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Stuff.tv
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
I've driven a new version of the Jeep Avenger and The North Face edition is properly rugged
Stuff Verdict Rugged looks and decent off-road characteristics make The North Face Avenger 4xe a top choice for attention seekers. Pros Limited edition looks seem worth the cash Lots of familiar Stellantis brand functionality Surprisingly good on the softer stuff Cons Not the most sophisticated drive mode options It's up against plenty of stiff competition Not particularly big in the back seat area Introduction I first got to drive the Jeep Avenger a couple of years ago now and, while it had obvious off-road looks, it didn't feel like it was going to be that capable in the dirt. When I tried it on dusty tracks, rather than rocky terrain covered in mud, it behaved as expected. It was respectable – but still looked better when pootled around town in its brash metallic yellow paint job. There's now an updated version of the compact SUV, which is available in three variants – the Upland, the Overland and this, The North Face edition. Created as a collaboration with the hardy outdoor clothing brand, this is an altogether beefier piece of work. Thanks to some clever tweaks and fine-tuning, the Jeep Avenger in The North Face guise is also pretty handy when it comes to hitting the mud and ruts. I should know, having spent some time skidding and sliding my way down soggy slopes, while also refreshing my memory as to how nicely this rugged machine behaves on conventional tarmac surfaces too. If you're looking for relatively small car fun via a hybrid powertrain, it's an intriguing variation on the theme. The styling I think the Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face is a great looking variation on the original, and with only 4,806 versions being produced (the same height as Mont Blanc, see), there's some exclusivity on offer too. This is a more rugged-looking machine than the stock-standard Avenger, with plenty of need off-road cosmetic touches that sets the theme perfectly. Taking my first tour of the exterior, I loved the bold colours that emulate The North Face branding style. Highlights include the neat black alloys with gold embellishments, a custom grille section and a bonnet that is resplendent with The North Face logo. It's all way more rugged in feel and this persona extends to the fun and funky interior too. In fact, the interior is a really nice place to be. Again, the main theme is The North Face, with trim coloured to match the brand styling. But, the look goes further, with great seat coverings that could have been fashioned from The North Face backpacks. Adding to the appeal are the topographic styling lines that run across the dash. After dark, the ambient lighting merely beefs up the theme and, overall, this is quite the place to be if you're set for a weekend in the wilds. The drive The original Jeep Avenger I drove was an all-electric affair, whereas The North Face edition Avenger 4xe uses a hybrid setup. And not the plug-in kind. This incorporates two electric motors with a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, so there's plenty of tug from the front-wheel drive while the secondary electric motor offers assistance to the rear wheels. As a result, this provides a slightly spicier experience than the slightly more sedate EV edition, especially if the Selec-Terrain setting is picked from the drive mode options. This is most noticeable when The North Face Avenger 4xe is turned off the tarmac and onto muddy tracks, where it performs admirably for something that, on face value, only suggests pose factor. Take it from me, this compact machine got over terrain that I didn't expect it to. Sure, it'll bottom out on bigger bumps and ruts, but the help from those electric motors is smart and selective, allowing the Avenger to get itself out of muddy messes with surprising aplomb. Better yet, the revised front and back bumpers mean it can tackle serious inclines and declines. There's other stuff that endorses the off-road credentials too, like proper protection underneath, a boosted 210mm clearance, multilink rear suspension and a beefy wading depth up to 400mm. Adding in the chunky tyres on the car I drove and it felt like a proper off-roader rather than a poser with just fancy decals to show off. Driven on the road, The North Face Avenger 4xe is capable enough too, although it's no rocket ship. Handling is as you'd expect, a little roly-poly when pushed through twists and turns, but that somehow adds to the fun. While this car is likely to see most use on regular roads, if I owned one, I think I would look for as many dirt tracks routes as I could find to get most value from The North Face edition. The technology The Jeep Avenger 4xe packs in all the basics when it comes to tech, much of which is found inside the reasonable 10.25in touchscreen. The graphics are good rather than great and functionality is a little patchy. However, there is the option to use wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and, for me anyway, this is probably the way forwards for longer periods spent behind the wheel. There are also a decent selection of the usual driving aids, and the 360-degree camera is useful due to the rather enclosed rear window area of the car. The other key point is a gaggle of physical buttons down below the pod-like touchscreen, which can be used to change the temperature and carry out other basic tasks, all without venturing near the touchscreen. I quite like the simplicity of the arrangement. Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face verdict I'm glad the Jeep Avenger has been given a little more capability for getting it to go off-road, although I'm not quite sure how much of that will happen. The North Face edition looks great when it's splashed in mud and appears ideally suited to country lanes here in the UK. However, I think this car will spend most of its life on bog-standard roads, which seems like a bit of a shame. Nevertheless, if you're a bit of an attention seeker on a budget, the Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face edition ticks all the right boxes. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 Rugged looks and decent off-road characteristics make The North Face Avenger 4xe a top choice for attention seekers. Pros Limited edition looks seem worth the cash Lots of familiar Stellantis brand functionality Surprisingly good on the softer stuff Cons Not the most sophisticated drive mode options It's up against plenty of stiff competition Not particularly big in the back seat area Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face technical specifications Powertrain 1.2l petrol engine + 2x 21kW permanent magnet synchronous motors Power 144bhp Torque 170lb-ft 0-62mph 9.5sec Top speed 121mph Range 54mpg Charge rate N/A Cargo volume 325 litres
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who's the hot Met Gala mystery man that has the whole internet thirsting?
Who's the hot Met Gala mystery man that has the whole internet thirsting? Lana Del Rey at the 2025 Met Gala with a handsome man in the background The Met Gala red carpet is all about making a fashion statement that will have your image plastered all over the internet and fashion magazines, but one pop star was completely overshadowed by a handsome young man in the background of her photos. Lana Del Rey attended the Met Gala on May 5, and while some people were commenting on the alligator pin in her hair — that seemed like a clear nod to her new alligator tour guide hubby Jeremy Dufrene — gay men on social media were thirsting after the cutie with the cheekbones standing behind her. — (@) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Then, internet denizens found other photos of the man in the background that gave everyone a better view of the hottie. — (@) And the comments that flooded in from people on social media are dirty enough to make you blush. — (@) "he looks so breedlable," one person commented. — (@) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "I need him to top me till it's soggy," another person wrote. There were also plenty of jokes that he 'outmugged' Del Ray, and the man's sexy smolder had everyone wondering who he was. Luckily, the internet sleuths were on the case and in no time at all identified him as New York City-based male model Nathan Overland, who is signed to Wilhelmina Models. If you ever wondered why there are so many hot men in suits running around the Met Gala, it's because, the Anna Wintour hosted event hires male models as greeters to do everything from carrying purses to helping arrange trains so that the A-listers get their perfect shot. — (@) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Upstaging the star isn't usually part of the equation, but Overland did just that by serving face with his high cheekbones and bedroom eyes that have men across the internet drooling. Overland himself has yet to comment on the photos, but he did post a photo of himself along with the Del Rey song 'Cinnamon Girl' to his Instagram Stories. Keep scrolling too see the funniest (and thirstiest!) reactions to the hunky make model who upstaged Lana Del Rey! — (@) "man is so mfing fine" — (@) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "'He's not all that' and he looks like this" — (@) "The way he completely outmugged her" — (@) "lana can u move" — (@) "The guy on the back... He's so fine but would be even better making out with me non-stop" — (@) — (@) ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement "Damn he ate her up" — (@) "who is he i want him i need him" — (@) "I can do whatever you want just ask"
NZ Autocar
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
2025 Jeep Wrangler Overland 4-door Review
The Jeep Wrangler keeps on rolling, heading into another chapter of its long life. It's almost forty years old now, the first Wrangler YJ (the one with the square lights that MacGyver drove) dropping in 1986. It was a more 'civilised' 4×4 than the CJ7 it replaced. Evidently, it was more comfortable, safer and better handling. New-gen Wranglers only come about once every decade or so, and with the current JL debuting in 2019, it has a few years to run before we'll see a new one. But it's facelift time, this revised model following the Wrangler script as being more comfortable, safer and better handling. And it comes with a new engine. You wouldn't want them to mess with the styling, and they haven't. There's a different cosmetic treatment for the slotted grille while the 18s are restyled for this Overland model. There's something missing from the front quarter panel though. The old whip-style antenna has been retired, now integrated into the front screen glazing. Speaking of screens, there are new ones inside, some smaller readouts mixing it up with the analogue dials on the instrument panel and a new 12.3-inch infotainment display. The major update concerns what's behind the famous grille. A 2.0-litre inline four now takes over locally from the former 3.6-litre V6. It's turbocharged to deliver 200kW and 400Nm of torque, the latter number being 53 more than the old Pentastar produced. The pull is also delivered at a lower engine speed, though it's not exactly a slugger, with peak torque chiming at 3000rpm. Still, that's 1800rpm earlier than the old V6 managed. The reduction in fuel use isn't huge. Where the V6 was listed at 10.8L/100km, the 2.0 is 10.3L/100km according to figures (9.2L/100km on the Jeep NZ spec sheet). On test, the consumption settled to 11.3 after accumulating more miles on the