Jehle Artemis: A Wedge Shaped Supercar from Liechtenstein

Unique Wedge-Shaped - Emanating from the mysterious domain of the automotive world, entwined with the legacies of numerous defunct brands, are automotive masterpieces that once ignited the admiration of impassioned enthusiasts in their zenith. Introducing Jehle Artemis, a supercar prototype veiled in obscurity, meticulously crafted by the Liechtenstein-based automotive company Jehle in the early 1990s.

The Jehle Artemis is a supercar prototype veiled in obscurity, meticulously crafted by the Liechtenstein-based automotive company Jehle in the early 1990s. (Picture from: AuoGen.pl)

Established by Xavier Jehle, the company thrived from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, holding its place as one of only two automotive entities ever rooted in Liechtenstein, sharing the spotlight with Orca Engineering. It specialized into car manufacturing, by producing a series of unique buggies with modified Volkswagen and Citroën engines. Notable among these early creations was the wedge-shaped Saphier, featuring a Beetle floor plate and a range of engines, from Golf to the V8 from Ford, necessitating a new chassis.

The Jehle early creations was the wedge-shaped Saphier, featuring a Beetle floor plate and a range of engines, from Golf to the V8 from Ford, necessitating a new chassis. (Picture from: Auto.cz)

The company's journey expanded further as they delved into the intricate tuning of De Tomaso models, focusing notably on their engines—the Pantera coupe and the Longchamp grand tourer. However, the evolution of the Saphier concept and Jehle's experience with Italian sports cars sparked a new ambition—to create a bespoke sports car that would claim the title of the fastest and most powerful in the world. Thus, the exotic coupe project, born in the 1980s, was aptly named after the Greek goddess of hunting and nature—Artemis.

Jehle's journey expanded further as they delved into the intricate tuning of De Tomaso models, focusing notably on their engines—the Pantera coupe and the Longchamp grand tourer. (Picture from: AleSupercars)

Significant strides were taken in the development of the new model that appear to draw inspiration from the iconic Lamborghini Countach. In this venture, Jehle diverged from relying on engines from established manufacturers. Instead, he conceived and crafted a bespoke V12 engine, boasting five valves per cylinder and a robust 6.6-liter capacity, complemented by two turbochargers. 

The take-off power surged to an impressive 500 horsepower, with the option, upon request, to elevate it to a staggering thousand! Its declared empty weight stood at 1,200 kg, translating to an exceptional maximum power-to-weight ratio of 1.2 kg/hp. These remarkable figures for a '90s supercar, crafted by an obscure company from an unfamiliar country, add an intriguing layer to its mystique.

The envisioned Jehle Artemis supercar was slated to be 4.25 meters in length, with an approximate weight of 1,200 kilograms. (Picture from: AuoGen.pl)

The incorporation of variable boost pressure regulation from the cabin introduced a customizable dimension. In theory, these specifications held the promise of reaching speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour and achieving a remarkable acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds! A small reminder for you - the 400km/h barrier was reached by Bugatti Veyron 14 years later, in 2005.

The interior design would accommodate 4 passengers (2+2 seating), even it had a telephone and HiFi system integrated into the side armrests. (Picture from: AuoGen.pl)

The envisioned vehicle was slated to be 4.25 meters in length, with an approximate weight of 1,200 kilograms. The production plan aimed for around 10 units per year, each to be meticulously crafted on a robust steel chassis. The interior design would accommodate 4 passengers (2+2 seating). It had a telephone and HiFi system integrated into the side armrests. Front seats could be equipped with 3- or 5-point seatbelts, offering a unique and intimate driving experience.

The company crafted a bespoke V12 engine, boasting five valves per cylinder and a robust 6.6-liter capacity, complemented by two turbochargers for the Artemis. (Picture from: AuoGen.pl)

All these features reflecting the exclusivity and innovation embedded in Jehle's vision for the Artemis, were packaged with a price tag of approximately ₣552,000 at the time. This would be approx. €626,000 or $748,000 in current money. Unfortunately, these ambitious plans never came to fruition. Financial constraints halted the project before it could take flight.

Three chassis were in progress: the first serving display purposes, lacking an engine and interior but concealed beneath a full-scale body sculpture. The second chassis remained incomplete. The third, intended as the sole complete Artemis, featuring the proprietary V12, found its home with a customer in the Middle East.

In the end, Jehle Artemis stands as an unrealized dream, a testament to the challenges faced by innovators in the automotive realm. The bold vision and technical prowess displayed in its design are a poignant reminder of the unfulfilled potential of this Liechtenstein-born supercar. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTA5P.EU | AUTOGEN.PL | ALLCARINDEX ]

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