Tuesday 26 June 2012
General - Algemeen
Theewaterskloof Gazette
7
No high flier, but a solid and capable beast Road test: the Isuzu KB300 4x4 D/C LX It had been a while since I’d put a 4x4 through its paces. And, in the intervening years since I’ve owned one, many positive changes have been made to marques across the board. Some improvements, like changing into 4x4 mode and engaging diff-lock on the fly are already old-hat, while others, like reversing sensors, on-board computer systems and motorised, fold-back side mirrors, are more recent yet subtle additions to the overall ride comfort and urban driveability of these ever-improving dual-purpose vehicles. What struck me most about the Isuzu KB300 even before I stepped into the cab was the refined yet still muscular aesthetic of this highly pedigreed brand. And once inside, the easily accessible controls and lumbar support offered by the contoured bucket seats provided a good deal of comfort and confidence as I wrestled with the challenges of the Grade-3 Shepherd’s Trail at Bosch Luys Kloof Private Nature Reserve (PNR) near Ladismith. Although Bosch Luys Kloof PNR is not marketed as a 4x4 destination as such, it currently has two routes (a third is under construction) for guests to explore in their own 4x4 vehicles. According to owners Gerhard and Ans Rademeyer, their intention in opening up these trails was simply to “allow our guests to experience the unique hidden worlds of the mountainous Karoo that we’ve discovered and come to love over the years”. Due mostly to my own rustiness, as well as the narrow, rock-strewn riverbed that greeted us around the first corner, I engaged low-range (you need to stop to do this) fourwheel drive and oscillated between second
and third gear for most of the 14,5 kilometres of this scenic mountain route. The power delivery from the 120 kW D-TEQ diesel motor, which provides 360 Nm of torque at 1 800 to 2 800 revs per minute, is smooth, and it felt as if there was just no gradient that could challenge the KB300 as it ground its way resolutely over all obstacles. The only two beefs I had with the vehicle on this 4x4 route were ground clearance and forward visibility. For some strange reason, this top-of-the-range 4x4 bakkie has a belowpar ground clearance of only 206 mm, while the lesser KB250 4x4 comes in at a more acceptable 222 mm. This unfortunately restricts the type of heavy off-roading one can do with the KB300 without risking damage to the vehicle. I was just fortunate to have a strong and willing girlfriend with me who took to rolling some of the taller rocks out of the way so we wouldn’t damage our test vehicle. And even with my seat at its highest setting, I battled to see over the bulbous turbointercooler inlet (in case you think I’m just severely vertically challenged, I’m just shy of six foot), making it more challenging than it might have been to navigate this otherwise supremely capable vehicle through the tighter turns and narrower rocky sections. It’s on conventional gravel and farm roads where the KB300 really seems to excel. If you’re in a hurry (which most farmers I see on the road seem to be) then 4–high is the gear you’ll want to select. In this setting the KB300 feels extremely sure-footed and, with its standard Continental World Contact 4x4 tyres (245/70R16C) you’ll be hard pressed to spin it around a corner. Seriously, on the absorbing gravel Witteberge back road (between Laignsburg and Touws River) I tried a number of times and couldn’t get it right. On the long road home to Cape Town the
Despite its lower ground clearance, the Isuzu KB300 4x4 LX is still a very capable off-roader. PHOTO: ANNETTE THERON
next day, my girlfriend and I indulged in the many creature comforts and safety features this plush ride has to offer: air conditioning; crisp, multi-format sound system (including USB input); excellent braking (ABS and EBD) and body-hugging bucket seats. But, try as we did, we couldn’t get the cruise control system to work and surmised that a fuse must have blown. While the KB300’s powerful D-TEQ motor displays relatively little turbo-lag, as with most diesel bakkies you’ll still need to plan your overtaking more prudently than you would in a petrol-powered equivalent – especially when heading straight into a gale force southeaster as we did. But once the KB300 has its tail up, it goes like a freight train and its feels incredibly stable up to its maximum speed of close to 180 km/h. Of course, travelling within the speed limit will ensure better economy, and we averaged just over 10 L to
100 km over 650 km at various speeds, over a variety of road surfaces and using all the gear selections available. Isuzu KB300 4x4 LX road test summary At R407 400, the Isuzu KB300 4x4 LX is significantly cheaper than its main Toyota rival (the Hilux 3.0 D-4D 4x4 Raider is R424 900), has a better approach-angle (36 ° versus 30 °) and even delivers substantially more torque (360 Nm versus 343 Nm), but its ground clearance (206 mm versus 227 mm) limits its heavy off-roading capabilities. Chief likes: Silky torque and smooth power delivery; excellent braking; good roadholding on all surfaces; spacious interior, attractive instrumentation; ergonomic controls and overall build quality. Chief dislikes: Lack of ground clearance and poor forward visibility on 4x4 tracks. To find out more visit www.isuzu.co.za and www.boschluyskloof.co.za.
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NICHOLAS YELL
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