If you're a true Pinoy Petrolhead, you will definitely appreciate and celebrate today's event - the launch of Michel Motors' Gitano. Not only is this this Michel's first foray into designing and building its own cars (Michel is perhaps the foremost kit car maker in the Philippines), it is most likely the most ambitious attempt at building a Philippine-made sports car. It also has the distinction of being the first ever Philippine-made hybrid sports car.
Continuing the work of Michel Motors' founder Nene Syquia, Jan Kierulf and Reggie Sy, with designer Christopher Lacson, set out to create something unique. Using a lightweight fiberglass body penned by Chris Lacson, and a next generation American designed and built hybrid powerplant, it will definitely have sporting character. The lightweight electric motor weighs just over 100kg, and puts out about 250bhp.
The car is still an unfinished prototype, and has several details that have yet to be unveiled, but it is very close to a working, running vehicle. It sets off this Wednesday for Las Vegas, USA, to be part of the world-famous SEMA show.
It's not everyday you get to be part of something not just exciting, but groundbreaking. And it's been my pleasure to have been part of this project (through Glasteck, Inc., who created the custom glass panels for the entire car). Here's to the success of the Gitano, and the Philippine automotive industry!
galing naman. :)
ReplyDeleteRock on! I hope to see this car in person soon.
ReplyDeletethe salmon: thanks for reading!
ReplyDeletegani: unfortunately, this prototype leaves for the states very soon. i don't know if it will be back, but stay tuned! we're all hoping that the car makes it into production.
thumbs up great job guys!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice! :) I hope to see this car in actual and running. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJOS-EPH: thanks for the kind words! i'm sure that the creators will be thrilled to hear the kind words they've been getting.
ReplyDeleterallyekid: this won't be the last time i'll blog on the gitano - count on it!
i'm thrilled to know we have the local initiative of producing electric cars.. an electric sports car is fine, but, couldn't it be better if michel motors could also make a sort of a "people's car"? one that is geared to cater the majority's need for an economical vehicle immune to the constant rise in costs of fuels.. one aspect of GT 111 that is truly amazing is the claim by its makers that it is self-charging, which if true will beat all other countries who can't make electric cars viable because of the limitation of the battery range to power it.. this could trigger a big shift in the automotive industry wherein our very own will now enter to become a major player, hopefully..
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ReplyDeletehopefully these ideas wont be sold to foreign company. i hope they'll keep it with them and make more variety of cars like good-looking multi-cabs and trucks(these cars will surely sold at cheaper price than the japanes and korean ones). this will really be helpful to our economy. no more to korean, japanese,american cars and etc. its the filipinos turn to prosper in the car manufacturing industry
ReplyDeleteIts design resembles the TVR Cerbera. Really cool...
ReplyDeletebobjmah: there are a couple of local companies that are hoping to launch an electric people's car. hopefully i can blog on them soon - i'm blessed in that i get to work with a lot of these companies.
ReplyDeletejohn alfred: in a conversation with the guys of michel motors, they are firmly committed to keeping the manufacturing here in the philippines, and to use as much filipino-made parts as possible. but michel motors is a company that only does luxury and performance, and i doubt that they will make a mass-market car. but as i told bobjmah, i will try to blog about the guys who are trying to bring this technology closer to everyone.
kamikaze: i agree with the cerbera. i thought it's got some TVR, a bit of maserati up front, and a 240z profile.
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ReplyDeletethanks.. will look forward on your future blog re electric people's car.. i came across the launch of an electric jeepney sometime 2007 but until now there's none running on the road.. i went to check it out in the local outlet and learned that its cost is prohibitive aside from its limitations on battery life that can only run the car for a few hours.. the strong point that i believe will have great potential is the self charging feature of GT 111, which if applied to economy type of vehicles or sedans will surely be a big hit here and abroad! regards and more power!
ReplyDeleteChristopher Lacson didn't only design the Gitano G111. He also designed the Etro Agila, the electric-tricycle now in test run in Pasig Metro Manila. He is preparing for the construction of the electric-jeepney, the "Meep", the prototype is endorsed by a Philippine Senator.
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