Quote:
Originally Posted by drifter You all must ask yourselves, apart from the minuscule number of buyers from this class, which of these vehicles really go off-road. Departure and approach angles come into play when one goes proper offroad. I know for a fact that most Endeavours and Fortuners and more so the LCs have never crossed a kerb, let alone lift wheels off-road.
For rough roads, this has enough technology and the supporting mechanicals to handle what the average user will throw at it. It comes with a low range gearbox which most of us will never really put to use.
One must drive (if possible back to back with competition) and then share their opinion. From a group of auto enthusiasts, one expects a more measured and responsible feedback. |
Absolutely bang on.
My 2WD Bolero and 2WD Scorpio could go more or less anywhere except some really steep rocky or slushy climbs where the wheels would spin like the blazes.
The “soft roader” Yeti, actually has all the 4x4 juice that one may need, because of its intelligent system which sends power to whichever wheels need them most. So it can happily climb steep inclines over smallish rocks or slush or even Tarmac or concrete which might be rain-washed and therefore, slippery. Saying this, I would just not take the Yeti for an off road adventure except softer trails and suchlike because it is too expensive a vehicle and I dont want to go through issues.
The typical softroader is great for snow and sludge and black ice etc, which usually occurs in the Northern latitudes.
So I had test driven a AT 2WD Jeep Compass as well as the manual version. That thing is so powerful and torquey that it can handle almost anything that one can throw at it, with its high ground clearance. I had driven it with the showroom chap and two of my friends on some really lousy roads and dirt tracks and stony construction debris ridden spaces in Bangalore a year ago. And its suspension and general power saw me through perfectly.
Same goes for the 2WD Duster which is a tough as nails vehicle for many of these semi normal situations that one may encounter in India.
So having said all this, 4WD and low range etc are strictly not necessary for most folks since the max usage is inside city limits and highways and mostly on Tarmac.
And that is why right from the 1970’s through the 1980’s and 1990’s etc as per my Dad’s input, when we lived on the tea estates, one always had to specially order the 4WD versions of the Mahindra Jeeps and MM540’s and so on.
Only the Gypsy always had standard 4WD and never came with a 2WD variant. Only some fellows who “dieselised” the Gypsy lost their 4x4 in that process. Even the Bolero only had a 4WD for a short time - I’m not sure if one can get one now. Same goes for the Sumo too.
However, people who live in the hills or use their vehicles all the time on rough terrain, do require 4WD and for them at least, the option ought to exist. But frankly, none of these big soft-roaders will really do the job for them as an utility vehicle, simply because all of these are generally too large and ponderous.
This is why 4WD will always be a niche need. Jeep Renegade 4WD trailhawk would be a good thing to have. So would the new Suzuki Jimny. Mostly on account of their smaller size and proportions, shorter overhangs, high ground clearance and 4WD capability.
However, these shall remain a pipe dream here in India.
So, people who are enthusiasts and people who have a genuine need, will always end up sticking with the few options there are, on offer, such as the Thar, the Gypsy (till it is available) and perhaps the Duster 4WD.
Even though I have the Yeti, I may take it onto some rough terrain maybe once a year. And for the general fun and games, the old Gypsy is always there. But even this, is mostly driven on Tarmac or on dirt tracks if at all. I hardly ever put it into 4L. Except just to exercise it once in a while....
The above, ought to answer most people’s angst about the need for 4WD/ AWD in our Indian conditions.