SV Rover: road-legal ‘hypertruck’ has supercharged V8 or EV power

American motorsport outfit Scarbo Vintage has revealed the SV Rover – an outlandish off-road weapon that it claims to be “the world’s first street-legal hypertruck”.

Available with either a screaming supercharged V8 engine or a battery-electric powertrain, it’s the third car from the California-based firm, following the SV F1, a tribute to the 1967 Ferrari 312 Formula 1 car, and the Porsche 911-derived SC RSR, which was the basis for Ken Block’s ‘Hoonipigasus’ stunt car.

Said to be able to “comfortably tackle technical off-road trails and traverse desert terrain at extra-legal speeds”, the SV Rover takes visual cues from the classic Land Rover Defender 90.

It has a body clad entirely in carbonfibre and aluminium, huge flared wheel arches, thick underbody protection, LED front and rear lights and a wheelbase significantly extended to accommodate a rear-mid-mounted engine.

Power comes from either a 1100bhp supercharged V8 with an eight-speed gearbox or a 1005bhp electric system – expected to comprise a motor on each axle – and a 75kWh battery. 

Scarbo Performance CEO Joe Scarbo said: “The SV Rover represents a new extreme in terms of off-road power, manoeuverability and capability.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this revolutionary vehicle, which combines the nostalgia of classic British design with modern American muscle and technology to deliver a driving experience beyond anything this side of a trophy truck.”

The Rover is fitted with interchangeable two- and four-wheel drive, locking front and rear differentials and adjustable-height pushrod suspension that sits inboard and allows for a massive 30in of wheel travel. 

It also has four-wheel steering, specialist 40in off-road tyres and carbon-ceramic brake discs.

The cockpit is a fusion of modern technology and utilitarianism. Its 12.3in digital instrument cluster and 12.8in infotainment screen are flanked by exposed welds and bare-metal panelling and its indicator stalks are finished in what appears to be aluminium. It also features Sparco bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara and air conditioning. 

Scarbo hasn’t said how many Rovers it plans to build, nor given an indication of price, but a $935,000 (£739,000) price tag for the SV RSR suggests that it could nudge six figures. 

This compares with around $260,000 (£205,000) for the similarly conceived Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Boot, which has a Chevrolet V8 with some 650bhp.