01 Mar 06
Barcelona-based Mazel is a respected prototype builder that put itself on the map with its proposal to revive the historic Hispano-Suiza brand. This seems to have come to nothing, but the company is continuing to build one-offs for clients.
Its latest, for H2R Design Consulting, is a two-seater intended to show off its skills, made from H2Rs virtual-reality computer-modelled plans.
Its a two-seater coupe made from composite materials, featuring a mid-mounted eight-cylinder engine, rear-wheel-drive and a robotised automated-manual six-speed gearbox. A fairly classically shaped sports car, it is 4,430mm long, 1,920mm wide but just 1,260mm high: in true show-car style, it sits on disproportionately large 19 wheels up front and 20 wheels behind, and has photo-friendly vertically-opening scissor-style doors.
Despite being designed to showcase some new design elements, it also has fully electronic drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire functions: all its control components can be situated in a central panel, freeing up cabin space for the two occupants.
Mazel says that it is not only a concept car proposal but also the realisation of a project focused on its future production.
