Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2016 i CAR

It's not looking good. Cars are expensive, with the curve clearly heading north, and the passenger-vehicle market is close to record lows – down almost 19% year on year, if you take sales to rental companies out of the equation. Compounded by the battered rand, diminished spending power means young South Africans cannot afford new cars and their parents are part of the buying-down trend that’s indicative of tighter wallets. Sure, sales of ultra-premium brands – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley and Rolls-Royce – remain in rude health, but just about every other carmaker is feeling the pinch, regardless how they choose to spin their monthly sales statistics. It isn’t a sustainable business model. The pool of next-generation customers is decreasing as they opt for more cost-effective mobility solutions such as…

“THE STYLING BRIDGES A GAP OF 50 YEARS IN COMBINING ELEMENTS OF THE 02 SERIES VIR MODERN BMW DESIGN” BMW slapped some 1970s racing livery on its 2002 Hommage concept for this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in a bid to “shine the spotlight on its successful history with turbocharged engines”. Back in 1973, the BMW 2002 became the first series-produced vehicle in Europe to feature turbo technology. Hopefully, the renewed interest in this rakish concept is another step towards production.…

Ford’s SA head is upbeat in a market where new-vehicle sales continue to fall – with major local investment, the company has put its money where its mouth is We have adapted our sales and marketing strategies Doing this in line with changing economic environments is very much part and parcel of daily business for motor companies, particularly those operating on the African continent where most economies are struggling. However, we are pleased to say that Ford continues to perform very well in South Africa despite the tough trading conditions. Year-to-date, Ford’s overall market share climbed to 14,9% at the end of July, compared with 14,3% a year ago. The Fiesta had a particularly good month with 1 740 units sold, while the demand for the EcoSport remains strong and…

ASTON MARTIN DB11 PRICE: TBC ETA: November WE ARE HERE ASTON Martin’s Second Century Plan begins like this, then. A DB car, the natural successor to all the DBs before it, a grand tourer in the most conventional, but, most important, Aston Martin tradition. “The DB11 is the most important car,” says Aston CEO, Andy Palmer, “in Aston Martin’s history.” In its history? Big claim. But then Andy Palmer has been given a big job: to make Aston Martin make money. Not a lot of Aston bosses have managed that before, but this time it’s crucial. It’s crucial because of the plans Palmer has put forward. They’re of the scale that would have seen Dany Bahar, former Lotus CEO, throwing them on a motor show stand accompanied by a bemused-looking…

RENAULT CAPTUR 1,5 dCi DYNAMIQUE PRICE: R289 900 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE EVERY so often, a car comes along that delights and frustrates in equal measure, and none more so than Renault’s Captur. With more than 4 000 examples of this stylish little crossover already plying our roads, there’s no doubt it’s been one of the marque’s most well-received models. But the powertrain combinations have perennially been hit-and-miss affairs; the pleasant manual ‘box is combined with the occasionally breathless three-pot turbopetrol, the punchier 1,2 is stifled by the divisive EDC transmission. Now, with the addition of a turbodiesel manual model to the range, Renault appears to have finally hit that previously elusive engine/transmission sweet spot. The carmaker has sensibly opted to apply its tried-and-tested 1,5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine –…

WHETHER it’s for our unyielding sense of adventure, the perceived sanctity of a raised driving position or our penchant for mounting pavements, South Africans love their SUVs. From Fortuner to Forester, Tucson to Tiguan, the global trend towards a raised ride height has even seen manufacturers previously bound to building sportscars and grand tourers shifting their attentions (and balance sheets) in favour of this ever-popular, ever-growing segment. With the likes of Maserati and Bentley joining the fray, other, more mainstream brands continue to explore every possibility and niche associated with the SUV acronym. As Audi prepares to introduce a fourth member to its Q family and BMW continues to reap the relative rewards of sloped rooflines on its extended X range, you do wonder just how the average South African…

Price: R679 900 0-100 km/h: 16,94 sec Power/Torque: 110 kW/371 N.m Top speed: 160 km/h CAR fuel index: 12,96 L/100 km CO2: 287 g/km WHEN a many-thousand-kilometre holiday or overland trip beckons, given how much you will rely on your mode of transport, it’s critically important to use the correct vehicle. The last thing you want is an electronic glitch in the car’s ECU, or a malfunction somewhere in that labyrinth of complicated mechanicals. And that means there is only a small number of SUVs in our market that could confidently pull off such a trip. These are off-road vehicles that have not only been in production for a number of decades and so have proven themselves across the globe, but, most importantly, have stayed true to their heritage. This…

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK DC 2,0 BiTDI HIGHLINE 4MOTION AT USUALLY, when a new double-cab bakkie joins our test fleet, there’s a collective rubbing of hands among the CAR team and the new arrival can look forward to 12 very full months where all of its abilities are guaranteed be thoroughly tested. Ever since its South African launch in 2010, the Amarok’s looks, interior spec and ride quality have seen it immediately classified as firmly in the “lifestyle” segment of the double-cab market. If, however, you think that these were the only abilities we would test over the year, you’d be wrong. The Amarok’s job list started off with common or garden stuff like transporting actual gardening refuse, but after a few months this “leisure” bakkie began a more hectic workhorse role,…

With the diff-lock also activated, the Fortuner is primed to conquer any of Honingklip’s obstacles THE South African landscape offers many diverse ecosystems – from desert, semi-desert and savannah, to sub-tropical, forests and fynbos – and many of these are within a few hours’drive from the Cape, especially if you have the key to Toyota’s latest family SUV, the Fortuner. Equipped with the new 2,4 GD-6 four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, it delivers 110 kW and 400 N.m to carry four adults and their luggage to any remote location. The adventure begins the moment the last door is shut and the engine stop/ start button is pressed. Leaving a silhouetted Table Mountain and the expanse of the Cape Flats behind, we point the Fortuner’s nose east and head up a mist-enshrouded Sir…

THE DIFFERENCES ARE PALPABLE, AND VERY MUCH AN IMPROVEMENTSudhir Matai SMALL YET SIGNIFICANT UPDATES ADD WELCOME EDGE TO THE M3 PACKAGEIan McLaren THOSE 14 extra kilowatts may not seem worth the effort in a car that’s already as powerful as an M3. But, despite what amounts to a paltry 4% increase in power, the M3 Competition Package is so much more than that headline figure of 331 kW. Twenty-inch, glossy alloy wheels and black Shadow Line trim for the signature kidney grille surrounds, side gills and bootlid badge help set the most potent M3 apart from lesser siblings. The cabin is a familiar place, with the major change being the adoption of lightweight sports seats, with cut-outs in the backrests, and seatbelts with woven BMW M stripes. While an M…

A GREAT OPEN-ROOF EXPERIENCE, BUT IT’S ULTIMATELY COMPROMISEDNikesh Kooverjee A BETTER CAR THAN ITS PREDECESSOR. GET THIS COOPER, NOT THE COOPER SSteve Smith THERE are only two light convertibles in our market. One of them is Mazda’s agile little MX-5 and the other is this, the Mini Convertible, a car that has an entirely different appeal. Now in its third generation and based on the latest F56 platform, the boutique hatchback on which the soft-top is based has grown both in size and sophistication compared with the first “new” Mini launched back in 2000. The Convertible is 98 mm longer, 44 mm wider, and 7 mm taller than the model it replaces, has a wheelbase that is 28 mm lengthier and increased track widths front and rear. The Cooper Convertible…

LOADS OF GRIP AND GREAT BRAKES, BUT LACKS FIREPOWER TO MAKE IT A PROPER HOT HATCHNikesh Kooverjee HUGE FUN. FREE-REVVING ENGINE MAKES IT FEEL FASTIan McLaren FROM our first test of Opel’s baby boutique hatch (April 2015), the CAR team was impressed with the Adam’s quirky design and on-road dynamics.This was definitely a chassis that could cope with more power and it was only a matter of time before we’d see a performance-inspired variant. In the Corsa Sport’s turbocharged 1,4-litre four-cylinder, Opel had the perfect engine, too, and, along with go-faster trim to complete the package, the result is the Adam S … a cheeky little hatchback with plenty of attitude. The exterior trim consists of aggressive front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts, a rear spoiler and a set…

