Preview: Bulleta RF22

Bulleta is one of those niche automakers we love so well, and the California-based company has taken the wraps off a hot little supercar. The RF22 is based on the Lotus Exige, inspired by the F22 Raptor fighter jet, and was designed by Samhir Sadikhov, whose name you might know from his Aston Martin DBC renderings, or his second-place entry in the 2011 Ferrari World Design Challenge.

 

Designed with organic lines in mind, the RF22 is meant to awaken the senses. Visually, the car is full of smoothness and strength, which reflect how the car is meant to perform. It uses a lot of soft curves, as well as aerodynamic purpose in the shape of its body (available in either fiberglass-reinforced plastic composite or carbon fiber). Touches such as the nose wing, brake-cooling ducts, and roof-mounted air scoop are all functional.

 

 

The RF22 uses a mid-mounted, 3.5-liter, alloy V-6 engine boosted by a Bulleta-designed supercharger for a peak output of 505 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual with sport ratios, or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. It is capable of a 3.6-second 0-60 sprint.

 

The two-door coupe (two-seater or 2+2) was designed to be lightweight, and tips the scales at 2920 pounds (unladen). With its low stance and ideal engine placement, it promises a good amount of balance on the track. It features front and rear forged aluminum double-wishbone suspensions with anti-roll bars, and Bilstein high-performance gas dampers. Its rack and pinion steering system uses Lotus-tuned hydraulic-assist power steering. We’d imagine that the RF22 must exhibit a lot of the driving characteristics of the Exige upon which it’s [possibly*] based.

 

 

The RF22 rides on 19-inch carbon fiber wheels, with forged aluminum 20-inchers as an option. Wheels are clad in Michelin Super Sport rubber. The shoes are fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes, with a Bosch-tuned ABS system.

 

Buyers of the RF22 will work with Bulleta to choose interior and exterior colors in the hand-built car. Purchase also includes a custom, individually numbered Swiss watch, with the dial design inspired by the F22 Raptor fighter. Furthermore, Bulleta is donating a portion the sale of each RF22 to children’s charities focusing on cancer research, education, and guidance.

 

 

Have a closer look at the Bulleta RF22 in the attached photo gallery.