Indholdsfortegnelse for January 2017 i CAR

I can say with some confidence, 2016 was one of the weirdest years I’ve lived through. The Brits chose Brexit; the Yanks elected Trump; political idiocy was rife here in South Africa ... and then came the news that our two closest magazine competitors – Top Gear SA and TopCar – had closed. Add to that the twin concepts of autonomous driving and the electric car all but dominating global thinking round the future of the car, and suddenly it feels as if I’ve stepped into a parallel, and very bizarre, universe. Fear not, I won’t indulge in any political analysis or talk about those two competitors, save to say we motoring journalists are a close-knit bunch and the titles closing is a dark day for us all. To those…

THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVETRAIN FEATURES ELECTRIC MOTORS ON THE FRONT AND REAR AXLES Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the I-Pace previews an all-electric SUV that Jaguar claims will reach production by 2018. The arrestingly styled five-seat SUV coupé is a thinly veiled hint at Jaguar’s intention to grab a slice of the premium performance-EV market that has, to date, been the preserve of Tesla. The all-wheel drivetrain features electric motors on the front and rear axles that are fed by a lithium-ion battery pack designed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover. I-PACE BY THE NUMBERS 4,0 sec 0-100 km/h 500+ km operating range 294 kW 700 N.m 90 minutes to reach 80% charge 0,29 Cd drag coefficient 90 kWh lithium–ion battery pack FUTURE CLASSIC Jaguar also used Los Angeles to…

# 1 BMW MOTORSPORT GRAPHIC T-SHIRT R513 This shirt perfectly describes what M Sport fans love about the brand. # 2 POLESTAR CYAN TEAM T-SHIRT R585 Feel like a member of the Polestar squad with this tee trimmed in the team’s trademark cyan livery. # 3 MERCEDES-AMG VINTAGE POLO R1 320 A stylish polo that pays tribute to the early days of AMG. # 4 AUDI SPORT MEN'S POLO R810 Much like the R8, Audi’s polo shirt is a comfortable fit with a dose of technological innovation. # 5 SHIFT WORKERS UNION BY DBL-APX R200 This shirt commemorates the art of the manual box in a world dominated by dual-clutches. # 6 PORSCHE MOTORSPORT POLO R1 485 This nifty number comes with a set of ear plugs for those noisy…

It’s the Brabus that suffered the first mishap, bidding farewell to its bonnet at speed DAY 1 The images of serious performance hardware powering along mountain passes, and the talk of shimmying rear tyres, eye-widening understeer and the throaty snarls of multiple cylinders breaking the silence of deserted roads in the Cape hinterland … that’s just the tip of the Performance Shootout iceberg. The reality is a colourful mixture of the sublime, abstract and occasionally absurd. And it’s very much the latter that opened the innings for 2017. It looked promising. The setting was road trip-perfect, a near-deserted Dutoitskloof Pass with the details of its snaking route to the top picked out by the growing light of an early Sunday morning. There was even the satisfying Doppler-effect snarl of sportscars…

If contenders were rated purely on their ability to induce ear-to-ear grins, the Mustang would have finished first 8th Roush Mustang Stage 3 Of the vast array of exotic machinery in our colourful convoy, it was perhaps the Roush-fettled Mustang – resplendent in Triple Yellow and adorned with aggro-aero and obligatory stripes – that garnered the most attention from snap-happy members of the public. And this enormous presence resonated with much of the CAR team, too, as the majority hailed Roush’s interpretation as exactly what the sixth-generation Mustang should have been in the first place. Central to this, of course, is the Stage 3 performance upgrade that sees the 5,0-litre V8 engine’s peak power soar nearly 200 kW to a claimed 500 kW (easily the highest here), courtesy of the…

VEHICLE-SPEED COMPARISON Lap times around Killarney tell but a part of the story. To visually represent the comparative vehicle speeds around the track, we have chosen a fast (Audi R8 V10 Plus), mid-pack (BMW M2) and a slow (Smart ForTwo Brabus) car to cover the spectrum. Handling-wise, there is not much to split Audi R8 and BMW M2, as can be seen by the similar apex speeds in each corner. The M2 actually recorded the highest speed through turn four, even beating the mighty supercars. The braking performances of the R8 and M2 are also similar, although the initial speed of the Audi is much higher in the braking zones. The reason for this is the obvious power-to-mass advantage of the R8, as it opens quite a gap to the…

NISSAN NAVARA 2,3 dCi 4x4 AT PRICE: TBC ETA: Q1 BY: Sudhir Matai @BanzaiMatai WE ARE HERE ERG Chebbi near the town of Merzouga is easily one of the most breathtaking places I’ve clapped my eyes on. According to local elders, this “sea” of dunes didn’t exist 80 years ago, claiming that winds carried every single grain of sand here in the last eight decades. The area gained fame when it played host to the Dakar Rally years ago; and there I was, about to tackle the reddish brown giants that lay just ahead. Except, of course, I wasn’t in some high-performance race truck or a purpose-built dune buggy, but rather ensconced in the air-conditioned, SUV-like interior of the all-new Nissan Navara. The unique landscape was chosen to highlight the…

NISSAN X-TRAIL 1,6 dCi 4x4 LE THE SUV has certainly become the default family option of our time and, staring at the fire-truck-red X-Trail as it arrived at our offices, it was clear why large sedans have lost favour in our market. Like most current SUVs, this fashionable Nissan has not only an elevated driving position and loads of interior space, but also offers all-wheel drive, good ground clearance and the promise of frugal fuel consumption in turbodiesel guise. Did I mention that it was fitted with a towbar? Yes, it shouts adventure like no sedan can and I was keen to put it to the test. Space is fundamental to family transport and, with my kids aged three and six, I know the logistical conundrums facing parents before embarking…

VOLVO S90 Prices from R698 500 Following the acclaimed XC90, Volvo is about to launch another product set upon its versatile Scalable Product Architecture platform: the S90 sedan. The handsome newcomer features a concave interpretation of the Volvo grille – reminiscent of its 1960s iconic P1800 sportscar – and, like the XC90, boasts signature T-shaped LED daytime-running lights in the headlamps. The distinctive taillamps lend the S90 an air of left-field sophistication. Inside, the S90 has that typically minimalist Swedish design ethos that stands in stark contrast to the techno-laden approach employed by some luxury carmakers. In part, the lack of buttons is made possible by Volvo’s innovative Sensus infotainment and driver-support system. The touchscreen interface handles all major functions and, from past experiences with the XC90, it is one…

Cargo Motors Bedfordview was strategically placed in the heart of Edenvale and Bedfordview’s shopping suburbia in December 2012 as a flagship multi-franchise dealer for Jeep, Fiat Abarth and Alfa Romeo. This prime location offers easy access off, both the N12 and R24 highways via the M37 off ramp and is perfectly situated to offer you all their products and services at one convenient location. They have built an exceptional reputation with the historic and passionate pinnacles of their brands, combined with uncompromising service levels and customer satisfaction. Their new car showrooms house the entire range of new models for each brand, while their Pre-Owned department offers a large selection of only quality pre-owned models that have met with their stringent standards to ensure complete peace of mind. Their workshop with…

1971 GURNEY EAGLE With multiple wins in Formula One, Sports Cars (including Le Mans and Sebring), Indy, Nascar and Can-Am, Dan Gurney could certainly drive a racecar. But he could design them, too. It was during a 1971 test session with his All American Racing team’s single-seater that he came up with an almost unnoticeable aerodynamic device that continues to do service on modern racecars. With driver Al Unser complaining that the car needed more rear downforce, Gurney decided to bolt on a long strip of right-angled aluminium on the rear wing’s trailing edge. Having seen driver Richie Ginther experiment with various spoilers on his Ferrari sportscars, Gurney wondered if a small, additional spoiler on a wing would help. Some 45 minutes later, Unser was circulating with the rather crude…

he next-generation Continental GT is still in the depths of development, but it looks as though a host of new technologies and styling that’s both traditional and forward-looking will make Bentley’s core model even faster and more desirable than before. SPEED 6 STYLE The most dramatic aesthetic change to the GT is the adoption of front-end styling that’s heavily influenced by the striking EXP 10 Speed 6 concept. In addition, the new car will be lower and have shorter overhangs than the outgoing car. Even so, traditional Bentley styling traits such as the raked roof flowing into pronounced rear “haunches” will be integral to the new car’s design. PORSCHE-PREPARED PLATFORM This new Bentley will be underpinned by a new modular platform that has been developed in conjunction with Porsche and…

