We all thought that super SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and more would end the quest for unlimited explorer cars inspired by or based on supercars and luxury cars. But no.
A few years ago, spy footage of high-end Lamborghinis and Porsches being tested in different parts of the world surfaced. Earlier this month, Porsche unveiled its 911 Dakar, ushering in a new era of off-road supercars. While the Cayenne is more capable off-road than a 911, Porsche understands that top-end 911 buyers won’t stop at a Cayenne and a 911 Turbo S and call it a day. This new category is real, it’s exciting, and while it serves as another marketing avenue for more 911 sales, the product itself is just brilliant.
Lamborghini has also unveiled its Huracan Sterrato, which is built on a Huracan chassis, with the main difference being its off-road capabilities. They still have a 5.2-litre V10 engine as their power source, developing 610 hp and 560 Nm of torque. A 7-speed DCT sends power to all four wheels, 0-100 is reached in 3.4 seconds and top speed has been limited to 260 km/h. Only 1499 units will be made worldwide.
This new category focuses on a few attributes not found on a normal supercar. A tall ride suspension to venture onto dirt roads or rough terrain without losing the front lip, a rugged look with protective fender flares and mudguards to prevent weather elements from damaging the body when driving off-road, and finally the same supercar -Power you’ll find on their on-road counterparts, only the engine has been calibrated differently now. Some parts of the engine have been relocated to ensure they don’t get caught by rocks or rough terrain from below and cause significant damage.
Other notable differences include the use of all-terrain tires, suitable for both asphalt and off-road use.
