Dirt&Dust When we talk about cars made by Porsche that have the ability to cross an off-road terrain, of course our memories are directly connected to the Porsche Cayenne and also the Macan. Both are made by this German manufacturer and also equipped with off-road capabilities with the suitable height of the car ground clearance to cross on off-road terrain.
The Marsien is a futuristic advanture rally car built by Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH. based on the Porsche 992 Turbo S. (Picture from: GridOto)
However, it turns out that there are other automotive companies that provide services to modify Porsche models in such a way that they have capabilities that are not inferior to the Cayenne and Macan. Well, this outstanding modification work was carried out by Marc Philipp Gemballa, the son of the late Uwe Gemballa, the founder of the famous Porsche car tuning company, Gemballa.
The Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien was specially built to run fast in a rough terrain such the desert and perfectly combines all the comforts of a modern supercar with unmatched off-road capability. (Picture from: EnWheelzMe)
Sometime ago, he was proudly presented an off-road supercar inspired by the might of the iconic models of the Porsche 953 and 959 at one of the world's famous rally event, the Paris Dakar Rally through his-owned auto-company that Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH. As a note, the Marc Philipp Gemballa venture was not related to the Uwe Gemballa's tuning company due to both are completely different companies.
The off-road supercar mentioned above called the Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien (Martian, in English), it was specially built based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S 992-generation to run fast in a rough terrain such the desert. Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien perfectly combines all the comforts of a modern supercar with unmatched off-road capability.
The
Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien boasts adaptive shock absorbers and a hydraulic system that allows you to adjust the ground clearance in the range from 120 to 250 mm. (Picture from: WorldBestCar)
The Marsien's exterior designed by Alan Derosier (an automotive designer known for his outstanding 908 design studies). Its design clearly inspired by the Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar. This off-road supercar features a full carbon fiber body, designed specifically for light weight and cool performance. The bodywork is said to be the product of a partnership with KLK teams, which has more than 20 years of experience developing aerodynamics for the LMP1, Formula E and Formula One racing cars.
Then in terms of performance, Marc Philipp Gemballa chose to work with another Porsche specialists, RUF Automobile to work on the twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine. So that after the 3,745 cc engine was upgraded by RUF, so it could spit out power up to 750 hp with a maximum torque of 930 Nm, and to support its fierce engine performance was then the car equipped with an Akrapovic titanium exhaust specially made for this project.
The Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien has lightweight seats are installed in the cabin, and the interior itself is trimmed with leather and carbon fiber. (Picture from: Id.Motor1)
If the clients looking for more power, RUF Automobile provided a second stage power to bring the engine boost up to 819 bhp with enhanced VTG turbo charger and revised ECU mapping and were followed by modifications to the PDK automatic transmission so that it is able to deliver power more consistently.
Since this car is intended for off-road terrain, and to protect the engine from dust and dirt particles, the automaker in collaboration with an Italian air filter specialist, BMC to develop an air filter insert that is uniquely fitted for dusty hot desert conditions. The air filter system is intended to protect the engine from dirt and dust particles, and maintain a sufficient flow of fresh air to allow the engine to run optimally.
The
Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien is powered by the twin-turbo flat six-cylinder engine tweaked by RUF Automobile, so it could spit out power up to 750 hp with a maximum torque of 930 Nm. (Picture from: Id.Motor1)
In addition to protect the engine from overheating as a result of use in extreme conditions, the Marsien has a redesigned central radiator to direct hot air from the radiator through the NACA ducts through the carbon fiber hood and around the A-pillar, directly to the rear of the car.
As for the legs, the automaker teamed up with KW Automotive to deliver the Marsien fully bespoke suspension with a double-wishbone front setup that relies on solid and active Stamp Control technology, which allows the ride height can be adjusted between off-road and on road modes, while the rear suspension has a multi-link configuration.
