Rezvani Vengeance: Sci-Fi Luxury Off-Road SUV for the Apocalypse

• August 10, 2023
• Story By
  Andy Carter

For anyone that has watched the 4x4 space for any amount of time, they will recognize a move towards the simplicity of retro designs over the past several years. The Bronco and newly released Land Cruiser both dig deep into the respective brands’ own nostalgic offerings, while Jeep looks into the past to revive heralded models such as the Grand Wagoneer, echoing memories of clean lines, minimalist interiors, and heritage colorways. The Rezvani Vengeance, respectfully, takes a hard pass on all of that.

Sci-Fi Style

Using the contemporary Cadillac Escalade SUV as a base, Rezvani has crafted a seven seat SUV that looks more at home in the Blade Runner world than the streets (or trails) of modern America. Rezvani worked with Milen Ivanov, a designer that had created multiple models for automotive video games, to design the exterior.

Under the hood, the powertrain options will seem familiar to any full size GM SUV enthusiast. Sold standard with the 420hp 6.2L V8, there are options to supercharge it to 810hp, or to swap it completely for GM’s 3-liter six-cylinder diesel engine. Regardless of the powerplant chosen, power is routed through a 10 speed automatic transmission.

Go Anywhere...and Make It Back

Like the Escalade, the Vengeance can be optioned with 2WD or 4WD. Given the Vengeance’s emphasis on go-anywhere survivability, one can imagine that most opt for the more capable 4WD setup. The SUV wears massive 22” bespoke wheels covered in 35” equivalent 325/50/22 Nitto Trail Grappler mud terrain tires.

Given the Vengeance’s priority for durability, the Trail Grappler was an ideal choice for this apocalypse machine. The 3-ply sidewall with a high turn-up construction acts as an extra layer of reinforcement to increase puncture resistance, ensuring that the Vengeance can get to its destination, regardless of the obstacle.

All that off-road performance, however, doesn’t mean that the Vengeance rides like a tank. Rezvani chose the Nitto Trail Grappler for both its off-road functionality, and its on-road manners. This particular Vengeance was part of the Longtail Rally, an eight day on-road rally from Washington to Utah exploring some of the most beautiful areas of the country. With up to six hours of driving a day, the Trail Grapplers still provided a quiet, comfortable ride relative to their mud-terrain design.

The Military Package

Positioned more as a rolling fortress rather than 4x4, the Vengeance can be outfitted with a number of options that seem straight out of a Twisted Metal video game. Opting for the Military Package adds such defensive options as bulletproof glass and body armor, smoke screen, exterior pepper spray dispenser, electrified door handles, magnetic door bolts, and more.

Although the Vengeance’s weight would probably make traditional off-roading a chore, the SUV is not without the equipment to give it a honest go. The steel front bumper contains a 12,000lb winch and D-rings for recovery. A self-contained tire inflation/deflation is also available for additional grip when needed off-roading.

At a starting price of $285,000, and available options that can push the SUV well past $500,000, the Rezvani Vengeance is in a league of its own. While luxury SUVs such as the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, or Rolls Royce Cullinan can match it in price, the Vengeance offers a combination of a sci-fi Halo-esque aesthetic with legitimate enhancements to durability and survivability when situations could go awry for owners.

Wild Style. Serious Capability.

As SUVs continue to be distilled down into common, boxy forms, and more and more owners seek the anonymity that something like a Tesla can bring, the Vengeance exists as an affront to those sensibilities. One can hardly imagine a VIP choosing a Vengeance in a genuinely precarious situation, as the simple styling itself would bring an enormous amount of attention in any non-virtual setting.

Rather, the Vengeance looks like something that the villain would drive in a Fast and Furious movie, and honestly, we love it. The world needs these designs to keep the excitement of automotive culture alive. As refreshing as a Landcruiser with vintage-inspired round headlights in a non-metallic tan is, without something like the Vengeance to compare it to, it just doesn’t have the same effect.

The Vengeance is for those that are unwilling to compromise on the fantasies inspired by Hot Wheels, video games and science fiction movies. The world needs at least one 850 horsepower family SUV with armor, pepper spray, and mud tires. This Rezvani proudly checks that box without an ounce of remorse.