Estonia develops Kalana supercar for track racing

Estonia is developing the Kalana, described as the country’s fastest and most expensive four-wheeled vehicle in development, ERR reported. The Pealtnägija programme tested its speed and explored why the car is being built.

Led by Tõnis Vanaselja, the project aims to create a high-performance track car that is enjoyable to drive and can also compete. Vanaselja said the Kalana was designed to meet modern safety requirements without following the usual restrictions on racing cars.

Its developers say the car’s main advantage is aerodynamic downforce, which increases as the car speeds up and helps it grip the track through corners. They estimate it can generate nearly 1,500 kilograms of downforce. The Kalana has two seats.

Vanaselja said he began looking for people to work on the car in 2014, after ending his formula racing career. He has won titles in both Austria and Estonia. His father, Indrek Vanaselja, was a five-time Estonian karting champion in the 1970s and 1980s and competed in the Soviet Union’s national team.

Estonia has seen several attempts to build vehicles, including Nobe, a three-wheeled retro-style electric car that reached only a handful of prototypes, and self-driving minibuses developed by Auvetech, which has produced around 50. Earlier examples include buses and delivery vans made in Tartu and Estonia racing cars built at the Tallinn Auto Repair Experimental Factory.