Kalmar Automotive has revealed its groundbreaking creation, the 9X9, billed as the world’s first retro hypercar. This Porsche-inspired masterpiece, three years in the making, boasts a staggering 930 horsepower and cutting-edge technology.
Making its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, alongside its sibling, the Kalmar 7-97 “C1,” the 9X9 showcases the company’s commitment to bespoke craftsmanship and customer involvement in the design process.
A perfect blend of classic aesthetics and modern engineering, the 9X9 is equipped with state-of-the-art features, transforming the iconic Porsche into a high-performance powerhouse. The showcased model houses a 3.8-liter turbo engine delivering 930 horsepower through a dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels, though Kalmar offers various configurations to cater to diverse preferences.
The Kalmar 9X9 is a reimagined hypercar that pushes the boundaries of engineering and design. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it features a bespoke double-wishbone pushrod front-axle suspension, meticulously engineered by Danisi in Italy. This setup, adaptable to both rear and all-wheel drive configurations, is complemented by rear-wheel steering and cutting-edge cooling systems.
At the heart of this beast lies a 3.8-liter engine, its roar amplified through an Inconel exhaust, while a rigorous three-year development process sculpted the car to a mere 1,450 kilograms. The 9X9 is not just about power; it’s a symphony of advanced materials, from the featherlight, 100-kilogram carbon fiber bodywork to the 3D-printed titanium brake calipers and ceramic discs.
With a simulated Nurburgring lap time of seven minutes, the 9X9 redefines performance metrics and establishes a new class of automotive excellence – the retro hypercar. Kalmar Automotive’s 9X9 is a high-performance vehicle meticulously engineered for optimal aerodynamic efficiency.
Leveraging CFD analysis by Aerotak, the car boasts a minimalist interior focused on driving essentials. A traditional tachometer complements digital displays, while modern conveniences like navigation and radio are eschewed in favor of Bluetooth connectivity. Safety and rigidity are paramount, with a full space frame roll cage forming the vehicle’s backbone.
Three distinct variants 9X9, 9X9 Sport, and 9X9 Leichtbau cater to diverse driving preferences, ranging from the potent 3.0-liter turbocharged engine in the base model to the stripped-down, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter powerplant in the featherweight Leichtbau, tipping the scales at an astonishing 2,756 pounds.
