The new RR99, is a unique SUV that combines the aggressive look of the GT and high prostrations to the comfort of a luxury car with the ability of a powerful off roader. On a stand that is showcasing Fornasari's exclusive range the Italian firm is also presenting a scale model of a second forthcoming addition to its range based on the RR600: the smaller entry-level 'Racing Buggy'.

There are no concerns about the global recession or oil prices at specialist Italian high performance SUV maker Fornasari which is in Geneva showing a mock up of its forthcoming RR99, this full size model quite simply towering over the current monster of the range, the RR600 on which it is based. On a stand that is showcasing Fornasari's exclusive range the firm is also presenting a scale model of a second addition to its range, again based on the RR600: the smaller entry-level 'Racing Buggy'.

The new RR99, is a unique SUV that combines the aggressive look of a GT and high prostrations to the comfort of a luxury car with the ability of an off roader. It bursts with all the traditional Fornasari styling cues, such as vents to feed cooling air in and out of the front brakes. The longer wheel base (now 3.25 m, 25 cm longer that the RR600) increases enormously the comfort of the SUV in respect to the model it is drawn from while the performance remains the same. At the Geneva Motor Show this week the enthusiastic Mr Fornasari told Italiaspeed that the RR99 combines all the best bits of the RR600 and Gruppo B [the 2-door version] into an improved comfort package. He added that the first two examples have already been ordered by customers and will be completed in the summer. The price tag is 180,000 euros.

The dimensions (it is 5.20 metres long, 2.15 m wide and 1.85 m high) shows the exclusive character of the vehicle. The RR99 consists of a special steel piped chassis in molybdenum-chrome that means a real space-frame for the 5-seater. More than 450 pipelines are used in order to obtain the stiffness and torsion capability with a weight of less than 150 kg. The total weight of the RR99 comes out at an impressive 1850kg. The suspension triangles are equal on the four sides and they are mechanical jewels with welded joints like those used in Formula 1. The suspension's travel of 240 mm has been studied so as not to affect or change in any extent the geometrical configuration as it had been set.

The size is important for the whole car: this is a real maxi SUV. Desert wheel-tracks, an American wheel-base, a remarkable height from the ground, a top-class maximum travel of suspension, ideal in/out angles, an ideal weight, power distribution on both axles as for a GT vehicle and load distribution near to 50/50. That's what will make this off-road vehicle most similar to a road vehicle.

Its reduced roll and pitch will allow for smooth driving while both the power and engine elasticity will let the driver forget that they are inside a five seat car. Power gets transmitted to the wheels by means of a central viscous joint releasing 60 percent to the back limited-slip differential, while leaving the 40 percent power left to balance the front differential. As far as the gearbox is concerned, either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic option will be available. Also, it is possible to set on board a version with reduced gears but such a solution compels a less sporting scheme of the transmission. Brakes come from GM with customers given the option of specifying Brembo ones. Alloy rims are, in alternative, of 18" to 20" or even 23" in size and they can host tyres from the 285/55/18" up to the 305/35/23". Under the bonnet the General Motors engine is reviewed by Fornasari in the U.S. under the guidance of specialist Mr. Cottrell. The result is a light but reliable all aluminium unit mean the RR99's performance is the same as the RR600. (7.0-litre V8 with 610 bhp and 748 Nm). Performance is impressive: top speed is 280 km/h while 0-100 km/h is achieved in 3.8 seconds.

The second new concept on the stand is dubbed the 'Racing Buggy' and when this project is realised it will represent an the access point to the Fornasari world. It has been designed to have two levels of mechanical capability; one is more accessible and comes with a little less performance, the other version uses the classic architecture of Fornasari's cars with a tube chassis, overlapped triangle suspensions and a Chevrolet motor. It will be 4.35 m long, 2 m wide and 1.72 m high. The Racing Buggy is particularly suited for everyday use and every condition use and is particularly indicated for free time use thanks to the option of it being open-topped. The mechanicals are once again drawn from the RR600 (7.0-litre V8 with 610 bhp and 748 Nm), although the wheelbase, at 2.75 m long, has been reduced by 25 cm from the RR600. It will weigh in at 1,600 kg (50 kg lighter that the RR600).