Here's an example of what should it be a modern small series sports car made by Valmet Automotive

Compact&Nimble Some time ago we've discussed about the Toroidion 1MW electric-powered supercar made by an automotive company from Finland. Unfortunately the car project's ending was unknown, because the company having financial problem and went into bankruptcy. So, on this occasion, we will discuss again a small series sports car which was also developed by another Finnish automotive company. 

Valmet Automotive's new roadster-design named the RaceAbout while sat on display at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. (Picture from: Madle.org)

The car in question is the Valmet Raceabout made by Valmet Automotive (formerly known as Saab-Valmet). The car is produced in small numbers, and intended for even more narrowly limited target groups. Before discussing this sports car further, let's first look at the auto company whose made it. As quoted of Wikipedia, that Valmet Automotive (formerly known as Saab-Valmet) is a Finnish vehicle contract manufacturer and major supplier for the development and production of battery systems as well as for roof and kinematic systems.

This Valmet Raceabout sports car is built for an example of what should it be a modern small series sports car. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

The company has excellent operational readiness to serve the OEMs on this growing market segment, also with smaller volumes the OEM customer can profit from the volume production benefits, like cost efficiency and constant high quality. In addition, Valmet Automotive is also collaborated with several research and educational institutions in those country to lay nicely foundation for future innovation and promotes the development of local automotive industry knowledge. At the same time for ensuring the availability of skilled engineering manpower in the future as well.

The Valmet Raceabout has bodywork consisted of detachable body panels made of carbon composite material combined with an all-aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, and built on stainless steel sub-frames. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

So it is not surprising if the Valmet Raceabout sports car designed and assembled by Finnish automotive engineering and design students at the Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia and at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, due to both educational institutions have become main partners of Valmet Automotive in the project.

The Valmet Raceabout light-weight (approx 795 kg) body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

The RaceAbout sports car is presented for the first time to public at the Valmet Automotive's booth in the 2005 Geneva Motor Show as an example of what it should be a modern small series sports car. It is a sporty roadster has bodywork consisted of detachable body panels made of carbon composite material combined with an all-aluminum monocoque, honeycomb floor pan, and built on stainless steel sub-frames. Its light-weight (approx 795 kg) body structure was a distinctive target in the engineering of the car.

The Valmet Raceabout light-weight sports car is powered by an inline-four, 1,998 cc mid-mounted turbocharged engine of Saab coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox, and Torsen-type differential lock. (Picture from: SuperCars.net)

Besides that the car equiped by double wishbones in the front and rear, custom-made Koni shock absorbers, adjustable bump and rebound, blade-type adjustable balance bar in the front, possible to adjust roll, pitch and yaw centers. Furthermore, for the interior panel section is made using a carbon composite then layered with all genuine-leather, which is equipped with two Sparco's racing-style seats with 4-point safety belts.

Meanwhile for its drivetrain, it's used an all-aluminum, inline-four, 1,998 cc mid-mounted turbocharged engine of Saab coupled with 5-speed manual gearbox, and Torsen-type differential lock. Those engine could be spew out maximum power of 200 kW @ 5,200 rpm and torque of 420 Nm @ 3,600 rpm, and able to make the car running up to limited top speed of 235 kph with an acceleration from 0 to 100 kph less than 5 seconds.

After the Geneva auto exhibition is over, it's not known whether the production of this Valmet roadster model would be continued or not? However, in 2010 this Finnish car manufacturer revealed the 4WD electric version of Roadster is called Valmet Electric RaceAbout (ERA). Todays, after more than a decade, those two roadster models made by Valmet Autmotive are no longer heard of.😞 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | SUPERCARSNET | TOPSPEED ]

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