The all-new Nissan NP300 Navara has won the International Pick-up award 2016 at a ceremony in Lyon, France.

Nissan’s recently-launched pick-up fought off competition from the Mitsubishi L200 and Ford Ranger with judges praising its superior on-road and off-road capabilities, strong engine performance  and payload capacity.

The new NP300 Navara underwent the rigorous International Pick-up testing process, each being judged for its off-road ability, on-road performance and its value for money. They were also tested on their ability as a workhorse, which included comparing towing capabilities.

Its robust chassis introduces a host of new features including an all-new five-link rear suspension for the Double Cab model and an impressive load bed, which is 67mm longer than the previous model.

The innovative and affordable  technology such Around View Monitor and Forward Emergency Braking , designed to further improve driveability and practicality, are unique to the pick-up market.

The Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover is making its simultaneous global debut at the 2015 Los Angeles and Guangzhou international motor shows. The QX30 joins the Q30 as part of Infiniti’s new premium compact model line-up.

In addition to its striking appearance, the QX30 offers an elevated ride height, a ‘go-anywhere’ attitude and comes available with an intelligent all-wheel drive system. As a result, the vehicle is able to take on urban, suburban and winding rural roads in all driving conditions.

Speaking in Los Angeles, Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti, said: “The QX30 active crossover is joining our new premium compact family at the right time and will broaden our offer to new customers around the world. With our recent sales successes and record growth, the current product offensive will further strengthen Infiniti’s global market position.”

The vehicle is expected to contribute to the continual increase of global sales – which have already hit record levels in 2015.

The Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover will go on sale in selected markets in the middle of 2016.

A very special Range Rover Sport first owned by David Beckham will be offered by Classic Car Auctions (CCA) in its sale on 5^th December at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre.

The 2007 car was exclusively designed and upgraded for the ex-England football captain by Kahn Conversions at a cost of £100,000. It’s now offered for sale at auction, estimated at between £23,000 and £25,000.

This car is powered by a throaty 4.2 litre supercharged V8 petrol engine and on the outside presented in Beckham’s favourite black with a striking Kahn body kit and black five spoke alloy wheels.

With every optional extra conceivable included, inside the Range Rover features a unique interior with hand-stitched quilted leather seats, good enough to please Victoria, twin rear screens for Brooklyn and Romeo to play their PlayStation and a bespoke Genesis sound system. There is also plaque bearing the moniker “Designed for David Beckham”, as well as the Beckham name embroidered into the floor mats.

The car has covered just over 62,000 miles and offers a superb driving experience. First registered with the number plate “DB1001” the history file includes a speeding summons in the name of David’s sister Joanne, to whom he subsequently gifted the car with the V5C listing David as the first owner and the current vendor as the second.

Commenting on the car, classic car specialist at CCA, Arwel Richards, said: “This amazing personalised Range Rover with its impeccable provenance offers a unique future investment opportunity. David Beckham is arguably one of the most famous personalities on earth, and certainly a titan of sport. Recent sales of celebrity owned cars have far exceeded the true market values of contemporary models and so we expect great excitement around the sale.”

David isn’t the only Beckham to lend a hand in designing a Range Rover. Notably his wife Victoria helped support the design of the hugely popular Range Rover Evoque, perhaps inspired by the additions to this very car.

Arwel added: “Everyone should get the chance to drive and own a supercharged petrol Range Rover at some point, so why not one driven by one of the icons of the 21^st Century?”

For more information on the car and CCA’s December sale please visit http://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/2007-range-rover-sport-ex-david-beckham.

The new seven-seat luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, is now available to order, priced from £69,100 OTR, ahead of first UK deliveries in March 2016.

The new GLS sets standards as the ‘S-Class among SUVs’. This seven-seater premium SUV combines luxury with comfort, agile dynamics and best-in-class safety. The new GLS features improved efficiency, extended DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the latest AIRMATIC air suspension system with ADS adaptive damping system, a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, state-of-the-art driver assistance systems and the latest telematics with internet access.

Three models are available in the UK: the GLS 350d 4MATIC AMG Line, the GLS 350d 4MATIC designo Line and the new Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC.

The standard specification is comprehensive and includes the latest generation of COMAND Online including an 8-inch screen and touchpad; AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping; LED Intelligent Light System with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus; leather upholstery; memory front seats; Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system; panoramic electric sunroof; parking package with 360° camera; lane tracking package including Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist; Keyless-GO comfort package; THERMOTRONIC climate control with three zones; three-colour ambient lighting; and heated seats in the front two rows.

The designo Line brings even more luxurious appointments, including designo nappa leather upholstery with diamond pattern quilting; heated and cooled front seats; a heated steering wheel; four-zone climate control including the third row of seats; temperature-controlled cup holders; and interior air ionisation with filter. Also included is the Active Curve System, which uses active suspension stabilisers to help reduce the rolling motion of the vehicle in mid- and high-speed bends. It also helps increase axle articulation off-road.

The interior can be further personalised at no extra cost with a choice of five different leather upholstery colours in the AMG Line or two luxurious designo Exclusive nappa leather options in the designo Line. Customers can choose from four wood trim finishes (brown open-pore ash, high-gloss brown burr walnut, high-gloss brown eucalyptus, black poplar) or aluminium trim at no cost, with cost options including black piano lacquer and AMG carbon-fibre with black piano lacquer (combined).

The GLS 350d uses a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, which produces 258 hp and 620 Nm of torque, and emits 199 g/km of CO2 (down from 209 g/km). The 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic gearbox is standard, making for greater efficiency and smoother shifts, as well as DYNAMIC SELECT driving modes.

An optional off-road package for the 350d adds a centre differential lock; low-range gearbox; extra modes for the DYNAMIC SELECT system and three additional heights for the suspension, to increase ground clearance to 306 mm and wading depth to up to 600 mm. Also included are underbody protection panels, and an off-road function for the headlights.

With a peak output of 585 hp and peak torque of 760 Nm from just 1,750 rpm, the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 in the GLS 63 offers even more power (+28 hp), more dynamism and higher equipment levels than before. Standard features include a revised AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission with AMG DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes which provide optimum flexibility, and rear-biased AMG Performance all-wheel drive.

The styling now incorporates the latest Mercedes-Benz look. The new front end includes distinctive power domes on the bonnet, while among changes at the rear are more prominent tailpipes. Interior highlights include a newly-designed instrument panel, a new three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, and a modified centre console with touchpad.

The AMG Line includes distinctive front and rear bumpers, illuminated side running boards, and 21-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. The optional Night package makes for an even more exclusive look, with high-gloss black details including the louvres in the radiator grille, door mirrors and roof rails.

The revised interior offers a spacious environment for up to seven passengers, with boot volume of 295 (all seats in place), 680 (third-row seats folded) or 2300 litres (all rear seats folded), in a load compartment that is up to 2124 mm long and with a payload capacity of up to 815 kg.

Driver assistance systems fitted as standard include COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS; Crosswind Assist; ATTENTION ASSIST; PRE-SAFE system; Brake Assist BAS; electronic all-wheel drive traction system 4ETS; ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist; cruise control with variable SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter and the STEER CONTROL steering assist function.

The optional Driving Assistance package Plus brings systems including DISTRONIC PLUS with Stop&Go Pilot; PRE-SAFE Brake with pedestrian detection; BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist; Active Blind Spot Assist; Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.

Optimum protection potential is provided by the passive occupant protection systems together with the ‘electronic crumple zones’ of the assistance systems and the intelligent body design. Adaptive, two-stage airbags for driver and front passenger, kneebag for the driver (combined thorax/pelvisbags) and windowbags above all three seat rows are also part of the standard specification, among other features.

With DYNAMIC SELECT, the new GLS provides up to six transmission modes. In addition to COMFORT, SLIPPERY and SPORT modes, the driver can choose INDIVIDUAL or OFF-ROAD modes (the optional Off-Road package adds OFF-ROAD+ mode).

The GLS is available to order now, with deliveries starting from March 2016.

Prices
GLS 350d AMG Line £69,100 RRP OTR
GLS 350d designo £78,095 RRP OTR
GLS 63 AMG £102,330 RRP OTR

For full details including prices and specification, visit www.Mercedes-Benz.co.uk

Land Rover has unveiled the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible. Range Rover Evoque Convertible combines the bold design and refinement of Evoque with comprehensive specification and a sophisticated folding roof to create a no compromise, all-season convertible.

The ground breaking and distinctive shape of the original Range Rover Evoque lends itself to an elegant convertible design and the new model sits at the pinnacle of the Evoque portfolio as the most exclusive and capable convertible in the world.

As the fifth member of the Range Rover family – and the first ever convertible – the highly desirable new model combines traditional Range Rover luxury with a distinctive four-seat design and versatile storage.

