January 2019

4x4

FREE 2019 WALL CALENDAR – PRESENTED WITH THIS ISSUE

RADICAL: Stunning new L200 on the way

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

Every 4x4 pick-up in the UK tested – and 2019’s champion is crowned

Pick-Up of the Year

£4.75

Khaya pick-up camper profiled Glorious Yorkshire Dales Roadbook

JAN 2019

Radical Hilux for people who like their pick-ups hardcore 4x4 Cover Jan AKSK.indd 1

30/11/2018 19:06

PMENT TERRAFIRMA RECOVERY EQUI ...FROM £9.99

Recovery equipment is essential off-road kit, all 4x4 vehicles should have at least a tow rope, a couple of shackles and a pair of gloves on board.

Winch equipped vehicles should carry more to make the best use of the winch and of course recreational and competitive ‘winchers’ will have selected a whole range of useful items such as different length straps, various shackles and snatch (pulley) blocks.

Only the best performing recovery equipment is considered to support Terrafirma 4x4 accessories. Terrafirma offers a range of products to ensure your off-road activities are carried out with safety and performance in mind.

TF3311 A brand new kinetic recovery rope

This super flexible easy to handle 9m long, 22mm diameter double braided nylon rope is the most advanced snatch recovery rope on the 4x4 market. Bright red UV, water and abrasion resistant with black nylon reinforced eyes this new rope comes in a mesh storage bag for easy cleaning and has whopping 13,000kg load rating. 30% stretch with quick recovery makes this one of the most effective kinetic or snatch recovery ropes for off road 4x4 vehicle recovery.

TF3314 Strong, lightweight snatch ring The Terrafirma winch “Snatch Ring” offers a strong, lightweight and safe alternative to the traditional metal snatch block. It fits perfectly into a pocket or glove box, making it an ideal accessory to have in your truck for overlanding expeditions or in competition when your co-driver is having to climb steep slopes.

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Terrafirma recovery gloves are manufactured tough to handle the rigours of handling 4x4 winching and recovery equipment but also supple enough to be used for general tasks to protect and keep your hands clean.

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The location of your winch and battery may not be ideal or the cabling route uses all the cable provided with the winch. Terrafirma TF3309 is the solution. 4m of red and black cables with swaged ring terminal ends, an isolator switch with removable key and a short length of cable to connect the switch to the battery. These high quality leads are ideal for all 4x4 vehicle winches.

TF301 ELECTRIC WINCH 12000lb of pulling performance and modern styling with high quality synthetic rope and wireless remote control

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GOODRIDGE BRAKE HOSES Terrafirma have teamed up with the industry leader Goodridge to produce a full line up of the best quality stainless braided brake lines.

For over 40 years, racers from across the globe have turned to Goodridge for products to out-perform the competition. Every Terrafirma Goodridge brake line is individually 100% pressure tested and guaranteed to be leak free. Terrafirma Goodridge brake lines do not expand under pressure, are corrosion resistant and come with a lifetime guarantee. A simple but effective upgrade to deliver precise braking.

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PRACTICAL GIFT IDEAS FOR OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIASTS Terrafirma has one of the largest ranges of 4x4 and Pick-up related upgrades and accessories in the world. Amongst our range of flagship products such as competition-grade suspension, braking, protection, lighting and recovery essentials are a number of excellent gift ideas for the 4x4 enthusiast in your life. Here are some recently updated product ranges that are proving popular with our customers.

SCENE DOWNLIGHTER 3 low-power LED’s producing over 600 Lumens with a 65 degree spread

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NOW AVAILABLE… WILDERNESS LIGHTING Selected by the Terrafirma 4x4 Store for their proven class leading technology, the unbeatable toughness and lasting durability of Wilderness Lights mean they are ideally suited for the most extreme conditions and challenging terrains.

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Very few lights out in the market today have a water and dust proof rating of IP68 and IP69K (the highest standard available) and we now have available from stock the most popular Wilderness Lighting options to give you game changing visibility when you most need it.

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WWW.TERRAFIRMA4X4STORE.CO.UK Please note, the last order date for Guaranteed Christmas Delivery is Thursday 20 December. Any orders placed after this date will be processed for delivery in the new year unless alternative shipping methods are arranged. If you are concerned, please call to discuss with the team who will be able to advise on any available options. *Free Shipping available only to Mainland UK addresses (excluding Highlands and Islands) on orders under 30kg.

January 2019

T H IS M O N T H 66

32 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR 2019

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2-3 Contents.indd 2

4x4 01/12/2018 12:52

92 12 ISSUES OF 4X4 – FOR JUST £12!

This has got to be the best value offer in the history of publishing… subscribe to 4x4 for a year and it’ll only cost a quid per issue!

News 16 18 21 22 22 25 25

VW Tarok Concept pick-up will enter production imminently Mitsubishi L200 Radical facelift on the way next year Suzuki Jimny Specs and prices revealed – and it’s good news Ford Ranger Hot Raptor model won’t be a commercial vehicle VW Amarok Aventura edition goes further upmarket than ever Range Rover Evoque All-new model unveiled Coming Soon 4x4s of every kind looming over the horizon

21

Every Month 4 6 8 10 12 33 80 96

Alan Kidd Are pick-ups about to go down the soft-roader route?

Gallery Snow, snow and more snow. Well, we can dream…

Destinations The 4x4-only moonscape in the heart of Iceland Lost Lanes Stanage Edge. It all just makes you want to weep What Jeep Did Next… The stunning 7.0-litre Blue Crush Products Loads of good stuff for pick-up trucks and more Roadbook A sensational day out in the Yorkshire Dales Next Month 4x4 of the Year – who’s it going to be?

PICK-UP OF THE YEAR 34 36 38 42 44 46 48 52 54 56

12

Fiat Fullback Latest version has pulled a rabbit out of the hat Ford Ranger Reigning champion is pricier now but strong as ever Isuzu D-Max New models give the range even more appeal Mercedes X-Class Pick-up market gets its first premium badge Mitsubishi L200 Facelift is coming, but still has loads of appeal Nissan Navara Strong off-road contender gets stronger still Ssangyong Musso All-new budget option enters the mainstream Toyota Hilux Perennial favourite remains as commanding as ever VW Amarok A serious challenger now the range is finally complete THE WINNER Britain’s best pick-up truck revealed

80

10

Features 30 60 66

Deranged Vehicles The home of personalised double-cabs Hardcore Hilux Old pick-up becomes a seriously built off-roader Khaya Camper How to turn a truck into a home from home

60

Off-Road Scene 72 72 73 73 74

Scottish Mountain Rescue Now rolling on Nokian tyres Ben Fogle Exmoor Trim makeover for bloke-off-telly’s Defender Milner Off-Road Discount scheme for recognised 4x4 clubs Snowdonia Search and Rescue Cooper tyres to the rescue Tilberthwaite Pics show extent of damage done by ‘repair’ work

Off-Road Calendar 73 75 76

Pay-and-Play Events Go in as hard as you want UK Convoy Tours Tag-along runs on public rights of way Overland Travel Long-range adventures in your 4x4

“The standard in the pick-up market is now higher than ever – and this year’s winner has played a key part in that” 4x4 2-3 Contents.indd 3

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Alan Kidd Editor

W

The pickup market has just had its RAV4 moment

hat with this being our 2019 Pick-Up of the Year issue, more of you will read these words than at any other time of the year.

The corresponding issue in 2018 was actually our highest seller for half a decade, which just goes to show how popular pick-ups have become.

As we all know, the pick-up market is absolutely thriving. There are new models coming along all the time, and established manufacturers continue to experiment with ways of making their trucks better than ever. The modding and accessorising scene is in rude health, too – and if you want to build yourself an off-road weapon out of a brand new vehicle, you’re still more likely to do it using a pick-up than ever before.

The great thing about the pick-up market, to an old off-road traditionalist like me at least, is that it reminds me of the way the 4x4 market in general used to be when first got into it m enough o an old gibber now to be able to talk about the days when vehicles like the Cherokee, Terrano, Frontera, Monterey and so on were new kids on the UK block – and what a thriving scene they created. Everything was happening at once, and the whole 4x4 market was made up of vehicles that could really, really do it off-road.

Then one day this thing appeared called the Toyota RAV4. It was an absolute hoot on the road, so we all smiled and patted it on the head, never for a minute believing that it could be the beginning of the end for off-roaders as we knew them.

Now here we are in a sea of SUVs, soft-roaders and crossovers – every single one of them part of the reason why the scene has shifted across to the pick-up market. There are still a few proper 4x4s, of course – in fact, they’re enjoying a bit of a resurgence at the moment – but with a limited range of choices and some absurd price tags going around, it’s hard to see pick-ups’ popularity waning much among people wanting a real truck.

Having said that, pick-ups are hardly cheap themselves these days, at least not in the high-spec form most buyers want.

And I wonder if the one-tonne market

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might just have experienced a RAV4 moment of its own. hen first set eyes on olkswagen s press info for the new Tarok pick-up concept my first thought was that it was a preview of the next-generation Amarok. But on closer investigation, it had better not be. It’s the same sort of size, but it doesn’t have low box and it’s on independent suspension at the back as well as the front. o put it another way this is the first soft-roader in the pick-up market. It’s yet to be confirmed whether it will come to Europe, but VW has dropped some pretty broad hints, and a production version has been confirmed or ra il where they already have the Amarok.

The Tarok is very much a leisure vehicle.

So, just like the majority of current pickups sold in the UK, then. The difference is that they’re built to do a job of work – just as all those old-school 4x4s were before the RAV4 showed up.

I doubt you’ll be able to get your tax back on a Tarok, which is one massive reason why you might not choose it over an Amarok. But we all know the facts: most people who buy a double-cab don’t use it as a working tool, and the notion of a less rugged pick-up with the same image and much nicer road manners might actually hold a lot of appeal.

If it does, well, where is the market going to go? There is still a need for work trucks, that much is obvious. But what will happen to all those high-spec models?

They’re the ones that would be most ulnerable to a ood o so t-road pickups. Which could lead us back to where we began.You’ll always be able to buy cheap one-tonners with lots of rugged ability – and if the rest of the off-road market carries on getting more and more expensive, that’s where the smart money will go.

Tel: 01283 553243 Email: enquiries@assignment-media.co.uk Web: www.totaloffroad.co.uk www.4x4i.com Online Shop: www.toronline.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/totaloffroad www.facebook.com/4x4Mag Editor Alan Kidd Assistant Editor George Dove Art Editor Samantha D’Souza Contributors Mike Trott, Paul Looe, Dan Fenn, Pip Evans, Olly Sack, Sam Jones Photographers Harry Hamm,Vic Peel, Steve Taylor, Tomas Jarecki, Nick Hood Group Advertising Manager Ian Argent Tel: 01283 553242 Advertising Manager Colin Ashworth Tel: 01283 553244 Advertising Sales Manager Peter Topley Tel: 01283 553245 Advertising and Exhibition Sales Executive Abigail Cooper Tel: 01283 553246 Advertising Production Sarah Lowe Tel: 01283 553242 Subscriptions Manager Catherine Martin Subscriptions Assistants Emma Emery, Kay Tunnicliffe, Abi Dutton Publisher and Head of Marketing Sarah Lowe Email: sarah.lowe@assignment-media.co.uk To subscribe to 4x4, or renew a subscription, call 01283 742970. Prices for 12 issues: UK £42 (24 issues £76); Europe Airmail/ROW Surface £54; ROW Airmail £78 Distributed by Marketforce; www.marketforce.co.uk Every effort is made to ensure the contents of 4x4 are accurate, but Assignment Media accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions nor the consequences of actions made as a result of these. When responding to any advert in 4x4, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers take reasonable care to ensure advertisers’ probity, but will not be liable for loss or damage incurred from responding to adverts Where a photo credit includes the note ‘CC BY 2.0’ or similar, the image is made available under that Creative Commons licence: details at www.creativecommons.org 4x4 is published by Assignment Media Ltd, Repton House G11, Bretby Business Park, Ashby Road, Bretby, Derbyshire DE15 0YZ

© Assignment Media Ltd, 2018

4x4 20/11/2018 13:16

Bowler Motorsport Accessories Add that extra special touch to your Defender

Lightweight Steering Guards Used in the Defender Challenge, the lightweight steering guard will offer protection to steering arms and linkages, but also offers access for maintenance. It uses existing mounting points and comes with 2 x red towing eyes for recovery work.

Lightweight Sill Protectors Made from lightweight aluminium and available in black and graphite, these sill protectors are used in the Defender Challenge. Supplied with a fitting kit, they bolt onto existing mounting points and do not require welding.

Compatible with XS side steps.

Lightweight Front Bumpers – Road & Race Both lightweight and high strength, the aluminium bumpers are handmade at Bowler. They use the existing bumper mounting points and are available in black and graphite. Note - Excludes spotlights shown.

A selection of great looking, high quality accessories from Bowler Motorsport.

Bowler is a market leader in the production of racing and high performance all terrain vehicles, and has been since 1985. Based in Derbyshire in the UK, they use both technology and craftsmanship to deliver vehicles and accessories with style, strength, performance and an unrivalled spirit of adventure.

Spectre’ Wheel Arches Produced in the UK and inspired by the JLR Special Vehicles produced Defenders for the film Spectre, these arches are identical in terms of size and shape, are finished in gloss black and come complete with fitting templates.

16” & 18” Lightweight Wheels Made in the UK exclusively for Bowler, these lightweight, high strength wheels are TÜV tested and are used in the Defender Challenge. They have a manufacturers guarantee and are used extensively in motorsport.

Maximum load rating 1,250kg. Black & anthracite available.

Rear Step Bumpers Designed to be practical, robust and stylish, this is the Bowler version of the popular NAS rear bumper. Available in black and graphite. The original tow bar and electrics are kept in the same place, and the step, with durable rear treads, conveniently attaches to the rear cross member.

Find more images and part numbers online at www.britpart.com/bowler

GALLERY

In pictures: 4x4s and off-road stories from around the world

Winter’s here, and that can only mean one thing. Well, actually it cam mean a lot of things, and this being Britain almost none of them involve snow, but we can dream.

The good thing about driving an off-roader in weather like this, of course, is that you can still get to work when everyone else is stuck at home. The bad thing about driving an off-roader in weather like this, meanwhile, is that you can still get to work when everyone else is stuck at home. Even if you don’t plough snow for a living.

That’s assuming your truck doesn’t get completely frozen into the middle of an ice sculpture, of course. And, while the consequences of heavy braking with about thirty cubic feel of snow sat on your roof may well sound absolutely hilarious, you wouldn’t want to be sat behind the wheel of the Range Rover seem below when its ABS is going mental en route towards a tree and suddenly there’s a yard of the stuff piled up in front of your windscreen…

Main picture: 1997 Mazda B-2300 SE Pick-Up, by Greg Gjerdingen @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0 Above right: Voiture de glace, by Koen @ flickr.com, CC BY-ND 2.0 Right: Plough, by MPD01605 @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 Below right: joseph_flasher @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 Below: Not a roofrack – a foot of snow, by Silwertand @ flickr.com, CC BY-ND 2.0

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DESTINATIONS

The world’s greatest 4x4 travel adventures caught on camera – this month, one of the strangest, most beautiful places in the whole of Europe

Landmannalaugar We could have chosen any one of several iconic landmarks in the interior of Iceland. Many of them are harder to get to than the other-worldly rock ormations o andmannalaugar but this popular tourist hot spot is especially satis ying to isit by or the specific reason that you don t have to have one to get there here s a road that s passable with care in an e eryday car and indeed by the old bus that parks up there or the summer months to act as a general store for backpackers) – but when everyone else has had to take the easy way, what could be more satisfying than rocking up via one of the 4x4-only F-roads that criss-cross this savagely beautiful landscape? Serious rocks, epic river crossings, even the occasional bit of mud here and there – Iceland truly has it all.

Main pic: David ee @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 Right: road to landmannalaugar, the not so easy part, by bekassine @ flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 Below left: Mr icks 6 @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0 Below right: Audrey @ flickr.com, CC BY 2.0

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4x4 08/11/2018 22:15

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LOST LANES

In memory of Britain’s many rights of way which, over the years, have fallen victim to petty politics and local self-interest

Stanage Edge Long Causeway, to give it its proper name, was one of the very best rights of way in the entire country. Actually it still us – it’s just that it’s now one of the very best closed rights of way in the entire country, and like so many in the Peak District nobody has ever come up with a credible reason for why that closure was imposed.

At its north-eastern end, Stanage was a relatively flat, albeit bumpy trail over bleak moors. Here and there you could still see the ancient paving slabs from which the old road took its name. As you picked your way south and then west, however, things became much more spectacular, as the right of way tumbled down the face of Stanage Edge itself via a jagged rock crawl that made it one of the most technical lanes in the entire country.

Better still, the views were sensational.

In 2013, it all came to an end which was as predictable as it was unnecessary. In the wake of a legal challenge from persons unknown, the local authority spent the thick end of a quarter of a million pounds on having the wonderfully characterful rocky track turned into a smooth gravel path. With that done, the National Park Authority stepped in and, with the zeal for which it’s known, banned motor vehicles for good.

Cue the sound of a contractor counting their money, while the rest of us were left wondering what it is about the British that makes us so bad at running a country.

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WHAT JEEP DID NEXT…

Historical highlights of the concept vehicles Jeep builds every year for the Moab Easter Safari. This month: a Wrangler for non-stop off-road action

2011: Blue Crush This stunning long-wheelbase Wrangler was inspired by vehicles built to compete in rock racing events like King of the Hammers – and with a 7.0-litre Hemi V8 turning 39-inch tyres, it definitely wasn t messing about Behind the all-aluminium 426 Hemi, which developed 540bhp, were a 545RFE auto box and gear-driven transfer case. Beyond here, custom props turned the massive BFG Krawlers via Dynatrac 44 axles.

These were tied to the chassis by a long-arm suspension setup featuring ultra-sexy Fox coil-overs, while the front wheels were turned by a full hydraulic steering system.

Further treats in the eyeball department included a comple eight-point cage carrying a low-profile light bar twin rear-mounted rads and remote reservoirs for the rear shocks, as well as that enormous spare wheel. Elsewhere, a tubular front recovery frame sat on a custom alloy bumper along with a standard Warn winch. hat s particularly great about the lue rush and other opar show cars like it is that it s basically an illustration o what any customer can do to a standard Jeep using the company s own range o accessories eep started building special oneo s or the aster a ari more than fi teen years ago and since then a dedicated team of engineers, designers and fabricators has created more than 50 vehicles. a e any o them been as wonder ul as lue rush ell actually, most of them have been too wonderful for words, so take your pic till e en by eep s own unbelie ably high standards, this was just a fantastically outrageous off-road machine.

4x4 4pp Gallery etc Dec.indd 12

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4x4 TOR Folios and classifieds.indd 51

JANUARY 2019 | 13

04/12/2018 14:44

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4x4 NEWS

VOLKSWAGEN SET TO ADD SECOND DOUBLE-CAB Tarok concept ready for production • All-independent suspension • Under evaluation for UK market

V

olkswagen is ready to add a second double-cab to its range. Unveiled at the Sao Paulo Motor Show, the Tarok concept is a ‘next-generation pickup’ that’s ready for production with ‘barely any changes.’

The Tarok is only slightly smaller than the Amarok, and its introduction comes at a time when the current version of that vehicle is approaching the end of its lifespan. However it is not a replacement or s agship double-cab; technical illustrations released by Volkswagen show an all-independent suspension layout

which would not be compatible with the hard-working character required of a one-tonner.

Instead, the Tarok appears to be more of a pickup-styled SUV aimed at the fashionable leisure market into which many work trucks already sell. Its interior has several cues from the Tiguan and new Touareg, with a high level of digitisation including the latter’s Innovision Cockpit dash display – housed in a body-colour trim strip that might put you in mind of something

Mercedes-Benz has announced the prices for its all-new GLE. The large SUV will start at £55,685 for the 300d and £62,300 for the 450d, which comes as standard with air suspension and seven seats. Deliveries will begin in spring.

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4.5 News Jan ADD ADS.indd 16

like the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Elsewhere in the cabin is a drive mode dial with various off-road settings.

The concept has an automatic gearbox, but the production model is likely to offer a manual option too; all four wheels are driven as

The hybrid version of Honda’s new CR-V will cost from £29,105 when it hits the showrooms in February. If you want it with fourwheel drive, however, you’ll pay from £32,065, with the top model in a three-trim line-up hiking that to £37,255 on the road.

4x4 04/12/2018 12:11

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standard, however it’s unlikely that a dual-range transfer case will be available in any form.

Turning the concept’s wheels is a 1.4-litre, 148bhp four-cylinder TSI engine which, for the Brazilian market, can be driven either on pure ethanol or a gasoline-ethanol mixture. For production, this will be replaced by a 2.0 TDI unit with the same output.

Most concept vehicles have at least one Big Idea, and the Tarok’s comes at the back of the cabin. Here, a variable load space is enabled by an opening hatch which olds at as do the rear seats, allowing the vehicle to carry similarly long loads (albeit rather draughtily) to a single-cab pick-up.

In its smallest, most standard form, the bed measures 1206mm from back to front. Extended into the cabin, it becomes 1861mm, then it can be grown still further

to a huge 2775mm by dropping the tailgate which locks into the horizontal position to act as a bed extension. It’s not stated what weight capacity this has (nor indeed how much the Tarok will be able to carry in general), however VW’s o ficial pictures make clear that the vehicle is being positioned as a pure lifestyle model to sit beneath the Amarok as a more youthful alternative to a traditional SUV. At present will confirm only that the Tarok will be introduced in production form for the Brazilian market. It does however say that ‘the avantgarde pick-up also has the potential to boost Volkswagen’s model range in other global markets and with economies o scale demanding the widest possible distribution of any product, it’s probable that a European model is being evaluated for introduction in the next couple of years.

The new Alpina XD3 will go on sale in April. Based on the latest BMW X3, the vehicle is powered by an enhanced six-pot diesel engine giving it a 4.8-second 0-62 time. The base price is £57,900, but with an ‘almost limitless’ range of bespoke options no-one will end up paying that.

4x4

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the Sahara to the Arctic Circle, North 4.5 News Jan ADD ADS.indd 17

JANUARY 2019 | 17

04/12/2018 12:11

4x4 NEWS

MAJOR UPDATES AND NEW LOOK ON THE WAY FOR L200 Aggressive new styling • Improved brakes, shocks and safety tech • On sale late summer 2019

M

itsubishi has unveiled a spectacular new look for the L200, as well as major revisions to the vehicle’s mechanical specification Bringing the truck into line with Mitsubishi’s latest-generation Dynamic Shield front styling, the facelifted L200 was revealed at the Bangkok motor show and will have make its market debut in Thailand, where it’s made, by the time you read this ts aggressive new face is matched by more imposing tail lights, while its cabin becomes more ‘modern and robust,’ to quote Mitsubishi, with a more muscular design as well as greater use of so t-touch materials One of the biggest things to change on the new L200 is its

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4.5 News Jan ADD ADS.indd 18

automatic gearbo his is now a new six-speed unit, replacing the old fi e-notcher As before, the L200 will be available with a choice of parttime or full-time drivetrains (called Easy-Select and Super-Select in itsubishi s language oth eature a new drive mode palette including settings for gravel, mud/snow, sand and rocks; all models continue to have low range, however they will

now gain hill-descent control across the range Further additions come in the shape of modern road safety assist features – Forward Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Warning, Rear ross ra fic Alert and ltrasonic isacceleration itigation ystem n terms o more basic sa ety features, the brakes have gained larger front discs and callipers, while the rear dampers have been

enlarged to accommodate a higher olume o oil The new-look L200 won’t reach the until the end o summer 2019 – by which time further in ormation on its specifications for this market will be common knowledge he ehicle will ultimately be sold in 150 countries worldwide unless ron an shows up wanting his head back, of course, in which case things could get ugly

4x4 04/12/2018 12:12

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Scary thought isn’t it, but of all the vehicles stopped and checked by DVSA (2015-2016), over 80% were found to be overloaded and/or exceeding the driver’s licence entitlement.

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29/08/2017 14:11

4x4 NEWS

Suzuki reveals specs and pricing for new Jimny Extensive list of safety and luxury kit • On sale January • Prices from £15,499 to £18,999

T

he off-road world has been falling over itself for the new Suzuki Jimny ever since the ehicle was first introduced to the world a few months ago.

Everyone agrees that it looks sensational and, as we discovered when we first dro e it a couple o issues ago it s a huge step up on the old one in terms o space uality e uipment and all-round road manners.

The big question, of course, is how much it’s going to cost. We knew it was going to be more e pensi e than the old one but Suzuki has until now been canny about by how much.

Until now.

We did know that there’ll be two versions of the Jimny. Both ha e u uki s All rip Pro system meaning they ha e part-time four-wheel drive with high and low-range gears as standard. The vehicle is based on a ladder-frame chassis and has beam axles at both ends in other words this hot looking new truck is still a true o -road machine and it ll still be ideal for modifying.

The Jimny will be sold in Britain in SZ4 and SZ5 trim, and both are well e uipped e en the ormer has air-con, cruise control, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and ront og lamps The SZ4 will, however, only be available in manual form. If you want an auto option that s only o ered on the which as standard gives you 15” alloys, LED headlights, climate control, sat-nav, smartphone connecti ity heated ront seats rear pri acy glass and body-coloured door handles.

If you’ve driven any version of the old Jimny, either of those will sound like an absolute treat.

And that’s before you consider that ane eparture arning is standard on all models, as are a weaving alert function and highbeam assist.

The Jimny joins the 4x4 market at a time when several other manufacturers are also renewing their serious off-road offerings. But

4x4 4.5 News Jan ADD ADS.indd 21

with the extremely honourable e ception o the oyota and Cruiser Utility, these tend to have swollen price tags eep s new Wrangler starts in the mid-£40k bracket, Merc’s new G-Class won’t leave you much change out of double that and when the and o er e ender finally shows up no-one on the entire planet e pects it to be cheap r a proper o -roader in the traditional sense, either, but that’s a different story. hat s why people ha e recently taken to o -roading in pick-up trucks instead of conventional s but i u uki bucks the trend by not being greedy about money, the Jimny could change that. So, IS Suzuki being greedy?

No. (Cue sound of fanfares.)

Great news is that the SZ4 will be priced rom o while the days o the our-figure imny price tag are gone the new range is starting more or less where the old one left off.

The SZ5, meanwhile, will cost from £17,999 in manual form, which we d say is definitely the one you want, or £18,999 with an auto box. Again, sensational value or money compared to more or less everything else in the entire car market. The entire world, for that matter.

That’s the good news. The bad news, and there is some, is that actually getting your hands on a new Jimny might not be that easy, because demand was always going

to be high and now we know what the thing’s set to cost, it’s going to be monumental. Best get in line then because this truly is going to be the it-car of 2019.

JANUARY 2019 | 21

04/12/2018 12:12

4x4 NEWS Australian data suggests Ford Ranger Raptor will not be classed as a commercial vehicle FORD RANGER FANS, and there are lots of them, were stoked like never before by the recent announcement that the Raptor model is going to be coming to the UK. With 210bhp and 368lbf.ft, a 10-speed auto box and highly tuned off-road suspension, this is going to be Peak Ranger – and interest in the vehicle has been peaking, too, ever since Ford confirmed that it will be the first Raptor model sold officially in the European market.

If you were hoping for it to match the work truck credentials of other Rangers, however, prepare to be disappointed. Figures published by Ford Performance Australia show that in its home market, the Raptor has a payload of just 758kg – which, if it’s replicated in the UK, means the truck won’t be classed as a commercial vehicle.

This of course would prevent it from qualifying for the tax breaks double-cabs normally enjoy – meaning business users would pay company car tax at the full rate, and that companies wouldn’t be able to claim back their VAT on its purchase.

Even if you don’t mind the giant cost in which this is likely to end up resulting, another uneasy figure to digest is a rated towing limit of just 2500kg. It has to be recognised that identical vehicles can be plated differently from one market to another, however it’s safe to say that assuming this most exotic of Rangers will match the rest of its family in these areas would be a brave thing to do.

Further data from down under shows the Raptor’s 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine returning official figures of 34.4mpg and 212g/km – not very inspiring figures by today’s standards, even for a big, heavy double-cab Despite all this, interest in the Raptor is sure to remain very keen indeed – and demand for the vehicle is likely to ensure Ford UK will be able to sell as many as it can get its hands on. That won’t be dented by how much the vehicle will cost – which is still some way from being announced.

RETURN OF AVENTURA MODEL PUSHES AMAROK CLOSER THAN EVER TO £50,000 BARRIER

VOLKSWAGEN HAS REINTRODUCED the Aventura model to its Amarok range – and in doing so created the most upmarket version yet of its premium double-cab.

The high-spec Aventura trim was previously introduced in 2016, as a launch version of the facelifted Amarok at the point when VW replaced the old 2.0 TDI engine with the current unit Presented o ficially as a special edition the newcomer boasts the most powerful version of the big V6, with a standard output of 258bhp aided by a temporary overboost feature to an extremely hefty 272bhp.

Better still, the engine develops a monstrous 428lbf. ft from just 1400rpm, giving it all the shove required for serious towing, heavy load-carrying or just ruling the road.

The Aventura gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, mated to full-time four-wheel drive, but as with other auto models in the Amarok range it won’t have a low-ratio transfer case.

It will, however, have Volkswagen’s top-option Discover Media Navigation system installed as standard, as well as 14-way adjustable ErgoComfort seats trimmed in Nappa leather. As you’d expect from a range-topper such as this, you get automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, a multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel and paddle-shift controls with which to take charge of the transmission.

Volkswagen stresses that with underbody cladding, power-fold mirrors and a protective bedliner all standard, even this most elevated of Amaroks is built to do a job of work here s also a ountain op roll co er specific to the Aventura model, which can be added from the options list for £1387.50 plus VAT. Further evidence that this is primarily a style wagon, however, comes in the form of 20” alloy wheels, and the two paint colours (Ravenna Blue and Indium Grey) can both be specified in a matte finish or a cool again plus the dreaded. A drop in the ocean for a truck whose base price is £39,960 – if, God help you, you do have to pay your VAT, even with the options list left completely alone (and good luck with that) you needn’t expect much change out of £50,000 by the time you’ve got one of these on the road.

22 | JANUARY 2019

4.5 News Jan ADD ADS.indd 22

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04/12/2018 12:07

4x4 NEWS LAND ROVER LIFTS LID ON NEW EVOQUE

C O M IN G S O O N Forthcoming 4x4s due later this year and beyond

THIS IS THE ALL-NEW Range Rover Evoque. It may look a lot like the old one, but it’s nonetheless a very different vehicle, being built on Land Rover’s new Premium Transverse Architecture – an all-new base with electrification in mind On sale now, the new Evoque is available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Below speeds of 11mph, the engine shuts off under braking to minimise emissions, resulting in economy of up to 50.4mpg.

There are three petrol and diesel options apiece, between them ranging from 150 to 300bhp. Not all models have four-wheel drive; all those that do also have a nine-speed auto gearbox.

Everything about the vehicle is focused on being greener than before.

Natural and recycled materials can account for up to 33kg of the vehicle’s kerb weight, for example, and the seats can be upholstered in Dinamica – a technical suedecloth made from recycled bottles. Another new interior option is a ucalyptus te tile produced rom entirely natural fibres he new o ue eatures world-first round iew technology using cameras to create an image in which the bonnet becomes ‘invisible’. Another driver aid is the ClearSight rear-view mirror, which transforms into a video screen to bypass the heads of rear passengers and display the feed from a camera mounted above the rear window. he interior takes design cues rom the elar with a dashboard housing two 10” touchscreens and driver information being delivered via a 12.3” interactive display behind the wheel, alongside a full-colour head-up display. here s smartphone integration Apple arPlay and Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Land Rover says the Evoque can learn the preferences of its driver, using artificial intelligence his can predict seat heat settings and massage pre erences, and also remember seat and steering wheel settings.

The new Evoque is available from £31,600 for the manual two-wheel drive D150 model, while 4x4 models start at £35,100 with the same engine.

4x4 4.5 News Jan ADD ADS.indd 25

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JANUARY 2019 | 25

04/12/2018 12:12

PRODUCTS

IRONMAN LAUNCHES NEW WINCH BUMPER FOR CURRENT HILUX PLANNING AN OFF-ROAD BUILD using the current Toyota Hilux? Here’s a very good reason for doing it (apart from the very obvious one about if being a Toyota Hilux, of course). New from Ironman is this Commercial Bull Bar, available in standard or Deluxe form, for the latest model dating from 2018 onwards.

Made from premium grade materials including pickled (not mild) steel to ensure maximum strength and the highest possible resistance to rust, the bar is constructed using 360-degree robotic welds and finished in black

powder coat. It’s fully compatible with vehicle airbags and comes complete with a unique winch cradle, separate to the main structure, whose design keeps weight away from the bar itself.

Further features include integrated mounts for everyday off-road essentials like CB whips, spotlights and LED bars, highlift jacking points and recessed housings for the vehicle’s original bumper-mounted indicators. Oh,

and another feature is that it’s knock-houses-down strong.

If you’ve got a Hilux of the appropriate age and you like what you see, or indeed if you like what you see so much that you’ve just decided to get yourself a Hilux of the appropriate age, your next move should be to pay a visit to Ironman’s UK importer.

West Coast Off-Road Centre is the name, and it’s to be found at westcoastoffroad.co.uk.

RGM BONNET GUARDS PROTECT YOUR PAINTWORK BOTH ON AND OFF-ROAD MODERN WATER-BASED VEHICLE PAINT is good for the environment. But compared to older paints it’s quite soft, offering less in the way of defence against ying stones and gravel. hese can damage the front of a vehicle quite easily – especially in hot weather, when the road surface softens and allows chippings to come loose, or of course when you’re driving off-road.

Hence these bonnet guards from RGM, which are designed and manufactured in the by the company itself. hey’re attached to your vehicle’s bonnet using 3M self-adhesive tape and are available in black, carbon-look and silver. he guards can be painted, though you do need to use a e ible primer and paint to do this. Full diagrammatic fitting instructions are included, so you shouldn’t need to be a workshop wi ard to do the job – yet this is probably the first line of protection you should think about fitting to your 4 4. o find out more, visit wwwrearguards.co.uk.

26 | JANUARY 2019

3pp Products + Deranged Jan.indd 26

4x4 04/12/2018 12:16

PRODUCTS

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GOODRIDGE HOSE KIT ADDS BRAKING POWER TO VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK GOODRIDGE HAS INTRODUCED a braided brake hose kit for the Volkswagen Amarok. Particularly interesting, perhaps, if you’ve gone and bought an example of the mighty German pick-up which doesn’t have low box, but still a good idea if you’ve got one with the right stuff, this adds stopping power without you needing to change the manufacturer’s own OE-spec discs or calipers.

‘With the task at hand to reduce the unexpected and often very frightening squidgy pedal feel dilemma when rubber hoses start expanding under pressure, a braided solution was really the only option,’ explains Goodridge. ‘This upgrade for the 2010-on VW Amarok is a particularly useful starting point if you’re still running the standard discs and often venture off-road with worrying looking 45-degree descents ahead.’

We’re sure they meant to say something about running a vehicle on bigger tyres, too. If you’ve experienced brake fade, one of your primary ambitions in life will be never to experience brake fade again. Don’t ask us how we know. he Amarok kit includes braided replacements or all our brake e is and comes with all the fittings necessary to make it a simple two-spanner job. The lines are individually tested up to 2000psi and come with a lifetime guarantee. his really is a one-stop solution to firm stout reassuring pedal eel continues Goodridge. ‘Reduce your stopping distance, eliminate sponginess under pressure and improve your drive.’

Best of all, the lines come in 13 different colours, which is ideal after a session in waist-deep mud. Actually, one of them even glows in the dark, which might pro e handy i you e got to find it under your ehicle on a gloomy e ening he kit is priced at plus A and you can find a dealer by visiting www.goodridge.co.uk.

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JANUARY 2019 | 27

04/12/2018 12:16

PRODUCTS

RIVAL RANGE OF PICK- UP PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS GROWS STILL FURTHER RIVAL HAS EXPANDED ITS RANGE of heavy-duty underbody protection products for pick-up trucks. These now include guards for lower control arms, rear diffs and even AdBlue tanks, to suit a variety of current models.

The Russian company continues to develop new products seemingly non-stop, and now offers complete upgrade packages for the Nissan Navara and, coming soon, the Mitsubishi L200. Also on the way in the new year is a new range of hidden winch mounts for the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and VW Amarok.

Rival’s UK importer is XS4x4, which expects to be exhibiting these parts and more at the LAMMA show at the NEC on 8-9 January. The company will be on stand 11.234 in hall 11 – or if you just can’t wait that long, you can do it the conventional way and visit xs4x4.parts.

DEPLOYABLE SIDE STEPS FOR NAVARA Terrafirma has introduced these deployable side steps for the current-model Nissan Navara. Almost completely hidden when stowed, they deploy automatically when the door is opened – providing a perfectly positioned step up into the cabin. Close the door and they automatically retract back into the stowed position, meaning the vehicle retains its breakover angle with no vulnerable hardware hanging down beneath the sills. Terrafirma promises ‘amazing quality and unbelievably good value’ for the steps, which it’s currently selling for £499.99 including VAT. To find out for yourself, pay a visit to www. terrafirma4x4store.co.uk.

28 | JANUARY 2019

3pp Products + Deranged Jan.indd 28

4x4 04/12/2018 12:16

PRODUCTS

LAZER ADDS LED DRIVING LIGHT FITTING KITS FOR HILUX AND DISCOVERY 5

SPECIALIST 4X4 VEHICLE DISMANTERS JEEP - LAND ROVER AND MOST MAKES AND MODELS QUALITY GUARANTEED USED PARTS SOME OF THE VEHICLES WE HAVE RECENTLY DISMANTLED:

LAZER LAMPS HAS LAUNCHED a pair of new bespoke vehicle integration kits for its LED driving lights. These allow the lights to be mounted in the front grilles of the 2017-18 Toyota Hilux and Land Rover isco ery deli ering what a er calls an - uality custom-fit ush mounting solution that enhances the look and styling of the vehicle and is quick and easy to install.’

The LED lights and mounting kits are all designed and manufactured at a er s actory and backed up by a fi e-year warranty or the ilu the fi tures are designed to accommodate a er s ripletandard or Elite lights, while the Discovery kit is intended to accommodate the company s latest-generation olution units All a er s ehicle integration kits are fully road-legal and approved for connecting directly into the vehicle’s standard high-beam signal wire. he mounting hardware is made rom A A material which means it s UV-stable, stoutly weatherproof and even chemical-resistant – as well as being extremely strong. The recommended retail price is from plus A which gets you all the brackets, wiring and actual lights you need to make night look like day o find out more isit www lazerlamps.com.

2015 JEEP WRANGLER JK 2.8CRD

2007 DODGE NITRO 2.8CRD

2016 RANGE ROVER EVOQUE 2.0 TD4

2014 RANGE 2016 ISUZU 2014 JEEP ROVER SPORT 4.4 D-MAX 2.5 DIESEL CHEROKEE MK5 V8 DIESEL KL 2.0 MULTIJET

2010 JEEP 2007 LAND ROVER CHEROKEE MK4 DISCOVERY 3 2.7 KK 2.8 CRD TDV6

2008 HONDA CRV 2.2 CDTI

2006 JEEP GRAND 2006 NISSAN CHEROKEE WK PATHFINDER 2.5 5.7 V8 HEMI DCI Charlton Recycled Auto Parts Vehicle Recycling Centre, Gravel Pit Hill, Thriplow, Cambridge, SG8 7HZ Tel 01223 832656 Email parts@charltonautoparts.co.uk PLEASE VISIT WWW.CHARLTONAUTOPARTS.CO.UK

4x4 3pp Products + Deranged Jan.indd 29

A

A

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HOW DERANGED VEHICLES HELPED TURN THE HUMBLE PICK- UP INTO A BESPOKE ICON TURNING PICK-UP TRUCKS into bespoke, boutique vehicles is a boom industry. The one-tonne market itself is in rude health, with more trucks than ever finding new homes as buyers search or ehicles to plug the hole left by the Land Rover Defender – and with their jaunty character, double-cabs make the perfect vehicles for personalisation. ne o the leading names in this market is eranged ehicles he Essex-based company was set up when founders Jason Pelosi and Ale ilby were both learning their trade in the same workshop; it became apparent that they shared a keen eye for detail and a love for modified ehicles and now here they are li ing the dream while helping cients realise theirs too Over time, Jason and Alex’s work developed a distinct style.

Their experience and attention to detail is evident in all that they do, meaning their trucks truly do stand out from the crowd. ery aspect o eranged s trucks is designed in-house which gi es each and e ery one o them a strong identity that is recognisable at first sight uilt to standards, the vehicles ooze quality and class, from their custom wheels and ared arches to their own signature badging t s inside the trucks though that the eranged repertoire really shines. While modern pick-ups are increasingly car-like to dri e the eranged treatment takes them a step beyond this – and well into the realms of luxury.

hether you want figurehugging carbon-fibre sports seats quilted diamond stitch leather or something else totally di erent that you’ve dreamed up in your own mind, you can rest assured that eranged will do all they can to make your vision a reality. he company does o er a range of its own pattern accessories, but creativity is at the heart of all it does meaning customers always get e actly the truck they set out for. In the past, the team have personalised ehicles with things

like chrome wraps and lime green carbon bucket seats, and they’ve worked their magic on e erything rom ustangs to aseratis hey know what it’s like to work on the eep rangler too rucks like the ord anger and issan a ara really come o age with the eranged treatment and the bespoke coachbuilders have also recently done their thing with an Amarok.

While the demand is there for pick-ups, there are other options

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too. The company started out working on e enders and has done countless one-off specials based on and o er s finest but its focus on pick-ups is simply a case of ollowing the money Whatever you drive, if you want to make your vehicle stand out in a crowd the people at eranged have the skills to make sure you get noticed hey say the de il is in the detail and with the eranged treatment, trucks do become devilishly cool.

4x4 04/12/2018 12:16

Contents Oct.indd 1

29/10/2018 21:45

2019 PICK-UP

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4x4 30/11/2018 17:24

OF THE YEAR O

our annual Pick-Up of the Year awards are the longest running and best respected benchmark by which the UK double-cab market is judged. Based on an entire year of non-stop evaluation, we assess every version of every model currently available, allowing us to provide you with an authoritative overview of the entire market.

As usual, our awards take the form of a full-market survey. Over the pages to come you ll find re iews on e ery pick-up on sale in the followed by a conclusion in which we name the winner of the 2019 Pick-Up of the Year award.

Last year, the overall title was taken comfortably by the Ford Ranger. ut the competition has intensified during the inter ening twel e months, with new models entering the market and almost every other brand doing at least something to keep its line-up fresh.

The arrival of the new SsangYong Musso and Mercedes-Benz X-Class are the obvious big changes, giving the market a fresh impetus at the value and premium ends alike. But Volkswagen has top and tailed the Amarok range with a long-awaited manual gearbox and what is easily the fastest pick-up in the UK, and both Nissan and Toyota have joined su u in o ering ehicles modified into e treme o -roaders by Arctic rucks he competition has ne er been more fierce

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30/11/2018 17:24

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

FIAT FULLBACK

Based on Mitsubishi L200 • Full-time 4wd available • From £21,995-£26,595

DRIVEN 2.4 180 LX, 2.4 180 Cross

B

ased on the Mitsubishi L200, the Fullback is available in the UK in a small range containing just three models. It still offers plenty of variety, however, with two versions of the 2.4-litre diesel engine and the choice of part-time or full-time four-wheel drive.

The entry-level SX is a work truck with the lower-powered engine and part-time transmission.

Most sales, however, go to the higher-spec LX (think leather, multimedia, DAB and sat-nav), and the range-topping Cross.

This takes the LX and adds various styling accessories. It does also gain a locking rear diff, which is very worthwhile, but it’s a shame you have to pay for all the look-atme stuff to get it.

We’ve driven an LX and a Cross from the following model year. Both had ostensibly the same multimedia systems, but the former refused to be paired to an iPhone then

struggled to hold on to a DAB signal, whereas the latter worked perfectly. Operating the digital radio is a study in unnecessary complexity, all the same.

Given that it’s now possible to spend more than fi ty grand on a pick-up, perhaps it shouldn’t be any surprise that even the Cross, which retails at £26,595 plus the VAT, can’t quite shake its utilitarian image. It’s tough enough, but topspec versions of the L200 tend to demonstrate that Mitsubishi has more know-how when it comes to poshing up a double-cab.

The seats are pretty basic in their finish and design or e ample though to be fair they’re more than comfortable enough for long stints behind the wheel. Legroom seems to be better in the back than the L200 offers, too.

As tested, the Fullback is a smooth and quiet motorway cruiser.

Even at real-world speeds, it feels as if it has plenty in reserve, and

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while a certain amount of patter can come through the back axle when running unladen it doesn’t get crashy even over bigger bumps.

We can’t comment on the lowerpowered SX model, or on the auto gearbox, but have no reason to fear either (not least because the auto is identical to that in the L200, which per orms ust fine The 2.4 180, at any rate, pulls strongly in gear and responds well to being revved, though the gearbox in one of the Fullbacks didn’t feel as slick as the other.

Like the L200, it handles better than you might expect, with enough body control but not too much to spoil the fun. There’s plenty of grip even in 2wd mode, with the option of full-time four-wheel drive on SX and Cross models adding reassurance in the wet.

Once low box is engaged, the Fullback becomes a torquey, surefooted way of covering ground.

The rear springs don’t ever really

settle over rough, bumpy everyday tracks, but traction is excellent even without a rear locker. The SX has one, the LX has traction control instead and the Cross has both.

Fiat admits that the Cross’ spec is designed to create a good looking truck that’s also ready for work, rather than a full-house off-roader.

Nonetheless, so long as you take it for what it is they’ve got the spec pretty much spot-on – the tough arches and under-guards are made for scuffs, not rocks, but it’s very tractable and its tyres aren’t stupidly low-profile With its unique range of kit, the Cross has probably the most appeal to private buyers. Inevitably, a comparable L200 will be cheaper, unless there are economies of scale to be made by sticking with one brand or your eet needs All the same, Fiat has done an excellent job of speccing the Fullback to offer something different to the rest of the pick-up market.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:24

FACTS AND FIGURES

FOR • Roomy cabin • Tidy handling on the road • Offers something the L200 doesn’t

AGAINST • Still feels like a utility truck • Media system is rather inelegant • Comparable L200s cost less

ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

Four-cylinder turbo-diesel 2442cc 178bhp@3500rpm 317lbf.ft@2500rpm

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual Five-speed auto option Part-time / Full-time

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Independent coil-sprung wishbones Leaf-sprung live axle

WHEELS AND TYRES

16/17” alloy 205R16, 245/65R17

BRAKES

Front Rear

Vented disc Drum

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

110mph 10.4 seconds

ECONOMY

Combined consumption Emissions

40.9.mpg 186g/km

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle Max tilt Wading depth

205mm 30° 22° 24° 45° -

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5285mm 1815mm 1780mm 3000mm 11.8m

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width Braked trailer Fuel tank

1860kg 1045kg 1520mm 1470mm 3100kg 75 litres

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

12/12,427 60/120,000 -

LIST PRICE Double-Cab 2.4 150 SX Double-Cab 2.4 180 LX Double-Cab 2.4 180 Cross Auto extra

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

£21,995 £24,145 £26,595 £1400

£27,473 £30,053 £32,993 £1680

Fiat Fullback Not as sophisticated a proposition as the Mitsubishi L200, but Cross model offers something its parent vehicle doesn’t There aren’t many choices in the Fullback range, but it still manages to cover all the main bases. It does so, however, without being able to carry off an SUV-like image the way its best rivals do. Even at the top of the range, it still feels a little too much like a utility truck – though if the range of equipment the Cross offers does appeal to you, there’s nothing to compare to it at the price. You might get more for your money by sticking with Mitsubishi – but Fiat might give you exactly the truck you want.

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30/11/2018 17:25

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

FORD RANGER

Overall winner in 2018 • One-tonne market leader • From £20,345-£27,945

DRIVEN 2.2 XLT, 3.2 Wildtrak

O

nce an also-ran in the pick-up market, the Ranger has risen to the top since the current model arrived in 2012. It’s the truck of choice for thousands of work users and enthusiasts alike, and 12 months ago we named it Pick-Up of the Year 2018.

There’s more to the Ranger’s success than just a high level of offroad ability, however. It’s by far the most popular choice among people who would once have gone straight to the Land Rover Defender, but it has also claimed sales from across the pick-up market. As a work tool, it ticks every box – while coming at a very modest price.

That price has gone up sharply, by almost a grand before VAT, since the Ranger won last year’s award.

But this doesn’t seem to have put people off one bit.

There are various reasons for the Ranger’s popularity. One very big one is that people who like pick-ups

tend to like big engines. As progress continues to drive sizes downward, the fact that you can still get the Ranger with a 3.2-litre unit gives it a lot of appeal.

This engine develops 200bhp in standard form. It can be chipped for a lot more, but even as it comes out of the showroom the Ranger is pretty commanding to drive.

Enough to be worth trading up from the 2.2? Probably only if you spend most of your life towing trailers of carrying heavy loads, actually – not because the 3.2 is bad, but because the 2.2 is so good.

To illustrate this, outputs of 160bhp at 3700rpm and 284lbf.ft at 1500rpm for the smaller engine play 200bhp at 3000rpm and 347lbf.ft at 1500rpm for the 3.2, with kerb weights of 2050kg and 2189kg respectively. The upshot o these figures is - times o 11.8 and 10.9 seconds – so that’s a victory for the 3.2, but hardly an overwhelming one.

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The 2.2 TDCi unit is remarkably smooth and refined too as well as dishing out all the power you need when running unladen. It’s mainly available on lower-spec models, however – there’s only trim level on which you can choose your engine, in fact, and here the upgrade only adds £800 to the price.

A no-brainer? No, again because the 2.2 is so good. But also, the smaller engine returns 40.4mpg and 184g/km – against which 33.6mpg and 221g/km look rather ugly.

Either way, the amount of space in the Ranger’s cabin bears out the sheer size of its body. The seats are excellent, too, with plenty of support and lumbar adjust from low down in the range – some trucks don’t even offer this on top models.

In the rear, there’s enough space for one six-footer to sit behind another on a long journey – putting the anger firmly in the lead as a family truck. The whole cabin feels roomy and well made – and while

its styling is too simple to feel like that of a fancy SUV, it’s carried off using good quality materials. There are more premium trucks, but the Ranger is as convincing as any.

Whichever engine you go for, it comes with a traditional part-time four-wheel drive system. Even so, there’s never any lack of grip on the road – we pushed the Ranger hard on cold, wet surfaces and instead of any waywardness, it came back at us with positive steering, agile handling and tremendous sure-footedness. t s a refined cruiser too with little noise and only a background level of vibration through the rear axle. And for an absolutely bargainous £300 plus VAT, you can put a locking diff in that axle – as well as getting bash guards for the engine, transfer case and fuel tank.

As this illustrates, the Ranger has value on its side. Even this year’s big price hike hasn’t changed that. It’s a lot of truck for your money – and a lot of truck full stop.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:25

FACTS AND FIGURES ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual; Six-speed auto option Part-time

FOR

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Coil-sprung double wishbones Leaf-sprung live axle

• Roomiest cabin in the market • Great value and choice in range • Outstanding on and off-road

WHEELS AND TYRES

16” steels, 16/17/18” alloys 225/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/60R18

BRAKES

Front / rear

Vented discs / Drums

AGAINST

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

• 3.2 not really much better than 2.2 • Warranty not very generous • Everyone else has one too

109mph 2.2 TDCI: 11.8 seconds (12.8 auto) 3.2 TDCi: 10.9 seconds (10.6 auto)

ECONOMY

Combined consumption

2.2 TDCi: 40.4mpg (36.2 auto) 3.2 TDCi: 33.6mpg (32.1 auto) 2.2 TDCi: 184g/km (207 auto) 3.2 TDCI: 221g/km (231 auto)

Four-cylinder turbo-diesel 2198cc 160bhp@3700rpm 236lbf.ft@1500rpm

Emissions

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle Max tilt Wading depth

232mm 28° 28° 25° 35° 800mm

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5362mm 1860mm 1815mm 3220mm 12.4m

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width Braked trailer

1931-2167kg 1033-1269kg 1525mm 1549mm 3500kg

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

12/18,641 36/60,000 9E-12E

LIST PRICE 2.2 Regular-Cab XL 2.2 Super-Cab XL 2.2 Double-Cab XL 2.2 Super-Cab XLT 2.2 Double-Cab XLT 2.2 Super-Cab Limited 2.2 Double-Cab Limited 3.2 Double-Cab Limited 3.2 Double-Cab Wildtrak

Five-cylinder turbo-diesel 3198cc 200bhp@3000rpm 357lbf.ft@1500rpm

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

£20,345 £21,145 £21,945 £22,645 £23,445 £24,795 £25,595 £26,395 £27,945

£25,315 £26,275 £27,235 £28,075 £29,035 £30,655 £31,615 £32,575 £34,435

Ford Ranger Reigning champion is still a top truck, but getting more expensive now The Ranger has more competition than ever now, so putting on almost a grand since last year doesn’t help its case. You can still spend an awful lot more on a pick-up, however – and the Ranger remains a benchmark for all others to aim at. It’ll take something very special to knock it off its perch.

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30/11/2018 17:25

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

ISUZU D-MAX

Wide range of models • 1.9 TD standard across range • From £18,004-£37,200

DRIVEN Utility, Huntsman, Blade auto, AT35 auto

T

he D-Max is Isuzu’s only vehicle in the UK. As a result, the company is able to concentrate on presenting it imaginatively, with the result that it offers perhaps the widest and most interesting model range in the market. su u was the first manu acturer to sign up with Arctic Trucks, for example, and the AT35 remains a agship ehicle in the - a range. But if you value worktruck practicality and usable off-road talent over the admittedly intoxicating road presence of 35” tyres, the highlight of the range is surely the Huntsman – an option pack which turns the mid-range Utah model into a ready-to-go support truck for sport shooters and countrymen in general, complete with rear canopy and high-quality drawer system as well as optional lifted suspension, underbody protection and, you may be pleased to learn, a complete

deletion of chrome detailing from around the vehicle’s bodywork.

The suspension available in the Huntsman pack is a +2” Pedders system which can also be ordered as an OE accessory through any Isuzu dealer. It’s an excellent solution if you need to use your truck properly – not as extreme as the AT35, for sure, but a fraction of the price and, with narrower tyres and standard-width arches, arguably more suitable to British conditions.

Whichever D-Max you choose, it comes with a 1.9-litre diesel engine which, despite its modest size, shifts the vehicle perfectly capably..It does make a good bit of noise in the process, however, especially when mated to an automatic box.

People who like pick-ups like big engines. They’re still buying the D-Max. though, even with the smallest unit on the market, which says something, and the vehicle is still rated to pull 3500kg. But in truth, the 1.9 TD is better suited to

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Utility models than to the lavishly specced versions at the top of the D-Max range.

On the road, nonetheless, it’s more alert than the size of the engine would have you expect, with plenty of pull throughout the rev range. It’s quieter on a cruise than it is around town, too.

On A and B-roads, the D-Max steers and handles tidily without any of the bouncing or wallowing you still fear when trying to hustle a pick-up round corners. In particular, while we’d always choose a manual for this kind of work, it’s more fun in auto form than most of its rivals.

Inside, there’s the familiar hard plastics on the dash – though they feel strong and tough, not cheap.

Top models come with an array of equipment; the Blade has a 9” media screen, for example, though this sticks up far enough to obscure access to the tray behind it on the dash top. With sat-nav and phone pairing, the unit does have plenty

of power, but the way it’s mounted makes it feel like an afterthought.

The Blaze also has quilted leather trim, which looks fantastic, but we find the seats in lower-spec models more comfortable on long journeys.

Either way, even with the front seats fully back, the rear bench can still take a couple of six-footers.

Headroom isn’t great, but overall the only vehicle with better rear accommodation is the Ford Ranger.

The rear seat fold down to create a at loading plat orm too Off-road, the D-Max is agile and sure-footed, and the Pedders and AT35 options add ground clearance.

You can’t even get a rear diff lock as an option, however.

That doesn’t prevent the D-Max from being a tough, honest truck. It’s at its best with the toys and leather left alone – but few manufacturers do a better job than Isuzu of demonstrating that that’s not the only way to get the best from a pick-up.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:25

FACTS AND FIGURES ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

4-cylinder inline turbo-diesel 1898cc 164bhp@3600rpm 265lbf.ft@2000rpm

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual; Six-speed auto option Dual-range, part-time

FOR

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Independent double wishbone Leaf-sprung live axle

• Wide range of models and options • Solid, durable build quality • Best versions are generously priced

WHEELS AND TYRES

15” steel, 16/18” alloy 215/70R15, 245/70R16, 255/60R18

BRAKES

Front Rear

Vented disc Drum

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

112mph

ECONOMY

Combined comsumption Emissions

40.4mpg (36.2mpg auto) 183g/km (205g/km auto)

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle

235mm 30° 23° 22°

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Bed length Bed width Wheelbase Turning circle

5297mm 1860mm 1795mm 1485mm 1530mm 3095mm 12.2 metres

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Braked trailer

1854-2061kg 1099-1196kg 3500kg

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

24/12,000 60/125,000 39-44

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

Single-Cab Utility Extended-Cab Utility Double-Cab Utility Double-Cab Eiger Extended-Cab Yukon Extended-Cab Yukon Luxe Extended-Cab Yukon Nav+ Double-Cab Yukon Double-Cab Yukon Nav+ Double-Cab Utah Double-Cab Blade Double-Cab AT35 Auto Extra

£18,004 £18,804 £19,604 £20,704 £20,704 £21,704 £21,854 £21,704 £22,854 £24,354 £27,204 £37,200 £1000

£22,509 £23,470 £24,430 £25,750 £25,750 £26,950 £27,130 £26,950 £28,330 £30,130 £33,550 £45,545 £1200

AGAINST • Engine feels and sounds small • Top-spec media systems unconvincing • Rear diff lock not even an option

LIST PRICE

Isuzu D-Max Huge variety equals wide range of appeal, if you don’t mind the engine The D-Max isn’t helped by its small engine, whose refinement lets it down.

But it still has plenty of grunt, and it’s used to good effect in a wide spectrum of models. The AT35 gets the headlines, but in Utility and Utah Huntsman Plus form the D-Max is an almost perfectly focused pick-up.

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30/11/2018 17:25

PB CUSTOMS 4x4

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PB Customs Apr 18.indd 1

30/07/2018 07:55

•

THE AWARD WINNING ISUZU D-MAX HUNTSMAN

ANOTHER AWARD IN THE BAG

PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

2019

BEST MODEL

THE ISUZU D-MAX UTAH HUNTSMAN ACCESSORY PACK COMES WITH:

18" BLACK ALLOY WHEELS

ALUMINIUM DRAWER SYSTEM

BLACK SIDE BARS + STEPS

PREMIUM PROTECTIVE MAT SET

CALL 03303 335126 OR VISIT ISUZU.CO.UK/HUNTSMAN FOR MORE INFORMATION #Over 40 MPG figure applies to manual transmission model. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel figures for the Isuzu D-Max range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 30.4 - 38.7 (9.3 - 7.3). Extra Urban 40.9 - 50.4 (6.9 - 5.6).

Combined 36.2 - 45.6 (7.8 - 6.2). CO2 emissions 163 - 205g/km. For full details please contact your local Isuzu dealer or visit isuzu.co.uk The Huntsman Accessory Pack is a supplementary pack available for the Isuzu D-Max Utah Double Cab manual and automatic transmissions. Model shown is an Isuzu D-Max Utah fitted with a Huntsman Plus Pack with Pedders Suspension. CVOTR price for D-Max Utah manual transmission £25,699.00, automatic transmission also available from £26,699.00. CVOTR price includes delivery, number plates, 12 months road fund licence and first registration fee, excludes VAT and metallic paint charge. Huntsman Accessory Pack including fitting, £6,250.00 + VAT. Huntsman Plus Pack is available for £7,250 + VAT. Huntsman Accessory Pack is fitted after vehicle registration. Only available in Cosmic Black Mica and Obsidian Grey Mica. *3.5 tonne towing capacity applies to all 4x4 models. **125,000 mile/5 year (whichever comes first) warranty applies to the Isuzu D-Max Utah. The Huntsman Accessory Pack comes with a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty. For full details please contact your local Isuzu dealer or visit isuzu.co.uk

Untitled-1 1

04/12/2018 12:13

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS

First premium-brand pick-up • Based on Nissan Navara • From £27,310-£38,350

DRIVEN 250d Pure, 250d Power

W

e’ve driven two versions of the X-Class since it came on the market a year ago – and neither of them is on the current price list.

That’s because the 250d Pure we drove was a special-built demo truck with a manual gearbox, but this more powerful version of the standard 2.3-litre diesel engine is only normally available in auto form.

We also experienced the same engine in range-topping Power trim – but this combination has already been discontinued, with the topspec model recently made available only with the new 3.0-litre V6 unit that’s known in Mercedes parlance as the 350d. erc was the first totally new name in the pick-up market for a long time when the X-Class was launched, and the company makes a big deal of the fact that it’s the only truck from a premium brand. While this may be true, however, the truck

itself is based on the Nissan Navara, many elements of whose design and engineering migrate across to its more expensive sibling.

And expensive is the word. The X-Class range starts at £27,310 plus VAT and tops out with the new 350d Power at £38,350. That’s only a few options away from busting the £50k barrier if you don’t get your VAT back.

So this is one pricey pick-up. The question is, does it do enough to justify its price tag?

The short answer is no. That’s not to say this is a bad vehicle – far from it, it inherits the Navara’s many qualities – but is it the truck Mercedes itself would have built had it carried the project through rom scratch itsel e find that pretty hard to believe.

For starters, we’re sure Merc would have benchmarked the Ford Ranger for cabin space. Inheriting the Navara’s qualities is all well and good, but the X-Class inherits that

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vehicle’s cramped rear leg and head room, too.

The cabin doesn’t feel built with Mercedes’ usual impeccable solidity, either, though material quality and switchgear alike are good. Its styling has just enough to resemble Merc’s SUVs, though we’re talking visual cues rather than overall appeal.

Talking of overall appeal, the seats are extremely comfortable whichever model you choose. And talking of visual cues, the media system is as excellent as you’d expect – but it comes with a screen that sticks up and out of the dash rather than being integrated into it.

That’s another area in which we doubt Mercedes would have compromised had it been developing its own truck – though it’s doubly odd as the Navara comes with a screen that’s tidily incorporated into its own dash.

On the road, the X-Class rides and handles as a truck should. It’s a bit fussy at the back, especially

on the lower-profile tyres o the higher spec model, but this is only really noticeable at lower speeds. It handles well on open roads, and on the motorway it settles down to a quiet, comfortable cruise.

The coil-sprung back axle comes into its own off-road, too, allowing the X-Class to follow the ground with impressive compliance. You can get it with a rear diff lock, too, and thus equipped there’s not a lot of places it won’t be able to reach.

We could, however, be talking about the Navara there. Which is the biggest problem with this truck.

Again, the X-Class is not bad. It takes a rock-solid foundation and builds on it. But the problem is that it’s not special, certainly not in the way its premium badging demands.

This is, for sure, a good truck. But it’s at its most convincing in lowerspec form – which gives the lie to its claims for premium status. Either way, at this money merely being good is not enough.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:25

FACTS AND FIGURES

FOR • Strong choice of high-spec options • Excellent build quality • Genuinely capable off-road

AGAINST • Cabin not convincingly premium • High purchase price • Cramped rear-seat accommodation

ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox

Four-cylinder turbo-diesel 2299cc 163bhp/190@3750rpm 297/332lbf.ft@1500rpm

V6 turbo-diesel 2987cc 258bhp 406lbf.ft

Transfer case

Six-speed manual (220d) Seven-speed auto (250d, 350d) Part-time / Full-time (350d)

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Coil-sprung double wishbones Coil-sprung live axle

WHEELS AND TYRES

17” steels, 17/19” alloys 255/60R17, 255/65R18

BRAKES

Front / rear

Vented discs / Discs

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

106-109mph -

ECONOMY

Combined consumption

220d: 37.2mpg 250d: 35.8mpg 220d: 200g/km 250d: 207g/km

Emissions

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle Max tilt Wading depth

29° 24° 20.4° -

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5340mm 1920mm 1819mm 3150mm -

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width Braked trailer

2213-2234kg 1066-1087kg 1587mm 1560mm 3500kg

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

24/18,641 24/unlimited -

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

220d Pure 220d Progressive 250d Pure 250d Progressive 350d Power

£27,310 £28,510 £29,310 £30,510 £38,350

£34,157 £35,597 £36,557 £37,997 £47,405

LIST PRICE

Mercedes-Benz X-Class Premium-badged newcomer to the market brings a touch of what makes Mercedes special – but struggles to justify its high price While the X-Class is indeed a very good truck, so it should be when there’s a Nissan Navara behind its badges. The problem, very clearly, is its price. By being so much more expensive than the rest of the market, it’s set up for a fall if it’s not that much better, too. If you want a Navara, buy a Navara; if you want a premium double-cab, despite Mercedes’ matchless heritage and formidable know-how, in this case we’d say buy a VW Amarok.

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30/11/2018 17:25

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

MITSUBISHI L200

Wide range of models • Full-time 4wd available • From £19,200-£30,105

DRIVEN Barbarian, Barbarian auto

M

itsubishi invented the lifestyle pick-up sector in the UK with a previous version of the L200. History counts for little if you don’t learn from it, though – and in terms of the breadth and depth of their offering, it’s hard not to conclude that other manufacturers have picked up a baton Mitsubishi has dropped somewhere along the way.

This doesn’t change the fact that the current L200 is a very good truck. And Mitsubishi’s UK importer has certainly started to try and add some individuality at the top of the range with the eye-catching drama of its new SVP models.

