page 23_Layout 1 01/04/2019 13:27 Page 23 Y TIR MOTORING & MACHINERY Defin itive4x4s ren ewed


by Huw Thomas, vice chairman,WelshMotoringWriters IF a good pedigree is the result of sound heredity and careful husbandry then the new Suzuki Jimny and JeepWrangler are a case in point. Both have a cult following fromthosewhowant “the real thing” when it comes to four wheel drive and off‐road ability.


Suzuki Jimny: £1 5 ,4 9 9 (SZ4 ) ‐ £1 7 ,9 9 9 (SZ5 )


The 1 9 7 0 Jimny might have been inspired by the 1 9 4 5 ‘CJ’ (Civilian Jeep) rather than descended from it like the Wrangler but it has established an identity of its own. Pitched as a utility vehicle the original LJ1 0 was the only true 4x4 in Japan’s mini‐car sector. Smaller even than the wartime Jeep it weighed just 6 0 0kg (doors were zipped canvass items) and its 2 ‐cylinder 3 6 0cc engine produced all of 2 5 ‐bhp. Core attributes were established however: Separate ladder‐frame chassis; beam axles; low‐


range transfer box. ‘David’ rather than ‘Goliath’ it might have been but it could reach places others couldn’t and demand beyond a ‘working’ clientele grew. Enclosed bodywork and larger engines began to feature and Series II (SJ4 1 0 ‐1 9 8 1 ; SJ4 1 3 ‐1 9 8 4 )


introduced a 5 ‐speed gearbox, power steering and coil springs (rather than semi‐elliptics). Chassis improvements on 1 9 9 8 ’s more stylish Series III in 1 9 9 8 addressed stability and handling aspects. Switching from2 ‐wheel drive to 4WD High Ratio could now bemade on themove. The scene was set for Jimny IV. Newfromthe ground up, claimed torsional chassis rigidity is 1 .5 times greater and power comes


froma 1 .5 ‐litre, 1 0 1ps engine. Stance and proportions are remarkablywell executed and the cabin a distinctly more habitable place. Best regarded as a 2+2 , room in the back is really for ‘infants’


and ‘juniors’. Load‐space rear seats up is minimal but they split 5 0 ‐5 0 and fold down flat yielding then quite a bit of room for kit. Off‐road agility clearly apparent, mechanical diff locks are not offered but the Jimny’s


electronics facilitate traction (wheel‐braking) with Hill‐Hold and Hill‐Descent control. Approach/departure angles are outstanding but a 3 2cm wading depth unexceptional. On‐road, recirculating ball steering is less direct than rack and pinion (if suitably less shock‐


prone off it) and ride quality is not the Jimny’s strong suit. Potholes are felt and handling as expected of body‐on‐frame. However, as throughout, a lot better than before ‐ its size as much an asset tackling the urban jungle as in the rough stuff. Petrol 1 .5 the only engine on offer and transmission choice is 5 ‐speed manual (shift quality


could be slicker) or 4 ‐speed auto (£1 ,0 0 0 extra). Diesel torque characteristics do suit a 4x4 and the loss is felt here ‐ lower gearing can only compensate so much. It could also do with a 6 ‐speed gearbox. Trying to change up from a lowish 5 th on an open road became an all too common experience, if only to let the engine relax a bit. Not that any of thiswould put off a 4x4 enthusiast or anyone else looking for a small yet credible


dual‐purpose 4x4 . There is nothing like it for the price. Posh SUVs four times more expensive can glide past in anonymity but the Jimny gets the attention. Authenticity is a rare commodity these days but this Suzuki has it in spades.


Facts & Figures: SZ5 5‐sp man £17,999; 90mph; 0‐62 c12 secs; 35.8mpg (WLTP official); 35‐37 on test (39.6 trip computer average); CO2 178g/km (WLTP); Road Tax £515 (1st yr) £140 thereafter; Ins Grp 7‐9 (est);Max Braked Trailer 1.3t.


SUZUKI JIMNY.


WALES LONGEST AND LARGEST SUPPLIER OF 4 DOOR PICK-UPS


FAMILY OWNED & RUN FOR OVER 50 YEARS


09 RANGE ROVER SPORT


HSE TDV8 AUTO, DIESEL, LOCALLY OWNED, LOW MILES, SERVICE HISTORY, DOES HAVE A PRIVATE PLATE THAT CAN BE RETAINED.


LAND ROVER COMMERCIALS 15 DEFENDER, XS, 90, HARD TOP, GREEN, ONE OWNER, 23,900 MILES.


64 DEFENDER,110 COUNTY, TD, D/C, ONE OWNER, NO AGRICULTURAL WORK, ONLY 40K. 63 DEFENDER,90 HARD TOP TD, GREEN, 34K MILES. 63 DEFENDER,90 HARD TOP, ONE OWNER+ DEMO 26,800 MILES, NAVY IN COLOUR. 11 DEFENDER, 90, HTOP, X-TECH LE TD, ONE OWNER, 32K, FSH. LAND ROVER 15 DEFENDER,110 XS LWB ONE LADY OWNER, ONLY 23,000 MILES, PRIVATELY USED,NO VAT. 57 FREELANDER 2,GS TD4 BLUE, LOCALLY OWNED, SERVICE HISTORY, MINT CONDITION. TOYOTA PICKUPS - SUPPLIED BY US 65 HILUXHL3, 3L, ONE OWNER + DEMO 3.5 TOWING CAPACITY, ONLY 38,000 MILES. 15HILUXINVINCIBLE, D-4D AUTOMATIC, BLACK, ONE OWNER + DEMO, SERVICE HISTORY. 13HILUXHL3, 2.5 IN GREY, ONE OWNER FROM NEW. 13HILUXINVINCIBLE, 3L, 37K MILES, LOCALLY OWNED. 62 HILUXINVINCIBLE, 3L, LOCALLY OWNED, ONLY 57,000 MILES. 10HILUXINVINCIBLE, 3L, IN BLACK, LOCALLY OWNED.


