The car is being born: Kozmo, kit-car from PL (very long)
Discussion
Hello after a long break ;-)
Unfortunately, I was not able to raise funds to prepare the production of my kit car. Also I didn't have enough money to bring Kozmo from Poland to UK, register it and show you as a final product.
I'm working slowly with the car anyway. I focused on completing this prototype and various fixes and changes. For example new aero kit from Polish manufacturer Time Attack Customs:
https://www.facebook.com/kozmo.cars/posts/33984305...
In the meantime, the Kozmo chassis played the main role in the music video of the famous Polish singer:
https://youtu.be/Hz2nHI5JGxU
And they were tested by a well-known Polish rally driver (video with English subtitles)
https://youtu.be/5R7WHhZC1xU
And in just 2 weeks I will finish a big update - new turbo, intercooler and should be 250–270 bhp instead of the previous 170 bhp ;-)
Unfortunately, I was not able to raise funds to prepare the production of my kit car. Also I didn't have enough money to bring Kozmo from Poland to UK, register it and show you as a final product.
I'm working slowly with the car anyway. I focused on completing this prototype and various fixes and changes. For example new aero kit from Polish manufacturer Time Attack Customs:
https://www.facebook.com/kozmo.cars/posts/33984305...
In the meantime, the Kozmo chassis played the main role in the music video of the famous Polish singer:
https://youtu.be/Hz2nHI5JGxU
And they were tested by a well-known Polish rally driver (video with English subtitles)
https://youtu.be/5R7WHhZC1xU
And in just 2 weeks I will finish a big update - new turbo, intercooler and should be 250–270 bhp instead of the previous 170 bhp ;-)
Edited by TomcatT4 on Thursday 29th April 09:55
Welcome after an even longer break.
A lot has happened since my last post, although not as much as I would have liked. Mainly through covid pandemic and inflation since the war in Ukraine started.
Nevertheless, I will try to briefly summarise the last two years.
First, let me start by saying that I accidentally found out that my car never had 175hp but only 157hp - I was cheated at the dyno where I originally tuned the engine.
This is how the car in that setup looked on the track from a bird's eye view:
An amateur driver in a 440hp Lancer Evo 9 was unable to catch up with the 157hp Kozmo ;-)
In the spring of 2020, we managed to change the turbo, intercooler, injectors and exhaust manifold gaining almost 240 hp.
Kozmo also got an aero package from Polish company Time Attack Customs:
I only have one video after this modification:
A year ago a friend offered me a full Kozmo visual refresh i.e. professional detailing - you may have seen the results in another thread:
And nothing has happened since. Unfortunately I have become quite depressed by this project. Two months ago, I even took the decision to stop the project completely and close it down.
Fortunately, friends persuaded me to try crowdfunding one last time...
https://zrzutka.pl/begyb7
And it worked ;-)
That's why I've gone back to work on the project and plan to come to the UK again for the IVA test just before the National Kitcar Show in June ;-)
Keep your fingers crossed that, after so many years, Kozmo will finally be registered in the UK ;-)
Meanwhile, happy Easter ;-)
A lot has happened since my last post, although not as much as I would have liked. Mainly through covid pandemic and inflation since the war in Ukraine started.
Nevertheless, I will try to briefly summarise the last two years.
First, let me start by saying that I accidentally found out that my car never had 175hp but only 157hp - I was cheated at the dyno where I originally tuned the engine.
This is how the car in that setup looked on the track from a bird's eye view:
An amateur driver in a 440hp Lancer Evo 9 was unable to catch up with the 157hp Kozmo ;-)
In the spring of 2020, we managed to change the turbo, intercooler, injectors and exhaust manifold gaining almost 240 hp.
Kozmo also got an aero package from Polish company Time Attack Customs:
I only have one video after this modification:
A year ago a friend offered me a full Kozmo visual refresh i.e. professional detailing - you may have seen the results in another thread:
And nothing has happened since. Unfortunately I have become quite depressed by this project. Two months ago, I even took the decision to stop the project completely and close it down.
