Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2019 i Leisure Wheels

AS children, we used to marvel at the vehicles in TV shows and movies like Knight Rider and James Bond, not because they looked great or were extremely fast, but because of all the cool technology in these cars. Who didn’t need a talking car that could drop oil slicks at will and gun down pursuers before driving underwater? The passenger ejection seat was definitely my favourite. Weapons aside, cars like that have now become a reality. Take Haval’s Vision 2025, for example. It unlocks via facial recognition and has a summoning function, which means the car can meet you wherever you want. Think about your first car. Mine had an FM radio, buttons for the lights, wipers and hazards and manual heater controls. Ventilation was via the efficient quarter…

You’ve spent thousands on your new Toyota Land Cruiser, making it the perfect safari vehicle. You have the suspension, the bull bar, winch, dual battery system, fridge, drawer system, roof-top tent, shower, geyser, larger wheels and tyres but perhaps you have missed the most important part. With all the added weight and bigger wheels, will you be able to stop in an emergency? The braking system plays a vital role in the safe operation of any vehicle, but a by-product of this process is heat. The two variables that influence how much heat is generated under braking are the speed at which the vehicle is travelling when you start braking and the weight of the vehicle in question. In addition to the added weight of these accessories, many 4×4 owners…

This is the updated Ford Ranger and one might be tempted to refer to it as a new car, such is the extent of the overhaul. The exterior features some minor upgrades, but nothing worth writing home about. The big news is the new 2.0-litre powertrain, which is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine does not replace the former 2.2-litre four or the 3.2-litre five, but will be offered in addition to those units. The power output of this new engine is dependent on the specification of the model to which it is fitted. In XLS and XLT trim, it’s a single-turbo affair that offers 132kW and 420Nm of torque. In Wildtrak specification, it’s a biturbo unit with 157kW and 500Nm on tap. These engines are a big…

The Land Rover Discovery is celebrating its 30th year of existence this year with the introduction of the Discovery Landmark Edition. This limited edition model will have upgraded standard features and subtle design enhancements. It’s based on the SE with the addition of the Dynamic Pack, which includes a more purposeful front bumper design and Narvik Black mesh grille and fender vents. Narvik Black nameplate scripting on the bonnet and tailgate is accompanied by unique Landmark badging on the tailgate. The exterior features a fixed panoramic roof, front fog lights and signature tail lights, privacy glass and 20-inch gloss black wheels. The interior is available with a choice of three premium Windsor leather colourways with contrast piping. A satin brushed aluminium centre console and titanium mesh finishes also sets it…

The Isuzu D-Max Arctic AT 35 is based on the 300 4×4 Double Cab LX Auto and was developed in close collaboration with Arctic Trucks, the Icelandic company famed for its high-riding, all-conquering bakkies. Engineered and built in South Africa, this bakkie has been developed hand in hand with local representatives to ensure longevity. Isuzu says this model’s distinctive look is totally functional. The flared wheel arches add a substantial 180mm to the overall width while ride height is 48mm up on a standard D-MAX for additional ground clearance. This model is covered by a full factory warranty and dealer back-up. They can also rest assured it is designed to handle South Africa’s toughest conditions with unprecedented capability and confidence. The Isuzu D-MAX Arctic AT 35 is on sale now…

Front Runner outfitters’ Slimline II Rack kit for the new Jimny helps take adventure to the next level by giving Jimny owners the one thing they can use more of: cargo space. Mount a roof-top tent - and any of the more than 55 Front Runner accessories to the top - and choose your own adventure. No drilling or specialised tools are needed to fit the rack, it’s a simple gutter-mount installation that can be completed in under an hour. As with all Front Runner racks, the Slimline II is off-road tough and all-aluminium, making it lightweight. With modular slats, owners can create a full platform. Recommended retail price is between R9 245 and R9 355, model dependent More information www.frontrunner.co.za…

To ensure the fleet of BMW X3s not only survive the harsh Namibian terrain, but also drivers of varying degrees of skills and experience, the vehicles have been slightly modified. Spacers have been fitted to the top of the suspension struts which are said to have added around 50mm of clearance, vital in this part of the world. The underbelly of the X3s have also been completely covered in aluminium sheeting to protect the underpinnings from getting nailed on a rock. A pre-filter with protective mesh grille prevents desert sand and dust from entering the engine. And lastly, the BMW’s runflat tyres have been discarded and replaced by 225/65 R18 all-terrain tyres. These all-terrains not only allow for increased flotation on the soft Namib sand, but the two-ply sidewalls offer…

