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MARUSSIA – Russian for sports car


A cool looking sports car from Moscow wasn’t something I expected to see at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show.

Its not that the Russians don’t build cars, they do: Lada, Moskavitz, UAZ and Gaz are all Russian marques, but they just don’t build sports cars, until now.

I did a double take as I walked past the well-hidden MARUSSIA stand, and grabbed one of their brochures after a quick sticky beak, before rushing off to another hall.

I have to admit it does look good, better in the metal than any of these photos illustrate, but other than a few specs from the brochure, there isn’t a lot I can tell you about the car.

From what I can gather from the brochure, the MARRUSIA is a mid-engine sports car powered by a 3.5-litre V6, which produces 182 kW (245 bhp) and 330 Nm of torque at 3600 rpm.

Thankfully, it will be rear wheel drive with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

It’s very light at 1100 kilograms, so I I’m not surprised at the performance claims of 250km/h and 0-100km/h, in 5 seconds flat.

The fuel tank will hold 80 litres and is listed as FIA homologated and recommends “super” as the preferred fuel type.

Wheels are 20-inch alloys with a central nut fit, and are shod with 245/35 up front and 285/35 at the rear.

Apparently, they have also completed a racing version of the MARRUSSIA “comprising up-to-date world motorsports technology” and “the expansion of manufacture is intended to offer different classes of the MARRUSIA brand luxury cars such as the extremely popular 5 seater SUV etc.”

One of two founders of the MARUSSIA is Nikolai Fomenko, a Russian celebrity who is a movie star, game show host, pop star and a winning FIA-GT racecar driver with plenty of time on his hands.

Oh, and Nikolai also hosts Top Gear Russia on REN-TV, if you’re interested.

CarAdvice will keep you posted on the company’s progress, perhaps even a road test, once the car is available in Europe.

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