The Mud Life 4x4 Magazine - #39 - June 2022

THE MUD LIFE 4x4

ISSUE 39 June 2022

Magazine

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Fiat Panda Cross

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GENESIS GV80

To find out about advertising in the magazine, email : damian@themudlife.co.uk Important information Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the contents of The Mud Life magazine are accurate, we accept no responsibility for errors or omissions, nor the consequence of actions made as a result of these. When responding to any advertisements in The Mud Life magazine, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers and owners take reasonable care to ensure advertiser’s probity, but will not be liable for any losses incurred as a result of responding to adverts.

Copyright All images and material on these pages are protected by copyright © Damian Turner. All rights reserved. None of the images or material within this magazine may be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose that is not expressly authorised by Damian Turner or Karen Lee Turner.

IN THIS ISSUE TURNER'S TORQUE NEWS

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KIA SPORTAGE GT-LINE S 18-27 LANING LIFE 28-32 FIAT PANDA CROSS 38-47 NEW DEFENDER 130 48-57 GOODS & GEAR 58-59 CAMPING LIFE 61-66 GENESIS GV80 68-77 BE OUR GUEST - MEMORABLE DRIVES 79-85 THE TALES OF LILLY 86-88 LILLY'S ON THE LOOKOUT 90-92 MOOCH -EXPLORING WITH A COMPASS 94-99 READER'S RIDES 100-102 DIRECTORIES 103-105

DAMIAN TURNER Editor-in-Chief, Writer, Photographer, Reviewer

KAREN LEE TURNER (A.K.A. The Muddy Madam)

Creative Director, Editor, Reviewer

LILLY - THE MUD LIFE DOG Cuddle Monster, Model, Reviewer

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

BACK ISSUES 106-107

FACEBOOK - TheMudLifeMag INSTAGRAM - themudlifemag TWITTER - themudlifemag WEBSITE - www.themudlife.co.uk

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turner's torque

Aaargh!

a complete blank

I’m not saying I have writer’s block or anything, it’s just that when Muddy Madam reminded me that I still hadn’t written anything for my Turner’s Torque ramblings, my mind was completely blank.

I wouldn’t mind if life was quiet and there was nothing of note to write about, but there’s so much stuff going on that I didn’t know where to begin. It’s akin to staring at an overwhelming pile of work, then grabbing your phone to check out Facebook!

Sometimes all we need is to go outside for a breather and take stock of what’s going on, and on Facebook recently I’ve noticed a lot of groups have been arranging camping weekends that have been well attended, and I dare say very much appreciated.

I was chatting to someone the other day who said they couldn’t afford any of the gear required to do an overnight camp. In reality, what do you need for a mini adventure? Something to lie on, something to sleep in, water, food and a small stove and some gas. Heck, simplify it more and all you need is a match or two, a grill and some firewood.

On the subject of adventures, there is plenty of things to do throughout June (which you can find on our What's On '22 web page) including the Adventure Overland Show on the 4-5th June down at Stratford-upon-Avon.

I’m not sure if I can make it this time ‘round, which is a shame as it’s always a belter of a show. There’s loads going on, from music and trade stands to some of the most amazing display vehicles that are guaranteed to get your adventure juices flowing.

Oh, and don’t forget, if you want to help keep The Mud Life 4x4 Magazine free, then buy a couple of our ultra-stylish Mud Life stickers for your car, laptop or suitcase, buy a stylish T-shirt or hoodie from our Live The Mud Life shop or even better, please support us via our Ko-Fi page!

Until next month…

Note from Muddy Madam - Damian may not appreciate me publishing the photo above, but that's what he gets for using my phone to take random and rather strange pictures of himself whilst waiting in the car!

😁

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SsangYong tease us with TORRES SUV images

SsangYong has revealed their allnew SUV is to be called Torres.

The name was inspired by the spectacular views of Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia which was designated a World Biosphere Reserve status by UNESCO in 1978, and is well known for its magnificent mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers.

The name is designed to embody a sense of adventure, challenge, and escapism.

The Torres is the first model to reflect the brand’s new design philosophy ‘Powered by Toughness’ whilst maintaining SsangYong’s distinctive and authentic SUV characteristics.

The teaser images show the front features a vertical radiator-style grille giving the sense of a tough and rugged appearance, while the rear tailgate continues this theme with a classic off-road appearance, emphasising the freedom to explore.

A SsangYong spokesperson commented: “The SUV market continues to expand and subdivide, and with Torres we are filling the gap between semi-medium-sized SUVs such as Korando and large SUVs like Rexton. This move will create an additional segment in the market and will open up new opportunities for us, especially as we further develop the product offering and continue to add value and originality.”

Torres is scheduled to go into mass production with pre-order sales commencing in June for the domestic market. For the European market, an EV version of Torres, project name U100, will be introduced towards the end of 2023.

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Isuzu UK reveal show special D-Max Arctic Trucks Basecamp

Isuzu UK has revealed a unique show-special version of the All-New Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, codenamed Basecamp, at this year’s CV Show. The All-New Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 went on sale in early May, and having been inspired by the extreme nature and possibilities of the new flagship model, the team at Isuzu UK created Basecamp, an expedition ready one-off vehicle, especially for the show.

Basecamp, which is finished in Obsidian Grey with a mainly black colour scheme, is equipped with a lightweight and versatile iKamper SkyCamp Mini 3.0 rooftop tent which features a hard shell with quilted insulation, easy access ladder, iKamper’s signature World Map and even a Skyview window, which gives you extra light by day and a view of the stars by night. This is mounted to a black aluminium Gearmate hardtop canopy, with solid gullwing side and rear access doors.

Inside the load bed, the vehicle is equipped with an ARB Outback Solutions modular roller drawer system, with a durable carpet finish. Along with providing luggage space, the system also incorporates a fridge unit and a slide-out kitchen unit, which includes 6

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a 3-burner gas stove and a 12-litre collapsible sink.

Mounted to the roof of the vehicle is an ARB Base Rack system that incorporates a front-facing light bar and a bespoke clamp, mount and bracket system allowing safe storage for a gas bottle, water container, fuel containers and recovery boards.

Elsewhere, a black ‘A’ bar with three front-facing spotlights is fitted, along with a new design Isuzu accessory front grille and bonnet protector. The side of the vehicle has been enhanced with black sidebars with integrated steps, side window visors and a bespoke ‘Inspired by Extremes’ decal kit. The highly capable and rugged expedition vehicle is finished with 17-inch black Arctic Trucks alloy wheels, fitted with 35-inch LT315/70 R17 mud-terrain tyres.

Brian Wheeler, PR & Product Manager, Isuzu UK said “With the recent launch of the new Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, we wanted to display a special vehicle at the CV Show that represented what this new model is all about. Built to conquer all types of landscapes and be a true adventure vehicle, Basecamp demonstrates the aspirational nature of the AT35 and really does embrace everything you need, including the kitchen sink!”

Available from £47,999 CVOTR, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is a professionally re-engineered vehicle incorporating significant enhancements to the body, frame, drivetrain, suspension, and tyres. The new flagship model in the D-Max range retains its commercial vehicle status, with no compromise to payload or towing capacity and comes with Isuzu’s five-year/125,000-mile warranty.

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Italian AT33 Special Edition

If you live in Italy, this is for you. Toyota and Arctic Trucks have introduced the Hilux AT33 for the first time in Italy, a special limited edition set-up aimed at extreme off-roading.

You should already be aware of Arctic Trucks, they’re a company specialising in the preparation of vehicles capable of exploring the most inhospitable areas of the planet and have been closely linked with Toyota since the 1990s.

In fact, in 2007 Hilux Arctic Trucks was the first vehicle to reach the Magnetic North Pole, while in 2010 it set the record for reaching the South Pole in the shortest possible time.

Back to the AT33, it’s based on the Hilux Invincible Double Cab with 2.8D engine and automatic transmission, and includes a multimedia system with satellite navigator, Smartphone Integration and JBL 9-speaker audio system.

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There’s dual-zone automatic climate control, Toyota Safety Sense, Panoramic View Monitor with 360 ° view, front and rear parking sensors and perforated leather interior.

Arctic Trucks' AT35 has a dedicated suspension set-up developed in collaboration with Bilstein, and of course 33” BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres with double valve, an aluminium skid plate and oversized front and rear arches.

The new set-up further improves the off-road characteristics of the Hilux, increasing its approach angle (+4 °) departure (+2 °) and the wading depth (+45mm), all without compromising its stability and comfort whilst driving on the road.

On the outside you’ll see 17” black alloy wheels and specific design, Arctic Trucks badges on doors and tailgate, side graphics with stylised AT logo on the sides and finally AT specific splash guards and side steps.

Available exclusively in “Oxide Bronze” paint, the Hilux AT33 is already available for purchase from the Toyota Professional dealer network.

There’s only 80 numbered units available at a price of €56,350, excluding VAT. Each Hilux AT33 will be identified by a personalised plate inside the passenger compartment with the serial number of the model and will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Arctic Trucks.

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‘Half-track Fox’ restored after 60 years

VWCV Classic Vehicles has just finished bringing a unique 60 year-old vehicle back to mint condition: the ‘Half-track Fox’.

This T1 was produced in the Hannover plant in May 1962 and then sent off to its purchaser in Austria. After a short period of life as a normal T1, it was transformed at the hands of a resourceful Viennese Volkswagen mechanic into an Alpine specialist.

Kurt Kretzner converted the Bulli into a T1 with four axles two of them fitted with a chain drive mechanism and two steering the vehicle using double tyres, creating what is probably the most off-road-capable Bulli ever to be seen on the mountain slopes.

Historic sources say he was a keen skier. He noted that in the mountainous regions of Austria there was a scarcity of vans with high standard off-road capabilities: ones that were easy for anyone to drive and yet could climb up to the highest Alpine meadow.

Kretzner later wrote in the sales literature for the Half-track Fox “An ideal helper for everyone: mountain hut keepers, hunters, foresters, doctors, maintenance engineers for ski-lifts,TV and radio

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masts, pipelines and the like. At first, I had a look around, but couldn’t find the vehicle I was dreaming of. So, I decided to build it myself.”

The inventor spent over four years designing and building his mountain climber. Two ‘Foxes’, it seems, were built in the period up to 1968, but when it came to the third, production then ceased. What has survived, however, is at least one example of the Half-track Fox. Under the orange-painted Bulli body was, at the front, a steered double axle with dual rough-tread 14-inch tyres and, at the back, another double axle with chain drive. The chains were mounted on 13” wheels and a construction of his own design made of aluminium elements with rubber blocks two centimetres thick to spare the asphalt.

