A brand new supercar is always exciting, and the
Keating SKR supercar has the right ingredients: tubular frame, Chevy V-8 installed amidships, and sleek low-slung body. The Keating is not a new kid on the block as the Keating has been under development for eight years, and a prototype was shown at the British Motor Show in 2006.
Shown under a different name two years ago, the Keating SKR is now ready for production with four different power outputs: 400, 500, 520 and 650 bhp. the lower powered cars get the GM 6.0-liter LS2 unit from the 2007 Chevy Corvette, while the others are powered by the GM LS7 7.0 liter engine. Using a big V-8 is an easy way to get plenty of power and low speed torque, which is what you need for a road car.
160 mph and upwards, acceleration to match
Performance depends on the engine, but Keating says that the base model will reach 60 mph in under 4 seconds and hit 160 mph. The SKR 650 will be down near 3 seconds, and will reach 180 mph.
A low mid-engine coupe, the Keating SKR is reminiscent of many others of its type, with an air dam and low wide grille with rather small side air intakes below large plastic covers over the lamps. The front fenders sweep up and down into the rear fenders, and there is a fastback coachroof.
Typical styling for a mid-engined coupe
There are air outlets behind the front wheels, and an air scoop for the engine in the roof, which no doubt restricts rear vision, and large side air intakes. To reduce lift, there is a splitter at the front, a flat underside, and diffusers at the rear. In addition, there is a large wing,mounted high above the tail.
The car is not too large at 170 inches (4,313 mm) long, and is about the right height at 45 inches (1,149 mm).
Steel frame, but carbon fiber tub available
The SKR is based on a steel tubular frame – in fact, Keating used an Ultima frame in the first prototype – but a carbon fiber tub has been developed, and will be used on the racing versions, called TKRs. Suspension is by double wishbones.
Keating claims a weight of 2,620 lb (1,190 kg) for the car, with the weight coming down to just under 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) for the models with carbon fiber tubs. The lower weight is just about the same as the Ultima GTR, although the Keating will be more fully equipped.
404-650 bhp from Chevy V-8s
The base model is powered by the standard engine from the Corvette, and so produces 404 bhp at 6,000 rpm, with 400 lb ft (542 Nm) at 4,000 rpm. The 500 bhp version is a tuned version of the same engine, but 525 bhp and 650 bhp versions of the GM LS7 engine are available. These are supercharged.
1,000 or 1,600 bhp coming, or is this a dream?
For racing, Keating has been working with Nelson Racing Engines in the USA on twin turbo engines producing 1,000 bhp and, hold your hat, 1,600 bhp! Of course, it is feasible to get 200 bhp liter from an engine with intense turbocharging, but whether there is any point is an interesting question.
These will surely need a completely new transaxle, rather than the modified Porsche five-speed unit, similar to that used in the Ultima GTR. Of course, five-speeds are plenty for road use with this sort of power.
Up to 550 bhp per tonne
Power-to-weight ratio ranges from 336 to 550 bhp for the four production models. Thus the top model will be up there with the exotic cars in performance.
To ease access, the doors of the standard models hinge upwards at an angle, and have small cut-outs into the roof as on the Ford GT40. However, this is not feasible with the carbon fiber tub, which is made in Italy.
Keating says that the complete interior will be trimmed to suit the requirement of each customer, with the option of digital or analog instruments and a variety of seats.
With the base model priced at £90,000 ($180,000) , Keating is taking on Ferrari and Lamborghini, but at £125,000 ($250,000), the SKR 650 offers a lot of power for the price. The Keating SKR is the result of a long development programme. The original plan was to build just the 1,000 bhp version and the price was to have been around £300,000
and for 300 to have been built. The price and plan to build 25 cars a year are more realistic.
There is no doubting the strong desire of Andrew Keating, who is behind it, to make the car a success. Therefore, despite the strong competition, the company should be able to find buyers for this new supercar.
