Innehållsförteckning för April 2021 från CAR

Greetings CAR readers. It’s the April issue and that can mean only one thing: it’s time to award our Top 12 Best Buys for 2021. Yes, it’s been a trying year for the motor trade with the country’s new-car sales down 29,1% to a two-decade low on the back of coronavirus restrictions and its associated difficulties. However, to borrow a well-worn cricketing phrase: “Form is temporary and class is permanent”, and we know the bright, talented and supremely motivated people of this business are too good to be kept down for long. Now more than ever is the time to stick together and work with manufacturers to get our industry back on its feet and firing on all cylinders. Awarding our best new and used buys is a start and…

Audi A3 Sportback Q4 2021Audi E-tron Q4 2021Audi RS Q3 and Sportback Q2 2021Audi RS Q8 Q2 2021Audi RS6 Avant Q2 2021Audi RS7 Sportback Q2 2021Audi S8 Q2 2021Audi Q2 facelift Q2 2021Audi Q5 facelift Q2 2021BMW 128ti Q2 2021BMW M3/M4 Competition Q2 2021BMW M5 CS Q3 2021BMW iX3 Q4 2021Changan Sedan Q3 2021Datsun Cross Q3 2021Ferrari Portofino M Q2 2021Honda Civic Type R facelift Q2 2021Isuzu D-Max 2022Jaguar E-Pace facelift Q2 2021Jaguar F-Pace SVR facelift Q2 2021Kia Sonet Q2 2021Kia Sorento Q2 2021Kia Carnival Q2 2021Land Rover Discovery facelift Q2 2021Land Rover Discovery Sport update Q2 2021Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Q2 2021update Lexus IS facelift Q2 2021Lexus LC500 Convertible Q3 2021Mahindra Scorpio Q3 2021Mahindra Thar Q2 2021Maserati MC20 Q2 2021McLaren 765LT Q2 2021Mitsubishi Xpander Cross Q1 2021Nissan Magnite…

1908 FORD MODEL T Perhaps the most influential car in history, the Model T was the first car to have been mass produced and carry over the body-on-chassis construction originally used by horse-drawn coachbuilders to the automotive sphere. 1990 JAGUAR XJR 15 Produced by JaguarSport, a subsidiary of Jaguar and Tom Walkinshaw Racing and limited to 50 homologation examples, the XJR-15 was the world’s first road car to feature a monocoque and bodywork made entirely from carbon fibre. 1994 AUDI A8 Audi’s 1994 A8 was the first mass-production car to feature an aluminium chassis. The construction involved integrating an aluminium spaceframe into the bodywork in a process since marketed as Audi Space Frame. 2016 LOCAL MOTORS STRATI While it may borrow mechanical running gear from the Renault Twizy, the Strati…

Suzuki S-Presso 1,0 GL R145 900 The pseudo-crossover styling may not be to everyone’s taste but you can’t go wrong with Suzuki’s cheapest and cheeriest model. Suzuki Swift 1,2 GA R176 900 A previous winner of this award, 2019’s victor was neck and neck yet again with the Hyundai and newer S-Presso. An excellent alternative. Kia Picanto 1,0 Start R183 995 The A-segment’s looker, only the most affordable Picanto Start just crept in below our budget cap. Toyota Agya 1,0 R178 600 A good no-frills motor vehicle but doesn’t tick as many boxes as the competition ... or the discontinued Aygo for that matter. Suzuki Celerio 1,0 GA R153 900 If money’s tight, you can’t go wrong with Suzuki’s great-value Celerio, a previous A-segment winner. New models on the way:…

Audi A3 R501 900-R762 169 A previous Top 12 champ, the A3 has had an incredible run and remains one of the premium segment’s best, even in its run-out year. Due for replacement in Q4. Mazda3 R366 100-R485 000 Inside and out, the svelte Mazda is a masterclass in understated excellence. An expansive range includes sedan and hatch, 1,5- and 2,0-litre engines, manual and automatic. Toyota Corolla Sedan/Hatch R369 100-R433 700 Like a Quest with added lustre, Japanese-sourced vehicles offer attention-grabbing design and noteworthy refinement to show off Toyota’s newfound confidence. BMW 2 Series R655 078-R1 741 552 Encapsulating Coupé, Cabriolet, Gran Coupé and dynamic M2 (Competition and CS) derivatives, it was an easy decision to include the 2 Series range as a finalist. Mercedes-Benz A-Class R585 960-R1 156 840…

Criteria: Once again, one of the broader categories, this one encompasses the German Big Three and their respective offshoots, plus cars from other European and Asian manufacturers. Anything below A6, 5 Series and E-Class in terms of size and price. BMW 3 SERIES 2nd WIN Models: 7 Price range: R667 724-R1 090 616 Our favourite: M340i xDrive Steptronic One of the few unanimous votes from the CAR team ensures a second consecutive win for BMW. Like the models before it, it’s safe to say the 3 Series defines the segment with its incredible breadth of ability. Engaging rear-wheel-drive dynamics, a wonderfully finished and pleasingly spacious cabin, and a wide scope of performance to suit customer needs makes it the class of the field. In fact, it netted the highest score…

BMW X3 R737 172-R1 641 162 From the frugal diesels (including a sublime 3,0-litre) to a barnstorming M turbopetrol derivative, the locally built X3 covers all the bases. Range Rover Velar R1 296 172-R1 834 000 More expensive and lavish than other cars of a similar size, the Velar also feels the most upmarket in this segment. Audi Q5 R791 500-R1 169 500 Due for a facelift and update to its in-cabin tech, the Q5 is a quietly confident midsize SUV that’s become the default choice for many. Porsche Macan R1 019 000-R1 699 000 Beautifully resolved in the ride and handling department, the Macan continues to assert itself as the sportiest of the premium midsize crossovers. Land Rover Discovery Sport R872 862-R1 291 300 Whether in diesel, petrol or…

Range Rover Sport R1 295 308-R2 858 462 The Defender might have relegated the Sport to runner-up status on this occasion but this is still on balance one of the best products Land Rover produces. BMW X5 R1 341 482-R2 632 258 A previous winning combination of fantastic drivetrains, drum-tight interior and supreme rolling refinement. The xDrive 30d is all the SUV luxury you could need. Volvo XC90 R1 150 800-R1 436 500 A recent upgrade could have done more to update Volvo’s big seven seater but, in terms of practicality, comfort and efficiency, it’s almost untouchable. Porsche Cayenne R1 419 000-R3 189 000 If you don’t need absolute space, the debonair coupé is a rewarding alternative to the Cayenne SUV. Great VW Group drivetrains and a handsome cockpit. BMW…

ENGINE Porsche’s 4,0-litre flat-six As the world goes electric, we can’t help but point out the visceral brilliance of the high-revving, naturally aspirated 4,0-litre flat-six engine in the 991.2 911 GT3 RS. There’s a reason this exhilarating sportscar netted five stars in our October 2020 test, after all. DESIGN Ford Bronco It’s not easy reinventing an icon but Ford has done a splendid job with the new Bronco, mixing retro design cues with modern tech and pukka off-road ability. Now the Blue Oval brand just needs to build this T6-based model in right-hand drive … MOTORSPORT Brad Binder After storming to victory in the Czech Republic to become the first South African to win a MotoGP championship race (and later claiming the Rookie of the Year gong), Potchefstroom-born Brad Binder…

Better at being a Geländewagen than the Affalterbachfettled G63Ryan Bubear Many intangibles go into making the G-Class such a desirable vehicle. I absolutely love itRay Leathern As legendary as always and stands out from the crowd as a true 4x4 SUVWilhelm Lutjeharms All things considered, the G400d is worth every penny … if you can afford it, that isMarius Boonzaier Price: R2 892 840 0-100 km/h: 7,23 seconds Top speed: 210 km/h Power: 243 kW Torque: 700 N.m CAR fuel index: 11,52 L/100 km CO2 : 252 g/km In South Africa, there are precious few cars that command instant respect when they drive down the street. For a badge to develop a strong reputation, it needs to be associated with something tough, luxurious, powerful and long-lived. There’s no product currently that…

Volvo XC40 T3 Momentum AT Crowned 2018’s World Car of the Year, the XC40 puts no foot wrong. The stylish Swede’s sublime interior build, composed ride and standard maintenance plan award it top spot.  price: R618 500 cyl/capac: 3/1 477 cm3 power: 110 kW/5 500 r/min torque: 265 N.m/1 500-3 000 r/min gears/drive: 8/F 0-100 km/h: 10,10 sec est top speed: 195 km/h fuel index: 8,04 L/100 km luggage capac: 320/1 168 L serv/maint plan: M5/100 000 km Volkswagen T-Roc 2,0 TSI 4Motion R-Line DSG VW’s in-vogue crossover is dynamically capable yet comfortable. However, it’s priced disturbingly close to more accomplished crossovers. Better value can be found lower in the range.  price: R593 600 cyl/capac: 4/1 984 cm3 power: 140 kW/4 500-6 200 r/min torque: 320 N.m/1 500-4 400 r/min…

3 308 km 7,78 L/100 km + generous standard equipment; easy manoeuvrability - distracting voice prompts when reversing In to month three with our Mahindra, and although town driving has increased its fuel consumption, the XUV300’s odometer indicates a still respectable figure of just below the 8,00 L/100 km marker. Thanks to its compact dimensions and standardfitment reverse camera, with front and rear parking sensors, it’s a cinch to manoeuvre in tight spaces. There is, however, one bugbear we have with the park-assist package; once reverse gear is selected and rearview feed displayed on the seven-inch display, a loud (and somewhat distracting) voice prompt asking the driver to select their preferred parking mode is relayed over the speakers. Fortunately, this feature can be muted.…

BAHRAIN AREA: Sakhir LAP: 5 412 m/15 corners RACE DISTANCE: 308 238 m/57 laps LAP RECORD: Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren – 2005) 1 min 31,447 sec 2020 WINNER: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2 hr 59 min 47,515 sec 2020 POLE: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1 min 27,264 sec 2020 FASTEST LAP: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 1 min 32,014 sec ITALY AREA: Imola LAP: 4 909 m/19 corners RACE DISTANCE: 309 049 m/63 laps LAP RECORD: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes – 2020) 1 min 15,484 sec 2020 WINNER: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1 hr 28 min 32,430 sec 2020 POLE: Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1 min 13,609 sec 2020 FASTEST LAP: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1 min 15,484 sec TBA AREA: TBC LAP: TBC RACE DISTANCE: TBC LAP RECORD: n/a 2020 WINNER: n/a 2020 POLE:…

MODEL: Audi e-tron GT quattro POWER: 350 kW* TORQUE: 630 N.m 0-100 KM/H: 4,1 seconds TOP SPEED: 245 km/h *390 kW on overboost MODEL: Audi RS e-tron GT POWER: 440 kW* TORQUE: 830 N.m 0-100 KM/H: 3,3 seconds TOP SPEED: 250 km/h *475 kW on overboost SCULPTED BY THE WIND Billed as a dynamic work of art, Audi states the e-tron GT looks like it was sculpted by the wind. And it was; the e-tron GT was designed in close collaboration between Audi’s aerodynamic engineers. The painstakingly sculpted bodywork measures 4 990 mm long, 1 960 mm wide and 1 410 mm tall, lending the firm’s flagship EV a drag coefficient of just 0,24. Active aerodynamics include adjustable air inlets sited behind the single-frame grille and below the headlamps, and…

TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph Price: R115 000 (excl. VAT) Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer and German sportscar manufacturer Porsche have announced a new alliance that celebrates their common motorsport DNA. The first in a series of ventures is a new watch: the TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph. • Porsche’s engraved inscription on the bezel • Oscillating mass redesigned in tribute to Porsche’s celebrated steering wheel design • Asphalt effect on the dials expresses a passion for the open road • Timepiece presented on a soft strap in luxurious calf leather or on an interlocking bracelet • At its heart is the Calibre Heuer 02 manufacture movement with an 80-hour power reserve…

Price: R499 000 Engine: 2,0-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol Transmission: 6-speed automatic Power: 121 kW @ 6 000 r/min Torque: 213 N.m @ 4 000 r/min 0-100 km/h: 8,9 seconds* Top speed: 198 km/h* CO2 : 155 g/km* Rivals: Audi Q2, BMW X2, Mini Countryman, Peugeot 2008, Volkswagen T-Roc, Volvo XC40 + slick design; holistic approach to premium motoring - not exactly affordable … nor on the cutting edge of tech Spend some time in the company of Mazda employees and you get the idea they are selling not so much a tasty piece of personal mobility, but rather a whole new approach to culture, perhaps even life itself. The CX-30, a compact crossover that slots into the range between the CX-3 and the CX-5, is the second example of Mazda’s product line-up…

Kia Seltos R393 995-R489 995 The handsome and spacious Korean is one of SA’s best crossovers; unsurprising considering it’s good to drive, economical, solidly built and well equipped. Renault Duster R289 900-R374 900 If your preference is diesel, the chisel-jawed Duster fits the bill. It’s rugged, dependable and offers an AWD option which tackles obstacles with aplomb. Ford EcoSport R297 400-R393 600 A massive sales success for the Blue Oval despite its advanced age and ubiquity; the EcoSport remains a capable, comfortable crossover. Hyundai Venue R301 500-R393 500 A great urban weapon if you’re tight on space; the Venue boasts a fizzy 1,0-litre turbopetrol and unique looks. Mazda CX-3 R346 700-R469 700 Not as spacious or practical as its competitors, but well equipped and boasting a strong 2,0-litre petrol engine.…

Mercedes-Benz C-Class R723 360-R1 838 200 Placing second in our voting and still as impressive as ever in its twilight years – the W206 model out of East London is imminent – the C-Class, as always, is a class act. Audi A4 R644 000-R944 500 The facelifted A4 continues to impress with its refined road manners, despite it trailing the BMW and Mercedes in terms of dynamics. Audi A5 R751 000-R1 152 000 Sportback, Coupé and Cabriolet … and not a dud between them. Effectively an A4 with a makeover, the A5 is all about catching admiring glances. Lexus ES R663 000-R931 400 Bigger than most in this class and the only vehicle offering a hybrid option, pound for pound the Lexus ES is the best car the Japanese luxury…

Porsche Panamera R1 602 000-R3 449 000 More refined than you’d imagine, yet a real dynamic delight, the Panamera supersizes what makes the 911 so appealing … and gives it four doors. BMW 5 Series R935 996-R2 207 824 Affordability isn’t a top criterion here but there isn’t a better midsize saloon than the 5 Series for the money. Pick a sub-R1 million 520d for luxury and sobriety. Audi A7 R1 298 000-R1 500 000 Rakish good looks, a sleek, modern interior and a lively V6 turbopetrol coupled with a 48 V electric system make the A7 a hugely appealing prospect. Mercedes-Benz CLS R1 342 360-R1 683 320 Like its Audi A7 rival, we admire the CLS’s combination of beauty and brawn; so much so it replaces the E-Class on…

Toyota Hilux R476 900-R851 100 The bestselling double-cab bakkie in 2020, recent additions to the Hilux range have only bolstered its appeal. Volkswagen Amarok R663 100-R996 000 The sole V6 diesel bakkie here is the most refined and best riding but pricing skews its appeal towards the premium end. Mitsubishi Triton R549 995-R669 995 An acquired taste in the double-cab market and massively underrated, but one we respect hugely. Drives well, looks tough, generously equipped. Isuzu D-Max R385 000-R846 700 Yes, it’s ancient and, yes, it doesn’t drive as well as its rivals, but the D-Max soldiers on with impeccable reliability and a solid dealer network. Nissan Navara R527 300-R714 300 Solidly built, with great interior comfort and conveniences, the Navara offers an strong alternative to the bakkie Big Three.…

Email: car@ramsaymedia.co.za Mail: CAR, PO Box 180, Howard Place, 7450 OVER TO YOU ... 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. T-ROC WOES I bought a new Volkswagen T-Roc Design 2,0 TSI 4Motion in Swakopmund, Namibia, on 4 January which I had pre-ordered four months prior. I specified most of the options as I enjoy driving my vehicles. Here is the thing. The day after I bought my car, I contacted the dealer as I could not find the cruise control activation. I assumed a car in this class and price with…

