Fledgling US marque Local Motors has taken the covers off its stunning SUV, the Rally Fighter, which has been developed with the help of web users.

The Rally Fighter is based on a design that won a competition run on Local Motors' website. Local Motors website members were also involved in an open development process – an approach we firmly believe, along with the scrappage scheme, could turn around the ailing fortunes of the motoring industry.

Local Motors' innovative approach to car production seems entirely appropriate considering the current economic crisis. Not only does it introduce an innovative way to design a car – by asking up-and-coming designers to submit ideas to the marque’s website, and allowing web users to have say – but the company also aims to build “microfactories” where demand for its cars is at its highest. So, no more factory yards full of unwanted automobiles. Pay attention, General Motors!

Created by designer Sangho Kim, the Rally Fighter's blueprint was inspired by WW2 P-51 Mustang fighter plane, something that’s evident in the cockpit-shaped cabin and the SUV's fighter jet-esque roofline. The SUV will be powered by a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine capable of generating 265bhp and 425ft-lb of torque – and fuel efficiency is an impressive 30-36mpg. Not bad for an off-roader!

No top speed or 0-62mph info is knocking about at the moment, but we’ll let Local Motors off because it has come up with what not only looks and sounds like the ultimate SUV, but has been developed in a fashion that could reshape the auto industry in years to come.

What’s more, visitors to the Local Motors website have had the pleasure of watching this stunning SUV being created on a live webcam.

The Rally Fighter will be on show at the Sema Motor Show in Las Vegas this week, but if you're not fortunate enough to be heading out to the world's largest tuning fest, you can see the Rally Fighter in the gallery below.

Sources: diseno-art.com