ForgottenONES The world's automotive enthusiasts must have heard the name Franco Sbarro. That's right, he is a renowned Italian-born Swiss car designer, automaker, and also the founder of a school where students study the art of designing and building motorized vehicles. To this day, maybe it's countless how many motor vehicles ever designed by him together with young experts who graduated from his school.
The Lancia Ionos by Sbarro sports car concept was actually inspired by the original design of the Lancia Stratos, which was then developed in such a way as to create their own interpretation of the car. (Picture from: Pinterest)
Among the many great works that have been produced by Sbarro, it turned out that there were some that had caught our attention to be discussed, and this time the choice fell on a unique car named Lancia Ionos by Sbarro, supposedly it was built to be the modern interpretation of the iconic Lancia Stratos racing car, and debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 1997.
The Lancia Ionos sports car concept posed along with its creator Franco Sbarro. (Picture from: Autokult.pl)
How can it all be connected? Let's start with the names, which are both inspired by the layers of our Earth's atmosphere. As the name of Stratos is associated with the stratosphere, the name of Ionos also comes from the ionosphere.
The Lancia Ionos by Sbarro one-off car concept carries a pure sports racing style, and has a low and sleek bodywork, and an aggressive front-end with small headlights. (Picture from: Autokult.pl)
So, this car project, which was the responsibility of Franca Sbarro's design school students, was actually inspired by the original design of the Lancia Stratos, which was then developed in such a way as to create their own interpretation of the car, so that finally the Lancia emblem was pinned in front.
The Lancia Ionos sports car concept is compact in size at 3,800 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, just 1,100 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,270 mm. (Picture from: TheAutoChannel)
This one-off car concept carries a pure sports racing style. So in appearance you would find this Sbarro-designed car has a low and sleek bodywork, and an aggressive front-end with small headlights. Then its sports car impression is further emphasized by the presence of butterfly-styled doors that open upwards. While, the rear features semi-circular taillights and twin exhaust tips.
The Lancia Ionos sports car concept's cockpit refers to the construction of the helmet's protective glass, where the transparent parts on the front and sides resemble a visor. (Picture from: Autokult.pl)
This two-seater concept car is compact in size at 3,800 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, just 1,100 mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,270 mm. Uniquely, the cockpit of this Lancia Ionos by Sbarro concept refers to the construction of the helmet's protective glass, where the transparent parts on the front and sides resemble a visor.
The Lancia Ionos sports car concept is powered by a mid-mounted 10-cylinder engine with a certain arrangement of cylinders in an inverted V shape, or as Sbarro himself prefers to call it in the letter A-shape. (Picture from: Autokult.pl)
Remarkably, the Lancia Ionos by Sbarro concept car is powered by a mid-mounted 10-cylinder engine with a certain arrangement of cylinders in an inverted V shape, or as Sbarro himself prefers to call it in the letter A-shape. This engine was specially created by combining two units of the 2.4 liter 5 cylinder inline taken from the Lancia Kappa.
The Lancia Ionos sports car concept's unusual engine capable of producing around 405 hp, and does not significantly increase the weight of the vehicle which only weighs 1,100 kg. (Picture from: Autokult.pl)
This unusual machine is claimed to be capable of producing around 405 hp, and does not significantly increase the weight of the vehicle which only weighs 1,100 kg. The arrangement of the cylinders in the shape of the letter A makes it possible to tuck in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4's gearbox system between the rows of cylinders, and also the 4-wheel drive system is also taken from the same model.
Furthermore, this Sbarro's concept car adopts Mercedes-Benz's exhaust system and also equipped with a Brembo brake system. Even though the Lancia Ionos by Sbarro concept is 26 years old, it still looks fresh and original. In fact, the car never went into production, but it is one of the most interesting projects under the name of Franco Sbarro to this day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SBARRO.PHCALVET.FR | AUTOKULT.PL | THEAUTOCHANNEL ]
NEW Hypercars Some time ago at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix racing event held on May 3, 2023, you can see there's an exhibition activities carried out by the Turin-based automaker, Laffite Automobili. In fact, it was not an impromptu event, the company had announced 1 month ago with the tagline that it wants to create a real revolution by launching its first model.
