Montreal Auto Show 2014: Tomahawk Premiere

Montreal International Car Show 2014
Tomahawk Kit-Car Premiere

Yesterday, at the Montreal International Car show 2014, was unveiled the a cutting edge kit car made 100% in Quebec. The visitors to the Auto Show will be able to discover Tomahawk, a two-seat sports automobile with a central engine, entirely designed and manufactured in Quebec City by Dubuc Super Light Car.

  

Tomahawk can be assembled approximately eight times faster than comparable vehicles, and therefore Dubuc SLC launches a serious bid to become a reference and a leader in the kit car industry.

“Three kit car projects out of five are never completed because owners become discouraged. We went through eight years of work and numerous concepts to offer something that would be easy to build,” stated President Mario Dubuc and co-founder Mike Kakogiannakis.

The Tomahawk features a 300-lbs aluminum monocoque frame, bonded and bolted without welding, with an ultra-light polymer body, ready to receive a Corvette C4 rear and front suspension. It includes steering wheel support, pre-pierced holes for wires and hoses, and an ergo-dynamically designed cockpit, which can comfortably sit a 6’3”, 275-lbs driver.

The complete kit also includes doors that open at a 75-degree angle, door panels, dashboard, console, seats, a DOT-approved windshield, a see-through Targa roof and side mirrors. With a size close to a Lamborghini and the weight of a Lotus, the Tomahawk delivers a perfect weight-performance ratio. At less than 2000 lbs fully completed, this sleek kit car drives and brakes like a sports vehicle.

The complete rustproof body and frame kit is offered at $19,995 and requires only the installation of mechanical components, usually recycled from a retired automobile. Whereas the process to assemble a typical kit car might require between 1500 and 2000 hours, Mr. Dubuc assures that a skilled individual can build a Tomahawk in 250 hours, for a total budget of $30,000 or more.

The Tomahawk is perfectly suited for an electric or gasoline engine. The company is currently in talks with TM4 to test designs and control systems, which would result in an electric car entirely designed and built in Quebec. “We have tested the electric market and we have been pleasantly surprised by the response. It is absolutely certain that we are heading in that direction,” added Mr. Dubuc.

The Montreal International Car Show is being held at the Montreal's Palais-des-Congres until January 26, 2014.

Visit the Auto Show's website for the opening hours and entrance fees.

Also, visit the Tomahawk's web pages here and here.

Montreal Auto Show 2014: Porsche

Porsche at the Montreal International Car Show 2014

This morning, at the Montreal International Auto Show 2014, Porsche has unveiled two cars: Panorama S E-Hybrid and 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.

2014 Panorama S E-Hybrid is a plug-in vehicle with a 9.4-kWh lithium-ion battery. Porsche claims this car can go more than 20 miles on electricity alone. Apparently the S E-Hybrid's top speed for all-electric driving is an impressive 83 miles or 133 km per hour but at that high speed the distance for the all electric-driving would be shortened.

Panorama S E-Hybrid is aimed to attract customers who might be otherwise interested in such cars as, for instance, Tesla Model S or some other higher range hybrid cars.

The other car unveiled by Porsche was 2014 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, a slick, attractive, high performance car.  

The car's back view.

Here are a few more photos of the Porsche's cars displayed in the Porsche booth at the Montreal Auto Show 2014. This yellow car is Porsche Cayman S. 

The following are details of the Porsche Boxter S.

The unveiling event was presented in grand style, well appreciated by those present.

The Montreal International Car Show is being held at the Montreal's Palais-des-Congres until January 26, 2014.

Visit the Auto Show's website for the opening hours and entrance fees.

Also visit Porsche Canada website.