A Land Rover Festival planned for March 4 could set a new Guinness World Record.

If you haven’t yet broken a Guinness World Record, here’s a perfect opportunity for you to become one of the few people in the world who have.

The Land Rover Festival will attempt to claim a new Guinness World Record for the most Land Rovers on parade and if you own a Land Rover you could be part of this record-breaking attempt on March 4.

The current world record for the most Land Rovers on parade is 348 vehicles and was set in April 2011 in the UK by Convoy for Heroes.

The convoy will depart from Land Rover Vereeniging and will do a loop of approximately 14km. The Land Rover Festival will be the first of its kind in South Africa and will take place at Malonjeni Game Farm just outside Vereeniging in Midvaal over March 3-4, 2012.

There will be lots of other activities including a Land Rover Expo as well as camping on Saturday night. To participate in the world record attempt you need to pre-register and pay a R200 fee. - Star Motoring

Mitsubishi says it invented the crossover; now third-generation Outlander ready to launch.

Mitsubishi claims, with some justification, to have invented the term “crossover” and now, 11 years after the introduction of the vehicle for which the word was coined, the third generation Outlander is ready to launch at the Geneva auto show in March.

And let us compliment Mitsubishi right up front for giving us a teaser image that actually shows us the car, the whole car and nothing but the car.

The new Outlander, says Mitsubishi, is about the same size as the model it replaces, and follows a key design brief to keep it “solid, safe and simple” with substantial body elements and clean surfaces.

The same uncluttered look continues inside the car, it says, with padded surfaces, soft-touch finish, silver accents and gloss black appliqués on a clean, driver-focused dashboard - but we’ll have to take that under advisement, since we don’t have a picture of the interior.

ECO-FRIENDLY DRIVING SYSTEM

The new Outlander will be available at launch in Europe with either two or all-wheel drive with either two-litre petrol or 2.2-litre turbodiesel power. Depending on the market, auto stop/start will be available, as well as a new six-speed auto transmission

Key features of the new Outlander include advanced safety systems (forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning and active cruise control), new dual-zone climate control, a power tail-gate, full third-row seating, flat-floor cargo area, tilt and telescopic steering column and 'wide vision' xenon headlights.

It will also have a fashionable “eco-friendly driving system” to tell the driver when he or she is driving at maximum efficiency.

SA DEBUT SET FOR SECOND HALF OF 2013

After its Geneva debut the third-generation Outlander will be released first in Russia in mid-2012, in western Europe in the third quarter of the year, followed by Japan, Oceania, China and North America, with the South African release due in the second half of 2013.

From 2013 in Europe, there will also be a battery-based plug-in hybrid version, based on the company's Miev technology. Mitsubishi is targeting a range and CO2 emissions rating similar to that of the Concept PX-MiEV II (more than 800km and less than 50g/km).

Trailblazer promises to combine rugged off-road ability with comfort and sophistication.

Chevrolet has just announced that its all-new Trailblazer SUV will reach our shores before this year is out.

Rearing to break the Toyota Fortuner's stranglehold of the bakkie-based-SUV market, the Trailblazer comes to the party with tough American-truck-like styling - it is based on the Chevy Colorado bakkie after all (although that one is not headed our way).

While the actual production version of the Trailblazer has yet to be revealed, the concept car you see here should be the spitting image of the final product, barring a few minor details, of course.

Like the Colorado, the Trailblazer will be powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine which is likely to match the bakkie's outputs of 132kW and 470Nm. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and six-speed automatic.

IT’S A TOUGHIE

While endowed with enough grunt to hold its own on the open road, it won't be any sissy when you show it mud, its chassis tuned to allow heady-duty off-roading.

Practical too, the Trailblazer's cabin provides space for seven occupants and claims to offer the most spacious third-row in its class. The seats also offer tumble and fold-flat versatility.

That's as much as we can tell you for now - GMSA will, of course, announce the model line-up and pricing closer to the time of launch.

Big Rangie's 10th commemorated with special editions, including one for sleepy dictators.

Given the timing of the announcement of two new special edition Range Rovers in the UK, one would think it has something to do with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Wrong. These editions actually celebrate the fact that the current Range Rover has been on the shelf for 10 years. That's refreshingly forthright in a world where a car's age usually gets discreetly hidden beneath another small facelift of a facelift of a facelift - not that the Rangie hasn't received its fair share of nips and tucks.

WESTMINSTER EDITION

You don't get more stately-sounding that this, but then it's fitting that the Range Rover Westminster Edition replaces the previous TDV8 Vogue and Vogue SE models.

This model is marked out by what Land Rover calls a bright 'Noble' front grille and side vent finish as well as 'Titan' silver lower splitter bar and fog lamp bezels, 10-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels and 'Westminster' badging.

The cabin is graced by Grand Black lacquer trim elements, luxury carpets (we should hope so in a Range Rover) and illuminated treadplates.

Keeping sire entertained is a 19-speaker, 1200W Harman/kardon Logic7 surround sound system and Dual View infotainment screen while front seats with both heating and cooling functions will keep you comfortable.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY EDITION

The Autobiography Edition throws some bolder design features into the mix, a highlight being the Range Rover Design Pack that introduces new front and rear bumpers, 'Titan' silver grille, fog lamp surrounds and side vents, integrated stainless steel exhaust finishes and side skirts. Its footwork consists of 20-inch Shadow Chrome alloy wheels.

"Perfect for sleepy dictators"

The stylish approach persists on the inside with the Range Rover Seat Style Pack, which means you get a fancier set of back seats that recline and allow lumbar adjustment and which are heated and cooled. Perfect for sleepy dictators, these back 'couches' have multi-adjustable, aircraft-style headrests with 'wings' for added support.

It even allows back seat drivers to irk the front passenger with a 'front seat away' function that provides a simple control for expanding rear legroom.

Finally, the Autobiography and Westminster editions can be ordered with one of seven exterior colours and with many different interior colour combinations.

PLEASURABLE POWER

On the subject of power (not the political type), the Westminster Edition is available only with Land Rover's 230kW/700Nm 4.4-litre TDV8 turbodiesel engine while the Autobiography can be had with either the latter oil burner or with the 375kW/625Nm supercharged petrol mill.

The diesel engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and the petrol to a six-speed autobox.

We're awaiting confirmation on whether these special editions will be introduced to South Africa.

Fans worried that Tata's takeover would spoil the brand can breath a sight of relief.

It’s quite clear that Jaguar and Land Rover personnel are revelling in new freedom afforded since the Indian Tata Group bought the brands just over three years ago.

Where previously the reins were steered by tight Ford execs who cut here and skimped there, now control’s been given back to those passionate about restoring the luxurious marques’ former glory, and the cars are benefitting.

New models are of better quality, performance is on the up and, as it should be, style is again oozing from aluminium roof panels down to where rubber meets road.

HONOURS ALL ‘ROUND

The renaissance has been well received. In 2010 we voted the new Jaguar XJ this publication’s Car of the Year, and late last year we announced this car, Range Rover’s new Evoque, our favourite vehicle of 2011. And we weren’t the only ones. Sniff around the net and you’ll see this little SUV’s scooping Car of the Year honours all over the world.

Style-wise the Evoque looks like a four-year-old concept vehicle called the LRX that impressed public at motor shows around the globe, but underneath it’s loosely based on Land Rover’s Freelander 2. In five door trim like our test unit (it also comes in a two-door coupé) dimensions are similar to the Freelander too, except for a lower roofline, ride height and sleek angles that make it seem much smaller. Just a little bigger than your average four-door hatch actually.

On the road the Evoque feels nothing like its Freelander sibling. It feels lighter on its feet because it is, with lots of new aluminium and magnesium suspension parts, and the track’s also been widened to keep it better planted when leaned on in asphalt esses.

Unlike the Freelander, the Evoque also gets a new electric power-steering system that always feels light in your hands, and while some might say it’s a little over-assisted, I like the feel.

Adding to the steering’s directness is a rack that’s mounted directly to the front subframe without rubber bushes. The design works well, with every little input translating to direction changes, and no dreaded numbness or self-centering issues normally associated with electric steering.

EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE

But to nitpick, I do think the lack of rubber mountings, together with other weight-saving measures, contributes to slightly excessive road noise that you won’t find in other Rangies, or even a Freelander for that matter.

It’s obvious by looking at it, that the Evoque’s first priority is on-road performance, but looks can be deceiving. Fact is, it’s as nimble as many a hot hatch on tar, but the baby Range Rover can hold its own offroad as well.

It’s a full-time four-wheel drive system (there’s also a front-wheel drive only version overseas) that’ll take even the biggest offroading buffoons pretty far into the bush straight off the street in normal drive mode. But additional traction-enhancing gizmos like hill start, hill descent, and Land Rover’s signature Terrain Response (here it’s pushbuttons instead of the usual turny knob) allows drivers to choose preset traction settings for Gravel, Snow, Sand, etc that will take you most places you want to go.

