JAGUAR Land Rover has purchased the Derbyshire-based rally raid specialist outfit Bowler Motorsport, to add to its Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) division.
The product of founder Drew Bowler, Bowler Motorsports produced, raced, sold and supported rally raid-style vehicles, many of them Land Rover based, for 30 years up until Drew Bowler’s passing in 2016.
The pinnacle of Bowler’s vehicles were the radical Wildcat and (later) Nemesis models that had success in many of Europe and the UK’s top cross-country rallies. Bowler officially partnered with Land Rover in 2012, leading to the creation of the Defender Challenge by Bowler rally series in 2014-2016.
Since Drew Bowler’s death, the company has continued to produce performance vehicles for race and road and has integrated its extreme motorsport engineering and competition expertise into wider vehicle R&D programs. However, the vehicles were never as wild or exciting as those Wildcat and Nemesis rally-raid specials.
While we’re not expecting to see a Wildcat in Land Rover showrooms anytime soon, JLR plans to use Bowler’s tuning and development expertise to bolster its Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) division. The question is, could the acquisition see Land Rover get more involved in motorsport, even as far as a factory-backed entry to cross-country rallying and ultimately the Dakar Rally.
“At Special Vehicle Operations we are all eager to start working with our new colleagues at Bowler,” said Michael van der Sande, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. “Adding the Bowler team’s skills and experience to those of SV, Vehicle Personalisation and Classic is a key step in our strategy to create an exciting and diverse portfolio of products and businesses within Special Vehicle Operations.
“For almost 35 years the Bowler name has stood for innovation and success, with a reputation forged by its participation in the world’s toughest off-road motorsport competitions. It’s exciting that we’re now in a position to participate in and lead the Bowler brand’s future as part of Jaguar Land Rover.”
The Bowler team of more than 25 specialised staff will continue to operate out of the Derbyshire premises.
JAMIE Facer’s mammoth Ford F-250 proved once and for all that bigger is definitely better in the eyes of our readers, with the 2017 F-250 Platinum winning our Custom 4X4 Of The Year title for 2019.
The burly pick-up clinched the gong ahead of Max’s tidy N80 Hilux by 130 votes, with another Toyota – Matt Szczesny’s 200 Series – rounding out the top three.
The tinkered F-truck, meticulously crafted by Jamie Facer of Allsafe Mine Vehicle Equipment (AMVE 4×4), pulls no punches, which certainly helped when it came time to vote.
Powered by Ford’s well-known 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 engine, the F-250 comes from the factory floor as an already-capable 4×4 tourer (after the import and conversion companies play their part, of course), but that didn’t stop Jamie from going to town on the big rig.
A quick glance at the canopy reveals AMVE 4×4’s handiwork, with the epic set-up perfectly suited to remote touring – toolboxes, copious storage, an MSA 4×4 fridge slide, an Engel fridge and a complex electrical fit-out, to name a few.
This example stands four inches taller than stock thanks to King Off-Road Racing Shocks coil-overs up front and a set of standard rear springs out the back (with an additional leaf), as well as Airbag Man airbags and another pair of King Shocks.
Other features include LED lighting, two Warn winches, that schmick Road Armor front bar, Bushwacker flares, and a Rhino-Rack Pioneer platform. The vehicle rides on Fuel 18×9-inch wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson MTZ P3s.
Read our complete write-up on the custom 4x4OTY-winning tourer here.
Those who voted in the Custom 4×4 of the Year competition entered the draw for a chance to win a Maxxis Tyres Australia voucher valued at up to $2000. The lucky winner of the fresh set of Maxxis rubber is Renai R from NSW.
WE ALL LIKE to cram as many appliances into our caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes to take on a camping trip. With so many to keep tabs on, you can’t underestimate usability and convenience when it comes to managing all your on-board devices, particularly when you want to control more than one appliance at the same time.
Mike and Gen, aka Adventure Curated, knew that with all the gear they were packing, they needed a reliable and easy-to-use control system to monitor all their devices when they embarked on an outback adventure through the vast and harsh terrain of the Simpson Desert.