Laffite Automobili launched five
electric hypercars at once (from left to right) such the Laffite Atrax
Off-Road, the Atrax Stradale, the LM1, the Barchetta Coupe, and the
Barchetta at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix 2023. (Picture from: NewsRnD)
Maybe some of you are unfamiliar with the Italian auto manufacturer. This is commonplace because the auto brand formed by Bruno Laffite together with Pascal Cohen in 1998 was originally managing race track and karting school academies. Their common passion for racing and vison for street legal racing cars started 30 years ago, and still remain.
The Laffite LM1 prototype has an exterior appearance that is very thick
with the spirit of the 24-Hours Le Mans race. (Picture from: 20Minutes.fr)
After the auto company founded, it's known the Laffite completed its first hypercars design and engineering processes in 2014, then its first street legal SUV hypercar, the Laffite X Road went out of productions in 2019 and got immediately sold out.
The Laffite LM1 prototype posed along with the company founder Bruno Laffite and Pascal Cohen. (Picture from: Carscoops)
The auto marque is known in collaboration with several famous names in world's automotive such Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro, the two Italian creative souls of GFG Style, an independent and established style center. As well as, L.M. Gianetti, the renowned Turin-based engineering and automobile manufacturing company.
They have been linked together as the best teams to create the most prestigious ever hypercar lines. And today, once again Laffite making history. For the first time in the industry, 3 electric hypercars are revealed the same day, during the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.
The Laffite Barchetta featuring with a single glass canopy. (Picture from: AutoDesignMagazine)
In the heart of the F1 village, which is hosted to the announcement and launching event of the first 3 models of the brand, the Laffite LM1, the Atrax and the Barchetta, as well as their first two variations, the Atrax Stradale and the Barchetta Coupe was made by company.
Interior view of the Laffite Barchetta. (Picture from: Carscoops)
Furthermore all those three models can be classified as electric-powered hypercars, which are the result of the design work of GFG Style which was fronted by master Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio after leaving Italdesign. As quoted from 20Minutes.fr, the launch of these three hypercars at once is intended to pay homage to several motor sport disciplines which is reflected in their respective names.
The Laffite Barchetta Coupe featuring with a double-bubble cockpit. (Picture from: AutoDesignMagazine)
Well, the company's first car model is the Laffite LM1 which has an exterior appearance that is very thick with the spirit of the 24-Hours Le Mans race. Even though it is thick with the style of a racing car, it can be driven on the road.
As mentioned before this hypercar is powered by an electric motor capable of spitting out a maximum power of 1,167 hp and a peak torque of 2,500 Nm to drive all-the-wheels, so it can accelerate from rest to 100 kph in just 1.9 seconds and send it running up to a top speed of around 350 kph.
The Laffite Atrax (in pictured was Stradale version) proposed as a
sporty SUV with an exaggerated and extreme shape with important volumes
and generous roominess, allowing for a 2+1 seat architecture. (Picture
from: AutoDesignMagazine)
The second model named the Laffite Barchetta, which featured the most unique design among the three models exhibited by Lafitte Automobili at the time, but was also the least power of them. Its electric motor will produce 578 hp of power and 990 Nm of torque, which makes it reach 100 kph in 3.5 seconds. It will also have the shortest electric range, capable of traveling an estimated 242 miles (390 km) per charge.
The Laffite Atrax presented in two versions, ie the off-road version and
the Stradale version, designed to tackle urban roads. (Picture from: Carscoops)
As you can see, indeed the car’s true highlight is the design. By featuring a double-bubble cockpit (or a single glass canopy for the Coupe version) and a kind of roll bars (halo) that offers rollover protection, the car looks more like a concept than a production vehicle.
