Ascari History 1995–Future From Ecosse to the A10 Legacy

Ascari is one of the most exclusive and short-lived supercar manufacturers in modern automotive history, yet its impact on performance engineering and motorsport culture is undeniable. This video covers the complete history of Ascari from 1995 to the present — from its beginnings rooted in racing inspiration to the creation of rare hand-built supercars like the Ecosse, KZ1, and the extreme A10.

The story begins with the origins of the brand, named in honor of legendary Formula 1 champion Alberto Ascari. Early development involved Lee Noble, whose FGT prototype laid the foundation for the first Ascari road car. This period established the company’s engineering philosophy: lightweight construction, bespoke manufacturing, and motorsport DNA.

In 1999, Ascari released its debut supercar — the Ascari Ecosse. Built in extremely small numbers, the Ecosse featured a BMW 4.4-liter V8 and a hand-crafted chassis, showcasing the brand’s dedication to exclusivity and performance. The model immediately gained attention for its purity and engineering focus.

A major turning point came when Dutch entrepreneur Klaas Zwart purchased the company, moved operations to Banbury, and accelerated development of a new flagship model. This resulted in the creation and 2005 release of the Ascari KZ1 — a carbon-fiber supercar powered by the BMW S62 V8 from the M5. With only 50 units produced, it became one of the rarest modern supercars.

Zwart then expanded the brand internationally by building the Ascari Race Resort in Spain, one of the world’s most exclusive private racetracks. This era also introduced the KZ1-R, a full-competition GT racer that brought the Ascari name into international motorsport.

The brand reached its technical peak with the Ascari A10 — an extreme evolution of the KZ1, celebrated for brutal performance and highly limited production. Today, Ascari remains dormant but respected, its legacy defined by rarity, engineering purity, and the vision of crafting ultra-exclusive machines that blended road capability with racing spirit.

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