Shion Scudamore – contributor
It’s been some time since I put pen to paper on the progress of the Bedford rebuild, as usual life filled up with “stuff” and other projects got in the way. By popular request from my family, I now find myself the owner of a Volkswagen T25 camper as well as the Bedford, although alas not a Syncro.
Temptation to convert it has been curbed by my wife and the huge cost of Syncro transmissions. This has also meant the passing of another sad milestone, now for the first time in 33 years, I don’t own a Land Rover. The Discovery has moved on to new pastures to provide some funds and time for other projects.
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
So last month we said farewell to our ES Tiguan and now it’s a big hello for the winter to our VW Escape, just in time for the wintry season.
This year’s Tractor World Show will be even more family friendly when it opens the season on the 2nd and 3rd March 2013. A great new Weekend Camping ticket allows two adults and children under 15 to camp for up to three nights on-site and gives them tickets into the show, for just £40 in advance. Exhibiting clubs are backing the family theme. The Ferguson Club, is inaugurating its own awards scheme at the show for its junior members and intends having part of its stand dedicated to young restorers. There will be a great variety of new models on display, as well as classic and vintage machinery. Stand space is filling fast, including in the improved link tunnel area that will connect the two big halls – Avon and Wye Halls – at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. As in previous events, there will be a bustling auction on the Saturday courtesy of HJ Pugh, a vintage sort-out on the Sunday, a model tractor area, a build-a-tractor demonstration and a road run.
VAUXHALL’S NEW compact SUV has hit the showrooms now as a direct competitor to the Skoda Yeti, Nissan Qashqai and the other models in a crowded UK market. There are three 4×4 models in the range: the Exclusiv, the Tech Line and the SE. Each is powered by the 1.7 CDTi 130bhp diesel engine and come with a six-speed gearbox. The four-wheel drive system is an on-demand unit with an electro-magnetic clutch. As with other models in the class, on dry tarmac roads the vehicle remains in front-wheel drive and drive is transferred to rear wheels as grip and traction at the front drops, to a maximum 50:50 split. The Mokka comes with Traction Control, Descent Control and Hill Start Assist as standard. On the road prices are: £20,990 (inc VAT) for the Exclusiv, £18,990 (inc VAT) for the Tech Line and the SE for £23,490 (inc VAT).
SsangYong continueS the recent model range with a commercial version of the Korando CSX. The van has a claimed 1312 cubic litre load volume and 433kg payload, and a 2000kg towing capability. The model has the 2.0-litre diesel turbo engine and is priced at £15,996 on the road (excluding VAT). As with other models it comes with a five-year limitless mileage warranty, which SsangYong claims is the only 4×4 van on the market with such coverage.
Last month’s 4×4 Pick-up Of The Year commented on the fact that a number of manufacturers were now caught in the ‘middle’ of a commercial sales battle; at one end the new bargain pick-ups from Great Wall and SsangYong, and at the top end the quality offerings like the award-winning Ford Ranger. The likes of Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi appear they are being squeezed in the middle. Nissan has responded to this threat with a new ‘budget’ version of the excellent Navara, the Visia. The entry level Navara Visia double cab is aimed squarely at the business market and comes at an impressive £17,995 on the road (plus VAT). It has the 2.5-litre dCi common-rail diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 142bhp and 350Nm of torque and is capable of up to 39.8mpg on the extra urban cycle. The model is available from this month. The battle for the business pick-up market is due to be a very interesting one this year!
EXPERIENCED North American overlander extraordinaire, Scott Brady, is planning what could well be the ultimate 4×4 adventure trip. As Scott explained to 4×4 Magazine: “In early 2007 I mapped out what I considered to be the ultimate overland adventure; to travel around the world and to all of its continents. I documented nearly every stage and formed the initial logistics and costs – then I waited. As with many of life’s goals, I needed to wait for the best timing, or in this case, the best partner.
The famous AA phone box has just celebrated 100 years. Sadly, there are now only 19 ‘listed boxes’ left, though none in use. And that is a great shame…
AutoSocks are a very simple, and workable accessory that can be kept in your 4×4, ‘just in case’. Very easy, and quick, to fit, you slip these ‘socks’ over your wheels to get maximum traction in difficult circumstances. OK, so you should have decent tyres but many 4×4 tyre combinations are more road orientated. No, they are not an alternative to snow chains, but then for the majority of time, chains are not necessary on UK roads. We have tested AutoSocks in extreme snow conditions and were certainly impressed at the extra traction available. Of course, for a 4×4, you will need two pairs. Prices start from £49.95. You can get AutoSocks from The Roof Box Company, call 01539 621884 or go to: 
Nigel Fryatt – editor
It’s arguable which manufacturer can actually claim to have started the ‘lifestyle’ pick-up idea, but high up that list has to be Mitsubishi. The arrival of the L200 in 2005 certainly raised the stakes and helped extend the market for what previously had been a purely commercial sector. The L200’s unique design, especially the rear door/loadbed treatment, produced a machine that people wanted to be seen in. Looking at the latest incarnation parked alongside my ultra conservative Toyota Hilux, the new L200 Barbarian Black is certainly something to be seen in! Resplendent in violent bright candy red, you only need to add a couple of ladders to the back and it could pass as some kind of private performance fire engine.
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