Afghanistan’s very own supercar, the ‘Simurg,’ has made its global debut at the Doha Auto Show. Manufactured by Entop in Afghanistan, this supercar is designed for speed enthusiasts and boasts a unique appearance reminiscent of a low-slung Batmobile with elevated wheel arches. Unlike the numerous cars on display at the Doha edition of the Geneva International Motor Show, the Simurg was developed in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

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Mohammad Raza Ahmadi, the CEO of Ntop Company, shared that the car is named after the mythical Persian bird, Simurgh. It took a team of 30 people five years to bring the ‘Simurgh’ to life, with Ahmadi serving as the chief engineer. He explained that the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges following the Taliban’s takeover. The ‘Simurgh’ is tailored for navigating Afghanistan’s rugged mountain terrain and serves as a sport utility vehicle (SUV).

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Ahmadi expressed his desire to showcase Afghanistan in a positive light, saying, “I want to create something to put my country back on the map.” The ‘Simurgh’ embodies the resilience and artistic spirit of Afghanistan. Powered by a four-cylinder engine, the car, initially known as Mada-9, was slated for unveiling in late 2022. A video of an earlier version of the vehicle went viral in January when a Taliban spokesperson shared it, garnering praise from former rebels.

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With the support of over 45,000 individuals who collectively contributed $130,000 through crowdfunding, Ahmadi and his team successfully presented the ‘Simurgh’ at the Doha Auto Show. This international debut marked a significant milestone. Ahmadi’s future plans include conducting testing at Le Mans to further validate the ‘Simurgh’ before commencing sales.