These are created by Mitsubishi’s Special Vehicle Projects department, which sounds a little too much like Land Rover’s SVO operation to be a coincidence. Whereas that arm of the JLR enterprise concerns itself with deep-down engineering changes, however, SVP appears to

create special vehicles mainly by adding bolt-on accessories.

As a result, the smart money continues to go to the Warrior and Barbarian models, which have long been at the heart of the L200’s lifestyle appeal. And even though they’re fairly conservative by the standards of some other pick-ups, there’s little about them to criticise.

This is especially the case now the L200 has had its towing limit uprated to 3500kg. This time last year that figure was kg lower which effectively ruled it out of the running for a good number of customers in the heartland of the pick-up market.

Not that you have to go to the top of the range to get a good deal from Mitsubishi. Every L200 offers alloys, cruise, air-con, Bluetooth and USB as standard. Given that the cheapest double-cab model only costs £21,600 before VAT, that puts it near the forefront of the market on value for money alone.

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There’s another big difference between the entry-le el i e model and the rest of the range.

This is that it comes with basic part-time four-wheel drive, whereas its more expensive brethren have a full-time system backed up by traction control.

What they don’t have is a locking rear diff. This isn’t available in combination with ull-time wd so only the i e has it At least it’s standard here; if you have offroading in mind, it makes this the most appealing model in the range.

You do have to make do with a down-tuned ersion o the -litre engine, however. This has 151bhp and 280lbf.ft, compared to 178bhp and 317lbf.ft for the rest of the range. Top torque comes in 1000rpm lower, however, so you might not feel too short-changed,.

Most people head straight for the top, anyway, where the Barbarian feels like a truck with added kit rather than a full-on SUV. The dash

plastics are hard, for example, and the seats’ leather feels tough rather than supple – though their styling is inarguably superb. We would have liked the seats to have adjustable lumber support, too.

You can get one six-footer behind another, but those in the rear seats will be pinched, and their heads will be pressed into the ceiling.

On the road, the engine is strong and smooth, with a quiet delivery making it a refined truck in which to travel. This is matched by a good, smooth ride which doesn’t come at the expense of handling – in fact, the L200 is one of the most enjoyable trucks to throw around, with plenty of grip in corners.

What this perhaps illustrates is that while other manufacturers might be bolder with their trucks, Mitsubishi has the most important selling point of all – a really sound product. The L200 does its job very well, at a price that ensures it will stay firmly in the mainstream

4x4 30/11/2018 17:25

FACTS AND FIGURES

FOR • Enduring heritage in the pick-up market • Agile handling on the road • Full-time four-wheel drive available

AGAINST • Low on space in the back • Rear diff lock only on low-spec models • Stingy mileage limit on warranty

ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

DOHC straight-four turbo-diesel 2442cc 151bhp@3500rpm, 178bhp@3500rpm 280lbf.ft@1500rpm, 317lbf.ft@2500rpm

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual Five-speed auto option Part-time / Full-time

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Independent coil-sprung wishbones Leaf-sprung live axle

WHEELS AND TYRES

16” steel, 16/17” alloy 205R16, 245/65R17

BRAKES

Front Rear

Vented discs Drums

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

111mph 10.4 seconds

ECONOMY

Combined fuel economy CO2 emissions

39.8-40.9mpg (37.7 auto) 180-186g/km (196 auto)

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle

205mm 30° 22° 24°

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5275mm 1815mm 1780mm 3000mm -

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width Braked trailer Fuel tank

1860kg 1045kg 1470mm 1470mm 3500kg 75 litres

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

12/12,500 60/62,500 9-10

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

Single-Cab 4Life Club-Cab 4Life Double-Cab 4Life Double-Cab Titan Double-Cab Warrior Double-Cab Barbarian Double-Cab Barbarian SVP II Auto extra

£19,200 £20,350 £21,600 £23,225 £25,550 £26,175 £30,105 £1400

£23,345 £24,725 £26,225 £28,175 £30,965 £31,715 £36,431 £1680

LIST PRICE

Mitsubishi L200 Not the definitive market-leader it once was, but still a very strong contender at a price you can’t ignore The L200 is one of the most keenly priced pick-ups there is, and you get a great deal for your money in every sense of the phrase. You don’t need to go to the top of the range if off-road use is your main concern, but even here it’s still very willing indeed. And with all models now capable of towing 3500kg, it’s a more complete truck than ever before.

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30/11/2018 17:25

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

NISSAN NAVARA

Various work and lifestyle options • Coil-sprung back axle • From £20,821-£32,779

DRIVEN Tekna, Tekna auto, Off-Roader AT32

F

or a spell, the Navara could claim to be the only credible truck in the UK with a coil-sprung back axle. The arrival of the new SsangYong Musso has put a stop to that, as has the Mercedes X-Class – so now instead, the Navara can claim to be the truck Mercedes chose to rework, rebadge and sell as one of its own.

That’s not a bad accolade, and it has helped Nissan to win back the trust of pick-up buyers put off by all those tales of old D40 models with broken chassis. This Navara is a whole new kettle o fish and it s a huge step up from that vehicle.

Not all Navaras have the coiled rear axle, however. Up to Acenta grade, you get a traditional set of cart springs – as well as a 163bhp version of the 2.3-litre diesel engine. From Acenta+ upwards, power goes up to 190bhp to go with the more sophisticated multilink suspension.

Of course, whatever shape the springs are they still have to hold up a tonne or control a 3500kg trailer.

There’s a school of thought that says leaves do this better; either way, while the Navara is impressively supple and well damped at the back, the coil springs alone are worth it but fall short of doing magic.

On poor roads, the Navara feels steady on its feet, though a couple of times we felt the back getting loose in fast corners. Driving it back to back with the Mitsubishi L200 shows it to be smoother and quieter, with less body movement when the ground tries to throw it from side to side, but not by any great distance.

Where it really excels, however, is on the motorway. Here, the Navara cruises with a smoothness we’ve never previously experienced in a pick-up; it’s quiet, planted and very stable, making this a totally effective vehicle in which to cover a lot of miles.

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Off-road, the multi-link system is good and supple – but once again, you don t find yoursel in awe at how much more advanced it is than the leaf-sprung alternatives. It’s good, and maybe better, but not to a stellar degree.You can get a rear diff lock on any model, but only as a £500 option.

Something that’s new to the Navara range this year, however, is the Off-Roader AT32 model. This is built for Nissan by Arctic Trucks, whose mods make room for the 32” tyres that give it its name.

Toyota and Isuzu also sell models built by Arctic Trucks, though both use the company’s AT35 conversion – meaning much bigger tyres, wider arches and of course a higher price.

To us, the AT32 is better suited to British off-road conditions, which favour narrow tyres, narrow trucks and enough ground clearance rather than loads for the sake of it. The Off-Roader AT32 also has a front diff-lock on the options list,

which costs a small fortune but gives it a unique level of real-world off-road ability.

Inside, the Navara feels convincing from the moment you get aboard, with a properly integrated media screen within a dash which, despite being fashioned in hard plastics, is pleasingly stylish to look at.

The front seats are excellent, but the rear is poor. A tallish adult sitting in the back will have their head pressed into the roof lining, especially if you’ve got the optional sunroo fitted and knee room is also at a premium if the person in front of you is tall too.

The Navara’s coil springs are less than a revolution but more than a gimmick. They help create what’s arguably the most SUV-like truck on the market, and for off-roading they help make the AT32 a leader in its field hat once seemed like a steep range of prices has now come to look pretty generous next to other manufacturers’, too.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:25

FACTS AND FIGURES ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

Straight-four twin-turbo diesel 2298cc 163bhp@3750rpm, 190bhp@3750rpm 297lbf.ft@1500rpm, 332lbf.ft@1500rpm

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual Seven-speed auto option Part-time

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Coil-sprung double wishbones Coil-sprung live axle

WHEELS AND TYRES

16” steel, 16/18” alloy 205R16, 255/70R16, 255/60R18

BRAKES

Front Rear

Vented discs Drums

AGAINST

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

114mph (112 auto) 10.8 seconds

• Cramped rear leg and head room • Some creaks in the cabin trim • Bonnet shape restricts view off-road

ECONOMY

Combined comsumption Emissions

44.1mpg (40.4 auto) 169g/km (183 auto)

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle

223mm 30.4° 25.6° 22.2°

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5330mm 1850mm 1840mm 3150mm 13.1m

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width Braked trailer Fuel tank

1963kg (1958kg auto) 1047kg (1052kg auto) 1578mm 1560mm 3500kg 80 litres

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

18,000 60/100,000 9-10

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

King-Cab Visia King-Cab Acenta Double-Cab Visia Double-Cab Acenta Double-Cab Acenta+ Double-Cab N-Connecta Double-Cab Tekna Double-Cab AT32 Auto extra

£20,821 £21,654 £21,654 £22,488 £24,554 £26,679 £26,863 £32,779 £1417

£25,290 £26,290 £26,290 £27,290 £29,770 £32,320 £32,540 £39,640 £1700

FOR • Composed ride on and off-road • Rear locker available on all models • AT32 an all-terrain champion

LIST PRICE

Nissan Navara As convincingly SUV-like as anything in the pick-up market, but with real presence as a work truck and off-road wagon too The Navara is well known for its coil springs, but there’s much more to it than just a headline-making suspension set-up. It’s smartly designed and well kitted out, and lifestyle models drive very well – though the gap between them and the best of the rest is small. The AT32 is a real off-road hero and, to us, has the most to offer of any of the current Arctic Trucks models on the market.

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30/11/2018 17:26

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

SSANGYONG MUSSO

All-new double-cab • 7-year, 150,000-mile warranty • From £19,995-£24,995

DRIVEN EX, Saracen, Saracen auto

S

sangYong believes the new Musso, which went on sale at the start of August, could come to account for more than 50% of its entire UK business. That says a lot about the vehicle – whose platform, drivetrain and cabin are shared with the excellent Rexton SUV. The Musso is available in three spec levels, all of them powered by a 2.2-litre turbo diesel-engine producing 181bhp and 295lbf.ft – and all well equipped. Even the entry-level EX model, which lists at £19,995 plus VAT, gives you essential luxuries including air-con, 17” alloys, DAB, Bluetooth, electric windows and auto headlamps and wipers.

Next up, the Rebel costs £22,495 and adds 18” alloys, faux-leather seats, heated wheel, heated and cooled front seats and an 8” media system including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a rear-view camera. At the top of the range, the Saracen costs £24,995 and gives

you nappa leather, powered front seats, heated rear seats, cruise control and a 9.2” sat-nav system.

On top of this, all Mussos come with a seven-year, 150-000-mile warranty. They’ll tow 3500kg, at least with the optional auto box – the manual will only haul 3200kg, so it’s an aberration that the EX, which is as close as you’ll get to farmerspec, can’t be had in auto form.

Inside, the cabin will take you by surprise if your expectations of SsangYong are rooted in the past.

Material quality is good, and so is build – the dash is solid and creakfree, and there’s an impressive array of soft-touch materials as well as controls which are well laid out and very satisfying in operation.

The seats are well shaped, with plenty of support, and stowage throughout the front of the cabin is good. Knee room is a little cramped behind a tall driver, however, but travelling in the back is still less of a chore than in many double-cabs.

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‘Chore’ is a good word for the old Musso, but driving this one is no problem. You do need to get used to the clutch on manual models, as it bites pretty sharply, but while it’s not a dynamic revelation it doesn’t do anything to disgrace itself.

The same can be said of its coilsprung rear suspension, which is a little bumpy when running unladen, even by pick-up standards. SsangYong says it’s working on a solution, which when ready will be offered as a retro-fit on early ehicles The engine pulls hard throughout its rev range, only raising its voice if you leave it too late to change gear on the way up. Once settled at a fast cruise, it’s nicely subdued – though wind noise does take over at this sort of speed.

Off-road, that back axle can articulate extremely well, and there doesn’t appear to be any lack of traction available. One thing you can’t get on the Musso, however, is a locking rear diff, and as always

with double-cabs we could see this causing problems when running unladen over very uneven ground.

Nonetheless, this is a vehicle with real potential. SsangYong has targeted agriculture, construction trades and outdoor professionals as the three big markets in which the Musso will compete – and with that stunning warranty to go with its low purchase price, the Musso has what it takes to be noticed.

Residual values are still a worry, all the same. SsangYong GB says it’s working on these, however the main thing standing it the Musso’s way is going to be unfamiliarity There’s still a perception barrier for SsangYong to knock down. To put it another way, badge snobbery stands in its way. But the only way to change that is to make better products – and that’s exactly what the new Musso is. The old one was just a cheap truck: this time, it’s a good truck at a cheap price. But mainly, it’s a good truck.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:26

FACTS AND FIGURES

FOR • SUV-like cabin design and equipment • High-value purchase price • The best warranty in the business

AGAINST • Fussy rear suspension • Wind noise at speed • Uncertainty over residual values

ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

Straight-four turbo-diesel 2157cc 181bhp@4000rpm 295lbf.ft@1400rpm

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual Six-speed auto option Part-time, dual-range

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Independent coil-sprung wishbones Multi-link coil-sprung live axle

WHEELS AND TYRES

17” alloy, 18” alloy 235/70R17, 255/60R18

BRAKES

Front Rear

Vented discs Solid discs

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

121mph -

ECONOMY

Combined consumption CO2 emissions

35.8mpg 211g/km

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle Max tilt Wading depth

215mm -

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5095mm 1950mm 1820mm 3100mm 11.8m

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width (max) Braked trailer Fuel tank

2155-2165kg 1050kg 1300mm 1500mm 3200kg (man), 3500kg (auto) 75 litres

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

12-month/12,500-miles 7-year/150,000-mile 40-42

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

Double-Cab EX Double-Cab Rebel Double-Cab Saracen Auto extra

£19,995 £22,495 £24,995 £1250

£23,933 £26,933 £29,933 £1500

LIST PRICE

Ssangyong Musso Now deserves to be seen as part of the pick-up mainstream – but still priced to undercut the rest of the market by a long way Turning the brilliant Rexton into a pick-up was always going to be a promising move, and the Musso doesn’t disappoint. It’s very well presented and put together, and between its price, warranty and sheer quality as a truck it makes a very commanding case for itself. We don’t think farmers will be impressed by the fact that the work-spec EX is the only model in the range that can’t tow 3500kg, however, and residuals are a question mark. But make no mistake – this is a very good truck with much more than just price on its side.

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30/11/2018 17:26

THE NEW MUSSO TOUGH ENOUGH TO HAVE A 7-YEAR WARRANTY

Over 1 tonne payload

Selectable 4x4 with low range

3.5 tonne towing capacity

9.2” touchscreen

Only pick-up with a 7-year warranty

FROM

£19,995

EX VAT*

Fuel consumption figures in mpg. Musso: Urban 25.9-29.1, Extra Urban 39.2-40.9, Combined 32.8-35.8. CO2 emissions in g/km 226-211. *Musso EX including delivery charge, road licence & first registration charge. Model shown is Musso Saracen priced at £25,511 ex VAT inc. optional metallic paint at £516. 3.5 tonne towing capacity only with automatic transmission. Warranty covers 7 years or 150,000 miles. Prices are correct at the time of going to print but may be modified or changed at any time.

0834 Musso A4 Consumer FIELD.indd 1

31/07/2018 11:24

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Call now on:

01452 309 983

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HEATING & AIR - CON SPECIALISTS SER

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Unit 2 Llanthony Business Park, Gloucester. GL2 5QT

www.ac-automotive.co.uk

4x4 TOR Folios and classifieds.indd 51

JANUARY 2019 | 51

04/12/2018 14:46

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

TOYOTA HILUX

Global pick-up phenomenon • New AT35 model available • From £19,270-£30,262

DRIVEN Active, Invincible auto, Invincible X auto

S

ixteen million Hilux owners can’t, as they say, be wrong. That’s how many of them oyota sold in the ehicle s first half-century, and the current model suggests that the company has every intention of protecting what is one of its crown jewels for just as long into the future, too.

In its chassis and body alike, this is the physically strongest Hilux yet.

Which is saying something, because strength is perhaps the main thing the vehicle has become famous for.

Despite this, Toyota set out to make this Hilux more SUV-like than previous examples. As with the rest of the pick-up market, most UK sales volume goes to top-spec models – and that’s where you have to buy if you want equipment like leather, sat-nav and parking sensors to be part of the package.

Even then, there are more convincingly SUV-like doublecabs on the market. Build quality

throughout the Hilux’s cabin is outstanding, and few trucks do a better job of reassuring you that they’ll still be hanging together after fi e years o abuse on construction sites, but in terms of design there are places where it feels as if it’s straining for effect.

