Brazilians planning return of the Interlagos
click above to view more high-res images of the Interlagos
Only the most well versed automotive cognoscenti will remember the Interlagos, a car produced by Willys-Overland in the mid-'60s based on the Renault Alpine 108. Named after the Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the original car was a fiber glass-bodied sports car that sold 800 units during a period of two years ending in 1966. Two Brazilian designers by the name of Joao Paulo Cunha Melo and Felipe Guimaraes Coelho have plans to revive the Interlagos with a new design for a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, mid-engine sports car. It would be powered by Renault's 2.0L four-cylinder producing 142bhp mated to a six-speed manual. While no production plans are set, the two Brazilian designers hope to find a backer that can make the new Interlagos a reality and fund its export to other markets besides Brazil. Their design is simple, elegant even, like a Lotus Europa crossed with a modern day Noble. And like the Noble, if the Brazilians do find funding, the new Interlagos could come to the U.S. as a rolling chassis that requires a drivetrain, thereby skirting the whole safety and emissions requirements imposed upon vehicles sold fully assembled in this country.
Check out renderings of the Interlagos design in our gallery below, and view the original car and new one together in a video after the jump. (WARNING: The video auto plays as soon as the page loads.)
[Source: Wide Industrial Design via World Car Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Luis 1:28PM (1/24/2008)
Very cool. Looks like a light nimble package, should do well.
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genesic 4:17PM (1/24/2008)
looks VERY cool. I see lambo design elements, lotus, and the rear actually reminds me of the front grill of the new mustangs..regardless, it should do extremley well in the states assuming you price it right, AND give it more than 142 BHP!?
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calebe 4:38PM (1/24/2008)
142hp would be fine if it weighs like a Lotus Elise. Maybe they should contact Lotus like Tesla did.
Derek 6:38PM (1/24/2008)
I see a bit of Corvette in the design...
If it comes in anywhere roughly 2600# or under it will be a blast to drive.
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MixiM 9:47PM (1/24/2008)
If someone is wondering the song is made by "The Cardigans", and named "My Favourite Game" from the album "Gran Turismo"... Haha bought it yesterday on iTunes, nice coincidance :P
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mk 4:55PM (1/25/2008)
Put a mid-mounted RWD or AWD subaru boxer drivetrain with 300+ hp in that car, and I am SOLD.
That, or a renovation of the old VW Type3 based Brazilian Puma GT with the same drivetrain.
Good to see that people are still considering building fun coupe and convertible cars...
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