Road Test |
by Tristan Wiggill
Road Test Roundup
incorporating turn-by-turn navigation and
other features, a Harmon Kardon audio
system, useful reverse camera, sumptuous
Nappa-leather trimmed heated seats
and dashboard and the dark wood
detailing; raised ride height and goanywhere credentials. This car could
probably go over anything: sea,
snow and mountains, let alone land.
It also goes overboard with standard
features and is a welcome alternative
to the softer German crowd.
The Jeep has plenty of grunt and
decent ride quality as well. We have
a few gripes though - the lack of
audio controls on the steering wheel
and fidgety electronically operated
tailgate are chief among them. Read the full
review at www.abrmotoring.co.za
problem - it packs a mean punch with its
3.0 Litre 177 kW / 550 Nm V6 diesel engine
- and has plenty of backup in the form of a
six-year 100 000km Maintenance Plan. It’s
just a pity armoured plating isn’t
a standard fit. The park distance
chimes go off regularly, such is its
proportions, although the boot,
while big isn’t as big as you’d
think. Still, it’s large enough to
conceal a consignment of arms or
a hostage or two if needs be. The
steering is heavy and the brakes
need to be applied early. It is
spacious inside and, like the Jeep
above, equipped with an array of
gadgets. The neon blue instrument
cluster was not to my taste and
again, there are no audio controls on the
steering wheel. Read the full review at
www.abrmotoring.co.za
also bathed in a sort of neon orange paint
(or “Flame Red” in Jeep speak), for added
effect. The Sahara version is equipped with
a 5-speed automatic transmission, 4x4
drivetrain and generous 3.6-litre Pentastar V6
engine. Said engine really comes to
life when you put the hammer down.
The distinctive exterior is matched
by an equally distinctive interior and
as fans of the nameplate will tell
you, it is possible to remove the roof
and doors as well. While it is difficult
to properly gauge the Wrangler’s
capabilities in the concrete jungle,
Jeep says it can “go anywhere and
do anything” and I don’t for a minute
doubt it. The only qualms I had were
the compromised driving position,
which didn’t allow me to get perfectly
comfortable behind its leather-wrapped
steering wheel, and the somewhat cheap
looking switchgear. Read the full review at
www.abrmotoring.co.za
An SUV fit for a
Chief
T
he Jeep Grand Cherokee
Overland is a joy to drive and
I admit I was loathe to hand
the keys back after a week spent
behind its part leather, part wood
steering wheel. Said ‘wheel’ can
be heated - never have I fondled
or been so fond of, a steering
wheel before! Other pleasantries
include a plethora of electronic gadgetry;
massive multimedia touchscreen interface
Right at home
in GP
T
he Chrysler 300C, supplied
to us recently in metallic
black and sporting 20-inch
rims, is anything but inconspicuous.
Not a good choice for a Private
Eye, then. But if big, bold and
imposing is your thing, look no
further. It is very much a car for
GP and I dared not drive through
certain neighbourhoods, like Bedfordview,
after dark in fear of mistaken identity…
That said, a quick getaway shouldn’t be a
Tropical heat in
mid-winter
T
his was my first ever taste of
a Wrangler, which has earned
something of a cult status
among outdoorsy folk around the
world. It’s a masculine machine with
a very distinct nature, blending oldschool hardiness with new-school
interior appointments and electronic
wizardry like Electronic Stability
Control and tyre pressure monitoring.
Already very distinctive, what with its
fender flares, massive tyres and seven-slot
grille, the Sahara version we received was
| Wheels in Action
96
september 2014