Tyres are a very important part of your 4×4 and your choices can affect running costs, longevity and performance. The 4×4 tyre market is gradually changing to meet new EU regulations. Read on to find out what’s going on in the market, glean some top advice from the experts and pick up essential maintenance tips
Words: Hils Everitt
Within the motoring world, it is generally agreed by the retail experts that 4×4 owners are far better informed, generally, when it comes to the rubber wear that holds up their vehicles compared to their mainstream peers.
It is also generally agreed that tyres are the most important choice a vehicle owner has in their lifetime of driving and should involve plenty of research and taking on aboard advice from the experts if knowledge is not as extensive as it should be. As the SUV market has exploded in the last decade, so has the availability of tyres suitable for this genre of vehicle and more sizes have become available in the once limited All Terrain and Mud Terrain sector over the years.
Nigel Fryatt – editor
When Suzuki’s small, three-door Grand Vitara arrived at the magazine, I did wonder if it would actually impress. It was effectively replacing my tough, black Toyota Hilux – as ‘macho’ a truck as you can find on and off the road; the Vitara certainly had a softer appearance. Despite this, it fitted the bill, being one of the few remaining ‘soft-roaders’ that actually has a low range gearbox, which certainly increases its capabilities. 
A recent hand injury has seen our columnist spend more time in the passenger seat, and time to watch the horrors on our roads…
Louise Limb
As June and MOT time approached, the ominous bumping sounds from beneath the Freelander became louder. I’d say, ‘surely you can hear that now?’ as we’d encounter a minor road hump and looking round the delightful leather cabin. I’d think, ‘it’ll never pass its MOT and the costs will mean sayonara for our well travelled friend’. One day, taking my daughter, two grandsons and my mother-in-law around Southport, I realised that the familiar strange creaking from under the rear seat that accompanied every journey had stopped. Some weight on the rear seat was all that was needed to cure that noise! I felt sure the other rumblings were serious and was dumbstruck when my regular mechanic Phil emerged to say there was nothing wrong with the elderly Land Rover; not even the tiniest advisory.
Bob Cooke – contributor
Had it been a rainy day we probably wouldn’t have got anywhere. At first glance, especially from the superbly scenic viewpoint of our picnic spot overlooking the green expanse of Bedfordshire extending to the horizon, it’s hard to understand why they call it Devil’s Pit because the first view of it is a broad field with a bit of a rise at the far end. There are, however, two factors that lift it above the seemingly mundane bit of field-crossing – one being the chalky surface of the tracks which turn treacherously greasy when wet, the other being the demanding selection of rutted, steep-sided hollows hidden away behind the trees in the north-west corner of the site. No wonder the site personnel are so keen to ensure that cars using the black-run section in this area are roll-caged and all occupants are harnessed in and protected by helmets.
The Isuzu D-Max is making quite an impression in the British Cross Country Championship, as well as on many building sites around the UK. As they say, motorsport improves the bread, and it is now possible to buy a rally proven road-legal exhaust system from Milltek. Based around 70mm non-magnetic stainless steel tube, and designed, developed and fabricated in Milltek’s Derbyshire factory, the D-Max system can either be ordered as a half system for those looking to get the style and sound, but who wish to leave their DPF and catalyst in place. Or, for those seeking outright performance, a full catalyst and DPF delete option is also available, which is claimed to offer considerably more power and torque in the process. This latter option will need new ECU software or a full engine remap. If you are considering this, the best idea is to check things out directly with the guys at Milltek.
ATV specialist Polaris has just celebrated its 60th Anniversary, with the launch of the Ranger 400 Limited Edition and Ranger Diesel Limited Edition. These models are also fitted with gun scabbard mounts for shooting. Fittingly, the models were launched at the Clay Pigeon Shooting World English Sport Championships at West Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire.
With all the excitement around the Discovery’s 25 years, plus the news of the new Concept vehicle (see page 22) pointing the way to the new Discovery ‘range’ in the future, it would be easy to forget the trusty Freelander. Not so it seems, as Jaguar Land Rover has just announced the new Metropolis model, introduced as ‘the most luxurious Freelander yet’. It is based on the HSE LUX model but has (appropriately enough!) Windsor leather, electronically adjustable seats, panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, reversing camera and 19inch alloy wheels. The Metropolis is top of the Freelander range, but there are also new SE and SE Tech models for the 2015 model range; the SE being the entry level model. The SE Tech has the excellent 380W Meridian audio system, touchscreen-controlled navigation, automatic headlights and 19inch alloys. The new 2015 Freelander model range is available from dealers now, with a starting price of £27,765 for the SE manual, up to £35,995 for the Metropolis SD4 automatic. This magazine will be running a Metropolis in our Long Term fleet, starting next month. This is actually the first time that the magazine has had a present day Land Rover in its fleet, so we are looking forward to reporting just how we get on with it. Of course, if we need to get an understanding as to what it’s like to live with a latest Freelander, we could ask Princess Anne, since we spotted her very smart black version at Windsor. If it’s good enough for her, it should be OK for this magazine, don’t you think!
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