The
Marsien off-road supercar posed along with its creator Marc Philipp Gemballa during its test drive session somewhere in the UAE' desert. (Picture from: Id.Motor1)
Furthermore the Marsien suspension system can be raised or lowered quickly thanks to the electronic hydraulic lift system in approximately 20 milliseconds, so when in on-road mode, the suspension can be more closer to the ground (120 mm), instead if the car is operating on off-road terrain, its ground clearance could be raised to 250 mm.
For perfect driving conditions in both on-road and off-road modes, the Marsien comes with two sets of specially designed forged aluminum wheels with center locking system, then wrapped with the Michelin Ultra High Performance tires for on-road, and all-terrain tires for off-road use. Meanwhile the lighting system on the Marsien off-road supercar was developed in collaboration with lighting specialist Gerg Lighthouse featuring the latest LED technology.
The
Marc Philipp Gemballa Marsien comes with two sets of specially designed forged aluminum wheels with center locking system, then wrapped with the Michelin Ultra High Performance tires. (Picture from: Id.Motor1)
With all those setups, the car performance becomes very fierce, where the ability to accelerate from rest to 100 kph can be achieved in just 2.6 seconds with a top speed of 330 kph (for on road mode), while in off-road mode, its top speed is limited to only 210 kph.
According to the automaker, the Marsien were made only 40 units and offered with a price tag ranging from €495,000 (around Rp. 8.4 billion), those numbers does not include the taxes and the donor car of the Porsche 911 Turbo S 992. And reportedly again, more than half of them have been sold (on July, 2021) and now, it looks like it's sold out. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MARC PHILLIPP GEMBALLA | HYPERBEAST | EN.WHEELZ.ME | GOODWOOD | ID.MOTOR1 ]
Second Step Having decided not to take the Mustang I two-seater concept car project further to the company production line, so the American car manufacturer tries to bridge the public’s perception of the 1962 first concept and the next-coming Mustang production version. And Ford Design Vice President Eugene Bordinant asked stylist John Najjar Ferzely to design such mentioned car and built using a preproduction Mustang body with a customized nose and tail.
The
Ford Mustang II “concept” came out of the need to bridge the public’s
perception of the Mustang I two-seater from 1962 and the production
Mustang to come in April 1964. (Picture from: MustangSpecs)
In the summer of 1963, the Ford Styling Department submitted detailed design to Dearborn Steel Tubing (DST) to build the Ford Mustang II
prototype in order to test consumer and press reactions.
The Ford Mustang II “concept” has unique curved nose (with a small dent on the left side), grille-covered headlights, removable hardtop and typical tri-bar tailights. (Picture from: MustangSpecs)
Physically the
second prototype car looking more like what would become the Mustang production version
with a wheelbase of 108 inches and is powered by a high-performance V8
engine capable of spraying the power of 271 hp, the same engine used by
the Shelby Cobra sports car.
The Ford Mustang II “concept” is powered by a high-performance V8 engine capable of spraying the power of 271 hp, the same engine used by the Shelby Cobra sports car. (Picture from: BlogConsumerGuide)
As quoted of Wikipedia, the Mustang II resembled the first generation Mustang, with the same triple-bar taillights, faux side louvers and the 108-inch wheelbase, but some modifications made it a unique variant. The steel body, reinforced by fibreglass sections was five inches longer and three inches shorter in height. The body did not incorporate bumpers and featured a cut-back, swept low-profile windscreen and buried, sculpted headlight treatment.
The 1st Generation of the Ford Mustang production version was officially launched for the first time on April 17, 1964. (Picture from: OtoSia)
Starting with the original car's roof cut off to create a convertible, a detachable fibreglass hardtop was made, but the Mustang II often appeared as a roadster. The interior had "aircraft-styled" instrument clusters with Ford Falcon speedometer predominating and the rest, handmade upholstery on mostly a wood frame. The whole interior treatment is fibreglass and things held up with pieces of 2x4 jammed into big blobs of putty.
