Ascari KZ1

Last updated

Ascari KZ1
Ascari KZ1 II.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Ascari Cars
Production20052010
50 produced
Assembly Banbury, England
Designer Paul Brown
Body and chassis
Class Sports car (S)
Body style 2-door coupé
Layout Longitudinal RMR layout
Related BMW M5 (E39)
BMW Z8
Powertrain
Engine 4.9 L BMW S62 V8
Transmission 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Length4,300 mm (169.3 in)
Width1,852 mm (72.9 in)
Height1,138 mm (44.8 in)
Curb weight 1,275 kg (2,811 lb) [1]
Chronology
Predecessor Ascari Ecosse
Successor Ascari A10
Ascari KZ1 rear Ascari2.jpg
Ascari KZ1 rear

The Ascari KZ1 is a sports car made by Ascari Cars. The car is named from the initials of Ascari's owner Klaas Zwart, a wealthy Dutch businessman.

Contents

The KZ1 made its worldwide debut at the 2005 Autosport International with a price tag of £235,000. Each car required 340 hours of handcrafting at Ascari's 45,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Banbury, England by a team of 30 highly skilled craftsmen. [2] Owners also received the opportunity to drive the car at the Ascari-managed Race Resort Ascari in Spain. Production was limited to 50 units.

Specifications

EngineBMW S62 V8 with dry sump lubrication
PositionMid-longitudinal
AspirationNatural
Valvetrain4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing
Displacement4,941 cc (4.9 L; 301.5 cu in)
Bore94 mm (3.7 in)
Stroke89 mm (3.5 in)
Power500 bhp (373 kW; 507 PS) @ 7000 rpm
Power to displacement ratio101 hp per litre (75.5 kW/L)
Power to weight ratio420 bhp per long ton (280 W/kg)
Torque550 N·m (406 lb·ft) @ 4500 rpm
Transmission6-speed CIMA manual [3]
Brakes AP Racing callipers and discs with 6-piston callipers at the front and 4-piston callipers at the rear. [3]
Acceleration0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 3.7 seconds

0–100 mph (0–161 km/h) in 8.0 seconds

1/4 Mile time11.8 seconds at 124 mph (200 km/h)

Performance

The KZ1 is powered by a highly tuned BMW S62, a 4,941 cc (4.9 L) V8 engine originally used in the E39 M5 and Z8. [4] The car can attain a maximum speed of 201 mph (323 km/h) and can accelerate from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 3.7s and from 0–100 mph (0–161 km/h) in 8.0s. [5] [1]

Ascari KZ1-R

Ascari KZ1-R [6]
Ascari KZ1 GT3 of Darren Berry.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Ascari
Production20052010
Designer Paul Brown
Body and chassis
Class Racing car
Body style 2-door coupé
RelatedAscari KZ1
Powertrain
Engine 4.9 L BMW S62 V8
Transmission 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Length4,300 mm (169.3 in)
Width1,852 mm (72.9 in)
Height1,138 mm (44.8 in)
Curb weight 1,250 kg (2,756 lb)
Ascari KZ1R GT3 Ascari KZ1R GT3.jpg
Ascari KZ1R GT3
Interior Ascari KZ1R GT3 Interior.jpg
Interior

The Ascari KZ1-R is the racing version of the Ascari KZ1, primarily being featured in the new FIA GT3 European Championship and the United SportsCar Championship as well as other small level championships which run a similar formula. The KZ1-R is similar to the road going KZ1, but vastly improved. The most obvious differences between the KZ1 and KZ1-R lie on the exterior of the car. Tuned for racing, the KZ1-R is still a pure road car in every right, but with the invigoration of a GT3 racer. The front lip spoiler has been updated with a pronounced splitter for increased down-force. Also unlike the KZ1, the race version features a large fixed racing wing, in place of the small adjustable spoiler found on the road car. The headlights have also been modified, with HID bulbs and turn signals, losing the silver, crystallized look of the KZ1. The rear fenders of the car have also been increased slightly to house the larger wheelbase. The wheels are forged aluminium alloy, to further reduce curb weight. The car features a stripped down interior with power windows removed, fine leather replaced by Alcantara, cloth, and carbon fibre racing seats and an integral roll cage, which adds rigidity to the car's body during races. Curb weight is reduced to an astounding 1,250 kg (2,755.8 lb), which is achieved by its carbon fibre chassis tub and a carbon fibre body shell. The KZ1-R retains power steering, a feature that is usually absent from race cars.

