Innehållsförteckning för May 2021 från CAR

SPIRITED SUSPENSION Fitted with a brand-new four-link axle up front and multi-link setup at the rear, Mercedes says the rear-wheel-drive sedan’s suspension arrangement has been dynamically configured. Rear-axle steering can be specified. Wheels measuring 17 to 19 inches are on offer and feature modern designs. NEW DIMENSIONS Described as “considerably larger” than its forebears, the new C is 65 mm longer and 10 mm wider than the previous-generation model. The wheelbase, meanwhile, has stretched by 25 mm. As a result, Mercedes claims rear occupants have an additional 13 mm and 35 mm head- and kneeroom. ELECTRIFIED ENGINES The W206 C-Class is the first Mercedes-Benz series to feature a fully electrified line-up in the firm’s expansive model range. Each derivative’s longitudinal four has now been equipped with an integrated starter-generator and…

Two battery packs – a standard, 58 kWh unit and long-range, 72,6 kWh item – are on offer. Equipped with all-wheel drive, the top-spec Ioniq 5’s electric motor produces 225 kW and 605 N.m for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5,2 seconds and 185 km/h top speed. It can travel up to a claimed distance of 480 km on a single charge by WLTP standards. Hyundai claims the emissions-free crossover’s batteries can be replenished from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes when plugged into a 350 kW charging station, with a five-minute charge resulting in a range of 100 km. The Ioniq 5’s E-GMP platform is capable of supporting both 400 and 800 V tech. Inside, the Ioniq 5’s “living space” features a dual-cockpit arrangement with two 12-inch…

Price: R386 900 Engine: 1,2-litre, 3-cylinder, petrol Transmission: 6-speed automatic Power: 96 kW @ 5 500 r/min Torque: 230 N.m @ 1 500 r/min 0-100 km/h: 8,7 seconds* Top speed: 208 km/h* Fuel consumption: 6,30 L/100 km* CO2 : 143 g/km Rivals: Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Mazda2, Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo + striking design; punchy and efficient engines; spec levels - poor rear head- and legroom; having to fight the Polo Since 1994, Opel has sold more than 180 000 Corsas in South Africa; a remarkable figure when we consider the domination of the B-segment by the locally built Volkswagen Polo. The original Corsa was not sold in South Africa, of course, but we did receive the second-generation model, which ultimately became the legendary Corsa Lite (who could forget those fantastic…

As some of our brethren recently discovered to the detriment of their careers, it is not the role of a journalist to be the story. However, context matters, so kindly indulge me while I set a scene. I have been reading about cars since I was a boy. I used to cut out and collect pictures of the rally kings of the day: Lancia Delta Integrales, Ford Cosworths and Peugeot 205 GTis. I have been writing about cars and the motor industry since 2005. I once sold a perfectly sensible car and bought a V8 Land Rover for my suburban commute just because I liked the noise. I have driven a Rolls-Royce Phantom along the length of the Kruger Park, an SLS AMG through Mexico; I’ve been driven across Tokyo…

Reader Mark Saunders wins a 12-month subscription to CAR magazine, South Africa’s leading motoring title, for his great letter. FOUR GREAT ADVANTAGES OF A CAR SUBSCRIPTION: 1. Stay current by never missing an issue of your favourite magazine. 2. A free digital subscription is included. 3. Enjoy the luxury of home delivery. 4. You get the magazine before it goes on sale. (A subscriber already? Extend yours by a further 12 months, or give it to a friend or relative.)…

Price: R246 900 0-100 km/h: 12,8 sec Top speed: 177 km/h Power: 63 kW Torque: 132 N.m CAR fuel index: 7,08 L/100 km CO2 : 140 g/km Despite being a means to get from A to B efficiently and conveniently, cars are aspirational items. Paying special attention to South Africa, automotive ownership is seen as a luxury and a signifier of upward mobility and personal success. For younger drivers with smaller budgets, however, the pool of offerings around the R250 000 mark is not terribly appealing with products that lack a sense of style and individuality. That’s why the introduction of the Polo Vivo Mswenko (isiZulu for swag) is a fitting one. The past two years in particular have seen dramatic increases in new-car prices; many consumers are buying down and…

