End of the road for the Land Rover Defender

Iconic is a wildly overused term, but if there's one car that's worthy of it, it's the Land Rover Defender, which goes out of production after almost 68 years on sale and with more than two million examples built.

Driven by everyone from farmers to the Queen, the Defender is not just a signifier of go-anywhere style in the way that most modern 4x4s are, but also of daring engineering and derring do. It started out as a sketch in the sands of Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, drawn by Rover engineer Maurice Wilks, and was unveiled at the Amsterdam motor show in 1948, before making its UK debut at the Bath and West agricultural show (which for some reason was held in Cardiff that year).

Wilks originally wanted something to replace the old Jeep he used on his farm. And Rover's engineers learned quickly, swapping the Jeep's flexible top-hat frame for a tough box-section chassis.

In addition, permanent four-wheel drive and a set of crawler gears so low you could climb out and have a smoke on the bonnet while the Land Rover wound itself across a muddy field, made it the perfect farm vehicle for the age.

Legend has it that the car was aimed as a stop-gap while the Rover Car Company got back on its feet after the war. But Michael Bishop, a senior instructor at Land Rover's Experience Centre, reckons that's not entirely true given the original Land Rover's advanced engineering for the time, and the fact that other derivatives were already being developed at launch.

Either way, the Land Rover was an instant hit, with the first year's production of 8,000 quickly selling out. Rover quickly ramped up production to cope with the demand, and 24,000 Landies rolled off the production line in the next year.

Soon enough, Land Rovers were being produced at the heady rate of 1,000 a week, eclipsing sales of the saloon cars Rover had become known for. 

But to maintain this success, the Land Rover had to continually improve. In 1954, the wheelbase expanded to 86in, with a new 107in-wheelbase option also made available. By 1958, the Series II had been introduced, bringing with it longer wheelbases again, and both petrol and diesel versions were available.

But it was in the Sixties that the Land Rover really hit its stride. More and more body styles became available, including a 12-seat station wagon version and the first heavy-duty “forward-control” variants, so-named because their cockpits sat above the engine bay to increase their carrying capacity.

The Land Rover had also gained one very special repeat customer; the Queen was often spotted behind the wheel of one, a trend which has continued to this day.

By 1976, one million Land Rovers had been produced, and the first Land Rover spin-off had emerged: a luxurious version that promised all of the Land Rover’s off-road ability, but with enough comfort and style for frequent on-road use too. It was called the Range Rover.

Fitted with the 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine, the Range Rover offered plenty of grunt, and soon customers were asking for similar pulling power in their Land Rover. So in 1979, the first V8-powered example was introduced, featuring the same engine, but with a longer bonnet in order to make it fit.

This body style was adopted for all Land Rovers in the mid Eighties, when the Land Rover entered its fourth incarnation: the 90in and 110in models. These defined the styling that the Land Rover would retain until the end of its production, with a broad, one-piece nose and a black plastic grille.

But while the car was to last for many years to come, the name wasn’t; in 1990, Land Rover launched the Discovery, and a new name was needed to bring the 90in and 110in into line with the rest of the range. “Defender” was chosen, a name which has stuck with the model ever since, and is today often used to refer to early Land Rovers retrospectively.

By now, the Defender was already venerated as one of the most enduring pieces of British design and engineering and a formula that worked as-was, so Rover stopped fiddling with its classic and allowed it to chunter on into a retirement as a fashionista, with spangly new paint finishes and a host of glossy special editions that traded on its rugged image.

It continued to make up a fair chunk of Land Rover sales as a result, and even when the smaller Freelander was introduced in 1997, the Defender still had its place. 

Last year, the two millionth example was built, making it one of Britain’s most popular cars, and when the last example rolls off the production line tomorrow, it will truly be the end of an era – not before time, some would say, though others will mourn its passing.

Land Rover will replace the Defender with an all-new version. Its styling and specification are closely-guarded secrets, though it’s thought it’ll break cover for the first time next year.

