Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2016 i CAR

Billed as a “pure-bred sportscar built to conform to a time-honoured formula”, the limited-run 911R ushers in two elements sure to make Porsche purists squeal with delight – a naturally aspirated 4,0-litre engine developing 368 kW and 460 N.m, and a six-speed manual gearbox, all wrapped in a body that’s not far removed from that of the stock Carrera. Weighing just 1 370 kg, it’s capable of hitting 100 km/h from standstill in just 3,7 seconds before topping out at 322 km/h, and also features rear-axle steering, a mechanical rear diff lock and ceramic-composite brakes as standard. ETA: TBC…

1 It will be a very tough market this year Since last August, the rand has declined around 25% against the dollar and euro, and that means there will be dramatic price increases throughout the market in the next 12 months. We’ve seen on average 4,5% so far and you’re probably looking at another 10% through the year. That’s pretty big. And there’s no way consumers are getting salary increases on that level. The market is likely to shrink somewhere between 9% and 11% compared to last year. 2 To combat that, we are satisfied we have an excellent model range with competitive prices Renault is in a exciting space. It’s a cool brand that’s accessible to young people who want to be a little bit different. And if you…

2011 BMW 1 SERIES M COUPÉ Est value: R750 000 Power/Torque: 250 kW/450 N.m 0-100 km/h: 5,10 sec Top speed: 250 km/h CAR fuel index: 11,5 L/100 km CO2 : 224 g/km BMW M2 M-DCT Price: R848 569 Power/Torque: 272 kW/465 N.m 0-100 km/h: 4,56 sec Top speed: 250 km/h CAR fuel index: 9,48 L/100 km CO2 : 185 g/km WHETHER for its plucky, puffed-up stance, fearsome reputation, or scarcity (only 64 were imported), the BMW 1 Series M Coupé, or 1M, has gained an almost mythical standing among South African motoring enthusiasts since its introduction in 2011. Instantly recognisable thanks to brashly chiselled fenders and exaggerated wheelarches, the marriage of a 250 kW twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder (N54) engine and meaty six-speed manual transmission within a relatively compact, rear-wheel-driven, E82…

JAGUAR XF 25t R-SPORT Price: R816 900 Power/Torque: 177 kW/340 N.m 0-100 km/h: 7,65 sec Top speed: 248 km/h CAR fuel index: 9,00 L/100 km CO2 : 179 g/km LEXUS GS200t EX Price: R688 600 Power/Torque: 180 kW/350 N.m 0-100 km/h: 7,96 sec Top speed: 230 km/h CAR fuel index: 9,60 L/100 km CO2 : 186 g/km IN the July 2015 issue of CAR, we compared the entry-level versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and it was the four-ringed executive sedan from Ingolstadt that left with the spoils. As conclusive a test as that was for most buyers in this small market sector, what if your rise up the corporate ladder is accompanied by a desire to be distinctive? Jaguar and Lexus recently introduced 2,0-litre,…

When filming was over, I knew I had to have an M235i “THE best bang for buck sportscar of the lot,” were the closing words from our road test of the M235i Coupé (July 2014). Strong praise, indeed, with a test score of 82/100 to boot. However, the brief time I spent in the car during that test wasn’t the sole reason I lusted after one. It was the now famous Drift Mob advert filmed in Cape Town’s CBD that sealed the deal. I spent a few days on set with world-class drifters and even had a turn to slide. When filming was over, I knew I had to have one. CAR’s somewhat hopeful proposal wasn’t only given the thumbs up by BMW SA, but I was allowed to spec…

I drive a 2013 Kia Rio 1,2 and the car currently has 63 000 km on the clock. Lately, I’ve noticed that, after driving on the highway for about 20 to 30 minutes without shifting gears, the clutch becomes very stiff and heavy to operate. If the car is then parked for a few minutes, the clutch returns to normal. During normal city driving, even in peak traffic, the clutch never stiffens. Any ideas on what the problem may be? ETIENNE DU PREEZ Centurion Our first guess is a sticky clutch cable. Either lubricate the inner cable with the correct grease, or replace the unit. The static cable gets hot as a result of elevated under-bonnet temperatures and that can cause the inner and outer cables to stick. Operating the…

