Oullim Spirra S: a Korean sports car?
 

...without the usual $ saving that comes with buying Korean products. (not anymore really)

If you played Gran Turismo 4 enough, you might recognize this car. Proto Motors, the only independent Korean manufacturer other than Hyundai Group itself, created a mid engine sports car in 2001 that eventually became the Spirra. Then in 2007, the company was bought by Oullim Group (apparently pronounced o-ullim), which is a info tech/software company. Why would a info tech company buy a car company? I don't know.

This is the latest evolution of the Spirra with pretty extensive facelift. More importantly, the Ford Modular 4.6L V8 has been replaced with a Hyundai 2.7 V6 from the Tiburon/Coupe/Tuscani. Why? I don't know. Not very exotic for a $100,000 car. Which it is.

The car's saving grace?
Its supercharged 2.7L V6 makes 400hp. And it's supposed to weigh just 1077kg (2376lb).
It's hand built in carbon fiber over a space frame.
It's 911 sized. Bit wider, shorter, with a longer wheelbase.
There's a racing version with a 600hp twin-turbo setup and a drag racing version with 700hp.
It's been in development for 7 years, so I assume all the kinks have been worked out.
It's pretty. It's distictive enough without looking ugly.

It's a bit too expensive for me, but it would interest someone who's in market for a Farbio or an Artega. People who want a distinctive sports car that's pretty and brisk enough to be interesting.

http://www.spirra.co.kr/
*Don't bother clicking the link. The entire site's in Korean and Oullim decided to be all "cool" by playing rap music, which I hate, on the site.

The car goes on sale on June 23.

http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/...008.Mini4L.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/...008.Mini3L.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/...008.Mini5L.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2008/...008.Mini6L.jpg

that looks nice.. kinda like a cheaper LOTUS lol :D