Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk recognized with esteemed award from leading off-road enthusiast publication

• Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk recognized with esteemed award from leading off-road enthusiast publication
• Grand Cherokee Trailhawk models are equipped with an array of off-road features that make it the most capable factory-produced Jeep Grand Cherokee ever
• Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most awarded SUV ever

The 2017 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk – the most capable Grand Cherokee ever – has been named FOUR WHEELER “2017 SUV of the Year.” The award is given annually by the editors of the opinion-leading off-road enthusiast publication.

“The addition of the Trailhawk to the Grand Cherokee model lineup is yet another example of Jeep’s commitment to producing vehicles that are just as nimble and capable in the dirt as they are on the paved road,” said FOUR WHEELER Editor Ken Brubaker.

“The Trailhawk model, which includes a unique version of Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Lift air suspension to improve articulation and suspension travel, takes a capable vehicle and makes it even better. In addition to the great functional upgrades, the Trailhawk package adds a number of visual tweaks to create a handsome and rugged appearance.”  

Over the course of a week, FOUR WHEELER’s judges conducted a variety of tests spanning more than 1,000 miles of terrain that included pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks, mud and snow at elevations ranging from sea level to more than 9,000 feet. 

During the off-road portion of testing, judges evaluated visibility from the driver seat, four-wheel-drive system selection and performance, tire performance and durability, engine power and cooling, transmission function and cooling, suspension tuning and performance and traction control system function. 

Judges spent time on-road evaluating driving characteristics, such as handling, ride quality, interior comfort and steering feel. Other factors also taken into consideration include price, fuel efficiency, tire size and ramp travel index (RTI), which tests suspension articulation.

“Our new Trailhawk model is the most capable Grand Cherokee ever produced, and we’re delighted the FOUR WHEELER editors have recognized its outstanding combination of off-road features,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. 

“Trailhawk instantly provided Grand Cherokee customers even more legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, quickly becoming one of the fastest-selling and most sought-after models in our lineup.”

Jeep Grand Cherokee sales increased 8 percent in 2016.

The 2007-2012 model year Honda CR-V picks up another award, this one from DieselCar magazine.

Honda’s reputation for reliability, quality and value for money has seen the brand’s CR-V crossover named Used 4x4 of the Year by leading motoring magazine Diesel Car.

The spacious and superbly equipped compact SUV took the title after a panel of expert judges weighed up the best buys in the secondhand car market as part of the title’s annual Used Car Awards.

Examples of the CR-V built between 2007 and 2012 stood out, beating a raft of much newer competitors and premium brand alternatives to the accolade.

The judges were impressed by the CR-V’s all-round ability, appeal and equipment levels, as well as its value on the used car market and bulletproof record for dependability.

Ian Robertson, Editor and Publisher of Diesel Car, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary next year, said: “The Honda CR-V may be older than many of the cars in this year’s honours list but this is a reflection on how highly we rate it.  It’s incredibly practical and spacious and a real second-hand bargain.”

He added: “Good secondhand 4x4s rarely come cheap, but the Honda CR-V is a steal when you consider the vast amount of kit and the sheer amount of space on offer.”

Phil Webb, Head of Cars at Honda UK said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award as the ownership experience of our used car customers is incredibly important to us.”

Hundreds of Honda Approved Used Cars are available through the brand’s nationwide network of dealers and can be searched at www.usedcars.honda.co.uk

Buying a quality assured Honda through the brand’s official used car scheme offers additional peace of mind and a range of added benefits including complimentary five-day drive away insurance.

Mega rare Lamborghini goes on display at H.R. Owen's Lambo London Dealership.

• Leading luxury dealer group H.R. Owen is displaying the ultra-rare Lamborghini Veneno Coupe for the very first time in the UK
• One of only four examples built by Lamborghini, the Veneno Coupe will go on display at Lamborghini London from 23 December until 6 January
• The formerly most expensive production car has only previously been seen in the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, and at high-profile motor shows around the world
• The performance-focused Veneno is based on Lamborghini’s Aventador and was priced at £3.6 million when it was introduced in 2013 to celebrate the brand’s 50^th anniversary

Leading luxury dealer group H.R. Owen is handing a UK showroom debut to one of the rarest Lamborghini models currently in existence.

