Mate Rimac's life and private car collection - part 1

This is Idol Chat with Mate Rimac - where we discuss his his life and see his personal cars. In Part 1 Mate (founder and CEO of Automobili Rimac - who make the 2000hp EV hypercar) sits down with Jonny Smith on some awful old chairs to openly talk about his career and his interesting car choices. Sometimes compared to Nikola tesla and Elon Musk, Mate only has a one car garage at home, so just for The Late Brake Show he arranged to bring his vehicles to an empty shopping mall which has recently started conversion into a new Rimac car and battery production facility. Despite the company being part owned by Porsche and Hyundai, Mate has a thing for BMW M cars. He doesn't even drive an EV every day - it's either an M5 or one of his 100kmh e-bikes.
If you haven't already, watch the first drive review of the 258mph Rimac Nevera hypercar:
• New Rimac C_Two Nevera...
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Post Production by: Elena Radošević and Robin Pretkovic / ROBINfilm_
Thumbnail by: Matt Tarrant - www.matttarantdesign.com
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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
Website: www.carpervert.com
Instagram: / jonnycarpervert
Twitter: / carpervert
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:12 Terrible chairs
3:40 This is just the start...
4:30 School life and emigrating to Germany
5:37 Why car fascination?
10:02 First car
10:40 Modified moped
12:00 Motorbike crash. Ducati time.
13:45 Go to guy for high voltage
14:20 Blowing up the BMW E30 drift car
16:00 Convert BMW to EV!
17:02 White Zombie EV Datsun
17:15 EV experimenting with Igor
19:28 Electric classic car conversions
19:57 E-bikes
22:34 Tesla ahead 10 years ago
23:50 Bugatti owners
24:15 Spoken to Elon Musk?
24:52 Subscribe
25:00 Coming up in part 2
#materimac #idolchat #privategaragetour #e30m3evo

[@actuallypaulstanley]

Wow, what an interview. It was great to see a real friendship, and hear you both discuss its background. @Mate is such a genuine guy that is clearly thinking on another level, but humble with it. Hearing his story told with real emotion was inspirational. Thanks @Jonny and @The Late Brake Show for bringing this video to us. Looking forward to part 2!! Oh, and good to see the notepad making in attendance. 👍🏼

[@RimacAutomobiliOfficial]

The chairs look cozy.

[@leemilica]

You guys are kinda getting close to Elon Musk...

[@ryanzacsanders]

the ones that didn't make it to the interview 😜

[@tokyodrifte1991]

Great work Mate I hope one of your chapters includes building an affordable line of cars in the future - I hope to be able to buy one

[@bunsenn5064]

The lads over at Rimac HQ were really missing out on those chairs

[@markfr200]

I meni :) Bravo Mate. Što reći.. svaka čast, želim ti puno uspjeha u daljnjem radu.

[@pauljonesAD]

love the middle finger speed mode lol

[@cocosloan3748]

It was so awkward ...He tried to joke about it but still theres a scene of Mate showing him the middle finger..Not so cool ...

[@davidkirinic9463]

@@cocosloan3748 Well if he took offense who cares. Couldnt take a effing joke

[@Zanpaa]

@@cocosloan3748 Too bad you don't like fun lmao

[@DataLog]

@@davidkirinic9463 He didn't take offense...

[@ewadge]

This guy’s energy is so infectious.

[@Dudleymiddleton]

This guy is extremely intelligent and forward thinking - one of those geniuses!

[@igorsevo6690]

Plot twist: Same guy who sold Mate's dad a Ducati also rented them these chairs 😂😂

[@spruce1509]

He comes across as such a great, normal guy. Clearly mega clever. Love the Ducati story. I can imagine Mate standing there keeping quiet while the salesman did his work!

[@Thametownguy]

His mum must have been super cross when he came back with the Ducati!

[@dariobarisic3502]

@@Thametownguy His father probably slept on the couch for the entire month lol

[@VWbaii]

A genuine guy who hasn’t forgotten his roots. Thanks for bringing this to us Jonny - looking forward to part 2!

[@daracro]

Hey Johnny, greetings from Croatia! We are so proud of Mate.

[@mikeselectricstuff]

We ALL want to see the drag race between Elon and Mate in their respective cars...

[@LordManhattan]

RIP Elon

[@michaelenglund]

I want to see them run a quarter mile 😂

[@Zanpaa]

I really don't.

[@Space_Reptile]

too bad elons roadster is floating in space, otherwise it would be roadster #1 vs eM3

[@joemacleod-iredale2888]

I’d imagine Elon would be insufferable if he won and petulant if he lost.

[@kyronrc]

Man is a legend.

[@SB-vb8ch]

Having met Mate on a few occasions I can confirm he is exactly as he appears in the media appearances. He's a very sharp & hugely motivated guy who has a presence way beyond his years. Good to see the dreams coming true.

[@JustArchiee]

This was top. Such an interesting guy, and top questions and comment from Johnny as always. Gg’s.

[@jimbob67]

You just cannot dislike this guy. Can't wait for part two. Cheers Johnny

[@topjds1492]

What a fantastic interview, finally someone talks to Mate that understands cars and lets his passion come through. Great job Jonny!

[@TheKrakovv]

One of the best interviews with Rimac out there, thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@hippotek1]

Mate Rimac is one of the most down to earth geniuses on this planet. THANK you for the amazing interview!

[@LordManhattan]

*Me:* "Oh, interesting! Wait, 25 minutes? I'll give like 5". *Also me:* _"Wait, it's already been 25 minutes?!"_ Mad respect to Mate and his crew!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

That is the best praise. Thank you. 👌🏽

[@mc4130]

This just popped up - this is amazing! Cannot wait to watch it! This is exactly what I was after, after seeing your first Rimac videos with such an inspirational guy. Well done for knowing your audience Jonny. Bloody well done.

[@markolukac4251]

2 great minds from Croatia: Tesla and Rimac

[@williamarmstrong7199]

??? Elon is from South Africa.

[@kurokuronja5647]

@@williamarmstrong7199 He is refering to Nikola Tesla, who was born in present day Croatia. Tesla(car brand) was named after Nikola Tesla......

[@lillypichu4566]

@@williamarmstrong7199 are you okay?

[@role6159]

@@lillypichu4566 he's alright just not educated enough 😂

[@muhammadnajmimurindo9723]

@@kurokuronja5647 wait isn’t Nikola Tesla Serbian ?

[@Mountain-Man-3000]

Mate seems so chill and down to earth, like the kind of guy you could just hang out with and chat cars all day. Great work on that beast of a car Mate!

[@paulleggett9735]

I think Elon should be trying to meet Mate, not the other way around. This man is astonishing.

[@m5184jhd]

You forgot that Elon owns "space X" not just electric car company. Space X and Nasa are in the process of going to the moon and Mars.

[@dickiewongtk]

@@m5184jhd Elon Musk is a just a businessman, Rimac is a car guy. They are not the same.

[@awood12345]

Brilliant interview can't wait for pt2.

[@Hotpack7279]

It is unbelievable how down to Earth Mate is. Gets wet Eyes if he talks about his Peugeot Speedfight and so on. He is staying refreshingly young in Mind.

[@eotikurac]

yes, very down to earth, talking about making cars you cannot buy while running a company that made 75 million euro loss last year. how do you not see a fraud and a salesman? he's just like elon, elizabeth holmes, ftx, and all the rest of them. how do these sorts of people keep fooling everyone? it's unbelievable how dumb and blind the masses are.

[@g3whg247]

For the Ducati story alone this is the coolest guy on the planet.

[@aukanmeister]

I feel at home with these two people. Love the story!

