Auto Car | Isdera Commendatore 112i | The Isdera Commendatore 112i supercar was the sole prototype of a made to order supercar. The 112i was shown at the 1993 Frankfurt Motorshow.
The sleek bodywork was hand built and featured a roof mounted, periscope-style rear view mirror. The gullwing doors were matched by gullwing engine covers hiding a Mercedes Benz 6 litre V12, most of the other running gear came courtesy of Porsche. The previously elusive Isdera Commendatore 112i was put up for sale on e-bay at the end of 2005, the owner asked for a starting bid of $3,000,000.00.
The sleek bodywork was hand built and featured a roof mounted, periscope-style rear view mirror. The gullwing doors were matched by gullwing engine covers hiding a Mercedes Benz 6 litre V12, most of the other running gear came courtesy of Porsche. The previously elusive Isdera Commendatore 112i was put up for sale on e-bay at the end of 2005, the owner asked for a starting bid of $3,000,000.00.
One of the mysterious supercars of our time is the Isdera Commendatore 112i. This one-of prototype is such a rare sight, that its photos, outside of the shots from the car's release during the 1993 Frankfurt Auto Show, are hard to come by. Over the last decade, the situation has been particularly frustrating, but now, we finally have photos from one of the the most striking and advanced supercars from the nineties.
The Commendatore is the final product of ex-Porsche designer Eberhard Schulz and his two sons. It was completed as a pre-production prototype which was to be followed by a limited series with a unit cost of $450 000 USD. Unfortunately, before any production Commendatores were made, Isdera went bankrupt and the remainder of the company was sold to Swiss interests. This left the sole prototype for the world and, since Schulz was particularly experienced at creating advanced prototypes, it was finished as a fully drivable and roadworthy machine.
In the late sixties, Eberhard Schulz was responsible for overseeing a spectacular series of Mercedes-Benz prototypes that started with the C111 Concept. These mid-engine projects were going to be a true successor to the 300SL and were similarly produced at great costs to introduce new technologies and styling. Unfortunately, after several different revisions of the C111 appeared, including some rotary engine versions, Mercedes-Benz decided to halt production. This cancellation prompted Schulz to start Isdera and, with cooperation from Mercedes, he continued the project to completion. By 1984, Schulz was selling his roadworthy version called the Imperator 108i of which 30 cars were made.
The Commendatore is the final product of ex-Porsche designer Eberhard Schulz and his two sons. It was completed as a pre-production prototype which was to be followed by a limited series with a unit cost of $450 000 USD. Unfortunately, before any production Commendatores were made, Isdera went bankrupt and the remainder of the company was sold to Swiss interests. This left the sole prototype for the world and, since Schulz was particularly experienced at creating advanced prototypes, it was finished as a fully drivable and roadworthy machine.
In the late sixties, Eberhard Schulz was responsible for overseeing a spectacular series of Mercedes-Benz prototypes that started with the C111 Concept. These mid-engine projects were going to be a true successor to the 300SL and were similarly produced at great costs to introduce new technologies and styling. Unfortunately, after several different revisions of the C111 appeared, including some rotary engine versions, Mercedes-Benz decided to halt production. This cancellation prompted Schulz to start Isdera and, with cooperation from Mercedes, he continued the project to completion. By 1984, Schulz was selling his roadworthy version called the Imperator 108i of which 30 cars were made.
Following the Imperator, Schulz decided to take his concept to the next level with the Commendatore. Like the Mercedes-Benz project cars, the Commendatore was packed with new technology hardly anyone else was willing to commit to. Thus, to develop this car, Schulz had to spend close to four million euros.
Most of the money went into advanced systems such an active rear airbrake designed to deploy under braking and an automatically adjustable ride height. Furthermore, the car was based around largest Mercedes V12 available at the time and it was supported by a complex tubular space frame.
Despite being driven by Mercedes-Benz mechanics, the Commendatore lends many styling traits from Porsches of the past. Its long rear overhang is reminiscent of the long tail Porsche 917 and front lights are straight from the Porsche 968.
Most of the money went into advanced systems such an active rear airbrake designed to deploy under braking and an automatically adjustable ride height. Furthermore, the car was based around largest Mercedes V12 available at the time and it was supported by a complex tubular space frame.
Despite being driven by Mercedes-Benz mechanics, the Commendatore lends many styling traits from Porsches of the past. Its long rear overhang is reminiscent of the long tail Porsche 917 and front lights are straight from the Porsche 968.
While the Commendatore never reached production, we are lucky that the the sole prototype has survived and has been driven 3000 miles since new. As an entertaining thought, the Isdera leaves us wondering what situation Mercedes-Benz might be in had they persisted with Schulz, and changed to a mid-engine layout so early on.
Specification
Make: Isdera
Model: Commendatore 112I
Year: 1997
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Supercar
Class: A
Engine; V-12, Naturally Aspirated, 5,987 CC, Gasoline
Horsepower: 408 BHP @ 5,200 RPM
Tourque: 427 LB FT @ 3,600 RPM
Redline: 6,200 RPM
Brakes: Vented Aluminuim Discs with ABS
Wheels: 18 inch front, 19 inch rear, magnesium alloy hubcaps
Handedness: Left
Dials: All Analouque
Readout: MPH
Transmission: 6 Speed H Pattern Manual
Driveline: M/R Mid Engined, Rear Wheel Drive
0-60: 4.7 Seconds
Top Speed: 212 MPH
(www.supercars.net)
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