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Al Melling working on V10-powered Wildcat

 
2 2,725 views Apr 21, 2009

al melling wildcat 006

The combination of a 600hp V10 and 1,000kg kerb weight should result in some scintillating performance for the Wildcat

The combination of a 600hp V10 and 1,000kg kerb weight should result in some scintillating performance for the Wildcat

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Some of you may remember Al Melling, a top engine designer and one of the bidders for the TVR nameplate some time ago. Since then, Melling started his own sports car company, creating custom British roadsters, usually with V8 engines, under the Wildcat model name. On top of this he also released an outrageous 1,200hp (900kW) quad-turbo concept car named the Hellcat, although a production version of this car seems unlikely.

He has just revealed that the next best thing to the Hellcat will be the first Melling Wildcat with a V10 engine, which is being developed at his factory in the UK. According to Melling, the V10 used will be a Dodge Viper crate engine, cranking out around 600hp (450kW) from its 8.4L engine. This should improve on the Wildcat's already impressive performance figures achieved with its 450hp (335kW) V8 engine, including a 3.2 second sprint to 60mph and a 180mph top speed, depending on the gearing.

The engine choice is interesting, as Melling's previous work as an engine consultant saw him originally tinkering with Chrysler's V10 truck engine for use in a Lamborghini model. Despite his intimate knowledge of the engine, fitting the massive 8.4L V10 into the diminutive Wildcat is proving to be no easy task, with an extremely tight fit expected.

Nevertheless, 600hp crammed into a 1,000kg car should prove to be as unpredictable and exhilarating as any TVR model. So while Melling may not have convinced TVR to sell its operations to him a couple of years ago, he can now one-up them with the V10 Wildcat - or if he can find anyone brave enough to buy the concept, perhaps even the 1,200hp Hellcat.
Al Melling Wildcat

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Comments (2)

  1. By Tim Posted: 10/19/2009 4:29am PDT

    Melling is a joke - he's only managed to make seven cars and one of these is Melling's own runabout. Anyone trying to get hold of the factory will just experience an endless ringing phone. A good concept perhaps, and Melling is doubtless a great engine guy on his own - but when it comes to making a whole car and managing a team he's severely lacking.
     
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  2. By Silas Posted: 12/4/2009 11:31am PST

    I'm no Melling apologist, but let's get a few things straight. He launched a sports car in the teeth of a recession. He tried to find innovative ways to stimulate demand. His wife of many years, who by all accounts was a major force in his business operations, suddenly died whilst they were in Portugal. His life has, in consequence, been turned upside down.
    If the man has done anything legally or morally wrong then I'll join the chorus of disapproval; unless and until that is shown to be the case, however, I don't see what value throwing stones at him achieves?
     
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