Planet 9

Six_Cylinders · #1 11-22-2008, 11:23 AM

Last week's AutoBild did a comparison between the new Artega GT (300 horsepower) and the old Cayman S (295 horsepower). The Artega is shorter, lower, and 200 kg lighter than the Cayman S, and also has very precise steering. Not hard to figure out which car was sportier; AutoBild didn't rub it in but was diplomatic about it. After all, the Artega GT was still more expensive.

Here's an older article from the same magazine:

Artega GT Coupé - Der Porsche aus Paderborn - Sportscars - autobild.de

Sex_Zylinder

**Bodhii** · #2 11-22-2008, 12:17 PM

If both this company and I can survive financially somewhat still intact thru the next two years,.. maybe this will be my Cayman replacement. LOL What a miserable financial climate to release a new petrol fueled, sports car!
It looks to be a very high quality, beautiful machine. I wish them the best of luck. But I certainly won't be buying any new cars in the immediate future.

... Artega GT 2008

The Artega® GT. Germany's alternative to the sports car establishment.

The new car brand Artega® is set to unveil a close-to-production prototype of its debut model. Artega®'s aim is the development and production of small-series sports cars that break the mould. Artega® was the brainchild of engineers in the development department at paragon, the globally successful electronics supplier based in Delbrück, in the German state of North Rhine Westphalia. The company's mission statement commits it to providing a convincing and sustained demonstration of both all-round automotive expertise and a passion for sporty cars.

Artega® and the Artega® GT represent a new beginning, with no brief to bring a historical brand back to life and no nostalgia agenda. The challenging, international setting of the Geneva Motor Show makes this a fitting venue for the first public unveiling of both brand and car.

The new Artega® GT combines the emotional appeal of a high-performance sports car with the defining attributes of a sports tourer. The development of the car hinged on four priorities:

• A distinctive design language. Renowned designer Henrik Fisker has created proportions with an unprecedented purity: broad, flat and compact. Given its restricted dimensions, an interior brimming with efficiency comes as something of a surprise. There is room inside the car not just for two adults, but also their luggage – and even a child seat can be integrated as an option.

• Agility, driving dynamics and safety. The key parameters in the development of the Artega® GT were lightweight construction and rigidity. A generously sized aluminium space frame teams up with a body made from carbon fibre-reinforced composite materials to ensure an impressive power-to-weight ratio. High-quality components sourced from the Volkswagen Group and a rear-engined arrangement make for top-class performance.The V6 powerplant with a direct-shift gearbox and a specially developed inverting stage was built into a compact module made from high-strength steel tubing. Active driving dynamics aids are an integral element of the GT, while exceptionally effective crash boxes protect the occupants in the event of an accident.

• Touring suitability. The development engineers attached great importance to creating an occupant-oriented package. A wide variety of stowage areas and two luggage compartments exceed the usual boundaries for a car with these dimensions. The key to this extraordinary spaciousness was the decision to mount the engine horizontally in the rear of the car.

• Controls. The expertise of the electronics specialists at paragon opened the door to a wide range of innovative control and driver information systems.With its groundbreaking new sensor switch panels and the unique dual-indicator speedometer/rev counter instrument, paragon's all-new interior ambience represents a significant standout feature of the new Artega® GT.

By the end of 2007 a state-of-the-art production facility will be constructed in Delbrück for the Artega® GT and other potential models.The new location will bring together component manufacturing, final assembly and a brand and sales centre, allowing the brand to meet the broadest possible range of customer specifications.

The new Artega® GT is no show car. It documents the nascent brand's intention to lay down a range of models which are designed for the long term and can secure it a place alongside the major manufacturers. The target group for these small-volume cars is a select band of enthusiasts who value ideas which step outside the norm and are therefore unlikely to be satisfied by large-series models.

kehr · #3 11-22-2008, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Six_Cylinders

Here's an older article from the same magazine:Artega GT Coupé - Der Porsche aus Paderborn - Sportscars - autobild.deSex_Zylinder

I read the entire article and it doesn't make a bit of sense to me. It's like it's written in a different language or somethin'.

**Chupacabra** · #4 11-22-2008, 12:49 PM

What are these cars going to run $$ wise? Anyone know who is going to sell them in the US?

**K-Man S** · #5 11-22-2008, 12:56 PM

Nice looking from the outside but the dash is so 80's it just screams 1984 Toyota Celica to me...

Six_Cylinders · #6 11-22-2008, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by K-Man S

Nice looking from the outside but the dash is so 80's it just screams 1984 Toyota Celica to me...

I agree that the the Porsche interior is much nicer. Nevertheless, the company that makes the Artega (Paragon) is said to deliver the cockpit and instrumentation to Porsche. But how could they make it even better without being accused of copying?

