Unknown car brands

Most modern automakers focus almost exclusively on mass-produced cars that have one goal - to bring the greatest profit. Fortunately, there are also brands in the automotive world for whom the automotive industry is still a passion.

The beginning of modern motorization dates back to 1885, when Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach decided to place the internal combustion engine in the wagon, which gave rise to four-wheeled vehicles, today called automobiles. As it turned out, despite the elapsed time, this type of "car" is produced today.

Their manufacturer is Aaglander, for which time seems to have stopped. It produces vehicles reminiscent of horse-drawn carriages of the XNUMXth century. Instead of modern wheels, they are equipped with steel rims, to which rubber bands are attached, and control is carried out using two special handles, modeled after coils. For the convenience of the driver, a power steering is installed in the car. What also distinguishes the Aaglander from the cars of the XNUMXth century is the disc brakes on the front axle.

Aaglander offers only two models - the two-seat Duc and the four-seat Mylord. Both cars use the same drive. This is a small 0.7 liter diesel engine with a capacity of 20 hp. Power is transferred to the rear axle via a chain. The characteristics and appearance of this car are also similar to the first cars of the Daimler and Maybach era. Both Duc and Milord can reach a maximum speed of 20 km / h, but the manufacturer recommends not to exceed the speed of 10 km / h.

Both vehicles are approved so we can easily register them. Unfortunately, their price may prevent us from doing this. Buying a double Duc is associated with a cost of 70 thousand. euro (about PLN 290 thousand).

The French company Four Stroke is also true to its classic forms. In 2006, the Rumen coupe generated a lot of interest at the Paris Motor Show. The appearance of this car clearly refers to the elegant coupes of the 20s and 30s.

Although the Rumen is 3.5 meters long and weighs only 550 kilograms, it is equipped with items such as ABS, ESP, air conditioning and leather upholstery. The low weight allowed the use of an economical drive unit. Unlike the body, it is not based on technologies from the beginning of the last century, but has fuel injection and a variable valve timing system. The three-cylinder 1-liter engine produces 68 hp.

Four Stroke also offers a beefed up version of this unit. Thanks to a turbocharger, it is capable of reaching 100 hp, and a 6-speed sequential gearbox sends power to the rear wheels.

Russian motorization is most often associated with conventional Ladas. At the same time, unique niche cars made to order. The St. Petersburg enterprise Avtokad produces an armored limousine that combines the features of an off-road vehicle - the Combat T-98 model.

The angular shape of the body is not accidental. The combat T-98 is able to protect passengers from fire from AK47 assault rifles. Depending on the wallet, customers can order a car with the highest possible armor level - B7. However, this passive safety "equipment" comes at a price. In this case, a trifle of a quarter of a million dollars.

However, the choice is not limited to the thickness of the armor. The combat T-98 is available both as a four-seater limousine and as a patrol car for law enforcement agencies, capable of accommodating 9 passengers and a pickup truck. The weight of this car is more than 5 tons, which forced the use of sufficiently powerful power units. In this case, these are the following engines: gasoline General Motors with a volume of 8 liters (400 hp), as well as a 6.6-liter diesel engine with 325 hp.

The Carver One is an example of a car/motorcycle hybrid. In the early 90s, Chris Van den Brink and Harry Kroonen, two Dutch engineers, were working on the DVC (Dynamic Vehicle Control) traction control system. This solution ensures the stability of the car in almost any conditions, while providing the driver with greater freedom in driving.

Work on the first prototype was completed in 1996, and after 12 months the finished product was tested by ... the Dutch police. Over the next two years, funds were raised and the Carvera One improved until it finally made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2002.

This three wheeler makes the rider feel like he is driving a motorcycle. The two-seat Carver One cab tilts when cornering, and the independent rear axle (equipped with two wheels) provides stability and prevents rollover. It was Carver One that Jeremy Clarkson called "a car that is a pleasure to drive." Interestingly, the car is also available in Poland. The One model, equipped with a 68 hp petrol engine, costs less than 170. zloty.

Lotus Super Seven is one of the most copied cars in the world. His replicas are also made by our southern neighbors. In the early 90s, the Czech company Kaipan launched production. Initially, he limited himself exclusively for the production of self-assembly kits that do not differ in shape from the original.

Such was the popularity of the replicas that today Kaipan is an independent manufacturer producing small-scale sports cars. However, the basic prerequisites remain unchanged - a lightweight, two-seat body and rear-wheel drive. In terms of technology, Kaipany is based on the technology of the Volkswagen Group. 57 models are equipped with the 1.8-litre Audi engine.

In 2007, Kaipan broke with tradition. It introduced a cheaper alternative to the 57, a two-seater front-wheel drive coupe called the 14. In this case, a 1.4-liter Volkswagen engine is driven to the wheels. Those who want to buy this car should prepare for an expense of 15 thousand. Euro.

Finally, it is also worth mentioning the Polish manufacturer - the Leopard company. In fact, the headquarters of this brand is located in Sweden, but the production facilities are located in Mielec. It is currently the only manufacturer of sports cars in our country.

The prototype of the modern "Leopard" - the model "Gepard" - was created in the early 90s by engineer Zbislav Shvay. The car served as the basis for further research and is the basis for the production of a car called the 6 Liter Roadster. The Leopard's recipe for success is relatively simple - a classic coupe shape, a powerful engine, rear-wheel drive and a luxurious interior. In the case of the Polish build, a 6-litre V8 unit made by General Motors was used as the drive. It produces 405 hp. and 542 Nm, which allows the Leopard weighing only 1150 g to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 4 seconds. For safety reasons, the maximum speed is limited to 250 km/h.

About 20 copies of the Leopard 6 Liter Roadster are produced every year, each of which costs PLN 100. Euro. The amount is not small, but nevertheless these cars are especially appreciated abroad. His buyer was, in particular, the Prince of Sweden.