Vector W8

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vector W8

Manufacturer	Vector Supercars
Production	1990–1993
Predecessor	Vector W2
Successor	Vector WX3
Class	Supercar
Body style	2-door coupe
Similar	Ferrari F40 Jaguar XJ220 Lamborghini Diablo McLaren F1 Bugatti EB110 SS
Designer	Gerald Wiegert

The Vector W8 was the first American super car produced from 1989 to 1993. It was manufactured by Vector Aeromotive (see Vector Supercars), and was designed by Gerald Wiegert, and David Kostka. The newest, and most advanced methods of manufacture were used in building the W8s, justifying the name "Aeromotive Engineering." Group C racing technology came into play with the aluminum honeycomb semi-monicoque, and roughly 5,000 aircraft specification rivets. Everything on the Vector was designed to last the life of the owner, given that the owner maintained the vehicle. The body was made largely of lightweight carbon kevlar, known for its strength, and lightness. Just 22 W8s were produced (17 customer cars and two pre-production cars, the prototype W2, and two prototype Avtech WX-3 with a mock up of the 7.0 liter DOHC TT engine evolution), the car retailing for up to $455,000 USD new (on today's used market they are available from less than $200,000, to well over $1,000,000)

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 (634 PS/466 kW) at 5700 rpm and 834 N·m (650 ft·lbf) 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. Later aerodynamic testing further honed efficiancy bringing Cd. down to just .32 prior to DOT crash testing in Ann Arbor, MI. Some may notice the subtle changes to the body from the first car, through the later cars. These include the elimination of some gills, a lower front facia, and air splitter, revised rear wing, mirror intakes, and front grill. All in all, this lead to substantial downforce without needing the W-2's massive rear wing. Evidence of the aerodynamic capablities exsist today, as seen on a video on Jabbasworld, Youtube, and Nthimage. After the top speed testing was completed, no more Vector W8's were fitted with a removable glass roof, as buffeting occurred at those extreme speeds.

The W8 was essentially an upgrade of the same company's earlier prototype, the Vector W2. Among the famous customers for the car was tennis star Andre Agassi, who had his car delivered for his birthday party. Late that night, he had an infamous incident when his car locked up, and spun during excessive speeds without all the necessary radiators installed. He was half way from his home towared Las Vegas. Vector claims that this is because he demended for his car before it could be finished, and he ignored their recommendations not to drive it until they could do the final work.^{[citation needed]} Vector intended to follow the W8 with the Vector WX-3 and Vector WX-3R, but series production never got off the ground. Production of the W8 ended in 1993, when the company was illegally taken over by Megatech, but Wiegert won back the design copyrights, equipment, and remaining unsold cars, including the car in a VW museum in Germany.

A red W8 made a rare appearance in the 1993 movie Rising Sun starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes. The car was owned by the character Eddie.