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53 Articles

plant and dealerships across the country have been left wondering whether they will still be employed. What of the autobrands they produced and sold here? Well, we’ve heard Isuzu will buy the plant to produce its KB range and commercial trucks. As I write, we’re waiting for an announcement on the future of Opel (internationally, it’s been bought by PSA) and we know that the Chevrolet brand will be withdrawn from our market. This is not great news, particularly in these unsettling times. In fact, to have a big multinational up and leave, saying South Africa “would not provide the expected returns of other global investment opportunities”, is a blow. Yet, it also shines a light on those that are staying. BMW, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen are automotive stalwarts; all of…

BUY LOCAL, MR POLITICAN I have been taught many things in my 78 years, such as “lead from the front and set the example” but, alas, these principles appear to have made way for “do as I say and not as I do” culture. The demise of GM is indeed sad news. Perhaps our venerable politicians who wax philosophical about job creation, radical economic transformation, etc., should now “lead from the front” and set the example by practising what they preach. I am talking specifically about the vehicles they drive and I ask the question: do they drive a vehicle that is assembled in SA, thereby helping job creation and economic stability? Or, must it be a luxury import to add status to their already elevated personae as cabinet ministers and other…

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. CLASH OF THE TITANS After a long absence, I managed to subscribe to CAR again. In the meantime, I used to take out various motoring magazines from the library but got fed up with the attitude some journalists take: that the reader is stupid. CAR remains factual and one can associate well with the written articles. That, in the present economic climate, is the reason CAR remains on the market, where so many magazines have disappeared. However, I found the bakkie road test in the May issue incomplete…

DEFENDER OF THE REALM

avarvarii.com CODE NAME L663 D7u – the latter referring to the use of a downsized and simplified version of the Range Rover’s D7 all-aluminium platform, and the “u” suffix possibly referring to utility. LADDER FRAME FINISHED Adopting the D7u platform means the new Defender will ditch the traditional cast-iron ladder-frame chassis in favour of a lighter, monocoque construction. This will hopefully improve the new car’s on-road manners. TOUGHNESS REMAINS The platform may be more car-like, but its modularity means it can still be geared towards utility. The setup can accommodate two different axle configurations – standard and workhorse – as well as such off-roading must-haves as a raised ride height, low-range transfer case and diff-locks all round. It’s a setup that Land Rover claims is as tough and capable as the original Defender’s. “The Defender is all…

DEFENDER OF THE REALM

Although technically labelled a concept, the Up! GTI embodies the punchy, lightweight ethos of the Mark 1 Golf GTi, essentially the forefather of the modern hot hatch. In GTI guise, Wolfsburg’s pint-sized hatchback features a three-cylinder, turbocharged 1,0-litre engine that develops 85 kW and 200 N.m; good for a 0-100 km dash in 8,8 seconds and a 197 km/h top speed. Among this model’s GTI cosmetic accoutrements are a purposeful-looking body kit, suspension lowered by 15 mm, the signature red pinstriping on the grille, a roof-mounted spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, a chunky, leather-bound sports steering wheel, and the classic “clark” tartan seat panel finish are further nods to the car’s GTI pedigree. NOT FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION Volkswagen SA has confirmed that, owing to the fluctuating exchange rate and relatively weak…

CHOP AND CHANGE

#1 LaFERRARI REPLACEMENT DUE IN FOUR YEARS Ferrari’s chief technology officer, Michael Leiters, has hinted that a hypercar replacing the LaFerrari will appear in around four years time. The company will reassess its powertrain technology and innovation roadmap by the end of this year, with an F1-based engine off the cards. The company’s naturally aspirated V12 allied with hybrid tech is a possibility. #2 VOLVO XC20 ON THE CARDS The compact-crossover craze shows no sign of abating and it looks as though Volvo is likely to join the fray with an entry-level offering to take on the likes of Audi’s Q2. Volvo’s R&D head, Henrik Green, claims that, owing to the scalability of the firm’s CMA global platform, developing an XC20 is a viable option. #3 EV ONSLAUGHT TO SPELL END OF BEETLE AND…

CHOP AND CHANGE

EIGHT EXPECTATIONS

OLD MEETS NEW When the 8 Series was originally launched back in 1989, its rakish shape and pop-up headlamps stood in stark contrast to BMW’s more conservative offerings of the time. While the company’s styling has become more daring, the Concept 8 Series’ cab-back profile and taut bodywork, with such signatures as the kidney grille and Hofmeister kink brought up to date with more daring takes, has hints of both the original 8 and the company’s more contemporary products. The whole shooting match rolls on a set of 21-inch light-alloy wheels. LIGHT FANTASTIC In addition to the firm’s pin-sharp laser headlamps up front, the Concept 8 Series also features OLED (organic LED) elements for the L-shaped brakelamps. These are said to emit a uniform light, are more energy efficient and last the lifetime…

