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Afghanistan might just be the last place you think of when talking about technological innovation, but the Taliban-controlled state surprised everyone at the Geneva Motor Show when it unveiled its brand-new supercar ‘Simurgh’.

Resembling the batmobile, Simurgh is the product of a five-year effort by a team of 30 engineers led by Mohammad Reza Ahmadi, CEO of Entop, who also serves as the main engineer and designer.

Simurgh is named after the legendary Persian beast with the head of a dog, the claws of a lion, and the size to carry either an elephant or a whale.

Ahmadi’s goal was to develop something different, as opposed to the tough four-wheel drives and SUVs that are normally required on Afghanistan’s crazy mountain routes. “I want to develop something to put my nation on the map again,” he told onlookers at the show. “The Simurgh stands for Afghanistan’s artists and heroes. There won’t be a similar SUV.”

The supercar, powered by a four-cylinder engine, might look badass from the outside, but in a country where the Taliban rules, you can expect a few problems. Onlookers at the show could for instance not open the doors to the car as the interior had not been finished. The windows were also not sealed properly and several gaps could be spotted. You work with what you have in Afghanistan.

Despite these challenges, the team have produced a truly unique Afghani supercar. Its predecessor, the Mada9, was revealed by a Taliban spokesperson in January that showed a crowd of former insurgents admiring the vehicle. Amazing what you can achieve when people have a little freedom, eh?

Simurgh boasts sleek LED headlamps flanking a compact front grille, a sharp front splitter, large black alloy wheels, flared fenders, a sculpted side profile with a generous air intake, sleek LED taillights, and a bold rear diffuser.

Ahmadi wants the Simurgh to show a different side of Afghanistan, and despite the difficulties they faced, he and his team were able to transport the automobile to Doha for its first-ever international exhibition thanks to crowdsourcing which saw 45,000 fans donate $130,000 (R2.4 million).

Despite the idiocracy of ideological politics, it really is a sexy car.

The car is in sharp contrast to a nation that is struggling with poverty and one of the worst human rights conditions in the world. It is commonly known that the Taliban forbade women from participating in sports, utilising the gym, going to public parks, or travelling large distances alone.

Hopefully, the Simurgh will show what is possible when you embrace the future.

[source:economictimes]