Building on the success of the KZ1, Ascari has developed the
Ascari A10 – an ultra high-performance exotic car aimed at racing and track days more than the road. It will be a very exclusive car, as only ten will be built. It is also extremely fast: Ascari quotes a top speed of 215 mph with fantastic performance – 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds, and more amazingly 0-100 mph in under six seconds.
Based on the KZ1, the A10 has the same carbon fiber monocoque, with a steel sub-frame for the power train and rear suspension. The car looks a little different with different headlamps and grille, with wider wheel arches to leave space for the fatter rear tires. There is also a fixed rear wing, which works with a front splitter to improve drag and increase downforce. The Cd is quoted as 0.32, which is good.
As the A10 is aimed at the track, the external body panels are formed in five detachable sections, which can be replaced easily in the event of a shunt.
5.0 liter engine tuned to 625 bhp
Ascari has retained the superb BMW 5.0 liter V-8 fitted to the KZ1 but the engine has been modified in many ways to increase power to 625 bhp at 7,500 rpm – that's 125 bhp per ;iter. The cams have more advanced timing, while both the pistons and connecting rods are new. A dry sump lubrication system has been adopted.
In line with the current trend on exotic cars, the A10 has a six-speed sequential transaxle, the gear shifts being operated by paddles
Carbon fiber hull with race-developed suspension
The front suspension, steering and angled radiator are all mounted on the carbon fibre hull, as on the KZ1. The front and rear wishbone suspension is classic racing type: triangular tubular unequal length wishbones with coil springs and telescopic dampers. The suspension at the rear is almost the same. Anti-roll bars are fitted front and rear, the coil spring/damper units can be adjusted to set the ride height. On many high-performance cars, adjustment is done manually; on the A10 there are hydraulic actuators, so the ride height can be adjusted in a flash.
The use of front and rear anti-roll bars will make the handling more neutral than on the KZ1, but of course, this is all adjustable.
Up with the Joneses – ceramic brakes
To ensure adequate braking on such a very fast car, and keep up with the competition, Ascari has adopted ventilated ceramic discs, with six-pot calipers at the front, and four-pot calipers at the rear. Naturally the tires are wider than on the KZ1: Michelin Pilot 265/35ZR 18s at the front, and 345/30ZR 18s at the rear.
Among standard equipment are a roll over cage, fire extinguisher
and battery isolator switch, remote central locking, immobiliser,
electric windows, mirrors and air conditioning. Nevertheless, the A10 weighs 55 lb (25 kg) less than the KZ1, which gives it a very high power-to-weight ratio of 500 bhp per tonne.
Ascari's owner, Klaas Zwart, has been campaigning a racing version of the KZ1 for several years, and the KZ1 is a fine handling car. Therefore, we can be pretty sure that the A10 will handle very well, and that the latest engine will give it terrific performance. Whether the shifting of the sequential box will be up to scratch remains to be seen – getting smooth and very fast shifts is no mean feat which has eluded many companies.
Ascari's claim that the A10 will outperform the Ferrari Enzo is
likely to be justified – the claimed 0-100 mph time of 5.8 seconds
is extremely quick, and the power-to-weight ratio is very high.
The A10 is also a great looking car, and with only ten being made will always remain a very rare exotic car.
