Sheer Hellcat madness

but a bit cool too…

Jeeps – the original 4X4. They have a formidable off-roading heritage, but are not often lavished with the same sixfigure, super-outlandish resto-mod treatment as other vintage off-roaders like the Land Rover Defender.

Texas-based company Vigilante wants to change that — with the most luxedout, uber-powerful vintage Grand Wagoneer builds you could imagine.

This is classic ‘restomod’ upgrading. Vigilante maintains the classic appearance of the Grand Wagoneer, but carries out a comprehensive frame-off restoration with every part either new (old) stock, manufactured from scratch or completely restored. From there, though, things get crazy.

Vigilante opts for modern performance with new Hemi V8 engines. The lowest output is the 485-horsepower SRT-8 plant used in the Wrangler 392. The mid-range engine is the 528kW (707bhp) Hellcat V8 from the Ram 1500 TRX. And then there’s the 745kW (1,000bhp) Hellephant.

For perspective, the original 5.9-litre V8 in the Grand Wagoneer offered 107kW (144bhp) horsepower.

That power goes through either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, with an

Advanced Adapters Atlas II reinforced transfer case for four-wheel drive.

Vigilante upgrades the suspension, replacing the old Grand Wagoneer leaf springs with Eibach coils and Fox Racing 2.0 shock absorbers. They also give the Grand Wagoneer a custom chassis made from thicker steel and more stopping power with Baer six-piston calipers.

There are a few Grand Wagoneers in New Zealand, cherished private imports. But none could line up against this one.

Ultimate power does have its price. The two Grand Wagoneers Vigilante has ready for commissioning start at $295,000. Of course, the visceral thrill of terrifying every unsuspecting patron at a swanky yacht club when you squeal out with a Hellephant would no doubt be worth the price.