3 months 2 468 km 7,60 L/100 km + good spec and impressive perceived quality - disappointing engine performance Funky and quirky – an overall great package – powertrain is poor. Yes, I just used a traditional Japanese haiku to sum up my views of Honda’s latest and smallest crossover despite it being a product that comes from India. Close enough, I suppose. After spending three months with this characterful little crossover, there has been a lot that I’ve loved, but there were also a few elements that truly irritated me. Let’s start things off with the positives. Given that this is a product aimed at younger buyers who want their cars to fulfil their active lifestyle, the WR-V doesn’t break a sweat when it comes to traversing gravel surfaces…

We’re all too familiar with the news cycle surrounding the Easter holidays. Government and road-traffic officials plead with motorists to avoid speeding, not to overtake unless it is safe to do so, and not to drink and drive. This is usually followed by announcements of an increase in active traffic policing, roadblocks and speed-limit enforcement.The result each year? Unfortunately, very little. Our official road death toll stubbornly remains between 12 500 to 14 000 deaths per year; the equivalent of approximately 23 deaths per 100 000 of the population! To put that into perspective, the road death rate across the whole of the US sits at 12 per 100 000 and Europe at nine deaths per 100 000 population. With up to 85% of fatalities attributed to human factors, it’s…

Model: Nissan 350Z 0 to 100 km/h: 6,4 seconds Top speed: 248 km/h Fuel index: 14,0 L/100 km Price: R425 000 CAR test: July 2005 (plus 2 others) Fun sports coupés come in all shapes and sizes. From classic MGs to newer members of the club such as the Mazda MX5 or Toyota MR2; no matter your preference, your choice is wide. If you fancy something slightly more powerful but don’t want to unduly damage your bank balance, we explore a relative newcomer to the scene, the Nissan 350Z. PACKAGING Two seats, fixed roof or electrically operated drop-top, front engine and rear-wheel drive make for a classic sportscar layout. The coupé arrived first and CAR tested one in 2004, followed a year later by the roadster. The coupé is 118…

Developed in close collaboration with the Stuttgart-based firm’s motorsport department, the new-generation GT3 lapped the 20,8 km Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6,59.927 minutes, a full 17 seconds quicker than its 991.2 forebear; a miraculous feat achieved as a result of the GT3’s motorsport influences. According to Porsche, the 992 GT3’s high-revving horizontally opposed engine is closely based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R. The seven-speed PDK, meanwhile, was specifically tuned for this application. In the 991.2 the GT3 was available again with a manual transmission, as it is here for driving purists. The double-wishbone front axle and myriad aerodynamic components – including the swan-neck rear wing and diffuser – originate from the 911 RSR racecar. In fact, the latest GT3 does not share any components whatsoever with the 992…

Designed in parallel with the T50, Gordon Murray says the target for the T50s Niki Lauda was equally clear and just as uncompromising, “To make the best driver’s car for the track. We asked ourselves what the coolest thing would be to drive on track and create a driving experience like no other car in history.” According to the Surrey-based supercar maker, the track-only T50 is endowed with a substantially redesigned version of the T50 road car’s 3,9-litre atmospheric V12. Linked to a six-speed Xtrac paddle-shift transmission, the Cosworth motor – fed air via a high-performance RAM induction airbox – now directs 541 kW and 485 N.m to the rear axle and revs to a staggering 12 100 r/min. Together with the 400 mm rear ground-effect fan and larger diffuser,…

Baudownhaus Conceptology 1967-’93 Price: £49* (+- R1 000) Some of the most interesting, unique and inspiring concept car designs together on one canvas for your convenience. This wall piece features 52 iconic creations including the Alfa Romeo Carabo, Lancia Stratos Zero, Ferrari Mythos and BMW Nazca C2. • Printed on 500 mm x 700 mm print 231 gsm Fuji matte paper • Also available as a single-use self-print digital download for £12 (+- R300) • Each car is available for an individual print at £25 (+- R515) • Baudownhaus is on a mission to illustrate 100 of the most inspiring concept cars of the last 50 years • Available exclusively at baudownhaus.com *Excludes shipping costs…

What a difference a year makes. This time 12 months ago, we were quietly going about our daily business and then, boom, we plunged into coronavirus hard lockdown and all the paradigm-shifting socio-economic realities that came with it. In the months that followed, it became clear that not everything would go back to the way it was. Our intensely globalised world had almost instantly disbanded, shifted back to more regional, localised ways. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) was one such concern, unfortunately, that COVID-19 put into sharp relief. The Jaguar I-Pace won the 2019 South African Car of the Year title and, if pundits were to be believed, this was the moment the trickle of EVs would burst into flood locally. This, despite the perennially uncertain outlook for…

