www.carrozzieri-italiani.com

The ultimate italian coachbuilder site

A closer look24 April 2024 by Andreas 374 Viewed

The Aspark Owl: The fastest EV Hypercar in the World

At the intersection of innovation and automotive excellence, the Aspark Owl emerges as a breathtaking testament to engineering prowess. Boasting a mind-boggling acceleration that catapults it from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in less than two seconds, the Aspark Owl isn’t just a hypercar; it’s a marvel of speed and electrifying performance. 

Crafted by the Italian manufacturer Manifattura Automobili Torino (M.A.T.) for the visionary Japanese firm Aspark, this all-electric masterpiece has been in development since 2018 with a singular ambition: to claim the title of the fastest accelerating electric car in the world. With a limited production run of just 50 units and a price tag of €2.5 million, the Aspark Owl isn’t merely a vehicle; it’s an exclusive work of art destined to redefine the boundaries of automotive excellence. From its conceptual unveiling at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show to its awe-inspiring production version showcased at the Dubai International Motor Show in November 2019, the Aspark Owl has captured the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide, setting a new standard for electric hypercars and leaving a trail of adrenaline in its wake.

Introducing Manifattura Automobili Torino

Founded in 2014, M.A.T. stands as a crucible where automotive special projects come to life, seamlessly blending the artistry of carrozzieri with cutting-edge technological research.

In a captivating interview with Riccardo Garella, he unveils the essence of M.A.T.’s mission—to transform automotive dreams into tangible, high-performance realities. From design to engineering to manufacturing, M.A.T. navigates the entire spectrum, specializing in one-off, few-off, and very limited serials production.

The New Stratos

The spotlight shines on two remarkable projects spearheading M.A.T.’s legacy: the iconic new Stratos, a modern reinterpretation of the 1970s legend, and the groundbreaking Aspark Owl, an electric hypercar pushing the boundaries of technology and engineering in the niche manufacturing sector.

Garella proudly defines M.A.T. as a boutique car manufacturer—a dynamic team capable of breathing life into automotive dreams, from conceptualization to the moment the tires meet the road. Their commitment to being both humble and concrete is encapsulated in a simple yet powerful motto: “We do cars.” This philosophy reflects their dedication to making dreams a reality, one exceptional project at a time.

The Aspark Owl - The Brief

The genesis of the Aspark Owl is a tale unlike any other—an audacious challenge laid down by the Japanese powerhouse, Aspark, igniting a journey towards automotive excellence. Tasked with crafting an electric hypercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in under two seconds, Manifattura Automobili Torino (M.A.T.) embarked on an unprecedented odyssey.

While electric hypercars were uncharted territory for M.A.T., they embraced the challenge with characteristic determination. Their approach began with meticulous feasibility studies to ascertain the viability of Aspark’s ambitious vision. Once assured of the goal’s achievability, M.A.T. delved into the heart of the project—the development phase.

Distinguished by their role as integrators of cutting-edge technologies and components, M.A.T. leveraged existing advancements as a springboard for innovation. They meticulously dissected Aspark’s requirements, identifying the precise systems and technologies necessary to achieve the blistering acceleration demanded by the client.

Aspark Owl

Yet, Aspark’s vision extended beyond sheer performance. With a desire for a design that pushed the boundaries of automotive aesthetics, Aspark presented M.A.T. with a distinctive challenge—to create a vehicle standing under one meter in height. This stringent brief, coupled with the imperative for unprecedented acceleration, encapsulated the essence of the Aspark Owl project—a fusion of innovation, precision, and uncompromising vision.

The story of the Aspark Owl is one of relentless pursuit—an unyielding commitment to transcending limits and redefining what’s possible in the realm of automotive engineering. And as the narrative unfolds, it unveils not just a remarkable hypercar, but a testament to the power of collaboration, ingenuity, and the pursuit of automotive perfection.

Crafting the Aspark Owl: Engineering Marvels, Compromises, and Unparalleled Performance

The development journey of the Aspark Owl wasn’t just about engineering breakthroughs; it was also about reimagining the interior experience. With the challenge of accommodating batteries and maintaining an ultra-low profile, conventional seating arrangements became impractical. This prompted a radical redesign, resulting in a unique interior concept.

Instead of traditional seats, the Aspark Owl boasts upholstery pads directly connected to the chassis via a carbon fiber structure. This not only maximizes space efficiency but also enhances the driver’s connection to the vehicle, reminiscent of Formula 1 or race car seating positions. The result is an intimate cockpit where every element is meticulously tailored around the driver, offering a blend of luxury and performance.

Aspark Owl

Customization options extend beyond mere aesthetics, allowing clients to personalize color schemes, materials, and stitching. Despite the compact layout, the interior feels surprisingly roomy, providing ample comfort without compromising on the exhilarating driving experience.

