Ginetta G50
Ginetta G50 GT4 competing at the 2010 Macau Grand Prix.
Overview
ManufacturerGinetta Cars
Production2008–2014
AssemblyLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
DesignerLawrence Tomlinson
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutFront-engine, rear wheel drive
RelatedGinetta G50 EV
Ginetta G50Z
Powertrain
Engine
Power output
  • G50: 300–340 hp (224–254 kW; 304–345 PS)
  • G50 GT4: 355 hp (265 kW; 360 PS)
  • G50Z: 490 hp (365 kW; 497 PS)
Transmission6-speed Hewland sequential manual
6-speed Quaife E60G sequential manual
Dimensions
Length4,104.6 mm (161.6 in)[3]
Width1,889.8 mm (74.4 in)[3]
Height1,132.8 mm (44.6 in)[3]
Kerb weight945 kg (2,083 lb)
1,100 kg (2,425 lb) (G50Z)
Chronology
PredecessorGinetta G20 (Race and Road versions
SuccessorGinetta G55 (Race version) Ginetta G60 / Ginetta G40 (Road Version)

The Ginetta G50 is a specialist GT4 class-developed racing car, designed by Ginetta Cars. A road version of the car was planned, but did not enter wide-scale production; instead, the smaller Ginetta G40 was launched.

Development

Ginetta G50

In late 2007, in what he later described as his Victor Kiam moment,[4] Leeds-based businessman Lawrence Tomlinson bought Ginetta Cars from the group of enthusiasts, who themselves had bought it out of administration.[5]

The G50 was developed to celebrate 50 year of production of Ginetta Cars. With base specifications penned by trained engineer Tomlinson, the car was developed in under six months.[6]

Racing

Launched in 2008, the G50 was awarded Autosport National Car of the Year in its first year.[6] With its own Ginetta GT Supercup one-make series, the G50 has also been undefeated GT4 class championship winner record holder in the British GT Championship (5), and won the GT4 European Cup in 2009, beating Aston Martin, BMW and Porsche.

As a result, Ginetta Cars won "Small Business of the Year" from the Motorsport Industry Association in 2008, and in 2009 Tomlinson was nominated by the MIA for the "Outstanding Contribution to Motorsport" award.[6]

Road car

The first Ginetta G50 road-registered car was shown in April 2008,[7] and then took part in the Silverstone Supercar Tour. It features the same base set-up as the race car, with a proposed development of a V8 model with 520 brake horsepower (390 kW). Retail prices were estimated at starting from £45,000 ($72,549) for the V6, and £100,000 ($161,220) for the V8. However, due to the economic recession, Ginetta indefinitely shelved plans for general production of the G50, instead opting to produce the smaller, cheaper Ginetta G40.[8]

G50 EV Prototype

Ginetta G50 EV at Goodwood in 2009

In 2009, Ginetta, in conjunction with Zytek, built an electric version of the G50 named the Ginetta G50 EV Prototype. The car was fitted with a rear-mounted 90 kW (122 PS; 121 hp) electric motor, with the regular petrol engine being removed. Ginetta gave an estimated range of between 150 and 250 miles.[9] In November, former Formula 1 World Champion John Surtees drove the prototype through the Channel Tunnel, with the car becoming the first production-specification car to be driven through the tunnel.[10] However, production was cancelled following the company's failure to secure a government grant for the project.[11]

G50Z

Ginetta G50Z

In 2008, the Ginetta G50Z was announced. Intended for GT3 class racing, the car featured a 4.0-litre Zytek V8 engine which was then down graded to 3.8-litres before the car was sold to privateer teams due to the mechanical problems. The engine produced 365 kW (496 PS; 489 hp) in the highest trim. The car focused on improved handling and stability, a front splitter and a large rear diffuser aided in that purpose along with a large rear wing. The engine was coupled to a 6-speed Hewland sequential manual gearbox operated by paddles on the steering column which resulted in faster gear changes than the GT4.

References

  1. ↑ "Cars - G50". Ginetta Cars. Archived from the original on 25 May 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "The Ginetta G50 GT4 car" (PDF). Ginetta Cars. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Race Car-Ginetta G50" (in German). Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Bounds, Andrew (27 April 2010). "A high-speed empire builder". Financial Times. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Wilson, Bill (20 September 2011). "Ginetta owner relishes high-octane business career". BBC News. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 "Lawrence Tomlinson". Yorkshire Mafia Conference. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Road-legal Ginetta G50 enters production". Motor Authority. 18 April 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "Ginetta G50 replaced by G40". Autocar. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Ginetta G50 EV Prototype Review". Autocar. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "John Surtees pilots electric Ginetta G50EV through Channel Tunnel - UK Auto News, Latest Car News". Nationwide Vehicle Contacts. 19 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  11. ↑ "Ginetta G50 EV plans 'on hold'". Autocar. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
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