The Marussia B1 was launched in December 2008 at the Manege hall in Moscow. It has a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Marussia announced plans to build 2,999 examples. Production took place at the Marussia Motors facility in Moscow, with the company's first showroom opening there in September 2010.
The B2 features a more aggressive design than the B1 and was first shown publicly at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Its list price was approximately 100,000 Euro, and 500 units were scheduled for production in 2012.
Both the B1 and B2 are built on the same aluminium semi-monocoque chassis with a steel spaceframe covered by carbon fibre panels; the two models differ only in body shape. The energy-absorbing cockpit is a three-part spaceframe of steel tubes. Front and rear subframes are designed to absorb energy by deforming on impact. Both vehicles passed Russian safety tests and received certification.
Both models are mid-engined, with the engine mounted transversally at the rear. Cosworth supplied two V6 engine options: a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre producing approximately 300 hp, and a 2.8-litre turbocharged unit available in 360 or 420 hp variants. The 420 hp engine allows a claimed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and 0–100 km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds. The B2 was claimed to reach a top speed of 310 km/h (192 mph). Both models use a six-speed automatic gearbox; a six-speed manual was reportedly in development. Gross vehicle weight was 1,100 kg on both models. Tyres are Pirelli P Zero Rosso front and rear on both variants.
The Marussia F2 is an SUV model described by the company as suitable for use as a mobile command centre, military vehicle, or emergency vehicle. Its prototype was shown on 2 May 2010. 300 units of the F2 were planned for production in 2012 by Valmet Automotive.
In 2010, Marussia Motors acquired a significant stake in the Virgin Racing Formula One team. The team was later renamed Marussia F1 Team and competed in Formula One from 2012 through part of the 2014 season. In its first season it placed 11th in the Constructors' Championship, improving to 10th the following year. The team scored its first and only two World Championship points at the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix, a result credited to Jules Bianchi.
At the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Bianchi was involved in a serious accident and suffered an ultimately fatal head injury. At the team's final Grand Prix, the 2014 Russian Grand Prix, it entered only one car, driven by Max Chilton. On 7 October 2014 the team ceased operations and entered administration; on 7 November 2014 the administrator announced it had ceased trading. The team's assets were sold at auction in December 2014. The Marussia Motors parent company had been disbanded separately in April 2014, with the F1 team continuing as an independent British entity before its own closure.
Marussia Motors had stated its intention to open at least two new showrooms in 2011, with London and Monaco named as probable locations, and to market its cars across major European countries and eventually Asia, Australia, and the United States. The company anticipated presenting seven models at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, including a new sports coupé, a luxury SUV, a luxury sedan, and a small city car. These plans were never realised due to the company's disbandment in 2014.
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