China’s Beijing Motor Show was deemed the place for Porsche to unveil the newest model in the successful Cayenne range. The new GTS model has an uprated 4.8-litre V8 engine, with 420bhp, and is based on the Cayenne S power unit, with the eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox with integrated auto start/stop function. Designed to deliver particularly sporting levels of responsiveness, with the consequence that the Cayenne GTS sprints from a standing start to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, reaching 100mph in 13.3 seconds. The top speed is 162mph and the combined fuel consumption figure is 26.4mpg. The suspension is stiffer, lowered by 24mm (compared to the Cayenne S) and equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard. Fitted to every Cayenne GTS is a Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a sophisticated vehicle security package approved to Thatcham Category 5 standard, and customers will also be to able enjoy a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. The Cayenne GTS goes on sale in the UK in July 2012, priced from £67,147.
KELSEYAdmin
LR DISCOVERY 3, and 110
Robert Pepper
This time last month I was writing just before heading out on a day trip to parts unknown. That trip turned out to be straightforward, until the fabled ‘Four o’clock Track’ – the “one last drive” to round off a triumphant day, which the group decided to tackle at the inauspicious time of 4:05pm. Well, let’s just say three hours later and four recoveries we towed one of the now-dead cars out of the bush. But that’s what off-roading is about, if you want a predictable drive then motor on down to the local shops.
We’ve done a couple more trips since then and right now I’m sat in a camp chair in shade provided by the Discovery, next to our family tent. We’re away again, this time with some Land Rover Series owners on a three-day event. Apart from writing this column, I’m also looking up the best places to buy batteries, as the D3’s main battery has suddenly started failing to hold charge, running down to around 10v overnight. We have a dual battery system and the second battery runs all the accessories such as the CB radio, fridge, navigation devices and laptop power so that’s all fine. But before that we need to get the D3 started, and it’s an automatic, so no jump-starting! It’s not usually a good idea to connect the starter car battery directly to the dead car’s battery then start it, but in the case of the D3 the service techs assured me that’s what you can do. However, we play safe and just use a Discovery 2 to charge the D3’s battery up to 12.5 volts before starting it, and off she goes.
FANCY A CHINESE?
Bargain Great Wall Steed pick-up arrives, SUV to follow next year
It was a bit of a race and we’ve beaten everyone to it.” So said Paul Hegarty, newly appointed MD of UK importer for Great Wall, the first Chinese manufacturer to import its brand into this country. It was a remark almost made as an aside, but it underlined that being first into the UK mattered. No one remembers who comes second – for the record, that’s likely to be Geely, due later this year. More significant, however, were Hegarty’s comments that Great Wall is ‘highly ambitious’ with its export plans. Last year the Chinese manufacturer produced one million units, the 2015 target is a cool two million and, after Italy, the UK is the second European country into which those exports will start to flow. There won’t be any problem meeting the expected demand either, since Great Wall has just built a new plant in Tianjin. It is six times the size of the previous biggest Great Wall plant, covering an area of 3.6million square metres. For reference, the UK launch was at Leamington Spa – you could fit the whole of that town, and the neighbouring Warwick, into that area.
Ironman Challenge France
The Ironman Challenge France is a superb event, with technically demanding rocks, tumbling streams, thick wooded hillsides, generous scree and wicked graded sections, seasoned with a massed start and a truely spectacular finish. A must for all super hero 4×4 competitors…
Words and photography: Alan Coutts
Soft morning light flooded the cabin as the Citroen 4×4 climbed the spiralling Col des Tourettes, 1126 metres of pass laced with pebbles and rocks; just over the narrow summit road, hairpins tumble down to Montmorin, a village of honey coloured stone walls and gentle meadows that hosted the premier Ironman Challenge France.
Previously called the X-Trem Challenge France, the Ironman brought teams from England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Poland to pit their skills at one of the most technically renowned challenges on the circuit. The action started after dinner on Thursday when crews headed into the glowering forests for the start of section A or B night stages, to collect as many punches as they could. It was an evil night of numbing cold on the steep hillsides, with sections lurking in cold mountain streams, or among rocks and mud interlaced with sturdy trees standing like silent sentinels. Competition ceased at 2am when the service crews took over to prepare their cars ready for a 10am line up on the Friday morning. La Rascasse the restaurant took care of the body, but the mind was soothed by a blessing for a safe event from the impressively modest local priest. This is just one of the moments that made the Ironman different – despite rollovers, synth ropes breaking and melting, cars drowning and electro mechanical failures of many kinds, no one was injured.
First Drive: Great Wall Steed
The first Chinese importer into the UK has launched its first model; the Great Wall Steed pick-up. Editor Nigel Fryatt takes a first drive of a Chinese 4×4. It probably won’t be his last
Here’s a conundrum. When faced with a bargain, do you look at what you are offered and marvel at all you are getting at such a low price, or do you, perhaps, question the quality of the product but then consider well, you get what you pay for? Maybe it is a case of whether your glass is half empty or half full. Make no mistake, however, the new Great Wall Steed pick-up is a serious bargain and it represents a very serious statement from the first Chinese importer into the UK.