The Evoque managed our offroad test track easily, but I’m afraid its reasonably humble ride height (215mm versus Freelander’s 245) might hold it back from certain breakovers other Land and Range Rovers could handle without flinching.

COOLEST SEATS

The Evoque has shorter overhangs than the Freelander but we still scraped the front bumper on some approaches.

Regardless of its on and offroad performance, the Evoque’s best feature, and probably what swayed it most into Motoring’s Car of the Year spot, is its interior. Straight away you’re greeted by a set of the coolest, sculpted seats we’ve seen this side of a supercar. They’re as pleasing just to look at as to sit in, and over a long distance test drive from Jozi to Plett and back, held me in all the right places. Very cozy.

I could, however, criticise the rear seats, which are positioned higher so that rear passengers can see the road, but when four-up it’s hard for the driver to see past them in the mirror. The nature of the sexy side window lines also create a small blind-spot issue.

There’s lots of Jaguar tech creeping in; most of all in the motorised gear-selector gizmo that rises up from its flush mount in the console when the engine’s started.

The overhead lights are also touch-sensitive just like Jag’s, there’s a mood lighting feature, and the touch-screen media interface is also familiar from the sister brand. I do wish though, that some of the steps through nav, radio and phone connection settings could be simplified. There are one or two too many presses to get things done.

Our test car was a 2-litre turbo petrol version with 177kW and 340Nm, that hums along smoothly and dishes up decent punch when needed. The six-speed auto box is snappy enough, and there are steering paddles, but I hardly used them. The Evoque’s natural shift points happened intuitively enough without them, but they may come in handy for towing.

This Evoque Si4 did a best 0-100km/h dash in 8.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 16.6. Average fuel consumption was just over 10l/100km.

VERDICT

Okay, so the Range Rover badges are just nameplay, given the Freelander roots, but the Evoque still pulls off Rangey luxuriousness nicely.

A unique cross between luxury, sport and 21st century gizmo-gadgetry actually. It’s not cheap with a starting price of R583 000 (this one’s R606 000) but it’s the cheapest Range Rover by a long shot. And well worth it. -Drive Times

The next Defender will be built in India and lend its platform to Tata models.

Jaguar Land Rover will build the next generation of its back-to-basics Defender off-roader in India, the boss of parent company Ratan Tata has revealed.

It may even export Indian-built Defenders back to the UK in kit form, to be assembled there by British workers. The aim is to lower manufacturing costs and build vehicles closer to their prime markets, such as booming India.

Tata told Autocar magazine: “We are looking at producing the platform for the new Defender in India.” The idea is to use the same platform as the basis for some Tata car models.

It is the next step in the ambitions of the British-based, Indian-owned luxury car company, to expand into both India and China.

Land Rover already builds some of its Freelander models in India – exported in kit form for final assembly there – after announcing last March that it was to build an initial 2000 cars a year at its plant in Pune.

Executives described the move at the time as ‘dipping a toe in the water.’ But a full manufacturing facility would mark a significant step up.

The next Defender is due around 2015 and the recent DC100 concept shows what the company has come up with so far in that regard, although negative public reaction towards the rather soft-looking, high-tech concept could persuade them to change it somewhat. -Daily Mail & IOL

Latest SUV ditches body-on-frame construction to improve efficiency.

Nissan pulled the covers off its Pathfinder concept at the Detroit Motor Show on Monday and the biggest surprise, besides its more car-like looks, is its car-like underpinnings.

While the current Pathfinder is based on the Navara bakkie's body-on-frame architecture, the new one (which will be very similar to this concept) adopts unibody construction, meaning it won't be as tough off the beaten track but it will be lighter and more refined on the tar.

According to Nissan, the new layout also improves interior packaging flexibility, which allowed them to create a more aerodynamic exterior without compromising headroom or cargo capacity.

In that respect, it's said to offer full-size cabin roominess inside (with seating for seven), yet with a highly manageable exterior size.

A panoramic dual-panel moonroof, with sliding opening front panel and fixed rear glass panel, combines with the large windows to create an open, airy interior environment.

The new SUV's more frugal too. The lighter unibody construction, combined with the V6 petrol engine and revised CVT transmission, allow Nissan to claim a 25 percent improvement in fuel consumption despite the fact that it makes similar power (today's vehicle makes 198kW).

As before, the Pathfinder sends its power to all four wheels, but there's no mention of whether it has low-range like a real off-roader should.

Nissan has given us another tease of its bold new Pathfinder SUV concept.

Nissan has given us another tease of its new Pathfinder concept that's set to be uncovered at the Detroit Motor Show next week.

While the previous teaser shot hinted at the side profile of the new concept that's set to spawn a production vehicle, this new shot clearly shows off the frontal design.

If, like the current models, the Pathfinder and Navara share platforms and front ends, then you're also staring into the face of Nissan's answer to the new Ford Ranger and VW Amarok.

The new face appears both bolder and more streamlined than that of the current Pathfinder, which is getting rather long in the tooth these days.

Nissan hasn't released any further information on its next SUV, but a previous release did say it'll ride on a new four-wheel drive platform and offer thoughtful technology, seating for seven and plenty of luggage space.

The new Pathfinder goes on sale 'Stateside in the third quarter of this year and global sales should follow shortly thereafter.

Teaser shot shows a new compact SUV concept that Suzuki has up its sleeve.

This teaser image shows us a (little part of) the concept SUV that Suzuki will be showing off at the upcoming Delhi Motor Show in India.

Given that it's a small SUV and considering how its grille design seems inspired by that Jeep-like garnish on the front of the Jimny, is it possible that what we're seeing here is the all-new Jimny?

The Jimny is well overdue for replacement, considering that the current model can trace its roots all the way back to the late 1990s.

The big question is - would Suzuki turn it into a softroader? That certainly is the trend these days - look at how Kia turned its Sportage all soft in from the previous generation.

We truly hope that Suzuki retains the Jimny's off-road credentials - it is, after all, the only semi-modern true off-roader at the affordable end of the market. All will be revealed soon.

185 motorcycles, 171 cars, 76 trucks and 33 quads will tackle the 2012 Dakar Rally.

Adam Malysz will be trying to keep his feet, or to more precise, his tyres on the ground when he switches skis for the steering wheel in the 33rd Dakar Rally from Sunday.

The former ski jump star is more accustomed to flying through the air, but knows he can't afford any spectacular take-offs on the 8373km trek though three South American countries.

“I hope above all that I reach the finishing line,” the 34-year-old said ahead of his Dakar debut in partnership with fellow Pole Rafal Michal.

“In the air I was always alone and here I have to work together with somebody,” said Malysz of his prospects of racing in a Mitsubishi Pajero with his experienced rally partner.

The Polish duo are not expected to be a serious contender even though serial winner Volkswagen have pulled out of the traditional race which this year, with Peru, takes in the 27th country in the rally's history.

This is the fourth time the Dakar will be held in South America, having moved to the continent after the 2008 rally was called off for security reasons.

Volkswagen, after three consecutive victories with the Race Touareg, have pulled out to focus this year on their World Rally Championship premiere with the Polo.

Nevertheless the rally, over 14 days of racing through Argentina, Chile and, for the first time, Peru, could still have a German flavour.

Germany's X-Raid team is considered a big favourite and will have eight cars - five Minis and three BMW X3s - plus Stephane Peterhansel, one of the most successful drivers in the rally's history with nine victories, heading off on New Year's day from Mar del Plata for the new finishing line in Lima on January 15.

Frenchman Peterhansel, who has won six times on a motorcycle and three times in a car, is accompanied by compatriot Jean Paul Cottret. Team mate Leonid Novitzki of Russia meanwhile has the experienced Andreas Schulz, who accompanied Jutta Kleinschmidt and Hiroshi Masuoka to wins in 2001 and 2003.

Qatari Nasser Al-Attiyah, who clinched victory in 2010 to seal Volkswagen's hat-trick, is out to defend his title, this time in a Hummer after a late deal to drive for the US Robby Gordon team.

“As far as the car is concerned I am starting from zero,” the 41-year-old said.

To race the Dakar rally, Al-Attiyah has decided to miss the first leg of the World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo with his new Citroen team a week after the Dakar.

“The thought of not doing the Dakar almost made me sick,” Al-Attiyah said. “But things eventually turned around. It's fantastic because it's a new challenge for me and I'm proud of being able to represent Qatar.”

Lucas Cruz, who sat alongside Carlos Sainz during the Spaniard's 2010 Dakar win for VW, will be Al-Attiyah's navigator.

Should Al-Attiyah win, he will be only the second driver after Ari Vatanen in 1991 to triumph in the Dakar with two different makes of car.

Entries include 185 motorcycles, 171 cars, 76 trucks and 33 quads for five stages in Argentina, five in Chile and four in Peru.

And former ski jumper Malysz, even without driving a single kilometre of the often dangerous terrain, has already realised what it means to take part.

“Everybody who reaches the end of the Dakar is a winner,” he said. - Sapa-dpa