posted January 12, 2001 11:44 AM               

Unveiled in the heart of Modena on New Year’s Day, the Edonis (Greek for ‘pleasure’) has been developed by a company called B.Engineering, which claims it is the first car of the 21st Century (if you accept that the new century starts this year, not last). That’s why it says it’s planning to make just 21 examples.

The Edonis has been secretly designed over the last 15 months by a group of well-known Italian engineers. Leading figures in the development team include former Lancia, Ferrari and Formula 1 engineer Nicola Materazzi and ex-Bugatti safety director Federico Trombi, while president of the company is Jean Marc Borel, who previously held the same position at Lotus International. Borel also owns the new company, which is based in Campogalliano.
The Bugatti connections have played an important part in the Edonis’s creation.

After Bugatti closed in 1995, some employees got together and decided their work and experience should not be wasted. The Edonis’s carbonfibre chassis and engine are similar to those of the EB110, although the new car is longer. Suspension is by wishbones all round, while safety equipment will include ABS, integrated roll-bar and airbags.

Naturally the alloy body shrouds a mid-engine layout with a two- seater cabin under a distinctly cab-forward design. The Edonis features conventional doors rather than the elaborate type fitted to the EB110, though we’re told there will be nothing conventional about the interior.

An unusual spoiler grows over the rear section, which is dominated by huge air intakes and finished off by a dominant diffuser. The V12 twin-turbo engine is said to deliver 680bhp and 540lb ft from 3760cc. It is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox and Materazzi claims that the 1300kg Edonis will accelerate to 60mph in under four seconds and have a top speed of 225mph.

With the ambitious Edonis, B.Engineering hopes to become recognised as a styling and engineering resource able to handle special projects for car makers or private customers.
‘We are not a car manufacturer,’ says Borel. ‘The Edonis will be our first and last.’

The supercar will be displayed at the Geneva, Frankfurt and Tokyo shows, with production starting soon at the rate of two cars per month. The price will be something around £400,000.

evo will be bringing you the full story and driving impressions after we get behind the wheel this summer.

posted January 16, 2001 07:19 PM               

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There´s no substitute for efficiently engineered cubic inches(or centimeters)

posted January 18, 2001 12:11 PM               

I'd definately agree with Alex that Evo is the best magazine right now. Last month's issue was great. I live in the Netherlands, it is very hard to find here but I do my best