Mercedes-Benz G400d Stronger than Time 4Matic 9G-Tronic Yes, the price is steep but the G400d is a unique offroader with three diff locks and a solid rear axle. It’s also one of the most affordable premium SUVs on the market.  price: R2 892 840 cyl/capac: 6/2 925 cm3 power: 243 kW/3 600-4 200 r/min torque: 700/1 200-3 200 r/min gears/drive: 9/4 0-100 km/h: 7,23 sec top speed: 210 km/h fuel index: 11,52 L/100 km luggage capac: 368/1 592 L serv/maint plan: M5/100 000 km Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 The SDV8 is arguably the best engine for the Range Rover. Couple this with a plush interior and capable chassis and it’s enough to give the G400d a run for its money off-road.  price: R2 804 092 cyl/capac: 8/4 367 cm3…

Land Rover Defender D240 S It might be the entry-level version but the new Defender is both capable on- and off-road and offers a host of (expensive) options. Ride quality trumps that of its competitors.  price: R1 158 942 cyl/capac: 4/1 999 cm3 power: 177 kW/4 000 r/min torque: 430 N.m/1 400 r/min gears/drive: 8/4 0-100 km/h: 9,10 sec est top speed: 188 km/h fuel index: 9,20 L/100 km luggage capac: 408/1 704 L serv/maint plan: M5/100 000 km Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI Luxury With a smooth V6 turbodiesel and the best performance here, as an everyday proposition, the Touareg is hard to beat. Dynamically it is the best of the trio.  price: R1 191 800 cyl/capac: V6/2 967 cm3 power: 190 kW/3 250-4 250 r/min torque: 600 N.m/2 250-3…

9 178 km 9,86 L/100 km + fantastic on the open road - engine might be (incorrectly) seen as too small by some It has been a busy month for our Ford Ranger Thunder. As its odometer surpassed 14 000 km (not all the mileage done by CAR), I booked it in for a service at Kelfords Ford in Somerset West. Overall, I was very impressed with the work carried out, as well as the customer service. Two small windscreen chips were repaired for just R400. Approaching the 15 000 km mark, I was about to head to the Free State to visit family on their farm and wanted the Ford to be serviced, ready to go and in fine form before the long road. You can never be too…

The criteria Vehicles not older than three years The context Using the same categories as our Top 12 Best Buys awards on page 38, these are the used vehicles we reckon will make great buys in 2021, especially if your budget dictates a tightening of the purse strings this year. In each category, we provide a choice of two we believe to be best. 01 BUDGET CAR <R120 000 Hyundai Grand i10 Although the Suzuki Celerio and the Kia Picanto are hot on the heels of this and last year’s budget winner (the Hyundai Atos), the facelifted Hyundai Grand i10 has a decent number of units available and it is possible to find 1,25-litre four-cylinder models that offer 64 kW instead of the three-cylinders’ 48 kW. An automatic option is…

In November 1967, Volvo began assembling cars in South Africa. Using the Motor Assemblies plant in Durban, these were the first Volvos in the world to be manufactured outside of Sweden. This was a mere 12 months after tooling up to build the same model in Scandinavia. The Bendix corporation invented a fuel injection system called the Electrojector. This proved unreliable but the patents were bought up by Bosch which continued development and came up with the D-Jetronic (druck for pressure). Then followed K (kontinuierlich for continuous) and L (luft for air) and so on. Changes in microprocessors, the number of injections per cycle, fuel pressure, air volume and air pressure measurement methods were all improved and more sophisticated electronics and lambda sensors incorporated. This development all took place from…

Please note some of these prices may have been updated in our road tests, which were signed off later. THE CAR GUIDE SHOWS: 1. All models currently available on the South African market, listed by manufacturer. 2. We also list the models in five separate categories in price order. 3. There are two horizontal strips associated with each range of models. The first one lists common features and the second one enumerates good and bad features, some replacement dates and possible rival choices.…

