It with extreme sadness that i must announce that i’m not entering this one. Cars are ready, but last two days i got scrwed over by problems and never got the time to got a proper presentation going. Sucks 'cause i dumped quite the time on this beauties, but it is what it is.
I’ll leave with a small spolier with the photos of the reworked rear end and some details, just to not let it all completely go to waste. However it went, it was fun and it pushed my automation skills to the limit, so i’m happy either way!
Based on the 2013 SC01 one-off, the SC02 is the first production road car by Yaer Racing.
The SC02 is a true race car for the road. Handcrafted in the same facility as all of the Yaer Racing chassis and racing cars, the SC02 has been in development for 10 years and is an example of the best Yaer Racing can offer.
Performance and Technology
Continuing a long-standing partnership with Honda Performance Development (HPD) the SC02 features their single turbo 3.0L DOHC V6 as found in the Acura Type S vehicles. The engine was reworked for the SC02 and now produces upwards of 690hp.
The engine is paired with a MAGNA 7dct300 7 Speed Dual Clutch transverse transmission for the fastest shifts possible.
The SC02 would not be a modern hypercar without a hybrid system.
The SC02 features a state-of-the-art front dual motor system. Engineered by Rimac Technology, The dual motor configuration provides a constant combined 400 hp to both front wheels with torque vectoring for optimal traction.
Being a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) means the SC02 can drive around town in pure silence as you get your morning coffee on the way to the track.
The Hybrid batteries are placed down the center of the vehicle for optimal weight distribution.
DC fast charging means you can experience the SC02’s full potential in a quick 30-minute charge, and be ready for hours of track time without needing to plug back in with regenerative braking that charges the battery as you brake.
The Interior of the SC02 was designed to be comfortable enough to drive every day with a conventional round steering wheel and enough cockpit space for two people to comfortably sit inside. With the latest in infotainment technology built upon android automotive. OTA updates mean you will receive the newest updates as soon as we are done with them.
designed with the road car, the SC02 LMH shares almost all its DNA with the road car.
The SC02 LMH features a battery ERS system to replace the plug-in hybrid system found in the road car. The HPD-sourced 3.0 L single turbo V6 has been tuned to fit the regulations in conjunction with the less potent hybrid system. Replacing the 7spd DCT of the road-going car is a 7spd pneumatic paddle shifter-operated sequential transmission.
Gone is the active retractable aero, In its place is a large prototype-style dual-element rear wing with a vertical stabilizer.
Aerodynamics are optimized with a new diffuser and larger front splitter, which is painted green to signify the hybrid aspect of the SC02 LMH. The large roof-mounted air intake allows the racing engine to breathe better under racing conditions.
The racing interior has been stripped of all luxuries and now features a multitude of regulation safety components. Digital mirrors give the driver optimal vision without impacting aerodynamics and, are similar to the ones used in some markets on the road car
The factory race team is sponsored by Poni shocks who provided engineering assistance on the active pushrod suspension of the road car and tuned custom racing coil overs for the LMH racing car.
Its the first Hypercar Produced by Vengen Aeromotive, high-performance Aero performance from Canada. With help from Kings Automotive the Astro Apollo 11 comes with a 6.4L TT V8 rated at 1632 HP 0–60 in 2.9 seconds. With handling, braking, and style equally determined to impress.
I was only nine years old. I loved XM so much, I had all the merchandise and movies. I'd pray to XM every night before I go to bed, thanking for the life I've been given. "XM is love", I would say, "XM is life". My dad hears me and calls me a license plate resizer. I knew he was just jealous for my devotion of XM. I called him a campaign player. He slaps me and sends me to go to sleep. I'm crying now and my face hurts. I lay in bed and it's really cold. A warmth is moving towards me. I feel something touch me. It's XM. I'm so happy. He whispers in my ear, "This is my kidney grill". He grabs me with his powerful pig noses, and bumps into me. He sucks me into his kidney grills with his big noses (he is now dead :MrBruh:). It hurts so much, but I do it for XM. I push against his force. I want to please XM. He roars a mighty roar, as he runs over me with his love. My dad walks in. XM looks him straight in the eye, and says, "It's all XM now". XM leaves through my window. XM is love. XM is life.
LMH: the Finals.
Part 1
Four judges are met with a harsh breeze as they step out of the SUVs. The call to the hypercar program has been a success, with many manufacturers expressing interest. While only a small number actually submitted proposals for an entry, it’s still enough to create a varied and competitive grid. One of the judges breathes in, sensing the start of an exciting new era for endurance racing. When entering the convention floor, they observe several booths that are still under construction.
