.jpg)
Former F1 champion Alan Jones has helped developed a AJF1 supercar prototype which will be developed into three pre-production cars early next year with the first handbuilt production model rolling out of a Gold Coast factory later in the year.
"I can't say when we will build the first production cars; maybe late next year," the 1980 Formula One champion says. "I don't want to let the car out until it is spot on."
The AJF1 was designed and engineered over three years by Gold Coast electrician and refrigeration engineer Darrell Barnett who sparked his supercar dream when he built a kit car in 2000.
"I thought that wasn't hard, so I decided to build a supercar," he says.
Barnett then took the idea to Jones and long-time business partner Greg Wilson.
"I didn't want to put my name to it until I knew it would be a real supercar," Jones says. "It has to have looks, finish, performance and power."
The prototype looks like an amalgam of Italian sportscars and at 2150mm is slightly wider than a Lamborghini Murcielago. Jones says they will produce a luxury model "with all the trimmings" and a lightweight, 1220kg, stripped-down, supercharged, track-day special, which he believes will be the most popular.
"I can see that people will keep this in their garage under wraps and only take it out to a track," he says.
It is fitted with a mid-mounted Lexus V8, but the production model will be powered by a Chevrolet LS9 6.2-litre V8 and will sell for about $250,000 to $270,000.
"I don't believe you need a V10 or a V12," Jones says. "You want reliability and the Chev engine gives power, performance and reliability."
The body is made of strong and lightweight carbonfibre and kevlar over a multi-tubular steel space frame, and it will come with a choice of six-speed manual transmission and a seven-seed double-clutch auto with manual and sports modes.
Despite the global financial crisis, Jones says sales of supercars have never been so strong.
"Every country seems to have a supercar now and I see no reason why we can't build one," he says. "Five years ago people hadn't heard of the Pagani Zonda."
Jones believes the car will sell well overseas, particularly in Asia.
"We've had expressions of interest and one guy who wants to buy one, but what exactly are we selling? We don't have final specifications yet. It's still a work in progress," he says.
Jones says the finished car will have a 0-100km/h time of about three seconds.
The AJF1 has been government approved to be built at a limit of 25 for Australia and 75 for export.
"I can understand limiting local sales to 25, but why limit exports to 75? It's only money that's going to come back to Australia," Jones says.
Wilson says the project has so far cost $700,000, not including labour. The car will be built by Alan Jones Signature Vehicles with a fourth business partner, New Zealand businessman Tony Richards. Wilson says they are considering a public float. The car has been shown at the Gold Coast V8 Supercars event and the inaugural Festival of Speed in Perth last month, and will be on display at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in March.
Jones says he has tested the car on road and track and had "input into everything" including suspension, design, fit-out and powertrain. But he admits there is still a lot of work to do.
"For a start the roof needs to be higher so you sit up a bit more," he says. "I have to admit, it's not an easy car to get in and out of."
Jones says they will also investigate alternative powertrains, including a two-litre twin turbo, electric motor, hydrogen and even a magnetic engine being developed on the Gold Coast.
DRIVING
Carsguide was privileged to have a short drive in the prototype, but Jones stressed that the vehicle had teething problems and was only a pre-production model with the wrong engine. Like other concept cars, prototypes and pre-production vehicles that I have seen at motor shows and driven, the vehicle doesn't stand close scrutiny.
The trim is slightly rough, the noise dampening is limited and it feels unfinished. But it still feels like a purpose-built machine destined for production, even in limited handbuilt numbers.
Barnett says there is an oil leak problem and we are limited in revs on the short drive, but the clutch feels light, the gearshift positive and the steering light and responsive for such a high-powered, low-slung supercar with wide tyres.
It seems to deliver on Jones's intention that the AJF1 is a supercar you can use every day.
However, Jones is also right about the roof. It's too low, making it almost painful getting in and out.
Once inside, the seats are raked back too far, yet your head still scrapes the ceiling. While there is sparse noise dampening material inside, the glorious roar of the V8 just behind your head is delightful and there is only a slight rumble in the seat.
Suspension feels stiff and although there is 140mm of clearance, we take it cautiously slow over the speed bumps. With limited revs it is difficult to vouch for its performance, besides the engine will be replaced.
However, Jones says it is "almost certain" that the car will have some motorsport involvement.
AJF1 Fusion Series 358 & 480
Price: about $250,000-$270,000
Engine: 6.2-litre V8 (358); supercharged 6.2-litre V8 (480)
Power: 358kW @ 5750rpm (358); 480kW @ 6500rpm (480)
Torque: 644Nm @ 4500rpm (358); 820Nm @ 3800rpm (480)
Transmission: 6-speed manual (358); 7-speed double-clutch auto with manual and sports modes (480)
0-100km/h: 4 secs (358); 3.4s (480)
Top speed: 325+km/h (358); 335+km/h (480)
Suspension: double A with castor, camber, toe, damper and height adjustment (front), alloy upper A arm, triple-link lower with camber, toe, damper and height adjustment (rear)
Turning circle: 10m
Dimensions (mm): 4170 (l), 2150 (w), 1030 (h)
Net weight: 1220kg
.jpg)
Comments