Blog Continue: Perana Z-one

The Perana Z-one is the product of a vision born in the hearts of a collection of motoring enthusiasts and signals the first collaboration between Zagato, the renowned Milanese Coachbuilders, with a South African Vehicle Manufacturer, Perana Performance Group. Following in the footsteps of Zagato's long tradition of designing some of the most beautiful sports cars made in the last century, the Perana Z-one is no mere dream car. The Zagato Design Centre has styled the Perana Z-one with the same spirit as they have designed all their prestigious limited series marques, mainly for Collectors. The Perana Z-one is Zagato's first car specifically designed for low volume commercial production. In line with Zagato's new direction, sales of the Perana Z-one will be limited to 999 cars per annum within Europe, thereby assuring ongoing exclusivity and to commemorate the 90 years of Zagato design. If in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show Zagato brought a first concept version of the Perana Z-One sports car, this year at the same show the company brought the production version ready. The Perana Z-One will be the first sports car to come from South African and will have an estimated price of $65,000. Zagato hopes to build around 100 units a year. It’s powered by a GM-sourced 6.2-liter V8 engine that develops 440 hp. No word yet if this rear-wheel drive car also borrows other bits from GM’s part’s bin, but we do know that weight is down to a svelte 2634 lbs. This should be good for a 0 to 60 mph time in about 4 seconds.

South Africa is quickly becoming a hotbed for sports car development, with two new performance machines being announced in the country in just as many weeks. Built through collaboration between Zagato, the Milanese coachbuilders, and Perana Performance Group, the Z-One features a tubular and box section chassis with room for two passengers. Tucked among the exotica at Concorso Italiano was the new Zagato-styled, Hi-Tech-built and Superfomance-sold, Perana Z-One sports/GT.The Perana sports car Z-One is designed in Italy, powered by American muscle and manufactured in South Africa. The "Z" stands for Zagato, Chief Designer Norihiko Harada using the Italian design house's DNA to form a dynamic supercar.The sports car Perana Z-One will go on sale in the U.S. through Superformance after its Concorso Italiano debut in August. American buyers will get an allocation of just 99 units, so you probably won’t be seeing one parked outside of your local trattoria any time soon.One is beautiful. And the build quality is exquisite. The panel gaps put all the high-priced Italian vehicles surrounding it to shame. The styling is definitely that of a European GT.The 6.2L V8 engine generates 440hp (328kW) and 430lb-ft of torque (583Nm) of torque, and redlines at 6,600rpm. That's enough to scoot the 2,630lb (1,195kg) car to 62mph (100km/h) in an estimated sub-4 second time. Big brakes - 325mm up front, 305mm in the rear - slow things down again, while unequal length A-arms, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs at all four corners handle the curves. The drivetrain comes from Chevy, the Corvette's 6.2-liter V-8 delivering 440 bhp to the rear wheels. The Z-One also uses the Vette's 6-speed manual gearbox, but the tubular space frame has been engineered in South Africa. Perana claims 0–60 mph in just 4 seconds.2011 Perana Sports Car Z-One is the limited production, because the gorgeous body of each Perana Z-One will be handbuilt in Italy by coachbuilder Zagato and then shipped in pieces to South Africa where there are attached to the vehicle’s chassis. The Z-One's chassis has been completely conceived and designed by Perana engineers in South Africa, despite the engine sourced from General Motors.

Customers who purchase the limited edition 40th Anniversary Perana Z-One, of which only 40 will be made, will receive a commemorative David Yurman timepiece customized to complement the car in color and design. The first 20 customers to purchase the Perana Z-one will receive a highly exclusive version of the timepiece featuring a black diamond bezel. All of the limited edition watches will feature the Perana logo engraved on the smoked sapphire crystal case back. The watches will be presented to each car buyer in a limited edition box set complete with a David Yurman for Barrett-Jackson keychain. While Barrett-Jackson VIPs were among the first to see this future collectible watch and car, all 185,000 attendees who flock to Scottsdale for the 6 day event will have a chance to see this unique pairing. The 40th Anniversary Perana Z-one on display has been painted a striking Black Cherry Pearl with satin black-and-red wheels designed to match the Barrett-Jackson logo, using hues from the new Barrett-Jackson Planet Colors line of automotive paints from Sherwin-Williams. The Perana will be on display in the Sherwin-Williams booth during the remainder of the event. All during 2011, the 40th Anniversary Perana Z-one will be displayed at Barrett-Jackson events around the country. The Perana Z-one made its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show before appearing for the first time in the United States at the Concorso Italiano event in August. Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas was the first televised showing of the Perana Z-one, where it garnered much praise for its elegant looks, amazing performance and attainable pricing. Superformance Distribution will be the sole U.S. Distributor of the Perana Z-one, which is being limited to just 99 units per year in America. The Perana project is the result of legendary Milanese coachbuilder Zagato's nine-decade-long expertise in constructing specially-bodied sports cars and GTs for some of Europe's most established makes. The first car to be designed as a bespoke project, the Z-one is very much a back-to-basics, no frills sports car which demands driver input beyond that required by the established players in this segment of the market. The use of emission-compliant GM E-Rod LS-series crate engines ensures high performance, drivability, reliability and serviceability. The General Motors Performance Parts crate engines also come with a full 24-month, 50,000-mile warranty from GMPP. Limited to just 99 units per annum, there is no car currently available that boasts this level of exclusivity, power, performance and styling...especially at such an unparalleled price.