2008 Land Rover Defender Ricardo Upgrade Review

Following its initial development in 1997, the rapid deployment vehicle (RDV) concept – one of Ricardo’s most successful defence vehicle engineering innovations – was introduced a year later by the British Army as the weapons mount installation kit (WMIK). Ten years on – and following duty in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Liberia, Afghanistan and Iraq – the Army’s WMIK-equipped Land Rover Defenders are returning to Ricardo as part of a major upgrade programme

The RDV was conceived as an adaptation kit to enable the conversion of standard Land Rover Defender transports – already strengthened to include chassis outriggers and roll-cage mounts – into peacekeeping and other specialist role vehicles in just a few hours. Following ten years of exceptional service, a fleet of 200 WMIK-equipped Land Rover Defenders is undergoing a major upgrade by Ricardo Special Vehicles. The programme, which is already 50 per cent complete, involves significant enhancements to crew protection systems as well as a significant increase in vehicle payload, enabled by in-depth re-engineering of the chassis and suspension systems. These are just the latest improvements to the original WMIK product, which has been sold to a number of customers from other NATO and Commonwealth countries. In addition to the standard Land Rover Defender WMIKs used by the British Army, Ricardo has developed similar RDV concepts based on other platforms, such as the Ford F350. It has also produced a range of optional modules and products, including infra-red lighting systems and lightweight seating systems, which are compatible with many vehicle types.

Paul Tarry, operations director of Ricardo Special Vehicles said:

“We are proud to have supported the peacekeeping roles of the British Army over the past ten years with the WMIK-equipped Land Rover Defender product. The latest upgrade contract is a further demonstration of the way in which we are able to leverage the very latest in automotive processes and technology to develop state-of-the-art defence vehicles.”

2008 Jaguar XJ Diesel UK’s Greenest Luxury Car Review

For the second year running Jaguar’s XJ 2.7 Diesel has been named Britain’s greenest luxury car in the Environmental Transport Association’s 2008 Car Buyers Guide. The award recognises Jaguar’s commitment to delivering CO2 and fuel consumption advantages to customers, with the development of its industry-leading diesel engines and application of advanced lightweight aluminium vehicle architectures.

The Environmental Transport Association has looked at over 1,300 models of car currently on sale in Britain and examined their power, emissions, fuel efficiency and even the amount of noise they produce to create the definitive guide to buying the greenest vehicle.

Managing Director of Jaguar in the UK, Geoff Cousins said: “I am delighted we have won this award for the second year running. We fully recognise our responsibility to the environment and are committed to playing our role in developing technology solutions in cars, fuels and infrastructure to address climate change – this award shows we are heading in the right direction.”

This is the latest in a number of awards for Jaguar’s flagship model, which is renowned for the conclusive demonstration of its fuel economy credentials, achieving 1000.2 miles on a single tank of fuel – the average fuel consumption hitting 53.5mpg* which equates to 139g/km of CO2.

Most recently, the XJ Long Wheelbase was voted ‘Chauffeur Car of the Year’ by Chauffeur Magazine, while What Car?, Auto Trader and Auto Express all voted the XJ ‘Best Luxury Car’ in their various Used Car Awards towards the end of last year.

Since its launch in 2003, the XJ model line-up has been enhanced to include the XJ long wheelbase, the special edition XJR Portfolio, the XJ armoured vehicle and most recently the XJ 08 Model Year, featuring a revised exterior design and significantly upgraded interior.

2008 Fiat Fiorino Qubo Free Space Review

Fiorino Qubo is the name of the new car marketed by the Fiat dealer network. This original name clearly conveys the model’s attributes: it is reliable and robust, as well as being uniquely practical and versatile. And the original choice of the letter Q evokes the distinctive personality of the car as much as the rounded profile of the exterior shape.