Shootout is as stringent a test as they come. The cars are here to prove themselves; to show that they’re the best of the best DNF Jaguar F-Type SVR It must have gone wrong somewhere along the R356 into Sutherland at the end of the thrilling first day of Performance Shootout 2017… After parking the convoy of bug-splattered, pinging sportscars at our overnight spot in the sleepy town, exhilarated by a memorable drive through the Karoo, an observant team member noticed the F-Type SVR was leaking coolant into a puddle increasing in size at a dismaying rate. An inspection was performed, the scrum round the V8’s engine bay punctuated by multiple “ums”, “ahs” and sighs, and we finally decided to play it safe lest the F-Type suffered even more serious…

DAY 2 With all that’s gone before, day three became a bizarre mixture of blasts along quiet stretches and a chance to get reacquainted with cars for the second or third time, along with a degree of autopilot as we departed Clanwilliam and cut towards the rugged West Coast. The regular squawk of two-way radio, punctuated with a command here and a spot of banter there, gradually subsided into the quiet of a team determined to reach its destination at the labyrinthine Club Mykonos in Langebaan. However, before the draw of cold beers and warm beds could take a hold, the matter of our evening cover shoot at Saldanha Airfield was at hand. Out on the apron, the race against darkness kicked off in a frenzy of scrubbing away at…

THE CATEGORY WINNERS We don’t vote only on an overall Performance Shootout winner. This year, we again recognised some of the crucial qualities that are vital to a great sportscar Best transmission – Porsche 718 Boxster S / Best engine – Audi R8 V10 Plus / Best steering feel – Porsche 718 Boxster S Easiest to get sideways – Roush Mustang / Best looking – McLaren 570S / Best cabin – Audi R8 V10 Plus Easiest to drive quickly – Nissan GT-R / Requires the most driver skill – McLaren 570S/Smart ForTwo Brabus (tie) Best track toy – BMW M4 GTS / Best long-distance km eater – Mercedes-AMG SL65 / Most fun at slow speeds – BMW M2 Best all-rounder – Audi R8 V10 Plus / Would most like in…

Steve Smith Dawn. Deserted Karoo road. Porsche 718 Boxster S. Top down. Heater up. Foot down. Chasing an Audi R8. I’d never been up to the famous Sutherland Observatory before and blasting along this well-maintained, flowing ribbon of tarmac made it especially memorable. Gareth Dean Being woken from an afternoon snooze on a sofa at Saldanha Airstrip and ruthlessly shanghaied into a drag race with Terence. I’d cultivated a bizarre affection for the SL, but hurling it down a runway with the Mustang wallowing in its slipstream left me loving it all the more. Ian McLaren Having never visited Sutherland before, I was pleasantly surprised at just how fast and flowing the R354 linking this town with the N1 is. Behind the wheel of the otherwise unassuming (in this company)…

BMW 540i STEPTRONIC PRICE: TBA ETA: February BY: Terence Steenkamp Terence_CARmag WE ARE HERE IN a luxury market that’s dominated by the presence of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 7 Series carves a distinctive path. It’s all things to all people: comfortable yet dynamic; luxurious yet unostentatious; spacious enough without looking bloated. But now, as I’m driving the new 5 Series along the spectacular N247 skirting Portugal’s coastline west of the capital, Lisbon, I can’t help but wonder whether the new executive sedan won’t hurt the big saloon’s sales. The G30 5 Series incorporates the technologies first seen on the Seven, but in a package that’s cheaper, less expensive to run and less damaging to its owner’s wallet come resale. Make no mistake, in tough economic times, those…

NEW ARRIVAL VW CARAVELLE 2,0 BiTDI HIGHLINE DSG 4MOTION The legendary Volksiebus joins our fleet and promises to be the ultimate family vehicle THE venerable Kombi is now in its sixth iteration but, in Caravelle Highline specification, is far removed from the basic, original T1. Take, for example, the beautiful two-tone (Candy White and Cherry Red, a heritage paint option at R33 000) example dropped off at our offices. It caused quite a stir and, since I’m the lucky custodian for a year, I had to endure sneering comments from jealous colleagues. Those members will have to improve their behaviour before they get the key when the inevitable family weekend looms and seats (and space) are needed. That same key can actuate the powered opening of the sliding doors and…

