[X]

KELSEYAdmin

1413 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

May 2013 Issue of 4×4 Magazine

May coverIn these times of hi tech complication, smart this and Twit-Faced that, it feels almost cathartic to just get back to basics. And that is certainly what this magazine’s friend and former colleague Ros Woodham has done this issue in her excellent tale of driving to Morocco. Now Ros has a slight advantage over most of us in that she lives in Spain, which is quite a major step nearer the Saharan sands than Surrey, but what we liked about her tale was how uncomplicated it all was.

Firstly, she used her loved, but certainly not pampered, 28-year old Land Rover, and then threw in a tourist map, a compass, her boyfriend and headed south. You can read the story in this issue, but it does make you realise that overlanding is more about the state of your mind than the state of your bank balance. It’s also worth considering that if a trip like this is on your ‘to do’ list, global political tensions are limiting exactly where you can explore; and nowhere is that more obvious than North Africa. Could Morocco be one of the last bastions of overlanding dreams?

Get the full story

Rugged Ridge bumperWe enjoy getting details of the new items from Rugged Ridge since they always look so great! The latest is developed from the XHD Modular aluminium bumper range, but this one is made in steel and is suitable for 2007-2013 Jeep JK Wranglers. Built from durable black powder coated steel, the new All Terrain Double X Striker has a removable winch plate cover. It looks a great piece of kit. For more details you can go direct to www.ruggedridge.com. If you are looking to get any of this US kit, then we suggest you contact Omix-ADA, these guys have the greatest range of Jeep parts and can sort out getting them over to the UK. Check out: www.omix-ada.com

Very Handi indeedHere’s hoping the bad weather is now behind us and we start thinking about trips, holidays and weekends away. Now if you are a family 4×4 owner, no matter how big your vehicle is, it’s never big enough, is it? If that’s the case, then the brand new HandiHoldall will appeal. This foldable soft roof box has a 320-litre storage and a load capacity of 50kg and is 100 per cent waterproof, making it an effective alternative to the traditional roof box. Unloaded, the HandiHoldall is less than 5kg in weight, allowing you to store off the vehicle when you don’t need to use it. This latest version of the HandiHoldall actually comes on sale in May, but you can find more details by going to: www.handiworld.com. It has a recommended retail price of £119.99 (inc VAT).

julystaffhilsphotoHils Everitt – Editor at Large

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Once again, my beloved Grand, having just celebrated its 11th birthday, got the chance to have a little play in the Kentish snow. As always, it was a premium class act and took all talk of ‘impossible driving conditions’ with a pinch of salt. Although, in a literal sense, a little more than just a pinch of salt, courtesy of the council gritter lorries, which has played havoc with my already very tarnished alloys. I do, however, now have some new Jeep wheel centres, so will sort out the damage once this rotten winter is over.

The General Grabber AT M+S rubber fitted to my poor alloys play an absolute blinder in the snow. All the talk of massive stopping distances in the snow and ice for standard road tyres just doesn’t apply to them. They are superb and create an overwhelming feeling of total safety. But that’s not to say I don’t take care in severe conditions, far from it. I just know that I don’t have to worry in the slightest and can pootle along quite happily; confident I can stop pretty smartly and smoothly.

Get the full story

New Jeep parts supplier Travall is a UK-based company that has become an official distributor of accessories from American Jeep and truck specialist, Bestop. Travall carries the entire Bestop range, from soft tops to bumpers, seats, windows, steps and tubular doors. A new website at www.bestop.co.uk, allows customers to select exactly which model Wrangler you have and then view and purchase suitable products. The service suits the latest models, as well as many older models. The company also says that the operation is supported by ‘a knowledgeable, multilingual customer service team’, so you can also try the ‘old fashioned’ way and actually telephone for more details. The UK telephone number is 0800 311 2175

New Forester pricing confirmedSubaru UK has confirmed On-The-Road prices for the all new Forester when it goes on sale in May. Prices will start at £24,995 for the 2.0D X, rising to £30,995 for the range topping 2.0i XT.

The new, fourth-generation Forester will build upon the model’s reputation as a go-anywhere, user-friendly SUV with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin. Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system remains at the heart of the Forester, while a low centre of gravity and improved body rigidity contribute to improved refinement and a typically engaging drive on the road.

The engine line-up will include 2.0-litre Boxer diesel and petrol units, while Subaru will return to its Forester roots with the introduction of a new 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, producing 240ps. All the engines have significantly improved CO2 and economy figures over the outgoing model.

Get the full story

Ranger topsThe guys at Auto Styling have expanded their range of specialist pick-up truck tops with a new hard top for the latest Ford Ranger. The British-built Truckman Ford Ranger top has been specifically designed to support utility companies and fire and rescue services’ fleets of off-road and multipurpose vehicles. Offering extra secure storage, these tops also have large side access doors for racking and storage systems. The specifications include a double skin solid side door, extra deep drainage channels and solid double skin rear doors. All openings feature secure double slam locks. This top is also available for the Mitsubishi L200. The Ford Ranger top retails from £1695.54 (excluding VAT) and can be ordered from www.autostylinguk.co.uk

isuzuIsuzu pick-up sales have increased by 13.6 per cent over the same period in 2011 – the best half-year sales performance in the company’s UK history. Indeed, Isuzu sold 2028 units of D-Max models in the second half of 2012, which is a massive 89.7 per cent increase in sales over the same period in 2011.

Jaguar Land Rover has reported pre-tax profits of £404m for the three months to the end of December 2012. For fiscal year to date, Jaguar Land Rover reported pre-tax profits of £1.2bn, up 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. Can it get much better?

R-Line Touareg arrivesA NEW UPMARKET version of the Touareg has been launched by Volkswagen. The Touareg R-Line adds extra equipment and R-Line styling cues, which together are apparently worth over £4000, but this is all available for £750 over the on the road price of the Touareg Altitude model. The Touareg R-Line has 20-inch ‘Tarragona’ alloy wheels with 275/45 R20 tyres, with new look front and rear bumpers and side skirts and R-Line badges on the front wings. Standard bi-xenon headlights with dynamic curve lighting are standard on the R-Line. The Touareg R-Line is available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox paired to a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with either 200bhp, for £44,025, or 242bhp, for £45,645. Both prices are on the road. We have a Buyers Guide on the Volkswagen Touareg is on page 98 of this issue.

the iMATWe recently ran a full feature on the benefits of DIY Diagnostics (February issue) and it is certainly an area that we think will grow, especially with the competent DIY mechanic. Laser Tools has just announced a new diagnostic tool, the iMAT; this stands for Multi Application Tool and is a handheld diagnostic/service tool that uses downloadable apps. The tool is bought preloaded with a particular app (Diesel Particulate Filter service, or Electronic Park Brake service for example) and then when future apps are required the user simply connects via USB to his laptop and buys the suitable downloads straight onto the tool from the Laser Tools website. The vehicle application list is large and the downloaded apps are upgradeable when more vehicles are added to this list. Laser say it’s very easy to use, you simply follow the instructions displayed on the screen. Plugged in to the vehicle’s diagnostic socket, the tool connects to and works with the vehicle’s computer to carry out the particular task required. When a user has a specific need, then a quick connection via USB to the Internet and the new app is downloaded straight on to the iMAT. The RRP is £499, but as ever, it is worth shopping around for offers. The downloadable apps are £75 (plus VAT). For more details go to: www.lasertools.co.uk

Prev1...434445...142Next Page 44 of 142