140 kW Power 375 N.m Torque 8,9 sec 0-100 km/h 160 km/h Top speed 486 km Electric range Revealed in EQA250 guise, the first all-electric compact crossover from Mercedes-Benz is equipped with an asynchronous electric motor driving the front wheels via a fixed-ratio transmission. Plugged into an “appropriate” charging station, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer reveals the two-deck 66,5 kWh battery pack can be replenished with a maximum output of 100 kW. This means the battery unit can be recharged to 80% in around 30 minutes. Look inside and you’ll notice the cabin is reminiscent of the GLA. However, the EQA is fitted with rose gold-coloured trim and, as this is an EV, electric-specific display elements, shown either on the seven-inch cluster or Mercedes’ MBUX widescreen. Additional variants, including a 200 kW…

Volkswagen Polo R284 200-R437 300 Every bit as sophisticated as the Audi A1, yet substantially cheaper, the Polo is spacious, refined and upmarket … but then again, so is the Polo Vivo at a lower price point. Toyota Starlet/ Suzuki Baleno R204 900-R274 900 Bar their badge, and respective aftersales bits, the Starlet and Baleno are the same great car … so great in fact, that we felt justified in combining their standings here. Ford Figo R215 100-R263 200 Light on fuel, light on your pocket and with an expansive range that incorporates hatch, sedan and crossover body styles, the Figo is a pragmatic offering. Ford Fiesta R314 900-R375 500 No question the segment’s most dynamic option, the Fiesta’s EcoBoost engine is unparalleled. An underappreciated car in South Africa. Hyundai…

Mazda CX-5 R448 800-R666 100 Eye-catching design, a beautifully finished cabin and a fantastic ride/ handling balance unite to elevate the CX-5 above its Japanese brethren … very nearly to the top. Toyota RAV4 R454 400-R630 800 Big is the word that springs to mind when you think RAV4. Big space, spec and size. And a big dealer network. Hyundai Tucson R461 500-R718 400 A consistent bestseller, Hyundai’s Tucson strikes a chord with buyers thanks to sturdy build quality, ease of driving and comprehensive aftersales care. Kia Sportage R442 995-R613 995 Good-looking, generously equipped and with a stellar turbodiesel engine; along with the Seltos, the Sportage is one of Kia’s success stories. Subaru Forester R486 000-R564 000 With a good-value price point, beefed-up drivetrains and go-anywhere capability, the new Forester…

Toyota Fortuner R566 800-R790 500 SA’s popular big SUV didn’t quite receive the comprehensive makeover we were expecting in 2020. That said, there is always Toyota’s healthy dealership network. Ford Everest R552 500-R819 400 An excellent bakkie-based SUV, the latest Everest has benefited from new, improved drivetrains of late. Our favourite is the still expensive 2,0 BiT XLT. Kia Sorento R665 995-R735 995 Last year’s winner, the sensible Korean ran the competition close in voting thanks to its superb refinement, comfort and versatile 2,2 CRDi engine. Hyundai Santa Fe R655 900-R824 900 More or less the same prospect as the more-affordable Kia, the one we think makes a statement is the 4WD Elite at a rather pricey R824 900. Isuzu MU-X R643 100-R712 200 Last-generation motor, feels old-school in this…

Criteria: Like the luxury saloons and two-doors, these vehicles reign supreme in terms of comfort, quality and capability. This category starts with the Q7/X5/GLE and their rivals and soars to the Bentayga and Urus. LAND ROVER DEFENDER 1st WIN Models: 37 Price range: R1 110 504-R1 726 600 Our favourite: Defender 110 D240 First Edition As in years past, the Luxury SUV vote threw up something of an upset. The Land Rover Defender nabbed the crown from the BMW X5, which stole it from the Range Rover Sport. The upset, if you could call it that, isn’t that the capable Brit doesn’t deserve it, but rather that in 2021, a Defender should be classed a Luxury SUV. But yes, in every way it is a luxury conveyance, from its starting…

