Last month, GFG Style, an Italian company founded by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio, teased the bizarrely-named Kangaroo, a new "hyper SUV" with some very promising specifications. Now, the covers have come off the Kangaroo concept, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week after being put through its paces on ice at a recent event in Switzerland to demonstrate its capabilities.
On the surface, the all-wheel drive GFG Style Kangaroo appears to adopt the design of a supercar grand-tourer, with its low nose, slim headlights, and gullwing doors. This is no ordinary supercar, however, as the Kangaroo boasts massive 21-inch wheels, chunky tires, and a generous ride height. In off-road configuration, the GFG Style Kangaroo boasts a ground clearance of 10.2 inches, while the Racing mode offers a ground clearance 5.5 inches and the Road configuration raises the height to 7.5-inches. The Kangaroo concept sits on an aluminum space frame platform and the body has been constructed entirely from carbon fiber.
Inside, the hyper SUV concept features a racing car-inspired steering wheel and a digital gauge cluster. There are three displays in total: the first acts as a large rear-view mirror monitoring the situation around the car, while second is located in front of the steering wheel and shows general functions. The third is on the center console and controls entertainment and navigation functions.
Power is provided by a pair of electric motors each delivering a combined output of 483 horsepower, while the 90-kWh battery pack provides a range of over 280 miles. A working prototype has already been developed based on an electric platform developed in partnership with CH Auto, which enables the hyper SUV to hit 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds and top out at an electronically limited 155 mph. In addition to the working prototype, a clay model will be displayed at Geneva showing the roof and hood in exposed carbon. Another model will also be fitted with tracks to make it usable on snow-covered terrains as well as on large stretches of ice.
"I have tried to imagine the future of electric hedonistic cars; the result is a concept I have believed in for some time, namely the transmission of uncompromising passion and sportiness in one car, for any road condition: be it track, sand, dirt or snow," said Giugiaro. "A concept that can arouse excitement and meet the needs of an increasingly demanding clientele, in search of innovative styling architectures with the maximum that technology allows today, both inside and out. Just like a kangaroo, it rises up, springs into action, jumps from one terrain to another and is fast, very fast indeed!"