|
Price |
|
€70,504 |
Production |
|
500 |
|
Engine |
3.6
liter V6 |
Weight |
2833
lbs |
|
Aspiration |
natural |
Torque |
-- |
|
HP |
300 |
HP/Weight |
9.4
lbs per hp |
|
HP/Liter |
83.3
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
4.8
seconds |
Top Speed |
168
mph |
(from Artega Press
Release) Overview of the Artega®GT
Unmistakable design
The renowned designer
Henrik Fisker, who created the BMW Z8 and the Aston Martin Vantage,
among other models, has created an unmistakable design with the
length of a compact car (4.015 meters) and the width of a luxury
limousine (1.88 meters). It is both powerful and appealing.
Impressive performance with low
consumption figures thanks to
uncompromising lightweight construction
A combination of
materials familiar from racing sports, namely an aluminum space
frame, high-strength steel and alloys reinforced with carbon fiber,
give the Artega®GT an unloaded weight of just 1285 kilograms in
spite of the extensive standard equipment built into the vehicle.
This makes the sports car one of the lightest in its class. The V6
engine has a cubic capacity of 3597 cubic centimeters and produces
300 horsepower (220 kW), resulting in a performance ratio of 4.28
kilograms per HP. The low weight-to-performance ratio and the
state-of-the-art drive train ensure extreme agility and impressive
driving performance. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just
4.8 seconds. Its highest speed is 270 kilometers per hour.
The midship concept and
direct steering optimize driving pleasure. Average consumption
according to EURO 5 standards is just 9.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
The ultimate in exclusivity
Artega has built a
factory that produces individual vehicles with great care. One of
its trademarks is the high percentage of parts produced in-house,
including the chassis, wheel suspension, engine periphery and the
fueling and exhaust systems. Each individual vehicle is put together
in traditional handwork to meet the specifications of the customer.
Highly skilled workers assemble the technical components, the body
and the interior.
The Artega will always remain an exclusive product. The factory in
Delbrück will manufacture no more than 500 sports cars per year.
The Artega®GT features many technological highlights. A combination
of materials familiar from racing sports results in uncompromising
lightweight construction. The aluminum spaceframe is made of
high-strength steel combined with carbon fiber-reinforced alloys.
The modular construction ensures easy maintenance. The structure was
optimized following extensive crash tests. The aerodynamic qualities
are sophisticated, and the rear diffuser ensures optimal downforce.
The forceful drive train made by a major manufacturer and the
double-clutch transmission guarantee dynamic driving and the best
reliability possible. The well-balanced vehicle design is conducive
to excellent braking performance and makes driving a joy.
The aluminum spaceframe weighs
less than 100 kilograms
To ensure the highest
possible quality, the manufacturing process of the Artega®GT adheres
to standards applicable for the airline and aerospace industries.
The aluminum space frame was developed by the company’s in-house
construction department in Delbrück. The modular construction is
lightweight and extremely rigid.
The space frame is
manufactured entirely at the new automotive plant in Westphalia.
Extruded aluminum components created especially for the Artega are
MIG welded together to form a high-tensile frame that features
optimal strength and torsional stiffness. All work steps are carried
out in-house, and in adherence with the strictest aerospace
standards (DIN 29595).
For the subsequent
processing of the sophisticated aluminum alloy, Artega also adheres
to its own strict quality standards. All welding is done by experts
certified according to the DIN 29595 standards applicable for the
aerospace industry.
Materials are selected
in accordance with similarly strict criteria. The aluminum alloy (AlMgSi
0.5 T6) is resistant to salt and seawater. To underscore the long
life of the spaceframe, Artega production manager Martin von der
Lieth says, “You can submerge the entire frame in the ocean without
incurring any damage.”
High-quality steel alloys
Another component of the
lightweight construction concept is the rear module comprising a
tube frame of high-tensile steel. The bracket is made of a
high-strength steel alloy tested in racing sports (25CrMo4). It is
surface-treated for long-lasting protection against corrosion. Prior
to final assembly, the space frame chassis and the bracket for the
engine and transmission are welded together in the so-called
“wedding chamber.”
