Page 1 of 1 In the summer of 2012 Spanish specialist manufacturer Tauro Sport Auto announced the limited production Tauro V8 Spider. Based in the city of Valladolid, the small company uses a choice of General Motors components to keep the cost down. The American underpinnings are clothed in a curvaceous Spider body.
The starting point for the Tauro V8 is a Pontiac Solstice donor vehicle from which the chassis is used. Produced between 2005 and 2009, the Solstice boasted a compact chassis and all-round independent suspension, which makes an ideal platform for a high-performance, two-seater sports car. With over 64,000 examples produced, it is also readily available.
Fitted in place of the Pontiac's four cylinder engine, is GM's latest LS3 V8. Displacing just under 6.2 litre, the all-aluminium unit produces around 440 hp in standard trim. Tauro Sport Auto also offers higher performance version with 480 hp and ultimately 530 hp on tap. A close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox with a limited slip differential comes as standard, while an automatic is available as option.
The rolling chassis is tightly wrapped in a bespoke body, which offers just enough room to seat two. The design is unique but does incorporate cues from some of the great roadsters of the past. The car boasts a conventional, fabric foldable roof. The V8 Spider has a kerb weight of 1,350 kg, with a near perfect balance of 53% over the front and 47% over the rear axle.
When the car was announced a limited production figure of just 30 examples was mentioned. Two complete V8 Spiders were shown but we do not know how many of the EUR 100,000+ machines have since been sold and/or built. Tauro Sport Auto also plan to add a Coupe version to line-up. Page 1 of 1