We’re not fans of multimedia screens that have been stuck on to the dashboard rather than integrated into it, for example.

That’s what you get from the Hilux, and it looks like something from the aftermarket. Toyota is by no means alone in doing this, but there are plenty of other manufacturers who prove that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Whether you go to the top of the range or keep it real with the work-spec Active model, the seats are e cellent and gi e a ery fine driving position. Those in the back are a little short on knee room, however, if you’re trying to carry a full crew of six-footers.

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Going back to the range-topping Invincible X model, something else you get is an auto box. This doesn’t do the engine any favours; the 2.4 D-4D unit, which is standard across the range, delivers 150bhp and 295lbf.ft, the latter from 1600rpm, and it’s willing enough – but when asked to keep an auto box would up on top of everything else, it becomes sluggish towards the top end. That’s why we preferred the base-spec Active model, whose manual unit has a pleasing mechanical simplicity to it that makes it enjoyable to use. he engine is uite refined the rest of the time, however, with a smoothness that belies the speed you’re able to build up without kicking up a fuss. The Hilux has a 3500kg towing weight these days, and we’d expect it to live up to that very handsomely.

Off-road, a low-spec model is definitely the one you want as 225/70R17 tyres are far better

suited to this work than the 265/65R18s you get higher up the range. All models have a locking rear diff as standard, however, so there’s no such thing as a Hilux that can’t hack it.

If that’s really what you want a Hilux to do, on the other hand (or you just want to make a statement on the road), Toyota has year added an AT35 model. Built by Arctic Trucks, this is optimised for offroading and gains a vast increase in ride height – albeit with the side effect of having a much wider vehicle with big, fat tyres.

Like the rest of the Hilux range, this model is free of handling vices and rides well by pick-up standards.

We’d always prefer the 2.4 D-4D engine with a manual box, though.

As ever, the Hilux is a rock-solid choice. There are areas in which it has rivals which do things better, but it has build quality on its side.

Toyota is building on its reputation, not just trading on it.

4x4 30/11/2018 17:26

FACTS AND FIGURES

FOR • Well priced considering its heritage • Outstanding build quality • Locking rear diff standard on all models

AGAINST • Only one engine, and it’s lukewarm • Not the most SUV-like of interiors • Media screen has an aftermarket look

ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power Max torque

DOHC straight-four turbo-diesel 2393cc 148bhp@3400rpm 295lbf.ft@1600rpm

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox Transfer case

Six-speed manual Six-speed auto option Part-time

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

Coil-sprung double wishbones Leaf-sprung live axle

WHEELS AND TYRES

17/18” alloys 225/70R17, 265/65R17, 265/60R18

BRAKES

Front Rear

Vented discs, four-pot calipers Drums

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

106mph 13.2 seconds (12.8 auto)

ECONOMY

Combined comsumption Emissions

40.4mpg (36.2 auto) 185g/km (204 auto)

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle Max gradient Wading depth

293mm 31° 26° 23° 42.1° 700mm

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase Turning circle

5330mm 1855mm 1815mm 3085mm 6.7m

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Kerb weight Payload Bed length Bed width Braked trailer Fuel tank

2095-2155kg 1045kg 1525mm 1645mm 3500kg 80 litres

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty Insurance group

12-month /10,000-mile 5-year /100,000-mile 10

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

Single-Cab Active Extra-Cab Active Double-Cab Active Double-Cab Icon Double-Cab Invincible Double-Cab Invincible X Auto extra

£19,270 £20,828 £21,603 £23,749 £25,666 £30,262 £1250

£24,155 £26,025 £26,955 £29,530 £31,830 £37,345 £1500

LIST PRICE

Toyota Hilux Not the slickest of cabins, nor the liveliest of engines, but the Hilux continues to be set the standard for indestructible build quality There was a time when we said the Hilux looked pricey at the top of the range, but these days it has a solid middle-market feel to it. It looks good and drives well, despite being low on power compared to almost all its rivals, and it’s as good as e er off-road. ts cabin lacks the finesse to make it truly U like, however – but for sheer robustness, you still wouldn’t bet against it.

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2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK

New engine and gearbox options • Full-time 4wd available • £24,510-£34,325

DRIVEN 163 Trendline, 224 Highline, 258 Highline

S

ince receiving a major facelift two years ago, the Amarok has taken time to grow into its new skin. That’s because the full range of engine and gearbox options took forever to arrive – but they’re here now, and to great effect..

Volkswagen is frank about always having positioned the Amarok at the premium end of the pick-up market, and the 3.0 V6 TDI engine that came with the aforementioned facelift certainly suits that. It’s available in no less than four power outputs.

The new six-speed manual box is available with the lower two of these, which put out 163 and 204bhp, and entry-level Trendline trim. As you move up the range, Highline and top-spec Dark Label trims come in, along with 224 and 258bhp engine outputs.

These higher-powered units are offered only in automatic form. The eight-speed unit is a very smooth one, and it’s mated as standard to

a full-time four-wheel drive system, but what you don’t get on these models is low box.

This has been a major stumbling block for the Amarok since the 3.0 V6 TDI arrived, but the good news is that manual models do get a proper dual-range transfer case.

This transforms it into an off-road vehicle you can actually use; auto models are very agile, but in tight terrain they need to be driven with your foot constantly on the brakes.

The Amarok is also available with a locking rear diff, whose £300 price tag is more modest than that of the vehicle itself, and with this in place it’ll deliver serious off-road ability.

What it won’t deliver is a serious towing weight. Manual models are limited to 3000kg, with auto adding another 100kg on top of that. This seems like a ridiculous aberration, given the importance placed on towing by so many pick-up buyers, especially given the strength and power the Amarok has to offer.

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That’s a big criticism, but it’s one of the few we’ve got of the Amarok now it offers low range. Rear-seat accommodation isn’t as spacious as the Ford Ranger’s, but it’s better than you get in the Merc X-Class – and the seats in Trendline models seem better shaped to accommodate a passenger’s knees, too.

Elsewhere inside, the Amarok is feels premium to a degree no other pick-up can match. It’s very well put together using good materials and excellent switchgear, and the multimedia screen is an integral part of the dashboard layout.The conservative but classy cabin design for which VW is known is perfectly suited to it.

On the road, you’d expect there to be a lot of difference between the various engines in the range.

And for sure, the 258bhp model absolutely ies open it up on the way down a sliproad and by the time you join the motorway, you’ll be the fastest thing around. It’s

superbly smooth and refined while doing this, too.

But don’t expect even the 163 to be slow. Its 332lbf.ft of torque is delivered from a mere 1250rpm, and the result is a huge e ibility o strength which makes it both easy and satisfying to drive.

All Amaroks ride well, too, with no apparent differences based on the height of their tyres. There must be situations where models with full-time four-wheel drive can hold on when manual models can’t, but in even the most searching everyday use we d challenge you to find one The way it drives is as premium as the way it feels. hus the Amarok ustifies its price, in a way some other top-end pick-ups struggle to manage. It sits between the X-Class and the rest of the market in terms of price – and while does make it more expensive than a lot of very good rivals, we’d say it’s got the balance pretty much spot-on.

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FACTS AND FIGURES ENGINE

Type Capacity Max power

24-valve V6 turbo-diesel 2967cc 163, 204, 224bhp@3000rpm, 258bhp@3250rpm 332, 369lbf.ft@1250rpm 406, 428lbf.ft@1400rpm

Max torque

FOR

TRANSMISSION

Gearbox

Six-speed manual Eight-speed automatic Part-time, dual-range (manual) Full-time (auto)

Transfer case

• Wide range of engine options • Most convincingly premium pick-up • Great agility off-road

SUSPENSION

Front Rear

AGAINST

WHEELS AND TYRES

17/18” alloy 245/65R17, 225/60R18

• Auto models lack low range • Limited rear legroom • High-priced entry-level versions

BRAKES

Front Rear

Disc Disc

PERFORMANCE

Max speed 0-62mph

110-127 mph 7.4-9.8 seconds

ECONOMY

Combined consumption Emissions

32.5-34.9mpg 212-229g/km

OFF-ROAD

Ground clearance Approach angle Departure angle Breakover angle Max gradient Wading depth

192mm 29.5° 18.0° 20.1° 45° 500mm

DIMENSIONS

Length Width Height Wheelbase

5254mm 1954mm 1834mm 3097mm

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Gross weight Payload Kerb weight Bed length Bed width Braked trailer

3290kg 1114kg 2176kg 1555mm 1620mm 3000kg (man), 3100kg (auto)

OWNERSHIP

Service interval Warranty

24-month / 24,855-mile 3-year / 60,000-mile

LIST PRICE 3.0 163 Trendline man 3.0 204 Trendline man 3.0 204 Trendline auto 3.0 204 Highline auto 3.0 204 Dark Label auto 3.0 224 Highline auto 3.0 258 Highline auto

Independent McPherson struts Leaf-sprung live axle

Ex-VAT

OTR inc VAT

£24,510 £25,600 £27,045 £30,900 £33,650 £31,415 £34,325

£30,455 £31,763 £32,454 £38,123 £41,423 £38,741 £42,233

Volkswagen Amarok ustanding

t last it’s ulfilling the potential it has always had

We’ve been critical of the Amarok since the 3.0 V6 TDI was launched, but with the range finally complete it’s an outstanding truck. n manual form, it’s a masterful off-roader and workhorse, while at the top of the range it’s now the most con incingly premium pick-up on the market.

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2019 PICK-UP

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OF THE YEAR BEST VALUE SsangYong Musso

We expected the new Musso to be a quantum leap forward from the bad old model, and that’s exactly what it is. Being based on the Rexton, which itself was new this time last year, puts it on the front foot from the word go, and as a result it has possibly the most SUV-like cabin in the business.

It’s also a resolute work truck, with the carrying and towing capacities to prove it, and it comes with an industry-leading 7-year, 150,000-mile warranty. Its price is not as far below the others as it used to be, and depreciation will continue to be a concern until public perception catches up, but this is still an unbeatable amount of truck for your money.

BEST INDIVIDUAL MODEL Isuzu D-Max Huntsman The Huntsman option pack turns a mid-range D-Max Utah model into a vehicle with most of the equipment you need for everyday off-road work or play. A utility top and drawer system give it a winning level of practicality straight out of the box, and it’s well protected both underneath and in the cabin from real-world threats like tree stumps and muddy or oily boots.

Upgrading to Huntsman Plus spec adds an excellent suspension lift, making the vehicle more capable than ever. It’s not cheap, but for the range of kit you get it shows that Isuzu knows its customers inside out.

BEST OFF-ROAD Nissan Navara AT32 The Off-Roader AT32, to give it its full name, is the smallest of three Arctic Trucks conversions currently available across the pick-up market. While this means it doesn’t have the same ground clearance and vast tyres as the AT35 models available elsewhere, it’s more than ample in both areas – and with less width as a result, it’s far better suited to typical UK conditions.

It’s also far more affordable than the bigger conversions, though some of Arctic Trucks’ options are ridiculously priced. If you want a look-at-me pick-up, you’ll give it a miss – but if you know your off-roading, it’s the one.

2019 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR Volkswagen Amarok The Amarok was an also-ran last year, but the new models that have arrived since then have propelled it to the top of the pick-up class. At last, you can get it with the manual gearbox and dual-range transfer case that make the most of its outstanding agility off-road – while at the top of the range, the most powerful version of its glorious 3.0 V6 TDI engine makes it by far the fastest pick-up around.

We need to recognise that we’re giving the award to the truck with the worst towing weight, and for many this will turn the result on its head that s you there s a wide choice o fine tow trucks a ailable not least last year’s winner, the Ford Ranger, which continues to excel.

It’s a measure of the Amarok’s quality that it has managed to unseat the Ranger to win this title. But the standard in the pick-up market is higher than ever – and Volkswagen has played a key part in that.

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mo

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HILUX T

Double-cabs currently account for the vast majority of big-budget off-road builds in the UK. It’s not long ago, however, that new trucks were rarely used as the basis for a project – and that when you did see a pick-up being modified i e ded o e a pro ec i ol i less bolting-on and a lot more in the way of homespun engineering WORDS: PAUL LOOE PICTURES: HARRY HAMM

4x4 4pp Stimpson.indd 61

hese days, if you’re going to build a bigbudget off-roader starting with a brand new vehicle, there’s a strong chance that you’ll do it with a pick-up truck. But even as recently as ust fi e years ago you d almost certainly have used a Land Rover Defender.

Not that people weren’t building pick-ups back then. It’s just that instead of spending big money on top-end imported kit to bolt on to a new Ranger, they were letting loose with their workshop skills on middle-aged s and old ilu es rom the lea -sprung days he ilu you see on these pages is rom that era and the pictures themsel es were taken fi e years ago ut its story dates back some way further, to when an early owner turned it into a bobtailed trayback on 33” tyres. hat s the condition it was in when it became the property o Ashley timpson an e perienced 4x4 builder who wanted a truck that would be a hardcore off-road toy and daily driver rolled into one y the time we got it in ront o our lens the rear tray had been replaced by a more traditional pick-up tub, though as this was home to the rear stays or a si -point roll cage it wasn’t what you’d call traditional in the, er, traditional sense. he main part o the cage is made rom o d steam pipe tubing with a mm wall thickness, which doesn’t sound like a recipe for the ultimate in weight sa ing Ashley wasn t ust chucking hea y metal at it without a care though his aim at the start o the pro ect was to bring it home at under two tonnes and at kg it ust managed to put a tick in that bo y no means was this the first hardcore ilu to be built in the but a marked di erence between it and most o the others is that Ashley set out to try and keep its centre of gravity as low as possible. That’s why, in addition to the ld an mu li t springs it was already on when he bought it, the truck has gained nothing more dramatic than a body li t ou don t fit tyres underneath many ehicles on numbers like that, so you won’t be surprised to hear that

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Above right: As far as Ashley’s aware, this is the first time someone in the UK has put a straight-six Nissan engine into a Hi-Lux. It was ‘a squeeze,’ he says, but despite its length the 2.8 TD unit made it in without any extraordinary measures. A black cab radiator turned out to be the perfect size, and had all its piping in the right place, and it didn’t need to be moved to leave space for the engine Above right: It’s not just the engine that came out of a Patrol – the gearbox and transfer case are the same ones that were bolted to it when it left the Nissan factory. The transmission tunnel had to be cut out and remade to fit around the box, but that apart it went in fine. Patrol meets Hi-Lux via the propshafts, which Ashley made himself with Nissan fittings at the tranny end and Toyota flanges for the diffs. He also made the tranny skid plate from 6mm steel plate Below: Both axles are original to the vehicle but contain 4.88:1 diffs from a 70-Series Land Cruiser and, up front, a Detroit Truetrac. Like the rest of the engine ancillaries, the PAS pump is a Nissan part, but the box it pushes is Toyota

‘There’s only eight bushes throughout the truck.

My old Nissan Patrol had three times that. That’s three times the effort, and three times the expense’ Left, below: Big suspension means a big centre of gravity, but Ashley didn’t want any of that. A +2” Old Man Emu lift is enough for his needs, with ProComp shocks allowing 15” of travel up front and 9” at the back. Ashley told us he was planning to fit rear springs at the front in order to improve approach angle and end-to-end stability by pushing the axle forward by 2-3” Below right: Here’s the rear end’s secret weapon – a pair of buggy links. These allow the rear shackle to drop out as the axle articulates, adding several inches to the vehicle’s rear wheel travel. Ashley fabricated them from a pair of suspension top links; you can also see the guides he made up for relocating them beneath the chassis and keeping them from slopping around and trashing the chassis mount bush when they’re closed up

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Above left: The front bumper is a copy of a Trail Gear Rock Defense stinger unit, with a few extras such as the runs of tube protecting the headlamps, made to order by Sunderland 4x4. Its winch mount is home to a 12,000lb Champion unit running Plasma rope – this is tucked in nicely beneath the grille, which is just as well as there was no way the rad was moving any further back with that six-pot behind it…

Above right: A custom 2.5” stainless exhaust exits through the bodywork, keeping it well out of harm’s way. Rock sliders fabricated from a mixture of box and tube provide plenty of protection and jackability, as well as a home for the roll cage, while a set of 35x12.50R15 Baja Claws harks back to the days before Europe went to war against interesting tyres instead of going up, his strategy was to be much more savage with the tin snips when removing metal from the truck’s wheelarches. What’s become known as a ‘virtual lift.’

The springs don’t create lots of height, but Ashley reckons they do e well and with shocks providing 15” of travel up front and 9” at the back, they get every chance to do just that. he rears are aided by a set o buggy links the leaf-sprung equivalent of dislocation cones, you might say which Ashley made himsel rom a set of suspension top links from, you guessed it, a Nissan Patrol.

