To celebrate the debut of the all-new 2014 Range Rover Sport at the 2013 New York Auto Show, we look back at how this iconic model has evolved over the years.
From its inception in 1970, to 1994’s second-gen P38A and the clean-sheet design of the L322 in 2002, the Range Rover’s influence in the 4X4 world has been monumental. Take a peek at how the Rangie has changed with this gallery.
The Mercedes Benz GL350 may not be the ultimate off-roader, but it gets the stars as a luxury four-wheel-drive.
If you’re in the fortunate position to be looking for a luxury 4×4 wagon that can seat seven passengers and offer some genuine off-road ability, then your choices are few among the current crop of new cars.
When you’re talking luxury vehicles, you can’t go past the three-pointed star of the Mercedes Benz brand but it isn’t the first company that comes to mind when considering an all-terrain capable 4×4. Sure the G-wagon vehicles are unstoppable but they lack the top-tier luxury and practicality that buyers at this price-point are after and the M-Class is a sweet all-road SUV, but is there a happy middle ground?
The 2014 GL-Class Mercedes Benz is the second generation here and unfortunately for people like us, it has become a softer vehicle than the original was. All first-gen GLs sold in Australia came with the Off & On Road Package that added low range gearing, a locking centre differential and extra underbody protection to the big wagon but, in-line with market trends, this is no longer the case and GL350, GL500 and AMG GL63 models don’t get these goodies any more.
Not many GL buyers use their vehicle off-road and the off-road kit adds weight, cost and uses more fuel so it’s no surprise they dropped the heavy duty parts from the standard vehicle. To Benz’s credit, the company still offers the Off Road Pack as an option on the GL350 BlueTEC only – the model that is most likely to appeal to anyone wanting to use it over all types of terrain.
We took to the hills to see how the GL350 faired. Our full review can be found in the March 2014 issue of 4×4 Australia.
The ruggedness and complexity of the Blue Mountains landscape thwarted many early attempts to cross it by expeditions launching out from the fledgling colony of Sydney.
Those same steep sandstone cliff faces and deep wooded valleys provide present-day bushwalkers with a complex and immersive landscape in which to explore.
The Ruined Castle is a sandstone rock formation in the Blue Mountains National Park that commands 360 degree views of the Jamison and Cedar Creek valleys from its location on a low ridge below the continuous Narrow Neck cliff line near Katoomba. The steep-sided tors that constitute this feature appear from a distance like the crumbling battlements of a stone castle, hence the name.
The walk down a steep pass called the Golden Stairs to the Ruined Castle is a great introduction to the region. It has relatively straightforward access along an ageing walking track that was once a horse-drawn tramway used to remove shale for oil extraction from a mine below the Ruined Castle itself.
The route along the side of the Jamison Valley levels out after the steep descent down the Golden Stairs, and considering the rugged nature of the terrain, is a relatively moderate excursion. It is about eight kilometres walk from the Golden Stairs car park to the Ruined Castle and back, with steep ascents and descents at either end.
The climb up to the Ruined Castle is a little loose and eroded at first, requiring care, until the track levels out before the summit rocks. The views from the highest point are extensive in all directions, and provide some small flat areas for a lunch stop.
A worthwhile extension to this walk for those with the time and experience is to continue past the Ruined Castle to Mount Solitary. An indistinct but continuous walking track continues south and climbs very steeply up the Korrowall Knife-edge ridge of Mount Solitary itself.
This isolated remnant of the eroded sandstone plateau sits in a commanding position south of Katoomba, dominating the view across the Jamison Valley. It’s a unique destination, being an ‘island in the sky’ that conceals an untouched landscape of perched swamps, hidden waterfalls and large sandstone cave overhangs, suitable for camping in.
On its southern side there are extensive views over Lake Burragorang (the storage lake for Warragamba Dam) and the wild gorge of the Kowmung River and beyond. Mount Solitary involves steep, hard climbs and descents, and its few creeks can be bone dry in drought conditions, making a check with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service a necessity before an ascent.
The Blue Mountains National Park is a vast and complex series of plateaus, cliffs and steep gorges. A walk out to the Ruined Castle gives a taste of what the remoter sections of the park have to offer, with fantastic views along the way, but relatively easy access. It represents a comfortable corridor into a formidable and rugged sandstone landscape.
WHEN TO GO
Autumn, spring and early summer visits provide the mildest weather, however it can be windy. Winter provides crisp, cold days, however snow and rain are a distinct possibility in July and August. Late summer can be hot and humid with significant bushfire risk.
GETTING THERE
Take the Great Western Highway from Sydney to Katoomba. Follow signs to Cliff Drive and continue past Scenic World to the unsealed Glenraphael Drive on the Narrow Neck Plateau. Follow to the Golden Stairs trackhead (signposted) and car park.
USEFUL BOOK
Day Walks Sydney, John and Monica Chapman (1st Ed. 2011)
USEFUL MAPS
Katoomba 8930-II-N and Jamison 8930-I-S, 1:25,000 Topographic Sheets, NSW Dept. of Lands (3rd Ed.)
Tenterfield, a small country town of around 4000 people lies some 3 hours south west of Brisbane on the New England Tablelands sitting just below the magic 1000 metres above sea level mark.
With winters that often get below freezing with snow falls, yet the summers can be pretty warm, its one of those small country towns that you really don’t think too much of when passing through. Although this quiet country town does hold a significant part in Australia’s history that dates back some 180 years. In 1827 settlers were pushing south after exploring the Darling Downs region across the border in QLD, thus leading to settlement and further exploration some 10 years later where Tenterfield sits today.
Tenterfield and its surrounding areas soon became known for its fine class wool with large stations, and with its increasing growth came development with hotels, a police station and a court house. With all this moving forward and development, a link was made to the coast to ship the Tablelands wool and to resupply the tablelands with other goods, it is reported that it could take some 4 months to complete the journey with a large bullock team.
Some 50km away to the east, gold and other minerals were soon found in several areas that included Rocky River, Morgans Gully and the Timbarra Plateau, and with the influx of miners the settlement of Drake was established. Now we all know that with the discovery of any precious metal back in that period, the obvious would soon follow – Bushrangers!
The most famous bushranger that scouted these areas was Captain Thunderbolt aka Fred Ward. It is reported that he roamed from some 200 km from the south near Uralla to just north of Tenterfield, robbing and hiding from the police throughout this area in and around the huge granite boulders that often have hidden caves and lookouts that gave a vast view over the surrounding area.
The Rocky River trip starts just right in the heart of town as you wander east down the aptly named Scrub Road then into Billirimba Road. Now there is no need to panic as you traverse this tar section for some 5km as the drive out here passes some historic old homes and farms. Keep an eye out for abandon farm and transport implements as they sit quietly in the paddocks.
With minimal moisture in the air out here rust seems to stay away leaving metal alone. With long straight tree lined sections of dirt you can gaze across the paddocks with views towards the mountains in the distance, defiantly views to die for. Being out here the best thing to do is to slow down, enjoy the surroundings and switch your lights on.
With Quilgeran Pinnacle to your right and Black Mountain to your left you feel pretty small as you follow the road as it snakes through the terrain. Soon you pass through the locality of Steinbrook, not much anymore, just a big kink in the road with several 90 degree corners!
Just out of town the dirt continues as you cross the Cataract River, here you are greeted with stunning views across fertile farmlands, with mountain peaks in the distance- the views are just that good. From here on you pass through a host of private stations, breeding primality cattle but some sheep in these valleys, the station owners like you to stick to the established roads, but there are several pull over spots on higher ground for photos.
For 15km you will rise and fall between between 600-800 metres above sea level passing old farms, used cattle yards and through working stations, give respect to the farmers out here with a friendly wave and slow right down as they don’t appreciate the dust and some still muster on horseback- you don’t see that everyday away from the outback !!
In just a few kilometres you will drop some 500 metres at where you will hover around the 350 metres above sea level, this is where you know you are getting close to several rivers. At the 40 km mark an intersection will appear with a couple of options.
With a right hand turn here along Upper Rocky river Road you can explore other reaches of these valleys and Rocky River. Now the trail here goes for another 30 km with creek crossings into some rugged areas, it does come to a dead end and It is possible to camp along the way but you will need prior permission to do this, unfortunately you need to wander back to this intersection for another adventure decision.
Our decision was to go straight on, sign posted towards Drake ( 53km away). This is another area that you should not be tempted to camp as nice as it seems here at this turnoff, although tempting with green grassy sections all the way down to the cooling waters of the river, the farmers just don’t appreciate it and there are signs saying just that.