Created as a result of a manufacturing joint venture between Fiat and PSA, the Fiorino Qubo is made at the Tofas factory in Bursa (Turkey) – where the Fiat Doblò is also made – and this month it will be launched in France, followed by Austria, Poland and Hungary in July and August. It will then become available in Italy, Germany and Switzerland, and will arrive in Holland, Ireland and Belgium in October. Next year the launch will conclude in Great Britain and Denmark.

Marketed in Italy with an entry-level price of around EUR 13,000, the new Fiorino Qubo is the outcome of a concept that is both simple and revolutionary. It transcends the MPV concept to embrace the idea of a ‘free space’ vehicle, capable of satisfying various transport needs, due to its distinctive personality and a practicality and versatility that are unique in its category: the Fiorino Qubo is a very practical vehicle for families, but it is also a car for young people, and customers seeking an entertaining drive. It is the ideal companion for leisure and for travelling with friends, being both environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient.

In other words, with this car you can do whatever you like, just as you would expect from a multi-purpose vehicle: as handy as a city car, and as spacious and comfortable as an MPV. Indeed, the Qubo offers, at an affordable price, the same versatility as an MPV but with more compact external dimensions – it is 3.959 metres long, 1.735 metres high and 1.716 metres wide – and its turning circle is less than 10 metres. In other words, the new Fiat Fiorino Qubo is equally at home negotiating narrow town centre streets or weaving in and out of city traffic. What’s more, the Fiorino Qubo can adapt to any surroundings (urban or rural), guaranteeing considerable savings as a result of its good fuel economy (due to the 75 bhp 1.3 multijet engine) and low running costs (30,000 km before the first service).

The Fiat Fiorino Qubo’s original, rational exterior style stands out due to special treatments on the side and rear that give it a sophisticated look. Likewise, the beefy, sturdy front does not detract from the general nonconformist and likeable impression that is the model’s trademark. The model’s look of a substantial vehicle with its wheels firmly on the ground is offset by clear, fluid lines that give it a dynamic edge.

The new Fiorino Qubo really comes into its own as a unique car in its segment when you take a look inside. The original ‘free space’ concept combines six different seat configurations with a practical, regularly shaped interior. The result is a functional interior, with exceptional flexibility and use of space. For example, with the seats in normal position, the boot offers 330 litres of space (up to the parcel rack) and 650 litres if measured up to the roof. With the rear seats removed, the capacity increases to 2,500 litres.

For maximum driving comfort, the Fiat Fiorino Qubo can also rely on smooth power units coupled with sturdy gearboxes. The lively 75 bhp 1.3 Multijet and the reliable 73 bhp petrol-driven 1.4 version offer outstanding driving satisfaction, optimum performance and low running costs, as well as for their great reliability and respect for the environment. For example, a 1.3 16v Multijet combined with a manual 5-speed gearbox or a robotised 6-speed gearbox guarantees excellent performance and the most efficient fuel consumption in its category: the maximum speed is 155 kilometres per hour, whilst over a combined cycle it returns 4.5L/100 km, which translates to a range of a thousand kilometres with a full tank of 45 litres. A Fiat Fiorino Qubo equipped with this power unit also proves itself to be an environmentally friendly car – some versions boast CO2 levels of less than 120g/km – and if equipped with a particulate filter, the particulate emission levels can be as low as 0.005 g/km. The 73 bhp 1.4 8v also boasts optimum performance, and could certainly be an ideal base for CNG conversions. Developed with particular attention to performance and fuel consumption, the power unit is coupled with a mechanical 5-speed gearbox and is capable of a top speed of 155 km/h despite its thrifty fuel consumption – over a combined cycle it returns 7.0L/100km.

Although the Fiat Fiorino Qubo offers a simple range, everyone can still find the ideal vehicle for their lifestyle and the way they use their car. Also available as a 5-seater, the car comes in two specification levels (Active and Dynamic). Active is more basic and informal whereas Dynamic is more comprehensive with a longer list of equipment. Nine body colours and two types of trim are available. The vehicle also offers impressive features, depending on the market and version. For example, as far as safety is concerned, the vehicle offers ABS with EBD, 3 point seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiting device, hydraulic power steering, and front and side airbags. Customers can personalise their Fiat Fiorino Qubo by choosing freely between the numerous options available: 16” alloy wheels with an stylish design, aluminium longitudinal bars of up-to-date design, air-conditioning, leather steering wheel and gearstick, Blue&Me system, steering wheel controls, door deadlock, and parking sensors.

