Aspid Cars teases sports car to join open-wheeler

Spanish automaker Aspid Cars informed us last Tuesday that it will be unveiling a sports car to complement its open-wheel track car.

The company didn't tell us much aside from saying that the car will be bigger than its first car, that it will be extremely lightweight and that it will offer multiple powertrain options, including a V8 and a KERS-like hybrid system.

The company also made sure to note that its name is no longer IFR Aspid. It's just Aspid Cars now.

The release came with a cryptic, darkened photo showing only the silhouette of the car. We used a little Photoshop magic to bring the vehicle into focus. It seems to have a classic sports-car profile, with a long hood and short rear deck. There is barely any overhang behind the rear tires, and we can see what look to be side pipes exiting just in front. There also looks to be an Audi-style sideblade behind the front wheel.

The company's first car, called the Supersport, looked a bit less like a GT and more like the open-wheeled Caterham or Donkervoort, and it weighed in at less than 1,550 pounds. The car used either a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine making 270 hp or a blown four with 402 hp. It cost about $117,000 for the less powerful version and about $167,500 for the supercharged model. We'd expect this new car to come in at near or more than that price point.

We'll keep you updated as we hear more about the Aspid. For now you can check out the company at www.aspidcars.com/ or tweet your thoughts to @Aspid_Cars.

By Jake Lingeman