Along with their REDARC Manager30 Battery Management System and Pure Sine Wave Inverter the couple equipped their LandCruiser with REDARC’s award-winning Total Vehicle Management System (TVMS), RedVision.
But first, what does RedVision do? Here is a quick snapshot:
All-in-One
COMBINING power protection, distribution and control in one unit, RedVision allows the user to toggle lights, water pumps or a fridge on and off, in addition to monitoring water levels, temperatures, energy (battery) usage and storage.
Power to your fingertips
REDVISION comes equipped with an in-vehicle portable display and the option to download the RedVision smartphone app for iOS and Android mobile devices, meaning control of all your appliances is at the convenient touch of a button.
“Both are intuitive to use and have large easy to read colour displays,” said Mike about the in-vehicle display and RedVision app.
The ease of access to all your appliances from a single display/smartphone app meant Mike could check which devices were switched off to keep an eye on power usage without leaving his roof-top tent. Battery status and water tank levels are a glance away with the RedVision app, and with the push of a button Mike could turn on the water pumps to refill his water bottle and rehydrate.
Custom set-up
REDARC can customise each of RedVision’s controls to your devices. Mike chose to program his car’s rear locker and boot interior lights to switch off automatically when he started the engine, but there are many customisable options to suit your preference.
Bluetooth usability
DESPITE being mounted in the rear of the car, Mike and Gen were able to connect their tyre compressor to the RedVision system and conveniently take control via the RedVision smartphone app without the hassle of extra wiring to the front of the vehicle.
A handy eco-system
PAIRING RedVision with a REDARC Manager30 makes for easy readability of power consumption and charging time.
“This made it really easy for us to see how much power we were consuming at different times and how quickly our battery charged while driving and in different conditions from solar,” said Mike.
The bottom line
IF YOU have an upcoming road trip and favour a wealth of devices to help keep you connected to your travelling essentials, you need the system to match. Mike recommends you turn to RedVision as your go-to system to control and monitor your devices, describing it as “absolutely impressive”.
RedVision is available for fitment in campers, caravans motorhomes and 4WDs.
For more information about RedVision, visit: www.redarc.com.au
INEOS Automotive has announced it has extended its partnership with Magna Steyr to undertake the series development phase of its forthcoming Grenadier 4×4.
Magna Powertrain has been working in the chassis and suspension development of the upcoming 4×4 vehicle, but this partnership extends the ties between the two companies.
The Grenadier is a yet-to-be-seen 4×4 that was conceived after British business man, Jim Ratcliffe, failed to convince Jaguar Land Rover to sell him the rights to continue manufacturing the traditional Land Rover Defender following JLR’s cease of Defender production back in 2016.
Ratcliffe, owner of massive British chemical producer INEOS, then set out to build a vehicle on his own and created INEOS Automotive to do it, employing a team of engineers and known automotive companies to make it a reality.
Just recently, INEOS Automotive announced that BMW would be supplying both the six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to power the Grenadier, and this latest announcement with Magna Steyr is the next step in the development. Interestingly, Land Rover was owned by BMW from 1994 to 2000 and Defenders were powered by BMW six-cylinder engines in some markets.
Austrian-based Magna Steyr has strong 4×4 manufacturing roots, having built the G-Wagen for Mercedes-Benz for more than 40 years, as well as the incredibly capable Pinzgauer off-road vehicles. In another twist of automotive fate, Pinzgauer was sold by Magna Steyr-Puch to BAE Systems (or British Aerospace) in 2000 – BA owned Land Rover prior to its sale to BMW.
INEOS Automotive is proudly British and the Grenadier (named after the pub its idea was conceived in) will be built in a new purpose-built factory in Wales. Production is expected to start in 2021.
Anyone who follows the America’s Cup yacht race will notice INEOS Grenadier is sponsoring the British entry in next year’s series, with the Grenadier name proudly displayed on the sail of the high-tech boat.
