The Mud Life - 3 - March/April 2019 by The Mud Life Magazine

THE MUD LIFE ISSUE 3

MARCH/APRIL 2019

MAGAZINE

NEWS, REVIEWS & ADVENTURE

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW '19

pages 50-57

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IN THIS ISSUE

DAMIAN TURNER E d i to r - i n -C h i e f , w r i t e r , p h oto g r a p h e r , r e v i e w e r

KAREN LEE TURNER

(A.K.A. The Muddy Madam) C r e at i v e D i r ec to r , l ayo u t designer, reviewer

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

TURNER'S TORQUE 4 - 5 NEWS 6 - 7 FORD RANGER 8-14 HONDA CR-V 16-21 FORD MUSTANG 22-29 SEAT ARONA 30-33 JEEP COMPASS 34-41 FLASH DRIVES 42-45 BLOWING AWAY THE COBWEBS 46-49 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 50-57 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 58-63 GOODS & GEAR 65-71 IN OUR GARAGE 72-75 FB PAGE OF THE MONTH 76-77 KILLING BIRDS 78-83 CARAVAN & MOTORHOME SHOW 86-89 DINE OUT WITH DAMIAN 90-91 READER'S RIDES 92-95 PAST JALOPIES 96-99 RETRO SNAPS 100-101

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TURNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TORQUE

Hi everyone, It’s been a crazy couple of months here at Muddy HQ, with plenty of vehicle launches, shows and green laning trips to attend. All of that is great, but then I have to find a spare minute or two to sit down and write them all up. I'm not complaining, but I think the time needed to create each issue of The Mud Life Magazine has taken us by surprise, let’s not forget it’s brought to you by only myself and Muddy Madam, so please forgive us for the delay in getting this issue out. More significantly, we lost a major member of the Mud Life team in February, our beloved cat Tiggs, due to kidney disease. He wasn’t that keen on travelling in Deux Smurf, but he was always there to offer support after long and arduous days, and would often sit on the desk next to the keyboard as I typed and edited photos. As I type this his absence beside me is almost unbearable. As regular readers will know we had a competition last month in which we gave away more than £150 worth of goodies head to page 64 to see our winner. All that’s left to say is sit back, grab a drink and enjoy this months issue of The Mud Life magazine, oh, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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NEWS

Volvo introduces a refreshed XC90

Volvo have recently unveiled a refreshed version of its bestselling XC90 and added a newly developed fuel-saving engine option that marks the next step in the company’s ambitious electrification strategy. The refreshed XC90 for the first time offers customers Volvo’s advanced kinetic energyrecovery braking system, which is coupled with its existing internal combustion engines to create a new integrated electrified powertrain, under its new ‘B’ badge. This new electrified powertrain offers drivers up to 15% fuel savings and emission reductions in real-world driving. The introduction of the new XC90 ‘B’-badged cars represents a major step for Volvo Cars towards its electrification ambitions and complements their existing T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid electrified option on the new XC90. On the outside, the refreshed XC90 offers subtle upgrades 6

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such as new wheels, exterior colours and a modern new grille, among other bits and pieces. In terms of active safety technology, the XC90 now offers drivers help with steering on both the City Safety and the Blind Spot Information System.Volvo say that their City Safety with Autobrake is still the only system on the market to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and large animals, though I seem to recall that Subaru’s Eyesight system doing similar. At the end of the day there’s no doubt that Volvo produce some of the safest cars on the road, and of course the new XC90 will be no exception. The model-year 2020 version of the XC90 will go into production in May at the Torslanda plant in Sweden and will be available to order in the UK in mid-March.

NEWS

NEW Range Rover Sport HST The introduction of an all-new 400PS in-line six-cylinder 3.0-litre petrol engine is set to enhance the performance, refinement and responses along with improved fuel economy of the Range Rover Sport. Available initially on the special edition HST model, the all-new 400PS Ingenium engine is more responsive and better balanced than the previous V6 petrol. With 550Nm of torque, it powers the Range Rover Sport from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 6.2 seconds (0-60mph in 5.9 seconds) and to a top speed of 140mph (225km/h). The smooth and responsive new six-cylinder unit has an innovative combination of advanced features, including the introduction of an electric supercharger to deliver immediate power response. Able to spool fully in just 0.5 seconds at up to 120,000rpm via a direct connection with the throttle, the new technology virtually eliminates turbo lag.

is underpinned by the new engine, bringing enhanced efficiency to the range with fuel economy of 30.5mpg (9.3L/100km) and CO2 emissions of 213g/km (under NEDC equivalent combined). This is the latest step Land Rover has taken towards meeting its commitment of offering an electrified option on all new models from 2020. The special edition HST model features a unique combination of interior and exterior updates including bespoke badging and carbon fibre trim on the bonnet, front grille, side vents and tailgate and a host of internal upgrades. The latest Range Rover Sport HST is available to order now, priced from ÂŁ81,250 OTR in the UK

Supported by a twin-scroll turbocharger and Continuous Variable Valve Lift, which boost power and help the engine breathe with maximum efficiency, the design of the all-new six-cylinder engine optimises performance and fuel economy as well as reducing emissions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all with customary Range Rover poise and refinement. These performance-boosting technologies work alongside a new Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) powertrain that THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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D R FO R E G RAN

Ford Ranger 2.2ltr Limited Although a proper workhorse, the Ranger, like rest of the pickups these days, has many car-like luxuries, and is as great at carrying and towing heavy loads as it is taking the family on long adventures - or the school run. What’s odd, is that until the Ranger arrived at Muddy Towers I hadn’t actually noticed how many of them there are knocking around my neck of the woods. Sure, there are plenty of Hiluxes, and even more L200s, but every other pick up I saw during our week was a Ranger! This really shouldn’t surprise me as it's recently achieved 2019 Pick-Up of the Year in What Car? magazine, and, due to its competitive price and 6 different models, it’s the 4x4 of choice for many enthusiasts and companies alike. On the Road There’s no doubt that the Ranger is a big truck, it has a lot of presence, but on twisty roads it didn’t wallow around as much as I expected it to, it handled itself quite well. Of course, it’s never going to be nimble, but it has a good

turning circle and over potholed roads it performed better than expected, especially considering it was unladen. During our week with the Ranger, as you can see by the photos, it was very wet and white, and, remarkably, only when pushed hard did I force the traction control to kick in. The 6-speed auto gearbox found all the right gears in a smooth fashion with only a slight delay when you push your right foot to the floor. Although a bit clattery at times, the 2.2ltr diesel engine pushed it along quite nicely. I initially wanted the 3.2ltr, obviously (the bigger the better, right?), but when I took a peek at the specs I had second thoughts. You see the 2.2ltr has 160bhp compared to the 3.2’s 200bhp, but that only equates to around a second quicker to 60mph, or 2 seconds if we’re talking autos. I guess if you’re towing and carrying heavy stuff on a daily basis then the 3.2ltr makes more sense, otherwise the 2.2ltr is more than adequate for most people.

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Off road As I’ve mentioned, throughout the test, the North West of England was caught up in a blizzard, so testing was limited to a few easy lanes that weren’t blocked. My confidence quickly grew as traction was found pretty much wherever I pointed the wheels, the only limitation was the grip offered by the tyres. That said, it put me in a false sense of security as jumping out of the Ranger to take photos nearly caused me to fall on my backside due to being on snow covered ice. The Ranger has a simple system with a dial next to the gearstick with 2H, 4H and 4L, and the option of a rear locker which is a £300 + VAT option and a no-brainer, even though without it it performed really well on the snow covered inclines and declines. One point I feel I should mention is that with the previous pick ups, the Fullback and D-Max, they took what seemed like an eternity to change from 2 to 4 wheel drive with their little icons flashing on the dash. The Ford on the other hand took mere seconds, and that includes changing into low box that seemed to flummox others.

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Interior Overall the interior of the Limited is a nice place to be, with large comfy seats to the chunky steering wheel that made it feel man-sized! It didn’t come with a sat-nav though, which isn’t a huge problem as most people I know have a mapping system on their phones. Still, it would’ve been nice, though it did come with cruise control, a speed limiter and a reversing camera, which was nice. Jump in the back seats and again you are greeted with plenty of space, even if you’re a 6-footer who’s sat behind another 6-footer. The only irritating part for me was the figuring out the ventilation system, part of which is on the dash under the monitor, which is difficult to read, and the rest is on the monitor. Although it took an age to heat up, once up to speed it worked well, but it isn’t my favourite system. Other than that the dash layout is clear and easy to read with good visibility all round, especially over the huge bonnet.

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Engines ‘n’ transmissions As I’ve mentioned, this is the 2.2ltr with the 6-speed auto which throughout the week was averaging between 26 and 29mpg, this was green-laning, commuting and the odd motorway run, and with the exception of the latter, was in 4x4 high a lot of the time due to the amount of snow we had. With the Ranger you have an option of either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. 2.2ltr Manual 160bhp - 40.4mpg combined - 109mph - 0-60mph in 11.8 seconds - C02=184 g/km 2.2ltr Automatic 160bhp - 36.2mpg combined - 109mph - 0-60mph in 12.8 seconds - C02=207 g/km 3.2ltr Manual 200bhp - 33.6mpg combined - 109mph - 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds - C02=221 g/km 3.2ltr Automatic 200bhp - 32.1mpg combined - 109mph - 0-60mph in 10.6 seconds - C02=231 g/km

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Conclusion Sadly, during our week together I didn’t get to go on any mad adventures, instead we used it like any normal family 4x4, shopping, driving the the vets, work and so on during which it performed really well. There was something about the Ranger that I can’t quite put my finger on that made it feel solid and strong. It could have been the big seats, chunky steering wheel and spacious interior or its tight steering and confident road handling - I don’t know, but after a week with it I understand why there’s so many of them knocking around!

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2019 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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What is it? The last time I had a proper drive in a CR-V was about 4 years ago, and like all press cars we had it for a week, and although it didn’t perform as well as I expected to off-road, my conclusion at the time was that it was a incredibly practical family SUV, that was sensibly designed with rock-solid reliability. Four years is a long time in the motor industry, and Honda haven’t been standing still. The 2019 CR-V is bursting with new tech, improved comfort and more space and versatility than ever before. So what’s new then? Well, apart from the running gear (I’ll get on to that later), Honda have extended the length of the wheelbase by a smidge (30mm), which not only provides more space inside, but with the wheels now placed closer to each corner it also gives the CR-V a more muscular and aggressive stance, which I rather like. There are 2 engines to choose from, the hybrid and 1.5ltr petrol, both with either 2wd or 4wd. I obviously chose the latter in both vehicles. On the road The route chosen by the Honda PR team was spectacular. From Scotch Corner the A66 proved that both models were quiet and comfortable. Adaptive Cruise Control helped with monotony of straight roads and these days is a welcome piece of technology that even I find useful. The fun really started when we ventured off the A66 and made our way onto the tight, twisty and quite icy B6270. Granted, the CR-V isn’t a

sports car and didn’t really like being treated like one, if I’m being honest. Although it’s stable and sure-footed, you’ll want to ease in the reigns for the tight and twisty stuff. Having said that, grip, steering and body lean were all kept under control and you can have a bit of fun with it. The AWD system also performed really well and offered a fair bit of confidence on the icy road that snakes between Nateby and Reeth. Select ‘sport’ mode on both models and they gain an extra spring in their steps, though the 1.5ltr turbo petrol engine certainly made you aware of it, it’s quite vocal - it made me smile though. Honda reckon that combined mpg in the hybrid should be 51.4, but according to the on-board computer, after my blast it was showing 37mpg. Obviously if I’d taken my time more I reckon that mpg in the mid 40’s should be achievable. Off-road Although the new CR-V has Honda’s latest all-wheel drive technology - ‘Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System’, and an increase in ground clearance, the media launch was focussed only on the CR-V’s on road presence and hybrid performances. I did however manage to find a slippery dirt track where both models handled themselves very well. In normal driving, power is fed to the front wheels and when they begin to lose grip, up to 60% of the power can be seamlessly fed to the rear wheels. Hopefully I’ll get my hands on one soon for a full evaluation when I can give it a thorough test.

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Interior Looking out from the drivers seat visibility all around is good, and you can’t help notice the muscular haunches of the front wings, which reminded me of the 1st generation NSX that I drove last year. Inside, the CR-V remains as practical and as comfortable as ever with loads of space for all passengers, as well as quite a few nifty touches, like the ability to programme the height of the tailgate to avoid contact with low ceilings. Staying at the back, there’s a new ‘dive down’ 60-40 split/fold rear seats for quicker loading and a handsfree power tailgate helps you to chuck more things into the wider, deeper and longer boot. Up front there’s more flexibility via a triple-mode centre stowage console and before anyone mentions it, yes it has the option of a faux wooden trim, and yes I quite like it, it gives the CR-V a warm and snug feeling! The petrol version I drove had the conventional automatic lever which I liked as it gave me a lot of control. The hybrid on the other hand has a buttonstyle transmission selector with Drive, Park and Neutral selected at the push of a, well, button while Reverse requires a pull-up action. I guess after a while you’ll get used to it, but after a 2-hour drive I was still looking at it like I do our washing machine - with confusion. Have I mentioned that the seven seat option is only available in the petrol version? In the hybrid the space is taken up with batteries.

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Safety-wise, standard across all grades is Honda’s SENSING which includes collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition. SE grade adds parking sensors and a rear view camera, while the SR and EX will also feature blind spot warning and cross traffic monitoring, while low speed following on the cruise control is available across all grades. SR grade also adds smart entry and start, leather interior and active cornering lights; while EX further includes a heated steering wheel, head up display, hands free access power tailgate, heated rear seats and panoramic glass sunroof. Engines ’n’ transmissions When it comes to hybrids there’s often quite a lot of technical talk, and being honest, I don’t understand most (any) of it, so I’m going to keep this simple. The Honda system combines two electric motors, a 143bhp 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery and a fixed gear transmission. Maximum output is 184PS (135 kW) with 315Nm or torque. Rather than using a conventional transmission, a single fixed-

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gear ratio creates a direct connection between moving components, resulting in a smoother transfer of torque. This format means Honda’s system is more refined than a planetary e-CVT typically found in other hybrid vehicles. Honda say that at a moderate cruise, the CR-V Hybrid will typically run in EV Drive for more than half of the time, whilst at faster speeds, the car will be in EV Drive for approximately one third of the time. The control software of the i-MMD system will constantly decide when to shuffle between these modes to maximise efficiency dependent on the situation and environment, without input from the driver. Conclusion I like the design of the new CR-V, it looks more muscular and purposeful, but it’s looks are more than skin deep, it remains a practical vehicle with plenty of room, and of course environmentally friendly. For an extra £1,100 over the 2WD variants, for obvious reasons I would always opt for the 4WD option, and, as we appear to be getting harsher winters, specifying the AWD system would seem a sensible extra. With prices starting at £25,995, rising to £37,305 for a top-spec EX I have no doubt that it will continue to be a huge hit for Honda and UK buyers alike.

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MAJESTIC MUSTANG

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Ford Mustang What is it?

You know what, I think I’ll skip this bit as I’m fairly confident everyone knows what a Mustang is. Having said that, there maybe a little confusion as to what a Mustang is doing within the pages of a magazine that brings you the best and latest in 4x4s.

couple of occasions were I was able to unleash the V8’s might and we didn’t talk at all, we just nodded to each other and grinned. The rest of the route was full of average speed cameras set at either 40 or 50mph on roads that used to be 60mph.

Well, let’s be real for a moment, I’m a petrol head, and when I’m offered a V8 muscle car for a week with a free tank of fuel, I’m hardly going to refuse, am I? So let’s get cracking…

When you simply plod along in a V8 Mustang, it does this strange thing and becomes a ‘normal’ car. There aren’t any intrusive growls or spits, it simply rumbles along taking care of business, along with the miles. Ok, it may not cosset you in limousine-like comfort, that’s because it’s a Mustang, but neither is it Aston Martin or F-Type harsh, it’s simply really, really nice.

On the road

My first jaunt was around 40 miles or so. I took my Dad out and we chatted about random stuff. There were a

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5.0ltr V8 GT Fastback As I get older I’m getting quite a penchant for automatics, but when I was given the option from the PR team at Ford, I opted for the 6-speed manual as I wanted to have proper control of this rear wheel drive 5.0ltr V8 monster, and I wasn’t disappointed. The 6-speed manual gearbox has a delightful short throw and is a pleasure to use. When I’ve driven the manual Jaguar F-Type or the Subaru WRX for example, 1st gears are almost pointless, especially when making a quick getaway, but the Mustang is much more usable. Because the car is so quiet and that V8 is so laid back, a

couple of times on the motorway I found myself in 4th gear instead of 6th! Around corners, and twisty roads the steering is not quite as quick as I would have liked and body-lean around the fastest corners is evident, but it never feels cumbersome for such a big car, and I never had a problem with grip!

Off road

Well, it certainly handled the grass covered carpark on Lindisfarne with ease, but don’t take it anywhere near soft sand, it’s awful! Yes, there’s a story there. No, I’m not going to tell you!

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Interior

Sport cars are fun, but I like them to be practical too. Last year I had the awesome F-Type Jag, it was the coupe version, and although it had a boot it was taken up with the spare tyre and there was just enough space for my camera bag and a coat. The Mustang on the other hand is far more practical. As an example, on the above mentioned 8 hour round trip to Lindisfarne, we filled the boot with 2 camp chairs, a camping table, couple of BBQs, bottles of gas, a large box containing associated cooking gear, my Peli camera case and other bits and bobs. The boot is vast. And, if you want more space, the rear seats fold down too. Told you it was practical. Up front is a comfortable place to be. The buckets seats suit my 6ft2”, 19 stone frame with ease, much comfier than the F-Type, though Muddy Madam wasn’t overly keen - I can’t remember why. I loved looking out over the rounded bonnet whilst sat at traffic lights after a spirited drive as my vision would be thwarted slightly by the heat haze that’s omitted from the 2 bonnet scoops. The rear seats aren’t at all practical, unless you’re an incredibly small person. They look comfy enough, but lack both leg and head room. I suppose at some point I need to be negative, so here goes; the electric front seats take an age to move forward if a small person wants to sit in the back. If you like your coffee in the morning whilst on the commute, don’t buy the manual as you won’t be able to change gear because the only 2 cup holders are where your forearm rests in front of the gearstick. And that’s it, my only two moans. 26

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Engine ’n’ transmission

It’s a big, lazy, throbbing V8 with 410bhp and to buy the Mustang without it is just silly. To be fair, a lot of people have told me that the 2.3ltr EcoBoost engine that also powers the Focus RS is also a cracking engine, and can achieve over 35mpg, but no, just no.

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I was asked numerous times what I was getting to the gallon, I never looked if I’m being honest, I didn’t care either, but I suspect around 20mpg, though official figures quote 23.9mpg.

Conclusion

I adore this car, it’s as simple as that. If I had the money I would buy one right away, and I’m not the only person, there’s a reason why it’s the worlds best selling coupé for three years in a row. Would I go for the manual again? Perhaps not, if it was my money I think I’d opt for the 10-speed automatic, though the new Bullitt version, which is simply stunning, only comes with the manual. At some point in my life I must own a V8 Mustang, it’s as simple as that. I crave for the authenticity of a simple rear wheel drive

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car with a stonking great V8 up front. I was sat at a set of traffic lights not far from home when a large BMW pulled up beside me. Both near side windows slowly wound down and a bunch of excited 20 year olds peered out and asked me to rev it. I did. They became more excited. They then asked me to pull away as slowly as possible whilst giving it some revs just so they could hear and record the deep V8 rumble. I lost count how many times passengers in cars at lights got their mobiles out and started recording, it’s like driving a celebrity! Prices start at from £37,645 for the 2.3ltr and £42,745 for the V8. If you want the Bullitt version then expect to shell out £48,145 or so.

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SEAT Arona Xcellence

What is it? With its sharp looks and SUV styling, the Arona, which is based on the Ibiza hatch, aims to offer more practicality to the SEAT range in this ever increasing and popular segment. On the road During our week together I found the Arona a fun and agile car to drive. Yeah, around town the ride might be a tad firm, but out on the open road you can have a lot of fun with it. Longer excursions, like the 6 hour round trip to the Adventure Overland show at Stratford-on-Avon was an absolute joy especially with mod-cons like adaptive cruise control to hand. This particular Arona had the 1.0ltr 3-cylinder engine up from which really suited it, for a 3 cylinder it’s very smooth, quiet and quite punchy once you get going. It also had the 6-speed manual box which added to the fun. Fuel wise SEAT promise you 57.6mpg on the combined cycle, but on that long cruise to Stratford-on-Avon it achieved just over 50mpg, and whilst bombing around Bolton it returned and indicated 47mpg, which I didn’t think was too bad. Engines ’n’ transmissions There are 4 engines to choose from, a 1.6ltr diesel with 95PS which combined with the 5 speed manual ‘box offers 56.5mpg on a combined cycle. Then there’s the 1.0ltr petrol engine that’s available in either 95 or 115PS guises and a 150PS 4 cylinder 1.5ltr unit with clever cylinder deactivation technology. Depending which engine you opt for there’s a choice of a 5 or 6 speed manual gearbox or the relaxing 7 speed DSG gearbox.

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Off the road Although it looks like it’ll be capable off the beaten track with ok approach, departure angles and a half decent ground clearance, the Arona is only front wheel drive. Of course it will handle rough lanes, but under protest from its road biased gearing and suspension, it really wasn’t keen. On the few occasions I tested its traction to the limit, the Arona’s traction control soon got it under control with just a touch of wheel-spin, this included a steep dirt track with plenty of undulations and a soggy field down at the Adventure Overland show. Overall, like a lot of modern cars, with decent tyres you’ll be surprised where traction control will take you.

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Interior It’s actually a really nice place to be, the focal point of the interior is an 8" media system with a colour touchscreen, which includes Satnav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink and wireless charging plus, and favourite of mine, two USB ports. It might seem like nothing, but having two easily accessible USB ports can be a god-send these days, too many other manufacturers prefer to hide them in the most inaccessible places. The rest of the interior is quite modern with quality materials and everything to hand, though personally I found it a little uninspiring - sorry. Up front it’s quite easy to find your favourite driving position, however, if like me you’re a smidge over 6 foot tall, rear passengers, if the same height as you, will require a leg removal service as leg room in the back is limited. But you do get 400ltrs of boot space. If you require a bit more space then its big brother, the Ateca is a sound alternative.

Conclusion I’ve been fortunate enough to have driven quite a few press Seats over the years, and not one of them has disappointed me, and I’m happy to conclude that the Arona retains my sense of happiness when it comes to the brand. Just wish at some point they’d produce an AWD version, now that would be fun! Details SEAT Arona 1.0-litre XCELLENCE - £21,040 Range starts at £16,555 115PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds Economy – 57.6mpg (combined cycle) Emissions – 113g/km CO2

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JEEP COMPASS

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Jeep Compass 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 170hp 4WD Auto Limited

What is it? With 3 models to choose from, Sport, Longitude and Limited, the Compass sits comfortably between the Renegade and Cherokee in the Jeep range. A starting price of £23,755 gets you a front-wheel drive, six speed manual Sport whilst the same basic Limited starts at £28,715, though including options and fourwheel-drive, the Limited I tested topped the scales at £36,045. Engine wise you have the choice of two diesel engines, a 120bhp 1.6ltr and a 2.0ltr that comes with either 140 or 170bhp, which are the same power outputs offered by the only petrol engine, the 1.4ltr Multi-Air.

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On the road For the first part of the week, the Compass was used for short trips, both for shopping and the usual commute to school, and initial impressions were positive. Driving along our pot-hole riddled roads the Compass’ soft suspension did a good job of ironing out the worst, but as always there’s a compromise as around corners it liked to roll. During the latter part of the week I had a few longer drives planned, a trip to Wales then over to Sheffield for a Unimog day. Amusingly, when I first got it on the open roads I thought there was something wrong with the steering, it was notchy and wanted to pull me everywhere except where I wanted to go then I realised that the lane departure thing was on. Turning that off improved things dramatically, in fact the Compass became quite a fun car to drive. Having said that, with 170bhp available from its 1.4ltr MultiAir turbo’d petrol engine, you would think that the compass would be quite sprightly - it isn’t, unless you feed it plenty of revs. The 9-speed auto box on the other hand was always seamlessly and found the correct gears when required.

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Keeping at a steady speed the 1.4ltr petrol was perfectly adequate, though when pushed a little harder it was noisier than I’d like, but there’s always a volume button on the radio! Fuel wise, Jeep reckon that on a combined cycle you should achieve 40.9mpg, I was averaging 35mpg, but then my aim wasn’t to achieve a world record in economy. Off road The Limited comes with Jeep’s 4WD Active Drive with Selecterrain system which worked well, however, it does lack a Hill Descent Control system which comes as standard on the TrailHawk, so if you do a lot of green-laning, opt for that instead when it becomes available in the UK sometime later this year. That said, as you can see with the photos, I wasn’t easy on the Compass and took it along some gnarly green-lanes to give it a

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thorough test. Whilst on the most dramatic lane, just before the wheel in the air shot, I sat looking at this particular section for around 5-minutes pondering whether to turn around. I’m glad I didn’t because not only did it produce some great photos, but it proved that the Compass isn’t just a small SUV built for taking the kids to school. With the 4x4 button locked I even reversed the Compass into a better position for photos, and traction was never a problem, neither was its approach and departure angles. The Compass’ four-wheel-drive system operates by delivering all the power to the front wheels and only bringing grip on the rear axle when needed. It has four custom modes: auto, sand, snow and mud, and when things get serious it can also be locked into four-wheel-drive by pressing its rotary dial. Overall, despite its lack of a low ratio gearbox and Hill Descent Control system, off the beaten track the Compass performed faultlessly.

Interior Although is has soft plastics here and there, its interior isn’t exactly what I would describe as plush, more workman-like, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The seats are quite firm, yet supportive and this car had the £350 option of heated and ventilated front seats, which was very nice. Back seat passengers have ample space for their legs, even if both front seats are occupied by 6-footers, which makes a pleasant change.

Again, there’s loads of space in the boot, and with the seats up and a full sized spare fitted you get 368ltrs compared 438ltrs if you opt for an inflation kit, and with the seats down you’ll have 1,693ltrs. Any criticisms? Only that the switch for the heated seats and steering wheel are on the centre screen which means that searching for them takes your eyes off the road. To be fair, it isn’t just a Jeep thing, other manufactures do it too, and I really wish they wouldn’t.

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Conclusion Personally I wouldn’t go for the 1.4ltr, I’d opt for the 2.0ltr diesel instead, despite our Governments best efforts to discourage their purchase. Despite my criticisms, the Compass was a really nice 4x4 to live with for a week, it was a capable 4x4 and had plenty of internal space without it being a large ‘off-roader’.

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H S A L F RIVE D

What is a Flash drive? On media days we get to drive cars for around an hour, which is great when you want to get a feel for it, but not necessarily enough for a full review, so these are our mini reviews.

KIA STINGER Yes, yes I know, the Kia Stinger isn’t a 4x4, it isn’t even an AWD, but it’s one of those cars that when you get behind the wheel you immediately know it’s a great car with huge potential. Over the last 12 months or so I’ve managed to drive pretty much most of the Stinger range at various events, and although for around 30 minutes at a time I appear to have really fallen for it! As Kia put it, “the Stinger is not a hard-edged sports car created to be brutally fast at the expense of comfort. No, it’s all about the joy of the journey, where getting to the final destination can be an anti-climax.” The Stinger is a GT car, a Gran Tourer of beautiful proportions, I mean just look at its long bonnet, short front overhang, long wheelbase and its cabin that’s positioned towards the rear of the car. It’s long, sleek and well balanced. No matter which model I’ve taken out, they all have the ability to waft me along effortlessly, and its interior is well suited for cross-continent travel. I read that last bit somewhere else, forgot where, but totally agreed with its sentiment. Get behind the wheel and you’re cocooned in a luxurious

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interior, and that includes passengers. Having said that, I wouldn’t want to be a frequent rear passenger, as although the door aperture is wide enough, its low roofline is a nuisance if you’re tall, like me. The range starts from £32,435 for the GT-Line 2.0ltr T-GDi with 242bhp and from £40,535 for the GT S 3.3ltr T-GDi with 361bhp. The petrol V6 GT S version is my favourite, for obvious reasons, but 26.6mpg might make me think twice if I was spending my own cash. On the other hand, the 2.2-litre diesel, or the 2.0-litre petrol are equally fun and arguably more practical. I remember taking the V6 out very early in the morning on the frosty A4155 where it handled itself impeccably. With a 0-60mph time in 4.7 seconds and onwards to 168mph, it guarantees to put a smile on your face! All models are rear wheel drive, like a proper GT car should, and drive through a silken 8-speed automatic transmission which is lovely and smooth. Overall Kia have thrown a spanner in the works when it comes to this segment of car, and I’m sure they’ve given other manufacturers the odd sleepless night. And let’s not forget, Kia also offer their entire range with their transferrable 7 year 100,000 mile warranty, you don’t get that with an Audi! THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

H S A L F RIVE D

VW Touareg Now in its third generation, the Touareg is 16 years old and I find it hard to believe that it’s taken me this long to finally get behind the wheel of one. My first foray into the Touareg experience is this, the new R-Line Tech 3.0-litre V6 TDI 4MOTION with 284bhp and an 8-speed automatic tiptronic gearbox. My 30 minute blast around the leafy roads of Aynho, Charlton and Croughton left me with no doubt that VW has certainly pushed the Touareg further into premium SUV territory. As I mentioned at the start, this is the first Touareg I’ve driven, so I can’t really compare it to any of it’s previous incarnations, but against its competitors like the Range Rover Sport and XC90? Apart from not having a 7-seat option, the Touareg can hold its own thank you very much. On my short drive there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it, but plenty I loved. The dash layout for example, just look at it! This is the Innovision Cockpit option with a 12” digital instrument display that merges with the 15” 44

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TFT touchscreen of the Discover Premium infotainment to form a new digital operating, information, communication and entertainment unit. It worked really well. There’s Night Vision (thermal imaging camera), active allwheel steering and a 62 mph dash takes 6.2 seconds and continues to its top speed of 146mph. On the road it was very quiet, very smooth and lovely and docile through villages, yet turns into a bit of a hooligan when pushed. I took it along a shortish green-lane and despite it raining the evening before the Touareg found plenty of grip, and the hill descent control system worked incredibly well. A quick check at the end of my drive and I was genuinely surprised to see a mpg figure of 37.6 - that’s not bad, considering. Like all the ‘flash drives’, at some point I’d like to get my hands on one for a week or so and give it a thorough evaluation, because I’m fairly confident that the Touareg will be a lot of fun and I’ll end up not wanting to give it back!

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Blowing Away T he Cobwebs 46

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I was messing around on my friend Edward’s farm taking some product photos, and testing Deux Smurf’s off road capability when I suddenly remembered an article I wrote for the now defunct Land Rover World magazine back in 2011. It started when friends of ours, Mark and Selina, who also happened to have a Land Rover 101, wanted to strip the fridge out of my old, tatty caravan that sat by a lodge at Edwards farm. A time was arranged, and as luck would have it, it was one of those rare beautiful days that we seldom get up north, and so, once we’d removed the fridge, we decided that it would be rude if we didn’t go and explore some of the tracks on the farm and surrounding fields.

Lying on the edge of the Pennines, Edward’s farm includes a large shale quarry that was last used by Accrington Brick in 1939. Though there isn’t anywhere to play in the quarry, it's main use is access to the other side of the farm., so once we'd ventured through and out the other side, we followed the vague tracks that led us onto the luscious green rolling hillside offering views all the way to Snowdonia. Although the familiar clatter of the 300Tdi Discovery that I had at the time sounded more at home in this farming environment, I must admit that the unmistakeable sound of the burbling V8 emanating from the 101 was music to my ears. Next we decided to head to higher ground, therefore on returning to the quarry I took a sharp right up a steep hillside

track that begins with a 2 foot near vertical step. Both my Discovery and the 101 climbed it with ease, and when the track evened out we followed the ruts towards the edge of the field. This part of the farm is covered with rushes and as a result is very boggy. Mark stopped to watch me traverse a particularly damp and squishy section, no point in both of us getting stuck. The ground was quite firm, that was until I reached a 20 yard stretch of muddy ruts. 'Not a problem.' I thought as I gave myself a run up in third low, only to find myself coming to an abrupt halt in the mud.

After four attempts, each time getting closer and closer to solid ground, I decided that I didn't want to make the ground any messier. so I gave up. Time for Mark and Selina to have a go. Even though Bar Grips have the nickname of 'Bar Slips’, it only took Mark a couple of attempts to get through the ruts, and go further up the hill. After numerous triumphant gestures from Mark, it was time to meander our way back down to the farm and go our separate ways as we all had other adult type stuff to do. It was really nice to escape for an hour or so with great company, it certainly blew away the cobwebs from a dull week in the office; maybe I should start to allocate 'playtime' into my weekly regime… THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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GENEVA MOT JEEP E-VOLUTION

eep has always been an automotive pioneer, starting in 1941 with the Willys-Overland, the first 4x4 vehicle, followed in 1946 by the Willys Wagon, which introduced the concept of the Sport Utility Vehicle. Its legendary reputation for off-road capability has lasted ever since. Today, Jeep is making another major evolutionary step by presenting its new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models. A no-compromise hybrid solution, which integrates the unmatched technical layout of each Jeep SUV, will power both the Jeep Renegade and Jeep Compass and turn them into vehicles that provide absolute freedom while taking their capability to the next level through eco-friendly technology. Working in synergy with the new 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine, both the Renegade and Compass will have a pure electric range of approximately 31miles and about 80mph. For the Renegade, the power sits in the 190hp and 240hp range resulting in outstanding on-road performance: zero to 62mph is reached in approximately seven seconds. The same figures (still pending approval) are achieved by the first plugin hybrid Compass, which is also the fastest example of the model ever. 50

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TOR SHOW '19 The Electric ID. BUGGY

’m not sure how I feel about this, an electric, and more to the point, silent beach buggy? We all know that automotive law dictates that all beach buggies should have a VW air-cooled engine, and a ridiculous loud exhaust, don’t we? Please, someone tell Volkswagen.

The ID. BUGGY is a zero-emissions high-tech vehicle for summer, on the beach, or in the city, based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). Ralf Brandstätter, COO of the Volkswagen brand explains “The ID. BUGGY demonstrates the broad spectrum of emission-free mobility that can be achieved with the MEB within the Volkswagen brand, but we want to open up the platform for third-party suppliers”. The parallels between the Californian dune buggies of the sixties

and the new ID. BUGGY are apparent. All beach buggies from back then featured a high degree of modular variability - based on the chassis of the legendary Beetle, with a four-cylinder boxer engine running at the rear. Small series manufacturers stretched a cover made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) over the chassis and engine of the Beetle, thus writing automotive history. The ID. BUGGY is tied to the past with the technical possibilities of the modern age. The basis here is the progressive chassis of the MEB. A lithium ion rechargeable battery is integrated in the vehicle floor, which supplies the electricity for the ID. BUGGY’s 150 kW/204 PS electric drive motor in the rear, and an additional electric motor in the front axle is also conceivable in order to realise an all-wheel drive with an 'electric propshaft'. Will this concept car ever see the light of day, probably not, which is a real shame.

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GENEVA MOT

Mazda launches new CX-30 T

his has me very excited; too much in fact. The new CX-30 sits between two wonderful SUVs, the CX-3 and CX-5, both cars I’ve driven for extended periods, and I love them both. The CX-30 will be rolled out to global markets, with sales starting in the UK later this year and combines the bold proportions of an SUV with the elegant styling that embodies Mazda’s Kodo design language. Mazda say that it will comfortably seat four adults, and was designed to be easy to drive. The increased height over a saloon car provides excellent visibility and makes getting in and out a breeze, whilst the body size makes it easy to manoeuvre on any road, and into any parking space. Basic performance attributes such as accelerating, turning and braking have been dramatically enhanced. If the CX-3 is just too small for you, and the CX-5 a little too big, the CX-30 appears to be the answer - just why they didn’t call it the CX-4 is beyond me! 52

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TOR SHOW '19

MITSUBISHI ENGELBERG TOURER T he name may make us Brits think of a famous 60s crooner, but that one letter difference means that this Twin Motor, 4WD, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is named after a famous ski resort in the central region of Switzerland, best known for its panoramic views and challenging off-piste skiing.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll use Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Twin Motor full-time 4WD system, with high-output, highefficiency motors driving the front and rear axles. It has an EV cruising range of over 43 miles/70 km (WLTP cycle), and with a fully charged battery and full fuel tank it has a total cruising range of over 434 miles/700 km (WLTP).

The Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer delivers high levels of performance in the most challenging weather conditions, and on all road surfaces. It combines this with the long cruising range inherent to hybrids allowing journeys to places with no charging infrastructure. Mitsubishi, renowned for their reliability, have designed it as an elegant, functional, all-purpose crossover SUV, with strong looking body lines. It's fitted with LED fog lamps that are located on an auto-open/close roof box, and skid plates for front and rear bumpers. The interior offers generous cabin space for passengers seated in all three rows, with an emphasis on comfort, quality and functionality with a good attention to detail. THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

GENEVA MOT

ALFA ROMEO TONALE CONCEPT CAR Electrification meets Beauty & Dynamism

Alfa Romeo is breaking into the electric car world at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show with the new Alfa Romeo Tonale mid-size SUV concept. The Tonale is the first plug-in hybrid and the first mid-size utility vehicle from Alfa Romeo. They claim that it rewrites the rules of today's fastest growing segment using the manufacturer's trademark combination of unique Italian style and unparalleled driving pleasure - I’m not going to argue with, just look at it for heavens sake! The Tonale concept vehicle is equipped with the highest standards of technology to ensure a connected, comfortable

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and dynamic user experience, while keeping the pleasure of a sporty drive at the forefront. The driver's attention will remain on the road, with the peripheral focus on a 12.3-inch full digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen central head unit. The new infotainment features a seamless and fluid multitasking interface that allows the driver to have all the latest features and functionality readily available at their fingertips. The Tonale allows the driver to be fully connected to the Alfa Romeo lifestyle and social communities, realised and presented through the new infotainment features, “Alfista” and “Paddock”. Seriously though, I can’t wait to get it muddy!

TOR SHOW '19 The new SsangYong Korando SUV is the fourth-generation model to carry the name and follows on from the SIV-2 design concept first seen at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016. SsangYong say that the Korando sports a new-look throughout which has been designed to maximise the car’s robust character with a distinctive new grille and headlight treatment, which I reckon looks similar to an Ateca. They go on to say that its contemporary exterior design is complemented by a refined and premium quality interior, with enhanced driver assistance and safety systems along with stateof-the-art connectivity. Inside, the spacious interior provides better head-room and rear seat space than its competitors, with a high-tech premium feel throughout.

It is also extremely driver-focused with a range of features such as a 9” AVN and 10.25” full colour LCD cluster with dual navigation to provide all the information needed, along with a four-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumber support for comfort. This all-new C segment SUV will be powered by new 1.5 litre turbo petrol and updated 1.6 litre diesel Euro 6d engines, with an EV to follow. Longer, wider and lower than the car it replaces, the new Korando measures 4,410mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm high, and with a wheelbase of 2,650mm, one of the longest in its class for increased comfort. SsangYong currently has the best warranty in the business offering buyers a 7 year, 150,000 mile peace of mind.

SsangYong unveil all-new Korando

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GENEVA MOT MOPAR'S Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1941

he new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1941 designed by Mopar made its European debut at the show with a 100% street legal trim, especially designed for the off-road vehicle, that makes anyone with a taste for adventure salivate.

The vehicle is also enhanced with other Authentic Accessories selected from the range of over 200 Jeep Wrangler accessories: matt black Seven Slots front grille, mudguard, off-road lights, mirror caps, all contrastingÂ with the Hella Yella paintwork.

The Jeep Authentic Accessories are designed to provide maximum functionality, safety, style and performance because they are created with the same team that designs the original Jeep vehicles.

The Mopar customisation continues inside, with black mesh sun bonnet and front grab handles. Mopar not only does off-road, as there are the Urban versions, such as the Jeep Wrangler Sahara in urban trim with chrome fuel cap and door sill guards that stand out on the Ocean Blue colour body.

Fitted with the Jeep Performance Parts that enhance the legendary off-road capability of Jeep Wranglers. Look no further than the kit with suspension raised by 2 inches, the snorkel, rock rails, black door sill, black fuel door and allweather mats. The finishing touch to this tough configuration is a 1941 livery that commemorates theÂ year the Willys Jeep first appeared, which is also on other details of the vehicle such as - the wheel, gear knob and tailgate table.

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Finally, there's the Jeep Renegade Limited, sporting the all-new Bikini body colour, is also characterised by a special urban look, featuring door sill guards with Jeep logo, front dam, new sill trims and rear scuff plate in Subshine Grey, which is the same colour as the specific mirror caps and front grille. The cabin offers a cargo organiser and carpet mats. Yup, we're drooling here too.

TOR SHOW '19

LAGONDA reveals the FUTURE of the LUXURY SUV - if you’re rich!

ston Martin Lagonda showcased the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept, continuing the journey towards a new range of state of the art, luxury vehicles driven by zero emission powertrain technologies. Lagonda production is planned to start in 2022 at a new state of the art facility in St Athan, Wales - AML’s ‘Home of Electrification’.

"This is a car that would be at home whisking someone straight from a glamorous red carpet event to a remote scientific research lab. It shows the bold possibilities for Lagonda and demonstrates how the company will push to expand horizons in every area, whether it be technology, design or scope of travel.’" I’d still want to see it up to its axles in mud, that’s if it even has axles…

Built around near-future technologies such as its advanced Battery Electric drivetrain, the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept is an ultra-stylish, supremely luxurious, fully electric emissionfree vehicle that can transport its passengers to remote and spectacular locations. Lagonda aims to be the world’s first zero emission luxury brand and take full advantage of the latest advances in both electrification and autonomous driving technologies, which amount to the biggest revolution in land-bound transportation since the invention of the car. A bold statement indeed. other’s most desirable characteristics. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda's President said THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Down on t' farm love. T

’was the week before Christmas, Muddy Madam was stricken down with a nasty cold, our press car was the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and I was trying to think of somewhere different to take it. Then out of the blue, Nat, an old friend, sent me a message saying that if I wanted, I could visit him and explore some of the tracks around his farm. Never one to refuse an offer to play in mud, I sent him a quick text back saying “Cool, I’ll see you on Sunday!”. When Sunday arrived I threw a few bit’s ’n’ pieces in the back of the Stelvio, and set off for the 2 hour drive towards Helmsley, North Yorkshire to test the Stelvio’s 4x4 credentials and take some pretty pictures. Arriving at the farm, we reminisced about the old times, checked out his old yellow Suzuki LJ80, and I kindly refused the offer to buy a goat, as you do. Deciding that we both didn’t have a lot of time to spend

meandering around the lanes, Nat chose to take me along some of the tracks that skirt through the farm. I was following Nat in his Toyota Hilux tray back, through some fairly deep ruts made by tractors and other farm machinery, and I began to wonder if this was a good idea. I expected to hear an array of noises as the front of the Stelvio plowed a layer of mud and stones from the surface, but I didn’t, the Alfa’s ground clearance is better than it looks. Further along as the ruts evened out I noticed that Nat began to slide sideways, due to the camber of the track, but he regained traction easily due to his aggressive offroad tyres. “How would the Stelvio cope on road tyres.” I pondered. Well, it was one of those buttock-clenching moments THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

as the tyres didn’t have enough sidewall grip and I slid sideways towards the rolling Yorkshire hillside! Thankfully there was enough of a lip on the track to prevent me getting into any real danger. The track remained muddy with a solid base, and as we headed downwards towards another gate I could feel the back end twitching slightly as I feathered the brakes.

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The gradient wasn’t that steep, but I thought it wise at this point to press the Hill Descent control button on the steering wheel, and suddenly the electrics took over slowing the Stelvio which did its job and made it much more controllable. A couple of gates later and we crossed a small stream, which doesn’t sound that bad, but both the entrance and

exit were quite sloppy. Normally at that point Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have given it a bit of momentum, but I decided against it as I wanted to test how the Stelvio coped with the gooey stuff. Very well, it transpired. From there we continued up a single track, though I'm not sure track is the correct word, through another couple of gates until we reached the main road then continued on a loop back towards Helmsley.

Next up, I followed Nat along one of the many forestry tracks that surround the farm. Initially nice and flat, but after a hairpin bend I was confronted with quite a steep and slippery descent as we headed towards the valley below. Again, the Stelvioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill Descent control took over and made it look easy. A couple more gentle lanes and a few photo stops later we headed back to the farm, and after leaving Nat to

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carry on with his farming duties I followed our previous track back along the forestry road towards the steep bit, stopping of course for the odd photo. The Stelvio’s drive system is quite simple, in normal driving it sends all the drive to the rear wheels for that typical sports car feel, but when traction is lost it feeds power to the front. I have to say that it does this seamlessly and efficiently, even when I stopped on the steepest and wettest part of the incline the Stelvio drove forward without any hesitation of loss of traction. It’s also fitted with one of those auto handbrake things that stops you from rolling backwards whilst on a hill, which came in handy!

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Arriving home filthy (both me and the Stelvio), I reflected on the day over a pint of Guinness and developed a huge grin. I was more than impressed with the Stelvio's off-road capability, and although a 2 wheel drive car could have coped with some of the lanes, there were others they definitely wouldn’t have. The Stelvio made light work of them all. It obviously isn’t a ‘proper’ 4x4 in the true sense, but if you live in the countryside, and often need to plough along muddy farm tracks and the like, don’t discount the Alfa just because of it’s sporty heritage, it’ll cope with ease. In the next issue of The Mud Life Magazine you can read the full review on the Stelvio, so don’t forget to follow us on issuu to get notified when it's published.

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The winner of the Issue #2 competition to win all these goodies is...

Paul Simpson "I came back from work to my box of goodies. All I can say is I'm well chuffed. That flask is bl**dy amazing, piping hot tea 6 hours later. I'm a happy man."

Watch how we picked the winner The flask Paul mentions is the

TK Pro from

Klean Kanteen. Click here to read the review in Issue #2

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GOODS & GEAR N I TE I Z E GE A R TI E S 'Lightweight, strong and endlessly versatile' that’s how Nite Ize describe these Gear Ties on their website. Essentially, they are reusable twist ties that have a strong internal wire that holds its shape, and a tough ridged rubber shell that provides excellent grip. ‘Twist it, Tie it, Reuse it’ which is exactly what I’ve been doing with mine for the last few years for all manner of jobs. Having a rubber outer shell means that they’re great for securing lightweight loads to roof racks, no matter what the weather. I’ve spent many times in the rain trying to undo tangled up, wet, soggy, even frozen rope, so this is exactly where I've found Gear Ties excel. They're available in a range of bright colours (so you don’t lose them) or all black, and seven useful sizes (3", 6", 12", 18", 24", 32", or 64"). This variety of sizes makes them great at securing pretty much anything, from your phone cord to..... well almost anything. They can also be used as carry handles and manipulated into any shape including an iPad stand, and even as an impromptu coat hook! We’ve had a set of them at Muddy Towers for around five years or so and we've found them not only to be invaluable, but so far indestructible. We’ve used them for tying up cables, as towel hooks, for securing canoe paddles & ladders and hanging up lights, just to mention a few. Available in singles, 2pack & box sets dependent on length Price - varied more at » https://www.niteize.com/collection/Gear-Tie.asp buy in the UK at » www.amazon.co.uk

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GOODS & GEAR

MSR W I N D BU R N E R S T O V E S Y S T E M C O M B O The MSR Windburner Combo is another stove that I’ve had since last year, and we’ve created quite a few great meals with it whilst out and about. Along with their 'ultra-efficient' windproof radiant burner and pressure regulator, the combo system also includes a ceramiccoated 2.5ltr sauce pan with lid, and an 8” skillet with an detachable handle. All of this, including a small canister of gas (buy separately) nests together for easy, efficient packing.

So that’s what it is, now how does it work? Simply put, it does what it says on the tin (actually the side of the box). The radiant burner has great boil to simmer control and has so far never blown out in high winds, and we've used it on a windy Welsh beach in winter. Both the pan skillet have heat-capturing rings for simmering and cooking versatility. It’s stable too; the burner has 3 telescopic style legs that fold up into its body for extra compactness. The ceramic-coated aluminium nonstick coating has been fantastic, not once have I used any oil whilst cooking. Eggs for egg-sample (sorry) just slide around like they’re on ice, whilst porridge, which normally sets like glue on any surface, simply wipes off. Consequently, both the pan and skillet are very easy to clean afterwards. The lid for the pan also doubles as a strainer with a locking latch that comes in handy when draining pasta or rice, as accidentally moving the lid and watching all your food fall out when draining is never fun. Yup, done that before! All of that sounds great, any problems? Not really, but there are 3 things that could be improved on. First is, that when you put everything together, the skillet is

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GOODS & GEAR loose, the whole unit could do with a strap that keeps it all together. My solution is to keep them all in the original box so it doesn't go missing.

Before you ask, yes I’ve been sat with a bunch load of ingredients ready to create a wonderful meal and suddenly remembered that I haven’t brought a match!

Secondly, on the subject of the skillet, there’s no lid which would have been a good addition, and thirdly, I wish it came with in-built ignition.

Overall though, MSR’s Windburner Stove System has worked brilliantly, not only creating some truly epic meals, but it’s lightweight, fuel efficient and compact.You may have also noticed that we used it to create the chicken fried rice in last month's ‘Dining Out’ section, and I have no doubt we’ll be using it again soon. RRP - £240 (average price approx. £200) more at » www.msrgear.com retail store locator » www.msrgear.com/retail-store-locator

These t-shirts are made of a blend of 70% bamboo viscose, 30% organic cotton which makes them feel soft and comfortable against the skin. Light enough for summer, wear, they also work great for layering in the cold, and one of the best things about bamboo is that it has natural antibacterial properties, which means it can be worn more and washed less (great for more outdoorsy blokes).

What we really like here at Muddy Towers is that each T-shirt comes packaged with a small packet of bamboo seeds (Fargesia Yunnanenis, a non-spreading variety). It may seem a bit of a gimmick, but if you actually plant them it's a small step in helping to offset your environmental footprint.

SUE M E T-SH I R T S

Sizes: S - 2XL Price: £20 (also available in Ladies) more at » www.sueme.com THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

GOODS & GEAR B L A CK YAK UNISEX FLEEC E LI N E D W OOL J A CKE T What happens when you put your fleece lined, pure wool jacket on from Black Yak? That’s easy, you don’t want to take it off again, ever, that’s what happens! I was sent this jacket to review back in January 2012, which means I’ve been wearing it for the last 7 years. As well as being incredibly warm, the jacket is also very hard wearing, in fact, I can’t imagine a time that it’ll ever wear out, it’s thick wool outer hasn’t even began pilling yet. It’s a fairly simple jacket with a sturdy front zip, two deep hand warming front pockets and an inside pocket. There’s also a draw string at the bottom and a lovely deep, fleece lined collar for extra cosiness. I’ve worn this jacket on the coldest of days with just a t-shirt underneath, it’s that warm.

