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New carmaker Jannarelly goes back to basics with the retro, lightweight Design-1

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Dubai is often associated with high-end supercars that are as fast as they are expensive. A new startup named Jannarelly Automotive aims to change that by building a simple, driver-focused convertible called Design-1 that pays homage to iconic sports cars built in the 1960s.

About as long as a Mini Cooper, the Design-1 wears a front end that’s markedly inspired by the 1957 Ferrari Testarossa. The Maranello influence fades beyond the front wheel arches, and the Design-1’s rear fascia is a little more original with a mesh panel that helps dissipate heat from the engine bay, small round tail lamps, and a massive air diffuser. The convertible tips the scale at just under 1,600 pounds because it features a tubular steel frame and a body that’s crafted out of a combination of fiberglass and carbon fiber.

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Jannarelly’s computer-generated sketches suggest the Design-1’s cabin is fitted with a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and a pair of bucket seats with four-point harnesses. A soft top isn’t offered, but a removable hard top is scheduled to join the list of options before the end of next year.

Most of the components that make up the Design-1 were developed and built in-house. One of the few exceptions is the engine, which is a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 unit borrowed from the Nissan parts bin. Mounted transversally behind the passenger compartment, the six-cylinder spins the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. It generates 304 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque in its initial state of tune, enough to send the Design-1 from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds.

Jannarelly stresses the Design-1 is fully customizable. The company will eventually offer a full catalog of parts ranging from a full windshield with wipers and a defroster to brand new body panels, and it promises that tossing out the Nissan-sourced V6 and replacing it with another engine is a relatively easy task.

The Jannarelly Design-1 is on sale now with a base price of approximately $55,000 before taxes and delivery are factored in, though buyers who want to spend less can order the car with a rebuilt engine instead of a brand new one. Just 30 examples will initially be hand-built in Dubai, and the car is allegedly street-legal in most U.S. states as well as in the United Kingdom.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Former Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
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