|
The famous
historical Bizzarrini name is at the centre of another
attempted comeback plan as the former test driver,
engineer and car maker Giotto Bizzarrini has teamed up
with the Cobra International, the manufacturers of the
proposed Thai-built Arbitage GT sports car, to revamp
the Chevrolet V8 powered machine and re dub for sales as
the Scuderia Bizzarrini P538.
Two years ago
Cobra International and Kevin Gallahan announced an unusual
new project, the Arbitage GT, unusual in the sense that it
would be the first sports car to be built in Thailand. Using
a carbon fibre monocoque and mostly carbon fibre bodywork and chassis parts it is powered
by a Chevrolet V8 engine. Then 8 months ago the opportunity
to team up with Mr Giotto Bizzarrini, who previously
designed famous cars such as the Ferrari 250 GTO and Testa
Rossa, as well as the Iso Rivolta GT and Grifo, came about,
and so the whole project has been revamped.
The new
direction will revive the legendary Bizzarrini P538 name,
with the Thailand-based firm's plans to build the Arbitage
GT being temporarily put on hold. As the actual Bizzarrini
name is owned today by another company, who in fact have
made recent attempts to revive it with a new Renault
V10-powered sports car, the new P538 will be marketed under
the Scuderia Bizzarrini name, the derivative of his name
that is owned by Giotto Bizzarrini.
Between 1966 and
1968 Bizzarrini built two P538 chassis using Chevrolet V8
engines, and it was this similarity to the new Arbitage GT
project that has driven this new partnership. The revised
car has been designed by Stefan Schultz and the most
immediate change is that it becomes a roadster, featuring a
removable carbon fibre hardtop, as well as additional front
roll support.
The Automotive
Design Faculty at Silapakorn University has design the
interior which will feature a flat touch screen in the
cockpits to manage most functions of the car, alongside a
set of traditional analogue gauges in front of the driver.
The interior is supposedly very luxurious in its design and
finish and will use fine materials to create the perfect
environment for the driver.
Engineering of
the new P538 project is being carried out by Galmer Inc,
under the leadership of Alan Mertins, who previous lead
Indycar design whilst Chief Engineer at March Engineering.
The new sports car will also be offered with 500 bhp as
standard as well as more powerful
versions of the LS7 Chevrolet V8, including the Lingenfelter
tuned twin-turbo version with up to 1000 bhp. The 800 kg car
will incorporate the CIMA 6-speed gearbox which is used in the Pagani Zonda and Koenisegg CCX. It
also features an AP Racing clutch, Penske shock absorbers, Alcon brakes, Forgeline wheels, Bridgestone tyres
and Recaro seats.
The first
prototype is expected to be shipped to the Nardo test
facility in Italy for testing by
Giotto Bizzarrini and his team around November this year.
The plan is to build one hundred P538s over four years,
which will come with a competitive price, partly down to
locating the car's manufacturing base in Thailand. Arbitage
GT project founder, Kevin Gallahan, promises 'surprises' on
the car and he also says: "It is an honour to be involved
with Mr Giotto Bizzarrini. Our team must ensure that the
manufacturing is to the highest level. The P538 has a
heartbeat. It's been a long journey but we are near, very
near, and we are looking forward to Nardo at the end of the
year."
|
