4x4 Off-road testing & on-road first drives

BEST of BOTH

Hendri Mouton’s hybrid 2000 Land Rover Defender 130 V8 If you’re the type of person who just can’t resist stepping on the toes of purists, irritating those from the Land Cruiser community and Defender enthusiasts alike, you’ll love Pugly. Hendri Mouton, an engineer and owner of 4×4 accessory company Zombie Off-Road, picked up this far-from-stock Defender two years ago already fitted with one of the finest V8s ever put in a Lexus – the legendary 4.3-litre 3UZ. Breathing through custom 53mm headers into a 63mm main Zorst exhaust system, the beast makes an ungodly burble at idle and roars like

What Ranger?

In the Ranger wars, does the Wildtrak’s more potent engine, bling trim and array of driver aids justify a R100k plus premium over the XLT? We’ve been driving a lot of the new Ford Rangers lately, and they are extremely good. They have the burly looks, excellent driving ergonomics and slick drivetrains that mark them as part of a next generation of bakkies. We have lots of praise for the new 2.0-litre turbodiesels, now allied to the ratiomadness of a 10-speed auto box. They have a proper low-range 4×4 system with a rear diff lock, giving them sure-footed capability on

Long Termer: Rooftop Tent Installation

We fitted a load of new equipment to our Isuzu D-Max long-termer early this month, and it’s now a far more overland-worthy vehicle. Having covered plenty of off-road miles since then, this is our experience so far… Slim, sturdy and protective are three adjectives I’d use to describe the new Eezi-Awn Blade rooftop tent. Protected from the elements by a lightweight alloy case that will never fade or crack, the Blade is built to last. Open it up with the flick of two clips and the streamlined lid, which gives this RTT its name, rises effortlessly on two large gas

Rad Rig: 1966 Chevrolet K3 Ponderosa

Rtech Fabrications are a name pretty well known Stateside for producing some drool-worthy 4×4 eye candy. Their insane vehicle re-creations are usually pre-1972 Chevy trucks, including most recently an award-winning 1970 K20 and 1972 K50 Crew Cab. Now they’ve hit the nail on the head again with this lime green 1966 K30 Dually. The ’66 body style rides on a 1972 C30 chassis with a 175-inch (4.44-metre) wheelbase, but that’s just for starters. Rtech got to work with custom suspension mounts and added cross members to support powertrain components. A Skyjacker lift and innovative Rtech rear traction bars that multi-task

Motorhome: Bush Lapa Mammoth

Using their expertise in building a large variety of off-road trailers and bakkie-based camper conversions, Bush Lapa has taken the next step with an epic off-road motorhome. Based on an Iveco 4×4 double- or single-cab chassis, the Mammoth offers up to four people the space, versatility and capability necessary for the longest overland journeys. Powered by a 3.0-litre, 110kW diesel engine, the Iveco Daily 4×4 features solid axles front and rear. It is able to carry up to 3700kg on the rear axle, making it a perfect base for the Bush Lapa camper. One of the major benefits of a

10 Towable Treats

There are plenty of exciting new choices out there when it comes to trailers and caravans that can handle tough off-road conditions.

Off-Road Test: Ford Ranger Raptor

The Ranger Raptor does jumps at speed. How will it fare in a torture test on one of the Western Cape’s rocky 4×4 trails?

Isuzu Long-Termer: RSI Upgrade

The folks at RSI have been kind enough to outfit our bright blue Isuzu D-Max with a state-of-the-art, stainless steel RSI SMARTCANOPY.

First Drive: New Ford Everest

Car launches are carefully managed events that show off a vehicle’s best qualities. While they do usually take place in spectacular locations, the emphasis is nearly always on the car, with little thought given to the travel experience. But for the launch of the new Everest, Ford managed to blend the best of both worlds into one heck of an experience in Botswana. The journey began with a flight to Maun, the go-to jump-off point for many a traveller heading into the Okavango Delta. We’d be spending two nights exploring the highlights of the region, all from the comfort of

First Drive: Toyota Hilux Legend 50 & GR Sport

Toyota is known for their over-the-top launch events and this one, to unleash two new special edition Hilux models, was no different. Catching the dreaded redeye flight from Cape Town to Lanseria and on to Kasane in the far north-eastern corner of Botswana, we then picked up our chariots for an epic adventure through Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. Celebrating five decades at the top of the food chain, Toyota is releasing two very special new models to up the game once again. The Legend 50 replaces all new Raider models at the top end of the Hilux hierarchy, offering improved

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