The Isuzu DC KB300 4×4 LX Auto, now rebranded the D-Max 300 4×4 LX Auto, is the third and best iteration of this tough, go-anywhere bakkie I’ve taken on long wilderness trips. It has more than enough power, is well made (Go SA!), well appointed and comfortable to drive with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a top-of-the-range vehicle like this. It felt capable off-road and this prowess was helped along by the fitment of the General Grabber AT tyres as well as improved suspension geometry and electronics that have near negated the tail-drift of old. Having said this, the ride is still hard and I would prefer coil to leaf springs in a primarily leisure vehicle such as this. Perhaps it should be an option? I…

1 APEX: THE STORY OF THE HYPERCAR If you’re the only motoring enthusiast in the house and the rest of the family don’t understand your obsession with cars, sit them down for two hours to watch this movie. It’s a masterpiece. It starts by explaining what a hypercar is and then it moves on to the various manufacturers that build them and how they go about doing it. It’s a psychological delve into the collective mind of motoring enthusiasts and why we like the things we like. While the documentary progresses from one manufacturer to the rest, it continues to check in with Christian von Koenigsegg as he attempts to build the world’s first hypercar with one megawatt of power. It’s called the One:One and the main thing you need…

AFTER four years of intensive in-house development, engineering and testing, ARB is proud to announce the latest addition to its Old Man Emu suspension range: OME BP-51 bypass shock absorbers. BP-51 (bypass with 51mm diameter bore) shock absorbers feature innovative patent-pending technology developed to deliver unequalled on- and off-road performance for your 4×4. Developed and extensively tested by ARB’s team of OME engineers across a gruelling selection of the harshest terrains in remote outback Australia, these big bore shock absorbers with remote reservoirs are designed to bolt directly to your vehicle without the need for additional vehicle modifications. The internal mechanics of a bypass shock absorber differ significantly from those of a more conventional design shock absorber, such as the OME Nitrocharger Sport. In a Nitrocharger Sport, the oil flows…

Porsche is extending the Cayenne model line-up by including the all-new Cayenne Coupé. It still has four doors but now features a sloped roofline, as well as an adaptive spoiler, shallower front windscreen and a roofline that’s nearly 20mm lower than the standard car. Two high-performance engines are available at market launch: the Cayenne Coupé with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is capable of 250kW and 450Nm while the Turbo model with a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 petrol produces a rather handy 404kW and 770Nm of torque. The Cayenne Coupé achieves the standard sprint from 0–100km/h in 6.0 seconds, with this figure dropping to 5.9 seconds with the optional lightweight sports packages. The vehicle’s top speed is 243km/h. The Cayenne Turbo Coupé accelerates from a standing start to 100km/h…

Toyota has announced that it will be implementing two new measures to help develop sustainable mobility and combat rising emissions. The first step is granting royalty-free licences on nearly 24 000 patents it currently holds for tech relating to vehicle electrification. The second step is providing fee-based technical support to other manufacturers which use Toyota motors, batteries, power and electrical control units and any other tech related to its electric powertrains. Toyota says its ultimate goal is to promote the widespread use of electrified vehicles, and so help governments, vehicle manufacturers and society at large meet their goals in addressing the challenge of climate change.…

Kahn Design is famous for doing some fairly interesting things to Defenders and their team is at it again. This new model was made by its Chelsea Truck Company division and it’s called the 105 Long Nose. It’s basically the two-door version of the Long Nose four-door it made a few years ago. You might wonder why somebody might add 400mm to the chassis but there’s a very good reason for it. It’s to make some space for the GM-sourced 6.2-litre V8 engine that produces just over 300kW. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and it features a sports exhaust set-up so you can make the most of those eight cylinders. It retails for the equivalent of R2.7 million in the UK, which is around the same price as…

Audi South Africa recently announced new additions to the Q2 and Q5 model ranges. The Q2 gains standard equipment, a new engine and a Black Edition for certain engine derivatives. For model year 2019 vehicles (produced from September 2019 onwards), the Q2 range will have a host of new standard features on all engine derivatives, including LED headlights, rear parking aid, deluxe automatic air-con and the Audi sound system. A 35 TFSI 110kW (1.4-litre) engine in base spec has been added to the line-up of engines and will retail for R499 000. The Black Edition is available only on the 30 TFSI Sport (1.0-litre) and 35 TFSI Sport (1.4-litre) engines and will enjoy the inclusion of sporty, high-gloss black visual differentiators. The Q2 is priced from R461 000 to R557…

DURING some extensive travelling across southern Africa last year, a serious problem became apparent to me. We, as explorers, get the incredible opportunity to see African cultures throughout the continent. Yet, the people sharing their culture and time with us rarely get to see the photographs we take, apart from maybe on the back of the camera’s LCD screen. In December, while on a trip to Lesotho via Sani Pass, I took some of my favourite photos yet but looking back at these pictures, I realised it was time to give back, by finding a way to reward the locals who so willingly offer up their smiles. This meant another adventure to Lesotho, with a bigger group. WHY THE BASOTHOS FIRST? From previous travels to the Mountain Kingdom, we’ve noticed…

THERE’S a common DNA shared by all Porsches. Whether it’s a hybrid Cayenne SUV or a 911 GT2 RS with a zillion and 20 kilowatts; they all share a common thread of driving pleasure: a feeling of involvement, of being one with the vehicle and a feeling that will put a smile on just about anyone’s face, even if they’re just dawdling around town. The new Macan continues that thread. Selling at R849 000 for the entry-level two-litre derivative, it is the most affordable Porsche in the local market, R21 000 cheaper than the two-door, mid-engined 718 Cayman. The new Macan is powered by the same two-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that does service in that 718 (and yes, it’s the famed VW Golf GTI engine), but for the more…

OUR Duster has an odd feature. Next to the driver’s seat there’s a lever and on top of said lever are numbers in a gated format. These numbers go from one to six. What’s that all about? Inspect a little more and you’ll find a third pedal to the left of the brake. What heresy is this? To find out, we delved deep into our archive of magazines and found that this oddity is called a ‘manual’ gearbox and it used to be all the rage. Guys would stand around the braai for hours defending its virtue, calling automatic drivers ‘lazy’ and ‘decadent’. “The manual is more engaging,” shouted the faithful few. But nobody important actually listened because look where we are now. The manual gearbox is on the endangered…

TANZANIA WILDEBEEST MIGRATION 20 JULY – 28 AUGUST Get yourself ready for a life-changing experience. We visit five countries with awesome national parks en route, including South Luangwa, Ruaha, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. After our five-night stay in Serengeti, we travel east to Lake Victoria and south all along Lake Tanganyika. Included in the agenda is a visit to the Gombe National Park for some chimpanzee tracking. Gombe came about due to the efforts and work of the world-renowned Jane Goodall. We will also visit the monument where the famous words “Dr Livingstone I presume” were uttered by Stanley. Visits to Kapishya Hot Springs and Victoria Falls are also included. Price includes guide fee, all hotel/chalet fees where applicable, all park, vehicle and camping fees, except the parks in…

NISSAN announced its R3 billion investment at the Rosslyn plant on 10 April. This investment will prepare the plant for production of the next-generation Navara bakkie. The Navara will be added to the manufacturing line-up in 2020 and will be built alongside its smaller siblings, the NP200 and NP300. The latter has been produced at Rosslyn for more than a decade and is sold locally, as well as exported to 45 pan-African countries. When production ramps up in 2020, it will create around 1 200 new jobs directly at the facility as well as across the local supply chain. Depending on market conditions, it is anticipated Navara’s arrival will add 30 000 units to Rosslyn’s current annual production volume of 3 000, creating the need for a second shift. The…

Mercedes hit the New York Motor Show hard with the debut of two important high-end model introductions. The first is the all-new GLS, which will serve as the flagship of their SUV range. It’s not as flashy as we were expecting, it’s a rather understated, elegant car but, as a high-riding S-Class, most of the magic is to be found underneath. The list of features is longer than the car, some of the highlights include a digital instrument cluster and a dual screen infotainment system featuring Merc’s new MBUX interface. Power is courtesy of a 48-volt mild hybrid and the new range of six-cylinder engines that were first seen in GLE. The AMG version will likely be powered by the familiar 4.0-litre biturbo petrol V8. All models will use a…

Ford recently took the wraps off the all-new Kuga SUV at its annual Go Further event. It will be available in various trims, including Titanium, ST-Line and the top of the range Vignale specification. The comprehensive line-up includes a plug-in hybrid, mild-hybrid and full-hybrid variants, alongside Ford’s 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel, 1.5 litre EcoBlue diesel and 1.5 litre EcoBoost petrol engines. Ford says it will offer intuitive comfort and driver assistance features, keeping customers better connected on the move. Sophisticated technologies include a FordPass Connect embedded modem, wireless charging pad technologies, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system supported by an eight-inch central touchscreen. The Kuga has not yet been confirmed for South Africa.…

THE NAMIBIAN SKY was pregnant with heavy rain. So pregnant, it appeared as if a sizeable amount of the Atlantic Ocean was hanging above us, ready to cause chaos if it all tumbled down upon Mother Earth. We were heading north on the B1 road, from Okahandja, in a fleet of BMW X3 xDrive30ds, part of BMW Driving Experience South Africa’s trip in this beautiful, stark place. The normal tour, which costs R75 000 per person and includes full board, lasts eight leisurely days over 1 300km. It starts with two nights at the Okapuka Ranch near Windhoek. From there, the convoy of BMWs heads to the Erindi Game Reserve, Ai-Aiba Lodge, two nights at the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund, and a final night back at Okapuka Lodge. We were…

THERE was a void next to me that would never be filled. At least once a year, my stepfather and I head off on a 4×4 wilderness excursion as far away from the clutter and clatter of civilisation as possible. But close to the departure date for our Richtersveld trip, Harvey was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He just didn’t have the energy to travel and my mother wanted him close. Arriving at Sperrgebiet Lodge outside Springbok after a long contemplative drive, I soaked up the view of the amber-lit rocks and quiver tree-studded hills in the distance. I was still melancholy from the realisation that Harvey was unlikely to join me again on one of these father-son catharses. Ever. It was a realisation I’d tried to purge on the trip…

FEBRUARY 1982. Our sister magazine CAR featured the country’s first test of the quirky Audi Quattro GT Coupé. The CAR writers introduced the 147kW Audi with: “The fastest of the world’s four-wheel-drives shows tremendous pace – and efficiency.” In the summary, they concluded, maybe slightly unprophetically: “Is the Quattro an indication of what tomorrow’s luxury cars will be like? There are those who argue that its power and tractive ability are trendsetters, while others see it as a novel – and interesting – experimental model which has little application on everyday motoring.” But the legend of Quattro would not be forged on the road. Instead, it was the Quattro’s dominance in the World Rally Championship that inspired a generation of motorsport enthusiasts. In those days, it was a case of…

VARIOUS manufacturers have tried to dress up the humble station wagon over the years to make it more palatable to global audiences. The word itself has been replaced many times over with fancier words like Avant, Cross Country, Shooting Brake, Sport Wagon, Squareback and Touring. Still, South Africans don’t seem to care. Many devout motoring enthusiasts believe the SUV is to blame and we tend to agree. SUVs have an elevated seating position and are better suited to poor road conditions. While we agree certain station wagons look epic, it has to be said there are some handsome SUVs and crossovers out there these days. Have you seen the new Alfa Romeo Tonale? It’s stylish enough to make a man weak at the knees. But if you are one of…

TOYOTA calls it urban khaki. And it’s a hue that certainly draws attention, and stands out in a sea of boring, same-old-same-old colours. In the GX-R specification, the urban khaki is rounded off with some added off-road DNA. This includes a grille that features an enlarged upper section with broad horizontal slats, a more hardy-looking front skidplate (in plastic) and more chunky wheel arch fenders, in black. There are also cool new 18-inch rims, decked out in 225/60 R18 tyres. The GX-R, says Toyota, is aimed at customers who require a more rugged exterior appearance, along with increased off-road usage. Off-road usage? Hasn’t the RAV4 gone a bit soft in recent times, losing some of the original RAV’s off-roading ability? Indeed it has, but with this latest version, Toyota seems…

PHIL SIMMONS has had a long career in automotive design. He was previously with Land Rover where he designed models such as the Range Rover Evoque, Velar and Land Rover Discovery. During the time that Land Rover owned Ford, he was responsible for the exterior design of the sixth generation Ford Fiesta, which was the best-selling car in Britain for its lifespan. Simmons recently relocated to China and now leads Haval’s design studio in Baoding as well as the advanced design studio in Shanghai where he has been tasked with building a team and creating a new design for all Haval models. What convinced you to relocate to China and take up this position? The position of design director at Haval has given me the challenge and responsibility of an…

THE Hummer may have looked good but that’s about it. According to various reviews on forums and even fan clubs, they are to be avoided at all cost. What if the Hummer had been a Japanese car with an inherent reputation for reliability? Well, what if we told you Japan did make a Hummer, only better. It was called the Mega Cruiser and it was built for the same reason the Hummer was: light military and police transport. Toyota started work on the Mega Cruiser in the early ’90s but it was showcased to the public only in 1993. It went on sale in Japan exclusively in 1996 with two versions being available: military and civilian. The military version (BXD10) saw duty as infantry transport for the military. It was…