Outfitting a sports car for off-road duty is something that, in my youth, was only ever attempted by folks like David Tracy. Individuals with the know-how and desire to go off-roading but at a quicker pace than most others. Long before that though, factory-backed rally cars proved the concept with examples like the Porsche 959, the Lancia Stratos, and the Ford RS200.
Today, some automakers are heading back off-road with their production sports cars. We’ve seen that from Porsche with the 911 Dakar and from Lamborghini with the Huracan Sterrato. There are rumors about a few more brands and models following that trajectory in the coming years too. Today, The Autopian Asks: which sports cars should get an off-road version?
The 911 Dakar and Huracan Sterrato follow a somewhat simple recipe that works great for both of them. They each get more ground clearance than the standard version of their own respective model. Each adds more off-road-friendly tires too. The Lamborghini even has a cool roof-mounted intake snorkel situation.
It’s not hard to imagine several other modern sports cars that could benefit from similar modifications. First, let’s talk about perhaps the loudest and most likely rumor to come true. It’s none other than the Ford Mustang Raptor.
What’s better than one animal-themed name? How about two animal names that don’t relate to one another at all? Hey, we already have the Bronco Raptor so the DNA is already mishmashed between horses and birds. Truly though, a Mustang Raptor would be very on-brand for Ford.
The Raptor brand itself already has four models if we count both of the F-150 variants. Ford also has a background in rally racing so why not bring some of that into the Mustang stable for a Raptor version?
Don’t forget that there is currently a Mustang Mach-E Rally on sale as you read this. Sure, it’s an EV and “not really a Mustang” in the eyes of many, but Ford clearly knows how to mix high-speed off-road capability into its offerings. The two-door Mustang should be next.
The all-new Corvette ZR1 might be getting the headlines right now but if rumors are true, it’s going to expand to become its own sub-brand in the not-to-distant future. How does one branch out from a straightforward sports car?
Evidently into the SUV and sedan market but wouldn’t it be simpler to grow the lineup with an off-road version of the Vette? We’re not the only ones thinking this way. Back in 2022, CorvetteBlogger.com brought up the idea and it makes even more sense today.
Building a Corvette SUV and a Corvette sedan is bound to be a complex and lengthy process filled with costly endeavors. It stands to reason that outfitting the E-Ray, which already has AWD, with a little lift kit and some off-road rubber could be much cheaper.
No doubt, there are several other options available for this sort of treatment. Dodge might be able to pull it off with the upcoming two-door Charger. Toyota might sell even more GR Corollas if there was a slightly lifted more rally-focused version.
Subaru could attempt to get some of its soul back with a dirt-loving BRZ. All of these are just fun ideas but now it’s your turn. Which sports car deserves its own off-road version? Lets us know in the comments below!
Not really a sports car, more muscle, but I’ve enjoyed making Dodge Rallengers in Forza Horizon for years. Classic and modern.
It’s not really a sports car, and they stopped making it this year, but the Kona N should’ve had a rally version.
This is another case where Miata is the answer. I’ve seen some Bubba’d MX-5s before, but imagine something with factory fit and finish. It would be an attainable take on the Ariel Nomad!
Is the Corolla GR a choice?
I think a lifted rally version of the Ioniq 5 N would be a beast.
I saw a 60’s vintage Mustang with cut fenders and oversize tires today. It worked.
A Northeast Subaru dealer announced a Subaru BRZ Wilderness edition and f*** me if I didn’t think that would be absolutely fantastic. Subaru should make this yesterday, and I would buy it day 1!
https://www.carscoops.com/2024/04/prankshift-automakers-rev-up-ridiculous-ideas-for-april-fools-day/
If it wasn’t out of production I would say the Camaro. I’ve been building an off road 6th gen complete with a lift, mild all terrains, front approach camera, a spotlight, and a custom exhaust for better clearance.
As much as I enjoy the Dakar and Sterrato, they’re still reserved for the upper class. Heck, the rumors for the Mustang Raptor mention that it would start at $90K, which is better but still pricey.
If you have an LSD, decent tires and good angles you can go farther than you think.
A Camaro Z71 doesn’t need to be super expensive. It just needs to be taller, softer, and a little tougher.
You can find photos of it here: https://www.instagram.com/thesixspeed?igsh=MXh0ZGdiYjM1aXIyeA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Years ago, after seeing a BMW E24 6 Series in Palo Alto that someone with too much money and no taste had jacked up on massive tires – I realized this was a very, very stupid thing.
Off-road version of a sports car?
The best one has already been made: Lotus Exige R-GT.
Put your biggest engine in your smallest chassis, then make a rally version.
Well, of course I’d say all sports cars should have an off road version. Because hoonage. But, what works well on tarmac usually does poorly pre-running. It’s not just a lift & tires, but suspension geometry and compression & rebound ratings & speeds.
With today’s on-the-fly suspension adjustments and electronically disconnecting sway bars, you can certainly do it, but the cost and complexity rise quickly.
Definitely Yugo!
Subaru WRX. yeah it’s “rally inspired” but what does that even mean?? give me the lifted suspension and the knobby tires from the factory!
BRZ is a great pick, because if it was meant for off road rock crawling, it would no longer be a problem that it’s so dang slow (Fight me fanbois, you’ll never convince me that 3 more HP than a base Camry isn’t slow for a supposed sports car)
It’s slow. I have a GT86 and that’s slow too. I’m not sure speed is the main criteria for fun though.
A BRZ on a gravel rally stage sounds like it’d be hilarious.
It is!
https://www.instagram.com/escuderiaboricua/
Fight me haters, you’ll never convince me that 8hp more than the 50,000lb truck I drive isn’t fast in a 2800lb car.
It’s also 78hp more than my pickup, which will happily tow two BRZs worth of weight in addition to its own mass.
“It’s fast if I compare it to really slow trucks!”
By that logic basically any new car on sale today is a fast sports car
Not factory, but how about SuperfastMatt’s off-road Viper:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d7aRoYvYs0
Miata is always the answer. But especially to this question.
yes