detroit midwestern mid-engine missle

2012 Detroit: Falcon F7 – Midwestern Mid-Engine Missile | MotorTrend (2012-01-09)

Many of the big fancy brands steer clear of the main floor at Cobo, and all of them throw a special pre-party at MGM Grand for the region’s fancy big-spenders, called “The Gallery.” All the usual suspects were present–Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lingenfelter, Maserati, Morgan, Rolls-Royce and others. Among the most interesting of these “others” was Falcon Motorsports, a company, best known for making body modification kits for Dodge Vipers, based in Holly Michigan, just north of Detroit. On display was the first production version of the F7 concept displayed at last year’s NAIAS .

F7 Concept
Falcon designed and produces the carbon-fiber two-chamber intake for the LS7 engine.VIN 001 runs a modified version of Chevrolet’s LS7 engine, upgraded with a custom carbon-fiber intake manifold that employs separate plenums for each cylinder bank and long intake runners. Along with a host of other improvements, the engine’s output jumps to 620 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque–plenty of oomph to motivate 2785 pounds of car. All that twist gets routed through a six-speed Ricardo transaxle like that of the late, great Ford GT. Like the Aventador parked nearby, all body panels are made of carbon-fiber. Unlike the Lambo, the frame is a hydroformed tube chassis and the body panels are made of pre-impregnated autoclaved sheet carbon fiber that only lends itself to very low volumes (the hope is to build 20 Falcon F7s per year, priced at $225,000). Most of the suspension is Corvette based.
Exposed aluminum elements from the monocoque give purposeful look to interior.The biggest visual change from last year is the interior, which gets a lot more supercar sparkle from the Spyker school of design. The gauges are in milled aluminum pods, mounted to aluminum arches that allow for adjustment of the gauge pods so as to be viewed through the steering wheel or over the top of the wheel (as shown here). The switchgear is also aircraft inspired, with toggle switches that include an ignition switch under a red protective flap. The Venzano leather interior is also of a much higher specification.
Elements of Ferrari design language are clearly present from behind.Company representative Jason Verbrugghe says the Falcon is an extreme car developed for serious drivers. Obviously a car this large weighing only 2785 pounds has little mass devoted to creature comforts and sound deadening. It’s all devoted to 6-piston calipers, big rotors, and that honking engine. We look forward to our first opportunity to test drive this mid-engine, Midwestern missile. For more info, www.FalconF7.com.
Headlamps are aftermarket units designed for the Dodge Avenger.
Motor Trend
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Got $225,000? The Gallery event has a luxury car for you | Detroit Free Press (2012-01-19)

They’ve flown to Detroit — many on their own jets — to sit inside some of the most luxurious cars in the world. Cars you won’t see written about from Cobo Center when the North American International Auto Show opens to the media Monday.

For the fifth year, 500 American Express Black Card members were selected to attend The Gallery at the MGM Grand Casino tonight.
More than two dozen cars from around the world, each one valued at $225,000 and up, sat on display at the event inside a heavily guarded room on the upper level of the Detroit casino.
“I think it’s something no one else is doing,” NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts said. “…You find a lot of shows that will be focused just with one brand, but it’s like a mini auto show on steroids of sort. It’s an ultra luxury, uber-luxury and only 28 cars because there are not a lot of cars in that bracket.”
Organizers estimate the event generates about $3 million in sales each year.
“We’ve had a gentleman buy one for his wife for her anniversary, right on the spot,” Alberts said. “She gets in the Bentley, goes, ‘I love this car,’ and he goes, ‘Happy anniversary.’”
Included at this year’s event are cars by Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Mach 7 Motor Sports, a Michigan-based company, featuring the Falcon F7 Series One.
“We are building these in Holly, Michigan,” Falcon Motor Sports marketing director Noel Thompson said. “And we’re real excited about it.”
The F7 actually premiered at last year’s NAIAS with the name Mach 7. Because of the overwhelming response, Falcon decided to start building it. The first one, with a sticker price of $250,000, is already sold.
“We have not officially tested this yet,” Thompson said, “but based on power-to-weight ratio we’re looking at probably between 190 to 200 miles per hour top speed and zero to 60 in 3.2 to 3.6 seconds, someplace in there.”
Most of the F7 is handmade. Twelve more are slated for production this year, with another 25 to be built in 2013.
“We don’t plan on growing this into a mass production vehicle at all. We plan on keeping it small and intimate,” Thompson said. “A lot of times people want what they can’t have. It’s nice to know that if you purchase one of these cars you’re going to have only one of 25 that’s available.”
Famed Chef Wolfgang Puck, who prepared the dinner for The Gallery guests at the Detroit casino, was seen browsing the luxury cars, including Bentley, during the media event this afternoon.
Although the event was not open to the public, organizers released tickets for 100 people, at a cost of $500 each.
Detroit Free Press
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The Top Five American Supercars of All Time | Posted on October 18, 2013 by Big Nate

