4x4 Magazine - September 2023

4x4

NEWS • VIEWS • KIT • EXPEDITIONS • MODIFIED VEHICLES • GREEN LANING PLUS Skoda Enyaq vRS starts off electric electric and ends up electrifying

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

QUARTERMASTER

Ineos gets sets to break new ground in the double-cab market with its £73,715 Grenadier pick-up

Patient shopping yields a star quality off-road Shogun

£5.99

Dive in to a gnarly roadbook in South Wiltshire

SEP 2023

At last! A Jeep Scrambler with a proper engine…

4x4 Cover Sep 23 WITH SARAH.indd 1

31/07/2023 07:25

SUBARU OUTBACK. AWARDED 4X4 MAGAZINE’S ‘BEST

CROSSOVER ESTATE OF THE YEAR 2023’.

“It’s often said that once you’ve owned a Subaru, you never want to be without one.

And there’s a reason for that. The Outback is all the family car you’re ever likely to need—and, in the real world, it’s all the off-roader you’re ever likely to need too.”

NOW AVAILABLE WITH A £1,500* SUBARU DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION.

SUV CAPABILITY. READY FOR ANYTHING. To find out more visit subaru.co.uk or contact your local Subaru dealer.

Alan Kidd, Editor of 4x4 Magazine

Award-winning features.

Fitted as standard.

• 2.5i Boxer Engine Lineartronic • Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive • EyeSight Safety Package • 2,000kg Towing Capacity (braked) • 213mm Ground Clearance • 11.6" Tablet-like Infotainment System • Reversing Camera

SUBARU OUTBACK fuel economy and CO2 results (WLTP): Combined 33.0mpg, CO2 emissions 193g/km. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes & may not reflect real driving results. Fuel consumption achieved in real life conditions & CO2 produced depends on a number of factors including accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles & vehicle load. Offers available until 30.09.23. Stock subject to availability. Subaru reserves the right to amend or withdraw offers at any time without prior notice. Private customers only, not available in conjunction with any other offers. Excludes Personal Contract Hire and Business Contract Hire. Available at participating dealers only. *£1,500 Subaru Deposit Contribution (incl. VAT) on a 2.5i Outback Limited, Field or Touring. †Credit is subject to status. Must be 18+. This credit offer is only available through Subaru Finance provided by International Motors Finance Limited, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH. We typically receive commission or other benefits for introducing you to International Motors Finance Ltd. This may be a flat fee or percentage of the amount you borrow. Vehicle shown is a Outback 2.5i Field Lineartronic, OTR price of £41,585. Model shown price includes optional special paint finish at £595.

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25/07/2023 10:57

THE WORLDS BEST ACCESSORIES FOR LAND ROVER

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11/04/2023 12:32

N O I T I D E P EX

Whether your idea of an expedition is an afternoon driving some local trails, a weekend off road and wild camping or a full-on trip across Africa, Terrafirma has all the accessories you will need.

From roof racks and ladders to spare wheel carriers and snorkels, from jerry cans and sand tracks to fridges we have it covered with this extensive range of expedition accessories.

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11/04/2023 12:40

ROOF TENTS AND AWNINGS ROOF RACKS AND LADDERS SPARE WHEEL CARRIERS RAISED AIR INTAKES EXPEDITION ACCESSORIES For more information visit www.terrafirma4x4.com email sales@terrafirma4x4.com

IFC_Allmarks.indd 1

11/04/2023 12:36

September 2023

CONTENTS

40

'Whatever you ask me about it, what spanner size I can tell you. If anything does go wrong, I’ve only

6

2 | SEPTEMBER 2023

Contents Aug.indd 2

48

20

4x4 31/07/2023 23:16

e y

64 75% OFF THE PRICE OF 4X4!

Six issues for the price of 12 sounds like half-price – but when you subscribe to 4x4 for a year, you actually end up getting 75% off the price on the cover 4x4 Scene: News, Products and More…

6 8 10 12 14 14 16 17 17

Ineos Quartermaster Order book opens for the Grenadier double-cab Ineos Grenadier FCEV Hydrogen demonstrater throws down the gauntlet Isuzu D-Max Expedition Edition showcases ARB accessory range Rural Crime Police expert explains how green laners can help Bridgestone Dueler A/T002 is a new all-weather all-terrain Ring More light, quicker charging for MAGFlex Twist workshop lamp Thunderpole More power and features from revised T-800 CB Maltings 4x4 Store Huge discount on Terrafirma inflatable roof tent Polybush Waterproof boots for old-shape Defender tail lights

Every Month 4 66 80

Alan Kidd It's okay to daily an EV and have an oil-burner for the weekend Subscribe Get 75% off the cover price of Britain's only 4x4 magazine Next Month Our October issue goes on sale on 8 September

Driven 20 24

Subaru Forester As good an all-rounder as ever – and great value to buy Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe vrS One of the coolest cars we've ever driven

Features 28 34 40 48

Beach 90 Restified beauty with just enough mods for a new lease of life Jeep Scrambler Homage to the collectible relic has a proper engine at last Budget Shogun Eye-catching off-roader built using eBay and lots of patience V8 Rebuild NWS Motors guides us through bringing back a 4.6-litre engine

Travel 56

Something to Celebrate A green laning trip amid the vines of Champagne

66 South Wilts Roadbook are sharp rock Caution – there as you climb the steps to negotiate hillside

Step

Step 40: Turn left off the main embankment track, dropping then plunging down the straight into a water trough (right)

37

Step

13

Step

Strata Florida

8.75 Step

14

12.3 41

Abbey

track to the Take the rocky track the main Cat A

Step

38 13.1

left of

More rock steps, water trough

Step

followed by a long

47

Step

15

There’s a couple of huge water troughs after the junction

13.1 Step

43

11.7 Step

16 11.8 Step

17 12.8 Step

18 12.8 88 | JANUARY 2020

It’s a steep, sharp climb up and over a bigger track – you can’t see ahead over your bonnet to start with

Caution over a steps as you short set of rocky drop down the hill

15.0

Step

4212.6

10.9

Step

48

Look out for you cross the the waymarker as ford

15.2

13.4 Step

Join the Cat A

track

44

You may find yourself driving a river bed along for a while…

13.65 Step

45

track Drop off the main the gate and immediately before trough water into yet another

14.7 Step

to clear these axleneed a bit of momentum right is much bigger to the Step 37: You might warned, the drop-off twisters – but be than it looks here

4x4

46 14.9

goes where, anything, got myself to blame!'

4x4 JANUARY

2020 | 89

24

4x4 Contents Aug.indd 3

JANUARY 2023 | 3

31/07/2023 23:16

4x4 Tel: 01283 742969

Alan Kidd Editor

I

Electric cars are like a tiger creeping up on you

’m going to write about electric vehicles, sorry. And it’s not all going to be negative. Sorry again.

One of the 4x4s on test in this month’s issue is the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe vRS. I was already a big fan of the Enyaq iV in its station wagon guise, and I’ll admit that turning it into a fastback has taken a chunk out of the vehicle’s practicality. But in my personal opinion, our tester is one of the coolest looking SUVs around – and with 299bhp plus a huge bunch of electric torque from no revs at all, it goes like stink.

Something happened during our week with it, though. On the way home, just after dark, a kid walked right out in front of me. Earphones in, head in the clouds, no concept of anything – I was literally yards away when he was still on the pavement.

Luckily for him, I was paying attention.

And also luckily for him, I always take it easy on roads where you’ve got pedestrians right next to you. If I’d been doing 30, he’d be in a box now. I know what it’s like to be mown down by a car and I never want to be the guy who does it to someone.

A couple of weeks ago, it happened again. This time it was a bright Saturday morning and this time is was a woman in, I’d guess, her 20s or 30s. Once again she was wearing earphones, and once again she walked straight out in front of me. Once again, she can thank her lucky stars that I was paying more attention than she was.

And once again, I was in an EV. It was a Nissan Ariya this time, another superb piece of work (as you’ll read in a future issue) but, of course, silent compared to anything with a petrol or diesel engine.

And this is a real problem with electric vehicles. In nature, the reason why your sense of hearing is omnidirectional is that it’s your first sign of approaching danger.

Diesels are like a predator coming your way while roaring its head off: electric vehicles are like a tiger creeping up on you.

This is my biggest concern with them.

Every time I have an EV on test, I’m worried that when I’m moving off my drive, one of my cats is going to be under it. And now I’m worried that the next person who strolls out in front of me isn’t going to be as lucky as the ones I’ve just told you about, too.

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Edline August 23.indd 4

It’s a big issue. As big as climate change, though? Obviously not.

And however much those of us who love old-school vehicles hate to admit it, something really does have to be done.

We’re destroying our own habitat and we need to stop. Whether battery EVs are the best answer is a different debate, but right now they’re a solution and that’s enough.

No, I’m not saying that doing petrol and diesel engined vehicles as a hobby should be banned. That would be idiotic. But the everyday act of getting from A to B, for people to whom a car is just a tool –it makes absolute sense for that to become as clean as possible as quickly as possible.

I know some of you will be outraged by this. There are many in the petrol-head world to whom EVs are The Devil. Certainly, whenever the subject comes up on social media, it’s amazing how many people who’ve never previously shown any concern for the environment suddenly become stridently vocal about lithium mining.

If EVs came hand-in-hand with a genuine assault on your right to enjoy owning a track car, an expedition vehicle, a hot rod, a comp racer or whatever, I would completely agree. But they don’t. Some of their proponents are fanatics who think every enthusiast vehicle should be burned, of course, but those people are freaks and cranks whose wild-eyed views deserve to be taken no more seriously than those of any other extremist.

By a strange coincidence, halfway through writing this column I checked the headlines and saw that the Government is to issue dozens of new licences for North Sea oil and gas exploration. Even their opponents are saying this is okay, so long as it goes hand in hand with increased measures to get the world to net zero.

You can take the same approach to life. Fact is, embracing an EV as your daily doesn’t mean abandoning the oil-burner you use for off-roading.

You might even discover that they’re not so bad to drive after all, too. Just watch out for people strolling out in front of you.

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 Design WW Magazines Tel: 01283 742970 Contributors Graham Scott, Mike Trott, Adam Towns, Olly Sack, Gary Noskill, Dan Fenn, Paul Looe, Tom Alderney Photographers Steve Taylor, Richard Hair, Harry Hamm, Vic Peel Advertising Sales Tandem Media Tel: 01233 555735 Colin Ashworth Tel: 01283 742969 Advertising Production Sarah Moss Tel: 01283 553242 Subscriptions Agency WW Magazines, 151 Station Street, Burton on Trent, DE14 1BG Tel: 01283 742970 Publisher and Head of Marketing Sarah Moss Email: sarah.moss@assignment-media.co.uk To subscribe to 4x4, or renew a subscription, call 01283 742970. Prices for 12 issues: UK £42 (24 issues £76); Europe Airmail/ROW Surface £54; ROW Airmail £78 Distributed by Marketforce; www.marketforce.co.uk 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, PO Box 8632, Burton on Trent DE14 9PR

© Assignment Media Ltd, 2023

4x4 31/07/2023 21:33

Enhance Your Defender DA1968

DA1969

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XS Air Intake Grilles Black with silver mesh DA1970 Right hand side DA1972 Left hand side

XS Wing Mirrors Excludes arms DA1970

DA6892

DA6892 Black backing - single DA6893 Silver backing - single DA6900 Brunel backing - single DA6901 Primer backing - single

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XS Door Handles DA6903 Brunel DA6902 Brunel

RHS LHS

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DA1966

XS Snorkel Head DA1966 An easy to install enhancement for any Safari or Britpart snorkel.

Compliments the Britpart XS range of air vents and grilles.

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For many more Defender enhancements visit www.britpart.com/enhance

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4x4 Magazine_2023_Sep_Britpart ATS_FP.indd 1

31/07/2023 09:46

NEW 4X4S

Ineos lifts lid on long-wheelbase Same range as existing Grenadier station wagon • 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines •

H

ot on the heels of the game-changing Grenadier, Ineos Automotive has opened the order book on its second model. Based on the existing station wagon, the Grenadier Quartermaster is a double-cab promising to blend the same

6 | SEPTEMBER 2023

AWAITING ADS News Aug 23.indd 6

off-road ability with a new level of carrying capabity.

The Quartermaster retains the base vehicle’s separate ladder chassis, though this has been extended to 305mm (12 inches) to give it a wheelbase of 3227mm (129 inches). The rear body has also

been extended, giving the vehicle a much longer rear overhang tha the station wagon.

The result is a load bay measuring a hefty 1564mm long and 1619mm wide – large enough to accommodate two standard Euro pallets loaded side by side. Access

is via a 1280mm tailgate which is capable of supporting up to 225kg when open.

The vehicle’s towing capacity remains at 3500kg, however though it’s classed as an N1 commercial vehicle its payload of 760kg-835kg falls below the 1000kg threshold

4x4 31/07/2023 11:24

NEW 4x4S

Quartermaster double-cab 129” wheelbase • Payload beneath 1000kg • On sale now priced from £66,215-£73,715

required for VAT and benefit-in-kind purposes. Prices start at £66,215 for the base model and climb to £73,715 for the Trialmaster and Fieldmaster editions – that’s £1215 more than the 5-seat Utility Wagon in base form, but £2285 less at the top of the range.

As with the station wagon, the Quartermaster is powered by a choice of 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol and diesel engines sourced from BMW. The former produces 286bhp and 332lbf.ft; the diesel unit is slightly less powerful at 249bhp but usefully torquier

4x4 AWAITING ADS News Aug 23.indd 7

31/07/2023 11:24

NEW 4X4S

Grenadier’s chassis is extended by almost exactly one foot to create a 129” wheelbase for the Quartermaster pick-up, while rear overhang is even more significantly greater. Approach angle is unchanged at 35.5°, however breakover angle is reduced from 28.2° to 26.2° and departure angle drops from 36.1° to a much shallower 22.6°. Ground clearance remains at 264mm and wading depth at 800mm; as with the Grenadier, the Quartermaster is available with a raised air intake, however Ineos says this is not watertight and only offers it as a means of protecting the engine from dust with 406lbf.ft from a deep-down 1250rpm. It’s fuel economy that’s likely to be the clincher, though – the 3.0 diesel returns 23.3-25.9mpg and 286-317g/km, whereas the petrol unit only gves you 18.9-19.6mpg while putting out 325-336g/km.

