ZA alternative to the Defender

[Naks]

https://www.wheels24.co.za/offroad_and_4x4/now-this-is-a-bakkie-bloemfontein-built-brandt-brv-could-be-sas-best-kept-secret-20200827-3

"... the macho-looking BRV M-range has a monocoque chassis with integrated roll-cage - adding strength and rigidity and an integrated (rubberised) roof-rack.

ts suspension also has a bespoke design with an in-house developed leading arm set-up in front, coil-over shocks (so no torsion bars and stabilisers) and a solid axle with trailing arms at the rear, as well as sealed taper bearings instead of bushes. 

The body is manufactured from 1.2mm to 1.6mm steel panels, and with 35-inch tyres, the M-range has 325mm of ground clearance and a load box (measuring 2 000mm x 1 370mm x 580mm) with a one-tonne carrying capacity. Even with steel panels and a roll cage, the bakkie weighs around 2.2 tonnes - about 200kg less than the Grenadier, 240kg lighter than a Land Cruiser double cab, and 100kg more than Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger double cabs. 

Under the hood nestles a Cummins 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine delivering 120kW at 3600r/min and 360Nm at 1800r/min - slightly down on the power delivery of comparable double cab bakkies. For now, the engine is an off-the-shelf unit, but BRV is in negotiations with Cummins to develop the engine to its their specifications and application.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels (or all four) via a five-speed ISF gearbox and a Dana differential. Build quality is exemplary and the cabin, while somewhat spartan, is roomy, with good leg- and headroom. Standard equipment includes leather seats, air-con, a heater, power socket and an infotainment system with navigation, rear PDC and a four-speaker sound system, but sorry, no airbags or other active safety systems; that is for Tupperware bakkies only.

With its bespoke suspension, substantial ground clearance and voluminous tyres the BRV's level of ride refinement on tar is comparable with any of its rivals; road noise from the big tyres being the only real distraction.

However, it excels on dirt roads, with ride comfort superior to any other workhorse, and even better than that of some double cabs. 

In standard trim, the latest M3 single cab 4x2 is available from R430 500, with the 4x4 model only R10 000 more expensive.

The extended cab long wheelbase 4x4 M-model now goes for R495 000 - compared to the expected starting price for a Grenadier of around R1.1-million, and R720 000 for a double cab Land Cruiser 79 4.2 diesel. Oh, and the company is working hard to add the finishing touches to a double cab model to join the line-up next year.

This latest incarnation of the BRV M3 is surprisingly good. It has enough power, a slick gearbox, and a good ride. Its Build quality is good, and the cabin offers enough space and refinement. So, if you need a workhorse with brawn and burliness, one that will put the white Japanese single cab littering the parking lot outside the co-op to shame, you need this bakkie; born and bred in Bloemfontein.... "

 

 

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/brandtradicalvehicles/

https://www.facebook.com/brandtbrv/?tn-str=k*F

 

 

 

 

Edited August 27, 2020 by Naks

[geoffbeaumont]

Looks like a sort of half way house between a Defender and an Ibex. Quite like it's looks.

Sounds like they're a low volume manufacturer more like Foers than Ineos are aiming to be?

They clearly pitch it more as an alternative to the Japanese 4x4 pickups than to "serious" offroaders. Wonder if that reflects the vehicle or just the market they mainly sell to?

[Naks]

14 hours ago, geoffbeaumont said:

Looks like a sort of half way house between a Defender and an Ibex. Quite like it's looks.

Sounds like they're a low volume manufacturer more like Foers than Ineos are aiming to be?

They clearly pitch it more as an alternative to the Japanese 4x4 pickups than to "serious" offroaders. Wonder if that reflects the vehicle or just the market they mainly sell to?

 

The market, I think: they're based in Bloemfontein, which is the farming heartland of ZA, so a lot of farmers looking for strong/durable/reliable pickup trucks to run their farms.