The 1st Generation of the Ford Mustang production version was officially launched for the first time on April 17, 1964. (Picture from: OtoSia)
The Ford Mustang II was built on the 1963 Falcon Sprint
chassis which then evolved into a complete vehicle in September 1963,
minus the final top coat of paint. Like its predecessor, the Mustang II
made its debut at Watkins Glen Raceway, New York on October 6, 1963. After that the concept car was placed on the auto show circuit until
early of 1964, then it retired to the Ford warehouse in Dearborn.
First Forgotten - In the world of classic cars, few things are more exciting than stumbling upon a forgotten gem—especially one that once stood toe-to-toe with giants but somehow slipped through the cracks of time. While names like Ferrari and Maserati have long dominated automotive lore, there was another Italian contender that once shone just as brightly, if only for a brief, brilliant moment. Its name? Cisitalia 202.
Born out of post-World War II ambition, the Cisitalia 202 wasn’t just another stylish European coupe—it was a revolution on wheels. The brainchild of Piero Dusio, an Italian industrialist with a serious passion for motorsports, the 202 was a bold attempt to channel racing DNA into a car that could gracefully cruise public roads. Dusio wasn’t just dabbling; he had already established a racing company, and now he wanted to translate that expertise into something even more daring.
1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta while sat on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. (Picture from: TruthAboutCars)
What rolled out of the modest Cisitalia workshop in 1946 wasn’t merely impressive—it was breathtaking. The 202 defied conventions of its time with a flowing, sculpted body that seemed more like a moving sculpture than a machine. Its design was far ahead of its era, an effortless blend of elegance and aerodynamics that stunned the automotive world. This wasn’t just a car; it was art. In fact, the Museum of Modern Art in New York thought so too—they acquired a Cisitalia 202 for display, cementing its place as a cultural and design milestone.
Right side view of 1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: Supercars)
Behind its curvaceous form was an equally impressive pedigree of talent. Legendary figures like Carlo Abarth, Dante Giacosa, and Giovanni Savonuzzi lent their skills to the development of the car, each bringing something special to the table. The result was a range of 202 variants, all hand-built with meticulous care. Each car was unique, yet unmistakably Cisitalia—defined by elegant lines, twin windscreens, and often cloaked in a striking Italian red.
Rear view of 1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: TruthAboutCars)
Powering the 202 was a reworked Fiat inline-four engine, modest by today’s standards, but finely tuned to deliver a driving experience that felt light, responsive, and surprisingly refined. It wasn’t about raw speed—it was about balance, poise, and the joy of the journey. This was grand touring in its purest form.
Left rear side view of 1946 Cisitalia 202 Berlinetta. (Picture from: TruthAboutCars)
Despite its innovation and beauty, the Cisitalia 202 was doomed by harsh financial realities. As impressive as the car was, Cisitalia was a small operation without the deep pockets needed to compete long-term. Just 170 units were ever produced before the company was forced to shut down its car production in the early 1950s. It was a short-lived chapter, but one that left a lasting impression.
Today, the Cisitalia 202 stands as a captivating “what if” in automotive history. What if it had continued? What if it had received the backing it needed to flourish? It’s tempting to imagine a world where Cisitalia became as famous as Ferrari. While that future never came to pass, the legacy of the 202 lives on—not just in museums or private collections, but in the DNA of every beautiful, high-performance car that came after.
It may have vanished from production lines decades ago, but the Cisitalia 202 hasn’t faded from memory. Instead, it remains frozen in time, a rare and elegant reminder that greatness sometimes shines brightest in the shortest bursts.*** [EKA [03092016][21032022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | MOMA.ORG | TRUTHABOUTCARS ]
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Exotic EV In the automotive world, giving a unique touch to motorized vehicles have certainly become a common thing to do for many owners. Usually they start by applying distinctive exterior and different than others, then continues to provide a finishing touch with exotic colors. In this case, many of them whose use a purple color to make people automatically allured and attracted to look at the cars with an amazement feeling, moreover if those exotic vehicle is the newest kind of super cars.
