With production between 1999 and 2015, the Ultima GTR is a fun supercar build well-suited for amateur hobbyists. The Ultima Evolution which replaced the GTR is even slicker while still being an extremely user-friendly project.
Ultima Sports Limited is a small and independent British supercar manufacturer which is one of the world’s top providers of performance chassis’ and kits for building supercars at home. Founded back in 1992, the brand has always been focused on offering their cars as components, perfect for construction in simple, home garages.
While the brand has also offered turn-key editions of their cars which can be delivered across Europe ready to go, in America Ultima’s cars have only been sold for home building projects.
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What makes an Ultima GTR or Evolution such a Nice Project?
Curious why the Ultima is such a great choice for home build?
The answer is simple: they are easy for amateurs to build and can produce insane performance results if the job is well executed.
In 2006, Ultima beat their own 0–100 mph-0 record set in the GTR 640 with the GTR 720, with an American Speed SBC engine producing a blistering 720 hp (540 kW). The new record cut 0.4 seconds off the time completing 0–100–0 mph in 9.4 seconds, a new world record for a production road car with street legal tires and exhaust.
All tests were recorded on street legal tires in controlled conditions using a standard Ultima GTR 720 and verified by an official from Datron Technology (Guinness World Records timekeepers) using Microsat GPS equipment.
The Ultima GTR 720 has also recorded the quickest ever road legal lap time at the Top Gear Test Track with 1 min 12.8 secs. The car was also driven to and from the test track on the public roads as proof of its road going ability. The same Ultima GTR 720 also recorded an even quicker Top Gear Test Track lap time of 1 min 9.9 secs but this time fitted with slick racing tires to eclipse the 1 min 10.7 secs lap time of Michael Schumacher in his $1.8 million Ferrari FXX track car.
Ultima Sports Limited: A Great Choice for the Home Build Enthusiast
The Ultima GTR is becoming more rare as a complete kit, but savvy shoppers will still be able to locate a rolling chassis or complete kit for this cool supercar build. Ultima recommends pairing the GTR with one of General Motor Company’s small-block V8s, and many have been completed with Porsche or Getrag transaxles.
One of the coolest things about an Ultima GTR or Evolution build project is that they do not require advanced engineering knowledge or tools to complete. This is the kind of project well suited for a first time builder, or someone with only a passing knowledge of automotive construction.
Of course, the Ultima Evolution kit is probably the easiest route to go if one is seeking a fun and easy project to enjoy over the summer months. An Ultima Evolution kit comes with every piece necessary to build the car of your dreams.
While building an Ultima GTR or Evolution is a pretty straight-forward, even for the novice builder, making one street legal is a little tougher. The technical details vary greatly for state to state. To ensure a smooth driving experience, enthusiasts are encouraged to keep all receipts, police and technical inspection certificates handy while operating. Ultima provides a great deal of support to help its customers drive their cars legally on the road.
Both the Ultima GTR and Ultima Evolution are available as a fastback or convertible design.
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Build Your Own Ultima Evolution
The Ultima Evolution, being the most current model in the brand’s lineup is easily the best choice for those seeking to build a supercar in their home garage.
The Evolution is available in three different powertrain configurations:
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.2 L LS3 V8: 480 hp (358 kW)
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7.0 L LS7 V8: 700 hp (522 kW)
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6.8 L supercharged LS V8: 1,020 hp (761 kW) and 920 lbâ‹…ft (1,247 Nâ‹…m)
The Evolution is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission manufactured by Porsche and mounted transversely on the car.
The Ultima uses a double wishbone suspension on the front and rear axles, with coilover springs that allow for adjustment of bump, rebound, and ride height.
The car’s chassis is a tubular steel space frame paneled with 5251 aluminum alloy, and has a built-in roll cage for structural rigidity and safety. The car’s body is made out of glass-reinforced plastic, with optional carbon fiber wing mirrors and front splitter.
The Evolution is equipped with 18-inch forged alloy wheels with an optional 19-inch upgrade available. The tires are manufactured by Michelin with codes of 245/35 for the front and 335/30 for the rear. The brakes are vented discs, with a diameter of 12.7 inches at the front and rear.
The Evolution’s seats and dashboard are finished in leather and alcantara depending on the selected options. In place of a center console, the Evolution features a large, stainless steel manual shifter and handbrake. The in-car entertainment system and optional satellite navigation system are manufactured by Alpine Electronics.
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Build the Car of Your Dreams
With the Ultima GTR or Ultima Evolution, it is possible to build a real, high performance supercar, right in your home garage. Whether you are an experienced hobby builder or complete amateur, Ultima supercars are extremely user-friendly.
If you are looking for an exciting supercar project to complete at home, consider the Ultima GTR or Evolution!
Sources: Motor Authority, Ultima Sports