Local Motors Rally Fighter
Local Motors has announced plans to introduce their Rally Fighter at the SEMA Motor Show.
Described as "a premium, authentic off-of-road experience, custom designed and built for the deserts of the American Southwest", the Rally Fighter looks like an AMC Eagle on steroids.
Created and designed by a "community of car enthusiasts", the Rally Fighter draws much of it's inspiration from renderings by Sangho Kim of Pasadena, California. While Kim gets a majority of the credit, other community members helped to fine tune details such as the side vents and interior.
Power comes from a 3.0-liter BMW twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 265 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. While no performance data was released, Local Motors says the rear-wheel drive coupe will get 36 mpg on the highway.
The rally car rides on a steel tubular space frame with "lightweight thermoplastic and carbon fiber body panels." This unique setup enables the Rally Fighter to weigh 3,200 pounds (1,451 kg), which contributes to the stellar fuel efficiency. Other technical specifications include a six-speed automatic transmission, a suspension with 18" of travel, and manually adjustable ride-height options which enable owners to easily configure their car for desert racing or city driving.
Production will occur at a variety of "regional micro-factories", which will double as service stations. The first factory will open in Wareham, Massachusetts while a second will be built in Phoenix, Arizona in 2010. Eventually, the company hopes to open 50 micro-factories across the United States.
Local Motors Premiers the Rally Fighter Off-Road Desert Racer at SEMA
The Off-Road Racer designed for car enthusiasts, by car enthusiasts is debuted at the biggest industry event of the year - at SEMA, in the "Making Green Cool Zone"
It's one of the most exciting cars to hit the road in ages. Aggressive, sleek and inspired by old War Birds, the Local Motors Rally Fighter has the heritage of legacy with fresh appeal.
The story of this vehicle is in its revolutionary yet simple development process - it was designed and developed by a community of car enthusiasts. New American car company Local Motors invites anyone with a passion for cars to collaborate in an open design process to help choose and shape the look of each Local Motors vehicle. Now home to over 4,000 car designers, engineers and enthusiasts, the Local Motors community is the largest of its kind - and the only to bring a new car to market.
The Rally Fighter is a premium, authentic off-of-road experience, custom designed and built for the deserts of the American Southwest. It was designed by community member Sangho Kim while many Local Motors' members participated in the open development process. Together with the company they helped collaborate on body design details, side vent creation, interior and even accessory design.
Undiluted design, power and efficiency is the result. The Rally Fighter is powered by a BMW 3.0 liter twin-turbo clean diesel sporting 265 ponies and a striking 425 pound-feet of torque at only 1750rpm that are directed to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Rally Fighter is lightweight at only 3,200 pounds which allows for exceptional performance and efficiency.
Build process and end product are so efficient the car is debuting in SEMA sponsored "Making Green Cool Zone". At 30-36mpg, the Rally Fighter is competing for most efficient in its desert off-road class. In addition, Local Motors utilizes a sustainable build methodology and builds cars "Just-In-Time". This process creates little or no waste, and allows customers to actually participate in the build process of their own Rally Fighter. Local Motors builds cars with customers in regional Micro-Factories which double as service stations. The first Micro-Factory is in Wareham, Massachusetts, and the second will be built in Phoenix, Arizona in 2010. Local Motors plans for 50 Micro-Factories around the country.
This enthusiast experience continues as Local Motors allows customers to host "Custom Car Skins" Competitions on local-motors.com. Local Motors designers compete to create custom graphics to for Rally Fighter owners based on desired specifications- every outcome is unique. The graphics are applied with vinyl, not paint, which is lightweight, customizable, and recyclable.
Local Motors is introducing a heart-pounding new vehicle for enthusiasts, and with it, a new automotive experience. Participate in the car design process; build the car you want; choose a custom car skin. It's all part of the new, sustainable Local Motors experience.
Rally Fighters are now available for reservation: http://www.local-motors.com/rf
Early builds will begin this Summer, 6/8/10.
Local Motors premier vehicle, the Rally Fighter, will premier at SEMA on November 3, 2009.
Rally Fighter Key Stats:
- Designed by community member Sangho Kim of Pasadena, California
- Original, welded steel tubular space frame with lightweight thermoplastic and carbon fiber body panels
- BMW M57 clean diesel engine
- Eye-popping 36mpg on the highway, or 30mpg in an off-road setting
- 425 lb-ft of torque, 265 horsepower, and only 3,100 lbs
- 18" of suspension travel, to take on any desert-jumps and all
- Manually adjustable dual ride-height options, to go from the desert to the city with ease
- Seats for 4 adults, or 2 adults & 3 children
dmanero
November 2, 2009 4:49 PM
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