The 2020 Ginetta Akula Is Your New 200-MPH British Supercar Dream

The 2019 Geneva Motor Show certainly has no shortage of ultra-fast, ultra-expensive machinery on display, but British-based boutique automaker Ginetta hopes to rise to the top with the public debut of the 2020 Akula supercar. Mating Le Mans-derived go-fast equipment, low-weight carbon-intensive construction, and a legit street-worthy cabin, the Akula looks tempting. But can it steal the spotlight at an event popping at the seams with excessive horsepower?

Make It Fast Without Breaking Your Back

However, Ginetta sees that as an advantage.

“The concept behind the Akula was to build something truly individual, something that other brands cannot do due to corporate constraints,” said Ginetta Chairman, Lawrence Tomlinson. “Designed to cut through the air like a shark through water, the car unquestionably means business, and I’m proud to be manufacturing a car of such significance in the U.K.”

We think it fits the exterior styling quite well, with the ultra-long hood line, sharp corners, and intake cuts giving the coupe some very menacing vibes. This particular model you see above is finished in Typhoon Black, adding to the theme.

However, the design was intended to do far more than just turn heads, as Ginetta looked to its racing program to inform the Akula’s overarching aerodynamics. For example, the rear wing uses the same shape as the company’s LMP1 race car, while the underbody diffuser and side exhaust allow for smoother airflow at speed.

All told, the Akula creates upwards of 376 kg (829 pounds) of downforce at 100 mph. That’s just three percent less than what you get with the company’s LMP3 race car.

Further endurance-racer inspiration can be found under the hood, where Ginetta once again pulled from its modern LMP1 racer.

This powerplant was specifically created for the Akula application, and incorporates dry-sump lubrication, a block hewn from billet aluminum, forged internal components, and in-house designed throttle bodies.

The 6.0-liter V-8 connects to a bespoke six-speed sequential paddle shift transmission, which feeds the rear wheels through a carbon-fiber prop shaft.

The end result is a rather feathery curb weight, with a final figure of 1,150 kg (2,535 pounds). That means the Akula has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 545 horsepower per metric ton.

That’s not too shabby for a modern supercar, but the Akusa’s handling chops are even more impressive. For starters, those 2,535 pounds are spread evenly over the two axles thanks to a cab-back design that places the engine very close to the car’s “true center.” Weight distribution is rated at 48 percent front, 51 percent in the rear.

Handling the heft is a race-derived suspension setup with pushrod-activated double-wishbones at both ends, the same thing you get on the Ginetta LMP racer. Hydraulic power-assist steering makes it turn, while just a few basic electronic aides (ABS, traction control) are there to assist if you muck it up.

The wheels are made from carbon fiber and use a race-inspired center-lock mechanism. Measurements come to 19 inches in diameter up front and 20 inches in diameter at the rear. Michelin rubber makes the traction, while carbon ceramic brakes from Alcon drop the anchor.

There’s also a fully adjustable floor-mounted pedal box.

Interestingly, Ginetta maintains that the Akula isn’t just for track duties - you really can drive this thing on the street without breaking your back. To that end, the cabin comes with some Alcantara upholstery here and there. There’s also a suite of electronic comfort features like a reverse camera, automatic headlights, parking sensors, a wireless phone charger, air conditioning, and heated front and rear windscreens. What’s more, the trunk can hold up to 675 liters (23.8 cubic-feet) of stuff.

“Given the low volume of production, Ginetta weren’t compromised by having to utilize an existing chassis or drivetrain, allowing the engineers to optimize every aspect of the car,” Ginetta says.

Production is quite limited, capped at 20 units slated to roll out over the next year. Pricing starts at 340,000 pounds ($448,086 at current exchange rates, 03/05/2019). Sixty percent of available production was already sold prior to the car’s debut.

“This exclusive ownership experience will be an induction into the Ginetta family for Akula owners and the start of a supercar ownership experience like no other,” Ginetta says.

The 2020 Ginetta Akula competes with mainstream rivals like the Lamborghini Lamborghini Huracán Performante, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, and the Ferrari 488 GTB.

Overall, we think this latest British supercar has a lot to offer. It looks unique, and definitely stands apart from the usual Lambo/Porsche/Ferrari you’d expect from the segment.

We like how important customer customization is to the purchasing process: “Aside from building a personal relationship with the engineers that built their car, Akula owners will also be given a full introduction to the Ginetta brand with a customer experience day culminating in track time in the G58 racer,” Ginetta says. For reference, the G58’s spec is very close to that of the Akula, but the G58 sheds a bit more weight and loses a few ponies as well.

As average horsepower numbers continue to rise higher and higher, having the skills to put it all to good use becomes even more important.

What do you think? Is the 2020 Ginetta Akula worth the price of admission? Let us know in the comments section below.