With the UK road network grinding to a halt recently as a result of severe winter weather, the AA called upon a small fleet of Subaru and Isuzu vehicles to ensure that key members of its staff could keep mobile.
The fleet included a Subaru Forester 2.0 XS Auto and a Subaru Outback 2.5i SE NavPlus, plus two Isuzu Rodeo pick-ups: a 2.5-litre Denver Max and a 3.0-litre Denver Max LE Manual.
JCB is rebranding its Utility Terrain Vehicles with the new name JCB ‘Workmax’. This covers both the current diesel-powered models – the 4×4 for rough terrain applications and the 6×4 for ‘ fine turf’ applications, such as golf courses and sports fields. Until now, JCB has used the name ‘Groundhog’ for its UTVs. The ‘Groundhog’ name has been in use since JCB entered the UTV market in 2005.
Porsche’s Cayenne was maligned by many when first announced, thanks to its somewhat unconventional looks, writes Nigel Fryatt. Sales worldwide, however, have been impressive and the model is now comfortably Porsche’s bestselling model.
It is, perhaps, no surprise, therefore, that Porsche’s Supervisory Board has announced that the German company is to build a second SUV, and one that will fit neatly ‘below’ the Cayenne. There has been a rumour of this model for the last few years, but it now appears it is a de finite and going under the working title ‘Cajun’.
Scientists have built the smallest petrol engine, tiny enough to power a watch. The mini-motor, which runs for two years on a single squirt of lighter fuel, is set to revolutionize world technology.
It produces 700 times more energy than a conventional battery despite being less than a centimetre long, not even half an inch. It could be used to operate laptops and mobile phones for months, doing away with the need for recharging; especially useful if you’re on a major overland expedition.
Many 4x4s often have a tough life, and you want to protect their interiors from sustaining any lasting damage. That’s where seat covers and interior re-trims come in – providing a way of customising your vehicle while protecting it from the worst that outdoor life can throw at it
FOCUS ON… EXMOOR TRIM
If you want to update your Land Rover’s interior, take a look at Exmoor Trim. It offers a massive range of products, from complete seat replacements to covers, carpet sets and cubby boxes.
Exmoor Trim gear is sold through a network of UK distributors, meaning there is bound to be a supplier near you.
You can view the entire product range on the company’s own website, and order online. There’s also an extensive catalogue, which is most probably tantamount to soft pornography for the average Land Rover owner. www.exmoortrim.co.uk
We take to the greenlanes snaking around the misty hills of Shropshire in a pair of capable pick-up trucks – our long-term Isuzu Rodeo and a Mitsubishi L200 – for an off-roading treat
Word: Toby Savage; photos: Wayne Mitchelson, additional photos: Toby Savage
Phone calls and emails throughout the summer, trying to find a day when the three of us were free, resulted in just one weekend at the tailend of summer when we could all be in the same place, at the same time and take the longterm test Isuzu Rodeo Denver Max LE, long overdue for some more off-roading fun since our camping trip in midsummer, out for a run with a Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian. These are two popular trucks for different reasons, but both capable of fulfi lling the needs of many trades. The question was, how would they fare on the lanes and trails that reach out to the less accessible parts of Shropshire?
Fed up with your Land Rover’s wing mirrors freezing over in the cold weather? Mud-UK’s heated wing mirror elements can help.
Manufactured from carbon impregnated Glasscloth of the type used in underfloor heating, they heat the entire area of the mirror. That means frost will clear more rapidly and you can get on your way.
The elements are suitable for DIY fitting and the cost of a kit, including wiring and a relay, is £27.50. www.mudstuff.co.uk
We first took delivery of these boots in May 2010, and they’ve been put to rigorous use since. The pre-Christmas freeze sent us out into the great outdoors more regularly than most – that’s part of the fun of owning a 4×4. And the robust Meindl boots were perfect for wading through deep snow without falling over, even though they are officially only intended for ‘three-season’ wear.
A stroke of cold weather genius from Mud-UK comes in the form of the DefenderVENT. This is an injection moulded replacement for the standard windscreen demister vents on a Land Rover Defender. It features an additional vent on the side, which blows warm air against the front windows to help keep them mist-free.
DefenderVENTs are easily fitted, and a set of two, with various hoses and clips needed to complete the installation, costs £130. www.mudstuff.co.uk
The VAT rise in January has hit us all, but diesel tuning specialist Tunit has some heart warming news. It has announced that it is holding VAT at 17.5 per cent until the end of January – saving customers who order a chip for their 4×4 in that period 2.5 per cent on the purchase price.
Tunit offers a range of performance enhancements for your SUV, which help improve economy and deliver more grunt. Fuel consumption can improve by up to 10 per cent with a Tunit power upgrade, and CO2 emissions can reduce by over a quarter.
So if you’re in the market for a cash-saving bit of kit, check out the Tunit website before the end of January. You might just save yourself a few extra quid… www.tunit.com
Prev