Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 271: A More Realistic Lynx

Confessions of an Automationeer, Part 271: A More Realistic Lynx

After testing multiple proposals for the Loryx Lynx, I came to the conclusion that the stubby, short-tailed, and aluminum-bodied original design, as innovative and light as it was, wouldn't quite be as realistic of a production proposition in the real world as I thought it would. So, I cloned the long-tailed, long-nosed version of it, gave it all-steel construction (high-strength steel for the chassis with treated outer panels), and downgraded to the premium interior/sound system and square-fitment 245mm-wide tires (with 17-inch forged wheels) found in the original, to get the best of both worlds. In addition, I reverted to the 375-horsepower version of the Lynx's V8 and tweaked the mechanicals accordingly. Finally, I dialed back the quality usage slightly to cut the price to a more affordable $40,000 AMU instead of the $50k or even $60k that some proposals had. The resulting car not only had a shorter engineering time (at 110 compared to the 120 or more found in the other proposals), but had lower service and production unit costs.

Above, from top: In scaling back the price of the Loryx Lynx to $40,000 AMU, I had to make some compromises, but not too many of them - and they weren't as detrimental as I'd feared. The long-tailed, long-nosed, Coke-bottle notchback proposal actually looks even better than the shorter fastback original - especially with widened fenders to allow for a wider track.

This larger (4.61m long by 1.87m wide) and heavier (1500kg) body, despite (or due to) its longer overhangs, would've been even more suitable for production - and functional, too, considering that a longer body is more aerodynamically efficient than a shorter one, assuming everything else stays the same. It's also more practical, since the long-tailed version has a larger, more capacious trunk. Finally, its revised proportions (especially in side profile) remind me of the now-obsolete Morton Kestrel that I made as my first car in any UE4 Automation game build (4.17, if you're wondering - we're on 4.27 now, and nothing from earlier UE4 releases can be carried over into that one), or rather, a predecessor to it.

Above, from top: It was inevitable that the premium interior of the original Lynx had to be retained virtually as-is on this cheaper, more realistic build, rear luggage parcel shelf and all.

In short, while not quite as capable or prestigious as any of my earlier proposals for the Loryx Lynx, this more affordable version almost matches them for pure performance, and is a far more realistic and affordable production proposition - while still retaining the elegance and comfort the Lynx is known for. However, the short-tailed version is too good for me to let go of, and I could use its proportions for a limited-run coachbuilt special based on the Lynx, if I indeed feel like making such a thing.