4x4 Magazine Australia

THE activity or hobby, or whatever you want to call it, of driving a 4x4 has certainly changed over the past 25 years that I have worked in the industry. The 4x4s have changed immensely as they have gone from commercial-grade rigs that rode on leaf springs and were powered by noisy and underpowered diesel engines with little or no safety devices, to refined and polished vehicles with all the comforts and safety found in the latest passenger cars. This has all come about due to the popularity of this style of 4x4. As demand has grown, vehicle manufacturers have made them more car-like and equipped them with the latest tech and comforts. In turn, as 4x4s have become more user-friendly they have become more popular and sales have snowballed,…

THE NEWVW AMAROK HAS JUST GONE ON SALE IN AUSTRALIAcand heapestV6 version is currently the mid-spec Style variant, meaning you’ll need at least $70,990 before on-road costs to get the 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre FordV6 diesel. However, VW Australia’s director of commercial vehicles, Ryan Davies, said it’s possible that the engine could be fitted to less expensive trim levels, perhaps as soon as early next year. When asked ifVW could offer more affordable AmarokV6 models, Davies replied: “That’s a good question and one that we have considered. And once we get over the hump of this launch period we will definitely be going back to the factory to see if there’s any opportunity to expand that engine into the Life range, for example.” IN STYLE The cheapest way to get a new Amarok V6 is the…

WITH the arrival of the third generation of the Mahindra Scorpio in Australia in April, it begs the question of when a new PikUp will follow. The PikUp is Mahindra’s 4x4 ute vehicle and, unlike most of its competitors that rework their body-on-frame ute platforms to accommodate a wagon body (think Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport), Mahindra goes the other way and starts with a wagon followed by the PikUp. The PikUp has been available in Australia for many years, but it is derived from the old second-generation Scorpio platform. You can see the PikUp’s wagon roots at the rear of the double-cab’s body where the rear doors are scalloped to go around the wheel arches of the shorter wagon wheelbase. It looks like many of the large…

Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info. As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans. GET YOUR HIGH COUNTRY FIX (VIC) Most of the tracks in the mountains of Victoria and elsewhere close after the Queen’s Birthday weekend – which this year runs over June 10 to 12. The tracks won’t reopen until the Melbourne Cup weekend – or even later – which takes place over November 4 to 6. So get there while you still can! BOULIA CAMEL RACES (QLD) The Camel Cup is billed as Australia’s oldest, most prestigious and richest camel race. The big final is the culmination of two days…

INDIAN Automotive giant Mahindra has launched its 2023 Scorpio in Australia, with sales commencing immediately from its 40-strong national dealer network. With special introductory pricing from $41,990 drive away for the Scorpio Z8 and $44,990 drive away for the Z8L, the Scorpio is priced to sell. WHAT IS IT? THE Scorpio is a three-row, 4x4 wagon that competes with the likes of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner, Ssangyong Rexton, Isuzu MU-X, Ford Everest and even the venerable Toyota Prado. Whereas its competitors are available with seven (or even eight) seats, the Scorpio only has seating for six across its three rows, with a pair of bucket seats that accommodate two passengers in the second row. Mahindra says there will eventually be a seven-seat version in the future, but no timeline has been confirmed. The…

YOU’RE NOT wrong! It’s a bit unfair to front the Ranger Raptor up against the RAM 1500 TRX. On price alone, the TRX costs about twice as much as the Ranger Raptor ($210K vs $90K), its supercharged V8 generates 240 more kilowatts than the Raptor’s V6 can muster, and the TRX monsters the Raptor in both size and style. But the thing is, except perhaps for the recently released Chevrolet Silverado ZR2, the Ranger Raptor is the closest thing we officially have n Australia to the TRX. The fight becomes fairer when you depart suburbia in pursuit of twisty trails and off-road tracks. Both models are flagships of their respective brands, and as such both feature uprated brakes and quality suspension, and both have been designed for the same purpose: to…