mikeyb
09-19-2004, 07:42 PM
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=350 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Japan's Secret V6 Supercar
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_33/car_portal_pic_16541.jpg?257
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_images/1pix.gif
</TD></TR><TR><TD>http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_33/car_portal_pic_16542.jpg?8934
You'd be forgiven for thinking that this striking supercar was the work of one of the prestigious Italian styling houses. But it isn't - this is the Le Mans CL-1, and it has been created by a Japanese designer who wishes to remain anonymous. We can't work out why, as the high-performance machine is stunning! The roof and flanks have echoes of the Ferrari 360, while the tail-lamps hark back to Nissan's classic 300ZX Turbo. The car will be built by Le Mans Co of Tokyo, a small independent manufacturer which maintains track vehicles for Japan's Formula Nippon racing series. However, it also makes bespoke prototypes for big-name marques. The CL-1 name comes from the collaboration between Le Mans Co (the 'L') and US tuner Caldwell Developments (the 'C'), which supplies the 3.5-litre V6 engine.
The powerplant is taken from the America-only Oldsmobile Intrigue. Boosted by 65bhp to 280bhp, it is mounted on a race-style alloy spaceframe chassis, and the car is clad in lightweight carbon fibre bodywork. Inside, the prototype's cockpit is hand-finished in leather, but to create more space for the driver, the selector for the standard four-speed automatic transmission has been replaced by a knob which is no bigger than that used to tune a radio.
A more suitable gearbox, boasting as many as seven ratios, is currently being sourced by Le Mans Co, and will appear in production versions of the CL-1. The newcomer is expected to go on sale next month, and it will be available worldwide to selected customers. The price tag is anticipated to be approximately £350,000.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_33/car_portal_pic_16541.jpg?257
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_images/1pix.gif
</TD></TR><TR><TD>http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_33/car_portal_pic_16542.jpg?8934
You'd be forgiven for thinking that this striking supercar was the work of one of the prestigious Italian styling houses. But it isn't - this is the Le Mans CL-1, and it has been created by a Japanese designer who wishes to remain anonymous. We can't work out why, as the high-performance machine is stunning! The roof and flanks have echoes of the Ferrari 360, while the tail-lamps hark back to Nissan's classic 300ZX Turbo. The car will be built by Le Mans Co of Tokyo, a small independent manufacturer which maintains track vehicles for Japan's Formula Nippon racing series. However, it also makes bespoke prototypes for big-name marques. The CL-1 name comes from the collaboration between Le Mans Co (the 'L') and US tuner Caldwell Developments (the 'C'), which supplies the 3.5-litre V6 engine.
The powerplant is taken from the America-only Oldsmobile Intrigue. Boosted by 65bhp to 280bhp, it is mounted on a race-style alloy spaceframe chassis, and the car is clad in lightweight carbon fibre bodywork. Inside, the prototype's cockpit is hand-finished in leather, but to create more space for the driver, the selector for the standard four-speed automatic transmission has been replaced by a knob which is no bigger than that used to tune a radio.
A more suitable gearbox, boasting as many as seven ratios, is currently being sourced by Le Mans Co, and will appear in production versions of the CL-1. The newcomer is expected to go on sale next month, and it will be available worldwide to selected customers. The price tag is anticipated to be approximately £350,000.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>