Production of the crazy Zarooq SandRacer 500GT has
officially kicked off in the United Arab Emirates, a couple of years after
being first presented as a concept.
All-new automakers looking to make a mark
on the industry make big promises but fail to deliver, and we expected the same
with the SandRacer. However, Auto Guide reports that production has commenced
and that the off-roader has received numerous upgrades since being shown as a
concept.
Whereas the concept was powered by a V6, the
finished SandRacer 500GT uses a 6.2-liter V8 engine tuned to deliver 525 hp and
487 lb-ft of torque. Tipping the scales at just 1,300 kg, the
SandRacer has all the ingredients to be brutally fast on the road, but as its
exterior design suggests, it is off the beaten path where it is truly meant to
shine.
The off-roader rides on racing suspension from
Intrax, which allows for up to 17.7 inches of travel, giving customers the
option of lowering the ride height for street use and raising it when road
conditions become more unforgiving.
There is no word about whether the SandRacer will be
available in other markets, but in the UAE it costs the equivalent of US$ 450,000.
