News
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EXTREMELY MINI
It’s universally understood among people who know off-roading that the biggest adventures don’t normally include the most extreme terrain. In fact, it could be argued that the most extreme off-road challenges don’t even need a winch – they need imagination, ground reading skills and a whole lot of bottle.
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THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
There’s something of a heritage theme to the seven-strong collection of concept Jeeps the company created for this year’s Easter Safari at Moab. The annual event, which brings Jeep owners and enthusiasts flocking to eastern Utah from around America and beyond, has for many years been highlighted by the now traditional...
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DEFENDER PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR LOCAL CHARITIES WITH NEW ‘DEFENDER AWARDS’
Land Rover has announced the Defender Awards – a new initiative which will see a £100,000 bursary, a Defender vehicle and expert mentorship donated to a chosen small conservation or humanitarian organisation in each of seven countries around the world – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Africa.
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KHAN DESIGN GOES FOR A NUMBER 001
You know what you are getting with Khan Design. The latest creation from the Bradford styling house, which is now available through its Chelsea Truck Company operation, is a ‘bold fusion of heritage and innovation’ named the Defender 90 Concept 001.
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REXTON REBORN AS TAX-BUSTING COMMERCIAL
The KGM’s Rexton won our 4x4 of the Year title back when it was first launched in Britain, and went on to take the Best Value award every subsequent year until its stablemate, the new KGM Torres, finally upstaged it.
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Boxing Clever
If you’re going to buy a 4x4 with its guts removed, you’d better know what you’re doing. Which was exactly the case with Richard Alder when he took on this Jeep Wrangler YJ and resolved to revive it with the engine from an Isuzu Trooper – and a gearbox that’s an engineering work...
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THE NAME'S BOND
In the early days of competitive winching, Lee Bond was renowned for his use of Mercedes G-wagen axles to create manoeuvrable and super-strong vehicles. And unlike some builders, each of his creations was unique.
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FORD RANGER WILDTRAK X
Two years have passed since the Ranger was launched in the UK. It has won our Pick Up of the Year award at each time of asking and become a common sight on the road, even though it’s priced as a more premium level than the last model and has stronger competition than ever from the Isuzu D-Max.
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LAND ROVER CLASSIC INTRODUCES SOLIHULL DRIVING DAYS
Land Rover Classic has announced that it is to open up its collection of historic vehicles for the public to drive on a series of exclusive events.
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JEEP AVENGER GAINS OFF-ROAD CRED WITH ARRIVAL OF 4XE MODEL
It’s been on the way forever but the Jeep Avenger is about to hit the road in plugin hybrid 4xe form. The latest version of the high-selling B-SUV promises to bridge the gap between the full EV, in which form it was first launched in the UK, and the petrol and hybrid models which have come since.
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COOL AS ICE
Arctic Trucks’ AT37 version of the new Toyota Land Cruiser will appeal to pose-truck punters –but what they’ll get is a vehicle with seriously good engineering at its heart.
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JEEP AVENGER 1.2
We like Jeep. We like the vehicles it has been making for decades. We like the way it makes them fun. We likethat it’s not pretentious. We like what it does at Moab every Easter. We like the way it has protected the Wrangler and kept it real.
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SUBARU FORESTER
What’s the first Subaru that comes to mind? The Outback, possibly, or the Legacy if you’re showing off. The Brat, if you’re trying to be all down with the kids and you don’t need to guess the colour of Charli XCX’s underwear, or the Tribeca if you’re really showing off.
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Green Lane Association joins the pros at IPROW summit on Managing Off Road Activities
THE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY recently held a ‘Regional Development Day on Managing Off Road Activities.’ This rang alarm bells within the Green Lane Association (GLASS); the term ‘off road’ is often used incorrectly (on purpose in some cases), encouraging people to view responsible rights of way use as being...
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PORTAL AXLES HELP MAKE AUDI Q6 E-TRON OFFROAD CONCEPT THE REAL THING
You’re probably quite well used to concept vehicles that look like off-road dream machines but turn out to be all mouth and no trousers. Especially when they come from manufacturers whose showroom selection suggests they wouldn’t know off-roading if it hit them in the face.
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Light and Shade
Life’s complicated isn’t it? Obviously most journalists have the moral attributes of a hyena which died through eating too many kittens.
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Turning Japanese
Since before the Ineos Grenadier went on sale, the company has been clear that it expects owners to modify and accessorise their vehicles. Executives spoke about taking an ‘open source’ approach to their designs so that the aftermarket could create products with which it could be tailored for various uses...
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Home Win for Al Rajhi in Dakar Rally
Yazeed Al Rajhi became the first Saudi Arabian to win the Dakar Rally, triumphing in his Toyota Hilux after a 7828-kilometre marathon in the deserts of his home country. In an event that saw 12 stages won by a total of 10 different drivers, the 47th running of the rally...
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Defender Octa confirmed as base vehicle for 2026 Dakar campaign
LAND ROVER HAS CONFIRMED that its entry in the 2026 Dakar rally will use vehicles derived from the Defender Octa. The high-performance halo model at the top of the Defender range, which is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine and costs from £145,300 in the UK, will compete in a...
