Seven reasons why you need this Heuliez Intruder Concept

Welcome, Internet, to the Heuliez Intruder Concept. Fantastic isn’t it? It’s your lucky day too, because this thing is currently for sale at Hertfordshire-based dealership DK Engineering. Here follows seven reasons why you absolutely must buy it.

The first is that this thing was way ahead of its time. French coachbuilder Heuliez unveiled its wild coupe/convertible SUV at the 1996 Paris motor show – that’s 19 years before we got the Range Rover Evoque convertible.  

Reason number two to justify your purchase – unlike some of this breed (ahem, T-Roc Cabrio) the Intruder should be properly capable off road. That’s because underneath is an original Mercedes-Benz G320, and Heuliez decided to retain the 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine, the four-speed automatic gearbox, the all-wheel drive system and the locking differentials. Strong. 

And then there are the looks. They’re um… interesting, aren’t they? Have you guessed what the top half is yet? Yep, it’s a first-generation Mercedes SLK – a car that was only unveiled in Turin four months beforehand.

Reason four? This thing is rare. And by that we mean there’s only one in the world. It’s been painted in three different liveries since that unveil in 1996, having originally been silver before going white and then red before being returned to silver. 

It’s also an absolute bargain. No, really. DK Engineering is only asking for £174,995 for this one-off concept. 

Plus, it’s just had a €280,000 restoration which included a comprehensive overhaul of the engine and the fully-operational folding hard top roof, despite the Intruder having covered just over 1,000 miles in its 24-year life. 

Okay, so it’s our final chance to convince you to buy this thing, and we’ve got an ace up our sleeves. Having been founded in in 1920, Heuliez has some serious pedigree – it built the Renault 5 Turbo and the road-going versions of the Peugeot 205 T16. Crikey.

Images: DK Engineering