Exodus (formerly Contendiente) - The future is today

[abg7]

The second-gen Enemigo may use the same body as the original, but I’m sure that its independent rear end will provide a welcome improvement in terms of ride and handling. And it looks better to boot, even after the facelift.

[DeusExMackia]

Review: 2019 Conte Enemigo S Tourer

“It’s the motoring version of your friend who always finishes 4th in Mario Kart”

Hell yes. A sports wagon. What more can a car enthusiast want? Don’t expect me to explain what makes an estate car just better than anything else, even I don’t really know. All I know is that there’s just something about it that makes it better. So then, is the Enemigo S Tourer better than its conventional coupe and sedan cousins?

Well it is essentially the same car, packing the same 2.0l Turbo i4 which knocks out 320 hp - as you’d expect from this area of the market. No surprises there, though the 8800 rpm red line is a nice feature, and this engine certainly knows how to scream at the upper echelons of the powerband. It’s a bit of a nuisance then that there isn’t more torque when you’re up high in the revs; the VVT/L kick is weak and you don’t get much more go than you do at the turbo spool, down at 3800 rpm. It certainly delivers power up high, but the same exciting lurch from the rear wheels isn’t quite there sadly.

Happily however, the 6 speed manual gearbox is nice, and it can really shift when you want it to. 0-60 in 5.1 seconds is on the mark for a RWD car with this sort of power, and the well spaced ratios make it very satisfying to accelerate. Better still, it’s reliable power; wheelspin is only there on loose surfaces, and it suits the high-rev bias of the power from the engine.

Cornering is nice too. The better weight distribution that comes from wagons is very much present here, and it feels predictable on the limit as a result. The suspension is a tad too soft for my taste, as the body roll is fairly noticeable. The low weight doesn’t make this as much of a problem as it might be on other cars - and it is low, coming in with a curb weight of 1471kg - though the stiff front sway bars feel off, feeling too hard for a car with this weight. The result is that it understeers and gives in a little too early for its own good. I found myself wanting it to be a bit more pliable on the limit, though that didn’t stop it from being engaging at lower speeds.

I do, however, really like how it looks. It’s a bit overdesigned at both ends, and it certainly won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but there’s a cool aggresiveness in those headlights and a finesse in the thin design lines that gives a professional feel. The interior won’t meet everyone’s standard either given that it is on the basic side, but that is of course for weight loss measures, and something that I’d more than happy to sacrifice for the performance benefits. And, naturally, it’s very practical. It is a wagon after all.

For me though, it’s not exciting enough to quite hit the mark. It doesn’t reach the proper drivers car status of other performance wagons that this current generation will undoubtedly be compared to, but it doesn’t stop it being worth your consideration. This is easily the cheapest performance focused rear wheel drive wagon on the market, and on a good day, that would probably be enough for me to sway my opinion. It’s just not quite there though as a performance car, and there are similarly priced hot hatches that will offer a more exciting drive, especially on the limit.

- Gavin Anderson

[Knightophonix]

Oh I dig that lore.

And the cars are gorgeous too. How do you do them headlights?

[Radster]

Thank you! Whenever I want to make a headlight I just lay down a basic shape with these taillight strips, then fill them out with strips with the clear glass material and finally add the interior strips

[squidhead]

Headlights are good, but that rear light array on the Estrato along with the rear bumper detail is just pure awesomeness. Were you looking at a lot of BMW’s lately?

[Knugcab]

Yes, you have managed to give the brand very much of a south european image all around here… I see some hints of Alfa and some Lancia, maybe even some Renault…well done.

[Radster]

Thank you! I tried to go for some sort of spiced up Seat, in the process giving it some Lancia and Renault. I will say I’m surprised by the Alfa hint you mention though

Anyways, glad you like my designs!

[Hshan]

Mediterranean + sporty = Alfa

[Radster]

@szafirowy01

Mediterranean + sporty = Alfa

[Knugcab]

I think that the tail looks Alfa inspired on many of the models, but I guess we all see things differently

[DeusExMackia]

Ooh hell yeah, those exhausts rear vents look hot as hell

[vmo]

Nice car!

[abg7]

That thing reminds me of a Quattro Sport meshed with a Delta S4 or Integrale… in a good way. But what really seals the deal for me is the fact that I’m absolutely sure that the Group B Conquista could be adapted for use in the Dakar Rally or the Pikes Peak hillclimb soon after its namesake category is axed. It wouldn’t look out of place on either event with its crazy aero kit and immense power!

[Radster]

Official statement from the new CEO of Contendiente.

---

Contendiente has revealed today their plans to crossoverize their whole lineup and axe the Enemigo and Victoria sports models.

“People want practical and fuel saving cars, and there’s nothing better than FWD crossovers for that. We’re also developing our very own CVT that will replace the manual and dual clutch options we’re offering as of 2018; we believe human intervention should be removed from the drivetrain as it may negatively affect fuel economy and allow for reckless driving wrongly known as ‘spirited driving’.”

The Enemigo and Victoria are expected to be axed from production next week, and their names will be reused for their upcoming vehicles, the Enemigo XSport and the Victoria CrossCoupe.

[abg7]

Even though this April Fool’s Day joke is more believable than most, it’s still bizarre and nonsensical - which is the point of such a statement!

[Just4]

Uhh getting the Mitsubishi europe vibes here
Isn’t even to unrealistic if you look at the brand I called out … kind of sad

[Radster]

You might have noticed the main post has changed and there has been a post massacre. Yep, I decided to overhaul Conte the same way I fleshed Vega out. Don’t panic.

[Knightophonix]

RiP Ataque nameplate, 2017-2018

[Radster]

Contendiente Estrato Mk1

It’s 1981. Contendiente has just gained independence from Znopresk. To differentiate themselves from the Italian brand, a decision is made: using all the experience gained in building and rebadging the C100, a compact, fun to drive and affordable car had to be created, with parts derived from the C100.

Two years later, in 1983, the Contendiente Estrato was born, shown for the first time in the 1983 Paris Auto Show.

Contendiente Estrato Copa (3 Puertas).

The small Estrato excelled in what it was designed to do: be a small, affordable car that was also enjoyable to drive. The base model (Senda) mounted an engine as simple as a 1.2 liter three cylinder, carburated, with 63 horsepower on tap; this allowed the base model to become a first time drivers’ dream, with a reliable, simple and easy to repair engine. The higher end model (Pasión) and sports model (Copa) used a single point fuel injection system, in two states of tune, where the 1.2 liter engine would develop 63hp or 80 hp, respectively. The fuel injected trims weren’t as reliable or simple to repair, but they were much more economical when it came to fuel consumption.

Contendiente Estrato Pasión (5 puertas)

The power was fed to the front wheels through a four speed manual transmission, which made it engaging and fun to drive too. Five seats could be found inside, and the Estrato was available in both 3 and 5 door formato.

The original, pre facelift Estrato is nowadays a collector’s item in Europe, or otherwise used as a track day car, vintage daily driver, or cheap car.

Contendiente Estrato Senda (3 puertas).

Tipo 2AO: the facelift.

As a way to revitalize the Estrato, it received a facelift in 1991, along with the elimination of carburated engine options in 1986, and the introduction of multipoint fuel injection, increasing power outputs and fuel economy further.

Contendiente Estrato Senda (1991) (5 puertas)

The facelifted car would have more success than its predecessor in Group A racing, specially rallying. But that’s another story…

[Knightophonix]

“DCT available at no additional costs”

Do you want the death of the manuals
Because that’s how you get the death of the manuals