It may be best to introduce our judges while they walk down the aisle:
Zach - race engineer turned content creator, he takes a keen interest in teams’ racing entrants, specifically their powertrains and durability
Hunter - blogger for an independent automotive journal, he savors the traditional, finer elements to sports cars and, after plenty of persuasion, supercars
Kelvin - developer by day, driver by night, he enjoys experimenting with the theoretical limits of grip and testing their practicality
Sebastian - motorsports driver with real-world experience, he brings a prodigious understanding of aerodynamics and chassis to the team
“Wow, look at all of these booths still under construction,” Zach noted. “It’s amazing to see all of the work that goes into putting on this event.”
“Yeah, it really is a massive undertaking,” Hunter replied. “I’m excited to see what’s in store for us this year.”
The Geneva International Motor Show is one of the most prestigious events in the world of automobiles, showcasing the latest innovations in the industry. The judges were greeted by a guide who escorted them on a tour around the booths to see the cream of this pageant’s crop: the hypercar manufacturers.
During the build-up to the 100th 24 Hours of Le Mans race, no less than 30 manufacturers expressed their interest in the participation of the LMH class, many of which unveiled official concepts to the public. However, at the last second, due to a variety of reasons, only 10 brands showed up on the judges’ clipboard.
Zach quickly measured the discrepancy between filled boxes and blank boxes. “It’s a shame that some of these manufacturers weren’t able to display their work,” he reminisced. “I’m sure we would have seen some incredible vehicles.”
“I heard as well, I was looking forward to seeing some of those cars as well,” Hunter replied.
Kelvin surveyed the situation. “Unfortunately, some of them had to pull out due to various reasons,” he mused, “but that’s no reason for us to not do our job.”
Sebastian joined in. “Exactly, we have ten hypercars here that we need to evaluate” he stated, “so let’s get started and give each one a fair assessment."
Despite this, the judges were excited to see the incredible lineup of hypercars from some of the world’s most renowned manufacturers. With their keen eyes and expertise, they were sure to have an unforgettable experience at the show.
Soon afterwards the group makes their first stop of the day at Lunascura, where they are greeted by a friendly brand representative. Immediately, the shining blue Ekzykes on display catches the judges’ eyes.
Zach takes a step closer to the car and admires its exterior. “Wow, what a stunning car,” he says, “the lines are classic and elegant, yet it undoubtedly has the feel of a top-level hypercar.”
“It’s also more conservative than some of the other hypercars we’ve seen here,” Hunter agrees. “However, I think that’s what makes it unique.”
“Thank you,” the Lunascura rep responds, “The design team worked tirelessly to create a look that combines traditional elements from our heritage models with a modern edge. We wanted to create a car that followed our philosophy of being both elegant and powerful, with a design that would stand the test of time.”
Kelvin steps back to take a look at the car’s rear fascia. “The rear is particularly impressive,” he says, “The aero on display is striking, and the exposed tires evoke a classic race car.”
Examining the side profile, Sebastian raises an eyebrow. “The large amount of glass around the greenhouse gives a lovely retro feel to the design,” he says, “but I do think the smoothness is rather spoiled by the large scoop on the engine cover.”
The representative smiles. “Yes, the car was built from the ground up to compete for victory at Le Mans, so every element of the design was optimized for performance. The engine intake is an essential part of the cooling system, designed to draw in clean air flowing over the roof at high speeds.”
Kelvin turns his attention to the car’s interior. “I think this interior looks exquisite. Can you tell us more?” he asks.
“The interior is crafted with the utmost attention to detail,” the representative replies. “It’s free of excessive screens or distractions to get in the way of your driving enjoyment. Just a few displays for essential information.”
“I do have to question the inclusion of blue alongside the beige and black in this configuration though,” Sebastian says. “It’s not enough to detract from the overall design but it does seem out of place to me.”
“What are the specs on this car?” asks Hunter.
“The Ekzykes is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V10 engine that produces 690 horsepower, combined with two electric motors that deliver an additional 240 horsepower. The total output is 930 horsepower, and with a weight of just 1176 kilos it can hit 62 mph in just 2.1 seconds. Top speed is 395 km/h.”
"Those are some impressive numbers.”
"The Ekzykes is a very exclusive car with just 101 units made, each costing $5 million,” the Lunascura rep continues. “We believe it is one of the most impressive hypercars on the market today, and we’re excited to prove its worth at Le Mans this summer.”
