Stile Bertone project M is finally revealed at the Shanghai Auto show. The M stands for Mantide, but you might as well read it Marvelous, Magnificent, Masterpiece … This one-off car is a unique mixture of Italian design and a big American engine. The outcome is ought to be incredible!
Although in today’s world of economic turmoils and environment nonsense , it seems awkward to spend million of dollars on a one-off 638 horsepower supercar but the Mantide has already secured a page in the history of automotive for itself. Bertone Mantide is the car equivalent of a modern art masterpiece. Specially at the back where it goes berserk! And it’s not just about the looks, it has drag coefficincy of 0.298 and produces 30% more downforce than the original Corvette ZR1.
When you have the supercharged LS9 engine under the bonnet, you know this is a seriously fast car before you even check on the numbers! 0 to 60 in 3.2 and top speed of just over 217 mph (350kph) which are superior to the ZR1’s performance because of the car’s advanced aerodynamics.
It’s all very brilliant, but with cars like this, you only have to focus on the amazing design! Forget about performance and aerodynamics, you shouldn’t drive this car! You should put in your house as a statue! It’s an artwork.
Bertone Mantide Video:
“ Stile Bertone is proud to present the ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE one-off MANTIDE.
Few, if any, automobiles have been as awe-inspiring as the show-stopping prototypes and “fuori serie” cars designed by Stile Bertone – the Alfa Romeo Carabo, the Lancia Stratos Zero and the Lamborghini LP500 prototype to name just a few
TRADITION
Stile Bertone has a long history of creating one-off prototypes based on the mechanicals of Chevrolet’s sporting automobiles spanning over 50 years. Today, Stile Bertone is proud to utilize the mechanicals of the formidable 2009 Corvette ZR1. Employing know-how from the Le Mans winning Corvette C5R, the ZR1 is the greatest all-round performance car in the world, the undisputed “King of the Ring”, posting the fastest ever lap time for a true production car at 7:26:4 seconds on the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany, long considered the benchmark for a car’s true performance. Mantide has been designed and fully engineered in collaboration with the renowned Danisi Engineering and aims to be the world’s greatest street legal performance car, wrapped in an iconic and radical Stile Bertone design.
Mantide’s futuristic design draws equal inspiration from modern aerospace and the world of Formula One. The iconic theme is clear to see: a teardrop-like fuselage which tightly encases the mechanicals and the passenger cell which is embraced by two prominent wrapping aerodynamic appendages. While shockingly bold and technical, Mantide’s unique design maintains a sensuality unique to Italian sports cars thanks to a futuristic interpretation of the classic Kamm Back two volume silhouette.
The aerospace inspired design aesthetic is further characterised by innovative yet beautiful forms which are fully driven by performance: the low-slung nose, jet fighter style teardrop canopy and butterfly opening doors, as well as the numerous air inlets and exhausts for maximum air efficiency.
Mantide also boasts cutting edge aerodynamic performance fine-tuned in an advanced full scale wind tunnel. Features include a Le Mans prototype-derived flat floor and diffuser as well as “flying buttresses” which help to increase aero efficiency, guarantee a lower drag coefficient and greater levels of down force. The final aerodynamic results are class leading, with drag reduced by 25% (Cd 0.298) and a 30% improvement in down force. The Mantide not only delivers greater speed and stability, but also more efficiency and therefore lower fuel consumption.
The Mantide promises even greater performance than the ZR1, due to significant weight savings and its highly advanced aerodynamics. Using carbon fibre for all body panels, interior trim, seats and even the wheels, the overall vehicle weight has been reduced by 100 kilos. The result is a staggering 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 351 kph (217mph) Safety and chassis rigidity have been increased with the incorporation of an FIA regulation triangulated roll cage, light-weight carbon fibre racing seats and 4pt racing harness for track use.
Stile Bertone invites you to follow Mantide on its year-long journey as it travels to major auto events around the globe at www.insideprojectm.com “
