West Coast flower spectacle

October 2020 / November 2020October 2020 / November 2020www.roadtripmag.co.za

Make the journey your dest inat ionyour dest inat ion

Defender CountryTracing local Landy production

T-Roc to the Peak New VW driven in the UK

Langkloof in a CanyonAmarok confronts Duiwelskop

Suzuki and SharksV-STROM visit to Gansbaai

WildCloverWest Coast flower spectacle

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C: 074 126 0022 | E: [email protected] | A: 17 Huguenot Rd, Franschhoek, 7690

4

CONTENTSOCT 2020 / NOV 2020

ON THE COVERWild Clover

Image © Ryan Abbott

Turn to page44 to read more.

10DOWN THE ROADNew Hyundai Tucson

12DOWN THE ROADKia Sonet

14DOWN THE ROADNew Mahindra Thar

16DOWN THE ROADJeep Grand Wagoneer Concept

18DOWN THE ROADVolkswagen ID

30DESTINATIONGrootbos Private Nature Reserve

34ON THE ROADBrandt BRV

38ON THE ROADNissan Patrol

40ON THE ROADRange Rover Sport SVR Carbon Edition

44MAIN TRIPClover to Klawer: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q

54LOCAL TRIP70 Years of local Land Rovers

64COMPETITIONWe have a WINNER!

66INTERNATIONAL TRIPVW T-Roc to the Peak District

72ROAD TESTSeltos Diesel to the Overberg

76LOCAL EVENTBeyond the Lockdown

84ROAD TESTJeep Compass 2.4 4x4 Trailhawk

88DESTINATIONTintswalo Lapalala

92LOCAL TRIPCanyon to the Langkloof

100BIKE TRIPSuzuki 1050 V-STROM

FEA

TUR

ES

October 2020 / November 2020October 2020 / November 2020www.roadtripmag.co.za

Make the journey your dest inat ionyour dest inat ion

Defender CountryTracing local Landy production

T-Roc to the Peak New VW driven in the UK

Langkloof in a CanyonAmarok confronts Duiwelskop

Suzuki and SharksV-STROM visit to Gansbaai

WildCloverWest Coast flower spectacle

54

• 6 Year / 100,000 KM Maintenance Plan• 0 to 100 in just 3.7 Seconds• 6.2 l Hemi V8 Engine • 522 kW

0% DEPOSIT 0% INTEREST 0% BALLOON

Model: Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Cash Price: R2 199 900. Term: 72 Months. Deposit: R0 (0%). Balloon Payment: R0 (0%) Interest rate: 0%. Total Cost of Financing: R2 206 283. Monthly instalment: R30 574 (excludes monthly admin fee of R69pm). Total cost of financing includes Bank Initiation fee of R1,208 and monthly admin fee. Interest rates are linked to the prime lending rate which is currently 7.00% and are subject to change in the event that the prime lending rate changes. Finance offers subject to approval from FCA Finance South Africa, a product of WesBank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, a Registered Bank, an authorized Finance Services and Credit Provider (NCRCP20). Offer valid until 30 November 2020. Terms and conditions apply. Visual for illustration purposes only. E& OE. Price doesn’t include any chargeable options. Jeep is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC. jeep.co.za

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6

08 FROM THE EDITOR

20TRIP NEWS

22ROAD READY

28TRIP GEAR

106DESTINATION GUIDE

112BACKROAD COLUMN

REG

ULA

RS

CONTRIBUTERS TO THIS ISSUE:Ferdi de Vos, Paul van Gass, Jim Freeman, Nicky Furniss, Marc Bow and Jacques Marais. Special photography by Ryan Abbott, Jim Freeman and Marc Bow.

CONTENTSOCT 2020 / NOV 2020

100

76

88

maxxis.co.za

http://www.maxxis.co.za/

8

PUBLISHER & CEO Wilhelm Loots | [email protected]

PUBLISHING DIRECTORBernie Hellberg | [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDeidre Loots | [email protected]

EDITORFerdi de Vos | [email protected]

CREATIVE MANAGERRyan Abbott | [email protected]

MEDIA TRAFFICChelsey Stain | [email protected]

ACCOUNTS [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALESNational Sales Manager(Business Development)Chantal Barton+27 79 626 0782 | [email protected]

National Sales Manager(Regional & SADC)Bryan Kayavhu+27 83 785 6691 | [email protected]

PRINTINGBusiness Print Centre, Pretoria

TCB MEDIATel: +27 861 THE MAG (+27 861 843 624) Fax: +27 866 790 006Pretoria: +27 21 347 [email protected]

RoadTrip magazine is published by TCB Media. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of TCB Media, or any of the subsidiaries of the aforementioned companies, their strategic partners or their clients. Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. No material (articles or photographs) in this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the Editor.Submissions of articles and photographs for publication are welcomed, but the publisher, while exercising all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. Please ensure that all material is sent by email to [email protected] © 2020. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to TCB Media, and/or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

ISSN 2521-2176

Editorfrom the

CRIMSON AND CLOVERCrimson and clover, over and over … and all the colours in

between. This is the splendour we experienced when we headed down the Cape West Coast in the ferocious Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio for the annual wildflower season and a quick journey to the town of Klawer.

The flowers are truly magnificent this year, and their wild abandon of bright, joyous colours is really a sight to behold. Admiring the spectacle of colour, and the sights on the road getting there, was also uplifting after months of not being able to travel, and soothing for the soul …

With local travel now allowed, albeit still somewhat restricted in terms of compliance to the Covid-19 regulations, we were also able to visit the Eastern Cape to follow the trail of Land Rover manufacturing in the country. You see, it was seventy years ago – in August 1950 – when the first Land Rover Series I was assembled in Frontier Country.

So, we decided to trace the production path of local Land Rovers, including the original Defender, from East London to Cape Town in a highly accessorised new Defender 110 P400 S … Meanwhile, contributor Jim Freeman also visited the Eastern Cape – in search of canyons in the Langkloof with a special edition Volkswagen Amarok bakkie.

We also report on the Beyond the Lockdown expedition, supported by Isuzu and Dunlop Tyres – a 9 000 km journey traversing all nine provinces, aimed at kick-starting some of the most unique community adventure projects in the

country; as narrated by experienced photo-journalist Jacques Marais.

Kia Motors South Africa invited us on a short journey with their latest Seltos diesel model to support local businesses in the Overberg region, while Mr Freeman took the latest 1050 V-STROM from bikemaker Suzuki for a juice-flowing jaunt to Gansbaai, supposedly to check out the sharks but actually just to chill out at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve …

On the overseas front, European contributor Marc Bow tells us about his scenic drive to the snowy Peak District in the United Kingdom – the mini-Drakensberg of England – in the new T-Roc SUV from Volkswagen; set for local release in November. Also, be sure not to miss the article on our visit to local manufacturer BRV Brand in Bloemfontein, the builders of our own “Grenadier” …

Lastly, our fantastic competition to win the Epic road trip of your dreams in association with Toyota South Africa attracted literally hundreds of entries from all over the country. To see for whom this incredible prize has become reality, go to page 64.

So, go travel within the borders of our country, and support local businesses.

[email protected] / @FerdiVos

Ferdi

Trip Notes

S O M E T H I N G

B I G

I S

C O M I N G

Be the first to find out about the new Volvo Trucks range coming to South Africa.

Visit volvotrucks.co.za/en-za/trucks/ someting-big.html to find out more.

https://www.volvotrucks.co.za/en-za/trucks/someting-big.html

10

The recently unveiled new fourth-

generation Tucson compact SUV is

not just an evolution, but a Hyundai

design revolution. Featuring an advanced,

experimental design and state-of the-art

technology, Hyundai states the new Tucson

sets new standards in the compact SUV

segment, offering the most electrified

powertrain line-up in its class.

The bestselling Hyundai SUV globally

now features a bigger and wider body

than its predecessor. Developed according

to the new “Sensuous Sportiness” design

identity of Hyundai, the new Tucson

combines sharp angles and dynamic

proportions with a muscular stance,

ensuring a progressive look.

This design language was inspired by

the Hyundai Vision T SUV concept, unveiled

at the 2019 AutoMobility LA. Refraining

from traditional drawing and sketching

methods, the Hyundai designers developed

the futuristic design elements through

geometric algorithms produced by cutting-

edge digital technology.

This process, known as “parametric

dynamics”, utilises lines, faces, angles,

and shapes created through digital data

to create unprecedented, bold design

aesthetics. As a result, prominent geometric

patterns known as “parametric jewels”

appear throughout the design of the

Tucson – the most prominent on the

front grille, with Parametric Hidden Lights

providing a strong first impression.

When the lights are off, the front of

the vehicle appears covered in dark,

geometric patterns, with no distinction

between the LED Daytime Running Lights

(DRL) integrated into the grille. When the

DRLs are switched on, the dark chrome

appearance of the grille transforms into

eye-catching jewel-like shapes.

Parametric jewels also feature

prominently on the side of the vehicle

RevolutionText: Paul van Gass | Images: Hyundai Global

Design

11Make the journey your destination

with chiselled surfaces creating a contrast

between a sleek silhouette and wedge;

according to Hyundai suggesting forward

motion even when standing still. Whether

it is attractive, though, depends on

personal taste.

This is accentuated through a chrome

accent line with an edged parabolic

shape, starting from the side mirrors and

continuing all the way to the C-pillar and

the doors are complemented by a sharp,

bold side character line. The design theme

continues with wide taillights at the rear

with parametric hidden light details and

a rear bumper that integrates parametric

pattern details. The high-tech design

elements are crowned by a smooth glass

Hyundai logo.

Spacious interior

The interior, or Interspace in Hyundai-

speak, feature sensuous forms, with twin

silver garnish lines streaming from the

centre fascia to the rear doors. A new

10.25-inch AVN-T screen fills the centre of

the vehicle and all the functions, also for

Multi-Air Mode, are controlled via touch,

making the Tucson the first Hyundai model

to feature a full touchscreen console.

High-quality soft-touch materials

appear throughout the interior and three

interior trims, including one-tone black in

fabric or leather, two-tone black and beige

in fabric or leather, and the teal colour

pack, are available. At 20 mm longer,

15 mm wider, and a 10 mm increase in

wheelbase compared to the previous

generation, the new Tucson now offers up

to 620 l of luggage space (1 799 l with the

seats folded).

The new SUV also features four-wheel-

drive and Terrain Modes, utilising HTRAC

technology and three additional terrain

modes – Mud, Sand, and Snow – to

optimise the driving experience on a variety

of terrain. Customers can choose between

two different suspension systems.

Electrification

Three electrified powertrain options

(petrol and diesel 48-volt mild hybrid, full

hybrid, and plug-in hybrid) and two internal

combustion engines with four transmission

choices are available in the new Tucson

and completes the electrification of the

Hyundai SUV fleet.

The hybrid version consists of the new

1.6-litre T-GDI (petrolturbo direct injection)

Smartstream engine and a 44,2 kW electric

motor, with a 1,49 kWh lithium-ion polymer

battery (total output 169 kW), paired with a

six-speed auto transmission and available

with two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.

Three 48-volt mild hybrid technology

options are available with power output

ranging from 110 kW (diesel) to 132 kW.

The normal drivetrain options include

the 110 kW 1.6-litre T-GDI with six-

speed manual transmission and four- or

two-wheel-drive, and the 1.6-litre CRDi

diesel with 85 kW, six-speed manual

transmission and two-wheel-drive. A

plug-in hybrid version with 195 kW will

also be available later. The new Tucson is

expected to arrive in South Africa at the

beginning of next year.

12

Sonet surprise

Korean car maker Kia has surprised

the world with the speed with

which the Sonet, its all-new smart

urban compact SUV, has progressed

from concept to fully-fledged production

model – and it is set to be launched in

South Africa soon.

The Sonet was recently unveiled to the

world in a digital presentation from New

Delhi as the latest made-in-India global

product from Kia after the Seltos. The Sonet,

based on the same platform as the Hyundai

Venue, marks the entry of Kia into the

burgeoning small compact SUV segment.

The world premiere followed quite

soon after the global unveiling of the

Sonet Concept at the Delhi Auto Expo

in February this year. Displaying a

dynamic stance in a confident, compact

body, the Sonet showcases a range of

appealing styling attributes such as a fresh

interpretation of the signature “tiger-nose”

grille flanked by “heartbeat” LED daytime

running lights, and a stylish front skid

plate underneath.

Its sporty silhouette is enhanced by

the unique design and structure of its

C-pillar, matched with a wraparound rear

windscreen and “heartbeat” LED tail lamps

at the rear. Additional highlights at the rear

include a sporty dual muffler design and

diffuser fin rear skid plate.

Inside, the 26 cm connected

infotainment and 10,66 cm cluster

interface is well laid out and easy to

use, a BOSE sound system and LED

mood lighting is available, and Kia

states high-quality materials are used

throughout the roomy interior, GT-Line

models are finished with contrast red

stitching on the steering wheel, seats,

and door armrest.

Text: Paul van Gass | Images: Kia South Africa

12


Power units

The new small compact SUV is offered

with a choice of two petrol engines –

a Smartstream 1.2-litre four-cylinder,

delivering 61 kW of power and 115 Nm

of torque, and a 1.0 T-GDi (turbocharged

gasoline direct injection) with 88 kW of

power and 172 Nm of torque, and a 1.5-litre

CRDi diesel mill, as used in the Seltos

distributing 85 kW of power and 250 Nm

of torque.

Five transmissions, including five- and

six-speed manuals, a seven-speed DCT,

six-speed automatic, and the new six-

speed Smartstream intelligent manual

transmission (iMT), are available. For the

first time in this segment, the Sonet also

offers its 1.5-litre diesel engine with six-

speed automatic transmission.

The newcomer will be offered in a

dual trim concept, with the sporty GT-Line

enhancing its racy appeal with multiple

design and functional elements. The Sonet

models are also equipped with multiple

drive and traction modes, and grip control

for automatic models.

With more than two thirds of its

body made up of high strength steel,

the Sonet has a lightweight yet robust

structure. Six airbags are available in

some models, as well as a number of

active and passive safety systems. The

new Sonet is expected to make its South

African debut either late this year, or

early next year. More information about

local specification, powertrains, and

transmissions will be released closer to

the launch date.


14

New ava -Thar

Mahindra may have lost the

infringement case concerning the

Roxor (a model based on the Thar

and a Jeep CJ lookalike) against Jeep in

the United States but this has not deter the

Indian giant to unveil its brand-new Thar on

the occasion of the 74th Independence Day

of the country.

According to Mahindra the Thar, in its

all-new avatar, builds on its iconic design

and represents a quantum leap in terms

of performance, everyday comfort and

convenience, technology and safety,

while staying true to its core promise of

unmatched off-roading capability.

The design of the new Thar stays true

to the recognisable two-door silhouette

of its predecessors but adds purposeful

and contemporary touches to it. It now

has a wider, better-balanced stance and

the redesigned interior mirrors the robust,

retro-style cues of the exterior.

Also known as the “Mahindra Classics”

the Jeep-like vehicle was one of the

first to be produced in India over seven

decades ago. Designed and engineered in

India it will be built in the Mahindra Nashik

Plant. The newcomer is powered by two

new engines – the 2.0-litre mStallion TGDi

petrol (112 kW and 320 Nm) and 2.2-litre

mHawk CRDe diesel (97 kW and 320 Nm).

The engines are mated to either a six-

speed manual transmission or six-speed

torque converter automatic gearbox with

Shift-on-the-Fly 4×4 manual shift transfer

case with low crawl ratio. It rides on an

extensively tested body-on-frame chassis

and is equipped with advanced off-road

hardware, including a mechanical diff-lock

and brake diff-lock, and large 18-inch all-

terrain tyres.

New comfort and convenience

features include sporty, height-adjustable

front seats, roof-mounted speakers, and

central locking with remote flip key.

ABS, EBD, dual airbags, ESP with rollover

mitigation, hill-hold and hill descent

control are all standard.

Technology features include an 18 cm

touchscreen infotainment system with

Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, USB and

navigation, cruise control, and a tyre

direction monitoring system. The new

Thar, available with hard top, convertible

top, and optional soft top, is expected to

make its local debut next year.

Text: Paul van Gass | Images: Mahindra & Mahindra

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1616

Wagoneer returns

Those who remember the Jeep

Wagoneer models of yesteryear,

will be pleased with the rebirth, and

return of the nameplate as a premium

extension of the Jeep brand – as signified

by the recent introduction in Detroit of the

new Grand Wagoneer Concept.

Marking the rebirth of a classic American

icon, the virtually road-ready Grand

Wagoneer Concept provides a vision of

what the modern expression of the original

premium SUV can be. As can be expected,

the Grand Wagoneer Concept boasts

a wide array of leading-edge premium

technology, including an electrified

powertrain, sophisticated 4×4 off-road

systems, and even a passenger screen –

part of an unmatched selection of upscale,

premium interior features.

The first Wagoneer and Grand

Wagoneer created a new segment as the

ultimate premium SUV of its day. Born in

America in 1962 for the 1963 model year,

the Wagoneer was the first four-wheel-drive

vehicle to sport an automatic transmission,

and in this sense was a pioneer of the

modern SUV segment.

The 1984 Grand Wagoneer marked the

beginning of the premium SUV niche, with

a huge array of standard features, such as

leather upholstery, air conditioning, AM/FM/

CB stereo radios, added sound insulation,

and a dramatic increase in engine

horsepower and torque.

The Concept model – now for the first

time – features a spacious third row of

seats, and this will be carried over to the

production Grand Wagoneer models, to be

built in Warren, Michigan, slated to arrive in

American showrooms next year. Production

models will be available with three 4×4

systems and Quadra-Lift air suspension.

Many interior elements pay tribute to

the history of the Grand Wagoneer, such

as the two-spoke steering wheel and an

inscription – EST. 1963 – on the outer edge

of the instrument panel. Huge information

display screens, an onyx glass mid-bolster,

and 3-D treated wood inlay runs the length

of the instrument panel.

The technology-rich interior is powered

by the new Uconnect 5 system, and

the Concept has the only vehicle audio

system in the world powered by McIntosh.

It also features a plug-in hybrid electric

vehicle powertrain system, giving greater

torque and immediate engine response.

The production Wagoneer and Grand

Wagoneer is expected to be revealed early

next year but it is not yet clear whether they

will make it to our shores.

Text: Paul van Gass | Images: FCA Group

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18

With the recent digital launch of

the ID.4, Volkswagen is now

offering a fully electrically driven

SUV for the very first time. It offers the

space, flexibility, and versatility customers

appreciate about SUVs, and as the first

global electric vehicle from the German

brand, it will roll out the modular electric

drive matrix platform developed specifically

for electric mobility the world over.

The ID.4 launches into the largest

market segment in the world, the compact

SUV class, and as such it needs all-round

talent to be driven in a sporty, yet easy and

comfortable way. The battery stores up

to 77 kWh of energy (net) and enables a

range of up to 520 km (WLTP). It is installed

below the passenger compartment that

guarantees a low centre of gravity.

The electric drive motor of the ID.4,

positioned at the rear axle, generates

150 kW – enough to let it accelerate from

0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and reach

a top speed of 160 km/h, according to

Volkswagen. Thanks to the rear-wheel-

drive grip and its ground clearance of

210 mm, the E-SUV also performs well in

soft-road terrain.

The athletic exterior proportions of the

ID.4 guarantee good aerodynamics and a

drag coefficient of 0.28. The headlights are

almost completely equipped with light-

emitting diodes and the rear light clusters

are fully equipped with this technology. The

flagship version has interactive IQ.Light LED

matrix headlights, paired with new 3D LED

tail light clusters.

With a length of 4,58 m thanks to

the modular electric drive matrix (MEB)

A f irst for VWText: Paul van Gass | Images: Volkswagen AG

ID.4 electric SUV launched


architecture, the ID.4 has a roomy interior

and depending on the rear seat position,

the luggage compartment has a capacity

ranging from 543 to 1 575 l.

The E-SUV has two information displays –

one of which diagonally measures up to

12 inches and features touch functionality,

as well as “Hello ID.” natural voice control.

The new ID.Light – a narrow light strip under

the windscreen – intuitively supports drivers

and an augmented reality head-up display is

optionally available to blend a host of displays

with reality.

The Discover Pro navigation system

brings We Connect Start online services on

board and IQ.Drive assist systems makes

the driving experience even more relaxed.

Software and hardware in the ID.4 have

been designed as part of a completely

new architecture, making it possible for

customers to download updates to the car

after the purchase.

The convenient, connected, and

sustainable We Charge system makes

it possible to charge the ID.4 at home,

while out and about, or on a long journey.

The vehicle can be recharged with direct

current to cover the next 320 km (as per

WLTP, at 125 kW) at a DC quick-charging

station in around 30 minutes.

Following the compact ID.3, the ID.4

SUV is the second fully electric model from

Volkswagen and in the future the ID.4 will

gradually become a global vehicle with

plans to produce and sell it not only in

Europe, but also in China and later in the

United States of America. There is also a

good chance that it will be offered in South

Africa in the future.

20

Ferdi de Vos

When Chinese giant Great Wall Motors

(GWM) for the first time revealed its new

one-ton pickup contender to the world

over a year ago, the company referred to it

only as the Pickup – making no mention of

a name (or number, for that matter) being

considered for the bakkie they want to

conquer the world with.

Now, after nearly eighteen months in

the nameless desert (although there was

speculation it may be branded Cannon)

the eventual Steed-replacement has got a

name: POER.

Yes, you have read it right. POER (in

capitals, as it was announced in the official

GWM release at the 2020 Auto China

Exhibition in Beijing). So, why POER, and

what does it mean? Well, according to the

Chinese conglomerate the name POER, now

the official name of the P Series pickup, can

be interpreted to the acronyms of “Powerful,

Off-road, Enjoyable, and Reliable” …

Also, says the company, the word POER

is inspired by the Chinese character Pao –

apparently pronounced as power, with a

silent ‘r’ at the end, and close to the word

‘pou’ (peacock) in Afrikaans. GWM also

maintains it also comes from the word

POWER in its middle English form …

The name POER will be used in

international markets, as – to quote

the media release – GWM wants to

build a vehicle “that is powerful not just

mechanically but also practically, that

can go off-road, and the intelligent

Trip News

Name?Text: Ferdi de Vos | Images: GWM, ice99.com

Meet POER, the new GWM bakkie

What’s in a


connectivity makes the ride always

enjoyable, and intelligent safety makes it

reliable in extreme conditions”.

So, there you have it: the GWM

POER – the vehicle that will take on

hallowed monikers such as Hilux,

Ranger, D-Max, Navara, and Triton.

How this name will be accepted by

dyed-in-wool bakkie buyers remain

to be seen ... Perhaps just keeping

P Series or even Cannon, would have

been better.

Global mobility technology company

At Auto China 2020, GWM also

formally announced its transformation

into a global mobility technology

company, and has initiated a raft of

major strategy upgrades, including a

renewed corporate culture, products,

technology, and marketing.

This also entails a refreshed product

line-up with leading technology in new

models from its EV brand ORA, the

third generation of the Haval H6, the

POER pickup (including an EV version),

Haval H9 flagship, as well as the Haval F7

and F7X. Besides the ORA all these

models are expected to eventually come

to South Africa.

The company also displayed an

aggressive and tough-looking off-road

version of the POER, complete with bulging

wheel arches, rock sliders, and integrated

power winch riding on 33-inch tyres.

22

The legendary Volkswagen Commercial

Vehicles T-Series range, or Transporter, or

Bus, or Kombi, or Bulli, as it is affectionately

known, has been refreshed and will now

be called the T6.1. The facelifted range

consists of the Pick Up (single and double

cab), Panel Van, Crew Bus, Kombi, Caravelle,

and California and will go on sale here from

January next year.

The T-Series, especially the legendary

Kombi and Caravelle, have been best-sellers

for the past six decades. The Transporter is

celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and

the T6.1 aims to continue this heritage and

sales success.

Particularly striking on the T6.1 is the new,

significantly larger grille that now forms a

single stylistic unit with the new bumper.

Two chrome-plated cross bars link the new

headlights to the grille and on higher spec

models a chrome strip adds a refined touch

to the bumper. Six new wheel designs,

six new exterior colours, and seven new

combined two-tone paintwork finishes round

off the exterior updates.

Inside, there is a new digitalised instrument

panel with 10.25-inch screen and a new

steering wheel with electro-mechanical

power steering, driving profile selection with

additional XDS function, and a whole range of

driver assistance systems.

The range will launch with three 2.0-litre

turbo diesel (TDI) engines with power

outputs ranging from 81 kW to 146 kW

and peak torque delivery from 250 Nm to

450 Nm. Pricing for the T6.1 Kombi model

starts from R697 700, while the Caravelle

now retails for R1 149 400, and the

California Coast for R1 196 500.

A new distinctive derivative has now been

added to the popular Renault Duster range.

The Duster Techroad displays the same strong

DNA and enhanced genetics as the rest of the

range but has some specific features.

The tough stance of the Techroad is

emphasized by new 17-inch Diamond

Cut wheels with striking blue caps,

prominent silver roof rails, and front and

rear skid plates. The exterior is enhanced

by distinctive bespoke badging, black shiny

door mirrors, and patterned stripping on

the side doors. A new colour, Iron Blue,

is bound to be a popular choice with the

Techroad model.

The well-designed interior of the

Duster TechRoad is spacious and

passenger friendly, featuring high-quality

upholstery with blue trim detailing on the

seats and striking blue design accents

within the cabin. A range of high-end

equipment, including on-board GPS

Navigation now with Smartphone mirror

compatibility, ensure heightened comfort

and driving pleasure.

The Techroad models will only be

available with the proven and frugal 1.5-litre

dCi turbodiesel engine, delivering 66 kW

of power and 210 Nm of torque in the 4×2

version with six-speed manual gearbox, and

80 kW and 250 Nm of twisting force in the

4×2 dual-clutch EDC derivative.

No 4×4 model with Techroad

specification is available, and prices for the

two 4×2 derivatives are set at R316 900 and

R350 900 respectively. Finishing options

include metallic paint (R2 522) and leather

seats (R10 088). A five-year/150 000 km

warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion

warranty is standard.

Road ReadyText: Paul van Gass | Images: Supplied

MEET THE T6.1

DISTINCT DUSTER


Mercedes-Benz has recently introduced

the new V 300 d model locally to build

on the strengths of the V-Class by adding

more choice, luxury, and individuality to

the MPV segment.

Equipped with the four-cylinder OM 654

engine with a two-litre displacement,

the V 300 d possesses 176 kW of power

complimented by 500 Nm of torque, making

it the new top performer in its segment.

Under acceleration an additional 30 Nm

of torque is available, giving the V 300 d a

0-100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds and a top

speed of 220 km/h.

The V-Class range is now for the first time

also available with the 9G-TRONIC automatic

transmission and it is standard on all V 300 d

variants. The Dynamic Select system allows

the driver to switch between Comfort and

Sport drive programmes and customise gear

shifting characteristics.

The high-quality interior and exterior

finishes of the Avantgarde and AMG line

trim is carried over to the V 300 d. The

Exclusive line comes standard with a

panoramic sunroof, rear climatised seats, a

centre console with built-in drinks cooler,

and the Night Package is exclusively

available for this model.

The V 300 d comes standard in a seven-

seat configuration but it can be customised

to a six- or eight-seater. Three variants

are available, namely the Avantgarde, the

Avantgarde with AMG Line, and the Exclusive.

Prices range from R1 440 203 for the

Avantgarde to R1 645 880 for the Exclusive.

Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has taken an

upmarket approach with the launch of the latest

version of the Pajero Sport, now featuring the

distinctive Dynamic Shield front grille, as well as

new features and additional luxuries. The line-up

was also expanded with the most stylish Pajero

Sport yet – the 2.4-litre MIVEC turbodiesel eight-

speed Auto 4×4 Exceed.

This new flagship joins the 2.4-litre MIVEC

turbodiesel eight-speed auto 4×2 and 2.4-litre

MIVEC turbodiesel eight-speed Auto 4×4

models already in the stable. Most of the

changes are in the form of style and more

luxury equipment as part of the standard

package, while the ever reliable and powerful

2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, delivering 133 kW of

power and 430 Nm of torque, is retained.

The Pajero Sport Exceed offers all the

built-in safety features inherent of the

Mitsubishi brand, as well as a power tilt and

sliding sunroof, remote control connectivity,

an electronic tailgate with hands free access

via app system, and dual kick sensors. It also

has 18-inch alloy wheels with a new design

and repositioned side steps.

Improvements inside the cabin include

an upgraded centre console, soft padded

door and knee trim, a new eight-inch LCD

meter cluster in full colour, and an eight-

inch SDA. Two new colour hues, White

Diamond and Graphite Grey, have also

been added. The new Pajero Sport Exceed

is now available at R679 995.

V-CLASS FLAGSHIP

EXCEED ADDED

24

Mahindra South Africa celebrated the

reopening of its dealer network with the

launch of a refreshed Pik Up S6 Single Cab

bakkie. This flagship single cab version is

offered in either 4×2 or 4×4 form and slots

in above the workhorse S4.

Viewed from outside, the S6 Single Cab

benefits from the design changes first seen

on the S11 Automatic Double Cab. The

new corporate seven-slot grille and large

Mahindra badge is the centrepiece of this

design change. New headlights with clear

indicator lenses flank the grille and the same

motif is repeated in the side indicators.

On a functional level, Mahindra has

redesigned the styling bar, now bolted onto

the rear load bay. Mahindra has also added

an electric locking mechanism to the fuel

lid, which now allows the fuel door to be

opened remotely.

Inside, electric rear-view mirror

adjustment, one-touch lane change

indicators, and cruise control are now

standard. It has an upgraded seat design

with arm rests for both occupants and

height adjustment for the driver. The

key fob has also been replaced with an

upmarket flip key with integrated remote.

All S6 models offer rain-sensitive

wipers, automatic self-levelling

headlamps, a start-stop system, and an

integrated audio system with auxiliary

port, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Pik Up S6 Single Cab 4×2 in now

available for R266 499 and the 4×4

derivative for R311 499.

With over 30 500 Renault Sandero Stepway

models already sold in South Africa, it is only

logical for the French carmaker to celebrate its

marked success with the introduction of the

enhanced Sandero Stepway Techroad, set to

replace the current flagship model.

The Sandero Expression remains the entry

level model, followed by the accessible

mid-level Stepway Expression derivative, with

the new Stepway Techroad now leading the

line-up. The latest Stepway offers the appealing

DNA of the Sandero model plus an enhanced

SUV look and even more value for money.

The exterior of the Stepway is distinguished

through its bespoke design and badging with

16-inch two-tone Flex wheel covers with blue

centre caps, and gloss black door mirrors with

distinctive design decals on the B-pillars and

lower sections of the doors.

The Stepway also offers enriched standard

features, including side airbags, front and rear

power windows, electric side mirrors, a leather

steering wheel and gear knob, and rear park

assist. Cruise control and navigation (unique in

this segment) are also standard while leather

seats are an option.

