Aria unveils FXE hypercar
After teasing us last year with a concept vehicle, Orange County’s Aria Group is coming to the LA Auto Show with the real thing — a functional version of its FXE hybrid powertrain hypercar. Only 400 will be built.
What it is: Aria Group’s FXE is an oldfashioned supercar with modern details. Designed with 21st century lines and aerodynamics, loaded with 21st century technology, it’s driven by a very familiar 6.2-liter V-8 engine — of the sort that sends Corvettes ringing around racetracks. But this one, built on a carbon composite chassis and weighing only 3,450 pounds, is mated to a 10-kWh lithium ion battery pack that shoves additional force to the wheels. The combination will put everything made by Chevy on notice. A new American hypercar is here.
Why it matters: Aria Group, a boutique design, engineering and manufacturing firm based in Irvine, has done automotive projects for Ford, Honda, Toyota, GM and Tesla, as well as Northrop Grumman and SpaceX. Now, Aria joins a small group of California carmakers — such as Tesla and Karma — trying to find a toehold in the world’s most competitive car market.
What’s new: The FXE is driven by a tried and tested V-8 engine, paired with a powerful electric motor. Together, the two dynamos make it fast. All-wheel drive and
the added assistance of the electric motor attached to the front axle will keep the power on the ground and maybe prevent the fuel economy from being gallons per mile instead of miles per gallon.
The competition: The FXE hasn’t been tested or driven by the motoring press, so it’s hard to be certain who should be nervous, if anyone. But customers for a car of this nature — and the likely sky-high price — could be shopping new cars such as the Pagani Huayra, Koenigsegg Agera RS, Porsche 918, or used ones such as the Ferrari LaFerrari or the McLaren P1. “We will be very competitive with other supercars in this performance category,” Aria Chief Executive Clive Hawkins said. “But of course we are better.”
The details: The dual powertrain is said to put out 1,150 horsepower and 1,316 poundfeet of torque, which will jet the FXE from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Scoops, spoilers and a wind wing will stabilize the car at high speeds and make it look like a track terror when it’s standing still. The price has not been announced.