Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2016 i Leisure Wheels

OVER the past two months we’ve travelled more than 15 000km in Southern Africa. We were in Namibia, Botswana (twice), Zimbabwe (twice), Mozambique, Swaziland and, on two occasions, in Lesotho. And sadly, Southern Africa is in a sorry state. And I don’t mean the respective economies, or the drought, or politics, or the state of the roads, or any such matter. I mean the people. And specifically, the people with a uniform and a badge who we are supposed to respect, and in whom we are supposed to trust. Botswana has, for years, been a beacon of hope in our region. With a government apparently intent on actually doing the right thing, a prosperous economy, friendly people and amazing tourist destinations, Botswana seemed to be a shining example of what…

I developed a love for nature at an early age. In many ways, nature has been my biggest teacher. In 1974, at the age of 16, I attended a wilderness leadership course. That experience profoundly changed my life. When the course ended, we were asked: what we were going to do when we got back to school to be an asset to the planet? Well, shortly afterwards, I discovered that there were plans to build a solid jetty in a lagoon system near Saldanha Bay. This was a huge issue, since it would have changed the currents in the lagoon system, which would have driven certain species to extinction. To prevent this, R15 000 was needed for an environmental impact study. I didn’t have that kind of money, but I…

The lights Driving in rural Africa at night is no walk in the park. Animals, people and cars that simply park in the road (with no lights on) pose a very real threat. To see better in the dark, 4x4 Mega World fitted a set of IPF Extreme driving lights to the aftermarket nudge bar. The rectangular IPF 800 halogen units, fitted with 100W globes, feature a tough, heavy gauge steel body, hardened glass lens and a tough-as-nails mounting system. They proved invaluable on this trip. More information: 4x4megaworld.co.za The nudge bar The Maxe (maxe.co.za) nudge bar is an official Kia-approved accessory that can be ordered with your new Sportage. It costs R5 600 (excluding fitment). This nudge bar is normally finished in chrome, as befits such a trendy adage.…

Engine: 2 775cc four-cylinder turbodiesel Power: 130kW @ 3 400r/min Torque: 450Nm @ 1 600-2 400r/min Gearbox: Six-speed automatic 4x4 drivetrain: Part-time (2H, 4H & 4Low) 4x4 driving aids: ATRAC, stability control, hill start assist, downhill assist control, rear differential lock Ground clearance: 225mm Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres Range (@ 9.3 litres/100km): 860km Price (standard): R614 800 HP per month: R12 900 THE previous-generation Toyota Fortuner was a formidable offroader. The 4×4 models featured a selection between the default permanent 4WD system (with a Haldex central differential), 4HIGH lock (50/50 split between the front and rear axles), and 4LOW (50/50 split). It also got a rear differential lock as standard. Add good ground clearance, ample approach and departure angles and the dependable, big-on-lowrev-torque D-4D turbodiesel engine to the game,…

Fitting in with this month’s ‘thinking chimpanzee’ theme, a quote from Paul Caponigro to help you ponder the meaning of life, and photos. “It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” Now there’s some food for thought. THE THINKER This portrait of a chimpanzee was taken at the Mahale Mountains in Tanzania, home of the largest population of wild chimps. Greg du Toit PUT A TREE IN IT You get landscape photos taken by Oom Frikkie. And then you get a landscape photo like this one. It was the winning entry in the recent Australian-based International Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. Luke Tscharke (luketscharke.com) HAPPY CHAPPY! A young herder near Lake Sibaya in…

More information: 4x4megaworld.co.za ARB Intensity LED driving lights are submersible up to three metres deep and tested for vibrations, according to military specifications. But, these credentials would be useless without the proper planning, precision and patience during fitment to ensure optimal performance. 1. The cover that serves as protection for all electrical wires in the front is carefully removed. 2. The mounting brackets for the lights are used to plan where the holes will be drilled. 3. Holes are drilled on the bull bar. This step is not crucial since each ARB Deluxe bull bar comes with a pre-drilled hole for the main bolt. Extra screws, though, ensure the most secure fit. 4. Brackets are mounted to the bull bar. 5. The ARB Intensity lights are bolted to the brackets;…

AUDI Q3 / RS Q3 More info: www.audi.co.za Price: R 466 000 - R 882 500 Engines: 1.4T, 2.0T, 2.0TD, 2.5T Power: 110 - 250kW Torque: 250 - 450Nm Fuel: 4.7 - 8.4 l/100km claimed Average sales: 125 pm SUMMARY 4X4: Gravel roads only Classy, well-built, sporty and comfortable Basic models low on spec Q5 / SQ5 More info: www.audi.co.za Price: R 661 500 - R 1 006 500 Engines: 2.0T, 2.0TD, 3.0TD Power: 130 - 240kW Torque: 380 - 650Nm Fuel: 6.0 - 7.9 l/100km claimed Average sales: 43 pm SUMMARY 4X4: Gravel roads only Classy, well-built and oh so fashionable. SQ5 is a beast It’s getting a bit old now Q7 More info: www.audi.co.za Price: R 955 500 - R 1 012 000 Engines: 2.0T, 3.0TD Power: 183…

We welcome your views Email your views to editorial@leisurewheels.com or submit them via our Facebook page or the website at www.leisurewheels.co.za. Please supply your postal address, in case you win a prize. DRONE TO THE RESCUE My husband is an avid photographer and a drone fanatic when it comes to aerial photography. His drone travels with us wherever we go. Drones are somewhat of a contentious issue at the moment, their use in many areas being prohibited; however, on a recent escapade into the Mabuasehube/Kgalagadi Transfrontier Parks, we were rescued with the aid of the drone. In October, we travelled with friends up to Mabuasehube with the intention of driving across to Nossob and spending three days in the Kgalagadi. We set off for Nossob having taken what we believed…

jannie@leisurewheels.com Destination Cape Town. I was hoping this month to report on a week-long Cape trip the missus and I had planned using back roads (mainly dirt) and staying over at interesting towns. Then the bombshell. The spouse was diagnosed with the Big C and the medical men recommended immediate surgery. That put the kibosh on a journey to which we were looking forward, and meant I had to come up with a Plan B to fill my allotted space in this issue of Leisure Wheels. Fortunately, we at Leisure Wheels are well travelled and have a treasure trove of interesting stories. If you have a good memory, you will recall a trip to Argentina that we (my late colleague Johann van Loggerenberg and our wives) made around 10 years…

Ford South Africa launched the expanded Everest model line-up in November, comprising a total of eight derivatives available with two engine choices, three specification levels, manual and automatic transmissions, as well as the option of either two- or four-wheel drive. The two models launched in September last year -- the 3.2 XLT and Limited 4x4 models -- were built in Thailand. Now, localised assembly will see these two derivatives, and six new versions, produced in South Africa. Joining the existing 3.2-litre mill is a new 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine with an output of 118kW and 385Nm of torque. It is fitted to five all-new Everest versions in XLS or XLT trim. The 2.2 XLS is available in three versions, comprising a two-wheel-drive derivative with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox…

As vehicles evolve, so does the technology associated with them. With an ever-increasing focus on fuel efficiency, Toyota has further refined its 2.8GD-6 four-cylinder turbodiesel engine to drink less fuel than the previous generation 3.0D4-D Hilux and Fortuner ever did. Part and parcel of this focus on efficiency is the unassuming tyre. In this case, they are Bridgestone Dueler 693III, fitted standard to all new top-end Hiluxes and Fortuners. This new-generation all-terrain tyre may not look as rugged as the previous generation Dueler 694 all-terrains fitted to the Hilux and Fortuner, but it can still handle some off-road punch while providing very high levels of comfort and grip on the black stuff – and that’s where most new Hilux and Fortuner vehicles spend most of their time. Featuring a more…

SECOND - HAND DEALS : What will R 200 000 buy you? SECOND-hand cars are having a moment. With our economy in the doldrums and consumers feeling increasingly uneasy about getting locked into pricey and long-term payment plans, used vehicles are doing particularly well right now. The advantage of buying a used car, of course, is that you get more car for your money. Only have R200 000 to spend? You’ll get a lot more if you go the second-hand route. Or, similarly, if you have your heart set on a particular model, you’ll find it far more affordable if you opt for a used one. Then there’s the issue of resale value. When it comes to the resale value of a vehicle, it’s the initial owner who tends to…

Cool Camping Gear Ten Must - have Camping Items 1. TONGLITE BRAAI TONGS Fitted with an aluminium LED torch, the Tonglite braai tongs can make your average campsite braai an enlightening experience. The tongs have comfortable grips while the torch is removable, so that you can pop the tongs in the dishwasher (when you get back to civilisation). PRICE R269 WHERE Takealot, www.takealot.com 2. KAMPA COLLAPSIBLE KETTLE If your packing space is limited this nifty, fold-away kettle is cleverly designed so that the silicone folds into the base for easy storage and transportation. It has a 1.2-litre capacity, so you can make a ‘cuppa’ for the whole family. PRICE R389 WHERE Camp and Climb, www.campandclimb.co.za 3 . GOAL ZERO LIGHTHOUSE MINI LANTERN This versatile lantern is also a USB power…

4X4 MUSCLE TRUCKS This 4x4 trail review is brought to you by 4x4 Muscle Trucks, who specialise in creating off-road leviathans. Their most recent builds include the R2-million Hilux called Godzilla and Hellboy, the big and mean Jeep Wrangler featured on these pages. 4x4 Muscle Trucks is owned by Hansie Coetzee, who also owns TJM Pretoria-East. More information: Tel: 012 809 0090; tjmptaeast.co.za THE big red Jeep named Hellboy is like the Vin Diesel of the 4×4 scene. It lives its life one off-road obstacle at a time and never says no to a challenge. It could best Chuck Norris in a staring contest. So, when this Jeep rolls up to the Kungwini 4×4 trail, it’s just another day at the 4×4 trail, right? Not exactly… BACK TO SCHOOL Kungwini…

For more information on any of these tours, or to book your trip, contact Avril Muller well in advance on Tel: 021 200 4149 or mail avril@ramsaymedia.co.za. Sign up for any one of our Leisure Wheels 4x4 Safari trips, and get this handy bag free. Compact and easily storable when empty, this versatile bag can be used to carry just about anything. From books and travel documents, to an exercise towel and water bottle. ZAMBIA WATERFALLS 2017: 12 June – 6 July Experience the most spectacular waterfalls Zambia has to offer, Chishimba, Lumangwe, Kabweluma and Chimpembe in the remote north-eastern Luapula province with its pristine natural beauty, as well as a three-night stay at Lake Tanganyika. Also included is a visit to the everpopular Kapishya hot springs and the ‘Africa…

Manufacturer: Subaru Model: 360 Years available: 1958 - 1971 Layout: Rear-engine, monocoque body Engine: Subaru EK31, straight-twin, two-stroke Capacity: 356cc Fuel system: Carburetted Power: 12 kW Transmission: 3-speed manual Curb weight: 410kg THE Subaru 360 was what’s known as a ‘Kei Car’, a small vehicle designed for a crowded Japanese city. The country had a bunch of regulations that needed to be complied with in order for a vehicle to be designated a Kei car, but if adhered to, all sorts of tax and insurance benefits followed. The 360 was small: less than 3m long, 1.3m wide and 1.4m high. It was powered by a 356cc engine and had a curb weight of 410kg. It was quickly nicknamed the Ladybug in Japan and was a huge hit. During its 12-year…

The Hilux and Fortuner are part of Toyota’s so-called innovative international multi-purpose vehicle (IMV) project, launched in 2004 when the Hilux (Vigo) made its debut in single cab, cab-and-a-half and double cab formats. Bridgestone’s 17-inch 694 all-terrain tyre became standard fitment on the Hilux following a major facelift and specification upgrade. The latest Hilux and Fortuner share the same platform, engine and drivetrain. The vehicles used in Lesotho were powered by Toyota’s 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which delivers 130kW and 420Nm of torque at a low 1 400r/min when coupled to the manual six-speed gearbox. When mated to the automatic six-speed gearbox though, power stays the same but torque increases to 450Nm at 1 600r/min. But numbers are numbers are numbers; it’s on the road that this drivetrain stands up,…