As a result of the dual front-axle steering the turning circle was less than 10 metres; it could almost turn within its own circumference. Each wheel was fitted with a brake. An automatic limited-slip differential ensured evenly distributed forward propulsion even in deep snow. The T1 drew its power for this from its standard 25 kW / 34 PS flat engine with a cubic capacity

of 1,192 cc. The Half-track Fox reached a top speed of 35 km/h and was thus only slightly slower than the animal kingdom member from which it got its name.

Kretzner wanted to build a tracked vehicle that would be very easy to steer. It was precisely for this reason that the mechanic opted not for steering via chains on every axle as is found on a bulldozer, but instead for a half-track solution (with chains only on the drive axles) and an almost standard, albeit doubled-up front-wheel steering mechanism, and that’s also how the inventor used to promote the Half-track Fox: “The new, ideal, easy-to-drive Half-track Fox that lets you safely and comfortably master all difficult terrain.

Snow, sand, stony ground, mountain meadows, small streams and woods can all be driven through in this vehicle.”

Over the years, the Half-track Fox was rarely seen. In 1985, the T1 turned up for a final time in Vienna, before in the early 1990s it was bought by the Porsche Museum in Gmünd.

At some point, the Half-track Fox then passed into the possession of the ‘Bullikartei e.V.’ - a society of lovers of the first Bulli generation. In 2005, they began an initial attempt to restore the special Alpine vehicle. With the society’s members spread all over the country, it was proved impossible for logistical reasons to complete the restoration.

At the end of 2018, the Half-track Fox came into the collection of VWCV Classic Vehicles with the aim to get the vehicle up and running again. Under their guiding principle of “Erinnern. Erleben.

Erhalten.” (Remember - Experience - Preserve), the classic vehicle experts began a painstaking process of restoration.

The 60-year-old bodywork was, as is the case for all factory restorations in Hannover, stripped of paint, repaired, given a cathodic dip coating and repainted in the largely original shade of orange. Matt orange, in fact. The intention being back in the day that the Half-track Fox should be immediately recognisable in the countryside.

The VWCV Classic Vehicles team, who were given free rein to their creativity, got the mechanics back into as-new condition; the interior, too. Wood components in beech and pine were individually adapted to the space inside the Half-track Fox, and practical tool holders installed.

In February 2022, the Half-track Fox again channelled its way through the snow, and did so, indeed, with unusually good uphill capability: following the extensive restoration of the four-axle T1, the team of VWCV Classic Vehicles could see for themselves that the driver was more likely to capitulate on steep climbs than the Half-track Fox!

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Tougher, Smarter, More Powerful Next-Gen Ranger Raptor

Order books for the Next-Gen Ranger Raptor are now open, enabling customers to specify and order the ultimate performance pick-up. Prices for the second-generation Ranger Raptor – unveiled earlier this year with customer deliveries set to begin in late summer – start at £57,340, including VAT. “Being able to build their dream Next-Gen Ranger Raptor is now a reality for our customers and they can experiment with the range of options with our online configurator” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe. “Whatever the combination, Ranger Raptor will always deliver its trademark ultimate off-road driving experience.”

Options include the Raptor Splash Decal Pack (£600) and exterior “Raptor Pack” (£1,860), which includes a cab roll over bar and power roll top Tonneau cover. New Code Orange premium paint will cost £720.

Built for true enthusiasts and developed by Ford Performance, the ultimate performance derivative of Europe’s bestselling pick-up introduces a twin-turbo 3.0 litre EcoBoost V6 engine, 1 FOX® Live Valve dampers, and seven selectable drive modes to offer optimised performance on a variety of terrains. A class-exclusive active exhaust system delivers adjustable engine sounds with four exhaust modes to suit different driving scenarios.

Occupants also benefit from the latest technology controlled via the 12.4-inch all-digital cluster and 12-inch central touchscreen – boasting Ford’s new-generation SYNC 4A® 2 connectivity and entertainment system.

Customers can from today also build and price their dream Ranger Raptor using the automaker’s online configurator, choosing from colour options including Arctic White, Blue Lightning and Code Orange, and features such as the Raptor Exterior Dress-Up pack, a Splash Decal package, functional load bars and roller shutters.

Watch the video here - https://youtu.be/AObpiTXqAKM 12

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‘Try Before You Buy’ scheme for Caddy California

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering the ‘Try Before You Buy’ scheme to allow customers to experience the unique Caddy California, which offers variable living, sleeping and storage space for everyday life and travelling. The trial is for a week for just £499, with no obligation to buy. The rental fee will be offered as a discount on any future purchase.

The Caddy features a foldable bed (1,980mm x 1,070mm), with cup springs and high-quality mattress, that is stored in the parcel shelf and opens out above the rear seats. There is seating for five, with the second row entirely removable for complete flexibility, while a standalone tail-tent, providing additional living space and sleeping compartment, is available as an accessory.

A retractable mini-kitchen is included as standard, extending from the rear with a single-burner cooker and integrated gas bottle. Clever and practical stowage compartments are perfect for storing cutlery and kitchen utensils, while California camper chairs and table come as standard.

To secure a booking through the new scheme, prospective buyers need to visit the VWFS Rent-a-Car website and reserve a slot, before picking the compact camper up from a local Van Centre.

The Caddy California completes Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ camper line-up alongside the T6.1-based California and Crafter-based Grand California, meaning the brand that invented the original iconic campervan now has a touring model for every budget, journey and adventure.

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Yorkshire Motorsport Festival 2022

Following last year’s success, the Yorkshire Motorsport Festival is back for 2022 with a much improved and bigger event.

Taking place on the outskirts of Meltham, Holmfirth, in the beautiful west Yorkshire countryside from 24th to 26th June, the festival not only includes an exciting collection of cars and vehicles from across the decades, the Wolfstone Hill Climb and a large selection of artisan food and drink sellers, but trade stands, truck displays, a funfair and live music, too.

Aston Martin Owners Club will be in attendance, as well as a fantastic line up of stock cars and a display of Nascar trucks, as well as supercars from McLaren, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mercedes-Benz.

On Friday and Saturday night there’s live music on their main stage, with Abbarella, Fiery Biscuit, Sass & The Groove and The Tone Junkies. Plus there's lots of music and entertainment throughout the day in the fields.

Either be a day visitor or get the full festival vibe and camp in your tent, caravan or motorhome in their designated campsite area that includes showers, fresh running water, Elson points and toilets.

To find out more about the biggest Motorsport event in Yorkshire, visit: www.ymsf.net

Don't forget you can find out what's going on around the country on the What's On '22 page on our website

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Kia Sportage GT-Line S

What is it?

The Sportage has always been a favourite here at Muddy Towers, it may not have been the most sharpest handling of vehicles, but that didn’t matter as we knew it was an SUV with dual roles, one being that it was competent off the beaten track.

However, the world doesn’t stand still for SUVs, and despite numerous facelifts and updates over the last few years, the

Sportage was lagging behind its competitors, so a clean sheet was required, and the fifth generation Sportage is essentially a brand new car with the Sportage moniker.

This model, the 1.6 T-GDi ‘GT-Line S’ HEV Auto AWD, giving it its full title, sits at the top of the hybrid range and takes the Sportage to a whole new level of sophistication.

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On the Road During our week, the majority of miles we added to the Sportage were on the motorway, and it ate them up for breakfast.

It was smooth and quiet, despite having 19” alloys.

With the addition of the electric motor, the 1.6 litre petrol engine has a combined 226bhp, and although I wouldn’t say bolting it to the 6 speed auto made it sporty, it does have a 0-60mph time of just 7.2 seconds, which is more than ample.

On the usual commute, and having a bit of fun on country lanes, this new model is head and shoulders above the previous one, it does everything better, as it should.

Potholes are disregarded and it feels better balanced through the bends. It still leans, as you would expect, but it feels a lot more composed.

Fuel wise, after around 400 miles it averaged 43mpg, which I consider to be good, and being a self-charging hybrid meant that I can also tootle around town in EV mode.

Off Road I’ve always said to anyone who would listen that Kia should shout about their AWD capabilities more as they’re really very good.

Both the Sportage and the Sorento have never given me any trouble whilst off the beaten track, and I’ve tried!

This new model does away with the old ‘lock mode’ for when things get sticky, instead has three options, Mud, Sand and Snow.

Unfortunately it didn’t rain during our week together, neither did it did snow, and I was nowhere near a beach, but on a few inclines with loose stones it didn’t let me down and climbed valiantly upwards. As they say, what goes up must come down, and Hill Descent Control worked well when required. When I found myself in a few tight spots, the 360° Around View Monitor was very helpful, as was the forward facing camera.

When it comes to ‘laning, this new model isn’t as ‘rugged’ as its previous namesake, but it’s not meant to be as I feel Kia wants to focus on other things.

On certain lanes I had to be quite careful as the front approach angle proved to be a bit too low and I kept scraping the front valance, but don’t tell Kia that.

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Interior It’s really quite lovely, I like the new tech, especially the curved 12.3" Supervision Colour Cluster Display that sweeps in front of the driver, though lower spec Sportages have a smaller unit.

The seats fitted to the GT-Line are worthy of note; supportive, yet comfortable, and the same goes for the rears, too, and there’s plenty of room for big passengers along with their paraphernalia.

On the whole, the new switchgear is good, and yay, it has dedicated dials for temperature control. For passengers who always moan that the temperature is either too hot or too cold (Muddy Madam), the new Sportage has a button for Driver Only, that actually works.

Full marks for that.

When it comes to spec, I don’t know where to begin, the spec sheet reads like a novel.

The boot has ample space; 587-litres with the seats up and 1,776-litres with them laid flat. If you opt for the entrylevel 1.6-litre petrol model with twowheel drive and a manual gearbox, then those figures rise slightly.

What’s also handy is that the flat floor lies flush with the boot opening, so it's easy to slide bulkier items in and out.

There’s also a shallow storage area underneath the floor that houses mount that secures the parcel shelf when you don’t need it.

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Engine ’n’ transmission Kia give you a choice of petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, along with front and and all-wheel drive, and depending on which model you decide there's also the choice of a 6-speed manual, 6-speed auto and 7-speed auto.

Conclusion In a way I’m sad that the old Sportage has gone, it was a simple-ish SUV that worked well, and it ticked a lot of boxes.

This new fangled model on the other hand includes lots of tech, and although it may not be the cheapest vehicle in its size, all models come well equipped with both luxuries and safety spec.

Despite my affinity for the old model, this new one won me over - it’s comfortable, smart, economical and best of all it’s a Kia, so you know it’s going to be reliable.

Prices start from £26,775 Model tested, from £40,245 more at » www.kia.com

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g n i n Life a L

aton E n e r u a

by L

Read about green laning as seen through Lauren ‘Sunshine’ Eaton's windscreen at The Green Lane Association, and find out what’s hot, or not, in the laning world each month. Enjoy!

The Road Ahead

It has been a funny few years for us all, but as laners we have experienced unique challenges to an ever-changing world.

With more attention than ever focused on environmental management, the staycation vs visitor pressures, equality and inclusivity, and the rising cost of living, everyone

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involved in rights of way management including GLASS faces new tasks to prove we operate legally and morally.

All this is happening while budgets allocated to local authorities to assist with these new requirements continue to dwindle as they become spread ever more thinly.

It can be far too easy to get swept up in a negative atmosphere, particularly on social media, but change always brings about opportunity, and whether opportunities are positive or negative largely depends on how we choose to engage with them.

Bringing us back to how GLASS is changing in order to face these new challenges, you may have noticed some new schemes and campaigns being launched over the last year.

- Affiliate programmes aimed at clubs and professionals - The Smile&Wave scheme aimed at every countryside user - Joining Government schemes such as ‘Disability Confident’ - The launch of our Accessibility Team - Carbon off-setting the core organisation - Joining other RoW organisations - Changing our organisation culture - Delving deeper into the legal side of laning more than we ever have before - Challenging 'what we have always done' to bring it in line with what we need to do to prevent us becoming lost under the everchanging political atmosphere that surrounds us.

These changes have arisen for many reasons. In some cases they are legal requirements, for example the Equality Act 2010 insists we do not just ensure, but also prove on paper, that we operate and encourage a fair and diverse organisation strategy.

There is a certain irony in this when we consider how we are often faced with prejudice and inequality in the rights of way world, but that is where the opportunity lies - we are working on becoming a leader in this field and to tackling discrimination and prejudice where we find it, and this positive action is protected in law.

Historically we may have approached this by shouting, but today we are focused on leading the way, setting standards of best practice, training staff, and becoming an example for others to follow. The better we become, the more the failings of those who have attacked us become apparent to others, and the better equipped we are to deal with them officially, professionally, and even legally.

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We are shaping a whole new strategy, the above being only a few examples of many that feed into an overall objective that will soon become apparent. Alongside the aforementioned, we have changed our organisation culture to welcome a more diverse membership, we are continuing conservation and practical work and are working on environmental papers based on fact, evidence, and proven sound management practices. In doing so we have protected lanes, and saved local authorities some serious money.

We have taken huge steps towards engaging with people and organisations who can help us to tackle threats to our hobby - new Police endorsed schemes will be launched soon that encourage working with not just them, but landowners and communities.

We are also working with, instead of against, other user organisations, much to their surprise in some cases and delight in others, but in all circumstances the outcomes for us all are extremely valuable.

There are so many elements involved in the evolution of GLASS it would be impossible to detail them all here, but we will soon be publishing our first paper that details the research and work we have done to date, and most importantly the outcomes of trialling and testing that work.

The sum total provides a comprehensive and heavily evidenced best practice guide to inclusive green lane management and usage culture. This guide will be endorsed by outside organisations before being published and proliferated among management organisations and bodies who are involved in decision-making processes that affect public access rights.

These huge steps forward have been made possible because of the enormous increase in our membership that has allowed us to take on two full time staff. One to deal with day to day running and organisation such as IT, membership, TW2 development, and business administration, the other heading up our front facing operations such as comms, legal, accessibility, and project management, as well as several flexible part time staff to support them.

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Our operations staff have become trained and qualified in many areas including law, equality and diversity, conflict resolution and mediation. One who is now our own in-house paralegal who, with the input of several local reps, has managed to keep 11 of 12 potential cases out of court, leaving time and money to tackle other more complex issues with litigation.

What is even better is we did much of this thanks to funding to pay for training, and we have saved thousands by avoiding costly court action in favour of mediation and negotiation.

In all we have saved a six-figure sum, and brought in new revenue and opportunities too. The bottom line is that we have saved or attracted more benefits into the organisation than we have used by taking on paid staff, and they have only been employed since September 2021!

Far from 'pandering to the antis' or 'virtue signalling', as the minority have accused us of in the face of some of the changes we have made, we are actually doing the exact opposite!

Building a more professional and robust organisation that is operating at a new level and in-line with the current climate, is opening doors to us where it really matters. It is also giving us the best opportunity we have ever had to tackle the antis in ways that may change the whole nature of the game.

We are playing chess and strategising to win the war rather than playing draughts just to win a battle.

Things will take time, stand alone schemes may appear incongruous with what we did in the past - which is no bad thing, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity according to Einstein, and who are we to argue with him? We are lining up our pieces on the board ready for the next big play and all will become clear in time.

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Now we have the resources we have chosen to embrace change, even lead it in some areas, and we are looking ahead to how we can best place ourselves to tackle inevitable future changes before they happen.

Forewarned is forearmed as they say, but if our most exciting operation pays off we will have one less huge thorn in our side to challenge us going forward. This will smooth the way while we continue to bring many positive attributes to the decisionmaking table on both a national and local level.

Gandhi is famously quoted as saying “Be the change you want to see in the world.” and that is exactly what we hope to achieve going forward.

I had hoped to bring you news on one of our big cases, unfortunately I can’t quite yet, but we have had nothing but good news behind the scenes. If you happen to see any of that in action on your travels then you’ll know what we’re talking about!

The first (and second!) paper will be published in the next couple of weeks. We’ve had some great feedback and support from external organisations who have kindly endorsed or supported the content. These wonderful people include the Land Access and Recreation Association, Trail Riders Fellowship, Motorsport UK, Welsh Association of Motor Clubs, and the British Motorcyclists Federation as well as many clubs.

The second paper looks at the economic value of green laning, it’s amazing how much we plough back into the economy with every mile we drive.

That’s all from me for this month folks!

Drive safe, and happy laning!

Lauren x

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• Regular digital bulletins • 2 printed magazines per year • Members website and forum • TW2, the essential green lane route planning tool • • Access to area reps for route planning and advice • Member discounts from selected suppliers • Legal challenges • Extensive knowledge base •

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♥ mugs

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4x4 writer extraordinaire, Frank Elson, mentioned this Range Rover Classic mug in his latest blog:

"My latest coffee-mug. I got it from The Mud Life magazine - it's the best Range Rover Classic mug I have ever seen... (and I paid for it by the way, no favour for a favour)"

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Fiat Panda Cross What is it?

It’s a bit of a 4x4 icon to be honest, and one that never fails to put a smile on people’s faces.

Fiat’s Panda 4x4 has been with us since the early 80’s, and although there isn’t many left of the original model, especially in the UK, it’s still remembered fondly to many as an incredibly capable and affordable 4x4. Fast forward to 2022 and we’re still only on its 3rd generation, though the keen eyed amongst will notice that this particular press Panda is a 21 plate, and therefore not bestowed with some of the latest accessories.

Of course, being the range topping Panda Cross it comes with a lot more rugged styling and off-road features than a standard model.

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On the road The Panda Cross isn’t exactly the type of car you’d choose to do lots of miles in, yet that’s exactly what we did, and after a 6-1/2 hour, 400 mile round trip over two days, at an average of between 60-70mph, it managed to go through a full tank which equated to around 47mpg.

Its lively two-cylinder 875cc TwinAir engine thrums along nicely and it keeps pace with other road users surprisingly well. The ‘Cross fires up in Eco mode by default, but turn that off and you gain a surprising amount of extra umph, it’s almost sporty!

Speaking of being sporty, the TwinAir has a very distinctive rasp about it, quite vocal if you’re in a rush but settles down at a constant speed.

The ride, which can be a little pitchy on certain roads due to its short wheelbase, isn’t actually as bad

as you might think, and its front suspension handles speed bumps incredibly well. Not necessarily ironing them out, rather taking the sharpness out of them, quite impressive for such a short car.

Around town the Panda Cross is as nippy as any car can be, though the gear change isn’t as slick as others I’ve tested recently. On the subject of around town, although the steering has some weight about it, there’s a button on the dash with a steering wheel icon that once pressed lightens the steering quite considerably for city driving, or parking - handy if you have a dodgy shoulder.

The high seating position coupled to the extra ground clearance and large windows mean that visibility is fantastic, parking has never been so easy.

Off Road The Panda Cross certainly looks the ‘off-road’ part, especially with its rugged styling and a pair of red front recovery hooks.

Sadly, during my week with the Cross the weather was dry, there was not a hint of rain or mud on the horizon, and the only hazard on my local lanes was plumes of dust.

To engage 4WD there’s a small dial between the seats, the first icon is Auto, the second looks like it’s wading, and third is Hill Descent.

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In this photo you can see the Cross with its wheel in the air.

Other press 4x4s have climbed this step with ease, but the Cross struggled - its wheels spun and I went nowhere, until I added a bit of momentum to the mix. I expected it to one a bit more grippy.

On another lane that happened to be a bit greasy, the little Panda Cross managed fine, but you do have to be aware of grounding out on deeper ruts.

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Interior After 3½ hours in the driving seat I would be lying if I said my legs weren’t craving a stretch. That’s no criticism, at 6" 2' and 18 stone I am, after all, on the large side!

Apart from the inlays on the doors, the rest of the panelling is made of plastic, which is fine as it reduces the Panda’s overall weight. There’s a huge cubby area in front of the passenger that Muddy Madam managed to completely fill on our trip. Initially I was concerned with what would happen to the aforementioned ‘stuff’ if the airbag went off in the event of an accident, but I needn’t have worried, the Panda is only fitted with a drivers airbag.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this particular Panda is a '21 plate, and therefore not bestowed with the latest infotainment that has a Uconnect 7” display and control Apple CarPlay with Siri voice control, or even a touchscreen.

There are numerous bottle holders scattered around the front, but they’re tiny and wouldn’t even fit my smallest aluminium travel mug - not even a tube of Pringles!

I think they’re only designed to fit those wasteful small plastic water bottles and seriously tapered travel mugs.

Muddy Madam also wanted me to mention that, when I was either taking a corner a tad too quick (Me? Never) or when bouncing her around green laning, there are no grab handles to hold on to (even though there seems to be spaces created in the interior roof styling for them).

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Despite offering plenty of headspace, the back seats are really only suitable for children.

During a few days away we managed to fill the boot with overnight bags, camera gear and lots of food that we’d collected from the Food and Drink show at the NEC. Fold the metal backed rear seats forward and there’s a decent amount of space, though there’s quite a hole between the folded seats and the bumper, so if you have a dodgy back be careful lifting anything heavy out of it.

Amusingly, a farmer we chatted to who’s had a succession of 4x4 Pandas told us that you can fit at least three dead sheep in the boot!

So now you know.

Conclusion Reflecting on the above it appears that I’ve done nothing but moan about this diminutive off-roader, I didn’t mean to, it’s a fun car to spend time in. I love the look of the Cross, it’s funky, purposeful and wonderfully agile, and at £18,425, not badly priced.

One thing you can’t be in the Cross is shy as it receives a lot of attention, granted, not all of it may have been flattering, but I loved it.

