Local Motors - Rally Fighter - Concept Vehicle - Open Source Designs

Local Motors Rally Fighter Concept Vehicle Front Left View

We dropped into the factory (open to the public) to observe the builds of the first four production cars. In fact, by the time you read this, those cars will have all been displayed at the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas and new production builds will have started.

The Rally Fighter uses an 18-gallon BMW fuel tank that sits up behind the seat area. Local Motors capitalizes heavily on the use of commonly available OEM parts where those parts make the best sense. Aluminum Mercedes bumpers, Ford steering column, brake, and axle components are used, plus numerous other OEM parts that can be replaced easily and should be widely available.
The Rally Fighter uses an 18-gallon BMW fuel tank that sits up behind the seat area. Local
Inside are dual bucket seats flanking a sleek brushed aluminum console. This car also has the aluminum dash panels installed and is in the process of wiring completion. The dash holds a full complement of gauges, along with the air conditioning vents. The A/C is a proven product from Vintage Air integrated into the custom Rally Fighter interior.
Inside are dual bucket seats flanking a sleek brushed aluminum console. This car also has
We were on hand to watch the assembly of the first four production cars. It was cool to see the interesting mix of OEM, aftermarket, and custom-designed products meld together to form these cars. The build pace was hectic and not without some hitches, as one might expect with a new product line. Moving ahead, the builds should fall more in step when the assembly process is dialed in. Looks like the Local Motors concept is evolving to fruition.
We were on hand to watch the assembly of the first four production cars. It was cool to se

The 18-inch travel Fox 2.5 internal bypass coilovers control the rear axle movements and stability is further enhanced with the use of a sway bar tied to the axle. 2-inch travel Fox bumpstops also come into play when the rear axle travels upward and is close to bottoming the suspension.
The 18-inch travel Fox 2.5 internal bypass coilovers control the rear axle movements and s
The front suspension utilizes a double A-arm design damped by 12-inch travel Fox 2.5 coilovers backed up by another set of Fox bump stops. Steering for the long-travel front end is done using a Howe-built hydraulic assist rack and pinion box that is mounted in the nose of the chassis. A Sweet Manufacturing power steering servo sits midway in the steering shaft assembly to direct fluid to the steering box. Steering rods with rod ends go outward to Ford knuckle assemblies.
The front suspension utilizes a double A-arm design damped by 12-inch travel Fox 2.5 coilo
The body and floor panels are constructed from hand laid fiberglass. The nose and tail are constructed from carbon fiber using a process called Thermoforming. Heat insulation material is also used under the floor panels in areas near the engine and the transmission.
The body and floor panels are constructed from hand laid fiberglass. The nose and tail are

We also had the chance to ride along in the prototype car, which runs the original engine choice, a 3.0L BMW diesel. However, production cars are now using the relatively new GM E-rod 6.2L engine package that packs over 400 hp. We headed out for a day in the dirt and ran some two-track roads along with a wash trail.

We rode with Baja champion Ryan Thomas, who put the car through some paces. The Rally Fighter proved to be a smooth, stable platform that was a fun ride. Look to see these cars starting to pop up over the next year as they take hold, with enthusiasts looking for a street-legal machine that can hit the dirt with competence.

Local Motors Rally Fighter Concept Vehicle Custom Vehicles

Open Source Designs
Most of the design is public knowledge. In fact, anyone can download the open source CAD chassis data and see the exact dimensions and configuration of the tube chassis.

Another way that the public and community can join with the Rally Fighter evolution is with the creation of aftermarket products for the car. Local Motors encourages third-party vendors to create modifications or accessories for the Rally Fighter, and believes the community and car owners benefit from such new products.

Local Motors Rally Fighter Concept Vehicle Car Parts

The Micro Factory Concept
When customers choose to buy a car, they come to the micro factory to see their car being built and participate in the build themselves. They get to work side-by-side for some number of days, turning wrenches with an expert builder as their car is assembled for about 2 weeks.

In this way, customers get to experience the satisfaction of building their own rides and get intimate knowledge of how the Rally Fighter comes together, bit by bit.