Innehållsförteckning för December 2018 från CAR

Congratulations to AI BUCKUS, who wins a hamper of an aviator-inspired, lightweight SOLO Altitude backpack (R1 499) and a stylish SOLO Ludlo tablet sling (R699) that can accommodate a tablet with up to an 11-inch screen SOLO Established in 2008, SOLO is committed to shaking up an old industry. The brand’s goal is to keep you moving in style with cool, thoughtfully designed bags and tablet cases. Since ’08, the streets of New York have provided SOLO with endless inspiration. Every design has a unique style, sparked by the sights and sounds of the city. While New York is a place SOLO calls home, that dynamic spirit translates everywhere. See www.gammatek.co.za for more info.…

PREMIUM MIDSIZE SUV/CROSSOVER AUDI Q3 The new Q3 is considerably larger than the previous car, measuring 4 485 mm long (97 mm up), 1 856 mm wide (plus 25 mm) and 1 585 mm high (down 5 mm), while its wheelbase has been stretched by 77 mm courtesy of the MQB27A2 VW Group Platform that underpins it. CONFIGURABLE CABIN The Q3’s interior features a greater degree of configurability than before owing to a 150 mm sliding rear bench and seatbacks with a three-way split (40:20:40) which may be tilted in seven increments to free up between 530 and 1 525 litres of load capacity. In addition, the luggage-compartment floor can be adjusted in three levels and the parcel shelf hidden under the bay’s floor. DOING AWAY WITH THE DIALS Audi…

LEWIS Hamilton sparked yet another debate about the state of F1 when the Mercedes driver said he would not be averse to a rethink in various areas of the Grand Prix format. He was not using his status as world champion to demand change but merely putting the idea out there. Reaction was predictably varied, ranging from ”don’t change a thing” to suggestions remarkable in their complexity. One website correspondent took nearly 900 words (that’s longer than this column) to explain a three-tier qualifying system so convoluted that readers – and, presumably, spectators – will have lost the will to live before the first car has turned a wheel. Although presented in meticulous detail, the idea was actually a perfect advert for keeping things straightforward. As discussed before, apart from…

The world was a different place in 1968. No cellphones or Internet, and clearly time moved slower. This is evident when trying to follow the measured plot of the movie. The pace picks up dramatically, however, when lieutenant Frank Bullitt (played by the King of Cool, Steve McQueen) is followed in his iconic Mustang by the bad guys in a Dodge Charger R/T. In a slick move, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Mustang appears in the rear-view mirror of the Charger. What happens next is one of the most exciting car chases of all time. No computer graphics or silly music here; just pure, unfiltered V8 guts and glory. McQueen drove most of the scene himself because of his love for cars and his racing expertise. Who cares…

ALTHOUGH the KUV100 has been available locally for only two years, the Indian automaker has deemed a few updates necessary (including the adoption of the NXt suffix). Perhaps the most significant of these is the South African range has been cleverly expanded to include a new base model, the K2+, which is priced at just R134 999. So, what’s changed across the range? Well, styling updates include a new seven-slat grille, while the redesigned double-lensed taillamps are complemented by indicators incorporated into the compact side mirrors. The front airdam has been blacked out and new silver skid plates (fore and aft) lend the little Mahindra some SUV-like presence. The vehicle sits fairly high (ground clearance is sufficient for gravel roads at 170 mm), as befits a crossover, with good visibility.…

Engine: 495 cm3 , 4-cyl, petrol Trans: 3-spd manual Power: 7,5 kW Torque: ±30 N.m Length: 2 710 mm Width: 1 175 mm What you need to know In December 1933, Jidosha Seizo Co. Ltd – predecessor of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd – was established in Yokohama with paid-in capital of ¥10 000 000. Yoshisuke Aikawa is named the company's president.…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front Air-con: climate Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/USB/Bluetooth Cruise control: standard Sat-nav: standard Park assist: standard Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: manual, incl. height Folding rear seat: 60:40 split Upholstery: cloth (leather opt) Isofix anchorages: no Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: no Wipers auto-on: no Headlamps auto-on: no…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front/side/curtain/knee Air-con: dual-zone climate Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/USB/Bluetooth Cruise control: standard, adaptive Sat-nav: standard Park assist: standard Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: electric, incl. height Folding rear seat: 60:40 split Upholstery: leather Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: no Wipers auto-on: standard Headlamps auto-on: standard…

