12 May 2023
At some point in the late 90s or early 2000s, some marketing genius decided the world needed an SUV. They informed us that they were fun and safe.
The term SUV first appeared in a 1974 Jeep Cherokee SJ brochure, but the name didn’t stick until much later.
Anyhow, SUVs are with us, and the majority of car manufacturers have one or are planning to have one. Some are relatively sedate; others are monsters.
Regarding monsters, Italian start-up Lafitte Automobile revealed the Off-road Atrax at the recent Miami Grand Prix.
Italians Bruno Laffite and Pascal Cohen established Lafitte Automobili; their mission statement is to build ‘race cars homologated for the road’.
Being influenced by the other super-league car manufacturers who have tipped their toes in the water (or is it mud), like Lamborghini with their Huracán Sterrato and Porsche with the 911 Dakar, a decision was taken to compete in this relatively untapped market.
Let me introduce the Laffite Atrax, an SUV built for severe off-roading; apart from the usual stuff, wheels, and rugged body, it has butterfly doors and an F1-style steering wheel.
Performance-wise, it produces 1,151 hp, 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, and almost 150 mph top speed; even more incredible, all of this momentum whilst carrying a 4,850-pound behemoth.
Did I mention it has a race-inspired opulent interior and a unique 2+1 seating layout?
Perfect for the mother-in-law.
