4x4 Magazine

THE BIGGEST SUBARU EVER

2016-11-18T04:17:00.002+08:00

Subaru unveiled the VIZIV-7 SUV Concept at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The VIZIV is a concept series embodying the future vision of car development for “enjoyment and peace of mind” that Subaru wants to provide to customers. The name is derived from Vision for Innovation.

US ARMY'S STEALTH OFFROADER

2016-10-05T01:50:00.001+08:00

The physically imposing Chevrolet Colorado ZH₂, the most extreme off-road-capable fuel-cell-powered electric vehicle ever was revealed yesterday at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).

Standing more than 6½ feet tall and more than seven feet wide, the Colorado ZH₂ was built on a stretched midsize pickup chassis. It rides on 37-inch tires and a specially modified suspension that helps the vehicle climb over and descend all manner of terrain.

THE ULTIMATE ALL-TERRAIN RESCUE PICK-UP

2016-09-22T02:49:00.001+08:00

The Nissan Navara EnGuard Concept, unveiled at the 2016 Hannover Motor Show is a durable and tough all-terrain pick-up, designed to operate as a life-saving rescue platform in some of the world’s most harsh and extreme environments.

Based on a Double Cab Tekna version of the Nissan Navara it features many bespoke design elements and performance upgrades. It is also packed with vital equipment suitable for emergency and disaster recovery work, including an advanced drone to provide vital intelligence about what dangers rescue crews might face.

WORLD PREMIERE OF MITSUBISHI'S SMALL CROSSOVER MPV CONCEPT

2016-08-06T19:58:00.000+08:00

Mitsubishi will debut a small crossover MPV concept car at the Indonesia International Auto Show 2016.

The Mitsubishi XM concept car fuses the toughness of an SUV with the versatility of an MPV. It uses a wide body and optimized layout to provide interior space to allow seven occupants to relax in comfort.

TOYOTA EVERTEST EXPEDITION

2016-07-17T19:21:00.000+08:00

The Toyota EverTest project is completed. For three months – from April to June 2016 – this project united brave and strong-minded mountaineers who took the challenge of the world’s highest mountain, and legendary SUVs of the Land Cruiser family.

The Land Cruiser 200 and the Land Cruiser Prado have again proved their ability and durability, travelling a path of 15,250 kilometers in extreme road and altitude conditions, providing reliable support to the expedition during the climb and coming back to Moscow without a single failure.

TOP GUNS IN NORTH & SOUTH READY TO FACE THE “FANTASTIC FOUR” THIS JULY IN GOA

2016-05-09T00:27:00.001+08:00

The Northern & Southern editions of RFC India 2016 selections got off to a great start in January and now getting ready to take on the final in Goa this 22-29 July before the RFC Grand Final in Malaysia this November.

Local off-road warrior Tejinder Pal Singh of Gerrari Off-roaders Chandigarh emerged as the winner of the inaugural Force Gurkha RFC North India held in Chandigarh, Punjab on January 16-17. Jegat Nanjapa, a nine-time winner in Indian Rally Riders championships, took the RFC South India title in Bangalore after two days of extreme 4x4 action on Janury 23-24. Here’s a summary of how the top two teams from the selections won their respective “tickets” to Goa.

NEW VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK TO GAIN SIX-CYLINDER ENGINE

2016-05-08T21:13:00.003+08:00

Drivers of the Amarok can look forward in future to an additional litre of displacement offered by the 3.0-litre engine, while the pick-up will continue to boast impressive on- as well as off-road capability.

The 3.0-litre TDI engine (2,967 cc) in the new Amarok will be available in three output levels: 120 kW / 163 PS, 150 kW / 204 PS or a top-performing 165 kW / 224 PS. The most powerful engine variant will be offered first as early as the end of September 2016. The top-of-the-line V6 diesel engine produces its maximum torque at only 1,500 rpm. At 550 Nm, this maximum torque is also 130 Nm higher than in the previous model.

RAPTORS TO INFEST CHINA

2016-04-24T20:18:00.000+08:00

Ford announces that the all-new F-150 Raptor SuperCrew – the high performance off-road pickup – will be available in China in 2017, delivering a new level of capability to China’s off-road enthusiasts.

F-150 Raptor is unique among off-road performance vehicles, with a purpose-built engine, chassis and suspension – all of which enable it to travel fast over challenging desert landscapes or crawl over rocky terrain, from Baja to the Gobi Desert.

