It’s the supercar to have if your hobby is going fast over sand dunes
Previewed at the Abu Dhabi F1 GP in December 2015, the SandRacer has evolved into a production car and is now available for sale in the United Arab Emirates for a whopping $450,000.
So what does UAE-based Zarooq Motors offer for this kind of money? First of all, exclusivity: only 35 SandRacer 500 GT supercars will be built. Then there's the ability to drive very fast over rough terrain, especially sand. Finally, the in-your-face design of the rear-wheel-drive, mid-engine two-seater coupé can't be ignored.
It looks like the car a superhero would drive, and it should go like one too. That's because it packs a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 525 hp and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque, while curb weight is a remarkable 1,200 kg (2,645 lb). That's due to the all-carbon body and the lightweight space frame racing chassis with a built-in roll cage designed by engineers from Campos Racing. The engine is matched to a racing-grade five-speed sequential gearbox from Weddle Industries, designed "to withstand the most demanding conditions."
According to Zarooq Motors, the SandRacer 500 GT is as capable off-road as on the asphalt, thanks to two suspension height settings (road and sand). Not to mention the Dakar-grade Intrax dampers which allow for a maximum suspension travel of 450 mm. And don't worry about the large rear diffusers: they can be removed for heavy off-roading — who knows, the SandRacer 500 GT may even look better without them.
As for the interior, the sand-eating supercar features all the amenities expected from a modern car, including a digital dashboard, climate control, Apple CarPlay-compatible infotainment, power windows, as well as bespoke Mansory carbon fiber seats and steering wheel. As a matter of fact, the hand-stitched leather interior is made by Mansory in Germany.
The SandRacer 500 GT can be ordered now, with the first deliveries expected in this year's fourth quarter.