Drive360 Issue 2

DRIVE360 THE ‘BAKKIES’ ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 2020

POWERED BY IOL MOTORING

MEET OUR SUPER TRUCKS

EDITION

CONTENTS CONTACT US PUBLISHER | Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com DRIVE360 EDITOR | Pritesh Ruthun pritesh.ruthun@inl.co.za EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR | Ian Smit ian.smit@inl.co.za PRODUCTION & DESIGN | Renata Ford renata.ford@inl.co.za

P4

P8-9

P10-11

P20-22

P23-25

P26-30

P34-35

P36-37

P38

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | Keshni Odayan keshni.odayan@inl.co.za SALES Charl Reineke | charl.reineke@inl.co.za Kyle Villet | kyle.villet@africannewsagency.com GENERAL ENQUIRIES | info@anapublishing.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

P12-16

P17-19

P31

P32-33

P40-41

P42-43

IN A recent report published by AutoTrader, the Ford Ranger came out on top as the best-selling used vehicle in the South Africa over the past 12 months.

The report looked at the most-searched-for and most-sold vehicles across the business’s database.

The Ranger’s success is mirrored in Naamsa’s monthly new vehicle sales numbers.

In fact, if the Ranger is not the best-seller; you can rest-assured the Hilux took the spot that month (we’re not counting the perennial South African favourites, the Volkswagen Polo and Polo Vivo, here).

The fact is, we are obsessed with bakkies; big ones, small ones, heck, even maniacally modified ones.

Over the past few months, we’ve tested several iterations of bakkies, leading to this themed edition that focuses on the humble LCV and its prominence in our country.

If you’re in the market for a family car, there’s probably a double-cab bakkie out there that could meet your requirements. If you are an entrepreneur, there’s a host of single cab and extra cab models to choose from.

From the manic new Hellcat-powered RAM TRX to the often-overlooked Mitsubishi Triton, we’ve packed them all in here for you to read at your convenience.

I trust you enjoy the read. Keep safe, my friends.

Pritesh

It’s a buyer’s market right now

INDUSTRY insights MOTORING STAFF PRE-OWNED car inventories, especially when it comes to “nearly new” cars (2019 models), increased by 32% in July this year compared to the previous month, placing buyers firmly in the pound seats, says AutoTrader.

Buyers of older used cars are also scoring; total inventory listings have increased by nearly 20% month-on-month (June to July this year).

AutoTrader chief executive George Mienie say we are experiencing a buyer’s market.

“Simply put, buyers are spoilt for a choice, especially if they’re looking for a car with a registration year listing of 2019 (we refer to these as ‘nearly new’),” he says.

What models are up for grabs and what can buyers expect to pay?

Mienie says the 2019 car with the most active listings is the Volkswagen Polo. No surprise here considering it’s also one of SA’s best-selling new cars.

“The average selling price of a 2019 Polo is R221 492 while the average mileage is

22 448km,” he says.

In second place is yet another Volkswagen derivative, the Polo Vivo. The average selling price is R178 994 and the average mileage 23 338km.

Mienie says Toyota vehicles account for half of the models when it comes to the top 10 2019 registration year cars with the most active listings.

“This is not surprising, given the fact that the Japanese carmaker does sell the most new vehicles in South Africa,” he says.

The Toyota Corolla Quest, Toyota Yaris and Toyota Etios are in third, fourth and fifth place, respectively.

The average selling price of a 2019 Corolla Quest is R190 362 and the average mileage 26 883km. For the Yaris it is R217 796 and 26 598km, and an Etios R158 815 and 27 652km.

The other two Toyotas in the top 10, the Fortuner and RAV4 (in seventh and eighth place), boast average selling prices of R479 378 and R391 156, respectively.

Cash-strapped South Africans will no doubt cheer at the news that there are many 2019 Datsun Gos available for sale too, albeit we advise to search for cars that perform better in crash-safety tests.

“At a mere R123 157, this is a really great deal.

This represents a significant saving over the price of a new Go, which starts at R174 200,” Mienie says.

Perhaps surprisingly, the most sold used car in South Africa, the Ford Ranger, clocks in 10th. It has an average selling price of R452 667.

Attention all 65+ drivers

Discovery Insure’s offering is kinder on your pocket Is 65 really the age we should all start thinking about going into “driving retirement”? Are older drivers as hazardous on our country’s roads as one might assume?

“Not necessarily,” says Discovery Insure Chief Executive Officer, Anton Ossip. “Our telematics-based research shows us that adults aged 65 to 80 have a 28% higher driving score than other drivers.

“In addition, this age group also drives 37% less, based on kilometres driven, than other drivers on a monthly basis. This contributes to a considerably lower risk profile as the less time spent on the road, the lower the risk of being in an accident,” he adds. so, if older populations are still driving into their 80s, what is the impact of maintaining a vehicle on their retirement expenses? Without a frequent income and as savings deplete, it’s common practice for retirees to seek out ways in which they can reduce expenditure and get “more bang for their buck”.

“When having to cut costs, expenses such as car insurance may easily be cancelled as a way to hang onto more rands and cents,” adds Ossip. “It’s also unfortunate that older adults typically fall into a new risk profile by definition, and thus can be overcharged by their insurers, making affordability even more difficult.”

“At Discovery Insure, we now offer an innovative way for retirees to save on their car insurance premiums through the new Vitality Drive 65+ benefit. This means

that cover can be retained for as long as a retired individual can safely drive on our roads,” he explains further.

How can this be done? “By encouraging healthier living, less frequent and better driving,” Ossip says.

Incentivised to promote safer driving behaviours, the Vitality Drive 65+ benefit also encourages people to lead healthier lifestyles. It’s a given that as we age, health can deteriorate, but proactive efforts can be made to maintain health, and thereby prevent the development of certain age-related ailments.

“Available for clients is the Vitality Health Check for 65+. This enables retirees to manage their individual health risk in relation to how certain ailments can impair their driving ability. Good vision, hearing and cognitive abilities are key for safe driving. This health assessment helps a retiree to keep close tabs on these key health areas and in optimal condition.

“Our data shows that clients who proactively manage their health have a 10% lower vehicle loss ratio than those who do not. Clients can also make use of partners, such as EyeGym, which helps clients train and improve their eyes and whereby individuals can earn up to 150 Vitality Drive points.”

Continued on following page

Discovery Insure Chief Executive Officer, Anton Ossip

Comprehensive motor vehicle warranty is just a luxury add-on, right?

YOu may think an extended warranty on your car is unnecessary, but 20% of cars have a warranty claim every year. With 90% of South Africans saying they intend to hold on to a car for longer due to the economic climate, an extended warranty product offers peace of mind.

Discovery Insure Vehicle Warranty is the first telematics-based warranty cover in the market. With Discovery Insure’s warranty cover and driver behaviour programme, Vitality Drive, you get rewards and value for driving well, including up to 100% off your car’s servicing or maintenance costs if you service your car at any Motus dealership or Bosch service centre.

“People understand the importance of having car insurance – which is great – but too often warranties are viewed as unnecessary,” says Head of Strategy at Discovery Insure, Kgodiso Mokonyane, who also leads its new Vehicle Warranty business.

“People also assume that their standard car insurance policy will cover them from unexpected mechanical failure and electrical breakdown, which is not true,” she added.

“In the current climate, where many South Africans Continued from previous page

With the new Vitality Drive 65+ benefit, clients over the age of 65 who proactively manage their health, drive less than 10 00km a year and drive well can earn up to 50% vehicle premium cash back every year. This is based on your Vitality Drive status – so the better you drive, the higher your status and the greater your premium cash back.

In addition, these clients can also earn up to 50%

are facing economic pressures, it’s important to ensure that you have the means to repair or maintain your car. Discovery Insure offers the most comprehensive warranty product on the market that is based on telematics and thus rewards you for driving well – good drivers get better premiums and deeper discounts on their vehicle’s services.

OppOrtunity fOr a new warranty sOlutiOn in the market “From our client base at Discovery Insure, we have seen that 56% of our clients’ manufacturer warranty cover has expired,” says Mokonyane. “However, the current options in the market are not optimal for consumers. There are two main types of extended warranty covers – those from manufacturers and those offered by insurers. A manufacturer’s extended warranty cover tends to offer more comprehensive cover, but at a relatively high upfront cost. Clients are also locked in for the term of the policy and face large cancellation fees.

Continued on following page

of their fuel and Gautrain spend back every month, Active Rewards for meeting their weekly goal and other rewards such as tyre and vehicle maintenance and servicing discounts.

“The Vitality Drive 65+ benefit is a unique way to reward healthier living, encourage improved driving behaviours and enable retirees to benefit from comprehensive insurance cover that won’t deplete their hard-earned savings unnecessarily,” concludes Ossip.

Head of Strategy at Discovery Insure, Kgodiso Mokonyane

If you’re aged 65 to 80 and join Discovery Insure before November 2020, you can also get up to 100% vehicle premium payback on your first plan anniversary.

Continued from previous page

“Warranty plans offered by insurers generally have unsophisticated pricing that is based only on vehicle age and mileage. This comes at the expense of cover limits and fewer components covered. And with clients’ claims exceeding the cover limit 30% of the time, this forces the client to pay unexpected and unaffordable amounts at claims stage,” says Mokonyane. “Given the existing manufacturer and insurer extended warranty products in the market, we saw an opportunity to meet the consumer need for a warranty plan that offered enhanced cover while also being affordable.” Discovery Insure launched the world’s first telematics-based warranty cover in May 2020 and offers comprehensive, market-leading and unlimited cover for 36 critical components of your vehicle. The warranty plan also includes embedded wear-and-tear cover on the same components.

With an extended Warranty cover, do consumers still need a comprehensive car insurance plan?

“A warranty cover provides cover for a consumer’s

car should it not function correctly as a result of mechanical breakdown and electrical failure. In contrast, car insurance protects consumers against the unexpected financial loss as a result of a car accident or theft. Car insurance options range from standalone third party cover, to full comprehensive cover,” Mokonyane explains.

“What each insurance plan covers and their premium price tags are typically what differentiates them. Comprehensive cover is usually structured to offer the most protection and thus is priced at a higher premium,” she adds further.

“Whether your vehicle is still under finance or is fully paid up, comprehensive car insurance is well worth having as a protective investment against a wider range of potential risks. A warranty plan will ensure additional protection should your car break down as a result of a mechanical or electrical problem.

“Discovery Insure’s comprehensive offering includes plans with unique benefits, state-of-the art safety features and Vitality Drive, a behaviourally incentivised driving programme that rewards clients for driving well.”

Enhanced benefits include: ¡ No excess should an insured third-party have

caused an accident, or for theft or weather-related claims. ¡ Excess flexibility whereby you can choose the payable excess amount on your plan. ¡ Emergency roadside assistance, innovative features like Direction Assist and Trip Monitor, and trauma support following a severe accident or hijacking experience. ¡ Cover for personal liability should you be legally responsible for accident-related compensation payable to another person. ¡ Car hire for up to 30 days, the option to exchange this for Uber vouchers. ¡ Up to 50% cash back fuel or Gautrain spend every month for driving well, car maintenance discounts at Tiger Wheel & Tyre and Bosch outlets, and more. ¡ Up to 25% vehicle premium payback every month for driving less with the Dynamic Distance cash back. ¡ Telematics-based warranty cover that offers up to 100% vehicle maintenance and servicing discounts annually.

“The enhanced benefits included in Discovery Insure’s comprehensive plan offering makes cover more cost effective and affordable,” says Mokonyane. “It makes sense to have protective cover that ensures that any type of risk you may be vulnerable to, on any given day, is well covered, safeguarding you against the weight of financial burdens most of us can ill afford.

“This gives you peace of mind and saves you more money in the long-run too – making it valuable to have,” she concludes.

Ford Treasure Trove

READ

KZN-based automobile collector, Palan Naidoo has one heck of a collection of Ford vehicles, ranging from classic bakkies to modern ones, with the odd smothering of a Cortina here and there. I recently spoke to him about his passion for cars and, of course, his leisures…

PR: Tell us about your passion for cars, where did all start and do you remember the car that lit the fir for you?

PN: My dad and his family were always passiona about cars, he did all his own repairs and panelbeating. Personally, in 1983, my dad’s young brother acquired a 1979 Ford Cortina 3.0S, which he modified and I fell in love with, and that’s where my obsession for Fords started.

PR: Can you share your earliest memory of driving a car then (what was it, where did you go, was it a adventure as you had hoped it would be)?

PN: Well, I was eight years old. I started my dad’s VW Kombi and drove it straight into a tree!

Genuinely, though, I was driving by myself at the a of 11, going to the shops and surrounding areas.

PR: Can you tell us what cars you have owned in your collection?

PN: I have owned five Ford Escort 1600 Sport models, seven Ford Cortinas, a Ford Fairlane, three Ford Sierras, two F100s and a lot of other cars (no Fords too).

PR: How did you come to acquire each of these cars?

PN: I bought my first car by working at my local service station on weekends. I bought all my cars b working hard and saving for each car.

DER’S rides

s

it re

ate

ger h e

g an

age

e on

by

PRITESH RUTHUN PR: Why did you have to own these cars in particular?

PN: I have always loved the Ford brand and the Cortina has always been my favourite. I don’t know what it is, I just love these cars.

PR: Tell us, which car in your collection is most special and perhaps your favourite car (have you done anything to it modifications wise … what have you done)?

PN: Without a doubt, my 1977 Ford Cortina 3.0S, in Raven black, is my favourite. I have owned the car for 16 years.

The engine is modified, it has a five-speed Cressida gearbox, full performance exhaust, custom sound and unique wheels.

PR: What was the most challenging thing you undertook to make a car in your collection more unique?

PN: I have a red Mk5 Cortina Leisure Bakkie that I put V8 engine into. It was difficult to get everything set up correctly but once it hooked up, it was a joy.

I love all my cars and I love to do things to them to make them special.

PR: What are some of the challenges of owning a classic or rare car collection such as yours?

PN: Finding parts for repairs, especially body parts and servicing parts, as well as finding the time to drive all of the cars of course!

PR: Do you perform service and maintenance on your own vehicles?

PN: I have been blessed with good friends who help

with maintaining my cars.

PR: Can you tell us about a special moment with your favourite vehicle in your collection, perhaps a road trip that stands out?

PN: Three years ago, I took my son on a road trip to Johannesburg in my black 3.0S. It was an awesome father and son bonding weekend that we’ll never forget.

PR: What are your plans for your car collection in the near future? Are there other classic cars you would like to own?

PN: I would like to add a few more cars to my collection, but my dream car is a 1967 Ford Mustang GT500 Fastback.

PR: Would you ever consider selling cars from your collection?

PN: My son will not allow me to sell any of my cars now.

PR: Where’s the first place you’re driving to once the lockdown restrictions have been lifted? And which vehicle will you be using for this drive?

PN: I’m already planning a nice drive down the South Coast in my Ford Granada Mk1.

PR: Any words of encouragement for readers who want to live with a classic car as a project or a daily?

PN: Owning a classic car can become very expensive. Personally, my family always come first. I know a lot of people buy old cars and then forget about them because they have no idea how expensive a classic car becomes to restore or fix.

Think about whether you have the time and patience to live with an older car and then make a decision.

Key thing … don’t buy with your eyes, buy with your brains.

AS GOOD AS new AFTER 35 960km of mileage, this pre-owned Hilux certainly still seems as good as new, which again pays testimony to the inherent quality and durability of the Hilux nameplate.

Inside and out it was in a pristine condition and besides one or two tiny scuffmarks on the door’s plastic trim, which is quite common on most used vehicles, we could not notice any other defects at all. Let’s tuck in:

SURPRISINGLY SPIRITED The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine delivers 130kW of maximum power and 450Nm of torque, and is coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox. Although the latest high-end Ford Rangers trump the Hilux on paper when it comes to power, in outright performance terms the Hilux is not far behind at all.

Compared to the 3.2-litre Ford Ranger’s 10.5 seconds 0-100km/h sprint time, the Hilux is a mere 0.3 of a second slower to a 100km/h, with a sprint time of 10.8-seconds.

The tractability of the 2.8-litre engine in the Toyota is good too and combined with well-spaced ratios from the autobox, city driving in the Hilux proved effortless.

More good news is that the Hilux does trump the 3.2-litre Ford Ranger when we talk economy, with a combined average fuel economy figure of 8l/100km.

CHARL WILKEN

CONSIDER THIS WHEN SHOPPING ✔ Comprehensive luxury and safety features ✔ Good fuel economy ✔ Reliability and durability ✔ High levels of quality ✘ Not as powerful as some of its rivals SUV-LIKE REFINEMENT The Hilux driving experience is improved in pretty much every area compared to the previous model. Gone is the constant bounciness, replaced by decent body control and a comfortable ride on smooth roads.

Although the VW Amarok offers the best ride quality in this category, the latest Hilux is not far behind. The six-speed automatic gearbox shifted sweetly and seemed well-refined for a vehicle of this nature. All round, the Hilux offered impressive levels of comfort.

As we expected, the Hilux cabin proved robust with materials capable of withstanding hard day-to-day use. This said, the cabin has also taken on some extra sophistication. The overall dash and instrument cluster design proves attractive,

as well as modern, and there are lots of luxury features to smile about.