The Techroad also offers a new bespoke

upholstery design with distinct blue detailing on

the seat design, and throughout the cabin. The

comprehensive Renault MediaNav integrated

on-board multimedia system with seven-inch

touchscreen, offers Smartphone Mirroring with

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Prices start at R223 900 for the Stepway

Expression 66 kW Turbo and R243 900 for the

Stepway Plus and Stepway Techroad.


PIK UP REFRESHED

SPECIAL SANDERO


The crossover coupé (CUV) craze is

sweeping the world, and in line with this

trend, Audi South Africa has now launched

the Audi Q3 Sportback – combining the

strong presence and everyday convenience

of an SUV with the sporty elegance and agility

of a coupé – to its model range.

As the first compact crossover of the

Audi brand, the Q3 Sportback enters the

Q3 range as the halo and design vehicle,

emphasising a sporty, practical, and

elegant positioning in the A-CUV segment

of the premium passenger car market.

While it shares design traits with its sister

model Q3, its nearly three centimetres

lower roofline, giving way to flat D-pillars

and a roof edge spoiler, makes the Q3

Sportback appears longer than its sibling.

Above the wheels, strong contours hint at the

quattro drive, which is available on the Q3

Sportback 40 TFSI model.

The Q3 Sportback is available with two

turbopetrol engine options in South Africa.

The 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo unit in the

Sportback 35 TFSI delivers 110 kW and

250 Nm of torque and uses a six-speed

S tronic transmission to run from 0-100 km in

a claimed 9.3 seconds.

The Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI Quattro S line

is fitted with a 2.0 TFSI engine producing

132 kW, 320 Nm of torque, and a seven-

speed S tronic transmission that allows it

to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds.

The Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic now retails

for R693 000 and the 40 TFSI quattro

S tronic for R737 000.

The X-Rider models offered with the

2.5-litre High Output diesel engine has fast

established themselves as popular derivatives

within the Isuzu D-Max line-up, and now

Isuzu has taking things further with the

introduction of a special edition D-Max 3.0

TD Double Cab X-Rider Automatic model.

The X-Rider nameplate was first introduced

here as a limited-edition model in 2016.

Until now the X-Rider was only offered as a

midrange model available with the 100 kW

2.5-litre engine. Based on its popularity, it has

now been matched with the most powerful

engine in the range.

The new 3.0 TD X-Rider model is

powered by the familiar four-cylinder 130 kW

turbodiesel engine from Isuzu. Matched with

a six-speed automatic gearbox, maximum

power output is reached at a low 3 600 rpm,

with maximum torque of 380 Nm available

between 1 800 and 2 800 rpm.

The X-Rider comes standard with black

roof rails, a black sports bar with red X-Rider

logo, black running boards, seats covered

in black partial leather with red stitching,

an eight-inch AX2 Radio with multifunction

colour touchscreen, a black tailgate handle

with rear-view camera, and a 3.5 ton towbar.

In standard trim, the 3.0 TD X-Rider rides

on 18-inch tyres with diamond-cut alloy

wheels, while all black alloy wheels are

available as a no-cost option. It is available

in three colours – white, silver, and red.

The 3.0 TD Double Cab X-Rider Auto slots

in below the standard 3.0 Auto LX (which

retails for R515 478) with a retail price

starting from R479 217.

Q3 SPORTBACK

TOP-MODEL X-RIDER

26

In celebration of a decade in South

Africa, Volkswagen has recently launched

the most powerful derivative of its Amarok

bakkie. Launched in 2010, almost 35 000

units (single and double cab) have been

sold in the local market, with the double

cab (of which 2 596 were sold last year)

being the most popular derivative.

Now, the new 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine

with maximum power output of 190 kW

has been added to the line-up. So, as of

November, the Amarok model range in

South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana will

consist of the following engines: the 2.0

TDI 103 kW, 2.0 BiTDI 132 kW, and the 3.0

TDI V6 190 kW. The new TDI engine in the

most powerful Amarok has 25 kW more

power, as well as 30 Nm more torque, than

the outgoing 165 kW derivative.

It generates its peak 190 kW of power

from 3 000 to 4 500 rpm and 580 Nm

of maximum torque from 1 400 to

2 750 rpm. With an over boost function,

maximum power output is boosted to

200 kW for 10 seconds, making this

derivative probably the most powerful

bakkie on sale in South Africa.

This power is channelled through a

standard eight-speed automatic gearbox

and the Amarok completes the 0-100 km/h

sprint in just 7.6 seconds, and reaches a top

speed of 207 km/h. Volkswagen claims an

average fuel consumption of 9.5 l/100 km

for the vehicle.

The Amarok 3.0-litre V6 190 kW TDI

4Motion will be available in Highline and

top-of-the-range Extreme specification

levels. The recommended retail prices

are R908 300 for the Double Cab 3.0

V6 190 kW Highline and R974 600 for the

Extreme model.

With a new exterior, crafted new interior,

the latest generation Pivi Pro infotainment

system, and the choice of in-line four-

and six-cylinder engines including PHEV

technology, the new Jaguar F-Pace is more

luxurious, connected, and efficient.

The new exterior design gives the F-Pace

SUV a cleaner, more assured presence. The

new sculpted bonnet with wider power bulge

and smoother surfaces reduces the number

of shutlines on the front and an enlarged grille

features the Jaguar heritage logo-inspired

‘diamond’ detailing. The side fender vents

now feature the Leaper emblem and the new

front bumper has redesigned air intakes and

dark mesh details.

New super slim all-LED quad headlights are

available with optional Pixel LED technology

and premium LED technology is fitted as

standard. At the rear, new slimline lights

feature the double chicane graphic and in

R-Dynamic specification, the new F-Pace

features distinct design elements.

The new interior has a bolder and more

dynamic design with a centrally mounted

11.4-inch curved-glass HD touchscreen

that controls the new Pivi Pro infotainment

system. Laser-etched mid-line speaker

frets and a metallic rotary dial for the

JaguarDrive Control epitomise attention

to detail.

The new F-Pace powertrain line-up for

South Africa comprise the 147 kW 2.0-litre

four-cylinder turbo and 221 kW 3.0-litre

six-cylinder turbo diesel engines, the 184 kW

2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo and

PHEV 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo,

producing a combined 297 kW and 640 Nm

from its petrol engine and 76 kW electric

motor. All F-PACE models feature intelligent

all-wheel-drive and eight-speed automatic

transmissions. The new Jaguar F-Pace is

scheduled for local launch early in 2021 and

pricing will be announced closer to the time.


POWER BOOST

REVAMPED F-PACE

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28

Trip GearPUMA PROTECT

Puma Energy has launched ‘Puma

Protect’, a first anti-bacterial hand sanitiser

spray for its service station network in

South Africa. The profits from the first three

months’ sales of ‘Puma Protect’ will be

donated to an NGO caring for vulnerable

children, Children of The Dawn.

The spray has been developed from

concept to delivery in just two months

and is available in 68 Puma Energy service

stations across South Africa. The spray,

manufactured with blending partner SOS

Oil, headquartered in Cape Town, has been

fully authorised by authorities in South

Africa as a medical-grade product.

Regulations in South Africa require that

sanitiser sprays contain at least 70% alcohol

and meet rigorous testing standards in

terms of production, storage and bottling.

Puma Energy was pleased to work with

SOS Oil to meet these standards. Puma

Energy has a significant presence in

developing markets across the world and

its purpose is to energise communities to

drive growth and prosperity.

‘OLD SCHOOL’ TECH Technological advancements, especially

in the photography realm, are great,

however, they are also limited: a digital

reading on a screen depicting a moment

in time has considerably less significance

than a good old printed in-your-hand

photograph. Also, since this is the digital

age, a single file error could mean the end

of all your digital snaps.

Luckily, Polaroid has found a solution

to maintain the best of both worlds

photography approach by incorporating

modern touches into a trusty retro device.

Its instant point and shoot camera, or

i-Type, now boasts features like two-lens

autofocus and double exposure capability,

ensuring that all photos are up to modern

standards while having an added sense

of sentimentality.

HIGH SPEED SOUND Klipsch is the official headphone and

portable audio partner of the McLaren

Formula 1 team. Now, the two companies

have collaborated to combine McLaren’s

unparalleled design ethos and technical

innovation with Klipsch’s legendary high-

fidelity audio and unparalleled comfort. The

result is the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport

McLaren edition earphones, which have

been engineered for extreme performance

and designed to stay dry and in place

through anything life throws at them.

The earphones closely mimic the shape

of the ear, and six pairs of patented Klipsch

ear tips, one pair of Comply memory foam

ear tips, and three sizes of no-budge ear

wings ensure a customised, comfortable

and secure fit. A new signal boost antenna

delivers a high-quality, seamless Bluetooth

wireless technology connection. The

earphones are dust, waterproof (rated IP67),

and fit into a slim premium brushed metal

case. The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport

McLaren edition earphones are available

for pre-order from Homemation, and are

expected to retail for R4,990.


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traditional string floss can’t reach.

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The WP-450 Cordless Plus Water Flosser is

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30

OverbergText & Images © Jim Freeman

Window on the


Few views of the Western Cape match those over Walker Bay from Grootbos Private Nature Reserve near Gansbaai. Jim Freeman recently experienced this sight from the Window on the Overberg.

32

I do not know if people still call a shower

of rain falling while the sun is shining a

“monkey’s wedding” but that is the weather

phenomenon I experienced on my arrival

at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve outside

Gansbaai recently.

It was not a particularly heavy shower

and it stopped almost as soon as I walked

into my suite at Forest Lodge. Within

minutes a rainbow hung over Walker Bay

and the little rock kestrel that had taken

shelter under the eaves was up on the

roof, fluffing out damp feathers.

In a province where travellers encounter

stunning views at every turn, the vista across

the bay – taking in Stanford, the Overberg,

Hermanus, and Hangklip – must be one

of the most spectacular, especially when

morning mist is still hanging or in the golden

hour of late afternoon.

Five-star Grootbos (www.grootbos.com)

was one of the first exclusive properties in

the Western Cape to dramatically reduce its

rates to stimulate local tourism after months

of Coronavirus lockdown. Marketed as its

“Spring Splendour Special”, the initiative –

whereby guests pay 55% of the usual tariff –

has been extended to 11 December.

The Grootbos story

The Grootbos story began in 1991 when

owner Michael Lutzeyer and his father

Heiner bought a 123 hectare farm of the

same name on which to spend family

holidays. Michael moved permanently

to Grootbos three years later, initially

intending to open a B&B but, later realising

its potential, decided to build a luxury

lodge instead.

Garden Lodge, comprising 11 free-

standing suites, opened in the late 1990s.

Forest Lodge followed in 2004 but was

razed in a veldfire two years later and had to

be rebuilt.

The suites at Forest Lodge are designed

to derive full value from the panorama

with all rooms giving way to picturesque

windows and sliding doors that open

wide to allow in the fragrance of fynbos

and the melody of songbirds that abound

within the dense growth.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

PO Box 148, Gansbaai, South Africa, 7220Phone: +27 (0)28 384 8053 (Reservations)

Fax: +27 (0)28 384 8042Email: [email protected]

www.grootbos.com

http://www.grootbos.com


The enormous windows even extend to

the bathroom, which features a long, deep

oval bath – perfect for soaking (in bubbles,

with bubbles) after a day’s hiking through

the reserve or gallivanting with sharks and

whales off Gansbaai.

Spacious living rooms feature flatscreen

televisions with DStv as well as large

wood-burning fireplaces, which are a

godsend in Winter. Dining standards

are commensurate with a top-flight

establishment, with a fine-dining

restaurant and wine cellar stocked floor-

to-ceiling mainly with superb regional

wines, presided over respectively by head

chef Ben Conradie and sommelier

Nicole Croome.

Fynbos biodiversity

More than 10% of all the known species

of fynbos in the Cape Floral Kingdom can be

found on Grootbos’ scant 2 500 hectares.

The reserve’s fynbos biodiversity – some

of the species are unique to Grootbos and

others, previously unknown to science, are

discovered regularly – is largely attributed to

ongoing and intensive efforts at eradicating

invasive plant species.

There is also a 23 hectare milkwood

forest (one of the largest in the world) and a

smaller milkwood grove adjacent to Forest

Lodge that features a braai and special

events boma.

Between Grootbos and the sea is

the Walker Bay Nature Reserve that

boasts a 17 kilometre pristine beach.

At its Southern end near Gansbaai’s

Die Kelders lies Klipgat Cave that for at

least 60 000 years, provided summertime

shelter for the people who lived along the

Walker Bay coastline.

The Grootbos Foundation was

launched in 2003 and, in the past financial

year alone, projects have benefited more

than 7 000 beneficiaries from seven

communities as well as 16 local schools.

34

The Ineos Grenadier, unambiguously

inspired by the Land Rover

Defender, has caused some

terrible grinding in the transfer case

of the traditional 4×4 maker; further

exacerbated by Jaguar Land Rover

recently losing its trademark battle against

Ineos over the Defender shape.

Possibly emboldened by the finding

in favour of Jeep by the United States

International Trade Commission (USITC) in

its infringement case against Mahindra and

its Roxor (a Jeep CJ lookalike), Land Rover

tried to protect the Defender design in the

United Kingdom but the Intellectual Property

Office declined to grant a trademark for this,

ruling the design is not distinctive enough.

Ineos is now moving ahead with

launch plans for its spiritual successor

to the old Land Rover, while locally a

home-grown upstart company based

in Bloemfontein (we have previously

reported on BRV – in July 2018) has

released the latest version of its

own “Grenadier”.

BRV stands for Brandt Radical

Vehicles, a family-owned business from

our own South African Middle Earth

and in much the same fashion as the

Grenadier, the latest M-model from the

Home-grown upstart company Brandt BRV from Bloemfontein in the Free State Province recently released the latest version of its own “Grenadier” – the revised M-model.


‘Grenadier’Text: Ferdi de Vos | Images: Ryan Abbott

Our own

Brandt BRV shows latest M-model

company shares the box-like proportions

of the old Defender.

It has the same straight, unfussy lines,

angular doors and window glass, round

headlights, and an upright windscreen but

while the Grenadier, in true Series Land Rover

tradition, was conceived as a no-compromise,

rugged off-road vehicle, the BRV models were

developed due to a local need for a durable,

robust, no-nonsense bakkie.

Tough, robust

The M-range are tough, honest

workhorses that can carry a load and take

the hard knocks without their owners having

to worry about damaging shiny chrome bits

or losing pieces of plastic …

Says Gerrit Brandt, the man responsible

for marketing and procurement at BRV,

“We build vehicles that offers ruggedness,

reliability, and low-maintenance costs. Our

customers either want a workhorse that can

withstand all conditions, or they want an

exclusive off-road capable toy.”

Since the company was established

by Antonie Brandt some 18 years ago –

initially designing and manufacturing

trailers and a small off-road vehicle

called the DTV Roadrunner – it has

continuously refined its radical, self-

designed and self-engineered models

36

and recently introduced a facelifted

version of its top-of-the-range S89 M3

Sport in Extended Cab 4×4 form.

The latest BRV model now has a revised,

somewhat “friendlier” grille, slightly recessed

headlights, and new turn indicators, a

modified engine hood with small front air

intakes, side doors with bigger apertures (for

easier ingress and egress), new separate unit

taillights, and sports-proud Brandt branding

on the tailgate.

These changes assure a cleaner,

neater visage but still follows the basic

angular design of the original M-model,

conceived and developed by Stian

Brandt. Also, in contrast to the ladder

frame-based Grenadier, the macho-

looking BRV M-range has a monocoque

chassis with integrated roll-cage –

adding strength and rigidity.