FORD EVEREST 3,2 4WD XLT price R655 000 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 5/3 198 power (kW/r/min) 147/3 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 470/1 750-2 500 gears/drive 6x2/2-4 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,20 max speed (km/h) n/a fuel index (L/100 km) 9,8 luggage capac (L) 152/416/1 376 serv/maint plan S6/90 000 km OUR VERDICT Based on the Ranger, the Everest is the most compelling bakkie-bred SUV in our market. XLT trim includes a healthy level of spec, including modern active safety features. TOYOTA FORTUNER 2,8 GD-6 4X4 AUTO price R653 300 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/2 755 power (kW/r/min) 130/3 400 torque (N.m/r/min) 450/1 600-2 400 gears/drive 6x2/2-4 0-100 km/h (sec) 12,02 max speed (km/h) 180 fuel index (L/100 km) 10,2 luggage capac (L) 168/492/1 292…

VW PASSAT 2,0 TSI EXECUTIVE R-LINE DSG price R564 500 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 984 power (kW/r/min) 162/4 500 torque (N.m/r/min) 350/1 500-4 400 gears/drive 6/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 6,70 est max speed (km/h) 246 fuel index (L/100 km) 7,40 luggage capac (L) 408/1 112 serv/maint plan M5/100 000 km OUR VERDICT While Volkswagen South Africa markets the Passat alongside its newer Arteon cousin, the older nameplate offers impressive levels of build quality and roominess, as well as comprehensive standard specification. AUDI A4 2,0T FSI SPORT S TRONIC price R565 500 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 984 power (kW/r/min) 140/4 200 torque (N.m/r/min) 320/1 450-4 200 gears/drive 7/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 7,32 max speed (km/h) 210 fuel index (L/100 km) 5,90 luggage…

HOU, BENE, HOU! These people defied the limits of human endurance by setting world records in pedal-powered vehicles over 24 hours … only for them to be broken again 1 021,36 km (42,56 km/h) AXEL FEHLAU RIDING M-5 CARBONE IN GERMANY, 1995 1 041,25 km (43,39 km/h) GREG KOLODZIEJZYK RIDING CRITICAL POWER IN AMERICA, 2006 1 069,07 km (44,54 km/h) CHRISTIAN VON ASCHEBERG RIDING BüLK2 IN GERMANY, 2009 1 088,00 km (45,33 km/h) NICI WALDE RIDING VELOMOBILE IN GERMANY, 2018 1 107,84 km (46,16 km/h) JEFF NIELSEN RIDING A LIL OVERZEALOUS IN AUSTRALIA, 2010 1 219,02 km (50,79 km/h average) CHRISTIAN VON ASCHEBERG RIDING MILAN IN GERMANY, 2010…

BMW BOTHERS Willie Pansegrouw feels proud when people call him “Windsnyer”. In his youth, he represented South Africa as a short-distance runner and acquired his nickname soon after getting a gold medal at some prestigious international event. However, the truth is the name’s origin can be traced to a different event. Several pig breeders were gathered at a pub one day and somebody mentioned Willie’s latest win. One of the breeders said Willie’s long-nosed face and narrow-bodied shape reminded him of a windsnyer, one of our two indigenous pig breeds. Windsnyer recently bought a 2003 BMW 530d, although I warned him not to buy any turbodiesel second-hand. They tend to gradually accumulate damage due to inadequate servicing and bad driving habits such as lugging. This American term refers to accelerating…

DROPPED VALVE? My dad’s 2006 BMW 525i with 140 000 km on the odo recently had an engine failure while driving on the highway. I wasn’t in the vehicle so don’t know the circumstances or load on the (N52) engine at the time. A flatbed truck had to recover the car. Once home, we started the engine and it was misfiring and had little power while producing lots of smoke. Next, we removed the head to try to ascertain the problem. First thing I noticed was the spark plug on cylinder five was damaged and that one exhaust valve was gone but, even more concerning, the piston number five was missing (probably in pieces in the sump). The bore was badly scored, with the con-rod and gudgeon pin still visible.…

YOU never think about a cable until it snaps. It was recently front of my mind when the 1982 Yamaha IT250 I’m restoring needed a new clutch cable. Some older vehicles’ cables are difficult to source, while many modern units are expensive. The solution: fixing a cable. To research this feature, we visited repair specialist Cable Clinic in Cape Town. CABLE APPLICATIONS The number of components in classic and modern vehicles using cables is staggering and includes the accelerator, choke, clutch, handbrake, speedometer, gearshift, window winders (manual and electric) and bonnet and boot releases. A cable specialist is able to recondition and even rebuild all types of cables and usually stocks most of the components making up the unit. Those that are not in stock can either be ordered or…