Has anything fallen off or broken? The only part that has worn over the years is the internal side pocket. First the velcro securing strip became loose then a hole appeared in the pocket itself, both easily remedied by Muddy Madam with a needle and thread. Oh, and because it’s fleece lined, if you’re wearing a long sleeve shirt you will feel a bit of resistance when threading your arms through its sleeves. Although it's a thick jacket, it's also very easy to drive in, neither does it feel restrictive when reaching for stuff. Being 6ft 1" with a 49" chest I opted for XXL but I reckon the XL might've been more suitable as it’s a bit on the big side. Having said that, I have no desire to replace it with a smaller version as I like the way it fits and keeps my bum warm! The Black Yak Fleece Lined Unisex Wool Jacket is 100% pure new wool and polyester fleece lined. It’s also machine washable, though on a COLD wool cycle only. Black Yak are a small company that specialises in the sourcing, import and resale of quality clothing and craft products from Asia, and in particular Nepal. Their ethos is to buy only honestly, fairly and ethically produced goods from their trading partners, and work very closely with them to ensure that they earn an honest wage for honest work as well as having safe and pleasant working conditions and practices. Not only can you feel cosy and snug in their clothing, but you can also feel warm and fuzzy in the knowledge that you’re helping others less fortunate too. If the day ever comes when my jacket wears out you can bet I’ll be on the phone to order another, and this time I’ll be happy to pay for it! more at » www.blackyak.co.uk Sizes : S, M, L, XL, XXL Colours: Charcoal, Brown & Light Grey Price: £110

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GOODS & GEAR N ORD I C P OCK E T SAW I like simple things, as does Muddy Madam, which is why she married me, or at least that’s what she tells me. Anyhow, moving on swiftly, what is the Nordic Pocket Saw? Well, it’s basically a hand powered chainsaw that cuts wood really, really quickly, and when you’re done it all folds down so you can put it in your pocket or glove box. Fixed between two tough nylon handles the chain is 25.6” long and has 33 bi-directional self-cleaning cutting teeth that ensure a smooth, fast action and can cut through a 3" diameter branch in around 20 seconds. What’s more, it’s made of high-strength, heat-treated steel that’s coated for rust resistance which the manufacturers say with regular maintenance and care will last a very long time. The Nordic Pocket Saw comes in a sturdy canvas case that’s secured by velcro and weighs only 132g. So far I've used it for trimming potentially damaging branches whilst green-laning and cutting up branches for firewood whilst camping. The only problem you will find with any saw like this is when you’re cutting a branch that’s high up and horizontal, say windscreen height. What you’ll find is that when branch sags downwards it pinches the saw and makes it difficult to cut smoothly. If you’re straddling a branch or sawing a tree stump, then it’s smooth, efficient and cuts clean through branches with little effort and without skipping or binding. A quick tip is that if you’re straddling a branch and cutting upwards, don’t be tempted to make into a bicep exercise and just use your arms. I found it easier to keep my arms straight and just use my upper body. The Nordic Pocket Saw has proved to be a great piece of kit and now has the honour of now living permanently in Deux Smurf for those, 'you never know' situations. Price: from £49 more at » https://nordicpocketsaw.com/en THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

GOODS & GEAR J A V A M ILL TRA VEL COFF E E GRI N D E R I like coffee. Actually no, let me rephrase that,

I adore coffee! Last year whilst at the Food and Drink Expo I chatted to a bloke from Velo Coffee, he obviously felt sorry for me, as I admitted that my coffee of choice is Maxwell House, and gave me a sample pack of coffee beans to try. That left me in a quandary as I didn’t own a coffee grinder, so I did what I usually do when I’m looking for advice, I visited the many 4x4 and outdoor Facebook pages I follow. My question was simple, “What’s the best coffee grinder for outdoor use?” Almost instantly, replies came flooding in.

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& A CCESSORIES Javamill from GSI Outdoors was the one that got the majority of mentions with many stating they’ve been using them for years with little or no problems. Those recommendations convinced me, so I ordered one, along with the collapsible Javadrip. The Javamill Grinder is a rather cool device that I’ve used not only whilst out and about, but at home too. To use, simply… 1. Remove the handle from its horizontal position to vertical 2. Remove the lid./.grinding mechanism 3. Fill with your favourite coffee beans 4. Replace lid / grinding mechanism 5. If you haven’t done so already, remove the cap at the base and adjust the T-handle for your desired coarseness and replace it 6. Hold the Javamill firmly in the middle and turn the handle clockwise to grind

GOODS & GEAR Once you’re satisfied with the coarseness, remove the cup from the base and pour your coffee into your coffee maker, which in my case is the Javadrip. This is equally simple... 1. Expand the collapsible drip cone and place it over your cup or travel mug 2. Insert a #4 paper filter 3. Add your ground coffee 4. Pour in hot water and let it filter through The Javadrip comes with a handy lid to keep everything warm whilst you’re waiting for it to filter through which also doubles as a protective cover for the drip cone. Weighing in at just 0.26kg the Javamill doesn’t take up much room and I’ve lost count how many cups of infinite joy that it’s made, and I have no doubt it will continue to do so as it’s incredibly robust. Usually at this point in a review I always like to add a criticism or two, then end on a high note, but being honest they’re are few and far between. Ok, there are no markings to tell you what you're doing on the dial when you want to adjust the grind, but it becomes more intuitive after time. I think that’s about it. Overall the Javamill has produced an even grind that’s provided me with fresh ground coffee both at home and in the middle nowhere time and again. Good call Facebook friends, good call… Prices: Javamill - £39.99 Collapsible Javadrip - £17 Enamel cup - £4.50 more at » https://gsioutdoors.com/javamill.html

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IN OUR GARAGE

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In issue 1 of The Mud Life mag I went through all the reasons we bought another Toyota Surf and what we’d done to her since, which admittedly isn’t a lot. To date I’ve replaced her rear exhaust, battery and 6 windscreen wipers, all new belts, 3 oil changes and a battery terminal connector. Oh yeah, and a new set of BFGoodrich KM2 tyres. At the time of writing it’s now coming to the end of February and Deux Smurf has recently not only celebrated her 23rd birthday, but has covered a total of 301,248km, which is oddly 187,187-miles! A month ago after 5 months of constant press cars I decided that I wanted a break from them so I could catch up on their reviews, and I was really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of Deux Smurf on a daily basis.

In the last 2 weeks alone we’ve driven to 3 vehicle launches from Chesterfield to Windermere, been on 6 green laning trips, a trip to the NEC for the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show and covered around 700 miles. Getting back into Deux Smurf after a lot of press cars highlights that although she’s absolutely brilliant for fast country lanes and motorways, driving her around town and along bumpy greenlanes however she’s a nightmare and quite adept at rattling your fillings out. So my plan is to look at her whole suspension system which, when I started to look into it turned out to be quite a nightmare with different makes, sizes and duties. My first thought was Bilstein as it’s funny how things stick in your mind. I remember decades ago chatting to a bloke who had an LSE Range Rover,

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and at the time he worked for a company who supplied shock absorbers to Land Rover and bemoaned that they were built to a cost - like most things are being fair. Anyway, when he needed a new set of shocks for his Rangie, he went straight to Bilstein and the ride he said, was transformed. Ultimately I’m not overly bothered about her cornering like a go-kart and neither do we carry a lot of heavy kit, I simply want a nice smooth ride with great flex whilst green-laning. I posed the question on the Hilux Surf Facebook page and by an overwhelming majority Pedders was the name that cropped up time and time again with comments like; Unbelievable ride quality, best decision ever and, well you get the idea. No decisions have been made up to now, but I shall continue my research. For a 23 year old 4x4 it’s quite remarkable that everything still works, from electric windows to… well, everything! Having said that there are some things that are beginning to show their age, like the small bulbs in switches on the door panels which are dim, and of course headlamp bulbs which are a typical annoyance to Surf owners. Because I’m going to be driving a lot more green-lanes in her, which of course means a lot more road mileage, I armed myself with a piece of paper and a pencil and wrote a wish-list of improvements I’d like to make. 74

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Internal • Lighting - new bulbs for her dash, switches & ceiling • Fit the CB I bought 2 years ago • Find a new stereo & speakers • Reversing camera • USB points • Maglite holder • Fire extinguisher Outside • Better headlamp bulbs • Driving lamps or light bar • Fit fog lamp into rear bumper • Better front recovery points • New rear tow hitch with pintle for recovery • New suspension • Fan type windscreen washers I guess at some point I would also like to fit a drawer system in the back for camping bits ’n’ pieces and tools, as well as an extra roof bar for a roof top tent. Hopefully by the next issue I will have started on my list, but before I do any of that I have a new set of BFGoodrich KM3 Mud Terrains to fit…

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acebook Page of the Month Once, not so long ago, if you wanted to catch up with like minded enthusiasts, you’d join a forum. It appears these days however that Facebook has taken over the mantle for the place to go for information. So, in the aptly titled ‘Facebook Page of the Month’ every month I will invest hours of time, effort and energy searching Facebook for interesting and relevant groups so you don’t have to. It’s serious work, or so I tell Muddy Madam! WHO STARTED THIS? Darren Roberts writes… All Terrain UK was formed around two years ago by myself and Bradley Unwin. WHY? We were all on the executive of GLASS in various roles, and after a failed attempt at chairmanship (myself), we determined that we could not achieve our aims in that organisation. After we respectively resigned our posts, we tentatively began to plan a brand new green-laning organisation dedicated to, and run, by green-laners. From the outset we decided that our new organisation would be non political and 100% transparent, so as a consequence we post our financial information monthly, and are extremely responsive to our members in terms of communication with them.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AllTerrainUK

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In addition to our popular Facebook group and page, we run a website with a forum where lots of information is posted including many gpx green-laning routes and tracks.

All Terrain UK also offers a dedicated mapping solution 'Smart Trail' which is an easy to use system to find the location and status of green lanes throughout England and Wales. Coverage already includes important areas such as Wales and Cumbria and is increasing regularly. HOW MANY MEMBERS SO FAR? We currently have over 300 members, and supply mapping and forum access to 'CALM', the organisation dedicated to less able users. ARE THERE MEETINGS? Pub and breakfast meetings occur in various locations around the country, and are popular. CAN MEMBERS ORGANISE THEIR OWN TRIPS? One of the core aims of All Terrain UK is that members become self sufficient, and can run their own trips with our help if required. ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? We are actively recruiting reps for many areas, and we are 100% receptive to our members. We are happy to speak with anyone regarding pretty much anything, including joining us.

