Scarbo Vintage, the company responsible for the legendary Hoonipigasus, has unveiled its latest creation: the SV Rover. This remarkable “hyper truck” is designed for both high-speed desert racing and intricate rock crawling.
The SV Rover represents the culmination of 14 years of meticulous design and development. Originally conceived as a desert race truck akin to the rare Ford Bronco DR, the final production model is fully street-legal.
Despite its resemblance to the classic Land Rover Defender, the SV Rover is a completely bespoke vehicle, featuring a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum bodywork. It boasts inboard pushrod suspension on both the front and rear, is equipped with air cups, and offers a total wheel travel of 30 inches.
With user-adjustable height control and valving to support the damping of its 40-inch tires mounted on 20-inch forged wheels, the SV Rover is also equipped with a six-piston Brembo brake system featuring 15.7-inch carbon ceramic rotors.
Underneath its rugged exterior, the SV Rover houses a rear mid-engine layout, powered by a supercharged V8 engine capable of delivering up to 1,100 horsepower.
While specific technical details of the powertrain remain undisclosed, it is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and it features a sizable 65-gallon fuel cell.
Additionally, for those preferring a quieter experience, an alternative 1,006-hp electric powertrain option is available, drawing power from a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
To tackle a variety of off-road terrains, ranging from Baja to Moab, the SV Rover offers selectable two-wheel and four-wheel drivetrains, complemented by high- and low-range transfer cases and front/rear lockers. It even includes four-wheel steering for added maneuverability.
Despite its rugged exterior appearance, the SV Rover surprises with a relatively refined interior. Adorned with Alcantara upholstery and billet aluminum accents, it offers Sparco racing seats for two occupants. The cockpit features two screens: a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch multimedia display at the center.
In addition to its off-road capabilities, the SV Rover provides creature comforts such as climate control, push-button start, and power door locks and windows. It also features a rear cargo hold, although one might wonder how this coexists with the potent V8 engine situated behind the seats.
While Scarbo Vintage has yet to announce the official availability and pricing for its road-legal desert runner, reports from the Motor Authority suggest a starting price of $1.5 million.
While this may seem steep for an off-road vehicle, the SV Rover promises an unparalleled experience without the need to tow it to Southern California for dirt-filled adventures.
