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The Vector Avtech WX8 supercar was unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show this past fall.
Vector, the American company owned by designer Gerald Wiegert that was responsible for Lamborghini-powered exotics in the early 90’s, (after decades of research and fundraising) has once again thrown their high performance chips on the table with the ostentatiously styled and overpowered WX8.
Two engine options are available, the first a normally aspirated 7 liter V8 good for 600 horsepower and the second the same V8 fitted with a supercharger, increasing power to 750.
This amount of muscle can move the Avtech WX8 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds, and the standing quarter mile blazes by in just 11.3 seconds with a trap speed of 138 miles per hour.
Even more astounding, Vector is claiming a top speed of 270 miles per hour, which would set the record for production vehicles and also probably stop the heart of any traffic cop with a radar gun in the vicinity.
Braking power is provided by 6 piston calipers working 15 inch discs – should you choose to acknowledge the red and blue lights in your mirror with the pedal on your left instead of the pedal to your right.
The outrageous body work on the Avtech WX8 is not a case of function following form but actually tied in with the in-depth aerodynamics package that is required in order to keep the car stable and on the ground at such high speeds.
The rear of the car was extended to allow for a symmetrical inverted wing spoiler that incorporates aeroflaps to generate down force with the least amount of drag possible.
Inside the vehicle, the driver is seated in the middle between the two passengers, similar to the McLaren F1 car that dominated 90’s speed records. The company claims that to go along with the Avtech name the interior has been fitted with as many aviation-inspired baubles as possible, such as switches from the F-22 Raptor, ‘spacecraft’ circuit breakers, and a heads up display that warns the driver of any instrumentation or engine errors.
While Vector is clearly targeting the Bugatti Veyron in terms of performance, the styling and execution of the Avtech WX8 seems to draw heavily from the 90’s, not coincidentally the era in which Vector enjoyed the most success.
It remains to be seen whether they can connect with contemporary buyers who are looking to be just a little bit faster than the billionaire down the street.