Most people know Yamaha for building motorcycles and musical instruments, but truth is, the brand with the logo sporting three tuning forks placed on top of each other in a triangular pattern, has ventured in many other fields, ranging from recreational vehicles and boats to pool-related equipment and industrial robots. Yamaha is also preparing to expand into the automotive arena by setting up four-wheel supercar named R Car as written Carscoop (13/11).
Yamaha's connection to the auto industry started well before the OX99-11, as it helped develop and produce Japan's first true sports car, the 1967 Toyota 2000GT, while in the years that followed, it designed, built, and supplied several engines to automakers, from four-cylinder to V8 units (i.e. the Taurus SHO's 3.0-liter V6 and later on, 3.4-liter V8 units).
Indeed, they have ventured into many areas. For related machines, such as driving a boat or a speedboat, and had long felt the heat of competition in the F-1 arena. In there, Yamaha did not register as a team, but as the engine supplier. Beginning in 1989 through Zakspeed team and two years later turned to Bernie Ecclestone owned Brabham (1991) and only lasted one season. Further Yamaha engine installed in the Jordan's car (1992) also only one year, except with Tyrell long enough reliable to four years.
1. YAMAHA OX99-11
1. YAMAHA OX99-11
 |
| Yamaha OX99-11 supercar concept with a 1+1 jet fighter style seating. (Picture from: http://thekneeslider.com/) |
Later, they even tried to build their own V12-powered supercar back in the early 1990s with the futuristic style called OX99-11 designed by Takuya Yura in 1992.
The sports car was originally conceived as a single seater. Yamaha requested a two-seater vehicle, and thus a tandem seating arrangement was suggested, which kept in with Yamaha's motorcycle expertise. With a body made entirely from handmade aluminium panels, the car had a top speed of 350kph and could accelerate from standstill to 100 kph in 3.2 seconds.
The cockpit-looking roof could also be opened via a door in 'gullwing' style; however, the program was eventually cancelled in 1994 due to Japan's financial crisis at the time, but not before the company manufactured three working prototypes. Today, the Yamaha OX99-11 is valued at more than U.S. $1.2 million (or approx Rp. 11.5 billion).
2. YAMAHA R CAR
The sports car was originally conceived as a single seater. Yamaha requested a two-seater vehicle, and thus a tandem seating arrangement was suggested, which kept in with Yamaha's motorcycle expertise. With a body made entirely from handmade aluminium panels, the car had a top speed of 350kph and could accelerate from standstill to 100 kph in 3.2 seconds.
2. YAMAHA R CAR
 |
| Yamaha R Car. (Picture from: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/) |
And now Yamaha present a new concept study for a supercar through an independent designer from Spain named Albert Roselló. The concept is called the Yamaha R Car, and according to Roselló, it depicts a "supercar with a superbike soul".
 |
| Yamaha R Car. (Picture from: http://keyshot.com/) |
He describes this concept is the realization of a supercar built with superbike soul. From the appearance looks similar to the design of Lamborghini Esque. With an engine will have the power to reach 900-horses. Recognized with the power and weight of only 1,100 kg (2,425 pounds) can be a serious challenger fast cars available today which of course, means nothing since it's all pure fantasy talk. *** [CARSCOOP | EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
