Innehållsförteckning för March 2024 från NZ4WD

Raptor edges ahead of Ram’s TRX Power war ramps up The V8 is dead. No, wait, it isn’t. While the Ford F150 heads into V6 territory along with its rivals, something extraordinary has snuck into showrooms in the USA. The 2024 Raptor R takes the horsepower crown from Ram’s TRX, escalating a power war that has no right to exist in these woke times. The ‘R’ also has more power than a Ford GT sports car. In fact, the Raptor R makes more power than the second generation Ford GT, the Ferrari Purosangue or the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. Ford’s jump-soaring, Baja-rallying flagship truck now has the most power of any current Ford product. While Ford is making efforts to electrify its entire line-up, the F-150 Raptor R remains a…

Oztent reckons when the first RV tent was launched it empowered a new type of camper and created a new camping category, pioneering the concept of quick setup tents. It removed the complexity, angst and often arguments from the process of setting up camp. While the market has bloomed since that time, Oztent has worked to stay at the front of the pack. The company’s 30-Second frame tents (and swags) have three unique features. They are constructed around a quality frame, ensuring that they can stand solid and endure the harshest conditions. The complete body of the Oztent can be set up in less than 30 seconds - free from poles and arguments. The company says there is not a faster tent of this quality in the world. High quality,…

2 MARCH Lake Tekapo Brightstars/School 4 WD fundraiser Fundraiser for Lake Tekapo School and Lake Tekapo Brightstars Community Trust. Be part of the first Lake Tekapo High Country 4WD School and Brightstars Fundraiser. The tour will take in stunning scenery, giving access to two incredible stations on a route not usually accessible to the public. Go behind the gates at Glenmore and Godley Peaks, two iconic high-country stations. The event is fully guided, with spaces available for personal vehicles or ‘chauffeured’ seats. A fully catered day out with informative talks along the way from local characters about the history, the land and this special part of the world. Enquiries to tekapo4Wdfundraiser@gmail.com 2-3 MARCH Conquer the Palace 2024 Winch challenge and enduro hosted by the Norwest OHV Club at Possum Palace,…

TESTED NISSAN X-TRAIL EPOWER There’s a new wave of hybrid SUVs sweeping into the market. While utes remain the most popular vehicles in New Zealand, SUVs are close behind in the sales stats every month and there is far more choice in the SUV categories. The new wave is all about vehicles that give the strong impression they were designed specifically as hybrids, where earlier offerings were clearly add-ons. The ePower version of the new X-Trail is a poster-child for the new wave. NZ4WD drove the regular petrol-powered version early in 2023 and found it capable though not necessarily a class-leader The new sheetmetal is appealing and modern, and as an urban SUV the X-Trail is definitely fit for purpose. Stepping into the ePower later in the year was a…

4WD PROTECTION Adding a bar or bars to a 4WD can be important Bars keep a safe distance between tree branches and paintwork much more effectively than just relying on a wrap or coating. They are a major help when reversing using a camera, because they stand clear of the stock bumper and provide a visible ‘woah’ point for the driver. They also add much to the look of the vehicle if chosen well. Back in the day, choices were few and far between, and bars were often DIY for better or worse. Things got a whole lot more difficult when the powers that be ruled people could no longer just weld a farm gate to the front of their 4WD. Bars had to be nice to other road users.…

Travelling off the beaten path is something in the DNA of most Kiwis. In a country full of utes and SUVs and home to some of the most scenic and exhilarating 4WD tracks around, there’s no end of opportunity. Following on from last month’s top five southern experiences, NZ4WD presents the northern hot list: 1. Woodhill Forest Auckland is home to the world-class off-road venue at Woodhill Forest just 40 minutes from the city. With increasing restrictions on the use of the Muriwai Beach, Auckland Offroad Adventure Park allows 4WDers to put their vehicles to the test through forests, sand dunes, water, and mud. Conveniently, the park is only minutes from a wide range of accommodation options in Parakai and Helensville. Book a long weekend and get into the park…

The 2024 CT Civil offroad racing national championship brings the final round back to the North Island with a bunch of drivers aiming to wrest the title away from Carl Ruiterman. The first round has been held at Colin Dale Park in Manukau; rounds two and three are a two-day event at the West Melton track near Christchurch in May. Round four, the north’s second regional round, is the punishing sprint-enduro at Woodhill north-west of Auckland. Round five is the south’s third round, hosted by the Otago club and to be held in August or September. No firm details on that one yet Round six is the north’s final regional round and will be held at the TECT Park track near Tauranga. The national final will be held over Labour…

It happens all the time - you plan a big trip away and the week before the vehicle decides to put up a fault or three and need repairing. This time it’s the Discovery 3 and I am about to head away for a 4WD safari weekend and the Discovery decides to misfire. Out with the Hawke-Eye diagnostic computer and plug it in to read the engine fault codes. Only four fault codes, relating to an engine misfire on cylinders six and seven. It doesn’t confirm if the problem is the spark plugs or the ignition coil packs on each cylinder so either could be the problem. Coil packs are costly and you don’t normally have them lying around in case you need one, but spark plugs I just happened…