The Laffite Atrax (in pictured was the off-road version) featured with
butterfly doors, a carbon monocoque, and an F1-style steering wheel.
(Picture from: TheMilliardaire)
The last model was Laffite Atrax is proposed as a sporty SUV with an exaggerated and extreme shape with important volumes and generous roominess, allowing for a 2+1 seat architecture. As you can see this all-electric crossover featured with butterfly doors, a carbon monocoque, and an F1-style steering wheel.
While its drivetrain claimed to be burted out power of 1,151 hp and 2,500 Nm of torque. That will get the 4,850 lbs (or approx 2,200 kg) vehicle accelerated up to 100 kph) in just 3.8 seconds, and onto a top speed of 240 kph. The SUV is offered in either its aggressive stock configuration, or in the more road-focused Stradale trim.
Furthermore, Laffite says that it has spent more than 15,000 hours engineering each vehicle, and the company plans to sell between 24 and 26 of each model. For instance, it says the automaker will build 26 Atrax SUVs, with a starting price of $1.69 million, and said that deliveries of the first Atraxes are expected to begin in March 2024. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAFFITE AUTOMOBILI | THEMILLIARDAIRE | CARSCOOPS | TOPGEAR | AUTOMOTIVEEV | AUTODESIGNMAGAZINE | NEWSBREAK | 20MINUTES.FR | NEWSRND | ]
New SUV After over a year ago it launched its first electric SUV, called the Type 132 or Lotus Eletre, and now, Lotus Cars is rumored to be releasing such a compact electric SUV model which it says to be a rival for the Porsche Macan and many others.
The upcoming Lotus Type 134 is mentioned to be Porsche Macan-rivalling small electric SUV. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
Internally, the British automaker refers to its anonimous next electric SUV as the Type 134, which is planned to launch early next year along with the Type 133. So we can be sure that this is not the Eletre model was launched last year in China, and it said will have much smaller than it.
The upcoming Lotus Type 134 will have a strong focus on aerodynamics to optimise range and performance. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
Furthermore, Head of sales and marketing for Lotus, Mike Johnstone said that the company will produce the Type 134 around 75,000 units per year, which is expected to account a half of its annual sales in 2028.
The upcoming Lotus Type 134's dimension is said less than five meters long, and would be used a different platform, which likely a variant of the EPA architecture is aimed to the smaller car models. (Picture from: GiornaleDiSicikia)
So far the automaker company which has now been acquired by Chinese auto company Geely still hasn't revealed yet exact details of the anonimous model, but Johnstone hinted that it would be used a different platform, which likely a variant of the EPA architecture is aimed to the smaller car models.
The birth of the Lotus Type 132 or Eletre marks a new era of Lotus as an EV maker that draws on elements from the Evija electric hypercar and the Emira sports car. (Picture from: Autocar)
The Type 134's dimension will be less than five meters long, similar to the Polestar 4, so it's natural to be touted as a potential rival to the upcoming Porsche Macan. As mentioned above, the Type 134 will share technology with the Lotus Eletre and Type 133, though its more affordable position and more compact size could mean it has smaller battery options.
The Lotus Eletre's rear featured with its Lotus script and full-width light bar fading into triangular intakes along the sides, clearly comes from the sports cars. (Picture from: Autoblog)
It also stated that the Type 134 will be tasked with delivering the bulk of Lotus' planned sales growth, Johnstone is adamant that ensuring it maintains the company's core philosophy of performance and driving dynamics will be at the heart of the development.
The speculative rendering images of what it could be like the Lotus Type 133 or Lotus Envya performance sedan that shares many components with Eletre. (Picture from: WhichCar)
"A great deal of effort has gone into ensuring the future cars we introduce to market are in the way you would expect Lotus to handle them. Take Eletre for example: the attributes team has been involved in its development, people who understand what it's like to drive a Lotus," as Johnstone concluded.
