What is it? A concept that debuted last year at the show, the Aria FXE returns this year, closer to production ready and designed to challenge the might of Europe’s most fearsome supercars. The mid-engine, carbon fibre-intensive sports car’s reported specs are impressive and more than a little frightening. It starts with a 720-horsepower V8 powering the rear wheels, plus another 540 hp courtesy of a twin-motor front axle. So, yes, the FXE is four-wheel drive. Power is channelled through an eight-speed sequential gearbox.
Why does it matter? Well, Aria Group says the world needs an American hypercar to compete with Ferrari, Bugatti, McLaren. Koenigsegg, etc. And Aria Group is no fly-by-night outfit. The Irvine, Calif.-based company has 20 years of expertise in rapid manufacturing technology. Its 60,000-square-foot complex houses engineering and design departments, provides CAD and digital modelling services, a CNC machine shop, a clean room facility for advanced composite fabrication, and a bunch of other stuff that allows it to build something ungodly quick and undoubtedly beyond expensive — like the FXE
When will Canada get it? The FXE is still in development. Aria says it will have “cars to drive” sometime in 2018 and is hoping to have bespoke models for sale in late 2019.
Should you buy it? Each car is going to be built to order, so you can pretty much guarantee exclusivity. Do you need a car like this? No. Do you want a car like this … ?
