Many of you will have heard of the Bolwell Nagari whether it be the original model or the soon to be released modern interpretation. For fans of the latter, the wait is almost over with Aussie specialist carmaker Bolwell having recently confirmed that production of the Nagari will begin early next year.
Expected to retail for a rather hefty $198,000, the Nagari isn’t going to be cheap, but limited production numbers and (expected) supercar performance may entice some new Bolwell owners to the fold.
Original reports indicated that two engine options would be available, namely a 220kW 3.5-litre Toyota V6 or a 280kW supercharged version of the same mill. Bolwell however has since confirmed that, for the time being at least, only the 220kW engine will be available.
Sporting a lithe 920kg kerb-weight, the Nagari should pull 0-100km/h in under four seconds, but we’ll have to wait until official figures are released. Double-wishbone suspension and 355mm ventilated and slotted discs will be charged with the handling and stopping duties.
Gone is the stripped out racer persona of the original Nagari with the new interpretation sporting the luxury features expected of a modern-day supercar. The standard feature list will include ABS, Recaro seats, a Momo steering wheel with carbon-fibre paddle shifters, remote central locking, a sports exhaust system, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, a premium sound system and 19-inch alloy wheels. In addition, Polaris GPS radio, satellite navigation, leather interior and a reversing camera will also be available.
The modern Nagari has been a long time coming, the question now is: has it been worth the wait? How will the Nagari be greeted by Australians buckling down for a recession? Or, perhaps even more importantly, how can it succeed when performance car lovers can buy a Nissan GT-R for around $48,000 less?
Let us know what you think and be sure to check out the high-res images in the gallery, including a snap of the original (and stunning) Nagari for comparison.
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Saw it at the Sydney Motor Show. Farken ugly.
With Mark Bedford’s review of the Elise it’s clear that you can option compatible parts from Lotus.
A Europa with a supercharger would have Nagari performance, with far better brand cachet, and handling from a company famous for its ability to set up cars.
As Andy from the BBC’s Little Britain would say, “I dont like it”
$200k!!! The designer and their accountant were smoking crack when they came up with this one. Good luck!
yeah who’s gonna pay $200K for a ride with a toyota engine ROFL! I’ll have a GTR R35 V-SPec thanks!
Well lets put it this way - it’ll really be rare! Yea, sorry the original 351 Ford powered Bolwell “Flowing”* for me!
*Nagari is Aboriginal for flowing.
Hey, fight fair Christians… it can’t only be me who thinks the front is sensational, the profile sublime and the rear… well… ok, I agree, the rear is a tad ratty.
Campbell Bolwell will get it right; his, and his brother’s, Bolwell operation sold a lot of cars back in the 60s and 70s when it was a struggling small Aussie manufacturer run by a couple of young turks… (I’m well-acquainted with a particular Mark 7, it’s a positive hoot at the wheel and still looks fabulous.)
Bolwell has much deeper pockets now than then; the composite moulding and fibreglass products manufacturer is now a globally successful family company. Yup, it might take a little more time, but don’t wipe the new Nagari off yet.
We’ll see about a test drive as soon as we can.
The Insider
The pricing isn’t news. I think it was even displayed at the Sydney Motor Show last month, and certainly Campbell Bolwell was stating as not an ‘expected’ but an actual.
The Nagari looks much better in the flesh than in photos but it is unfortunate that it will not be the bargain the original was. It is a quality job and it does the Bolwells proud. I whish I could afford one.
The Lexus LS range springs immediately to mind.
However, there’s a world of difference between those luxury V8s, and a Camry engine.
The front is so derivative it’s generic. Is it a Spyker? Is it a Marcos? It it an Ascari? Did someone steal the nose from an F50 and deform it?
The side is disproportional. The car is too short and too high for a supercar.
The rear is a ute. Lotus should sue them for ripping off the original Europa.
The wheels look like they were picked up on special from Bob Jane. I didn’t get a look at the tyres at the Motor Show, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this “supercar” rolled on All Rounders.
I’d be more excited if we heard something about the Joss, which looked like a McLaren F1 but at least had some proper mumbo.
It might be good, but only a fool is going to part with 200,000 for this car. Its styling makes it look like a back yard job and that is the key here.
The original Nagari LOOKED right!
The new one DOESNT.
Unfortunately it will be a disaster for them.
Like Charlie said, the JOSS was sensational. If Bolwell had teamed up with JOSS and got the damn thing off the ground it would have been a sensation.
Now we have two Aus built performance/supercars that are DOA.
Sorry insider but I’ve got to agree with most here, the Nagari was proportional, this isn’t.
Okay I know that some people tend to think you have to be mid engined to be a supercar, but I reckon the whole thing would have looked a mile better with a shorter droopind tail, a slightly longer nose, for good measure throw in a scoop in front of the screen…. oh hell, just build the old one on a new platform.
Hmmm… I’ll concede you’re onto a nagging thought here Frontman (dammit)
While I don’t think the new one has ‘a face like a slapped arse’ as some would seem to suggest, Bolwell might have been better doing what Ford has done with the new Ford GT40 - taking the old Nagari and recreating it in a modern context… perhaps even with a mid-mount engine.
Much-loved beast the old Nagari (got ‘nanny-stated’ out of existence as you know).
The Insider
With our current government going the way it is, chances are it’ll get nanny-stated again.