The Aria FXE is an American mid-engined sports car manufactured by American automotive design and engineering company Aria Group. The car is loosely named after Ed Taylor, former Vice President of Design at General Motors. The FXE is Aria's first production car, and was unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Aria FXE
Overview
ManufacturerAria Group
Production2019
400 Units
AssemblyUnited States: Irvine, California
DesignerNicholas David
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupe
LayoutMid-engine, all-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine6.2 L supercharged V8 (based on the GM Corvette LT4 engine)
Electric motorTwo axial-flux induction electric motors
Power output1,150 hp (858 kW; 1,166 PS)
1,316 lb⋅ft (1,784 N⋅m)
Transmission7-speed dual-clutch
Hybrid drivetrainFHEV
Battery10 kWh lithium-ion
Dimensions
Length4,500 mm (177 in)
Width1,900 mm (75 in)
Curb weight1,565 kg (3,450 lb)

History

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Before the FXE, Aria had been previously involved in designing and manufacturing concept and production cars such as the Singer Porsche 911, Ford Shelby GR-1 and the Tesla Model S concept from 2009. They had also designed aerospace, entertainment, production, and architectural systems and models such as the SpaceX "Dragon capsule", the Warthog (from the Halo 4 first-person shooter video game), the Las Vegas Monorail, and the Infiniti wall sculpture.[1]

Aria then made plans to create a sports car of their own in 2016, with their first in-house Aria-branded car in the form of the Aria "Fast Eddy" Concept.[2] This design was later used for the FXE. The car was teased a few days before it was unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.[3][4][5]

Vehicle data

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Aria's sports car is assembled at their product development facilities in Irvine, California.[6]

The FXE's engine is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine based on the General Motors LT4 engine (used in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06) and is supported by two axial-flux induction electric motors at the front with a 10 kWh battery pack. The combined power output is 1,150 hp (858 kW; 1,166 PS), and 1,316 lb⋅ft (1,784 N⋅m). A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is used to deliver the power to the rear wheels, while the front wheels are driven by the two electric motors making the car all-wheel drive. The car can accelerate from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 220 mph (354 km/h). [7]

The FXE uses a carbon fiber monocoque, carbon fiber panels, 3D printed aluminium and titanium parts along with HRE center-locking mechanised forged wheels with carbon fiber inserts utilising Pirelli Trofeo R tires.[7][8] The car uses Aria's patent-pending "Integrated Composite Structure" chassis.[6]

Sales and production

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Aria reports that only 400 cars would be produced, with every car being fully customised by the customer.[8] The car goes on sale in 2019.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Aria Group". www.aria-group.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-16. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  2. ^ "Aria Concept Car Imagines the Mid-Engined Corvette that Chevrolet Hasn't Built Yet". Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  3. ^ "Aggressive New Aria FXE Sports Car To Debut Next Week". CarBuzz. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  4. ^ "Aria FXE teased ahead of LA reveal | CarAdvice". CarAdvice.com. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles Motor Show: Aria FXE supercar teased, to debut on November 30 - Overdrive". Overdrive. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  6. ^ a b "2019 Aria FXE Hybrid Hypercar Makes Debut in L.A. With 1,150 HP - Motor Trend". Motor Trend. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  7. ^ a b "The Aria FXE Is an American-Made 1150-HP Hybrid Supercar". Road & Track. 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  8. ^ a b "The Aria FXE is a 1,150bhp American hypercar". www.topgear.com. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  9. ^ "Meet the Totally Outrageous Aria FXE, America's New 1,150-HP Supercar". Maxim. Retrieved 2017-12-02.