Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2016 i NZ4WD

Hardly was the ink dry on last month’s speculative piece on VW’s face-lifted Amarok that more photos and info arrived... including confirmation (albeit not quite from the importer!) that at least one model will be powered by an all-new (to us anyway) 2967cc turbo-diesel V6 engine. With an expected 165kWs of peak power and 550Nm of peak torque the V6 easily tops Ford’s current ‘King of the (ute) Hill’ the Ranger’s in-line five-cylinder turbo diesel (147kW/470Nm) and should go some way to silence local critics who reckoned the existing two litre four-cylinder powerplant was ‘too small.’ The model in the pictures you see here is the up-market Amarok ‘Aventura’ which is set to come complete with a colour multi-function display, state-of-the-art radio/ navigation system and 14-way adjustable ergoComfort seats. They…

Produced between 1997 and 2006, the Land Rover Freelander 1 remains one of the brand’s best-selling models and is now officially a Land Rover Heritage vehicle. Land Rover Heritage specialises in cars, services, parts and experiences for classic Land Rover models and the Freelander 1 becomes the brand’s eighth Heritage model. The others are Series I, II and III, Range Rover Classic and P38 Range Rover plus Discovery 1 and 2. A Heritage model is defined as those products that have been out of production for longer than 10 years and the Freelander 1 was first produced in 1997 and its production run ended nine years later in 2006 when Freelander 2 replaced it. Ever since production of Freelander 1 concluded, Land Rover continued to support owners through the supply…

With a surge in global diesel engine production and a growing acceptance of diesel power, OEM’s are pushing the “eco-friendly” or “low cost” alternative to traditional petrol harder than ever before. But what is the cost for local consumers? Diesel power generation, be it automotive, generator set or heavy drivetrain is increasingly being given the stigma of high repair costs. Naturally the OEM is able to command a higher “cost of repair” over gasoline systems, sighting fuel contamination as the number one cause of damage and wear. Final filter Diesel Distributors solutions via their respected Direction Plus products offer two schools of thought. With the fuel manager offered as a final filter (filter used just prior to the high pressure pump) or pre-filter (filter used prior to final filtration), the…

Most of us drive cars, utes or SUVs equipped with automatic transmissions these days. So it should come as no surprise that local Mahindra importer put together a press launch dedicated to its new six-speed XUV500 self-shifter. The XUV500 (pronounced five double O) has been available here in six-speed manual form for the past two years and will now sell alongside the auto. Both front wheel drive and (on-demand) AWD versions are available, priced at $36,990 for the front-driver and $39,990 for the all-wheel-capable model. The XUV500 bridges the gap that has so far existed in the local market between small-to-medium two-row, five-seat models like Mazda’s CX5 Honda’s CRV and Toyota’s RAV4 with larger three-row, seven seaters like Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Ford’s Territory. With its distinctive – if a…

In July 1940, the U.S. military informed automakers that it was looking for a “light reconnaissance vehicle” to replace the Army’s motorcycle and modified Ford Model-T vehicles. The Army invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production and developed a lengthy specification list for the vehicle, including the following: • 272kg (600-lb.) load capacity. • Wheelbase less than 1905mm (75 inches). • Height less than 914mm (36 inches). • Smooth-running engine from 4.8 to 80km/h (3 to 50 miles per hour). • Rectangular-shaped body. • 4WD with two-speed transfer case. • Fold-down windshield. • Three bucket seats. • Blackout and driving lights. • Gross vehicle weight below 590kgs (1,300 lbs.). Initially Willys-Overland and the American Bantam Car Manufacturing Company were the only two companies which answered the call. Soon, however, Ford…

Upon first look they might look similar, but what might seem like a suitable light doesn’t necessarily offer the performance Hella products are famous for. With some 6,000 staff employed in Research and Development, Hella offers cutting edge technology products, with exceptional performance. In addition to the advanced research that goes into each and every Hella light and the state of the art materials that make our lamps an outstanding quality product, Hella also offers three user-friendly internet-based, search and selection tools – Eliver, Addlight and Lumion – to help our customers choose the most suitable product. Online comparison Eliver (www.hella.com/MicroSite/eliver ) is a unique online comparison tool for light distribution covering work and auxiliary lights as well as rotating beacons and optical warning systems. Not only does it enables…

Built in Australia, the new 230mm Nitro 120 Maxx delivers more than any other light in its class. Utilising a robust, high-pressure diecast aluminium housing and high-impact polycarbonate lens, the Nitro 120 is designed to operate in the harshest environments. The stainless steel mounting system makes adjustment simple, yet the unit is able to withstand high levels of vibration. The unique Reflex optic, in conjunction with 120W of focused power, gives 1000m of functional light. A spread beam option is also available giving even greater width. Using Cree LEDs in conjunction with sophisticated electronic thermal management ensures the Nitro 120 will stand the test of time and is supported by a five-year warranty. Each pair of lights is supplied with a wiring harness, anti-theft nuts and clear lens covers. Nitro…

