To put it briefly, the company plans to use the designs of an internet community and micro factories around the country to build region specific vehicles.
The Rally Fighter is a baja-style crossover penned by Sangho Kim with the help of the firm's online design community. Local Motors says that the two-door vehicle's chassis and various parts connecting with OEM-sourced components are made in-house.
One of the most interesting aspects about the Rally Fighter is its 3.0 liter twin-turbo diesel from the BMW 335d. The inline-six cranks out 265 ponies and an even more impressive 425 pound-feet of torque at just 1,750 rpm that are channeled to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission.
According to the company, the street-legal Rally Fighter that weighs in somewhere between 3,000 and 3,200 lbs (1,360 - 1450 kg), returns 36mpg on the highway and 30mpg in an off-road setting.
The cost of the Rally Fighter is estimated to be around $50,000 USD, with Local Motors claiming that it has already secured 22 orders for the vehicle. More to come at the SEMA Show next week.
Link: Local Motors
Local Motors Rally Fighter Specifications:
Drivetrain
- BMW 335d
- 3.0 Liter, Turbocharged Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
- 6 speed automatic transmission
- 265 Horsepower @ 4200rpm
- 425 lbft @1750 RPM
- Rear Wheel Drive
- Clean Diesel
Exterior
- Overall Length: 189 inches (4800mm)
- Dual Ride Height (Manual Capability)
Overall Height:
- 69.25 inches (1759mm) High ride height
- 61.25 inches (1556mm) Low ride height
- Overall Width: 80 inches (2057mm)
- Wheelbase: 115 inches (2921mm)
- Track Width: 69.5 inches (1765mm)
- Curb Weight: 3,000-3,200 lbs.
Chassis
- Construction-Tubular steel space frame
Front Suspension:
- 18" Travel, independent double A-arm
- with detachable stabilizer bar
- Spring System-Long travel coil-over shock absorbers
Rear Suspension:
- 20" Travel, 3-Link Solid axle with Panhard
- and stabilizer bars
- Lug Pattern-6 x 135mm
- Steering TypePower assisted rack and pinion
Brakes, Wheels, Tires
- 4-Wheel Anti-lock disc brakes.
- Front: 13" ventilated - dual-piston floating
- Rear: 13.7" ventilated - single-piston floating
- Emergency brake: Rear drum in rotor
- Wheels: 17"x8" aluminum alloy
Tires:
- 275/70R-17(High ride height)
- 265/50R-20(Low ride height)
Local Motors, the company that has future owners come in and help build their vehicle, has just published a video showing a Rally Fighter bare chassis powered by electric motors. Read more »...
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