Innehållsförteckning för December 2016 från CAR

The problem is, I’m a man of specific rather than expansive tastes – I know what I want, but inevitably already have it. I’m not really a present person, either. Sincere and hearty best wishes seem like a much better idea than enduring the mall hordes and exhausting your credit card on over-priced gifts that end up gathering dust in someone’s cupboard. Still, December arrives and the inevitable questions come my way. So, this time, Santa ol’ friend, I’m sending you Steve’s Christmas Wish List: Fewer idiots on the road. As treasonable as it may be, can I just say that we appear to have a higher-than-average ratio of idiots sharing our roads. I’ve driven on other continents and we flout traffic laws more than most. And fewer trucks, too.…

“WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT MORE EMOTION INTO OUR METAL” IT certainly looks different, doesn’t it? The futuristic EX103 Vision Next 100 is not what you’d expect from this venerable British marque and appears more capable of vertical take off than it does negotiating the tree-lined driveway of a grand country retreat. As part of BMW’s final centenary celebrations in Los Angeles, the company assembled the BMW, Mini, BMW Motorrad (see page 104) and Rolls-Royce concepts that it had successively unveiled throughout 2016. It also gave us the opportunity to chat to Giles Taylor and take an up-close walk around the EX103, hearing straight from the source what the company’s future plans are in terms of design and technology. THE HERITAGE REMAINS Giles Taylor: “Although several design cues point to…

AUDI TT RS COUPÉ QUATTRO S TRONIC PRICES: TBC ETA: Q2 2017 WE ARE HERE SENTENCE three of the TT RS’ press pack finds Audi in an uncompromising mood. “Driving pleasure guaranteed!” it proclaims, having teed off with the model’s increasingly lofty power output. The exclamation mark is meant as playful confirmation of what ought to be obvious to the reader, but it’s possible to take it as huffy Germanic consternation, too: “You must like it now, surely!” The previous TT RS did appeal in a chin-jutting, brazenly pushy kind of way, but mostly we thought it was prodigiously quick and fabulous sounding, yet still overtly lacking in the dynamic subtlety that has made the Porsche Cayman probably the most agreeable sportscar of its generation. The TT RS’ engine –…

The 308 platform endows the 3008 with a fair degree of dynamic verve PEUGEOT 3008 1,6 THP ALLURE AUTO PRICE: TBA ETA: March 2017 WE ARE HERE WHILE Peugeot’s recent aesthetic renaissance has resulted in widespread acclaim thanks to such stylish staples as the spunky 208, its crossover-spin-off 2008 and the graceful 308, the chic new 3008 crossover offers a more challenging take on the established Peugeot aesthetic. But, in a cutthroat market where a new VW Tiguan (tested October 2016) is being met with widespread acclaim and a groundswell of expectation surrounds the latest Kia Sportage (turn to page 68 for a twin test of this vehicle), those rakish looks need to be shored up with some genuine substance. Although a capable vehicle in its own right, the previous…

Bold pricing strategy is all-but justified by this model, in particular Ian McLaren Runs the Tiguan and Kuga close, but I’d get the FWD diesel model Terence Steenkamp There are better value prospects in this segment Nicol Louw Comprehensive spec aside, this is a step too far in terms of pricing Ian McLaren The diesel is a much more satisfying car … and cheaper to boot Terence Steenkamp Price and transmission mar an excellent compact SUV crossover Steve Smith GT-Line adds such adornments as aluminium-look scuff plates front and rear, twin tailpipes and a panoramic sunroof as standard fitment. KIA SPORTAGE 2,0 CRDi SX AWD AT AS the most important model in Kia’s portfolio, 2010’s third-generation Sportage set the tone for this brand’s noteworthy rise in popularity in all markets,…

BMW i3 REx AT around 120 km into the trip from Cape Town to Stilbaai, I’m regretting my decision to use the i3 REx… Why hadn’t I taken colleague Sudhir up on his offer to use his internally combustioned A4 for the weekend? I’m 10 km beyond Worcester on the R60 and the i3 has nearly depleted its batteries and has begun mining the range-extending petrol engine to top them up and keep the electric motor running. The fuel range is disappearing at an alarming rate, Robertson is still 40 km away, overtaking punch has vanished and, annoyingly, the slab-sided i3 is proving disconcertingly sensitive to crosswinds. But, as soon as I hit the hillier section of the R60 and the drivetrain starts recuperating energy on declines and under braking,…

