Malibu

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
Sedan

A mid-engine layout probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions off-road performance driving, Lancia Stratos notwithstanding. But there's a new mid-engine off-road performance car coming, from a company with a proven track-record of delivering some absolutely bonkers dream cars.

That company is Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus - the supercar manufacturer named for American film producer and car enthusiast of note James Glickenhaus - but unlike the boutique manufacturer's other offerings, it will be sold as a kit car for user-assembly. No engine will be provided with the car, but it's being developed with a GM 2.2L EcoTec four-cylinder in mind - a motor that might be familiar if you ever owned an '07-'08 Chevrolet Malibu or an HHR - sending power through a sequential Sadev transaxle.

The story of how the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus "Paris to Dakar SCG 008 004/Mini Boot" came about is nearly as interesting as the car itself. About a month ago, the company took to social media to ask whether they should build a car to race in the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, or the equally grueling Baja 1000 off-road race. Fans apparently preferred the former, and thus the "Mini Boot" was born.

In terms of design, the new off-road rally car appears to split the difference between SCG's 004 supercar and the lifted "Baja Boot," although in a post, company founder James Glickenhaus said that the car "follows in the footsteps" of the Lotus 7, and that it's "inspired by" the Porsche 959 Rally. The man has excellent taste.

Pricing and other details about the SCG 008 "Mini Boot" aren't yet known, but Mr. Glickenhaus implied that SCG aims to make the car eligible for the Baja 1000, Paris-Dakar Rally, and other off-road races. The company is shooting for 2WD as standard, with available AWD, he says.

A mid-engine rally-racing kit car powered by a 2007-'08 Malibu four-pot? Just shut up and take our money.