With a pedestrian 0-60mph time of 12 seconds and a 105mph top speed, the 1830kg 3.0-litre D4D Toyota could benefit from a power boost, but the problem, until now, was that the Hilux has been viewed as ‘unmappable,’ using traditional OBD-based methods.

But Unichip Europe has now launched a new Uni-Q upgrade for the Toyota, designed to put a spring in the Hilux’s step. Manufactured in South Africa, the Uni-Q is a piggyback ECU that refines and increases performance of any petrol or diesel vehicle.

Emily Llewellyn, the UK’s top young female eventer and London 2012 Olympic hopeful, has become an official Subaru Brand Ambassador.

Based in East Sussex, Emily is the only rider to have ridden in seven consecutive European Youth Championship teams, winning a grand total of five gold medals. She finished in 15th position (out of 84) at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials, and won last year’s Under-25 Championships.

As part of the deal with Subaru, the 20-year-old has been given a liveried 2.0D XC Forester featuring Union Jack decals.

Force Protection Europe has been invited by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to tender for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Programme – Demonstration, Production and Support Phases.   

The invitation to tender follows a recentlyawarded contract placed with Force Protection Europe by the MoD for the supply of two Ocelot light protected patrol vehicles. An all-new concept, all-wheel drive Ocelot has been developed by Force Protection Europe and Ricardo to provide levels of survivability comparable with the Cougar family of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, together with exceptional cross country mobility, _ exibility and, importantly, value for money.

It’s not surprising that, with pump prices now at over £1.20 per litre in the UK, we’re all mindful of fuel costs, writes Phil Weeden. Even diesel off-roaders are only capable of mid to high-30s, and there’s no doubt the pressure to improve our green credentials continues to bear down on us.

So while we await the next big ‘green’ invention, we can all do our bit by moderating our driving style, at least when we’re on tarmac, and in doing so save some money and reduce our CO2 emissions. Those were claims made by the bofins at BP Ultimate who recently challenged 4×4 to a test at the world famous Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

To celebrate the lives of Mickey, American off-road racing legend, and Trudy Thompson, the NHRA Wally Parks Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, has put up a special exhibit, complete with off-road race vehicles and photographs, writes James Maxwell.  

Marion (‘Mickey’) Lee Thompson, Jr, was born on December 7th, 1928. When he was 14 years old he bought his first car on his allowance, an old Chevrolet for $7.50, which had been sitting out in the open with its cylinder head off. Mickey had to drive the pistons out with a sledgehammer. It took a year and a half but he _ nally did get it running and he sold the car for $125.00, all before he was old enough to drive it.

National Trust Wardens and the Police teamed up in early May for an offroad crime prevention campaign day in the Surrey Hills, targeting Wolvens Lane at Coldharbour, the Drove Road off White Down and Hogden Lane, Ranmore.

If anyone was caught without insurance, their vehicle would have been seized and potentially put through the crusher. They distributed lea_ ets to 4×4 drivers, motorcyclists, walkers, bikers and horse riders explaining the rights and responsibilities of people using BOATs.