Both engines are mated as standard to an eight-speed ZF automatic

gearbox, behind which is a twospeed transfer case with a locking centre differential. The Trialmaster model comes with locking front and rear diffs; these are an £1810 option elsewhere in the range.

The Quartermaster also becomes the UK’s first double-cab since the old Land Rover Defender to be

designed with front and rear beam axles. Attached at each end using a five-link arrangement with panhard rods, these are equipped with Brembo brakes and fitted with a choice of 17” or 18” steel or alloy wheels.

Ground clearance is 264mm, with a quoted wading depth of 800mm; a raised air intake is also standard on

the Trialmaster and optional on others, though Ineos says this is only for dust protection (it can additionally be had with a cyclone pre-cleaner) and does not allow the vehicle to go any deeper in water.

Ineos promises approach, departure and breakover angles which are ‘unrivalled by any other series

Hydrogen fuel cell Grenadier throws down gauntlet to government policy makers AS WELL AS THE QUARTERMASTER, Ineos has also lifted the wraps on a Grenadier powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. This is only a demonstrator at present, and a symbol of the company’s intent to reach net zero.

As with its commercially available engines, the fuel cell technology in the Grenadier comes from BMW. The vehicle has been udergoing extensive testing ‘to ensure there has been no compromise to its on and off-road capabilities or towing capacities.’

Ineos Automotive is part of a group of companies whose main business is in petrochemicals – and which produces 400,000 tonnes of hydrogen every year. Its committment to the gas as a key fuel for the future is therefore easily to understand.

‘The hydrogen powered Grenadier, along with our all-electric model due in 2026, shows Ineos’ commitment to net zero,’ says Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder. ‘Battery electric vehicles are perfect for certain uses, shorter trips, most private car journeys and urban deliveries, while hydrogen FCEVs are more suited for longer trips, heavy duty cycles where batteries impact too much on payload and where a long range between stops is necessary.

‘Our demonstrator proves that the technology is capable. But what we need now is support from policy makers to help provide the infrastructure for the next generation of hydrogen vehicles.’

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4x4 31/07/2023 11:24

NEW 4X4S

Rear load bed is wide enough to take two Euro pallets loaded side by side, if you discount the wheelarch blisters and spare tyre. The dropped tailgate can bear a weight of 225kg; payload is 835kg for the petrol-engined model and 760kg for the diesel. Optional accessories include utility rails, a roof rack (above right) and a locking roller shutter, as well as a full-height waterproof canvas cover (below). Being based on the station wagon rather than the four-door utility, the Quartermaster has plenty of rear legroom in its Recaro seats (inset) production pick-up.’ These are 35.5°, 22.6° and 26.2° respectively; by contrast, the station wagon breaks over at a slightly better 28.2° and departs at a much better 36.1°.

4x4 AWAITING ADS News Aug 23.indd 9

In addition to its five-seat capacity and large cargo space, the Quartermaster has four tie-down rings to keep loads secure. Utility rails also feature on the options list, while

an integrated mounting bar adds further to the vehicle’s practicality – as does a standard-fit 400W power take-off. When did you last hear of a new vehicle offering one of those?

Further accessories include a lockable roller tonneau cover for the load space or, should you need more volume, a waterproof canvas canopy. As with the station wagon, a roof rack is also available.

Being so closely related to the original Grenadier, the Quartermaster can be expected to be very similar to drive – that is, decent on

the road and spectacular on any kind of terrain. Its longer wheelbase may potentially add a degree of stability in faster corners, however in extreme off-road conditions both this and the extended rear overhang will inevitably eat up some of its agility thanks to those refuced breakover and departure angles. It is, however, sure to go straight to the top of the double-cab class in this respect – albeit at a price which takes the market into territory that’s as uncharted as the landscapes the Grenadier is built to explore.

JULY 2023 | 13

31/07/2023 11:25

NEWS

Isuzu unveils Expedition Edition D-Max to showcase ARB equipment range

I

t’s only a one-off show vehicle, but Isuzu has unveiled the D-Max Expedition Edition. Based on the range-topping V-Cross version of the recently facelifted double-cab (our current Pick-Up of the Year), this has been accessorised with a wide range of kit from ARB – with whom Isuzu UK recently announced a major partnership.

The D-Max is now available with a huge range of ARB accessories,

aimed at the burgeoning outdoor leisure market. Harking back to the AT35 Basecamp concept from last year, the Expedition Edition ‘embodies the spirit of limitless exploration and camping.’

It does this using a wide range of ARB equipment. The full list (not including the bracket kits and so on required to fit it) is as follows: • Ascent Gullwing Hard-top with Remote Locking

• 1835mm x 1285mm Baserack Ascent Canopy Kit • Esperance Hard-Shell Roof Tent • 2000mm x 2500mm Awning with LED Light • Outback Drawer set with Kitchen and Roller Floor • Cargo Drawer Organisers • Zero 60 Litre Fridge • Front Recovery Points • Tailgate Assist System • Weekender Recovery Kit The total retail price for everything on the vehicle, including fitting, would be £13,730 plus VAT. Isuzu expects the Expedition Edition to appeal to audiences on this summer’s show circuit thanks not only to the potential it offers for adventures but to its ‘attractive affordability’ compared to the Basecamp. A striking coat of Valencia Orange does no harm here, either.

Isuzu dealerships are now offering ARB’s range as officially approved accessories, allowing

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AWAITING ADS News Aug 23.indd 10

customers to purchase a D-Max pre-fitted with accessories tailored to their needs. Thus the Expedition Edition, while only a show vehicle, is one which you could buy new.

‘The Isuzu Expedition Edition showcases the boundless customisability of the new-look Isuzu D-Max range, particularly when paired with ARB accessories,’ says Isuzu UK’s Accessory Sales and Marketing Coordinator Steve Page. ‘Thanks to our exciting partnership with ARB, customers now have the seamless opportunity to purchase a fully loaded D-Max tailored with accessories that perfectly suit their needs.’

4x4 31/07/2023 11:25

4x4 Magazine_2023_Sep_Volkswagen_FP.indd 1

25/07/2023 10:51

RIGHTS OF WAY

Police reach out to green laners for help in tackling rural crime Words: Andy Barrett, General Manager, Green Lane Association Pictures: South Yorkshire Police

I

recently attended an excellent presentation put on by the South Yorkshire Police force, which provided an eye-opening insight into current trends in rural crime. The force has a new dedicated Rural Crime Team, the majority of whose work sees them out in all weathers, day and night, in rural parts of the county.

A lot of this is focused on the Peak District National Park, which happens to be a favourite place for green laners. Unlike other Rural Crime Teams, they are out on patrol each day on Yamaha R450 bikes, electric Zero FX motorbikes and Can-Am 700 quads. They have a beauty of a Land Rover 90 as well.

The team’s sergeant is a member of GLASS outside of work and explained how our community can help police tackle rural and wildlife

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2pp Scene GLASS Sep 23.indd 12

crime while out on the lanes. This can be applied to whatever area of the country you are based in, and it is worth making yourself familiar with your local rural crime unit. Thus the following Q&A comes not just from the police – but from a dedicated green lane user, too.

offences (worrying and theft); fuel theft; equine crime; fly tipping; and poaching. Unfortunately, we are witnessing all of these in South Yorkshire, and there is an element of poaching using quads with dogs on the back to target deer, hares, foxes and badgers.

Q: What are the Rural Crime Team’s priorities?

A: The aim is to provide a dedicated response to combat and prevent criminality affecting the rural and farming communities of South Yorkshire, to increase engagement, confidence and reassurance within these communities.

We have six national rural crime priority areas, set by the National Police Chiefs Council. These are farm machinery theft (ATV, tractor and plant theft); livestock

Q: And what about wildlife?

A: We also deal with wildlife crime.

This is again set by the National Police Chiefs Council and we have several areas to concentrate our attention on, the main ones being badger persecution (the illegal digging and killing of badgers) and birds of prey persecution (the illegal killing of birds of prey).

Again, we experience this in South Yorkshire in our rural communities but this also extends to many parts of the country.

Q: So what does rural and wildlife crime look like?

A: The best thing you can do to get a flavour of what to look out for is scroll through our Facebook page @ SYPOffRoadBikes and @SYPRural. You might see dead buzzards, gralloched deer, run down badgers, stolen generators, quads and motor bikes, deer and hare coursing with long dogs, shot birds of prey, stolen peregrine falcon eggs, mauled livestock and of course, occasional illegal and irresponsible off-roading.

We are seeing a rise in gangs using quads at night with dogs on the back in cages. If you see this, please report them to your local police. They will stand out as they wear balaclavas and don’t have number plates. We are also seeing the use of Sur-ron electric motorbikes for poaching and illegal off-roading.

4x4 30/07/2023 21:08

RIGHTS OF WAY

Tackling crimes like hare coursing is more of a priority to the police than hassling green laners for trivial traffic offences. But the damage done by illegal off-roading is real, so putting a stop to it is every bit as important These motorbikes and quads require licences and insurance and often don’t have them.

Q: What else can our readers do to help?

A: Rural communities are isolated and remote, which gives criminals the edge when they want to commit crime. They are also on the furthermost borders of our counties, far from the cities where the demand-led policing model pools most of its resources.

We are asking all visitors to the rural areas of our country to help us in tackling crime by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Be vigilant to what’s going on around you while out on the lanes. Be our extra eyes and ears. Police officer numbers are not what they used to be and we can’t have a police officer in every village. The offences mentioned take place daily in the countryside but if you’re not looking for it, it is rarely seen.

This message is the same for all counties. The majority of forces now have dedicated Rural Crime teams looking at them – be sure to seek them out on social media as I’m sure they all have accounts, with direct messaging facilities attached to them.

Q: So what is or isn’t suspicious?

A: Good question. People genuinely don’t know that some of this still takes place. For example badger baiting happens throughout the countryside. This is the use of small terrier dogs and spades to dig out badgers and kill them in various horrific ways. If you see a group of chaps with spades while laning, they are possibly not digging up truffles.

Quads that do not have number plates on the front or back are in fact illegal. Both are required. If you see these, please report it.

Hare coursing happens in open fields before crops are sown or after harvest. The criminals will have long dogs (lurcher or saluki types), often take slip leads and will be looking for hares. They often stand out due to their lack of appropriate clothing for the surroundings they are in.

Birds of prey such as the Goshawk, Hen Harrier and Peregrine should thrive in the countryside, but they often don’t as they are targeted by many people for lots of reasons.

To be on the land with a gun, be that air rifle or shotgun, permission is needed. If you see anyone going out of their way to conceal a weapon out in the countryside, they probably shouldn’t be there, so well worth a call to the police to check it out.

Q: What do we do if we see something suspicious?

A: If you suspect a crime is taking place, always dial 999. We know 101 can be difficult to get through on but incidents can now be reported online through the portals. We would rather you report it so we have a record than not at all. We might not always be in a position to attend straight away or even at all but all the reports we get provide intelligence and build up a picture and we can then allocate our resources accordingly.

Q: And what do you need in terms of evidence?

A: Green laners tend to be in groups, which is great for corroboration of evidence. We recommend you all having dash cams, which will capture evidence, and I’m guessing all have smartphones – a photograph is often the best evidence.

Try to obtain registrations of offending vehicles involved and we will do the rest. We appreciate many who are up to no good will be on fake plates, however this is still useful to us.

Q: Green laners in the past have had some frosty receptions with the police up and down the country with

regards to minor traffic infringements. Is this still the case and why should they now help?

A: The current risk and threat we face in the countryside, especially in relation to acquisitive crime and poaching, takes priority over anything less serious. Acquisitive rural crime is costing the county millions of pounds.

The criminal gangs are organised and transport stolen machinery all around the world. The poachers are relentless and are wiping out wildlife in some areas.

My advice is to stick to the roads you’re allowed to drive on, not going off-piste, and make sure you know where SSSI land is and keep off it. Report any anti-social use of the lanes you may witness, as this spoils it for the rest of us trying to use them legally.

Q: Any other tips to help the police or partner agencies?

A: Watch out for fly tippers – often scruffy vans driving around rural lanes. Take a note of the registrations and report them. If you witness fly tipping, report it to the police and council stating you have evidence of the offence taking place. Check out the Fixmystreet website, which is really good for reporting fly-tipping (and more) to the council.

Essentially, green laners have a unique opportunity to work with their local rural police units to help make life harder for criminals and to help protect our countryside.

With thanks to the Green Lane Assocition. First published in the June 2023 issue of the Association’s Green Lanes Bulletin.

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PRODUCTS

New Bridgestone Dueler A/T002 promises premium all-terrain performance whatever the weather BRIDGESTONE HAS LAUNCHED THE NEW DUELER ALL-TERRAIN A/T002 – a new premium all-terrain tyre which, the company says, ‘enables drivers to equip their 4x4 vehicles to handle all surfaces and weather conditions.’

Developed and manufactured in Europe, the tyre is available in 43 sizes ranging from 15 to 19 inches. We won’t list the whole lot, but the all-important 265/75R16 is in there and so is most of the other good stuff too. Bridgestone says its new all-terrain was designed ‘to enable drivers to handle off-road challenges while keeping them on track on their on-road journeys.’

Helping it do this is an aggressive tread pattern, designed for better adaptation and reaction over different types of ground. This has an innovative hexagonal block shape and pattern architecture, which Bridgestone says will give you excellent traction and braking balance on a variety of surfaces while also being able to bite into mud and snow without getting clogged.

On the road, the tyre promises to grip both in the wet and the dry. This is achieved using a high-silica rubber compound which allows the tyre to grip well even on wet roads – and with 3PMSF markings to go with its M+S rating, it’s fully winter-ready and compliant with winter tyre legislation across Europe.

Bridgestone also promises a 40% improvement in wear rate over the previous Dueler A/T001, saying this is achieved through a maximised footprint width, optimised contact patch and increased skid depth.

‘According to our comprehensive market research, drivers of 4x4 vehicles are looking for freedom and adventure, while also seeking safety and reassurance that they are ready to tackle the road ahead, no matter the weather or terrain,’ says Bridgestone’s Chief Technical Officer and Chief Operating Officer Emilio Tiberio.

‘With the new Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain A/T002, we offer all 4x4 drivers – regardless of whether they are looking for adventure, or simply using their vehicle for their daily work – the confidence and control they need to push their vehicles to their full potential in tackling both on- and off-road conditions.’

More light and quicker charging as Ring introduces upgrades to MAGFlex Twist work light Price: £39.99 RRP From: Ring stockists RING HAS UPGRADED ITS MAGFLEX TWIST inspection lamp to conform with the latest EU laws – and provide a better, brighter lamp for motor industry professionals.

We’ve featured the MAGFlex Twist before, and a powerful bit of kit it is. With this latest upgrade to its spec, however, it takes a significant jump into the future by adding USB-C charging. This brings it into line with an EU directive stating that by the end of 2024, all consumer electronics must use this kind of charging – though as Ring points out, USB-C has quickly become an industry standard anyway and so this is also just a case of giving the market what it wants.

As you’d expect from Ring, besides, they didn’t stop there. So a new charging port is just the beginning. The new MAGFlex Twist has not one but two light outputs – high (450 lumens) and low (250 lumens). In addition, an updated charge status indicator makes it clear how much battery life the lamp has and whether it’s going to need additional charging.

Best of all, perhaps, if it does need charging, this will no longer take four and a half hours. Now, brimming the battery will only take two and a half hours.

Despite all this, the MAGFlex Twist is now slightly smaller than before, making it easier to fit into those small gaps when you’re working on your engine. It retains its magnetic base and back, however, making it as easy as possible to use hands-free in exactly those situations, and also has a hook if that’s going to work out easier.

In addition to being a suitable tool for professional use, the MAGFlex Twist is ideal for DIY mechanics – and if your place of work is your driveway, the good news is that it’s IP65 compliant. A reassuring feature if it’s part of the kit your off-road kit, too.

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27/07/2023 14:14

PRODUCTS

Maltings 4x4 Store announces huge discount on Terrafirma’s inflatable roof tent Price: £895 inc VAT (was £1699.99) From: maltings4x4store.co.uk

TERRAFIRMA’S INNOVATIVE 2.2M X 1.45M INFLATABLE ROOF TENT occupies the smallest possible roof space on top of your Land Rover, as its base folds into three sections. When folded, it measures just 1500mm x 800mm x 260mm – and lightweight, too, at only 62kg.

The tent is expedition ready, with 420D PU coated Oxford fabric in grey with black trim with mesh and clear PVC windows. Approximate internal dimensions are 2.2m x 1.45m x 1.2 metres high.

The tent can be erected in less than two minutes using a high-performance pump, with 90mm inflatable tubes giving it a sturdy, wind-resistant framework.

Inside, the mattress is also inflatable up to 35mm for additional comfort.

Further useful feature include interior storage and an exterior shoe storage pocket.

Access is from a 2.3m extendable ladder – just right for lifted Landies. The tent is supplied with a roof rail/rack mounting kit, and when folded is protected by a heavy-duty vinyl cover.

NUMBER 47 IN THE CATALOGUE of ways in which old-shape Defenders make you wonder what the people in Solihull were thinking is the way water can get into their rear light fittings from behind. Whether it’s from wading or just rain, over time it causes corrosion in the lights’ wiring – leading to short circuits that knock out your tail lights and indicators.

The answer comes from Polybush, which is better known for suspension bushes but has developed a Rear Lamp Boot to keep your lights dry. Designed for use with the Defender’s standard fit items, it provides a barrier that keeps water at bay – and being made from polyurethane rather than soft rubber, it won’t perish over time or be degraded by oil, fuel or other contaminants.

By preventing the sort of damage that costs irritatingly strong money to make right, the Rear Lamp Boot is as cost-effective as it is easy to fit. And if the first thing you know about your tail lights being knocked out is when an artic punts you up the back, it could save more than just your money. They’re available through Britpart dealers from around £25 a pair. A wise investment for any Defender owner – and doubly so if you use yours off-road.

16 | SEPTEMBER 2023

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4x4

09/02/2023 16:02

01/08/2023 13:12

PRODUCTS

More power and features from revised Thunderpole T-800 Price: £69.99 From: www.thunderpole.co.uk

THUNDERPOLE HAS UPGRADED ITS POPULAR T-800 CB radio with a host of new features for 2023. This is built on an upgraded chassis, has an improved circuit board and now offers an additional PA function, allowing you to address outside audiences from vehicles equipped with a suitable PA horn.

As before, the T-800 has AM/ FM radio functions and multi-band operation with 80 UK/EU Channels and 8 European bands. It boasts a 4-Watt RF output and comes with auto-squelch, a bright LED display, signal meter and multi-function microphone.

While the T-800 will fit the bill perfectly for professional users, Thunderpole says it was designed ‘with simplicity in mind, so anyone can easily use it.’ It has a large volume knob for easy control and comes with a EU/UK switch to let you to change bands in an instant. It now comes in an enhanced heavy-duty chassis and the revised circuit board includes a new processor, meaning performance and reliability should now be stronger than ever.

In addition to this, the microphone has been completely redesigned in response to customer feedback. The T-800 now comes with a high-quality electret condenser encased in a larger handset, providing ‘crystal clear audio from the palm of your hand.’

Best of all, perhaps, the T-800 is available on its own or as part of the hugely popular Thunderpole Starter Pack. As well as the radio itself, this includes your choice of antenna, vehicle mount, cable and everything else you need to get started.

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4x4

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4x4 Magazine_2023_May_4x4 Maer ATS Ltd_QP.indd 1 11/01/2023 17:23

| 17 SEPTEMBER 2023 11/04/2023 12:01 01/08/2023 13:12

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Call Us Now on:01709 577 477 Visit our website: www.richardschassis.co.uk 11/04/2023 11:41

ALL TERRAIN ADVENTURE

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27/06/2023 28/06/2023 11:25 10:43

DRIVEN

SUBARU FORESTER XE PREMIUM Subaru’s long-running crossover has always been popular with the sort of people who actually need the ability of a proper 4x4. The latest version is a practicality monster – and a better off-roader than ever

YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING WITH SUBARU. The company doesn’t make showy or aggressive SUVs, not does it try to blind you with what marketing people call ‘surprise and delight.’ Instead, you get bombproof build quality, strong practicality, decent performance, excellent handling, a solid cabin that does the job very well and a level of off-road ability that leaves the direct opposition gasping for air.

Here’s the current version of the Forester, and you know what you’re getting with it. It’s not showy or aggressive and it doesn’t try to blind you with surprise and delight. Instead, you get bomb-proof build quality, strong practicality, decent performance, excellent handling, a solid cabin that does

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Nice big media screen, well integrated in facia. System itself works well; sat-nav nice and simple, radio likewise though scrolling through stations in the DAB menu a bit irritating. Still, by and large does the job without reinventing the wheel or being fancy, just effective.

Small screen above main one in binnacle on top of dash, has simple stuff like battery charge, time, temperature inside and out, plus graphic showing what hybrid system is doing. Physical dashboard with rev counter, speedo, little LCD screen in between with good, crisp, high-quality display, tells you what you need to know.

Muti-function steering wheel; controls mainly make sense, include info systems and cruise. Flappy paddles for changing gear. Button for toggling surround cameras, can be quite useful.

Floor console with buttons for operating X-Mode, selecting snow, dirt, deep snow and mud programmes.

Big, deep cubby with lift-out tray. Big stowage bin at front, useful slot behind cupholders. Not huge but decent door pockets. Adequate glovebox taken up mainly by gigantic handbook, still stowage is decent overall.

Panoramic sunroof, but loads of headroom nonetheless. Decent elbow room, good leg room – didn’t even have to have seat all the way back.

A-post nice and trim, doesn’t get in way the of your eyes. Good view over bonnet and to side though waistline quite high. View over shoulder unusually good, with worthwhile window between C and D posts. View in rear view mirror unimpeded by tailgate window trim, though obviously use camera and beepers of all sorts when reversing.

Material quality good, all surfaces likely to be touched are rubberised.

Leather look trim with contrast stitching, metallic look plastic trim around vents in lower facia but no big ghastly carbon look or wood effect materials.

Just quality plastics used well and not trying to be anything they’re not.

Seats good and comfortable. Could do with lumbar adjust, but supportive in base and back. In general good place to sit while driving – good environment, everything you want, heated seats and wheel, dual-zone climate, good sound on stereo. Seat leather feels tough and made to last, though side bolsters are softer. Seats look alright, quite sporty, leather not offensively like vinyl. Nonetheless cabin has no-frills feel. No corners cut, but no trying to gild the lily either. In general, while not coming on like some sort of look-atme-I’m-premium affair, just gets everything right.

Plenty of space in rear seats, can sit behind myself. Seats don’t slide, do recline a little. Knees touching seat back but not pressed into it, top cord of map pocket not digging in. That’s with front seat all the way back.

Panoramic sunroof eats up some headroom. Head just touching it in back seat but not so it bothers me. Good view out, eye line directly in centre of window. Overall very impressive for rear seat passengers.

Back seats fold down flat, very slight angle but basically flat cargo floor.

Loading lip nice and low, big space, big aperture, hardly any excess trim.

Buttons in boot walls to drop seats remotely for cargo carrying. Every bit as good is it is for people carrying, overall practicality very, very good. Not 7-seater but as practical as a 5-seater can be. the job very well and a level of off-road ability that leaves the direct opposition gasping for air.

Boom. Review written. The end.

Looks like the author thought he was being clever. Fortunately, he wasn’t clever enough to delete the notes from the end of his report before submitting it, so here they are. Ed Usual Subaru bomb-proof cabin quality. Nothing spectacular to look at, but effective and purposeful; does the job, yet satisfying in its simple fitness for purpose. Big buttons with clear white writing on them that’s very easy to read so you know what you’re looking at, which is no small thing.

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DRIVEN

2.0-litre hybrid engine delivers has the lively note of a boxer unit and delivers good, strong performance. X Mode sounds like something from a child’s toy but when you see the Forester clambering over steep axle twisters you can’t help but admire what it can do Engine very willing, nice raspy noise. Gets you moving quickly, good through mid-range, nice and smooth around town.

Handles well on twisting roads. Can pin it down well in corners using throttle, suspension really good blend of tautness and compliance. Dynamics still strong on rough surfaces, well set up for rubbish British roads.

Quiet and refined on motorway. Poised, relaxed. Around town, can bang through hideous potholes without shuddering. Tyre choice well balanced too at 225/55R18, best of both worlds.

Off-road, we asked a lot of it going steep hills over wheel-waving axle twisters. Would stop, lift wheel, get the idea and get moving again. Very good demo of what traction control is supposed to be. No need for revs and spinning wheels to kick it in. Extremely effective.

Adequate ground clearance for what it is. Tyres find traction in mud and wet grass. Has hill descent control – does pick up speed slightly on steepish

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drops, but still probably better off-road than the early Foresters that had low range. Absolutely in its element here.

Averaged 34.6mpg over last 2179 miles, not all with us driving but sounds about right for what we did. Quite a small tank at 48 litres so fill-ups more frequent but at least they don’t cost £100 a time.

Top of range XE Premium model, £40,895 OTR plus £595 for paint as tested. Extremely good value for a vehicle it’s hard to fault in any real way.

So, then. Bomb-proof build quality, strong practicality, decent performance, excellent handling, a solid cabin that does the job very well and a level of offroad ability that leaves the direct opposition gasping for air. Maybe this review did only need to be three paragraphs long after all. You know what you’re getting with Subaru – and with the Forester, you’re getting a phenomenal all-rounder for your money.

4x4 30/07/2023 08:01

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24/05/2023 14:52 12:27 31/07/2023

DRIVEN

SKODA ENYAQ iV COUPE vRS Reigning Electric 4x4 of the Year loses a little practicality to gain a cooler body shape – then adds a 299bhp powertrain and all-wheel drive to become a convincing and eye-catching performance SUV

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THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE THINGS THAT MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE LAUGH AT OLD PEOPLE. There was a time when singing God Save the King instead of God Save the Queen would have been one of them (now of course it’s the other way round). A couple of decades later, using words like ‘shilling’ and ‘sixpence’ marked you out as old.

Obviously, your musical references and so on are dead giveaways. Saying things like ‘I remember seeing Bohemian Rhapsody on Top of the Pops’ or ‘football was better when it wasn’t on live TV all the time’ are guaranteed to make your kids roll their eyes (or, if they’re aged anything under about 30, look at you blankly). These days, just try mentioning that you read the comments section in a sponsored post on Facebook and the response from people young enough to know how it works will be withering.

In fact, just try mentioning that you still use Facebook and the response is apt to be withering. Someone at my daughter’s university actually called it ‘archaic’ the other day. And that was one of the lecturers.

There are obvious ones if you’re into cars. Most recently, a fellow car hack in her early 30s did a double take when she mentioned the Ora Funky Cat and I said ‘the what?’ As might you be right now; if you Google it, you’re likely to find yourself reading a review by Autocar which uses the word ‘specialty’ and there, regrettably, is another one right there. So not English, as you might also say without any sense of irony if you’re young enough not to know how mum and dad used to speak before they started watching Friends.

Anyway, the point of all this is that an amusingly small number of years ago, I was listening to a current affairs show on the BBC and one of the presenters had some reason or other to make a comment about rubbish cars.

And guess which brand they trotted out? Skoda.

Skoda jokes are now a classic way of making yourself look old and out of touch. They’re so hackneyed, there’s even a sliding scale of how much you can embarrass yourself with them. To even just know there was a time when such a thing existed, these days you need to be pretty far gone. Being able to remember any of them makes it worse. Actually telling one lands you in Bernard Manning territory.

There are still people today who think Skoda is a brand of car you’d be embarrassed to drive. But then, there are still people today who think Stormzy raps because he can’t sing and Picasso painted like that because he couldn’t do it properly. And you can’t help those people.

If you could, a good way to do it might be to point them at the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe vRS. A version of our reigning Electric 4x4 of the Year, this adds a rakish body design and a more powerful electric drivetrain to create a high-performance package worthy of the vRS badge – and in the case of the example we tested, it coats said package in an eyeball-burning shade called Hyper Green. It’s bold, it’s confident and it wants to draw attention to itself; the only reason you’d be embarrassed to be seen in this thing is that you’re ashamed to admit you were wrong.