Bespoke suspension

Its suspension also has a bespoke

design with an in-house developed

leading arm set-up in front, coil-over

shocks (so no torsion bars and stabilisers),

and a solid axle with trailing arms at the

rear, as well as sealed taper bearings

instead of bushes.

The body is manufactured from 1,2 mm

to 1,6 mm steel panels and with 35-inch

tyres, the M-range has 325 mm of ground

clearance and a load box (measuring

2 000 mm × 1 370 mm × 580 mm) with a

one-ton carrying capacity. Even with steel

panels and roll cage, the bakkie weighs

around 2,2 tons – about 200 kg less than

the Grenadier, 240 kg lighter than a Land

Cruiser double cab, and just 100 kg more

than Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux, or Ford

Ranger double cabs.

Under the hood nestles a Cummins

2.8-litre turbodiesel engine delivering 120 kW

at 3 600 rpm and 360 Nm at 1 800 rpm –

slightly down on the power delivery of

comparable double cab bakkie. However,

Cummins has developed the engine to BRV

specifications and application. Power is

transferred to the rear wheels (or all four) via a

five-speed ISF gearbox and a Dana differential.

Build quality is exemplary and the

cabin, while somewhat spartan, is roomy,

with good leg- and headroom. Standard

equipment includes leather seats, air-con, a


heater, power socket, and an infotainment

system with navigation, rear PDC, and a

four-speaker sound system, but sorry, no

airbags or other active safety systems; that is

for Tupperware bakkies only.

Smooth ride

With its bespoke suspension, substantial

ground clearance, and voluminous tyres,

the BRVs level of ride refinement on tar

is comparable with any of its rivals; road

noise from the big tyres being the only real

distraction. However, it really excels on dirt

roads, with ride comfort superior to any

other workhorse, and even better than that

of some double cabs.

According to Gerrit, the company

currently builds around five vehicles per

month but they have just moved into bigger

premises where they can manufacture up

to a hundred units a month, depending

on demand. “All the design, engineering,

and production work are carried out here,”

Gerrit says. “We view Brandt BRV as an OEM

(original equipment manufacturer), not a

parts bin assembler …”

According to Gerrit, applications of

the BRVs is almost endless and there

is keen interest from a wide variety of

buyers. “We may be a small-volume

operation but the quality of our products

and our prices are competitive in the

market,” he added. In standard trim, the

latest M3 single cab 4×2 is available from

R430 500, with the 4×4 model only R30k

more expensive.

The extended cab long wheelbase

4×4 M-model now retails for R495 000 –

compared to the expected starting price

for a Grenadier of around R1,1 million, and

R720 000 for a double cab Land Cruiser 79

4.2 diesel. Oh, and the company is working

hard to add the finishing touches to a double

cab model to join the line-up next year …

This latest incarnation of the BRV M3 is

surprisingly good. It has enough power, a

slick gearbox, and offers a good ride. Its build

quality is great, and the cabin offers enough

space and refinement. So, if you need a

workhorse with brawn and burliness, one

that will put the white Japanese single cabs

littering the parking lot outside the co-op to

shame, you need this bakkie; born and bred

in Bloemfontein …

Engine: Cummins, common-rail, four-

cylinder, turbodiesel

Displacement: 2 800 cc

Power: 120 Kw @ 3 600 rpm

Torque: 360 Nm @ 1 800 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual, RWD with diff-

lock (or 4×4)

Wheels: Alloy, 16-inch

Tyres: 285/65R16

Consumption: 7.9 l/100 km

Ground clearance: 325 mm

Fuel tank capacity: 80 l

Price: R460 500

For more information, visit www.brandtbrv.com

Brandt BRV S89 M3 Sport Extended Cab 4×2

http://www.brandtbrv.com

38

The heavily revised latest Y62 edition

of the legendary Nissan Patrol

is now available in South Africa,

offering customers even higher levels of

sophistication, comfort, and intelligence

as the iconic luxury off-roader prepares to

celebrate its 70th anniversary next year.

Steeped in tradition and heritage, the

flagship 4×4 in the Nissan range now

includes a new interpretation of the

trademark V-motion grille – highlighting its

strong, angular front façade – along with

new boomerang-shaped LED headlights.

At the rear, new taillights seamlessly

integrated with a large chrome nameplate

and sequential turn indicators – used for

the first time on a Nissan model – also

sport a boomerang shape. Machine-cut

18-inch alloy wheels add presence and it is

rounded off by new Organic C-Signature

LED lights.

Inside, the Patrol has class-

leading space and a high equipment

level, including a multi-screen DVD

entertainment system with 8” screens for

the rear seat passengers, independent

wireless headphones, remote-controlled

passenger vehicle infotainment, and a

13-speaker premium Bose sound system.

Bluetooth hands-free and audio

streaming, climate control, Intelligent

Key with push button start, and remote

keyless entry are standard. Also new is the

diamond-stitch quilted leather seats with

extra padding and a new steering wheel

covered with hand-stitched leather.

In addition, powered lumbar support

are available for the front seat passengers.

Reduction of noise and vibration levels

result in a quieter cabin, and the cooling

and air flow distribution systems have

been improved.

Latest tech systems

The advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility

system consists of a whole range of driver

assistance technology, including Intelligent

Emergency Braking with pedestrian

Flag-bearerText: Paul van Gass | Images: Nissan South Africa


detection, Intelligent Forward Collision

Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, and

Intelligent Driver Alert, as well as Vehicle

Dynamic Control (VDC).

The latest Patrol is still powered by the

indestructible VK56VD 5.6-litre V8 engine,

delivering a class-leading 298 kW of

power and 560 Nm of torque – enough to

conquer virtually any obstacle – distributed

to all four wheels via a seven-speed

automatic transmission with four drive

modes and an Intelligent 4×4 system,

seamlessly transferring drive between

wheels and axles. Only one petrol-driven

Patrol derivative is available, at a starting

price of R1 515 700.

Flag-bearer

40

The latest special edition from Land

Rover, the Range Rover Sport SVR

Carbon Edition, is now available in

South Africa, providing a stealthy take on

the high-performance flagship from Whitley

with extensive Carbon Fibre detailing.

The hand-finished powerhouse from

Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations

include visible Carbon Fibre elements

such as the exposed centre section of

the Carbon Fibre bonnet with integrated

cooling vents, the front bumper insert

surrounds, main grille and vent surrounds,

mirror covers, and tailgate finisher.

Besides extended trim finishers on the

SVR-branded steering wheel of this fastest

and most powerful Range Rover ever, the

SVR Carbon Edition features illuminated SVR

Carbon Edition tread plates and distinctive

22-inch five split-spoke lightweight alloy

wheels finished in gloss black.

The reprofiled front bumper design

lends the SVR an assertive appearance,

with vents designed to improve brake

cooling. Performance brake pads and discs

provide enhanced performance at higher

temperatures, and body-coloured detailing

at the rear and an SVR badge in place of

the Land Rover oval further distinguishes it

from lesser models.

The Carbon Edition is powered by the

5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine from

JLR – the most powerful in the history

PowerhouseText: Paul van Gass | Images: JLR

Carbon


of Land Rover – producing 423 kW and

700 Nm of torque. That is enough to

power the Range Rover Sport SVR from

0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and to a top

speed of 283 km/h.

Designed, engineered, and developed

by Special Vehicle Operations in Coventry

in the United Kingdom, it seems an

example of the luxury performance SUV

found its way to South Africa a while ago,

as the impressive press images feature the

Overberg Air Force Base near Bredasdorp

in the Western Cape, and the SVR Carbon

Edition in action with a South African

registered Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainer.

Inside the Carbon Edition, supportive

lightweight SVR Performance seats finished

in high-quality perforated Windsor leather

provide exceptional comfort on long

journeys, and also deliver a significant 30 kg

weight saving over the standard Range

Rover Sport seat designs.

Continuing the high-performance

theme, sound quality comes from a

19-speaker Meridian Surround Sound

System, which combines 825 watts, a

dual-channel subwoofer, and Trifield

technology for a thrilling sound

experience. The new Range Rover Sport

SVR Carbon Edition is now available here

for a steep R2 722 100 – a premium of

R166k over the normal SVR model.

42

Vilafonte-Signature-430x285.pdf 1 2020/09/28 10:53


https://www.vilafonte.com/wine/




https://www.vilafonte.com/wine/

44

WildText: Ferdi de Vos | Images: Ryan Abbott/Supplied

Clover


The annual blooming season of wildflowers on the Cape West Coast and in Namaqualand was truly spectacular this year. To celebrate the floral extravaganza, we took the wildest Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV model, the four-leaf clover badged Quadrifoglio, for a quick journey to the town of Klawer.

46

It was truly a magnificent scene. As we

crested a rise in the road, a riot of colour

greeted us – from crimson, cantaloupe,

chartreuse, and cream, to cerulean, coral,

and crystal … Stretched out before us

was a carpet of West Coast flowers in full

bloom, and the wild abandon of bright,

joyous colours reflected in the rays of the

retreating sun was a sight to behold.

The panorama depicted our journey

in one glorious shot, so I braked hard and

the big, perforated discs on our gleaming

Monto Carlo blue Alfa Romeo rapidly

slowed down the Italian SUV. We turned

off the N7 highway and stopped next to a

farm stall close to the rapture of flowers.

Getting out, we marvelled at the

spectacle of colour. Admiring the shades

and tints of reds, blues, yellows, and

greens, we realised we were at Klawervlei

(clover meadow) farm, named for the wild

clover that proliferates this area during the

rainy season and covers it with a blanket

of wildflowers during Spring.

Klawervlei farm, and the prolific wild

clover, also gave our destination its name.

The small West Coast town on the banks

of the Olifants River was renamed Klawer

when the railway line and bridge were

completed in 1915 and the settlement

received town status. For a decade, the

train station at Klawer was the end of the

line in the rail connection between Cape

Town and the Namaqua West Coast.

Visual promise

Our Stelvio, proudly adorned with

the four-leaf clover (Quadrifoglio)

badge, blended in beautifully with the

kaleidoscope of colour, and we spent

the next hour or so photographing the

spectacular floral paradise – the display

of blooms from vygies, daisies, malvas,

gousblomme, magrietjies, and sporries are

magnificent this year.

Much like the floral display, the

Stelvio Q – flagship of Alfa Romeo’s first

foray into the SUV segment – makes a

breath-taking first impression. Every part

of its design stays true to the tradition of

the Italian automaker of mixing heritage,

speed, and beauty, and lives up to its

powerful visual promise.

A dominant signature trilobo grille,

artful muscular side surfacing, and

a steeply raked, aerodynamic rear

hatch convincingly conveys its high-


West Coast National Park

West Coast Route, R27, close to LangebaanTel: +27 22 772 2144/5Fax: +27 22 772 2607

sanparks.org/parks/west_coast/

http://sanparks.org/parks/west_coast/

48

performance capabilities, and powered by

a 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine developed

by Ferrari, the Q is one of the fastest SUVs

now available.

Named for the highest mountain pass

in Italy famous for its 48 switchbacks, the

Stelvio was first introduced in 2016 and

the performance-oriented Quadrifolgio

held the title of the fastest SUV in the

world, with a record-setting Nürburgring

lap time in 2017, although this record has

since then been surpassed.

Nevertheless, with a monstrous 375 kW

of power and 600 Nm of torque fed to

the Q4 all-wheel-drive system with Active

Transfer Case via a ZF eight-speed auto

transmission, the Stelvio Q is blindingly

quick. It can accelerate from 0-100 km/h

in only 3.8 seconds, as we have

experienced on the N7 blacktop, and can

reach a top speed of 283 km/h.

Clover to Klawer

Taking the R27 from Cape Town

towards Langebaan to first visit the flower

haven of Postberg in the West Coast

National Park, the hastiest Stelvio also

proved comfortable and quick over the

tarmac. Its 20-inch tyres provided for a

smooth ride while in Natural (or Normal)

mode on the DNA dial, the quiet exhaust

note belied the intrinsic power potential of

the clover-badge bedecked engine.

The sporty intent of the Quadrifoglio

specific bumpers, side skirts, hood

air intakes, badges, and wheels are

Engine: 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo petrol


Power: 375 kW @ 6 500 rpm

Torque: 600 Nm @ 2500-5000 rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto, Q4 all-wheel drive

0-100 km/h: 3.8 seconds

Top speed: 283 km/h

Consumption: 12,5 l/100 km

Tank capacity: 64 l

CO2 Emissions: 210 g/km

Price: R1 679 485

We like: Beautiful, passionate design, fantastic, powerful engine

with great soundtrack, well-sorted chassis.

We do not like: Its low-profile tyres do not like rough dirt

roads, no electric seat controls, pricey in its class.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

84%ROADTRIP

RATING

50

complimented by sporty leather seats, real

carbon fibre inserts, aluminium detail, and

a comprehensive level of specification in

the interior. Still, manual controls for the

seats in an expensive, luxury SUV left us

somewhat perplexed.

After visiting Postberg we made our

way towards Klawer on the gravel roads

leading past Aurora and Redelinghuys

towards Trawal. The Q was less happy

on the sandy dirt roads, as its low-

profile tyres did not provide much grip

and the suspension could not cushion

the undulations. In fairness, it is not

designed or developed for this type of

road conditions, and its all-wheel-drive

systems and other safety equipment

actually coped fairly well, given the

unfamiliar conditions.

After visiting Klawer in our clover-

decaled Alfa we turned back towards

Cape Town, and in its element the Q – a

BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S

contender – excelled in the twisty sections

of the N7 near Clanwilliam. Its balance

and grip in the sweeps of Piekenierskloof

was impressive, and on the long straights

its luscious V6 gave new meaning to the

’sixties term “flower power” …

The balance and grip of the Q in the sweeps of Piekenierskloof was impressive, and on the long straights its luscious V6 gave new meaning to the term “flower power” …

52

The Quadrifoglio tradition

The tradition of the flour-leaf clover, a symbol of good luck, began when in 1923, Alfa Romeo race car driver Ugo Sivocci wanted to break a string of second-place finishes and, in preparation for the legendary Targa Florio race, painted a white square with a four-leaf clover on the front of his Alfa Romeo RL race car.

As fate would have it, he won the race but weeks later, while track-testing a new car that did not bear the lucky symbol, he crashed and lost his life. Since then all Alfa Romeo race cars bear the four-leaf clover – on a white triangle instead of a square, with the missing corner symbolising the loss of Sivocci.

Today, the clover remains a symbol of race-worthy capabilities and good luck, and it is only bestowed on the most powerful Alfa Romeo race and street vehicles. There is, however, an interesting modern twist to the Q trademark – Alfa Romeo until recently used the QV designation to depict a Quadrifoglio model.

In 2017 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) agreed to a trademark swop with German automaker Audi to release the FCA-owned Q2 and Q4 badges in return for the use of the Q designation for Quadrifoglio, plus continued ownership of Q2 and Q4 to depict drivetrain forms. What is obvious, though, is that when provoked (announced and accompanied by a powerful, ominous engine note in Race mode) the Stelvio Q is very deservedly of this badge …


54

CountryDefender

From Buffalo City to Mother City

Text: Ferdi de Vos | Images: Ryan Abbott


It was seventy years ago – in August 1950 – when the first Land Rover Series I was assembled in Frontier Country. We traced the production path of local Land Rovers, including the original Defender, with a highly accessorised new Defender 110 P400 S and met up with an impeccably preserved Series I on the way …

56

The immaculate little 1953 Series I

80-inch Land Rover, perfect in its

traditional dark green, lined up to

face the new Eiger Grey Defender 110

over the edge of the waterhole, depicted

seventy years of automotive “progress” in

one shot.