The speculative rendering images of what it could be like the Lotus Type 133 or Lotus Envya supplied by Theottle. (Picture from: WhichCar)
It could be said that the Type 134 is Lotus's
ticket to get into the smaller vehicle and more affordable segments
where the company hopes to make a significant buzz. Like the Eletre, this SUV was built with a focus on aerodynamics to optimize range and performance, which is likely to result in a dashing coupé-esque roofline..
Wait&See Before we start discussing the hypercar that will be built by the German car manufacturer. As we all know, various world's top automotive brands have started preparing their newest, more sophisticated electric hypercars. But for Porsche to present their hypercar, they have to wait at least another 5 years to come.
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, known as the hot hybrid that helped kickstart Porsche's EV movement. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
So, as reported by Carscoops, Porsche said that the German car manufacturer needed more time to develop their hypercar battery. According to them, the battery technology must match the character of a hypercar which also has a very high performance orientation.
The Porsche Mission R is the vision of an all-electric vehicle developed by Porsche equipped with a battery-electric drivetrain for customer motorsports.. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
Furthermore, the German manufacturer through Michael Steiner as the head of Porsche's R&D Departement said they were trying to adapt the right battery cell technology to be implemented into their hypercar.
"In the midst of our battery technology development, we noticed a dynamic change in battery cell technology that is suitable for our hypercars. So we have to ensure that this technology is suitable for our hypercars," said Steiner.
The new Porsche Taycan GTS now charges the Porsche electric driving experience with even more intense emotions. (Picture from: MotorTrend)
He also mentioned that the development of this battery requires at least 2 years. In addition, several technologies such as chassis, drivetrain, and several other developments also require a long development time.
Porsche itself actually already has a new hypercar model that will reportedly be used in the 24-Hour Le Mans endurance race called the Porsche 963 LMDh. It's basically uses a hybrid drivetrain configuration with an electric motor and battery that is made to last for endurace racing. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | MOTORTREND ]
RareONES In the end everything will disappear for good, although many of them try to deny it by creeping to the surface to show their existence again and again. That's all natural, even so no one can resist it, all that can be done is survive as much as possible before it's really lost in time.
The Marcos Mantula shows the distinctive styling that’s been a hallmark of Marcos since the 1960s. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Of the many British car manufacturers that have appeared and success in the world's automotive during the 1960s, of course you still remember Marcos Engineering Ltd. As quoted from Wikipedia, the name of Marcos was created in 1959 by combining the last names of its founders, Jem MARsh and Frank COStin.
The Marcos Mantula's body is lightweight fiberglass based on a steel chassis, with a total curb weight of just 900 kgs (1,984 lbs). (Picture from: Silodrome)
As we all know, Frank Costin is a well-known British automotive designer, who was also known as the designer of the legendary Mosquito fighter plane made by the De Havilland aircraft company. And after shifting in the automotive world he applied his know-how of wood monocoques led to the first plywood-based Marcos sportscars.
The Marcos Mantula's interior featured with seating for two, there’s a high center console and this car has a blue leather interior with wood veneer, and a blue leather trimmed steering wheel. (Picture from: Silodrome)
This British company started its venture in the world's automotive by launching the Marcos Xylon GT, followed later by the iconic Marcos 1800 GT and then the Mini Marcos, the Marcos Mantis XP. It turned out that the production activities of the British manufacturer did not last long, and should be ceased when the company experienced serious financial problems in 1971.
The Marcos Mantula is powered by a 3.5-litre Rover V8 with a 5-speed gearbox. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Although many efforts have been made to revitalize, one of them through the acquisition of its shares and assets by the Rob Walker Group of Companies, continued to reorganize and change its name to Marcos Ltd.
The Marcos Mantula are now collectible in the more eccentric British classic car circles, the performance of the model makes it a genuine weapon in the right hands. (Picture from: Silodrome)
Unfortunately, all these effort was not very helpful. It seems, during this period there were no new models, and until 1972 it was also reported that Marcos had a stock of 35 unsold cars in the United States had to be "liquidated".