2008 Autodelta J4 2.2 Alfa Romeo 159 Review

The Autodelta J4 2.2 C (C denoting “Compressore”) will become the third member of the exclusive bespoke J-series models, joining the Brera J5 3.2 C and Spider J6 3.2 C in the range when it is commercialised from July 1st; and like the other two established sports cars, its integral theme continues a long tradition of applying forced induction principles by Autodelta to develop nothing less than the very ultimate expression of high performance motoring.

However, while the Brera J5 and Spider J6 models have focused on improving Alfa Romeo’s 3.2 V6 engine, the 159 J4 2.2 C will be launched with a supercharged version of the 2.2 JTS direct injection petrol engine. The addition of a Rotrex C30-74 supercharger and a specifically-developed system boosts the 2.2-litre unit’s power from the standard 185bhp up to 245 bhp, an increase of 60 bhp. Meanwhile peak torque is lifted from 230Nm to 290Nm, giving the sports saloon an extra 60Nm of torque.

Supercharging the 2.2 JTS engine and evolving the 159 J4 2.2 C package to perfection has been a long-term project for Autodelta, running alongside the development programmes to realise the J5 and J6. Autodelta’s engineering team was able to build on valuable experience gained when it became the first company in the world to apply forced induction to Alfa Romeo’s 2.0 JTS unit, as used in the 156 and GT models; and although an all-new unit, many of the important lessons learnt, and technical knowledge gained, were carried forward to the 2.2 JTS project.

“Both are high compression engines, which mean that a very thorough development programme is called for,” says Autodelta’s Managing Director Jano Djelalian, “but one of the biggest advantages is that a high performance driving experience can be coupled to excellent fuel efficiency, something that is becoming more important with ever rising oil prices.” In fact Autodelta’s technical excellence is quite simply unchallenged: no other company has been able to successfully supercharge and commercialise Alfa Romeo’s direct-injection JTS engines.

The Brera J5 3.2 C revolutionised Autodelta’s operations when it was added to the range in the autumn of 2005, creating a demand that resulted in a restructuring programme being implemented in order to offer customers respectable waiting times. “Alfa Romeo created a superbly stylish sports car with the Brera, and one that we were able to take forward in a number of areas,” says Jano, “It moved us forward as we welcomed a whole new type of customer coming through our doors; for the first time we also had one model that was in demand right across the world, and as well as gearing up to cope with it here, we had to take our global network of agents one step further.” The engineering had to be designed in such a way that Autodelta’s fully trained agents are able to install the supercharger package and test the cars in a most efficient manner. To that effect, the 2.2 JTS Supercharger package has an installation time of only six to seven hours, and then all cars are driven between sixty and eighty miles to complete the testing process.

“The J5 arrived just as we celebrated our 20th anniversary,” continues Jano, “and it has superbly launched us into our third decade.” The global demand for the J5 saw Autodelta’s R&D operation also being restructured and expanded to other regions to spread the demand placed on its UK HQ and allow all new models to be targeted at specific markets right from their launch. Autodelta’s two main R&D satellite hubs are in Athens (Greece) and Moscow (Russia). This widening of focus gives Autodelta’s engineers the ability to run the cars in extreme climatic conditions of heat and cold as well as in very dusty conditions and on surfaces that are extremely challenging. It also allows the cars electronics’ to perfectly suit the different requirement posed by local fuel characteristics.