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4x4 Bigster Starts at £27,195
Dacia has revealed prices for the Bigster, its new SUV that will slot in above the hugely popular Duster in its growing 4x4 range.
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LOTUS ELETRE R
You know the deal by now. Moving over to electric car is a necessity. You might agree for the sake ofthe planet or you might think it’s all a big scam and they’re actually worse but the government has spoken and that’sthat.
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VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 1.5 eTSI R-LINE
We’ve always kind of loved the Volkswagen Tiguan. It’s a bit like a smaller Touareg, and we’ve always loved that too,
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FORMENTOR AND FUNCTION
Every now and again, someone does something mad and you’ve just got to stand back and admire them forit. I’m not talking about mad in the Cape Fear sense, or the Charge of the Light Brigade or something like that – more the kind of madness, if that’s what it...
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GRENADIER EXCELS IN TRAINING EXERCISES WITH SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN RESCUE
Scottish Mountain Rescue recently held its annual National Training Conference. Naturally, off-road driving was one of the skills the charity’s volunteers were learning – and Ineos was on hand with a fleet of Grenadiers to help them do just that.
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DESERT SHAKEDOWN FOR ELECTRIC RANGE ROVER AS PRODUCTION GETS CLOSER
‘THE MOST INTENSIVE TESTING ANY RANGE ROVER HAS EVER ENDURED.’ That’s quite a claim, but it’s what JLR says the forthcoming new Range Rover Electric is currently being put through as it endures temperatures exceeding 50°C in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates.
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INEOS QUARTERMASTER 3.0 FIELDMASTER
First there was the Grenadier, the simple and affordable off-road utility truck that was going to carry on where the old Land Rover Defender left off. Then there was the Grenadier, the remarkable but not very affordable premium off-roader that came on like the old Defender but picked up where...
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HYUNDAI SANTA FE 1.6T HYBRID 4X4 CALLIGRAPHY
You might say that £55,730 is a lot of money to pay for a Hyundai. But it’s not much to pay for a house. And this is a Hyundai that’s the size of a house.
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BXCC Battle Goes Down To The Wire
Paul Rowlands and Neil Lloyd survived a dramatic final weekend of the Motorsport UK British Cross Country Championship (BXCC) to take the title by just one point from Aston Cox and Simon Kerfoot. Walters Arena in Wales was the venue for the final two rounds of the championship and, going...
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Grenadier Back In Production
Ineos Automotive has announced that production of the Grenadier and Quartermaster will restart in early January. The lines were brought to a halt in September by what the company calls a ‘critical component shortage,’ widely believed to be linked to the insolvency of seat supplier Recaro, however this has now...
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Land Rover Host Ibiza Party
YOU MAY HAVE MISSED IT IN THE NEWS, but Ibiza has been taken over. By Defenders. By Destination Defender, to be specific.
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Dacia Duster
Since the Dacia Duster went on sale in Britain, we’ve bought enough of them for every single resident of St Albans to have one. There’s a factoid to reckon with. Our editor was in St Albans a couple of
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ELECTRIFYING
It’s a symbol of modern excess. And it’s forever being dropped by rap stars who don’t have the imagination to spec up a lowrider instead. But the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is also a legendary off-roader – and the new G 580 EQ promises to build on that legend, not just trade...
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VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 3.0 TDI BLACK EDITION
We’ve always been huge fans of the Touareg, all the way back to when the original model arrived on the scene with its thumping great 5.0-litre V10 engine.
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DAVANTI ADDS M/T TO TERRATOURA RANGE
DAVANTI HAS BEEN IN THE UK FOR SEVERAL YEARS with its Terratoura All-Terrain, a solid all-round performer that does a sterling job of bridging the gap between the premium and budget ends of the market. It’s a good bit of kit at prices that don’t make you cringe, in other words.
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INCOME TAX BLOW FOR DOUBLE-CAB DRIVERS
As was widely expected, the government’s autumn budget statement introduced a set of new rules for double-cab pick-ups. These are essentially the same as those brought in earlier in the year by the previous government but then hastily abandoned in the face of protests by the farming industry.
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SKODA KODIAQ SE 1.5 TSI
When 4x4 manufacturers send us vehicles to test drive, nine times out of times they’re either top-spec models, stacked up with options, or both. This is nice for us, in a larging-it-in-someone-else’s motor sense, but it makes it very hard to review what their vehicles are like for people buying at...
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2025 PICK-UP OF THE YEAR
The all-new Ranger is our reigning Pick-Up of the Year, having won the overall title last year at the first time of asking. This was despite a hefty set of prices, which didn’t stop Ford from carrying on where it left off and grabbing a hefty chunk of the one-tonne...
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LAND ROVER AND RED CROSS TURN 110 INTO MICRO-MUSEUM
This year, Land Rover has been celebrating the 70th anniversary of its association with the British Red Cross. There’s a lot of history there – and the company has come up with an ingenious way of putting it in the public eye.
