| Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4x4 is a term used to | | | | 0.6% are small SUVs, 2.4% are large ones and 5.3% |
| describe a four-wheeled vehicle with a drive train that | | | | are medium-sized. By 2010, the SUV segment is |
| allows all four wheels to receive power from the | | | | estimated to grow to 10.1%, with medium growing |
| engine simultaneously. The term has traditionally been | | | | to 7% and large slipping to 2.2%. By 2014, the SUV |
| linked to sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, which have | | | | market is expected to increase to 11.2%, with |
| been very popular in the United States, and are now | | | | medium-sized cars responsible for 7.6% and large |
| becoming popular across Europe. The benefit of a car | | | | cars for 2%. The total European new car market is |
| with four-wheel drive is that it allows for normal | | | | then expected to be 21.9 million vehicles. |
| two-wheel drive on normal roads and superior | | | | This is of course good news for car workshops. In |
| four-wheel mode for low traction conditions such as | | | | recent years, TV shows such as MTV's Pimp My |
| snow, ice, slippery surfaces, mud or loose gravel. | | | | Ride, have increased the popularity of overhauling, or, |
| In response to criticism by civic groups against using | | | | if you will, customising cars with things like game |
| larger SUVs for daily urban trips, car manufacturers | | | | consoles, chrome wheels and faster engines. But |
| are now trying to position the smaller versions as | | | | before 4x4 owners go off trying to similarly overhaul |
| green vehicles, with levels of CO2 emissions much | | | | their own vehicles, it might be best to invest in a |
| closer to their conventional car equivalents than larger | | | | new set of 4x4 tyres. |
| models. For example, Citroen recently launched the | | | | Donald Cheach, editor of Top Gear Malaysia, recently |
| C-Crosser, only available with a particulate filter and | | | | told the Malaysia Star: "The first thing I would |
| frugal diesel engines. | | | | recommend is definitely a set of better tyres. There |
| These newer models are likely to be popular in | | | | is nothing wrong with go-fast upgrades as long as |
| Europe, where smaller SUVs have been more | | | | there is an equal effort to improve the safety aspect |
| successful than larger models, and are likely to be a | | | | of the vehicle. The wheels represent the unsprung |
| bigger driving force for sales of 4WD vehicles in the | | | | weight of the vehicle. Generally, the lighter this is, the |
| near future. Other examples include the Nissan | | | | more efficient the performance. Suspension should be |
| Qashqai and the Renault Koleos, both combining | | | | looked at next, followed by engine upgrades". |
| four-by-four drive and limited off-road capabilities | | | | Ultimately, those looking to buy a new SUV in order |
| with the handling of a passenger car. | | | | to take advantage of its 4x4 capabilities, yet stay |
| J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting estimated SUVs | | | | environmentally conscious, will find their needs |
| comprise 1.5 million out of 18.3 million vehicles, or 8% | | | | well-met by upcoming medium and small sized SUVs, |
| of the car market, in Europe in 2007. Of this quotient, | | | | should they decide to pimp them or not. |