Proto Motors Develops Korea's First Supercar

Entrance to the well-equipped cockpit is through a pair of butterfly doors which open up, and at an angle. Stepping over the wide

The Proto Motors' vehicle follows along the lines of most supercars, treating buyers with extensive use of exotic materials. (Photo: Proto Motors)

sills (an inherent problem with tubular frame cars), you'll find a race-inspired Momo three-spoke steering wheel and leather-lined Momo race seats. While Korean vehicles are usually awash in a sea of plastic, the Proto Motors' vehicle follows along the lines of most supercars, treating buyers with extensive use of exotic materials. For example, the angled staircase-stack centre console is finished in carbon fibre weave, while dashboard accents and cupholders are milled from aluminum.

The Spirra 4.6 GT features a 4.6-litre DOHC V8 that makes 320-horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. Does the engine sound familiar? It's the same motor used in the previous generation Ford Mustang Cobra, and is probably one of the most widely-used engines in the small-scale sports car industry. Though the Spirra is the heaviest of most of these boutique-made sports cars, at 2,403 lbs, it's also the

The Spirra 4.6 GT features a 4.6-litre DOHC V8 that makes 320-horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Proto Motors)

quickest and fastest by far, capable of sprinting to 60 mph in under 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of over 186 mph. A six-speed Getrag manual transmission is mated to the engine, which guarantees the car strong and willing performance.

Though it has yet to be announced, buyers are to be offered the choice of two lesser motors along with the aforementioned V8. The first of the alternative powerplants is a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, which makes 200-horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. Weighing in at 2,175 lbs thusly equipped, the Spirra is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds, and has a top speed of 140 mph.