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 R1 784 000 We waxed lyrical about its taut chassis and superb handling during our 2021 Performance Shootout. It’s a little peaky to drive every day, but pretty much perfect on a solo blast. BMW M2 CS M-DCT R1 669 622 Only bested by the finest performance cars, there is little on offer locally which gives you as much bang for your buck. Toyota GR Supra 3,0T R1 115 600 A podium finisher for the second time in our Performance Shootout, who would have guessed Toyota would hit the nail so squarely on the head with the Supra? Honda Civic Type R R771 600 Without question, the Civic Type R is one of the best hot hatches we’ve ever driven at CAR. For that, R700k isn’t…

THE HISTORY OF DIESEL I have been a subscriber to CAR since the late 1960s; the magazine is a necessary part of my life. One of the favourite regulars was Garage Man; it’s a pity he retired. The Innovators section is always interesting and is now my first read of every issue. However, in February, there were some errors. The statement that the first diesel truck appeared in 1908 must be a misprint … so let’s get the record straight. According to my research, the first diesel-powered truck was produced by Benz in 1923 (Mercedes and Benz amalgamated only in 1925). Others claiming to be first were MAN in 1924 and Saurer in 1927. These small high-speed diesels were made possible by the development of the plunger-type fuel-injection pump by…

Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1,5 GLX Yet another competent small Suzuki, with a healthy dose of character mixed in. Generously equipped, though features only two airbags and, like others here, stability control is absent.  price: R289 900 cyl/capac: 4/1 462 cm3 power: 77 kW/6 000 r/min torque: 138 N.m/4 400 r/min gears/drive: 5/F 0-100 km/h: 12,06 sec top speed: n/a fuel index: 7,44 L/100 km luggage capac: 240/1 200 L serv/maint plan: S4/60 000 km Mahindra XUV300 1,2T W6 Boasting extra oomph thanks to a turbocharger, the XUV300 represents strong value, even if this W6 derivative isn’t quite as well specified as its two rivals. Solid effort, Mahindra.  price: R261 999 cyl/capac: 3/1 197 cm3 power: 81 kW/5 000 r/min torque: 200 N.m/2 000-3 500 r/min gears/drive: 6/F 0-100 km/h: n/a…

A NEW SPIN ON THE ROTARY ENGINE For all of the rotary engine’s virtues as a high-performance powerplant – incredible power-to-weight ratio and stratospheric rev range – its thirst, high emissions and questionable durability have relegated its relevance in modern motoring to junk status. Now, after several abortive attempts to revive the rotary over the last decade, Mazda seems to have found a niche for this least conventional member of the internal combustion engine family. Mazda CEO Akira Marumoto announced that development of a rotary engine solution has been earmarked for the company’s MX-30 compact EV crossover. Mazda has remained tight-lipped regarding its execution but initial claims that a small rotary could be used in series with a conventional petrol engine to provide drive under lighter loads have been put aside…

• Pre-season testing cut to just three days prior to a record 23 races, with Saudi Arabia and Holland new to the calendar. Three triple headers follow the summer break. • Both Friday practice sessions cut from 90 to 60 minutes. • Introduction of a $145 million budget cap (reducing further in 2022 and ‘23) to give smaller teams parity with their big-spending brothers. Exceeding the budget could see exclusion from championship. • Technically, a transitional year prior to postponed radical changes for 2022. Limitations this year to rear floor and diffuser should cut downforce by 10 per cent to reduce stress on tyres. New construction on more robust Pirellis adds 3,0 kg to each car. • Stefano Domenicali (pictured) takes over from Chase Carey as CEO of F1. The…

One of the most iconic F1 cars in the sport’s 70-plus years, the Lotus 79 was not only a championship winner in 1978, it was also on the cutting edge of innovation at the time thanks to its paradigm-shifting aerodynamics. Colin Chapman pioneered the ground effect the previous year with the 78. However, it was only after improvements to the venturi tunnels beneath the body and the sliding skirts on the wide, pontoon-like sidepods – which sealed off airflow to keep it attached to the underside of the car – that the radical design started to win races and dominate the championship. Throw in its striking black-and-gold livery and the flamboyant driving of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, and Lotus had it all that year. Sadly, the season would end…