Lynx Lunar Buggy - behind the build

Combining interstellar looks and stellar performance, the buggy was built to exacting standards and a tight deadline, so it could hit the streets for the Australian promotion of Apollo, and the accompanying 'Lynx Space Academy' worldwide mega competition that will put one Aussie into space.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
While Evolution Motorsport may be better known for race car fabrication and modification, Paul has some pedigree in the field of wacky builds, having created 'The World's Fastest Sofa' for Ice Break iced coffee back in 2011.

"I was approached by Lynx to build something crazy, very "lunar-looking" . . . and road registerable, so they could run it around and get as much coverage as possible," Paul explained.

The design also had to reflect the look of a vehicle used in a game app created in conjunction with the Lynx Space Academy competition, but Evolution Motorsport was given a fair degree of freedom in the Buggy's design and powerplant.

"I said to Lynx, 'Let's give it lots of horsepower.' And try to get it to do wheelies," Paul laughed.

THE BUILD BEGINS
Starting point was a Volkswagen Beetle, stripped to the floorpan, then rebuilt with all the suitable Lunar-inspired features. Seating and controls were moved rearward to suit the lunar look, while the engine is still a rear-mounted VW 1600 flat four, but bored and stroked out to 2110cc.

"We got 200kgs out of it from a standard Beetle," Paul said, adding that the minimal bodywork it wears over its tough tube frame is all aluminium to further trim weight. "It's a very solid car, and it's pretty light. It only comes in at 660 kilos."

"We put bigger barrels on [the engine] and about 6mm more stroke," Paul said of the modded powerplant.

"A stock 1600's rated at 50 horsepower," Paul explained. "And that 50 is at the flywheel. We've got over 160 at the tyres, so we've probably got four times the power."

With the linkages for the 4-speed manual enclosed in the VW floorpan's integral tunnel, moving all the controls back was a bit of a challenge, but overall, Paul described the build as relatively easy, just labour intensive.

"We build roll cages for race cars, so the Lunar Buggy wasn't too over the top. It was just man hours required . . . a lot of just getting in there and doing it, because all that stuff takes time."

SOLID WORK MAKES A SOLID CAR
All up, the Lynx Lunar Buggy took three months of solid work, as Paul explained. "Three months for me and my apprentice. Long days. Six days a week."

In order for the Lunar Buggy to give Lynx Apollo maximum exposure, it had to be road registerable, so safety harnesses, a roll cage, lights, indicators and other road-legal elements were factors in the build, too.

"I'm quite proud of the quality of the workmanship that's gone into it all," Paul explained. "There were no issues with anything I've done. An engineer came out, looked at everything and passed it all."

FUN IN THE SAND
The best bit for Paul was that when the Lunar Buggy was finished, he got to drive it - on the roads around Sydney, and up to Stockton Beach, near Newcastle, where the machine was really put through its paces. Paul estimates 0 to 100kph can be achieved in 6.5 seconds, with the quarter mile covered in 14 seconds.

"Lynx hired me to do the driving," Paul said of his experience behind the wheel - in full astronaut suit, no less!

Pressures in the drag-spec Mickey Thompson tyres (wrapped around the very cool ROTA Shakotan wheels) were dropped to eight psi. Combined with the rear weight bias, wide track and negative front camber, this meant the Lunar Buggy literally skated across the sand (see the video at www.lynxapollo.com.au)

"It went across the sand with no problems at all," Paul said. "It has about 240 millimetres of bump [suspension travel], so, it's got a bit of room to move. And that's about the same as its ground clearance. It just performed so well in the sand."

"It was one of the most fun days I've ever had driving. We did some jumps on camera. . . . and some off camera! It was so much fun. I'd do it every day of the week if I could!" Paul laughed.

TRAVERSING THE CITYSCAPE
The Lunar Buggy has racked up some city miles, too, through Kings Cross, as well as other locations in and around central Sydney. "You always turn heads," Paul laughed. "And you'd be surprised at the people that pull up and take photos - big burly truck drivers, cool chicks . . . all sorts from all walks of life."

With the Lynx Lunar Buggy completed, it begs the question of whether Evolution Motorsport would create another one. "We'll build anything!," Paul exclaimed. So there you go - if you want your own Lynx Lunar Buggy, Evolution Motorsport are the folks to see!

Lynx Space Academy

The Lynx Space Academy competition is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go into space, thanks to Lynx Apollo.

Four Australians will be selected from competition entrants to compete at the Lynx Space Academy in Orlando, Florida for the chance to travel into space on board the 'XCOR LYNX' spaceship with space tourism company, SpaceXC.

At time of press, two Aussie astronauts had already made the shortlist, with two more still to be selected. So if you want a chance to travel in actual space as an actual astronaut, hit the Lynx Apollo website - www.lynxapollo.com.au - for full Ts & Cs and further details. Don't miss out - competition closes July 30, 2013.

You can also download the cool 'Lunar Racer' game from www.lynxapollo.com.au/game, and see action videos of the LSA Lunar Buggy created by Evolution Motorsport.

Thanks to: Paul McKinnon at Evolution Motorsport, Brookvale, NSW http://www.evolutionmotorsport.com.au/ and Adhesive PR.