Body Work

While ESPERA teaches all aspects of car construction, the main area of expertise is design, modeling and its execution. It's obvious from the wide fenders and hinged rear section the school is doing its job.

The shape of the fenders was designed in a CAD program with the molds laid on site. A wire shell was built in the shape of the rear section and Peugeot 307 tail lights were integrated into the design before fiberglass was laid around it. The air scoop molded into the roofline is fully functional, directing air to the brakes and engine intake.

Interior

The interior is spartan, adhering to the performance theme. Step inside and Isotta race seats grab you. The pedals and steering wheel are from the same Italian company. Peugeot 406 dials portray engine and road speed. OMP harnesses ensure the driver doesn't smack his head on the carbon dashboard but still allow enough movement to reach the alcantara-lined doors. It's not the kind of cabin you'd choose for a cross-country excursion, but is sleek and racy all the same.

Wheels And Brakes

The choice of wheels and tires is one of the most sublime aspects of this collaboration des étudiants. The rims line up perfectly with the fenders; there's even a term for it in German: Fukentuken.

The wheels came from OZ since the company has worked with Sbarro for a very long time - a walk through Sbarro's museum makes this perfectly clear, with almost every vehicle shod in the lightweight rims.

This particular set on the C2 are an inch smaller in diameter and width front to rear, so while the Superturismo GT wheels measure 19x9" and are wrapped in 225/35-19 BFGoodrich in the rear, the front 18x8s are wrapped in 225/40-18s.

Pulling these rollers down from speed is a set of Peugeot 406 brakes. Thanks to these discs and calipers, the C2 comes to a grinding halt when least expected.

Suspension

Inevitably, the suspension is a hybrid system, but the Sbarro students tried to keep everything in-house. All four dampers are again from the 406. The front springs are stock C2, while the rear assembly deletes the C2's torsion bar rear springs in favor of an independent setup. In fact, the cages in which the rear springs sit resemble a linebacker's facemask, ready to sack the quarterback, pounce on the fumble and spike it in the end zone. And as wacky as this arrangement may appear, it seemed to do the job during our laps around a local airport.

Engine

If you want a car to handle well, there's one place to put the motor: in the middle. But sticking one in the middle of a C2 is no easy task, especially if it's a 220hp V6.

After designing the mounting subframe on the CAD system, the students took the 200hp 406 engine and placed it into its cradle. The radiator was from the 406 as well as the drive axles, which amazingly required no lengthening. The students built the 2.5" exhaust and also constructed the intake system, incorporating a Green filter.

The fuel tank sits up front now, covered in carbon fiber and holding 60 liters. The transmission uses a five-speed gearbox, while the harness has a dual identity: half of the motor is controlled by the 406 and the C2 controls everything else. Not a bad accomplishment for a bunch of Stella-drinking French kids!

Tech Spec

École Sbarro

Location:Pontarlier, France

Occupation:Design School

2006 CitroËn C2
Engine: 3.0 liter V6, 24v with custom intake using Green air filter, custom 2.5" exhaust system, mid-mounted on custom subframe

Brakes: 260mm front rotors, 220mm rear from Peugeot 406

Suspension: Peugeot 406 dampers all round, Citroën C2 front springs, Peugeot 406 rear springs in custom mounts

Wheels & Tires: 18x8" front and 19x9" rear OZ Superturismo GT wheels, 225/40-18 front, and 225/35-19 rear BFGoodrich g-Force Profiler tires

Exterior: custom widebody with hinged rear section, Peugeot 307 tail lights, painted Ducati red and Fiat white

Interior: Isotta seats, steering wheel and pedals, OMP harness, carbon dash, Peugeot 406 instruments