The American Supercar - Trends

It's Back! Vector's Supercar ResurrectedIt's been two years since the troubled Vector Aeromotive Corporation was purchased by MegaTech, Ltd., the Indonesian holding company that also acquired Automobili Lamborghini from Chrysler. In August, work began on the first new offering, a heavily revised and much less expensive version of the stillborn Avtech SC, from the reinvigorated Vector organization. Under the design stewardship of Ian Doble, former engineering director at Lotus Cars, much of the unnecessary space-age technology used on the original Avtech SC was jettisoned in favor of a more cost-effective approach. That process allowed the sticker price on the now-renamed Vector M12 to be trimmed from $420,000 to a "mere" $189,000.

Although it remains a mid-engined two-seater, the new Vector's exotic all-carbon-fiber bodywork has been replaced with reinforced fiberglass and lightweight composites that bolt to a three-part hybrid monocoque structure. Ahead of the center steel tub is a boxed aluminum structure that's foam filled for additional strength and crash resistance. Behind is a conventional tubular steel subframe that carries the engine and suspension components. Peter Stevens, whose previous styling credits include both the Lotus Elan and the McLaren F1, was called upon to clean up some aero details on the M12, which subsequently improved airflow to the radiators and oil coolers.

In place of the previous 7.0-liter/600-horsepower-plus twin-turbo V-8, this new Vector is being fitted with a Diablo-derived 5.7-liter/500-horsepower V-12 that drives the rear wheels via a ZF five-speed manual transaxle. The wedge-shaped road rocket is 190 inches long and rides on independent, unequal-length A-arms front and rear with a coil spring at each corner. Massive disc brakes with four-piston calipers will slow the M12 from an estimated top speed of 200 mph. Officials in the Jacksonville, Florida, based firm claim the new engine will propel the car from 0-60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

The corporate goal is to have 12 dealers lined up by the end of the '96 model year. First to sign on was Auto Panache, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Production plans call for the assembly of only 96 vehicles during the next 12 months. A roadster version of the M12 also is under study, but the startup on this open-top variant is at least two years away.

Gm's Gen III V-8Higher-speed air-flow management, tighter fuel and spark control, and valve-train tweaks have literally blown new life into General Motors' OHV engine designs.

For example, GM's naturally aspirated OHV 3.8-liter V-6 currently used in the Buick Riviera makes 205 horses. And despite not using exotic lightweight block or head materials, it weighs less, gets better fuel economy, meets its emissions targets, packages more easily, and makes more power than much of its overhead-cam Asian and European competition.

Insiders say GM's Powertrain division is creating a new generation of smaller, lightweight V-8 engines for the trucks and the remaining performance rear-drive cars. Displacing 4.8 and 5.3 liters, these V-8s make between 270 and 330 horses. The new engines feature tubular thermoplastic intake manifolds, cast stainless-steel exhaust manifolds, and precise sequential multipoint fuel injection similar to that on the premium Northstar engines. Also like the corporation's premium V-8s, the crankshaft is supported by a split block with a lower girdle virtually sewn to the upper block with many bolts. The pistons and rods are lightweight. The idea here is to spin the engines into higher rev ranges (5500 to 6000 rpm) to achieve more power from the lower, more fuel-efficient displacements. The split block allows for a cast rather than an expensive forged crank to be used, despite higher piston speeds and higher resulting inertia weights. Look for a 5.7-liter version of the Gen III to appear first in the '97 Corvette. Later, the packaging advantages might lead to V-8 power for GM's compact pickups, sport/utilities, and perhaps even front-drive coupes and sedans.