King Mohamed VI of Morocco owns both known units of the Laraki Sahara, a rare hypercar designed and built in Morocco. The car is credited with 1,550 horsepower and a Corvette-derived V8, putting it among the most ambitious projects associated with Moroccan automotive design.
The Sahara belongs to the exclusive-car tradition pursued by Laraki, the Moroccan marque founded by Abdesslam Laraki. Its earlier concepts included the Fulgura and Borac. The Epitome followed. In 2013, Abdesslam Laraki presented it at Pebble Beach as a privately developed, long-hood grand tourer using Chevrolet Corvette-associated components, including a large V8 modified with turbocharging. Story-Cars noted that the Epitome’s advertised output exceeded 1,000 horsepower. The publication also stressed that this was a project claim, not the result of independent performance testing.
The Sahara’s reported specifications are striking. Its heavily modified Chevrolet Corvette V8 is credited with producing 1,550 horsepower. The car reportedly accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.5 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 310 km/h. Its design is equally assertive, pairing a long front end with prominent air intakes and a large front spoiler. A wide rear axle and oversized wheels give the car a broad stance, while its low roofline and small side windows complete the purposeful profile.
The cabin is described as combining premium leather with other high-end materials. A sporty steering wheel and digital infotainment display sit alongside two racing-style seats. The restrained, driver-focused layout complements the dramatic exterior and exceptional exclusivity.
With only two units produced, the Sahara is exceptionally rare, and both belong to King Mohamed VI. The cars are seldom seen in public, adding to their mystique among collectors and enthusiasts.
Morocco’s automotive ambitions range from established vehicle manufacturing to low-volume design projects such as Laraki. The Sahara reflects the country’s pursuit of a place in the luxury-performance conversation, while the Atlas SUV represents a more accessible model. Rare cars also attract high-profile figures elsewhere: footballer Marcos Llorente, for example, drew attention after arriving at Atlético de Madrid training in a Ferrari, as described in this feature on luxury cars and celebrity owners.
The Laraki Sahara pairs Moroccan design with extreme stated performance, while its two-car production run makes it one of the marque’s most exclusive creations. Both examples remain in the hands of the Moroccan monarch. They embody the country’s aspirations in high-end automotive design.
