The Salar de Uyuni is one of the world’s most iconic destinations for overland travel. But there’s more to this famed region of Bolivia than a salt pan half the size of Wales. Venture just a few miles south and you’ll find yourself amid the tangled remains of a railway that was once a wonder of the engineering world.

In Britain, we tend to think of narrowgauge railways as quaint old things, short sections of track amid the worked-out late mines of North Wales plied by gleaming little engines for the amusement of tourists. The idea of crossborder heavy industry being built on such a thing sounds impossible. Exactly 150 years ago, however, the first trains ran on what was one of the most ambitious railway projects the world has ever seen. One of the most ambitious and, at the time, the highest above sea level anywhere on the planet. The Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia (FCAB) runs between the Bolivian capital of La Paz and the port of Antofagasta, some 715 miles to the south. On the way, it climbs to an altitude of 3956 metres – that’s not far off halfway to Everest, on a route for which ground was first broken at a time when the world’s highest peak was still more than a quarter of a century away from being conquered.

Read more in the January 2024 issue of Overlander 4×4 – buy it here

Audi will return to the Dakar Rally in January with the latest version of its RS Q e-tron. Headed by a new Technical Director in Dr. Leonardo Pascali, Audi Motorsport has focused on five main areas of development – safety, reliability, comfort, performance and maintenance times.

Various detail changes mean the new vehicle is slightly lighter than before, and changes in the event’s regulations mean its electric motors can now be tuned for greater output. Suspension uprights have been redesigned to help prevent stones from getting stuck behind the rim and brake disc, something that has previously caused time-consuming damage, and the wheels will be shod with a new tyre featuring stronger sidewalls.

The suspension has also been rethought to reduce peak vertical acceleration during landings, with a better distribution of loads also allowing enhanced handling control and a longer crash box at the front of the chassis. This is now more efficient at absorbing the energy generated during a hard frontal landing – such as the one which put Carlos Sainz out of the 2023 Dakar when his RS Q e-tron dug in and somersaulted.

Sainz is one of three Audi drivers at the 2024 Dakar, all of them returning after last year. He’ll be co-driven by Lucas
Cruz; other teams are Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist and Stéphane Peterhansel/Edouard Boulanger.

‘Our engineering team has improved the RS Q e-tron even further with many creative solutions,’ says Audi’s Head of Motorsport Rolf Michl. ‘Drivers and co-drivers, as well as all of the mechanics and engineers, benefit from the imaginative ideas. We feel that we are prepared for the Dakar Rally in the best possible way.’

Toyota has upgraded the Yaris Cross for 2024, giving it more power and tech as well as tweaks to its styling. The former comes from the addition of a new, more powerful hybrid powertrain in the GR Sport model; this will also feature in the Premiere Edition, a new model introduced for the launch of the updated vehicle.

The Premiere has an exclusive new Urban Khaki paint finish with a bi-tone execution, along with new 18” machined five-spoke alloys that enhance the dynamic, rugged look and matching stitching inside. Across the range, meanwhile, seat upholstery has been improved and there’s now a soft covering on the lower instrument  panel. Toyota promises improvements to the vehicle’s refinement, too, as well as further safety aids and a ‘completely new digital user experience.’ 

Callum Design, the automotive design house headed by ex-Jaguar man Ian Callum, is transitioning into a car maker in
its own right. The company has unveiled its first own-brand vehicle, developed fully in-house – and it’s an off-roader.
Specifically, the Skye is ‘the world’s most beautiful high performance, multi-terrain vehicle.’

Built in very small numbers for people with very big bank balances, it will combine lightweight with an advanced all-electric drivetrain to combine sportscar performance and handling with a 170-mile range and ultra-fast charging times.

Measuring 4047mm long and 1900mm wide, the Skye promises ‘impeccably balanced 50/50 weight distribution.’
Its buggy-like 2+2 body is mounted on a steel spaceframe supporting all-independent suspension with high ground
clearance and long travel for all-terrain use. Callum says the vehicle’s styling is ‘focused on its rugged practical
capabilities and off-road prowess.’

Full details of the vehicle’s specifications are promised by the spring of 2024, with final development work and testing continuing in the meantime. Callum speaks of ‘curated variants, each finely tailored for focused on or off-road use’.

With petrol prices on the rise again, Brits are being offered tips on how to keep the fuel gage up after visiting the pumps.

The penny-pinching team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together their advice for motorists on making fuel last longer.

Among the suggestions is taking anything weighty out of your car, driving smoothly and keeping an eye on tyre pressure.

Other tricks to try to reduce fuel consumption include keeping the heat and air-con to a minimum and combining journeys as often as you can.

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes said: “Cash strapped Brits are already feeling the pressure of rising living costs and another hike in fuel costs is going to add to that pressure even further.

“If there are little things that can be done to make fuel stretch that little bit further then it’s certainly worth doing them. Simple things like taking anything weighty out of the boot – we’re all guilty of leaving things lurking in it – and keeping a check on tyre pressure.

“Making a few of these small changes and being aware of our driving habits can help us make our fuel last longer.”

Here are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk’s tips on ways to save fuel:

1. Reduce unnecessary weight

The heavier your car is the more fuel is required to lug it around. Try to take out whatever you can to reduce the weight of your car which should reduce the amount of fuel used.

2. Drive smoothly

If you’re racing around in your car, chances are you are using a lot more fuel. Try to drive smoothly and consistently – avoid sharp braking, drive at a consistent speed and avoid unnecessary overtaking.

3. Keep an eye on your tyre pressure

If your tyre pressure is low, your car will need to use more energy to use it and more energy means using more fuel. Try to check your tyre pressure every couple of weeks to avoid this happening.

4. Change gear earlier and avoid revving your engine 

Revving your engine means more fuel will be used so try to change gear earlier and avoid sending the dial higher on the speedometer. A lot of newer cars will indicate on the dashboard when you should move into higher or lower to help with this.

5. Avoid using too much air-con and heat

Using too much air-con and heat also uses energy which again, increases fuel consumption. Think twice before turning these up too high – open windows and layer up instead.

6. Combine journeys

Your engine performs more efficiently once it’s warmed up. If you take frequent, short journeys, you’re not giving it enough time to heat up and essentially you’ll be using more fuel. Try to plan journeys in one round trip – this way your engine will be warm, allowing it to work more efficiently and you’ll be using up less fuel.

7. Look for other ways to travel

The most obvious solution to save fuel is to try to use your car less. Instead of driving to pick up your takeaway, walk. And maybe car share with a colleague to get to work.