Innehållsförteckning för Decemeber 2016 från NZ4WD

To display at this years’ SEMA trade show in Las Vegas Hyundai Motor America and Rockstar Performance Garage put together this nitrous-snorting Santa Fe SUV for the hard-core off-roader. The Rockstar Santa Fe Concept is based around a 3.3 litre Lambda V6 engine driving all four wheels via a raised Santa Fe off-roading set-up. Key modifications to the Rockstar Santa Fe Concept include: • An AEM cold air intake, Mishimoto radiators, nitrous-oxide injection system and Magnaflow custom exhaust. • R1 six-piston front, four-piston rear big brakes. • A custom lifted suspension setup with new tie-rods and control arms and King coilover shocks front and rear. • A Kicker audio system. • 17-inch off-road KMC XD 301 Turbine bead-lock wheels. • Mickey Thompson Baja Claw 35-inch off-road tyres. • A Warn…

Ford’s Ranger has bolted ahead of its competitors in the annual new vehicle registrations race. The country’s most popular turbo-diesel is now more than 1400 units sold ahead of the current number two ute, and more than 2000 ahead of the top-selling car (Toyota’s Corolla), further cementing its position as New Zealand’s favourite overall new vehicle. Meanwhile, Ford continues to improve the Ranger adding upgrades and refinements including Ford’s Sync3 on XLT and Wildtrak, and a cleaner and more efficient Euro5 compliant powertrain across the range. The new Sync3 communications and entertainment system is faster and easier to use with enhanced response to driver voice commands. The latest Ranger spec also now includes a rear view camera on XL well-side models, XLT and Wildtrak, reverse parking sensors across the entire…

Sales of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have topped the 25,000 mark in the UK, accounting for approximately half of the total number of plug-in hybrids registered in the UK since the very first of such vehicles were registered in 2010. By the time the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was launched in May 2014, a total of just 2,770 plug-in hybrids had been registered for use on UK roads but by the end of 2014 that total had risen to just over 10,000 vehicles, with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV accounting for 5,354 of those vehicles. By the end of 2015 a total of 13 plug-in hybrid models had entered the market, bringing total segment registrations to 19,000 vehicles, yet despite the increased competition, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continued its rise and rise.…

Land Rover Classic has opened its doors to the new Reborn Tour giving visitors the chance to experience the restoration of an early Land Rover live at the brand’s bespoke workshop and facility at Solihull in the UK. The Reborn Tour and Driving Experience begins with refreshments and a welcome before visitors are granted exclusive access to the newly updated Jaguar Land Rover Classic workshop. Those attending the Reborn Tour gain a fascinating insight into Jaguar Land Rover’s history at the plant, plus the production techniques used on the original 1948 Series I models. Last year over 10,000 visitors saw the final year of Defender production as part of the Defender Celebration Tour and this exhibit has been relocated alongside the Classic Workshop at Solihull for visitors to see and…

Ford also has a strong presence at SEMA with a range of cars and 4WDs, the latter showcased by this F-150 Raptor concept able to cruise down the highway or take on a trip down the Baja Peninsula. The base vehicle is a 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew powered by a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic with paddle-shift capability. To that has been added Foutz Motorsports suspension, Fox shock absorbers, Alcon brakes, Innov8 Racing 17 x 9-inch forged wheels, BFGoodrich Baja T/A 39x13.5R17 tyres and DeBerti Design custom front and rear fenders.…

The idea was simple. Go to New Zealand, get a truck and travel around living inside it. Hi. My name is Johny Cook and my fiancé Kirsty and I are from Inverness in Scotland, though I spent time living in South Africa and America before returning there when I was sixteen. I met Kirsty in high school and we have stuck with each other since, which has almost been eleven years. Having lived in different areas of the world, I definitely had itchy feet and once Kirsty had finished her accountancy degree we started weighing up the next step for us – do we settle down and buy our first home together, or do we travel and see another country? I was working on oil rigs at this time, and…

A properly engineered roof rack from ARB is the ideal way to increase your vehicle’s ability to carry large or irregular sized luggage. ARB roof racks are built to support the full rated load capacity of a vehicle with the mounting system and structural integrity of the rack being designed to withstand the most demanding of conditions. Racks are available in a variety of lengths and widths for vehicles with or without gutters, so you can choose the appropriate size to suit your requirements. Both steel and aluminium roof racks are available, and along with fitting a roof rack to your vehicle, you can also select from a number of optional extras to tailor it more specifically to your load carrying needs. Deluxe Steel Roof Racks Manufactured from strong, tubular…

Leading New Zealand accessory manufacturer and distributor Airplex has added another key product to its ute range line-up, the Custom Lid. The rugged Custom Lid is the ultimate lid you can load, hard working, good looking alloy lid able to support a market-leading 300kg load capacity on top, while keeping your belongings safe and dry underneath. The proudly NZ-made Custom Lid has several other advantages over the competition. Flush fitting ‘push’ locks offer a secure closing mechanism and while looking great, also prove more secure as they cannot be forced open as easily as old ‘turn’ style handles. That, and the unique rolled lip on the lid allows you to carry a full height load under the lid as the strong internal reinforcing frame doesn’t intrude into valuable load space…

Making a female thread in a hole is usually called ‘tapping’. The tool is called a tap. Many, many things are screwed together by self-tapping screws – also known as ‘PKs’. They don’t usually screw into preformed threads like bolts or machine screws do but go into plain unthreaded holes and ‘tap’ their own thread as they enter. There is another option of a minimal sort of nut pressed from sheet metal with a preformed hole to suit the PK. These are called captive nuts, often used where there is no depth available to screw into. There are many types, shapes and sizes of PK available. Most commonly they get screwed into plastic items and usually into a moulded pillar. A pillar looks like a small pipe, bored for a…

This is one of my long distance hauls to compete against my old mates in wheeling in the Club Truck Challenge (CTC). As I bombed along past Turakina after visiting Cowper Trucks I thought that I was heading to my 20th CTC round. A count back away from the singing of my tyres says that will be next time, this was my 19th round of the 23 that have been held since 2011. It was a good idea back then and it still is now, thanks to Mark Watchorn and John Jenkins for your forethought and work in setting up the series. Girl power We had some new competitors and the return of an old regular in Neville from the local club, Mt Egmont. Neville’s tidy Hilux has had some…

The Komodo dragon is a fearsome beastie. It grows up to three metres long and to a weight of 70 kg or more. Eats humans no problem. Tooth and claw, it fears no natural predator. So it’s a fantastic name for an aggressive championship-winning all-terrain tyre from GT Radial. We’ve enjoyed proving the grip and strength of these tyres in all kinds of conditions from wet grass to pumice roads to mud and the very unusual loam and flint of Twizel’s glacial base. The final round of the 2016 Polaris New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship, held at Twizel over Labour Weekend, sorted the racers from the rest in short order. The deciding factor – as is often the case down there – was tyres. How you treated your tyres, how…

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced last month that Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has become its largest shareholder after completing the purchase of 34 percent of MMC-issued stock for 237 billion JPY. As part of Nissan’s strategic investment, MMC will become a full member of the 17-year strong global alliance between Nissan and Renault – paving the way for a number of synergies, and effectively saving the company fiscally vulnerable thanks to a recent fuel consumption claim scandal. Nissan Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn has been nominated to become chairman of the Board and he will be joined by three other Nissan nominees Nissan and MMC will begin cooperating on a wide-ranging synergy program, building on a five-year alliance in minicars between the two companies. Ghosn said: “The expanded…

Lexus has introduced its Lexus UX concept car, fitted with Goodyear Urban Crossover concept tyres, at the Paris Motor Show 2016. When Lexus asked Goodyear to develop a tyre for its newest creation, it made two requests: explore new frontiers of tyre design and apply state-of-the-art technology. To reflect the unique design of the car, Goodyear committed to the inside-out philosophy adopted by Lexus for this model, which makes the internal elements blend with the external ones and vice versa. Following this principle, the spokes of the rim flow smoothly into the sidewall design of the tyre, creating one unique feature consistent with the rest of the car. The sections of the sidewall, seamlessly integrated in the wheel, give the tyre its urban crossover look, while the tread pattern gives…

No this isn’t the April issue of NZ4WD magazine. And yes, Ford is serious about teaming up with Jose Cuervo to explore the use of the tequila producer’s agave plant by-product to develop more sustainable bioplastics for its vehicles. Ford and Jose Cuervo are testing the bioplastic for use in vehicle interior and exterior components such as wiring harnesses, HVAC units and storage bins. Initial assessments suggest the material holds great promise due to its durability and aesthetic qualities. Success in developing a sustainable composite could reduce vehicle weight and lower energy consumption, while paring the use of petrochemicals and the impact of vehicle production on the environment. The growth cycle of the agave plant is a minimum seven-year process. Once harvested, the heart of the plant is roasted, before…

