The Mud Life 4x4 Magazine - #38 - May 2022

THE MUD LIFE 4x4

ISSUE 38 May 2022

We've got everything you need to know about the

INEOS Grenadier

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

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

IN THIS ISSUE TURNER'S TORQUE

4-5

NEWS

6-23

GENESIS GV70 24-33 LANING LIFE 35-42 GOODS & GEAR 44.45 FORD RANGER DAY WILDTRAK 46-55 CAMPING LIFE 57-59 INEOS GRENADIER 60-70 SUZUKI JIMNY COMMERCIAL 72-81 THE TALES OF LILLY 82-83 LILLY'S ON THE LOOKOUT 84-87 MOOCH -SUZUKI S-CROSS ULTRA 77-84 STARS & CARS EVENT

94-101

BACK ISSUES 102-103 DIRECTORIES 104-107

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

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

Creative Director, Editor, Reviewer

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

F O L LOW U S

THE TEAM

SUBSCRIBE

108

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

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turner's torque

pondering about Money,

&

world domination!

I was in my local W.H.Smiths the other day and was shocked at the prices of other 4x4 magazines - Land Rover Owner and 4x4 Magazine were a penny off a fiver, and Land Rover Monthly £5.25.

A crazy amount of money that's getting into book price territory, but being fair, the cost of producing a paper magazine these days is rising astronomically, as every part of the production has gone up in price.

There's the rising fuel prices that are affecting every part of life, both in the business world and the personal, and there have been unforseen market forces that have occurred, an example of which is that during lockdown a lot of paper producers and printers found it more economical and good business to make cardboard boxes for the likes of Amazon and other home delivery companies, and, seeing as the fondness for home delivery hasn't really declined, they haven't come back to the market, which means less producers and a much tougher market.

I was chatting to a fellow motoring writer the other day about these problems, and he asked when I was going to start charging for the magazine.

of publication, is read up to 5,000 times. This obviously increases month on month as we’re found by new readers who enjoy previous issues.

I have to be honest, it’s a discussion Muddy Madam and I have had numerous times in the past, especially late on a Sunday night after a long day spent with us both tapping away on the keyboard instead of getting out into the open air.

Even more amazing is that we have grown our following organically without paying for advertising. Word of mouth (that's you), and sharing the magazine on a variety of social media pages (a huge thank you goes out to the moderators for allowing us to do that) has been our only ways of getting our mag out in the world so far, but we really would like to get our magazine out further, so please continue to comment on and re-post our stuff on social media, and don't forget to tell your friends about the magazine.

It would be great at some point to be able to pay ourselves a wage for the time we spend creating this mag each month, 'like a real job', and although we are not a print magazine, here at Muddy HQ we have costs and they are rising too, so thinking out loud, would you, dear reader, pay a quid or two for The Mud Life 4x4 each month, or how about a yearly subscription?

Does that sound reasonable?

Fear not, that’s a decision for another day.

Last month I gave out a massive thank you to all our existing and new readers. I am constantly amazed that our readership numbers continue to thrive as each issue, during its first month

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Finally, because we know all you laners love stickers and we love you, we've decided that, for this month only, we are going to knock 50p off the price of each and every Mud Life sticker so head to the next page and grab yourself a bargain.

Anyhow, that’s enough from me, hope you enjoy the mag!

Get yourself one of these new

MUD LIFE STICKERS! 50p OFF

Get them in our Ko-Fi shop:

every sticker during May!

ko-fi.com/mudlifemag/shop We now we have these 2 fun new designs to pick from, and they are bigger than the last ones.

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

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

These glossy vinyl stickers are normally £1.75 each plus P&P (it's just a one-off p&p of 66p no matter how many stickers you buy), but for the whole month of May they are just £1.25.

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INEOS Grenadier UK retailers open in June

INEOS Automotive has nominated the partners that will operate the first retail sites in the UK. These are among the first 160 locations to be confirmed in the global market.

By the end of 2022 INEOS plans to have a network of 200 sales and service sites for the Grenadier spanning over 50 countries, including established dealer groups, 4X4 specialists and agricultural equipment dealers.

INEOS is working with these retailers to set up their outlets and be ready to welcome customers in the next few months. That process includes an intensive INEOS training programme for the sales agents and workshop technicians. The first of the newly nominated sites will open in June.

The aim is for the majority of customers in the UK to always be within 45 minutes of an official sales and service location.

Gary Pearson, Head of UK and MENA for INEOS Automotive said: “We have worked tirelessly for over a year to find retail partners in the UK that share our enthusiasm and excitement for the Grenadier.They understand 4x4 users and their requirements, and have a proven track record for exceptional customer service.Together with these partners, we look forward to providing Grenadier customers with the advice, guidance and support they need.”

The partners will form the backbone of the service network in the country, with additional geographical coverage provided by 10 selected partners and hand-picked INEOS-accredited Bosch Car Service outlets.

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All servicing centres in Scotland will eventually support sales and test drive activity, including sites confirmed for Stirling, Kilmarnock and Inverness.

Find out all about specifications, pricing and order dates for the INEOS Grenadier in the UK on pages 60-70 of this very magazine! more at » ineosgrenadier.com

The 24 retail locations confirmed so far in the UK are: • Bowker, Ribble Valley • Busseys, Attleborough • Cambria, Birmingham • Cambria, Edinburgh • Car Barn, Beamish • Chandlers, Belton • Chandlers, Horncastle • Compass, Bridgwater • Day's, Neath • Denton, Skipton • Endeavour, Gerrards Cross • Halliwell Jones, Chester • Harwoods, Portsmouth • Heritage, Dorchester • Heritage, Gloucester • Hollybrook, Belfast • Jardine, Colchester • Jardine, Sevenoaks • JT Hughes, Telford • Lloyd, Carlisle • Ocean, Plymouth • Sandicliffe, Nottingham • Northampton, retailer confirmed • West London, retailer confirmed THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Hankook expands off-road range with DynaproMT2

The Dynapro MT2., with the POR (Professional Off-Road) identifier on the sidewall, is the latest member of the Hankook SUV range that has been developed with extreme off-road capabilities in mind.

Hankook's new split mould technology makes the tyre even more robust than its predecessor, the Dynapro MT, making it appear as if seamlessly cast from a single mould. The wraparound tread along with new Sidewall Protection Shields both work to provide extra biting edges when crawling over rocks as well as additional rubber gauge construction to protect against punctures. Interlocked tread blocks extending to the centre of the sidewall help to minimise damage to the tyre shoulder caused by off-road abrasions, whilst increasing overall rigidity and traction.

The V-shaped shoulder blocks interlock to further enhance the Dynrapro MT2’s high traction under extreme conditions. The self-cleaning cross grooves, with integrated stone ejectors, help to efficiently clear the tread of debris to increase grip and protect against stone drilling and puncturing.

The natural rubber content in the tyre compound is not only produced sustainably, but also increases the elasticity of the rubber compound. This allows the tread to better adapt to smaller irregularities and offers maximum grip, whilst further reducing susceptibility to breakage and cuts. In combination, the tread design and tread compound reduce rolling noise on the road, offering

a quieter, more comfortable ride, and the seamless high-performance bead wire helps to keep the tyre securely on the rim even when driving on difficult terrain with lower tyre pressures.

The Dynapro MT2 is available in over 19 sizes, from 15” to 17”, with tread widths from 215 to 315mm in aspect ratios from 85 to 70, each with speed rating Q and all with the POR identifier on the sidewall. POR stands for Professional Off-Road.

These tyres are specially designed for rough terrain and have a special status because they do not fall under the EU label obligation. The Dynapro MT2 also includes the M+S marking on the sidewall. more at » www.hankooktire.com 8

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Hennessey's biggest ever 'Mammoth' pick-up

Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and highperformance vehicle creator, has started building its biggest ever truck, the 1,012 bhp, 283-inch (719 cm) long Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX. At almost 7 feet high and over 7 feet wide, the enormous pickup truck dwarfs ordinary cars and trucks. It has the power to match its presence, with Hennessey’s engineers boosting performance of the stock Dodge Ram TRX engine by more than 300 horsepower to 1,012 bhp. The torque needed to propel the monster truck is enhanced similarly, totaling 969 lb-ft (1,314 Nm) after a 319 lb-ft (433 Nm) uplift by Hennessey.

Alongside performance upgrades, the new truck features a mountain of off-road kit from locking rear axles and Bilstein suspension, to 20-inch wheels clad in 37-inch off-road tires.

The Mammoth builds on the base Ram TRX adding a third axle, extending the truck’s length by more than four feet and creating a cavernous load-space.

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John Hennessey, company founder and CEO: “Everything we do at Hennessey Performance is turned up to 11, but the Mammoth 1000 6x6 is definitely turned up to 12! Everything on the Mammoth 6x6 is bigger, badder, and more imposing – plus, it’s still super-fast, while being a total powerhouse off-road. It’s the undisputed king of the road.”

Priced from $449,950 - inclusive of the base Ram TRX - the 4 door Mammoth 6x6 features uprated front and rear bumpers and a dazzling array of LED lights alongside a bespoke interior, which adds to the exclusivity of this special vehicle. Under the chest-height hood, the truck features a mighty 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 engine - a beast even in stock form. The Hennessey team builds on this foundation adding a high-flow 2.65L supercharger, fuel injectors and high-flow induction system alongside performanceboosting calibration.

Hennessey has a track record of success when it comes to gigantic and exclusive 6x6 trucks. The company has built and

delivered more than 20 VelociRaptor 6x6 and Goliath 6x6 Silverado trucks to clients all around the world.

Hennessey prides itself on the quality of its vehicles and workmanship, and all Hennessey models are offered with extensive warranties, and the Mammoth is no different, benefitting from comprehensive 2yr/24,000 mile cover.

Available for global shipping, the new Hennessey Mammoth 1000 6x6 TRX can be ordered now directly with Hennessey. more at » HennesseyPerformance.com.

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smart unveils the #1, a purely electric compact SUV

smart #1's dedicated reveal event on April 7th took place in at STATION-Berlin, a historic landmark and disused train station in the German capital, and builds on last year’s reveal of the dramatic concept #1 showcar.

With the renewal of its brand, product and business model, smart has entered a new era of development, with the expansion of its product portfolio and global reach.

The smart #1 is the inaugural product of the new joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely Automobile, reflecting the brand's vision of exploring the best solutions for future urban mobility, and co-creating powerful brand experiences.

The combination of Mercedes-Benz design and smart engineering creates a compelling proposition. A pure and elegant exterior design provides a perfect balance of aesthetics and aerodynamics, underpinned by depth of engineering and premium quality.

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The smart #1 has recently completed extensive pre-production testing in northern China, with its battery and technology systems being put to the ultimate test in -40°C temperatures.

The smart Europe team is also supporting testing through the original smart research and development centre in Renningen, Germany.

The team, led by Tilo Schweers (Vice President of R&D), put the smart #1 through its final testing, whilst carefully preparing the showcars for the Berlin reveal. smart UK CEO David Browne. said: “This is a truly exciting time for the smart brand. The reveal of the smart #1 is a key milestone in the evolution of our brand, reflecting our history of innovation, outstanding design and space efficiency.

Our dedicated electric platform and high degree of connectivity make for the ideal electric car to meet the needs of UK car buyers.”

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Car driving holidaymakers get burnt by more than the sun

We all know that parking charges at airports are Dick Turpin worthy, so many of us resort to asking friends or relations to drop us at the airport, so the operators got wise, and started to milk us of more money by charging astronomical fees just to drop off and pick up, and if this wasn't enough, outstay your alloted time by a mere minute, and you can get stung with a whopping great fine. A great way to start your holiday!

To avoid being stung, holidaymakers are urged to check charges before heading to the airport this summer, and travel insurer Start Travel has revealed what British international airports charge in the so-called ‘kiss and fly’ spaces close to terminals.

The worst offenders: 1. Manchester £5 for 5 minutes

Over 10 minutes £25

2. Stansted

£7 for 15 minutes

Over 15 minutes £25

3. Gatwick

£5 for 10 minutes

4. Luton

£5 for 10 minutes

5. Bristol

£5 for 10 minutes

Additional £1 per minute up to 20 minutes Additional £1 per minute after 10 minutes Up to £20 for 60 minutes

Manchester Airport is the worst offender, charging a colossal £25 if drivers exceed its 10 minute limit, and while other airports charge less for drop-offs and pick-ups, many impose even tougher penalties for those attempting to avoid charges - eg.

Birmingham airport levies fines of up to £100 on rule-breakers!

There is some good news. Jersey and Inverness airports are free for quick set-downs and collections, while Edinburgh Airport offers a 50% discount for electric vehicles (yet another treat for EV owners).

Cheapest airports for express set-down and pick-up: 1. Jersey 2. Inverness 3. Cardiff 4. Belfast 5. Norwich

Free Free for 10 minutes Drop-off free for 10 minutes £1 for 10 minutes £3 for 30 minutes

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Mercedes-Benz EQS - an all-electric luxury SUV

With the luxury saloon EQS and the sporty executive saloon EQE, Mercedes-Benz has entered a new, all electric era in the upper market segments. The EQS SUV, the third model series with this architecture developed for electric vehicles, will soon follow.

The SUV offers plenty of space, comfort and connectivity for up to 7 passengers in its luxurious interior.

Thanks to powerful electric motors, responsive 4MATIC allwheel drive and an intelligent OFFROAD driving mode, the EQS SUV is also capable of tackling light terrain with ease.

All EQS SUVs have an electric drive train (eATS) on the rear axle, and the versions with 4MATIC also have an eATS on the front axle. In the 4MATIC models, the Torque Shift function ensures intelligent, continuously variable distribution of drive torque between the rear and front electric motors and thus the use of the most efficient eATS in each case. The electric motors on the front and rear axles are permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM).

The advantages of this design include high power density, high efficiency and high power constancy.

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The EQS SUV has expanded vehicle functions in several areas that can be activated via over-the-air updates (OTA)- eg.Trailer Manoeuvring Assist or MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation which can be activated at a later date.

The new EQS SUV shares the long wheelbase with the EQS Saloon, but is over 20 centimetres higher. The chassis of the new EQS SUV has a four-link axle at the front and an independent multi-link suspension at the rear.

The AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard equipment.

The vehicle level can be raised by several centimetres. In addition to the DYNAMIC SELECT modes ECO, COMFORT, SPORT and INDIVIDUAL, the 4MATIC versions feature OFFROAD, a further mode for off-road driving. Furthermore, rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is standard. It provides plenty of manoeuvrability in the city and agility over land. Optionally and also via an OTA update, a version with up to 10 degrees steering angle is available.

The second row of seats can be electrically adjusted as standard. Up to 4 golf bags fit in the boot. A third row of seats with two additional individual seats and extensive comfort features for all passengers is available as an option.

The European version of the EQS SUV is the first Mercedes-Benz model to be able to detect whether rear seats are actually occupied. If a passenger in the rear is not wearing a seat belt, the driver receives a specific warning. Another new feature at MercedesBenz is what is known as the occupant presence reminder. This system can indicate children who may have been overlooked in the rear of the vehicle (standard for Europe, Australia and New Zealand).

The interior sports the MBUX Hyperscreen (special equipment). This large, curved screen unit comprises 3 screens that seamlessly merge almost from A-pillar to A-pillar. The 12.3-inch OLED display for the front passenger gives them their own display and control area.

In Europe, and in a growing number of countries, the front seat passenger is also able to watch dynamic content while the vehicle is on the move because Mercedes-EQ is able to rely on an intelligent, camerabased blocking logic: If the camera detects that the driver is looking at the passenger display, the system automatically dims the dynamic content.

With the EQS SUV, Mercedes-Benz is taking a major step towards zero-emission mobility. The model is produced in a completely CO2-neutral way.

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EVIOS launches smartest EV home charger on the market

A new British company, EVIOS, has recently launched the smartest and most intuitive electric vehicle (EV) home charger on the market, developed from the outset to help drive mainstream adoption of EVs. The EVIOS One features a jargon-free user interface, the largest colour screen of any home charger, and a smartphone app that allow users to configure each charge to suit their needs and preferences - prioritising low price, enhanced sustainability or high speed. Users can easily see exactly how many miles have been added in each charging session, and the cost.

It can integrate with home energy tariffs to charge during off-peak times to significantly reduce running costs, and it can be paid for via interest-free monthly instalments, helping to make EV ownership a viable option for more motorists. There is also an all-inclusive package that includes the cost of installation.

The EVIOS One is the first unit of its kind to support separate user profiles, making it an ideal option for shared residential or business parking areas, or homes with more than one EV. Access is protected via PIN to prevent unauthorised use, and up to eight profiles can be stored. Owners and users can download detailed reports outlining their energy use and expenditure to help keep a track of outgoings.

The EVIOS One is fully internetenabled to enhance the ownership experience.Via the app, users can access and control charging when away from the unit itself, and there are ‘push’ notifications (via the app or email) so users can be kept updated on key details relating to their charges.

In addition, over-the-air updates ensure users always have access to the most up-to-date functionality and features.

It even connects with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices, allowing users to adjust settings and review charge status via voice commands.

Available with either a 5m or 7m tethered cable lengths, handy if you can’t park your car close to your house. more at » www.myevios.com 16

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Zip Charge reveal a world first - the GoHub

ZipCharge, have revealed the GoHub, the world’s first portable Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure for shared, public use.

The GoHub provides a community-based solution that can be installed anywhere, at a much lower cost and at a much faster rate, while enabling any parking space to be a charging spot. The ability to roll-out EV charging infrastructure at speed is essential to allow national and local governments to deploy it at a faster rate.

In the UK over 40% (8.5m) of car owners don't have designated parking (on or off-street), and in dense metropolitan areas this increases to 65%. According to recent research 59% of participants worried about being unable to charge at home.

The GoHub hosts multiple ZipCharge Go EV powerbanks to address the need for convenient, flexible, and low-cost energy.

It is a secure way of housing, recharging, and providing access to the ZipCharge Go so that anyone can access a portable powerbank at the lowest cost. The GoHub is modular and flexible in size, suitable for a diverse number of locations, including on-street, in car parks, at work and in private environments. EV owners will now have the choice to purchase the Go outright, on subscription or rent one through the GoHub. ZipCharge co-founder, Jonathan Carrier “We intend to establish the world’s first vertically integrated ‘energy point operator’ (EPO) to serve hundreds of millions of people around the

world so everyone can access convenient and low-cost energy.

The ZipCharge Go and the GoHub enable the storage of clean energy, which can then be distributed for a multitude of uses from charging an EV to powering equipment.

We predict our portable powerbanks will outsell fixed home chargers by 2030, in the same way mobile phones overtook landlines. That’s because the Go can be used for more than charging EV charging, it’s a portable energy storage device for personal energy management. We have the bold ambition to deploy 100,000 GoHubs globally by 2030 to support EV charging, local grid resiliency and energy democracy.”

In its base form, the GoHub comes in two variants; a single sided unit houses five ZipCharge Go portable powerbanks, or a double-sided GoHub with ten. Both fit comfortably into a regular parking space. It can also be sited on the pavement or close to where power already exists. All GoHubs can be intelligently reconfigured, expanded and connected together with minimal investment, growing in tandem with the adoption of electric vehicles.

Through the GoHub, ZipCharge Go powerbanks will be available to rent 24 hours a day with the option to pre-reserve a Go in the app. As the user approaches the correct bay door of the GoHub automatically opens. They then easily pull out the charger from its dock inside the GoHub, wheel it to the vehicle and plugit in. Once finished, the user is notified on their smart phone, they collect the Go and return it to the bay allocated via the app.

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D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35

Isuzu UK is set to open the order books for the All-New Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 on May 3rd 2022, having first previewed the pre-production model at the 2021 Commercial Vehicle Show.

Building on the Award-Winning durability and reliability of the Isuzu D-Max platform, the cool and capable Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 has been developed and engineered to handle the most challenging landscapes with ease while offering a distinctive presence and authentic performance that is noticed everywhere, whether on or off-road. The Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is a professionally re-engineered vehicle incorporating significant enhancements to the body, frame, drivetrain, suspension, wheels and tyres.

All elements of the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 build are undertaken by the Pick-Up Professionals at Isuzu UK and experienced Arctic Trucks technicians to ensure the highest standards of build quality, adherence to all relevant vehicle type approvals and full alignment with Isuzu’s five-year/125,000-mile warranty. Plus, importantly the vehicle also retains its commercial vehicle status, with no compromise to payload or towing capacity.

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Taking its name from the 35-inch tyres fitted to the vehicle as standard, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35’s chassis and bodywork are re-engineered to accommodate its rugged 17-inch matt black alloy wheels and enlarged 315/70 R17 all-terrain tyres. The suspension system is overhauled with an optimised and elevated tailored Bilstein performance suspension system featuring front springs & dampers, rear dampers and additional front and rear body lift, providing a total front and rear elevation of +50mm over the standard D-Max pick-up.

Built as the ultimate off-road performance vehicle, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 enhances the renowned D-Max off-road capability, increasing the ground clearance to 266mm at the front and 290mm at the rear, with an approach angle of 35°, a departure angle of 29° and a break over angle of 34°.

The combined effect from the enlarged tyres, performance springs and dampers results in a softer, faster ride over rough surfaces and a lighter footprint over delicate terrain, without compromising on-road behaviour.

The signature styling of the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is enhanced by the extra-wide colour-coded wheel arch extensions, which create additional clearance and amplify the vehicle’s raised stance, whilst conveying a dramatic sense of styling and

purpose. The vehicle is also equipped with Arctic Trucks extended profile side steps, strengthened Arctic Trucks mud flaps and a versatile 2-inch rear multifunction receiver hitch, enabling the quick and easy fitment of tow balls, winches, rear-mounted steps and more.

Built on the best-selling Isuzu V-Cross model, the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 benefits from an SUV-like level of specification with gunmetal grey exterior styling elements, premium black interior headlining, a nine-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility and an eight-speaker sound system. The leather interior includes the Arctic Trucks branding incorporated on the headrests and further benefits from a wireless mobile phone charge point, Arctic Trucks door entry guards and a premium carpet mat set. The vehicle is finished with Arctic Trucks and AT35 badging throughout the exterior and interior along with dedicated locking wheel nuts and an Arctic Trucks torque wrench.

The Isuzu D-Max boasts class-leading safety standards and achieved the maximum five-star safety rating in the tough new Euro NCAP test. This UK first for a pick-up is in part due to the new Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) fitted as standard across the range, with every Isuzu D-Max featuring Forward Collision Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Manual & Intelligent Speed Limiter, along with Lane Departure Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking as standard.

William Brown, Managing Director, Isuzu UK said “We are so pleased to launch the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35, having first unveiled the concept at the CV Show last year. This new halo model for the Isuzu range really demonstrates how adaptable and versatile the D-Max platform is, and with the AT35 we showcase how inspiring and extreme the vehicle can be, whilst importantly retaining the full commercial vehicle status, with no compromise to payload or towing capacity.”

Peter Smith, Managing Director, Arctic Trucks UK said “With the many challenges we have all faced over the past couple of years we are delighted to finally be able to bring the All-New Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 to the market. We are very proud of what we have developed together with Isuzu UK on this latest generation D-Max which is undoubtedly the best yet. We are excited that customers will soon be able to order this latest, highly anticipated, highly capable vehicle and it has been great to further strengthen the successful long-standing collaboration between Isuzu UK and Arctic Trucks UK.” Prices start from £47,999 CVOTR and £49,499 CVOTR for a version with automatic transmission.

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Jeep 4xe green drivers get KiriCoin rewards

After launching in March '21 for the New Fiat 500, the Kiri Technologies in partnership with the Stellantis e-Mobility Business Unit rewards program (Stellantis is the group that encompasses the Fiat and Jeep brands amongst others) is now being extended to the entire Jeep 4xe line-up including the Plug-in Hybrid versions of Renegade, Compass, Wrangler and the all-new Grand Cherokee, the latter to be launched in the second half of 2022.

Mauro Di Benedetto CEO of Kiri Technologies the Londonbased green tech start-up said “For almost two years now, we have been actively collaborating with Stellantis, one of the most advanced companies in the transition to a more sustainable world.To follow our links with Fiat, the partnership with Jeep is moving towards further expansion of the user base who earn Kiri Coin, the first true currency of sustainability."

In the 'Jeep' app, customers can view their KiriCoin balance, their charging performance and their driving style, all in real time. The program is primarily aimed at encouraging private and public charging of Jeep 4xe models, and customer use of the full-electric driving mode as a result.

All this is made possible by Jeep 4xe connectivity, which sends usage data (eg. charging frequency and driving in electric mode) in real time to Kiri, who in turn processes the data to determine the KiriCoin generated by Jeep customers.

In a nutshell, 'the more you charge, the more you drive with respect for the environment, the more you reduce the running costs of your Jeep and the more KiriCoin you receive'.

Specifically, the Kiri project rewards environmentally conscious drivers by accumulating a digital currency, KiriCoin, which can be used to purchase goods and services in a dedicated 'green' marketplace, including over 350 brands with sustainable offerings.

Exclusive 4xe plug-in hybrid technology has resulted in the most efficient and technologically advanced Jeep models ever, which retain the brand’s legendary 4x4 capabilities, while ensuring environmentally friendly mobility.

For Anne-Lise Richard, Global Head of the e-Mobility Business Unit: "The aim of the initiative is to create a community of people who live with a more environmentally conscious attitude, courtesy of the innovative KiriCoin digital currency, which encourages the adoption of a more sustainable lifestyle."

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The new BMW X7

The new BMW X7 is available in a choice of Excellence, M Sport and M Performance versions - combined with powerful yet efficient 6 and 8 cylinder engines, a new 8 speed Steptronic Sport transmission, stateof-the-art chassis technology and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. Top of the range is the potent V8-powered M60i xDrive.

The new X7 sees 23-inch light-alloy wheels made available as a factoryfit option for the first time. The aerodynamically optimised BMW Individual bi-colour light-alloy wheels with diamond polished surfaces combine with contrasting Midnight Grey to create an elegantly sporty V-spoke design.

A total of 14 exterior colour shades will be available for the new BMW X7 from launch, including the new Sparkling Copper Grey metallic variant. This cool grey tone is complemented by copper particles which generate vivid effects when light hits the car's body.

The range of exterior colours also contains the M Marina Bay Blue metallic shade available exclusively for the BMW X7 M60i xDrive.

The new BMW X7 will launch with a choice of three state-ofthe-art engines from the new modular generation of the BMW Group Efficient Dynamics family. The range is headed by a new 4.4-litre petrol V8 for the BMW X7 M60i xDrive. Joining it are newly-developed 3.0-litre, six-cylinder in-line units in the petrol BMW X7 xDrive40i and diesel BMW X7 xDrive40d.

Meanwhile, the intelligent all-wheel-drive system BMW xDrive maximises traction, agility and directional stability. The rear-biased approach underscores the sportiness of the new BMW X7.

The new BMW X7 also comes with enhanced standard equipment, additional driver assistance systems and 48V mild hybrid technology for all engine variants for the first time.

The largest of all BMW X models offers generous levels of on-board space, equipment, and a high-

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class cabin for up to 7 occupants.

The new design of the interior with BMW Curved Display and a new instrument panel including an ambient light bar in its lower section create an innovative and exclusive ambience.

Comfort seats, upholstered in BMW Individual Extended Merino Leather, come as standard, with heating for both driver and front passenger, alongside the four-zone automatic climate control system, ambient lighting and a panoramic glass sunroof.

The latest generation of iDrive, BMW Operating System 8 and new digital services underscore the modern and progressive mission statement of the new BMW X7, while the functionality of the automated driving and parking systems has been significantly expanded.

sustainability. Many parts, including the air ducts for the heating and cooling systems, are made from 50% recycled plastic, while others, such as the cable channels and luggage compartment trim, are made from entirely recycled plastic.

Produced at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, a facility powered by renewable sources, the new BMW X7 brings a new focus on

The new BMW X7 is priced from £80,980 RRP and is available to order now from BMW retailers nationwide.

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Genesis GV70 Luxury Line

What is it?

If you’ve not been paying attention, Genesis is the posh arm of Hyundai, like Lexus is to Toyota, and the GV70 is the smallest of the brand’s two luxury SUVs. I say small, it isn’t, but it’s smaller than its big brother, the GV80.

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On the road For the first few days with the GV70 we drove to town for a bit of shopping, drove to school for my other job and basically tootled around doing nothing particularly exciting. That said, it was practical, comfortable and considering it’s size it was simple to park and manoeuvre, and overall very easy to live with.

The latter part of the week, however, I managed to escape and enjoyed a few adventures.

On the motorway I selected cruise and we simply glided along with the tech doing a grand job of slowing me down, warning about other vehicles in my blind spots, and so on. I do like adaptive cruise control.

For the twisty B5105 from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion in North Wales I selected Sport mode that tightened things up, including the side bolsters in the drivers seat. It isn’t as nimble as the Cupra Formentor, but it isn’t meant to be, the GV70 is more of a luxury SUV, but it’s more than capable of handling fast corners.

With 207bhp on tap it isn’t sluggish, far from it, it’ll get you from 0-60mph in just 7.6 seconds and 31-62mph in 6.3 seconds, which it does quietly and smoothly.

Despite riding on 21” wheels road noise is well subdued, even with the radio off it’s well muted, very calming.

Reversing isn’t something I usually mention in my reviews, however the GV70 has, of course, parking sensors all-round and a reversing camera are standard, but it also has a neat trick where the reversing lights illuminate lines on the ground behind the car, so it's easier to see kerbs in the side mirrors at night.

On the subject of lights, LED headlights are fitted to all GV70s, and if you tick the Innovation pack it adds upgraded matrix lights that adjust the shape of their beams so they provide as much light as possible without dazzling oncoming drivers.

Fuel wise, over the week of mixed driving the computer told me that I had achieved 38mpg, which to be fair is pretty good going considering that for most of the time I was using the majority of its 207bhp. If I’d chosen to take it easy, official WLTP figures suggest I could have reached the dizzy heights of 54mpg, but that was never going to happen!

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Off road It isn’t an ‘off-roader’, that’s obvious, and the huge low profile 21” wheels certainly put me off venturing too far off the beaten track. On loose uphill climbs the GV70 performed better than expected, not surprising as it comes with an electronic limitedslip diff as standard, so it gave me plenty of confidence.

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Select driving modes and you have a choice of Snow, Sand and Mud, with the latter giving exceptional braking downhill.

Because it has half decent approach and departure angles, on the right tyres I reckon its 4x4 abilities will surprise a lot of owners, I’d love to get my hands on one nearer winter to give it proper test.

Interior My favourite part of the car. It’s nice to see a manufacture making the effort to create an interesting interior, to me it’s really important.

After a naff day at work it’s nice to sit in something that’s not only funky and characterful, but comfortable, too, unlike Skoda and Audi that can be both a little bit dull and clinical.

Once you’ve made yourself comfortable you’re confronted with a 12.3” fully digital instrument cluster with a 3D visual effect that’s available as a part of the Innovation package, and to the left there’s a 14.5” display.

If I have one niggle it’s that the cool mood lighting on the dash is extended to the buttons in front of my right knee. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but it reflects badly in the driver's window, and when driving at night it’s always there in your peripheral vision.

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The front seats are epic; comfortable, supportive and the driver has extendable thigh supports, fantastic if you have long legs. Also, perfect place to rest a packet of crisps on during long and tedious journeys (so I’m told).

Rear passengers have it good as the seats are not only comfortable, but can also be reclined, and there’s plenty of cubby areas.

In the boot you’re not lost for space, you have 542 ptrs of luggage space with the rear seats upright, and 1678 ltrs with them flat. And there’s no loading lip to heave heavy and bulky items over either.

Like a lot of SUVs these days there are useful handles just inside the boot so you don’t have to open the side doors to fold the 60/40 seatbacks down.

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Engine ‘n’ transmission The GV70 comes with the option of either a petrol 2.5 litre with 300bhp and this, the 2.5 litre diesel. Both have the 8-speed automatic and AWD.

Conclusion The GV70 is one of those rare press cars that I didn’t want to say goodbye to, I enjoyed pretty much everything about it, from its stylish interior to the way it handled every road surface, including dirt. That said, it isn’t cheap, but like most cars in the luxury SUV market, you get an awful lot of kit and safety features for your money.

The GV70 has plenty of competitors, from Audi and Mercedes to Volvo and BMW, and the question is, would you want to go with a known brand, or take a punt with a Genesis? Remember, Genesis isn’t exactly a new and standalone company, it has the backing of the Hyundai empire behind it which means that its models share many platforms, engines and tech with a wide range of those from its parent company, and Kia. If it was my money, I’d go for a Genesis.

Price £42,820 - model tested £50,620 more at » https://www.genesis.com/uk

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

arb4x4uk.co.uk

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

Recovery Points & > Equipment

> Canopies

> Roof Racks

> Drawers

> StealthBar Bumper

> Lights

Steps & Side > Protection

Upgraded > Suspension > Rear Protection

> Tyre Accessories > Underbody Protection

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

sales@britpart.com

Storm Jeeps have a number of modified Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon's for sale. More details on available stock via our website or call 01482 666491

g n i n Life a L

aton E n e r u a

by L

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

May Myth Busters It has been a while since we did a piece that addresses many of the most common queries, questions, or misunderstandings in the laning world so we thought we would cover both old and new questions we get asked regularly, even daily in some cases!

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Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) - what are they all about?

These can be applied permanently, temporarily (TTRO), seasonally, or for specific reasons such as making a road one way, limiting access to certain types of vehicles or vehicles of certain widths or weights.

They can also be experimental (ETRO) or applied in an emergency situation such as a landslide. While there are a lot of reasons they can be implemented, they are not something that only applies to lanes. They are used on all types of public highway and thousands of them are applied for and imposed on roads every year, the minority are applied on unsurfaced roads.

Temporary TROs can last up to 18 months on an unsurfaced unclassified county road (UCR) and up to 6 months on a byway open to all traffic (BOAT).

Temporary orders are not subject to the same process as permanent orders, and can be made without the same public consultations.

Before a permanent Order can be applied, this could be an order to stop one type of user forever, or for each winter, or to make a road one way only, a proposal must be made, and the public must be consulted first.

This is the point in the process where we have the opportunity to have our say on the matter, and while

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GLASS will oppose any proposals that we believe should not go ahead, numbers count and the more people who make representations to the local authority the better.

Opposing a TRO isn’t difficult. Simply say what you want to say and email or post it to the address on the proposal.You don’t need to include in depth technical or legal arguments, the fact that you gain some form of benefit from using a public highway and that would be removed if the Order goes ahead is a valid reason to object. Keep your response polite, any ranting or aggression is unlikely to have the outcome you want!

There is a process that local authorities must follow so that the order can be legally made and be enforceable.

Sometimes this process is not followed and that is where GLASS can step in and act, we have taken this action to Judicial Review level in the past.

There was a recent TRO Reform consultation, this looked at making the advertisement of proposed TROs more up to date using technology and a centralised system for all notices. This will make it far easier for the public to find information. That process is likely to take years to launch, but in the meantime, GLASS receives all notices, and we spend time rifling through them to identify those that will potentially affect our hobby.

The Landscapes Review could mean the end of laning!

The short answer is, no it won’t.

Ok, so it might not affect Wales, or any area outside National Parks, but isn’t that still a massive concern?

The Review itself was a positive thing, it talked about access for all, access for more types of user, and even mentioned that the historical preferential treatment of certain user groups above others was not appropriate and needed to change.

Yes, it is, that’s why we made such a fuss about getting as many people to respond to the consultation as possible, but rest assured that never in the history of laning have our interests ever been so well represented.

It was the questions in the public consultation that were incongruous with that message and were clearly aimed at motorised users.

The Review only pertains to England, and then only the National Parks within the country. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty were mentioned, basically to ask should they be given the same powers as National Parks (which incidentally they already have), but it does not affect Wales or the areas between the Parks.

People may be harking back to NERC (the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006) when we lost 50% or more of our rights overnight, but there are huge differences in the scope of the Landscapes Review compared to NERC. There are also massive differences in the general political climate, and even bigger differences when it comes to what GLASS is and does to tackle these challenges.

To read the GLASS response to the Review consultation, go to https://www.glass-uk.org/lsrresponse

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Unclassified County Roads (UCRs) - they’re just a laning thing, they’re on the Definitive Map This is a common misconception. There are two types of lane, the first (but less common thanks to NERC) are byways open to all traffic (BOAT) which are defined as in law in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as

Most of them appear as ORPAs (other routes with public access) on OS Maps, but not all ORPAs have motorised rights, and OS Maps are not a legal record of public rights.

'highways over which the public right of way is for vehicles and all other kinds of traffic, but which are used mainly for the purposes for which footpaths and bridleways are used'.

Others may be shown as white or yellow roads, but not all white roads have public access, and most white and yellow roads are surfaced. UUCRs are not as simple as byways!

You’ll find these on the Definitive Map, and they are the responsibility of the rights of way department of the local council.

Section 36(6) of the Highways Act insists that local authorities provide a list of publicly maintainable streets, therefore they are recorded on the List of Streets along with thousands of sealed roads, but they do not appear on the Definitive Map, and are the responsibility of the Highways Authority rather than the Rights of Way team.

Unclassified County Roads (UCRs) make up the majority of the roads in the UK, and the majority of green lanes. Many minor roads, including those that run through housing estates, fall into this class of highway.

The term UCR gives no indication of what the physical road will look like, it could be an unsurfaced route, but there are far more that are surfaced, and could range from a rural tarmac single track or two-lane minor highway to the residential street you live on. A more accurate term, for laning purposes at least, would be UUCR, unsealed unclassified county roads.

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Is there a map of unsurfaced UCRs? Not exactly. Some councils mark them on their highways maps, but they may mark all the surfaced ones too. Findmystreet is a map that shows if a highway is maintainable at public expense, but while it can be useful for checking that status, alone it is not definitive and won’t help you know if the highway is a UUCR or a tarmac road. This is why Trailwise2 is so useful!

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

GLASS fixing lanes is what we should be aiming for, all the most important work happens on the lanes.

Actually no, it really doesn’t!

“GLASS spends too much time talking about lanes!” (genuine quote) No, no we don’t, and in fact we could do with a lot more people who are able to 'talk about lanes' at decision-maker level!

“It’s childish to ask for permission, GLASS should just go out and do stuff!” (another genuine quote)

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We might be bigger than ever, but we simply couldn’t afford to fix or maintain all the lanes!

What we do also sets a precedent.

If we give our resources away for free, instead of insisting that councils do their legal duty, nothing will change. While physical work is a great thing for us to do occasionally, and it can open doors to us and build relationships with locals and decision makers, it simply cannot be the bread and butter of GLASS.

It seems some people think it’s ok for a national organisation, that is very much in the public eye, to break the law and potentially drop itself into a lot of legal trouble!

We already pay for the maintenance of the lanes through our taxes, membership fees are far better spent being used to protect our rights and keep an eye on where our tax money gets spent! This is why most other user groups don’t get involved in as much physical work as GLASS historically has.

Think about it, there are around 20,000 lanes in the UK that we know about - we add more each year, and the odd one we lose. Maintenance work can range from volunteers cutting back overgrowth, that costs GLASS a small amount in time and resources doing all the health and safety paperwork, supplying tools, insurance, etc., to serious groundworks that can cost tens of thousands of pounds, and require ticketed workers to carry out large scale works on public highways using massive machines.

Overall, the most important work that impacts our rights goes on off the lanes in meetings, negotiation, mediation, and sometimes legal action if we cannot avoid it. It really is the only sustainable way forward, and it is changing perceptions of what GLASS is, who green laners are, and that both can be a vital resource (rather than an unwelcome presence!) to managing authorities, if they let us sit at their table.

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News A lot of the big stuff happening is legal action and while cases are live, we cannot provide details until the process has concluded. Thankfully, through negotiation, we have avoided heading to court in the vast majority of cases.

Through negotiation we have secured solutions in a far more amicable and less costly manner which is brilliant!

It is possible that I may have some news on the Whitestones case for the June issue; I can’t promise anything, asking how long a legal case will take is like asking how long a Land Rover can drive before it breaks down, we simply never know! New cases will be started over the next month now that Whitestones is nearing the end of the process.

Hopefully, by the time the next issue is published we will have either published, or be ready to publish, our first paper on green lane management.

This is a huge step forward! The paper is a consolidation of tried and tested strategies and working practices, which also brings together all the law, guidance, and advice on all aspects of best practice.

It’s basically a one-stop guide of what historically hasn’t worked and what has proven to work, and it brings a human element into the mix.

Managing authorities must consider the needs of users, so we are bringing the users to them through case studies, as well as evidencing how working with us is far better for everyone than working against us.

It currently stands at a whopping 27,500 words and has taken years to research, and months to write. By the time you read this it will be out for peer review before publishing, and I will be massaging my typing fingers and putting my brain on charge! It’s been no small feat!

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Last, but by no means least, we have a new video out. If you know Jim, you’ll know he’s a top bloke, and for those who don’t here’s a little insight into the man and legend we are very proud to have on board as our largest affiliate. He also appears in our next video which will be launched very soon.

It’s now almost 1am on a Sunday (well Monday), I have a meeting with our solicitor and barrister first thing, and I’ve waffled on for long enough, so that’s very much all from me this month folks!

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Happy laning and drive safe!

Lauren & Celyn (below) x

R A E G & GOODS

THE B OOT B UTLER Despite having accrued numerous pairs of wellies over the years I haven’t actually worn them that much, instead I prefer to use smaller boots like my Redbacks.

However, during the wetter months, and since re-homing Lilly, I seem to be living in wellies as they’re much more practical, especially for the kind of terrain on which we go walking. Then there is the age old problem of removing them.

Wellies tend to have the suction qualities of a hungry octopus, and trying to get them off can be a bit awkward, and depending where you been, or what you've walked through, it can also be a messy task.

When removing wet or muddy boots using a traditional boot jack, it is virtually impossible to keep your socks clean and dry. This is due to having to place your clean and dry unshod foot on the same foot plate that had recently hosted the wet or muddy boot.

That’s where the Boot Butler comes in with its ingenious design.

When you have removed one wet or muddy boot, simply flip over the plate using a metal tab that’s attached to the plate with your toe to reveal a new clean and dry surface on which to place your clean dry foot and remove the second boot.

Made of the very best materials, the Boot Butler and is designed and built to last for years.

The base and foot are made of oak that’s sourced from sustainable supplies, and the foot plate is coated stainless steel and is held in place with high strength hinges.

Both the base and the footplate have durable rubber matting fixed to them to ensure extra grip.

Muddy Madam proclaimed how she wished she'd had one of these years back when she had to take off her long riding boots, and now says it's one of the very best products we've ever reviewed.

High praise indeed!

The Boot Butler is such a simple but effective idea and can be used for a variety of boot sizes. A five star product if ever there was one. buy in the UK at amazon.co.uk - £28.30 more at » https://www.bootbutler.co.uk

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QUQUQ CAMPING BOX The QUQUQ Camping Box is a mini mobile home in a box that transforms your car into a camper van in one minute. There are no separate parts that you have to collect, meaning there’s nothing you can forget or lose.

Available in a variety of sizes to suite different high roof vehicles, the QUQUQ is removable, and, using the fold-away handles on its side, can easily be lifted into the boot and secured with straps.

It combines a kitchen, with a 2 flame stove, two 10 litre water tanks, sink, workspace and storage space all in one box with a folding bed on top that including a foam mattress. The bed is completely separate from the kitchen, meaning while one person lies in bed, the other can make a brew and sort breakfast. The fold-out bed is also selfsupporting, so you can leave the back seats in your vehicle, or for a longer stay take them out and have plenty more room for storage.

Handmade in Germany the QUQUQ is designed to be robust and hardwearing, and with all edges protected by aluminium profiles and the watertight wood it’s perfect for mobile outdoor use.

Price: from £1,980 more at » southcoastcamperconversions.co.uk

New Stuff we've discovered this month STORAGE FUEL

If like me, you have an old classic car then you’ll be acutely aware of the dangers that modern unleaded petrol has on your engine. The reason for this is the mandatory inclusion of ethanol in all premium unleaded and most super unleaded forecourt fuels. The current level of between 5-7% is scheduled to be increased to 10% in the not-too-distant future, meaning that the future is not bright unless the fuel systems are newer than 2002 or have been updated to cope with ethanol-blended fuels.

High levels of ethanol in petroleum fuel results in increased moisture levels, which is likely to cause rust and corrosion in the fuel system. This badly affects carburettors and fuel lines, as the ethanol itself is also corrosive to aluminium, bronze and zinc typically found in carburettors. Both these issues are compounded by long periods of non-usage.

A solution is found at the Anglo American Oil Company based in Dorset. Their ethanol free unleaded storage fuel, R Storage Plus (99 RON and 92MON ), is specifically formulated to be kinder on gaskets, O-rings and other fuel system components compared to unleaded petrol. It also contains detergent additives for engine cleanliness, as well as antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors to extend storage life. When stored in airtight, opaque fuel containers, Storage Plus should remain storage stable for 3-5 years. price: £31.25 - £530 (ex VAT)

more at » aaoil.co.uk/product/r-storage-plus

Also available is their R Storage 5-Star (103 RON and 98 MON) that has a carefully calculated amount of TEL (lead) added to ensure that vintage vehicles are protected from valve seat recession and/or damage to valves. price: £33.29 - £570 (ex VAT)

more at » aaoil.co.uk/product/r-storage-5-star THEMUDLIFE.CO.UK

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Ford Ranger k a r t d l i W

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What is it?

As I wrote a few months ago, there’s a new Ford Ranger on the horizon, but sadly it won’t reach the UK until sometime in 2023.

In the meantime, Ford are quite keen for everyone to remember that the current model is still very much available and relevant in today’s pickup market.

On the road

Delivering 210bhp and 500Nm of torque, the 2.0 litre twin turbocharged diesel lump in the Wildtrak was powerful and effiecient, the power delivery always felt like the engine wasn’t really trying and the 10-speed auto box never seemed flustered.

When the opportunity arose for me to overtake slower vehicles it had plenty of umph, and with a deep growl, they were dispensed with appropriately, and safely.

Of course, agile handling isn't necessarily a priority among pickups, but what surprised me more than anything was just how well the Wildtrak handled the twists and turns of typical Welsh roads, in particular the A483 from Newtown to Crossgates. I was fortunate enough that the driving gods had bestowed upon me an almost empty road, both going and during the returning journey, and the Ranger was bloody good fun.

For some reason, over the years I haven’t driven that many Rangers compared to other pickups, I’m not sure why, and then within the space of a month I’ve driven what feels like a fleet of them, and I’ve really enjoyed the experience.

The steering is well weighted, but not heavy, and I appreciated its accuracy and response on the tighter corners. The suspension and handling were confidence building, as was the Ranger's resistance to body lean. Overall it was a fun 4x4 to fling around, especially considering it was unladen for the majority of the time.

Before the rain started, I had the opportunity to take the Ranger out in the snow. Despite not being particularly deep snow, local drivers, who have no idea how to drive in snow had done their best to make the roads into an ice rink by just spinning their summer tyres believing that high revs and speed would be the way forward.

Anyway, with roads awash with stranded vehicles and polished patches of ice, the Ranger soldiered on without hesitation.

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Off Road

I had a couple of reservations about some of the lanes that I explored, but I needn’t have worried, the Ranger walked them, especially after utilising its rear locker which is standard on the Wildtrak. More impressively, it didn’t matter if the Ranger was on four, three or two opposing wheels, it always found traction, even on the loosest of surfaces.

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One thing that has always frustrated me with pickups of late is their 4wd switch. What normally happens is when I turn the dial from 2wd to 4wd and I end up staring at a flashing icon on the dash for ten minutes until it engages, but the Ranger engaged 4wd within a second - every time. There isn’t much else to say about its off-road prowess, the Ranger went where I pointed it without any fuss, even on road biased tyres.

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Interior

From the chunky steering wheel to the wide and comfy seats, the Ranger Wildtrak is a very comfortable place to be.

The only irritating part for me was the figuring out the ventilation system, part of which is on the dash under the monitor, which is difficult to read, and the rest is on the monitor.

It’s all a bit awkward in my opinion.

Other than that the dash layout is clear and easy to read with good visibility all round, especially over the huge bonnet.

Jump in the back seats and again you are greeted with plenty of space, even if you’re a 6-footer who’s sat behind another 6-footer.

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Conclusion

There was something about the Ranger that made it feel strong and dependable that I can’t quite put my finger on.

It could have been the big seats, chunky steering wheel, spacious interior or its tight steering and confident road handling - I don’t know, but after a week with it I understand why there’s so many of them knocking around.

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Flat Pack Fire Pit Made in their workshop in Hull, East Yorkshire, this portable and collapsible fire pit from Hull Fire Pits comes flat packed, which is ideal if you’re stuck for space.

Weighing in at approximately 6kg, the Flat Pack Fire Pit is made from mild steel and supplied in 3 easy to slot together pieces that measure 480mm (h) x 360mm (w) x 2mm (thick), and constructed the Fire pit is approximately 400mm high x 600mm wide. I say easy, the first couple of times I was scratching my head, but Muddy Madam sussed it out immediately!

So far it’s proved great for both camping trips and keeping us warm in the garden, its shape and ventilation holes maintain a good airflow. It’s worth mentioning at this point that Hull Fire Pits recommend only burning wood, not coals. Also, being mild steel it will rust at some point, and if that’s not you bag, Marcus also sells the same unit made from stainless steel, at a higher price, obviously.

At just £45 the mild steel version is decent value, and if you want to make the most of it there are a few extras you can buy, like the laser cut dust tray made from a sheet of grade 304 stainless steel that’s bent and welded to perfectly fit your collapsible pit.

There’s also a canvas bag that has been specially designed for the FirePit from high quality canvas - perfect if you’re storing the fire pit in the caravan or the boot of your car.

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prices: Fire Pit - £45 Dust Tray - £35, Canvas Bag - £24 more at » hullfirepits.com

BASECAMP

P ASS I O N F O R THE OUTDOORS

ADVENTURE RANGE SEE THE FULL ADVENTURE RANGE AT WWW.ROBENS.CO.UK

Off Grid Camp If the idea of traditional campsites that are full of caravans and motorhomes puts you off, and instead you yearn for reclusiveness that wild camping offers, but are unsure about the legalities and where to go, then Tom and Rozzi at Off Grid Camp have the solution.

Off Grid Camp is an exclusive platform linking 4x4 overlanders and adventure enthusiasts with landowners for somewhere wilder to camp.

Membership costs £25 a year and gives you exclusive access to their directory of off grid camping locations, and you pay the location hosts directly for your stay.

Of course, being ‘off grid’ means that there are no toilets, no bins, no water or any facilities, so when you become an ‘Off Grid Camp’ member you agree to being self sufficient, 4×4 capable, agree to leave no trace and sign ‘The Poo Pledge’.

Each ‘Off Grid Camp’ location has one of 3 levels of vehicle requirement: 1. Any vehicle - Location easily accessible from a public road by any vehicle 2. Off-road capable - Only accessible to 4x4s with offroad tyres capable of handling rough tracks, wet grass and muddy gateways. Suitable for drivers with limited off road experience.

3. Experienced off-road drivers only - Only accessible to fully off-road capable 4x4 vehicles with drivers who know how to handle their vehicle off-road. Tracks could be steep and/or rutted with possible river crossings.

Off Grid Camp is new and have just started building their Off Grid Camp network, and as of April ‘22, they have 35 sites with many more in the pipeline.

As they are just starting out on their journey to build the Off Grid Camp community, Tom is offering the first 100 members a 20% discount (just £20 for the year) to thank you for your support as they grow and develop the number of locations available to you. more at » https://www.offgridcamp.co.uk

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THE MUD LIFE MAGAZINE

Robens Cylinder Bush Saw

There has been more than one occasion when I’ve been out green laning and I’ve allowed over hanging branches to rub against the side of Deux Smurf, and like a most of us, I’ve even risked pushing them aside. However, when I’m out in a press car it’s a totally different matter, so having a saw with me at all times is important.

Weighing in at just 326g, this compact saw from Robens measures 41.2 x 2.3 x 2.3cm when packed away, and 41.6 x 2.3 x 18.8cm (LxWxH) when assembled.

All its components are tucked away in two tubes that when assembled act as handles, including two blades, one for fresh and another for dry wood.

Assembly and disassembly is straightforward and each takes less than a minute.

Okay, this is obvious, but as the teeth on both blades are large and aggressive, when you start to saw you’ll need to carefully draw the saw towards you 5-8 times to make a slit (called a kerf). This makes it easier for you to cut straight, as well as preventing it from jumping out of the slit and cutting your thumb off. Please don’t do that.

In practise, once assembled it’s lightweight, rigid and it makes light work of cutting branches, both for clearing tracks and cutting up firewood.

The Cylinder Bush Saw is made from aluminium and stainless steel and comes with its own carry bag, not that you really need it. price - £20.99 more at » www.robens.de

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Everything you need to know about the

INEOS Grenadier

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AT A GLANCE - Available to order from May 18th & online configurator and customer contact centre all go live too. Orders can be finalised with retailers, or direct with INEOS - prices start at £49,000 - 2-seat Utility Wagon & 5 seat Station Wagon configurations - Capable workhorse with permanent four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer case and centre locking differential included as standard - It's a no nonsense workhorse ready to be configured to owners’ exact needs - Belstaff-inspired Grenadier Trialmaster and Grenadier Fieldmaster Editions - A wide range of options and accessories allow for all versions to be customised -

Comprehensive aftersales package will provide customers with total peace-ofmind

The Grenadier Utility Wagon is built for those needing a stripped back, no nonsense workhorse, but still want the comfort, refinement and standard features that today’s drivers expect.

Designed to carry loads, the Utility Wagon has 2 seats, and is certified as a commercial vehicle. You can opt for a rear side window instead of the standard blank panel at no extra cost, and it comes with a full-height cargo barrier and a full-length flat floor capable of holding a standard 1.2m x 0.8m pallet.

The standard five-seat

Grenadier Station Wagon is also certified as a commercial vehicle, and is fitted with a cargo barrier, to provide the optimum balance between payload and passenger carrying capability.

Two further five-seat Station Wagon Belstaff editions have a greater emphasis on passenger comfort than load space capacity, with more knee room for second row passengers compared with the standard five-seater.

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HIGH-SPEC BELSTAFF EDITIONS In addition to the standard specification Grenadier, they are also offering 2 pre-configured vehicle editions, Trialmaster and Fieldmaster. Both editions can be selected on the noncommercial five-seat Station Wagon.

Trialmaster

The Trialmaster Edition has been specified with extreme offroading in mind.

It is named after the iconic Belstaff Trialmaster Jacket, which was created in 1948 at the request of professional Trials biker and Irishman, Sammy Miller, and was designed to cope with the gruelling conditions of the Scottish Six Days Trial.

While the Grenadier Trialmaster Edition also gets the Smooth Pack features, it has an entirely different personality thanks in part to the additional Rough Pack.

This adds front and rear diff locks and the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres.

With functionality and versatility the top priority, the Grenadier Trialmaster Edition also gets a host of additional practical kit, including a raised air intake, exterior utility belts, and an auxiliary battery.

This is the Grenadier for customers that are passionate about hardcore off-roading and tackling the toughest terrain on the most extreme expeditions.

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Who or what is Belstaff?

Belstaff has been creating premium outerwear since 1924, and is known for their iconic waxed cotton jackets and pioneering spirit.

The Grenadier Fieldmaster Edition is specified for those with an adventure lifestyle who will use their vehicle to get them and their kit to wherever they want to go.

Fieldmaster

Named after the iconic Belstaff Fieldmaster Jacket, which is designed for life in the outdoors, it comes with the Smooth Pack, a collection of comfort and convenience features that makes the Grenadier even easier to use in every situation.

It includes a rearview camera, puddle lamps, power heated door mirrors and auxiliary USB power outlets. Other additional premium enhancements include 17-inch alloy wheels (with the option to upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels), Safari Windows, leather upholstery, carpet floor mats and heated front seats.

Whether towing a horsebox, hauling kayaks to the river, or going wild camping, the Grenadier Fieldmaster Edition makes outdoor adventures even more accessible.

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CUSTOMISATION All versions of the Grenadier are highly capable 4x4 vehicles. Even the standard Utility Wagon models offer everything most users will need: peerless off-roading capability, refined on-road driveability, and a functional, modern, comfortable interior. Ineos knows every customer is unique, so every Grenadier can be customised to suit their owner.

From launch, INEOS will offer a wide range of factory-fit options, the pre-packaged Rough and Smooth options packs, and an extensive choice of accessories. An open source approach means customers can affix existing kit, and pre-wired electric access points mean fitting lights and other powered accessories is straightforward.

By removing unnecessary complexity, stripping back electronics and providing accessible information, there’s less to go wrong and, if it does, it’s easy to fix. From the full box-section ladder frame to the corrosion-resistant and galvanised body, every component on the Grenadier is engineered for strength and built to last. INEOS has taken the best possible engine, gearbox, axle and transfer case combination for the Grenadier and specifically tuned them to accomplish the task in hand.

D.I.Y. For owners who want to carry out work on their Grenadier themselves, INEOS will provide online 3D interactive manuals with support from the technical team at INEOS HQ just a call or a click away. The vehicle has been deliberately designed and engineered to be easy to work on inside and out.

The INEOS-accredited service network will hold stock of common parts to ensure customers can get back on the road quickly. Any parts that aren’t on the shelf in the network will be dispatched from a 6,000m2 global parts hub in Belgium by express courier.

Warranties After 1.1 million miles of testing and development, INEOS is confident in the Grenadier’s durability and reliability, so they provide a comprehensive warranty. Complete vehicle warranty provision is as follows: UK/Europe/Middle East/ANZ Africa

5 years / unlimited mileage 5 years / 100,000 km

North America

5 years / 60,000 miles

Globally, the Grenadier will come with a 3 year paint warranty, a 3 year warranty for accessories, and the ladder-frame chassis and body components will have a 12 year anti-perforation warranty.

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OFF-ROAD The chassis combines a five-link suspension setup with Brembo brakes and Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain 001 with 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake tyres.

For extreme terrain or challenging conditions, drivers can choose the more aggressive tread of the optional BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres.

The Grenadier’s coil springs are made by suspension specialists, Eibach, offering superior flex with 9º of front axle articulation and 12º at the rear.

The Grenadier is designed to be a capable off-road with a wheel at each corner

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ensuring short overhangs front and rear, a ladder-frame chassis offers excellent ground clearance, while a high engine air intake offers confidence when wading through water.

The integrated Wading Mode also monitors engine temperature and disables the engine fan when safe to do so.

The Grenadier features an Off-Road Mode to disable parking sensors, seatbelt reminders and engine start-stop.

For maximum confidence when off-road, the central touchscreen displays relevant information for the driver, including

vehicle attitude, steering angle, system temperatures and drivetrain utilisation.

Downhill Assist dynamically brakes individual wheels to enhance control of the Grenadier on extreme descents.

Uphill Assist, meanwhile, automatically holds the Grenadier in position after the driver releases the handbrake, and provides added safety when tackling steeper terrain.

• Ground clearance: 264mm • Wading depth: 800mm • Approach angle: 35.5˚ • Breakover angle: 28.2˚ • Departure angle: 36.1˚

Two-speed transfer case & permanent four-wheel drive

Up to three differential locks for ultimate traction

The Grenadier is only offered with permanent four-wheeldrive to ensure reliable and instant traction on any surface.

This level of traction is made possible thanks to a twospeed transfer case from industry leader, Tremec, alongside CV joints and propshafts from automotive specialist, Dana Spicer.

As well as the centre locking differential in the transfer case, two optional electronically actuated diff locks are available, front and rear, with 100% mechanical engagement.

The durable, manually-operated two-speed transfer case has a built-in centre differential which is lockable in both high and low range. Manufactured by Tremec, but designed

by INEOS Automotive, it’s been tested in the harshest environments and its low-range ratio of 2.5:1 provides greater precision, control, and increased torque.

The front and rear diff locks can be independently toggled from the overhead control panel and automatically disengage at 75km/h to protect the drivetrain.

Manufactured by Eaton Industries, the front and rear diff locks are standard on the Trialmaster trim, and optional on all others.

Featuring an external oil cooling system, it’s been optimised to ensure smooth running and reliability in all conditions.

ENGINES BMW power The Grenadier has been developed to be refined on the road and extraordinarily capable off-road. Reliable and durable engines and a proven transmission have been tuned and calibrated specifically for the Grenadier.

INEOS Automotive hand-picked the best suppliers from the automotive industry and took their quality components through an arduous testing regime of 1.1 million miles, in all climates, in all conditions, across all terrains.

The Grenadier is powered by a choice of two straight-six, 3.0-litre BMW engines. Both the BMW B57 diesel and B58 petrol powertrains have a proven track record, regularly appearing in Top 10 World’s Best engine lists since 2016.

The two power units have been enhanced by INEOS Automotive’s engineering team. As well as providing powerful acceleration on tarmac, they also deliver peak torque at low revs - sustaining it through the rev range - for optimal off-road performance.

The carefully calibrated characteristics help the driver to confidently manage the vehicle’s momentum and grip without stressing the engine, ensuring full control when tackling tricky terrain. The refined turbo petrol engine produces 286PS

(210kW) and 450Nm (332 lb ft) of torque, while the twin-turbo diesel generates 249PS (183kW) and 550Nm (406 lb ft), for even greater pulling power. Start/stop is built-in, increasing range and preserving air quality when the vehicle is stationary.

Every Grenadier variant can be powered by either the petrol or the diesel engine (depending on markets), and the selection doesn’t affect the vehicle price.

Whichever is chosen, the Grenadier’s engine is paired with an 8 speed automatic gearbox from industry leader, ZF. Providing smooth multi-gear shifts in under 200ms and ensuring constant power to the wheels, the renowned transmission extracts maximum engine performance with virtually seamless shifts to maintain momentum. For drivers who wish to take control, manual mode can be selected.

Designed to always select the right gear, it effortlessly adapts to whatever terrain the Grenadier is tackling. Enhanced with a heavy-duty torque converter, proven by the Grenadier’s extreme testing programme, it’s tuned for all conditions, simplifies offroad driving, and offers an ‘eyes on the trail, hands on the wheel’ experience.

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A BEAST OF BURDEN Whatever they need to move, Grenadier owners can load it, tow it, drag it, recover it, or strap it to the roof.

the Grenadier has serious flexibility and towing ability, and Trailer Stability Assist comes as standard.

The two-seat Utility Wagon can accommodate a standard euro pallet, with a volume capacity of 2,088 litres. The five-seat Utility Wagon has a load space of 1,255 litres behind the cargo barrier.

With its 60:40 split folding rear bench seat folded flat, the fiveseat Station Wagon provides 2,035 litres of load space. With the rear seats in use, the load space in the five-seat Station Wagon is a class-leading 1,152 litres.

Unlike many of its heroes from the past, and even some class competitors of today, a tight loading space is no problem for the Grenadier. Its unique 30/70 split rear doors offer excellent flexibility whatever the load. The 30 door offers quick and easy access for smaller items and, when full width is required, the 70 door can be opened to provide unrestricted loading of larger items.

When it comes to securing cargo, the Grenadier provides flexibility inside and on top. A total of 10 integrated tie-down rings come as standard in the Station Wagon - 12 in the Utility Wagon models. Flush, floor-mounted interior cargo rails, an adaptable cargo securing system, as well as a range of barriers and partitions to organise loads are available as part of a range of additional cargo management options and accessories.

Always looking to maximise functional practicality, INEOS Automotive has flipped the spare wheel mounted on the 70 door. Now facing ‘the wrong way’, it allows what is otherwise dead space inside the wheel rim to be used as useful storage.

A lockable compartment provides a handy, secure and quickly accessible place to stow belongings such as mucky boots and a wet jacket.

The Grenadier’s reinforced roof structure gives it best-in-class roof loading capabilities. Built-in roof rails and rubber protection strips come as standard and have been designed to allow owners to secure kit directly to the Grenadier’s roof any time with minimal fuss. For more regular roof loading, owners can specify the Rhino Rack roof rack with a 150kg (which includes weight of the roof rack) dynamic load capacity. When parked up the Grenadier can carry up to 420kg on the roof.

The optional factory-fit, high-performance winch from NATO supplier Red Winches, is strong, precision-engineered and fully integrated into the front bumper. With that providing 5.5 tonnes of winching power, the Grenadier is always prepared, whatever the task.

The Grenadier’s 3.5-tonne towing capacity is available with both civilian and commercial towing attachments. Coupled with INEOS Automotive’s vertical towing interface,which accommodates numerous different towbar and towball fitments,

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INEOS Automotive’s optional aluminium access ladder mounted to the 30 rear door provides a strong and stable route to the roof. Rated for 150kg, the access ladder is both E-coated and powder coated for maximum strength and durability.

Starting from £49,000 RRP in the UK more at » www.ineosgrenadier.com

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Suzuki Jimny Commercial

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What is it?

That’s a simple question to answer, it’s Jimny with no rear seats and a floor to roof bulkhead, easy.

On the road The Jimny is such a fun vehicle zoom around in and feels quite cheeky, if that makes sense. The 5-speed manual gearbox is slick and well geared for town driving, and visibility all ‘round is excellent.

On longer motorway journeys however you will find yourself reaching to the gearstick for a 6th gear that isn’t there as it become a bit vocal. Keep to around 56mph as this is where the little Zook appeared the happiest.

Be wary of wet and twisty corners, as due to its short wheelbase and tall skinny tyres it can feel slightly unsteady, though I’m assured by various owners that wider rubber transforms its onroad prowess no end.

Before you get any negative impressions, remember it’s a light commercial vehicle that has a robust ladder frame chassis and 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil springs; it's a proper 4x4 that’s designed for rugged and demanding off-road use.

