Irmscher

Irmscher Automobilbau GmbH & Co KG
Company typeGmbH & Co KG
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1968; 56 years ago (1968)
FounderGünther Irmscher Sr.
Headquarters
Remshalden
,
Germany
Key people
Günther Irmscher, CEO
ProductsCars
Number of employees
150
Websiteirmscher.com

Irmscher Automobilbau GmbH & Co. KG is a German car tuning and manufacturing[1][2] company, specialising in Opel, Peugeot and Kia vehicles as well as working for the complete automotive industry as an engineering service provider.

It was founded in 1968 in a double garage in the Swabian town of Winnenden (near Stuttgart) by rally driver and mechanic Günther Irmscher.

Irmscher has retained close links to the Opel company by operating the factory team in many European and German automobile competitions,[3][4] including the Ascona B i400 rally car, the Vectra touring car, the Astra DTM car and the Omega V8Star Series car.

This has led them to design and manufacture parts for Chevrolet,[5][6][7] the Cadillac CTS[8] and wheels for the GM based SAAB[9] models, although these are much rarer than the Opel parts. Their distinctive customised parts include alloy wheels, bodykits and exhausts as well as various interior fittings.

Vehicles

Irmscher Roadster (1993-2012)

Since 1993, Irmscher has been building their own replica of the Lotus Seven. Initially, the vehicle bore the model name Seventy Seven (1993-2004).[10] Towards its latter years it was known as the Irmscher 7 (2004-2012). Power comes from Opel-sourced four-cylinder units. Choices include: 115 hp or 150 hp (NA-spec); 240 hp or 284 hp (Turbo).

  • Irmscher 7
    Irmscher 7
  • Irmscher 7 Cockpit
    Irmscher 7 Cockpit

Other vehicles produced by Irmscher

  • In 1989, Irmscher introduced the Irmscher GT, equipped with a 3.6L I-6 engine and marketed it as a 2+2 seater sports coupe.[11][12]
  • In 1989, Irmscher collaborated with Isuzu to produce the Isuzu Trooper Bighorn model in Irmscher-S and Irmscher-R trims. The modifications only limited to cosmetic changes.
  • In 2002, the company presented the Inspiro concept at the Geneva Motor Show.[13] The roadster was fitted with a fettled X30XE 3.0L V6 from the Opel Omega B.[14]
  • In 2008, commemorating Irmscher's 40th anniversary, the Opel GT/Saturn Sky based GT i40 was introduced with a 6.0L V8 engine.[2]
  • In 2011, a purely electrically operated variant of the Irmscher Roadster named Irmscher 7 Selectra was presented at the Geneva Motor Show.[15]

References

  1. ^ Irmscher Firmengruppe, About Irmscher
  2. ^ a b "Geneva Preview: Irmscher to debut 473hp Opel GT (Saturn Sky)". 26 February 2008.
  3. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  4. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  5. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  6. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  7. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  8. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  9. ^ "Irmscher Automobilbau GMBH & Co.KG" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2008-09-11.
  10. ^ "Irmscher 7 - Seventy Seven data and specifications catalogue".
  11. ^ "1989 Irmscher GT Specs". carfolio.com. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Irmscher GT Full Specs". Automobile Catalog. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  13. ^ "2002 Irmscher Inspiro @ Top Speed". 28 February 2007.
  14. ^ "Detailed specs review of 2002 Irmscher Inspiro model for Europe concept".
  15. ^ "Irmscher 7 Selectra Electric Concept | Car Tuning". Archived from the original on 2011-03-22.
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