4x4 Magazine April 2018

4x4

NEWS • PRODUCTS • TRAIL GUIDES • WORKSHOP • CALENDAR • OFF-ROAD SCENE

FIRST DRIVE: VW Tiguan Alldrive

THE UK’S ONLY 4X4 AND PICK- UP MAGAZINE

Supreme Ranger

The all-new +10” suspension kit that’s turning Ford’s brilliant double-cab into an off-road monster

Disco 2 built for overlanding – and desert racing…

4x4 Cover Apr AKSK.indd 1

Trail Guides: • NE Norfolk • Surrey • SW Shropshire • Northumberland Every month – unique route books on Britain’s Why Scandinavia is a great destination for 4x4 travel rights of way

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APR 2018

07/02/2018 10:16

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Fuel consumption figures in mpg, Urban 27.1 – 43.5, Extra Urban 40.3 – 61.4, Combined 34.0 – 55.3. CO2 emissions in g/km: 218-139. Models featured are a Korando SE petrol at £16,295 and a Rexton Ultimate at £38,595 including optional metallic paint. *Korando SE petrol and Rexton EX both including VAT, delivery charge, Road Fund Licence & first registration charge. **Korando SE 4x4. †420Nm torque and 3.5 tonne towing capacity on automatic transmission. ‡2 tonne maximum towing capacity on diesel models. Prices are correct at the time of going to print, but may be modified or changed at any time.

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TF4480 Alloy underbody guard 6mm easy fit, no drilling required

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April 2018

THIS MONTH 56

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73 GREAT VALUE – AND A FREE GIFT

Tunit’s Diesel Plus additive is designed to breathe new life into your engine – and we’ll send you a FREE bottle when you subscribe to 4x4!

News 10 12 13 16 18 20 22

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Range Rover Coupé Two-door Rangey will cost £240,000 VW Amarok Manual model brings dual-ratio gears to the range BMW X4 Second-generation coupe-SUV unveiled Ford Edge Facelift model gains 238bhp diesel option Ford F-150 Raptor Sutton Bespoke announces RHD conversion Hyundai Santa Fe All-new model on sale later this year Mercedes G-Class High-performance AMG version unveiled

Tested / First Drives 24 26 30 32

VW Tiguan Allspace Popular SUV gains seven seats Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer Brilliant new 4x4 estate Renault Koleos Nissan X-Trail’s French cousin Lexus RX450h Original hybrid SUV is as elegant as ever

Every Month 4 6 32 112

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Alan Kidd 4x4 drivers are no strangers to idiotic law enforcement Gallery Weird and wonderful Subarus from around the world Products Latest and best equipment for whatever 4x4 you own Next Month Coming up in 4x4 magazine

Features 42 48 56 60

Polaris Commander Off-road in the latest side-by-side utilities High-Rise Ranger Mighty double-cab on an even mightier 10” lift Long-Range Disco Modified for overlanding… and desert racing Scandinavia Why heading north can be perfect for 4x4 travel

106

Our 4x4s 66 72 74 78

Jeep Cherokee On goes a suspension lift to reckon with Nissan Qashqai What are our winter tyres like on the open road?

SsangYong Korando Lots of kit… which bits do we rate?

Land Rover 90 The to-do list is growing already…

Off-Road Scene 82 84 86

Slaley Forest Rights of way signage project a credit to all Two Dales Yet another Derbyshire trail faces the axe Wacky Customised SUVs All in the best possible taste…

Off-Road Calendar 83 85 88

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Pay-and-Play Events Go in as hard as you want UK Convoy Tours Tag-along runs on public rights of way Overland Travel Long-range adventures in your 4x4

Green Lane Guides 94 98 102 106

North East Norfolk East farm tracks and lots of fords South West Shropshire Mighty views from the Long Mynd Surrey Quiet woodland lanes amid the commuter-belt bustle South West Northumberland Big country, great rights of way

42 ‘Luckily, the water was only eighteen inches deep.

Unluckily, I had nets fitted, not doors…’

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Alan Kidd Editor

Y

ou often hear stories from overland travellers about how badly drivers are treated by the police in other countries. We’ve all heard the ones about endless border crossings where you’re kept waiting by officials holding out for a bribe, or of cops pulling you over then spending hours picking your vehicle apart while they try to find an excuse for issuing you with an on the spot fine.

On our travels, most of us have seen things like hidden cameras, camouflaged patrol cars and cops lurking behind trees waiting to get drivers for going too fast on completely empty roads in the middle of nowhere. I once saw a checkpoint set up in a no-stopping zone in the middle of a junction, miles from anywhere in the North African desert, so the police manning it could pull you over – then do you for stopping.

The good news is that those of us who’ve experienced ridiculous policing in other parts of the world will be better prepared for what’s going to happen if Britain’s senior traffic cop gets his way.

Anthony Bangham recently said drivers should be fined for going even 1mph over the speed limit – you probably heard about it at the time as it was all over the news, and there was every bit as big a stink about it as you’d expect.

Now, UK policy on road traffic policing is obviously a bit off-message for a 4x4 magazine. But it’s relevant to every single one of us who ever travel in a car, so forgive me for having a bit of a rant.

Every day, every single day when I drop my children off at school, I see people driving too fast. Most of them are going within the speed limit (some are assuredly not), but all over the country at that time of day there are places where doing 30mph, even 20, is taking a reckless risk with the lives of other people’s children.

What would a no-tolerance approach to speed limit infringements do to help change that? The absolute square root of sod all.

It would certainly make it easier for police forces to make their numbers look good by busting thousands of people a day for doing 71mph on the motorway, though.

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Most of us have seen ridiculous traffic policing on our travels It’s been suggested that Bangham’s call for a scrapping of the 10% buffer on speed limits, apparently in response to a rise in the number of deaths on Britain’s roads, were a publicity stunt. That’s how it sounds to me, certainly.

Bangham also called for less use of speed awareness courses, which drivers can currently opt for as an alternative to points and a fine for the least serious offences.

That, to me, is totally stupid. I’m no fan of Tony ‘NERC’ Blair, but his famous mantra of ‘education, education, education’ could rarely be more appropriate. I’ve been on a speed awareness course, and it was one of the most useful, worthwhile things I’ve ever done. In my view, they should be a mandatory part of learning to drive.

As 4x4 drivers, we’re used to being treated like criminals when we’re doing nothing wrong. People think we’re trespassing when we’re driving on public rights of way, that we’re churning up the ground when we’re not and that we’re polluting the planet when the cars they drive are far worse as they’ll be scrapped while our trucks still have a lifetime ahead of them. So we’re used to what it’ll be like if zero-tolerance speed limit enforcement is actually introduced.

The good news is that many of us drive vehicles that are barely capable of breaking the speed limit in the first place. And some of us will know a thing or two about haphazard speedometers, too.

Which will stand us in good stead, actually. Because every car’s speedo has a margin of error in it. So when the cop following you has been instructed to allow you none, guess what’s going to happen?

It’ll be like having one of those African desert checkpoints on every corner.

Tel: 01283 553243 Email: enquiries@assignment-media.co.uk Web: www.totaloffroad.co.uk www.4x4i.com Online Shop: www.toronline.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/totaloffroad www.facebook.com/4x4Mag Editor Alan Kidd Assistant Editor George Dove Art Editor Samantha D’Souza Contributors Mike Trott, Gary Noskill, Paul Looe, Dan Fenn, Peter Girling Photographers Steve Taylor, Harry Hamm,Vic Peel, Harry Sherrard Group Advertising Manager Ian Argent Tel: 01283 553242 Advertising Manager Colin Ashworth Tel: 01283 553244 Advertising Sales Manager Peter Topley Tel: 01283 553245 Advertising Production Sarah Kidd Tel: 01283 553242 Subscriptions Manager Catherine Martin Subscriptions Assistants Emma Plummer, Kay Tunnicliffe, Laura Monckton Publisher and Head of Marketing Sarah Kidd Email: sarah.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk To subscribe to 4x4 incorporating Total Off-Road, or renew your subscription, call 01283 742970. Current prices for 12 issues: UK £42 (24 issues £76); Europe Airmail/ ROW Surface £54; ROW Airmail £78 Distributed by Comag, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE. Tel: 01895 444055 Every effort is made to ensure the contents of 4x4 are accurate, but Assignment Media accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions nor the consequences of actions made as a result of these. When responding to any advert in 4x4, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers take reasonable care to ensure advertisers’ probity, but will not be liable for loss or damage incurred from responding to adverts Where a photo credit includes the note ‘CC BY 2.0’ or similar, the image is made available under that Creative Commons licence: details at www.creativecommons.org 4x4 is published by Assignment Media Ltd, Repton House G11, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road, Bretby, Derbyshire DE15 0YZ

© Assignment Media Ltd, 2018

4x4 27/02/2018 13:30

Engine Oils

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LR003156 EPX SAE 80W-90 GL 5 1 litre Multi-range oil for synchronised and non-synchronised manual transmissions.

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STC4862 ATF Dexron III H Fluid 1 litre Universal ATF for all transmissions with and without controlled torque converter lockup clutch.

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TYK500010 VSG 75W-90 Transmission oil 1 litre TYK500010-20L VSG 75W-90 Transmission oil 20 litres A high performance full synthetic oil. Offers highest possible levels of protection & performance.

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DA6293 Organic Technology Coolant Concentrate 1.5 litres DA6294 Organic Technology Coolant Concentrate 5 litres An eco-friendly 1.2- Ethanediol (monoethylene glycol) based silicate, borate, nitrite and phosphate-free coolant for cooling circuits in combustion engines.

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DA4960 Multi-purpose grease 400g DA4961 Multi-purpose grease 5kgs Lithium based multi-purpose grease with oxidation and corrosion protective additives.

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GALLERY In pictures: 4x4s and off-road action from around the world. This month, you may be surprised to see how adventurous people can be with Subarus…

Above: It’s an Outback, but it’s not in the Outback. This is actually the Everglades National Park in Florida, which looks like a pretty cool place to us Endless open road, by Kyle Garrity @ flickr.com, CC BY SA

Left: People tend not to buy Subarus for hardcore off-roading, but this is the sort of environment in which they leave other estate cars literally trailing in their wake.

That’s why they’re so popular with people who live in the back of beyond, or up in the mountains where proper snow happens regularly and you still need to be able to get about as normal Outback V, by contri @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0

Below left: Even tarmac can make you want to go there.

This Legacy is in California’s Lassen National Park The Roadmaster, by Sebastian Werner @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Below: Proof that you can modify anything, given the inclination. With proper tyres and a snorkel, this lifted Forester is definitely not going to be getting mistaken for anything else, even under all that lovely camouflage CUSCC Show 011, by Powhusku @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0

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Above left: Not a lot we can say about this picture of an Outback in the Rockies… apart from, like, wow

Subaru in Rainbows. Durango, Colorado, by Paxson Woelber @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Above right: What’s this? A lifeguard service in California, and they’re not using full-size pick-up trucks? Worse yet, using Subaru XVs? As in, Japanese? Only a matter of time before someone heavily armed turns up to build a wall around the beach Coronado Beach Lifeguard, by Steven Straiton @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Right: A second-generation Forester might not be the most obvious choice of steed for an expedition across the barren deserts of Namibia, but this one looks to be very standard indeed – and coping perfectly well.

As you travel from east to west across Africa, says the photographer, the landscape gets drier until you land in the sort of fullon desert seen here – after which, boom, you hit the Atlantic. Not literally, unless you’re expecting more of your vehicle than even Subaru can manage The closer the sea, the more barren the desert; in the furthest distance, Spitzkoppe, by Jack Holloway @ flickr. com, CC BY 2.0

Below right: Another XV, this time on a funky looking set of wheels and tyres, flying the flag for Subaru in the Chilean Andes Parque Patagonia, Valle Chacabuco - Subaru XV, by sergejf @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Below: Seems like you can find Subarus exploring the landscape pretty much everywhere in the world. This XV is in the Glass House Mountains, in the Sunshine Coast area of Queensland, Australia subaru xv at glasshouse mountains, june 2013, by bertknot @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0

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GALLERY

Above: There are plenty of people in the world trying to create cool Subarus, but they might as well give up because this is the Shoebaru, and it’s cooler than any of them. Except in the engine department, it would appear. Still, how appropriate that the boot is open…

Radiator Breakdown Rainbow02, by joepyrek @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0

Right: It might have been a Subaru show, but we’re pretty sure there wasn’t another one like this there. Definitely more to this build than just a load of stickers…

BNW Subaru Meet by Ryan Lovelace @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Below left: Ah. Looks like things might not be going too well here. At least it appears to be in the middle of a housing estate, so someone’s bound to be along soon with a garden shovel and some kind words…

Subaru in the sand, by Endlisnis @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

Bottom: Just when we though we’d found a pretty cool modded Scooby, along comes another… and then along comes this rather wonderful creation. Ever seen an Outback with a stinger before?

Thought not Subaru Legacy Outback, by ilikewaffles11 @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

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4x4 NEWS

LAND ROVER BRINGS RANGE ROVER WITH

I

n a year already packed with special announcements, Land Rover has revealed a modern incarnation of one of the brand’s most momentous models.

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The Range Rover SV Coupé harks back to the early Range Rover Classic, which started life as a two-door – and Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division will make no more than 999 of the vehicles.

Combining the suave styling of the modern-day Range Rover

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4x4 NEWS

S BACK TWO-DOOR £240,000 SV COUPE with the format of the vehicle that spawned the luxury SUV sector back in 1970, the limited-run two-door retains the look of the full fat Rangey – despite the two sharing no more in the way of bodywork than their bonnet and lower tailgate. The floating roofline is one of many styling cues from the

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 11

four-door which have been adapted to the Coupé’s frame, while the side vents and the front grille are new designs – and the result is yet another eye-catching addition to the Range Rover squad.

A panoramic roof, paired with frameless glass windows, creates an interior not short of light. The cabin

in the SV Coupé champions luxury, with a choice of wood finishes and exclusive quilted semianiline leather seats which Land Rover says are ’comparable to private jets and yachts’.

Eye-catching duo-tone front and rear colour schemes feature in the personalisation options, as

do ‘match to sample’ colours and more than one hundred exterior paint choices – which include a brand-new liquid metal finish and contouring colourways.

To put the platinum cherry atop the golden cake, engraved door handles and tread plates are offered, along with semi-precious

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4x4 NEWS

metal badging. The SV Coupé is also the first Range Rover to offer the choice of 23-inch alloys.

Powering this superyacht for the road will be a 5.0-litre supercharged V8. That means outputs of 557bhp and 515lbf.ft combine to earn the latest SV the honour of being the fastest production version of the full-sized Range Rover ever, with a 0-60 time of 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 165mph.

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A ride height 8mm lower than standard is a side product of suspension tuning that provides a ‘driver-focused edge’. This drops a further 15mm automatically at speeds north of 65mph.

Despite this, it’s still a Range Rover in the traditional sense – the SV Coupé boasts a wading depth of 900mm and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. Its air suspension has five settings and can automatically

adjust if obstacles are detected, and in its highest position it sits 75mm above the standard ride height.

‘The Range Rover SV Coupé is a celebration of the Range Rover bloodline,’ says Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern. ‘With a dramatic two-door silhouette, this four-seat coupé alludes to its unique heritage while being modern and contemporary. The SV Coupé delivers the most distinguished,

luxurious and exclusive Range Rover ever built.’

Exclusive. That. The SV Coupé starts (starts, mind) at £240,000.

So you’re unlikely to see many of the 999 towing a sheep trailer in Powys – though if you do, it’ll make the job look very easy indeed.

Interested? Time to register online via Land Rover’s website, as sales are scheduled for the final quarter of the year.

4x4 27/02/2018 11:42

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4x4 NEWS

MANUAL AMAROK HERE AT LAST

Part-time four-wheel drive • Low range • From £24,510 plus VAT

M

ore than a year after the Volkswagen Amarok was relaunched with its 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, at long last it has become available with a manual gearbox. The six-speed unit arrives at the same time as a new 163bhp version of the engine, as well as a new entry-level Trendline

model – which helps get the classy double-cab’s entry-level price down to £24,510 plus VAT. As well as 163bhp, the new engine develops 331lbf.ft of torque from an exceptionally low 1250rpm.

Thus equipped, the Amarok hits 62mph in 9.8 seconds, continues to 110mph and returns a quoted 32.5mpg and 228g/km.

The manual box will also be added to the range as the entrylevel option behind the existing 204bhp version of the same engine – whose increased power and 369lbf.ft torque output, again from 1250rpm, gives it usefully more performance for no increase in fuel consumption and only a trace more CO2. In each case, the maximum

towing weight is 3000kg; payload limits for the two vehicles are 1073 and 1070kg respectively.

As well as costing £1445 plus VAT less than the equivalent Amarok equipped with the eightspeed auto option, the manual model is big news as it comes with its own four-wheel drive system – which makes it much more suitable for off-road use. Whereas the auto gets full-time four-wheel drive with only a single transfer ratio, the manual runs a more traditional part-time set-up – complete with high and low range.

While the Trendline model is less lavishly equipped than the Highline which has flown the flag since the 3.0-litre engine was launched in late 2016, it does still come with the A-list equipment we all expect – such as air-con, cruise control and a touch-screen media system with mobile connectivity. It’s available to order now, with the 204bhp model costing an extra £1090 plus VAT, and is included in VW’s Commercial Scrappage Scheme, with first deliveries set to arrive in May.

The new entry-level Amarok Trendline, with its manual gearbox and dual-range transfer case, may be the big news if you like your pick-ups off-roadable. But at the top of the range, Volkswagen has also launched a limited-edition model with a bad-boy image. The Dark Label pick-up is based on the normally range-topping Highline trim and, believe it or not, everything on it is black – or very, very dark grey.

Most exterior trimmings have been given a gothic makeover, including the 18” alloys and 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.

Inside, the Dark Label Amarok cements itself as one of the highest-spec pick-ups around, with alcantara seats and matching black headlining and floor mats. VW’s Discover Media touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard, as does voice control functionality, and you get automatic wipers and headlights, heated mirrors and a wide range of safety features as standard.

With production limited to 200 units, the Dark Label order book is only open until April. Better be quick, then; prices start at £33,650 plus the VAT. Volvo has launched an all-new three-cylinder petrol engine in its XC40 compact SUV. The 1.5-litre unit will be badged T3; it’s mated as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox, with an eight-speed auto option set to follow next year.

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Ford’s new Ka+ mini-SUV will arrive in British dealerships later this year. A Ka+ Active model will be launched, too, but neither will be available with fourwheel drive.

4x4 27/02/2018 11:42

4x4 NEWS

Want to be one of the first people in Europe to clap their eyes on the new Jeep Wrangler JL? Then this July’s Camp Jeep will be the place to go. Offering an exclusive chance to get up close and personal with the next-gen Wrangler, the event is for European members of the Jeep Owners Group, who’ll get an early preview of the brand’s new poster boy as it’s put through its paces on a set of off-road courses in an as-yet unnamed location.

Second-generation X4 here this summer

B

MW has lifted the wraps on its new X4, the second generation of what is in effect a four-door X3 coupe. Longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, this is also lighter and more aerodynamically efficient – as well as offering a range of new engines to make the most of its built-in agility.

At launch, the range will consist of two diesel-engined models – the 190bhp 20d and the 326bhp M40d. These will be followed by the 265bhp 30d and, at the top of the range, the 360bhp petrolengined M40i.

With 31.4mpg and 209g/km, the latter is definitely the devil-maycare option in the range. It does, however, give you a 4.8-second 0-62 time for your (not inconsiderable) money – though that’s only 0.1 second faster than the M40d, whose towering 501lbf.ft allows

Rolls-Royce has finally confirmed that its new SUV will be called the Cullinan. It will feature a ‘Viewing Suite’ – two chairs and a cocktail table which emerge from the rear of the vehicle at the touch of a button.

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 15

it to achieve this while returning 44.1mpg and 170g/km.

Talking of money, the M40d will cost £55,315 at launch, with the entry-level 20d itself not exactly cheap at £42,900. The order book is open now, with deliveries expected to get underway in the summer.