JEEP UNVEIL SEVEN CONCEPT VEHICLES BUILT FOR 50TH ANNUAL EASTER JEEP SAFARI

2016-03-12T04:39:00.000+08:00

Seven new, ultra-capable Jeep concept vehicles will conquer the famous and challenging trails of Moab, Utah, at Easter Jeep Safari, 19-27 March. Thousands of off-road enthusiasts are expected to descend upon Moab this year to celebrate what will likely be the most popular Jeep Safari ever, as the 50th annual event coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Jeep brand.

The seven new Jeep concept vehicles built for Moab this year were created by a team of dedicated, passionate engineers, designers and fabricators that have been customizing production vehicles since 2002, and have introduced more than 50 concept vehicles for the enthusiasts who attend the popular Easter Jeep Safari.

SEAT'S FIRST SUV

2016-02-12T04:06:00.000+08:00

SEAT's first SUV model, the new Ateca is a unique combination of distinctive design, dynamic driving fun, urban versatility and compelling utility.

Ateca will come this spring in a wide range of variants. The choice of powerful turbocharged TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines spans from 85 kW / 115 PS to 140 kW / 190 PS, with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive, not to mention manual or dual-clutch DSG transmissions.

WINTER WARRIORS

2016-02-11T04:01:00.001+08:00

In celebration of the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan is giving three of its popular crossovers a little competitive edge – creating one-off versions of its popular Pathfinder, Murano and Rogue equipped with sets of heavy-duty snow tracks.

All three Nissan Winter Warriors feature custom heavy-duty track systems with custom matte black finish frames. The DOMINATOR Tracks, from American Track Truck, are 48 inches long, 30 inches high and 15 inches wide and replace the vehicles’ wheels and tires. The suspensions and wheel wells were modified to fit the snow tracks, but otherwise all drivetrain components, including the engines and Xtronic transmissions, are factory fresh.

DESERT HERO

2016-02-10T03:56:00.000+08:00

The new Ford F-150 Raptor race truck will leverage Raptor’s production platform including its all-new high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed transmission, along with torque-on-demand transfer case.

Putting the all-new Raptor through the grueling stretch of races Best in the Desert off-road racing series’ new factory stock class will help demonstrate how a truck born in the desert is even more prepared to take on the very toughest of terrain.

DATSUN GO-CROSS CONCEPT DEBUTS IN DELHI

2016-02-07T23:33:00.000+08:00

Datsun showcased the Datsun GO-cross Concept for the first time in India at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016.

The crossover concept is the brand’s vision for a potential Datsun GO/GO+ family expansion into high-growth markets, adding a sense of style, adventure and fun to the expo line-up.

TATA UNVEILS FUTURE SUVS

2016-02-07T03:26:00.001+08:00

With a promise to introduce new products every year, Tata Motors showcased its future range of passenger vehicles at the Auto Expo 2016. The product line-up features the production ready, lifestyle SUV- HEXA in automatic and manual variants and the compact SUV – NEXON.

Reinforcing TATA’s future design direction, the NEXON reflects a dynamic and sporty design, which has been inspired by the next generation IMPACT design language.

RENAULT WANTS TO CLIMB HIGH

2016-02-04T03:44:00.000+08:00

Since its launch last autumn, the KWID has hit the ground running in India. At the 2016 New Delhi Auto Show, Renault is taking the wraps off two show cars, namely Renault KWID Climber and Renault KWID Racer.

Renault KWID Climber with its high ground clearance, wide track, short overhangs and the specially designed pattern of its tyres, has all the qualities of an off-roader, including big bumpers and side protective moldings.

ŠKODA'S VISION OF SUV

2016-02-04T03:05:00.000+08:00

ŠKODA will be showcasing its new show car – the ŠKODA VisionS – at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, hinting at how ŠKODA’s future SUV could look.

Over recent years ŠKODA has completely renewed its model range and the next phase will involve broadening the range of models in the SUV segment.

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DONGFENG RENAULT OPENS ITS FIRST PLANT IN CHINA

2016-02-02T03:36:00.001+08:00

Dongfeng Renault opens its first plant in China and starts local production of Renault's latest SUV, the Kadjar.

Just two years after the joint venture’s signature, and an initial investment of €870 million, the Renault brand is now ready to take a new dimension in China with a high quality standards plant in Wuhan and a product plan based on the fastest-growing segment.

