The GTA Spano first broke cover at the Geneva Motor Show->ke228 only a few short years ago, followed by an update in 2013 that saw a substantial power increase. This year, Spania GTA will once again unveil an updated version of its exclusive supercar at the 85th Annual Geneva Motor Show, with several revisions that make the vehicle even more extreme than before.

For those of you who didn’t know, the GTA Spano is a Spanish-built supercar hailing from the workshop of GTA Motor->ke3660 in Valencia, a sister company to GTA Motor Competicion. The cars are hand-built, devastatingly fast, and quite rare. The GTA Spano has even been featured in movies and video games, such as Need For Speed->ke3700 and DriveClub.

This year, the GTA Spano returns to Geneva sporting a redesigned look and a more powerful Viper-derived engine.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2015 GTA Spano.

2015 GTA Spano

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 GTA Spano
  • Engine/Motor: V10
  • Horsepower: 925
  • Torque: 900
Pros
Cons

Exterior

For the latest GTA Spano, Spania GTA teamed up with Graphenano, the top Spanish producer of graphene, to incorporate the ultra-thin, ultra-strong material into various components. Spania GTA claims to be the first automaker in the world to incorporate this technology into its vehicles.

Beyond the honeycomb lattice of graphene, the car also uses carbon fiber, titanium, and Kevlar in the construction of its chassis and bodywork. It’s all very advanced stuff, which helps keep the GTA Spano both light as a feather and as inflexible as a self-righteous politician.

As if the GTA Spano didn’t already stand out enough, the restyled body now has even cleaner lines with a more distinctive look. The overall styling of the Spano is still focused on the signature wave-like element that starts at the front bumper and flows all the way to the rear of the car forming the leading edge of the wide haunches. Up front, larger air intakes and a massive air vent in the hood improve air flow around the body, while the dual-pod headlights and LED daytime create a more modern appearance.

Perhaps the best part of the updated 2015 GTA Spano is the restyled rear end. Rather than looking like a cheap rip-off of a Porsche Carrera GT, the Spano has a much better shape with more squared-off edges and a full-width retractable wing. Its flattened rump with a quartet of rectangular taillights gives a strong C7 Corvette vibe, but the new Spano still looks different than any other supercar out there.

Interior

It doesn't appear that there are many change inside the GTA Spano, which means there is a healty mix of leather-clad and carbon fiber surfaces. A thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed leather steering wheel is flanked by twin carbon-fiber paddle shifters, and peering through the steering wheel is a fully customizable digital instrument gauge cluster. The center stack is still a vertical column of buttons that control rear wing adjustments, suspension levels, moon roof opacity and more.

The leather-wrapped seats are from Recaro, and feature electric adjustability, heating and cooling functions. A seven-inch LCD screen in the central console is used for navigation and media interface, in addition to displaying the feed from the rearview backup camera that replaces a rearview mirror. Interior colors are totally customizable.

Drivetrain

The new GTA Spano is now packing a revised version of the Viper-sourced V-10 engine found in the previous model, this time down to 8.0-liters from 8.3-liters. While losing a bit of displacement, the output is significantly increased, up to 925 horsepower and 900 pound-feet of torque, representing an increase of 25 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque respectively.

Part of this change comes from the replacement of the supercharger with two turbochargers. Curb weight is expected to be less than 3,000 pounds, while the Spanish marque claims a run from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 370 km/h (230 mph). For comparison’s sake, the old model could hit 62 mph in three seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph. Transmission options should include an automatic sequential seven-speed, or manual sequential seven-speed.

Clearly, more power from the turbo 10-cylinder and less weight thanks to the inclusion materials like graphene have yielded a machine that’s even more thrilling than the previous model. The handling package is expected to be more or less a carryover, with six-piston AP Racing calipers gripping carbon-ceramic rotors, pneumatic ABS, and an electronically adjustable suspension.

Drivetrain Specifications

Type

7,990 cm3 V-10 twin turbo

Output

925 HP

Torque

900 LB-FT

0 to 60 mpg

2.9 seconds

Top speed

370 KM/H (230 MPH)


Prices

The current GTA Spano costs 692,975 euros, which equates to roughly $790,477 at present day conversion rates (2/18/15). I expect the new model to be priced somewhere in the same vicinity. Only 99 examples will be built, making this one of the rarest supercars on the planet.

Competition

Porsche 918 Spyder

In the pitched battle of mega horsepower and insane hybrid hyper cars, Stuttgart entered the 918 Spyder. Forged in the Green Hell of the Nürburgring, the 918 has one of the most technically advanced drivetrains of any production car in the world.

Sitting just behind the front seats is a 4.6-liter V-8 with titanium connecting rods, a high-strength, lightened steel crankshaft, and an alloy exhaust system. On it’s own, this petrol-burner makes 608 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, but when combined with two electric motors (one for the front axle and one for the rear), total combined output jumps to 887 horsepower and 940 pound-feet of torque. Putting the power down is a seven-speed PDK automatic gearbox.

The 918 Spyder also boasts a relatively low curb weight, especially considering the huge amount of equipment under its skin. This is partly due to the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque, and all the aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber used elsewhere in its construction. Speed-obsessed buyers can also opt for the Weissach Package, which shaves an additional 77 pounds with additional carbon-fiber components.

Performance spec for the 918 looks something like 2.8 seconds to 62 mph, 7.9 seconds to 124 mph, and 19.9 seconds to 186 mph with the Weissach Package. Prices start at $845,000.

Lamborghini Aventador

Although this raging bull starts at a mere $400,000, buyers interested in acquiring a model with a bit more exclusivity for a greater price tag would be advised to search out one of the many different special editions currently available, which should add not only a whiff of unique panache, but $100K or so to the bottom line as well.

Like the 918,->ke1 this Lambo uses a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque for lightness and rigidity. While not quite as flamboyant as Lambos->ke44 of the past, the Aventador still looks fantastic, with hard angles and striking lines lifted from a jet fighter.

Mounted in the middle, there’s a 6.5-liter V-12 engine with 700 horsepower and 509 pound-feet of torque, which hits the ground through a Haldex Traction AWD system and seven-speed automatic transmission. 60 mph rushes up from a standstill in 2.9 seconds, the quarter mile blinks by in 10.6 seconds at 137 mph, and top speed is rated at 217 mph.

Special models include the 50th Anniversary Edition, the Nazionale Edition, the Pirelli Edition, and countless others, each sporting unique features to both the interior and exterior styling. Try hard enough, and you’ll undoubtedly find something to approach the GTA Spano’s $800,000 asking price.

Conclusion

Clearly designed as a plaything for the enormously bored and wealthy, the GTA Spano builds on its past success with a whole lot more of what made it so great to begin with. New materials, a more powerful engine, and a revised body and chassis keep it fresh and every bit as potent.

The price tag is in a bit of an odd place, however, as $800,000 is right between the hybrid hypercars from Porsche, Ferrari,->ke252 and McLaren,->ke284 but above the traditional half-million-dollar supercars. But considering the extremely exclusive run of only 99 units, I guess that still makes some sense.

And when it comes to standing out from the crowd, this Spanish special is sure to take the torta.