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The Luxury of Limited-Series Thermal Performance

Who hasn't felt that pang of nostalgia for vehicles of yesteryear? The interest in "old-timers"—those iconic cars that marked their era with their lines, unique design, or inimitable engine sound—has never been stronger. Legendary models like the Audi Quattro, the Delorean, and the Mercedes 190E EVOII continue to fascinate and inspire dreams.

Today, a new trend, restomod, offers a second life to these icons. It's the art of merging the charm of the old with the performance and technology of the new.

What is Restomod?

The term restomod is a portmanteau of "restoration" and "modification." It involves taking a classic vehicle, restoring its original lines, but integrating modern components: a more powerful engine, more effective brakes, improved suspension, contemporary onboard electronics, and sometimes even high-tech materials like carbon. The goal is to create a vehicle that has the soul of an icon but the behavior and reliability of a modern car.

These creations cater to an informed, often wealthy, audience seeking exclusivity, performance, and, above all, the raw sensations that only thermal powertrains can provide.

The Masters of Restomod Art

The restomod market is a true playground for automotive artisans who push the boundaries of engineering and design. Names like Singer (with their Porsche 911s), Gunther Werks (also on 911s), and TWR have become global benchmarks.

More recently, HWA made waves with the announcement of its Mercedes-Benz 190E. This modern reinterpretation of the legendary 190E is expected to feature a 450-horsepower and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) bi-turbo V6. This is phenomenal power for such a compact chassis, promising thrilling sensations and an unparalleled driving experience. These projects represent the pinnacle of restomod: vehicles produced in very limited series, with extraordinary build quality and performance that rivals current supercars.

Thermal Nostalgia and Small-Series Homologation

For us at WOT, these restomods share an essential commonality with our philosophy: the desire to keep the internal combustion engine, driving sensations, and mechanical pleasure alive for as long as possible. In a world where electrification is inevitable, these neo-retro creations are bastions of traditional automotive enjoyment. They celebrate the sound of an engine, the smell of gasoline, and the direct connection between driver and machine.

These feats are made possible thanks to the flexibility offered by small-series homologation. Instead of having to conform to drastic mass production standards (which are costly and very restrictive, especially in terms of emissions and crash tests for tens of thousands of units), these artisans benefit from an adapted regulatory framework:

  • Streamlined Process: Homologation requirements are less burdensome than for vehicles produced in hundreds of thousands of units.

  • Specific Controls: Vehicles are homologated based on unit tests or very limited series (often fewer than 500 units per year for Europe), which verify compliance with essential safety and emission standards, but without the industrial constraints of major manufacturers.

  • Technical Flexibility: This allows for greater freedom in component selection and engineering, favoring the integration of modern powertrains into older chassis.

This legal framework is the cornerstone of the restomod market, allowing these rolling works of art to come into being and circulate legally. For us, it also opens up perspectives on the future of remapping, where the homologation of our modifications could become the norm to guarantee performance and compliance.

The restomod market is not only lucrative for those who practice it; it is also a symbol of an unwavering passion for automobiles in their purest form.

The WOT world

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