Triton brings the challenge to competitors
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
- Product News
- 21 November 2024
They normally say the Toyota Land Cruiser is bulletproof meaning that it is utterly reliable. But now it is also literally bulletproof.
SVI Engineering, specialist manufacturer of armoured products, has recognised the need for a cost-effective vehicle solution to protect the occupants from both ballistic and general riot threats. This where the Toyota Land Cruiser comes into the picture.
The conversion process entails removing the body of the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 and replacing it with a new all-steel body manufactured from armour plate.
The result is the Max 3 – the entry into the MAX family of specialized bullet-resistant vehicles.
The Max 3 is designed as a multi-role vehicle. As a civilian version it has application in mining security, riot control, civil security, anti-poaching and convoy protection.
Max 3 in its military configuration is designed to be air transportable in a C130 and is fitted with weapon mounts for .50 calibre pintle mountings, remote weapon systems and the Scorpion 60 mm and 81 mm mortar systems. The vehicle can also be fitted with customer furnished equipment such as communication systems.
Max 3 is an evolution of the previous version with a focus on improved ergonomics, added interior space and bolder styling. The armoured steel shell is designed and manufactured in-house by SVI.
The armoured construction of the vehicle provides a minimum protection of assault rifles with additional protection against anti-personnel mines.
The vehicle is available as a single cab, double cab and armoured personnel carrier for up to eight people. Although mostly standard, the drivetrain is upgraded with the fitment of rims and tyres with a higher load rating, upgraded suspension and fitment of an additional rear anti-roll bar.
The modular design of the vehicle allows short delivery times of three months for batches of up to 20 units and the vehicle is available in either left- or right-hand drive.
Servicing of Max 3 is simplified because of its standard Toyota powertrain and drivetrain. TheLand Cruiser’s powertrain is a 4.5 litre, V8, turbodiesel with 151 kW and torque of 430 Nm.
Spare parts and service items are available at any Toyota dealership world-wide. A service interval of 5 000 km is recommended owing to the intended usage profile and off-road application.
Max 3 procurement cost depends on configurations as well as the powertrain specification of the new Land Cruiser 79 used as the donor vehicle. Prices start from R1,6 m excluding VAT and the standard SVI warranty of 1-year/50 000 km applies for road use.
The bakkie war has intensified with the local launch of Mitsubishi’s next-generation Triton, an evolution in the iconic bakkie’s 46-year legacy.
Unlike in the past, when dealerships primarily waited for customers to come to them, we now take a more proactive approach, bringing our vehicles directly to places where people gather, allowing them to experience the product first-hand, including offering test drives,” says Gerrie van der Kaay, Dealer Principal at Supergroup Dealerships Jetour Midrand.
JAC Motors added ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) to its X200 2.8L TDI 1.5-tonne single-cab, enhancing safety for both the crew and cargo. This latest upgrade complements the ABS-equipped X200 1.3-tonne double-cab targeted at organisations with labour-intensive crews.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford
Leading used car trader, WeBuyCars, which listed on the JSE in April this year, is expanding its business focus to include third party sales and is rapidly expanding its vehicle supermarket and buying pods presence in South Africa.
The Isuzu Foundation, in collaboration with IRONMAN4theKidz, donated R250 000 to three Mossel Bay charities dedicated to uplifting vulnerable youth, families and individuals in need.
Hino South Africa has handed over four mobile offices to the Gauteng Government Roads and Transport Department, which are to be used as Smart Driving Licensing Testing Centres by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).