The new Mercedes-Benz GLS is humongous and costs as much as a house. Who buys this kind of car and what do they use it for?
The GLS I’m driving idles on the rim of a rock quarry like a tank readied for battle, although its luxurious paintwork twinkling in the sun is certainly not something you’d find on a tank.
“You want me to do what?” I ask the off-road instructor when he points to a mud puddle. He tells me to go through it then drive up a steep incline, over a pile of rocks, and go around a thicket of thorn trees. I do so timidly. I don’t doubt the GLS’s off-road capabilities – it will manage just fine – I’m worried that I might ruin that gorgeous paintwork.
It’s a fair point. Who on earth would actually take the S-Class of SUVs off-road? I imagine an alternate reality where Hugh Hefner – owner of several Mercs over the years – sold Playboy magazine, patched things up with his first wife, loaded their kids and dogs into the back of a GLS and went on a grand adventure. I can see him wearing his captain’s hat, pipe dangling from his mouth, cackling maniacally through gritted teeth as he dirties this very expensive car with gusto.
Denne historien er fra January 2017-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra January 2017-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rolling out the big guns
If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
Time out in Dullies
A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.
The island at the end of the earth
Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