SUZUKI BALENO Priced from R199 900 Suzuki, the Japanese manufacturer with a well-deserved reputation for selling solid, value-for-money vehicles, has just launched a brand-new model in the local market. Suzuki Auto South Africa will offer the B-segment Baleno in two specification grades – GL and GLX – and all models are fitted with ABS, EBD and EBA, as well as two airbags for the GL and six on the GLX. All models will be powered by a petrol four-cylinder unit that is shared with its Swift sibling. The naturally aspirated 1,4-litre motor produces 68 kW at 6 000 r/min coupled with peak torque of 130 N.m at 4 200 r/min. The entry-level GL comes only with a manual gearbox, while GLX versions can be ordered with either the manual or…

Age 35-45 Budget R100-120 000 Status parent of three Vehicle type MPV with six or seven seats REQUIREMENTS This parent needs something with space for them and their spouse, children plus luggage, and at least one spare seat in case a friend joins on trips. It should be reasonably economical, with front-wheel drive for maximised interior space. Some luxury would be appreciated, too. THE VEHICLE We have chosen one six-seater MPV and two with seven seats. All are spacious, well designed and comfortable, with between 1,8- and 2,0-litre engine capacities. The reliability of their powertrains is arguably the best in the market, so we’ve selected vehicles with high mileages to meet the price cut-off. OUR CHOICE Honda FR-V 1,8 0-100 km/h: 11,18 sec Top speed: 190 km/h Power: 103 kW…

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. TWO ISSUES Firstly, Ford’s decision to introduce automatic transmissions across the entire Ranger bakkie line-up is a great one. Hitherto, and across the market, this option has been available only on bakkies costing from about R450 000, placing them beyond the reach of many ordinary folk. Congratulations, Ford, you have achieved what should have been done years ago. There will be two significant consequences: first, sales of Ranger bakkies will soar; and, second, other manufacturers will follow suit pretty damned quick. My second point arises…

budget car SIGNIFICANCE Renault’s Romanian cut-price subsidiary, Dacia, unveiled its revised budget city hatch at the recent Paris Motor Show. Sold as the popular Renault-badged Sandero in our market, it receives a new bumper, more prominent grille, revised air intakes, new LED running lights and redesigned taillamps. The interior also gets new features, materials, seat designs and storage areas. ENGINES & TRANSMISSIONS There are no confirmed details yet, but it’s likely the existing 66 kW/135 N.m, 0,9-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol will remain and could be joined by a 92 kW version of the 1,2-litre turbo-petrol unit that does service in the Clio. SIGNIFICANCE Selling around a 1 000 units a month, the Indian-built Etios is a heavy hitter in the South African market and offers low maintenance and financing costs. The…

# 1 FORZA HORIZON 3 R899 This year, you’re the director of the Horizon Festival in Australia, hiring and firing racers, as well as organising and creating custom racetracks around the map. Xbox One and PC # 2 ROCKET LEAGUE: COLLECTORS EDITION R576 Basically like soccer but with rocket-powered cars, the aim is to push a ball into your opponent's goal and score points over the course of a timed match. PS4, Xbox One and PC # 3 TRACKMANIA TURBO R680 With four environments, four gameplay modes and 200 unique tracks, this wild arcade stunt game should keep you occupied for months. PS4, Xbox One and PC # 4 RIDE2 R725 The ultimate superbike simulator is back with 190 motorcycles that are primed and ready to race on a collection…

RENAULT CLIO RS 220 TROPHY PRICE: TBA ETA: Q1 2017 WE ARE HERE A rather special Clio greets us on arrival at the Mortefontaine proving grounds about an hour outside Paris. It’s the Clio RS 16 – Renault Sport’s extravagant 40th birthday gift to itself – and unfortunately it’s only on display, the keys kept securely locked away from the likes of us. Technically, the Clio RS 16 is still a concept with its 201 kW/ 360 N.m, 2,0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit lifted directly from the manic Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R (along with the related transmission and cooling system) but, finished in the brand’s trademark Sirius Yellow hue, it looks like it’s just rolled off the production line in Dieppe. We first laid eyes on it the previous day at…

NISSAN NP200 1,5 DCi ICE PRICE: R236 900 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE WHO can forget the original Nissan 1400 bakkie, later called the Champ? There were scores of special editions and bespoke trim offerings over the course of its near four-decade production cycle. Now Nissan has turned a similar trick with its current entry-level bakkie, the NP200. As with the 1400, the NP200 is also manufactured at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant outside Pretoria. Called the ICE, the new model has a long list of additional equipment meant to appeal to buyers who use their bakkies during the week for work and for leisure activities come Saturday. Externally, the ICE is painted in a choice of Bright Silver or Starling Blue metallic paint. It also boasts a nudge bar that integrates…

THAT HASSLE-FREE BAKKIE LIFE tonneauSEAL YOUR BAKKIE tonneauKING® is known for its innovative products, and its hard and soft tri-fold™ covers are no exception. They’re simple to use and should outlive the life of your bakkie. Both types of covers are lockable, easy to fit and remove (no tools or drilling required) and use only top-quality materials. Another product of tonneauKING® is the tonneauSEAL, the only dust kit in South Africa that seals your entire bin and requires no drilling to fit. It comes in DIY kit form with everything you require to do the installation. The spaceCAGE, meanwhile, is designed for those who are tired of having things rolling around in the bin, like school cases, groceries and camping equipment, and the product can extend to give you more…

2016 MERCEDES-AMG CLA45 4MATIC 7G-DCT 1:25,70 CURRENT FASTEST FOUR-CYLINDER CAR 2008 LOTUS EXIGE S 1:25,20 BEFORE the revised Mercedes-AMG CLA45 hit the track, the related 2013 A45 was the third-fastest four-cylinder production car around Killarney Raceway, after two Lotuses. With more power and torque (280 kW/475 N.m) from the renowned 2,0-litre turbopetrol engine, the newer car looked set to pip the older AMG and jump onto the four-cylinder podium However, a temperature on the day of 29 degrees Celsius – turbocharged engines tend to dislike warm air – scuppered the CLA45’s chances and Deon Joubert managed to post a best time of 1:25,70, 0,03 seconds adrift of the A45. Said Deon: “It’s been a while since I drove the A45, but the CLA45 feels slightly softer in its suspension setup.…

FAMILY-CAR DEBATE SETTLED I thoroughly enjoyed your comparison of sedan and SUV (October 2016). I was taken back in time and appreciated how cars and car usage have changed. I was born in 1943 and, in 1948, my father sold his second-hand 1942 Dodge sedan and acquired a new 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster four-door sedan. I was car mad, an only child and, by 1954, when my dad needed a new car (his Chev had covered 72 000 miles around South Africa and Rhodesia), I was already a CAR subscriber and knew it all. To my chagrin, the family sedan he purchased was a Morris Minor two-door, his large 11-year-old son relegated to the back without windows that opened. I wanted a Simca Aronde sedan; CAR had tested it and thought…

Volvo is on the rise with a slew of promising new models and innovative technologies – it’s an exciting time to head up the South African subsidiary We’ll be launching two new models a year Volvo Car South Africa will launch the S90 – our new premium sedan – in early-2017, followed by the V90 Cross Country later in the year. From 2018 to 2020, we will have at least two new cars being introduced to the South African market each year, some being replacements of existing models and others introductions to new segments. It’s hard to believe that, in less than four years, the XC90 will be the oldest car in our showrooms. Expect more safety technologies Volvo’s Vision 2020 states that no one should be killed or seriously…

SO TRANQUIL IS THE SETTING THAT GREETS MY ARRIVAL AT OUR DESIGNATED PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION ALONG THE CAPE PENINSULA’S WEST COAST THAT I’M ALMOST EMBARRASSED TO INTERRUPT THE POSTCARD-LIKE SCENE. DUTCHMANN GUILD HARNESSES THE BEST OF FIVE DECADES OF 911 PRODUCTION IN A PACKAGE THAT REMAINS TRUE TO THE DONOR CAR In front of an open-top sportscar sits the vehicle’s owner and his wife, arm in arm, gazing at the orange sun making contact with the Atlantic Ocean. Unmistakably Porsche 911 and, by the absence of roof panels, a member of the Targa family, a closer inspection reveals detailing seemingly out-of-place from what you might find in any official Porsche documentation, especially the original brochure associated with the 964-generation 911 that this one-of-a-kind car is built on. A product of…

RENAULT CAPTUR 88 kW TURBO EDC DYNAMIQUE I SHOULD adore light crossovers. I live on Cape Town’s congested Atlantic Seaboard, with its narrow roads that suit smaller vehicles; don’t have offspring, so interior space isn’t of cardinal concern; and appreciate the odd weekend away with gravel roads en route, to which light crossovers and their raised ride heights are ideally suited. Yet, I’ve struggled to develop an endearing fondness for this new faddish vehicle. Some light crossovers haven’t been altered enough from their B-segment donor cars to justify the often-substantial price differences; others don’t offer sufficiently increased ground clearance and protective cladding to vindicate claims of being adventure vehicles; and yet more are compromised in how they drive. The Captur, however, promised to be a breath of fresh air. Coated…

