Arturo Arino’s Reptile Brings the Lightweight Roadster into the 21st Century

If the KTM X-Bow and Ariel Atom have taught us anything, it is that simple, stripped-down cars with go-kart like handling and supercar performance are the shiz. With that in mind, Mexican industrial designer Arturo Arino presents us with the Reptile, an imaginary hybrid racer that can also be driven on the streets. Equipped with a 2.7 L Wankel rotary producing a theoretical 700 hp (552 kW) at 9,000 rpm, a 4-pole electric induction motor and regenerative braking to recharge the batteries, this lightweight / topless roadster epitomizes the long held motoring philosophy that, "less is more". With seating for two and what looks like a touch screen entertainment system a la the Nissan GT-R's multifunction display, the Reptile would – if it existed – offer a fine balance between pure performance, creature comfort and environmental responsibility. Take for instance the rotary engine, which kicks in only when the Reptile's put in RACE mode. With looks to die for and a paint scheme possibly inspired by Fiat's legendary Abarth models, the Reptile is sadly little more than a (very good) illustration. Check out our gallery below and leave your piece in the comments section. PHOTO GALLERY