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Back to November 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 14-11-2012 at 17:00: Genuine Offroaders – What to look for in a non-city SU... | |
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All wheel drive Not all SUV’s are 4×4s. This may seem obvious, however is an important point on the tick list for an SUV that is supposed to cope in non-city terrain. Assumptions are not helpful here; there is, for example a new four-wheel-drive version of the Fiat Panda, while the popular Nissan Qashqai SUV does not come with all wheel drive. Some SUVs come with the option of switching between four-wheel and two-wheel drive, so as to accommodate both on- and off-road driving. Large tyres with deep, open treads These will ensure good grip both on- and off-road. Large tyres (i.e. a larger tyre surface area interacting with the ground) will lesson ground pressure, thus preventing the vehicle from sinking into muddy terrain. Deep, open treads are especially important for muddy and uneven or hilly terrain. It is important to look for the tread on tyres as well as their size, as the fashion for city SUVs has led to a trend for tyres that may be large, however do not have good grip at all. Flexible suspension Fairly self-explanatory. The best SUVs for off-roading won’t give drivers or passengers bruises, but also won’t have an overly soft suspension, which may even prove nauseating in rough terrain. Test driving the desired vehicle both on- and off-road to test the suspension is definitely recommended. High vehicle ground clearance Again, this might be an obvious point, however some SUVs have better clearance than others, so it is worth looking out for a vehicle which allows for plenty of space between itself and the ground. This will ensure that the vehicle’s tyres or (or tracks) stay in contact with the ground at all times, thus preventing a potentially dangerous loss of traction. High vehicle ground clearance is also particularly important if the SUV is to be used for rocky terrain, as raised and pointed stones can otherwise do significant damage. Low gearing Low gearing ensures that the driver is able to maximise the available engine power, even while navigating difficult terrain at relatively low speed. This is generally achieved by employing an internal combustion engine either in combination with a very low first gear, or with an additional ‘reduction drive’ gearbox. Torque converters may also be used to further reduce gearing. Most important of all, however, is the test drive. With all off-roading points ticked, this will still be the deciding factor for or against a particular model. Dealers selling genuine off-road vehicles will be amenable even to off-road test drives. Private sellers will also tend to understand the necessity of testing the vehicle in its desired future environment before committing to a purchase. |
With the trend for city SUVs booming, it can be hard to decide which model to go for. If one is looking for a genuine off-road vehicle however, there are a few criteria for which to look out:^ Back to top ^
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