√Is the Afghanistan ‘supercar’ – with Toyota Corolla power – the real deal or a hoax?
Mystery surrounds a Toyota Corolla-powered ‘supercar’ unveiled by authorities in Afghanistan.
A video of a supercar from Afghanistan went viral over the weekend after authorities in the country unveiled a ‘supercar’ and a bold plan to revive the struggling economy.
Despite its sleek proportions the ‘supercar’ is powered by a humble four-cylinder engine from a 23-year Toyota Corolla.
Although the car in the video can be driven under its own power, it is not yet for sale.
One video shows the vehicle – called the Mada 9 – performing some skids in the snow in an empty car park.
Another video shows a desert setting covered in bullet casings before panning across to a dishevelled man who approaches the shiny new vehicle.
The footage shows slimline LED lighting front and rear, large wheels (which look like Lorinser RS8) and integrated aerodynamic elements, including a huge front wing.
In what is believed to be an automotive first for the country, the one-off Mada 9 prototype was developed in collaboration between the Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI) and Kabul-based automotive design studio, Entop, according to overseas reports.
Featuring a tube-frame chassis and mid-engine (behind the seats), rear-drive layout, the Mada 9 prototype is powered by a longitudinally-mounted Toyota 1ZZ-FE four-cylinder engine, sourced from a Toyota Corolla, although it has been reported that the eventual goal is to replace it with a fully-electric motor.
Woman Gives Life pic.twitter.com/UOBV31TyxG
— Entop (@entopco) December 31, 2022
Reportedly developed over a five-year period, the Mada 9 was unveiled by Taliban Minister for Higher Education. Authorities say the car may travel to international exhibitions as a way of promoting Afghanistan on a world stage.
Videos show the car in motion, despite it being a prototype, as well as showcasing the trusty Toyota four-cylinder sputtering to life as part of an early (chassis only) production phase.
This bizarre teaser even shows the Mada 9 performing a burnout as well as a number of other stunts.
For now there is little additional information – such as where in Afghanistan it would be built and how many are planned for production.
In the meantime, the videos of the world’s latest ‘supercar’ concept are clocking up hundreds of thousands of views.
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