With 4x4s now a dirty word to most car makers, true off-roaders were few and far between at the London Motor Show. Nick Fone managed to ferret out a few farm-friendly vehicles
Renault Koleos
Renault's first purpose-built 4x4 made its debut at the Motor Show. The Koleos has been developed as part of an alliance with Nissan and as such shares a common platform with the Japanese firm's X-Trail and Qashsqai. Power comes from the same two-litre dCi unit as that used in the French company's Megane and Laguna cars, while the transmission is a six-speed manual unit that will automatically transfer drive to the rear wheels when things start to get a bit slippy. The version pictured has just returned from a 25,000km PR stunt which involved driving from its Korean birthplace across Siberia to end up in Istanbul. A similar car - hopefully, with fewer miles on the clock - will set you back £18,995.
Isuzu Rodeo
Isuzu revealed a low-priced 2wd version of its Rodeo pick-up. Costing just £9999, the single-cab truck has a 2.5-litre common-rail engine pumping out 134bhp and five-speed manual box. It's rated to tow a useful 2.5t. The company has also introduced a 161bhp, three-litre engine for its 4x4 Rodeos. A Denver Max with 3t towing capacity costs £20,999.
Saab 9-4X
It's not often you can say a 4x4 is truly stunning, but this latest Saab deserves the plaudit. Quietly brooding in the corner with that trademark understated Scandinavian style, we're told something markedly similar to the Saab 9-4X on display at the show will make it to market shortly. It will be Saab's first proper attempt at an off-roader, so to keep the eco-bunnies at bay, the company is putting plenty of emphasis on the green credentials of its BioPower ethanol-fuelled engine the car will be fitted with. A diesel version is expected by 2010.
Range Rover Autobiography
If you are into leather and have £72,995 to spare, then the new top-spec Autobiography edition Range Rover is the car for you. Land Rover has managed to line every imaginable crack and crevice with tanned hides as well as adding 20in diamond-turned alloy wheels and flashy trim to produce what its MD calls: "The most complete luxury 4x4 ever."
Hummer HX
So striking that Sky News decided to film their coverage of the show with it in the background, the Hummer HX concept car has a powerful presence. Considerably shorter than other oversize Yank tanks from the same stable, it still manages to conjure up images of a sunglass-clad Schwarzenegger. Alas, the Californian governor chose not to make an appearance at the show, leaving visitors to pore over the car's ultra-modern aluminium scaffolding trim and laser quest-style dash instead.
Nissan NP300 pick-up
Recognise this? Nissan has completed the reintroduction of its Nissan NP300 Pick-Up. This King-Cab version joins the single-cab launched earlier this year alongside a double-cab variant. The reason for its reintroduction? Nissan says its top-spec Navara trucks are a bit too pricy and a little too bling to be the true workman's wagon. A new 133hp common-rail power-plant brings the Pick-Up in line with the latest emissions legislation, but elsewhere much remains the same - 2.8t & 3t towing capacities, 1.1t payload, five-speed manual box and a price-tag of £14,030.