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New Defender 130 In the middle of May Land Rover teased us with just this one photo of the New Defender 130 playing in sand dunes, but yesterday they finally showed us some more and opened the order books.

Land Rover’s unstoppable 4x4 family will expand with the introduction of the practical Defender 130 body design, which will join the existing 90, 110 and commercial Hard Top choices.

With a spacious 2-3-3 seat configuration that can seat up to 8 people, New Defender 130 will be ready for any adventure with the whole family, and has all the latest digital technologies and advanced integrated chassis technologies, making Defender the toughest, most capable off-road vehicle.

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The New Defender 130 is available in HSE, X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE and X specifications, in addition to a First Edition. The First Edition is available in three combinations carefully curated by the designers, each one featuring a distinct colour and design theme: • Fuji White with Extended Bright Pack with Light Oyster Full Windsor Leather interior and Natural Light Oak Veneer • Sedona Red with Ebony Full Windsor Leather seats and Smoked Oak Veneer • Carpathian Grey with Vintage Tan Full Windsor Leather and Rough-Cut Walnut Veneer

The First Edition model builds on the HSE specification with an extensive equipment list including Matrix LED headlamps, heated second and third-row seating, four-zone climate control, Meridian Surround Sound System, Driver Assist Pack and Privacy Glass. All feature 20" alloy wheels as standard, with a choice of P400 petrol or D300 diesel Ingenium six-cylinder powertrains.

All Defenders now have Keyless Entry featuring Approach Unlock and Automated Walkaway Lock. When the key fob is detected approaching the vehicle, it automatically unlocks when it is within 1.5 metres. When leaving the vehicle it will automatically lock when the key fob is more than 1.5 metres away.

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Exterior design Defender’s iconic silhouette has been extended by 340mm at the rear for better interior space across all three rows, without compromising its all-terrain capabilities, and features an extended rear overhang that provides even greater interior space in the third row of seats and load area.

All Defender models are fitted with a panoramic sunroof as standard, with a second sunroof above the third row also featuring on all Defender 130s.

Land Rover engineers have crafted a subtle boat tail-style uplift providing a departure angle of 28.5º. The surrounds for the rear LED lighting units have been re-engineered to maintain the three distinct lines that define Defender’s side profile as they rise subtly towards the rear.

Access to the spacious cargo area is unchanged, while a bodycolour hard-shell cover for the spare wheel is available. Narvik Black roof rails are fitted as standard, while Defender’s full range of exterior accessories - including the Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs - are also available.

The refined proportions of the 130 are enhanced by the optional Extended Bright Pack. In this specification, all lower body panels are finished in Ceres Silver Satin, providing a distinctive finish on vehicles finished in Hakuba Silver, Fuji White and Yulong White.

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Ceres Silver detailing can be found on the bonnet louvres and wings of all Defender 130 models, perfectly complemented by 20" polished silver alloy wheels.

The exterior finish is an extension to the Bright Pack, which features front and rear skid plates in Noble Chrome, complemented by grained black lower bumpers and wheelarch surrounds. The two options give Defender 130 customers a choice of distinctive and sophisticated exterior finishes.

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Efficient powertrains Defender 130 is available with a powerful and efficient choice of electrified powertrains, including the P300 and P400 mild-hybrid Ingenium six-cylinder petrols, and the D300 Ingenium six-cylinder diesel.

Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology underpins Land Rover’s six-cylinder Ingenium powertrains, providing seamless responses as well as enhanced fuel economy. It uses a 48V Belt-integrated Starter Generator (BiSG) that harvests energy normally lost under braking and deceleration, that is stored and utilised later in the journey, while also making the stop-start system more rapid and efficient.

Petrol • P300 - 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 300HP, 470Nm torque at 1,500-4,250 rpm • P400 - 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 400HP, 550Nm torque at 2,000-5,000 rpm Diesel • D300 - 3.0-litre six-cylinder, MHEV, 300PS, 650Nm torque at 1,500-2,500 rpm The P300 delivers effortless, refined performance from its 3.0 litre Ingenium six-cylinder powertrain and completes 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds (0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds). The P400 achieves 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds (0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds), with ample power and refinement.

The Ingenium D300 diesel engine provide enhanced torque delivery, smooth responses and impressive fuel economy, alongside a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds (0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds).

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Spacious interior The elegantly extended rear creates uncompromised accommodation in the third row, with enough width to provide comfortable seating for three adults, while the Defender’s familiar outline ensures generous headroom in all three rows.

Getting in to the third row is effortless, as the row two seats slide and fold forwards to provide wide access.

Additional touches ensure a comfortable passenger experience in the third row, including heated seats, padded armrests, storage and USB-C provision to charge devices on the move.

Additional comfort is provided by ventilation for each row, with additional ducting providing more heating and air-conditioning capacity via optional Four Zone Climate Control, exclusive to Defender 130.

Defender 130 provides a spacious and practical load area, with up to 3893 litres of cargo volume, even with the rearmost seats

in place. When the seats are not in use, they stow to create a large loading area, giving you choice in configuring the interior to best suit your needs. They are split in 40:20:40 configuration for added convenience.

From the tailgate, customers can simply lower the Defender’s Electronic Air Suspension with buttons inside the load area to aid with loading items into the rear.

The five-seat version of Defender 130 offers a vast load area of up to 2,5161 litres with row two folded.

New Defender 130 integrates the global location platform, what3words (which we wrote about in issue 21), giving customers accurate and precise navigation even in the most remote environments. The integrated technology allows what3words addresses to be inputted directly to the navigation bar on the Pivi Pro Infotainment or via the connected car app, working seamlessly alongside the existing HERE connected navigation and mapping software.

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The interior design features new colour and material options, and is furnished with the latest connected technologies and chassis systems - including a new, larger 11.4" Pivi Pro touchscreen, standard Electronic Air Suspension and Cabin Air Purification Plus providing the ultimate support and comfort for modern off-road excursions.

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Unstoppable capability Every Defender 130 is fitted with Land Rover’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) system and eight-speed ZF automatic transmission as standard. The iAWD technology efficiently and effectively manages the powertrain and power distribution between the front and rear axles, optimising on-road efficiency and all-terrain capability as necessary.

Every Defender 130 is fitted with Electronic Air Suspension with Adaptive Dynamics and Land Rover’s advanced Terrain Response® system for unrivalled all-terrain capability and driver confidence in all environments. The combination of advanced systems ensures comfortable and effortless progress across broken surfaces, delivering agile performance.

The Electronic Air Suspension system allows for up to 430mm of articulation, with 71.5mm of additional lift at the front (73.5mm at the rear) in off-road height to clear obstacles and assist when wading - Defender 130 will ford up to 900mm of water. The Defender’s off-road capability is managed by Land Rover’s Terrain Response® system, which allows the driver to fine-tune the driving experience to any terrain via the Pivi Pro screen.

The foundations for the Defender’s all-conquering all-terrain capability rely on Land Rover’s aluminium-intensive monocoque D7x architecture. With a torsional rigidity of 25kNm/Degree, the Defender is three times more rigid than traditional body-on-frame designs and features the basis for the all-independent air suspension, twin-speed transfer box and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

Defender 130 provides towing capacity of up to 3,000kg, while hitching is made easier with the Electronic Air Suspension controlled via a switch panel inside the tailgate. Detachable and multi-height towbar designs are available for effortless towing.

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R A E G & GOODS TR A N S -A FRIC A LA N D ROVER Written by award-winning author Martin Port, this new book follows the late Phillip Kohler’s remarkable life that includes a 3 year journey in his 1959 Series II Land Rover during a solo crossing of the Sahara desert.

But it doesn’t stop there, his adventure provided not just new experiences, but also shaped the rest of his professional life. A chance encounter with John Wayne, resulted in a hugely successful career in the international film industry working as location/ production manager on nearly 40 films, including The Empire Strikes Back, Full Metal Jacket and numerous Bond movies.

The book not only contains over 300 unique photographs and documents that charts Kohler’s journey from Australia to Europe, but also how his one-owner Land Rover, which remained with the family until 2016, made an emotional return to the road after 20 years of inactivity.

In today’s world there are so many conflicts, closed borders and hatred, that a journey of this magnitude is sadly no longer possible, so it’s nice relive this bygone era of overland expeditions and peril.

It doesn’t matter if you’re not into Land Rovers, Trans-Africa Land Rover is a well written and documented book that is engaging from start to finish and tells of a remarkable story of one man’s desire for adventure with a huge serving of nostalgia thrown in. price: £30

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more at » porterpress.co.uk

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R A E G & GOODS

BOOTPA C

Made from a tough woven polyester with a durable waterproof coating, the BOOTPAC is designed to keep the rear of your car clean and tidy, especially during those trips to the tip with rotting timber, vegetation and so on, after all, no-one want a car that’s full of creepy crawlies and smelling of umentionable things!

Using adjustable heavy duty straps that are easily attached to your 4x4, estate, SUV or hatchback’s headrests, grab-handles and boot hinges, the BOOTPAC resembles a huge tent and even zips up sealing in any bulky and dirty items that you’re transporting.

The BOOTPAC has a capacity of 500 litres that extends up to 1,200 litres for longer loads, and is really well thought out. Not only are there multiple carry handles on all sides for when you want to carry the BOOTPAC to a specific area, but there are also side compression straps to secure the load. Once full it can be zipped shut to keep moisture, dirt and insects away from the car interior.

When unzipped the access flap of the BOOTPAC covers the bumper protecting it from dirt, sharp objects and scratches when you fill and then remove the contents.

At the tip or recycling centre you can simply unzip to gain access, or for the likes of leaves or garden waste it’s easy to remove the entire bag for emptying.

Not only is it ideal for the aforementioned tip runs, but it also works well for the outdoor enthusiast and sports coaches; essentially anyone who has wet or dirty gear to transport.

Once used it can be easily washed and stored away in its own carry bag. price: currently £75 (normally £99) more at » www.bootpac.biz THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Britpart are delighted to now be an approved stockist for the entire ARB range of products in the UK. For nearly 40 years Britpart has been synonymous with parts for Land Rovers and now we are expanding our range of quality aftermarket parts with the introduction of the ARB catalogue for a multitude of 4x4 vehicles.

ARB’s range of products for the off-road and pickup market includes Air Lockers & > Compressors

Recovery Points & > Equipment

> Canopies

> Roof Racks

> Drawers

> StealthBar Bumper

> Lights

Steps & Side > Protection

Upgraded > Suspension > Rear Protection

arb4x4uk.co.uk

> Tyre Accessories > Underbody Protection

ARB accessories & suspension products for a wide range of manufacturers & models Ford Ranger / Isuzu D-Max / Jeep Cherokee & Grand Cherokee & Jeep Wrangler Land Rover Defender & Land Rover Discovery / Mitsubishi L200 / Nissan Navara & Pathfinder / Toyota Hilux / VW Amarok

sales@britpart.com

Robens Timber Mesh Grill (L) As fire pits go, I’ve lost count how many we have scattered around Muddy HQ, from large lumbering things to the smallest and most portable. However, this two-in-one compact outdoor grill and fireplace from Robens is one of the most versatile, and one I’ll be using a lot.