Fortunately, friends persuaded me to try crowdfunding one last time...
https://zrzutka.pl/begyb7
And it worked ;-)
That's why I've gone back to work on the project and plan to come to the UK again for the IVA test just before the National Kitcar Show in June ;-)
Keep your fingers crossed that, after so many years, Kozmo will finally be registered in the UK ;-)
Meanwhile, happy Easter ;-)
dudleybloke said:
I really like the look of that and I bet its a hoot to drive.
Correct ;-) But it still lacks a gearbox with LSD and a proper suspension - it's now on cheap shock absorbers.But what's more important to me now is the IVA test and registering the car after so many years of struggling with constant financial problems in building it.
Pit Pony said:
Where can we buy one?
Unfortunately nowhere 
I've only built this one prototype and with my finances and the lack of popularity of kit-cars in Poland, it doesn't look like I'll be building any more.I used to dream of a racing cup - a bit like what Ginetta does....
dom9 said:
Great update and great to see your progress and you're going to make it over for IVA!
Please keep us updated as the next chapter progresses!
We're still missing a little mid engined coupe in the kit car market.. Well, whole market now!
Thanks. But without an investor, only this one piece will remain....Please keep us updated as the next chapter progresses!
We're still missing a little mid engined coupe in the kit car market.. Well, whole market now!
The question is, with a kit price comparable to a 20 year old Lotus Elise/Exige, is there still room for such kit cars?
On the other hand, it's hard to find a cheap and fun car today. It is possible that kit cars will still have their last five minutes before the full electrification of this part of the world....
And coming back to my car I have two questions before the IVA test:
1. Does the fuel tank have to have some kind of special certificate issued by the local manufacturer?
2. Can the LHD car have lights (low beams and rear fog light) in the LHD configuration or do I have to change to lights like on RHD cars?
TomcatT4 said:
Thanks. But without an investor, only this one piece will remain....
The question is, with a kit price comparable to a 20 year old Lotus Elise/Exige, is there still room for such kit cars?
What do you reckon the kit price might be or could be brought down to? I certainly think you could compete with a cheap, baggy Elise (which is probably still well over £10k, without checking) and Exiges are generally a lot of money now... is there another competitor? Can't think of another hard top/coupe but I guess there are the RS200 and alike body conversions for MR2s.The question is, with a kit price comparable to a 20 year old Lotus Elise/Exige, is there still room for such kit cars?
Happy Jim said:
1. No certification needed for the fuel tank.
2. Yes, RHD dip and light positions will be needed)
Looking fab!
Jim
Looking at the rules the fuel tank has to be from a production car if it is a plastic tank. If metal tank there is a list of requirements that look ok to meet.2. Yes, RHD dip and light positions will be needed)
Looking fab!
Jim
Edited by Fastpedeller on Tuesday 11th April 13:32
Its a great looking piece of kit, but looking at electrification, doing that to an Elise or such is daunting, however for some reason, I feel kits are far easier and safer to convert, and there are starting to be more elctrification kits out there. of you were using it as a fun town car with 120Kmh top speed and 200K range then the complete kit minus the battery would be about $1500USD, LifePo4 batteries are falling in price again and the new stuff is looking very promising. Even far more powerful stuff is becoming sensibly priced.
Assuming you are looking to get Kozmo past an IVA test, in case it helps:
For a DIY build, you need to invent a manufacturer name. I made one up, but you can simply use your own name. Just make sure it cannot be mistaken for any current or past manufacturer!
You also need a VIN. Again, be careful with this. This can be made up by you but it has to be unique and does have to follow certain rules and you also have to jump some hoops as regards applying it to the vehicle. The safest option I think is to write to DVSA and ask them to issue one for you. They will also send you a letter that you need to complete - this is a declaration that the number they gave you has been properly applied to the vehicle. They require a stamp and signature from 'a qualified agent' for this. I just got my local friendly garage to do the honours. This form then gets sent back to DVSA to close that loop. This step seems somewhat daft given that the very first thing the IVA inspector looks at is the VIN and you'd think that would be good enough.....but always remember, there are different departments doing different jobs here so don't expect it to make much sense!! We just have to jump those hoops, like it or not.
