Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads - Jalopnik Comments

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

MarshalWoodpecker — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:31:05 EDT

I am sory to inform you that you are all wrong !!!! I am from slovenia and we are talking about this car for quite long time Its a student project on mechanical faculty in Ljubljana called : STUDENT ROADSTER students and there mentors done this car for base is used PEUGEOT 406 8 years of development .... this car wont be making serial so dream on .... if you want to know more please E-mail me strgy@volja.net

MarshalWoodpecker

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Franchisekiller — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:45:24 EDT

Could be a poor mans Weissmann GT - I think I remember them having stuff built around those parts.

Franchisekiller

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Mrb00st — Sun, 11 May 2008 18:00:17 EDT

totally a Strathcarron SC-5A.

Mrb00st

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

wallabyguy — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:41:09 EDT

It looks like a revised Murtaya to me.

www.murtaya.com

wallabyguy

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

hootjigga — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:57:59 EDT

New TT model, maybe?

hootjigga

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

smurfator — Sat, 10 May 2008 08:39:22 EDT

It's a faculty of engineering student project, based on old Peugeot 406, which donated even windscreen, the rest is custom built. Photos were taken as publicity stunt prior to official relase next week.
At this link it's even video testing the chasis in 2007.

the link: [www.avtomanija.com]

smurfator

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Mojonaut — Fri, 09 May 2008 18:27:40 EDT

I'm disappointed it's a student project! My guess was also going to be something along the lines of the Barchetta (although it's WAY bigger - and also a lot bigger than the Smart Roadster) or a pasteurised Dodge Demon with heaps of dummy bodywork - grasping at straws, I know.

Mojonaut

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

CeRuLeaNBLu — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:49:20 EDT

@matevzm @nicjasno: Nice job Jalopeños, we have a winner!
I just think it's awesome that such a group of people exists who can get together and do almost anything. You magnificent bastards identified a taped up/cammo-ed car on a freakin' flatbed in Slovenia fer Chrissakes! If we all could just work on a cure for cancer we'd have that puppy licked in no time!

CeRuLeaNBLu

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

jhaber — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:27:39 EDT

C'mon guys. It's clearly a Veyron.

jhaber

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Tomsk — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:34:34 EDT

Geely Flat Bastard Wonder Scoop Happy Drop GT.

Tomsk

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Novaload — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:54:42 EDT

My first thought was "butched up Miata" --excellent--but is that a Bangle butt? Something funny on the boot lid.

Novaload

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

MerkurScorpio — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:50:45 EDT

Looks like it might be the next-gen BMW Z4. The proportions seem right.

MerkurScorpio

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

M0L0TOV — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:48:12 EDT

@P161911:
Actually, the MG XPower is still built. Here's a link to the article. [www.chinacartimes.com]

M0L0TOV

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

xmlguy — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:40:09 EDT

TVR was sold to some Russian guy over a year ago, and it was reported he would bring it back under the Riley name. There was a tie-in with the MG brand also ...

So my guess is a new MGB under the Riley name, built by former TVR engineers ... and held together about as well as Mr Potato Head

xmlguy

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

FreeMan — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:31:44 EDT

Veyronamino?

hey, it hadn't been said yet.

So, Ben, what does nicjasno win for getting the Winter Guessing Game right?

FreeMan

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

ujointclothing — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:17:30 EDT

Genesis roadster???????

ujointclothing

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

jarque — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:35:42 EDT

Sort of off topic, but I love Slovenia... so pretty, such nice people

jarque

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

MatiBech — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:35:37 EDT

ooh tricky, my bet chinese Rover

MatiBech

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Skunky — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:03:11 EDT

I think it's the new Dodge Ram.

Skunky

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

ratbark — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:34:24 EDT

I agree with SinisterSaracen. It looks like an Alfa to me.

ratbark

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Kodiak33 — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:33:55 EDT

It's a Beemer, check the Angel Eyes in the 3rd picture (headlamps).

