Ready for Prime Time? Arash AF-10

CAMBRIDGE, England — Arash Cars appears to be marching closer to production of its Arash AF-10 supercar — although the first of a limited run of 70 cars may still be several years away. In the meantime, Arash has released new images of the car and has boosted the projected price to around $530,000.

The company itself doesn't seem to have nailed down all the details. For instance, it is still planning to stuff a GM 7.0-liter LS7 V8 from the Corvette Z06 under the hood. A press release says Arash will nudge output to 550 horsepower and torque to 465 pound-feet. But the firm's Web site in one reference claims 505 hp and 475 lb-ft, and in another lists 550 hp and 409 lb-ft.

Regardless, the specs should be sufficient to propel the AF-10 to a top speed in excess of 200 mph, with 0-to-60-mph acceleration in a mere 3.4 seconds.

Arash has told several European publications that it is also planning to develop its own supercharged version of the LS7, rated at 800 hp and 553 lb-ft, as well as an even more potent variant with 1,000-plus hp and 700 lb-ft. for the future AF-10S.

According to Britain's Car magazine, Arash has another model in the development pipeline — a smaller yet still formidable AF-8. No word yet on whether it will share its larger sib's carbon fiber chassis and outer skin.

Inside Line says: Those engine numbers are academic anyway — at least until some real cars hit the road. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent