TODAY is the day I do my rounds of motor dealers, dropping in the latest copy of the Globe. Last week I took a 'busman's holiday' courtesy of Cubbin and North and Chrysler Jeep, writes Louise Clare.

Louise is part of our motor sales team and took up Ian Cubbin's Girls with Guts Challenge over a tough 4x4 course on the Yorkshire Moors.

They left the Chrysler Jeep franchise on the A41, Birkenhead, in an American custom style pick-up for a day's adventure to rival an episode of Emmerdale, or Heartbeat.

First it was crashing over rough ground in the all famous American Jeep - then for the 'Grand Canyon' challenge, in a Grand Cherokee. They come as 2.5 turbo diesels, or 4 litre petrol, fitted with luxury items like air conditioning, cruise control, anti lock brakes, power steering, all round electric windows, alloy wheels. In fact, all the luxury and opulence of a limo.

This test also proved that the range topping Grand Cherokee has all the ruggedness and off road ability of the four wheel Jeep.

Grand Cherokee has just beaten off 19 other off road vehicles to win Off Road and Four Wheel Drive magazine's 4x4 of the Year Award.

"Thanks to the Chrysler Jeep's experts for the instruction and fun day!" - says Louise, who also tried her hand at clay pigeon shooting - three 'kills' out of six plus a bull's eye in the air pistol shooting.

Louise admits to being tired after the Girls with Guts challenge and relaxed in arm chair comfort, on the way home, in the very latest Chrysler Voyager people carrier. This was only launched last week at Cubbin and North and Chrysler's first 'space journey' to Britain.

In the States, the Voyager Mark 1 earned itself a place in the famous Henry Ford Museum - which also boasts a very British MG TC sports car.

Now in 1997, the Voyager feels really happy on motorways and British country roads.

All UK Voyagers are built in Europe with options of two wheel base, two engines and two levels of standard equipment.

They come as two litre engined vehicles, as powering the Neon car, with manual box, five seats or seven on the lwb.

Voyager 3.3 LE and Grand Voyager models have V6 power and automatic power with seven seats.

"I started to read through the brochure on Voyager, hence my knowledge. I picked out points in the promotion material with actual features in the vehicle. Space, flexibility and functionality are all there. Standard equipment on all models include in car entertainment air conditioning, airbags, anti lock brakes," says Louise

Leather seats are an option on LE models, also available darkened sun screen glass on window behind the B pillar. Prices start at £18,395 on the road

Voyager has a number of seating configurations, from two to seven. So, it is best to explore the vehicle yourself at Cubbin and North. In addition, two captain's chairs can be positioned in the rear most position, facing rearwards.

Louise put the brochure down, it had been a tough, exciting day. The countryside looked serene, the 'armchair seat' in the Voyager so relaxing. Next moment . . .ZZZZzzzz.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.