FOUR of the flashiest utes on the Australian market – Hilux TRD, Ranger Wildtrak, Colorado Z71 and Amarok V6 – draw swords in an attempt to claim the top-of-the-range throne.
WE also cast an eye over three modified beauties: A supercharged Tundra, a neat Colorado Z71 and a capable Everest Trend. Plus, we ride shotgun with Merc’s all-new X-Class and test-drive a prototype Haval H9 that’s been given a 50mm lift by Ironman 4x4.
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What you’ll get this month:
MERCEDES-BENZ X-CLASS: RIDING SHOTGUN
First look at the new X-Class… from the passenger’s seat.
PROTOTYPE HAVAL H9: FIRST DRIVE
Prototype H9 gets a 50mm lift kit from Ironman 4x4.
CUSTOM TOYOTA TUNDRA
Toyota Yank tank has 284kW/543Nm of V8 fury
TOP-OF-THE-RANGE UTE COMPARISON
Toyota Hilux TRD v Ford Ranger Wildtrak v Holden Colorado Z71 v Volkswagen Amarok V6.
CUSTOM HOLDEN COLORADO Z71
A loyal Holden tragic builds his dream rig.
CAPE YORK IN A Y62 PATROL
Some might think we’re crazy, but we take the petrol-powered Y62 to the Cape.
CUSTOM FORD EVEREST TREND
The already-capable Everest wagon gets loaded with trick aftermarket gear.
PEOPLE LIKE US: JESS ‘JILLAROO’ EDWARDS
We chat to ones of the outback’s biggest social media icons.
BULLBAR BUYERS’ GUIDE
Why a bullbar is essential, and why it needs to be top quality.
SECRETS OF THE FLINDERS RANGES, SA
Unearthing a few gems in the hot and dry Flinders Ranges.
4WD PARKS GUIDE, NSW & QLD
SE Qld and NE NSW’s 4WD parks are ideal for weekend retreats.
WOLLONDILLY VALLEY, NSW
An abundance of unsealed tracks and picturesque locations.
TRANSMISSION REMAPPING EXPLAINED
An ECU remap can make an LC200’s transmission work smarter.
THE REST
This month, Ron Moon advises punters to tackle the toughest tracks, Deano ponders the age at which one should grow up, Fraser reckons the Defender will live again, and Roothy continues to rebuild Milo 2.
Readers’ Rigs includes a 2006 Defender 130, a go-anywhere GU Patrol and a highly modified JKU Wrangler.
Plus, we test a bunch of cool kit this month: Primus Portable Power Pack, Coleman HyperFlame stove, Falken Wildpeak tyres, and an Amabilis Dave Duffle. The October issue of 4X4 Australia is in stores Thursday, September 7.
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