RETAINS ITS QUIRKY CHARM, BUT IN A MORE BALANCED PACKAGEGareth Dean THE PRIUS HAS REACHED ITS POTENTIAL AND MORPHED INTO A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO A DIESEL FAMILY CARTerence Steenkamp YOU have to only look at the latest Prius to see that Toyota means business when it comes to the credentials of its genre-defining hybrid. The distinctive – some would say ungainly – new body, awash with a wealth of cuts, aerodynamic fins and protuberances, contributes to a slippery 0,24 drag coefficient. The 1,8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine/synchronous electric motor has been reworked to improve thermal efficiency and counter fuel economy-impacting losses, and is mated with an updated synchronous electric motor and battery setup that’s more compact, and therefore less space-eating, and efficient. The upshot is a powertrain that returned an…

We recently covered the Strati, the world’s first three-dimensional printed car, and here is the Light Rider, the first printed motorcycle. Interestingly, it wasn’t made by any motorcycle manufacturer, but rather by aeronautical giant Airbus – or at least by APWorks, a subsidiary. The focus was on the frame and it was designed to mimic an organic exoskeleton complete with hollow-tube tech that is impossible to produce using conventional manufacturing processes like welding or milling. The advanced 3D laser printer builds up the parts in layers by melting and fusing together special aluminium-alloy particles. The frame consists of thousands of layers (60 microns thick) and the end result is 30% lighter than any conventional electric motorcycle (35 kg in total). The hollow tubes also provide channels to conceal all the…

IT’S 11h30 on 21 July 2016 at the Beitbridge side of the border with Zimbabwe. Rod Kinsey is at the wheel of a Porsche Panamera Diesel and team-mate Schalk van Heerden in a Volkswagen Passat 1,4 TSI, both with their noses pointed south in the direction of Cape Town. The goal is to reach the Mother City without refuelling either car. Kinsey and his team of six have been participating in fuel-economy challenges for decades and, with their collective experience at fuel-efficient driving and the efficiency of cars improving every year, records are going to be broken. In fact, the previous record was set by team Kinsey in 2011 when they piloted two Volkswagen Golf 1,6 TDI BlueMotions on a 1 941 km trip on the same route using just…

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE R1 002 400 Jaguar Land Rover has been on a bit of a product offensive of late, with new models launched with regularity over the last few years. At the recent SA Festival of Motoring, the company pulled the covers from an entirely new product, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible. This is the fourth member of the Range Rover family and the first ever to feature a folding roof. Incidentally, this is also the world’s first luxury convertible SUV. Based on the stylish Evoque, the Convertible is an off-roader for sun-seekers and seemingly ideal for those parts of the world where you are allowed to drive on the beach. The fully automated soft top can be tucked away in 18 seconds and raised in 21 seconds…

This range was tasked with putting the company back on the path to its goal of being the world’s best car company IN the post-Second World War era – and before the arrival of the W111 series “Fintails” – the 180, 190 and six-cylinder 219 formed the mainstay of the Mercedes-Benz line-up and the range was tasked with putting the company back on the path to its goal of being the world’s best car company. The official series title was W120/121, with the 219 coded W105 just to confuse things. The more exotic roadster and cabriolet versions are in a class of their own and obviously way pricier due to their rarity (more than R1 million apiece), so we’ll stick to the sedans for now. Back in the day, CAR…

FROM the moment VW’s Golf GTI Clubsport S wrested the title of fastest FWD production car around the Nürburgring from the Honda Civic Type R, we knew that the Japanese company would not take such an affront lying down. And, while spy pics (on which this rendering is based) seem to indicate the next-generation of this rev-hungry hot hatch may not look like it has the goods to change matters, it’s what lies beneath that subtle shell that could give the Germans some food for thought. GONE WITH THE WING? Perhaps the most controversial change on the new car is the purported deletion of the Type R-defining rear wing. Although a few test mules have been spotted sporting some serious scaffolding on their tails, the new car will likely rely…

