Марокколық спорт көліктері: Laraki Automobiles

Moroccan sports car manufacturer

Laraki Automobiles SA is a Moroccan manufacturer of high performance sports cars based in Casablanca, Morocco.

Laraki was established in 1999 by Abdesslam Laraki, a Moroccan designer and entrepreneur who first became wealthy by importing cars in Morocco beginning in 1973. His son and the current owner of the firm is Abdeslam Laraki, a Moroccan designer who started out creating luxurious yachts and created the eponym company Laraki. Then following the steps of his father, he studied automobile design in Switzerland and soon after launched his first model, the Laraki Fulgura, in 2002. In 2012, the conceptual artist Eric Van Hove arrived in Marrakech to resume work on an ambitious sculptural endeavor he had prepared for years: V12 Laraki. In the space of nine months, he gathered around him 42 master craftsmen from the region and began rebuilding a Mercedes 6.2 L V12 engine using rural materials and centuries old craft techniques from the North African country. Conceptually, this sculpture is based on the story of the Laraki Fulgura, which was entirely manufactured in Morocco to the exception of its engine. The artist decided to try and reproduce that cutting edge component locally using craft That sculpture was displayed at the 5th Marrakech Biennale and soon acquired by the Hood Museum of Art. The technical director is Peter Tutzer, previously from Bugatti.

The Laraki Fulgura is the company's first attempt at a sports car. Originally unveiled as a concept at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, a proposed production version debuted a year later at the same show. A slightly redesigned version of the bodywork was unveiled in 2005. Based on the frame and mechanicals of a Lamborghini Diablo, Nine cars of this model are planned to be built. Fitted with the V8 engine of a Z06 Chevrolet Corvette, Laraki added twin turbochargers to the already powerful engine. Fueled by 91 octane gasoline fuel, the Epitome can produce 1,200 Horsepower. Additionally it has a second fuel tank that can be filled with 110 octane gasoline fuel, which can up it to 1,750 Horsepower. The body is made of carbon fiber. The car weighs 2,800 pounds. Hip hop artist French Montana bought one of the 9 models planned for production.