Aixam Mega Track: The First Off-Road Supercar of 90s

All-Terrain BEAST - In the world of supercars, where speed and sleek designs often steal the spotlight, the Aixam Mega Track stands out as a curious exception. This French marvel, crafted by Aixam Mega, presents a blend of unconventional features that make it both fascinating and elusive. Created by a company more renowned for compact cars and quadricycles, the Mega Track emerged as a bold deviation from its origins, capturing the imaginations of car enthusiasts in an unexpected way.

The Aixam Mega Track designed to challenge conventional notions of high performance and off-road capability. (Picture from: Aixam)

Founded in 1983 in Aix-les-Bains, France, Aixam initially focused on producing microcars and quadricycles. These vehicles were lightweight and low-speed, catering to a niche market where driving licenses were not always required. This focus on compact vehicles laid the groundwork for Aixam’s transition to something entirely different: a supercar designed to challenge conventional notions of high performance and off-road capability.

The Aixam Mega Track presents a blend of unconventional features that make it both fascinating and elusive supercar. (Picture from: Drive.com.au)

The Mega Track was born from this adventurous spirit. Launched in 1992, it marked the debut of the "Mega" brand, a new venture for Aixam into the realm of sports cars. The Track was unlike anything seen before. Its dimensions were enormous, measuring 199.6 inches in length and 88.6 inches in width. 

The Aixam Mega Track featured a fully instrumented and elaborately trimmed interior, paired with a powerful climate control system, high-end stereo, power windows, and more. (Picture from: FastestLaps)

This size, coupled with an adjustable clearance that ranged from eight to thirteen inches, contributed to its unique presence. Despite its large footprint and a hefty weight of around 5,000 pounds, the Mega Track boasted a powerful 6.0-liter Mercedes-Benz V12 engine that delivered an impressive 400 horsepower and a top speed of 155 mph.

The Aixam Mega Track offered four comfortable seats, with the wide coupe doors revealing a second row of seating that provided surprisingly generous legroom. (Picture from: RareFrenchSportscars)

Yet, the Mega Track's story is not merely about its specs. It’s about the curious decisions and unanticipated outcomes that followed its creation. Designed with off-road capabilities, a feature unusual for supercars, the Track was intended to be versatile. However, the car's pricing was another standout feature, set at about $300,000 in 1992, reflecting its high-end status despite its unorthodox design. No wonder, only five or six examples were built during 1992 to 2000.

The Track's development and production were fraught with challenges. Aixam’s ambition led them to incorporate features that, while innovative, also resulted in a production bottleneck. The company anticipated limited demand for such an unusual vehicle, which led to a slow production pace. In the end, only five units were made. This limited production, combined with the long wait time, meant that by the time the Mega Track was available, public interest had waned.

The Aixam Mega Track measuring 199.6 inches in length, 88.6 inches in width, and a hefty weight of around 5,000 pounds. (Picture Mini.43.fr)

The Mega Track’s appeal was evident at events like the Paris Motor Show, where its unusual features and high price tag did little to deter the fascinated audience. Despite the initial enthusiasm, the reality of producing only a handful of units meant that the car did not achieve long-term success. The Mega Track became a collector’s item, remembered more for its audacity than for its market impact.

The Aixam Mega Track boasted a powerful 6.0-liter Mercedes-Benz V12 engine that delivered an impressive 400 horsepower and a top speed of 155 mph. (Picture from: FastestLaps)

Aixam Mega's attempt to make a mark in the supercar world with the Mega Track was both bold and unique. It was a vehicle that defied expectations and blended luxury with practicality in a way that was both intriguing and impractical. As automotive history moved on, the Mega Track quietly slipped into obscurity, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and curiosity. | RnVltPvoQFc |

In the end, the Mega Track serves as a reminder of how innovation and bold design can sometimes create vehicles that are ahead of their time, or simply too unusual for widespread acceptance. The story of the Aixam Mega Track is one of daring to be different in a world that often values the conventional. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AIXAM | HOTCARS | DRIVE.COM.AU | FASTESTLAPS | RAREFRENCHSPORTSCARS | MINI.43.FR | WIKIPEDIA ]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone