Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i CAR

RUDOLF Diesel (1858-1913) was born in Paris from German parents and graduated with distinction as a mechanical engineer in 1880 from what is now Munich University. In February 1893, he was granted a patent for “a new rational heat engine” and was given working facilities at the Machinenfabrik Augsburg-Nuremburg, today known as MAN. Diesel struggled to get the first experimental engine to run and made many modifications. He succeeded on February 1894 to get the powertrain to idle reliably and tested it for the first time on a dynamometer in June 1895. Early diesel engines ran at low speeds (below 500 r/min) and were used mainly in power stations and ships. They had to run in combination with an air compressor because the fuel was injected by compressed air, making…

“He did it his way, be it F1 or Indycars, and he paid dearly” D AN Gurney made a strong impression during his first championship Grand Prix in South Africa. The American started his works Brabham-Climax from the front row at East London on 28 December 1963, finished second and established a new lap record for the 4,1 km track. The fact that Gurney was beaten by Jim Clark was no disgrace, since the Scotsman and his Lotus were a formidable force that year. In fact, it was a portent of the future; Clark went on to rate Gurney as the driver he feared most. Following Clark’s fatal accident in April 1968, Gurney was in tears at the funeral when Jimmy’s father took Dan to one side and passed on…

01 21-INCH PAWS They’re the largest in the class and wrapped by 245/45 R21 rubber. An optional item on all models bar the entry-level D150, these wheels look somewhat comically oversized, underlining the foursquare look. 02 F-TYPE EYES Taking inspiration from the F-Type’s slanted lights, these units on the E-Pace are LED-equipped on all models, with Advanced Matrix LED units optional. 03 FELINE FLOURISHES From a mother jaguar and cub graphic on the base of the windscreen, to cubbies lined with jaguar-print rubber and stitched-in labels on the seats carrying the same print, this is no stoic German SUV. 04 CHICANE LANE The LED rear lights and dashboard line flowing from the instrument cowl mimic the shape of a chicane … apparently. 05 SNICKETY CLIMATE CONTROLS The interior design team…

Price: R305 000 0-100 km/h: 13,53 sec Power/Torque: 81 kW/205 N.m Top speed: 188 km/h CAR fuel index: 5,76 L/100 km CO2: 109 g/km WHEN you hear the phrase “Jack of all trades”, your likely instinct is to tack on the less-than-flattering suffix of “master of none”. It’s an unenviable label applied to those with a tendency to overtax their skills, leaving a mess of broken plumbing, sparking electrical points or even botched surgeries in their wakes. But that wasn’t always the case. Back in the 14th century, it described an often-unremarkable, everyday man who could ably turn his hand to many things. Fast-forward to the present day and, with the departure of Opel’s quirky Meriva MPV, it’s the Crossland X small crossover that’s been cast as an automotive Jack…

Let our team of technical experts answer your motoring queries. If we can’t, we know someone who can 95 OCTANE AT THE REEF Is there any benefit in fuelling with 95-octane unleaded petrol at the Reef, as opposed to the standard 93-octane? DR M SHAPIRO Parktown The octane rating in petrol is not linked to energy content, but rather to its resistance against knock (also called auto ignition), which is a harmful combustion event that can lead to serious engine damage. Knock takes place when the combustion pressure (and temperature) in the chamber exceeds petrol’s self-combustion point and it “explodes”, rather than there being a controlled burn initiated by the spark plug. At the Reef, the atmospheric air pressure is round 17% lower than at the coast, therefore 93-octane is…

WITH the increased cost of just about everything these days, we all know how a limited maintenance budget can suffer with unexpected automotive repair costs. Now, more than ever, preventative maintenance is a smart exercise that can save you a considerable amount of money down the line. Here are some guidelines on how to diagnose three main categories of noise that, once determined, will steer you in the right direction for identification. They are noises that: • Increase with car speed and are related to wheel problems. • Increase with engine speed and involve the engine. • Random noises that are not related to either engine or car speed; likely suspension or road-related problems. NOISE 1 CV JOINTS Constant-velocity (CV) joint wear on front-wheel-drive cars is quite common. The innards…

Indian Motorcycle is arguably the only motorcycle brand that evokes immediate nostalgia by simply saying its name. As America’s first motorcycle company, established in 1901, the illustrious history and pedigree of the Brand is celebrated by Indian motorcycle owners world-wide. A new milestone in Indian Motorcycle SA’s history was achieved recently, with the opening of their new Melrose Arch store - in the trendy surroundings of cobble-street restaurants and international boutique stores of this upmarket shopping “precinct”. This new location is in addition to their four national dealers and is set to further stamp the Brand’s commitment in the local motorcycling market. Indian Motorcycle SA is bucking the trend with increased investment and growth. This world-class boutique store is geared to offer the complete Indian motorcycle lifestyle, like never before.…

INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDWAY USA Current length: 4 023 km First used: 1909 Outright lap record: 37,895 seconds by Arie Luyendyk on 12 May 1996, who qualified on pole for the Indy 500 with an average speed of 382,203 km/h. Fatalities: 66 people died during motor racing events at Indy. This includes 40 drivers, 14 mechanics and nine spectators. Tony Renna was the last driver to lose his life, fatally crashing during testing in 2003. How hard can it be? After all, you need to just turn left. That would be the viewpoint of both the cynic and the uninformed. However, thanks to a key factor – speed – the reality is entirely different. When you are averaging 370 km/h around a track guarded by a wall and no run-off, even slight…

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. SHOOTOUT 1 Well done on a superb Performance Shootout 2018. Gareth Dean’s evocative prose, supplemented by brilliant photography, made for riveting reading. Sudhir and Terence also summed up the shootout and final reckoning in an equally professional way. So glad you got to taste some of the best drives in KZN, including “That Road”, and some of the gravel bits as well. As a frequent user of the R103 and adjacent Midlands roads, I must have been away, so I missed a chance to meet…

Ford has lifted the wraps off the new US-spec Ranger that will preview many of the updates earmarked for SA models in 2019. New alloy wheels, more accentuated power domes on the bonnet, redesigned headlamp/grille array and the “Ranger” name stamped into the steel of the tailgate are among the latest Ranger’s design elements. The local powerplant line-up hasn’t been nailed down yet, but could include a version of the Mustang’s 2,3-litre turbopetrol unit. PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN While US Rangers will roll out of Michigan, our examples will continue to be produced at FMCSA’s Silverton assembly plant, which will be subject to a R3-billion investment to increase production capacity. KIA’S FORTE… According the Kia, the third-generation Cerato represents a palpable move upmarket for its shapely sedan. In addition to aesthetic…

BMW X2 xDRIVE20d M SPORT X STEPTRONIC PRICE: R723 854 ETA: now WE ARE HERE IT’S definitely a comfy-chair-and-popcorn moment. One of those when you can sense a battle royale looming; a titanic struggle for supremacy that will involve all the protagonists’ prodigious skills. It can be in the championship-boxing ring, on the test-cricket field or, in this case, the showroom floor. Wherever it is, you know you’re in for an entertaining humdinger. That’s what the premium midsize-crossover segment is shaping up to be with this latest offering from BMW joining Mercerdes-Benz’s GLA, the Jaguar E-Pace (see pg 34), Volvo’s XC40 and the upcoming Audi Q3. They will all occupy a price bracket between R500 000 and about R800 000; this local range-topping X2 xDrive20d M Sport X will come…

Price: R809 000 0-100 km/h: 4,98 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 THE influx of SUVs and crossovers across many segments has meant that the sedan hasn’t had it easy. You only have to look at the steady decline in notchback sales of late to appreciate just how much the automotive playing field has changed. However, it takes only a couple of drives, or, in our case, two weeks, to appreciate the fun to be had behind the wheel of a well-fettled sports sedan. As Audi’s upcoming RS4 will be available only as an Avant (station wagon) model, the S4 Quattro will likely be the sportiest A4 sedan for the foreseeable future. At its heart beats a 3,0-litre,…

The tough market conditions of the last few years have seen manufacturers launch a number of new, keenly priced entry-level vehicles in South Africa. The positive knock-on for consumers looking for used cars is that you are getting a little more bang for your buck. Following the categories of the main Top 12 Best Buys awards (page 46), our pre-owned and classic car expert, Peter Palm, gives you his advice on what will make a sensible second-hand buy in 2018. ESSENTIAL ADVICE TIP 1 Don’t make hasty decisions. It’s your money to lose. TIP 2 Look for signs of accident damage and check the service history. TIP 3 If you favour a niche car, do not pay too much. You might struggle to sell it later. TIP 4 Check the…

BEFORE the word “dinosaur” forms on your lips and your eyes roll to the heavens, let me say that there is plenty of automotive tech that I appreciate. Technology innovates, improves comfort and often becomes cheaper to produce and smaller in size. Just look at the first air-conditioners fitted to cars in the 1960s. These units were so big that they took up half the legroom on the front bench. They also sucked so much power that turning the air-con on would significantly dim the headlamps. You couldn’t even think about using the choke. These were tough times indeed ... you even had to use elbow grease to open a window. These days, I’m loath to do without the comfort of air-conditioning and, with the improved quality and cost of…