EIGHT EXPECTATIONS

TAILORED, TAPERED TAIL

Bespoke-built for an unnamed Rolls-Royce connoisseur, the Sweptail is one of the most opulent and striking cars to emerge from the Germano-British carmaker in some time. The design takes many of its cues from the voluptuous, flowing automotive forms from the 1930s, while influences from the graceful speedboats of the same era sees the Sweptail’s rump assuming a tapered, boat-tailed appearance. The maritime motif is also reflected in a polished wood “deck” with chrome strakes in lieu of rear seats. Beneath the teardrop-shaped glass roof sits a cabin that’s about as sumptuous as you could hope for from Rolls-Royce; it even features a built-in mechanism that raises a platform with a bottle of bubbly and two champagne flutes from the centre console. Rolls-Royce’s press release doesn’t make mention of the Sweptail’s powerplant,…

TAILORED, TAPERED TAIL

STEALTH FIGHTERS

BMW M8 A different set of wraps has barely fallen off the Concept 8 Series and already BMW’s M division is serving up some camouflaged tasters of the high-performance M8 variant. “The future M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment its DNA with added track ability and generous extra portions of dynamic sharpness, precision and agility,” said Frank van Meel, president of the BMW M Division. BMW has been cagey with the technical details, but it’s fair to assume that the M8 will mount a tuned version of the M5’s 4,4-litre biturbo V8 (in excess of 450 kW) and AWD is a possibility. UNVEILING: A GTE Le Mans version will make its debut at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2018. RENAULT MÉGANE RS Its prototype having already…

STEALTH FIGHTERS

NikeshKooverjee #1 REVELL PORSCHE 911 CARRERA RS 3.0 R199 The most collectable of all road-going Porsches, this racecarinspired 911 weighed in at just 900 kg. #2 TAMIYA FERRARI TESTAROSSA R318 It comes with a replica 4,9-litre, flat-12 engine and functional pop-up headlamps. #3 TAMIYA PORSCHE 959 R212 Designed for the doomed Group B rally class, the 959 was the most technologically advanced supercar of its time. #4 TAMIYA NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R R32 R221 Nissan’s iconic “Godzilla” comes with a replica six-cylinder RB26DETT engine and multilink suspension. #5 TAMIYA JAGUAR XJ220 R327 At the time, this was the fastest car in the world thanks to its 3,5-litre, twin-turbo V6 and aerodynamic profile. #6 ITALERI LAMBORGHINI DIABLO R384 Like the life-sized version of this most extrovert of Lamborghinis, this kit comes from Italy.…

bet you didn't know...

THE Model T’s story is a familiar one to petrol-heads. The car’s combination of low price and reliability opened up the possibilities of travel to millions of people across the world, and between October 1908 and May 1927, 16 500 000 were sold. By 1920, every second car in the world was a Model T. It had many nicknames – the “Tin Lizzie” or “Pedal Ford”, to mention just two – and is still so popular as a collector’s car that globally at least 70 000 are in running condition. In fact, such is its enduring appeal that practically all the parts needed to build a brand-new Model T are available from manufacturers in either the USA or China. There’s a lot that’s unusual about the Tin Lizzie, but we’ll concentrate…

bet you didn't know...

THE HYBRID CRUTCH

NicolL_CARmag HYBRID technology is not the future of powertrain development. There, I said it. Before you criticise my statement, however, let me put my case forward and, after hearing the facts, you can decide for yourself. As an engineer, I love technical developments and can imagine working on a hybrid project must rate as one of the most interesting powertrainengineering jobs out there. It must be fascinating to bring to fruition a complex control strategy that decides when to charge, when to run the internal-combustion engine (ICE) and when to boost acceleration with the electric motor. The problem is that the end result is still a highly compromised vehicle. Let me explain. Internal-combustion engines excel at providing extended range and quick refuelling, but they are inefficient during stop/start driving. In contrast, electric powertrains…

THE HYBRID CRUTCH

PLANS FOR THE FANS

Maurice Hamilton THERE is a refreshing breeze blowing through the F1 paddock these days. People are smiling more and there’s less hassle and none of the nitpicking rules apparently conceived for no other reason than to make life unnecessarily difficult. It’s no coincidence that the European races are now without Bernie Ecclestone’s grey bus with its darkened windows and unofficial but frosty nickname “The Kremlin”. In its place is the open door of Liberty Media’s headquarters and an acceptance that F1’s framework needs to change, not just for the participants, but also for spectators. In Barcelona, it began work on the Fan Zone, a concept that would have been alien to the sport’s previous owners, CVC Capital Partners, to which spectators were an irritating obstacle in the quest to make money. Don’t get…

PLANS FOR THE FANS

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

Terence_CARmag UNDER the meticulous guidance of Lorenzo Ramaciotti, chief designer at Pininfarina for 33 years and the lead jury member at the BMW-backed Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d‘Este, the jury pores over the details of the 1930 Duesenberg J Convertible Berline’s 6,9-litre inlineeight engine. The cream-coloured luxury drop-top was brought to these shores by Romanian owner and all-round affable gent, Ion Tiriac (the erstwhile tennis pro and Boris Becker’s former manager). Ion smiles nervously as he slides in behind the steering wheel and fires up the 198 kW engine, revs it for the jury and leaves it to idle. This is a big deal; if the Berline can convince the 12 members that it deserves the award for Best of Show, the hard work and money Ion lavished onto his pride and joy…

