Marussia B1 makes UK debut

Russia’s first supercar, the Marussia B1, debuts alongside Virgin Formula 1 car.

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Dean Gibson / Photos: Pete Gibson

07th February 2011

It’s the beast from the east, and it’s coming to the UK this summer. This is the Marussia B1, which is the brainchild of Russian TV personality Nikolay Fomenko. His firm, Marussia Motors, has joined forces with Virgin Racing for the team’s second season in Formula One, and it’s hoping to establish itself as the new supercar maker on the block on the back of this project.

The B1 is the first model to arrive, and it’s designed as an alternative choice to cars such as the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo. It has been created in-house by top Russian engineers using the same computing technology as the Virgin F1 team.

The sculpted carbon fibre bodywork is designed to cut cleanly through the air without the need to add spoilers, while the chassis is made from a central aluminium tub with spaceframes front and rear.

Power comes from two engines, either a 300bhp 3.5-litre V6, or a 2.8-litre turbo V6 developed by British motorsport firm Cosworth, which comes with 360bhp or 420bhp.

That may sound modest when compared to its rivals, but with a kerbweight of 1,100kg, the most powerful B1 is capable of 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph.

Only 2999 examples of the B1 are due to be built, and it will be priced at around £110,000 when it goes on sale in the summer. The firm can sell as many as 250 cars in the UK, while buyers can tailor the car to their own tastes, including conversion to right-hand drive.

Marussia’s next car is the B2, which uses the same chassis and engines as the B1 but with much wilder styling, while the firm will launch the B3 GT racer in the spring.

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7 Comments

Not bad for a first effort, be interested to hear how it performs dynamically.

By nickeroo on 8 February, 2011, 8:41am

The Huge Elephant In The Room...

Great looking car, and I wish Marussia well, but why oh why produce a supercar, then limit it to 155mph? Madness!!!

By sgtgrash on 8 February, 2011, 9:17am

What a stupid, stupid place to site the seat adjustment controls!
At £110K and limited to 155mph, it's overpriced, and what's with the second screen in front of the passenger seat?
Is that the Sat Nav/Music one?
And I doubt that drab interior, both layout and looks on the show model will convince many to put down a deposit.
I think I'd save a bundle, and "make do" with a Noble M12, second hand.
Wonder if this'll go the same way as the Ascari KZ-1 or the Farboud GT?

By pjskelti on 8 February, 2011, 12:20pm

More 'Fishbed' than 'Foxbat' on four wheels at present but... Ace!

Boy that looks good enough looker already...

Needs a V8 (hybrid?) and a good 500bhp plus though to make it a real Foxbat!

Love the idea of a Anglo-Russian supercar though...

Can see the the Evo headlines reading East versus West already! ( Vette versus B3 MaRussia)

Good price too for a car that should have some kudos in its badge through its exotic ingredients...

By LegioIXHispana on 8 February, 2011, 4:37pm

Looks great I think. -I'll probably never hear of them let alone see one here in South Africa and I would've omitted the fact that these cars are made the same way Virgin makes their cars...

Read my blog: http://superneauvou.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/five/

By SuperNeauvou on 9 February, 2011, 8:42am

I'm sure i can see bits of mclaren and pagani in there...

By car_mad on 9 February, 2011, 7:29pm

@SuperNeauvou

Ah, but Soop, you DO have the Rossion Q1, which is an improved and more powerful version of the Noble M400. It's very well appointed too, with a gorgeously sexy interior. SA definitely has a Supercar to be proud of... ;)

http://www.rossioncars.com/

By sgtgrash on 10 February, 2011, 9:02pm

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