WAIVING FAREWELL TO DEFENDER

2016-01-31T02:07:00.003+08:00

Land Rover celebrated 68 years of history yesterday as the last of the current Defenders was produced at its famous Solihull production facility.

To mark the occasion Land Rover invited more than 700 current and former Solihull employees involved in the production of Series Land Rover and Defender vehicles to see and drive some of the most important vehicles from its history, including the first pre-production ‘Huey’ Series I as well as the last vehicle off the production line, a Defender 90 Heritage Soft Top.

KIA TELLURIDE CONCEPT SET FOR GLOBAL PREMIERE

2016-01-10T23:23:00.000+08:00

KIA will reveal a new concept car January 11 at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Conceived at the automaker’s California design studio, the concept offers an abundance of advanced technology – including state-of-the-art health-and-wellness technology – and takes Kia’s design language in a bold new direction, suggesting styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand’s linep.

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WORLD DEBUT OF FIAT'S PICK UP TRUCK

2015-11-11T03:13:00.000+08:00

Fullback, Fiat's new medium-duty pick-up truck made its world début at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show - the largest automotive event in the Middle East and North Africa - and will be available across the entire EMEA region from May 2016.

The new Fullback is ready to take on any challenge, hence its name, which is derived from the key position in rugby or American football - the last man in the line of defence and also a defender in attack - which denotes a player who is capable of dealing with any situation.

NEW RAV4 LINE OFFERS TOYOTA'S EIGHT HYBRID

2015-11-10T03:28:00.001+08:00

Toyota can proudly point to the first RAV4 as the pioneering model two decades ago. What began as a niche exploded into a category, with the RAV4 remaining one of its leaders. That leadership shows once again for 2016 with the introduction of the first RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2016 RAV4 Hybrid brings the number of Toyota hybrid models to eight (plus six more in the Lexus luxury division). The fuel economy estimates are expected to be high, as Toyota anticipates to receive EPA ratings of 34 mpg city / 31 mpg highway / 33 mpg combined for both 2016 RAV4 Hybrid models.

PINNACLE OF EXECUTIVE STRETCH LIMOS

2015-11-05T02:51:00.000+08:00

Toyota takes the Tundra pickup to new places in luxury and length with its Tundrasine concept, which made its global debut as part of Toyota’s 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show display.

The vehicle started out as a Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition 4x4 CrewMax 5.7L V8 pickup. Toyota then transformed that full-size Tundra into a larger-than-life-size limousine - hence the Tundrasine’s portmanteau name.

VENOMOUS BUT NOT POISONING

2015-10-27T04:31:00.002+08:00

Schokari Sand Racer is one of the fastest snakes in the Middle East. Zarooq Sand Racer is a road legal production car capable of eating dunes with the power-to-weight ratio of a supercar and a stunning look.

“The Zarooq Sand Racer is the first car specifically designed for the UAE desert,” says Zarooq Director and former French racing champion Bruno Laffite. The car combines high performance with innovative features and an iconic look. It’ s a powerful racing car yet designed to be on the road as well, and tailored to the desert with a closed cockpit and air-conditioning.

RENAULT UNVEILS THE ALASKAN CONCEPT

2015-09-07T02:15:00.001+08:00

After introducing the Duster Oroch earlier this year, Renault is now taking the wraps off the ALASKAN Concept which marks a further step forward in its bid to win over customers in the constantly-growing pick-up market.

Based on the latest edition of Nissan Navara NP300, it combines a payload of one tonne with cutting-edge, athletic styling to meet the exacting needs of business users and individuals alike. The ALASKAN Concept is powered by Renault’s proven four-cylinder, twin turbo diesel engine which features in the existing Master range.

NISSAN'S ALL NEW PICK-UP

2015-08-25T02:39:00.000+08:00

The all-new Nissan NP300 Navara sets a new benchmark in the one-tonne pick-up sector, combining the best of Nissan's crossover leadership with over 80 years of experience in designing and manufacturing robust and cleverly engineered pick-ups.

The all-new NP300 Navara will make its European debut at the Frankfurt Motorshow on 15 September. The introduction of a market-first five year or 160,000 km manufacturer warranty with the new NP300 Navara is further testament to the vehicle's credentials, and provides additional peace of mind for customers.