Lotus M200 what a unique speedster ever made

Ball of the Year Lotus Cars, a British car manufacturer has a long history and rich in a continuous range of forward-thinking concept cars which also had demonstrated the extensive capabilities of the Hethel-based manufacturer in all aspects of automotive engineering. One of them is the one-off Lotus M200 concept car, this unique car was first presented as a speedster version of the Lotus Elan M100 and debuted at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show which was later shown again at other major international auto exhibitions such as the 1992 Geneva Salon de l'Automobile aka Geneve Motor Show.

1991 Lotus M200 speedster concept is presented as a unique and distinctive two-seater Lotus that is sure to attract attention wherever it appears. (Picture from: FWD)

As we all know, that its predecessor, the Lotus Elan M100, also known as the Lotus' first front-wheel drive vehicle, had the structural strength of lightweight fiberglass attached to a steel-reinforced back chassis which was designed by Peter Stevens. The sportscar with its distinctive new body shape proved to be highly aerodynamically effective, and when it was unveiled at the 1989 London Motor Fair, it won important awards from the British Design Council and by 1992 more than 3,800 units had been built and sold.

The Lotus M200 speedster concept built based if such this 1991 Lotus M100 Elan. (Picture from: Klassiekerweb)

Meanwhile, the M200, which was initially offered as a speedster version of the M100, was designed by Julian Thompson, who is also known later as the Lotus Elise designer. At that time, this unique M200 speedster was predicted to be a true best seller with a design that presented the most attractive prospects with a simple airflow deflector instead of a real windshield, with the driver and passenger cockpits that were intentionally separated, then there's a large rear wing and fared-in headlight positions replacing the retractable style of the M100 production model.

1991 Lotus M200 speedster concept has a simple airflow deflector instead of a real windshield, with the driver and passenger cockpits that were intentionally separated, a large rear wing and fared-in headlight positions replacing the retractable style of the M100 production model. (Picture from: Bonhams)

Julian Thompson designed this interesting little concept car as a niche "for true fans" but his original intention was "to show the Lotus' top brass how to move on from the Elan". The unique windshield inspiration comes from the design of the Formula 1 Ferrari 312B, and it's also mentioned that the M200's design also explores the use of larger wheels. It is known that the car project started in 1988-89 and does not appear to be finished after eighteen months of work.

 

In short, the Lotus M200 is built on the basis of a blue-colored Lotus Elan returned by customers. Had a few minor difficulties that were later fixed, when David Brisbourne designed its surprising interior and Russell Carr detailed the exterior treatments. Starting from the interior fabrics chosen from the "a lady's swimsuit" to the very hasty assembly that the results were far from satisfactory, and this was also recognized by Julian Thompson when he first saw the M200.

1991 Lotus M200 speedster concept has a stunning interior fabric chosen from the "a lady's swimsuit". (Picture from: Bonhams)

Upon completion, the car was later loaned by Lotus to the British Automobile Association (AA) as an attention-grabbing promotional and marketing showpiece, during the time, it suffered some indignity and began to deteriorate cosmetically. The Lotus M200 was eventually offered for sale by auction at Silverstone where it was bought by a Lotus dealer named Paul Matty.

1991 Lotus M200 speedster concept is powered by the same engine as the Lotus M100 Elan, which is a 1,588 cc double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve engine. (Picture from: Bonhams)

Shortly after, the designer met and talked about the show car (reffered to his M200 speedster design) with Olav Glasius, a world-famous Lotus fan and collector who enjoys art very much as well. As a result, he managed to convince Glasius of the ingenuity and intelligence contained in the design of this concept car so that finally Olav Glasius willing to bring it from Paul Matty.

Then he commissioned Ken and Neil Myers in England to restore and repaint the car to its present state. And through the Myers' magic hand touches, they were able to finish it as a running car and registered legal to drive on the British roads. This unique car is powered by the same engine as the Lotus M100 Elan, which is a 1,588 cc double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve engine.

1991 Lotus M200 speedster concept is equipped with the Lotus Active rear-steer, engine cam-profile technology (Lotus Variable Valve Actuation) and many others. (Picture from: Bonhams)

Now the car is presented as a unique and distinctive two-seater Lotus that is sure to attract attention wherever it appears and is introduced as the the M200 'Concept Vehicle', which is equipped with the Lotus Active rear-steer, engine cam-profile technology (Lotus Variable Valve Actuation) and many others. In its excellent condition the M200 has survived to this day as a beautifully presented and delightful product for its time, which can now be used legally on the streets.