It’s around here that phone reception will soon disappear and hopefully the kids will jump off Facebook , stop texting or whatever they do, and wind the windows down to be part of this great adventure with you. With a single lane low level bridge in sight, the head waters of this little waterway is one of many that flows down from the range above you from your left into the Rocky River, and was once the centre of a major gold mine debacle.
The Timbarra Gold Mine attracted attention from around the world in the early nineties when it was realised that the risk of pollution towards the Clarence River System could have major impact due to the areas high rainfall. The risk was due to unstable cyanide heaps that could leech into the nearby creeks and rivers, threatening pristine forests, waterway life and local wildlife species. After several overflows from cyanide ponds the mine was finally closed.
Some may find it hard to believe but this road was once the main thorough fare between Tenterfield, Drake then through to Lionsville (now an abandon gold mine settlement) and on towards Grafton some 100 years ago. From the old Cobb and Co Coaches, large bullock teams and even bushrangers they all used this road.
Back in the day, road workers (maybe convicts but most likely early settlers) simply could not move these granite boulders that in some case are as large as a double decker bus, you’ll even have to sound your horn as you approach some of these rocks as it is a near zig zag around a section here, pretty interesting if towing a camper trailer through here.
As the road follows the river keep an eye out for the odd wallaby that needs to be across the other side of the road ( as they do !!) as the undergrowth along here is thick, and defiantly full of nutrients for them. Several farm houses are road side so by keeping an eye out for the local working dog that may shoot out too it will also keep the dust down.
An added bonus when travelling here is the amount of birdlife you may see beside the river- from Shags, Kingfishers and the common old crow it is good for the kids for a bit of ‘spot the bird’ game. The roads out here are typical of the old Cobb & Co run roads, as they rise, fall then twist its way over the terrain- this was to keep the stage coach fairly level, flat and stable for those on board.
There are several areas along here on the right beside the river where camping is not allowed but it is sign posted for all to see, but at the 15km mark a huge grassed area off to your right that has several tracks leading down to some great flat areas are welcoming camp areas.
It is a great option to pop across the road to the farmer’s house just to make sure you have the right one, nothing wrong with a bit of common country courtesy. Payment here is generally a box of cans marked only with four x’s!
There are no facilities here but if you approach the station owner they will guide you in the direction of some great timber that you are welcome to cut up and carry down for a riverside fire. Camping under the old Casuarina Trees is pretty special here as the water flows past.
Don’t forget to throw a rod in and either team it up with some old meat for a chance to snag a freshwater Yabby or a Fork Tail Catfish for dinner. Being self-sufficient here also means toiletries, taking your rubbish away and to the point of not feeding the wildlife as it does upset their balance in the wild.
Night time brings out Owls, the occasional Bat, frogs start crocking and if you sit still long enough and scan the grounds with a torch you may see the occasional possum. If you are a keen punter and the weather is right, swimming in the Rocky River is pure bliss. Clean fresh water that has filtered through granite particles defiantly leaves you feeling relaxed and clean. This is the life!!!
Whether staying for one night or several have a scout around for any rubbish that may have been left behind, this keeps the area pristine and makes for a happy farmer for us to return. As from the previous part of this drive the last section traverses the same roads for several more kilometres, snaking its way along past working stations crossing into new properties, rising and falling with the terrain along beside Rocky River.
There is nothing too difficult about this road that a good proper 4wd can undertake, for added safety why not choose 4wd high- this will give you some added traction on these granite based roads that can be slippery and the road surface can catch you out if find yourself trying to avoid an animal that suddenly appears.
With several small causeway crossings just be aware of the slippery surface or the water depth, most of the time they should be ok. Soon the cleared country farmlands turn to a thicker growth as you veer away from the river and into the hills. Tall timber sections covered with vines and small hobby farms led the way as the elevation will soon rise; this is where the road changes into Long Gully Road.
Here as you enter Girard State Forest the terrain gets a bit more serious and the road rises to near 1000 metres above sea level in a few kilometres. Being on the southern side of this range, the rainforest is stunning and is generally a bit cooler than the flats below.
