Latest news with #offroading
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Land Rover Defender 2025 has new colours and driver safety feature, and sharper design
Land Rover has introduced a series of revisions for its popular Defender range. The off-roader now has a sharper exterior design with new front and rear lights, and the rear ones have a smoky design. There's a new textured pattern for the bonnet inserts and side vents, and gloss black Defender-branded hubcaps. New exterior colours have been added to the Defender's range, including Borasco Grey. The interior has been upgraded, too. A new 13.1-inch infotainment screen is slightly larger than the previous one and sits above the dash-mounted gear stick. The Land Rover Defender 2025 models have a bigger infotainment screen and redesigned centre console. Photo: Land Rover A redesigned centre console has a sliding section to keep valuables out of sight, while a Signature Suite pack can be added to include removable side pockets.
Edmunds
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Edmunds
The Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser and Tacoma Turned Hell's Revenge Into a Piece of Cake
Three Toyota off-roaders vs. one challenging trail Despite being fairly new to off-roading, I was able to safely traverse all the obstacles and different terrains I encountered in all three Toyotas I drove. The Land Cruiser and the 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium are the two vehicles that can be pitted directly against each other. Both vehicles are SUVs and ride on Toyota's TNGA-F platform with the same suspension setup and hybrid powertrain. I also drove the Tacoma TRD Pro, which bears many similarities to its siblings but in truck form. Hell's Revenge hits you with a stunning challenge right off the bat: a narrow uphill path — also called a fin — that welcomes you at the trailhead. From the parking lot, the hill looks intimidating, but once you initiate the climb, you instantly begin to enjoy the ride and appreciate your surroundings. Every obstacle we encountered shouldn't be taken lightly because the consequences can be severe. Soon after descending, we came across uneven ground with rocks and boulders on both sides and a narrow path that served as the ideal route to avoid damage. All three trucks put their suspension systems to work and wheeled through this without any fuss. As we kept motoring along, we came across boulders and steep hills we had to carefully climb to reach higher points and continue. The Toyotas once again got up and over with ease. The Land Cruiser's 32-degree approach angle came in handy in these instances because it avoided hitting most obstacles altogether. The 4Runner's significantly lower approach angle — 19 degrees — was noticeable as I tapped the front skid plate more than once. Departure angles on all three vehicles were sufficient, but one thing that irked me was the rear mud flaps on the Land Cruiser. Every single time we had a steep descent and came to flat ground, the mud flaps would make contact. Of course, those can be removed, and I highly suggest you do so if you plan on taking it off-roading. The Tacoma is longer than its SUV siblings, but it still managed to get through tight spaces and turns with the only issue being the trailer hitch that kept scraping on steep drops.
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
This Might Be the New Toyota FJ Cruiser
It's been almost two years since Toyota teased the shadowy silhouette of a small, boxy SUV during the Land Cruiser 250's debut. There have since been a handful of hints that the automaker is still developing that smaller off-roader, but now we potentially have our best look yet. This might be the new Toyota FJ Cruiser. The lone design image comes from a filing at the patent office in the Philippines . Toyota filed for the patent way back in January 2024, but Top Gear Philippines only recently stumbled upon the design. It looks very similar to the shadowy silhouette teased in 2023. The rear looks awkward from the provided angle, and the D-pillar appears massive compared to the rest of the vehicle, which would create equally huge blind spots. The rear bumper cladding also looks a bit too chunky at the back, but it does seem to have a spare tire mounted on the liftgate, alluding to its ruggedness. The vehicle looks plain in these patent images, admittedly, likely representing the base version. There are no fog lights and no roof racks. The wheels also look quite small for something supposedly suited for Moab. But the teaser (that we lightened in Photoshop) shows an appealing-looking addition to the Toyota lineup nonetheless. Shortly after Toyota teased its small off-roader, the automaker filed a trademark for the Land Cruiser FJ name . There's still a lot of mystery surrounding the vehicle, which is likely to borrow styling cues from the Compact Cruiser EV concept. However, a report suggested the SUV would feature gasoline and hybrid engines instead. All these hints will hopefully add up to something incredible. We don't doubt there's a market for a smaller off-roader with some of the kit and capability of the larger Land Cruiser . Check Out More Toyota News: The Toyota Supra Won't Stay Dead For Long Toyota Considering Small Pickup for the US to Rival Maverick Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: World Intellectual Property Organization via Top Gear Philippines Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Car
