Of all the European countries with established automotive industries, Portugal might not spring to mind first. But that's something that designer Ernesto Freitas is trying to overcome. His company LusoMotors has been behind such projects as the LM23 track car, Voisin revival concept and Ferrari Dino mock-up. Although none of them – to our knowledge, at least – has really gotten off the ground, Freitas is at it again with a new concept that could yet see the light of day.
Targeted at the track-day-crazy UK market, the LM GT is a concept conceived in three bodystyles: a shooting brake, an open-top roadster, and a windowless speedster (all viewable in our gallery below). Freitas is looking for partners to build the car, including kit car manufacturers. An alternative approach could see the LM GT sitting on an original chassis with BMW running gear. The Bavarian mechanicals should make some sense if you think the rear end of the shooting brake variant reminds you of the previous-generation BMW Z3 coupe with its breadvan-style roof. The project seems intriguing, and we'll be watching to see if it materializes.
Track cars powered by motorcycle engines are becoming increasingly popular as the superbike mills, usually mounted amidships, provide tons of power for their small displacement and low weight. Further evidence of this truth is seen in the LusoMotors LM23, a Lotus replica powered by a one-liter Honda CBR1000 engine making about 150 horsepower. Weighing just under 900 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio of this machine would be enough to scare just about any other car you are likely to meet at the track while its light weight would surely allow for plenty of grip in the corners. The high performance of the LM23 is fitting, as the Lotus 23B design on which its based was such a giant killer that it was banned at Le Mans in the early sixties for being too fast for its small displacement.
A quick glance at the chassis shows such track-ready details as inboard-mounted coilovers and a tube frame complete with integrated roll bar. The chassis sits under composite bodywork, just like the original Lotus, though the modern interpretation adds carbon fiber to the traditional fiberglass skin. It looks like we have another Lotus replica set to join the ranks of the numerous Seven variations already sitting in our fantasy garages.
Unless you've got your automotive history books close at hand (or a Wikipedia bookmark), the name Avions Voisin won't spring to mind. The French bespoke automaker was established in 1919 and rivaled the likes of Bentley and Bugatti up until it's demise in 1939. Now, the Portuguese designer and founder of LusoMotors, Ernest Freitas, has decided to revive the deceased marque with the introduction of the Voison supercar concept.
Currently, it only lives in the CAD realm, but Freitas intends to build a full-scale model in the future to display at auto shows to gauge interest and public opinion. The technical details are scarce, but it's obvious that the concept is taking aim at the Bugatti Veyron, reviving the former rivalry, with power conceivably provided by a variant of Audi's V12 diesel engine.
