Detroit, Michigan – Could a Falcon succeed to the Viper and become America’s newest supercar? That may well be the dream nurtured by Jeff and Carl Lemke, co-founders of Mach 7 Motorsports. This offshoot of AP Engineering (for Advance Propeller Engineering Inc.), a well-known aftermarket consumer supplier of Dodge Viper components based in Holly, Michigan, unveiled their first in-house creation last week at the Detroit Auto Show : the Falcon.
This mid-engined high performance 2-seater is designed to be stunning and unique, boasting a “don’t mess with me” kind of styling. “The Falcon is an aesthetic design, not the result of aerodynamic research. When we created it, we did not want to compromize its beauty”, Carl Lemke told us.
The body design boast shapes inspired by General Dynamics’ F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter, hence the name. The front of the Falcon also reminds car buffs of Gumpert’s Apollo while the rear kind of evoques the Ferrari F50.
Mach 7’s sport coupe with targa roof has a carbon fiber body to maintain the car weight under 1300 kilos. The body rides on a hydro-formed chassis with aluminum components, adjustable KW coil-over shock suspension and Stop-Tech disk brakes.
Power comes from Corvette engines. Offered for under 185,000 US$ according to Mr Lemke, the “base” Falcon will use a 500-hp LS3 V-8 powering the rear wheels through a 6-speed tranny. The 640-hp LS9 V-8 in the high end model will bump the price tag to 220,000 US$, while allowing this model to reach 100 km/h from standstill in less than 4 seconds.
The car exhibited at the Detroit Show was two and a half year in the making. It was almost finished, said Mr. Lemke, with some tweaking needed to be done inside the car.
Production should start in Spring and the Lemkes hope to produce seven cars this year. Next year, annual production should reach 15 units, no more as exclusivity is of the utmost importance for the makers of the Falcon.
“The Falcon has raised a lot of interest through the Viper community, because of our core business , said Mr. Lemke. And, yes, we hope to sell cars in Canada as well!”
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| Production of the Mach 7 Falcon should start in early 2011. (Photo : Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
This mid-engined high performance 2-seater is designed to be stunning and unique, boasting a “don’t mess with me” kind of styling. “The Falcon is an aesthetic design, not the result of aerodynamic research. When we created it, we did not want to compromize its beauty”, Carl Lemke told us.
The body design boast shapes inspired by General Dynamics’ F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter, hence the name. The front of the Falcon also reminds car buffs of Gumpert’s Apollo while the rear kind of evoques the Ferrari F50.
Mach 7’s sport coupe with targa roof has a carbon fiber body to maintain the car weight under 1300 kilos. The body rides on a hydro-formed chassis with aluminum components, adjustable KW coil-over shock suspension and Stop-Tech disk brakes.
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| Jeff Lemke unveiled the Falcon last week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo : David Freers/NAIAS) |
Power comes from Corvette engines. Offered for under 185,000 US$ according to Mr Lemke, the “base” Falcon will use a 500-hp LS3 V-8 powering the rear wheels through a 6-speed tranny. The 640-hp LS9 V-8 in the high end model will bump the price tag to 220,000 US$, while allowing this model to reach 100 km/h from standstill in less than 4 seconds.
The car exhibited at the Detroit Show was two and a half year in the making. It was almost finished, said Mr. Lemke, with some tweaking needed to be done inside the car.
Production should start in Spring and the Lemkes hope to produce seven cars this year. Next year, annual production should reach 15 units, no more as exclusivity is of the utmost importance for the makers of the Falcon.
“The Falcon has raised a lot of interest through the Viper community, because of our core business , said Mr. Lemke. And, yes, we hope to sell cars in Canada as well!”
 |
| (Photo : Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |