Saudi Arabia to build first car

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has given the go-ahead for the state's first production car.

The KSU Gazal 1 was designed by students of the King Suad University with significant input from a design studio in Italy. It is heavily based on the underpinnings of a Mercedes G-class.

See pics of the KSU Gazal 1

The car, which took two years to engineer, has a redesigned exterior, as well as a custom interior, but uses the original Mercedes petrol V8.

Its makers also say it has also been “designed to match the climate of Saudi Arabia”, and maintains the off-road pedigree of the go-anywhere G-wagon.

KSU says it expects to sell 20,000 Gazal’s annually, although no details have yet been given of when production will begin.

However, sources say a deal has been done that will see Merc supply Saudi Arabia with chassis and engines.

James Lewis-Barned