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

THE Sportage is one of the most significant models in Kia’s arsenal. When it was introduced in South Africa, the first-generation Sportage impressed with its value-for-money approach and rugged reliability. It not only cemented Kia Motors SA’s standing in the local market, but also formed the launch pad for the successful company we know today. Now in its fourth iteration, and with a bevy of awards already under its belt (including a Red Dot Award for design), the Sportage continues this impressive run and has evolved into a contemporary compact SUV. It possibly best embodies the transformation of Kia globally, further underlined by the brand’s first place in the 2016 JD Power Initial Quality Study. However, the market for compact SUVs and crossovers is a hotly contested one, and to ensure it…

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

SteveSmithZA FORD GT PRICE: $450 000 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE PROVENANCE crowns this car. It’s a coronation that’s echoed through the last five decades and one that was reaffirmed 12 months ago when, once again, Ford conquered that most famous of 24-hour races, Le Mans. It was there in 1966 that a trio of Ford GT40s registered a triumphant one-two-three podium sweep, wrenching the trophy from Ferrari’s grasp. Fast-forward exactly 50 years to Le Mans 2016 and Ford once again occupied the podium’s top spot with the all-new GT claiming positions one, three and four in the LM GTE category. A lone Ferrari 488 GTE spoiled the perfect party. The pedigree runs deeper than just this repeat result, though; it reflects a similar genesis. Both the GT40 and the GT were specifically built to win…

WilhelmL_CARmagThe GTI is equally unfazed by cruising at high speeds; it feels rock solid VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI DSG PRICE: R545 800 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE SOUTH Africans love the Volkswagen Golf GTI. A lot. Fifty-five percent of all local Golf sales are GTI models and that’s the highest percentage in any market globally. In Germany, for example, on average GTI sales account for a mere 8 to 10%. It’s hardly surprising, therefore, that, at the national launch of the entire facelifted Golf range, we spent more than 500 km in the new GTI, heading from the coast into the beautiful Karoo. (The new 1,0-litre derivative was also among the press cars and we’ve tested one on page 80.) Being a facelifted model, it’s all about an evolution of the outgoing car and the exterior changes…

Ryan_Bubear MAZDA CX-5 2,0 DYNAMIC AUTO PRICE: R416 900 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE ALL-NEW. It’s an adjective habitually – but often somewhat inaccurately – bandied about by automakers describing their latest wares. Mazda, for instance, labels the sleek CX-5 you see here as “all-new”. But is it? At first glance, you’d be forgiven for answering with a resounding “no”, such is the evolutionary nature of the compact crossover’s visible updates. Indeed, it’d be easy to write off this second-generation model as a mere facelift. It’s a similar case with what you can’t see. The SkyActiv engine range – comprising a pair of free-breathing petrols and a punchy turbodiesel – is carried over virtually untouched, the platform has benefited from a minor update and the new CX-5’s footprint is practically indistinguishable from that of its forebear. Mechanically,…

ON FIRE. IN A GOOD WAY

SUZUKI IGNIS 1,2 GLX PRICE: R189 900 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE SUZUKI is at it again. The Japanese marque has just launched another vehicle to join its successful line-up of well-made, easy-on-the-wallet offerings. And this one is possibly one of its best. Named after the Latin word for “fire”, the Ignis is certainly one of the best-looking budget crossovers, with a mix of cheeky styling and retro nods that sees elements like the blacked out A- and B-pillars, those C-pillar gills and clamshell bonnet doff their collective caps to the Swift, Vitara and Celerio. There are also some funky colour schemes available on the GLX, of which the metallic red with black roof and side mirrors, and the metallic blue with white roof and side mirrors, stand out. You can also customise your Ignis with…

ON FIRE. IN A GOOD WAY

VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTRY D5 AWD INSCRIPTION GEARTRONIC PRICE: R869 900 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE OUTSIDE Europe, the estate car is something of a dying breed, being all but usurped by a slew of SUVs. But having sampled the Volvo V90 Cross Country, I think it’s fair to say that I feel as much pity for the less-enlightened folk who automatically assume an SUV is a superior choice as I do for estate cars as a collective, because their preconceptions will see these car buyers missing out on a wonderfully polished and practical product. The gradual progression of Volvo’s estate models from achingly dull boxes to more visually digestible fare has been well documented, but the V90 kicks any such appliance-like estate connotations into touch. Although it’s a massive car, only 14 mm shorter…

PLUGGING THE FIVE

NikeshKooverjee BMW 530e iPERFORMANCE SPORT STEPTRONIC PRICE: TBC ETA: Q4 (TBC) WE ARE HERE WITH growing pressure to lower emissions and gain government incentives for electrically supplemented and full EV vehicles (mainly in Europe and the US), there is no doubt that hybrids will be prevalent for the foreseeable future. And the newest member of BMW’s recently launched iPerformance hybrid range is this BMW 530e. Like the 330e (tested on page 74), this Five has a 135 kW/ 320 N.m turbocharged 2,0-litre engine mated with an electric motor that produces 83 kW and 250 N.m (with both units directing the power to the rear wheels). When these driving forces combine, the end result is total peak outputs of 185 kW and 420 N.m of torque. Apart from a few iPerformance trim bits, the 530e looks like a…

