#Fogging System in Namibia

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Namib Sand Geckos: these nocturnal geckos have biofluorescent markings that emit a bright, neon-green glow when exposed to the moonlight

This species (Pachydactylus rangei) is found only in the Namib Desert, which stretches across Namibia, Angola, and South Africa; the geckos typically inhabit the arid, coastal region known as the Skeleton Coast.

In order to escape from the blistering heat of the desert, they use their webbed feet to burrow down into the sand during the day, and then emerge only at night, when the temperature has finally dropped. The webbing on their feet also enables them to run more easily across the dunes.

Namib sand geckos are covered in translucent scales, but they also have a strangely colorful appearance, as the colors/shades of their circulatory system, spinal column, internal organs, and optical membranes remain partially visible through the skin, producing various shades of pink, dark blue, purple, magenta, orange, and yellow.

They also have several distinctive markings running along their lower flank and encircling their eyes; these markings are known to fluoresce when exposed to UV light (including moonlight), emitting a bright, neon-green glow.

Some researchers have theorized that the biofluorescent markings may act as a signal to other geckos, allowing them to locate one another in the vast, desolate expanse of the desert, as this paper explains:

The fluorescent areas of P. rangei are concentrated around the eyes and along the lower flanks. This positioning is practically invisible to predators with a higher perspective (e.g. birds and jackals), but highly conspicuous from a gecko’s perspective. As P. rangei is sociable but generally solitary, and occurs at low population densities, such a signal might serve to locate conspecifics over greater distances ...

Encounters in P. rangei might serve purposes beyond mating opportunities: as the Namib desert has extremely low precipitation, fog is a key water source for its flora and fauna. Fog condenses on the bodies of the geckos, and they lick it from their faces. In husbandry, we have observed individuals licking water from conspecifics, taking advantage of a much greater available surface area.

Additionally, after short periods of isolation, the geckos run to meet each other. The combination of vital hydration with socialisation might reinforce signals that enable such meetings, and the cost of visibility to predators with higher vantage points, might constrain the signals to regions best visible from eye-level and below.

The Namib sand gecko is the only terrestrial vertebrate that is known to use an iridophore-based form of biofluorescence (you can find a more detailed explanation of that mechanism in the article mentioned above). The fluorescent dermal markings are also unique to this species.

Sources & More Info:

Scientific Reports: Neon-green fluorescence in the desert gecko Pachydactylus rangei caused by iridophores

Animal Diversity Web: Pachydactylus rangei

Dr. Mark D. Scherz's Blog: A Neon-Green Glowing Gecko!

Australian Geographic: Skeleton Coast - Namibia's strange desert dwellers

[opstechsanjana]

Mist Cooling & Fogging System Company in Namibia

[katiajewelbox]

Leaves don’t come much bigger, or weirder, than the leaves of the enigmatic Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis). This bizarre-looking species is the only one in its family and only one of three living genera in the Gnetophyta division of Gynmonsperms, which includes conifers.

In the indigneous languages of its native Namibia and Angola where it grows in the desert sand dunes, the plant is called tumboa, n'tumbo (Angolan), tweeblaarkanniedood (Afrikaans), !kharos (Nama/Damara), nyanka (Damara), khurub (Nama), onyanga (Herero).

As an adult plant, Welwitschia has only two leaves that grow continuously from the stem base with cork-like bark and a hollowed dish in the centre. These gigantic, tough, leathery leaves are never shed and are split and shredded at the ends due to age. Why does Welwitschia take this strange shape? Botanists hypothesise the plant came about as a catastrophic mutation of the apical meristem in an ancestral plant. The apical meristem is the “top shoot” of a plant and in Welwitschia the apical meristem stops growing early in development, leaving the two initial leaves to grow to enormous size and carry out all the plant’s photosynthesis duties. Despite their lack of an apical meristem, Welwitschia are supremely well adapted to their desert home and can live for over 2,000 years. The plants absorb moisture from sea fogs that roll over the dunes and their deep taproot root system anchors them securely in the sand. Welwitschia reproduces via cone-like structures on male and female plants, and the scale-like seeds travel on the wind to new habitats.

The first image is my own photo from the Munich Botanical garden in 2014, the other image a collage from the excellent website PlantZAfrica.com

[mahindramotoringmagic]

New Mahindra Pik-Up Special Editions Were Made To Be Legends

Mahindra took its Karoo Dawn, Karoo Dusk and Karoo Storm double cabs on an epic three-week adventure which cemented the brand's durability in the minds of buyers.

The Mahindra Karoo convoy departed to unforgiving terrain in South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho.

“In June, we revealed our new corporate identity and our brand promise – to Unleash the Explorer in You. While every Mahindra bakkie or SUV delivers on that promise, the three Karoo flagship models do so with aplomb,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

“We realise that Mahindra is in a unique position to help South Africans unleash their inner explorer with our range of accessible and affordable products and with made-for-purpose adventure vehicles like the Karoo Dusk, Dawn and Storm.”

The Mahindra Adventure

Departing from the Mahindra head office in Centurion, Gauteng, the expedition of three Pik Ups started heading west to the border of South Africa and Namibia.

Along the way, they visited some of the most demanding off-road trails and routes in the Free State and Northern Cape as well as the Mahindra dealers en route.

The convoy also made its way to KwaZulu-Natal to conquer some of the most challenging 4×4 courses and routes that they can find. From here, they made their way back to Mahindra’s South African headquarters.

“Each leg of our tour was carefully chosen for its beauty, its challenging routes and its proximity to some of our best-performing dealers. We will visit the dealers along the route to show them the new Karoo Dawn, Dusk and Storm and to whet their customers’ appetite,” says Rajesh.

The team was led on an adventure at every step of the journey with clues they receive daily from Mahindra and their task is to navigate to their destination. Customers following the adventure, could live the journey and become part of the experience.

Flagship features made accessible

The Mahindra Dawn, Dusk and Storm together form the flagship model range for Mahindra’s Authentic Bakkie range. All three models are fitted with a dedicated heavy-duty, off-road suspension that is unique to these models.

All three models are equipped with Mahindra’s tried and trusted 2.2 mHawk turbodiesel engine that delivers 103kW and 320Nm.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels, in 2WD, or to all wheels in 4WD low- and high-range via the Mahindra six-speed automatic transmission.

While each version is unique in its design, all three versions share luxuries such as climate control, electric windows, cruise control and leather seats.

Also standard across all three models are a special hardy Karoo carpet set, a nudge bar, a load bin-mounted Karoo sports bar and a rubberised load bin. A custom-designed set of hardened off-road rims are fitted to all three models, including to their spare wheels.

Mahindra has also fitted a custom-designed, off-road approach and departure bumper set to all three flagship models. These bumpers are anchored to the chassis and have LED front fog lamps, heavy-duty steel recovery points, non-slip steps and even a ready-to-fit space for a winch.

Lastly, all three flagship models also have a new 9-inch touch-screen infotainment system with HD display, in-built maps and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Karoo Dusk, Karoo Storm and Karoo Dawn models are all sold with a 4-year/120 000km mechanical warranty and a 5-year/90 000km service plan.

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Article shared from https://nolimitsmahindracars.blogspot.com/2022/11/new-mahindra-pik-up-special-editions.html

[scienceblogtumbler]

Hydrologists show environmental damage from fog reduction is observable from outer space

A new study led by ecohydrologists at IUPUI has shown for the first time that it’s possible to use satellite data to measure the threat of climate change to ecological systems that depend on water from fog.

The paper, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, presents the first clear evidence that the relationship between fog levels and vegetation status is measurable using remote sensing. The discovery opens up the potential to easily and rapidly assess fog’s impact on ecological health across large land masses — as compared to painstaking ground-level observation.

“It’s never been shown before that you can observe the effect of fog on vegetation from outer space,” said Lixin Wang, an associate professor in the School of Science at IUPUI, who is the senior author on the study. “The ability to use the satellite data for this purpose is a major technological advance.”

The need to understand the relationship between fog and vegetation is urgent since environmental change is reducing fog levels across the globe. The shift most strongly affects regions that depend upon fog as a major source of water, including the redwood forests in California, the Atacama desert in Chile and the Namib desert in Namibia, with the latter two currently recognized as World Heritage sites under the United Nations due to their ecological rarity.

“The loss of fog endangers plant and insect species in these regions, many of which don’t exist elsewhere in the world,” said Na Qiao, a visiting student at IUPUI, who is the study’s first author. “The impact of fog loss on vegetation is already very clear. If we can couple this data with large-scale impact assessments based on satellite data, it could potentially influence environmental protection policies related to these regions.”

View print quality image

Fog readings were taken at two weather stations near the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute in the Namib desert of Namibia. Photo courtesy of Lixin Wang, Indiana University.

The IUPUI-led study is based on optical and microwave satellite data, along with information on fog levels from weather stations at two locations operated by the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute in the Namib desert. The satellite data was obtained from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. The fog readings were taken between 2015 and 2017.

Wang’s work with the Gobabeb facility is supported under a National Science Foundation CAREER grant. At least once a year, he and student researchers, including both graduate and undergraduate students from IUPUI, travel to the remote facility — a two-hour drive on a dirt road from the nearest city — to conduct field research.

The study found a significant correlation between fog levels and vegetation status near both weather stations during the entire time of the study. Among other findings, the optical data from the site near the research facility revealed obvious signs of plant greening following fog, and up to 15 percent higher measures during periods of fog versus periods without fog.

Similar patterns were seen at the second site, located near a local rock formation. The microwave data also found significant correlation between fog and plant growth near the research facility, and up to 60 percent higher measures during periods of fog versus periods without fog.

View print quality image

Lixin Wang, left, and a colleague conduct water research in the Namib desert. Photo courtesy of Lixin Wang, Indiana University

The study’s conclusions are based on three methods of remotely measuring vegetation: two based on optical data, which is sensitive to the vibrance of greens in plants, and a third based on microwave data, which is sensitive to overall plant mass, including the amount of water in stems and leaves. Although observable by machines, the changes in vegetation color are faint enough to go undetected by the human eye.

Next, the team will build upon their current work to measure the effect of fog on vegetation over longer periods of time, which will assist with future predictions. Wang also aims to study the relationship in other regions, including the redwood forests in California.

“We didn’t even know you could use satellite data to measure the impact of fog on vegetation until this study,” he said. “If we can extend the period under investigation, that will show an even more robust relationship. If we have 10 years of data, for example, we can make future predictions about the strength of this relationship and how this relationship has been changing over time due to climate change.”

Additional authors were Wenzhe Jiao, a Ph.D. student at IUPUI, who made significant contributions to the satellite data processing, as well as Changping Huang and Lifu Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Science and Maggs-Kölling and Eugene Marais of the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute. Qiao is also a student at the Chinese Academy of Science.

source https://scienceblog.com/516784/hydrologists-show-environmental-damage-from-fog-reduction-is-observable-from-outer-space/

[kathleenseiber]

Satellites can spot eco damage from fog loss

It’s possible to use satellite data to measure the threat of climate change to ecological systems that depend on water from fog, researchers report.

Their new paper presents the first clear evidence that the relationship between fog levels and vegetation status is measurable using remote sensing.

The discovery opens up the potential to easily and rapidly assess fog’s impact on ecological health across large land masses—as compared to painstaking ground-level observation.

“It’s never been shown before that you can observe the effect of fog on vegetation from outer space,” says senior author Lixin Wang, an associate professor in the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

“The ability to use the satellite data for this purpose is a major technological advance.”

Two satellite images show vegetation change from fog in two areas of the Namib desert. The left image shows the areas during periods of lower fog; the right image shows the areas during periods of higher fog. Greener areas inside the squares indicate vegetation greening. (Credit: Lixin Wang/Indiana U.)

The need to understand the relationship between fog and vegetation is urgent since environmental change is reducing fog levels across the globe. The shift most strongly affects regions that depend upon fog as a major source of water, including the redwood forests in California, the Atacama desert in Chile, and the Namib desert in Namibia, with the latter two currently recognized as World Heritage sites under the United Nations due to their ecological rarity.

“The loss of fog endangers plant and insect species in these regions, many of which don’t exist elsewhere in the world,” says first author Na Qiao, a visiting student at IUPUI. “The impact of fog loss on vegetation is already very clear. If we can couple this data with large-scale impact assessments based on satellite data, it could potentially influence environmental protection policies related to these regions.”

Fog readings were taken at two weather stations near the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute in the Namib desert of Namibia. (Credit: Lixin Wang/Indiana U.)

The study is based on optical and microwave satellite data, along with information on fog levels from weather stations at two locations operated by the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute in the Namib desert. The satellite data came from NASA and the US Geological Survey. The fog readings are from between 2015 and 2017.

At least once a year, Wang and student researchers, including both graduate and undergraduate students, travel to the remote facility—a two-hour drive on a dirt road from the nearest city—to conduct field research.

The researchers found a significant correlation between fog levels and vegetation status near both weather stations during the entire time of the study. Among other findings, the optical data from the site near the research facility revealed obvious signs of plant greening following fog, and up to 15% higher measures during periods of fog versus periods without fog.

Lixin Wang, left, and a colleague conduct water research in the Namib desert. (Credit: Lixin Wang/Indiana U.)

Similar patterns were seen at the second site, located near a local rock formation. The microwave data also found significant correlation between fog and plant growth near the research facility, and up to 60% higher measures during periods of fog versus periods without fog.

The study’s conclusions are based on three methods of remotely measuring vegetation: two based on optical data, which is sensitive to the vibrance of greens in plants, and a third based on microwave data, which is sensitive to overall plant mass, including the amount of water in stems and leaves. Although observable by machines, the changes in vegetation color are faint enough to go undetected by the human eye.

