Upstart supercar companies are a dime a dozen, but W Motors is certainly the boldest of these dreamers.
Last fall, it showed what it said was a production-ready version of the Lykan Hypersport, a 245-mph piece of of geometric fury billed as the Middle East’s first supercar.
No one has had a chance to verify that top speed claim, but the Hypersport will make an appearance at the Top Marques show in Monaco later this week, making it seem a little less insubstantial.
W Motors has also said that it plans to build a factory in the United Arab Emirates sometime this year, which would make it seem even less like vaporware, and force the universe to confront the question of whether more than one of these outlandish machines can exist without irreparably damaging the space-time continuum.
The Hypersport is powered by a 3.7-liter turbocharged flat-six developed by legendary Porsche tuner Ruf. Lykan says it produces 770 horsepower, enough to launch the Hypersport to 60 mph from a standstill in 2.8 seconds, and on to that aforementioned 245-mph top speed.
It had better be quick, though, considering Lykan plans to ask $3.4 million for the privilege of owning one.
Granted, the Hypersport will come with some lavish features, including a diamond-encrusted cockpit and a “holographic display”.
Another feature is exclusivity: only seven cars will be made. That hardly seems like enough to warrant an entire factory.
Then again, Lykan plans to offer a Supersport model, which will keep the Hypersport’s Transformers styling, but is rumored to be even more powerful.
Should Bugatti be worried? What are the chances of any of these plans coming to fruition?
Unless your name is Elon Musk, it is incredibly difficult to start a successful car company. Yet what’s made the Lykan story appear credible so far is the impressive list of companies it’s been working with, including Ruf, parts giant Magna Steyr, and Italian design firm Studio Torino.
Regardless of its viability, the Lykan Hypersport should get plenty of attention at the Top Marques show this week.
