Quick LinksHommell Berlinette Key FactsFeaturesBuying A HommellWhen it comes to famous sports cars and their countries of origin, we typically think of places like Italy, Japan, England, and the United States. Models like the Jaguar XK120, the Nissan Skyline GT-R, and the Chevrolet Corvette are just a few iconic names that came out of these countries, and there are loads more. When it comes to England specifically, we can, arguably, thank the island nation for creating the two-door sports car as we know it.One country we don't typically think of when it comes to sports cars, however, is France. The French are no strangers to automotive innovation because the Citroën 2CV is one of the most popular people's cars ever. The country is also responsible for some of the best-riding vehicles ever created, such as the Citroën DS and SM.At one point, a French automaker called Hommell wanted to break into the sports car arena, but the effort was quickly fraught with trouble. The company's Hail Mary was a model called the Berlinette, but it didn't sell as well as intended.We've dedicated this article to the Hommell Berlinette due to the model's importance in its effort to save Hommell from the brink of collapse. We're putting the spotlight on a vehicle that's not well-known in the US. If A French Car Falls In The Woods With No One Around... 1999 hommell berlinette rs front Hommell Berlinette Key Facts Introduced in 1994 Quickly took on the role of saving Hommell from bankruptcy Featured a 2.0-liter engine in its final iteration Axed following the 2003 model year Frenchman Michel Hommell founded his eponymous automaker in 1990 to produce sporty models that would appeal to the broader European market, rather than just within the confines of France. The company unveiled its debut model at the 1990 Paris Salon, an auto show, and the unnamed prototype was extremely well-received by spectators. This acclaim instilled a great deal of confidence in Michel Hommell, driving him to design and develop his company's first production model.The Hommell Berlinette Échappement debuted at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. The model was a small, two-door roadster using a tubular spaceframe. Power came from a mid-mounted, Peugeot-sourced 2.0-liter inline-four producing around 155 horsepower. The engine hooked up to a six-speed manual, which was still novel during an era when five-cog transmissions were still fairly common in sports cars.1999 hommell berlinette rs frontBy 1999, Hommell was already facing financial difficulties. Its Berlinette model wasn't selling well, and the Hommell Barquette, an open-topped vehicle introduced a year prior, was failing to find the level of success that the company was hoping for. To inject some much-needed modernity into the Hommell lineup, the automaker launched a new, revamped Berlinette. Designer Eric de Pauw overhauled the original's look, with changes such as twin headlights on either side of the front fascia, a revised rear, and a new interior. The company called it the Berlinette RS. Detailed Specs & Features YT: VIRAGEWhile the original Hommell Berlinette utilized a Peugeot engine, the new Berlinette RS featured a more powerful Citroën powerplant. The displacement remained at 2.0 liters, along with retaining a 16-valve and a dual-overhead camshaft valvetrain. However, the output was now 167 hp, a 12-hp improvement, and the torque figure also increased. While the power bump isn't very substantial, its chassis and other underpinnings were revised, as well.Underneath the Berlinette RS, there was a tubular steel chassis and a fully independent suspension. With this racing-derived frame, the Berlinette RS's handling was better than the original model, as it could now tackle corners with more vigor and less body roll. Braking was taken care of courtesy of a set of ventilated rotors measuring 11.14 inches at the front and 10.47 inches at the rear. The Berlinette RS's drag coefficient was 0.32, making it more aerodynamic than some other sports cars at the time.We lay out the 1999 Hommell Berlinette RS's detailed engine and performance specs in the table below:*Specs courtesy of ConceptCarz.com Features On top of its tubular frame, the Hommell Berlinette RS had a fully fiberglass body, which helped to keep the car's weight as low as possible. The automaker also homologated the model for the GT racing class, meaning it could be retrofitted with an upgraded roll cage and other required racing safety accouterments to enter into competition. Unlike many other sports cars produced by legacy automakers, the automaker assembled the Berlinette RS by hand at its factory.The vehicle's interior is racing-inspired, hinting at its homologated roots. The cabin is quite minimalist, with just a pair of seats, a roll cage, and safety harnesses. As for the trim, there's virtually none, as the Berlinette RS features only painted plastics and bare metal. All of these weight-saving measures and the Spartan layout contribute to the vehicle's lightness, improving handling and overall drivability at the expense of passenger comfort. Why Hommell Ultimately Failed YT: VIRAGEDespite pouring money into the revamped Berlinette RS and the eventual Berlinette RS2, which boasted a few minor improvements over the earlier model, such as an increase in horsepower, Hommell ended up going bust. In 2003, the company ceased all production and closed the factory doors. Michel Hommell's dream of providing mass-market racing pedigree mixed with everyday practicality had failed, and the Hommell brand name was relegated to the history books just 13 years after its founding.However, there was some hope in 2005. At the time, a group of Shanghai-based investors expressed a keen interest in purchasing the Hommell brand name and producing sports cars at a factory in China for the local market. Despite a multitude of negotiations, the talks ultimately failed, and the Hommell name was laid to rest again. While few remember the marque, there is still a lively, niche enthusiast market bent on saving as many of the brand's models as possible. Buying A Hommell If you're considering trying to find a Hommell yourself, we regret to inform you that it's in no way an easy task. Because the company built vehicles by hand, production was very limited. According to some unverifiable sources, only about 200 examples of any Hommell were ever produced across a total of nine years. So, finding one is quite a challenging task. Should you be lucky enough to find one, body parts and interior pieces are going to be nearly impossible to source if any of those parts require replacement.However, when it comes to saving any aging, rare vehicle, there's going to be some pain involved. As for the Hommell Berlinette RS, its can-do attitude and race-ready countenance make one think it would be a popular choice for driving enthusiasts. While verifiable original pricing is impossible to source, we imagine that the Hommell nameplates fetched a bit more than other sports cars at the time, chiefly due to the hand-built nature.