1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190 
Bill' THE
Page 66
Page 67
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Defence procurement is big business for car, van and truck manufacturers. Andy Salter donned his flak jacket at this year's DVD show.
With big vehicle orders up for grabs anything to do with the military sees suppliers slavering.The big turnout of exhibitors at this year's DVD military show was testimony to this as most of the major vehicle manufacturers were parading their wares. Attending on the second day we'd be fibbing if we said the show was jam packed with punters, but in keeping with many trade exhibitions it's the quality, not the quantity that matters and we saw a good mix of military and emergency services checking out the show.
The show has a static exhibition hall with an outdoor demonstration area. A demanding off-road course, as well as simulated on-road driving around the test track, allowed potential buyers to get to grips with the vehicles.
We took the opportunity to try a couple of newcomers from the DaimlerChrysler defence portfolio, both industry firsts. The Jeep Wrangler TJL marks this well known marque's return to military operations. DaimlerChrysler has already supplied 1,000 of these machines to the Egyptian army and judging by the favourable looks it was receiving at DVD there are likely to be more orders in the pipeline.
Powered by a 4.0-litre petrol engine, the TJL had plenty of performance on tap —in fact with so much get up and go it needed a steady right foot on the gas pedal to ensure smooth performance.
We understand the TJL will be equipped with the VM 2.8-litre diesel from the Jeep Cherokee in the first quarter of 2005.The resulting torque and driveability improvements will enhance this machine greatly. That's not to say the petrol TJL is a poor performer, but for severe off-roading we prefer the hardworking, low-revving style of the diesel.
Stylish performer
The tough off-road course tested the TIL's abilities to the full, but whether we were tackling a 45% descent or scrambling over a loose log pile the long-wheelbase TJL performed with style.Traction was excellent and the exceptional manoeuvrability meant we could go anywhere.
We found the ride hard, the gearshift rather vague and the interior was utilitarian, but in this sector none of those factors are likely to be deal breakers.
Impressive as the TJL was,it was a mere hors d'oeuvre compared to DainderChrysler's Dodge Ram. It's a hell of a machine in road-going form, but the Combatt version (Commercially Based TacticalTruck) raises the off-road bar a couple of notehes.lhis is a military version of the Ram hybrid electric vehicle, complete with a purpose-built hydropneumatic on/off-road suspension system.
Before the driving, a few lines about the specification.The military version is based on the Ram 2500 full-size pickup. It's equipped with a hybrid driveline comprising the popular Cummins 5.9-litre diesel engine integrated with an electric motor.The net result is a claimed 15% reduction in fuel consumption as well as reduced exhaust emissions.
The Ram can also function as a stationary electric generator capable of delivering up to 10kW of continuous power,potentially eliminating the need for generators, which have to be towed if auxiliary electric power is required.
The latest hydro-pneumatic suspension replaces the front coil springs with hydropneumatic cylinders; the rear leaf suspension is replaced with a multi-link suspension system and hydro-pneumatic eylinders.The result is masses of suspension travel and excellent ride quality.
Ride quality
While the TJL had a rather rudimentary ride quality the Ram had a much more driverfriendly feel. But wherever the Jeep went, so did the Ram.A simple flick of the switch caused the suspension to rise lthn from its standard running height, allowing us to wade through deep water with ease.
There's nothing from a performance angle that betrays the vehicle's hybrid drive line — the big Cummins worked comfortably through the rev range.The high torque output of the 5.9-litre engine means much of the low-speed work can be carried out virtually at tickover, giving excellent control for more severe obstacles.
The only weakness we identified was visibility from the wheel. The Ram is so big that on some of the very tough descents and turns it was a case of point it in the right direction and hope.There's little doubting the performance of the Ram, we'd just like to see more.
Despite its size the Ram handled well and was surprisingly nimble around the tight course.
Both DaimlerChrysler machines displayed excellent off-roading ability .For sheer exhilaration the Jeep TJL was the most fun to drive, but our preference was for the greater comfort in the Ram. •