ISSN 0726-EDITORIAL
Editor Matt Raudonikis
Deputy Editor Justin Walker
Designer Jamie Burgess
Staff Journalist Tristan Tancredi
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Road-Test Editor Fraser Stronach
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WW
HILEHILE there are plenty of there are plenty of
features in modern 4x4s features in modern 4x4s
we all appreciate on a we all appreciate on a
daily basis, it seems car daily basis, it seems car
companies are hell-bent on companies are hell-bent on
loading them with things we don’t loading them with things we don’t
necessarily like or want. Driving necessarily like or want. Driving
the Mercedes-Benz G-Professional the Mercedes-Benz G-Professional
around reminded me of a few things around reminded me of a few things
we now take for granted in a vehicle, we now take for granted in a vehicle,
as well as some things we miss as well as some things we miss
when they’re not there. Things like when they’re not there. Things like
a Bluetooth phone connection and a Bluetooth phone connection and
power windows should be standard power windows should be standard
in any new car, certainly one costing in any new car, certainly one costing
$120,000. Thankfully the G-Pro is $120,000. Thankfully the G-Pro is
narrow enough that you can reach narrow enough that you can reach
across from the driver’s seat to across from the driver’s seat to
operate the passenger-side window operate the passenger-side window
winder, just like my old BJ73. Paying winder, just like my old BJ73. Paying
extra for air-con in an $80,000 Land extra for air-con in an $80,000 Land
Cruiser ute is also not on.Cruiser ute is also not on.
What modern features bug me What modern features bug me
most? Here’s a hit-list of gimmicks I most? Here’s a hit-list of gimmicks I
could certainly do without in my 4x4:could certainly do without in my 4x4:KEYLESS IGNITION
Not only does this feature leave you Not only does this feature leave you
without a place to put the key while without a place to put the key while
driving but the system has proven to driving but the system has proven to
be prone to hacking by car thieves. be prone to hacking by car thieves.
The manufacturers might try to stay a The manufacturers might try to stay a
step ahead of the stealing scumbags step ahead of the stealing scumbags
but they always catch up. And the but they always catch up. And the
start/stop button is in a different start/stop button is in a different
place in every car, which, when you place in every car, which, when you
drive as many cars on a weekly basis drive as many cars on a weekly basis
as I do, becomes annoying.as I do, becomes annoying.IDLE STOP/START
When I’m behind the wheel of a car When I’m behind the wheel of a car
I like to know the engine is running I like to know the engine is runningand that when I put my foot down and that when I put my foot down
the car will go forward. I don’t like the car will go forward. I don’t like
to wait for the car to start when I’m to wait for the car to start when I’m
pulling out into traffic and I don’t like pulling out into traffic and I don’t like
the cabin heating up while sitting the cabin heating up while sitting
at lights because the air-con isn’t at lights because the air-con isn’t
working. Like trying to find the stop/working. Like trying to find the stop/
start button, the one to deactivate start button, the one to deactivate
idle stop is the next button I go for. idle stop is the next button I go for.POWER TAILGATES
Great idea in theory but who needs Great idea in theory but who needs
it? They are slower than opening it? They are slower than opening
and closing them yourself and the and closing them yourself and the
number of times I’ve hit the button to number of times I’ve hit the button to
close a tailgate and it’s failed to lock close a tailgate and it’s failed to lock
down drives me nuts. Fighting against down drives me nuts. Fighting against
the power function to do it manually the power function to do it manually
makes it difficult as well. Not to makes it difficult as well. Not to
mention the weight and complexity mention the weight and complexity
that the parts add to a car.that the parts add to a car.SMALL FUEL FILLERS
In the words of the great Jello In the words of the great Jello
Biafra, Give me convenience or give Biafra, Give me convenience or give
me death! And standing by while me death! And standing by while
filling a car with fuel is a massive filling a car with fuel is a massive
inconvenience. Thank goodness for inconvenience. Thank goodness for
high-flow diesel pumps and man-size high-flow diesel pumps and man-size
fuel fillers. But so many of these fuel fillers. But so many of these
modern diesel cars don’t accept high-modern diesel cars don’t accept high-
flow pumps! That’s time standing flow pumps! That’s time standing
around I’ll never get back. around I’ll never get back.CHIMES
Speak to anyone who has driven a Speak to anyone who has driven a
modern Ford, Jeep or Toyota about modern Ford, Jeep or Toyota about
vehicle chimes. Enough said!vehicle chimes. Enough said!http://www.4X4australia.com.auWE might like old 4x4 trucks here at 4X
Australia, but we’re no strangers to new
technologies and we like to think we’re pretty
good at keeping up with the times. 4WDs are
constantly keeping us on our toes, after all.
To keep up with all the latest 4x4 info, head
to http://www.4x4australia.com.au. It’s the best thing
to launch since freewheeling hubs.4WORD
MATT RAUDONIKISIT’S JUST NOT NEEDED
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