GME’s XRS Connect is an Australian-made radio platform designed to be smart, adaptable and rugged.
These radios feature a professional grade speaker microphone complete with a powerful two-watt speaker, customisable buttons and a high contrast OLED screen guaranteeing a crystal clear, anti-glare display.
Enabled by Bluetooth wireless technology, XRS Connect is a market leader of connected UHF CB radios, with a number of unique features.
The XRS Connect range includes the first ever UHF CB radios with app control, introducing new features such as creating and sharing scan lists, and instant access to the entire Australian and New Zealand commercial analogue frequency database.
As with many other smart devices, XRS Connect products are software upgradable via the app, keeping your radio up to date with the latest features and technology. And now there are more ways to connect with the all-new XRS Connect Bluetooth Interface Module and Wireless PTT, the XRS-BT1.
The XRS-BT1 is an interface module bringing full Bluetooth audio connectivity and wireless PTT (Push-to-Talk) functionality to the full range of XRS Connect UHF CB Radios.
Bluetooth audio connectivity allows the XRS-BT1 to wirelessly connect to an extensive range of third-party audio accessories including headphones, hearing aids, and vehicle stereo systems, providing users with new and improved ways to stay connected.
Australians face harsh conditions on the road: glare, dust, random flying objects, and some of the highest UV levels in the world. Give the gift of protection this Christmas thanks to Ugly Fish.
Ugly Fish have been designing eyewear for active Aussies for more than 20 years. The range includes Safety, Motorcycle, Lifestyle and Prescription sunglasses.
JUMP AHEAD
- Eclipse sunglasses
- Unbreakable series
- Limited Edition 20th Anniversary series
- Tradie-certified safety sunglasses
Eclipse sunglasses (RRP: $169)
The best-selling Eclipse sunglasses are perfect for clear vision while driving, designed with:
- Tough, ultra lightweight TR-90 frame – weighing in at just 27 grams.
- Polycarbonate lenses – the lightest and most impact resistant of all plastic lenses.
- Maximum UV Protection, Advanced Polarisation and Anti-reflective coating for unbeatable glare reduction.
- Hydrophobic and anti-scratch lens coatings.
- Choose from Smoke, Brown, or Blue Mirror lens tints.
- Also available with Prescription lenses, or as Bifocals for close-up vision support.
Unbreakable series ($89.95)
If you’re a little rough on your sunnies, look no further than the Ugly Fish Unbreakable range. Bend them, twist them, they’re virtually indestructible!
- Made with flexible, heat and weather-resistant thermoplastic TPEE frames.
- Maximum UV Protection and Advanced Polarisation for glare reduction.
- Available with prescription lenses.
Limited Edition 20th Anniversary series ($89.95-$174.95)
Ugly Fish are celebrating an epic 20 years of engineering eyewear for Aussies who want to grab life by the handlebars. This Christmas, get your hands on a Limited Edition piece from the 20th Anniversary range. While stocks last.
- Four Limited Edition designs with signature red detailing.
- Choose from lightweight TR-90 or sports metal frames.
- Maximum UV Protection and Advanced Polarisation for glare reduction.
- Smoke or Brown lens tints available.
Tradie Certified Safety sunglasses
Give them a gift that works as hard as they do, with a pair of Certified safety sunglasses. On the jobsite, on the road or on the water, they’ve got you covered.
- Certified safety, built to Australian Safety Standard AS/NZS 1337.1 for Medium Impact.
- Tough, lightweight TR-90 frames.
- Choose from wrap designs, or frames with side-shield protection.
- Maximum UV Protection, also available with Polarisation for glare reduction.
- Smoke, Brown, Mirror, or Photochromic adaptive lens tints available.
Here’s a selection of great stocking-stuffing ideas from the experts at MSA 4X4 Accessories, with these products ideal for your next 4×4 adventure.
