Vencer, a Dutch supercar startup, was founded in 2010, but its first product, the Sarthe, was unveiled four years later. We first learned about Vencer and its Sarthe in 2012. The company had nothing back then except a few computer-generated images and the promise of production in the not-too-distant future. Vencer then unveiled a pre-production prototype and began taking orders at the 2013 Top Marques Monaco.
In 2015, the Sarthe was revealed in production trim, following a period of extensive testing and validation. The exterior has been refined, there is more technology in the cabin, and there is a brand-new engine. The Sarthe, named after the French racetrack that hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was conceived as a car with true character and an analog feel. Following this path, the designers claim to have created a distinct, light, and pure driver’s car with a clear emphasis on road use.
A Breathtaking Marvel Of A Supercar: Overview Of The Vencer Sarthe
Following in the footsteps of the Savage Rivale GTS and the Spyker C12 Zagato is yet another supercar sporting the proud colors of the Oranje. Vencer began by creating a niche and completely new sports car. Internally, this top-secret project was dubbed “#1.” As the project came to a close, the car was given its final model name, “Sarthe.”
Vencer Sarthe, an exclusive hand-built 2-seater sports car built by some fine folks at Vencer who apparently wanted to break into the growing supercar market of the European country, is the name of this new piece of four-wheeled exoticness. The hybrid space frame chassis is made of high grade tubular steel and features a chrome-molybdenum safety structure and rear sub-frame. The Sarthe’s floor is made of an aluminum honeycomb structure. This combination of materials and techniques results in a chassis that is lightweight, super strong, and rigid.
The body panels are made of lightweight carbon for low total weight and maximum safety. The molds used for these parts are precisely CNC manufactured to ensure the highest possible surface quality and accurate measurements. The 8-cylinder engine is mounted behind the driver in a mid-engine configuration. The engine is directly bolted to the 6-speed transaxle gearbox. Because of this configuration, the car has a very balanced weight distribution of 45 percent front and 55 percent rear.
The “double wishbone” design, which includes shock absorbers, suspension, and an anti-roll bar, ensures pure and direct vehicle control without the use of additional electronic interference. Only ABS and EBD are available to help the driver in difficult and dangerous situations. All the necessary information will be displayed on the large LCD screen while sitting in the leather sports seats. This screen is perfectly centered in the beautifully designed dashboard. The Sarthe has an efficient climate control system to ensure a comfortable and optimal driving experience. Electric windows, in-car entertainment, central locking, and an alarm are all standard features. Additional features can be added to the car at the customer’s request.
The Vencer Sarthe Powertrain’s Is An Engineering Marvel
Previously outfitted with a V-8 from General Motors Company, Vencer went back to the drawing board and created an entirely new engine. The new engine, designed specifically for the Sarthe, is a 6.3-liter V-8 supercharged with 622 horsepower and 618 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mounted low in the chassis to ensure a low center of gravity, and it’s mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. Vencer claims a 0-62 mph time of about 3.6 seconds for the Sarthe, with a top speed of more than 210 mph.
As earlier stated, the chassis is a lightweight chrome-molybdenum design with a honeycomb structure for added strength. The body is made entirely of carbon fiber, further reducing weight. The curb weight is slightly more than 3,000 pounds, with a front-to-rear weight distribution of 45/55. Meanwhile, the suspension is made up of front and rear double wishbones.
The Vencer Sarthe Design Is A Beauty Dubbed From The ’80s
However, the design was inspired by race cars from the 1980s Le Mans era. As a result, the low, purposeful, and sleek appearance was achieved, with a truncated front section leading into a long, aerodynamically-shaped ‘Kamm’ tail. The car also has a C-pillar design that allows air to flow through, an active spoiler at the back, and a new engine cover with large air channels to ensure better airflow and cooling to the new engine.
The majority of the structure is made of carbon fiber on the inside. A two-tone leather interior with Alcantara inserts is standard, and virtually limitless color combinations are available. Vencer designed the interface, dubbed the Central Information System, which relies on a large screen mounted in the center of the dash rather than a traditional instrument cluster, and most inputs are made using buttons located below the screen.
Sources: MotorAuthority, TopSpeed, SuperCars