Jiotto Caspita 1989-1990

The Jiotto Caspita is a prototype mid-engine sports car designed and manufactured by Dome in 1989. The car was billed as the "F1 on the Road." The original design of the car was done by Kunihisa Ito, who was the vice-president and chief designer of Jiotto Design Incorporated.

[B]1989 Jiotto Caspita (Mk I)[/B]
The first car was powered by a Motori Moderni Flat-twelve engine, a detuned Formula One engine originally built for Subaru, and then in 1990 a second concept was built with a Judd GV V10 engine, new twin circular taillights, and more traditionally styled side mirrors as Subaru took the engine to use in its Formula-one car for the 1990 season. Both engines were longitudinally mounted, and powered through a 6-speed gearbox built by Wiesmann. The car first made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the same year, but the project would die out in 1993 due to the global recession which meant lack of demands for supercars. With the Judd engine, the Caspita is capable of 577 hp (430 kW) at 10,750 rpm and 283 ft·lbf (384 N·m) of torque at 10,500 rpm. This, along with a curb weight of 2,734 lb (1,240 kg), gives the Caspita a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of approximately 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h).

The Mk.I Caspita is currently on display at the Motorcar Museum of Japan, whilst the Mk. II is still in the possession of Dome and sits in their museum below the wind tunnel at their headquarters.

[B]Specifications (1989 Mk I Caspita)[/B]
[B]Dimensions[/B]
Wheelbase: 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Track - front: 1,630 mm (64.2 in)
Track - rear: 1,600 mm (63.0 in)
Length: 4,534 mm (178.5 in)
Width: 1,996 mm (78.6 in)
Height: 1,135 mm (44.7 in)
Length-to-wheelbase ratio: 1.68
Kerb weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
Weight distribution: 40/60
Fuel capacity: 100 L (22.0 imp gal; 26.4 US gal)

[B]Engine[/B]
Manufacturer: Motori Moderni
Type: DOHC flat-12
Total valves: 60 (5 per cylinder)
Main bearings: Standard
Bore x stroke: 84.00 mm (3.3 in) x 52.60 mm (2.1 in)
Bore x stroke ratio: 1.6
Displacement: 3497 cc (213 in³)
Unitary capacity: 291 cc/cylinder
Fuel system: EFi
Aspiration: Natural
Compressor type: N/A
Intercooler: None
Catalytic converter: Standard
Max. output: 456 PS (335 kW; 450 hp) @ 10,000 rpm
Max. torque: 362 N⋅m (267 lb⋅ft) (36.9 kgf·m) @ 6,000 rpm
Coolant water: Standard
Specific output: 128.7 bhp (96 kW; 130 PS) per litre (2.11 bhp/in³, 96.0 kW/L)
Specific torque: 103.5 N·m/L

[B]Performance[/B]
0–62 mph (100 km/h): 4.7s
Top speed: 199 mph (320 km/h)
Power-to-weight ratio: 409 bhp per metric ton (305 kW/t)

[B]Other[/B]
Engine layout: Mid-engine
Alignment: Longitudinal
Steering type: Rack and pinion
Suspension: independent double-wishbone coil-spring with anti-roll bars (Front and rear)
Wheels: 9JJ x 17 (F), 13JJ x 17 (R)
Tyres: 245/40 ZR 17 (F), 335/35 ZR 17 (R)
Brakes: ventilated discs
Brake size: 332 mm
Transmission: 6-speed
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Top-gear ratio: 1.00
Final drive ratio: 3.75

[B]Specifications (1990 Mk II Caspita)[/B]
[B]Dimensions[/B]
Wheelbase: 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Track - front: 1,630 mm (64.2 in)
Track - rear: 1,600 mm (63.0 in)
Length: 4,595 mm (180.9 in)
Width: 1,996 mm (78.6 in)
Height: 1,135 mm (44.7 in)
Length-to-wheelbase ratio: 1.7
Kerb weight: 2,734 lb (1,240 kg)
Weight distribution: 40/60
Fuel capacity: 100 L (22.0 imp gal; 26.4 US gal)

[B]Engine[/B]
Manufacturer: Judd
Type: 72-degree DOHC V10
Total valves: 40 (4 per cylinder)
Main bearings: Standard
Bore x stroke: 92.00 mm (3.6 in) x 52.60 mm (2.1 in)
Bore x stroke ratio: 1.75
Displacement: 3497 cc (213 in³)
Unitary capacity: 349.7 cc/cylinder
Fuel system: EFi
Aspiration: Natural
Compressor type: N/A
Intercooler: None
Catalytic converter: Standard
Max. output: 585 PS (430 kW; 577 hp) @ 10,750 rpm
Max. torque: 385 N⋅m (284 lb⋅ft) (36.9 kgf·m) @ 10,500 rpm
Coolant water: Standard
Specific output: 165 bhp (123 kW; 167 PS) per litre (2.7 bhp/in³, 96.0 kW/L)
Specific torque: 110.09 N·m/L

[B]Performance[/B]
0–62 mph (100 km/h): 4.7s
Top speed: 199 mph (320 km/h)
Power-to-weight ratio: 409 bhp per metric ton (305 kW/t)

[B]Other[/B]
Engine layout: Mid-engine
Alignment: Longitudinal
Steering type: Rack and pinion
Suspension: independent double-wishbone coil-spring with anti-roll bars (Front and rear)
Wheels: 9JJ x 17 (F), 13JJ x 17 (R)
Tyres: 245/40 ZR 17 (F), 335/35 ZR 17 (R)
Brakes: ventilated discs
Brake size: 332 mm
Transmission: 6-speed
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive
Top-gear ratio: 1.00
Final drive ratio: 3.75

[SIZE=1]Source: Wikipedia[/SIZE]

[I]Jiotto Caspita Mk II[/I]

ahh, finally some decent pics of that great car
haven't seen the rear before either, thanks man :)

A couple of hi-res scans of the "other" Caspita.

Jiotto Caspita:

Preliminary models and sketches.

Jiotto Caspita:

An interior photo of the prototype #1

Oh my god... Those are super rare!
Thanks a lot for sharing, Mario.

I like the steering wheel. It looks like a Morris Marina racing wheel... :D

Jiotto Caspita #5

in the first post, first pic is another car to the left. Who can tell me what that is?

[QUOTE=henk4]in the first post, first pic is another car to the left. Who can tell me what that is?[/QUOTE]
It's the Dome Zero. Mid engined, rear wheel drive concept car powered by a 2.8-litre straight six Nissan engine. Built in 1978.

Jiotto Caspita #6

Jiotto Caspita (Mk I) #7