Next, the team will build upon their current work to measure the effect of fog on vegetation over longer periods of time, which will assist with future predictions. Wang also aims to study the relationship in other regions, including the redwood forests in California.

“We didn’t even know you could use satellite data to measure the impact of fog on vegetation until this study,” he says.

“If we can extend the period under investigation, that will show an even more robust relationship. If we have 10 years of data, for example, we can make future predictions about the strength of this relationship and how this relationship has been changing over time due to climate change.”

The paper appears in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Additional coauthors are from Indiana University, the Chinese Academy of Science, and the Gobabeb Namib Research Institute.

A National Science Foundation CAREER grant supports Wang’s work with the Gobabeb facility.

Source: Indiana University

The post Satellites can spot eco damage from fog loss appeared first on Futurity.

Satellites can spot eco damage from fog loss published first on https://triviaqaweb.weebly.com/

[topfygad]

Best road trips in the world – by continent

The best road trips in the world have inspired artists through the ages, from Kerouac and Steinbeck to the talents at Pixar. Here, we attempt to explain why.

When it comes to road trips, we’ve had our fair share of mishaps. We’ve battled a whiteout in Iceland, got stuck in a ditch in Turkey, broken down in Chile and changed a tyre in Namibia’s lion territory.

Despite all this, we’re irrevocably drawn to the open road. There’s a very specific freedom in being able to rent a car wherever you land and setting your own course. More importantly, you can change that course when you want to. Whether you spend extra days in a national park or depart early from a tourist town, you’re the master of your own time.

Our travel wish list includes some of the best road trips in the world. Below, we list our favourite on each continent along with a look at its closest contender.

North America

Route 66

Location: USA Distance: 3,940km Duration: 14-21 days Car: Rental car options in Illinois, USA

Trekandshoot/Shutterstock Route 66 is the quintessential US road trip

Route 66 is the quintessential US road trip. Nothing epitomises the essence of American spirit quite like this infamous route. Designed in 1926 as the first highway of its kind, Route 66 was paved in 1937 and stretched across America from Chicago to LA, crossing eight states and three time zones.

A mere 20 years later, however, it was usurped by a faster four-lane interstate system that bypassed Route 66, prompting its demise. By 1985, it was officially decommissioned.

Luckily, great sections of the route survive, thanks to non-profit organisations and the US National Park Service. Today, you can drive significant stretches of Route 66 amid some of America’s iconic motifs: classic motels and drive-ins, restored roadsters and hulking Harleys. Expect atmospheric towns, evocative desert landscapes and the undeniable romance of the open road.

Tip: Many users of the original Route 66 were families on their summer vacation. There’s certainly a charm to the RVs and Airstreams, but if you want to beat the crowds, visit in the shoulder season of Apr-May or Sep-Oct. You will benefit from milder weather without sacrificing hours of daylight.

The contender: Cabot Trail

Location: Canada Distance: 298km Duration: 2-5 days Car: Rental car options in Canada

Colin D. Young/Shutterstock The Cabot Trail is a close contender to Route 66

The Cabot Trail is a scenic route on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Encircling Cape Breton Highlands National Park and part of the adjacent shore, the trail takes in a tapestry of terrain. Expect winding roads, serene lakes and boundless cliff-top views over the icy Atlantic Ocean.

The trail was completed in 1932 and connected once isolated fishing villages along the 298km route. Today, it offers a vibrant mix of scenic viewpoints, cultural heritage sites, colourful fishing villages, picturesque hiking trails and several chances to spot whales, among them Pilots, Finbacks, Minkes and Humpbacks.

Tip: The Cabot Trail winds along steep grades and curves, so the ‘inside’ lane in the clockwise direction is better for drivers who don’t like to drive next to steep drops. The anticlockwise direction, however, offers less traffic and better views.

South America

Ruta 40

Location: Argentina Distance: 5,224km Duration: 21+ days Car: Rental car options in Argentina

Estebran/Shutterstock Ruta 40 is one of the best road trips in the world

Ruta 40 or ‘Route 40′ is Argentina’s answer to the US’s Route 66. Starting in Cabo Vírgenes, the southernmost point of the Argentine mainland, Ruta 40 snakes past 11 provinces, 20 national parks and 24 major rivers, all the way north to the Bolivian border.

Abra de Acay lies at 5,061m (16,604ft) on the route, making it the highest point on a national road anywhere in the world.

Ruta 40 is long and occasionally wearying, but Argentina’s magnificent Patagonian steppe, expansive views of glacial peaks and ever-changing terrain make this one of the best road trips in the world.

Tip: Sheep have the right of way and guanacos and ñandús may also make an appearance. Slow down and give them plenty of space.

The contender: Salar de Uyuni

Location: Bolivia Distance: Depends on route Duration: 3 days Car: Rental car options in Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni is one of the most visited sites in Bolivia – not that you would know it. Covering an area of 10,582km2, these iconic salt flats feel like a deserted hinterland.

The flats were formed from what was originally Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake that largely evaporated under the scorching Andean sun leaving behind a thick crust of salt – what we know today as Salar de Uyuni.

Atlas & Boots

The vast expanse of white stretches as far as the eye can see, warping your sense of perspective. In wet season, the flats create what’s known as the ‘largest mirror on Earth’ where the sky is reflected off the glass-like surface. Driving here feels like gliding on water.

Tip: Make sure you wear high-SPF sunscreen. The harsh sun reflected off the salt will burn you at the first sign of complacency.

Europe

North Coast 500

Location: Scotland Distance: 830km Duration: 5-10 days Car: Rental car options in the UK

Matthias Friel/Shutterstock North Coast 500 is Scotland at its brooding best

The North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most iconic coastal drives. It starts and ends in Inverness and traces a 830km (500mi) route along Britain’s outer limits, taking in vertiginous sea cliffs, distinctive rugged peaks and striking white-sand beaches.

Of course, there’s more to the Highlands than coastal sands. Expect lonely lochs, haunting moorlands and vast tracts of desolate beauty. This is Scotland at its brooding best.

Easing the nip of the northern air are charming distilleries and breweries, cosy inns and pubs and that tireless Scottish charm.

Tip: Drive the route anticlockwise to make the most of the light and the backdrop of the Assynt mountains. Head north from Inverness up the east coast to Caithness, then turn west across the top of Scotland before descending down the west coast.

The contender: The Ring Road

Location: Iceland Distance: 1,339km Duration: 10-14 days Car: Rental car options in Iceland

Shane WP Wongperk/Shutterstock The Ring Road in Iceland is a close contender

When it comes to Iceland, writers often turn to fiction to describe the country adequately. You will see comparisons to Narnia, Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings – all perfectly warranted, for Iceland really is a place of raw and relentless beauty.

The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, brings you to some of the prettiest spots in the country including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Since our visit in 2010, tourism in Iceland has boomed and it’s not hard to see why. Expect gigantic waterfalls and magnificent glaciers, secret ice caves, soaring peaks and a stark, often desolate, beauty.

Tip: The weather is changeable in Iceland, so build in extra days for seeing the major sights. If wind conditions are particularly harsh, park your car facing the wind to prevent your doors from blowing backwards.

Africa

Garden Route

Location: South Africa Distance: 200km Duration: 3-7 days Car: Rental car options in South Africa

Codegoni Daniele/Shutterstock The Garden Route in South Africa is deemed one of the best road trips in the world

South Africa’s Garden Route is widely regarded as one of the best road trips in the world. The forested swath stretches 200km from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east, taking in a vast array of vegetation, wildlife and topography.

The area was once home to a great African forest. Khoi herders considered it a paradise, calling it Outeniqua (“the man laden with honey”). Sadly, the forest was dramatically impacted with the arrival of Dutch woodcutters in the 18th century. What remains evidences Outeniqua’s glorious beauty.

Expect picturesque lagoons, tiny coves and sweeping hills leading to the mountains of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma ranges which divide the Garden Route from Little Karoo.

Tip: If you’re starting and finishing your trip in Cape Town, instead of driving up and down the same route, explore the interior in one direction. This takes 1.5 hours longer and allows you to explore Matjiesfontein, the Meiringspoort Pass and wine farms and restaurants along Route 62.

The contender: Skeleton Coast

Location: Namibia Distance: 460km Duration: 1-3 days Car: Rental car options in Namibia

Lukas Bischoff Photograph/Shutterstock The wild and dramatic Skeleton Coast

After our self-drive safari in Namibia, we fell irreversibly in love with the country. The Skeleton Coast was high on our list with its promise of bleached whalebones strewn across shore and the giant hulls of rusting shipwrecks. Sadly, the most impressive victims of this infamous coast have been swallowed by sand and sea. Still, there remains a stark beauty that’s well worth exploring.

Expect vast stretches of desertscape misted by the tendrils of coastal fog. You’ll find dunes that roll to the sea and several shipwrecks dotting the shore, the easiest of which to reach is the Zeila 14km south of Henties Bay.

Pair the Skeleton Coast with a stay at Sossusvlei and Etosha and we guarantee you’ll have a trip to remember.

Tip: After Mongolia and Australia, Namibia is the least densely populated country in the world. People – and therefore petrol stations! – are few and far between. The general rule in Namibia is to fill up whenever you have the opportunity.

Asia

Karakoram Highway

Location: Pakistan, China Distance: 1,300km Duration: 10 days Car: Karakoram Jeep Treks International

Pawika Tongtavee/Shutterstock The Karakoram Highway is one of the highest paved roads in the world

It would be negligent to list the best road trips in the world and not include the Karakoram Highway. Also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, it snakes from Hasan Abdal in the Punjab province of Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan where it crosses into China.

The highway passes through the Karakoram mountain range and is one of the highest paved roads in the world. Given its maximum elevation of 4,714m (15,466ft) and the difficult conditions under which it was built, it is sometimes referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The Karakoram Highway is not without peril, but audacious travellers will find unparalleled access to one of the most stunning regions in the world. Plunging valleys and gigantic peaks make for some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you will ever see.

Tip: Although the Karakoram Highway officially begins in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the most popular starting point is Gilgit. Karakoram Jeep Treks International can provide a 4×4 and a driver-cum-guide. Note that the Khunjerab Pass is only open from May to October and can close without notice in bad weather.

The contender: Gobi Desert

Location: Mongolia Distance: 1,500km Duration: 12 days Car: Rental car options in Mongolia

HelloRF Zcool/Shutterstock The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is a worthy contender

The Gobi is the one of the largest deserts in the world. Measuring 1,600km from the southwest to northeast, it is one of the last frontiers of true adventure travel. Here, you will find soaring sand dunes and ice-filled canyons dotted across a daunting desert landscape.

Visit the famous “singing dunes” at Khongoryn Els. This natural phenomenon occurs when the wind shifts grains of sand, causing the dunes to “hum”.

Expect long days in the car, even on an organised tour. The landscapes here are seemingly endless.

Tip: Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world. Given the long stretches of barren landscape, most visitors opt to hire a driver rather than self-drive. Sunpath Mongolia is well reviewed on TripAdvisor.

Oceania

Great Ocean Road

Location: Australia Distance: 243km Duration: 3-5 days Car: Rental car options in Australia

Atlas & Boots

The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of the best road trips in the world. Studded with jagged rock stacks and dramatic coastal cliffs, the route runs between the Victorian towns of Torquay and Allansford.

Built between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road was intended as both a memorial to the soldiers who died in the First World War and a means of employment for those who returned. Over 3,000 ex-servicemen helped build the road, resulting in the world’s largest war memorial.

Watch the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean, pause in a laid-back seaside town and marvel at the unbridled beauty of this magnificent coast.

Tip: We drove the Great Ocean Road eastwards from Allansford to Torquay, but suggest you do it the opposite way. In that direction, you will drive on the ocean side of the road and won’t need to cross traffic when parking at a photo stop.

The contender: South Island Circuit

Location: New Zealand Distance: 2,306km Duration: 14+ days Car: Rental car options in New Zealand

NG ZHENG HUI/Shutterstock Dramatic scenes on the South Island Circuit

It could be argued that the South Island Circuit is the best road trip in Oceania, usurping Australia’s Great Ocean Road. It’s a valid point given New Zealand’s majestic scenery.

The South Island, carved by ice and water, boasts a jaw-dropping mix of gleaming glaciers, glassy fjords and jagged peaks dusted with snow.

Throw in thrilling adventures like via ferrata or bungy jumping, and you’ll have all the makings of an epic trip.

Tip: The weather can be changeable in New Zealand so keep abreast of the latest forecast. The MetService provides regular updates on its website and app.

Epic Drives by Lonely Planet showcases 50 of the best road trips in the world. Organised by continent, each route features a first-hand account, awe-inspiring photographs, illustrated maps and practical advice.

Lead image: MaxyM/Shutterstock

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[opstechsanjana]

Mist Cooling & Fogging System Company in Namibia

[jeremystrele]

Photographer Caitlin Mills Takes Us On One Of The World’s Greatest Walks

Photographer Caitlin Mills Takes Us On One Of The World’s Greatest Walks

Travel

Caitlin Mills

Baiona, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Baiona, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Baiona, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Caitlin on the trail! Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Baiona, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

I’m Melbourne born-and-raised, though I spent much of my childhood at our family house in the High Country. I initially studied graphic design at Swinburne University before following my passion in photography to the Photography Studies College. I had the wonderful opportunity to assist photographer Sharyn Cairns for a few years, which has propelled me into the industry, and I haven’t looked back!

I’m still Melbourne-based, however I love any opportunity to shoot interstate and overseas. A few of my favourites places over the past few years have been a travel feature in Tasmania, Oman, and today’s feature: on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

I first travelled to Spain in 2007 on a year-long backpacking trip, which also took me through Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia), Portugal, Spain, London and Canada. With camera-in-hand, I was young and free and ready for an adventure. I found just that.