65 ISUZU YUKON 27,000 MILES,


FULLY LOADED WITH EXTRAS, BALANCE OF 5 YEAR WARRANTY.


4 DOOR PICK-UPS WITH VAT @ 20% NISSAN NAVARA, NP300’S, AVAILABLE IN VISIA, ACENTA, ACENTA+ AND TEKNA MODELS, SELECTION OF COLOURS, 3.5 TONNE TOWING, 5 YEAR WARRANTY. 16 FORD RANGER, XLT 2.2 IN BLUE, ONE OWNER, 32,000 MILES. 15 ISUZU DMAX,UTAH, ONE OWNER, BALANCE OF 5 YEAR WARRANTY, 28,000 MILES. 15 FORD RANGER, LTD, 2.2, 13,000 MILES, ONE OWNER, IN SILVER. 64 VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK,TRENDLINE TDI 4 MOTION, LOW MILES, SERVICE HISTORY. 14 VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK CANYON A32 SPECIAL EDITION 28,000 MILES, ONE OWNER, SERVICE HISTORY. 14 MITSUBISHI L200,TROJAN, ONE LOCAL OWNER, LOW MILES, IN RED. 63 ISUZU DMAX,UTAH, 2.5 AUTO, LOCALLY OWNED. 62 NISSAN NAVARA,TEKNA, LOCALLY OWNED. 06 MITSUBISHI L200,WARRIOR, LOCALLY OWNED, IN BLACK.


SUZUKI 10 GRAND VITARA, SZ5 DDIS, SILVER, SERVICE HISTORY. MITSUBISHI 65 SHOGUN, 4 WORK SG2 DI-D SWB AUTO (COMMERCIAL) ONE OWNER FROM NEW, 29,000 MILES, IMMACULATE CONDITION. 65 SHOGUN, BARBARIAN, 3.2 DI-D SWB, AUTO, HIGHEST SPEC, ONLY 26,000 MILES, IMMACULATE CONDITION. 06 SHOGUN,WARRIOR 3.2 DID SWB AUTO, LEATHER, SERVICE HISTORY. CARS & VANS 13 SUZUKI SWIFT, SZ4, ONE LOCAL FAMILY OWNED, SERVICE HISTORY, LONG MOT. 04 AUDI A3, 2.0 FSI SPORT MANUAL, IN BLACK. OTHER 10 TOYOTA RAV4, XT-R D40, SILVER, SERVICE HISTORY. 10 FIAT PANDA CROSS, M-JET, 4X4, 5 DOOR IN RED, 49K, FSH. 57 JEEP PATRIOT, LOCAL, LOW MILES, BLUE. 56 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER, LC5, MANUAL, LOW MILES FOR IT’S YEAR. 55 HYUNDAI TERRACAN, LONG TEST, LOCAL. COMMERCIALS 06 SSANGYONG REXTON. 03 NISSAN TERANO, SWB. 03 MITSUBISHI SHOGUN, CLASSIC, LOCALLY OWNED, NEW MOT. SSANGYONG 18 REXTON, ELX, AUTO 2.2 SILVER, ONE LOCAL OWNER, LOW MILES. 66 REXTON, 2.2 AUTO, LOW MILES, TOP OF THE RANGE, IMMACULATE CONDITION, LOCAL. 15 REXTON,W SPECIAL EDITION, 1 LOCAL LADY OWNER, SERVICE HISTORY. 14 REXTON,W 2L, ONE LOCAL LADY OWNER, 7 SEATS, MANUAL, S/HISTORY, SUPPLIED NEW BY US. 57 KYRON 2L SX LOCALLY OWNED, AUTO. 07 REXTON RX 270 SE 5, LOCAL SILVER. 56 REXTON 270 S, LOCAL, 7 SEATS. 06 REXTON 270 SE, 1 LOCAL OWNER, MANUAL. 06 REXTON 270 SX AUTO, LOCAL


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NEW KIOTI MECHRON, 4 DOOR & 6 SEATER 4X4 WITH TIPPER, DIESEL, IN STOCK. 2 YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL NEW. NEW KIOTI MECHRON, 2 DOOR.


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Models portrayed for illustration purposes only. Details correct at time of going to press. All commercials +Vat @20%.


JEEPWRANGLER: Another definitive 4 x4 again all‐new for 2 0 0 9 . Engines: 2 .2 Multi‐ Jet II 2 0 0 hp Diesel or 2 .0 GME 2 7 2 hp petrol; 3 .6 V6 petrol no longer available here. Transmission: 8 ‐speed auto only. Range: Sahara; Overland; Rubicon; £4 4 ,8 6 5 ‐£4 6 ,8 6 5 (2 ‐door); £4 6 ,3 6 5 ‐£4 8 ,3 6 5 (4 ‐door long wheelbase).More on this next time.


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