Here's an example of what should it be a modern small series sports car made by Valmet Automotive

Compact&Nimble Some time ago we've discussed about the Toroidion 1MW electric-powered supercar made by an automotive company from Finland. Unfortunately the car project's ending was unknown, because the company having financial problem and went into bankruptcy. So, on this occasion, we will discuss again a small series sports car which was also developed by another Finnish automotive company. 

Valmet Automotive's new roadster-design named the RaceAbout while sat on display at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Madle.org)

The car in question is the Valmet Raceabout made by Valmet Automotive (formerly known as Saab-Valmet). The car is produced in small numbers, and intended for even more narrowly limited target groups. Before discussing this sports car further, let's first look at the auto company whose made it. As quoted of Wikipedia, that Valmet Automotive (formerly known as Saab-Valmet) is a Finnish vehicle contract manufacturer and major supplier for the development and production of battery systems as well as for roof and kinematic systems.

This Valmet Raceabout sports car is built for an example of what should it be a modern small series sports car. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

The company has excellent operational readiness to serve the OEMs on this growing market segment, also with smaller volumes the OEM customer can profit from the volume production benefits, like cost efficiency and constant high quality. In addition, Valmet Automotive is also collaborated with several research and educational institutions in those country to lay nicely foundation for future innovation and promotes the development of local automotive industry knowledge. At the same time for ensuring the availability of skilled engineering manpower in the future as well.

The Valmet Raceabout has bodywork consisted of detachable body panels made of carbon composite material combined with an all-aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, and built on stainless steel sub-frames. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

So it is not surprising if the Valmet Raceabout sports car designed and assembled by Finnish automotive engineering and design students at the Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia and at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, due to both educational institutions have become main partners of Valmet Automotive in the project.

The Valmet Raceabout light-weight (approx 795 kg) body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

The RaceAbout sports car is presented for the first time to public at the Valmet Automotive's booth in the 2005 Geneva Motor Show as an example of what it should be a modern small series sports car. It is a sporty roadster has bodywork consisted of detachable body panels made of carbon composite material combined with an all-aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, and built on stainless steel sub-frames. Its light-weight (approx 795 kg) body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car.

The Valmet Raceabout light-weight sports car is powered by an inline-four, 1,998 cc mid-mounted turbocharged engine of Saab coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox, and Torsen-type differential lock. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

Besides that the car equiped by double wishbones in the front and rear, custom-made Koni shock absorbers, adjustable bump and rebound, blade-type adjustable balance bar in the front, possible to adjust roll, pitch and yaw centers. Furthermore, for the interior panel section is made using a carbon composite then layered with all genuine-leather, which is equipped with two Sparco's racing-style seats with 4-point safety belts.

Meanwhile for its drivetrain, it's used an all-aluminum, inline-four, 1,998 cc mid-mounted turbocharged engine of Saab coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox, and Torsen-type differential lock. Those engine could be spew out maximum power of 200 kW @ 5,200 rpm and torque of 420 Nm @ 3,600 rpm, and able to make the car running up to limited top speed of 235 kph with an acceleration from 0 to 100 kph less than 5 seconds.

After the Geneva auto exhibition is over, it's not known whether the production of this Valmet roadster model would be continued or not? However, in 2010 this Finnish car manufacturer revealed the 4WD electric version of Roadster is called Valmet Electric RaceAbout (ERA). Todays, after more than a decade, those two roadster models made by Valmet Autmotive are no longer heard of.😞 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | SUPERCARSNET | TOPSPEED ]

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Here are some inspiring BMW concept cars

Rare ONES The concept car created for many purposes, one of the main points is leading to the future car with the cutting-edge design and technology, is planned to be as car production, have more value and sometimes are not mass-produced.

Here are some inspiring BMW concept cars of 1972, BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb (left) and BMW E25 Turbo (right). (Pictures from: Wikipedia and Dexigner)

Over the years under the tight supervision of the BMW's top brass, this Bavarian auto company had commissioned renowned designers, groups of design students and even the company's skilled engineers and technicians to develop and demonstrate their work in building many concept cars.

