Renault Sherpa now available to buy in civilian guise (Video)

You can now buy this Butch Army 4×4 and go anywhere
By Shahzad Sheikh

I was first introduced the Sherpa about two years ago (see my video below) and was amazed by it’s astounding ability. This thing could out-H1 a Hummer and now you can actually buy one – without needing to be a four-star general or something.

Renault Trucks which makes this monster says it can be adapted to multiple applications but will become available in three guises for 2012: Sherpa Scout for leisure buyers, Sherpa Carrier pick-up truck for commercial use and a fully armoured Sherpa Station Wagon for driving into war zones.

And if you don’t think this European contraption can cope with our conditions, perhaps because of the Renault badge, know this, when they began testing the first prototype Military Sherpa Truck in 2006, they spent more than two years thrashing it in the Empty Quarter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrxrLGYjqaY?rel=0

Wanna see it close-up? It’ll be at Commercial Vehicles Middle East, taking place from 6-8 March 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Initially offered as a military vehicle, the Sherpa Scout is now available for civilian and industrial applications,” said Marco Bonaveglio, Head of Marketing at Renault Trucks Middle East. “With a ground clearance of 600mm, an approach angle of 40 degrees, and a centralised tire inflation system, the Sherpa Scout is capable of tackling the harshest and most difficult to access off-road terrain in the Middle East.”

Measuring 5.43 meters long, 2.35 meters wide, and 2.1 meters high it’s certainly a big beast, and comes ABS assisted four-wheel disc brakes, an automatic Allison gearbox, and can be fitted with racing seats. Apparently you can also fit a dashboard according to the release – might be a useful idea to hide all the wiring looms and provide somewhere to embed those hanging buttons then.

You can carry up to 12 people in one of these and keep them safe in the armoured car which can handle ballistic, hand grenades and anti-personnel devices.

It’s not exactly the quickest getaway vehicle but it’s no slouch either capable of 110kph. And it’s very quick off-road as I can testify from my ride in the car. Unsurprisingly it’s been an official support vehicle for the Dakar rally in Argentina, and participated in the famous Renault Trucks expedition in 2009 between Cape North in Norway and Cape South in South Africa.

Question is, can it cope with ultra low-profile tyres, 30-inch rims in chrome with spinners, bling-paint, full ICE system with multiple screens and maybe stretched into a limo version for good measure…

3 responses to “Renault Sherpa now available to buy in civilian guise (Video)”

  1. Sid Sobhi says:

    Hi there,

    Is the sherpa available in the market now? What’s the cost and where the contact information?

  2. jomie andong says:

    hello,
    I want to know from you the latest Sherpa Renault vehicle and how much the price.

    Thank You

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