Scarbo Vintage, known for making over-the-top vehicles for well-heeled enthusiasts, has unveiled what it claims is the first street-legal “Hypertruck” on the market. Called the SV Rover, it has a squared-off design which hearkens back to the rigs of yesteryear, something many cheaper competitors like the Defender and Bronco do in their own way as well. But that’s about where those comparisons end.
These Land Rovers weren’t equipped for proper off-roading.
Both designed and built in Southern California, a place many automakers and even aftermarket parts have abandoned, this rig can be had either with a thumping blown V8 or an all-electric powertrain mounted midship. Either way buyers go, it delivers big with 1,100-horsepower on tap, more than the enough to get your through the Rubicon Trail.
All that bodywork you see is either carbon fiber or aluminum. That means strength married to lightness, making that monstrously powerful engine punch that much harder.
As you’d expect on an real off-road rig, the SV Rover comes with four-wheel drive, high and low gears, plus front and rear locking diffs. This is more like an extreme build with its inboard pushrod front and rear suspension, which allows for 30 inches of wheel travel. That’s pretty impressive.
Those fenders will wing out if the driver drops the air suspension all the way down. It’s like Scarbo Vintage thought of everything.
But wait, there’s more. The driver can adjust the height of the air ride suspension and valving, perfect for on-the-fly tweaks as the terrain changes. Plus, those 40-inch tires wrapped around 20-inch forged wheels can all steer, front and rear, boosting maneuverability significantly.
Six-piston Brembo brake pistons with 400 mm carbon ceramic rotors help with reliable stopping power. Those are especially necessary since this thing is made not only to crawl over obstacles but also blast down desert pathways like a trophy truck.
The interior is a little nicer than what you get in a trophy truck, but it’s not ultra-luxurious. Instead, it’s purpose-built with two Sparco race seats, Alcantara/aluminum components, power locks/windows, push-button ignition, and heat/AC.
As you might expect in modern rigs of this nature, there are two digital displays. One is the 12.3-inch gauge cluster, while the other is a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. There’s no getting away from screens these days, it seems.
Despite the mid-engine setup, there’s still room in the rear for some cargo. We don’t think that means the SV Rover will be going on any overlanding expeditions anytime soon, but we can’t definitely rule that possibility out. After all, anyone who can afford the steep price tag could also afford to have this rig further modified in any number of ways.
Images via Scarbo Vintage
