Innehållsförteckning för March 2018 från NZ4WD

Mercedes-Benz has given its iconic G-Series on/off-roader a major revamp. While it looks virtually identical to the model it replaces the new G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider and boasts significantly more interior space. “The new ‘G’ is still a ‘G,’ only better,” said Ola Källenius, the member of the Board of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “The new G-Class is setting the bar higher still in all relevant areas – in terms of performance both on and off the road as well as with regard to comfort and telematics. “Enhancing an icon such as the G-Class in technological terms was both a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. Each part and every bolt came under close scrutiny,” explains Dr Gunnar Güthenke,…

NZ Adventures is a 4x4 back country tour operation currently offering five different trips covering a large portion of the South Island. Established in the late 1990s, NZ Adventures was purchased in 2013 by Southland-based Robbie & Connie Crickett who previously farmed in Western Southland and who have had a long association with the company prior to ownership. For Robbie Crickett 2018 marks 20 years of guiding motor vehicle tours along the back tracks of the South Island. The company offers led tours where customers drive their own or rental vehicles.NZ Adventures provides radio communications between all vehicles enabling a commentary and responses to questions. NZ Adventures has always operated with safety as a priority and are pleased to be passing ongoing audits under the revamped Adventure activities legislation. The…

Redarc has added four new Tow-Pro wiring kit options to its existing range, which now rounds up a total of 11 wiring kits suitable for 16 vehicles. The new Tow-Pro wiring kits suit: • Toyota Landcruiser (TPWKIT-005). • Toyota Kluger and Prado (TPWKIT-007). • Volkswagen Amarok (TPWKIT-010). • And a Universal model (TPWKIT-011). The company originally released seven wiring kits suitable for 10 vehicles, the Ford Ranger PXI, PXII and Everest, Holden Colorado, Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero, Toyota Hilux and Fortuner, Isuzu D-Max and MU-X, and Nissan Navara. The wiring kits provide ‘Plug and Play’ style connectivity, ensuring each vehicle-specific wiring kit will ensure that installation of a Redarc Tow-Pro is quicker and more convenient. Each kit comes with the complete range of hardware required to install a Tow-Pro electric…

The two new SportsCat are just two of four models HSV is now focusing on, the other two being the Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Crew Cab and Chevrolet Camaro sports coupe. You can read about the company’s plans for the iconic Camaro in one of the broader spectrum car magazines. Here we will concentrate on the Silverado ‘truck.’ As HSV says, power, payload and towing capability are what Silverado is famous for and all these will be reflected in the five-model 4x4 Crew Cab line-up the company will offer punters across the Tasman and here. The five RHD models are the 2500HD WT, 2500HD LTZ, 2500HD LTZ “Midnight” Edition, 2500HD LTZ “Custom Sport” Edition, and the 3500HD LTZ All five vehicles share the same heavy-duty spec including a 332kW/1234Nm Duramax 6.6L…

The 90 Series model, introduced in 1996, marked the arrival of LC (for Land Cruiser) Prado in Toyota NZ’s local line-up. The 90 was (and remains in used circles) a hugely successful model, establishing Prado as the 4WD by which all others (still) must be judged in the Medium SUV segment The 90 was eventually replaced by the 120 Series in 2002. Initially the 1KZX diesel engine was carried over but it was eventually replaced by the 1KD in 2006 The current version, the 150, was introduced here in 2009 and has now been upgraded three times. The first was in 2013 when it was facelifted, the second time was in 2015 when the new 1GD-FTV engine and six-speed-auto was added, and the third was in November last year for…

Ironman 4x4 offers a huge range of protection equipment to suit your 4x4 including replacement bull bars, side steps and rails, rear bars and underbody protection. Bull Bars Every Ironman 4x4 bull bar is carefully crafted from premium grade materials and components to deliver the most comprehensive frontal protection and styling available. Ironman 4x4 bull bars are carefully modelled using 3D vehicle scanning techniques to achieve optimal cosmetic design whilst providing maximum vehicle collision protection. All bars are made from the highest quality SPHC oil and pickled steel (not mild steel) to give maximum strength and rust resistance. The finish on Ironman 4x4 bull bars is top quality using the Akzo Nobel Powder coat system, which gives a thicker, smoother and more durable coating. Along with winch and air bag…

