On some occasions, the only solution to my boredom seems to be the thrill of riding a motorcycle. However, owning a bike could just lead me to desire something even more extreme, like a V10-engine quad producing over 1,000 horsepower. It looks like it might alleviate my dissatisfaction—though not in the safest manner.
This kind of exhilarating vehicle comes from a company named Engler, which claims to introduce a novel kind of machine known as the “super quad.” It’s as though someone looked at the Dodge Tomahawk and thought it was a great idea, but it required enhancements: additional wheels, more power, and an increased ability for self-endangerment. Upon viewing their resulting 1,100-hp, V10 creation, they concluded it still lacked the necessary intensity. [Editor’s note: The Tomahawk technically had four wheels—the pairs were just very closely set together!]
Engler’s journey started with the Desat, which was its first super quad. This model featured a 5.2-liter V10 engine sourced from either a Lamborghini or an Audi R8—likely the latter, considering its strikingly similar headlight and taillight design. Engler cranked its output to 1,100 hp, allowing the lightweight 2,425-pound Desat to go from zero to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph. All this power is confined within a size smaller than a Honda Civic, relying solely on handlebars and thigh muscles to keep the driver secured in place. (It appears thick thighs truly do save lives.)
Now, Engler is raising the stakes with the introduction of the V12, equipped with an engine boasting two additional cylinders and a significant boost in power. The Engler V12 is set to produce up to 1,200 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque. It will feature an ultra-light eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that weighs under 66 lbs, marking it as the lightest transmission ever installed in a road car, according to Engler. However, one can’t help but wonder how such a transmission will withstand the force of the V12 engine, especially since the V12 model does not weigh less than the V10 Desat.
Although it utilizes a carbon fiber monocoque, 3D-printed titanium components, and lightweight chromoly-titanium tubular subframes, the Engler V12 still tips the scales at 2,645 lbs. While this isn’t excessive considering the immense power available, we’d be ecstatic to have a vehicle weighing even a quarter of that for a Toyota GR86. It’s simply surprising that it isn’t lighter.
Nonetheless, with its four wheels instead of two, this quad offers a blend of features found in both supercars and motorcycles. It likely handles similarly to a larger BAC Mono, thanks to its forged aluminum and titanium double-wishbone suspension, electronic damping, and 20-inch forged magnesium wheels equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. With Brembo brakes featuring six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear, it should deliver the stability, stopping power, and agility of a supercar, all while providing the exhilarating open-air experience of a motorcycle.
However, the Engler’s broader performance range may also make it more perilous than a motorcycle. If you think a high-side on a motorcycle is frightening, consider the prospect of experiencing that at higher cornering speeds typical of a four-wheeled vehicle outfitted with Cup 2 tires. It probably won’t end well. Additionally, the appearance of the driver—an awkward mix between a Lamborghini Huracan enthusiast and an ATV operator at a street event—won’t be particularly stylish. Yet, in the end, none of us look particularly graceful while indulging our desires. The only distinction is that it becomes a legal issue when done without resources, while someone who can afford a 1,200-hp quad certainly has the funds.
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