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Sarah Kidd

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Despite the fact the Mecca of motoring doesn’t start until next week, manufacturers have been teasing a mix of pictures, specs and new releases already. Here’s a list of what to look out for.

Honda 

Honda will reveal the European spec of the next-gen CR-V in Switzerland, with styling updates accompanying optional sixth and seventh seats and a hybrid powertrain on the new model. Oh, and four-wheel drive variants with both petrol and hybrid drivetrains.

The first deliveries are expected in autumn this year, with hybrids coming next year.

 

Jaguar

The I-Pace will get it’s full public unveiling next week in Geneva, but there will be an online reveal before then.

Tomorrow night the electric SUV will be uncovered live on the internet at 6pm. Jaguar say that the battery on the five seat SUV will charge from empty to 80% in 85 minutes, and full pricing and specifications are to be announced after the curtain drops.

 

Jeep

There will be three debutants from Jeep at this year’s show, with the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the 2019 Cherokee and the most anticipated new model in the off-roading sphere, the fourth-gen Wrangler appearing in Europe for the first time.

Joining the new releases on their stand will be a Night Eagle special edition of the latest Compass and four Mopar kitted Jeeps, showing off the accessory brand’s latest ranges.

 

Land Rover

Land Rover have teased a limited run two-door Range Rover, harking back to the Classic. We know very little thus far, except that it’s a full-fat Range Rover minus the back doors, there will only be 999 of them and the interior looks funky.

The full reveal will be at the show on the 6th March.

 

Mitsubishi

Geneva will see two model debuts from Mitsubishi – the e-Evolution concept and the 2019 Outlander PHEV.

The all electric e-Evolution will be making its European debut at the show. The EV shows the ‘strategic directions’ of the Mitsubishi brand, combining a sharp exterior with an under-floor triple battery system. One battery drives the front axle, whilst to share responsibilities at the back, and this is paired with Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive management setup.

A global debut awaits the 2019 Outlander PHEV at Geneva. The second-generation hybrid SUV has had its drivetrain redesigned, with the previous 2.0-litre petrol engine being upgraded to 2.4-litres. The outputs of the generator, rear motor, and the drive battery will be 10% higher than the current PHEV, whilst the drive battery’s capacity will be upped by 15%.

The Outlander’s 4WD system will also be getting more modes, including sport and snow settings.

Click here to visit Mitsubishi’s dedicated Geneva Motor Show website.

 

Skoda

Skoda have announced that they will reveal several model updates at Geneva, including the latest L&K and their latest concept.

The Kodiaq L&K will make its debut in the metal in Switzerland, as the SUV receives the top-spec treatment. A digital instrument panel will also be added to the Kodiaq lineup.

The Vision X concept looks forward to the future of the Skoda SUV family. The hybrid, ‘emotionally rich study’ operates a large touchscreen display and champions infotainment and connectivity. The powertrain in the Vision X is a four-cylinder turbo unit that runs on compressed natural gas and is enhanced by an electric motor.

 

SsangYong

SsangYong are doing well at the moment, and fresh from winning our 4×4 Of The Year Award with the Rexton, they’ve got a couple of reveals lined up for Geneva.

A new Musso will be revealed for the first time in Europe, alongside an electric offering. The e-SIV (which stands for electronic smart interface vehicle) is a concept SUV geared towards connectivity and autonomous driving, and has a slated range of 450km and can charge up to 80% in 50 minutes.

 

With more reveals certain over the duration of the show, we’ll keep you updated with everything 4×4.

Ineos have announced a partnership with MB Tech for their planned 4×4, the Projekt Grenadier.

In September last year, CEO of the chemical and energy company Jim Ratcliffe announced plans to manufacture the spiritual successor to the Land Rover Defender, thus INEOS Automotive was born. It has now been announced that Mercedes-Benz subsidiary MB Tech are going to be the engineering partners on the venture.

Head of Engineering at INEOS Automotive Alexander Quint is confident that signing with MB Tech was the correct choice for Projekt Grenadier.

“This agreement represents a great end to many months’ work securing the perfect partner for Projekt Grenadier’s development. We are working to create a very special car and it was essential for us to find the right partner. I believe MBtech’s reputation for quality, reliability and craftsmanship, alongside their long and proud history, make them the right choice. We have a supreme level of confidence in their engineering skills and know we have made the right decision.”

Work will begin on the ‘uncompromising’ off-roader this spring, with 200 engineers starting on the concept in Stuttgart, with more specifications earmarked for mid-2018.

The new XV is the first SUV on Subaru’s Global Platform – which will eventually underpin all the company’s vehicles. It’s good news for customers, because the XV and Impreza – which is also based on the new platform – take the top two places in EuroNCAP’s league table for child occupant protection.

It’s designed to route energy more efficiently through the body of the car in the event of a crash, and the engine is mounted in a cradle which carries it underneath the passenger compartment.

But to avoid that eventuality, the XV now features autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert, linked in to Subaru’s EyeSight system which uses a pair of cameras to create a 3D image of the road ahead. The XV will self-steer to a degree, too, to keep you on the straight and narrow, and if you try to pull away before the car in front, it’ll kill the gas.

And it looks after you the rest of the time, too. Inside, the XV’s cabin feels more modern than the old model’s, with a slick design and excellent build quality. The dashboard is dominated by a large screen which does the stuff you want it to but not the stuff you don’t – i.e. the heating and air-con which get traditional buttons.

We like the all-round view from the vehicle, too, as well as the space in the front seats. The rears aren’t as good – one six-footer can sit behind another, but not without compromise.

The rear seats drop down to leave a cargo floor with a sizeable step in it and a sloping front section. There’s a high lip at the tailgate aperture, too – because the floor is set low to allow the tallest possible luggage space.

The XV’s seating position is quite sporty, as is the vehicle’s willingness to be driven with verve.

The new platform is stiffer, with a low centre of gravity as well as a side-to-side balance of weight which flatters Subaru’s all-wheel drive system, letting the vehicle grip more tenaciously while steering and handling with greater feel and sharpness. It feels alert, and it also covers the ground very smoothly, with real composure.

You might not be surprised by any of that, but you’re unlikely to be expecting the XV to slay any giants off-road. Incredibly, though, we took on some mud on the luanch – the kind you really wouldn’t fancy having a go at on the wrong tyres. They wouldn’t have done this, of course, if they hadn’t tested it first. But this was on standard 18” tyres with the regulation amount of air in them. There was wheelspin, and a certain amount of sideways action as the vehicles found themselves a way through, but the fact is that we didn’t once see one getting into difficulties.

There’s no low box and the short stroke of the suspension means that although ground clearance is good, lifting wheels will always be an issue. But a standard CVT gearbox to some extent overcomes the absence of low range and, with Subaru’s X-Mode system now fitted, the XV’s traction control kicks in at lower speeds to prevent wheelspin.

There’s also a very effective hill descent control system whose set speed can be fine-tuned by dabbing the pedals, allowing you to tackle surprisingly rough terrain with much more control and finesse than a crossover estate normally allows.

Overall, there’s more off-road ability here than we believed possible in a car of this nature – Subaru is a past master at making estates perform in the mud, but the company has excelled itself here.

That’s the icing on top for a vehicle which makes a very good first impression indeed. And it’s a good first impression in more ways than one – because with the XV’s new platform set to go under the next Forester and Outback, Subaru has some very good times ahead.

Read the full review in the next issue of 4×4, out 9th February.

Land Rover have announced a two-door, limited run Range Rover as their 70th Anniversary merriments continue. The SV Coupé pays homage to the first Range Rover and will make its debut on Land Rover’s website on 6th March, before appearing publicly at the Geneva Motor Show. Each of the 999 Coupés will be hand crafted at Land Rover’s Special Vehicles facility in Warwickshire and will be available to customers worldwide.

Despite only releasing a singular birds-eye-view shot of the interior, the brands Chief Design Officer Gerry McGovern promises that the exterior will not disappoint.

‘The Range Rover SV Coupé is a highly compelling design with peerless refinement and uncompromised sophistication from its breath-taking exterior proportions to its sumptuous, beautifully appointed interior. This is a vehicle that will resonate on an emotional level.’

The new model will be a sleeker vision of the full-sized Range Rover, having only two doors like the original Rangey had on its release back in 1970. Like the Defender Works V8 and the restoration of a recently discovered, pre-production prototype, the SV Coupé commemorates both the brands heralded history producing now classic off-roaders, and its current status as a luxury SUV powerhouse.

With three announcements celebrating the brand’s 70th year, and it’s still only January, it seems as though the whole Land Rover team are set for the busiest of years.