With tall cool climate ferns, palms and even the odd coachwood tree is is a totally different eco system to what you have just left behind. Even the wildlife has changed to the sounds of Whip-birds, the odd Paddy Melon wallaby hiding road side to the ever popular Carpet Python snaking its way roadside.
For those who want to explore Girard Forest, keep an eye out for Long Gully Fire Trail on the right. These trails are great to explore the top of the range, passing through large, large stands of scrubby timber that contains Iron Bark, Black butt and a little Scribbly Gum.
The trails in here do loop around back to where you start from, so getting lost isn’t really a worry OR an option. You will find stands of Grass Trees, old log bridges and several rutty hills where 4wd will be needed. The trails in the Girard State Forest are maintained on a irregular basis so care must be taken, and you may encounter the odd tree that has fallen.
Returning back to Long Gully Road it is a matter of swinging right and adjoining the dreaded tar section just down the road, as the houses seem to get closer and closer to each other. Not long the Bruxner Highway greets you and it is here you need to decide whether it is a short dash to your left into the town of Drake for a counter meal, or do you head to your right for a run down towards the coast. Options are great!!
Off-road exploration, remote river canoeing, and plenty of hiking are all on offer when you visit Victoria’s south-west coast.
Victoria’s far south-west corner hides two of the prettiest national parks in the region. Lower Glenelg National Park is dominated by the Glenelg River, which stretches from Dartmoor in the north to Nelson near the Vic/SA border on Discovery Bay. The Glenelg is regarded as one of in Australia’s best flatwater canoe trips. Here, visitors can admire an abundance of wildlife, including platypuses, ducks, koalas, wallabies, wombats, emus and kingfishers. Then there’s neighbouring Cobboboonee NP, offering recreational activities such as bushwalking, horse-riding and vehicle-based touring through eucalypt forests. Our adventure kicked off from Cobboboonee NP. We entered from the north, turning off the Princes Highway at T and W Road (37 59.942’S, 141 26.267’E) between Heywood and Mt Gambier. The turn wasn’t particularly well signposted and if we weren’t following our progress on the GPS we would have missed it. The unsealed road is the main passage through the park and, although well-formed, it’s single lane all the way, so scan ahead for oncoming traffic. Initially, it passes pastoral and cleared land before entering the forest.
The map in the Cobboboonee National Park Visitors Guide is the best track network resource. You can print it online or grab one of these guides from any of the tourism centres in the area. The popular Rose, Wine and Wood tour (90km) is a highlight, stretching from Portland to Heywood via a forest track. You can tackle this from either direction, although most of the signs favour a south-north run; travelling north-south from Heywood may result in some geographically challenging moments if you’re trying to wing it without the map. In addition to the beautiful forest drive, the touring route passes several local wineries, as well as Treloar Roses, Australia’s leading supplier of bush roses. Acres of rose gardens provide ample opportunity for you to get out and, er, smell the roses.
Portland is a bustling seaside town. There’s a big Visitor Information Centre down near the water that is well signed from the main road, with all the information you will need on the neighbouring national parks and services. Fishing is also popular and catches of snapper, flathead, whiting, trevally, salmon and sweep are likely. Sharks, such as blue, mako, thresher, bronze whaler, school and gummies, can be targeted in Portland Bay during the mating season from October to December.
Cape Nelson Lighthouse is worth a look, even just to drive past the massive rotors of the neighbouring wind farm, or to cast an eye out to sea in the hope of spotting a passing whale. Lighthouse tours are available and you can grab a bite to eat at the cafe or even stay a night at the luxurious restored Light Keepers’ cottages.
Not far away at Cape Bridgewater, the Discovery Bay Coastal Park arches its way to beyond Nelson. There are few opportunities to lock the hubs in around these parts, the exception being the Portland Dune Buggy Club. Accessed from the Swan Lake campground, the area contains 1800ha of tall, bare sand dunes. The club has been working with authorities since 1969 and now manages the area. Bylaws prevent driving on the beach or vegetated dunes. A four-day temporary membership ($50) gets you onto the property, which includes camping at Swan Lake.
Back in the national park, there’s the 250km Great South West Walk. This walk is broken up into four sections, covering Cobboboonee Forest, the Glenelg River gorge, Discovery Bay beach and the Capes and Bays. Check the walk’s website – see Travel Planner, page 120 for all the details.
