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Jane Hyde

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The all-new high-tech Discovery will be an automotive tour de force, but for those who favour genuine all-terrain capability and superior practicality, the current Discovery 4 will be hard to beat. Buy one now before it’s too late

 TARGET RANGE:  £50,000 

With an all-new high-tech, futuristically modern Discovery on the way, you’d think Land Rover dealers would be falling over themselves to shed remaining stocks of new and nearly new Discoverys still in their showrooms and on their forecourts, but a check of prices being asked suggests that they’re hardly being given away. There’s good reason for that. The all-new Discovery may be an exciting prospect, but it’s unquestionably been designed to compete with other premium road-biased luxury SUVs, aimed at outclassing the BMW X5, the Volkswagen Touareg, Mercedes-Benz GLE and the like. Some would argue that the Discovery 4 had already achieved that, but only in the eyes of enthusiasts who appreciate its iconic styling, the dominating road presence, and the unbeatable off-road competence. There are, however, vastly more wealthy people the world over – and Land Rover is now firmly established as a world brand – who have neither the need nor the interest to drive off-road, and seek style, refinement, performance and cosseting luxury in a purely road car, people for whom the current Discovery just looks too bulky and feels too heavy, an automotive dinosaur clinging to its primitive off-road values. The new Discovery will also be an good off-road machine in the same way the Range Rover and the new Discovery Sport are, but that’s a by-the-way factor, just as it is with its other premium rivals.

The new Discovery is still a big car, still a seven-seater, and the styling is still eye-catching enough for it to stand out among the mass of blander-styled rivals, but – like the Range Rover Evoque – it inspires thoughts of performance and high-street image rather than mud-plugging practicality; it’s lost the iconic styling themes that so caught the public imagination at the launch of the original Discovery in 1989 and has continued to do so through three more generations. The Discovery 4 may not appeal to the mass of luxury car devotees, but for anyone who does want a car that not only has class-leading off-road capability but also looks the part, not to mention boasting as much modern electronic wizardry as anyone actually needs, as well as superb estate car and seven-seater capability, it’s the only sensible choice.

Capable and comfortable both on and off the road

The power plant of choice is the lusty 3.0-litre Jaguar turbodiesel, boasting a lively 241bhp while the 443lb ft available from a lowly 2000rpm made it the industry’s torquiest six-cylinder passenger car diesel at the time of its launch. The twin-turbo set-up give it better emissions and even better fuel economy than the 2.7 TDV6. Four-wheel drive is permanent, with low range selectable for tough off-road conditions, backed up by an enhanced version of Land Rover’s acclaimed terrain response system that includes a ‘sand launch’ control which prevents the wheels from digging in when driving away in soft sand. The hill descent control also has ‘gradient release control’ which keeps down initial acceleration to reduce the fear factor of descending very steep inclines.

The Discovery has always impressed us as a towing vehicle, so we’re hardly surprised at its continuing success in Tow Car of the Year awards; trailer stability assist is naturally included.

The 2.7 TDV6 was an option in the base GS, both it and the 3.0 TDV6 originally being available with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, though the manual proved unpopular and was later dropped. A slimming of the range in 2012 saw the inevitable introduction of the more powerful SDV6 twin-turbo diesel matched to an eight-speed automatic, a combination that not only delivers usefully more power and performance, but also manages to outclass the earlier engines in its low CO2 output; it also allows the fuel-saving start/stop feature. The new gearbox coincided with the introduction of a rotary-knob gear selector – which lies flush to the centre console until the ignition is switched on, whereupon it rises to a usable position, backed up by paddle-type selectors on the steering wheel.

 Our verdicts 

Our first chance to savour the dynamic delights of the Discovery 4 was for our 4×4 Of The Year contest for 2010, featured in the January edition of that year – and it will come as no surprise that it outclassed all others to emerge the overall winner. That’s even though we’d focused on “value for money” in picking the various category winners on that occasion, which could have been enough to put the Discovery out on cost alone, except that we were so struck by its overall on-road and off-road competence and the sheer feeling of elegance and luxury we experienced while driving it. As for value, the Discovery seemed like a bargain compared with the 2010 Range Rover, which at a fiver short of 80 grand impressed us as, “the finest car Solihull has ever built and undoubtedly one of the best cars in the world today.” We commented: “It’s a 4×4 that few will afford, so with the Range Rover too much of an elitist choice there was only one other car in the running. The Discovery also costs a chunk of money, but sit in a Shogun or a new Land Cruiser and then sit in a Discovery and you’ll appreciate that some things in life are worth paying that bit extra for.”

There was more reason for our excitement over the Discovery than the smart interior. “On the road the 3.0-litre engine and improved suspension have transformed the Discovery, and it’s finally able to return decent fuel economy. Off-road it remains the peerless off-roader that other manufacturers must aspire to. Put a set of aggressive tyres on a Discovery and it’ll run rings around the Defender. It is, in short, one of the best off-road cars in the world.”

The Discovery returned in our May 2010 edition when we pitted a 3.0 TDV6 HSE against a Toyota Land Cruiser on an off-road site at Bala in Wales. We had nothing but praise for the Land Rover’s effectiveness: “On-road improvements have not affected its off-roading ability. Our Bala test site provided some extremely greasy, deep mud ruts, equally greasy steep descents and ascents plus some deep water for wading. Land Rover’s Terrain Response in mud and ruts mode just ate up the sticky, boggy Bala terrain with no slippage or hiccup whatsoever. Shod on standard road tyres and weighing the equivalent of a small bungalow, you’d possibly expect some difficulty in such boggy terrain – the Land Cruiser did struggle – but the Discovery didn’t bat an eyelid.”

The revised interior, styled more to match that of the Range Rover, also impressed us: “A sweeping dash line and a plethora of soft leather and velour trim around the windows and brushed chrome plus the more refined wood effect all create a luxury feel. The seats have good lumbar support and there’s plenty of seat adjustment and all the controls are well laid out and easy to locate. The Discovery is not cheap but you get a lot of performance and style for your money.” Our verdict at that time summed it up: “The Discovery hasn’t won so many plaudits and awards for nothing. It has raised the 4×4 bar a huge notch by making it hard for others to compete.”

The Discovery won the 2011 4×4 Of The Year contest as well with the verdict: “This is a 4×4 you will enjoy driving every day; throw in seven adult seats, class-leading off-road performance and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and the Discovery adds up to the perfect 4×4 package that nothing else can beat.” You’d think that by now our enthusiasm for the car would have eased, but the continuing upward transformation of Land Rover products generally means the only real competition the Discovery still has comes from its own stablemates; by 2013 the only car that could beat it in our 4×4 Of The Year contest was the Range Rover Evoque, because it was excitingly new, stylish and quick, but by no means as complete an off-road package as the Discovery. Certainly by last year’s contest its age was beginning to tell, but not by much – apart from the winning Range Rover Sport and second-placed Range Rover only the Jeep Grand Cherokee scored more points in the Prestige group, and that was largely because the Jeep was cheaper, not a better car to drive, nor more practical or ultimately classier.

 Which one to buy 

The GS was the original entry level, with SX an equipment-enhanced mid-ranger and the HSE the luxury range-leader. Entry-level does not mean basic; the upholstery of the 2.7-litre TDV6 GS seven seater may be cloth rather than leather, but the wheels are smart 18inch alloys and the specification includes all the main technological advances including the all-independent air suspension, terrain response, dynamic stability control with trailer stability assist, Bluetooth phone system, five inch TFT information display and keyless push button start. The 2.7 was the most affordable option, but not a popular one so rare second-hand; expect to pay up to £20,000 for a well-maintained early example, for instance £19,950 was being asked for a green 66,000-mile 2010 example at Cambrian Garages of Aberystwyth (01970 580958). However, even though the 3.0 TDV6 GS is a step up the equipment scale with its 19inch seven-spoke alloys and an adaptive feature on the automatic transmission, it needn’t be costlier, we’ve seen higher-mileage examples on offer from £17,000. It’s worth looking for something special, though, like the gleaming forest green 10-plated car with the optional leather upholstery, 63,000 miles and a full service history, going for £20,990 at Edwards Car Company of Corsham, Wiltshire  (01225 744920).

The 3.0-litre TDV6 XS boasts roof rails and edges into luxury territory with leather upholstery, the seats being manually adjustable but featuring heating for the driver and front passenger. Other features include cruise control, front park distance warning, front fog lamps, automatic headlights, rain sensing windscreen wipers, a nine-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system, touch-screen hard-disc drive navigation and an iPod/USB connectivity module. Prices will vary significantly depending on what options were fitted; £37,000 would get you a manufacturer-approved 2013 model in Corris Grey with 20,000 miles, bright pack including 20inch alloys, and DAB digital radio from Grange Land Rover in Barnet (0208 226 3220), or pay £30,997 for an immaculate Nara Bronze 25,000-miler with full service history from Guy Salmon of Stafford (01785 292840).

The HSE steps up the equipment with 19inch seven spoke alloys, xenon headlamps with automatic high beam assist, a rear view camera with parking aid, keyless entry, electric front sunroof and two fixed glass rear ‘Alpine’ roof panels, premium Windsor leather upholstery, eight-way adjustable electric driver and passenger seats including electric adjustment for the driver’s side bolsters. There’s a hard-drive satellite navigation system with voice control, and the Harman/Kardon audio is a premium system with 14 speakers and high-power amplifier. This was also the most popular choice so will be more common second-hand, it’s worth looking out for a post-2012 model which will have  the mighty 251bhp SDV6 turbodiesel engine with the eight-speed ZF transmission, not to mention the 17-speaker enhancement to the Harman/Kardon audio setup with its massive 825-Watt amp. Unique Prestige of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire (01992 465533) had a £27,990 price tag on a superb-looking grey 2012 one-owner 75,000-miler with cream leather, side steps and tow bar; I.C.E.Motor of Merstham, Surrey, (01737 644955) were asking £34,995 for a gleaming black 2013 example with just 35,000 miles, side steps, privacy glass and rear-seat DVD players with twin headsets and games consoles.

The current range has the cloth-upholstered SE as the base model, again these are thin on the ground, the £39,995 being asked by Lookers of Chelmsford (0844 659 3846) for a 2015 model, a one-owner car with 5000 miles on it – quite likely a demonstrator – may seem a lot considering the new list price for an SE is £41,600 on the road, but it does have the optional leather (worth £1575). More common are SE Tech versions which have leather upholstery, satnav and front parking sensors, Wimbledon Land Rover (0208 128 1143) were asking £41,990 for a Fuji White 2015 example with 4000 miles, a fair drop from the original £47,500 new list price. The HSE adds a sunroof, but the most prestigious of all is the HSE Luxury, which includes the front and rear camera, pay £40,000 for a 2014 model with 40,000 miles or give Taggarts of Glasgow (0844 659 6914) £58,990 – £1000 off the list price – for a new Yulong White car with the £800 Black Pack of gloss 20inch wheels, black grille and privacy glass.

ENGINE DRIVETRAIN CHASSIS BODY AND INTERIOR
Reliability is generally good, but turbocharger seals can fail calling for ridiculously expensive repairs, so ensure that the engine runs smoothly and doesn’t make unexpected hissing or whining noises – all the more reason to be wary of examples being sold cheaply privately or at auction, it’s worth paying the extra for an ‘approved’ car from a main dealer and make sure any warranty cover includes turbo failure. As with any turbocharged engine, it’s recommended that the engine should be left to idle after a run before switching off to let the turbo cool down gradually. Note also that a cam belt change is due at around 100,000 miles, and since this isn’t a simple operation on these turbodiesel engines a full service including cam belt change will cost around £1000 at a main dealer, so bear that in mind when buying a car close to that mileage.

Though manual gearboxes were available on some early examples they’re rare; if you find one make sure the change quality is slick and positive, and if you feel any shuddering or vibration when engaging the clutch walk away because it may point to impending failure of the dual-mass flywheel. Most cars at the £25,000 level will have the earlier six-speed automatic, and there shouldn’t be any problems with this in cars of this age – even so, check that there isn’t a transmission warning light aglow among the dashboard indicators, see that changes are smooth and kickdown responsive. Check that low range selection works properly, some cars may never have had low range engaged. Later cars with the eight-speed transmission may have the start/stop function, check that it works.
Check that the car sits level on its air suspension and that the height adjustment function works, since compressors have been known to fail. Listen for knocking noises from the front suspension; the wishbones have complex hydraulic bushes that are prone to damage and are expensive to replace. On higher-mileage cars check the state of the brake discs and argue £500 off the asking price if they look excessively worn or scored. Check that the electro-mechanical parking brake works properly – if it doesn’t, or makes screeching noises when you apply it, walk away because repairs are expensive.

Corrosion or fading paintwork is unlikely to be a problem on cars just a few years old, so the main thing to look for is accidental damage; for instance there might be signs of overspray under the bonnet if a wing has been replaced. Also check the sills for signs that the car has been subjected to over-enthusiastic off-roading. On high-end versions make sure the optional surround camera system works properly and that the intensity of the image on the TFT screen is correct, and while you’re about it make sure the parking indicators, particularly those in front, do work. Also make sure the rear seat-folding mechanisms work smoothly.

 Or you could consider… 

Volkswagen TouaregJeep Grand Cherokee OverlandToyota Land Cruiser


This is one of the smart luxury estates that the new Discovery seeks to displace, but with its soft and ultimately forgettable urban styling it’s a very different type of SUV from the current Discovery. Blisteringly quick in 4.2-litre petrol V8 form, economical with the 3.0-litre turbodiesel, the Touareg is an ideal choice for anyone who wants a prestigious car with good road manners and good towing ability, but without the ‘look at me’ highway presence of the far more charismatic Land Rover. It’s as good off-road as any other pretentious road-biased modern premium crossover. Latest models come only with turbodiesel power, even the base SE is leather-upholstered and features a fuel-saving coasting function on the 8-speed automatic. Comfortable and luxuriously outfitted, the Touareg loses out only in not having a seven-seat option; look for nearly-new low-mileage deals on SE and R-Line models under £40,000.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland

This very American looking estate may not seem to be the obvious alternative to the Discovery but the Grand has much to offer as an all-round SUV, as competent off-road as it is on tarmac. The fact that it shares much of its drive train with the Mercedes M-Class may provoke some additional interest, though current versions have dropped the Mercedes CRD turbodiesel in favour of the efficient and powerful VM-built Fiat Multijet II V6 unit. Like the Discovery it has a form of terrain response, height-adjustable air suspension, hill descent control and traction controls, while convenience features include a rear parking-aid camera and a panoramic sunroof. The luxurious leather-clad interior of the range-topping Summit, with its cutting-edge electronic driving aids, suits the £52,000 new-car price which puts it right in upper Discovery territory, but bargains abound in the form of the many nearly-new 2015 examples available for around £42,000.

Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible

On the face of it the Toyota has almost as much to offer as the Discovery, but appearances can be deceptive – from behind the wheel it feels disappointingly dated, as if Toyota are afraid of developing it too far from its off-roading roots. Latest versions use a new super-efficient 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, economical but hardly exciting in the performance department. Good equipment includes a copycat terrain response system and top models have surround-view cameras, electrically modulated suspension and a premium 14-speaker hi-fi system. The Land Cruiser also offers seven seats in its higher-specification versions and although the tailgate is a one-piece lift-up type the glass window panel can be lifted separately for convenience when loading small items. It’s not exactly a cheap alternative to the Discovery, but look out for good offers as dealers seek to clear stocks of 2015 models with the older 3.0-litre turbodiesel.

189624_Volvo_XC90_Drive_Me_test_vehicleThe multi-billion pound motor insurance industry faces a period of radical restructuring as a result of the advent of autonomously driving cars, with the number of crashes set to drop by 80 per cent by 2035* and insurance premiums set to plummet.

Research by Swiss Re and HERE** calculated that autonomous drive (AD) technologies could wipe $20bn off insurance premiums globally by 2020 alone. At present, motor insurance generates 42 per cent of all non-life gross premiums, the largest single slice of global premiums**.

Volvo Cars believes that the insurance industry will have no choice but to react to these seismic challenges to its existing business model.

“The medium-to-long-term impact on the insurance industry is likely to be significant. But let’s not forget the real reason for this – fewer accidents, fewer injuries, fewer fatalities. Autonomous drive technology is the single most important advance in automotive safety to be seen in recent years,” according to Hakan Samuelsson, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars.

Peter Shaw, chief executive at Thatcham Research, said: “Vehicle manufacturers are predicting that highly autonomous vehicles, capable of allowing the driver to drop ‘out of the loop’ for certain sections of their journey, will be available from around 2021. Without doubt, crash frequency will also dramatically reduce. We’ve already seen this with the adoption of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) on many new cars. Research in the US by NHTSA predicts that by 2035, as a result of autonomous and connected cars, crashes will be reduced by 80 per cent. Additionally, if a crash unfortunately can’t be avoided, then the impact speed will also drop as a result of the system’s performance – reducing the severity of the crash.”

Volvo Cars is fully committed to maximising the safety benefits of AD cars. It announced last week that it will start the UK’s most extensive AD trial, entitled Drive Me London, in 2017, with up to 100 AD cars being driven on real roads by real people, part of its global push to develop AD cars with similar programmes to be run in Sweden and China.

“The automotive industry cannot do this on its own,” Mr Samuelsson will tell the gathered audience. “We need the government’s help. It is essential that car makers work with the government to put in place laws and regulations that allow us to get these cars on the road as soon as possible and start saving lives.”

Sajid Javid, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “Driverless cars will see our journeys become faster, cleaner and safer. The UK is leading the way in developing the technology needed to make this a reality thanks to our world-class research base, and these types of trials will become increasingly common.

“Such advances in technology prove the fourth industrial revolution is just around the corner, and our determination to be at the forefront is why we are attracting top names from across the globe for real-world testing.”

Mr Samuelsson will say that he looks forward to working with the UK government to ensure that this technology can be introduced as soon as possible.

“The advent of autonomous driving represents a revolution for automotive safety,” Mr Samuelsson will say. “Volvo has a vision that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020. Autonomous drive technology is a key tool in helping us achieve this aim.”

* Research in the US by NHTSA
** ‘The future of motor insurance – How in-car connectivity and ADAS are impacting the market’, Swiss Re/HERE, 2016 

A Special Camp Jeep® to celebrate 75 years of history

A Special Camp Jeep® to celebrate 75 years of history

The third Camp Jeep®, the annual gathering for Jeep Owners Group members and enthusiasts from across Europe will take place on June 2nd-5th in Bassella, in the heart of Lleida, Spain. Dates were chosen to celebrate the birthday of the brand on June 5th, remembering when in 1941, the first Willys MA rolled off the assembly line.

Being the largest single-brand 4×4 customer event in Europe, Camp Jeep is a tribute to the owners of the world’s most famous 4×4 vehicle and this special ‘Jubilee edition’ represents the celebration of  the icon brand that pioneered new segments and new models within the SUV industry.

Launched in August 2014, the JOG is ‘the one and only’ official fan club, run centrally by the brand, and is now active in 24 countries across the EMEA region with 64,000 members.

This year, around 400 Jeep vehicles and over 2,500 Jeep enthusiasts are expected to take part in the four days of 4×4 adventure, freedom and outdoor activities in a pure “Jeep Jamboree” style.

In the United States, Jamborees are actually get-togethers dedicated to 4×4 driving, to live the emotional side of the big Jeep family, offering the chance to enjoy the adventurous spirit and the unique 4×4 capability of the legendary iconic brand in nature’s wilderness.

Since 1953, when the first Jamboree was organised on the legendary Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains, these events have been an important part of the brand’s heritage creating the concept of social networking, before the first social network was officially invented. Participants of Camp Jeep will test the ‘go-anywhere, do-anything’ capabilities of their Jeep vehicles in a unique and scenic environment and share their experiences with other enthusiasts.

But this special year required a special happening and for the very first time, two of the most amazing concept cars ever created for the Moab Easter Jeep Safari will cross the Atlantic and join the Camp Jeep in Spain. These two hero vehicles will be the functional Jeep Comanche and the high performance Jeep Trailcat, two unique concept cars created for the 50th edition of the Easter Jeep Safari, the 4×4 driving event attracting each year thousands of diehard off-road enthusiasts to Moab (Utah). Nodding to Jeep pickup trucks of the past, the Renegade based Comanche concept vehicle takes styling cues from military and civilian Jeep heritage models, while the Jeep Trailcat concept car is a high performance off-road vehicle featuring a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® Hellcat V-8 engine with 707-horsepower.

While attendees of Camp Jeep will bring their own vehicles, the new 75th Anniversary special editions created to celebrate the brand’s 75 years of history, will be showcased to all participants for the first time after their reveal at the recent Geneva Auto Show. Guests will also have the chance to learn about, and drive the entire Jeep range including Grand Cherokee, the most awarded SUV ever, the iconic Wrangler, Renegade, the compact SUV that boasts the best off-road performance in its segment and Cherokee, the unique combination of legendary Jeep 4×4 capability and cutting-edge design.

All the master pieces of Jeep concept cars and Moparized vehicles will be also showcased during the four-day 2016 Camp Jeep.  In addition, and to enhance Jeep’s legendary heritage linking the models of today to those of yesterday, several special historical vehicles will be on display at Camp Jeep: the unstoppable 1941 Willys-Overland MB, the 1946 Willys Wagon, the industry’s first “sport-utility” vehicle and the  1963 Jeep Wagoneer, the first “Premium Large SUV.”

Participants will have access to all Camp Jeep’s activities, including off-road driving in three dedicated areas with trails stretching across almost 50 km of the location and presenting different levels of difficulty and duration, as well as Jeep Academy coaching.

Besides off-road driving, a wide range of activities will be offered at Camp Jeep, such as canoeing, beach volley and even yoga and Flamenco courses. Last but not least, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the brand, a surprise international artist will perform on stage, as the final moment of celebration.

160224_Jeep_Cherokee_75th_Anniversary_01A new limited edition range of Jeep vehicles is being launched to celebrate the legendary brand’s 75th Anniversary.

The special versions feature exclusive branding, a high level of standard equipment, special styling details, unique green paint finishes (among other colour choices) and unique ‘75th Anniversary’ badging.

Just 8,000 of the limited edition cars will be built for the entire Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Celebratory editions of Jeep’s popular Renegade and iconic Cherokee will be the first models to arrive in the UK, with the most awarded SUV ever, the Grand Cherokee, and the ‘go anywhere, do anything’ Wrangler following later in the year.

All 75th Anniversary models are distinguished by a new livery, a 75th Anniversary badge, low gloss bronze wheels, bronze and orange exterior inserts and exclusive interiors with seats sporting the 75th Anniversary logo in relief (with the exception of Renegade) .

The Renegade 75th Anniversary sports a unique Jungle Green livery and comes equipped with either a 1.4-litre turbo MultiAir II 170 hp engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission or a 2.0-litre MultiJet II 140 hp engine with a choice of either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission and class exclusive Active Drive and Active Drive Low 4×4 systems. Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, the exclusive MySky sunroof with removable panels, bronze-coloured fog lamp bezels, roof rails, and new, specific fabric seats in either Black or Black and Sandstorm cloth with Tangerine stitching.

Jeep’s Cherokee 75th Anniversary comes in Recon Green and is powered by the new MultiJet II 2.2-litre 200 hp turbo diesel engine with either Jeep Active Drive I 4×4 system or Active Drive II with two-speed power transmission units and low mode. Nappa leather seats with dual tone Tangerine/Pearl stitching, 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen radio, bi-xenon headlamps, heated steering wheel and dual pane panoramic sunroof, are among the standard equipment.

The iconic Jeep Wrangler has received similar treatment. The 75th Anniversary edition for this model boasts a Sarge Green body and comes equipped with either a 2.8-litre 200 hp turbo diesel or a 3.6-litre 284 hp petrol engine. Standard equipment includes body-colour grille, low gloss bronze headlamp surrounds and grille throats, Power Dome hood with functional air vents, navigation with premium sound system, Ombre Mesh leather seats and body-colour dual top.

The line-up is completed by the Jeep Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary also featuring Recon Green paint finish. Powered by the 3.0-litre V-6 MultiJet 250 hp engine, it is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Equipment is comprehensive and includes 20-inch light alloy wheels, navigation system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and Quadra-Lift air suspension that adjusts ground clearance to five different levels for improved driving dynamics on and off-road. A Nappa leather interior will be available in Morocco Black.

At launch the new Jeep Renegade 75th Anniversary edition will cost from £26,795 OTR, while the new Cherokee 75th Anniversary edition will cost from £38,945 OTR. Prices for the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee versions will be announced later in the year.

“It’s a Jeep tradition to celebrate key anniversaries, and 2016 is no exception,” says Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK. “Born in 1941, the Jeep brand has a rich heritage which this new line-up of special cars brilliantly acknowledges.

“One of the special features of these 75th Anniversary cars will be the unique green colours, but the choice does not stop there. There are several other paints to choose from, along with a range of options which will help owners to make their special cars even more distinctive.”

www.jeep.co.uk

 

tiguanORDER BOOKS FOR Volkswagen’s new Tiguan are now open in the UK. While the model initially looks very similar to the version it is replacing, it is claimed that the new Tiguan is ‘new from the ground up’. It is now built on the new MQB platform (like other manufacturers, this is a flexible floorpan that can be ‘tweaked’ so as to be used by other models in the range. This is now a standard global manufacturer tactic, obviously keeping costs down and allowing greater speed at building new models). The new Tiguan is actually 33mm lower, yet 30mm wider and 60mm longer than its predecessor, it also has a longer wheelbase. The result is improved head and legroom. The UK Tiguan range will include three new petrol engines, ranging from 125PS to 180PS, together with four new diesel engines ranging from 115PS to 240PS. These are all EU6-compliant, more powerful and more fuel efficient than before. The trim levels will follow VW’s standard badging or S, SE, SE Navigation, SEL and R-Line. Detailed prices have not been announced, with models due in the UK this summer, but it is expected to be priced at around £22,000. Sadly, however, it does not look as though there with be an ‘off-road capable’ Escape version anymore. Big shame.

shutterstock_156640304AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY has reported that 77 per cent members of the Society Of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) say that remaining in Europe is best for their business. The survey was completed by independent pollster ComRes. The SMMT represents a broad breadth of UK automotive businesses (both car and CV) as well as parts and aftermarket companies, and it is claimed that it supports 800,000 jobs across the UK and contributes £15.5billion to the UK economy. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive has reported: “The message from UK Automotive is clear – being in Europe is vital for the future of this industry and to secure jobs, investment and growth. UK Automotive is thriving, with record car exports, new registrations and the highest manufacturing levels for a decade. Our members have clearly stated that pulling out of Europe could jeopardise this.”

For many, the appeal of this stylistically unremarkable Nissan is something of a mystery, but it’s rapidly become the world’s favourite SUV. You’ll have to work hard to find a four-wheel drive as versions are rare, and you probably won’t want to drive it very far off-road, but there are other reasons to consider the ubiquitous Qashqai

 TARGET RANGE:  £5,000 – £25,000 

The Qashqai has to be one of the most surprising success stories of our age. Not only has it been the only SUV to consistently feature in the top ten best-sellers list in the UK, demand worldwide has been so great that the Sunderland factory has been churning them out at the rate of nearly one a minute, with over half a million of the latest-generation models built in less than two years since its launch.

What is it that makes this car so popular? The styling is as mainstream as it gets and we’ve always considered the interior to be the most uninteresting we’ve ever been in, but then we are off-road enthusiasts and tend to look for the traditional off-road hints that nowadays are really only visible in Land Rovers, Jeeps and a few hard-core Toyotas. As with most other modern SUVs, four-wheel drive is no longer the essential requirement, so most versions of the Qashqai, particularly those with the smaller, more efficient engines and transmissions, are front-drive only. Even so, it’s hard to see the Qashqai appealing to everyday motorists on account of its styling alone, so we’re left with the feeling that it’s just plain good marketing with eye-catching advertising, wide availability and keen pricing that have won this car so much favour. Whatever the reason, the popularity of the Qashqai means a huge selection of second-hand models to choose from – just check that the one you’ve laid eyes on at that local dealership actually does have four-wheel drive.

When it was launched in 2007, the Qashqai was a conventional five-door five-seater, but a year later the Qashqai+2 appeared, with a longer wheelbase and longer body to incorporate a third row of seats, though in fairness these are only big enough to accommodate children. Otherwise the Qashqai+2 is mechanically identical to the original. Either version could be specified with 1.5 dCi turbodiesel or 1.6-litre petrol power, but 4WD versions were available only with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbodiesel engines. These in turn could be specified with either six-speed manual or automatic transmission, a conventional six-speed type in the dCi turbodiesel or a CVT type with the petrol engine, this latter combination promising to be more economical than the manual. The four-wheel drive system is amusingly described as All Mode, which is a lie since it doesn’t have the key off-road feature of low range gearing; however, the system does mean the Qashqai drives through the front wheels when the going’s good but seamlessly adds drive to the rear wheels when required in slippery conditions; there’s also a lock function that engages 4×4 permanently at low speed to help with more tortuous off-road conditions.

A facelift for the 2010 model year saw a front-end restyle aimed at giving the Qashqai a better air of sophistication and enhanced street presence. The bonnet is restyled, along with the bumper, grille and headlamp treatment, while the rear features red LEDs in the tail light in place of the conventional bulb of the original. The dashboard design is also better, with more oddment storage. Top models get a speed limiter and the Tekna gets quality Bose speakers.

One of the more controversial enhancements for 2010 was the installation of diesel particular filters in the exhaust systems of turbodiesel variants. While undoubtedly effective in improving the quality of diesel exhausts the DPF has an annoying tendency, especially in cars used almost exclusively for short city drives, of clogging up and disrupting engine performance.

More significantly in late 2011 the 1.6 dCi engine was made available with 4WD offering improved economy, especially when specified with the stop-start system. Ultimately only this and the 2.0-litre dCi were offered.
The current model from 2014 is available only with the 1.6 dCi unit, and brings the Qashqai right up to date with the latest technological driving aids. Nissan’s ‘Safety Shield’ features on high-specification versions include forward emergency braking traffic sign recognition and parking assistance. What it doesn’t offer is the seven-seater option since it’s built on a new compact floorpan, but refinement is better and the braked trailer rating is up from 1400kg to 1800kg.

 Our verdicts 

Nissan is only one of many manufacturers who’ve claimed to have invented the crossover concept. The Qashqai was something of a late arrival in that respect, but we still felt the need to explain Nissan’s thinking in replacing the conventional but nevertheless popular Almera and Primera hatches with a more unconventionally-styled car belonging in the more niche-like SUV corner of the market. In our introductory report on the new car, in the April 2007 issue, we explained: “Nissan’s research shows drivers of mid-range family cars want something other than a traditional hatch, saloon or mumsy MPVs. Nissan decided they’d like something that looks like an SUV, but doesn’t necessarily need a 4×4 drivetrain. This is that car.” Were they right in shrugging off the traditional hatch image? The best-selling cars in the UK last year were the totally traditional Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf – but the new Qashqai was right in there in fifth spot. We didn’t foresee that level of success at the time, mainly because we weren’t sure about the styling. We wrote: “The snub nose, raised haunches, well-defined wheel arches and protruding bonnet ‘muscles’ set the Nissan apart from its dumpy Korean 4×4 rivals. The rear three-quarter view even has more than a whiff of Audi Q7 or Hyundai Santa Fe about it. Shame the effect is spoilt by the flowing waistline terminating at such bug-eyed headlamps.”

We summed up the situation in the March issue of 2008, when we published our first road test of the Qashqai: “The ever-changing face of 4×4 motoring has never been so eclectic…”, which made it quite difficult at that time to find suitable rivals for the Nissan: is it a crossover? An SUV? A soft-roader? The answer is none of these, though the 4×4 version has SUV pretensions. Hence in our comparison we pitted it against another oddball city pose vehicle, the Jeep Patriot, and the slightly more off-roady Hyundai Tucson. We decided the Jeep was affordable and spacious but didn’t like the plasticky interior; the Tucson was cheap but dated with a dull interior, which left the Qashqai an easy winner with its quality feel and practical loadspace. We said: “It drives as smoothly as a premium sector saloon with a smooth ride, sharp handling and refined engine performance.” It fared less well as an off-roader – the best we could say about it was that, “it’s no greenlaner.” In October of that year we welcomed the arrival of the seven-seater Qashqai+2; We reported Nissan’s claims that the +2 is not geared for adventurous off-roading: “The All-mode 4×4 system provides enhanced ‘family-safe’ traction on icy or mud-covered tarmac roads.”

We damned the Qashqai with faint praise when it featured in our 4×4 Of The Year comparison for 2009. We described it as, “another crossover variation that’s introduced the term ‘urban SUV’ to the UK 4×4 market. The Qashqai is selling like hot cakes thanks to keen pricing, though most of the range is 2WD-only. Though a tad dumpy in appearance this city-friendly 4×4 is roomier than a des-res flat in Knightsbridge and can carry a lot more luggage than a hotel bellboy, while build quality and equipment count is closer to prestige levels. Not expected to tackle anything more than a soggy field or a stony track.”

In the Winter 2013 issue our 4×4 Of The Year feature included the 360, the last significant addition to the Qashqai range before the arrival of the all-new 2014 model. Apart from describing the all-round parking-assist view afforded by the four-camera setup, we at last made our true feelings about the Qashqai’s interior known: “We can’t help wondering if the popularity of the Qashqai has something to do with the understated interior which must appeal to the many who can’t cope with having lots of gadgets and switches to play with. The styling of the interior is ordinary to the extent of being quite dull, particularly in the mass of plain plastic of the heavy-looking dash panel.”

Our final comment on the latest model may suggest we’re out of touch with motoring reality, considering the sheer public popularity of the Qashqai. It’s partly because we are – to repeat the point yet again – off-road enthusiasts so can’t take the Nissan seriously as a 4×4, but it’s also partly because we’re driving enthusiasts, and the Qashqai doesn’t kick our butts there, either. In our 4×4 Of the Year comparison for 2016, published in the recent Winter edition, we commented: “With the lusty 128bhp engine the Qashqai performs well, but it can hardly be described as a car that’s exciting or memorable to drive. It’s a car you drive because it’s a requirement for efficient family transport rather than one that demands to be taken out on a Sunday afternoon just for the thrill of it.”

Not saying we’re wrong, but the many thousands of satisfied Qashqai drivers can’t be wrong either, so if a popular, well-equipped, practical and roomy family car is what you want, a Qashqai might be the ideal choice.

 Which one to buy 

There were originally three equipment grades, all well-equipped with electric windows front and rear, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, Bluetooth integration, air conditioning and remote central locking. Even the entry-level Visia has a trip computer and stereo, front, side and roof airbags and automatic door locking. Hard to say how much you’d pay for an early one of these, since we haven’t seen any on sale anywhere, but around £3000 for a well-maintained one would be a fair guess. The mid-range Acenta has rain sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, cruise control, rear park distance sensors and remote controls for the stereo. The air conditioning is upgraded to a dual-zone system and there’s a six-disc autochanger in the dash. Expect to pay up to £10,000 for a reasonable-mileage later example with a good service history, earlier examples are significantly cheaper, we spotted an ’08 model with 86,000 miles on it but with a full service history on offer for £4993 at GP Cars of Hatfield (01992 843852).

The range-topping Tekna gets the panoramic sunroof as standard along with Xenon headlamps, front fog lamps, 17inch alloys and an added touch of luxury in the leather upholstery with heated front seats. Brand Trading of  Westwood, Nottingham (01773 607808) was offering a 73,000-mile 2010 metallic silver car with the 2.0 dCi engine, full service history, four new tyres and a year’s MOT for £9750.

The facelift for the 2010 model year saw the arrival of the N-Tec, the key equipment upgrade (shared with the Tekna) being the Nissan Connect system which integrates Bluetooth connectivity with a five-inch touch screen satnav and upgraded stereo with MP3 and USB connectivity and a colour reversing aid camera. The N-Tec also has 18inch alloys to offset the rear privacy glass and satin silver roof rails. What you’ll pay for one will depend on condition and mileage: we spotted a 2011 2.0 dCi with just 23,000 miles going for a smidgeon under £14,000 at KC Jones of Oswestry (01691 721964).

Petrol examples are rare, but potentially less troublesome than an older turbodiesel – no turbocharger or DPF filter to go wrong – so worth considering if you don’t do a high annual mileage; we saw a smart one owner 2010 Tekna in creamy-brown Caffe Latte with 32,000 miles on it, with the CVT transmission, going for £12,000 at Available Car of Cannock (0800 804 6503). Whether you’ll choose a 360 over an N-Tec or Tekna is almost purely a matter of whether you need the gimmicky all-round camera parking aid; there are dozens of used 2013 360s around, but very few are 4WD versions; we did see a Storm White example at MJA Car Sales of Walton (01932 509944) for £18,000.

Best buys must be the many nearly-new models being offered at good discounts by dealers nationwide – many of them 4x4s ordered in expectation that four-wheel drive versions would have more appeal, but ending up ‘on the shelf’ as 2WD versions proved more popular. Look out particularly for ex-demonstrators, many of which will have had optional extras fitted and will therefore be better value than their face-value price may suggest. High-specification versions are particularly worth looking at – we’ve seen several 1.6 dCi Tekna models, original list price over £26,000, going for anything from £20,000 with under 5000 miles on them. One of the keenest deals we saw was the £27,290 being asked for a red 2015 Tekna, an ex-demonstrator with 5000 miles and over £3000 worth of extras, including the protection pack, 19inch black alloys, detachable tow bar, hood deflector, illuminated side bars, sports pack and chrome design pack, a Nissan Cared4 vehicle on sale at Trenton of Hull (01482 763997).

ENGINE DRIVETRAIN CHASSIS BODY AND INTERIOR
The 4×4 versions of the Qashqai all have engines with chain-driven camshafts, so won’t suffer the fate of so many of the 2WD 1.5 dCi versions that experienced premature cam belt failure. However, it pays to beware of higher-mileage 2.0 dCi cars that have an air of hard use about them, as it seems that consistently revving the engine to the red line to get the best performance from it can lead to premature main bearing failure. Some cars have had the chances of this reduced by an adjustment that reduces the power and torque output, which in the longer term might be a good thing. An extended warranty was applied from late 2013, if buying a nearly new car check that this warranty still applies. Otherwise make sure the car idles and drives smoothly, later models with diesel particulate filters can suffer from clogged filters if used purely as urban runabouts – the DPF needs a regular long run on a motorway to burn out the collected carbon deposits. Also listen for excessive whistling or whining noises from under the bonnet, accompanied by excess black exhaust smoke on acceleration, which might indicate a failing turbocharger.

If the car has manual transmission make sure the changes are smooth and baulk-free because linkages can wear prematurely. Also reject any car where the clutch does not release and engage smoothly or requires excessive pedal movement to release. The high torque of the 2.0 dCi engine can cause excessive clutch plate wear if you’re in the habit of letting it slip as, for instance, when waiting for a gap in traffic or waiting for the lights to change. The automatics are generally more reliable though the high sixth gear may not actually engage automatically when cruising around at city speeds and may need to be selected via the manual mode; if top gear doesn’t engage fuel consumption may suffer. Rear differentials can be problematic, listen for excessive whining or clanking from the rear end, more importantly make sure the car proceeds smoothly in a tight turn without any jerky feeling through the steering or scrubbing of the wheels, which might indicate that the vehicle’s All-Mode four-wheel drive system is actually engaging unnecessarily, which could be the cause of damaging strain on the rear differential.
A common fault on early cars is premature wear to the rear damper bushings, resulting in a rattling noise when driving on a less-than-smooth road. Replacing the bushes need not be an expensive job but have it done before you pay for the car or look for one that’s already been repaired. The causes of this problem were supposedly sorted for the 2010 facelift, so ought not to affect later models. Check the brake discs for excess wear or scoring, on a test drive make sure that the brakes work smoothly with no juddering, as warping of the discs is fairy common.

Some cars seem to suffer from excessive condensation on the inside of the windscreen, possibly as the result of a poorly sealed screen. If there’s a damp smell inside the car reject it. Check that the air conditioning works effectively, failure caused by a deteriorating condenser matrix is not unknown. Check for any sign of cracking on the windscreen or the panoramic sunroof. The boot is a good size, check that the plastic panel over the latch is properly secured, using it as a lifting handle can break it. Also note that the folded rear seats don’t give you the completely flat floor that you’d expect from a practical SUV. If you’re regularly going to carry three passengers on the rear bench, make sure whoever gets lumbered with the centre position is comfortable there – most people find it awful, because the bench is so clearly shaped for two. A hi-tech problem that could apply to many modern cars is that the Bluetooth system may not work properly with android or Windows phones, worth checking before buying.

