Mitsubishi's iconic offroader improves on the NS model with more grunt, more refinement and more models Mitsubishi has just fired a new salvo in the eternal war between Pajero and the Toyota Prado. After years of seeing the Toyota outsell Pajero (initially in a guise appearing to mimic the Pajero), Mitsubishi has cried 'enough'.

While it's only a mild reworking of the NS model cosmetically, the upgraded NT model boasts more power and torque, fewer decibels, improved economy, better towing and -- most importantly -- a larger number of variants in the range to tackle the Toyota head on.

And in a further gesture of defiance, Mitsubishi has priced the new Pajero at a level that gives the new range a specification-adjusted pricing advantage over the Prado at every level. That advantage is bound to improve further from January 1, when Toyota increases the prices of its models across the range, although Mitsubishi admits that it may not be able to hold current pricing for more than a few months.

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With today’s modern 4WDs we have seen an increase in owners overloading their vehicles and therefore exceeding the vehicle’s GVM. Doing this could make your vehicle illegal to drive on
the road and the possible risk of heavy fines.

4WD owners are inclined to carry increased loads without knowing they have exceeded the vehicle’s GVM. A good example of this is the new Landcruiser 200 Series, this vehicle has a GVM of 3300Kgs which is the maximum total vehicle mass. Unloaded and without any accessories or passengers, the vehicle’s tare weight is 2540kg-2610kg (varying due to vehicle models and engine types).

This leaves the vehicle with 690 kgs remaining, an average persons weight is 85-90 kgs, so if the eight seats are occupied with passengers, has a full tank of fuel and a small amount of personal luggage this vehicle would be over GVM.

To rectify this the vehicle would require a GVM Suspension Upgrade Kit so the vehicle can be legally driven on the road.

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Adding a touch of class and luxury to a car that has already won numerous accolades the Jeep Patriot S-Limited is the latest offering from the Jeep brand.

Available with a 2.4-litre petrol engine, this special edition model boasts a series of exterior and interior improvements, including chrome grille surrounds, body coloured door handles and mirrors, rear parking sensor plus a special S-Limited badge and front and rear under-ride body-kit, all of which ensure it is a worthy addition to the Jeep Patriot range.

Federico Goretti, Managing Director of Chrysler UK, said: “The fuel-efficient Patriot has always appealed to customers that want a vehicle with Jeep’s legendary brand cachet and desirability, but who also demand comfort, practicality, value for money and high levels of safety equipment."

“The S-Limited is no exception and with its distinctive black paint and chrome styling it is one premium model that’s destined to stand out from the crowd.”

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Renowned for its genuine toughness and strength, the Ford Ranger takes a confident step forward with the debut of the high-impact Ranger Max show truck at the Thailand International Motor Expo.

Ranger Max pushes everyone's expectations of Ranger. Visually bold and muscular, it takes to the stage at the Ford stand with confidence, sophistication and craftsmanship. The Ranger Max extends Ranger's reputation as the best all-around compact truck on the market.

"We know Ranger is tough and durable, and Ranger Max adds to those qualities. The show truck does not follow a trend; it sets a new tough style direction for compact trucks," says Paul Gibson, the chief designer of the Ranger Max show truck.

"Ranger Max is genuinely tough, and it is a truck that gets the job done. This high-impact show truck also has the bold visual presence that looks great on the urban scene."

A team of Ford truck specialists in Thailand worked closely with Ford's Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team, led by Gibson, to create Ranger Max. Ford's design team incorporated design cues into Ranger Max that may be seen in future-generation Ranger.

Source: AutoNews