The first unit of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne in the US under a touch of exotic purple color called “Ocean Song Rose,” and owned by Michael Fux. (Picture from: AirTransport)
This is also done by Michael Fux, a world's famous car collector onto one of his newest car collections. As quoted from the RobbReport page, recently he commissioned a new Hispano-Suiza Carmen Boulogne under a touch of exotic purple color. And the car reportedly besides being the first electric vehicle owned by those American entrepreneur who known to own over 160 four-wheeled vehicle collections in a touch of flashy colors, the car is also the first Boulogne to hit US soil.
The first unit of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne in
the US is handed over by the automaker to the owner at the 2022
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. (Picture from: GoOto)
The eye-catching electric hypercar was exclusively presented to Fux by Hispano Suiza at the 2022 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance some time ago. Related to the event, in a statement, the Hispano Suiza's Chairman Miguel Suqué Mateu said, "We are very proud to deliver this unique version of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne to our first client in the United States, and doing so on the occasion of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance allows us to show the world, and especially the American market, what Hispano Suiza can achieve."
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne featured with ultra-smooth polished unique aluminum wheels to match with its 'Ocean Song Rose' carbon fiber bodywork. (Picture from: GoOto)
For your info, the Boulogne is the quicker, more powerful successor to the Spanish-made Carmen EV which was first released in 2019. It is said to be faster and more powerful, as the Boulogne electric hypercar which debuted in 2020 is powered by four electric motors that are claimed capable of churning out a power of 1,114 hp.
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is powered by four electric motors that are claimed capable of churning out a power of 1,114 hp. (Picture from: GoOto)
As quoted by TopGear, Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne's electric system consisted of 80 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion-polymer battery packages. The company estimates the Boulogne could be run as far as more than 249 miles (400 kilometers) on a fully-charged battery.
The interior of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is mostly upholstered by 'Birkigt White' genuine leather, but in some parts of the cabin there's a touch of 'Ocean Song Rose' as well. (Picture from: GoOto)
Fux's bespoke car was specially crafted by the Hispano Suiza team in Barcelona for months to meet the owner’s particular proclivities. The carbon fiber bodywork is finished in a unique purple called “Ocean Song Rose,” as it was inspired by Fux's favorite flower color of the same name. Even Fux had sent one such rose to the design department so they could accurately reproduce the hue as we could be seen on the hypercar today.
The Spanish automaker planned to build only 5 units of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne, besides 19 units of the standard Carmen model. (Picture from: OzoneLoverz)
The bespoke electric hypercar is appeared with a gleaming exterior that looks contrasted with "Birkigt White" accents and a high-gloss black grille decorated with the Hispano Suiza logo. Even this Boulogne electric hypercar is looks more attractive with four polished unique aluminum wheels. Meanwhile, the cabin is covered in matching "Birkigt White" genuine leather (including in steering wheel, dashboard, seats, and door panels) and has the model name embroidered on the headrests.
The Spanish car manufacturer planned to make 19 standard Carmen units and 5 units in the Boulogne specifications. When it was first released by 2020, the price of the Boulogne model was reported starting from €1.65 million (approx Rp.26 billion), but unfortunately there was no other information from the Spanish company, whether those price numbers includes customization as it has been done in Michael Fux car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HISPANO SUIZA | ROBBREPORT | ID.MOTOR1 | TOPGEAR ]
First Mustang As we all know, the 'Mustang' is one of the most famous global automotive icons owned by the Ford Motor Company. In fact, it is considered the only car that has managed to exceed initial expectations going from its pony/muscle car to a full-fledged sports car.
The Ford Mustang I Concept was arroused and designed by Ford's Executive Stylist John Najjar Ferzely in 1961 together with his colleague Philip T. Clark. (Picture from: Motor-Junkie)
And in the course of its long history of 58 years, Mustang has managed to come a long way from a simple Falcon-based chassis to today becoming a sports car with excellent handling and performance levels that are on par with similar cars from other world-renowned brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, etc.
