Finally, there's somewhere the BMW X6 shape makes sense. If a Porsche 959 could win Paris Dakar back in 1986 and the Mitsubishi Pajero numerous times since, there IS a place for a hunched-over, jacked up coupe in the world.
Believe it or not, an X6 could capture the overall win in the 2011 Baja 1000 off-road race, writes John Rettie in Road & Track. Looks can be deceiving, as underneath this carbon-fiber X6 SUV body lurks a Trophy Truck, among the wildest race vehicles anywhere.
Armin Schwarz, a former WRC rally driver from Germany, has been competing for a number of years in Baja races in a single seat buggy. However, largely because they start behind the Trophy Trucks, they have little chance of an overall victory, as it’s tough passing those monster trucks in all the dust they kick up.
Schwarz decided if you can’t beat ‘em join 'em. But instead of just racing a Ford or Chevy powered Trophy Truck he turned to All German Motorsports based in Escondido, CA and decided to build the ultimate SUV — sorry, make that SAV— racer. Jimco, one of the best known fabricators in off-road racing constructed the lightweight tubular frame and Denzio built the special 725 hp 7.0-liter BMW engine, which delivers 575 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
The design aims to reduce weight as much as possible without sacrificing durability. The result is 1700 lbs less weight than with other trucks. This was achieved through efficient design and the use of modern materials. “In European motorsport this is already a common way to improve the weight-to-power ratio,” says Armin Schwarz.
Despite this advantage, All German Motorsports downplays its chances at this year’s Baja 1000: “This will be the first race for the truck. For us it is more of an extended test than a real race”, says Armin Schwarz. “But in 2012 or 2013, we definitely want to win the Baja 1000 as the first Europeans to ever do so.”—Paul Duchene
Check out the specs here:
| Tech Specs: AGM-Jimco X6 Trophy Truck | |
|---|---|
| Chassis: | Tubular frame, AGM-Jimco design |
| Body: | AGM/ BMW – X6 carbon body |
| Total weight: | 2,200 kg (without fuel) |
| Engine: | V8 Denzio – BMW special engine, 7.0-litres, 725 hp, 780 Nm torque |
| Engine mounting: | Meziere bulkhead for motor and aggregates like lightflow-water and oil pumps |
| Exhaust: | Remus multi-flow 4-in-1 sound system |
| Electronics: | Motec engine and control electronics |
| Gearbox: | Fortin 4-speed sequential automatic |
| Rear axle: | Drexler Motorsport variable limited split differential |
| Wheelbase: | 314 cm |
| Wheel travel front: | 80 cm |
| Wheel travel rear: | 100 cm |
| Shock absorbers: | 3.5 inch FOX Bypass – TT Shocks |
| Springs: | Eibach special offroad springs linear |
| Anti-roll bars: | AGM special anti-roll bars |
| Brakes: | Alcon 355mm inner-vented discs/ 6 piston calipers |
| Rims: | Method Offroad Racing rims, 17 inch, 6.5 x 17″ |
| Tires: | BFGoodrich KRT 37/13.50×17″ |
| Suspension: | Meziere special offroad, upright, suspension & hub |
| Seats: | Recaro Profi SPA |
| Safety Equipment: | Stand21, HANS system, Schroth harness, ORW Racing equipment |
| Special: | AGM hydraulic jack, Soltec lights, LIQUI MOLY oil |
