Ex-Superion Z/A-8

* Aoi Formula (2016)
* Aoi ZIP Formula (2016)
* Aoi Formula (2018)
* Aoi Formula (2019)
* Aoi ZIP Formula (2019)

The **Ex-Superion Z/A-8** is the vehicle developed by Aoi Motors in 2016 for the teams Aoi Formula and Aoi ZIP Formula. The Z/A-8 would later developed into the Z/A-10.

## History

### 2016

Making its debut at the England Grand Prix in 2016, the Ex-Superion Z/A-8 was the radical merging of the Stealth Jaguar Z-7B and the Fire Superion GTO-15B. In addition to Aoi Formula’s Naoki Shinjō receiving the Z/A-8, Aoi Zip Formula (which hired Knight Schumacher) also employed this new machine in a dark purple color. As a result of Schumacher’s skills, he came first in most of the races he competed in.

At the Africa Grand Prix, collision caused by Randall (as a result of the latter accusing Schumacher of doing dirty tricks in the England and Africa Grand Prixes), led to him retiring from the race. Despite winning the France, Germany and Spain Grand Prixes, Schumacher’s eyesight had deteriorated to a point that by the Japan Grand Prix, it was in serious jeopardy. Despite this and a collision with Hayato Kazami’s AKF-11 during the start of the race, Schumacher was able to come 4th in his last race before retiring his alias and returning back to his original name, Osamu Sugo. Shinjō would go on to come 2nd or 3rd place in most races with machine in the 2016 season. During the final race at the Japan Grand Prix, his Z/A-8 also managed to come 2nd place behind Hayato Kazami’s AKF-11.

### 2017

During the initial part of the 2017 season, Shinjō managed to come in the top three spots. However, after Kazami and Randall’s near fatal crash at the England Grand Prix, he was able to dominate most of the season and after his win at the Japan Grand Prix, he became the 2017 Champion.

That same year, Aoi Zip Formula hired German driver J.M. Lenz who managed to get 8th in the final ranking of points (he earned 19 points in total). Lenz was able to earn 6 points by coming 2nd at the Finland Grand Prix. During the 2017 season, a different purple paint scheme was adopted for Aoi Zip’s Z/A-8, one that closely resembled Bleed Kaga’s colors (ironically, Kaga replaced Lenz in 2018 and continued to use the same colors until 2020).

### 2018

After securing the championship win for 2017, Aoi Formula and Aoi Zip Formula both received an upgraded version the Z/A-8 that had a newer version of the 'Icarus Wing' boost pod deployment mechanism which unlike the previous version, deployed straight up instead of to the side. Even though Shinjō had become the world champion for 2017, 2018 would only see him succeeding to win the Hong Kong race but only achieving 35 points in the end. Most of his failures were due to a slump caused by his jealously and distrust of Kazami brought about by Henri Claytor.

Replacing J.M. Lenz, Bleed Kaga returned to Aoi ZIP Formula after leaving the team in 2015. At his re-debut at the Brazil Grand Prix, he came first. Kaga was also able to win the French and Spanish Grand Prixes.  During the Hong Kong Grand Prix, Kaga was able to hold back Jackie Gudelhian and Franz Heinel’s HG-162s and even cause them to crash. However, after a protracted duel with Kazami (who was using the Zero Realm), Kaga rammed into Kazami’s AKF-11, causing both to crash out of the race.

During the Japan Grand Prix, he secured the pole position using the Zero Realm. During the actual race, Kaga shifted into the wrong gear at the start of the race but using the Zero Realm, he was able to take the top position in the race, and even performed an Inertial Drift similar to Kazami’s. However, Kazami was able to overtake Kaga and beat him in the final lap. Unlike Lenz, Kaga would in the end come 2nd in the number of points acquired in 2018.

### 2019

After losing the championship to Sugo Grand Prix's Henri Claytor in 2018, with Shinjō’s Z/A-8 being demoted from Car No.1 to No.6 while Kaga went up from Car No.7 to Car No.5. While Shinjō struggled, Kaga was able to get into the top 3 spots in the initial races (including a win at the France Grand Prix due to Randall and Kazami crashing). However, with the introduction HG-165, Kaga along with Kazami and Randall struggled and lost the season to Stormzender driver Jackie Gudelhian.

## Gallery

On the bank curve (England GPX 2016)2 team win in England 2016.Berlin Dome (2016)Schumacher and Shinjō's Z/A-8s during the 2016 Japan GPXKaga's Z/A-8 deploying the Icarus Wing (France GPX 2018)Kaga's Ex-Superion in the Hong Kong GPX (2018)Battling against Gudelhian's HG-162Air Effect Fan (Hong Kong GPX 2018)
## References

1. ↑ *Future GPX Cyber Formula 11* - Episode 2
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 *Future GPX Cyber Formula 11* - Episode 5
3. ↑ *Future GPX Cyber Formula 11* - Episode 4
4. ↑ *Future GPX Cyber Formula 11* - Episode 6
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO* - Episode 1
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 *Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO* - Episode 6
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 *Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO* - Episode 4
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 *Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO* - Episode 5
9. ↑ *Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO* - Episode 7
10. ↑ *Future GPX Cyber Formula ZERO* - Episode 8