Whoever said that V8 sports cars with manual gearboxes were dead? Certainly not anyone from Ginetta, the British specialist builder. The Leeds-based firm has just revealed the Akula, a 600-hp street-legal supercar packing a 6.4-litre V8 that’s mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.
The two-seat coupé, which has morphed from the 2019 concept of the same name meaning “shark” in Russian, has an aggressive exterior with aerodynamics inspired by Le Mans racers and a 473-liter boot that surpasses that of a Ford Puma.
According to Ginetta, it is a continent-crosser that embodies purest form motorsport engineering. Because of its carbon fibre monocoque and subframe, the Akula weighs only 1190 kg. Its front mid-engined placed V8 can reach 62 mph from a standing start in 2.9 seconds, producing 600 horsepower and 494 lb ft of torque at 5100 rpm. That is as quick as the Maserati MC20’s.
Power is channeled to the rear wheels via either a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox or a 6-speed manual. For maximum grip the Ginetta is shod with Pirelli P Zero rubber, which are an integral part of the handling package.
Key to this on-road prowess was the location of the V8, which gave it a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution and meant longer wishbones could be fitted, allowing engineers to create an adjustable, suspension set-up that delivers “a pure and totally uncompromised handling experience”.
Stopping power comes from 360mm front and rear discs – steel as standard or carbon-ceramic for those who add the Race Pack – and four-piston calipers. That options pack also includes six-point racing harnesses, Ginetta racing decals and a full race suit, excluding helmet. Inside, a carbon-fibre multifunction racing wheel is fitted, along with a Ginetta-developed infotainment screen and wireless charger.
Only 20 Akula will be built say Ginetta, with each car priced from £275,000 before local taxes. This car joins the recently launched G56 GTR sports car and ‘remastered’ 1960s G10 in Ginetta’s road going lineup.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Anyone with a bent for old-world British coachbuilding and V8 engines with manual gearboxes, this is the car you should have. With its racing accents, it looks outrageous on the road, and will give any driver the ultimate thrills with its rare manual box mated to a thumping V8. There just ain’t that many around anymore.