Table of contents for Annual 2024 in NZ4WD

At the launch of the new Amarok, VW reckoned the Style would be their best seller, wrapping excellent on-road and off-road capability in the new chassis without the expense of a V6 engine. We chose the Style for that reason. When it came to the Ford, we applied the same criteria but found our vehicle of choice in the much broader Ford range was the Wildtrak V6. It seems like bringing a VW knife to a Ford gunfight, and yet is it? So, first up, the VW Amarok Style Jump in. The VW treatment of the new truck's cabin is immediately comfortable, uncluttered, European. The ‘portrait’ format infotainment screen has VW's own operating system behind it and is simple to use. There's wireless phone charging, app connect with Mirrorlink, a…

4WD parts and accessories Wheels, tyres, bars, tents – the list of ways to personalise a 4WD are endless. For many, the difficulty is not whether to add goodies, it's which goodies to add. Mechanical? Diff locks are great and the aftermarket abounds with them. Lift kits? Get them done professionally to avoid hassles and remember the most lift that is legal in New Zealand is 50mm or two inches. First and foremost, springs should be chosen that match the total weight of the vehicle as it is loaded up for off-road trips. Dampers should be upgraded to control the movements of the vehicle with that weight onboard through punishing terrain. Both should combine to create a total lift of about two inches. This can be achieved expensively, through custom…

Redarc Electronics has announced the launch of the all-new Smart Battery Monitor. The BSEN500 is the most accurate battery monitor on the market with up to five times more accuracy under the most common operating conditions. That means users can trust that ‘two hours left’ means two hours left. The Smart Battery Monitor takes the guess work out of tracking battery levels, measuring the state of charge of the battery, time remaining and current flow. The Smart Battery Monitor features solid connectivity to the RedVision Smartphone App via Bluetooth 5.1, with up to 42m of range and twice the transfer speed of our competitors. A simplified user interface features one touch access, simply open the RedVision App and ythe battery data appears instantly. At only 120mm x 52mm x 45mm,…

For New Zealand's avid 4WD enthusiasts, traversing the diverse and challenging terrains of this beautiful country requires more than just a rugged vehicle. It demands top-notch equipment to tackle the unpredictable landscapes, especially when the sun sets, and darkness envelopes the trails. One crucial accessory that has gained immense popularity among the 4WD community is Lazer Lamps – powerful lighting solutions that are revolutionising the way enthusiasts navigate the Kiwi wilderness. Lazer Lamps has set the standard in automotive auxiliary lighting solutions by combining competition-beating performance with automotive quality standards. All their lights utilise high output LEDs, and class-leading reflector systems designed to maximise light output in varying beam patterns optimised for both on and off-road use. Lazer Lamps come with a five-year warranty (or two years for the Utility…

Giti4x4 – familiar to Kiwi off-road fans through the GT Radial tyre range – now offers not one, but several all-terrain tyre designs. This ensures there's an AT tyre for every situation and user. The AT100T, AT70 and AT71 are three different all-terrain options in the Giti line-up. The new AT70 pattern is designed for complete driving freedom, enabling SUV and 4WD vehicles to handle both highway and off-road conditions. With a military-inspired innovative crown block style tread design, the tyre is specially built to take on the toughest of conditions with safety and durability in mind. The AT70 also features an enhanced casing and 5mm thick sidewall, as well as a “chain” curbing block design to prevent upper sidewalls from being damaged. As the recently launched range continues its…

Spend enough time off-road and it'll happen. Murphy's Law dictates it'll strike at the worst possible moment too. Like at the maximum distance from help, when the weather has suddenly changed and there is no mobile signal. That's precisely when a puncture will announce itself. Most off-roaders will be prepared for a puncture and capable of dealing with it (if not then we suggest it might be time to learn). Sometimes, that's beside the point though. Because no matter how capable the driver or how quickly a tyre is changed, it's still annoying. It still blows a hole in offroading plans and is enough to turn a great day out into just another da The best way to deal with this issue is to simply not get a puncture in…

