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Monthly Archives: September 2013

The specials – when ordinary isn’t enoughIf you find the idea of a brand new Land Rover Defender, Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne just that bit too ordinary, you might be in the market for a bespoke model created by one of the UK’s custom-build specialists. Paul Guinness takes a look at these exclusive, hand-built specials

There was a time when anybody cruising the leafier parts of Cheshire or the mean streets of Notting Hill in a brand new Range Rover would have turned heads. It was one of the ultimate ways of saying “I’ve arrived – and I want you to know it”. But times have changed. Oh sure, the Range Rover is still a superb choice, being highly praised by all those who come in contact with it; but no longer is a bog-standard example the ultimate way of announcing your success and wealth to passers-by.

The last few years have seen an increase in the numbers of custom-built 4x4s based around existing models, aimed at clients seeking the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality. We’re not talking about vehicles modified for off-road use, of course; no, we mean the 4x4s created for turning heads out on the street, as well as those built with supercar-like performance in mind.

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Hils BlogWhen will we have had enough of all these luxury, pseudo, 4x4s? Bring back real off-roaders…

Visiting Bickers Action this month for a Professional User story (see feature on page 20) was one of the most impressive jobs I have had the privilege to cover. Not only have these guys built some incredible vehicles, but the driving skill that they demonstrate on filming jobs in some difficult locations is quite astounding. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to join them on a film or TV shoot. Also during my visit, some of the magnificent trucks were out in Canada doing what they do best – I was not allowed to know where exactly or what on – so I didn’t see the complete and vast array of vehicles on offer.

But just being next to a Chevy Cheyenne or Silverado was enough to enable me to revel in the sheer magnificence of these American trucks. Yes, our Land Rovers are getting ever bigger. The new Range Rover is humongous; even if I could afford one I couldn’t possibly own one because it wouldn’t fit into my garage and probably be just too tight a squeeze on the driveway. I would actually need to move house to accommodate my new 4×4 – madness! But in the US everything is bigger and therefore for this kind of work powerful engines that can cope with huge amounts of kit at high speeds is paramount.

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JAGUAR JOINS THE PARTYNormally associated with saloons and sports cars, Jaguar chose the Frankfurt Motor Show to reveal a radical SUV concept, dubbed C-X17, writes Phil Weeden. The stylish new concept is signifying the company’s new iQ-Ai aluminium intensive architecture, which is different from that used for the new Range Rover. This new modular construction technique, developing many of the advanced aerospace-inspired aluminium construction methods Jaguar has established over the past 10 years, will enable the brand to expand the model range dramatically, venturing into new markets not previously considered economically possible. Jaguar also believes this smart way of designing and developing cars will also ensure that expansion does not come at the expense of quality or through a cheapening of the core brand values.

While Jaguar is unwilling to confirm that the C-X17 will ultimately make production, the chances of it doing so are surely very high. With an estimated 20 million SUV sales up for grabs worldwide by 2020, Jaguar would be well placed to offer a model that blended F-TYPE inspired styling with Land Rover derived engineering. The C-X17 concept shows what that final product could look like.

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November 2013 Issue of 4×4 Magazine

november coverYou can now buy a production hybrid Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. As you read this, order books will have opened at the dealers, and three such models will have left Solihull, journeying to the head office of the company’s parent company in Mumbai, India on a massive 9950-mile promotional tour. Now, it’s not many years ago that such a statement would have been thought ridiculous, on a number of levels!

The Range Rover is claimed to be the world’s first premium hybrid SUV, (see page 14) yet BMW has launched a similar option at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show. There’s also a new crossover hybrid from Peugeot, among others. Hybrids are cool, even for SUVs. In electric EV mode, the Range Rover’s electric motor provides 170Nm of ‘instant’ torque. The motor also works as a generator and ‘harvests’ the kinetic energy generated under braking, thereby charging the battery as the vehicle slows. In EV mode, it will actually travel at speeds up to 30mph, for around a mile, before the diesel engine automatically takes over. So the Range Rover Hybrid is capable of travelling for a mile without any help from the standard diesel engine. And the point of that is what exactly?

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SUZUKI’S SX4 S-Cross ON SALESuzuki’s first venture into the C-segment ‘crossover’ class will go on sale in the UK in October. The new SX4 S-Cross model will get its full European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. The first models to the UK will be the SZ3 1.6-litre petrol version and the 1.6-litre DDiS diesel option. The 4WD version will have Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-mode system. The driver selectable modes will be Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock. Prices start at £21,549, rising to £23,549 for the 1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP version.

Frankfurt will also be the world premiere of the iV-4, Suzuki’s new concept compact SUV, said to be “an indication of the direction which will be taken with the future model to be added to the company’s renowned SUV line-up.”

Wheel and tyre bonus

We have heard about a new consignment of steel wheels and Recip Mud tyres now available at 4x4tyres.com at Leeming Bar, North Yorks. This special delivery of some 1500 steel wheels range from 15×7 through to 16×10 and are available in silver or black finishes. Prices start from an amazing £29.00, so they are sure to sell well. The wheels would go well with the Portuguese Recip Mud terrain tyres. Sounds like some bargain off-road rubber as well.

Website: www.4x4tyres.com 

 

 

ADVENTURE OVERLAND SHOWIf you have any interest, even a sneaking fantasy dream that starts with the words ‘if only’, then the 2013 Adventure Overland Show is a must to visit. The show takes place at Stratford Racecourse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire on the weekend of 28/29 September. The show will have companies ready to entice you on that overland adventure trip of a lifetime. There will also be a bushcraft activity area, bush mechanic workshops, camper conversions, expedition first aid demonstrations, navigation advice, seminars and a big vehicle display area. Nene Overland will be hosting a special vehicle preparation display where the company’s experts will be there to answer all your questions. This will be a great day out for any 4×4 enthusiast, but beware – it could change your life when you realise that it need not be a dream, it’s all ‘doable’. For more details about the show, go to: www.adventureoverlandshow.com. We will have a full report from the show in a forthcoming issue.

Tyre safety

Laser has just introduced a tyre safety kit, including a GS/TUV-approved foot pump, tyre depth gauge, tyre pressure gauge, and two tapered adaptors (4mm and 7mm). The foot pump includes an easy to read pressure gauge and the tyre depth gauge and pressure gauges are equally very simple to read. As we explained in last month’s Tyre Advice feature, too many people are driving around on worn tyres, and the recent heat wave will have certainly increased the road wear on some vehicles. Worth checking, therefore. The kit has an RRP of £22.74 (plus VAT) and is available at many motor factors.

Website: www.lasertools.co.uk 

 

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