[@4carsbalkan1]

Thank you for this interview! I really enjoyed every single second. I love the respect when you let someone finish their conversation and you perfectly go into the same. Well done bro! Deserved subscribe 👍

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Welcome aboard TLBS. Thank you for watching.

[@tw2210]

Great video. I love your relaxed interview style and that you let the other person speak. He is definitely a clever chap!

[@dubbernut2747]

This bloke is the future for the automotive industy.

[@pauliboo2]

You Jonny, are the perfect interviewer for a conversation with Mate, you both know your stuff! This was excellent, can’t wait for part 2. After your review last week, I couldn’t be bothered watching other car Journos as you gave all the answers we needed.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Paul, much appreciated. Welcome aboard TLBS!

[@danielbrown2618]

Can’t believe these chats with Mate Rimac haven’t had more views! This guy is just so unlike the sort of person you’d expect him to be, no ego to speak of, decent hard working bloke with clear ideas on what he wants to achieve. Keep up the hard work Jonny, high quality films as always

[@Yathuprem]

WOw, cant wait for Part 2. That sneak peek at the end, really got me hooked.

[@MuhtasimDishan88]

Mate is such an inspiration from every single aspect! He is the absolute definition of a role model!

[@jonathanhemingway6724]

The Kid's a genius. The Electric Enzo !

[@Pete_1986]

Awesome, but Jonny can you please increase the audio volume. Both this vid and the last are really quiet despite me cranking it to the max.

[@SRawsonH]

This is an absolutely brilliant piece, amazing friendship and what an incredible guy so inspirational his motivation and ideas but while being so down to Earth even with everything he’s achieved is inspirational

[@alexjackson9875]

I've said this before - your interviews, who you pick, the questions you ask, the way you ask them, are the very best I've seen. Fabulous work, Jonny.

[@nigelprice7953]

What a fascinating interview. Mate comes over very well, as a down to earth chap who has not let his well deserved success go to his head. Bring on Part 2!

[@sanjusanu9417]

The speed mode finger is really thoughtful! Man, I love Mate!!😂🙏🏻

[@_Makanko_]

Part 1, 25 minutes just flew by, so interesting to hear him talk about the background. Nice interview, excited for part 2. Cheers

[@Fheral360]

What an interview! and what a character, this (at least for me) is one of THE best if not the best interview I've seen so far. You are doing phenomenal work man I'm really looking forward for part 2

[@matthewseymour8972]

Cracking interview. Absolutely love his attitude. Such confidence and humility is so rare.

[@f1isgreat]

Jonny...you really do pick-um!! You have done some really interesting interviews recently, Chris H and the touring car guys being my highlights (as like you I watched them bagging doors as a teen). This interveiw was even better though...can't wait till part two. With guys like this influensing the future of the automobile I feel a lot happier:)

[@betterspud21]

Oh man! So happy to see "coming up in Part 2" at the end. Now I just have to pray that there are 30 parts! I genuinely could have listened to the two of you talk for many hours! What an incredible guy and an incredible interview.

[@matthewlloyd956]

Mate RImac is such a wonderful person to listen to, quiet spoken and passionate and shows quality through the product. Spent a hour or so on the Geneva stand in 2018 and was blown away at the level of detail. Looking forward to part 2 of this interview

[@kentonian]

Absolutely brilliant chat. I have so much admiration of Mate. I hope one day I can meet him. Just seems so intelligent, humble and fun. I also like to cycle off-road and escape the road ragers.

[@nicolascontentin4611]

What a guy!!! Thanks a lot for the interview. I really enjoyed it!!

[@SmallBlogV8]

There is some amazing backstory in here that I've not heard before. What a fascinating and brilliant guy.

[@todoralexandrov1]

He's such a cool and humble guy and his company will have significant impact on the EV market in the coming years.

[@GrahamDallas]

What a guy, I genuinely knew very little about him until now.

