BBC Top Gear Magazine

RALLY-SPEC SPORTS CARS

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01 Morgan CX-T

Based on the Plus Four roadster, the CX-T has been rally specced in partnershi­p with Rally Raid UK, a specialist in preparing cars for the Dakar rally. Not, sadly, that you’ll ever be seeing it there, but the eight lucky owners can rest assured it’ll more than manage the local dirt track.

02 Aston Martin V8 Vantage R-GT

In 2015, this V8 Vantage was converted into an R-GT class competitor by Finnish rally specialist­s Mäkelä Auto Tuning. To prove its rallying credential­s, it was put through its paces at the 2015 Lapland Arctic Rally, a 900km race at temperatur­es below -25°C. No biggie.

03 Lamborghin­i Huracán Sterrato

And you thought the Urus was Lamborghin­i’s only super luxurious, go-anywhere crossover, huh? Taking its name from the Italian for ‘dirt road’, the Sterrato is powered by the Huracán Evo’s 5.2-litre V10, while ride height has risen by 47mm and the track increased by 30mm for off-road antics.

04 Lotus Exige R-GT

Back in 2011, Lotus announced its intention to return to the rally scene in this, the Exige R-GT. Having kitted out its car in line with series regulation­s, it made a promising debut in Portugal... before disappeari­ng off the WRC stage altogether. Rally spec Emira, anyone?

05 Marc Philipp Gemballa ‘Marsien’

Coming courtesy of Marc Philipp Gemballa, son of late German tuner Uwe Gemballa, the Marsien is inspired by the Mars-like desert dunes of the UAE. Powered by a RUF-tuned 3.7-litre flat-six and reinforced with components from the Cayenne, it’s yours for €495,000... plus a donor 911 Turbo S.

06 Jaguar F-Type

In 2018, Jaguar built two F-Type convertibl­es to celebrate 70 years since the XK120. Jag’s anniversar­y present(s) to itself were built to FIA specificat­ion, but was sadly never made available to the public, nor did it ‘officially’ compete in any rally stages. What a waste.

07 Singer ACS

Designed in partnershi­p with 911 rally expert Richard Tuthill, the Singer ACS is proof that even track weapons, in the right hands, can get down and dirty too. Built at the request of a longstandi­ng customer, it’s a 1990 Porsche 964 converted into a fully fledged rally racer.

08 Alpine A110 SportsX

Alpine. Maker of lighter than light, super-sleek coupes. Unless, of course, you’re talking about the A110 Sports X. Inspired by the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally winning A110, it featured classic rally style fog lamp tape and a stylish new ski rack. Is that the Alps calling?

09 Tuthill Porsche 997 R-GT

Turns out, the 911 GT3 really can fly. But this wasn’t your standard 997, instead the work of rallying specialist­s Tuthill Porsche. It made its WRC debut in Germany in 2014, finishing first in the R-GT class and 27th overall, before taking victory in the inaugural FIA R-GT Cup a year later.

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