Zach turns to his colleagues. “All in all,” he says, “I think it’s safe to say this is one of the most exciting cars at the Geneva Motor Show this year. With its exclusive nature, it’s definitely a car that people will be talking about for years to come, and I’m looking forward to seeing the racing version.”
“Agreed,” says Hunter, “and although it’s quite an early prediction, I think this car will be a top contender for the Car of the Year award.”
Next stop, the Ökul booth, where the S99 NH is the star of the show, painted in a striking shade of yellow.
“Well, look at what we have here. The Ökul S99 NH. I have to say, it’s quite a sight to behold,” exclaims Zach.
“Yeah, it’s definitely eye-catching,” Sebastian says, “but I can’t help but feel like I’ve seen something like it before.”
“Actually, the S99 NH is designed with our signature aesthetic that has been refined over several models in our design studios in Estonia,” chimes the Ökul brand rep.
“Interesting. I didn’t realize that, but let’s get back to the car in front of us. What else can you tell us?” Hunter asks.
“Well, this car has been designed with speed in mind, and it has a 4.0L six-cylinder boxer engine producing 815 horsepower, electrically assisted by 3 electric motors which also enable a full electric mode for city driving and the like… 0-100 is done in just 2.2 seconds, and you can go over 330 km/h.”
Kelvin inspects the rear of the S99 NH and marvels at what he sees. “The aerodynamics are particularly intriguing. It seems like a lot of thought has been put into that department. Those wings are quite complex and functional yet still manage to look elegant.”
“Yes, the S99 NH features our most intricate aerodynamic solution ever. Every element works in harmony from the active front aerodynamic surface and the side vents channeling air behind the front wheels to the aero-optimised floor and the active flaps in the diffuser. All together, we can produce 800 kilos of downforce at 250 km/h,” explains the representative.
“I have to say, the interior is quite nice,” Zach says from inside. “The metal accents give it a sleek and modern look, while the liberal use of carbon fiber reminds us of the car’s lightweight nature. Although, I wasn’t expecting to see wood trim in a car like this.”
“Yes exactly,” says the Ökul brand rep. “The S99 NH has been designed with a focus on lightweight construction. The chassis and panels are fully fashioned from carbon fiber, and the leather we use in the cockpit is especially light. But although it’s built for performance, we did not want to compromise on the comfort. It still has to be comfortable for driving to the track! Plus, it has two storage compartments for weekend bags or full-sized racing helmets.”
Kelvin now turns his attention to the car’s front. “That’s pretty cool. I have to say, the exposed underpinnings such as the front brake ducts and suspension are pretty neat to look at. It’s cool to see the engineering and craftsmanship that went into making this car.”
“Absolutely. Everything you see is functional; there are no fake vents - nothing can be faked if your ultimate goal is speed. This is crucial as the plan is to compete at Le Mans with an LMH version.”
“Wow, that’s quite the feat. It’s impressive to see a car from a relatively unknown country make such a splash in the automotive industry.”
“Where was this from again?” chuckles Hunter. “Anyway, remember it can go from 0-100 in just 2.2 seconds, which is nothing to scoff at. Let’s not forget that it also has a top speed of over 330 km/h, which is quite respectable for such a downforce-focused car.”
Sebastian says, “The numbers are no doubt impressive, but for me the wheels are a bit of a let down. I know they’re purely functional but they don’t really do a good job of conveying the sheer speed of this car through the design. And I still can’t shake the feeling that I’ve seen this car before…”
“Despite that, I think it’s a definite contender for the Car of the Year award,” concludes Zach. “It’s clear that the engineers and designers at Ökul put a lot of effort into creating a masterpiece here, even if there are a couple flaws.”
After two good impressions from two very different cars, the judges decide to keep the ball rolling with the alien-looking Fenice from Milano.
“The Milano… Fenice? My memory might be hazy, but I distinctly remember another Italian hypercar by the name of Fenice…” Zach muses.
Slightly flustered, The Milano brand representative quickly seeks to reassure the judges. “Well, sir, we wholeheartedly believe our car is like no other.”
“Right. Can you tell us a bit about its specs?”
“Certainly,” the brand rep continues. “The Milano Fenice boasts a 6.8L twin-turbo V12 engine producing a whopping 1239 horsepower. The car also features active aerodynamics and full carbon construction. All that means it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.1 seconds and has a top speed of 473 km/h.”
