Spiess C 522 1992

[Ecnelis]

Spiess C 522

[Ecnelis]

Spiess C 522 #2

[250gto boy]

Since I don't speak or understand German can you tell me what kind of engine this crazy looking car has?
And that's a pretty cool car besides the flat gray.

[Ecnelis]

Prototype was with no engine - see last pic.

Apart from that there were supposed to be 2 versions: N/A C 522 and turbocharged TC 522, both with 5666 ccm V8's. First was ~340 hp, second ~550 hp.

[csl177]

From the "Dream Auto Archive" site: Spiess C 522 1997 an edited translation:

"The Spiess C 522 was a joint development of hardware manufacturers Gemmingen and generator manufacturer GEKO. It was designed by Karl-Heinz Knapp, formerly of Mercedes/AMG. A super-sports car with a tuned engine from the Chevrolet Corvette to be built in a limited edition of just 100 examples, initially priced about 500,000 DM, and later 870.000 DM. The prototype had 2+2 seating, a monocoque chassis of carbon fiber composite materials, steering wheel-tip control (flappy paddles), ABS, traction control, and reportedly over 500 hp.
The project never got beyond the planning stage. There was only one built, with a dummy engine for presentation."

Production year: 1992
Built in Germany
Production: 1
Price (US $): $725,000
Engine: Mid-mounted V8 naturally aspirated FI DOHC
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Displacement: 5670 cc / 346 in³
Power: 372.89999 kw / 500 bhp
Specific output: 88.18 bhp per litre
Torque: 881.29999 nm / 650 ft lbs
Redline: 7000
Body/Frame: Carbon fiber composite

Performance:

Top speed ~305.70999 kph / 190 mph
0 - 60 mph ~4 seconds
0 - 100 mph ~9.1999998 seconds

Apparently the Chevrolet engines were to be modified by Reeves Calloway, and the performance numbers from several sources suggest
they were engineering calculations, not actual tests. Maybe someone can clarify that and add more information.

BTW, there's a brochure for sale on eBay.uk for cheap.

[250gto boy]

Wow that's a crazy price tag. No one in their right mind would pay that much money for a car that couldn't even hit 200.

[NSXType-R]

For that price, you could have gotten a lot of car- perhaps a McLaren F1 in 1992?

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by 250gto boy

Wow that's a crazy price tag. No one in their right mind would pay that much money for a car that couldn't even hit 200.

There you have car that costs far more and barely hits 150...

[250gto boy]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

There you have car that costs far more and barely hits 150...

Yea but but with a Rolls Royce you are paying for a car that is the closest thing to mansion on wheels. And it comes with an inflatable driver.

[thebrochureman]

Crazy looking car.

[Ecnelis]

Originally Posted by csl177

initially priced about 500,000 DM, and later 870.000 DM.

Press release clearly states 198 000 DM...

[csl177]

Originally Posted by Ecnelis

Press release clearly states 198 000 DM...

Saw that as well as a couple of others... two quoted the info I posted (also supposedly "official" releases); same with production year,
'92 or '97? What's correct is anyone's guess. The intarwebs are full of misinformation.

[Man of Steel]

Ultra rare car, first high res pic's I see of this. Thanks for posting.

[Ecnelis]

Originally Posted by csl177

same with production year,
'92 or '97? What's correct is anyone's guess.

AFAIK 1992 is TC 522, showed at Frankfurt's airport (building cost was at least 760 000 DM) and C 522 is 1997, showed at IAA.

[csl177]

Originally Posted by Ecnelis

AFAIK 1992 is TC 522, showed at Frankfurt's airport (building cost was at least 760 000 DM) and C 522 is 1997, showed at IAA.

That explains it... thanks for the clarification.