SKODA HAS ANNOUNCED a new range-topping version of the Kodiaq. As well as adding a new level of luxury to the range, the Laurin & Klement model will herald the introduction of a new-to-therange 1.5 TSI engine, which is good for 150bhp.

Elsewhere in the Kodiaq engine range, the existing 2.0 TSI engine has its output boosted from 180 to 190bhp.

The diesel options remain as before, though the 2.0 TDI 150 unit gets a new sevenspeed DSG auto option, and this new-generation gearbox also becomes available on all petrol models. The most powerful petrol and diesel engines will come with fourwheel drive as standard; on these models, adaptive chassis control will also be available as an option.

In terms of equipment, the L&K model gains a chrome grille, 19” alloys and LED headlamps as standard, along with Laurin & Klement badges on its wings. There’s more badging inside, as well as ambient lighting, highspec premium audio, leather upholstery, a three-spoke steering wheel and piano black dash inserts.

Final UK specs and prices are yet to be confirmed, however the new top dog in the Kodiaq range is likely to open for ordering soon after the Geneva show – when prices will also be confirmed.

Nissan’s Sunderland factory recently built its three millionth Qashqai. The crossover is the brand’s most successful model ever in Europe; its sales rose 1.2% last year, with 346,856 units built in 2017 alone.

APRIL 2018 | 15

27/02/2018 11:42

4x4 NEWS

NEW LOOK, NEW ENGINE FOR EDGE

238bhp 2.0 twin-turbo diesel • Sports suspension for ST-Line

F

ord has unveiled the facelifted Edge, which will go on sale in Europe later this year. This gains styling updates incorporating new LED headlamps and tail lights, and will come with a new 2.0-litre twinturbo diesel developing 238bhp.

The new engine will be mated to a revised eight-speed automatic gearbox which Ford says allows better fuel efficiency as well as delivering more responsive shifts.

It will be offered in addition to a 190bhp version of the same engine, which will come with a six-speed manual box. Four-wheel drive will be standard in each case, though there will also be a front-driven base-speccer with a 150bhp engine.

The new-look Edge was debuted in ST-Line form, with more aggressive styling, 20” rims and sports-tuned steering and

16 | APRIL 2018

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suspension. This will join the range along with Trend, Titanium and Vignale models.

The vehicle will also herald the UK debuts of Post‑Collision Braking, Evasive Steering Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centring Assist. These new technologies join the ever-expanding range of safety features on the vehicle – which also now offers wireless phone charging, a premium Bang & Olufsen surround stereo and a configurable 3D digital instrument cluster.

The arrival of a two-wheel drive model will inevitably make the Edge more affordable at the bottom of the range. Prices for 4x4 models are unlikely to change significantly, however, with 190bhp Trend version coming in at just over £30k and the 238bhp Vignale nudging the mid-forties.

Skoda wants a quarter of the vehicles it sells to be plug-in hybrids or full EVs by 2025. Ahead of the Geneva show, the company revealed its Vision X concept – a ‘hybrid study’ which makes plain its intention to bring alternative fuels into its SUV model line-up in the near future.

4x4 27/02/2018 11:42

LAND ROVER CLASSIC PARTS

ONE WILL GET YOU THERE. ONE MIGHT LEAVE YOU THERE.

Tested for 1,000 hours in burning heat and arctic cold Allows full oil circulation every 15 – 20 seconds Filters at a microscopic level

Filters at a microscopic level Corrosion tested for enhanced longevity Pressure cycle testing minimises engine wear

Tested for 1,000 hours in burning heat and arctic cold Filters at a microscopic level Allows optimum airflow for your vehicle

CLASSIC SERVICE PARTS THAT PERFORM IN PERFECT HARMONY For over 65 years, Land Rover has been an icon for supreme design and engineering. This unwavering dedication means that by choosing Land Rover Classic genuine parts you can feel confident on every journey.

Manufactured using original drawings and specifications, each Classic genuine service part is rigorously tested to ensure it performs in total harmony with your Land Rover. It’s this highest degree of precision that allows each component to deliver authenticity without compromise.

The Classic genuine service parts that we offer include the following: – Air Filters – Fuel Filters

– Spark Plugs – Oil Filters

– Castrol Classic Oil

For added reassurance, our parts come with a two-year warranty.* This means quality and peace of mind so you can continue exploring with confidence.

Contact your local retailer for more information on Land Rover Classic genuine parts. *Two-year warranty applies in UK/EU only, twelve month warranty applies in other markets.

P02074_LR_Classic_Land_Rover_Range_210x297_4x4_Magazine_Total_Off_Road.indd 1

15.02.18 19:00

4x4 NEWS

RIGHT-HAND DRIVE CONVERSION FOR F-150 RAPTOR IN UK

Sutton Bespoke conversion • £106,800; £38,400 for retro fit

S

upercar specialist Clive Sutton has announced a right-hand drive Ford F-150 Raptor – the first of its kind in the UK. The conversion is carried out by Sutton Bespoke’s customisation programme and uses mouldings of interior components to get a result that mirrors the steering assembly and appearance of the original dashboard.

Sutton says a six-month period was spent on developing the new RHD steering rack for the F-150 Raptor. The converted pick-up is priced at £106,800. If you already own a LHD F-150, however, Sutton Bespoke offers the service on a retro-fit basis a price of £38,400.

18 | APRIL 2018

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The Raptor seen here is a Super-Cab model with rear-hinged rear doors giving a pillarless side opening. Inside, Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment set-up has been recalibrated for European navigation and radio frequencies.

The release of the RHD Raptor follows the announcement late last year that Clive Sutton has been appointed as a UK distributor of Shelby-tuned vehicles. Models available include the F-150 Super Snake street pick-up and the Shelby F-150 off-road model. Both are powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 with 750bhp; deliveries are expected to have commenced by the time you read this.

4x4 27/02/2018 11:42

4x4 NEWS Ranger Raptor confirmed for right-hand drive – but not yet for UK Could a Raptor version of the Ford Ranger finally become reality?

It’s still a dream at present, but the vehicle has been announced in right-hand drive form. Currently, it’s only for the Asian and Australian markets, however with the steering wheel on the correct side UK imports are now a step closer.

As a smaller version of the monstrous F-150 Raptor, the Ranger Raptor gets Fox Racing shocks, a strengthened ladder frame chassis and a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel with 210bhp and 368lbf.ft. The engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission managed by a choice of six drive modes.

These include the usual settings for comfort, sport, gravel and mud and so on. But the Terrain Management System also has a new Baja setting, which adapts to each given terrain.

With eleven inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 32.5º and breakover and departure angles of 24º, the Ranger Raptor promises to be more than just a pretty face.

It has a towing capacity of 2500kg, the tow bar and recovery hooks are rated to 3.8 tonnes and the bed measures 1560 x 1743mm. Ford says it’s designed with the ‘weekend explorer’ in mind; the pavement poseur won’t complain either, though, as it gets the same sort of grille, bumper and wheelarch treatment as the full-on F-150 Raptor.

Fiat has announced a variety of updates for the 500X – including what it promises will be ‘best-in-class infotainment technology.’ The vehicle now has the latest-generation Uconnect system, running Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a 7” touch-screen with Bluetooth, hands-free, audio streaming, text messaging and voice recognition.

In dealers now, 4x4 versions of the 500X are available exclusively in top-spec Cross Plus form, with a choice of 170bhp petrol and 140bhp diesel engines priced at £23,750 and £25,250.

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 19

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APRIL 2018 | 19

27/02/2018 11:42

4x4 NEWS

ALL-NEW SANTA FE HERE BY CHRISTMAS

H

yundai has unveiled the all-new Santa Fe, which will go on sale in the UK this autumn. The company says its fourth-gen SUV is ‘designed to care for the passengers,’ promising classleading safety features as well as exceptional interior space.

As before, the Santa Fe will be available with seven seats – though now, Hyundai says even the third row will be more suitable for adults.

Visibility from the driver’s seat is now greater, too, especially over the shoulder – and a new safety feature prevents the doors from being opened when parked if traffic is approaching from the rear.

The Santa Fe will also warn the driver is he or she is exiting the

car and leaving other occupants behind – a seemingly risible feature, perhaps, but one which could prevent the much-publicised tragedies which have occurred when distracted parents have left babies asleep on board in very hot weather conditions.

While the current Santa Fe is only available with one diesel engine, the new one will offer 2.0 and 2.2-litre choices as well as a new 2.0-litre petrol unit. All will be available with a new eight-speed auto gearbox and a four-wheel drive system featuring multi-mode traction management.

In addition to this, Hyundai says the Santa Fe will be more stable and responsive to handle, and quieter and more comfortable to

Isuzu is running a host of offers on the D-Max pick-up for the first quarter of 2018. These offers, such as the D-Max Eiger and the D-Max Blade from £199 and £299 per month respectively, will run until the end of March.

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ride in. The company promises that the vehicle’s interior will be ‘refined and ergonomic,’ and along with the expected mountain of standard equipment it will offer a choice of three infotainment systems.

Prices for the new Santa Fe are not expected to be dramatically

different to those for the current model. The vehicle will make its debut at Geneva – but with production for the Korean market due to commence in the spring, it’s likely to be Slade-on-the-radio season by the time the first UK customers receive their vehicles.

Land Rover Chief Designer Gerry McGovern has been named Designer of the Year at the Festival Automobile International. The awards panel cited McGovern’s Range Rover Velar as a ‘masterpiece’.

4x4 27/02/2018 11:42

4x4 NEWS T-Roc Cabrio will be Volkswagen’s first soft-top SUV MERCEDES-BENZ’S NEW G-CLASS was only shown to the world for the first time in January, but AMG has already got in on the act. Merc’s performance division has unveiled the new AMG G 63, whose 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine develops 585bhp.

Paired with an AMG nine-speed auto gearbox, the big V8 can sling the even bigger G-Class from 0-62mph in an eye-watering 4.5 seconds. Helping the driver make the most of all this performance is a new AMG Ride Control suspension set-up, along with dedicated 22” rims.

Elsewhere, the grille is replaced with an AMG styled number and inside there’s a wide-screen cockpit display. The first G63s are expected to be in their owners’ hands by the end of summer.

INEOS off-road vehicle will be engineered by Mercedes

Peugeot has unveiled the Rifter – a van-based people carrier with a strong SUV flavour to its design. Available to order from early summer, this won’t have four-wheel drive – though it will be available with the latest version of Peugeot’s Advanced Grip Control traction management system ’for an off the beaten track experience.’

The DS7 Crossback will go on sale next year in 4x4 form, with a 200bhp petrol engine backed up by a batterypowered rear axle. Called the E-Tense, this is the only DS7 with all-wheel drive; it’s set to cost around £50,000.

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 21

INEOS AUTOMOTIVE’S spiritual successor to the Land Rover Defender will get its engineering design from Mercedes-Benz. The UK company, owned by billionaire industrialist Jim Ratcliffe, has announced the appointment of MBTech, the German giant’s engineering arm, as its partner for the development of its ‘uncompromising’ off-road machine codenamed Projekt Grenadier. Work on the vehicle is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, with as many as 200 engineers engaged on the project.

At the recenmt GQ Car of the Year Awards, the Range Rover Velar won the ‘Climb Every Mountain in Luxury Award’, which doesn’t sound at all like it was invented for the occasion.

APRIL 2018 | 21

27/02/2018 11:42

4x4 NEWS

AMG TREATMENT FOR NEW G-CLASS

M

ercedes-Benz’s new G-class was only shown to the world for the first time in January, but AMG has already got in on the act. Merc’s performance division has unveiled the new AMG G 63, whose 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo

petrol engine develops 585bhp.

Paired with an AMG nine-speed auto gearbox, the big V8 can sling the even bigger G-Class from 0-62mph in an eye-watering 4.5 seconds. Helping the driver make the most of all this performance is a new AMG Ride Control suspension

set-up, along with dedicated 22” rims.

Elsewhere, the grille is replaced with an AMG styled number and inside there’s a wide-screen cockpit display. The first G63s are expected to be in their owners’ hands by the end of summer.

LUMMA DESIGN has somehow managed to get in on the AMG G-Class act already, with the CLR G770.

The German tuning house has created a carbon fibre widebody kit for the vehicle, designed to work with either 23” or 24” alloys. The kit extends the G-Class’ overall width by 80mm, and Lumma says it ‘will polarise opinion.’ Further additions include a suspension lowering kit and sports exhaust, and Lumma says performance enhancements are currently in the pipeline.

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 22

27/02/2018 11:43

WHAT MUD WAS MADE FOR.

THE ALL-NEW XV. It looks great clean, but that

doesn’t matter. What matters is that its always-on Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system can handle all weather and any terrain. Which is also why it’s not clean.

(BETTER where it MATTERS) Find out more at subaru.co.uk SUBARU XV RANGE Fuel consumption in MPG (l/100km): Urban 32.5-35.8; Extra Urban 48.7-50.4; Combined 40.9-44.1. CO2 Emissions 155-145g/km.

MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

18374 XV 4 X 4 magazine_AW.indd 1

22/02/2018 12:04

4x4 NEWS FIRST DRIVE Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

F

ollowing last year’s success for the Skoda Kodiaq, Volkswagen has introduced a new seven-seat SUV of its own. Called the Tiguan Allspace, essentially it’s a larger Tiguan with added flexibility.

It’s 215mm longer than the regular Tiguan, with its wheelbase stretched by 109mm. This means 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 unlike some of its fellow car makers, Volkswagen hasn’t tried to make out that it’s harnessed technology from the Tardis and applied it to the Allspace’s back row of seats.

Instead, the company freely admits these two third-row 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. A taller grille and revised bonnet visually help 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 versions specced with off-road use in mind get amended bumpers and enhanced protection underneath. Even with the Tiguan’s latest growth spurt, it’s not an oversized vehicle and remains proportionally attractive.

The model we got our hands on at the launch was an SE Nav 2.0-litre TDI 4Motion 150PS. Bit of a mouthful, that, but before we break it down for you it’s worth knowing that this is the example VW anticipates will be its top seller.

Moving on, ‘SE Nav’ denotes the starting point as you head up through the range, past SE-L and on to the R-Line derivatives. There’s a distinct focus on high specced vehicles here, so all versions are generously equipped from the off.

This base SE Nav, for instance, has the 8” colour touch-screen and Discover Navigation system.

Despite what the doom merchants might have you think, Volkwagen’s 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 power plant in 150PS, 190PS or a bi-turbo 240PS form.

We admit to a bit of scepticism about the 150PS engine’s ability to haul the Allspace and seven people around. But having driven it, we found it completely satisfactory, with a surprising amount of shove being served up when prompted.

Regarding the petrol units, the 1.4 TSI is only available in 2WD form. That leaves the thirstier 2.0 TSI; this may have 180PS, but it’s the TDIs that can talk the torque.

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 24

27/02/2018 11:43

4x4 NEWS

SPECIALIST 4X4 VEHICLE DISMANTERS JEEP - LAND ROVER AND MOST MAKES AND MODELS QUALITY GUARANTEED USED PARTS A relatively equal split is expected between those selecting the manual transmission or the automatic DSG gearbox, 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 among 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, with the cabin expectedly refined, meaning you can hear the insults being flung between offspring with immense clarity.

And what of this ‘occasional’ seating? Well, to get to them is simple. A tether waits patiently either side of the middle row for when you want to flip it forwards

and it’s a doddle to raise or lower the back two seats. You can have a very spacious five-seat Tiguan or a seven-seater that will cope with the majority of passenger complications, along with a boot capable of swallowing a decent shopping trip.

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

Prices start at £29,370, but you need to pay £34,905 to acquire the version we’ve been singing the praises of here. It’s more expensive than the equivalent Skoda Kodiaq, but that’s not something by which to be shocked. It drives better than an X-Trail and is more of a quality product, while it undercuts the expensive Discovery Sport and brings with it VW’s hard-won reputation for reliability If you want a no-nonsense SUV that sticks to the brief and makes family life easier, this new larger Tiguan is an ideal way of getting all the space – and seats – you need.

SOME OF THE VEHICLES WE HAVE RECENTLY DISMANTLED:

2015 JEEP WRANGLER JK 2.8CRD

2007 DODGE NITRO 2.8CRD

2016 RANGE ROVER EVOQUE 2.0 TD4

2014 RANGE 2016 ISUZU 2014 JEEP ROVER SPORT 4.4 D-MAX 2.5 DIESEL CHEROKEE MK5 V8 DIESEL KL 2.0 MULTIJET

2010 JEEP 2007 LAND ROVER CHEROKEE MK4 DISCOVERY 3 2.7 KK 2.8 CRD TDV6

2008 HONDA CRV 2.2 CDTI

2006 JEEP GRAND 2006 NISSAN CHEROKEE WK PATHFINDER 2.5 5.7 V8 HEMI DCI Charlton Recycled Auto Parts Vehicle Recycling Centre, Gravel Pit Hill, Thriplow, Cambridge, SG8 7HZ Tel 01223 832656 Email parts@charltonautoparts.co.uk PLEASE VISIT WWW.CHARLTONAUTOPARTS.CO.UK

4x4 12 Apr News ADS.indd 25

APRIL 2018 | 25

27/02/2018 11:43

DRIVEN

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA COUNTRY TOURER Stylish looking crossover estate has an image to rival the premium models in its class – and a price to rival the budget options DRIVEN Insignia Country Tourer 2.0 170 4x4

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here’s a disproportionate amount of premium vehicles in the off-road estate market. Subaru, which invented the segment way back when with the original-shape Legacy, is certainly towards the top of the mass-market class, as is Volkswagen, which competes at two levels with Alltrack versions of the Golf and Passat. And then there’s Volvo, Audi and, most recently, Mercedes, all of which are proper premium.

That leaves Skoda, whose Octavia Scout has flown a very honourable flag for affordable crossover estates since its arrival more than a decade ago. Vauxhall, meanwhile, gave it a bit of a go with the first-generation Insignia Country Tourer, but this only lasted a couple of years before being discontinued due to the

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technical challenge of mating a new engine to its 4x4 drivetrain.

Now, with the new secondgeneration Country Tourer, Vauxhall appears set on doing a proper job of it. Available with a choice of 170 and 210bhp diesel engines, this runs a 25mm suspension lift compared to the standard model and has lower-body cladding and front and rear skid plates to help protect it from scuffs and scratches.

It’s the classic crossover estate formula then – but executed with a combination of stylish design and low price that makes it stand out.

By low price, we mean £27,235 for the 170bhp manual model tested here; you can get the price lower by foregoing all-wheel drive, which would be the dictionary definition of a false economy, while even the 210bhp model, which comes with

an auto box as standard, only lists at £28,435.

There are options, of course.

Our test vehicle came with leather, LED headlamps, winter and driving assistance packs, a power tailgate and metallic paint, but even then we’re talking £31,380 – and that’s before discounts, which can approach 10%. So it’s a touch more expensive than the current Octavia Sout, but substantially cheaper than the closest comparable offerings from Subaru and Volkswagen and absolutely miles below anything with an Audi, Merc or Volvo badge.

This is all relevant as value for money is a big part of the Country Tourer’s appeal. You can’t help but feel nervous about a vehicle combining premium styling with such a low price, however – so does the Insignia live up to its looks?

CABIN AND PRACTICALITY The first thing to say is that it looks every bit as good inside. The cabin has a really stylish design which is carried of in materials that look and, in the main, feel truly premium.

The lower dash and floor console and moulded from hard plastic, but the latter is so solid it feels like part of the chassis.

The dash is mainly creak-free, too, and features some eye-catching ambient lighting. There’s a well integrated multi-function touchscreen in the dash, which controls the usual media stuff as well as drive mode settings and various climate-control functions – truth to tell, the latter is a bit confusing, as there’s also a bank of switches in

4x4 27/02/2018 13:52

The cabin’s design is stylish and its execution is excellent, with stout build quality and, in the main, good materials. The seats are excellent and visibility ahead is good, though the positioning of some of the controls on the touch screen, facia and steering wheel comes across as a bit of a jumble the lower facia which operate parts of the climate and demisting system, and it would be more convenient to have one clear, simple set of controls to go to.

There are physical drive mode buttons on the floor console, too, which again seems like a bit of a mixed message. So too is the somewhat overwhelming set of controls on the steering wheel: audio stuff is on the right spoke, then on the left is cruise control – but with phone and voice recognition alongside it and, plonked in the middle, the button

for the wheel heater. All good kit, to be sure, but we’ve seen less jumbled ways of operating a car.

You’d get used to it, though, and it would be worth the effort.

Because elsewhere in the cabin, the seats are excellent, with plenty of support and adjustability making it easy to get comfortable and lumbar adjust meaning you stay that way.

The seat leather is adequate but hardly plush; it’s a £1155 option, and we wouldn’t bother with it.

The seating position gives an excellent view ahead, though when you’re reversing you rely on the

audible sensors (there’s no camera as standard) as the view over your shoulder is poor. That’s the result of a tapering roofline and rising waist, which also sounds like a recipe for claustrophic rear-seat accommodation – however when you consider the shape of the car, this is amazingly good.

Even with the driver’s seat as far back as it will go (which is two or three inches further than in most cars), a six-foot adult can sit behind it without his knees being squashed. The seat-back is soft and well recessed to allow this, so even

if your legs do touch it they won’t be uncomfortable. Headroom, meanwhile, is astonishingly good, as is the view out – the windows might not look tall, but the C-pillar is positioned behind your head so it doesn’t obstruct your eye-line.

The seats don’t slide or recline, which you might call a black mark.

But with this much space, they don’t need to. For cargo carrying, they drop down on to their squabs with an easy one-shot action; unladen, they sit at an angle of just a few degrees, but with a bit of weight on top they lie completely flat.

Accommodation for rear-seat passengers is excellent, with plenty of knee room and remarkable head room allowing one tall adult to ride behind another in comfort. With the seats down, the boot becomes a monumental cargo space – though even with them up, it’s still very big indeed. The tailgate aperture is good and wide, too, and the floor is as low as possible, yet with no lip to load over. For overall praticality, the Country Tourer is up there with the best of them

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27/02/2018 14:00

Thus you have a load space whose length is little short of epic.

To be honest, the boot is pretty immense even with the seats up – the first time you open the tailgate, you might find yourself peering inside wondering where it actually ends. The aperture at the back is pretty huge, too, and there’s no lip at all even though the floor is as low as can be, so overall it’s nothing short of brilliant.

Back in the cockpit, oddment stowage is almost as good. The glovebox isn’t huge, but the cubby box is nice and big and the door pockets are huge. There’s a very handily sized bin in the floor console, too, so you certainly won’t want for places to stash your bits.

Between this and the excellent accommodation the Insignia offers

for people and cargo alike, it’s an absolute winner for practicality at this or any price.

DRIVING With 170bhp and 295lbf.ft, the 2.0-litre diesel engine gets the Country Tourer to 60mph in a quoted 8.4 seconds. In reality, it feels much faster, with plenty of punch all the way through the midrange giving it really strong in-gear acceleration. You don’t need to change gear much at town speeds, and on the open road there’s ample in reserve for drama-free overtakes.

It steers and handles with a natural fluency, too, never once feeling like a vehicle whose suspension has been lifted. Body

movements are well controlled, and you can pin it down confidently in fast corners, making it an enjoyable vehicle in which to push on.

Obviously you’ll select sport mode if this is the sort of mood you’re in, but it’s still very agile even in the more comfortable ‘tour’ setting.

This allows it to ride with real suppleness, too. It glides smoothly and quietly around town, dials out the bumps on B-roads and sits foursquare on the motorway without fidgeting over expansion joints or needing you to keep on top of its line with the steering wheel.

It really does feel like you’re in a premium vehicle, with all the class and refinement you’d expect of something costing twice as much.

Off-road, there’s no shortage of traction from an all-wheel

drive set-up featuring al the usual electronic smarts. The body may be raised by 25mm compared to the standard Insignia, however, but with a 111” wheelbase it’s pretty obvious where the achilles heel is going to be. People like to say of soft-roaders that they’ll never do anything tougher than mounting the kerb in the Tesco’s car park; well, we actually did this in the Country Tourer and it grounded out, so we’d be more than a little cautious of using it on uneven ground.

For stony, gravelly and even muddy tracks, on the other hand, this is an effective vehicle. You need to work within the confines of its 235/50R18 tyres, but it deals well with everyday off-tarmac conditions and will even romp up relatively steep climbs without breaking into a sweat.

VERDICT

HHHHH

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Vauxhall Insignia CT 2.0 170 4x4 Exceptionally good in almost every way, at a sensational price The Insignia Country Tourer is even better than it looks – and it looks good. An extensive kit list and high standard of build go hand in hand with a stylish cabin design, and comfort and practicality are both sky-high. It’s as good to drive as it is to live with, too – its engine is excellent, its drivetrain is effective and its suspension provides both comfort and enjoyment. It’s a very fine 4x4 estate – and at £27,235, phenomenal value for money.

4x4 27/02/2018 13:53

It doesn’t matter when – or where.

Earn the title ‘Driver Enough’ when you drive on our tyres. #DriverEnough BFGoodrich.co.uk

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13/07/2017 14:19

4X4 FACTFILE

RENAULT Koleos ON TEST Koleos dCi 175 Signature

I

n this game, you often find yourself being asked by friends and family for advice on which car to buy. You quickly come to learn that all any of them ever wants is for you to reassure them that the one they fancied in the first place isn’t too much of a terrible idea, but it doesn’t stop them asking.

Over the last half a decade or so, we’ve got used to one of our standard answers getting the same reaction every time. When people who’re after a used SUV ask what we think of the Freelander, we ask them if they’ve thought about the Renault Koleos. And they say ‘the what?’

So we explain that the Koleos, which was brought to the UK for a few years from 2008 before being stifled by the banking crisis, was a medium-sized SUV based on the Nissan X-Trail and built by Renault’s Samsung factory in Korea.

We tell them that it had great build quality, a Renault-style interior, good

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equipment and an excellent level of practicality, that it won the overall 4x4 of the Year title in 2009 and that because it never sold well in the UK, it’s an absolute steal on the used market.

So they get their phone out and Google a picture of it, and then they go back to asking us about the Freelander again.

They were going to anyway, of course. But it has to be said that the original Koleos didn’t exactly help itself with the way it looked. A shame, that, because it ticked all the boxes in just about every other way.

No-one’s going to accuse the new Koleos of looking weird, though. It, too, is based on the X-Trail, but this time Renault’s design team doesn’t appear to have been blindsided by the idea of having to create a 4x4. The secondgen model is very contemporary in its styling – if you don’t like it, most likely either you’re a dyed-in-thewool fan of another brand or you don’t like SUVs in general.

Such people do still exist, but there are fewer of them than ever before if the burgeoning size of the market for vehicles like the Koleos is anything to go by. There’s an awful lot of competition, though – to get its hands on a punter’s cash, Renault is first going to have to get past a mob containing the X3, Kuga, Compass, Vitara, Discovery Sport, CX-5, Tiguan, Sportage, Q5, XC60… you get the idea.

But there’s room for optimism.

This Koleos doesn’t just look better than the old one – it’s bigger, too, and it comes with a mighty spec list including the latest infotainment technology and safety kit.

As is normal with medium SUVs, not all models have four-wheel drive. Those that do are fitted with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine developing 175bhp at 3750rpm and at 280lbf.ft at 2000rpm; this is mated to a six-speed manual box as standard, with a seven-speed stepped CVT auto as a £1500 option. The transmission can be run

in front-wheel or four-wheel drive form, the latter with the centre diff open or unlocked to suit the road (or terrain) conditions.

The Koleos we drove was a mid-range Signature model with the manual gearbox, which is lovely and smooth in operation and works well with the engine’s torque to make it pleasingly strong and, in particular, effortless to drive. The engine is very willing to rev, so you can push it hard through the ratios if you’re that way inclined, but it also has plenty in the way of in-gear pull so you can pile it on without alarming your passengers.

There’s a bit of life to the way it handles, too. The impression we’ve brought away from driving this and other examples of the Koleos is that it’s more firmly sprung than the X-Trail, with sharp steering and taut body control allowing you to chuck it around in corners while making the most of its eager turn of pace.

You can place it quite accurately into corners, and of course there’s

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An upright touch-screen display dominates a dashboard that looks clean, clear and uncluttered – the Koleos is an eye-catching vehicle inside. It’s a shame the back seats don’t do a better job of folding down to take luggage, though – not indeed that rear headroom is so poor

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rewarding to drive whatever wheels it happens to be riding on.

This might not be making the Koleos sound like the most refined of SUVs, but while it might get flustered by imperfections in the road surface there’s nothing in the way of vibrations to disturb the ambience in the cabin. Noise is well suppressed, too – so by and large, things only get unruly when the road surface breaks down.

It does this a lot in Britain, of course. But even then, the Koleos is still a nice vehicle to sit in, with a deftness of touch to its dash design that makes you feel good about yourself when you’re sat in the driver’s seat. Again, we’re talking about the Signature Nav model, in which the cabin is centred around an impressive looking 8.7” media touchscreen, and truth to tell not all the trim materials feel as good as they look, but the underlying design is pleasing to the eye nonetheless – and it’s backed up by a solid allround quality of build.

What we don’t like, and it could be a deal-breaker for some people, is the rear seating. Unlike the closely related X-Trail, the Koleos isn’t available as a sevenseater, so instead Renault is keen to stress that it has rear legroom that’s among the best in the D-SUV class. They’re right, too – it’s very impressive too in this respect.

What’s not so good, however, is a dire lack of headroom caused by the opening panoramic sunroof

that’s standard across the range. The seats are pretty upright and don’t recline, and anyone even remotely tall will have their heads pressed up into it. It’s absolutely fine for children, but if you expect to carry adults on more than a very occasional basis you should at the very least try it for yourself before signing on the line.

The seats don’t impress us very much when folded to take luggage, either, as they simply flop on to their squabs to sit at a sharp angle.

This was an area in which the original Koleos was particularly strong, with an elegant folding mechanism that dropped them fully flat, so it’s particularly disappointing

for the new one to make so little effort in comparison.

If you can get over these drawbacks (which, for sure, will be of no concern to a great number of potential Koleos buyers), this is a very well equipped SUV that’s elegant to look at both inside and out. Is it putting style above substance where the old one did the opposite? If the gripes we’ve got are things that matter to you, you might see it that way, but otherwise you’re far more likely to warm to the idea of a Renault SUV than you ever have been before.

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VERDICT

no shortage of traction to keep it balanced on the way through.

One possible area of disturbance here might come from the sort of broken road surfaces that are all too common in the UK. If you’ve got the suspension loaded up on one side and your wheels hit a jagged pot hole or pattery set of rough corrugations, don’t expect it to respond like a desert racer on millionaire dampers.

Ride quality doesn’t get harsh, however; rather, we’d say it’s prone to untidiness. Big, jagged pot holes come through as thumps rather than spine-jarring crashes, but cats’ eyes and expansion joints come through too – as smaller thumps, obviously, but the point is that they’re there rather than being smoothed away to nothing.

If ride quality matters to you, for this reason we’d suggest saving your money and sticking with the entry-level Dynamique S model. This has 18” wheels as standard, compared to the Signature’s 19-inchers, and from what we’ve experienced the extra inch of sidewall in the tyres makes a worthwhile difference.

The Koleos we tested was running a non-standard 18” fitment, and we noticed its ride rather less than in the vehicles we’d driven previously. It was more settled on the motorway and dealt well with urban roads – where, to be fair, the Koleos’ light but communicative steering makes it easy and

Renault Koleos dCi 175 Signature Good looking inside and out and, in the main, pleasing to drive and live with We were huge fans of the old Koleos, whose clever interior packaging helped elevate it from the also-ran status many people assumed it was destined for. This model is a lot nicer to look at, and has a really slick, modern cabin, but its rear-seat headroom and practicality for luggage carrying let it down. So too does its ride on 19” wheels, though over the piece it’s enjoyable and even quite entertaining to drive.

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4X4 FACTFILE

LEXUS RX450h ON TEST RX450h F Sport

L

exus’ SUV used to be seen by 4x4 traditionalists as a byword for the decline of the trucks they knew and loved. Here instead was a vehicle that didn’t even pretend to be an off-roader, from a manufacturer that was all about build quality, premium luxury and customer care.

The fact that the RX has now been in Britain for almost two decades shows who was right.

No, it’s not an off-roader – but it’s exactly the kind of SUV whose popularity has been growing ever since. And with its pioneering use of a hybrid powertrain, it was years ahead of a field that’s still trying to catch up now.

This latest version of the RX450h remains as premium as ever – albeit with a sharp, edgy design that’s light years away from the conservative looks Lexus used to be known for.

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It lists at £54,145 in the mid-range F Sport form tested here, with its 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid system giving it a 0-62 time of 7.7 seconds while returning 53.3mpg on the combined cycle.

It’s a lot of money, but you get a lot for it. The cabin looks impressive the moment you climb aboard, with lots of sweeping curves and slick looking materials providing a feast for the eyes, while the seats are very comfortable and supportive – though the leather covering them doesn’t feel quite as soft as cushy as you might expect.

The dash is topped off, and dominated, by an enormous multimedia screen, with a neat bank of controls for the climate, seat heaters and so on further down. Below these, mounted on the floor console, is a joystick-style controller which shifts a pointer

around the screen – this is, we’d suggest, a much more appropriate solution to multimedia operation than the touch-screens most manufacturers use, though in our test vehicle it was far too sensitive, making it impossible to control the pointer accurately even with the vehicle stationary.

The floor console in which the joystick is mounted is pretty much rock solid, as is the dash above it.

There’s barely a creak or groan anywhere – Lexus is famed for its build quality, and it’s evident from the word go. Something else that’s evident, however, are the A-posts, which are thick and steep, meaning they get in the way too easily when you’re emerging at a junction.

Far better is the general level of practicality around the cabin, which has always been a strong point of RX models. The glovebox and cubby

are both good and big, and the door pockets are enormous; they fold open, too, to allow easier access to what you’ve put in them, which is an amazingly simple and obvious but very effective trick. This model has an inductive phone charging slot, too, as well as a flip-up slot in the floor console. It may be a luxury SUV, but this is a masterclass in simple practicality too.

What not quite so good is the knee room in the rear seat, which is a little pinched if you’re tall. The seats do slide, which helps, but even then a six-footer will find his knees pressed into the hard seat-back in front if he’s sat behind someone similarly tall. Headroom is tight in the back, too, if you choose the panoramic roof that’s optional on all but the base model, and the sloping C-posts cut across your eye line.

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The RX used to be a conservative looking thing, but under Lexus’ new design direction that has changed completely – now it’s eye-catching and in-your-face.

The cabin is full of sweeping curves and classy materials, and the dash is dominated by an enormous multimedia screen

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keeping with the vehicle’s super-refined personality.

Ride quality, on the other hand, is spot-on, with not a hint of vibration to upset the vehicle’s poise. All but the entry-level model run 20” rims and 235/55R20 tyres, but aside from a small amount of low-level bumping around town these don’t compromise the vehicle’s ride at all. Body control is excellent, too – you’d have to push an RX very hard to upset its poise.

With 313bhp available from the hybrid system, nonetheless, pushing it hard is a thing you can certainly do. And with a palette of five different drive modes to choose from, the F Sport model can certainly be enjoyed, steering and handling with a level of agility which, if not quite up there with the most aggressive sports SUVs, is certainly in keeping with its assertive looks.

While Lexus has started to reinvent itself as a sportier brand, however, we’d maintain that the RX450h is at its best when you’re

simply enjoying the feeling of having lots in reserve while driving normally. It’s particularly serene on the motorway, where there’s no need for corrective steering inputs and next to nothing in the way of noise coming in to the cabin.

Off-road? The answer is a simple no, even though the hybrid set-up does deliver drive to all four wheels. This means the RX is perfectly sure-footed on loose ground, so long as it’s smooth, but the sort of work that starts asking questions of a vehicle’s traction and articulation are not what it’s made

for. TEven though the drive mode dial has five positions, none are intended for off-tarmac use.

That’s not really a criticism of the RX, merely a comment on what it is. Our reservations would be with the over-sensitivity of its media controller, which we can only assume was a problem with the individual vehicle we tested, and its rear-seat accommodation.

As a smooth, classy, sharp-looking executive SUV, however, it’s as strong a choice as ever – and as a hybrid, it continues to show the world how its done.

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VERDICT

Dropping the rear seats is as easy as falling off a log – the backs simply fold down on to their squabs, something you can do using remote handles in the boot wall if you’re already loading up when you realise you need the extra space.

This does leave both a step and a slope in the boot floor, which isn’t great, but you do at least get a long cargo space with no lip to speak of to load across.

Overall, we can’t help but feel that previous vehicles to have worn the RX badge have been more elegantly practical. There’s no doubting the current RX450h’s creamy smoothness when driven, however – you can get it so far on electric power before the petrol engine joins in, but unlike some hybrids you almost don’t notice it at all when this happens.

What you do notice is the CVT gearbox to which the hybrid engine is mated as standard. This does what CVTs do, provoking the engine into some noisy revving on the way up that’s not really in

Lexus RX450h F Sport Very smooth and sophisticated, but packs a punch too The RX450h is a performance vehicle on top of everything else. It goes very well, and has the dynamics to match – though being a Lexus, most of all it’s beautifully refined. The CVT gearbox does detract from this, however, and we think the rear-seat accommodation is rather disappointing.

The RX has a lot to offer all the same – and considering what some of its rivals cost, it looks like a lot of premium SUV for your money.

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PRODUCTS

EXPANDED RANGE OF RIVAL KIT FOR HILUX NOW AVAILABLE FROM XTREME SALES

RIVAL HAS BECOME KNOWN for its underbody protection products, which it makes for a truly astonishing range of vehicles. But if your off-roader of choice is the current-model Toyota Hilux, the Russian company’s latest range includes a lot more besides.

Let’s start with what we know best. Rival’s underbody armour for the Hilux includes 6mm aluminium plates to protect the engine, transmission and fuel tank. Adding a total of just 48kg to the vehicle’s weight, it’s designed to have a minimal effect on ground clearance and has concealed fittings to avoid damage from the very impacts the plates are designed to take.

Moving both forward, Rival also offers bumpers for both ends of the Hilux. The front unit is made from 6mm alloy and improves the vehicle’s approach angle as well as being compatible with its airbags and parking sensors. Naturally, it can be used as a winch mount, and it also comes with high-lift brackets as standard.

The rear bumper, meanwhile, is made from 4mm alloy and once again won’t interfere with your parking sensors. As with the front unit, it comes with heavy-duty mounting points, and Rival says

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both are easy to install as fully replacements for the original items.

In between, Rival also offers heavy-duty side steps made from 63mm steel tube, and the company’s range also includes lightweight aluminium roof rack and tonneau cover options as well as hydraulic struts for the bonnet and tailgate. And if you’re going for a more discreet look, there’s a hidden winch bracket which sits in the void behind the standard front bumper.

Plenty of ways to make a good thing better, then. For all the info you need, Rival’s UK importer Xtreme Sales 4x4 is at xs4x4.parts.

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PRODUCTS

IRONMAN SNORKEL FOR L200 FORGE MOTORSPORT now offers a 380mm front brake disc kit for the Volkswagen Amarok. Using the same six-pot caliper kit that have featured on the company’s other Big Brake Kit applications, this is ideal if you use your Amarok for regular heavy towing up hill and down date – if you can get these things to fade, you really need to stop trying so hard.

The 380 x 32mm discs are a two-piece design, featuring a precision-machined alloy bell and trackquality disc for consistent stopping. The disc has a curved groove to remove residual pad material and ‘face off’ the braking surfaces to eliminate squeal and keep pedal modulation consistent.

At £1413 plus VAT, the kit contains all you should need – including braided hoses, mountings and EBC fast-road/trackday pads. It’s suitable for all Amaroks, however it’ll only fit within a 19” rim or larger – so if yours are smaller, you’ll ned to spring for a new set. Don’t just buy the first wheels that take your fancy, however – some designs might still need a spacer to help it clear the caliper sufficiently. Want to know more? Go to www. forgemotorsport.co.uk.

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4x4 27/02/2018 13:11

PRODUCTS

LAZER ADDS POSITION LIGHT FUNCTION TO TRIPLE - R 750 RANGE LAZER LAMPS’ POPULAR TRIPLE-R 750 is now available with integrated position lights. The ultra-long-range auxiliary spotlight, which Lazer says is one of the most powerful road-legal driving lights available, thus provides further styling options on modified 4x4s – as well as enhancing road safety by making your vehicle more visible.

Fully road legal both as a driving and position light, the Triple-R 750 with Position Light is based on the same LEDs and components as the rest of the Triple-R range. It features four high-density 11W LEDs which, thanks to the lamp’s ultra-reflective optics, combine a beam of 1 lux to 393 metres with a medium to long-range spread of light which Lazer promises will make night driving much safer and more enjoyable The company also says the LEDs’ colour temperature is ideal for reducing strain on your eyes. This helps enhance the definition of what you see, too – again, all good stuff for safety on the road or anywhere else.

The Triple-R 750 is made with a full aluminium enclosure, Gore-Tex breather membrane and polycarbonate lens with lifetime guarantee – all of which should help it cope with the sort of pasting you’re already planning on giving it off-road. The lamp unit’s sealing is rated to IP67k, which is one reason why Lazer is confident enough to offer it with a comprehensive five-year warranty.

Recommended retail price for the Triple-R 750 with Position Light is £218 plus the VAT. To find out more, pay a visit to www.lazerlamps.com.

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PRODUCTS

GEARMATE EQUIPMENT HELPS MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR PICK- UP’S POTENTIAL GEARMATE IS A BRITISH COMPANY which specialises in load bed storage systems for pickup trucks. These go beyond what you get from a canopy by providing a variety of drawer options as well as the Gearslide – a slide-out load bed base with an extended capacity of 400kg.

‘As pick-up truck drivers ourselves,’ says the company, ‘we became frustrated at the limited utilisation and accessibility of our vehicles’ load beds. So we decided to do something about it.

‘Using many years of engineering experience, we got to work on designing a solution, initially for our own needs only. We very soon realised that what worked for us would work for others. The main goal was to improve the driver’s daily life, at work and leisure, allowing 4x4 owners to maximise the potential of their vehicle.’

In addition to the Gearslide, Gearmate’s range of core products includes twin drawers with three different heights. The company also offers a range of accessories including racking solutions, infill pods and dog boxes – and has a bespoke service which clients can sign off before production begins.

Gearmate’s customers include private individuals as well as fleet users running multiple units. It says it has systems to suit day-to-day life as well as professional use – and its products, which are compatible with all pick-up models currently on sale in Europe, are fully transferable from one to another with only additional brackets required to make them suit their new home.

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Providing 75% load bed extension, the Gearslide has four lockable positions and costs £799. The Gear Drawers, meanwhile, have heights of 226mm, 300mm and 500mm and cost from £950 to £1450 depending on whether you want single or twin units.

‘Our design team’s primary goal is to produce automotive standard products that offer different solutions to different users while following a common theme of bringing your load out to you,’ concludes Gearmate.

To find out more about the company’s range of high-quality pick-up kit, pay a visit to www. gearmate.co.uk.

27/02/2018 13:11

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PRODUCTS

ULTIMATE VERSION OF THE CLASSIC EIGHT-SPOKE LAND ROVER DEFENDERS and eight-spoke rims go together like… well, eight-spoke rims and big chunky tyres with mud all over them. And the new Xtreme 8 Spoke from Weller promises to be ‘a whole load tougher’ than ever before. Weller is the company that brought the eight-spoke into the world in the first place, and it says these new variations on its classic theme will be spot-on both playing in the mud and posing on the high street. The wheels are available to suit the Defender and early Discovery and come in a variety of colours. They’re available, priced from a rather eye-opening £239.99 per wheel, from wellerwheels.com.

HIGH-POWER INSPECTION LAMPS IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN SHOPPING for a work light to use in the garage, you’ll know that there are a lot of them on sale. It takes something unique to make an inspection lamp stand out.

But that’s exactly what this newcomer from Ring does. It comes packed with an array of practical features – as well as a unique attribute that makes it the ideal companion for those forays into the engine bay.

The AI3 High Power Inspection Lamp recharges cordlessly and emits 240 lumens via a wide-angle lens which, thanks to its concave design, is protected from knocks and scratches.

Here’s the really good bit, though. The AI3 has a steep colour temperature of 6000K – which is considerably closer to daylight than standard LED bulbs, meaning it’s more comfortable to work under. For the AI3’s full specifications, and to get your hands on one, head over to ringautomotive.com.

WISHBONE BUSH UPGRADE FOR FIRST-GEN XC90

POWERFLEX HAS INTRODUCED a new set of replacement front wishbone bushes for the first generation (2002 to 2014) Volvo XC90. These include front and rear fitments, which promise ‘a longer lasting, more durable solution’ than the replacement OE rubber bushes you can also get for the vehicle.

The characteristics of polyurethane lead Powerflex to say its bushes will not fail the way rubber can, meaning you don’t have to fear ’imprecise steering, braking instability and uneven tyre wear.’

The front bush has a freely-rotating centre bar to prevent torsional twist in the material, and is priced at £99.48 per pair. while the simpler rear units cost £59.88 per pair. In each case, the price includes VAT. ‘By replacing the worn rubber parts with our new polyurethane bushes you can experience immediate and lasting improvements to your vehicle,’ says Powerflex, whose bushes all come with a lifetime warranty. To find out more, go to www.powerflex.co.uk.

NEWLY MADE PARTS FOR LAND ROVER 101 MOST PEOPLE THESE DAYS who do stuff with Land Rover 101s have their classic heads on. But anything that came on a 9.00x16 has got to be pretty interesting as an off-roader – and the big forward control beast is indeed a tool to reckon with if you’re willing to take a punt on its foibles.

One problem with the 101, and other particularly rare vehicles like it, is that getting your hands on parts can be prohibitively hard – and even more prohibitively expensive. What you really want in that situation is a company of

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engineering experts that makes a range of new parts in the mould of the originals.

If it is indeed a 101 you happen to find yourself working on, then you’re in luck. That’s because there’s a company called 101 Parts which manufactures new parts for the vehicles – and sells original items, too, when these are available.

Between these two sources, the

company carries a pretty extensive range of products. Among the newest of these are the smart fairlead spigot and winch swivel housing seen here, both of which

are made in-house. Off-roading a 101 just became a little less outlandish an idea; to find out more, fast forward (see what we did there, etc) to 101parts.co.uk.

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•

TAKING

Side-by-Sides were once the most staid of off-road machines.

But now they’re some of the most entertaining – and with the advent of Polaris’ new Ranger and General, even models designed for work are proving capable of putting a constant grin on your face WORDS: GEORGE DOVE PICTURES: POLARIS

V

ery cold and tired, but impressed beyond expectations. That was the mood after trying out the new Polaris Ranger XP 1000 and General 1000 EPS Deluxe.

A few hours earlier, in a warm office above the Polaris factory in Opole, the battle plan was laid out. Get into the fleet of vehicles. Drive a few kilometres to the changeover point. Then continue on to Winów – a former military base turned off-road site.

Due to European red tape, both vehicles are registered as tractors. Essentially, this means that to be legal on the road, they have to be limited to 60km/h and must be driven with the headlights on. The updated Ranger tops out at that speed anyway, whereas unrestricted, the General could add a third on to that figure.

With only a slight dimensional disparity between the two, both are nimble and were easily manoeuvrable on the smaller town roads.

The convoy did become stretched when the roads opened up, though, with the General reaching terminal velocity over half the ground needed by the General.

But this outcome is to be expected. Of the two, the Ranger is the vehicle more focused on work, not road speed. It boasts a vastly superior payload figure – by 181kg – and an impressive towing capacity of 1134kg.

Polaris cites 100 user-inspired upgrades to the latest top spec Ranger, and these include a versatile cabin with a double glovebox, more cup holders, redesigned three-seat bench, ready-wired accessory hubs and a digital and analogue display cluster. The passenger seat also folds up to offer yet more storage, and a host of accessories mean it can be equipped to do whatever you need it to do.

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The revised model has also received a heavyduty clutch system, sealed bushings and longerlasting drive belt. A one-piece chassis makes its debut, too, and the options list ensures the Ranger can be customised to perform however you require. The most appealing options in a Polish winter are windows – doors too – and

there are options of a winch, snowplough attachments and a choice of tyres.

The General, by contrast, isn’t quite as work-focused. A new entrant into the Polaris Side-by-Side range, this model compromises between the work ethic of the Ranger and the hardcore off-road performance attributes of the

4x4 27/02/2018 12:06

SIDES

Dakar-conquering RZR. This means more power and less storage; it has power steering like the Ranger, but is the first of the Polaris line-up to receive anti-lock brakes.

Given their slight differences, both are similar beasts to drive off-road. And beasts they certainly are.

4x4 4pp Polaris.indd 43

The site at Winów had everything. Sand, mud, rock, icy ponds, ungainly roots and stumps and dusty old roads. So there was plenty to throw both of these vehicles into – and I saw the challenge clearly. There wasn’t going to be a towing test or a measure of practicality, so it was a case of unearthing their off-road credentials.

I started off in the Ranger, and if I’m honest I simply floored it. Give most people free rein on a flat bit of land and that’s what they’ll be apt to do. Just like it was on the road, the vehicle’s acceleration was impressive – but it wasn’t new.

The first new discovery was when the trail became decidedly less flat.

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27/02/2018 12:06

The Ranger’s wading ability is prodigious – as is the amount of water that will enter the cab if you’ve only got nets fitted. When you’ve discovered this courtesy of a pond with a thick layer of ice on top, it’s probably fair to say that you won’t be wanting to make the same mistake ever again…

Out of instinct, I thought that pot-holes and sudden dips in the terrain would have been too much at top speed. But the Ranger just laughed at me. Braced and feeling I’d slowed too late, it ate the obstacles without second thought. Even at full whack, uneven tracks were effectively smoothed by the suspension. Both of the vehicles tested had fully independent dual-arm front and rear layouts; arguably, as impressive as the epic shock damping is the sheer length of suspension travel – and a foot of ground clearance comes in useful, too.

To be honest, both vehicles impressed beyond expectation on the site, and the main differences between them were on a practical front rather than a performance basis. Both flexible

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suspension set-ups, similar travel and that new one-piece chassis.

Only once was there an issue – and it was my fault. On the first go out, the Ranger was mightily impressive, and I was quickly confident in its abilities. As I bounded over the top of a sandy bowl, it occurred very late on that I was fast approaching an icy pond. Therefore, the brakes were applied late – and in vain.

Luckily, the water was only eighteen inches or so deep. Unluckily, I was in a Ranger – with nets fitted, not doors. With 4WD engaged and the dash-mounted gear lever in low, the Ranger pulled itself out of what was quite possibly Poland’s murkiest pond without batting an eyelid.

A cold way to learn your lesson, though.

Now wet and keen for more protection from the wind, I traded in the Ranger for the more play-focused General – and its bizarre hinged body panels on either side. With the extra power, the acceleration is notably sharper and, excited to do my best Sébastian Loeb impression, I headed for the sweeping, dusty tracks on site.

Before switching to the General, ABS didn’t seem necessary, as on the road the difference had been minimal. But at Winów it shone. On all surfaces, stopping was entirely without drama and much smoother.

In more compromising situations,too, the General coped well. At one point, I clocked one that seemed to be struggling with a particular route and made a mental note to attempt it

4x4 27/02/2018 12:06

QUITE CLEARLY, IT JUST WORKS

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INITIAL RENTAL £1,790.91 +VAT

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CALL 03303 335126 OR VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE #Over 40 MPG figure applies to manual transmission models. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel figures for the Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 30.4 - 38.7 (9.3 - 7.3). Extra Urban 40.9 - 50.4 (6.9 - 5.6).

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Contract based on 8,000 miles per annum, non-maintained. Vehicle must be returned in a good condition to avoid further charges. Provided by Lex Autolease Ltd trading as Isuzu Contract Hire, Heathside Park, Heathside Park Road, Stockport SK3 0RB. Excludes motability and fleet sales, not available in conjunction with any other offers (including the Work Pack offer) or with BASC or NFU member discounts. Available until 31st March 2018. Finance options available at participating dealers only, subject to status. *3.5 tonne towing applies to all 4x4 models. **125,000 miles/5 year (whichever comes first) warranty applies to all new Isuzu D-Max models. Terms and conditions apply. Visit isuzu.co.uk

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23/02/2018 15:12

myself when my comrade was unstuck. When the time came, I switched to low box and went at it.

At one point, there was a real worry in my head that we might roll over, but next thing I knew the heavily cambered, sharp, muddy chicane had been gobbled up.

This was a bittersweet achievement. I had found new limits of my own – but still hadn’t come close to the vehicle’s.

Long story short, I didn’t.

Taking the most challenging turn at each junction, I really tried to find a scenario where either vehicle would throw a tantrum. But time after time, they both conquered everything and continued to cart me around, grin and all.

On one particular run in the General, the track was icy but soon cracked, entrenching the underbody in sloppy mud with the tyres cutting deep into an opening barely wider than the vehicle. Nonetheless, I pushed on over fallen trees, piles of branches and through yet more mud before I reached a point of no return – a ditch about four feet across and – to the ice at the bottom – about five deep.

The best foreseeable outcome would be a high-octane jump to the other side. But with the mud ruling out any speed of note, the more likely result was a nose-dive that broke the ice and ended in a bitter stream of unconfirmed depth.

Suffice to say I backed out.

Literally.

With the track too narrow to turn around, reversing was the only option. Embedded in the sludge, the steering input was irrelevant for the most part, but remarkably the Ranger pulled itself backwards over the trees, through the mud and back to the gravel track.

Put side by side, the Ranger and the General are very similar. After all, they’re supposed to be.

With the haulage capabilities of the Ranger, it’s a more practical replacement for an ATV, and will be more than adept in working life. Then

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the General, simply a sportier version, is more geared to playing in the mud. But, to be honest, out and in the thick of the grounds at Winów, there was little to choose between them.

The General isn’t designed as an outright working vehicle, although the tipping bed and tow rating of 680kg means it can put in a shift, too. The bucket seats are much more comfortable than the three-man bench in the Ranger, and don’t forget it is more powerful, too.

It also has the benefit of doors as standard, which is nice because nets don’t keep icy water out. You can get doors for the Ranger, and windscreens for both models as optional extras.

You can make both rather refined, too, by glazing the cabin and adding luxuries such as heating and even air-con, but with too many additions both prices will soon soar.

There weren’t any traditional off-roaders on site for comparison purposes, but to be honest an SBS is a different kettle of fish to the likes of the Defender, Wrangler or ever Jimny. The latter is about as close as the mainstream 4x4 market comes – but aside from Suzuki, we’re in a climate where prices for new off-roaders are getting

Engine size Drivetrain Output Suspension (front/rear) Suspension travel (front/rear) Ground clearance Dimensions (L x W x H) Wheelbase Payload capacity Towing capacity Weight EPS/ABS Base price

increasingly steep. In the real world, a multivehicle set-up could be a viable alternative – and with the accessories available, either Polaris could be turned into a magnificent off-road tool, leaving you free to choose whatever you want for day-to-day transport. Both are outstanding fun, and either can comfortably fit all the camping equipment you should need in their pick-up beds.

It can be argued that there’s more control off-road with the superb visibility both the Ranger and the General offer – just crane your neck and you can see the wheels. They’re also incredibly light, so in theory should skim over most off-road sites in the UK and only be foxed by deep wading. This would then mean that your daily driver won’t be compromised on the road by knobbly tires and the added weight of other modifications, as well of course as being given a constant beating at the hands of the terrain.

Be it climbing obstacles, light wading of just thoroughly enjoying yourself off-road, these two newcomers from Polaris willingly oblige.

Whether it’s for work or play, if you have any reason for putting a SBS in your garage it’s hard to imagine a scenario where they’d let you down.

Ranger 1000 EPS

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999cc On-demand 4WD 99bhp/64lbf.ft Dual A-arm/ Dual A-arm IRS 31.1cm/33.5cm 30.5cm 300x158.7x190.5cm 206cm 499kg N/A 700kg Yes/Yes £23,899+VAT (£28,081)

27/02/2018 12:07

MOVING ON

It’s not often that a suspension lift catches your eye.

They’re so commonplace in the world of off-roading that we’re no longer surprised.

But then something like Sean Bloodworth’s Ford Ranger comes along and simply refuses to be overlooked WORDS: GEORGE DOVE PICTURES: HARRY HAMM

W

e all know the story of Doctor Frankenstein and his monster. Trying to create life, going where nobody has gone before and not knowing what will happen, the have-a-go creator succeeds in his experiment… but with dire consequences.

Happily, this story doesn’t have dire consequences. But it does have a cool truck, which is much better. The similarities to Victor

48 | APRIL 2018

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and his monster are there, but there isn’t necessarily an antagonist or anti-hero involved.

Despite its extreme finishing point – a pick-up lifted by 10” – the tale of Sean Bloodworth’s Ford Ranger started like any other rebuild.

‘I had no intention of modifying the Ranger when I bought it,’ says Sean. ‘I just wanted something more capable than my Navara, because I enjoy going off-road.’

And as you may be able to tell, there’s a story behind the Navara’s dismissal.

‘I took it to a pay and play centre, and a guy showed me around to start with, he actually said to me not to do the see-saw because it’s for modified vehicles.’ No prizes for guessing where this is going…

‘The first run I didn’t give it quite enough and I slid back down,’ continues Sean. ‘So, the second

4x4 27/02/2018 13:44

UP

time I really gave it some, covering the wife in mud in the process, and smashed down the other side.’

Although he knew it had taken a hit, Sean drove home – and then even went out again – before returning to an oil slick on his drive which started the alarm bells.

‘It was then that I had a proper look and the front axle had gone through the sump. After that,

4x4 6pp Bloodworth.indd 49

I realised I needed something more capable if I was going to take it off-road.’ The guy who told him not to mess with the see-saw might take issue with the logic of this, as might the guy from Nissan, but Sean is the customer and you know what that means.

So, as is often the case in the current off-road market, Sean went for a Ranger. To be specific, a 2012 Ford Ranger, making it one of the early

examples of the current model. Which, you may recall, he didn’t plan on modifying at all.

‘I saw a pick-up in 4x4, I think it was a Mitsubishi, and it had a decent lift on it. I remember thinking “why can’t I do that?” It was my first project that was a truck, but when I was younger I worked on Minis and modified them, turned them into racers. I’ve played about with Escorts and stuff, too.’

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1

2

1-3 Very kind of Sean to paint the new bits yellow so we can see what’s been added and what’s original. A fabricated cradle provides new, lowered mounting points for the front diff and lower wishbones, taking care of the awkward challenge presented by the business of lifting an independent suspension set-up

3

4-5 The wishbones in turn are home to a very sexy pair of coil-overs. These are height adjustable, which proved very handy as Sean needed to raise them by a couple of inches to level up the truck’s front and rear ride heights

4

5

6

7

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8

6-8: Lifting the suspension on a beam axle is much easier than on an independent one, though when you’re talking about ten inches it’s still not what you’d call a doddle. Sean did it using a combination of shackle lifts, spacer blocks and the world’s longest U-bolts, as well of course as another set of very cool long-travel shocks.

In case you’re in any doubt as to the challenges presented by a project like this, meanwhile, just check out the number of balance weights on that wheel…

4x4 27/02/2018 13:45

‘It was a bit worrying when I put the wheels back on. When I put them on with the bigger tyres it, made the vehicle too high to take off the axle stands using the trolley jack!’

Even with his previous experience modifying vehicles, this was a starkly different challenge to anything Sean had encountered before. From reading the article on what may or may not have been an L200, the next year was spent researching what parts would be required and would work together.

‘Including the research, the process of getting the Ranger from standard to the full lift took

4x4 6pp Bloodworth.indd 51

about a year. Most of that was the research because the parts I used weren’t common, but the build itself, fitted around work, took about five days I’d say.

‘There was a degree of trial and error,’ adds Sean. ‘But now I’ve done it, I’d say that it would be three days’ work.’

Without jumping ahead too far, that raises a question that may well be best answered now.