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a new range of engines that each displaces 500 cm3 per cylinder. The series includes a 2,0-litre inline-four turbopetrol, a 3,0-litre inline-six turbopetrol and turbodiesel, and a 4,0-litre V8 turbopetrol. Yes, the straight-six, long a staple of Benz’s passenger-vehicle ranges, is back. Codenamed M256, it replaces the long-serving M276 V6 and will find its way into the facelifted S-Class later this year. The inline-six configuration is known for its refinement, but can be difficult to package because of its length. Mercedes-Benz’s engineers have removed the auxiliary belt in front of the engine to reduce its length and installed a 48 V integrated starter generator (ISG) to supply electric power to the air-con compressor motor and electric water pump. The ISG can start the engine, supply a 15…

A knock sensor is an accelerometer that is bolted to the block of a petrol engine and its function is to “listen” for high-frequency combustion-knock events. Knock, or auto ignition, is an uncontrolled ignition event in the combustion chamber that is not initiated by the spark plug and leads to a spike in combustion pressure that can damage the piston-cylinder assembly. These spikes are sometimes audible, but knock sensors can determine the precise onset of knock per combustion event. The engine-control unit immediately retards the ignition timing to prevent damage when the onset of knock is detected and it slowly ramps back the ignition timing to increase power and efficiency. This all happens in a fraction of a second. A V-engine (such as a V8) usually has a knock sensor…

Thanks to a trip computer and other gadgets, the cockpit looks like that of an aircraft TWO-DOOR coupés are always special. The sleek looks marry well with the rarity factor and many are rapidly become sought-after classics. Following the 630 CS and 633 CSi coupés of the 1970s, the 635 CSi arrived in 1983. On the charts for seven years, the 635 CSi and M635 CSi were phased out in 1989 and replaced by the all-new 850i. These were days of big-engine rivalry and, with a car such as the Jaguar XJS boasting a 5,3-litre V12, BMW upped its cylinder game and the 850i made a switch from the traditional straight-six to a 5,0-litre V12 (M70). PACKAGING While two doors sometimes mean limited interior space, this BMW offered seating for…

MAZDA CX-5 According to Mazda, the extensively redesigned CX-5 places emphasis on performance, while also “prioritising passenger comfort in a remarkably quiet and finely crafted cabin”. It will be offered with two petrol engines – a 2,0- and 2,5-litre – and a 2,2-litre diesel. No word yet on whether their outputs have changed. The new model now also features the brand’s G-Vectoring Control system, which is already available in the Mazda3, as well as head-up display and a powered tailgate. ETA: mid-2017 JEEP COMPASS Taking plenty of styling cues from the Grand Cherokee, the new Compass will be produced with as many as 17 power-train options for consumers in more than 100 countries round the world, and will replace both the current model and the Patriot. Initially offered with a…

VW WILL GRADUALLY PHASE IN A BRAND-NEW SEVEN SPEED DSG #1 It’s subtly styled Cosmetic updates include a reprofiled nose with updated headlamps and grille, new brakelamp arrays, LED lights with sweep-effect indicators and an updated cabin with greater emphasis on material quality. #2 There’s a new turbo engine This 1,5-litre turbopetrol develops 110 kW and 250 N.m at 1 500 r/min, and features cylinder deactivation. VW claims fuel consumption of 4,9 L/100 km. It will also spawn a BlueMotion version (96 kW/200 N.m) with a coasting function. #3 GTI gets added punch The standard version’s 2,0-litre turbocharged engine will now develop 169 kW (up 7 kW), while the GTI Performance’s output climbs to 180 kW. #4 It’s loaded with tech A 12,3-inch Active Info Display,…

DAY 2 The second day of Shootout is a bit like the aftermath of some strenuous sporting event. The adrenaline that fuels you through the rough and tumble has now worn off and the aches, pains and fatigue begin to set in. And so it was with much of the CAR team: creaking backs and stifled yawns from a couple of folks who hung in there after last night’s festivities. A couple of those involved in the chilly morning photo shoot were pretty amped, though. They were talking of a spectacular run with the R8 and 570S on the arrow-straight section of road between Sutherland and SALT, the two supercars tearing a roaring swathe through the quiet of a Karoo dawn. Racing against the growing light was an experience both…

FROM the outset, we knew this was going to be one of the toughest votes we’ve ever had on a Performance Shootout. Yes, there were a couple of cars that clearly wouldn’t get past the first round of ballots, but there were at least seven – 718, 570S, R8, M4 GTS, M2, GT-R, F-Type SVR – that were in with a serious shout. Hell, even that fire-breathing, quarter-mile-demolishing Roush Mustang could’ve made a muscle-vested argument for a podium. Our Shootout, however, ultimately demands both power and finesse from its contenders and, with that in mind, here are our top three. 3rd McLaren 570S From the very first time one of the CAR staffers drove this, we knew it was something special. Sudhir Matai returned from the 570S’ launch at the…

