Giugiaro's Kangaroo hops into Geneva

The Kangaroo concept is here tell you that SUVs don’t have to be boring.

“Three days ago we were up in St. Moritz driving it on a frozen lake in the snow,” said Fabrizio Giugiaro.

Yes, that’s Giugiaro as in Italdesign, the styling and consulting entity founded by Fabrizio’s father Giorgetto, the house that brought the world everything from the Maserati MC12 and Lamborghini Gallardo to the Saab 9000 and Delorean DMC-12. It even did the original Volkswagen Golf. Then nine years ago Volkswagen bought 90 percent of Italdesign, and four years ago it took over the rest of it. Three years ago Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro (try saying that five times real fast) started GFG Style, with the initials standing for Giorgetto Fabrizio Giugiaro. The Kangaroo is one of GFG’s first concepts.

It’s a little more settled, with cleaner lines and more compact dimensions, than the Giugiaro Parcour presented at Geneva six years ago, but the idea is the same: to make a usually ungainly and boring vehicle into something just as much fun as any supercar, and one that can drive on any surface.

The Kangaroo is a cooperative effort with CH Auto, which did the electric drivetrain and other electronics. GFG did the carbon-fiber body that wraps around an aluminum space frame and houses two 180-kW (241-hp) electric motors that send 502 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. Zero-to-62 mph comes up in 3.8 seconds — on dry pavement. Top speed is listed at 155 mph.

“I personally drove it 130 mph on the ice with my father screaming,” said Fabrizio.

 

The battery holds 90 kWh of charge, good for 280 miles of range.

For off-roading, the body can be raised and lowered as conditions dictate, as much as 4.7 inches. Ground clearance can vary from 5.5 inches in race trim to over 10 inches in off-road mode. The front splitter can be raised or lowered, too, in order to improve the car’s approach angle. Wheel camber is adjustable.

Inside, the dashboard features three displays, like some kind of Tesla/Audi hybrid concept. The interior surfaces are a mix of carbon-printed leather from Poltrona Frua and something called Kult leather and fabric from PT Pantaloni Torino. Both were chosen “to convey the idea of sportiness.”

GFG Style plans to announce a merger with a Chinese company; the announcement is expected at the Shanghai auto show. A Chinese/Italian hybrid? Could be good for both cultures.

 

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