If you haven't heard of Ermini->ke4804, you aren't alone. After all, it isn't like people casually mention it in the same breath as Ferrari->ke252 or Lamborghini->ke44 when they talk about Italian supercars->ke177 around the office water cooler. You might be surprised to learn, however, that they aren't just a startup looking to make some pipe-dream millionaire's toy. Ermini may not have been active for the last 50 years, but before it closed its doors in the early 1960s, it had quite a history of racing success. Now, in 2014, they're back with the Seiottosei, a two-seat roadster->ke1418 that weighs in at only 686 kg (1,512 pounds). Ermini claims that the Seiottosei's inspiration comes from the Barchetta->ke2301 roadsters that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Instead of going for big engines and lots of power, it keeps the focus on low weight, small engines, and driving dynamics. Thanks to this approach, Ermini claims that the Seiottosei's fuel economy will be more in line with a family sedan's than a typical sports car's.

Anyone who's interested in buying one needs to hurry up though, as only 46 examples will be produced.

Click past the jump to read more about the Ermini Seiottosei.

2015 Ermini Seiottosei

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ermini Seiottosei
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 280
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

As expected, the exterior design is a mix of modern cues and nods to the past. The front end is absolutely gorgeous. There's definitely some Jaguar E-Type->ke1246 mixed in there, and considering that the E-Type was one of the most iconic cars ever made, that's far from a bad thing. Out back, the center exhaust is a nice touch as well.

The view in profile and from the back is less gorgeous, however, as form is forced to give way to function. Though several angles look a bit awkward, it's clear that those design decisions were made to make the Seiottosei drive better, not because the designer had poor taste. It's unfortunate, but for a car that will see all of its time on the racetrack, aesthetics sometimes have to be sacrificed.

Ermini Seiottosei - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

2.600 MM (102.36 inches)

Front Track

1.625 MM (63.97 inches)

Rear Track

1.595 MM (62.79 inches)

Width

1.850 MM (72.83 inches)

Length

4.120 MM (162.20 inches)


Interior

The focus on performance and handling carries over to the interior as well. A single digital display sits behind the steering wheel, but other than that, rest is spartan at best. The dash is simple, flat, and body color, while the center console is little more than exposed carbon fiber and a shift lever. If it wasn't obvious from the exterior, this is a car that is meant for the track, not road-tripping down the highway.

Drivetrain

The Ermini Seiottosei is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower. While that may not sound like a lot, keep in mind that those 300 horses have just 1,500 pounds to pull around. That means that the Seiottosei will run from 0 to 60 mph in fewer than 3.5 seconds. That certainly isn't world-record-setting acceleration, but it's absolutely mind-blowing for an inline-four.

The suspension is also claimed to be tuned for the race track, and with such a low weight, handling should be outstanding. Power will be routed to the wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Ermini Seiottosei - Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

F4RT RS - 4 cylinders 16 valve 1.998cc

Output

300 Horsepower

Transmission

Sadev six speed sequential + reverse, double-disc clutch

Top Speed

270 Km/h (167 MPH) (speed limit device)

Acceleration (0-62 MPH)

< 3.5 sec


Prices

Prices have not been released yet, but expect them to spend quite a bit, as low volume track day cars don't come cheaply.

Competitors

BAC Mono

For the gentleman racer who doesn't need or want a co-driver, the BAC Mono offers the track day experience with only a single seat. Hypothetically, it doesn't have to be used only on track days though, because unlike many cars in this segment, the Mono is technically road legal. You probably won't want to use it for your daily commute, but if you wanted to drive to the race track, that would probably be doable. Once at the track, the Mono is blisteringly quick, capable of snapping off a 60-mph run in less than three seconds. That speed comes at a high price, however, as the BAC Mono starts at $130,000 in the U.S.

KTM X-Bow

Much more aggressively styled than the Seiottosei, the KTM X-Bow is another small, light track toy that places an emphasis on precision handling over brute force. It isn't particularly pretty, but its bizarre styling is well proportioned and oddly attractive. It may look like a four-wheeled Pokemon, but it will still be very, very quick around any track. Compared to the Seiottosei, however, it's down on power unless you step up to the $88,500 X-Bow R.

Conclusion

Assuming that Ermini can actually bring the Seiottosei to full production, a huge challenge for any startup auto manufacturer, the attractive design and impressive lightness should make for quite a compelling package. It likely won't be any good as a primary car or even a second car, but for the enthusiast with enough money to invest in a car just for the track, it's hard to see them going wrong with the Ermini Seiottosei.