It only stung once - Scorpio sports car from Austria
In 1981,Heinz M. Riemer presented an impressive sports car to the press. With gullwing doors, folding headlights and a sleek shape with a long hood, it not only looked expensive, it was expensive too, with an expected price tag of 1.2 million schillings or 150,000 Swiss francs.
Under the hood of the demonstration car named Scorpio WD, a Chevrolet V8 engine with around 180 kW combined with an automatic gearbox provided propulsion. Despite the plastic body with integrated roll cage, the car was no lightweight at 1635 kg, but it did have air conditioning and other sophisticated details, as Automobil Revue noted in issue 37/1981:
"The technical features of the Scorpio WD include a sophisticated engine cooling system that works with a 3-stage thermal switch and puts electric fan 1, an additional air flap in the front spoiler and fan 2 into operation in sequence. When the outside temperature is below 5 degrees, the waste heat from the engine is automatically directed via the windshield and the recessed wipers instead of through the side air vents. The air vents for ventilating the front and rear brake callipers as well as those for the fresh air supply and air conditioning (with electronic temperature control for the head and footwells) are Naca-shaped (aerodynamically optimized)."
It is also worth mentioning that the gullwing doors also had an interesting side effect. You could refuel in their protection without being exposed to the rain.
The Scorpio was also to be built as a Targa and a convertible. However, as far as is known, nothing came of the sports car dreams.
At least one (now dark-painted) example has survived, however, and it can be hired for parties, weddings, advertising and photo shoots, as well as for film and TV projects.
