Published: Apr 13, 2012

2013 Alessi AR-1 on Display at New York

First displayed back in 1979, the updated AR-1 is back packing a real punch and is ready to join the growing list of American-born exotics.

In 1979, an unknown American fiberglass manufacturer named Alessi Fiberglass went to the New York Auto Show to display their AR-1 sports car. At the time it housed a Buick V6 engine and, of course, a fiberglass body. Following a warm reception, a few models were reportedly built before the car vanished from the automotive scene and the company returned to manufacturing fiberglass, which it has been doing very successfully ever since.

more at CarBuzz:
Closing Gate Hits Kanye's Aventador Vivid Racing's First Ever Poker Run A Little Dose of Ferrari 250 GT Lovin'

After a 33-year hiatus, Alessi has come back to New York with an updated version of the AR-1. And instead of the Buick V6, power now comes from a mid-mounted Corvette-sourced 6.2-liter V8, whose power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual 'box. When combined with a supercharger, the V8 produces 600hp and 580lb-ft of torque. If that's too mild for your taste then the supercharger can be replaced by two turbochargers, which bumps output to 750hp and 690lb-ft of torque. The new AR1 weighs just 1,450kg thanks to a hand-laid fiberglass body, which carries steel reinforcements at various stress points.

The chassis was built from eleven gauge steel and welded with a 100,000 pounds-per-square-inch tensile strength giving the latest American-born exotic plenty of strength. Inside, a race-inspired instrument panel has eight analog gauges on a fiberglass cluster and standard equipment includes a Sparco tilt steering wheel, cut pile carpeting, a rear-view mirror with back-up camera, and power bucket seats. Other standard gear on the supercar includes dual power side mirrors, power-operated tail section, and run flat tires with sensors.

There are no official performance figures, but Alessi estimates the AR1 can shift from standstill to 60mph in 3.4 seconds, run a quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 200mph.

Only 50 examples of the Alessi AR-1 will be built, joining a growing list of American niche supercars such as the Saleen S7 and Hennessey Venom GT; prices have yet to be confirmed.

by Adam Lynton
2013 Alessi AR-1 on Display at New York

127 comments - view full discussion

2013 Alessi AR-1 on Display at New York

Top Stories Today

Videos

Now Buzzing popular

Related Stories