The 2019 Geneva International Show saw a plethora of hypercar launches. The world’s most renown manufacturers unveiled their latest flag models including Bugatti La Voiture Noir, Koenigsegg Jesko, and Aston Martyn Valkyrie.
Despite so much competition, Ginetta pulled the covers from their first supercar – the Akula. Russian for “Shark,” the Akula is a raw, properly aggressive predator. The inspiration behind the name is shown very clearly in the design as well:
- Vicious front end with a protruding nose
- Smooth and curved side profile
- Sharp gills tucked behind the prominent wheel arches
- Massive wing in the back
The car is designed after Ginetta’s LMP1. The aerodynamics are extreme, albeit static. Akula shares the sophisticated front layout with an integrated front wing and double air channels on either side of the engine bay. At 100 mph, the body produces 830 lbs of downforce, keeping the car firmly grounded around the track.
The powertrain is designed and produced by Ginetta. The car uses a 6.0 liter, naturally aspirated, V8 engine with a billet aluminum block and dry-sump lubrication system. It produces 600 bhp and 516 lbs/ft of torque. It couples to a six-speed paddle shift transmission, sending power to the rear axle via a carbon fiber driveshaft.
With a lightweight, carbon-fiber aluminum, construction, weighing just 2,500 lbs, the Akula hits a top speed of 200 mph.
Ginetta has more than 50 years of history developing race and sports cars. Its 1965 G10 is a true classic and the LMP1 became 5th in class at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. The company knows what it’s talking about when it comes to performance.
We’re yet to see if they can produce a successful road-legal supercar. For now, Ginetta has planned 20 units of the Akula, most of which already purchased at a price around half a million dollars.
