Autoblog

Click above to view more of the Dimora Natalia SLS 2

Of all the bits of vaporware out there that never seem to get any closer to reality, the DiMora has to be one of our favorites. The sheer ambition of it all involves independently developing and producing a $2 million super-sedan that would, we're sure, make the likes of Bugatti and Maybach seem downright ordinary. But first it would have to actually get built, and all we've seen to date are computer images and announcements on component and technical partnerships.

The latest to join the immaterial spec sheet of the fictitious DiMora Natalia SLS 2 (don't ask what happened to the SLS 1) is Barotex. The Californian company is developing a new material, similar to carbon fiber, but made out of volcanic rock. Complementing the Volcano V16 engine that would power the Natalia were it ever to be built, Barotex offers lightweight yet extremely rigid and flame-retardant construction. As for which seems more fantastic – the DiMora itself or the lava-based fiber that would form its body and frame – we'll leave that up to you. Press release after the jump.

[Source: DiMora]

From the fertile mind that brought you such varied hits as the Clenet and premixed coolant, we present to you the Dimora JX Coupe. Done up the old-world way -- with real metal and skill -- and the results for all that effort are decidedly weird. They can call it a coupe all they want, but its certainly more El Camino than sleek GT. The JX moniker is a little strange too, as the Chrysler Concorde that this car began life as was an LH model. The JX is the designation for the Sebring convertible from '96-00.

No matter, this metallic tangerine wonder has had old school bodywork techniques applied to make it a landaulet-looking contraption. The car was built as a movie car, though Dimora is cagey about where we might ultimately see the JX's film debut. The write up at the Dimora website is filled with hyperbolic nuggets. Our favorite gem is this one, regarding the fitting of a 3.2-liter V6: "We replaced the stock engine with a 260 HP 3.2 liter V6 from ATK, which is backed by a three-year unlimited mileage warranty. We added a "Tornado" vortex component to the air intake. MPG was increased 10% and horsepower grew by 10%. We have not had a dyno test on the engine..." Uhh, what?! We're not sure how you can measure a 10% horsepower increase (from an intake restriction, no less) without, you know, measuring it. Ah well, at least the rest of the world continues to have vehicular reasons to ridicule us.


[Source: Dimora via Jalopnik]