The I.DE.A Institute's ERA concept was penned last May for the Italian engineering and design firm's 30th anniversay. I.DE.A, which has worked with Ducati and Fiat, calls the ERA a representation of a roadster built "for pure driving pleasure through the instinctive pencil strokes of the designer on a blank page." Sure. All we can say is the styling looks like fun. The mechanical bits, however, are not fully-disclosed. Concrete details include underpinnings from an existing monocoque chassis, independent suspension all around, and 19-in. wheels wrapped with 245/40 tires. The ERA's listed dimensions place it inches longer and wider than a Honda S2000, but much shorter in height.idea-era-side
As to what's under the hood, we have no idea. The website lists four- or six-cylinder engines, a possible 300 hp, and both front- and rear-drive layouts. Transmissions will be either manual or sequential, with five or six gears. The expected weight is up in the air, too; I.DE.A offers a range from 3,300-lbs to 4,400-lbs.
...
>>next page