Zarooq SandRacer Set to Tackle the Dunes in Dubai

At 165 inches, it's about the same length as a Nissan 370Z, but the SandRacer is wider, taller, and with the wheels pushed further out to the corners for unimpeded approach and departure angles (measured at 45 and 53 degrees respectively) out there on the dunes. It also has a full foot of ground clearance and a 40/60 weight balance front to rear.

The design was penned by Anthony Jannarelly, who also designed the Lykan HyperSport and Fenyr SuperSport for W Motors. Campos Racing, which competes in GP2 and Formula Three (among other series) helped in its development. The design calls for a welded and powder-coated steel tube frame with aluminum bulkheads, overlaid by non-structural fiberglass bodywork.

Power is said to come from a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine, mounted amidships and sending 304 horsepower and 274 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission to the rear wheels. Racing versions are also planned in outputs of 400 and 500 hp to form part of a one-make spec racing series. The startup even plans to open a sand racing track for the purpose. Though still in the planning phase, the Zarooq SandRacer is slated to launch early in the new year.