Ginetta G50

File:Ginetta G50 GT4.jpg

In late 2007, in what he later described as his Victor Kiam moment,{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/25078ae8-5237-11df-8b09-00144feab49a.html#axzz1YVlssmRx|title=A high-speed empire builder|first=Andrew |last=Bounds|work=Financial Times|date=27 April 2010|access-date=17 September 2011}} Leeds-based businessman Lawrence Tomlinson bought Ginetta Cars from the group of enthusiasts, who themselves had bought it out of administration.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14969465|title=Ginetta owner relishes high-octane business career|first=Bill |last=Wilson |website=BBC News|date=20 September 2011|access-date=20 September 2011}}

The G50 was developed to celebrate 50 year of production of Ginetta Cars. With base specifications penned by trained engineer Tomlinson, the car was developed in under six months.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221092507/http://theyorkshiremafiaconference.com/panel/view/lawrence-tomlinson|url=http://theyorkshiremafiaconference.com/panel/view/lawrence-tomlinson|title=Lawrence Tomlinson|publisher=Yorkshire Mafia Conference|access-date=17 September 2011 |archive-date=21 February 2011}}

Launched in 2008, the G50 was awarded Autosport National Car of the Year in its first year. With its own Ginetta GT Supercup one-make series, the G50 has also been undefeated GT4 class championship winner record holder in the British GT Championship (5), and won the GT4 European Cup in 2009, beating Aston Martin, BMW and Porsche.

As a result, Ginetta Cars won "Small Business of the Year" from the Motorsport Industry Association in 2008, and in 2009 Tomlinson was nominated by the MIA for the "Outstanding Contribution to Motorsport" award.

The first Ginetta G50 road-registered car was shown in April 2008,{{cite web|url=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1024462_road-legal-ginetta-g50-enters-production|title=Road-legal Ginetta G50 enters production|publisher=Motor Authority|date=18 April 2008|access-date=20 September 2011}} and then took part in the Silverstone Supercar Tour. It features the same base set-up as the race car, with a proposed development of a V8 model with {{convert|520|bhp}}. Retail prices were estimated at starting from £45,000 ($72,549) for the V6, and £100,000 ($161,220) for the V8. However, due to the economic recession, Ginetta indefinitely shelved plans for general production of the G50, instead opting to produce the smaller, cheaper Ginetta G40.{{cite web |url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ginetta-g50-replaced-g40 |title=Ginetta G50 replaced by G40 |publisher=Autocar |access-date=16 May 2013}}

File:Ginetta G50 EV.jpg

In 2009, Ginetta, in conjunction with Zytek, built an electric version of the G50 named the Ginetta G50 EV Prototype. The car was fitted with a rear-mounted {{convert|90|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} electric motor, with the regular petrol engine being removed. Ginetta gave an estimated range of between 150 and 250 miles.{{cite web |url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/ginetta-g50-ev-prototype |title=Ginetta G50 EV Prototype Review |publisher=Autocar |access-date=16 May 2013}} In November, former Formula 1 World Champion John Surtees drove the prototype through the Channel Tunnel, with the car becoming the first production-specification car to be driven through the tunnel.{{cite web |url=http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/blog/john-surtees-pilots-electric-ginetta-g50ev-through-channel-tunnel-uk-auto-news/12675/ |title=John Surtees pilots electric Ginetta G50EV through Channel Tunnel - UK Auto News, Latest Car News |publisher=Nationwide Vehicle Contacts |date=19 November 2009 |access-date=16 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104095907/http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/blog/john-surtees-pilots-electric-ginetta-g50ev-through-channel-tunnel-uk-auto-news/12675 |archive-date=4 November 2010 }} However, production was cancelled following the company's failure to secure a government grant for the project.{{cite web |url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ginetta-g50-ev-plans-hold |title=Ginetta G50 EV plans 'on hold' |publisher=Autocar |access-date=16 May 2013}}

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File:Ginetta G50Z of Ben Foessel.JPG

In 2008, the Ginetta G50Z was announced. Intended for GT3 class racing, the car featured a 4.0-litre Zytek V8 engine which was then down graded to 3.8-litres before the car was sold to privateer teams due to the mechanical problems. The engine produced {{cvt|365|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} in the highest trim. The car focused on improved handling and stability, a front splitter and a large rear diffuser aided in that purpose along with a large rear wing. The engine was coupled to a 6-speed Hewland sequential manual gearbox operated by paddles on the steering column which resulted in faster gear changes than the GT4.

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{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category|Ginetta G50}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130525071729/http://www.ginetta.com/cars_g50 G50] at Ginetta Cars

{{Ginetta Cars |state=collapsed}}

G50

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Sports cars

Category:Cars introduced in 2008

Category:2010s cars