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Land Rover Discovery Sport
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Toyota Tundra
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Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel
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Chevrolet Niva Concept
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Mark A. Smith
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GMC Carbon Edition Sierra
By Perry Mack
SAY HELLO TO THE NEW DISCOVERY SPORT
Land Rover has revealed the new Discovery Sport, a new premium compact SUV and little brother to the upcoming redesigned Discovery. The first member of the new Discovery family features 5+2 seating in a footprint similar to current 5-seat premium SUVs. Its interior features high-quality materials and a strong vertical centre console graphic to reflect the design of the exterior. Storage solutions are integrated into the cabin and up to four 12V power points and six USB charging sockets can be specified for all three rows of seating, allowing multiple electronic devices to be charged simultaneously.
A host of innovations have allowed Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time. An all-new multi-link rear axle not only provides engaging driving dynamics but it also provides ample and flexible cabin space behind the second row. Coupled with long-travel suspension, Land Rover proclaim the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is well known. With approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain Response technology, and the ability to wade to 600 mm, we’re thinking the Sport will have very Evoque-like capabilities in the wild.
The Discovery Sport will be equipped with a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, although we have no word whether the oil burners will make it to Canada. Both the all-alloy Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel feature stop-start technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging to aid performance and economy. Both 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are available, along with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive.
2015 RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR LAPS NURBURGRING IN 8:14
We usually wouldn’t report on useless statistics such as lap times around the Nurburgring, however this time the Green Hell was conquered with a 4WD. So, with that, let us introduce you to the Range Rover Sport SVR, a new 550hp performance version of the Range Rover Sport, which laps the legendary Nordschleife circuit in Germany in 8 minutes 14 seconds. To put that in perspective, that’s two seconds faster than a Porsche Cayman S, and only a second off a Mercedes C63 AMG. Development of the Range Rover Sport SVR was carried out by the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations team. While excelling on-road, Land Rover says no compromises were made to the vehicle’s all terrain capabilities or comfort. The SVR still features a two-speed off-road capable transfer case and maintains an 850 mm water wading depth. The Range Rover Sport SVR will go on sale in 2015.
TOYOTA TO TAKE ON BAJA 1000 WITH TUNDRA
It’s been a good long while since we’ve seen a factory Toyota effort at the SCORE Baja 1000. Well, the good news is that Toyota will be returning to the 1000 this November. The vehicle they will go to war with will be their “lightly modified” 2015 Tundra TRD Pro Series in the Full Size Stock Class. While we would love to relive the glory days, unfortunately 22-time SCORE Baja 500 and 1000 Champion Ivan “Ironman” Stewart will not be behind the wheel. But Toyota has recruited the legendary off-road racer to head the TRD Pro Desert Race Team. Driving duties have been handed down to two athletes including 9-time X-Game Gold medalist BMX Rider Jamie Bestwick and Freestyle Motocross Rider and SCORE Baja 500 Champion, Canadian Andy Bell. Ryan Millen, son of off-road legend Rod Millen, and Toyota Racing Development Engineer, Ted Moncure, will also share part-time driving duties during the event. Toyota says the event will allow them to R&D the “close to stock” vehicle under harsh conditions to test the trucks resilience. The festivities get underway in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, on November 12, with the event running until the 16th.
CUMMINS FIRST TO BE LEV III CERTIFIED
Cummins has announced that it has received certification for its 6.7L Turbo Diesel from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), meeting the Low-Emission Vehicle III (LEV III) standards. This new standard applies to all vehicles under 14,000 lb GVWR. The Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel powers the Ram Heavy-Duty lineup, and is the first medium-duty diesel engine in the segment to be certified to the new 2015 LEV III standards. The 6.7-liter Cummins offers three different power output levels for the Ram 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 line of trucks.
While Cummins is the first to meet these regulations, both Ford and GM will also have to upgrade their Power Stoke and Duramax diesels respectively, in order to meet regulations. We expect both Ford and GM to announce that their new turbo-diesel engines will meet CARB certification in the very near future, which will include the Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-650 and F-750. GM only offers its commercial chassis cab models in the 2500 HD and 3500 HD configurations.
