Dilessi S.p.A. (535 Sebring GTS Update)
Model Line-Up:
1940 - 336 'Sport Coupe' $3.234 / 6.468RM / 1.164.240₤ITL - 816 units build from 1940 to 1946
The 1940 presented 336 'Sports Coupe' was the first car of the company. With a high price and just 136 cars build per year, the car became exclusiv just by this fact. But the Dilessi 336 was also able to beat it´s competitors. A Hispano-Suiza K6 from 1937 had 120 hp with a big 5.2L 6 cylinders engine, but was just able to go up to 140 km/h (87 mph). The BMW 328 from 1940 had a 2.0L 80 hp straight-6 engine, but was 830 kg light. Even the german could only speed up to 150 km/h (93 mph). But of course the fuel conspumption was better with just 15 liter/100 km to Dilessis 25 liter/100 km. But in the end, not the more powerful K6 and even not the lighter 328 were able to go as fast and acclerate as quick as the 336 'Sports Coupe'.
A floor-mounted lever controlled the four-speed gearbox: this delivered power to the rear wheels. The box-section chassis featured a double wishbone suspension at the front and at the rear. The driver and the passenger will be seated on hand made luxury lether seats, while the interior is also made by hand with mahogany wood. The luxury AM radio will entertain the driver, while the most modern safety features are implemented.
1943 - 336 'Cabriolet' $3.580 / 7.160RM / 1.288.800₤ITL - 992 units build from 1943 to 1946
Together with all the features of the 'Sport Coupe' Dilessi produced the 336 'Cabriolet'. It has the same 3.3L inline-6 engine with 105 hp, but is now a convertible. The car became heavier through this and lost the faboulus top speed. But as a result, it became the most adorable convertible of it´s time. But now it was not just a Dilessi with a powerful engine for the drag strip, the engine proofed to be also smooth to cruise with the convertible version. Because of it´s popularity Dilessi will build 248 units per year.
->1808 Dilessi 336 were build from 1940 to 1946.
1945 - 336 B 'Sport Coupe' $3.440 / 8.600RM / 1.548.000₤ITL
Two years later and five years after the 336 debut, Dilessi presented the 336 B 'Sport Coupe' and will build 130 units per year With an evolution of the old engine, Dilessi made the car even better. The car became more sporty, while also the comfort was increased. Better materials also increased the reliability and safed weight at the same time. But even the new engine variation had 5 hp less and the car became 15 kg heavier, Dilessi was able to lower the fuel consumption from 25 liter/100 km to less than 16 liter/100 km. Of course less power and more weight made the 336B loose top speed, but it dropped just 5 km/h. At the same time, the 336B can stop now 5 meters earlier and is 1.6 seconds faster from 0-100 km/h. Even the cornering speeds were raised and that results in a time drop on the test track from 3:19 down to 3:08. As said before, Dilessi will make powerful cars, but is not aiming for the most powerful. And like in the evolution from the 336 to the 336B less power can make a car go faster.
1950 - 418 'Coupe' $7.800 / 19.770DM / 3.558.600₤ITL
In 1950 Dilessi showed a new model. It was supposed to call the car 408, but because of the naming rights of Peugeot, the name had to be changed to 418. Only 88 units will be build per year. The more sporty car is now even better to drive and lost nearly 200 kg compared to the 336B. While Dilessi increased the power from 100 hp to 162 hp, the economy was lowered to 12 liter/100 km. The most advantage in the new engine is the torque, being increased by about 90 Nm.
This new model is now able to speed up to 187 km/h (116 mph) and can stop 13 meters earlier from 100 to 0 kmh. In the opposite direction, from 0-100 km/h, the Dilessi 418 is phenomenal 5 seconds faster than the 336B, while the roll angle was increased. This resulted in lowering the lap time around the test track by 16 seconds.
Even the Ferrari 125S had not quite amount of power, but because of 300 kg less than the Dilessi 418 it is nearly as quick. The Power 356 1500S could speed up to 170 km/h (105 mph), but is also over 100 kg lighter and not had just 70 hp. It´ll need 13.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, the same time as the 418. The '53 Chevrolet Corvette will get a comparable engine with 155 hp and will be 2,4 seconds faster to 100 km/h. Also the '53 Porsche Spyder will top the Dilessi 418 by having just 110 hp, but also just 590 kg. This will bring the 550 up to 220 km/h (137 mph) and from 0-100 km/h in just 7 seconds.