It isn’t just a SUV with 4x4 capability that’s only suitable for a gentle green lane or a sprinkling of snow whilst doing the weekly shop. No, the Jimny is, always was and always will be an authentic 4x4 off-roader that will handle the harshest of conditions whilst making you look good! With that in mind it’s allowed to have a few foibles.

Fuel wise, throughout the week the Jimny didn’t dip under 39mpg, it didn’t matter if I was on the motorway, in town or exploring green lanes, 39mpg was what I was getting, and I was quite happy with that.

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Off road Last year I was lucky enough to take the Jimny Commercial around Walter’s Arena, not far from Swansea. I took it around a planned route, then after everyone had left, I ventured around some of the more difficult sections that the Arena had to offer.

Being lightweight and tipping the scales at just over a tonne, there’s always a temptation to drive the Jimny like you stole it, it’s great fun and rather than getting bogged down, it simply bounced everywhere - it’s a tough little thing.

From boggy wooded tracks, rocky paths, deep muddy puddles and slippery inclines, it took it all in its stride, but that’s what a Jimny does best.

The ‘laning I did during our week together was nowhere near as demanding as what the Arena had to offer, but it didn’t matter, after slipping the transfer box into low, the combination of coil springs, ALLGRIP and Pro 4WD meant that it’ll take you pretty much where ever you want to go.

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Interior Step inside the commercial and the first thing you’ll notice is the lack of rear seats, obviously, and behind the front seats sits a sturdy partition grille to separate and protect the front seat occupants from anything that isn’t tied down in the back.

As a 6ft 2” fat bloke, I found that it does limit how far you can slide the front seats back. I’m not going to say that it was uncomfortable, more like snug.

There’s only one trim level available, but that doesn’t matter as you get a huge amount of kit for your yen.

Up front the interior is clutter-free and practical with lots of flat and easily wipedclean surfaces. This proved fantastic during a rare and impromptu stop at a McDonalds.

There was plenty of space to rest our McChips, McShakes and even McKetchup.

Creature comforts include a DAB radio with CD player, a two-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, USB connection, electric front windows, cruise control with speed limiter, a digital clock and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

One of the many things I respect Suzuki for is that they don’t shy away from offering exceptional value for money, and the wealth of safety kit that’s standard with the Jimny is a fine example.

It includes: • anti-lock brakes with brake assist • high beam assist • side impact protection beams • electronic stability programme • hill hold and hill descent assist • dual sensor brake support that applies automatic brakes to help avoid a collision • a tyre pressure monitoring system • eCall • airbags.

Oh, yeah, there is also an immobiliser, a security alarm, locking wheel nuts and remote central door locking for added protection.

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In the back there is nothing but space, 863 litres of it, and it has a flat floor for convenience.Everywhere else, it’s identical to the 5-seat model that was sadly discontinued in the UK due group emissions.

Engine ’n’ transmission It’s powered by the 1.5-litre, fourcylinder petrol engine that churns out 101PS and 130Nm of torque and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Jimny Commercial has a maximum speed of 90mph and, according to official figures under WLTP testing, it can deliver a combined 36.7mpg with carbon emissions of 173g/km. As I mentioned earlier, during my week it never dipped below 39mpg.

As much as I, and others, moan about the the choice of engine and gearbox, what we have to understand is that Suzuki Japan don’t see it as a leisure vehicle, it’s a working tool.

Being classed as an LCV, this Jimny model comes with attractive savings for business buyers who will have a standard Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) charge for the first year that is set at £275. The Benefit in Kind rating is based on a standard flat rate of £3,500.

Conclusion As I’ve mentioned previously, I really do feel for Suzuki UK, they have a vehicle that they can sell by the bucket load, but for whatever reason they can only get their hands on a limited number.

If you are lucky enough to have ordered one you won’t be disappointed as the Jimny is as surefooted as a mountain goat with resale values going through the roof.

Price - £16,796 (exc VAT) more at » https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/ new-cars/jimny/?

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The Tales of Lilly, The Mud Life Dog

No Balls, Blue Balls & Running Wild

by Karen Lee Turner

This month with the lovely Lilly has been painful, joyful and mysterious.

Let's go in reverse order and start with the mysterious...

Turner Towers is not a big place. It's a 2 up 2 down mid-terrace that is quite full of stuff as it also doubles as the Mud Life headquarters. I tell you this, dear reader, to explain that there isn't a lot of nooks or crannys that haven't been filled (eg. at the moment the kitchen is sporting a newly delivered tent and portaloo for a later review), but, and here's the mysterious bit, our house seems to be a bizarre Bermuda Triangle style zone that magically causes balls to evaporate into thin air.

Lilly has now developed a fondness for those bouncy balls that are solid but a little bit squishy. She likes to play with them a bit she sits at the top of the stairs and drops them down, watches them bounce all the way down, then chases after them. It keeps her amused for a while, then it happens....the ball vanishes!

We look where she's last been, no ball. We look under the couch, under chairs, under the table and around any areas she can get too, all to no avail. We aren't talking one or two balls, no, I think we are up to 6 or maybe 7 now. We only have 4 rooms and a bathroom in which she can hide them, but after many searches neither of us can find them, so if you have balls (of the bouncy variety) BEWARE of the Breightmet Triangle - once they enter they will be gone forever!

CLICK HERE TO GET SOCIAL WITH Lilly on Instagram Now for the joyful....

As I've mentioned before we were spoilt by our next door's labrador Giz. He would happily sauter with us in the park with no lead needed, and he never bothered with anyone, dogs or any wildlife. Unfortunately we learned early on that Lilly is definitely a sighthound when she decided to run off after squirrels whilst playing ball in the park (our fault really, it was too soon after we got her). After that we've had trust issues with letting her off the lead, but this means she couldn't run about unless we booked a private dog field (a rather pricey option).

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Notoriously Lurchers have a reputation for rubbish recall - once they get eyes on their quarry they are off and gone, so we bought her a super long 50 foot lead, which allowed her a chance to run a bit, and we began the process of training her to come back when called (I can recommend the training book Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson).

Damian does the morning walk around the park at about the same time each morning, and he and Lilly would keep meeting the same people and dogs each day - some on leads, some not. She would start the playtime crouching poses, then a bit of chaos would ensue as either leads got tangled as they whizzed around each other, or she'd get frustrated that she couldn't pursue the loose dogs who wanted to play chase.

But things have changed, much to Lilly's and our joy.

One morning Damian decided to test a theory that if Lilly's attention was on the other dog that she wouldn't run off, and he unclipped the lead. Well she was off like a shot playing like dogs do - running, chasing, catching each other, then repeat, over and over again. She played so much that she was truly 'dog-tired', but oh so happy. Lilly has now a play pack of sorts - Sally, Teddy and a few more, and she's even got our next door neighbour's pug in on the action (though its heavy breathing does worry me).

Lastly, here comes the painful...

Having a lively dog is great, but having a dog, who doesn't understand spacial awareness or personal space, can cause personal damage. Many times we've gone down to her level to provide her favourite belly rubs, only to have that exact moment coincide with the very second she decided she'll spring up to greet us, which results in a rather painful headbutt - she has a very solid head!

Then there's the play fighting injuries. Damian and Lilly like to play fight - he taunts her with his arms, and she tries to catch them. She is so gentle that if she catches his hand she just gums him and lets go, but she doesn't realise that she has these demon hooked nails - the dewclaws - that she kept scratching Damian with. When we finally realised they were there I got the clippers and took the point off, but that wasn't before she had made so many scratches that Damian started to look like he was self-harming (not a good look when you are a school counsellor!).

Lastly, this painful moment (and the one that makes me chuckle as she can't do it to me) shall be called the Royal Bash....

Again with her total lack of spatial awarenes, she has a tendancy to run, walk and nudge into things, and by things I especially mean Damian's crown jewels. Her head is in the perfect place to perform a glancing blow of testicle smushing intensity. I couldn't have timed it better, because as I write this very article Damian has just walked back in complaining that she got him in the meat'n'two veg again, this time because she turned to go after he had stopped to talk to his dad (I'm not sniggering, honest).

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Lilly's On The Lookout for...

Soft Toys Prickly Pup Cactus Toy Lilly is a bitch with attitude, and so I think she would love this cactus with its 'I'm judging you' face.

Hand-made craftsmanship, double layer exterior and reinforced stitching for extra durability, what more could you want....

How about machine washable and dryer friendly, and the knowledge that all of P.L.A.Y.’s toys meet the same strict quality standards for manufacturing infant and children products.

Oh, you want eco-credentials too, well this Prickly Pup Cactus has those with its ecofriendly filler is made from 100% post-consumer certified-safe recycled plastic bottles. size: 19cm x 6cm x 24cm price: £11.75 more at » fiveanddime-interiors.com

Cecil Squeaky Squirrel Plush Toy Cecil the cheeky Squirrel is hand cut and crafted in Lish's London studio, and is made from 100% OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified cotton (tested to contain no harmful substances), and filled with recycled stuffing.

This simple design would probably make Lilly so excited (have I mentioned she is squirrel obsessed?), and it also has something else that she loves - a squeaker.

Add in that it is machine washable, comes in its own gift bag, and there are matching accessories, what's not to love? colours: Terracotta/Green, Tan/Pink, Brown/Orange size 19cm x 14cm more at » lishlondon.com

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Grrrdon’s Pink Gin & Wagners Irish Cider Plush Dog Toys Here at Muddy HQ we do love a good bit of word play, and the names of these plush toys are a pun-tastic take on the well known drinks they resemble. There are plenty more boozy brands to choose from including Pawroni, Pawsecco and San Mongrel beer. price: £13.95 more at » www.deeohgee.uk

Kong Wildknots Bears Kong Wild Knots are soft and cuddly on the outside while durable and strong on the insidewith its knotted rope skeleton, and the reinforced plush body provides extra durability. They also have less stuffing for less mess, and they do have a squeaker. colours: brown, grey, tan. sizes: XS, S/M, M/L, XL prices: from £5 to £15 (dependent on size) more at » amazon.co.uk

Sheep Rope Dog Toy If your dog loves tug of war style toys this cute sheep, designed by created by Sophie Allport, is a good choice.

It has a squeaker, rope legs for chewing and tugging and a cute look on its face. size: approx. 20cm x 20cm price: £13.50 more at » www.sophieallport.com

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Buckingham Palace Dog Toy In 2022, The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, 70 years after her coronation.

Your dog can now join in with the celebrations with their own Buckingham Palace squeaky toy.

Made with OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified cotton(tested for no harmful substances) and filled with recycled stuffing, it is machine washable size: 17 x 6 x 29 cm. price: £14.95 more at » www.royalcollectionshop.co.uk

ZippyPaws Hide & Seek Popcorn Bucket ⭐

This toy has a 5 customer review rating on Amazon, and the popcorn characters are so cute that I couldn't resist including it.

Your dog will have hours of fun playing with this popcorn bucket and the 3 little popped corn balls - I know Lilly would.

Each popcorn ball has a round squeaker to keep your pet entertained, and when you pop them into the bucket 'house' it creates a stimulating interactive challenge for your dog to dig out the popcorn characters which should keep them occupied for a while. price: £15.52 moare at » amazon.co.uk

Felt Toy Basket You've got your pampered pooch all these lovely toys, but now your house is starting to become a version of the Krypton Factor assault course with toys strewn everywhere.