Sometimes there is a car that taps deeply into the Zeitgeist of the age … and in 1979 – in a politically segregated, siege-mentality South Africa – that car was the Ford Escort 1600 Sport. Even today, if you mention the name, a self-styled sage will inform you the correct pronunciation was “One-Six-Double-Oh Sport”. It referred to the catchy radio advertising tagline that heralded the re-packaging of a car that had, in essence, been around for the best part of a decade. It was in 1971 that the Mk I Ford Escort 1600 GT broke cover and, if you check out the specifications carefully, you will note the Mk II 1600 Sport that emerged in 1979 had a largely unchanged drivetrain. In fact, even the performance figures logged for the…

HYUNDAI CRETA 1,5 EXECUTIVE IVT vs. MAZDA CX-30 2,0 ACTIVE AT vs. NISSAN QASHQAI 1,2T MIDNIGHT EDITION XTRONIC vs. PEUGEOT 2008 1,2T 96 KW GT LINE EAT6 In the age-old strategic game of noughts and crosses, all that’s required is a couple of players, each equipped with a pencil and a nine-square grid drawn on a single piece of paper. In the booming SUV/crossover segment, myriad carmakers have committed to outwitting their competitors to make their mark on the grid. According to our Top 12 Best Buys awards (April 2021), the reigning champion is the Volkswagen T-Cross, with the German firm placing three winning crosses in a row for the last two years. However, which one of these crossovers – the new Hyundai Creta, Mazda CX-30, Peugeot 2008 or an…

Price: R3 630 862 0-100 km/h: 3,83 sec Top speed: 305 km/h Power: 460 kW Torque: 750 N.m CAR fuel index: 12,96 L/100 km CO2 : 246 g/km It’s a perfect day. You’ve got the roof down, the breeze blowing in your hair, your favourite playlist is streaming through the 16 Bowers & Wilkins Diamond speakers in the cabin and an octave below is the earthy rumble of BMW M’s twinturbopetrol 4,4-litre V8. To maximise comfort, you keep the Air Collar that’s integrated into the headrest on a low setting. Life doesn’t get much better and, in this moment, the R3 630 862 you’ve just paid for your BMW M8 Competition Convertible is money well spent. You’re relaxed, energised and, most importantly, feel like a leading member of society as droves…

297 km 6,19 L/100 km + light, nimble and nippy - faux-leather upholstery hot in summer Although it is almost inevitable, you should try avoid comparing your previous long-term car with a new one … except if they are direct rivals, of course. However, how can you not when you jump from a 2,2-tonne Ford Ranger double-cab bakkie into a little city runabout? It has been an adjustment but the joy of taking up such a small footprint on the road – together with the ability to park or do a U-turn nearly anywhere that takes your fancy – makes driving it such an easy and enjoyable exercise. The crossover craze has taken global markets by storm and has filtered through to even the smallest of cars. In my opinion,…

History relates that the F1 season 40 years ago opened with the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. What the records do not show is this race – regardless of the absence of world championship status and teams such as Ferrari and Renault – would turn out to be one of deep political significance. In fact, it would help change the course and shape of F1 forever. The race would pave the way to previously unseen riches for the F1 teams and their leader, Bernie Ecclestone, so it was ironic that most of the participants on the day at Kyalami barely had two cents to rub together. The 1981 South African Grand Prix, despite the apparent importance of its title, was an enormous bluff. The Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA)…

Given their variety and ubiquity on SA roads, it’s hard to imagine that the double-cab pickup took so long to come to fruition. Prior to 1958, it was seen purely as a farm vehicle, good for hauling equipment. Thankfully, Chicago-based firm, International Harvester, was more forward-thinking in its approach to pickup trucks and came up with a devilishly simple concept that would revolutionise the segment: the crew cab. The firm made its name in agriculture with a broad line of tractors and specialised farming equipment spanning from the company’s inception, back in 1902. Despite its manufacturing know-how and resources, the company did not put forth a prototype utility vehicle for US Army appraisal at the outbreak of World War II. The company did, however, contribute to the development of tracked…

You might remember when the Range Rover Velar was launched in 2017. Its Gerry McGovern design had a wow factor that made sure it turned heads. Now it, too, has had an upgrade, but sadly it’s less to be excited about. It is still special but the changes to other models make certain elements such as the interior feel a bit dated. It’s fitted with the new Pivi infotainment system but on the narrow screen so, while it appears elegant, it’s not as easy to use as in the Jag or Discovery. It also has active noise cancellation. What the Velar does get, though, is the ability to plug in. Supply constraints mean Land Rover cannot confirm exactly when it will be available in SA. When it does arrive, the…