The 1600 Sport was a major hit with the public when it was released in 1979. Apart from the return to classic round lighting with additional bumper-mounted spotlights, it had firmer suspension, an upgraded gearshift action, a free-flow exhaust, sports seating, a three-spoke steering wheel and pin-stripe decals. The acceleration to 100 km/h improved once more, to 13,1 seconds. Sales figures of Escort Mk2s were around 2 000 to 4 000 a year, but the 1600 Sport was such a hit it sold double the volume of the GL in 1979. In ‘79 and ’80, the Escort held fourth place in the sales charts behind the VW Golf, Mazda 323 and Ford Cortina.…

ON the morning after a shock defeat by Ferrari in the Belgian Grand Prix, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff emailed key members of his design staff. “In this email, I said ‘we are not giving up’,” explained Wolff. “‘This is not a championship we are going to lose. We need to understand why we have been outperformed.’ So, it was development, research, mindset, work ethic ... and fun.” The need for this email was driven by Mercedes and Ferrari having been in a nip-and-tuck battle. The momentum had swung one way and then the other as Sebastian Vettel led the drivers’ championship for the first three races, Lewis Hamilton taking charge for the next three, the pair then alternating until the mid-season break. The title could have gone either way as…

AZERBAIJAN, 29 APRIL Vettel started from pole and led easily until a safety-car period brought pit stops and a reshuffle as Valtteri Bottas stayed out. Desperate to regain the lead at the restart, Vettel locked up, clipped Bottas and ran wide. Hamilton inherited a win he never expected. FRANCE, 24 JUNE Leading the championship, Vettel tried to do something about the all-Mercedes front row but locked up going into the first corner, hit Bottas and send them both to the back of the field. Vettel recovered to finish fifth but Hamilton was untroubled at the front. GERMANY, 22 JULY Vettel had this one under control until, with 16 laps to go in damp conditions, he slid into the barrier. Hamilton, who had started from 14th on the grid, came through…

THE DRIVER Born in Fife, Scotland, Clark began racing on the local rally and hillclimb scene, proving fierce and tactically astute behind the wheel. In 1958, having established a name piloting Jaguar D-Types and Porsches in national events, Clark found himself following legendary team owner Colin Chapman across the finish line in a GT race at Brands Hatch. So impressed was Chapman with the young Scot, he would later offer him a seat at his Formula Junior team. Making his F1 debut in 1960, Clark would go on to register 25 victories, 32 podiums and two driver’s championships in a career spanning eight years. His last win was at the 1968 South African Grand Prix three months before he was tragically killed in an accident during a Formula Two race…

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. CAR PHOTOGRAPHERS Motoring journalists, in general, have multiple jobs, including keeping young and old car lovers excited, educated and entertained. Even if you have no specific interest in a particular vehicle being tested, the article has to be well written, expertly edited, educational and entertaining. What draws our attention to reading CAR magazine in the first place are the amazing photographs. As a fellow of the Photographic Society of Southern Africa, kudos to CAR’s photographers. Your work is superb. From the action shots with the…

AS explained to me at its international launch last year, if the Australian designer of the current BMW X3 range views his creation as a rugby player wearing a fitted suit, can we agree the all-new fourth-generation (G05) X5 is an NFL linebacker dressed by Hugo Boss? Certainly, while negotiating eight-lane Atlanta motorways brimming with US-built heavy machinery during the launch of the X5, the newfound brawn and presence of the latest version, complete with the largest-ever application of the brand’s famous kidney grille, didn’t for one moment feel out of place. Certainly, with the colossal X7 set to launch in the coming months, it’s clear BMW has drawn a line in the sand distinguishing how it wants its X range of SUVs to be perceived in the market.…

IN the not-too-distant past, we enjoyed the use of a Mahindra XUV500 W8 AT for a full 12 months and came to appreciate it as a solid seven-seater SUV. That long-term test also revealed the XUV500 to be a surprisingly proficient off-roader, notwithstanding the front-wheel drive on that particular model. And now it’s time for a second upgrade to the XUV500 range which debuted here in 2012. Interestingly, a lower-specced (W6) automatic variant has been added to the line-up, while an entry-level W4 has also been introduced for just under R300 000. The new flagship featured here is dubbed the W10. It boasts a six-speed auto transmission, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, new sunroof, a stop/start function and keyless entry. This comes in addition to the host of features…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front/side/curtain Air-con: tri-zone climate Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/USB/Bluetooth/SD Cruise control: standard Sat-nav: standard Park assist: standard Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: electric, incl. height Folding rear seat: 60:40 - 50:50 split Upholstery: leather Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: standard Wipers auto-on: standard Headlamps auto-on: standard…