Kodiak33

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

nicjasno — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:30:27 EDT

They also have a website aparently:
[www.studentroadster.com]

nicjasno

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

nicjasno — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:27:30 EDT

Well, i got an explanation what this is. It's a student roadster, built by the students of the technical faculty in Ljubljana - Slovenia. It was a few years in the making. Aparent;y it uses the chassis of a peugeot 406. It'll be unveiled in about a week. Here is the announcement of the unveiling (pdf) with 2 aditional pics.

nicjasno

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

leemikemphstn — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:26:45 EDT

Could be the upcoming MG roadster.

leemikemphstn

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

SinisterSaracen — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:24:38 EDT

The headlights look like Alfa Romeo..

SinisterSaracen

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

layabout — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:15:45 EDT

@Number_Six: [www.ssip.net] Looks similar in size to the old Z1.

layabout

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

matevzm — Fri, 09 May 2008 13:10:35 EDT

The local discussion board was quite quick to find out that this is some sort of student project: [www.studentroadster.com]
The Slovenia is otherwise a weird location for testing, there are no advantages to neighboring Italy or Austria as far as roads are concerned.

matevzm

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

dolo54 — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:37:52 EDT

Yeah I'm going to say definitely new BMW Z.

dolo54

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

dolo54 — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:35:56 EDT

Looks like maybe the new BMW Z car? [ultimatecarforum.com]

dolo54

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price! — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:35:48 EDT

The side view mirrors look like those on the Civic;

And the door handles are similar to the s2000. Tail lamps don't look like Honda however. Maybe it's a Skoda or a new version of the Fiat Barchetta?

graverobber- Same great taste, new low price!

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

workingonyourinvoice — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:28:08 EDT

@muhnkee_2: The two most distinctive parts of the Smart Roadster were the back and the roll bar, and those are the two parts on this thing that were hacked off and obscured the most.

workingonyourinvoice

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

diskreet — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:27:57 EDT

@firepwr: That's what I'm thinking. Especially because of the ugly paint, roll bar and seats.

My bet is some kind of wildly kitted cheap coupe.

diskreet

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Gerard Drewpardieu — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:19:17 EDT

@leemikemphstn: Slovenia. And it's +386

Gerard Drewpardieu

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

muhnkee_2 — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:13:59 EDT

@al_beaton:
i doubt its the AC roadster, that big roll over bar was such an integral part of the Smart base car, i doubt they would chop that away...

muhnkee_2

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Unevolved: Whoop! — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:10:12 EDT

It looks like it's got 4-lug, so that pretty much rules out the S2K replacement, or anything else making anything close to resembling power.

Unevolved: Whoop!

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

al_beaton — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:55:23 EDT

@workingonyourinvoice: You could be right. It could be the Project Kimber / AC Roadster, which bought the rights to the Smart Roadster a couple of years ago and promises a factory in Wales. Thought it was dead, but who knows?

al_beaton

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Number_Six — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:54:02 EDT

OK, I am almost 100% on 2010 BMW Z2.

Number_Six

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

workingonyourinvoice — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:42:13 EDT

The front end is Smart Roadster all the way, but the rear is all jacked up.

workingonyourinvoice

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

leemikemphstn — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:41:36 EDT

Hey, if anyone knows Slovokia's country code, call that phone number on the side of the transporter and ask them what kind of car that was.

leemikemphstn

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:41:18 EDT

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

FatBraff — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:33:15 EDT

I am leaning away from Qvale on this one... Their website hasn't been updated since around 2002...

FatBraff

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

BlownOring — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:31:05 EDT

The tail lights look like they came of the K1 attack kit car ... I got nothing beyond that.

BlownOring

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

AntheaNarberth — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:30:08 EDT

Comment on Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads Lf-A Roadster.