I particularly liked the centrally located touchscreen infotainment system, that included satellite navigation.

Overall, I’d say the build quality is good, but without soft-touch plastics it does not feel as plush as Toyota’s passenger cars.

WORTHWHILE FAMILY VEHICLE The cabin of the Hilux will accommodate four or five tall adults with relative ease, while the fully rubberised load area can carry loads of up to 865kg.

Maximum towing capacity also proved as good as the best in this class, at 3 500kg.

You should also be pleased to know that the load area of this Hilux was still in exceptional condition and had not been used for any hard labour as yet.

Just about as refined as the best on offer and now extremely well-equipped as well, the Hilux impresses with its all-round comfort. But it’s the vehicle’s all-round competence that ensures it remains the “King of the Hill” in this hotly contested sector of the market.

Our pre-owned Hilux on test was in pristine condition and I believe a very good buy at the price.

Toyota Hilux

SPECIFICATIONS

MAKE: TOYOTA MODEL: 2019 HILUX 2.8GD6 Raider 4x2 (Auto) FUEL CONSUMPTION: 8l/100km 0-100KM/H: 10.8 seconds NEW PRICE: R614 700 PRE-OWNED PRICE: R569 890 MILEAGE: 35 960km SUPPORT: 3-year/100 000km warranty & 9 services/90 000km Service Plan TO BUY: Contact Nic Sillato from Motus Toyota Bedfordview on 087 893 7744.

MEET OUR

SUPER bakkie IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? No, It’s a Raptor.

I suppose a Raptor is a bird and it does, given the right conditions, like to spend a bit of time in the air but mostly Ford’s serious Raptor off-road machine tackles the hard stuff without raising a sweat.

And we’re in the fortunate position that it’s been allocated to us for the next six months as our long-term test vehicle, so we’ll be able to give you a proper blow-by-blow account of what it’s like to live with.

TESTING ITS METTLE Launched to an enthusiastic media contingent, the Raptor has been well received by the public in spite of its R875 700 price tag. I’ve seen a number of them on the road and managed to run into one in a river bed in Limpopo’s Giyani district.

The guys at Ford had just confirmed the Raptor jackpot with us when someone on one of the 4x4 WhatsApp groups that I’m on suggested a trip to the Klein Letaba River where we annually try to spend a couple of days.

“Before the long weekend otherwise it looks like the N3 in December,” came the cry.

You know how it goes from there. Three of us (and as always a couple who are tentative) started a River Trip group and from there things evolved to the Raptor easing its nose into the soft river sand with all the necessary Covid-19 travel documents safely in the

WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE

cubbyhole.

Tucked in behind the Raptor for some extra driving and vehicle challenges was my off-road trailer, fully loaded with rooftop tent, fridge, gear, food, jerry cans and water (including for showering) for four days.

The Raptor has a braking towing capacity of 2.5 tons and unbraking 750kg, which poses no challenge on the black stuff but deep, soft sand is a different proposition altogether.

But before we got there we had to make a right just before Giyani and negotiate our way along a road past a number of villages.

I say road, but for the first time I was grateful for the big 35-inch BF Goodrich tyres the Raptor rolls on.

EFFORTLESS CRUISER The 25km stretch has seen no maintenance for decades and as sedans, taxis and bakkies looked like they were competing in a drunken Saturday night swerving contest, the Raptor cruised effortlessly aided too by its brilliant Fox suspension set-up. Once we were in the river the tyres of both the Raptor and trailer were dropped to 0.9 bar so that we could “float” rather than dig into the sand.

I changed the mode from normal to sand/mud and as an experiment used 4H

rather than the low range and pressed the accelerator. That’s when I realised that everything Ford says about the Raptor isn’t just marketing speak and hype. The combination cruised effortlessly over dunes and through water, a testimony to the 10-speed auto box I would argue is probably one of the top two boxes suited to off-road driving.

The border fence of the Kruger National Park signalled our camping spot for the first two nights so we set up camp and opened up the second fridge, used as a freezer tied in the back and plugged into the 12 volt socket to put a handful of ice in a glass. Don’t ask, you know why.

EXTREMELY VERSATILE Talking about power. There’s a handy inverter in the comfortable and well-designed cabin that can be used to charge laptops, phones, tools and appliances.

The guys with us I met and befriended as a result of our mutual association with the Land Rover Defender years ago, and while we’ve massively modified them to cope with extreme adventures, they were extremely impressed by what Ford has done in thought and planning in making a vehicle with a strong off-road bias.

Two examples come to mind. On almost every standard 4x4 double cab the side steps range from plastic to steel tubing or

aluminium. Sure, it looks pretty and literally plays the part but drive an axle twister or rest the weight of the car on them over a rock obstacle and it becomes a snap, crackle and pop party.

Not so the Raptor.

Second, driving over rocks requires very low gearing and gentle acceleration so we did a quick experiment. The yellow Defender, or cupcake as we call it, is probably one of the most competent and well-balanced Defenders on the road fitted for both extreme off-roading and overlanding.

With crawler gears he was in first gear low range and I moved to low range and applied the rock setting. With only the ECU idling us forward, the Raptor was significantly slower. Again, that gearbox.

PERFORMANCE HONED Day two saw us with an opportunity to play in the river bed and put the Raptor through its paces including using the much-vaunted Baja mode.

I’ve read on some forums that people want a bigger engine in the Raptor. Sure, as a petrol head, who wouldn’t want more power? But I can honestly say that the twin turbochargeddiesel engine with 157kW and 500Nm of torque coupled to that 10-speed automatic transmission (you can also switch to manual with paddles) is a very capable combination.

With hundreds of metres of open, sandy river bed, we charged around as hard as we could and not once did the Fox suspension flinch, even during short stints of air time. The seats provide ample comfortable support and the driving position is ideal for hard off-road driving.

With most vehicles you have to put on a set of aftermarket recovery points that won’t bend or break while on the Raptor they come standard, ideal for pulling big logs of wood for the nightly bonfire through the sand.

The Raptor is built from the ground up with a specific purpose in mind and I reckon what we did (and still intend to do) is very much what its intended purpose is, it’s not a mall crawler or “poser” bakkie and I found it to be a perfect combination of technology and old school driving.

Ford’s SYNC3 touchscreen infotainment and navigation system still works a treat and with Tracks4Africa fitted as standard (including a breadcrumb feature) you don’t have to worry about getting lost well off the beaten track.

MORE TO COME Two things though that I would change – one is easy enough to address and the other a setting feature. The standard tow bar drop plate isn’t adjustable which meant the trailer was being towed at an angle while the drop plate also affects the departure angle when crawling over rocky sections. An easy enough fix with a custom made tow bar.

The second is that when you switch the vehicle off, the setting automatically defaults to normal which isn’t a deal breaker but when you’ve walked an obstacle course and you’re hot and sweaty and preparing to tackle it, checking whether it’s still in grass/ gravel/snow/ mud/sand or rock mode isn’t top of mind.

We averaged 13.2l/100km over 1 285km, most of it towing a loaded trailer and much of it in deep, soft sand with tyres deflated to 0.9 bar, which given the conditions, isn’t bad at all.

As a first outing it was a tough introduction for the Ford Raptor and it came out with flying colours.

Here’s to more of the same.

Ford Ranger Raptor

SPECIFICATIONS

MAKE: FORD MODEL: RANGER RAPTOR ENGINE: 2.0-litre twin-turbo fourcylinder diesel.

GEARBOX: 10-speed automatic with low-range.

POWER: 157kW at 3 750rpm.

TORQUE: 500Nm at 1 500rpm.

0-100km/h: 10.5 secs (claimed).

TOP SPEED: 170km/h (limited).

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 8.3l/100km (claimed, combined cycle).

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 13.2l/100km (on test, combined cycle).

PRICE: R875 700.

SUPPORT: Four-year/120 000km warranty and six-year/90 000km service plan.

HOT OFF THE press PRITESH RUTHUN THERE’S no arguing that the X-Rider nameplate has fast established itself as a popular model within the Isuzu D-MAX line-up, initially only offered with the 2.5-litre high-output turbodiesel engine.

This year, though, Isuzu is taking things further with the introduction of a special edition D-MAX 3.0 TD Double Cab X-Rider Automatic model.

MAKINGS OF GREATNESS “The X-Rider nameplate, which was first introduced in South Africa as a limited edition model in 2016, has been a great success for us. Until now we have only offered the X-Rider as a midrange vehicle available with the 100kW 2.5 litre engine,” says Dominic Rimmer, Executive, Technical Services at Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSA).

