MAKKINA TRIUMPH TR25
We last saw Makkina’s concept car, inspired by the Jabbeke speed recordbreaking Triumph TR2, MVC 575, at the British Motor Museum after it had appeared at the Classic Motor Show on the TR Register’s stand last November.
At the show a member of the design team behind the TR25, Jordan Gendle, explained how the Makkina’s design was produced with BMW’S blessing – it owns the rights to the Triumph brand – and utilises the German marque’s all-electric i3 platform.
He explained to the NEC crowds: ‘We wanted to ground this design in some element of realism, which I think adds to the car’s credibility. The motors, batteries, drivetrain – it’s all been considered. This isn’t a running prototype but it could be using those elements.’
As for the design itself, Jordan explained that it was in equal parts inspired by the TR2 while simultaneously looking to the future: ‘We wanted to make something that would feel timeless. You can see how the lines taper towards the front and rear; it’s almost a monolithic shape. And because it’s so low it gives you a view that you don’t often get from a lot cars.’
Asked about his most favourite elements of the design, Jordan said:
‘I love the face. I love the serious but friendly expression, because that’s such a recognisable part of TRS and British sports cars generally. They’re not super-angry or aggressive – they’re approachable. And that’s really quite rare in car design at the moment.’
Of the challenges involved in reimagining a 1950s car, he added: ‘You have to be really careful because any original features were born out of a function. Big lamps because you needed a sealed beam, big intakes because you needed to feed radiator air. People aren’t stupid – they can see when something
no longer has a function, so it’s about looking at these elements, understanding visually how they contribute to the character and then re-interpreting them. So, for example, taking these lamps and turning them into LED units to complete the face.’