Two years ago, Emirati car company Zarooq unveiled their plans for a street-legal off-road luxury supercar. Today, the Sand Racer 500 GT becomes a reality. Here’s what you need to know.
A two-seater, mid-engined machine, the 500 GT boasts a 6.2-litre V8 under the bonnet that sends the promised 518bhp to the rear wheels. This means an enviable and thoroughly impressive 0-60mph of under four seconds.
Top speed is 137mph, and you’ll be looking at a five-speed sequential manual gearbox too play with. And the suspension shows just how versatile the supercar is, with 45cm of height settings and Dakar-grade Intrax dampers pre-set to either Road or Sand.
Although you may be buzzed by what sits under the bonnet, most of us will surely be grabbed by the 500 GT’s design. Despite weighing in at just 1,300 kilograms, the 500 GT is a bulked-up beast, and has a chassis boasting a built-in roll cage designed by Spanish racing operation Campos.
The body itself, designed by automotive visionary Anthony Jannarelly, is made in Belgium, and is rather aggressive looking – a Lamborghini flavour only accentuated by the bright orange, blue and red colour options. Distinctive rear diffusers and a design that can only be described as ‘radical’ finish off the car’s look – which hasn’t changed too much from the unveiling two years ago.
With its ability to tear up sand dunes, its impressive ground clearance and undeniable hardiness, it could be argued that the 500 GT isn’t a supercar, and just a luxury SUV. However, it doesn’t have the 4×4 capabilities that usually typify a SUV, and the options available are deluxe to say the least.
The company is open to bespoke customisation – given the right price – but the basic model will give you two German hand-stitched leather-crafted seats with racing harnesses, a digital dashboard, climate control and a top-end infotainment system.
Sales of the 500 GT have already begun, with a 35-unit limited-edition run currently on sale. These first production models will set you back a hefty $450,000 each, and deliveries are to begin later this year.
Zarooq say that production has now started on the first 500 models, with pre-orders already in place for the majority of these cars. But there are future plans to fit new variations with different powertrains, and even create a rally series. Watch this space, for the Sand Racer 500 GT is going to get a lot more crazy.
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