2012 DC Design Avanti

After a barely revealing teaser image of their new supercar, DC Design of India has debuted their Avanti supercar at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. The Avanti - whose name is a reference to the Studbaker Avanti from Tintin comics - will be put on sale at a starting price of $56,277. Initially, DC Design will only build 200 units per year, but they hope to gradually increase production to about 2,000 units a year.

The new Avanti looks to have taken its design inspiration from vehicles like the Ferrari 458 Italia or the latest array of Lotus concepts with its aerodynamic slopes and aggressive angles, but its performance figures are far from the realm of these popular supercars. Initially, it will be powered by a Ford 4-cylinder turbo engine that delivers a total of 265 HP, mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. A Honda V6 engine will follow, delivering a more appropriate figure of up to 500 HP, but still not enough to warrant the supercar title. Even its weight is too far off, especially considering that its body is made of aluminum and its body panels in fiberglass. It weighs in at 3,440 lbs, which is enough to sprint the Avanti from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds.

If DC Design would have promised a really cool sports car and delivered the Avanti, then we would have been excited about it. As of right now, the only thing supercar-like for this vehicle is the price tag, and that’s not something people will take kindly to.

Next time, it may be better for them to under-promise and over-deliver.