“The transition from concept to series development is a major landmark in the evolution of the Grenadier”, said Dirk Heilmann, Chief Executive Officer of INEOS Automotive. “We are pleased to have Magna, with their long heritage and experience in 4×4 development, with us for the next stage of the journey. With our production plans recently confirmed, we now move into all-important series development and start to set our sights on the start of production.”
Not a lot is known about what the Grenadier will roll on, but expect a purposeful boxy body on a separate chassis with live axles front and rear, the choice of petrol and diesel BMW power plants, 4×4 with low range, and serious off-road ability. Such a vehicle should appeal to not just off-road enthusiasts but also farmers, militaries, NGOs and global travellers.
The Land Rover Defender as we knew it might not still be available, but we think its spirit will live on in the Grenadier.
YOU CAN make a 4×4 go anywhere and gear it up to do just about anything in the bush, but the moment you need it to carry six or more of your mates, that is where you need something out of the ordinary.
Brisbane-based 4×4 conversion company, Bus 4×4, has been making a name for itself converting two-wheel drive buses and people carriers into properly equipped, roadworthy 4×4 vehicles over the past eight years.
Most of Bus 4×4’s creations are based on the Toyota HiAce, Commuter and Coaster people carriers, which were chosen for their popularity, ease of conversion, and spare part availability.
The converted vehicles are mostly bought and pressed into service in Australia’s mining and remote community sectors, where tarred roads are scarce and their converted 4×4 people carriers are the only way to shuttle people around.
The company’s latest creation, an AWD Conversion kit for the latest Toyota 300 HiAce Commuter, was recently put to the test on a two-week 10,800km tour of Eastern and Central Australia, going the long way around North Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and NSW, and visiting key customers in the region.
The AWD conversion was developed by Bus 4×4 in-house, using as many Toyota components as possible. The core components of the conversion features a high-range and low-range gearboxes, a 180mm body lift, modified independent front suspension, raised rear leaf springs, and a rear axle differential lock.
Bus 4×4 has a range of options to spec the HiAce for more rigorous journeys such as a shock absorber upgrade, protection rails, wheel arch mouldings, a lockable battery isolator with a jumpstart system, UHF/VHF radio, roof-mounted lights, and fire extinguishers.
According to the company, all of its HiAce conversions have a 1500kg braked-trailer tow rating, and retain the ANCAP five-star rating for the two- and five-seater models.
For the tour, the HiAce prototype was fitted with mine specification equipment such as a LK9-compliant roll over protection system, cargo barrier, bull bar, tow bar, custom-built snorkel, and further equipped with off-road tyres and under-body protection.
Driven by Steve Hargreaves, Bus 4×4’s national operations manager, the converted HiAce prototype left Brisbane and made its first scheduled stop at Blackwater, before tracking along the coast to Cooktown from Moranbah, cutting back down to Porcupine Gorge and stopping at Mt Isa.
Following a presentation to representatives from the mining companies in Mt Isa, the HiAce headed to Darwin along the Barkly Highway, before heading north on the Stuart Highway and stopping at the historic Daly Waters Pub.
From Daly Waters, Hargreaves drove to Darwin to showcase the HiAce prototype to the St John Ambulance organisation, the newest Bus 4×4 distributor for the Northern Territory. Hargreaves then pointed the HiAce south towards Alice Springs and Coober Pedy, before showcasing the prototype once again at more mining companies in the Hunter Valley. With the tour of duty done, Hargreaves then made a bee-line back to Brisbane.
According to Bus 4×4, the AWD Conversion kit covers the entire HiAce range from the two-seat LWB van right up to the 12-seat SLWB Commuter. In addition to that, Bus 4×4 has also developed a kit for the luxury-spec Granvia.
Prices for the HiAce conversion kits start at $39,500 plus GST. Conversions are carried out by Bus 4×4 or any one of its distributors in NT and WA, however customers in other states would have to contact Bus 4×4 directly. For more information on Bus 4×4 and its range of products visit www.bus4x4.com.au.
TERRAIN Tamer celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this month by throwing a shindig at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.
Held in the Grand Ballroom, the iconic aftermarket manufacturer invited 150 of its staff, suppliers and customers, as well as a contingency of media, to celebrate the milestone.