Having got back into the mind-set that comes with the modification process, Sean got the taste for more. And, given that he’d built up a network of contacts during the research and acquisition of the specialist parts, has decided to start his own business doing so. Working as an aircraft fitter, paired with his newfound system, Sean knows what he’s doing and is ready to market this lift kit.

‘I’ve never had a business before so there’s not too much of a plan. I’m just thinking on my feet with it, really. I suppose it’s a bolt-on-liftconversion-kit, service,’ he jokes.

As you’d expect, the process wasn’t simple and, understandably, Dr Frankenstein won’t be revealing exactly what he used to spark his monster into life. Commercial confidentiality, and all that.

With the axles dropped off and the shocks removed, Sean lifted the rear using blocks and shackles. The crossmember had to be removed, too, which was a daunting thing to have to do.

‘The point of no return was when I cut the bracket for the crossmember,’ Sean recalls. I was essentially cutting the chassis up. I fitted a new one – and a diff drop bracket – before fitting the new axle. It turned out to be the wrong way around, but I noticed and sorted it before moving on.’

APRIL 2018 | 51

27/02/2018 13:45

Ford’s 3.2-litre turbo-diesel engine is a very fine thing in standard form. Even so, in the ranks of modified Rangers it’s rare to find one that hasn’t been chipped – and sure enough, this one has an Ecotech Performance chip, giving it 240bhp and 413lbf.ft with which to turn those big wheels Below: 315/70R17 BFG All-Terrains stand a mighty 35” tall on their steel modular rims. Obviously, a truck of this size would look ridiculous without a proper set of meat underneath it – and, indeed, without some extra width, which comes from a suitably lavish wheelarch extension kit. The fact that they’re only all-terrains says a lot about the intent of this particular truck, but it would look bang tidy on a hairier tread pattern too

52 | APRIL 2018

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From here, more trial and error ensued with the fitment of the front diff. Time was spent perfecting the angle, to ensure that the UJ and CV joints didn’t end up being overworked.

After the angle of the diff was finalised, it was a case of bolting everything back on with the new shocks and springs.

‘It was a bit worrying when I put the wheels back on,’ admits Sean. ‘When I put them on with the bigger tyres it, made the vehicle too high to take off the axle stands using the trolley jack!’

After the suspension was complete, attention turned to the finer details of the lift, and bringing the monster truck to life.

‘After changing the suspension, the front and back brake hoses were lengthened, and I played around getting it to sit level,’ Sean explains. ‘The shocks at the front are height adjustable, so that was fairly easy to complete.’

Another fairly easy change Sean made to the Ranger was also one of the most impressive to look at. Having got the final lift of 10” completed, new custom wheelarch extensions were added to compensate for the 35” BFGoodrich All-Terrains. Sean also added a Truckman Sports canopy and roll bar, and adjusted the lower drive ratios.

‘One of the hardest parts was adjusting the lower drive ratios so the speedo showed the speed correctly with the bigger wheels,’ Sean recalls. ‘It did show 30 when you were doing 25, and it was a bit pessimistic when you were going faster – but it’s spot on now.’

With the Ranger lifted by 10” – five from the springs and shocks, two from the shackles and three of rubber for good measure – it was time for Sean to stretch the legs of his monster.

The moment of truth. Had all of the work been worth it, or had the lift ruined the ride of a perfectly good Ranger?

‘The real revelation of the whole process was getting in it and driving it for the first time.

You can actually throw it about and it corners really well. It’s well planted for something of its height. I’d say it handles better than when it was standard – there’s less roll and it’s smoother.’

Sean stopped and took stock once the job was done, and though about what to do next.

4x4 27/02/2018 13:45

Pick-ups are fantastically practical things, especially if you’re a thief who likes taking things from the back of them when no-one’s looking. That’ll be why most people fit some sort of loadspace cover – Sean has used this Truckman sports canopy and chrome styling bar combo, which suits the truck’s character very well This resulted in a trip to Ecotech Performance in Buckley, North Wales, where he had the beast chipped, upping the power of the 3.2 TDCi engine to 240bhp and 413lbf.ft.

Now confident that the project was complete, Sean stopped to assess the situation once again.

Having sourced the parts for the one-of-a-kind

6pp Bloodworth.indd 53

lift, making contacts in the process, he found his research had paid off as it resulted in a thoroughly kick-ass, road-going monster truck.

‘I’d taken the Ranger off-road a few times before the lift,’ says Sean. ‘But afterwards, when I thought about selling it and making a business of it, I decided not to take it off-road again.’

Since completing the build, Sean’s Ranger caught the lustful eye of an onlooker and he has parted ways with his creation – thus making way for the next build.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process, including the research for all of the parts. It took about a year, but that was only because it was the first time I had done it and I had to find out what to do. Now It’s just a case of getting the parts and then fitting them to a truck, so when I’ve got the parts it should be three days’ worth of work.’

With this experience under his belt, Sean has been able to figure out what to charge people who want him to build him a Ranger like the one in these pictures.

‘I’ve got my price list, which will vary from £5800 to about £6500, depending on exactly what the customer wants. It doesn’t have to be a 10” lift like this Ranger – there’s scope for whatever the customer wants, and the price list accommodates that.’

Unlike Frankenstein’s monster, Sean’s creation isn’t a psychotic beast. Rather the opposite, in fact. His work on the truck has laid the foundations for a new business – one which means that you, too, could be driving around in a Ranger like (almost) no other.

Like what you see? To enquire about a lift for your own vehicle, pay a visit to Sean’s website – it’s at www.hi-rise-trucks.co.uk We photographed Sean’s Ranger at Parkwood OffRoad Centre’s legendary off-road site in Tong, on the outskirts of Bradford. It’s one of the best in the entire country, and it’s open every month for playdays; you’ll find the company at www.parkwood4x4.co.uk

27/02/2018 13:45

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CHANGING

W

hen someone can look back on their life and pinpoint instances when they worked for Eddie Jordan, shared the same stretch of asphalt as Ayrton Senna and spent time being paid to demonstrate the latest Aston Martins and Ferraris of the day, you may wonder how on earth hell a Land Rover Discovery TD5 would ďŹ t into their story.

It’s fair to say that Harry Sherrard is well versed in the world of motorsport. Born in Northern Ireland and growing up on a dairy farm, Harry made a beeline for the UK in his

56 | APRIL 2018

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4x4 27/02/2018 13:40

LANES Harry Sherrard has rubbed shoulders with some of the greatest names in motorsport. But having lived his life in the wild world of Formula 1, he’s found a sense of calm in the more relaxed company of a Discovery 2 WORDS: MIKE TROTT PICTURES: HARRY SHERRARD

the circuit. But Discoverys also make for brilliant everyday cars and Harry has run Land Rovers as his daily drive since.

‘This was my first Land Rover,’ explains Harry.

‘And we got into the off-roading through having the Disco 2.’ This is no surprise to us as owning a Land Rover is a ticket into a whole new community and, with Harry, he was always going to find a way to test a vehicle’s limits.

‘We visited Slindon and started laning with the Sussex clubs,’ recalls Harry. ‘While exploring the local green lanes we added a few mods as you do, it was incremental really and gradually built up over time before we started taking it on overseas tours to Morocco, Tunisia and Iceland.’

What the vehicle has now built up to is a full expedition G4 replica, consisting of an extensive raft of kit with overland travel at the centre of each item’s purpose. Fridge, water tank and Maggiolina roof tent are just a few items that help make this Discovery a self-sufficient vehicle for Harry and his wife, Lorraine, and they found the additions more than useful when embarking on their tour of the Moroccan and Tunisian Sahara some years ago.

‘We travelled with Impala Adventures, a longestablished operator in the overlanding business,’ says Harry. ‘The vehicles need to be equipped for wild camping. Although there are campsites of sorts in Morocco, in the remoter parts they are pretty basic and you need to be self-reliant.

‘For us, overland trips are a perfect balance, combining adventure, driving challenges, seeing dramatic landscapes, camping under the stars, and experiencing different cultures.’

Harry and Lorraine haven’t just sampled the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara either, as in the summer of 2008 they took part in an Icelandic expedition, organised and run by Paul Blackburn of One Life Adventures.

As Harry notes, Iceland in the summer time isn’t all that icy! The highlands and volcanoes are green with vegetation not snow, and the black sand desert offers up a landscape reminiscent of the moon’s surface.

‘In summer, away from the black sand desert, Iceland is a patchwork of glacial melt rivers, and

early years with a thirst that would only be quenched by his involvement in the racing scene in championships such as Formula Ford.

Tales of his exploits throughout his motorsport story can be enjoyed in his own book, Taking Part. I recommend it highly, not least for some of the eyebrow-raising anecdotes.

But while accounts of F1 legends and Ferraris is all very well, I’d like to know – as I’m sure you would – why Harry bought a Discovery 2 in 2003. Of course, Discoverys are fantastic tow cars and, with any motorsport, there is often the need to lug your prized possession to and from

4x4 4pp Sherrard AK PAGE NOS.indd 57

27/02/2018 13:40

An expedition truck being driven by a man wearing a helmet – now, that’s not something you see every day. But as well as taking Harry and Lorraine on sedate adventures around the world, the Discovery has been used to sate a passion for motorsport that’s seen it shadowing the Paris-Dakar and even competing in the Tuareg Rally – with less than perfect consequences for its transmission… some of the most exciting and demanding driving came in fording the rivers, often with water up to or even over the bonnet,’ says Harry.

Overlanding and a sense of adventure was something Harry and Lorraine clearly enjoyed, but why stick with relaxing expeditions when you can put yourself through gruelling rallies that push man and machine to the very edge?

Aside from the fridge and gas cooker that all help when you’re huddled around the campfire at night, there’s a stack of modifications on this Discovery to help when you’re less stationary.

Today, the G4 (as it is known to the Sherrards) boasts a reconditioned and uprated automatic gearbox from Ashcroft Transmissions with a diff lock conversion carried out by the same experts, an ARB locker at the rear combining with an on-board compressor, plus a full external expedition-spec roll cage.

Throw in the usual underbody protection, heavy-duty bits, a Superwinch, split-charge system, sand ladders and Fox +2” remote reservoirs shocks and this is a vehicle you’d feel confident of tackling anything in.

The fresh gearbox was not fitted before Harry and Lorraine tackled the Tuareg Rally, but as a consequence of the old one failing out there.

This was when the G4 was primed for its own motorsport escapades and the Tuareg Rally is an event born from the spirit of the Dakar and hosted on alternating years in the Maghreb countries of Morocco and Tunisia.

‘It may be the Dakar’s baby brother, but believe me this is a seriously tough event!’ says Harry. ‘The terrain is hugely varied, from rocky mountain tracks, to sand rivers, to dried salt lakes, to fast desert pistes, to wadis, and of course sand dunes of all shapes and sizes.’

Cutting your way through dunes like a sidewinder and facing the midday heat is all part of the challenge, but your vehicle is put through even more pain. But there is one man based in Zagora – a famous pit stop for desert rallies and 4x4 expeditions – who is more than likely able to get you back on track.

‘In the world of twisted subframes, leaking differentials and broken halfshafts, one man rules supreme: Aziz,’ says Harry.

This is a man renowned for his work upon vehicles from all different types of rallying events, but most notably when the Paris–Dakar itself passed through Zagora prior to seeking a new home in South America from 2009.

‘We’d first been customers of Garage Iriki (Aziz’s workshop) back in 2006, on our initial Saharan trip. So when on the first day of the Tuareg Rally in 2015 we damaged the propshaft

‘Overland trips are a perfect balance, combining adventure, driving challenges, seeing dramatic landscapes, camping under the stars and experiencing different cultures’ 58 | APRIL 2018

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4x4 27/02/2018 13:40

and underside of the G4 rally vehicle when crossing a stony wadi, who were we going to call? Aziz of course!’

It was the ‘no-problem-too-big’ attitude and Aziz’s tireless work through the early hours with his assistants that got Harry and Lorraine on

to the start line of Day Two of the Tuareg Rally, managing to source replacement parts seemingly out of nowhere in short spaces of time to keep the dreams of rally entrants alive. Sadly, the gearbox eventually gave up on this Disco – which is why it has been given a reconditioned unit since being back on home soil.

Harry continues: ‘In terms of what has been the most enjoyable adventure, let’s just say all of the above. The motorsport element has been an adrenalin fix and more intense, while the overlanding was more relaxed and you spent time interacting with the people and having a more cultural experience.

‘For the time being, our Land Rover chapter is finished with for now. I think it’s time to move the Discovery on, because I feel like we’ve done everything that we can with it. I’m not the sort of person who sticks to one thing.’

Harry will no doubt move on to another project – another way in which to get his motorsport fix. But the Discovery you see here, like its owner and every other Solihull sensation, has never shied away from a challenge.

Harry is a man with many tales to tell from across his experiences in motorsport. He’s even written a book about them. It’s called Taking Part, and it’s a brilliant read. To order a copy, head to his website at www.taking-part.com

4x4 4pp Sherrard AK PAGE NOS.indd 59

APRIL 2018 | 59

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FJORD ESCORT Scandinavia is surprisingly quick to reach by road – and between its sensational scenery, spectacular roads and never-ending gravel trails, it’s a must for you and your 4x4.

It helps to travel there with some expert knowledge behind you, though – so who better to give you the lowdown than a man who runs guided 4x4 tours there for a living?

WORDS AND PICTURES: PETER GIRLING MAIN PICTURE: FABIO LIGGERI @ FLICKR.COM, CC BY 2.0

Y

ou don’t need to go to Africa to feel like you’re having a proper overland adventure. Europe has plenty to offer too – nowhere more so than, Scandinavia, which is a fabulous region to explore. It’s well suited to 4x4 travel, as driving speeds are relaxing – meaning there’s plenty of time to soak up your beautiful surroundings.

In the past, getting to Scandinavia used to be quick and easy as there were direct ferries from the UK to Denmark and Norway. But these services ended a few years ago – so now you’ll have to sail to the Netherlands or take a Channel crossing. An overnight crossing from Newcastle to Amsterdam, Hull to Rotterdam or Harwich to Hook of Holland will have you on the road bright and early – whereupon a day’s driving through the Netherlands and Germany will see you at the border with Denmark.

A classic Scandinavian route is north to the Arctic Circle and then further again to Nordkapp, Europe’s most northerly point. However, that’s a 5000-mile round trip and mostly all tarmac. We’re focusing here on southern Scandinavia, a region that can be explored in two leisurely weeks. It’s a hugely attractive area and you’ll want to return again and again.

DENMARK Denmark is fairly small and easy going, its countryside gentle and dotted with neat, tidy farms. There’s not a great deal of off-roading, but it’s worth taking time to explore the more remote areas. Take a drive on the beaches near Hirtshals or walk out to the tip of the peninsula near Skagen where the crashing waves from the opposing Skagerrak and Kattegat seas collide.

Hirtshals is also the departure point for the only ferry to Iceland and several to Norway.

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‘There aren’t so many gravel roads in Norway.

But those that do exist pass through some absolutely breathtaking scenery’ Copenhagen, the capital, is compact and easy to navigate on foot. There’s plenty to see and it’s pretty busy with tourists all year round.

It’s possible to get from Denmark to Sweden without taking a ferry. The spectacular Oresund Bridge, near Copenhagen, is Europe’s longest combined road and rail bridge. The bridge alone is around five miles long and the crossing also includes a 2.5-mile tunnel.

SWEDEN Sweden is absolutely vast. The nation’s interior is studded with a myriad of lakes, from tens of metres wide up to huge inland seas. If you want to visit the capital Stockholm you can escape

the tourist throngs by taking a boat cruise around the city, spending an afternoon drifting past the many sights.

The coastline is huge, too, with hundreds of small islands. Head inland to the pine forests, meanwhile, and you’re emphatically into 4x4 country, as you’ll find many hundreds of miles of gravel tracks. Most of them are wide and well graded, making for easy driving – just watch out for forestry machinery here. Like anywhere with lots of lakes and lots of forests, however, there are mosquitos everywhere. In the height of summer, these vicious critters can be a real pest, especially in the early evening. Late spring or early autumn would be best time of year here – but still, make sure you’re packing high-strength

insect repellent, bite relief and non-drowsy antihistamines to keep them at bay.

NORWAY There aren’t so many gravel roads once you get into Norway, but those that do exist pass through some absolutely breathtaking scenery.

Many of these roads carry a small fee, but it’s well worth it to be able to drive through the stunning landscapes without any tarmac in sight.

Most of the toll barriers are automated and take cards only.

Head to the west coast of Norway and you’ll be rewarded with superb scenery, mirror-like fjords, majestic waterfalls and twisting roads

Below left: An unusual treat is the opportunity to drive on the beaches near Hirtshals in Denmark – which is also the departure point for the ferry to Sweden Below right: Norway’s topography throws down the gauntlet to the nation’s road builders – who have responded in style by creating modern highways featuring no end of tunnels and spectacular bridges

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Chilling out around the campfire after a great day’s driving amid beautiful scenery is definitely a big part of overland travel in Scandinavia. The airborne assault by squadrons of hungry mosquitoes is less appealing a prospect, however, so if you’re visiting in the summer you definitely need to be tooled up against them

that hug the water’s edge. Take advantage of the excellent ferries to get around. They’re super-efficient, inexpensive and will save you miles of tarmac. You’ll also get a fabulous view as you cruise across the fjords.

Be aware that some Norwegian motorways have electronic tolls. You won’t see any booths as the tolls are collected electronically using number plate recognition. The system is linked to the DVLA database so you’ll eventually receive a bill at home which you can pay online or by card.

The main E6 trunk road runs the length of the country and like many Norwegian roads has been vastly improved over the years, with cavernous tunnels and soaring bridges to defeat the rugged landscape. It is also still possible to find the old and now seldom-used roads, which lumber over steep passes and wind through rustic countryside.

In addition, you’ll find historic mail routes crossing remote hillsides with beautiful panoramas at every turn. Even in early summer, you may find tracks at higher altitude that have only just been cleared of snow.

DRIVING Visiting Scandinavia during the summer is a relaxing experience, with long, warm days spent exploring the countryside followed by sunny evenings on the campsites chatting about the

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day’s events. The driving is easy – though one thing to be aware of is that road builders tend to take advantage of the mild weather, meaning you might find yourself delayed by extensive construction work.

Roads generally in Scandinavia are of an excellent standard, and Norway in particular has some breathtaking bridges. The Atlantic Road on the west coast has a tremendously impressive series of bridges linking a chain of small islands. Forest roads, on the other hand, can get pretty boring after a while, especially if you’re in dense woodland where the views can be very limited.

Away from the tarmac, the tracks and trails you’ll find in Scandinavia aren’t too arduous – but mileages can soon clock up. Parts and labour charges here are higher than in the UK, so make sure your vehicle is in good shape before the trip. Good all-terrain tyres are adequate, unless you’re going in the depths of winter – when vehicle

preparation gets much more complicated and costly. Cabin and engine heaters are essential, especially if you are sleeping in your vehicle.

Obviously, winter driving means something altogether more significant in Scandinavia than in Britain. On the road, long hours of darkness and the threat of icy surfaces can make for a tiring and hazardous time, so take regular breaks.

TRAVEL NOTES Campsites in Scandinavia are generally of an extremely high standard, with excellent sanitary facilities. Most will have kitchens available where

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true. Around the campsite, if you have a favourite tipple, make sure your vehicle is stocked with supplies from home to avoid breaking the bank.

Should you run out, you’ll need to visit a state liquor store as wine, spirits and strong beer aren’t sold in supermarkets.

On a more positive note, the local produce is a definite highlight of travelling in Scandinavia.

Fish and shellfish feature heavily, of course, and you’ll be able to try elk and reindeer meat too.

Eating out can be expensive, though – so camp cooking skills are a must.

In summary, Scandinavia is fantastic destination. The driving is easy, the landscapes are jaw-dropping, most folks are laid back and speak excellent English, no visas are required, mobile phones and credit cards work everywhere and, apart from in Norway, fuel prices are on a par with the UK. Don’t let the demise of the direct ferries put you off – Scandinavia is no problem to get to and, after a two-week driving holiday, you’ll return home feeling like you really have explored a different world.

you can prepare your own food – and even the small, rustic sites may well have barbecue huts and saunas.

Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen all have excellent city centre campsites. You can also wild camp easily in Norway and Sweden – just make sure you’re not too near to other habitation and be scrupulous about leaving no trace when you leave.

If you’re heading further north towards the Arctic Circle or beyond, remember the Midnight Sun can shine brightly all night long – which could pose a problem for light sleepers.

If your tent fabric is lightweight, pack a cheap eye mask.

Camping in winter is for hardy souls only; you certainly need to ensure that your tent and bedding are up to scratch. Thankfully, most campsites have small huts for rent – and it doesn’t take long to figure out why! These can

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be expensive, though, so keep an eye on your budget as costs can soon add up.

On the subject of money, be aware that Denmark, Norway and Sweden all have their own currencies. Confusingly, they’re all called kroner and each has its own exchange rate. Pay by credit card where possible to avoid ending up with bulging pockets full of different coins.

Bear in mind also that everything you’re likely to have heard about the cost of alcohol here is

Atlas Overland is one of the UK’s leading adventure tour companies. It specialises in small group tours and has a wide variety of destinations in North Africa, Europe and beyond. Its two-week Scandinavia tour costs £1395 per adult based on two people sharing a vehicle. This includes return North Sea ferry crossings including cabin with sea view and en suite facilities, all campsite fees, all ferries between Germany, Denmark and Sweden, all Norwegian ferries, all private road tolls, Atlas Overland guides and support vehicle on call 24/7. For more details go to www.atlasoverland.com.

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OUR 4X4S: PROJECT CHEROKEE

Reach for the Sky

Our Cherokee hasn’t appeared for a few months, but the project continues to soldier on. Returning to the history of how it got to be the way it is today, now it’s time to look at the suspension kit that transformed it from mild to wild

I

t’s been a few months since the old tart featured in these pages, what with us spending our time on testing the Qashqai’s winter tyres and accidentally buying another 90. But she’s been sat there patiently while the guys at Jeepey do their best to turn her back into a thing you can drive without scaring yourself to death, so here we are looking at the suspension which, through no fault of its own, got her into that state in the first place.

To recap, Project Cherokee started life on a +3” suspension kit which made way nicely for a set of 31x10.50R15s and did an absolutely excellent job of keeping it civilised on the road and very able in the rough. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as they say… but then one day Skyjacker sent us an 8” Rock Ready kit which dwarfed the existing set-up in every way imaginable.

Naturally, the further away you take any vehicle from its standard specification, the more

In its original form, the Cherokee ran a +3” lift created using Old Man Emu springs and shocks with Teraflex spacers. And it worked very well, too. But when you’re offered the opportunity of gaining an extra five inches… well, what’s a man to do?

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There are lift kits, and there are lift kits. Skyjacker’s previous-generation Rock Ready system, which sends the Cherokee a cool eight inches further away from the centre of the Earth, is much more than just a longer set of springs and shocks. A cradle built on to the top of the front axle goes together with a subframe and replacement gearbox crossmember to support a set of four unequal-length control arms – what you see here is only part of the whole kit as it was supplied to us, which also includes a vast amount of the hardware used in building it up. When we took delivery, it would have been handy to have a forklift on call…

Below: Assembling the cradle on the front axle is that much easier when the axle happens to be sat on a workbench. It wouldn’t normally be worth going to this much effort, though – it just made sense here, as the axle was being swapped in from our old Cherokee anyway questions you’ll ask of the other bits that remain standard. More of that next month, but for now let’s look at the Skyjacker kit and the work that went into fitting it. Rather more involved than just lobbing on a taller set of springs and shocks, as you might guess.

Before we go any further, we need to stress that this part of the project happened many years ago. Skyjacker still offers an 8” Rock-Ready kit these days, but its components are different to the ones we installed. So if you’ve skipped ahead and you’re comparing our pictures to those on the company’s website, that’s why you’re currently scratching your head. Having installed the old one

way back then and never really done much more with it than wring our hands in despair at how badly the Jeep now steered, however, that’s what we – and Jeepey – are working with.

Designed specifically for rock-crawling, the Skyjacker set-up is intended to do its best work at very low speeds. It’s also meant to be suitable for the road, though, so a high level of control is also necessary.

Hence the five-link front, which uses the familiar format with upper and lower trailing arms and a panhard rod. All these are adjustable for length and rose-jointed at each end to allow the best possible range of flexibility.

But that’s nowhere near the whole story. The arms themselves are mounted using an entire subframe, which is built on to the chassis and

Above left: The cradle locates to the top of the axle and is bolted in using the original control arm brackets. This view, from behind the axle looking forward, illustrates the portion of the cradle which rides up over the diff casing Above right: There’s plenty of assembly work to do on the cradle before it’s fitted to the axle. Here, the upper control arm brackets are being drilled for mounting

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OUR 4X4S: PROJECT CHEROKEE Right, opposite right: At the front, the cradle is secured using a separate brace. This attaches to the front of the diff housing using the original four bolt holes Below: Even on the bench, locating the cradle on the axle is much easier when treated as a two-man job. Skyjacker’s instructions warned us that it may be necessary to get the grinder out at this stage in order to achieve the necessary clearance

mounts to a dedicated cradle assembled on top of the axle.

This is necessary because the Cherokee is coilsprung at the front. The blunt end is simpler, being leaf-sprung – it’s simply a case of using bigger springs and suitably long shocks. Well, almost.

Something we neglected to mention above is that Project Cherokee was reincarnated after the original was written off by a bent chassis. A

number of Jeep experts we’ve spoken to since then have said they don’t think this is possible, but the 4x4 specialist that condemned the vehicle is long gone so we can’t really debate the facts of the matter any more. Either way, we had a dead Cherokee with a good engine, Air-Lockers in its axles and ARB and Kaymar bumpers at either end.

Happily, we also got our hands on a straight example with no engine. So the obvious mission

was to swap the good stuff from the old Jeep to the new one, fitting the Skyjacker gear at the same time. You wouldn’t normally remove an axle altogether to fit a lift kit – but since both the ARB-equipped units slung beneath our old, dead Cherokee were coming out and getting fettled before going under the new one, it made sense to get the front unit built up on the bench.

The subframe for the front suspension consists of a pair of main rails, which assemble to the chassis, and a crossmember which runs below the gearbox. The Cherokee’s transmission is structural in its original design, bolting down to the crossmember, and this is retained here; to instal it, the gearbox is supported by a jack or crane then lowered on when the new crossmember is in place.

Skyjacker recommends that the Rock Ready kit should only be installed by professional technicians. We’d say, however, that having seen the standard of work turned out by many readers of both 4x4 and our previous sister title Total OffRoad down the years, there’s nothing here that shouldn’t be beyond a skilled DIY spanner man with a good tool kit.

Above, far left: Bolting it all up is best treated as a team job, too. Here, the front brace is being installed into the diff casing Above left: The original front axle spring seats are drilled to mount a pair of aluminium bump stop spacers Left: The gearbox case in the XY-era Cherokee was structural, and this remains the case with the Skyjacker kit in place. With the unit supported on a jack, the right and left subframe rails are installed to the main chassis rails using the original gearbox crossmember bolts. The new crossmember is then fitted, and the gearbox itself is lowered to mount on to it

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We’d also say that having experienced the work of many, professional technicians in the course of this and other projects, we’d highly recommend giving the job to one you can trust. Even a good all-rounder can come unstuck when faced with specialised work like this – you really can’t underestimate the value of a lifetime spent getting to know the specific model you’re looking at.

That’s why we’re happy it’s Jeepey that’s going to be bringing the Cherokee back to life. Not that that’s anything against the lads in these pictures, who fitted the suspension perfectly. But as we said, the bigger the lift, the more you’ll be knocking up against your truck’s original design limits – and once the Skyjacker kit was on, the extra height created a new set of problems which, as we were to find out, hadn’t been addressed.

More of that in the issues to come. For now, this is an insight into what goes in to fitting a really big suspension kit. Once we finally get the Cherokee the way it’s always been meant to be, it’s going to be one hell of a tool…

Above right, below: These views, looking forward to the axle from beneath the vehicle and along the axle from the nearside, illustrate the shape and proportions of the front suspension. The height of the cradle and the location of the upper and lower control arms is clear, as is the distance between the two sets of arms. The leading ends of the subframe rails are also visible here

Above left: The lower control arms use the original mounting points on the axle, immediately behind the spring seat and lower shock mount Above right: Another view of the front axle from behind, showing the way the whole system for the four control arms goes together. Note also that the panhard rod is in place here, adding the crucial fifth link to stabilise the axle laterally

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OUR 4X4S: PROJECT CHEROKEE

Above left: Like the control arms, the panhard rod is adjustable and is rose-jointed at both ends. Looking along the steering drag link and tie bar, this view shows how it fits in to the original mounting bracket on the axle Above centre: With the rear axle in place, the curvature on the new springs is apparent. Note also the length of the shocks, and how the original bump stop is dwarfed by the spacer on which it now sits Above right: New springs are mounted in the original position using the supplied shackles. These are installed with polyurethane bushes prior to fitting Below left: With so much drop on the springs, the rear sway bar is more important than ever. The original equipment unit is reused; it’s drilled to mount to a pair of end links, which are retained by split pins – making them easily disconnectable for greater articulation Below right: When you’ve fitted a vehicle with new suspension, your first job is to check for clearance by fully cycling it.

Not everyone has the luxury of doing this using a forklift – but however you approach it, the important thing is that you don’t just bash on regardless and assume it’ll all be fine

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OUR 4X4S: PROJECT QASHQAI

T

he Qashqai we’re running as a shortterm winter project is the second we’ve had the experience of living with.

It’s just that we didn’t write about the first one, as it was just a personal family car. It did get used off-road once, which it coped with pretty well considering it wasn’t a 4x4, though the experience came home to roost some months later when a split gaiter led to one of the brake calipers seizing up, but guess whose fault that was.

Anyway, that was then and this is now. The old Qashqai was powered by the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine, which we didn’t like very much as we’re used to big old diesels and it wasn’t one, but this one has the 2.0 dCi engine and it’s a million miles better, with loads of torque dishing up excellent in-gear pull and some properly strong acceleration when stirred.

As you’ll know if you’ve read these updates in previous issues, the main reason we’re running the Qashqai is to assess a set of winter tyres, in the shape of the Cooper Discoverer Winters we put on in the first instalment a couple of months back. These have proved very capable on cold, wet roads, and astonishingly good on snow and

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Our Qashqai’s winter tyres have proved incredibly good in cold, wet, snowy and icy conditions. But how do they compare with everyday rubber on more normal roads? ice, but how about everyday driving? Does their compound and pattern have any noticeable effect on the Qashqai’s handling and refinement?

The short answer is no. That’s pretty much the long answer too, but we’ll endeavour to put some flesh on those bones or this will be kind of a short article.

The first-generation Qashqai is a pretty stable, neutral sort of SUV to drive, with not a lot in the way of vices. You’re most likely to get upset in one these days because the early ones are all in the hands of people who’re running them on a budget now, and there’s no shortage of ropy tyres available to fit them. We made the mistake of trying to save money on the old 1.6 by fitting a set of these, and as well as making it steer and handle like a newborn foal on ice they wore down faster than some mud-terrains we could name.

Like, all of them.

Lo and behold, this Qashqai had exactly the same brand of ditch-finders on it when we took delivery, though that didn’t matter to us as we already knew we’d be fetching them off. So back it went to its stable, neutral self – but with more grip than ever at the front, especially when pow-

ering out of corners. Obviously, a 2.0-litre diesel engine will make a vehicle heavier up front than a 1.6 petrol, but the weight is well controlled by the standard-fit springs and shocks – and we’re finding the vehicle pleasingly agile, with no sign of the Discoverer Winters’ heavily siped tread squirming under hard cornering. Maybe it wasn’t rapier-sharp in the first place, but steering precision hasn’t been blunted any.

On the motorway, the tyres don’t appear to make any more noise than a standard year-round fitment, and the fuel consumption we got before and after going over to them is as near as makes no difference. Nissan claimed 47.9mpg for the 2.0 dCi Qashqai when it was new, and we managed 41.3 on the new tyres (as opposed to 41.6 on the nasty old ones). Many other factors could be affecting those figures in real-world use, so we’re comfortable with saying the winter tyres don’t do any harm in this area.

It’ll take a bit of self-discipline to take the Coopers back off when winter is over, actually.

Not that there’s currently much sign of that happening any time soon. But you already knew that bit, didn’t you…?

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OUR 4X4S: SSANGYONG KORANDO

Love it or leave it…

The Ssangyong Korando we’re running on long-term test is a top-spec model with loads of equipment. Which of its many toys have we come to depend on… and which would we be as happy to do without?

A

s we get more settled with the Korando that’s been spending the winter with us, Ssangyong’s generous approach to speccing the vehicle provides us with an opportunity to do something that’s not normally possible with everyday test vehicles.

Personal preference counts for a lot when it comes to the equipment a vehicle has. But since the Korando has lots, our day-to-day experiences with it have helped us draw a clear picture in our minds of what we would and wouldn’t be happy to do without.

One of the first things we’ve found ourselves appreciating about it isn’t even an item of

equipment at all. This is the fact that the floor in front of the back seats is totally flat the whole way across. Normally, there’s a tranny tunnel to get in the way of people’s feet or send bags of groceries tumbling all over the place just when you think they’re nice and stable, so being able to sit them down on a flat surface is actually very useful.

Heated-seat switches have been a welcome sight more or less every time we’ve climbed into the Korando this winter.

The fact that the rears are heated too is a very definite case of sharing the love – though it’s the driver who gets looked after best of all, as the steering wheel has a warming element in it too

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The Korando’s cabin hides its budget character well. It’s not up to the standard of the company’s most recent models, but it’s light years ahead of older vehicles like the Kyron and previous-gen Korando. We’re not sure the carbon-look airbag panel is going to fool anyone, though – and while the seat leather is okay, good quality fabric would impress us more On a very vaguely related subject, last month we pointed out that when the rear seats are in use, the boot behind them is on the small side.

Which is true, but on the plus side you get a totally flat floor when running in cargo-hauling mode with the 60:40 seats dropped down. As you fold their backs, their squabs drop away and they click into place to leave no slope and no step.

As we never tire of saying, there are premium SUV makers who don’t give you this very basic element of practicality in return for your fifty

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grand or more – and here’s Ssangyong doing it for less than half that money. It seems to us that the industry was fixated on fold-flat seats a generation ago but no longer bothers with them – no doubt a lot of insightful research by agencies with expensive Covent Garden offices went into this, but we’d call that a step backwards. Anyway, the Korando as a design dates from 2010, so it is still a last-generation vehicle, and if that’s what it takes to deliver such a simple but worthwhile feature we’d say get one while you still can.

Something else our Korando’s back seats have is that they’re heated. This is because it’s the range-topping ELX model – and we can report that those who’ve been travelling there regularly this winter have been very happy with the fact.

The front seats are heated, too, which has been very welcome. But all of them are trimmed in leather, which can be unwelcoming stuff in the cold if it’s not of the very highest quality. By no means is Ssangyong’s of the lowest, but it’s not what you’d call lush either. Give us the option

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27/02/2018 13:01

OUR 4X4S: SSANGYONG KORANDO

Above: the Korando dates from a time when almost every new 4x4 found a way of offering a totally flat floor when its back seats went down. The folding mechanism which allows this is particularly elegant in the simplicity of its operation, and the result is that it has one of the most usable load spaces of any vehicle in its class Right: Another form of practicality, which is useful when carrying passengers and luggage alike in the back-seat compartment, is a totally flat floor and we’d be happier with good, grippy fabric – but SUV buyers in general do seem to like leather, so here we are.

We’d definitely be happy with the climate control system were it summer, but for now a heated steering wheel is definitely getting the thumbs-up.

So too is the sat-nav, though again the multimedia system this is part of has a last-generation feel to it. This is best illustrated by the reversing camera, whose picture is prone to degenerating into patches of light and dark if you’re backing into the sun by day, or towards a street light by night – it does its job, and is backed up by an audible warning if you’re about to clobber someone else’s property, but by comparison we also had the new Rexton in on test midway through the Korando’s

time with us, and its rear-view camera is light years ahead.

The Korando’s cruise control buttons feel a bit rudimentary, too. in that you set your speed using the plus/minus toggle that also adjusts it.

Not exactly cause for the fall of Rome, but there’s no ‘coast’ button either – once again, the system works fine and we’d be Grade A hypocrites if we didn’t also point out here that we usually tend to say less is more when it comes to switchgear, but it does feel like something’s missing.

Which is exactly the opposite of what we’d say in general about the Korando, because rather than there being something missing, it’s continuing to feel very well equipped indeed. You get it all for £22,495, too, which makes a lot of the opposition

look expensive – especially when it’s covered by a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. The only cloud on the horizon might be that the Rexton starts at just five grand more, and as well as being bigger it’s a generation more modern.

As regular readers may have spotted by now, we rate the Rexton very highly indeed. The Korando is due to be replaced in the medium-term future, and if Ssangyong moves it forward the way the bigger vehicle did when it arrived last year, the medium SUV market will get a huge shake-up when it arrives. For now, every one of us who’s driven the Korando has been finding themselves nodding in appreciation at its honest qualities. Not all of its toys are completely convincing, but the car itself is very decent indeed.

Above: The multi-function media screen is a decent bit of kit – it’s not cutting edge, but you can’t really argue with it at the price. The sat-nav is quick to respond and easy to understand, and the rear-view camera, while not as crisply displayed as you’ll get in more modern SUVs, is backed up by effective audible warnings

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OUR 4X4S: PROJECT OFF-ROAD 90

The to-do list…

Having taken the plunge and bought someone else’s old modded off-roader, guess what we have? Yes, an ever-growing list of jobs that need to be done…

W

e introduced you to our new Defender 90 last month, by telling the tale of why we decided to go against conventional wisdom and buy a vehicle someone else had modified. That someone was an old friend, and so we knew the vehicle well, but all the same there’s plenty of scope for hidden surprises when you take on a truck like this.

By no means is it a daily driver – a steady stream of test vehicles sees to that. Instead, for now at least, the 90 is here to be used as an off-road toy – and, of course, to demonstrate whether or not it can indeed make sense to buy someone else’s modified motor.

First impressions were pretty good. We took the truck laning in the Cotswolds and it performed flawlessly, albeit as noisily as you’d expect on the motorway getting there and back. There’s a

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definite vibration at around 50mph, though, which points to either a propshaft or a wheel out of balance. Or both, which is probably our guess as it pulls slightly to the left but there’s also a faint whiff of metal-on-metal about it at speed.

First stop, then, is going to be something it makes sense to do with any used car and give it a good all-round service and check-over. But there’s more than that to be done, too.

For one thing, there’s the business of what’s going on with the engine. We know it was chipped

by Twisted Performance around ten years ago, and that the company quoted a 170bhp output when it was sold. At the same time, it got an uprated intercooler and K&N air filter, and both are still there – but we’re told the original chip isn’t, as it was replaced by a different one some years later.

As we said last month, despite all this the 90 doesn’t actually feel any faster than standard. If

4x4 27/02/2018 13:01

Above left: One of the things we used to dislike about the TD5 engine is that when you opened the bonnet, you were confronted with a sea of plastic. We still don’t like it very much, though on this particular vehicle what we realkly didn’t like was not being able to open the bonnet in the first place. Seems the release cable was a bit sticky, and the bonnet itself needed a hefty whack to loosen it off Above right: When we pressed the button on the winch’s wanderlead, a shower of sparks came from underneath the motor housing. Much more likely to be down to the connections rather than the winch itself, of course, but we’ve been offered a new one anyway and if nothing else, it’ll look a lot less scabby… anything, we’d say it’s down on torque in the lower reaches of the rev range. So we’re going to get it on the rollers and see what it’s really putting out – then maybe take the chip off and have a look at what happens after that. What we really want is for it to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, so a good tune-up is probably more in order.

We mentioned last month that the suspension is on a +2” lift. This seems to be working absolutely fine, so we’re planning to leave it alone for now. The winch, on the other hand, is slated to make way for a new unit.

There are various reasons for this. One is that its outer cover looks as if it’s been hit by a flame thrower, which isn’t the prettiest of ways to present yourself to the world. Another is that in the hands of the truck’s previous owner, it had some sort of unexplained failure at some point in the past. It’s going again now, but we’re still not very confident in it.

