Marking the latest age of super sports machines, the Asura - developed in conjunction with the Kimura F1 team - was a tech-filled supercar with an old-school heart.
The Asura was a vehicle that would be considered to have been in “development hell” - after 6 years of testing, engineering, financial crisis, and reworking, the Asura was finally unveiled as a production car at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Designed as the “perfect” super GT car, the checklist for qualities was broad but there were only 3 assertive qualities the head of engineering wanted - a front-engine, rear-wheel drive design, a V10 engine, and a soft top roadster design. Truly considered one of Kimura’s most labor-intensive projects, the highly advanced 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V10 powerplant produces 551 horsepower and 385 lb-ft - respectable figures from such a small engine that redlines at nearly 10,000 RPM. Engineers went through long periods of time fine-tuning the exhaust note in order to maximize the car’s audio-visual allure. The gauge cluster of the car was a digital display as analog gauges were not able to maintain their speed when the turbochargers produced their maximum boost. The body is constructed from carbon-fiber, which was different from the original aluminum in order to save weight even at the expense of price - each of the 650 units were sold at a base price of $245,000 USD.
A completely new FR chassis was engineered solely for the Asura. Nearly 200% stronger than Kimura’s other sports-FR platform that underpins the Helruna even as a roadster, this all-aluminum structure helped the weight stay under 1460 kg even with all the technology which was packed under the hood. Combined with electronically adjustable suspension components, and the Asura was an extremely tight-knit vehicle with predictable, precision steering that was accessible to many drivers. The Formula 1 team helped to develop the suspension tuning at Tokachi Speedway, Kimura’s native race track, where it underwent rigorous testing to improve confidence and comfort. It was described by reviewers as “capable at all speeds” and “a perfectly balanced car that reminds people that driving is, indeed, a human experience.” In 2012 the Asura was named World Performance Car of the Year and was nominated for World Design of the Year.
The Asura may be considered the peak of Kimura’s engineering efforts, but it was only the beginning of a new era of Kimura vehicles that packed power, grace, and comfort in one package.
