Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2017 i CAR

Congratulations to HELGARD VAN WYK, who wins an Organico hamper valued at R2 700, for writing this month’s winning letter. Organico specialises in certified organic essential oils, blends, ultrasonic diffusers, diffuser pendants, car diffusers and beard-oil blends. Their products are innovative, functional and provide an excellent holistic approach to health. The hamper includes an aroma diffuser for your car with a certified organic essential oil, 50 ml True Legend beard oil kit and an ultrasonic home diffuser with a certified organic essential oil. For more information about Organico and the full range of products on offer, visit www.organicooils.co.za…

HAVE you noticed the difference on the Grand Prix podiums this year? The top three are smiling! Sure, that may change as the season gets into its stride and the championship battle heats up but, for the moment, the drivers are – whisper it – enjoying their racing. The atmosphere in the cool-down room preceding the podium is the giveaway. In the past, this part of the weekend was the scene of sulky silences, interrupted only by peremptory words of reluctant congratulations and the glugging of water. The losers would busy themselves with towelling and staring at the wall, while the winner’s pleasure would be tainted by some perceived injustice in the minds of one – or both – of the other two supposed celebrants. Fast forward to 2017 where…

“WHEN the board realised that we would lose our market dominance due to the declining exchange rate and Golf 2 would have to be priced well above the Golf 1 that had been such a success in the market, urgent action was called for. “At the time, our MD, Peter Searle, who was a marketing man by profession, called on our advertising agency, then known as Rightford, Searle-Tripp & Makin, for help. It soon became clear that keeping the Golf 1, even if for a limited time, was essential for the company to retain and grow its share in the passenger market. “When the concept of Citi Golf and the Red,Yellow, Blue was finally accepted, the organisation was galvanised into action and, in record time, all the planning was finalised.…

Gerhard Ryksen (44) bought his first Beetle at age 16, fixed it and sold it for a small profit. He then got another one and so his interest in Volkswagens and the collection grew. Because his previous jobs kept him desk-bound, Gerhard felt he needed to do something creative with his hands other than moving documents around. Gerhard attends car shows throughout South Africa, be it in George, Cape Town or Parys, and he also does a lot of mileage every month looking for original parts and potential cars to buy. “Give me 30 minutes and I’m ready with the trailer to hit the road!”…

Tucson is excellent, but Tiguan’s polish just edges it Terence Steenkamp Hyundai all but matches the VW’s quality. And price Steve Smith Volkswagen's offering eclipses the Hyundai on almost every level Wilhelm Lutjeharms Tucson does very little wrong, but Tiguan is marginally more talented Ryan Bubear FAST FACTS HYUNDAI TUCSON 2,0 CRDi ELITE Price: R534 900 0-100 km/h: 9,49 sec Power/Torque: 131 kW/400 N.m Top speed: 201 km/h CAR fuel index: 9,48 L/100 km CO2: 175 g/km VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2,0 TDI 4MOTION HIGHLINE Price: R549 500 0-100 km/h: 8,70 sec Power/Torque: 130 kW/380 N.m Top speed: 207 km/h CAR fuel index: 7,68 L/100 km CO2: 166 g/km AFTER testing the high-output 1,4 TSI Comfortline DSG derivative in our October 2016 issue, we proclaimed the long-awaited second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan as the…

Large and expensive, yet still drives like a Mini should Wilhelm Lutjeharms I miss the effervescence of smaller Minis. Cooper S five-door for me, thanks Terence Steenkamp It doesn’t have to work too hard to put a smile on your face Nikesh Kooverjee Price: R584 016 0-100 km/h: 6,99 sec Power/Torque: 170 kW/350 N.m Top speed: 238 km/h CAR fuel index: 8,64 L/100 km CO2: 164 g/km THERE is a bigger Mini than the Clubman, of course. The new Countryman, which has just launched in South Africa, jettisons all pretence at being a entertaining hatchback, as most Minis have always been, and rather enthusiastically embraces its role in the British brand’s stable as a compact crossover with a modicum of engaging handling. The hatchbacks with their shorter wheelbases, meanwhile –…

Most electric-vehicle powertrains employ an electric motor, a transmission (usually one fixed reduction ratio), differential and drive shafts. A simpler solution would be to install the electric motor(s) in the hub(s) of the driven wheels, thereby eliminating the complexity and reducing the component count, mass and spatial requirements. Torque-vectoring per wheel is then also possible. The downsides of hub motors are that they impact on a wheel’s unsprung mass, which negatively influences suspension control, plus there’s no reduction ratio to increase the torque value at the wheel. NSK claims it’s developed the world’s first transmission-equipped wheel hub motor for automotive use that comprises electric motors and two planetary gears that can deliver both high drive torque with a sufficient maximum speed and are able to fit inside a 16-inch wheel.…