highway, down from 14L/100km experienced in urban running. Last time we drove the V6 Overlander in 2019, we noted an average of 12. Working with the eight-speed auto, there is a broader spread of torque to process, so it doesn't feel like it's working too hard. That said, there's not a heap of pull from right down low, so it likes a few revs to get properly underway. It is quicker to spin than the old V6, and doesn't feel wheezy when stretched. With similar power to the six, it's no faster 0-100, but is a bit quicker on the overtake by half a second. If you think a 2.0-litre doesn't suit the Jeep, remember the original Willys MB relied on four cylinders. The 2.2-litre Go Devil was developed with dependability in mind, making 45kW and 142Nm. So think of it as Jeep getting back to its roots. The Overland is the urban Wrangler, optimised for tarmac running while the Rubicon is still available for the serious Jeeper. This too is powered by the 2.0T, and retains its beefier diffs with lockers front and rear along with 32-inch off-road rubber. The Overland rolls on 18s and highway tyres for a better ride and handling balance. And for what is a 4×4 with a full chassis and a pair of solid axles, this is rather comfortable on road. Not as refined as your average crossover mind, but it rides well enough with the bumping kept to a minimum. While not the ideal city car, it does work in town; it's not too wide, the steering, while slowish, isn't heavy and the turning circle ain't bad either. Jeep build quality keeps improving, this one well made and with a few lux items like a heated wheel and seats. The latter have been redesigned and are leather trimmed and electronically adjusted with some lumbar support to boot. The footwells are still quite tight, thanks to that big transfer case underneath. On start-up, the screen animations bombard with brand heritage showing images of the old MB and slogans like 'since 1941'. But they are also a portal to modernity, with wireless connectivity now a feature. While the side mirrors are small and there is only a regular back-up camera, outward vision is pretty good otherwise. Passive safety levels improve with the introduction of side airbags now integrated into the roll cage. The new adaptive cruise is not overly strict on sticking to your prescribed speed on downhill stretches. And while it will bring you to a stop in traffic, it's not of the stop and go type; it disengages when you come to a halt. At least the lane keeping and speed limit warnings won't annoy you, as they are not a feature of the spec sheet. Well, it's certainly the most practical four-door convertible you'll find. The kids did ask to take the roof off but it's quite the task. And it doesn't seem the soft top is part of the package any longer. You can still remove the doors and all that cool stuff. It can tow 2500kg too. The boot has a reasonable capacity, although the side-hinged lower tailgate and the lift-up glass section makes access fiddly. There's okay room in the rear for the kids but adults might find the leg room tight. Power outlets are plentiful. With oodles of ground clearance and axle articulation, it takes bumpy trails in its stride. Progress in Overland will only be limited by the tyres. While it has a low range, it's not the rock crawler ultra-low gearing of the Rubicon, and it lacks the diff lockers too. But beach access and forestry roads and other off-road play grounds this will take at a canter. On highways and gravel roads, the Wrangler felt more together, the bump control handled better and the front and rear moving in unison rather than squirming about the place. The Overland retails for $84,990 and the Rubicon for $109,990, so this is the more affordable Wrangler. But it's still fairly expensive, something you'll want rather than ever really need. There are much cheaper ways to go off roading, Jimny for instance, which also uses a four cylinder and has a certain heritage about it. But for some there is only one Jeep, and the Wrangler still has its place. Wrangler Overland 4-door$84,990 / 9.2L/100km / 209g/km 0-100 km/h 8.41s 80-120 km/h 5.54s (158m) 100-0 km/h 42.62m Speedo error 97 at an indicated 100km/h Ambient cabin noise 73.6dB@100km/h Engine 1995cc / IL4 / T / DI Max power 200kW@5250rpm Max torque 400Nm@3000-4500rpm Drivetrain 8-speed auto / switchable 4×4 Front and rear suspension Solid axle Turning circle 12.4m (3.2 turns) Front brakes Ventilated discs Rear brakes Ventilated discsStability systems ABS, ESP Safety AEB, ACC, BSM Tyre size f/r-255/70R18 Wheelbase 3008mm L/W/H 4882 / 1894 / 1901mm Track f-1598mm r-1598mm Fuel capacity 81L Tow rating 750kg(2495kg braked) Service intervals 12months / 12,000km Warranty 3yrs / 100,000 km ANCAP rating ★★★☆☆ (2019) Weight (claimed) 2131kg
