California’s Oilstainlab is no stranger to pushing the limits of automotive design, but with the Half-11, the company has taken that daring to a new level. This Porsche-inspired roadster, initially conceived as an extreme one-off prototype, is now being transformed into a limited-production car, with only 25 units available. Founded in 2019 by twin brothers Nikita and Iliya Bridan, both experienced designers who’ve worked with giants like Acura, Cadillac, and Honda, Oilstainlab quickly made waves in the automotive world. Their Half-11 project began with the radical idea of taking only the front half of a Porsche 911 and building a new car from there. The Half-11’s reception at the Goodwood Festival of Speed turned heads, with potential buyers clamoring for a piece of this radical creation. 650 hp or 850 hp, You DecideWith a production target of at least 650 horsepower (484 kW) and a weight of just 2,000 pounds (907 kg), the HF-11 is set to deliver an electrifying driving experience. To put this in perspective, the HF-11 boasts more than triple the horsepower of a Mazda MX-5 while shedding an additional 300 pounds. The HF-11 offers a choice between two powerhouse configurations: a 4.5-liter flat-six engine that generates 650 hp and revs up to an astonishing 12,000 rpm, or an 850 hp electric motor. But what truly sets the HF-11 apart is its Thunder-Volt system, a groundbreaking innovation that allows drivers to swap between the two powertrains with relative ease. "It’s not really a powertrain swap; it’s a subframe swap," explains co-creator Nikita Bridan while talking to Car and Driver, referencing the system’s inspiration from Audi’s subframe swaps during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While the dual-powertrain option comes with a price tag of $2.3 million, buyers who opt for the gas-only version can shave $500,000 off the total cost. Built around a bespoke carbon-fibre monocoque that took two years to develop, the car’s structure delivers a perfect balance of lightness and rigidity. Subframes made of high-strength Docol R8 steel house a race-grade suspension system featuring adjustable Ohlins dampers. The car is available with either 19- or 20-inch wheels for road use, or 18-inch race wheels for those want to drive it on the track. Visually, the HF-11 stands apart from modern supercars. Its front end pays homage to the iconic Porsche 911, while the rear hints at the aggressive lines of a Jaguar F-Type. "Cars have become really fussy. They're really busy, and proportions have sort of stagnated and become very commonplace," says Bridan. "So we tried to push the proportions to something that's unique." Beyond its visual appeal, the HF-11's craftsmanship is second to none. The car will be produced at Multimatic’s Canadian facility, the same workshop responsible for the Ford GT. Buyers can also choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed sequential transmission. Bridan has even shared his dream of offering the HF-11 with a handmade aluminum body, stating, "That’s the dream—a handmade aluminum body, if we can find the craftspeople for it." By offering both electric and combustion options in a single car, the company is bridging the gap between tradition and the future of driving. As Nikita puts it, "There’s a huge battle right now, obviously, between combustion and EV. EV is trying to prove combustion sucks. Combustion is trying to hold on and remain relevant. So our approach is to offer both." 11 Testers to Play a Role in Finalizing the VisionOilstainlab’s vision for the HF-11 goes beyond just building an exclusive supercar; it’s about forming a dedicated community of enthusiasts who actively contribute to the car’s development. At the core of this approach is the selection of 11 buyers, known internally as “maniacs,” who will play a critical role as real-world testers, providing valuable feedback to help refine the final production model. “Our goal right now is to find the 11 maniacs that’ll be part of our development program,” says co-founder Nikita Bridan. “We’ve got six that we’re pretty sure want to be part of it, and then we’re hopeful that, once the car has been shown, we’ll be able to find the other five.” These aren’t just any buyers—Oilstainlab is targeting individuals who already own competitive hypercars and understand the nuances of high-performance vehicles. As Bridan humorously notes, “We don’t want dickheads to be part of the family.” With only 25 units planned for production, this project isn’t about volume or mass-market appeal. Instead, it’s about preserving a certain driving experience that’s disappearing in today’s regulation-heavy automotive landscape. "We just want to build the cars that no one else is building, for the true enthusiast," Bridan emphasizes, distancing Oilstainlab from the constraints faced by large-scale manufacturers. However, bringing the HF-11 to life involves significant challenges, and the road to production is still being paved. Key decisions—such as the selection of engine suppliers and finalizing the development team—remain ongoing. While Oilstainlab has set a target for 2026 deliveries, that date may shift depending on how the development process unfolds. "We come from the OEM industry, and the big manufacturers are now handcuffed with regulations and legislation. They're unable to build the cars that we really want, which are lightweight and engaging," said Bridan. Source: Oilstainlab