Est price: R194 900 0-100 km/h: 12,79 sec Power/Torque: 63 kW/132 N.m Top speed: 177 km/h CAR fuel index: 7,08 L/100 km CO2: 144 g/km BACK in 2010, with the ink barely dry on the venerable Mk1 Golf-derived Citi Golf’s farewell card, VWSA’s announcement that it would carry out a similar repositioning exercise with the outgoing fourth-generation Polo range kept that spirit of the much-loved Citi alive. It also meant VW could continue its dominating presence in this key entry-level segment and it could do so with tooling that had been – like the Citi Golf’s – long since paid off at its Uitenhage facility. One immediate advantage this new Vivo enjoyed over its Golf Mk1- based forebearer was that it was built on a relatively modern platform that, unlike…

Price: R324 900 0-100 km/h: 12,41 sec Power/Torque: 90 kW/150 N.m Top speed: 165 km/h CAR fuel index: 9,48 L/100 km CO2: 162 g/km HYUNDAI South Africa may have taken its time before officially launching the Creta into the local market, but with monthly sales of this small crossover having quickly risen to levels consistently complementing those of the company’s chart-topping Tucson SUV, the decision to wait for optimal market conditions appears to have been an inspired one. Sharing a platform with its somewhat more characterful Kia Soul cousin, the local Creta range consists of only three derivatives, the most affordable of which features the company’s naturally aspirated Gamma 1,6-litre petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox. Although not necessarily the most fashionable transmission type, as we’ve recently been reminded…

I still remember the day when I first laid eyes on the original ’92 CBR900RR Fireblade. It was at a Honda dealer and a crowd formed round this outrageous superbike signalling a watershed moment in road-bike history. Compared with such powerful but portly opposition of the time as the Suzuki GSXR1100, it was tiny and had only a 893 cm3 capacity engine producing 86 kW. Its key attribute was weight, or rather the lack thereof. With a dry mass of just 185 kg (206 kg wet), it was lighter than most 600s and it ran rings around the opposition, especially in the corners. Fast-forward to 2018 and a lot has changed in the biking world. The original ‘Blade, as aggressive looking as ever, now appears bulky compared with the latest…

In the interests of protecting him from unwanted fame, stalkers and the paparazzi, CAR cannot reveal the true identity of the resourceful Garageman OLD OIL Edward Winterbottom, known to his friends as “Ed Coldbum”, is one of those laid-back people who is always cheerful. He appears to be a successful farmer, but there are rumours that his wife Sally does most of the organising. Coldbum recently asked us to tow one of his Nissan 1400 bakkies to our workshop. It had developed a serious misfire, but when Hannes started the engine, it did not sound like the absence of sparks. Hannes performed a compression test, found that the starter motor cranked the engine with an irregular beat and was not surprised when two cylinders showed low compression readings. On removing…

SMOKEY DIESEL My wife owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz C270 CDI with the 2,7-litre turbodiesel engine that has 150 000 km on the clock. The vehicle was always extremely well maintained, still looks as good as new and has never towed. Since we took ownership at 100 000 km, it has smoked under acceleration but is now an embarrassment. I have discussed this with two RMI service agents, but none could give remedy. Apparently, there is nothing at fault with the injectors (only 50 ppm diesel is used) and the glow plugs are new. The vehicle is used mostly on short distances, but long-distance driving does not improve the situation. The vehicle still achieves good fuel consumption. Do you have any suggestions as to what the issue may be? CA VAN…

NOTES The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred before 26 January 2018. 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. POWER…

LET’S HOPE FERRARI AND McLAREN PROVIDE IMPRESSIVE EQUIPMENT MERCEDES MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS MOTORSPORT LEWIS HAMILTON  AGE: 33 • STRENGTH At the top of his game; extracts the maximum from the car. • WEAKNESS Colourful lifestyle can lead to a loss of focus. VALTTERI BOTTAS  AGE: 28 • STRENGTH Unflappable; willing to learn. • WEAKNESS Worn down by loss of 0,01 seconds to his teammate. KEY FACTOR STAYING FOCUSED In recent seasons, Mercedes-AMG has had the luxury of gradually honing a winning team in every department and few major rule changes for 2018 mean that can only be improved upon. Overcoming the major setback of Rosberg quitting at the beginning of last year proved that a solid and capable structure is in place. All references at the factory to the previous four…

HAMILTON vs. VETTEL Four championships apiece and each as fast as the other on his day will set the scene for a perfect storm. Let’s hope Ferrari and Mercedes provide competitive equipment in this fight to be best of the best. RICCIARDO vs. VERSTAPPEN Ricciardo remains one of the best all-round drivers on the grid, but the incredibly quick Dutchman shaded him in 2016. The Aussie wants to regain the lead and the contest will be intense. SAINZ vs. HÜLKENBERG Both drivers have points to prove. Hülkenberg has done twice as many GPs, but neither driver has scored a podium. Both desperately want to be the first to do it for the resurgent team.…