The SHERP ATV is a mini monster truck that's lighter than a sedan and can go on any terrain.
Russian designer Alexei Garagashyan brought this incredible ATV to life, and because of the vehicle's components, it can go on water, snow and ice.
Top Gear chanced on this beast of an ATV a few days ago, and it's a safe bet to assume that everybody's day got a little better because of it.
It's hard to choose where to start, but let's go ahead and get things in gear with the tires. The SHERP is fitted with low-pressure and patented self-inflating tires that measure to a massive 63 inches in diameter, where they sport treads that seem to be paddles to allow it to drive on water. They are positioned to maximize the space that the frame allows, letting it go over any obstacle that's 27.5 inches tall or shorter.
It's arguably the ultimate off-road vehicle, but it only has a 44 HP diesel engine under the hood. In other words, it can only run to speeds of about 27.9 MPH on the ground and 3.7 MPH on the water. At any rate, that's by no means a deal breaker, as it's well compensated by the all-terrain capability.
The Russian ATV is also equipped with a skid-steer system, making it quite easy to turn. Inside, it can accommodate two passengers. To top them all off, it features a system that lets it discharge the water inside the moment it goes for a swim.
Now for the crème de la crème, it only weighs about 2,866 pounds. Considering its size and 11 feet length, a downsized weight is not exactly what comes to mind at first glance. To put things into perspective, the average weight of a sedan is pegged at 3,221 pounds in 1987 and 4,009 pounds in 2010, so the SHERP is lighter even than the cars with that body style decades ago.
Of course, there are sedans that are lighter than the Russian off-road monster, but it's nevertheless impressive how it's clocked below the average weight.
Prices start at $65,000 for the base model. Forking out that much cash for an ATV that can go anywhere sounds like a pretty good deal.
Off-road vehicles come in many shapes and sizes like the rugged Nissan Titan Warrior, but the SHERP just took those aspects up a notch, particularly thanks to its amphibious nature.
Don't forget to check out the SHERP in all its glory in the video below.
