“A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE”, was the description of 2011, used by Subaru Managing Director, Darren James to describe the company’s vehicle sales. A total of only 2600 units were sold in the UK, which he explained was “nowhere near good enough”. The poor economic situation and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami took out the equivalent of five months’ sales.
For the small niche manufacturer, such a bad year could have been terminal, but for 2012 there is expectation of a far better year. And this is all because of the launch of the new Subaru XV crossover, an innovative new vehicle that is effectively “re-launching” Subaru in the UK. We have driven the XV, and were impressed (full report coming in May’s issue). Further new product from Subaru is expected later this year, including, we believe, a new, bigger, Forrester. More details next month.
Bosch has introduced a new navigation app for Apple users that the company claims will prove to be the premium mobile satnav app on the market. Key features in Bosch Navigation include ‘Intermediate Destinations’, which allows users to make a quick detour en-route, perhaps to stop at a service station or restaurant, without affecting the original destination when travel is resumed. It also highlights the innovative ‘Plus Routes’ tool, which offers real time suggestions of alternative routes during navigation that may offer time or distance savings – all of which are easily viewable and selectable from the main map. It has 3D graphics and for those who have iPhones or iPads, a decent mobile phone app has a lot of advantages – especially if you regularly drive more than one vehicle. The retail price for Bosch Navigation 1.5 is going to be £44.99, and its available from the Apple App Store. We will be testing this out ourselves. To learn more, you can watch the demonstration video at 
Sue Loy 
Why is it that impending MOT day reminds you of school exams? All of a sudden all confidence disappears and you are convinced you are going to fail – or in this case, the vehicle’s going to fail. No matter that the thing has been ultra reliable, isn’t making any funny noises and all the obvious bits seem to work. Somehow you still have the feeling of impending doom.
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
This year’s medical check-up was a special one for my silver machine as it coincided with its 10th birthday; yep first registered in January 2002. It looks its age in some ways, such as the Jeep badging losing its lacquer in some places and the alloys certainly show the signs of a double-figure life, but in others, it looks good with the interior not bad at all. OK, so the black leather seats are rather creased, but I rather like that lived-in, comfy look and they really are still some of the comfiest seats I have nestled into – and that goes for some of the current luxury models that my backside has experienced recently.
Louise Limb – contributor
It’s been an unexpectedly slithery couple of months since my last joyful report as I looked forward to adequate road holding and relatively stress free cornering after investing in new Bridgestone tyres. While I do little serious off-roading in the Grand Vitara – it is after all my only car, so it must take me reliably from A-B at all times, I do drive an awful lot of winding country lanes, usually slick with manure filled tractor tracks or strewn with windblown vegetation. I was looking forward to tackling these hazards with gusto, confident I could stop quickly after the work on my off side brake to even up the performance of both front brakes and with the reassurance of brand new rubber between me and the road.
Bob Cooke – contributor 
If we’re going to have a miserably cold winter, I guess we might as well have a bit of snow to brighten up the countryside. I do mean a bit of snow, enough to give a Christmas card look to the scenery, as opposed to last month’s blizzard that had people stuck all night on the M40 and M25. If only they’d all had 4x4s…
With a lot of garage car washes refusing to take off-roaders, having your own pressure washer is a sensible option for most mud-lovers. Claimed to be the most environmentally friendly advanced pressure washer ever, Kärcher’s new Eco!ogic saves up to 20% water usage and energy consumption. The machine also has an ingenious suction hose and filter, allowing use of harvested water from a water butt. The eco mode is great for when you don’t need too much power. There’s a comprehensive range of Kärcher pressure washers, including fitments designed to wash the underside of your vehicle. Check out the full range by going to: 
The future of Electronic Driving Aids: a truly marvellous development or a step too far in dumbing down off-road driving skills? Guess which way Hils veers!
Replacement washers for pre-1986 Range Rover radius arm to chassis are now available from Extreme4x4. These are a direct replacement for the originals (part no 572245) and fit all pre-1986 Classic Range Rovers. Made from stainless steel, they are £3.94 each (plus VAT). Check out Extreme4x4 on +44 (0)1255 411411, or go to 
Claimed to be a professional quality at a DIY price, the Eastwood 175amp MIG welder will work on steel and aluminium, and produce excellent bead quality. It welds mild and stainless steel (24-guage to 8mm) and aluminium (14-guage to 6mm). The kit comes with a free spool gun, and a Tweco style torch with 9ft of cable. For that serious job, being able to do your own welding can seriously save money, making the £399 (inc VAT) a pretty good investment. Instruction videos and safety advice are available on the Eastwood website, so check it out on: 
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