Undercarriage with honeycomb
structure – lightweight and robust
The aluminum honeycomb
structure of the Artega’s chassis is extremely rigid without being
heavy. The lightweight and robust component is manufactured using a
sandwiching technique perfected for airplanes. The chassis is bonded
to the space frame.
Uncompromising lightweight
construction with a unique outer shell
The Artega®GT is the
world’s first vehicle with a body made primarily of carbon
fiber-reinforced polyurethane (PUR), a material made in
collaboration with BASF subsidiary Elastogran. The combination of
various PUR materials with outstanding mechanical characteristics
considerably reduces the weight of the Artega®GT and offers
additional advantages in terms of cost and safety. Fenders, rear,
nose and sides of the sports car are made of the carbon
fiber-reinforced, micro-cellular material Elastolit, which is very
robust and impact resistant, even at cold temperatures. The low
thermal expansion coefficient of fiber-reinforced PUR ensures an
extremely accurate fit and low heat distortion.
The quality of the lightweight material’s surface is ideal for Class
A painting of free-formed parts. The car’s roof and the lid of the
trunk also employ a special combination of multi-layered PUR
materials that is being used here for the first time. This
sandwiched material provides enhanced torsional stiffness with a
considerable reduction in weight. The foam-backed hood ¬– created
using yet another new technique – also exhibits these benefits.
Crash tests – Nothing is left to
chance
Germany requires
extensive, cost-intensive crash tests before automobiles can be
mass-produced. Artega is one of the few small-series manufacturers
to conduct comprehensive crash tests so that in the event of an
accident nothing is left to chance.
During the development
phase of the Artega®GT, the engineers designed the car for optimal
safety. So-called “load paths” were created to distribute impact
force. Sophisticated techniques were employed to avoid the creation
of impact nodes and junctions; where they could not be avoided
altogether, these junctures were made of particularly strong
materials. Potential weak points were reinforced or the impact force
channeled into special energy absorbers.
The prototypes proved
that in actual crashes the impact force behaved just as the theory
had intended. The Artega®GT was analyzed step by step and provided
with force limiters and seat belts with pretensioners, and the
holding points and belt lengths were carefully calculated.
Subsequently full-size front and side airbags were designed and
installed. The doors were reinforced with steel for impact
protection (15 CDV 6), and the roof construction was given a
cage-like design, making it possible to forego the use of a
B-pillar.
The Artega®GT was then
once again subjected to actual crash tests to prove the suitability
of the components. The result of this elaborate process was a
vehicle that is not only light in weight but also very safe, with
optimal torsional rigidity. In the case of an accident,
intelligently arranged crash elements ensure the impact force is
distributed evenly. The energy is channeled into the vehicle’s most
stable component: the main frame. Energy is distributed into three
sections – the transmission tunnel and the two side chassis beams –
which create a “safety cell” around the driver capable of
withstanding extreme force. In this regard, Artega far exceeds the
conventional expectations placed on a small-series automobile
manufacturer.
Sophisticated aerodynamics with
rear diffuser
Technical expertise
gained in motor sports and comprehensive findings from wind tunnel
tests were employed in the design and construction of the Artega®GT.
The underbody of the Artega®GT is fully enclosed and thus especially
turbulence-free. Another special feature of the undercarriage is the
rear diffuser, which creates striking effects: The entire Artega®GT
functions like an upside-down airplane wing. The air underneath the
vehicle’s rear moves faster, resulting in lower air pressure
underneath the car that pulls the vehicle closer to the ground. This
effect is called downforce or negative lift. It is as if the
Artega®GT were actually being pressed downward onto the road.
Chassis suited for racing sports
as well as everyday use
When it came to
suspension tuning of the chassis, Artega chose an approach that is
both smooth and sporty – without opting for a halfhearted
compromise. Here too, the Artega®GT plays up its design advantages,
namely a wide track width and large wheelbase combined with a low
center of gravity. The result: The Artega takes curve after curve
without creating excessive centrifugal force, staying on track even
under extreme driving conditions. And with careful application of
the gas pedal, slight oversteer makes the sports car a joy to drive.
These characteristics are particularly overt on the racing track,
where the Artega chassis reduces roll motion to a minimum.
