Ginetta Akula hits production in the UK

British niche carmaker Ginetta has officially begun producing its latest sports car, the Akula. Like its early prototype from five years ago (see video), it is a classic coupe with a non-turbo V8 driving the rear wheels through a manual transmission. Only 20 units will be made and offered at £275,000+ each.

Despite its large engine, the Ginetta Akula weighs as little as 1.2 metric tons, or roughly 2,650 pounds. This is largely owing to its carbon-fiber monocoque design with double-wishbone individual suspension and electronic shocks.

As for the engine, it is a 6.4-liter naturally aspirated mill capable of outputting 600 PS (592 hp / 441 kW) at 7,200 RPM and 670 Nm (494 lb-ft) of torque at 5,100 RPM. The transmission is six-speed manual by default, but customers can go for seven-speed DCT if they want to. A limited-slip differential is provided as well. The car reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds and maxes out at 290 km/h (180 mph).

Ginetta claims that, despite being a race car first and foremost, the Akula lends itself rather well for touring purposes. To that end, it comes equipped with a full-fledged multimedia system, a wireless smartphone charger and a spacious 473-liter (16.7-cu.ft.) trunk. It also commands a 100-liter (26.4-gallon for our U.S. readers) gas tank that’s by no means common by race car standards but gives you up to 725 km (450 miles) of range between refuels.

Ginetta says that most of the cars planned for production have already found their owners, but there are still some slots open for reservation.