MAGNATE P708
Thai Made Puller
Three years on and Thailand's first ever supercar has emerged as proper vehicle, but it still needs some polishing before hitting the road next year
- Published: 25/12/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
So is it a Cobra or what?
Yes, it was originally named the Cobra Arbitrage GT when it was announced in March 2006. Then it was renamed to Galmer Arbitrage GT before getting known as Bizzarini P538 late last year when the rolling chassis was revealed at the Motor Expo 2008. This year, a new company is formed called the Magnate Automotive Group Limited headed by the same guys who started it all: Kevin Gallahan of Magnate and Vorapant Chotikapanich, president of Cobra International, a leading manufacturer of carbonfibre surfboards and boats. So the car is branded as Magnate.
- What do you mean by "for now"?
Let us put it this way: how does it sound when we say it's a Magnate? Right? The name may be a bit pompous. But more importantly, there is no heritage linked to it - something that a proper supercar needs for credibility. For example, the Pagani Zonda was originally designed with the help of former F1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio. Magnate is still in talks with Bizzarini, the defunct Italian sportscar maker who is said to be wanting to revive the brand with a fresh new model. But no paper has been inked as yet.
- Okay, tell me about the car...
This is the first supercar to be built in Thailand using racecar-style carbonfibre/aluminium honeycomb tub produced right here in Chonburi. A modified Chevrolet Corvette's normally aspirated 7.0-litre V8 is mounted mid-ship and churns out 530hp instead of the usual 505hp. An optional bespoke twin-turbo version of the same engine pumps out 750hp. Drive is via UK-sourced GearFox conventional six-speed manual with an option for sequential shifting and steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
of a reliable yet powerful American-made GM LS7 engine that usually sits in the Corvette Z06.
- What happened to the twin-turbo Volkswagen R32 V6 engine of the original Cobra?
Soon after the design was launched, they realised the highly tuned VW could not comply with the stringent Californian emissions law, so they ditched it in favour of a reliable yet powerful American-made GM LS7 engine that usually sits in the Corvette Z06.
- You are saying it supposedly goes like a Corvette?
No, the Corvette is front-engined rear-wheel-drive, but this is mid-engined and rear-wheel-drive. The really big difference is that the Magnate uses a carbonfibre chassis the way F1 and the best supercars do. With a claimed weight of 1,045kg, the P708 has a monstrous 507hp per tonne power-to-weight ratio with its standard 530hp V8 - so close to the McLaren F1 supercar's 513hp per tonne. The maker claims the car will have a performance up there with the very best supercars like the 911 Turbo meaning a sub-4sec 0-100kph sprint and 300kph-plus top speed.
- Umm.. what's underneath this thing?
The Magnate has high-tensile steel subframes and racecar-style A-arms on all four corners. The Penske struts are three-way adjustable, the coil-over springs are from Hyperco and the ride height is electronically adjustable. Alcon vented brake discs and four-pot aluminium calipers measuring 13.5-inch front and 13-inch rear are standard with ABS an option.
- And the wheels?
Originally they were gonna fit some carbonfibre wheels, but instead the show car got centre lock three-piece light alloys from Forgeline measuring 9x20-inch up front and 12x20-inch at the back. The show rubbers are Michelin PS2 sizes 255/35 front and 335/30 rear, although these details could change once on-track development is complete.
- Where is it tested anyway?
Definitely not at the Bira Circuit as that is way too slow a track plus the run-offs are limited. According to its maker, high-speed testing will be done early next year at the Sattahip military airbase, while a real test track is being sought in this region. The car should get signed off by March 2010.
- Cool... so how much? And can I get it in right-hand drive?
Magnate is negotiating with the Board of Investment (BoI) for a possible limited domestic sale even though the car is assembled in a BoI zone for export only. If all falls through, you can drive one away from B11m up. Left-hand drive is the only option, though.
- Oh, one last thing... can I get one with a roof?
Sure, you can order one with a removable carbonfibre hard-top instead of the roof-less roadster pictured here.
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About the author
- Writer: Wiwat Chang
- Position: Motoring Reporter
