Mantide after ’Ring

Is the mental Bertone supercar out to beat the Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring crown?

Posted by: Sam Philip, 09 July 2009

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Bertone Mantide

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Is the extraordinary Bertone Mantide out for the Nurburgring lap record?

Reports have reached us that the owner of the first Mantide, British gentleman racer Dan Watkins, is planning to take his £1.3 million supercar to the ’Ring with the aim of smashing the Corvette ZR1's production car record.

That record stands at 7 minutes 26.4 seconds, but on paper the Mantide should go quicker: it shares its underpinnings and 6.2-litre, 620bhp V8 with the ZR1, but is 100kg lighter, 25 per cent more slippery and generates 30 per cent more downforce. It'll manage the 0-60mph sprint in just 3.2 seconds, while the ZR1 takes a pedestrian 3.5 seconds.

We're told that Watkins is considering renting out the ’Ring for three days and hiring a Nordschliefe expert driver in order to secure the record.

If Baron Von Stiggington is busy, Mr Watkins, could we recommend the lovely Sabine Schmitz? 

What do you think?

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Yay first comment. That is well nice. I want one badly.

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You know what? It must be amazing to have money.

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It looks really weird... I'ld take that flowery bently over this!

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Could this beat the gumpert on the power lap board? bring it on

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That picture doesn't do it any justice. It is MUCH sexier in the flesh and that red doesn't help. The only thing i don't like about it (and I'm being very picky here) is the wheels. Weird centre bit, makes them look like push on fake alloys!

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