The Marcos Mantula Spyder which sell after the coupés in later production began in 1986. (Picture from: Handh.co.uk)
Well, what happened at that time was Marcos had to do the best to downsizing the company in order to overcome its financial problems with what was described as "a cash jumble sale of Marcos bits, ranging from prototype and shop soiled components, benches, tools, etc," where took place at the "old Marcos Cars factory" at Westbury.
The Marcos Mantula Spyder version was introduced which went on to become the most popular variant. (Picture from: Handh.co.uk)
At that time in 1976, one of the company' founders, Jem Marsh, who was still active in the automotive world, then bought back the rights to the Marcos name, and in 1981 this brand offering the previous GT cars as kits with multiple engine options.The Marcos Mantula Spyder Up to 1989 about 130 kits were sold.
The Marcos Mantula Spyder's interior featured with seating for two, there’s a high center console. (Picture from: Handh.co.uk)
As quoted from Wikipedia, the British automaker was introduced the Marcos Mantula in 1983, externally very similar to the old GT, but now powered by a 3.5-litre Rover V8 with a 5-speed gearbox.
The Marcos Mantula Spyder version is powered by the same drivetrain as the coupe variant. (Picture from: Handh.co.uk)
This alloy engine weighed less than the previous six-cylinder cast-iron units, reducing overall weight to about 900 kg and making the car competitive against other Rover-powered sports cars such as TVR and Morgan. The engine evolved into the Rover Vitesse EFi engine, and later Mantulas were fitted with the 3.9 EFi units.
The Marcos Martina was externally very similar to the Mantula, but with flared front wheel arches. (Picture from: Handh.co.uk)
In 1986 the model was made available as a convertible, the Marcos Spyder, which would outsell the coupés in later production. In 1989, the automaker introduced the model featured with an independent rear suspension, together with the Ford Sierra's 7" differential and rear disc brakes.
The Marcos Martina used the Ford Cortina's 2-litre four-cylinder engine, steering and suspension, and approximately 80 were produced. (Picture from: Jigidi)
The independent suspension allowed a full-width boot and the relocation of the battery and heater/air conditioning. There's a total of 170 Coupés and 119 Spyders were ever produced by the automaker during its production periods.
Furthermore Marcos in 1991 also had time to produce the Marcos Martina was externally very similar to the Mantula, but with flared front wheel arches. It used the Ford Cortina's 2-litre four-cylinder engine, steering and suspension. And approximately 80 were produced. Originally, Martina available as kits or factory-built, before the cars were all factory-built from 1992.
Shortly after the production of the Mantula and Martina ceased in 1993, soon Marcos retired from the kit car business to concentrate on all-factory built offerings until the British automaker shutted down for good in 2007.😢 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MARCOS | SPEEDHUNTERS | SILODROME | HANDH.CO.UK | WIKIPEDIA ]
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Wait&See The development of electric-powered vehicles are increasingly attracting the interest of players in the automotive industry, both old players and new players. Indeed today we are in the era of electric vehicles. It feels like just yesterday, we are amazed when we see electric-powered concept cars presented by the makers. But now, there were so many electric-powered vehicles had been milling about on the streets.
A German media AutoBild have spread unconfirmed information about the development of a new Lamborghini's
electric hypercar (in pictured Lamborghini Diamante Concept by Thomas Granjard as an illutration only) dubbed as the Vitola. (Picture from: Carbuzz)
However, the automotive industry players do not immediately jump into it without conducting any research and development first, especially since the current supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles is still not evenly distributed. So that many automotive industry players, such as the Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., prefer to do it in stages by first conducting research and development on all supporting components, such as electric motors and battery systems, etc.
To this day the latest supercar from this manufacturer is the Revuelto which is mentioned as a replacement for the Aventador referred to be a High Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV) capable of generating power up to 1,001 hp, which consists of the new naturally-aspirated 6.5 liter V12 engine coupled to three electric motors.
