Legendary car designer Ian Callum challenges off-road conventions with his sleek, electric Skye concept.
Let’s be real, most off-roaders are boxy, tank-like machines totally devoid of curves and character. Callum however, have deliberately gone out of the box with their latest Skye concept – a slicker looking off-roader that is unlike anything on, or off the road today.
Callum’s Design Director, Ian Callum, has been designing cars professionally since the 70s. His resume includes work at Ford and Jaguar, and also TWR Design, where he influenced style icons like the Aston Martin DB7, Vanquish, and the Nissan R390.
Now with his own product design company, he has unleashed his first-ever model. Made for both the road and the rough, it’s like something out of a James Bond movie, but you don’t need secret agent credentials to drive it.
To get off road, the Skye gets assist from the all-wheel drive, trail-capable suspension with 13.7 inches of ground clearance and 21.7 inches of travel, and wide multi-terrain tyres with unheard of approach and departure angles. Featuring a fully enclosed cabin, it runs entirely on electricity and is always dieting (1150 kg) thanks to the steel and carbon fibre space frame chassis, and as little bodywork as possible.
The design looks like a finessed version of the BRX Hunter rally raid vehicle, just a little smaller and a lot less in-your-face. With glass windows integrated into the base of each door, the glass-heavy exterior is curved for improved aerodynamics, better visibility – and just to look damn cool.
At four metres, it’s just an inch more than a Mini Cooper four door, but designed in a 2+2 arrangement similar to older Porscha 911s. As for the powertrain, it runs on a 42 kWh battery with 275 km of range and a 0 to 100 time of under 4 seconds.
With a promised 50:50 weight distribution, the proper production on and off-road versions will arrive sooner than you think. As a concept it is free, once built, the asking price will be a reality check inducing $190,000. ■
By Bill Varetimidis
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