By Jeff Glucker
I’m fascinated by off-road versions of production vehicles. Ever since the Ford Raptor arrived, it feels like a few automakers are getting a bit more serious about properly playing in the dirt. Sure, Jeep and Toyota have been doing it for a long time, but the Raptor took things to a new extreme.
Which automaker that currently isn’t offering a great off-road model, should add one into its lineup?
On the lower end, it would be interesting to see a real-deal Kia dirt slinger. Up top, I’d love to see a true focused off-road offering from Porsche. Perhaps an honest revival of that Transsyberria Cayenne, but this time apply it to the Macan and lean into it.
What do you think? Which automaker needs to jump into the off-road fun?
The Buick off-Roadmaster.
They already do. If I’ve learned anything as a geologist it’s that, with the proper mindset, any vehicle is an off-road model.
It doesn’t necessarily take a particular mindset. Kevin Hart’s Speedkore ‘cuda showed its offroad abilities quite unintentionally.
It’s easy to forget, but Kia had the Rocsta for a while. Can’t really figure out what inspired its design though…
http://www.encar.com/dc/dc_cardetailview.do?pageid=dc_carsearch&listAdvType=normal&carid=30374203&view_type=normal&adv_attribute=&wtClick_korList=019&advClickPosition=kor_normal_p1_g1&tempht_arg=dG13H8Oyi7k2_0
Clearly an Austin Champ rip
I was going to say Jeep, but it doesn’t have enough grill slots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIh_bpCtsII
Hell, I can’t imagine Kia advertising the current Sportage like they did 20 years ago.
It does help that the OG Sportage was a BOF truck with solid rear, essentially a Suzuki Vitara but a little bit bigger.
From what I hear Ferrari is jumping on the bandwagon… Mind you it will likely be as off-road oriented as the Lambo Urus
Morgan did one that actually works more than most – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WAKiSnhIG0
All you need is money, besides, the Urus is just a Cayenne underneath
My first thought was as much as Subaru already offers a bunch of off-road models, a rally fighter BRZ would be neat. So, in the spirit of the question, Mazda hasn’t had a proper offroader since the Navajo 25 or so years ago, so why not follow that up with a lifted Miata in the vein of what some owners are already doing?
I am also very excited about the Ferrari Purosangue! I’m curious when exactly he will be presented.
The red color does not look bad either.
Hey ! How about Pontiac? They need something to change their image from “shrunken muscle car with padding and cladding gone full front tranny. We could give it 4 wheel drive, and…and…maybe even put a built-in tent option. Name it after some fierce Indian whose name we have used before and Bob’s yer Uncle! Well, butch aunt anyhow, and a at least part of the market LOVE them some big booty! If this thing doesn’t save the brand nothing will!