MALAYSIA – THAILAND – SOUTH EAST ASIA'S SUV AND OFFROAD MAGAZINE – SINGAPORE – BRUNEI

Current Issue 1 / 2010

  



NEWS

Six-speed manual transmission for Nissan Navara
The first MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) are on the ground and in theater in Afghanistan.
With a top speed of 322.3km/h (200.3mph) the Brabus GLK V12 has set a new speed record for street-legal SUVs on the Italian high-speed test track.
The Renault group decided to develop an all-terrain vehicle aimed initially at emerging markets, the Dacia Duster.
A revolutionary new Tucson, launched at Los Angeles Autor Show recently, joins in 2010 the rapidly evolving Hyundai product line.
The first U.S.-built Kia vehicle, a white all-new Sorento  rolled off the production line November 17 at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), officially opening the first U.S. Kia Motors plant.
The all-new Volkswagen Amarok, which will be available as a four-door double cab version from launch with a single cab model to follow in 2011, combines the robustness of a pick-up with innovative technology, high safety standards, excellent fuel economy and Volkswagen standards of comfort, quality and durability.
The US-designed CG-Lock gets you all the advantages of a full harness, but allows the convenience and practicality of upper body movement.
Subaru was the only manufacturer to score enough points to receive ‘Top Safety Pick’ Award for every model entered to the series of stringent frontal, side, rear and rollover crash tests of Highway Safety (IIHS) in America.
Over 100 Isuzu owners congregated in the Taiping Lake Gardens recently, together with their vehicles, to celebrate the formation of Planet Isuzu, the Isuzu owners’ group.
NST/Maybank Car of the Year Award 2009

 

 

EXHIBITION:

 

SEMA Show
The greatest show on Earth
The tennis crowd loves Wimbledon, soccer has the World Cup, and if you are into dirt sports, it's the Baja 1000. These icons of their respective activities draw fans, players and industry to a common place to stay, play, and indulge. When it comes to aftermarket automotive accessories, that event is the SEMA show.

 

 
  

FIRST DRIVE

VOLVO XC90 D5
Perfect mile muncher
The Volvo XC90 is known as a good family vehicle. Jeremy Clarkson still uses the Volvo SUV as his benchmark when it comes to cabin size and comfort, and if you have driven one with your family, it is quite difficult to forget it.

 

 

 

TEST DRIVE


Audi Q7 4.2 (A)
Bettering the beast
When the Audi Q7 debuted in 2006, it was and still is the German automaker’s biggest SUV, with the addition of the smaller Q5 to the family this year. It was also Audi’s first foray into the SUV market and at almost two metres width and 1.7 metres height, seeing one on the road for the first time was an occasion unto itself.

 


Hyundai Tucson SP (A)
Nip and Tucson
Tucson in Arizona is the city from which Hyundai’s sport utility vehicle (SUV) gets its name. Ostensibly it’s meant to appeal to the SUV crowd, with images of ruggedness, dust, tumbleweeds, cowboys and backwater cannibalism.

 

 

 

 

HISTORY

 

From RussoBalt to Prombon
World oldest armored car brand
This was the first car to reach the deserts of Africa and win numerous rallys and challenges. The world‘s first SUV was built specially for Russian Tzar automobile forces, in 1912. Russian Tsar Nikolai II and later, the topdogs  of Communist party had a penchant for this vehicle, also. Reborn after 100 years under the name PROMBRON: a unique car, with a unique history.



 

 

CUSTOM BUILT

 

Bell Aurens Longnose
Dream machine
A year of work has fulfilled the dream of two Land Rover enthusiasts to build a genuine offroadster, a car that Land Rover could not launch during its 60 years history yet. The first Bell Aurens Longnose – based on a 1967’s Land Rover 109 and powered by 4.6 litre V8 engine – is perfectly handcrafted up to every last detail, with individualized state-of-art technical quality.