For the very first time, the performance-focused Veneno Coupe will head to Lamborghini London in South Kensington from Friday 23 December until Friday 6 January.

The ferocious Veneno is a supercar spotter’s dream, and the example on display at H.R. Owen is one of only four cars ever made by Lamborghini.

It was originally launched back in 2013 as a special tribute to the Lamborghini brand on its 50^th birthday, and such was its exclusivity that it sold for £3.6 million.

In fact, back in March, a broker in Japan listed his Veneno on a German website for £8.8 million, showing that the car is only increasing in value.

H.R. Owen’s model will be the very first Veneno to be featured in a main dealership in the UK, having only previously been on public display at the Lamborghini Museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, and at high-profile motor shows around the world.

The Veneno’s ethos is all about being as lightweight as possible to enhance performance, with its exceptional aerodynamics making it feel like more of a race car than a road-legal supercar.

It’s been optimised for high-speed corning stability, making it one of the most thrilling cars to drive in the world, not to mention one of the most striking to look at.

The Veneno will be on location at Lamborghini London from 23 December until 6 January.

After the summer break, Defender Challenge by Bowler returns this weekend for its fourth round

• Round four of the Defender Challenge by Bowler takes place at Trackrod Rally in Yorkshire on Friday 25^thand Saturday 26^th September 2015
• Nine teams will compete in their Bowler-prepared Land Rover Defender 90 rally vehicles
• Land Rover volunteers take on-the-job training to a new level supporting teams
• Edd Cobley (driver) and John Tomley (co-driver) aim to continue their winning streak and extend their lead

After the summer break, Defender Challenge by Bowler returns this weekend for its fourth round as nine teams battle it out at the Trackrod Rally, part of the annual Rally Yorkshire event. Based at Pickering Showground, the course takes in 53 miles of rally stages that twist through the spectacular Yorkshire countryside over two days and opening with the daunting prospect of challenging night stages.

The FIA-approved Land Rover Defender 90 Hard Tops are modified by Bowler Motorsport specifically for rally competitions. Engines are tuned to 170bhp and 450Nm of torque and the suspension system features uprated dampers and roll bars. Lighter wheels, a full roll-cage and rally safety features complete the specification.

This weekend, a number of Land Rover employees and apprentices join the Bowler technical teams to support the rally. In addition to their ‘day jobs’, enthusiasts from across the Land Rover family have volunteered their time to get involved with the Defender Challenge. For the apprentices in particular this proves to be a unique and exhilarating experience which enhance their apprenticeship programmes. Working in a competitive environment encourages the development of new skills, working as a team to employ creative and innovative solutions to problems under pressure and against the clock.

Lynfel Owen, Land Rover Vehicle Engineering Manager and member of ‘The Defenderists’ team said, “The Defender Challenge rally vehicles are ideal for the apprentices to gain their early experience on. Its relative simplicity means that while still in training, the apprentices could face any number of challenges from swapping wheels to replacing axles, allowing their progression to more complex vehicles to be smoother. It also gives them experience of the tight time constraints that exist in motorsport, as well as a sense of achievement when their team and vehicle perform well in the Challenge.”

Tom Gladwin, Jaguar Land Rover Apprentice said, “As a child my Dad took me greenlaning and my family run a British Superbike team, which is where my passion for off-roading and motor racing started. Working on these cars made me feel completely at home. The skills I have learnt, those of team working, handling pressure, and back-to-basics engineering, have hugely helped me with my day job at Jaguar Land Rover.”

In its second year, the Defender Challenge has grown from strength to strength with 13 teams competing this year. Preparation for the larger scale rally raid competitions, such as the famous Dakar Rally and Africa Race are already afoot with new Defender modifications under development and competitors taking each round of the Defender Challenge as a training opportunity for the larger international events.

Half-way through the season, Edd Cobley and John Tomley lead the championship table, having amassed a string of consistent victories and leading the table by 10 points. Now, with three rounds remaining and 21 points for a win, there is everything to play for and all teams have a chance at the title.