JOSS set to swap cogs with Albins

The Melbourne-based manufacturer of Australia's own supercar, JOSS Developments, has announced a partnership with leading international automotive transmission specialist Albins.

Albins will develop a state-of-the-art transmission and drive system, bespoke to the forthcoming JOSS production car, which currently, in its prototype form (internally coded JP1), utilises a Porsche Carrera 2-sourced G50 five-speed manual transaxle. The seven-figure development program aims to produce a number of technological firsts, including as yet unnamed drive-system features JOSS says have never before been seen in an Australian-built car.

Powered by an all-aluminium V8, the JOSS supercar features a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) monocoque body for an ultra-light curb weight of just 940kg, its 328kW/570Nm output driving the rear wheels for a 0-100km/h time of just three seconds.

JOSS chose Albins to develop its transmission for the company's leading-edge engineering expertise, its transmissions one of a select few capable of withstanding the high power and torque levels developed by a 300km/h supercar -- the same qualities that have seen Albins transmissions sought by many of the world's most demanding motor sport teams.

"There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes development work carried out by our engineering team and the transmission partnership with Albins is one of several exciting developments that JOSS will be announcing over the coming months," said JOSS Developments Limited CEO, Glenn Draffin. "This transmission will set a new standard and is a key component in JOSS's planned 300km/h supercar."

The highly acclaimed JOSS supercar, first unveiled to the public at the Melbourne International Motor Show in 2004, has already employed high-profile partnerships with companies including Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ford, HSV and Mercedes-Benz, this latest partnership with Albins certain to prove an ideal technical match.

"The high technology in the up-coming JP1 is a perfect fit for Albins. We have been following the development of this production supercar with great interest," said Albins' Managing Director, Steve MacDonald. "Having been in talks with JOSS Developments Limited for some time now, we are naturally proud to finally be able to announce our partnership with this highly organised and professional team."

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