FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 9

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE

FOREIGN CAR AT LONDON. .• 1 .. ■ *• I •■’ ‘ • LONDON, October 14. There was a foreign four-wheel driye open four-seater motor-car at the Motor Show which the Duke of Kent opened at Earls Court. It is said to be capable of going into and out of wide ditches, across most types of rough ground, up unusually steep gradients, and to have a turning circle no bigger than that of a London taxicab, The steering is on all four wheels, too. The motor-car has a., four-cylinder petrol ' engine of 2-litre capacity, developing 48 brake horse-power, and its fuel consumption is said to be 28 miles per gallon. The transmission is handled by I no fewer than three differentials —one between the front wheels and one between the rear, and a third separating the front and rear wheel drive. The function of the third is to prevent racing or spinning of ejther of the two pairs of wheels on bumpy ground. Its maximum speed when fully loaded is said to be 53 m.p.h., and jt has five forward gears and a reverse. The giant balloon tyres have caterpillar treads, and all four wheels have independent suspension. The equipment includes a radio capable of short wave as well as long and medjuih wave reception. Of what use is such' a type to the British motorist? The makers say they are showing it for two reasons. Firstly, it could replace horse transport oh overseas ranches and farms, and secondly,’"it could be used as a “utility car’’ on sport and work on large British estates. This' is not the only sign or virility among the products of foreign car manufacturers, who, by the way, this yeaT total nearly as many as the British. One of the Continental cars shown is a seveh-seater reputed to do more than 100 m,p.h., and has been produced to offer competition to the very few British luxury ' cars capable of this speed. The increasing popularity of motoring holidays abroad is helping to stimulate the demand for ultra-fast cars, because, in Europe especially, high speed can be maintained for long periods. On the manufacturers represented, 16 were Continental firms, 14 American and Canadian and 30 British. France made a great effort this year, nine firms having taken stands.