07-08-2025
Oilstainlab HF-11 Hypercar Nearing Production
Less than a year after its digital reveal, the Oilstainlab HF-11 is close to hitting circuits and roads around the world. Sporting a sub-2,000-pound curb weight, carbon fiber tub and bodywork, several thrilling powertrain choices, and wild exterior design, its overall vibe pays homage to various prototype race cars of yore. It's also counter to our current era of high weight, complexity, and the digitized automotive experience.
I recently paid a visit to the company's HQ in Signal Hill, California, to get a closer look at the progress made. When I arrived, co-founder Nikita Bridan gave me a thorough rundown on what will set this $1,850,000 beast apart from other low-production, finely crafted hypercars.
First thing's first: What was beautifully displayed under the facility's softbox was not a production HF-11, but rather a production-scale model. A development chassis has been making the rounds for a while now, including at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2024, but finalized models are planned to be ready this fall. Considering its solely digital form just nine months ago—and OST's very small team—having something empirically close to the final product to pour over certainly felt like a milestone. The HF-11's overall size and proportions are close to the 718-generation Porsche Cayman, yet with a very wide track and barely a hint of overhang past the wheelbase. It conjures up visions of purpose-built brawlers carving it up on Circuit de la Sarthe, Daytona, Road Atlanta, and any other place where prototype race cars have made their mark in history.
HF-11's chassis consists of a conventional carbon fiber tub with welded framework bolted up to both ends. The tub is produced by Crawford Composites in North Carolina, a company with deep experience in producing components for open-wheel racing series around the globe, as well as homologated-for-racing prototypes. Bridan shared that the HF-11's overall rigidity is tremendously high, which ensures optimal handling characteristics and communication to the driver. Suspension is tubular-arm fare at all four corners, with in-board Ohlins adjustable coilover dampers and finely tuned spring rates to maximize grip, engagement, and ride quality. Massive Brembo carbon ceramic brakes keep speed in check.
Bridan was quite enthusiastic about every detail of the HF-11, but one aspect particularly stuck out to me: Its interior. OST worked tirelessly to not only engineer the perfect driving position, but also ensure that a wide range of body types would comfortably fit inside. Then, once belted in, clients will have a beautifully crafted steering wheel, pedal arrangement, and shifter to really up the experience. And, provide a wonderfully opulent environment—finely machined aluminum, soft Alcantara, painstakingly pondered dimensions, and all. The lavish steering wheel even features a hidden quick-release for added race car zest. Instrument displays and basic, non-driving controls will be at a minimum, which was music to my ears in our era of complex digital screens.
Finally, OST's choice of powertrains is quite fascinating. One option is a 4.5-liter naturally aspirated, air-cooled flat-six that will rev to nearly 12,000 RPM and produce 650 horsepower. While these specs point to Porsche as the basis of its construction, Bridan affirms that it's a bespoke block—he also wouldn't reveal any details about the supplier, but did say it's based in California. Next up is a planned 4.2-liter water-cooled flat-six, based on the 991-generation Porsche 911 RSR engine. This, too, will produce around 650 horsepower, yet only rev to 10,000 RPM. Only. The reason for offering an air- and water-cooled powerplant is due to accommodating clients in a wide range of climates.
A EV powertrain is planned as well, which brings up one of the HF-11's more beguiling features: Quick swap-ability. Thanks to the use of aerospace-grade connectors throughout for wiring, fluids, etc., clients will have the ability to fairly easily swap between an EV powertrain and either of the ICE options. I didn't get a chance to inquire about the EV powertrain's output, but battery size will rival a Tesla Model 3 and range is expected to be around 200 miles—while this beast's very low weight and aerodynamic figure usually greatly improve range, the exposed massive, sticky tires cut into it.
Two different gearboxes are available: A dual-clutch automatic unit originally found in the 718 Cayman MR and a six-speed manual box sourced from Holinger and built to withstand the HF-11's eyebrow-raising RPMs and output.
It was a real pleasure to go over the HF-11 project with Bridan at OST's facility. With deep inspiration from different chapters of motorsports history, an immense amount of time dedicated to design and engineering, and use of the finest materials and components, the HF-11 will be quite the spectacle when it hits the track later this fall for media and potential client impressions. There's no shortage of bespoke, high-dollar hypercars on the market at the moment, but OST brings something truly fitting and unique to the table, and I'm anxious to see how it takes on circuits' tarmac.
Monterey Car Week starts tomorrow, and OST has a few appearances planned for the HF-11. Check out the company's social media and website—and the links above—to find out where to revel in it, in-person.
