Suzuki’s 4×4 range extends further with the brand new SX4 S-Cross. A ‘soft roader’ certainly, but one fitted with the new driver selectable four mode ALLGRIP system
Words and photography: Nigel Fryatt
Things seem to be going well for Suzuki in the UK, the company having nudged its way into the top 20 best selling manufacturers, overtaking Mazda and Volvo and, in the words of Managing Director Dale Wyatt, ‘going to give Renault a bloody nose soon.’ Even allowing for exuberant marketing bravado, there’s no denying that Suzuki appears on the up; and it’s a growth built on a 4×4 heritage. The Grand Vitara is a well established model, we wrote about the introduction to the UK of the Swift 4×4 in the last issue, and the ever youthful Jimny continues to sell, entertain and bring a smile to all owners, and now the company enters probably the most competitive segment of the SUV market with its Nissan Qashqai competitor, the SX4 S-Cross. This introduction comes at a time when Suzuki can boast at being the UK’s fastest growing brand.
Jaguar Land Rover has announced the launch of a new multi-partner project that will culminate in the production of an all-electric Range Rover Evoque_e. This massive £16.3m collaborative research project is being run with Zytek Automotive, GKN Driveline, Motor Design Limited, AVL, Drive System Design, Williams Advanced Engineering, Delta Motorsport, Tata Steel, Bristol University, Cranfield University and Newcastle University. The aim is to produce a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and, most interestingly, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). It is impressive to see that JLR’s investment is not just financial, but also in the academic prowess of three British Universities. It is also important to note that this is more than just an research project. Peter Richings, Jaguar Land Rover Director Hybrid and Electrification has said: “The outcome of the Evoque_e project will be new technologies with the potential for high volume production that are capable of delivering benchmark performance in terms of cost, weight and sustainable use of materials.” It is indeed exciting to think of the potential of a fully electric four-wheel drive Evoque… provided it will travel more than a mile before it needs recharging!
It’s the time of year when the classic car shows start cropping up. Always worth a visit, admittedly not full of 4x4s – although you can guarantee Land Rover exhibits – but you cannot beat a good stroll around some great classic machines. The Footman James Classic Vehicle Restoration Show is now in its 13th year and will once again be held at the Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, over the weekend of 2nd/3rd November. The organisers are expecting up to 150 exhibitors, including classic car clubs, traders and autojumblers spread over four indoor arenas. Being an indoor event, means that you don’t have to worry about the weather. Visitors can bring their own classic car to show off in the VIP viewing area, or buy a classic vehicle at an on-site auction, which is held on Sunday by leading classic vehicle auctioneer Charterhouse. Tickets are available at a very reasonable £9 at www.bccsl.co.uk and car parking is free.
It seems that all may not be well with the union between Jeep and Fiat. Back in 2009, Chrysler was on its knees and had to be bailed out by the US government, and was relieved to gain support, joining forces with Fiat. At the time, the Italian manufacturer was by far the stronger, but it seems times have changed. Since that time, the workforce at the Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit has tripled, and the company has regularly recorded significant profits. In numbers, there has been a 10 per cent rise in vehicle sales over 2012 – much of this, the success of the latest version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Even leading to a delay in getting RHD versions into dealerships in the UK. Fiat, on the other hand, has not fared so well, with many manufacturers in the eurozone, it’s been struggling to sell new vehicles.
Apparently, its ‘sculptured muscular lines create a distinctive silhouette’ well, not to us anyway. Maybe it will look ‘distinctive’ in the metal and on the road, but from these early release pictures, the new Nissan X-Trail looks like… well, all the other SUVs on the roads, which is a shame because at present, the X-Trail is probably one of the most distinctive SUVs on, and off, the roads.
Having recently attended the Goodwood Revival, Hils yearns for the ‘good ol’ days’ when vehicles have character
Bob Cooke – contributor
I felt a bit nervous about taking the Grand Vitara off the tarmac. On the one hand the little Suzuki in its previous incarnations has an almost legendary reputation as a serious high-fun off-roader, on the other is the feeling that the current model is just too much of a tarmac-oriented highway cruiser to warrant taking it on anything more off-road than a well-maintained gravel track. There are two conflicting aspects of the latest version. The publicity material trumpets the permanent four wheel drive transmission with centre diff lock and low range as endowing the Grand Vitara with exceptional off-road agility, yet the tape measure shows little more than 180mm of ground clearance, and the exhaust back box seems scarily vulnerable hanging under the back bumper a mere 240mm above ground. While it’s true that the Grand’s excellent departure angle is such that on a flat and level rise the rear bumper would touch down before the silencer did, but since most off-road trails are rutted I’d be wary of taking it anywhere near its theoretical capability.
The mileage may not have crept up by much, but believe me, I’ve not been short of adventures. Twice in the space of a month, the Discovery has reminded me of the dangers of solo greenlaning, something I am prone to doing. The first time, I was in a popular area called Nant-y-Moch. It’s pretty much on the doorstep and I know the lanes well, so there’s little chance of getting stuck. But, there’s always the danger of mechanical trauma.
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