All Wheel Drive This 2010-2011 Winter
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 20 December 2010
THE recent Arctic blast has caused wintery havoc across the entire UK, so it’s no surprise that motorists up and down the country have been turning to trusty 4x4s to get them moving again. With that in mind LincsMag takes a look at a handful of all-wheel-drive cars that might just make it onto your 2010/11 Christmas wish list.
Saab 9-4X
Muscular and sporty to drive, the 9-4X is aligned in looks and size between the 9-3X and new 9-5 saloon.
Car-like driving dynamics are supported by Saab’s all-wheel-drive system, XWD, and DriveSense adaptive chassis control. This pre-emptive and fast-acting equipment offers optimised grip in all conditions. It is combined with an electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential which can transfer up to 50% of rear torque between the rear wheels, diverting torque to the wheel with more grip.
Under the bonnet nestles a V6 turbocharged engine. The 300bhp, 2.8-litre twin-scroll turbocharging lump is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission under adaptive electronic control. The power-plant delivers zero to 62mph acceleration in 8.3 seconds, but fuel consumption figures and pricing are yet to be announced. The 9-4X goes on sale in the UK late 2011.
Kia Sportage
Kia's stunning Sportage crossover went on sale across the UK Kia dealer network very recently.
The 2.0-litre versions of the car have an intelligent all-wheel-drive system fitted as standard and incorporate the key features of an SUV in an athletic package. Widened front and rear tracks enhance stability, while the 4x4 system is more than capable when called upon to perform in adverse conditions.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel develops 134bhp at 4,000rpm and with a six-speed manual gearbox the Sportage 2.0 CRDi achieves a combined economy of 49.6mpg – with CO2 emissions of 149g/km.
But it’s the 2.0-litre petrol engine which is the most powerful. It develops 161bhp and has continuously variable valve timing to ensure good drivability in all circumstances. In manual form it allows the Sportage to achieve a fuel consumption figure of 37.2mpg with CO2 emissions from 181g/km. The Kia Sportage is available now priced from £20777.
The BMW X5 M and X6 M
The BMW X5 M and X6 M are two models that have set a fresh benchmark. Never before has the marque offered such mighty vehicles in a four-wheel drive package.
The flagships to the X5 and X6 are both powered by the same 4,395cc twin turbocharged V8 engine, producing 555bhp at 6,000rpm. Such performance equates to a zero to 62mph time of 4.7 seconds – comparable to the critically acclaimed BMW M3. Obviously fuel consumption and emissions are going to be high with this sort of engine - around 20mpg along with a CO2 discharge of 325g/gkm.
Enhancing the package is the specification of Dynamic Performance Control on both vehicles, which diverts power to the driven wheels rather than braking the spinning wheel. Its working thresholds on the X5 M and X6 M have been tweaked to permit for greater cornering capability.
Compared to the BMW X5 and X6, the M versions have a 10mm lower ride height, feature stiffer springs for a sportier ride and an active anti-roll bar to counteract the natural lean of the vehicle in a bend or on road imperfections that would normally unsettle the ride for those inside.
The BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M have been around about a year now and are priced from £76,000.
SsangYong Korando
Merging the low running costs and dynamic abilities of a conventional family hatchback with the visual appeal and rough-road capability of an SUV, SsangYong’s new Korando is aimed at the heart of the crossover market.
The car’s e-XDi200 engine has a power output of 173bhp, an average fuel economy of 47mpg and CO2 emissions of only 157g/km. Refinement is a key strength of the 2.0-litre diesel engine which is offered with both manual and automatic six-speed transmissions.
SsangYong’s all-wheel-drive system makes the most of the model’s dynamic abilities both on and off road. Under normal driving conditions 100 per cent of the engine’s torque is driving the front wheels, however as soon as the front tyres begin to lose traction, power is fed to the rear wheels to ensure stable progress is resumed.
SsangYong hasn’t forgotten that many Korandos will find their way off the beaten track on a wintery adventure or towing a caravan on a sodden campsite. That’s why a 4x4 lock mode has been fitted to manually force the spread of power between the front and rear wheels at speeds below 25mph.
With or without a trailer, at the core of the Korando’s engineering is safety. When working with electronic stability and anti-lock braking technology the four-wheel-drive system provides the best possible grip and control whatever the conditions.
The first Korando models will be delivered to UK buyers during January 2011 priced from £21549.
