Belgium’s Gillet Vertigo.5 Spirit: A Supercar in Perfect Harmony
Rare ONES - When thinking of Belgium, most people immediately picture fine chocolates or waffles. Rarely would anyone imagine this country producing a high-performance sports car. Yet, in 2010, Automobile Gillet, a Belgian sports car manufacturer founded by Tony Gillet, surprised the automotive world with the release of the Vertigo.5 Spirit. A super sports car with a blend of art and performance, it changed the way people view Belgian engineering.
The Gillet Vertigo.5 Spirit is a super sports car with a blend of art and performance, it changed the way people view Belgian engineering. (Picture from: AumobileGillet)
The Vertigo.5 Spirit wasn’t just any sports car—it was the latest iteration of a series that began in 1994. Tony Gillet, a Belgian racing driver, had a vision of creating a road car that performed like a race car. This vision led to the birth of the Vertigo line, with the Vertigo.5 Spirit being the fifth and most advanced version. Retro in appearance but modern under the hood, the Vertigo.5 Spirit stood out with its unique look, resembling a piece of art built to tear up the streets.
With its retro appearance and modern engineering, the Vertigo.5 Spirit stood out as a unique work of art designed to dominate the streets. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
One of the most notable aspects of the Vertigo.5 Spirit is its design. The car’s sleek, aggressive stance immediately communicates speed and power, making it an attention-grabber on the road. This isn’t just for show—the body is constructed using a nomex/carbon monoshell chassis, which keeps the weight down to just 990 kg (2,178 lbs). The lightweight design ensures that the car can achieve incredible speed while maintaining excellent handling, giving drivers the ultimate thrill on the road.
Beneath the hood of the Vertigo.5 Spirit lies a 4.2-liter V8 Maserati engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 Nm (340 lb-ft) of torque. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
What truly sets the Vertigo.5 Spirit apart is its powerhouse of an engine. Under the hood, it houses a 4.2-liter V8 engine from Maserati. This engine generates 420 horsepower and 460 Nm (340 lb-ft) of torque, delivering raw power that translates into exhilarating performance. Paired with a 6-speed sequential gearbox, the car rockets from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds, making it a true competitor among the world’s fastest sports cars.
The Gillet Vertigo.5 Spirit's sporty design flows through the interior, with the dashboard, center console, door trim, and seats all elegantly wrapped in premium leather. (Picture from: MotorAuthority)
The Vertigo.5 Spirit's engineering is a testament to Tony Gillet's dedication to precision and performance. The car’s suspension system, featuring double wishbones and independent wheels at the rear, allows for exceptional stability and control even at high speeds. Its 19-inch wheels, with 225/35ZR19 tires at the front and 275/35ZR19 tires at the rear, grip the road with authority, enhancing both safety and performance.
A view of the Gillet Vertigo.5 Spirit’s dashboard, featuring the OMP steering wheel wrapped in premium leather.(Picture from: MotorAuthority)
Inside the cabin, the sports car spirit is even more evident. The OMP steering wheel, wrapped in high-quality leather, reinforces the racing heritage of the Vertigo. This sporty design extends to other interior elements, such as the dashboard, center console, door trim, and seats, all of which are dressed in premium leather. Every detail in the interior is meticulously crafted to ensure that drivers feel both comfortable and connected to the car’s power.
The Gillet Vertigo.5 Spirit's suspension system, featuring double wishbones and independent wheels at the rear, allows for exceptional stability and control even at high speeds. (Picture from: MotorSport)
Belgium may not have been known for supercars, but with the Vertigo.5 Spirit, Tony Gillet proved that the country could produce a vehicle that combines art, engineering, and performance in a remarkable way. It’s a car that not only showcases the beauty of its design but also delivers an unforgettable driving experience. From its stunning retro style to its monstrous engine, the Vertigo.5 Spirit is a masterpiece that stands as a proud symbol of Belgian innovation. | 3Elvy6GZ0ds |
Belgium may not have been known for supercars, but with the Vertigo.5 Spirit, Tony Gillet proved that the country could produce a vehicle that combines art, engineering, and performance in a remarkable way. It’s a car that not only showcases the beauty of its design but also delivers an unforgettable driving experience. From its stunning retro style to its monstrous engine, the Vertigo.5 Spirit is a masterpiece that stands as a proud symbol of Belgian innovation. | 3Elvy6GZ0ds |
