14 Dec 06
Project 1221 gas turbine car
Whether or not this mysterious Modena-based supercar team actually exists has been the subject of some debate, but last we heard it was intending to build two ultra-high performance models. One is a two-seat coupe called the Aellopous, and the other the MF1: a 675,000-euro mid-engined model with a Williams-sourced gas-turbine aircraft engine.
Work on the MF1 seems to have been delayed, with difficulties selecting a suitable powerplant; power outputs of up to 1,500bhp have been suggested, but by the time this car finally reaches production it may well have rather less than that. Prototypes have been tested with single 1,500bhp and 1,200bhp turbines, or twin 500bhp turbines, but it looks as if in the meantime, the conventionally powered Aellopous (said to have a petrol V12) will make its debut just to assure the motoring world that the company really can bring a car to market.
Project 1221 MF1
First deliveries are scheduled for 2008 but no full pictures or specifications have been released as yet; we've seen a blurry close-up of what appears to be a taillight and surrounding panel, but that's about it for clues as to this car's appearance. It's said to have scissor-opening doors, and an ultra-aerodynamic body with no protruding wing mirrors, plus a roomy interior with loads of luggage space, as befits a luxury GT. The only other detail known so far is that it will have an instantly selectable left- or right-hand drive layout, made possible by electronic steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire and throttle-by-wire technology - all systems adapted from aircraft technology. Rear- and four-wheel drive versions are promised, manual and automatic transmissions, and selectable power output buttons, as in the BMW M5, so you can run it in a relatively tame and economical mode for everyday driving but switch on full power for trackdays and special occasions.
Project 1221 describes itself as an independent group, which declares that it 'is not a prestige, niche-market offshoot of some industrial conglomerate, nor does it have any obligation to make shareholders or investors happy. On the other hand, it is not a gratuitous pet project, either.' It also has some heavyweight names behind it; chief engineer on the project is Mauro Forghieri, a long-time senior member of the Scuderia Ferrari, F1 legend and former technical director of both Lamborghini Engineering and Bugatti Automobili. Designers involved include Turin's Beestudio, led by former IDEA designer Anna Visconti, and ex-Pininfarina designer Emanuele Nicosia, who worked on the Jaguar XJS convertible, Ferrari 288 GTO and Testarossa, as well as the interiors of the Lamborghini Diablo and Bugatti EB110. So there is a chance this car will reach production - but we'll believe it when we see it.
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