As qouted of Bonhams, it was offered in the Bonhams Auction back in the 2012 with estimated price of £80,000 - £120,000. Wanna buy it Or might be you wanna see the similar kind of vehicle if it came out of the Italian Bull cage? Here's the one and the only, the Lamborghini Concept S. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LOTUS | BONHAMS | FWD | ]

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Dallara finally built their own car

Finally..... After only producing single-seater and sports car racing engines since 1972, the world's racing lovers certainly know the figure of Dallara Automobili. They are the rulers of Formula 3 and the sole supplier of the American IndyCar arena, the Super Formula Japan, up to F2 racing events.

All-new Dallara Stradale. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Dallara also became one of the LMP2's four official constructors, whose raced with the Dallara P217. In the IMSA arena, Cadillac DPi-V.R built based on Dallara P217 is always dominates the race sessions and is almost unbeatable.

As a vendor, Dallara's reputation is also indisputable. In the sports car racetrack, these constructor company founded by Giampaolo Dallara is involved in manufacturing of Lancia LC1 and LC2, Ferrari 333 SP, Toyota GT-One, Chrysler LMP1 and various generations of Audi LMP1. Their latest project is BR1 LMP1 performed at the 2018/2019 FIA ​​World Endurance Championship.

BR1 LMP1, made by Dallara based on BR Engineering order. (Picture from: Autography.co)

Dallara's involvement in development of road legal sports car models is also not the least. They also provide engineering support to the Renault R.S 01, Alfa Romeo 8C and Alfa Romeo 4C, Bugatti Veyron and Bugatti Chiron up to Maserati MC12. If you remember the KTM X-Bow track day car, that's also the result of KTM's collaboration with Dallara.

Left side view of All-new Dallara Stradale. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

With so many experience they've done before and finally Dallara "ventured" to produce their first own road legal car called Dallara Stradale. "This project is the culmination of all the knowledge we get in the racecourse, as well as collaboration with customers," explained Giampaolo Dallara, president of Dallara Automobili. "I was though of Colin Chapman, how he made Lotus Seven with all its simplicity."

Rear view of All-new Dallara Stradale. (Picture from: Autography.co)

The simplicity of Dallara Stradale could be seen at the two-seater car figure concept that comes without a windshield and door like a single-seater racing car. The design was very Italian with lightweight body that is only 855 kg. This can be obtained because this car is made by Dallara by using monocoque chassis and body panels made of carbon fiber composite materials.

All-new Dallara Stradale variants you can choose. (Picture from: Autography.co)

For the engine, this car uses a unit of 4-cylinder turbo engine with a capacity of 2.3 liters placed in the middle, with a maximum power of 400 hp. Although it sounds small, but the existence of a lightweight chassis capable of making the acceleration 0-100 km/h was recorded in 3.25 seconds and reach top speed of 280 km/hour.

All-new Dallara Stradale coupe variant with gull-wing door type. (Picture from: Autography.co)

Sound simple? This is because Dallara does not target the statistic achievement. Later acceleration of more than 2G is guaranteed to bring a driving sensation that you will not get in any sports car. Not to forget the biggest downforce among GT cars in the figures of 820 kg at the maximum speed.

Available in several configurations, the standard as mentioned above, roadster with additional windshield and T-frame targa given. Also available is a pair of gull-wing type doors on coupe version. For track day car, its consumers can also order to install the rear wing. But unfortonately there's no official pricing info available for this car. *** [EKA[30072018] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DALLARA | TOP GEAR]

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The most sophisticated Porsche sportscar of 1980s

The Most ONES Now, We're back to Porsche again. The Porsche 918 Spyder might be the car with the best technological achievements ever built by Porsche to date. Even so, long before the 918 Spyder was invented, this German manufacturer apparently had created a supercar concept that also carried the high technology of its day.

1986 Porshe 959 Komfort said to be the most advanced car of the 1980s. (Picture from: RMSothebys)

The car is a Porsche 959, and it was known as one of the high-tech supercars that were successfully created by Porsche AG in 1986. The car was originally named Gruppe B because it was planned to be used as a racing car at the Group B rally, and began construction in 1981. However, when the prototype was completed in 1987, it turned out that the Group B rally had been disbanded in 1986.

1986 Porshe 959 Komfort is equipped with a 2,847 cc twin-turbocharged V6 engine coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)

This car was used for research before it was decided to be produced. The Stuttgart-based premium car manufacturer produced this supercar model in a limited number, which was only 337 units (including 37 prototypes and preproduction models) between 1986 and 1989.

This car is produced in two versions, namely Sport and Komfort, where the Sport version is a car made specifically for racing purposes while the Komfort is the legal road version. Because of the high demand for this car, in 1992 and 1993, Porsche made eight more 959 cars, which were built from parts in Zuffenhausen.

