NO, it’s neither for you, nor me. Though more than 100 potential customers have been invited for an exclusive two days of high performance motoring thrills test driving the new Aspid sports car. The opportunity for the drive of a lifetime will take place in the mountains of northern Spain where the company is based.
IFR, an automotive engineering consultancy that developed the supercar, expects most of its clientele will use the ride and drive event to confirm their interest and place deposits. It means the company could be facing a full order book for the next couple of years as it plans to produce the exclusive hand-built cars at the rate of less than one a week. By restricting the number of cars it builds it is also aiming to protect the investment of its clientele.
Described by a leading motoring magazine as the “Bugatti from Barcelona”, the compact two-seater attracted the high level of interest when it swept in quietly under the radar following five years of secret development to make its world debut at the British International Motor Show. Weighing in at less than 700kg, yet full of luxury touches such as climate control and touch screens as well as having an enclosed cabin, the Aspid represents a new breed of lightweight compact sports car. Packed full of advanced technical innovations in the chassis, suspension, brakes and electronic systems, the Aspid offers exceptional performance particularly relating to road holding, handling and safety.
“Prospective customers have worked out that you can spend a lot more preparing other makes of cars for the race track,” says Fernandez. “With the Aspid it all comes as standard. The car is unique inasmuch as it meets FIA safety requirements as well as European homologation standards; so it really can be driven from the road directly onto the race track without the need for any special preparation. And after a hard race the car is robust, durable and safe enough to be driven again on public roads.”
Interestingly, the majority of potential customers for the car have expressed a preference for the more expensive supercharged model, which is priced at £107,000, more so than the 270bhp naturally aspirated version which will be sold at £75,000.
