The Specter is changing the meaning of affordable high performance. 310hp in a 1,450 pound package. Hardly anything on the market can boast such a power to weight ratio. The car’s chassis and suspension are designed and developed from the ground up by Specter Motor Works, with the drivetrain sourced from Ford. The vehicle is fully street legal, and is sold as a kit car to any market across the globe. The Specter is hand made to order and is currently on sale. Options include chassis powder-coat color, panel color (or carbon fiber clear coat), seats, steering wheel, an electronic driver-adjustable active suspension, and radio/navigation.

The Experience

This is a true thoroughbred track car for the road. The Specter, sitting 4.5 inches off the ground with its road hugging center of gravity, gives a raw driving experience reminiscent of indy and formula cars. Designed with a fully mechanical and unassisted steering system, the driver is always connected directly to the road. Every turn, every curve, and every movement of the steering wheel gives direct feedback to the driver, making even the most mundane outing an exhilarating experience.

The streamlined aerospace inspired design does not compromise driver or passenger comfort. Ingress is still effortless, and the seats are independently adjustable, accommodating a wide range of driver heights. The interior features a carbon-fiber dashboard and center console, ambient lighting, locking glovebox, and an optional Bluetooth stereo system.

Each vehicle is hand-crafted to order, with additional customizations available within reason. The car is made in California and is fully street legal.

The Handling

The car is equipped with Formula 1 inspired dual-wishbone push-rod suspension. The coil-over shocks have 324 adjustable dampening settings, catering to a wide variety of driving preferences. An electronic driver-adjustable active suspension is also available. This system uses control algorithms updating 1,000 times per second to monitor vehicle weight, wheel position, and chassis movement to effectively control harsh bottoming and to limit transmission of energy to the vehicle chassis, resulting in improved vehicle handling and stability.

The rear-mid-engine configuration and low center of gravity, coupled with the track tuned suspension, give the vehicle a comfortable ride over rough street conditions, while being able to attack corners with ease and minimal body roll. The chassis’ unique door-less design allows for high rigidity, while giving the occupants maximum legroom and interior comfort.

The Power

A 2.0L turbocharged inline 4 - producing 252hp - is standard. Available as an optional upgrade is a 2.3L turbocharged inline 4 - producing 310hp. The engine is coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission, and offers high torque at low RPMs, giving the driver breathtaking acceleration off the line. The drivetrain in its base configuration gives the car a better power to weight ratio than exotics such as the Corvette Z06 and Ferrari 458.

The engine is sourced from Ford’s awarded Ecoboost engine lineup. The wide variety of aftermarket drivetrain modifications available for the Ford product line are all compatible with this car, making the power possibilities even higher.

The Engineering

Drawing on our past experience of designing driver focused racers, we figured out a way to combine the reliability and quality of a modern vehicle with the performance required for the track. Mechanical components such as bushings, bearings, and linkages are all sourced from production car applications to ensure every part will last the life of the car.

Chassis and suspension components are designed and tested to withstand stresses far beyond those seen from the worst road conditions. 200+ hours of computer simulations on the chassis were conducted to achieve a highly rigid frame, that has a low member count and a low, balanced weight.

Specifications

Engine (standard)

2.0L Turbo, 252hp @ 5,500rpm, 270 lb.ft @ 3,000rpm

Engine (Option)

2.3L Turbo, 310hp @ 5,500rpm, 320 lb.ft @ 3,000rpm

Transmission

6 speed manual

Weight

1,450 pounds

Weight Distribution

40 / 60

Tires

Toyo Proxy R888 - 235 / 40 R17 front, 255 / 40 R17 rear

Brakes

Willwood 4-piston disk

Steering

Manual, 1.75 turns lock-to-lock

Track

62"

Wheelbase

98"

Ground Clearance

4.5"

Body

Carbon fiber