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Australia highway violence: Woman dead, man shot in Easter chaos in Queensland
The man then allegedly shot the driver of the Rexton in the arm and stole the car, which he then used to flee the scene. The men were not known to each other, initial investigations indicate. Emergency services were called about 12.10pm to Bruce Highway after reports of the initial crash. The stolen Rexton was then found crashed in Landsborough, near Forestry Rd, about 12.35pm, by police. The man who allegedly hijacked the Rexton then allegedly stole another car, a grey Mazda 3, but he was quickly arrested by police near Steve Irwin Way. The gun allegedly used to shoot the Rexton driver was found in the Mazda, the police said. The police have declared three crime scenes, one at Palmview and two in Landsborough. A 22-year-old woman from Upper Mount Gravatt died from injuries received in the multi-vehicle crash and a man who was with her was also taken to hospital as he suffered serious injuries. Queensland Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland, speaking with media on Monday afternoon, said a man had been arrested after the carnage, which occurred on the southbound lanes of the highway near the Banana Bender hotel. 'Preliminary information indicated a red Porsche ... had crashed at that location,' he said. 'A male person had exited that vehicle with a firearm, produced that firearm to another driver and obtained that person's vehicle and drove to another location, where that subsequent vehicle was crashed. 'He got out of that vehicle and hijacked another vehicle allegedly using a firearm. 'The firearm was located at the third incident scene. Three crime scenes have been declared.' Chief Inspector Overland said the man would be charged with a number of 'serious offences'. On Monday night, the police said the man, aged 41 and from Tewantin, remained under police guard in hospital in a serious condition. 'The Porsche Macan was not stolen and the driver is the registered owner,' the police said.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Woman dead, man shot in highway chaos
A man has been shot and a woman has died in a Queensland highway crash involving multiple cars. The chaos started about midday on the Bruce Highway just north of Brisbane. Queensland Police investigators say a red Porsche Macan crashed at Palmview. A man, armed with a gun, exited the Porsche and approached a white SsangYong Rexton, the police say. The man then allegedly shot the driver of the Rexton in the arm and stole the car, which he then used to flee the scene. The men were not known to each other, initial investigations indicate. Emergency services were called about 12.10pm, to Bruce Highway, following reports of the initial crash. The stolen Rexton was then found crashed in Landsborough, near Forestry Road, at about 12.35pm, by police. The man who allegedly hijacked the Rexton then allegedly stole another car, a grey Mazda 3, but he was quickly arrested by police near Steve Irwin Way. The gun allegedly used to shoot the Rexton driver was found in the Mazda, the police said. The police have declared three crime scenes, one at Palmview and two in Landsborough. A 22-year-old woman from Upper Mount Gravatt died from injuries sustained from the multi-vehicle crash, and a man who was with her was also taken to hospital as he sustained serious injuries. Queensland Police Chief Inspector Jason Overland, speaking with media on Monday afternoon, said a man had been arrested following the carnage, which struck the southbound lanes of the highway near the Banana Bender hotel. 'Preliminary information indicated a red crashed at that location,' he said. 'A male person had exited that vehicle with a firearm, produced that firearm to another driver and obtained that person's vehicle and drove to another location, where that subsequent vehicle was crashed. 'He got out of that vehicle and hijacked another vehicle allegedly using a firearm. 'The firearm was located at the third incident scene. Three crime scenes have been declared.' Chief Inspector Overland said the man would be charged with a number of 'serious offences'. On Monday night, the police said the man, aged 41 and from Tewantin, remained under police guard at hospital in a serious condition. 'The Porsche Macan was not stolen and the driver is the registered owner,' the police said. Investigations are continuing.