Sex_Zylinder

**K-Man S** · #7 11-22-2008, 07:08 PM

So what does one cost and who is selling them in the U.S.?

**golfguy11800** · #8 11-22-2008, 07:27 PM

Car And Driver made a quick comparo of the CS and the Artega...

2009 Artega GT by Fisker - Auto Shows/Not Sold in the U.S./High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

Says there will be a limited 500 units produced each year at a suspected $100,000 if the projected specs remain. They also commented on how the Artega GT has "cleaner" styling than the Cayman...

... the rear end isn't very "clean" and who on earth designed that front bumper??? Nevertheless, it's still a gorgeous car. I particularly like the Ferrari Dino like intakes on top of the rear fenders

V man · #9 11-22-2008, 08:07 PM

The steering wheel looks like a copy of the new PDK wheel or maybe it is one. Automobile magazine's December issue has a article where they make some comparisons to a CS.

**Bodhii** · #10 11-22-2008, 09:08 PM

Mid-engine, and room for golf clubs!.. Where have I heard that before? LOL.
They talk of this being the first of other models. I like all companies that wish to make mid-engine sports cars their company flagship.

(golf clubs)

**K-Man S** · #11 11-22-2008, 09:24 PM

Where's the clear engine cover???

***DaveN007*** · #12 11-22-2008, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by K-Man S

So what does one cost and who is selling them in the U.S.?

Anyone who currently sells their salsa?

ARCuhTEK · #13 11-22-2008, 11:10 PM

I think it is a beautiful car...all the way around EXCEPT the dash...I agree....very 80's

**K-Man S** · #14 11-22-2008, 11:56 PM

Here is the translation of the older article, I guess the newer article isn't online?

Translated version of http://www.autobild.de/artikel/artega-gt-coupe_724265.html

lspain · #15 11-23-2008, 05:05 AM

The Artega is an interesting car. I get a "too good to be true" feeling about the price point. Today's environment seems incredibly difficult to launch a new line of automobiles. I wish them luck.

**Bodhii** · #16 11-23-2008, 10:17 AM

I think it is a beautiful car...all the way around EXCEPT the dash

.. I guess the weight reduction had to come from somewhere!

Did you notice the curb weight? 1,100 kilos (2420 LBS) !!!!! Thats the SAME weight as the 2008 FULL RACE Porsche GT3 RSR in its full track configuration!! The curb weight must be wrong. There is no way a 300 HP luxury passenger sports car can weight under 2500 LBS! This is the car's weight even before it does its own Fort Felker's sports car diet...http://www.planet-9.com/cayman-mod...reduction.html
.... a complete polyurethane body, with partially reinforced carbon (fiber).
Artega motto: short, wide, lightweight.

Technical Data Artega GT Coupe
Two-Coupe, plastic body • Chassis: lattice tube frame made of high-strength steel in the rear, space frame of aluminum extrusion profiles forwards •Drive: V6 over the rear axle, 3597 cc, power 220 kW (300 bhp) at 6600/min, max. Torque 350 Nm at 2400 / min, 6-speed DSG, rear-wheel drive with independent suspension. - Four disc brakes, tires 285-30 R 19 rear and front 235-35 R 19 • dimensions (length / width / height): 4010/1880/1180 mm • Curb : 1100 kilos • Fuel tank capacity: 68 liters (80 liters upon request) • Performance: 0-100 km / h in under five seconds, leading over 270 km / h • Production start: July 2008 • Price: 74,983 euros.

Nitro8472 · #17 11-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Like the rear end, and the intakes. Not a bad interior either, but I think the front looks like a cartoon character.

Trade a Porsche with that?! even if it is faster, No way!!

________________________

"Sir! We're surrounded!" - "Excellent! We can shoot in any direction!"

A good car will get you from point A to point B. A great car... will just get you into trouble!

**Bodhii** · #18 11-23-2008, 12:52 PM

Trade a Porsche with that?!

Are you kidding? In a German second!

**golfguy11800** · #19 11-23-2008, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Bodhii

Are you kidding? In a German second!

+1. Given the option of having either car for free. I'd go with Bodhii and get the Artega. A notch more in the exotic styling dept. and an exclusivity/ rarity of a 430 Scuderia. I wonder what it sounds like?

Ortega · #20 11-23-2008, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by golfguy11800

+1. Given the option of having either car for free. I'd go with Bodhii and get the Artega. A notch more in the exotic styling dept. and an exclusivity/ rarity of a 430 Scuderia. I wonder what it sounds like?

They have audio on their site artega.de as well as launch and drive by vids.
A month ago I got a mail (some promo stuff) in my postbox from them saying they are opening a factory in the end of November. Seems they will really start the production.