If you actually have enough money so as to look at something like a modern Ferrari or Lamborghini but find them all too common, then you probably have your sights set on owning something that’s a lot more exclusive.
Welcome to the world of boutique supercar makers, with residents such as Apollo, Pagani, Rimac and many others. Today, however, we’re going to be talking about W Motors and Zenvo, specifically the Lykan Hypersport and the TS1 GT.
These are two very different automobiles, yet their purpose is one and the same: to make your neighbor’s 488 GTB look generic, which is by no means easy to do when it comes to exotic products like the 488 or the Huracan.
Getting what you pay for
So, makes the Lykan Hypersport so darn special? It all starts with its carbon composite body construction, which helps keep its curb weight down to 1,400 kg (3,000 lbs). It is both smaller and lighter than the Zenvo TS1, so even though it doesn’t have as much power, on paper the Lykan is actually quicker.
Powering the Lykan Hypersport is a twin turbocharged 3.7-liter flat-six, mid-mounted engine, sending 780 HP (791 PS) and 960 Nm (708 lb-ft) of torque to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch automatic and a limited slip differential. This is enough to get you from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.7 seconds, and to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.4 seconds. W Motors claim that their supercar can max out at a whooping 395 km/h (245 mph).
Here’s how the TS1 GT compares: it weighs 1,580 kg (3,483 lbs) and it’s powered by a twin-supercharged 5.8-liter V8 that’s good for 1,104 HP (1,119 PS) and 1,139 Nm (840 lb-ft) of torque. In a straight line, it will do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds flat, before maxing out an an electronically limited 375 km/h (233 mph).
Thus, it has more power, more torque, a bit more weight and, therefore, a slightly slower acceleration time and top speed for the Zenvo – although the latter is electronically limited.
The question is whether or not such a difference in performance can justify the difference in price. When it came out, the Zenvo TS1 GT had a price tag of $1.2 million, whereas the Lykan Hypersport costs roughly three times as much.
Now, we know it’s not three times as fast. But is it that much more special? Let’s start with looks.
Two very different design languages
While properly exotic and aggressive-looking, we’ll admit that the TS1 is perhaps not as futuristic as the Lykan in terms of design. The latter has all of these sharp angles and lines that make it seem like it just landed on planet Earth. Then there’s the interior, where you can see how the two differ considerably.
The Danish supercar pretty much has a no-nonsense, track-focused cabin, with a fair share of convenience features like dual zone climate control, touchscreen multimedia system with GPS, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, sports steering wheel with adjustable rake and manual tilt, contoured electrically adjustable monocoque carbon sports seats, cruise control, electric windows, keyless access, driver and passenger airbags, a glove compartment and a carbon fiber front luggage compartment.
The Lykan, on the other hand, is perhaps a little more premium, with available features such as the rear view camera, 3G internet router, 9-inch holographic mid-air display with Interactive Motion, 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, a premium sound system and an integrated hard drive. It also has a carbon fiber center console finish, driver and passenger airbags, electric mirrors, climate control, Bluetooth, sat-nav, remote control locking and, upon request, a tracking device
In the end, though, in this multi-million dollar, ultra exclusive class, it all comes down to personal taste. If money were no object, which one would you go for?
