A sudden burst of news has been emanating from Modena recently, with Project 1221 laying down the somewhat surprising technical foundations for their new Andreas Andrianos led supercar. In a new update, Project 1221 describe the reasons behind their choice of the gas turbine powerplant, as well as their plans revealing a future range of cars.

"On June 14, at the Paris Air Show in Bourget, Gregg Williams, President of Williams International and Andreas Andrianos, Founder and Chief Executive of Project 1221, jointly revealed the existence of a strategic supplier agreement between the two companies. Under the agreement Williams International will be supplying advanced gas turbine engines tailored for the Project 1221 specific requirements. The first of such engines will be used in the MF1, which would be joined in time by an entire range of gas turbine-powered supercars.

"As far as production road cars are concerned, this would indeed constitute the absolutely first application of gas turbine technology in automotive history. The adoption of a gas turbine engine imparts a unique personality: To the outside world the rumble of a conventional reciprocating engine, as more or less emitted by all cars, is instead substituted by the characteristic whir that is associated only with air-travel.

"At the same time the absence of mechanical noise or vibration in the passenger compartment is surprisingly combined with fierce, effortless performance on demand, never before experienced in a road car. In essence, all the planned Project 1221 supercars will provide the private-jet experience on four wheels, thus becoming the supreme transport devices on land.

"Although Project 1221 was set to employ gas turbine technology right from its inception, four years ago, very recent developments resulting from the availability of an alternative choice of engine - always by the same manufacturer - have effectively put us in the irresistible position to dispose now of at least 30% more power than originally considered. This new element, given that the initial power level was already extremely high, allows or rather invites to reconsider the parameters for our supercar range.

"Therefore, a decision has been made to incorporate extra features into the original-concept MF1 , which would evolve as an exclusively awd model with a certain added versatility that was originally planned for introduction in a subsequent model.

"Conversely the planned rwd version of the original-concept MF1 will evolve as a visually distinct model (and to a certain extent technically different as well, beyond the "simple" elimination of awd). Responding to requests of some prospective clients, this exclusively rwd model would indeed have the character of a road-legal racer and it could possibly become available even earlier than anticipated for the original-concept MF1. It would also be the precursor of a future pure racing model (provided that Project 1221 will be offered a fair chance by the technical regulations).

"Details for both models will be arriving soon. At any rate, as dictated by common sense, the option of armoured protection will be available only for the awd MF1 and not for the rwd "road-legal racer" version.

"MF1 chassis numbers that have already been allocated are indeed valid and are to be considered as representative of the order of precedence for either model. The decision about the choice of model by individual clients is of no relevance at the moment.

"Overall production still remains set at 199 units, comprising both models without any predetermined limit for each one of them, just as it had been originally announced. Pricing remains the same as well, i.e. €675 000 subsequently to the physical unveiling of either model. Units that have already been allocated, as well as units of either model that will be reserved up to that point in time, exceptionally benefit from a frozen price of €575 000.

Project 1221 affirms positions of project members

"On another note, following certain speculative and possibly misleading articles appearing from time to time either in the press or the Internet, Project 1221 emphatically affirms that it is indeed an independent and privately held concern, operating under the direction of Andreas Andrianos. Mauro Forghieri, Emanuele Nicosia, Anna Visconti, Oral Engineering, Bee Studio and Design Service Network (DSN) do not take part in the capital or in the management of Project 1221. All mentioned individuals and companies may only act as external consultants and/or providers of engineering and design services as requested by Project 1221. Overall responsibility and ultimate control of all current and future projects regarding among others the choice and employment of human resources, the allocation of funds as well as the definition of commercial agreements always rests with Project 1221."

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