Check out these 1980s 4X4 images

A LOT of you enjoyed the 1980s off-roader pictures, which I've been scanning in digitally over the Christmas break.

However it turns out my father had another old photo album with even more archive shots, including these shots from across Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Here are few more gems from more than 30 years ago, including everything from Land Rover Series Is to Mercedes G-Wagens. There's even a Daihatsu F20 getting stuck in - when was the last time you saw one of those?

[Road Test] - Minibus Daihatsu All New Xenia R Sporty 13 AT 2012

XeniA'ddiction

 

 

Indonesia's consumers' love has increased even more since the emergence of Daihatsu All New Xenia. With a new face and latest features installed, the car has strengthened its image as one of the most desired family vehicles in Indonesian.

Literally, the word 'addiction' could mean 'excessive desire over things'. And if I may ask, what kind of vehicle do you want?

Judging from the national automotive market's demand, a vehicle that can hold many passengers with bigger trunk load at an affordable price will definitely become the main choice for consumers.

Multi-purpose vehicle such as the Daihatsu Xenia is an interesting choice for families in Indonesia. Since its introduction in 2004, the twin brother of Avanza has been drawing the consumers' attention, thanks to those factors above. It is undeniable that these two vehicles remain as the favourite vehicles for families in Indonesia.

Last year, on November 9th, 2011, PT. Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) re-launched the latest generation of their low MPV under by the name All New Xenia.

Hoping to retain the people's love towards their low MPV was shown through its latest stunning looks.

Exterior

Consumer's desire to own the latest MPV from Daihatsu seems unstoppable, especially with its drawing new looks. Comparing the Xenia to its predecessor, much have changed in terms of its looks.

PT. ADM has granted the all new Xenia with new stylish head lamps and better lighting. Arched grille smeared with chrome and applied new design on its bumper to complete the dynamic look of the latest Xenia.

The A pillar is now more slender, symbolising that the automaker built this 7-seater vehicle to be more aerodynamic.

According to them, this characteristic made the All-New Xenia to be steadier when sprinting while at the same time being more fuel efficient.

The car also sports new 14-inch rims and lighted door handles.

In addition to that, rear view mirror cover has been integrated with indicator lights to help warn other drivers of your presence in darker areas when making a turn.

Moving on to the rear, the installation of rear wiper and back opener is a new thing (there were none in the previous version) which will ease in opening the trunk door.

 

 

 

 

 

Britain's most exclusive sports car

WANT a nice, sporty car nobody else has got? Then - unlikely as it seems - you'll have to get yourself one of these.

Earlier this year I praised Volkswagen's Phaeton as being one of Britain's most exclusive motors, but it seems after looking through official figures released this week which tell you who's bought what in 2010 so far I'm going to retract my reccomendation. For true exclusivity, you'd be much better off with the Daihatsu Copen.

Consider this; so far this year Daihatsu has sold 170 cars in the UK. That's not just the stat for the two-seater, really rather pretty little Copen, but the entire brand. That's less than one a day, and the company sells four different models over here. Ford sell 115 times that number in a single month!

To make more sense of the shocking statistic you've also got to consider the handful of companies that sold even fewer cars, which include soon to axed SUV masters Hummer (who sold four cars), European luxury car sales flop Cadillac (24 cars), Chevrolet's Corvette sub-brand (two cars), and deleted upmarket Jaguar maker Daimler (two cars).

Almost all of these badges come on cars that are obsolete, irrelevant or, let's face it, rubbish.

But to brand the Daihatsu, er, brand in the same way is missing out on some entertaining little motors, not least the fizzy Copen sports car, which only put British buyers off because it's so tiny. Anyone who recalls Jeremy Clarkson escaping a pack of hounds while at the helm of the Terios will know it's a surprisingly capable off-roader, and even the Sirion supermini has a quirky charm. In fact, the only model I'd actively avoid is the ugly, too-tall-for-its-boots Materia MPV.

I also reckon the days of driving a Daihatsu and having people laugh at you are finally gone, partly because it doesn't make the ridiculous Move city car anymore and partly because nobody has ever seen any of the new models. You're more likely to get quizzical looks from bystanders, genuinely curious as to what that strange little sports car you're driving actually is.

So go on, buy a Daihatsu before the company's UK importers get put off and delete it from the country's showrooms altogether.

It'll be more exclusive than any of Aston Martin's models, and that's a fact.