Qt Wildcat 300STR: unleashed

Remember that car which made Richard Hammond delicately whisper that he is, in fact, an automotive deity? It's now even harder.

This is the Qt Wildcat 300STR - a no-nonsense V8-powered off-roader which has been ‘tamed' for road-use. By ‘tamed', we mean potential drivers have been heavily medicated.

The Wildcat - now owned by Qt after they bought the rights from Bowler Offroad - features a fully-welded tubular steel chassis, four-wheel-drive, heavy-duty differentials and suspension nicked from its big brothers. Both of which compete in the Dakar Rally.

Underneath the Army-spec looks sits a 4-litre Jag V8 pushing out enough power to send the Wildcat from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds which, looking at it, is bonkers.

Qt boss Dave Marsh reckons the 300STR is "equally at home in the City of London as it is in the deserts of North Africa". So if you genuinely want to frighten the bonus out of a 911-shaped banker, here's your toy.

We've driven this monster. We parked it on a cliff. And trust us - it IS as bonkers as it looks.

Check back in an upcoming issue of TopGear magazine for the full low-down...

Vijay Pattni