There are a few other intersecting walks. The Heath Nature Walk, on Cobboboonee Road, has plenty of wildflowers on display during the season and interesting animal diggings along the way; so much so, you need watch your foot placement to avoid rolling an ankle. Apparently, most of the diggings are from potoroos, which forage around in the sandy tracks for food.
While travelling through the park, keep an eye peeled for swamp wallabies. It is easy to pick up speed on the transport legs running back to camp at the end of the day and these dark-furred critters blend very well into the charred landscape. Vehicle-based camps are restricted to the Jackass Fern Gully Picnic and Camping Area in the north and Surry Ridge Picnic Area to the south. Each has pit toilet facilities, picnic tables and fireplaces – and best of all, everything is new. We were the only ones camped at the former. The ground wasn’t as flat as it could have been, but easily remedied with levelling planks and more than compensated for by the pristine surroundings. The forest environment is a soothing place to be, sitting around listening to the birds and other animals foraging in the undergrowth.
The camping area at Surry Ridge Picnic Area offers a more open layout and a predominantly flat base, which suits the grey nomad crowd a little better; evidenced by the three large vans during our visit. Like other campgrounds in the area, ant nests can be a problem, so be wary of them relative to where you make camp.
North of the Jackass camping area, Inkpot Road joins the neighbouring Lower Glenelg NP towards the eastern perimeter. The Glenelg River is the hero attraction, with camps scattered along its banks. It’s aboaties’ paradise and popular for fishing, water skiing, pleasure cruising and the aforementioned paddle craft, in addition to those seeking just to prop and enjoy the surroundings. We camped at Pritchards, a large camp with boat launching facilities near the eastern boundary. Pritchards is one of the few campgrounds recommended for vans, with sites 11-20 cut into the bank, and many offering an elevated view of the river (some also have shade). The other 10 sites are more open. We had a school camp not far from us for a few days as part of a canoe skills course. If you are looking for a wilderness escape, chances are you’ll be a lot better off at one of the smaller, intimate sites.
The Glenelg River Canoe Trail provides seven additional camps, with most accessible only by water. Like the other campsites, these must be booked online, but are only available for one night, such is the popularity of the area for canoeing. Toilets, fire pits, picnic tables and rain water are available at each camp. Authorities warn downstream travellers of the impact of the tides and wind as the trail nears Nelson. The upper reaches beyond Pines Landing can also be impacted by submerged obstacles and shallow sections. If you don’t have your own canoe, you can hire one from Nelson, leave your car at the hire shop and organise a drop off at your designated location, leaving you to paddle downstream. Adventures range from half a day to five days, camping overnight in the specialist canoe camps. Alternatively, you can hire a fishing boat, party pontoon or even a houseboat.
Glenelg Drive is a couple of kilometres west from the turn-off to Pritchards camp. This unsealed track follows the river west, providing access to the remaining southern riverside campsites. In contrast to Pritchards, Battersby is a more intimate camp, a few kilometres downstream with two allocated sites. The Forest Camp was another delightful smaller camp with a slightly elevated position and four sites.
All vehicle-based campsites include a toilet, picnic table and fire pit to help manage the masses. The Sapling Creek Picnic Area provides another boat launching ramp and jetty on a bend in the river. The track here eventually regresses to deep soft sand, mandating reduced tyre pressures and four-wheel drive to maintain forward progress. The Gorge Walk (10km) steps off near the intersection of the North Nelson Track, offering views of the towering limestone cliffs. Alternatively, take a boat cruise from Nelson to admire the cliffs from a different perspective. Camping is also available on the northern side of the river, accessed via Wanwin Road.
If the comforts of hot showers and flushing toilets are too great, the Princess Margaret Rose Caves north of Nelson offer an alternative, with a pretty camp ground in a bush setting. Although set back from the river, the powered and unpowered sites offer at least some shade, picnic tables and fire pits. There are also basic cabins that sleep four in twin bunks, with limited cooking facilities and an external fire pit.
The guided caves tour is informative and scenic, revealing formations created from the slow drip of rainwater through the limestone over thousands of years. There are plenty of other good touring options in the area. A volcanic landscape stretches across western Victoria into South Australia. Mount Eccles NP and the surrounding Mt Napier State Park in Victoria provide evidence of a volcanic past, with dormant volcanoes and a landscape scarred by past lava flows. The crater lake of Lake Surprise, the Tumuli lava blisters, Byaduk Caves and pioneering stone walls provide a hint of the area’s history. The dramatic landscape continues across the border in Mt Gambier, with crater lakes and sinkholes; the Blue Lakes and Umpherston sinkhole being the most popular.
