Niche carmaker Laffite Supercars has opened its pre-order books for the new X-Road buggy modeled after Dakar Rally concepts. Prices start from U.S. $465,000 for an LS3 V8 6.2 version, and an all-electric version will set you back $545,000.
The Laffite X-Road has 400 millimeters (15.6 inches) of suspension travel and features a solid chromium/molybdenum framework. The body is likely to be largely made of composite materials, which is evidenced by the curb weight of just 1,300 kilograms (around 2,850 lbs). The gas-chugging V8 can be had in several boost versions ranging from 470 to 730 hp (350 – 544 kW), and the transmission can be five- or six-speed sequential. The company still hesitates to disclose the electric powertrain specs. The top speed amounts to 230 km/h (143 mph), but sprint times are unknown.
Just like most Dakar vehicles and Baja 1000 pre-runners, the Laffite X-Road buggy comes rear-axle driven, but unlike many of them, it is legal to drive on public streets.