This very smart bonnet Light Bar comes from Far Corners and will fit all Land Rover Defenders (including the new Puma models) although not compatible for models with bonnet mounted spare wheels. The bar actually replaces the two existing Land Rover hinges, that are bolted to the bonnet, with a heavy-duty single unit, which uses the existing nylon hinge bushes. The guys at Far Corners say it can be fitted in 10 minutes. Once fitted, the bar has five mounting locations for additional lights – suitable for spots like the X-Eng Azimuth lights. The cost of the bar is £99. Go to: www.farcorners.co.uk
KELSEYAdmin
Unique Jeep snorkel
The new Modular XHD snorkel system from Rugged Ridge is available for Jeep Wrangler JK models from 2007-2011. It has interchangeable high and low mounts and relocates the original air intake for optimum performance. It is manufactured from durable heavy gauge plastic with the mandrel in bent aluminium, with high temperature silicone hoses. The unit comes with a three year limited warranty and is available online through Omix-Ada. Looks impressive. For more information go to: www.ruggedridgeoffroad.com or www.omix-ada.com
The Fourth Dimension
A QUICK CURSORY GLANCE AT THIS photograph might lead you to believe that the new fourth generation Range Rover had merely had a face lift, and maybe stretched a little. It’s far more significant than that; indeed, what you cannot see from this picture is the fact that, for the first time in its 42-year history, the Range Rover will feature an all-aluminium monocoque body. It uses similar technology to that behind the Jaguar XJ saloon, and the result means a massive weight saving of up to 420kg, that is some 39 per cent lighter to a similar steel body.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class now available in UK
It was interesting this month that as we received the news about the latest version of the Range Rover, so did details of what many consider to be that vehicle’s nemesis. Indeed, the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class (still enthusiastically called a G-Wagen by many) will soon be available in the UK.
Without doubt this is one model that can match the Range Rover in so many areas; price being a significant one. The G-Class Merc still looks much like it ever has, and for some that utilitarian, almost military, design is a touch dated. It is to the company’s credit, in our view, the Mercedes-Benz engineers and designers have stuck to their guns. It is an unmistakable design, and when it arrives in the UK, it will be the most powerful model ever to be made available here.
TOYOTA RAV4 XT-R
Sue Loy
Another RAV4? Some might accuse me of a lack of imagination, but in truth, the finances wouldn’t stretch to a Range Rover Evoque. The Editor had one on test recently; a manual (which I had not driven) in Dynamic spec. I have to say that I really fell for it, somehow the fact you had to physically change gear got you a lot more involved with the car, and if I could, there would be one parked on our drive…
It’s somewhat ironic, therefore, that we were actually driving the Evoque when we first went to see my new RAV4. Regular readers may know that I had a 2002 model, then completed 105,000 trouble free miles – not all of them with me, but certainly most of them were. I really like the RAV4, it suits me, is nice and light and easy to drive and since if I need anything ‘tough’ to off-road, then I can always borrow the Editor’s Hilux.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
I have rather neglected my Grand of late, so much so that it died on me! I had been buzzing about the countryside in the long-term VW Tiguan and the Jeep has been quietly resting in the garage waiting for a bit of quality time with its owner.
I meant to take it out for a cruise, to show it I still cared, but got waylaid by something or other, which had to be done ASAP. I then started packing for a two-week holiday to Canada and, in the rush to get everything done and dusted before the big trip, I didn’t get time to take it for that much needed spin.
Finally, I managed to find time to grab the keys and jump into the soft and now highly creased leather seat, put the key in the ignition and turned it. Click… nothing at all, all the dash lights came on but obviously the poor battery was straining at the leash and there was no power there to get us started.
October 2012 Issue Editor’s Blog
October 2012 Issue of 4×4 Magazine
According to the old song, it can’t buy you love. According to other deep thinkers, it can’t apparently buy you happiness (although I wouldn’t mind giving that one a serious test, after all, there must be worse things than being rich!). Money, it seems, is also the route to all evil. Be that as it may, there are some great opportunities available for 4×4 enthusiasts to spend it. For sure, when it comes to 4×4 ownership, a big pile of money can buy some superb off-roaders – including the new Range Rover that we have some sneak advance details of in this issue. However, as we have hopefully also proved in this issue, you can get a yourself a lot of 4×4 fun for not a lot of money.
We look this month at what is available for only £1000. Now, I appreciate that one man’s ‘only’ could be another man’s life savings, but when it comes to off-roaders it could be a real bargain buy. OK, so for that money we cannot claim that you won’t be buying yourself a fair amount of DIY work keeping everything running well, but for many, there’s no better way to spend a weekend than covered in oil, crawling around a cold concrete garage floor! The £1000 4×4 could turn out to be a real ‘hobby’ buy, the sort of machine you’ll take to a Pay and Play site knowing that a few more scratches down the side won’t make much of a difference. And if the brakes then need changing when you get home, that’s not too difficult. Even a bit of body damage can be worn as a badge of honour if it’s not the family’s pride and joy! So, hopefully, we have shown you can spend a little for a great deal of fun. And how ironic that in the same issue we should have the new £120,000+ Range Rover…
Charge of the bright brigade
Keeping your battery in tip-top condition is a vital safety issue for many off-roaders, especially those taking their vehicles overlanding, and away from civilisation. Having a decent gauge to indicate how your battery is doing is essential and we have heard of two new options from the guys at Devon 4×4. The Smartguage not only tells you the voltage of your battery, it also has the actual charge state of the unit, displaying as a percentage on an easy to read LED screen. You can programme alarm functions to warn you before you get in trouble. Devon 4×4 also has the Merlin Power Gauge Lite, which acts as a gauge to provide the information you need ‘at a glance’. This is available in Lite or Pro versions and so we suggest you go to the website to find out more, or call the guys at Devon 4×4 on 01769 550900. The website can be found at www.devon4x4.com
FORD MAVERICK
Ian Seabrook
Somehow, I’ve managed to own the Maverick for over six months now, which as anyone who knows me is all too aware, is rare for me. Cars come and go like the seasons. There’s a reason the Mav is still here. It’s really quite good.
More remarkable is that despite only living a handful of miles away; I’d not yet tested the Mav on the fabled Strata Florida greenlane. In late July, I finally got to remedy this, thanks as ever to the West Wales Laning group (www.westwaleslaning.co.uk). Unusually, we were Land Rover-free for this trip, as friends Franz in his modified Maverick and Lewis in his Suzuki Grand Vitara came along one pleasant evening. I was a little anxious about this lane, as once I’d reached the end of it in my Range Rover last year, the side steps were as straight as a Snowdonia skyline. They took a right beating!
JEEP CHEROKEE
Bob Cooke – contributor
For some time, I’ve been toying with the idea of upgrading the Cherokee to make it a little more off-road friendly. A quick recap: I bought the car from a farmer after it had been stood in a field for several years – hence the low mileage has to be balanced against the possible deterioration of having been unloved and unused for so long. One of the problems is that an immobiliser of some sort has been fitted, but there was no fob or key for that system when I bought the car, so I dread the day when the immobiliser sets itself – and since I consider it likely that disconnecting the battery will have just that effect, I’ve not done any work that involves disconnecting the battery, and I’ve always taken care to make sure that I don’t let the battery drain down through lack of use.
Prev