Devel Sixteen

                           Devel Sixteen

Devel Sixteen Hypercar Targets A Top Speed Of 320 MPH

 Devel Sixteen and, yes, the name comes from the number of cylinders it has. While a quad-turbo, V16 hypercar being developed by a company in Dubai might sound a bit like a potential failure, we will have to wait a couple of years to give our final judgement. And until then, we’ll live with one number in our heads – 320.

That’s the top speed in miles per hour the car is targeting, which equals to 515 kilometers per hour. Actually, the Sixteen is planned to be offered in three power levels – an entry-level version for $1.6 million with 1,500 horsepower (1,119 kilowatts), a more powerful $1.8-million variant with 3,000 hp (2,237 kW), and a range-topper with 5,007 hp (3,734 kW), designed exclusively for drag races. The first two will be road-legal with the 3,000-hp version being the one that should reach a maximum speed of 320 mph (515 kph).

“When you calculate the power that you need, when you’re below 310 mph (500 kph), you can make it with 1,500-1,800 horsepower. But when you start to go up, you immediately need 2,700-3,000 horsepower. Otherwise, you’ll not go through, with all the wakes coming in. The drag coefficient goes from 0.3 Cx to 2.5,” Chief Engineer Paolo Garella, known for his work on Jim Glickenhaus' race and road cars, and the mighty Apollo's IE hypercar, explained to .

Obviously, at such speeds and such levels of power, aerodynamics and mechanical losses are the worst enemies of engineers. Just for example, about 500 hp (373 kW) of the road car’s 3,000 hp (2,237 kW) disappear in the transmission and the company is developing a special dual-clutch gearbox to reduce the losses.

But before all record-breaking speed attempts, Devel needs to build an actual working Sixteen prototype. This, according to Garella, should happen within the next 12 to 14 months with the help of his own company, Manifattura Automobili Torino. So, don’t expect to hear about a new speed record in the next at least two years. Until then, don’t waste time wondering how a 16-cylinder, quad-turbo engine works – just see how the magic happens.

                

Devel Sixteen Prototype Specifications

• 12.3 LITER V16 QUAD TURBO
• 5,007 HP, 36 PSI
• 3,519 LB-FT @ 6,600 RPM, 36 PSI
• 3,006 HP @ 6,900 RPM, 20 PSI (92 93 PUMP GAS – DAILY USE)
• 2,407 TORQUE @ 6,400 RPM, 20 PSI
• DEVEL SIXTEEN BILLET ENGINE BLOCK
• DEVEL SIXTEEN CYLINDER HEADS
• DEVEL SIXTEEN CRANKSHAFT
• DEVEL SIXTEEN BILLET CAMSHAFT (ROLLER CAMSHAFT, STREET TUNE)
• 2 VALVEs PER CYLINDER (32 TITANIUM VALVE)
• 81 MM QUAD TURBO

Price

Normally, assuming a car’s price tag is easy because there are so many references and comparisons to cull from. But I’m not even going to make any attempts at guessing how much Devel plans to sell the Sixteen if it does end up in production. I don’t even know how many units Devel plans to build. All I know is that a car with this much technology in it, not to mention a monstrous 12.3-liter V-16 engine underneath, is not going to come cheap. $7 million? $10 million? Maybe even $15 million? None of it matters. If you’re interested in buying the Sixteen, you’re going to need to break the bank for this one.

Interior

"The interior design of the Devel Sixteen is a far departure from the exterior design of the hypercar"

The interior design of the Devel Sixteen is a far departure from the exterior design of the hypercar. Whereas the latter invoked a serious amount of emotion, the cabin is less distinguished. There are still some futuristic elements to it, including the tablet-like steering wheel and the carbon shell seats that sit so close to the floor, but for the most part, Devel adopted a more minimalist approach in the latest version of the hypercar. I’m still not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but if it the car performs as well as it’s been hyped, I don’t think the interior’s going to matter as much.

Conclusion

Everything that Devel has shown us about the Sixteen points to a hypercar that will change the game forever. The narrative is all there waiting to be printed. All Devel needs to do at this point is to make sure that the Sixteen sees production. Once it gets to that point, all bets are off as far as who the king of the hypercars will be.