4x4 Mart July Preview

# >/53A =4 "f"a 4=@ A/:3 7<1:C27<5 !# >:CA :/<2 @=D3@A 8C:G #

0CG7<5 A3::7<5 =E<7<5 B75C/< 3A1/>3

27A1=D3@G " B3AB32 @/<53 B=>>7<5 6A3 =< B@7/:

0CG7<5 / CA32 A6=5C< 7A B67A B63 03AB A31=<26/<2 0CG =4 -

2@7D7<5 DE¸A 1=;>/1B ACD

;/H2/ 0B #

ABC@2G >719 C>¸A 47</: B3AB

;=@3 B= 3F>:=@3

0CG3@ 5C723 ¸A 7<A723

=44 @=/2 B@/7<7<5 2/GA

@/<53 @=D3@

" B6 07@B62/G "f" ;/@B j 8C:G

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

" B6 /<<7D3@A/@G

@/<53 @=D3@ ·1:/AA71¸( '% ''$

@/<53 @=D3@ ·>!&/¸( ''"

"#

" B6 /<<7D3@A/@G

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

@/<53 @=D3@ .

;=@3 B6/< "f"a 4=@ A/:3 47<2 G=C@ <3FB "f" 7<A723

4=@BG

\US @]dS` QSZSP`ObSR

=\ 8c\S % bVS @O /\R eWbV aOZSa ]\ bVS Wba " bV O\\WdS`aO`g @O\US @]dS` ^`]RcQb W\Q`SOaS O\R O\ Sfb`O aVO^S ]T bVS OZZ \Se b ZW\S RcS W\ ³ W\ bVS VS Tcbc`S Z]]Ya P`WUV ·Q][^OQb¸ dS`aW]\ ³ b Q]\ T]` bVWa 5`SOb 0`WbWaV W S @]dS` 6O^^g PW`bVROg @O\U

¸( @/<53 @=D3@ ·:! '

@/<53 @=D3@ A>=@B ( # b] RObS

E]`Y PSUO\ ]\ QV \ Oa bVS · W\ '$$ ^`]b]bg^S Y\]e

]dS`

'%"

abObW]\ eOU]\¸

'%

dS` R]]` @O\US @] BVS ]`WUW\OZ be] ]Sa a bVS 1ZOaaWQ ³ U ³ Y\]e\ ZObS` O ]\ aOZS

@O\US @]dS` `SQ \RW\U bSQV\WQOZ '% OeO`R T]` ]cbabO

SWdSa bVS @/1 2S

@/<53 @=D3@ ·1=;>/1B¸ ( 4`][

R # ASQ]\R []RSZ ZW A^]`b ³ ZOc\QVS

\S ³ bVS @O\US

4 /< 71=< 4=C@ 231/23A = bVS ¿`ab @O\US @

@/<53 @=D3@ <3E A>31 ( ' b] RObS

eO`

OQVWSdS[S\b

'%

WQZS b] ` Wa bVS ¿`ab dSV BVS @O\US @]dS

5O^ ]\ O 0`WbWaV Q`]aa bVS 2O`WS\ /`[g B`O\a /[

S`WQO Sf^SRWbW]\

Oab ^ZSbSa eSab b] S @O\US @]dS` Q][

^SRWbW]\ ³ % # AOVO`O RSaS`b Sf a [WZSa W\ ROg

S @]dS` eW\a bVS

/ []RW¿SR @O\U

:]\R]\ AgR\Sg '%% "f" QZOaa W\ bVS

SZZW\U ! Y[ ;O`ObV]\ O U`c R \USab SdS` a^SS SdS\b O\R bVS Z] POaSR QO` `OZZg S` W¿SR @O\US @]d / a^SQWOZZg []R O `Wa 2OYO` `OZZg eW\a bVS ¿`ab >O

\a OUOW\ W\ '& @O\US @]dS` eW

'%'

4W`ab ^`]RcQbW]\ ab Z]\U eWbV bVS ¿` '& @]dS` O^^SO`a O \

T]c` R]]` @O\U

S

R ZW[WbSR SRWbW] TOQb]`g ^`]RcQS VS ·7\ D]UcS¸ @O\US @]dS` ³ b

'&

'&!

S a^SSR [O\cO @O\US @]dS` ¿d RcQSR USO`P]f Wa W\b`]

Z

S` S`SR @O\US @]d

% a^SSR `SQ]`Ra '&# BVS RWSaSZ ^]e ·0cZZSb¸ P`SOYa

@O\US @]dS` Wa Z '&% <]`bV /[S`WQO

VS e]`ZR¸a ¿`ab

SZ `SQ]`R T]` W\QZcRW\U O RWSa ` bVO\ [^V T] OdS`OUW\U []`S " V]c`a

"f"

:W[WbSR 3RWbW]\

]c\RS` 1VO`ZSa '' ³ \O[SR OTbS` T

@O\US @]dS` 1A9

A^S\QS` 9W\U ³

''

''

aW]\ `]\WQ OW` aca^S\ /cb][ObWQ SZSQb f" ]`ZR ¿`ab T]` O " W\b`]RcQSR O e

''

Oc\QVSR W\

`OYSa /0A O\bW Z]QY P '&' @O\US @]dS` Wa b b] PS ¿bbSR eWbV

a [WaaW]\ PSQ][S /cb][ObWQ b`O\a @O\US @]dS` OdOWZOPZS ]\ bVS

Wa ZOc\QVSR

¸a aaWQ Wa bVS e]`ZR @O\US @]dS` 1ZO \WQ bbSR eWbV SZSQb`] ¿`ab "f" b] PS ¿

ASQ]\R US\S`Ob OZS ''" @]dS` U]Sa ]\ a

W]\ >!&/ @O\U

'''

$ BS``OW\ @Sa^]\a W\b`]RcQSR

bS`

@O\US @]dS` :W\ :W[WbSR 3RWbW]\ ]\ ;]b]` AV]e O^^SO`a Ob :]\R

S\UW\Sa O\R bSQ

ZSg

/ZZ \Se @O\US @ cQSR O\US @]dS` ^`]R 6OZT [WZZW]\bV @ ZO\b Ob bVS A]ZWVcZZ ^

SZ

D&

V\]Z]Ug c^RObS

@O\US @]dS` QSZ O\\WdS`aO`g

SP`ObSa Wba " bV

cS ]\ a ;]b]` AV]e R /ZZ \Se Q][^OQ `SdSOZSR Ob >O`W b @O\US @]dS` b]

]dS` :! ZOc\QVSR

@]dS`

S O\R B2D& RWSa

`QVO`USR ^Sb`]Z ' @O\US @]dS` TSO # O\R # ac^S a bc`Sa OZZ \Se :@

aaWQ P]ea ]cb OT

b`OQbW]\ Q]\b`]Z

S :A3 Y\]e\ Oa :]\U eVSSZPOa VSR bVS CA Wa ZOc\Q 1]c\bg :E0 W\

S

]T ! % $ # c\Wba ''$ @O\US @]dS` 1ZO b]bOZ ^`]RcQbW]\

PS

aOZS W\

8cZg #

""

:O\R @]dS` B2# ' %#

;WbacPWaVW : " # ''#

AchcYW 5`O\R DWbO`O & ! ''#

DOcfVOZZ 4`]\bS`O

"

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

@=/2 B3AB( :/<2 @=D3@ 27A1=D3@G " B2D$ 6A3

;/97<5 B63 03AB 03BB3@2Sa^WbS VSTbg ^`WQW\U bVS ZObSab 2WaQ]dS`g " Wa aSZZW\U eSZZ O\R ORRW\U b] :O\R @]dS`¸a Qc``S\b acQQSaa B][ >VWZZW^a b`WSa bVS `O\US b]^^W\U 6A3 b] aSS eVOb OZZ bVS Tcaa Wa OP]cb

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

&

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

0CG7<5 CA32( ;7BAC07A67 A6=5C<

B63 @3:7/0:3 16=713B]ROg¸a ;WbacPWaVW AV]Uc\ [Og PS eSZZ S_cW^^SR O\R O PWb UZWbhg Pcb bVS POaWQ aVO^S RObSa POQY OZ[]ab O eV]ZS RSQORS B][ >VWZZW^a W\dSabWUObSa bVS W\a O\R ]cba ]T PcgW\U O bVW`R US\S`ObW]\ []RSZ

7

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost ten years since Mitsubishi revealed its all-new Shogun to us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a model that marked a major change in thinking from its two predecessors.

In fact, compared with the aged Mk II Shogun (or Pajero/Montero, as it was known in other markets), the newcomer was technically advanced.

And that was particularly the case with its construction, this being the first Shogun ever launched as a monocoque design rather than having a traditional separate chassis.

This third-generation Shogun is, of course, still with us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; modified and upgraded, but still having to compete against much newer machinery. On the used market, however, the age of the model is a positive advantage, as it means early examples are now impressively affordable. In fact, with

prices starting at around ÂŁ4000, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something of a compelling purchase.

Its history, though, is rather complex. The launch of the all-new Shogun in late 2000 was, if you recall, slightly controversial. Going modern via monocoque construction caused a stir in Shogun circles, but Mitsubishi knew it had to be done. As previous versions had gradually moved further upmarket, buyers demanded extra refinement and comfort, both of which are transformed when a 4x4 doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use a separate chassis in its construction; only by doing this, reasoned the Japanese firm, could it hope to take on the new generation of SUVs being lined up elsewhere for the 21st century.

It was a natural progression from the successful 1997 facelift of the Mk II Shogun â&#x20AC;&#x201C; though this one took the

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

@=/2 B3AB( ;/H2/ 0B # 7<B@3>72

@=/2 B3AB

0B # 0=EA =CB ;OhRO VOa RSQWRSR b] ab]^ aSZZW\U bVS 0B # ^WQY c^ `O\US W\ bVS C9 O\R ab]QYa O`S \]e `c\\W\U Z]e >OcZ 5cW\\Saa PWRa TO`SeSZZ dWO O VWUV [WZSOUS eSSY eWbV bVS b]^ ]T bVS `O\US 7\b`S^WR

G

ou canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but feel a bit sorry for Mazda. While other Japanese makers like Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan have all enjoyed major success in the UK with sales of their one-tonne pick-ups, Mazda has traditionally lagged behind.

Well behind, in fact. So much so, the company has taken the reluctant decision to halt all future imports of the BT-50. And with probably no more than 40 unregistered examples still within the Mazda dealer network, time is running out if you want a brand new truck wearing a Mazda badge.

At its peak, the BT-50 was selling an average of around 1,100 units a year here in Britain, which made it just about worthwhile as an import. But by the time the recession started to bite and that total had fallen to an average of 600 trucks a year, Mazda knew the sums no longer added up. By the time the BT-50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marketing and promotional costs were taken into account, it was no longer a viable proposition, which means we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be seeing any fresh imports arriving at our shores.

So in order to bid farewell to the BT-50, we persuaded the good folk at Mazda to lend us a top-of-the-range 3.0-litre Intrepid double-cab for a highmileage week. In fact, we managed to get more than 700 miles out of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Intrepid, a mix of driving that including a couple of long motorway hauls, the inevitable urban grind and some off-road work, too. And although this truck is far from perfect, we have to say weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re rather saddened by the fact that no more examples will be imported. Yes, the Mitsubishi L200 is better looking, more refined and has a far stronger image when it comes to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lifestyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a certain honesty and ruggedness about the Mazda that we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help admiring.

The Intrepid is Mazdaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attempt to cash in on the market for pick-ups with more than a hint of SUV-style luxury, which helps explain its 16-inch alloys, all-leather interior, air conditioning, six-CD sound system with MP3, privacy glass, electric windows, heated door mirrors, central locking and even five-speed automatic transmission as standard. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the only BT-50 to be offered with Mazdaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest 3.0litre DOHC 16-valve common-rail turbo-diesel engine, pushing out a not unreasonable (but far from classleading) 156bhp.

For a truck with such an upmarket

/ZbV]cUV Wb¸a TO` T`][ ^S`TSQb eS¸`S `ObVS` aORRS\SR bVOb \] []`S SfO[^ZSa ]T bVS 0B # eWZZ PS W[^]`bSR b] bVS C9

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

%

@=/2 B3AB( DE B75C/< 3A1/>3

3A1/>3 B= B63 1=C<B@G

@=/2 B3AB

EVWZS []ab dS`aW]\a ]T D]ZYaeOUS\¸a Q][^OQb ACD O`S T]` bVS ]\ `]OR Q`]eR bVS`S¸a ]\S []RSZ ³ bVS 3aQO^S ³ eWbV ]TT `]OR QZOW[a b] Wba \O[S >OcZ 5cW\\Saa ^cba Wb bV`]cUV Wba ^OQSa O\R S\Ra c^ Q]\TcaSR

B

he Tiguan range has done pretty well for Volkswagen over the last few years, finally enabling Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest car maker to join the burgeoning compact-SUV sector and compete against the best offerings from Europe, Japan and South Korea.

But, like so many in its class, the Tiguan has been unashamedly aimed at those family buyers with just about zero interest in heading off-road.

Except, that is, for the version you see here: the Tiguan Escape, described

by VW as having â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;Śthe capability to tackle nearly any terrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite a boast from any manufacturer, let alone one thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hardly been known for producing off-road workhorses in the past. No wonder we jumped when VW offered us a loan vehicle for a weekâ&#x20AC;Ś First impressions are important in this sector of the market, of course, with image playing a big part in the buying decision of anybody tempted by a compact SUV. And in that respect, I

canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help feeling slightly disappointed by the Tiguan. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a model that stands out from the crowd, its anonymous styling making it more of a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;backgroundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice. On the other hand, that means it probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t date as quickly as some of its quirkier looking rivals, and â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in true VW fashion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will appeal to traditionalists everywhere. And at least the Escape versionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chopped-away front end (for an improved approach angle), its front underbody protection and its grey side trim give it a little extra individualityâ&#x20AC;Ś just.

Inside is just as unexciting, although (like any new Volkswagen these days) the Tiguan is exceptionally well finished.

The dashboard design, the dials and the switches are all simply but attractively designed and employ good quality plastics and fabrics, though the sea of dark colour used throughout may not be to everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste, even if it is lifted slightly by silver highlights. Equipment levels are decent, however, with the

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

8C:G

"f" <3EA

E6/B¸A 7< G=C@ 5@3/B <3E 7AAC3 "f" <3EA

' "f"a 4=@ A/:3

/ZZ bVS ZObSab c^RObSa Âł W\QZcRW\U \Sea ]T bVS [WZZW]\bV 0;E F#

=c` Pc[^S` "f"a 4]` AOZS aSQbW]\ abO`ba VS`S Âł U`OP O PO`UOW\

% >@=2C1BA 97B

% @=/2 B3AB( D=:9AE/53< B75C/<

:]]YW\U T]` O P`OYS PZSSRS` ]` :O\R @]dS` aS`dWQS WbS[a- BVSg¸`S VS`S

& 0CG7<5 CA32( ;7BAC07A67 A6=5C<

5SbbW\U b] U`W^a eWbV bVS ¡]TT `]OR¸ dS`aW]\ ]T bVWa Q][^OQb ACD

%" ;=@3 B= 3F>:=@3

/ZZ g]c \SSR b] Y\]e PST]`S a^ZOaVW\U bVS QOaV ]\ bVWa ^]^cZO` QV]WQS

ES ^Og O dWaWb b] 3f^Z]`S =TT @]OR b] aSS eVOb¸a ]\ ]TTS`

@=/2 B3AB( ;/H2/ 0B #

%$ "f" A<=@93:A

ES aOg TO`SeSZZ b] ]\S ]T bVS ^WQY c^ aQS\S¸a ]ZR abOZeO`ba

2c[[g¸a UcWRS b] aOTS` P`SObVW\U T]` g]c` "f"

" @=/2 B3AB( :/<2 @=D3@ 27A1=D3@G "

%& =E<7<5( 6=<2/ 6@ D

5SbbW\U PSVW\R bVS eVSSZ ]T bVS b]^ ]T bVS `O\US B2D$ 6A3

& 1=4433 0@3/9 4OQba Tc\ O\R O QVO\QS b] eW\ O U`SOb \Se AV]Uc\ P]]Y

"" @/<53 @=D3@ . 4=@BG

8O^O\SaS ]RRWbg ]` aS\aWPZS PO`UOW\=c` 4`O\Y `SdSOZa OZZ

&# AC0A1@703 B= "f" 5cO`O\bSS g]c` `SUcZO` Q]^g ]T 0`WbOW\¸a ]\Zg "f" \Sea^O^S`

&$ G=C@ A6=CB @SORS`a¸ dWSea ³ W\QZcRW\U ^`OWaS T]` ]ZR 2OWVObaca

&% <3FB 7AAC3 >cZZ ]cb ^]abS` QSZSP`ObW]\ ]T O 5`SOb 0`WbWaV WQ]\

0cgW\U O caSR @O\US @]dS` A^]`b Âł O\R [cQV []`S

B63 "f" ;/@B B3/; 3RWb]` >OcZ 5cW\\Saa SRWb]`."f"[O`b Q] cY /RdS`bWaW\U ;O\OUS` 1ZOW`S 0`]OR[]`S QZOW`S.QaZ^cPZWaVW\U Q][ ;O\OUW\U 2W`SQb]` AcS 0OUUOZSg 2SaWU\S` 4Z] BS`S\bXSd

AbcRW] ;O\OUS` AOZ :Oe >`]RcQbW]\ 1]\b`]ZZS` /\bV]\g 5WPP]\a >`WdObS /RdS`bWaW\U :W\RaSg 1Z]aS 1]\b`WPcb]`a B][ >VWZZW^a 1V`Wa ESabe]]R 4`O\Y ESabe]`bV

>cPZWaVSR SdS`g T]c` eSSYa Pg( PUBLISHING 1A: >cPZWaVW\U :bR /ZZWO\QS 6]caS "' AWR\Sg Ab`SSb 1O[P`WRUS 10 !6F BSZ( ! "$ "' 4Of( ! ! #'$ AcPaQ`W^bW]\a( "" &%' '% EXCELLENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE

BVS dWSea O\R ]^W\W]\a ]T bVS Q]\b`WPcb]`a ]T bVWa ^cPZWQObW]\ O`S \]b \SQSaaO`WZg bV]aS ]T bVS ^cPZWaVS` /QQ]`RW\UZg bVS ^cPZWaVS` RWaQZOW[a O\g `Sa^]\aWPWZWbg T]` acQV dWSea O\R ]^W\W]\a >`W\bSR W\ 1O[P`WRUS Pg 1O[P`WRUS <Sea^O^S`a :bR 2Wab`WPcbSR Pg 1][OU A^SQWOZWab BOdWab]QY @]OR ESab 2`Ogb]\ C0% %?3 Â&#x2013; 1A: >cPZWaVW\U :bR "f" ;O`b Wa Q]^g`WUVb ]T 1A: >cPZWaVW\U :bR O\R [Og \]b PS `S^`]RcQSR W\ O\g T]`[ eWbV]cb bVS e`WbbS\ ^S`[WaaW]\ ]T bVS ^cPZWaVS` 3dS`g QO`S Wa bOYS\ W\ Q][^WZW\U bVS Q]\bS\ba Pcb bVS ^`]^`WSb]`a Oaac[S \] `Sa^]\aWPWZWbg T]` O\g STTSQb O`WaW\U bVS`ST`][ ES eSZQ][S c\a]ZWQWbSR [O\caQ`W^ba O\R ^V]b]U`O^Va Pcb OQQS^b \] `Sa^]\aWPWZWbg T]` bVSW` Z]aa RO[OUS ]` b]bOZ RWaO^^SO`O\QS

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

@3BC@< =4 B63 B@=8/< Mitsubishi has announced the latest version of its L200 pick-up, resurrecting the old Trojan name and providing buyers with an affordable but well-equipped way into the double-cab truck market.

Positioned just below the L200 Warrior in price and specification, the Trojan starts at just ÂŁ15,999 plus VAT - or ÂŁ17,199 if you specify it with full leather upholstery. And those are impressively keen prices, as every Trojan comes complete with 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear diff lock, Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Select 4WD, an MP3-compatible CD player, climate control, electrically operated rear window, chrome trim, privacy glass and a CAT1 alarm system.

Not only does the Trojan come with pan-European breakdown cover, you can even get the first three yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (or 37,500 miles - whichever comes first) of servicing costs covered for

a one-off payment of ÂŁ415 plus VAT. All L200 Trojans come equipped with Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2.5-litre commonrail turbo-diesel engine, pushing out 134bhp and 314Nm of torque.

According to Mitsubishi, the latest L200 Trojan is aimed at â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;...supporting the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recovering building, plumbing, electrician and agricultural

"f" =< 2D2 New from Footsteps Entertainment is a range of 4x4-based DVD titles, with something of interest to any off-road fanatic. And although our first sample copy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Exploring The Kalahari, by Andrew St Pierre White and Mike Main â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is a fairly niche title, the launch of a whole array of 4x4 films is of real interest.