Not that that’s the only Patrol part you’ll find on this i- u ar rom it in act ry the engine gearbo and trans er case or si e Actually that s e actly what Ashley had to do because the straight-si diesel is a ery tight fit between the radiator and the bulkhead and much of the transmission tunnel had to be cut away and remade to accommodate it. The props,

4x4 4pp Stimpson.indd 63

meanwhile were home-made with issan fittings at one end and Toyota at the other.

After all that effort, you might be surprised to hear that Ashley was happy to stick with the leafsprung set-up especially as many people might see it as a step down from coils. But he doesn’t see it that way. ‘With the leaf springs, there’s only eight bushes throughout the truck. My old Nissan Patrol had three times that. That’s three times the e ort and three times the e pense So, no plans to ditch the cart springs, then. When we spoke to Ashley, however, he was intending to fit rear lea es at the ront e plaining that this would increase the ehicle s wheelbase by 2-3”, lift it a little further and, more importantly, make it ride more comfortably. The was a high-steer set-up ready to go on, too, and the truck’s blunt end was at some stage going to be treated to disc brakes and a winch.

The most intriguing plan in his list, however, in ol ed the engine issan s runs the

same block as the early Skyline, so Ashley was looking at fitting that ehicle s much bigger turbo anticipating that this would be worth an e tra 100bhp or so.

As it is Ashley assured it that the i- u was no slouch. And with the engine and drivetrain from what was nearly a four-tonne truck shifting something half that weight, that’s as it should be. e won t repeat the details but su fice to say that where some owners simply go at out all the time ust to keep up with the tra fic i he tries that he ll soon be clearing the tra fic out from in front of him.

It all makes for a daily driver that might be a bit unusual but certainly is very well sorted.

Ashley’s not interested in competing, but by the same token he’s not interested in shying away from the gnarly bits at playday sites, and this is a truck that’ll take ‘em on with guts and glory but still come back or more while getting him to work every day in between.

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CARRY ON

Overland travel is all about being able to turn any corner of the globe into your home for the night. lu- a Khaya amper ou fi allo you o do this in style, by turning the double-cab of your choice into a luxuious, fully equipped all-terrain motorhome WORDS AND PICTURES: GEORGE DOVE

T

here’s no denying the unstoppable growth in the popularity of pick-up trucks in recent years. And riding this wave of popularity, there are endless companies developing similarly endless accessories and products for each and every occasion. The end result is that whatever you want to do in your truck, there is an answer.

Take Alu-Cab, for example. The South African outfit has come up with something that means

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CAMPING

you can do literally everything in your pick-up.

When it comes to the Khaya camper, they’ve thought of it all. Even the kitchen sink.

Alu-Cab has spent many years developing camping equipment for adventurous pick-up and 4x4 drivers, making everything from vehiclemounted tents and canopies to storage systems, fridge freezers and roof conversions for some of the most iconic and capable off-road motors. But the pièce de résistance of the company’s range

4x4 4pp Khaya.indd 67

combines sleeping quarters, washing facilities and a kitchen into one convenient and versatile unit that can be mounted on the back of most pickup trucks on sale today.

Designed for low overall weight, the aluminium Khaya Camper starts with a dry weight of just 340kg – meaning a vehicle can still be used off-road with it on board. Requiring only a slight lift and suspension upgrade to otherwise standard vehicles, the unit is as versatile as the

truck to which it s fitted which in this case is a Mercedes X-Class belonging to Genesis Imports.

Entrance is gained via an upwards-opening rear door, accessed by climbing a set of dropdown steps into the interior cabin. From the top o the steps you find yoursel stood on a carpeted inyl oor in a cle erly packaged space measuring two metres in length. The cabin is 1.3 and 1.85 metres wide below and above the storage compartments.

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The base vehicle requires a small suspension lift and upgrade in order to accommodate the Khaya. British importer Tuff-Trek instals kit of the same high quality as the camper unit itself

On the right-hand side there’s a cupboard that is ideal for recovery equipment and also has space for a few tools, emergency gear and so on.

Forward of this is a gas bottle, which feeds the stove or the camper’s heating system.

It’s the same story on the opposite side in the cabin, except that the space here is used for the internal electrics rather than a gas canister. A bench seat offers both a perch and more storage inside the cabin, and the surface on top of the storage compartments houses a sink with a glass lid as well as the stove. The left-sided stowage sections can be accessed from the outside, too.

Headroom isn’t luxurious, or even present for those above a mere 1.4-metres tall. However with an integral tent erected, the ceiling of the

interior cabin folds up into it, offering space aplenty for those of all heights.

If you clamber up into the tent compartment and old the oor back down it orms a mattress which is 75mm thick and plenty big enough to comfortably sleep two adults. Standard on all Khaya units, the waterproof and UV-resistant tent opens easily on gas struts. Unzipping the three openings enables campers to sleep beneath the stars or watch the sunrise, but also to stay safe behind integrated mosquito nets when necessary. Featuring Alu-Cab’s rip-lock technology, the 400g/m2 material is tough and resistant to cuts and tears, and the rear window has a taut roofing to pro ide protection rom rain and sunlight.

The Khaya’s appeal isn’t just restricted to what you ll find inside it either b iously you re more than likely going to hide away inside if the weather takes a turn for the worse, but in more amenable climes it becomes a portable camp site. ith fittings or an Alu- ab hadow awning travellers can seek shelter from the sun beneath a fold-out canopy.

If necessary, the awning can be converted into a 10m² tent area with side walls, and the Khaya also has a shower fitment consisting o a pull-out rail and a tray that can be conveniently stored on the rear door. Connect these together and fire up the included shower mi er and you ll be squeaky clean in no time. But with the 80-litre fresh water tank, you don’t have to rush too

The camper body is accessed through a top-hinged rear door; inside, it’s a masterpiece of packaging, with living and storage systems making the most of every square inch of space

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much. It’ll be warm water, too, thanks to the optional on-board boiler.

Thanks to an auxiliary battery set-up, the Khaya won’t drain your vehicle’s starter battery and a roof-mounted solar panel ensures that as long as the sun shines, so can the lights in the onboard fridge, the cabin and those for reading in the tent. Plus, if you want to reconnect with civilisation there are USB charging ports located in the kitchen and the roof. There is also an optional aluminium storage box that can be fitted o er the cross-beam o the double-cab on which the thing is mounted.

No space has been wasted on Alu-Cab’s halo product, as even the exterior walls play home to useful cubbies and features. It’s possible to move the gas cooker to the exterior hanging table for al fresco dining, for example, and there are two external storage compartments with shelves, partitions and easily accessible fabric doors. You don’t need to worry about security, either, as the aluminium doors lock over the top to keep the whole unit safe and secure.

4pp Khaya.indd 69

top-quality, fully integrated system that turns As this illustrates, the camper unit itself is a pick-up into a home-from-home, scarcely has just the beginning. You can personalise it with a the word ‘investment’ been more appropriate. If seemingly endless variety of options – including, you want to do a proper job of going overland, among Alu-Cab’s latest new offerings for 2019, this is the sort of kit that takes it every bit as a versatile storage box that mounts to the roof seriously as you. of the truck just in front of the camper unit, aluminium load bars that fit to the roo and can hold a bike rack, small boat or even So, how much is one of these bad boys going to cost you? The Khaya more luggage, or a Camper is sold exclusively in the UK by expedition equipment specialjack-off leg kit which ist Tuff-Trek, whose range includes the base unit as well as everything allows you to quickly you need to make the most of it. and simply demount The unit can be ordered in a standard level of spec, or the fully the Khaya unit and loaded Comfort trim shown in our pictures – which comes with more drive away. or less everything you need. Prices currently start at £13,995 plus deYou weren’t li ery and or fitting with the om ort spec increasing this to expecting it to be Add in all the optional extras Tuff-Trek has available and it’ll cost cheap, of course, £28,455 – all you have to add on top of that is a fridge-freezer, and you and the full rig could can let the adventures begin! easily cost you as u - rek has already fitted a number o haya units to ritish much as the truck you trucks, and in addition the company is a full stockist of the whole Alumount it on. But for a ab range o find out more about what it can do or your double-cab pay a visit to tuff-trek.com.

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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NOKIAN LINES UP SUPPORT DEAL FOR 4X4S RUN BY SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE NOKIAN TYRES has entered into a new partnership with Scottish Mountain Rescue, which will see all the organisation’s ehicles fitted with tyres rom the innish company Scottish Mountain Rescue is an astonishing organisation ull o remarkable people who routinely olunteer to sa e li es o ten in the most dangerous conditions and the most challenging o en ironments ikewise okian is a li e-dri en company its mission being to sell tyres by gi ing peace o mind to dri ers in all conditions okian says its tyres primary attributes are sa ety and reliability And those fitted on cottish Mountain Rescue’s vehicles are particularly reliable e en in the toughest o conditions thanks to a uni ue design in which aramid staple fibres are built into their sidewall compound rom the bead to the shoulder o the tyre Aramid fibres are re uently used in military and aerospace applications due to their combination o e ceptional strength and light weight he material drastically reduces the risk o damage to the tyre rom

pothole damage or sudden impacts rom sharp ob ects ommon sources o sidewall tears when o -roading include ints or tree roots protruding rom the side o ruts or rubbing against agged rocks in e treme situations and the aramid layers built into the tyres dramatically increase their resistance to this kind o damage or what is a minimal penalty in terms o unsprung weight here couldn t be a more fitting plat orm than with this partnership to showcase the inno ation and reliability o okian yres Aramid idewalls while supporting an ama ing cause such as the Scottish Mountain Rescue,’ said okian s ordon amilton Along with remo ing the burden o tyre related costs rom the charity o er the ne t three years we will accrue unds rom each okian

yre sold in the which will be donated to the Scottish Mountain escue regularly throughout the cooperation e itchell ice hairman o cottish ountain escue said: ‘We’re delighted with this partnership with okian yres cottish ountain escue e ists to help people in need

whenever and wherever assistance is needed eams are ready e ery hour o e ery day and we need our e uipment fit or purpose and ready to go his includes all mountain rescue ehicles across the country he partnership with okian yres helps us sa e li es in the wild places o cotland and we thank them or their support

Exmoor trim treatment for TV celeb’s Land Rover 90 TV STAR BEN FOGLE is one o ritain s best-known and o er owners he -year-old ad enturer dri es a so t-top which has ust recei ed a range o upgrades rom moor rim he illiton company which produces seats, hoods, canvas seat co ers and hundreds o other accessories or and o ers worked with ogle on making a bespoke stay ast hood or the he high-tech co er was handmade by specialists in moor rim s hood department he ehicle was then sent to moor

72 |

Scene Jan.indd 72

rim s fitting centre, where technicians made numerous changes including mounting a classic ander wooden-rim steering wheel using a slimline boss kit en has always had a lo e or and o ers commented moor

e e en wrote a book called and o er he tory o the ar hat on uered the orld o when the time came or him to make a change he

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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Owners club discount scheme offers 5% savings with Milner Off-Road MILNER OFF-ROAD is rolling out its Owners Club Discount Scheme, allowing members of registered organisations to claim a 5% saving on the price of a wide range of products.

The scheme is open to web and Facebook-based clubs alike, with a total of 25 orfanisations currently enrolled. Each of these has its own unique discount code; by quoting it, members are able to enjoy lower prices when ordering online or over the phone. The discounts don’t apply to manufacturers’ genuine parts and accessories, nor can they be claimed on tyres or engines, but that does still leave plenty of room or some significant sa ings Milner Off-Road specialises in parts and accessories for Japanese vehicles, but it’s range is so enormous that whatever you drive, there’ll always be something for you in its similarly enormous warehouse. If you re a club o ficial you can apply to register at www milnero road com or by calling 01629 734411.

Cooper Discoverer STT helps keep lifesavers moving in South Snowdonia

OFF-ROAD CALENDAR

Pay-and-play events 16 December Avalanche Adventure Sibbertoft, Northamptonshire

13 January

Explore Off Road Silverdale, Stoke-on-Trent

4x4 Without a Club

Muddy Bottom Minstead, Hampshire

Essex, Rochford and District 4x4 Club

Protrax

Rayleigh, Essex

Tixover, Northamptonshire

Protrax

23 December Frickley 4x4 (TBC) Frickley, South Yorkshire

Slindon Safari Fontwell,West Sussex

26 December

Slindon Safari Fontwell,West Sussex

20 January Explore Off Road Silverdale, Stoke-on-Trent

Frickley 4x4

Harbour Hill,West Berkshire

Muddy Bottom

Protrax

Minstead, Hampshire

Kirton Off Road Centre Kirton Lindsey, North Lincs

Scene Jan.indd 73

Tixover, Northamptonshire

Frickley, South Yorkshire

29 December

4x4

Harbour Hill,West Berkshire

4x4 Without a Club

Tixover, Northamptonshire

COOPER TIRE EUROPE’S support and collaboration with the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team (SSSART) is helping volunteers save lives in some the most extreme conditions in Britain – with the use of Discoverer STT Pro tyres.

Working with North Wales Police, SSSART searches for missing people and carries out rescue operations in hostile and challenging mountainous terrain no matter what the weather conditions – helping hill-walkers, mountain bikers and anyone else who gets into difficulty in the wild and rugged topography of South Snowdonia. The charity consists of more than thirty volunteers, who are available 24 hours a day year-round. It covers more than 800 square kilometres of perilous and varied landscape including forestry paths, gravel tracks, granite and snow.

The collaboration between Cooper and SSSART means all the organisation’s rescue vehicles are fitted with the latest iscoverer STT Pro POR – the toughest off-road tyres the company manufactures. This STT Pro features Cooper’s Armor-Tek3 construction, which ensures robust durability, delivering strength to the sidewall and tread areas alike.

Michiel Kramer, Marketing Director for Cooper Tire Europe, commented: ‘Cooper Tire is delighted to be part of the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team; it is an incredible organisation and their work truly saves lives. It’s great that Cooper can provide part of their essential equipment, and I look forward to our continued collaboration with them in the future.’

Picadilly Wood Bolney,West Sussex

30 December

26 January Kirton Off Road Centre Kirton Lindsey, North Lincs

27 January Bures Pit

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Bures, Essex

Cowm Leisure Whitworth, Lancashire

Cowm Leisure Whitworth, Lancashire Hilll N Ditch Mouldsworth, Cheshire

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Protrax Tixover, Northamptonshire

Kirton Off Road Centre Kirton Lindsey, North Lincs

Slindon Safari

Protrax

Fontwell,West Sussex

Tixover, Northamptonshire

6 January Muddy Bottom Minstead, Hampshire

Frickley 4x4 Frickley, South Yorkshire

Parkwood 4x4 Tong, Bradford

JANUARY 2019 | 73

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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PICTURES SHOW EXTENT OF ANNIHILATION TO SURFACE ROCKS DONE BY REPAIRS ON HIGH TILBERTHWAITE IN LAST MONTH’S ISSUE, we carried a report on repair work currently being carried out on High Tilberthwaite Lane, a popular right of way in the Lake District. The lane, which has been the subject of intense pressure from anti-freedom fanatics looking to have it closed, is known for its extremely rocky surface – however this is currently being smashed and graded to create a at base co ered in scalpings The rationale behind the work is that it is necessary to return the lane to its previous condition.

Recreational users, however, are concerned that the scale of the works is heavy-handed and unnecessary, and that removing its rocky surface effectively destroys its character.

It’s hard to fully understand what’s being done to Tilberthwaite without having seen it for yourself.

Not easy when it’s closed, of course so or a first-hand opinion we turn to Sam Jones of SJM Training, an experienced off-road instructor and green lane tour leader who’s also a rep for the Green Lane Association (GLASS).

Sam visited Tilberthwaite recently and sent back this report, which was originally published in the latest issue of the GLASS Bulletin: ‘It was with a certain amount of sadness that we started our walk from Little Langdale. Not because we were walking – we do enjoy that as well as laning! It was because our walk started down a route that we used to be able to drive, however there is now a TRO covering the ford at the bottom of the lane so it goes nowhere for motor vehicles.

‘After crossing the bridge, we were then walking down another old route that was downgraded to a bridleway years ago. My sadness

74 | NOVEMBER 2018

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was increasing due to these facts, as it would be a grand route to drive.

‘The reason for our walk was to see what was happening with the temporary works closure on High Tilberthwaite. As we approached, we could hear plant machinery working. At the entrance to the lane, there was a sign stating why the lane was closed, to which user groups and when.

‘The sign states that the works are large scale and are to return the lane from High Tilberthwaite to Fell Foot back to its previous condition.

We had heard from mountain bikers that the lane was being graded and that large rock sections were being hammered out!

