60 ROVER

22nd September 1972, Page 131

22nd September 1972

Page 131

Page 131, 22nd September 1972 — 60 ROVER

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The Rover Co Ltd, Solihull, Wanvickshire.

Rover has no less than eight vehicles on show,two being Range Rovers,five being LandRover and one new model seen for the first time on an 8ft 5in, wheelbase forward-control Land-Rover to WD specifications with a powered axle trailer. The payload of the vehicle and the trailer is 2 tons shared equally between truck and trailer.

The vehicle is powered by the Rover V8 3.5-litre aluminium petrol engine and drive to the trailer is designed to operate through any angle up to 60 degrees and in any direction so that all six wheels remain on the ground for maximum traction. The increased traction available from this articulated 6 x 6 design is claimed to give a cross-country performance superior to any comparable 6 x 6 rigid. The forward control configuration allows the maximum possible loading area for a given length and the rear body section has been specifically designed to provide the lowest centre of gravity consistent with the high underbody clearance.

The gearbox is of a similar design to that used in the Range Rover and provides constant four-wheel-drive through a lockable third differential unit with facilities for optional rear power take-off (used in this instance for the trailer drive) and a side-mounted winch. Eight forward and two rear ratios are provided and these range from a 75 to 1 first gear low transfer giving high tractive effect at crawling speeds to a high top gear of 6.54 to 1 which allows a high cruising speed on good roads.

Also making its debut at the Show this year is a new low-profile ambulance based on the Range Rover. Built by Spencer Abbott and Co Ltd, Birmingham, in co-operation with Rover's Special Projects Department this ambulance is sleek, fast and extremely manoeuvrable. The wheelbase has been extended by 10in. to accommodate the special body.

The other Range Rover exhibit is a special police model fitted out to meet the require

ments of motorway patrol duties.

The Land-Rover exhibits are unchanged since the announcement of the Series Ill range in October 1971 which was marked by a new-style grille. facia panel and detail engineering changes. Versions of the LandRover in 109 wheelbase form are on show with fourand six-cylinder petrol engines and fourcylinder diesel engine: the 88in. wheelbase model is also shown in petrol and diesel form.