Until then, farmers – and Her Majesty– will have to look elsewhere for their ultimate go-anywhere vehicle.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/end-of-the-road-for-the-land-rover-defender/

Top 10 Off-Road Vehicles

 10. Mercedes-Benz G500

 Mercedes-Benz is widely known for their luxury cars but Mercedes can also put out great off-road vehicles. The G500 is a great representation of that, originally crafted as an armed forces vehicle in the 1970’s and it hasn’t changed too much from its roots this vehicle is a beast when it comes to the off-roads while still keeping a luxurious feel. At its core the G500 still has that original body-on-frame build along with solid axles at each end of the chassis. What really makes the G500 stand out as a off-road vehicle is the fact that it has 3 electronically activated locking differentials which is extremely rare for a luxury vehicle.

9. Chevy Colorado Z/71

 Most notably known as the little brother to the Chevy Silverado, the Colorado is beginning to step up to the Silverado’s level. The Colorado is not yet on the same when it comes to towing but on a tight trail the Chevy Colorado comes out on top. The road package for the Colorado includes a hill descent control system, an automatic locking rear differential, and an upgraded suspension. The Chevy Colorado is a great off-road vehicle and quickly garnering more and more respect.

8. Nissan Xterra Pro-4X

  

The Nissan Xterra has always been notorious for its superb off-road abilities, this vehicle can really handle whatever you throw at it and it’s only improving. The most recent additions onto the Pro-4X are a hill descent control and hill start assist which makes sure the Xterra won’t roll backwards on a steep incline. The Pro-4X is also decked out with some large all-terrain tires along with some Bilstein shocks. The Nissan Xterra is designed perfectly for tight trails without the possibility of facing any body damage.

7. Toyota Land Cruiser

 The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the most well known off-road vehicles, when it comes to powering through terrain few vehicles can match the power of the Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser can handle any type of trail you throw at it with its smooth riding independent front and coil-long solid axle rear suspension. Another unique addition onto the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension, this allows for more suspension movement in off-road situations and then tightens up once you hit the high speed roads. It’s a one of a kind system that you’ll be hard pressed to find anything similar in another off-road vehicle.

6. Land Rover Range Rover

  

The Range Rover is one of the most well known off-road vehicles and for good reason, not only is it a sleek luxurious vehicle but it also packs a lot of punch. The Range Rover features an adjustable and long travel air suspension as well as a computer controlled Terrain Response four-wheel drive system. One of the most unique features the Range Rover offers is the fact it can cross water up to three feet deep. The optional locking rear differential also allows the Range Rover to clear obstacles that would trump most off-road vehicles.

5. Ford Super Duty

  

When it comes to heavy towing there are few pickup trucks better than the Ford Super Duty. While most pickups use an independent front suspension the Super Duty uses a solid beam axle which allows for increased durability and the ability to handle larger than stock tires. There’s also an option for an electronically locking rear differential allowing the Super Duty to handle even the roughest terrains.

 4. Ford Raptor

  

To put it simply the Ford Raptor is an absolute monster when it comes to high speed off-road vehicles. The Ford Raptor has an independent front and solid-axle rear suspension system which provides roughly a foot of wheel travel at each corner, which is double the size of a usual pickup truck. The ginormous 35 inch tires also allow it to roar through most off-road terrains. The Raptor is also almost as capable in slow, rough terrains as some of the much larger off-road pickup trucks.

3. Ram Power Wagon

  

When it comes to the best off-road pick up truck the Ram Power Wagon takes the cake. The Power Wagon takes all of the Ford Super Duty’s strengths and builds off of them with its solid axles front and rear and coil-link suspension. To increase articulation in the three-link front suspension the Articulink was created to allow for more flex in the suspension when facing rough terrain. If you feel you need more flex in the suspension you can press a button to disconnect the swaybar to allow for more suspension. The Power Wagon also features a suped up locking front and rear differential allowing the truck to power through muddy situations.

2. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition

 The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is built for off road havoc, and the 2015 Hard Rock Edition just makes this vehicle even more of a beast. The Hard Rock Edition includes blacked out trim, tough bumpers with removable end caps, red tow hooks, and rock rails. There is no terrain too tough for the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to conquer. When it comes to the off roads there are few better than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

1. Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

 The Toyota 4Runner has long been one of the best vehicles for off-road purposes, and the 2015 TRD Pro edition is no different. Specifically designed to be able to handle the off-roads as well as it handles the streets. The TRD Pro edition includes a locking rear differential as well as Crawl Control which is Toyota’s version of cruise control for off-road. There is also a new suspension system which allows for an extra inch of wheel travel. The vehicle is also decked out with taller Goodrich All-Terrain tires that wrap around faux beadlock wheels. The 2015 4Runner TRD Pro once again has once again proven why the 4Runner is thought of as one of the top off-road vehicles.

