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.
Historically, the Toorak Tractor was used at least as early as in the late 1980s, referring 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 prevalent 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. Some claim that there are legitimate reasons for driving 4WD, for example, for safely towing heavy trailers or horse floats.
Results from a study published in a British Medical Journal show that 4WD drivers are more likely to use a cell phone while driving (which is illegal in both Britain and Australia[1]) and also more likely not to use seat belts[2]. Drivers of 4WDs are also more likely to drive while drunk. In 1996 approximately 33 percent and 27 percent of drivers of utility vehicles and pickups respectively, involved in fatal crashes had measurable levels of alcohol in their blood. These rates are above those for drivers of passenger cars (26 percent) and vans (16 percent)[3].
Even though the term "Toorak tractor" might lead some to think this phenomenon is localized in Toorak, statistics show that in Melbourne, working-class suburbs such as Werribee (3103), Frankston (3003), Narre Warren (2687) and Dandenong (2672) all have more 4WDs registered than Toorak (1270)[4]. If these figures give us the absolute number of registered 4WDs in a particular suburb, to figure out whether an individual in Toorak compared to other suburbs is more likely to purchase a 4WD we need to look at each suburb's respective population. In 1996 the population in Toorak was 12,848 persons[5]. Werribee's population is 38,000[6]. We can calculate the number of 4WD registrations per capita for each suburb. If each resident owned one car, the number of 4WD registrations per capita tells us what proportion of these cars are 4WDs. In Toorak, 9.88% drive 4WDs. In Werribee, 8.17% drive 4WDs. Even though there are more registered 4WDs in working-class Werribee than Toorak, Werribee has a higher population, meaning that Toorak residents are more likely to buy 4WDs. Calculating 4WD registration per capita reveals that residents from Werribee, Frankston, and Dandenong are less likely to buy 4WDs than residents from Toorak while residents from Narre Warren are more likely to.
| Suburb | Registered 4WDs | Population | Registered 4WDs/Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narre Warren | 2687 | 24526[7] | 10.9% |
| Toorak | 1270 | 12848 | 9.88% |
| Werribee | 3103 | 38000 | 8.17% |
| Frankston | 3003 | 44000[8] | 6.83% |
| Dandenong | 2672 | 130000[9] | 2.06% |
From the data it is difficult for us to conclude whether 4WD purchases in Narre Warren or Toorak are primarily for status. There may be other reasons for 4WD purchases. That Narre Warren is far away from the city may impact residents' need for 4WDs. Toorak, however, is an inner-city suburb six kilometers from the CBD. Around Narre Warren, driving is mainly on highways. Around Toorak, the more urban environment means drivers face more traffic, narrower roads, and obstruction from trams. Public transport is also less efficient far away from the city, which means a resident in Narre Warren may need a car more than a Toorak resident, who can simply catch a tram.
Furthermore, Narre Warren is populated mainly by young middle-class families whereas Toorak is populated mainly by managers, administrators, and professionals with few children. In Toorak, the proportion of the population who are infants or toddlers (those aged 0 to 4 years of age) is only 3.8%. For the average suburb, the proportion of the population who are infants or toddlers is 6.9%[10]. That Narre Warren residents have more children may increase their need for 4WDs.
[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 prevalent in the U.S. Referencing the vehicles danger to pedestrians.
- Truck - used (primarily in Melbourne) to describe 4WDs in general.
