Although still very much on the drawing board, what you see above is what Praktiko hope to start building in the UAE as early as 2010.
The company already has the engine – last year it purchased the rights to the Biland kart engine. It’s a 27bhp 250cc two-cylinder four-stroke engine, which was originally considered for the SWATCH car, before Mercedes-Benz took over the project. Drive will be to the rear wheels via a CVT gearbox.
Praktiko has set itself some tough challenges, the Tiger Kub must have a dry weight of 380kg, a 100kph top speed, return 4.5litres per 100km and cost $2500 or 100,000 Indian Rupees (1 lakh).
Instead of conventional steel, the Tiger Kub’s body panels will be made from magnesium as will the engine block. The metal is lighter and stronger than aluminium, and although is more expensive to buy on the open market, won’t be for Praktiko as the company has its own mine in Iran.
A rolling prototype will begin intensive road-testing in the coming months using an old Volkswagen Beetle body with a number of aerodynamic alterations.
One challenge is to retune the engine to develop its power lower down the rev range, as a 13,000rpm redline isn’t appropriate for a car.
Praktiko will sell the Tiger Kub in India initially, with variants for Africa and Europe following later.
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