Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Wheels wrote:They made the car look bad by not deflating their tyres. I would not classify him as a great driver.

100%.

I'm not surprised that they only made (could only sell) 3 episodes. There doesn't seem to be a cohesive focus as to what the programs should be.

To compare the episodes (in the order in which they were broadcast)
Ep 1 (Coldest road): Lots of focus on the convoy and interaction between Mika Salo & Tom Hardy and "natives" (wrestling, swimming etc). Very little focus on the vehicle
Ep 2 (Mud): Much more focus on the vehicle, little of the convoy, small amount of interaction between driver team (Mika & ??) and locals
Ep 3 (Hot): Lots of focus on the vehicle, little of the convoy, different drivers, good drama (sandstorm), staged accident WTF?

The programs is the result of a good idea executed with the wrong personnel, expertise, leadership and angle. A real wasted opportunity in terms of the creators/directors - such awesome places and awesome vehicles !!!!

Still goodish entertainment, but far from excellent.

I was also very dissapointed in the deflating off the tyres, as I feel that this standard practice when offroading, given that he is a motorcycle driver and first for this type it is sort off understandable, but I feel that the expedition leader should have given them a bit off pre mission knowledge about 4x4ing and what to look at.

Other than that I felt that he vehicles really showed how good they really are. The support team on this Hottest Road could have chosen better support vehicles at least - I mean the one came undone in first run.

Patrol all the way!!!

The series is "overproduced" for dramatic effect... clearly novice crews when it comes to driving.

The way I see it.... purely my opinion.... Shell was the main sponsor of this series. The mechanic, sounded like a rehearsed script when it came to the oil used on the Patrol. I think the concept was that the oil could handle the hot, cold and the wet and high humidity that the vehicle patrolled (pun intended) through. I don't think it was ever really about the driving, in fact the worse the driver, the more abuse would be inflicted to the Patrol, and therefore to the oil.

I think Shell wanted to make an advert.... 3 episodes long, that people would actually watch ( how many times do we do a pee break during the adverts)

lol, I also noticed the repeated (redundant) emphasis on oil in the last episode.

Without "the right" oil, the vehicle may pick up long term damage. Without the right vehicle, the oil isn't going anywhere either!

point proven.... Patrols 1 - Cruiser 0....