Following a career in 4×4 design is certainly an attractive job, however where do you start? Howard Sherren visits Harper Adams University to hear how they are one of only a few that offers a specific Off-Road Vehicle Design course, in addition to a flourishing 4×4 club
Words: Alan Coutts Photography: Alan Coutts and supplied
Off-Road Vehicle Design has proved to be very popular in recent years and still remains a key course at Harper Adams University. located just outside Newport, Shropshire. In addition, the university is the only higher education establishment in the UK where students can study the topic to honours degree level. The course is designed to help students develop technical and business skills so that they may pursue careers as design engineers, test and development specialists, technical advisors and engineering and dealership managers within the 4×4 sector.
The department boasts a number of specialist facilities including a purpose built soil hall, off-road track, tractor and telescopic handler training area, well-equipped workshops and the JCB Design Centre fitted with the latest CAE technology. They also maintain an extensive fleet of the latest off-road machines through a policy of purchase, loans and gifts, an attractive asset to most potential students!
Factory fresh 4x4s are capable vehicles, but any owner can opt for a huge choice of extras and upgrades to give a more personal, customised, competition aware look. A truck designed for Challenge events can give an owner one of the most purposeful, versatile and best looking 4x4s out there. The prospective Challenge truck owner can happily outsource the work to a specialist to turn their dream into reality, whether that means supplying and fitting accessories, or completing turnkey Challenge builds ready to rock ‘n’ roll. Perhaps there’s a need to do it all yourself; many owners take a huge amount of satisfaction in doing the work themselves or with friends and fellow clubmates, and it’s a tribute to their individuality that no two Challenge 4x4s are ever the same. 
Some 4×4 enthusiasts might be excused for thinking that most manufacturers of four-wheel drive cars have lost the plot, putting the emphasis on sleek style, comfort and refined road manners at the expense of off-road capability. The truth is they’ve written a new script in which the SU of SUV stands for Significantly Upperclass rather than Sports Utility, with very profitable results. Even Jeep, the company that set the whole recreational off-road ball rolling 60 years ago, has succumbed to the lure of the mainstream big buck by aiming their new Cherokee squarely at socialite suburbia with none of the genuine utility of the original Cherokee.
We recently received photographs of the new Discovery Sport. The team at JLR are becoming nearly as good at global publicity as they are at actually making vehicles, but this latest ‘reveal’ is simply out of this world as it is linked with the Virgin Galactic space programme. Earlier this year, when the initial Discovery Concept was unveiled in New York, it shared the stage with Virgin’s proposed Galactic commercial spacecraft. It seems that the two companies have been working together on the projects, including all the testing and development of the forthcoming Discovery Sport. No less than 181 protorypes have been used, covering some 750,000 miles and 9767 different tests. This has included driving in temperatures of minus 36degC in North America, and up to 42degC in the deserts of Dubai (two major markets for the proposed vehicle). It is also said to have been tested in water depths of 600mm, inclines of 40deg, and declines of 45deg. The camouflaged prototypes shown here give little away; a quick glance and you could be forgiven for thinking you are looking at a Range Rover Sport. The actual official global ‘reveal’ of the new Discovery Sport will take place on 3rd September, which planet that will be on has yet to be announced.
If good things come in small packages, then look no further than the Panda 4×4 if you are looking for a capable city supermini that doubles as a surprisingly capable off-roader. It’s such a good package that one could have forgiven Fiat from leaving it alone, apart from the odd ‘paint job’ allowing the company to create some daft named ‘specials’. The good news is that despite the bright yellow paint job shown here, the latest Panda 4×4 Cross is anything but daft; it’s a capable small off-roader that has just got serious.
You have to admit that all this good summer weather must make even the most grounded couch potato think about exploring the great outdoors – let’s go camping! Tuff-Trek has a wide range of tents, many ideally suited for 4×4 owners. We particularly liked the version designed to suit the Suzuki Jimny, it makes such a change from all the Land Rover versions! The company also has a special introductory offer of the TT-01 roof tent for only £645 (plus p&p). It’s made from the genuine poly-oxford canvas usually found on bigger tents, and is ideal for overnight stops or weekends away. The company has a great range of tents and awnings, so check out the website.
Webcon fuel pumps have a strong reputation and could be the ideal option if you are making an engine swap, or building a competition off-roader. The successful American Facet Red Top is now available in the UK. The pump runs at 6.0-8.0 psi pressure and flows at 33 gallons per hour. The pump is certified to EEC 95/54 requirements and retails at £84.02 (plus VAT). Contact the guys at Webcon for more details on 01932 787100.
The 2015 MODEL year range of Discovery models has now been announced by Land Rover. Given the arrival next year of the new Discovery range, this could be the last revamp of the highly successful Discovery 4 range. It also marks the 25 years of Discovery, and as you might expect there’s a new XXV Special Edition anniversary model available. The XXV Special Edition notably gets the new InControl Apps Options.
In our Genius Tyre feature (
Off-roading correctly means you have a strong understanding of your environment, and this is never so obvious than if you get involved with winching. Besides looking after your vehicle, it is essential that you look after whatever natural objects you may use – especially trees. Warn has a great range of Tree Trunk protectors made from premium quality nylon with reinforced end loops, coated with Cerakote for extra strength. The straps available include a one inch x eight foot version rated to 7200lbs, a two inch x eight foot rated to 14,400lbs and a four inch x eight foot version rated to 30,000lbs. Recommended retail prices for these straps start at just £50. Further details and your local distributor can be found on the Arbil 4×4 website.
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