Zenvo
Zenvo: Denmark's extreme supercar manufacturer
Imagine the sound of a roaring V8 engine with 1177 horsepower.
Imagine an aggressive, angular silhouette cutting through the air at a top speed of over 350 km/h.
Feel the adrenaline pumping as a hand-built supercar accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
Welcome to the world of Zenvo – a world where Danish design and engineering meets extreme performance and exclusivity.
Zenvo is not just another car brand.
It is Denmark’s pride and joy in supercars, a David among Goliaths in an industry dominated by Italian, German and British giants.
From humble beginnings in a small town on Zealand to exclusive showrooms in the world’s richest cities, Zenvo has quickly established itself as a serious player in the ultra-high performance car world.
Let’s dive into the story of this Danish supercar manufacturer that has taken the world by storm.
Troels Vollertsen: The man behind the dream
Our story begins with Troels Vollertsen, a Danish mechanic and car enthusiast with a dream.
Born in 1973, Troels grew up with a passion for cars and a particular fascination for the extreme performance of the supercar world.
But instead of just admiring the exotic machines from afar, Troels decided to create his own.
In 2004, Troels started working on what would become Zenvo Automotive.
His vision was clear: to create a Danish supercar that could compete with the best in the world, but with a unique Nordic twist.
ST1: The first Zenvo sees the light of day
After years of hard work and development, Zenvo presented their first model in 2009: the ST1.
This brutal supercar was a statement from day one.
With a 6.8-liter V8 engine equipped with both a supercharger and turbocharger, the ST1 produced an insane 1104 horsepower and 1430 Nm of torque.
The ST1’s design was as aggressive as its performance.
With sharp lines, wide fenders and a low, menacing front end, the ST1 looked like something from another planet.
But beneath the wild exterior was a chassis and suspension that was carefully tuned to handle the immense power.
Some key figures for Zenvo ST1:
- 0-100 km/h: 3.0 seconds
- Top speed: 375 km/h (electronically limited)
- Production: Only 15 copies
The ST1 caused a stir in the supercar world and instantly put Zenvo on the world map.
Here was a new player that wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.
TS1 GT: Evolution continues
In 2016, Zenvo presented their next model: the TS1 GT.
This car built on the experience of the ST1, but with a number of improvements and updates.
The TS1 GT kept the 5.8-liter V8 engine with twin superchargers, but it was optimized to produce even more: 1163 horsepower.
The design was also refined, with a more streamlined look that still retained Zenvo’s characteristic aggressive style.
One of the most notable features of the TS1 GT was its innovative gearbox.
Zenvo developed their own sequential 7-speed gearbox with helical-cut gears that could change gear in just 40 milliseconds.
Some key figures for Zenvo TS1 GT:
- 0-100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
- Top speed: 375 km/h (electronically limited)
- Production: Limited to 5 copies per year
TSR-S: The master of active aerodynamics
In 2018, Zenvo took another step forward with the introduction of the TSR-S.
This model was designed to be the ultimate street-legal race car, with technology taken directly from the world of motorsport.
The TSR-S retained the powerful V8 engine, now optimized to deliver 1177 horsepower.
But it wasn’t the engine that was the biggest news.
The TSR-S introduced Zenvo’s revolutionary Centripetal Wing.
This active rear wing can rotate around an axis parallel to the car’s longitudinal direction.
When cornering, the wing angles itself to generate a downward and inward force that helps the car turn more sharply and stay planted on the road.
It’s a technology never before seen on a production car.
Some key figures for Zenvo TSR-S:
- 0-100 km/h: 2.8 seconds
- 0-200 km/h: 6.8 seconds
- Top speed: 325 km/h (limited by aerodynamics)
- Production: Limited to 5 copies per year
Crafts and technology
One of the things that sets Zenvo apart from many other supercar manufacturers is their dedication to craftsmanship and personalization.
Every Zenvo is hand-built from the ground up and can be customized down to the smallest detail according to the customer’s wishes.
Some of the technological highlights of Zenvo’s cars include:
1. Carbon fiber chassis: All Zenvo models are built around a lightweight and rigid carbon fiber chassis.
2. Advanced aerodynamics: From the active Centripetal Wing to carefully designed air intakes and diffusers.
3. Proprietary gearbox: Zenvo’s sequential gearbox is one of the fastest in the industry.
4. Adjustable output: The driver can adjust the engine output from a “mere” 700 horsepower to the full power of over 1100 horsepower.
5. World-class brakes: Massive ceramic brakes ensure the car can stop as fast as it can accelerate.
Challenges and triumphs
Zenvo’s journey has not been without challenges.
As a small manufacturer in an industry dominated by giants, Zenvo has had to fight hard for recognition and credibility.
A setback came in 2013 when a Zenvo ST1 caught fire during a Top Gear test.
Although it was later revealed that the fire was caused by a fault in an added oil cooler and not the car itself, the damage to Zenvo’s reputation was done.
But Zenvo was not to be beaten.
They continued to improve and refine their cars, and with the introduction of the TS1 GT and especially the TSR-S, they have cemented their position as a serious player in the supercar world.
Zenvo today: Towards an electric future?
Today, Zenvo, like the rest of the automotive industry, is facing the challenge of electrification.
While the brand has yet to announce concrete plans for an all-electric model, they have hinted that they are exploring the possibilities.
In the meantime, Zenvo continues to refine their existing models and explore new technologies.
There are rumors of an upcoming model that could potentially include hybrid technology to further increase performance and reduce CO2 emissions.
Zenvo has also expanded their activities beyond car manufacturing.
They now offer their expertise in carbon fiber production and high-performance engines to other manufacturers and racing teams.
A Danish success story
From humble beginnings in Præstø to exclusive showrooms in Dubai and Monaco, Zenvo’s story is a true Danish success story.
In just over a decade, they have established themselves as a respected player in the most exclusive part of the automotive industry.
Zenvo represents the best of Danish design and engineering.
Their cars combine raw power with sophisticated technology, all wrapped in a distinctly Nordic design.
These are cars that are not just transportation, but rolling works of art and technological masterpieces.
When you see a Zenvo on the road – which is a rare experience – you’re not just seeing a supercar.
You see the result of a Danish dream, realized through hard work, innovation and an unshakable belief that Denmark can produce cars that can compete with the best in the world.
Zenvo’s story is proof that with passion, dedication and a little Danish ‘go-getter’ spirit, even the wildest dreams can become reality.
From an idea in a small workshop on Zealand to competing with the biggest names in the industry, Zenvo has shown that Denmark can be where it’s the most fun and fastest in the automotive world.
So the next time you hear the distinctive roar of a Zenvo engine or see the aggressive lines cutting through traffic, remember: You are witnessing a piece of Danish automotive history.
A history that is still being written and continues to amaze and inspire car enthusiasts around the world.
Zenvo is not just a car manufacturer.
It’s a Danish legend on four wheels that continues to challenge the boundaries of what a supercar can be.
And we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this exceptional Danish brand.
Watch more of our Zenvo videos below: