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Monthly Archives: July 2018

SUVs are taking over. You’re now as likely to see a Range Rover at a hillclimb as you are a green lane. As such, there’s some super-hot variations that are expected at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed this year.

Jaguar’s 542bhp F-Pace SVR will make an appearance at the FOS next week.

It will look to utilise its 4.1 0-60 time to lay down the power on the iconic hillclimb, in what will be the model’s active debut after details were released in March.

Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio Quadrifoglio will be hitting the hill, too. A special edition NRING variant will be there, too, to celebrate the Stelvio’s lap record at the Nurburgring.

The Pikes Peak Bentayga will appear at the festival too, after setting a record of its own at last month’s Pikes Peak climb in Colorado.

Maserati have chosen the 25th FOS as the destination for the world premiere of the V8 Levante GTS. It boasts 550bhp and 538lbf.ft from the twin turbo, 3.8-litre V8 with four-wheel drive, new wheel designs, as it sits alongside the Levante Trofeo at the top of the model range, which also makes its European debut.

Land Rover is 70 this year. Or so I’ve heard. They’re also descending on Goodwood with a fleet of vehicles from every year of their history. There will be vehicles from each model line, special editions and a healthy dose of public service vehicles from over the years.

Other aspects of the Land Rover presence include a record attempt including stunt driver Terry Grant and a Range Rover Sport SVR; electric Defenders for children; a challenging obstacle course for visitors to attempt and the Defender Works V8 will take to the hill.

In other, still bizarre news, WWE wrestler and actor Bill Goldberg, a.k.a. Goldberg, will be driving a Toyota Tundra up the hill… for the second year in a row…

At long, long last, we’ve had our first experience behind the wheel of the all-new Jeep Wrangler.

And it’s so far, so good. Very good.

 

It’s been mainly road miles so far, but that’s the area where the Wrangler had to improve – and it has. Ride quality is way better than before. Admittedly on very smooth roads (we’re out here in Austria on the European launch), the new Wrangler glides along with no sign of harshness or vibrations coming through the chassis. We aimed for whatever rough bits we could find, and they didn’t upset it.

So far we’ve found that positioning it on the road needs a bit of concentration, as steering feel is – well, still pretty Wrangler-like. To put that comment in context, though, we’re talking about narrow roads, driving on the wrong side, while trying to avoid aquaplaning in the middle of a thunderstorm. So we’ll come back to you on this when we’ve done some more.

The 2.2-litre diesel engine pulls pretty well. So far we’ve only driven it with an auto box (there doesn’t seem to be a manual) in the long-wheelbase model, and if it can cope with that it can cope with anything.

The new Wrangler is a lot lighter than the old model, which is one reason why smaller engines are okay – initially at least, we’ll only get the diesel, along with a 2.0-litre petrol unit.

Inside, the cabin is looking excellent. The design is not dissimilar to the old JK’s, but its quality is strong as an ox, and the layout is really pleasing. Elbow room still isn’t what you’d call generous, but the driving position is outstanding.

So, next step off-road. Quite what we’re going to find, we don’t know, because this was written from a tent in the middle of a thunderstorm on an Alpine hillside, and the forecast is for things to get dramatically worse over the next few hours. Ideal, then! We can’t wait.

Thus far, though, we’ll say this – if you liked the old Wrangler, we reckon you’re going to love this one.

SsangYong have released extended details of the new Musso pick-up as it goes on sale in the UK, with a seven year warranty, four models to chose from and space for a euro pallet in the truck bed.

Based on our reigning 4×4 of The Year, the pick-up sits on a quad-frame construction, and uses the same 4×4 system and 2.2-litre diesel engine as the Rexton, providing 179bhp and 295lbf.ft through either a manual or Aisin automatic six-speed gearbox.

The bed comes with hooks already fitted for tying down cargo, and has a payload of over a tonne. In a rather jaw-dropping stat the Musso can fulfil both the one tonne payload and its 3.5-tonne towing capacity at the same time.

Inside, there’s plenty of space, and DAB radio and an eight-inch touchscreen with mobile connectivity feature across much of the range, whilst nappa leather and a 9.2-inch touchscreen with TomTom navigation can be found on top-spec models.

Entry level EX is a work focused trim, with 17-inch alloys, manual air-conditioning and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers. It gets DAB radio and bluetooth – but no touchscreen.