Longitudinal and transversal forces are transferred optimally thanks
to the car’s road-gripping qualities. The suspension of the
Artega®GT is never “hard as a board.” The professional set-up
developed in collaboration with the motor sports specialists from
Bilstein guarantees maximal tracking stability and safe cornering.
What’s more, thanks to the car’s optimized design, there’s no
rearing up or dipping down when braking or accelerating.
All of these traits make
the Artega®GT perfect for relaxed, comfortable driving. It’s a
sports car for everyday use.
Artega with outstanding braking
performance
In its ranking of the
best results in braking tests, an internationally renowned trade
publication printed an article entitled “The Best Braking
Performers” and awarded the prototype of the Artega®GT second place
among 450 tested vehicles. Only the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano had a
shorter braking distance. The Porsche 911 GT3 came in third.
This was the cause for
great rejoicing among the Artega team, especially because the
magazine’s brake tests are considered the best in the world.
The Artega engineers
credit this sensational result to three primary factors, all of
which are optimally fulfilled by the Artega®GT.
First, the vehicle’s design. The optimal braking effect is achieved
by a vehicle with perfectly even, 50:50 distribution of its weight
to its axles. This is due to the so-called friction coefficient
between the tires and the road, which is not a constant value, but
which decreases as normal forces increases. Therefore the normal
force of the vehicle should be distributed as evenly as possible to
all four wheels when the brakes are applied. The excellent mass
distribution of the Artega at rest (57 percent to the rear, 43
percent to the front), its low center of gravity and long wheelbase
result in near perfect distribution of weight during full braking.
Indeed, the wide tires of the Artega®GT are capable of absorbing
even more braking power.
The brakes themselves are the second factor. The trade publication
measured the braking distance after the tenth full brake. That means
the size of the brakes and the brake cooling equipment are
important, so as little heat as possible is conducted from the brake
to the brake fluid. Otherwise the braking distance would increase
due to steam bubbles in the brake fluid.
The tires are the third decisive factor for optimal braking. Whereby
it must be pointed out that the required tire qualities must be seen
in context. For example, if the tires are chosen for optimal braking
performance, there may be detrimental effects on other
characteristics such as driving comfort or handling on wet roads.
The tires used on the Artega®GT were not chosen specifically to
produce optimal braking results, but have good all-round
characteristics.
Extremely lightweight forged
wheels
In collaboration with
the wheel rim specialists from APP Tech of Italy, one of the
lightest forged wheels available with a 19-inch diameter was chosen
for the GT. The goal was to combine the highest performance with
sporty, elegant design while keeping weight to a minimum. APP Tech,
a well-known supplier of exclusive forged wheels, produces the
specially made, lightweight forged wheels offered as an option for
the Artega®GT.
The forging technique enables thinner wheel walls than are possible
with cast aluminum wheels, while retaining the same stability and
enhanced safety reserves. This special combination is made possible
because forged aluminum alloys are more stable than cast aluminum
alloys. The forging technique has the added advantage of weight
savings of up to 35 percent as compared with casting. Driving
comfort also benefits from the reduction in unsprung mass, because
the suspension, cushions and springs function better and last
longer. Sporty, agile handling is one of the tangible effects.
What’s more, lighter wheels not only save gas and shorten the
braking distance, they also result in better cornering – all of
which means improved passive safety.
Technical
data of the optional wheels
Front dimensions: 8” x 19” with 235/35 tires
Rear dimensions: 10.5” x 19” with 305/30 tires
Front weight: 8.6 kg
Rear weight: 9.8 kg
Bolt circle: 5 x 112 mm
Offset: VA 43 mm, HA 45 mm
Technical data of the standard wheels
Front dimensions: 8” x 19” with 235/35 tires
Rear dimensions: 9.5” x 19” with 285/30 tires
Front weight: 9.1 kg
Rear weight: 9.7 kg
Bolt circle: 5 x 112 mm
Offset: VA 43 mm, HA 45 mm
Reliability and convenient
maintenance thanks to serial production
The engine of the
Artega®GT comes from the sporty R models made by Volkswagen. The
powerful V-6 engine with displacement of more than 3,597 cubic
centimeters produces 300 horsepower (220 kW) and can accelerate from
zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The top speed is 270 km/h.
