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More than 100 potential
customers have signed up for an
exclusive two days of high
performance motoring thrills
test driving the new Aspid
sports car. Following the
successful introduction of the
car, IFR Automotive is now
seeking to create a network of
international dealers.
Described by a leading motoring
magazine as the “Bugatti from
Barcelona”, the compact
two-seater attracted the high
level of interest when it swept
in quietly under the radar
following five years of secret
development to make its world
debut at the British
International Motor Show.
IFR, an automotive engineering
consultancy that developed the
supercar, expects most of its
clientele will use the ride and
drive event to confirm their
interest and place deposits. It
means the company could be
facing a full order book for the
next couple of years as it plans
to produce the exclusive
hand-built cars at the rate of
less than one a week.
IFR is determined not to fall
into the classic trap of setting
unrealistically high sales
targets and can make the project
profitable building even fewer
than 50 cars a year. By
restricting the number of cars
it builds it is also aiming to
protect the investment of its
clientele.
“We’ve worked very hard to
redefine the modern sportscar
and make it relevant to the
needs of the 21st century.
Almost everyone we met at the
show has recognised that a
lightweight and compact design
is the way forward. We’ve aimed
for a car with outstanding
performance and driveability.
And its exceptionally low mass
ensures excellent fuel economy
and correspondingly low CO2
emissions” said company founder
and automotive engineer Ignacio
Fernandez
Weighing in at less than 700kg,
yet full of luxury touches such
as climate control and touch
screens as well as having an
enclosed cabin, the Aspid
represents a new breed of
lightweight compact sports car.
Interestingly, the majority of
potential customers for the car
have expressed a preference for
the more expensive supercharged
model, which is priced at
£107,000, more so than the
270bhp naturally aspirated
version which will be sold at
£75,000.
“We particularly enjoyed the
visits from other carmakers
interested in the Aspid’s
technology, which can be applied
to a wide range of vehicles,”
said Fernandez. “The need to
significantly reduce the weight
of all vehicles is a highly
topical subject and important to
the entire industry in terms of
delivering personal mobility
that is environmentally
friendly, socially acceptable
and economically sustainable. |