AntheaNarberth

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Gerard Drewpardieu — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:28:35 EDT

Don't forget that there's quite a bit of auto construction going on in Austria though. According to Wikipedia, Magna Steyr currently produces:

Current production:
* BMW X3
* Chrysler Voyager
* Chrysler 300
* Jeep Commander
* Jeep Grand Cherokee
* Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4MATIC
* Mercedes-Benz G-Class
* Saab 9-3 Cabrio

Future production:
* Aston Martin Rapide

So Slovenia could be used by just about anyone as an "out of the way" testing spot for a production vehicle. That said, it looks pretty FIAT to me as well.

Gerard Drewpardieu

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

leemikemphstn — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:26:25 EDT

It's stance says "Mazda" and it could be the next generation MX-5 (Miata). Its design just doesn't seem to have Honda-clues. It would be funny if it was the rumored 'small' Jaguar sports car(!).

leemikemphstn

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

guruscotty — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:26:07 EDT

350z replacement? The windshield and front grill area could be an evolution.

guruscotty

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

j6r — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:23:58 EDT

Volkswagen has a large factory near there I believe (so does Porsche).

j6r

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

dculberson — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:23:31 EDT

@JUST POLAЯ: I was gonna say that. The wild paint implied TVR to me.

dculberson

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

FatBraff — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:22:32 EDT

Lin-Fong Sunshine Delight Combo 5

FatBraff

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Feds — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:21:18 EDT

@TheGuinnessTooth:

More specifically this roll bar, which appears to be made of exhaust tubing, and appears to be 9 tall. It would basically serve as the business end of a mouse trap in any sort of roll over.

Feds

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

muhnkee_2 — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:13:08 EDT

[www.carpages.co.uk]

based on its geographical location i am guessing its got something to do with Italy, slovenia is an odd a location for anyone else, except maybe the larger austrian car manufacturing companies, like um KTM and er, um, well...
so i am picking its a new subcompact alfa convertible, or a replacement for the fiat barchetta..

muhnkee_2

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

TheGuinnessTooth — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:09:07 EDT

@tekdemon: He wasn't saying roll bars are useless, just roll bars built by Chinese companies.

TheGuinnessTooth

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

P161911 — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:03:45 EDT

@ir_427: My guess is going to be Chinese version of De Tamaso Bigua/Qvale Mangusta/MG Xpower.

If battery drain is the only issue with the MGs just get a shut-off switch on the battery. That's what I'm doing to work around the mystery battery drain on my 87 BMW 325.

P161911

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

silex006 — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:02:41 EDT

Looks like the Yes Roadster. Compare the two back to back, it's amazingly close.

silex006

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

sos10 — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:01:07 EDT

Toyota Mr3

sos10

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

abgwin — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:00:06 EDT

that door handle looks really familiar.. like it was picked up out of an existing parts bin, but I can't quite place it.
anyone?

abgwin

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

ir_427 — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:57:12 EDT

@P161911: With the pictures that's pretty convincing (especially the original Mangusta). But it's hard to judge the scale in the mystery photos.

Never seen the Qvale, but those Xpower SV MGs were pretty big. Speaking of which, I believe someone just unearthed the last few, and is currently flogging them off pretty cheap. Unusual car. Just don't leave them for a while and expect them to start - some kind of electrical issue meant they tended to polish off their batteries stat...

ir_427

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

tekdemon — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:55:55 EDT

@Feds:
The rollbar isn't structurally useless...it's meant to prevent your head from being smushed if the vehicle rolls over.
Unless you enjoy having your skull crushed in I'd say it's pretty important.

tekdemon

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

SundaySunday — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:55:11 EDT

It does kind of have that "flame surfacing" thing going on, but something tells me it's more a Chinese facsimile of a BMW roadster.

SundaySunday

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:54:21 EDT

Dongfeng-Citroen-Peugeot

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

buLLet_t00th — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:54:10 EDT

Looks like something Smart would put out. Maybe an uprated Smart roadster? The front lights look exactly like a Smart roadster.

buLLet_t00th

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

ir_427 — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:50:36 EDT

I kind of agree with firepwr.

