VENTURI 200
French take on PERFORMANCE
In the late 1980s, France had long been absent from the world of high-end sports cars. That changed with the arrival of Venturi, a bold project led by two passionate engineers, Claude Poiraud and Gérard Godfroy. Their mission was clear: create a French GT to challenge Porsche and Ferrari, with a distinct sense of elegance and engineering finesse.
The very first model released was the Venturi 200, presented in 1989. Though it flew under the radar at first, it laid the foundation for a line of vehicles that would later gain cult status among enthusiasts.
Balanced GT
Behind its clean and sleek composite bodywork, the Venturi 200 featured a mid-mounted 2.5-liter PRV V6 turbocharged engine, delivering 200 horsepower (hence its name). Mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and weighing just around 1100 kg, it could reach 240 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 7 seconds. But beyond the numbers, the Venturi 200 was about balance : sharp steering, composed handling, and durable braking. It offered a driving experience rooted in finesse, not brute force, making it remarkably capable on twisty backroads or fast highway stretches.
Inside, the cabin was driver-focused : bucket seats, full instrumentation, and a cockpit-like driving position, low and snug. The quality was respectable, especially given the artisanal nature of production. Each Venturi 200 was hand-assembled in the small workshop at Cholet, with a level of care rarely seen in small-series production. Fewer than 100 units were built, making it a truly rare collector’s item today.
An exceptional EXAMPLE
The Venturi 200 wasn’t the flashiest or the fastest. But it marked the birth of a boutique brand that would go on to compete at Le Mans and create some of the most distinctive French sports cars of the 1990s. Today, it is treasured for its timeless design, endearing character, and pioneering role in Venturi’s rich story, a discreet legend for those who know where to look.
The Venturi 200 presented at Timeless Classics is certainly unique in terms of its history. It was bought new by its current owner. It sports this magnificent blizzard blue colour and, to make things even better, it still has its first number plate.