And as you already know, there are countless models, generations, and versions of this legendary model. However, not many of us know the first variant of the famous Mustang. Well, this time we will discuss the first variant of the Mustang which was developed by Ford Motor Company in the 1960s. The original idea behind the concept was Ford's desire to develop a small sports car in order to compete with European cars such as the Triumph TR3 or MG MGA.
Ford Motor Company engineers and stylists built the Ford Mustang I full scaled clay model. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Regarding its name origin, actually before the Mustang name, there're several name suggestions appeared, such as among Ford' designers, they preferred the name of Cougar or Torino (at that time the advertising campaign using the Torino name was really ready), while among corporate executives such as Henry Ford II wanted to use the T-Bird II name.
Then the Mustang name was proposed by Robert J. Egggert, Research Manager of Ford Market Division based on his wife gift book of 1960 entitled The Mustang by J. Frank Dobie. While other sources said, it was proposed by John Najjar Ferzely, Ford's Stylist Executive who is a fan of the World War II P-51 Mustang fighter. In short, then the company was decided that the name of Mustang would be used for the Ford's new concept car.
At that time the Ford Motor Company built two prototypes of the Ford Mustang I consisted one non-running fiberglass mock-up, and another one was a fully functional car. (Picture from: Silodrome)
The American clearly liked it from the very beginning, because the name seemed to create a connection with the Wild West mythology that is so deeply rooted in America. So Ford seem to get a good marketing gimmick in America under those name. Things are different in Europe especially in Germany where the name of 'Mustang' cannot be used. Because the name had previously been registered by Krupp to be used as the name of its truck produced between 1951 and 1964.
In
October 62, when the Mustang I debuted at the United States GP, New
York, the Formula 1 race driver Dan Gurney lapped the circuit using the
prototype. (Picture from: Pinterest)
At that time, reportedly Ford refused to purchase such name for about US $10,000 from the German auto company. Not to mention that there are several other automotive products that also use the name of Mustang, such as motorcycles made by German moped manufacturer Kreidler in the 1970s, so as a consequence, Ford Mustangs sold in Germany must use the name of Ford T-5 until December 1978.
The
Ford Mustang I Concept has a modern wedge-shaped body made up of lightweight aluminum built on a chassis spaceframe. (Picture from: Pinterest)
In short, a couple years before the production version appeared, the first prototype named of the Ford Mustang I was arroused and designed by Ford's Executive StylistJohn Najjar Ferzely in 1961 together with his colleague Philip T. Clark. At that time this American car manufacturer built two car prototypes consisted one non-running fiberglass mock-up, and another one was a fully functional car.
The
Ford Mustang I Concept is powered by a 1,500 cc V4 mid-mounted engine coupled with a 4-speed all-synchromesh transmission to drive its rear wheels. (Picture from: Motor-Junkie)
As the Ford Mustang I concept has a modern wedge-shaped body made up of lightweight aluminum built on a chassis spaceframe. The concept car is powered by a 1,500 cc V4 mid-mounted engine coupled with a 4-speed all-synchromesh transmission to drive its rear wheels.
The Ford's new concept car made its official debut at the 1962 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen Raceway, New York on October 7, 1962, and the Formula 1 race driver Dan Gurney lapped the circuit using the car prototypes. As the result, both Mustang I's lap times are just a little over the speed of an F1 race cars at the time. Well, this small, light, mid-engined, 4-cylinder muscle car was blisteringly quick.
But despite the good reaction from car enthusiasts at the time, in the fact that Ford decided to take another path by not put the Mustang I into the assembly line even though originally it was a model that the American manufacturer was seriously developing for production. Probably the Ford Mustang I was deemed too extreme for mass-production.😢
Desert Raid - Still talking about the supercar concept made by GFG Style, after some time ago we've been discussed about those Italian auto design company's newest roadster named GFG Style Bandini Dora. For your info, GFG Style is an automotive design house based in Moncalieri, Turin and founded in 2015 by the world's famous automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro together with his son Fabrizio.
