I wonder what 4WDS will like in twenty years time??

I hope the Gophers will be 4x4 by then and affordable cos I will probably need one....hahaha



Cheers

I've recently driven current model Mercedes & Volvo trucks and electronics in these machines are mind boggling.
Clutch pedals are soOOOoo 20th century!, All electronically controled, still they are a manual gearbox, they do everything them selves, really trick bit of kit.
Shane

Hey Axle, I reckon 4x4s, like most forms of fashion, will continue to evolve to the point where the only option left to the manufactures is to go back to basics.

Imagine in say 20-30 years time 4x4s will be equipped with carbs, points, rotors, low range, manual trannies, leaf springs, casette players, solid chassis and the fuel economy of a Kenworth.

They will be built with steel that doesnt buckle as you polish it.
It will have the ability to go off-road.
It will not pop pistons after 100,000 kms.
It will not have idiot lights telling you stop because your washer bottle is low.

It will encourage the return of the 'bloke' the 'adventurer' the 'trailblazer' back to 4x4ing instead of the mamby-pamby, mummy which way do we go, that looks too rough, I cant do the Simpson cause I havent got Coopers, Id never dream of giving the missus a clip round the ear if she refuses to change the puncture, anyone who drinks more than one stubby a week is a dead loss boozer....types.

If I hang onto the old patroll long enough it will come back into fashion and every one will want one.

By the way...the missus has often called me a SNAG.
Slovenly - Neanderthal - Antipodian - Git.

A label I wear with pride.......hehehe.

Cheers......Lionel.

For the humour impaired.......Im only joking.
The missus made me put that bit in....lol.

In 2028 there will be rumours that a replacment for the 3.0 GU Patrol will arrive in 2 years. The GU will be up to series MCMXV and it will be distinguished from the previous model by the chrome grille and door handles ( again) , and the general concensus will be that ones built after 2025 shouldn't blow pistons.

:-)

The main difference I expect will be all steel panels will be replaced by more plastic & carbon fibre to reduce weight. Gearbox's will be all automatics & engines will reduce in size to improve fuel econemy.
Cheer Craig................

How about like this?
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2008/10/sema-2008-pre-3.html

100mpg plug-in serial hybrid. 600 horse power, 2800Nm of torque.

What - no flux capacitor???

Kind regards

Take heart Axle , we still have the petrol Patrols , with basically the same coil / live axle setup and straight six, relatively simple engines that they had in twenty years ago in 1988 and just as many of the GQ are still going strong the current GU's will still be able to be be had in another 20 years.

Twenty Years .... ???????

I havent seen a new 4WD anywhere for over ten years ... plenty of gadgety gizmo all wheel drive people movers ... some with a reasonable capability ... but no 4WD.