‘As we began walking up the slope from the farm, it became apparent that what we had heard was true. The track was graded – to the point where a mobility scooter would not have an issue getting along it. Sections that were once technical and interesting were now all attened out and apart rom the signs of tool marks on the rocks at the edge of the track, they were all but gone.

‘This continued the further we walked. Some good drainage work has been done and a section that was previously bad has been repaired. However the theme o a attened easy-access track continued, right up to where we found the 360 digger that was being used for the works.

‘From then on, the lane was just as it had been the last time we drove it. It is such a shame that the rest of the lane will soon become the same.

‘You may be wondering what the reasons are for doing this level of works on this lane, and at what cost? In simple terms, I do not

know, although this lane has been the subject of a national campaign to remove motor vehicle rights.

‘In that sense, we should perhaps be grate ul that once finished the lane will remain open. One small issue with grading it to this level is that more people may in fact be encouraged to use it once they realise that they could drive their standard saloon car along it!

‘I will let the photographs illustrate the extent of the works.

I have also taken pictures of the sections which remained untouched when we visited – watch this space for comparisons in the new year.’

Sam comments further than the heavy-handed work being done on High Tilberthwaite contrasts with another Lake District lane, High Nibthwaite (or Parkamoor as it is better known) – where repairs to the surface have been much more sympathetic to the lane’s character.

‘Works have also taken place here,’ he says, ‘however they have been done in a way that has only touched the roughest sections, making them a little easier but still interesting. The bottoms of some big steps ha e been filled in but not in a way that spoils the route or the challenge of getting to the top.

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

‘You still have to be careful in your choice of route, but it can now all be driven with relative ease. Let’s hope that this stops some of the off-piste activity that has been seen from people trying to get round some of these sections.

‘In my opinion,’ concludes Same, ‘this type of repair would have been more cost-effective for High Tilberthwaite and would have retained some of the interest on the technical parts. This said, however, I would rather it was kept open than closed permanently.’

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High Tilberthwaite Lane is scheduled to remain closed until around Christmas, although parts of it can still be driven legally at times when actual repair work is not taking place. Come the new year, at any rate, it will turn into a must-visit lane for people exploring the Lakes in any kind of SUV – because even if the work done on the surface is distinctly ugly, the views the lane affords of the Lakeland scenery make it one of the most beautiful lanes in the entire country.

OFF-ROAD CALENDAR

UK Convoy Tours 25 November

19-20 January

UK Landrover Events Yorkshire Dales

Onelife Adventure Wales

1 December

27 January

Ardent Adventures Yorkshire Dales

UK Landrover Events Peak District

1-2 December 4x4 Adventure Tours Cotswolds

2 December

Equipment seen by the right of way shows the aggression with which contractors have been told to attack the rocks which previously gave Tilberthwaite its character. Sections like these (below) will soon be replaced with anodyne passages of graded track like the one pictured opposite

Ardent Adventures Yorkshire Moors UK Landrover Events Lake District

9 December 4x4 Adventure Tours Salisbury Plain UK Landrover Events Northumberland

24 December UK Landrover Events North York Moors

26 December UK Landrover Events Tynedale

30 December 4x4 Adventure Tours South Wales

13 January UK Landrover Events Lincoln and Belvoir

19 January

2-3 February Onelife Adventure Yorkshire

3 February UK Landrover Events Eden District

10 February UK Landrover Events Yorkshire Dales

14 February UK Landrover Events Northumberland

22-24 February Low Range Adventure Lake District

23 February UK Landrover Events Tynedale

2-3 March Trailmasters Yorkshire

9 March UK Landrover Events North York Moors

Protrax Wales

4x4 Scene Jan.indd 75

JANUARY 2019 | 75

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OFF-ROAD SCENE

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Overland Travel

OFF-ROAD CALENDAR

2-17 February

9 May

6-21 July

16-30 August

Ardent Adventure Galicia (1 or 2 week)

Peru Safari Peru

Onelife Adventure Iceland

Venture 4x4 Iceland

16 Mar – 4 April

18-26 May

13-28 July

24 August – 4 Sept

Protrax Morocco

UK Landrover Events Pyrenees

Ardent Adventure Balkans

Trailmasters Morocco

30 March –16 April

20 May –2 June

12-26 July

24 August – 7 September

Protrax Portugal

Trailmasters Morocco (extreme expedition)

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Atlas Overland Portugal

April

26 May

18 July – 1 August

1-15 September

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Peru Safari Northern Peru

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Ardent Adventure Pyrenees

9-22 April

27 May

22 July

7-15 September

Atlas Overland Morocco

Low-Range Adventure Portugal

Peru Safari Peru

UK Landrover Events Pyrenees

19 April – 3 May

1-16 June

26 July – 9 August

11-25 September

Trailmasters Morocco Marrakesh Classic

Ardent Adventure Pyrenees (1 or 2 week)

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Protrax Pyrenees

20 April

3-13 June

1-15 August

16-27 September

Peru Safari Peru

Atlas Overland Corsica

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Low-Range Adventure Portugal

1 April – 13 May

5-19 June

3-17 August

16-29 September

Onelife Adventure Namibia / Botswana / South Africa

Protrax Pyrenees

Atlas Overland Italy

Trailmasters Morocco Marrakesh Classic

12-28 April

12 June

10 August

17 September

Ardent Adventure Morocco

Peru Safari Peruvian Steppes

Peru Safari Peru

Peru Safari Peru

May

12-17 June

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29 Sept – 17 Oct

Venture 4x4 Iceland

Protrax North France D-Day tour

Ardent Adventure Alps

Protrax Morocco

4-19 May

22 June – 7 July

12-23 August

30 Sept – 13 Oct

Ardent Adventure Portugal

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Atlas Overland Morocco

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YORKSHIRE DALES

Stunning views and some very dramatic driving The rights of way in the Yorkshire Dales are very varied. Some are almost driveable in a standard car, while others need a proper 4x4 and a driver who knows what they’re doing. This route covers the whole spestrum, meaning it’s not suitable for soft-roaders or novice drivers – some of these trails are pretty technical by British standards. The landscape, meanwhile, is simply glorious – at times, you’re so high up abo e the surrounding alleys as to feel almost like you’re ying. Approach this one with your eyes open – but be prepared for an absolute treat!

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ROUTE GUIDE

IS IT SUITABLE?

START FINISH HOW LONG? TERRAIN HAZARDS

TYRES

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OS MAPS

okeby Arms est itton miles - hours igh rocky hills and dales teep climbs and descents rocky une en terrain tight a le-twisters narrow tracks and gates between stone walls large drop-o s other users tourist tra fic andranger arnard astle and ichmond andranger ensleydale and pper har edale

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WEATHER LOW BOX SOFT-ROADERS SCRATCHING DRIVING DAMAGE

28/07/2017 14:34

all profile more important than aggressi e tread pattern mudterrains will help when wet A oid in snow ice or thick og ssential otally unsuitable ome risk here and there ome tight technical terrain and big drop-o s to a oid Panel damage a real possibility i you get the tight bits wrong isk to li e i you dri e carelessly

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Step 1: The Rokeby Inn is a perfect place to stay the night before your day on the lanes Step 4 (right): There’s a sharp step down off the edge of the tarmac as you join the track

1

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NZ 112 111

Start at the Rokeby Inn, on the A66 Westbound near Barnard Castle, which would be an ideal place to stay before your day’s laning. Take the gravelled exit from the car park (with the A66 behind you); zero your trip as you turn right at the road to start the route

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It’s signed as a no through road

5.9

4

If you want to avoid a scary axletwister, swing wide at the tight lefthander on the way down the hill

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5

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Take the correct line on the descent towards the ford – look out for black arrows on the last telegraph pole and be guided by those. The ford itself is no problem, but there’s an awkward rock step to get over at the exit – which is also a hard right through a very tight gate. We used our Navara’s rear diff lock to help us control it here

Shortly after Step 6, there’s another axle twister on the way round a hairpin left. Long-wheelbase vehicles will need a shunt; we used our rear locker again here to ease the Navara up the rock ledge

The road drops steeply towards the junction, then there’s a sharp step down as you leave the tarmac

6.3

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USING OUR ROADBOOKS Our roadbooks guide you through the countryside on a mixture of surfaced and unsurfaced roads.The tracks we use are public rights of way either yways pen to All ra fic or nclassified ounty oads all commonly referred to as green lanes.

NAVIGATION

Step 5 (above): Take this corner too tight and you’ll drop into a nasty axle-twister Step 6: Stay on the right track as you descend towards the ford – you’ll see waymarkers on the telegraph pole to keep you right

We’ve deliberately made it as easy as possible to follow the route, using a mixture of instructions, tulip diagrams and grid references.We normally only include junctions at which you have to make a turning or don’t have right of way, so just stay on the main road or take the most straight-ahead option unless we tell you otherwise. youre un amiliar with si -figure grid re erences you ll find a guide to using them on the legend of any OS map. Our aim is for you to be able to do the route without maps, but we do recommend having them.

SAFETY

Step 6: The ford itself is no problem, but there’s a tight, uneven step up as you turn hard right through the gate on the exit. We used our rear locker to keep the Navara under control and avoid wheelspin here

Step 7: The locking rear diff went in again just after the ford, thanks to a deceptively tricky rock step on the inside of this left-hand hairpin

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he notes on the first page o the roadbook advise you of how suitable it is for your vehicle.These are just guidelines, however.We’ll warn you o any ha ards or di ficult sections but the nature of any green lane can change quickly.Wet weather can make a huge difference to the conditions underfoot, and what’s wide open in winter can be tightly enclosed and scratchy in summer.The responsibility is yours!

Our roadbooks are designed to be safe to drive in a solo vehicle, and are largely suitable for standard 4x4s on road tyres. We do recommend travelling in tandem wherever possible, however.The risk of getting stuck can be greater than it appears – and if you break down, having help at hand can make the difference between it being inconvenient and downright dangerous.

RESPONSIBILITY

Irresponsible driving is a massive problem on green lanes. In particular, you must always stay on the right of way. Never drive off it to ‘play’ on the verges or surrounding land, even if you can see that someone else has; doing so is illegal and can be tremendously damaging, both to the land and to 4x4 drivers’ reputation.

The fact that you can see where it’s happened shows how much harm it does. It’s no excuse to say you’re just following where another driver has already been. Most green laners have taken to videoing anyone they see behaving like this and passing the evidence to the police.

Elsewhere, simple common sense and courtesy should be your watchword.The do-and-don’t list

28/07/2017 14:34

below should always be in your mind, but keep your speed down, be ready to pull over for others and show the world that 4x4 drivers aren’t the hooligans some of them think we are.

ANTIS

Anti-4x4 bigotry does exist, but it’s less common than you’d think. By and large, it’s limited to organisations who just want to get the countryside all to themselves.

These organisations are beyond being reasoned with, but it’s rare to encounter real hostility even from their rank-and-file members youre friendly towards the people with whom you share the countryside, the vast majority will respond in kind.

There are always bad apples, but no more so than anywhere else.

Likewise, most local residents will accept your presence if you’re driving sensibly.What suspicion you do encounter is likely to be from farmers worried that you’re there to steal from them, so be ready to offer a word o reassurance nce satisfied that you’re not after their quad bikes, their mood will lighten.

It only takes one vandal to tarnish a person’s view of all 4x4 drivers, and once the damage is done it tends to be permanent. But if enough of us resolve to be ambassadors, it might make a difference to the way we’re perceived by society in general.

DO AND DON’T

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

horse riders pass • Don’t go in large convoys: split into small groups to avoid hassling others • Leave gates as you found them • Don’t drop litter. Do carry a bin bag and a pair of stout gloves so you can pick up other people’s, though • Don’t go back to drive the fun bits, such as mud or fords, again • Scrupulously obey all closure and voluntary restraint notices • Don’t cause a noise nuisance, particularly after dark • Ensure you have a right to be there.We research the routes on our roadbooks very carefully, but the status of any route can change without notice • Be prepared to turn back if the route is blocked, even illegally • you find an illegal obstruction notify the local authority • someone challenges you be firm but polite. Stay calm and don’t let them turn it into a fight • Stick absolutely scrupulously to the right of way • You have as much of a right to be there as everyone else.Which means they have as much right as you

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Step 11: The turning is just before the end of the road. Pay heed to the signs imploring you to stay on the track – this is a precious, fragile landscape, and a very dangerous one too

8

6.5

The climb, which has been constantly rocky, starts getting steeper on the way up the side of the valley

9

7.8

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8.2

12

6.9

10

11

9.1

NZ 051 025

13 9.1

NZ 045 023

Turn left on the track through the green gate opposite Hall Farm. Pay attention to the signs imploring you to stay on the right of way – aside from anything else, the landscape here it peppered with open mineshafts

Follow the track ahead through the gate in the wall, ignoring the one off to the left. Immediately afterwards fork left where the track splits

Almost immediately after Step 12, you’re into a long, steep, rocky descent. The views are fabulous, but you need to pay attention to the track ahead!

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Step 12: After a gate in a stone wall, the character of the lane changes. Fork left here and then you’re into a long, rocky descent, with sensational views – if you dare to look at them…

14

17

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Getting towards the village, the road gets very narrow indeed

18 4.65

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19

SD 973 966

Carry on ahead past the no through road sign

5.55

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This is just a tiny part-time ford

6.25

26 14.5

H we

21 6.4

The track is smooth enough but surfaced with loose stones. It’s steep, too, so it’ll be quite hard work for your vehicle

27 15.4

Extreme caution after this – there’ll be pedestrians everywhere

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22 6.6

23 7.0

You might have a small ford to cross at times. If there is any water in it, it’ll probably be moving pretty fast…

The last part of the track gets steeper than ever. When you stop at the gate, you won’t want to leave your truck hanging on a dodgy handbrake…

28 0.15

29

e let

h

6 6

6 6

The Spar Shop on the left as you follow through Hawes has a deli counter that does some of the best sausage rolls we’ve ever tasted.

And we’ve tasted a lot

This is just after a fuel station on the left

0.35

let 6

24

30

25

31

SD 859 895

1.0

9.4

9.75

The track on the left is possibly a little larger, but the one ahead is good and wide too

1.25

H we

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The surface becomes more uneven – it’s like a big, rocky pavé

33

The surface gets yet rougher as you start to climb

2.55

2.75

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34 2.8

35

Until very recently, this was a set of rock steps. We don’t know what happened to them, but what you’re left with is a short, sharp, axletwisting hump to get over

The climbing relents for a moment, but instead there’s a short section of quite nasty ruts

2.95

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36 3.1

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Caution up the slabby rock steps – they’re not huge, but if taken too fast they could kick you sideways towards a major drop-off

37

2.4

ZERO TRIP

7.65

39 0.4

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Been going too fast? Here are some rocks to get you…

1.9

41

5.45

38

40

Again, don’t go too fast – there are several drainage berms across the road, and one in particular is absolutely huge

42 3.8

SD 862 853

The turning is immediately after the ‘road narrows’ sign. It’s good and clear to spot as you approach, but don’t just swing across the road willy-nilly – there’s a crest right on the junction, so oncoming traffic is hard to spot. Safe to say it won’t be expecting to find you turning across its path, either

43 5.2

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44

48

6.5

Follow straight ahead through the farmyard and on to the road

13.35

t lli

45

SD 919 860

Fork left at the Stalling Busk sign

14.9

7.85

46 9.0

49

Watch for a concrete hump in the track – there are loads of diff scrapes on it which definitely tells a tale…

50

ZERO TRIP

15.35 th e 6

47

51

11.1

There’s a fuel station on the right at the junction

4.6

w

le

h

ee

l

52 5.7

ettlewell i t

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59

The track swings right past a ruined cottage then abruptly turns into concrete for a steep descent

8.9

Step 55: The turning in West Burton takes you off to the right then across a bridge over the river

53

60

6.0

8.95

e t

54

t

There’s a blind crest as you arrive at the junction, and it’s a fast main road

6.4

55 7.2

56

SE 018 871

This is opposite The Garth in West Burton

The road starts getting very scruffy

8.75

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62 9.15

63 9.2

As you pass the farm entrance, the road finally gi es up and becomes a proper track

7.45

58

Back to concrete for a long, winding drop

9.0

7.35

57

61

64 9.3

SE 037 881

Don’t turn too early – you’re looking for a clear track between stone walls not a field gate

65

The track becomes a road as you enter the village

9.55

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66 9.55

67 1.1

68 1.4

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Caution - this is a major road

ZERO TRIP

SE 057 884

This is in West Witton. Look for a brown sign to Chantry Country and Leisure Park

Follow the road ahead at the entrance to Chantry Park

70 2.2

71 3.3

72 3.9

th H we 6

69 1.45

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73

Arrive at the Fox and Hounds in West Witton for the end of the route

3.95

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