I use the term “progress” with

hesitation, as the old short-wheel-base

Landy in its most basic form looked more

comfortable in the surroundings than its

much bigger modern counterpart. The

little Eighty looked like it belonged there,

as if it was part of the African landscape,

while the shiny new Defender looked

decidedly out of place.

Seeing an old Series I like this

immediately conjures up images of

intrepid safaris and audacious journeys

through the wild, dark African bush. This

has been romanticised over decades

passed and cemented the iconic status of

the boxy little ’un in off-road folklore …

We were at Schotia Safari Private

Game Reserve, close to Paterson

in the Eastern Cape, where we met

Peter and Justin Bean and their trusty,

immaculately maintained Series I, and at

first glance it was remarkable to see the

difference in gait between the original

and the new Defender.

Small it may be, with a trifling two-

litre engine delivering a measly 39 kW

at 4 000 rpm and 137 Nm of torque

at 1 500 rpm. Yet, after the little mill

popping and banging whirred into life,

the little bushwacker with its huge

steering wheel (something we disliked

in the new Defender) bounced and

bounded to wherever we needed it for

our photoshoot.


Engine: Six-cyl, inline, petrolturbo, MHEV

Capacity: 2 996 cc


Torque: 550 Nm @ 2 000-5 000 rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, AWD


Top speed: 195 km/h

Fuel capacity: 90 l

Fuel economy: 9.9 l/100 km (claimed)

Price: R429 999

CO2 emissions: 227 g/km

Boot space (max): 743 l to 1 826 l

Ground clearance: 218 mm (291 mm off-road)

Wheels: 19-inch alloy (Urban Pack)

Tyres: 255/65R19 Off-Road

Max towing weight: 3 000 kg

Max wading depth: 900 mm

Price: R1 224 200 (base)

We like: Iconic, stand-out styling, comfort, high equipment level,

practical, powerful, off-road prowess.

We do not like: Too advanced and refined for a Defender, high

fuel consumption, big steering wheel (hindering off-road control).

Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S Urban Pack 84%ROADTRIP

RATING

58

Historic times

Watching the archetype model

traversing the bush took one back to

simpler times, when the original derivative

saw the light, and the reason for our visit

to Schotia, as in order to celebrate the

assembly of the first Land Rover locally

(most probably a similar mid-Series I

model), we were on a journey from

Buffalo City towards Cape Town in the

recently introduced new Defender.

The first Series I landed in South Africa

in 1949, only a year after it was officially

introduced in Europe. It took only another

year before the first locally assembled

Series I rolled off the production line of

the Car Distributor Assembly (CDA) plant

in the Eastern Cape.

According to most sources this vehicle

was constructed in Port Elizabeth but this

does not make sense, as the CDA plant

was opened in East London in 1948 to

assemble Nash, Prince, and Miller cars, and

had no facilities in Port Elizabeth. Thus, it

follows that the first local Land Rover was

in actual fact built in Frontier Country, in

East London, and not Port Elizabeth …

CDA produced Series Land Rovers

from 1950 to around 1956. Meanwhile,

Rover South Africa was registered on

28 September 1955, and a manufacturing

plant subsequently opened in Port

Elizabeth. In 1956 the plant assembled

a peak of 34 vehicles per week and by

1963 the facility, in line with local content

requirements, was making chassis and

petrol tanks from South African steel.

However, with the acquisition of Rover/

Land Rover by Leyland and the subsequent

merger with BMH (British Motor Holdings)

in 1968 to form British Leyland, production

moved to Cape Town. Here, assembly

continued until 1987. By 1972, the local

content of Land Rover had reached 44%

in vehicle weight and in 1982 the Leyland

(Leykor) plant was recognised as the

largest Land Rover assembly plant outside

the United Kingdom.


Mild hybrid power

For our journey we were furnished

with an attractive 110 P400 petrol model

in striking Eiger Grey (adding R4 000

to the purchase price) with Urban Pack

(R20 443), Gloss Black six-spoke 19-

inch wheels (R4 200), black contrast

roof (R8 000), sliding panoramic roof

(R30 200), black exterior pack (R4 900),

front fog lights (R2 000), and deployable

tow bar (R13 200).

Inside the already plush cabin, extras

such as 12-way semi-powered front

seats, third row seats, three-zone climate

control with rear cooling, configurable

Terrain Response 2, and an array of driver

aid systems, as well as an Electronic

Active Differential added another R40 600

to the total price.

The accessories, totalling R74 400

over the cost price, also included some

cool items, such as air quality sensors and

cabin air ionisation, Keyless Entry, and the

ClearSight interior rear-view mirror – an

indispensable piece of kit to have a clear

view past the rear-mounted spare wheel.

The Urban Pack brightwork added

bright metal pedals in the interior, scuff

plates, a spare wheel cover, and a front

under-shield, and all this, plus the outsize

Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tyres gave

the Defender a stylish look but with a

belligerent, militant stance.

The no-nonsense attitude of

the flagship 110 model was further

strengthened by the soft growl of its new

three-litre straight six-cylinder engine (the

first Land Rover with this powerplant in

the country) featuring mild hybrid electric

technology and delivering a wholesome

294 kW of power and 550 Nm of torque.

Leaving from the East London JLR

agents, Eastern Cape Motors (the

company that evolved from the erstwhile

Manning Motors, one of the first Land

Rover dealerships in South Africa in 1951),

we chose the twisty coastal route towards

Port Elizabeth.

60

On the meandering tarmac it was soon

clear the P400 possesses ample power

(Land Rover claims a 0-100 km/h sprint

time of 6.1 seconds and a limited top

speed of 191 km/h) but assistance from the

hybrid system was never really evident.

With its self-levelling air suspension

and bespoke underpinnings, the Defender

was quite nimble in the corners –

despite its weight – and a consummate

companion on the highway. After our visit

to Schotia we skirted Port Elizabeth on

the N2 (as in our research we could find

no exact location for the erstwhile Rover

plant in the Windy City) and made our

way towards St. Francis Bay.

Off-road prowess proven

Our next destination was Brakkeduine

4×4 Trail, close to Oyster Bay – to give

the new Defender a proper four-wheel-

drive workout. Here we were met by

Johan Lindstrom, a man with many years

of 4×4 experience, and he took us out on

the challenging sand dune route.

With its combination of advanced

Terrain Response system, powerful

engine, fast-reacting transmission,

and favourable overhang angles, the

Defender – while quite big and heavy –

made short work of the tricky dunes

and deep sand. The grip of the specially

developed Goodyear tyres was surprising,

and even Johan was impressed with the

capabilities of the Solihull newcomer.

From there we quickly made our way

on the Garden Route through Knysna,

George, and Mossel Bay, securely

ensconced in the roomy, quiet, and dust-

free 5 + 2 cabin. We wanted to round of

our tour to Cape Town by crossing the

Breede River on the Malgas pontoon (a

favourite jaunt for Landy drivers over the

years) but we had to bypass it as the new

pontoon is not in operation yet, and it is

unclear when it will be …

On the myriad of dusty dirt roads in the

Overberg District the new Defender again

impressed with its ride quality and cabin

quietness and we finalised our trip with

a quick deviation through Elsies River,

Epping, and Blackheath – the locations of

the Leyland plants back in the day.

Interestingly, most of the records

of Landies built here have been lost or

destroyed (causing huge problems for

buyers of used locally built Series II and

Series III models) in part due to many (with

local ADE engines) being supplied to the

military during the notorious Apartheid years.


Brakkeduine 4×4 TrailThe Brakkeduine 4×4 Trail is a strictly

guided route for a minimum of five vehicles

per booking under the watchful eyes of

4×4 experts Johan and Choppie Lindstrom.

The trail has a lot of sand and is tricky and

challenging. The starting point is at the

beautiful Klipdrift Dam, a popular fishing spot

for locals.

Although the trail starts with a calm, scenic

drive through nature forests, the sand sections

are technical with high ascents and descents.

The Langbult dune is a real challenge but also

a perfect lunch spot. On the way home some

more roller-coaster dunes are thrown in for

good measure.

Brakkeduine has a beautiful campsite with

overnight accommodation next to the Klipdrift

Dam. Water sports and skiing can be arranged,

and fishing is also possible but you need to

book and supply a car registration number

before casting off.

Contact details35 km from Humansdorp, close to Oyster Bay

Phone: +27 (0) 83 400 3720 /

+27 (0) 82 336 2055

62

Moving up North

With the demise of Leyland and

BMW taking ownership of the Rover

Group, production of Land Rovers (now

called Defender) moved to a new plant

in Rosslyn, Pretoria, inaugurated in

January 1995. This continued until 2000

when BMW sold the marque to Ford.

Assembly then moved to Silverton

and final Defender production included a

5.3 m-long 11-seat variant with three sets

of side doors before it was discontinued

in 2002. (Quite a few unique Land Rover

derivatives were built in South Africa, and

they are now highly collectable, but this is

a story for another day …). From late 2002

all models were imported until worldwide

production seized in 2016.

So, can the new, completely

modernised Defender fill the big tyre

tracks of its predecessor? Well, yes and

no. While utterly capable off-road it

will probably not satisfy the needs of

traditional overlanders and adventurers

but it will appeal to those (mainly

Discovery owners) wanting something

styled more “old-fashioned”.

Besides this, its high price (starting

from R1 050 100 for the 110 derivatives,

and our test model with extras selling for

R1 425 221) can be prohibitive … and it will

also dissuade owners to really exploit its

full bush-busting potential. It does not fit

into the Africa adventure aura (yet) and it

will probably take many years before the

newcomer will achieve the same level of

respect awarded to its basic, rudimentary,

crude, yet characterful predecessor.


Schotia Safaris Private Game Reserve

Schotia Safaris is the oldest private game reserve in the Eastern Cape and is owned, managed, and run “hands on” by the Bean family, who are now in their sixth generation and have owned the original farm, Orlando, since the early 1800s.

The reserve bordering the Eastern side of the Addo Elephant National Park is named after the Schotia tree (commonly known as the bush boer-bean tree) endemic to the area, and it is also a play on the surname of the owners … Schotia is also the first reserve in the Eastern Cape Province to have free roaming lions.v

It is also probably the most densely stocked reserve in Africa, with over 40 mammal species and approximately 2 000 animals, offering consistently good game viewing throughout the year. The reserve also has accommodation catering for everyone; from families looking for a little adventure to couples longing for a romantic weekend getaway or those wanting to enjoy some tented privacy.

With over 25 years of experience in the safari business, Peter, his son, Justin, and their team have created a unique, relaxed, and truly South African safari experience at Schotia. The reserve is located just a short drive from Port Elizabeth, Addo, Port Alfred, or Grahamstown.

Contact detailsPO Box 105, Paterson, 6130Phone: +27 (0) 42 235 1436 / +27 (0) 42 235 1368 / +27 (0) 83 654 8511Email: [email protected]

http://www.schotiasafaris.co.za

64

The weatherman predicted stormy weather approaching Britain from the North Atlantic with high winds,

potential flooding, and snow on the high ground – just the type of forecast our UK correspondent Marc

Bow needed to take his new Volkswagen T-Roc for a scenic drive to the Peak District …

Text & Images © Marc Bowthe PeakT-Roc to

Snowy drive to Snake Pass

66

Ah, the splendid English Winter.

Yes, those seven months when

65 million people hibernate in

their energy-efficient homes and words

like “miserable” and “dreadful” are used

to describe the weather. Yet it also is the

perfect time to take advantage of the

quiet roads and head off on a United

Kingdom road trip.

With snow forecasted for regions

above 300 m, the Peak District – a three-

hour drive from London – looked like

the perfect destination for the family to

explore the scenic countryside and quiet

mountain roads with our new T-Roc; the

latest crossover in the Volkswagen line-up

now also available (from November) in

South Africa.

Built on the versatile MQB platform,

the Golf-sized T-Roc fits in just above the

Polo-based T-Cross in the Volkswagen

T-family, but below the popular Tiguan

and the larger and more luxurious

Touareg. Our diesel-powered TDI model

with best-selling SE spec level will initially

not be available locally, as the range for

now only consist of petrol-driven 1.4-litre

and 2,0-litre TSI models …

A pity, really, as the 84 kW of power

delivered by the 1.6-litre oil burner is

well distributed to the front wheels via

the slick six-speed manual gearbox,

and the 250 Nm of usable torque more

than enough when required to pass yet

another Amazon truck carrying non-

essential goods across the kingdom. Its

long sixth gear also aids fuel saving, and

during our trip we saw consumption as

low as 5.9 l/100 km …

Mini-Drakensberg

The Peak District in the heart of the

United Kingdom is the mini-Drakensberg

of England. The proximity of the

mountainous area to cities like Liverpool

and Manchester means the national

park is usually crammed with ramblers

and their dogs walking the countless

mountain trails, or owners of sports cars

hammering the mountain passes.

Its high altitude means it receives

the worst of the severe English weather

and during Winter the icy valleys and

freezing windswept mountaintops are less

popular … So, for those with Eskimo DNA,

the Peak District during this time is a trove

of scenic, winding roads and country

pubs serving hearty, rich meals ...

The busy M40 motorway towards

the Midlands of the United Kingdom

provided the first chance to experience

the prowess of the T-Roc on the open

road. Fitted with Dynamic Chassis

Control (DCC), with three degrees of

suspension stiffness, the motorway ride


Soon we saw the first signs of snow droplets clinging to branches and rocks, and suddenly we emerged into clear, crisp, blue skies and a Winter wonderland all around.

68

quality in normal mode was exemplary,

and standard Adaptive Cruise Control

made navigating less stressful. It was also

a perfect test bed to try out some of the

many features such as the Active Lane

Keeping System, Lane Assist, and Front

Assist Area Monitoring System.

From the South you enter the Peak

District via the A6 motorway where it

cuts sharply through a steep green valley

following the winding Wye River to the

small stone town of Bakewell. It is the

first place where you can stop to stretch

legs and walk the old stone bridges whilst

enjoying the world-famous Bakewell

pudding – a jam-filled pastry with ground

almond crust.

From Bakewell the Car-net App

connected to the 10-inch infotainment

screen showed a split in the road, with the

A6 continuing West across the Southern

peaks while the less used A6020 takes

you North to a myriad of small B-roads

that form a spider web of options over the

peaks or through the valleys.

Snake Pass thread

The most famous thread in the web

is the Snake Pass road, the highest in

the Peak District and rated as one of

the most scenic driving roads in the

United Kingdom. Following the contour

of the fast-flowing, crystal clear Ashop

River it takes you through a gorge

covered with leafless trees clinging

onto the wet, grey rocks.

With the trees bare, the view of the

valley was unobstructed, and the road then

starts a gradual sweeping climb, rising,

leaving the river below. Soon we saw

the first signs of snow droplets clinging

to branches and rocks, and suddenly we

emerged into clear, crisp, blue skies and a

Winter wonderland all around.

Close to the highest point on Snake

Pass, marked by a wooden sign indicating

the footpath of the most famous of walks,

the Pennine Way, we stopped and stepped

out into the knee-high snow. However, the

bitter winds of the Peak District are not for

sissies and soon the family, frozen to the

bone, piled back in the car.

Volkswagens are known for their quality

interior materials and finishes but the

T-Roc disappoints in this department –

with the normal soft-feel dash material

replaced by hard plastic and no fabric

cover on the door panels. To be fair, this

is offset by the air vents and dashboard

rounded off with piano black and attractive

matt silver beading and the leather

bedecked steering wheel and gear lever.