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible has been engineered to meet Land Rover’s most rigorous standards, ensuring exceptional structural rigidity, trademark refinement, outstanding levels of safety and unrivalled breadth of capability.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, commented: “Range Rover Evoque Convertible is a vehicle for all seasons. Its uniquely distinctive design and world-class engineering adds another dimension to the Range Rover family, further enhancing its desirability and appeal.”

The global SUV market is forecast to grow by 20 per cent over the next five years* and Evoque Convertible will play a key role in continuing Range Rover’s 45-year success story, pioneering an all-new SUV sector.

Evoque Convertible’s eye-catching exterior design is made possible by a sophisticated fabric roof shaped to create a crisply defined silhouette that remains faithful to the original design. Its Z-fold mechanism lays flush with the rear bodywork for a sleek, uncluttered appearance when lowered. The fabric roof is the longest and widest currently fitted to any vehicle on sale today.

The fully-automated roof stows in 18 seconds, and can be raised in 21 seconds, at speeds up to 30mph. When closed it provides high standards of refinement with a layer of acoustic insulation ensuring interior comfort on a par with five-door Evoque. In addition, the position of the roof doesn’t affect loadspace, with a generous 251-litre boot offering unrivalled practicality for a convertible.

At the heart of the high-class cabin is an all-new, high-resolution 10.2-inch touchscreen with Jaguar Land Rover’s next-generation infotainment system, InControl Touch Pro, which debuts in a Land Rover. Raising the standard of connectivity for the brand, the highly-responsive and super-fast InControl Touch Pro offers seamless smartphone integration, door-to-door navigation, 3G connectivity and a premium sound system.

Safety hasn’t been overlooked with a Roll-Over Protection Device featuring deployable roll-over bars hidden in the rear bodywork. It deploys two aluminium bars within 90milliseconds in the unlikely event of a roll-over situation to create a survival space for occupants.

Land Rover’s full suite of lightweight, all-aluminium four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines is available with the potent 240PS Si4 petrol providing outstanding levels of performance and refinement.

Diesel power comes from Land Rover’s 2.0-litre Ingenium engines which provide highly efficient and refined performance with fuel economy up to 55mpg (5.1 l/100km) and CO₂ emissions as low as 149g/km.

Evoque Convertible is underpinned by Land Rover’s world-class all-terrain capability, using the same advanced technologies as Evoque five-door and Coupé derivatives. A customary choice of four-wheel drive powertrains combines with Land Rover’s nine-speed automatic transmission, Terrain Response® system, Wade Sensing and All-Terrain Progress Control to ensure Evoque is a convertible for all seasons.

The new Range Rover Evoque Convertible will be produced at Land Rover’s Halewood plant in the UK, alongside the five door and Coupé bodystyles, and goes on sale across from Spring 2016 in more than 170 markets worldwide.

Pricing in the UK will start from £47,500 OTR based on a TD4 HSE Dynamic derivative.

Nissan has today announced full pricing and specifications for the all-new NP300 Navara – the rugged, dependable and capable workhorse with crossover-style comfort and class-leading technology that will propel the brand back to the top of the pick-up segment.

Available in Nissan showrooms nationwide from January 2016, the new model, which builds on Nissan’s 80-year pick-up heritage, will be available in five distinct trim grades – Visia, Acenta, Acenta+, N-Connecta and Tekna – and will be priced from £18,376*.

Customers of the all-new NP300 Navara will have the flexibility to tailor their vehicle so that it can meet the requirements of the toughest job or the most demanding of lifestyles. The pick-up can be specified with either a double cab or a king cab and a 190PS twin-turbo or 160PS single turbo version of the new 2.3-litre dCi engine. There’s also a choice of two or four-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

Many of the new model’s advanced safety features – including a number of first-in-class technologies – are incorporated across the range as standard. This includes Forward Emergency Braking on all double cab models; driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags; electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD); Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control (on 4WD models).

Developed with the aim of delivering Nissan crossover-style comfort and refinement to the pick-up sector, even entry-level versions of the NP300 Navara are competitively specified with an appealing array of on-board equipment.

Visia models, for example, feature manual air conditioning (4WD), 5-link rear suspension (DC), Bluetooth telephone integration,  steering wheel mounted audio controls, an AUX socket for MP3 connectivity, a USB port, three 12v sockets, automatic headlights with ‘follow me home’, cruise control and speed limiter (DC).

Step up into the Acenta, and customers will enjoy a number of styling enhancements, including 16” alloy wheels and chrome exterior trim, as well as the Nissan Intelligent Key system with engine start/stop button and a 5” HD full colour TFT screen.

Acenta+ meanwhile, adds the more powerful 190PS 2.3-litre dCi engine, 18” alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning with dual zone climate control, rear colour reversing camera (shown in the rear view mirror), side steps, electric folding heated door mirrors and rear privacy glass.

Moving up the range, the new N-Connecta trim grade puts entertainment to the fore, with the addition of the NissanConnect 2.0 7” touchscreen satellite navigation and entertainment system. This incorporates features including DAB digital radio, a rear colour reversing camera, Bluetooth audio streaming, app integration and live traffic updates.

Topping the range, the Tekna – priced from £24,293* – adds Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which uses cameras to give the driver a bird’s eye view of the car, as well as rear parking sensors, leather seats with heated front seats, roof rails and LED headlights.

In addition, all models in the range benefit from a full manufacturer five-year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty – providing additional peace of mind as standard.

Equipment summary

DC = Double Cab; KC = King Cab

Visia:

2.3-litre dCi single turbo engine with 160PS & 403Nm torque
16” steel wheels
5 link rear suspension (DC)
Forward Emergency Braking (DC)
Manual air conditioning (4WD)
Hill Descent Control (4WD)
Hill Start Assist
Black door handles
Black door mirrors
Body coloured front bumper (DC)
Black front bumper (KC)
Black tube rear bumper
Tailgate spoiler
Rear differential lock
LED rear lights
Guard frame
Mudguards front and rear
16” Steel spare wheel
6-way adjustable passenger seat (slide/recline)
Cloth seats
Rear ISOFIX childseat anchorage points (DC)
Electric windows
6 speakers (DC)/4 speakers (KC)
Steering wheel mounted audio controls
Bluetooth telephone integration
USB port
Aux socket for MP3 player
Cruise control and speed limiter (DC)
3x 12v sockets
Driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags
ABS with EBD
Vehicle Dynamic Control
Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD) with cut-off
Daytime running lights with chrome surround
Automatic headlights with ‘follow me home’
Locking wheel nuts
Rear ventilation

Acenta (additional equipment over Visia):

16” alloy wheels
Nissan Intelligent Key
Engine Start Button
C-channel moveable tie-down points
5” HD full colour TFT screen combimeter
Chrome rear step bumper
Chrome door handles
Chrome door mirrors
Chrome front grille
Door step lights
No guard frame
Chrome wheel nuts

Acenta+ (additional equipment over Acenta):

2.3-litre dCi twin-turbo engine with 190PS & 450Nm torque
18” alloy wheels
Rear colour reversing camera
Auto headlight leveler
Auto dimming rearview mirror
Front fog lights with chrome surround
Leather steering wheel
Leather gear knob
Leather handbrake
Rear privacy glass
Automatic Air Conditioning with dual zone climate control
Heated door mirrors
Electric folding door mirrors
Door mirror LED indicators
Side steps

N-Connecta (additional equipment over Acenta+):

NissanConnect 2.0 7” touch screen satellite navigation and entertainment system with:
Digital radio (DAB)
Rear colour reversing camera
App integration
Bluetooth audio streaming
Traffic updates
Eco driving tracking

Tekna (additional equipment over N-Connecta):

Around View Monitor
Leather seats
LED headlights
Roof rails
Headlight washers
Audio streaming
Heated front seats
Rear parking sensors
Front seat back storage
18” Alloy spare wheel

All-new NP300 Navara Price Range

*Commercial Vehicle Prices are OTR prices. They exclude VAT but include first registration fee of £55 and first year VED

** Retail Prices are OTR prices. They include VAT, first registration fee of £55 and first year VED.

LR_Discovery_16-5MY_Graphite_221015_03

These models give the Discovery even greater on-road presence than ever before. Available to order now, they will be seen on the roads from January 2016 onwards.

“The appeal of the Land Rover Discovery has just got even greater. We have launched two new models – the Landmark and Graphite, which offer the customer greater on-road presence and enhanced comfort to complement the Discovery’s existing versatility and capability attributes,” says Finbar McFall, Jaguar Land Rover Product Marketing Director.

Landmark

The Discovery Landmark builds on the generous specification of the HSE Luxury derivative with new interior and exterior features that offer customers a more premium and unique look and feel to their Discovery.

The exterior upgrade sees the addition of full length roof rails in a bright finish that highlight the familiar stepped roof design of the Discovery. Distinctive black fender vents, grille and mirror caps complement silver bonnet and tailgate badges, alongside Landmark badging to the side and rear to further distinguish this model. 20-inch 5-split spoke alloy wheels complete the design.

The Landmark is available in a limited range of five body colours, including Zanzibar which has been exclusively reserved for the Landmark edition and is not available on any other Discovery. The other four available body colours are Waitomo Grey, Santorini Black, Yulong White and Indus Silver.

Enhancements to interior refinement come as standard inside the Landmark with the addition of Windsor Leather seats and the Extended Leather Pack throughout, furnishing the dashboard, door casings and fascia. The interior is purposefully limited to three colourways – Ebony, Almond and Tan. The latter is offered for the first time ever in a Discovery, with Tan Windsor Leather Seats complemented by Ebony door casings and fascia and a Straight Grained Walnut veneer trim finisher.

Customers can opt for either the Grand Black Lacquer or Straight Grained Walnut Wood & Leather steering wheel with two other variants fitted as standard to complement the choice of veneer.

The Discovery Landmark is available through Land Rover Retailers for an on the road price of £55,995.

Graphite

The Discovery Graphite builds on the success of the Black Pack and introduces a modern and distinctive look to the model range with striking finishes. A grey Graphite finish to the fender vents and grille, which also sports a gloss black and lighter grey frame, blend with existing grey highlights appointed to the door handles and the Discovery badging to the bonnet and tailgate. Exclusive to the Graphite is the 19-inch 7-split spoke alloy wheel in a high gloss dark grey as standard, with the option of a 19-inch 7-split spoke alloy wheel. The customer can choose between a spectrum of nine body colours and three interior colourways.

The Discovery Graphite is available through Land Rover Retailers for an on the road price of £47,495.

Efficient technologies

The optional Land Rover InControl Apps complements the Discovery’s existing infotainment system to provide the ultimate in-car connectivity. It brings the convenience, familiarity and original look and feel of compatible smartphone apps into the owner’s vehicle, which are displayed and controlled from the vehicle’s touchscreen. The customer can find parking spaces, stream their favourite music or simply locate the nearest hotel for that invaluable pit-stop.

The acclaimed Terrain Response® and Hill Descent Control drive technologies ensure optimal and responsive driving across any terrain as standard. Add in the twin-speed transfer box  offering high and low range for the most demanding off-road conditions, and optional Wade Sensing™ technology to alert the driver to deep water, and the Discovery is equipped to tackle whatever path the customer decides to travel.

The Discovery has been at the top of The Caravan Club judging panel’s list of capable towing vehicles consistently for the last nine years in the UK, recently scooping three top honours, including overall winner. To support the Discovery’s award-winning towing capacity of 3,500kg, Tow Hitch Assist is available as an option to help hitch a trailer to the tow bar and Towing Assist acts as an extra pair of eyes as the vehicle is maneuvered into position. Safety and security options – such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing and Reverse Traffic Detection, offer the driver further assistance when out on the road.

A full 7-seater with stadium seating and over 2,500-litre stowage capacity, the Discovery can be reconfigured and equipped to fit seamlessly into the changing lifestyle of its owner. Its versatile interior with variable seating and a range of essential hard-wearing and practical accessories, ensure everyone travels in premium class comfort without compromise. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension are an added bonus for easier loading and unloading.

The Land Rover Discovery continues to drive power and all-terrain capability with efficient diesel and petrol engine options when matched with fuel-stretching Stop/Start technology and the refined ZF 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 3.0-litre SDV6 remains, delivering 256PS (188kW), 36.7mpg (7.7l/100km) and a CO₂ figure of 203g/km on a combined cycle.

The Land Rover Discovery retains its position as the ultimate vehicle for all-terrain capability and versatility, with over 1,160,000 retail sales and 225 international awards since its launch in 1989.

FIAT Professional has unveiled the all-new FIAT Fullback pick-up truck at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show. The new, medium-duty pick-up will join the award-winning FIAT Professional range in autumn 2016 and will be available only with a practical double cab body style configuration in the UK making it an ideal vehicle for both commercial and leisure time activities.

Measuring up to 1,780mm in height, 1,815 mm in width and 5,285mm in length, with a wheelbase of 3,000mm, the new FIAT Fullback will offer a competitive payload of 1,045 kg and will be powered by a 2.4-litre, aluminium, turbo-diesel engine with a power output of either 150hp or 180hp. Two transmissions will be available, a new six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode, and both will be combined with full four-wheel drive systems.

