Venturi
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Venturi 260 Coupe (1987-95)
Overview: The **Venturi 260 Coupé**, introduced in **1987**, was a landmark model for **Venturi**, marking the company's entry into the high-performance sports car market. Founded by **Claude Poiraud** and **Gérard Godfroy**, Venturi aimed to create a **French grand tourer** that could rival **Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Porsche**. **Significance of the Venturi 260 Coupé** - **First Production Model** – The **Venturi 260** was the company's first major production car, establishing its reputation in the sports car industry. - **French Engineering Excellence** – It featured a **mid-mounted PRV V6 engine**, delivering **260 horsepower**, showcasing Venturi’s commitment to performance. - **Luxury & Performance Blend** – The car combined **sleek aerodynamics** with **high-speed capabilities**, making it a serious competitor in the European sports car market. - **Limited Production & Exclusivity** – Only **750 cars** were produced over two decades, making it a rare and collectible model. - **Racing Influence** – Venturi later expanded into motorsport, including **Formula One** and **Le Mans**, with the 260 Coupé laying the foundation for future racing models.
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Production Total: The Venturi 260 coupe had a total production run of 750 cars from 1987 to 1995.
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Price New: In 1987, the Venturi 260 coupe was priced at approximately £47,600. This was based on the exchange rate at the time, which was around 1.89 USD to 1 GBP. ***** Recorded in UK 2024 As of 2024, there are approximately 70 Venturi 260 coupes registered in the UK.
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Design Features: The **Venturi 260 Coupé**, introduced in **1987**, was designed to blend **French elegance** with **high-performance engineering**, making it a unique alternative to contemporary sports cars. Here’s what made it stand out:
**Design Features**
- **Aerodynamic Bodywork** – Sleek, low-profile styling ensured stability at high speeds.
- **Fiberglass Construction** – Lightweight materials helped enhance speed and efficiency.
- **Handcrafted Interior** – Luxury-focused cabin with premium leather and bespoke craftsmanship.
- **Pop-Up Headlights** – A signature design element of 1980s high-performance sports cars.
**Performance**
- **Engine:** 2.8L PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) V6 Turbo
- **Power Output:** **260 hp** at 6,000 rpm
- **Torque:** **310 Nm** at 4,500 rpm
- **Top Speed:** **168 mph (270 km/h)**
- **0-60 mph:** **~5.2 seconds**
- **Transmission:** **5-speed manual**
At the time, Venturi positioned the **260 Coupé** as a direct competitor to the **Porsche 911** and **Ferrari 328**, offering a balance of speed, agility, and exclusivity. Despite its potential, Venturi remained a **low-volume manufacturer**, making its cars rare and highly collectible today.
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Target Age Group: The **Venturi 260 Coupé** was aimed at **affluent driving enthusiasts** who appreciated **French engineering** and **high-performance sports cars**. Given its **luxury grand tourer** positioning, it was likely targeted at **middle-aged professionals** and **sports car collectors** who sought an alternative to **Porsche, Ferrari, and Aston Martin**.
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Sales: The **Venturi 260 Coupé** was not a major sales success, primarily due to its **limited production** and the challenges faced by Venturi as a small-scale manufacturer. While the car was praised for its **performance and craftsmanship**, Venturi struggled to compete with established brands like **Porsche and Ferrari**.
Between **1987 and 1995**, Venturi produced **around 750 cars**, including various models, but the **260 Coupé** remained a niche offering. The company later shifted focus to motorsport and electric vehicles, moving away from traditional sports car production.
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Rivals: In **1987**, the **Venturi 260 Coupé** competed with several high-performance sports cars in the UK market. Here’s an approximate look at their new prices at the time:
- **Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2** – Around **£32,000**
- **Ferrari 328 GTB** – Around **£38,000**
- **Lotus Esprit Turbo** – Around **£26,000**
- **Aston Martin V8 Vantage** – Around **£60,000**
The **Venturi 260 Coupé** was positioned as a **luxury grand tourer**, offering a balance of **performance and exclusivity**. While its exact UK price is harder to pinpoint, it was likely in the range of **£30,000–£40,000**, making it a competitive alternative to the **Porsche 911** and **Ferrari 328**.
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Recorded in UK 2025:
As of **2025**, there are **no officially recorded Venturi 260 Coupés** in the UK’s vehicle registration databases. This suggests that any surviving examples are either **privately owned**, **unregistered**, or located outside the UK.
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