Mosler MT900
The Mossler MT900 contains an LS7, 7-liter V8 engine that provides over 550 horsepower. It can reach top speeds of 180 mph. It has set many performance records thanks to its lightweight and advanced composite molding. It is one if the most practical supercars ever built.
 
Falcon F7
The Falcon F7 is another top American supercar. It can reach impressive speeds and goes from 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds. It’s a mean looking car that produces 620 horsepower from its LS7 motor. The carbon fiber body makes it lightweight as well. It’s definitely a contender in the category.
 
S Sc Ultimate Aero
The SSC Ultimate Aero is a classic supercar that is a great blend of European styling and American muscle car design. It is the only American car to set a record for being the fastest car in the world. This vehicle is powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 1,287 horsepower. It is extremely aerodynamic and has a unique AeroBrake system. This changes the angle of the rear spoiler during a hard brake.
 
Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
The Saleen S7 was a combination of classic design and top engineering. This car made a visual impact and performed like a gem. The “7″ in the name stands for the displacement of the base 530 horsepower OHV V8 engine. The titanium and magnesium used in the design was a testament to its unique style. One of the best features was the “scissor” doors.
 
Ford GT
The Ford GT is considered a supercar for its unique technology. The frame is super-plastic formed with aluminum body panels, includes a capless fuel fill system and an aluminum engine cover with a carbon fiber inside panel. The 5.4-liter modular V8 aluminum engine has a twin screw supercharger. When the back canopy is left open, the engine and suspension are visible. It produces 550 horsepower and reaches 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 212 mph.
 
The above cars make the list of the top five American supercars because they are unique in design and performance. Although they are far from common, they set the tone for amazing craftsmanship in the American auto industry.
top 10 american supercars

Top 10 American Supercars to Rival Lamborghini and Bugatti | Car ID (2011-08-11)

