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Monthly Archives: October 2010

superchipsBuckingham-based Superchips has launched a new ECU remap designed to increase the potency of the 2993cc BMW diesel engine, as found in the X5 and X6.

The performance gains from the Superchips ECU remap are significant. Power increases by 44bhp at 4183rpm, resulting in a maximum output of 313bhp (up from a measured 264bhp as standard.) Importantly, these power improvements are realised throughout the rev range, from 1500rpm all the way to the rev limiter at 4500rpm. For safety reasons the 155mph rev limiter is left unaltered.

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sz5A high specification SZ5 model now completes the revised Suzuki SX4 range with two engine options – one diesel and one petrol. The 118bhp 1.6-litre VVT petrol engine is available in the 4×4 SZ5 model with selectable/automatic i-AWD (intelligent All-Wheel Drive). The latest 2.0-litre DDiS 4×4 is also available as an SZ5. Pricing for the new SZ5 is £14,235 for the 1.6 SZ5 4×4 five-speed manual and £15,995 for the 2.0 SZ5 DDiS 4×4 sixspeed manual.

This new diesel engine offers high power and torque of 236lb ft at 1500rpm. It is Euro 5 compliant and achieves 51.4mpg on the combined fuel consumption cycle with emissions of 143g/km.

The 2.0-litre DDiS incorporates various technologies to aid performance and reduce environmental impact; these include a water cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system which is deactivated during warm up to help reduce emissions and a closed coupled diesel particulate filter (DPF) which enables more effective emission purification.

 

William Chase, the world’s leading potato entrepreneur, is planning the next stage of his tuber-driven empire – potato power!

Chase, the creator of the Tyrrells Crisp and Chase Vodka brands, believes that waste from his Herefordshire vodka distillery could be used to make a high grade vehicle fuel.

“We have known for a long time that potato starch is an excellent source of bio ethanol, but this new scheme will tap the resources left behind in distillery waste,” said Chase.

“There has been research completed at Edinburgh Napier University that has demonstrated that ‘pot ale’ (the fluids left behind from the distilling process) can be fermented into biobutanol. I don’t see why we can’t do the same in Herefordshire,” said Chase.

Biobutanol gives internal combustion engines 30 per cent more output power than ethanol. And, more importantly, there is no need to carry out expensive adaptations to the engine. Chase says he firmly believes that vegetable matter will provide the world with the next generation of fuels.

Food giants McCain and Heinz are both believed to be exploring the use of potato peel as a source of biofuel.

 

1stThe revised Nissan Pathfinder has been refurbed to create a more luxurious feel and takes the road less travelled  

Words: Graham Scott; photos: Matt Fowler

In the UK the Pathfinder is almost a bit of an anomaly, an unusual vehicle to see out and about, but in Europe, and particularly Spain where it’s made, you’ll see them all over the place. The Pyrenees seem to be full of them at the weekends, being used as God, or Nissan, intended.

Nissan UK’s range, outside the passenger cars, focuses more on its crossover vehicles. The Qashqai is indeed the cash cow here and in Europe. You have to have a minor rummage beyond the headlines on the Nissan site to find its ‘intelligent 4x4s’. No hardcore Patrol here any more, but instead the X-Trail which you could argue is a crossover, and the Navara pick-up. That leaves just one large 4×4 in the range – the Pathfinder.

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Garry Stuart – freelance photographer

3nissanThe French equivalent of the MoT test is called Controle Technique. It differs from the MoT in a few ways. For a start, a vehicle has to be tested once every two years. If it fails, you have up to two months to get it fixed and re-tested. The Controle Technique is not conducted by approved garages as it is for the MoT test in the UK. The tests are done at Controle Technique Depots by technicians that are effectively government officials. These centres only perform tests, they do not adjust, alter or carry out repairs at all.

The biennial date for the Terrano’s CT was looming, so an appointment was made for the 30-minute test at our local CT centre in Brioux. There was one obvious fault that had to be addressed prior to the test, that of the cracked windscreen incurred while parked at a Howlin’ Wolf Challenge event. Windscreen replacement was covered under our French insurance company, and a quick phone call was all it needed to get it booked into A+Glass, to get the ‘Pare-Brise’ replaced.

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4-shockThese new dampers have just been launched by Koni for the UK 4×4 market. The Heavy Track adjustable shock absorbers are suitable for on- and off-road use, and are made out of high quality materials so as to maximise their life cycle. They are suitable for use on Range Rovers and cost £86.95 in standard form, and £96.95 in +2in configuration.

For drivers with less sophisticated needs, the Raid dampers have apposite nomenclature: they are designed for people who compete in off-road rally raids. The retail price is £149.95 for a shock that is ready to fit a two-inch lifted Range Rover.

www.camberleyautofactors.com

 

3-lightCheck out Hella’s new range of LED lights, aimed specifically at the agricultural and construction industries. LEDs last significantly longer than Xenon or halogen bulbs, and these new lights are suitable for 12- and 24-volt electrics. That makes them suitable for use on caravans, buses, traction vehicles, trailers… and 4x4s, of course.

A precision lens ensures crystal clear delivery of light and the LEDs use 80 per cent less energy than conventional bulb-type lights. They are available with a range of coloured surrounds, including white, orange, grey and black. What’s more, they can be integrated into any vehicle design.

www.hella.com

 

2-rightAvailable from all good motoring outlets, this is a complete timing belt kit for the current Mitsubishi

L200 range, made by Blueprint. For those who like to know these things, the part number is

ADC47335C, and the kit consists of seven essential components.

Suitable for all L200s that are fited with the 2.5-litre Di-D engine, the timing belt kit includes the balance shaft belt and the balance shaft tensioner – giving the technician everything needed to effect a complete replacement. The kit comes with three-year unlimited mileage warranty.

 

1-winchEver been annoyed by the way synthetic winch rope bunches at one end of the drum when you’re pulling to one side? If so, the Goodwinch Sliding Hawse is the answer to your prayers. It’s basically two fairleads, which fit over the payout for your winch: the bottom one is static, but the top one shifts from side-to-side, meaning you can control the way the rope pulls back into place.

The Sliding Hawse can be locked in a variety of positions, and is very easy to use. It’s made out of aluminium, which means it will be durable. Better still, by ensuring an even distribution of rope on the winch drum, it maintains an even pulling power, regardless of the direction in which your recovery takes you.

www.goodwinch.co.uk

 

Ann Lockley – contributor

4rangeroverWithin days of writing the first piece on my Range Rover for the August ’10 issue, ‘Kels’ and I finished our 15,000-mile/fourmonth trip, arriving back in Victoria, British Columbia in one piece.

A couple of days later, Alice Gugelev and Jay Shapiro with kids Maya and Kurt from the Muskoka Foundation came for a visit in their Eco-Roamer. Because of the size of the Roamer and the tight Victoria streets, we all climbed into the Range Rover to sightsee around the city. Near the end of the day, we came across a sweet little 1982 Pinzgauer 712w for sale. We stopped, crawled all over it, commented on it being a great blank canvas with which to build an overlanding vehicle and even discussed how to finance the purchase and build. The day ended fine with Kels parked back in the driveway at home.

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