Smit Vehicles Engineering debuts the Oletha Coupe

Smit Vehicle Engineering (SVE), Tennessee-based specialty vehicle engineering company driven by its founders' fascination with BMW Motorsport, has debuted its newest Oletha Coupe prototype vehicle.

Following the company's successful launch of its original V8-powered Oletha Coupe prototype during Monterey Car Week in 2021, SVE has created a new variant intended for clients with an appreciation of BMW's iconic naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines.

The Smit brothers first came together as Smit Vehicle Engineering in 2019, following individual stints with manufacturing and engineering companies including General Electric, Tesla Motors, Faraday Future, Singer Vehicle Design, San Diego Composites, and Applied Composites.

Clients interested in an Oletha Coupe can select from two of the finest naturally aspirated motors ever created by BMW Motorsport. The engines include a SVE-tuned 4.4-litre S65 V8, pushing more than 444bhp, and a SVE-tuned 3.4-litre S54 I6, outputting 396bhp.

While much is familiar between the two Oletha siblings, their details and demeanor are distinct. Co-founder Willem Smit notes that a motorsport induction noise dominates the experience of the six-cylinder S54 Oletha Coupe. A symphony of the carbon fibre intake manifold, six individual throttle bodies, and solid rocker arm valvetrain spinning to 8,000rpm.

A six-speed manual transmission remains the preferred option for gear selection. Vehicle weight is less than 1,361kg dry, approximately 45kg less than a comparably equipped eight-cylinder S65 Oletha Coupe. The same 50:50 weight distribution, exceptionally rigid chassis, and bespoke carbon fibre body are shared across motor options.

The six-cylinder S54 powered vehicles are visually differentiated from their eight-cylinder S65 powered siblings by a new hood design. Additional motor configurations are available and can be tailored to client requirements and specifications.