“A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE”, was the description of 2011, used by Subaru Managing Director, Darren James to describe the company’s vehicle sales. A total of only 2600 units were sold in the UK, which he explained was “nowhere near good enough”. The poor economic situation and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami took out the equivalent of five months’ sales.
For the small niche manufacturer, such a bad year could have been terminal, but for 2012 there is expectation of a far better year. And this is all because of the launch of the new Subaru XV crossover, an innovative new vehicle that is effectively “re-launching” Subaru in the UK. We have driven the XV, and were impressed (full report coming in May’s issue). Further new product from Subaru is expected later this year, including, we believe, a new, bigger, Forrester. More details next month.
This March, Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi will unveil a new model, which, although not expected to be a 4×4, could herald the potential for a new Shogun model in the next couple of years. The company’s “Jump 2013” campaign is a completely new design philosophy and will be unveiled at this year’s Geneva Show. Hopefully it will herald plans for a new Shogun which, even the most passionate owner must admit, is beginning to look a little long in the tooth and is falling behind its rivals not just in terms of looks, but also some of the electronic devices now available on a lot of other premium 4x4s. Here’s hoping.
IT’S ALL BLACK AND WHITE in the Nissan Juke range; the Kuro (which is the Japanese for black) is to be replaced with the Shiro (which means white). It’s all about the detailing and the Shiro has unique white interior detailing including the centre console “inspired by the shape of a motorcycle fuel tank”, with white door surrounds.
Hils Everitt – Editor at Large
This year’s medical check-up was a special one for my silver machine as it coincided with its 10th birthday; yep first registered in January 2002. It looks its age in some ways, such as the Jeep badging losing its lacquer in some places and the alloys certainly show the signs of a double-figure life, but in others, it looks good with the interior not bad at all. OK, so the black leather seats are rather creased, but I rather like that lived-in, comfy look and they really are still some of the comfiest seats I have nestled into – and that goes for some of the current luxury models that my backside has experienced recently.
Ford’s new Aussie-designed, South African-built Ranger pick-up – or Ute as they call them – has finally made it to the UK. Was it worth the wait? You had better believe it…
Northumberland is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but when joining the excellent Kielder 4×4 Safari that weaves along the tracks of The Forestry Commission’s Kielder Forest, we discovered a hidden gem
The future of Electronic Driving Aids: a truly marvellous development or a step too far in dumbing down off-road driving skills? Guess which way Hils veers!
Nigel Fryatt – editor
Regular readers will know that in the previous issue I explained the horror story of having the Hilux’s catalytic convertor cut from the truck, while I slept peacefully, unaware of what was happening on my drive! The actions of these morons cost over £1000 to replace, and I have been concerned since then that they would be back to try again. There are now security plans afoot, but you still worry.
Bob Cooke – contributor 
If we’re going to have a miserably cold winter, I guess we might as well have a bit of snow to brighten up the countryside. I do mean a bit of snow, enough to give a Christmas card look to the scenery, as opposed to last month’s blizzard that had people stuck all night on the M40 and M25. If only they’d all had 4x4s…
Louise Limb – contributor
It’s been an unexpectedly slithery couple of months since my last joyful report as I looked forward to adequate road holding and relatively stress free cornering after investing in new Bridgestone tyres. While I do little serious off-roading in the Grand Vitara – it is after all my only car, so it must take me reliably from A-B at all times, I do drive an awful lot of winding country lanes, usually slick with manure filled tractor tracks or strewn with windblown vegetation. I was looking forward to tackling these hazards with gusto, confident I could stop quickly after the work on my off side brake to even up the performance of both front brakes and with the reassurance of brand new rubber between me and the road.
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