This Scarbo SV Rover Is A 1,000+ HP Hypertruck With An Electric Option

The Scarbo SV Rover 'hypertruck' boasts over 1,000 HP from either a V8 or e-motor and battery setup!

No, what you’re seeing here isn’t exactly a Land Rover Defender that’s been given a fistful of steroids – far from it. Look beyond the Defender-inspired looks and you’ll realise that the Scarbo SV Rover is a race-built trophy truck that’s ready to do either the Baja raid or Dakar rally from the get-go.

The Rover SV is the brainchild of California-based builders Scarbo Vintage – the very same folks who birthed the famed Porsche-based Hoonipigasus for the late great Ken Block. In describing their latest work, Scarbo Vintage describes the SV Rover as “the world’s first hypertruck.”

In terms of looks and design, the SV Rover takes liberal inspiration from the classic Land Rover Defender.

The SV Rover underpins a purpose-built chassis to house its mid-engine layout, thus explaining its strict two-seater layout too.

Backing the firm’s claims of which is the fact that the SV Rover has two powertrain options that both push out over 1,000 HP outputs. The first option is a mid-mounted supercharged V8 that outputs a claimed 1,100 HP.

Depending on the situation, you can even toggle SV Rover’s drive modes to enable either two- or four-wheel drive, or toggle between low and high-range gearing, or even select where the locking differentials are biased. Of course, that’s not all.

The second powertrain option swaps out the V8 and massive fuel tank for an e-motor and battery setup instead. The battery, which is a lithium-ion pack, holds a claimed 75 kWh capacity, and it juices the e-motor to output a whopping 1,005 HP.

Besides a supercharged V8 (left), the SV Rover can be primed with an e-motor and lithium ion battery (right) setup too. Moreover, both choices see over 1,000 HP available.

The SV Rover is built as a proper yet extreme off-roader, thus explaining its offer of selectable two- and four-wheel-drive modes, massive 40-inch off-road tyres, high- and low-range gear ratios, four-wheel-steering, as well as Brembo 400 MM carbon ceramic brake rotors.

As you can probably guess, the SV Rover underpins a bespoke, purpose-built chassis that accommodates extreme off-road suspension and tyres. The former boasts up to 30 inches of travel too whilst the latter sees 40-inch tyres wrapped in 20-inch forged wheels.

Additionally, four-wheel steering is standard equipment, as are six-pot Brembo brakes with massive 400-millimeter carbon-ceramic rotors present on each corner.

Though there are just two seats, the cabin of the SV Rover is is both plush and tech-laden. Present here are digital displays, push-start ignition, and both power windows and locks.

On board, the SV Rover is a strict two-seater thanks to its midship powertrain layout, but it is relatively rich in kit. Primed here is a neat 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central infotainment display.

The cabin is also decked out in Alcantara and billet aluminium accents. Other creature comforts equipped too include push-button ignition, climate controls, power windows, and power locks.

As you can probably guess, the SV Rover is offered on a made-to-order basis through Scarbo Vintage and, predictably, it’s not a cheap ask. In fact, things start from US$1.5 million (approx. RM7.18 million) for each order.