Source: http://providenceautogroup.com/top-10-off-road-vehicles/

The new Mercedes G-Class: a living legend

The new G-Class range include the G 500 with a new 4.0 liter V8 biturbo engine, the exclusive AMG Edition 463 and the G 500 4×42.

The G-Class icon is beginning a new chapter in a success story that spans more than 35 years. Launched in 1979, this classic off-roader continuosly improved technology level and high-class equipments.

A new 4.0 liter direct injection V8 bi-turbo engine is now celebrating its world premiere in the G-Class. Based on the new V8 generation developed by Mercedes-AMG, the new engine delivers 422 HP and 610 Nm in G 500. With two turbos and Nanoslide technology for the cylinder bore surfaces, the new V8 delivers 35 HP and 80 Nm more than the previous 5.5 liter naturally aspirated V8. The new G 500 accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds (6.1 seconds for the old V8) and needs 12.3 l/100 km compared with 14.9 l/100 km for the previous model.

Here is the complete G-Class range:

• G 350 d with 245 HP and 600 Nm (211 HP and 540 Nm for the old model) is more efficient now with a fuel consumption of 9.9 l/100 km (11.2 l/100 km previous model)
• AMG G 63 delivers now 571 HP instead of 544 HP.
• G 65 AMG has now a maximum output of 630 HP compared with 612 HP in the past.
• G 500 4×42 with the same 4.0 liter V8 biturbo with 422 HP.

All G-Class versions offers unrivalled off-road performance with permanent all-wheel drive, low-range gearbox and three differential locks that can be engaged while on move.

The G 350 d, G 500 and AMG G 63 are equipped as standard with start&stop function, has optimised ESP system and G 500 features optionally the adaptive damping system with Sport and Comfort modes.

The Sport Mode will provide more agile on-road behavior and a smaller roll in corners.

In G 350 d and G 500, the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission now also features a manual transmission mode, which can be activated by presing the M button.

Mercedes offers a special edition for the AMG versions named AMG Edition 463 available for the G 63 and G 65. The interior specification includes a two tone instrument panel, two tone seats in high quality designo leather with side bolsters in carbon look leather and constrating topstiching, seat and door centre panels in a diamond look, carbon fibre trim and door pulls in nappa leather.

The G 63 benefits of the exclusive 21 inch 5-twin spoke light alloy wheels in matt black and 295/40 R 21 tyres. G 350 d and G 500 can be recognized by their restyled bumpers and flared wheel arches in the vehicle colour. The G 350 d comes as standard with 18 inch 5-spoke light alloy wheels. Both G 350 d and G 500 feature a new instrument cluster in two tube look with 11.4 cm multifunction display.

G 500 4×42 features considerably wider track due to the portal axles (plus 264 mm), the large 22 inch wheels and adaptive drive train with Sport Mode.

The G 500 4×42 will be available from December 2015 while the rest of the range is already available from September 2015.

Here is the price list for Germany with VAT included:

• G 350 d                   ==> 89,822.35 euros
• G 500                      ==> 105,035.35 euros
• G 500 4×42             ==> 226,100 euros
• AMG G 63               ==> 143,216.50 euros
• AMG G 65               ==> 271,915 euros
• AMG G 63 Edition   ==> 463 159,341 euros
• AMG G 65 Edition   ==> 463 282,208.50 euros

Source: http://mercedesblog.com/the-new-mercedes-g-class-a-living-legend/

2016 Land Rover Defender 90 Review

This is it. The end of an era. The Land Rover Defender is on its way out the door, and it won’t be replaced until about 2018.  

This hardcore off-road machine has carved itself a niche as something of an ultra-cool urban cruiser, despite the fact its roots are far from that.

 The original Land Rover from 1948 was designed with agriculture in mind, and farmers bought them in droves over the years, with utility the main selling point and comfort low on the list. Over the years the original Land Rover has morphed and changed plenty, but this body style has been around since 1983.

