Automotive

Devolro's apocalypse-ready off-road limousine

Devolro's apocalypse-ready off-road limousine
Off-roading in style?
Off-roading in style?
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The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
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The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
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The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
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The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
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The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
Power comes from a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine
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Power comes from a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine
Off-roading in style?
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Off-roading in style?
Off-roading in style?
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Off-roading in style?
The gear and tool storage compartment in back
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The gear and tool storage compartment in back
Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
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Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
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Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
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Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
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Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
The front of the cabin isn't too shabby, either
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The front of the cabin isn't too shabby, either
The front of the cabin isn't too shabby, either
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The front of the cabin isn't too shabby, either
Definitely more rugged than your typical town car
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Definitely more rugged than your typical town car
The Devolro Diablo and models
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The Devolro Diablo and models
The Devolro Diablo and models
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The Devolro Diablo and models
The Diablo sits on 37-inch tires
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The Diablo sits on 37-inch tires
The Devolro Diablo and models
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The Devolro Diablo and models
The Devolro Diablo in the field
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The Devolro Diablo in the field
The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
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The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
The Devolro Diablo in the field
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The Devolro Diablo in the field
The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
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The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
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The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
Snow, rock, dirt, mud...
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Snow, rock, dirt, mud...
The Diablo in the mountains
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The Diablo in the mountains
View gallery - 26 images

Does anyone really need to be chauffeured around in a stretched-out off-road rambler? Probably not, but if society ever collapses into a loose collection of post-apocalyptic outposts strung together with rock and rubble, we expect that the truck-based Devolro limousine will be the vehicle of choice for new-era one-percenters.

I was half-jogging to a New York Auto Show press conference that I planned to squeeze in before a dinner meeting when the very corner of my eye caught Devolro's hallway stand. The world stopped. I couldn't turn away from the towering hunk of black metal dressed loosely with seductively posed vixens. I was drawn in and held captive for a good 20 minutes, missing the press conference and delaying my dinner meeting. The thing just refused to be ignored.

An even more extreme alternative to the Hummer limousine, Devolro's limo is about as extreme as a vehicle can get. It is built on a stretched-out, jacked-up Toyota Tundra platform and equipped with things like steel bumpers, all-terrain tires, a six-inch lift kit and a rooftop gear rack. The roomy interior is as swank as any limousine and features leather seats, a mini bar, televisions and a big audio system.

Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo
Inside the passenger cab of the Devolro limo

Despite how ridiculous the idea of a massive limousine navigating dirt and rock is, Miami-based Devolro Performance Cars Studio does see its limo as an off-road-capable solution. When we asked where the design was meant to drive, a rep said quite simply "Off road."

Back in the real world, we're guessing savvy off-roaders will continue to drive themselves in small, maneuverable jeeps, and avoid the pitfalls of that football field of underbody and bus-like turning radius. This limo will more likely be used to make unapologetic and flamboyant displays of wealth at the galas of those that crave attention and the sweet 16 parties of their offspring.

The limousine on the New York floor was the first model built, and Devolro hopes to build about 20 a year for the likes of political leaders and celebrities. The model can be outfitted with armor or left in "standard" form, and prices will start at around US$380,000.

The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show
The Devolro Diablo at the 2013 New York Auto Show

The Devolro limo may be one of the least practical vehicles on the face of the Earth, but its little brother Diablo (seen above) does have some utility, albeit for a very small crowd. Built to "unleash your beast" and "show who you really are" (assuming who you really are is an aggro, Earth-roaming nomad), the Diablo is a smaller Tundra-based off-road expedition vehicle.

Devolro strips the meek standard bumpers off the Tundra, replacing them with its own heavy-duty special alloy reinforced by stiffening ribs. Not only do the bumpers give the Diablo "tank-like armor," but they deliver its intimidatingly mean presence. The burly bumpers are raised off the ground thanks to a 7-inch lift and 37-inch tires. If those accoutrements aren't enough to navigate the unforgiving piece of world you're driving through, the air-locking differential should help you claw your way onward.

The Devolro Diablo and models
The Devolro Diablo and models

The Diablo is powered by a 381-hp 5.7-liter V8 engine fed by 187 liters (49 gallons) of range-extending fuel tank. An available supercharger system increases horsepower to more than 500.

Devolro creates a big belly to its beast by adding a fiberglass locking bed topper for gear storage. An available camper configuration uses the roofed bed as a living space, with two to six bunks, cooking space, refrigerator, stove, sink, toilet, shower and more. It's sure to be one of the baddest overlanding campers on any remote expedition.

The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt
The Devolro Diablo takes on rock and dirt

Speaking of remote expeditions, Devolro, which also has a distributor in Russia, put its money where its mouth is and took the Diablo on a 10,000-mile journey across Siberia in support of a documentary from Russia Today. Besides its primary purpose of documentary filming, the expedition served as a test run for the Diablo, allowing Devolro to make design changes based on real-world performance and problems. The company has another expedition planned for this summer and actively seeks scientific, governmental and other expedition partners.

Other available Devolro upgrades include off-road lighting, Brembo brakes, a Warn winch, Bushwhacker off-road wheel flares, smoked LED taillights and a rear-view camera. Off-roaders might be happy enough with a set of off-road-specific controls and a pair of wipe-clean seats in the cabin, but Devolro adds a layer of comfort with a custom leather interior and Harman Kardon audio system. Of course, its vehicles are designed in cooperation with its customers, so willing buyers can have the say-so in terms of what goes into and comes out of their burlified Tundras.

Source: Devolro

View gallery - 26 images
11 comments
11 comments
BeWalt
Finally!
I'll be so glad to be carried away to wherever my last-ever 49 gallons of gas will get me once the apocalypse is here.
Slowburn
Given the condition of the roads in much of the world they might sell dozens.
Daishi
I'm honestly surprised more companies don't make more expensive trucks and SUV's. If you are in the market for a sports car there are 10-20 companies with a handful of models available in almost any price range but the same isn't true of SUV's.
There aren't many options above 75k aside from the highly specialized bullet proof ones.
Stephen N Russell
Make it custom U install your options: BW sensor gas masks ammo storage & assult rifle/pistol cases? HD TV PA armor.
Wow.
Lewis M. Dickens III
Nah!
If these guys were smart enough to design a 8 wheeled bogied suspension they'd have something.
It would work well on sand as well...provide a much smoother and safer ride and they could sell it to the Arabs for sand cruising and make some big bucks.
It seems that few understand that 8 wheels provide lower rolling resistance. If you don't believe it, tell it to the railway guys and watch them going into hysterics looking at you.
bill
tjcoop3
I figure with all that extra room rip out that rear facing seat and I got plenty of space for a whole lot more gear than any full size SUV available.
Bob Flint
What! No snorkel, guess you avoid the water hazards, and biohazards as well, good luck....
Does it at least come with an external Zombie guts wash & rinse?
Griffin
Laughable. "Tank-like armor?"
They have obviously never been in a tank- tanks don't NEED bumpers.
As for "off-road limos", if you stretch ANYTHING,try to take it off-road AND armor it you are moving into increasingly negative converging vectors.
Mall-crawler.
VoiceofReason
And yet another gilded lily. If they were serious, it would have a diesel. it would have more torque and get much better mileage.
Stewart Mitchell
The apocalypse will result in the ban of the I.C.E. ...A wingless air vehicle will take over.
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