As we’ve demonstrated before, the Enyaq iV is a capable enough off-roader to be able to take green laning. Not death-and-hell mud-plugging, obviously, but versions with the all-wheel-drive powertrain can certainly do it. The Coupe vRS is among these, and it’s more than capable of making traction on rough, grotty ground, though obviously its main focus is on the road. In particular, it’s the sort of SUV that wants you to wring its neck on the sort of hard, fast B-road that makes you glad to be alive.

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Of course, it also wants you to drive around town in it so everyone can see you. Hence the steeply raked back body of a coupe-SUV (since this is a five-door, more accurately it’s a hatchback-SUV, but don’t let’s be the guy who tries to tell the tide to turn back). It looks undeniably cool and purposeful, though obviously there’s going to be a drop-off in practicality compared to the more traditional SUV body of the everyday Enyaq iV. Naturally, when you open the huge electric tailgate the cargo area does become very tight towards the back of the vehicle. The floor itself is good and low, though, so you can still get plenty of stuff on board – though a side effect of this is that when you fold the seats down, they leave an enormous step, so while the boot space becomes very long indeed in this configuration it’s quite an awkward job to slide in cargo that makes the most of the fact.

Still, there’s loads of space there if you want it.

There’s also more headroom in the back seats than you might expect.

It’s not as good as in the estate – if you’re anything over six feet, the top of your head will be brushing the glass roof above it, but it stops short of being impossibly cramped. Neither will you lose the circulation in your legs back there, as knee room is just enough for one big unit to sit behind another. The seat-backs in front of you are deeply dished to let this happen, so it’s not exactly expansive and long journeys might be a bit of an ask, but it’s more than just for kids. Even with a very high waistline and correspondingly shallow glasshouse, too, the rear seats position you perfectly to get a good view of the world outside.

Up front, by and large it’s a similar deal to the rest of the Enyaq iV range – which is to say it’s comfortable, spacious, well equipped and superbly put together. There’s a black leather and carbon theme going on, which isn’t as imaginative as some of the designs you can get on less focused models but is very vRS and, as always with Skoda, sky-high in quality.

Cabin ergonomics are top-drawer, too, with a clear, logical layout that makes it very easy to learn your way into it – even if you’re completely unfamiliar with this kind of car, operating everything from its main controls to the nuances of its air-conditioning is in the main intuitive. Where there are physical buttons, they’re nice and big, and the infotainment system is an object lesson in how not to over-complicate matters. Big screen, quick responses, great graphics, clear menus; it makes you wonder why some manufacturers still insist on making it so fussy.

Having got yourself comfortable and adjusted the seat’s position, which is among the easiest things you’ll ever do, the Enyaq iV is a breeze to drive.

That’s a comment on every model in the range; with the vRS, it’s a breeze and a blast, too.

The motors’ output is quoted at 299bhp and 340lbf.ft; the former is limited to bursts of up to 30 seconds in order to prevent battery drain, but if you can keep it pinned for anything like that long in the real world you’ve found a road that doesn’t exist. It only takes 6.4 seconds to reach 60mph from a standing start, after all (and the first half of that feels like it happens more or less instantaneously), and with top speed a relatively low 111mph what it’s perfectly set up for is smooth, fast driving that makes the most of all that torque as you feed the power in and out. You don’t need to be hard with the pedals to get the best from it.

If you’re used to performance SUVs with petrol or diesel engines, you’ll find it almost weirdly easy to drive. It’s utterly docile around town and utterly

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DRIVEN

Enyaq iV’s cabin is exceptionally well made, smartly laid out and classy, and the sloping rear roof doesn’t take as much room out of the rear seats as you’d expect. Its black leather colourway is old-school vRS, though – compared with the bright and airy interiors of other Enyaq iV models, even with a full length glass roof it still feels rather dark inside willing once you set it free. Of course, the quietness of the drivetrain means you hear more road noise coming up through its 20” alloys (our tester was on a 21” fitment, part of about £3000’s worth of options which also included upgrades to the seats, climate control, infotainment and stereo), but even the sort of potholes people like to rant about on community Facebook pages (if they’re old and archaic, obviously) don’t smash you in the base of the spine.

It steers very positively at these speeds, too, and doesn’t lose this once you put your foot down. Body control is always nice and tight and there’s more than enough feel on turn-in to keep you engaged and fully aware of what’s happening at the wheels. Grip is a given with the all-wheel drive set-up and handling is as agile as you could ask for in what is a fast-road crossover

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but not some sort of trackday wannabe. Up at motorway speeds, meanwhile, it sits quietly with pleasingly little wind noise to upset you and no need to be making constant adjustments to the steering just to keep it on the straightahead. It’s refined, fast, fun and pleasing.

And, lest we forget, it’s Hyper Green. Well, ours was, and why wouldn’t you want to shout about what you’ve got when what you’ve got is this? The list price of £54,370 (£57,025 as tested) says more about the modern world than it does about the car itself and, given everything about the vehicle, we have to say that if you’re thinking ‘that’s a lot of money for a Skoda,’ your thinking needs to be adjusted.

This is the most expensive Enyaq iV there is, so is it also the best? We think the Coupe looks great, especially in a bold colour, but we prefer the added practicality of the original station wagon model. So, the short answer is no – but since we drove it, they’ve also added a vRS in the latter body style and to us, that makes the vehicle a more appealing prospect than ever before.

And it already was. Unless, of course, you still see think Skoda’s place is to be the butt of all those jokes you remember from when John Major was PM and Gary Lineker was a centre forward, not a guy on TV who you spend all your time fulminating about on Facebook. When you’re not trotting out cliches about electric cars, of course.

Still refusing to believe it? You’re denying progress, and you’re denying the truth. And most of all, you’re denying yourself the chance to drive an SUV that’s every bit as good as it looks. And it looks great.

4x4 30/07/2023 09:08

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WAS inc. 25SPS12 1134kg £124.99 £149.99 Model Motor Pressure VAT inc.VAT VAT JS1850 1400W 1523psi £64.99 £83.98 £77.99 145 Bar JS1950 1600W 2030psi £99.98 £131.98 £119.98 2103 psi HOT WASHERS Jet7500 1600W 2030psi £159.98 £203.98 £191.98 Ideal for effective cleaning Jet8500 2100W 2610psi £199.98 £251.98 £239.98 with a hot jet of up to 80°C – £287.98 Jet9500B 2400W 2900psi £239.98 HARRY 2 WAS £83.98 inc.VAT

Motor (W) WAS NOW model Speeds exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CDP5EB 350 / 5 £99.95 – £119.94 CDP102B 350 / 5 £115.95 – £139.14 CDP152B 450 / 12 £209.98 – £251.98 CDP202B 450 / 16 £269.00 – £322.80 CDP352F 550 / 16 £339.00 £418.80 £406.80 CDP452B 550 / 16 £339.00 £418.80 £406.80 CDP502F 1100 / 12 £779.00 £946.80 £934.80

SAVE UP TO

£49

89

inc.VAT

WAS Model Description exc.VAT inc.VAT CTC900C 9 dr chest £89.99 CTC500C 5 dr cabinet £149.99 CBB209C 9 dr chest £159.98 £203.98 CTC700C 7 dr cabinet £169.98 £215.98 CTC1300C 13 dr set £199.98 £251.98 CBB217C 7 dr cabinet £289.00 £382.80

inc.VAT £107.99 £179.99 £191.98 £203.98 £239.98 £346.80

579 DOUBLEEXC.VAT DOUBLE £694.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

INC. CONTAINER FOR DETERGENT

.98 59exc.VAT £71.98 inc.VAT

EXTRA LONG 1m LEADS Starting Peak Model Boost Amps exc.VAT £96.99 910 400 900 JS1100C 500 1100 £96.99 4000 1100 2200 £164.99 JS12/24 1000 2000 £179.98

169

£ FROM ONLY .98

DOUBLEEXC.VAT DOUBLE £203.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

10

*CTJ3000QLB has a 3 tonne capacity, ideal for quick lifting CTJ3000QLB of vehicles.

PRICE CUT

CMUS3

£101.99 inc.VAT

SWIVEL CASTORS

84. exc.VAT

£ DOUBLE 99

WAS £107.98 inc.VAT

CORDED IMPACT WRENCHES

INC 17, 19, 21, 22MM SOCKETS & CASE

PRICE CUT NOW FROM

CFC100

56

DOUBLE EXC.VAT FOOTER £68.39 inc.VAT

320 Nm

CWGC100 inc.VAT £68.39 £87.59

GARAGES/WORKSHOPS IDEAL FOR RAIN & SUN PROTECTION

.00

PRICE CUT NOW FROM

.00 569exc.VAT £682.80 inc.VAT

£

WAS £718.80 inc.VAT

£310.80 inc.VAT

WAS £346.80 inc.VAT

PRICE CUT NOW FROM

Fast snap connector attachments for quick & easy assembly Hydraulic pump, ram & hose with various tubes, pieces & connectors Includes metal case

PRO SANDER/ POLISHERS

DOUBLE 79 EXC.VAT DOUBLE

£FROM ONLY .98

119 DOUBLEEXC.VAT DOUBLE £143.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

£ FROM ONLY .98

* WAS £195.59 inc.VAT Saddle exc. inc.

Model Type Tonne Height VAT VAT CTJ2L Long 2 378mm £44.99 £53.99 Dual action combines CTJ3000QLB Quick Lift 3 465mm £119.98 £143.98 CTJ3000C Pro Garage 3 465mm £152.99 £183.59 rotary & orbital motions to produce an excellent CTJ2QLP* Low Quick 2 510mm £159.98 £191.98 polished finish Lift

SAVE UP TO

BRIGHT WHITE INTERIOR

£360 inc.VAT

Ideal for use as a garage/ workshop Extra tough triple layer cover Heavy duty powder coated steel tubing Ratchet tight tensioning

FOOTER inc.VAT CP185 £95.98 ZIP CLOSE DOOR Inc. hook & loop size (LxWxH) WAS NOW backing pad and Model m exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT wool polishing bonnet CIG81212 3.6 x 3.6 x 2.5 £259.00 £346.80 £310.80 CIG81015 4.5 x 3 x 2.4 £279.00 £370.80 £334.80 CIG81216 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.5 £329.00 £430.80 £394.80 CIG81020 6.1 x 3 x 2.4 £349.00 £466.80 £418.80 CP150 CIG81220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5 £399.00 £514.80 £478.80 CIG81224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5 £499.00 £646.80 £598.80 £FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLE 69 EXC.VAT CIG1432 9.7x4.3x3.65 £1099.00 DOUBLE £1318.80 – FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT CIG1640 12x4.9x4.3 £2899.00 £3838.80 £3478.80

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£

CW1D Model Tank Cap. Type exc.VAT WAS inc. inc.VAT CW2D 10Ltrs Bench £59.98 £75.59 £71.98 CW1D 45Ltrs Floor £149.98 £191.98 £179.98 CWM20 22.5Ltrs Floor £189.00 £251.98 £226.80 CW40 75Ltrs Floor £229.98 £287.98 £275.98

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Model Power Torque exc.VAT CEW520 1/2" 520W 320Nm £56.99 CEW1000 1/2" 1000W 450Nm £72.99

CS10BRK

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inc.VAT £116.39 £116.39 £197.99 £215.98

2 & 3 TONNE TROLLEY JACKS

WAS £75.59 inc.VAT

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BALL BEARING DRAWERS

Ideal for garage mechanics

BODY REPAIR KITS FAST ACTION PUMP

PARTS WASHERS £

CEW520

AMAZING LOW PRICE!

TIGER 16/550 * WAS £251.98 inc.VAT # WAS £334.80 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £419.98 inc.VAT Model Motor CFM Tank exc.VAT inc.VAT Tiger 8/260 2HP 7 24ltr £119.98 £143.98 Tiger 11/550* 2.5HP 9.3 50ltr £179.98 £215.98 Tiger 16/550# 3HP 14.5 50ltr £249.00 £298.80 Tiger 16/1050‡ 3HP 14.5 100ltr £309.00 £370.80

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Model BAR Press. VOLT exc.VAT inc.VAT Harry 2 145 2103psi 230 £579.00 £694.80 KING 200 150 2175psi 230 £1198.00 £1437.60

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inc.VAT £262.80 £310.80 £334.80 £478.80 £514.80

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Makes easy work for washing vehicles, patios, stonework, etc. JET7500, JET8500 & JET9500B include hose reel 180 Bar PRICE CUT

Provides essential home, garage and roadside assistance Integral work light 910 /JS1100C include air compressor FROM ONLY Long life battery £ .99

.00 219EXC.VAT £262.80 inc.VAT

Max Weight Output KG 800W 9.3 1700W 22 1100W 12.4 1800W 19.4 2200W 26.6

*no * WAS £478.80 inc.VAT gas only # WAS £502.80 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £634.80 inc.VAT NOW ◆ WAS £838.80 inc.VAT inc.VAT ▼ WAS £958.80 inc.VAT £161.98 Pressure Engine £214.80 Model BAR/Psi HP exc.VAT inc.VAT £286.80 Tiger1800B 110/1595 3 £279.00 £334.80 £334.80 Tiger2600B* 180/2610 4 £379.00 £454.80 £586.80 Tiger3000B# 200/2900 6.5 £399.00 £478.80 PLS195B‡ 180/2640 5.5 £499.00 £598.80 £679.00 £814.80 PLS220◆ 230/3335 9 PLS265B ▼ 225/3263 13 £769.00 £922.80 PLS360 248/3600 13 £998.00 £1197.60

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model IG950D IG1700F IG1200D IG2000D IG2200A

279EXC.VAT

Min/Max WAS Amps exc.VAT inc.VAT 35/90 £134.98 £173.99 – 40/100 £179.00 – 35/135 £239.00 – 40/180 £279.00 50/240 £489.00 £598.80

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Model MIG102NG* MIG106 Min-Max Amps exc.VAT inc.VAT MIG145 £249.00 £298.80 MIG196 24-90 £296.99 £356.39 MIG240 30-130 £345.00 £414.00 30-150

model PRO90 135TE Turbo 151TE Turbo

£

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134 exc.VAT £161.98 inc.VAT

£

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EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG 01392 256 744 GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ 0191 493 2520 GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ 0141 332 9231 GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY 01452 417 948 GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD 01472 354435 HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1EG 01482 223161 ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU 0208 518 4286 IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre, Commercial Road 01473 221253 LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS 0113 231 0400 LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN 0116 261 0688 LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG 01522 543 036 LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF 0151 709 4484 LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684 LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 020 8803 0861 LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 020 8558 8284 LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS 01582 728 063 MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE 01622 769 572 MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU 0161 241 1851 MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376 MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfield Rd. South 01623 622160 MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby 01642 677881

NORWICH 282a Heigham St. NR2 4LZ 01603 766402 NORTHAMPTON Beckett Retail Park, St James’ Mill Rd 01604 267840 NOTTINGHAM 211 Lower Parliament St. 0115 956 1811 PETERBOROUGH 417 Lincoln Rd. Millfield 01733 311770 PLYMOUTH 58-64 Embankment Rd. PL4 9HY 01752 254050 POOLE 137-139 Bournemouth Rd. Parkstone 01202 717913 PORTSMOUTH 277-283 Copnor Rd. Copnor 023 9265 4777 PRESTON 53 Blackpool Rd. PR2 6BU 01772 703263 SHEFFIELD 453 London Rd. Heeley. S2 4HJ 0114 258 0831 SIDCUP 13 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Rd 0208 3042069 SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd. 023 8055 7788 SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea 01702 483 742 STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd. Hanley 01782 287321 SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown 0191 510 8773 SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG 01792 792969 SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW 01793 491717 TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TW1 4AW 020 8892 9117 WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley’s Trade Pk. 01925 630 937 WIGAN 2 Harrison Street, WN5 9AU 01942 323 785 WOLVERHAMPTON Parkfield Rd. Bilston 01902 494186 WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ 01905 723451

£ .98 Portable & adjustable 219exc.VAT Maximum lift of 1000kg £263.98 inc.VAT Solid steel Folding and fixed WAS £287.98 inc.VAT frames available Robust, rugged construction Overload safety valve

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33710 (70) 4x4 (full).indd 1 4x4 Magazine_2023_Sep_Machine Mart_FP.indd 1

05/05/2023 27/07/2023 14:59 13:50

4pp Legacy Beach 90.indd 28

01/08/2023 09:05

Forever Summer Built for the beach by restoration specialist Legacy Overland, this Land Rover 90 is the sort of 4x4 that keeps the sun shining in your heart all year round Words: Mike Trott Pictures: Legacy Overland

N

obody really likes the end of summer.

The holidays are over, the sun keeps taking itself off to sleep ever earlier in the evening and even if you thought that sending your kids back to school might give you a bit of breathing space, suddenly the roads are clogged up again by the sheer weight of autumn traffic.

You can tell yourself that you admire the pretty colours developing on the extremities of that oak tree you walk past in the park. But in reality, we all know we’d rather spend our days soaking up some warm rays in a beer garden without being hit on the head by a leaf every ten seconds.

If you can’t tell already, summer is probably my favourite season. It’s just better. You can go outside without needing to wear 27 layers and everything looks… brighter, sharper; like the world is glowing on one of its very own good hair days.

And what can top a trip to the beach when the sky is blue and the mercury is nestling itself at a nice, comfortable 22 degrees?

Well, try this for size. Legacy Overland, based in Greenwich along the Gold Coast of Connecticut, has created a Land Rover with chilling on the beach in mind. And this 90 even comes with its very own surfboard.

Robert Madeira is the founder of Legacy Overland and an appreciator of all things analogue.

The company does other makes too (their Land Cruisers and G-Wagens have appeared in these pages before now) but if you like classic 4x4s, it’s pretty much inevitable that you’re going to have a place in your heart for all things Solihull.

‘This Land Rover is the perfect vehicle to drive down on to the beach with,’ says Robert. ‘It’s a pretty clean classic in terms of its customisation and a little more understated than some of the builds we do.

SEPTEMBER 2023 | 29

4pp Legacy Beach 90.indd 29

01/08/2023 09:05

‘It’s down to the customer as to what they want from their vehicle and in this case the customer wanted to keep the elegance of the Land Rover.’

The 90 was indeed always an elegantly simple vehicle, and that’s what this one still is. The way it was built by Land Rover is much the same as the way it was rebuilt by Legacy Overland.

Well, at least in some respects it was. The design is for those who enjoy those simple pleasures in life, but this time it was carried out with an eye to not needing another resto a few years down the line.

For starters, if you’re going to be anywhere near the sea, you want to make sure that salt water only brings you joy and not sorrow. So this 90 has a galvanised chassis and powder-coated

underbody, while inside the vehicle you’ll find rubber floor mats that can take a hosing to rid the cabin of any excess salt and sand.

However, there is luxury to be found beneath its Safety Devices roll cage and canvas roof. The hand-crafted interior features tan leatherette throughout, a Sony stereo system with Bluetooth functionality and two under-dash mounted 230W speakers, giving the owner a welcome garnish of modernity in this timeless classic.

And it really is a bit of a classic Land Rover, because this vehicle first emerged blinking into the daylight way back in 1984, meaning it was one of the first 90s ever to be built. It’s even equipped beneath the bonnet with the evergreen 2.25-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was

used for decades in Land Rover Series II/IIAs and IIIs and overlapped into the early part of preDefender production.

The engine has been fully rebuilt, of course – something Legacy Overland does in house, going all the way back down to first principles and renewing or remanufacturing everything from the biggest to the smallest components. It left the gearbox on this one to a specialist, however – that specialist being none other than Ashcroft Transmissions, back home in the UK. Further mechanical updates include a 1.5” suspension lift and the addition of a Terrafirma steering linkage, which is adjustable to suit driver preference. Talking of steering, this is a 90 from before they came with PAS as standard, but

Tan leather in a handmade interior? Sounds like one of those Defenders that are made for show, and this one definitely doesn’t mind being looked at, but it’s also still as simple and built-for-purpose as ever, all rubber mats and hose-out basic. Those floor panels are made to last, too, with powder coating on the underside to protect them against sale and sand. Legacy Overland added power steering, too, so the huge wheel is no longer a necessity, but it’s been retained because it’s right – like alloys, a flashy sports steering wheel would look ridiculous on a vehicle like this

30 | SEPTEMBER 2023

4pp Legacy Beach 90.indd 30

4x4 01/08/2023 09:05

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01/08/2023 09:54

A premium canvas hood is stretched over a roll cage from Safety Devices, while down below a set of BFGoodrich All-Terrains are stretched around black steel modulars. Alloys would look every bit as wrong on a 90 like this as a truck-cab and an Ifor Williams hardtop. It’s held up by +1.5” springs and Monroe shocks; naturally, the axles were completely rebuilt, and the steering linkages you see here are adjustable units from Terrafirma

naturally Legacy Overland has retro-fitted it to make life less stressful for the owner.

Further signs of modernity include an upgrade to LEDs as well as the addition of daytime running lights. Nothing that detracts from the 90’s classic character, then, but all ways of making it that little bit more usable. The same can be said of its BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres, and indeed the

32 | SEPTEMBER 2023

4pp Legacy Beach 90.indd 32

black painted steel modular wheels within them – alloys are fine on a certain kind of vehicle, but put them a beach-bum motor and it would look like a know-nothing city boy was trying to make a point.

That’s not what this 90 is about. It’s cool but it’s authentic, and it was created for an owner whose intention was to use it properly for making waves along the coast. It’s probably parked up with sand

on its tyres and a sweeping view of the Pacific even as you read this.

A little more understated than most of the vehicles Legacy Overland creates? Maybe, but this Land Rover is all the better for it. The long days of summer may come and go, but with a vehicle as cool as this in your life the sun will forever be shining on you.

4x4 01/08/2023 09:06

4x4 Magazine_2023_May_APB Trading_FP.indd 1

29/03/2023 12:22

THE TIME IS RIGHT Jeep resurrects the Scrambler name for a modern-day concept harking back to the

T

ime, as David Bowie rather rudely remarked, flexes like a whore. And, as Johnny Cash remarked, time changes everything as well. However, the Rolling Stones were entirely wrong when they claimed time was on their side.

Time is never on our side. But just sometimes time times it well.

And so does Jeep. You may be vaguely aware that Jeep makes 4x4s and has done apparently for a while. Who knew? Back in 1981, when Jeep was already decades old, the company produced the CJ7 and then the Scrambler CJ8, the latter a version with a longer wheelbase and a sort of loadbed. It was kind of a pick-up, or a Jeep with a larger cargo capacity.

It wasn’t fast, it wasn’t that great off-road and for many they didn’t quite see the point of it. But then what happened? Time happened, slowly and steadily as it does. And that softened people’s attitudes and memories. And that in turn turned around the softening price of used Scrambler CJ8s.

Slow-forward to 2023 and an original Scrambler CJ8 is now a hot potato for collectors. In fact on some measures it’s the 10th most collectable vehicle on the used market. Of course, part of that rise in value is down to its initially lukewarm reception, so there simply weren’t that many around in the first place, let alone now. But value is value and now everyone wants one.

So Jeep decided that now would be a good time to resurrect the original idea but of course with plenty of modern twists. Which is why we are looking at the Scrambler 392 Concept, a descendant, if not direct, of that original Scrambler CJ8.

Just the quickest of glances tells you the direction of travel. The original is upright, a collection of square shapes with plenty of right angles. The new concept is all laid-back, raked, with hardly a right angle in sight. I failed Maths O-level so I don’t know what that shape is where you’d expect a door. Maybe it’s a rhomboid. Or is that a type of monkey?

Anyway, it’s a very modern take on a classic and the lines alone let you know that loud and clear. Even if you can’t name that shape. And this is far from just a vague signalling exercise. Yay, let’s have fun *sound of party poppers and a soggy paper bugle*. It’s fair to say you can definitely have more fun in this iteration than the original, even if you’re on your own.

Firstly, the old four-cylinder engine that took 17 seconds to get to 60mph, on its eventual way to a top end of 75mph, has been replaced. And not by something that whines. But by something that roars.

If you had a wishlist powerplant you know perfectly well you wouldn’t go for an electric unit (unless social media was watching) but instead you’d go for a V8. So has Jeep. In this instance the 6.4-litre V8 Hemi. Gone is the original 82bhp, and now there’s 470bhp. Gone is the original

34 | SEPTEMBER 2023

4pp Jeep Scrambler 392.indd 34

Words: Graham Scott Pictures: Jeep

4x4 01/08/2023 08:56

rakish attitude of the highly collectable long-wheelbase CJ8 from the early 1980s

4x4 4pp Jeep Scrambler 392.indd 35

SEPTEMBER 2023 | 35

01/08/2023 08:56

base model’s 125pb ft of torque to be replaced with 470lb ft.

So we can safely say that the power increase is through the roof. But that’s not all. All the heavy steel boxy bodywork of the original has been replaced with considerably lighter carbonfibre, and there’s less of it too. More power, less weight.

Yes please.

Let’s not kid ourselves that any production vehicle that eventually comes out of this concept will have full carbonfibre bodywork, but at least this shows the sort of thinking Jeep has and the

way its pushing limits out to the edge. Big thumbs up of approval. If only we could make that point with an emoji.

So we have a level of performance the likes of which the old CJ8 could only dream of. But one of the criticisms of that old rig was that it was actually better suited to the road than the offroad. And again Jeep has addressed that with this new concept. To be fair, back in the 1980s it wasn’t really a realistic option to have adjustable air suspension on a less than million dollar rig.

But now it is.

AccuAir, as the system is known – making it sound like a weird airline – allows suspension lift from a lowly 1.5ins to a more lofty 5.5ins. You can adjust on the go as the terrain gets harder or easier although one notes that you can also adjust it ‘through long-range Bluetooth on a wireless device’. One hopes that doesn’t mean someone standing some distance away who can play with your suspension settings just as you’re tackling that gnarly climb.

Naturally there is four-wheel drive, pouring through fat and juicy 40” tyres which are clinging

If you’ve got it, flaunt it. The old Scrambler had a wheezy four-pot and a 0-60 time longer than some punk songs; this one has a 6.4-litre V8 and 470bhp and a clear window in the bonnet so people can admire it. Not so much a tribute as a verdict on why the original one didn’t sell. Oh, and that bodywork is all carbon fibre and no steel.

Safe to say, this time it’ll be more Scrambler and less straggler. While we’re on the subject of flaunting things, too, those tyres measure 40” in diameter and are wrapped around 20” alloys sprayed in a rather interestingly named Brass Monkey hue.

The whole lot rides on AccuAir suspension, allowing it to be raised and lowered through a range from 1.5” to 5.5”

36 | SEPTEMBER 2023

4pp Jeep Scrambler 392.indd 36

4x4 01/08/2023 08:56

The body colour is called Sublime Green. It’s definitely one but whether it’s the other is up to your own taste. Either way, there’s more of it inside, not just on the dash panels but in the (sublimely) green bits of the knowingly retro plaid seats

on to 20” custom alloys. Those rims are finished in Brass Monkey paint, although this vehicle isn’t really envisaged for colder climes. The effect is to accentuate those huge tyres and wheels, giving a ‘I can go anywhere I want’ kind of vibe. Particularly when the air suspension is jacked up.

The effect is heightened further by the really quite minimal bodywork. These concepts have a tendency to assume owners are always going to be in warmer weather and that they rather like the outdoors. Because the outdoors in these rigs tends to come indoors. Particularly when there are no doors.

Some of these ideas dispense even with a windscreen but the 392 at least has one of those. It’s raked back at 12 degrees to help keep the roofline low. At the same time it hints a bit, according to Jeep, at the lines of a ‘chopped top hotrod’. Well, maybe, if you squint a bit.

Then there’s that huge space, of whatever shape that is, where the doors would go, so you’d better pray for an absence of rain or enraged elks.

Back from that there’s the B-pillar, and of course there’s no C-pillar.

If we swing into that big space we find a couple of seats and a steering wheel and various other

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things which we’d recognise as normal. The outside is finished in what Jeep is pleased to call Sublime Green which is a colour picked out in the plaid thread of the blue and green seats. We’d have to say to our taste they don’t look terribly contemporary but that’s just subjective taste for you. So let’s get out again and look at it from the outside.

The B-pillar flows down to accentuate the flared wheelarches, matching those at the front.

That pillar also then wraps round what is the loadbed. There’s a black roof panel which we assume is detachable and a couple of utility bars above the loadbed itself.

There’s not a mass of room back there, but clearly Jeep didn’t want to have a big overhang at the rear to mess up departure angles. As it is, it looks quite tight back there, with off-road performance viewed as being at least as important as the cargo carrying capacity. Which is clearly another difference over the original CJ8. Probably not room for a whole elk back there.

At the other end of the vehicle Jeep has made sure that, even when it’s switched off, you’re constantly reminded of the big V8 in there. I like the boldness of it in this day and age when we seem to have to apologise for testosterone and steak at every juncture. There it is, a big old V8, tucked down there where it should be. And you can see it clearly thanks to a tinted clear insert, all 392 cubic inches of it.

And, yes, that’s the 392 concept. And we think its time has come.

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happy shopper When you’re all set to start on a new project, chances are you’ll be impatient to get on with it. But by being a canny shopper, and making a left-field choice of vehicle in the first place, you can end up with a great deal more off-roader for your money…

Words: Paul Looe Pictures: Harry Hamm

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A

lot of the time when we talk to people about what got them into off-roading, the story starts on two wheels. ‘I used to do motocross when I was a kid, but then one day…’ and then comes a grisly tale about losing it in a big way, spending months recuperating and never getting on a bike again. We’ve heard it over and over.

There’s also an adult version of the same story that tends to involve dropping a road bike at speed and coming face to face with death. Either way, people have an experience that makes them realise it’s time to get sensible, and off-roading is the sensible they get.

It’s the same only different with Jonty Beales.

He didn’t drop his bike – and given the way he used to ride, that’s just as well. ‘I used to do enduro bikes,’ he explains, ‘then I got a road bike and did it up to look like a works racer. But me and my mates, it wasn’t a road, it was a racetrack. It was dangerous.’

Some bikers would say that with a swagger. Not Jonty, though. Not now. By the time he discovered off-roading, he already had a successful garage business and two grown-up kids. Risking life and limb for a thrill had become a lot less worth it.

Now, if a garage owner decides to get into offroading you can be fairly sure he’s going to have seen some things that make it worth listening.

Jonty says he didn’t want to just follow the crowd and build himself a Land Rover. But he says something else, too: ‘We had a long-wheelbase Pajero for work. I liked its comfort, its equipment – and it was far better engineered.’

Than what? Guess.

Now, some of us would just have started abusing that work truck and ended up regretting it, but despite never having done any off-roading before Jonty was way too wise for that. Besides, he had the suss to know that what he wanted was a short-wheelbase – and, being a man who likes his engines to have some get-up-and-go, he decided on the full-house 3.5-litre V6.

Another smart choice was that it had to be a UK-model Shogun, not a grey-import Pajero.

They’re both the same thing, more or less, but one difference is that the Shogun had a rear diff-lock as standard. A major box ticked from the word go.

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Above left: When did you last see a lifted vehicle with independent front suspension whose torsion bars hadn’t been wound up as part of the package? Well, you still haven’t. It’s not the way to get stacks and stacks of lift, at least not on its own, but do it in combination with the other modifications you see on this vehicle and it all goes together to achieve something significant enough to make way for 35” tyres Above centre: Helping lift the front suspension still further is an upper ball joint flip, combined with 30mm alloy spacers. All four shocks are original, meaning they can be adjusted from the cab through a range of three firmness settings – earnest 4x4 journalists used to ridicule the Shogun for having gimmicks like this, but it turns out Mitsubishi was right all along. Like the upper wishbones, they’re bushed using polyurethane Above righht: Flipping ball joints and winding up torsion bars is all very well, but it won’t get you very far if the bump stops are intervening all the time. Jonty responded by cutting them down, freeing up more space for the wishbones to move into on full bump This is the point in the story where you hear he word ‘eBay’ for the first time (but not the last).

That’s where Jonty found the truck you’re looking at here, a tidy range-topper with wood, leather, cruise, climate and three-way adjustable dampers – and won it for a mere £526. ‘I felt a bit guilty!’ he says now, and quite right too. Not that we’re jealous or anything.

What followed was a build that took time but repaid his patience. And boy, was he patient. He was on eBay almost daily, keeping an eye on what

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was coming up – and scoring a steady supply of bargain parts as a result.

If you thought the truck itself was a bargain, for example, check out the full exhaust system he picked up for 99p. Seen next to that, the Jaos bull bar, sump guard and spotlight combo he turned up at a breaker’s yard looks positively expensive at £70. A spare Oz Racing white alloy wheel came along for the price of a round of drinks, too, and possibly best of all he came by a pair of headrests with fully functioning TV screens in them for…

nothing. ‘Some of the stuff I’ve got,’ he admits, ‘I’ve been so lucky. It just keeps happening!’

Well, there are all sorts of clichéd phrases about luck, and most of them ring true. The one about fortune favouring the brave, for example: a 1994 Shogun is a bold choice of vehicle to use this way, and of course that means there’s very little competition when the right bits come up.

And what about making your own luck? Here’s something to consider, even if it’s a little off-topic.

‘I’m always cleaning, checking, greasing, keeping

01/08/2023 08:57

Above left: If you like the look of the adjustable panhard rod keeping the back axle centred, so you should. If you want to buy one, on the other hand, that’s when things start to get tricky, because Jonty made it himself. It’s not quite a ‘built not bought’ vehicle, maybe, but it’s as much one as the other Above centre: It’s not all just about cool off-road modifications – Jonty also bent up and plumbed in the copper brake lines you see here.

So that’s ‘bought, built and maintained,’ then…

Above right: Helping the rear axle articulate as far as possible is a pair of extended shock mounts which Jonty fabricated himself. Raising the bottom mount like this means the axle sits at that much more droop when the shock is fully extended, obviously enough. Also fairly obvious, from the fresh paint on the newly fabricated metal and the complete lack of mud, is the fact that when we took these photos, he’d just recently done it Right: 3.5-litre Pajeros of this vintage already sat on a 40mm lift, as the gearbox used behind this engine was too big to fit with the body on its original mountings. Jonty’s has gone up by the same again, with the original spacers mounted in tandem with a set of the same sized units from Xpajun it in good nick. Then people ask me why it is that my car never breaks!’ He doesn’t actually say ‘well, duh…’ after this, but it’s definitely implied.

Fact is, the Shogun is a proper busman’s holiday for Jonty. He earns a living from servicing, repairs and MOTs, but then once the doors are closed at the end of the day he puts his Shogun

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on the ramps and his job becomes his hobby. ‘I’ve done everything on it. Whatever you ask me about it, what spanner size goes where, anything, I can tell you. So if anything does go wrong with it, I’ve only got myself to blame!’

Not that that happens very often. He’s perfectly happy to try stuff off-road, and with the amount

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Above: If we went through all the mods you can see in this picture it would take us to the end of the page, so we’ll limit it to the ones you can see close-up. These include a Jaos bull bar and light guards, immediately behind which a reconditioned and waterproofed 10,500lb winch sits on an LFD mount. Further good stuff includes headlamp protectors, LED sidelights and a very prominent pair of Jaos spots Top right: Flowing down from the bull bar is a long line of protection plates including a Jaos sump guard Above right, right: Front diff and auto box guards in 12mm alloy combine with the sump protector in the picture above to create a skid plate stretching almost the whole length of the vehicle Below left: An LFD guard does a fine job of making the fuel tank look impregnable, and the same company’s diff protector does a more subtle but equally robust job. The coil springs you can see the bottom few inches of are heavy-duty Ironman units, which help lift the suspension a little while also coping better with the weight of all this protection Below right: Yet more from LFD comes in the shape of these rock sliders, which mount through to the chassis on bolt-up brackets

of mods on the vehicle so he should be, but he’s not interested in taking stupid risks just for the sake of it. Been there, done that, you might say, and it’s why that old road/race bike lives under a tarp now.

‘I don’t mind doing extreme stuff,’ he says. ‘But I won’t go out the way you see some people doing to deliberately wreck the car. If it happens, if I’m having fun and I break something, so be it, I’ll repair it. But I do try not to.’

You often hear people saying they bought a new, cheap off-roader because the first one they prepped so lovingly ended up being ‘too nice

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to trash.’ Well, that’s exactly the way Jonty’s is, but rather than putting him off using it in anger that’s just the way he wanted it to be. It’s the first off-roader he’s had, and as far as he’s concerned it can be the last. And besides, as well as getting the armour, suspension and so on the way he wanted it, he’s done the same with the truck’s image. Not something a lot of off-roaders can say, but with its Ralliart sticker kit, mudflaps and roof spoiler, not to mention those white motorsport alloys, it’s a very effective homage to the glory days of the noughties when Mitsubishi won one Dakar Rally after another.

Not that it’s look is a pure pose. By making it look flash, if you want to call it that, he’s created a truck that’s more likely to surprise people. Kind of an off-road sleeper, you might say.

‘I like it to look nice,’ Jonty agrees. ‘People look at it and think it’s just a Tonka toy, and that I’m never going to get it muddy. But when we get into the sticky stuff and I’ll get through it and they’ll not… I get a right buzz from that!

‘And it’s not just a rough old off-roader. You can go to the shops in it. And in the winter, you turn on the heaters – and they work!’ Once again, whatever could that be a reference to?

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The 3.5 DOHC V6 engine is more or less standard, aside from having had its EGR valve removed and blanked off. Helping it breathe more freely is a stainless big-bore exhaust, including a decat pipe and silencer, which cost the princely sum of 99p from eBay after Jonty was the only one to bid on it. At the sharp end, the air cleaner is fed by a raised intake whose routing in through the offside wing is seen here Not that he does go the shops in it very often, as he’s got another car for getting about in. And anyway, the Shogun is far more fun doing what he got it for, which is being his hobby – whether that’s at Tong, his playday site of choice, or in the workshop. ‘Each time I go to Tong, there’s almost always some modification I’ve just done to it. The most recent has been Nissan Patrol rear springs, which give it more height, and raised lower mounts I fabricated for the back shocks that let the axle drop down further on full articulation.

‘But pretty much everything has come from eBay. Even all the branded stuff. If you look at it,

4x4 6pp Beales.indd 47

you’d assume that I’ve gone to Jaos and LFD with a big shopping list and spent loads of money, but it’s all stuff I’ve bought when it’s come up and the price has been right. I don’t let myself get in to bidding wars – I decide how much I’m willing to pay, bid that straight off then sit back and wait to see if I win it. If someone wants to pay more than me, I think good luck to them, they can have it.’

That’s the wisdom of someone who’s learned a bit by experience, and it brings us right back to the one about making your own luck. Jonty’s approach to building his Shogun has been a mixture of planning and opportunism, and he

says he’s forever looking at other vehicles to get inspiration for what to do next. But whatever else he does, he’s not about to start getting stupid in a bid to wring the last 1% of off-road ability out of a truck that does just fine for him.

Many’s a time people have told us how the next truck they build is going to be the really trick one in their lives. So we keep in touch while they’re building it and surprise surprise, it never works out that way.

Jonty, on the other hand, what did he say when we asked him about his plans for the future? It was simple: ‘Keep looking on eBay.’

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The Glory and

NWS Motor Services has earned itself a strong reputation as a name to trust when it comes to rebuilding Land Rover engines. The company can work its magic on all sorts of petrol and diesel units; here, we follow the progress of a 4.6-litre V8 through the company’s Staffordshire workshop Words and Pictures: Mike Trott

T

he Rover V8 is a legend among engines. You don’t need to drive a Land Rover to appreciate the grunt, the sound and the tunability of the timeserved Buick unit, which has found its way into a wide range of vehicles both with and without a Solihull badge. It’s almost as legendary as the Land Rover Tdi… Both these engines are what NWS Motor Services work on for a living. The company specialises in Land Rover lumps – every kind of them, old or new, petrol or diesel. If it’s worth rebuilding, NWS can rebuild it.

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The classic Rover V8 is definitely worth rebuilding. Even when it’s only a bit classic. What we’re looking at here is the bringing back to life of a 4.6-litre version of the old warhorse.

This was an engine that graced the Range Rover P38, a machine not always painted in the most affectionate light. Still, a big V8 would never be a bad thing to start up on a cold winter morning... assuming it does actually start, of course.

Anyway, we’re going to be following the rebuild of a 4.6, observing the expertise of NWS technician Chris as he carefully reassembles the pick of all the P38’s power units.

But before we get stuck in, let’s kick off with some words of wisdom from Sam Edwards, Workshop Manager at NWS. Now, the P38 was regarded as a vehicle ahead of its time, and rather complex in nature – much to its detriment, many would argue. But is the engine complex in nature too?

‘The fundamentals of any engine follow the same principle: intake, compression, power and exhaust,’ explains Sam. ‘But if you’re asking whether this is a complicated engine, I’d say it was innovative for its day – although when you compare it now to a 5.0-litre supercharged V8

4x4 01/08/2023 08:50

the Power 1

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1: The first job when rebuilding any engine is to check the tolerances of the components that will be reused in the rebuild. Conrods, crank journals and cylinder liners (unless top hat liners are fitted), for example, all need to meet strict standards. If they don’t, they will be scrapped.

Top hat liners will be fitted if necessary, but all reusable components must go through a thorough cleaning process 2: Cleaning is one of the important jobs, and it needs to be done properly. NWS uses the latest technology and equipment to ensure each component is ready to be called upon for service once more 3: The cylinder block is also cleaned and, if required, painted. Here lies the clean block ready to be mated with its internals, and if you look closely you can make out that top hat liners have already been installed 4: One thing to do when rebuilding any engine is to get yourself organised. Failing to make sure you haven’t lost that bolt or bearing could have a different kind of bearing altogether…

that’s currently in some of the Range Rovers, there is so much more technology involved.’

The rebuild you’ll see over the next few pages is challenging enough, and not something a DIY mechanic is likely to take on, purely because of the amount of specialist equipment needed to carry out a full professional rebuild.

It does, however, give us an insight into the inner workings of the specialists. ‘The key to any engine work is to take your time – don’t rush it,’ advises Sam. ‘You want to get it right first time.

‘There are other rules you should follow as well, if we’re being thorough. The workshop

4x4 6pp NWS.indd 49

environment, for example – it needs to be kept clean and tidy.’

Having the right equipment to carry out the work within that environment is also essential.

You should invest in the right tools so that you can get the job done first time. The last thing you need is being halfway through a build and realising you don’t have a tool to complete the job.

Another attribute that will aid you through such workshop tasks is experience. Observing the skills of someone who knows what they are doing can be invaluable, just as we will be doing here.

It’s experience that enables you to pick up crucial

information: torque settings for instance. Sam explains: ‘Each engine will have different tolerances, so it is imperative that the correct settings are used for each type of engine.’

If you’re placing your engine in the hands of a specialist, you want to know it’s being worked on by a true expert. And that’s very much what you get with NWS. And if you’re planning to do it yourself, aspiring to their standards is not a bad way to start. Something to bear in mind if you keep thinking the unit in your vehicle is getting old and slow, perhaps. In the meantime, enjoy the rebirth of an engine that was very well worth rebuilding.

SEPTEMBER 2023 | 49

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5: These are four of the ‘main’ bearings that sit in the housing on the block side – although there are actually five in total, as evidenced in the next picture…

6: Technician Chris slots them into the block one at a time 7: If you look closely, you’ll notice the notches on the bearings which will (hopefully) ensure that you can’t go wrong when placing them 8: Next, a drop of engine assembly oil lubricates the bearings ready to receive the crankshaft 9: Crankshaft is lowered into the block 10: These are the main bearing caps, which slide over the crankshaft…

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11: …as you see Chris demonstrating here. Now in a sort of Blue Peter ‘here’s one we made earlier’ way, Chris has already used the plastigauge to check the clearances are correct for the bearings 12: This means rather than fitting the caps etc. and checking the clearances before removing the cap bolts and caps again, you can see the next stage – which in this case is the main cap bolts being positioned through the crank cap 13: All in place, the bolts are tightened up a notch 14: Now a specialised tool can let Chris tighten up the bolts to the exact torque requirements 15: It will even flash green once you’ve exerted the correct amount of force 16: This is where we now assemble the pistons with new rings. Here you’re looking at a complete piston with the conrod and its bearings in situ. The piston is the big clump of silver, with rings located around the top edge. Further along you have the conrod (or connecting rod) which does as it says on the tin. The conrod clasps around the crankshaft and is completed by the conrod cap being fixed around the other side

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17: The outside edge of the piston has an arrow imprinted on it, which designates the way it should sit within the cylinders 18: Pistons carry more than one ring and the gap must be in the correct place – on the 4.6, there are three which should be spaced at thirds to one another, or simply (like the points of a Mercedes badge). The three rings all have different jobs: the top ring is for compression, the middle is the oil scraper and the lowerdeals with oil control 19: Now the piston, along with the connected conrod, can be lowered into the cylinder bore using a piston ring compressor 20: Oil is then used while connecting the conrod and bearing to the crankshaft 21: Mentioned previously, the conrod sits with a piston at one end while the other side wraps around half of the crank. Now the conrod bearings can be fitted before the conrod cap encapsulates the bearings to the crank 22. Bolts get fitted and tightened, but the plastigauge is needed once more to clarify the correct clearances

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23-24: You can see how the rods come down from the pistons and grasp the crankshaft. This is how the piston is able to push up and down through the cylinder 25-26: Now we’re looking down upon the upper block assembly and you can see the camshaft has been inserted and sits across the length of the housing 27-28: The pistons sit at different levels along the crank. You can make out the arrow here showing which way they all face This is the bulk of the rebuild done, but other components follow with the oil pump and strainer, plus gaskets, the timing chain kit, hydraulic lifters and more. It gives you an indication of the work involved and how precise a rebuild can and should be, along with details that you certainly don’t want to miss. If you need a professional hand, however, NWS will be more than happy to lend one when it comes to the health of your Land Rover’s motor

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GRAPE ESCAPE The Champagne region is where the flat expanses of northern France give way to rolling hillsides covered in a carpet of vines. It’s also home to the world’s best known regional product – one whose history has created a landscape that’s perfect for exploring away from the beaten track Words and Pictures: Adam Towns

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h, summer in France… Warm sunshine, blue skies, pavement cafés, balmy evenings walking arm in arm along la rive gauche, the sound of cicadas drifting across a Provencal valley from a village that looks like a painting by Cézanne…

And ah, champagne… Summer fêtes, Wimbledon, cosy Christmas parties, evenings by the pool, demure fillies in cocktail gowns, the pop of the cork, a toast to the bride and groom! Hurrah!

Between the two, you have a life lived through poetry by Betjeman.

Summer lawns, croquet, one’s butler serving Veuve Cliquot to the guests, one’s chauffeur waiting to attention by the Delage… You don’t have temperatures so hot you can’t breathe, endless traffic jams, angry mobs rioting in the streets. The bride and groom haven’t drunk themselves unconscious by the time you try to toast them, and the young fillies aren’t throwing up over a low wall.

Oh, and the champagne hasn’t been replaced by dodgy prosecco from a factory in Brazil.

There can’t be many things that have gone out of fashion the way champagne has in the last decade and a half. It used to feature at every celebration, but wedding venues today report that they get asked for it, rather than prosecco, maybe two or three times a year.

But champagne hasn’t gone away. Prosecco may have taken over simply by being cheap, but champagne production remains a traditional, artisanal craft associated exclusively with one small part of France. A small part of France which, happily, didn’t suffer any rioting when we explored its green lanes. No traffic jams, either. And definitely not any hot temperatures.

Balmy evenings, though? I mean, it’s the height of summer. Turns out we could whistle for that. Here we were looking at the rain hammering

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shop.cst-tyres.co.uk down on our Pathfinder’s windscreen as we watched those lanes turn into rivers as the chalky hillsides glistened between them in their saturated state. The sky was so grey and the clouds so low, in looked more like November in the north of Scotland.

Seldom has anything looked less like a painting by Cézanne.

This is most definitely not how it was supposed to happen.

Champagne is where the flat, rather dull expanses of northern France start giving way to the sort of landscapes for which the country is famous.

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Rolling hills and sudden escarpments punctuate the scenery in the tracts between Reims, the elegant city at the centre of the region, and Epernay, an austere industrial town around which an army of growers and producers make what is still the most famous regional product on the planet.

By law, champagne only comes from Champagne. That didn’t stop prosecco from riding in on the back of a colossal marketing campaign, but only the real thing is allowed to go by the name of the region from which it hails. And perhaps the hideous weather we’re dealing with here is simply one part of the local climate that makes the region so perfect for cultivating grapes; combine long, warm summers with a level of rainfall you don’t get fur-

ther south in France, and you have a perfect recipe for hillsides groaning under the weight of millions of acres of vines.

Not that Champagne is truly northern within France. You’ve still got a decent few hours on the autoroute before you get to Reims, and you’ll probably pass that time remarking on how little traffic there is on these wide, smooth motorways.

What cars there are are as likely as not to be from the UK; were it not for Channel-hopping Brits, you wonder if grass wouldn’t start growing up the middle of the carriageways.

People from Britain sometimes get fooled by this into thinking all French motorways are so blissfully empty. You’ve battled round the M25, you’ve suffered hell on the M2 or the M20 on the way to catch

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.uk your shuttle or ferry, you’ve finally made it across the Channel… and relax. Suddenly… where has all the traffic gone?

Try driving on the motorways around Paris or Lyon and you’ll soon find out where. The thing is, Calais is like the French equivalent of Hull or Grimsby. The motorways leading inland are their version of the M180 – three lanes ahead of you with no more than a car or two as far as the eye can see.

It wasn’t actually raining at this point, either. So the cruise down from Calais to Reims was exactly that – we left it in two-wheel drive, set the cruise control and glided peacefully through the countryside.

You get British radio stations for a good while, if you want to, but as time goes on and the signal

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fades you’re definitely not in Kent anymore. It takes about three hours to get to the heart of the Champagne-Ardennes, and a very chilled three hours it was.

You do need to keep an eye on your mirrors when overtaking, though. The French are a pretty laid-back lot in general (apart from the rioting, obv) but when they go nuts behind the wheel, they go really nuts. Speeding is less common than in Britain, but every so often you’ll get a vehicle catching you up at an absolutely unbelievable pace – and if you get in their way, they will not be happy. Crazy tailgating is common, often accompanied by some combination of indicators, horn and flashing headlights; drivers are normally at least a bit less savage if you’re in a line of traffic making

your way past a plodding lorry, but don’t count on it. I’ve spoken to Brits who’ve actually been nudged from behind by tailgaters, and others who’ve had drivers take ‘revenge’ after finally getting past by swerving in front of them and slamming on their brakes.

Perhaps because of this (or maybe it’s the other way round), French lane discipline tends to be pretty good. And another eminently sensible part of the nation’s approach to motorway management is a speed limit which comes down when it starts raining. Which it did as we got towards Reims, so we turned down the set speed on the cruise and just let it happen. Our Pathfinder was definitely looking after us – it switched on its own headlamps when the clouds gathered and its

rain-sensing wipers meant we didn’t even have to lift a finger whenever we passed a wagon and it whipped a deluge of spray in our face, either.

The following morning, after a night on the typically French boulevard of Place Drouet d’Érlon (Le Grand Café here is an absolute must), we set out and, following our sat-nav, went exploring. Everyone has heard of the big, industrial-scale champagne producers, but the real history behind it comes from the countless family businesses which make their own unique versions of the drink. Trundle into any of the hundreds of quiet villages clustered on the region’s hillsides and you’ll find a simple wooden sign pointing the way to maybe a dozen champagne houses. And that’s exactly what they are – people’s homes,

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shop.cst-tyres.co.uk with a front room set aside for welcoming people who stop in to sample the family wares.

Want to take a guess at how many of these independent champagne brands there are?

The answer is something like 19,000. Not a misprint. They’re known as vignerons (vine-growing producers) and each has a tale to tell. One producer in Faverolles et Coëmy traces its history back to 1949; its founder, who had been seriously injured in the war, was given permission to buy a Jeep from out of the military so he could get around his vines; in gratitude, he created a brand of champagne

called Jeeper and that’s still its name today.

There are the big, commercial producers with their visitor centres and all the bells and whistles, but it’s the little villages that you need to explore if you want to find the real Champagne (with and without the capital C, actually). Like Aÿ, for example, where Henri Goutorbe and his family create a variety of the most traditional champagnes. Goutorbe’s little courtyard and shop are on a narrow street near the top end of town; a couple of corners away is another champagne producer, which goes by the name of Bollinger.

In this way, champagne is different to most products.

For every globally recognised brand like Bollinger or Moët et Chandon, there’s a hundred or more family businesses like Goutorbe, Adalbert Brassart or Yveline Prat selling outstanding cuvées to those who know them. Every single champagne producer has his or

her own secrets, but the difference is in the marketing: the big boys may shift vast quantities, but none but the most expert of drinkers would be able to tell them apart from a good domestique brand in a blind taste test.

There’s another difference between the giants and minnows, too, one which locals from the Champagne region will tell you is the way to search out the most interesting bottles. Producers are divided into two main categories – récoltantmanipulants and négociantmanipulants. The former grow all their own grapes, while the latter buy them in. While the likes of Moët have thousands of acres of their own vines covering the hillsides, particularly those overlooking Aÿ itself, they could only ever achieve the sort of volumes they sell by adding grapes grown elsewhere. This isn’t cheating – it’s a long-held way of making a product whose quality comes from the way the wines are handled by the champagne makers – but for the authentic ambience of

a product made from start to finish by a skilled artisan, only a récoltant-manipulant will do.

You can identify a champagne’s provenance by the maker’s unique five-digit registration number, which appears on the label of every bottle.

If the numbers are preceded by RM, it’s a récoltant-manipulant: NM, meanwhile, means négociant-manipulant. You might also see CM, which signifies that the maker is part of a co-operative, or MA, which stands for marque auxiliare and is reserved for own-brand products.

There is of course a wide variety of qualities and tastes within each type of producer. To describe these as good and bad would be misleading; whether or not you like a champagne is down to taste. Equally, just like other wines, there are types of champagne and no palate will enjoy them all. The vast majority of champagne is brut (dry), but you can also find demi-sec – much sweeter, and a very different proposition to taste.

There are rosé champagnes, too, created by variations in the blending

Left: Somewhat unusually for a lighthouse, the Phare de Verzenay stands around 165 miles from the coast. It was built by Joseph Goulet in 1909 as an advertising billboard for his brand of champagne, and with a restaurant and theatre at its base it became a popular local attraction. Today, having been bought by the local communities after decades in the doldrums, it’s a tourist attraction once more Below: The champagne industry understands the appeal it holds for tourists and visitors, and some producers offer tours of their facilities and the caves underground where the drink is matured.

Perhaps the best way to understand what makes the business so fascinating, though, is to explore the small independent vignerons who make the 19,000-plus different brands of champagne that exist; they welcome customers into their homes to sample the champagne they make, allowing you to buy direct – which is by far the best way to avail yourself of the ‘real’ champagne that never makes it to the supermarkets

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of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes – which between them make up almost the entire raw material for all champagne production. A champagne made exclusively from chardonnay is called a blanc de blancs, while one made from pinots is blanc de noirs. Any you thought it was all just bubbly…

All this history, all this industry, is packed into a region of around 85,000 acres. The Champagne producing region, which is legally defined and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains more than 300 villages and 280,000 plots for the growing of vines. And in among them is a huge network of unsurfaced trails.

Green laning in France is a bit of a minefield, and is subject to the same pressures as it is in England and Wales. But the routes certainly do exist, and they too are legally defined. They’re marked on the 1:25,000 Carte Bleu maps produced by the IGN (Institut Geographique National); you need rather a lot of these to cover any sort of distance, so the good news is that there are online versions and apps, just as there are for maps of Britain.

Another similarity to here is that when you find them on the ground, France’s lanes are very varied. By and large, we’ve found that they’re pretty easy to spot, though with the exception of some mountain areas in the south they’re almost never signposted. Certainly, there’s no obvious equivalent of the byway markers we have in Britain. Where you do find a sign, normally it’s an illegal one that’s been put up to try and convince people that they’re not allowed to drive there – and, yet another similarity to Britain, sometimes you’ll follow a route and eventually it will peter out, become impossible to trace or end abruptly with a chain across it.

Happily, there was none of that as we picked our way through the vineyards on an endless assortment of chalky trails. Make that wet chalky trails, some of them on deceptively steep hillsides, and we all know what that means. To my eternal shame, I found myself on the way down a slippy, saturated track, with a growing off-camber slope to it and a worryingly soft looking ploughed field ahead of me – and wishing I had had the foresight to put the

Pathfinder into low range before setting off. Proper off-road fail, there; thankfully, despite only being on standard road tyres it found enough grip to spare my blushes.

