WHAT would you say if I told you I “had the woofits”?
No? What about the word “snecklifter” — ring any bells? How about “famelicoase”?*
If it was 100 years ago you’d know exactly what I’m on about — these were common terms.
But times change, Dickens is no longer the godfather of daily entertainment, Simon Cowell is, and words can die a slow death.
Here’s a term we know today but our grandkids probably won’t — “gas guzzler.” If you say gas guzzler to someone, nine times out of ten their minds will go to the Range Rover Sport.
Since its launch in 2005 it has been the symbol of luxurious excess, with a price tag only those who don’t need to collect Shell points for the weekly fill-up can afford.
The 4.2-litre supercharged V8 original engine was a thirsty girl, returning just 13mpg in urban environments (where most of these wagons are found).
But in a sign of the times, now the Range Rover Sport has gone from being a double shot black Americano to a decaf latte with soya milk.
Yep, it’s gone hybrid.
Before you get all misty-eyed or your blood boils, let me reassure you that the Range Rover Sport PHEV is not some mung bean-flavoured, Greenpeace-appeasing roller skate.
It’s still fast, and in every other way it’s business as usual.
We’d better discuss the engine, as that’s what’s unique about this model. There’s the same 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit found in the Si4 version, but it’s complemented by an 85kW electric motor.
In default mode the two work together, reducing the amount of gas used to a claimed 101mpg. Does it actually achieve that? No, don’t be silly, but it’s a vast improvement on the 30-ish mpg of the regular Si4.
It can’t be accused of being a gas guzzler, that’s for sure. There’s a claimed range of 31 miles on pure-EV mode.
Again, be sceptical but this technology is all about nudging the industry in the right direction and keeping the emissions-Gestapo in their box.
Speaking of which, the Sport PHEV has a CO2 figure of just 64g/km. Smoke that, Brussels.
The other important number is the 398bhp that the combined engines can muster. It means the 0-62 sprint is 6.3 seconds — extremely impressive for a car of this heft.
In fact, that’s faster than the V8 diesel version — a car dying a slow death on the forecourts, which is precisely why JLR have come up with the PHEV.
A full charge is quick because the battery isn’t big — under three hours — and you can slip it into EV mode at the push of the button, although that 0-62 time drops considerably.
Even though the electric motor has added 30kg, handling doesn’t seem compromised, although the petrol engine seems louder under hard acceleration.
Whether people will buy the Range Rover Sport PHEV is debatable. Those in the market for a Range Rover tend not to be card-carrying PETA members.
Even so, it is an all-round highly enjoyable car to drive. Unlike other hybrid SUVs, the combined engine is more than up to the job.
I found my time driving it utterly chatillonte.*
*The woofits – a hangover; Snecklifter – someone who looks inside a pub to see if there’s anyone who can buy them a drink; Famelicoase – to be constantly hungry; Chatillonte – delightful, charming.
KEY FACTS
RANGE ROVER SPORT PHEV P400e
Price: £72,185
Economy: 101mpg
0-62mph: 6.3 secs
Top speed: 137mph
Length: 4.9 metres
Emissions: 64g/km
On sale: Summer
Mitsu picks up the adventure
Designed to get back from any adventure.
That’s what Mitsubishi is saying about their fresh-faced new L200.
And it’s not wrong.
The once steadfastly utilitarian Japanese pick-up truck now comes fully-loaded with all the modern off-road capabilities to rival ANY serious mud-plugger.
So, whether that’s schlepping the kids to school over some treacherously slippery leaves on a November morning in Surrey or actually coal-mining in deepest, darkest Chile – Mitsubishi’s 40-year-old workhorse has never been bestowed with quite this level of tailor-made capability.
Two 4WD systems are on offer – of differing complexity – but both tweak the engine power, transmission and brakes for a variety of extreme conditions including gravel, mud/snow, sand and rock.
Hill Descent Control and a rear-diff lock also feature in the adventurous shedload of smart terrain tech.
And having tested these settings in Thailand’s bamboo-based jungle, on the scooter-strewn Asian highway, over an assault course and even at breakneck speed on a dirt track somewhere on the outskirts of Bangkok I can confirm results are reassuringly convincing.
Hell, you can even get the hulking machine to drift too, in the right wild hands.
Hooning aside, the L200 now comes with a comprehensive suite of new safety tech to keep your precious cargo safer than ever.
Front and rear collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, lane change assist and miss-acceleration intervention systems now feature as does a 360-degree video camera set-up.
The last L200 was criticised for looking a little soft, feminine even compared to its rivals in the testosterone-fulled pick-up market. You certainly can’t say that about it now.
The aggressive new look – an evolution from the “dynamic shield” design as rocked by Mitsubishi’s SUVs – is a triumph.
But things are not so radical round the back with the business end of the truck having been effectively simplified, tidied up, with some new LED lights while the crucial cargo bed remains completely unchanged at 147cm squared with a depth of 47.5cm.
