Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2021 i NZ4WD

As someone born and brought up (well) south of the 45th parallel but who has spent the best part of the past 30 years living and working in Auckland there are a couple of things which trigger an instant nostalgia response, despite their obviously being buried deep within my cerebral cortex. One is the view of fresh snow on the foothills of the Southern Alps from the pits at Christchurch’s Mike Pero Motorsport Park (nee Ruapuna). Another is the ‘ink black’ sky captured perfectly here in all its foreboding glory by 4x4 Explorer.co.nz’s Richard Soult.…

Innovation continues to be a driving force at Jayco, Australasia’s leading RV manufacturer, with a robust portfolio of new features announced in its 2021 range of caravans. National Sales Manager, Scott Jones, says the 2021 range has been an opportunity for Jayco to forge on with the evolution of the humble caravan with smart innovations. “Kiwis have embraced the caravanning lifestyle in a big way with the largest market segment increase being families. We’ve seen a giant rise of Kiwis wanting to head away in our most popular family caravan – Jayco Journey 22ft caravan, which has increased by 132 percent year on year. “We’re always looking for new ways to make the caravanning experience safer and more effortless for our customers. The new smart technology and safety features that…

Having identified the need to regularly tow things as one of the main reasons why thousands of Kiwis sought out, tested then went on to actually buy one of the last-generation D-Max-based seven-seat MU-X SUVs, importer Isuzu NZ believes that the all-new MU-X released here in August will be an even better prospect for those with a boat, horse, go-kart or race car, bike or quad bike trailer and the need to regularly load it (the trailer) and tow it from A to B or Z! For the first time in seven years, the seven-seat large SUV has undergone a complete transformation making it the most advanced Isuzu has ever built. It now offers segment-leading 3500kg towing capacity, a locking rear differential for better off-road ability, an extra 235mm in…

Every day we realise more and more it’s all about that feeling of boundless freedom. The ability to look up at the starry sky, detached from all constraints of everyday life. The silhouette of the mountains before your eyes. And all around, absolute silence. Zip up your tent, fall asleep in harmony with nature – and let the first rays of sunshine tickle you awake in the morning. It’s this experience, here at Yakima, we wish for everyone to experience time and time again. A Yakima SkyRise HD Roof Top Tent turn cars into motorhomes with little effort. It’s all about more freedom, more mobility and that ability to experience nature at it’s best and truly immersing yourself in its beauty. At the beginning of the 2021 European Summer, Yakima…

Our weapon of choice was not the all-singing, all-dancing X-Terrain top-of-the-line Isuzu D-Max, we’ve already tested that one. Rather, we wanted to try a D-Max which serves as the backbone of D-Max sales, a regular round town 4x4, which is what New Zealand has come to know the D-Max for. And thus, we ended up with the LS-M 4x4 double cabber – not quite the top and a fair way from the bottom as far as Isuzu is concerned. As readers will know, there have been some subtle external changes to this model and the one preceding it. We say subtle because there is only so much one can do to change a ute and still retain its basic brand identifiers. So yes, it helps to be a trainspotter, in…

AFN founded its Portugal operation in 1995 to supply vehicle protection equipment for their military and the United Nations. From this base the brand has grown and expanded its market to the point where it is one of the best-equipped manufacturers dedicated to the production and commercialisation of protection accessories for off-road vehicles anywhere in the world. In turn AFN 4×4 Australia has worked tirelessly with AFN Portugal to produce a range of premium products that are particularly suited to the Australian and New Zealand markets. Every AFN Bullbar is tested to meet all ADR (Australian Design Rules are national standards for vehicle safety) requirements. This same approach is carried through to their rear bars, side steps, guard bars and unique aluminium underbody protection plates. A cut above These days,…

It’s the climb. Oh, and the rallysprint. And that always sets the adrenalin flowing. It also makes people wonder why offroad racing and rallying stand poles apart when the disciplines are so similar. One of the pure joys of running the old and new Chang trucks is that I have been able to ‘cross dress’ out into other disciplines and do some ‘evangelism’ on behalf of the sport. Over the years that has given me the privilege of competing alongside some of the biggest names in rallying The stand-out for years was the amazing Silverstone Race to the Sky (up the Snow Farm access road in the Cardrona Valley, approx. halfway between Queenstown and Wanaka. Ed) organised by rally and race identity Grant Aitken. So many corners, so much altitude,…

Many months of planning and hundreds of emails came to fruition as the first of the 36 4WD vehicles rolled in to the Ranfurly Holiday Park for the Otago Recreational 4 Wheel Drive Group’s biennial 4WD Muster. The concept for the Muster was simple. Find somewhere to stay, somewhere to go and someone to feed us. The Holiday Park held all of their accommodation for us, local knowledge meant we were able to get access to private tracks, and the small Catholic school provided all our lunches and three amazing dinners. The first day saw our group, the Blue Team, climbing up to the Buster Diggings in the Oteake Conservation Park. We drove through fog that obscured the view but the droplets on the tussocks were beautiful. Just as we…

With about a 90 percent return rate, most of our guests have become lifelong friends and organise between themselves when they are coming back for a trip. A great bunch had done this, so it was more a trip away with friends than a work trip. One of the great things about turning your passion into a business... The last trip of the season was our Central Otago Gold Trails trip in April and three couples, who had already been with us in January, and a couple of others, decided to drive all the way back from Auckland to join us, meeting in Fairlie on Monday morning The first day of every trip is quite relaxed and nothing more than gravel roads, albeit with some steep climbs, descents, and some…

From humble beginnings – keeping intrepid free campers safe at night from ground-based predators across the vast savannah grasslands of southern Africa from the early 1970s – until here in New Zealand today where they are often fitted as much as an indication of intent as a practical place to sleep while out in the wop wops on your latest 4WD mission, the Roof Top Tent has truly come of age. Practical, cost-effective and perfect if it is just you and/or a close partner ‘on manoeuvres’ ‘fold-out/fold-back-in ’Roof Top Tents make a lot of sense, particularly if your off-road ‘truck of choice’ has a full-length roof – or, in other words, is classed as a ‘station wagon.’ If, however, your modern-day ‘truck of choice’ happens to be one of New…

Park Master and experienced 4WDer Roger Winslade has recently done some extensive work at the Auckland 4WD Adventure Park so we thought it right and proper to visit and let Roger show us what’s new. Playing in the park is what Roger’s customers do. Roger works there, and cares for the land while providing a family-friendly, drive-it-yourself 4WD experience with tracks suitable for all levels of experience. The land is renewable forest, which Roger caretakes in cooperation with New Zealand Forestry and the local Iwi, constantly improving the venue for everyone to enjoy responsibly. Roger also conducts approved training days for organisations requiring such, and he is making the park available to off-road vehicle manufacturers as a demonstration environment and as a competition course for off-road vehicles. Access to the…

Having immersed himself in promoting the presence of the reborn and repurposed Series 1 Land Rover, known as Oxford, Auckland-based marque stalwart Kevin Isemonger wasn’t really looking forward to making the long haul south for the iconic vehicle’s ‘last hurrah’ here, at the big Wheels at Wanaka motor show over the Easter weekend. His attitude changed, however, when he heard that mates from the Land Rover Series 1 Enthusiasts were planning a return trip back up the West Coast. This is the story of what turned out to be a truly epic 10 days of 4WDing old and new from Auckland in the North to Wanaka in the south and a hell of a lot of random points in between. And so, after a veritable flurry of emails (and credit…

John’s pics arrived very much unheralded – as is the way these days – but because they were well labeled I immediately recognised that they were to go with a story by another correspondent… and promptly forgot about them; until I realised that I didn’t have any suitable Your4s pics this month. Remembering John’s emails I retrieved them.. and from that point on realised that my only problem was going be trimming my choice down to four. YOU ARE NOW ENTERED TO WIN A GRAND PRIZE OF FOUR KUMHO 4X4 TYRES TO BE ANNOUNCED IN THE NZ4WD ANNUAL ISSUE.…

With more and more New Zealanders exploring the great backroads of the country and choosing off-roading adventures, the Ford Everest makes the perfect companion. Capable, safe, and comfortable on or off-road, the Everest is the perfect choice for any terrain and New Zealand buyers now have a new model added to the range to choose from – the Special Edition Everest BaseCamp.  “Our travel choices changed during and in the wake of Covid-19,” said Simon Rutherford, Managing Director Ford New Zealand. “We’re taking a lot more road trips and venturing further afield when we do. The Everest offers a smooth, safe ride on everything from the motorway to genuine off-road, off-the-beaten tracks adventures. Now, with the Everest BaseCamp, we’re offering more choice for our customers to take to the roads…

It wasn’t too long ago that camping was used to disconnect from society and get away from it all. Today, many of us travel with a fridge and some camp lighting, and need to charge camera batteries, phones, tablets, and many other electronic gadgets. However, you need to consider how you will manage your power needs on the road, because if you don’t, keeping that beer cold will be the last of your worries! We are seeing the electrical system of vehicles become more complex highlighting the importance of providing the right battery charging solution. Investing in a battery management system will ensure your starter battery always has enough power to restart your vehicle but allows your second battery to operate independently. You need a system that will recharge to…

Superchips NZ specialises in tuning petrol and diesels. With 25 years’ experience in NZ, Australia and Europe they specialise in optimising your vehicles performance. Since the mid-1980s, engines have been controlled by the engine control unit (ECU). This controls the ignition timing, fuelling, boost pressure and other engine functions. After extensive development and testing, they fine tune the settings for your make and model. Each remap is as individual as the software inside your ECU, safely eliminating those ‘performance compromises’. The new remap is based on the original manufacturer’s programme. In many cases, this remapped program is installed through the car’s diagnostic port, so no replacement chip and we don’t touch the ECU. However, some models can only be done directly to the ECU. They also offer a self-programming option…

It is hard to know where to start to thank people who helped out along the way. But here goes. Special mention must go to Rod and Anne Corbett, without their drive and determination the Oxford New Zealand journey may not have gone ahead. Adam Bennett for sending Oxford to New Zealand. Jaguar Land Rover for transporting Oxford and the Land Rover Dealerships for hosting Oxford. Joanne Smith and Star Insurance for covering Oxford in New Zealand. ‘Wheels at Wanaka’ for their support and assistance with the administration of the Land Rover Rally. Philip and Gillian Avery for hosting the Land Rover Series 1 Enthusiasts run in Whanganui. Mark Warren, Nick Stewart, Andrew, and Julia Thomas at Toronui Station for the Hereworth 0.5. Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago Land Rover Owners…

Those signs of spring are well underway and four-wheeling thoughts will possibly be looking ahead to the summer and maybe some beach driving; a recreational pastime that is starting to draw considerable scrutiny from local authorities as the numbers of vehicles heading onto beaches continue to grow. Unfortunately, it is not always just the numbers of vehicles that create problems, but it is often the anti-social behaviour of a few that raise the ire of other beach users and local residents. It got to the point at Auckland’s Muriwai beach where the community and the Council rangers called for drastic measures to ‘manage’ vehicle access to the beach. One option tabled was a total ban on vehicles on the beach and another was the use of gates and paid permits…

Our monthly feature showcases wc 4WDs doing just about anything c except rolling ver or over or We burning war! We will award e o a grand our prize of a set of four Kumho 4x4 tyres in the NZ4WD Annual issue. This contest is open to all o readers who are not professional photographers. IMPORTANT: Photographs must have been taken by the person entering them, or have the photographer’s written permission. Email your digital images and a detailed caption to: editor@NZ4WD.co.nz Send your prints and detailed captions to: Your4s with Kumho, PO Box 65-092, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0754. Be sure to include your postal address! Submitting photos The basics: as with any photo, there’s no substitute for an image that’s sharp – in focus and free of camera shake.…