FEATURES CHECKLIST Airbags: front/side/curtain/knee Air-con: dual-zone climate Audio system: radio/CD/MP3/aux-in/USB/Bluetooth Cruise control: standard Sat-nav: no Park assist: standard Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust: electric, incl. height Folding rear seat: no Upholstery: faux leather Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: standard Wipers auto-on: standard Headlamps auto-on: standard…

CROCODILES are scary. You need years of experience and training to capture a grown one. During a recent visit to a crocodile farm, I held a baby one and, although tiny, it still needed a rubber band around its snout to keep me safe (as the ranger sassily said, “they can be snappy”). This lesson in handling wildlife is relevant to KTM’s Duke range, I promise. While the 1290 Super Duke R can be compared to an angry, grown croc that may just be too much to handle for most, this 790 Duke bears resemblance to that baby I tentatively held. For one, the styling cues are pure predator. The headlights look like the eyes of a beast and the sharp plastic protrusions running forward from the tank are akin…

The bad news right now is, locally, there is no set date for the introduction of the WLTP figures for new vehicles. This is a particularly sensitive subject because CO2 figures are linked to tax paid to the government, as well as the prices of new vehicles. As the WLTP yields higher CO2 and claimed fuel-economy figures, it will lead to higher vehicle prices for the consumer although the actual vehicle (and technology) is exactly the same. The ideal scenario would be to introduce the new WLTP figures to give more realistic claimed fuel-consumption figures to the consumer but alter the CO2 tax equation so that a similar amount of tax is paid to keep vehicle pricing constant.…

DISCOVERY CUTTING OUT I own a 2006 Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 petrol I purchased new and it has covered 96 000 km. It is serviced regularly and used only for longer distances with virtually no town driving. Last year, we went to Kruger National Park and filled up at Phalaborwa when the tank was virtually empty before entering the park. Within 20 km inside Kruger, we noticed a series of slight jerks as if it was running out of fuel but the engine-warning light did not come on. This problem progressively worsened as we headed towards Letaba where we sought the help of a local workshop. They removed the tank and blew compressed air into it to see how the fuel ran through the pipes, noticing only clean fuel…

EXPERIENCING hours of continuous live racing is a rare thing. And few disciplines are as thrilling or engaging to watch as World Rallycross. For hours on end, the air is filled with the shrieks of highly tuned engines battling it out across various classes in races lasting only a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it couple of laps. The drivers aren’t afraid to bump or nudge their rivals but even the smallest mistake could mean losing the lead all the way to the back of the field. Seeing these 450 kW hatches in action and how fast they accelerate is truly enthralling. 2 MINUTES WITH PETTER SOLBERG CAR: How does WRC and WRX differ? PS: To drive a rally stage is incredible. It is flat-out, just you and the navigator, often through a forest. But…

PREMIUM MIDSIZE SEDAN BMW 3 SERIES The new Three is underpinned by a revised version of the 5 Series’ CLAR platform, making it markedly larger than its predecessor; growing 76 mm in length, 41 mm in the wheelbase and with front and rear tracks that have stretched by 43 and 21 mm, respectively. In fact, it’s not that much smaller than the current 5 Series. While it is bigger, the new car is also up to 55 kg lighter than its forebear and boasts an impressively slippery Cd figure of just 0,26. SHARPER SHELL BMW was never going to mess too much with the 3’s styling but the latest car has some bold new elements. Headlamps: the new units feature a more aggressively scalloped base and straked LED elements. Grille:…

THERE’s nothing quite like sidestepping the clutch on a big V8-powered brute … especially one wearing a Mustang badge. No flappy-paddle transmissions or turbocharged frippery here; just a thumping 5,0-litre lump under a vast bonnet, connected to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Traction control off, clutch in, cue-ball shifter into first, revs up and go! Eight cylinders of fury bark from the open exhausts as torque is transferred through the limited-slip differential to the unfortunate strips of Michelin Pilot Sport rubber wrapped around the rear alloys. The Mustang’s back-end wiggles down the road, necessitating slight steering corrections to keep it on the black stuff, while tyre smoke fills the rear-view mirror. Antisocial? Yes, but I’m sure Steve McQueen would’ve approved. When it comes to special occasions, Ford…

