No masquerading about as a sheep –
the Lykan Hypersport makes no bones about its supercar-munching ambitions
What would be your first thoughts if
someone mentioned an Arabia-made hypercar? If they happen to be “gold” and
“diamonds”, give yourself a healthy pat on the back.
W Motors, the Arabian world’s very first
carmaker, has brought to life the multiple oil well-owning Arabian petrolhead’s
wet dream in the shape of the Lykan Hypersport. And predictably, it has
included all the (unnecessary) ingredients necessary to make a hypercar
desirable enough for the Arabs. Starting with the name. The “Lykan” is a name
derived from the most advanced mythical wolf species, identified as the
“Lycan”. Could have done with a ‘c’, but this one’s a ‘k’.
The
Lykan is a completely new car, designed by Italy’s Studiotorino and powered by
the Porsche-loving German manufacturer RUF
The Lykan is a completely new car, designed
by Italy’s Studiotorino and powered by the Porsche-loving German manufacturer
RUF. This collaboration has given birth to a car that looks mind-boggling –
even if it looks a bit Lambo Aventadorish viewed side-on. The car follows a
very angular design theme – a rippling bonnet, bulging side-strakes and massive
haunches cues that lend it a strong (and much needed) identity.
It is a hypercar though, and it does follow
the template religiously. The engine is a 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged fat-six
(RUF tinkers with Porsches, this must surely be a coincidence…) mounted
amidships and coupled to a six-speed auto ’box. The engine makes a
not-so-insignificant 750bhp and 1000Nm that take the Lykan to 100kph in 2.8
seconds and a top speed of 395kph (if you can keep it in a straight line for
that long, that is). Remember, all of the engine’s… ahem, Germanic fury will be
directed at the rear wheels through a limited-slip dif. In the Lykan’s case
though, tire replacement bills should look trivial when placed next to the
kilometer-long fuel bills.
The devil in the Lykan’s case, as always,
is in the details. The interior is where the genius of oil-stained Middle
Eastern hands shines through. The fine-grain leather seats are stitched using
strands of pure gold, and the display in the centre console is holographic,
interactive as well as motion-sensitive. What that means is that you can
control basic operations in the car using just gestures. Don’t be surprised if
the car tells you how good you are with your fingers.
Control
system
The Lykan’s key is an amalgam of carbon
fiber and titanium and on request, W Motors will garnish it with precious
stones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires and elephant tusk (ok, made up that
last one). A limited-edition Cyrus Klepcys watch is part of the package,
exclusive to Lykan owners. And then, the most ostentatious bit – the
headlights, which are encrusted with 420 diamonds. Four-hundred and twenty
(insert Indian-context 420-related joke here).
Which brings us to the Lykan’s price. It
costs $360,000 in standard form (excluding all duties). The price will only
head further north once you start customizing it to your highly objectionable
tastes – that’s if you happen to be one of the seven people who will ever own a
Lykan Hypersport.
W Motors says the Lykan is “a modern
machine with a touch of humanity”. Okay, stop laughing already.