At the core of the Aspark Owl lies a marvel of engineering— a carbon fiber monocoque chassis weighing a mere 120 kg (265 lb). This lightweight yet robust construction ensures exceptional strength and agility, essential for achieving the car’s extraordinary performance benchmarks.

To optimize aerodynamics and stability, the Owl features a meticulously crafted carbon fiber bodywork, complemented by strategic design elements such as an active rear wing and wing mirrors. The integration of double wishbone suspension with hydraulic dampers and torque vectoring further enhances handling precision, offering unparalleled control on any terrain.

Developing an electric hypercar capable of sub-two-second acceleration presented formidable technical hurdles. Managing weight distribution, battery efficiency, and tire performance were critical aspects that demanded meticulous attention.

M.A.T.’s expertise in system integration and cutting-edge technology played a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges. Through meticulous engineering and software optimization, they achieved the perfect balance of power and torque required to meet the ambitious acceleration targets.

From conceptualization to production, M.A.T. exemplifies niche manufacturing excellence. With in-house capabilities spanning design, engineering, and production, they orchestrated every aspect of the Aspark Owl’s journey, culminating in a groundbreaking achievement that pushes the boundaries of electric hypercar performance.

Performance Beyond Boundaries: Aspark Owl Breaks Speed Barriers

In the latest round of exhilarating tests, the Aspark Owl once again demonstrated its prowess, achieving a mind-boggling acceleration from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in an astounding 1.72 seconds. This staggering feat solidifies the Owl’s position as a frontrunner in the realm of electric hypercars, pushing the boundaries of what was once considered impossible.

The performance accolades continue with the Aspark Owl achieving a remarkable 0 to 300 kilometers per hour acceleration time in under 10 seconds—an unrivaled accomplishment that crowns it as arguably the fastest accelerating electric hypercar in existence.

Aspark Owl

Not stopping at acceleration, the Aspark Owl is set to redefine top speeds, reaching an astonishing 418.429 kilometers per hour (260 miles per hour). If accomplished, this would officially make it the fastest accelerating production car globally—a title that underscores the cutting-edge engineering and relentless pursuit of performance by the Aspark team.

But speed isn’t the Owl’s only triumph; it marries performance with practicality. The electric hypercar boasts an impressive range of approximately 250 miles, making it not only a speed demon but also a formidable contender in the electric vehicle market. What’s more, the Aspark Owl redefines the notion of downtime, with a rapid charging capability that allows the car to be fully charged in just 40 minutes.

As the Aspark Owl continues to shatter records and redefine expectations, it stands as a testament to the boundless potential of electric hypercars. With each acceleration, it propels us into a new era of automotive excellence, where speed, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology converge in a symphony of engineering brilliance.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

Posts You Might Like

A closer look 31 January 2023

The Maserati A6-GCS/53 Berlinetta by Pininfarina

After WW2, Maserati introduced a new race car based on the prewar 6CM model, named A6 after Alfieri, one of the Maserati brothers, and its Straight-6 engine layout. In 1947 a 2-seater version with a 2-Liter engine was developed called GCS which stands for Ghisa (the Italian for cast iron, referring to its cylinder block), Corsa & Sport. Later a new version of the GCS was developed to take part in the 1st FIA World Sportscar Championship series going to start in 1953, which was bodied as a Spyder designed by Fantuzzi and Fiandri and coded with its birth date: A6-GCS/53.

2 Comments 732 Viewed
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

The early 1900s marked the birth of a new automotive concept: the station wagon. Originating in the United States around 1910, independent builders crafted wooden bodies for the chassis of Ford Model T cars. Initially conceived as commercial versions of sedan cars tailored for the working class, they were often referred to as carryalls, denoting their ability to carry a multitude of goods thanks to their spacious cargo compartments compared to traditional torpedo bodies.

In 1923, American manufacturer Star (a division of Durant Motors) made history by being the first to offer a station wagon assembled on its production line, utilizing a wooden frame bolted to the car’s body. However, these wooden structures demanded constant maintenance due to the natural expansion and contraction of wood, necessitating regular tightening of bolts and screws.

The tide turned when the Essex Closed Coach introduced the first mass-produced car with a fully enclosed steel body in 1929. Ford followed suit by officially producing Model T cars destined for wagon conversion in 1935, while General Motors unveiled its inaugural passenger transport station wagon, the Chevrolet Suburban, in 1935. This marked the onset of a wagon boom, as they were increasingly seen not only as spacious cargo haulers but also as versatile family vehicles.

