When you think of Supercar manufacturing countries, South Korea doesn’t automatically spring to mind. But out of the wilderness comes the Spirra…

Nine years after the Proto Motors PS-II prototype was first revealed to the press, South Korea is about to introduce its first supercar. After navigating through rough seas, including being bought out by a company called the Oullim Group, Proto Motors (now Oullim Motors) is confident that their Spirra supercar will launch in late 2010.

Power will come from a 2.7 liter V6 Hyundai sourced motor with four different outputs. At its weakest, it will produce 173bhp and torque of 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) at 6,000rpm. The second level adds a small turbo that helps it push 325bhp and 471 Nm (347 lb-ft). At the third-highest level is a power output of between 395bhp and 414bhp, assisted by a bigger turbo. Peak torque for this engine is 490 Nm (361 lb-ft).

The most powerful of them all is persuaded by two turbos encouraging between 444bhp and 493bhp. The maximum torque is 539 Nm (398 lb-ft). Drive is through the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. At its quickest it goes from 0 - 60mph in 3.5 seconds and tops out at 193mph.

Road grip is provided by 225/40R 19 front and 275/40R 19 rear tyres. The Spirra has a mid-engine layout and is constructed by hand.

The body is made from carbon fibre, enclosing a tubular spaceframe. It is all lightweight but very stiff at the same time. The Korean auto industry does not yet have a well-developed supercar heritage and as such, these manufacturing technologies are not common for the general market.

We think there’s more than a hint of Ferrari 430 about this image…

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