SA4x4の October 2015 の目次

Kia’s third-gen Sportage was one of the more visually appealing softroaders, getting soccer moms and sporty dads alike in a froth of purchasing enthusiasm. And now, the fourth gen is about to make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, appropriately enough: the redesign was led by the Frankfurt arm of Kia’s design team, with input from the crayon-wielders in California and Namyang in Korea. The car’s rear is a tad more chiselled, but the big change is front-side, where the new “Tiger-nose” grille stands supreme, now separated from the headlights for the full animal effect. At a mall near you next year.…

Coleman® 28 QT Xtreme® Cooler Coleman Xtreme® Coolers are designed with premium insulation technology which keeps the contents cold, on ice, for days. These coolers are perfect for long road trips, days spent on the campsite, or even sporting events, as they have a 36-can capacity and can store two-litre bottles upright. As an added feature, the robust lids are strong enough to be used as a seat for anyone lighter than 113kg. R1050 Coleman® Battery Lock Divide +250 Flashlight Coleman® CT Flashlights are tough and light in a compact body. Their durable case is impact-and water resistant. With their impressive beam distances, high lumens and sufficient runtime, the job will be done long before you need fresh batteries. The LEDs last a lifetime, so they never need replacing. 2…

The Land Rover The vehicle used to support the motorcyclists was a 1997 Land Rover Defender TDI Station Wagon with almost 600 000km on the clock. It has a total fuel capacity of 110 litres: a standard 80-litre tank and 30-litre extended tank, giving a range of some 1100km. A 50-litre water tank is mounted on the roof rack. The Land Rover carried a total of seven people, including the driver. It towed a heavy trailer with its own roof rack, which eventually broke somewhere on the road to Savate. The good people at the HALO Trust in Menongue helped weld the broken bracket for our return journey. In Savate, Patrick replaced an O-ring (on a hose in the hydraulic steering box) which had developed a minor leak. On the…

• 7 000 litres – The water required to refine one barrel of crude oil. • 2 900 litres – The volume of water required to produce one cotton t-shirt. • 1100 litres – The volume of water required to produce one hamburger. • 25 700 litres – The water required to grow a day’s food for a family of four. • 100 litres – The volume of water used by a five-minute shower with a standard shower head. • 5000 litres – The volume of water required to produce a standard-size meal of steak, potatoes and salad with a couple of glasses of wine. • 145 litres – The litres required to produce one serving of a fizzy soft drink. • 1000 tons – The estimated tons of water required to produce one ton of grain.…

Send us a high-res photograph (1mb or larger) of your 4x4 (or one owned by a family member), and each month for the next four months, one lucky winner will receive a Planetron Brighter 4-LED light bar to the value of R2250, and a set of mounting brackets worth R480. These lights are new to South Africa, and feature a new lens technology called TIR (Total Internal Reflection) which sets them amongst the brightest LED lights in the market. For more information on Planetron’s Brighter LED lights, call 0861 PLANET (752638), or go to www.planetron.co.za. Winners stand a chance of winning the grand prize, a Planetron Brighter 24-LED light bar and mounting brackets worth R10 500. NOTE: Send your images to editor@ sa4x4.co.za. Remember to include your name, address, contact…

THE MYSTERY OF THE NO BULL, BULL BAR Imagine arriving at Kielie-Krankie in the Kgalagadi to find two attractive blondes in an H-Series Land Cruiser with a full-sized chrome bull bar wedged inside their vehicle – stuck fast beneath the rear seat headrest, and covering both a freezer and pink tool bag! This warranted some serious investigation, so I quickly befriended them. They were both elegantly sipping from their safari thermal mugs. “So nice to have a cup of tea at this time,” I said, as the sun was heading down towards the horizon. “Actually, these flasks are great, as they keep the Captain cool,” said one. Evidently the only man accompanying Michelle and Dulcie was Captain Morgan, and as a standard drinking glass was too small, the safari mugs…

If you're going to arrive late for a party, make sure you look your best when you get there, and take along some nice gifts, Mercedes-Benz clearly used this approach with their first large SUV-coupé-crossover. BMW's X6 (already into its second generation) has seen surprising success worldwide, so it stands to reason that something similar would appear with a three-pointed star. While it took them a while to actually build it, the result is very appealing indeed. Conceptually, the GLE Coupé follows the same recipe as the Bavarian. There's a swooping roof and rising waistline which houses the mechanical bits from a conventional GLE (the soon-to-be released SUV formerly known as the ML-Class), just as the X6 is really just an X5 in a sporty suit. But because the GLE…

• You need a permit if you intend to leave the proclaimed or designated roads. • If you are travelling to a cottage that is not on a proclaimed road, you will need a letter from the cottage owner. You present this at the offices to acquire a free temporary permit that is valid for one month. • Unless you are on a proclaimed or designated road, you may not drive anywhere within 1km of the high-water mark along the Wild Coast, from Kei Mouth up to Port Edward, (including quads, motor bikes, etc.) unless you have a permit. • To obtain a permit, contact the regional office of the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism for the area that you intend to visit. Amathole Region -…

At first it is the red-tipped stakes I see rising about a metre from the white Angolan sand. A double row of them marks a narrow corridor of death snaking through the bush. Then I see the partially uncovered anti-tank mines that lie between the stakes. Twenty-eight years ago, I was a soldier on the frontline of battle. Now the frontline is still here and the mines fight on like a lost regiment, not knowing that the war is long over. It is the mine-clearing NGO, the HALO Trust, which forms today’s opposing army; one which painstakingly finds and destroys the mines, making the land safe for the people of Angola. I’m in the Tumpo triangle near the Angolan town of Cuito Cuanavale in Kuando Kubango Province, a place the…

South Africans love their cars, and spend a lot on making them look good, but often neglect one of the most critical service items: regular oil changes. What’s more, just as different engines require different lubricants, different geographies do, too. Engen, a brand many know primarily as a fuel supplier, has invested heavily in researching and developing lubricants that cope well with South Africa’s harsh motoring conditions. TECH LEADERSHIP To meet South African motorists’ varied requirements, Engen designs lubricants to the highest international OEM requirements and industry specifications. The primary goals are to extend service life and fuel efficiency throughout the lifespan of an engine, which equates to cost-effectiveness. Innovation is at the core of the product design philosophy, says Hill. “We have an excellent record of breakthroughs in lubricant…

KNOW YOUR RUBBER Someone recently asked me, “What’s the best tyre on the market?” I could sense that it was a rhetorical question, so I kept my opinion to myself and said, “You tell me.” He replied, “The one on your 4x4.” He then went on to explain that most vehicle owners will promote the brand they can afford, no matter how inferior the product. It’s an interesting theory, and it got me questioning the relationship between cheap tyres, and second-grade condoms. Here’s why… In all my years at SA4x4, I never once heard someone complain that his or her holiday was ruined because of a lack of off-road traction. I did, however, hear countless stories of wrecked holidays due to inadequate tyre durability, punctures, and the dreaded sidewall blowout.…

We like the Duster. It’s an unpretentious, fun little thing, a sort of hybrid of all sorts from the parts bin, and priced accordingly. Renault is now taking it more seriously: it’s been a smash hit across various markets, and sold 8000 units in sunny SA since its late debut here two years back. Production has been moved to Pitesti in Romania (from Chennai in India), and this is a good thing – they supply the fussy UK market. From September, the newest incarnation gets a few smarts. The engine and model line-up remain unchanged, but they now get cruise control and rear parking sensors across the board. External tweaks include a new, less chromed radiator grille, plus side mirrors, roof bars and new alloy wheels. Inside, the seat trim…

TAKE A BEATING Ironman underbody protection plates are CAD designed to be the best fit for most popular 4x4s. Available in powder-coated 2.5mm, or 3mm pressed or folded steel, the bash plates protect the front differential, transfer case and fuel tank. Under-body airflow is not affected; and, for the sake of convenience, access to oil drain plugs is not compromised. No drilling or welding is required for installation. R5 995 (R6 995 for Hilux 2005-present) Contact 011 634 7770 or visit www.ironman4x4.co.za DON’T SULK – SELK Recently redesigned to allow a freer range of movement, the Selk’bag offers campers a perfect mix of sleeping-bag warmth and pyjama comfort. A quality polyester shell and thick nylon ‘booties’ prevent tearing, while Selk’bag’s quick-release hand closure system will keep your paws warm. There…

1. HIKING/RUNNING: Head north along the beach, following cow paths when the beach gets too rocky, and make your way across one or two small estuaries. If you explore inland along these rivers, you might just find the secret waterfall. 2. FISHING: Excellent rock-angling spots are within walking distance of the lodge. Those in the know will head to the Bulls Inn at Mpame, where Cameron, a qualified skipper, is available for charter at R120pp/hour. Tackle and bait supplied. Don’t forget your fishing permit! 3. BIRDING: Two sections of beautiful sand forest allow you to tick the beautiful African Green Pigeon off your list, and you’re sure to spot Pied- as well as Mangrove Kingfishers in the river estuary. 4. CANOEING:A hike across the hills to the south of Bulungula…

According to expedition leader Johan Booysen, the Kawasaki KLR 650 was the motorbike of choice on this expedition because these are basic old-school single-cylinder thumpers, largely unchanged since 1986, with a simple electrical system and a good reputation. The original plan was to go to Mavinga and then back to Rundu, which would have involved water crossings, hence the need for a basic carburettor with no electronic switches or devices. These would have made roadside fixes difficult in the event of a breakdown. The KLR is the most affordable bike in the dual-purpose fold, although the Suzuki V Strom was also considered, but rejected as it has limited water-crossing ability. Four KLRs were used: Johan and Steve on 2014 models, Cobus riding a 2012 and Tammy on a 2002. Tank…

• 9% - Africa’s share of global water resources. • 4% - The percentage of renewable water resources that Africa uses. • 1200 – Estimated number of dams in Africa. Hundreds more are under construction or being planned. • 68 800 km2 – The surface area of Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake and the largest in Africa. The Kruger National Park is 20 000km². Lake Malawi hosts the richest freshwater fish fauna in the world, accommodating about 14% of the world’s freshwater fish species - 99% of which are endemic to this lake. • 70% - The percentage of Africa’s urban population who stay in slum areas. It is estimated that more than 1.6 billion Africans will be staying in informal urban settlements by 2020. • 58% - The percentage of Africa’s population that…

DAY 1: Windhoek – Spitzkoppe The contestants arrived in Windhoek and then travelled 200km of tarred road, after which they did not see tar for another 12 days. DAY 2: Spitzkoppe – Palmwag The contestants had their first experience of desert winter, with sheet ice on tents. Driving skills began to be evaluated when contestants took over driving duties from the instructors. Punctures challenged contestants to use the skills learned at boot camp. DAY 3: Palmwag – Khuwarib The 17 Ford Rangers entered the Otjiheka 4x4 trail. Several vehicles became stuck, and puncture repairs in the powdered dust caused some friction between contestants. DAY 4: Khuwarib – Puros Community Camp Contestants took a 10km early-morning-walk in a dust storm, then tested their skills to the limit during various exercises -…

In the next months, we will serialise stories of an independent trans-Africa journey, travelling north, that is remarkable because it was undertaken in 1986/87 at the height of apartheid. SA was invading and attacking the frontline states during this period, and South Africans considered any journey beyond Malawi impossible – even suicidal. These stories reveal the lengths taken by Peter and Mandi Middleton – not always strictly legal – to break through these antagonistic borders. It is an intensely personal quest with tales drawn from their surviving daily diaries, here exposed for the first time publically. They travelled alone in a time that was without Internet, satellite navigation, digital cameras, cell/sat phones or computers. Their only contact home was via post collected at unreliable ‘poste restante’ addresses in major towns,…

DEFENDER’S LAST STAND Heritage Edition The Heritage Edition evokes the history of the Defender as a modern interpretation of the famous HUE 166 Land Rover – the first pre-production Series I vehicle, nicknamed ‘Huey’, which dates back to 1947. Adventure Edition The Defender has helped to establish Land Rover’s credentials as the expedition vehicle of choice - and the Adventure Edition is designed for customers who want to explore. SPIRIT OF AFRICA WINNERS Alwyn Jordaan and Melanie Barnard are the 2015 Spirit of Africa Trophy champions. The pair, who finished in the third position last year, successfully mastered five days of demanding 4x4 driving challenges at the Kwalata Game Reserve in Botswana. Alwyn and Melanie took home R50 000 in prize money for their achievement. JIMNY SOUND CHECK Suzuki has…

There’s no point in driving around with your roofrack/rooftop tent if you’re not on holiday. Save fuel (and wear & tear) by installing a Fredlin hoist. This proudly South African product solves the problem of where to store your roofrack/ rooftop tent, canopy, or even a sports car hardtop: up and out of the way! The Fredlin hoist fastens securely to your garage roof or carport, is easily installed and can be operated by one person. TO ENTER One Fredlin hoist will be given away every month to the lucky reader featured in Me & My 4x4. Simply send a photograph – 1 MB or larger – and the answers to the categories shown above, to editor@sa4x4.co.za. Vehicle and driver must be featured together in an off-road setting. (No driveway…