Here they are 5 (five) BMW's concept cars came out under such a unique crazy to brilliant ideas, and perhaps you have never known before;

1. 1972 BMW 1602 Electro-Antrieb

At first glance this concept car looks no different than its donor BMW 1602 regular model powered by conventional combustion engine, and produced at the beginning of the 70s. But before being officially shown for the first time in public at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, the car was changed in such a way into electric motor driven car, and called BMW 1602 Elektro-Antrieb.

1972 BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb. (Picture from: ZigWheels)

Well, its original 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine was swapped with a 32kW electric motors and equipped with half a ton weighted batery system which was very different with the modern days batery that can be recharged, if the BMW 1602 Electro-Antrieb's batery discharged must be replaced with new ones.

1972 BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb. (Picture from: Wikimedia)

Can you imagine how impractical this old school electric car is? However, this concept has been an inspiration for BMW's today electric-powered vehicles, without this concept car it will not be created based BMW Active 1 Coupe series in 2000 and also the brand with the initial "i".

2. 1972 BMW E25 Turbo
The BMW E25 Turbo launched in the same year with the BMW 1602 Electro-Atrieb concept car debut and also intended to celebrate the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. It was designed by Paul Bracq, with gullwing doors and was built based on a modified 2002 chassis with a mid-mounted engine.

1972 BMW E25 Turbo. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

The Turbo featured a 276 hp turbocharged version of the engine from the BMW 2002, foam-filled front and rear sections to absorb impact, side impact beams, a braking distance monitor utilizing radar, and a futuristic roll cage cockpit.

1972 BMW E25 Turbo. (Picture from: FavCars)

Only two were ever built. BMW later used the Turbo's design themes on the M1, the 8 Series, the Z1 and the 2008 M1 Homage Concept, however the BMW E-25 is most similar to the BMW M1.

3. 1988 BMW Z1 Coupe

The late 80's and early 90's was a period of experimentation to the BMW models evolution. For example, this BMW Z1 Coupe, which most historians argues that this BMW concept was a part of the family Z1s to be developed next.

1988 BMW Z1 Coupe. (Picture from: id.Motor1)

Well, the prototype was made from the BMW's special division called BMW Technik GmbH in 1988 (now known as BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH). The division was created to develop concept cars, make prototypes, and then mass-produce them if they passed all the stages. If you examine the shape, it is clear that this prototype is present as the final stage before the BMW Z1 is mass produced.

1988 BMW Z1 Coupe. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Like its roadster model, the BMW Z1 Coupe has a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) body featured with strange door style, instead of the door opening in the conventional way, the BMW Z1 door moves down and then sinks into the body. Besides that the coupe model appeared in slightly differ with a such unique elongated front fascia and rear bulging. At the end BMW decided to produce the BMW Z3 M Coupe based on this such controversial car concept in 1999.

4. 1995 BMW Z18

Long before the BMW product planners knew and can be uttered the word of "Crossover," in fact they already had its forerunner named BMW Z18. Basically the prototype has a body made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) and is equipped with the features found in 1990s model cars.

1995 BMW Z18. (Picture from: Motor1)

Actually, BMW Z18 aimed to fuse the adventurous world of enduro motorbikes, off-road buggies and posing in a convertible, then put together by designers and engineers from BMW’s renegade R&D division set up in the Eighties.

1995 BMW Z18. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

It was created back in 1995, and it predated the X5 by four years, so no wonder if we could be said that the Z18 was actually BMW's first 4x4 vehicle. Unlike the X5, if you will, it could be a cabrio roled as an off-roadster,  or to be a two/four seater pickup, thanks to a secret pair of chairs under the rear deck, and is powered by a 4.4 liter V8 engine was later fitted to the X5.

