It says otherwise in the submission guidelines
What happened to the deadline extension? I was relying on this because I was busy with midterms until recently
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought the deadline was midnight on the 18th, not the 19th, so entries arenât closed yet!
The 2025 Performa IV Turbo
The all-new Mark IV Performa refines Halvsonâs signature small sports car to new levels, while retaining all the flair Halvson cars are known for.
The Mark IV Performa Turbo is powered by our latest-gen SI5NGII engine*, with power delivered through the rear wheels through a 6 speed manual transmission.
Halvsonâs aggressive new styling shines on the Mark IV Performa, with LED lighting all over**, as well as our signature mix-and-match approach to colour schemes, with hundreds of paint and trim colour combinations possible.***
Available now for $31,500, visit your local Halvson dealer or visit us online at www.halvson.au for more info and to book a test drive.
**LED matrix headlight technology optional on Turbo & 4Ge models, standard on TurboFX and 4Ge-FX.
***Non-standard colour combinations will incur an extra charge.
Entries are closed!
And this time, itâs for real.
Iâve received one final batch of entries (in the form of .car files) from:
@moroza
@lotto77
@06DPA
@nvisionluminous & @supersaturn77
However, the last two entries do not yet have their ads posted on this thread yet, so I will give their respective creators an additional 24 hours to do so.
In any case, I have received a total of 28(!) .car files before the deadline - expect reviews and results to follow shortly.
A car isnât great because of good numbers.
A car isnât great because it has all the newest tech in it.
What makes a car great is whenever you see or drive it, you think to yourself: I love this thing.
Alnera 14C. Canât not love it.
Dang it. If only this challenge was two months later. I would loved to have taken part - I wanted to make the Flash Motors equivalent of a modern S2K, and this ruleset seems perfect for it, giving NA cars somewhat of an advantage. Oh well, need to get back to studying. Not before looking at some of the entries here, though.
with a frequency related to its luminosity,
so allowing estimation of its distance from the earth.
a blue moon is too rare, yet
an eclipse too frequent
still, these are cycles
on which you may always rely
in this lies a comfort
this is what we seek
to always deliver to you
through your journeys
CC type-S comes standard with a retractable roof, the Astrolabe entertainment suite and three years of Premium Access subscription,
six manual gears, and a 200 horsepower four-cylinder engine.
Stylish bodywork harks back to an earlier era of street-style design.
A focus on lightweight engineering emphasizes this sensation.
CC type-S features dynamic suspension enhanced by Lumiere to bring the most lively experience, or the most comfortable one, as you wish.
The performance can adapt to your mood, and will never let you down.
Easy to learn, rewarding to master, yet always following your whims.
CC type-S offers peace of mind with its safety and convenience features,
allowing it to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing world.
Paired with a reputation for reliability, CC type-S will never let you down.
With your own CC type-S,
every day will be a reminder of
the best that driving has to offer.
Reviews and Results, Part 1
Exhaust Notes Magazine, April 2025: Cover Story - Sports Cars for Tax Dodgers
Left to right: Crowley Mamba T245 (@the-chowi), CBC Carrier NX Spyder (@AKA_NOBUDDY), Leisurely Nis4 (@Kitami), Mallpark Lenova 2.3P (@Highspeed85), Tyco Technocracy (@eoin), Carcharini RCZ (@Magmort), Mitsumi CS2 (@asdren), Nisemono Guinevere SR24 (@xsneakyxsimx), and Zephorus Amida V6 (@Riley)
You might think that the Palmeiras federal government is trying to stamp out all forms of freedom in their automotive marketplace, but nothing can be farther from the truth. The Light Passenger Car regulations (and their associated tax laws and exemptions) have been very effective at restoring some sense of sanity to the countryâs road network, as larger, heavier, more powerful, and less efficient vehicles have fallen out of favor among buyers and owners, who have sold them off overseas in large numbers. In their place, smaller and lighter machinery, with lower power outputs, has become more popular recently. And yet, the lower end of Palmeirasâ sports car market is thriving - despite, or due to, these laws.