“Based on the popularity of the X-Rider, we felt it would make sense to match this nameplate with our most powerful engine, while retaining the attributes which make the X-Rider so popular. The 3 litre X-Rider has an imposing presence on the road with a rugged and sporty look which sets it apart from regular D-MAX models.”

BUILT TO LAST The 3.0 X-Rider Automatic is powered by the Japanese brand’s familiar four-cylinder 130kW turbo diesel engine from Isuzu. Matched with a six-speed automatic gearbox, maximum power output is reached at a low 3600rpm,

with maximum torque of 380Nm achieved between 1800 and 2800rpm. According to official figures, it will sip 50ppm at a rate of 7.5l/100km in a combined cycle.

The X-Rider comes standard with black roof rails, black sports bar with Red X-Rider logo, black running boards, 20cm AX2 Radio with multifunction colour touch screen, black tailgate handle with rearview camera, and a 3.5 ton tow bar.

The bakkie’s seats are covered in black partial leather with red stitching and it is available in just three colours; Summit White, Switchblade Silver, Pull Me Over Red. Nice.

The vehicle rides on standard 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres. (Black alloy wheels are available as a no-cost option.)

PRICED TO SELL The 3.0 TD Double Cab X-Rider Automatic slots in below the standard 3.0 Auto LX in the greater D-MAX line-up. This is great news for motorists who like the X-Rider look but want the benefit of the added pulling power of the more powerful four cylinder three litre engine.

Pricing for the special edition D-MAX 3.0 TD Double Cab X-Rider Auto starts at R551 100 and it comes with a five-year/120 000km warranty and a fiveyear/90 000km Service Plan as standard. ◆ For more information or to secure a test drive see www.isuzu.co.za.

Isuzu D-Max X-Rider

UNDER THE radar PRITESH RUTHUN IT’S BEEN just over a year since Nissan launched the Navara Stealth in South Africa and while it’s been doing relatively well in terms of sales, you can be forgiven for thinking that this bakkie flies below the radar of most South Africans; as the masses continue to rush out to buy Rangers and Hiluxes.

Pause for a moment, though, and give the Navara some thought before you head out to kick tyres, as it might have just the things you’re looking for in a pick-up at just the right price. Let’s tuck in.

THE MERC FROM JAPAN It’s been reported on thoroughly, however, you should note that the Navara and the Mercedes-Benz X-Class share a common platform. In fact, most of the switches and buttons you’ll find in the Navara, you’ll find in the Merc.

The four-pot diesel engine is also shared between the companies. This isn’t a bad thing at all, considering we’re living in a world where Samsung manufactures most of Apple’s raved-about screens.

Moving on, modelled on the tough-as-nails Nissan Navara luxury edition, the Stealth comes with a number of design updates to make it an even

more rugged, redefined version of itself.

Standard silver and chrome detailing on the exterior gives way to sleek, black trims; while newly added orange accents – on the grill and front bumper, side mirrors and side steps – give the Stealth a character that is both edgy and bold (which should match that of its driver according to Nissan). A bespoke roll-bar, customised side steps and unique black alloy wheels completes the Stealth picture on the outside. The two-tone colourway is carried through into the interior, with seats featuring black leather side bolsters and orange material inserts and stitching which both contrast and complement one another to give the cabin a strong, modern feel.

BUILT TO BE DRIVEN. HARD! Nissan say the Stealth builds on the Navara’s name as a tough, luxurious and comfortable pick-up.

“These updates are designed for the customer who is passionate about vehicle accessories and looking for a bakkie that speaks to who they are,” the marketing folk say.

The Navara Stealth comes in twowheel drive and four-wheel drive configuration featuring a twin-turbo engine with 140kW power and 450Nm

torque, as well as a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed automatic transmission and a five-link coil rear suspension, to further optimise the driving experience.

It also comes with an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, geared at moving Nissan customers towards safer and more sustainable driving.

TECH LADEN (FOR A BAKKIE) Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies that feature in the Stealth include the Intelligent Key System, the Intelligent 4x4 System – which assists drivers in smooth cornering by adjusting power output to the front and rear wheels – and Hill Start Assist.

The Navara also comes with Intelligent Around View Monitor, which uses four cameras positioned at different points around the bakkie to give the driver a 360-degree, aerial view of the vehicle and its surrounds.

Pricing starts at R630 100 and it comes with Nissan Assured, which means you get a three-year/90 000km service plan and a six-year/150 000km warranty. ◆ To experience the Navara Stealth, see www.nissan.co.za to arrange a personalised product demonstration.

Nissan Navara Stealth

FORBIDDEN fruit

6 bakkies we want in SA JASON WOOSEY

SOUTH AFRICA is bakkie country.

We love them in all shapes and sizes because they’re always ready for whatever kind of work or play we throw at them.

Sadly, because we are one of the few countries that drive on the left, there are a lot of bakkies available abroad that simply can’t come to South Africa because they’re only built in left-hand drive.

Yes, folks there is a lot of loadlugging forbidden fruit out there, and these are our favourites.

Read and weep.

Gladiators are you ready?! While that somewhat cheesy chant is perhaps best left in the ‘90s, the word Gladiator took on a far cooler connotation when Jeep attached it to the back of its new double cab bakkie. The Gladiator is essentially a Jeep Wrangler with a load bin,

and what’s not to like about that?

It’s essentially a Swiss Army knife on wheels. Like its SUV cousin, the Gladiator can be “stripped” in numerous ways, with owners able to fold down the windscreen, remove the doors and lower the soft top for a truly open-air experience.

Local buyers would love the brawny 3-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine option, which is good for 194kW and 600Nm. The Gladiator also offers the very best 4x4 systems that Jeep has to offer, as well as Tru-Lock electrically operated front and rear axle lockers, a Trac-Lock limited slip differential and sway-bar disconnector.

Best of all, the workhorse aspect is not an afterthought in this vehicle, and it features an innovative “Trail Rail” cargo management system, as well as a bed lighting system and a 400W external power source for your tools.

1

JEEP GLADIATOR

2

GMC SIERRA DENALI

3

4 FORD F-150

THIS has been described as a bakkie for the Kardashians but wherever its appeal may lie, you have to agree that the GMC Sierra Denali is simply dripping bling. In fact there’s enough chrome on this thing to blind the sun.

GMC claims to have invented the premium pick-up segment almost 20 years ago, and the latest version continues its legacy of luxury, although it’s not without some innovative workhorse features. These include the MultiPro Tailgate, which is said to be the most innovative ever, with six unique functions and positions, offering enhanced second-tier loading. Buyers can also opt for a carbon fibre load bay, which is said to be the most durable in its segment. Kim and her pals don’t have to worry too much about towing either, thanks to the ProGrade Trailering System, with a Trailering App that removes much of the guesswork.

Cabin highlights include multi-colour head-up display, digital rear view mirror and open-pore wood trim. The adaptive suspension system is also quite unique in the bakkie world. The Denali is no slouch either, with buyers getting three options in the form of a 3-litre turbo-diesel, as well as 5.3-litre and 6.2-litre V8 petrols.

THERE might not be a Raptor version as yet, but the new-generation Ford F-150 is still one of the tastiest pieces of forbidden fruit for South African bakkie buyers.

This is what the Ranger wants to be when it grows up.

There are plenty of different models and options to choose from, but what we really love about the F-150 is its wide array of innovative options aimed at making your work day easier. These include onboard generators that can be used to power tools at remote work sites and the Tailgate Work Surface that includes integrated rulers and clamps for cutting wood, and spaces to stash your phone, tablets and even your coffee cup. You can pretty much turn the cabin into an office with the Work Surface option, which has surfaces designed for laptop use and document signing, while the Max Recline front seats can fold to almost 180º to allow customers to camp in the cabin. The cockpit is cutting-edge too, thanks to Ford’s new Sync4 infotainment system, which allows for over-the-air system updates for downloading new tech features as they become available.

On the powertrain front, buyers can choose from a range of V6 and V8 petrol engine options, enabling towing capacities of up to 5 400kg.

DESCRIBED as “the apex predato 1500 TRX is ready to go Raptor hu over its F-150 badged foe, it has b Dodge Challenger Hellcat cousin.

The TRX’s 6.2-litre supercharge 881Nm, which Ram says is sufficie 4.5 seconds, and on to 160km/h i fastest series-production pick-up time is astounding (for something modified VW Caddy) at 12.9 secon The chassis, of course, was als bashing in a hurry, and as a result than the regular Ram 1500 that it’ include Bilstein Black Hawk e2 ad five-link coil rear suspension, a Da electronic locking differential.

What about the tekkies? These 18-by-9-inch alloy wheels shod w All-Terrain tyres. And yes, just like mode!