1986 Porshe 959 Komfort is capable of accelerating from rest to a speed of 100 kph in 3.7 seconds, while the maximum speed achieved was 336 kph. (Picture from: RMSothebys)

The Porsche 959 is equipped with a 2,847 cc twin-turbocharged V6 engine coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission system. The machine is capable of spewing power output of up to 530 horsepower. Armed with its wild engine power, the Porsche 959 is capable of accelerating from rest to a speed of 100 kph in 3.7 seconds, while the maximum speed achieved was 336 kph. A pretty impressive performance, isn't?   

As for achievements, this car is very well known in the racing world because it is probably the only sports car that has ever won the Dakar Rally and 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was also recorded as the holder of the highest top speed record (197 mph) before being taken over by the Ferrari F40.

This supercar is reportedly never officially imported into the United States or other countries so that it is a fairly rare car. The difficulty of finding the existence of this sophisticated supercar also had contributed to making the selling prices of the used Porsche 959 cars in exorbitant. *** [EKA[15032020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RM SOTHEBYS | MOTOR1 | AUTOEVOLUTION ]

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A restomod car to tribute the heydays of the Lancia 037 rally car

One Great Car It is commonplace in making a car model that will be able to attract buyers' interest, sometimes car makers use a way by evoking memories of the glory days of a legendary car in a famous racing event in the past, then took and pinned some of those legendary car's iconic design elements into their production cars.

The Kimera EVO37 is built by Kimera Automobili as much as 37 unit to commemorate the glory of the legendary Italian rally car, the Lancia Rally 037. (Picture from: AutoExpress)

Apparently this is what an automotive firm based in Cuneo, Italy called Kimera Automobili did, when making a sportscar named the Kimera EVO37, that's a restomod car made to commemorate the glory of the legendary Italian rally car, the Lancia Rally 037.

The Lancia Rally  037 is a mid-engine sports rally car specially built by Lancia in the early 1980s to compete in the FIA Group B World Rally Championship. (Picture from: Wikipedia)

For your info, the Lancia 037 is a mid-engine sports rally car specially built by Lancia in the early 1980s to compete in the FIA Group B World Rally Championship. Despite fighting in tight competition against the Four-Wheel Drive Audi Quattro and many other formidable sports rally cars, the car managed to bring the Lancia as the winner of the manufacturers' world championship in the 1983 season, and noted itself as the last rear-wheel drive car to win the WRC.

The Kimera EVO37 posed along with its inspiration source, the Lancia 037 Stradale.. (Picture from: Id.Motor1)

Well through the Kimera EVO37, the automaker wants to reintepreted the Lancia Group B's rear-wheel drive rally car in a modern design touches. By design, this Kimera-made car still follows the design lines of the Lancia 037 complete with its legendary four eyes (now with the LED lights). However, the car bodywork no longer uses fiberglass but uses carbon fiber and Kevlar.

Then the bodywork is mounted on top of the chassis made by Kimera based on the Lancia Beta Montecarlo center chassis with the addition of tubular space frames at the front and rear. Then for the drivetrain, Kimera Automobili collaborated with Claudio Lombardi and Italtecnica to reengineer the Lampredi Lancia 037 engine, where the 2,150 cc four-cylinder engine is not only driven by a supercharger, but also with a turbocharger.

The Kimera EVO37 posed along with its inspiration source, Lancia 037 Stradale, Lancia Delta S4 Stradale, dan Lancia Delta HF Integrale. (Picture from: Id.Motor1)

As the result, the twin-charger engine is claimed to be capable of producing a peak power of 505 hp and a maximum torque of 550 Nm. Just like the Lancia 037, the engine transmits power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. To support the ferocity of these bursts of power, the Kimera EVO37 has Brembo brakes with iron or carbon ceramic discs.

As for the legs, there are four Pirelli's run-flat tires that wrap specially designed 19-inches cast wheels and are supported by Öhlins' suspension system is ready to absorb shocks from the road contours. The Italian automaker plans to produce and sell 37 units of the Kimera EVO37 for €480,000 or around Rp. 8.33 billion. Are You ready for this EVO37? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KIMERA AUTOMOBILI | ID.MOTOR1 | AUTOEXPRESS | WIKIPEDIA ]

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The Porsche' prototype You've never heard before

The Rarest One Some time ago we discussed about the unique Porsche 914 model that appeared in the 1970s in 2 versions as follows Porsche 914/4 and Porsche 914/6. And one of the models derived from the Porsche 914/6 version which also has been made the prototype and known no less unique.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype built in 1970 by Carrozzeria Eurostyle under commissioned of Albretch von Goertz. (Picture from: De L'essence)

And the Porsche prototype in question is the Porsche 914 Goertz which was specially made in 1970 under commisioned of Albrecht von Goertz a German noble whose full name is Count Albrecht Graf von Schlitz genannt von Goertz von Wrisberg who is known as an industrial designer who started his career as a bank clerk in Germany but as Adolf Hitler rose to power pre-war, Goertz decided to move to London, remaining only briefly and in 1936 emigrated to the United States then settled in Los Angeles.

