Laraki Epitome - A new supercar to hit the market

[Nicksfix]

A) - Cost is 2 million dollars.
B) - 1100 horsepower (article states 1100 - 1750, quite a big window there. Why the big gap?)
C) - Only 9 will be made starting next year.

I think this thing is hideous, but yet interesting.

Article

 

[sems4arsenal]

Edit: Looks very bonkers ,power figure will believe it when I see it

 

[Tornado]

I think I saw that thing in Ridge Racer 7.

 

[disinfected]

I think I saw that thing in Ridge Racer 7.

 

[Wiegert]

Front end inspired by the GT by Citroën. From the side it looks like the One-77... on steroids. The rear end probably did come straight out of a Ridge Racer title.

Laraki, you crazy.

 

[Cano]

The thing is so over the top I kinda like it.

 

[disinfected]

The thing is so over the top I kinda like it.

I agree. I think it is ridiculously awesome, but at the same time extremely unbelievable. Would make a great movie car.

Sidenote: I have to wonder how the door opens. That thing is massive.

 

[DeathSmiles]

The thing is so over the top I kinda like it.

I do too. That thing is menacing. Like a One-77 from the NEGAZONE or something.

 

[Omnis]

Kinda looks like a car version of Kaneda's bike.

 

[McLaren]

It looks very futuristic in a way, esp. if you threw on some wheel covers. This trend though of new supercars being built in such low numbers, a minimum of 1,000 horsepower, & asking over a $1 million a piece might as well make these custom coach builders.

B) - 1100 horsepower (article states 1100 - 1750, quite a big window there. Why the big gap?)

Well, it says it has a 7-liter V8 in it that I imagine is a GM-sourced LS7 block, & those engines are capable of such a range.

Edit* Power ranges are due to a button similar to the switch in the Noble M600 that can change the mapping. Would never have guessed though that this thing sits on a Corvette chassis.

When we showed up at Pebble Beach this morning (really, really early this morning), we had a pretty good idea of classics and concepts that we wanted to cover. To be completely honest, the Laraki Motors Epitome Concept car wasn't on our cheat sheet. We hadn't heard of the wildly scooped and scalloped show car, and, until our recent chat with the company's head of sales Quinton Q. Dodson, we didn't really know what we were looking at either.

Laraki, the eponymous pet project of the yachting industry's Abdesslam Laraki, is a true beast of a thing, built up on the chassis of a C6 Corvette. Those aggressively styled body panels have been crafted entirely of carbon fiber, helping to bring the curb weight of the car down to around 2,800 pounds.

Of course the most impressive part of this concept car is the prospective powertrain Laraki is offering its well-heeled customers. The 7.0-liter Chevy V8 has been given all new internals and hooked up to a pair of identical turbochargers. With that rig, the company spokesperson tells us the Epitome is good for 1,200 horsepower on pump gas. But wait, there's more. The Laraki actually has two gas tanks with one chamber meant for Regular and another intending to hold 110 octane. At the touch of a button, the Epitome will change its ECU map, allowing it to burn gas from both tanks, and raising the output to a nearly unbelievable 1,750 hp.

How much for all this power and carbon work? Asking price is a cool $2 million. That's a lot of money in the real world, but chump change here at Pebble, right?

We'll admit that we're a bit cautious in believing such astonishing claims from a heretofore unheard of boutique builder, but we'd certainly like for the Epitome to become a real thing. Plans only call for building nine examples of the supercar, as of right now, though some of the Laraki folks were hinting broadly that they had future product plans laid out already.

 

[Mr_X]

So it's basically a 2 million dollar corvette?

 

[Cano]

Kinda looks like a car version of Kaneda's bike.

Can't be unseen. Now I like it even more. If I coughed up the dough for one I'd cover it in stickers, with "Canon" and "Citizen" in the front fender.