I already have something similar to this that Muddy Madam bought me last year, however it had a small problem - it can be a little fiddly to put up. The Timber Mesh Grill on the other hand is much easier to erect, and with removable grill panels to cook on. It’s also much more practical.

It’s also much better thought out. After you’ve removed all the parts from its heavy duty and oversized bag, you then remove the clasp strip holding it together and unfold its 4 legs. The tight woven mesh is already attached to both ends, and to make it rigid you simply slot in the two sides, that also act as securing points for the 3 grills, and you’re ready to go.

The whole unit, including the tight woven mesh is made from stainless steel for strength, durability and longevity. On the subject of the woven mesh, the clever thing about it is that it’s designed to support firewood and kindling, and although it allows plenty of airflow upwards it’s fine enough not to let ash or embers fall through to the ground below.

The only downside is that there are no sides, so in windy conditions, embers can easily be blown away, so beware.

Packed down in its own heavy duty carry back it measures just 41 x 17 x 5 cm, and expands to 50 x 47 x 25 cm (LxWxH) when ready for use. price: £83.99 more at » www.robens.de currently: £70.30 from amazon.co.uk

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Robens Firefly Stove If you are looking for a small and lightweight stove, then check out this one from Robens. Made from coated stainless steel and weighing in at just 84g, this diminutive backpacking stove is compact and powerful.

With an impressive 2,600w output, the Firefly screws directly onto the gas cartridge, and therefore the cartridge serves as the stove’s base making the whole unit stable.

The 3 flip-out pot supports are wide enough to accommodate a small mug or larger cooking pots, and on full whack is able to boil a litre of water in just over 6 minutes.

It's perfect for wild camping, lightweight backpacking, and even as an emergency stove packed in either your glovebox or emergency back pack, remembering of course to also pack a gas cartridge!

The Firefly has a pack size of just 7 x 4.5 x 4.5 cm and comes complete in a hard protective zipped case.

I’ve used it numerous times recently as it’s much more convenient than unpacking and unfolding our twin-burner stove, and actually even easier than using our single burner that has a cartridge.

It’s an excellent piece of kit, especially if you’re on a tight budget or simply short of space in the back of your 4x4. price: £26.99 more at » www.robens.de

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Outwell 20ltr Portable Toilet I read somewhere recently that if you’re partaking in a spot of overnight camping by the roadside in your vehicle, then officially you need to have access to a proper loo, otherwise the Police can move you on. I might be talking nonsense, you know what the internet is like, but if you do enjoy spending nights away in the middle of nowhere, and you don't want to grab your trowel to squat in the bushes, then getting a portable loo is a good idea.

Outwell’s 20ltr portable toilet with flushing pump and built-in carry handle is my loo of choice as it’s designed to be both practical, comfortable and easy to use.

It’s made from sturdy polyethylene and the large waste outlet and detachable holding tank makes it easy to empty. It also features a slide valve for effective leakage protection, and a bellows flushing pump that allows for both left and right rim water flow on flush - handy.

The toilet consists of two tanks that can easily be connected and disconnected from each other. The top section holds the freshwater and a toilet bowl with a seat and lid, whilst the lower section is the waste holding tank that you add a mixture of water and toilet chemicals.

It measures 35.5 x 41 x 39cm (WxDxH), and has a seat height of 38.5cm. It’s also available in a 10ltr size, but I opted for the 20ltr due to the extra 10cm height which makes it easier to get up from (this becomes more necessary the older you get, believe me). price: £115.00

Toilet Carry Bag Made from 210D Oxford and 100% polyester, the toilet bag is specifically designed to carry both the 10ltr and 20ltr Outwell toilets. It has carry handles and it’s water resistant. There isn’t really much else to say about it, except that it’s actually quite useful and in my option, an essential purchase. price: £17.99 more at » www.outwell.com

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more at » www.outwell.com

Easy Camp Little Loo Tent The Easy Camp Little Loo Tent is another great accessory for your overnight forays, especially if you’re in the company of others. It’s quick and easy to pitch, and has a pegging point on each side in case it’s also windy on the outside.

It isn’t just a loo tent, it can be used as a shower stall or a changing room at the beach. There’s also the option, if you’re shy or simply don’t want to, to avoid shared campsite facilities, and to be fair I’ve visited some facilities that are just plain nasty!

It’s a pop-up design so there’s no feeding poles through tiny bits of fabric, and it stands at over 6ft tall and just under 4ft square at the base.

It features a zipped opening in roof for a shower head, a roof hook to hang towels, a detachable toilet roll holder and a large detachable mesh pocket for your personal belongings.

It packs into its 62 x 3 cm circular bag, weighs 2.5kg and can easily slot into the smallest crevice in you 4x4. price: £74.99 more at » www.easycamp.com

Have a shower with a view

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Heat2Eat Self Steamer

If you’re looking for a product that can heat your food without making a fire, and without electricity, though you do have to have fresh water, then the Heat2Eat Self Steamer is just the answer.

The semi-reusable Self Steamers are lightweight containers with a heating tray.

The heating component is a Heatstone that, using witchcraft, absorbs water to ensure a steaming hot meal within 20-30 minutes, depending on the cooked stage of the food, of course.

They’re incredibly easy to use, simply place your food into the top heating tray, pour tap or mineral water into the base container and submerge the heatstone. Then place the heating tray into container, fix the lid in place and wait.

the

The container and heat tray are specially engineered to use the production of steam from the heatstone to circulate the food, thus ensuring there are no hot or cold spots, just piping hot food throughout.

It’s a really useful bit of kit, especially in an emergency, and in practise it works really well. The Self Steamer is ideal for heating ready meals, tinned food, leftover meals, dehydrated food and so on. On your journey you could pop into a local deli, buy a portion of pre-cooked food and heat it up by the side of the road - easy.

The Heat2Eat Self Steamer is available in various shapes and sizes, and each pack comes with a single heatstone, though you can buy more with your initial order. It’s recommend that you replace your selfsteamer after 5 uses, and don’t worry, it’s all made from recyclable plastic. price: varies from £8.69 more at » https://heat2eatselfsteamer.co.uk

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Genesis GV80 Luxury Line 70

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Made just for ewe!

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What is it?

By now you’ll hopefully be aware that Genesis is the posh arm of Hyundai, and the GV80 is the firm’s largest offering. And when I say large, I mean large, If you want to buy a large luxury SUV you’re spoilt for choice, as pretty much every motor manufacturer has at least one in their range. So, is this relative newcomer worthy of punt? Let’s have a look…

On the Road

Despite being the size of a barge, the GV80 is quite easy to pootle around in. Its front and rear multilink suspension, along with massive 22” wheel and tyre combo, creates a nice ride; it was neither soft and wallowy nor firm and sharp, it was in the middle, though I would be interested to compare it to a GV80 fitted with standard 20” wheels. Unlike many of its competitors the GV80 isn’t available with air suspension, I’ll leave you to decide whether that’s a good thing or not.

Under the bonnet, the 3.0 litre inline-six diesel is mated to a slick 8-speed automatic gearbox and offers 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. Being honest, I’m never really bothered about 0-60 times, more how smooth it is. Thanks to 588Nm of peak torque that comes in from just 1,500rpm, the combo never gives the impression of being ruffled of flustered, and the auto box is rarely forced into kicking down a ratio.

The times when you do sink your right foot into the carpet, it does make a fairly pleasing sound.

As all versions of the GV80 come with four-wheel drive, you can assume correctly that it feels reassuringly sure-footed through the corners. Despite having enough performance to keep a keen driver interested, the GV80 would much prefer it if you relaxed into its comfortable seats and enjoyed the serenity of its smooth road manners and refined cabin.

On the topic of road manners, there’s a front camera that spots potential potholes, then adjusts the suspension to optimise comfort and safety.

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Off Road

Despite adequate ground clearance, like the GV70 that was in last month’s issue, the GV80 isn’t a vehicle that you’d want to take off-road, it’s more a road going SUV that has some off-road capability.

Climbing a steep incline with a very loose surface proved to be an absolute doddle, no drama at all, even after stopping half way up for photos and starting again.

That said, I had to give it a test - obviously!

In fact, the only concern I had was accidentally damaging the aforementioned 22” wheels or getting a sidewall puncture, at nearly £400 a corner that would’ve wiped out my monthly chippy tea quota!

Like its smaller sibling, it has three 4x4 modes; Mud, Snow and Sand. Engage Mud and the hill descent control works an absolute treat.

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Interior

Think comfortable quilted seats draped in napa leather, knurled aluminium knobs, real wood trim, premium sound system and all the safety spec you could ever wish for, that’s what Genesis gives you in the GV80.

It isn’t just posh either, giving plenty of attention to the smallest of details it’s also finished to a standard that easily matches, and often surpasses many of its contemporaries.

Open the tailgate, and with a press of a button the silent warring of electric motors can be heard as both the second and rearmost seats rise and fold revealing 2144 litres of nothingness when flat.

Rear passengers have oodles of space, especially headroom, and the thrid row seats are, as usual, are meant for children and Oompa Loopas.

Going back to the boot for a moment, 7-seat versions of the Genesis are offered with only a puncture repair kit, but opt for 5-seat model and you can specify a spare wheel for an extra £40 - well worth it.

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Engine ’n’ transmission

You have a choice of two engines, either this, the 274bhp 3.0 litre diesel or 2.5-litre, fourcylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 300bhp. Both are offered with AWD and the impressive 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Ownership

When it comes to its aftersales service, Genesis wants to make looking after your purchase as premium as possible, this includes a 5-year care plan. The original retail price of the car includes a warranty, servicing (including home collection and delivery) and breakdown cover for the full period, you don’t see any other manufactures doing that.

Conclusion

All things considered, Genesis should be congratulated for delivering such a competitive car in the most competitive of classes, it’s a cracking flagship vehicle and a well designed and executed alternative to its strong opposition.

Vehicle tested - £62,91 - after options £74,615

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Be Our Guest Damian's mutterings are good, but we have decided that you wouldn't mind reading the compositions from other people every now and then, so let's welcome back freelance motoring and travel journalist Carlton Boyce to the pages of The Mud Life.

Memorable Drives The decade I spent working as a freelance motoring journalist reinforced my belief that most cars are inherently boring, and it’s what you do with them that makes them interesting.