But, the Nissan Urge (or whatever it's actually going to be called) is a possibility - a sub-350Z roadster has been on the cards for a while, and this would be about the same size as the very minimalist concept that was shown a couple of years ago.

The rear overhang is practically non-existent, and that's a serious looking set of cooling fans attached to the radiator - I wonder what's under the bonnet. Highly raked-over windscreen, too...

The finish is oddly pro looking in places (the screen, windows, doors, wheels that somehow seem very OEM). But otherwise, what with the paint, I do think firepwr may have it.

By the way, have any of you guys seen the Beira? It's rebodied GM Kappa platform with a V8 instead of the ecotech 4. Was at Top Marques the other week...

ir_427

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

P161911 — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:50:28 EDT

Looks awfully close to this: Mangusta (side profile esp.)
or this
MG Xpower (very close on the rear end)
didn't the chinese get the rights to one of these versions. Or maybe some owner was just playing mix 'n match with body panels.

P161911

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:45:14 EDT

@Dr.Danger's got the power: Well yeah, I suppose there's the headlight thing... and the fact that there are no speed holes coming up through the hood from the wheel wells to throw rocks at your head!

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Number_Six — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:44:31 EDT

@layabout: Can't see it being anything else unless it's a boutique maker.

Number_Six

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Eclectified — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:43:59 EDT

I don't think it's a Miata or S2000 replacement. The Miata is due for a face lift but, not a full redesign and it doesn't appear to have the proportions of the Miata. As for S2K... it really doesn't appear to have the proportions to be something I'd expect from honda.
At first I thought it could be a new Porsche Boxster because of the big fenders but, I'm not so sure of that now. It does look like it would house a mid-ship engine, though. Maybe a new MR2?

Eclectified

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

v8corvairpickup — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:42:44 EDT

Looks to me like a Z4 roadster nose with a Boxster rear.

v8corvairpickup

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

WesR — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:41:53 EDT

2012 370Z?

WesR

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

firepwr — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:40:50 EDT

Do test mules usually have that kind of paint and a racing number on the doors? No? Then why would we think it is a mule and not just someone's fiberglass dream that has been ill-prepared to protect from rocks in transport. Or maybe he want's his dream car to be thought of as a mule while he ships it down for a track-day.

firepwr

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

layabout — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:40:07 EDT

@Number_Six: You may be onto something there.

layabout

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Maymar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:37:57 EDT

I would've said the replacement for the BMW Z4 until I saw the back end.

Maybe the next Lincoln Continental?

Maymar

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Dr.Danger's got it all — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:37:05 EDT

@JUST POLAЯ: Not enough headlamps for a TVR, needs six more.

The back lights say Honda to me.

Dr.Danger's got it all

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Number_Six — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:35:55 EDT

Number_Six

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Number_Six — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:34:06 EDT

2010 BMW Z2.

Number_Six

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

P161911 — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:34:05 EDT

Looks like it could be the latest incarnation of the Qvale Mangusta, DeTamaso, MG XPower, etc.

The sports car that just won't die.

P161911

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:34:01 EDT

TVR

POLAЯZSMAЯTAMINO

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Feds — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:33:30 EDT

@Feds:

Eeee.. I've got to stop focusing so much on work...

Meant:

Bass-Boat paint [CHECK]
Structurally Useless Rollbar [CHECK]

Feds

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Feds — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:31:00 EDT

Derivative styling [CHECK]
Bass-Boat paing [CHECK]
Eastern-European testing faciliy [CHECK]

Ladies and Gentlemen, say hello to the Quang-Chang-Xi-Motors Happy-Supper-Horse-Sun-Drive Roadster.

{I think it's something from a random Chinese company}

Feds

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

Hart88 — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:27:41 EDT

Looks generic enough to be a replacement for the Honda S2000.

Hart88

Mystery Roadster Snapped in Slovenia, We Scratch Heads

MOPAR-MAN — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:27:06 EDT

MIATA

MOPAR-MAN