Known for their innovative design and technology, the team from Lightforce Australia is back once again with a light that is set to shake things up. The Australian-made HTX230 is the ultimate hybrid of HID and LED technology, providing the instant flood of LED combined with the unmatched long-distance of HID, eliminating the need for additional spotlights and bars beyond one set of HTX. Characterised by its distinctive design, the HTX230 features a 70w-HID globe in the centre of a 170mm reflector, which works to provide the long distance component of the product. The reflector is surrounded by 20 LEDs in a circular pattern, which provide a wide spread that is equivalent to that produced by a standard 20” LED light bar. The HTX230 produces an impressive beam pattern with…

Leaving Wellington our first planned stop was at Palmerston North to have a quick look at the square and the shops, as May had never been there. En route we spotted a partly harvested field, and while I am no expert in farming crops, the contrast between the head-high stalks and the harvested stubble was a photo opportunity not to be missed. Moving on we had our brief stop at Palmerston North as planned, then continued through to the Ashhurst Domain for lunch in the sun. We found a nicely placed picnic table where we could enjoy the sun and sounds of birdlife in a park-like setting, while still being close to a little café where I could get a coffee. Returning to Ashhurst after lunch we headed up the…

With the day of the long-awaited Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge dawning a little overcast on Sunday April 10, the drivers and navis were on the course early prepping their vehicles and minds. With the crowd gathering round the tape in anticipation of the first hazard – “Cowper Trucks – No Guts No Glory” – Brian and son Daniel from Wellington went first in the Lower Hutt engineering business owner’s self-built, twin-turbo BMW V12 (that’s right, V12!), hydraulic twin steer machine. The pair cautiously dropped into the dip before carrying some momentum to get through gate two at the top of the rise then adding more pedal-to-the-metal to drop into the water and climb the next (man-made mounds) rise. The flow of water over the bonnet looked impressive and the crowd…

Toyota New Zealand has announced that the FJ Cruiser, an SUV model that has been part of its New Zealand line-up since 2010, will end production in August this year. The retro-styled FJ Cruiser was launched to pay homage to the pioneering FJ40 that lay the foundations to the now world-renown Land Cruiser. “The FJ Cruiser was a special model introduced as a testament to the original FJ40 and ride on its legendary namesake,” says Spencer Morris, Toyota New Zealand’s General Manager of Product. “Although we always knew the FJ Cruiser would have a limited production run, I am confident the model with its rugged capability and retro design it will continue as a Toyota icon sought after and loved by enthusiasts.” A memorable FJ Cruiser moment was the 16-day…

When it arrives here later this year Holden’s upgraded Colorado 4x4 will go under the global name plate, Trailblazer. With a more sophisticated design, increased content and more refined ride, Trailblazer – which was recently given its global reveal in Brazil – will be a significantly different vehicle to its Colorado 7 predecessor catering for different customers and needs. Holden New Zealand Managing Director, Kristian Aquilina, said customer feedback and a change in vehicle design were important factors in the decision to rename the popular SUV Trailblazer. “The Colorado 7 launched in New Zealand in late 2012 and since that time has enjoyed significant year over year growth, in the vicinity of almost 45 percent,” he said. “New Zealanders have a real affinity with this model and understandably we’re eager…

‘A Farmer’s Affair’ by longtime ‘friend-of-the-magazine’ Duncan Munro is a book anyone into 4WDing will enjoy reading. In theory Duncan should need little introduction to readers of NZ4WD, having been associated with the magazine, staff members and contributors since some of the earliest issues. As with any activity, however, people come and go, and there is no doubt a whole new generation of 4WD enthusiasts whose introduction to the activity and pastime came via Toyota Surfs and Nissan Safaris rather than the Land Rovers with which Duncan has established a life-long bond. ‘A Farmer’s Affair’ was first published in 2011 and in true Kiwi farmer style Duncan sells it direct (rather than through bookshops). The original print run was 1000 and Duncan is whittling away at that number so if…

Emergency and work vehicles won’t have any trouble being seen on New Zealand roads when they are equipped with these streamlined Aeromax LED mini light boxes from Narva. The Aeromax LEDs are the latest in an expanding emergency lighting range released by Narva to combine style and functionality in a compact design while still providing superior light output. They are available in 12/24V and offer performance that exceeds SAE Class 1 requirements. “The beauty of the new Aeromax is that they are so much more compact than traditional light boxes, which means they can be used in a wider variety of applications, without compromising performance,” says Tim Paterson, Sales Manager for Narva New Zealand. Produced in two sizes (200mm and 365mm) and with a height of only 47mm, the lights…

