Anyone who has taken a soft top off a Jeep Wrangler, and then tried to put it back on again, will appreciate this new product. Should you own a Wrangler, and enjoy the open-air life then you need to get on the phone immediately. The Rugged Ridge Power Top allows you to raise or lower the top in around five seconds, which is impressive. The top will fit all Wranglers built since 2007. Given the way the weather changes in the UK, you’d think this would appeal. Rugged Ridge is a division of Omix-Ada and you can contact these guys here via www.omixadaeurope.com
KELSEYAdmin
SPRINTER 4X4 FROM MERCEDES
We were impressed this month by a drive off-road in a mini bus! The school run never was that exciting, but the latest version of the Sprinter 4×4 from Mercedes-Benz is an impressive piece of kit. Available as a panel van, we drove the seated version over a reasonably demanding off-road course. The V6 CDi diesel engine was very smooth and allowed for excellent throttle control even when bouncing the bus through the ruts. The Sprinter has a switchable 4×4 system, which delivers drive front to rear of 35:65 through a viscous coupling. There are no mechanical diffs, but Mercedes’ 4ETS, Electronic Traction System. This also has an optional Low range. It climbed well, especially given the ‘road’ nature of the tyres, but we did wonder what it would be like full of passengers!
Tent Finder light
Given our major feature on camping last month, we were intrigued by this new product from monsterstuff.com. Anyone who has camped and returned to a large field, in the dark, perhaps after a glass or two at the nearest hostelry, and wondered where the tent is will like this! It’s a remote control lighting system. You leave the Tent Finder light in your tent, and then when you are within 50 yards or so, activate the remote control (that hopefully you have remembered to take with you) and the light will go on. Very simple, and we suspect, very effective. Priced at £19.49, it’s available from www.monsterstuff.com or call 01509 266414
AEZ Phoenix wheel
The very latest wheel from the guys at Wheelwright is the AEZ Phoenix. The split five-spoke design is neat and not too garish and is said to be suitable for SUVs and crossover vehicles – one way to make an often somewhat dull vehicle a little more individual. The wheel itself comes in either 18, 20 or 22inch sizes, with a vast array of options: 5/108, 5/112, 5/114.3, 5/120, 5/130 and 5/139 are all available, covering all popular crossovers, and SUVs. Prices start around £180 (plus VAT). Check out: www.wheelwright.co.uk
B6 damper upgrade
The new B6 damper upgrade from Bilstein has been designed specifically for the Range Rover Sport. Said to ‘significantly enhance the dynamic abilities of the Sport’, the new damper will work with original springs, or can be used with aftermarket offerings. The dampers are said to improve road handling by reducing squat and dive, but keeping the quality of the model’s ride. The balance between ride and handling is always a difficult one, none more so than with what can be a highly effective off-road vehicle. Bilstein work closely with Land Rover and supply OE parts, so you can assume these are impressive shocks for those who perhaps want to sharpen up the handling of a slightly higher mileage Sport. Different versions are available to suit each of the different engines and weights. Both the front and rear units retail at £168.00 (plus VAT) each. For more details check out: www.bilstein.de or call Bilstein UK on 0116 247 8930.
First Drive Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
Jeep’s flagship 4×4, the Grand Cherokee, has a new model, designed and built by the Chrysler Street Racing Technology (SRT) team. And it’s an absolute belter, with a 6.4-litre V8 Hemi and jaw-dropping on–road performance
Words: Hils Everitt Photography: Hils Everitt and Isuzu
Normally speaking, heaving a huge great 4×4 round tight mountain roads with wicked hairpin bends is quite a chore, even with a sophisticated automatic box. The sheer effort of dragging that long body through the corners and feeling the inevitable body roll is energy sapping.
Not, however, with this latest SRT edition of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This is the best-handling Jeep ever built, as was demonstrated superbly on our test drive, booming along the motorways and cruising around the hillsides of the Italian region of Langhe.
The gorgeous on-road performance comes courtesy of the advanced new Active Adaptive damping suspension and Selec-Track traction control system, developed by the SRT team at Chrysler. Mated with the excellent auto ‘box, that just effortlessly flicks up and down the gears, it enables the Grand to glide around those hairpins with the smoothest of rides.
AMG MERC FOR UK
In our July issue, we looked at the new trend for ‘super SUVs’ with notable arrivals from Lamborghini and bespoke 4×4 producer Eterniti. It seems Mercedes-Benz will be joining this exclusive gang with the GL 63 AMG. The Merc GL is fitted with a 5.5-litre biturbo V8 engine, built by performance specialists AMG, and pumping out 557bhp and 760Nm of torque (560lb ft). The vehicle also has AMG Active Ride Control sports suspension and roll stabilisation. The beast will hit 60mph in 4.9secs and has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Permanent four-wheel drive, with a specially designed transfer case for the Mercedes 4Matic system, distributes the power front and rear 40:60. This will be the top spec Mercedes-Benz SUV and is due to be launched in the UK in 2013. At present, there are no details of price and UK specification. Take it from us; if you have to ask, then you probably can’t afford it!
Can Am in command
BRP has increased its Can-Am Commander side-by-side vehicle line-up for 2013 with the addition of Dynamic Power Steering (DPS) and two colour schemes for both its Commander 1000 X and 1000 Limited packages. We tested this excellent ATV in last month’s issue, and were most impressed.
This new Can-Am Commander DPS package takes the base Commander and also adds 27in Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tyres on 14in cast aluminium wheels. Returning for 2013 are the XT and Limited packages, adding features such as 4000lb WARN winch, half-windshield, premium wheels and tyres and ICE integrated Garmin touchscreen GPS. BRP offers two Rotax V-Twin EFI engines, 800R or 1000). BRP’s 2013 Can-Am ATV (‘quad) line-up is led by the next-generation Outlander MAX family, all-new Outlander 1000 X mr ATV. The DPS package and other key models and upgrades are on offer for the new year including completely new Outlander 500 and 650 ATV line-ups.
Juke Nismo arriving fast
The first public unveiling of Nissan’s Juke Nismo production model took place at Le Mans in mid June, and it will make the transition from racetrack to road in early 2013. Nismo specialists have engineered a new aerodynamics kit, giving the Juke a more: ‘efficient, dynamic and powerful design’. The new model features lower front and rear bumpers, wider wings and sill side skirts, plus modified grille and tailgate spoiler. A tuned-up version of the 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine is inspired by the unit installed in Nissan’s amazing DeltaWing Le Mans race car. As well as featuring stiffened suspension settings and new steering modifications for sportier direct handling and improved traction control, the new model will also be available with torque vectoring. Juke Nismo will be built at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK in Sunderland, and sales in Europe are due to start early January 2013.
Ordering Dacia’s Duster
We can, after a very long wait, finally announce the UK opening of order books for Dacia’s Duster, thanks to confirmation of the new car warranty terms of three years/60,000 miles, and pricing of 4WD models from £10,995-14,995. Dacia is mindful that British buyers might be more interested in the more expensive competition with lengthier terms as standard, so there are two extended warranty options for five and seven years. The five-year/60,000 miles warranty upgrade costs an extra £395 and the seven-year/100,000 miles warranty £850. Each warranty includes Roadside Assistance for the duration of the policy period and covers roadside repair or recovery. Potential customers are invited to sign-up at www.dacia.co.uk, where regular news updates will be posted plus a pre-order service. Details of pre-launch activities will also be available on twitter @daciauk, www.facebook.com/daciauk or by calling 0800 99 11 99.
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