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CONVERTED DEFENDER 90 DEMONSTRATES GREEN BENEFITS OF METHANOL
It won’t be coming anywhere near Britain, but Nissan has just unveiled the seventh-generation version of the Patrol. The simple 4x4 workhorse we knew and loved has become a high-tech luxury wagon – but behind the 22” alloys and eyeball-searing red leather interior it’s still an off-roader at heart.
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DACIA TAKES AIM AT KODIAQ WITH ALL-NEW X-TRAIL BASED BIGSTER
We’ll be bringing you a first UK drive of the all-new Dacia Duster in next month’s issue of Overlander 4x4. But even as initial supplies are starting to arrive in the company’s showrooms, Dacia will be turning its attention to another all-new SUV.
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A PLACE OF CONTRADICTIONS
Salisbury Plain has a special place in 4x4 culture. On the surface, it’s a wilderness – yet there are few parts of the British countryside more overtly influenced by human activity. It’s distinctive yet poorly defined. It’s damaged but flourishing.
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KIA SORENTO
Which came first? Sorento or Sorrento? That’s easy. The Italian city was founded in the 7th Century BC, while the first Sorento rolled off the line in 2002 AD. Yeah, I’ll use BCE if you explain to me what happened in Year Zero of the Common Era.
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THE FEW
Arcane. It means: ‘Known only by a few’. Although in this case it also means: ‘Bought only by a few’. The Ineos Grenadier continues its journey away from the original idea of a simpler, back-to-basics off-roader - what the Defender should have been.
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WHEN EVEN LESS IS EVEN MORE
The all-new Ariel Nomad 2 is, according to the makers, ‘the ultimate go-anywhere sports car’. Given it was launched at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, that seems a bit of a stretch, since you need to arrive with your linen suit uncreased and your panama at a jaunty angle on...
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LAND ROVER CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF DISCOVERY
Three and a half decades of the Land Rover Discovery. Feeling old yet? That’s three and a half decades, five generations, a generous sprinkling of 4x4 of the Year awards and heaven only knows how many limited editions.
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A BIG ADVENTURE
Some 20 years ago, David and Tisha Selway were on holiday in Namibia. At a watering hole in the Etosha National Park, they found themselves parked up near a 1-Ton Land Rover 109” which had been converted into a home from home – and they had a moment of realisation. This was what they wanted to do.
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BETTER THAN BLING
For much the last decade, Defender building has shifted its focus from purpose and practicality to looks and lifestyle. As the vehicles’ values went up and up without any sign of ever reaching a ceiling, demand for blinged 90s and 110s appeared unquenchable –the result being that now the market has adjusted itself to a slightly more...
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GLASS CALLS FOR COMMON SENSE TO PROTECT LOWER CLAERWEN
LOWER CLAERWEN IS ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE GREEN LANES ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. Running alongside the Afon Claerwen river, between the head of Caban-coch Reservoir and the Claerwen Dam, it’s around two and a half miles long and packs in a variety of rocks, potentially deep water and supreme scenery.
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VAT-RECLAIMABLE MODEL JOINS GRENADIER RANGE
Ineos Automotive has acted to address an issue in the Grenadier range which saw customers being unable to claim their VAT back on Utility models. The Grenadier Commercial, which starts at a basic £51,931 in the UK, has been modified to comply with regulations on its tax status, also allowing customers to run one as a company vehicle...
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One Offs & Show Specials For Isuzu
Four years ago, we got together with Isuzu to build the GO2 – a modifi ed off-roader that took the D-Max to new heights of ruggedness and capability. It was meant to be the star of the company’s stand at that year’s CV Show, but then someone in China fancied bat forlunch (other explanations are available).
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SUBARU CROSSTREK
There was a time when Subaru was just about the sexiest car brand in the world. It was a time of Richard Burns and Colin McRae, of the SVX coupe showing Beemer lads what cool looked like and countless hot Imprezas
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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SUMMIT RESERVE
What goes ZJ, WG, WK, WK2, WL? That’s a sequence with no apparent rhyme or reason, to be sure; but if you know your Jeeps, you’ll recognise it as the five generations of Grand Cherokee.
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'THE PINNACLE OF RANGE ROVER PERSONALISATION'
What comes into your mind when you think of the Cotswolds? A traditional agricultural landscape of rolling hills and authentic villages of honey-coloured local sandstone, perhaps? A much loved escape from the city whose aesthetics border on perfection? A community lain waste by floods of pernicious money from outside? Farmhouses...
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LAND ROVER CLOSES IN ON £200,000 DEFENDER
Get ready for the Defender equivalent of the Range Rover Sport SV. Called Octa, it will go on sale later this year powered by the SV’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 and likely to be priced close to £200,000.
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MERCEDES BRICKS IT
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll see that Toyota is moving the Land Cruiser a bit more towards its roots, but away from people who’d like to be able to afford one. The Japanese company is aware it needs to be careful since the heritage goes back to the first 20...
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TOYOTA REDISCOVER THEIR ROOTS
I remember the look of horror on my son’s face. Late teens, slim, fit, enjoying wearing tight-fitting clothes. And the realisation as our conversation went on that there was an awful inevitability that at some point there would be a return of flared trousers.
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RAV-ING IT UP
Ironman 4x4 is well known among off-road enthusiasts in the UK, with a wide range of accessories allowing customers to enhance their vehicles and prep them for work, play, camping and expeditions. The Australian company has long been seen as one of the go to suppliers for Japanese vehicles, in...
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A DELICATE SOUND OF THUNDER
Lifeless eyes stared back at me from the other side of the glass, their hollowed and blackened recesses screaming out in anguish. A web of fissures radiated from a dime-sized hole in their stained and hairless temporal lobe.
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FORD MUSTANG MACH-E PREMIUM AWD
We test drove the Mustang Mach-E a couple of years ago and weren’t hugely impressedby it. So a second opportunity to try an example from the current model year, over the same roads as last time, wasvery welcome.
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RELIEF FOR UK ELECTRIC GRID
The antiquated and overloaded electricity grid in the UK received a tiny piece of good news lately. Which is that we’ve got one fewer electric vehicle to keep powered up. Or, to put it another way, hurrah! The very first all-electric Series IIA Land Rover has been shipped off to...
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Classic, Iconic, Legendary... The Rubicon Trail
On 3 August 1887, lawmakers in the El Dorado County, California passed a decree which classified the mountain trail between Georgetown and Lake Tahoe as a public road. Little did they know it at the time, butthe right of way they had created was to become possibly the world’s most famous 4x4 trails. The ‘road,’ which at the...
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It'll be all white on the night
There’s not a lot to put the wind up you like the words ‘frozen lake.’ If you’re from Scandinavia, or Alaska, or no doubt large parts of Russia, driving on seasonal ice is about as remarkable as going to the toilet.
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Isuzu D-MAX DL20 Automatic
Isuzu is on a mission to enhance the D-Max’s image as a lifestyle vehicle in this country. And, as usual, it’s doing a good job of it, with the range-topping V-Cross building an ever-stronger presence in the sales charts. A pick-up range needs to be built on a solid foundation, though, and that’s where the likes of the...
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Suzuki Vitara 1.5 HEV SZ5 Allgrip
A vehicle with one of the longest running names in the market, the Suzuki Vitara has been coming to the UK since 1991. It’s changed a lot in that time, of course – from the Vitara to the Grand Vitara and back again, throughvarious sizes, shapes, body confi gurations and chassis set-ups and, notably, in and thankfully...
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Keeping petrol costs down post-pump
With petrol prices on the rise again, Brits are being offered tips on how to keep the fuel gage up after visiting the pumps. The penny-pinching team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together their advice for motorists on making fuel last longer. Among the suggestions is taking anything weighty out of your car, driving smoothly...
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Updates to the Highway Code recently introduced that motorists might not know
Drivers are being warned about eleven new and updated highway laws that could catch them out.
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Land Rover Show Returns to Newark
For many years, the Great British Land Rover Show has been seen as the perfect way to bring down the curtain on the season. After missing out in 2020, the autumn extravaganza was back in 2021 – when it set new records by attracting the biggest attendance in its illustrious...
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Toyota reigns supreme as world's most desired car
For the second year in a row, Toyota reigns supreme as the most searched car brand according to Compare the Market’s annual analysis of Google Trends data.
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How many cars have you owned?
A recent study has identified some interesting facts... Breakdowns and car faults are the most common reason UK drivers replace their vehicles and apparently those living in the North of England will, on average, own more cars than motorists in the South.
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Spare onion to hand? Clearing a frozen windscreen - top 12 tips
As winter fast approaches in the UK, motorists are being offered expert advice on how to clear their windscreen and avoid a fine and possible penalty points on their licence.The car leasing experts at LeaseCar.uk have provided their top tips for effectively clearing windows and windscreens on a freezing cold morning.
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Revealed: The UK areas with the most winter road accidents
Driving with windows full of condensation and icy roads to look out, certainly makes you doubt the most wonderful time of the year when on the roads. Winter can be a challenging time for drivers, as sub-zero temperatures lead to dangerous road conditions.
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The Great British Land Rover Show November 2021
The Great British Land Rover Show, at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, took place on Sunday 21 November. And after missing out last year when the second round of lockdown restrictions came into force, the annual indoor event was back with a bang.
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Texaco has the most expensive fuel prices in the country, new research reveals
While the long snaking lines of cars desperate for fuel outside petrol stations have dissipated, the panic of the fuel shortage is still fresh in many minds.
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Terranet and holoride exploring super-human vision technology in autonomous vehicles
Terranet AB (TERRNT B), developers of advanced driver-assistance software (ADAS) that specifically addresses safety and comfort through precise, fast, and intelligent sensor technology, has announced teaming up with holoride to explore innovative applications for its VoxelFlowTM technology – helping to revolutionize in-vehicle experiences for passengers in autonomous vehicles.
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Driveway legal loophole which allows strangers to scoop up your space
Drivers can cause outrage by parking on other’s private driveways, so what can homeowners do to get rid of pesky unwanted parkers?
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England's pothole crisis revealed - which counties fix the most and who pays out the most compensation?
The team at www.billplant.co.uk undertook a Freedom of Information request with councils all over England* to determine the extent of the pothole crisis, finding out just how many potholes were fixed throughout 2020, how many complaints were received and, following on from this, how many claims were made for compensation,...
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More than 20% of Brits say they have bought their car a Christmas present, new study finds
A new survey asking 1,000 car owners how they treat their vehicles has found that 23% of car owners have bought Christmas presents for their cars in the past.
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Cheffins Vintage Sale to include Series 1 Land Rover used in Heartbeat
In its current ownership for the last 17 years, this Series 1 was delivered new to Greenham's of Shrewsbury in May 1950 with the original registration GNT 117. It was subsequently re-registered in 1986 having spent some years in Yorkshire where it was used in the first series of Heartbeat. ...
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Motorists urged to book MOTs this Autumn
Millions of motorists are being urged to book MOT’s as the pressure of the COVID backlog starts to mount on mechanics. The car leasing experts at LeaseCar.co.uk are encouraging drivers to book their MOT’s in as soon as possible to ease the strain on garages.
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Bond Edition Series Land Rover Produced By John Brown 4x4
In anticipation of the James Bond premiere, a Bond edition Series 3 Land Rover® was provided to Sotheby's by John Brown 4x4 for sale in a celebrated Luxury auction earlier this month.
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Off-Road Driving For Beginners And Advanced Drivers
General Tire Provides Tips for Safe Off-Road Trips
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UK car owners - Hot Wheels wants to make your pride and joy into a die-cast toy car to be enjoyed by millions
The unique opportunity to have your car immortalised as a Hot Wheels die-cast is being offered to one lucky enthusiast in the UK. The number one toy car producer is asking classic, modified and race car owners to submit their special car builds for judging at its virtual Hot Wheels...
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1943 FORD GPW JEEP, FOR SALE WITH H&H CLASSICS AT THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
Formerly the Property of Oscar Winner Rex Harrison, 1943 Ford GPW Jeep, for Sale with H&H Classics at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, September 8th Estimate £25,000 - £30,000
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The UK's Roller Coaster Roads
Motorists looking to go on road trips this summer are being warned about roller coaster roads in the UK.
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ONE IN THREE DRIVERS DON’T KNOW WHETHER TO BUY PETROL, ELECTRIC OR DIESEL POWERED CAR
Almost one in three drivers (32%) say if they were buying a new or a second-hand car they do not know whether to buy a petrol, electric or diesel powered one. Younger drivers, 18 – 34s, are even more undecided with almost half (49%) saying they are unsure what type...
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2021 Q1 & Q2 - Global Telemetrics vehicle recovery figures top £10.8 million & Land Rover takes 7 out of the 10 ‘top spots’
With the first half of 2021 now behind us, leading vehicle tracking and security brand – Global Telemetrics – reveals its theft report for the period January – June. Once again, the Land Rover badge holds the most appeal for car thieves with the brand featuring seven times on Global...
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The 4x4 & Pick Up Show Back This June
The 4x4 & Pick-Up Show is back this June after a hugely successful inaugural year in 2018. The show was so well regarded by the industry, organisers Assignment Media were delighted to be nominated for the Best Launch Show award in the Exhibition News Independent Organisers’ Awards. The event was...
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Show Preview: 4x4 & Pick-up Show
Whether your interest in pick-ups and 4x4s is for professional or recreational purposes, the 4x4 & Pick-up Show will have something for you with dedicated days for both the trade and public.
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Temporary Closure Of Pye Corner In Powys
Temporary closures of Pye Corner will occur this spring, as work is done to fill deeper holes at the eastern end of the trial. The lane is typically well surfaced and sustainable with just a few shallow ruts, is one of two running east-to-west from the A44 towards Llandrindod Wells,...
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Essex County Council Reaches Out To Lane Users
The Rights Of Way Department at Essex County Council has advised interested stakeholders that it intends to form a working group of its own officers as well as motor vehicle users. This will be authorised with decision-making on the management of county’s green lanes.
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Planned Repairs On Major Lakes Byway
One of the Lake District’s most popular rights of way is set to be closed to four-wheeled vehicles while repairs take place over the next couple of months. The lane is known colloquially as Mountain Road as it isn’t formally named.
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MAC 4X4 CHALLENGE HAS RUN ITS COURSE
THE ORGANISERS OF the Macmillan 4x4 Challenge have announced that the event is to be discontinued. Having raised some £1.4million for the cancer charity since its inception in 2002, the annual trail run has become an institution in the off-road calendar – howeverwith signs of dwindling support, Peter Rowland of...
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18-month closures on Hollinsclough lanes
STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has imposed 18-month temporary Traffic Regulation Orders on Limer Rake and Swan Lake, two rocky lanes in the village of Hollinsclough. Both have suffered from erosion over a long period of time, allowing large rocks to become more exposed – to the point where 4x4 drivers in...
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URGENT NEED FOR HISTORICAL EVIDENCE IN BID TO SAVE PEAK LANES
THE PEAK AND DERBYSHIRE VEHICLE USER GROUP (PDVUG) is appealing for assistance from people who may have driven green lanes inthe Peak District in years gone by.
