Proto Motors, a design and engineering consultancy, have laid claim to Korea's first domestic supercar. |
Tucked away in a corner of the Seoul show, the independent manufacturer showcased their baby, the Spirra. The company has a CV of contracts for the major Korean car makers, and has also developed limousines for the president, but the mid-engined Spirra is its first complete car. |
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Featuring the 320bhp 4600cc Ford Mustang V8, a six-speed Getrag gearbox and an aluminium spaceframe structure giving a total weight of 1,090 kg, it certainly talks the talk "� Proto claim 0-100 kph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 305 kph. |
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The Spirra is a compact two-seater, at just 4,317 mm long and 1,928 mm wide. |
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Its aggressive "� though somewhat dated"� styling looks good from most angles, with scissor-style upward-opening doors and large air scoops behind them, and a front splitter and rear venturi spoiler to help downforce at speed. Proto are planning to hand-build 30 vehicles per month, and list price is expected to be around US $100,000. |
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Grand, Grandeur, Grandest |
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The new Hyundai Grandeur TG was premiered at the Geneva show, but its debut in Korea was more important because the car, now in its third generation, has for long been linked with luxurious motoring in the country. |
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It was, in fact, Korea's first domestic luxury car. Power comes from a new 3300cc aluminium V6 engine which produces 230 bhp and 30 kgm of torque. |
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Hyundai claim a 25 per cent increase in fuel efficiency over the older model. This single engine option is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox with a manual-shift mode. |
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Slightly longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the Hyundai TG also offers a more spacious cabin, with dual-zone climate control, an electronic tilt and telescopic steering wheel and a premium sound system with steering wheel-mounted controls. |
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At 4,876 mm in length, the Grandeur is almost the same size as an E-Class Mercedes. Will we see it in India? Over to you, Hyundai. |
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