State-of-the-art dual-clutch
transmission
The dual clutch
transmission enables fully automatic gear changes with no traction
interruptions. This state-of-the-art transmission concept, which has
been perfected in road racing, is also known as direct shift
transmission.
Sophisticated transmission electronics control the gear changes in
the two gear sections and the two clutches. When shifting gears, the
load-free gear section is activated with the help of the second
clutch and takes over to compensate for the torque interruption in
the first gear section. Once the first section has shifted gears,
torque is transferred back. The entire process goes virtually
unnoticed by the driver, as there is no perceptible interruption of
torque. Gears can be shifted fully automatically, or manually using
shift paddles on the steering wheel or the gearshift lever on the
middle console.
The dual clutch transmission not only affords the fastest gear shits
available in a mass-produced automobile, its automatic mode also
offers a degree of comfort previously unheard of in a sports car.
And thanks to optimal shifting points, it also saves fuel.
Electronics proven in mass
production feature an innovative multi-functional control unit
The vehicle electronics
are based on a system procured from a major manufacturer which has
undergone thorough testing. The instrument cluster of the Artega®GT
features a world premiere, namely two coaxial displays for speed and
RPMs. These important displays are centrally located in the driver’s
direct line of sight.
The automotive supplier Paragon provides its “integra”
multi-functional control unit for the Artega®GT. As its name
indicates, it integrates the controls for all components including
the navigation system, climate control, radio, MP3 player,
telephone, driver information and vehicle status. All parameters are
controlled using a single operating panel. This pioneering system
even allows the driver to change the settings for the Artega
Stability Program (ASP).
The Artega has a TFT display in 640 x 480 pixel format (VGA). The
operating interface with capacitive sensors and a high-gloss finish
ensure ease of operation and a contemporary appearance. The
Linux-based software makes it possible to retrofit additional
components such as a rear-view camera.
The Mirror Pilot opens up a whole
new dimension in navigation systems
The centrally located
rear-view mirror of the Artega®GT is the ideal place for the
driver-vehicle communication interface. The user-friendly navigation
system in the mirror features a 2.2-inch TFT display with 65,000
colors. The driver can use the navigation system without taking his
eyes off the road.
The system can be
operated using the two buttons and rotary/push knob on the mirror
itself, or by means of an infrared remote control. There are also
several methods available for entering destination coordinates: You
can enter the postal code or the entire address. When the navigation
system is not in use, the display turns off and the entire mirror is
once again available.
Top-performance racing car
suitable for everyday use
The Artega®GT proves
that a sports car can be fast, lightweight, and yet still well
equipped. The above-mentioned crash module and the excellent brakes
guarantee the safety of the driver and passengers. Unlike some
“driving machines” designed for speed but not comfort, the Artega®GT
features a generous interior that makes it ideally suited for
everyday use.
Forward-looking environmental
profile
The low power-to-weight
ratio of the Artega GT gives it surprisingly efficient consumption
figures and makes it environmentally future-oriented. The average
consumption on the basis of the EURO 5 standard is just 9.2 liters
per 100 kilometers – an outstanding figure for a sports car. This
translates into potential range of more than 750 kilometers on a
single tank of gas, which enhances driving comfort on long-haul
trips. Environmentally friendly production processes and a high
recycling quota also contribute to the favorable environmental
profile of the Artega®GT.
Technical data for the Artega®GT
Engine V-6
injection engine in the rear
Displacement 3597 ccm
Power 220 kW (300 HP)
DIN unladen weight 1285 kg
Permissable gross weight 1495 kg
Power-to-weight ratio 4.28 kg/HP
Transmission 6-gear direct-shift transmission
Acceleration 0-100 km/h 4.8 s
Maximum speed 270 km/h
EU consumption figures (Euro 5) 9.2 l (Super Plus ROZ 98)
/ 100 km
CO2 emissions 220 g/km
Range 765 km
Frame Aluminum spaceframe, rear module, grid frame
made of tubular steel
Chassis Carbon fiber-reinforced synthetics CFRP front
hood
Dimensions (L x W x H) 4015 x 1882 x 1180 mm
Wheelbase 2460 mm
Luggage compartment volume 300 l
Price (standard equipment)
Artega®GT Coupé 70,504.20 EUR (net) 83.900 EUR (gross)
