| Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4x4 is a term used to | | | | 2.4% are large ones and 5.3% are medium-sized. |
| describe a four-wheeled vehicle with a drive train | | | | By 2010, the SUV segment is estimated to grow |
| that allows all four wheels to receive power from | | | | to 10.1%, with medium growing to 7% and large |
| the engine simultaneously. The term has | | | | slipping to 2.2%. By 2014, the SUV market is |
| traditionally been linked to sports utility vehicles, or | | | | expected to increase to 11.2%, with medium-sized |
| SUVs, which have been very popular in the United | | | | cars responsible for 7.6% and large cars for 2%. |
| States, and are now becoming popular across | | | | The total European new car market is then |
| Europe. The benefit of a car with four-wheel drive | | | | expected to be 21.9 million vehicles. |
| is that it allows for normal two-wheel drive on | | | | This is of course good news for car workshops. |
| normal roads and superior four-wheel mode for | | | | In recent years, TV shows such as MTV's Pimp |
| low traction conditions such as snow, ice, slippery | | | | My Ride, have increased the popularity of |
| surfaces, mud or loose gravel. | | | | overhauling, or, if you will, customising cars with |
| In response to criticism by civic groups against | | | | things like game consoles, chrome wheels and |
| using larger SUVs for daily urban trips, car | | | | faster engines. But before 4x4 owners go off |
| manufacturers are now trying to position the | | | | trying to similarly overhaul their own vehicles, it |
| smaller versions as green vehicles, with levels of | | | | might be best to invest in a new set of 4x4 |
| CO2 emissions much closer to their conventional | | | | tyres. |
| car equivalents than larger models. For example, | | | | Donald Cheach, editor of Top Gear Malaysia, |
| Citroen recently launched the C-Crosser, only | | | | recently told the Malaysia Star: "The first thing I |
| available with a particulate filter and frugal diesel | | | | would recommend is definitely a set of better |
| engines. | | | | tyres. There is nothing wrong with go-fast |
| These newer models are likely to be popular in | | | | upgrades as long as there is an equal effort to |
| Europe, where smaller SUVs have been more | | | | improve the safety aspect of the vehicle. The |
| successful than larger models, and are likely to be | | | | wheels represent the unsprung weight of the |
| a bigger driving force for sales of 4WD vehicles in | | | | vehicle. Generally, the lighter this is, the more |
| the near future. Other examples include the Nissan | | | | efficient the performance. Suspension should be |
| Qashqai and the Renault Koleos, both combining | | | | looked at next, followed by engine upgrades". |
| four-by-four drive and limited off-road capabilities | | | | Ultimately, those looking to buy a new SUV in |
| with the handling of a passenger car. | | | | order to take advantage of its 4x4 capabilities, |
| J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting estimated | | | | yet stay environmentally conscious, will find their |
| SUVs comprise 1.5 million out of 18.3 million | | | | needs well-met by upcoming medium and small |
| vehicles, or 8% of the car market, in Europe in | | | | sized SUVs, should they decide to pimp them or |
| 2007. Of this quotient, 0.6% are small SUVs, | | | | not. |