The Rascasse: a LPG V12 from Montecarlo Automobile

If the range of supercars aimed at satisfying the aspirations of someone with a lot of money who wants to stand out from the crowd was missing anything, it was a gas-powered V12 with 500 horsepower. The Rascasse, from Montecarlo Automobile, takes its name from the final bend of the Monaco circuit, and not only can it run on gas, it is also capable of running on petrol or LPG enriched with hydrogen.

Production of this sports car, which bears a strong resemblance to the Ferrari Enzo, will be limited to 15 units, so you’re probably already waiting for me to tell you the astronomical price it will be sold for, given how limited its production is. Even so, it may not be excessively high for the small circle it is aimed at: 500,000 euros. Almost the same as the Enzo itself or an Lamborghini Aventador.

The engine is the 500-horsepower V12, previously used in one of Rolls-Royce’s models, the Silver Seraph, with the necessary modifications so that it can run on gas. No performance figures have been released, but a few more details are known, such as the removable roof and interiors made from the same wood materials used on luxury yachts. A model that could be a hybrid with turbo technology, which would feature all-wheel drive, is also under consideration.

To give some background on its creators: Montecarlo Automobile is a Monegasque company founded in 1983, and its first creation was unveiled to coincide with the centenary of the Automobile Club de Monaco. The Centenaire was the new company’s first creation, which never got beyond the prototype stage but housed a V12 engine and a lot of technology used in Formula 1, thanks to the partnership with certain engineers and constructors from the top category, such as Guglielmo Bellasi, Carlo Chiti and Pierluigi Corbari. Recently, it built another prototype, the Ala 50, a sports car with a V8 engine dedicated to Prince Albert.

Source | AutoExpress