“Impressive numbers,” says Hunter. “What’s your take on the car’s design? It certainly seems a lot like form over function to me.”
“Our design team aimed to create a bold and aggressive look, with a unique and polarizing body shape that still retains some degree of aero functionality.”
“Well, it certainly looks striking at first glance. But the body shape trends more towards a bulkier, traditional supercar, not quite as sleek as other hypercars,” Kelvin says. “I also noticed some surfaces that aren’t very clean, with odd lines breaking up the design. It’s honestly not as cohesive as I would have liked.”
The Milano brand rep suddenly realises this isn’t quite going the way he would want it to. “I-I understand your concerns, but our design team worked hard to strike a balance between form and function. These strakes you mentioned are actually necessary for the car’s aerodynamics package to work and achieve the high performance numbers. May I direct your attention to the interior?”
“Sure, indulge us.”
“Yes, the Milano Fenice has a full Nappa leather interior, made with the finest Italian craftsmanship. In terms of technology, we also have the latest technology via the center touchscreen infotainment.”
“The interior does feel very nice,” Hunter agrees. “But the slightly retro design touches in here… it’s quite at odds with the futuristic and aggressive exterior, don’t you think?”
“Well sir, we feel it’s a perfect blend of elegance and performance, just like the car itself. We certainly hope you’ll like it.”
“Alright, I get it. The Fenice is a fast hypercar,” Sebastian exclaims. “But, let’s be real here, the spaceship looks kind of fall apart at closer inspection. And it’s not the most original design we’ve seen. Unfortunately I don’t think this car has a great shot at becoming Car of the Year.”
“You make a good point,” Zach states. “And can we just agree that the name kinda sounds like what ChatGPT would say if you prompt it to give you an Italian supercar name?”
“Heh, well at least GPT can’t replace us at reviewing cars. Right?”
From one alien-looking machine to another, the penultimate stop for the day is the Reiter booth, where the Vector RS-1 is on display in a fresh seafoam green.
“Well, this is quite the departure from the usual hypercar designs we see. The Vector is much shorter and stubbier compared to the others,” says Zach.
“Yeah, I have to say it looks a bit cartoonish,” Kelvin adds after taking in the Vector from the side. “The proportions look like a pure design sketch, especially the doors which are half the height of the car.”
“Well, the unique design of the Reiter Vector RS-1 is focused on performance," explains the Reiter representative. “Its lightweight design and compact structure allowed us to improve the weight balance and handling.”
“What else can you tell us about the engineering?”
“The engine is a 3.6 litre turbo boxer 6 which pushes over 750 horsepower. Now, that might not be comparable to other cars that have thousands of horsepower, but with the lightweight nature of this car we wanted to focus on the driving experience. And 750 horsepower is enough to take you over 360 km/h in this thing.”
“That’s quite impressive. But I still can’t help but feel underwhelmed by the design. The rear fascia seems a bit incoherent,” Sebastian says.
"The design of the rear fascia was intended to improve the car’s aerodynamics and performance. The rear diffuser which is integrated into the design of the rear fascia generates the required downforce for high speed stability and cornering. As you can see, we chose not to go with a large rear wing which would spoil the silhouette of the car.” The rep explains.
“Hmm, I’m not really convinced by the aerodynamic features, it just doesn’t look particularly thought out. It still seems like more of a form over function approach.
“The car’s overall design is focused on improving its aerodynamics and performance while maintaining a unique and striking appearance. And we will aim to prove this at Le Mans, because this car has been exclusively developed to run in the Hypercar class."
“The interior is nice though,” Kelvin says. “It doesn’t look like the most comfortable place to be in, but the blocky and purposeful looks are fit for a race car.”
“I have to agree. I’m not sold on the design, but I can appreciate the effort put into the engineering and performance of the car. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares at Le Mans,” Sebastian adds.
"Overall, I’m not sure if this car is going to be a contender for the Car of the Year award either. The design just doesn’t really cut it compared to the other hypercars we’ve seen. As impressive as the performance might be, the design needs to be just as impressive to make it a true contender,” states Zach.
“It’s certainly more unique than some of the others we’ve seen so far, but it’s not really unique in a good way. A bit too concept-y in its execution to take seriously as a proper hypercar.”
The judges’ tour of the show floor ends at the TIO Motors booth, where they meet the brand rep standing next to a familiar face…
“The TIO Casuario? Hasn’t this car been out for 5 years at this point? I heard all 150 units were already sold and I’ve seen a couple on the second hand market.”
