Inside Iona, the vehicle is part of your survival kit. A high-clearance 4x4, two spare tyres, recovery boards or equivalent gear, a compressor, navigation backups, and enough water are sensible basics. Convoy travel is safer than going alone.
Distances on the map look empty and simple, but the terrain is not. Sand, corrugations, dry riverbeds, and rocky tracks all slow progress. Plan short driving days and avoid pushing on late, when navigation mistakes become easier and recovery becomes harder.