• ALTER II
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The Umm may not have a background as illustrious as the Land Rover, but the Portuguese manufacturer has been building 4x4s since the early seventies. And don't be misled by the name — Umm's Alter II is a serious all-terrain vehicle which is specified by several European states for military use. It's interior trim looks practical and hard wearing.
Our short-cab pickup variant leaves little room for seat adjustment. Leg room has been increased since our last drive in an Umm by raising the high-backed seats, but this has also impaired visibility for taller drivers who have to stoop to look through the windscreen and side windows. The overall width is also a little restricted.
The windows in the doors slide open smoothly and during our test did not rattle but they are likely to become noisier with use (a case of rattle and Umm?).
Umm builds its own sturdy box-section chassis and steel body; the 2.5-litre charge-cooled diesel engine is supplied by Peugeot. It produces a useful 81kW (109hp) at 4,150rpm, but with less torque than the Land Rover. Space below the short, sloping bonnet is at a premium.
Leaf-spring suspension front and rear gives a surprisingly smooth ride, and the Alter II's approach/departure angles provide adequate clearance to negotiate the severe inclines that the transmission is able to tackle.
All 4x4s have trouble with tight manoeuvres due to the restricted steering lock imposed by a front drive axle, but the Alter II suffers from this more than most once allowance is made for differences in wheelbase. The load area is small and carrying capacity is further reduced by full-length wheel boxes.
Elby Bill Brock