- G Wagon a Rubicon a run for its money? Hardly. I am not a Jeep guy but articulation (something the G does not have) gives the Jeep a huge advantage.
- VW and Porsche do things all the time but they usually are in places where its expected. They did the Trans Siberian rally, set a world record by towing a 747, Dakar and Baja,
Melbourne to St. Petersburg for a world record, Pan American Highway, just to name a few. VW backs trips like this LR4 one all the time. VW in Russia even sponsored a group of heavily modified Amaroks in their drive across Siberia. I would rather a Touareg over an LR4...
- Audi is about rally and quattro. The Q7 is their family hauler
This is all fine and dandy, what I was merely suggesting was that:
-You don't find any other vehicle MFG doing this currently with a stock production vehicle, and as far as I know, not in the U.S. These LR4's have a winch. Their even running all season tires, as equipped from the factory. Their extras include: a spare tire or two. No pieces have been altered or removed. No "custom" skid plates. Everything is factory. You can go and buy this vehicle today, totally street legal. And there's no chase truck, repair team, etc.
- I gave a list of vehicles that a MFG could showcase as their example. And while yes, I see the GC covered in articles, and have read them, but they are actually the closest vehicle in physical size the jeep line that is in production. There is no more Commander to compete. So the largest "jeep" offering is the GC. Yes, if there was a defender in the U.S., you could then compare the wrangler with defender. Unless you want to lump the Dodge and the Jeep together.. in which case.. the Dodge Durango.
-Dodge has the powerwagon, which it DOES advertise for its off road ability. Factory winches, and lockers, sway bar disconnect. This is not the model for the farmer hauling a load. Its designed for off roading. Do you think the majority of land rover owners off road their vehicles? Even though land rovers are capable, their purchasers dont go buy them to generally take them off the beaten path. Maybe a snow covered road, to the ski lodge. A little bit of mud to go horse back riding. They are not taking it across vast places expedition style. Old H2 owners were more likely to have purchased spinners than mud terrain tires.
All of these vehicles are now more geared to a perceived lifestyle, than an actual lifestyle. Leather interiors? Leather dash boards? Real wood grain trim?
Toyota gas mileage isn't that great by todays standards. Their I force engine is a little behind the times, the big 3 are crushing them in terms of "mpg". The "lexus landcruiser" is a superb gas guzzler.
Why does the Rubicon have better articulation? a sway bar disconnect! the G is also solid axles front and rear, and with 3 lockers, 2 speed transfer case. I think its a good competitor. Perhaps not as good off road as the Rubicon, but for everything else.. its hard to beat!
the VW and porches are never STOCK in any of those event. THose are true "factory" backed events. There's a damn support truck behind them at the trans siberian rally. They had professional mechanics tearing down the trucks and rebuilding them. Perhaps you've also heard rumors that certain "stages" were cancelled because the porsches could never make it through. That is the rumor anyways. Plus the vehicles used were special built from the factory. 26 of them equipped with mud terrain tires and wheel down sizing, brake downsizing, etc etc.
Some comparison to 3 off show room LR4's with all season 19" wheels and tires.
