found this in a German online paper...
Discussion
Original (in German) with more pics here....
http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrberichte/0,1518,719...
Funnily it's an English design (but possibly not the best Coventry has ever turned out), but the technology is most impressive for such a small first--- and I wonder if their boss thinks his managers have enough to do????
I have translated the essentials
The car of their dreams was not to be had anywhere. Hence some German managers decided to simply build the vehicle themselves. The sports car went down well with their friends, too, so now a small series is planned. SPIEGEL ONLINE has driven the rarity already...
Normally the Benninghoven company from Mülheim an der Mosel is known for asphalt mixing systems, without tarring road builders could do no meter of highway.
The business is very successful, but for the 100th. Birthday of the family business, the management took on a very different project.
Because a few of the executives who like to remain anonymous, could nowhere find their dream car, they decided to build the car themselves, says company spokesman Harald Rettig and then points to a rapid Coupé, which can only be recognized with a lot of imagination as an Audi S5. The model from Ingolstadt, delivers the basis for the amazing home build.
The first prototype was shown last fall at the anniversary celebration of Benninghoven and went down with the guests so well that they will do a small series of the Benarrow PB 5. A very small series of course.
"Not more than one car per month is feasible," restricts Rettig. However, should demand for another small series expensive coupe increase ( we're talking of almost 270,000 € here , the factory that builds the body in England (anybody knows who????) could complete 2 cars per month. The finishing touches are done on the Moselle in Wittlich.
The name Benarrow is composed from the initials of the company Benninghoven and the English word arrow together.
The ten-strong team does not lack enthusiasm, nor money - but the expertise for the automotive project had to be purchased in. Some of the competence has been bought in completely. The basic vehicle is, as already mentioned, from Audi. So the car can be maintained and repaired virtually anywhere in the world at your friendly Audi dealership - at least in theory.
The design was left to experts at the University of Coventry
This explains not only some very British lines, inspired by Bentley and Jaguar, but that may explain also some of the weird proportions. In Coventry, incidentally, the former BMW design maverick Chris Bangle was formed.
The more powerful engine and tighter suspension controls came from the renowned Audi tuners at MTM in Wettstetten near Ingolstadt, the leather comes from a British saddlery, which also supplies Bentley.
The finished car is however, a striking coupe, has only the roof and doors in common with the Audi A5. All other body panels have been reshaped and clad also with plenty of carbon. Result is an aggressive-looking front end with the bonnet pulled far down and button eye headlights (Rover 75 anyone???, slim yet powerful flanks and a plus in length of 18 inches over the donor car. The rear arches tower over a wide diffuser so high and round, that it almost looks like a Ferrari.(????)
You can spec any level of luxury inside. "What Rolls-Royce can do we will match," says Rettig and mentioned several hundred shades of leather, which prospective customers can choose from. There is also plenty of neat trim made of carbon and aluminum, which conceals the Audi sourced engineering most elegantly. Nevertheless, new instruments and fine leather-covered seats cannot do away with the more humble origins of the Benarrow...
This all becomes a blur however, once you have pressed the key into the ignition lock in the new center console. While the Audi S5 makes 353 hp, thanks to a huge supercharger the Benarrow wrestles 506 hp from the engine and lifts the top of the torque curve to 540 Nm. Accordingly, the silver arrow from the Mosel surges forward to reach 100 kph in just 4.6 seconds and storms on -driven by the compressor to over 300 km/h (achieved during tests on the track).
Does a luxury sports car like this fit in our times?? Probably not.
On the other hand, there are already enough cars off the shelve.
And, interestigly in Eastern Europe (where else) the PB 5, which could cost three times as much as an Audi S5, but it still considerabl less than an Ferrari, Bentley, Bugatti is apparently very well received. The first customer for the smll marque came from Bucharest, and the next two cars were sold in that direction as well.
In many Romanian roads, it would be no fun with the tightly sprung Benarrow on the road. Some asphalt mixing plants from Benninghoven would be surely the more sensible investment
http://www.spiegel.de/auto/fahrberichte/0,1518,719...
Funnily it's an English design (but possibly not the best Coventry has ever turned out), but the technology is most impressive for such a small first--- and I wonder if their boss thinks his managers have enough to do????