Maxxis tyres have long been synonymous with New Zealand’s four-wheel drive and farming communities; its range of hard wearing, durable and high performing tyres reflective of the rugged New Zealand environment the tyres serve in. It is the launch of Maxxis’ latest mud terrain tyre, the Razr MT, which continues to build on that connection, igniting the excitement of enthusiasts and promising a unique driving experience. Available in a range of sizes to suit popular ute models as well as larger recreational vehicles, the Razr MT is the culmination of Maxxis’ experience in both off-road driving and racing. It arrives with countless hours of research and development behind it; a process which required multiple tests and ensuing redesigns and improvements in over two years from concept to delivery. Maxxis USA…

I wish that I could have been writing about some wonderful 4x4 touring exploits that I’d enjoyed over the past summer holidays, but no… I didn’t manage to get out there this year. Maybe I will have missed an opportunity to enjoy many of our wonderful drivable beaches, as we await with apprehension the process of deciding on Maori claims to most of our coast. As outlined by Muriel Newman of the NZCPR in her Defend Your Beach newsletter of the 10th of December 2017… “You might want to consider how long it will be before Maori tribal groups are dictating access rights to your favourite beach. ”Few holidaymakers will realise that ownership of the beach they are visiting is under claim. It doesn’t matter where it is in the…

The second round of this season’s NZ 4x4 Trials Championships was held near Tahuna in the northern Waikato on December 10 last year. Congrats to Overall and Class D winner Scott Biggs, runner-up Philip Walton plus third placed Russell Luders as well as class winners Caleb Adlam (Class A), Phil Conwell (Class C), Glenn D’Ath (Class E, Clarrie Vazey (Class J) and Brent Ward (Class K). RESULTS  RND 2 2017/18 NZ 4X4 TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP TAHUNA NORTHERN WAIKATO DC 10 2017 1ST OVERALL: Scott Biggs A CLASS 1. Caleb Adlam 2. Daniel Howat 3. William Jeffery C CLASS 1. Phil Conwell 2. Nathan Fogden 3. Darrell Osborne 4. Ian Templeton 5. Grant Harrison 6. Steven Thomason D CLASS 1. Scott Biggs 2. Phillip Walton 3. Russell Luders 4. Greg McDell 5.…

Further to our story in the Feb 18 issue, Jeep’s all-new Jeep Compass has arrived here – with, for a limited time, introductory pricing that starts at just $36,990 plus on road costs. “The new Compass represents a key addition to the Jeep portfolio and it enables Jeep to tackle the compact SUV segment, an extremely important and growing segment in New Zealand with a vehicle that meets every requirement of a compact SUV from battling the traffic in Auckland to climbing a mountain in the South Island,” says David Smitherman, Chief Executive Officer of NZ Jeep importer Fiat Chrysler New Zealand. The new Compass offers two different powertrain combinations in three different specification configurations: Longitude, Limited – the top-of-the-range trim in terms of refinement, standard technological contents and equipment…

Land Rover will mark its 70th anniversary with a series of events and celebrations in 2018, beginning with the restoration of the vehicle that started it all – one of the three pre-production Land Rovers shown at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show launch. This gave the world its first glimpse of the shape that would become instantly recognisable as a Land Rover. For years the whereabouts of this launch Land Rover was a mystery. The demonstration vehicle from the Amsterdam show was last on the road in the 1960s, after which it spent 20 years in a Welsh field before being bought as a restoration project; it then lay languishing unfinished in a garden. Following its surprise discovery just a few miles outside of Solihull, UK – where the car…

February 24th 2018  NZFWDA National 4x4 Trial – Rnd Four Manawatu; A National 4x4 Trial is based upon the ability of competitors to drive their vehicles over difficult terrain, including hill climbs, water courses, mud bogs, up steep hills, over rocks, ruts, along banks and a speed section. Open to the public and spectator friendly, the NZ National 4x4 Trials Series comprises of one-day events hosted by NZFWDA affiliated Clubs around the country. This Round will be hosted by Manawatu 4WD Club. For more details visit; nz4x4trials.co.nz/calendar-and-results/ March 10th – 11th 2018  Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade Fundraiser; By Rodney Offroad Club. Normally held November each year it will now be in March 2018. Annual event held at Ahuroa. Usually two options Club Shiny (Option 1): – need Wof and Reg,…

Yep we know it ain’t 4WD but most readers will be aware of – if not ever so slightly in awe of – the Chevrolet Camaro. The latest Camaro is the final piece of HSV’s new-look puzzle, the company set to import, and convert to RHD in Australia, the new Camaro 2SS Coupe. The 2SS is powered by Chevrolet’s 340kW/615Nm 6.2-litre Generation V LT1 direct injection petrol V8 engine mated to an eight-speed, paddle-shift automatic transmission. Standard here and in Oz will be the performance suspension and four-piston Brembo disc brakes front and rear. Conversion of the Camaro 2SS is due to commence at HSV in July 2018 with final firm RRPS to be confirmed closer to release date.…

Going to the SCORE Baja 1000, the ‘Granddaddy’ of off-road desert racing had been at the top of mine own personal bucket list for years since I had seen a movie on it back in the late ‘70s. Only a few weeks before the latest edition, the 50th Anniversary, in early November last year, I got the chance to join 2016 NZ Off Road Race Champion, Mike Fraser who was going for his first time. He was joining up with Glen Reid who was taking one of his NZ-designed-and-built Futura tilt trailers for some real world testing on the roads of Baja with expat Kiwi Rhys Millen who was running two of his Polaris RZRs in the Pro UTV Forced Induction class (which he had won in 2016). As well…

ARB’s design and engineering team uses the latest CAD/ CAM parametric modelling systems and finite analysis packages in the design of their Protection Equipment, supported by subcontract companies and Universities for special projects such as vibration, strength and Crash Testing. Products are designed specifically for each vehicle model. Fully compatible The use of these resources ensure that ARB’s Bull bars or side protection bars are fully compatible with the specific vehicle’s SRS Airbag systems. Bull bars ARB makes a vast range of bull bars to suit 4x4s manufactured in the 1970s to the present day. Summit bars – The all new Summit bar is a modern interpretation of the renowned ARB Deluxe bar, styled to complement modern dual cab and wagon vehicles through a fresh, contemporary design language. The Summit…

No relation to Dodgy Brothers, our infamous resident mechanics. The subject of my column this month is more about dodging stuff while driving. That being the unexpected hazards that confront us on road or track. Potholes are usually the worst offenders and there’s more of them about since the querulous quakes about the country. Most noticeable in tarmac surfaces they can be worse off-road. Random road debris is bad news too. As I write during the pre-Christmas heat wave roads are melting around the country so there’s wet tar spots to dodge for a change. Yesterday, chatting by my car, after a few minutes I couldn’t lift my feet. Jandals stuck to the tar, I had to step out of them and prise them from the road. Wet tar is…

Where have all the tag-along safaris gone, long time passing? Maybe not exactly what Peter, Paul and Mary were singing about when singing their 1962 hit Where have all the Flowers gone? but the question does need asking. Usually at this time of the year we are spoilt for choice with the numbers of fund raising events and four-wheel-drive safaris but alas for 2018 there are almost none. Certainly none of the usual ‘big’ events that we have come to expect every year or bi-annually. The only camping safari I am currently aware of on the event calendar this season is the annual Ahuroa Volunteer Fire Brigade fund raiser and that has moved from its normal November date in the hope of better weather, and the weather has certainly been…

After 8793 kilometres of dunes, mountain passes, rocky tracks and assorted hazards through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, WRC rally legend Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz gave Peugeot a win in the company’s final Dakar Rally in January. The win in the 40th Dakar event was the third on the trot for Peugeot and its RWD 3008DKR Maxi and will be the last of the current era as the French manufacturer changes its development and competition focus to the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WorldRX). The season will get underway from April 14-15 in Barcelona, with Sébastien Loeb driving one of the Peugeot 208 WRX entries. At the same time, Peugeot Sport will also prepare for the forthcoming electric Rallycross championship in 2020. This will be tackled with the replacement for…

Just when you thought the Bentley Bentayga was the ultimate symbol of SUV excess… along comes Lamborghini with the Urus, a high-riding five-door 4x4 hatchback the Italian sportscar specialist is calling the world’s first ‘Super’ Sport Utility Vehicle. “The Urus is a visionary approach based on the infusion of Lamborghini DNA into the most versatile vehicle, the SUV,” said Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, at the world launch in December last year. “The Urus,” he continued, “elevates the SUV to a level not previously possible, the Super SUV. It is a true Lamborghini in terms of design, performance, driving dynamics and emotion as well as drivable every day in a range of environments.” The Urus is powered by a twinturbochared 4.0 litre V8 enigne which produces…

Hmmmm, it would appear that word of the Land Rover Defender’s demise might have been premature, Jaguar Land-Rover announcing in January that they are going to produce a limited-edition (just 150) high-performance V8 version to celebrate the marque’s 70th anniversary. The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today. The limited edition 2018 Works V8 will in fact be the most powerful and fastest Defender Land Rover has ever created, its 5.0-litre petrol V8 powertrain set to produce 297kW (405PS) and 515 Nm of torque and provide 0-100km/h (60mph) acceleration capability of just 5.6sec, and a top speed of just…

Playing to HSV’s niche design and engineering capabilities, the new Colorado SportsCat features a raft of styling and chassis enhancements aimed at positioning it as the most advanced sports 4x4 ute on the market. Perhaps the most surprising thing – given HSV’s storied past with Commodore and the various Holden and Chevrolet V8s shoehorned in and ungraded year-on-year – is that the engine remains untouched. But we will get back to that. To be available in two variants – SportsCat and SportsCat+ – the styling enhancements begin with all-new noses and grilles that, with the addition of LED fog lamps and functional tow hooks, combine to deliver two distinctive and sporty front-end appearances. The SportsCat+ also gets a bonnet bulge and casstelated (a word meaning having a profile like the…

As a crow (or more appropriately, perhaps a majestic South Island Eastern Falcon) might fly, it is only 20kms from Omarama, at the southern end of the Mackenzie Country, to St Bathans, tucked, as it is into a narrow little valley to the north-west of the South Island’s great inland plain, the Maniototo. In between, however are the tawny tucks and folds of the Hawkdun Ranges, and therein lies a challenge to spark the imagination and light the eyes of anyone with a 4WD and/or a sense of adventure. Welcome to the Oteake Conservation Park. It’s grand, majestic ‘Big Sky’ country, and despite its open, seemingly benign nature can cut up rough as quickly as any in the South. As I write this, torrential rain in early January has closed…

Established in Auckland back in 1974 Acker Bilt is both a manufacturer and importer of a wide-range of equipment and specialist protection parts for motor vehicles. Because the needs of the auto market have changed over the years the demand for a more diverse range of equipment has increased. Acker Bilt have adapted to these market changes by expanding the range of products and parts they manufacture. These days, for instance, the company is the auto parts manufacturer and installer of choice for a wide range of external car parts and accessories. Included on that list is; • Tow bar manufacture and fitting. • Trailer Socket Wiring. • Bull bars, side bars/steps. • Rear protection bars. • Bumper replacements. • Ute Wellside Liners. • Sports Bars/Headboards • Roof Racks and…

It was timely when Editor Ross got in touch asking me if I wanted to write up a bit of a backgrounder on the our series because each year since I have been covering it for the mag I get asked the same sort of questions. What is it? Who runs it? Where are the rounds held? What sort of truck do you need? To answer these and any of the 101 questions you might have here it a potted history of the series and how it got to where it is today. Back in the day Twelve years ago a bunch of guys down in Southland got together and decided they wanted to start a Winch Challenge. At the time Mud Plugs were all the go but they didn’t…

What a rush, and what a buzz. The Leadfoot hill climb is something every driver should try to do once. Its separate course for off-road racers is jam packed with jumps and tricky corners – a reminder that Rod Millen has been around the sport longer than many of the recent converts have been alive. We certainly did rip up his lawn a tad, though. Sitting in its marquee with other off-road race trucks – the Millen, Whiddett, Carlyle and other beasts – the new-look GT Radial Chev Pro-Lite had a lot of people stopping by to ask questions about the truck and the sport. I always look for events like this that sit alongside the sport because I think it’s important to be an ambassador for off-road racing –…