[@djlosmi]

Amazing! Mate is such an inspiration. Brilliant stuff Johnny, can't wait for the next part! Cheers! ;)

[@asbjoern86]

The interview episodes are all so good! In depth and interesting, and amazing guests. Absolutely love them:D

[@twarken5078]

Excellent interview and video as always, Johnny. Looking forward to part 2 (and 3, 4, 5, 6, and so on! 😉).

[@ryanzacsanders]

the level of in depth information of this interview series is unreached. Jonny knows how to catch the audience. Glad that you started this show. Kind of missed you at fully charged

[@global_nomad.]

he's such a story teller....anecdotes and histories....thats what makes him so relatable....great episode, cannot wait until the next one...

[@markyboyclark]

Best channel EVER! Loving your content at the moment Jonny! I've been telling everyone for years that an ebike is the most fun you can have on wheels. 🙂

[@paulmarshall1463]

Great interview as always Johnny, can't wait for part 2.

[@Al-of3zp]

MIND BLOWN!! Such determination and vision. absolutely awesome.

[@tomorrow-man]

I absolutely loved this video. Great interviewer and very interesting interviewee - Be proud of this one

[@noelhuggett8745]

Goodness me Jonny, what an extremely nice guy, so relaxed, so forward thinking, so many ideas yet to come from him, this guy is the future, why aren't all manufacturers turning to him for his tech. Another brilliant interview, very much looking forward to part 2.

[@williamarmstrong7199]

Every school age child needs to watch this! It should be shown to reception school classes and especially to the parents! It should be shown every year and be compulsory.

[@fueledbymetal]

I've read a few interviews with Mate but none of them were nearly as informative as what you have here. Thanks for this - these quality deep-dives are my favorite things that you create!

[@Diode5]

Great interview with a very interesting person. I love these sorts of interviews with the real brains behind the operation, and clearly Mate is inspired by similar people eg Martin Eberhard, Nikola Telsla etc. Looking forward to part 2.

[@rustybearden1800]

I've been watching car shows for decades, from when there were only two or three "serious" shows and now there are thousands, blah, blah, blah - just when I thought there were no new versions or "takes" or perspectives, The Late Brake Show comes along - I have always enjoyed Jonny's opinions and knowledge and unique views on autos but this is a new level - production, dialogue, subject matter and the everyday enthusiast's point of view - I'm hooked - thank you for what you do, how you do it and what you show - I love it!

[@Lazydonkey_]

This guy is going to take over the world! Underestimate him at your peril. The best bit is that he's taking people on the journey, unlike Musk who seems to be burning those who are closest to him. Another brilliant video Jonny.

[@leearblaster8127]

What a humble guy , And how pretty is that M3 wow! great interview 👌

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Watch part 2 for the full M3 walk around.

[@leearblaster8127]

@@TheLateBrakeShow Can't wait for that it looks amazing 👌great content as always 👍

[@KaalKhatri]

This was fantastic, exactly what I was hoping for after seeing the Nevera vid. When's part 2 dropping?

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

In 24 hours. 👍🏼

[@ZG0002]

I think you are doing better in the KZbin world than the TV world. Having control over what content you want to show is really helping as your passion comes out more and you seem to have some wicked contacts in the car world. Keep it up 👍

[@sportzntouring]

Loved that!! Brilliant interview. His achievements are beyond impressive. Visionary of our time.

[@mikesmischief3649]

Great chat, always liked Mate. Thanks for the show

[@davidd4531]

Thanks Johnny for this fantastic interview. Mate seems to be ‘one of us’, just a car guy but in this case with a great mind and coupled with the sheer determination of turning impossible dreams into reality.

[@tazbertdt]

Such a smart driven guy and he's a properly nice fella too. Looking forward to the next part!

[@blobstrom]

Brilliant, brilliant interview, what an amazing and down to earth guy Mate is.. time to watch part 2

[@djlondon7956]

Mate Rimac is just amazing... Great show from Johnny

[@alexmaddox2255]

Did not expect this to happen! Incredible person. And there will be a part 2!

