Rhino

Rhino

If you just have to be the baddest badass in town, Rhino is your brand. Created by US Specialty Vehicles based in Rancho Cucamonga, east of Los Angles, the Rhino GX and the smaller Rhino XT were created for the Chinese market, but have been sold to a few road warriors in the United States as well. Rhino came to the LA show to increase its visibility in the market.

Of course, in the day-glo wilds of The Garage, the Rhinos actually look rather subtle, even though their design language is clearly post-apocalyptic. The Rhino vehicles are armor plated, though not bulletproof. The wheels fairings are fibreglass, but everywhere else is real 20 gauge () steel.

The interesting hexagonal DLO treatment on the sides of the GX reminded us of a battle-hardened version of the Ford Airstream we profiled here at CDN a few weeks back.

The GX is based on a Ford 250 super duty and is actually wider than a limousine with a more luxurious interior- a contrast to the tough guy exterior. The smaller Jeep Wrangler Unlimited-based XT is similarly plush. Mad Max, eat your heart out.