Back then it was just called the 90, representing the length of the car’s wheelbase in inches (though in actual fact it measures 93 inches, or 2360 millimetres). Land Rover slapped a new badge on the car in 1990, and from that day on people have referred to this car and all of its predecessors as the Defender. Just make sure you never say that to a Landy enthusiast…

And this car, then, is the final iteration of the Land Rover Defender 90, the Heritage Edition.  

This rare model – limited to just 2564 examples worldwide – is already well and truly sold out, with its $54,900 (plus on-road costs) price tag clearly not deterring those with more dollars than sense. In fact, there have been instances of buyers pulling out, with envious punters apparently forking out nearly $100,000 for the privilege of owning one of these final Defenders. The British brand could probably have built 10-times that number of Heritage Edition models, and still had demand for more.  

The Heritage Edition catches plenty of glances in traffic thanks to its brilliant Grasmere green paint finish (it looks flat, but it’s actually a three-layer pearl), and pays homage to the first ever registered Land Rover, which had the numberplate HUE 166 and was affectionately referred to as Huey. You can see there are plenty of HUE 166 highlights on this vehicle, including on the flanks and in the cabin.  

There are also heritage hallmarks like the original Land Rover badges front and rear, and these models were built on the same production line that the first ever versions of the Land Rover rolled down, in Solihull, England.  

Inside, that retro Land Rover logo is emblazoned on the Almond cloth trimmed seats, and there are also red and yellow trims around the gearshifters and a metallic four-wheel drive plaque to help you on your way.  

It looks great – for a Defender – but this is a cabin with some serious issues that haven’t been resolved over the years.  

The seating position is horrendous.  

There are no airbags – yes, you read that correctly, zero airbags.  

Climbing in and out is painful, verging on ridiculous for those in the back seats.  

And Australian models are fitted with a Supercheap Auto special Alpine CD player which couldn’t look more out of place if it tried.  

Those things will either float your boat (if you’re a Land Rover sympathiser) or float it like a set of concrete-filled tyres (if you’re a normal buyer).  

It is pretty hard work. The rear two flip-down seats are best considered “for occasional use only”, as climbing in through the boot is hardly glamorous (the front seats don’t fold down to allow access), and anyone above about 165cm will feel cramped – knees up, head down.  

The front seats are positioned very close to the doors, making for cramped occupancy for larger occupants, and – as colleague Trent always says – you may need to have the windows down to allow for enough space for arm movement, as the Land Rover Defender requires quite of a lot of steering effort.  

The Defender’s steering is slow, meaning lots of arm-twirling and because the rack itself is slow U-turns soon become three-, five- or even seven-point turns.  

The vehicle rides on coil springs front and rear, but still bounces over bumps – big and small – and leans a lot through corners. On-road prowess isn’t this thing’s forte, though: it’s designed to be super capable off-road, and having driven Defenders over treacherous terrain in the past, we can assert that they are menaces in the mud. We didn’t take this one off-road, though: with just a few dozen in Australia, it wasn’t worth the risk.  

As painful as it is to drive around town, it is, perversely, a lot of fun to drive, mainly because you feel like you’re driving a piece of automotive history. Almost every other vehicle on the market right now is more advanced than the Defender, but at the very least you feel like you’re involved in the drive experience.  

Under the bonnet is a 2.2-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine with 90kW of power and 360Nm of torque, which is paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. There is no auto. Never has been, either.  

The engine isn’t as refined as many other diesels on the market – it isn’t as linear in its power delivery as some, with some low-rev turbo lag from a standstill, and a relatively narrow torque band.  

The gearshift isn’t great, either, with a number of testers claiming they had trouble when attempting to rush the shifts. Slow and steady, then…  

The Defender, as with all Land Rover models, is covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty, but there’s no capped-price service program.  

Look, it would be hard to live with a Land Rover Defender 90. It isn’t city-friendly by any means, despite the fact you’ll often see them scattered in those cramped backstreets where hipsters sit on milk crates and discuss beard care.  

If you set aside the legacy value, and if you have no plan to actually go off road, the Defender 90 is a pretty hard vehicle to score highly. It’s just so damn flawed, yet still manages to be one of the most characterful and likeable vehicles you can buy.  