Porsche Mission E Concept while sat in display at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015. (Picture from: Autonews.Autoua.net)
As we all know that the supercar manufacturer under the auspices of the Volkswagen Group, the raging bull automaker has announced that 2022 is the final year for
the launch of non-electric models and is preparing to switch to electric powered vehicles in 2028 later by giving a few hints about its first model being a 2+2 Grand Tourer (GT).
As quoted from Carbuzz, instead of working on it alone, it looks like the development of this Lamborghini supercar will also involve Porsche, a fellow company under the Volkswagen Group banner. We can see this back in 2016 when it was rumored that the two of them would share an electric power technology platform. At that time, Porsche had just announced that it would launch an electric-powered supercar called the Porsche Mission E.
A German media AutoBild have spread unconfirmed information about the new Lamborghini hypercar would share an electric power technology platform with Porsche Mission E. (Picture from: Autonews.Autoua.net)
According to a German-language YouTube video by AutoBild, some of the Mission E's electric technology will be picked up by Lamborghini. Furthermore, the video also describes that the raging bull electric-powered supercar that will be developed dubbed as the Vitola that would ride on the Porsche Mission E's J1 platform. It will also steal the sedan's fast-charging system, which works with the Mission E's 800-volt battery to make charging times a breeze.
Not only shared same platform, the new developed Lamborghini Vitola electric supercar (in pictured Lamborghini Diamante Concept by Thomas Granjard as an illutration only)would also pinned the sedan's fast-charging system, which works with the Mission E's 800-volt battery to make charging times a breeze. (Picture from: OkeZone)
This is important for owners who may want to take the hypercar to a track and not be faced with the inconvenience of waiting for a lengthy recharge after a few laps. The Vitola will supposedly have a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds (matching the Tesla Model S P100D) and reach a top speed of 186 mph. The Mission E makes a combined 600 horsepower using two electric motors, which rockets the sedan from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
To reach its performance targets, the Vitola will undoubtedly be lighter than the four-door Porsche, but it will probably still gain more horsepower to keep it ahead of the competition. That will soon include an all-electric McLaren hypercar, and given the direction of the Volkswagen Group, an EV Porsche 918 replacement based off of the lessons learned from honing the Vitola is not out of the question.
It is still unclear whether the Vitola will be another Lamborghini with a very limited production run or an alternative to existing models like the Huracán or Revuelto which still has a typical sonorous roaring engine or the quiet of electric motor or even combination of both. Instead, what is currently circulating is a different matter, namely the prospected 2+2 GT model. Will it be Vitola or another one? Well, for sure we can only wait until the time comes in 2028. Yes, we'll wait and see.😎 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | CARBUZZ | AUTOBILD | DIGITALTRENDS | AUTOEVOLUTION | ELEKTREK.CO | DRIVESPARK | AUTONEWS.AUTOUA.NET | IDMOTOR1 | MOTORMOBILE ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Among the many great works that have been produced by Sbarro, it turned out that there were some that had caught our attention to be discussed, and this time the choice fell on a unique car named Lancia Ionos by Sbarro, supposedly it was built to be the modern interpretation of the iconic Lancia Stratos racing car, and debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 1997.
How can it all be connected? Let's start with the names, which are both inspired by the layers of our Earth's atmosphere. As the name of Stratos is associated with the stratosphere, the name of Ionos also comes from the ionosphere. 
Furthermore, this Sbarro's concept car adopts Mercedes-Benz's exhaust system and also equipped with a Brembo brake system. Even though the Lancia Ionos by Sbarro concept is 26 years old, it still looks fresh and original. In fact, the car never went into production, but it is one of the most interesting projects under the name of Franco Sbarro to this day. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SBARRO.PHCALVET.FR | AUTOKULT.PL | THEAUTOCHANNEL ]