CLEAN, smart, sophisticated and smooth. These were the first visual impressions imparted by BMW Motorrad’s Vision Next 100 as it glided onto the Los Angeles stage in front of the world’s media. According to Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad, this motorcycle concept “embodies the company’s vision of biking in a connected world; an analogue experience in a digital age”, in line with the BMW Group’s three other concepts revealed earlier this ENGINE As futuristic as this motorcycle appears, clear BMW trademarks remain. The distinctive black frame triangle and, more importantly, the boxer-shaped engine are all classic BMW design elements that take their cues from the brand’s first-ever motorcycle, the R32. Not that this is an actual flat-two boxer engine, but the concept will run on a futuristic…

In forced-induction engines (turbo- or supercharged), the intake air is compressed to above atmospheric pressure in order to supply the cylinders with more air (oxygen). However, the process of compressing the air raises the temperature (similar to air in a bicycle pump) and decreases the combustion efficiency, because hot air is less dense. This ups the tendency of knock (or auto-ignition) in petrol engines. A way to cool the compressed air is to pass it through an intercooler before it enters the combustion chambers. The most common type is air to air, where a radiator expels the heat to the air flowing through the intercooler. Another type is air to water, a method where the heat in the air is transferred to cool water passing through the unit.…

BEAT THE BADDIES CCTV SECURITY RECORDING SYSTEM Staying one step ahead of the bad guys has suddenly become a lot easier and more accessible thanks to this CCTV security-recording system. Unlike conventional systems, it doesn’t just record the action; it operates proactively by alerting you when your security has been breached. Remote viewing allows further peace of mind: the system is accessible on any smartphone from anywhere. Although sophisticated enough to provide colour images by day, the individual components are designed to be rugged and the cameras are waterproof. Priced from R1 599, with free delivery anywhere in South Africa. To find out more, email info@cctv-direct.co.za  or visit www.cctv-direct.co.za NO PLUMBER NEEDED LITTLE LUXURY 3 STAGE TAP FILTER The Little Luxury 3 Stage tap filter (R200) is perfect…

HEY, GOOD LOOKING tonneauKING® TONNEAU COVERS Well thought-out accessories made of high-quality materials can significantly enhance a vehicle’s look. That’s certainly the case with tonneauKING® Hard and Soft Covers, the first products of their type to have been approved worldwide as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) product. They’re hassle-free and lightweight; the soft cover weighs just 12 kilograms and the hard cover 29 kilograms. No tools or drilling is required for fitment and removal, which takes seconds. They are secured with your tailgate lock – no other soft cover is secure. Besides looking good, they improve vehicle aerodynamics and provide a potential fuel saving of up to 10 per cent per tank. OEM approved both locally and internationally, tonneauKING® Hard and Soft Covers are made using top-quality materials, like marine-grade…

TO illustrate how extremely popular Fords were in the 1960s and ‘70s, consider this: Fords occupied three out of the five top-seller positions in South Africa for the whole of 1969. Just behind the Volkswagen Beetle and Chrysler Valiant, the Cortina, Taunus and Escort found huge favour with local buyers. Our vehicle this month may not have featured on that list, but its modern-day appeal as an affordable classic is undisputed. In fact, the Fairlane could well be a sensible way to invest your money. PACKAGING As we mentioned in last month’s feature on the Ford Cortina Mk2, the 1970s brought in a rapid design swing to the squared-off style. The Australian-sourced Fairlane also moved from curves to corners, using a flat nose to best effect by adding stacked headlamps.…

1972 PORSCHE 917/10 To boost sales and promote its Porsche+Audi dealerships across North America, Porsche decided on a tried-and-trusted marketing formula: racing. It chose the now-legendary CanAm Championship (then dominated by the McLaren M8-Chevrolet cars), but the two naturally aspirated flat-12 917 PAs entered in the 1969 and ‘70 seasons were unable to get close to the torquier and lighter McLarens. Although Porsche did test a 16-cylinder engine, it was decided that turbo technology was the way forward and, in early 1970, Swiss driver Jo Siffert began the first tests of the 917/10-001. Initially plagued by slow throttle response, Siffert’s STP-sponsored 917/10 managed only a few podium finishes in 1971. The following year, however, was a different story. Porsche withdrew its factory team from the World Sportscar Championship and focused…