I fell in love with Granada and the Southern coast of Spain, and had always wanted to return… This desire was strengthened by the many wonderful things I had heard about the Camino de Santiago. When my close friend Holly and I decided on an active holiday, it was the top of our list!

Although this walk originated as a religious pilgrimage, people take it for many reasons. You definitely don’t have to be religious! It’s an incredibly rewarding way to see the area.

For me, the biggest challenge were some body ailments. I had sore feet, leg cramps, and a slightly dodgy hip (I always knew this would be the case as it’s constantly something I work on at home). Then, there was the lugging of my heavy camera gear, which I couldn’t go without! I chose to only take one lens (24-70mm) and one camera body, and most days I would carry it in my arms the entire time. As I was on foot, it was harder to ‘chase the light’ as you can with a car, however shooting was a lovely way to take in the smaller details along the way. Looking back, it’s all just about good training, management and shoes! I will do more prep next time.

One of the most rewarding aspects was to be able to spend my entire day walking. It’s an active meditation and I often find that my biggest ideas and realisations come about when I walk. Another highlight came at the very end of the trip – I got engaged the day after returning home to Australia (I think I’d get in trouble if I left that detail out!).

It really is a special mix of people that find themselves walking hundreds of kilometres across a country, with locals there to guide them on their journeys. We were humbled daily by the kindness of strangers – directing us back on course, picking us bags of peaches, tending to our sunburn and blisters, buying us local dishes they think that we would like, or sitting with us to go through a Spanish menu when we were struggling to read it!

Baiona, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Baiona, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

OUR ITINERARY

There are many different routes that lead the way to Santiago de Compostela. The most famous is the one that begins in the French Pyrenees and takes around 35 days to complete. As we didn’t have that much time, we decided to walk part of the Portuguese Camino from Baiona on the Western coast of Spain, following the coastline to Santiago de Compostela.

Day 1&2 – Seafood by the sea!

We arrived into Baiona a town situated on the coast of the Monterreal Peninsula which leads out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Our taxi wound its way through the city, underneath a fortressed wall and up to the Parador de Baiona, a beautiful Galician manor.

We spent two days here wandering through the old town, eating seafood by the water, drinking wine and watching the boats sail out to sea.

Vigo, Spain, Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Vigo, Spain, Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Vigo, Spain, Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Day 3 – Baiona to Vigo (26km)

We trekked out of Baiona sharply climbing in altitude along busy roads en route to Vigo. We rose high above the Atlantic mist below, which had settled in for the morning.

It was a shock to the system, as the first leg of any long walk is, and I’m sure the wine in Baiona didn’t help. Getting a little lost we finally found the iconic shell markings along the road that lead you all the way to Santiago de Compostela – It’s like an adult treasure hunt!

As you follow the Camino shells, you wind high above small towns and then through back streets, passing many albergues (guest houses), local restaurants and cafes.

After 25kms, we found our way to Vigo, a bustling city surrounded by a lush mountain landscape. We were weary and very sore, but managed to find a town square that came alive with restaurants, bars and children, playing late into the night.

On the Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Redondela, Spain, Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

On the Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

On the Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Day 4 – Vigo to Redondela (20km*)

This day was around 20km’s, not including the many times we got lost! But this was when the true Spanish hospitality shone, with locals gently guiding us wayward travellers back on to the track and on our way. It was a very humbling experience!

Day 5 – Redondela to Pontevedra (22km)

By day 5 we were in our walking groove. We headed off in an early convoy of trekkers back into the mountain tracks, with views of the Monterreal Peninsula still peeking through the trees to our left.

We arrived into Pontevedra, a labyrinth of small cobbled stoned streets that opened up into large Piazza’s ready to be filled with the night’s activities. We were not disappointed and again the Spanish hospitality and very loud ‘Salute’s’ were on show.

Pontovedra, Spain on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Pontovedra, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Day 6 – Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (25km)

The trail followed the highway dipping in and out of local vineyards, all of which had an abundance of grapes and made for a sneaky snack!

Reaching our destination, we treated ourselves to a beautiful hotel a short taxi ride out of Caldas de Reis. Torre do Rio’s gates opened and we walked into what was once an 18th-century-textile-factory-turned-boutique-accommodation positioned on top of a hill surrounded by sprawling gardens and a cascading waterfall. It took my breath away.

Caldas de Reis, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Caldas de Reis, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Caldas de Reis, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Caldas de Reis, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Caldas de Reis, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Day 7 – Caldas de Reis to Padron (23km)

It was hard to leave Torre do Rio, especially after eating our way through the breakfast buffet.

Back on the road, we soon caught up with a familiar walker wearing socks and thongs – it’s hilarious the footwear some people end up wearing after days/weeks of walking!

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

On the Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

On the Camino de Santiago trail. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on the Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on the Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on the Camino de Santiago. Photo – Caitlin Mills.

Day 8 – Padron to Santiago de Compostela (30km)

Padron is a small and eerie town that we were happy to leave. We slept next to an open chapel, which gave us both nightmares!

This was the hardest yet most rewarding day of the walk. Most of the morning we paced through low-lying fog, cobbled stone roads, past numbers dogs, churches, and cornfields. After stopping for an early morning espresso we powered onto Santiago.

We walked into Santiago de Compostela to the large cathedral square, which was a buzz of energy and excitement. A melting pot of walkers from all around the world were there – some who had walked for months! It was a surprisingly emotional finale to a short section of the Camino. I can only imagine how the others who had been on the road for weeks were feeling.

We sat down in a small and quiet chapel to rest our feet and reflect on our short but inspiring walk. A quote on the wall read ‘Blessed are you pilgrim, if on the way you meet yourself and gift yourself with time, without rushing, so as not to disregard the image in your heart’.

In our busy lives, it’s very hard to truly gift ourselves time to stop, slow down and move with the natural rhythm of life. This experience gifted me that time and I can’t wait to go back for a longer walk next time.

Must-see location

The hotel Torre do Rio, in Caldas de Reis is worth a trip back to Spain. I definitely plan on returning one day!

Must-try local delicacy

The Galician region of Spain is renowned for its fresh seafood. Located right on the Atlantic Ocean the freshest of seafood doesn’t have far to travel and it did not disappoint! We were treated to the freshest oysters, calamari, mussels, fish, and beautiful local wine!

Don’t forget to

…pack very light if you are planning on carrying all your belongings!

If you really can’t, there is always the option to get a taxi to deliver your bags to the next town.

When she’s not working for TDF or shooting other commercial and editorial photography Caitlin Mills  (@caitlinmillphotography) is working on a debut fine art series. She also hopes more travel work is on the horizon and is increasingly interested in aligning her work with environmental and sustainable design and living philosophies.

Caitlin soaking up the Spanish history (and vino!). Photo – Caitlin Mills.

[eddiejpoplar]

First Drive: 2019 Audi E-Tron

To our left, a herd of impalas is fanning out into the setting sun. To the right, a solitary springbok stands frozen by a mix of curiosity and fright. In between, sand, salt, and stones stretch all the way to a horizon separated from the dark blue sky by a panoramic cloud of dust. The flat tableland at the bottom of Namibia’s Kalahari desert is ten times the size of a football field for giants—all that´s missing are the goals, the corner flags, and the faintest trace of grass.

For one day only, this flat, open expanse has been converted to a kind of freestyle rallycross stage for six 2019 Audi E-Trons coated in psychedelic swirls not unlike the rock paintings of ancient residents. Water is a precious commodity in this scorching hot basin, but thanks to a few rows of makeshift solar panels, freshly harvested electricity is not. It´s an eerie scene, spectacular yet unreal, a handful of Audis drifting almost noiselessly through no-man´s land, never changing gear or hitting a redline. Vorsprung durch CO2-neutral powerslide, so to speak.

When the dust finally settles, one can decipher cones, an unusually wide racing line, and a white tent next to what must be the start-finish line. We get five laps per driver through a nearly mile-long ribbon of corners fast and slow. The surface looks like a thin coating of toasted breadcrumbs, but it is as slippery as loose snow on frozen earth. Even with ESC on, the handling attitude changes with every blip of the throttle. Deactivate it, and your inner Sebastian Loeb will grin from ear to ear before switching to attack mode. Back in the pits, the crew routinely adjusts the tire pressures and checks the state of charge. While the miles-to-empty readout dropped a couple of digits during our fun, the battery never failed to deliver full power on demand.

Audi’s new E-Tron, aims squarely at the new Jaguar I-PACE, Mercedes EQ-C, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, and Tesla Model X. The silent newcomer, loosely based on the Q5 and Q7 crossovers, will be priced around $90,000. It fields two electric motors rated at up to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft, and a 95-kWh battery good for a driving range of around 250 miles.

“The E-Tron is not a one-hit wonder,” says Markus Siewert, one of several project engineers. “We can do repeat action better than anybody else. The E-Tron, for instance, accelerates ten times from nought to sixty without dropping a single tenth over the entire cycle. On the autobahn, you are invited to nail the pedal to the metal for twenty long minutes—and I promise you the top speed will not budge one bit over time. Eventually, power is progressively scaled back to prevent overheating. A similar measure is taken when the car struggles to reach the nearest charge point. But even in case the range meter drops to zero, we still have a buffer built into the system.” Although the numbers are not yet cast in stone, one source claims that the driving range of the E-Tron will be certified at 265 miles according to the WLTP norm, though how that might translate to an EPA rating for the U.S. is unclear. Even in winter, with cold motors and cold batteries, Audi says 200 miles of range is a realistic point-to-point average.

Inside, the E-Tron is more Q8 than A7. There are four displays vying for the driver´s attention. The main instrument cluster offers two different views; one prioritizes the map, the other zooms in on the two round instruments. A head-up display floats above the instruments, while the center console accommodates two touchscreens. The whole set-up looks familiar, and yet it is different in that you operate the transmission via a chrome tile which sticks out of what used to be the electronic gear selector. There´s R for reverse, D for drive, N for neutral and P for park. It’s a single-speed box, so that one and only ratio takes you all the way to 124 mph, where the limiter steps in. On paved surfaces, the electric Q can use its boost mode to accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Take away that power boost and the stopwatch will read somewhere in the mid-six-second range. The car from Ingolstadt feels far from slow, but in this comparison the Audi loses a fair few ticks to the least powerful Tesla Model X, which also offers a 6-mph higher top speed

Late next year, insiders are expecting a performance version of the E-Tron rated at approximately 503 hp, but right now the maximum power output is 402 hp. Even this number is only available for ten seconds in boost mode. The next step down is called peak mode. It musters 355 hp and 414 lb-ft for up to 60 seconds. Under normal driving conditions, the E-Tron will use the rear motor primarily, which is good for 188 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque. If the driver requests more grunt, the second motor rated at 168 hp/182 lb-ft will jump in to drive the front wheels. All-wheel drive and torque vectoring are activated within milliseconds, providing top-notch traction and laser-beam stability. With ESC switched off, the rear-wheel bias invites you kick the tail out, which is a lot easier on an African salt lake than on high-grip European blacktop. Our test car was fitted with 21-inch energy saving tires, which destroyed the ride but offered plenty of cornering grip. Although the steering always tells the full story, it feels somewhat artificial throughout its range.

Powering the two induction motors is a 95-kWh high-voltage energy cell, weighing in at a whopping 1,543 lbs. The battery can be fast-charged with up to 150 kW at a network of service stations currently under construction. Audi has partnered with Electrify America to build 500 fast-charge stations in 40 states by 2019. While fast charging takes about 20 minutes, plug-in charging at home is an eight-hour affair. To speed up the process, Audi is offering a more powerful wall box and a second onboard charger. The killer app of the fast-charger? An 80-percent charge in just 30 minutes.

Inside, the E-Tron does not differ dramatically from the new Q8, A8, A7, and A6. The only obvious exceptions are the optional camera-based rear-view devices, which are lighter, narrower, and more aerodynamically slippery than conventional mirrors. They also take time to get used to, because your eyes must learn to focus on the displays in the top forward corner of the door panels. This works ok on the passenger side, but the driver finds the upright, non-adjustable screen much harder to read. On the credit side, the slim camera-equipped view finders will switch to a smaller image on the autobahn to emphasize the speed difference between fast and slow moving traffic, the system automatically extends the lateral view as soon as the indicator is set, and it dials in a bird´s eye perspective paired to a curbside zoom when parking. By tapping the intelligence of the cloud, the E-Tron driver is led to empty parking spaces, receives fog, black ice, and accident warnings, and is cautioned should a mobile speed trap pop up.

In typical Audi fashion, there are seven different choices of tune, from eco to dynamic. In addition, you are invited to dial in one of three overriding settings labeled comfortable, balanced, and sporty. The fourth option is individual, which allows you to preset stability control from steadfast to leery, dampers from quite firm to quite comfortable, steering effort from featherweight to heavyweight, and drivetrain from attentive to aggressive. The standard air suspension can be jacked up in two steps by 1.38 inches (35 mm) in allroad and by 1.97 in (50 mm) in off-road mode. Above 62mph, it automatically lowers the ride height by about 1 in (26 mm). The electronic e-quattro AWD system is significantly quicker to act and react than its combustion-powered counterpart. In fact, the energy flow to the four wheels is so rapid that the car responds to a puddle almost before it hits it. The battery pack, made up of 36 modules, is mounted between the axles as low as possible to push down the center of gravity. Measuring 193 inches in length and sitting on a 115.3-in wheelbase, the E-Tron is shorter than the Q8, narrower than the Q5 and lower than the Q7. Its cargo bay holds 28.5 cubic feet of gear (57 with the rear seats down), and yet the drag coefficient is a best in class 0.27.

The first all-electric Audi is an amazingly quiet zero-emission cruiser. Wind noise, road noise, and drivetrain noise are so well muffled that one instinctively reaches for the non-existing outside manual claxon to warn cyclists and pedestrians. The silence is in fact so overwhelming and persistent that half a decibel of extra kickdown whine would probably be quite welcome. After all, the E-Tron puts speed into perspective in a way that makes you wonder whether full throttle actually unleashes all the forward thrust there is. If our first encounter is anything to go by, the acceleration from 60mph upwards is overshadowed by the unreal mid-range urge of a Tesla 100D, the fierce low-speed pick-up of the 294-kW Jaguar i-Pace and the awesome tip-in of the 300-kW Mercedes EQ-C. The E-Tron is a quick car, no doubt. But it does not release that torque avalanche with quite the same urge and enthusiasm as its rivals.

Waftability is a key target for every electric car, and this also applies to the all-electric Audi, which comes prepared for level 3 autonomous driving as soon as it becomes legal. The vibration-free motors, the absence of virtual or actual gear changes, the punchy power delivery, and the hush-quiet noise level make this a perfectly relaxed and sufficiently brisk grand. The laid back dynamics are supported by a flat ride, nicely suppressed body movements, and enough instant oomph to pull away from trouble. Dislikes? Nose dive under hard deceleration, go-for-it take-off squat, a steering that is too light in comfort mode and too heavy in dynamic, and a set of brakes that deserves its own paragraph, together with the Audi energy regeneration strategy.

Intelligent recuperation helps to extend the driving range by up to 30 percent, says Audi. There are two different methods working hand in hand: lift-off regeneration and brake regeneration. In both cases, the e-motors act as generators and convert kinetic energy back into electric energy. By pulling the up- and downshift paddles behind the steering wheel, you may increase or decrease regeneration in two steps. Up to 0.3g of deceleration, you can either coast or make use of the regen, which is strong enough to create that coveted “one pedal�� driving experience. Beyond 0.3g, the hydraulic 18-in disc brakes take over.

In regenerative braking stage 1, the car slows down at lift-off, but nine out of ten stopping maneuvers can still be executed without even touching the pedal. Stage 2 virtually doubles this regeneration effect, which explains why it is better at charging the batteries than at putting a smile on your face. At this point, the E-Tron is the only BEV which can recuperate via e-motor, hydraulic brakes, and a combination thereof. The transition from passive to active stopping power is smooth and seamless, but since this Audi is by nature more interested in saving energy than pushing braking points further forward, it takes a determined and heavy right foot to reel in the car to a total standstill.

In the heart of the Bitterwasser salt plains, we locked ESC in play mode, set all systems in dynamic and worked the car hard until the state-of-charge readout dropped to single digits. By the time we were done, we’d scattered the local wildlife to the horizons except for a pair of wheeling vultures watching like stone-age drones as the future unfolded below them.

2019 Audi E-Tron Specifications ON SALE Mid-2019 PRICE $75,795 MOTOR Dual AC induction motors, 188 hp/168 hp, 402 hp combined BATTERY Lithium-ion Polymer/95 kWh TRANSMISSION 1-speed reduction gear LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, two-motor, AWD crossover EPA MILEAGE N/A L x W x H 193.0 x 76.3 x 65.5 in WHEELBASE 115.3 WEIGHT N/A 0-60 MPH 5.5 sec (est) TOP SPEED 124 mph

IFTTT

[jonathanbelloblog]

First Drive: 2019 Audi E-Tron

To our left, a herd of impalas is fanning out into the setting sun. To the right, a solitary springbok stands frozen by a mix of curiosity and fright. In between, sand, salt, and stones stretch all the way to a horizon separated from the dark blue sky by a panoramic cloud of dust. The flat tableland at the bottom of Namibia’s Kalahari desert is ten times the size of a football field for giants—all that´s missing are the goals, the corner flags, and the faintest trace of grass.

For one day only, this flat, open expanse has been converted to a kind of freestyle rallycross stage for six 2019 Audi E-Trons coated in psychedelic swirls not unlike the rock paintings of ancient residents. Water is a precious commodity in this scorching hot basin, but thanks to a few rows of makeshift solar panels, freshly harvested electricity is not. It´s an eerie scene, spectacular yet unreal, a handful of Audis drifting almost noiselessly through no-man´s land, never changing gear or hitting a redline. Vorsprung durch CO2-neutral powerslide, so to speak.

When the dust finally settles, one can decipher cones, an unusually wide racing line, and a white tent next to what must be the start-finish line. We get five laps per driver through a nearly mile-long ribbon of corners fast and slow. The surface looks like a thin coating of toasted breadcrumbs, but it is as slippery as loose snow on frozen earth. Even with ESC on, the handling attitude changes with every blip of the throttle. Deactivate it, and your inner Sebastian Loeb will grin from ear to ear before switching to attack mode. Back in the pits, the crew routinely adjusts the tire pressures and checks the state of charge. While the miles-to-empty readout dropped a couple of digits during our fun, the battery never failed to deliver full power on demand.

Audi’s new E-Tron, aims squarely at the new Jaguar I-PACE, Mercedes EQ-C, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, and Tesla Model X. The silent newcomer, loosely based on the Q5 and Q7 crossovers, will be priced around $90,000. It fields two electric motors rated at up to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft, and a 95-kWh battery good for a driving range of around 250 miles.

“The E-Tron is not a one-hit wonder,” says Markus Siewert, one of several project engineers. “We can do repeat action better than anybody else. The E-Tron, for instance, accelerates ten times from nought to sixty without dropping a single tenth over the entire cycle. On the autobahn, you are invited to nail the pedal to the metal for twenty long minutes—and I promise you the top speed will not budge one bit over time. Eventually, power is progressively scaled back to prevent overheating. A similar measure is taken when the car struggles to reach the nearest charge point. But even in case the range meter drops to zero, we still have a buffer built into the system.” Although the numbers are not yet cast in stone, one source claims that the driving range of the E-Tron will be certified at 265 miles according to the WLTP norm, though how that might translate to an EPA rating for the U.S. is unclear. Even in winter, with cold motors and cold batteries, Audi says 200 miles of range is a realistic point-to-point average.

Inside, the E-Tron is more Q8 than A7. There are four displays vying for the driver´s attention. The main instrument cluster offers two different views; one prioritizes the map, the other zooms in on the two round instruments. A head-up display floats above the instruments, while the center console accommodates two touchscreens. The whole set-up looks familiar, and yet it is different in that you operate the transmission via a chrome tile which sticks out of what used to be the electronic gear selector. There´s R for reverse, D for drive, N for neutral and P for park. It’s a single-speed box, so that one and only ratio takes you all the way to 124 mph, where the limiter steps in. On paved surfaces, the electric Q can use its boost mode to accelerate to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. Take away that power boost and the stopwatch will read somewhere in the mid-six-second range. The car from Ingolstadt feels far from slow, but in this comparison the Audi loses a fair few ticks to the least powerful Tesla Model X, which also offers a 6-mph higher top speed

Late next year, insiders are expecting a performance version of the E-Tron rated at approximately 503 hp, but right now the maximum power output is 402 hp. Even this number is only available for ten seconds in boost mode. The next step down is called peak mode. It musters 355 hp and 414 lb-ft for up to 60 seconds. Under normal driving conditions, the E-Tron will use the rear motor primarily, which is good for 188 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque. If the driver requests more grunt, the second motor rated at 168 hp/182 lb-ft will jump in to drive the front wheels. All-wheel drive and torque vectoring are activated within milliseconds, providing top-notch traction and laser-beam stability. With ESC switched off, the rear-wheel bias invites you kick the tail out, which is a lot easier on an African salt lake than on high-grip European blacktop. Our test car was fitted with 21-inch energy saving tires, which destroyed the ride but offered plenty of cornering grip. Although the steering always tells the full story, it feels somewhat artificial throughout its range.

Powering the two induction motors is a 95-kWh high-voltage energy cell, weighing in at a whopping 1,543 lbs. The battery can be fast-charged with up to 150 kW at a network of service stations currently under construction. Audi has partnered with Electrify America to build 500 fast-charge stations in 40 states by 2019. While fast charging takes about 20 minutes, plug-in charging at home is an eight-hour affair. To speed up the process, Audi is offering a more powerful wall box and a second onboard charger. The killer app of the fast-charger? An 80-percent charge in just 30 minutes.

Inside, the E-Tron does not differ dramatically from the new Q8, A8, A7, and A6. The only obvious exceptions are the optional camera-based rear-view devices, which are lighter, narrower, and more aerodynamically slippery than conventional mirrors. They also take time to get used to, because your eyes must learn to focus on the displays in the top forward corner of the door panels. This works ok on the passenger side, but the driver finds the upright, non-adjustable screen much harder to read. On the credit side, the slim camera-equipped view finders will switch to a smaller image on the autobahn to emphasize the speed difference between fast and slow moving traffic, the system automatically extends the lateral view as soon as the indicator is set, and it dials in a bird´s eye perspective paired to a curbside zoom when parking. By tapping the intelligence of the cloud, the E-Tron driver is led to empty parking spaces, receives fog, black ice, and accident warnings, and is cautioned should a mobile speed trap pop up.

In typical Audi fashion, there are seven different choices of tune, from eco to dynamic. In addition, you are invited to dial in one of three overriding settings labeled comfortable, balanced, and sporty. The fourth option is individual, which allows you to preset stability control from steadfast to leery, dampers from quite firm to quite comfortable, steering effort from featherweight to heavyweight, and drivetrain from attentive to aggressive. The standard air suspension can be jacked up in two steps by 1.38 inches (35 mm) in allroad and by 1.97 in (50 mm) in off-road mode. Above 62mph, it automatically lowers the ride height by about 1 in (26 mm). The electronic e-quattro AWD system is significantly quicker to act and react than its combustion-powered counterpart. In fact, the energy flow to the four wheels is so rapid that the car responds to a puddle almost before it hits it. The battery pack, made up of 36 modules, is mounted between the axles as low as possible to push down the center of gravity. Measuring 193 inches in length and sitting on a 115.3-in wheelbase, the E-Tron is shorter than the Q8, narrower than the Q5 and lower than the Q7. Its cargo bay holds 28.5 cubic feet of gear (57 with the rear seats down), and yet the drag coefficient is a best in class 0.27.

The first all-electric Audi is an amazingly quiet zero-emission cruiser. Wind noise, road noise, and drivetrain noise are so well muffled that one instinctively reaches for the non-existing outside manual claxon to warn cyclists and pedestrians. The silence is in fact so overwhelming and persistent that half a decibel of extra kickdown whine would probably be quite welcome. After all, the E-Tron puts speed into perspective in a way that makes you wonder whether full throttle actually unleashes all the forward thrust there is. If our first encounter is anything to go by, the acceleration from 60mph upwards is overshadowed by the unreal mid-range urge of a Tesla 100D, the fierce low-speed pick-up of the 294-kW Jaguar i-Pace and the awesome tip-in of the 300-kW Mercedes EQ-C. The E-Tron is a quick car, no doubt. But it does not release that torque avalanche with quite the same urge and enthusiasm as its rivals.

Waftability is a key target for every electric car, and this also applies to the all-electric Audi, which comes prepared for level 3 autonomous driving as soon as it becomes legal. The vibration-free motors, the absence of virtual or actual gear changes, the punchy power delivery, and the hush-quiet noise level make this a perfectly relaxed and sufficiently brisk grand. The laid back dynamics are supported by a flat ride, nicely suppressed body movements, and enough instant oomph to pull away from trouble. Dislikes? Nose dive under hard deceleration, go-for-it take-off squat, a steering that is too light in comfort mode and too heavy in dynamic, and a set of brakes that deserves its own paragraph, together with the Audi energy regeneration strategy.

Intelligent recuperation helps to extend the driving range by up to 30 percent, says Audi. There are two different methods working hand in hand: lift-off regeneration and brake regeneration. In both cases, the e-motors act as generators and convert kinetic energy back into electric energy. By pulling the up- and downshift paddles behind the steering wheel, you may increase or decrease regeneration in two steps. Up to 0.3g of deceleration, you can either coast or make use of the regen, which is strong enough to create that coveted “one pedal” driving experience. Beyond 0.3g, the hydraulic 18-in disc brakes take over.

In regenerative braking stage 1, the car slows down at lift-off, but nine out of ten stopping maneuvers can still be executed without even touching the pedal. Stage 2 virtually doubles this regeneration effect, which explains why it is better at charging the batteries than at putting a smile on your face. At this point, the E-Tron is the only BEV which can recuperate via e-motor, hydraulic brakes, and a combination thereof. The transition from passive to active stopping power is smooth and seamless, but since this Audi is by nature more interested in saving energy than pushing braking points further forward, it takes a determined and heavy right foot to reel in the car to a total standstill.

In the heart of the Bitterwasser salt plains, we locked ESC in play mode, set all systems in dynamic and worked the car hard until the state-of-charge readout dropped to single digits. By the time we were done, we’d scattered the local wildlife to the horizons except for a pair of wheeling vultures watching like stone-age drones as the future unfolded below them.

2019 Audi E-Tron Specifications ON SALE Mid-2019 PRICE $75,795 MOTOR Dual AC induction motors, 188 hp/168 hp, 402 hp combined BATTERY Lithium-ion Polymer/95 kWh TRANSMISSION 1-speed reduction gear LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, two-motor, AWD crossover EPA MILEAGE N/A L x W x H 193.0 x 76.3 x 65.5 in WHEELBASE 115.3 WEIGHT N/A 0-60 MPH 5.5 sec (est) TOP SPEED 124 mph

IFTTT

[jesusvasser]

The 2019 Audi A7 Sportback Goes to Lüderitz

LÜDERITZ, Namibia — The sat-nav says arrival time 12:53 a.m. The man from Audi advises us not to drive after dark because of wild animals. The photographer says let’s get on with it. My inner voice tells me to believe in the power of laser headlights and night vision, so let the impala and springbok play hide and seek if they want.

