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

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

TEST * JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK

Report & pictures Jacques Viljoen It seems that every other day a new soft-roader is launched and it’s pretty much the same story: striking looks and plenty of gadgets, but basically a ruse. When you get down to it, they are station wagons in off-roader frocks falsely claiming off-road capability. Most of them are okay for gravel roads, but what if you want to take on a few Grade 2 and 3 trails, or get safely through a full day’s off-roading in sandy conditions? Say hello to the Compass Trailhawk, Jeep’s attempt at setting themselves apart from the rest of

TEST – AMAROK DARK LABEL BiTDI

Light on the dark side With a brand new Amarok co-developed with Ford on the horizon for 2022, or thereabouts, VW is rolling out a few special editions based on the existing technology. It’s a sure way to ensure consumer appeal against some of the contemporary rivals who are now into the next phase of their development cycle. That said, getting acquainted with the Amarok Dark Label Special Edition underlined that the Amarok is still a top-notch product with arguably the best build quality and most impressive attention to detail of any bakkie in the sector. The tried and tested

RAD RIG * IVECO EXTREME MOTORHOME

Motorhome World’s one-of-a-kind luxury globetrotter Story & pictures Andrew Middleton When it comes to overland exploration, there are several ways to go about it. You can go the lightweight route with a bakkie and a tent, you could tow an equipped off-road trailer, or you could opt to travel in your home-on-wheels. The Dreamcatcher is very much the latter option. Built to endure extended touring periods in the Siberian and Russian winter, where temperatures routinely drop below minus 40 degrees Celsius, this lavishly-equipped motorhome is the ultimate ‘money is no object’ expression of luxury overlanding. The beast can comfortably sleep

UNIMOG U 5023 – Climbing to new records

A pair of Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023s have reached the highest altitude of any wheeled vehicle – further proof that they are among the most capable off-roaders in the world. The trucks were driven up Ojos del Salado, the world’s tallest active volcano located in the Atacama Desert in Chile, to a record-setting altitude of 6 694 metres (21 962 feet) above sea level. That’s nearly the full height of the volcano, which is 6 893 metres high. To put this in perspective, the Unimogs reached an altitude higher than the tops of Denali (20 308 feet) in Alaska and

FIRST Drive – Mahindra S11 Pik Up Auto

Adding a six-speed auto to Mahindra’s workhorse ups the game for this value proposition. It’s hard to argue against a brand new, top-spec double cab with all the latest bells and whistles for the same price as a five-year-old Hilux with 100 000km on the clock. That’s precisely where Mahindra fits into the picture. This company, which now has 67 local dealers and an assembly facility in Durban, is pushing hard into the sub-Saharan market with a range of utility vehicles that offer extreme value. Surprisingly, at this price range, they are also producing high-quality products that are a joy

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