Development of the 159 J4 2.2 C was able to slot perfectly into this new organisation, with more than half a dozen test cars running in three countries. Autodelta has been able to smoothly bring its development partners into the new structure, including Rotrex (superchargers), OZ (wheels) and Dunlop (tyres). “We have also learnt a lot from taking the decision to run testing on some of the most demanding race circuits in Europe,” says Jano. “The Nürburgring in particular puts a huge strain on every part of the car, not least the brakes, and every flaw is amplified; so we have gained invaluable feedback from taking this route. Although we are a small company with finite resources we want to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of high performance motoring.”

Before starting the supercharger installation project Autodelta’s engineers had to develop solutions to driveability issues that come into the equation. “We listened very closely to customers who had bought the 2.2 JTS and the points they raised,” says Jano. “A re-map to perfect these criteria and optimise the performance was developed.” This re-map will be made available by Autodelta for the standard 2.2 JTS aspirated models, similar to a re-map which has been commercialised for the 3.2 V6 engine; and it will improve driveability, increase performance and improve fuel consumption.

The 159 J4 2.2 C features a completely new aluminium inlet manifold as the factory plastic unit was not able to withstand the 0.65 bar boost which the Rotrex C30-74 unit is producing. The new inlet manifold design, now with a reduced volume was also a critical part of the development as we managed to increase the speed of response says Autodelta’s head of Research & Development, Sergio Truzzi. “Changes to the inlet and exhaust camshaft variator control strategy had to be initiated to generate more continuous torque and improve driveability,” adds Sergio.

With increasing fuel prices and taxation rising on larger capacity engines, Autodelta believe the 2.2 JTS supercharged engine offers certain beneficial advantages over the 3.2 V6. The additional advantage of a lighter kerb weight than the 3.2 V6 Q4 model means that the 2.2 JTS supercharged cars are almost 150 Kilograms lighter and therefore have a better bhp per ton ratio in comparison.

Autodelta has also taken a slightly different overall approach for this project, the third J-series model, in light of the excellent characteristics of the production Alfa 159 2.2 JTS. “During the extensive test programme we were very impressed with the chassis’ all-round capability as factory standard,” says Sergio, “and we found that with the additional performance from the supercharger the very capable chassis came alive and coped extremely well as far as grip and steering turn in was concerned. This clearly demonstrates the inherent sporty nature of the 159 chassis,” he continues. “Although the standard brakes also coped very well, we felt the Selespeed supercharged versions did incur some brake fade; improving the braking window was addressed by developing new perforated brake discs.”

Due to the inherent responsiveness of the overall Alfa 159 package to the supercharging conversion Autodelta will offer the J4 package with its bespoke Rotrex supercharger system, while utilising the car’s standard components. “We’re very pleased with how this project has turned out,” says Jano, “it means we will be able to offer a fully supercharged car at a highly competitive price, and hopefully bring the Autodelta driving option to a wider audience than has been the case, which is especially relevant with the broad appeal that the Alfa 159 offers. The cornerstone of our philosophy has always to blend extreme performance with day-to-day practicality, and with the wide appeal of the Alfa 159 this becomes even more requisite.

“Overall we feel the cars are more then capable to fulfil most drivers’ demands but of course we have gone a further step to satisfy the most demanding of owners and for the most extreme usage of the cars,” says Jano. This has involved progressive all round dynamic development of the car to create a cutting-edge, envelope-pushing sports saloon. The Alfa 159 is based on the same architecture as the Brera, allowing technology applied on the Brera J5 3.2 C to form the underlying basis of the upgrade. A fully adjustable coil over suspension set up allows for height adjustment as well as rebound adjustment to enable the driver to fine tune the car for any occasion. Up-rated perforated brake discs and special compound pads improve the braking capability, while an entirely new aerodynamic package will present a distinct new styling direction.

Autodelta will also release a special ‘Corsa’ tuning kit for the 245 bhp supercharged 159 J4 2.2 C, that will see the car producing more power than the 260 bhp currently available in the Alfa 159 3.2 V6; the Corsa tuning kit will be available as a retro fit for those who want even more power and is fully reversible.