Kalmar 9X9 Makes European Debut at Secret Meet

Restomods have exploded in popularity over the past few years, with various companies putting their own spin on classic cars to give their ideal combination of old-school aesthetics and modern performance. It seemed at one point like we were seeing a new restomod with every fresh scroll of Instagram, and some people started to get a little tired of them, but what we’re here for today is something different altogether.

According to its visionary and driving force, Jan Kalmar, the Kalmar 9X9 (pronounced ‘nine ex nine’) is the world’s first retro hypercar, and an ambitious tribute to what he calls the greatest road-going Porsche of all time — the 959 — and those at Secret Eat has the exciting opportunity to witness the 9X9’s European debut with an unveiling by Jan himself.

Retaining the unique silhouette of the legend that inspired it, the 9X9 uses the best of today’s cutting-edge technology to modernise what was a groundbreaking car in its day. Based on a 993 chassis, it uses adaptive double-wishbone pushrod front suspension, and whilst the original 959 was engineered for low drag, the 9X9’s lightweight carbon bodywork has been designed for massive levels of downforce and aerodynamic efficiency.

You’re probably wondering about the specs, and that depends. 9X9 comes in three flavours depending on your taste, with a choice of both naturally aspirated or forced induction 992 engines, with PDK or manual gearboxes, and a choice of all or rear-wheel drive, and even beyond that, the setup of each car can be tailored to your preferences.

9X9

The ‘base’ 9X9, if you can call it that, is powered by a modified version of the 992 Turbo S motor, putting out a bonkers 930hp to propel just 1,375kg. It sends that power to all four wheels via a PDK gearbox meaning it can hit 62mph in just two seconds and is limited to 211mph! All 9X9s come with huge carbon ceramic brakes, and this variation comes standard with rear-axle steering which is available as an option on the other specs.

9X9 Sport

Intended as a more easily accessible model, the Sport runs the 992 GTS smaller 3.0 turbocharged engine, enhanced to 650hp. Weight is down to just 1,300kg, and whilst this model is also all-wheel drive, a seven-speed manual is standard equipment with the option of PDK available. In manual form, it can hit 62mph in 3.7 seconds and goes on to the same limited top speed of 211mph.

9X9 Leichtbau

Reigniting a classic Porsche moniker, leichtbau translates to lightweight, and indeed this variation of the 9X9 weighs just 1,275kg, but the most interesting distinction here is the use of the 992 GT3’s 4.0 naturally-aspirated motor which revs to 9,000rpm. It sends 530hp through the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with the option of PDK, which lets it hit 62mph in 3.5 seconds an on to a top speed of 193mph.

More than just being about the car, Secret Eat gave us the chance to get to know the man behind the machine, and before the big unveil, I had the chance to sit down with Jan for a chat about how one ends up building their own retro hypercar. “My background is that I see no challenge as too big, and I have a lifelong passion for automotive and engineering”, Jan explains. “I’m not very good at surrendering, there were many times I wanted this project to go to hell, but I found great people who were able to solve the issues that I can’t, my task is simply to get everyone to work together and push the project forward”.

Making three versions with their own engines and very distinct personalities is an ambitious addition to an already difficult challenge, so I ask Jan what the inspiration was for that. “The perfect car does not exist, we need different cars for different desires, and having three models allows the car to suit more people”, he tells us. “We want small numbers, but we have put so much money into the development of the car that having these different models will allow us to appeal to a more diverse audience”.

We were very privileged for the European debut of the 9X9 to be at Secret Meet, so I want to find out how that happened. 

"We have a great collaboration with Supercar Driver because Supercar Driver members share our values and want something like what we do, whether it be the 9X9, our other cars, or the driving adventures we do. When it came to launching the car at Secret Meet, Adam came to me and said let’s do it, and here we are! This for me is actually the car’s global dynamic reveal, so I drove the car all the way here from Turin, unaccompanied through the Alps in snow and minus 10 temperatures to see if all the engineering is coming together right. This prototype, which is the 930hp comfort model, has now done over 40,000km of testing since the initial reveal at Pebble Beach”.

It was fascinating to see the 9X9 in the flesh after seeing so much hype about the car from Pebble Beach, and we’re hugely grateful to have hosted its European debut. Now we’re excited to find out what it is like from behind the wheel! 

Written by: Matt Parker

‍