JUMP AHEAD
- Power Slide with table
- Storage Drawer Systems and Cargo Barriers
- Power Fold Towing Mirror
- Premium Cutlery Pack
- Premium Canvas Seat Covers
Power Slide with table
MSA 4X4 has taken the original Drop Slide to the next level and completely removed all physical effort to raise and lower a fridge to an accessible height. Accessing chilled food and drinks needs to be as easy as possible. Simply extend the slide and press the right-hand side control panel buttons to lower and raise the fridge. The function is smooth and effortless with the powerful twin 12-volt electric actuators doing all the work. The MSA Power slide shares the same compact footprint as the original patented Drop Slide.
RRP: Prices vary depending on model
Storage Drawer Systems and Cargo Barriers
MSA 4X4’s Storage Drawer Systems are designed with a patented slide technology offering a smoother opening under heavy loads. The entire drawer extends further from the frame, allowing 100% access to the drawers. No more hard-to-reach items at the back! Constructed with aluminium and have anodised aluminium components. Super-strong, lightweight and comes with stainless steel fasteners used throughout for a rust-free, corrosion resistance lifetime of use.
MSA 4×4’s Storage Drawer Systems, and Cargo Barriers, have been crash-tested and are fully ADR compliant.
RRP: Prices vary depending on system
Power Fold Towing Mirror
MSA 4X4 has reached an exhilarating milestone, by taking the next step in the development of the highly popular, patented, SEMA award-winning, MSA 4X4 Towing Mirrors. The introduction of the much anticipated, MSA Power Fold Towing Mirrors, NOW brings the power to fold at your fingertips.
Featuring the same, large single mirror that pivots on a heavy-duty extension slide, as the original MSA 4X4 Towing Mirrors. Thus allowing the mirror to extend out when towing and return to a normal driving position, when not towing. Available in black or chrome.
RRP: Prices vary depending on model and pre-existing features
Premium Cutlery Pack
The MSA 4X4 Premium Cutlery Pack brings a touch of luxury to a camping trip or day out with family. All the cutlery items required to make a simple lunch or a three course dinner under the stars are contained within the durable, hard wearing 12oz premium canvas pack.
Each item is manufactured from high quality, food grade materials and are MSA 4X4 branded for a distinctive look. Consisting of a cutlery set, a set of kitchen knives, a set of utensils and a bamboo cutting board. The MSA 4X4, two-year warranty applies to all the components.
RRP: $167
Premium Canvas Seat Covers with integrated lumbar support
MSA 4X4 has created a canvas seat cover that is durable enough to withstand life’s adventures, yet still soft enough to be comfortable for the occupants. The best fitting canvas seat covers available for a 4wd, guaranteeing touring comfort. Complete with a fully integrated, and adjustable air lumbar support.
Manufactured from heavy duty Teflon impregnated polycotton blend. 12oz canvas with reinforced high wear areas, (Polycotton protective layer, and additional canvas layer to high wear areas), making them 100% water, dirt, mud, kid and pet proof. Large rear pockets, centre console and headrest covers as standard. Fully airbag compliant and ADR certified.
RRP: Prices vary depending on model
Powertec has all of your comms and battery solutions sorted, and here’s a selection of ideas for the upcoming festive season for your 4×4-loving friends and family.
JUMP AHEAD
- Blackhawk Trucker Edge
- CEL-F1 ROAM R41
- Lithium Battery Smart 12.8V & 25.6V
- Lynx Smart Battery Management System
Blackhawk Trucker Edge
The Powertec Trucker Edge antenna is designed to provide optimal gain across 3G and 4G bands used when travelling throughout Australia and abroad. This powerful bull bar antenna features the optimum 6 dBi gain, providing best performance in both flat remote areas and when travelling amongst hills and tall trees.
As a bull bar-mounted antenna, the Trucker Edge sports an extra heavy-duty stainless-steel bell-spring for rough corrugations, and a strong, tapered fibreglass radome that provides consistent radiative performance in all directions. The antenna has a 4.5-metre PTL-240 ultra-flex cable, which is an industry-standard for high vibration mining machinery and industrial plants, and it provides the lowest per-metre loss of all similar-sized coaxial cables.
