4x4 Newcomers

The recent Geneva Motor Show saw the unveiling of an array of exciting new 4x4s, SUVs and crossovers, set to give the UK market a shake-up over the next 12 months. We take a look at four of the most interesting:

Mitsubishi ASX

The Mitsubishi ASX compact crossover is a Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai iX35 rival. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, it is set to go on sale in Britain in the summer of 2010. At 4.3 metres in length, the ASX is slightly shorter than the Qashqai and is based on the same platform as the regular Lancer range. It is expected to be available with either two or four-wheel drive, and its best-selling engine is likely to be a new Euro 5-compliant 1.8-litre turbocharged direct-injection diesel with stop-start technology, linked to a six-speed gearbox. The ASX is part of Mitsubishi’s plan to move away from its image as a manufacturer of large SUVs, repositioning itself as a maker of smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. It is, however, expected that the Shogun and top-selling L200 line-ups will continue to be a part of the company’s future plans.

Subaru Impreza XV

Subaru announced a crossover version of its all-wheel drive Impreza five-door at the Geneva Motor Show - though the company is remaining tight-lipped over whether it will be sold in the UK. Based on the American-spec Outback Sport model, the Impreza XV features raised ground clearance, a new front grill and wheel arches, a roof spoiler and roof rails, and will be available with either 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre turbo-diesel powerplants (both engines being Euro5-compliant versions of the company’s iconic flat-four design).
Sales of the Impreza XV will get underway in mainland Europe in the summer of 2010.

Tata Aria

Tata is re-entering Britain’s 4x4 market in 2011 with the all-new Aria - the first Tata SUV to be sold in the UK since the slow-selling Safari disappeared when its previous importer went bust five years back. Tata (owner of Jaguar Land Rover) sees the Indian-built Aria as a global model, with Britain as a crucial market. It has been designed to meet European crash legislation and is claimed to be the most sophisticated Tata to date, despite retaining a traditional separate-chassis construction rather than a regular monocoque design. For those who appreciate extra rigidity in off-road conditions this is likely to be welcomed.

Just one engine will be available, in the shape of a 140bhp, 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel, coupled to a full-time four-wheel drive system. No official performance figures have been released, though Tata is said to be considering a 170bhp version for European markets. Inside, the Aria has three rows of seats, making this another entry in the already busy seven-seater SUV market. There’s no word on UK pricing yet, though we anticipate a low start price of around £16,000. Tata has yet to announce whether it will set up a separate dealer network for the Aria or encourage Land Rover dealers to consider a Tata franchise. We’ll keep you up to speed on developments.

Nissan Juke

Nissan’s radical new Juke compact crossover went on show in Geneva, and looks set to compete against the new Mini Countryman Cooper S thanks to the availability of a 187bhp turbocharged petrol engine. The distinctively styled Juke will be sold with four-wheel drive only at the top of the range, and is based on a widened and lengthened version of the Renault-Nissan ‘Alliance B’ platform - better known for its use in the Clio and Micra. Suspension remains a MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear set-up for the two-wheel drive versions, though Nissan has decided to fit the four-wheel drive models with new multi-link suspension at the rear - claimed to give this miniature crossover impressive on-road handling, as well as decent levels of boat towing traction. The range-topping 187bhp, 1.6 turbo is expected to be the only Juke available as a four-wheel drive model.