The $2M 1,200hp Laraki Epitome looks like it was designed during a fever dream

By Nick Jaynes August 19, 2013

the laraki epitome looks like it was designed during a fever dream — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lots of small fortunes were shelled out for big horsepower this weekend at Pebble Beach, including the sale of a $27.5-million Ferrari NART Spyder. Of all the brightly colored things to go on display, though, one stood out from the rest: the Laraki Epitome concept.

The Laraki Motors Epitome is the latest brainchild of yacht builder Abdesslam Laraki. Based upon the C6 Corvette, the Epitome features a full carbon fiber body, which brings the curb weight down to around 2,800 pounds.

Laraki Epitome — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Under that lightweight skin is the 7.0-liter Corvette V8. But this one, however, has had twin turbochargers fitted to it. Now it produces 1,200 horsepower on premium 91 octane gasoline. Cleverly, Laraki fitted a secondary gas tank to the Epitome, allowing it to – at the flip of a switch – burn a mixture of 91 octane and 110 octane from the auxiliary tank. This allows the Epitome, along with a quick flip over to secondary ECU programming, to produce 1,750 horsepower. That is, if Autoblog is to be believed.

Laraki Epitome — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Priced at $2 million, the Epitome is a downright steal at Pebble Beach. Laraki only plans a nine-unit run of the Epitome but just might have other products in the pipeline. Specific Epitome specs like top speed and 0-60mph have not been disclosed.

I love the brilliant mix of ultra-modern and classic design of the Epitome. With the bulbous, raked quarter panels, I think it looks like the creation of a wild 1920s concept car sketched during a fever dream.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric

2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Cars

Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells

Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?

2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.