Following last year’s success for the Skoda Kodiaq, VW has decided to add a new seven-seater to their own line-up – Tiguan Allspace.

Essentially, this is a Tiguan with added flexibility. It’s 215mm longer than the regular Tiguan and the wheelbase has been stretched by 109mm. With your elongated Tiguan you get the privilege of ‘occasional seating’, which thankfully doesn’t mean you can only use them for birthdays and weddings.

What it does mean is that VW hasn’t tried to make out they’ve harnessed technology from the Tardis and applied it to the Allspace’s back row of seats. Instead, they freely admit these two pews are for the petite individual who is likely to be more interested in discussing with you the delights of Peppa Pig rather than available legroom.

There are a few other subtle differences between the Allspace and regular Tiguan, too. At the front, a taller grille and revised bonnet visually helps with raising the front in order to counter the extra bulk at the rear. The rear doors are longer and the shoulder line has been reworked, while off-road versions get amended bumpers and underbody protection. Even with the Tiguan’s growth spurt, it’s not an oversized vehicle and remains attractive.

The model we recently got our hands on was an SE Nav 2.0-litre TDI 4Motion 147bhp variant. Bit of a mouthful, but before we break it down for you, it’s worth knowing that this is the example VW estimates will be its top seller.

The ‘SE Nav’ denotes the starting point as you head up through the Allspace spectrum, past SEL and onto the R-Line derivatives. There’s a focus on providing high spec’d vehicles here, so all versions are generously equipped from the off. This base SE Nav, for instance, has the 8” colour touchscreen and Discover Navigation system.

VW estimates suggest that 95% of Allspace sales will be diesel, emphasising that TDI still pips TSI in this category – for now. You can get the 2.0 TDI unit in more powerful guises, and while initially sceptical about the 147bhp being able to haul the Allspace and seven people around, it will satisfy you completely, with a surprising amount of shove to serve up when prompted. Regarding the petrol units, the 1.4 TSI is only available in 2WD, leaving the thirstier 2.0 TSI. It may have 177bhp, but the TDIs can talk the torque.

There’s a mix of manual and autos on offer, but it’s the latter we’d advise you towards. Family life can tire you out, so why not let the car do the work for you? That is the idea after all. Plus you get paddles and a manual shift setting should you wish to take control and with the DSG ‘boxes being the best in the business, their slickness is difficult to play down.

Inside, it can look a little conservative – but as usual with Volkswagen, it’s all in the detail. The soft-touch plastics give an assuring feel of quality, while the cloth seats look up for a battle with the kids in the war of cleanliness. Controls are positioned well and easy to navigate.

And what of this ‘occasional seating’? A tether either side of the middle row flips them down and the occasional two are simple to put up or down. You can have a very spacious five-seat Tiguan or a seven-seater that will cope with the capability of swallowing a decent shopping trip.

Bigger boot, more seats, and more eventualities covered – what’s not to like. VW has quietly gone on and added that extra flexibility without harming the goodness already established in the Tiguan.

Prices start at £29,370, with the one that impressed us costing £34,905.

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VW have launched a limited edition Amarok with a bad-boy image. The Dark Label pick-up is based on the top of the range Highline trim and, in true Lego Batman style, everything is black – or very, very dark grey.

Most exterior trimmings have been given a gothic makeover, including the 18” alloys and the rear bumper. Three shades of dark paint are on offer, along with three different finishes. Carbon Steel is the metallic option, alongside Deep Black pearl and matte Indium Grey.

It’s inside the Dark Label Amarok where it cements itself as one of the highest spec iterations of the pick-up, with alcantara seats, black headlining and floor mats connoting the design. VW’s Discover Media touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard, as does voice control functionality. Standard driver aids are aplenty, with automatic wipers and headlights, heated mirrors and safety features all fixed on the Dark Label.

Orders are now open, close in April and are limited to 200 units, with prices starting at £33,650.

A new Defender has been announced as part of Land Rover’s 70th anniversary celebrations – and it’s the most powerful one they’ve ever made.

The Works V8 – available as both a 90 and 110 – gets a 5.0-litre, naturally aspirated V8 that puts out 405bhp and 379lbf.ft. That’s enough to warrant quoting the 0-60 time – an impressive 5.6 seconds. It also ups the top speed to a lofty 106mph.

