted with the S1 320 but even at £70k there wasn't enough performance there when stacked up against the likes of Noble, Ultima, Farboud and TVR for that sort of money.
I told Michael straight that it has the room under the bonnet and needed a supercharger then and so I am partly responsible for that decision in some small part
Just wonder what the price will be
Now if it was £70k with the blower on, that would be a bargain
You and me both. I spoke to michael at length at the motorshow also and feel slightly guilty about not yet taking him up on his offer to go down to the factory and have a look round and drive an S1. Like you I also felt the standard S1 was lacking poke and performance for the cash being asked and was waiting for something more special from them. In the end my money (currently) has gone to Porsche and an order for a new 997TT. I will definately be giving Michael a call with this new beasty and taking up his offer now
If it is any good I will be more than happy to swap my money from the Porka to the supercharged S1.One thing I would like to see though is since people seem to be complaining that the 4.6l 320hp engine seems a bit weak for the base model, they should switch to the N/A 5.0l Cammer engine. It is readily available as a crate engine from Ford and will give in the region of 400hp. Obviously it will fit because they are using a supercharged version in this latest car.
just my thoughts to make a fantastic car that bit more special.
600HPREX said:
This is an incredible car. The supercharger just makes it better.
One thing I would like to see though is since people seem to be complaining that the 4.6l 320hp engine seems a bit weak for the base model, they should switch to the N/A 5.0l Cammer engine. It is readily available as a crate engine from Ford and will give in the region of 400hp. Obviously it will fit because they are using a supercharged version in this latest car.
just my thoughts to make a fantastic car that bit more special.
Aren't crate engines soley for race purposes? Might be a bit rough in a road car I'd think, especially for 70K+. Anywho, the invicta strikes me as more of a GT. Nice car though, I've been interested in it's devolpment for a few years.
And I know this is a bit random, but right now I'm sketching a modern version of the sunbeam alpine. As you do...
neon_fox said:
And I know this is a bit random, but right now I'm sketching a modern version of the sunbeam alpine. As you do...
Now that _would_ be something, I've always thought that the Alpine was a really pretty car. Why don't you post your sketches...
Fox
---
Because they're awful. Actually, I'd been ashamed to. My mates reckon I can draw, but then when they draw cars they're always in side profile and there never seem to be any doors. So, for the protection of any dignity I may have on this website, (also given you all seem to be designers whilst I just like to draw hideous cars to amuse myself) perhaps I'll leave it a bit. Could I ask some advice though? Is car design really as boring as I found it when I did work experience with ford Australia some time back? I decided to just do commerce and some languages at uni which I'm starting this year - given I draw a car or 10 every day, am I making the wrong choice?
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