TRAVEL PLANNER
Where: Cobboboonee and Lower Glenelg national parks are in south-western Victoria, between Portland and Mt Gambier, 400km west of Melbourne or 500km east of Adelaide.
Camping: Cobboboonee National Park: pit toilets, fire pits, picnic tables. No fees.
Lower Glenelg National Park: pit toilets, fire pits, picnic tables. $16.40-$21.20 per site/night, max six persons.
Glenelg River Canoe Trail: pit toilets, fire pits, picnic tables. $4.60 per person/night, max two persons/site.
Princess Margaret Rose Caves: hot showers, toilets, $21-25 per site/night, cabins $65-70/night, max four persons.
What to take GPS, fishing rods, walking shoes, binoculars, canoe, firewood and drinking water.
Supplies: Nelson and Dartmoor will have basic supplies but Heywood, or in particular, Portland, will have all services and repairers.
Trip standard: Easy.
Maps and guides Cobboboonee National Park Visitors Guide, Lower Glenelg National Park Visitors Guide, Glenelg River Guide www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Contacts and information
Parks Victoria: 131963 www.parkweb.vic.gov.au http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/visit/book-your-stay
Nelson Boat and Canoe Hire: 08 8738 4048 www.nelsonboatandcanoehire.com.au canoes from $65/day.
Princess Margaret Rose Caves & Campground: 08 8738 4171 www.princessmargaretrosecave.com, Cave tours $16 adult, $10 child, $37 family (2A,3C)
Portland Dune Buggy Club: 03 5529 2468 www.portlanddunebuggyclub.com.au
Great South West Walk: www.greatsouthwestwalk.com
Check the Parks Victoria website before travelling. At the time of writing, the fires from February 2013 had caused some tracks to close, mandating large detours if travelling through to neighbouring parks. Also check the CFA website for any fires currently burning or any planned burns.
Permits and access A temporary membership is required to access the Portland Dune Buggy Club.
Touted as “the fastest, most agile and responsive Land Rover ever”, the all-new Range Rover Sport incorporates a lot of the engineering developments featured in the latest-model Range Rover, including its larger stablemate’s aluminium architecture.
The result is an amazing weight drop of up to 420kg for the Sport that has resulted in a significant increase in performance, as well as a drop in CO2 emissions and better fuel economy.
According to John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, the Sport’s development was focused on delivering expected off-road capability while also upping the Sport’s on-road ride and handling.
“We’ve taken ride, handling and agility to another level for Land Rover to deliver a truly rewarding, sporting drive, with unmatched luxury, capability and versatility,” Edwards said.
The Sport’s wheelbase has been extended by 178mm for more rear passenger room, but overall the new model is only 62mm longer, at 4850mm, than the previous incarnation.
It also has improved approach and departure angles, thanks to shorter front and rear overhangs, and is 55mm wider.
Off-road capability is still top-class: ground clearance has been upped to 278mm – an increase of 51mm – and the next-gen Terrain Response 2 system now automatically selects the most suitable off-road mode.
A significant off-road tweak is Land Rover attending to the main bugbear of Sport owners: the off-road suspension setting’s height/speed limit. On previous models, once the vehicle reached more than 50km/h, the suspension would automatically lower; now, with the new air suspension’s +35mm intermediate setting, the off-road mode height is available at speeds up to 80km/h.
The Sport’s two 4X4 systems represent an interesting move by Land Rover. The traditional two-speed transfer case, with low range (front/rear 50/50 torque split) is retained but is now joined by an optional single-speed transfer case with a Torsen diff (42/58 front-rear torque) that shifts torque to the axle with the most grip and works in conjunction with the Sport’s traction control systems to maintain traction.
