NEWS

Yomper set to shake up utility market

A West Yorkshire based start-up has created a bespoke vehicle that’s built to order and answers the demand for a cheap, affordable and reliable utility 4x4 that’s small enough to go where other offroaders can’t.

The Yomper is available in tray back ‘Bergan’, or alloy drop side ‘Commercial’ specifications in either 225 or 275 size wheelbases.

Although there are other companies that offer Suzuki Jimny pickup conversions, what differentiates the Yomper is that it’s built upon a specially adapted long wheelbase chassis. What that means is that all of their vehicles attain IVA approval which they say is proof that their design and manufacturing approach is the correct one to take.

Under the bonnet, the Yomper uses the standard robust Suzuki 1.3-litre 16v petrol engine, as part of the purchase cost the engine and running gear is comprehensively overhauled and rebuilt in-house with many new components and serious upgrades to ensure its ability as a workhorse, making it as close as possible to a brand new vehicle as is reasonably possible.

The Yomper has been engineered to take a payload of 500kg and comes with a 12 month warranty making it ideal for farm applications, off-road utility or sports and leisure pursuits.

The conversion cost is negotiable depending on personal specification, but it is possible to have a Yomper, on-the-road, for below £20,000.

more at » www.yomper4x4.co.uk

Next-Generation Ford Ranger Pickup Officially Revealed

In an online unveiling from Australia, Ford has now revealed the final design for their next generation Ranger pickup.

Customer input was key to developing the next-generation Ranger’s rugged new look. Ford spent a lot of time with owners around the globe, conducting more than 5,000 interviews and dozens of customer workshops to understand how customers used their pick-ups and what they wanted and expected in the new Ranger.

Visually, the next-generation Ranger is bold and confident, with a purposeful exterior that shares Ford’s global truck design DNA. The design features a defined new grille, and signature C-clamp headlight treatment at the front while a subtle shoulder line down the sides incorporates bolder wheel arches that gives Ranger a sure-footed stance. For the first time, Ford Ranger offers matrix LED headlights. At the back, the taillights are designed in harmony with the signature graphics on the front.

Beneath the new bodywork is an upgraded chassis riding on a wheelbase 50mm longer and a track 50mm wider than the prior Ranger. A hydro-formed front-end structure creates more space in the engine bay for a variety of engines and helps future-proof the Ranger for other propulsion technologies. It also opens up the front of the pick-up to allow more airflow to the radiator, which helps keep running temperatures low when towing or carrying heavy loads.

When it comes to powertrains, sadly UK customers won’t see the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, instead we have the choice of the Single-Turbo and Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder diesels.

Inside, the flexible, modern cockpit that caters to both work and family duties and provides smart and connected features with more comfort and storage options than ever before.

The heart of the Ranger’s connective experience is the large 10.1” or 12” touchscreen in the centre stack. It complements the fully digital instrument panel and is loaded with Ford’s latest SYNC 4 system, which comes customer-ready with its voiceactivated communications, entertainment and information systems. Additionally, there’s an embedded factory-fitted FordPass Connect modem, allowing connectivity on the go when linked with the FordPass app, so customers can stay connected to their world.

With one button press, drivers can go to Ranger’s dedicated screen for all off-road and drive modes where they can monitor the driveline, steering angle, vehicle pitch and roll angles and other controls.

The screen also is linked to a 360º camera to make parking a breeze in tight urban spaces or to assist when negotiating particularly tricky terrain while out exploring.

In addition, customers can control Ranger’s new exterior zone lighting system via the touchscreen or the FordPass app, which means they don’t have to work, camp or do anything in the dark.

The design team also created clever storage and useful features for owners. There are not only places to store your phone or charge it wirelessly (where compatible), 8 but there’s a large centre console bin to stash things. In addition, the door pockets are designed to carry more, the wide dash conceals an upper glovebox and there are storage bins under and behind the rear seats.