 

 

 



PRODUCT FEATUR

 

Mun Lee Autoparts
Especially for 4x4 enthusiast
Having spent 10 years in the business of automobile parts, Mun Lee Auto Parts (M) Sdn Bhd must be credited for their efforts in identifying the niche market to supply parts and accessories that are in demand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luminox
Luminox shining on offroaders
Glowing with goodwill after the successful launch of the Luminox brand of watches at the Republic Club Sunway recently, Crystal Time (M) Sdn Bhd is sponsoring a loose
team of 4x4 drivers who call themselves the South East Asia 4x4 Adventure Club.

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL


Baja 1000
Family Dynasty
Known by locals as La Frontera, the land beyond Baja California’s tourist zone is more than the desolate wasteland one might imagine from the window of a jumbo jet. It is a wild yet inviting place of remote pueblos, centuries old Jesuit missions, rustic cantinas and some of Mexico’s most historic hotels. With only one paved road threading the nine hundred mile peninsula, the only way to experience it is by car, or should we say 4x4. It is also home to the longest non-stop auto race on the planet, the Baja 1000. 


Offroad driving in Burma
Unforgettable drive to Harockanee
Experiencing offroad driving in Burma is a dream of many offroaders in Thailand. The main attraction would be seeing first hand the Burmese minorities along the route.

 

 

 

 

 

OFFROAD EVENTS


Raid de Himalaya
Ice blended rally
The Raid De Himalaya was never intended to be a walk in the park, and this year it proved just that. The event was riddled with much joy and sorrow, with even the winners of all categories having their fair share of close shaves as well.

 

 

 

Landy Rally 2009
Muddling through Europe
Landy Rally 2009 was truly memorable. Put it this way, whatever could have gone wrong, did go wrong, but as always, we muddled through to make it one of the best Landy Rally’s to date. Stunning scenery, fantastic weather and great company... you can’t fail to enjoy it. That’s what motoring is all about, how it used to be in fact!


 

 

 

Landies at Telemong
88’s maiden trip
The maiden voyage of any vehicle, be it a ship, plane or spacecraft, is always a momentous event. It represents the culmination of years of thought and hard work, and is a trip filled with suspense and uncertainty that everything works as it should. The same goes for old Land Rovers!

 

 

 

 

Nothern Off-Road Championship, Thailand
Slippery final
This year‘s Dong Charoen Northern Off Road Carabao Dang Trophy 2009 event took place between 28-29 November at Amphoe Dong Charoeng Phichit city. Organised by the Phichit city local government and Offroad Spirit club, this event was the fourth and at the same time, the final race of the annual Northern Championship of Thailand.


 

 

Larut Hill Challenge
Race for King of the Hill
The Larut Hill Challenge has grown in stature since it started three years ago.
 

 

 

 

 

WSFFM 4x4 Outdoor adventure 2009
Gritty ladies in Gopeng
78 ladies displayed nerves of steel as they took on the challenges of offroad driving and extreme sports activities during their 4x4 and outdoor adventure jaunt in Gopeng.

 

 

 

 

Terengganu Starhill 4x4 Challenge
Monsoon thriller
Three days of non-stop heavy monsoon rain and strong winds posed no problems to the organisers and participants of this year’s Terengganu Starhill 4x4 Challenge held at Pengkalan Gawi, Tasik Kenyir.

 

 

 

 

 

 PERSONALITY

 

Luis J. A. Wee
Malaysia’s 4x4 ambassador

In my humble opinion as an offroader, there is no other person more qualified than one man for putting Malaysia on the 4x4 world map. At the same time, he has also successfully promoted 4x4 sport to many countries, thus making us Malaysians stand tall overseas.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 CLUB SCENE

Geduut 4x4 Club
Growing from strength to strength

Geduut 4x4 Club of Terengganu 4x4 Club of Terengganu may be one of the smaller clubs in the east coast but it has earned the honours of being one of the most active in the peninsula.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RALLY RAID

 

Silk Way Rally
No smooth race
Out of 62 cars and 21 trucks, 34 cars and 16 trucks made it to Ashgabad to the finish of the first Silk Way Rally. The inaugural edition of a rally that will probably become one of the most popular in the rally world.