NZ4WD ute and SUV buyer's guide Celebrating the vehicles that make the Kiwi lifestyle possible. Each year NZ4WD researches and compiles a buyer's guide to pretty much all the 4WD/AWD SUVs and utilities currently available. It's a chance to reflect on the year just gone and the health of the booming market for new 4WD utes and SUVs. In both the ute and SUV sections, we have of course left out 2WD versions of each vehicle. The ute category remains white-hot, propelled by the arrival mid-year of VW's Amarok; SUVs meanwhile continue to grow in popularity with new offerings from the likes of Nissan and Subaru and more to choose from in the Ford Everest range. In the bigger SUVs, Jeep offered up a fiveseat Grand Cherokee to back its…

Audi Q7 Power and torque, refined driving dynamics.  BMW X5 Almost 20 years ago, the X5 reset the large SUV category. It's unlike any other large SUV, a truly revelatory driving experience with impressive on-road and gravel-road ability, wrapped in a luxury package.  BMW X7 X5 not quite roomy enough? Family growing? The BMW X7covers the bases. All the capability, luxury and road presence of the X5 with an extra two seats.  Ford Everest The civilised family-oriented SUV cousin of the all-conquering Ranger, the Everest has caused waves in the big SUV class, the model range offers an Everest for all tastes. All Everests are seven-seaters. Hyundai Santa Fe Going large: the Santa Fe is completely upgraded for the coming year. Out go the diesel versions though, leaving petrol and…

Every year, NZ4WD celebrates the very best in new 4WD utes and SUVs, and every year the auto industry has some incredible new products to offer. The advances made in recent years by so many automotive brands have transformed both the ute and SUV markets and delivered sophistication unheralded in such products. Advances in comfort, safety and fuel efficiency previously only seen in the car market are now expected of every new 4WD. They arrive in the throngs of new SUVs and then slide across into the 4WD utes. These, then, are our 4WDs of the year. Compact 4WD SUV of the Year: Subaru Crosstrek Riding in as a profound enhancement of the outgoing XV, Crosstrek remains true to the rally-bred DNA that has won Subaru a devoted following over…

No doubt my esteemed colleague has used the phrase ‘knife to a gunfight,’ about the evaluation of the Volkswagen Amarok Style and the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, especially given the engine discrepancies between the two protagonists. For my part, I had spent an extra amount of time running about in the Amarok before our extended drive up north and, during that time, the Amarok – even with its four-cylinder engine – showed its town and around practicality. Driving around Auckland city, the Amarok's 10-speed transmission and its 2.0-litre engine work well together to deliver fuel economy figures in the six litres per hundred range, but then one rarely gets to 100km/h even on the motorways. The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, maintained a reasonably high eight to nine litre per…

Goodyear has a long and proud history of innovation in off-road tyre technology, which is reflected in the Wrangler tyre range. Goodyear Wrangler tyres are highly regarded around the world by 4WD enthusiasts. They are the original equipment choice of many vehicle manufacturers, with Wrangler fitted to many of New Zealand's most popular 4WDs like the Ford Ranger, the Ford Everest, and the Land Rover Defender. The newest addition to the Goodyear Wrangler range of 4WD and SUV tyres is the DuraTrac RT. Engineered for off-road exploration across rugged terrains, the DuraTrac RT is perfect for those who drive 70/30 off-road/on-road, be it tackling rugged worksites, outdoor weekend adventures, or everyday highway driving. Evolving from the iconic Wrangler DuraTrac, the DuraTrac RT has been enhanced with the latest innovations in…

Parts and accessories guide Every 4WD owner in New Zealand should have something from Ironman 4x4, whether it's a set of driving lights, an awning, or perhaps a full suspension upgrade to get the most out of that 4x4 for work or play. Ironman offers tailored combinations of products: bullbars, suspension, lighting, underbody protection, camping gear, recovery gear, and more. Ironman4x4 reckons it is the best in the business when it comes to 4WD fit-outs. The company offers an impressive range of parts and accessories to turn any 4WD, new or old, into a much more capable, comfortable machine. Bullbars Ironman's product range and technology are always improving. The company says its bullbars are ahead of the game in terms of innovation: easier to install, stronger, and winch compatible without…

Parts and accessoies guide Utes are the ultimate multi-tool, perfect for work duty, ideal for weekend adventuring and they scrub up well for as night in the city. Utemaster understands that a versatile ute shouldn't just get the job done, but also enhance weekend adventure pursuits. The company's innovative product line-up helps owners unleash their ute's potential: “get stuff done and enjoy life's adventures” without compromise. TrailCore The TrailCore is a game-changer for chassis-mounted storage systems! Adding an underbody drawer to a traditional tray canopy or service body increases the overall height of the setup because it has to fit underneath the body. This can make reaching gear that's positioned down the centre of the body even more difficult. The TrailCore Service Body features a unique drop-down floor which you…

Mount Shop is buying George Stocks’ automotive division, which will see Mount Shop taking over the agencies for Koni, KYB, King Springs, H&R Springs and Transteering steering and suspension parts. Super Pro polyurethane bushes will also be available from Mount Shop. These are long-established names in New Zealand and customers will recognise what they stand for: quality and reliability. “We are looking forward to giving these brands more exposure through our national network,” says Mount Shop's director Hemi Toia. “These brands are certainly worthy of that, and our team is extremely enthusiastic about having these additional quality brands now available to complement our existing product lines. I'm sure customers will also reap the rewards from having more of these quality brands readily available through our outlets.” All these brands are…

Adventure NZ We resorted to bug spray, but nothing was holding back the hordes. We had been warned but this was something else. The sandflies were winning. Monday morning, 9am, day one. We surrender our war on the sandflies and pack up camp. Lake Rotoroa would be soon in the rear-view mirror as we turned off the beaten track and started Operation Overland 2023. Each year I plan a five-day adventure to a region in New Zealand and invite sponsors and supporters of the YouTube channel. We 4WD and camp for five days with the final day ending in a dinner and give-aways. This year's convoy was six rigs strong, and we were all very excited with anticipation of what lay ahead. This would be a trip to remember. The…

Audi Q2 The Q2 kicked off a revamp of the Audi ‘Face’, with a deep single-plane grille, chiselled panel styling and LED light systems. Audi's smallest SUV, all of which carry the ‘Q’ identifier. Audi Q3 Amping-up the small SUV class, the Q3 offers enhanced handling and roadholding. The darling of the ski set, an ideal transport for a weekend in the snow. BMW X1 Kicking off BMW's vaunted ‘X’ range of allwheeldrive SUVs, the X1 is based on the 1 Series hatch platform, but is emphatically a master of its own destiny. BMW iX The first of BMW's mainstream electric vehicles, the iX features the company's eDrive technology and a fully-electric drivetrain. BMW iX1 BMW places emphasis on ‘green’ EVs with the iX1: ethically mined cobalt and lithium, and…

Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet has endeared itself to many despite its relatively short time here. Silverado works on the principle that biggest is best and with its hero torque capacity exceeding lOOoNm, the bow tie brand is the truck brand that talks the torque. Ford Ranger Despite some stiff competition from its kissing cousin this year, Ranger remains top of the food chain when it comes to being a Kiwi fave. This year's addition of Platinum and Wildtrak X models to the regular lineup cemented Ranger's superiority. Great Wall Motors Cannon Still struggling despite being the most affordable ute on the market, Cannon suffers from a lack of marketing push, which is a shame, because it's a Genuine Working Machine, hey! That's kind of good… Isuzu D-Max If ever there was…

Despite the best efforts of the previous government, New Zealand's favourite vehicles are 4WD utes, followed closely by 4WD and AWD SUVs. Despite the ute tax, political hand-wringing over people driving 4WDs who “don't really need to”, subsidies to get urbanites into electric vehicles and more, these vehicles fit our lifestyles perfectly. That seems unlikely to change when the vehicles themselves keep getting better and better. Pity the motoring media, who really can't trot out the worn old cliché ‘car-like’. Utes have formed and guided our way of life for a couple of decades now, and that's not changing any time soon. Even shackled by the ute tax, our utes stayed comfortably in front of the EV wave. With a new government and the axing of the ute tax, that…

TECH TALK The focus must first be on the ‘mechanical foundation’. Assuming the truck already exists, and is suitable for overland work, what does it need to survive rough use in remote places? Start with the mucky stuff. Engine oil, gearbox fluid, brake fluid, for peace of mind change them all. When bleeding the brakes, give the steel and flexible hoses a close look-over for damage. While under the truck, take a look at the diff and transmission breathers. Stock breathers will suck in water and mud during creek crossings, and it's a simple matter to add a length of rubber hose to lift the breather point up to the firewall. There are even kits to do this that include a small dust filter. On the topic of breathing, if…

Parts and accessories guide Kiwi-owned company Airplex has been manufacturing and distributing ute, car and truck accessories for more than 40 years. In that time, the range of highquality accessories available has grown hugely. From trims to tents, rail caps to canopy options and everything in between Airplex has it all. There are three canopy styles available: SteelTop, RSI SmartCap and the NEW Maxliner Venture. Lid options include a rolling lid (electric and manual), an aluminium alloy hard lid and a solid tri-fold design along with soft tonneau options. Airplex is also an authorised reseller and experienced installer of Rhino-Rack roof rack products. Airplex made its name with a range of bonnet guards, and continues to manufacture an ever-growing range, designing guards for new 4WDs, cars and trucks as they…

Parts and accessories guide Bushtech aluminium canopies offer unrivalled capability on the world market, and now among the best canopies available in New Zealand. Bushtech canopies feature superior quality of build and finish. Super-premium powder coats are applied and the canopy frame is hand-finished to perfection, with tig welds made to appear seamless. Bushtech earned its reputation years ago, producing aluminium canopies proven on off-road ute fleets operating in the ultra harsh landscapes of Africa. With 25 years automotive engineering experience, Bushtech builds the strongest aluminium canopies ever offered to the New Zealand market. Load tested to an incredible 2.5 tonnes(!) a Bushtech aluminium canopy effortlessly carries loads that would cause other canopies to crack, yet is lighter than plastic/fibreglass canopies! Bushtech's 300kg dynamic load capacity is by far the…

Fifty-five years is a long time to have been facing the challenge of designing, manufacturing, exporting, and improving on automotive spare parts, but Terrain Tamer has been doing just that since the company's beginnings in 1969. In the company's early years, Managing Director Frank Hutchinson recognised the need for strong, durable parts, when he met tour operator Bill King, who pioneered tour groups through the outback in the 1970's with Bill King's Northern Safaris, and eventually formed what is today known as AAT Kings. If Bill ever experienced breakages and needed a service or replacement parts, and he did with most trips through Australia's harsh and unforgiving outback, he would come straight to Terrain Tamer. He liked the service there and Frank was able to provide him with parts that…

The hotter months of the year see many motorists couple the caravan or boat to their passenger car or four-wheel-drive, and head off on an extended road trip. And while responsible owners will have their workshop undertake a precautionary pre-trip vehicle health check, especially if they intend to cover large distances in remote areas, when it comes to brakes, one important area that can be overlooked is the condition of the brake fluid. A combination of hot temperatures and the added braking demands placed on fully loaded vehicles – often towing as well – can quickly expose older or contaminated brake fluid. Although the braking system is classed as a closed system, over time it can absorb small amounts of moisture through imperfect seals, microscopic holes in rubber hoses or…

Adventure NZ The first trip of the 2023/24 season was the West Coast and Marlborough Trip. The season started early, after having received a call from a potential guest, Peter, who was going to be in the Westport area to do some fishing mid-October and was keen to do the Marlborough/West Coast trip. I agreed to run the trip and a few weeks later, I got a call from a regular guest, Gordon, who had recently bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee and was keen to test it out off-road. Game on! We all agreed to spend the night before the trip and the first night of the trip at the historic Top House Hotel. This is my normal “go to” place and is a real hidden gem! The hotel was…

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Built for the road, engineered for all roads. The very urban Stelvio Veloce kicks off the AWD range, Alfa balancing competitionbred petrol engines and hybrid drivetrains to suit all tastes. Audi Q5 The range is pared back slightly to five models for 2023; and the Q5 of course features Audi's superb quattro drivetrain along with comprehensive luxury, technology and safety specification lists. BMW X3 Petrol, diesel, petrol hybrid: the X3 offers a wide range of drivetrains coupled to BMW's excellent all-wheel drive system. BMW X4 The new kid on the X block, the X4 is available in M-spec only. Cupra Formenter A sportback SUV with enormous performance and a strong lean toward tarmac, the Formenter is being discovered by motorists who value driving dynamics in a quality…