One reason for this is that when we plugged in the wanderlead to fire it up, a shower of sparks came from underneath the motor housing. Always promising. This happened several times, so we thought it might not be a bad idea to switch off the isolator near the battery box – whereupon when we pressed the button to spool in or out, nothing happened apart from a solenoid going click… and, rather oddly, the engine dying.

Further electrical entertainment has come from the LED spots on top of the cage, which as we mentioned last month suddenly decided to start flashing on and off at random one night while the 90 was parked outside our office, and the remote central locking, which started badly and has been getting worse ever since. The Editor used to have a 300Tdi 90 with a factory system whose key fobs would open and shut it from way up in his top-floor flat (until it rained one day and the whole thing went haywire, but that’s another story): this one, however, needed the remotes to

be no more than a few inches from the sensors in the cabin, and even then it only worked on and off. We say that in the past tense as now, they’ve stopped working altogether.

That’s not a consequence of buying someone else’s modded motor, of course. We’ll try putting new batteries in the remotes, however, and wind our necks right back in again if that turns out to work. As we mentioned last month, we’re also going to be chucking the inward-facing rear seats and replacing them with forward-facing units similar to those Land Rover itself from 2007 onward, because safety matters more than anything else.

The crumpled front wings, on the other hand, suit us just fine. As we said last month, when we dent them, we’re denting dents. So while there’s no a very definite to-do list going on, the first ‘problem’ you see when you look at the 90 is going to stay just the way it is. We’ll replace those wings when we’ve had our fill of green laning – so don’t expect it to happen any time soon!

Below left: The rear is already a jumble of off-road kit. Those inward-facing seats won’t be getting used, though – with safety a foremost concern, they’ll be replaced by front-facing units Below right: The LED spots on the cage have been disabled after coming on one night of their own accord…

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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FORESTRY COMMISSION WELCOMES GREEN LANE USERS TO SLALEY FOREST

THE FORESTRY COMMISSION has announced the provision of new signage in Slaley Forest, Northumberland, which provides clear information on the rights of way in the area.

These include a number of byways open to all traffic, whose existence and position is shown for all to see – a welcome change from the policy followed in so many other parts of the country.

Working with Northumbria Police, Northumberland County Council, the Green Lane Association (GLASS), Northumbria Trail Riders Fellowship and the local community, the Forest Commission

says it has improved access information ‘so that everyone can enjoy the forest safely.’ Slaley is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders as well as trail bikers and 4x4 drivers, and the new signs make it clear to all which of the forest trails are open to all traffic.

A common cause of conflict between user groups is that incorrect or inadequate signage can easily lead others to assume the 4x4s they see are being used illegally. Similarly, in areas where the right of way is hard to follow, a lack of clarity in its marking makes it easy for responsible users to go wrong – and gives the

criminal fringe a ready-made excuse for straying.

‘Forestry Commission welcomes everyone to the public forest estate,’ says North-East Recreation and Public Affairs Manager Alex

MacLennan, who led the project.’

Slaley is a popular location for trail bike riders and 4x4 drivers and part of managing this site with multiple users is to ensure that the public byways are clearly marked

The public byways in Slaley Forest are well established, however the presence of many other trails in the same area can make it hard to identify which is the right one.

As well as removing the ready-made excuse this gives to the criminal fringe, the Forestry Commission’s new signage will help educate other users that any 4x4s they see on the trails, such as this convoy from North East Rover Owners, are there legally – a welcome contrast to other parts of the country where the authorities try to pretend vehicular rights of way don’t exist

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so everyone can maximise their enjoyment of this special forest, while at the same time staying on the right side of the law.’

‘Northumbria Police is delighted to support this collaborative initiative,’ adds the firrce’s Neighbourhood Inspector Pam Bridges. ‘Police will continue to work with local agencies and individuals to ensure this area is available for visitors to enjoy.’

Speaking for GLASS, which provided financial support for the project, Northumberland rep Darren Clark said: ‘The Green Lane Association is proud to support and work with the Forestry Commission in promoting the responsible use of our public byways. These new signs should make it easier for all users to access the forest legally. We believe everyone has a part to play in preserving this sensitive area of the north-east for all to enjoy.’

The new waymarking in Slaley Forest come after another massively successful exercise, led by GLASS, which saw signs erected on every right of way (whether vehicular or otherwise) on Salisbury Plain. This took seven years and was completed in 2017, with volunteer labour at its heart.

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These projects clearly represent best practice in rights of way management, providing an example of multi-agency co-operation against which the total lack of intelligent input (and, indeed, deliberately obstructive behaviour) from so many rights of way and national park authorities looks even more crass than ever. With the Salisbury Plain initiative reaping clear benefits for the Defence Estate and recreational motor vehicle users alike, it’s to be hoped that Slaley follows suit – though it must be recognised that an end to illegal off-byway vehicle use is crucial to the success of the project.

‘All the riders at Northumbria Trail Riders Fellowship are proud to have been part of this initiative,’ says Northumbria Trail Riders Fellowship Chairman Greg Villalobos. ‘We value the Green Road network in the north-east and understand that Slaley Forest is an important and sensitive part of that. We believe that with a respectful approach, all users can use the byways open to all traffic and that having clear signage, which doesn’t discriminate against any particular user group, helps send out a positive message about where vehicles can and can’t access.’

OFF-ROAD CALENDAR

UK Convoy Tours 10 March

1 April

Ardent Adventures North Wales

UK Landrover Events Tynedale

UK Landrover Events North York Moors

3-5 April

10-11 March Onelife Adventure Yorkshire Protrax Wiltshire

11 March Ardent Adventures North Wales

17-18 March Atlas Overland Wessex Compass Adventures North Wales

24-25 March Protrax Wales

25 March UK Landrover Events Dales and Eden

Onelife Adventure Cumbria/Yorkshire

14 April Ardent Adventures Lake District UK Landrover Events Peak District

15 April Ardent Adventures Lake District

16-17 April UK Landrover Events Cumbria/Yorkshire

21 April UK Landrover Events Durham Dales

21-22 April Atlas Overland Wessex

27 March

Compass Adventures North Wales

UK Landrover Events Lincoln and Belvoir

Protrax Wales

31 March

28-29 April

UK Landrover Events Northumberland

Onelife Adventure Wales

31 March – 1 April Trailmasters Wales

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TWO DALES RIGHT OF WAY GOES TO PUBLIC INQUIRY

THE LATEST DERBYSHIRE RIGHT OF WAY to face the judgement of a planning inspector is Back Lane, near the village of Two Dales. This went to a public inquiry in January, when submissions were presented on the local authority’s original intention to reclassify the route as part-bridleway, part-byway.

The 4x4 fraternity was well represented at the inquiry, with members of GLASS and the Peak District Vehicle Users’ Group providing evidence in support of the route’s status as a green road.

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Back Lane is wide and easily driven for most of its length, though a short section towards its southern end has been heavily eroded by water runoff (as shown in our picture). Evidence for motor vehicle rights on the section Derbyshire County Council wants to turn into a bridleway appears to be obvious – however with the stench of 2016’s Brushfield farce still polluting the atmosphere in this once-proud part of England, common sense is not to be taken for granted.

THE LAND ACCESS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION (LARA) recently provided written evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the 2006 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act. This piece of legislation closed about half the legally drivable green lanes in Britain by a shabby legal sleight of hand – and represents the single biggest removal of rights of way in the nation’s

history. LARA initially presented written submissions last autumn, followed by verbal evidence in late November; the second tranche of written evidence was presented in January and has now been published on Parliament’s website. The association’s next step will be to review evidence presented by anti4x4 organisations, however no timetable is known for when the committee will present its report and recommendations.

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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Driving the Wayfarer?

Close the gates!

OFF-ROAD CALENDAR

Pay-and-play events 11 March 4x4 Without a Club Harbour Hill,West Berkshire

8 April

Essex, Rochford and District 4x4 Club

4x4 Without a Club

Rayleigh, Essex

Harbour Hill,West Berkshire

Protrax

Essex, Rochford and District 4x4 Club

Tixover, Rutland

Slindon Safari

Parkwood 4x4

18 March

Protrax

Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire

Frickley 4x4

• Also in Powys, GLASS has asked green lane users to avoid the Laurel Hall byway on to Black Yatt. A shorter unclassified county road running to the south of the byway offers a usable alternative route at the north-eastern end of what is a popular and eminently sustainable right of way, which avoids problems with animals and children around properties bordering the Laurel Hall route.

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Tong, Bradford Tixover, Rutland

Slindon Safari Fontwell,West Sussex

Frickley, South Yorkshire

15 April

Explore Off Road Silverdale, Stoke-on-Trent

Devil’s Pit

Hill N Ditch Mouldsworth, Cheshire

Muddy Bottom Minstead, Hampshire

24 March

Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire Explore Off Road Silverdale, Stoke-on-Trent

Frickley 4x4 Frickley, South Yorkshire Hill N Ditch Mouldsworth, Cheshire

Kirton Off Road Centre Kirton Lindsey, North Lincs

Muddy Bottom

25 March

Mud Monsters

Bures Pit Bures, Essex

• Work is due to commence imminently on a damaged section of the long-lost Water Break Its Neck right of way in Powys, which has kept the lane closed for many years. Following intensive work by Powys County Council and the Green Lane Association, a contract has been put in place to reinstate the trackway where it had been ploughed over at a point where it traversed a significant side-slope. The trail remains closed at present, but once the work is completed it will at last be passable – and legally open – to 4x4s once again.

Rayleigh, Essex

Fontwell,West Sussex

Devil’s Pit THE GREEN LANE ASSOCIATION has asked all users of the legendary Wayfarer green lane, between Llandrillo and Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, to always close the gates along the route – even if they find them open. The Association has installed signs asking people to abide by these rules, as well as repairing and even replacing gates (some of which have historically become as good as derelict). Normal practice in the countryside is to leave gates as you find them, but in this case every gate is a boundary between different farmers’ land, making it altogether sensible (indeed necessary) to close them behind you – whatever their position when you rock up.

Picadilly Wood Bolney,West Sussex

Minstead, Hampshire East Grinstead,West Sussex

22 April

Cowm Leisure Whitworth, Lancashire

Protrax

Kirton Off Road Centre Kirton Lindsey, North Lincs

Slindon Safari

Protrax Yarwell, Northamptonshire

Slindon Safari Fontwell,West Sussex

Thames Valley 4x4

Yarwell, Northamptonshire Fontwell,West Sussex

29 April Cowm Leisure Whitworth, Lancashire

Broxhead, Hampshire

Devil’s Pit

1 April

Frickley 4x4

Frickley 4x4

Frickley, South Yorkshire

Frickley, South Yorkshire

Kirton Off Road Centre Kirton Lindsey, North Lincs

Muddy Bottom

Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire

Minstead, Hampshire

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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LUMMA UNVEILS WIDE-BODY KIT FOR RANGE ROVER VELAR

THE RANGE ROVER VELAR is all about understated design. It’s meant to be the sort of vehicle that makes you nod your head in quiet appreciation rather than clapping your hands in delight.

There may well be a school of thought in the off-road world that says it’s the sort of vehicle that makes you vomit and try to poke your own eyes out, but don’t let’s take cheap shots. Instead, let’s say that if you like the Velar, you’ll love the Lumma CLR GT. Lumma Design is a German custom shop with a UK base in Romford. That’s Romford, Essex.

Insert joke of choice. And with this bodykit, the latest Rangey becomes more Essex-look than ever.

Shown off in a smart metallic grey, the front end of the CLR GT has been bolstered by the addition

of an integrated spoiler and air splitter. These flow into the yet more aggressive wide wheelarches, while a carbon-fibre grille and sports-style air intakes on the bonnet complete the facelift.

Between the arches – which add 100mm to the overall width of the Velar – are contoured side skirts which continue the form of the splitter from the front and carry the design towards the rear. Here, the bumper is bolstered with an integrated diffuser between four exhaust tips. There’s also not one but two spoilers at the back, with one straddling the tailgate at the base of the rear window and the other mounted to the roof.

Beneath those vast wheelarches, there’s a choice of three alloys.

That’s three styles, you understand, not three wheels. Modest (joke)

22” options come with Michelin rubber, while there’s also a 23” pick shod with Continentals. The interior gets the Lumma treatment, too, with a fresh sports steering wheel, an aluminium pedal set and embroidered floor and boot mats.

While many facets of the CLR GT bodykit do have their roots in performance, you’d be forgiven for assuming they’re just for show.

And the fact that everything from the spoilers to the front wings, the bonnet, wing mirrors and rear diffuser are available in carbon fibre would both prove the point.

For now, they are just for show, as the standard Velar doesn’t quite possess the power to justify all the downforce they provide. That is the case for the time being, but Lumma is in the development stages of power upgrades for both diesel and petrol Velars.

When these power upgrades are made available, the CLR GT will make a bit more sense. Until then, the kit is all show and no go – though it’s not as if the Velar is a slouch anyway, and if you love the way Lumma’s additions look, you probably won’t care.

WHAT DO YOU THINK when someone mentions Austria? We’d better not list any suggestions, for fear of plunging below the threshold of what qualifies as bad taste, but that’s where this, er, unique Volkswagen T-Roc was created. Its owner, who clearly wasn’t wasting any time in turning his split-new SUV into a statement of his personal style, had it fitted with Lowrider air suspension so he could dump it to the floor when parked – all the better to draw attention to his 20” five-spoke DOTZ CP5 rims. So happy was he with the result, he commissioned the Satin Sheer Luck Green partial body wrap that you may have noticed, too. So the moral of the story is that if you want to do this to a T-Roc, take it to Austria. Or Antarctica would be good. Or perhaps the Moon.

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S u s p e n s i o n

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P r o t e c t i o n

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R e c o v e r y

NEW DISCO II GEAR!

NEW EXTR EXTREME REM EM DISCO 2 EME CHALLENGE DAMPERS

Our Extreme Challenge Dampers are now available for Discovery 2! Available in standard or plus 2 inch ride height. The Extreme challenge dampers have been designed for off road as well as fast road use with stad mountings to make it easy to replace existing dampers.

• Fitted with genuine Polybush.

• White Powder Coated finish.

• Solid 20mm S45C steel shaft chrome plated for extra long seal and shaft life.

• Twin tubed 46mm bore with 52mm diameter outer case.

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NEW W EXTREME EX DISCO 2 STEERING DAMPERS

EXTREME DISCO II RADIUS ARMS

Now also available for Discovery 2 is our Extreme Steering Dampers. Extreme Steering Dampers are designed to reduce steering vibration, “Bump steer” and steering snatch in off road conditions.

• White Powder Coat finish.

• Solid 20mm S45C steel shaft chrome plated for extra long seal and shaft life.

• Incorporates the “Hallite” seal.

• Teflon piston seal.

• Race proven.

• Fitted with standard bushes.

3º castor corrected to return the castor angle back to standard on +2” to +3” lifted vehicles eliminating the vague handling which occurs at speed.

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extreme SPRINGS

extreme DISCO II TRACK ROD & DRAG LINK KITS

extreme DISCO II WINCH BUMPERS

Silicon steel, heat treated, shot peened and powder coated. Springs are uprated to suit your requirements. Standard height to +6”available.

Land Rover Discovery 2 track rod & drag link kit - includes 4 ball joints and 4 flanged nuts.

POLYBUSHES

Polybush doesn’t age or perish and is unaffected by oils and fuel. They have excellent abrasion resistance and are unaffected by cold. Very easy to fit.

extreme BRAKE HOSES

extreme DISCO II TANK GUARDS

There is a wide range of Tank Guards available in alloy or galvanised steel.

extreme DISCO II STEERING GUARD

The bumper has provision for 2 swivel recovery eyes.

Available with or without lights. Version also available to take Quickly Detachable Winch Tray .

extreme DISCO II WINCH BUMPERS QD RECEIVER

The bumper has provision for 2 swivel recovery eyes.

2 built-in Hi-Lift Jacking points and choice of driving or fog lights (included) Has front receiver point to take Quickly Detachable Winch Tray .

extreme DISCO II QUICKLY DETACABLE RECOVERY POINT

BESPOKE LENGTHS MADE TO ORDER. Our Extreme brake lines are made from top quality stainless steel fittings swaged directly onto a hard drawn tensile stainless steel braided Teflon hose.

One piece steel chassis, double skinned, with bolt on Alloy or Galvanised Steel Plate. Comes with additional mounting bracket to weld to the chassis.

Takes less than a minute to change from fixed drop plate to the optional jaw/nato hitch, bow shackle & receiver hitch. For Def, RRC Disco 1&2.

1000’s OF products ON www.extreme4x4.co.uk E&OE.

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Tel: +44 (0)1206 868 411

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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Overland Travel

OFF-ROAD CALENDAR

24 March – 9 April

28 May – 2 June

22 July

15-26 September

Compass Adventures Morocco

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Peru Safari Peru

Onelife Adventure Bulgaria

2-16 April

4-14 June

27 July – 10 August

16-29 September

Trailmasters Morocco Marrakesh Classic

Atlas Overland Corsica

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Trailmasters Morocco Marrakesh Classic

3-16 April

12 June

2-16 August

16-30 September

Atlas Overland Morocco

Peru Safari Peru

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Atlas Overland Morocco

9-14 April

16 June

4-18 August

17 September

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Compass Adventures Corsica

Atlas Overland Italian Alps

Peru Safari Peru

20 April

29 June – 15 July

16-27 August

1-14 October

Peru Safari Peru

Atlas Overland Sacndinavia

Onelife Adventure Spain

Atlas Overland Morocco

5 May

5-19 July

24 August – 4 Sept

3-16 October

Compass Adventures Spain

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Trailmasters Morocco

Trailmasters Morocco Draa Valley

7-18 May

13-27 July

25 August

11 October

Onelife Adventure Portugal

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Compass Adventures Corsica

Peru Safari Peru

9 May

14 July

25 Aug – 8 Sept

14 October –1 Nov

Peru Safari Peru

Compass Adventures Corsica

Atlas Overland Portugal

Protrax Morocco

19-27 May

14-29 July

2-15 September

25 Oct – 7 Nov

UK Landrover Events Pyrenees

Onelife Adventure Iceland

Atlas Overland Morocco

Trailmasters Morocco Atlantic Sahara

24 May – 2 June

17 July – 31 August

8-16 September

28 October –15 Nov

Atlas Overland Corsica

Venture 4x4 Iceland

UK Landrover Events Pyrenees

Protrax Morocco

26 May

19 July – 2 August

8-29 September

15 November

Peru Safari Peru

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Protrax Iceland

Peru Safari Peru

88 | APRIL 2018 6pp Scene Apr.indd 88

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Can’t go a month without a Land Rover fix?

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Simply fill out the form below, including your credit or debit card details, or send it with a cheque payable to The Landy at Assignment Media Ltd, G11 Repton House, Bretby Business Park, Burton-upon-Trent, DE15 0YZ Alternatively, just give us a call on 01283 553 243 or visit www.thelandy.co.uk FULL NAME: SHIPPING ADDRESS: TEL NUMBER: CARD NUMBER: EXPIRY DATE: SECURITY CODE:

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EVERY MONTH IN 4x4

7004

GREEN LANE G Step-by-step routes on Britain’s unsurfaced rights of way • Four a

USING THESE GUIDES Our routes use a mixture of surfaced and unsurfaced roads. The tracks we use are public rights of way, either Byways Open to All Traffic or Unclassified County Roads, all of them commonly referred to as green lanes.

NAVIGATION We’ve tried to keep our notes as clear as possible. It may be that they sound confusing at first, but when you’re out on the trails with the junctions coming and going, they should all make sense.

We try to include instructions only where you need them. That means junctions at which you have to make a turning or don’t have right of way. So just stay on the main road/track or take the most straight-ahead option unless we tell you otherwise.

Our notes include six-figure grid references. You’ll find a guide to using these inany OS map. Our aim is for you to be able to do the route without maps, but we do recommend having them.

SAFETY We’ve included notes with each route on how suitable it is, and areas where you need to take care. These are just guidelines, however. We’ll warn you of any hazards or difficult sections, but the nature of any green lane can change quickly. Wet weather can make a huge difference to the

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conditions, and what’s wide open in winter can be tightly enclosed and scratchy in summer. The responsibility is yours!