The
GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid is intended to design by GFG Style for a rough-terrain vehicle which is built based on the Vision 2030 Concept. (Picture from: Carscoops)
As we all knew, The maestro, Giorgetto Giugiaro is also known to have previously founded the world' famous auto design agency called Italdesign Giugiaro which has now been acquired by the Lamborghini (under Volkswagen Group). And in his today work along with GFG Style, that the maestro has previously launched the GFG Style Vision 2030 Concept, then there are two other electric supercar models such as the Kangaroo and Sibylla.
The
GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid built by GFG Style and carries the
appearance of a 2-door supercar design with high ground clearance. (Picture from: It.Motor1)
Well, on this occasion it was the turn of a unique super four-wheeled vehicle called GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid which is said to have the ability to conquer desert terrain at speeds of up to 250 kph. This unique car carries the appearance of a 2-door supercar design with high ground clearance. So no wonder, if you look closely, the GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid (referred to as Desert Raid) looks more like a super SUV than a supercar.
The GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid has a length of 4,770 mm, a width of 2,120 mm and a height of 1,360 mm,
with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm and a ground clearance of 240 mm. (Picture from: GFG Style)
This off-road capability super SUV has a length of 4,770 mm, a width of 2,120 mm and a height of 1,360 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm and a ground clearance of 240 mm. Indeed the super SUV is intended to design by GFG Style for a rough-terrain vehicle which is built based on the Vision 2030 Concept.
Inside the cabin of the GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid has a genuine leather and carbon fiber interior completed by the modern style streering wheel and digitally control panels on dashboard. (Picture from: Hotcars)
So if we look the exterior at first glance it's similar to the off-road supercar concept that was launched in 2019, but Desert Raid has a wider body, higher ground clearance, a larger trunk so that it can accommodate an exposed spare-tire. In addition, Desert Raid is also wore four off-road tires wrapped in 20 inches sized smaller wheels and equipped with additional mudguards, which are made from carbon fiber.
The GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid is powered by an electric motor
with 510 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque coupled with 90 kWh battery packages. (Picture from: MotoriOnline)
The GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid is equipped with an electric motor
with 510 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque. The power is transmitted to
all four wheels, so that it can make the car accelerate from 0 to 100
kph in 3.8 seconds, and reach a maximum speed of 250 kph. Furthermore,
GFG Style also mentioned that this super SUV is also equipped with a 90
kWh battery, thus making Desert Raid able to cover a maximum distance of
up to 450 km in a single fully charges.
The GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid's power is transmitted to
all four wheels, so that can make the car accelerate from 0 to 100
kph in 3.8 seconds, and reach a maximum speed of 250 kph. (Picture from: Hotcars)
While for its cabin, the GFG Style Vision 2030 Desert Raid has a genuine leather and carbon fiber interior. The dashboard has a digital screen integrated with the image display received from 2 rear cameras. Besides that there's also a large infotainment screen is vertically placed in the center consol.
Originally, this unique car was going to make its debut at the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show, but then the world's automotive expo was canceled due to the pandemic situation. However, GFG Style continues to launch this off-road supercar by online on March, 2020. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | GFG STYLE | ELECTRICCARNEWS | CARSCOOPS | AUTOBLOG | HOTCARS | MOTOR1 ]
According to the automaker, the Marsien were made only 40 units and offered with a price tag ranging from €495,000 (around Rp. 8.4 billion), those numbers does not include the taxes and the donor car of the Porsche 911 Turbo S 992. And reportedly again, more than half of them have been sold (on July, 2021) and now, it looks like it's sold out. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MARC PHILLIPP GEMBALLA | HYPERBEAST | EN.WHEELZ.ME | GOODWOOD | ID.MOTOR1 ]
