Most top notch European car brands such as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini have already made their names known in the automotive scene – but not so much Serbian car maker Zastava Automobiles!
You can be forgiven for not knowing who they are – nobody does! Apparently the company stopped all their production back in 2008 because of bad management and better competition, but in the decades that followed they have actually developed a cult following – at least amongst the tuning crowd.
Aiming to cash in on their new found following, a Serbian-based designer has developed a concept that envisions what could have happened if the brand continued on cruising!
Submitted by Marko Petrovic, the Yugo Ampera is a concept supercar that pays homage to the classic Zastava Yugo launched in 1977. Marko wanted his supercar to look like a Lotus and adopt the Croatian technology of a Rimac Automobili – mission accomplished! The result is a sick looking beast with 4 engine motors, an independent suspension system, and an advanced charging setup!
For everyday city driving the car employs battery power, while for the foot-down freeways, the AEC (Accumulated Energy Storage) system integrates energy together with the tunnel system underneath the car. Here the propeller generates power and the AEC delivers power directly to the wheels! Thankfully, the vehicle gains more than enough energy through fast regenerative movement – as there are few charging stations and limited range.
The hood, grille and headlights all share an aggressive look, and the same design passes down to the side wings; while the exclusive golden yellow exterior only complements the luxurious khaki finish of the interior! That same interior has been gifted with impressive ergonomics including the molded Recaro cage seat, the multiple screen setup, and the gear shifter that doubles as a multi tool!
As a concept the Ampera has been designed as a modernized take on the retro Yugo. This may just be the idea that breathes life back into the forgotten company – and we can’t remember seeing a reboot look this good!
