Can you name this car?
Is this based on an Autozam AZ-1 ?
I suppose the row of Autozam AZ-1s in the background is a bit of giveaway...
Abarth Scorpione?
Yes it's Shiro Kosaka's cheekily-named Abarth Scorpione of 1996, based on Mazda's Autozam AZ-1. Here's a front view
Actually it's designed by Italian Pierangelo Andreani who was a freelancer of Tria Design (some say it was his own company) known for the Tria Lynx supercar.
His most famous works were the Ferrari Mondial and the Maserati Biturbo.
So, he consistently penned cars that were less attractive than other cars from the brands with which he worked..
so to say....
Though you may don't like Mr. Clarkson stay tuned till 1:15...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkO8y3AxRps
A shame he did that to the Biturbo. I love the looks of the Biturbo models - particularly the later ones, like the Shamal and the Ghibli. I'd love to own a Ghibli at one point. I'd choose one over an M3 or AMG C-class any day - because a) it's Italian and b) it's just discretely elegant.
That's my opinion, anyway...
Interesting. I had no idea Pierangelo Andreani was behind this project. The kit of body panels was offered in Japan for an extraordinarily high price back in 1996
More pics: