Update on Artega GT (Cayman Derivative)

A few hours ago the Geneva Auto Show opened to the press, and the new Artega GT, about which I had written four day ago, is now available for inspection at the company web site, with front, side, rear, interior views, and technical data now released: www.artega.de I noticed that the steering wheel looks very similar to those of the Porsches, as if though to make a transition for current Porsche owners less difficult. Whereas the Cayman S weighs 1350 kg, the Artega GT is said to weigh merely 1100 kg, containing carbon fiber and "space frame" (pioneered by Alcoa and Audi) elements. Acceleration (0-100 km/h) is "under 5 seconds", whereas the published Cayman S value is 5.4 seconds (6.1 s for Tiptronic). Those 3.6 liters of displacement give the car a torque of 350 Nm, beginning at 2400 rpm, compared to 340 Nm starting at 4400 rpm for the Cayman S. Also, the top speed is described as "over 270 km/h", so perhaps it'll actually be just as fast as the Cayman S. From the newest pictures and performance data, I get the impression that this car will be one of the big stars of the show and no doubt will also be featured in the American car enthusiast magazines soon. Remember, the expected price of €75K is what one pays in Germany for a modestly equipped Cayman S, so there can be no question which potential car purchaser the Artega GT is targeting. In Germany, a basic spartan equipped Cayman costs more than a decently equipped Cayman S does in the US, when taking into consideration a 7% winter discount, state taxes, and actual currency exchange rates, so American Cayman S owners should be happy for being privileged in this regard. Sex_Zylinder

I wonder if you are working for Artega PR. It is starting to smell like astroturf.

I can't help but compare Artega to DeLorean, DeThomaso, and a host of other companies that attempted to compete in the automotive "big leagues" with new engineering using "off the shelf" components. I think that Artega has some good ideas, but frankly I would not be a customer for such a car at a price where I can obtain a Porsche or other established marque and be certain that the company will still be around a few years later. I wish them well.

I agree, this car is not for the average consumers, most likely for those who have money to burn and seeking exclusive one of the kind. I also agree with you that without innovative approach for companies just use for the shelf components is hard to compete with the big boys, unless they win a lot of races.

Not sure to be honest, could be a gem.......................or a Turkey like the ones from Hethel. Mike

It is essentially a kit car sold as complete. Delorean and DeTomaso are probably good analogies, but also case in points. I think DeLoreans originally went for $26K. If you still have one in orig condition, you may be breaking even or a little ahead (excluding carrying cost). Unfortunately, by the time the bumpers meet USDT guidelines, the car may not look quite as cool as it might otherwise. Neither does the Cayman for that matter.

I'm quite interested to see how this project will turn out. They clearly target Cayman clientele, so if they play their cards right, and accent on exclusivity of the car (due to limited availability), they may get the first year's batch sold out rather fast, and then position themselves for a price increase by buying one or two at the auctions thru a third-party, which can make it even more "exclusive". Many buy Porsches for the "cool" factor, and I, for one, can see how someone would find this car much "cooler" than a cayman. Very interesting.

I agree with the above comments - as nice as the car looks, it will be very hard for them to sell many cars unless they start to race the car, and these days racing is very expensive, so this becomes a catch 22 situation. Given the fact that some of the major car makers are having problems, company like this would have difficulties in becoming an acquisition target ( and gain financial backing in the process ) - as I understand Ford is dumping Aston, what is suppose to be the only Ford unit making money :-(

If the Artega GT breaks down, has a flat, whatever, then you call 1-800-SCREWED

Shouldn't the Artega be priced less than a Boxster?

LOL Put me down for one....I need more debt.

You know I was just thinking the EXACT same thing about the Boxster and Cayman! Can anyone believe that the coupe-Cayman costs more than the convertible-Boxster?

One interesting thing that I noticed was that the engine is located more like the 911 and not the Cayman ie. portion of it hangs behind the rear wheels. Whereas the exterior looks very good, the interior leaves something to be desired :-(

It's like a mix of a Lotus and Porsche, no? Less extreme in design than the Elise, more so than the Cayman. More comfortable, higher quality interior than the Elise, less/lower than the Cayman. I see a lot of the same lines. I wouldn't mind one, but it's like getting a Noble in the states and having no clue where to service it. - Suneet

Is it me or is it looking a lot more like an elise from the side and an S2000 from the front?

The only thing i like about the design is the rear.. the profile and the front havent grown on me yet! I think the Cayman looks waaay better!

I think the car is quite small. Six Cylinders, do you have dimensions?

Dimensions / Emblems Based on Artega web site and Cayman brochure (in bound book format) -- Dimensions are length x width x height in millimeters: Artega GT -- 3950 x 1880 x 1180 (= box size of 8.763 cubic meters) Cayman S -- 4341 x 1801 x 1305 (= box size of 10.203 cubic meters) For reference: 254 mm = 10 inches (exactly). Thus, the bounded box volume of a Cayman is 16.4% more than that of the Artega, while the mass of the Cayman is 17.4% greater. More photos of the car are shown in local Westphalian newspapers, are here: http://www.artega.de/artega/pdf/westfalen_blatt_20070301.pdf http://www.artega.de/artega/pdf/neue_westfaelische_20070301.pdf The Artega emblem is rather peculiar (it appears to be a masculine dog with long tongue and Picasso face yearning for oranges on a tree). I have no idea if this emblem was newly designed or taken from an existing emblem inherent to the local region. The center of the Porsche emblem is that of Stuttgart's coat of armor: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttgart Sex_Zylinder

the description of the emblem is creepy

Thanks but no thanks. This car is small, looks small, and it does not look as good as the Cayman.

2009 Artega GT by Fisker - Auto Shows Fisker ditches luxury and heads toward sportiness with its latest car, shown in Geneva. BY STEVEN COLE SMITH, March 2007 Yes, there’s a little Porsche Cayman there, and the Artega GT does have a 3.6-liter Volkswagen-sourced V-6 engine, so there is sort of a link to the family. But the styling, penned by Henrik Fisker, is cleaner than a Cayman. Fisker is, after all, the man responsible for much of the current look of the Aston Martin portfolio. Hardy Essig, a former Porsche engineer, helped develop the drivetrain. Performance, though, should not be that far removed from the Cayman S, if indeed the Artega GT comes in with the rumored 300 horsepower and a top speed in excess of 160 mph. Price is expected to be just under $100,000. Production, limited to 500 a year, is supposed to begin late in 2007, with sales starting in mid-2008. No word on whether there’s a U.S. importer waiting in the wings. The Artega GT is smaller and less luxury oriented than past Fisker designs, such as the Tramonto and Latigo CS (based on the Mercedes-Benz SL-class and BMW 6-series, respectively). This car represents a departure for the coachbuilder, but a decidedly successful one.

I think the interior is hecka ugly. It looks like 80's interiors. Plus the body dosent look like it flows as good as the caymans, I mean the lines are just too sharp, where as the caymans lines flow from the front to the back. In other words cayman looks like it was designed in the wind tunnel. And the other car, just has some flashy lines, kinda like the new corvettes.

Its got DSG though! Mega

Its small light wieght great engine and gearbox but we will probaly never see it in the US it looks like it could be an exceptional car like a lot of people said a cross between an Elise and a Cayman iwould not buy one simply for the reason someone mentioned about the Noble,Spectacular car,almost as spectacular as a CS but not as practical from an ownership standpoint