Chapter 205: Zero to Hundred
Dojin Frontier, L-Bay.
Dozens of engineers bustled around the vehicle under the bright work lights.
The sharp whirring of air wrenches.
The clanging of metal against metal.
The smell of oil and welding gas filled the air.
After inspecting every inch of the PRIME’s chassis, I wiped the sweat from my brow.
“The rear suspension subframe is fine. Check the torque.”
“Rear subframe bolt torque is 85Nm, all clear!!”
The mechanics’ gloves, including mine, were caked with grease.
Our coveralls were stained with sweat and oil.
In the past few weeks, I’d spent more nights napping here than at home, but…
Everyone’s eyes were alive with determination.
“How’s the ECU algorithm update coming along?”
Chilbong, who had been checking the wiring inside the vehicle, emerged and said,
“The algorithm is updated to build number 23.7, and I’ve confirmed it’s perfectly synced with the sensors. The autonomous cooling control system’s response time has improved by 18% over the previous version.”
I nodded at Chilbong’s report and checked the vehicle’s status on the tablet.
Countless data points appeared on the screen.
Everything was operating stably within the expected range.
“Alright, all that’s left is to install the brake discs.”
The atmosphere in the workshop intensified with tension and anticipation.
Chilbong carefully brought over the hard-earned hafnium oxide composite ceramic discs.
As he opened the box, the matte black discs were revealed.
I took them and moved to the front of the vehicle.
The final key to PRIME’s braking power, durability, and heat dissipation.
“Torque wrench!”
An engineer immediately handed me the tool.
After assembling the discs, I carefully meshed the bolts and tightened them with force.
“Done. Disc installation complete. Start system checks!”
With my shout, the monitors inside the workshop sprang to life.
Real-time data poured in from the ECU, cooling system, sensors, and drive motors.
Moments later, Chilbong’s voice rang out,
“All systems functioning normally. We’re finally done.”
“Whoooooooooooooooa!”
The workshop erupted in cheers.
The engineers’ faces, though exhausted, were beaming with elation as they hugged each other.
The completed PRIME exuded an overwhelming presence.
Its sleek matte black body and sharply sculpted aerodynamic parts quietly gleamed, as if awaiting the race.
“Would you like to take it for a test drive?”
“Of course.”
This was the moment I’d been waiting for over the past month and a half.
As I sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine,
Instead of the familiar rumble of a fuel engine, a refined electric signal sounded softly.
I felt a twinge of disappointment at the absence of the sports car’s roaring engine,
But the moment I hit the accelerator, that feeling vanished instantly.
[KTalk Feed] - @Kang Tae-joon | 93,288,798 Followers
Ready for takeoff!
Attached photo 1
#PRIME #PromisesKept #ZeroToHundred #MaxPower #TopSpeed
On a quiet afternoon, just one day before the promised June launch,
A post with a single photo on KTalk Feed sent the world into a frenzy.
└Whoooooooooooooooa!
└Nooooooooooooooo way!
└I knew Kang Tae-joon would deliver on his promise.
└Stock price is skyrocketing.
└What’s the stock price now?
└$12.1!
└I remember the IPO price was $4, so it’s already tripled?
└Gulp! I’m full even though I skipped breakfast.
└But why is the stock price rising so much? Kang Tae-joon just posted a photo, right?
└Exactly. There’s no specs or anything, right?
└LOL, these people must not have seen the photo yet.
└If you haven’t seen it, go check it out now. The PRIME design is seriously insane.
└If the performance matches the design, Dojin Frontier’s stock is going to soar.
└The market cap is already $120 billion, with a PER over 50, and the stock price is still rising?
└Whether the PER is 50 or 100, I’ll keep buying whenever I have money.
└Tomorrow is going to be freaking awesome. I wonder what the performance will be like?
…
…
…
On the day of the Brookling Circuit Trial Race,
The sky was clear, and the grandstands were packed.
Positioned in the center of the track, the PRIME’s low-slung, wide body drew all eyes.
“Wow, is that the PRIME?”
Countless eyes in the stands were fixed on the matte black PRIME.
Its sleek roofline flowed seamlessly into the rear,
While the active aero wings on the rear end resembled a fighter jet transformed into a car.
And the PRIME’s signature diamond-shaped LEDs exuded raw power just by looking at them.
“Even compared to the Bugatti Chiron, Porsche 928, Spydel, and Ahsung Hyper R1, the PRIME’s design is clearly superior.”
“That’s why they say Dojin, Dojin.”
“Ahsung is said to have poured a ton of money into the Hyper, but because of the PRIME, it’s not getting much attention.”