CHEVROLET LAUNCH NIVA CONCEPT IN MOSCOW
We’re not exactly big fans of the Cute Ute trend that is taking the soccer mom crowd by storm these days, but after looking at what the Russian division of Chevrolet did to an upcoming Crossover, we were left second guessing ourselves. If you are starting to connect the dots (Russian… Niva), yes, the Niva is somewhat of a descendant to the cult classic Lada Niva. About a decade ago, GM and VAZ (builders of the Niva) entered into a joint venture that saw Chevrolet build its own Niva for Eastern Europe. The vehicle made use of a modernized compact crossover body that was driven by the same archaic, yet rugged drivetrain and chassis that has been pinned under the Lada since ’77. Despite its homely appearance, the little Chev Niva was still a stout off-roader.
Well, it’s come time for the Chevrolet Niva to get a redesign, and oh, what a concept. Revealed recently at the Moscow Auto Show, the Chevrolet Niva Concept hints at what the future Niva could be. This particular version, obviously macho’d up for the sake of showing off, sports an attractive new design that gains a fair bit of wheeler cred with the additions of oversized 235/70/R16 all-terrain tires, a skid plate, snorkel, safari rack, auxiliary lamps and even a winch sunken into the bumper. What’s powering the new Niva, we don’t know, but we’re sure it’s likely not Ecotec technology. Regardless, if this is how the Russians do Cute Utes, well, we’re liking what we’re seeing.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF A LEGEND
The name Mark A. Smith may not be a household name amongst all off-road enthusiasts, however if you’ve ever dreamt of tackling the Rubicon Trail or you’re a Jeep fan, Mark A. Smith is a legend. Smith’s accolades are quite long as he is well known for his advocacy of recreational off-roading and dedication to the Jeep brand. His preservation of the Rubicon Trail has allowed varying levels of Jeep drivers to respect and experience the challenge of deviating from the paved path. He led the first Jeep Jamboree through the Rubicon Trail in 1953. Smith also led numerous international off-road expeditions, including the Expedicion de las Americas in 1978, in which he led a team of 16 across Panama's Darien Gap linking Panama and Colombia over 30 days, pioneering the use of ladder systems to cross waterways. He even headed the 1987 Camel Trophy in Madagascar. Then in 1982, Smith founded Jeep Jamboree USA.
Unfortunately, we lost Mark who died at the age of 87 at his home in Georgetown California, situated close to the Rubicon of course. As a tribute to the adventures of Smith, Jeep, members of the Jeep Jamboree community and several iconic off-road adventurers paid tribute to Smith in the shadow of the Rubicon. Jeep presented a one of a kind, “Mark A. Smith” edition Jeep Wrangler that was donated to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s department for their support and patrol of the Rubicon Trail. Also on hand were a select number of infamous Jeeps that Smith piloted in his adventures, one of which was his red CJ7 that was part of Expedicion de las Americas.
GMC LAUNCH CARBON EDITION SIERRA
Based on the 2015 Sierra 1500 pickup, the 2015 Sierra Carbon Edition will soon be offered in three different versions, allowing customers to hand-select the truck best suited to their lifestyle. The Sierra Carbon 22 Edition, offered on both Sierra SLE double and crew cab models, adds two carbon fiber appearance graphics that emphasize strong forms in the Sierra’s hood, while another graphic dresses up the tailgate panel. Additional exterior touches include a black painted grille, along with body-coloured door handles and mirror caps. The Carbon 22 Edition also incorporates four-inch black tubular side assist steps and unique 22-inch black alloy wheels. Carbon 22 Edition models also include fog lamps, remote keyless start, Universal Home Remote, a 110-volt power outlet and dual-zone climate controls.
The Carbon 20 Edition, offered only as a Sierra SLE double cab, incorporates the same painted grille and carbon fiber appearance accents as the Carbon Edition, and rides on distinctive 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The standard Sierra Carbon Edition builds off the standard Sierra 1500 double cab model with many of the same cues used on the Carbon 22 and 20 Edition models. All 2015 Sierra Carbon Editions are available with two- or four-wheel drive. A 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 engine is standard equipment, while a 355-horsepower, 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 is optional.