RMS Saracen – Legacy Reforged, Power Unleashed
The RMS Saracen is the ultimate reinterpretation of the legendary Toyota FJ40 platform—reborn through the uncompromising lens of Robin Motor Sport engineering. Where the Paladin pays homage to the Defender lineage, the Saracen is a raw, untamed war machine with a battle-hardened soul and modern battlefield-grade upgrades.
At its heart lies the GM Performance LS3 “Black Series” crate engine—an American small-block icon reimagined for peak reliability and brute performance. Displacing 6.2 litres and delivering over 525 horsepower with brutal linear torque, this powerplant transforms the classic FJ silhouette into a high-speed off-road assault vehicle. The LS3’s high-flow rectangular port heads and aggressive cam profile ensure relentless mid-range punch—on dunes, trails, or tarmac.
Power is transferred through a high-performance GM-matched gearbox and transfer case, purpose-built to withstand high load and aggressive torque curves across demanding terrain. Whether crawling through technical rock sections or powering down wide-open dirt straights, the drivetrain has been balanced for ultimate control and mechanical durability.
To underpin the Saracen’s brute force, Dana 60 front and Spicer 70 rear axles form the backbone of its off-road architecture. These axles, known for their unmatched strength and component availability, allow for high-angle articulation and extreme torque application without failure. Locked, geared, and upgraded for modern battlefield terrain, they’re the perfect match to the Saracen’s mission profile.
Every nut, weld, and wire on the Saracen is handled in-house at RMS Fabrication, with obsessive attention to detail and zero tolerance for compromise. The RMS Saracen isn’t a tribute—it’s a takeover. From Namibian dunes to alpine trails and African savannah, this is not a restoration. This is a resurrection—with vengeance.
RMS Saracen Interior – Where Heritage Meets Hostility in Luxury
Inside the RMS Saracen, the battlefield gives way to bespoke craftsmanship—an unapologetic fusion of raw tradition and contemporary precision. Every inch of the cabin is tailored in-house, combining African ostrich leather, game-hide panels, and military-grade textiles with the functional elegance of modern automotive interfaces. The result is an interior that is as arresting as it is commanding—built to endure, designed to impress.
Seating surfaces are custom-trimmed in hand-selected ostrich leather, tanned and treated to preserve its natural grain while reinforcing durability under extreme conditions. Contrast-stitched bolsters and headrests in Kudu and Springbok hide add texture, tone, and native authenticity to each build. Every RMS Saracen interior is unique—no two hides are the same, and no two finishes will ever replicate.
The dashboard has been reengineered to accommodate next-generation digital instrumentation, seamlessly blending analog soul with digital control. Touchscreen user interfaces, Bluetooth-integrated communications, terrain mode selectors, and performance monitoring suites are tucked into billet aluminium bezels and powder-coated housings—designed to look at home whether you’re navigating downtown traffic or desert tracks.
Climate control, ambient lighting, and audio systems are discretely integrated to preserve the cabin’s brutalist ethos while delivering creature comforts on par with modern executive SUVs. Custom aluminium switchgear, laser-etched RMS badging, and precision CNC-machined knobs finish off the cockpit, each click and rotation reinforcing that this is a machine with a mission.
The RMS Saracen doesn’t aim for subtle. It commands presence. It’s where post-apocalyptic utility meets safari-grade opulence—tailored for the few who understand that luxury is not a showroom finish… it’s legacy, stitched in hide and wired in steel.
GM Performance LS3 – Black Series Powerplant for the RMS Saracen
At the core of the RMS Saracen lies the GM Performance LS3 “Black Series”—a modern legend in crate engine engineering and the definitive heartbeat of American V8 performance. This isn’t just an engine—it’s a declaration of intent.
Delivering over 525 horsepower and nearly 490 lb-ft of torque, the LS3 Black Series brings brutal, linear power across the rev range, tailored perfectly to the Saracen’s mission profile—whether crawling through low-speed technical terrain or thundering across open plains at speed. With a 6.2-litre (376 cubic inch) displacement, this naturally aspirated small block engine is equipped with high-flow rectangular port cylinder heads, a high-lift hydraulic roller camshaft, and a forged rotating assembly designed to take abuse without compromise.
