Skip advert
Advertisement

Jeep Hurricane

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.

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Mokka

2019 Vauxhall

Mokka

37,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £10,550
View Mokka
5-Door Hatch

2016 MINI

5-Door Hatch

50,000 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £7,495
View 5-Door Hatch
Discovery

2019 Land Rover

Discovery

111,400 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £24,450
View Discovery
Tarraco

2022 SEAT

Tarraco

15,110 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £23,876
View Tarraco

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.

Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

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.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,274 off RRP*Used from £10,395
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £37,230Avg. savings £3,710 off RRP*Used from £15,440
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,365
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £16,100
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The Electric Car Grant is here: Government's new £3,750 EV discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 Electric Car Grant for new EVs sold under £3…
News
16 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025