The original philosophy of Vector was very interesting. Since American was never the expert of supercars, Vector’s creator Gerald Wiegert thought he could create a supercar based on the most sophisticated aircraft technology of his country. The first Vector W8 really employed many aerospace technology: its aluminium space frame chassis was bonded by epoxy and rivets in aircraft style, the floor was aluminium honeycomb structure, the body consisted of carbon fiber, Kevlar and some glass-fiber. The aluminium brake caliper had 4 pistons. The speedo was implemented by CRT screens.
The car was based around a Rodeck resleevable V8 engine racing engine, coupled to a three-speed B+M modified transmission. The engine had twin turbochargers, which produced an advertised 625 hp at 5700 rpm and 650 lbs-ft of torque. The W8 had an estimated top speed of 200+ mph (338 km/h). However, in testing at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the W-2 reached 242 mph (389 km/h) with the less powerful Donovan block; as reported by Top Wheels magazine. This was reached while still using the "high downforce" wing.
ENGINE
- Type: Aluminum alloy 90 degree V-8.
- Displacement: 6.0 Iiters.
- Horsepower: 600+ 5700 RPM.
- Torque: 600+ ft./lbs. 4900 RPM.
- Block Construction: Blueprinted and balanced aluminum block with replaceable ductile iron cylinder liners, forged aluminum pistons, Carrillo rods, forged crankshaft.
- Cylinder Heads: aluminum, enlarged and polished ports, stainless steel valves, roller rocker arms.
- Cooling System: Water/ethylene glycol, forward high efficiency aluminum radiator, thermostatically controlled fan. Fuel System: electronic direct port fuel injection. Ignition System: electronic, direct fire.
- Turbo-chargers: Two Garrett AiResearch H3’s with water cooled housings. Intercooler: Air-to-air, dual pass high efficiency aluminum. Emisson Control: Closed loop injection/catalytic converters, unleaded fuel
DRIVETRAIN
- Transmission: Aluminum high performance racing manual/automatic, clutchless, ratchet shifter.
- Final Drive: Aluminum housing with ground helical spur gears, Gleason-Torsen differential.
- Ratio: 2.43:1.
BODY
- Construction: Hybrid composite of carbon, Kevlar, and S-glass unidirectional fibers in epoxy resin matrix. Strong, light, dent-proof, corrosion-free.
- Same repair procedures as fiber-glass.
CHASSIS
- Type: Semi-monocoque with full 4130 chrome moly tube steel roll cage.
- Construction: Structural steel tubing, aluminum monocoque structure, epoxy-bonded and riveted with aircraft fasteners, aluminum honeycomb panel reinforced. Corrosion resistant.
SUSPENSION
- Front: Unequal length A-arms, concentric coil adjustable shock absorbers.
- Rear: DeDion tube with four-trailing arms and lateral link,
- concentric coil adjustable shock absorbers.
STEERING
- Power assisted rack and pinion steering.
BRAKES
- Competition racing brakes: Four-wheel ventilated discs, 13.0 in. diameter front, 13.0 in. diameter rear, four piston aluminum calipers, braided stainless steel fluid lines.
WHEELS/TIRES
- Wheels Front/Rear: 3-piece modular, machined billet aluminum. 16 x 9.5 in./16 x 12.0 in.
- Tires Front/Rear: Michelin XGT+ radial 255-45ZR16/315-40ZR16. Certified by Michelin for 200 + MPH sustained operation.
DIMENSIONS & CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 103.0 in.
- Track Front/Rear: 63.0/65.0 in.
- Length: 172.0 in.
- Width: 76 in.
- Height: 42.5 in.
- Ground Clearance: 5.5 in.
- Oil Capacity: 12 qts.
- Water Capacity: 24.0 qts.
INSTRUMENTATION
- Aircraft type menu-driven reconfigurable electroluminescent display monitoring all vital pressures and temperatures with both digital and analog display formats.
SAFETY FEATURES
- Competition type steel roll cage, progressive crush impact protection, airbag, high impact aircraft-type fuel tank, braided stainless steel fluid lines and fire extinguisher.
STANDARD FEATURES
- Air conditioning, clutchless manual/automatic transmission, power steering, removable sunroof, Recaro"C" seats, leather interior, Wilton wool carpet, intermittent wipers, remote trunk release, tilt steering, Vector Stage 1 sound system, dual element rear wing.