This month, weâve gathered 27 offerings from various manufacturers to see which one makes the best affordable sports car for those who need the LPC tax exemption. All of them bring something to the table, but only one of them will end up taking home the crown. With so many entries, weâve split this field into three groups, and we plan to pick the best car from each one for the final showdown. First up: Crowley, Carrier, Leisurely, Mallpark, Tyco, Carcharini, Nisemono, Zephorus, and Mitsumi. Hereâs what we had to say about them.
Crowley Mamba T245
One of the best-looking cars the company has ever made, the T245 boasts 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels and a sporty, lightweight interior, reducing the amount of weight its turbocharged 1.6-liter straight-four has to haul around, resulting in a rapid 0-60 mph time of 4.68 seconds. Although the turbo kick is quite early, you still have to account for it at times, but this doesnât detract from its excellent handling characteristics. Brake fade is minimal, even after repeated hard use. All in all, a tempting proposition on paper, and even more so in practice - but sooner or later you may end up craving the superior throttle response of a normally aspirated engine, which the Mamba lacks. Even so, this is a true contender for our top 3.
CBC Carrier NX Spyder
The CBC Carrier NX Spyder is the first convertible weâve encountered in this test. It looks decent, especially in metallic green, but its case wilts when you look deeper. Its engine has cast-iron heads on an alloy block - an unrealistic decision today - and its VVL actuation point is a few hundred RPM higher than it should be, interrupting the otherwise smooth power delivery. The clutched LSD is adequate, but feels outdated compared to a viscous or helical unit. And donât get too hyped up about the 6-piston brake calipers - theyâre attached to unusually small rotors. Worst of all, the infotainment system is ripped straight out of a basic city car. In short, CBC needs to send its engineers back to school for a lesson in realism.
Leisurely Nis4
Although based on a 15-year-old platform, youâd expect it to hold a lot of promise considering that itâs an all-carbon miniature supercar with looks to match and inboard suspension. Unfortunately, itâs also a victim of significant cost-cutting. The heavy forged pistons make the conrods too weak for the RPM limiter (set at 7000 rpm). Worse yet, quality control is poor in many areas, especially the gearbox, which struggles to withstand the engineâs torque. And with the suspension not being tuned to sufficiently compensate for the amount of tire stagger, its drivability is heavily compromised due to unnecessary oversteer. This is nothing more than a badly built knockoff of a lightweight sports car, even though it doesnât look like one.
Mallpark Lenova 2.3P
In addition to being heavier than expected due to the structural reinforcement needed for its detachable soft top, the Lenova is oddly proportioned, with an unusually cab-forward side profile on a rear-drive platform. Moreover, its magnesium-block 90-degree V6 has a redline thatâs too low for it to make its true peak power - even though the internals are more than up to the task. Even with active suspension providing good handling in all situations, the Lenova falls too far short of its maximum potential for us to recommend it.
Tyco Technocracy
The Technocracyâs looks are, quite frankly, not the best, but not the worst, either. This is the first car in the group with AWD - specifically an advanced system. But itâs odd that this fancy tech is paired with an open differential. To their credit, Tyco managed to make it as light as they could, even at the cost of reliability, especially with active suspension as standard. But its mid-mounted I4, despite providing enough power and torque for any kind of spirited driving, has an unnecessarily long stroke (117.2mm) relative to its bore (82.4mm), which limits the internalsâ durability, especially when combined with the 1100rpm idle speed. It comes as no surprise that the Tyco is not quite as good as the sum of its parts.
Carcharhini RCZ
This is one of the most aggressive-looking offerings, with striking mid-engined proportions. Its 246-horsepower I4 delivers a satisfying amount of thrust, aided by AWD and active suspension, leading to highly stable and grippy handling, although the suspension settings are on the stiff side. However, this is actually a transverse front-engined car, and as such its styling may confuse potential buyers. With that in mind, weâd sacrifice the stability of an FF platform for the agility of a mid-engined one. Even so, this is a highly tempting offering, but one that looks like something it doesnât - which may be off-putting to some.
Nisemono Guinevere SR24
Whatâs a restomod doing here? Actually, this isnât a ground-up rebuild, and as such it retains the donor carâs untreated steel body and chassis (hence the poor environmental resistance). This car may have been fitted with a raft of modern mod cons to keep it compliant with the latest regulations, but even this can only go so far. The engine is not a completely rebuilt unit, either, but is merely refurbished with new technology (including variable valve timing for intake and exhaust valves). The idea of a restomod is tempting, but this one hasnât gone far enough.
