The Fiat PanDAKAR will probably participate in the 2009 Baja España, as these spy pictures can attest to. The little all-terrain vehicle, which participated in the Dakar 2007, should compete this year in the fascinating Iberian race, which will be held next July 23 to 26.

Fiat has entrusted, already for some time now, the development of the PanDAKAR to a team from Bergamo - the Orobica Raid - and the team was pleasantly surprised during one of the vehicle’s offroad test phase.

The Orobica Raid competed last year in the Hungarian Baja, always with the small Turin vehicle (which is equipped with a 1.3-liter Multijet), and therefore in a few days should bring the small Dakar Panda on the race grounds again…

Fiat PanDAKAR: spy pictures in view of the Baja Espana

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The veteran career of British off-road vehicles takes a new turn with the Land Rover Defender now being released on the Chinese market in a new venture for the brand.

The Chinese market is of fundamental importance generally around the world, and this will be the first ever appearance of the Land Rover Defender special editions Fire and Ice, on Chinese soil. The two versions show differing twin-colour livery to distinguish the differing models.

A total of only 850 units will be produced of the Defender Fire and Ice and all of those will be destined for the Chinese market. Here’s hoping nobody gets the idea of copying them while they’re over there…

Source | AutoExpress

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Land Rover has created a new Limited Edition series for its Defender model. The two off-road special versions will be called “Fire” and “Ice”. Both are distinguished by a twin colour design and are available in the 90 and 110 wheel base measures.

The Defender Fire will have a ‘Vesuvius Orange’ and ‘Santorini Black’ livery. The black also appears on the Defender Ice, but is combined with ‘Alaska White’. The interiors of the two versions pick up the orange and white in panelled featuring around the central dash commands.

LED lights are included, as is Alcantara upholstery. The Land Rovers Defender Fire and Defender Ice will be made in just 850 units at a cost of 68,400 euros.

Continue reading: Land Rover Defender: Fire and Ice limited editions

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Saab did its best at the Geneva motor show, presenting its new 9-3X SportHatch, which follows in the footsteps of some offroad offerings such as the Volvo XC70 and Audi’s allroad range.

The model is equipped with either the 2.0L turbo engine at 210hp, or the 1.9 litre TTiD at 180hp. The petrol version has all wheel drive, while the diesel features rear wheel drive. The higher wheel base, XWD, and rear electronic differential with anti-slip eLSD, make this an excellent competitor in this segment, compared to some of the soft-roader options.

Other features include the transmission offered, a six-speed manual or automatic, and the boot, which has a variable capacity of between 477 and 1331 litres. See the gallery below for the full official shots of the Saab 9-3X.

Continue reading: Saab 9-3X gallery

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The Bell Aurens Longnose offers the more audacious purchaser the option of Rolls Royce Merlin V12 engine at 27 litres - 27 litres!! This re-edition of the Land Rover pre-series III offers a turbo compressor capable of 1,500hp which was used on aeroplane engines in the 40’s.

Another option is the Rover Meteor with a more modest 750hp, included on the A27M Cromwell English tank of 1943. If all this seems completely off the horse power scale and over-the-top, you could go with the conventional Rover V8 Great British at 4.6 and 5.0 litres with 235 and 280hp respectively.

The last Custom option is that of combining to V8’s to form a ten-litre V16 at 700hp, or a smaller eight-litres at 420hp. The Bell Aurens wins hands down any victory on pure power, and includes artisanal, hand-made prodution and luxury materials.

Continue reading: Bell Aurens Longnose: one over-the-top Land Rover

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The first series of the Mini, the legendary and ingenious creation from Alec Issigonis in 1959, has evolved over the years in different versions studied for the varied clientele, showing itself to be a versatile and long-standing project.

Among these versions was the famous Moke, inspired by the Jeep Willys, but evidently not for off-road use. A kind of beach-use vehicle, the Moke was produced in 1964 in various factories, not just in the UK, and production lasted until 1993, totalling more than 50,000 units over the years. In the course of the coming year, the Moke will make a come-back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mini, thanks to UK Garage.

The 2009 Moke will be built according to artisanal standards and will be equipped with a three cylinder, 850cc engine at 50hp, adhering to Euro4 norms. Another two ecological versions will be available, including an all-wheel hybrid version, and an entirely electric version. Prices will start from 14,000 euros and personalisation will be a strong point with options such as a hard-top, satellite nav system, leather interior and automatic transmission. You can reserve your model now, delivery will commence from spring 2009.

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New and old, past and present, this is Iveco and Fiat. Here is the first official gallery of the new Campagnola, which reflects the historic 1951 model. The new version has all the practicality and performance of pure offroad vehicles, with angles of 50°, and maximum slope performance even when fully loaded.

The engine is a 3.0 litre, four cylinder turbo diesel at 176hp, with 400Nm for the Iveco Massif and Daily, and P+A type traction - it’s an integrated drive version that when not in use becomes a normal rear wheel drive. The vehicle has six speed manual transmission, fuel consumption of 11.1l/100km on diesel, and can reach 165 km/hr of maximum speed. Dimensions are 424cm long (three door), 175 wide and 200cm in height.

Two colours, sage green and ivory, are available for this offroad, which has been designed in collaboration with Giugiaro. The list of optionals, while minimal, includes satellite navigator and leather interior. Prices start from 29,800 euros, while the first 499 examples are part of an Opening Edition, with added features. For more information go to the Campagnola site, which is worth a look just for the music.

Continue reading: Iveco Campagnola: new offroad official pics

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The market barely got time to read and comment on the Mercedes GL restyling, that rival Range Rover is preparing itself for a face lift, keeping its public happy.

Road tests on the re-styled off-road are taking place in the US and preparations for its debut are becoming fervent, as the presentation is set for spring 2009, perhaps slightly earlier than the German competition.

As for the GL, aesthetic modifications are virtually irrelevant and are concentrated on the front air intake/grill, and the lights both front and rear. Internally, the car will remain the same, and so it’s on to the engines, where we get down to the nitty gritty.

Continue reading: Super-SUV restyling: Range Rover

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Mitsubishi will have its debut at the next edition of Dakar, in South America, with a brand new car - the Racing Lancer. This prototype, news of it sent to us by the guys at Motorsportblog.it could repeat the success of the Pajero Evolution and, commercially, will give a preview of the Lancer Crossover style which will debut in October in Paris.

It’s similar to the Lancer family and the Cx concept, although under the bonnet there’s no 2.0 turbo Lancer Evolution, but a three-litre V6 turbodiesel at about 260hp. More photos after the jump.

Continue reading: Mitsubishi Racing Lancer: preview to the series Crossover

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First impression: at least we won’t be seeing this in Italy in the short term. Second impression: finally some different form compared to the rough, but functional, Mitsubishi flagship. The Japanese manufacturer will present the new Pajero Sport at the Moscow show (from August 24 to September 7), where the elegant offroad should see itself in the local market.

Fruit of the amalgamation between a dynamic and sporty style, with spacious and practical interior, the Pajero Sport will be offered with three different engine choices: two diesels at 2.5 and 3.2 litres with common rail system, and a V6 3.5 petrol engine. The traction has been inherited from the Super Select 4WD, and will show off Mitsubishi’s rallying experience.

Continue reading: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: how to soften its "tough" past

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