 

[Nicksfix]

B) - 1100 horsepower (article states 1100 - 1750, quite a big window there. Why the big gap?)
http://autos.yahoo.com/photos/laraki-epitome-1-100-hp-supercar-1376859825-slideshow/

Well, it says it has a 7-liter V8 in it that I imagine is a GM-sourced LS7 block, & those engines are capable of such a range.

Edit* Power ranges are due to a button similar to the switch in the Noble M600 that can change the mapping.

Of course the most impressive part of this concept car is the prospective powertrain Laraki is offering its well-heeled customers. The 7.0-liter Chevy V8 has been given all new internals and hooked up to a pair of identical turbochargers. With that rig, the company spokesperson tells us the Epitome is good for 1,200 horsepower on pump gas. But wait, there's more. The Laraki actually has two gas tanks with one chamber meant for Regular and another intending to hold 110 octane. At the touch of a button, the Epitome will change its ECU map, allowing it to burn gas from both tanks, and raising the output to a nearly unbelievable 1,750 hp.

McLaren, thank you for the clarification. 👍

 

[GTMail]

So 1000+ hp automatically means a million or more price tag? Could somebody please explain to me why this is a 2 million dollar car?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Kinda looks like a car version of Kaneda's bike.

Are you talking about from Akira?

Also...I wouldn't call it Epitome, it's cool but not that cool

It looks very futuristic in a way, esp. if you threw on some wheel covers. This trend though of new supercars being built in such low numbers, a minimum of 1,000 horsepower, & asking over a $1 million a piece might as well make these custom coach builders.

Well, it says it has a 7-liter V8 in it that I imagine is a GM-sourced LS7 block, & those engines are capable of such a range.

Edit* Power ranges are due to a button similar to the switch in the Noble M600 that can change the mapping. Would never have guessed though that this thing sits on a Corvette chassis.

How are they making 1100+ out of an LS7 surely not forced induction.

 

[DeathSmiles]

Are you talking about from Akira?

Of course.

And yea, these price tags of borderline vaporware supercars is ridiculous. I mean, it's a coachbuild. Not a new car with unique tech. Surely 2 Million is crazy.

Again though, as wacky as this thing looks, I like it. lol

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Of course.

And yea, these price tags of borderline vaporware supercars is ridiculous. I mean, it's a coachbuild. Not a new car with unique tech. Surely 2 Million is crazy.

Again though, as wacky as this thing looks, I like it. lol

Didn't you know, if you call something the epitome is automatically deserves millions to purchase...since, ya know it's perfect

So if I get a ton of guys together with the qualifications and put together a random hyper car company we can charge millions for one off cars?

I hear it has warp drive, hidden photon cannons and intangibility device for you know those lock ups that may cause you to wreck into the local bar.

EDIT:

It's cool to see some Akira fans here as well.

 

[McLaren]

How are they making 1100+ out of an LS7 surely not forced induction.

Did you read the article I posted? There's 2 turbochargers strapped to it. The LS7 block is beyond capable of such power on that kind of setup.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Did you read the article I posted? There's 2 turbochargers strapped to it. The LS7 block is beyond capable of such power on that kind of setup.

Yeah I saw it after I posted, my issue still sits with thin walls and sleeved cylinders. I'm sure they had to rework the engine to make twin turbos work, I mean if it was an LS3 I could easily understand FI being used, but there are issues with the LS7 and GM has noted this. Just saying it isn't as easy as strapping a turbo on each bank doing plumbing and that is it, or a supercharger.

I'm sure the engine will have a bigger cam and different timing with new pistons (reworked internals as said). Also what is the boost to be expected?

If it was a stock 7L it wouldn't be able to handle it, which was my point.

EDIT:
Also I don't see how they can justify that much for a glorified Vette/Batmobile looking thing that produces power that a good performance shop could create for less then a tenth of what it cost.