IN the motoring world, the terms “American” and “beautiful” have long been mutually exclusive, with the likes of Cadillac churning out a raft of unimaginative and downright awkward-looking cars, while the Germans produce aesthetically resolved and aspirational luxury cars with what seems like little effort. But, with the unveiling of its Escala concept at Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, Cadillac’s future design language appears to have turned a corner. The Escala builds on the brand’s modern design cues with menacing, deep-set headlamps with OLED elements, as well as more ornate designs for the grille and 22-inch wheels. All of this is layered over a frame that’s marginally longer than the already imposing Mercedes-Benz S-Class. South African Johan de Nysschen, president of Global Cadillac, states, “Depending on the development of the market…

Land Rover may have headlined the reveal of its 2017 Range Rover Sport line-up with the formidable SV Autobiography, complete with its 405 kW/680 N.m supercharged V8 powerplant, but this sub-six second 0-100 km/h leviathan isn’t the talk of the range. That’s been reserved for the entry-level model, which features JLR’s 2,0-litre, four-cylinder, Ingenium turbodiesel. Developing 177 kW and 500 N.m, this unit propels the Sport from 0-100 km/h in eight seconds and returns 6,2 L/100 km. The new models also usher in features such as Advanced Tow Assist, Driver Condition Monitor, blind-spot assist and adaptive cruise control. Interior changes, meanwhile, include a new 10-inch dual-view touchscreen display and plenty of personalisation options. ETA: the SV Autobiography Dynamic will arrive in the first half of 2017 and will be…

1968 MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SE COUPÉ EST VALUE R1 300 000 PHOTOS BY: Ian McLaren WE ARE HERE THE year 1996 was a good one. I started work on my first magazine and turned 30. To celebrate that milestone, I bought a car of an identical vintage, a 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230S “Fintail” sedan. The ivory body was in excellent nick and the deep, red leather and wooden-panelled interior had that beautiful lived-in-but-cared-for patina. I loved that car. But, as much as I did, what I really desired was the one you see on these pages… Collectively known today as the SE Coupé, it was based on the sedan’s platform with the same wheelbase and mechanical underpinnings, but that’s where the similarities ended. Penned by the legendary Paul Bracq, who headed up…

Price: R430 000 0-100 km/h: 7,93 sec Power/Torque: 127 kW/220 N.m Top speed: 200 km/h CAR fuel index: 708 L/100 km CO2: 140 g/km ON the South African market for 34 years now, the 10th generation of that poster-child for sensible motoring, the Honda Civic sedan, has just been launched. It was not a market that was particularly enthused with the ninth generation, however, with the highly regarded hatch and sedan combined selling in the low 20s each month. Can this new-generation sedan increase those numbers? It’s a big ask in the current economic climate, but Honda SA will be buoyed by this new car’s huge success in the USA, where its introduction saw sales jump an impressive 28%. In theory, its chances look good. For one thing, its bigger…

Price: R200 300 0-100 km/h: 10,32 sec Power/Torque: 77 kW/155 N.m Top speed: 187 km/h CAR fuel index: 7,92 L/100 km CO2: 157 g/km HERE’s no shying away from the fact that the GTS insignia affixed to the rump of this particular Polo Vivo is ambitious at best. The priciest of Polo Vivo hatchbacks does, after all, boast no added grunt from its 1,6-litre, four-pot heart. Of course, Volkswagen SA has followed this all-show-no-extra-go recipe before with the Vivo GT – with a fair amount of sales success, too – and it’s this vehicle that the GTS replaces. While the engine is carried over, however, the difference between the two amounts to slightly more than the addition of an “S” to the badge. This locally built newcomer now comes in…

FORD FOCUS SEDAN 1,0 ECOBOOST TREND POWERSHIFT Does a tiny 1,0-litre engine work well in a commodious family sedan? Watch this space 999 cm3 . That’s the exact capacity of the engine powering this latest arrival in the CAR fleet. Ford has reason to be confident in the downsized EcoBoost powertrain, having scooped multiple wins in the International Engine of the Year awards since it was launched in the Fiesta in 2012. That vehicle is lighter, though, so we were intrigued to find out how the powertrain fares in a larger body designed to cart families. As an initiation, my wife, kids and I chose the Focus for a weekend getaway to the Cederberg in search of wild flowers. Finding enough packing space for all the stuff a family of…

