Frazer-Nash Namir
Italdesign Giugiaro works with classic English name on a 187mph hybrid supercar
An iconic British car name made its return at the Geneva motor show, although the car it’s tied too will be unrecognisable to fans of the brand. The Frazer-Nash Namir is the concept for a hybrid-powered supercar and some of the figures associated with it are pretty startling.
How does the combination of 187mph, 0-62mph in 3.5sec, 365bhp,110mpg and sub-60g of carbon emissions grab you? It sounds fairly unreal, but that’s what Italdesign Giugiaro – the Italian design arm working with Frazer-Nash on the Namir – is touting for the car.
The Italians’ engineers worked on the chassis, body and mechanical layout while the Italdesign Giugiaro Style Centre is responsible for the striking interior and exterior. Frazer-Nash developed the electrical elements which play a big part in the Namir’s propulsion.
It is powered by a 814cc rotary engine (itself a petrol drinker) mated to a generator and four electric motors which work in pairs at the front and rear suspension. The battery and engine sit in the middle of the car, and in combination with a lowly 1450kg kerb weight (considering there’s batteries on board) the Namir should boast good balance and dynamics.
An overall power output of 365bhp helps push the Namir to 62mph in 3.5sec, proper supercar performance, with a 187mph top speed. Whether the suggested 110mpg is achieved at the same time remains to be seen – we’d expect that figure to drop if you go 599 GTB-baiting in your hybrid hypercar.
Other interesting technology is the carbonfibre monocoque chassis, in the same vein as the KTM X-Bow. It is the key structure on the Namir and houses both front and rear suspension as well as providing a strong safety cell. In total it weighs just 110kg, too.
The interior is fully kitted out and as well as two leather bucket seats there’s a full compliment of tweed, the Italians’ shout to the classic British heritage of Frazer-Nash.
Giugiaro has sent the Frazer-Nash Namir around Monza on a virtual lap, claiming it’ll complete the circuit in 1min51sec. It’s not the traditional way to prove your new car’s claimed performance, but should the car see the light of day we look forward to seeing if it can match the claims lavished upon it.
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