Zihua Archangel

Zihua Archangel
Manufacturer	Zihua
Appearance	Ridge Racer Vita Drift Spirits
Engine	V10
Drivetrain	MR
Transmission	7-Speed

"Situated in Hong Kong, the automobile manufacturer Zihua first heard about KAMATA's plans to stop development on the ANGELUS project when they announced the SYNCi. Originally an investment firm, Zihua quickly re-employed the ANGELUS engineers and turned to automobile manufacturing in 2011, for the sole purpose of continuing the tradition of the ANGELUS. Representative of an evolution from its predecessor, the engineers christened this new machine, "Archangel"."

―In-game description

The Zihua Archangel is a top-spec racing machine that debuted in Ridge Racer Vita. It is implied to be the spiritual successor to the Kamata Angelus, sharing a similar design to Ridge Racer 6's iteration of the Angelus, which is based on the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione and the Maserati MC12.

Lore-wise, this machine was conceived after Kamata has pulled the plug on the Angelus project, and that Zihua themselves have quickly purchased the rights and assets of the Angelus name, even as far as hiring the engineers behind the Angelus' development, and evolving it to become known as the "Archangel" as it is now, meaning it is the superior of all other Angelus machines. Currently, this is the only machine Zihua has in their collection and the only iteration of the Archangel.

It is also the last machine unlocked in the game, where it is among two machines (the other being the Crinale), to be challenged to a duel, upon receiving the "Devil's Gift" in the game (which can be obtained by playing online against someone driving either the Crinale or the Archangel. This requirement must be completed as soon as possible, as if Bandai Namco ever decides to shut down its Multiplayer servers, it will be impossible to get the Devil's Gift and therefore the special machines themselves.)

It has the second-highest top speed in the game, at 214 mph. It is powered by a V10 engine, and has a 7-speed transmission and retains the high-grip capabilities of the machine it was based on.

It is also the only machine in Ridge Racer Vita with a unique engine sound. Another unique feature on this machine is the rear window. This machine is reactive with nitrous. Whenever nitrous is used, blue strands of lights glow until it runs out.

Between the only two special machines in the game, the Archangel does not measure up to the likes of the Crinale. Like its predecessors under the "Angelus" name, its ultimate charge rate is not very impressive and the top speed and acceleration themselves are lower. Its strengths amount to its nitrous power, efficiency, and lightweight body, leading to stellar handling performance at high speeds.

Gallery

Ridge Racer Vita

Trivia

• The machine, along with Terrazi Wild Gang, the Vita iteration of the Assoluto Fatalita and Soldat Crinale was featured in the second Ridge Racer collaboration event in Drift Spirits, held in June 2019.