HILUX 2,8 GD-6 FUEL RESERVE We received an interesting letter from Gustav Jacobs regarding the conservative fuel-reserve light that illuminates in his 2016 Toyota Hilux 2,8 GD-6 Double Cab when there is still apparently around 18 litres left in the 80-litre tank. This was confirmed by calculations made from refuelling immediately after the light illuminated. The problem is that the range-to-empty calculation shows only around 50 km at the time of illumination, even though the manual mentions that there should be 12 litres of fuel left after the low-level fuel light is displayed. We asked the owner to conduct a run till empty test (with a jerry can of diesel on the back of the bakkie) and measure the distance that the Hilux can cover after the reserve light illuminates,…

Please include your physical address and telephone number. Diverse ideas and opinions are welcome, but publication of your letter doesn’t necessarily mean we agree. Please stick to a maximum of 300 words. CAR reserves the right to edit and shorten letters owing to space constraints. ALFA ROMEO KUDOS The Giulia QV is a fantastic effort by Alfa Romeo. Specify a new BMW M3/4 Competition Pack and you will be pretty close to the QV on price, but with none of the exclusivity. However, dealers will make or break the Giulia, as this is a special product that needs exclusivity in after-sales service. Failing that, potential owners will unfortunately go back to the German appliances. HARRY PIERONI From Facebook [We were seriously impressed by the QV and the 2,0-litre turbo we…

The C43 feels like an AMG; the S5 simply like a quick A5 Terence Steenkamp The S5 is a gentleman’s express, but it’s rather clinical compared with the smile-inducing C43 Gareth Dean The C43 is a real gem and, for me, a better car than the musclebound C63 Steve Smith An average driver will be faster in the C43 than a C63 Ian McLaren FAST FACTS AUDI S5 COUPÉ 3,0T FSI QUATTRO TIPTRONIC Price: R928 000 0-100 km/h: 5,51 sec Power/Torque: 260 kW/500 N.m Top speed: 250 km/h CAR fuel index: 8,76 L/100 km CO2: 166 g/km MERCEDES-AMG C43 COUPÉ 4MATIC 9G-TRONIC Price: R935 282 0-100 km/h: 5,47 sec Power/Torque: 270 kW/520 N.m Top speed: 250 km/h CAR fuel index: 9,36 L/100 km CO2: 178 g/km ALTERNATIVE is a funny…

Performance was a given but now looks more fluid, too Ian McLaren A four-door, super-luxurious supercar Wilhelm Lutjeharms Such speed and agility on a big luxury saloon beggars belief Steve Smith Price: R2 441 000 0-100 km/h: 3,44 sec Power/Torque: 404 kW/770 N.m Top speed: 306 km/h CAR fuel index: 11,28 L/100 km CO2: 164 g/km IN some significant ways, what you are looking at here is less of a car than its predecessor. It’s the second-generation Porsche Panamera and it is visually smaller, the cabin has far fewer dials and buttons, and it possesses a smaller-capacity turbocharged engine. Has this downsizing strategy created a better vehicle? After all, in terms of its performance and dynamic handling, that predecessor was considered the benchmark in this rarified niche of four-door luxury…

Feels strong and capable; economical, too Peter Palm Yet another commendable effort from Mahindra Steve Smith An affordable family crossover that doesn’t skimp on features Nikesh Kooverjee Price: R229 995 0-100 km/h: 16,89 sec Power/Torque: 74 kW/240 N.m Top speed: n/a CAR fuel index: 6,48 L/100 km CO2: 142 g/km This, as Mahindra describes it, is the tough and stylish TUV300 with looks inspired by a battle tank. Stylish might not be how you describe its angular, aesthetically dated design, with short front and rear overhangs and a tippy-toes appearance, but it does represent yet another solid addition to the quirky and versatile line-up currently offered by the Indian manufacturer. With an exterior clearly favouring functionality over form, the interior is a little more forward-looking. The predominantly tan interior may…

The best large-capacity all-round road bike in the market Nicol Louw This flat-twin excels in punchy power delivery and compliant suspension setup Peter Palm Sporty, comfortable, great engine and even a looker. Can’t fault it Wilhelm Lutjeharms THE BMW boxer-twin motorcycle engine is almost a century old and, while it’s grown in capacity over the years and produces more power than ever before – switching from air to water cooling in the process – it’s managed to retain its endearing characteristics and that high torque plateau over a broad engine-speed range. When we took delivery of the R 1200 R, I could not help pondering whether this engine configuration is still suited to a modern road bike, especially as the superbike-derived, inline, four-cylinder 1 000 cm3 is also available in…