5. 1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2
By sharing the similar body styles with Ariel Atom, the BMW Just 4/2 concept reminds us how's simple this kind of "Exoskeleton" model vehicle was. How's could it be? As you can see the BMW Just 4/2 uses a 1.1 liter 4-cylinder engine taken from the BMW K1100 motorcycle.

1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Created by the same skilled engineers at BMW Technik GmbH in charge of the Z18 from the same year, the Z21 was far from being your typical open-top BMW. The main philosophy behind the one-off project was to come up with a no-frills performance car with the engine mounted in the back sending power to the rear wheels.

1995 BMW Z21 Just 4/2. (Picture from: Motor1)

The door panels can be removed at any time if needed. If this car is mass produced, certainly needs to be fitted windscreen, the airbag and many other safety features should been applied also to it. Unfortunately, this BMW Z21 Just 4/2 concept was built just for fun and there weren’t any plans to put it into production lines.

Bonus: 1991 BMW Nazca Series

In the early 1990s, Italdesign, one of the famous Italian coachbuilders is responsible for preparing some of the most memorable concept cars for BMW. And the BMW Nazca Series is featured with wide body represent a shift change in the characteristic of BMW design, and off course along with its typical twin-kidney grille design..

1991 BMW Nazca C2. (Picture from: Modifikasi)

Those mentioned concept series began with the Nazca M12 launched in 1991, continued with the Nazca C2 Coupe in 1992 and had become a star in Need for Speed ​​III powered by the Alpina-tuned 5.0-liter V12. After all those carbon fiber coupe concepts finally the Italian coachbuilder made open-top models named Nazca C2 Spider. If curious and wanna see the completed story about these concept car series, plz jump here! *** [EKA [25082015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARTHROTTLE | BAURSPOTTING | WIKIPEDIA | MOTOR1 | DEXIGNER ]

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Why are these 1970 Plymouth Superbirds so expensive?

Racing Legend As we all know that the Plymouth Superbird was one of legendary NASCAR racing cars along with its similar brother Dodge Charger Daytona. Both are distinguished than other cars by their elongated "nose cone" and huge decklid-mounted wing.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird has a typical appearance such the elongated "nose cone" and huge decklid-mounted wing. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)

Recently, in the classic car auction in Las Vegas held by Barret-Jackson auction house in June 30 to July 2, 2022 had been stirred at momment caused by there was 1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird sold at the figure of $ 1.65 millions (approx Rp. 24.7 billions). Wow!😲

1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird's interior looks very authentic garnished with the (TX9) interior paint matching its high-grade trimmed black vinyl seating with silver accents. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)

As quoted of AutoEvolution, those selling numbers directly broke the previous record held by another HEMI car  sometime ago perched at $990 thousand (approx to Rp. 14.87 billion). So what's made those cars so special that can be sold at such fantastic price numbers?

1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird is powered by a 426 HEMI engine coupled with a 727 Torque Flite gearbox and 8.75-inch Chrysler differential. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)

The specialty of this car is not only in its prime condition with real authentic and original equipments. As quoted of the AutoEvolution, this Superbirds was specially ordered in red and once homologated for NASCAR racing in 1969 as one of 135 Plymouth Superbird beasts powered by a 426 HEMI engine coupled with a 727 Torque Flite gearbox and Chrysler 8.75-inch with a 3.55 ratio sure grip axle differential.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner HEMI Superbird is one of 135 unit cars were specially ordered in red and homologated for NASCAR racing in 1969. (Picture from: MoparInsiders)

While in the Superbird's interior looks very authentic and also in perfect condition. Inside its interior garnished with the (TX9) interior paint matching its high-grade trimmed black vinyl seating with silver accents. The dash features the factory tachometer, correct pushbutton AM radio, heater/defroster, and three-spoke steering wheel with the Road Runner center cap.

The exterior features a set of hood pins (J45), Superbird graphics package, and its original aero nose and rear wing, fender-mounted air scoops, and front spoiler. As the result, could be said that all the authentic accessories both in the car's interior and exterior are originally maintained.