Other info needed for the data plate is vehicle gross weight, towing capacity (or put N/A if not applicable) then the front and rear maximum axle weights. Adding the two axle weights together can be more than the gross vehicle weight, but not less. Makes sense - if the GVW was greater than both axle weights added together, it's saying the axles aren't up to the job. The other way round is fine - it just means that the axles can carry more than required. Again, be careful if you decide to make axle weights more than GVW as these feed into the brake test.
Again, some care is needed with these as they are used for the brake test so the values you use need to be reasonable and sensible. You can't just put massive numbers down as that would likely generate a fail on the brake test, and you can't go too low because the vehicle will be weighed and must not exceed the values you give.
Given your car is complete, probably safest to actually weigh it then add a margin for safety (say 10%-15%). Bearing in mind that the test will demand the vehicle is fully fuelled and they make an allowance for luggage (if it has luggage capacity) and passengers when assessing, the gross and axle weights.
Ultimately, if these values cause problems, you can have the data changed for a re-test, just ring the DVSA to book a re-test and ask them to change the data at the same time. Ask me how I know.....
A word of warning on brakes, an MOT test has lower standards for the brake efficiency test than the IVA and does not measure brake pedal force. My build passed a pre-IVA MOT brake test easily but failed the IVA brake test due to insufficient braking for specified pedal force. It was a fair cop as the pedal was like pressing a chunk of wood. The brakes did lock, but they did not inspire confidence. Even if it had passed the test, I'd have modified them ASAP as they felt dangerous.
Hope this is of some use and please feel free to ask if you think I can help re the IVA and a self-build from scratch.....assuming I haven't got the wrong end of the stick here of course
For a DIY build, you need to invent a manufacturer name. I made one up, but you can simply use your own name. Just make sure it cannot be mistaken for any current or past manufacturer!
You also need a VIN. Again, be careful with this. This can be made up by you but it has to be unique and does have to follow certain rules and you also have to jump some hoops as regards applying it to the vehicle. The safest option I think is to write to DVSA and ask them to issue one for you. They will also send you a letter that you need to complete - this is a declaration that the number they gave you has been properly applied to the vehicle. They require a stamp and signature from 'a qualified agent' for this. I just got my local friendly garage to do the honours. This form then gets sent back to DVSA to close that loop. This step seems somewhat daft given that the very first thing the IVA inspector looks at is the VIN and you'd think that would be good enough.....but always remember, there are different departments doing different jobs here so don't expect it to make much sense!! We just have to jump those hoops, like it or not.
Other info needed for the data plate is vehicle gross weight, towing capacity (or put N/A if not applicable) then the front and rear maximum axle weights. Adding the two axle weights together can be more than the gross vehicle weight, but not less. Makes sense - if the GVW was greater than both axle weights added together, it's saying the axles aren't up to the job. The other way round is fine - it just means that the axles can carry more than required. Again, be careful if you decide to make axle weights more than GVW as these feed into the brake test.
Again, some care is needed with these as they are used for the brake test so the values you use need to be reasonable and sensible. You can't just put massive numbers down as that would likely generate a fail on the brake test, and you can't go too low because the vehicle will be weighed and must not exceed the values you give.
Given your car is complete, probably safest to actually weigh it then add a margin for safety (say 10%-15%). Bearing in mind that the test will demand the vehicle is fully fuelled and they make an allowance for luggage (if it has luggage capacity) and passengers when assessing, the gross and axle weights.
Ultimately, if these values cause problems, you can have the data changed for a re-test, just ring the DVSA to book a re-test and ask them to change the data at the same time. Ask me how I know.....
A word of warning on brakes, an MOT test has lower standards for the brake efficiency test than the IVA and does not measure brake pedal force. My build passed a pre-IVA MOT brake test easily but failed the IVA brake test due to insufficient braking for specified pedal force. It was a fair cop as the pedal was like pressing a chunk of wood. The brakes did lock, but they did not inspire confidence. Even if it had passed the test, I'd have modified them ASAP as they felt dangerous.
Hope this is of some use and please feel free to ask if you think I can help re the IVA and a self-build from scratch.....assuming I haven't got the wrong end of the stick here of course
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