 Or you could consider… 

FORD KUGASKODA YETITOYOTA RAV4


The latest generation Kuga is an impressively high-tech car, with a surprising feel of quality about it, while the superb traction and stability controls combine with good performance and excellent road manners to make it one of the more engaging SUVs to drive. All versions have the Ford SYNC system offering voice activation to make phone calls, select a CD track or have a text message read out to you. Equipment levels are excellent throughout the range, with extras including the clever ‘kick-ass’ boot release, which opens the tailgate when you wave a foot under the rear bumper – as long as you have the key on you, of course. Four-wheel drive is an ‘intelligent’ self-acting system, like the Qashqai aimed more at on-road traction than off-road adventuring, but the styling is arguably more adventurously SUV and the interior is far more interesting.

The styling may be a little off the wall but there’s no doubting the practicality of this more estate-like urban SUV not to mention the value-for-money pricing. It may be a dated design but the facelift of 2014 included more efficient engines and up-to-date technology, plus the introduction of the Outdoor version with enhanced off-road features. Build quality is good, it has impeccable road manners and if specified with the 167bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel it has more the feel of a Golf GTi than an SUV. Look out for high-specified versions with electronic park assist, a useful feature in any city-bound car. The Yeti is hardly designed or styled for hard-core off-roading but it’s worth looking for examples with the ‘rough road’ package installed, which includes a thermoplastic tray designed to protect the engine and transmission and covers for the fuel and brake lines.

Once a niche-market fun car, the RAV4 has transformed itself into another mid-range crossover-cum-SUV clone, but then it’s not a car you buy for its looks, its appeal is the promise of the traditional Toyota strengths of  good build quality and excellent reliability. It’s as big and comfortable as the Nissan, possibly more practical with its easy one-movement rear seat fold giving a completely flat load floor, and it has a more interesting interior if you don’t mind the excess of chrome trim on the higher-spec versions. With four-wheel drive you get the 2.2-litre turbodiesel or a 2.0-litre petrol engine, neither of them offering exhilarating performance, but the Toyota is at least a bit more involving to drive than the Nissan Qashqai. However, a used Toyota RAV4 will probably be more expensive than a similar-spec Qashqai, but should also hold its value.

 

110416-autotraderThe Kia Sportage proved to be a real hot choice for buyers as it rocketed off the UK’s forecourts faster than any other model in March 2016.

Crossovers are increasingly proving to be one of the most popular body styles with consumers so it’s no surprise the Sportage is joined by the similar-sized Hyundai ix35 (UK’s eighth fastest seller) and the premium offering from BMW in the shape of the X1 (ninth fastest seller).

Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader Retailer & Consumer Products Director said: “It’s clear that the Kia Sportage is a big hit with used car buyers and it’s not surprising given how popular the new one is. When Kia launched an all-new version of the model at the beginning of this year it ranked ninth in the top 10 best-selling new cars in February and secured record orders, pushing Kia to a record new car market share of 3.46% in February. Clearly it’s had a knock-on effect on used models too.

“The Ford Fiesta is in-demand across the regions too. That’s no surprise given it’s been the number one best-selling new car for the past seven years and is currently the best-selling new car in 2016 too.”

Stephen Kitson, Communications Director, Kia UK added: “The Kia Sportage is the car every dealer wants to put on their forecourt thanks to a turnaround time that is half that of any other car. The Sportage has been the most in demand approved used car in the network and we know it has been a great success in the past year. We expect this to continue thanks to the outstanding success of the new Kia Sportage”.

96156mitsLaunched in April 2014, the award-winning Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has effectively defined the emergence of the UK’s plug-in hybrid sector. In 2013, the year before its arrival, the total plug-in hybrid market across all marques stood at just 989.

Two years on there are 21,053 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs on the UK’s roads.

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: ‘Introducing new technology is very challenging and to sell over 21,000 Outlander PHEVs in the first two years has been an incredible achievement.

‘People are being increasingly attracted to environmental vehicle performance and the economy it delivers. However they still want to have a car that is great to drive and doesn’t cost significantly more than an equivalent traditional petrol or diesel powered car.’

Continuing the success story, in the first three months of 2016 total market registrations of plug-in hybrid passenger cars are 7,468. Over half of which (52.3%) are Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs.

In two short years Outlander PHEV sales have overtaken every other plug-in hybrid and pure electric car, even passing vehicles that have been around since 2011 such as the Nissan Leaf.

It boasts impressive fuel economy and ultra-low emissions – in a vehicle with the go-anywhere ability of four-wheel-drive. Combining electric and petrol power it has a range of 541 miles – 32 miles in electric mode alone, which is more than enough to accommodate the average daily commute.

As well as its official fuel consumption figure of 156 miles per gallon, the Outlander PHEV’s low emissions of just 42g of CO2 per kilometre mean there’s no vehicle tax to pay. It is exempt from the congestion charge and it qualifies for the Government’s £2,500 plug-in car grant.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2The first versions of the dynamic new Tiguan SUV have opened for order at Volkswagen UK Retailers nationwide. Designed and engineered to redefine the compact SUV segment the new Tiguan introduces new levels of interior space, practicality and safety while also debuting cutting-edge technology and connectivity.

New from the ground up, the Tiguan brings previously unseen levels of quality and refinement to its sector with a premium look and feel that belie its price.  The first new Volkswagen SUV to sit on the innovative and flexible MQB platform – which also underpins the Volkswagen Golf – the new car signals the start of a comprehensive SUV offensive which will see the brand represented in all core SUV segments over time.

By virtue of its cutting edge MQB underpinnings the new Tiguan debuts high levels of safety and connectivity.  Standard from entry will be a valuable safety features such as Front Assist; City Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, while hi-tech features available for the first time in a Tiguan include Active Info Display; Head-Up Display; Area View and Trailer Assist.

The UK range will be badged using Volkswagen’s familiar S, SE, SE Navigation, SEL and R-Line designations, with diesel engines expected to account for around 95% of sales.

The new Volkswagen Tiguan range is expected to be priced from around £22,500 (RRP OTR) when all versions are available, and deliveries of the first customer cars are expected this summer.  For more details visit www.volkswagen.co.uk

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