Take the 443bhp Audi RS4 Quattro I drove back in 2012, for example. Chasing a Range Rover prototype along a German autobahn at 170mph made for an unusually memorable launch and yet ten years later I can’t remember much about the actual car other than it had such a hard ride that my co-driver’s glasses kept sliding down his nose, but the effortless way it dispatched a large swath of Germany - door-to-door, we covered 600 miles in a little over eight hours including the Eurotunnel - will live with me forever.

As will driving across the Sahara Desert in a new Nissan Navara.

The PR seemed uneasy about asking me if I was okay driving alone that day, but being able to waft along with the windows down, Bruce Springsteen playing softly, and a travel mug of coffee to hand is something I’ll remember for a long time.

Again, I can’t remember much about the Navara’s design or dynamics now other than it rode very well for a pickup, but experiencing the vastness of the African desert alone more than made up for being hauled off the plane to be interrogated by a sweaty custom’s officer whose demeanour made me question whether I’d ever see my family again…

Other highlights from my ten years spent exploring the world at someone else’s expense included chasing the Yukon Quest sled dog race from Whitehorse in Canada to the Alaskan border, during which we detoured for a ten hour drive along the Dempster Highway in the depth of winter.

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At -40ºC, vast articulated lorries coming the other way steamed past us, forcing us to pull aside to let the snow wash die down; on occasion, I could count to 30 before visibility was properly restored and it was safe to continue.

Our GMC Yukon XL (do you see what the PR team did there?) woofled along happily enough, but the heater wasn’t powerful enough to defrost the side and rear windows, and various electrical bits played up too.

The tailgate froze shut too, which made getting the tow rope out harder than it should have been when I stuffed it into a snow-filled ditch.

It was a good job a passing Yukon Government pickup also had a chain in the loadbed with which to haul us out, because we were so firmly embedded that the tow rope snapped on the first pull.

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Crossing the Icelandic mountains in winter gave me a personal taste of what I still think is the best motoring film made to date.

I’m talking, of course, about The Polar Special in which the chaps from Top Gear race to the magnetic North Pole in a pair of Arctic Trucks modified Toyota Hiluxs.

We hauled a pair of hapless tourists out of a snow drift too, and enjoyed lamb cooked on a bed of charcoal in the snow, before drinking Penderyn whisky whilst bathing in a thermal river at midnight as the Aurora Borealis struggled to make an appearance.

Sporting the same modifications and 38” tyres as the Top Gear cars, the Hilux I drove in Iceland in 2017 climbed and waded across terrain you simply couldn’t cross on foot.

Again though, while the days I spent there solidified my obsession with over-tyred pickups, it’s the people and the landscape I remember most vividly.

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I later got to drive one of the very pickups the Top Gear team used, along with a 44” monster fresh back from crossing Greenland. The Top Gear vehicle had been the back-up vehicle for the Polar Special, and was the one James May later drove up the side of an active volcano.

It had lived a hard life, and had had half its dashboard removed to allow cameras to be fitted. It was also still fitted with the infamous shotgun holder, and yes, the bumper dumper was on the back seat!

It was surprisingly easy to drive around Leamington Spa, even if some of the tighter corners needed another two stabs due to the Hilux’s restricted steering lock.

The Greenlandic Toyota Hilux, on the other hand, was an absolute beast. At 6’ 3” it’s not often I struggle to get up and into tall cars (although the downside to such a lofty height is that the Lotus Elise and Caterham Seven remain elusive…), but the AT44 needed care. It drove well though, with those huge tyres providing a squishy and comfortable ride.

The locals must be used to Arctic Trucks trundling its wares around the streets because no-one batted an eyelid, even when we stopped for photos on the high street. It’s a ridiculous thing outside of the environment it was designed for but if I won the lottery I’d have one in a heartbeat.

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It wasn’t all freebies though, and I paid my own way on numerous occasions in the search of great copy and big adventure.

I returned to Canada in the summer to cycle across the Rockies, wild camping in the woods and even punching an inquisitive bear one night!

I averaged about 60 miles a day on my overladen mountain bike, which might not seem very far, but those mountains are steep, and go on for a long, long time.

Canadian drivers always gave me a wide berth, with articulated lorries crossing the white line to give me as much space as possible, along with a thumbsup and a toot of the horn in encouragement.

I later hired a Ford F-150 during the same trip and criss-crossed the Rockies again, drifting ever north through Dawson City.

I was the first person to cross the Top of the World Highway that year (it’s so remote and wild that it is closed during the autumn, winter and spring), dropping down into Alaska where I ambled about in search of grizzlies on the salmon run.

I alternated between wild camping and checking in to cheap hotels, often going three days without seeing anyone else, even on major roads.

The Ford was big enough that I could sleep on the back seat when the mosquitos got too much.

I spent six weeks there in total, and loved every minute even though the pickup was beat to hell but it just kept on running and that was all that mattered.

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The longest journey I’ve done to date was from north Wales to Morocco in the then-new Jeep JL. All-in-all, we did 5,000 miles in it, circling the Sahara Desert, camping in the desert wherever we fancied and enjoying the hospitality of some of the friendliest people on the planet.

For a boy who grew up reading Wilfred Thesiger and Gerald Durrell in a council house in Derby, driving from the UK to Africa seemed impossibly romantic and fulfilled a lifelong dream.

My most vivid memories are of eating goat tagine in roadside cafes, lying on my back at night in a bivvy bag gazing at the Milky Way, and driving through an awful lot of police and military checkpoints.

Best of all was sharing it with my daughter. She had just turned seventeen, and had been strangely reluctant to take her place behind the steering wheel in the UK, a reluctance that was explained when she told me that she’d wanted to save her first road-legal drive for a section of the old Paris Dakar rally route: she’s a chip off the old block, that’s for sure!

Living at the time in north Wales gave me plenty of experience in messing about in old Suzuki Jimnys. Cheap enough that they could, in extremis, be viewed as disposable, careful placement and plenty of revs allowed me to keep up with most things, even if some of the passages were accompanied by the noise of metal grating on rock…

The Allt y Badi in Llangollen had a fearsome reputation for many years, and there are still plenty of folk posting videos on YouTube involving too many revs and too many relocated rocks.

I drove it most recently towing a stricken Suzuki Ignis up there at little more than tickover in the snow, a feat that would have made for poor viewing but left little trace of our passing.

We then ambled in convoy down into Shropshire, where all-wheel-drive was restored to the Ignis by the simple expedient of driving up a very steep snow-covered road at full speed in reverse, something I was, sadly, unable to video but which reduced me to tears of laughter.

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Speaking of Llangollen, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Countryside Service were looking for a pickup capable of traversing peat and heather better than their standard Mitsubishi L200. I borrowed an Arctic Trucks Isuzu D-Max AT35 for a week, and we spent a happy day driving across the area on tracks and hillsides that would have been forbidden to me normally.

The AT35 took it all in its stride, crossing peat bogs that had swallowed two tanks and even a plane that had crashlanded there during World War II.

My most recent adventure was relocating to Shetland in my Hilux AT37.

Infinitely superior to the old Hilux AT38, it flew along the motorways at warp-speed carrying everything that is important to me, including Humphrey the border terrier and my two bikes.

We arrived in Lerwick after almost 600 miles and an overnight ferry during a snow storm and parked up at Hay’s Dock to admire the view.

We peered through the swirling snow to watch two otters catching fish in the harbour in front of me; with that and the weather, what more of a welcome could I have asked for?

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The Tales of Lilly, The Mud Life Dog

Naughty & Nice

by Karen Lee Turner

After gushing last month about Lilly's improvements, you'd think that this month all would be good, but not quite.

We'll get to the 'not quite' bit later, but I will start with the nice side...

As you know if you've been following her tales we got Lilly last August, and apart from going on cinema trips, shopping or green laning mooches for up to about four hours, we haven't left her, but this month we had a dilemma....well actually two.

First up we had a two day combination trip of an Expo at the NEC in Birmingham followed by SMMT's big motoring industry event down south at Millbrook Proving Grounds.

Then in the middle of the month Kia had invited both Damian and I on a swanky overnight stay where we would be fed and watered for free. Usually it's just Damian that gets the good invites, and I get to be envious of his posh bedrooms, 4 course meals and ever-flowing drinks, so I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity, but as I said, now we had a dilemma - who would look after Lilly?

As we haven't booked any hoildays for this year finding a suitable dog sitter or kennels had not been top of our list, and instead of rushing to find one we grovelled to my Mum, asking if she'd have Lilly for the two day/one night event. I was reasonably sure she'd say yes as her and Lilly get on, and I knew she'd looked after my sister's two dogs a couple of weeks before, so she couldn't really deny me (love you Mum).

We don't have children, so I wasn't prepared for my reaction; I suddenly became an anxious parent.

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- Would Lilly cope being away from the love of her life (not me, she's a total Daddy's girl)?

- Would she fret and panic?

- Would she get out of Mum's well enclosed garden, and go chase sheep in the field opposite?

- Would her whippy tail break Mum's ornaments?

- Would her ability to pull an 18 stone bloke around mean she'd pull my, less than half that weight, Mum over?

We decided that we should try a test run for a day, but time got by us, and suddenly it was time to leave. We headed up to Mum's first thing in the morning, with a boot full of Lilly's bed, toys, bowls, two fleece throws, food and treats, and I was armed with a sheet of A4 containing her usual routine of walks and food times, and our vets details.

I know it's my Mum, the woman who managed to keep me alive and in relatively good health (there were quite a few stitches) for most of my childhood, and I know Lilly is generally a good girl, but that didn't stop me fretting about how they both would cope.

It took us both a few minutes to actually leave, and when Lilly ran and stood on my Mum's window sill, staring out of the window at us both with a forlorn look, my heart did a little wobble.

Over the next day and a half we did occasionally wonder if all was OK, but I resisted the urge to ring and check like

one of those helicopter parents, knowing Mum would ring if there were any issues.

We needn't have worried at all. Yes she had a bit of a fret for a few minutes when we left, then Mum said she just hopped onto the chair I'd covered with her fleece and promptly went to sleep. On our return she greeted us like we'd been gone forE-V-E-R, and once home she settled in like normal.

Though all was not perfect, she did come home with small cut on her inside leg from naughtily digging up my Mum's flower bed (oops), but like me and my childhood stitches, after a couple of days she was right as rain.

Mum agreed to have her again for the Kia do, so apart from the digging incident she must've been a pretty good girl.

Now for the naughty bit....

As I said Lilly's training off lead has been progressing well. She's let off to play with her doggie pals in the park, and she happily bombs around like a hound possessed.

We've also started to let her off on in a few more places in the park, where she delights in running towards the fat pigeons sunbathing on the grass, or rolling around in fox poo like she's having an orgasmic fit, and she is getting good at coming back when called.

That is until the day she didn't.

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Armed with the dog whistle and a pocket full of treats and bolstered by her good behaviour I took Lilly for walk and decided to trust her with a bit of off lead work.

