The Gillet Vertigo Comes to Project Motor Racing

February 28, 2025

The Gillet Vertigo, powered by an Alfa Romeo 3.0-litre V6, is a masterpiece of lightweight engineering and soul. With its feather-light carbon fibre body and thrillingly agile performance, the Vertigo delivers pure driving pleasure, combining raw power with exquisite craftsmanship for an unforgettable and always visceral driving experience.

Gillet Vertigo

Engine: Alfa Romeo N/A 3.0-litre V6

Power: 355 bhp @ 6,700 RPM

Torque: 425nm @ 5,000 RPM

Weight: 950 kg

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

Gillet Vertigo (2004 spec)

The original road-going Gillet Vertigo was a rare creature in the world of supercars—a machine born not in the familiar corridors of Germany or Italy but in the serene town of Gembloux, Belgium. It’s also a car that’s wrapped in mystery and intrigue.

Conceived by former racing driver Tony Gillet, it exemplified the spirit of motorsport distilled into an ultra-light, hand-built coupé that stood well apart in the high-performance world. The Gillet Vertigo left a lasting mark, too: a Guinness World Record for fastest acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 1994, achieved in just 3.266 seconds.

The 2004 Gillet Vertigo, now available in Project Motor Racing, is the purebred racer based on that supercar. And it’s the kind of car that you’ll absolutely fall in love with: With its carbon-fibre construction, powerful V8 engine, and focus on agility, the 2004 Vertigo made a name for itself as the kind of car you could grab by the scruff of the neck and delightfully bully around.

Performance and Engineering

At the heart of this symphony of lightweight engineering and power is a powerplant with its own storied lineage: the mythical Busso Alfa Romeo 3.0-litre V6 engine—by anyone’s measure, just about the sweetest-sounding engine ever produced and arguably the most important engine that ever came out of Turin.

When Tony Gillet chose Alfa’s V6 as the heartbeat of the Vertigo’s race program, it wasn’t just a choice of performance; it was a choice steeped in character. The Alfa Romeo V6, famous for its melodic exhaust note and responsive power delivery, is an engine that dances with the driver, a harmony of high-revving excitement and refined precision. With its lineage tracing back to Italy’s post-war dream, this engine brings a unique soul to the Vertigo, adding an unmistakable Italian flair and legacy.

Weight reduction, meanwhile, was at the core of Gillet’s design philosophy. With a chassis crafted primarily from carbon fibre, the Vertigo’s total weight is kept to around 950 kilograms, allowing for an exceptionally high power-to-weight ratio that boosts both acceleration and handling. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, meanwhile, maximizes stability and control. Mated to a sugary 6-speed manual transmission, this is the assurance of a true driver’s machine.

Aerodynamics and Design

The 2004 Vertigo’s design is sleek yet purposeful, prioritizing aerodynamic efficiency while exuding an unmistakable, aggressive charm. The long, low-slung profile—with the driver seemingly sitting almost on the rear axle—and carefully crafted bodywork minimize drag, while functional elements such as the front splitter, side vents, and rear wing maximize downforce and stability.

Every detail of the Vertigo’s exterior has been optimized for performance and—allied to the aggressive stance, wide track, and low ground clearance—guarantees you’ll always look as if you’re on the grid with bidness on your mind. A visually striking car that balances beauty, brutality, and a near-mythical agility and handling.

Racing Pedigree and Achievements

The 2004 Gillet Vertigo made its mark in several competitive racing series, most notably in the Belgian Touring Car Championship (BTCS) and Belcar, the Belgian Endurance Championship, as well as in the N-GT series in the FIA GT Championship.

In an era dominated by larger manufacturers with expansive budgets, the Gillet Vertigo represented the spirit of independent racing innovation. It’s a car built not for mass appeal but for those who appreciate the raw, unfiltered experience of a machine that prioritizes driver engagement and precision over all else. It’s a machine crafted for those who seek the thrill of pure, unapologetic performance—an enduring icon of speed and agility that continues to captivate racing enthusiasts worldwide.

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