On the two-lane N7 highway between Citrusdal, South Africa, just north of Cape Town, to Vioolsdrif at the Namibian border, progress is a matter of attitude, aspiration, and ambition. In addition to being on high alert for any wildlife lurking in the bush, we’re also busy dodging underpaid and overly keen asphalt jockeys in charge of slowly disintegrating tour buses, mirrorless vans on a clock-beating mission, and grotesquely overloaded semis. But thanks to some 39 assistance systems and a switched-on driver who can’t spare a single digit to toy with the seductive, colorful touchscreens, the new 2019 Audi A7 cuts through it all with relative ease. When we hit Klawer, about a quarter of the way to Vioolsdrif, the estimated arrival time has lowered to 12:11 am. We’re making headway.

Our destination is the port of Lüderitz on the Namibian coast, founded in 1883 by settlers from Berlin, Dresden, and Cologne. The A7 Sportback 55 TFSI we’re in is fitted with every conceivable extra and then some. It even features double-glazed glass, multicolor ambient lighting, and intelligent wipers with washer jets focusing on the dirtiest spots. Back-seat magnates like The Donald would undoubtedly appreciate modern conveniences such as Twitter access and the pay TV module; owner-drivers are more likely to applaud the fully automatic parking assistance system, which takes the sting out of hungry curbs and tight entry and exit spirals.

Despite the puzzling 55 TFSI badge, the A7’s base powerplant remains Audi’s 3.0-liter turbo V-6, which now delivers 340 horsepower. It’s been thoroughly modified, feels livelier, and plays a catchier tune. The seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission is really on its toes in Sport mode. Eco efforts include a start-stop system that calls it a day below 15 mph, an efficiency program that cuts the engine between 30 and 100 mph under trailing throttle, and a green lift-off symbol in the instrument binnacle, which suggests that now is the time to take it easy.

It’s not only the 340 hp that gets things done but also the torque curve, which peaks at 369 lb-ft between 1,370 and 4,500 rpm—it is as flat as Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. The Audi collects further brownie points for its ability to accelerate to 60 mph in an estimated 5.2 seconds, its brisk downshift action, ambitious redline that touches 7,000 rpm, and its aggressively spaced third through fifth gears.

Praise is also due to the air suspension that leans the car ever so slightly into the random gusts of crosswind.

Bureaucracy thrives at the border crossing that separates South Africa from Namibia. We’re in a hurry, but the squadron of uniformed state servants on both sides of the barbed wire evidently has all the time in the world. For no good reason at all, we waste almost an hour filling out forms, waiting for stamps, paying fees, and having the vehicle searched. As a result, our ETA has dropped back. No way are we giving in. So let’s fill up the Ara Blue-sprayed hatchback-coupe and get back after it. We’re going to need to rely on the technical improvements that set the new A7 apart from its predecessor: its piercing matrix-laser headlamps, recalibrated air suspension, and rear-wheel steering chief among them. Having fiddled with Drive Select for the past six hours, the preferred configuration locks the drivetrain in Dynamic while the algorithms looking after steering and chassis are left alone. Above 75 mph, the road-hugging sports pack lowers the ride height by another quarter inch or so.

The final leg of the night stage to Lüderitz goes down in the logbook as a real challenge and an eerie experience. What looks like London fog is actually a proper sandstorm, whipping tall, thin curtains across the road and drowning tire and engine noise in pelting spells that sound like a million needles pitting the paintwork to the primer. The curvy highway is littered with tumbleweed and occasional waves of rock-solid drift sand. It’s a baptism of fire for the A7’s rear-wheel steering, which enhances stability and maneuverability depending on how fast you’re going. Praise is also due to the air suspension, which leans the car ever so slightly into the random gusts of crosswind. Although the broad light cone cast by the matrix-laser wonderbeams could almost touch the horizon on a clear night, we’re limited to low-beams in this tempest.

Helping the cause is Audi’s latest, more fuel-efficient Quattro system—dubbed Ultra—effectively all-wheel drive on demand. Rear-wheel drive only activates to support takeoff traction, cornering grip, and handling bias. Acting progressively and imperceptibly, it engages and disconnects in milliseconds. For enhanced road holding and curb appeal, our test car was fitted with 20-inch wheels shod with 255/40 tires. In the previous A7, this setup in combination with the sport suspension would have smashed a set of false teeth to pieces. The second-generation model, however, has learned to ride more smoothly. Like every Audi, this one is still not pleased with transverse irritations, but it no longer absolutely hates potholes, manhole covers, and railroad crossings. The steel brakes deserve applause for prompt response and efficient deceleration, but it also earns a few scattered boos for elevated pedal pressure, which increases with every repeat high-speed action and is accompanied by a certain sponginess over the final 100 yards or so before the vehicle comes to a full stop.

“No, we don’t have Wi-Fi. Talk to each other!” This sign put up at Giesela’s breakfast station down by the sea is not only a mocking shot across the bow of the Facebook crowd but also confirms in writing that digitalization has not yet fully arrived in Lüderitz. Almost everything related to electricity does in fact move at a different pace in this part of Africa. Filling up the car takes around 10 minutes, the streetlights flicker at night like back in the postwar days, and paying with a credit card only works when a favorable internet wind blows.

We were constantly on guard for African wildlife hiding in the bush, and the new Audi A7’s laser headlights and night vision helped us keep a better eye out.

Architectural gems like Villa Goerke, which looks like something that was helicoptered out of Bavaria and dropped into the rugged desert, dot the landscape. Built in 1909 during the diamond rush, it is now a national historic monument. Then there’s Shark Island, an area that has become prime residential property but used to be a German labor camp where thousands died in the early 1900s. It is a lasting symbol of the numerous atrocities committed against indigenous peoples by the colonial powers.

The Germans, who had claimed large chunks of Africa in 1884’s Berlin Conference, were running the show here.

So although not all of the wounds from those dark days have fully healed, there is a special spirit that has developed among the locals, known as Buchters (Bucht is the German word for bay), who pride themselves on living life to the fullest. Many of them are trilingual, fluent in Afrikaans, German, and English.

The A7 is linguistically even more talented. It speaks more than 15 languages and understands every spoken and written word, although it needs a stable web connection to shine, which is as rare as an ice-cream vendor in this scorching part of the world. But even without car-to-infrastructure intelligence, real-time traffic information, and super-precise HERE maps, the in-dash mix of touchscreens, displays, and buttons is pure sensory overload—a potpourri of recurrent distraction and stubborn, smeary fingerprints. Make no mistake: This is a great-looking, beautifully made, and emphatically modern cockpit. But like in an Airbus A320, you almost need a co-pilot to make full use of the car’s diverse talents.

A short distance from Lüderitz is the ghost town of Kolmannskuppe, a series of buildings fighting a losing battle against sand and wind and time. Kolmannskuppe was built between 1908 and 1910 next to the country’s first diamond mine, which yielded more than 5 million carats of gemstone before World War I broke out. The Germans, who had claimed large chunks of Africa in 1884’s Berlin Conference, were running the show here and in Lüderitz. And what a show it must have been. The largely intact wood-paneled town hall houses a theater, cinema, library, bowling alley, restaurant, bar, and gymnasium.

Perhaps the biggest frivolity was the stone-walled saltwater swimming pool the size of a football stadium, which still caps the hill like an ancient helipad for the gods. A guide named William takes us through the buildings. “Goods were transported by horses, boats, and eventually by rail,” he says. “Round about that time, the diamond barons brought in the first motor cars. When a Mercedes or Rolls broke down, it was simply put away while a new one was ordered. Wealth was unreal in those days.” After a short 17-year boom, the miners moved on, and Kolmannskuppe was abandoned by 1956.

Today’s travelers on African roads don’t have the luxury of waiting months for a new car to replace the old one, let alone hours to fix more than one flat tire or a mechanical fault that grounds the vehicle in the middle of nowhere. Then there’s the worst-case scenario, getting in a crash, since the next hospital is more than likely a long drive or flight away. This creates a lingering inner conflict because on both sides of the Namibian tarmac are some of the best sand roads we’ve ever seen. Wiser men would ignore them. But with ESP turned off, it was slide time.

With exactly 13 minutes to spare, the car finally grinds to a halt at the barrier, brakes sizzling, exhaust crackling.

From one moment to the next, Quattro returns with a vengeance, pushing hard to support the struggling, spinning, scraping front wheels. It takes only a couple of corners to find the right rhythm, to make lift-off action bond with turn-in bite, to play the car with steering and throttle, throttle and steering. Drama can multiply in the even lower-grip zone between sand and gravel, where the car’s attitudes, gestures, and stances match a ballet dancer for elegance in motion.

The Lüderitz, Namibia, locals might not yet have fully embraced technology, but the 2019 Audi A7 provides plenty of it.

We leave Lüderitz midafternoon, forking off toward Rosh Pinah then heading for the border at Oranjemund. It’s a shorter yet slower route on twistier roads with older, sun-bleached surfaces. According to the guide book, the border crossing closes at 8 p.m., and there is no listed accommodation this side of South Africa, so time is once more of the essence. We fire up the afterburner, and two hours later, we know for a fact that the A7 55 TFSI tops out at more than 150 mph.

Even through increasingly tight radii, the car keeps carving with poise, prowess, and panache. There is a blind understanding between the steering angles of all four wheels, and the firm ride still shows mercy, holding the line with singing tires. With exactly 13 minutes to spare, the car finally grinds to a halt at the barrier, brakes sizzling, exhaust crackling. Gimme five, mate. And please ignore the sign on the customs building that reads, “From Feb. 1, 2018, this border is open 24/7.”

2019 Audi A7 Sportback Specifications

ON SALE Fall PRICE $70,000 (base) (est) ENGINE 3.0L DOHC 24-valve turbo V-6/340 hp @ 5,000-6,400 rpm,369 lb-ft @ 1,370-4,500 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE N/A L x W x H 195.6 x 75.1 x 56.0 in WHEELBASE 115.2 in WEIGHT 4,001 lbIFTTT

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Best road trips in the world – by continent

The best road trips in the world have inspired artists through the ages, from Kerouac and Steinbeck to the talents at Pixar. Here, we attempt to explain why.

When it comes to road trips, we’ve had our fair share of mishaps. We’ve battled a whiteout in Iceland, got stuck in a ditch in Turkey, broken down in Chile and changed a tyre in Namibia’s lion territory.

Despite all this, we’re irrevocably drawn to the open road. There’s a very specific freedom in being able to rent a car wherever you land and setting your own course. More importantly, you can change that course when you want to. Whether you spend extra days in a national park or depart early from a tourist town, you’re the master of your own time.

Our travel wish list includes some of the best road trips in the world. Below, we list our favourite on each continent along with a look at its closest contender.

North America

Route 66

Location: USA Distance: 3,940km Duration: 14-21 days Car: Rental car options in Illinois, USA

Trekandshoot/Shutterstock Route 66 is the quintessential US road trip

Route 66 is the quintessential US road trip. Nothing epitomises the essence of American spirit quite like this infamous route. Designed in 1926 as the first highway of its kind, Route 66 was paved in 1937 and stretched across America from Chicago to LA, crossing eight states and three time zones.

A mere 20 years later, however, it was usurped by a faster four-lane interstate system that bypassed Route 66, prompting its demise. By 1985, it was officially decommissioned.

Luckily, great sections of the route survive, thanks to non-profit organisations and the US National Park Service. Today, you can drive significant stretches of Route 66 amid some of America’s iconic motifs: classic motels and drive-ins, restored roadsters and hulking Harleys. Expect atmospheric towns, evocative desert landscapes and the undeniable romance of the open road.

Tip: Many users of the original Route 66 were families on their summer vacation. There’s certainly a charm to the RVs and Airstreams, but if you want to beat the crowds, visit in the shoulder season of Apr-May or Sep-Oct. You will benefit from milder weather without sacrificing hours of daylight.

The contender: Cabot Trail

Location: Canada Distance: 298km Duration: 2-5 days Car: Rental car options in Canada

Colin D. Young/Shutterstock The Cabot Trail is a close contender to Route 66

The Cabot Trail is a scenic route on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Encircling Cape Breton Highlands National Park and part of the adjacent shore, the trail takes in a tapestry of terrain. Expect winding roads, serene lakes and boundless cliff-top views over the icy Atlantic Ocean.

The trail was completed in 1932 and connected once isolated fishing villages along the 298km route. Today, it offers a vibrant mix of scenic viewpoints, cultural heritage sites, colourful fishing villages, picturesque hiking trails and several chances to spot whales, among them Pilots, Finbacks, Minkes and Humpbacks.

Tip: The Cabot Trail winds along steep grades and curves, so the ‘inside’ lane in the clockwise direction is better for drivers who don’t like to drive next to steep drops. The anticlockwise direction, however, offers less traffic and better views.

South America

Ruta 40

Location: Argentina Distance: 5,224km Duration: 21+ days Car: Rental car options in Argentina

Estebran/Shutterstock Ruta 40 is one of the best road trips in the world

Ruta 40 or ‘Route 40′ is Argentina’s answer to the US’s Route 66. Starting in Cabo Vírgenes, the southernmost point of the Argentine mainland, Ruta 40 snakes past 11 provinces, 20 national parks and 24 major rivers, all the way north to the Bolivian border.

Abra de Acay lies at 5,061m (16,604ft) on the route, making it the highest point on a national road anywhere in the world.

Ruta 40 is long and occasionally wearying, but Argentina’s magnificent Patagonian steppe, expansive views of glacial peaks and ever-changing terrain make this one of the best road trips in the world.

Tip: Sheep have the right of way and guanacos and ñandús may also make an appearance. Slow down and give them plenty of space.

The contender: Salar de Uyuni

Location: Bolivia Distance: Depends on route Duration: 3 days Car: Rental car options in Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni is one of the most visited sites in Bolivia – not that you would know it. Covering an area of 10,582km2, these iconic salt flats feel like a deserted hinterland.

The flats were formed from what was originally Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake that largely evaporated under the scorching Andean sun leaving behind a thick crust of salt – what we know today as Salar de Uyuni.

Atlas & Boots

The vast expanse of white stretches as far as the eye can see, warping your sense of perspective. In wet season, the flats create what’s known as the ‘largest mirror on Earth’ where the sky is reflected off the glass-like surface. Driving here feels like gliding on water.

Tip: Make sure you wear high-SPF sunscreen. The harsh sun reflected off the salt will burn you at the first sign of complacency.

Europe

North Coast 500

Location: Scotland Distance: 830km Duration: 5-10 days Car: Rental car options in the UK

Matthias Friel/Shutterstock North Coast 500 is Scotland at its brooding best

The North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most iconic coastal drives. It starts and ends in Inverness and traces a 830km (500mi) route along Britain’s outer limits, taking in vertiginous sea cliffs, distinctive rugged peaks and striking white-sand beaches.

Of course, there’s more to the Highlands than coastal sands. Expect lonely lochs, haunting moorlands and vast tracts of desolate beauty. This is Scotland at its brooding best.

Easing the nip of the northern air are charming distilleries and breweries, cosy inns and pubs and that tireless Scottish charm.

Tip: Drive the route anticlockwise to make the most of the light and the backdrop of the Assynt mountains. Head north from Inverness up the east coast to Caithness, then turn west across the top of Scotland before descending down the west coast.

The contender: The Ring Road

Location: Iceland Distance: 1,339km Duration: 10-14 days Car: Rental car options in Iceland

Shane WP Wongperk/Shutterstock The Ring Road in Iceland is a close contender

When it comes to Iceland, writers often turn to fiction to describe the country adequately. You will see comparisons to Narnia, Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings – all perfectly warranted, for Iceland really is a place of raw and relentless beauty.

The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, brings you to some of the prettiest spots in the country including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Since our visit in 2010, tourism in Iceland has boomed and it’s not hard to see why. Expect gigantic waterfalls and magnificent glaciers, secret ice caves, soaring peaks and a stark, often desolate, beauty.

Tip: The weather is changeable in Iceland, so build in extra days for seeing the major sights. If wind conditions are particularly harsh, park your car facing the wind to prevent your doors from blowing backwards.

Africa

Garden Route

Location: South Africa Distance: 200km Duration: 3-7 days Car: Rental car options in South Africa

Codegoni Daniele/Shutterstock The Garden Route in South Africa is deemed one of the best road trips in the world

South Africa’s Garden Route is widely regarded as one of the best road trips in the world. The forested swath stretches 200km from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east, taking in a vast array of vegetation, wildlife and topography.

The area was once home to a great African forest. Khoi herders considered it a paradise, calling it Outeniqua (“the man laden with honey”). Sadly, the forest was dramatically impacted with the arrival of Dutch woodcutters in the 18th century. What remains evidences Outeniqua’s glorious beauty.

Expect picturesque lagoons, tiny coves and sweeping hills leading to the mountains of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma ranges which divide the Garden Route from Little Karoo.

Tip: If you’re starting and finishing your trip in Cape Town, instead of driving up and down the same route, explore the interior in one direction. This takes 1.5 hours longer and allows you to explore Matjiesfontein, the Meiringspoort Pass and wine farms and restaurants along Route 62.

The contender: Skeleton Coast

Location: Namibia Distance: 460km Duration: 1-3 days Car: Rental car options in Namibia

Lukas Bischoff Photograph/Shutterstock The wild and dramatic Skeleton Coast

After our self-drive safari in Namibia, we fell irreversibly in love with the country. The Skeleton Coast was high on our list with its promise of bleached whalebones strewn across shore and the giant hulls of rusting shipwrecks. Sadly, the most impressive victims of this infamous coast have been swallowed by sand and sea. Still, there remains a stark beauty that’s well worth exploring.

Expect vast stretches of desertscape misted by the tendrils of coastal fog. You’ll find dunes that roll to the sea and several shipwrecks dotting the shore, the easiest of which to reach is the Zeila 14km south of Henties Bay.

Pair the Skeleton Coast with a stay at Sossusvlei and Etosha and we guarantee you’ll have a trip to remember.

Tip: After Mongolia and Australia, Namibia is the least densely populated country in the world. People – and therefore petrol stations! – are few and far between. The general rule in Namibia is to fill up whenever you have the opportunity.

Asia

Karakoram Highway

Location: Pakistan, China Distance: 1,300km Duration: 10 days Car: Karakoram Jeep Treks International

Pawika Tongtavee/Shutterstock The Karakoram Highway is one of the highest paved roads in the world

It would be negligent to list the best road trips in the world and not include the Karakoram Highway. Also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, it snakes from Hasan Abdal in the Punjab province of Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan where it crosses into China.

The highway passes through the Karakoram mountain range and is one of the highest paved roads in the world. Given its maximum elevation of 4,714m (15,466ft) and the difficult conditions under which it was built, it is sometimes referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The Karakoram Highway is not without peril, but audacious travellers will find unparalleled access to one of the most stunning regions in the world. Plunging valleys and gigantic peaks make for some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you will ever see.

Tip: Although the Karakoram Highway officially begins in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the most popular starting point is Gilgit. Karakoram Jeep Treks International can provide a 4×4 and a driver-cum-guide. Note that the Khunjerab Pass is only open from May to October and can close without notice in bad weather.

The contender: Gobi Desert

Location: Mongolia Distance: 1,500km Duration: 12 days Car: Rental car options in Mongolia

HelloRF Zcool/Shutterstock The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is a worthy contender

The Gobi is the one of the largest deserts in the world. Measuring 1,600km from the southwest to northeast, it is one of the last frontiers of true adventure travel. Here, you will find soaring sand dunes and ice-filled canyons dotted across a daunting desert landscape.

Visit the famous “singing dunes” at Khongoryn Els. This natural phenomenon occurs when the wind shifts grains of sand, causing the dunes to “hum”.

Expect long days in the car, even on an organised tour. The landscapes here are seemingly endless.

Tip: Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world. Given the long stretches of barren landscape, most visitors opt to hire a driver rather than self-drive. Sunpath Mongolia is well reviewed on TripAdvisor.

Oceania

Great Ocean Road

Location: Australia Distance: 243km Duration: 3-5 days Car: Rental car options in Australia

Atlas & Boots

The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of the best road trips in the world. Studded with jagged rock stacks and dramatic coastal cliffs, the route runs between the Victorian towns of Torquay and Allansford.

Built between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road was intended as both a memorial to the soldiers who died in the First World War and a means of employment for those who returned. Over 3,000 ex-servicemen helped build the road, resulting in the world’s largest war memorial.

Watch the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean, pause in a laid-back seaside town and marvel at the unbridled beauty of this magnificent coast.

Tip: We drove the Great Ocean Road eastwards from Allansford to Torquay, but suggest you do it the opposite way. In that direction, you will drive on the ocean side of the road and won’t need to cross traffic when parking at a photo stop.

The contender: South Island Circuit

Location: New Zealand Distance: 2,306km Duration: 14+ days Car: Rental car options in New Zealand

NG ZHENG HUI/Shutterstock Dramatic scenes on the South Island Circuit

It could be argued that the South Island Circuit is the best road trip in Oceania, usurping Australia’s Great Ocean Road. It’s a valid point given New Zealand’s majestic scenery.

The South Island, carved by ice and water, boasts a jaw-dropping mix of gleaming glaciers, glassy fjords and jagged peaks dusted with snow.

Throw in thrilling adventures like via ferrata or bungy jumping, and you’ll have all the makings of an epic trip.

Tip: The weather can be changeable in New Zealand so keep abreast of the latest forecast. The MetService provides regular updates on its website and app.

Epic Drives by Lonely Planet showcases 50 of the best road trips in the world. Organised by continent, each route features a first-hand account, awe-inspiring photographs, illustrated maps and practical advice.

Lead image: MaxyM/Shutterstock

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source http://cheaprtravels.com/best-road-trips-in-the-world-by-continent/

[topfygad]

Best road trips in the world – by continent

The best road trips in the world have inspired artists through the ages, from Kerouac and Steinbeck to the talents at Pixar. Here, we attempt to explain why.

When it comes to road trips, we’ve had our fair share of mishaps. We’ve battled a whiteout in Iceland, got stuck in a ditch in Turkey, broken down in Chile and changed a tyre in Namibia’s lion territory.

Despite all this, we’re irrevocably drawn to the open road. There’s a very specific freedom in being able to rent a car wherever you land and setting your own course. More importantly, you can change that course when you want to. Whether you spend extra days in a national park or depart early from a tourist town, you’re the master of your own time.

Our travel wish list includes some of the best road trips in the world. Below, we list our favourite on each continent along with a look at its closest contender.

North America

Route 66

Location: USA Distance: 3,940km Duration: 14-21 days Car: Rental car options in Illinois, USA

Trekandshoot/Shutterstock Route 66 is the quintessential US road trip

Route 66 is the quintessential US road trip. Nothing epitomises the essence of American spirit quite like this infamous route. Designed in 1926 as the first highway of its kind, Route 66 was paved in 1937 and stretched across America from Chicago to LA, crossing eight states and three time zones.

A mere 20 years later, however, it was usurped by a faster four-lane interstate system that bypassed Route 66, prompting its demise. By 1985, it was officially decommissioned.

Luckily, great sections of the route survive, thanks to non-profit organisations and the US National Park Service. Today, you can drive significant stretches of Route 66 amid some of America’s iconic motifs: classic motels and drive-ins, restored roadsters and hulking Harleys. Expect atmospheric towns, evocative desert landscapes and the undeniable romance of the open road.

Tip: Many users of the original Route 66 were families on their summer vacation. There’s certainly a charm to the RVs and Airstreams, but if you want to beat the crowds, visit in the shoulder season of Apr-May or Sep-Oct. You will benefit from milder weather without sacrificing hours of daylight.

The contender: Cabot Trail

Location: Canada Distance: 298km Duration: 2-5 days Car: Rental car options in Canada

Colin D. Young/Shutterstock The Cabot Trail is a close contender to Route 66

The Cabot Trail is a scenic route on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Encircling Cape Breton Highlands National Park and part of the adjacent shore, the trail takes in a tapestry of terrain. Expect winding roads, serene lakes and boundless cliff-top views over the icy Atlantic Ocean.

The trail was completed in 1932 and connected once isolated fishing villages along the 298km route. Today, it offers a vibrant mix of scenic viewpoints, cultural heritage sites, colourful fishing villages, picturesque hiking trails and several chances to spot whales, among them Pilots, Finbacks, Minkes and Humpbacks.

Tip: The Cabot Trail winds along steep grades and curves, so the ‘inside’ lane in the clockwise direction is better for drivers who don’t like to drive next to steep drops. The anticlockwise direction, however, offers less traffic and better views.

South America

Ruta 40

Location: Argentina Distance: 5,224km Duration: 21+ days Car: Rental car options in Argentina

Estebran/Shutterstock Ruta 40 is one of the best road trips in the world

Ruta 40 or ‘Route 40′ is Argentina’s answer to the US’s Route 66. Starting in Cabo Vírgenes, the southernmost point of the Argentine mainland, Ruta 40 snakes past 11 provinces, 20 national parks and 24 major rivers, all the way north to the Bolivian border.

Abra de Acay lies at 5,061m (16,604ft) on the route, making it the highest point on a national road anywhere in the world.

Ruta 40 is long and occasionally wearying, but Argentina’s magnificent Patagonian steppe, expansive views of glacial peaks and ever-changing terrain make this one of the best road trips in the world.

Tip: Sheep have the right of way and guanacos and ñandús may also make an appearance. Slow down and give them plenty of space.

The contender: Salar de Uyuni

Location: Bolivia Distance: Depends on route Duration: 3 days Car: Rental car options in Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni is one of the most visited sites in Bolivia – not that you would know it. Covering an area of 10,582km2, these iconic salt flats feel like a deserted hinterland.

The flats were formed from what was originally Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake that largely evaporated under the scorching Andean sun leaving behind a thick crust of salt – what we know today as Salar de Uyuni.

Atlas & Boots

The vast expanse of white stretches as far as the eye can see, warping your sense of perspective. In wet season, the flats create what’s known as the ‘largest mirror on Earth’ where the sky is reflected off the glass-like surface. Driving here feels like gliding on water.

Tip: Make sure you wear high-SPF sunscreen. The harsh sun reflected off the salt will burn you at the first sign of complacency.

Europe

North Coast 500

Location: Scotland Distance: 830km Duration: 5-10 days Car: Rental car options in the UK

Matthias Friel/Shutterstock North Coast 500 is Scotland at its brooding best

The North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most iconic coastal drives. It starts and ends in Inverness and traces a 830km (500mi) route along Britain’s outer limits, taking in vertiginous sea cliffs, distinctive rugged peaks and striking white-sand beaches.

Of course, there’s more to the Highlands than coastal sands. Expect lonely lochs, haunting moorlands and vast tracts of desolate beauty. This is Scotland at its brooding best.

Easing the nip of the northern air are charming distilleries and breweries, cosy inns and pubs and that tireless Scottish charm.

Tip: Drive the route anticlockwise to make the most of the light and the backdrop of the Assynt mountains. Head north from Inverness up the east coast to Caithness, then turn west across the top of Scotland before descending down the west coast.

The contender: The Ring Road

Location: Iceland Distance: 1,339km Duration: 10-14 days Car: Rental car options in Iceland

Shane WP Wongperk/Shutterstock The Ring Road in Iceland is a close contender

When it comes to Iceland, writers often turn to fiction to describe the country adequately. You will see comparisons to Narnia, Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings – all perfectly warranted, for Iceland really is a place of raw and relentless beauty.

The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, brings you to some of the prettiest spots in the country including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Since our visit in 2010, tourism in Iceland has boomed and it’s not hard to see why. Expect gigantic waterfalls and magnificent glaciers, secret ice caves, soaring peaks and a stark, often desolate, beauty.

Tip: The weather is changeable in Iceland, so build in extra days for seeing the major sights. If wind conditions are particularly harsh, park your car facing the wind to prevent your doors from blowing backwards.

Africa

Garden Route

Location: South Africa Distance: 200km Duration: 3-7 days Car: Rental car options in South Africa

Codegoni Daniele/Shutterstock The Garden Route in South Africa is deemed one of the best road trips in the world

South Africa’s Garden Route is widely regarded as one of the best road trips in the world. The forested swath stretches 200km from Mossel Bay in the west to Storms River in the east, taking in a vast array of vegetation, wildlife and topography.

The area was once home to a great African forest. Khoi herders considered it a paradise, calling it Outeniqua (“the man laden with honey”). Sadly, the forest was dramatically impacted with the arrival of Dutch woodcutters in the 18th century. What remains evidences Outeniqua’s glorious beauty.

Expect picturesque lagoons, tiny coves and sweeping hills leading to the mountains of the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma ranges which divide the Garden Route from Little Karoo.

Tip: If you’re starting and finishing your trip in Cape Town, instead of driving up and down the same route, explore the interior in one direction. This takes 1.5 hours longer and allows you to explore Matjiesfontein, the Meiringspoort Pass and wine farms and restaurants along Route 62.

The contender: Skeleton Coast

Location: Namibia Distance: 460km Duration: 1-3 days Car: Rental car options in Namibia

Lukas Bischoff Photograph/Shutterstock The wild and dramatic Skeleton Coast

After our self-drive safari in Namibia, we fell irreversibly in love with the country. The Skeleton Coast was high on our list with its promise of bleached whalebones strewn across shore and the giant hulls of rusting shipwrecks. Sadly, the most impressive victims of this infamous coast have been swallowed by sand and sea. Still, there remains a stark beauty that’s well worth exploring.

Expect vast stretches of desertscape misted by the tendrils of coastal fog. You’ll find dunes that roll to the sea and several shipwrecks dotting the shore, the easiest of which to reach is the Zeila 14km south of Henties Bay.

Pair the Skeleton Coast with a stay at Sossusvlei and Etosha and we guarantee you’ll have a trip to remember.

Tip: After Mongolia and Australia, Namibia is the least densely populated country in the world. People – and therefore petrol stations! – are few and far between. The general rule in Namibia is to fill up whenever you have the opportunity.

Asia

Karakoram Highway

Location: Pakistan, China Distance: 1,300km Duration: 10 days Car: Karakoram Jeep Treks International

Pawika Tongtavee/Shutterstock The Karakoram Highway is one of the highest paved roads in the world

It would be negligent to list the best road trips in the world and not include the Karakoram Highway. Also known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, it snakes from Hasan Abdal in the Punjab province of Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan where it crosses into China.

The highway passes through the Karakoram mountain range and is one of the highest paved roads in the world. Given its maximum elevation of 4,714m (15,466ft) and the difficult conditions under which it was built, it is sometimes referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The Karakoram Highway is not without peril, but audacious travellers will find unparalleled access to one of the most stunning regions in the world. Plunging valleys and gigantic peaks make for some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you will ever see.

Tip: Although the Karakoram Highway officially begins in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the most popular starting point is Gilgit. Karakoram Jeep Treks International can provide a 4×4 and a driver-cum-guide. Note that the Khunjerab Pass is only open from May to October and can close without notice in bad weather.

The contender: Gobi Desert

Location: Mongolia Distance: 1,500km Duration: 12 days Car: Rental car options in Mongolia

HelloRF Zcool/Shutterstock The Gobi Desert in Mongolia is a worthy contender

The Gobi is the one of the largest deserts in the world. Measuring 1,600km from the southwest to northeast, it is one of the last frontiers of true adventure travel. Here, you will find soaring sand dunes and ice-filled canyons dotted across a daunting desert landscape.

Visit the famous “singing dunes” at Khongoryn Els. This natural phenomenon occurs when the wind shifts grains of sand, causing the dunes to “hum”.

Expect long days in the car, even on an organised tour. The landscapes here are seemingly endless.

Tip: Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world. Given the long stretches of barren landscape, most visitors opt to hire a driver rather than self-drive. Sunpath Mongolia is well reviewed on TripAdvisor.

Oceania

Great Ocean Road

Location: Australia Distance: 243km Duration: 3-5 days Car: Rental car options in Australia

Atlas & Boots

The Great Ocean Road is undoubtedly one of the best road trips in the world. Studded with jagged rock stacks and dramatic coastal cliffs, the route runs between the Victorian towns of Torquay and Allansford.

Built between 1919 and 1932, the Great Ocean Road was intended as both a memorial to the soldiers who died in the First World War and a means of employment for those who returned. Over 3,000 ex-servicemen helped build the road, resulting in the world’s largest war memorial.

Watch the crashing waves of the Southern Ocean, pause in a laid-back seaside town and marvel at the unbridled beauty of this magnificent coast.

Tip: We drove the Great Ocean Road eastwards from Allansford to Torquay, but suggest you do it the opposite way. In that direction, you will drive on the ocean side of the road and won’t need to cross traffic when parking at a photo stop.

The contender: South Island Circuit

Location: New Zealand Distance: 2,306km Duration: 14+ days Car: Rental car options in New Zealand

NG ZHENG HUI/Shutterstock Dramatic scenes on the South Island Circuit

It could be argued that the South Island Circuit is the best road trip in Oceania, usurping Australia’s Great Ocean Road. It’s a valid point given New Zealand’s majestic scenery.

The South Island, carved by ice and water, boasts a jaw-dropping mix of gleaming glaciers, glassy fjords and jagged peaks dusted with snow.

Throw in thrilling adventures like via ferrata or bungy jumping, and you’ll have all the makings of an epic trip.

Tip: The weather can be changeable in New Zealand so keep abreast of the latest forecast. The MetService provides regular updates on its website and app.

Epic Drives by Lonely Planet showcases 50 of the best road trips in the world. Organised by continent, each route features a first-hand account, awe-inspiring photographs, illustrated maps and practical advice.

Lead image: MaxyM/Shutterstock

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The 2019 Audi A7 Sportback Goes to Lüderitz

LÜDERITZ, Namibia — The sat-nav says arrival time 12:53 a.m. The man from Audi advises us not to drive after dark because of wild animals. The photographer says let’s get on with it. My inner voice tells me to believe in the power of laser headlights and night vision, so let the impala and springbok play hide and seek if they want.

On the two-lane N7 highway between Citrusdal, South Africa, just north of Cape Town, to Vioolsdrif at the Namibian border, progress is a matter of attitude, aspiration, and ambition. In addition to being on high alert for any wildlife lurking in the bush, we’re also busy dodging underpaid and overly keen asphalt jockeys in charge of slowly disintegrating tour buses, mirrorless vans on a clock-beating mission, and grotesquely overloaded semis. But thanks to some 39 assistance systems and a switched-on driver who can’t spare a single digit to toy with the seductive, colorful touchscreens, the new 2019 Audi A7 cuts through it all with relative ease. When we hit Klawer, about a quarter of the way to Vioolsdrif, the estimated arrival time has lowered to 12:11 am. We’re making headway.

Our destination is the port of Lüderitz on the Namibian coast, founded in 1883 by settlers from Berlin, Dresden, and Cologne. The A7 Sportback 55 TFSI we’re in is fitted with every conceivable extra and then some. It even features double-glazed glass, multicolor ambient lighting, and intelligent wipers with washer jets focusing on the dirtiest spots. Back-seat magnates like The Donald would undoubtedly appreciate modern conveniences such as Twitter access and the pay TV module; owner-drivers are more likely to applaud the fully automatic parking assistance system, which takes the sting out of hungry curbs and tight entry and exit spirals.

Despite the puzzling 55 TFSI badge, the A7’s base powerplant remains Audi’s 3.0-liter turbo V-6, which now delivers 340 horsepower. It’s been thoroughly modified, feels livelier, and plays a catchier tune. The seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission is really on its toes in Sport mode. Eco efforts include a start-stop system that calls it a day below 15 mph, an efficiency program that cuts the engine between 30 and 100 mph under trailing throttle, and a green lift-off symbol in the instrument binnacle, which suggests that now is the time to take it easy.

It’s not only the 340 hp that gets things done but also the torque curve, which peaks at 369 lb-ft between 1,370 and 4,500 rpm—it is as flat as Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. The Audi collects further brownie points for its ability to accelerate to 60 mph in an estimated 5.2 seconds, its brisk downshift action, ambitious redline that touches 7,000 rpm, and its aggressively spaced third through fifth gears.

Praise is also due to the air suspension that leans the car ever so slightly into the random gusts of crosswind.

Bureaucracy thrives at the border crossing that separates South Africa from Namibia. We’re in a hurry, but the squadron of uniformed state servants on both sides of the barbed wire evidently has all the time in the world. For no good reason at all, we waste almost an hour filling out forms, waiting for stamps, paying fees, and having the vehicle searched. As a result, our ETA has dropped back. No way are we giving in. So let’s fill up the Ara Blue-sprayed hatchback-coupe and get back after it. We’re going to need to rely on the technical improvements that set the new A7 apart from its predecessor: its piercing matrix-laser headlamps, recalibrated air suspension, and rear-wheel steering chief among them. Having fiddled with Drive Select for the past six hours, the preferred configuration locks the drivetrain in Dynamic while the algorithms looking after steering and chassis are left alone. Above 75 mph, the road-hugging sports pack lowers the ride height by another quarter inch or so.

The final leg of the night stage to Lüderitz goes down in the logbook as a real challenge and an eerie experience. What looks like London fog is actually a proper sandstorm, whipping tall, thin curtains across the road and drowning tire and engine noise in pelting spells that sound like a million needles pitting the paintwork to the primer. The curvy highway is littered with tumbleweed and occasional waves of rock-solid drift sand. It’s a baptism of fire for the A7’s rear-wheel steering, which enhances stability and maneuverability depending on how fast you’re going. Praise is also due to the air suspension, which leans the car ever so slightly into the random gusts of crosswind. Although the broad light cone cast by the matrix-laser wonderbeams could almost touch the horizon on a clear night, we’re limited to low-beams in this tempest.

Helping the cause is Audi’s latest, more fuel-efficient Quattro system—dubbed Ultra—effectively all-wheel drive on demand. Rear-wheel drive only activates to support takeoff traction, cornering grip, and handling bias. Acting progressively and imperceptibly, it engages and disconnects in milliseconds. For enhanced road holding and curb appeal, our test car was fitted with 20-inch wheels shod with 255/40 tires. In the previous A7, this setup in combination with the sport suspension would have smashed a set of false teeth to pieces. The second-generation model, however, has learned to ride more smoothly. Like every Audi, this one is still not pleased with transverse irritations, but it no longer absolutely hates potholes, manhole covers, and railroad crossings. The steel brakes deserve applause for prompt response and efficient deceleration, but it also earns a few scattered boos for elevated pedal pressure, which increases with every repeat high-speed action and is accompanied by a certain sponginess over the final 100 yards or so before the vehicle comes to a full stop.

“No, we don’t have Wi-Fi. Talk to each other!” This sign put up at Giesela’s breakfast station down by the sea is not only a mocking shot across the bow of the Facebook crowd but also confirms in writing that digitalization has not yet fully arrived in Lüderitz. Almost everything related to electricity does in fact move at a different pace in this part of Africa. Filling up the car takes around 10 minutes, the streetlights flicker at night like back in the postwar days, and paying with a credit card only works when a favorable internet wind blows.

We were constantly on guard for African wildlife hiding in the bush, and the new Audi A7’s laser headlights and night vision helped us keep a better eye out.

Architectural gems like Villa Goerke, which looks like something that was helicoptered out of Bavaria and dropped into the rugged desert, dot the landscape. Built in 1909 during the diamond rush, it is now a national historic monument. Then there’s Shark Island, an area that has become prime residential property but used to be a German labor camp where thousands died in the early 1900s. It is a lasting symbol of the numerous atrocities committed against indigenous peoples by the colonial powers.

The Germans, who had claimed large chunks of Africa in 1884’s Berlin Conference, were running the show here.

So although not all of the wounds from those dark days have fully healed, there is a special spirit that has developed among the locals, known as Buchters (Bucht is the German word for bay), who pride themselves on living life to the fullest. Many of them are trilingual, fluent in Afrikaans, German, and English.

The A7 is linguistically even more talented. It speaks more than 15 languages and understands every spoken and written word, although it needs a stable web connection to shine, which is as rare as an ice-cream vendor in this scorching part of the world. But even without car-to-infrastructure intelligence, real-time traffic information, and super-precise HERE maps, the in-dash mix of touchscreens, displays, and buttons is pure sensory overload—a potpourri of recurrent distraction and stubborn, smeary fingerprints. Make no mistake: This is a great-looking, beautifully made, and emphatically modern cockpit. But like in an Airbus A320, you almost need a co-pilot to make full use of the car’s diverse talents.

