[X]

George Dove

132 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
http://4x4i.com/

For years, Ford’s Raptor nomenclature has referred exclusively to the too-big-for-Britian F150 truck. But last year it was announced that the company was getting set to give the Raptor treatment to the Ranger, too.

And now we’ve driven it.

With uprated Fox shocks and a dedicated Baja mode for dune-bashing and high-speed off-road exploits, the Ranger Raptor is a certified thrill seeker. Safe to say that on an introductory test drive in West Sussex, we didn’t come close to exploiting its full skill set.

One of the key factors in the Raptor’s character is its engine. Ford has introduced a 2.0-litre four-pot diesel across the whole of the Ranger line-up; this is smaller than either the 2.2 or 3.2-litre units which have been available on the current model since its launch in 2012, which was met with groans – but if any manufacturer knows how to get more from less, Ford’s recent record suggests it’s the one.

Under the Raptor’s bonnet, you’ll find the range-topping bi-turbo version of the 2.0-litre engine. This has 210bhp and 369lbf.ft – figures that surpass those of the much-revered 3.2-litre from the previous Wildtrak.

You’ll gain access to the engine’s torque slightly later, with max shove coming between 1750 and 2000rpm. Peak power is reached further up, too, at 3750rpm (3000 for the 3.2). We like stuff to happen at low revs, but we like torque and power wherever we find them so Ford’s downsizing may not be a case of doom and gloom after all.

And it isn’t.

But it’s not a roaring success either.

Sadly, we didn’t have any dunes off of which to launch our Raptor. The track we were given to drive on was more like a green lane, with a few rough straights to fly down – and it was here that the power plant felt most at home.

Up and down various climbs, it felt like the unit was being worked hard. To us, certainly, it doesn’t have the same easy-going nature as the 3.2. With a 10-speed automatic gearbox as standard, it takes a bit of a stamp on the pedal to eke any urgency out of the motor – it does respond with some decent poke, but you do need a heavy foot with which to extract it.

This translates on to the road too. The twin-turbo unit is more than comfortable at a cruise and is actually remarkably quiet, but the power still doesn’t feel forthcoming from low down.

The suspension on the Raptor, however, is wholly impressive. The set-up is independent at the front, with a multilink solid axle at the back and truly wonderful Fox 2.5” internal bypass shocks on all four corners. These do result in a ride that is on the firm side, but the control and adaptability they offer is immense – and ride-wise, it refrains from ever crashing about and always keeps on the good side of your spine.

This is the case both on and off-road, where it’s particularly impressive is when you’re battering down a trail at the sort of pace you just wouldn’t use on a green lane. You’re well aware of the obstacles beneath you, but the Fox shocks revel in suppressing the impacts they create.

You’re also treated to a comfortable time on the road, which is good because the Raptor cabin is a sophisticated place to be. You’ve got well sculpted suede and leather seats; Ford’s latest SYNC3 multimedia system, complete with an 8.0”-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control and a FordPass Connect Wi-Fi modem.

It’s difficult to make a conclusion on the Raptor as a dune-basher, as we didn’t get chance to, well, bash any dunes. What we can say, though, is that with its strengthened chassis, and in particular those Fox shockers, it feels ready for anything. You can tell, even at low speeds, that you’re riding on a sophisticated yet heavy-duty suspension set-up – which of course just makes you want to push it harder. As pick-ups go, it’s a definite driver’s truck.

The Raptor’s suspension is outstanding, for sure – so much so that it goes a long way to making up for the vehicle’s somewhat hot and cold engine. We do feel a bit harsh to be criticising the latter, however, as it does a good job overall. Certainly, had the old 3.2 not have been viewed so fondly for so long, there would be no complaints.

There’s a suite of driver aids which means that piloting the Raptor both on and off the blacktop is a doddle. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, cruise-managed hill descent control and hill hold are all worthwhile additions that go a long way to making the Raptor effortless to manage.

Without a more comprehensive drive of the Raptor, we can’t yet deliver a complete verdict. It’s a super-truck, however – that much is clear. And so too, to us, was the fact that after just the briefest of times behind the wheel, it’s a pick-up that’s capable of much, much more.

Read the full First Drive account in the September issue of 4×4, out 6th August.

Nissan have detailed further the specifications of the soon-to-be-updated Navara, with more depth on the economy, infotainment tech and the specifications of different trim levels.

The engine available with the updates – the same 2.3-litre unit in either 163 or 190bhp – is more economical than before, with a 40.9mpg return attainable on a combined cycle(NEDC).

Suspension changes have been made to allow easier to handle steering, plus the five-link rear setup is standard across all models now, having been added for KingCab body styles.

A swathe of advanced connectivity also makes the Navara a sturdy workhorse at the same time as being a truly modern vehicle. There’s NissanConnect with Alliance in-Vehicle Connectivity, the system upgrade also allows users to mirror their smartphone on the upsized 8-inch screen that is more responsive and features a clearer display. The Nissan Connect Services app is also now fitted, with built in 4G, TomTom maps with real-time, over the air updates and both Google satellite and Street View. The app also offers remote control of the horn and lights, plus a vehicle locator to help in Navara-heavy car parks, I guess… The system is also compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Standard wheel size on lower spec models is now 17-inch (rather than 16) with new 17 and 18″ designs, whilst high-spec models also get LED headlamps with a gloss black inner shell.

The new Navara is on sale now across Europe, with pricing kicking off at £21,850 as a CV for the KingCab variant.

 

With a duo of powertrains, an exterior restyle and upgraded interior features Renault has updated the Koleos and given the flagship SUV a new lease of life. It comes in two trims – Iconic and GT-Line – with LED headlights, adaptive cruise, keyless entry, hands-free parking and a reversing camera as standard across the range.

The two new engines are both Blue dCi diesels that’re more powerful and emit lower emissions that the pair they replace. The 1.8-litre unit combines 150bhp and has emissions of 143g/km, with the other option coming in the form of the 2.0-litre 190bhp that emits 150g/km of CO2. Both are tuned with real-world driving in mind, and their full quotas of torque (251 and 280lbf.ft respectively) are delivered down at 1,750 rpm, whilst both come with X-Tronic CVT gearboxes as standard. The smaller of the two engines will be available exclusively with front-wheel drive, whilst the Blue dCi 190 comes with Renualt’s All Mode 4×4-i.

At the front the headlights are now Pure Vision LEDs as standard, whilst the grille has been redesigned and there is new exterior chrome trimming and larger skid plates. The same can be said of the chrome and skid plate at the rear, whilst there is also a larger high-level brake light and 3D effect Edge Light tail lights. New two-tone alloys also join the wardrobe, as does metallic Vintage Red paint.

More soft touch materials feature in the updated interior, with the satin trim inserts also seeing a revision. Rear passengers will be pleased to hear that the rear seats now feature a two stages of reclining on all models. Renault have also added Apple CarPlay as standard on both the seven and 8.7-inch R-LINK 2 touchscreen systems.

Safety features now include pedestrian detection for the Active Emergency Braking System, whilst adaptive cruise control was added to the suite late last year.

Prices for the revitalised Koleos will be detailed in July, but we do know that first orders are expected to be delivered to owners in October.

 

Jaguar Land Rover and the BMW Group are teaming up on their development of next-generation electric drive systems, in a collaboration that will also aim to improve future safety technology as the automotive industry moves to utilise ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Electric, Shared) further down the line.

The merger will see the combined knowledge behind the award-winning Jaguar I-Pace and several iterations of battery tech developed since BMW launched the i3.

Shared research, development and production will provide both technological and economical benefits to both parties, but with both parties still fine tuning the products to suit the needs of their own product ranges.

Both BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will make the Electric Drive Units (EDUs) with their own production facilities, meaning that the JLR EDUs will be made at their new Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton.

But the big thing is that this could be good news for the all-new Defender!

Mitsubishi have thrown down the L200 Challenger – a special edition of the fifth-generation model.

Using the L200 Warrior as a start point, the new Challenger will be available in three body colours – white, grey and black – the latter of which match the finish of its 17-inch alloys and the detailing of the front grille and much of the exterior furnishings.

It will also match the black leather interior, which comprises electric driving seat, which is heated along with that for the front passenger. Other aspects include a 7″ screen which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, as well as having Mitsubishi’s Smartphone Link Display Audio system and DAB radio.

As with the Warrior models, standard equipment is high with reversing camera, LED DRLs and xenon headlights, automatic wipers plus lane departure warning, hill start assist and trailer stability assistance all as standard on Challenger trucks.

It also utilises Mitsubishi’s 180bhp diesel unit with Super-Select 4WD system and a towing capacity of 3.5-tonnes. It too retains the one-tonne payload, so can be registered as a commercial vehicle, whether the six-speed manual or the automatic transmission is optioned.

To get a Challenger onto the road as a commercial haunt, the manual will cost £27,705, with the automatic available for £29,105. The L200 Challenger is on sale now, and will crossover in showrooms with the new sixth-gen truck when that goes on sale in the autumn.

The D23 Nissan Navara is a good truck – which is just as well as the headlines of the new update are uniform suspension, a new manual gearbox, bigger brakes, engine upgrades and more tech as standard.

King Cab models will now feature the same multi-link suspension as used in the double cab models, which in turn has provided a 46kg increase in the payload of two-door trucks, with the rear also sitting 25mm higher.

The 163bhp engine is now fitted with two turbochargers, matching the tally of the 190bhp version, which has upped torque to 313lbf.ft, a digit increased by 16. An all-new six-speed transmission is joining the revised powertrain, with linger ratios and a shorter throw, meaning changes are less frequently required but more pleasant to enact.

Braking should be more assured in the updated Navara, with rear drums replaced for discs and callipers whilst the front discs are 4mm bigger. The results? a claimed 40% reduction in braking force.

Standard level equipment has increased with the update, N-Connecta models and above getting an eight-inch touchscreen to communicate the Nissan Connect entertainment system, with Apple CarPlay and mobile integration, whilst all models also get Trailer Sway Assist as standard.

Styling upgrades are limited on the new model, with new black bezel inlays for the LED headlights, plus new 17 and 18″ alloy designs.

Updated models go on sale from the 1st July, with the range kicking off with the manual King Chassis Cab Visia at £21,850 as a CV and topping out at £31,125 for the N-Guard double cab, again as a CV.

In rather surprising news, Skoda have revealed a pick-up truck.

The Mountiaq concept is a Kodiaq-based pick-up that is the culmination of this year’s work from the class of the Skoda Vocational School in Boleslav.

A team of 35 Skoda apprentices envisaged the truck, from the light bar on the roof, down to the winch and even the specific Sunset Orange paintwork.

It has taken the team of apprentices in excess of 2,000 hours over the last eight months to build the Mountiaq, with production starting in January. After the sketching phase was completed, the body was reinforced before the roof of the Kodiaq was removed and the tough work began. A new rear panel was then fashioned, along with new windows for the double-cab body type.

Another key component of such a shape is the truck-bed, which had to be designed and fabricated and took the overall length of the truck to a whisker under five metres. The bed includes a hidden storage compartment beneath the surface, and the longer and wider stance means that the doors were redesigned to fit, whilst both front and rear bumpers were modified – clearly, as the Kodiaq doesn’t come with a winch…

Ground clearance has been improved, tallying 29cm to the Kodiaq Scout’s 19, with the upsized 17″ Rockstar alloys and more aggressive tyres playing a part. The overall wheelbase is now 2.79-metres, whilst vehicle width is a touch over two metres and it stands at 1.71-metres tall.  A 190bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol powers the Mountiaq, which also has a snorkel, bullbar and specifically designed winch mount.

Inside, the Mountiaq features plenty of cool features. There’s a glowing Skoda logo in the headlining, a fridge, uniquely embroidered seats and a set of walkie talkies. interior highlights also match the exterior Sunset Orange.

Being students, they’ve also whacked a bigger sound system in there, adding 4,000 watts split evenly between an amplifier and subwoofer, whilst numerous facets of the car are suavely underlit to give it a real edge. The Skoda badge, engine bay, bed sills and radiator grille are all lit, whilst there’s Skoda branded puddle lights, too.

One thing is for sure: we wouldn’t mind a jot if this entered production…

Land Rover have updated their fastest selling model ever, with the reviewed Discovery Sport model featuring a wholesome interior revamp, newfound hybrid power and sitting on the latest Green Oval platform.

Inside, the cabin retains the five-plus-two seating arrangement, with a folding middle row planted on runners and a pop-up third row meaning there are 24 different seating combinations offering great flexibility. Small item stowage now has a total tally of 48-litres with a larger than before cubby box and improved door bins. The central storage is flexible, too, with a removable tray, a pair of cupholders plus a net to keep any cables or the like from tangling themselves around anything and everything. It’s base is also a useful wireless charging pad – a first in Land Rover products. There will also be Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available, alongside a 3G Wi-Fi hotspot.

There’s room for 1,179-litres of luggage in the boot as a five-seater and folding the second row flat affords you an extra 307.5 bottles of carbonated drink in the back (615-litres). Standard fitment includes a cargo net to stop items rolling about when the boot isn’t full.

There is a quartet of Ingenium powertrains on offer from launch, with three petrol options and a diesel. The 150bhp diesel is the most economic, capable of up to 51.4mpg whilst driving the front axle through a manual six-speed, whilst the 250bhp petrol unit with 269lbf.ft paired with four-wheel drive is the zestiest, shooting to sixty in just 7.1 seconds. The 48-volt hybrid option available at launch harvests energy usually lost under braking and stores it in the underfloor battery, until needed to assist the engine in pulling away and acceleration. At speeds below 11mph the engine will also shut off to minimise emissions, with the unit able to reach 40.9mpg. Before the year is out there will be a plug-in hybrid option, using a new three-cylinder Ingenium engine, on the market, too. The other options are the D180 unit, producing 180bhp, 317lbf.ft and the 240bhp, 369lbf.ft D240 powertrain. The updated ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox has been tweaked to offer a two percent increase in economy.

A true Land Rover, the new Discovery Sport has a towing capacity of 2.5-tonnes and has superior off-road ability in its class thanks to 212mm ground clearance and approach, departure and breakover angles of 25,30 and 20 degrees respectively. Four-wheel drive models get Terrain Response 2 off-road system, offering Comfort, Sand, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud and Ruts modes to keep the Discovery Sport surefooted on all surfaces. It also features Hill Descent Control, All-Terrain Progress Control on four-wheel drive models and it can also be fitted with the ClearSight Ground View technology debuted in the all-new Evoque, which effectively makes the bonnet transparent.

For a safer time on the road, equipment includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Steering Assist, whilst there are three ISOFIX fittings. Other standard safety features include front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist, Driver Condition Monitor.

There will be twelve exterior paint options for the newly sculpted bodywork, whilst the interior features fully redesigned seating and the dash now incorporates a 10.25-inch Touch Pro Infotainment touchscreen. There’s a mix of rotary dials and buttons, too, set into the gloss black interface. The three-spoke steering wheel features capacitive switches that integrate with the multimedia system and the driver has a clean and crisp digital instrument cluster. There are many responsible material options for the revolutionised interior, such as non-leather Luxtec – made from recycled polyester microfibre.

The extensively revised Discovery Sport is available to order now, with pricing starting at £31,575 on the road for the two-wheel drive model and rising to £50,000. Delieveries are expected in the late summer.

The second special edition for the Mercedes-Benz X-Class has been released, with the ELEMENT Edition X 250d 4MATIC.

Based on the Progressive model, the posh pick-up comes with an enhanced equipment list along with custom graphics along the rear quarter.

This means that the truck comes with painted bumpers, a simulated underguard in matte black, aluminium door sills with Mercedes-Benz inscription, a matte silver finish grille, chromed door handles and the useful load securing rail system in the bed and heated side mirrors. The added kit on the ELEMENT Edition includes a black roof-liner, the Comfort Pack that includes Artico leather upholstery, a set of 19″ multi-spoke alloys, LED lights all around which, along with roof rails, privacy glass and running boards come as part of the Style Pack, a bed liner and sports bar along with the aforementioned special edition livery.

Paint options include Chisana White, or a metallic finish in Diamond Silver or Kabara Black. As with all X-Class models, standard equipment includes Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Hill Start Assist, a reversing camera and stop/start function.

You can get your name down for an ELEMENT Edition at your local Mercedes-Benz Vans centre, with business users able to get behind the wheel for just £459 per month.

Hyundai have announced that their Tucson SUV has been spruced up and is the latest model in their lineup to get an N Line specification. The transformation sees it take styling cues from the marque’s high-performance N sub-brand models, plus receive chassis tweaks and will be available with two powertrain options – one fo which is brand new.

Hyundai have announced that their Tucson SUV has been spruced up and is the latest model in their lineup to get an N Line specification. The transformation sees it take styling cues from the marque’s high-performance N sub-brand models, plus receive chassis tweaks and will be available with two powertrain options – one fo which is brand new.

But, the changes to the Tucson haven’t been purely cosmetic – the chassis has seen some tweaks that will improve handling. The rear suspension has been tweaked so it is now 5% stiffer, whilst the front is firmer by 8%. Drivers will also reap the benefits of sharper steering, with the motor driven power steering software now giving more direct output.

From the Tucson range of engines, the 1.6-litre T-GDi model, with 177bhp driving the front wheels is the entry model, whilst the N Line sees the introduction of the 1.6-litre CRDi 48 Volt Hybrid unit worthy of 136bhp. This replaces the purely fossil fueled version of this powertrain, and combines diesel power with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, a <ild Hybrid Starter Generator, a low voltage DC/DC converter and an inverter. Both powertrains are on offer with a six-notch manual or a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

The N Line specification includes a vast array of standard equipment, including convenience and safety aids, DAB radio and smartphone mirroring. Safety equipment includes Lane Keeping Assist, an Active Bonnet System, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Downhill Brake Control, Hill Start Assist Control plus Speed Limit Information Function plus individual tyre pressure monitoring. Other standard features on all N Line models consists of heated and electrically adjusted seating, lumbar support for the driver, privacy glass and keyless entry and start. There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which, along with DAB Radio, is manned through the 8″ touchscreen display.

Pricing for the Tucson N Line kick off at £25,995 for the petrol T-GDi unit, with the hybrid model starting at £27,495.

Prev1...345...14Next Page 4 of 14