Picture: Frank Hutchison (right) and Brent Hutchison (left)
The proud Australian company traces its humble roots back to 1969, when the late Don Kyatt and Frank Hutchison (the current Managing Director) started the business in Moorabbin, Melbourne. The company remains family owned, with Frank’s son Brent becoming the General Manager in 2018.
Fifty years later and the brand’s extensive network supplies more than 40,000 4WD parts to customers located in more than 80 countries around the world, catering for a broad range of industries including workshops, mines, farming, emergency services and recreational drivers.
A coffee table book called ‘The Terrain Tamer Journey – 50 Years in the Making’ was also unveiled at the lavish party and gifted to those in attendance.
The book looks back at the company’s rich history, by paying homage to the key moments, people and innovations that have made the Terrain Tamer brand a household name around the country.
To pick up a copy of the book head to: www.terraintamer.com
What’s new this week? We put ARB’s Zero fridge, MSA 4×4’s compressor mounting plates and TJM’s HD vehicle mount compressor under the microscope.
ARB Zero Fridge Freezer
Keep your beverages cool and your dinner frozen with ARB’s all-new Zero Fridge Freezer range. Available in two sizes – 69 litres and 96 litres – the Zero offers easy access to contents thanks to a side-opening, quick-release lid. It also features handy front and rear DC inlets, while there’s also a front AC inlet for when camping at powered sites. A USB outlet also provides a charging point for gadgets and gizmos.
The dual cooling zones on both units can be independently controlled via a panel or wirelessly via a Bluetooth-enabled device. The 69-litre unit has one lid and an internal freezer compartment that can be removed if desired to increase fridge space. The 96-litre unit features two separate compartments, each with its own lid, completely isolating the freezer and fridge sections from each other.
Both Zero models also feature a ‘boost’ function to rapidly cool down contents, as well as ‘anti-condensation technology’.
RRP: $1599 (69L); $1799 (96L) Website: www.arb.com.au
MSA 4X4 Compressor Mounting Plates
MSA 4X4 has developed Compressor Mounting Plates that enable you to mount air compressors and other accessories directly and securely to your Explorer Aluminium Storage Drawer System. There are upright and horizontal mounting plates allowing you to fit the air compressor exactly how you want it.
The steel mounting plates come with pre-drilled holes to suit popular air compressors, saving on installation time, and they are finished in a durable powder coat. Each model is supplied with a full fitting kit and comes with two reinforced backing plate strips for installation on the inside of the drawers.
RRP: $109 (horizontal); $124 (upright) Website: msa4x4.com.au
TJM HD Vehicle Mount Compressor
For those after faster tyre inflation TJM has developed the new HD Vehicle Mount Compressor with a claimed flow rate of 86/min and a 100 per cent duty cycle.
“Ever since we started work on this project, our aim has been to produce an air compressor that can not only perform at the highest level but do so for an extended period of time,” says James Renou, TJM’s lead engineer on the project. “The end result is a compressor that runs cooler, inflates faster and lasts longer.”
The exterior of the TJM HD Vehicle Mount Compressor is constructed from a combination of cast and extruded anodised aluminium to provide maximum protection for the oversized internals, which include a hard-anodised cylinder bore and Teflon-impregnated piston seal.
The compressor also features five unique mounting angles for easy access in your 4×4, whether in your engine bay, vehicle cab or drawer system. Additional features include multiple tyre inflation points, six auxiliary ports and a pressure cut-out switch. An optional matching airline kit includes a 6m rubber hose, a tyre inflation chuck, a female Nitto quick-connect fitting with male ¼-inch BSPT thread, an air blower and a selection of nozzles.
RRP: $389 (airline kit $69) Website: www.tjm.com.au
The Readers’ Rigs feature in the December 2019 issue of 4X4 Australia features a several customised raised adventure-ready 4×4 rigs from our enthusiastic readers.
To get involved, post a pic and a description of your rig on our special site here or post it to our Facebook page and stand a chance to win an ARB High Output Air compressor valued at $335.