PLUGGING THE FIVE

CROSSOVER GLADIATOR

NikeshKooverjee MERCEDES-AMG GLA45 4MATIC SPEEDSHIFT-DCT PRICE: R862 628 ETA: Now WE ARE HERE YOU’LL have to look quite closely to notice the changes to the revised GLA45, but you needn’t worry about what’s under the bonnet. The world’s most powerful production turbocharged, four-cylinder engine remains in place. Outside, however, there are alterations that Mercedes-Benz claims improves aerodynamics, plus there’s a slightly revised interior, too. These exterior tweaks include new air intakes and a fresh front splitter that improves airflow to the radiator, as well as a restyled front apron and roof spoiler. With the latter, says the Affalterbach-based division of the Mercedes-Benz mother ship, the Cd value has been lowered from 0,34 to 0,33. LED headlamps are now also standard. While these changes are minor – and without them being specifically pointed out, you will be hard…

CROSSOVER GLADIATOR

THE STORY BEHIND WE BUY CARS

DEVELOPED over decades into a powerhouse in the pre-owned car market, We Buy Cars recently received a significant capital injection that’s sure to propel this leading vehicle trader into its next growth phase. Asked what the new capital means for the business, founder of the company, Faan van der Walt, says it will be able to expand its already impressive technology platforms. “Our We Buy Cars valuation engine and database were developed by seamlessly combining best practice methodology with technological excellence. We are now ready to expand our proprietary technology platforms by investing significantly in enhanced modernization,” says Faan. Today, We Buy Cars is an impressive business worthy of high praise thanks to its innovative use of technology and its unique methodology, but it all started decades ago as one man’s dream. Faan van…

THE STORY BEHIND WE BUY CARS

THE PROTEA SIX DECADES ON

IT’S A POIGNANT SCENE His blue-grey eyes light up as they take in the bright yellow sportscar neatly parked next to the racetrack. For a fleeting moment, the 94-year-old John Myers is once again a self-assured, proud young man, confidently striding towards his beloved creation; ready to fire up the Protea and take it for a blast around the track. Leaning on his walking stick, Myers’ gaze remains steadily fixed on the two-seater beauty. He is deep in thought and you can only imagine the memories flooding his mind, going back to the days when he dotingly put it together, raced it and cared for it. “She is beautiful, isn’t she,” says Myers, voice filled with warm pride and, as he walks towards the piece of South African automotive history he created, there’s…

THE PROTEA SIX DECADES ON

SCALING THE WALL

HAVING already established itself as the top-selling SUV brand in China for the past 14 years, Haval now has its sights set on conquering global markets. One of these is South Africa. By the time that you read this, the company would already have introduced the brand, and its first product offering (the H2), to local shores … with many to follow. In essence, Haval is a sub-brand of GWM, the well-established Chinese company that also offers utility and passenger vehicles. Since GWM first entered into the South African market 10 years ago, it has been able to establish a firm foothold, especially with its Steed bakkie line-up. The company also offered passenger vehicles and, most noteworthy, started an assault on the local SUV market. Over the last decade, it developed…

SCALING THE WALL

HAS BMW BUILT AN M7?

A car to respect, but not quite love. Panamera has that discipline covered Terence Steenkamp Add blue lights and the ultimate status symbol is good to go Ian McLaren Overwhelming sense of luxury, and love the sound of the V12 Peter Palm NO other series-production BMW in the German company’s 101-year history has been as powerful, nor accelerated with as much venom, says the carmaker. Somewhat ironically, this title belongs to the saloon in the brand’s stable that’s least associated with sporting prowess. Yet, here we are on our test strip and the 2,3-tonne M760Li has just posted a 3,96-second 0-100 km/h sprint time. The M4 GTS managed a comparatively pedestrian 4,42. Closer, but still no match, the outgoing M5 Competition needed 4,10 seconds. BMW’s i8 hybrid sportscar? A “middling” 4,36 seconds. We have no reason…

HAS BMW BUILT AN M7?

There’s another 7 Series that once had a strong M influence, but in a very different way to the M760Li. And it’s one South Africans can be rightly proud it of. In the early 1980s, BMW’s then-newly launched E23 745i was offered overseas with the 735i’s 3,4-litre, inline-six engine that had a turbocharger bolted on. Because the latter was sited to the left of the inline-six, the vehicle could not be converted to right-hand drive. Instead of accepting the problem, BMW SA found a solution and embarked on what was then the most advanced engineering exercise it had ever undertaken: to install a naturally aspirated version of the M1 racecar’s M88/3 24-valve 3,5-litre engine under the hood of the Beemer. More than 50 engineers from Munich took up residency at Rosslyn to…

