*7: Maniscalco Vescovo 330R '88 - a racecar homologation model, the 330R has laid the foundation for the ultra-succesful 330 V12-ti touring car. All-wheel-drive, more aggressive fender flares to fit wider sports-compound tires, more vents for extra cooling and a wing for added high-speed stability, the Vescovo 330R is a proper corner assasin.
The 4 litre V12 has also been tuned and downsized to meet the requirements of the FTCM (Fruinian Touring Car Masters) competition - down to 3.5 litres from the original, but it’s refined to perfection. The Berusso V12 in it’s new CRSA variant pumps out 330 horsepower at 7000 RPM - as per regulation, FTCM cars can only run pushrod engines, making this an impressive feat. The fuel injection system has also been changed for a race-spec per-cylinder injection, cutting edge for it’s time, as well as new high-flow mufflers and catalytic converter. The 330R, unlike the 250SL and the 180L, is a bloody screamer.
The only bad thing about it? Limited production of only 200 units, plus 1 for the Maniscalco museum in Verona. But hey, that makes it better, no?!
*8: Maniscalco Vescovo 180L '86 - an even more comfortable, but more basic approach to premium Fruinian design, the 180L aims to make itself more affordable to the masses than the 250SL. Base-model plastic trim pieces and simpler wheels make it stand out from the other Vescovo models, but it blends in even more than the 250 ever could with those sporty rims.
The 180 runs a small 3 litre V8, which puts out, as the name implies, 180-ish horsepower (due to turbo downsizing and exhaust restrctions). It’s not fast, but it’s quiet, and that’s what counts. You don’t buy the base model of a car and expect it to go zoom zoom, hm?
The interior doesn’t have as many options as the 250SL’s does, and it’s much simpler. However, you still get basic creature comforts obviously - AC, heated seats and all are still available. It also has an 8-track player as standard. Pure 80’s~
*9: Gens-Voiture 215 gti-4 '03 - a sporty hot hatch for the turn of the new millenium, the 215 comes from Hetvesian car manufacturer Gensvoiture, who in the past were renowned for their innovation and their bad-ass hot hatches, such as the 502 Turbo-24v. Now, they’re back with another magnificent creation!~
The gti-4 is unlike any other 215 model. Not even the sporty and peppy 215 Turbo comes close to the top-of-the-line gti-4, in price nor in capability. A dual-wielder of drivetrains, the gti-4 comes in FWD or AWD, a first for GV’s hot hatches. The AWD variant is denominated by the number 4.
Sporting a small and powerful Inline-5 with turbos and direct injection, the car possesses cutting edge technology for it’s time, again proving that GV aren’t out of the fight when it comes to innovation even in this new millenium. Both economical and with plenty of punches to throw around, the engine puts out 275 horsepower with a redline of 7000 RPM, much more than what you’d expect from a car like this - and it’s why the AWD version is favored by buyers.
However, the 215 has proven to actually not be as popular as it’s ancestor, the 502. Why? Simply put, cost - way too many new ideas were crammed into it, as is common for GV’s cars. AWD, 4WS, extra safety measures, a premium interior with SatNav, active suspension, an alloy semi-spaceframe design, vented disc brakes all around, advanced ESC, direct injection with turbochargers… it’s like they didn’t get the memo. The 215 gti-4 is much more expensive than it’s rivals, which is why in recent times, a lot of buyers have turned to the Archanan carmaker Mahiyitsu’s Lotus budget FWD sport coupe to get their thrills. A shame, really - as the 215 is really a proper little sports car; but if you have the money, it’s by all means worth it.
*10: Oldridge Compass CXA '18 - a big, comfy, offroad-capable luxury SUV, the Compass is Gasmean manufacturer Oldridge’s frontline runner in the sports utility vehicle market, and for good reason.
While it is no super SUV capable of speeds above 290 km/h, the Compass CXA supplements that with actual daily utility and reasonable power amounts. It weighs 2.2 tons, but it has plenty of torque to move itself without issues or wheelspin - a 5.5 litre twin turbo V16 putting out 500 lb.ft to be exact. Paired to AWD and a close ratio 8-speed automatic, the Compass gets decent acceleration times for what is essentially a big, boxy, barge on wheels. Cutting edge suspension design with multilinks in the rear give it superb amounts of comfort, and the engine itself is quiet and low-revving, to not disturb the occupants while they’re having a conversation on their way to the golf club (or the retirement party).
The Compass is an Oldridge through and through - low power, heavy weight, tons of body roll and it glides over bumps. But it can still actually corner adequately well when it needs to - it’s tossable on dirt and gravel and it grips very well at high speed; the power steering giving it a lot of edge in that regard.
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-Last Update: 11/30/2020
