While it may look a tad on the weird side, the Swincar designed and built by French startup Mecanroc is a really rather brilliant bit of terrain conquering equipment. Forget quads, ATVs and even good old fashioned enduro bikes – the Swincar is more capable and probably safer too.

The design seems so versatile that I think this could successfully be used as a rover on another planet, thanks to its mix of general usability and extreme rock climbing and descending ability.

Basically, the entire suspension is designed to like it’s just barely hanging on while working, but that’s just its clever range of movement, allowing the driver to go nearly anywhere he or she pleases. And it’s all mechanical too, relying solely on the forces created while driving to operate.

Drive comes from hub-mounted electric motors located at each corner if you so specify – you can get one with two-wheel drive, but why would you? The motors come in 1 or 1.5 kW flavors, and battery pack capacities range from 2 to 6 kWh.

Currently, they’ve only built the single-seater model, but a variant with an extra seat is planned as well.

When will you be able to see one live? Well, according to the official website, the company is going to be present at the Lyon auto show running from September 24 – 28.

Scroll down for photos and videos of the Swincar in action.

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