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A New Name for Total Off-Road!
TOR to amalgamate with 4x4 magazine - First combined issue on sale 14 April - More pages, more features - still off-road to the core!
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Total Victory For Greed And Dishonesty As Brushfield Lane Closes For Good
AFTER A PROLONGED BATTLE to save it from closure, one of Derbyshire’s best remaining green lanes has joined the list of beautiful, sustainable trails in the county to be stripped of their motor vehicle rights for no good reason.
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NEW SPONSOR ANNOUNCED FOR 2017 GREAT BRITISH LAND ROVER SHOWS
THE GREAT BRITISH LAND ROVER SHOW has a new headline sponsor. Both of this year’s shows, in April and November, will be supported by Rimmer Bros – a company bringing with it a fresh look in addition to stacks and stacks of fabulous Land Rover parts and accessories.
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OFF-ROAD MOTORSPORT WORLD IN MOURNING FOR DREW BOWLER
THE OFF-ROAD WORLD is in mourning after the sudden death of one of its most popular figures, Drew Bowler, on 14 November 2016. The visionary engineering genius behind Bowler Motorsport, Drew was responsible for some of the most successful Land Rover competition cars ever built – most famously the Wildcat,...
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NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN AT ACHSV
ACH SPECIAL VEHICLES opened its new showroom near Silverstone in late October – showcasing the equipment it offers alongside its latest builds and a preview of projects to come from its workshops.
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CROWDFUNDING BID TO FUND REPAIRS ON DOCTORS GATE LANE
GREEN LANE USERS have been given the opportunity to help save one of Britain’s bestloved and most beautiful lanes, after a crowdfunding initiative was launched by a local GLASS rep.Andy Hutchfield, who represents the association in County Durham, has set up a Just Giving page with the aim of raising...
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Mac Concepts Reveal X-Class Double Cab
On sale late next year, premium pick up will take the one-tonne market more upmarket than ever before...
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Llanerchindda Farm Donates To Green Lane Fighting Fund
THE GREEN LANE ASSOCIATION has received a donation to its fighting fund from Llanerchindda Farm – the Mid- Welsh guest house that’s long been a go-to destination for 4x4 drivers looking to explore the region’s unique network of unsurfaced rights of way. We’ve featured Llanerchindda Farm in the past, joining its staff on a tour of the Welsh lanes aboard their 110 (pictured).
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Discovery 5 Prepares To Wade In To Suv Market
Low box, air springs and seven seats on all models - High-tech off-road and towing aids - First Deliveries Spring 2017 - Priced from £43,495
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Skoda Set To Take Seven-Seater Market by Storm With All-New Kodiaq
SKODA’S BRILLIANT YETI was our 4x4 of the Year in 2010. It has been a massive hit for the company – which is now starting to build on its success with a major 4x4 product offensive. Spearheading this is the Kodiaq.
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Mitsubishi Hints At Next Shogun
Ground Tourer could be more than a concept - but current Shogun still has years left
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Sparks Set To Fly At Stoneleigh For Great British Land Rover Show
A MERE MONTH AND A HALF after this issue of TOR is published, the season-ending Great British Land Rover Show will return to Stoneleigh. And the show organisers are working at full capacity to ensure it provides Landy fans with the a memorable climax to the year. The show will round off the season in style on Sunday 27 November.
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Land Rover unveils 2.0-litre diesel for Range Rover Sport
LAND ROVER HAS ANNOUNCED major changes to the 2017 Range Rover Sport – including a new version of the 2.0-litre Ingenium engine.Badged SD4, the twin-turbocharged diesel unit will be tuned for 240bhp and 368lbf.ft. Land Rover predicts that it will get the Sport from 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds.
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There’s a new Overland model to top off the Cherokee range, too
The Cherokee has gained a new range-topper in the form of the Overland. Despite its name, this isn’t the same deal as the old Grand Cherokee Overland, which was modifi ed for off -road use.
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Jeep adds new 75th Anniversary models
More equipment and heritage styling for Wrangler and Grand Cherokee - Wrangler priced from £34,765
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No sign of let-up in growth of Double-Cab Market
More new models confirmed - Badge-engineering agreements proliferate - Premium makers eyeing one-tonne sales
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Renault Readying Alaskan for European Launch
Navara-based pick-up - Coil-sprung live rear axle - Rear LSD standard on all models - UK sales to commence during 2017
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Things you're not allowed to do in Britain anymore
Another popular and sustainable right of way senselessly extinguished, as Peak Pasture is administrated out of existence
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Sparks Set To Fly At Stoneleigh
In just a couple of months’ time, the season-ending Great British Land Rover Show will be here once more, and the show organisers are working at full capacity to ensure you have the most memorable show this year.
