Is it a Porsche? Is it a Lotus? No it’s the new Artega GT.
Artega? Yes, it’s a new German sports car company funded by automotive component supplier, Paragon. Don’t expect some half-baked kit-car though – Artega are planning to take on the big boys, with the Porsche Cayman firmly in its sights.
Designed by ex-Aston Martin boss, Henrik Fisker, the Artega GT is hoping to blend the lightweight delicacy of a Lotus Elise with the build quality of a Porsche. Its aluminium chassis and carbon fibre body take care of the weight issue (just 1100kg) while the Volkswagen running gear (it uses the 300bhp, 3.6-litre V6 unit from the Passat R36) will look after the reliability.
Performance promises to be stunning, with a claimed 170mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of well under five seconds.
It’ll be exclusive too – just two cars a day will be built initially and no more than 1000 Artegas will leave the factory every year.
With a target price of £50,000 they shouldn’t have any trouble finding customers when right-hand-drive sales start early next year.