ARASH AF8
Arash Farboud founded Farboud Limited in 1999. In
2006, the company’s name was changed to Arash Motor Company Ltd.
Arash believes that sports cars should have a
distinctive and individual character. Above all they should be exhilarating to
drive and to own. Arash holds these beliefs today in launching the new AF8
ensuring the history and heritage of past cars that he has built (Farboud GT,
Farboud GTS and AF10) are firmly embedded in the concepts of the AF8’s
evolution and to evolve Arash Motor Company’s future.
In designing the concept drawings of the AF8, the
designers had chosen cues from the past, but have left the future open to
imagination, but with hints and suggestions of evolution embedded.
A short overhang front, a jet like forward
position for the driver’s cockpit and the large flat rear back ends suggesting
that the car is wider than normal which mentally indicates where all the power
is coming from. The windscreen wide and shaped at the edges suggesting
motorsport. The crease at the top of the roof line suggesting flow and
integrity of air over the car. A short overhang rear suggesting speed,
readiness to react and pounce, all energy in the rear portion of the car with
its strong side view area and large lower intake channels. Curves and clean
designs intertwined, a balance of style and discipline.
The side profile has the unmistakeable indication
that this is Arash through the S or Z shape. This shape is carried over into
the interior door cards of the car, as well as, the front and rear lights. It
has become its signature and a suggestion to the future.
The detail continues with large side air ducts
that divert and force air into the engine intake system. Induction noise near
the driver’s ears - a melody of excitement and energy. The rear engine cover
uses an eclectic mix of beautiful meshing, glass shapes and naked lacquered
carbon to make a complex, but beautiful shape of encasing the amazing V8 engine
and gearbox.
Interior
The Arash AF8 was born to be on the race track.
This is clearly visible by the DNA of the car shining through from its carbon
fibres in the body and in its chassis. These DNA cues continue inside the car
itself, evidenced by the materials, the layout of the controls and the seating
position.
The pedals in perfect symmetry. The view out of
the car being panoramic but almost "jet" like. The use of controls so
intensely thought out.
The steering wheel uses a blend of soft leather
and carbon fibre for parts that do not constantly touch the hands. The manual
hand brake and gear stick lets you engage with the car and is a short distance
from the wheel. The dials enable instant viewing of the displays such as
important driver information and speed indication. This is done via smooth
flowing needles.
The materials are lightweight and exquisite.
Carbon fibre, aluminium and beautifully stitched leather is used everywhere.
Titanium is used for the heater controls so that they stay warm to the touch in
the winter and they are cool to touch in the summer. The cockpit is laid out to
give a sense of purpose with its high rise central tunnel, "jet"
like, exciting but comfortable and confidence inspiring. The carbon weave is
visible in many places within the cockpit suggesting weight consideration, low
volume construction and utter strength and stiffness.
Suspension
Double wishbone construction in S275 steel,
polished and nickel plated. TIG welded formations. Machined oil filled
aluminium dampers with adjustable bump & rebound
Brakes
Aluminium machined 6 piston monobloc
construction. Aluminium disc housing with high tensile steel bolt fastenings.
Cast steel floating rotors with cross drilling and fan style venting made
during the casting process.
Wheels
The AF-8 wheel has been especially developed for
the super sports car category. Its functionality is immediately visible. The
vehicle has a 20 inch rear wheel and a 19 inch front wheel painted in 2
colours. The rims are painted in a gloss black as well as the inner barrels
giving a three dimensional look. Their size gives them an advantage for driving
dynamics and rolling resistance. The words ‘stiff and light’ appear again here
for the wheels as found with the chassis.
Engine
7.0 ltr, 550 bhp and in V8 configuration. These
evocative statistics produce an emotional noise through combustion. It has
motorsport DNA and low weight of approximately 120kg and has a low position to
provide the best prerequisites for exceptional dynamic driving performance on
the road as well as race track.
The engine itself has dry sump lubrication, a
side mounted oil tank with baffle and anti foam packaging inside. The titanium
connecting rods and the suction pumps of the engine have been designed with
lightness in mind. The forged crankshaft is designed to be cruciform in
construction to allow momentum and inertia to follow through the sweep of the
piston movement in the crank thus producing exemplary power and torque figures.
The intake trumpet system is highly specialised
to the AF8 making the engine breathe efficiently and strongly. The sound it
makes from induction to exhaust is truly special and unique.
Gearbox
6 speed manual aluminium construction with
separate oil cooler and pump. Light weight dual clutch plate with single mass
machined fly wheel.
Exhaust
Stainless steel and titanium rear box
construction. An active bypass valve at 3500 rpm allows for free flow exhaust
activity and high level sound emission. The complete exhaust from engine output
headers to exhaust tips is coated in a plasma ceramic coating system in black
finish. This allows for 33% heat reduction from untreated exhausts as well as
faster movement of exhaust gasses from the exhaust tips for increased horse
power and an added “thrust” effect to the rear diffuser air flow.
