New Zealand Supercar in honour of Denny Hulme shapes up for build
Auckland, New Zealand, 12 January, 2009: New Zealand-based Hulme Supercars has released the latest photograph of its two-seat Hulme CanAm road car, driven in the company of Greeta Hulme, widow of the late Denny Hulme, in whose honour the marque is named.
Celebrating Hulme’s F1 World Championship in 1967 and the New Zealander’s CanAm series victories in 1968 and 1970, the Hulme CanAm takes conceptual, engineering and styling cues from current Formula One and sports racing car technology.
Created for both road and track use, the car blends the raw flavour and appeal of a formula racing car with dramatic design, traditional craftsmanship, exceptional performance and a thrilling driving experience.
Designed and hand-built by the Hulme technology team in New Zealand - including members responsible for the nation’s America’s Cup triumph - in co-operation with Massey University, the road-legal CanAm features an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tub and bodywork and race-orientated chassis, suspension and braking, and is powered by a hand-built 7-litre (427cu.in) Chevrolet V8 developing 600bhp and 600Nm torque, fed through a close-ratio, six-speed CIMA gearbox.
As a consequence of its lightweight construction, the Hulme CanAm weighs in at less than 1,000kg but, despite its sensational performance and emphatic race car credentials, Hulme Supercars’ design and development focus has been on driveability, with power delivery and handling dynamics optimised for maximum driving enjoyment on track and on the road.
Hulme Supercars first unveiled a prototype - a closed cockpit derivative of the CanAm - at the UK’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2006, before inviting and assessing further consumer opinion at high-status events in the Middle East and China.
Positive feedback has led to the development of the open-top CanAm, and the unveiling of the pre-production car, which will now enter an extensive dynamic testing phase, prior to build of the production model.
Commenting on the CanAm following a drive in the pre-production car with Hulme Supercars’ founder and Managing Director, Jock Freemantle, Greeta Hulme said: The car is the most wonderful tribute to Denny, and I feel sure he would have applauded the sheer spirit, enthusiasm, technical expertise and craftsmanship that has come together in the creation of it.”
The Hulme CanAm is scheduled for limited production build in 2010, with a provisional price of Euro 295,000. The development of further model derivatives is planned, including a Coupe version.
Public viewing and demonstration run
The New Zealand public and A1GP race fans will have the opportunity to see the Hulme CanAm in its first public viewing, and demonstration run, at the forthcoming A1GP at Taupo at 11 am on Friday, 23 January. The car will be on display throughout the meeting.
Following the A1GP, the Hulme CanAm will be on display at the F5000 race meeting, again in Taupo, on the 31 January/1February, and at Ruapuna on the 7/8 February, Levels on the 14/15 February, Teretonga on the 21/22 February, and Manfield on the 28 February/1 March.
Caption: Greeta Hulme enjoys an outing with Jock Freemantle, Hulme Supercars MD, in the 600bhp pre-production Hulme CanAm, built as a tribute to her late husband, Denny Hulme
www.hulmesupercars.com
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