And the latest, automatic transmission-equipped XUV500 SUV launched in Auckland last month could well be one of the most significant new arrivals here in years. Though hardly a household name here yet, Mahindra is a – very – serious international player, one with interests in areas as diverse as aerospace, construction, defence, agricultural and – of course – automotive. From humble beginnings in steel trading in 1945, the Mumbai-based company moved into motor vehicle production (making Willys Jeeps under licence) in 1947 and – long story, short – is now a $US16.9 billion (turnover) Fortune 2000 company with global ambitions which it is promoting through the FIA’s new clean, green (all-electric) Formula E single-seater series and the FIM’s Moto3 world championship category. Not only is Mahindra now the largest tractor…

The result of three years of design and engineering, including countless CADs, six physical prototypes and extensive off road testing in Australia, ARB Intensity driving lights deliver cutting edge LED technology within a round light body. A total of 32 LEDs per light with a 50,000+ hour lifespan produce a white light that is the closest possible colour to sunlight, ensuring the Intensity light reduces eye strain and driver fatigue. Unlike high intensity discharge (HID) lights, the LED range does not require time to warm up, and performs brilliantly on corrugated roads by producing a broad field of light that helps diffuse visible vibration. Offering 10 degree full width spread for the spot light and 20 degree full width spread for the flood light, the Intensity line-up features a tough…

There has been a significant increase in the use of start-stop systems over recent years and the technology is no longer just for prestigious vehicles. Trends towards fuel savings and emission reductions are why there is now a significant number of ‘mass market’ vehicles on the road with start-stop systems. It is estimated that by 2017 the majority of European, and a large percentage of USA and Asian manufactured new passenger vehicles will be equipped with start-stop systems. Bosch’s AGM tech AGM technology (Absorbent Glass Mat) is one of the top technologies on the market today. Dynamic recharging capability and up to four times the number of discharge/ charge cycles compared to conventional starter batteries means that the Bosch S6 with AGM technology meets the toughest requirements. This is a…

It seems a little ironic that while I sat in a Wellington hotel conference room nearly all day on a Sunday in May being briefed about the new rules for health and safety, a group of four wheelers were becoming trapped by snow in Central Otago. I confess that their day was probably more exciting than mine and it appeared that they had the health and safety issues fairly well covered, apart from getting it wrong on the amount of snow that was to fall on them. It was certainly good to see that despite giving the local search and rescue crews a challenge, the four wheelers were unharmed by their enforced overnight stay and needed only transport home. There’s probably another story around the eventual recovery of the trapped…

Not a lot has been happening recently, apart from a quick trip to Australia for the Cliffhanger 4WD comp back in May. While I was away the jobs that need to be done to various vehicles in the fleet continue to mount up and it is difficult to know where to start. One job that I did manage to get out of the way before heading away was the water pump replacement on the Discovery V8. Straightforward job under normal circumstances but I also needed to completely flush out the cooling system after using eggs to stop the water pump from leaking in the first place. Yes, eggs and they did the job wonderfully. The water pump starting leaking while I was at least six hours driving from home and…

The FJ40 Land Cruiser became an icon among Toyota’s vehicles and Kiwi Rod Millen played a key role in the development of the FJ Cruiser model. More than 1.1 million FJ40 Land Cruisers were produced between 1960 and 1984, and in the late 1990s, Toyota in the United States encouraged design projects that ultimately led to the development of the new FJ – a modern vehicle that would appeal to younger drivers, even those who knew nothing about the original FJ. The original The original FJ was a two-door, short wheelbase, four-wheel-drive vehicle which first saw the light of day in 1960. With its no-nonsense angular lines, upright windscreen, wraparound rear corner windows and flat, white roof, the FJ40 established Land Cruiser as a popular choice for anyone requiring a…

Following their success with several previous popular series such as Ask Allan, Junior Ask Allan, The Project and The Apprentice, Aussie 4WD parts, accessories and service specialist Terrain Tamer’s new video series ‘Masterclass’ launches this month. This time around Terrain Tamer’s Head Engineer, Allan Gray is presented with a new challenge as he takes on two fresh ‘apprentices’ for a week, in the form of Ash - a 51-year-old mine worker, and Ray - a 72-year-old mechanical engineer, to teach them a bit about preparing a vehicle for long trips and touring. Remote learning After hearing stories from several customers who had found themselves stuck in Australia’s Outback for up to three or four days, often hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, Terrain Tamer developed the idea for the…

Big Red’s new LED lighting catalogue is out, providing buyers with an expanded range of high quality automotive lighting products that won’t break the bank. Since the brand launched in New Zealand last year, Big Red lights have established a reputation for performance and reliability at very competitive prices. That has been further enhanced through an expanded line-up covering popular sizes of LED driving lamps and light bars that can now be viewed in the latest on-line catalogue. In the ‘Free Form’ LED and ‘High Power’ LED Driving Lights the line-up includes the popular 180mm and 220mm ‘Free Form’ LED models. These feature free form reflector technology that captures and focuses the light, producing a powerful spot beam combined with a smooth, wide, white spread of light. The Big Red…

June 10th-11th 2016 Mainland Winch Challenge Series Round 1; Alexander. Friday night stages, Saturday day stages. For more information email Vicky at mainlandwinching@gmail.com June 11-12 2016 Off Road Racing South Island Championship; Round 2 Hosted by Canterbury Off Road Club at Christchurch. Short Course and Enduro.www.oranz.co.nz July 3 2016 Central Districts 4x4 Show; Manfeild Stadium hosted by Central Districts 4WD Club. Displays of winch trucks, national competition trucks, club displays with the first prize in the Club Challenge display $500, 2nd $250 and 3rd $100 – judged by votes taken from members of the public. There will be spot prizes donated by local businesses around Feilding and the Manawatu for those that enter the Show and Shine. www.facebook.com/events/789757834462821/ For further information, to register interest see www.centraldistricts4x4.co.nz Trevor Hendra on 027…

The story of the Brute and the path of the shipment imported here by Jeep franchise holder Fiat Chrysler NZ is an interesting one. And worth a few words here before we delve into the ‘what’s-she-likes?’ and ‘what’ll she dos?’ Stretched wheelbase double cab Brute utilities are created and marketed by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), a Montana-based boutique re-engineering business which specialises in Jeep Wrangler accessory products and limited edition builds – the latter completed to award-winning Chrysler-spec at the company’s engineering shop in Detroit. The Brute is one of four limited edition ‘specials’ AEV makes and the examples on sale here started out as factory RHD models. The example Fiat Chrysler NZ has on its press fleet is a Sport-spec model with an NZ RRP of $114,990 plus on-road…

For a short time while I was living in Methven I drove the Blackford/Double Hill Run road on what seemed like at least a weekly basis for work or pleasure and I have to admit, I took it for granted. But seeing people stopping on the side of the road having lunch, taking photographs and pointing at the scenery, presumably seeing it for the first time on the Methven Lions Club Glenfalloch to Lake Heron 4WD Safari added a touch of enchantment that I was not expecting to experience, especially only minutes past the first check point. I arrived at the first checkpoint on Blackford Road at 11am where the friendly chaps told me they had seen around 250 vehicles pass since the 8am start, saying most people were out…

Designed for the extremes of 4WDing, IPF lights provide the ultimate in performance, regardless of conditions. When you consider that the average factory headlamp only provides enough range to warn the driver of an object on the road a few seconds before it’s actually encountered, the importance of an effective lighting system is easy to understand. IPF engineers consider all aspects of performance when designing each lighting system, especially those related to real world conditions. By focusing light properly in front of the vehicle, IPF lights actually increase visible range thus improving your ability to react and reducing driver fatigue. ARB relied heavily on Australia’s harsh Outback when testing the IPF range. In a land where constant vibration and a severe climate quickly reveal the weaknesses of any product, the…

Pressure on motor manufacturers to cut down or even eliminate vehicle emissions is growing, and this is having a huge knock-on effect on the battery industry. For instance, continual research into improving the traction battery for use in electric vehicles has seen wider and wider adoption of lithium-ion, which produces a much denser charge in a very much smaller package than traditional lead-acid batteries. However, lithium-ion batteries need to be treated carefully by car designers as they are prone to heat build-up which requires complex cooling systems to prevent the possibility of vehicles bursting into flames. They are also costly to produce, and have a lower service life than, for instance, lead-acid batteries. One interim solution is the development of the lithium-sulphur battery. Not only do these run much cooler…

Colin Chapman, famous maker of Lotus cars, had a mantra - ‘Add lightness’. That was why his cars are small, fast and handle well. At the other end of the spectrum 4WDs can benefit from lightness as it will help with performance, economy and handling. Unless you specialise in fording deep swift rivers or towing large boats, in which case the opposite applies! It should also reduce brake and tyre wear, allow suspension, engine, and transmission parts to last longer, and make it nicer to drive. So, if you are not aiming to drag the world behind you or cross raging rivers, leave extraneous stuff in the shed. Not the spare wheel! Or the jack and maybe some water, a blankie and a muesli bar. But you know what I…