 

[McLaren]

Yeah I saw it after I posted, my issue still sits with thin walls and sleeved cylinders. I'm sure they had to rework the engine to make twin turbos work, I mean if it was an LS3 I could easily understand FI being used, but there are issues with the LS7 and GM has noted this. Just saying it isn't as easy as strapping a turbo on each bank doing plumbing and that is it, or a supercharger.

I'm sure the engine will have a bigger cam and different timing with new pistons (reworked internals as said. Also what is the boost to be expected?

If it was a stock 7L it wouldn't be able to handle it, which was my point.

The article answers that question, too.

The 7.0-liter Chevy V8 has been given all new internals and hooked up to a pair of identical turbochargers.

EDIT:
Also I don't see how they can justify that much for a glorified Vette/Batmobile looking thing that produces power that a good performance shop could create for less then a tenth of what it cost.

I wouldn't go as far as to call it a glorified Corvette as it just says it sits on the chassis of a C6. The automaker is according to the article, a yacht designer, so I imagine he has put in the effort with the car's design so that it is unique.

Besides, the performance shop comparison could be put against almost any auto maker. Why give Chevy $110,000 for a ZR1, when a shop could build a $54,000 Corvette to levels well beyond the ZR1 with the remaining cash? You just can.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

The article answers that question, too.

Yeah I noted in parentheses, which is to note that I took it from the article quote you posted. Sorry if you missed that though.

I wouldn't go as far as to call it a glorified Corvette as it just says it sits on the chassis of a C6. The automaker is according to the article, a yacht designer, so I imagine he has put in the effort with the car's design so that it is unique.

Besides, the performance shop comparison could be put against almost any auto maker. Why give Chevy $110,000 for a ZR1, when a shop could build a $54,000 Corvette to levels well beyond the ZR1 with the remaining cash? You just can.

Because I don't know any performance shops that did R&D on magnetic ride suspension and various other features, or making a brand new engine. I guess I could buy a regular Vette with an LS3 and tell them to try and emulate the LS9 ZR1. Anyways when you put it on a C6 frame with a C6 option engine (Z06), I think I'll stick to calling it a glorified Vette/Batmobile. If you like go for you, but I still question the 2million.

Anyways I still wonder the level of boost they plan to run.

 

[McLaren]

Because I don't know any performance shops that did R&D on magnetic ride suspension and various other features, or making a brand new engine. I guess I could buy a regular Vette with an LS3 and tell them to try and emulate the LS9 ZR1. Anyways when you put it on a C6 frame with a C6 option engine (Z06), I think I'll stick to calling it a glorified Vette/Batmobile. If you like go for you, but I still question the 2million.

And you think they'll do everything Laraki did?

The point is this; the whole, "a performance shop can do more power for less" is a stupid argument against the supercar realm. Nobody is giving Laraki the money for the power.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

And you think they'll do everything Laraki did?

The point is this; the whole, "a performance shop can do more power for less" is a stupid argument against the supercar realm. Nobody is giving Laraki the money for the power.

Clearly you're not getting what I meant, other people said on here that a many groups feel 1000+ and a sleek body that is unique or strange or different justifies 2 million. Now when you couple that with the idea of what the bare bones of this car is, and knowing what GM have done, why not get a Z06/Z07 and get it tuned. I know what they are giving money for, perhaps it's a difference in culture or thinking in general, but you seem to get highly defensive when people see outlandish and unjustifiable or rather gaudy expenditures and speak critical of such cars.

I understand mainstream companies that build super or hyper cars, but not fringe groups.

 

[McLaren]

Clearly you're not getting what I meant, other people said on here that a many groups feel 1000+ and a sleek body that is unique or strange or different justifies 2 million. Now when you couple that with the idea of what the bare bones of this car is, and knowing what GM have done, why not get a Z06/Z07 and get it tuned. I know what they are giving money for, perhaps it's a difference in culture or thinking in general, but you seem to get highly defensive when people see outlandish and unjustifiable or rather gaudy expenditures and speak critical of such cars.

I understand mainstream companies that build super or hyper cars, but not fringe groups.

