The world of high performance sports car grows by the day and here's another new beast to prove it. CCG automotive has revealed the super sports car customGT - an ultra-light dream car with up to 550 hp. The most impressive feature of the new customGT is the fact that it comes with an LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) system that helps reduces exhaust emissions. At first glance, this could translate into money in the bank since LPG is considerably cheaper than standard gasoline.

The CCG CustomGT is powered by an optimized 7.0 liter V8 engine created by General Motors. This engine delivers a total of 550 HP and is mated to a manually-operated 6-gear transmission. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 3.5 seconds and top speed goes up to an impressive 198 mph.

The man behind this creation is Tom Gerards, Head of CCG automotive GmbH and Creative Director of the CustomGT. His dream was to build his very own supercar so, in 2009, he began his journey. "What turned the customGT into reality was our passion, enthusiasm, dedication, and the steadfast belief in achieving the goal," says Gerards.

Hit the jump to read about how his dream turned into a high-powered supercar.

2011 CCG CustomGT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 CCG CustomGT
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder engine
Pros
Cons

2012 CCG CustomGT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 CCG CustomGT
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder engine
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

The Company

CCG Automotive is a specialty shop in Germany with a focus on classic sports cars. The company not only services, repairs, and restores these classics, but they also produce vehicles that are "individual and unusual." Tom Gerards is the Head of CCG automotive GmbH and the Creative Director of CustomGT. He states, "The idea to build my own super sports car and bring it onto German streets with the TÜV's blessing started in early 2009."

"What turned the customGT into reality was our passion, enthusiasm, dedication, and the steadfast belief in achieving the goal."

Exterior and Interior

The CustomGT measures 4,356 mm in length and offers interior room for 2 people. It is built on a tubular space frame made of 45 FE steel (material according to FIA standard) that is made in the US and re-engineered (homologated) and fine-tuned in Germany. The outer shell is made of fiberglass, or carbon fiber-reinforced composites,and is toned by specialists in the U.S. With these materials, the CustomGT comes in at only 2,380 lbs. For comparison's sake, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia weighs in at 2,755 lbs.

The interior of the super sports car is dominated by a mixture of Alcantara and black leather, as well as instruments "borrowed" from the racing sport. Everything on the exterior is set on stone, but the interior can be fully customized to meet the customers' needs. The only things with that is, depending on the options chosen, the vehicle's weight may be affected.

Dimensions

-Length: 4,356 mm

-Width: 1,880 mm

-Height: 1,016 mm (40”)

-Wheel base: 2,565 mm

-Tread width front/rear:1,536 mm / 1,574 mm

Weight

-Curb weight (Standard equipment):

-1,020 kg/2,249 lbs (without LPG system)

-1,080 kg/2,381 lbs (incl. LPG system)

-Overall weight: 1,415 kg/3,120 lbs

-Permissible axle load front/rear: 620 kg/1,367 lbs

Engine

The CCG CustomGT is powered by an optimized 7.0 liter V8 created by General Motors. This engine delivers a total of 550 hp at 5,800 RPM and a peak torque of 446 lb-ft at 4,700RPM. CCG is also offering a milder version with 450 HP, as well as a more powerful version that uses a turbo-charging system and increases the output to 740 HP.

The engine is mated to a fully synchronized 6-speed manual transmission with single-disc clutch, gear ratio according to the customer's requirements. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 3.5 seconds and top speed goes up to an impressive 198 mph.

The CustomGT is also equipped with a double wishbone, KW suspension, spring damper units with performance tuning for street and/or race track, and multi-adjustable sports sway bars.

Engine

-V8-cylinder Aluminium GM 6.0l, 450 hp / 331 kW at 5,800 RPM, 560Nm/4,600 RPM

-Optional: V8-cylinder Aluminium GM 7.0l, 550 hp / 405 kW at 5,800 RPM, 605 Nm/4,700RPM

-Optional: dry sump lubrication, oil cooler

-Optional: turbo-charging up to 740 hp

Transmission

-Fully synchronized 6-speed manual transmission with single-disc clutch, gear ratio according to the customer's requirements.

-Optional: sequential gearbox

Performance

Engine V8-cylinder Aluminium GM 6.0l

-Max. speed variable between 285 km/h and 320 km/h*

-Acceleration 0-100 km/h variable approx. 3.5 sec.*

-Acceleration 0-200 km/h variable approx. 9.9 sec.*

Engine V8-cylinder Aluminium GM 7.0l

-Max. speed variable between 285 km/h and 320 km/h*

-Acceleration 0-100 km/h < 3.3 sec.

-Acceleration 0-200 km/h < 3.3 sec.

* Depending on gear ratio and application

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) System

One of the more favorable features of the new Custom GT is the LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) system. The engine used for the super sports car was "tailored specifically for LPG use." LPG is a petrol alternative that is growing in use due to its ability to reduce exhaust emissions. Tom Gerards, Head of the CCG automotive GmbH , is quick to point out that this fuel is "light on your wallet" and that is the case per liter, but studies have found that it also burns faster than petrol fuel, leading to a greater amount of fuel used. Again, Gerards addresses this issue by stating that "the average fuel consumption of the customGT lies by 15 - 20 litres of gas per 100 kilometres. This is equivalent to 50 cents per litre of gas; just €7,50 to €10,00 for 100 kilometres."

If these claims are true, then the LPG system in the CustomGT is a win-win for everyone.

Prices

The new CCG customGT is now on sale at a price of 113,500 euro or about $158,000 at the current exchange rates.

Competition

Finding competition for a 550 HP sports car is as easy as finding snow right after a blizzard. What sets the CustomGT apart is that LPG system. None of the vehicles that can smoke the CustomGT can brag of a fuel-saving system such as this.

In the official presentation, CCG compared the customGT to the Ferrari 430 Scuderia in relation to their total weight, so we'll move forward with a newer Ferrari for performance figures. The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5 Liter V8 engine that produces 570 HP that will send the car up to a top speed of 202 mph. The 458 Italia can clearly outrun the CustomGT and comes from a company with an impressive history in the sports car world, but it is also much more expensive than the CustomGT. The 458 Italia is about $325,000 - almost double compared to the customGT.

The CustomGT can also be compared to the vehicle in which it was based off: the Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette Z06 is powered by a 7.0 Liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 505 hp at 6300 rpm and 470 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. The ZR1 version uses the same 6.2 Liter LS9 aluminum block V8 engine with a total of 638 hp at 6500 rpm and 604 lb.- ft. of torque at 3800 rpm. The Z06 version will hit 198 mph, while the ZR1 will go up to 205 mph. The Z06 may stand a little shy of the CustomGT, but the ZR1 leaves it in a trail of dust. The Corvette ZR1 is also cheaper, coming in at a starting price of $111,525.