Driving by computer is quickly gaining acceptance and the current array of driver assistance systems in modern vehicles is just a few steps away from full automation. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established six levels of automation to categorise a vehicle’s capability: LEVEL 0  No automation. Driver is always in control of all driving functions. LEVEL 1 Driver assistance in a single driving aspect, such as emergency braking. Driver in control of all other functions. LEVEL 2 Partial automation of braking, acceleration and steering, with the driver always monitoring the driving environment and ready to intervene. LEVEL 3 Conditional automation, where the driver is expected to intervene only after a request from the autonomous system. LEVEL 4  High automation, where the system is able to control the vehicle…

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4 Audi A5 Cabriolet mid-year Audi Q5 Q2 Audi RS3 Sedan Q2 Audi RS5 Coupé Q4 Audi TT RS Q2 BMW M760Li imminent Chery Tiggo 3 Q3 Chery Tiggo 5 Q3 Chevrolet Cruze Q3 Ford Kuga facelift Q2 Foton Sauvana Q2 Honda CR-V Q3 Hyundai i30 Q3 Jeep Compass Q3 Kia Picanto Q3 Land Rover Discovery mid-year Lexus LC500 Coupé July Mahindra NuvoSport Q4 Mazda CX-5 Q2 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class facelift Q4 Mercedes-AMG GT R imminent Mercedes-AMG E63 S Q2 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster imminent Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Q3 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé Q2 Mercedes-Benz S-Class all models facelift Q4 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport mid-year Nissan 370Z facelift Q3 Nissan Qashqai facelift Q3 Nissan X-Trail facelift Q4 Peugeot 308 facelift October Peugeot Traveller October Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo November Renault Captur…

Chevrolet Spark 1,2, 2010, grey, 75 000 km R60 000 Chevrolet Spark 1,2, 2010, silver, 92 000 km, needs some paint repair R49 200 112 TOTAL NUMBER OF CHEVROLET SPARK’S CURRENTLY FOR SALE ON GUMTREE Hyundai Atos 1,1 GLS, 2010, blue, 40 000 km R60 000 Hyundai Atos 1,1 GLS, 2008, light blue, 100 000 km R59 995 Fiat Panda 100HP, 2010, red, 180 000 km R60 000 Fiat Panda 100HP, 2009, black, 156 000 km R63 995…

FOND MEMORIES I distinctly remember the day in February 1957 when my father presented me with the first issue of CAR [the cover pictured here]. Since then, I have read every single issue and have kept all of them. Sadly, being in our 70s, we are contemplating moving to a retirement complex within the next few years and I will have to get rid of my collection. In spite of being a petrol-head, due to financial considerations, I usually drive vehicles bought used. I currently have a 2006 Toyota Camry XLi and a 1998 VW Polo. Until last year, I also had a 1976 VW Passat station wagon, bought secondhand in 1982. I had to let it go because the mechanic got fabulously rich at my expense. I cannot understand…

DON’T WANT REAR SEATS? YOU’LL HAVE TO PAY DODGE $1 PER SEAT TO REMOVE THEM DODGE CHALLENGER SRT DEMON Dodge boasts its Challenger SRT Demon is the most powerful muscle car ever, but it’s the numbers that do the real talking. 6,2 LITRES Capacity of the Demon’s supercharged HEMI V8. $1 The cost of removing each passenger seat. 1 044 N.m Maximum torque 626 kW Maximum power 2,4 SEC 0-100 km/h 890 MM The amount of front-wheel lift; certified by Guinness World Records as the first instance of front-wheel lift in a production car. 9,65 SEC AT 225 KM/H The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon runs the fastest quarter-mile of any production car in the world... ... and that leaves the likes of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (9,7 sec), McLaren…

Brands are still, quite frankly, getting away with murder IT is going to be fascinating to see how many South African motorists are buying Ford Kugas in a year’s time. In theory, the answer should be zero. It’s difficult to recall anyone in the history of the South African motor industry handling a crisis quite as badly as Ford SA when its Kugas started bursting into flames. Still, I reckon it won’t be long before Kugas start selling just as well as they did before their fire crisis. Remember, it’s not even a year after Volkswagen was found to be blatantly cheating on its emissions data and the German manufacturer has now overtaken Toyota to become the biggest automobile brand in the world. Perhaps dodgy data doesn’t worry consumers quite…

