Ok, hopefully I can make up for my absence with this. I have some images later and the following article, and best yet, an ACTUAL name.
This is the KADG (Kuzara Automotive Development Group) Zara.
BORN IN THE USA
The new Zara is exotic in just about everything but price.
California's latest exotic coupe, the Zara, is about to slide out into the sunlight, as the third generation automobile of James Kuzara and his Kuzara Automotive Development Group. The Zara arrives as a US$80,000 exotic with the looks and lines of the Vector, Countach or Testarossa but without their complexity or price.
While the Zara's technology and power may not be as sophisticated as these other exotics, its layout is refined and its styling interestingly different. Even its drivetrain breaks new ground with a unique blend of domestic components designed for compact power transmission.
The Kuzara Automotive Development Group has come to grips with the new Californian emissions requirements, powering the hot new Zara with a '91 Chevrolet tunnel port-injected small block complete with catalytic converters and emission equipment.
Its Chevrolet power base makes it suitable for all US domestic States without any fuss. West Coast production models will meet the new California Air Resources Board (CARB) exhaust emissions requirements immediately. Other domestic States and international buyers, where such strict emission requirements are not enforced, will have two larger V8 injected engine options. A 454 LS-6 big block Chevrolet rated at 335 kW or a 509 cubic inch big block Chevrolet rated at 484 kW. The company previously built Exotic Dream Machines' "California Countach", a V8 powered replica of the roaring Italian bull, but discontinued the car under pressure from Chrysler, Lamborghini's new owners, and reformed the company under the banner of Kuzara Automotive Development Group, or KADG, to concentrate on the Zara exotic automobile project.
Their production skills with full plastic bodies, using a composite construction utilizing "S" glass cloth, kevlar, carbon fibre and Divamat bound together with a special blend of six step isothalic resins, were excellent with the Countach and are now outstanding with the Zara.
The Zara sits on a ladder type 104" tube frame/chassis which extends from the head of the windscreen to the lowermost portion of the vehicle and includes a full internal roll cage. The engine is mid-mounted and sits longitudinally driving a newly designed belt-driven transaxle.
The NASCAR type frame uses madrel bent 2" steel tube which is jig welded to form three "cells" for the passenger compartment, the engine bay and the front suspension.
The suspension package is fully independent unequal A-arms made of chrome molly steel. These are fitted with race quality ball joints and Koni gas adjustable coil-over shocks with driver operable four position ride-control from soft to competition. The brakes use an enormous set of JFZ 310mm ventilated rotors with four piston calipers, to give the Zara as much stopping power as it has punch. ABS brakes will apparently be an option in '91. Rack and pinion steering completes the front suspension.
One of the biggest surprises on the Zara is its intriguing transaxle. It uses a unique twin Gates Rubber Kevlar Chain belt drive which can use either a production five-speed manual gearbox from Richmond Gear or a modified GM TH 700 four-speed automatic.
Both these gearboxes drive through a Ford 9" differential centre which transfers the power forward to the independently sprung double constant velocity jointed rear axles. This formation sits the engine near perfectly mid-point with the conventional transmission attached as per its original nose-to-tail configuration.
Handling is pleasantly nimble and well balanced. Judging from the quick drive we had of the prototype chassis with crisp turn-in, excellent adhesion and ride quality.
The interior is simple yet sophisticated. The cabin is fully sound insulated and decorated with a pair of Recaro LX leather covered seats with posturepedic controls, trimmed carpet, and as many electronic stereo gadgets as your wallet can stand. The dash and console are covered with matching leather and walnut burr and the instrumentation runs off a full electronic package.
Unlike many of its exotic counterparts, the Zara comes with a 20 cubic foot trunk and electric slide down windows. This utilitarian facet is further enhanced by its simplicity and Chevrolet power which makes mechanical servicing as simple as a trip to your local Chevy dealer.
Only 1143mm high the Zara presents a stylish face for the 90s. Its simplicity may just be its greatest asset and its Federalized Chevy Power its best selling point.
Four have already been sold and James Kuzara of KADG in Rancho Cordova says, "The reaction to the Zara has been incredible. The public in general seem to like what we are building and the buyers who can afford our product are buyinh, so what else could we want?" The Zara is being sold through a number of dealers across the country who complete the coupe to the buyers' personal specifications. KADG supplies the Zara 80 per cent complete to the dealer who then adds the final touches. International marketing of the Zara is underway and a right-hand drive version will be made for the UK, Japanese and Australian markets if there is buyer interested.
KADG has the first four in production for early '91 delivery and is hoping to build 200 first generation Zaras in the first year. While this may sound optimistic James Kuzara feels the market is ready for a domestic exotic, price tagged at about US$80,000. Maybe he's right; nobody has built and marketed and American exotic car this way before.
