Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2019 i Leisure Wheels

DURING the recent SA Festival of Motoring, a couple of interesting trends emerged. Firstly, the majority of the cars launched were SUVs. Haval showed an improved H2, BAIC launched its B40 and VW pulled the covers off the T-Cross, Amarok Canyon and Polo Vivo Dune. VW also confirmed that the T-Roc will be coming to SA in 2020. Next door, Audi showcased the new Q8 and unveiled the Q3 and all electric E-Tron. Those are just the manufacturers that chose to exhibit at Kyalami, the barrage of new launches across these segments is never-ending. For us that is a good thing: it means more cars in which we can go on adventures. It’s no surprise then that the SUV body style has been the biggest growing body style in South…

Being without your cellphone for 30 minutes became the unthinkable. To be constantly in touch with the rest of the world via email or WhatsApp has become the norm. Phones, ranging from R1 000 to R20 000, all mini computers with cameras and apps are in the hands of the poorest of the poor to the rich and wealthy. Social media drives the information age we live in. Is it possible for destinations without access to networks and the internet to draw tourists? On our Voetspore in South Africa journey we found many places that draw people for that very reason. When we arrived at the Tankwa Karoo National Park we were met by Natasja Smith at the Park’s headquarters. We asked about the facilities at the park (which are…

The unmistakable silhouette is familiar yet new. Iconic in name, shape and capability, Defender can be personalised to allow owners to make the most of their world. Tested in the harshest environments on Earth, the new Defender is set to maintain this bloodline. Beside the peerless luxury and refinement of the Range Rover family and the highly capable and versatile Discovery SUVs, the new Defender completes the Land Rover dynasty. The 110 is just the start for this family of the most capable and durable 4×4s in the world, it will be swiftly followed by a short wheelbase 90 in 2020. Driven by a passion and respect for the original, the new Defender delivers transformational breadth of capability and advanced all-terrain technologies to redefine adventure for the 21st century, while…

Suzuki recently added a brand-new Boosterjet engine to its Vitara range, basically fixing the only gripe we ever had with that car. In an otherwise brilliant package, the naturally aspirated engine was fairly asthmatic at Gauteng altitude. For the record, the 1.6-litre engine soldiers on as is in other models, but the new turbocharged engine is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. It’s a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 103kW at 5 500r/min and a healthy 220Nm in a completely linear way from 1 500--4 000r/min. By comparison, the Vitara 1.6 litre GLX delivers 86kW at 6 000r/min and 156Nm at a peak of 4 400r/min. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox, with the latter offering manual…

At the foot of a range of barren mountains in the middle of Iceland, a domed tent houses a team of scientists operating a nearby robot. At first, controlling a buggy from a laptop might not seem too impressive but these scientists were working on something pretty mindblowing: the next Mars Rover. However, first they need to get there. Travelling to such a remote test site, far across treacherous alluvial glacier run-off , is not a job for a normal 4×4. And so the Mission Control team turned to one of the biggest players of extreme terrestrial off - roading; Arctic Trucks. Out of the capital, Reykjavik, away from the Viking-themed souvenir shops and the world’s most expensive beer, it doesn’t take too long for Iceland’s famously epic wilderness to…

GIVING buyers what they want, Ford finally developed a proper Ranger Raptor. This is not simply a Ranger with some nice bits, this is the real thing, with genuine Ford Performance design and engineering. The Raptor looks the part thanks to larger dimensions including a 150mm wider front track and flared wheel arches along with an imposing grille adorned with Ford block lettering. The striking, flared composite front fenders are designed to shrug off damage from off-road use and allow for longer suspension travel. Under the mean exterior is a unique Ford Performance chassis optimised for high-speed off-road driving and go-any-where ability. The Fox Performance shocks fitted to this bakkie are something special. These high performance 2.5-inch dampers – which incorporate protruding shock absorber towers – feature twice the oil…

IF it’s attention you seek, look no further than an X250d Power 4×4 Automatic wrapped in highlighter yellow (or Bitter Yellow, as Mercedes calls it). To say this car drew attention would be an understatement, which takes some doing in a convoy that included an Arctic Truck Isuzu and a Toyota GR-Sport. The upgrades to this particular X Class are both cosmetic and functional. The most obvious is the matte yellow wrap, which can also be found on the vent surrounds on the inside. An advantage is that your original paint will remain well protected by the vinyl wrap and changing the colour is a fairly easy process, this is something many manufacturers are starting to look at thanks to major advances in the vinyl materials. In addition to that,…

FOR a car that’s called Stealth, the Navara isn’t all that good at blending into the background thanks to a host of decidedly unstealthy mods. This car is a celebration of Nissan’s 50-year heritage in South Africa and is meant to cater to the needs of the average citizen and reflect a little of who they are. The design differences are easy to spot if you know the Navara. The standard silver and chrome detailing has been removed and replaced with black trimmings. To complement the black trim, Nissan included orange accents on the grille, front bumper, side mirrors and side steps. To fully complete the rugged look, a roll bar, side steps and black alloy wheels were also included. The style upgrades weren’t restricted to the exterior. The orange…

MUCH has been said about the X-Class across these pages. Justifying the standard X250d’s price tag is a tough old job. Instead of being practical and offering value for money and all that, the main selling point of the X is fashion appeal. And if that is what you’re after, this interesting interpretation of the X250d actually does make sense. It drew bags of attention and that is what it is supposed to do. But our testers are bakkie guys and the matte black wrap did unfortunately not do enough to convince them that this Merc was something special. The Nissan didn’t do anything wrong. But it also didn’t do anything great. It was probably the least memorable and talked about bakkie in the line-up and bagged seventh place due…

THE Q8 combines the elegance of a four-door luxury coupé along with the practical talents of a large SUV. A generous interior with variable luggage compartment, state of the art operating and suspension technologies as well as intelligent driver assistance systems make the Audi Q8 a composed companion for business or leisure. Compared to the Q7, Audi’s stalwart big SUV, the Q8, is wider, shorter and lower. Following the design language first seen on the A8, it paves the way for what future Audi models will look like and the brand is on the cusp of a big wave of new products. Alongside the imposing single frame in octagonal design, the brawny radiator grille stands upright and, together with the spoiler which has been drawn towards the front, the large,…

THIS month we look at some of the most expensive off erings out there, both for road tripping and overlanding. As you may have guessed, the biggest market for motor homes is the US, which is responsible for 35% of recreational vehicle (RV) sales globally, with more than one in 10 families owning one. It’s estimated that the RV market is worth around $10.7 billion a year… and that’s just in America. But to focus solely on the land of the free and the home of the brave would be a disservice. It’s true that South Africa’s motor home market isn’t that big but we do have some interesting products. The Volkswagen California Camper is a good example and there are many third party manufacturers that can build an exceptional…

MOSSEL BAY is one of the most popular holiday spots in South Africa. This is understandable, what with world-class beaches, countless fun family activities and marine sports for old and young. Many people don’t know this coastal town is said to have one of the most consistent climates in the world, which makes it an all-year holiday destination. Conveniently situated along the famous Garden Route, it is an ideal overnight stop for travellers, as well as a longstay location for long, lazy holidays. CAMPING De Bakke Santos caters for any kind of holidaymaker. The campsites are ideal for avid camping enthusiasts, backpackers or young explorers. There is even a permanent tent option for an authentic camping experience without the hassle (and expense) of bringing and pitching the needed equipment. Glamping…

ISUZU D-MAX Mileage at start: 2 934km Mileage now: 5 132 Average consumption: 10.55 litres/100km Tank size: 80 litres Distance per tank: 758km SHORTLY after arriving at the office, our D-Max was loaded up and driven north to the Mapungubwe Nature Reserve for the Tour de Tuli mountain-bike event. It served its purpose rather well, getting its driver and all of his kit there comfortably and quickly. Then it came back to the office to start doing what most bakkies do on a day-to-day basis, which is basically sit in traffic to and from home. Luckily, we recently discovered a new, even faster way from our office in Sandton to the suburbs of Centurion. There’s no way to cut out the first half of the drive consisting of bumper-to-bumper traffic,…