CEL-F1 ROAM R41
Designed for cars, trucks, RVs and boats, the CEL-FI ROAM R41 is the industry’s most powerful cellular coverage solution for on-the-go applications. The R41 features the latest proprietary fourth generation IntelliBoost chip to deliver channelised coverage for specific mobile network operator (MNO) signals.
With this industry-leading performance and its plug-and-play operation, ROAM R41 can be set up and powered to improve cellular connectivity within minutes. ROAM R41 also supports operator switching through the Nextivity WAVE app.
Lithium Battery Smart 12.8V & 25.6V
- With integrated cell balancing.
- Can be parallel and series connected.
- Bluetooth app available to monitor cell voltage and temperature.
- VE. Bus BMS / VE.Bus BMS V2 – recommended for systems with our inverter/chargers.
- smallBMS – recommended for use in small systems.
- Smart BMS 12/200 – recommended for use in Automotive and Marinesystems having DC-loads and Alternators.
- Smart BMS CL 12/100 – recommended for use in Automotive and Marine systems having DC-loads and alternators.
- Lynx Smart BMS is recommended for use in large systems.
Lynx Smart Battery Management System
The Lynx Smart BMS is a dedicated Battery Management System for Victron Lithium Smart Batteries. There are multiple BMS-es available for our Smart Lithium series of batteries, and the Lynx Smart is the most feature-rich and complete option. It is available in two versions: 500A (with M8 busbar connections) and 1000A (with M10 busbar connections).
Brighten up someone’s Christmas with a set of Narva’s class-leading EX2 or EX2R driving lights.
JUMP AHEAD
EX2 9-inch kit
The NARVA EX2 range of driving lights has been designed with the DIY 4WD enthusiast in mind, and it’s also ideal for a wide range of fleet and transport applications. With EXceptional beam pattern performance, EXtra-easy installation, EXceptional build quality and EXtensive customisation options to EXpress yourself.
EX2R 9-inch kit
The EX2R series maintains EX2’s performance and construction but introduces ADR/ECE-approved front position lights. Enhancing safety and visibility, these RGB-enabled lights, paired with the 12V RGB Bluetooth controller, offer customisable colours and a secure driving experience.
Don’t let flat batteries ruin your adventures this festive season. Projecta’s IS1220 and IDC25X units make for great gifts for your four-wheeling mates.
JUMP AHEAD
IS1220
A powerful and super compact lithium jump starter capable of starting vehicles up to 7.0L petrol and 4.5L diesel. Ideal for family cars through to mid-sized diesel 4WDs.
IDC25X
Projecta’s next generation in dual battery management, ideal for 4WD and camper trailer applications. Provides an advanced charge simultaneously from both solar and alternator inputs. Market-leading temperature compensation allows IDC25X to provide 25A charge both in hot and cold climates, making it ideal for under-bonnet installation.
MSA 4X4 Accessories’ Power Fold towing mirrors offer a cutting-edge solution to enhance functionality and safety during off-road travels.
“We are incredibly thrilled to bring the MSA Power Fold to the vibrant 4×4 and camping community in Australia,” said Shane Miles, Director of MSA 4X4. “Our team’s passion for adventure and outdoor exploration drives us to innovate and create products that empower our customers to embrace their spirit of adventure with confidence.”
The Power Fold introduces a “power fold” feature, providing users with effortless mirror adjustment at the touch of a button. This long-awaited feature will allow 4WDs to fit into tight car spaces with the push of a button.
The extended viewing area and four different driving positions of the mirrors ensure a wider range of vision, reducing blind spots and improving on-road safety. Plus it’ll prove invaluable when off-road, where visibility is crucial.
Latest Gear Guides
Designed to withstand Australia’s harsh conditions, the Power Fold is engineered with injection-moulded die-cast aluminium components, making it resilient against extreme weather, impacts, and vibrations encountered during outdoor adventures.
The sleek design of the Power Fold seamlessly integrates with various 4WD models, offering a stylish look that complements the vehicles’ design. Plus it’s designed for simple installation, ensuring a seamless process for every Australian 4×4 enthusiast.
The MSA Power Fold towing mirror is now available for purchase Australia-wide, priced between $1625 and $1725, depending on the 4WD model.
If you’re into the Ranger Raptor, could a properly powered-up GR HiLux get onto your shopping list?
For Toyota fans, the next-generation HiLux ute must feel like it’s simultaneously months and a lifetime away. News of upcoming Toyota models can be hard to come by, but the rumours are always flying.
It’s especially true for the HiLux, of course, with the Ranger v HiLux sales and diehard fan battles now effectively a successor to the days of Commodore v Falcon – if we dare even suggest such a thing.
Styling for the next HiLux remains a mystery, although reports suggest a look inspired by the US market’s recently revealed new-generation Tacoma – and its platform is expected to be shared with the HiLux too.
? So, of course, that’s what our earlier speculative renderings were based on, back in February.
In the months since, and especially with Toyota launching its new HiLux GR Sport – a meaner-looking, more capable and lightly powered-up HiLux aimed at the Ranger Wildtrak – we haven’t been able to stop thinking about a full-bottle GR HiLux.
In terms of styling, we’d expect any Tacoma-inspired HiLux to continue that theme by borrowing from the hero Tacoma TRD Pro, with a bonnet scoop, fin-like sailplane, huge flares and a more capable drivetrain than the average.
How does 243kW and 630Nm sound?
Where the previous Tacoma TRD was powered by a 3.5-litre V6, the new model gets Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system – which will also feature in the new Prado and a number of other models, in different guises.
In the new Prado, the i-Force Max setup sees a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel matched to an electric motor to produce 243kW and 630Nm. That’s nothing to sneeze at, because while the power figure is down on the 292kW produced by the Ranger Raptor’s 3.0-litre turbo V6, the Taco TRD Pro’s torque numbers comfortably shade the Raptor’s 583Nm.
If Toyota really wanted to play the muscle game, though, it might be able to pack in the Tundra’s version of the i-Force Max system, which replaces the four-cylinder diesel with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6, bumping outputs to 326kW and a massive 793Nm.
Power is only part of the equation, of course, so we’d expect the GR HiLux to follow the GR Sport in gaining a host of performance-focused chassis changes to go with its new ability to haul arse.
Which would you prefer? Get voting!
November 27: Grenadier Quartermaster ute deliveries due soon
The first Grenadier Quartermaster dual-cab ute is fresh off the INEOS production line in Hambach, France, with European deliveries due to begin in December.
Snapshot
- European deliveries to begin in December
- Australian deliveries expected in early 2024
- Cab-chassis variant in the works
Shipments to the Asia Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East regions will follow soon after, so expect Australian deliveries to take place early in 2024.
The Quartermaster is built on the same Hambach production line as its Grenadier wagon stablemate, and the two vehicles share many of the same off-road-ready features.
These include a full box-section ladder frame chassis, heavy duty solid beam axles, a two-speed transfer case, and up to three locking differentials. Unlike the Grenadier, though, the Quartermaster comes with an uncompromising load-carrying ability.
The wheelbase is 305mm longer at 3227mm to cater for a large tray area that can easily fit a 1200mm x 800mm Euro pallet. The Quartermaster comes with a payload of 832kg for the diesel variant and 907kg for the petrol-powered version.
These diesel and petrol powertrains are both BMW 3.0-litre turbo-charged inline six engines, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels.
“The start of production for our second model line is another extremely exciting and important milestone for INEOS Automotive.” said Lynn Calder, CEO, INEOS Automotive. “It’s a great addition to our model line-up.”
Grenadier driven!