Zephorus Amida V6
Looking like a miniature supercar or hypercar (mainly due to heavy use of cleverly placed body molding and 3D fixtures), the Amida may be built on a simple galvanized steel chassis, but has inboard rear suspension backed up with semi-active dampers and active anti-roll bars. Its 30v 2.5L V6 may only be barely efficient enough for the LPC tax break, but is as melodious as it is potent. Despite (or due to) having a 7-speed advanced automatic gearbox (as tested), the Amida is a strong all-around performer. But is that enough to take it to the next level?
Mitsumi CS2
Despite being built on what will soon become a legacy body, the CS2 is quite a looker. Its 2.4L I4 barely fits under the LPC regulations, power-wise, and with its smooth, broad torque curve, it feels legitimately fast, despite top gear (seventh, in this case) being a very long overdrive. Overall performance is quite good, although it should be a little bit easier to drive. Unusually, our test car had a premium interior, but only a standard infotainment system. This is a bit odd, but doesnât detract from its performance credentials. This is a very tempting package - but will it advance to the final round?
Verdict
From this initial batch of 9 cars, only the Zephorus Amida advances to the finals. Itâs the best-looking car here, with one of the best-tuned engines; others may be faster or nimbler, but this one strikes a great balance - probably the best one, in fact.
However, there are still two more groups for us to go through, so donât go away - Parts 2 and 3 are imminent!
This is actually quite typical for cheaper modern performance cars - instead of a true limited-slip diff, they rely on ESC to control wheelspin.
Sure yeah, thatâs totally what I was going for and I know what Iâm doing
In order to meet the budget cap, I can only drastically reduce the quality. After all, this is not a car designed for this competition.
It feels a bit odd to read reviews mixing in-world perspective with actual game remarks. Other than that, not bad
I will say for mine, the engine is meant to have been replaced from the original unit to one from a Nisemono Sukairain TS-R, albeit without the turbos and shorter conrods to retain the OG 2.4L capacity
Damn, now I realize that I misunderstood this round as being held in 2020 and not 2025 Oh well, an easy mistake to do due to the limitations of the game I guess.
Reviews and Results, Part 2
Exhaust Notes Magazine, April 2025: Cover Story - More Sports Cars for Tax Dodgers
Left to right: Frampton Argos 1.6T (@Ch_Flash), Mara Paragon 1.6KSK42 (@AndiD), Bizzarro 3Z (@Texaslav), Phenix Alcyone Targa (@karhgath), Constellation 724S (@oldmanbuick), Tevian Tyros (@vouge), DDS DS-20 (@DuceTheTruth100), Zavir Aera 2.0 Veloce (@Hshan), and Gipfe CS25Di (@ErenWithPizza)
While the Palmeiras government proposes closing some roads on a temporary or permanent basis to anything that does not meet all of the Light Passenger Car criteria, the effects of this legislation are beginning to show. Compliant vehicles are already receiving toll discounts or even total exemptions when traveling along toll roads, while more and more parking spaces are being reserved exclusively for these vehicles. Meanwhile, in the national motorsport scene, there is now a growing market for track day, hill climb, rally, and race events devoted solely to Light Passenger Cars. Itâs a great way for newcomers to motorsports to get started in racing, and for enthusiasts to experience the thrill of driving on a public road.
Having already chosen one finalist from our first group of nine, weâve got nine more cars to take a look at - one each from Frampton, Mara, Bizzarro, Phenix, Constellation, Tevian, DDS, Zavir, and Gipfe. Which one of these will make it to the top 3?
Frampton Argos 1.6T
One of just a few convertibles or targas in the group, the Argosâ 1.6L turbo I4 develops a solid amount of power, but the turbo boost kicks in too late, due to the oversized compressor. Also, the undersized turbine leads to some surge stress and hence compromised reliability. This, combined with the non-variable electric power steering, leads to subpar drivability ratings. And while the use of active suspension and and automatically folding soft top provide some useful extra comfort, they also add weight. Itâs also one of the few cars here with a clutched LSD instead of a helical, vicsous, or electronic unit - and while it does its job well, itâs not quite as effective as those other options. Moreover, top gear needs to be taller to allow for a slightly higher top speed - or even its use as a relaxed overdrive gear. The end result is something that focuses too much on show compared to go, which makes it a no-go for us.
