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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Ryan Fahey

Taliban unveils its SUPERCAR powered by a Toyota Corolla engine in 'honour' for nation

The Taliban has unveiled the first ever supercar designed and built in Afghanistan.

The Mada 9 is a prototype sports car which has been produced by 30 engineers from ENTOP and Kabul's Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI).

Its road capabilities are yet to be tested as most of the footage on social media shows it in a stationary position.

The team behind the car claim its engine is from a Toyota Corolla hatchback - hardly likely to keep up with the likes of Bugatti and McLaren.

However, in one piece of footage the sleek-looking racer is seen gliding along a snowy road as stunned onlookers watch it meander and listen to its exhaust purr.

The Head of ATVI Ghulam Haidar Shahamat told local news the engine had been modified so if "you increase the speed, it's powerful enough to take it".

The Taliban has unveiled the first ever supercar designed and made in Afghanistan (Twitter)

He added that the company plans to install an electric powertrain in the car at a later date.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted pictures of the car on his Twitter account, calling its construction an honour for the country.

The warlords' mouthpiece said: "I would like to thank the Department of Vocational Education, under their umbrella, the country has been provided with valuable services."

Afghani citizens stand beside the Mada 9 as its Toyota Corolla engine purrs (Twitter)

Abdul Baqi Haqqani, Taliban minister for Higher Education, added to the official support for the car during its unveiling.

He extolled the scientific values of the Afghan people, and took the glory - claiming the militia-turned-government was committed to providing "religious and modern sciences for its people".

ENTOP CEO Mohammad Riza Ahmadi told TOLO News that he hoped the supercar would help boost Afghanistan's image on the world stage.

Most clips and images on social media showed it in a stationary position (entopco/Instagram)

"It will start its journey in Afghanistan and will one day maybe go international," he said.

In a New Year's Eve tweet, Ahmadi added: "I thank God very much that I was able to finish the construction of Afghanistan's first car.

"I would like to thank the great national businessmen and the dear people of Afghanistan who stood by my side during this time."

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