INEOS has confirmed a cab-chassis variant built on the same frame as the Quartermaster will debut in 2024.
July: Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster goes official
The Grenadier Quartermaster pick-up, the second model in the Grenadier line-up from Ineos Automotive, had its first official outing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom this week.
June: First official image of Quartermaster dual-cab ute
English automotive start-up Ineos has revealed that its double-cab 4×4 ute will be called the Quartermaster and be officially unveiled on July 13th along with a hydrogen fuel-cell demo vehicle.
Ineos has released a first official teaser image of the production Quartermaster ute, following a previous computer-generated image.
Based on the same ladderframe chassis and BMW powertrains as the Grenadier wagon, the Quartermaster will be Ineos Automotive’s second model.
The Grenadier uses a choice of petrol or diesel six-cylinder engines, both supplied by BMW and backed by ZF automatic transmissions. A full-time dual-range transfer case gives four-wheel drive, while the live axles come from Italian manufacturer Carraro and can be equipped with locking differentials. Fixed coil springs suspend the axles.
Ineos says its Grenadier Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Demonstrator will “show how well-suited the zero emissions technology is for a future long-range 4X4 off-roader”.
The Grenadier FCEV will join the Quartermaster ute for runs up Goodwood’s famous hillclimb. Locally, deliveries of the Grenadier wagon have finally begun, some six month after originally intended. Ineos Australia told us that the first deliveries were made to owners in Western Australia before the ship made it way to the East coast where it landed in NSW and vehicles have been distributed.
The Grenadier is priced from $97,000 in Australia, which is around $13,000 more than originally quoted. However, those who ordered their vehicles at the original price have kept the lower price. Pricing, specification and launch timing of the Quartermaster has yet to be announced.
Patrol Y62 owners can now improve the vehicle’s looks dramatically, with this new offering from Ironman 4×4.
The Raid bull bar may look sharp, but it also features improved approach angles, greatly improved frontal protection, light mounting and full winch compatibility. This bar from Ironman 4×4 is a sleek urban design, with the toughest of tough-track capabilities.
When it comes to a winch, the industry standard is one that can handle at least 1.5 times the weight of your 4WD. With a GVM of 3500kg, the Y62 Patrol requires nothing less than a 12,000lb winch, which is why the Raid bull bar is compatible with that size winch.
Recovery points are also critical and Ironman 4×4 has included two recovery points in the bull bar, using 16mm steel, non-abrasive radius edges and an elongated hole, suitable for soft shackles and D shackles. Colour and high visibility are added courtesy of the powder-coated red, five-tonne rated recovery points.
It is important that the Y62’s safety features still function when a bull bar is added, and the Raid bull bar incorporates all factory OEM safety features. Ironman 4×4 also performs in-house FEA and ADR compliance testing and complies with all state and territory regulations, meeting industry standards.
“The Y62 has proven to be a very popular vehicle for 4WDers and towing tourers; there’s just something about a V8 Petrol engine that cannot be beaten,” said Mark Berger, general manager of marketing at Ironman 4×4.
“The Y62 Patrol has earned itself a bit of a cult following, and the owners pride themselves on the sleek sporty look, so it became apparent that we needed not just a traditional full-protection hooped bull bar, but something a bit more integrated yet still offered a great off-road platform.
“The Raid bar was designed to complement the lines of the Patrol while stripping back the lower front guard to expose more of the tyre profile and provide a far improved approach angle for off-road driving.
“The bar is still fully compatible with our 12,000lb winch and lends itself to be customised with a selection of cube lights, light bars and driving lights. All in all, it’s an impressive all-round package for both looks and performance,” added Berger.
Latest gear guides
Other features of the Patrol Y62 Raid bull bar include the provision for a centred lightbar, cube or fog lights and a flip-up number plate bracket. The winch cradle is mounted directly to the chassis for strength and safety and is constructed using 5mm steel.
The Raid bull bar is made from 3mm and is finished with a matte black, textured powder-coat finish.