Mara Paragon 1.6 KSK42
This is a paragon of drivability, not design, for the most part. The turbo spools up early, allowing the 6-speed advanced automatic transmission to remain in the right gear all the time. However, the tall tire profile, minor front brake fade (which could be solved with harder brake pads or more brake cooling), and awkward suspension settings (with the front springs and dampers being too stiff relative to the rears) make it less of a driverâs car than it should be. Thus, it is in the same boat as the Argos - it doesnât stimulate our senses enough to warrant further consideration.
Bizzarro 3Z
Like the Amida, the 3Z boasts the look of a condensed, shrunken supercar, and with a 230-bhp 2.4L I4 behind the passenger compartment, itâs almost as fast as a full-sized one, thanks to a sub-1-ton curb weight (mainly due to fiberglass bodywork). Even with just one throttle body on its engine and a viscous LSD instead of a helical one, itâs a true enthusiastâs delight, with race-bred suspension and brakes endowing it with hypercar-like handling and braking capabilities. It also lacks power steering, but this is a double-edged sword, given that this setup reduces drivability as much as it improves feedback. Also, the suspensionâs quite firm on its default settings, even with fancy semi-active dampers, although weâve tried stiffer cars before. The Bizzarro is as pure and uncompromising as a hardcore enthusiast would want it to be - but are you brave enough to put up with its drawbacks?
Phenix Alcyone Targa
This nails the miniature supercar look even better than the Bizzarro at first glance, and its flat-four delivers a similar power output, with a torque curve that really comes alive beyond 7000 rpm. Hooking up this engine to a 7-speed DCT (instead of a 3-pedal manual) allows it to match the lighter Bizzarro to 60 mph, and active suspension (as on the Bizzarro) is tuned for a firm, but sporty, ride (although to be fair, itâs not as stiff as the Bizzarroâs). The only downsides are that the infotainment system is no better than what an entry-level city car has as standard, and there have been reports of minor quality control problems with the engine internals and variable electric power steering. Even so, the Alcyoneâs brilliance remains largely undimmed - but can it overcome its faults and reach the podium?
Constellation 724S
Awkward proportions (mainly due to the windshield rake being more upright than usual) that lend it a gawky appearance from the side canât stop us from having a lot of fun with this thing, even though itâs almost as heavy as it looks due to having all-steel construction (though to be fair, the chassis is made of an advanced steel compound and the bodywork is fully treated against rust). This blunts the thrust from its 250-bhp long-stroke 2.4L slightly, but not to the point of uncompetitiveness. Having sport-tuned active suspension makes it even heavier, but that extra weight also makes it more stable in the bends, and hence easier to drive all around. Itâs a beginner-friendly bargain at $28,300 AMU - but shouldnât an engine like this deserve a lighter, sleeker body?
Tevian Tyros
Looking like a slightly shrunken 718, the Tyrosâ lack of mass (1094 kg) allows its 190-bhp 1.8L I4 to punch far above its weight, especially when hooked up to a 7-speed DCT (as fitted to our test car). Despite not being as fast as the Bizzarro or Phenix, and lacking those carsâ fully active suspension (instead having semi-active dampers and active anti-roll bars on standard steel springs, which are firm but effective), the Tyros provides a similarly exciting drive - and the economy-focused tuning of its ratios (with an extremely long overdrive seventh gear) makes it more efficient than youâd think it would be. This is a surprisingly good package - one that is a strong contender for the final 3.
DDS DS-20
Held back by an unusually heavy, lethargic engine (an iron-block/alloy-head 2.4L flat-four with the maximum amount of balancing mass, and variable valve timing only on the intake valves), polarizing styling (a nose that looks like it has oversized nostrils, among others), an awkward brake setup (in which the rear brakes have bigger rotors and more pistons per caliper than the front units), a confusing suspension tune (not enough toe-in angle to account for the amount of tire stagger, and front springs and dampers that are too stiff compared to the rear ones), and an overly basic interior (when a standard one shouldâve been the bare minimum), the DS-20 fails the realism test the moment you look deeper into it. This shouldâve remained a design study - one that went straight into the reject bin.
