Geneva Motor Show is upon us. A time for the world's biggest car companies to launch lavish marketing campaigns, prepare its most important model reveals, complete with even ever bigger talking points for the year ahead. But in 2018, no ones talking a bigger game than first-time automaker Corbellati.
Cor-be-who, you say? To be honest, we had exactly the same response. But if we are to believe what the Italian-based company is saying, then we are exactly one week away from the official unveiling of the world's fastest car during the world's most important motoring show.
The company has chosen the Swiss show to reveal its appropriately named Corbellati Missile. The nameplate was used specifically to communicate the company's ambition, 'being the fastest in the world.'
That might seem unfathomable in a world with Koenigsegg Ageras and Bugatti Veyrons. But when you look at the raw ingredients, the claim might not be as crazy as it sounds.
The mid-engine Corbellati Missile will be powered by a 9-litre biturbo V8 said to be capable of producing 1800 horsepower and 2350Nm of torque. All that force is transferred to the ground exclusively by the rear wheels via a six-speed transaxle and limited slip differential.
The carbon fibre chassis and bodywork, seemingly modeled after the Ferrari 330 P4 that New Zealand's own Chris Amon drove to victory in the 1967 World Sportscar Championship, is as slippery as it looks. Producing little drag and helping the Missile 'exceed' a top speed of 500km/h.
That speed, if it's ever achieved in the real world, is significantly faster then that of the Hennessey Venom GT or Koenigsegg Agera - both of which have been clocked at over 435km/h.
Despite the huge performance figures, the wheels are relatively normal (in hypercar terms) 20-inch 265/35 tires up front front and 345/30 at the rear.
You'll find huge carbon ceramic disk brakes with 6 piston calipers hidden within all four wheels, as well as double wishbone suspension with inboard adjustable dampers and ellectronically controlled air springs.
The company states it has been working on a hypercar for 'a few years.' Why? Well, in their words: 'a little for fun and a little for passion.'
Could Corbellati go from being the new kid on the hypercar block to kingpin on the day it reveals its first ever car?
The proof will be in the pudding once doors open at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
