{"id":6091,"date":"2013-07-31T19:27:36","date_gmt":"2013-07-31T19:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/?p=6091"},"modified":"2014-08-24T17:31:31","modified_gmt":"2014-08-24T17:31:31","slug":"when-the-going-gets-rough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wheelsforwomen.ie\/index.php\/when-the-going-gets-rough\/","title":{"rendered":"When the Going Gets Rough"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Now<\/a>

Now that’s a real 4×4<\/p><\/div>\n


\nWant a car that will suggest you are an active, outdoors type with a country pad and hobbies that include hillwalking and other country pursuits? \u00a0We\u00a0take a closer look at the latest breed of faux 4x4s.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

SUV-style makeovers are being given to cars from superminis like the Volkswagen Polo, to family hatchbacks like the Volvo V40, and the tried and tested mini-MPV, with the Renault Scenic and Fiat 500L leading the way.<\/p>\n

Just last month Opel released the first pictures of their new Insignia Country Tourer. In layman\u2019s terms, the Country Tourer is an estate version of the Insignia but with a more rugged character. Opel says that the Country Tourer \u201cexpresses an innate desire for adventure\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0(We will take their word for it until we drive it and decide if the car seems to be gasping for adventure!)<\/p>\n

But aside from the outdoorsy name, which is of course mandatory for the faux 4×4, the Insignia Country Tourer lives up to its new adventurous persona with higher ground clearance, extra underbody protection, plastic cladding on the wheel arches and lower body suggesting durability, and four wheel drive for when the going gets rough.<\/p>\n

Cars like the Insignia Country Tourer fill yet another niche market. Back in 2000, Renault blazed a trail for the faux 4×4 with the Scenic RX4. The extra plastic cladding and spare tyre fixed to the rear door of the Scenic compact MPV looked ridiculous at the time. But now this sort of off-road makeover is very fashionable.<\/p>\n

Thankfully today\u2019s incarnations have been given a much more sympathetic makeover compared to the ugly-duckling that was the Scenic RX4.<\/p>\n

Renault are back in the game with their new Scenic XMOD which gets the obligatory extra plastic cladding, all-season tyres and a special traction system to help out on those tricky surfaces.<\/p>\n

Likewise, Fiat have given their mini-MPV, the 500L, a special traction system along with the usual visual cues of the faux 4×4, and called it the 500L Trekking.<\/p>\n

These cars certainly make a visual statement. The styling indicates purpose and durability. A raised suspension may be a bonus when the ground gets bumpier, but it also means a higher driving position so occupants get a feeling of safety and protection.<\/p>\n

Image is important in this sector too and the advertising will sell you a healthy, homely lifestyle of country living, with a sprinkle of adventure. What\u2019s not to like!<\/p>\n

Off-road capability used to be something reserved for drivers of enormous Land Rovers and Toyota Landcruisers but the new breed of faux 4x4s are suitable for light to moderate off-roading. They will do this in comfort and in a package that will appeal to the style-conscious. They are the Marks & Spencer version of country living.<\/p>\n

If your off-road needs only amount to navigating a muddy festival car park once a year, then you will be very satisfied with one of these cars. Just be warned \u2013 your faux 4×4 might look like it could take on Kilimanjaro but don\u2019t expect any Range Rover style off-roading ability or you will surely be left with mud on your face!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1st August, 2013<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Want a car that will suggest you are an active, outdoors type with a country pad and hobbies that include hillwalking and other country pursuits? \u00a0We\u00a0take a closer look at the latest breed of faux 4x4s. SUV-style makeovers are being given to cars from superminis like the Volkswagen Polo, to family hatchbacks like the Volvo […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[241,503,484,1375,524,1374],"class_list":["post-6091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-features","tag-4x4","tag-featured","tag-fiat-500l","tag-insignia-country-tourer","tag-land-rover","tag-renault-scenic-xmod"],"yoast_head":"\nWhen the Going Gets Rough - wheelsforwomen.ie<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want a car that will suggest you are an active, outdoors type with a country pad? 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