Kepler Motors, a small American company founded by Russ Wicks, World Speed Record Holder, is going to be unveiling their MOTION supercar at the Dubai Motor Show.
Now, small supercar companies often don’t end well. Some have managed, but many have fallen briefly after appearing. So will Kepler Motors survive?
Well, let’s have a look at the specs of the car. The rear wheels are powered by a Ford EcoBoost 3.5L twin-turbo V6. It puts out 550hp. The front wheels are powered by a 250hp electric motor. That makes it a hybrid. Which makes matters for Kepler Motors even worse. The resulting performance looks promising though. 0-60mph is dealt with in a staggering 2.5 seconds, and the top speed is over 200mph.
Those figures are achieved thanks to use of things like carbon fibre, active aerodynamics, and a seven-speed sequential transmission.
Handling should be good too. It’s got a carbon fibre monocoque chassis and body, active suspension and carbon ceramic brakes. Since the rear is powered by one engine and the front by another, the car is AWD, so it should have plenty of grip.
Only 50 will be made, and they will all be handmade. Deliveries are set to begin in 2011.
Just one thing though. The Dubai Motor Show ends today, and we still haven’t seen any live pictures of it. So when do they plan to unveil it, next year?
Full press release is available below:
Dubai, UAE – December 15, 2009 – Kepler Motors, founded by World Speed Record Holder Russ Wicks, will unveil its groundbreaking MOTION supercar at the tenth annual Dubai International Motor Show, December 16-20. Infusing state-of-the-art automotive engineering and applied science materials with the latest advanced technologies, the MOTION redefines the paradigms of the supercar with unprecedented performance, style, exclusivity, safety and efficiency.
The MOTION sets a new standard with all-wheel drive Dual Powertrain Technology (DPT) which provides a combined 800 hp. Power comes from a 550 hp, modified Ford EcoBoost twin- turbo 3.5-liter V6 driving the rear wheels acting independently of a 250 hp electric motor driving the front wheels. This unique AWD system launches the MOTION to 60 mph under 2.5 seconds with a top speed over 200 mph.
“We’re delighted to host the worldwide debut of the Kepler Motors MOTION at the Dubai International Motor Show,” said Wicks. “The region has a passion for ultra high performance, limited edition supercars, and presents the ideal platform to showcase the advanced technology and innovative features of the MOTION.”
The MOTION is developed from the ground up by a team of hand-picked design engineers, aerodynamicists, product development, and manufacturing specialists and incorporates a number of leading edge technologies such as active suspension, active aerodynamics, launch control and programmable track assistant system.
Lightweight, powerful, balanced and efficient, the MOTION features extensive use of carbon fiber composite materials for its monocoque chassis and body. The light, strong and highly impact-resistant structure provides a two-seat cabin designed to accommodate drivers of above average size, in a stylish, sophisticated and aerodynamically efficient design.
The MOTION uses StopTech’s new Continuous Carbon Ceramic (C3) AeroRotors on all four wheels to ensure smooth, fade-free stopping power. Comprising silicon carbide ceramic material reinforced with long, continuous carbon fibers, the unique C3 brake rotor material offers greater mechanical durability and unique heat transfer capabilities when compared to competitive carbon-ceramic rotors.
As only 50 MOTIONs will ever be produced, ownership will go to a small, exclusive and elite group of individuals. Each vehicle will be hand assembled and deliveries will start in 2011.
Source: Autoblog