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
New Vauxhall Frontera harks back to the '90s original with 4x4 makeover
All-terrain tyres, roof rack and tow winch transform the crossover into an adventurous off-roader Open gallery Close Vauxhall has hinted at a more rugged version of the incoming Frontera with a new concept car that turns the conventional electric crossover into a trail-hunting 4x4. Named the Vauxhall Frontera Gravel and based on the electric version of the family car, it gains several key elements aimed at helping it tackle the wilderness. Up front, it receives a tow winch and extra LED light bars, while the car's rear haunches now feature extra storage panniers. It also gains a chunky roof rack with a spare tyre and further storage, and the wheels are shod with aggressive BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres. Inside, the interior configuration matches that of the regular Frontera, but it has been reupholstered with orange contrasting elements to match the car's exterior livery. Opel-Vauxhall CEO Florian Huettl said it 'embodies [Vauxhall's] commitment to making electric mobility versatile and accessible… with respect for the environment'. Although Vauxhall has yet to state any production plans for the Frontera Gravel, the car's modifications are ultimately minimal and could in theory constitute a special-edition variant of the crossover. Sibling brand Fiat recently showed its vision of a 4x4 version of the Grande Panda, which shares its Smart Car underpinnings with the Frontera. It is possible that Vauxhall could use the electrified rear axle from that car to give its model four-wheel drive – although the Fiat uses a hybrid powertrain, whereas the Frontera Gravel has a battery-electric powertrain. Such a model would more clearly carry the torch from the new Frontera's 1990s ancestor, which was a 4x4 based on Japanese brand Isuzu's Mysterious Utility Wizard. Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here.
Car and Driver
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Twisted's 'TBug' Restomod Is a Modern Take on the Iconic Baja Bug
Land Rover-specialist Twisted Automotive is showing off its take on the Baja Bug. Called the "TBug," it looks like 10 pounds of fun in a five-pound Yorkshire pudding. The little off-roader has a lifted ride height and an 80-hp air-cooled flat-four that turns its all-terrain tires. Yorkshire-based Twisted Automotive originally built its reputation on heavily customized, tailored versions of the boxy Land Rover Defender. It kept the British brand's rugged and agricultural appearance but added thoroughly modernized powertrains, suspension, and interior. It's the kind of thing with global appeal, and Twisted will happily build one of their T90 Defenders to your specification, whether you live in New York or London. However, should you happen to reside in California, perhaps Twisted's latest creation has a little more appeal. Pleased T' Meet You It's called the TBug, and it's exactly what it looks like: a restomodded version of the original Baja Bug concept. Fitted with cutaway fender flares, chunky BFGoodrich off-road tires, and friendly LED headlights, it's like a Pixar movie come to life. It's utterly adorable and crammed with character. Richard Scarry would have loved it. Twisted Automotive Even better—if you're something of a Volkswagen purist—is that the TBug is all about the proper vintage VW ethos, doing more with less. It hasn't been swapped to turbocharged power or fitted with an EV running gear and big batteries. No, it is simply running an uprated version of the original air-cooled flat-four with no more than 80 hp on tap. Eighty horses in a VW Bug is plenty, but it also allows the driver to wring the car's neck on the regular. Will there be sandy roostertails and dune jumping? You better believe it. A TBug Built for You Like its other creations, Twisted will build the TBug to customer specs, so there's a great deal of fine-tuning to be done. The company suggests that no two will be the same, so you genuinely are getting something bespoke here. Beyond the engine, standard modifications will include a sealed and strengthened chassis, Bilstein dampers on a long-travel suspension, and EMPI Baja wheels. Twisted Automotive Twisted Automotive From there, there's a host of interior treatments and, of course, the chance to paint your dune-hopping Beetle in whatever bright color takes your fancy. No doubt the pricetag for one of these will be more restomod air-cooled 911 than vintage VeeDub, but owners are bound to be delighted by what looks like a hugely fun driving experience. Or, as they say in Yorkshire, this little Beetle will leave you right chuffed. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
