[ESC] Economy Sport Car - Ended

[George]

Economy Sport Car

When the Smart City-Coupé first rolled onto the streets in 1998, it looked like something from the future — a tiny spark of rebellion against the sprawling bulk of ordinary cars. Barely longer than a park bench, it was an answer to the chaos of city life: simple, clever, and unafraid to be different. Born from the unlikely marriage of Swatch’s playful creativity and Mercedes-Benz’s engineering discipline, the Smart wasn’t about power or prestige — it was about purpose. It could slip through narrow alleys, spin into parking spaces others only dreamed of, and do it all with a grin. In an age obsessed with more, the Smart dared to be less — and in doing so, it became quietly iconic.

A few years later, in 2003, its spirit found a new shape — lower, longer, but still unmistakably Smart. The Smart Roadster was a mischievous offshoot of the City-Coupé’s DNA: the same tiny turbocharged heart, the same rear-engine layout, but dressed for adventure. Where the Coupé was born for tight corners and short commutes, the Roadster wanted open skies and winding roads. Together, they told two sides of the same story — one of freedom, efficiency, and a playful defiance of what a car was supposed to be.

Let’s go back to drawingboard to reinvent said designs. It will be your task to design two very related cars, one the tiny city machine, the other the fuel of a driving enthusiast, whilst sharing components.

Hard Rules (fail 1 of these and you will be DSQ’d)

1. Family name of body and engine: “ESC - username”
2. Trim year: no later than 2002
3. Tech pool: sum of techpool of Cartech and Enginetech maximum of $35M
4. Both cars must use the same:

• Panel Material
• Chassis Design and Material
• Engine Placement
• Front and Rear Suspension type (tuning can differ)
• Engine (with exceptions, see later)
• Gearbox type and gearing (you are allowed to change the Speed Limiter)
• Entertainment
• Steering
• Springs, Dampers and Sway Bars (the tuning may differ)

5. Model Body has to the same
6. Sports models wheel base can be 1 option greater than City models (Ask for clearification if needed)
7. No brake fade allowed
8. Must be sellable in all countries (Minimum Safety = 45, Wes Standard = 9)
9. Open Beta (Al-Rilma)
10. The engines may differ in: Turbo set-up, spring stiffnes of top end, exhaust system and the sliders for rich/lean, lambda value and timing

City Car Design Focus:

1. Footprint (10)
2. Driveability (10)
3. Comfort (7)
4. Fuel Economy (7)
5. Price (5)
6. Running Cost (5)
7. Reliability (3)
8. Sportiness (3)

Sport Car Design Focus:

1. Driveability (10)
2. Sportiness (10)
3. Weight (7)
4. Fuel Economy (7)
5. Price (5)
6. Production Units (5)
7. Reliability (3)
8. Comfort (3)

Submissions

Send me a DM with the .car file of both cars. Also make an Advertisment in this Topic channel

[Mad_Cat]

I fail to see the point of some components that should be shared, like the engine, damper type, and entertainment, since a lot of coupe versions of existing cars had differing options in said areas, engine-wise the same model would have had a range of different engines to begin with (for example: Megane I: 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 options), most ”normal” cars would have been sold with the 1.4 and 1.6 and most Megane coupes were sold with the 2.0.

[George]

Well the Smart Roadster very much was an elongated City-Coupé, using the exact same engine, suspension, steering, etc. The main differences were that the wheelbase was longer and the front wider

[ErenWithPizza]

Does that mean the actial spring rates etc. must be the same or just the component selection? It probably used the same suspension elements, but the actual spring rates, dampers and sway bars are almost certainly different. Same cars with only different engine tune options may even have different springs and dampers, so a car with a longer wheelbase definitely has different suspension tuning. So I recommend making spring rate, damper rate and sway bars free, but the selected component must be the same

[abg7]

Are we building our submissions in Al-Rilma? I’m assuming we are.

[George]

That is exactly the way I intended it (that is what I meant with tuning)

[George]

Yes I will add it to the rules

[LeeD]

Sounds like an interesting challenge, got a 90s model in the right game version for once!

One thing about the rules: the fortwo was a completely different shape and size to the roadster, could we use different bodies/variants for the two cars as this would be a bit closer to the idea. Maybe different bodies with wheelbases close to each other would work?

[06DPA]

Being able to just have different tunes could be enough. Add more cams, boost, different intake and exhaust, and you have a whole new engine.

[George]

It should be the same body group, but you can switch from a hatchback to a sedan for example

[George]

Well the engine should stay exactly the same so I don’t think that you’ll be able to do that

[mart1n2005]

The smart roadster has a different engine setup to the fortwo, it has a different turbo with different exhaust, the valves and camshaft are different too as the roadster even on base form has more power.

I would have assumed changing turbo boost (if used), exhaust and manifold size and then actual tuning differences between the two engines would have been appropriate for the challenge. Not the exact same engine.

Also its 2002 for the year limit, nothing at all at the lower end? so one could make a 1946 car for example?

[George]

On the last part, well yes technically you could do that, however good luck trying to get to those safety standards.
For the engine, you have been able to change my mind a bit. I will allow using different turbos (the turbo tab will be free to play with), altering the spring stiffnes to go along with it. You can also change the exhaust system and alter the rich/lean slider, timing and lambda value. However all other components I feel should stay the same. It is not a challenge in making the best engine for both types, but to make a middleground one.