CAPTIVA HAS ITS VIRTUES, BUT HAS FALLEN OFF THE PACERyan Bubear SEVEN SEATS AREN’T ENOUGH TO SAVE CHEV’S DATED SUVTerence Steenkamp TEN years is an exceedingly long time in the world of automotive development. But that’s how long the Chevrolet Captiva – which is still plodding along in its very first generation – has been on the SUV scene. And, just when you might have expected an all-new version to finally be unveiled, General Motors instead applied the latest in a lengthy line of decidedly subtle updates. In fact, so mild is this most recent refresh that it’s a challenge calling it anything more than a visual tweak. Look closely, though, and you may be able to spot the subtly redesigned grille, the restyled lower front bumper (with new foglamps)…

GREAT HANDLING, BURBLING EXHAUST AND A MANUAL GEARBOX! NOT A LOT TO DISLIKEWilhelm Lutjeharms THE GEARBOX TRANSFORMS THE CARTerence Steenkamp ALTHOUGH it’s grown in size and weight, the fact that the latest Mini JCW is the most powerful version to date adds to that all important performance margin over the Cooper S. We first tested the JCW in automatic guise (October 2015) and found that the eight-speeder dulled the experience. After assessing this manual, we’ve no doubt it’s the JCW to get. Once behind the wheel, the tall gearlever is the first thing that grabs your attention. Similar to BMW’s other manual gearboxes, the shifts are direct and precise, although perhaps a touch too long. The figure-hugging sport seats keep you in place, and the driving position is spot-on. The…

OPEL HAS DEVELOPED ONE OF THE BEST 1,0-LITRE, THREE-CYLINDER ENGINESNikesh Kooverjee IF THERE’S ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE ABILITIES OF SMALL-CAPACITY TURBOS, THIS SHOULD DISPEL THEMSteve Smith IT’S fair to say that CAR team knows Opel’s turbocharged 1,0-litre three-cylinder engine pretty well, having experienced it in both the Adam and Corsa. In 85 kW guise, it’s an engine that has impressed us in both these small hatches, and naturally we were interested to find out how it would fare doing duty in the bigger Astra. Interestingly, Opel chose to offer a slightly detuned 77 kW version in this cheapest Astra, although the 170 N.m torque figure remains. A five-speed manual transmission also replaces the six gears found in the smaller models. Climbing into the driver’s seat, at first glance it appears…

A WELL-PRICED FUEL SIPPER BUT YOU’D NEED TO GET USED TO THE LONG GEARINGSteve Smith MOVING FROM DIESEL TO PETROL WAS THE RIGHT DECISIONNikesh Kooverjee THE turbocharged, 1,0-litre, three-cylinder engine has been the trending powerplant over the last few years, and with good reason, too. New internal-combustion technology, as seen in these little three-pots, boasts increased power and efficiency. It might have been a little late to the game, but it was no surprise when Volkswagen updated its Polo BlueMotion with a similar powertrain. And, in our book, that’s a good thing. Before its launch, a torque-focused 1,2-litre, three-cylinder turbo-diesel carried VW’s “BlueMotion” frugality badge – a moniker that signifies some aero tweaks, low-rolling-resistance tyres, stop/ start and regenerative braking. In our May 2011 test, we found it a bit…

“MOTO3? What’s that?” This state of confusion was shared by many local motorsport fans until Potchefstroom-born Brad Binder started winning races in the global formula. At the time of writing, the young South African was leading the Moto3 world championship. What’s more, he may be only 21 years old, but this is already his fifth season in the Moto3 class. We had a chat to both Brad and KTM Sportmotorcycle AG’s Tom Jojic to find out more about the technology behind Brad’s 250 cm3 rocket ship. THE FORMULA The entry-level 125 cm3 two-stroke class changed to 250 cm3 , single-cylinder, four-stroke engines in 2012 and it was rebranded as the Moto3 championship. This class falls below Moto2 (600 cm3 , inline four-cylinder, four-stroke engines) and premier MotoGP (1 000 cm3…

