Think you know cars? You still might not know the ones on this list, from automakers we're not used to seeing here in the US.
High-end marques like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Ferrari
pioneer automotive trends and technology. Features developed for these
vehicles trickle down to the auto sales of mass-market machines you're
more likely to have in your own driveway.
But the
brands you've heard of are not the only ones on the cutting edge.
Limited-production automakers execute unique concepts for a niche
market.
When their groundbreaking technology proves practical, it also eventually finds its way into more common cars.
See if you can spot any potentially practical car features in this Top
10 list of vehicles so unique, even the best-read auto enthusiast may
not have seen them all.
1. GTA Motor / Spano
We don't hear much about Spanish automobiles on this side of the Atlantic. But the sporty economy cars of Spain's longstanding marque, Seat (pronouced "See-at"), are quite common in Europe.
The Spano, on the other hand, is exceptionally exclusive with only 99
examples being developed for as many very lucky drivers. GTA Motor is an
engineering lab that develops technology for Formula 1 racing cars, and it's quite clear they haven't cut any corners in developing their first road car.
A strikingly beautiful body of titanium, carbon fiber honeycomb, and Kevlar is wrapped around a colossal 8.3 liter V10 that's been supercharged to achieve stratospheric output of 820 horsepower.
That time-honored combination of light weight and heavy power sends the
Spano to100 kilometers per second (62 miles per hour) in less than
three seconds and on to a top speed of "over 217 m.p.h."
With a panoramic sunroof, carbon-swathed interior, and big swooping
exterior lines, the Spano ticks all the boxes for supercar greatness. It
stands out without being gaudy, and stands up when the driver puts his
foot down. I even like the GTA badge.
2. Savage Rivale / Roadyacht GTS
The Roadyacht GTS is one of the most
unique automotive concepts I've seen to date. Billing it as an "ultimate
luxury lifestyle accessory," Dutch coachbuilder Savage Rivale has
undeniably captured that French Rivera je ne sais quoi and harnessed it to four wheels.
To start, it's a four-door convertible. If that's not novel enough,
those doors move up and out so the sides end up facing the sky to allow
entry, making the vehicle look like some kind of budding flower when
completely open.
The interior is beautifully appointed
with quilt-stitched seats, touch-screen digital dashboard, a floor that
looks like a boat deck, and of course a champagne cooler as a standard
feature.
One would think all these toys would make the
Roadyacht a slow, porky thing - but they don't. Despite being burdened
with an automatic transmission, the car's V8 engine propels the
Roadyacht to 62 m.p.h. in a very impressive 3.4 seconds and affords it a
top speed of over 200 m.p.h.
I'd recommend you skip the expensive hairdo before trying that one out though.
3. Tushek / Renovatio T500
You may have seen homemade replicas
of supercars before; anybody can purchase a stylish body and accessories
then construct a complete vehicle using the chassis and components from
an economy car.
The design of the Renovatio made its
first appearance this way - as a kit called the "Attack Roadster" that
could be completed essentially on top of a Honda Accord from the early 1990s
However Slovenian racing driver Aljosa Tušek had bigger plans for his vision of the design.
Adding a high-performance suspension system and V8 engine from an Audi RS4, Mr. Tušek has given the Attack body some bite to its bark, and effectively created the first sports car to be built in Slovenia. "We have engineered this joy into our car," he says.
With an acceleration of 0 to 62 m.p.h. in 3.7 seconds and a top speed
of nearly 200 m.p.h., the Renovatio now has performance to justify the
extreme styling.
4. Mitsuoka / Orochi
The Japanese are best known for
building practical and reliable cars, but every once in awhile they
throw the automotive industry a curveball. The Mitsuoka Orochi isn't a
brand new concept, but it's interesting and rare enough to warrant
mention on this list.
Though Mitsuoka bills the Orochi as a "supercar", a Toyota V6 producing a relatively mild 233 hp powers it.
That said, it certainly does look the part. The fish-like design is
polarizing. Love it or hate it, Mitsuoka promises to deliver "cars with
warmth and love" as each example is completely handmade.
If you're looking for true Japanese performance, one of Japan's better-known machines such as an old RX-7, Supra, or any era of GT-R might serve you best.
But if you want to stand out from the crowd, the Orochi or any other
car from Mitsuoka's lineup will certainly not come up short on
individuality.
5. Zenvo / ST1
The Zenvo ST1 is a supercar in every sense of the word. Completely built in Denmark,
the striking design of the ST1 combines angular edges with shapely
creases for an intensely aggressive look backed up by a 7-liter V8.
That engine utilizes a supercharger and
a turbo to conjure up 1,104 hp., sending the car to 62 m.p.h. in 3
seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 233 m.p.h. Remove that
limiter, and the ST1 just might take you back in time.