[Riley]

Well that was great fun, if the fuel economy actually changed at all between the cars. Still, one is practical and one isn’t. Or is it?

[George]

Holy unexpected but a nice entry

[HyperskiesSM]

what in-game demographic does the needed car fall into?

[George]

Whilst there isn’t really one that is needed, I would go for City Eco and Light Sport Car

[AHM22]

Exclusive Spy Editorial — FIRST LOOK at the Upcoming Poseidon Reefshark!
By StreetShift Magazine – Early 2000s Edition

---

If you were anywhere near the inner-city test loop last night, you may have caught a glimpse of two very unusual compact hatchbacks slipping through traffic under the cover of dusk. Our photographers certainly did — and what they captured may be the biggest hint yet that Poseidon Automotive is preparing to unleash their next-generation compact contender: the Reefshark.

The Reefshark name has floated around in enthusiast circles for months, but this is the first time we’ve caught near-production bodies running on public streets. Even more exciting? The badge on the front grille of the camouflage-grey prototype wasn’t the traditional Poseidon crest — it was unmistakably the Trident Power Units emblem.

Yes, you read that right: TPU involvement confirmed.

For a car expected to sit below the Turtle in Poseidon’s lineup, seeing a Trident badge signals something far more ambitious than a basic city runabout. Historically, Trident Power Units only appear on poseidon products with enhanced performance credentials, competition heritage, or early motorsport crossover tech. That alone tells us the Reefshark might be less “entry-level” and more “urban predator.”

What We Can Tell From the Prototypes

• Two body styles spotted: one clean dark-grey hatch and a vivid blue coupe-like variant, suggesting multiple trims from launch.

• Minimal disguise: These cars are effectively production-ready — panel gaps, lighting units, and interior silhouettes all match final-phase development.

• Compact but assertive stance: Short overhangs, forward cab design, and a distinctly rounded front end hint at a new design language for Poseidon’s compact platform.

• TPU badge confirmed: The silver Trident sat proudly on the prototype’s front fascia — a rare move for a pre-release vehicle.

What This Means

The Reefshark may well be Poseidon’s attempt to dominate the early-2000s small-car market with something that blends efficiency and athletic personality. With city congestion rising and compact hatches exploding in popularity worldwide, Poseidon might be gearing up for one of its most important launches since the second-gen Dolphin.

And if TPU is involved, expect lively engines, sharper throttle response, and perhaps even a sport-aligned trim above the standard consumer models.

How Soon?

Given the lack of camouflage and the fully functional lighting and interior units, we’d estimate a full public reveal within months, not years. Poseidon has been notoriously secretive this cycle, which only makes this sighting all the more significant.

One thing is certain:
The Reefshark isn’t circling — it’s preparing to strike.

Stay tuned as StreetShift brings you every detail, leak, and exclusive angle leading up to the official reveal.

[Dog959]

The new duo, the Fukuoka and Yokohama

A small hatchback and a small roadster both powered by a boxer 4 putting the power through the front wheels and both under a ton, affordable transport and affordable fun.

[PoseidonAutomotive]

Introducing the All-New Reefshark Range & the Debut of the Diver Badge

Poseidon Automotive proudly unveils the Reefshark, our newest compact model designed for a new generation of drivers who demand efficiency, agility, and unmistakable Poseidon engineering. Built on decades of innovation beginning with the 1950 Turtle and 1955 Dolphin, the Reefshark continues our legacy of Excellence Through Efficiency — reimagined for the modern era.

Available now from $27,000 to $36,000, the Reefshark lineup brings class-leading urban performance, excellent fuel economy, and the unmistakable precision of Poseidon’s Manta Power Units.

---

Reefshark Tide — The Practical Performer

Starting at $27,000

The Reefshark Tide delivers smart, approachable motoring without compromise.
Powered by a refined Manta Power Units inline-three, the Tide combines:

• Outstanding fuel economy
• Slim, lightweight chassis engineering
• Compact dimensions perfect for dense city living
• A welcoming, easy-to-drive character

The Tide is engineered for families, first-time buyers, and anyone seeking a vehicle that brings simplicity and confidence to the road.

---

Reefshark Diver — A New Badge, A New Era

Starting at $36,000

For the first time in Poseidon history, we introduce Diver — a driver-focused performance sub-brand positioned between Manta (MPU) and full Trident (TPU) power.

Diver models are crafted for enthusiasts who want more connection, more excitement, and more feel — without stepping into full GTS or CS territory.

The Diver Identity:

• Tasman Blue exclusive paintwork
• No Shark Fin Vents (reserved for GTS, CS & Shark Motorsport)
• Performance-enhanced MPU engines tuned with TPU input
• Sharper throttle response
• More dynamic suspension tuning
• Signature Diver badging paired with Poseidon’s crest

The Reefshark Diver is the first model to carry this badge — punchy, agile, and engineered to turn every commute into a reason to take the long way home.

---

Why Reefshark?

True to its name, the Reefshark is:

• Compact yet confident
• Nimble and energetic
• Efficient but spirited
• Designed for tight streets and tighter corners

This is Poseidon’s take on the modern compact: approachable in price, premium in quality, and unmistakably Poseidon in character.

---

Available Now

The Reefshark Tide and Reefshark Diver are arriving at Poseidon dealerships nationwide.

Reefshark Tide — from $27,000
Reefshark Diver — from $36,000

Whether you crave the simplicity of the Tide or the thrill of the Diver, there’s a Reefshark ready to take you anywhere.