If you, or your group, would like to be featured as FB Page of the Month send us a quick email to:

POTM@themudlife.co.uk The Mud Life is on Facebook too:

www.facebook.com/TheMudLifeMag THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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KILLING BIRDS I like killing a couple of birds with a single stone, figuratively speaking, so when I visited Harriet at Milner Off Road in Matlock, I also did a little research and found some fun looking green lanes to drive. After doing the business at Milners, I left Matlock and headed over towards Ringinglow, more specifically the lane that goes over Houndkirk Moor, aptly named, Houndkirk Road (nothing gets past these Yorkshire folk), or SK2780-04 if you’re a GLASS member and use Trailwise 2. Our press car for the week, if you hadn’t noticed was a favourite of mine, Mitsubishi’s L200 SVP. Starting at the southern end, the beginning is easy to spot within this desolate moorland. I engaged 2nd low as I wanted to dawdle and admire the views, though the clouds were quite menacing and threatened a downpour. As you can see from the photos, the surface was fairly solid with a few undulations. Sadly from the start there was evidence of off-piste driving from both groups, bikes and 4x4s, and it’ll be these numpties who’ll continue to ‘enjoy’ themselves when us normal folk are banned altogether from lanes like this. Houndkirk Road varies in width, from just wide enough for one vehicle to three car widths, and it’s in these places where it appears to have been partly resurfaced, for use of a better word. During the wider sections you have the option of driving along the smooth bit, or rocky. This has to be one of the busiest green lanes that I’ve ever driven with walkers, cyclists, quads and trail bikes all passing me by. I was also passed by quite a few runners who smiled as they ‘sped’ past me - hooligans! As I approached the last gate it was at this point the rain appeared, and I’m not talking drizzle, this was proper hardcore rain, the type that when it hits the roof it drowns out the radio! Fortunately I’d reached the end of Houndkirk Road and I was impressed, not just by the views, but by its condition. Although it’s rocky in places the road is wide enough for you to avoid the worst of them, especially if you’re in a smaller SUV, like an SEAT Ateca.

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From Ringinglow I headed towards Castleton for my last two lanes, Dirtlow Rake and Rowter Lane which are covered by the same UID, SK1282-02. Heading from east to west Dirtlow Rake begins with a slight incline on lose stone, there’s the odd rut but nothing taxing, especially in the L200, in fact a well driven Ateca or Yeti could manage it easily enough. Heading up towards there’s a disused quarry on the right where there’s more evidence of off-piste driving, but there’s now strategically placed boulders to discourage the numpties amongst us. A little further up, there’s a large rut that appears to have been made by the elements, and knowing the L200s ability, with its centre diff engaged I figured I’d test its flex again. So far the L200 was proving its worth, even in 4wd high without the diff being locked it was coping really well. On this stretch I engaged the centre diff, and again it drove away without any wheel spin or effort at all. From here on, the lane is quite wide with large puddles, and although I’m not suggesting anyone tries it, you can drive the rest in the family hatchback. There’s the odd gate to open and shut, but just take your time and enjoys the views. Further along there’s a sharp right turn, and from there on its Rowter Lane which is a very well maintained gravel track with even more great views, once the clouds have dispersed. That was it, the end of a great morning's adventure, there was no 'man and machine battling against nature' as I fought hard against treacherous ancient byways, nothing like that. I simply trundled my way along our ever decreasing public rights of ways, keeping to the tracks and being polite whilst enjoying the views.

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GET YOUR MUD LIFE MERCh. Here at The Mud Life Mag we like share our love for all things muddy and automotive, and as part of that we know that there is always a need for clothing and other bits’n’pieces to show this love to the world. Take a look: https://teespring.com/en-GB/stores/themudlife

We bring you this mag for free, but it isn’t free to make, so we need to find a few ways to fund it, and with that in mind we decided that to create some original art just for you, and put it on T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs and more in our Teespring Store. 84

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Show Report - Caravan & Motorhome Show

Fresh air, jostling crowds and ridiculously expensive bacon butties, who doesn’t love a show?

The Caravan & Motorhome Show is the North's biggest event of its kind and found every January at Event City in Manchester. It’s obviously not as big as the similarly named show at the NEC, but here, later in the day, you can also get access to Destinations, a separate holiday and travel show at which you can research and book your next escape to the sun. I left Muddy Madam researching our next adventure in Destinations, and made my way through to the Caravan & Motorhome Show which, quite literally, is crammed full of caravans, motorhomes, camper vans, awnings and accessories. To be honest, I wasn’t there for the above, my task was to find interesting companies that have products that can be used for us 4x4 owners whilst out and about, but sadly there wasn’t that many. In fact, feedback from a couple of friends who also went said that they were quite disappointed with the lack of decent accessories on offer, but I guess it’s never going to be perfect for everyone. Nestled between the huge selection Swift, Elddis, Lunar, Coachman and Bailey caravans, the first company that caught my attention was Outside Gang (outsidegang.com) who, as they say, have the coolest portable kitchen made for the outdoors. Basically it’s combined cool bar, food prep area with a handy chopping board lid, a table and sink to wash up after your BBQ. 86

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Of course Airstream had a stand which every time I wandered past was inundated with curious caravanners. I know they’re stylish and damn cool, but they’re also bloomin’ expensive. Having said that, their resale value is also up there with a small terraced house, so if you can afford to buy one in the first place, you’re not going to get the same depreciation as you would say, a high end Mercedes. The Camping and Caravanning Club were in attendance, and as usual had a large stand. Muddy Madam and I are planning to stay at a number of their campsites, so expect some reviews in the coming months. On the subject of reviews, there are 2 products that I really want to get my hands on, and the first was the Camp-let trailer tent by Isabella, sold by Camperlands (camperlands. co.uk). Basically, the awning canvas and framework are both preattached to the trailer and can be opened in a single pram hood like action by one person. No assembling of framework or attaching canvas is required. I really like the idea of that, which is why I like my Khyam Igloo tent.

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The other interesting caravan that I want to spend some time in is the T@B sold by Barnsdale Leisure (barnsdale-leisure.co.uk). Launched by Knaus Tabbert in 2004, the unique retro designed T@B teardrop caravan received universal acclaim, and I can see why. There are two types, the 320RS which weighs in at only 650kg, which can be towed by almost any car, and comes in 4 styles, including ‘OffRoad’ version. I sent Barnsdale Leisure a quick e-mail over a month ago asking if there was anything different about it, but to date I haven’t received a response from them, which is a bit shoddy. If I do eventually get a reply I'll let you know. There were plenty of other things going on over the 2 days, such as talks, cooking demonstrations and stuff for the kids too, like My First Towing Experience where children aged 3-10 can get behind the wheel of a tow car and take a caravan for a spin around an indoor track. Have I mentioned that kids under 16 get free admittance? If you’re going next year make sure you arrive early as Event City's own free car park fills quickly, but you can also park for free across the road at the Trafford Centre, and get some food there too. Although Event City is well located for any Northerners searching out a caravan who don't want a trek down to Birmingham, but, because of the size of the venue, the offerings can't compete with the much larger show at the NEC. 88

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No one intentionally goes out of their way to buy a petrol station sandwich, so in this section I give you easy meals you can make using the simplest of ingredients, and stoves. Having said that, this month's delicacy is best prepared at home and frozen into individual portions for days out. You can cook this up in a big pan at your campsite, but I find it easier not to! Just prepare the chilli at home before you leave, and then when you're out you'll only need one gas ring, a pan, spoon and some water. On this occasion I used Jetboil's MiniMo Cooking System which I'm testing out for a coming review, and, (SPOILER) it makes cooking and eating so easy. So I present to you, my famous chilliâ&#x20AC;Ś

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Damian's delicious Chilli Ingredients for Chilli (makes approx. 6 portions)

500g of lean minced beef 1 - tin of baked beans 1 - tin of drained kidney beans 2 - tins of chopped tomatoes 1 - red pepper, sliced and chopped into biggish chunks 1 - yellow pepper, sliced and chopped into biggish chunks 6 - mushrooms, sliced 1 - large onion, thick cut 1 - green chilli, sliced 1 x whole bulb of garlic, each clove thick cut 1 - Beef Oxo cube 2 - pieces of dark chocolate 1 - teaspoon of Cumin, or to taste 1- teaspoon of Oregano, or to taste 1 - teaspoon of Chilli Powder, or to taste Salt & Pepper - to taste Grated cheese - optional

What you need to take with you (per person) 1 portion of your scrummy chilli 1 - 62.5g bag of boil-in-the-bag rice Water for cooking the rice

Method NOTE: Prepare steps 1- 4 at home before you head out. 1. Brown the meat in the large pan over a medium heat, and then remove the meat from the pan leaving the meat juice. 2. Cook the chopped onion and garlic in the ‘meat juice’ until soft. 3. Add everything else into the pan and simmer for around 40 minutes stirring every 10 minutes or so. 4. If you find that it’s particularly watery, add some cornflour to thicken it up. 5. Cook the rice or pasta (to manufacturer's guidelines) 6. Drain the rice & then add both the chilli and the cooked rice into a pan, heat it up, sprinkle some strong cheese on top and devour, it’s as easy and mess-free as that! When venturing out with my chilli I take a 62.5g packet of Uncle Ben’s 10 minute cook-in-the-bag rice, as it's already a perfect portion size and it's so easy to cook whilst out'n'about You can always use pasta if you don’t fancy rice, and if you’re feeling rather ravenous, you can always call in to a chippy and buy a bag of chips too! WARNING: as you can see I pre-cooked my rice on the hob, because I was doing the pics close to home, but you shouldn't pre-cook your rice (or pasta), as health guidelines say that rice left at room temperature can breed food poisoning bacteria in less than 2 hours, so wait and cook it when you need it. The usual precautions apply - make sure everything is fully cooked through and safe to eat as. Obviously fire is hot, so don’t cut or burn yourself. I take no responsibility for your buffoonery! THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

Reader's Rides Who are you and what do you do? I’m Paddy.

My present 4x4 is… a 2001 Fourtrak. Being the utility version and only having 2 seats it’s pretty much a Dakar race truck. Right? Like most young lads I always wanted a 4x4, admittedly a Defender 90 but I soon saw the error of my ways. So when this came up for sale on a local garage forecourt it was a no brainer. Being a diesel fitter by trade I couldn’t wait to get stuck into it. Modifications done I’ve lost count of the mods done so far but her are a few including some of my favourites: 2” suspension liftmatched to 31” BFG allterrain tyres Twin washer jets each fed by its own pump supplied by a much larger tank Sparko bucket seats and a quick release steering wheel to aid security Very heavy duty bumpers including rock sliders LED lights all round with flush mount reversing and fog lights in the bumper A fully carpeted and soundproofed interior for a bit of comfort. Other than the above it’s had a full running gear refurb and upgrade of parts such as polyurethane CV boots. I wanted to create a baseline for the truck for future. The engine also got a lot of TLC but wasn’t really warranted at a mere 97,000 miles. Favourite modification I have a bit of a fetish for lights so my favourite mod so far is the Rigid Industries Radiance light bar mounted in front of the roof rack. The quality and performance really is unbelievable. Shortly after fitting this I purchased their ‘A series’ lights to use as side lights. Again amazing bits of kit. Modifications to do Next up for the Fourtrak is a full chassis and underbody treatment (undecided on what this will be yet). Then I’ll be treating my posterior to a new suspension set up as the current

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dampers and springs are a bit tired. The springs will be custom made to stop the rear sagging down with the weight of the camping equipment. Favourite green-lane or trip Recently we took the truck on a week-long trip to Cumbria, we cheated and stayed in a cottage though. We covered over 700 miles and drove some amazing rights of way in the process. The views you get on some really are one of the main draws to green-laning for me. Even the dog loved it. If you would like to see more of what I get up to with the truck and its progress over the coming months I can be found on Instagram - @daihatsu4x4

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Reader's Rides

Who are you, and what do you do? Hi I’m Sami, NHS Patient Transport Driver during winter months and Photographer during summer months! History of cars leading up to present… Some of the ones I can remember: Renault Clio Vauxhall Astra SRI BMW 3 Series Vauxhall Zafira Suzuki Jimny named Black Widow - 2” Vit Mods Lift Kit and Insa Turbo Mud Terrain Tyres Skoda Octavia Toyota Hilux Surf 3rd Generation KZN185 1KZ-TE Parts Car My present 4x4 is… a Toyota Hilux Surf 3rd Generation KZN185 1KZ-TE Modifications done 2” Lift Kit consisting of Monroe Adventure Shocks and 20% Suplex Uprated Springs. 265/70/16 BFGoodrich All Terrain KO2 Tyres 30mm Wide Solid Billet Aluminium Wheel Spacers Lower ° Thermostat Steel Bull Bar Koso Digital Coolant Temperature Kit Two 7” LED Spot Lights on Bull Bar Thule Roof Bars Reversing Camera I’m happy with the small list of current mods, if I was to get a newer Toyota Hilux Surf 3rd Generation SSR-G Intercooled then I’d most likely work my way through the list below. Favourite modification 265/70/16 BFGoodrich All Terrain KO2 Tyres (great tyres) Koso Digital Coolant Temperature Kit (peace of mind) Modifications to do 3 Core Alloy Radiator 10 Blade Fan Leisure Battery 3” Straight through exhaust from turbo back with side exit Deep dish black Modulars 6 LED lights along the roof providing 360° light around the vehicle 42” Curved light bar Awning Winch bumper Rear steel bumper Winch Rated recovery points CB Radio

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What's your lottery win 4x4? Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible - Arctic Trucks Favourite car related film? - Back To The FutureÂ

Favourite green-lane or trip - Our last minute Yorkshire Dales trips! Favourite biscuit? - Scottish Shortbread

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PAST JALOPIES

Tink, The Series 1 (pt.3) When I left you last month Tink had just passed her first MOT in six years, and with the ink barely dry on her new MOT certificate I was off like a shot grinning like a Cheshire cat. I can still remember it to this day, Tink was stripped to her waist with just her windscreen up and we were cruising along in the summer sun with the gentle hum of the 2.0ltr petrol engine for company. Up to that point she had been taking it easy in my back yard under a large tarp', but as I was able to drive her regularly now, my thoughts were on the the next obvious purchase, a roof, or a lid as Karen Lee once called it! At the time, L.Gosling were the only recommended manufactures for tilts on the Series 1 Club website, but as they never answered their phone, I ordered a lovely sand coloured tilt from Exmoor Trim.

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Once it arrived, I constructed the frame and fitted the tilt. It looked very smart and gave Tink a whole new look. At least I had protection from the elements, and a bit more security, well as much security as a sheet of canvas and a few knots can offer! During the next few months we enjoyed the odd trip out, but nothing too taxing as we were still getting to know her. However, as she had to be a reliable second vehicle, I figured there was no point in treating her with cotton gloves - even though at the time she she was nearly 51 years old. I think the best way to find any faults, and to get an idea on possible updates and modifications, is to drive around, so I decided to abandon my usual car for the week and use Tink daily. Not only that, but I decided to drive some green lanes on the daily commute, just to make it interesting.

PAST JALOPIES Monday and Tuesday I worked quite close to home, so that was quite straight forward and boring. However, on Wednesdays I used to visit a school in Tyldseley, and I found a nice lane that if I'm honest was a ‘long cut' as opposed to a short cut. It began as the main access to some allotments, then as I pass a couple of farm buildings there's a long sweeping left hand bend on a hard surface. The lane is used regularly as it's the only access to other farms and business that are scattered around the area, it's surrounded by wide open fields and quite pleasant really. After about a mile the lane takes me parallel to a railway line, and within a matter yards the surface turns from hard dirt to cobbles as the road takes a sharp right and over the railway line and then left again to run parallel on the other side of the track. From here on the lane returns to a dirt track and is full of large holes which will be fun once it’s rained offering huge puddles!

What I found funny was that locals tend to be happier to see you when you’re in an old classic 4x4, and smile as we pass. I'm pretty confident that it's the sight of an early Land Rover that cheers them up, and not a six foot, overweight, bald bloke whose grinning maniacally!

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PAST JALOPIES During Thursday afternoons I'd find myself in Blackburn and looking forward to my favourite local lane in an area called Tockholes. This lane began with a metalled surface and gave access to a farm, but a bit further on the surface turned to dirt again. Once I’d passed a lovely looking barn conversion the track headed downwards and the trees towered above us and created a constant shade from the sun that left the track almost permanently damp with large puddles to negotiate. Within a matter of a hundred yards the track opens out to reveal a small car park often used by people who walk their dogs around the nature trials. Ahead is a small, narrow bridge and once over that, the road took a sharp turn to the right. As we turn, the track almost disappears, as over the years, a stream has eroded the lane, so we engage 4wd and lower ourselves into the water and up the other side. It sounds dramatic, but it isn’t.

Thursday's school was only ten minutes from my house, so I had to do a four mile detour to enjoy the next 'off road' excursion. Bentley Lane only takes around ten minutes to drive, and again isn’t that demanding, but it was fun none the less. It began as I passed a row of terraced houses and climbed gently towards farm buildings. The surface was quite hard with a few steps in places that Tink took in her stride. From the top on a nice day the views over towards Tottington and Holcombe are lovely, however the smell that’s omitted from a nearby farm I didn't often linger!

Still under the umbrella of the tall trees the track heads upwards with large slabs of rock under the tyres. To my left is a bank with a stonewall on top that runs alongside the road, and to my right is a huge drop to the river below. Once out of the forest the lane becomes narrow and Tink is in danger of acquiring new ‘go faster’ stripes on either side of her body with the bushes that seem to move in as you pass by. You're always wise at this stage to either close your windows or refit your doortops. Every year we planned to travel down with bags to pick the wild winberries that grow around here, and every year we forgot! The lane then takes a sharp left and becomes very rocky with water erosion becoming visible. Although this part of the lane can be traversed in 2 wheel drive (as with all the lanes mentioned in this article), I always engaged 4wd as it stops the chance of the tyres losing traction and making a mess. 98

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PAST JALOPIES As the gradient becomes steeper, the ground becomes a mixture of mud and rock giving some ‘steps’ that can catch you out. From here on, it was pretty much straight forward to the main road. What I loved about Tink was that every journey seemed like an epic adventure, I'd feel every bump, hear every scramble from the tyres, it's a much more involved driving experience! Friday mornings brought the most frustrating commute of the week, Wigan, Ince-in-Makerfield to be precise. Sometimes morning traffic isn’t too bad, other times it’s a real pain, and I calculated that I could cut out around five or ten minutes of constant stop - start traffic by using an ‘unadopted’ lane. Initially the lane began at about three car widths wide, then narrowed to one car width after about half a mile. The surface wasn't bad, though a bit potholed, but generally undamaging. After driving past a row of houses the lane forks, but I bear right and eventually drive over a cobbled bridge that crosses a canal at Wigan’s Top Lock, then onto side roads heading towards the main road. Not a challenging lane, but a suitable short cut nonethe-less. On my way home however, I had the pleasure of driving along High Rid Lane, again passing a farm and then a reservoir that is used by colleagues from Outdoor Education and I'd sometimes stop for a brew and a natter. With the reservoir on my left and a golf course on my right, the lane changes from teeth clattering cobbles to dirt with overgrown trees. This is favourite for dog walkers who let their hounds off their leads to run free, so keep an eye out for them if you're ever driving it.

None of these lane are what I’d call arduous, but they offered a pleasant and therapeutic way home during week. Sadly though, most of these lanes are now closed to vehicular access due to the NERC bill, which is a real shame and another example of how we're losing our rights... but that’s a rant for another time! So that my first ‘working’ week in my '55 Series 1, what did I think? Well, it was obvious that I was falling for her charms, or was it the fumes and the lack of any suspension that had gone to my head? I didn’t have that much to moan about if I’m honest, yes, her wing mirrors were next to useless and her windows had a habit of sliding open and there was a 1” gap between the door tops and the frame. I was fairly confident that she was sitting on her original cart springs as she was quite low to the ground, or at at least in Land Rover terms she was. For the sake of my sanity and spine, I considered Parabolics springs and a set of matching shock absorbers. However, as money was tight I decided to tolerate the pain and self counsel myself after a journey! Worryingly though, I suspected that there might be some muck in the fuel system as when I accelerated she responded with a splutter, splutter, blurgh, and she wasn't sounding healthy either. It was time to strip the carb.

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THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

1994 - Belper

Can you spot you or your motor in these photos from bygone mud adventures?

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The Mud Life - 3 - March/April 2019

Articles inside

Where for art thou (Alfa) Romeo?

Blowing away the cobwebs

Geneva Motor Show '19

Ford Mustang review

Ford Ranger review