MINI COUNTRYMAN COOPER S STEPTRONIC

The Countryman is now a viable alternative to other crossover models Sudhir Matai A noticeable improvement on its predecessor in every way Steve Smith A leader in its boutique segment, but the Tiguan, Sportage and Tucson tick more boxes Terence Steenkamp Price: R512 806 0-100 km/h: 7,59 sec Power/Torque: 141 kW/280 N.m Top speed: 225 km/h CAR fuel index: 7,32 L/100 km CO2: 141 g/km MINI purists might have scoffed into their English breakfast tea when BMW launched the Countryman at the start of this decade, but it was the Germans who had the last laugh. This oversized model might’ve been a far cry from the diminutive design penned by Sir Alec Issigonis in the middle of last century, but BMW’s decision to produce this maxi Mini was vindicated when the first-generation Countryman sold more than half a million units. Earlier this year,…

MINI COUNTRYMAN COOPER S STEPTRONIC

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK DC 3,0 TDI V6 4MOTION AT HIGHLINE

The new leisurebakkie king Nicol Louw The best bakkie that a lot of money can buy Ian McLaren Impressive but superfluous showpiece. 2,0 BiTDi does the job Steve Smith Price: R665 700 0-100 km/h: 7,82 sec Power/Torque: 165 kW/550 N.m Top speed: 193 km/h CAR fuel index: 10,8 L/100 km CO2: 236 g/km WHEN the Amarok was launched here in 2010, the hardebaarde had a few choice phrases to describe a bakkie fitted with a mere 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine. The fact that it was more refined and accomplished than the opposition (winning our comparison test in 2013 in eight-speed auto format) did not alleviate the concerns around South African braai fires. Five years later, and facing formidable new opposition in the form of the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and the Nissan Navara, all now sporting downsized turbodiesel engines, the 2,0-litre Amarok triumphed again…

VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK DC 3,0 TDI V6 4MOTION AT HIGHLINE

CURRENT AFFAIRS

If you must have a hybrid, get a Prius. 330d for me, thanks Terence Steenkamp Modern turbo-diesels still trump the novelty of a hybrid car in our market Ian McLaren Complexity and cost outweigh any fuel-saving benefit Nicol Louw Noble effort, but the environment here simply isn’t conducive to their success Gareth Dean WHEN it comes to eco-friendly motoring, South Africa stands in stark contrast to the First World. In Europe and the US, environmental legislation sits front and centre in most car manufacturers’ manifestos, compelling them to commit vast amounts of money and developmental resources to lightweight construction, engine downsizing and powerplant electrification in a bid to loosen the emissions-standard noose that tightens around their necks every year. In addition, these markets often incentivise hybrid and EV (electric vehicle) ownership in the shape of purchase-assistance schemes, rebates…

CURRENT AFFAIRS

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1,0 TSI COMFORTLINE

Refined to the point where most would never realise it only has three cylinders Ian McLaren Impressive little engine in by far the segment’s best chassis Steve Smith A refined, reasonably punchy and frugal powerplant in a tastefully updated package. What more could you want? Gareth Dean Price: R304 200 0-100 km/h: 10,23 secs Power/Torque: 81 kW/200 N.m Top speed: 196 km/h CAR fuel index: 5,76 L/100 km CO2: 109 g/km VOLKSWAGEN’S Golf and the Apple iPhone. Two divergent products that share a similar goal. It’s a reference we’ve made previously but, given that both are currently midway through their seventh-generation life cycles, the likeness between VW’s bread-and-butter range and Apple’s cash cow are worth a revisit. For both companies, the strategy to evolve rather than alter their top sellers has, given sales figures, been a very successful one. In the case of…

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1,0 TSI COMFORTLINE

RENAULT CLIO RS 220 TROPHY EDC

Look, the EDC ‘box is woeful, but the driving experience compensates Terence Steenkamp Hampered by the same concerns we had with the pre-facelift model Nikesh Kooverjee Much of what made the third-generation Clio RS brilliant is sadly still missing Ryan Bubear Price: R419 900 0-100 km/h: 6,91 sec Power/Torque: 162 kW/260 N.m Top speed: 235 km/h CAR fuel index: 7,08 L/100 km CO2: 135 g/km HOT hatches have undergone a massive development phase over the past decade. There is now a clear division between the usual posse and the level above them, the so-called super hatches such as the Mercedes-AMG A45, Ford Focus RS, BMW M140i and Audi RS3. The rise of these über hatches has also impacted the smaller segment, with this Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy a case in point. Compared with the likes of the Fiesta ST and Polo GTI,…

RENAULT CLIO RS 220 TROPHY EDC

JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPÉ 400 SPORT SUPERCHARGED

Fabulously flamboyant, just like an F-Type should be Terence Steenkamp Builds on the superb platform of the V6 S. Great car Ian McLaren Cracking looks and sound – my favourite F-Type Steve Smith Price: R1 493 474 0-100 km/h: 4,90 sec Power/Torque: 294 kW/460 N.m Top speed: 275 km/h CAR fuel index: 10,32 L/100 km CO2: 203 g/km FROM our introduction to the F-Type range some four years ago, it was the V6 that we thought was the best engine in the range. As hairy-chested and superb-sounding as the V8 is (we tested the V8 Roadster in October 2013), it is in equal parts leery and brutish as it is fun to drive. The V6 has proven the more balanced of the two. The V6 you see here, however, is a little bit different. The 400 Sport is a special edition model that…

JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPÉ 400 SPORT SUPERCHARGED

LIGHT CROSSOVER... LIGHT WORK

MAZDA CX-3 2,0 INDIVIDUAL AT THERE’S no denying it, the Mazda CX-3 is a striking car. However, given just how competitive the light-crossover segment is, it has to rely on more than that to be a successful product. After 12 months, the CX-3 2,0 Individual Auto has revealed both a fair number of positives, but some notable negatives, too. The pros first, though, and prominent among those is the CX-3’s stylish design that interprets Mazda’s sleek Kodo philosophy as an urban crossover with a raised suspension and plastic anti-scuff cladding. This particular trim is offset well with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillamps and a glass sunroof, among other minor additions. The Snowflake White paint adds to the stylish look and feel, and does a great job at hiding dirt, something…

LIGHT CROSSOVER... LIGHT WORK

test in our garage

SUZUKI BALENO 1,4 GLX The Baleno has hit the ground running and has already proved the solid, dependable type WHEN we reviewed the Baleno 1,4 GLX in our January 2017 issue, we were quite taken with what we saw as a solid, spacious and comfortable newcomer to the B-segment fraternity. However, we also lamented the fact that it would likely have to fight tooth and nail to stake a claim in a cutthroat market, where such capable staples as the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta have long held sway; and that’s a real shame. Thankfully, Suzuki has loaned us a unit for 12 months, giving the Baleno a touch more of the exposure we feel it deserves and allowing us to discover just how well it will acquit itself over a varied and challenging…

test in our garage

THE FUN BUTTONS

There’s nothing quite like the sensation of being connected to your vehicle and feeling how it responds to your inputs. This is one of the main reasons Toyota has engineered the following powertrain functions into its vehicles … but there is also more to it than that. THE IMT BUTTON = PERFECT SHIFTING iMT stands for Intelligent Manual Transmission, the Toyota term for rev matching. When activated, this function calculates the engine speed that will make for perfect engagement of your next gearshift and adjusts the engine speed accordingly. During downshifting, the engine-control unit “blips” the throttle, much like a skilled racing driver would in performing a heel-and-toe manoeuvre. The advantages of the system include smooth and rapid gearshifts, and less wear on the clutch components. THE POWER BUTTON = POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT The power…

THE FUN BUTTONS

ELECTRIC MIND-SHIFT

NicolL_CARmag It is hard to convince petrolheads that electric vehicles (EV) are the future. However, global electric start-up company NIO may help change that mindset thanks to its EP9 recently claiming the fastest lap for a production car around the Nürburgring. The EP9’s 6:45,90 time is remarkable, beating some very exotic internal combustion-engined supercars in the process. And this is not the only record the EP9 holds, either; it also set the fastest autonomous-vehicle lap around Circuit of the Americas in Texas, USA. Each wheel is powered by an inboard electric motor, delivering a total of 1 000 kW (and allowing active torque vectoring), and each has its own single reduction gearbox. The EP9 weighs 1,7 tonnes (with battery packs at 635 kg), but it hits 100 km/h in 2,5 seconds and…

ELECTRIC MIND-SHIFT

ELECTRIC VEHICLE RECORDS

FIRST LAND-SPEED RECORD 39 km/h 1898; Jeantaud Duc, driven by Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat CURRENT LAND-SPEED RECORD 551 km/h 2016; Venturi VBB-3 Streamliner, driven by Roger Schroer FASTEST NÜRBURGRING LAP TIME 6:45,90 Current Nürburgring record for a production car; 2017; NIO EP7, driven by Peter Dumbreck QUICKEST ACCELERATION 1,5 sec The time it takes the Daymak C5 Blast Go-Kart to reach 96 km/h LONGEST RANGE 539 km Range of a single charge on the Tesla Model S 100D LONGEST JOURNEY 22 340 km 29 July to 28 August 2016; Tesla Model S, driven by Nic Megert and Anton Julmy while averaging 720 km per day QUICKEST QUARTER MILE 8,282 sec 2016, Black Current III, driven by Sam Young at Santa Pos in the UK…

INSIDE THE PAINT SHOP

NicolL_CARmag GLACIER Silver, Alpine White or Estoril Blue? Deciding on a colour for your new car is an exciting prospect, but few owners will appreciate the complex process that takes place during production to ensure that perfect glossy finish to your new car. With BMW South Africa readying its Rosslyn production plant to produce the new X3 from 2018, we took the opportunity to investigate the extensive changes being made to the plant’s paint shop as part of a R6 billion investment tooling upgrade. Following a current F30 3 Series body shell through the process, we witnessed what it takes to create that showroom shine. ON THE PRODUCTION LINE After its creation in the body shop, a body in white (BIW) makes its way to the paint-shop preparation line. The BIW is the bare…

