| New sportscar | Artega GT |
German firm Artega is building a rival for the
Porsche Cayman S and will start selling it in the UK in 2009, complete with right-hand drive. Artega is busy building a UK dealer network and says the mid-engined coupé will cost around £50,000.
The Artega uses a 300bhp version of VW's 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine and drives through a six-speed, twin-clutch DSG gearbox with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. No performance figures have yet been published, but the company says the 1,100kg coupe should cover 0-62mph in less than five seconds and have a top speed of about 170mph.
Artega is headed up by former BMW design chief Karl-Heinz Kalbfell. He has helped engineer the car and set up the factory that aims to produce 1,000 Artegas per year.
The car has been styled by Henrik Fisker, who is former design chief at Aston Martin. An aluminium spaceframe is used for the Artega's chassis, while the bodywork is made from carbon fibre.
Artega is keen to stress that its car will be capable of everyday use thanks to a practical cabin and large doors. It also says the car will be easy to service thanks to its VW-sourced engine.
Alisdair Suttie - 7 May 2008