Monster 4x4s do deserve nickname Chelsea Tractors as London’s full of them

MONSTER 4x4s really do deserve the nickname Chelsea Tractors — as figures show the poshest parts of central London are swarming with them.

DVLA data reveals almost one in ten motors in some parts of mega-rich Mayfair are Range Rovers.

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It is the highest proportion in the country, while a few miles away in Chelsea, they make up 6.5 per cent of vehicles.

In all, nine of the ten areas with the highest proportion of Range Rovers — the best known of the big 4x4s — are in the centre of the capital. The top ten exception is the middle of Edinburgh.

But in farming areas — where drivers might actually need a powerful 4×4 — there are much lower rates of ownership.

Stars who drive Range Rovers include David and Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie, model Gisele Bundchen and Kelly Osborne.

They are also high numbers of Range Rovers in Epping Forest, Essex – 4.6 percent of vehicles – and Bamburgh, Northumberland, where they make up 4.1 percent.

In the West Yorkshire village of Holmfirth — the setting for hit TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine — just 1.6 per cent of private vehicles are Range Rovers.

Similarly, in Bibury, Gloucs, once described by designer William Morris as the most beautiful village in England, the figure is also 1.6 per cent.

The findings echo a report last year that found three quarters of SUVs were sold in cities and that they were mostly used for school runs and short shopping trips.

Last year a report by the New Weather Institute found that three quarters of SUVs were sold in cities and that they were mostly used for school runs and short-hop shopping trips.

It called for a ban on adverts for these so-called ‘Chelsea Tractors’ in a bid to ease congestion in our city centres.

James Ruppert, the author of Bangernomics, said: “Range Rovers are popular for some very good reasons.

“The view out is perfect, the comfort is incredible, and the best ‘4 x 4 by far’ image means that it never looks out of place.

“Owners want a luxury vehicle that will potentially do more than just cosset them, it could if required, do a hard day’s work anywhere.”