INSIDE THE PAINT SHOP

In the interests of protecting him from unwanted fame, stalkers and the paparazzi, CAR cannot reveal the true identity of the resourceful Garageman When Sideways Syd turned up to pay the bill, he made it obvious that he felt sorry for not taking my advice DISTRIBUTOR TROUBLES Sideways Syd used to be a respected rally driver, but time has taken its toll. His reactions are no longer what they used to be, with the result that most of his motoring is now done while the car is pointing in the direction of travel. His only regret is that he was active in the days before drifting became such a spectacular pastime. In any case, he certainly cannot try it with his present car, an imported 1995 Honda Accord. It lacks two essentials: lots…

SHOCK ABSORBER A shock absorber is part of a vehicle’s suspension and its task is to damp the oscillations between the wheels and vehicle body. This improves the vehicle’s comfort and handling ability. Whereas the spring force is a function of displacement, the shock absorber force is a function of the speed of movement. Therefore, the shock absorber has no reaction force when the movement is infinitely slow, and maximum force at maximum speed of movement. The basic principle of operations is to move a fluid, usually oil, through a small orifice (hole) to dissipate the kinetic energy (mostly into heat) and provide the damping force required. Controlled by computers in real time, advanced shock absorbers can alter the damping rates by either changing the size of the orifice or altering the…

PACKING BEARINGS I read the April 2017 issue and, on page 106, spotted a story about a Volvo P1800 that has done three million miles and the owner claims it is still running on the original wheel bearings. I want to enquire what packing the bearings means; and at which kilometre intervals it should be done. AUSTIN MOTSEPE Giyani Bearing packing refers to renewing the grease in cup-and-cone wheel bearings (this is not possible in sealed bearings). It is especially necessary for the wheels of trailers or caravans that are stored for long periods of time (and even more so for boat trailers entering the water frequently). Condensation can form on the bearings and, over time, rust damages the contact surfaces and shortens the bearings’ service life. We would recommend repacking a trailer’s bearings…

TECH ED’S CHOICE

It’s doable to charge a battery when it’s connected BATTERY-CHARGING PROCEDURE I need some technical assistance regarding battery-charging procedures. My vehicle is a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4,7-litre V8. I would like to know if I could charge my car’s battery without taking it out or disconnecting the battery terminals. CHRIS BAKKES Via email Usually, it’s doable to charge a battery when it is still in the vehicle and connected, as long as the charge amperage is low (less than 2,0 A) and the charger is of the “intelligent” type that lowers the amperage as the battery’s state of charge reaches its capacity. This is the case with a trickle charger. When using a high-amperage charger (more than 4,0 A), it is usually safer to at least disconnect the battery’s negative terminal to prevent possible…

TECH ED’S CHOICE

BanzaiMatai FIAT TIPO Priced from R229 900 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has launched the all-new Fiat Tipo to the South African market. Two body styles, three trim levels, three engines and three transmission types will be available at launch. The sedan will be available in Pop and Easy grades, while the hatchback will add Lounge specification to those. The engine range offers one diesel (sedan only) and two petrol derivatives: a 70 kW turbo-diesel 1,3 MultiJet II; and the Fire 1,4 16 V and 1,6 E-torQ petrol engines. Transmissions are a five-speed manual for the turbodiesel, six-speed manual for the 1,4-litre petrol and a six-speed automatic for the 1,6-litre petrol engine. The Tipo features Fiat’s latest-generation audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, audio streaming, text reader and voice recognition, aux-in and USB ports with iPod integration, all…

HOW TO JACK UP YOUR CAR SAFELY

MOST of us have suffered a punctured tyre at some stage of our motoring lives. For many of us, it was the the first time we rummaged in the boot for the jack and wheel brace. For others, tinkering on their car at home, whether changing the engine oil, inspecting the CV boots for damage, making sure there are no oil leaks or changing brake pads, also requires jacking up the car to access the undercarriage. There are various types of jacks, including those sold with a vehicle and available from spares outlets. And even though South Africans generally prefer a full-size spare wheel plus jack and wheel brace, some modern cars forgo this set and are instead supplied with a puncture-repair kit and a small compressor. Cars with run-flat tyres…

HOW TO JACK UP YOUR CAR SAFELY

Age 40 Budget R175 000 Status small-business owner Vehicle type double-cab bakkie (petrol) REQUIREMENTS There’s a strict budget and petrol bakkies are cheaper. It doesn’t have to be 4x4, though, and preferably not one of the most popular sellers to keep cost down, but it has to be a double cab to serve the needs of our small-business owner’s family over weekends. THE VEHICLE Avoiding the most popular bakkies means we’ll skip the Hilux and Ranger in favour of three other workhorses. There are more diesels available in the classifieds, but quite a few petrols, too. Isuzu KB240i LE 0 to 100 km/h: 13,2 sec Top speed: 158 km/h Power: 94 kW Torque: 207 N.m CO2: 326 g/km CAR fuel index: 14,0 L/100 km THE KB range was redesigned in 2007 with a full 20-plus derivatives on offer, and the…

FORD ESCORT MK 1 1600 (1970-‘74)

