First shown in 2001 as a concept car, now ready to hit the road the new german Supercar will have a top speed of 248 mph and a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and to 125 mph in 7.8 seconds.

2006 Lotec Sirius

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2006 Lotec Sirius
  • Engine/Motor: 3.2L V6
  • Horsepower: 250@0
  • Torque: 811@3400
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

The new car has the Mercedes's V12 engine producing arround 985 hp. The car's price is somewhere arround 300000 euro (385000$), depending on specification.

Suspension is by race-style unequal length double wishbones with inboard coil-overs, Koni dampers and anti-roll bars. The huge race grade cross-drilled ventilated discs are clamped by big four-pot calipers with servo-assistance and ABS. 255/35ZR19 and 345/30ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres on very light Japanese-made 9.5J and 12.5J x 19-inch WORK forged alloy wheels provide amazing levels of grip.

The lowered compression ratio loses some of the V12’s initial crispness, but the big block motor has significant inherent torque and the car is relatively light. If you are anywhere in the wide power band between 1,500 and 6,000rpm, all you need do is squeeze the throttle, and irrespective of which gear you are in, strong forward motion is a no-brainer.

In full battle cry the Sirius soundtrack is an amazing cacophony of V12 howl, thrashing timing chains and gargling induction, with the occasional soft flutter of the waste-gates dumping excess boost. It took me a few minutes to work this one out, but then all the lights went on and I pinned down the big V12’s hard-core soundtrack to the same underlying baritone note as the Ferrari Daytona, except that here the thunder and fury comes from behind your head.

The gearshift is not the best money can buy and that is a CIMA issue rather than a Lotec one. The gate is quite close and spring loading towards the three-four plane is not as strong as you might expect. Because of this, you have to be deliberate and precise when you are hunting for a particular ratio across the gate.

Porsche standards of powered rack and pinion steering feel, neutral handling and staggering brakes to match its performance quickly impress, and the Sirius even rides surprisingly well on country roads. The only things to watch are the ground clearance on ramps and the cars sheer width. A 6 ft 8 in wide, the Sirius makes a Diablo feel trim.

Lotec claims 0-62mph in 3.8 sec, 0-124mph in 7.8 sec and a 244mph top speed with the tallest final drive. However, the company has dyno-tested engines in two higher states of tune. “We achieved 1,000bhp with 1,200Nm on 1.0 bar boost, and 1,200bhp with 1,340Nm on 1.2 bar,” Kurt told us.

With limited resources at hand, production would mean a maximum of four cars a year, so the Lotec Sirius is not exactly going to paint its rivals into a corner. However, its stunning futuristic looks and interstellar performance are a loud wakeup call to the big boys.