Look, I've long talked about how go-fast side-by-sides like Kawasaki's new Teryx H2, Can-Am's Maverick R, and Polaris' RZR Pro R are basically half-sized, half-priced trophy trucks. But I think legendary off-road racer Robby Gordon might've taken that statement a little too literally. Or maybe the concussions he's received over a lifetime of Baja 1000s are finally taking their toll.
Either way, the man behind Speed UTV—a small, bespoke, race-focused side-by-side company out of Anaheim, California—is looking to make further waves in that go-fast, take-names segment with something so ludicrous, it can barely be described as a UTV. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it isn't one. It's a trophy truck.
But that's not what Gordon is saying about his 1,800-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, LS7-based Speed Diablo UTV. No, he's saying it's still on par with the Kawasakis, Can-Ams, and Polaris'. Oh yeah, and it costs $799,000. Again, have we checked him for CTE?
The "UTV" debuted at the Sand Sports Super Show, and first noted by our friends at UTV Driver, the latter of which also called this machine out for not being an actual UTV. Because, well, look at it. But for further proof, all you have to do is look at the Speed Diablo's supposed specs. I say supposed, as none have been built yet, and Gordon is taking deposits as we speak for $100,000.
Gordon's Diablo is based around a Chevrolet LS V8, specifically, the LS7. That's a 7.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that, from the factory, will rev and rev and rev. In fact, it's one of the all-time greatest V8s ever made, an engine that I continually think about whenever someone brings up the last generation Z/28 Camaro. Woof, that thing was awesome.
But for off-road race duty, Gordon had Redline Performance slap twin turbochargers onto the engine to produce an eye-watering 1,800 horsepower. That's then sent through a "Tri-Drive" gearbox that supposedly drives three air-controlled clutches turning three drive shafts that then connect to portal axles on all four corners. Add 40-inch tires and, sure, that makes sense...
The whole thing is supposed to weigh under two tons, and Gordon and his team state that the Diablo will have 26 inches of suspension travel at the front, and 34 inches of travel at the rear. All of which is riding on a custom tube-frame chassis from the outfit, which absolutely uses trophy truck engineering. Come on, Robby, it's a trophy truck. It even has a trophy truck price! Speaking of.
If you want your own 1,800-horsepower "UTV," Gordon will ask for a $100,000 deposit, with a total price of $799,000. That's a little less than some of the turn-key trophy trucks I've seen in the past, but not by much. But the company also added the caveat that the deposit is non-refundable, and "The estimated manufacturing period is 12–18 months. This is only an estimate and not a guaranteed delivery timeframe, as production may be affected by parts availability, supply chain timing, or other factors."
And if you're eyes are watering, don't worry, our's are, too. But if Robby wants to have us down to test his insane creation, and try and convince us, we have helmets, cameras, and will travel. Hint, hint.