A short distance from Lüderitz is the ghost town of Kolmannskuppe, a series of buildings fighting a losing battle against sand and wind and time. Kolmannskuppe was built between 1908 and 1910 next to the country’s first diamond mine, which yielded more than 5 million carats of gemstone before World War I broke out. The Germans, who had claimed large chunks of Africa in 1884’s Berlin Conference, were running the show here and in Lüderitz. And what a show it must have been. The largely intact wood-paneled town hall houses a theater, cinema, library, bowling alley, restaurant, bar, and gymnasium.

Perhaps the biggest frivolity was the stone-walled saltwater swimming pool the size of a football stadium, which still caps the hill like an ancient helipad for the gods. A guide named William takes us through the buildings. “Goods were transported by horses, boats, and eventually by rail,” he says. “Round about that time, the diamond barons brought in the first motor cars. When a Mercedes or Rolls broke down, it was simply put away while a new one was ordered. Wealth was unreal in those days.” After a short 17-year boom, the miners moved on, and Kolmannskuppe was abandoned by 1956.

Today’s travelers on African roads don’t have the luxury of waiting months for a new car to replace the old one, let alone hours to fix more than one flat tire or a mechanical fault that grounds the vehicle in the middle of nowhere. Then there’s the worst-case scenario, getting in a crash, since the next hospital is more than likely a long drive or flight away. This creates a lingering inner conflict because on both sides of the Namibian tarmac are some of the best sand roads we’ve ever seen. Wiser men would ignore them. But with ESP turned off, it was slide time.

With exactly 13 minutes to spare, the car finally grinds to a halt at the barrier, brakes sizzling, exhaust crackling.

From one moment to the next, Quattro returns with a vengeance, pushing hard to support the struggling, spinning, scraping front wheels. It takes only a couple of corners to find the right rhythm, to make lift-off action bond with turn-in bite, to play the car with steering and throttle, throttle and steering. Drama can multiply in the even lower-grip zone between sand and gravel, where the car’s attitudes, gestures, and stances match a ballet dancer for elegance in motion.

The Lüderitz, Namibia, locals might not yet have fully embraced technology, but the 2019 Audi A7 provides plenty of it.

We leave Lüderitz midafternoon, forking off toward Rosh Pinah then heading for the border at Oranjemund. It’s a shorter yet slower route on twistier roads with older, sun-bleached surfaces. According to the guide book, the border crossing closes at 8 p.m., and there is no listed accommodation this side of South Africa, so time is once more of the essence. We fire up the afterburner, and two hours later, we know for a fact that the A7 55 TFSI tops out at more than 150 mph.

Even through increasingly tight radii, the car keeps carving with poise, prowess, and panache. There is a blind understanding between the steering angles of all four wheels, and the firm ride still shows mercy, holding the line with singing tires. With exactly 13 minutes to spare, the car finally grinds to a halt at the barrier, brakes sizzling, exhaust crackling. Gimme five, mate. And please ignore the sign on the customs building that reads, “From Feb. 1, 2018, this border is open 24/7.”

2019 Audi A7 Sportback Specifications

ON SALE Fall PRICE $70,000 (base) (est) ENGINE 3.0L DOHC 24-valve turbo V-6/340 hp @ 5,000-6,400 rpm,369 lb-ft @ 1,370-4,500 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE N/A L x W x H 195.6 x 75.1 x 56.0 in WHEELBASE 115.2 in WEIGHT 4,001 lbIFTTT

[eddiejpoplar]

The 2019 Audi A7 Sportback Goes to Lüderitz

LÜDERITZ, Namibia — The sat-nav says arrival time 12:53 a.m. The man from Audi advises us not to drive after dark because of wild animals. The photographer says let’s get on with it. My inner voice tells me to believe in the power of laser headlights and night vision, so let the impala and springbok play hide and seek if they want.

On the two-lane N7 highway between Citrusdal, South Africa, just north of Cape Town, to Vioolsdrif at the Namibian border, progress is a matter of attitude, aspiration, and ambition. In addition to being on high alert for any wildlife lurking in the bush, we’re also busy dodging underpaid and overly keen asphalt jockeys in charge of slowly disintegrating tour buses, mirrorless vans on a clock-beating mission, and grotesquely overloaded semis. But thanks to some 39 assistance systems and a switched-on driver who can’t spare a single digit to toy with the seductive, colorful touchscreens, the new 2019 Audi A7 cuts through it all with relative ease. When we hit Klawer, about a quarter of the way to Vioolsdrif, the estimated arrival time has lowered to 12:11 am. We’re making headway.

Our destination is the port of Lüderitz on the Namibian coast, founded in 1883 by settlers from Berlin, Dresden, and Cologne. The A7 Sportback 55 TFSI we’re in is fitted with every conceivable extra and then some. It even features double-glazed glass, multicolor ambient lighting, and intelligent wipers with washer jets focusing on the dirtiest spots. Back-seat magnates like The Donald would undoubtedly appreciate modern conveniences such as Twitter access and the pay TV module; owner-drivers are more likely to applaud the fully automatic parking assistance system, which takes the sting out of hungry curbs and tight entry and exit spirals.

Despite the puzzling 55 TFSI badge, the A7’s base powerplant remains Audi’s 3.0-liter turbo V-6, which now delivers 340 horsepower. It’s been thoroughly modified, feels livelier, and plays a catchier tune. The seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission is really on its toes in Sport mode. Eco efforts include a start-stop system that calls it a day below 15 mph, an efficiency program that cuts the engine between 30 and 100 mph under trailing throttle, and a green lift-off symbol in the instrument binnacle, which suggests that now is the time to take it easy.

It’s not only the 340 hp that gets things done but also the torque curve, which peaks at 369 lb-ft between 1,370 and 4,500 rpm—it is as flat as Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. The Audi collects further brownie points for its ability to accelerate to 60 mph in an estimated 5.2 seconds, its brisk downshift action, ambitious redline that touches 7,000 rpm, and its aggressively spaced third through fifth gears.

Praise is also due to the air suspension that leans the car ever so slightly into the random gusts of crosswind.

Bureaucracy thrives at the border crossing that separates South Africa from Namibia. We’re in a hurry, but the squadron of uniformed state servants on both sides of the barbed wire evidently has all the time in the world. For no good reason at all, we waste almost an hour filling out forms, waiting for stamps, paying fees, and having the vehicle searched. As a result, our ETA has dropped back. No way are we giving in. So let’s fill up the Ara Blue-sprayed hatchback-coupe and get back after it. We’re going to need to rely on the technical improvements that set the new A7 apart from its predecessor: its piercing matrix-laser headlamps, recalibrated air suspension, and rear-wheel steering chief among them. Having fiddled with Drive Select for the past six hours, the preferred configuration locks the drivetrain in Dynamic while the algorithms looking after steering and chassis are left alone. Above 75 mph, the road-hugging sports pack lowers the ride height by another quarter inch or so.

The final leg of the night stage to Lüderitz goes down in the logbook as a real challenge and an eerie experience. What looks like London fog is actually a proper sandstorm, whipping tall, thin curtains across the road and drowning tire and engine noise in pelting spells that sound like a million needles pitting the paintwork to the primer. The curvy highway is littered with tumbleweed and occasional waves of rock-solid drift sand. It’s a baptism of fire for the A7’s rear-wheel steering, which enhances stability and maneuverability depending on how fast you’re going. Praise is also due to the air suspension, which leans the car ever so slightly into the random gusts of crosswind. Although the broad light cone cast by the matrix-laser wonderbeams could almost touch the horizon on a clear night, we’re limited to low-beams in this tempest.

Helping the cause is Audi’s latest, more fuel-efficient Quattro system—dubbed Ultra—effectively all-wheel drive on demand. Rear-wheel drive only activates to support takeoff traction, cornering grip, and handling bias. Acting progressively and imperceptibly, it engages and disconnects in milliseconds. For enhanced road holding and curb appeal, our test car was fitted with 20-inch wheels shod with 255/40 tires. In the previous A7, this setup in combination with the sport suspension would have smashed a set of false teeth to pieces. The second-generation model, however, has learned to ride more smoothly. Like every Audi, this one is still not pleased with transverse irritations, but it no longer absolutely hates potholes, manhole covers, and railroad crossings. The steel brakes deserve applause for prompt response and efficient deceleration, but it also earns a few scattered boos for elevated pedal pressure, which increases with every repeat high-speed action and is accompanied by a certain sponginess over the final 100 yards or so before the vehicle comes to a full stop.

“No, we don’t have Wi-Fi. Talk to each other!” This sign put up at Giesela’s breakfast station down by the sea is not only a mocking shot across the bow of the Facebook crowd but also confirms in writing that digitalization has not yet fully arrived in Lüderitz. Almost everything related to electricity does in fact move at a different pace in this part of Africa. Filling up the car takes around 10 minutes, the streetlights flicker at night like back in the postwar days, and paying with a credit card only works when a favorable internet wind blows.

We were constantly on guard for African wildlife hiding in the bush, and the new Audi A7’s laser headlights and night vision helped us keep a better eye out.

Architectural gems like Villa Goerke, which looks like something that was helicoptered out of Bavaria and dropped into the rugged desert, dot the landscape. Built in 1909 during the diamond rush, it is now a national historic monument. Then there’s Shark Island, an area that has become prime residential property but used to be a German labor camp where thousands died in the early 1900s. It is a lasting symbol of the numerous atrocities committed against indigenous peoples by the colonial powers.

The Germans, who had claimed large chunks of Africa in 1884’s Berlin Conference, were running the show here.

So although not all of the wounds from those dark days have fully healed, there is a special spirit that has developed among the locals, known as Buchters (Bucht is the German word for bay), who pride themselves on living life to the fullest. Many of them are trilingual, fluent in Afrikaans, German, and English.

The A7 is linguistically even more talented. It speaks more than 15 languages and understands every spoken and written word, although it needs a stable web connection to shine, which is as rare as an ice-cream vendor in this scorching part of the world. But even without car-to-infrastructure intelligence, real-time traffic information, and super-precise HERE maps, the in-dash mix of touchscreens, displays, and buttons is pure sensory overload—a potpourri of recurrent distraction and stubborn, smeary fingerprints. Make no mistake: This is a great-looking, beautifully made, and emphatically modern cockpit. But like in an Airbus A320, you almost need a co-pilot to make full use of the car’s diverse talents.

A short distance from Lüderitz is the ghost town of Kolmannskuppe, a series of buildings fighting a losing battle against sand and wind and time. Kolmannskuppe was built between 1908 and 1910 next to the country’s first diamond mine, which yielded more than 5 million carats of gemstone before World War I broke out. The Germans, who had claimed large chunks of Africa in 1884’s Berlin Conference, were running the show here and in Lüderitz. And what a show it must have been. The largely intact wood-paneled town hall houses a theater, cinema, library, bowling alley, restaurant, bar, and gymnasium.

Perhaps the biggest frivolity was the stone-walled saltwater swimming pool the size of a football stadium, which still caps the hill like an ancient helipad for the gods. A guide named William takes us through the buildings. “Goods were transported by horses, boats, and eventually by rail,” he says. “Round about that time, the diamond barons brought in the first motor cars. When a Mercedes or Rolls broke down, it was simply put away while a new one was ordered. Wealth was unreal in those days.” After a short 17-year boom, the miners moved on, and Kolmannskuppe was abandoned by 1956.

Today’s travelers on African roads don’t have the luxury of waiting months for a new car to replace the old one, let alone hours to fix more than one flat tire or a mechanical fault that grounds the vehicle in the middle of nowhere. Then there’s the worst-case scenario, getting in a crash, since the next hospital is more than likely a long drive or flight away. This creates a lingering inner conflict because on both sides of the Namibian tarmac are some of the best sand roads we’ve ever seen. Wiser men would ignore them. But with ESP turned off, it was slide time.

With exactly 13 minutes to spare, the car finally grinds to a halt at the barrier, brakes sizzling, exhaust crackling.

From one moment to the next, Quattro returns with a vengeance, pushing hard to support the struggling, spinning, scraping front wheels. It takes only a couple of corners to find the right rhythm, to make lift-off action bond with turn-in bite, to play the car with steering and throttle, throttle and steering. Drama can multiply in the even lower-grip zone between sand and gravel, where the car’s attitudes, gestures, and stances match a ballet dancer for elegance in motion.

The Lüderitz, Namibia, locals might not yet have fully embraced technology, but the 2019 Audi A7 provides plenty of it.

We leave Lüderitz midafternoon, forking off toward Rosh Pinah then heading for the border at Oranjemund. It’s a shorter yet slower route on twistier roads with older, sun-bleached surfaces. According to the guide book, the border crossing closes at 8 p.m., and there is no listed accommodation this side of South Africa, so time is once more of the essence. We fire up the afterburner, and two hours later, we know for a fact that the A7 55 TFSI tops out at more than 150 mph.

Even through increasingly tight radii, the car keeps carving with poise, prowess, and panache. There is a blind understanding between the steering angles of all four wheels, and the firm ride still shows mercy, holding the line with singing tires. With exactly 13 minutes to spare, the car finally grinds to a halt at the barrier, brakes sizzling, exhaust crackling. Gimme five, mate. And please ignore the sign on the customs building that reads, “From Feb. 1, 2018, this border is open 24/7.”

2019 Audi A7 Sportback Specifications

ON SALE Fall PRICE $70,000 (base) (est) ENGINE 3.0L DOHC 24-valve turbo V-6/340 hp @ 5,000-6,400 rpm,369 lb-ft @ 1,370-4,500 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed automatic LAYOUT 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD hatchback EPA MILEAGE N/A L x W x H 195.6 x 75.1 x 56.0 in WHEELBASE 115.2 in WEIGHT 4,001 lbIFTTT