Banbury-based motorsport engineering company Prodrive has revealed what it says is the world’s first all-terrain hypercar.
Developed from the off-roader used by Prodrive in the World Rally-Raid Championship, the Hunter is ready for sand dunes and mountains.
As Prodrive chairman Dave Richards explains: “There are numerous hypercars on the market, however they all need good roads or even race tracks to show their performance.”
The Hunter is aimed at exploring away from regular roads, but doing so with serious speed.
More power than Loeb’s company car
The competition version of the Hunter is currently driven by nine-time World Rally Championship winner, Sébastien Loeb. However, those who buy a Hunter will actually enjoy more horsepower than the French rally star.
Not having to comply with motorsport regulations frees up more performance from the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Peak power is in excess of 600hp, with torque an equally impressive 513lb ft.
Instead of the race model’s sequential gearbox, a six-speed paddle shift will be fitted to the Hunter. Prodrive estimates a 0-62mph time of less than four seconds, with a top speed close to 185mph.
Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!
Double wishbone suspension with twin adjustable dampers offers a considerable 400mm of travel. Six-pot racing brake calipers and vented discs are standard.
The Hunter uses the same steel spaceframe chassis as the Rally-Raid machine, along with an FIA-specification roll cage. However, some comforts have been added for the ‘civilian’ model.
Ian Callum, who designed the original race car, has updated the interior for increased usability. This includes a new centre console, although carbon fibre race seats and harnesses are still retained.
Hypercar performance and pricing
Prodrive’s target market is clear, with Dave Richards noting: “The first development vehicle is currently touring the Middle East where customers are being offered the opportunity of driving the Hunter and confirming their personal specification for production vehicles, to be delivered later this year.”
Given the extreme performance available, the Hunter comes with a suitably extreme price tag.
Buyers will need to find £1.25 million plus local taxes to drive the ultimate off-roader.
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