The Zenvo Aurora arrives at Monterey Car Week and surprises with its V12 engine

We knew it would be presented during August 2023, and so it was. The Monterey Car Week has been the stage where the Zenvo Aurora was seen for the first time. It has become the lightest and most powerful road-going model to leave the factory of Zenvo Automotive. In addition, it marks the start of a new chapter in the commercial life of Zenvo Automotive.

The name, Aurora, makes us think of the luminous phenomenon of Northern Europe and is meant to suggest a car that is light yet very striking. The monocoque chassis has been designed to be lightweight, using carbon fibre for this purpose. Simple, clean lines have been used, with a very elegant style.

This modular system is called ZM1, and it integrates the central monocoque with the front and rear auxiliary subframes into a single composite component. With this structure, greater torsional rigidity is achieved, although it does not exceed 120 kg in weight.

It will be sold in two versions, Agil and Tur. These are two complementary versions, which are not identical even though they share the same central structure. The Agil version was designed first, and for it an airflow management system was used to generate very efficient aerodynamic downforce.

The Tur version features similar solutions, but it has been designed to have a more elegant and subtle style. Under the bonnet lies the heart of this hypercar, the solid and efficient V12 engine.

The V12 engine of the Zenvo Aurora

The engine is located behind the cabin and is an impressive 6.6-litre V12 engine with four turbochargers. This engine was designed by MAHLE Powertrain and is capable of delivering 1,267 CV at 9,800 rpm. Furthermore, this engine is not alone, as it is paired with an electric motor that provides up to 608 additional CV, depending on the powertrain configuration.

In the case of the Zenvo Aurora Agil, there is only one associated electric motor, which provides 202 CV. In the Tur, there is all-wheel drive, which adds those 608 CV and achieves a total output of 1,850 CV. The associated gearbox is a hybrid type and has seven speeds. It features electric reverse and an engine start that replaces the starter motor.

Two very different versions

The Agil has a configuration designed more for the track than for the road. For this reason, it is the lighter of the two. To improve aerodynamics, a rear wing has been installed. Rear-wheel drive is the defining feature of this variant, although there is a version with all-wheel drive.

The interior is stripped of unnecessary elements, and the total weight is kept to 1,300 kg. This variant reaches a top speed of 365 km/h.

As for the Tur, it has a more elegant design, while offering very efficient airflow management, and it is better suited to road driving. The use of all-wheel drive increases the weight of the car to 1,450 kg and allows it to reach a top speed of 450 km/h. In the interior, many touch-sensitive control elements have been used, and the cabin is very well soundproofed.

Both models will begin production in 2025 at the Zenvo plant in Præstø, Denmark. Production will be manual, so each unit will receive very careful treatment.