Being a HEMI car, it features power steering, power brakes with front discs, a max cooling package with a 7-blade fan, HEMI suspension with firm ride shocks as well as dual exhaust with chrome exhaust tips. Meanwhile for the legs still using the original Plymouth Superbird Rallye 15-inch alloy wheels, and wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas tires are fitted to the era when the car was made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | MOPARINSIDERS ]

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This sports coupe concept tried to revive the Czechs auto giant

Trying to Revive As what we've seen todays, that Tatra is a Czech' manufacturer of military-purposed vehicles or heavy trucks, though in the history of Koprivnice-based automaker also had ever been produced a number of sporty vehicles several decades ago. By seeing those facts, so it is not surprising then many Czech people wanted to see the manufacturer make exotic and sports cars again.

The Tatra AML Lanta is designed by AML of Milan Láník, and based on the Tatra 700 was known as the last passanger car made by Czech's automaker Tatra in 1996. (Picture from: Garáž.cz)

Apart from the Tatra Ecora Sport V8, which was designed by the Czech manufacturer in the 1990s, there are often several car designs bearing the Koprivnice-based automaker name that come from independent projects. Some of them had been discussed before here such as the Tatra JK 2500 Coupe of Július Kubinský back in the 1950s, then the Tatra MTX V8 designed by Václav Král in the 1990s. 

The Tatra AML Lanta has a a curb weight of 1,400 kg and said under such appearance refers to the original Tatra's aerodynamic shapes. (Picture from: Garáž.cz)

Not only that, it turn out the Czech people's efforts to revive the Tatra brand including another unique sports car design called the Tatra AML Lanta is made in the same way as mentioned models and debuted to public in the early 2000s. The car design was made by Milan Láník of Luka nad Jihlvou independently without any real support from the Koprivnice-based automaker. 

The Tatra AML Lanta's interior wrapped in red and white leather coupled with walnut accents, retro shapes steering wheel. (Picture from: Garáž.cz)

It is known that he was a well-trained mechanic and has been designing cars since his young-ages so it is easy to understand why then he would be developed this AML Lanta since 1998. Related to the car name, AML is derived of Auto Moto Láník, his workshop names, while Lanta is an abbreviation of his family names and those famous Czech manufacturer.

The Tatra AML Lanta has simple dashboard arrangement with all instrument panel displays dropped in the center. (Picture from: CS CAR project)

This AML Lanta car has a fiberglass bodywork with rounded lines streched down to the stern, and is built on a tubular chassis. According to the automaker, the such appearance refers to the original Tatra's aerodynamic shapes with a curb weight of 1,400 kg. Then he decided to use the air-cooled 3.5-liter V8 engine taken from the Tatra T700 as its drivetrain. 

The Tatra T700 was known as the last fancy sedan models made by Tatra in 1996, and one of them used as base of the Tatra AML Lanta by Milan Láník. (Picture from: CEAutoClassic.eu)

Those engine has been upgraded so that the power increased up to 220 hp with a torque of 300 Nm. Other parts also come from Tatra's last fancy sedan model, for example, the front axle although had to be extensively modified due to the low front height, then the rear axle also taken from the Tatra T700, while all wheels applied an independent suspension system.

The Tatra AML Lanta is claimed able to run up to 250 kph . (Picture from: Garáž.cz)

Furthermore, Milan Láník also pays special attention to the car's interior, where the dashboard with all instrument panel displays dropped in the center, and is made in harmony with walnut accents retro shapes steering wheel (reminiscent of the BMW Z8). Furthermore, the seats and all other interior compounds near by are wrapped in red and white leather. The such interior arrangement looks simple, unlike the exterior which looks glamour like an exotic car in general.

