Proto Motors Develops Korea's First Supercar

Lightweight Supercar Speeds to 100 KM/H in only 4.4 Seconds

At this year's Seoul Motor Show, the main Korean players were out in full force, displaying their products for the home

Proto Motors is Korea's first supercar manufacturer. (Photo: Proto Motors)

market. National favorites GMDAT (Daewoo), Hyundai-Kia, Renault-Samsung and Ssangyong filled the floor with all-new and recently unveiled concepts, and new production vehicles.

But out of all the carmakers present with the glitz of multi-million dollar displays and the glamor of shiny new metal, there was one tiny firm which pulled the rug out from under their feet for crowd popularity - Proto Motors, Korea's first supercar manufacturer.

The Spirra supercar is Proto's first car, and there's no better way of making a public debut than to go this route. Though new to making a car on its own, the firm is no stranger to the processes of the automotive industry. Since 1997, Proto has had several contracts with such giants as Hyundai-Kia, helping out with their electric car prototypes, and (ironically) building the displays for their international auto shows.

The Spirra 4.6 GT, the company's finished, production-ready product, is an evolution of two previous attempts. (Photo: Proto Motors)

Proto also has experience in coachwork, and has developed a stretched version of the Hyundai Equus for the Korean president. But the Spirra is different, as it's the brand's first complete car.

The Spirra 4.6 GT, the company's finished, production-ready product, is an evolution of two previous attempts. In 2002, the company previewed the PS-II, a sleek, attractive mid-engined sports car, which eventually evolved into the first-generation Spirra. The latest model is, for the most part, mechanically identical; however, there are changes throughout to improve its appearance and on-road performance.