Zavir Aera 2.0 Veloce
Zavir has provided us with the only example of color-shifting paint in this group, and it looks group on the pert and petite Aera. 210 bhp from a 1.9L I4 is plenty in a car weighing just 1015kg. Unfortunately, on closer inspection, the case for the Aera begins to disintegrate. Having two overdrive gears in its 6-speed manual gearbox seems like overkill when one (or even none) would suffice. Thereâs also not enough toe-in angle to compensate for the square-fitment 215/35 tires, and with the dampers being softer overall relative to the springs, the Aera has a loose, unsettled feel. Overall, the Aera makes us feel uneasy whenever we drive it - it needs more body control and stability to get the most out of its powertrain.
Gipfe CS 25Di
It may be the entry-level trim in the CS range, but itâs all the CS you need. Its 226-bhp 2.5L naturally aspirated I4 drives the rear wheels via an 8-speed advanced automatic transmission (as fitted to our test car) or a 6-speed manual. Lighter than the more upmarket variants, thanks to not having forced induction and/or AWD ancillaries, itâs still as much of a blast to drive on any road or track. Our only niggles are that the rear spring rates should be stiffer (to match the fronts), with the rear dampers being firmed up accordingly. Itâs also a delight to look at, and our example had the optional premium infotainment system. This is a real threat to the podium placings - whether or not it can actually get there is another matter.
Verdict
The winner from this second batch of 9 cars, the Tevian Tyros, earns its podium spot for being the best-looking car of this group - and backing it up with a beguiling mix of performance, efficiency, and user-friendliness, without the Bizzarroâs overly uncompromising feel, the Phenixâs quality issues, or the Gipfeâs excessive size.
This leaves one more group of 9 cars for us to take a deep dive into. That, however, will have to wait until Part 3.
No, because every Flint/Constellation is built to be as near-indestructible as possible. But hey, if other folks want to go screaming around a track at 150 mph with nothing but some fiberglass or carbon fiber between them and a concrete wallâŠ
I think this is the second time Iâve gotten a comment along these lines for a build on this body. In my defense, I am very tall, so when I see swoopy rooflines, my reaction is âhow is anyone (me) going to fit in that thing!?â
Itâs also funny to me that this is pretty much the inverse of my review of your SC entry that I said had too swept back of a windshield!
Thanks for the review and for appreciating some of the better features of this build. I built myself a version with a V6 dropped in that Iâve been having a blast with in Beam.
Pfff, nitpicking I agree that my suspension tuning may be nonsense (I still do it basically in a trial-and-error way), but I donât see what really needs to be âcompensatedâ with toe angle - the curves look fine to me?
I mean, I could give it more toe-in angle, which makes stats go green, but the curves become milder and cornering Gs lower. And if I give it less it snap oversteers, so I really donât understand this point, elaborate please because I think Iâm missing something.
And as for the overdrive - this is no track car, itâs just a fun daily, at most a weekend all-rounder. Iâd want some overdrive in such thing, so I gave it that. But maybe Iâm skewed in my perception of highway noise, I think Iâm more averse to it than average. Maybe I went too far with that, sure (TBH I didnât notice itâs become two overdrives ), but Iâd disagree that a modern, road car (even of that kind) in a pretty normal variant should have no overdrive. We have strict fuel economy and emission standards, we have buyers using their hatch/SUV/sporty coupe for everything possible.
Oh, and Iâll do my own nitpicking - thatâs a 2.0, rounding it mathematically And Iâd say calling that paint âcolour shiftingâ is a bit of an overstatement
Overall, Iâve just tried applying your suggestions, and:
- reducing overdrive, while indeed sounds logical, gives just 0.4 sportiness and makes the blue suggestion go away, while raising the consumption by 0.3 l - so more of a realism-motivated choice than anything else
- harder dampers slightly improve sportiness and match up the suspension testing curves (why did I miss that? no idea), while also bringing up a yellow âHARD DAMPERS NO COMFORTâ warning; softening the springs a notch or two and setting the dampers accordingly actually gives a better result overall
- no idea what I should really do with the toe angle ??
TBH I like seeing detailed feedback from challenges and improving my designs upon that. Usually boils down to ânice engine, meh suspension, weird oversight, questionable equipment choicesâ
PS Uhh, I hope this isnât too much of a tangent, but if so, then sorry and maybe we should move it to DMs