We headed to her usual trails, and once I knew there was no-one about that would distract her I unclipped the lead. She trotted off to approximately ten feet in front of me, and was happily exploring, so we carried on and she kept the same distance.

She came back when I called, and all was good, then about five minutes later we reached the bottom bit of the park, and suddenly something caught her eye (they are called sighthounds for a reason), and she was off into the undergrowth like a rocket.

Now I wasn't overly concerned as she has done this before and come back about 30 seconds later looking happy and knackered, so I waited. After about a minute I was getting concerned so I blew the whistle, and waited.

Ta Dah! I spotted her heading back to me just about 30 feet away, and relief washed over me, but that relief was short lived, as something else caught her attention and she vanished again.

I stood calmly for another 30 seconds or so, and then blew the whistle again.

Nothing....Tumbleweed....Whistle....Nothing....Calling.... More tumbleweed....More whistles followed by deafening silence....

More calling....Nothing....No sign.

Now I was getting concerned, so headed up the hill to the second path which was coincided with the trajectory of her run.

More whistles, and ever more frantic calling, and still no sign.

Unbeknownst to me he then called in the troops - his Dad to get him to join me in the hunt, and my neighbour Maria to see if Lilly had made it back home. Maria wasn't actually in her house, but she wasn't far away so she jumped in her car and headed home (what a star!) to see.

At this point I was slowly losing it. It had been about 30 minutes or more since I last spotted her, and I was heading into fully fledged mess territory. I decided to head to another trail that lead to the 5-a-side footy fields that she liked to walk around.

Half way up, my phone rang and it was Damian's Dad. Lilly was with Maria, yes the little b*tch had wandered home (thankfully there are no roads she has to cross to get home).

Luckily for Lilly it took me about seven minutes to get home, which allowed me time to go from relief, to threatening to never let her out of the house ever again, back to relief.

I got home and she ran into my arms as happy as bloody Larry (I don't know who Larry is, but he must be one truly ecstatic person), at which point I announced "She is grounded for LIFE," and told her she is never ever being let off the lead with me again!

This may sound harsh, but I do not want to be found by joggers after having a heart attack over a little b*tch that fancied an exciting solo excursion.

I remember people saying "Get a dog, you'll have fun.", but what they really should have said is "Get a dog, you'll freak out at every limp, cough and vanishing act, oh and by the way you'll never be able to go to the loo in piece again."

Roll on next month, this one has been way too stressful!

I'm now imagining the worst - someone has run off with her, she's impaled herself on a twig, she's fallen and broken something and because it's a forested park I might never find her.

I crossed paths with another dog owner and set the 'have you seen my dog' tom toms into action.

By now panic was setting in, and I didn't know what to do.

Do I stay put and wait for her to find her way back to me?

Do I go towards home hoping she knows the trail well enough for her to get home?

Damian had been away for the day green laning, but I figured he wouldn't be too far away so I rang him. My opening words were

"How far away are you? I've lost Lilly!"

He was actually over an hour away, so my inner drama queen was unleashed, and I had a mini-meltdown on the phone. Luckily Damian is a counsellor, and used to dealing with people's overly-emotional outbursts. He calmed me down and encouraged me to stay put and keep calling Lilly.

I ended the call, and waited.

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I can't scold Lilly for having an adventure, so this photo is my version of revenge. Look at that totally derpy mush!

Lilly's On The Lookout for...

Dog Bowls

Yeti Boomer The Yeti Boomer has a pretty hefty price tag for a dog bowl, but according to the reviews it's worth it.

Built with double-wall, non-insulated stainless steel making it incredibly durable, easy to clean and you can just throw it in the dishwasher.

The Bearfoot™ non-slip ring on the base means it won't budge no matter how enthusiastically they eat or drink.

Available in a variety of colours the Boomer 8 holds almost 2 litres of refreshing water and good amount of tasty treats, and the Boomer 4 is for the smaller dog and holds just under a litre. prices: from £40+ dependent on size more at » uk.yeti.com available from amazon.co.uk

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Loving Pets Ruff-N-Tuff Bowl In the 4x4 community we have a bit of an affinity for a bit of steel chequer plate, so now you can keep this love going and get your dog this bowl with textured walls stamped with a rugged look diamond plate design.

These Ruff 'N Tuff bowls are also heavy weighted with a full rubber bottom to prevent sliding and spills.

Being made of rust-proof stainless steel these bowls are easy to clean and do not retain odours.

Available in 5 sizes - S, M, L, XL, XXL prices: from £4 to £12.94 dependent on size available from amazon.co.uk

Gothic /Horror Personalised Bowls

I decided to try and find something different from the mass produced bowls, so I headed across to Etsy - the home of handmade and original, and was a bit disappointed that what I came up on the first few pages were mainly standard bowls just with names added.

I scrolled a few more pages, and my eyes came across these delightfully gruesome bowls from UK based creator, and 110 owner, Gemma, in her the brilliantly named shop DefrightfulCreations.

There are a couple of styles with 2 sizes in each: • Straight Edge - 15cm & 20cm • Bevelled edge - 17 cm & 20.5cm and you can pick from blood drips design or you can choose a custom design. prices: from £17 to £22 dependent on size and shape more at » www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DefrightfulCreations THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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SpunkyJunky Ceramic Bowl with Bamboo Stand I'm not going to lie, it was definitely the brand name that attracted my attention to this particular set of bowls whilst trawling the internet, but actually once I had a look, the simple elegance and practicality of them appealed to me.

The bamboo stand gives a slightly raised eating position and creates a fixed position that won't be easily upturned. The bowls are also non-slip, and can be used without the stand which is why I like that the bowls are ceramic, as ceramic tend to be weightier, so won't wander whilst eating.

Available in a set or singly, in 2 sizes 400ml & 850ml, and in plenty of stylish colours. prices: from £23.99 - £39.99 dependent on size & style available from amazon.co.uk

Bamboo Bowl This is a sustainably made food and water bowl made with bamboo fibres blended with rice husks, a by-product of rice farming.

The natural strength of bamboo makes them as tough and hard wearing as plastic alternatives.

Materials • Bamboo Powder • PLA resin - PLA is a plant-based material • Cornstarch • Bran Coat/Rice Husks price: £6.99 more at » www.bamboo-company.co.uk

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h c o o M

Exploring with a Compass

Back in our January 2022 issue I wrote in depth about the allnew Jeep Compass, how its high-tech hybrid system works and so on, but the test route wasn’t the most challenging, nor was the off-road test. Not Jeep’s fault, but the best they could find around Hastings. With that in mind I had no other option but to borrow one and put it through its paces up in the North of England, and the Compass in question is the Trailhawk 4xe (4-bye).

What is a Jeep Compass Trailhawk 4xe (4-by-e)?

4xe denotes that it's powered by a petrol 1.3-litre turbo engine that's paired with an electric motor located on the rear axle that’s powered by an 11.4kWh battery that can be recharged while driving or via an external charger. On its own, the

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1.3-litre turbo engine delivers 180hp, plus the 60hp produced by the electric motor, creating a total of 240hp. This means it’s no slouch with a 0-62mph time in around 7.5 seconds, and in full-electric mode the 4xe has an approximate range of 30 miles (WLTP cycle).

What does ‘Trailhawk’ mean?

The name “Trailhawk” refers to a rugged, off-road oriented trim as well as 5 driving modes to choose from in the new SELECTERRAIN control system: Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud, and the Rock mode, for the greatest reduction to the crawl ratio.

With all that tech I had to find a challenging lane, so a day out in Cumbria was pencilled in.

The lane in question rises from the small village of Bootle, just north of Barrow-in-Furness, and as I’ve written previously, the best parts of this particular lane are the B roads that surround it. The A5092 and A595 are full of twists, turns, ups and downs, and therefore a great way of finding out whether or not your 4x4 handles like a bowl of jelly.

Let me make one thing clear, the new Compass Trailhawk does not handle like a bowl of jelly, it’s actually quite taut with a steering set up that enables you to place it where ever you want throughout a corner. It certainly put a smile on my face!

How did it handle Fell Grn Road?

(SD1188-02 & SD1288-02 Trailwise 2 references)

Amazingly well, actually.

Pretty much straight away SD118802 begins with an ascent, nothing too challenging in the dry, loose stones and a bit of dirt, that’s all.

I set off in normal drive and the Compass climbed with ease. I was fortunate to have a chosen another glorious day as scattered clouds and a gorgeous blue sky stretched across the ocean in the background.

The views up here are stunning.

As I approached the first undulating rutted section I engaged 4WD Low and left the Compass in Auto, but as soon as the opposing wheels became slightly airborne I lost forward motion, even with 4WD Lock engaged. I reversed back and added a touch of momentum into the mix, and up I climbed.

Compared to the other 4x4s I’ve taken up here recently; Discovery 5, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger Raptor and the new Defender, the Compass is by far the smallest, and I did wonder if I was pushing my luck.

Being on the safe side I brought along a shovel and my pair of ActionTrax, just in case.

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If you check out Trailwise2, there’s a point at which the lane turns into SD1288-02, and it’s at this juncture where it has become badly eroded over time due to constant heavy rain, and I dare say vehicular traffic.

Since last year, the channels caused be rainfall seem to have become much deeper and because they snake in all directions, there never seems to be any discernible paths to follow.

After a quick scout I jumped back into the Compass I drove forward aiming at the easiest looking tricky bit wondering how it would cope.

Not that well, unfortunately. The first sign of a wheel lifting and the compass lost traction, so I reversed a little and had a look at the terrain menu.

As I mentioned above, the options are; Auto, Snow, Sand and Mud, and the Rock mode. Because the latter provides the greatest reduction to the crawl ratio, I chose that and wow, what a difference!

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Selecting Rock mode allowed the Compass to climb everything in its path. As you can see in the photos, parking with the front wheel waggling in the air, stopping for a photo, then jumping back in didn’t cause trouble for the Compass, it simply edged its way forward from standstill. There were no moans and groans from the suspension or body, just the odd scrape from the undercarriage.

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The next section, was only a matter of yards away, looked a little gnarlier. On the left there was a rut that measured around 3 feet deep with an almost vertical step at the end, I didn’t fancy that, and to the right another rut that I figured I could straddle.

The problem was, just getting to it would mean crossing an horizontal hole that would surely involve another wheel lift, which it did, and again the Compass made it look easy, though quite unnerving sat in the drivers seat as one side of the vehicle lurches in the air.

The routine of jumping out, surveying the lane ahead, scratching my head, and going for the least damaging line continued for the next ten minutes or so, and I thoroughly loved it. Driving these types of lanes slowly whilst creating as little damage to the ground as possible is what sets my pulse racing, I just wish others would find it as exciting as I do instead of buying a cheap 4x4 and trashing everything.

