Afghan car company unveils supercar Simurgh, resembling Batmobile, at the Geneva Motor show
Geneva International Motor Show, one sleek supercar stands out — the Simurgh, a vehicle that could be mistaken for the Batmobile at first glance. Its black, low-slung design with flared wheel arches exudes an aura of speed and sophistication.
Yet, on closer inspection, it becomes evident that the Simurgh is no ordinary car among the impressive lineup in Doha.
The windshield sealing is uneven, and visitors can't open the doors since the interiors remain unfinished. However, the most remarkable aspect of this car is its origin: Afghanistan, a country grappling with the challenges posed by the Taliban's rule over the last two years.
Named after the mythical Persian creature with the head of a dog, the claws of a lion, and the size to carry off an elephant or a whale, Simurgh is the result of a five-year endeavor by a team of 30 people led by Entop's CEO, Mohammad Reza Ahmadi, who also serves as the chief engineer and designer.
This project faced numerous delays due to the pandemic and the collapse of Afghanistan's economy following the Taliban's takeover.
While Afghanistan's treacherous mountain roads typically favor rugged four-wheel drives and SUVs, Ahmadi's vision was to create something unique. «I want to build something to put my country on the map again,» he stated during an interview in Doha.
«The Simurgh represents the heroes and art of Afghanistan. An SUV won't be the same.»
This supercar, powered by a four-cylinder engine, made its debut late last year.
It garnered widespread attention in January when a video of a previous version, then known as Mada9, went viral after being shared by a Taliban spokesperson. The video depicted a crowd of former insurgents admiring the vehicle.
This striking image contrasts
