The Felino CB7 is a Quebec-born vehicle that Antoine Bessette, the man behind the project, describes as a vehicle that was "purpose built for the track" that could also be street legal. The company took four years to develop and build the concept ->ke169 car using only the finest materials around. The CB7 was unveiled at the 2014 Montreal International Auto Show, and from the looks of things, Felino built and developed a track racer that has the potential to be talked about by a lot of people for a long time.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Feilno CB7
2014 Felino CB7
- Make: Array
- Model: 2014 Felino CB7
- Engine/Motor: V8
- Horsepower: 525
- Torque: 489
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
The Felino CB7 looks really angry, doesn't it? Granted, there's an Audi R8-esque look to the CB7, although the latter does come with a bigger grille and four curved horizontal cross bars on both sides of the grille. The headlights are configured to be slanted inwards, drawing that visual illusion of the CB7 having cocked eyebrows.
The overall shape of the hood also lends into the aggressive-looking appearance of the sports car. The overall shape of the CB7, though, is another matter entirely. It's a teardrop-shaped coupe that doesn't really excite us, let alone leave us with that itch to buy one.
Dimensions |
|
Length |
165 inches |
Width |
75.9 inches |
Height |
45 inches |
Wheelbase |
96.5 inches |
Exterior Specifications |
|
Body |
Composite and carbon fiber body panels |
Mirrors |
Side and back-up cameras |
Wing |
Integrated to bodywork |
Diffuser |
Carbon fiber |
Front Lights |
HID Performance Lights |
Interior
There are no interior photos to look at, but the Formula type driving position lends credence to the our thinking that the interior doesn't have much in the way amenities. The sports car has a two-seat capacity and the carbon-fiber dashboard, which are both nice touches, and are what you'd expect from a sporty racer. There's also an on-board data-acquisition system, a generally useful tool for anybody who wants to take the CB7 out on the track.
Other than what you'd expect to see from a track-spec racer with street capabilities, the CB7's cabin won't be winning any luxury and high-quality entertainment awards any time soon.
Interior Specifications |
|
Seating capacity |
2 |
Driver seat |
Molded carbon fiber (std) |
Driving position |
Formula type |
Seat belts |
6-point harness (std) |
Steering |
Removable quick-steering (std) |
Dashboard |
Carbon fiber (std) |
Technical data |
On-board data acquisition system (std) |
Driver comfort |
Optional race suit cooling |
Drivertrain
The Felino CB7 is powered by a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that's been mounted inside the bump on the rear end and mates to a six-speed manual transmission. Output has been tapped at 525 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 489 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. No word yet on performance numbers, but we estimate the car to be capable of hitting 60 mph in around four seconds to go with a top speed of 190 mph.
Engine Specifications |
|
Engine |
6.2 liters V-8 |
Bore and stroke |
4.06 x 3.62 inches |
Compression rate |
10.7:1 |
Engine block  |
Cast aluminum |
Horsepower (HP@rpm)  |
525 @ 6300 |
Torque (lb.pi@rpm)  |
489 @ 4400 |
Transmission  |
6-speed manual, optional sequential box |
Chassis & Suspension
Nothing to surprising with the chassis and suspension of the CB7. The front and rear suspension features an independent, double-wishbone setup in cast aluminum with an adjustable spring and compression rate. Same goes for the brakes on the front and rear, as they feature six-piston and four-piston calipers, respectively.
Chassis & Suspension Specifications |
|
Drive Wheels |
Rear wheel drive |
Engine Location |
Mid forward |
Front Suspension |
Independent, double wishbone cast aluminum, |
Adjustable spring and compression rate |
|
Rear Suspension |
Independent, double wishbone cast aluminum, |
Adjustable spring and compression rate |
|
Front Brakes |
Discs , 355 mm diameter, 6-piston caliper, |
Optional carbon fiber |
|
Rear Brakes |
Discs , 355 mm diameter, 4-piston caliper, |
Optional carbon fiber |
Price
Felino says that an entry model of the CB7 has been tentatively priced at just under $100,000, with the final price scheduled to be announced soon.
Competition
An equally new addition to the list of highly anticipated, albeit relatively unknown sports cars is the Sin R1, which is a racy exotic that comes with a swooping hood, a sharp angular nose, raised arches, and most importantly, a similar GM-sourced 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that produces 525 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
The R1 is incredibly light, s it weighs just 1,200 kg (2,645 pounds) and has a 60:40 weight distribution that nets enough balance to provide superior handling in high speeds.
We’re waiting for the day when the R1 and the 2CB7 line up next to each other on the track. If for nothing else, it should make for a fascinating race that will prove that even if you don’t carry the names of Ferrari and Lamborghini , you can still build an equally impressive performance car with matching good looks to boot.
Another new carmaker with big dreams for its vehicle is Lucra and its 2.2, which also carries a styling language that's very unique, albeit with a few style points taken from the Corvette Stingray Concept.
Full details are still limited about the 2.2, but it won't surprise us if it also carries a GM-sourced, 6.2-liter V-8 with 530 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque under its hood. This would net it a 0-to-60 mph time of just under three seconds and a top speed of around 190 mph.
Conclusion
We're on the fence with the Felino CB7. On one hand, the front end design gets huge marks from us, but the overall shape is just...weird. The engine is pretty big, too, but it also comes with a mighty impressive output that really drives home the point of the car's identity as a natural track car.