The CAR and Leisure Wheels teams set course for the Tankwa Karoo for a timely reminder of the competency of the competitors in the local ladder-frame, adventure-focused SUV segment.
THE TRAILER
Led by a selection of impressive locally based manufacturers, the evolution of the so-called adventure camper caravan has seen these rugged, purpose-built off-road trailers become the default choice for intrepid overland travellers, predominantly towed behind one of the similarly hardy ladder-frame SUVs gathered in this feature.
Loaned to us by local manufacturer Infanta 4x4 via Cape Town-based AXL Outdoor, the family-sized Enkulu 2 trailer provided us with an ideal opportunity to put the towing prowess of each of our adventure SUVs to the test. More specifically, each vehicle took a turn to tow the 1 196 kg trailer along our route, while we also tested the acceleration figures (standing and overtaking) of each SUV with and again without the added load hooked up, to compare figures.
We weren't about to make it easy, either, with our chosen stretch of testing road featuring a rise in elevation of 96 metres over 2.5 kilometres.
DAY 1
Cape Town to the Tankwa Tented Camp, via Worcester and Ceres / 328 km
From town-going, to uphill-towing and on to the heart of the Tankwa Karoo
Denne historien er fra CAR July 2024-utgaven av CAR South Africa.
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Denne historien er fra CAR July 2024-utgaven av CAR 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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Toyota Fortuner
Considered by many as the quintessential adventure SUV, the Fortuner is about as strong a used buying proposition as you can get in this segment. We take you through the things to look out for and list two rivals for comparison.
MIND THE HURDLE
With a repaired car and a point to prove, Alex Shahini returned for Round 3 of the Toyota GR Cup at Zwartkops Raceway to achieve a career-best finish
KING OF KILLARNEY
For four decades, Denis Joubert was directly involved with the creation, development and ongoing success of Cape Town's international motorsport venue, Killarney. Having just celebrated his 90th birthday, we talk to the man whose contribution to South Africa's motor-racing heritage is priceless....
Selecting the 4WD SYSTEM for your needs
As 4WD SUVS and double cabs grow in popularity, more first-time buyers face the challenge of selecting a vehicle with a drivetrain that best meets their requirements. We explain the key differences between the all-wheel drivetrains available
Kia Picanto 1.0 LX MT
Kia's ever-popular budget hatch has recently received a range of exterior and interior updates - we test the entry-level variant to see if it remains a force to be reckoned with in this highly competitive segment
Super C
The fastest and most technologically advanced flagship C-Class to date, AMG's C63 S has evolved into an electrified uber-sedan. Has this mighty model forsaken some character in pursuing this status? We strapped our test equipment to the new shooting star.
Bentley's Brutes
A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the stately yet hair-raising Bentayga S
RUNNING UP THAT HILL
Now in its 14th year, the Simola Hillclimb continues to combine adrenaline-fuelled competition with showcasing some of the most appealing classics out there in a heady mix that keeps local petrolheads coming...
BAND OF BROTHERS
Complete with rugged bakkie-based underpinnings that encourage off-the-beaten-track venturing, largely proven powertrains that afford maximum range and towing capability, and brand names with enviable respective reputations for reliability, adventure SUVs remain the favourite of thousands of South Africans.
TWELVE OF THE BEST
Ferrari keeps things suitably old-school with its V12-engined 12Cilindri GT
