Toorak Tractor
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In Australian slang (particularly in Victoria), a Toorak tractor, Toorak taxi or Toorak truck are pejorative names for a 4WD (SUV) vehicle. The reference to the wealthy Melbourne suburb of Toorak alludes to the ownership and use of such vehicles as status symbols, rather than for their designed off-road abilities. "Tractor" refers to the general lack of manoeuvrability of these vehicles and their owners' perceived willingness to ride roughshod over other road users. Many motoring enthusiasts also dislike many owner's mindset of being resigned to crashing & therefore feeling protected in a tall vehicle of large mass, rather than crash-avoidance due to skilful driving and a capable vehicle. This is echoed by increasing reliance on passive safety features such as airbags and brake-force distribution, rather than the active safety of a well-engineered vehicle and an attentive, alert driver.
Historically, the Toorak Tractor was used at least as early as in the late 1980s, refering to the Range Rover 4WD. In Sydney, they are named "Mosman Tractors" or "Vaucluse Tractors" after affluent suburbs of Sydney, but use of the term is most prevelant in Melbourne.
Similarly in New Zealand 4-Wheel Drive cars are often referred to as "Remuera Tractors" or "Fendalton Tractor" after affluent suburbs of Auckland and Christchurch respectively. The term implies that the vehicle is never driven off a sealed road and its main significance is as a status symbol.
A 4-Wheel Drive that is pristine and shiny clean is even more likely to attract the epithet.
A United Kingdom version of the term is "Chelsea Tractor", after the well-heeled district of London. The term has been popularised by Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London.
The use of the term is prevalent amongst two distinct groups: those who are actively involved in the offroad use of Four-Wheel Drives, and the anti-4WD lobby. The one see it as a waste of the vehicles capability, the other as an example of conspicuous consumption and environmental irresponsibility. More still will simply have been on the receiving end of inattentive or dangerous driving. The legitimate reasons for using such a vehicle tend to receive little attention. A 4WD may be used, for example, for towing heavy trailers or horse floats.
[edit] Other terms
Depending on the particular demographic area, the following terms relate to the term 'Toorak Tractor':
- Toorak taxi - referencing parents who use the 4WDs to pick kids up from school.
- Toorak truck - similar to 'Toorak tractor'.
- Suburban assult vehicle - more prevelant in the U.S. Referencing the vehicles danger to pedestrians.
- Truck - used (primarily in Melbourne) to describe 4WDs in general.