When we say “supercar”, we usually mean a mid-engine two-seater that boasts high performance, exotic look and min price of at least 6 digits. However, many people still think that a car can hardly belong to the supercar class if it’s not built in Europe. If you are among these peeps, prepare for the shocking truth – there is actually an array of full-fledged supercars manufactured on the other side of the Atlantic.
The Euro’s probably have the US beat on the sexy factor, because let’s be honest – the European design school is second to none. But, America’s got some superpower to offer, too. Maybe I will surprise someone, but there are at least 10 supercars that America can field against Ferrari, Bugatti and Lamborghini. Some of them are not produced anymore, some have yet to be produced, but every car on this list is badged as “proudly built in the USA”. So here they are, the past, present and future of the American supercars.
The Future
Shelby SSC Tuatara
Instead of giving the SSC Ultimate Aero more power to outrun Bugatti again, Shelby Supercars led by Jerod Shelby decided to make an all-new supercar to reclaim the title of the world’s fastest car. Meet the SSC Tuatara, which is named after the unique New Zealand lizard that has the fastest evolving DNA on the planet. Details on the Tuatara are still top secret but what is known is that the car will be powered by a 7.0-liter DOHC V8 twin-turbo cranking out around 1,350-hp. The car is expected to have a top speed of 442 km/h (275 mph).
2,000-hp ‘Lamborghini’ SF22
Alleluia! Potentially one of the most powerful supercars on Earth will be built right here in America by a Pennsylvania-based company called 215 Racing and its sub-company Mostro Di Potenza. The folks at 215 Racing got the exclusive rights to build the Lamborghini Indomable Concept. When produced, the model will be renamed the SF22, which stands for Street Fighter and the design influence provided by a F22 fighter jet. Only 50 units of SF22 will be made and each will be powered by a 9.4L twin-turbo V8 making 2,000-hp and 2,000 lb-ft of torque. That’s right, no typo here! Mated to a 6-speed sequential transmission, the SF22 will go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 265 mph.
The SF22 will be produced in the Philadelphia, PA area, at a rate of 2 per month. 215 is currently accepting orders for delivery in mid-2012. Prices start at $950,000. Well, let’s hope this project will not become another vaporware.
Saleen S5S Raptor
When Saleen, Inc introduced its S5S Raptor at the 2008 New York Auto Show everybody saluted the S7’s successor, which looked like a real Ferrari F-430 killer. Sadly, but development of the supercar has stopped as a result of the 2008 recession and the future of the project is still uncertain. The Raptor (btw, how many models dubbed Raptor can you count?) was originally intended to be equipped with a 5.0-liter supercharged Saleen engine capable to yield 650-hp. The price tag was planned to be set around $185,000 – roughly $400,000 less than the Raptor’s predecessor Saleen S7. Hopefully, the idea of building the S5S Raptor sit firm in Steven Saleen’s mind, and he will get enough funding to bring it to life in the near future.
The Present
Mach7 Falcon
The Falcon is the latest addition to the homegrown supercar line-up. Introduced at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in a concept form, it is expected to enter production in the near future in a limited run of just 15 cars per year. The car will be built by the Michigan-based company Mach7 Motorsports, also known as Viper tuner. The Falcon is going to be priced at $200,000, a way more affordable alternative to its American brothers, the SSC Ultimate Aero and the Saleem 7. The car is built on a Hydro-formed chassis with a Corvette-based LS3 V-8 engine making 500 hp slipped behind the passenger cabin. Depending on the angle, you can see a little Dodge Viper, Ferrari 430, and maybe a touch of the Pontiac GTO in its lines, so who knows, maybe the Mach7 Falcon will become the next Dodge Viper… At least, that’s probably the dream that motivates Motorsports Mach7 founders, Jeff and Carl Lemke.
Mosler MT900
No surprise if you have never heard about Mosler, but the truth is that while mainstreem supercar makers like Lamborghini were just starting to think about lightweight construction methods, Mosler have been quietly building featherweight monsters crafted from carbon fiber and Kevlar for years. The company currently produces the MT900R racer and the street-legal MT900S, as well as several unique project vehicles. The latest supercar produced by the Florida manufacturer is the is the 550-hp MT900S Photon, which takes power out of a Corvette Z06-derived 7.0-liter V8. As of January, 2011, a single Photon had been built and was sold for use in the United Kingdom. Right, it’s unfair that such a cool American supercar isn’t available in America. So if you know some patriot with some spare $395,000, contact Mosler Automotive.
Mosler’s next supercar, the Raptor, will boast 650HP and will weight 2,500 lbs, which is 500 lbs less than the recently introduced Pagani Huayra.
HTT Plethore LC-750
How many Canadian supercar brands do you know? Hard question, huh? Well, now you know at least one Canadian supercar, the HTT Pletore LC-750. It is developed by the Montreal-based HTT Technologies. Boasting a power range of impressive 750-1,300 hp coming from a 6.2-liter V8 engine, the Plethore is also an awesome looker. At the moment, orders for the production version of the car are being taken with the price tag set at $795,000 CAD.
Rossion Q1
Based in Pompano Beach, Florida, Rossion Automotive are the creators of another niche American supercar, the Rossion Q1, which is essentially a Noble M400 that has been given a refurbished interior and mildly restyled body. The Rossion Q1 is equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 making solid 450 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Claimed top speed is 189 mph. The car is now sold worldwide with a base price tag of $100,595.
The Past Legend
Ford GT
This car doesn’t need to be introduced. I will hardly make a mistake saying that the Ford GT is a quintessential American supercar, or better say, a Superamerican car.
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Production 2003–2008 (4,038 produced)
Engine 5.4 L Supercharged Modular V8
Transmission 6-speed manual
Wheelbase 106.7 in
Curb weight 3,485 lb
Original price $149,995
Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
Together with the SSC Ultimate Aero, the Saleen S7 used to be the flagship of the American supercar lineup. Developed jointly by Steve Saleen for the initial concept and direction, Hidden Creek Industries for resources and initial funding, Phil Frank for the body and interior design and development, and Ray Mallock Ltd. for the chassis engineering, the S7 was the only car produced by Saleen not based on an existing chassis. Saleen’s latest model, the 750-hp S7 Twin Turbo, went on sale for $585,296 USD in 2005 and was closed in 2008.
Manufacturer Saleen, Inc.
Production 2005–2009
Engine Ford 427, 7.0 L twin-turbochargedV8
Transmission 6-speed manual
Wheelbase 106.3 in
Curb weight 2,950 lb
Original price $585,296
SSC Ultimate Aero
The SSC Ultimate Aero by Shelby Supercars is the first and the only American supercar to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records record for being the fastest production car in the world. The Bugatti Veyron set this standard back in 2005 by producing a top speed of 253 mph. Then the Ultimate Aero teared that crown off the Veyron by running 257 mph, but then Bugatti reached 267 mph and beat Aero again. Nevertheless, combining american muscle and European styling cues, the SSC Ultimate Aero by far among America’s most iconic cars ever produced.
Manufacturer Shelby SuperCars
Production 2006–present
Engine 6.34 litre 387.2 cu in V8
Curb weight 2,848 lb
Price $650,000
Mach 7 Falcon The American Supercar