At the global launch in Bangkok – where the 4.7million-shifting L200 is produced today at a rate of 38 per hour – I tested the 2.4-litre turbodiesel which, although not confirmed yet, is likely to be bolted into the UK-bound L200s when they arrive in the summer. But don’t hold your breath for a plug-in hybrid version just yet.
Despite Mitsubishi leading the industry in advanced PHEV technology, it’s not anticipated to make its debut in the rugged truck until 2023.
With 430Nm of torque and 180hp on tap it certainly hustles its bulk along with no complaints – handling more deftly than it arguably has any right to.
A smooth-shifting six-speed automatic was opted for, over the fancier eight-speed auto fitted in the Shogun Sport. The L200 is also a mite quieter in the roomy cabin now and the lightly modified dash and cabin interior help the L200 feel marginally more SUV than truck.
A big touchscreen with CarPlay and Android compatibility takes centre stage on the console while the four USB ports – two in the front and two in the back – please in the popular four-door double cab configuration.
MOST READ IN MOTORS
The Mitsubishi L200 has always been a compelling choice as a business tool that easily doubles-up as lifestyle ride that families are happy to be seen in.
And turning the big 4-0 has only bolstered its ruggedly practical, silver-fox appeal.
Even before this new model arrives, the outgoing model was still the second-best selling vehicle last year in Mitsubishi’s line-up behind their family-friendly Outlander SUV.
With the added off-road tech and comfort gains – and of course its newly-chiseled handsomeness – the truly hard-working L200 success story continues completely unhindered.
Rob Lewis
KEY FACTS
MITSUBISHI L200
Price: £28,000 (est)
Engine: 2.4litre four-cylinder turbodiesel*
Power: 180hp/430Nm*
0-62mph: 11.8secs*
Top speed: 111mph*
Fuel economy: 37.7mpg*
Emissions: 196g/km*
On sale: Now
*as tested (UK spec TBC)
When mint means no holes
Can anyone lend me £200K? No? Hello?
Fair dos, but if I had £200,000 I know – as of this week – how I would spend it.
It would be on the 1966 Ford Lotus Cortina which has just come up for auction next year.
It’s one of just three ever made for the British Saloon Car Championship – now known as Touring Car – and was raced by legendary names like Jim Clark and Sir John Whitmore.
Yeah, I know. And it’s in mint condition.
It will go on sale at the Autosport International auction on January 12 at the NEC in Birmingham.
Reader’s car of the week
This an an absolute beauty, sent in by reader Peter Taylor from Stevenage, Herts, on behalf of his brother.
Peter says: “This belongs to my brother Chris – it’s his Ford Mustang Fastback 1965. It took Chris three and a half years to completely rebuild, a real labour of love.”
To see your pride and joy here – whatever it is – send me a picture and brief description to features@the-sun.co.uk
Bike news
Ride is streets ahead
When Triumph launched the 900cc Street Scrambler in 2016, we were massively impressed.
The easy-going nature of the modern retro was an instant hit and Triumph has sold boatloads of them over the last couple of years.
For 2019, Triumph has updated the Scrambler.
They listened hard to existing owners and have given them exactly what any biker wants – more power, more performance and better tech (keep in mind it was already a very good package).
That sounds good to us, so we hopped on a plane to Portugal to see just what this new model has to say for itself. The key improvements come in the form of an extra 14bhp, plus improved brakes and suspension.
Brembo are the industry standard when it comes to slowing down, and the four-piston caliper on the new Scrambler hanging from the upgraded forks shows why.
Braking is effortless and managed perfectly.
From your comfortably cool riding position, you have a commanding view of the road, as well as being perfectly positioned for everything from high-street cruising to sliding your way out of corners off road.
The Street Scrambler is versatile enough to cope with almost any kind of riding and we guarantee that the whole time you ride you’ll be smiling.
Feeling good is what this bike is all about.
Naturally, you can choose from a stack of accessories to improve the look and feel of your Scrambler – we would go for the fruity exhaust and the sweet panniers. After that the only thing this bike needs for more fun is more fuel.
The headline figure of 64bhp is deceptively low – a proper test ride will leave you scratching your head in wonder at how Triumph has managed to make this bike feel so lively.
The key to its appeal is how it makes you feel inside.
It made us feel pretty damn cool, and for us it makes an easy job of justifying the £9,300 baseline price.
- For more bikes, search “Bike World” on YouTube or find Bike World on Amazon Prime.
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/ranger-rovers-elegant-new-sport-hybrid-is-super-charged/
News Pictures Ranger Rover’s elegant new Sport hybrid is super-charged
You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st
To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.
Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”
Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”
kim cattrall
Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb
SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/NINTCHDBPICT000451243131-e1543108998567.jpg?strip=all&w=724
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