The Castrol Top Tuner Project is designed with one goal in mind: to create some of the boldest and most exciting show cars in the world. It started in 2006 with the Pontiac Solstice Top Tuner, a $500,000 venture involving about 30 different OEM companies from Canada. Last year, ETC presented the Saturn Super Sky Top Tuner, a unique three-seater with the driver sitting in the middle. The body was made from carbon fiber and the mid-mounted LT1 engine was derived from the Corvette.
"The CTS Top Tuner is the expression of a culture and a passion," said Tajai Das. "Tuners are basically the 'hot rodders' of the modern era. They display their passion for cars and power through their various masterpieces. Since the rise of tuning, many different sub-cultures have emerged. The third Top Tuner Project showcases one of them: the 'VIPs' -- a generation of young, high-rolling executives who are envied by all their colleagues."
As Mr. Das points out, the 2006 Solstice Top Tuner was born from the 'sport compact' sub-culture, whereas the 2007 Super Sky belonged in the high-performance world of exotic cars.
"For SCP10, the Top Tuner Project will unveil the ultimate All-Canadian Muscle Car," he adds. We'll design not one but two ultra-high performance Camaros. The first will be powered by a conventional engine while the second will use either a hybrid powertrain or a fully-electric system. Our goal with this one is to show people all the potential of electricity in terms of performance and pure power. It will be quite a challenge!"
While the first two cars from the Top Tuner Project sported a bright green finish ("Castrol Green" might be more accurate), the CTS Top Tuner looks more upscale with a two-tone bodywork (black and red). If Team ETC is indeed planning an environmentally-friendly approach, we might just witness the return of green paint!
To find out, don't miss SCP10 in October 2009!
photo:Matthieu Lambert
"The CTS Top Tuner is the expression of a culture and a passion," said Tajai Das. "Tuners are basically the 'hot rodders' of the modern era. They display their passion for cars and power through their various masterpieces. Since the rise of tuning, many different sub-cultures have emerged. The third Top Tuner Project showcases one of them: the 'VIPs' -- a generation of young, high-rolling executives who are envied by all their colleagues."
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| The Saturn Super Sky Top Tuner, a unique three-seater with the driver sitting in the middle. |
As Mr. Das points out, the 2006 Solstice Top Tuner was born from the 'sport compact' sub-culture, whereas the 2007 Super Sky belonged in the high-performance world of exotic cars.
"For SCP10, the Top Tuner Project will unveil the ultimate All-Canadian Muscle Car," he adds. We'll design not one but two ultra-high performance Camaros. The first will be powered by a conventional engine while the second will use either a hybrid powertrain or a fully-electric system. Our goal with this one is to show people all the potential of electricity in terms of performance and pure power. It will be quite a challenge!"
While the first two cars from the Top Tuner Project sported a bright green finish ("Castrol Green" might be more accurate), the CTS Top Tuner looks more upscale with a two-tone bodywork (black and red). If Team ETC is indeed planning an environmentally-friendly approach, we might just witness the return of green paint!
To find out, don't miss SCP10 in October 2009!
photo:Matthieu Lambert
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