Exploring The Kalahari is genuinely fascinating, taking the viewer on an exploration of this remote region at the wheel of a Toyota Land Cruiser, along the way investigating how the Kalahari was populated, its history and its current climate.

By the time you read this, though, Footsteps Entertainment will have also launched a range of DVDs aimed at 4x4 enthusiasts who want to learn more about how their vehciles work, how to drive them off-road and how to modify them. Simply entitled the Four-Wheel Drive series, the individual DVDs cover such topics as Axle Twisters & Differential Locks, Boat Launching, The Land Rover Cult and more.

DVDs are available via eee V[d Q] cY at ÂŁ11.99 each. Or to find out more, log on to eee T]]babS^aS\bS`bOW\[S\b Q] cY

markets, which have been suffering in recent months due to the credit crunch but are now showing decent signs of recoveryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. All very laudable, of course.

But whichever industry you work in, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no denying the value on offer here. We reckon this is a seriously tempting package for any one-tonne truck buyer.

%&

eee "f"[O`b Q] cY

"f" ;/@B j 8C:G

=E<7<5( 6=<2/ 6@ D

B63 :743 /<2 B7;3A =4 / ¡8=G ;/167<3¸ EVWZS []ab PcgS`a ]T caSR 6]\RO "f"a S\R c^ eWbV O 1@ D 4`O\Y ESabe]`bV `SQY]\a bVS a[OZZS` 6@ D [OYSa Oa [cQV aS\aS A] [cQV a] VS P]cUVb ]\S b] `S^ZOQS O :O\R @]dS` 2STS\RS` <] `SOZZg

G

ouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to love Honda. Insane bouncing enthusiasm may be common to all Japanese car manufacturers, but Honda seems more prone to it than most. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking here at the handy little 4x4 that is Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HR-V. But do you know what Honda called it when the company announced it was to launch a slightly unusual (for its time; as common as potholes today, of course) mid-to-titchy size 4x4? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? Or maybe you think you doâ&#x20AC;Ś but I bet youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re wrong.

Honda announced the HR-V as a concept vehicle at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, and shared with a largely baffled motoring press that it would be the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wild and Joyful J-WJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. How wonderful is that?

A little while later, as is the way of things, that concept car developed into the rather more modestly monickered Joy Machine. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re old enough, you might remember the cinema ads for the car. Mind boggling 1960s psychedelic lunacy in 1999 cinemas; lots of young people rushing about in pointless delight, while strangely shaped cars zapped around equally purposelessly. Great stuff. Not sure who was supposed to be attracted by this madness, but Hondaâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;ŚHonda had second thoughts, and although it did launch the HR-V as the Joy Machine in Japan and other less conservative markets than the UK, the company had second thoughts where we were concerned. Instead, we got the Honda HR-V, although it did appear in some strange colours, including a virulent purple. The HR-V (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;High

Rider Vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, would you believe?) was a close cousin to the much more serious CR-V (Compact Recreational Vehicle), certainly in terms of its mechanicals.

But it offered a very different approach to the 4x4 way of life.

Unlike the CR-V, which is decently competent off-road, the HR-V is really a great off-roader only if your great off-road involves grass, gravel and icy gradients. It is not intended to pull tractors from muddy quagmires or assault craggy fells. Honda can supply figures which sound impressive, like 19cm of ground clearance, which should be okay out in the field, and approach and departure angles of 29 degrees, but if you look closely under the front bumper of our photo victim you will observe that most of the spoiler skirt has been knocked off. And

this car enjoyed that single previous owner who never drove it anywhere more wild than a Lidl carpark in all the years she owned it.

Which makes anyone wonder how its back axle somehow managed to become terminally bent. More on that after the exciting technical stuff.

The car is light enough, and whizzes about the place like a sports car. In fact, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more like a shopping trolley than a sports car, with ultra-light steering, no feel at the wheel and dead-flat handling.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clever, too; that dead-flat handling is not at the expense of a hard ride, the HR-Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suspension being resilient, long-travelled and cleverly damped. In fact, the one word to sum up the HR-V is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;cleverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The suspension is utterly conventional. At the front you get