The Paragon Coupe Concept is designed by Albrecht von Goertz and built in 1939 based on a Ford Mercury. (Picture from: De L'essence)

In that time to earn a living, Goertz worked at a car wash, in a factory for aircraft engines, and at a flight service. In 1938, he rented a small garage and began to modify Ford Model A and B models. In there's also where he later built his first concept car called the Paragon Coupe (based on the Ford Mercury) is first exhibited at the New York's World Exhibition back in 1939.

The Porsche 914 Goertz's body appeared with a tapered nose and a roofline that extended straight back, ending with sloping sail panels that gave the car the appearance of a shooting-brake. (Picture from: De L'essence)

Then during the 2nd World War he closed the business and joined the US Army in 1940 and served in military services for 5 years. Shortly after war ended, Goetz met with Raymond Loewy, an American famous industrial designer whose realized Goetz's potential in the design field after seeing the Paragon Coupe design, offered a design training scholarship then asked him to join the Loewy's design studio. Albretch von Goertz accepts but not for long, he decided to leave because prefers to be independent.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype seen here remains the one and only example of the ‘914 Breadvan’ ever produced. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)

In 1952, Albretch von Goertz established his own studio named Goertz Industrial Design Inc. in New York. Turn out, his talent as a designer is not limited to the automotive industry alone, as he also designed pen products for several world firms, designing clocks, watches, bicycles, kitchen appliances, refrigerators, cameras, fountain pens, sportswear, furniture, etc.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype is powered by a F6 engine with a capacity of 1,991 cc, and capable producing power of 110 hp (82 kw). (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

As in the world's automotive, he is also known as the person who designed cars for BMW, including BMW 503 and BMW 507 in the first half of the 1950s. Even, he was also known as an early contributor to the design of the legendary Toyota 2000GT and the first generation Nissan Silvia.

And for Porsche, he claimed to have submitted a design proposal in the 1960s. When the German manufacturer was thinking about the Porsche 356 successor, Goertz submitted a design proposal, but was rejected. As we all knew, the Porsche 901 or then called Porsche 911 not designed by Albrecht Goertz.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype designed by Albretch von Goertz as his personal design interpretation of the Porsche 914. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

So when the unique Porsche 914 model was launched in 1969 which gets a lot of criticism from the public due to its unusual design, Goertz is like not wanting to throw away the opportunity to show to the Stuttgart-based automaker how's should the 914 car be designed. This time, he's not send the sketch design on the paper, instead he built it directly from the Porsche 914 that he bought in the Porsche dealers.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype has an extended straight back, ending with sloping sail panels that gave the car the appearance of a shooting-brake-style sports car. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Reportedly, the car that he bought and used as the donor were the Porsche 914/6 GT which had just finished to race at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 6th position. So Albretch von Goertz made its design and the plasticine model as well, after finished then all of them sent to Italy, as the bodywork making was handed over to Carrozzeria Eurostyle, a coachbuilder company based in Turin. Before the donor car arrived in Italy and was still on its way, the elements were ready to be installed so then the car model could be shown at the Turin Motor Show.

At the rear of the Porsche 914 Goertz prototype there is an active spoiler which is intended to support the car's aerodynamic factor. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Once completed, the car appears in a distinctive breadvan style that is very different from the original, which looks to have a combined form of the Jensen GT, Lotus Europa, Ferrari 250 'Breadvan,' and Smart Roadster Coupé. It could be said, the result that is quite astonishing to attract the attention of the Porsche staffs.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype built in 1970 under commissioned of Albretch von Goertz and was first shown at the 1970 Turin Auto Show. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

But because the German automaker doesn't really see where and how to position the Goertz-made model in its production line, plus internally the manufacturer has a new joint project with the Volkswagen to develop a front-engined sports car. Well, that's a project that will give birth to the Porsche 924 model a few years later. And it can be assumed that the car remained to be a prototype forever due to the German car manufacturer again refused to produce it.😢

Albretch von Goertz kept the car and used it as a personal ride, before donates it to the Langenburg Automobile Museum, which is located between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. After the Porsche 914 Goertz prototype, he never again collaborated with any car manufacturers and his designer career ended by designing a grand piano for the Steinway & Sons in celebration of the 125th anniversary of their factory in Hamburg. He passed away in 2006, and brought the story of the strangest concept in Porsche history. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | DELESSENCE | PETROLICIOUS | CUSTOMCARCHRONICLE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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