Sadly, due to the latest Automation update, older Betta designs got lost, including a really sexy roadster based on the ND Miata body.
However, there’s a new Betta!
It’s called the Betta Turismo. Currently available in two trims, both share the same 1.8L Turbo engine, in two very different states of tune. The eco version is relaxed, spools from low down and is paired to a fwd drivetrain in a luxury-focused premium hatch body. The sport version revs far higher, makes almost double the power, powers double the wheels and looks plainly mean.
Greetings! My name is Akinai Migawari, and I am a representative from Kasai Motors.
I have read through your company’s excellent design portfolio, and I would like to propose a collaboration with your company to design our future cars using our range of engines. You see, Kasai’s cars are known to have excellent performance for the price, but reviewers have also been criticizing their unappealing body styling, especially those from the year 2010 and later. Which is why we are currently looking for an external solution to overcome that problem.
We hope to hear good news from you. Thank you for your attention.
A.k.a. my entrant to the Automation Design Competition for the Hatch/Fun Category, a.k.a. Competition G.
It was supposed to look Euro/Japanese, be comfortable, practical, fast, sporty and cheap at the same time.
It wasn’t supposed to look sporty and elegant like all newer Bettas do, but it had to be period & category correct.
It’s powered by an advanced 1.6 20-Valve Turbo unit, producing 148hp and giving 5.7L/100km fuel economy when paired to the standard 4-speed auto. Scores particularly high in the Fun category (approximately 150).
Well, I’ve had second thoughts regarding my entrant to the competition. I thought it looked too bland, too cheap & cheeky. I don’t think it’ll score well due to that, it’s not special or sporty enough. I decided to fix this, but it’s too late. And I miiiight have overdone it.
Or, should I say, Betta engineers overdid it. Who knew a bland Brava could look like that?
Things get far more serious on the technical side of things though. The same 1.6L lump remains, only that this time it puts out 334hp, powering all four wheels wrapped on semi-slick rubber through a 5speed manual. Bone-breaking suspension, absolutely zero luxuries and only 2 seats instead of four compliment the track-nature of the Brava Polaris.
The 1990 Brava is a very good design IMO. I can’t think of a single 1990 small hatchback that is better looking than the Brava, and it would not have looked dated 15 years after its introduction…
Thanks for your kind words man. It follows a stick-to-the-basics approach, where everything should go together and should work, while having few interesting design twists (indicators on the end of the bumper trim is a good example).
Most of my designs are sporty and aggressive, but I toned it down massively as this was the 90’s and it had to be period-correct. The Polaris concept is closer to how I’d want it, minus the hood vents and wing (which are supposed to be functional, kind of like the evo and STi).
Fun fact : I was inspired to make the Brava by another weird 90’s hatchback called Brava, the Fiat Brava. It’s a car we own and love, so naturally I got inspired by it! This is a 1995 design. Compare it stylistically to the Ford Escort or Nissan Pulsar it was up against…
Yes, I noticed the similarities with the Fiat Brava, but it still has a style of its own.
Compared to the Fiat Tipo of the same vintage, the Betta Brava is looking much better.
Presenting, the Kasai Shindai. Designed by Centro Stile Betta, for @goblin95
Finished in Betta Chacarron Brown, with optional 19" Betta Gunsmoke Grey 10-spoke wheels and Temperamento Orange calipers.
Of course, being a CSB Design, it looks very aggressive, sharp and elegant. The CSB team did a fair job distinguishing it from Bettas, while still looking incredible, don’t you think?
