HYDRAULIKPRESSE - HANSA-FLEX Hydraulics Canada Inc.

XWORLD
Mud splashes against the windscreen. The massive
tread of the tyres digs its way forward through the
tough morass. Each pothole is deeper than the last.
The path between the trees narrows, becoming more
and more bumpy - a trial of strength for both the
drivers’ nerves and the axles of the off -roaders. And
now they have to concentrate and make sure they
don’t get stuck!
To date the people taking part in the XWORLD Off -
Road Events have been able to enjoy such adventurous
scenarios. Before the fi rst stage of the tour
starts in March 2008, staff , partners and external
guests will have had the opportunity to try out the
qualities of the upgraded Toyota Land Cruisers far
away from the road. Since this February there have
been over a dozen off -road events and test drives
off ering the chance to experience the XWORLD vehicles
live. A comfortable interior, a powerful 173
hp engine, permanent four-wheel drive and special
equipment for the tour will guarantee safety and
enjoyment in each car. Whether equipped with a
“snorkel” for driving through water, a cable winch
or GPS navigation plus altimeter – the XWORLD vehicles
are not mass-produced items off the shelf but
special custom vehicles designed to cope with the
high demands of the diff erent stages.
Testing in an opencast pit
The jungle-green Toyota Land Cruiser approaches
the high sand dune covered with reed in fi rst gear.
The challenge: The XWORLD off -roader must force
its way up the steep slope without swerving or worse
still, tipping over. The damp sand slips and slides, and
with it the rear of the vehicle. The wheels slowly dig
themselves higher and higher in the tracks up the
dune. Putting your trust in the vehicle with a tiger
on its side is a real thrill. And the off -roader actually
manages to negotiate the crumbling slope without
diffi culty.
4
XWORLD Off -Road Events
With a tiger on rough terrain
HYDRAULIKPRESSE
The fi rst test drives in testing terrain were performed
by Enrico Kieschnick and the XWORLD project team
at the beginning of 2007. The ideal spot for this
was the disused opencast mine of Meuro near
Senftenberg and Großräschen in Brandenburg. On
this enormous area of land the off -road vehicles
showed what they could do for the fi rst time on
the occasion of the HANSA-FLEX regional manager
meeting in March. In the middle of October 2007
it was then the turn of the trade press to try out
all XWORLD automobiles in a one-day event held
at the mine. Verdict: The cars can cope with the 43
stages through Europe and Asia!
Grey hills as far as the eye can see. Deep gashes run
down the slopes. The sky-blue Toyota sporting a
panoramic view of the Himalayas disappears in a
cloud of coal dust as it approaches a jagged edge between
boulders. It suddenly lurches forward but the
passengers are safe and secure in their seat belts. The
vehicle slips and rolls in the loose sand until it gets
going again a few metres later on, shortly afterwards
ploughing through a fi eld of grass as tall as a man at
high speed.
Learning how to drive off -road
Thrills and a surge of adrenalin are part of every
event like the obligatory splashes of mud on trousers
and jacket. The spectacular off -road events
are however specially designed to familiarise drivers
with the handling of off -road vehicles in general
and more specifi cally, with the XWORLD Toyota
Land Cruisers. “When driving off -road, there’s a
whole load of things to consider. Even experienced
car drivers need to fi rst learn how to handle our
specially equipped XWORLD vehicles,” comments
project manager Enrico Kieschnick. Together with
HANSA-FLEX employee Roelof Wittler, the two men
already form a well-rehearsed team of instructors
thank to extensive special training. They are responsible
for the initial briefi ng beforehand and
ISSUE DECEMBER 2007