Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, GTA Spano. What do these three names have in common? They are all revolutionary automotive icons in Spain’s recent history. The rally driver Sainz is more commonly referred to as “King” Carlos, and is more popular than the entire Real Madrid soccer team. Formula 1 World Champion Alonso made car racing more popular than MotoGP in the two wheeled enthused country. Now comes the Spano, a Spanish supercar that’s set to take the automotive world by storm and establish a presence in a country best known for making SEATs.
Not one to be pushed aside by its more high-profile contemporaries, the limited production Spanish-built supercar is making a new era in the country’s automobile industry. But is it a vehicle that will make Lamborghini owners consider a switch?
Now that the Spanish supercar has been presented at the Geneva Motor Show, you’re going to have to be the judge of that. Whatever you may think of it, one thing’s for sure: the world better get used to the GTA Spano. It’s coming to the town like a Spanish ’El Nino’, and there appears to be no stopping it.
UPDATE 03/03/2011: This review has been updated with new specs and images of the GTA Spano coming out of its first Geneva event!
UPDATE 04/14/2011: Check out the new images of the GTA Spano at the 2011 Top Marques Monaco in the gallery!
Details on the GTA Spano after the jump.
Exterior
Styled in a manner befitting of its supercar status, the GTA Spano has some exotic qualities, including the convex bonnet and the Lamborghini-like lateral air intakes that dominate the stylish and athletic look. On the other end, the Spano uses glass with small openings to cool the engine. There’s also a rear wing that fits seamlessly with the car’s overall design with two air intakes and a twin exhaust system that likewise exude an aura of aggression only reserved for the high and mighty.
The Spano’s wing mirrors come with a carbon fiber framework that have been finished and built using aeronautical mechanized aluminum. The Spano also has a large glazed surface with a unique interior lighting system with liquid crystal shading.
Another feature unique to the Spano are the set of wheels it comes in. Measuring 19" at the front and 20" at the rear, the wheels are unique in that they come in an angular shape that was designed specifically for this model, together with the chassis that’s made from titanium, carbon fiber, and Kevlar, providing a strong and impermeable body without sacrificing additional weight on the supercar.
Interior
Inside the Spano, GTA made sure to give the car one of the most luxurious touches on any car of its kind. The Spanish automaker used plenty of leather, carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium while also creating enough space for passengers to seat inside comfortably.
The supercar’s instrument panel is comes with an LCD screen that can be customized depending on the whims and needs of the customer. The steering wheel is made from carbon fiber with a joystick that works as an operations console for the car’s lights, wipers, and indicators.
Another unique characteristic of the Spano is the absence of a central rear-view mirror. In its place, GTA designed a rear camera that projects to an LCD screen found on the car’s dashboard. This rear camera automatically turns on when the car is set on reverse. The Spano’s interior also has two glove compartments. The first is located on the passenger side with the other - and smaller - compartment can be found on the center compartment.
Performance
The Spano is powered by an 8.3-liter V10 engine placed in a longitudinal rear position that produces 780 horsepower and 920 Nm of torque. If 780 ponies aren’t good enough for you, GTA is offering a Bioethanol version that bumps up the power all the way up to 820 horsepower. The supercar can hit 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph. GTA is also offering three transmission options for the Spano, including an seven-speed automatic sequential engine, a paddle shift version of the same format, and a seven-speed manual transmission.
Pricing
A number of figures have been linked to the GTA Spano - from $670,000 to $725,000 - so it’s difficult to surmise which one is it. The latest figure being thrown around is $670,000 so we’re going to stick with that - for now.
Either way, the Spano will only have 99 units built and will cost a fortune so you might as well save up to buy a house.
Competition
The rarefied air of supercars features only a few competitors so it’s easy to point out which one can take the GTA Spano up to task and make it sweat a little. On that note, we have just the supercar for that: the Pagani Huayra.
Powered by an AMG-sourced naturally-aspirated twin-turbocharged engine that was exclusively developed for Pagani, the Huayra produces a staggering 700 horsepower and around 730 lb/ft of torque.
Both cars are powerful beyond our imaginations so if it’s speed and power you’re looking for, the Spano and the Huayra have plenty to offer.
Given the option, we’re going to give the slight nod to the GTA Spano, if only because it looks more like a supercar than the Huayra, which, in all fairness, looks more like a track-day machine more than anything else.
820 horsepower!
Luxurious interior
Exotic exterior look
Limited edition model
Priced way beyond our budget
Posted on
04.18.2011 @ 00:34