One exemplary model was the 1941 Chrysler Town & Country, a luxurious wagon that positioned itself at the zenith of Chrysler’s lineup. In Europe, the first family-oriented cars emerged in the 1930s. Citroën introduced the Traction Avant Familiale in 1935, an elongated version of its Traction Avant model with three windows and a third row of seats, offering seating for nine passengers. In England, the Commer, based on the Hillman Minx Magnificent, debuted two years later.

Italy’s entry into the station wagon market came in the post-war years, courtesy of Carrozzeria Viotti‘s “functional body” design by Mario Revelli, built on the Fiat 1100 chassis. Revelli, who had previously worked on converting civilian cars into military vehicles during the war, envisioned applying similar solutions to civilian automobiles, facilitating versatile usage.

Despite its practicality, this new vehicle type faced lukewarm reception in Italy initially, perhaps due to its aesthetic resemblance to ambulances and hearses, from which it derived. Consequently, only compact family cars gained traction, as their diminutive size didn’t evoke associations with emergency or funeral vehicles.

Giardinetta or Giardiniera? Let's Clarify

Let’s clarify the distinction between the terms “Giardiniera” and “Giardinetta.” Is it accurate to label all station wagons from this era as “Giardinetta”? No, and here’s why: The debut of the first Italian family car, the Fiat 1100 Viotti Giardinetta, in 1946 marked a significant milestone. Vittorio Viotti, proud of his pioneering courage in bringing such a model to the market, had trademarked the term “Giardinetta.” Following this, other carrozzerie, such as Fissore, quickly presented their proposals. Even Fiat itself joined the competition two years later with the Fiat “Topolino” Giardiniera. 

The term “Giardiniera” was chosen to align with Viotti’s trademarked “Giardinetta,” which couldn’t be used by others. Consequently, other manufacturers adopted the term “Giardiniera,” although the public was accustomed to using “Giardinetta” due to Viotti’s early introduction of station wagons in Italy post-war. Eventually, the moniker “Metallica” was appended to these models to emphasize their metal construction rather than wood. This designation, “Giardiniera Metallica,” was primarily adopted by Francis Lombardi, Fissore, and Coriasco, distinguishing their models as contemporary interpretations of the classic station wagon, merging practicality with elegance.

Viotti: Pioneering the Giardinetta

In the aftermath of World War II, Viotti spearheaded efforts to revitalize the Italian coachbuilding industry, both within his own company and among his competitors. As a leader within the Carriage Builders Group of ANFIA (the National Fascist Association of Automobile Manufacturers, renamed the National Association of Automobile Industries), Viotti proposed the creation of a consortium to produce a new type of vehicle. This concept, developed in collaboration with stylist Mario Revelli di Beaumont, was named the Giardinetta.

The Giardinetta was a versatile vehicle designed for both passenger and cargo transport, constructed partially from wood to address the scarcity of steel immediately after the war. Its wooden body proved economical and adaptable, capable of being mounted on old Fiat 1100s and Lancia Aprilias still in use. The Giardinetta quickly gained popularity, with its formula being emulated by competitors, sparking a trend in the automotive industry within a few short years.

Despite skepticism from his colleagues, who viewed the concept as too American, Viotti forged ahead with production independently. By the late 1940s, he also resumed the production of custom-built luxury cars, particularly based on the Fiat 1100 and 1500 platforms. However, it was the Giardinetta that primarily occupied Viotti’s attention, leading to its development on various bases, including luxurious offerings such as those based on the Fiat 1900, Lancia Aurelia, and Alfa Romeo 6C 2500.

Designed mainly by Michelotti, these later iterations of the Giardinetta prioritized aesthetic appeal over functionality, transforming the utilitarian vehicle into a fashion phenomenon. Initially, other coachbuilders declined Viotti’s offer to collaborate, except for Carrozzeria Fissore of Savigliano, in the province of Cuneo. However, they later reconsidered as the Giardinetta gained immense popularity and was subsequently imitated by competitors, including Frua, Savio, Riva, and renowned Milanese firms such as Castagna, Boneschi, and Zagato with some speciments built with the Panoramica body.

The Fiat 1100 Panoramica Giardiniera by Zagato

It’s worth mentioning the station wagon based on the Fiat 1100/1200, dubbed the “Sleeping” for its ability to fold down the seats to create a space for sleeping. The last original small-series creations were the Fiat 1300/1500 Giardinetta, which didn’t achieve the anticipated success. This was partly due to Fiat’s decision to introduce its own family version of the model a few months after the sedan’s launch, offering it at lower costs and thus limiting the production of Viotti station wagons to just 50 units between the 1300 and 1500 models.

At that point, production was divided between “giardinetta” and “giardinetta metallica” convertibles, and customizations of standard vehicles. Indeed, Viotti was gradually moving away from building unique cars to focus, like other carrozzerie without their own chassis, on “American styling” standard vehicles such as the Fiat 600 and Lancia Appia, equipping them with chrome fittings and other accessories in vogue at that time across the Atlantic.

