Skip to main content

When the world ends, ditch that 4×4 and get yourself a Ripsaw EV-2 drift tank … trust us

The apocalypse is no place for tires. In a world filled with broken glass, barbed wire, and sharp debris with no cleaning crew, tires tend to spring leaks. The ominous, constant threat of death is all around you, and you don’t exactly have time to fix a flat.

So, what’s better than a tire? Well tank treads of course, because they can go anywhere just as easily as they can squish your undead enemies.

Recommended Videos

With that in mind, the Ripsaw EV-2, manufactured by Howe and Howe Technologies, might just be the vehicle to get you through the apocalypse. The “pinnacle of track vehicle design,” the sleek vehicle is fast (it equips a mid-mounted, 650-horsepower blown V8), agile (it wears pneumatic suspension), and it looks mean as hell, inside and out.

Howe and Howe Ripsaw EV-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check out the video above to see the EV-2 marauding through a snowy landscape, jumping, sliding, and plowing through everything in its path. The footage was captured via drone, which gives the vehicle a surreal, video game-like presence that makes us all tingly inside.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Geoff and Michael Howe, the maniacal inventors behind the Ripsaw, have carved out a name for themselves by supplying manned and unmanned vehicles for both military and civilian use for years.

Outside of ‘Swat-Bots,’ ‘Bulldog’ fire trucks, and robotically-controlled bulldozers and ballistic shields, the Howe bros are also known for the ‘Ripchair 3.0’ off-roading wheelchair.

A trail-ready chariot featuring two continuous tracks, the Ripchair 3.0 has a special compartment for existing wheelchairs and equips a 29-hp four-stroke engine. Simply roll in, bolt up, and turn the key, and you’ll be reaching speeds up to 17 mph over rough terrain in no time.

Furthermore, the Ripchair boasts storage for guns, fishing rods, and drink cups (of course), and there’s even a snow plow option. Talk about jack of all trades.

So whether you’re a military vehicle aficionado or just a good old-fashioned gearhead, the innovative Howe brothers are definitely worth keeping your eye on.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Volkswagen is pursuing the elusive entry-level EV with its ID. EVERY1 concept car
Volkswagen ID. EVERY1 concept car

Volkswagen is hoping to bring electric vehicles to the masses with its super affordable new EV concept. The ID. EVERY1 car will launch in Europe for just €20,000 (around $21,500) and could become the go-to entry-level vehicle for customers interested in EVs.

The small four-door hatchback was revealed as a concept car, with the production model  set for a launch in 2027. The EVERY1 will join another affordable model, the ID 2all, which will be launched next year for €25,000 ($27,000), and Volkswagen promises there will be up to nine new models revealed by 2027.

Read more
I sat in the Xiaomi SU7, here are 5 features that every car needs
Xiaomi SU7 Max SUV first look

I’ve spent almost two decades reviewing most facets of consumer technology, but I’ve never been a huge car guy. For many years, it represented a way to get from A to B, but electric cars have changed this.

The best electric cars solve many of my biggest complaints with a car, and some of the best cars are being made by brands I would never have expected. I’ve sat in Sony’s upcoming car, the AFEELA, and I love the immersive entertainment experience, but one of my primary concerns is the lack of a killer use case for many of these features.

Read more
Soon you’ll be able to enjoy Dolby Atmos Music in Cadillac EVs
A red Cadillac EV on a dark background with the Dolby and Cadillac emblems underneath.

Dolby Atmos is a pretty remarkable experience when heard within a properly tuned car cabin setup, as implemented by Rivian R1S and the Cadillac Optiq, in particular. Now, Dolby and Cadillac have announced that Atmos will be support across the entire line of Cadillac EVs -- which includes the Escalade IQL, Escalade IQ, Lyriq-V, Optiq (as we heard at CES), and Vistiq. Support will also extend into select 2025 models with an over-the-air update, although which are not a part of this announcement.

As we now seem to be spending more and more time in our cars (according to the Federal Highway Administration, Americans drive a staggering 3 trillion miles a year), having the best possible sound in our cars is even more desirable than in the past. As John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories says, "Whether you are listening to music to pass the time on a long commute or sharing a special moment on a family road trip, music has the power to transform mundane moments into something remarkable." Chief Engineer at Cadillac, John Cockburn adds, "Together, [Cadillac and Dolby] are taking audio to new heights by ensuring the music experience stays true to the artist's original vision, delivering a sound experience that makes consumers feel like they are in the music studio with them."

Read more