Porsche recently added a duo of highperformance models to its Cayenne and Cayenne Coupé range. Oddly, this duo aren’t fire-breathing V12 monsters but environmentally friendly hybrids. The top-of-the-range addition to the Cayenne series draws its total system output of 500kW from the combination of a four-litre twin turbo V8 engine (404kW) and an electric motor (100kW) integrated into the eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission. The maximum system torque of 900Nm is available from just above idle speed. Both models accelerate from a standing start to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and where possible, can reach a top speed of 292km/h. But it’s not all about the power. Both cars can cover a distance of 30km on electric power alone and with a top speed of 132km/h. In addition to the two top…

The all-new Audi Q3 made its local debut at the Festival of Motoring. Only one engine option will be available from launch, wearing a 35 TFSI badge. It’s a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol that develops 110kW and 250Nm. The power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Audi claims it will sprint to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds and will keep on accelerating until it hits 204km/h. The Q3 will be available in three distinct flavours, including Standard, Advanced and S-Line. Priced from R565 000, the standard Q3 is equipped with all the basic necessities, including LED headlamps, digital instrument cluster, leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and parking sensors. The Advanced looks a bit more special thanks to model-specific bumpers, side sills and black grille. You…

WHAT sounded a tad crazy proved to be a memorable road camping safari with the overarching highlight being the huge variety of fauna and flora in six of the region’s game parks. Five vehicles, three towing trailers covered well over 7 000km as the entourage explored these parks. A lot can go wrong in a convoy like this but fortunately, our only hiccup was two punctures and a tank being filled with diesel instead of unleaded. Fortunately, the unwanted tank of diesel happened in Upington and was detected and drained before any damage occurred. A close shave for the owner of the Land Cruiser. Lesson learnt: watch the nozzle with a beady eye or you could be left fuming. We departed Cape Town on 1 June, our route taking us…

This year’s Tour de Tuli started and finished at the confluence inside the Mapungubwe Nature Reserve, situated approximately 80km from Alldays near the Pont Drift border and 500km from Johannesburg. Travelling from Johannesburg is easy going until Polokwane where the road deteriorates into a two-way road passing small villages and game farms until Alldays. From Alldays you head north on the R521 which is peppered with potholes. Once you reach the park gate, it is another 12km to the parking area. A 4×4 is not necessary but a vehicle with some ground clearance to tackle the potholes and dirt section is recommended. Travelling at night is highly discouraged as the chances of colliding with game in this area is high. Your vehicle can only get you so far in these…

IN a tie-up with Icelandic firm Arctic trucks, Isuzu South Africa has added a new flagship model, the AT35, to their line-up. Built on the same production line as a regular D-Max, this bakkie features bigger wheel wells and arches in order to accommodate 35-inch tyres and beefed-up suspension. Based on the D-Max 3.0 Double Cab 4×4 LX Automatic, the Arctic Trucks package includes an increased vehicle height along with massively improved approach and departure angles. At the base of the conversion is a custom Arctic Trucks 30mm body lift, and together with the addition of the coil over Fox Performance series shocks, the big 35-inch wheels fit the D-Max with no body cutting. With its own line in the Port Elizabeth plant, the D-Max is built as an Arctic…

THE Karoo special edition is Mahindra’s way of celebrating the surge in sales it has seen over the last few years. Initially launched only as an add-on to the S6 specification, the Karoo upgrade was recently introduced on the top-of-the-line S10 model. So, in addition to all of the extra kit, that means it already comes with satellite navigation, cruise control and a multifunction steering wheel. The Karoo Edition is unique in the sense that the customer can choose what they want. It can be a cosmetic package, or a colour-coded Beekman canopy. Either way, at just R5 000 above sticker price, it offers exceptional value for money. Ours was clearly equipped with the black cosmetic option, which includes blacked out off-road alloy wheels, a dark nudge bar and a…