If, however, you’re going to use it for its intended purpose, you’d be totally justified in choosing it … or any number of competitor vehicles with similar levels of capability and better levels of safety, like the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler or even the Suzuki Jimny.  

As such, the Land Rover Defender 90 Heritage Edition is a great way to farewell an icon, albeit a flawed one. 

Source: http://www.caradvice.com.au/407276/2016-land-rover-defender-90-review/

Nine Best Off-Road Truck Trims

Off-road truck trims are a conundrum. People like the idea of them, but consumer surveys and studies have shown that few trucks are driven off the pavement often.

 The thought of having utility (a truck does have a bed), off-road capability, and more comfort (usually) than a Jeep Wrangler is intriguing. So here are the nine best recent off-road truck trims.

2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Conversations on off-road truck trims all flow downhill from a single source: the mighty Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Or, more simply, the Raptor.

For the uninitiated: A 6.2-liter V-8 is paired with a six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive, and a suspension that makes you feel like a hero off the road and doesn't punish you on the road.

In comparison after comparison, the Raptor was chosen as the best out-of-the-box off-road truck. But the conversation doesn't end with the Raptor. Not everyone is looking for that level of off-road madness.

Ram 1500 Rebel

Sure, you can get the Ram 1500 Rebel with the base Pentastar V-6, but you'll want to spring for the 395-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. Outside of the dealer-built Ram Runner a few years ago, the Rebel is the most serious off-road truck you can purchase straight from the Ram dealership.

We liked it on-road but felt it lacked a special something when off the highway in a recent comparison.

Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

Toyota's Tundra TRD Pro is the flagship of the automaker's off-road portfolio, and it perhaps comes closer to a true Ford Raptor competitor than anything else on the market.

The 5.6-liter V-8 under the hood cranks out 381 hp, giving it more than enough grunt to throw some rocks, and the suspension is tuned in such a way that the truck inspires confidence off-road but doesn't make you suffer everywhere else.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

The Tundra TRD Pro is a champ in the big whoops and high-speed off-road running. The smaller Tacoma TRD Pro is quite a bit cheaper, but it's also a bit less capable.

The Tacoma is far more comfortable at moderate speeds and would make a nice companion for occasional fire-road ripping.

Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Throw the Nissan Frontier Pro-4X at something more significant than a fire road, and you'll be surprised when it handles it without breaking a sweat. The Frontier isn't known for being the most refined smallish pickup, but it does compose itself nicely when the dirt road gets rutted and twisty.

Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Trail Boss

The Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is an intriguing combination: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTex tires, supplemental LED lighting, a revised suspension, front recovery hooks, hill descent control, and an automatic locking rear differential.

It's not a mini-Raptor, but the Colorado Z71 Trail Boss, perhaps with the new Duramax turbodiesel, sounds like an excellent truck for hitting the trails and fire roads.

Ram 2500 Power Wagon

A heavy-duty six-speed automatic, 410 hp, and some 6,700 pounds (3,039 kg) of metal: The Ram 2500 Power Wagon is comfortable and capable on-road, and it's also surprisingly good off-road.

We took one rock crawling in Sedona, Arizona, and were impressed with how competently the full-size truck handled boulders and steep climbs.

2012 Ram 1500 Mopar Ram Runner

Ah, the Ram Runner. Buyers could take their brand-new Ram 1500 and throw the Mopar off-road parts catalog at it. The Ram 1500 became a legitimate threat on the performance front to the Ford Raptor.

Unfortunately, the window sticker never said "Ram Runner," and the customer had to wait for the truck to be built. At this point many of those trucks are out of factory warranty limits, so turning to a respected aftermarket tuner might be the best plan if you're thinking about a Ram Runner now.

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Will we be quoting Arthurian legend when it comes to the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor? It might remain the once and future king of the off-road trucks.

The new truck is slated to get a powerful iteration of Ford's 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 that will crank out 450 hp and likely surpass the 434 lb-ft the previous truck's V-8 produced. The same engine in the "regular" F-150 puts out 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. This is looking good. A 10-speed automatic will send power to the four corners, and mechanical lockers will make sure the truck can get traction.

Maybe might does make right.

Source: http://www.motortrend.ca/en/enthusiast/feature/hot-lists/1512-nine-best-off-road-truck-trims/