Body and Interior
The Tuscan is a two seat, two door convertible, manufactured in
glass reinforced polyester resin with Kevlar and carbon fibre inserts for additional
strength. This is moulderd in one section for the forward opening bonnet and one section
for the remainder of the bodyshell. Strategically designed internal body crumple zones
protect front and rear portions of the vehicle, complying to all current safety
legislation.
A laminated front windscreen and frameless door windows combine
with twin roof panels and a fold down header to complete the roof structure. This allows
the vehicle to be driven in a number of open and closed positions. The roof is trimmed in
mohair in a variety of colour schemes.
Individual figure hugging seats with fore, aft and tilt movements
are combined wtih separate headrests and trimmed in leather. The modular dashboard houses
full instrumentation of speedometer, electric tachometer, oil pressure, fuel, water
temperature gauges, along with voltmeter and electric clock. Windows are electrically
operated as are twin exterior door mirrors.
Chassis, Suspension, Brakes and Tyres
The bodyshell is combined with a jig formed, multi tubular steel
spaceframe chassis with outriggers. This is manufactured out of 1½" circular 16
gauge tubing, plastic coated for corrosion resistance. |
Front suspension is by unequal length
fabricated wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. Rear
suspension is by double fabricated wishbones, telescopic absorbers, coil springs,
anti-roll bar and constant velocity sliding driveshafts from the centrally mounted limited
slip differential.
The braking system is servo assisted throughout with large diameter
Brembo 11.5" 293mm ventilated front discs. Rear discs are solid and mounted outboard
and 10.2 260mm diameter. The handbrake cable is operated from the centrally mounted lever
and acts on the rear discs.
Road wheels are OZ Racing 32 stud split rim aluminium alloy 8J x
15" and utilise low profile 225/50 VR15 high performance tyres.
Engine, Fuel System & Transmission
The engine is front mounted and drives the rear wheels through a
five speed transmission. The unit is an aluminium alloy 90 degree Vee 8 Cylinder with a
total capacity of 3528cc 215cu.in. The bore and stroke ration is 88.9mm x 77.12mm
3.5" x 2.8" respectively with a compression ratio of 10.1.
It features overhead valves, operated by hydraulic tappets for
maintenance free service. The crankshaft is five bearing. Maximum power is 225 bhp at 5280
rpm. Maximum torque is 235 ft/lbs at 4000 rpm. |
Induction is by Lucas manufactured L
type electronic fuel injection system. A single electric fuel pump and filters are
utilised along with a single 12 gallon fuel tank mounted at the rear of the vehicle over
the axle line. The system incorporates anti-surge pots for high acceleration and
cornering.
The transmission is five speed manual with hydraulic operated
single dry plate diaphragm clutch. No automatic transmission is available. Gear ratios
are: 1st 3.32;1, 2nd 2.09:1, 4rd 1.40:1, 4th 1.00:1, 5th, 0.792:1. Reverse 3.43:1.
A centrally mounted limited slip hypoid bevel final drive is
utilised with a ratio of 3.31:1. This produces 26 mph 42 kph per 1000 rpm in 5th gear.
Steering
Rack and pinion with adjustable and collapsible steering column
with full range of fore and aft adjustment. This combines with a leather trimmed 14"
3556mm (sic) diameter steering wheel, giving a turning circle of 31.5ft, 9.59m and 3.7
turns locks to lock. Power assisted steering is not available. |