To help you convey that power, they’ve given the V8 an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, and the brakes have been upgraded to increase stopping power.

Other specs include LED headlights and a handling kit made up of uprated springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. The 18” Sawtooth alloys get all-terrain tyres and inside, the interior is lavishly wrapped in Windsor Leather– including the Recaro seats.

The production run is limited to 150 units, and just as no expense has been spared in celebrating both Land Rover and the Defender, it will have to be in purchasing a Works V8, too. Prices for a 90 start at £150,000, but the project has inspired a series of performance enhancements such as power upgrades, braking kits and road suspension, which will follow suit.

 

2019 Jeep® Cherokee Limited

2019 Jeep® Cherokee Limited

Jeep have debuted the 2019 Cherokee at the Detroit Motor Show. The rejuvenated SUV showed its less significantly less squinty face in public for the first time, along with a new engine.

The SUV will come with the choice of an all-new 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine, has stop-start functionality and is available with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This joins the 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 and the 2.4-litre PZEV Multiair available in the Cherokee line-up.

The Cherokee continues to champion off-road ability in an SUV, independent front and rear suspension setups and a choice of three 4×4 systems.

More details on the Cherokee will be released for Europe closer to the launch in the second half of 2018.

Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2018 // Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2018

After months of strategic suspense building, Mercedes has finally revealed the brand new G-Class – and there’s more changes here than initially meets the eye.

Yes, it pretty much looks the same. The LED headlamps have been updated, alongside a refreshed grille and at the back the taillights have been given the once over, too. But overall, it’s retained the iconic veneer.

It’s a similar story inside, too. The instruments have been redesigned, but keep that classic feel with round analogue dials. However, just as in most other Mercs being produced today, the displays in the drivers’ view are digitised and a 12.3-inch display above the centre console is available.

Now, onto the good stuff. The G-Class has a newly-designed suspension, worked on by both the flagship and AMG, which prioritises off-road figures. The double-wishbone front axle is directly attached to the chassis – there’s no subframe involved. And thanks to the setup at the back – a rigid axle managed by four trailing arms on each side and a panhard rod – the new G-Wagen has 10cm more ground clearance between axles than its predecessor.

This also means that it can ford deeper, and has better breakover, departure and approach angles, too. Combine these with the fact it retains the three fully lockable diffs, the obligatory low-range ‘box and advanced four-wheel-drive system, and the German powerhouse will take some stopping when the tarmac ends.

The 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, which beats out 422bhp and 450lb/ft, has been confirmed for the G500 model, however that hasn’t yet been confirmed for the UK. Whether we get it or not, it will be managed by the five driving modes. The Comfort, Sport and Eco settings are self-explanatory, as is the customisable Individual mode.

Most interesting of the lot is the new G-Mode. No, it doesn’t turn up the stereo and blast out ‘Fiddy Cent’. It kicks in as soon as any of the diffs are locked, or the low ‘box is selected, and it tailors the G-Class to the terrain. The off-road setting adjusts the damping of the chassis and steering, along with modifying the accelerator behaviour. It also aims to avoid untimely gear changes from the 9G-tronic auto ‘box. So, Mercedes’ answer to Terrain Response then.

There aren’t any more details about which G-Class options will be available in the UK, but the entry price in Germany is set at €109,040.50, with first deliveries expected for the summer. So Brits interested in the new G can anticipate prices that start just shy of £100,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ssangyong rexton 3 copy

We were impressed beyond belief with the SsangYong Rexton this year, hence the fact that we awarded it THREE titles. The newcomer from South Korea earned the Best Value award as well as winning the Off-Roaders class – before going on to take the overall title of 4×4 Of The Year 2018.

We were hugely impressed by the Rexton’s all-round abilities. It’s a great vehicle – and its overwhelming value for money takes the verdict from great to astonishing.

The Rexton combines everything from a great interior to an impressive warranty. It’s a practical, comfortable truck that is also good to drive, at a price that knocks the wind out of its opposition. If money were no object, yes you would probably go elsewhere – but SsangYong’s new flagship gets 90% of the way to matching vehicles that cost two, even three times as much. It’s very nearly as good as some illustrious rivals, and positively better that others – and nothing gives you as much for your money. Make no mistake, the Rexton is a brilliant new option in the 4×4 market.

Read the full overview and reports from the 4×4 Of The Year Awards, in the 48-page supplement in the February 2018 issue of 4×4.

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