Jeep Hurricane

Is this the world's first unstoppable off-roader? In theory, yes - but there are some major obstacles in this car's way. Having two huge V8s is clearly fantasy, but elements of the Jeep Hurricane are grounded in reality. The steering system could one day see production, taking mud-plugging to a whole new level.

Prepare to be blown away. Off-road legend Jeep is aiming to prove to Auto Express that it has built the world's most capable mud-plugger. Revealed at January's Detroit Motor Show, the 670bhp twin-engined Hurricane caused a storm as it spun on to the 4x4 expert's stand.

With its stripped-down bodywork, exposed cabin and carbon fibre detailing, it was one of the true stars of this year's spectacular. Racing into the public eye, it paused on a large coin that had been painted on the Jeep stage, and noisily proved that two 5.7-litre HEMI units and an innovative steering system meant it really could turn on a dime.

Now, Jeep wants Auto Express to have a go... and took us all the way to the USA to do it. Away from the intense lighting of a motor show, the newcomer looks even more extreme.

The wheels are simply huge, and the lofty driving position more radical still. With 37-inch tyres, 40cm of ground clearance and no doors, getting into the polished metallic cabin isn't easy - and once you're in, it's a tight fit.

But it's worth the effort for the view - as well as a panoramic perspective on the horizon, you get to look at a series of dials showing the status of the engines. At your side are the two automatic-style selectors, one for choosing the gear ratio and the other for picking which type of steering you want - conventional front-wheel or radical all-wheel steer.

Turn the key, and the 5.7-litre V8s fire in unison. All 16 cylinders warble in stereo, assaulting your ears from the front and behind. With both units guzzling fuel, the smell from the exhausts is almost overwhelming. Quite frankly, it's one of the most surreal experiences we've had behind the wheel of any model.

Not surprisingly, it's the wheel that is the most interesting bit. Unlike on a conventional car, where a swift twist of the steering turns only the front axle, the Hurricane actually has three tricks up its sleeve. The first - and what you can see in our picture is called Zero Steer. Hydraulic motors point the tyres to the centre of the vehicle, allowing it to spin round its own axis. In Four-Wheel Steer, the front rubber turns one way and the rear goes the other to cut the turning circle.

And finally there's Crab Steer; all four tyres point the same way, allowing the car to move forwards and sideways simultaneously. It's a bizarre thing to see, but something off-road drivers stuck in a tight spot would give virtually anything for.

Another clever feature is the power delivery. With each engine developing 335bhp, there's 670bhp on tap, and it's easy to see how the car would be difficult to control on slippery roads. However, depending on the driver's needs, four, eight or 12 of the 16 cylinders can be rested. Witnessing a sub-five-second 0-60mph sprint isn't good for you, but it's an experience never to be forgotten.

Yet one question remains: when will this priceless car be seen in showrooms? Jeep design chief John Sgalia explained taking the multi-direction steering from concept to production would be "a big proposition". However, he added: "We are looking at bits of the Hurricane to see if there is the basis of something, specifically the manoeuvrability."

Turning dreams into reality is a Jeep speciality, though; the firm has a fast-growing family of cars to its name. With at least three new machines to be launched in the coming year, you'd have to be a brave man to bet against it.