Filed under:
SUV,
Technology,
Jeep,
Land Rover,
Luxury,
Off-Road
Is It An Off-Road Adventure Or Just A Walk In The Park?
I remember having to get out and lock hubs and shift into neutral to engage low range.
Coming off press previews of the
2013 Land Rover Range Rover and the
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that involved some heavy-duty off-road rock climbing, I'm simply amazed at the capabilities that these vehicles possess. But even more impressive (or troubling depending on your perspective) is the relative ease with which you can operate these vehicles in seemingly impossible terrain.
Not that I'm a hardcore off-roader, but I've been in my share of 4x4's over the years and remember having to get out and lock hubs, shift into neutral to engage low range and learning that the accelerator and brake pedals can be your best friends or worst enemies in either moving along or getting hopelessly stuck.
Thanks to the wonders of electronics, advanced transfer cases and electric limited slip differentials, instead of manipulating levers or locking hubs, one merely has to punch a button or turn a knob to engage the right strategy to deal with whatever conditions encountered on the trail.
Matt DeLorenzo
is the former editor-in-chief of Road & Track
and has covered the auto industry for 35 years, including stints at Automotive News
and AutoWeek
. He has authored books including VW's New Beetle, Chrysler's Modern Concept Cars
, and Corvette Dynasty.
Continue reading Going high-tech, the 4x4 way
Going high-tech, the 4x4 way originally appeared on
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Opinion: Going high-tech, the 4x4 way