“I WON'T STRIP AND RESTORE THE '55 KOMBI THAT WOULD ERASE THE OST IMPORTANT PART OF ITS HISTORY” IF there is a criticism to be levelled at Gerhard Ryksen’s Volkswagen collection, it’s that his location – in the middle of the Free State – is so far away from the coast. Surely all the Kombis should have surfboards on the roof and be parked next to the beach? Given that the pristine structure house that holds his homage to Wolfsburg was purpose-built, we will forgive him this geographical shortcoming: Gerhard is doing his part to preserve VW’s heritage. The building also houses his office and a small entertainment area, and next door there is a restoration facility along with a covered area that stores projects and parts he might sell…

This is a landmark car that will go down as one of the best FWDs ever made Sudhir Matai Very special; shows the true potential of the GTI package Ian McLaren Impractical and hardcore, but the finest Golf I’ve driven Steve Smith Price: R742 000 0-100 km/h: 6,17 sec Power/Torque: 228 kW/380 N.m Top speed: 265 km/h CAR fuel index: 8,76 L/100 km CO2: 170 g/km IT must have annoyed Volkswagen that, despite the Golf GTI’s enormous global sales success, in latter years it’s been criticised as not being hairy chested enough for hardcore hot-hatch fans. This limited-edition version is therefore VW’s riposte to prove that it possesses the engineering muscle to build a car that’s as wild and capable as anything the competition has to offer. The Clubsport S…

The new segment leader, but with a caveat: the 530d is even better Terence Steenkamp Can’t afford an M5? This will do nicely Wilhelm Lutjeharms Brilliantly accomplished, both in terms of refinement and performance Ian McLaren Price: R990 316 0-100 km/h: 5,30 sec Power/Torque: 250 kW/450 N.m Top speed: 250 km/h CAR fuel index: 8,64 L/100 km CO2: 164 g/km REPRESENTING the middle ground between the technological tour de force that is BMW’s flagship 7 Series and the more attainable, people’s choice 3 Series, the weight of expectation borne upon each new 5 Series is significant. The most obvious benefactor of the technologies harnessed in the 7 Series range, the traditionally profitable Five needs to offer not only supreme levels of executive comfort and refinement, but also provide a platform…

In the interests of protecting him from unwanted fame, stalkers and the paparazzi, CAR cannot reveal the true identity of the resourceful Garageman LIMP-HOME Some years ago, our high school got a new maths teacher whose teaching style – a combination of humour and a love for the subject – made him popular with the youngsters. He was a Polish immigrant named Borys Skarzynski, but most people remembered only the beginning of his name so that he soon became known as “The Scar”. The Scar owns a Subaru Forester 2.5X that’s still too new for us to service. I was therefore quite surprised when he turned up in my office a few weeks ago with a worried look on his face. He had just returned from an upcountry trip, filled…

Informed reader Herman Meyer from Benoni spotted an error in our explanation of the workings of an open differential in the April issue of CAR 2017 as it appeared under the heading Half-shaft snapping. The incorrect statement read: “In an open differential, most of the torque is sent to the wheel with the least grip,” and this was his response: In an open differential on a single axle, the torque is always distributed equally (50:50) to the two wheels. This means that: • If one wheel spins on soapy, slippery mud while the other wheel is on tar, almost zero torque is transmitted to both wheels and the vehicle does not move. • If one wheel is spinning on gravel while the other wheel is on tar, then equal torque is delivered…

The automotive world needs skilled artisans – especially here in South Africa – so if you love cars and are mechanically minded, combine both your passion and your skills by becoming an automotive technician. Don’t be put off by the term “grease monkey” and any low-skill-level connotations that may be associated with this career path; modern cars have become extremely complex, with many electronic units controlling various functions, including self-diagnostics, and today’s technicians need to be as skilled in operating computer equipment as wielding a spanner. We spoke to General Motors South Africa (GMSA) to learn what it takes to join the trade. REPLACER OF PARTS, OR TOP TECHNICIAN? There’s a public perception that modern-day technicians merely replace parts as per the instructions spat out by electronic service tools and…

AX VERSTAPPEN has been the sensation of Formula One during the past 12 months. The Dutchman’s surprise promotion from Toro Rosso five races into the 2016 season was then trumped by an extraordinarily mature maiden victory in his first race with Red Bull. On other occasions, however, the teenager’s precocious style has excited and infuriated in equal measure, with Verstappen’s sometimes brutal defensive tactics causing angst among many of his senior rivals. Critics had their say, but Verstappen never flinched and the extraordinary drives kept coming. Two in particular stood out: Brazil last November; and, more recently, the Chinese Grand Prix. On both occasions, he came from the back of the grid. And, significantly, the track was either damp or wet each time; a great performance leveller that allows outrageous…