This was on a hillside track near the village of Mailly-Champagne, where a giant sculpture by Bernard Pagès commemorates French

philosopher Gaston Bachelard.

Yes, I had to look him up too, and I’m still none the wiser, but he fought against early 20th Century stereotypes that tried to prevent his daughter from becoming a scholar.

She too became a renowned philosopher, at a time when society wanted to lock her in the kitchen.

La Terre was created by noted modernist sculptor Bernard Pagès.

Conceived as a tribute to philosopher Gaston Bachelard, it’s located alongside a hillside track near Mailly-Champagne

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shop.cst-tyres.co.uk Not far from here, standing proud on Mont Rizan between the villages of Mailly-Champagne and VillersMarmery, is another landmark in the rolling landscape of Champagne.

The Phare de Verzenay is a lighthouse – and how many of those have you seen 165 miles from the nearest coastline?

There’s a story that it dates back to the days before wireless communication, when it was used to warn champagne producers of impending frosts by giving them time to place braziers between their rows of vines to save them from destruction. But actually, the truth is a little more prosaic. It was built in 1909 by

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one Joseph Goulet, a champagne producer as a vast billboard to advertise his brand.

With his name splashed up each of its sides and a rotating flashlight capable of being seen from Reims, the lighthouse drew huge crowds.

Goulet built a restaurant and theatre at its base, and soon his publicity stunt was doing even better than the product it was there to promote.

It wasn’t to last; war saw to that.

The lighthouse’s panoramic view meant it was taken over as an artillery observation post during both world wars, and the shelling it attracted as a result wiped out the buildings at its base. The lighthouse itself survived, however, thanks to its reinforced concrete construction – though it fell into disuse for many years until, in 1987, the municipality of Verzenay took it over with the aim of turning it into a visitor attraction once more.

Today, the lighthouse hosts a museum of champagne production. It costs €9 to visit, or €3 if all you

want to do is climb the 101 stairs to the observation deck at the top.

Either way, great value for money.

Elsewhere, much of the region’s living heritage has been set up to cater for curious visitors, too. Most of the small champagne producers welcome passers-by for dégustations, and many also offer tours of their caves – massive underground tunnel complexes where bottles are left to develop. It’s not until you explore these unbelievable labyrinths that you start to appreciate how deep the champagne tradition runs, and just how much time, effort, skill and devotion goes into making the drink what it is. Next time you’re in the supermarket wondering why it costs twenty or thirty quid for a bottle of bubbly, promise yourself a trip to Champagne to find out.

Yes, for sure, the rise and rise of prosecco has left champagne well behind – while replacing its rather elevated image with that of a cheap fizzy drink that gets you wasted fast.

In the world of market dynamics, this is what’s known as progress.

When you consider the overwhelming dominance of the big, industrial champagne brands, perhaps it’s not such a bad thing. After all, practically no-one had heard of

Henri Goutorbe or Adalbert Brassard before prosecco came steaming in, so artisan cuvées like theirs were always a fascinating discovery – just as they remain now.

I remember a springtime green laning trip in the North Welsh mountains once, when we drove for hours among herds of sheep and lambs before arriving in Llanarmon and stopping for lunch – where every single one of us had lamb, and it was so fresh it could almost have been one of the ones we’d passed that morning. And it was the same that night, back in Reims.

The rain had finally stopped, the sun had come out and as we sat sipping champagne back at Le Grand Café, it was as if we were sampling the actual grapes we had seen hanging from the vines as we eased our Pathfinder down those greasy, chalky trails on the hills overlooking the city.

Whereupon thoughts turned to the 2000-plus litres of cargo capacity behind us. How many bottles could we fit behind us for the journey home? Enough for a very big party – though with all those 19,000 vignerons just dying to be sampled, we might have to go back. Definitely not a problem, even in the rain…

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ROADBOOK

SOUTH WILTSHIRE

A mixture of spectacular views and tightly enclosed woodland trails USING OUR ROADBOOKS Our roadbooks guide you through the countryside on 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 commonly referred to as green lanes.

NAVIGATION

We’ve deliberately made it as easy as possible to follow the route, using a mixture of instructions, tulip diagrams and grid references. We normally only include junctions at which you have to make a turning or don’t have right of way, so stay on the main road or continue straight ahead unless we tell you otherwise.

You’ll find a guide to using grid references on the legend of any OS map. Our aim is for you to be able to do the route without maps, whether paper or online, but you should certainly take a set with you.

SAFETY

The notes on thee pages advise you of how suitable the route is for your vehicle. 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 conditions underfoot, and what’s wide open in winter can be tightly enclosed and scratchy in summer.

The responsibility is yours!

Our roadbooks are designed to be safe to drive in a solo vehicle. We do recommend travelling in tandem wherever possible, however. The risk of getting stuck can be greater than it appears – and even the most capable of vehicles can break down miles from anywhere.

RESPONSIBILITY

Irresponsible driving is a big issue 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; doing so is illegal and can be tremendously damaging.

This kind of illegal off-roading is a key reason why green lanes get closed. If you see others doing this, they are NOT your friends. They’re criminals, and you are their victim.

If it’s safe to do so, film them in the act and pass it to the police.

Elsewhere, let common sense and courtesy prevail. Keep your speed down, be ready to pull over for others and show the world that we are decent people just like them.

ANTIS

Anti-4x4 bigotry does exist, but it’s less common than you’d think. By and large, it’s limited to organisations who just want to get 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 with whom you share the countryside, 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 farmers worried that you’re there to steal from them, so be ready to offer a word of reassurance. Once satisfied that you’re not after their quad bikes, their mood will lighten.

The majority of the lanes on this route are subject to voluntary restraint requests to refrain from using them during the winter. While this is not legally enforceable, VR is used by agreement between local authorities and user groups as an alternative to traffic regulation orders. It only works if people abide by them, so pay attention wherever you see notices – and give this entire roadbook a swerve during the winter.

DO…

• Keep your speed right down • Pull over to let walkers, bikers and horse riders pass

• Leave gates as you found them • Scrupulously obey all closure and voluntary restraint notices

• Ensure you have a right to be

there. We research the routes on our roadbooks very carefully, but the status of any route 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 Stick absolutely scrupulously to the right of way Always remember that you are an ambassador for all 4x4 drivers

• • • •

DON’T…

• Go in large convoys: instead, split into smaller groups

• Drop litter. Why not carry a bin bag pick up other people’s instead?

• Go back to drive the fun bits, such as mud or fords, again

• Cause a noise nuisance, particularly after dark

• Get riled up if someone challenges you. Be firm but polite, stay calm and don’t let them turn it into a fight

Insurance for your 4X4

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VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT ,

4x4

Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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ROADBOOK This is a route of two halves. To start with, you’ll be rolling along without a care in the world on beautifully scenic unsurfaced farm roads with glorious views over rolling downland. But then it all changes, as you plunge into a set of lanes, some of them sunken, through densely enclosed woodlands. It’s no place for precious paintwork – nor for vehicles that can’t cope with wet ground, because there’s a long stretch where surface floods are common – before finally, the route ends with a couple more wide open ones

Pictured is our Isuzu D-Max GO2. The vehicle is insured by Adrian Flux Insurance Services, which specialises in cover for modified 4x4s.

Many of our project trucks have been given their five-star service over the years as they are one of very few insurance companies that can cover our 4x4s when we’re off-roading and green laning – and at an affordable price too.

Get a quote by calling them on 0800 085 5000.

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ROUTE GUIDE

is it suitable?

START FINISH HOW LONG? TERRAIN HAZARDS

TYRES

OS MAPS

Coombe Bissett (SU 108 264) Ludwell (ST 906 226) 47.5 miles / 6-7 hours Rolling chalk downs Slippy in places when wet; frequent ruts; dangerous road junctions; very enclosed lanes; other users, particularly horses Landranger 184 (Salisbury & The Plain)

Step

1

0.0 Step

2

1.0

SU 108 264

Start outside Coombe Bissett Stores and Post Office, on Homington Road in Coombe Bissett. It’s the perfect place to stock up before your day on the lanes, but the road it’s on is narrow, so if you’re in convoy don’t clog it up. Zero your trip with the shop to your left and set off heading east

SU 156 261

NUNTON DROVE

WEATHER LOW BOX SOFT-ROADERS SCRATCHING DRIVING DAMAGE

Step

3

Unsuitable for low-profile sizes; at least an all-terrain recommended Avoid when ground is very wet Necessary in a couple of places Unsuitable Inevitable and severe Many rutted sections to deal with; liaisons on fast, busy roads Potential for contact with trees

SU 141 239

2.85 Step

4

3.15

Step 6: The trough comes straight after you’ve turned right on to the track. It can fill up with water after a lot of rain

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Step

Step

4.35

6.2

5

Step

6

9 Immediately after you’ve turned, you drop into a deep trough which can become very deep with water.

Further on, the track gets a bit enclosed (though nothing like what you’ve got coming…)

4.85 Step

7

8

10

ZERO TRIP

7.05 Another rutted section, again prone to flooding. It gets more enclosed and scratchy beyond here

Step

11

Caution – watch out for horses on the gallop to your right

0.05

5.2 Step

Step

This is very tight – you’ll probably need a shunt, maybe two

Turn left through the gate and head across the grassy field

5.3

Step

12

Dead slow across the gallop, taking care not to disturb the wood chips and looking both ways for horses

0.2

Step 8: Turn left through the gate and on to a track across a grassy field Step 9 (right):This turning is very tight – you’re likely to need at least one shunt

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Step

13

Don’t trash the grass by cutting the corner – pull ahead by a couple of car lengths and there’ll be plenty of space to turn back on yourself

Step

16

0.4

1.65

Step

Step

1.4

2.35

Step

Step

1.45

2.5

14 15

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17 18

Caution – look out for horses

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Step

Step 26: Where the track splits in three, take the furthest over to the right

19 2.85 Step

20 3.0 Step

21

Step

ZERO TRIP

27

4.5

5.55

Step

Step

28

22 0.65

Damerham Cranborne

112 5

Step

Step

29

23 1.8 Step

24 4.05

5.7

Martin Cranborne

234 4

30 1

2

8.55

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Step

4.35

8.8

Step

Step

4.7

8.95

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Summerlands

Step

SU 077 189

Toyd Down

8.1

SU 101 236

31

It gets a bit bumpy through the ditch at the junction

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Step

36

ZERO TRIP

11.7 Step

37

Caution – this is a major road

1.1 Step

33

This track gets quite bumpy and rutted

9.35 Step

34

Step

38 1.2

It gets quite enclosed further on

Step

39

9.9

2.25

Step

Step

10.6

2.4

35

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Race Course Stratford Tony Bishopstone Broad Chalke

SU 093 267

The turning is opposite the road on the right signposted to the racecourse

40

4x4 01/08/2023 16:46

Step

41

Dead slow the whole way through here. Exiting the ford, swing right to follow the track going behind the houses

2.45 Step

42

Step

46

Extreme caution – this is a fast, busy road. Look out for overtaking traffic on the wrong side of the road as you emerge

ZERO TRIP

4.3 It’s going to get very overgrown further on…

Step

47

2.5

0.25

Step

Step

3.6

0.55

43

48

SU 087 233

Extreme caution – this is a very fast, straight road. As you slow to turn, cars are apt to come flying up behind you – you’ll be indicating right, obviously, but don’t assume that’ll stop them trying to overtake.

Once you’re on the track, it’s very, very overgrown and scratchy

Keep it slow past the house

Step

44 3.95 Step

45 4.25 4x4 11pp Oct 20 Ox Drove Roadbook AK.indd 73

Slow past the houses, looking out for children and animals

Step 47: This road is horrible – it’s fast and dead straight, so you need to watch out for people trying to pull off insane overtaking manoeuvres on you as you turn (that’s not a reference to the van in this picture, which was being driven perfectly safely, but you do get some proper psychos on this road) SEPTEMBER 2023 | 73

01/08/2023 16:47

Step

52

There’s a long, bumpy trough of ruts here that’s apt to be flooded after wet weather

1.55 Step

53

Another big water trough – this one can turn into a small lake at times

1.65 Step

Step

0.6

1.95

Step

Step

1.1

2.0

49

54 55

50 Step

51 1.45

76 | SEPTEMBER 2020

11pp Oct 20 Ox Drove Roadbook AK.indd 74

As the main track swings hard right, continue ahead into the undergrowth

Step

56

This is just a few car lengths after Step 54

Dead slow past the houses and farm buildings

3.1

4x4 01/08/2023 16:47

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Step

57

Caution – the road is very hard to spot until you’re on it, and there are no signs warning you as you approach

3.4 Step

Step

4.45

8.5

Step

Step

58

63

59 5.45

64 Ebbesbourne Wake Shaftesbury

Step

9.25

65 By-Way to Ox Drove

10.3

Step

Step

7.35

11.5

Step

Step

8.05

12.4

61 62 76 | SEPTEMBER 2023

11pp Oct 20 Ox Drove Roadbook AK.indd 76

The turning is hard to spot in advance – it’s just after Trow Farm on the left

Step

60 6.5

ST 965 228

66 67

ST 938 207

4x4 01/08/2023 16:47

Step

68

Step

ZERO TRIP

73

14.3

4.4

Step

Step

69

74

2.8 Step

70 3.0 Step

71

The Donheads

ST 918 203

By-Way to Win Green

At the car park, follow the track off into the distance on the left

72 3.75

4x4 11pp Oct 20 Ox Drove Roadbook AK.indd 77

6.0 Step

75

Turn right, then immediately left for Charlton, then immediately right again

6.4 Step

76

Caution – this is a major road, even if it doesn’t feel like it as it passes through the village. You’re right next to the village shop here, too, and there are no pavements, so look out for everything from little old ladies to big old artics

6.7

3.3 Step

If you think this diagram looks messy, wait til you see the actual junction. Basically, you’re ignoring the tracks ahead and turning left on a scruffily surfaced road, then left again on the proper road down the hill

There’s a short rutted section just after the cattle grid, which is likely to be wet

Step

77

Arrive at the Grove Arms in Ludwell for the end of the route

6.9

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THE NEW-LOOK ISUZU D-MAX

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