Four Wheel Drives 1998

A look back at the 1998 four wheel drive year.

Conception

Revealed in 1998: The Ibex II', based on Ford Explorer mechanical components, and planned for production in South Africa and then world (?) export, holds out the promise of a no-compromise four wheel drive for the true believer.

Birth

The Toyota 100-series / Lexus LX470 upped the luxury, weight and wealth-hazard levels in 4WDs. Nissan's GU Patrol is very nearly as good in all departments, is a lot cheaper and has been giving Toyota a run for its (sales-) money.

Marriages

Mercedes Benz and Jeep / Chrysler tied the knot.
There was also a shot-gun wedding between Kia and Hyundai, and Daewoo consumated its takeover of Ssangyong.

Phenomenon

The rise and rise of the Subaru Impreza has been most imprezive, with no other manufacture nearly as effective in the sports AWD segment. Toyota and Mitsubishi could perhaps compete but don't really, and Audi and Volvo are on a higher price level altogether.

Outrageous

The Mogster is an example of a special purpose `trials' 4WD built for closed-course events [1998] [1999].
Tamagotchi is another competitor, not an annoying toy, and the Moose is still mad.

Peaceful

Kakadu National Park's World Heritage status came under a cloud due to the Jabiluka uranium mine therein.

Other fine photographs came from Iceland courtesy of Jim Robbins, and South Australia courtesy of Chris & Lynne Bull.

Nostalgia

Finally, 1998 was also a year of nostaligia with the 50th anniversaries of Land Rover, Porsche, GM Holden and the Ford F-series of trucks.

Go to the 4wdonline (main), 1999 and 4wdnews pages