A Triton for every need Mitsubishi flexes its muscle New year, smart new look. Mitsubishi’s Triton is going great guns with a comprehensive rework for 2024. The range will offer RWD models and nine 4WD models, ranging from GLX grade through GLXR and topping out with the slick VRX specification level. The next-generation Triton’s exterior is all new. It’s squared-off, edgy. There’s a grille specific to each model. A black honeycomb-style grille defines the GLX models; a gloss-finish black honeycomb-style grille identifies a GLX. The VRX adopts a body-coloured grille surround. The headlights have been completely revamped to improve visibility and presence on the road. GLX models have halogen lights. GLXR and VRX take LEDs. The rear of the cabin and tray have been squared off, improving load capacity even…

Lexus gets dirty in the USA Tall, tough, off-road capable GX550 Making a bold play for recreational roughroad users, Lexus has toughened the new GX550 as it adopts the new angular design cues of the Land Cruiser and Prado. Lexus is redesigning the GX mid-size SUV for 2024 and the new model plays up its off-road nature even more than before. The big news is the addition of an Overtrail trim level with upgraded mechanicals, and the powertrain, a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V-6, is new as well. In the USA, the base model is called Premium, and it comes standard with a 282kW (379bhp) twin-turbo 3.4-litre V-6, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and (of course) four-wheel drive. A hybrid version is on the way. The Overtrail trim, which will be particularly interesting…

PRODUCT Terrain Tamer has expanded its range of parabolic leaf springs to include Toyota Land Cruiser 40 Series models, using the same impressive parabolic design as the popular springs previously released for Toyota Hilux GUN/GGN and KUN models. Land Cruiser 60 and 70 Series models. Ford Ranger, Mazda BT50 and Mitsubishi Triton. One of Terrain Tamer’s most requested and highly anticipated range expansions, these new additions to the Parabolic Springs catalogue have been undergoing thorough research and development for several years and are suited to BJ40/42/43/45/46 and FJ40/45 models. Initially released in 2018, Terrain Tamer parabolic springs combine an already a well-established idea in the trucking industry with modern technology and a special grade steel to create a carefully researched design specifically for 4WD vehicles. Traditionally heavy linear leaf packs…

SUZUKI JIMNY 5 DOOR LAUNCH There are only a handful of 4WDs that can genuinely lay claim to being ‘cult’ vehicles. Most of them occupy price landscapes well north of $70,000. Uniquely, Suzuki’s Jimny is truly cult and costs less than half that amount. The cheeky three-door has no direct competitor and its sales in New Zealand have only been limited by stock availability. Buy it, drive it around the city, love it for its wheel-ateach-corner practicality and excellent view of the road. Buy it, drive it on softroading adventures like the South Island’s Skippers Canyon, love it for its light weight and agility. Buy it, throw bars, all-terrain tyres and wheels at it, and it will go places most people never dare dream, of going. As a first 4WD,…

MY 4WD JIMNY BUILD This is a story of passion and dedication. It is woven into the cult status of the Suzuki Jimny 4WD. It started, as so many Jimny builds do, with a stock truck bought new in 2019. In fact, owner Adam Crouchley was very clear: the Jimny would be his daily driver and would remain stock. “As soon as I saw these Jimnys come available, I thought they were pretty cool. So, I ordered one, sight unseen. I planned to just use it as a daily driver, and I promised myself I wouldn’t modify it.” That didn’t last long. The Jimny was so much fun in stock form that dedicated off-road enthusiast Adam couldn’t help wondering how much more fun it would be if… “I’ve slowly chipped…

Weekend Drive With Wellington going crazy in the buildup to Christmas, we decided to escape by heading north for an early summer trip exploring some of the little coastal settlements in the Hawke’s Bay - an area we had not visited for about six years. Our plan for the first day was to meet Ashley and Gillian at Eketahuna, just under two hours from Wellington and then decide on the plan for the rest of the day. It was showery and blustery when we left home, but hopefully that meant better weather was on the way. We barely got onto SH2 before we saw a warning that it was closed just north of Upper Hutt. After stopping to check the official situation I found that there was a detour. We…

And sometimes, Death. Every year we lose people on or from beaches. Our coastline, weather and global location create a great variety of land/sea interface. Much of it is scary and violent. Not so many people die there, its obviously far too lethal and in-your-face to do much more than look, listen and take photos. Feel the wave impacts to the rocks. Watch for that fabled Seventh Wave! Always be ready to retreat fast. Howl at the Moon. But don’t close your eyes! Most of our accessable beaches are shingle or sand and walkable. Some are only usable at low tides. Full tide may trap us in a cave, cove or on a rock ledge until it sucks us off to certain death. Some beaches are drivable. Yippee! Flat sand,…

Jeep reveals Recon EV Drawing closer to a true off-road EV Electric vehicles have made their mark across nearly every segment overseas, zapping into classes of vehicles such as full-size pickup trucks and luxury SUVs, but the upcoming 2024 Jeep Recon EV is apparently the most off-road-capable yet. Inspired by the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid, the four-wheel-drive Recon EV is a fully electric mid-size SUV with an available power-folding rooftop and easily removable doors. Other than the Wrangler, the Ford Bronco is the only pony with tricks like that. Initial images show a tailgatemounded spare tire, illuminated sevenslot front grille, meaty BFGoodrich T/A rubber, and seating for up to five people atop practical rubberised flooring. Jeep has committed whole-heartedly to electrification and the Recon EV is set to join the…

Extreme truck builder Ashley Lucas visits Dan Cowper Dan Cowper is the force behind the Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge and Cowper Trucks and more recently the Extreme 4x4 Experience at Turakina. Cowper Trucks builds trials vehicles that are at the sharp end of the New Zealand 4x4 Trials scene. I headed out to the Turakina property to find Dan working in the shed which had a number of projects inside. He was actually working on his XXX Sled which is a space framed sled with three seats, basically a roll cage on rails, which is used as part of the Extreme 4x4 Experience. It was getting a rub down ready to freshen up the paint. Dan Cowper has been around four wheeling since he got his first pair of short…

The car that drove a volcano Porsche continues its off-road exploits Decades after luxury sports car maker Porsche created a unique model to tackle the Paris-Dakar Rally, the company is still doing mad things with its rear-engined cars. The latest is a two-car assault on the western ridge of the Ojos del Salado volcano in Chile. It started back in 2019 with a bunch of Porsche engineers having a beer after work. Actually, not ‘a’ beer. The group were kicking around ideas of things that would be cool to do, like maybe driving a 911 up to the highest reachable point on Earth. Google revealed this to be a volcano in Chile, more than 22,000 feet above sea level, a steep slope of ash and loose boulders topped with a glacier…

In New Zealand, Suzuki’s tiny terror became available in the mid-1970s. That’s right, although locally most just referred to it as LJ50, the two-stroke original was called Jimny by its creators. Light and agile, it was immediately a firm favourite among farmers, who loved the idea of a 4WD that could do everything a Land Rover or Land Cruiser could do, at a much friendlier cost. The 4WD competition world loved it too. The lightest 4WD in the market would amble up hills that stumped the larger 4WDs, and even floated across mud bogs that sank bigger rivals. Then came the LJ80, replacing the dinky Kei-class two stroke with a four cylinder. Next was the SJ. All the way, Jimny stayed true to concept: light, agile, value for money and…

TECH TALK The debate rages. What, exactly, is an SUV? Does anyone have a neat one-sentence definition? Is a Suzuki Jimny an SUV? Is a Land Rover ‘station wagon’ an SUV? A BMW X5? A Range Rover? A Subaru Crosstrek? According to the Americans, who invented much of what we know and love today as four-wheel driving, trucks (pickups and utes) ride on ladder frames, SUVs ride on ladder frames and crossovers have unibodies. That’s the simplest, most direct and correct definition. But there’s another, squishier answer, to the question “What is an SUV?” That answer is “I know it when I see it.” First off, we all know what a ladder frame is, yes? Spanning nearly the length of a vehicle, it’s a car’s steel skeleton, holding together all…

Last month, I covered the trip down from Geraldine to Mossburn overnight then out to Walter Peak Station. So here’s the rest of this epic trip, visiting Mavora Lakes, Milford Sound, Manapouri, Borland Road, Lake Monowai and Lake Hauroko. After a very enjoyable and scenic drive out to Walter Peak Station, we returned to the Mavora Lakes turnoff. Turning off the Mount Nicholas Road we are enveloped in dense beech forest. At 1.5km we asrrive at South Mavora Lake outlet with a big swing bridge over it leading to tramping tracks. The bridge gives views up to the head of the lake. The road follows through the trees with the lake visible through the trees to the side. There are camping areas on both sides of the road until North…

Multiple world rally champion Carlos Sainz has added another jewel to his crown by claiming his fourth Dakar Rally victory setting the seal on his decisive triumph on the final day’s brief 175km/109-mile loop course around Yanbu to the finish line. His fourth win was doubly historic as it came at the wheel of an Audi e-tron, making 2024 the first time an EV has won the toughest off-road race in the world. The race had quickly become a competition of elite drivers, with fellow rally champion Sebastien Loeb sitting second for long sections of the race but falling back at the end to take third behind Toyota Hilux driver Guillaume de Mevius of Belgium. With a huge lead going into the final stage, Sainz was able to play it…

Regrettably, four-wheeling has seen the sad loss of life again on Muriwai Beach as a consequence of ignorance by a driver. Despite behind the scenes ongoing 4WD advocacy by organised 4WD groups like the local 4WD clubs and the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association (NZFWDA), the clamour from media, various political entities, and some locals to have the beach closed to vehicles, is making advocacy feel almost futile. Unless a way is found to reach irresponsible drivers who use the beaches without consideration for rules or lives, the timeline for vehicle access looks rather limited. At the time of writing, a plan was being hatched to look at establishing a group of enthusiasts to be at Muriwai to remind other drivers of the risks and the rules around using…