Mach 7 Falcon, The New American Supercar | AutoEvolution.com (2011-02-02)

Now that the Viper has exited the scene for a while, it’s time for a new breed of American supercar to take its place. Presented quietly at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, the model comes with a pedigree that will make it a serious competitor on its segment.
Being built by a Viper tuner, Mach7 Motorsports, the model packs an LS9 GM engine (the ones used by the American manufacturer on the Corvette, for instance), which spits 640 horsepower (as standard, the model will be offered with the 500 horsepower LS3 engine).
The engine is wrapped in a body made completely out of carbon fiber, giving the vehicle a curb weight of 2,850 lbs. A hydroformed aluminum chassis is used to link the two together, with large 20 inch Forgeline wheels shoed in Michelin tires sending the horses to the ground.
Performance wise, there’s not much to tell you about, given the fact that the model is still in prototype stage. The company behind it, however, believes the model will easily achieve the acceleration time of the Viper (3.5 seconds) and a top speed of around 200 mph (321 km/h). And, as Mach 7 says, what’s left to say?
The Mach 7 has no release date attached to it yet, but a few details about the production plans and pricing do hover on the Internet. Sources say the model will be priced at around $200,000, with only 14 units of the model to be manufactured each year (14 represents the number of model Mach7 expects to sell each year).
As usual, we’ll keep you posted on any developments.
Falcon Motorsports Carbon Fiber

Mach7 Motorsports Falcon Wears Its Inspirations in Carbon Fiber | New York Times (2011-01-11)

Introduced on Tuesday:  Mach7 Motorsports Falcon
Is it real? Orders are being logged at the company’s offices in Holly, Mich., even though the final product’s design has not yet been finalized.
What they said: “It’s a work in progress,” said a Mach7 spokesman, Jeff Lemke. Even so, the Falcon looks every bit a production-ready project. A man and wife, we were told, were interested in buying him-and-her versions in different colors. That would reduce the total number available for delivery this year to 13.
What they didn’t say: Finding buyers for the remaining 13 examples may not be as easy.
What makes it tick? A General Motors-sourced LS3 V-8, producing 500 horsepower, would be the base Falcon’s prime mover. However, for an undisclosed premium, buyers can opt for a 640-horsepower LS9. Built on a hydroformed aluminum chassis and weighing 2,850 pounds, the Falcon should offer performance comparable to the outgoing Dodge Viper.
How much? How soon? “We’re straddling that $200,000 line,” said Nick Dymond, a company representative. The finalized Falcon is expected to ship this year.
How’s it look? The Falcon’s carbon-fiber body reads like a composite of a 12-year-old’s Matchbox collection — but that’s no bad thing for a company best known as a preferred customizer of Dodge Vipers. Hood scoops plumb depths not seen since the Ferrari F50 hypercar. Maranello’s influence extends to the 288 GTO-like flying buttresses connecting roof and rear deck. There is also something of an F-18 Hornet fighter jet in the Falcon’s overall quick-strike mien.