4x4 & Off-Road

FANCY that commanding driving position but don't want the stick that goes with it? Adam Swift sorts out the truth from the nonsense in the 4x4 arena and gives you the options.

Like them or loathe them - they are here to stay.Across the UK 179,439 new 4x4s were registered last year, and that number is expected to grow for 2005 as the market diversifies and ever more options for the UK motorist make themselves available.

So what happens if you find yourself leaning towards a 4x4 but are experiencing difficulty justifying it? The answer's simple - get one that's no more harmful to the environment than the average car.

No one could have ignored the amount of bad press that these bulky vehicles have received over the past few years, and some of it is entirely justified
* buy a big V8-powered brute and fuel consumption averaging 17mpg and emissions of 380g/km are impossible to defend.

But 42.2mpg and 177g/km are - and that's what you will get if you buy a Honda CR-V 2.2i CDTi.

On average new car emissions are falling year-on-year, in every area of the market. In the 4x4 segment,CO2 emissions have fallen by 10 per cent in the last six years.

Emissions from 4x4s are more than 12 per cent lower than in the luxury saloon segment, and on a par with emissions from executive and sports cars.

Most sales in the 4x4 segment are diesel variants.These burn fuel more efficiently than petrol models and create less CO2.

Car makers like Ford and Lexus are also working to bring hybrid fuel versions to the market - the Lexus RX400h and the Ford Escape Hybrid are petrol/electric machines that have the same consumption and emissions figures to a standard saloon.

All vehicles in all markets are subject to stringent European emissions legislation. Many models, including versions of the Volkswagen Touareg and Toyota Rav 4, already meet Euro IV standards, showing desire within the sector to have the latest technology fitted ahead of legislative requirements.

Another major topic when it comes to 4x4s is safety - or more notably the relative safety of other cars and pedestrians when in collision with a 4x4.

Common sense will tell you that you have more chance of surviving a 30mph hit from a Fiesta than a Range Rover, but 4x4 makers - some more than others
* have invested a lot of time and money into improving front end design.

Any impact with a moving object is likely to cause injury to a pedestrian - but increasingly 4x4s are scoring relatively well in pedestrian protection in EuroNCAP tests.

The Nissan X-Trail and the Volvo XC90 both scored two stars in recent NCAP tests, while the Honda CXR-V - the third best-selling 4x4 in the UK - achieved an impressive three star rating.

Of course the term "4x4" is not even one that can be exclusively associated with off roaders - some of the best drivers cars in the world use four-wheeldrive, including the Audi quattro models, all makes of Subaru, the Mitsubishi Evo, Jaguar's X-Type, the Lamborghini Gallardo and Murcielago, and imminent models such as the new Alfa Romeo Brera coupe.

So, if you really want one then get rid of the guilt and get yourself a Honda CR-V i-CDTI - it produces less CO2 emissions than the humble Ford Fiesta ST supermini.True.

GKN Driveline, the world leader in automotive driveline components and systems, has demonstrated its newly enhanced systems and component capability on Land Rover’s new Range Rover Sport.

This latest model from Land Rover relies for its all-round refinement on an ‘intelligent’ advanced driveline system for which key mechanical and electronic elements were developed by GKN Driveline.

Sharing some of the driveline components developed for the recently launched Discovery 3, the new Range Rover Sport is the latest example of GKN Driveline’s extended product capability following its development of a range of class-leading, all-wheel-drive technology systems which play a crucial role in delivering high standards of on-road and off-road performance.

Graeme Walford, Managing Director, GKN Driveline Torque Technology Group said: "For GKN these two vehicles represent a milestone in the way we have developed a new systems expertise which embodies advanced electronic control technologies – an expertise which builds on our long established leadership in constant velocity jointed driveshafts and propshafts.

"Our work in all-wheel-drive technology places us in a strong position to provide class-leading research & development and product supply for this important market sector. We place enormous value on our long-standing relationship with Land Rover and our work on the new Discovery 3 and Range Rover Sport took our technical collaboration to new levels."

Electronic torque management

GKN Driveline’s Electronic Torque Manager (ETM), adds to the vehicle's performance by delivering enhanced traction and mobility in challenging on-road and off-road conditions. The ETM, an electronically controlled differential, is offered as an optional extra on some vehicles fitted with Land Rover's Terrain Response System (TRS). When needed, the ETM activates without driver intervention and controls torque distribution between the rear wheels to provide enhanced traction and stability. Key to performance are a smooth and immediate engagement (mechanically pre-emptive), an excellent release response time and high control accuracy, all of which are ensured by the ETM's 'smart' actuator, made up of an electric motor, ball ramp mechanism and clutch pack together with proprietary control software.

New constant velocity joints (CVJs)

One of the most significant differences between the new Land Rovers and their predecessors is their all-independent double wishbone suspension. Independent suspension places very high demands on the performance of the

CVJs in the sideshafts as they have to accommodate much larger shaft angles than those of conventional road cars. To accommodate this exceptional wheel travel, GKN Driveline developed a new version of its six-ball, double-offset CVJ specifically for the new 4x4s.

From the jungles of Southeast Asia to the high plains of South America; the 2005 Land Rover G4 Challenge promises to be even tougher and more spectacular than the inaugural 2003 event.

This time the action starts amongst the intensity of Bangkok city, and ends at high altitude on the plains of Bolivia. In between lie thousands of miles of vehicle-based adventure, strategy and sweat, with a new Range Rover as the ultimate prize.

All Land Rover models will be used during the 2005 Challenge, including the all-new Discovery 3, as well as a fifth vehicle that is yet to be announced. These near-standard vehicles will form the base of operations for the competitors as they bike, climb, kayak and 4x4 drive their way towards victory. Painted in a custom orange body colour, the vehicles will not only carry an array of equipment that will aid the competitors in their global quest for victory, but will also form an integral part of the competition, with daily 4x4 driving challenges.

"The first Land Rover G4 Challenge proved itself as one of the toughest, most spectacular adventure challenges in the world," says Matthew Taylor, managing director, Land Rover. "Its authenticity and global reach allowed us to prove that Land Rover is synonymous with adventure. And in 2005 we will be doing it again."

Working in bi-national teams, men and women representing 18 nations will pit stamina and skill in an arena stretching across four countries on two continents, over a four-week period in October 2005. From 21 June 2004, would-be competitors can apply online at

Citroen, Peugeot and Mitsubishi are all to launch a new Land Rover Freelander-sized off-roader in the UK in 2007.

Although no official confirmation has been given by any of the three manufacturers, the new 4x4 will be the GS45X car developed by Mitsubishi and unveiled today.

Production-ready versions will make their debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2005 before going on sale in Japan in 2006. The cars will then arrive in the UK in the first half of 2007.

An off-roader has been an obvious gap in the Peugeot and Citroen ranges for some time. With Continental markets now clamouring for 4x4s as much as the UK, the French marques must be keen to get in on the act as quickly as possible.

While Mitsubishi already offers a compact off-roader, the Outlander, its appeal is limited by a lack of a diesel engine. Although it has not been confirmed, taking diesel engines from Peugeot and Citroen would be the most obvious way for the cooperation agreement to benefit Mitsubishi.

More information will be announced on Friday, February 4, after Jean-Martin Folz, chief executive officer of PSA Peugeot-Citroen, signs the final agreement in Japan.

Prices are a long way from being set, but expect to pay from around £16,000.

The second-generation Land Rover Freelander goes on sale in 2006. Renault and Volkswagen are also rumoured to be working on new off-roaders of the same size, but both are keeping details secret. Other potential rivals include the Subaru Forester, Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4.