Discussions about supercars often centre around familiar names. We have big brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren jostling for market share. It makes sense, too. Building a supercar requires, among other things, significant investment in engineering infrastructure and human capital.
However, this does not mean other supercar brands do not operate within the market. For the most part, they are fringe players with way smaller budgets than the established industry heavyweights. These small-time players typically manufacture limited-series supercars that stand out for a few reasons – low production volume, high price tag, and, yes, they are unicorns within the industry, rarely spotted out and about in the open.
Check out the examples below and see if you have ever heard of any.
Jannarelly Design-1
Kicking things off is the Jannarelly Design-1 from the United Arab Emirates, a place known to showcase some of the most eye-popping exotic supercars. What sets the Jannarely apart from the park, however, is that it is built in the Middle Eastern country.
It is little more than a steel tubular chassis built around a Nissan-sourced naturally aspirated V6 engine. The powerplant puts out 325 hp, a very modest amount by today’s standards. However, the car weighs only 1,786 lbs (810 Kg) and can accelerate to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds.
Originally conceived as a barchetta, the Jannarelly Design-1 can now be ordered with a windshield.
Eadon Green Zeclat
The Eadon Green Zeclat aims to invoke feelings of nostalgia with its unique retro styling. The low, wide, curvy lines combine to mimic the shape of the aero cars created in the 1930s by notable French coachbuilders such as Bugatti and Chapron.
Beneath the classic-looking exterior, though, is a modern framework based on the C7 Corvette Grand Sport. The British sports car is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that makes up to 454 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.
The manufacturer claims the green Zeclat can zip to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and continue to a top speed of 155 mph.
Delage D12
Somehow, this otherworldly creation is fully street-legal. Conceived by French manufacturer Delage, the D12 debuted at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s been described as a ‘race car for the streets.’ and it’s not hard to see why.
Everything from the fighter-jet-inspired cockpit to the extreme design language screams high-level performance. At its heart is a hybrid pairing of a 7.6-litre V12 and an electric motor. The Delage D12’s total output is rated at 1,110 hp, enough to propel the lightweight car to 60 mph in just 2.4 seconds.
The carmaker plans to produce only 30 units, each priced at about $2.2 million.
Baltasar Revolt
The Baltasar Revolt is a 500-hp electric RWD supercar created by a Barcelona-based boutique manufacturer. The company claims it will only focus on track-tuned electric vehicles and hopes the Revolt will help change stereotypes about electric cars on track.
The Baltasar Revolt weighs a scant 1,697 lbs (770 kg), battery packs and all. That’s all down to the extensive use of carbon fibre, kevlar and aircraft-grade aluminum in the chassis and suspension. The car is fitted with two electric motors, both driving the rear wheels.
It also runs on a 700V architecture that allows 62 miles of range to be added with just 5 minutes of charge.
Rodin FZero
The Rodin FZero was designed exclusively for track use. That freed the New Zealand manufacturer from any regulatory constraints in its bid to create the ‘fastest track car’ ever made.
The FZero boasts an exaggerated styling that clearly prioritizes function over form. The chassis is made from carbon fibre and even fully loaded with fluids, the FZero comes in at only 1,538 lbs (698 kg). That’s about 221 lbs (100 kg) lighter than the 2023 F1 car.
The Rodin FZero gets its oomph from a bespoke 4.0-litre twin-turbo V10 that revs to 10,000 rpm and makes 986 bhp. The carmaker plans to build 27 units, with the first deliveries expected before the end of 2023.
Pambuffetti PJ-01
Italian manufacturer Pambuffetti touts its PJ-01 hypercar as the first Italian hypercar with a set-up ‘inspired by today’s Formula 1.’ You may decide to take that statement with the proverbial ‘pinch of salt.’
However, there is no denying that some of the car’s design inspirations were taken from the premier racing sport. Take, for instance, the pedal position, which sits higher than the driver’s pelvis or the custom-designed push-rod suspension.
Pambuffetti plans to make 25 units of the PJ-01. Each comes with a $2 million base price that could quickly increase, depending on the customization options.
Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne
The Carmen Boulogne is a limited-edition variant of Hispano Suiza’s electric Carmen hypercar. The Carmen Boulogne stretches the design theme of the base model. It also boasts more power.
A pair of permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors deliver a total of 1,114 hp to the rear wheels. The quirky-looking car weighs 3,593 lbs (1,630 kg), but that power is still enough to get the car to 60 mph in only 2.6 seconds.
The first example of the car was delivered to a customer in the United States. It was finished in Ocean Song Rose, a shade of purple inspired by a flower.
Mazzanti Evantra Pura
Mazzanti Automobili first introduced the Evantra at the 2013 Top Marques Monaco event. The 2021 Evantra Pura is a more powerful iteration of the original version. The Evantra Pura gets a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 tweaked to crank out 761 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque.
It’s not the most potent Evantra model. However, at 2,843 lbs (1,290 kg), it’s 198 lbs (90 kg) lighter than the original Evantra. Under ideal conditions, you can expect a sub-3-second run to 60 mph, while the Evantra Pura will only run out of breath once it maxes out at about 224 mph.
Equus Throwback
Equus Automotive is an American car manufacturer operating out of Michigan. The Throwback is one of the company’s specialty creations. It is based on the C7 Corvette, but Equus Automotive is quick to remind you that this is much more than a rebadged Corvette.
Several power packages are available, but the most potent one gets you a sports car pushing 1,000 bhp and 822 lb-ft of torque. According to the manufacturer, that makes the Equus Throwback as quick as any modern supercar in its class, with a 2.5-second sprint time to 60 mph.
BRM Banshee
The Banshee sportscar is produced by Australia-based BRM Sportscars. The lightweight, high-performance car is unique in that it is powered by a turbocharged Hayabusa motorcycle engine. The power from the engine is fed to the wheels via a 6-speed sequential shift and electric reverse gear.
In building the Banshee, the carmaker extensively used kevlar, carbon fibre and other lightweight composite materials. The result is a track car that weighs just 1,543 lbs (700 Kg). True to its name, the sportscar does emit a high-pitched wail as the Hayabusa engine revs to a 9,600 rpm redline.