RAM 1500 TRX

or of the truck world”, the Ram unting, and to give it an edge borrowed a 6.2-litre heart from its . ed Hemi V8 is rated at 523kW and ent to launch it from 0-96km/h in in 10.5s, making it the world’s truck. Even the quarter-mile g that’s not a ridiculously overnds. so purpose designed for bundu t it has 40% more wheel travel ’s based on. Other highlights daptive performance shocks, Dana 60 solid rear axle and an

e come in the form of bespoke with Goodyear Wrangler Territory e the Raptor, this one has a “Baja”

5

6

R E N A U LT O R O C H

FIAT STRADA DOUBLE CAB BRAZIL is one of the few countries that shares South Africa’s love affair with small half-ton bakkies, and the South American country has some contenders in that market that would almost certainly do well in South Africa. At first we were inclined to include the obvious choice, the VW’s Saveiro. Yes, it would sell in droves if it came here, but it is looking a little dated and set to be upstaged by the all-new Fiat Strada that was revealed earlier this year.

This Strada is a far cry from the one that was once assembled in Rosslyn and unlike its VW rival the Fiat is now available as a double cab, with a 650kg payload, while a 729kg single cab is also available for those with more demanding loads. The Strada is available in three specs, Endurance, Freedom and Volcano, and the cabin boasts modern touchscreen infotainment with a CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Although it is still a compact bakkie, it could use a bit more power, with the top option for now a normally aspirated 1.3 petrol that’s worth just 74kW. Now imagine a Ram or Dodge version of this with FCA’s 1.4 turbopetrol?

ANOTHER bakkie from Brazil that would probably do well in South Africa is the Renault Duster Oroch. Of course, Renault SA has already flirted with the idea of bringing this to South Africa, but that all hinges around right-hand drive variants becoming available, which hasn’t happened as yet.

While closely based on the previous-generation Renault Duster SUV that we’re all familiar with, the Oroch has been stretched to a length of 4.7 metres, so in size terms its slots between the traditional compact bakkies and the larger one-tonners.

It’s not-too-big, not-too-small footprint could make it very popular with local buyers on a budget, while its 680kg payload should meet most urban needs.

Renault also offers an innovative tailgate extension system that allows owners to haul longer loads.

Unfortunately Renault’s 1.5 dCi diesel is not offered as an option, but buyers can still opt for a 2-litre normally aspirated petrol motor with 110kW, which should get the job done quite easily given that this is not a huge or heavy bakkie.

PRITESH RUTHUN

6 OF THE best

THE bakkie wars are heating up as OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) around the world prepare to launch new pick-up trucks across multiple segments, all set to debut in the coming years.

In this edition, you will read about big and small bakkies we wish were sold here, and while we yearn for them to arrive, there are still some extremely formidable light commercial vehicles on sale in South Africa that you can buy.

After much debate, and back and forth, our team settled on six that will hit your sweet spot in terms of quality, dynamics, engineering and aftersales support.

These bakkies represent the best of the best in the LCV segment and each brings a unique offering, some with thundering performance, others with rugged “goanywhere ability”.

Here are Drive360’s top six bakkies (in no particular order) on sale in South Africa in 2020:

6 VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK

It’s hard to believe that the Amarok is almost a decade old. The wolf made headlines when it debuted its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, which most believed would not have the mettle to stand up to the 3.0-litre Toyotas and Fords of the time. Ten years on, the Amarok soldiers on, with very few readers reporting niggles with their vehicles.

Our pick of the Amarok range, however, is not the 2.0-litre. Oh no, we recommend the big, bad, imposing Amarok V6 TDI Double Cab. You see, if you’re going to spend lots of money, on a bakkie, you might as well spend it on one of the

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK most SUV-like out there. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class V6 came close to trumping the Amarok in our testing but, in the end, the sublime nature and the sheer grunt of the Amarok won us over.

When you’re going tyre-kicking, ask the salesman about the Canyon edition, which was launched towards the end of last year, as it’s the most up-todate version and it’s brimming with safety, comfort and driving technology. They might try to sell you a 2.0-litre BiTDI Dark Label version, but that’s not the one, trust us.

For what it’s worth, the Amarok Canyon rangetopper comes with Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, parking distance control (front

and rear) with a rear view camera, Radio Composition Media and App-Connect with voice control. It can be personalised with optional features such as the Discover Media system which includes satellite navigation as well as a seat heating package.

A comprehensive list of safety equipment comes standard too – including six airbags, tyre pressure monitor, Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), Electronic Trailer Stabilisation, Hill Descent Assist, Offroad ABS with Hill Hold Assist, and Volkswagen’s award-winning automatic post-collision braking system, which can reduce the chance of or severity of a second accident in the event of a collision.

The Amarok Canyon 3.0-litre V6 TDI, with

MITSUBISHI TRITON permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive, boasts 165kW from 3 000rpm and 550Nm from 1 400rpm. With overboost, power jumps to 180kW and torque to 580Nm for about 10 seconds, which is helpful when overtaking.

The Amarok, with the V6 engine, completes the zero to 100 km/h sprint in 8.0 seconds and has a top speed of 193km/h. The average fuel consumption is 9l/100km.

Prices start at R852 800 for the Canyon and it comes with a 3-year/100 000km warranty, 5-year/90 000km Service Plan and a 6-year anticorrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km.

5 MITSUBISHI TRITON

Perhaps THE most-underrated bakkie on sale in South Africa, the latest generation Triton is built tough and it’s ready to take on the daily grind or a trip up Sani Pass at a moment’s notice. Our pick of the range is the recently introduced Triton Xtreme, which is only available in 4x4 Double Cab Auto guise. This adventure-honed double-cab bakkie is powered by a powerful, yet refined and responsive, 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo-diesel engine, coupled to Mitsubishi’s advanced Super Select II 4WD system with electronic off-road assistance.

On the inside, there is a Sport automatic shift knob and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with extra

features to mirror your smart device. With this feature you can get directions, make and receive calls, send and receive messages, and listen to your favourite downloaded music. Most importantly, you can do all of this without fumbling around – with your full attention focused on the road.

Out of view, but equally practical, the Triton Xtreme also boasts new “Ezydown” hydraulic dampers, allowing the tailgate to open gently. The load box now has professionally applied rubberising, protecting the vehicle and the contents in the back, especially adventure owners’ expensive and sometimes delicate extreme sports gear. A load bay cover makes sure these are kept hidden from prying eyes and protected against rain and dust, while an additional tailgate locking feature helps to safeguard the contents.

The new Triton Xtreme certainly is extreme on the outside, with a host of additional features making it immediately recognisable – even from a distance.

The Xtreme also boasts a seven-airbag system for increased safety for every seat, while Mitsubishi’s advanced RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) Body Construction utilises crumple zones that route and absorb energy during high-impact collisions.

Overall, the Triton Xtreme ticks so many boxes as an adventure vehicle, family vehicle, and workhorse, that it really is one of the best products Mitsubishi sells at the moment.

All new Tritons come with a 3-year/100 000km manufacturers’ warranty, a 5-year/90 000km Service Plan and a 5-year/unlimited mileage Roadside Assistance plan. Service intervals are every 10 000km or once a year. Prices start at R654 995.

TOYOTA HILUX

FORD RANGER

4 TOYOTA HILUX

Naturally, no bakkie list can be complete without the appearance of the venerable Hilux. It’s regularly one of the best-selling bakkies in South Africa, and that’s not only because it’s only a hit with fleet operators.

Farmers, footballers, golfers, teachers, you name it … the Hilux is a hit with anyone and everyone.

We found it really challenging to decide on the best in the range but, ultimately, felt that the premium one, the high-end Legend 50 is the one to have.

Celebrating 50 years of Hilux success in SA, the Legend 50 was launched last year alongside the striking Hilux GR Sport. We wanted to tell you to buy the latter, but that one was a limited edition, with only 600 units built for our country, sporting KYB dampers and host of performance upgrades to make it one of the sportiest Hiluxes ever made.

Nevertheless, with the Legend 50 you get a whole host of gloss black garnishing and stylish silver accents. Legend 50 badging, offset to the left, rounds off the front façade, complemented by the LED headlamps incorporating daytime running lights (DRL).

From the side, you’ll note chrome exterior mirrors and door handles, as well as black side steps, while a customised rear styling bar with matching Legend 50 badging and a textured, heavy-duty tonneau cover add rugged appeal.

At the back, there’s smoked tail lamps

and bespoke tailgate badging, while the model’s wheel and tyre package consists of Legend 50-specific two-tone 18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels, shod with 265/60/R18 all-terrain tyres.

The Hilux is plush on the inside, featuring an enlarged 20.3cm display that is now flush mounted and integrated into the dashboard, with additional rotary dials for volume and tune functions.

The unit also features keyfunction shortcut buttons, a touchscreen interface, on-board satellite navigation, DVD, USB, Bluetooth and AUX interfaces. Steering wheel controls and a reverse camera add comfort and convenience and, in general, the Hilux spec will give the Land Cruiser something to think about.

There are a whole host of Legend 50 models to choose from, including single and dbouble-cabs, with two engine choices – a diesel and a petrol.

We say go for the V6 petrol if you want a smooth drive, but if it’s frugalness you’re after, the 2.8 GD-6 is what you want.

All Hilux models come with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 9-services/90 000km Service Plan. The V6 double-cab will set you back R755 700.

MAHINDRA P

3 FORD

RANGER Like the Hilux, the Ranger remains the go-to choice for so many profession There are so ma from these days; it’s comprehensive pick country. Naturally, o line-up is the range (say that three time In this edition, yo capability of the Ra testing over six mon

PIK UP

s r nals. any Rangers to choose ’s truly one of the most k-up offerings in the our pick-of the Ranger e-topping Ranger Raptor es fast). ou can read about the aptor, which we’ll be nths and 10 000km.

There are other Ford Rangers worth looking at, though, particularly in the mid-range where the company offers a variety of single turbodiesel models.

Most recently, Ford expanded the Ranger line-up with the new

Thunder versions but, apart from cosmetics and interior upgrades, it’s still the tried and tested Ranger thousands of South Africans know and love.

Away from the Ranger Raptor and the range-topping Thunder version, the best of the Ranger line-up is at entry-level.

Keenly priced workhorses and XLS models allow access to the Ranger at a variety of competitive price points, and while the cheaper versions do lack technology and

safety kit, the build quality and the materials used inside the vehicle remain durable.

When you’re test-driving the Ranger, give the single-turbo version and BiTD (twinturbo) versions a go and see if you really need additional torque. We found the single turbo models to pull well enough and, if you really want the tech, then maybe stretch to a twin-turbo with the 10-speed autobox.

Overall, you won’t want for anything the higher up the range you go, as the Rangers can come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, radar-guided cruise control and other features that you’d normally find on premium executive sedans and SUVs. All Ford Rangers come with a 4-year/120 000km warranty, a 3-year/ unlimited distance roadside assistance plan and a 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 6-year/90 000km service plan is included, with 15 000km service intervals.

Ranger prices start at R323 400, but expect to pay around R564 700 for a decent XLS double-cab auto.

2 MAHINDRA PIK UP

What! A Mahindra among the Rangers and Hiluxes? Yes, they’ve come a long way and while they still aren’t the best in class, the Mahindra Scorpio has improved immensely. We picked the Scorpio to join this bunch of brutish bakkies because it does most of what the others do, usually for around half the price.

Okay, so the refinement isn’t as lush as it is in a latest-gen Japanese bakkie, but the localised versions – such as the Karoo we recently tested – is proof that Mahindra SA is listening to its customers and is at least trying to elevate the character and compelling elements of the vehicle.

So, which Pik Up should you buy?

Our pick of the range is the recently introduced six-speed automatic transmission Pik Up. It features a sequential self-shifting option and is mated, in 4x4 models, to a new Hill Descent Control (HDC) system that utilises engine and vehicle braking for slow descents on tough, off-road terrain and that can be controlled with the in-built cruise control system.

Mahindra says the transmission has been designed to offer near-imperceptible shifts and to best utilise the 320Nm of torque delivered by the mHawk turbodiesel engine, while the engine mapping itself has been fine tuned to work perfectly with the standard cruise control system, for effortless long-distance cruising.

The new automatic transmission is not the only change to the Pik Up flagship, as the S11 specification level boasts a new grille and bumper, upgraded headlamps and other subtle luxury changes to the design, to make sure that it immediately stands out as the top-of-the-range model.

In addition to the new front design, the Pik Up boasts colour-coded side mirrors with

integrated indicators and, at the rear of the new model, there are S11 and Automatic decals, as well as the addition of a new reverse camera that has, to date, not been available on any Pik Up model.

Mahindra first launched the Karoo Special Edition late in 2018, to celebrate the successful opening of its local assembly facility in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Since its launch, the Karoo has proven to be extremely popular – in both S6 and S10 specification levels – and it has prompted Mahindra to design a special S11 Karoo model with a refreshed design theme and even more equipment as standard.

The Pik Up S11 Automatic comes with a 4-year/120 000km warranty and free Roadside Assistance plan. It also has a comprehensive service plan for 5 years or 100 000 km. The range-topping S11 auto will set you back R429 900.

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER

1 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER

Okay, so we didn’t plan on including the Land Cruiser bakkies in this list, but we did – just to rub salt in the wounds of our motoring scribe counterparts in the US and UK. Everyone from CarWow’s Matt Watson to the Motor1’s Angel Sergeev want to get their hands the Land Cruiser, particularly the recently launched Namib and we can understand why… because they just don’t make them like this anymore. The Land Cruiser Namib edition was introduced to the South African market in

Q3 of 2019, featuring a bespoke overlanding accessory package and aesthetic enhancements.

The Namib was exceptionally well received – with all 60 units selling out by January 2020. With this positive market response, Toyota commissioned a re-run of the Land Cruiser Namib and added a singlecab derivative, based on customer requests. The

single and double-cab Land Cruiser Namib editions share a common package, distinguishing them from their “standard” Land Cruiser 79 brethren.

The Namib Package includes a new front grille with a robust mesh design and prominent Toyota lettering, stylised Namib badging on the fenders and tailgate, a heavy-duty steel front bumper with integrated nudge-bar and headlight protectors, large, high-intensity LED spotlights with protective covers, a tubular rear step with integrated towbar, and protective load-bin skin.

On the inside, although it’s still very utilitarian, you now get a cubby with integrated cooling duct, protective canvas seat covers with Namib insignia and anti-scuff panels, and a roofmounted console with LED lighting and storage binnacles.

Adventurers will appreciate the vehicle’s upgraded off-road suspension and its standard-fit 265/75/R16 Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx tyres. The “Namib” makes use of Toyota’s revered 1VD-FTV 4.5-litre turbodiesel engine, churning out 151kW and 430Nm from a low 1 200rpm (up to 3 200 rpm). Average fuel consumption is pegged at 11.3l/100km.

The Land Cruiser Namib comes with a 3-year/100 000km warranty, with no Service Plan as standard. If you can find one, you’ll have one of the coolest old-school (yet new) bakkies in the world.

D360 presents: speed & sound EARLIER this year, Huawei launched a more affordable version of its GT 2 smartwatch, the new GT 2e, which comes with a built-in heart-rate monitor, stress indicator and blood-oxygen sensor.

While it’s not as advanced as WearOS watches from Google or the infamous Apple Watch series, the GT 2e is one of the best value-for-money smartwatches you can buy right now, if you are looking to keep track of your vitals on a daily basis.

IDEAL FOR DRIVERS If you spend a lot of time on the road like I do, you might not be able to keep as fit as you would like to. This is where the GT 2e’s easy-to-use quick exercise modes and breathing exercise modes come in handy. Using the Huawei Health application on your smartphone, or directly selecting the mode through the watch itself, you can select from a variety of programmes that are designed to improve your cardiovascular and mental health and wellbeing, while reducing your overall stress levels.

PRITESH RUTHUN It’s also a very handy device to help you remain aware of incoming messages and alerts, but you don’t have to keep your phone near you (within reach while driving) as notifications from emails, WhatsApp and social media are sent directly to the watch.

You can also load music directly onto the watch thanks to 4gb of on-board memory, which is ideal for those moments where you need a little bit of music to help you relax on a long drive and, thanks to built-in Bluetooth, you can also pair the watch directly with a pair of ear-buds or over-the-ear headphones for sound on-the-go.

HOW IT WORKED FOR ME To see just how well the watch works in terms of keeping track of my heart rate and stress, I strapped it to my wrist for a couple of weeks to monitor what my body was doing during different parts of the day. To my surprise, it was quite accurate, showing me that my heart actually peaked at higher rates on different days, depending on

which vehicles I had been out testing.

My resting heart rate hovered between 60 and 63 beats per minute over the course of two weeks, but when I pushed a 911 GT3 RS on a bit of twisty mountain road for a few hours my heart rate peaked at 189BPM. I could feel my heart racing and my watch reflected the same. I used a Polar heart rate monitor to compare to the GT 2e and the BPMs matched.

I tried a similar test while 4x4-ing on a different day and my heart rate peaked at around 170BPM, lower than when driving the Porsche, but only because the size of the unintentional powerslide that took place in the bakkie was much smaller.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX To ensure the GT 2e remains relatively affordable, you get the watch, one set of straps, a charging cable, proprietary charger unit, and an instruction manual.

It fits snugly, even though I have a relatively thin wrist, and it was light and

comfortable to wear non-stop.

As far as wearable devices go, I’m relatively new to the scene, but I plan on using them more to assess how my body reacts to different moments of inertia in cars, particularly heart rates spikes and how that affects my stress levels on average. Prices start at R3 500.00 and, if you’re a racing driver, or a truck driver or just a driver that wants to know more about what’s happening to your body when you’re on the tarmac (or dirt), it’s a worthwhile investment in my opinion. ◆ If you would like to learn more about the Huawei GT 2e smartwatch, visit www. consumer.huawei.com

WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE DRIVE360’s adventure-vehicle specialist, Willem van de Putte shares his thoughts on why the bakkie is the ideal vehicle for South Africa…

We love bakkies. Drive around and you’ll see a lot more bakkies than any other vehicle, and it’s also borne out by the monthly sales charts.

So what is it that has us clamouring to get behind the wheel of one, at the expense of sometimes more sensible options?

We’re not talking about single and extended cabs here because as Blue Sky (PTY) Limited you have little choice other than to load and deliver your goods on the back of one.

We love our double cabs, whether they’re standard, fitted out with bling and low profiles, or kitted for serious offroading and overlanding.

It’s a lifestyle choice that goes with our braai, beaches, sunny skies and spending time outside. Although it’s true that some buy it for the image, the majority of us use it for what it was intended.

I mean, what else can you use to load garden refuse, or bags of cement and steel

for a DIY job on a Saturday, and then on Sunday throw in a couple of bags of wood and cooler boxes for a braai.

Sure, your SUV or sedan could probably do it, but have you tried to get the smell of rotten plants or fine cement dust out of the nooks and crannies rather that just taking a hose pipe to it?

Something else that came up, in a recent discussion with a friend, is that having all your gear in the back makes for a quieter ride. No matter how you pack for an extended trip, there’s always that one irritating squeak that will drive you dilly. No such problems with a double cab.

Double cabs have come a long way since the days of solid front axles, jarring suspension, bench seats and bad air conditioning.

Drive any modern bakkie and the ride is almost car-like, as manufacturers work to get a perfect balance between ride comfort and practicality.

Locally, the fight for dominance is essentially between the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger, with Isuzu also occasionally in the mix.

Mostly, though, the Hilux tops local sales with its legendary reliability, resale value and impressive dealer network.

With the Ranger, there’s a perceived (wrongly so) reliability issue, while their

dealer network stretches to some of the smallest towns in rural areas.

Don’t discount Isuzu’s D-Max that remains a strong favourite among many South African buyers on the back of the old KB range. There’s a new one scheduled for release next year and I maintain it will do more than just ruffle a few feathers.

Also, don’t forget the VW Amarok that set the tone for 2.0-litre turbo-diesels, that we were initially so sceptical about.

And while they make up the bulk of sales, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you weren’t taking a look at the new Mahindra range of double cabs that have improved impressively over the years.

Double cabs like the Mazda BT 50, Fiat Fullback, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara don’t seem to have the traction among buyers as much as they deserve to.

For me, especially, the Triton doesn’t get the recognition it deserves and it remains one of the most underrated double cabs on the market.

Whichever way you look at it, double cabs are in our blood and will remain to be so, but it will be interesting to see, over the next 12 to 24 months, how pricing – as a result of Covid-19 financial constraints – will affect buyer patterns.

BAKKIE country!

D360 presents: THE SOUTH African national rugby team, the Springboks as we affectionately know them, have been playing the game for more than 100 years.

As three-time world champions, they are globally renowned for their resilience and strength on the field. Off the field, though, most of the Bokke are car fanatics.

We caught up with two cup-winning Springbok players, S’bu Nkosi and Elton Jantjies, to find out more about their passion for cars, what they drive now and what they hope to have in their respective garages very soon.

S’BU NKOSI D360: What was your first car?

SN: It was relatively bland but very reliable 2016 Volkswagen Polo TSI. D360: Which is your favourite car you have owned?

SN: It has to be my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. It was my first true sports car. What a machine!

D360: What car do you drive now?

SN: I drive a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG. D360: What colour is it?

SN: I went for a matte black finish.

D360: Why did you buy a GLE AMG and not a sports car?

SN: I bought the GLE because I enjoy the comfortable ride of a Mercedes and this particular model gives me maximum comfort and raw speed (and it looks nice).

D360: So, the GLE suits your personality then?

SN: (He chuckles) I don’t know if it fits my personality, but I think the exhaust sounds like I would if I were a car.

D360: Does your car have a name?

SN: No, (he chuckled) it does not.

D360: If budget wasn’t an issue, what car would you buy

right this minute and why?

SN: When budget is not an issue, I will upgrade to a RollsRoyce Cullinan. It’s simply majestic.

D360: Tell us about a memorable drive or road trip. What made/makes it special?

SN: Driving from Durban to my mom in Barberton is always special. I’ll never forget the excitement of knowing I will see her soon. The beautiful scenery of KZN and Mpumalanga and, of, course, the allimportant ‘Sport Plus’ mode in my car makes for a fun and safe trip.

D360: Which is your favourite road to drive along in SA then?

SN: Definitely, it has to be the N3 highway. It’s very well-maintained and the scenery is impeccable.

D360: If you were a professional racing driver, what formula would you like to compete in and for which team?

SN: It would have to be Formula One. And, of course, I would have to drive for Mercedes. I love the brand and I would do anything to engage with Lewis Hamilton.

D360: Finally, can you name one motorsports personality who you respect or admire and why?

SN: For me, it’s Lewis Hamilton. He has proven again and

: sports stars & cars again that he is a master of his sport. I would love to hear his story and about his journey to the top.

ELTON JANTJIES D360: What was your first car?

EJ: I can’t remember the year model, but it was a Volkswagen Golf GTI that was loads of fun.

D360: Which is your favourite car that you have owned?

EJ: My Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 AMG S. Although it looked like an SUV, it went like a sports car.

D360: What car do you drive now?

EJ: I am still driving the GLE. It’s so good that I really don’t know when I will change it for a new car.

D360: What colour is it?

EJ: It’s not the most exciting colour, but I like it in white.

D360: What made you buy the GLE? EJ: I drove it and I just fell in love with the power. The rest, as they say, is history.

D360: Do you think the car fits your personality?

EJ: Yes, definitely (he laughs). It’s all about the speed, I love it, and the stability on

the road.

D360: Does your car have a name?

EJ: No name (he chuckles).

D360: If budget wasn’t an issue, what car would you buy right this minute and why?

EJ: Well, my goal is to buy a Lamborghini Aventador, which I hope to achieve one day soon.

D360: Tell us about a memorable drive or road trip. What made/makes it special?

EJ: Driving down to Cape Town for the first time was quite special due to the fact that my dad always said he wanted me to do the ‘long one’ in my life – to drive from Pretoria to Cape Town.

D360: So the N1 to Cape Town is your favourite road then?

EJ: Actually, my favourite road is the highway between Pretoria and Joburg. It’s the road I’ve been driving the most for the last 10 years and it has its moments.

D360: If you were a racing driver, what formula would you like to compete in and for which team?

EJ: I’d like to race in F1 because of all legendary guys like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

D360: Can you name one motorsports personality that you respect or admire and why?

EJ: It has to be Michael Schumacher. He is the only one I used to follow back in the day. Also, just the fact that he has been a consistent champion at what he does is inspirational to me. ◆ Don’t miss next month’s edition when we sit down with former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker to talk cars.

TOUCH-FREE mobility “AS COUNTRIES around the world exit lockdown, we notice how many everyday consumer transactions are conducted using touch screens: railway or cinema tickets, ATMs, airport check-ins and supermarket self-service checkouts, as well as many industrial and manufacturing applications.

“Predictive touch technology eliminates the need to touch an interactive display and could, therefore, reduce the risk of spreading bacteria or viruses on surfaces. The technology also offers us the chance to make vehicles safer by reducing the cognitive load on drivers and increasing the amount of time they can spend focused on the road ahead. This is a key part of our Destination Zero journey… ” That’s according to Lee Skrypchuk, human machine interface technical specialist, at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

TOUCHING IS A THING OF THE PAST According to Skrypchuk, new contactless touch screen technology developed by Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge will help keep drivers’ eyes on the road and reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses in a post Covid-19 world.

The patented technology, known as “predictive touch”, uses artificial intelligence and sensors to predict a user’s intended target on the touch screen – whether that’s satellite navigation, temperature controls or entertainment settings – without touching a button. The system, developed

PRITESH RUTHUN with engineers at the University of Cambridge, is part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero vision – a desire to make its vehicles safer and the environment cleaner and healthier.

In the “new normal” once lockdowns around the world are lifted, a greater emphasis will be placed on safe, clean mobility where personal space and hygiene will carry premiums. Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are already designed to help improve passenger well-being, with innovations including a Driver Condition Monitor, engine noise cancellation and cabin air ionisation with PM2.5 filtration to capture ultra-fine particles and allergens. New technology like predictive touch is another step forward as we address the wider landscape of mobility, from how customers connect with mobility services, to the infrastructure required to enable fully integrated, autonomous vehicles in our cities, like Project Vector.

Lab tests and on-road trials showed the predictive touch technology could reduce a driver’s touch screen interaction effort and time by up to 50%, as well as limiting the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Uneven or poor road surfaces can often cause vibrations that make it difficult to select the correct button on a touch screen. This means drivers must take their attention away from the road, increasing the risk of an accident.

HOW IT WORKS The technology uses artificial intelligence to determine the item the user intends to select on the screen early in the pointing task, speeding up the interaction. A gesture tracker uses vision-based or radio frequency-based sensors, which are increasingly common in consumer electronics, to combine contextual information such as user profile, interface design and environmental conditions with data available from other sensors, such as an eye-gaze tracker, to infer the user’s intent in real time. This software-based solution for contactless interactions has reached high technology readiness levels and can be seamlessly integrated into existing touch screens and interactive displays, so long as the correct sensory data is available to support the machine learning algorithm.

According to Professor Simon Godsill from Cambridge University’s Department of Engineering: “Touch screens and other interactive displays are something most people use multiple times per day, but they can be difficult to use while in motion, whether that’s driving a car or changing the music on your cellphone while you’re running. We also know that certain pathogens can be transmitted via surfaces, so this technology could help reduce the risk for that type of transmission.” ◆ Note: JLR’s contactless touch tech is still in development.

Cars & Covid-1 9

HASSLE-FREE service

How to professionally care for your vehicle at home without getting your hands dirty PRITESH RUTHUN

CAN’T go to the workshop for that critical engine service or repair? Well then, why not let the workshop come to you?

An innovative Uber-like technology platform that brings mechanics right to your doorstep, at a time that fits into your schedule, has been launched in South Africa.

MEET THE MICHANIC The brainchild of South African entrepreneur, Lesetja Dikgale, Michanic is looking to disrupt the automotive repair industry by providing an online offering that takes the hassle out of car repairs.

The platform allows customers to receive an allinclusive quote online within a few clicks.

“We are the only company on the African continent that is currently capable of providing this service. Customers can have their cars serviced at any convenient location, whether it’s at home, at work or even anywhere in between,” Dikgale says.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Michanic was founded in 2016 and was selected as one of the top 20 start-ups from over 170 competitors in Google’s Developer Launchpad Programme – a global acceleration programme that helps innovative technological start-ups. After receiving seed funding from Praesidium Capital

Management, the business launched officially in February 2018 after years of development.

Michanic has since gone from strength to strength, progressively growing its platform to cover more than 90% of the Gauteng area and has a growing customer base in the Western Cape.

Already boasting more than 12 000 monthly visitors to its site, Michanic has future plans to expand into KwaZulu-Natal in the fourth quarter of 2020.

BRINGING TRANSPARENCY Dikgale says: “Outdated automotive industry service models are no longer streamlined for the convenience of customers and anti-competitive pricing leaves customers at the mercy of big-name dealerships. We focus on customer convenience first, and we have found success in taking the hassle and the extra costs out of car maintenance.”

He explains that even in a tough economic environment, the platform has managed to grow its network and client base significantly by always having a client-centric approach: “On our unique Michanic interface, we are constantly adding new features to make it even easier for our customers to receive the best service possible. This business has directly created over 30 much-needed job opportunities for mechanics and support staff, including many female mechanics and female support technicians too.” ◆ For more info or to book a “Michanic” see www.michanic.co.za.

THUNDER PRITESH RUTHUN IF THE Ranger Raptor featured in this edition is too hardcore for you, then the recently introduced Ranger Thunder might be precisely what you need.

Ford has spiced up its Ranger double cab line-up with a new special edition. Slotting above the Wildtrak models but below the Raptor, the Thunder edition gains some unique design garnishes as well as some practical additions to the load box.

WHAT WE LIKE All XLT, Wildtrak and Raptor models, along with the Thunder of course, now sport LED headlights with LED daytime running lights as standard.

The XLS variant’s 20.3cm touch screen infotainment system replaces the Sync1 set-up, and this system is now also available as an option on XL models.

Stealing Thunder from its rivals? You’ll easily spot the Ford Ranger Thunder thanks to its unique grille with red ‘nostril’ accents and honeycomb patterning.

Also setting it apart are its new 18-inch alloy wheels finished in black, red accents on the sports bar and ‘Thunder’ graphics on the doors and tailgate.

Buyers can choose from three colours: Absolute Black, Sea Grey and Frozen White.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE The interior has red contrast stitching for the black leather upholstery on the seats, dashboard and gear lever, while the seats get red ‘Thunder’ embroidery just in case you forget that you bought a special edition bakkie. But there’s more to this than the cosmetics.

The Ranger Thu load bin accessorie system with a bed d compartmentalise t Top’ black roller sh These items are with those Rangers pre-upgraded rang

WHAT YOU’LL L Like the Wildtra Edition is available more traditional 3.

470Nm, and the n produces 157kW a The 3.2 is only BiT also offers a 4x 3.2 is paired with a gets Ford’s 10-spee Priced at R711 2.0 BiT 4x2 and R7 Thunder models ea R33 400 over the e It won’t jump th look the part if you 2021 in.

FORD RANGER 3.2 TDCI DOUB R711 600 2.0L BiT DOUBL R736 000 2.0L BiT DOUBL R787 000

R struck

under also receives a few nifty es, including a cargo management divider that allows owners to the space, and a lockable ‘Mountain hutter. nice to have, but it won’t sit well s owners who took delivery of their ge-topping Rangers last month.

LIKE ak that it’s based on, the Thunder e with two engines, these being the .2-litre turbodiesel with 147kW and newer 2-litre twin-turbo diesel, which and 500Nm. available in 4x2 guise, but the 2.0 x4 option. As for transmission, the a six-speed automatic, while the 2.0 ed autobox.

600 for the 3.2, R736 000 for the 787 000 for the 2.0 BiT 4x4, the ach command a price premium of equivalent Wildtrak derivatives. he dunes like the Raptor, but it will u want a butch bakkie to take on

R THUNDER PRICING BLE CAB (6-speed AT 4X2)

LE CAB (10-speed AT 4X2)

LE CAB (10-speed AT 4X4)

Ford Ranger Thunder

Inspiration for your custom bakkie build PRITESH RUTHUN LOOKING to build a unique bakkie of your own in the coming months?

Need some inspiration? Why not take a leaf out of the Hennessey playbook?

Bob Berard, owner of one of the largest potato farms in the state of Wisconsin in the US, has commissioned the mad folk over at Hennessey Performance to build one heck of a potato hauling rig for him; to use as (what we all hope will be) a daily.

BARN (OR IS THAT BAHN) STORMER “Following the success of our VelociRaptor 6X6, we are adding another six-wheel drive truck to our stable of exclusive offroad vehicles. Based on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, the Goliath 6X6 takes an already

very capable Chevy 4X4 truck and elevates its off-road capabilities to another level.

We are very excited to offer it alongside our VelociRaptor 6X6 truck,” says company founder and chief executive, John Hennessey.

“These are very exclusive and unique vehicles that make a huge statement anywhere our clients go – whether its Rodeo drive or the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert.”

Fortunately, for those who have the bucks, Hennessey Performance is building 24 of these Mad Max: Fury Road cars for the US and other markets.

However, you’d better act fast, because while it is pricey at over R5 million, it is actually cheaper than well-specced Bentaygas and Cullinans. But, don’t ask us to tell you how to haul your potatoes.

MEET TH

HE monster

THE R6 MILLION BAKKIE Meet the $375 000 (R6.2 million) Chevrolet Silverado-based Hennessey Goliath 6x6.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of its juicy gizzards: ◆ Hennessey Performance custom 6X6 conversion with additional axle, wheels, tyres and brakes. ◆ All-new rear suspension system. ◆ 8-inch custom lift kit. ◆ Lengthened ‘6X6’ load bed. ◆ Customised Hennessey Performance 20-inch wheels. ◆ TOYO 37-inch-wide off-road tyres. ◆ Custom roll-bar upgrade. ◆ Full LED lights. ◆ Hennessey Performance front and rear bumpers. ◆ 336kW engine upgrade (cold air intake and high-performance stainless steel exhaust upgrade).

FOR MORE DEALS

CLICK HERE!!