While the Russian automotive industry continues to grapple with the impact of sanctions resulting from the war in Ukraine, a new company by the name of Rossa has unveiled its ambitions to manufacture racecars and supercars domestically.
The Rossa LM GT Concept provides a glimpse of what’s to come with GT2 and GT3 racecar variants, and it will be succeeded by a street-legal limited-production supercar. The initial racing iteration is slated for a 2024 release, with a road-legal model purportedly arriving after 2026.
The man behind the newly established company is Roman Rusinovworld, a seasoned Russian racing driver with a track record of success in endurance racing and multiple appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His objective is to develop a vehicle that aligns with GT2 and GT3 regulations, enabling it to participate in both Russian and European championships. Rusinovworld’s personal favorite car, the Maserati MC12, serves as a reference point for the new model’s aspirations.
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Rossa
The sculpted bodywork was crafted by individuals who previously contributed to the now-defunct Marussia brand. The car features prominent aerodynamic elements, large intakes, and aggressive styling details. It’s anticipated that the final version will be larger in terms of length, width, and height compared to the concept, with various design enhancements incorporated to meet regulatory requirements.
The same applies to the two-seater cabin which now features a racing steering wheel with an integrated display, a central touchscreen, an array of motorsport-themed buttons, and saddle leather upholstery covering some of the carbon-fiber bits.
The official website suggests that the Rossa LM GT Concept was developed “entirely in-house,” although it’s likely that many components were sourced from other companies. It is built upon a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and features a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine. While Rossa hasn’t disclosed specific details, the powertrain appears similar to the one used by the soon-to-be-discontinued Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan.
As reported by Auto, the GT2 racecar, expected to debut in 2024, is anticipated to have a starting price of around €500,000 ($543,342). It’s reasonable to assume that the GT3 racecar and the limited-production street-legal model, set to arrive after 2026, will likely command even higher prices.