The Tatra AML Lanta is powered by an upgraded air-cooled 3.5-liter V8 rear-mounted engine with power of 220 hp and torque of 300 Nm. (Picture from: CS CAR project)

The developing process of this car model took approximately five years. Although the finished car model had caught Tatra's attention in 2003, it did not continue by signing an agreement to produce it, because the Czech's brand had not produced such passenger cars for a long time.

The Tatra AML Lanta has a fiberglass bodywork with rounded lines streched down to the stern, and is built on a tubular chassis. (Picture from: CS CAR project)

As quoted of Garáž.cz, which mentions that there are other possibilities because Milan Láník likes the car models, so never considered the fully used of the one-off car model he made. Therefore the Lanta was not really usable as building a fully functional worthied prototype would be too complicated for him if should be done without any supporting sponsors. Well, there're number of complex requirements should be met for the final homologation and possible modifications so the car could be registered for legally used on the Czech Rep's highways.

At the rear, the Tatra AML Lanta has flowing fins and a distinctive rear window shape reminiscent of the legendary 1940s Tatra models. (Picture from: CS CAR project)

Unlike other full-scaled car models that are likely to be scrapped after the completion of their duties. Currently, the Tatra AML Lanta model was in good condition, and known also still under the possession of Milan Láník as recently shown on his Instagram page. To this day, the Tatra AML Lanta unfinished prototype still existed and parked neatly in his family garage to mark all the success and great achievements of the Czech's auto designer. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AML.DESIGN | SOVIETAUTO.FR | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | GARÁŽ.CZ | CEAUTOCLASSIC.EU | CS CAR PROJECT ]

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Here it is the Finnish retro-styled electric supercar

Unique ONES It may be that Finland is known as a country that has a series of famous racers such Valtteri Bottas, Heikki Kovalainen, Kimi Raikkonen, Mika Hakkinen, Juha Kankkunen, etc. But not many know that the country had supercar manufacturer as well. This is probably because it less in prestige with its neighbour country supercar manufacturer, Koenigsegg Automotive AB managed to achieve success in the world's automotive.

The Toroidion 1MW is a fully-electric powered supercar with an appearance inspired by retro-classical 1960s era. (Picture from: CarScoops)

Toroidion, a Finnish supercar manufacturer has recently introduced an electric supercar concept named Toroidion 1MW Concept at the Top Marques Monaco 2015. Although still a concept, but the manufacturer claims that the power of Toroidion 1MW is equivalent to Koenigsegg One:1.

The Toroidion 1MW is powered by by a series of electric motors with an aoutput of 1,341 hp. (Picture from: CarScoops)

Prior to the debut, Toroidion could provide some teaser photos, which is described in the all-sloping design. This is a supercar and definitely going to be sold very expensive price, because it is said to be produced by hand made, with high quality materials.

The Toroidion 1MW has attached also a clean, elegant design with classic proportions and a little bit of retro touches inside the cabin. (Picture from: CarScoops)

Finnish car manufacturer to build a 1MW supercar with designs inspired by retro-classical era, with an output of 1,341 hp which is equivalent to 1,000 kW or 1 MW as the name implies. Even more impressive, the entire power generated by a series of electric motors and making it as all-electric supercar that has the biggest power in the world today.

The hand-built, gull-winged electric Toroidion 1MW supercar is fully road-legal and has been developed entirely in-house in Finland. (Picture from: CarScoops)

Toroidion say that the battery system used has a light weight but has high performance. Toroidion also claims that the lightweight supercar concept designed, developed and built in Finland have 'measurable performance.' At the time, the company also said that the Toroidion 1MW can be used on public roads, even for everyday activities.

Well, more details about the specifications and performance of Toroidion 1MW will be released in the near future, after this supercar undergoing various tests beforehand. Unfortunately, as quoted of Wikipedia, on March 3, 2022, this Finnish automotive company having financial problems and filed for bankruptcy.😢 So that the continuation of the 1MW car project is not known. *** [EKA [22042015]| FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOROIDION | CARSCOOPS | WIKIPEDIA ]

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