Self-righteous predators circle the bloated automotive sector, which has grown fat and slow and stupid on crossover SUVs and token facetious hybrids. Automobilia’s underbelly is exposed, as the sharp and unstoppable claws of governments and legislative groups seek to rake the soft, bulging flesh.
The end days are coming. And as a result people that are into cars are seeking an out. Anything. Something fast, something fun. Something that sounds good or is a hoot to drive.
In this period of chaos the ‘spec’ is something that decides whether a performance car dies or lives long enough to see the legislative tsunami hit. Exits are being covered by the day, and the ideal ‘spec’ is honed in upon. Naturally aspirated engine, low weight and an ethos centred on driver involvement. Tick these boxes and you might have a chance.
It’s a shame that these performance ideals are only becoming sought after now. Some cars gave all of this, and more and died a premature, stillborn death – like the Ascari A10.
The Ascari A10 is the spec. 5.0 Litre V8 taken from an E39 BMW M5, but tuned to make serious power; light body and GT racer considerations given to comfort and excess weight; manual steering, and a proper, race-spec bicep-clenching sequential gearbox.
Naturally aspirated engine? Tick. Low weight? Tick. Involving ethos? Tick.
The A10 is the kind of car that would have chequebooks flying ajar, and online banking apps being opened if it was announced in 2022.
It was track-focussed, mean, loud and punishingly capable.
Yet like many of the cars in this ongoing series, it was a victim of poor timing.
It was a fast, expensive and over the top car just when the world was about to be given a swirlie.
It was also a victim of what was considered cool at the time. Flappy paddle gearboxes were no cooler, or more desirable than when the A10 was released. As a result, it looked like an even more out of date dinosaur than the actual dinosaurs.
Again, it’s a shame.
Given its chance, the A10 would have kicked some serious arse and given a huge headache to the big supercar manufacturers.
Hey, perhaps there’s an alternate universe where the A10 was launched and Ascari is a real supercar player.
Bring on interdimensional travel is all we say.
Kerbside 