NISSAN NAVARA BLACK EDITION: MARC NASH (4×4 Australia Readers’ Rigs Winner of the Month)
As the Founder of The Blue Green Crew I am lucky to head out with such an awesome group of people. The High Country around Mansfield is one of the nicest places to go four-wheel driving.
Mods include an ARB front bar with 12,000lb winch, ARB rear bar, ARB side-rails and side-steps, ARB suspension, ARB underbody protection, front ARB diff lock, rear factory diff lock, Safari snorkel, Bushranger LED lights, three-inch exhaust, DP Chip and iDrive, dual batteries, custom rear shelf and ute slide, 285 mud tyres, ICOM UHF, and the greatest heated seats ever.
TOYOTA PRADO: CHRIS LAGAS
It’s my pride and joy, running on Kumho MT51s with two-inch Dobinsons MRR remote-res suspension. Mods include an Ironman 4×4 bullbar, Kings winch and spotlights, drawer system in the rear with Waeco CFX50 fridge, three batteries including the crank battery controlled by an Intervolt DC-DC charger, Mann+Hummel ProVent catch can, snorkel, Pioneer platform with Hard Korr light bar and work lights, and Supa-Peg awning. In the year I’ve had it I’ve done two big trips to Tasmania and Uluru, as well as a few small ones camping every third or fourth weekend.
TOYOTA PRADO 150: DEAN GOGGINS
This vehicle has served us well over the past five or so years. It’s been all over the eastern side of Australia, from Cape York to Birdsville/Simpson Desert a few times and also down to the southern regions.
This photo was taken at sunrise on top of Mount Slocombe, near Yaraka in western Queensland. The mods include an ARB bullbar, underbody protection, recovery points, a Rhino-Rack, and I’ve just added a Foxwing awning and have a 60-litre Engel fridge in the rear.
FORD RANGER FX4: GRAMHAM EMBLETON
The best place I’ve been is Monkey Gum Fire Trail in Yalwal. I mainly four-wheel drive around NSW, but I’m planning a trip to Fraser Island and Cape York soon. Mods include TJM bar work, a 9500lb TJM winch, two-inch Tough Dog lift, 17-inch Auscar Bandit rims on 285/70R17 Hankook Dynapro MTs, a TJM snorkel, Aeroklas canopy, Rhino-Rack and platform, custom drawers, fridge and a Kings awning.
TOYOTA FQ15: DAVE KRENSKE
Not sure where it started life, but it ended up on a farm in Warwick. The motor blew a head gasket and it was eventually sent to a scrapyard. A neighbour’s dad saw it and saved it. While having beers over Christmas in 2018 I asked what happened to it. He knew where it was, and we ended up buying it. The original wheels/tyres were missing, but the lady from the original farm contacted us saying she still had them. She dropped them off the following day.
JEEP JK WRANGLER: PAUL SAWYER
Here’s my 6.0-litre LS JK conquering Billy Goat Bluff. I’ve done an LS swap using a Gen4 LS and six-speed 6L80E from a Commodore. Mods include a 2.5-inch suspension lift, 35-inch tyres, and re-geared diffs with lockers. All built in the shed by my dad and me. I mostly lurk around the Victorian High Country, but Robe in South Australia is on the cards later this year.
Bushranger, Cel-Fi and Stihl have released a bunch of products to help in a 4×4 recovery situation.
Bushranger REVO 12S
Bushranger has added a new 12,000lb model called the REVO 12S to its range of electric winches. REVO features include low current draw, four-stage oversized gearing, fast line speeds and a proportional friction braking system that will hold 100 per cent of the rated load with no slippage. A zero-drag brake allows for easy unspooling, while a fully sealed IP67 motor and gearbox gives protection from water and dust.
The REVO 10W is supplied with wire rope, while the 10S and 12S models are supplied with synthetic rope. The REVO can be mounted in 22.5-degree increments and comes with a multi-mount control box.