Not that quick The Brabus-tuned Smart ForTwo was never going to trouble the timesheets, but that said, Deon was complimentary about the smallest car in the group. “It’s remarkably grippy and has great brakes, although it isn’t going very fast. But I’d have a lot of fun trying to race you in one of these.” In typical racing-driver fashion, Joubert’s closing statement was, “It could do with more power.” Quick From the quirky German to a cool Swede, and the sole sedan in this year’s line-up: the Volvo S60 Polestar. “This new motor is so much better that the six-cylinder and the gearbox is a revelation; it’s right up there with the eight-speeders from BMW. The lap time wasn’t great, but on the road this car will have more power…

TOYOTA C-HR 1,2T FWD MANUAL EST PRICE: R320-350 000 ETA: March BY: Nicol Louw NicolL_CARmag WE ARE HERE THE AUTOMATIC CHOICE Toyota, like many Far Eastern brands, prefers the use of a CVT over a torque-converter automatic. We had an opportunity to try it coupled with the 1,2-litre, and found that it behaved well in stop-start city traffic. However, during country-road driving, the CVT drone on large throttle openings was intrusive. The cabin has the upmarket, modern feel expected of a vehicle in this price bracket “ ALL Toyotas are boring.” This often-heard statement is blown completely out of the water by the company’s new Compact High-Rider, or C-HR for short. Toyotas may be well known for reliability and excellent second-hand value, and the brand for its large dealer…

drive MERCEDES-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+ PRICE: R1 859 905 ETA: June 2017 BY: Ian McLaren IanM_CARmag WE ARE HERE IT’S all about confidence. Whether at the helm of your favourite entry-level hot hatch or one of the high-performance cars featured in this issue of CAR, your level of enjoyment and satisfaction is directly related to how confident you feel behind the wheel. I’m a mere two laps into my first drive of the new 450 kW/ 850 N.m Mercedes-AMG E63 S around the challenging Algarve International Circuit (colloquially known as Portimão). The most powerful E-Class ever is offering so much poise and balance that all three of us members of the international press following an AMG GT S pace car effortlessly leave trails of thick Pirelli-flavoured rubber on the…

It’s a very refined package, but the price is steep Sudhir Matai A marker of just how far Hyundai has come as an automotive brand Steve Smith A pleasant if slightly underpowered engine Ryan Bubear Price: R439 900 0-100 km/h: 12,07 sec Power/Torque: 85 kW/280 N.m Top speed: 176 km/h CAR fuel index: 8,16 L/100 km CO2: 124 g/km SIIX hundred units. That, according to Hyundai South Africa, is the average number of Tucsons that have been sold locally every month since the ix35’s replacement debuted more than half a year ago. If Hyundai reported its sales statistics along with the Naamsa brands, the Tucson would rate in the top 10 on the monthly sales charts. That’s pretty impressive for a Korean brand that earns no import credits from local…

Age 25-35 Budget under R400 000 Status young executive Vehicle type two-seater sportscar Porsche Cayman S 0-100 km/h: 5,64 sec Top speed: 273 km/h Power: 217 kW Torque: 340 N.m CO2 : 252 g/km CAR fuel index: 13,04 L/100 km WHEN the Cayman hit our roads a decade ago, it certainly posed some questions: was it too close to the 911? Why the strange name? And was it too expensive? It didn’t take long to prove its mettle, though, and is still highly regarded many years on. The classic good looks, a sublime chassis and mechanicals in the form of the much-loved boxer-six engine combined into a sublime sportscar. Back in 2006, the 3,4-litre S version that we tested incorporated some tweaks from its 911 big brother to produce 217 kW…

NOTES The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred before 25 November 2016. Readers should check with a dealer before making a decision. The HP payment calculations are based on a 10% deposit, the current interest rate and a 54-month repayment period with no residual at the end. Under ENGINE we list the number of cylinders and the cubic capacity in cm3 . Here, V = V-shaped engine layout; H = horizontally-opposed engine layout; The absence of an initial symbol implies an in-line engine layout. FUEL SUPPLY abbreviations are P = petrol-engined; D = diesel-engined; T = turbocharged, a compressor driven by exhaust gases; S = supercharged, a compressor driven by the engine; P/H = petrol-hybrid and E = electric.…