Once you get past the ruts the lane levels out and you're treated to more epic views, so it would’ve been rude not to stop and enjoy the moment, but not for too long as I had a few other lanes to explore, that I’ll tell you about next month.

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Get yourself one of these new

MUD LIFE STICKERS! Get them in our Ko-Fi shop: ko-fi.com/mudlifemag/shop

We now we have these 2 fun new designs to pick from, and they are bigger than the last ones.

Stick 'em on your 4x4, caravan, toolbox, laptop or wherever else you just want to stick things.

• Size - approx. 10cm • Printed on high quality vinyl • Suitable for exterior use.

These glossy vinyl stickers are £1.75 each plus P&P (it's just a one-off P&P of 66p no matter how many stickers you buy).

es d i R s ' r e Read

Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?

Hi, my name’s Liam I’m from Manchester and I’m a soldier in the Armed Forces.

History of cars leading up your present 4x4 Growing up my dads always had Land Rover’s, from Lightweights to Defenders, everything except TD5s. This inevitably lead to me having a little 1.3 Jimny as my first car, great little thing however it was a complete death trap on the road after I got my hands on it and threw a lift kit and mud tires underneath.

After a couple of years in an Audi A5 Quattro and going fast I decided it was time to slow down and start looking for something I could take around the country and live in, that left very few options, but the Defender 110 hard top came top of the pile, so here I am now with my 2.2 Puma.

Present 4x4(s) I got very tired of setting up vehicle mounted sleeping systems in the rain and then putting them away wet and cold the next morning, this lead me to want something I could camper convert but still have excellent off road performance to take me to places you just wouldn’t get to experience in a VW Transporter.

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Enter the Defender 110 Puma. The hard top allowed me to convert the truck to a camper for me and my girlfriend to travel in without any need to set up camp. When I say it literally takes me 30 seconds to set camp up I really mean it.You open the boot door and pull a beer out of the fridge, pop up a chair and watch all your mate wrestle with a RTT giving them words of encouragement.

I went for the Puma engine as I wanted to be as comfortable as possible and have 6 gears for the heavy motorway use I do (1600 miles a month) and run at an average of 33mpg.

Modifications done The list of modifications on the Puma is very long so I’ll try to keep it to the main additions.

Under the bonnet is a stage 1 map, Alisport performance intercooler, BAS silicone hoses, Turbo Zentrum hose clamps. The truck is ready for a stage 2 or 3 but I want to be able to replace anything with stock parts in the event of a breakdown overseas. The likelihood of being able to get aftermarket parts that can stand that type of power is minimal. At 168bhp and 477Nm it’s hardly a slouch now. With the truck running an LOF Extreme spec clutch and 1 piece output shaft we should have no problems with this power.

The front of the truck is running a flatdog winch bumper cradling a Terrafirma M12.5 winch with a LR A-bar surround that has 2x PIAA flood lights mounted.

The rack is Safety Devices G4 and that’s running with 4x PIAA spots from across the pond, these things are pricey but they give some other well known UK brands a run for their money at a reasonably cheaper cost.

The sides of the truck are protected by rock sliders and other than the new addition of a side locker on the passenger side no other major mods have been added here.

The rear of the truck has had the Massai wheel carrier fit to stop those poor LR hinges stressing, a nice little feature of the carrier is it moves the wheel further to the drivers side to allow more access to the door handle and better rearward vision. The spare wheel is the covered by the Howling Moon spare wheel cover.

The truck sits on standard 265/75r18 BFG KO2s on 0 offset steel rims, I just can’t trust alloys.

The interior is where the work has really been underway, heated seats, heated windscreen, Momo wheel, custom cubby, CB radio with 2 way antennas so I can remove the whip in woodblocks and use the short stubby mounted on the A-Bar. The whole truck was firstly fully sound deadened, this made a big difference! After that the wood was cut for the rear of the truck and carpeted over, before fitting it was crammed with as much thermal insulation as possible. We have slept in -2 with no problems and didn’t even have to turn the diesel heater on.

The truck is kitted out with Renogy lithium 100ah battery, and Renogy DCDC charger that powers everything in the rear, compressor fridge, USB ports, lights, diesel heater, running water. The truck also has 2x gas hobs that run off a Campingaz bottle in a locker under the sink.

I wanted to be able to both sit and sleep in the truck so a pull out sofa bed was the way to go, it’s big enough for the 2 of us to sleep on comfortably and even contains a huge amount of storage under it. I fit 3 doors to allow access to this space.

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Favourite Modifications Of all the mods I’d have to say the camper conversation really is my favourite, the ability to set up camp in 30 seconds, and if it’s raining climb through to the rear and stay dry, cool and clean pots in the dry makes it worth its weight in gold. That said I still always seem to be helping mates with their tents and getting wet anyhow….

Modifications to do We currently have 20L of water on board under the sink, but it’s not enough for anything outside of the UK so we will be fitting a 2nd 40L tank in place of a second locker on the drivers side.

Another major upgrade coming soon is the extended fuel tank, another 45L. The truck will make 500 miles quite easily on the stock 70L so I expect to see 800+ miles with the new tank, which then means I won’t have to carry Jerrys on our Morocco trip next summer.

Favourite green-laning trip We have done most of the UK now and the best trips are the ones with some good weather, although some lanes are way more fun in the wet! There’s not one stand out trip, anytime

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we are out it gets better and better experiencing new places.

Lottery win 4x4 Either a 6 cylinder TD Pinzgauer or the new Land Cruiser Troopy.

Favourite car related film Anytime James Bonds in a car, not strictly a car related film but they’re always the best cars on screen.

Favourite biscuits Not a big biscuit eater but I’ll take a beer anytime.

Where can we find more details?

I have an instagram page, #thesilverbackdefender You can see much more detail into the build, a couple of honest product reviews, and great photo’s and reels of the trips we do and the cool lanes we drive. All the big ones are on there, although it’s an immaculate truck you’ll still see it getting into some touch and go situations!

Fancy an off-road challenge? Over the next few pages we have listed many of the business that you can play, train and holiday with.

Always find out what you'll need to bring along or which vehicles are allowed: Does your 4x4 need to be road legal? Do you need to show proof of age, vehicle MOT and insurance documents?

Are your recovery points secure? Do you even have any recovery points?

Always check with the individual site before you set off.

Remember, as well as a good quality tow rope, it’s always useful to bring along some rags and a bottle of water to clean your lights and number plates, so you can stay legal whilst driving home!

Pay & Play Directory

NORTH

SOUTH

Hill ’n’ Ditch

Essex Rochford & District 4x4 Club

Mouldsworth, Cheshire http://www.hillnditch4x4.com 07974 398201

Explore Off Road

Crewe, Cheshire http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

Kirton Off Road

Hibaldstow, Gainsborough https://www.korc.co.uk 01652 245022

Frickley 4x4 Off Road Centre South Elmsall, West Yorkshire https://www.frickley4x4.co.uk 07881 590593

Cowm Leisure

Whitworth, Rochdale https://cowmleisure.com 07970 101 879

WALES Ultra Adventure Driving

Wrexham, Wales http://www.ultraadventuredriving.co.uk 01978 358 444

Canewdon, Rochford http://www.4x4er.co.uk

Devils Pit

Barton Le Clay, Bedfordshire http://www.devilspit.co.uk 07764 159478

Avalanche Adventures

Market Harborough, Leicestershire https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

4x4 Without A Club

Aldermaston, Berkshire http://www.4x4-withoutaclub.co.uk 07887533168

John Morgan 4x4 Driving Slindon, West Sussex http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

Piccadilly Wood

Bolney, West Sussex http://www.piccadillywood4x4.co.uk 07984 543886

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4x4 TOURS DIRECTORY

Highland All Terrain

Trails and Tracks 4x4 Adventures

Single & Multiple Day Tours with Wild Camping 100s of miles of Off-Road Tracks Access to Private Estates

Cambrian Way

The Old Filling Station, Kinlochlaggan, Newtonmore, PH20 1BX

tel: 01528 544 358 mob: 07708 819 157 email: info@highlandallterrain.co.uk

www.highlandscenicsafari.co.uk

Ardent Off Road

Activities: 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardentoffroad.com Tel: 01405 947 001

One Life Adventure

Activities: 4x4 Tours & vehicle prep training https://www.onelifeadventure.co.uk Tel: 01347 830188

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.cambrianway.com Tel: 01550 750274

Roam Free Adventures

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.roamfreeadventures.co.uk Contact via website

Timeless Overland

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.facebook.com/tloverland Tel: 07508 833 899

Land Tracks and Trails Green Lane Adventures Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.lanestracksandtrails.co.uk Tel: 07855 213355

Ardventures

Compass Adventures

4x4 Adventure Tours

Battlefields by 4x4

Activities: 4x4 Tours, 4x4 Experiences https://ardventures.co.uk Tel: 01757 638 479

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.4x4adventuretours.co.uk Tel: 07769 336 099

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Activities: 4x4 Tours https://trailsandtracks.co.uk Tel: 07976 393 838

THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.compassadventures.co.uk Tel: 07508 708 588

Activities: 4x4 Tours https://www.battlefieldsby4x4.com Tel: 07014 241 418

Off Road

Driver Training & Experiences UK WIDE All Terrain Services

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training & Experiences, Self Drive Tours https://www.allterrainservices.co.uk 01792 862669

NORTH Graythwaite Adventure

Activities: Off-Road Driving & Training, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Watersports, Archery, Axe Throwing, Bushcraft, Glamping https://www.graythwaiteadventure.co.uk 07498 574659 & 07779 162710

North Yorkshire Off Road Centre Activities: Off Road Driver Training & Tours http://www.nyoffroad.co.uk 07787 555060

Explore Off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.exploreoffroad.co.uk 07970 286881

WALES Bala 4x4

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training https://www.bala4x4.co.uk 01536 772238

SCOTLAND Scottish Off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training http://www.scotoffroad.co.uk 07711 217759

Far X Four

Activities: Off Road Driver Training, 4x4 Experiences http://www.farxfour.com 01450 860275

SOUTH John Morgan 4x4 Driving

Activities: Pay & Play Off Road Driver Training http://www.4x4driving.co.uk 01903 812195

Wild Tracks

Activities: Off Road Driver Training 4x4 Experiences https://www.wildtracksltd.co.uk 01638 751918

True Grip off Road

Activities: Off Road Driver Training 4x4 Experiences http://www.truegripoffroad.co.uk 01233 662251

Protrax

Activities: 4x4 Driver Training https://www.protrax.co.uk 01536 772238

Avalanche Adventures

Activities: Pay & Play 4x4 Experiences https://avalancheadventure.co.uk 01858 880613

Ash 4x4

Activities: Off Road Driver Training 4x4 Experiences http://www.ash4x4.com 07581 030331

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