Engine

The KZ1-R uses the same mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated, dry sump BMW S62 90-degree V8, but it has been tuned for a total of 520 bhp (388 kW; 527 PS) [7] at 7000 rpm. Displacement stays the same at 4,941 cc (4.9 L; 301.5 cu in), with torque at 550 N⋅m (406 lbf⋅ft) at 4500 rpm. This allows the KZ1-R to achieve a power to weight ratio of 416 bhp (310 kW; 422 PS) per tonne.

Chassis and brakes

The KZ1-R uses a carbon fibre chassis and a tubular steel rear frame. Both front and rear suspension are double-wishbone with coil over dampers, mated to anti-roll bars for stability. The wheels are 19-inch (483 mm) forged aluminium racing wheels mounted to 305/30x19 tires in the rear and 235/35x19 tires in the front. The front brakes are cross-drilled and vented with 6-piston racing-type calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.

Gear123456Final Drive
Ratio2.875:11.773:11.267:11.000:10.833:10.621:13.70:1

Performance

The KZ1-R can accelerate from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 3.8 seconds, thanks to its increased power-to-weight ratio. Ascari claimed a 0–100 mph (0–161 km/h) acceleration time of 8.0 seconds along with a maximum speed of 201 mph (323 km/h). The racing version manages to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in about four-tenths of a second less than the standard KZ1, with numbers comparable to the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

Other media

The KZ1 was featured in November 2005 on the BBC television show Top Gear , where it set the 5th fastest lap time ever recorded on the show at 1 minute 20.7 seconds; currently, the KZ1 holds 26th place, the seventh-fastest time being 1:17.3 set by an Ascari A10.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW Z8</span> Car model

The BMW Z8 is a roadster produced by German automotive manufacturer BMW from 1998 to 2003. The Z8 was developed under the codename "E52" between 1993 and 1999, through the efforts of a design team led by Chris Bangle from 1993 to 1995. The exterior was designed by Henrik Fisker and the interior by Scott Lempert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentley Continental GT</span> Motor vehicle

The Bentley Continental GT is a grand touring car manufactured and marketed by the British company Bentley Motors since 2003. A two-door coupé or convertible, it was the first new Bentley released after the company's acquisition by Volkswagen AG in 1998, and the first Bentley to employ mass production manufacturing techniques. It was later joined by the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a four-door saloon car variant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 360</span> Italian two-seater sports car

The Ferrari 360 is a two-seater, mid-engine, rear wheel drive sports car manufactured by Italian automotive manufacturer Ferrari from 1999 until 2005. It succeeded the Ferrari F355 and was replaced by the Ferrari F430 in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 (997)</span> Sixth generation of the Porsche 911

The Porsche 997 is the sixth generation of the Porsche 911 sports car manufactured and sold by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche between 2004 and 2013. Production of the Carrera and Carrera S coupés began in early 2004, all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S began to be delivered to customers in November 2005, the Turbo and GT3 derivatives went on sale in late 2006 and the GT2 in 2007. In addition to the coupé and cabriolet versions, Targa versions of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S were also available, which carry on with the "glass canopy" roof design used since its first application on the 993 until the 991, which reverted to the classic targa top layout used on the early 911 Targas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M3</span> Compact executive car

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M6</span> High performance version of the BMW 6 Series

The BMW M6 is a high-performance version of the 6 Series marketed under the BMW M sub-brand from 1983 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus Exige</span> Car model

The Lotus Exige is a sports car made by the British company Lotus Cars from 2000 until 2021. Originally a coupé version of the Lotus Elise roadster, since the Series 3 the Exige has been the larger-engined model of the family, featuring a V6 engine in place of the Elise's straight-four. Convertible versions of both models are available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi RS 4</span> Motor vehicle

The Audi RS 4 is the high-performance variant of the Audi A4 range produced by Audi Sport GmbH for AUDI AG, a division of the Volkswagen Group. It sits above the Audi S4 as the fastest, most sports-focused car based on the A4's "B" automobile platform. The RS 4 was reintroduced in 2012, based on the A4 Avant instead of the sedan as did the original model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aston Martin Vantage (2005)</span> Motor vehicle

The Aston Martin Vantage is a series of hand-built sports cars from the British automotive manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston Martin has previously used the "Vantage" name on high-performance variants of their existing GT models, notably on the Virage-based car of the 1990s. The modern car, in contrast, is the leanest and most agile car in Aston's lineup. As such, it is intended as a more focused model to reach out to potential buyers of cars such as the Porsche 911 as well as the exotic sports and GT cars with which Aston Martins traditionally compete.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Aero 8</span> English sports car model

