Makes › Vector › W8 · Specialist manufacturer · 1990–1993 Ultra Rare
Vector
W8
Twin-turbo, aerospace-construction coupe from US supercar maker Vector Aeromotive
Still being researched: why it matters, identification guide. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Karrmann · CC BY-SA 3.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 17 Built
- Years
- 1990–1993
- Engine
- Mid-mounted twin-turbocharged and intercooled pushrod V8 · 5,972 cc / 6.0 LFactory: 5,972 cc
- Power
- 466 kW / 634 PSFactory: 625 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 351 km/hFactory: 218 mph · converted
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Gerald Wiegert
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Vector W8 (Wikipedia article: Vector W8)
Photo: Karrmann · CC BY-SA 3.0
Vector W8 (Wikipedia article: Vector W8)
Photo: Axion23 · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionProduction (customer) Vector W8s; excludes two pre-production cars (page: 'constructing just 17 production W8s') | 171 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Vector launched the W8 as a production car in 1990, when the first production car left the factory. Early cars had overheating and drivability problems, and Car and Driver's 1991 test was cut short by those faults.
Road & Track's first drive measured 4.2 seconds to 60 mph. The price rose from $283,750 in 1991 to $489,800 in 1992. Newsweek reported in 1995 that Vector had built just 22 cars.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard W8.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Mid-mounted twin-turbocharged and intercooled pushrod V82 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 82 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 5,972 cc / 6.0 LFactory: 5,972 cc2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Port fuel injection2 Independently researched |
| Induction | Twin turbochargers with intercooling (Garrett)3 Independently researched |
| Power | 466 kW / 634 PSFactory: 625 hp · converted2 Independently researchedManufacturer claim. |
| Power at | 5,700 rpm2 Independently researched |
| Torque | 854 NmFactory: 630 lb-ft · converted2 Independently researched |
| Torque at | 4,900 rpm2 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | 3-speed automatic (modified GM unit)2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | 32 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | RWD2 Independently researched |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Welded chrome-moly steel tube cage with riveted aluminium panels and aluminium honeycomb floor2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Double A-arms, Koni adjustable shocks with concentric springs4 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | De Dion tube located by four trailing arms4 Independently researched |
| Brakes | 13.0 in vented discs front and rear2 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Carbon fibre, Kevlar and fibreglass body, unstressed3 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mmFactory: 103 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,370 mmFactory: 172 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,930 mmFactory: 76 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,080 mmFactory: 42.5 in · converted2 Independently researched |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | 1,670 kgFactory: 3,680 lb · converted2 Independently researched |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 351 km/hFactory: 218 mph · converted2 Independently researchedManufacturer claim; Car and Driver did not test top speed. |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| 0–60 mph | 3.8 s2 Independently researchedRoad & Track measured 4.2 s. |
| Standing ¼ mile | 12 s2 Independently researchedRoad & Track: 12.0 s at 124.0 mph. |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
RM Sotheby's – 1991 Vector W8 Twin Turbo (Monterey 2024) Level B
- 17 Production (customer) Vector W8s; excludes two pre-production cars (page: 'constructing just 17 production W8s')
-
2
1991 Vector W8 Twin Turbo by the numbers Level C Car and Driver
- twin-turbocharged and intercooled pushrod V-8, aluminum block and heads
- pushrod V-8
- Displacement: 364 in3, 5972 cm3
- port fuel injection
- Power: 625 hp @ 5700 rpm
- 625 hp @ 5700 rpm
- Torque: 630 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm
- 630 lb-ft @ 4900 rpm
- three-speed automatic transmission—a much modified version of the GM unit
- three-speed automatic transmission
- mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
- welded chrome-molybdenum steel-tubing roll cage reinforced by riveted aluminum panels and an aluminum honeycomb floorpan
- Brakes, F/R: 13.0-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc
- Wheelbase: 103.0 in
- Length: 172.0 in
- Width: 76.0 in
- Height: 42.5 in
- Curb Weight: 3680 lb
- Top Speed (mfr's claim): 218 mph
- 60 mph: 3.8 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 12.0 sec @ 118 mph
-
3
Vector W8 Twin Turbo first drive Level C Road & Track
- the whistling teakettle sounds of the Garrett turbos
- made from varying amounts of carbon fiber, Kevlar, fiberglass mat
-
4
Vector W8 Twin Turbo: First Drive Level C Road & Track
- beefy double A-arms up front
- Koni adjustable shocks, with concentric springs
- immense De Dion tube in the rear
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