1952 - 418 'Cabriolet' $8.000 / 20.110DM / 3.619.800₤ITL
1952 - 418B 'Coupe' $8.720 / 21.800DM / 3.924.000₤ITL
1955 - Dilessi 418 1300 LR $11.880 / 29.700DM / 5.346.000₤ITL
At this years New York Auto Show Dilessi won´t compete with modern super cars, but they´ll show restored super cars build over 50 years ago. Today is the release of the Dilessi 418 1300 LR. It´s was the first rear engined car by Dilessi and a vision of the founder Emilio Dilessi. Even the engineers had some problems making his dream come true, the result was stunning. A small and even economic V8 will give the car enough power to be a super car back then and still be driveable. The car was even quicker around test tracks than the Dilessi 418B, which had over twice as much horsepower. This car was the key for Dilessis future and all cars build from now on.
1965 - 516 'Coupe' $13.040 / 32.600DM / 5.868.000₤ITL
1965 - 516 'Monoposto Concetto' - Priceless / approx. value in 1965: $350.000
In 1965 Dilessi entered the Formula One as engine supplier. With the new reglement only 1.5L engines were allowed. While e.g. Ferrari build a 240 hp V12 engine, Dilessi build a more reliable 220 hp V8 engine. To show how strong even this engine is, Dilessi build a concept car with this powerful V8 fitted into the 516 Coupe. The result was the 516 Monoposto Concetto. Driven around the test track, this concept car not only proved to be driveable, but also scored a 2:25. 20 seconds faster than the 516 Coupe. The approx. value was at about $350.000, but the car was never sold and only build once for a 1965 auto show. Dilessi kept this car and had just to restore a few parts, mostly the porous rubber parts. Todays value is estimated at about $2.500.000, but still isn´t aquirable.
1970 - Dilessi 535 'Sebring GT' $33.400 / 83.500DM / 15.030.000₤ITL
In 1970 Dilessi did more than just a face lift. Despite a near identical body used in the 516, the 535 was completly overhauled. The biggest change was a brand new engine, a 3L V8 with 216 hp. But also the suspension is now hydropneumatic, instead of progressive, the tires are wider and also the interior is again one of the best of the year. Finest leather stitched and fitted by hand will cover the seats, the best 8 Track entertainment system, adjustable seats and steering wheel will make you feel as comfy as possible. Also the safety was improved with updates like curve light and modern 5 point seat belts.
The performance of the car is good, but Dilessi didn´t aimed to be the best. For example a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 is able to speed up to 280 km/h with it´s 352 hp and can acclerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. Also the Lamborghini Miura can nearly reach the 280 km/h with 350 hp, but needs 7 seconds from 0-100 km/h. And it is just fair to say, that both cars are lighter. But there is one thing both can´t do as well as the Dilessi 535: Corners. The 535 can produce about 1g more of downforce while cornering according to it´s better aerodynamics. This will result in a 2:28 at the test track.
Dilessi will also offer the DSPA-DD1-IS for customers. This engine is a spin off from the DSPA-DD1-IP used in the 535 Sebring GT, but will have a little bit less power for more reliability. Dilessi will offer even more quality than used in it´s own cars, while the performance is just a bit less. A 535 Sebring GT with a IS fitted into would need just 1.5 seconds more around the test track while having nearly the same performance data.
Engine: DSPA-DD1-IS Customer
1972 - Dilessi 535 'Sebring GTS' $37.400 / 93.500DM / 16.830.000₤ITL
Two years later Dilessi released the GTS. While the car remained nearly the same, Dilessi was able to produce more power while using the DSPA-DD1-IR engine instead. The italian manufacturer gained over 50 hp making the car even more sporty and a little less tameable.
While the GTS was now nearly as quick from 0-100 km/h as the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, the top speed is still far away from it´s competitor. Dilessi also tried to make the car more efficient for top speed and with less cooling, but even in this trim the GTS wouldn´t go over 260 km/h. So it was easy to stay with a better handling aerodynamic and score a 2:24.6 at the test track.
1980 - 258 'tba'
1990 - 408T 'tba'
2002 - 368 'tba'
2010 - 4712 'tba'
2020 - 508 'Concetto'