Laraki Sahara: The Hypercar Marvel Owned by Morocco's King

Unique ONES - In the vast world of global automotive enthusiasts, the spotlight often shines on cars hailing from American, Japanese, Italian, German, French, British, Chinese, and various other manufacturers. However, hidden from the mainstream automotive scene, there exists an intriguing player in the industry – Laraki Automobiles SA., a company based in Casablanca, Morocco.

The Laraki Sahara is latest hypercar model built by Laraki Automobiles SA., a company based in Casablanca, Morocco. (Picture from: Petersen.org)

Established in 1999 by Adeesslam Laraki, this unique automotive venture emerged from a background in constructing cruise ships in Morocco. Laraki made its mark with the debut of the Laraki Fulgura at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, marking the company's entry into the sports car realm. Subsequent models, such as the Laraki Borac showcased as a concept only at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, and the exclusive Laraki Epitome unveiled at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, added to the brand's portfolio, although met with limited market success, producing only nine units.

The Laraki Sahara boasts distinctive Moroccan design elements and got a regal paint finish in the King's signature color. (Picture from: Petersen.org)

Despite the challenges faced by these initial models, Laraki persisted and, in 2019, introduced its latest hypercar, the Laraki Sahara. Interestingly, two units of this extraordinary hypercar were commissioned by His Majesty Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco. The Sahara boasts distinctive Moroccan design elements evident in the front grille pattern, quilted interior upholstery, and a regal paint finish in the King's signature color.

Interior view of Laraki Sahara featured with white fancy upholstery. (Picture from: Petersen.org)

Visually, the Sahara shares similarities with its predecessor, the Epitome, especially when viewed from the sides. However, closer inspection reveals a redesigned front fascia, featuring distinct shapes for the headlights, airscoop, and grille. The rear, too, showcases a completely different style, notably in the taillights and the placement of the exhaust at the bottom.

The Laraki Sahara is powered by a Chevrolet Z06 V8 engine equipped with a twin-turbocharger. (Picture from: Petersen.org)

Underneath its striking exterior, the Laraki Sahara utilizes a C7 Corvette chassis and is powered by a Chevrolet Z06 V8 engine equipped with a twin-turbocharger. This powerhouse generates an impressive 1,750 horsepower and 1,355 Nm of torque. The Sahara's performance figures are nothing short of extraordinary, with the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds and reach an astonishing top speed of 248 mph. These numbers position the Sahara as a formidable contender against renowned halo cars like the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport and Rimac Nevera.

Enhancing its appeal, one of the two hypercars commissioned for the King of Morocco was exclusively on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles from September 2022 to the first half of 2023. It's worth noting that the Laraki Sahara, with a starting price of $2 million, serves as a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship and innovation that define this Moroccan automotive marvel. Truly impressive! *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LARAKIABDESLAM | WIKIPEDIA | PETERSEN.ORG | TIMESOFINDIA ]

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