Clearly you're not getting that nobody is buying this because it has a Corvette chassis or a LS7 block under the hood. Those are merely outsourced pieces that Laraki chose as the base & power plant.

Calling this a glorified Corvette because it has 2 components on it when the suspension, brakes, gearbox, & what not are all more than likely not being brought along is just silly. The article already says this car features 2 gas tanks for different octane levels, & that the car's power levels can be changed at the touch of a button, but I'm going to assume you missed that as well.

What you're doing is not being critical of the car. What you're doing is making a 3rd post showcasing that you did not read the article at all & are just making ignorant statements as if Laraki just built some custom exterior & strapped it on a Corvette with some turbos. By such logic, Hennessey & Tesla just built glorified Elises.

Clearly Laraki has done his homework & knows who he's targeting.

 

[DeathSmiles]

That's a nice interior.

 

[Cano]

That's a nice interior.

Holy hell it is. I like it more now

 

[Keef]

Am I the only one that doesn't question the price of an exceedingly rare coachbuilt car? I mean, it's worth whatever someone will pay for it and I'm sure there are a few people in the world who will pay $2 million to have something that nobody else has, in a day when Veyrons aren't all that rare anymore. Why do you think Bugatti makes all these editions with nothing more than a new paint job? And you're calling this a glorified Corvette? Pah!

 

[Pupik]

Am I the only one that doesn't question the price of an exceedingly rare coachbuilt car?

Except we can't "answer" those questions with acceptable responses.

While an established manufacturer might have some culpability with an expensive transaction, most people would be rightfully leery of funding a company who's never produced anything or limited handfuls of actual units. The extraordinary prices kind of raise those suspicions a couple of notches, because there's been plenty of would-be supercar manufacturers which exist in dreams, paper, and vapor only.

Good to them, it's quite uniquely styled.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

delete

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Clearly you're not getting that nobody is buying this because it has a Corvette chassis or a LS7 block under the hood. Those are merely outsourced pieces that Laraki chose as the base & power plant.

I'm not saying anyone is buying it because it has corvette roots, me stating my opinion =/= why people are going to buy it. I know what they are and my opinion still stands.

Calling this a glorified Corvette because it has 2 components on it when the suspension, brakes, gearbox, & what not are all more than likely not being brought along is just silly. The article already says this car features 2 gas tanks for different octane levels, & that the car's power levels can be changed at the touch of a button, but I'm going to assume you missed that as well. [/QUOTE]

Yes I saw the two gas tanks, and what not how does that help sway me? Well what brakes do you expect it to have carbon ceramic? Gearbox could be anything and suspension could be anything, but I'd guess it as their engineered version of push rod system. I read the article I'd appreciate it you don't come off that handle just because I don't like every super or hyper car you automatically seem drawn to.

What you're doing is not being critical of the car. What you're doing is making a 3rd post showcasing that you did not read the article at all & are just making ignorant statements as if Laraki just built some custom exterior & strapped it on a Corvette with some turbos. By such logic, Hennessey & Tesla just built glorified Elises.

Clearly Laraki has done his homework & knows who he's targeting.

Once again I read it and I just am not impressed, get over it. Oh guess what, I think it's a glorified corvette underneath. Yes they did build glorified Elises, though I wouldn't lump Tesla in the same group as that joke Hennessey.

Except we can't "answer" those questions with acceptable responses.

While an established manufacturer might have some culpability with an expensive transaction, most people would be rightfully leery of funding a company who's never produced anything or limited handfuls of actual units. The extraordinary prices kind of raise those suspicions a couple of notches, because there's been plenty of would-be supercar manufacturers which exist in dreams, paper, and vapor only.

Good to them, it's quite uniquely styled.

This is more of my point than anything. I can somewhat understand Lamborghini charging millions for a handful of cars, but for a group that many have never heard of it's a bit leery. I'm sure the owner will sell to his rich friends and then build off that or has some investor base already.