Following Vittorio Viotti’s death in 1956, the carrozzeria was engulfed in the crisis that affected manufacturers of derived cars and ultimately closed its doors for good in 1964.

The Fiat Topolino: Revolutionizing Mobility

In the aftermath of World War II, the Fiat Topolino became a symbol of resilience and adaptability in Italy. Used Topolinos were plentiful, sourced from the fields of ARAR (the Agency for Recovery and Disposal of War Surplus), with even damaged ones salvaged from bomb sites. If the bodywork was salvageable, repairs were made; if irreparable, they were transformed into racing barchettas. Topolino vans were converted into Giardinettas by adding two windows and a rear bench, offering a convenient solution to the nation’s pressing mobility needs in the post-war reconstruction era.

Once again, the visionary behind this transformation was Revelli, who, undoubtedly familiar with pre-war American woody wagons, found in Viotti the ideal collaborator to bring his ideas to fruition. The “wooden Giardinetta” phenomenon was revolutionary, addressing the chronic shortage of steel even after the war’s end. It could be constructed relatively easily and was incredibly practical, serving artisans and small traders alike for both work and family needs. Moreover, it could be fashioned from heavily damaged used cars, offering a cost-effective solution for many.

Practically every professional in the automotive sector, from large firms to small workshops, seized upon this opportunity. In 1948, even Fiat joined the fray, producing the elegant 500B Giardiniera Belvedere at the Lingotto Special Bodywork Department. However, as conditions normalized, the market gradually shifted back to traditional custom-built vehicles, although the legacy of the Topolino Giardinetta continued to resonate as a testament to ingenuity and resourcefulness during a challenging period in Italian history.

The Success of the Giardinetta

Following their initial introduction, Giardinetta vehicles experienced remarkable success, becoming sought-after commodities in various automotive circles.

Carrozzeria Monterosa emerged as a key player in the station wagon construction niche, capitalizing on the strong demand for utility vehicles during the reconstruction period. Monterosa’s station wagons, primarily constructed on Fiat 1100 and Lancia Aprilia platforms, were renowned for their quality and versatility, seamlessly transitioning from commercial to leisure use. Initially focused on Giardiniera production, Monterosa occasionally ventured into crafting ambulances, hearses, and advertising vehicles, later extending their repertoire to include models based on the new Fiat 1400 and Lancia Aurelia.

Unlike Viotti’s wooden Giardinette construction, Monterosa employed initially metal, reaping the benefits of durability and ease of maintenance. The Giardiniera’s popularity soared to such heights that it even warranted dedicated categories in prestigious concours d’elegance events, such as the “Promiscua” category.

Noteworthy examples of Giardinette success include the Fiat 1100 C Saloncino, which won an award at the 1949 Pincio Elegance Concours in Rome, the Fiat 1400 Giardinetta Viotti at the Pincio in 1950, and the already mentioned Fiat 1400 Giardinetta Monterosa at the Venice Concours d’Elegance in 1950.

Another triumph was the Moretti 600 Giardinetta, which participated in the World Raid of 120,000 kilometers across Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. Piloted by Luciano Albiero and Giulio Piccoli from June 14, 1952, to June 12, 1955, the Moretti 600 Giardinetta’s robustness was attested by having its engine sealed by a notary.

The evolution of Giardinetta variants also witnessed creative innovations, exemplified by Carrozzeria Savio’s Venilia, a convertible Giardiniera. Such adaptations underscored the Giardiniera’s evolution from utilitarian work vehicles to leisure and family-oriented automobiles, reflecting the dynamic nature of automotive design and consumer preferences during the post-war era.

Conclusion

As we conclude our exploration of the remarkable journey of the Giardinette, it’s evident that these versatile vehicles left an indelible mark on automotive history. From their humble beginnings as utilitarian workhorses to their transformation into symbols of elegance and leisure, Giardinettes embodied the resilience, creativity, and adaptability of post-war Italy.

Driven by necessity yet guided by ingenuity, craftsmen and manufacturers alike found inspiration in the Giardinette’s blend of practicality and style. From Monterosa’s sturdy metal constructions to Viotti’s iconic wooden bodies, each iteration showcased the evolving aspirations and aspirations of a nation rebuilding itself.

Whether gracing the podiums of prestigious concours d’elegance or embarking on epic transcontinental journeys, Giardinettes captivated hearts and minds, symbolizing the spirit of a generation determined to forge a brighter future.

As we bid farewell to these timeless icons, let us remember the legacy they leave behind: a testament to the power of innovation, the pursuit of excellence, and the enduring allure of Italian craftsmanship.

© 2023 Carrozzieri-italiani.com
Handcrafted with love in Italy 🇮🇹