No one wants a house that looks like a dog toy factory exploded, so this sturdy embroidered felt toy basket is the paw-fect place for you to chuck all the toys, or even better train your dog to put their own toys away (yeah, right!) price: £18.95 more at » www.thewisteriatree.co.uk

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h c o o M

Suzuki S-Cross Ultra

Earlier on in the year Suzuki invited me to the launch of their all-new S-Cross, which you can read about in our January issue, here; https://issuu.com/themudlife/docs/tml-issue-34.

Although the PR teams do their best to find some cracking roads on which to test their cars, it’s always better to live with the car for a few days to get a proper feel for it. With that in mind I asked the PR team at Suzuki if I could borrow an S-Cross as I wanted to check out its off-road prowess, something I didn’t get to do on its launch.

On the only full day I had free I decided that Settle, North Yorkshire, would be my destination. Fitted with the companies updated 1.4ltr Boosterjet engine and 48v hybrid technology meant that on the sometimes tight and twisty country lanes heading towards my first green lane, the S-Cross was a lively and fun car to throw around, and as mentioned in my previous article, the manual 6 speed ‘box is an utter joy.

It has quite a pick up, and Suzuki’s ALLGRIP 4WD tech gives you quit a bit of confidence to push it around the corners quicker than you perhaps ought to.

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Lane 1 Arriving at the first green lane, SD8259-03 joins Long Preston with Settle, and although mainly flat it offers some tremendous views across the Dales. That said, I was a bit trepidatious as there’s one particularly rocky section that I thought the S-Cross may have difficulty traversing - which is why I brought my pair of ActionTrax along, just in case.

Starting at the southern end and working my way northwards, the lane can easily be driven in your Grandma’s Micra, it’s just a dirt covered single track.

A little further on, just as you begin to climb, the lane becomes littered with stones of various sizes, from tennis ball to football. If I was in a, let’s say ‘proper’ 4x4, I wouldn’t give the terrain a second thought, but the S-Cross is, in reality, a 4x4 car and I had to be a little more thoughtful.

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Up until now I had the S-Cross in Auto mode that uses two-wheel drive by default, and only switches to four wheel drive if it detects wheel spin. However, I had a much steeper and rockier incline ahead, so I engaged Lock mode. Lock mode is for extricating the car from snow, mud, or sand as the limited slip differential helps brake any slipping wheel and transfer torque to the gripping wheels.

In first gear I slowly drove up the hill keeping the wheels on the highest parts of the lane as possible as I didn’t want to lift a wheel, and I stalled it - twice!

The problem was the gearing, it was just a little too high for this type of work. It obviously wasn’t the S-Cross’ fault, it isn’t designed to tackle the sort of terrain I was attempting.

That said, the automatic version would have been a better option for this section of lane.

With a line in my head I gave it a third go, this time with a bit more speed than I would have liked, and the Zook made it up without any qualms.

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The rest of the lane was easy going, just a few ruts and puddles, nothing it couldn’t handle.

Lane 2 After a quick brew and a chat at a friends gaff, I headed out to Stainforth where I took a right onto Goats Lane and headed for Dawsons Close (SD857202).

From west to east Dawsons Close is an easy lane to negotiate, though there is one particularly narrow gate to be aware of, and as you drop down on the eastern side there are a few rocky sections. Just as the last lane, they aren’t really noticeable in a larger 4x4, but I reckoned they’d cause the low slung S-Cross a bit of trouble, so I found a suitable spot to turn around and head back home.

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So how did the S-Cross fair?

Let’s start with the interior. The seats are comfy and all the switch gear is to hand and not hidden away in a sub-menu on the infotainment screen, so you don’t need a masters degree to switch on the heated seats!

Despite having all the safety tech you need for modern day driving, inside it remains sensible and straight forward. It still has a proper handbrake, it has dials for heating controls, and switching on adaptive cruise control or the speed limiter couldn’t be easier.

Suzuki have the basics right, it isn’t complicated, just straight forward as a car should be.

Combining Suzuki’s 1.4 litre Boosterjet engine with their 48v hybrid technology means that the S-Cross is both a lively and fuel efficient vehicle. The combination produces 127bhp and 235Nm, and after a few days hooning around, the computer told

me that I’d achieved an average of 49.4mpg, even with a bit of ‘laning thrown in.

The engine and 6-speed manual gearbox are a great combination - it’s the set-up that the Vitara should still have - but let’s not go there.

When it comes to driving over the rough stuff the S-Cross acquitted itself better than I thought it would. However, if you’re going to be using the ‘Lock’ mode on a regular basis, I’d opt for the automatic gearbox as it’ll give you more control. On the other hand, if you enjoy driving and like a quick blast every now and again and you’re not overly bothered about climbing rocky hills slowly, then the manual ‘box is definitely the one for you.

With that in mind, living with the all-new S-Cross for a few days didn’t disappoint, it’s agile, grippy, economical and fun.

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Held at the Bolton Arena during Easter, the Stars & Cars show is run by a not-for-profit organisation supporting Derian House Children's Hospice and is a cracking event for all the family to enjoy.

Muddy Madam and I arrived just an hour after it opened and it was already thronging with families eager to see and get close to some of their TV and film favourites from over the decades.

It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves, especially kids (and the big kids too).

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Stood next to many of the cars were TV and film lookalikes: - Pierce Brosnan was stood next to a range of Jaguars and an Aston from the Bond films - Tom Cruise next to a replica of Maverick's Kawasaki Ninja from Top Gun - Sam Neill next to a great Jurassic Park set up and a variety of replicas the films, along with a couple of baby velocoraptors too - Arnie was there with his Harley-Davidson Fat Boy from T2 - Batman was present along with his car from 1989's Batman & Batman returns - The Ghostbusters (a.k.a.

North East Ghostbusters UK and Preston City Ghostbusters) were in attendance alongside the legendary Ecto 1 - Captain America was accompanying Agent Carter in the Willys Jeep

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There were plenty more 2 and 4 wheeled television stars including: - Mr Bean’s classic Mini - Challenge Anneka's beach buggy - Starsky & Hutch's red and white Gran Torino (which Muddy Madam really wanted to slide over opening credits style) - Gene Hunt's famous red Audi Quattro from Life on Mars sequel Ashes to Ashes - "Fire up the Quattro!"

- K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand) from Knight Rider - Street Hawk had a great Command Centre set up to go along with the famous Honda XR500 bike - The 60s version of the Batmobile was also there in all its quirky black and red styling - The GMC K-2500 Wideside Fall Guy pickup, - Dukes of Hazzard's orange Dodge Charger the General Lee

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- The A-Team Van - Magnum's Ferrari - There was a car that we never got close enough to to figure out which TV show it was from, but after copious amount of scanning through our video footage, then searching t'internet, we think that we've figured out that the the black Dodge Charger with the white stripe across the boot is the car that Dean Winchester drives in episode 17, Season 7 of Supernatural (though we could be wrong - we are not infallible.)

mystery vehicle

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When it came to iconic film cars we weren't dissappointed.

There was: - the Ford Falcon V8 Interceptor from Mad Max, - Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds - Bandit's Pontiac Trans Am Firebird - Robocop & Gotham police cars - Bond cars aplenty - the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter - and possibly the most iconic of all the Back To The Future DeLorean.

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Over the 2 halls we spotted even more cars to enthral the kids with enduring favourites such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Herbie and Lightning McQueen with Mater from Pixar's Cars.

There was also a bit of off world representation with Dr. Who's Tardis and various droids from Star Wars, from which the remote controlled R2-D2 delighted young and old as it was piloted around the halls.

The fun even spilled outside with a selection of vehicles from the Transformers franchise including Optimus Prime, and a number of versions of Bumblebee.

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Muddy Madam was captivated by the models made by The Movie and TV sig group, not surprising when you see the work that has gone into them.

The small model of a scene from Blade Runner was truly amazing with the car having a very detailed lit up dashboard.

A contingent of stalls selling art prints, models, Funko pops and other memorabilia completed the event line up.

Apologies the photos aren't up to our usual standard, but, as I said, the place was jam-packed, so getting photos just of the cars without little kids in shot was near impossible (next time I will try to get pre-doors opening entry so I can do the cars justice). That said, going when we did meant we could take in the atmosphere and see the excited faces of all the kids.

There will be a video of the event on our TheMudLifeMagazine YouTube channel as soon as Muddy Madam has time to do it.

A week later a message popped up on Stars & Cars Facebook page proudly announcing that this year’s event had so far raised over £8,000 for Derian House, and they were still counting! That’s a huge achievement, and every penny of profit from the event goes to the hospice.

Derian House supports families who have a child diagnosed with a life limiting or life threatening condition.

They look after children and young people right up until their 26th birthday offering palliative care, respite stays, day care, holidays and end of life support. The help they provide isn’t solely for the child and young person, but extends right across the family to brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents The care they provide is free for families, but it costs £5.7 million to run every year with only 17p in every £1 coming from the government, so donations are vital. If you'd like to help please click on the button to go straight to Derian House's donation page.

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Fancy an off-road challenge?

Want to get your 4x4 filthy?

Don’t ruin our ancient byways, try out your local P&P site, join a tour or brush up your skills on a driver training day instead.

Over the next few pages we have listed many of the business that you can play, train and holiday with.

If you fancy going along, always find out what you'll need to bring along or which vehicles are allowed: • • • •

Does your 4x4 need to be road legal?

Do you need to show proof of age, vehicle MOT and insurance documents?

Are your recovery points secure?

Do you even have any recovery points?

Always check with the individual site before you set off.

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

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Pay & Play Directory

NORTH

SOUTH

Hill ’n’ Ditch

Essex Rochford & District 4x4 Club

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

Explore Off Road

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

Kirton Off Road

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

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

Cowm Leisure

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

WALES Ultra Adventure Driving

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

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

Devils Pit

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

Avalanche Adventures

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

4x4 Without A Club

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

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

Piccadilly Wood

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

If you have a Pay & Play site, offer tours or driver training, and want to be included for FREE in the directories just email your details to us.

We also offer an enhanced eye-catching boxed listing (see next page) for only £25 per issue (better rates for 3, 6 & 12 month listings) email - klt@themudlife.co.uk for more details

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4x4 TOURS DIRECTORY

Highland All Terrain

Trails and Tracks 4x4 Adventures

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

Cambrian Way

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

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

www.highlandscenicsafari.co.uk

Ardent Off Road

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

One Life Adventure

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

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

Roam Free Adventures

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

Timeless Overland

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

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

Ardventures

Compass Adventures

4x4 Adventure Tours

Battlefields by 4x4

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

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

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

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

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

Off Road

Driver Training & Experiences UK WIDE All Terrain Services

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

NORTH Graythwaite Adventure

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

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

Explore Off Road

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

WALES Bala 4x4

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

SCOTLAND Scottish Off Road

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

Far X Four

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

SOUTH John Morgan 4x4 Driving

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

Wild Tracks

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

True Grip off Road

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

Protrax

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

Avalanche Adventures

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

Ash 4x4

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

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