MSP4EVER
03-29-2005, 04:20 PM
A couple months ago, Supercars.net announced the details of a new supercar being built in Auckland, New Zealand. The idea for a Kiwi-made supercar first came to Auckland entrepreneur Jock Freemantle who has been developing the Hulme F1, leading up to its recent release at Wellington's university.
Our story begins in 1967. This was the fifth season Jack Brabham was contesting the Formula One season with cars bearing his own name. His number two driver was Denny Hulme, a New Zealander with a keen devotion to racing. Denny beat his boss by five points that season, and, as a highlight of his career, became the 1967 World Champion.
It is Denny's success which has motivated Supercars New Zealand Limited to make product in his honor. Since the onset of the project, the concept of the Hulme supercar has been a mid engine design with a high-tech power train and chassis. Now that most of the suppliers have been selected, we can tell you that the car will feature a modified BMW M5 engine and AP Racing Transaxle, wrapped in a carbon fiber body.
Coordinating the design team is Tony Parker, Associate Professor and head of the Industrial Design department at Massey University. ''New Zealand has established a reputation for building the best yachts in the world. I believe we also have the technical capabilities and the industrial infrastructure to create a quality, hand built performance car,'' says Parker.
Based off a quarter scale clay model, early sketches by Parker reveal a design language usually reserved for Formula One. While the coveted Enzo might have the F1 nose, the Hulme supercar takes the theme even further with its half-body, open front tires, exposed suspension and four inch clearance. It seems the only 'Formula' items missing from the equation, are the barge boards and rear winglets.
Supercars Limited plans to produce a number of cars for crash testing, with production to start in 2006. A price has not yet been set, but it is expected to sell for somewhere between $400,000 and $600,000.
It's powered by a BMW M5 V8 putting out 450HP
Written by Richard Owen for Supercars.net
Position: Mid Longitudinal
Drive Wheels: RWD with Limited Slip Diff
Configuration: BMW M5 V8
Curb Weight: 1175 Kg. - 2643 lbs
Valvetrain: DOHC 4 Valves/Cyl
Length: 4612 mm - 181.5 inch
Displacement: 4941 / 301.5 cu. In.
Width: 1958 mm - 77.08 inch
Power: 450 HP
Height: 1095 mm - 43.09 inch
Torque: TBA
Wheelbase: 2830 mm - 111.41 inch
Bore: 89mm
Front Track: 1665 mm - 65.55 inch
Stroke: 94mm
Rear Track: 1605 mm - 63.19 inch
Comp/Ratio: 11 . 1
Steering: Progressive Power Assisted Steering
Redline: 7000
Chassis: Tubular & Composite Construction
Body: Carbon Fibre & Composite Construction
Gear Box: Quaife Transaxle with LSD
Front Brakes: AP Racing 6 Piston Calipers + Bosch ABS
Front Disc Size: AP Racing 362 mm x 32 mm Ventilated
Gear Type: 6 Speed Sequential
Rear Brakes: AP Racing 6 Piston Calipers + Bosch ABS
Rear Disc Size: AP Racing 362 mm x 32 mm Ventilated
Front Wheels: 8.5 x 19 Inch - Centre lock
Rear Wheels: 11 x 20 Inch - Centre lock
Front Tyres: 245 x 40 x 19 Pirelli P.Zerro Rosso
Rear Tyres: 315 x 35 x 20 Pirelli P.Zerro Rosso
Front Suspension: Double Wishbone & Pushrod
Rear Suspension: Double Wishbone.
Inboard Coil over Damper & Anti-Roll bar
AirBags: Driver's Wheel & Passenger
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme05.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme06.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme07.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme08.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme10.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme04.jpg
Hulme F1 Video (http://tvnz.co.nz/cda/tvnz/video_popup_windows_skin/481224?bandwidth=128k)
Our story begins in 1967. This was the fifth season Jack Brabham was contesting the Formula One season with cars bearing his own name. His number two driver was Denny Hulme, a New Zealander with a keen devotion to racing. Denny beat his boss by five points that season, and, as a highlight of his career, became the 1967 World Champion.
It is Denny's success which has motivated Supercars New Zealand Limited to make product in his honor. Since the onset of the project, the concept of the Hulme supercar has been a mid engine design with a high-tech power train and chassis. Now that most of the suppliers have been selected, we can tell you that the car will feature a modified BMW M5 engine and AP Racing Transaxle, wrapped in a carbon fiber body.
Coordinating the design team is Tony Parker, Associate Professor and head of the Industrial Design department at Massey University. ''New Zealand has established a reputation for building the best yachts in the world. I believe we also have the technical capabilities and the industrial infrastructure to create a quality, hand built performance car,'' says Parker.
Based off a quarter scale clay model, early sketches by Parker reveal a design language usually reserved for Formula One. While the coveted Enzo might have the F1 nose, the Hulme supercar takes the theme even further with its half-body, open front tires, exposed suspension and four inch clearance. It seems the only 'Formula' items missing from the equation, are the barge boards and rear winglets.
Supercars Limited plans to produce a number of cars for crash testing, with production to start in 2006. A price has not yet been set, but it is expected to sell for somewhere between $400,000 and $600,000.
It's powered by a BMW M5 V8 putting out 450HP
Written by Richard Owen for Supercars.net
Position: Mid Longitudinal
Drive Wheels: RWD with Limited Slip Diff
Configuration: BMW M5 V8
Curb Weight: 1175 Kg. - 2643 lbs
Valvetrain: DOHC 4 Valves/Cyl
Length: 4612 mm - 181.5 inch
Displacement: 4941 / 301.5 cu. In.
Width: 1958 mm - 77.08 inch
Power: 450 HP
Height: 1095 mm - 43.09 inch
Torque: TBA
Wheelbase: 2830 mm - 111.41 inch
Bore: 89mm
Front Track: 1665 mm - 65.55 inch
Stroke: 94mm
Rear Track: 1605 mm - 63.19 inch
Comp/Ratio: 11 . 1
Steering: Progressive Power Assisted Steering
Redline: 7000
Chassis: Tubular & Composite Construction
Body: Carbon Fibre & Composite Construction
Gear Box: Quaife Transaxle with LSD
Front Brakes: AP Racing 6 Piston Calipers + Bosch ABS
Front Disc Size: AP Racing 362 mm x 32 mm Ventilated
Gear Type: 6 Speed Sequential
Rear Brakes: AP Racing 6 Piston Calipers + Bosch ABS
Rear Disc Size: AP Racing 362 mm x 32 mm Ventilated
Front Wheels: 8.5 x 19 Inch - Centre lock
Rear Wheels: 11 x 20 Inch - Centre lock
Front Tyres: 245 x 40 x 19 Pirelli P.Zerro Rosso
Rear Tyres: 315 x 35 x 20 Pirelli P.Zerro Rosso
Front Suspension: Double Wishbone & Pushrod
Rear Suspension: Double Wishbone.
Inboard Coil over Damper & Anti-Roll bar
AirBags: Driver's Wheel & Passenger
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme05.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme06.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme07.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme08.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme10.jpg
http://photoblog.jeffooi.com/cyleow/archives/Hulme04.jpg
Hulme F1 Video (http://tvnz.co.nz/cda/tvnz/video_popup_windows_skin/481224?bandwidth=128k)