The 2011 Vauxhall Antara sports a refreshed exterior design, new engines, revised chassis settings and upgraded interior.

An all-new engine line-up comprises two diesel units with significantly reduced consumption and emissions. Manual and auto six-speed transmissions are also newly developed.

The 2.2 CDTI diesel comes in either 161bhp – with maximum torque of 258lb ft at 2000rpm with front or all-wheel drive and manual or auto transmission; fuel consumption is 44.8mpg and CO2 emissions are 167g/km combined – or 181bhp, producing max torque of 295lb ft at 2000rpm, standard with all-wheel drive and available with both transmissions; 0-60mph is 9.6 seconds and top speed 124mph, with combined consumpton 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 175g/km.

Chevrolet’s new Captiva sports a bold new face, upgraded cabin, competitive CO2 output and arrives in UK showrooms in May.

All models will come with Electronic Stability Control, Bluetooth, power-folding mirrors and speed sensitive power steering.

Two engine choices will be available for the UK market, both all-new 2.2-litre diesel units developing either 161bhp or 181bhp. The former will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the latter will have a choice of manual or auto, both six-speed. All LT and LTZ models come with on-demand All-Wheel-Drive and seven seats as standard.

The 4×4 range kicks off with the LT which features on-demand All-Wheel-Drive, seven seats, half-leather trim, solar control glass, rear parking distance sensors, cruise control, leather covered steering wheel and gearknob. The LT also gets the 181bhp engine, with a choice of six-speed manual or auto transmission. Combined fuel economy is 42.8mpg.

Range Rover has revealed a hand-finished exclusive Autobiography Ultimate Edition.

The flagship model’s hand-crafted luxury interior uses specially selected soft-feel natural leathers, and two, stand-alone electric rear seats, plus a rear console extension, including a machined aluminium laptop table and drinks chiller plus two iPads. Wow!

This luxury theme extends to the rear loadspace, with a super yacht-inspired teak floor with metal and leather detailing, and there’s high-end, semi-aniline leather seating and Oxford leather on the door casings, dashboard top and steering wheel. Kalahari wood veneers are used on the facia and door top rolls and you can have it in dark cherry or Arabica.

There are two exterior colours, Roussillon Red or Otago Stone, and new 20in multi-spoke, diamond-turned alloys, plus unique tailgate badging. Customers also have the option of adding the Exterior Design Pack and deployable sidesteps.

JCB is launching a new 4×4 to add to its WORKMAX brand of utility vehicles.

The new model – the JCB Workmax 800 D – offers 600kg (1323lb) maximum payload, is powered by a 784cc Yanmar diesel engine coupled to a two-speed CVT with Kevlar belt and features 4×4 drive plus selectable electronic diff lock. The steel-construction tipping cargo deck will take 400kg.

Underneath there’s a steel plate guard for major transmission components. To protect the engine during wading the air intake is mounted as high as possible, waist-high inside the front stowage compartment.

Many accessories will be available, such as sealed cab with stable doors, soft door or hard door options and hydraulic lift.

The all-new Ford Ranger will be on show at the Ford stand at the NEC, Birmingham, after debuting at Geneva, during the Commercial Vehicle Show in April. The new pick-up features Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Control, Voice Control and the segment’s first rear-view camera system.

On sale around November this year and available in three different cab body styles, there are two ride heights and four series choices. With an all-new chassis frame, front and rear suspension and steering system, towing capability is now 3300kg, up 300kg on the current model.

There’s a choice of two new common rail Ford Duratorq TDCi diesels and new six-speed, automatic and manual transmissions: A new Dagenham-built 2.2-litre Ford Duratorq TDCi I4 diesel engine with peak torque of 277lb ft and power output of 148bhp and 3.2-litre, or Ford Duratorq TDCi I5 diesel engine with 347lb ft of torque and power at 197bhp. Pricing will be announced nearer to launch.

The first Saab 9-4X crossover to be commercially produced has now rolled off the assembly line at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico.

Regular production began just three months after the 9-4X was unveiled last November at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first vehicle, an Ice Pearl metallic Aero model with a 2.8V6 turbo engine, is bound for a media test drive event in the United States before being shipped to Sweden for display at the Saab car museum.

Featuring Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system and adaptive chassis control, the 9-4X goes on sale in the US in May, UK sales start late 2011 and Europe and other world markets are scheduled to begin from August.

Pricing for the new Volkswagen Amarok pick-up, available in three trim levels, starts at £16,995 for the Startline model; £18,995 for the Trendline, while the range-topping Highline will cost from £21,575.

The four-wheel-drive double-cab is available with the choice of two diesel engines, the 2.0-litre BiTDI 161bhp engine or 120bhp 2.0-litre TDI.

Standard equipment on the Startline model includes 16in alloys, 4MOTION selectable four-wheel drive with low range, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) incorporating Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Stability Control and off-road ABS.

Trendline includes cruise control, multifunction computer and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob. On the outside there are front fog lights and 17in ‘Aldo’ alloys.

The terrible situation in Libya and the Middle East in general has had an effect on the off-road adventure travel business.

As you can see from our International Calendar there are many trips organised to Morocco, and they are still going ahead at the time of going to press.

Trip that have been cancelled, however, include Atlas Overland’s Tunisian tours, due to take place this year.

Peter Girling of Atlas Overland commented: “Tunisia appears to have settled down, however we understand customers’ reluctance to book holidays to that destination at present so we have organised additional Morocco tours instead.