This Full-Size Meccano Set Is A Real Off-Roader With A 100-Year Warranty

As much as it looks like a full-scale kids’ toy, this is actually the latest post-Defender off-roader to have its eyes on Land Rover’s former customers - and global militaries.

Offered with, amazingly, a 100-year warranty (assuming the company lasts that long), the Partisan Motors ‘Partisan One’ is the German company’s vision of an ultra-simple, ultra-repairable, ultra-long-lasting vehicle ‘for all roads.’

Using a simple modular kit-type construction, the 4.72-metre, four-wheel, four-wheel drive standard version has been built to military standards. The chassis is galvanised to keep rust at bay, and anti-mine armour is an option. Natch. In the UK we could see it working for farmers who want something totally abusable.

What about luxuries? Well, air conditioning is provided by Mother Nature, the handbrake is currently a brick behind the back wheel and the obvious(?) issue of accidentally breaking the door handles has been neatly circumvented by not having any. Instead, you’ll find pieces of string attached to the doors. We’re not kidding.

And the price for this laughably basic, utterly functional off-roader, complete with a Fiat 2.8-litre diesel, four-wheel drive and seats? Surely it’s very cheap, because otherwise what would be the point? Err, no. This one will set you back a starting price of €49,500, so it’s really rather expensive. Sounds to us like they’ve liberally applied a ‘military tax’ to the bottom line.

According to Partisan, there are 6x6 and 8x8 versions coming, too, based on the same design and platform but probably long enough to bridge the English Channel. Off-road performance will be devastating. So will the prices.