Rebel spec adds an inch to the alloys, plus roof rails, floor mats, the eight-inch touchscreen and a reversing camera. Leather-look seats are fitted, and in the front they are both heated and ventilated. The leather steering wheel is heated and the black side steps and Rebel graphics distinguish the exterior styling.

The Musso Saracen offers a more premium feel, with nappa leather seating, heated in the fron and back. The bigger touchscreen comes into play in this spec, as do automatic LED lights, cruise control, and a front skidplate, bright rear corner bars, mirrors and door handles accompany the Saracen lettering on the outside.

Topping the range is the Rhino – which is limited to 100 trucks. The special launch edition is finished in red or black, exclusively features the Aisin automatic ‘box and see the skidplate, now 20-inch alloys, tubular side steps and rear corner bars blacked out. Tyres are upgraded to General Grabber all-terrains, and privacy glass fills the rear windows.

Pricing starts at £19,995 with EX models, rises to £22,495 for Rebel spec, £25,995 for Saracen and Rhino models will cost £28,495 – all excluding VAT. The new Musso is on sale now, and the only cost options are £1,250 for the Aisin six-speed auto ‘box and £430 for metallic paint options. All models come with a seven-year/150,000 mile warranty.

We got behind the wheel of a Korean-spec model in the last issue, click here to read our thoughts.

Further information has been released on the first new Suzuki Jimny in twenty years, as the old 1.3-litre engine grows and there’s a raft of safety tech introduced.

The new Jimny will utilise a 15% lighter 1.5-litre K15B unit – which it will share with the Ertiga – a seven-seat MPV developed by Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary Maruti. The unit produces 95lbf.ft and 101bhp in a vehicle with a kerb weight of a little over a tonne.

Combine the dimensions and the peppy engine with attractive approach, brake over and departure angles – 37º, 28º and 49º respectively – and the little Suzi seems like the same classic formula.

Two transmissions will be on offer, a five-speed manual and a four-speed auto, both with a high/low transfer box and Suzuki’s AllGrip Pro 4WD system.

Suspension shapes up as a three-link rigid axle with coil springs both front and back.

As standard, the new Jimny is fitted with assisted braking – which warns of a collision and intervenes autonomously if necessary, lane departure warning, weaving alert, high-beam assist, and also reads road signs.

Whilst this information is from Suzuki, it isn’t necessarily the spec that we’ll get in the UK. This will be confirmed closer to the Jimny’s release.

Jeep have announced a 5-3-5 campaign for new vehicles in the UK. The numbers come from the five-year, 75,000 mile warranty, three-year servicing programme and a five-years roadside assistance.

The initiative rolls out today, and will be offered to customers buying new Jeep vehicles and covers all models in the current line-up.

It’s a move that underlines the brand’s confidence at the moment and will offer further peace of mind to prospective Jeep owners.

Due in showroom this Autumn, pricing and specs have been announced for the new Hyundai Santa Fe.

Updates from the previous generation include a new look both inside and out, plus new powertrains and safety equipment.

A 2.2 litre diesel produces 197bhp and 324lbf.ft throughout the range, and comes paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed auto ‘box. On the entry SE trim it comes in front wheel drive only, whereas on the Premium and SE Premium there is a choice of all-wheel drive, too.

On four-wheel drive options you’ll get Hyundai’s HTRAC system, with three settings which split the power between the front and rear axles at various rates. Sport utilised a range of 65/35-50/50; Comfort uses 80/20-65/35 and Eco 100/0-80/20. The system also offers a ‘4WD lock’ which holds the split at 50/50…

The standard equipment list on the Korean seven-seater comprises of roof racks, front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera, plus automatic wipers and lights, lane assist and emergency autonomous braking. Inside you get dual zone air-conditioning, heated front seats and leather steering wheel, plus DAB radio and privacy glass.

Premium spec adds 18″ alloys, keyless entry and stop/start functionality, whilst adding the KRELL sound system and 8″ touchscreen. The safety features are increased too, with blind spot detection – blind spot assist with braking features on automatic models – and also rear occupancy alert, for when you lock up but forget the kids are in the back…

Top of the range Premium SE adds further to this list with an extra inch in alloy diameter, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and a heads up display.

Pricing for the new Santa Fe begins at £33,425 OTR for entry SE models, and 4WD options beginning at £38,995 with the manual Premium spec. Premium SE trim starts at £40,610, whilst the 4WD version costs £42,410.

Hyundai have said that the new Santa Fe goes on sale at the start of September.

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