The major reveals have been dealt with at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, but we’re not ready to put a bow on the event quite yet.
On Tuesday, American brand VLF Automotive debuted the Force 1 V10, a menacing supercar powered by the 8.4-liter, 10-cylinder heart of the Dodge Viper. The gargantuan powerplant actually makes more juice in the Force 1 — 745 horsepower compared to the Viper’s 645 hp — and it churns out more torque as well with 638 pound-feet. Flat out, VLF says the 3,395-pound coupe will hit 60 mph in 3.0 seconds flat en route to its top speed of 218 mph.
Performance is just one of the Force 1’s selling points though. Behind the car is a star-studded team of auto industry veterans, including Henrik Fisker — a man credited with designing the Aston Martin DB9, BMW Z8, Fisker Karma, and others — as well as former GM chairman Bob Lutz, aerospace manufacturer Gilbert Villarreal, and famed Viper racer Ben Keating. Apparently, Keating’s motorsport experience was vital in calibrating the Force 1’s active suspension, which constantly adjusts to keep its 21-inch wheels on the road.
The car’s credentials come at a steep price, however. Despite its Dodge-sourced chassis and powertrain, the carbon fiber-bodied Force 1 costs a steep $268,500. That’s $31,250 more than a Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 and about $160,000 more than a Viper GTS, but perhaps the car’s leather, suede, and alcantara interior will soothe your sticker shock. If that doesn’t work, check out the champagne saddle mounted between the seats, but you might want to save the bottles for later.
For a (slightly) cheaper option, check out VLF’s Corvette-powered Destino, which runs $229,000.
Ahead of its reveal in Detroit, there was some controversy that the Force 1 would look too similar to the Aston Martin DB10 featured in 007’s Spectre, but in reality the car looks much closer to a Jaguar F-Type with a slew of vents added to the front. The Viper’s influence can be clearly seen at the rear though, most notably with the swooping hatch lid and side-exit exhausts.
Just 50 examples of the Force 1 will be initially produced by VLF, all of which will be available through Ben Keating’s Viper Exchange.
