Mission 400 Plus - the name says it all

Now that the Bugatti Veyron has cracked 400km/h, rival purveyors of ultra-high-po cars are queuing up to match the feat.

Here's the latest contender, a Porsche 911 Turbo-derived weapon known as the Mission 400 Plus -- the numeric designation obviously indicating its intended v-max capabilities.

The sinister black coupe was created by German tuning firm Jurgen Alzen Motorsport and was one of the stars of the recent Essen motor show.

It was built specifically to "win the Blue Ribbon for the world's fastest street-legal sports car next year," according to its maker, who is confident of its ability to crack 400 kays.

The technicians from Jurgen Alzen Motorsport were responsible for the technical design and for building the car, but the force-fed engine is the handiwork of RS Tuning, also based in Germany.

Although based on the 911 Turbo's powerplant, displacement is increased from 3.6 to 3.8 litres and the engine scores precision-machined cylinder heads with larger valves and high-performance camshafts.

In addition, the intake manifold has larger and smoothened ports, while the stock turbos with variable turbine geometry are replaced by larger conventional ones, which are fed by custom-tailored stainless-steel exhaust manifolds.

Higher capacity intercoolers provide cooler charge air for maximum power output, aided on the exhaust side by a stainless-steel sport exhaust with metal catalysts.

Result? A barrel-chested 776kW at 7700 rpm and a mountainous peak torque figure of 1030Nm at 5800 rpm. And yet, the speed-record hunter meets stringent EURO IV emission limits.

Unlike the showroom 911 Turbo (which has all-wheel drive), power is transferred to the rear wheels only via a high-performance clutch and a modified six-speed transmission.

But it takes more than just brute power to propel a car past 400km/h and -- with this in mind -- Jurgen Alzen has minimised frontal area by lowering the roof by 75mm, which is why the Mission 400 Plus has a 'chop-top' look about it. The A-pillars have also been raked back by 5.5 degrees.

Also part of the Mission 400 Plus aerodynamics concept are streamlined cowlings for the 18-inch BBS light-alloy wheels, and these are designed to reduce air turbulence during the record run, which will take place in early 2007 at Italy's high-speed Nardo track.

Nardo is said to place extreme demands on suspension, so chassis specialist H&R has developed a bespoke set-up for the Mission 400 Plus comprising upgraded springs and dampers, custom-made aluminum lower A-arms as well as special tie rods and newly designed upper rear axle links.

Weight savings are reaped via carbonfibre doors and bonnet and a stripped-out interior with ultra-light Recaro racing seats. It's perched in one of these pews that Alzen will attempt to dethrone the Veyron.

Stay tuned... the Bugatti could be in for a bashing.