CyberWorld

Lacking independent verification, one can't say with certainty that the Namir is the "fastest and most ecological hybrid in the world" as her makers claim.

photo from Giugiaro Design

by Ross Bonander

Specs:

• Type: Series hybrid
• Class: Sportscar
• Manufacturer: Frazer-Nash and Italdesign Giugiaro
• Propulsion system: 814cc endothermic rotary engine w/four electric motors with a combined power output of 370 hp
• Top Speed: 187 mph (300 km/h)
• Zero-to-62 mph: 3.5 seconds
• Zero-to-124 mph: 10.4 seconds
• Vehicle range: 1,200 miles Jalopnik
• Fuel(s): Electricity and gasoline
• Fuel efficiency: 91.7 mpg autoblog.com
• Battery system: 400V lithium polymer
• Time to full battery recharge: NA
• Tailpipe emissions: Yes
• Price: NA
• Availability: In concept only

The manufacturer says

"The Namir... is the fastest and most ecological hybrid in the world."

The critics say

"The Namir disappoints and appears as a collection of old-school Lamborghini ideas: the basic profile, scissor doors, number of intakes, even the orange color. It would have been nice to see a more original styling approach for a newly revived brand."

Overview

In the Namir, British steel meets Italian aesthetic: England's historical motor manufacturer Frazer-Nash provided the hybrid systems and Torino's famed Italdesign Giugiaro saw to it that her body was hot.

The Namir has an 814cc endothermic rotary engine, with two electric motors in the front and another two in back, all hidden within a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and scissor doors… this bitch is ready to burn.

The Frazer-Nash Namir debuted at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in concept only, and it will likely remain that way.

What we like

The design. The Italian supercar is legend, the ghosts of decades, brilliant decades from brands like Ferrari and Maserati, De Tomaso and Lamborghini, the whole Formula One heritage, they're all staring down on the Namir. And why not? Whether mega-legend Giorgetto Giugiaro actually had a direct hand in the Namir's design I don't know, but his influence, especially in the vehicle's sharp, diamond-like front-end folds and silky back-end is clearly felt.

The fuel economy. South Africa's Wheel Deal, published by The Times, compares her fuel economy to the Toyota Prius and sets her overall emissions figure at 60g/km.

What we don’t

The name. 'Namir' is an "Arabian name" (do they mean it's an Arabic name?) meaning Tiger, which is supposed to "sum up the main features of the concept car" but it falls a little flat for me. I can't say why, it just doesn't sound like the name of a supercar. Tiger in Italian is 'Tigre' which doesn't work, but why get caught up in cats?

Conclusions

The Namir is a nice follow-up to Italdesign Giugiaro's Quaranta hybrid concept that debuted at Geneva last year.

Lacking independent verification, one can't say with certainty that the Namir is the "fastest and most ecological hybrid in the world" as her makers claim. Another claim they make is that the Namir is not a mere 'exercise in style' but a vehicle with a greater technological point. What precisely that point is and what it'll mean for Future Cars remains to be seen.