The Arash AF8 arrived with the right ingredients for supercar stardom: a lightweight carbon structure, a mid‑mounted V8 with Corvette roots, and the kind of low‑volume exclusivity that usually sends collectors scrambling. Yet it slipped past most enthusiasts, overshadowed by louder brands and bigger marketing budgets. I want to look at how this compact British coupe turned a familiar American powerplant into something far more exotic, and why it still deserves attention in a market now obsessed with hybrids and EVs.
How a small British outfit built a Corvette-powered exotic
The AF8 was never meant to be a mass‑market halo car, it was a statement from a small British company that believed it could stand alongside established supercar names by doing things differently. Instead of chasing headline‑grabbing hybrid systems or turbocharged complexity, Arash Motor Company chose a naturally aspirated 7.0‑liter V8 derived from Chevrolet’s LS architecture, the same family of engines that powered generations of Corvette. That decision grounded the AF8 in proven hardware, but the team wrapped it in a bespoke chassis and body that pushed the car firmly into exotic territory rather than kit‑car pastiche.
Underneath, the AF8 used a mid‑engine layout with the V8 mounted behind the seats and ahead of the rear axle, feeding power through a rear‑drive transaxle. The company’s own materials describe a focus on low mass and high rigidity, with a tubular structure and composite panels designed around that compact American V8, a package that gave the car the classic proportions of a modern supercar with a long rear deck and short overhangs. The official specification sheet for the AF8 chassis and powertrain highlights this blend of British engineering and American muscle, positioning the car as a hand‑built alternative to the mainstream.
Design that looked familiar, but felt different
Visually, the AF8 walked a careful line between recognisable supercar cues and its own sharp‑edged identity. The nose sat low and wide, with angular headlights and large intakes that framed a pointed front bumper, while the side profile featured deep sculpting and a rising beltline that fed into muscular rear haunches. It was not trying to reinvent the silhouette so much as refine it, and the result was a compact, purposeful shape that looked more like a focused driver’s car than a rolling design experiment.
What set it apart was the obsessive use of lightweight materials and the way those choices shaped the body. Reports on the AF8’s construction describe extensive use of carbon fiber for the bodywork and structural elements, a strategy that kept the car’s weight low and allowed for intricate surfacing around the doors, sills, and rear diffuser. One detailed look at the carbon fiber AF8 body underlines how deeply the material was integrated into the design, not as a decorative flourish but as the backbone of the car’s proportions and stance.
The LS-based V8 at the heart of the AF8
The AF8’s defining feature was its engine, a 7.0‑liter V8 based on the LS7 that powered the C6 Corvette Z06, tuned for use in a mid‑engined British chassis. This naturally aspirated unit delivered serious power and torque without resorting to forced induction, giving the AF8 a linear, high‑revving character that contrasted with the turbocharged trend sweeping through European supercars at the time. The choice of an LS‑based engine also meant access to a vast ecosystem of parts and tuning knowledge, which helped a small manufacturer build a reliable, high‑output powertrain without developing a bespoke engine from scratch.
Coverage of the car’s debut emphasised that this Corvette‑sourced heart was not a shortcut but a deliberate strategy to combine American displacement with European handling. One early feature on the Corvette-powered AF8 highlighted how the LS architecture’s compact dimensions and relatively low weight made it ideal for a mid‑engine layout, while its proven durability gave buyers confidence in a low‑volume exotic. By pairing that engine with a lightweight chassis and rear‑drive layout, Arash aimed to deliver the kind of throttle response and mechanical simplicity that purists often say they want but rarely find in modern supercars.
Performance, weight, and the numbers that mattered
On paper, the AF8’s performance figures placed it squarely in the contemporary supercar conversation. The combination of a large‑capacity V8 and a lightweight structure translated into a strong power‑to‑weight ratio, with acceleration and top‑speed claims that matched or exceeded more established rivals of similar vintage. The focus on mass reduction meant the AF8 did not need extreme horsepower to feel fast, and the naturally aspirated delivery promised a more predictable, linear surge rather than the sudden hit of turbo boost.
Analyses of the AF8’s specification sheets point to a car that was engineered around balance as much as outright speed, with careful attention paid to weight distribution, suspension geometry, and braking hardware. One overview of the AF8 performance package underscored how the car’s relatively low curb weight, combined with its mid‑engine layout, was intended to deliver agile handling and strong track capability. That approach aligned the AF8 more closely with driver‑focused machines like the best analog Ferraris and Lamborghinis of its era, rather than the heavier, tech‑laden flagships that were beginning to dominate the segment.