“Well, the reason we are showcasing the Casuario GTT here at Geneva is because it will be the basis of our new Le Mans Hypercar challenger,” explains the representative.
“Wow, that’s exciting news,” exclaims Hunter. “I’d like to see how it’ll perform on the track against the other competitors we’ve seen. Can you give us a quick refresher on the specs? If I remember correctly, this is one of the few hypercars to come out within the past 5 years that has no hybrid system or electrification at all.”
“Of course, at TIO we strongly believe in having a pure driving experience,” the brand rep boasts. “The Casuario GTT is rear wheel drive only, and there are no hybrid assists or even turbochargers to get in your way of enjoying the 830 naturally-aspirated horsepower from the glorious 6.2 litre V10.”
Meanwhile, Kelvin has found himself enamored by the aesthetics of the Casuario. “This exposed green carbon finish is quite cool, I’ve never seen anything like it. The gold wheels go quite nicely with the green too.”.
“Yes, this is a signature feature of the Casuario GTT. This car is unique to each customer, so they can spec it however they wish, and even the bucket seats in the handmade interior are tailored to the individual customer’s preferences. Pretty much everything you can see and feel can be customised, and some of the cars we’ve sold have reached up to 4 million CAD just because of that.”
“Hmm, that’s nice and all, but to me it just doesn’t look very special for such a rare and exclusive car,” Sebastian says. “Under the flashy paints and trim, it’s really quite a sedate design. The rear is quite simplistic, with reverse and indicator lights that frankly look aftermarket.”
“Well sir, we believe in function over form. The design of the Casuario GTT is meant to maximize the performance and experience of driving a TIO.”
“It’s definitely much more chiseled and squarish than the others we’ve seen,” Zach states. “To be honest, it feels quite a bit like a product of its time. The interior also seems a tad dated even for its time, and there’s not much going on in there, though to be fair I suppose you can’t get too complex when everything is made by hand."
“Overall, I think it’s a solid hypercar. It’s definitely not the most stylish, but it’s clear it’s built for performance and speed and I appreciate the attention to detail and level of customisability TIO offers,” says Kelvin.
“I do appreciate the pure driving experience with no hybrid assist. It’s definitely a car for purists who want to feel the road beneath them,” Sebastian adds. “However, I just can’t see it being a contender for Car of the Year, especially with this styling.”
“Not to mention it’s about 5 years too old for that anyways…”
“Right, that was quite the assortment of hypercars we just experienced. I can’t wait to explore the others tomorrow.” Zach exclaims.
“If anyone ever tells you that all cars are the same nowadays, just show them these 5 cars. They couldn’t be any more different from each other, not only in the styling department but also in philosophies.” Sebastian is impressed at the diversity of all the cars shown today.
“What makes it even better is that they’ll all be racing wheel-to-wheel at Le Mans this summer. Or, well, that’s the plan anyways. I heard the organisers are infamously quite strict with their regulations. The last time this many cars tried to show up at Le Mans, only one made it to the grid.”
“Yikes.”
“Well on that note, it’s back to the hotel.”
If you enjoyed From Geneva to Le Mans, don’t forget to check out the Race of The Century challenge!
If you are one of the entrants (or made a car) for this challenge, as the rulesets are compatible, you can submit your car as-is to the ROC challenge under the LMH class
Sorry about the long waiting time. Uni hasn't been kind on the schedule of all four of us, but the next posts should come out with much smaller time intervals.
That was an awesome read, with a brilliant presentation. I love how you guys put so many cool details into the story. I don’t really much care now how my car will do; I just wanna read more of this. Please keep this coming. Awesome content guys.
Just to clarify, the Tristella Fenice you referred to was made in 4.1, not 4.2 as we are using now.
Also, in case you missed it, there is also an earlier, boxier iteration of the Milano supercar/hypercar of the same name that was entered in TMCC26, and serves as the distant predecessor to the one shown here.
Anyway, your first few reviews have really hit the spot - keep up the good work!
That was a great feedback round, was put together well and was a fun read! But about my car being old. I genuinely forgot 2018 was 5 years ago, What the hell Covid.
When’s the next part of the review coming out? Did the judges get food poisoning in the hotel? Lol. Jokes apart, really waiting to read more of that content.
The judges for this must have been consumed at some point. Or everyone moved on to the ROC thing. Kind of sad as a bunch of road cars and all of the race cars are yet to be reviewed.