I
can't promise I'll be able to report on it personally, though, as only
15 examples of this carbon-composite animal are planned.
6. Dartz / Prombron
Do you live in fear of being riddled
with gunfire every time you leave your driveway? OK, maybe you're just
sick of shopping carts putting dents in your doors at the mall.
Well, forget about armoring your Range Rover,
Suburban, or even Hummer … the Dartz Prombron is the only vehicle sold
to civilians designed to be bulletproof straight out of the box.
Built to withstand small explosions and ballistic fire from bullets up
to 12.7 millimeters (the kind shot out of helicopter gunships), this
level of protection is not available to any other passenger vehicle,
unless that vehicle is a tank.
As for luxury, look no further then the gold-plated "Aladeen Edition" featured in the upcoming Sacha Baron Cohen movie.
Dartz completely embraces the ostentatious nature of its vehicles by
selling 10 examples complete with three-inch-thick glass, massaging
seats, and beverage chillers inside.
But to take one
home, you've either got to have a desperately flamboyant style or a very
strong sense of irony as the price starts at half a million dollars.
If fuel economy has even crossed your mind at this point, it's safe to say you're not in Prombron's target demographic.
Many components and running gear come from GM (recognize those door
handles from your Suburban?) including the Vortec V8 powerplant.
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7. DC Design / Avanti
India
has been making cars for as long as there have been combustion engines,
but they've primarily been three-wheeled taxis and delivery trucks
until now.
An Indian company called DC Design began its life building retrofit kits to create facsimiles of luxury cars like the Porsche Cayenne and Hummer H1. But with the Avanti, they've got a project uniquely their own.
Unlike some of the ultra-exclusive limited production vehicles on this
list, DC is starting production of the Avanti at 200 units per year with
hopes of increasing that to 2,000 as sales increase.
The first examples will leave DC's showrooms with a Ford turbo
four-cylinder making 265 hp., but plans are in place to offer a V6 from Honda, modified to produce a much more substantial 500 hp.
It remains to be seen which performance cars it will be able to hang
with in the real world, but it's always encouraging to see innovation
make the transition to execution.
8. Faralli & Mazzanti / Antas
Italian automaker Faralli &
Mazzanti takes customization to a whole new level with the Antas coupe.
From conception to construction, the buyer is an active participant in
every aspect of the car's development.
Starting with a
basic design, a client can sit in on the drawing of the vehicle's final
shape as well as its interior appointments and powertrain.
Maserati
engines powered the original F&M cars, but now virtually any engine
and transmission the client is willing to pay for can be fitted.
During the 11-month construction process, the client is invited to visit the F&M villa in Tuscany to relax and observe the car being put together.
It goes without saying that any Antas coupe is an exceptionally unique
vehicle. No two examples that leave the production facility are exactly
the same.
Faralli & Mazzanti are working on a
supercar that you've probably never heard of either: the Evantra. It
will be slightly less customizable, but nearly as exclusive.
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9. Rimac Automobili / Concept One
Spearheaded by 23-year-old
entrepreneur Mate Rimac, the first drivable version of the Croatian
supercar called "Concept One" has caused quite a stir among automotive
and technology enthusiasts.
Completely
electric-powered, the Concept One represents huge leaps in electric
propulsion technology, not to mention an exceptional design.
The company has spent years developing batteries and drivetrains on their "test mule" - an old BMW M3. And it is now ready to execute its concepts in what is sure to be a milestone supercar.
"We had to develop the entire car and thousands of parts from scratch,"
says Mr. Rimac in an e-mail. "We had a tiny budget and team…. We didn't
have any kind of government support (unlike GM, Tesla, Fisker and many
others) [his parenthetical]It is also hard to make a high-end vehicle in
a country where no automotive industry ever existed."
Rimac doesn't yet have plans to build a mass-market electric car like the Nissan Leaf, but the technology developed will surely influence the alternative-propulsion sector of the automotive industry.
10. Automobiles Gillet / Vertigo
Developed in Belgium
by racing legend Tony Gillet, the Vertigo sets old-world sloping curves
atop a modern wheel and chassis design, resulting in a unique and
beautiful automotive product.
The designers describe it
as "female's curves, men's work, single personality," although I
imagine the phrase has a nicer ring to it in their native French.
The look is something of a blend between a TVR and Donkervoort … obscure marques you probably haven't heard of either.
While the Vertigo is quite quick, actually holding at one time the Guinness world record for a 0-100 k.p.h. sprint, the car's purchase price buys you more than speed and style.
New owners are granted a personal access pass to Belgian racing
circuits, allowing you to enjoy the event while Gillet mechanics keep
your Vertigo dialed in.
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