The Morgan Aero 8 sports car was built by Morgan Motor Company at its factory in Malvern Link, England from 2000 until 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 GT3</span> Porsche sports car

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance homologation model of the Porsche 911 sports car. It is a line of high-performance models, which began with the 1973 911 Carrera RS. The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one-make national and regional Porsche Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge series, as well as the international Porsche Supercup supporting the FIA F1 World Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW M4</span> Motor vehicle

The BMW M4 is a version of the BMW 4 Series automobile developed by BMW's motorsport division, BMW M, that has been built since 2014. As part of the renumbering that splits the coupé and convertible variants of the 3 Series into the 4 Series, the M4 replaced those variants of the BMW M3. Upgrades over the standard BMW 4 Series include an upgraded engine, suspension, exhaust system, brakes and weight reduction measures including increased use of carbon fibre, such as on the roof of the car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porsche 911 GT2</span> Motor vehicle

The Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance, track-focused sports car built by the German automobile manufacturer Porsche from 1993 to 2009, and then since 2010 as the GT2 RS. It is based on the 911 Turbo, and uses a similar twin-turbocharged engine, but features numerous upgrades, including engine enhancements, larger brakes, and stiffer suspension calibration. The GT2 is significantly lighter than the Turbo due to its use of rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive system and the reduction or removal of interior components. As a result, the GT2 is the most expensive and fastest model among the 911 lineup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ascari A10</span> Motor vehicle

The Ascari A10 is a prototype automobile produced by the British company Ascari Cars that was conceived by Dutch millionaire Klaas Zwart. It is a road-going evolution of the KZ1-R GT race car that participated in the Spanish GT Championship, with both cars penned by Paul Brown, former designer for the Zakspeed F1 team. It was intended to be the third road car produced by the company, after the Ecosse and the KZ1, with the name A10 intended to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the company, but it did not reach production despite a planned fifty cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McLaren 650S</span> British sports car

The McLaren 650S is a British sports car designed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer McLaren Automotive. It was announced in February 2014 as a new model, but based on the existing MP4-12C with 25% new parts, and was formally unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-AMG GT</span> Sports car manufactured by Mercedes-AMG as a successor to the SLS AMG

The Mercedes-AMG GT is a series of 2-door grand tourers produced by German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-AMG. The car was introduced on 9 September 2014 and was officially unveiled to the public in October 2014 at the Paris Motor Show. While not directly replacing the SLS AMG, it is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. The Mercedes-AMG GT went on sale in two variants in March 2015, while a GT3 racing variant of the car was introduced in 2015. A high performance variant called the GT R was introduced in 2016. A GT4 racing variant, targeted at semi-professional drivers and based on the GT R variant, was introduced in 2017. In 2021, a new variant called the AMG GT Black Series was released. All variants are assembled at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McLaren 720S</span> Sports car

The McLaren 720S is a sports car designed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer McLaren Automotive. It is the second all-new car in the McLaren Super Series, replacing the 650S beginning in May 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruf SCR</span> Sports car manufactured by Ruf Automobile

The Ruf SCR is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile. The SCR was based on the Porsche 911 SC and the changes made to its engine enabled it to have similar performance to the 930 Turbo, despite having a naturally aspirated engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpina B6 (E63)</span> Motor vehicle

The Alpina B6 (E63) is the second generation of the high performance grand tourer manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina from 2005 to 2010. Based on the BMW 6 Series (E63), the car was available in coupé and convertible bodystyles. The B6 was introduced in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audi R8 (Type 42)</span> Sports car

The Audi R8 is the first generation of the R8 sports car developed and manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Audi. Conceived in 2003 in concept form, the R8 was put into production in June 2006. The Type 42 is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo and shares its chassis and engine. Audi's parent company Volkswagen Group owns Lamborghini as well and components of both of the cars were shared mainly to save development costs. Production of the Type 42 ended in August 2015, following the introduction of the Type 4S at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show which was based on an entirely new platform.

References

  1. 1 2 Frankel, Andrew (10 May 2005). "Ascari KZ1, specifications". autocar.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  2. "Ascari KZ1 reveal". 3 February 2005. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 "specifications" . Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  4. Tomalin, Peter (September 2022). "Whatever Happened to the Ascari KZ1?". Evo. No. 301. pp. 98–106.
  5. "Ascari". Archived from the original on 19 August 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2007.
  6. Ascari KZ1-R Data
  7. "Ascari KZ1-R". Archived from the original on 1 November 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.