Both the 10S and 12S models also come with a wireless hand controller for cord-free operation. The REVO 12S is supplied with 24m of 11mm synthetic rope and 1850mm battery leads, and it weighs 35kg. All Bushranger REVO winches are covered by a limited lifetime mechanical warranty and a seven-year electrical warranty.
RRP: $945 (10W); $1045 (10S); $1195 (12S) Website: bushranger.com.au
Cel-Fi GO Trucker Pack
The Cel-Fi GO Trucker Pack improves mobile phone reception and has been specifically designed for four-wheel drive and truck applications. The Cel-Fi GO provides 70dB of system gain and the Trucker Pack includes external and internal antennas.
Locked to your carrier’s mobile network, this set-up is claimed to be the only carrier-approved and legal option in Australia. It has a band selection button and boosts Telstra 3G 850, 4G 700 or 4G 1800, Vodafone 3G (900/2100) and 4G (1800/2100/2600), and Optus 3G (900/2100) and 4G (1800/2100/2600).
RRP: From $1014.04 Website: powertec.com.au
Stihl MS 500i chainsaw
Stihl has launched what it claims to be the world’s first chainsaw with electronic fuel injection (EFI). Called the Stihl MS 500i, the chainsaw is said to have a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 1.24kg per kW, and impressive torque output that sees chain speed accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 0.25 seconds.
Thanks to EFI, the MS 500i’s engine is easy to start and its tune adapts to the environment, so it runs as intended no matter the altitude or the ambient temperature. Minimised gyroscopic forces also aid dynamic manoeuvrability, which Stihl says is of particular advantage during limbing, and gives the operator an easy-to-handle tool for all disciplines, from felling to cutting and length.
RRP: $1999 (50cm bar); $2049 (63cm bar) Website: www.stihl.com.au
UHF communications are an essential addition to any touring 4×4. Not only are they handy for chatting with and relaying messages to other members of your convoy but they improve safety by alerting you to road and track conditions, give you a means of staying in touch with your camp, are priceless when conducting vehicle recovery, and are super handy if you have someone spotting you over an obstacle.
There are a handful of quality brands of UHFs available for in-vehicle installation, but we always like the products from Australian company GME. It’s rare but great to see electronic components still be made in Australia, and that should be enough for us all to support this brand.
Not only are they Aussie-made but they are some of the best in the business, so there’s no compromise on quality and performance. Take GME’s latest range of leading XRS Connect radios for example. UHF radios where the main body of the unit can be mounted out of the way are nothing new, and they’re especially important in newer vehicles with complex dashboards that don’t easily accommodate a traditional boxy unit. With the main body tucked up out of sight somewhere, the handpiece is the only part of the radio set that comes into the passenger cabin and it therefore houses all the controls.
The handpiece is a hefty unit that feels top quality when it’s in your hand; not a flimsy plastic piece that you might crush in your grip. Not only does it contain the controls for the power button, channel selection, volume control, squelch, etc. but it also conceals the speaker inside it.
In the past, some mike-in-handpiece radios have used tinnie little speakers that delivered less than ideal sound quality, but not the GME handpiece. It conceals a two-watt speaker that gives you clear and easily understandable sound at all times. GME claims it’s class-leading, and Ron Moon said after driving our Ranger for a week that this was the best speaker-in-mike radio he’s ever used. Who are we to argue with the great man?
That’s right, we fitted an XRS-330C super compact UHF to the Ranger and it’s been delivering clear and precise comms for a few trips now. We got it as part of the 330-CTP Connect Touring package which also includes a GME 6.6dBi elevated feed antenna, and our good mates at Ontrack Automotive fitted it for us.
The XRS-330C has more features than we’ll ever need but basically it’s an 80-channel, five-watt UHF radio. Users can connect the radio to an app on their smart device via Bluetooth to program special features like the preset channels, scanning and the customisable buttons on the handpiece. As I say, more features than we’ll ever need but, most importantly, as a reliable UHF radio it works better than any other we’ve used before.
RATED Available from: www.gme.net.au Fitted by: ontrack4x4.com.au RRP: $629 We Say: Quality Australian-made radio for reliable comms.