A SINGLE glance at the photograph above is all you need to realise the Kona is one of the most boldly styled models Hyundai has yet offered in South Africa. Slim LED daytime-running lights – separated by a slit just above the latest interpretation of Hyundai’s signature grille – trace the front edge of the bonnet, while the main LED headlamps are positioned further down and integrated into the chunky cladding that itself extends over the wheelarches. The foglamps, meanwhile, are sited below the grille, unusually close together. While not quite as quirky as the front, the Kona’s rump nevertheless sports a handful of eccentric styling elements, chief among them the C-shaped light clusters – like the headlamps, framed by black cladding and sited far lower than is traditional…

RENAULT DUSTER 1,5 dCi 4x2 PRESTIGE EDC price R334 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 461 power (kW/r/min) 80/4 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 250/1 750 gears/drive 6/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 13,04 max speed (km/h) 169 fuel index (L/100 km) 5,76 luggage capac (L) 336/1 242 serv/maint plan S3/45 000 km OUR VERDICT Spacious, comfortable, frugal and well equipped, the new Duster can do little wrong. And from next month it’ll offer a 4x4. The small SUV/ crossover to beat. FORD ECOSPORT 1,0 ECOBOOST AT TITANIUM price R339 900 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 3/999 power (kW/r/min) 92/6 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 170/1 500-4 500 gears/drive 6/F 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,52 max speed (km/h) 181 fuel index (L/100 km) 7,60 luggage capac (L) 280/1 032 serv/maint…

VW TIGUAN ALLSPACE 2,0 TSI COMFORTLINE 4MOTION DSG price R523 800 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 984 power (kW/r/min) 132/4 200 torque (N.m/r/min) 320/1 500-3 940 gears/drive 7/4 0-100 km/h (sec) 8,96 max speed (km/h) 208 fuel index (L/100 km) 9,24 luggage capac (L) 176/368-480/1 376 serv/maint plan S5/90 000 km OUR VERDICT A turbopetrol offering low-down torque and a dual-clutch ‘box delivering smooth shifting lend the Tiguan Allspace a distinct edge. Not as happy off tarmac, though. Two extra seats a bonus. SUBARU FORESTER 2,0i-S ES LINEARTRONIC CVT est price R499 000 cyl/capac (cm3 ) 4/1 995 power (kW/r/min) 115/6 000 torque (N.m/r/min) 196/4 000 gears/drive V/4 0-100 km/h (sec) 11,53 max speed (km/h) 193 fuel index (L/100 km) 9,12 luggage…

The fuel price is soaring and everyone is desperate for cheaper transport. Is it conceivable to cover great distances on human power alone? Nici Walde has just proved so by smashing the 24-hour women’s distance record by cycling 1 088 km on her Opel-branded tricycle (Opel has a long tradition of bicycle manufacturing dating back to 1886) around the Opel test track in Rodgau-Dudenhofen, Germany. It is no ordinary vehicle, as the three-wheel recumbent bicycle with aerodynamic fairing can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h. It’s 2 570 mm long, 640 mm wide, 880 mm high and weighs just 14 kg. Although not many people are top athletes like Walde, maybe this concept can spark a new breed of highly efficient vehicles placing low running costs above performance and…

The need for a more realistic test cycle was recognised as far back as 2007 by the United Nations. Contrary to popular belief, the development of the WLTP preceded the Dieselgate emissions scandal which shocked the automotive world in 2015. The aim of the new cycle is to provide a test that could be run under controlled conditions in a laboratory and would produce repeatable results (as is the case with NEDC) but be more realistic of actual driving on the road. Countries such as the United States, Europe, India, Korea and Japan participated in providing real-world driving data for the development process.…

RAIN SENSOR The rain sensor is found inside the cabin, usually as part of or behind the rear-view mirror. How does the sensor know that there is moisture on the windscreen? The most common method of detection is termed “total internal reflection” where an infrared light is beamed at the windscreen at 45 degrees. When the glass is dry, all the light is reflected back to a sensor. In contrast, when a film of water (or droplets) attaches to the outside of the windscreen, some of the light “escapes” and does not reflect back to the sensor. Depending on the sensitivity of the calibration, a signal is sent to trigger the operation of the windscreen wipers. Because the sensor is located within the swept area of the windscreen, it picks…

When you buy a classic, it should be a positive experience. The best way to avoid any pitfalls is to have the car thoroughly inspected by a specialist. This will cost about R2 000 and the report will highlight any defects, bodywork or parts that may need attention. Apart from stating the obvious (maintenance, rust, engine condition, perishables, documentation, matching numbers of the chassis and engine), take your time to go through the car. Check for panel gaps that might indicate any accident damage and, if the seller allows, take it for a drive. Listen to the engine, test the brakes and turn the steering wheel to hear for any odd noises. If you want to do a more thorough check, there are buyer guides for most models. Do your…