IFR Aspid

IFR Automotive is a company based in Reus (Tarragona) and founded in 2003. Since then has been designing the Aspid, a two-seater coupe, which will be two versions, one of 270 hp (Aspid Sport) and another of 402 hp (Aspid SuperSport).

The first deliveries will be in 2009, although it is possible to order. Approximate price of about 95.000 € for the least powerful and 115,000 € for 402 hp. Will be approved for driving on public roads.

It is a sporty front-engine, rear wheel drive and only 3.7 m long. Amazing how short it is, but, moreover, the small wheelbase: 2.16 m, less than a utilitarian as a Citroën C1.

IFR Automotive's intention has been to make a car extremely fast and, unlike other cars of this type (like the KTM X-Bow), with an amount of equipment close to that of a luxury car.

The Aspid has an engine displacement of 2.0 liter four-cylinder. The 270 hp is more powerful air and has a volumetric compressor. Engines are fast spin (giving maximum power to 8,600 rpm). The compression ratio is also high (11.0 to 1), especially for the supercharged version.

Standard is a gearbox six-speed manual, but optionally can be automatic, with paddles for manually changing gears.

It has a sensational connection between weight and power. SuperSport version has a close relationship to 2 kg / hp. A Porsche 911 GT3 has it much worse (3.49 kg / hp). The manufacturer says the Aspid SuperSport can accelerate to 100 km / h in 2.9 seconds. The 270 hp version takes 3.7 seconds in the same measurement.

To achieve a low weight and the Aspid is-among other solutions-aluminum chassis only 75 kg and made of a type of construction (square section tubes produced by extrusion and panels) that has a high resistance to underweight. The suspension, which is parallelogram deformable in two axes, is also made of this material.

Another solution to reduce the weight is on the brakes. The friction of the ring is stainless steel disks (rather than the common cast iron). In front are two small twin disc (image). These discs do not have a uniform surface friction, but have performed some favoring the ventilation holes of the disc. According to IFR, these brake discs have a low weight (about 70% less than a conventional equivalent).

Inside, the most striking is that the instrumentation is placed on the wheel and comprises a touchscreen and a series of buttons. Since the wheel can change parameters as the limit of rotation of the engine, variable valve management, power management assistance, operation of the ABS, the braking or distribution ground clearance and characteristics of damping.

The equipment can be very heavy. Thus, it can carry items such as dual-xenon headlamps, an acoustic parking aid, checking tire pressure, browser, a high-fidelity sound or Bluetooth connection. It may also have to telemetry data collection.