2010 Hulme CanAm Supercar Review

A limited run of just 20 New Zealand-designed and built Hulme CanAm supercars ensures extreme rarity value. The developers of the eagerly-awaited 200+mph Hulme CanAm Supercar, named in honor of New Zealand racing legend and F1 World Champion, Denny Hulme, have announced an attractive proposition for those wishing to purchase an option to order one of an extremely limited production run.

The Auckland based Supercar developer-manufacturer, Hulme Supercars, has launched a package which is designed to guarantee rarity value by offering options to purchase the total production run of just 20 Hulme CanAm supercars, on a first-come, first-served basis. The only production road car to bear the name of a F1 World Champion,

The Hulme CanAm is an ultra high-performance, mid-engined roadster. Created for both road and track use, the car blends the raw flavor and appeal of a Formula racing car with dramatic design, superb craftsmanship, exceptional performance and a thrilling and achievable driving experience.

An order for the CanAm will be secured by the deposit of £10,000 which, as Jock Freemantle, Hulme Managing Director, explains, is fully-refundable if the option is not converted to an order.

“Deposits will be held in a Trust account�, he confirms, “pending a private viewing and driving experience of the car at or before the 2011 Goodwood

Festival of Speed for those who have purchased an option to order. Following that, if anyone does not wish to proceed, the terms on which the deposit is paid will provide a guarantee that their total deposit will be returned immediately.�

The 20 customer cars will be coach-built and equipped to customer order, with delivery commencing in the UK in the Autumn of 2011 and into 2012, the 20th anniversary of Denny Hulmes death.

Those who proceed to purchase are promised an experience as unique as the Hulme CanAm itself. Having determined the specification of their car, Hulme customers will enjoy two Air New Zealand Business Premier (Full flat bed) return tickets to Auckland, New Zealand, with one-week luxury accommodation, for their final fitting in the car and further road and circuit driving, before the car is shipped to their chosen destination.

All production cars will be numbered, with a guaranteed certificate of authenticity, and a 1/8 scale exact replica, finished in the same livery and specification, plus a full photographed dossier of the cars build.

For Freemantle, the purchase offer is a significant milestone in the development of the Hulme CanAm:

“The concept car, in coupe form, was first revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2006. Such was the interest that we conducted extensive research to assess demand, culminating in the decision to initially offer an open-top CanAm version, celebrating Hulmes victories of the “Can Am Championship� in 1968 and 1970,� he said.

Development of the ultra-sleek F1-inspired CanAm car continued, with a finished prototype extensively tested on both road and track before the decision was made to accept orders.

Designed and hand-built by the Hulme Supercars technology team in New Zealand - including members who were responsible for the nations Americas Cup triumphs - the road-legal “Hulme CanAm� features an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tub and bodywork, and race-orientated chassis, suspension and braking.

To honour Dennys CanAm Championship wins in McLaren CanAm cars powered by Chevrolet V8s, the Hulme CanAm is powered by a 7-litre (427cu.in) Chevrolet LS7 V8 developing 600bhp and 600Nm torque, fed through a close-ratio, six-speed CIMA manual gearbox (Paddles or Sequential shift will be options available). As a consequence of its lightweight construction, the Hulme CanAm weighs in at less than 1,000kg. This combination promises a sub-three and a half second sprint to 100kph, and top speed in excess of 200mph.

Despite its ultra-performance and emphatic race car credentials, the Hulme Supercars design and development focus has been on driveability, with power delivery and handling dynamics optimised for maximum driving enjoyment on track and on the road.

For Greeta Hulme, the widow of Denny - who passed away in 1992 " the announcement of the Hulme CanAms production is warmly welcomed: “Jock Freemantles desire to honour Dennys life with this unique car has been matched by his irrepressible enthusiasm and passion to create it. I am both proud and immensely impressed with what he and the Hulme Supercars team have achieved.�

The purchase price of the Hulme CanAm will be fixed at £295,000 (plus local taxes) on receipt of an order, including delivery worldwide.

Hulme CanAm Standard Specifications

Body & Chassis
Chassis: Carbon Fibre/Composite construction
Body: Carbon Fibre/Composite construction

Engine & Transmission
Type: General Motors LS7 V8
Cylinders: 8
Displacement: 427 cu.in /7,000cc
Stroke: 4.0� /100cm
Power: 450Kw (600 HP)
HP/Litre: 85.7
Torque: 600 Nm at rear wheels
Configuration: Mid-longitudinal
Transmission: CIMA 6-speed, transaxle with LSD
Drive Wheels: RWD

Suspension
Front: Double Wishbone & Pushrod
Inboard Coil-over damper & anti-roll bar
Rear: Double Wishbone & Pushrod.
Inboard Coil-over damper & anti-roll bar

Braking
Front: Ventilated discs (362 x 32mm), AP Racing 6-Piston Calipers.
Rear: Ventilated discs (362 x 32mm), AP Racing 6-Piston Calipers.

Steering
Type: Progressive power-assisted

Wheels & Tyres
Wheels: Front: 8.5� x 19� alloy Centre lock
Rear: 11� x 20� alloy Centre lock
Tyres: Front: 245 x 40 x 19 Pirelli P.-Zero Rosso
Rear: 315 x 35 x 20 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso

Dimensions
Length: 4712 mm / 185.5 inch
Width: 1958 mm / 77 inch
Height: 1095 mm / 43 inch
Wheelbase: 2830 mm / 111.42 inch
Front Track: 1665 mm / 65.55 inch
Rear Track: 1605 mm / 63.19 inch
Kerb Weight: 980 Kg / 2160 lbs