You can be forgiven for not knowing a great deal about the Great Wall motor company. If that’s the case, here are a few salient facts. It has been producing vehicles for 35 years, has total assets of £2.7billion, a worldwide workforce of over 45,000, is China’s biggest SUV producer and is the only privately-owned Chinese automotive company to be listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. It knows a thing or two about pick-ups, having been producing the largest selling version in China since 1998 – which relates to 120,000 domestic customers a year – and has sold 700,000 to date, and plans to export 40,000 this year. The company exports to 120 countries and after Italy, the UK is the only other European country to take Great Wall vehicles. That is, at the moment. In total the company produces around 1million units a year, the target for 2015 is double that…
TOYOTA HILUX HL3
Nigel Fryatt – editor
It’s a case of almost, but not quite, this month. Haven’t actually managed much with the Hilux in the last few weeks; apart from the collection taxi for the daughter’s Springer Spaniel. But despite this, there has been some excitement in the Editor’s 4×4 garage with the arrival of some super chunky new off-road tyres.
The Hilux original equipment rubber are Bridgestone Dueller H/T. OK for the road, although care has to be taken when the truck bed’s empty that even on bone-dry tarmac a little too much right foot exiting roundabouts can make the rear skip and loose grip. Off-road they are… well, they are on-road tyres and we have been thinking of improving the situation as soon as we can, and thanks to the guys at Cooper Tires, we now have a set of Discoverer S/T Maxx rubber.
G-Whiz G-Class
Claiming it is “the leader among off-road vehicles” Mercedes-Benz has announced that the G-Class (better known to most off-roaders as the G-Wagen) has been “significantly upgraded”. Originally introduced in 1979, it’s come a long way since we had a short wheelbase diesel version on long-term test on the magazine. Utilitarian looks, somewhat austere perhaps, it certainly had little in terms of luxury – but still we loved the thing, and yes it was very good off-road, but ‘a leader’? Maybe not. Times have changed, however, and the latest version is certainly luxurious, and includes the new G 63 AMG with an eight-cylinder biturbo engine which is a 5.5-litre unit producing an awesome 544bhp at 5500rpm and a staggering 760Nm (560lb ft) of torque! Add to this the three electronically operated diff locks, ladder frame chassis, rigid axles and it can certainly perform in the rough. Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars explained: “Our G-Class has been a force to be reckoned with for the last 33 years. In its latest evolutionary stage, it offers state-of-the-art, powerful engines, a further improved range of luxurious appointments and the very latest safety features, as well, of course, as its now legendary off-road capabilities. At the same time the design remains true to its down-to-earth, unmistakable style.” This new generation G-Class will be available in the autumn, not all models come to the UK and they are under special order. Prices have yet to be announced, but if you go to the website, G-Class prices start from £81,745, with the present AMG model starting at £117,610…
FORD MAVERICK
Ian Seabrook
Having sold my Range Rover Classic just before winter, as the heater blower motor wasn’t working and I didn’t fancy the dash-removal job to extract and repair it. I soon missed 4×4 ownership though, even if winter snow was in short supply.
The problem was, my 4×4 budget was on the low side. I set myself the challenge of buying a 4×4 at the height of winter for £800. Choosing which one was a challenge. This is the very bottom of the market, and there’s an awful lot of rusty junk out there. I fancied a Land Rover Discovery – they’re very popular around here as they are cheap and very capable in the mucky stuff. My budget would only get me a very tired and rotten one though.
MINI COUNTRYMAN COOPER S All4
Phil Weeden
While some people are horrified at the idea of a large MINI, let there be no doubt: the Countryman fulfils a crucial gap in the market. While these vehicles will never be classed as true off-roaders, they have formed a valuable new market sector, catering for people with busy and varied lifestyles who need to stay mobile whatever the weather, and so it was great to spend some time behind the wheel to see what this ‘Dakar-winner’ is like in the real world.
Hils at Large – The spirit is willing…
Can we stop building ‘bland’ 4x4s? A plea to bring back some individuality into 4×4 designs and stop everything looking the same
Have to say, I love my job; and I particularly love it when I meet those amazing enthusiasts who have an intense respect for a certain type of vehicle, know everything about it and have spent years buying and restoring loads of models to keep their dream alive.
You can read about one such enthusiast, or I should say a family trio of Grandad, Son and Grandson, all with the same penchant for historic military vehicles in this month’s issue (page 60). Grandad Paul has been a huge fan of anything military since he first spotted a Dodge Command car in his home town during the Second World War and has since transformed many stunning wrecks into impressive restorations with a delicate and loving attention to detail.
The Dodge Command car we feature this month is a beauty and even if you are not into such military gems, you can’t fail to admire its design and style. It was loved by top military commanders and represents the glorious past of our great passion, the 4×4. Seeing this Dodge in the flesh, after having first spied it at a military show, again, makes me yearn for the days of 4x4s with some real character and class. I think the closest we come to that these days is the magnificent Mercedes G-Class – see the latest update to the luxury true off-roader in the News pages – or Jeep Wrangler. Yes, the Land Rover Defender is clinging onto some dignity, but that is all about to change when we find out exactly what the DC100 will look like (and we have a pretty good idea…).
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