Initially, there will be four powerplants (two petrol, two diesel) available, with a high-performance V8 diesel and a diesel hybrid to follow in 2014. The two supercharged petrol engines – 375kW/625Nm 5.0-litre V8 and 3.0-litre 250kW/450Nm V6 – are accompanied by 190kW/600Nm 3.0TDV6 and a 215kW/600Nm SDV6 oilers. All engines are backed by the ZF8HP70 eight-speed auto. Fuel consumption savings are claimed to be up to 24 percent. As expected, the Sport’s interior is even more sumptuous – and also more spacious – than the previous model. There is 24mm more knee room for those in the passenger seats and the Sport now also features an optional third row, dubbed “5+2 seating”. This third row’s two powered seats fold flat into the floor (similar to Discovery 4) so as not to compromise cargo area space.
Update:The new Range Rover Sport is available now in four equipment levels – S, SE, HSE and Autobiography, and is priced from $102,800.
All signs point to Jeep reviving one of its most iconic nameplates while plugging a major gap in its product range with a luxurious seven-seater.
Said to revive the Grand Wagoneer name, the new Jeep is likely to debut in the US in 2015. If the rumour mill is right, the three-row SUV could become Jeep Australia’s flagship model later that year or early 2016.
The rumours make sense. As long ago as 2011, respected international industry newspaper Automotive News said Chrysler and Fiat Chairman Sergio Marchionne had hinted that a seven-seater was on the cards. That model would likely be built on the extended Grand Cherokee platform used by Chrysler stablemate Dodge’s seven-seat Durango.
Jeep hasn’t had a seven-seater in its range since it stopped production of the Commander in 2010. Since then, the luxury seven-seater SUV market has grown in strength, with standout models including Land Rover’s Discovery 4, Audi’s Q7 and Mercedes-Benz’s GL.
The best 4X4s for towing.
There’s no news in saying that 4X4s make fantastic tow vehicles. Some are better than others though, and here we’ve nominated the top ten heavy haulers that have the backbone and stamina to do the job.
How do you tell if a 4X4 is a tough tow vehicle? It’s a case of the bigger the better with towing: maximum towing capacity and maximum towball download are a good start, but not the only way of knowing if your rig will tow like a champ. Chassis stability can vary according to what’s hooked up behind and how the load is spread out. Being built like a truck helps, that is, a separate chassis and live-axle leaf-spring rear suspension. An engine that pumps out plenty of torque is also great for towing.
When you start to tow things like horse floats, trailer boats and caravans you need to become a towing expert. Trailers have a compliance plate with mass figures such as Tare, Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM), Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) and Tow Ball Mass. The ATM and GTM figures are the manufacturer’s not-to-be-exceeded weights that are a legal requirement.
Toyota’s retro-inspired FJ Cruiser could be second only to the Jeep Wrangler for popularity among enthusiasts who want to modify their 4X4 vehicle.
Like the Jeep, the FJ is supported with a swag of aftermarket goodies from here and abroad. Then there are dedicated enthusiasts’ websites and clubs willing to share information and ideas on how to best to tailor your vehicle. While many are keen to write-off the FJ as a touring 4X4 because it doesn’t have a diesel engine option, the standard 4.0-litre petrol V6 has proven to be reasonably economical while offering plenty of power and silky smooth refinement. Here’s a gallery of extra pics of the hard-core supercharged FJ Cruiser we featured in 4X4 Australia’s March 2013 issue.
The rugged beauty of Karijini National Park in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia will delight any visitor.
I’m somewhat jaded after a 4am start in Melbourne and the 11-hour trip it took to reach here. Still, as our aircraft begins its descent into Newman, WA, the featureless brown country below seems to take on a striking appearance. The countryside looks like the veins in a leaf with small intricate capillaries feeding into larger veins and arteries. Despite being semi-desert, this area is subject to heavy rainfall in the wet season. And, from 5000 metres up, the scrubby growth that follows the path of the floodwater appears as delicate patterns.
The Newman Airport car park resembles a four-wheel drive convention with about a 100 white hire vehicles. There are Prados, LandCruisers and Patrols – all with distinctive fluoro side-striping, safety flags and lights to meet mining company OH&S requirements. Stepping out into the 37 degrees celsius heat, we collect our hire car – an X-Trail in standard trim – and head west towards Karijini. The highway has a constant stream of huge road trains, all sitting on the speed limit. It’s a big country out this way; Karijini Eco Retreat is 240km from Newman with nothing in between. Once there, it is a 180km round-trip to the nearest town, Tom Price, for anything – including fuel.