The SV 9 Competizione is a modified Corvette which takes its
styling inspiration from the Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione. And
while there are areas in which the American to Italian conversion
has worked there are also areas where the effect has been lost
in translation.
The front end borrows the same slightly protruding headlights
from the Alfa and they look pretty good grafted into the design
but from there the front end styling starts to get a little
awkward. The upright central grille looks tacked on and seems
to break up the overall flow of the bodywork. The squareness
of the grille also looks oddly out of place compared with the
curves of the rest of the body.
In profile the SV 9 Competizione starts to improve and the revised
bodywork with the more pronounced headlights and integrated
rear spoiler suit the proportions of the car. The shape of the
rear window has been altered and now the bodywork flows smoothly
around the window instead of the abrupt lines of the standard
C6 Coupe. And while the side windows remain standard, contrasting
colored panels located in the bodywork behind them give an impression
of a more elliptical shape. Quite how effective this styling
trick is probably depends on how far away you stand.
The rear of the SV 9 Competizione features new single piece
taillights which work extremely well with the revised bodywork.
The exhaust positioning has also been altered and the pipes
now exit either side of the rear diffuser.
All of the body modifications are constructed using carbon
fibre which helps to keep the weight down. Total weight
for the SV 9 Competizione is 1400 kgs (3085 lbs).
Performance-wise the SV 9 Competizione is only lightly modified.
And the only changes include a revised intake system and an
ANSA sports exhaust. Due to these enhancements the LS3 V8 now
develops 450 horsepower and can propel the car to 60 mph in
just 4.0 seconds.
The interior of the SV 9 Competizione can be tailored to suit
the buyers tastes. Custom gauges have also been designed for
the model.
The SV 9 Competizione is available in a range of 25 different
exterior colors, 5 interior trim options, 4 wheel trim options
and 5 brake caliper colors.
Overall the SV 9 Competizione is not a bad looking car, although
that nose might take some getting use to. However the way the
SV 9 Competizione is continually made out like it's some sort
of Italian sports car with a rich heritage when it so obviously
isn't is hard to understand. The Corvette has a rich history
going back over 50 years itself, it doesn't need to hide behind
an alternative nationality.
The SV 9 Competizione reminds me of Americans who go around
telling everyone they're Italian. Were you born in Italy? No.
Have you ever been to Italy? No. Have your parents been to Italy?
No. Grandparents? No. Do you have an Italian passport? No. Well
then you're not Italian, you're American.
UPDATED - 05th August 2010
The man behind the SV 9 Competizione, Joseph Viola has been
indicted for fraud. The 58 year old investment consultant has
a previous conviction for fraud for which he served a five-year
jail term. It's estimated that this time he conned investors
out of $7million. As the toad behind the SV 9 is now behind
bars awaiting trial for yet another fraud case from the 1990s,
I think we can safely assume the SV 9 Competizione Corvette
is more or less done. There were only a handful which were ever
made.
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