Vector W2
The Vector W2 is a concept car constructed by Vector Motors in 1978. The concept went into production as the Vector W8 in 1990. The name comes from the "W" for Jerry Wiegert (designer and founder of Vector Motors) and "2" for the number of turbochargers. The car is fully functional. It has a Bosch fuel injected twin-turbocharged 350 cid (5.7 L) aluminum Chevrolet V8 engine that produces over 600 hp (450 kW) and over 600 ft·lbf (800 N·m) of torque. The top speed is a claimed 242 mph (389 km/h). The car went through a number of improvements in performance, technology, updated styling exercises, as well as color changes. It was displayed at international auto shows worldwide, and featured in many automotive publications. The car likely covered over 100,000 mi (160,934 km) in testing, more than any other concept car. In 1990, the concept went into production as the Vector W8. Only a handful cars were constructed before the company went bankrupt.
| Vector W2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Vector Motors |
| Production | 1978 |
| Designer | Jerry Wiegert |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | concept car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Doors | Scissor |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.7 L (350 cu in) twin-turbocharged Chevrolet V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed THM425 automatic |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Vector W8 |
The Vector W2 is a concept car constructed by Vector Motors in 1978. The concept went into production as the Vector W8 in 1990.[1][2]
The name comes from the "W" for Jerry Wiegert (designer and founder of Vector Motors) and "2" for the number of turbochargers. The car is fully functional. It has a Bosch fuel injected twin-turbocharged 350 cid (5.7 L) aluminum Chevrolet V8 engine that produces over 600 hp (450 kW) and over 600 ft·lbf (800 N·m) of torque.[3] The top speed is a claimed 242 mph (389 km/h).[4]
The car went through a number of improvements in performance, technology, updated styling exercises, as well as color changes. It was displayed at international auto shows worldwide, and featured in many automotive publications.[5] The car likely covered over 100,000 mi (160,934 km) in testing, more than any other concept car.[6]
In 1990, the concept went into production as the Vector W8. Only a handful cars were constructed before the company went bankrupt.[7][8]
In popular culture
[edit]The Vector W2 was used in the Remington Steele episode License to Steele as Hunter Jet Star 6000.[9]
The Vector W2 was featured in the Nintendo game Formula One: Built to Win.[10]
The W2 in silver was featured in a Chevron gas commercial in the 1980s.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Vector W2". Car and Driver. 1980-12-01. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ "Vadászgép utcára, 40 évvel ezelőttről - Vector W2". Autónavigátor.hu (in Hungarian). 2018-12-18. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ Griffin, Larry (December 1980). "Essence of Omnipotence: Vector W2". Car and Driver. 26 (6). Ziff-Davis: 36–40. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- ^ Linde, Arvids (15 April 2011). Preston Tucker & Others: Tales of Brilliant Automotive Innovators & Innovations. Veloce Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-845840-17-4. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
- ^ s, CZECH NEWS CENTER a (2016-11-19). "Zapomenutý supersport Vector W2: Poprvé za Atlantikem". Auto.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ "Vector W2 – το φιλόδοξο supercar από την Καλιφόρνια - 4troxoi.gr" (in Greek). 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ "1989 - 1993 Vector W8 Twin Turbo - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ Artur (2018-07-10). "Vector W2 - origami wypchane kosmiczną technologią". Radio Bezpieczna Podróż (in Polish). Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ "Remington Steele" License to Steele (TV Episode 1982) - Trivia - IMDb. Retrieved 2026-02-21 – via m.imdb.com.
- ^ "Formula One: Built to Win". Kotaku. 2025-12-26. Retrieved 2026-02-21.
- ^ Justin Pavlovsky (2020-01-18). Vector W2 Chevron and Timex Watch Commercial. Retrieved 2026-02-21 – via YouTube.
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