Hommell Berlinette RS2 (and Vaillante)

"BATC42" (BATC42) 10/23/2014 at 18:47 • Filed to: Vaillante, Hommell, French

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Unless you're an avid Gran Turismo player you've probably never heard of this weird French car. Hommell was founded in 1990 and revealed its first car in 1994, the Berlinette Echappement. It featured a tubular chassis and the engine from a Peugeot 405 MI16 putting out 150 hp. Some renowed companies took part in the development of the car drivetrain such as Michelin, Bilstein or Oreca. All in a car that weighs just 950 kg (less than 2100 lbs)

Jump a few years in the future, in 2001, and Hommell is revealing a new model of the Berlinette, the RS2. This time it features a modified 306 S16 engine producing 195 hp. And it still weighed the same. This was an insane car, but they only made 56 RS2s (the entire run of the Berlinette was around 200 cars).

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None the less, to this day you can sometime spot a Berlinette on a rally stage. But what I find most interesting with this car is that it was used as the roots for a replica of a car made by a well known imaginary brand.

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This is a Vaillante Grand Défi. Vaillante is the brand from the French "bande dessinée" (or comic) Michel Vaillant (on the adventures of a racing car driver). Though it wasn't based on the RS2, but on the Barquette (which was basically a roadster version of the Berlinette). It had a less powerful engine (only 150 hp), but it was also less heavy after following a 150 kg diet. The Vaillante weighed around 800 kg (less than 1800 lbs). This car must be a blast to drive.

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Yes those headlights come from an mkIV Volkswagen Golf. Still, I think this car looks quite awesome.

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PanchoVilleneuve ST > BATC42 10/23/2014 at 19:03

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These things were god mode in GT5's French seasonals.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PanchoVilleneuve ST 10/23/2014 at 19:22

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I remember in GT4 they could be tuned up to almost 300hp and would punch way, way, waaaaay above their class.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/23/2014 at 19:30

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My favourite car in that game until I hit the LMP cars.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/23/2014 at 19:31

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They're up there with that nutzo Busa-engined Suzuki concept thing as far as giant slaying goes.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PanchoVilleneuve ST 10/23/2014 at 19:41

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GSX-R/4!

It was actually built as a functioning concept, and Suzuki revealed it alongside a concept for a Formula Hayabusa racing series!

PanchoVilleneuve ST > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/23/2014 at 19:42

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This is the ultimate in cheap in GT5 and 6, it's the lap leader on every time trial that allows it.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > PanchoVilleneuve ST 10/23/2014 at 19:53

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In GT4 you just had to compete in Suzuki only kei-car cup, which unlocked the Swift concept. Then you had to win a Swift concept only series and you got the GSX-R/4. It took some time but all in all it cost less than buying a new car.