Jeep in the UK recently came up with a unique way to draw attention to its 75th anniversary celebrations, creating the world’s first pop-up showroom, in theory accessible only by 4x4. The ‘dealership’ opened for three days at Robin Hood’s Bay, in North Yorkshire, installed on the edge of the famous cliffs, looking out over the North Sea. The three and a half tonne mobile showroom was towed to the location across the rugged North York Moors terrain by Jeep’s 75th Anniversary Grand Cherokee while the rest of the 75th Anniversary range and an example of the famous Willys Jeep were displayed on-site. While passing trade wasn’t expected at the remote location, walkers and ramblers were welcomed into the ‘dealership’ to discover more about Jeep’s famed 4x4 credentials. In the…

Earlier this year Beaulieu, the stately home and venue for Great Britain’s National Motor Museum near Southhampton, notched up another record turnout for its latest Simply event as nearly 1,000 visitors enjoyed the Simply Land Rover day. As many as 935 visitors attended the weekend’s event, 246 up on the 2015 rally, making their way through the New Forest to the gathering in the grounds of the National Motor Museum. Now in its fourth year, Simply Land Rover continues to grow in popularity with its display. All Land Rover models and derivatives were on show, from battle-scarred workhorses to pristine show winners. The event also offered the chance for Land Rover owners to practice their driving skills at Beaulieu’s own Forest Drive. Event-goers also had the opportunity to vote for…

Terrain Tamer diff locker kit Terrain Tamer have recently partnered with Harrop and Eaton to create the Terrain Tamer Differential Locker Kit, complete with both the ELocker unit and all bearings and gaskets required for fitment. The patented, four pinion, electronic systems are made in Australia and operate manually using an electromagnet powered by the vehicle’s battery, superseding compressor technology and leaving the driver in full control to lock or unlock the differentials when necessary with an easy push button activation. When locked, the ELocker performs as a full locker, capturing 100 percent of available torque and sending it equally to both ends of the axle, maximising the available traction, providing greater vehicle control when approaching potentially dangerous obstacles such as hill climbs. Operating in such a way that both…

Despite being a truly Chrysler USAapproved vehicle offered through all of Fiat Chrysler’s dealerships in New Zealand, the right-hand-drive Ram 2500/3500 models now on sale here actually leave the factory in Mexico in left-hand drive form. They are then shipped to Australia where the conversion to RHD process takes place. Except converted is far from the right word to describe the process each Ram goes through. In fact, both Fiat Chrysler and the company they have partnered up with to offer Rams in RHD form strenuously avoid the “C” word altogether, preferring to use the term “remanufacture” to describe the process before being offered for sale in Australia and New Zealand. And having witnessed it first hand, I can’t help but agree with them. The “them” I refer to here…

Ironman4x4 has a large range of accessories to make carrying that load in the back of your 4WD station wagon or utility easier and safer. Products include deck liners, ute boxes, rear sliding draws, canopies and a range of deck mounted tool boxes. Deck Liners Deck liners are available for late model double cab utes including Toyota Hiluxes, Nissan Navaras, Ford Rangers, Mazda BT50s, Mitsubishi Tritons, Holden Colorados and Isuzu’s D-Max. The liners are produced from three mm thick UV-stable extruded polyethylene which gives high impact resistance, as well as protection from most common chemicals including oil, petrol, paint and battery acid. The liners are compatible with canopies and come standard with chrome tie down points and require no drilling to fit. Ute Boxes To offer a secure and water-tight…

After a somewhat damp trip over the Rimutakas we all gathered in Featherston for an initial briefing where I described the planned route and warned everyone that I have a bad habit of overestimating how much distance I can cover in a day. The first section of the trip was a gentle run up SH2 to Masterton where we turned off towards Castlepoint then Alfredton on a good, sealed back road. Another half hour run took us to the settlement of Alfredton, where our main interest was the Alfredton Domain. This was a perfect place for a morning tea stop away from the side of the road and surrounded by trees and sportsfields. With clearing skies, some warm sun and little wind, morning tea turned into a slightly longer social…

This time we had 19 teams entered, 15 of them series’ regulars. the others were local competitors, all – in this case – from the South Island. Scrutineering started from 3.00pm on the Friday and with daylight saving meaning the night stages could start a bit later we held our series’ AGM meeting at 5.00pm. Darkness fell around 7.30pm and the stages started. Four had been set out for all classes, three driving stages with not too many winches in and one with a bit more technical winching in (two double purchases and a straight forward winch). With only six trucks through this one by 11.00pm it was decided to pull it from the event and it was midnight by the time the last truck was home. Dunedin is a…

Our monthly feature showcases 4WDs doing just about anything except rolling over or burning! We will award a grand prize of a set of four Kumho 4x4 tyres in the NZ4WD Annual issue. This contest is open to all 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. It should be well-exposed. Size and type The ideal submission…

Mercedes-Benz Vans has finally made it official. The German manufacturer IS bringing a turbo-diesel double cab ute to market, one based on Nissan’s current NP300 Navara and which we can expect to go on sale here in 2018. Dubbed the X-Class, the new M-B ute will be aimed at urban lifestylers, rather than traditional sector buyers says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “We will open up and change the segment of mid-size pickups – with the world’s first true premium pickup for the modern urban lifestyle,” he told NZ4WD. “X-Class will be a pickup that knows no compromise, “he said. “Ladder-type frame, high-torque six-cylinder engine, and permanent all-wheel drive are compulsory for us. “As an added value we bring safety, comfort, agility, and expressive design – in other words,…

Its’ a gamble all right, but Ford is betting that impressive power and torque figures will convince Raptor- buyers in the US that a twin-turbo V6 is a better all-round bet than a normally-aspirated V8. Equipped with the all-new 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, the all-new 2017 F-150 Raptor churns out 335kWs (450hp) of peak power and a whopping 691Nm (510 lb.-ft.) of torque. Mated to an all-new Ford-built 10-speed transmission and exclusive transfer case – and managed by a six-mode Terrain Management System – the new Raptor makes good on its promise to deliver an exhilarating off-road performance truck and even more bragging rights for under $69,807 ($US50,000). “Raptor was designed to be a no-compromise, off-road performance machine,” said Matt Tranter, Ford Performance engineering supervisor.“ That is why we…

M-B has moved to toughen up its G-Wagon, adding a new G 350 d Professional model to the model line-up. Like all the other G Class models the G 350 d Professional has a sturdy ladder-type frame body, permanent all-wheel drive with low-range and three electrically selectable, 100 percent diff locks. The new G 350 d Professional model is powered by a 2987cc V6 diesel engine which produces 180 kW (245 hp) and returns 9.9l/100 km. Visually, the G 350 d Professional is distinguished by a matt black radiator grille and the black painted five-spoke alloy wheels shod with 265/70 R 16 A/T tyres. Thanks to its modified suspension, which provides it with an additional 10 millimetres of ground clearance (245 instead of 235 millimetres), it has approach/departure angles of…

Following on from last month’s Automechanika story where we focused on accessories there were also quite a few 4WD vehicles dotted around the outside display areas. There were several of the popular European truck trials competitors – these are real trucks that do similar challenges to normal trials vehicles; think huge wheels, many are six-wheelers with rear steer, etc – which must be a sight to behold when they are in action. There was also a group of German 4x4 trials trucks, with several of the drivers there so we talked a bit about the style of vehicles and the competitions. The vehicles look not dissimilar to ours although they tend to run smaller turbo engines such as Audi 1.8 litre four cylinders. The ones on display were all 4WD…

Take a Jeep Wrangler TJ frame, hang a 1966 Jeep Wrangler CJ universal Tuxedo Park body on it, add in Wrangler JK elements and fuel it with new Mopar-powered products, and you’ve got Jeep’s 2016 SEMA show-stopper. SEMA is the world’s largest accessory, tuning and aftermarket show and this year the CJ66, a unique cocktail of three Jeep vehicle generations, took pride of place on Jeep’s stand. Put together to showcase the many Jeep applications for sister company Mopar’s aftermarket products the narrow-bodied CJ66 is powered by a 5.7 litre hemi engine installed using one of Mopar’s new engine swap kits. Power – a healthy 285kWs (383hp) – is harnessed via a six-speed manual transmission then transferred to the wheels front and rear through Mopar Dana 44 Crate axles. The…

November 26th 2016 Moawhango School’s annual 4WD Fundraiser Registration will take place at Moawhango School (nth-east of Taihape) between 8-8.30am. Morning tea will be provided at this time, as well as a quick pre-tour talk. Information sheets will be available for you to take on your tour outlining some brief history and farming policies of the stations you will be travelling around. The tour will be leaving Moawhango School at 9am. The event will traverse across Motukawa Station, Whake Farm and Hiwinui Station before finishing back in Moawhango Village. It will conclude at Whitikaupeka Marae at approx. 4pm where a fantastic BBQ dinner comprising of lamb and pork cooked on a spit, BBQ venison and beef, salads etc. awaits. Numbers are being capped at 80 vehicles. Register quickly to avoid…

New Zealand Self Drive Tour operator Overland Journeys have just completed another season of adventure driving tours through the regions of South America, China, Russia, Mongolia and Eastern Europe. While ‘on tour,’ and with future development of yet more exciting tours to be offered for 2017 in mind, director of Overland Journeys (a division of Rally Tours NZ Ltd) Greg Paul headed off to explore the remote North East corner of the Russian continent. The challenge was to drive the infamous “Road of Bones” to Magadan, a drive to perhaps the remotest city on the globe made famous by high profile motorcycle riders Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman who documented their ride to Magadan in 2005 in a top-selling video and DVD, Long Way Round. Overland Journey’s has been under…

Wanaka-based TV chef Angelo Georgalli’s tough new kitchen is trailer-mounted and designed to go where the game is. You’re going to be seeing and hearing a lot about Angelo Georgalli, the Wanakabased chef’s latest show, produced by high-profile production company Pango, The Game Chef, having recently been picked up for global distribution by the National Geographic channel. Born in Scotland to a Greek Cypriot father and Italian mother who ended up raising their family of four boys in London, Angelo is a natural born TV talent with a passion for the back country of his adopted homeland of New Zealand matched only for his enthusiasm for cooking. Before heading south to Wanaka Angelo built up, ran, then sold a number of restaurants, delis and cooking schools in Auckland. His entrée…

Advantage alloy decks from Best Bars are now stronger and better looking thanks to an upgrade that has improved quality and enhanced load carrying. Improvements include: • The drop sides and tail gate now have additional extrusion weight and gusseting built in for reinforcement. • Side hinges are now full height and made of stainless steel with new dome head stainless steel fasteners. • Upgraded side sections to provide more rigidity as well as improve their function. Advantage alloy decks are built tough and thanks to their durable, anodised finish, won’t corrode, so will keep their looks for much longer. The main advantage, however, is their ability to enable the vehicle to haul heavier payloads, as the tray itself is lighter. In the past, the preference by ute owners has…

KYB, the world’s largest maker of shock absorbers, produces a dedicated line of shock absorbers for 4WD vehicles under the Skorched 4s brand name. “They are designed for people who want to improve the performance of their suspension within a standard set-up or a mild lift of up to 50mm,” says Grant Scheuber, divisional manager for Stocks Auto Parts, the New Zealand distributor. Skorched 4s shock absorbers are available for: • Mitsubishi Pajero from 2002 onwards. • Nissan Navara D22 2002-05 and Pathfinder 2005 onwards. • Toyota Hilux 2005 onwards, Prado 1996-2003. • Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series from 2001 onwards. • Ford Territory is covered with the Excel-G range. Skorched 4s were developed in Australia, around the King Springs heavy-duty 4WD range of coil and leaf springs, which are…

Another holiday season upon us and the joys of summer, which for many may include indulging in some of the many 4WD ‘safaris’, tours, etc. There are now quite a few options for enjoying organised excursions into our countryside. There is however still room for more places to enjoy a modest level of challenge and yet be a place that can be accomplished as a ‘drive through’, rather than a ‘there and back’. We don’t have a great number of such opportunities, with perhaps the Tongariro Forest’s 42 Traverse being one of the better examples in the North Island. The Walking Access Commission have a ‘workshop’ in Hamilton in late November to look at the development of trails (note the shift to the American ‘trails’ rather than tracks) and as…

North Shore, Auckland, offroader Mike Fraser is the new national champion, taking the title in dominant fashion as North Island offroad racers scooped the top three positions in the Polaris New Zealand offroad racing championship final round at Twizel over Labour Weekend. The south’s ‘difficult’ weekend began when favourite Nevil Basalaj of Nelson destroyed the engine of his Jimco Chev in practice at the track on Thursday. It continued with Christchurch’s Ron Crosby, who completed only one production truck heat in his Mitsubishi Pajero Evo before falling victim to engine failure. Twizel’s Wayne Wilson broke his truck’s radiator mounts in rough going on the second day and then blew a radiator hose, stopping his truck to avoid terminal engine damage. Engine woes also put paid to the title hopes of…