Dongseong Ilbo reporter Shim Han-ul exchanged in-depth opinions with his colleagues.
“Ahsung has always sold a lot of cars, but their performance in the premium market hasn’t been outstanding.”
“So, to enter the premium market, Representative Lee Dong-hoon seems to be putting in a lot of effort this time.”
Shim Han-ul glanced at Lee Dong-hoon, the representative of Ahsung Motors, sitting in the VIP section.
A close associate of Chairman Cheon Ho-tae and a supporter of the second son, Cheon Jun-seok, in the ongoing management rights dispute.
“If they succeed in drawing attention here, it will greatly help establish the Hyper R1 in the global market.”
The other reporters nodded in agreement with Hanseo Media reporter Park Dae-gi’s words.
As he said, today’s race was not just a new car launch or technology demonstration,
But a real-world test for dominance in the premium market.
“It seems like all five companies invested similar amounts in development, but the PRIME is clearly drawing the most attention, don’t you think?”
“Kang Tae-joon is such a celebrity.”
“With over 90 million followers posting, how could it not draw attention?”
Indeed, more than three times as many people filled the stands compared to previous races.
“Well, it’s drawing attention, but what matters is performance. Whether Dojin’s electric car can match the overwhelming performance of internal combustion engines will determine the outcome.”
“Speaking of zero to hundred. Can it really break the so-called ‘magic barrier’ of 2 seconds?”
“That’s a bit difficult, I think.”
Shim Han-ul shook his head,
And most of the other reporters nodded in agreement.
“Even the Bugatti Chiron has a zero to hundred time in the low 2-second range, so for an electric car to not only break the 2-second barrier but achieve 1.6 seconds is unheard of.”
“Even the Tesla Roadster 2 wasn’t at this level, and it’s not even released yet.”
“That’s why people are more interested. If the PRIME really performs as Kang Tae-joon claimed…”
Shim Han-ul swallowed hard before continuing.
“It could completely reshape the automotive market.”
With those words, the host’s energetic voice boomed through the speakers.
[And now, the first vehicle of the Brookling Circuit Trial Race is about to start!]
The first vehicle was the Spydel.
With its sleek, hybrid hypercar design and smooth curves, it captured everyone’s attention.
The combined sound of the engine and electric motor majestically cut through the air,
And as the starting signal sounded, it shot off the line and sped down the track.
On the screens beside the track, the Spydel’s acceleration data appeared.
0-100 km/h: 2.6 seconds
Top speed section: 388 km/h
Applause erupted from the stands.
Not a bad result.
Next, the second vehicle, the Porsche 928, took its place at the starting line.
With its classic design and powerful engine roar,
It surged forward, tracing elegant lines as it raced down the track.
0-100 km/h: 2.7 seconds
Top speed section: 375 km/h
The third vehicle was Ahsung Motors’ ambitious Hyper R1.
With its black and red two-tone color and aggressive body kit, the R1 was more than enough to draw attention.
Representative Lee Dong-hoon, sitting in the VIP section, watched the race with a nervous expression.
“I heard Ahsung spent over 600 billion won on developing the Hyper R1 alone.”
“They completely overhauled everything from design to engine development. They even brought in a lot of new people.”
“With the situation within the group not being great, they really need a good result today to turn things around.”
“It’s starting!”
As Hanseo Media’s Park Dae-gi spoke,
The Hyper roared to life and sped down the track.
The result…
0-100 km/h: 2.4 seconds
Top speed section: 402 km/h
“Whoooooooooooooooa!”
Gasps of amazement erupted from the audience.
Ahsung’s vehicle had performed beyond expectations.
Representative Lee Dong-hoon’s face showed a mix of relief and confidence.
The fourth vehicle was a powerhouse in the hypercar market:
The Bugatti Chiron.
As one of the most anticipated vehicles at the Brookling Circuit Trial Race, the roar of its mighty 16-cylinder engine reached the stands.
It accelerated ferociously, like a monster, and the crowd went wild for its powerful performance.
0-100 km/h: 2.1 seconds
Top speed section: 441 km/h
“The Chiron is unbeatable!”
“Zero to hundred in 2.1 seconds, that’s insane.”
“It’s that fast, and it still takes 2.1 seconds?”
“I thought it had broken the magical 2-second barrier.”
“So, what does 1.6 seconds even mean?”
People whispered excitedly among themselves about the results.
The final, fifth vehicle.
The long-awaited Dojin PRIME took its place at the starting line.
The crowd seemed to hold its breath all at once, as if under a spell.