The Audi TT offroad concept breaks the mould, combining the visual and dynamic appeal of a coupe with the practicality and adaptability of a compact SUV. The four-door model, which Audi is presenting at the Beijing International Automobile Exhibition, adds an entirely new dimension to the Audi design language. Its plug-in hybrid drive with two electric motors and a system output of 408PS ensures that it can deliver in performance terms while also potentially returning in excess of 148mpg.
KELSEYAdmin
SPOT ON!
It’s one thing going into the wilderness on a fabulous overlanding trip, with the intention of ‘getting away from it all’ but there could we a time when you want someone to know exactly where you are for a safety point of view. Of course, in many cases the ubiquitous mobile phone will solve your problems, but what happens when you travel to an area with no mobile phone signal? Globalstar Inc is a leader in satellite and emergency notification technologies and the new SPOT Gen 3 device makes that very clever technology and affordable and simple option for overlanders. This is a small tracking device that you can fit to your vehicle, which allows for your journey to be tracked and regularly update your position on Google Maps. Most importantly, it is also able to immediately transmit an SOS notification, and allows you to confirm your arrival or send messages to friends and family regardless of mobile coverage. SPOT satellite coverage is impressive as it covers Europe, Canada, continental United States, Mexico, Australia, Northern and Central Africa, and much of South America and North-Eastern Asia. For such a tiny unit, it offers an amazing amount of security for any serious 4×4 adventurer. It’s not expensive either, with the RRP in the UK of £150, with annual subscription services starting at £118 per year.
Website: www.findmespot.com
PICK-UP ROOF RACKING
The roof rack cages from ARB are all constructed from hardened steel tubing, with cross bars to add strength and allow for carrying up to 75kg. The mounting pack also includes an air deflector, which not only reduces aerodynamic drag but is also claimed to reduce wind noise. The cage shown here is actually for the Isuzu D Max but Arbil carries an extensive selection of cages (from £500) and mounting kits (from £200). As ever it makes sense to give the Arbil team a call, and make sure you tell them we sent you!
Website: www.arbil.co.uk/4×4/
CHARGE IT
Exide has launched a new battery charger. Called the 12/7 Battery Charger, it has been designed to achieve 100 per cent charge, regardless of the weather. It works for all types and sizes of 12v batteries, including cars, motorcycles, boats and caravans. Temperature has an important effect on charging and this new Exide charger will offer full charging between temperatures of minus 40degC to plus 50 degC – so they probably have most situations covered. As you would expect the charger has ‘robust overcharge protection’ and also has anti-spark technology in place to protect against faulty batteries and connections. For more details check out the Exide website.
Website: www.exide.com
Limited Edition Amarok
As the Land Rover Discovery announces its 25th anniversary, one of the best pick-ups on the market, and one of the few areas that has taken sales away from Jaguar Land Rover product, announced its own special edition. The Volkswagen Amarok deservedly won our 2014 Pick-up Of The Year. Now, if there was one area where we could have criticised the model slightly was in its overall looks; it exudes that Germanic functionality and technical brilliance that can leave some a little cold.
Great to see, therefore that there’s now an Amarok Canyon on the market that will certainly turn heads. The model is based on the Trendline version but has a highly visible styling bar and colour-keyed underbody protection plate. It is also packed with what is claimed to be some £8500 worth of extra equipment including satnav with six inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, heated leather seats, privacy glass, front and rear parking sensors, styling bars, 19inch Cantera alloy wheels. Nappa and Vienna leather upholstery in two-tone Moonrock (light grey) Anthracite (dark grey) give the interior a quality look. You can also select a special edition Amarok roof bar for £945 (ex VAT).
New Bentley SUV
This is the first ‘official’ picture of the proposed Bentley SUV. You can decide for yourself whether it was constructed in an engineering workshop, or on a graphic designer’s computer. But it is official; the vehicle will be with us in 2016. Few details have been released with the picture, apart from the claim that “the company anticipates a minimum annual sales volume of 3000 SUVs.” The important word in that sentence is ‘minimum’. However, when you remember that this forthcoming SUV is part of a massive £800m investment over the next three years, the company will need to sell a few…
WIDE BOY TOUAREG
Excellent SUV that it is, the VW Touareg cannot be claimed to be a particularly distinctive vehicle, so it’s no surprise that German tuning company JE Design has produced a new Widebody kit for R-Line series Touaregs. A combination of 22inch alloy wheels, lowered suspension and the new body kit will certainly make the Touareg stand out on the street! And it’s not just an ‘all-show-no-go’ option as there are tuning packages available for the Touareg by JE Design that tweak the engine management systems and, for example, will push the 4.2-litre TDI engine from 340bhp to 410bhp, which it’s likely you’ll notice from behind the wheel! Tuning packages are strictly controlled in Germany and all these modifications come with the necessary TÜV certificates. The company has a very comprehensive website, all in English.
Website: www.je-design.de/en/
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
Cosmetics all sorted and the shiny side steps duly removed, it was time for my Grand to have its MOT. Time has flown by since I bought it six months ago and I expected it to pass with flying colours. As it was first registered in April 2009, this was only its second test.
So as usual at MOT time for whatever vehicle I have, I took it to my mate’s garage Central Auto Centre in Green Street Green rather than make a round trip to the nearest Jeep dealer near Ashford in Kent, which is way too far away.
It did indeed pass with flying colours, after I was reminded to remove the large ‘Media’ sticker that I had left in the windscreen after covering a couple of features on the Wales Rally GB in November. I rather liked that sticker, but it had to go as any MOT inspector would require its removal, it didn’t impede vision at all, but them’s the rules!
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 TD
Louise Limb – contributor
It’s been a few months since the Mass Air Flow meter was replaced (at considerable cost) and after no improvement in performance, my friendly mechanic Phil went back beneath the bonnet and tightened the throttle cable – there’s a locking nut at the engine end, as it felt slack. The result was immediate (and cost nothing as Phil’s one of the good guys). Once again my wheels could tackle hills with the confidence of a mountain goat. Nearly six months on and a couple of fully loaded trips to shows, the Grand Vitara is running as well as ever, though there’s been a recent slight drop off in power again, requiring lots of gear changing. When Phil’s back from his holiday in the Caribbean (vehicle maintenance people, like hairdressers, will never be short of work) he can see if it’s slackened off and do whatever’s necessary.
Jeep Cherokee
Bob Cooke – contributor
From a high point overlooking the lake it looked a bit like a little kid’s playground with Tonka toys scattered all over the place – mainly Land Rovers, since the Yarwell Quarry site near Peterborough is home to a Land Rover enthusiasts’ group, and it’s so popular that the place positively swarms with old Series Land Rovers and nicely modified Discoverys. Fortunately they don’t mind other marques joining in the fun, though the marshal who welcomed us to the site did give us a friendly warning: “There’s been a lot of rain,” he said, “So the lake is deeper than usual. Our advice is to stay away from the water – and don’t expect us to recover you if you don’t.”
That obviously didn’t apply to the Land Rovers – we spent an entertaining half hour watching snorkel-equipped old Land Rovers charging bonnet-deep through the lake then opening doors to let the flood water drain out of their footwells.
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