At the start of this week, the 30 contestants competing for the 2013 title and prize took to the road in a fleet of branded Renault Koleos 4x4 SUVs.

The 13-part reality TV Series will make its debut on SABC3 on Wednesday, 18 September at 20:30, culminating in an intense cook-off between the top three teams on Wednesday, 11 December. The 2013 winner will not only take home the title of Ultimate Braai Master and R500 000 in cash but a new Renault Koleos 4x4 SUV valued at R340 000 and Front Runner vehicle accessories valued at R14 588. Included in the vehicle prize is a 5-year 150 000km mechanical warranty, a 5-year 100 000 service plan, nudge and tow bars, and a host of smart technology features including an integrated TomTom® navigation system, ESP, Renault hands-free key card and Arkamys sound system with remote fingertip controls.

According to Fabien Payzan, vice president of Marketing at Renault SA, the inaugural Ultimate Braai Master competition, in 2012, proved to be an ideal platform to showcase the Renault Koleos SUV in action, its versatility and on- and off-road capabilities. “This is a vehicle designed to deliver on performance and economy while remaining suited to both the urban and outdoor environments that are so much a part of the modern South African lifestyle.”

“The 2.5-litre 16-valve unit is highly regarded for its smooth yet lively response, regardless of the terrain or the situation. To deliver on our customers’ needs and aspirations, the engine is matched to a choice of three drivetrain configurations comprising a 4x2 manual, 4x4 manual and 4x4 CVT,” he adds.

Anecdotes shared from the first season of Ultimate Braai Master forewarn the on- and off-road fun that contestants and viewers can look forward to this time around.

Says South African celebrity bush cook and Ultimate Braai Master presenter, Justin Bonello, “In last season’s series and in homage to my favourite place in the world, we wanted our road trippers to experience the life of the Transkei’s rural residents. Contestants soon realised that the deeper we travelled into the unpredictable countryside, the tougher their skin and driving skills had to become. There are no real road rules in those areas and you often have to swerve to avoid a lone cow - commonly known in the area as a Transkei traffic light - reckless taxis, people walking on the side of the road and dogs in all directions. It’s not for the faint at heart."

“We took the cars across rivers, over untravelled rocky terrains, up hillsides and through snow (yes, snow in the Transkei). The fleet of New Koleos’ proved up to the task at every turn and got everyone through the Kei comfortably, safe and without any real drama,” he concludes.

The New Koleos SUV retains the excellent off-road capability of its predecessor. A high ground clearance of 206 mm and excellent approach and departure angles are complemented on the 4X4 versions by an all-wheel drive system with three driver-selected modes: Auto, 4x4 LOCK or 2WD. All 4X4 derivatives also come standard with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.

This class-leading SUV is a high-level performance vehicle and Renault has upgraded safety. It boasts a quick correction ability should the driver be facing a dangerous situation and the electronic stability system controls and corrects the trajectory while the braking assistance reduces the stopping distance.

Since it may be required to operate on challenging inclines, the New Koleos is equipped with a speed stabiliser set to 7km/hour while descending even the steepest slopes. It also comes fitted with a combination cruise control and speed limiter, automatic headlight illumination and windscreen wiper activation in case of rain.

“As part of a “myth buster” Challenge last year, the New Koleos proved it was capable of cooking a meal while covering all-surface terrain,” adds Bonello. “The art of cooking on the manifold is one of the tricks my crew and I learned a long time ago - especially with the habit of almost always chasing the sunset and inevitably arriving at our locations after dark. And believe me, after 16-hour days, the idea of having to light a fire, waiting for it to be ready and then only starting to prepare your dinner is daunting. All you want to do is crack open a cold one, tuck into dinner and fall asleep under the stars."

“The solution? Engine stew. So, with a 12-hour journey ahead for three teams in episode 8, we made them do exactly that! After preparing their stews back at the campsite in Morgan’s Bay, they secured it to the manifold, closed the bonnet, said a couple of prayers and off they drove. The result? After a challenging day on the road to the Wild Coast Sun, three exhausted teams opened up their engine bonnets and were greeted by perfectly cooked meals in the heart of the Renault engine. But, if you think that was tough, wait and see what we have in store for the teams in season 2,” he adds.

The 15 two-person teams (Braai Master and Braai Buddy) have now embarked on their 60 day, 8 000km long road trip - “SA’s toughest outdoor kitchen” that will take them the length and breadth of South Africa behind the wheel of the latest Renault Koleos 4x4 SUV. And, according to the 2012 winners, Laertes ‘Tubby’ Melidonis and Elaine Ensor-Smith from Team “Who Dares Wins”, they can look forward to the drive of a lifetime.

Says Melidonis, “Having driven my share of 8 000km in the New Koleos, I found it a pleasure to drive. A great recreational vehicle with super features, my wife Helen and I are about to embark on a road trip from Cape Town to North West and Limpopo provinces and we are really looking forward to that on- and off-road experience with a vehicle to match.”

Prior to winning the 2012 Ultimate Braai Master reality TV competition, Melidonis and Ensor-Smith had agreed to split everything down the middle should their team effort take the prize. As a result, Melidonis says that he and Ensor-Smith have been “time-sharing” the New Koleos ever since.

The Ultimate Braai Master competition provides an original and entertaining platform to showcase two quintessentially South African passions – braaing and exploring the great outdoors - and the second season promises to push more boundaries and venture even further off-road in the Renault Koleos “to uncover those undiscovered location gems and rough diamond bush cooks who have what it takes to win this year’s title of South Africa’s Ultimate Braai Master”, says Bonello.

“Together with Justin and his team, last year’s contenders for the title of Ultimate Braai Master proved to be great ambassadors for the Renault brand and our New Koleos SUV and we are proud to have the opportunity to provide our support once again in 2013,” adds Payzan.