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The Caresto V8 Speedster also shines bright on the Volvo stand at SEMA.
The V8 Speedster, a mid-engine car with an ethanol-powered Volvo V8 powerplant, initiated the playful term "Sportrod" last year when it had its premiere public outing at the 2006 SEMA show.
"Actually, it's a sports car with a design idiom that is a further development from a classic Hotrod. My idea was to build a car that was as much fun to drive as it was to look at. Since driving dynamics have never been the hallmark of traditional Hotrods, the term "Sportrod" felt pretty good," says Leif Tufvesson.
The car is designed with just this in mind - excellent roadholding with an ideal 60/40 weight distribution. The V8 Speedster is built completely of aluminum and carbon fiber and has an advanced sports-car chassis featuring Öhlin shock absorbers all round.
The interior in leather is exquisite, with a nostalgic retrospective feel. The steering wheel, instruments and gear selector come from Volvo, as do the V8 engine, the six-speed automatic transmission and the car's electrical system. The engine is tuned with the environment in mind and has been converted to run on ethanol.
Two-year project
It took Leif less than two years to build the V8 Speedster. Leif and his company Caresto, a name also sported on the grille of the car, have two objectives in building the car:
"On the one hand the aim is, of course, to sell the cars and it is my hope to build at least six V8 Speedsters and even more C70s. On the other hand it is in fact for my own enjoyment because I love building cars. It's my hobby and at the same time, it's my job."
Leif Tufvesson previously worked for the Volvo Concept Center and for six years he was responsible for the development department of Koenigsegg, the Swedish sports-car manufacturer. He now runs his own business, Caresto, in Ängelholm in southern Sweden. In 2004 he won the prestigious "Hot Rod of the Year" award from Hot Rod Magazine.
Technical specifications:
Chassis: Custom-built tubular steel frame with front and rear sub-frames.
Suspension:
Front: Double A-arms of polished stainless steel.
Öhlin's coil-over shock absorbers, mounted inboard.
Rear: Double A-arms of polished stainless steel.
Öhlin's coil-over shock absorbers.
Body: Hand-crafted aluminum.
Carbon composite.
Removable roof panel/hardtop.
Paint: The car is painted in Caresto Blue Pearl.
Interior: Interior trimmed in chestnut brown hide.
Engine: Mid-mounted V8, 4.4 liters, Volvo B8444S.Ethanol conversion by BSR, Sweden.Power output: petrol, 315 bhp at 5850 rpm.Ethanol, 340 bhp at 5850 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed Geartronic automatic transaxle with sequential manual shifting.
Brakes: Anti-lock brake system.
Brembo 4-pot calipers.
Ø 355 mm (14") brake discs.
Wheels: Colorado Custom Gunnison.
Dimension front: 20 x 8.5".
Dimension rear: 22 x 10".
Tires: BF Goodrich G-force.
Front: 245/35/20.
Rear: 295/45/22.
Fuel tank: Aluminum.
Volume: 65 liters.
Curb weight: 1200 kg (2646 lbs).
source : Volvo Press
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