The 2010 Marussia B1

 

 

Russia's first supercar

 

 

 

 

     The Marussia B1 is Russia's very first supercar since...well the former Soviet Union. Built in 2010 at the Marussia Motors factory in Moscow, Russia, the B1 has an aluminum semi-monocoque design causing the car to have 2,400 lbs. of weight. However the beast under the hood is anything but Russian. Nope. The engine underneath is made by a British company called Cosworth based in Northampton, England, and it produces either 360 or 420 horsepower depending on if you choose the  3.5 liter regular V-6 or 2.5 liter turbocharged V-6. The B1 delivers 300 brake horsepower. Zero to 60 takes an average 3.8 seconds. The engine also produces 330 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. Top speed is an appalling 155 mph. The Marussia B1 is mid-engined. 

     The Marussia B1 is rear-wheel drive and the Pirelli P-Zero Rosso's it's equipped with are sized at 235/45 R20; 285/35 R20. Both the front and rear brakes are ventilated discs; possibly Brembo's.

     The interior of the B1 is both Russian and Italian. When you buy a B1 you are presented with deeply-bolstered sports seats, a squared-off three-spoke steering wheel, and a dashboard that has separate LCD displays that provide info on driving functions and the entertainment system. Although the displays are touch screen, the functions can be controlled by a joystick on the center console. Doesn't sound very practical doesn't it? Thankfully when you're about to buy a B1 you're given the option of various upholstery colors for the interior.

Unfortunately this car only comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Sorry petrol heads.

     Now for the price. The Marussia B1 costs 280,000 US dollars. That's basically Ferrari money there. But do I think paying that much for a car that only goes 155 mph, gets to 60 in 3.8 seconds, and has a funky steering wheel is worth it. No I don't. If Marussia wanted to be smart they should have let an Italian company like Ferrari or Lamborghini make the engine.