What's the news?
This is the first car made in the United Arab Emirates; the Zarooq Motors SandRacer, named after a fast and agile desert snake. It is designed to be road legal and suitable for competition use in a one-make race series. The company has even created a purpose-built sand racing track in Dubai.
Exterior
The large wheels, minimal overhangs and generous suspension travel give the SandRacer a distinctive look. To combat the desert heat, the designers opted for a closed car with air conditioning.
Interior
No pictures are available of the interior but it should include racing seats and four-point harnesses. Instrumentation comes via a LCD readout that includes all the information on speed, engine revs, fuel and mileage that you would expect in a road car.
Mechanicals
Power comes from a mid-mounted 3.5-litre, six-cylinder engine; maximum power is quoted as 304hp with more 400hp or more possibly available as an option. Transmission is a six-speed automatic with paddle shift; Zarooq Motors hasn't yet named the source of its motor and gearbox.
A tubular steel frame with aluminium bulkheads forms the structure of the car. All-round independent suspension is part of the package with double wishbones at the front and trailing arms carrying the rear wheels.
Anything else?
Mohammed Al Qadi, Motorsport director of Zarooq Motors said: "Chassis is now finished, the engine and wiring are in place and working, the body moulds are being sculpted, and we are just waiting for a few parts to arrive to finalize the assembly, in December". The company plans to show the first completed cars in January.