Another cutting-edge Italian supercar

[mv]

The ground-breaking Mauro Forghieri-headed Project 1221 supercar, codenamed MF1, has the 1001bhp Bugatti Veyron firmly in its sights as it was revealed that it will have 'four digit power output'.

"Four digit power, four-wheel drive, a choice of manual or automatic gearbox, choice of only rear-wheel drive, the possibility to select power output and option choice to turn off traction control."These were some of the fresh new details to emerge today as the mysterious Project 1221 consortium 'dripped' out more information. Details that serve to make the whole project seem even more ground breaking.

Project 1221's press release today stated that "Planning and preparations are earnestly under way for the summer introduction of the marque or rather for the 'mise en scene' of the unveiling of the cryptic essence of Project 1221".

Chief engineer of Project 1221 is the legendary Mauro Forghieri, who will lead a dedicated development team that will also receive input from strategic engineering partner, Oral Engineering. Emanuele Nicosia, who now runs Design Service Network (DSN), a Swiss-based concern, heads up the design team, while Anna Visconti, who along with Nicosia founded Turin-based Beestudio in 1990, and is also a key player in DSN, will be responsible for the production development of the existing interior design concept. Lastly, Andreas Andrianos, is the Chief Executive of Project 1221, which will undertake the actual building, marketing and all the commercial aspects of this programme.

Today's media information, their third such release in the last month and a half, offered a small further insight into the technology of the project: "As to the MF1 itself we can confirm that it has four-digit horsepower and therefore not surprisingly, considering its intended role as an everyday car, permanent four-wheel-drive. Nevertheless, a rear-wheel-drive version - for the brave - is also being developed in parallel.

"Remaining in the transmission theme, the specification includes both manual and automatic gear change. As for the level of maximum available power, it could be instantly pre-selected by the driver according to varying conditions or whim.

In any case this feature is complemented by an 'on/off' traction control, which should be appreciated by most ", it concludes. Another helping of information from Project 1221, but this cutting-edge project still remains as mysterious as ever.

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars...1/02/2402.html
+ other articles : http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars...1/01/2501.html
http://www.italiaspeed.com/2005/cars...1/01/0801.html

Sadly no pictures as of yet.

[mv]

Just a tiny update : the engine will rev 10 000+ rpm.

[LateNightCable]

With a warranty of more than 90 days or 100 miles, which ever comes first? Sounds like pie in the sky, but I'd like to see it.

[wEstSide]

That just pegged my bogometer. Did you mention the "caballa oscuro" Viper?

[skyline_r34v]

Here we go with another Veyron-like flop *rolls eyes*

[mv]

It will be either the best supercar ever or another veyron, that's for sure.

[LateNightCable]

I'd be a little surprised if this actually gets off the ground. When you get a bunch of ambitious entities together to form a project like this, without some kind of solid factory support from somebody. Plans (and financing) can fall through pretty quickly.

If the Veyron teaches us anything, it's that creating such a car, or like the Project 1221 is a challenge, even for a major automaker. It takes time, hard work, and lots and lots of money. Just ask VW.

[mv]

Well, I reckon the veyron could have been finalised and released a while ago, if they hadn't based it on such an unappropriate design and hadn't wanted to use the DSG gearbox. These were the only big issues.

[wEstSide]

Of course, but anyone can build a 1000 horsepower car. Look at how many drag cars there are, it's not rocket science. The hard part was building one with a DSG, and all sorts of crazy shit. That takes bankful of money and a retirement home of time.

[mv]

You're basically right but building a 1000hp road legal car is not as easy as building a dragster... There are emissions, safety standarts to pass, it has to be quite reliable etc.