by "DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
Published 09/15/2017 at 12:35

Tags: Today I learned ; Artega
STARS: 2

2009-2012 Artega GT

Today, I’m doing something a little different and not doing a strange British sports car, rather a strange German sports car (segne das mutterland).

Artega was a German sports car (obviously) company that was once headquartered in Delbrück, Germany. Founded by Klaus Dieter Friers in 2006, the original plan was to create sports car with a more eco-friendly footprint to boost the environmental world after the recession in 2009. With help from Henrik Fisker, Friers originally intended to build the GT as a solar-powered luxury roadster, competing with the Tesla Roadster. However, it ended up being quite the opposite.

The GT finally debuted in 2009, sporting a rather striking body that was influenced by both Porsche and Ferrari. It was not powered by a solar-powered engine, rather, a Volkswagen-sourced VR6 to the rear wheels in an RMR layout. It was mated to a 6-speed DSG, and produced 296 bhp, with a claimed 0-100 kmh time of 4.8 seconds. Basically, it was a pretty modest sports car with modest numbers, nothing very special.

Prices started at €75,000, and with that you got a rather attractive full-leather cockpit with decently styled gauges and an infotainment center. If anything, the interior was the only aspect of the car that was true to the original vision, it was definitely a luxurious place to be.

The story of the Artega GT is rather underwhelming, as production halted in 2012 after Artega filed for bankruptcy. I’d blame the fact that Herr Friers seemed to largely jump the gun with a lot of things, investing a lot of money in a humongous factory in Delbrück and aiming for a production run of 500 a year. No final production numbers have been found, but it’s safe to say he never got to that 500 a year. In 2012, they did finally unveil an electric version, but the company went bust before they got a chance to make it, as later that year, the company filed for bankruptcy. There is minor hope though, as Friers seems keen to give it another shot, releasing two new concepts in 2015.

Replies (7)

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
09/15/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 1

I like it, except for maybe the front angle. I’d have one in blue, please. I love the idea of sports cars that have luxury interiors.

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
09/15/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 3

Like so?

"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
09/15/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1

Kind of like a 4C had a baby with a 360, and I don’t mind at all.

"Dasupersprint - base trim is enough" (dasupersprint)
09/15/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0

I like what you do, please continue

"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
09/15/2017 at 12:57, STARS: 0

Just so.

"nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul" (nfamouscj)
09/15/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 0

That front end...

"C62030" (c62030)
09/16/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 0

BLGLHGHRBRLAR ANGRY FISH MOUTH