Marussia Motors was founded in 2007 by former racer Nikolai Fomenko, Andrey Cheglakov, and Libor Haluza. Fomenko, serving as President, led a team of engineers in producing not just their first sports car but Russia’s first. The car shown here is the 2015 Marussia B1 (X99RUS000F0000227), part of the B-Series, which includes the B1 and the more aggressive B2. Both models share similar technical features but exhibit distinct design variations. Initially, Marussia planned to produce 2,099 units of the B1, a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive supercar, at their Moscow facility. While the B1 prototype was in development, the B2 debuted in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. However, in 2010, Marussia Motors shifted its focus, buying a stake in Virgin Racing, which later became Marussia F1. The F1 team faced difficulties, including crash test failures and issues with KERS technology. The tragic accident of driver Jules Bianchi at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix compounded their struggles. Following this, Marussia Motors disbanded in 2014 due to financial issues, ending its seven-year run and laying off 200 employees. Marussia F1 also folded, going bankrupt before the end of the 2014 season. In 2015, the F1 team was rebranded as Manor Racing under new ownership, marking the end of Marussia’s involvement in motorsports. Today, Marussia exists as a personal project of B1’s chief designer, Igor Ermilin, under the name @marussiaengineering, though updates have been scarce since 2022. The B2 appeared in video games like Need for Speed and Asphalt, while Marussia’s F1 cars featured in the F1 game series from 2012 to 2015.
How many made? Fewer than 5 B1s are believed to have been built.
Engine: two Marussia-Cosworth engines were tested on these cars: a 2.8L Turbo V6 (360-420hp) & a 3.5L NA V6 (300hp).
Debut: December 2008, Moscow’s Manege Hall
Top Speed: 190 mph
0-60mph: 3.2 seconds
Photo Credit: @slavchick2
Research: @rarecarsonly
2015 Marussia B1
17.10.2024
Marussia