Vector W8
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vector W8 | |
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| Manufacturer | Vector Motors |
| Production | 1989–1993 |
| Predecessor | Vector W2 |
| Successor | Vector WX3 |
| Body style(s) | 2-door coupe |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Designer | Gerald Wiegert |
The Vector W8 was produced from 1989 to 1993. It was manufactured by Vector Motors, and was designed by Gerald Wiegert and David Kostka. The company claimed the newest and most advanced methods of manufacture were used in building the W8s, which they said justified applying to the car the term "Aeromotive Engineering." The aluminum honeycomb semi-monocoque was derived from Group C racing technology, and roughly 5,000 aircraft specification rivets were used in the car's assembly. Everything on the Vector was designed to last the life of the owner, assuming reasonable maintenance. 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 originally sold at retail for up to $455,000 USD new (on today's used market they are available from less than $200,000 to well over $1 million.)
The car was based around a Rodeck resleevable V8 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 top speed was reached while still using the "high downforce" wing. Later aerodynamic testing further honed efficiency, bringing the car's drag coefficient (Cd.) down to just .32 prior to DOT crash testing in Ann Arbor, MI. The W8 design included subtle changes to the body during the production run, so that the initial car off the line looked slightly different from the last. These include the elimination of some gills, a lower front fascia and air splitter, revised rear wing, mirror intakes, and front grill. All in all, this led to substantial downforce without the use of the W-2's massive rear wing. Evidence of the aerodynamic capabilities exists today, as seen on a video on Jabbasworld, YouTube, and Nthimage. After the top speed testing was completed, no more Vector W8s were fitted with a removable glass roof, due to buffeting that 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, on a high-speed drive to Las Vegas, his car reportedly locked up and spun halfway there, and it was later determined that Agassi's model had not had all the necessary radiators installed. Vector claims that this is because he demanded delivery before the car 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.
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.