[@arranrampton]

Brilliant interview, can't wait for part 2!

[@ChrisBWelch]

Another absolutely fascinating and enthralling interview! Superb work team!

[@rinusbrand9993]

This was amazing and also to see the normal and down to earth Mate and is passions. What Mate has achieved is mind blowing.

[@Spinvids]

No one else is doing this…. Bravo on the content Mr Smith 👏

[@jel5034]

Different level. You, him, the content. Epic.

[@georgewade278]

Mate is like a younger, hairier even more energetic Christian Von Koenigsegg. Absolutely brilliant video Jonny, very much looking forward to part two.

[@e5kimo]

what an awesome guy and what a great interview. cant wait for part 2.

[@kings3803]

This is why the late brake show is one of the best KZbin channels out there because of videos like this. Also everyone loves Johnny for being just a nice guy and a car pervert.

[@filipegil8752]

Johnny you keep bringing us such gems of interesting borderline educational content. What a guy and what a company. If I’m honest I believe he’s selling himself short by aspiring to E. Musk levels. From a technical as well as business model point of view he’s up there with the best, in fact Rimac at the moment probably his the best. The guy have big relevant renowned OEM buying their services and product. Can’t wait for part 2 👍

[@MurrayC]

Flip the bike the bird to get full power! Laughed out loud!

[@emixmim]

Very cool interview! Looking forward to part 2!

[@neilbissett1240]

Fantastic mate what a fantastic guy thanks for the first part of the interview 😎

[@royaltychill3495]

From EGYPT, Supporting You "MATE RIMAC" & Ur Company, How Humble, Respectful & Cool Mate Rimac, Feels like Family Friendly Soul, One of the best Interviews

[@dragodrazenovic1064]

Mate*

[@robsamuel5290]

Amazing 2 part video Jonny, Mate seems like such a genuine guy and wow what an achievement

[@jryalls]

Great stuff Jonny!

[@bobskinner4389]

Thanks Johnny great interview. I always watch any content about Mate or Rimac a brilliant man who is able to keep his EGO in check. Notice how he always mentions his team that started it all with him. It's not me me me 😁😁😁

[@ingram33]

I hope there is more than just two parts too this interview.... This guy is so enjoyable to watch and just talk about his passion

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

We have enough material for probably 4 parts!

[@mwikborg]

Great interview Jonny! Looking forward to the coming episodes

[@jono6379]

I love mate's work but he shouldn't try compare himself to elon musk hes more like Christian von Koenigsegg except in a way hes almost gone beyond in terms of finding a niche that allows him to expand his engineering prowess to benefit other manufacturers.

[@macberry4048]

I feel the same way and a conversation between these two would be amazing because Elon is known for giving real answers. Also Elon probably already knows him

[@johanneswarn5488]

He’s WAAAAY more interesting and cool than Elon. Mate is great

[@macberry4048]

@@johanneswarn5488 being cool isn't important. Starting a business in a new industry makes them both impressive and worth talking too

[@DeepGamingAI]

This is exactly how Elon was when the first Roadster came out. But of course, Elon was involved in many more things before and while Tesla was growing, so that shaped his personality too.

[@user-aRb00d3r]

@@macberry4048 yeah and no offence but Elon didn't start EV company, space tech yes, but EV no, so Mate is so much more or of a real car guy.

[@huribertgackiwurst1817]

Excellent interview. Thank you very much 👍🏻

[@DevonMcFarlane]

What an absolute dude. Humble, funny and vibrant

[@davidbarnsley8486]

What an incredible man with such vision and determination I would like to shake his hand 👍👍

[@AleksandarGospic]

Awesome interview, learned some new stuff I haven't heard before!

[@kings3803]

Mate Is going to change cars forever and not just hyper cars but all electric cars. He will be a legend.

[@tomkunovic4177]

what a great interview, thank you