Dave Smith
08-26-2015, 08:50 AM
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/818-update-folio-694.jpg
The Factory Five 818 development plan is coming along nicely, and I'm super excited to let you guys know that in addition to the new coupe, we are working on several drivetrain options, namely the 200 hp Subaru BRZ normally aspirated boxer motor and Ford's 2.3L 310 hp EcoBoost 4 from the 2015 Mustang. So the original concept of the 818 as a multi-purpose platform is almost complete with three distinct models: the 818S street car, the 818R race car, and the 818C coupe. Now with engine choices, it will be even more flexible.
The last 818 update that I sent out was in April just prior to our debut of the newest 818 Coupe at Open House in June (click here to read that update (http://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/factory-five-818-update-spring-2015/)). At our summer Open House event, we were able to show off the coupe, and promised production would begin shortly thereafter.
We have taken deposits (pre-orders) in chronological order for both the 818 Coupe and the optional removable hard top. We have logged about 50 orders for the car, and also another 60 orders for the hard top option for existing 818S models. Perhaps the biggest news is that I made the difficult decision to update ALL 818 models with the newly revised nose. The original 818S nose will still be available, but the new design from the coupe will be standard on all three models.
We will have all three models on display at SEMA (with updated front ends and engine choices) and production is scheduled to begin in a few weeks (September 2015).
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dts.png
Dave Smith
President
2015 Coupe and Production Hard Top Scheduling Update
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_7406-694.jpg
The revised 818C hard top with liner has been fit and released to production. Side glass windows have been released.
818 Coupe orders have been taken in chronological order, and it looks like we will begin production just after Labor Day. Hard top orders will follow soon afterwards, but all shipments are going to be determined by receipt of parts from outside vendors. The tech team here at Factory Five will be sending out production dates to everyone who has placed a deposit. Our production plan is to manufacture 818 Coupes at a rate of three per week.
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/818-hardtop-694.jpg
Left: Underside of hard top shows ducted roof scoop. Right: Air duct to intercooler line with template for bulkhead glass.
Hard Top Changes: Following the Open House debut, we’ve made some changes to the hard top. We simply wanted a tighter fit, and the gap at the trailing edge of the window was too large. We needed to finish the design of the inner liner, bulkhead, and ducting. The new mold is complete, released, and in production. The new liner is AWESOME, and the two fresh air ducts channel air to the engine bay just past the bulkhead.
Glass: We have test fit and released the new glass side windows and are waiting on the first articles of the rear hatch glass, inner bulkhead glass, and side quarter window glass. The samples are due in this week, and the final parts are the longest lead time item in the coupe project.
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/818-nose-694.jpg
818 Coupe Heads to the Wind Tunnel
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_5688b-694.jpg
The production 818C is headed to the wind tunnel for two days of testing just after Labor Day. The car will get downforce optimization of the rear diffuser and front splitter as well as testing of new canards, and final drag numbers using production nose, grille, and roof with functional vents.
PowerNation's "Engine Power" Show to Build an EcoBoost 818!
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_7424-694.jpg
In addition to providing design options for the 818, we’ve been looking at continuing to offer powertrain options. A lot of people have been asking for American engines to be used in the 818. We’ve worked with the guys from Ford, and will be filming a show with PowerNation’s “Engine Power” in October to install the new 2.3L EcoBoost 4 from the 2015 Mustang. We are also adding the Subaru BRZ engine which is a 200 hp normally aspirated boxer engine. Both of these new powerplants promise big fun and will debut at SEMA 2015.
The Factory Five 818 development plan is coming along nicely, and I'm super excited to let you guys know that in addition to the new coupe, we are working on several drivetrain options, namely the 200 hp Subaru BRZ normally aspirated boxer motor and Ford's 2.3L 310 hp EcoBoost 4 from the 2015 Mustang. So the original concept of the 818 as a multi-purpose platform is almost complete with three distinct models: the 818S street car, the 818R race car, and the 818C coupe. Now with engine choices, it will be even more flexible.
The last 818 update that I sent out was in April just prior to our debut of the newest 818 Coupe at Open House in June (click here to read that update (http://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/factory-five-818-update-spring-2015/)). At our summer Open House event, we were able to show off the coupe, and promised production would begin shortly thereafter.
We have taken deposits (pre-orders) in chronological order for both the 818 Coupe and the optional removable hard top. We have logged about 50 orders for the car, and also another 60 orders for the hard top option for existing 818S models. Perhaps the biggest news is that I made the difficult decision to update ALL 818 models with the newly revised nose. The original 818S nose will still be available, but the new design from the coupe will be standard on all three models.
We will have all three models on display at SEMA (with updated front ends and engine choices) and production is scheduled to begin in a few weeks (September 2015).
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dts.png
Dave Smith
President
2015 Coupe and Production Hard Top Scheduling Update
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_7406-694.jpg
The revised 818C hard top with liner has been fit and released to production. Side glass windows have been released.
818 Coupe orders have been taken in chronological order, and it looks like we will begin production just after Labor Day. Hard top orders will follow soon afterwards, but all shipments are going to be determined by receipt of parts from outside vendors. The tech team here at Factory Five will be sending out production dates to everyone who has placed a deposit. Our production plan is to manufacture 818 Coupes at a rate of three per week.
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/818-hardtop-694.jpg
Left: Underside of hard top shows ducted roof scoop. Right: Air duct to intercooler line with template for bulkhead glass.
Hard Top Changes: Following the Open House debut, we’ve made some changes to the hard top. We simply wanted a tighter fit, and the gap at the trailing edge of the window was too large. We needed to finish the design of the inner liner, bulkhead, and ducting. The new mold is complete, released, and in production. The new liner is AWESOME, and the two fresh air ducts channel air to the engine bay just past the bulkhead.
Glass: We have test fit and released the new glass side windows and are waiting on the first articles of the rear hatch glass, inner bulkhead glass, and side quarter window glass. The samples are due in this week, and the final parts are the longest lead time item in the coupe project.
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/818-nose-694.jpg
818 Coupe Heads to the Wind Tunnel
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_5688b-694.jpg
The production 818C is headed to the wind tunnel for two days of testing just after Labor Day. The car will get downforce optimization of the rear diffuser and front splitter as well as testing of new canards, and final drag numbers using production nose, grille, and roof with functional vents.
PowerNation's "Engine Power" Show to Build an EcoBoost 818!
http://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DSC_7424-694.jpg
In addition to providing design options for the 818, we’ve been looking at continuing to offer powertrain options. A lot of people have been asking for American engines to be used in the 818. We’ve worked with the guys from Ford, and will be filming a show with PowerNation’s “Engine Power” in October to install the new 2.3L EcoBoost 4 from the 2015 Mustang. We are also adding the Subaru BRZ engine which is a 200 hp normally aspirated boxer engine. Both of these new powerplants promise big fun and will debut at SEMA 2015.