However, the interior is no place for

hard objects, and one wonders how long

it will be before the surfaces, especially

the door panels, are a pattern of ugly

scratches and scuffs … So, to prevent

this, be sure to toss your gear into the

sizable boot, with a convenient height

adjustable floor.

The Palace Hotel

From the crest of Snake Pass we

journeyed on towards the market town

of Glossop. As we descended, we could

clearly see the roofs of the houses in the

city of Manchester glistening in the low

afternoon sun. We then joined the A624,

a narrow stone-walled B-road running

South through quaint villages towards the

spa town of Buxton.

Courtesy of its 300 m elevation,

the town is still well within the snow

line, giving it an alpine feel. Due to its

geothermal springs that rise at a very

warm 28 °C, visitors have been drawn

towards Buxton since Roman times. Over

the centuries, the bold architecture of the

town has grown ever grander and more

majestic – culminating in the famous

Palace Hotel built in 1868.

The massive hotel, dominating the

town, preserves old traditions. High tea is

served in its long glass conservatory with

a period black and white marbled tiled

floor and aperitifs are served in the salon

before dinner is taken, accompanied by

the sounds of a well-played piano. Oh,

and for those who love a good English

breakfast, there are few places in the

country left with as magnificent a spread.

We returned to London via the most

dangerous road in England, the Cat and

the Fiddle Pass in the High Peak part of

the national park. Unlike the steep valleys

we encountered the previous day, we

were now met by rolling mountain vistas

while navigated the flowing bends.

Even four up and fully loaded, the

T-Roc, with its McPherson strut front

suspension and semi-independent rear

axle strut setup, handled more like a

sporty hatch than a tall SUV. Near the

summit of the pass we caught glimpses

of the solitary and inviting brown stone

building with smoke rising from the

chimney, the Cat and the Fiddle pub.

The Cat and the Fiddle pub is the kind

of drinking hole that probably should

not be situated at the top of such a

dangerous, icy road, and yes, the run

to the pub door in the cold weather is

probably more treacherous than the

pass … and the warmth of the sweet

smelling wood fire even more welcoming.

It tempted us to linger while sipping

on the local ales and eating a hearty meal

covered with rich gravy. So, if you do ever

find yourself on top of the English world

in the Cat the Fiddle Pub, make sure you

take a designated driver ...

Engine: Inline, four-cylinder, turbodiesel



Torque: 250 Nm @ 1 750 rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual, FWD


Top speed: 187 km/h

Fuel capacity: 50 l

Fuel economy: 5.9 l/100 km

CO2 emissions 138 g/km

Price: £25 390 (about R544 000)

*Model not available in South Africa

Pricing: Local T-Roc range*

T-Roc 1.4 TSI 110 kW Tiptronic Design R489 400

T-Roc 2.0 TSI 140 kW 4Motion DSG Design R548 300

T-Roc 2.0 TSI 140 kW 4Motion DSG R-Line R593 600

*Including a three-year/120 000 km warranty, five-years/90 000 km Volkswagen Service Plan, and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.6 TDI SE*

70

With the introduction of its new Seltos diesel model, Kia Motors South Africa invited us for a

fast getaway to the Overberg region in the Western Cape, in support of the interesting local

businesses in the area …

Text: Paul van Gass | Images: Ferdi de Vos/Supplied

RambleOverberg

Seltos, ceramics and canola oil


For our previous issue (August/

September) we took the petrol-

driven Kia Seltos 1.4 T-GDi GT-Line

for some “tasks” in the snow-covered

mountains of the Western Cape. At the

time we mentioned that it was too late to

acquire a diesel derivative for our planned

mountain passes and snow searching

trip and also stated that in our view the

new, smaller turbodiesel engine should

perfectly complement the Seltos…

Recently, we did get the chance to

test this assumption, as Kia Motors South

Africa invited us for a quick excursion to

the Overberg region in the oil-burning

derivatives. The aim of the trip? Well,

besides getting to know the diesel

models, it was also to support some

interesting local businesses in the region

after the hard Covid-19 lockdown.

To recap, the diesels (only

distinguishable by a subtle CRDI badge

on the tailgate) are available in EX or

EX+ specification levels with the EX

models available with either a six-speed

manual transmission or a six-speed

auto transmission, while EX+ models

only come with the auto ’box. The

CRDIs are also the first Kia to use the

new-generation 1,5-litre four-cylinder

common-rail direct injection engine,

delivering a useful 86 kW of power and

250 Nm of torque.

We set off on the N2 from Somerset-

West, and first impressions of the smaller

diesel confirmed our initial assumptions.

It was quite willing up Sir Lowry’s Pass,

with good low-down torque but noisier

than expected when worked hard. It also

combined well with the six-speed auto

transmission but the manual EX derivate

(we found out later) was even better…

Railheim

We soon turned off the N2, direction

Robertson, and soon after stopped at

the farm Clairvaux on the outskirts of

the Overberg town for lunch and to visit

Rialheim, a ceramic studio designing and

manufacturing handmade products that

are functional and fun whilst exploring the

use of African clay.

Rialheim was founded in 2012 by Rial

Visagie with a small group of ceramic

artists. The small company specialises in

shapes and glazing techniques inspired

by the diverse cultures and beauty of

7272

Africa (visit www.rialheim.co.za). After

lunch and a tour of the factory (with a

quick course on how ceramics are made)

we set off for the picturesque Rotterdam

Boutique Hotel near Buffelsjags River,

our overnight destination,

Rotterdam Boutique Hotel

The elegant country retreat on the

outskirts of Swellendam is rich in heritage

(it dates back to 1794) and brims with

grandeur. It is the perfect choice for

a wedding destination, a honeymoon,

family holiday, business retreat, or simply

a deserved break. It is also famous for

being the home of the late South African

Grand Prix racer Ian Fraser Jones, and is

still owned by the family today.

Accommodation is in the historical De

Wagenhuis and Fraser Jones buildings

and each of the 20 rooms includes a

desk, seating area, free WiFi and some

rooms also have a terrace. There is a

small chapel and swimming pool as well,

and game drives with sunset picnic in the

Kam’Bati River Resort are offered.

After a lazy evening, good nights’ sleep

and a scrumptious breakfast the next

morning, we departed for Swellendam

driving past numerous bright yellow

canola fields on our way to Southern Oil

(SOILL), a modern canola oil extraction

plant and refinery situated next to the N2.

From a small business in 2009, SOILL

has grown to a giant undertaking and is the

pride of Swellendam. Canola seeds from

farmers in the Overberg region are graded,

cleaned and stored here in silos until used

for manufacturing. The final product is

refined, bottled and branded with the

B-well label (visit www.soill.co.za).

We had lunch at JD Bistro in Napier

before heading back to Cape Town with

the Kia diesels purring contently all the

way… After our quick sojourn, it was

clear that the EX Manual at R 410 995 is

the model of choice in the diesel range,

although some customers may enjoy

the higher spec levels in the EX+ Auto

(R446 995).

http://www.rialheim.co.za

http://www.soill.co.za


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CAFE_ENRISTA_TEA_Refined_ADD.pdf 1 2020/07/31 14:16:32

74

Lockdown...Text & Images: Jacques Marais

Beyond the


On the final day of hard lockdown, the Beyond Expeditions duo of adventurer Peter van

Kets and photo-journalist Jacques Marais took to the road to help save local tourism. Their

9 000 km journey traversed all nine provinces and aimed to kick-start some of the most

unique community adventure projects in the country …

76

The ‘Rainbow Nation’. This is how the

irrepressible Archbishop Desmond

Tutu often referred to South Africa,

and with good reason. When you head

northwards onto the N7 from Cape Town,

you watch as Table Mountain – one of

the ‘seven natural wonders of the world’ –

recedes in your rear-view mirror, while the

tapestry of wheat and canola fields of the

Swartland unfolds up ahead.

You immediately get the feeling that

this is the start of an important journey,

and it does not take long for the scenery

to start changing. Within a couple of hours,

the rugged Cederberg peaks begin to

boom skywards to the northeast, with the

desolate Knersvlakte undulating westwards

towards the freezing Atlantic Ocean.

We could certainly not have chosen

a better place to start our ‘Beyond the

Lockdown’ journey … the fourth expedition

in a series of African adventures, supported

by Isuzu and Dunlop. Our original intention

this year was a four-country journey with

a focus on desert rhino conservation, but

then Covid happened.

We therefore completely re-imagined

our plans and came up with the Beyond

the Lockdown concept – symbolising the

eventual end to the mental dissonance

and financial pressures around the hard

lockdown, and finding ways to help those

who have been hardest hit by the lockdown.

Our mission was to help small

community operators at grassroots level

by creating visual collateral for them and

exposing their businesses to our extensive

social media networks, and the best way to

achieve this was to take the road.

Our never-say-die Isuzu vehicles and

indestructible Dunlop Grandtrek tyres

made for the perfect partners as we

meandered through some of the wildest,

most remote corners of Mzanzi. During

our unforgettable adventure we met many

incredible characters and experienced

breath-taking destinations. Here are the

stories of a few people we encountered

along the way …

West Coast (Doringbaai)

“This is the dorpie that I grew up in”,

explained Oubaas ‘Johannes Denzel’ Gertse

as he rowed his tiny wooden ‘bakkie’ boat

onto the windswept Olifants River estuary,

nodding obliquely in the direction of the

mission village of Papendorp sprawling

along the river bank.

There are fifty, maybe sixty, houses

dotting the Strandveld shoreline, and

most people living here are subsistence

fishermen, dependent on the river and

nearby ocean to feed their families and

themselves. “It is a hard life, but it is a

beautiful life”, he says in Afrikaans, wistfully

patting Blackie, his little dog perched on

the gunnel next to him.

Papendorp languishes at the very end

of the R326. To get there, you need to turn

off the N7 at Vanrhynsdorp and then cruise

via the Knersvlakte ‘bossieveld’ until you

reach the forgotten stretch of coastline

undulating along the remote edge of the

Maskam Municipality. Diamond smugglers,

crayfish divers, and bokkom fishermen used

to be the only visitors, but nowadays “die

Weskus is die beskus” (West Coast is the

best coast), Oom Gertse said.

Kgalagadi (Bokspits)

It was an icy day when we met !Xopan

in the dunes of Erin Game Ranch, a

!Khomani San Community Farm near

Bokspits on the Northern Cape’s Red Dune

Route. Together with the inimitable Vinkie

van der Westhuizen, he took us on one of

the most authentic Kgalagadi experiences I

have had in all my life.

“I know these dunes like the palm of

my hand,” !Xopan said in Afrikaans. “It is my

streets, it is where I walk, because it is my

place. I am a proud child of the Kalahari. I

am !Xopan!”

78

It was freezing, and !Xopan had to

borrow my down jacket to keep the cold

at bay, as he was only in a loincloth to

show how his forefathers would have

hunted a hundred or more years ago.

His spirit and smile never wavered,

though, and that night he regaled us

with impossibly tall Kalahari tales around

a flickering fire.

‘Khomani’ means the ‘forgotten

people’, but – like the blood-orange

sand of the Red Dune Route – you will

find it impossible to erase them from

your memory once you experience their

encyclopaedic knowledge of the arid

veldt, or witness their rich, yet humble

and unfettered, lives.

Gariep (Hanover)

We have left behind the seas of sand

shaping the vast swathe of the Kalahari and

sailed the tarmac tides into the heart of

an endless grassland ocean. From a lone

kopje we had a great view across the “mini-

Serengeti” of the Karoo-Gariep Nature Reserve.

PC Ferreira and his family are deeply

rooted to this land upon the sedge-lined

shores of the windswept Seekoei River.

“Here on the Gariep plains, it is about more

than just family, though”, he explains. “No

man can be an island: our workers, our

neighbours, our friends, they are all family,

and the only way we are going to get

through this time is to stand together.”

That night, I thought about the hard

road ahead as I sit on a shale-shocked

outcrop while shooting the billion-star

sky. But the next day we bulleted down a

gold-washed jeep track, paddled the glacial

chop of the Seekoei, and stood entranced

at the petroglyphs dating back to when

Khoisan ranged upon these plains.

North West Province (Mahikeng)

Around three decades ago, I ended

up at a shebeen near Mahikeng (then

Mafikeng), paying Black Label school

fees in 750 ml instalments. During my

visit, a local regaled me with tales of

Lotlamoreng Cultural Village ... a story of

a famous Zulu sangoma constructing a

tourist village nearby …

80

I investigated the tall tale, eventually

found Lotlamoreng, and got to meet

the incredible Credo Mutwa. It was a

bizarre day of bone throwing and strange

portents, and over the years, I have kept in

touch with Lotlamoreng. This somehow

connected me with Galefele Matlhwăi

Molema, who I had the pleasure of meeting

for the first time during our Beyond the

Lockdown road trip.

“We sometimes bring the Boy Scouts

here, but other than that, nobody visits the

statues”, Galefele explained. “That is why

a few friends and I began the ‘Mahikeng

Cultural Society’ so that we could try to

preserve the statues. I mean, this really

is ‘Afro-Sci Fi in its infancy, and Credo

captured the whole concept of chitauri, or

alien beings, perfectly here.”

It was a privilege to have this

considerate, gentle-hearted giant as our

guide and interpreter to the Lotlamoreng

story. The village is unfortunately in

disrepair and is minimally maintained only

through the passion of Galefele and a

handful of colleagues.

Take the Road …

The above excerpts are of just a few of

the local tourism projects we managed to

highlight and support. There were many

more adventures, including drinking 70%

proof mampoer with the ‘Donkieboer of

Maratwane’, pedalling the streets of Jozi

with Eelco Meyjes while viewing astounding

graffiti art, free-diving into the vodka-clear

‘Marico Eye’ inland dive site, sitting under

the huge canopy of an ancient tree with

the ‘Mountain Foodies’ of Magoebaskloof,

and reconnecting with Mother Nature in

the indigenous forests of Kurisa Moya.

The cliffs, chasms, and crevices of the

rugged Mariepskop looming up from the

Mpumalanga Lowveld blew our minds; we

were seduced by the ocean adventures

(and palm wine, and age-old fish kraal

traditions) of the incredible Thongaland

Region of iSimangaliso; and experienced

the iconic Hole-in-the-Wall and warm

hospitality of Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast.

Please see this as just a snapshot of a

beautiful travel tale, capturing but the tip of

our local tourism iceberg ... What is clear,

though, is that there is no other country like

South Africa, and it is now up to all of us to

play local and stay local … So, go on, visit

these remarkable people and places, and

help rebuild the tourism industry that lies at

the heart of the Rainbow Nation.

Facebook: Beyond Expeditions

Instagram: @beyondexped

Twitter: @beyondexped


Going where Google Street View has not

Most people use Google Street View to

view places they plan on going to. But what

happens when the places you are venturing

to are not on Google Street View? Dirt

roads in particular are sometimes not

mapped. So, to help solve this problem,

Dunlop recently embarked on Grandtrek

Uncharted – its most ambitious project

yet – to go where Google has not yet been

and map new roads to be added to the

Street View platform.

The Dunlop Grandtrek Uncharted

journey, part of the Beyond the Lockdown

expedition, took the brand to all the

provinces in South Africa, seeking out

roads far from the beaten track that could

be added using a special 360-degree

camera. The tyres selected for the journey

included the Dunlop AT3G, AT25, and

the recently launched AT5. This allowed

for a mix of roads from tar and gravel, to

the seriously rough stuff only the most

adventurous would even consider tackling.

This confidence to go anywhere is exactly

what inspired Dunlop to embark on

Grandtrek Uncharted.

