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Jeep Hurricane
If you've been to a motor show you will have noticed that most concept cars sit on turntables. Not the Jeep Hurricane concept car! One of its party tricks is to rotate on the spot by use of its four-wheel steering system. Far from being a gimmick, this feature could be very useful in extreme off-roading conditions, as could the option to turn all four wheels in the same direction to allow the car to move crab-like.
Unlike most SUVs at the Detroit Show, the Hurricane concept was inspired by the more enthusiastic Jeep owners in the world, intent on doing the impossible on four wheels (and I don't mean avoiding traffic jams on the school run). Bear witness to the astounding specifications of the show car: its maximum approach and departure angles are 64 and 87 degrees respectively; there is a full 508mm of suspension travel and over 360mm of ground clearance. Allied to tyres measuring nearly a metre high, there won't be many obstacles the Hurricane can't climb.
So, what's under the bonnet? Well for a start there isn't a bonnet at all. Indeed, there is precious little bodywork. The bits that ensure the concept retain a Jeep look are mostly formed in carbon fibre. As for the engine, how does a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 sound to you? Well, there isn't one, there are two! That's a total of 670bhp and 740lb.ft of torque, allowing a faintly ridiculous 0-60mph time of less than five seconds thanks to the traction afforded by the four-wheel drive system.
The interior of the concept car is suitably over the top, and is dominated by five large red instruments, including a separate rev counter for each engine and two manly grab handles controlling the auto' transmission and steering mode. Other than the leather seats and wheel, the interior is bare carbon fibre and polished aluminium. Very cool.
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