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PICK-UP MARKET GROWS AS FIAT ADDS NEW FULLBACK
Badge-engineered Mitsubishi L200 • Only available as double-cab • Rear diff lock or full-time 4wd • From £20,995+VAT
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Lincolnshire land rover club donates £2160 to local air ambulance
At the recent Brocklesby Country Fair, members of the Lincolnshire Land Rover Club recently presented a cheque for £2160 to Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The money was raised by auctioning an original painting by well known cartoonist Pete Wilford, along with a further four limited-edition prints.
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37” RUBBER FOR MIGHTY PORTAL G-WAGEN
37x13.5R18 Mickey Thompson ATs • €7900 plus vehicle
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DACIA UNVEILS UPDATES TO HIGH-VALUE DUSTER 4X4
Updated styling • New top-spec model • Extended engine range • Four-wheel drive option on every model • From £11,495
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double success for gould
MARTIN GOULD continued his run of Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship successes with his second victory of the season aboard his Buxton 4x4 Rivet. His win came at round three of the championship, held at Forrest Estate in South West Scotland. Richard Wynne-Williams was second in his Lofthouse Freelander.
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fire and brimstone at tong
ROUND TWO OF THE NORTHERN OFF-ROAD CLUB’S Groundtrax 2016 championship was held at Tong, Bradford and was sponsored by Farnell Land Rover.
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gatescarth reopens after maintenance is completed
GATESCARTH PASS, between Mardale and Longsleddale in the Lake District, is perhaps the most outstanding unsurfaced road in England. It’s a rocky route through spectacular scenery and, thanks to good relationships and close interaction between the TRF, GLASS and the Lake District National Park Authority, it’s available for trail riders...
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The Great British Land Rover Show are delighted to announce Bearmach to continue as headline sponsor for November show!
With the continued commitment and further involvement from Bearmach, show organisers Assignment Media have confirmed that they are doubling the size of the show for November by adding a second hall as well as developing the show to include a Workshop Demonstration Area.
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New Season, New Sponsor
This year, the Northern Off Road Club has a championship sponsor. Groundtrax (www.groundtrax.com) specialise in ground protection and reinforcement. The owner not only stepped up to support the club by sponsoring the championship but also signed up for a full season as a novice entrant, having just purchased a new...
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Better News From The Peaks As Three Byways Confirmed During 2015
THE PEAK DISTRICT has become home to the ugliest assault on freedom since NERC itself. However amid the high-profile closures of destination lanes such as Stanage Edge, Chapel Gate and Roych Clough, and the ludicrous prospect of Brushfield being downgraded to a bridleway, there continue to be some moments of commonsense.
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Welcome Return for Water Lane
WATER LANE, a classic sunken lane near Alton in Hampshire, has reopened after a major project to resurface it for much of its length.
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Ssangyong adds budget van to Rexton range
£19,495 plus VAT | New 2.2-litre diesel | 176bhp | 40.4mpg
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Centurion celebrates Isuzu’s 100th anniversary
As well as the AT35, Isuzu has also introduced the Centurion - a limited-edition D-Max created to celebrate the manufacturer’s 100th anniversary. This is intended as a range-topping lifestyle model - with the accent very much on high-tech luxuries and exterior looks rather than enhancing the truck’s already prodigious off-road ability.
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Waymarking Spree on Sailisbury Plain
THE GREEN LANE ASSOCIATION’S ambitious project to waymark the extraordinary network of trails criss-crossing Salisbury Plain has entered its sixth year. It did so with a campaign of new marking - in GLASS’ own words, ‘we went crazy and decided on a three-day-on-the-trot mini-project to make the most of the...
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Repairs Commence on Gatescarth Pass
ONE OF BRITAIN’S VERY BEST RIGHTS OF WAY is currently being repaired - thanks to a £2500 joint donation by the Green Lane Association and Trail Riders; Fellowship. Following a landslip this winter, Gatescarth Pass in the Lake District faced a prolonged spell of closure; with limited funds available but...
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Rights of Way Users’ Fury after Spike Trap found on Salisbury Plain Byway
A BYWAY ON SALISBURY PLAIN has become a crime scene, after an improvised spike trap was found in ruts on the trail north of Tilshead. The device, made of wood with nails driven through it, was apparently placed on the track to puncture the tyres of recreational motor vehicles -...
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Peak District proposes Washgate TRO
THE PEAK DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK has proposed a permanent TRO on Washgate, a lane straddling the border between Derbyshire and Staffordshire just south of Buxton.
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NEW HI-LUX HERE SOON – AND IT’S EVEN BETTER OFF-ROAD
20% stiffer chassis • 3500kg towing limit • 148bhp, 295lbf.ft 2.4-litre diesel • Front and rear locking LSDs
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Incredible Ravenol Offer
A brilliant offer is currently available from Ravenol High Performance Lubricants who will send you a £25 gift voucher to spend on any of their products when you subscribe to Total Off-Road magazine from as little as £24 per year.
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DEFRA plans green laning forum
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING to set up a one-off forum to discuss the use of motor vehicles on public rights of way.
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Rover and Out
On 29 January, the final Land Rover Defender was driven off the production line at Solihull. After more than 67 years of continuous production spanning the Series I, II, IIA and III, the 90/110/127 and finally the Defender itself, Britain’s iconic off-road machine was no more.
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At long last, Jeep’s making a pick-up
The list of concepts and teasers seems almost endless, and Jeep has plenty of heritage in the pick-up market. But it wasn’t until January that Sergio Marchionne, boss of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, confirmed in public that there will be a utility version of the forthcoming Wrangler.
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NEXT-GENERATION WRANGLER – STILL THE REAL THING
Ladder chassis • Live axles • 240bhp, 420lbf.ft diesel • On sale in 2017 • And there’s a double-cab on the way
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International Class!
There was a good turnout for the Dorset Land Rover Club's most recent Open Driving Day at Matchams Leisure Park, near Ringwood. Nearly fifty drivers signed on in total for the event, with the vast majority in green oval-badged vehicles - although there were also a couple of other makes...
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The Great British Land Rover Show Is Back
On Sunday 24 April, the hugely popular Great British Land Rover Show will return for its third run, this time at the brand new venue of Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
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Cobley takes second Defender Challenge title
AFTER A LONG AND TESTING SEASON, the finale of the Defender Challenge by Bowler series got underway in late November at The Scottish Borders Hillrally. Held at the Forrest Estate in Castle Douglas, this would determine who was to be crowned champion for 2015.
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Project Land Cruiser Colorado - Grip Without a Trip....
In last month’s issue, we talked about the way our Colorado’s Superwinch Talon 9.5SR performed during a hard day’s off-roading in the wet woodland of Silverdale. Needless to say, a session like that is going to ask a lot of a vehicle’s tyres, too, so this month it’s our 265/75R16 Maxxis MT-764 Bighorns’ turn under the spotlight.
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Escape To The Country
Rights of way therapy… It’s about moving into the slow lane, forgetting about the stress of the world and just enjoying the countryside for a while. And when you get the chance to help others enjoy it too, so much the better!
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Silenced By Suzukis
Set in 20 acres of shrubland with views over the surrounding hills of the Peak District, the Tearsall Farm site has a decent grassy area for camping – and some almost impossibly steep, muddy gulleys for those who want a challenge.
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Show Off Strength
A 4x4 is generally a robust kind of vehicle. Old ones don’t have the same sort of clever design as newer cars but they’re made of metal, and lots of it, and that’s only ever a good thing.
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A Week of Ups on the Downs
Back in 2002, an intrepid crew from the Essex Land Rover Club took their caravans and went to camp on a mountain in Wales. A local guide offered to show us some lanes, the sun shone and everyone had a wonderful time.
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Bonkas Fun
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. So we’re indebted to the lads from Bonkas 4x4 Wales for sending us these pictures and no words at all – which is fine, because they do pretty much tell the story of the club’s recent playday at Ty Rhiw.
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21 Years Of SROC Team Trials
The Southern Rover Owners Club CCV Team Trial, held over the first weekend of August, celebrated its 21st birthday this year. Over the past four or five years, word seems to have got out about it and it has been gathering more and more competitors.
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Slindon Hosts Annual Wildlife Fundraiser
The 2015 UK Rhino Charge 2015 took place at Slindon Safari in early September, raising £3325 for wildlife conservation in Africa.
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Muddy Fun Brings Rewards For Kids’ Hospice
Back in July, while most people were attempting to relax in the garden, the Mud Monsters crew had other ideas. For them, July involves planning and getting ready for one of the biggest weekends of the year – in which the third Saturday and Sunday sees the Mud Monsters site...
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Kids’ Hospice Thanks 4x4 Responders For A Great Day Out
Patients at Naomi House, a children’s hospice near Winchester, were treated to a day out at Muddy Bottom 4x4 when volunteer drivers from Wessex 4x4 Response turned up to give them the off-road ride of a lifetime.
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Fording The Way In Warwickshire
The forecast for Warwickshire on Saturday 25 July was dry with sunny intervals. The reality was something entirely different: cloudy with occasional light showers and fairly humid. But whatever the weather, it’s always good to go laning.
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Steady Going In Slaley Forest
Nero’s green lane run on 19 July was aimed at attracting more novice drivers, so we took to a series of lanes around Slaley Forest, not far from the West of Consett.
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Scots Find New Site In East Fife
The Scottish Off-Road Club held the fourth roundof this year’s Trials Championship at a brand new site in East Fife, which attracted a fantastic gathering of 26 competitors. It’s been a while since we’ve had these kind of numbers, so long may it continue!
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Wall Damage Reported At Hollinsclough
Staffordshire Police are investigating an apparent case of criminal damage after stones were taken from the wall adjoining Limers Rake, Hollinsclough, on Sunday 28 June. It’s alleged that the stones were placed on the track surface to smooth out the rock-crawl section towards the top of the lane, and were...
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Duke’s Legal Threat To Byway Creation
Northumberland County Council has been warned of possible legal action by the Duke of Northumberland if it presses ahead with plans to create a Byway Open to All Traffic on his land.
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A New Site Rises In The West
The Muddy Millers have been busy trying out a new site. Trelystan sounds a bit like a mysterious nation that used to be part of the USSR, but in fact it’s a small parish on the border of England and Wales.
