The hypercar is still being developed, and still promises 5,007 horsepower…
We first wrote about the Devel Sixteen in November 2013. Yet, the mysterious hypercar only had its first test a few days ago. Although development began in 2008, the prototype was still quite rough during an Italian shakedown. The test car also had no quad turbos so the V16 engine produced a lot less power than its claimed 5,007 horsepower.
Dubai-based automaker, Defining Extreme Vehicles Car Industry LLC, claims that the track-only version of the car will produce the same insane horsepower as the road-car, but the latter will have a maximum power output of 3,000 hp. The base Sixteen will be able to drive a V8 engine producing 1,500 horsepower, but it is unlikely that this will happen. In 2017, Defining Extreme Vehicles Car Industry LLC revealed the production version, promising a mountain-moving torque output of 3,757 pound feet (5,094 Newton-meters), and a top speed at 320 mph (515 km/h).
The powertrain is based on a pair LS V8s but has been extensively reworked and modified by Steve Morris Engines. The Apollo IE, SCG 003 engineer Paolo Garella will lead the development. He previously revealed that the V8 road car and the V16 road car will have a dual-clutch auto transmission. Dragsters will use a special gearbox for the 5,007-hp variant.
Although the video released today doesn’t show the neck-twisting performance Devel promised, it seems that the company is close to completing the development. According to Devel, it takes them eight months to deliver a car. The V8 is currently available for orders and, unless prices have changed significantly, the V16 costs $1.8 million, while the V8 will cost $1.6 million. The track car will cost more than $2million.
Devel’s Instagram account shows the Sixteen going through aerodynamic testing at Pininfarina’s wind tunnel. There’s also a separate post that shows the hypercar’s naked chassis. These are not signs that the V16 beast is vaporware. However, it’s best for everyone to be cautious.