THE RISK YOU RUN, HOWEVER, IS BUYING PIRATED PARTS “CHECK engine.” The message in the instrument cluster could not have come at a worse time … your vehicle has just reached the end of its warranty and service plan period. Booking in the car at your local dealer is a nerve-wracking affair, as you’ve never had to pay for spare parts before. Should your bank manager be worried, or is there a cheaper alternative? To answer the question, we selected four popular double-cab bakkies and then investigated what their parts cost when bought from a franchise dealer, as well as from a specialist service centre (which we’ve kept anonymous in the interests of impartiality). But before we look the costs, it is important to understand vehicle spare parts. OEM ORIGINAL…

Age 40 Budget R90 000 Status small-business owner Vehicle type single-cab bakkie REQUIREMENTS This owner of a small business needs a cheap, single-cab bakkie to use for goods transport. Because of a limited budget and the hard life of a small workhorse vehicle that will result in many dings and scrapes, used is king. THE VEHICLE There are numerous bakkies such as the Hyundai/Kia 2,7-litre diesels and the evergreen Nissan NP300, but these are built to handle one tonne or more. Instead, we have chosen a trio of three-quarter-tonne pick-ups that will fit the business owner’s needs. OUR CHOICE Chevrolet Utility 1,4 Club 0-100 km/h: 14,50 sec Top speed: n/a Power: 68 kW Torque: 120 N.m CO2 : 171 g/km CAR fuel index: 8,64 L/100 km THE Utility badge was switched…

AUDI R8 V10 PLUS QUATTRO S TRONIC 11,08 sec/204 km/h McLAREN 570S COUPÉ 11,32 sec/215 km/h IT’s not often that two supercars are launched simultaneously in South Africa, but that is exactly what happened with the new Audi R8 V10 Plus and the McLaren 570S. And that was good news for us at CAR. With Killarney’s drag strip booked, these two R3-million-plus performance cars were lined up for a very closely contested acceleration duel. Despite the drag strip not being quite as grippy as the rough asphalt of our official test strip, this was still going to be an interesting showdown, with a collective 868 kW of power being transferred to the tarmac. Both cars’ launch-control systems are straightforward to activate and, consequently, both pulled away cleanly. As expected, the…

LEFT-FIELD CHOICES I respect someone who drives a Chrysler Neon more than anyone who drives the latest snazzy German sedan. That someone has the resilience of a creature yet to be discovered, whereas German sedan owners have peace of mind afforded by warranties and wide availability of parts. When the Neon and other left-field cars need almost any replacement part, all known parts dealers will give you a sympathetic, “Sorry, we don’t stock parts for non-popular cars.” Then you end up at the much-dreaded dealership, where they check prices on their computer system but will always punch numbers on a handheld calculator before giving you a kick-in-the-teeth price. I have never liked double-cab bakkies until Ford created the current Ranger. I always thought double cabs pretended to be bakkies, whereas…

ERCEDES-BENZ’s Maybach arm has long been represented by what are essentially more ostentatious takes on the parent firm’s halo models. But, with the unveiling of the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 concept at this year’s Pebble Beach, Maybach looks to inject some of the classic opulence that’s long departed the automotive scene into a forward-looking concept that hints at a bold tilt at Rolls-Royce. A LOOK TO THE PAST In penning the 6’s eye-catching lines, Benz’s designers called upon a number of influences present in the 1930s, considered the heyday of decadent coupés. Up front, pinstripe suits inspire the grille’s uprights, while the almost cartoonish profile and split rear window are aesthetic nods to Maybach’s Doppel-Sechs 8-Litre Stromlinien aero coupé. The vast coupé also features gullwing doors, but most eye-catching of all…

# 1 THRUSTMASTER TX (Xbox One/PC) R10 125 This wheel boasts superior precision thanks to a brushless industrial motor and magnetic rotary actuator. Takealot.com # 2 LOGITECH G920 DRIVING FORCE (Xbox) R7 200 Designed for durability, with solid-steel ball bearings in the wheel shaft and stainless-steel paddle shifters and pedals, this is the long-distance race wheel. G-ForceSim # 3 LOGITECH G29 DRIVING FORCE (PlayStation & PC) R6 899 With its dual-motor force feedback and LED shift indicators, you can feel the tyres on every turn and type of terrain. Takealot.com # 4 THRUSTMASTER T150 (PlayStation) R3 499 An entry-level racing wheel for the PlayStation 3 and 4, with an adjustable rotation angle and a metal ball-bearing axle. Takealot.com # 5 THRUSTMASTER FERRARI 458 SPIDER (Xbox) R2 556 Built to mimic…