Order books for next-generation Ranger will open in Europe in late 2022 for customer delivery in early 2023.

The All-new Toyota Aygo X

The all-new Toyota Aygo X is a crossover unique in the A-segment, designed and produced in Europe to meet the demands of European urban and suburban life.

Toyota believe that a truly great A-segment car must stand out by being compact and agile, inspiring driver confidence. It also needs to generate a sense of emotion, while integrating the best technological advances and being economical to run. The all-new Aygo X is set to deliver all of this and more, to be everything European customers look for in an A-segment car.

Designed for the narrowest city streets, Toyota have adapted the proven and successful GA-B platform for Aygo X with a modified and downsized rear chassis section and shorter front and rear overhangs giving it an exceptionally small turning radius of just 4.7m, one of the tightest in the segment.

As a compact high-riding crossover, the car’s ground clearance has been increased by 11mm, giving the driver more presence and assurance on the road. The seating position has also been raised by 55mm, giving the driver a better view of other road users, and the A-pillar angle has been increased by 10% for improved visibility.

Larger wheels and tyres, the proven TNGA suspension, improved roll stiffness and lower roll angles all combine to provide exceptional ride comfort and control.

Toyota Smart Connect’s core features are a 9” high-definition touchscreen display, ambient lighting and wireless charging, offering a seamless user experience with the accompanying MyT smartphone app.

Aygo X is powered by Toyota’s multi-award winning 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine. This has been improved to meet the latest European standards while offering high levels of reliability and performance, with targeted fuel consumption of 60mpg with 109g/km of CO2 (with manual transmission). Designed and produced in Europe for European customers, the all-new Aygo X will be setting the style in European cities in 2022.

Toyota wins International Pick-up Award

Toyota's Hilux has been honoured with the International Pick-up Award for 2022/2023. The multi-award-winning Hilux received this latest accolade from an expert panel of members of the International Van of the Year jury, in recognition not only of its powerful and smooth powertrain, but also of its ever-increasing appeal in the world’s growing dual-usage work and leisure markets.

Didier Gambart, Toyota Motor Europe Vice President of Sales, said: “With more than 50 years of heritage, Hilux has always stood for outstanding quality, durability and reliability, as well as very capable off-road performance. With the latest Hilux, we have expanded the engine line-up with a 2.8-litre diesel that offers even more refinement and power, allowing it to meet the needs of customers wanting not only a workhorse, but also a leisure vehicle. So, for us, this award is a recognition of Hilux’s inherent qualities and its extended capabilities.”

The first Hilux was launched in Japan on 21 March 1968 and one year later was introduced to the European market. It has since become one of the most successful models in the Toyota line-up.

Renowned for its quality, durability and reliability, the unstoppable Hilux has proved its invincibility time and again, conquering the North Pole, Icelandic volcanoes and Antarctica, and achieving victory and podium finishes in the gruelling Dakar Rally.

Today, Hilux is manufactured in six global locations and is sold in 180 countries and regions. With more than 18 million sales to its credit, it is the world’s favourite pick-up.

Hilux’s revitalised profile with its 2.8-litre engine and improvements in both on and off-road performance is further contributing to Toyota’s ambition to reach a 5% LCV market share in Europe by 2023.

Recently Toyota surprised Cornwall based family business W.H. Bond with a radio-controlled model version of a Hilux, complete with company livery, in recognition of a business that’s been a loyal customer for 28 years.

The radio-controlled Tamiya Hilux is also a seriously capable off-roader on a small scale, featuring a ladder frame, live axle suspension with metal housing, leaf springs and oil dampers. A front metal under-guard helps the model tackle tough conditions. It has an electric motor linked to a three-speed gearbox, delivering power to all four wheels.

We'd really love to get our hands on one here at Muddy HQ!.

Watchdog overturns ban on advert of Land Rover in forest

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has been accused of "a series of failed and missed opportunities" to take action against alleged corporate 'greenwashing'.

According to a report in the Guardian newspaper* environmental campaigners have spat their dummy out and accused the UK advertising watchdog of bias for overturning a draft ruling that banned adverts for a ‘mud-splattered’ Land Rover Defender after previously saying it encouraged “socially irresponsible” driving that could “cause damage to vulnerable habitats”.

A press ad for Jaguar Land Rover, seen in the 12 June 2021 edition of The Guardian, featured an image of a Land Rover Defender in a forest setting with the headline: “LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS” Smaller text below the image stated: "BOOK YOUR EXTENDED TEST DRIVE … Understandably, there are still restrictions as life slowly gets back to normal. Not so with the Defender, the 4WD vehicle with a capacity to go almost anywhere and do almost anything. If you take one for an extended test drive … a whole new world of freedom awaits". The ASA received 96 complaints, including from Adfree Cities, Badvertising and New Weather Institute who challenged whether:

1 - the claim “LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS” was misleading, because they believed it implied the vehicle depicted was above restrictions or rules, including those aimed at preventing climate change or other wide scale ecological damage.

2 - the ad was socially irresponsible because it implied that the vehicle depicted could be driven in forests or similar ecologically-sensitive environments which could encourage or condone behaviour that was detrimental to the environment.

Jaguar Land Rover said the vehicle was depicted on an established track in a forest, and was focused on increased freedom after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, not irresponsible driving behaviour.

The ASA cleared the ad of breaking any UK advertising rules and added that untarmacked roads such as the one depicted in the ad were common in many rural areas, and 4x4 vehicles could be “vital in those communities” and that “No further action was necessary”.

Robbie Gillett, from the Adfree Cities campaign, who lodged a complaint about the ad, said: “The ASA council has made an overly narrow assessment of this Land Rover advert and failed to see it in a wider picture of a worsening climate crisis, rising urban ownership of SUVs and lethal increases in air pollution.

*(read the full Guardian article here)

Lit up Mini Electric boosts festive charity fundraising

No longer is Coca-Cola's Christmas truck the only vehicle to look out for on the roads, as a MINI Electric, wrapped in 2,000 smart LED lights by Twinkly, is starting a 5 week tour to spread festive cheer and raise money for three important charities; the MS Trust, Duchenne UK and Alzheimer’s Society.

The Festive MINI’s first public appearance was in Berkshire, on the 25th November, and then the car will travel to various locations around the UK, driven by project creator Nicholas ‘Nico’ Martin.

The 'sen-sleigh-tional' project first started over three years ago, with Nico hand-wrapping his MINI in fairy-lights and displaying it in his local town of Bracknell. However, in December 2020, without the usual Christmas switch-on displays delivering much-needed festive spirit, Nico realised he could use the Festive MINI to bring joy and positivity to people on their own doorsteps, whilst also raising awareness, and over £5000, for the MS Trust and Duchenne UK, two charities very close to his heart.

Nico said, “Both charities mean a lot to me - unfortunately my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 6 years ago, and in 2019 I was asked to take the Festive MINI to surprise an incredible young boy, Marcus Rooks, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. When I saw his face light up with so much joy and excitement, I realised that I had created something truly special. Ever since meeting him and learning about his condition, I’ve wanted to support him in any way I can.”

This year, Nico has introduced a guest charity spot taken up by Alzheimer’s Society, and he has rallied support from MINI UK, Festive Lights and Italian smart lighting company Twinkly, to up the voltage on his project and make it bigger and better than ever.

Nico added: “The MINI Electric is even more exciting to drive and means all my trips on the tour are environmentally friendly and the app-controlled Twinkly lights with their amazing customisable animations really give the car a bit of extra magic. I can’t wait to get out on the road to spread some Festive MINI spirit and raise lots of money for the three charities!”

For more information on the Festive MINI Tour visit www. festivemini.com, and follow Nico’s journey on Instagram: @ drivingwithnico

Donate here: festivegiving.org.uk/fundraising/festive-mini/