Diehard fans of a certain British car show will perhaps know the Bowler Wildcat, famous for its incredible off road performance. QT Services has taken over from Bowler and now run the manufacturing and development of the Wildcat brand, touted as the ‘meanest road legal off-road vehicle’
The new Wildcat range is showcased by their public-friendly model which is the 300STR. This model has a 4.0-litre Rover V8 engine with over 270 hp mated to a five speed synchromesh gearbox with a two speed transfer box. It goes from 0 to 96 km/h in just 5.8 seconds.
According to QT, the Wildcat has the potential of reaching three figure speeds over ‘unmade terrain’, which is quite a challenge for any off-road vehicle. The secret is supposed to come from the suppleness of its chassis and suspension along with experience from its Dakar Rally competition models that makes it easy to drive. The 300STR features a fully welded tubular chassis, 4WD, 5-point harnesses, heavy duty differentials and drive shafts, while still maintaining regular comforts such as air con, Bluetooth and iPod dock.
If you’ve got a thirst for something more extreme, there is the 400NSR and 500DKR models to quench it. The 400NSR is a full competition model designed for hill rallies and terrain events while the 500DKR is the completely tricked-out model for seasoned cross country rally competitors. These variants use a 4.0-litre petrol V8 with 275 hp and 406 Nm or a 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel with 245 hp/600 Nm, both from Jaguar.
QT Services boss Dave Marsh maintains that versatility of the chassis means that there is room for customising. “If you consider that the 300STR is essentially a two-seater, there are a number of options open to you and this first production 300STR has been specified with rear storage for the new owner’s golf clubs. We’d love to be there when he rocks up to the clubhouse and parks it next to the Astons and Mercedes! Definitely a head-turner,” said Marsh.
From Dakar to the golf club? Not bad! More pics after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=1205]
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I wonder if there is a any grey importer who is willing to bring this in to Malaysia? Servicing and spare parts would be a problem though, unless they can ‘borrow’ some parts from Rover.
Paul, does the Bowler can use any exterior of the cars and convert the parts into their cars?
yeahhhh this Wildcat is a bargain u know
considering the quality of our road LOL
Nice car :D.
This vehicle is perfect for military special forces… i can imagine it with a roof mounted .50 caliber machine gun hahaha
Hmm, I see a land rover defender fascia.
Nothing new that any respectable car modding garage (or titanium plating and UNPUNCTURABLE tyres), can achieve with tweaking *ANY* 4WD made in the 70s. Whats with the hype and mean-ness b.s.? It does backward slanting plane rather than most sissy b1*** forward slanting ones though. Thats the extent of mean here apart from abit of ‘muscle’ paneling that any car modder could fit.
Any monster truck, or even a modified 1 ton lorry would squash this QT like an aluminium can. Any modded 4WD as well at a fraction of the price no less could also beat the QT.
Fully welded tubular chassis? The *molded* tubular chassis was around since the first mass production of occured in the late 1800s.
The five-speed synchromesh gearbox is fairly unrefined and from the 1950s, hardly a selling point unless you’re talking to the 3rd world.
5-point harnesses? Whats that for a dog or child? Pregnant women? Does not say ‘mean’ or ‘wild’ at all. Cougar maybe? 2 point harnesses say more.
Head turners are any well modded vehicle regardless of brandname. The condition of engine and capacity more important than brand name these days.