The new FIAT Fullback will be available in the UK in two trim levels with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch in autumn 2016. The Fullback is FIAT Professional’s first contender in the medium-duty pick-up truck segment in the EMEA region, which totalled 675,000 units in 2014 representing 23% of total sales in the LCV segment.

Visitors to the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show will also be able to see the FIAT Fullback equipped with a selection of special accessories currently under development by Mopar, FIAT Chrysler Automobiles’ brand for after-sales service, customer care, genuine spare parts and accessories.

The all-new Nissan NP300 Navara will become arguably the world’s most comfortable standard mass production pick-up truck when it goes on sale in the UK in early 2016.

This achievement is the result of a standing brief to Nissan’s engineers and designers during the model’s development: deliver a pick-up that offers the same comfort and refinement as the brand’s market-leading crossovers.

The result is an all-new state-of-the-art 5-link rear suspension system that respresents a technological sea change in the pick-up sector, with all competitors employing a combination of rigid rear axle and leaf springs as seen on the previous generation Navara.

The new, lightweight multi-link system gives a vastly superior ride quality – especially when unladen – without compromising on payload ratings, towing capacity, durability or off-road performance.

Found in double cab versions of the NP300 Navara, the new system is also 20kg lighter than the suspension in the last generation Navara, contributing to the newcomer’s class-leading fuel economy and CO₂ emissions.

Payload ratings are now in excess of one-tonne across the line-up, while the model also offers an impressive 3,500kg towing capacity – ensuring NP300 Navara is more than a match for even the most demanding of jobs or leisure pursuits.

James Oliver, Category Manager, LCV at Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: “Right from the very start of the development process we knew we had to raise the bar in the pick-up sector and set a new benchmark for quality and comfort.”

“The all-new NP300 Navara was always going to incorporate our latest design language and look like a Nissan so it had to drive like a Nissan too. We’re delighted with the results and believe it offers class-leading levels of comfort and refinement for driver and occupants as well as exceptional all-round performance and capability.”

10 modified Defender 90s took on 10 stages across former M.O.D. moorland against a backdrop of high winds and rain in the penultimate round of the 2015 season. Fuelled by an appetite to secure precious points ahead of the final round of the series, drivers and co-drivers readied themselves for the challenging conditions ahead.

Continuing with their winning streak, Sturgess Land Rover driver Edd Cobley and co-driver John Tomley delivered a strong performance at each stage finishing 1st in the Defender Challenge and 7th in the event overall. Cobley and Tomley finished just over a minute slower than Richard Barrow in his Subaru Impreza and over 2 minutes ahead of Darren James in his Mitsubishi Evo 9 demonstrating the suitability of the adverse weather conditions and harsh terrain to the Defender.

During first service Cobley commented, “The off-road sections are perfect for the Defender, there are deep ruts which help us manoeuvre the Defender across the track. It’s incredibly slippery through the wooded sections so it’s important to keep focussed.” By the end of the rally Cobley and Tomley achieved a good gap ahead of second placed Lookers Land Rover’s Gareth Curruthers and Wallace McKay, clocking in 1 minute 20 seconds ahead.

The battle for third position was so close that after the first stage only two seconds separated The Defenderists, Brian Palmer and Northern Ireland Racing. Palmer slipped into third position ahead of The Defenderists after stage two and held it until stage seven when The Defenderists’ driver Paul Mansfield and co-driver Richard Mills took it back having completed the stage a second faster, inching ahead by the smallest of margins.

In stage nine, Northern Ireland Racing found extra pace completing the stage in the same time as The Defenderists at just 48 minutes and 37 seconds and moving them up the leader board a place to fourth position between The Defenderists in third and Palmer in fifth.

Northern Ireland Racing’s David Johnston and Joseph Monaghan continued to find time in stage 10 and moved into third place securing the coveted spot for both the stage and the round. Having competed neck-to-neck throughout the rally, the overall times showed only seconds between places three, four and five. Just two seconds behind Northern Ireland Racing were The Defenderists who finished in fourth and Brian Palmer and his co-driver Callum McPhail in fifth six seconds behind that.

As round five closed, debate over the next and final round ensued. The Borders Rally in Dumfries is renowned for its challenging, undulating terrain and night stages, and with the appetite for third position well and truly whetted, the top teams have just two weeks before the final rally of the 2015 Defender Challenge to prepare.

The Borders Hill Rally takes place on Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd November at the Forrest Estate, Dumfries. For more information see scottish-hillrally.co.uk

Land Rover Defender Challenge 2015 – round 5