Lanzante 95-59 supercar debuts at Goodwood: lighter than a hot hatch, but with 635kW
Image: Supplied
UK engineering firm Lanzante stepped into the spotlight in 1995 when it was tasked by McLaren to prepare the F1 supercar to compete at the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. That car went on to win the endurance race.
The company has now created its own supercar, the Lanzante 95-59. It debuts 30 years after that famous win in France. The name 95-59 explains the story of where this latest Lanzante project started out: 95 was the year Lanzante claimed its victory at Le Mans, and 59 was the race number of the winning car.
Fittingly, just 59 examples will be produced. The price for each is quoted as £1,020,000, that's about R25m at today's exchange rate.
The Lanzante 95-59 is based around an all-new carbon-fibre monocoque. The passenger cell was designed to accommodate three occupants, with the driver placed in the middle of the cabin, just like the famous McLaren F1.
The Lanzante 95-59 was designed unashamedly around the driver.
Image: Supplied
The same treatment has been applied to the F1's spiritual successor, the GMA T.50, as well as the McLaren Speedtail. The company says every decision has been made with the driver as the main focus. As a result of the widespread adoption of lightweight materials, Lanzante is targeting a mass of under 1,300 kg, less than your typical hot hatch.
The Lanzante 95-59 is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8. The 4.0-litre unit (which we guess comes from McLaren) is quoted as producing in excess of 635kW (850 hp). A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends 880Nm of torque to the rear axle. Although no performance claims have been made, we'll just assume that the latest member of the supercar club is going to be suitably rapid.
The man responsible for the 95-59's design is Paul Howse, the same chap who penned the McLaren P1.
'95-59 has a very natural balance to it By its very design, with the driver as the focal point, it works as a piece of design, with symmetry and very natural forms,' explains Howse.
'The design is a continuing development of my design theory, based on the efficiencies of organic shapes, and we have worked hard to deliver something that pushes the boundaries.'
The show car, as seen here and debuted, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed is finished in the same shade of grey as the race-winner.
"95-59 is the result of everything I personally and we, as a business, have learned and experienced over three decades since winning Le Mans," Dean Lanzante enthused.
"Crossing the finish line at Le Mans was actually the start of this journey to where Lanzante is now, and we are always looking to push boundaries and perceptions. The original brief of 'Project 95-59' was to create something accessible and useable, for drivers.
"Three seats, luggage space, enhanced range; something drivers could, and wanted, to use. We wanted to deliver the same enjoyment and passion of buying and owning a classic car but in a contemporary way. Full focus on what the driver needs and wants, with a blend of modern technologies but pared back to maintain driver focus," Lanzante concluded.
Story courtesy of Double Apex
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