“The journey should be just as exciting

as the destination. In the old days,

adventurers would map out new places

they discovered,” says Riaz Haffejee, CEO

of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa. “We

wanted to capture some of this spirit

and show customers that our Grandtrek

range allows them to go places that even

Google has not yet been.

“We are excited as this is unique and

something no other tyre manufacturer

has ever done. With Dunlop Grandtrek,

you can take the road …even when

there is none.” The Grandtrek Uncharted

360-degree footage has been uploaded

to the Google Street View platform and

consumers can log onto www.grandtrek.

co.za to view the dedicated experience

videos. It has also been uploaded to

all Dunlop South Africa social media

accounts, as well as the YouTube channel.

Some places visitedNamaqua West Coast:

www.namaquawestcoast.com

Kgalagadi: www.khomanisan.co.za

Karoo-Gariep: www.karoogariep.co.za

North West Province: www.tourismnorthwest.co.za or

[email protected]

http://www.namaquawestcoast.com

http://www.khomanisan.co.za

http://www.karoogariep.co.za

http://www.tourismnorthwest.co.za

mailto:[email protected]

82

Text: Ferdi de Vos | Images: FCA

Quietly introduced here two years

ago, the second-generation

Compass is now already five

years old. The flagship Trailhawk 4×4

was the first (and for a long time, the

only) model available, and we recently

at long last had the opportunity to get

acquainted with this middle-of-the range

Italian-built offering from Jeep.

Clad in an electric blue paint hue with

gloss black roof, blackened bonnet, and

red towing points, the Trailhawk appeared

attractive and purposeful; with balanced

proportions seldomly found in the mid-

size SUV segment. The signature seven-

slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches

immediately identifies its bloodline, and

attractive 17-inch alloy wheels is part of

the package.

Other standard items include LED

headlights and taillights, and a special

Trailhawk package with exclusive

bumpers for better approach, breakover,

and departure angles, neutral grey trim,

and off-road rated suspension with a

higher ground clearance (220 mm).

Red Trail Rated badges on the

flanks – only afforded to Jeep models

that conquered the notorious Rubicon

Trail – confirms the off-road status of

this Compass, and it is now the only

model in the range sporting the naturally

aspirated 2,4-litre, four-cylinder Tigershark

CourseOff


engine paired with a nine-speed auto

transmission and Selec-Terrain four-

wheel-drive system.

Inside, the trapezoidal instrument

bezel immediately stands out, with gloss

black trim, some soft touch details, a

leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the

dual pane sunroof (a R20 000 option)

giving a feeling of class. Controls on

the steering wheel makes the Uconnect

8.4-inch display and seven-inch driver

information display user-friendly.

The bolstered electric-adjustable front

seats are comfortable and dual-zone

climate control was welcome but the

integrated satellite-navigation system

was not easy to use. Also, compared to

competitors such as the Toyota RAV4,

Mazda CX-5, VW Tiguan, and Subaru

Forester, the quality of materials, as

well as fit and finish, was lacking. The

Compass is also small inside, with only

248 litres of luggage space. The (optional)

Power Liftgate was welcome, though.

Off-road, on-road dynamics

On tarmac the ride quality of the

Compass Trailhawk was impressive; well

damped, comfortable, and composed.

Dynamically, the old, lethargic Tigershark

engine let it down, though. It became

noisy at high revs and had to be

mercilessly worked to try and shorten

Road Test

84

overtaking distances. It took close to

11 seconds to get up to 100 km/h (much

slower than the RAV4 2.5-litre) and the

slow, indecisive shifts from the nine-

speed drivetrain did not help either.

Although, once on rough dirt roads

and intermediate 4×4 tracks, the Trailhawk

started to show its mettle. With a 20:1

crawl ratio in Active Drive Low, combined

with Rock mode on the Selec-Terrain,

Hill Descent control, and its relatively low

weight, the Jeep skipped and jumped from

rock to rock like a Klipspringer.

The 4×4 Active Drive system with Rear

Axle Disconnect and four more calibrated

drive modes (Auto, Snow, Mud, Sand)

besides Rock mode, selected by a simple

twist of the dial, allow the Trailhawk to

live up to expectations off the road.

If it is an adventure SUV you want, then

this is it, as besides perhaps the Forester

there are no other real competitors

within this niche – except when you start

considering similarly-priced bakkie-based

SUV derivatives. And this is the reason why

this Compass is off course …

While well-specced, with a full suite of

safety features and competitively priced

(R604 705), there are better soft-roader

alternatives in this segment, while any

advantage in off-road competency is

eroded by the availability of cheaper,

roomier bakkie-based SUVs.

Engine: 2.4-litre Tigershark, in-line,

four-cylinder petrol

Capacity: 2 359 cc


Torque: 229 kW @ 3 900 Nm

Transmission: nine-speed auto, transfer case,

four-wheel drive


Top speed: 185 km/h

Fuel capacity: 60 l

Fuel economy: 9,5 l/100 km

Price: R604 705

We like: Attractive, purposeful design with balanced

proportions, on-road ride quality, off-road capabilities compared

to direct competitors.

We do not like: Lethargic engine and slow-changing gearbox,

interior quality compared to competitors, less spacious than competitors.

Jeep Compass 2.4 4×4 Trailhawk 76%ROADTRIP

RATING


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86

Paradise Caught!We could hear the river before we saw it – It was late summer, after all, and the rains had ensured that the Waterberg was certainly living up to its name. However, as we rounded the corner the view we encountered was so much more than water rushing over rapids between tree- and boulder-dotted riverbanks.

Text: Nicky Furniss | Images: Tintswalo Lapalala


A shade sail was stretched over a

Persian carpet scattered with plump

cushions. A gazebo housed the

smiling faces of two waiters, bottle of

bubbly in hand, ready to pop, while the

chef laid out the lunch buffet. A discrete

distance away, another gazebo shaded

a massage table where a therapist with

magic fingers was waiting to dole out back

and neck massages, in between munchies

and gin and tonics, reclining on cushions

and sticking our toes in a cool stream that

trickled over the rocks on its way to join the

rapids below.

As the sun reached its zenith, we started

to think longingly of our private plunge

pools back at the lodge, when our guide,

Corné Engelbrecht revealed yet another

magical surprise. Shielded from the river

by large boulders, we found a small rock

pool nestled into the hillside, cooled by

overhanging trees and fed by a waterfall – a

small one, yes, but still large enough to have

a Timotei advert moment underneath it.

Languishing in the cool water, with my

drink and a chocolate brownie to hand,

it was almost too heavenly to take in all

at once. But then, that is exactly what a

stay at Tintswalo Lapalala is all about – an

overload of indulgences… but in the best

way possible.

Location, Location, Location

Located in Limpopo in the Lapalala

Wilderness Reserve – one of the largest

private reserves in South Africa at

approximately 50,000 hectares – Tintswalo

Lapalala is the perfect base from which

to enjoy this spectacular landscape of

valleys, cliffs, mountains, waterfalls and

rolling savanna. It is a remarkable part of

the country and it is little wonder that

88

Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, of which

Lapalala is part, was designated a UNESCO

World Heritage Site in 2001.

Early morning and afternoon game

drives are punctuated by an ever changing

array of animal cameo appearances, from

lion and elephant and a host of antelope

and other plains species, to the more

elusive wild dog and leopard, and – if

you’re very lucky – possibly also brown

hyena, aardvark and aardwolf.

If you opt to swap your game drive

vehicle for a boat, you can go for a leisurely

meander along the Kubu River which

is a twitcher’s paradise, as kingfishers,

fish eagles and a rainbow array of other

birds can often be seen flitting along the

riverbanks or perching on overhanging

tree branches and reeds. No bush-boating

sundowner in Africa is ever complete

without the harrumphing of a hippo or too,

and the Kubu River residents are more than

happy to oblige!

Guided game walks give you the

opportunity to get up close and personal

with some of the smaller inhabitants of the

reserve, and if not the larger ones, at least

the signs they have left behind to indicate

the paths they meandered on their way

towards food or water.

For history buffs, special hikes can also

be organised up Malora Hill, a fascinating

Iron Age site, and – dependent on river

levels – to see ancient Bushman paintings;

the reserve’s characteristic cliffs and

boulders serving as irresistible canvases to

Southern Africa’s earliest inhabitants.

African Inspired

It is, in fact, also African inhabitants who

inspired the décor of each of the lodge’s

seven luxurious suites. Paying tribute to

some of the many tribes who roamed

Africa centuries ago, guests can stay – at

least figuratively – in a different region or

country every night, whether in the orange

dessert hues of the Namibia’s Himba tribe;

the rich blues of Northern Africa’s Tuareg

tribe, or, closer to home, in suites inspired

by the Xhosa and Zulu tribes.

If you find it hard to pick one, the

different room configurations may be the

deciding factor – there are two luxury

tents and two superior luxury tents, two

family luxury tents, and a large family suite

made up of two adjacent tents. All come

with their own plunge pools and outside

bathrooms, and there is just something

extra decadent about having a bath under

the stars.

You also have the option of sleeping

under the stars in the lodge’s sleep-out

suite. After dinner (always a gastronomical

delight, as are all meals served at Tintswalo

Lapalala), your guide will drive you up

to the suite which sits safely atop a long

flight of stairs, in amongst the tree canopy.

Here, you can pour yourself a sherry, climb

into your king size bed and enjoy the

unparalleled sounds of the bush at night.

You will be woken by a delicious

combination of the first rays of sunrise

and the sounds of the birds waking

up and testing their vocal chords. You

may even hear the rippling warble of

the African Paradise Flycatcher. With its

iridescent, crested grey head, bright blue

bill, chestnut-orange back and wings,

and distinctive long tail, it is a spectacular

looking bird; one which you will also see is

Tintswalo Lapalala’s emblem.

While the reason for this is a personal

one for the Corbett family who own the

lodge, I can’t help feeling that it is apt for

another reason. This area is nothing short

of paradise, and a stay at Tintswalo Lapalala

guarantees that it isn’t Paradise Lost,

but Paradise, very definitely caught (and

savoured to the full!).

SA Resident SpecialTintswalo Lapalala is offering great special

deals for South African residents (excluding

peak season dates from 15th December

2020 to 15th January 2021), including a

luxury tent for two (children included) for

R18 500 per unit for two nights, and a luxury

family tent for two (plus children under 16)

for R20 200 per unit for two nights. Visit

https://tintswalo.com/lapalala/gamelodge/

for more information.

https://tintswalo.com/lapalala/gamelodge/

90

I Am-arokText & Images: Jim Freeman


… but not an island, Jim Freeman quipped when he recently went looking for canyons in the

Langkloof with a special edition Volkswagen Amarok bakkie.

92

On balance of probabilities, Maria

Charlotte Roux and I must have

stood hitchhiking at opposite ends

of Uniondale at some time during 1978; she

on her way to Willowmore and myself to

Port Elizabeth. We never met; a good thing,

since Ms Roux is said to be the Uniondale

Ghost who died in a car accident a decade

before (you could say she “passed on”

before I passed through).

Apparently, she is still waiting for a

suitable ride and her patient pickiness

even saw a movie made in 2017 –Die

Spook van Uniondale – on the 50th

anniversary of her death.

Still, the Langkloof cannot be the worst

place to spend the rest of eternity because it

is there – just a dozen kilometres from where

I used to “duimgooi]” as a young troopie

escaping the army base at Oudtshoorn on

weekend pass – that the spirit of my late best

friend Dave Hodgson resides.

Just about everyone you meet in

the Klein Karoo has a ghost story to tell,

something I discovered recently when I

took the limited edition Volkswagen Amarok

Canyon double-cab for a lightning trip to the

land of C.J. Langenhoven and the ostrich-

feather magnates of a century ago.

Langenhoven’s haunt

Langenhoven, known as the “father of

modern Afrikaans”, apparently showed great

fondness for the products of Gründheim,

a winery and distillery just outside

Oudtshoorn. His love for fortified wine is

legendary in the Grundling family, owners

of Gründheim for over a century, and could

easily have resulted in him becoming one of

the ghosts roaming the plains.

The poet and author would regularly

arrive on his horse to stock up and spend

a few pleasant hours in the company of

the cellarmaster. The Grundlings would tie

him to his horse, which knew its way back

to Oudtshoorn, and hope he would arrive

home before toppling out of the saddle

and braining himself on the ground.

Ghost stories

Ina Grundling, in charge of the “back

office” of the family business, had her

supernatural encounter while returning

home during the 1997 Klein Karoo Arts

Festival. “There were three of us in the

bakkie. I was driving. It was late and very

hot. I have just turned onto the dirt road

leading back to the farm when suddenly

two lights appeared from nowhere out

of the dark to one side of us. They were

94

round and wide apart … like headlights on

those old cars.”

“The lights came out of the veld,” she

says, “crossed the road behind the bakkie

and plunged into the reeds that lined the dry

bed of the Cansa River. All three of us saw

the lights blink twice and die.” Ina recounted

the perplexing story to her father the next

morning. He told her that, in the time of

his father, a family had tried to ford the

river when it was in flood but their car was

washed away and all of them drowned.

Oudtshoorn (and Calitzdorp before that)

were pleasant waystations on my journey

with the Volkswagen. This was the third or

fourth Amarok I have driven over the past

eight years and, funnily enough, each one

of them found themselves in this part of the

world en route to the Eastern Cape.

The first was black and menacing with

tinted windows; far different in appearance

from the burnished copper (Volkswagen

calls the colour “honey orange”) Canyon

but equally as imposing in size as well as

style and performance. I have driven a lot

of double-cabs over the years and must

confess the Amarok stands pretty close to –

if not at – my pinnacle of favourites.

Most reviews of the vehicle I have

read mention that driving the Amarok

is the closest one gets to driving a car

while piloting a bakkie and I concur. The

Prince Alfred Pass between Avontuur and

Plettenberg Bay is notoriously tricky but the

hairpins and switchbacks were simple to

negotiate … steering lightly with the palm of

just one hand.

At the same time, the 4Motion

permanent all-wheel drive made the

Amarok sure-footed even when the clay

road surface was greasy. I have said it

before, and I will say it again: most double

cabs disappoint by being neither real

car nor proper bakkie. The second row

of seats leaves much to be desired in

terms of leg room and the load space is

frustratingly limited.

Louvain Guest Farm

The Amarok is appreciably longer than

most of its peers but that is because three

adults can sit comfortably behind the driver

and passenger, and the cargo space will

accept a full standard-sized pallet. It is a

vehicle farmers will happily trundle around

the pastures during working hours, yet take

into town to impress their friends or join

the jolly old KKNK.

My destination was Louvain Guest Farm

(www.louvain.co.za) midway between

http://www.louvain.co.za

96

Oudtshoorn and Uniondale on the

N9 / R62 in the district originally named

Ezeljacht (now Eseljag – “donkey hunt”)

and on the narrow but busy road the

over-booster on the engine that provides a

short spurt of additional power and torque

(180 kW and 580 Nm for about 10 seconds)

was handy for overtaking trucks loaded

with fruit or livestock.

The proof of whether the Canyon is a

“real” off-roader or a Saxonwold poseur was

to be established on Louvain by taking on

the challenging 4×4 route in the Outeniqua

Mountains above the farm. The rocky track

is a remnant of the old Voortrekker trail from

the Southern Cape lakes district and, at its

highest point (944 m), Sedgefield and the

sea are visible 27 km away.

“My family has been farming in this

area since the early 90s,” said Morné

Jonker, who runs operations at Louvain,

“and I watched this place grow as a tourist

attraction under the previous owners.

It was especially popular for weddings.

