Module UR-92 (1992-2005)
THE ENGINE
The UR-92 T/H mounted the same v8 found in the 1989 UR-82 Ultimatum, producing 310 horsepower at 5700rpm and 422 newtons-meter of torque at 4500rpm. No power increases were achieved for the UR-92, but the engine was revised in order to increase reliability. Once again, port fuel injection with a single throttle body was used.
On the other hand, the Ultimatum version launched in 1998 was the first to receive the new generation of the Vega derived v8, this time completely redesigned by the Module Corporation with the overhead valves swapped for single overhead cams and producing a higher 350 horsepower at 6400rpm and 445 newtons per metre of torque at 4400rpm, but most notably, allowing it to rev higher, which extended the powerband.
The new powerplants were also more efficient; in general, this revision made the UR-92 more attractive as a sports car than other sports cars with more sophisticated engines, which had a lot more elements to go wrong.
THE BODY
The UR-92 was designed by Gerrit Bakker, who had previously designed the UR-82 as well. Once again, Gerrit’s main inspirations were sci-fi and futuristic sources as well as the previous design; thus, the UR-92 kept the middle headlight, a similar layout to the UR-82 but more streamlined and aerodynamic, and a now rounder ducktail and more striking lips. Notably, once again aluminium was the chosen material for the body panels, following the tradition the UR-82 had started ten years earlier.
The Ultimatum edition, on the other hand, got a wing as well, also rounder and “meltier”, following the ongoing trends in early 90s concept car design that would eventually become the famous “90s blob” as well as late 90s, early edgy styling as a prelude of the 2000s.
In general, this reinterpretation of Project UR made it look faster than the previous iteration, with lots of character and presence any time the UR-92 makes its appearance in a shot or video. Truly, a car that stands out anywhere.
CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION
The Module UR-92 was an evolution of their previous monocoque platform, with a slighty shorter wheelbase at 2.5 meters. The engine was, once again, placed longitudinally at the front, and the interior was composed of two semi bucket seats and two rear jump seats. This time, the Ultimatum edition didn’t see its rear seats removed, with the weight savings coming from other aspects on the chassis and body.
Suspension was much improved from the UR-82: the UR-92 was now sporting double wishbones at the front and a semi trailing arm at the rear, making this the first Module in the UR series to have fully independent suspension, massively improving handling and response. The front had a much stiffer anti roll bar than the rear, to offset the extreme oversteer tendency the UR-92 would have had otherwise. Alloy wheels were again dressed in 235s all around, making the contact patch. Overall weight was increased following new safety regulations and improved equipment for the interior, now at 1410kg (T/H) and 1360kg (Ultimatum).
In general, the chassis kept body roll in check fairly well, coming in at just 4.2 degrees; it was also fairly stiff, allowing the UR-92 to corner at or higher than 1G in both circle tests (1.05G @ 20m and 1.02G @ 250m, ratings that also had improved compared to the UR-82).
PERFORMANCE
Unlike the UR-82 in the 80s, the UR-92 would have a harder time standing out performance wise in the more lively 90s, but it had some big guns to break out. The 315 horsepower v8 allowed the T/H to complete the 0-100 sprint in just 5.7 seconds, while the Ultimatum reduced this number further to a quick for the time 5 seconds.
Once again, the downforce the extra aero provided on the Ultimatum proved useful when cornering, and also when putting down the extra power, even if it was relatively less this time around.
THE UR-92 IN POP CULTURE
The UR-92 made an appearance, once again, in the Forza and Forza Horizon series, along with the UR-82, UR-05 and UR-15. It also appeared alongside the UR-15 in Gran Turismo Sport. Earlier appearances in video games include the early Gran Turismo games (1 and 2).
The UR-92 made an appearance in 1996 movie The Rock, and the UR-92 Ultimatum made an appearance in 2003 movie Bad Boys 2.
PRODUCTION AND NUMBERS
By the end of its production in 2005, 1874 units of the Module UR-92 had been produced, of which 1781 were T/H and only 93 were Ultimatum.
The T/H was originally sold for $20,120, while the Ultimatum was sold for $21,000 (adjusted for inflation in 1998).