Ok, so I should provide some background info. (I tried making this thread yesterday and somehow I accidentally hit the “back” button and it all got deleted (an hour down the drain) so this time I’m typing it up in a word doc and copy/paste.) Brace yourself for wall ‘o text, but I’ll do my best to make the read interesting.
The automotive world is really missing two things at present. One of those I’ve been talking about for years; a 500 hp, turbocharged AWD fastback-hatchback coupe. The 3/s is the closest I’ll ever come to that dream—and is arguably the last car even close to that. But there’s also another niche that’s essentially empty; the off-road sports-car. Specifically, something 4WD, 300+ hp (even 200+ would be great) and virtually competition ready for off-road events...in a compact 2-door SUV—preferably under 100” wheelbase.
There’s subcompact SUV’s on the market now, but they don’t offer even close to the same performance as my beloved Vehicross (VX) has stock. Ford Ecosport, Chevy Trax, Hyundai Kona, etc—all potentially great, but come with anemic powerplants, and many don’t even offer AWD (let alone a 2-door option). Ford isn’t offering a 2.0L ecoboost even though it offers an N/A I-4. It would be heavenly if SVT got their hands on the ecosport and tossed a 2.4L ecoboost in it and then raided the suspension off a Raptor for good measure. At $35,000 it would still sell like hotcakes...but I digress.
These are also select few vehicles that meet the <100” wheelbase requirement. The most diminuitive of these in the US market is likely the Jeep JL—but even the 2-door variant of that has a wheelbase a full 5” longer than that of a VX (91.8” vs 96.8”). And as far as turning radius, only the Jeep Hurricane concept could exceed the turning radius of the VX, and it had a turn radius of 0—thanks to its crazy articulation of the rear wheels. Alas, it’s just another Jeep concept quasi-sports-car that never made it to production.
The idea of an “off-road sports-car” dates at least as far back as the AMC Eagle. AMC had the crazy idea to stick a Concord on a 4WD chassis and it actually sold quite well. It was intended as a “stopgap” between the Jeep line and conventional cars. This idea is finally coming to the forefront of the automotive world over 30 years later. Subaru now offers the CrossTrek—based on the Impreza—which follow almost the exact same design idea AMC used. Ford has gone all-in and has eliminated conventional cars in the US market; they will be gradually phased out in favor of “Active” counterparts. These will all essentially be passenger cars on slightly raised suspensions. This is a welcome shift in my book, but still not enough.
There have been several “concept cars” in the spirit of an off-road sports car over the intervening years. Sadly, none of these ever came to market. Not the Jeep Jeepster (1998 concept), nor the Jeep Renegade (2008 concept), nor the Kia Niro, nor the Toyta RSC, nor the VW T off-road coupe, nor even the Pontiac Stinger. Even when something would potentially come close, it wouldn’t make it to the US market (I’m looking at you, Renault Wind). Back in the day, concept cars were two things only: either 1 step removed from production, or so wild and outrageous that they would never be brought to market. Isuzu broke that mold. But first, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
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