Somewhere at the Los Angeles auto show, while the world's automakers are splaying their latest show ponies under million-dollar lighting kits, a revival of sorts is quietly taking place. Car freaks of a certain age remember the trials and triumphs of Vector as they might the rise and fall of a forgotten Hollywood starlet. Once America's answer to the Lamborghini Countach, the Vector began life as a design study at the 1971 LA show, and blossomed after some fits and starts into a full-blown, if somewhat creaky, supercar by the 1990s. That car was the W12, powered by a V12 from the Lamborghini Diablo. Later on, founder and chief designer Gerald Wiegert lost control of the company to Lamborghini's then parent, and after some sputtering, the venture folded. Now, having regained the Vector assets, Wiegert's making good on recent threats to revive the marque with a new supercar. It's the Vector Avtech WX8, a prototype of which he showed off at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2006. Long story short, he's showing it at the LA show this week. Though the promises are familiar — a 750hp V8 and top speed of 260-270 mph (in Bonneville gearing, natch) — so is the boundless optimism.
Press Release:
Vector Avtech WX8 at the LA Auto Show
LOS ANGELES CA, The renowned automobile entrepreneur and vehicle designer Gerald Wiegert announced today the introduction of his latest creation - ultra-super-exotic vehicle trade named HPV for the "Vector Avtech WX-8". Gerald Wiegert, Chairman and Founder of Vector Motors Corporation, manufacturer of the Vector Avtech WX-8 ultra-supercar, announced today that the company will exhibit the Vector Avtech WX-8 at the prestigious, internationally acclaimed "Los Angeles Auto Show" from November 15th through November 24th in Los Angeles, CA.
The Los Angeles Auto Show event will be the first-ever debut of the all-American VECTOR WX-8 Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle, and is regarded as one of the world's foremost showcase for exotic concept automobiles.
Interest in the all-new VECTOR WX8 supercar, as well as the Company's Private Placement stock offering, is intensifying due to the buzz among car enthusiasts. The new Vector Avtech WX8 is expected to establish several new records for a custom and production automobile, including a 0 to 60 in —- 0 to 100 in — Quarter-Mile in —— Skid Pad ——— and a top speed of———.
Vector Motors Corporation is based in Wilmington, California near the Port of Los Angeles.
FACT SHEET
The 2008 Vector Avtech WX8 a Hyper-Tech Performance Vehicle (HPV).
AMERICA'S ONLY HYPER-PERFORMANCE VEHICLE (HPV)
Projected performance:
A. 7.0 Liter Race Proven V8, made in the USA.
B. 750 hp (Supercharged)
C. 600 hp (normally aspirated)
D. 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds
E. Quarter mile 11.3 sec. at 138 mph
F. 260-270 mph top speed (Bonneville gearing)
Technical specifications and features:
Transverse, Supercharged, all aluminum, 7.0 Liter (427 cubic inch), port fuel injected, 16 valve high-performance V8 engine, with dual air to air intercoolers and twin sequential flow, side mounted radiators.
15-inch diameter competition brake rotors with 6 piston calipers provide phenomenal braking capabilities. 19-inch aluminum racing wheels are complemented by race engineered tires capable of sustained high speeds.
The all new aerodynamic high down-force WX3 body incorporates both hard edge and soft design features including: huge integrated inlet and exhaust ducts for heat exchangers, an extended tail with a high mounted, low drag symmetrical inverted high down-force airfoil wing spoiler that enhances high speed stability with aeroflaps.
The Aerospace engineered body of the Vector A-WX8 is constructed of ultra-light Carbon fiber/E-Glass structural body panels.
A wraparound glass to glass edge canopy with invisible A pillars differentiates the advanced styled Vector and a custom integrated three across seating system incorporating integrated storage compartments, fold down center bolsters/armrest for lateral support for maximum long distance touring comfort and utility, is a special order option.
All jet aircraft type instrumentation panel machined from billet aluminum. Features include black anodized dash finish, military specification F- 22 Raptor switches, warning lights and reconfigurable electroluminescent 4 mode display panel, spacecraft circuit breakers, audible alarms and warning lights incorporating heads up display interface option.
The Vector's chassis is a DOT crash tested and road proven aluminum honeycomb, semi-monoque aerospace engineered structure with a full chrome-moly race ready roll cage. The Vector's W8 structure attained the highest test results of any automotive structure tested by the DOT laboratory, and was the only auto structure ever to pass front and rear destructive tests with the same chassis.
The Vector A-WX3 leading edge custom engineered sound system is powered by a revolutionary new technology incorporating amplifiers driving the 10 speaker system which consists of subwoofers for extreme bass output and ribbon tweeters for accurate high end sound resolution. The amplifiers are less than half the size and weight of equivalent power units.
Other standard Vector A-WX8 features include:
· High output air conditioning and ventilation
· Custom designer developed all leather interior
· Custom prototype stereo system
· Power steering with an adjustable tilt-telelescopic column
· Cruise control
· Retractable power mirrors
· Aircraft type flush windows
· Airbags
· Fully adjustable 2 abreast seating
· Sequential clutch-less automatic/manual shifting
· Two large storage compartments
Projected production for the 2008 Vector A-WX8 is scheduled at a very limited number of
units per year, with an anticipated sales, price to be determined by the Company and its dealer network.
The Vector A-WX8 represents more horse power, more torque, more features, more substance and superior man/machine environmental comfort than any other supercar ever offered. The A-WX8 is user friendly, easy to maintain and service. This "aerospace engineered" machine establishes a new paradigm in the high-end performance vehicle category.
VECTOR MOTORS CORPORATION has just created the next generation Vector Avtech WX8 Hyper-performance Vehicle (HPV), code named the Vector Avtech WX-8 Its design represents a significant aerodynamic and aesthetic breakthrough and calculated departure from the previous W8 supercar, while still maintaining the Vector character and family identity.
The Vector A-WX8 body and aerodynamic shape, hard trailing edges with softer leading edge contours. The all-new design incorporates numerous NASA type technology transfer features to solidify the Company's and Mr. Wiegerts' philosophy of "aerospace technology for the road".
The Vector A-WX8 features an all-new titanium valve 7.0 liter, 750 + hp engine which is unequaled in displacement and performance. The Supercharged engine has horsepower potential to 1200+hp. The normally aspirated version, is in the range of 600 to 700 hp. Projected speed of the extreme Vector Avtech WX8 HPV at maximum boost is in excess of 270 mph, with 0 to 60 mph times projected in the 3.0 to 3.3 second range.