In the spotlight at the prestigious Geneva International Motor Show is the Simurgh, an extraordinary supercar reminiscent of the Batmobile in its striking aesthetics. This sleek, black vehicle, although visually captivating, reveals its unique origin – Afghanistan, a nation grappling with the challenges imposed by the Taliban’s rule.
Named after the mythical Persian creature, Simurgh, this supercar is the result of a painstaking five-year effort by a team of 30 led by Entop’s CEO, Mohammad Reza Ahmadi, who serves as the chief engineer and designer. Despite hurdles caused by the pandemic and the collapse of Afghanistan’s economy under the Taliban, Ahmadi’s vision is to showcase a different facet of his country through the Simurgh.
The car, powered by a four-cylinder engine, first made waves when a video of its earlier version, known as Mada9, went viral. This captivating image is in stark contrast to the backdrop of a nation grappling with poverty and severe human rights issues.
However, Ahmadi and his team managed to present the Simurgh at the Geneva Motor Show, thanks to crowdfunding efforts that raised $130,000 from over 45,000 supporters. Their next aspiration is to secure €30 million for further refinement and potential entry into the renowned Le Mans 24-hour endurance race in France.
At its core, the Simurgh claims to be a creation of 30 Afghan engineers, constructed in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. While technical specifications are currently undisclosed, its design features LED headlamps, a sleek front grille, bold alloy wheels, and a unique rear diffuser. Entop even envisions the possibility of an all-electric powertrain in the future.
Production timelines for this remarkable car are yet to be determined.