BMW’S SUVS don’t appear in these pages all that often, but we recently had the chance to go for a blast in the highest-performance version of the company’s latest X3. Actually, it was more like a slosh and a squelch, because we were being battered by some of the most torrential rain anyone has ever seen – but hey, if you want to drive like a maniac in conditions like those, a fast SUV must surely be the best thing to do it in, right?
So we’ve got the X3 M Competition, £77,190’s worth of hot Beemer with a 3.0-litre six-pot yowling out 510bhp and 443lbf.ft. It has a cabin whose design is instantly recognisable as that of a BMW, and the steering wheel has a couple of big, purposeful looking M1 and M2 buttons on it. You don’t need to read the book of words to know that when you press them, things will happen.
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Land Rover Confirms Prices For New Defender 90 As Order Book Opens
On sale now from £40,290 • Commercial models coming this year from £35,000 plus VAT
STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE
There’s nothing very middle-of-the-road about Dave Yates’ Mitsubishi L200. But with modified double-cabs tending to divide themselves into big-money builds and bargain-bucket weld-ups, with not a lot in between, the company that helped him build it hopes to become the go-to supplier for people wanting to plough a new furrow down the centre ground
Land Rover restorer Arkonik to expand with reintroduction into UK market – and project to develop fully electric Defender
Somerset-based Land Rover restoration specialist Arkonik has announced its return to the UK market.
FORD RANGER RAPTOR
Ultimate version of Ford’s market-leading double-cab has more power and highly specialised suspension but isn’t classed as a commercial vehicle.
DEMOGRAPHICS
With more and more modified Ford Rangers and Jeep Wranglers appearing at the top end of the off-road scene, you might be forgiven for thinking no-one is doing it with Land Rover Defenders any more. But while 90s and 110s have indeed been redefined by their galloping values, they’re still right at the heart of the UK off-road scene – as very ably demonstrated by this slick new demo truck from Terrafirma, and of course its cool Union Jack artwork
Dangel conversion turns Vauxhall Combo into unique 4x4 van
Vauxhall has introduced a new version of its Combo Cargo van – with a 4x4 conversion by specialist engineering supplier Dangel.
BMW X3 M COMPETITION
Latest addition to the X3 range takes BMW’s latest 3.0-litre engine and uses it to create one of the most thrilling SUVs you can buy.
A Lifetime's Achievement
After a life spent in the Land Rover business, David Bowyer thought he’d put his expertise to use and finally get round to doing a project he’d always promised himself. It’s been well worth the wait…
Life Begins At 44
If you see one of Arctic Trucks’ builds on a British road, odds-on it’s an Isuzu D-Max on 35” tyres. But the Icelandic company built its reputation on far bigger things – of which this mighty Toyota Hilux AT44 is a spectacular example
Mercedes-Benz EQC
All-electric soft-roader is based on the new GLC – and makes as compelling a case as we’ve yet to hear for making the switch away from traditional fuels