We farmed on Schoonberg which,

interestingly, was part of Louvain till the

farms split in the 1980s. We heard that the

owners of Louvain were looking to sell

about ten years ago and my father, Zach,

made them an offer.”

The elder Jonker and his partner Piet

Schoeman were not much concerned

with the hospitality side of the business

and this devolved to Morné, who

previously had been the winemaker on

the neighbouring estate of golfer Retief

Goosen. One of his passions is piloting

microlight aircraft and I met him early

the next morning for a literal overview of

the terrain.

Duiwelskop

It was bitterly cold and my eyes were

watering as we swooped and soared

exhilaratingly over pastures filled with

ewes and their Winter lambs and the lower

slopes of Duiwelskop. The veld was lush,

proof that the good rains in the Western

Cape had extended up the coast and

broken a five-year cycle of drought. Where

the earth was not green with grazing and

plantations, carpets of vygies and daisies

provided great splashes of vivid cerise,

yellow, and purple.

Late that afternoon, Morné and I took

the Canyon into the mountains to see

whether it matched the climbing and

clambering pedigrees of its predecessors.

Generally it did … and I am damning the

vehicle with faint praise because it did not

treat the rocky trail with the aplomb I had

come to expect of an Amarok.

Design of an eye-catching product has

come with the price of an (unladen) ground

clearance of just 192 mm – compared

to the 237 mm of a Ford Ranger – and

the underside of the VW kept scraping

itself noisily, making us cringe with

embarrassment on its behalf.

Besides a recent power upgrade on the

V6 diesel (from 165 kW to 190 kW) this is

probably the last Amarok model in current

guise. I do not think it would like to be

remembered as great on tar and gravel but

a bit lig in die broek when it comes to the

really tough stuff.

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel

Capacity: 2 967 cc

Power: 165 kW @ 3 000-4 500 rpm

Torque: 550 Nm @ 1 400-1 750 rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

0-100 km/h: 8 seconds

Top speed: 193 km/h

Fuel capacity: 80 l

Fuel economy: 9 l/100 km

Price: R799 000

We like: Comfort, space, drive quality.

We do not like: Not enough ground clearance.

Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI Canyon 4Motion 84%ROADTRIP

RATING

98

SuzukiText & Images: Jim Freeman

Sharks, The King and


Sharks and motorcycles; what more do you need to get the

juices flowing, asks Jim Freeman after he took a Suzuki 1050

V-STROM on an adventure trip to Gansbaai.

100

Novelist Stephen King paints a

disconcerting picture of a car as

being – I am not quoting him

directly, just in essence – a beast that eats

roads and craps miles. And who am I (I ask

with all humility) to argue with The King?

Do not get me wrong; I am perfectly

happy behind the wheel of a car, bakkie,

or SUV, especially with an open road

disappearing up ahead. The vehicle can

devour, digest, and defecate to its heart’s

content while I (all alimentary alliteration

aside) do my Major Tom impression –

“here am I sitting in my tin can …”

Unfortunately, driving in some

of today’s finest vehicles can be an

insular experience and I often feel quite

removed from the world as it whizzes by.

I cannot say the same when I am riding

a motorcycle; for better or worse, bikers

are exposed to the elements and all the

physical as well as emotional sensations

such exposure brings.

My ride to Gansbaai started in

Muizenberg and I followed coastal roads

almost all the way with, of course, the

highlight being Clarence Drive between

Gordons Bay and Kleinmond. Some

people labour under the misconception

that riding during the Western Cape

Winter is invariably nasty but the good

days are incomparable.

The air is crisp and perfumed by

fynbos while the roads … well, most

of the roads in the province were built

expressly for bikers’ enjoyment. Clarence

Drive is possibly the best example of this.

It is twisty as hell but the road cambers

are all true and, with a bike as beautifully

balanced as the V-STROM, it could

almost be ridden with one hand.

Breakfast run favourite

The bike sports a ride-by-wire throttle

system that not only makes acceleration

more predictable but also enhances

engine efficiency and reduces emissions.

It is a favourite for Sunday breakfast runs

and with people who just need to blow

the cobwebs from between their ears

but I was in no hurry and stopped several

times along the way, hoping to spot

whales in False Bay.

The only discordant note was struck

between Hermanus and Stanford where

the road is being rebuilt (at last!) but is

still plagued by a couple of long stop-

and-go interruptions. My immediate

destination was the Grootbos Private

Nature Reserve (see story on Page 30)

just outside Gansbaai and I arrived just

after lunch in ebullient mood.

I have been to Grootbos a couple

of times (eight years ago) and the

welcoming staff said they would allocate

me the same suite at Forest Lodge I had

stayed in previously. It was a nice touch

even though the place had yet to open

due to Covid-19 lockdown, for even

local leisure travel. I was the only guest

in residence, though that changed on

the Friday when travellers arrived in quite

heartening numbers.

Grootbos is a Garden of Eden within

the greater Cape Floral Kingdom because

of its fynbos diversity. The Unesco World

Heritage site covers about 1.1 million

hectares and contains an estimated

7 500 fynbos species. Of these, more

than 800 can be found on Grootbos’

scant 2 500 ha (including one previously

unknown to science that was discovered

in a single tiny pocket of the property

during the Covid-19 lockdown).

Each Forest Lodge suite features

panoramic views of Walker Bay all the

way past Hermanus to Hangklip. On

clear days, you can see the spine of

Hoerikwaggo where it disappears into

the sea at Cape Point. Before my arrival,

owner Michael Lutzeyer said that –

since he was effectively still closed for

business – Grootbos would be unable

to provide catering and I would have to

fend for myself.

However, on my first night he delegated

Ruth Crichton of his marketing staff to

take me to dinner in Gansbaai. This was

one of several highlights of my road trip.

[itals]Mama Rita’s[itals] is an authentic,

reasonably priced Italian restaurant set in a

cosy heritage stone cottage with food and

an atmosphere comparable to any top-

class bistro in Cape Town.

Captivated by her “specials” board,

we each ordered four starters (to arrive

simultaneously) to share: gnocchi with

blue cheese, calamari chilli cheese

poppers, duck livers wrapped in bacon,

and Dutch [itals]bitterballen[itals] with

Dijon mustard.

Shark watching

However, the main attraction in

Gansbaai is whale and shark watching.

With regards to the latter, the town bills

itself as “the great white shark-viewing

capital of the world” and, indeed,

thousands of intrepid thrill-seekers don

wetsuits every year to go cage-diving

with the magnificent predators.

The problem, though, is that shark

numbers have declined dramatically

over the past decade and the same

applies to tourists. According to Wilfred

Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics (www.

marinedynamics.co.za) and founder of

the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (www.

dict.org.za), shark figures declined from

8 5000 in 2016 to 4 5000 last year.

This has inevitably led to fears of the

extinction of the species but marine

biologist Alison Towner, while conceding

that the consequences of over-fishing

are dire, maintains that “nobody knows

just [itals]how[itals] threatened great

whites are in this part of the world”.

Bobbing about on the research boat

[itals]Lwazi[itals] off Dyer Island while a

crew member chums fishy bits, Towner

explains, “There is no such thing as a ‘local’

or ‘resident’ population. The animals that

have been counted in this bay are mobile

and move along the Southern African

coastline from Namibia to Mozambique

and throughout sub-Antarctic waters.”

102

“The situation around Gansbaai

worsened appreciably in February 2017”,

Towner says, “when two orcas moved into

the area and started taking the livers out

of sharks. “This phenomenon, however,

is not unique to Gansbaai or even South

Africa. Killer whales regularly move into

areas to target different prey as a possible

result of over-fishing.” As Gansbaai has

“lost” sharks, Mossel Bay and Plettenberg

Bay have seen concomitant increases in

“their” populations.

Agulhas Wine Route

Perhaps the greatest eye-opener came

when freelance field-guide Christoff

Longland (who has been working the

Gansbaai area for a dozen years) and I

took our bikes to Baardskeerdersbos to

look in at The Giant Periwinkle, a boutique

producer on the lesser known Cape

Agulhas Wine Route.

Longland and I rocked up on our

bikes (his was an ever-dependable

BMW GS650) for a private tasting

hosted by co-owner Robert Stelzner.

The wines, made by Pierre Rabie,

exploit the cool climate and the various

elegant Sauvignon Blanc offerings are

crisp without being astringent. His

sophisticated reds – the Sun Spider

Pinotage and Baardbek Rhône blend – I

would drink it all day if Dr Dlamini-Zuma

and my bank manager permitted.

The ride home started with me

heading past Baardskeerdersbos towards

Bredasdorp before turning inland to test

the abilities of the V-STROM on dirt. The

canola was in full bloom (one bee at Elim

clearly thought the Suzuki’s tank was

an outsize flower) and the backroads

were wet enough to settle the gravel but

sufficiently dry as not to be greasy.

It was not long before I was tootling

along merrily, ignoring the odd water-

filled pothole and eyeballing the scenery.

Then, after Caledon a cold front-

heralding gale hit me – riding down Sir

Lowry’s Pass in howling crosswinds was

a gut-clenching experience – whipping

me around all the way home. Talk about

being at the mercy of the elements rather

than revelling in them!

Fortunately, the bike has an

extendable windshield and all I could do

was to raise it to its maximum height and

tuck in as much as possible. No, there is

no such thing as being cocooned on the

back of a bike but who said you had to

have fun while living life to the max?

104

Destination GuideNorthern Drakensberg

MONTUSI MOUNTAIN LODGE

“Montusi Mountain Lodge offers genuine hospitality in the tranquillity of one of the most beautiful settings in Southern Africa. Space, comfort and peace are what you will find when you treat yourself to the natural splendour and peaceful, romantic ambiance of this Northern Drakensberg haven. Situated in the Kwazulu-Natal Northern Drakensberg, halfway between Johannesburg and Durban, Montusi Mountain Lodge is the only upmarket destination in the area with a full and uninterrupted view of the Drakensberg’s most famous part, the Amphitheatre escarpment. Our guests enjoy this spectacular scenery in the comfort of their private individual garden suites.Activities on the 1000 hectare estate are diverse. Enjoy the peace”

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 036 438 6243

Address: D119, Northern Drakensberg, Bergville, 3350

Web: www.montusi.co.za

106

88 89Make the journey your destination

Destination GuideJohannesburg

INTERCONTINENTAL O.R TAMBO INTERNATIONAL

Located only a short walk away from the arrivals hall of Johannesburg’s largest international airport, the award-winning InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, South Africa’s only luxury airport hotel, offers travellers a luxurious and

enjoyable stay upon arrival. The hotel’s 138 rooms are impeccably appointed, from the Deluxe and Executive rooms, to the two luxurious Suites. Guests can enjoy the state-of-the art fitness centre, the Camelot Spa, which provides a host of pampering and rejuvenating treatments, an indoor heated swimming pool, and a uniquely African dining experience at the hotel’s Quills restaurant. The hotel comes perfectly equipped to handle your every need, from conferencing facilities and a

luxurious spa, to free WiFi and their famous hospitality.

ContactCall: +27 11 961 5400

Website: www.ihg.com

Destination GuideTshwane

RITSAKO GAME LODGE

Nestled in the heart of the Dinokeng Game Reserve, and situated 45km north of Pretoria on the N1 Highway only 1.5 hour’s drive from OR Tambo International Airport, lies the Ritsako Game Lodge. The venue is ideal for conferencing, catered and self-catering accommodation, weddings, functions and team building activities. The catered units boast a private swimming pool and well positioned viewing deck where one can see the free roaming Big Five. The self-catering units with two luxurious suites are fully furnished and have a private Boma and Lapa that are perfect for a gathering of family or friends around an African bush fire. The multipurpose conference centre can accommodate up to 250 people, with four breakaway rooms one of which can convert into a chapel and two boardrooms. Enjoy succulent food from their restaurant, or book a massage from the onsite spa for a true escape from the city.

Contact Website: www.ritsakogamelodge.co.zaAddress: Portion 19 of farm Kaallaagte 122, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Hammanskraal, South AfricaPhone: + 27 (0) 10 300 5776


Destination GuideCape Town

THE CAPE MILNER

The Cape Milner, a well-known oasis in the heart of trendy Tamboerskloof, continues its ongoing metamorphic journey with the most recent upgrade of the luxury rooms and suites. A brand new bathroom has been fashioned to offer a

modern stylish finish and more luxurious amenities. This is a space that should be dedicated to new beginnings, to starting fresh, and to pampering ourselves as much as possible. This fresh and luxurious suite will give you renewed energy and is

the perfect get-away in trendy Cape Town.

Enjoy the superb hospitality of The Glass Lounge – our stylish venue is the perfect setting in which to enjoy a quiet coffee or classy cocktail catch-up with friends against the backdrop of the majestic Table Mountain.

Take a break and escape to The Cape Milner for an unforgettable experience.

ContactEmail: [email protected]

Website: www.capemilner.com

Phone: +27 21 426 1101

110

Electromobility is gaining ground

worldwide and the number of battery-

driven electric models offered, and their

registrations are growing, and infrastructure is

expanding as well. Just the type of scenario

needed to showcase the capabilities of this

technology – much like record-breaking

pioneers did a century ago with the advent of

internal combustion engine technology.

To take on the challenge, Volkswagen

acquired the services of long-distance

record-breaking driver, Rainer Zietlow from

Mannheim, and his co-driver Dominic

Brüner to carry out this ultimate e-drive

road test. Zietlow has made a name for

himself as a long-distance specialist with

worldwide record-breaking drives with

Volkswagen models such as the new

Touareg, including three World Records

and seven long-distance records that took

him to 130 different countries.

650 charging points

The marathon tour of about 20 000 km

long, will take Zietlow and Brüner all over

Germany. Over the course of this unique

two-month marathon, they will be stopping

at around 650 quick-charging stations in

the greater Germany with more than 60 kW

charging capacity to test the long-distance

capabilities and qualities of the new ID.3 as

well as the existing We Charge charging

service in the country.

The pair is driving a pre-production

model of the ID.3 Pro S with a 77 kWh net

battery energy capacity. The battery offers

a range of up to 549 km in a Worldwide

Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure

(WLTP) cycle and this model will be

brought to market in Germany next year.

Interestingly, a few ID.3 models are also

currently being tested in South Africa by

various media representatives to experience

and record its compatibility with the

existing (limited) charging infrastructure.

The route through as many areas of

Germany as possible, was calculated

by students of the Institute of Transport

Logistics (ITL) at the Technical University

of Dortmund. It started from the

southernmost hotel near Oberstdorf

in Germany and will finish at the

northernmost car park in the country, West

of List on Sylt. The team will post daily

updates and report on their experiences

online at www.id3-deutschlandtour.com/

over the next two months.

Marathon E-DriveText: Paul van Gass | Image: Volkswagen AG

http://www.id3-deutschlandtour.com

EATING PLANS to suit your specific lifestyle

TRAINING PLANS to tone and condition your body

SUPPLEMENT PLAN to enhance and accelerate results

PERSONAL DASHBOARD to track your results

S I N C E 2 0 0 4

REACH YOUR WEIGHT LOSS DESTINATION!JOIN THE ALL-NEW USN BODY MAKEOVER CHALLENGE NOW.

The USN Body Makeover Challenge is SA’s most successful weight loss programme, proven to transform your body and your lifestyle during a 12 week period.

TO DEPART ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEYCLICK HERE

@USNSA

RE-LAUNCHING SEPTEMBER

2020.

36189 SA Digital Magazine SKY NEWS 275 x 210mm.indd 136189 SA Digital Magazine SKY NEWS 275 x 210mm.indd 1 2020/07/31 12:28:012020/07/31 12:28:01

https://usn.co.za/goals/weightloss/

West Coast flower spectacle

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