THIS is our second stab at the Mark 1 Escort, having looked at the 1,1- and 1,3-litre derivatives in our June 2014 issue. This month, we investigate the more powerful models that inherited the 1,6-litre engine from the Cortina, although we will leave out the limited-edition racing versions, as they are pretty expensive these days and are very seldom available for sale. On a sad note, just a day after we decided to feature the Escort for this issue, we heard of local legend Peter Gough’s passing. No doubt many of you will recall his exploits around racetracks behind the wheel of a Meissner Ford Escort Cosworth. RIP, Peter. PACKAGING A trio of 1600 models was introduced in 1970: the XL, GT and XL AT. We tested the latter in December 1970 and…

FORD ESCORT MK 1 1600 (1970-‘74)

INTERESTING FACTS

According to Naamsa figures, the bestselling cars for the first nine months of 1970 were the VW Beetle with 15 777 sales, followed by the ever-popular Chrysler Valiant with 11 075 units. The Ford Cortina came in third with 9 315 sales, while the Escort occupied fifth place. One year later saw the Datsun leaping up to third spot behind the Beetle and Valiant. Escort sales overtook the Cortina’s, but dropped to seventh spot. The first car I ever drove on a racetrack was a Mark 1 Escort XL. While still in matric, some of us had the opportunity to do some driver training at Killarney Racetrack. Despite the risk in annoying the driving instructor, it was difficult not to put foot when we got a chance at the far side…

NOTES The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred before 26 May 2017. Readers should check with a dealer before making a decision. The HP payment calculations are based on a 10% deposit, the current interest rate and a 54-month repayment period with no residual at the end. Under ENGINE we list the number of cylinders and the cubic capacity in cm . Here, V = V-shaped engine layout; H = horizontally-opposed engine layout; The absence of an initial symbol implies an in-line engine layout. FUEL SUPPLY abbreviations are P = petrol-engined; D = diesel-engined; T = turbocharged, a compressor driven by exhaust gases; S = supercharged, a compressor driven by the engine; P/H = petrol-hybrid and E = electric. POWER lists the maximum power in…

EAST RAND TOYOTA CARNIVAL

East Rand Toyota was strategically placed in the heart of Boksburg’s shopping suburbia in April 2003 as the flagship Toyota dealer for the East Rand and its greater outlying areas.This prime location offers easy access off both the N12 and R21 highways and is perfectly situated to offer you all their Toyota products and services at one convenient location. They have built an exceptional reputation as the “one-stop Toyota shop” through the reliability of the Toyota brand, combined with their uncompromising service levels and customer satisfaction that has seen them win numerous accolades over the years. East Rand Toyota recently took the opportunity to celebrate their achievements with a spectacular carnival; which saw them showcase the embodiment of what the Toyota brand epitomizes and the complete lifestyle only it can offer…

EAST RAND TOYOTA CARNIVAL

speed track test

WilhelmL_CARmag 25 ’17 Volkswagen Golf Clubsport S 1:24,60 40 ’16 BMW M2 M-DCT 1:24,90 55 ’15 Honda Civic Type R 1:26,30 58 ’14 Alfa Romeo 4C 1:26,60 68 ’12 Renault Mégane RS Trophy 1:27,45 89 ’13 Mini Cooper JCW GP 1:28,90 108 ’14 Audi RS Q3 1:31,05 114 ‘15 Audi S1 Quattro manual 1:31,50 127 ’13 Ford Fiesta 1,6 EcoBoost ST 1:32,80 RENAULT knows how to build hot hatches, and this prowess is especially evident on track. We’ve tested 10 RSs at Killarney over the years and were interested to see where the focused Clio RS 220 Trophy would fit in. On a chilly day in Cape Town, and with an eager Deon Joubert behind the wheel, the Clio pulled out of the pits to loud blowing sounds exiting its standard Akrapovi exhaust system. After warming the tyres for a couple of…

speed track test

Maurice Hamilton NLESS something dramatic happens, it looks very much like the 2017 F1 season is going to be a shootout between triple champion Lewis Hamilton and four-time title winner Sebastian Vettel. Here’s a look at five key areas that will determine the outcome. 01 CARS THE 2017 regulations – the first major change to F1 car specification for more than a decade – were hopefully going to provide a shake up in the order and a challenge for Mercedes. With the emphasis on increased downforce, it was a challenge expected to come from Red Bull and its aero genius, Adrian Newey. Ferrari was not seriously considered, particularly after a dismal 2016 and the loss of technical chief, James Allison. Exactly the opposite has happened. Newey has not presided over the clean sheet of…

the influencers

THE NOMEX RACE SUIT Lining up at the start of the 1966 Indianapolis 500, Mel Kenyon was wearing something very special. It wasn’t his left glove, although this was unique, too. The previous year, at the notorious Langhorne Speedway’s dirt oval, regarded by many US racers as the most dangerous track of all, Mel was involved in a fiery crash with three other drivers. He suffered burns to 50% of his body and lost the fingers on his left hand. Undeterred, he raced the next year wearing a mitt with a rubber grommet that clipped neatly onto a stud on the steering wheel, allowing him to steer with his right hand and left palm. However, Mel’s real innovation was an experimental set of fire-retardant racing overalls. Made entirely of Nomex, a resistant material…

the influencers

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