FORD RANGER DC 2,2 TDCi XLS 4x4 AT PRICE: R517 900 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE ADDING to the already extensive range of locally produced Rangers flying off its Silverton assembly line, Ford has now added nine automatic derivatives, all mated with the popular 2,2-litre turbodiesel engine. And you can understand its thinking – with 70% of Ranger 3,2-litre double-cab owners choosing the automatic option, it is likely that many 2,2-litre purchasers will follow suit. The range includes two single cabs, three Super Cabs and four double cabs. The transmission is a conventional epicyclic type that can be left in auto mode or shifted manually through the six forward ratios. Some auto boxes can be jerky when shifting gears, while others may be sluggish and full of torque-converter slip, but…

Price: R457 680 0-100 km/h: 9,57 sec Power/Torque: 110 kW/250 N.m Top speed: 200 km/h CAR fuel index: 7,32 L/100 km CO2: 140 g/km THAT’s correct: globally, more than 2,8 million buyers opted for a Tiguan when shopping for a compact SUV (of these, 19 000 were South Africans). It was sold in more than 170 countries, making it Volkswagen’s most important passenger vehicle in terms of sales after the Golf, Passat and Polo. You’d expect the traditionally fastidious manufacturer to be even more thorough than usual in the development of the second-generation model, then, considering how much the Tiguan’s success affects the VW Group’s bottom line. But, before we answer that germane question posed on the cover, some context. In the South African market, the Tiguan is initially available…

Price: R209 995 0-100 km/h: 18,79 sec Power/Torque: 79 kW/247 N.m Top speed: n/a CAR fuel index: 90 L/100 km CO2: 199 g/km WHAT you are looking at it is the most affordable 4x4 with low range in the South African market. That is an important fact. South Africans love a good off-roading adventure and, when it comes to dust-filled exploits, a great number of people have a memorable story to share. Originally starting with Jeep lookalikes under licence in India, Mahindra has been building capable off-road vehicles for a number of decades. Today, the Thar is still heavily based on these earlier models and, as part its current new-model initiative, the company has reintroduced it to the South African market. The Thar looks pure Jeep Wrangler from every angle,…

Price: R432 400 0-100 km/h: 9,30 sec Power/Torque: 110 kW/320 N.m Top speed: 210 km/h CAR fuel index: 4,56 L/100 km CO2: 101 g/km WHEN we tested the V40 D3 Geartronic Elite back in our December 2012 issue, it gave a strong impression that Volvo had turned a particularly big corner and was on the verge of something special. Fast-forward four years or so, and the once-frumpy Swedish carmaker has shrugged off a mantle of conservatism and completely reinvented itself. Cars such as the XC90 and S90 are snapping up design awards and backing up their newfound style with a good degree of substance, staring down the established players in a premium segment that was previously off limits to Volvo’s solid but otherwise uninspired product line-up. Now it’s the V40’s…

MANAGES TO FEEL RELATIVELY LIGHT ON ITS FEET DESPITE ITS BLOATED DIMENSIONSIan McLaren SUBLIME ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION COMBO, THOUGH TIGHT REAR ROOM INEXCUSABLETerence Steenkamp AFTER our first test of BMW’s all-new 7 Series, the entry-level 740i in the April 2016 issue, we were eager to assess what should be the pick of the range, the 750i. Like the S-Class range, where the S500 reigns supreme in terms of its pitch-perfect balance of performance, frugality and relative value for money, in the 7 Series the V8 option has always been the model of choice. However, after spending two weeks with the latest version of Bavaria’s grand saloon, we’re not so sure that’s still the case… Don’t for a second think the 750i is anything other than a well-executed luxury vehicle, though.…

