Off-road motorcycles with classic design are in fashion: clean from dirt

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Going to church with the family on Sundays and going to the market with vegetables on Mondays. When the first Land Rover appeared in 1948, it galvanized farmers in the remotest corners of the British Kingdom. Whether in snow, mud or swamp, it would reliably swing from the wasteland to the next county town, thanks to its four-wheel-drive system and hammer-repairable technology. From 1990 onwards, the Defender model name was stuck with the already dented aluminum car; until the last one rolled off the assembly line in January 2016. The final special models were available for around 40,000 francs, depending on size.

Anyone who still wants an old Landy like this today will easily pay twice or more for some vehicles. The auto industry is betting on clean electric vehicles, but those who want to drive their cars into the ground are far from impressed. Founding brothers Spencer (1891–1971) and Maurice (1904–1963) Willks are said to have spent only five minutes on the original Landy. But by doing so, they created the blueprint for the angular off-road motorcycles that have an unwavering fan base to this day. Modern SUVs in retro style are so popular that order books at Mercedes, Toyota, Land Rover, Suzuki and Ineos are filling up fast.

original and copy

Completely re-launched in 2019, the Land Rovers Defender still draws on its history; It has been considered an independent sub-brand under the Land Rover umbrella since last year. It is available in three wheelbases, especially the short version from the 90s that is reminiscent of the original model. Technically it no longer has anything in common with the previous aluminum can and has been using the latest technology for a long time. If desired, a high-tech diesel with 525 hp (386 kW), a plug-in hybrid or a powerful V8 gasoline engine is also available for at least 164,600 euros. Defender, whose base price is 95,540 francs, has already said goodbye to its ancestors in terms of price.

This also applies to Ineos Grenadier. British multimillionaire Jim Ratcliffe (71), owner of FC Lausanne Sport football club and partner of the English club Manchester United, missed the old Defender, whose production was discontinued, and decided to build his own off-road vehicle. But first, the founder of chemicals giant Ineos checked to see if others felt the same way. Therefore, the Grenadier in the old Defender design has been sold since 2022 with a BMW engine and 249 hp (183 kW, diesel) or 286 hp (210 kW, petrol) at 82,290 francs. Magna Steyr from Austria supplies the chassis, whose axles can rotate wildly thanks to almost 60 centimeters of suspension travel. Ineos is now also planning an electric version.

Smaller and cheaper

However, it is also possible to buy a cheaper one, a few sizes smaller and with a base price of 31,990 francs: As a mini off-roader, the Suzuki Jimny Country stands alone in the field – but it can also do similar things off-road as the large off-road vehicle. ones. In addition to the 4×4 connection, this is also achieved by mechanical reduction. Jeep’s Wrangler has had a boxy design since 1987. Currently its price starts at 95,900 francs – only with plug-in hybrid drive, but still with a removable roof for fresh air off-road.

Ford is currently releasing another retro off-roader. The Bronco looks like a repeat of the first one from 1974, but it will probably only come to Europe in homeopathic doses. The price has not been determined yet. And another legend enters the next round: the Toyota Land Cruiser was launched in 1951 – its next generation, which carries over the details of the previous 15 models in its design, will soon arrive. In Germany, Toyota had a long waiting list; The first 1000 units sold very quickly after orders were released at the end of December.

Instead of a self-supporting body, the Land Cruiser still has a solid ladder frame like it did 73 years ago. An electronic limited-slip differential called Crawl Control and several external cameras that provide a clear view of the terrain are intended to guarantee off-road quality. Higher model variants offer, among other things, detachable front stabilizers for rough roads. Depending on the market, a turbodiesel with 204 hp (150 kW) or a gasoline engine with 160 to 330 hp (118 to 243 kW), also with hybrid technology, is available.

VW is still waiting

There are always waiting times for the Mercedes G-Class; sometimes even two years or more. Even as a mid-level equipped G 400d with a starting price of 146,040 francs, this off-roader is not cheap at all. The price of the 585 hp (430 kW) V8 biturbo Mercedes AMG G63 is 229,349 francs. Logically, you’re more likely to see this luxury version at Zurich’s Paradeplatz than at Pilatus. An electric version is also planned to be released this year.

VW is likely to get into the retro business within two years: The group has relaunched the old Scout brand for the US and raised hopes for two models in square-wood design with the first sketches of an SUV silhouette and a pick-up. truck up. But so far, only one thing is certain: they will also be electric.

Source: Blick