French Unheard Automotive Manufacturer Hommell: A Journey of Challenges and Success

Rare ONES - France, a significant player in the European automotive world since its inception, boasts numerous automotive business actors, ranging from small to large-scale companies. Among these is Hommell, a French automotive manufacturer founded in 1990 by Michel Hommell, a former racing driver and owner of the French car magazine Échappement. The company was based in Lohéac, near Rennes, Brittany.

The first Hommel Berlinette Échappement Coupé prototype developed based on the renowned Alpine A110 and designed by Gilles Dupré. (Picture from: Thomas Bersy on Flickr)

Hommell's first car was developed based on the renowned Alpine A110 and designed by Gilles Dupré, who also oversaw the next two models produced by the company. The prototype of the first sports car was unveiled at the 1990 Paris Salon and received positive feedback, motivating the company to proceed with the production version.

The Hommel Berlinette Échappement Coupé production version first built in 1994 and powered by a mid-mounted 2.0-liter Peugeot engine, a 6-speed gearbox, a tubular steel chassis, and all-round independent suspension. (Picture from: PetrolHedia)

The production version of Hommell's inaugural sports car, known as the Hommel Berlinette Échappement, was manufactured in the company's workshop facilities near Michel Hommell's Manor/Race Circuit in northwestern of France. Revealed at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show, this two-seater sports coupe featured a mid-mounted 2.0-liter Peugeot engine, a 6-speed gearbox, a tubular steel chassis, and all-round independent suspension.

The Hommel Barquette was approximately 40 kg lighter than the Berlinette, and built only 52 units. (Picture from: Nico Bzh on Flickr)

The sports car's design drew similarities to a slightly larger, enclosed Lotus Elise Mk1, showcasing a mix of styles, including Gandini-style rear fender slashes and a Marcos-esque nose. Despite the intriguing rear design, the car remained distinct..

The lightweight fiberglass body, weighing only 950 kg, exuded a captivating racing-style appearance and came in a limited production run of 63 units. The car was equipped with essential racing components such as a roll cage, harnesses, and a stripped-down interior. Its top speed reached 138 mph (222 km/h).

The Hommel Berlinette RS was produced as a 1999 model and equipped with a more powerful Citroën engine, generating 167 bhp and enabling a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h). (Picture from: PetrolHedia)

In 1998, Hommell introduced the Hommell Barquette, an open-top version with slight differences from its predecessor, the Hommell Berlinette. The Barquette featured twin headlights and taillights instead of the ZX's headlights and brake lights and was approximately 40 kg lighter. The drivetrain remained the same, with a slightly lower top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) compared to the Berlinette.

The Hommel Berlinette RS2 featured twin headlights and taillights instead of the ZX's headlights and brake lights. (Picture from: Automobile-Sportive)

In the same period, Hommell also launched the Hommell Berlinette RS, a 1999 model based on the original Berlinette. This version was equipped with a more powerful Citroën engine, generating 167 bhp and enabling a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h). Subsequently, the Hommell Berlinette RS2 debuted in 2001 as the ultimate model with a 195-horsepower burst from the engine. 

The Hommel Berlinette RS2 was produced in 2001 as the company's ultimate model with a 195-horsepower burst from the engine. (Picture from: Automobile-Sportive)

Despite achieving some success, Hommell encountered significant challenges due to stringent French government regulations, which made it difficult to register their road-legal cars. As a result, Michel Hommell decided to halt the production of these three-grain-badged cars, as he believed he had already showcased his capabilities and found it no longer feasible to continue production. Recently, there have been reports of Chinese investors showing interest in revitalizing the three-grain wheat brand on the global stage.

As for the value of these Hommell heritage sports cars, they are highly sought after. In 2017, one of the 63 units of the Hommell Berlinette was auctioned at Beau Car in Antwerp, Belgium, fetching €39,000 (approximately $41,800). *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BRINGATRAILER | MANOIR-AUTOMOBILE.FR | PETROLHEADIA | WIKIPEDIA | GRAN-TURISMO.FANDOM | AUTOMOBILE-SPORTIVE ]

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