Introduction: A Unique Off-Road Beast

The Local Motors Rally Fighter is not your typical off-road vehicle. Combining the heart of a sports car with the toughness of an off-roader, this machine is as wild as it sounds. With a powerful V8 engine borrowed from a Chevrolet Corvette and a body designed for desert runs, the Rally Fighter is a true hybrid of performance and rugged capability. Today, we’ll explore what makes this off-road sports car one of the most exciting and unique vehicles you’ll ever encounter.

A One-of-a-Kind Off-Road Sports Car

The Rally Fighter was manufactured by Local Motors, a small company based in Arizona that specialized in low-production, crowd-designed vehicles. Built between 2010 and 2015, the Rally Fighter was designed as an off-road sports car rather than a traditional rock-crawling SUV. The idea was simple: build a vehicle that could handle desert dunes at high speeds while providing the thrill of a sports car. What came out of that concept was the Rally Fighter—an insane combination of rear-wheel drive, massive suspension travel, and high-powered performance.
The Rally Fighter stands out not just for its capabilities but also for its design and production process. Each car was built in collaboration with its owner. Buyers would visit Local Motors’ factory and assist in assembling their own car. This involvement allowed the car to be registered as a kit car, making it street-legal in all 50 states, including notoriously strict California.

Design and Inspiration

The exterior design of the Rally Fighter is one of its most striking features. Its bold, aggressive lines give it the appearance of a lifted sports car, which is precisely what it is. The design was crowdsourced, with people from around the world submitting ideas. The final design, created by Songho Kim from Pasadena, California, was chosen from thousands of entries. His vision captured the essence of what Local Motors wanted—an off-road vehicle that could still look fast and sporty on pavement.
To pay tribute to Kim’s design, his signature appears on each Rally Fighter alongside the Local Motors logo. Despite its low production numbers, the car’s unique design has remained consistent across all models. From its long front end to its sculpted rear, the Rally Fighter is unmistakably different from anything else on the road.

Borrowed Parts for Practicality

While the Rally Fighter’s design is unique, many of its components come from other vehicles. Local Motors sourced parts from various manufacturers to keep costs down and ensure the car could meet regulatory standards. For example, the front reflectors come from BMW, the side mirrors are borrowed from a Dodge Challenger, and the taillights are sourced from a Honda Civic. Even the door handles and the steering column come from other manufacturers, with parts from Honda and Ford making their way into the Rally Fighter’s construction.
This use of existing parts allowed Local Motors to focus on performance rather than reinventing the wheel—literally. The result is a vehicle that feels cohesive despite its mixed origins, providing reliability and performance without the cost of custom parts.

Performance: Corvette Power in an Off-Road Package

Under the hood, the Rally Fighter packs a powerful LS3 V8 engine, the same engine used in the Chevrolet Corvette C6 and the Camaro SS. Producing around 430 horsepower, the Rally Fighter is more than capable of blasting through deserts and dirt roads at high speeds. Although it’s rear-wheel drive, it has been optimized for weight distribution and off-road performance, thanks to its long-travel suspension.
The suspension is no joke, either. With 16 inches of travel in the front and 20 inches in the rear, the Rally Fighter can handle extreme off-road conditions. The car’s King suspension components are visible under the hood, hinting at the serious off-road capability this vehicle offers. This suspension system allows the Rally Fighter to glide over rough terrain while maintaining control and comfort inside the cabin.

Mid-Engine Setup for Better Balance

One of the Rally Fighter’s most interesting quirks is its front mid-engine design. The engine is mounted behind the front axle, technically classifying it as a mid-engine vehicle. This placement improves the car’s weight distribution, making it more balanced during high-speed off-road runs. Additionally, the engine is offset slightly toward the passenger side, compensating for the driver’s weight and creating near-perfect weight distribution when driving solo.
This attention to detail in balancing the car for off-road performance highlights Local Motors’ commitment to making the Rally Fighter not just a fun toy but a serious contender for off-road adventures.

Interior Comforts and Quirks

Despite its rugged, off-road persona, the Rally Fighter doesn’t skimp on comfort. The interior comes equipped with features you’d expect in a modern car, including power windows, power seats, air conditioning, and even a backup camera. These conveniences make the Rally Fighter more usable as a daily driver than you might expect, especially considering its off-road capabilities.
The dashboard features simple but effective controls, with a rally-themed touch—each button and switch is marked with a silhouette of the Rally Fighter. The center console houses the gear lever and parking brake, designed with an ergonomic touch to give the driver a sense of control, even when driving over rough terrain.
One of the more surprising features of the Rally Fighter is the rear seating. Yes, this two-door off-road machine has back seats. While they aren’t spacious, they add a level of practicality that many sports cars and off-roaders lack. However, the optional roll bar in this particular model makes accessing the rear seats a bit difficult.

Off-Road and On-Road Driving Experience

Driving the Rally Fighter is an exhilarating experience. On dirt trails or desert roads, the car feels unstoppable. The combination of a powerful V8 engine and long-travel suspension allows you to tackle uneven terrain with ease. The car handles jumps and bumps effortlessly, and the rear-wheel drive setup gives it a playful, drift-happy nature.
On paved roads, the Rally Fighter is surprisingly stable. Its responsive steering and firm suspension make it feel more like a sports car than an off-road vehicle, despite its high ground clearance and rugged tires. The lack of anti-lock brakes, traction control, or stability control adds to the raw driving experience, making it a true driver’s car for those who love the thrill of being in control.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Off-Road Sports Car

The Local Motors Rally Fighter is unlike anything else on the road. With its Corvette-powered engine, rugged suspension, and eye-catching design, it’s a unique blend of sports car and off-roader. The fact that each car was built with input from its owner makes it even more special. It’s a rare vehicle that combines the best of both worlds: high-speed performance and off-road capability.
If you want to learn more about this incredible machine, I’ve found someone who shares my passion for the Rally Fighter. You can watch the full video review here: The Local Motors Rally Fighter Is a Ridiculous Off-Road Sports Car.