STYLISH, BUT YOU REALLY MUST HAVE YOUR HEART SET ON ONE TO BUY ITSteve Smith AN EFFECTIVE UPDATE, BUT THIS ISN’T A GREAT CAR BY ANY OBJECTIVE MEASURETerence Steenkamp ORDER and efficiency; you don’t get two more Germanic traits than that, and both have been vigorously applied by Mercedes-Benz over the last few years. New nomenclature describes the entire range in logical order and smaller-capacity turbo engines tick the efficiency box. The SLC300 roadster is a case in point: the SLC is a facelift of the SLK range and the 300’s 2,0-litre four-pot turbopetrol represents a generation of downsized engines that offer sufficient power and excellent (claimed) fuel efficiency. The exterior changes include a redesigned bumper, Benz’s signature diamond grille and LED driving lights. Our test car also came in…

OLD-SCHOOL CHARM, SPACIOUS, A GOOD RIDE AND PROPER OFF-ROAD ABILITYNicol Louw I’M NOT CONVINCED THE PAJERO IS WORTH R140K MORE THAN A FORTUNERTerence Steenkamp The fourth-generation Pajero was launched back in 2006 and very few things get better with age … but, like good wine, there are exceptions. Does the latest incarnation of the immortal Pajero featuring Legend II badging fall into this category? A major advantage of the traditional, boxy design is that space inside is optimised. Interior dimensions are vast; second-row occupants enjoy ample leg- and headroom, and the boot (544 dm 3  ) swallows everything a family can throw at it. Even with the third row unfolded (which is really only suitable for children), there is still a reasonable amount of storage space. Another plus is…

STILL AS QUIRKY AND NICHE AS BEFORE, BUT FAR MORE PLEASING TO DRIVEGareth Dean HOPELESSLY CHARMING, BUT A VW UP! TRUMPS IT AS AN ALL-ROUNDERTerence Steenkamp NOW in its third iteration, Smart’s diminutive city car may not have grown much in stature, but it’s definitely matured into a more resolved product than its predecessor. In addition to the previous car’s dinky 2,7-metre overall length, the new model also retains many of its aesthetic tenets, including a contrasting crash-cell structure, wheel-in-each-corner stance and wedge-shaped profile. All of these features adopt more angular forms, while the frontal aspect takes in more squared-off headlamps replete with LED accents, presenting a cheeky, but less effete-looking package than before. While the new car isn’t longer than its forebear, it is marginally broader and the wheelbase…

STRIKES THE PERFECT BALANCE BETWEEN A STATION WAGON AND AN SUVWilhelm Lutjeharms GRUMBLY, DATED ENGINE ASIDE, A REALLY SATISFYING ALTERNATIVE TO AN SUVTerence Steenkamp THERE are a number of vehicle types that Volvo is really proficient at, and the station wagon is one of them. However, estates don’t sell well in South Africa, which is why Volvo Car South Africa has added the Cross Country to its local offering. Not quite an SUV, but not as low to the ground as a standard wagon (which means the driver’s seat offers that desirable commanding position), the V60 Cross Country fills a niche that is otherwise mainly dominated by SUVs. The standard V60 body gains roof rails, front, side and rear scuff plates, and more importantly, an increased ride height (by 65…

The combination of prime location, skills and expertise from the Imperial Group and their commitment to the Mercedes-Benz brand was surely a recipe for success. The result of these relationships was the birth of a new benchmark for the SA motor indusrty in 2008, namely Mercedes-Benz Bedfordview. Mercedes-Benz Bedfordview is a multi-million rand state-of-the-art Lifestyle Centre which covers an area of approximately 10 800 m2 and is the embodiment of the long and rich heritage of the Mercedes-Benz brand. This multi-level dealership is like no other in South Africa, exceeding all expectations since opening and is highly respected by both its customers and competitors alike. The sheer grandeur of the building is breathtaking and a feast for the senses as you enter. The latest new Mercedes-Benz models are displayed on…

Before this sharp-snouted, bewinged monster came along, the sole visual differences between the V8s thundering around Nascar’s many ovals and those burbling along America’s highways were big racing tyres, a roll cage and a bunch of stickers smattered across the former models’ bodywork. This strategy made marketing sense, of course, and that old “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” adage meant customers who wanted showroom-specification versions of the racing car in victory lane would line up outside dealer doors. There were special-edition road cars that allowed for faster racecars, but it was Dodge that really took advantage of the 500-production-car homologation rule and unveiled this Daytona version of its Charger model to gain considerable on-track advantage. From its debut at Talladega Superspeedway in September 1969, the Charger Daytona won 45…