Entop Simurgh: a meteor in the realm of the Taliban

GT and Taliban, it sounds like an oxymoron. However, a young Afghan designer dreams of changing this image by launching a two-seater car with Bugatti-like features that he has built. Called Simurgh, it would be the first sports car designed in Afghanistan.

Mohammad Riza Ahmadi, a thirty-something engineer of Iranian origin, is the president and CEO of the company Entop that he founded in Kabul, the capital. It was there, about five years ago, that he started his project in a workshop. Then, in December 2022, his elegant black car with sleek lines made its first public appearance in the capital. Its driver even dared to perform some controlled skids on a snowy road!

In a statement released in May 2023, the Kabul TVET-A Technical and Vocational Education and Training Innovation Center celebrated Ahmadi and his team for completing the development of the Simurgh in its facilities.

The statement adds that the attention from international media to this racing car would have prompted three other Afghans to design their own vehicles with the help of the Center: an armored vehicle, a “Jeep” and a vintage-looking car. Seeing the vehicles in question in the photo published by the Center, it is clear that the Simurgh is the most advanced of the lot!

Ahmadi first called his creation Mada 9, a name borrowed from the Ma’dha, an ancient Iranian people. Later, on social media, he called it Black Swan, then Helmet, to evoke the helmet of the warriors of ancient Persia.

Clearly inspired by the rich historical past of his region, he finally chose to name it Simurgh. It was under the name of this fabulous bird from Persian mythology that his car was exhibited at the 2023 Geneva Auto Show, which was exceptionally held in Doha, Qatar, from October 5 to 14 of that year.

There, the Afghan racing car rubbed shoulders with the products of about thirty major industry brands. Ironically, all the pictures taken for the international press by Émilie Guido, the official photographer of the show, show a deserted booth with the CEO of Entop alone. Let’s assume that Ms. Guido took these photos during a lull…

This doesn’t prevent Amhadi from dreaming of seeing his racing car on the market soon, but only after registering it for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he claims. After all, in order to be on par with the big brands, Entop must develop a reputation that is currently lacking. But to reach the starting line of the endurance race, Ahmadi claims that he has to raise $49 million US dollars!

This reputation is therefore not guaranteed. Especially since the elegant aluminum and carbon fiber bodywork is handcrafted, which shows the uneven fit of the windshield and an unfinished interior.

Furthermore, the engine housed in the center of the tubular chassis, which the designers claim to be of the caliber of a “supercar,” is only a humble modified 4-cylinder borrowed from a 2004 Toyota Corolla.

Admittedly, in the current context, where Afghanistan is subject to embargoes and economic sanctions, the choice of this engine is not surprising. The Afghan car market is mainly supplied with used vehicles from Dubai (mostly Toyota products), according to Ariana News, a local media outlet.

Enthusiastic as ever, Ahmadi even envisions equipping the Simurgh with an electric engine one day. After all, he aspires to make it nothing less than the flagship of the Afghan automobile industry.

Photos: Entop, GIMS, Mohammad Riza Ahmadi, and TVET-A