Driven (Just A Little Bit More): Ginetta G60
It's the Farb, er, Ginetta F400 Jim, but not as we know it...
The Ginetta G60 looking glamorous in its orange finery, but we've still not really driven it...
...although we've had two steers in this!
I jumped at the chance of a brief 10 mile spin on the roads around Silverstone though, because although the G60 is by no means a mainstream choice, the concept of a genuinely 'nanny-free' sports car appeals greatly to the heroic inner-caveman that lurks beneath this urbane, nay genteel, exterior. And unlike the grin-a-minute G40R it's supposed to be a proper road car, not a track toy with number plates.
Ginetta boss Lawrence Tomlinson did the unveiling honours, assisted by the bevy of 'pit-babes' (I think that's what you call them!) that made the PH homepage on Friday. Chatting to him afterwards, he was typically forthright about his aspirations for the new G60. Customer deliveries start in March but that's only - as far as I can tell - those customers who were already on the waiting list for Farbio versions.
Weight is not something that afflicts the G60, which at 1080kgs comes in at nearly 350kgs below a 'zero-specced' Porsche 911, and a quick blat up the road was enough to reinforce the notion that the G60 is quick. Not McLaren or Noble quick, but certainly British A- and B-Road quick, which is good enough for me. It sounds great when you push it too, with a lovely rasping bark as the revs spin towards the 6500rpm red line - although driven more gently it's surprisingly cruisey, with very low wind and road noise, apart from a roar on one side of the test car caused by a dodgy pre-production seal.
Sadly, the development car still hasn't had its new steering arm fitted, or its lower-effort brake master cylinder, so arm-twirling can be energy sapping and the brake pedal needs a mighty shove - hence my disappointment not to be driving the finished G60. The pedal box hasn't been aligned properly yet either, but even so, a few miles of twisty country roads was enough to feel the promise of good things to come.
Still, while we're still waiting for the definitive G60 drive, we have had a chance to look over the (near as dammit?) final production car in the Silverstone paddock - and things are certainly much improved over the F400.
There's no real sign of design artistry in the interior, but it looks clean, simple and well made - more of a workspace than a club lounge, but that seems to suit the car's nature well. And the exterior tweaks look good too, with new carbon fibre intakes on the haunches that apparently improve air-flow as well as (I think) the visuals.
Overall, the G60 retains a 'specialist' feel - no question. But Ginetta is a racing car company, and for the handful of customers it seeks to attract, I reckon the G60 will be all the better for it. But can we have a go in a finished one please..?
 |
 |
The cars have been completly redesigned and it's really only the bodywork that is the same as the Farbio, the list of everything that's been changed is seriously exhaustive.
The list below is from the press release:
3.7 litre engine
ATB differential
Fly-by-wire throttle
Full new wiring loom
ECU
Pedal box
Chassis
Interior modifications
New Carbon Fibre Air intake
Revised cooling vents
Air conditioning
Full Braking system (including master cylinders, callipers, discs, brake pads and handbrake)
Steering column
Steering rack
Uprights
Wishbones
Touch screen instrument system
Front and rear lights
Dashboard
Clutch
Revised cooling system
Removal of power steering
Electrical window mechanism
That's why it's taken so long to emerge and looking at all the work I don't think that's too shabby for just over a year.
The press cars will be available in the next week or so I'd suggest your patience is about to be rewarded.
The more I see of this car, the more I like it. Looks good in orange. Unfortunately, it'll never see these shores.
@V8 GRF are you working at Ginetta or just repeating the press releases ?
Sorry, but I don´t believe anything concerning Ginetta G60 anymore. I wish the cars were as fine as Ginetta public relations (only concerning press, not costumers).
btw G60 Teaser and other videos at Ginetta TV are brilliant !!!
The car I saw on Friday was much more finished and 'together' package than the one I drove in July so I'd say a lot of work has gone on in the meantime.
LT admitted that when he originally drove the Farbio he was caught up in his own enthusiasm for the project but once they started looking at the car they realised that the car was not production ready. So to quote LT 'they started at the front number plate and worked their way to the back.'
I think they've achieved a great deal and have attempted to avoid the typical 'low volume car manufacturer' problems of letting the owners do the development work.
indeed, every time the come up with a bunch of lovely and wanna have looking girls.
Ginetta G60 = 1080Kg
If you don't know what that means, buy an Evora
I like Ginetta but if Lotus get slagged off for the Evora interior, what happened with this? You know the Evora will be better engineered too. Mybe we should see the Ginetta in GT2?
The more I see of this car, the more I like it. Looks good in orange. Unfortunately, it'll never see these shores.
While this car looks good (did as a Farbio too)I just can't see that it will be a commercial success. Sure it's all lightweight now and many changes have been made but how can it stand up in the face of the competition? Setting Porsches aside since this is hardly comparable in terms of comforts and even discounting the Evora for the same reason the car is aimed at folks who want the stripped out drivers car thing. Fine for low volume but can anybody tell me why significant numbers of people would buy this over the new V6 Exige? It is less powerful, slower and a third again as expensive. Just can't see what it offers over that car at all and with such a price differential LT is looking at a financial disaster here.
It's not often that Lotus end up with a branding advantage these days, taking on Porsche, Ferrari etc but there's a clear advantage in brand, supporting Network, likelihood of thorough development and so on. Consider even the impending ALFA 4C if it gets this new 300bhp engine.
I'm also a little dismayed to read the comments LT made here. He is planning to "education" the public? (hope that isn't the PH writing elves making a mistake because if it is, you've made LT look like a cretin) Apparently, rival cars are "sh*t". Doesn't sound like the words of the serious businessman many hoped he would be in this space, deeply unprofessional and hardly likely to help some buyers inevitable concerns about buying from a such a small company and their capabilities and prospects.
I remain hopeful and optimistic but a little concerned now about Ginetta long term. I mean, there is even the Artega they have to contend with, run by ex VW execs and somewhat more professionally finished. I don't particularly remember any quotes from their execs saying:
"We will sell many Artegas once we have informationised the buying public, that way they will know that the Porsche Cayman is for t
ts".People buying cars for different reasons. Maybe it´s worth some people to pay 5k more for having a star on hood or pedigree like sh***y Maserati (owned one, hated it). I think Ginetta has got a excellent reputation in motorsport, so they will do fine with people interested in very special cars. I am very sure there is a market for 50 G60s a year. There are some of my friends waiting for G60 beeing bored by their Porsches ans Audis. But if reputation gone you can offer a Veyron for 100k, noone would buy it(in Germany, maybe in GB it´s a different story?! Don´t know)!!!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff