makkina spotlights roadster triumph TR25 as single-seat show car with edgy shoebox form

Rendition of the historic triumph ‘jabbeke’ TR2

Automotive design house Makkina introduces the show car Triumph TR25, a revival of the iconic British roadster Triumph Jabbeke TR2 that was first unveiled 70 years ago. This special edition car is a tribute to Makkina’s 25th anniversary alongside the 100th anniversary of the Triumph badge on cars. The Triumph TR25 showcases an aerodynamically optimized design, featuring an all-electric BMW i3S powertrain for eco-friendly performance. Inside, the focus is on the driver, with a minimalist and modern interior.

The Triumph TR25 show car by Makkina is a celebration of the British roadster heritage in a contemporary context. While Makkina usually keeps its car designs confidential, the Triumph TR25 marks its first public-facing project of this kind. The Jabbeke Triumph TR2 MVC575 broke the land speed record for production cars under two liters in 1953, and Makkina wants to reimagine the historic vehicle as a contemporary piece of cutting-edge automotive design, boxed in an edgy and geometric car frame with a dedicated seat for a single driver.

images courtesy of Makkina

Makkina’s Triumph TR25 can have 2 seats

The interior of Makkina’s Triumph TR25 takes inspiration from an era before large touchscreens dominated dashboards. It employs technology to enhance the driving experience without detracting from the minimalist interior design or the enjoyment of the road ahead. With the driver at the center of the experience, the TR25 features a single driver’s seat and an optional flip-out jump seat for a passenger.

To optimize power-to-weight distribution and maintain a minimalist interior, Makkina offers an innovative seating solution. The seating position remains fixed while the pedal box and steering adjust to suit the individual driver. This tailor-made seating concept has been extensively tested to ensure that even drivers who are over six feet tall can sit and drive the car comfortably.

The central spine of Makkina’s Triumph TR25 provides structural rigidity in the cockpit, which is crucial for an open-top roadster. Made from F1-grade composite materials, it runs from the front to the rear of the cabin and extends into the structural frame of the seats. The cockpit design is similarly inspired by the TR2, and a self-centering dial is embedded in a steering wheel inspired by the Union Jack alongside a central binnacle displays road speed, level of charge, and range with a retro-futuristic touch.

rear view of Makkina’s Triumph TR25 show car

Sculptural show car in sports vehicle style

The exterior of Makkina’s Triumph TR25 is a careful blend of character and functionality, reflecting the automotive design house’s attention to detail and design expertise. Drawing inspiration from previous Triumph sports cars, as well as its muse the Jabbeke TR2, the show car’s design prioritizes the modern driver with its stylish simplicity and unmistakably British aesthetic.

The exterior design of the TR25 represents a harmonious balance of proportions and a purposeful stance, seamlessly integrating the distinctive attributes of its predecessor into a captivating sculptural design statement. To further enhance its visual impact, Makkina has developed an exclusive exterior color that references the original vehicle, accentuating the interplay of highlights and shadows on its curving exterior form.

Every pen stroke and digital surfacing in computer-aided styling was carefully executed to follow the original ‘Jabbeke’ Triumph TR2, all the while bringing a fresh interpretation to the table. To bring its vision to life, Makkina’s design team collaborated with a renowned show car builder based in Germany. Together, they worked in a state-of-the-art facility to build the TR25 show car, which was unveiled at Woods Quay in London on July 13th, 2023.

the rendition’s design takes cues from Makkina’s historic ‘Jabbeke’ TR2