The wind buffeted us ever harder in the cabin, the smile on our faces grew wider as the speed climbed. Eighty years ago, if you were extremely wealthy and had an interest in cars, a Bentley racecar would have been at the top of your wish list, along with maybe a Bugatti, Alfa Romeo or Delahaye. But this is no ordinary Bentley. Dubbed the B Special 3/8 Racer, these cars are hand-built by Racing Green Engineering Limited in the United Kingdom. This car was brought into South Africa by a well-known Capetonian collector before it was sold on to a fellow collector, also in the Western Cape. It recalls images of the early days of motor racing, most notably the success Bentley achieved at the Le Mans endurance race, as…

FULLY CHARGED UP FOR THE FUTURE Congratulations on your fine publication which never ceases to be interesting as well as a platform for stimulating debate. More importantly, your title has survived the rout in the print media sector and that in itself speaks volumes. In recent months, CAR has given greater exposure to the topic of electric vehicles. That comes as no surprise to any reader, given developments in the industry coupled with the antics of some senior people in the US automotive sector. What is missing for me is conclusive evidence-led proof that EVs are the way to go to cater for our continued mobility as well as ensure a drastically reduced carbon footprint. The topic could be tabled in another manner: what if the world’s carpool was replaced…

Price: R1 238 854 0-100 km/h: 4,69 seconds Top speed: 250 km/h Power: 275 kW Torque: 500 N.m CAR fuel index: 9,36 L/100 km CO2 : 178 g/km The famed philosopher and statesman Francis Bacon coined what is perhaps the quintessential quote when it comes to appreciating the less conventional side of aesthetics. When he penned his observation, “There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion” back in 1597, he likely never thought his now widely renowned empirical musing would be applied to a horseless carriage from Bavaria ... much less one that wasn’t the jauntily sheet-metalled handiwork of a certain Chris Bangle. Here we are in 2021 and given the number of cocked heads, quizzical looks and divided opinions BMW’s new 4 Series Coupé has…

6 months 10 592 km 9,73 L/100 km + ride quality and loading bay - sheer size makes parking a challenge While bakkies have been the staple of motoring in rural South Africa for decades, it’s only with the relatively recent arrival of the double cab that a much-needed extra layer of practicality has been added, making them among the bestselling vehicles in South Africa. It’s against this backdrop that we’ve encountered what’s arguably the most interesting time in the double-cab segment. Mercedes-Benz’s brave but ultimately doomed tilt at bakkie stardom gave us the X-Class; you have Volkswagen giving its superb Amarok a near-200 kW shot in the engine bay; the excellent new Toyota Hilux as well as the usual suspects from Nissan, Isuzu and GWM’s new P Series. It…

15 455 km 8,00 L/100km + offers excellent value in a tough new-car market - interior fit and finish some way off that of the Corolla Hatch If you’re a bit of a film buff, you’ll recall the poignant sequence from Shawshank Redemption where prison inmate Brooks is set free after two decades and is utterly bewildered by how life on the outside has changed since he was incarcerated. I’d proffer it’s the same scenario with family cars. If someone scooped you off the pavement a decade ago and plonked you back down today, the many shapes and shades of family motoring would be almost unrecognisable: the plethora of compact crossovers with jolly two-tone paint jobs; gravy ladled upon stodgy mash potato. The thing is, the vehicles these bloated hatchbacks…

Kia Soul 1,6 0-100 km/h: 12,04 seconds Top speed: 182 km/h Power: 91 kW Torque: 152 N.m CO2 : 188 g/km Fuel consumption: 9,50 L/100 km (fuel index) An interestingly styled vehicle that stands out from the crowd of hatchbacks (and pseudo SUVs) is Korea’s Kia Soul. Introduced to us in 2009, this was a bold excursion into alternative niches. Box-shaped vehicles are usually unattractive. Think minibuses … only a few, such as the Chrysler Grand Voyager and the Kia (also Grand) Sedona have appealing shapes. But back to the Soul. Kia got it right in mixing interior space with an artistic shape and vertical rear end, while managing to not appear van-like. As with Minis, Fiat 500s and some Citroëns, appealing colour combinations – white with a red roof or…

Notes • The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred on 22 March 2021. Readers should check with a dealer before making a decision. • The HP payment calculations are based on a 10% deposit, current prime interest rate and a 60-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…