I have translated the essentials
Benarrow PB 5
The car of their dreams was not to be had anywhere. Hence some German managers decided to simply build the vehicle themselves. The sports car went down well with their friends, too, so now a small series is planned. SPIEGEL ONLINE has driven the rarity already...
Normally the Benninghoven company from Mülheim an der Mosel is known for asphalt mixing systems, without tarring road builders could do no meter of highway.
The business is very successful, but for the 100th. Birthday of the family business, the management took on a very different project.
Because a few of the executives who like to remain anonymous, could nowhere find their dream car, they decided to build the car themselves, says company spokesman Harald Rettig and then points to a rapid Coupé, which can only be recognized with a lot of imagination as an Audi S5. The model from Ingolstadt, delivers the basis for the amazing home build.
The first prototype was shown last fall at the anniversary celebration of Benninghoven and went down with the guests so well that they will do a small series of the Benarrow PB 5. A very small series of course.
"Not more than one car per month is feasible," restricts Rettig. However, should demand for another small series expensive coupe increase ( we're talking of almost 270,000 € here , the factory that builds the body in England (anybody knows who????) could complete 2 cars per month. The finishing touches are done on the Moselle in Wittlich.
The name Benarrow is composed from the initials of the company Benninghoven and the English word arrow together.
The ten-strong team does not lack enthusiasm, nor money - but the expertise for the automotive project had to be purchased in. Some of the competence has been bought in completely. The basic vehicle is, as already mentioned, from Audi. So the car can be maintained and repaired virtually anywhere in the world at your friendly Audi dealership - at least in theory.
The design was left to experts at the University of Coventry
This explains not only some very British lines, inspired by Bentley and Jaguar, but that may explain also some of the weird proportions. In Coventry, incidentally, the former BMW design maverick Chris Bangle was formed.
The more powerful engine and tighter suspension controls came from the renowned Audi tuners at MTM in Wettstetten near Ingolstadt, the leather comes from a British saddlery, which also supplies Bentley.
The finished car is however, a striking coupe, has only the roof and doors in common with the Audi A5. All other body panels have been reshaped and clad also with plenty of carbon. Result is an aggressive-looking front end with the bonnet pulled far down and button eye headlights (Rover 75 anyone???, slim yet powerful flanks and a plus in length of 18 inches over the donor car. The rear arches tower over a wide diffuser so high and round, that it almost looks like a Ferrari.(????)
You can spec any level of luxury inside. "What Rolls-Royce can do we will match," says Rettig and mentioned several hundred shades of leather, which prospective customers can choose from. There is also plenty of neat trim made of carbon and aluminum, which conceals the Audi sourced engineering most elegantly. Nevertheless, new instruments and fine leather-covered seats cannot do away with the more humble origins of the Benarrow...
This all becomes a blur however, once you have pressed the key into the ignition lock in the new center console. While the Audi S5 makes 353 hp, thanks to a huge supercharger the Benarrow wrestles 506 hp from the engine and lifts the top of the torque curve to 540 Nm. Accordingly, the silver arrow from the Mosel surges forward to reach 100 kph in just 4.6 seconds and storms on -driven by the compressor to over 300 km/h (achieved during tests on the track).
Does a luxury sports car like this fit in our times?? Probably not.
On the other hand, there are already enough cars off the shelve.
And, interestigly in Eastern Europe (where else) the PB 5, which could cost three times as much as an Audi S5, but it still considerabl less than an Ferrari, Bentley, Bugatti is apparently very well received. The first customer for the smll marque came from Bucharest, and the next two cars were sold in that direction as well.
In many Romanian roads, it would be no fun with the tightly sprung Benarrow on the road. Some asphalt mixing plants from Benninghoven would be surely the more sensible investment
Edited by cramorra on Sunday 17th October 11:19
dan tournay said:
and it's got German, English and RUSSIAN on the language toolbar...
I found it very interesting - and it seems well thought through - why they all wanted an car which is uglier as the donor 
I do not understand, but it seems a serious attempt and the power output puts it up ther with the boys.....
Have to wish them luck, although would not be my choice, simply because ther are too many boring things around....
- design will always be a question of taste and culture (however could somebody review the curriculum in Coventry, please )
I do not understand, but it seems a serious attempt and the power output puts it up ther with the boys.....Have to wish them luck, although would not be my choice, simply because ther are too many boring things around....
- design will always be a question of taste and culture (however could somebody review the curriculum in Coventry, please )Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff