Meet the Zarooq Sand Racer, the first car specifically designed for the United Arab Emirates desert, which also happens to be legal on the road.
“The UAE are famous for amazing deserts, extreme safari motorsport, and dune racing, but the performance of American and Japanese cars just wasn’t good enough. So, we decided to assemble a team to design and build the car we have all dreamed about, specifically made to race in the desert”, says Zarooq director Mohammed Al Qadi, ex Senior Director Operations of Yas Marina Circuit.
The unique and aggressive-looking Zarooq Sand Racer is the first in a series of elite high-performance cars that will be manufactured in workshops in Dubai. Since it is handmade, many bespoke options are available in terms of performance, infotainment, equipment, or car bodies.
Weighing 950 kg, the Zarooq Sand Racer boasts a 3.5L V6 that generates anywhere between 300 and 500 horsepower depending on customer requirements. The interior features stunning carbon fibre, while the suspension offers 350-450 mm of travel.
The first 20 units will be a Special Inaugural Edition, with deliveries scheduled for early 2016. The price, depending on the model, edition, and options, varies from $80,000 to $160,000. The official launch of the Zarooq Sand Racer will take place during the 2015 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix on November 24th.