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

2021 Volkswagen Amarok Extreme V6 BiTdi 190kW First Drive

Huge power figure bakkies don’t really feature in our market, mainly due to two reasons. The R&D involved in development of engines for our extreme climates is very costly, which in turn pushes the price of the vehicle up beyond any feasibility for its target market. All the top sellers’ power figures are in the 150 to 160kW mark with torque around 500nM, with a preference for reliability and dependability over power. But this leaves a gap in the market for a manufacturer to produce the “power king”. This is where the new 2021 Volkswagen Amarok Extreme V6 comes in.

2020 Land Rover Defender D240 Review

Imagine the pressure of having to redesign a legend. Paying homage to a vehicle with icon status, while still keeping your younger customers interested. Following in the footsteps of the original Defender was never going to be an easy task. But Land Rover didn’t just want to build another SUV. It needed to be revolutionary, trend setting and above all else, a car worthy of its namesake. And boy oh boy we can only imagine the sleepless nights the engineers had researching, developing and testing even the smallest details of what would become probably become one of the most highly

2020 Toyota Prado 2.8GD6 VX-L real world review

Toyota Prado 2.8 GD6 Review The good ol’ folks at Toyota love to take their time to release new models, but it’s for good reason. See, they spend thousands of hours researching, developing and testing new variants of models to make sure it lives up to the Toyota name. And to live up to that name, is a tall order. The current generation Prado (J150) has been around since 2009 and has since seen a couple of facelifts, but no major engine upgrades. You could buy your Prado with either the wonderful 1GR-FE 4.0L V6 petrol (207kW – 381N-m) or

Long range fuel tank installation – From the archives – March 2004

In the age of the 12-hour work day, there’s something very satisfying about owning a vehicle capable of border-to-border distances between fill-ups; simply knowing you can get away – a long, long way away – is often all it takes to keep you sane. Of course, given the distances between suitable fuel stops on typical African overland trips, it also makes very good sense to extend the range of your vehicle if you are considering escaping from civilization. Strapping on a couple of jerrycans is one solution and many would argue that carrying two spare jerrycans is a necessity anyhow.

Ford Ranger Thunder off-road test + video

The Ford Ranger is already a trend-setter in the South African market and one of the top-selling vehicles in the country. Now, continuing its ongoing evolution and offering customers a wider range of features and options, an exclusive limited-edition Ranger Thunder has been launched, which includes a raft of unique design and functional enhancements to what is already one of the most popular vehicles in South Africa. “As the winner of the 2020 International Pick-up Award, the locally assembled Ford Ranger is proudly one of South Africa’s most popular vehicles, and continues to set the benchmark for style, luxury and

2020 Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD6 VX 4×4 off-road test + video

• Revised front facia, with minor changes to rear • Apple Car Play and Android Auto • Power upgrades for 2.8GD6 model • Automatic Limited slip differential Watch the off-road test video of the 2020 Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD6 VX 4×4 here: It seems like yesterday that Toyota gave us the new Hilux which received not only a major facelift, but a slew of technical upgrades. Jump forward a few weeks and Toyota surprises us with a facelifted and revised Fortuner. Not only has the looks been changed, but as with the Hilux there are some changes under the skin. Along

Tougher-er. The phrase Toyota uses to describe the new Hilux. But does it hold up?

The Hilux is an institution, making its debut in 1968. 52 years later and in its 8th generation, the current version was designed to be tougher, but also easier to live with. According to Toyota, they want to offer high levels of durability, with lots of interior space, improved ergonomics, the ride comfort of a passenger vehicle with the convenience of an SUV and the practicality of a bakkie. Hilux – Brand Fanatic video Hilux offroad trail review It is no secret South Africans love bakkies. Farmers, contractors and families have been buying Hilux’s like hotcakes due to

2020 Toyota Fortuner review: 130kw, 420NM

Launched in 2005, the Toyota Fortuner was well received thanks to its practicality and comfort compared to a bakkie, infamous Toyota reliability and parts availability. It suffered a bit from feeling too similar to the Hilux on which it is based and a lack of stability control made rollovers a real threat. Many owners fitted aftermarket suspension to counter the problem and luckily Toyota relatively quickly fixed the problem with the facelift. Now in its third generation, the Fortuner has been majorly redesigned and is available with one petrol and two diesel engines. Toyota Fortuner Brand Fanatic Toyota Fortuner

TEST – Volkswagen Amarok Canyon Edition

Power without the penalties? Amarok Canyon Edition comes close Words & Pictures by Angus Boswell The Amarok is a cleverly-engineered pickup. From launch in 2010, it was a step or two ahead of the rivals in terms of technology, if not ability. Back then, the flagship version used a 120kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which was a very different approach to that of its rivals. “The body is too wide, there’s not enough lugging power, the 6-speed gearbox is notchy,” said the doubters, “and where is the 3.0-litre V6 that it needs?” Even so, the little 2.0-litre proved reliable, capable, and able

Rad Rig – All in 4×4 Isuzu

RICHARD KIGGEN’S RADICAL KB Story Jacques Viljoen & images by Richard Kiggen There are two groups of people when it comes to modifying vehicles: those who modify for looks and the guys who do it out of necessity. At SA4x4, we tend to have more in common with the latter group. Richard Kiggen, the owner of the Isuzu-based rig you see on these pages, is definitely a guy who puts his travel needs first. What motivated your build, we asked, and this was his reply: “I love the beauty of Africa, its landscapes and cultures, and I feel that it

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