It's many automotive enthusiast's dream to construct a supercar of their own design, but there are only a few of us who actually go ahead and do it. Most of these attempts result in stunning one-offs, but only a very few hit production. One of these rare successes is Pagani, but there could very well be a new addition to the supercar arena. Like the Pagani Zonda, the Swiss designed and built Orca uses the latest exotic materials to save as much weight as possible.
Fifteen years of work of Rene Beck and his father culminated in the launch of the Orca C113 at the 2002 Geneva Motorshow. The bright blue coupe's angular design was clearly inspired by the F117 Stealth fighterplane, possibly with the idea of evading the police radars. With a Turbocharged Volvo five cylinder engine mounted behind the driver, this would be a very usable feature. According to the manufacturer, the designer was inspired, like its name suggests, by the killer whale.
Orca returned to Geneva in 2005 with a production ready version of the C113, which featured a new engine. Supplied by MTM, the tweaked Audi twin Turbo V8 only increases the need for radar reflection. Extensive use of carbon fibre kept the weight down to an impressive 850 kg, which should make it a lot nimbler than its aquatic namesake. The low drag body, high output and light weight should give the Orca stellar performance figures, although the manufacturer suggested sub 3 second 0-60 mph acceleration and 224 mph top speed claim might be a bit optimistic.
Production is to be set at 99 examples per year for the C113 coupe and R113 convertible models. For those whose intestines can handle a little more abuse there also is a 850 bhp version, dubbed SC7, in the making, with production limited to only seven examples. Time will tell if these performance and production claims can be met, but history has learned that the odds are against the Swiss manufacturer.
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