Alright. So we’re a little shaky on our Russian, but we know an eye-catching piece of road sculpture when we
see one. Enter the Rousseau-Balt Impression, a German conceived custom teardrop throwback with a heart of
gold Mercedes. To be revealed today at the Concorso d'.Eleganza Villa d'.Este in Italy, the
retro-mobile is the handiwork of the GERG
GROUP, a design and prototype haus that has worked with companies like Audi, Seat, Bosch, and Eurocopter.
Forgive us for getting a bit lost in the translation, but as far as we can ascertain, this is a carbon-fiber chassis four-seat coupe, with its motivation courtesy Mercedes-Benz’s CL 65 AMG. Interestingly enough, the rear is said to be suitable for use as a sleeping compartment.
While built by a Deutsch concern, the Rousseau-Balt Impression appears to have been conceived by a team of Russian engineers and designers, thus its assertion as a Russian automobile.
The company plans to build around 10-15 copies based on the concept seen here.
Plenty of photographs and background at the link.
[Source: CarDesign.ru]
(Top tip, Greg!)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Cervus @ Apr 22nd 2006 1:23PM
This looks like some eagle-themed superhero's supercar. Would Harvey Birdman, Attorney-at-law drive this? :)
Chris @ Apr 22nd 2006 1:49PM
I would drive this. It looks hot. I'll take it for $3000.
Richard Warren @ Apr 22nd 2006 1:54PM
Different to say the least.
Greg @ Apr 22nd 2006 3:17PM
One more article about Russo-Baltique Impresion in English: http://www.auto-dealer.ru/articles/event_english.php?id=8247
and official Russo-Baltique website (Russian/French only):
http://russobaltique.com
David @ Apr 22nd 2006 3:19PM
Kind of reminds me of the Maybach Exelero. Not as extreme, but still the same idea, classic design in a modern form.
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/05/12/wow-maybach-exelero/
emulous1974 @ Apr 22nd 2006 3:35PM
It reminds me of an early 20th Century Alfa Romeo.
steve @ Apr 22nd 2006 5:25PM
It looks like the car from the ambiguously gay superhero cartoon on Saturday Night Live.
Howard Kerr @ Apr 23rd 2006 8:46AM
This looks like what you might get if Subaru commissioned an Italian design studio to design a "successor" to the SVX. I mean, turn that "middle" grille upside down and the front end says Subaru (B9-Tribeca). I really love the wheel...covers? Why is it so hard to come up with a wheel design for a super-expensive car? These look like a Pep Boys reject.
Noah @ Apr 23rd 2006 4:24PM
I agree with #7 it looks like the car from ambiguously gay duo cartoon.
Horible!
--Noah
Rusty @ Apr 24th 2006 4:38AM
Batmobile gone Platinum!
SeeSpot @ Apr 24th 2006 10:14AM
It reminds me of one of those butt ugly cars you see driving around once and a while.
Zarba @ Apr 24th 2006 3:43PM
Take the front end design cues of the newest Alfas, mixed with a bit of the rear of the Alfa Ville D'Este coupe, with some Saoutchik art deco, and voila!
ARuBa @ Apr 26th 2006 10:01PM
From this angle is not bad at all.
L'Supreemo @ Apr 29th 2006 8:41PM
Snoop Dog ordered the first three.....
Justin @ May 1st 2006 12:26PM
This car has the same side panels as a Z4