Nagari 500 (2019 – Today)

It was discovered that the Nagari 300 concept and design could fit a V8 engine in place of the V6 with very little modification. Wheelbase needed only an increase of 50mm and there was sufficient room for the Chevrolet LS3 motor even if the standard supercharger was mounted atop. When the design was fully researched it was found that the Chev V8 was almost exactly the same weight as the Toyota V6. Adaption to the Audi transmission was a little more difficult but was nevertheless achieved.

Further sophistication to the capsule design and the use of Corvette forged alloy suspension arms meant that weight could be controlled and the final vehicle weighed in at 985 Kg. Again, a remarkable result then compared to other supercars. With small modification to the exhaust system power was close to 500bhp (hence the description ‘Nagari 500’). It was released at the MotorClassica in Melbourne in 2019 at the Melbourne Exhibition Building for the 50th anniversary of the Nagari. The original Nagari was released exactly 50 years previously at the same building.

Unofficially the Nagari 500 will achieve a 0 to 100Kph in under 3 seconds. The Nagari 500 has some styling changes from the 300 but remains essentially a mid-engine vehicle with a classic shape and sophisticated interior. Current weight reduction development intends to reduce the unsprung weight by a further 40 Kgs. ADR compliance of this Nagari 300 variant will make it the supreme example of Australian research, design, and innovation. The development team consisted of Toby Hunt (Bolwell Technology P/L Chief Development Engineer), Graeme Bolwell, and Ross McConnell, noting that it was Graeme and Ross who worked together on the original Nagari 50 years previously after Graeme returned from working in the UK with Colin Chapman at Lotus. History was repeating itself.