The Black Series variant of the LS3 isn’t just aesthetic; it’s functional. Finished in matte black and ceramic-coated components, it’s built to run cooler, resist corrosion, and withstand harsh operating environments—whether that’s deep desert heat or sub-Saharan mud. Its stealth visual signature complements the Saracen’s aggressive design language, creating a cohesive mechanical and visual package.
The engine is paired to a performance-calibrated GM 6-speed or 8-speed automatic gearbox, selected based on customer spec, and mated to a heavy-duty transfer case capable of split-second transitions between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive functionality. This configuration delivers consistent power to the Dana 60 and Spicer 70 axles, ensuring the LS3’s output translates to real-world dominance in any terrain.
Proven on street, track, and trail, the LS3 is a performance engine without pretense—no forced induction gimmicks, no temperamental tuning curves—just naturally aspirated reliability and torque-rich authority that suits the Saracen’s brutal elegance perfectly.
Transfer Case – Atlas II (Twin-Stick, Gear-Driven)
The Saracen production line includes the Atlas II transfer case from Advance Adapters—a gear-driven, twin-stick system offering full manual control over drivetrain engagement. With a 3.8:1 low range, drivers can manage traction distribution independently between front and rear axles for precision in off-road environments or towing scenarios.
Designed for durability and versatility, the Atlas II ensures the Saracen is ready for any application, from technical trail work to overland exploration.
Axle Setup – Dana 60 (Front) + Spicer 70 (Rear)
To complete the powertrain, RMS equips the Saracen with:
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Dana 60 Front Axle – High-load design, chromoly shafts, and locking differential options
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Spicer 70 Rear Axle – Reinforced tube construction, heavy-duty ring and pinion setup, and superior torque capacity
Both axles are stripped, rebuilt, and blueprint-balanced in-house. Final drive ratios are configured based on intended use, whether that be off-road capability, touring efficiency, or utility-focused performance.
RMS Saracen – Utility Rewired
The RMS Saracen is not just a refined classic—it is a total recalibration of what a vintage utility platform can be in the modern era. Purpose-built from the ground up, the Saracen integrates contemporary electronic architecture, precision driver interfaces, and adaptive systems—without compromising its mechanical DNA or rugged intent.
Where others restore, we re-engineer.
The Saracen’s electronic suite is built around a next-generation ECU and CAN-bus control network, designed to seamlessly manage drivetrain behavior, environmental response, and user interaction in real time. Core functions such as traction modulation, torque distribution, stability control, and adaptive throttle mapping work silently beneath the surface—offering modern control without subtracting from the hands-on driving experience.
Advanced ABS, configurable terrain-response modes, and a custom-programmed digital dash cluster put critical data and vehicle behavior at the driver’s fingertips. The system is designed to inform, not intrude. Unlike standard production vehicles, the Saracen’s intelligence doesn’t override—it enhances, reacts, and supports.
Driver assistance features are embedded with the understanding that this is not a city crawler—it’s an adventure platform. Systems like hill descent control, load-adaptive braking, and real-time torque monitoring are tailored for expedition environments, towing loads, and off-grid travel where reliability and reaction speed matter most.
Interior electronics reflect this philosophy. A ruggedized touchscreen command interface integrates navigation, diagnostics, vehicle dynamics, and connectivity without overcomplicating the user experience. Everything is modular, reprogrammable, and field-serviceable. Every sensor and interface is mapped to function within the RMS Saracen’s chassis geometry and drivetrain calibration.
This is not a retrofit of modern conveniences into a vintage shell. This is integration by engineering—a complete synthesis of analog strength and digital control, executed without compromise.
The result? A utility vehicle that thinks fast, adapts constantly, and stays faithful to its utilitarian roots. The RMS Saracen isn’t just ready for today—it’s prepared for what’s next.
Welcome to a new era of expedition-class vehicles—one that’s intelligent by design, not by default.
A Company of the
