Must-Have Features in Modern Off-Road Vehicles for UAE Terrains

Abu Dhabi : Off-road vehicles need specialised systems to tackle the desert dunes and rocky trails in the UAE. Here are the must-have features to help ensure safety, power, and adaptability.

• Terrain Management with Sand Mode for those driving in the desert.
• Adaptive Air Suspension to help get better ground clearance.
• High-tech aids which include UltraVision cameras and Trail Control.

One needs more than horsepower and rugged tyres to drive off-road in the UAE. The unique landscapes of the country, from steep desert dunes to rocky mountain passes, demand vehicles that come with advanced features designed for extreme environments.

Manufacturers now integrate smart systems and new technologies to help enhance control, safety, and even confidence. These are the must-have features drivers should look for when they want to select an off-road vehicle that'll be suitable for conditions in the UAE.

Terrain Management and Suspension

One of the most critical systems is the Terrain Management feature that comes with a dedicated Sand Mode. Brands like Land Rover and Jeep provide calibrated settings for throttle, traction control, and mapping of gearbox to deliver optimal performance on loose sand.

This system, by reducing the spin of wheel spin maintaining consistent momentum, helps ensure drivers get smoother driving when on dune.

Adaptive Air Suspension is also up there when we talk of importance, as seen in the GMC Hummer EV. Its Extract Mode can lift the chassis by six inches, which helps improve approach, departure, and breakover angles. With this flexibility, drivers can manage steep sandy slopes or rocky landscapes without any need to sacrifice comfort of the ride.

Manoeuvrability Innovations

Modern off-road vehicles come with unique driving capabilities to navigate tight or unpredictable environments. The GMC Hummer EV introduces CrabWalk, which helps drivers get diagonal movement through four-wheel steering.

Similarly, the Rivian R1T and R1S feature KickTurn, which allows the driver to get controlled spins on loose surfaces up to 20 km/h. These systems help minimise any need for repeated reversing and give drivers more control in narrow paths or dune valleys.

The BYD Yangwang U8 offers Individual Wheel Drive with a true Tank Turn, powered by four independent electric motors. With this system, the vehicle can rotate on its axis and react up to 100 times faster than standard all-wheel-drive systems, even compensating for blowouts of tyres at highway speeds.

Vision and Awareness

One challenge when tackling steep dunes or rocky trails is visibility. The EV from Hummer addresses this with its UltraVision Underbody Cameras. These cameras give drivers real-time footage of obstacles under the chassis.

This helps prevent underbody damage and also helps improve the confidence of the driver by revealing ruts or rocks hidden from normal view.

Control and Safety Aids

Advanced cruise control systems for use in off-road are now very common. Trail Control, available in models like the Ford Bronco and F-150 Raptor, acts like cruise control but for rugged terrain.

Drivers can set low speeds between 1 and 45 km/h, while the system automatically manages when to throttle or brake. With this, the driver can focus on steering while maintaining stable momentum across sand or rocky ground.

These aids, with features like traction control, stability systems, and advanced braking, ensure that off-road vehicles in the UAE meet the challenges of demanding terrain safely and effectively.