NEWS

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

‘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 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!

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.

‘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.

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