AT the recent SA Festival of Motoring, Volkswagen pulled the covers off the Amarok V6 Canyon, a specialedition model of their V6 that features some unique alloys, black trim and a slightly funky interior. We tried our best to get our hands on a Canyon for this test, but to no avail, as that model goes on sale only towards the end of October. Still, it would have been a massive omission to not include the Amarok in this test as it is a great bakkie in standard V6 trim. The addition of the V6 engine to the Amarok range gave new life to this model, with a big chunk of its sales attributed to this powerplant. The 3.0-litre V6 under the bonnet is claimed to generate 165kW and 550Nm,…

VW Amarok V6 57 points Ford Ranger Raptor 53 points Toyota Hilux Legend 50 53 points Toyota Hilux GR Sport 29 points Isuzu D-Max AT35 28 points Mahindra Pik Up Karoo 28 points Nissan Navara Stealth 22 points Mercedes-Benz X250d 18 points DANIE BOTHA Editor in Chief Favourite: Ford Ranger Raptor Least favourite: Mahindra Pik Up Karoo PHILLIP KEKANA Former SA champion racing driver Favourite: VW Amarok V6 Least favourite: Mercedes-Benz X-Class REUBEN VAN NIEKERK Editor Favourite: Ford Ranger Raptor Least favourite: Mahindra Pik Up Karoo PATRICK KENNEDY Chef and 4×4 fundi Favourite: Ford Ranger Raptor Least favourite: Isuzu D-Max Arctic GERHARD HORN Assistant Editor Favourite: VW Amarok V6 Least favourite: Isuzu D-Max Arctic JASON VENTER 4x4 Mega World and former Class T national off-road champion Favourite: Toyota Hilux Legend…

BROWSING Mahindra’s website, you soon realise there aren’t any bad apples in there. The Bolero is a tough-as-nails workhorse, the KUV 100 NXT is a brilliant little car that retails from a simply unbelievable R137 000 (with ABS and airbags) and the Pik Up offers a lot of bakkie at R300 000 less than its direct rivals. And that’s before we even get to some of the upcoming products we recently saw up close. The current star of the show is the XUV 300. Mahindra has high hopes for this car. It is aiming for a Car of the Year and, if it does happen, Mahindra will be the first Indian manufacturer to receive this accolade. We’re not members of the organisation in charge of selecting the car of the…

IT was a dream result for Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Henk Lategan and navigator Brett Cummings at the Bronkhorstspruit 400. The Toyota Hilux driver won the race overall, echoing his result from 2018 when he achieved his maiden cross-country victory at the same event. Teammates Shameer Variawa and Juan Mohr continued their good run, recording the third fastest time in the overall standings, just behind the Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux crew of Chris Visser and Danie Stassen. Unfortunately, Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy failed to score meaningful points, hitting a rock while travelling at pace during Friday’s qualifying loop. The honours in Class T went to the Ford Ranger crew of Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable, who continued their unbeaten run for the season. They were kept honest by…

✓ THE GOOD: Inconspicuous, practical, super economical daily runner × THE BAD: Short gear ratios ensure plenty of gear swaps in peak hour traffic (but we’ve adapted to the different driving style) THERE we were, driving a Nissan 370Z sports car, decked out in a not-so-very-subtle hue Nissan calls ‘Ultimate Yellow’. It was the first time in a number of years we’d driven an automobile so low slung, riding so close to terra firma. It felt as if our back-ends were about to come into painful contact with the tar road, at any given time. We’re not going to claim the plat (flat) Nissan’s performance left us icecold; with 245kW of power, it can haul that yellow frame along at a very brisk pace indeed, accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack,…

SUZUKI South Africa remains a beacon of light in an otherwise bleak new vehicle market. The Japanese vehicle manufacturer beat all expectations to grow its total sales to 1 577 new vehicles in July, setting a new all-time sales record in the process, 6.6% higher than Suzuki’s previous sales record set the previous month, placing Suzuki in position number nine in the overall Top 10 vehicle sales ranking. By beating all market expectations, Suzuki has grown its share to 3.5% of the overall market and 5.03% of the passenger vehicle market. It also means Suzuki will welcome its 75 000th customer in August, just over a decade after it opened its doors in the country. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) has reported overall vehicle sales…

The new MG Extender bakkie was launched in Thailand a few days ago, to take on a brace of competitors in that country’s lucrative one-ton bakkie market. The Extender is apparently based on an existing SAIC bakkie called the Maxus. Chris de Beer: As some of the commentators rightly say, a lot of the SA buyers are brand-conscious but many are not, which is proven by the fact that Mahindra, JMC and GWM do well. This bakkie has no reason not to sell in SA. Armand Geldenhuys: I own a Mahindra Scorpio and it’s honestly a great alternative, I hope this MG does well because it looks amazing and I’d love to see it on our roads. Gladwin Tumiso Modise: Right price and good aft er-sales care, you have a…

South Africa’s fastest production bakkie is now available with a special edition model, the Amarok Canyon. The Amarok Canyon is set apart with its refreshed look and sees new features as well as additional exterior and interior styling elements. The Amarok Canyon joins the Dark Label as the only other special edition model available in the range and distinguishes itself through‚ the Honey Orange metallic exterior paint door handles in matte black, radiator grille painted in black with chrome trims, partly chrome-plated body-coloured exterior mirror housings, widening wheels arches painted in black, new design matte black styling bar, matte black side tubes with unique Canyon decals as well as 17-inch Aragua alloy wheels. Interior features of the special edition include Canyon edition partial leather seats with Honey Orange stitching, seatbelts…

Bilstein South Africa’s Raise Your Game range has been significantly enlarged with the addition of kits for three of Toyota’s hardcore SUVs. Owners of the brawny Land Cruiser 200, gritty FJ and the all-purpose Prado can now benefit from the combination of made-in-Germany Bilstein shock absorbers and coil springs chosen specifically for local conditions. That means a solution that is exceptionally cost-effective, yet of top quality and widely available. Raise Your Game kits can be ordered from Goldwagen stores (of which there are nearly 110). Raise Your Game was initially launched to meet the needs of 4x4 double cab owners. The range has expanded rapidly and as well as the last two generations of Hilux and last two generations of Ranger/BT50, Raise Your Game kits can also be purchased for…

It’s all about standing out from the crowd and bakkie manufacturers have gone to varying lengths to ensure their bakkie is different to the next. Some chose to go the aesthetic route while others have added a combination of looks and 4×4 technology to their flagship models. There are also those that concentrated purely on a chassis package and others that are all about engine. The Ford Ranger Raptor has captured the public’s attention as has the built-in-the-factory Isuzu Arctic with its 35-inch wheels. Toyota recently launched two special Hiluxes, celebrating its 50th anniversary as well as its success in motorsport. Mahindra is offering exceptional value with its locally built Karoo and the added specification that it offers. Both the Nissan Navara and Mercedes-Benz X-Class have had a tough time…

GAZOO Racing represents Toyota’s unified Motorsport arm, competing in various global motorsport disciplines like the Dakar Rally. GR Sport is Toyota’s second tier in the GR-product pyramid, which encompasses suspension upgrades and enhancements. To give customers a piece of this action, Toyota has added some GR magic to its everpopular Hilux. The major upgrades to the GR Sport over a standard Hilux are uprated and tuned suspension, the shock absorbers have been changed to a monotube design with revised damping, working in conjunction with increased front spring rates to offer a sportier ride. The rear leaf spring rates have been left unchanged to maintain the existing payload. The exterior distinguishes itself from its normal Hilux brethren with Gazoo Racing branding and is offered in white, red or black to match…

TO celebrate 50 years of Hilux in South Africa, Toyota has launched the Legend 50 derivative across all three body shapes. The front upper and lower grille has received the full blackout treatment, with matching stylised fog-lamp surrounds. A stylish silver accent line frames the vertical fog-lamp garnish with matching silver lower bumper guard. Legend 50 badging rounds off the front facade, complemented by the LED headlights with daytime running lights. The side profile is enhanced by black side protective mouldings, chrome exterior mirrors and door handles as well as black side steps. A customised rear styling bar with matching Legend 50 badging and a textured, heavy-duty tonneau cover add rugged appeal while sleek satin-silver roof rails elevate the Legend 50’s presence. At the rear, a black bumper, smoked tail…

NISSAN NAVARA STEALTH Engine: Four-cylinder turbocharged diesel Displacement: 2 298cc Power: 140kW @ 3 750r/min Torque: 450Nm @ 1 500r/min Transmission: Seven-speed automatic 4WD system: Part-time four-wheel drive Driving aids: ABS, EBD, reverse camera, hill start assist and hill descent control Differential lock: Rear Tyre size: 255/60 R18 Suspension front: MacPherson strut Suspension rear: Five-link with coil spring Ground clearance, front: 250mm Ground clearance, rear: 220mm Fuel consumption: 11.14 litres/100km Price: R663 200 TOYOTA HILUX LEGEND 50 Engine: Four-cylinder turbocharged diesel Displacement: 2 755cc Power: 130kW @ 3 400r/min Torque: 450Nm @ 1 600r/min Transmission: Six-speed manual 4WD system: Part-time four-wheel drive Driving aids: Traction control, stability control, hill assist control, downhill assist control, iMT Differential lock: Rear Tyre size: 265/60 R18 Suspension front: MacPherson strut Suspension rear: Leaf spring…

TREELANDS ABBEY AND CASTLE Dullstroom has become a prime weekend destination for people from Johannesburg and Pretoria. It’s no more than a threehour drive from the major cities, even if you take the scenic route as we did. There’s loads to do and much to see, which is both good and bad. Good in the sense that it’s most certainly worthwhile going there, bad in the sense that it has become rather pricey because everyone goes there. Treelands self-catering accommodation has a number of options. Since we were a large group of people, we made use of more than one of these options. A few members of our group used the Treelands Abbey studios. These are equipped with a king-size bed, dining table and kitchenette. They also come with a…

THE limited-edition bakkie is a strange but fiercely successful phenomenon. Started locally by Toyota with the introduction of the Legend 35, it has been present ever since. Toyota also set the gold standard for what a limited-edition bakkie should be. It varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer but the basics remain the same: remove the standard stickers and replace them with the chosen name of the limited model. Bolt on a few metallic exterior bits, add a dash of contrast stitching and round it all off with a set of model-specific alloys. We could argue for days whether these bakkies represent a realistic improvement over their lesser, more standard counterparts but it would be a worthless endeavour. The bottom line is this: the limited-edition bakkie concept works. We’ve yet to…

GOING for the diesel vehicle option was initially a way of buying cheaper fuel but has now spawned a generation of motorists who love diesel for the power delivery made especially attractive with the rise in the use of turbocharging. Their popularity with manufacturers, especially in the SUV and bakkie segment where everyone wants the torque of a diesel, is at an all-time high; just have a look at the special edition bakkie test elsewhere in this magazine. All those vehicles are diesel powered. Diesel technology, like many other technical sectors, is constantly evolving. Emission controls have become increasingly important, fuel quality has improved and engines have been revolutionised. The best indicator of this is common rail pressures that have increased from 1 350 bar in the early to mid-2000s,…

FOLLOWING World War II, a lack of infrastructure and the materials necessary to build cars meant engineers had to adapt and improvise. This led to some properly iconic vehicles like the Mini and Fiat 500, which are both still in production, in their modern forms. The current Fiat 500 is a sales dream. It’s the bestselling vehicle in Fiat’s line-up locally and globally and it serves as the basis for a few different models, including the 500X crossover. But did you know there was an off-road 500 long before the 500X was launched? Probably not, because it was sold under a completely different name. The man responsible for the car you see featured here had one of the most iconic names in motoring: Ferrari. However, Carlo Ferrari was not related…