The routes are designed to be safe to drive in a solo vehicle, and most are suitable for standard 4x4s on road tyres. We do recommend travelling in tandem wherever possible, however (though long convoys should be avoided as they can make life hard for other users). The risk of getting stuck can be greater than it appears – and if you break down, having help at hand can make the difference between it being inconvenient and dangerous.

Where our notes mention the routes’ suitability for soft-roaders, we’re referring to vehicles like the Freelander and X-Trail. Crossovers and car-derived vehicles are excellent on smoother tracks but will ground out too easily to be of real use for green laning.

RESPONSIBILITY Irresponsible driving is a massive problem on green lanes. In particular, you must always stay on the right of way. Never drive off it to ‘play’ on the verges or surrounding land, even if you can see that someone else has; it’s both illegal and tremendously damaging, both to the land and to 4x4 drivers’ reputation.

The fact that you can see where it’s happened shows how much harm it does. It’s no excuse to say you’re just following where another driver has already been.

Most green laners have taken to confronting anyone they see behaving like this, or videoing them and passing the evidence to the police, which shows how much anger there is towards the criminal element. If you want to ‘play,’ go to a playday site.

Elsewhere, simple common sense and courtesy should be your watchword. The do-and-don’t list below should always be in your mind, but keep your speed down, be ready to pull over for others and make it your aim to show the world that 4x4 drivers aren’t the hooligans they think we are.

ANTIS Anti-4x4 bigotry is less common than you’d think. By and large, it’s limited to organisations who want the countryside all to themselves.

These organisations are beyond being reasoned with, but it’s rare to encounter real hostility even from their rank-and-file members.

If you’re friendly towards the people the vast majority will respond in kind. There are always bad apples, but no more so than anywhere else.

Likewise, most local residents will accept your presence if you’re driving sensibly. What suspicion you do encounter is likely to be from people worried that you’re there to steal from them, so be ready to offer some reassurance.

This is particularly true if yours is a standard-looking Japanese vehicle.

It only takes one vandal to tarnish a person’s view of all 4x4

drivers, and once the damage is done it tends to be permanent.

But if enough of us resolve to be ambassadors for the hobby we love, it might make a difference to the way we’re perceived by society in general.

DO’S & DON’TS • Keep your speed right down • Pull over to let walkers, bikers and horse riders pass • Don’t travel in large convoys: split into smaller groups to avoid hassling others • Leave gates as you found them • Don’t drop litter • Don’t go back to drive the fun bits, such as mud or fords, again • Scrupulously obey all closure and voluntary restraint notices • Don’t cause a noise nuisance, particularly after dark • Ensure you have a right to be there. We research our routes very carefully, but the status of any lane can change without notice • Be prepared to turn back if the route is blocked, even illegally • If you find an illegal obstruction, notify the local authority • If someone challenges you, be firm but polite. Stay calm and don’t get into a slagging match • Stick absolutely scrupulously to the right of way • You have as much of a right to be there as everyone else. Which of course means they have as much right as you • Harrassing a legitimate right of way user is a criminal offence. Just so’s you know…

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E GUIDES

our a month, helping you explore the whole country in your 4x4

THIS MONTH 94

North-East Norfolk

98

South-West Shropshire

Reepham to Lethringsett Wentnor to Wentnor

102 Surrey

Ockley to Brook

106 South-West Northumberland Nenthall to Bardon Mill

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36.8 miles

3-4 hours

12.1 miles

2-3 hours

34.7 miles

5-6 hours

24.2 miles

2-3 hours APRIL 2018 | 93

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NORTH-EAST NORFOLK A route based on well kept farm tracks – wrapped around a middle section comprising tarmac roads sprinkled with an array of fords

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ROUTE GUIDE ROUTE OS MAPS NOTES

Reepham to Lethringsett 36.8 miles; 3-4 hours Landranger 133 (North East Norfolk)

The rights of way on this route are typically well surfaced and sustainable, but in places they may be susceptible to cutting up in very wet conditions. In this case, always be ready to turn back, especially after a lot of rain.The route is otherwise usable by any vehicle.There are several fords in addition to the unsurfaced lanes; none of these are especially deep, but most are in or near villages – as always, it’s crucial to behave sensibly when using them • Before driving this route, or using any public rights of way in your 4x4, please read and pay attention to the notes on page 92

1

28/07/2017 0.0 TG 102 235 Start in Reepham, outside the Crown on Ollands Road. Zero your trip with the pub car park to your right, then pull forward to the T-junction with the B1145. Turn left for Bawdeswell, then immediately right again for Kerdiston on Stony Lane. At 0.4 miles, turn right at the T-junction

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0.9 TG 091 241 As the road starts to swing left, bear gently right on to another road – not the track ahead.

At 1.1 miles, continue ahead over the track and on to the track ahead, then at 1.2 follow to the left of the hedge when the track splits

3

1.6 Turn right at the T-junction with another track, which then swings left. Caution as you approach – there’s a huge ditch ahead. At 2.1 miles, turn right at the T-junction with another track

4

2.4 The track becomes a road as you pass the building on the right, then shortly afterwards turn right on to a track as the road swings right.

At 2.9, turn right at the T-junction with the road

5

3.7 TG 104 255 Turn left through a gap in the hedge at the end of a lay-by and on to a track. Immediately after crossing the ditch at 4.1, fork left and keep the trees to your right, watching out for another ditch running alongside you from about 4.3 miles.

At 4.7, turn left at the T-junction with the road

6

4.9 Turn left for Wood Dalling at the T-junction, then right at 5.3 for Corpusty and Saxthorpe.

Turn left for Wood Dalling and Thurning at 6.1, then follow ahead over the crossroads at 7.0 miles for Briston

7

7.5 Turn right for Corpusty and Saxthorpe, then left at the T-junction at 8.3. Turn left, slightly over your shoulder, just after a part-time ford at 8.9 miles, then right at the T-junction at 9.2

8

9.3 TG 098 315 Turn left on to the track. Turn left at the T-junction with the road at 9.5 miles, then continue ahead over the crossroads for Hunworth at 11.2. After a couple of small fords, turn right for Holt at the crossroads at 12.8 miles

9

13.1 TG 071 355 Turn left, back over your shoulder, on to a track. Follow round to the left and through the ford at 13.3 miles, then turn right at the T-junction with the road at 13.4

10

14.1 After the ford, then turn right for Holt and Lethringsett at 14.3 miles. Straight ahead at the crossroads at 14.6, then turn right at the T-junction at 15.1

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NORTH-EAST NORFOLK

Left: The turning at Step 5 is hard to spot – it’s through a gap in the hedge at the end of a grubby lay-by on the left Centre: The ford at Step 11 isn’t the deepest, but there’s a sharp step down into the water as you enter it Right: The lanes towards the end of the route are very well surfaced, but it can be tricky to work out which is which.

The turning at Step 20 is between hedges – this is the easiest way to tell it apart from another turning just before it

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28/07/2017 15.6 TG 059 384 Turn right at the crossroads, then after the ford at 15.7 follow the road hard left. Caution as you cross a busy road at 16.1, carrying on ahead on to Garden Lane

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18.65 Carry on ahead as the road you’re on swings right, then continue through the ford. Turn left at the crossroads at 18.8 miles, then at 19.1 turn right for Saxlingham. Follow this road to the T-junction with the B1156 at 20.2 miles and turn right, for Blakeney and Langham

13

21.2 TG 020 409 Turn left on the track just before the start of the hedge line. Turn right at the T-junction with the road at 21.8 miles, then left at 22.0

14

22.1 TG 026 397 Turn left, sort of straight ahead, as as the road you’ve been on swings back on itself to the right. The road soon becomes a track, then at 22.8 miles turn right at the T-junction with the road

15

23.0 TG 037 397 Turn right at the crossroads, on to a track. At 23.7 miles, turn left at the T-junction with the road

16

24.1 TG 032 390 Fork right on to the track as the road you’re on swings left. Take care not to turn too early – there’s a similar junction at about 23.9 miles. Turn right at the T-junction with the road at 24.6, then right at the next T-junction, at 25.2, for King’s Lynn. Turn right at the crossroads at 26.0 miles, then at 26.1 fork right for Field Dalling and Langham as the road starts to swing left

17

26.5 TG 016 372 Turn left on the track between the hedges. Turn right at the T-junction with the road at 26.8, then left at the crossroads in the village at 27.1. Caution over the main road at 27.6 miles; turn right then immediately left for Gunthorpe

18

27.9 TG 009 355 Turn left, back over your shoulder, on to a track. Turn left at the road junction at 28.5

19

29.0 TG 023 363 Fork right on to the track. Carry on ahead as you join a bigger track at 29.25, then at 29.7 turn right at the T-junction with the road.

Turn right at the T-junction at 29.9, then at 30.3 fork right for Gunthorpe as the road swings left

20

31.0 TG 026 349 Turn left on to a track between two hedges. Don’t turn too early – there’s a similar junction at 30.7 miles. Turn left on the road at the T-junction at 31.8, then left for King’s Lynn at the roundabout at 35.6. Follow into Lethringsett, then at 36.8 turn left on the unmade road and arrive at the King’s Head to end the route

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SOUTH-WEST SHROPSHIRE A straightforward but gloriously scenic set of trails near the Welsh border which criss-cross the Long Mynd

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1

0.0 SO 384 928 28/07/2017 Start outside the Crown Inn in the middle of Wentnor. Zero your trip with the pub to your right and set off heading more or less north, then at 0.05 turn right for Prolley Moor and Medlicott

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1.25 SO 403 929 As the road you’re on swings hard left, turn right on to the no-through road. It becomes a track at about 1.4 miles, then at 1.95 ignore the road off to the right between the farm buildings and follow on ahead. At 2.45 miles, turn left at the T-junction with the road – it’s very tight back over your shoulder and up a steep hill, with limited visibility to your left

3

4.35 SO 413 937 Turn left into a small car park and, as you enter it, bear left and take the track ahead. A long descent begins at about 4.5 miles; be aware it’s coming and keep right on top of your speed. Turn right at 5.25, tightly back over your shoulder, at the T-junction with the road

4

6.25 SO 410 946 Turn right at the T-junction on a no-through road which turns into a track at about 6.65 miles. Turn left when you come to the road at 7.55 miles, then left again, sharply back over your shoulder, at 7.75

5

8.35 SO 420 953 Turn left on the track that slips out just after the car park on the right. Don’t take the track directly opposite the car park entrance – yours is a few car lengths later

6

10.15 SO 393 954 After the gate, turn right at the junction (which means going straight ahead) and immediately follow the road as it swings right round the back of the barns. Perhaps 50 yards further on, straight after the gate with a cattle grid next to it, turn left on to a track. Ignore the smaller track out to the right at 10.4 miles, just after which the one you’re on swings round to the left

7 ROUTE GUIDE ROUTE OS MAPS NOTES

Wentnor to Wentnor 12.1 miles; 2-3 hours Landranger 137 (Church Stretton and Ludlow)

11.2 Turn right at the T-junction with the road, which means going straight ahead. Turn left at the T-junction with another road at 11.7 miles, which, ludicrous as it sounds, actually means turning slightly right (it’ll make sense when you get there), then at 12.1 miles arrive back at the Crown Inn for the end of the route

The rights of way on this route are typically well surfaced and easy to follow, making them ideal for soft-roaders.They may still become slippery when wet for vehicles on road tyres, but by and large this is an all-weather route – though it wouldn’t be much fun in fog, and would be hazardous in snow and ice.Watch out for farm traffic and, in particular, dog walkers and mountain bikers, both sharing your tracks and using others which cross them • Before driving this route, or using any public rights of way in your 4x4, please read and pay attention to the notes on page 92

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SURREY Some surprisingly tricky rights of way, some of them potential panel-bashers – among some of the poshest villages in the country

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ROUTE GUIDE ROUTE OS MAPS NOTES

Ockley to Brook 34.7 miles; 5-6 hours Landranger 187 (Dorking and Reigate)

First and foremost, this route ends at Step 15 between 1 October and 30 April as the final two tracks are only open from May to September. Do NOT drive them when they’re closed; it’s a criminal offence. Some of the lanes on this route are very tight indeed, with encroaching vegetation likely to scratch your paintwork.There’s a real risk of panel damage from contact with trees and the embankments of sunken lanes, too.The going tends to be quite grippy, but at least an all-terrain is recommended when wet.You’re certain to encounter other users, and many of these rights of way run very close to people’s homes, so the greatest caution is required throughout.Take care at the road junctions, too – Surrey is home to some of the most self-important and least competent drivers in the world.

• Before driving this route, or using any public rights of way in your 4x4, please read and pay attention to the notes on page 92

1

0.0 TQ 147 402 28/07/2017 Start at the Inn on the Green, on the A29 in Ockley. Zero your trip with the pub to your right and set off north, then at 0.15 miles turn left on the B2126. Turn right for Leith Hill at 1.4 miles, then right again for Coldharbour at 2.25 – and again at the angled T-junction at about 2.3

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2.75 TQ 141 431 As the road swings hard right, with a driveway on the left, look for an opening in the bushes in front of you. It’s more open than it looks, though you’re straight into a dramatic steep-sided gully

3

2.9 At the top of the gully, turn hard right then keep the line of wooden posts to your left. Follow the red waymarker round to the left at 3.0 miles

4

3.7 Turn left at the T-junction with a road, which quickly turns into a track. Take the left-most of the three tracks at 3.9 miles. Swing left at 6.1 miles, ignoring a smaller track ahead, then at 6.2 turn right at the T-junction with the road

5

6.3 TQ 127 476 At the road junction on the right, take the track that slips out to the right along the edge of the tree line. Follow this to 6.5 miles and turn right at the T-junction with the major road

6

8.9 Follow the A25 all the way through Dorking and over the roundabouts at 9.7 and 12.4 miles

7

13.5 TQ 227 508 Turn left at the crossroads, on to Lawrence Lane. At 14.2, where you reach a set of iron gates, turn left on to the track; be warned that this one is very scratchy in places and carries a real risk of panel damage. Join a bigger track ahead at 15.2 miles, then at 15.4 turn left at the T-junction then immediately left again at the roundabout

8

15.9 Turn right for Headley and Box Hill, then bear left for Box Hill at 16.1 miles. Keep it dead slow through the Box Hill park. At 19.2 miles, turn right at the T-junction for Mickleham

9

19.5 Turn right on to Headley Lane immediately before the 30mph signs, then left at the T-junction at 21.6 miles. Turn left for Dorking at the roundabout at 23.1, then continue ahead across the roundabout at 23.9, this time for Guildford

10

24.95 TQ 152 549 Just before the roundabout, turn left on the track up the embankment. Look out for traffic at the top as you continue ahead. At 25.0, bear right on to a track into the trees. This one gets scratchy; follow it dead ahead, crossing over two other tracks, then at 26.15 miles turn hard left at the road junction on to the single-track road

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SURREY

Left: The turning at Step 2 is hard to spot – it’s just a gap in the undergrowth on the outside of the corner Centre: Be warned – the track at Step 7 is even tighter than this makes it look, and that tree is big Right: The track at Step 12 is another hard one to spot – and this time you’ll have a selection of Surrey’s trademark ever-so-important fast drivers in a busting rush to get past you too

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11

28/07/2017 27.4 Turn right for Ranmore Common. At 28.9 miles, turn right at the T-junction for East Horsley and Effingham

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30.1 TQ 125 502 Turn right at the crossroads with a track.

It’s hard to spot: it’ss just after a car park on the left, in a dip halfway through a right-hand bend. Follow dead ahead the whole way, ignoring the track on the left at 31.6 miles, then at 32.1 follow ahead as you regain the road

13

33.2 Turn left on Lower Shott. Turn right at 33.3 then immediately left at the T-junction with the main road. Follow this to about 37.65 miles and take the road which slips out very gently to the left, around the back of a bus stop

14

37.8 TQ 073 518 Turn left on the track. It turns back into a road at about 38.25, then at 38.5 becomes a track again as you follow round to the right

15

28.7 Turn left at the T-junction. Follow ahead at 28.9, looking out for traffic from the left, then turn right at the T-junction at 29.2. Right again at another T-junction at 29.5, this one for Shere

16

29.7 TQ 077 496 Turn sharply left back over your shoulder and under the height barrier, then follow ahead through the car park and on to the track.

This area has seen serious problems with illegal off-road use; if you spot someone doing it, shop them to the police and you’ll be a hero among all decent green lane users. Turn right at the T-junction with a bigger lane at 30.0 miles, then at 30.7 turn left at the T-junction with the road

17

30.75 Almost immediately after you’ve turned left, turn right on Middle Street

18

31.5 TQ 073 466 Turn right into a road called Parklands, then at 31.7 miles follow hard left round the back of the houses and on to a track. This one is bumpy and narrow, with a real chance of scratching or worse.

19

32.6 Turn right at the T-junction with another track, then right again at the crossroads with a road at 32.9. Just after this, turn left on another track and follow it straight ahead for half a mile, then turn right when you reach the road at 33.3

20

34.2 Turn right at the T-junction for Albury and Guildford, then right again on Brook Lane at 34.7. At 35.2 miles, arrive at the William IV pub on the left for the end of the route

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SOUTH-WEST NORTHUMBERLAND A set of easily-driven lanes in glorious upland scenery make this an ideal way to enjoy the views other people don’t get to see

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1

0.0 NY 756 457 28/07/2017 Start outside Nent Hall hotel on the A689.

Zero your trip at the car park exit and turn left, heading west, to start the route

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0.8 NY 746 463 Turn right on the track, just after a small wood with a dry-stone wall in front of it. Turn left over the bridge at the T-junction with the road at 1.25, then immediately right again into the farmyard. Continue through it on the main track, keeping the telegraph pole to your left

3

1.75 Turn left at the T-junction with another track.

It becomes a road at 2.4 miles, then turn right at the T-junction with the road at 2.5. Take care at the angled crossroads at 4.75 miles, as you cross the main road and continue ahead

4

5.15 NY 729 495 Carry on ahead when the road you’re on swings hard left. At the end of the tarmac at 5.4 miles, turn square right up the hill on a track

5

5.75 NY 736 498 Carry on ahead when you reach the crossroads. It’s a road at first, but becomes a track at about 5.9 as you pass the buildings on the right and continue ahead through the gate

6

8.25 The surface gets more uneven as you start descending towards the road. You reach it at 8.4 miles; turn left, which means going straight ahead, then at 9.2 miles turn left for Ninebanks at the angled T-junction. When you reach the main A686 at 11.05, turn right for Hexham

7

13.75 NY 793 585 Turn left on the track just after the cottage; you’ll need to slow and indicate well in advance.

Note that there’s only a couple of car lengths on the track before you have to stop for a gate

8 ROUTE GUIDE ROUTE OS MAPS NOTES

Nenthall to Bardon Mill 24.2 miles; 2-3 hours Landranger 87 (Hexham and Haltwhistle)

Wide, well surfaced tracks make this an ideal route for all kinds of 4x4, though as always you need to be cautious. Road tyres should be fine, even in the wet, and the risk of scratching is minimal, though here and there the surface is quite uneven and this is no place to be in fog or heavy snow. These lanes tend to be very quiet, but most are in agricultural areas so watch out for farm traffic.There are some sections on fast, busy main roads, too • Before driving this route, or using any public rights of way in your 4x4, please read and pay attention to the notes on page 92

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14.55 Turn left at the T-junction, on to a narrow road. Turn ‘left’ at the T-junction with a larger road at 15.2 miles, keeping on straight ahead, then at 17.7 miles turn right for Haltwhistle

9

18.6 NY 736 603 Turn right on a gravel track through a gate; there’s a wooden byway sign which will help you identify it. Stick to the main track across the common, following it as it swings back on itself to the left at 19.6 miles then right at a sort-of T-junction with another track at 21.15

10

21.25 Follow ahead as the track becomes a road. Carry on ahead at the junction with another road at 21.75, following the sign for Bardon Mill, then at 24.05 turn left at the T-junction with the A69. Turn left for Bardon Mill at 24.8 miles, then at 24.2 arrive outside the Bowes Hotel in the village centre for the end of the route

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