Hidden Velocity - When we think about Germany’s car culture, most people instantly picture brands like Volkswagen, Porsche, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. They’re giants that have shaped not only Europe’s automotive history but also the global stage. Yet, every once in a while, the car world hides a gem that even enthusiasts might not have heard of—a creation born out of passion rather than mass production. That hidden name is Zender, a company that dared to dream beyond tuning kits and accessories, stepping boldly into the arena of supercars.
The Zender Vision 1S was the first prototype made by Hans Albert Zender-owned company called Zender GmbH back in the 1983. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
Zender began with humble roots under the leadership of Hans Albert Zender. At first, the company focused on practical aftermarket parts like bucket seats and wheel arch extensions. What started as a niche business making fiber-reinforced plastic components soon evolved into something bigger, driven by Hans’s fascination with building complete cars.
The 1983 Zender Vision 1S is made a public appearance for the first time at the Frankfurt Auto Show 1983. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
The 1980s provided the perfect backdrop, a decade when the tuning industry in Germany was booming and creativity had room to thrive. For Zender, it was the chance to turn imagination into metal, carbon fiber, and roaring horsepower.
The 1985 Zender Vision 2 was the 2nd prototype of Zender and made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 1985. (Picture from: Deviantart)
In 1983, the world got its first taste of Zender’s ambition when the Vision 1S prototype took the stage at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The sleek lines and futuristic feel caught the attention of many who couldn’t believe this wasn’t from an established automaker. Just two years later came the Vision 2, featuring a rear diffuser that bore a striking resemblance tothe Jaguar XJ220—a car that wouldn’t appear until later. It was almost as if Zender was playing ahead of the curve.
The 1985 Zender Vision 2 had a rear diffuser similar to the Jaguar XJ220. (Picture from: Traumautoarchiv.de)
The momentum didn’t stop there. By 1986, the Geneva Motor Show introduced audiences to the Vision 3C, and the following year the Vision 3arrived with more muscle under the hood. This version carried a 5.6-liter V8 Mercedes-Benz engine, unleashing 300 horsepower—a serious number for its time. Zender wasn’t simply building design studies; he was proving that performance and originality could coexist, even outside the mainstream.
The 1986 Zender Vision 3C has similar look with the Ferrari F40 and had debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 1986. (Picture from: Allcarindex)
But the boldest leap came in 1989. Moving away from Mercedes power, Zender partnered with Audi technology to unveilthe Fact4 Biturbo. It was a true supercar by every measure, with a carbon fiber chassis and a 3.6-liter twin-turbo Audi engine pushing out 440 horsepower.
The 1987 Zender Vision 3 is powered by a 5.6 liter V8 Mercedes-Benz engine which is capable of pouring out about 300 horsepower. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)
This engineering marvel reached speeds close to 195 mph, challenging some of the biggest names of the era. Only two versions were built—a Coupé and a Spyderin 1991, the latter borrowing Delta Integrale taillights, a quirky yet unforgettable detail. Critics might have debated the complexity of its belt-driven setup, but no one could deny that the Fact4 Biturbo was proof of Zender’s ambition realized.
Even in the mid-1990s, Zender’s creativity refused to fade. In 1995, they revealed the Progetto Cinque, a barchetta-style prototype inspired by Italian flair but based on the Alfa Romeo 75 platform. While it never went into production, it stood as a reminder that Zender wasn’t afraid to mix bold design with unconventional foundations.
The 1991 Zender Fact4 Spyder (in the front) posed along with 1989 Zender Fact4 BiTurbo, both powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbo Audi engine pushing out 440 horsepower. (Picture from: Carstyling.ru)
Looking back today, Zender’s story feels like a fascinating chapter in automotive history that too few people talk about. These cars weren’t built in massive numbers, and perhaps that’s why they slipped under the radar. But in every curve of the Vision prototypes, in every roar of the Fact4, there’s the spirit of a small company daring to challenge the giants.
The 1995 Zender Progetto Cinqueis said to be a spyder styled car modification built on the basis of the Alfa Romeo 75 platform. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)
And that’s the beauty of Zender—it’s not just about a forgotten supercar, but about the drive to create something extraordinary when no one expects it. For car enthusiasts who love discovering machines beyond the mainstream, Zender is the reminder that passion often leaves behind the most memorable marks, even if only a handful of cars were ever made. *** [EKA []21122021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZENDER | JALOPNIK | PETROLICIOUS | SUPERCARS.NET ]
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And that’s the beauty of Zender—it’s not just about a forgotten supercar, but about the drive to create something extraordinary when no one expects it. For car enthusiasts who love discovering machines beyond the mainstream, Zender is the reminder that passion often leaves behind the most memorable marks, even if only a handful of cars were ever made. *** [EKA []21122021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZENDER | JALOPNIK | PETROLICIOUS | SUPERCARS.NET ]
