Joss JP1 - Australian Supercar Finally Coming

Australia has come one step closer to offering the world a supercar, as the Joss Developments announced it has reached an agreement with a gearbox supplier and that it is currently making efforts to install an European-sourced powerplant for the JP1 project.

"We're aiming to be on sale in the middle or end of 2011. We're factoring-in an 18-month development program," Matt Thomas, technical director of Joss Developments was quoted as saying by carsguide.com.au.  "We are well into the engineering test of the chassis. The aim is to have two production prototypes by the early months of next year. They will be call the JP1, for the Joss Prototype 1."

The mid-engined supercar will use a transmission produced in Australia by Albins. The gearbox will be able to cope with a high power and torque output and will also be suitable for the race track, an important asset that will allow the company to turn its motorsport fantasies into reality.

"We want to break the shackles of being a tiny little Australian company. We're not about a one-off supercar. We want a viable long-term supercar company. We want to include a lot of smart thinking," the executive told the aforementioned source.

The Joss JP1 was introduced at the Melbourne Motor Show, back in 2004. Now, the company said that it plans to use a V8 configuration or even a six-cylinder unit. The supercar will initially be launched as a limited production vehicle, with 25 units being available in the country.