Marussia B2 Sport

Marussia B2 Sport

The Marussia B2 was an audacious attempt to create Russia's first genuine supercar — a mid-engine, turbocharged sports car that aimed to put Russian automotive engineering on the global performance car map. Created by Marussia Motors, founded by actor and racing driver Nikolai Fomenko, the B2 was a fascinating chapter in the story of ambitious automotive startups.

The B2 featured striking, aggressive styling with a distinctive front end and flowing body lines designed by the Marussia in-house team. The carbon fiber and aluminum body kept weight down to approximately 1,100 kg, while the turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine (sourced from Cosworth in early development, later versions used other suppliers) produced 420 hp, giving the car a remarkable power-to-weight ratio.

With a claimed top speed of 300 km/h and 0-100 km/h in under 4 seconds, the B2's performance specifications were firmly in supercar territory. The chassis featured pushrod-actuated double wishbone suspension front and rear (Formula 1-inspired), carbon ceramic brakes, and a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Marussia Motors generated significant attention both for the car and for its Formula 1 racing team (later known as Manor Racing). The B2 was displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show and received considerable media coverage. A small number were built and delivered to customers, primarily in Russia.

However, the ambitious project was ultimately unsustainable. Marussia Motors faced financial difficulties, compounded by the costs of the F1 program and the challenges of establishing a new car manufacturer from scratch. The company went bankrupt in 2014, and production of the B2 ceased.

Despite its brief production life and limited numbers, the Marussia B2 represents an important moment in Russian automotive history — proof that Russian engineers and designers could create a world-class supercar, even if the business model could not sustain it long-term.