Inside the AF8: a focused, low-volume cockpit
Open the AF8’s dihedral doors and the cabin made it clear that this was a low‑volume, hand‑built machine rather than a mass‑produced luxury product. The interior layout followed a classic two‑seat configuration with a driver‑centric dashboard, prominent center console, and supportive bucket seats. Materials leaned heavily on leather, Alcantara, and exposed carbon fiber, with switchgear and instrumentation arranged to prioritise driving rather than infotainment theatrics.
First‑hand impressions of the AF8 Launch Edition interior describe a cockpit that felt intimate and purposeful, with clear sightlines over the low dashboard and a sense of sitting close to the car’s center of gravity. The finish reflected the realities of a small manufacturer, with some elements feeling more bespoke than polished, but that rawness also reinforced the AF8’s identity as a driver’s car built in small numbers for enthusiasts who valued character over gadgetry.
How it sounded and moved in the real world
Static specifications only tell part of the story, and the AF8’s character came alive once the LS‑based V8 fired and the car was driven in anger. Video footage of the car on the move captures a deep, hard‑edged exhaust note that builds into a sharp bark as revs rise, a sound that reflects both the displacement and the relatively free‑breathing nature of the naturally aspirated engine. The mid‑engine layout and short gearing helped translate that soundtrack into brisk real‑world pace, with the car lunging forward eagerly under full throttle.
Track and road clips of the AF8 under acceleration show a car that looks planted yet responsive, with quick changes of direction and a rear end that can be coaxed into gentle oversteer under power. Additional footage of the AF8 driven on circuit reinforces the impression of a chassis tuned for engagement rather than clinical lap‑time chasing, with the driver working the car rather than relying on layers of electronic intervention. For enthusiasts who value feel and feedback, that analog quality is precisely what separates memorable supercars from forgettable ones.
Rarity, the Falcon Edition, and a quiet afterlife
Part of what makes the AF8 so easy to overlook today is its scarcity. Production numbers were extremely low, and the car never enjoyed the kind of global dealer network or marketing push that might have cemented its place in the broader supercar conversation. As a result, sightings on the road or at events have remained rare, and the AF8 has largely lived on through online clips, spec sheets, and the memories of those who encountered it in person.
The AF8 story did not end with the original car, however. The model later appeared in digital form as the Arash AF8 Falcon Edition, a more extreme evolution that found a second life inside racing games. Documentation of the AF8 Falcon Edition describes a virtual version with uprated performance and more aggressive styling, a reminder that even niche supercars can gain a kind of immortality once they are scanned into popular titles. That presence in gaming has arguably introduced the AF8 name to more people than the physical car ever did, even if many players never realise it is based on a real, road‑going machine.
Why the AF8 slipped under the radar
Given its ingredients, the AF8 might have seemed destined for cult status, yet it never quite broke through in the way some rivals did. Timing played a role, as the car arrived during a period when the supercar market was pivoting toward hybrid assistance, dual‑clutch transmissions, and increasingly elaborate driver‑assistance systems. Against that backdrop, a relatively analog, naturally aspirated V8 coupe from a small British marque could look old‑fashioned on paper, even if that simplicity was precisely what made it appealing to a certain kind of driver.
Another factor was the crowded field of boutique supercar start‑ups, many of which promised big numbers and exotic materials but struggled to deliver cars in meaningful volumes. Coverage of the AF8’s reveal placed it among a wave of ambitious low‑volume projects, some of which faded quickly. Without the backing of a major manufacturer or a sustained racing program, the AF8 had to rely on word of mouth and a handful of media drives, which limited its visibility even as it offered a compelling package for those who discovered it.
What the AF8 says about supercar start-ups and V8s
Looking back, the AF8 captures a particular moment in supercar history when small companies could still carve out a niche by pairing lightweight construction with big, naturally aspirated V8s. The car’s reliance on a Corvette‑sourced LS engine was not an admission of defeat but a pragmatic way to access reliable power while focusing limited resources on chassis development and design. That approach echoed a broader pattern among start‑ups that turned to proven American V8s as a foundation for their own interpretations of the supercar formula.
Analysts who examined the AF8’s on‑road behavior and the car’s technical choices often pointed to this blend of accessible mechanicals and exotic presentation as both a strength and a limitation. It made the AF8 more maintainable than some rivals and gave it a distinctive character, but it also meant the car could be overshadowed by more technologically radical offerings. In an era now dominated by electrification and complex hybrid systems, the AF8 stands as a reminder of how satisfying a relatively straightforward recipe can be when executed with conviction and attention to detail.
More from MorningOverview