JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Just a week after the Barnard Le Mans-style sports car was unveiled in the city of Bloemfontein, the wraps have come off another South African supercar, the Perana Z-One, ahead of its debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
Built in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, the Zagato-designed grand tourer will make its international debut at next week's Geneva show on the stand of the celebrated Italian styling house.
The Corvette-powered two-place coupe lacks safety nets such as ABS, traction control or air bags and is a purist car intended for driving enthusiasts. Deliveries to Europe begin late this summer, with sales in South Africa to start in late 2010.
The Perana Z-One is produced by specialist low-volume car producer High-Tech Automotive, which also builds the SPF GT40 and the Daytona Cobra Coupe replica.
High-Tech's owner, Jimmy Price, is partnered in the project by South African power boater and car racer Peter Lindenberg, as well as Basil Green, who decades ago modified a number of homologation racing specials, including the Ford Capri, Cortina and Escort, under the Perana name.
"The demise of low-volume car manufacturers around the world, coupled with the changes in European Union legislation allowing low-volume manufacturers of type-approved models to enter the market, created the opportunity to build such a car," says Price.
The Perana Z-One is expected to retail for $65,000-plus.
Inside Line says: The best feature of the Perana Z-One will be its expected price tag, which should dramatically undercut competitors from a number of established brands. — Denis Droppa, Correspondent
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