Audi A3 facelift Q4Audi S4 Q4Audi R8 imminentBMW 740e Q3BMW 760iL Q3BMW M4 GTS imminentBMW X5 xDrive40e imminentChevrolet Trailblazer facelift Q4Fiat Tipo mid-yearFiat Professional bakkie mid-yearFord Focus RS Q3Honda Civic Q3Hyundai Sonata under considerationHyundai Creta under considerationInfiniti Q30 JulyInfiniti QX30 SeptemberInfiniti Q60 DecemberJaguar F-Pace Q3Kia Sportage AugustKia Cerato facelift Q4Mahindra S101 Hatch imminentMahindra TUV 300 imminentMahindra Scorpio imminentMazda3 facelift second halfMazda BT-50 facelift first halfMercedes-Benz G-Class facelift imminentMercedes-Benz CLA facelift AugustMercedes-Benz SLC imminentMercedes-Benz GLS imminentMercedes-Benz SL facelift imminentMercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet imminentMercedes-Benz E-Class JulyOpel Mokka facelift Q4Peugeot 2008 facelift Q3Peugeot 308 GTi Q3Range Rover Evoque Convertible Q3Renault Duster “phase 2” Q3Renault Kwid under considerationRenault Mégane Q3Subaru Forester facelift imminentSuzuki Baleno Q3Toyota Prius imminentVolvo V40 facelift imminentVW Golf GTI Clubsport Q4VW Passat TSI Q3VW Tiguan Q4VW Up! facelift Q4 DISCONTINUED BMW X5…

The Gordon Bennett Races 1900-05 Considered to be the ancestor to modern Grand Prix racing, this series of six races was founded by the New York Herald ’s maverick owner, Gordon Bennett. With the aim of encouraging aspirant carmakers to develop vehicles through competition, he donated a trophy to the Automobile Club de France. His stipulations were that only three cars could be entered per country and that every part of a competing vehicle had to be produced in the country which it represented, including the wheels. Of the six races held around Europe, four were a city-to-city format and two were circuit races. The Vanderbilt Cup 1904-16 Auto enthusiast and super-wealthy individual given his surname, William Kissam Vanderbilt Jr. saw how racing benefited European automotive advancements. Desiring the same…

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. WINNING LETTER A DREAM REALISED The last two decades, I’ve dreamt of owning a BMW E36 M3 Coupé. It ticks all the boxes to make it one of my dream machines: stunning lines; high-revving, naturally aspirated, six-cylinder configuration; individual throttle bodies; three pedals; RWD with an LSD; and possibly one of the best-looking front seats of all time. Some say you should never drive your hero car, and it’s better to leave it as an object of desire on your bedroom wall…

The DB11 is the first model in a bold new development that Aston Martin has dubbed the Second Century Plan. According to Aston CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, it represents a "new wave of products that are being developed under the largest investment plan in its 103-year history". By the end of the decade, every single model in the company's line-up will be replaced and up to three new models will be added. These could include a supercar in a similar vein to the DP-100 Vision Gran Turismo concept, the DBX crossover and possibly a sedan based on the limited-run Lagonda Taraf.…

MID-SIZED CROSSOVER ON MAZDA’S CARDS Mazda will reveal a new compact crossover concept, dubbed CX-4, at this year’s Beijing Motor Show. Although not confirmed for production, the company’s concepts have a tendency to be thinly veiled production models in the making. OPEL GT GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT Having initially nixed the idea of offering the radical GT for public consumption, Opel appears to have relented to huge public interest and is investigating production viability. Initial reports suggest that a modified version of the Mokka’s platform could form its base. AMG POWERPLANTS FOR ALPINE Having given the Alpine the official go-ahead, Renault may now turn to AMG for powerplants. Its partnership with Daimler could potentially place either the company’s 1,6 turbopetrol or the A45’s fire-breathing 2,0-litre unit in the lightweight sportscar’s…

WHICHEVER way you turned during March, Formula One seemed intent on driving itself into the ground. The Australian Grand Prix may have been a lively and intriguing season opener, but everything else about the weekend in Melbourne was riddled with suspicion and confusion. The new qualifying procedures turned out to be the embarrassing shambles predicted in this column last month. I’m saying this with a sense of sadness rather than personal satisfaction. With the vast majority of fans, F1 insiders and anyone with a jot of common sense realising that the sport did not need an empty track at the very moment qualifying should be at its thrilling climax in the closing minutes, it was agreed immediately that the new rules should be scrapped. Common sense prevailed. Hallelujah! Not so…

THE big guns are out, and so they should be. It’s 7 March 2016, a date very important to the three men sitting on the stage in front of the world’s press. On this day 100 years ago, Bayerische Motoren Werke opened its doors for business and they were doors that belonged to the very building we’re sitting in. Addressing the press are Harald Kruger, BMW’s chairman of the board, Maximillian Schoebel, its director of corporate affairs, and Adrian van Hooydonk, group chief designer. We’re in the Knorr-Bremse building in Munich that housed BMW’s very first factory and one that the company only recently bought back and restored to its original condition. It will be the new home of BMW Mobile Tradition, the arm of the business that restores and…

The new Tucson feels appreciably premium compared with rivals Est price: R499 999 0-100 km/h: 9,38 secs Power/Torque: 130 kW/265 N.m Top speed: 201 km/h CAR fuel index: 10,2 L/100 km CO 2  : 178 g/km WHETHER badged Tucson (2005 to 2010) or ix35 (2010-2016), it’s clear from monthly sales figures that Hyundai’s compact-SUV entrant has played both a telling role in shaping the landscape of this popular segment, and has had a hand in significantly elevating its Korean maker’s profile and reputation within our fiercely brand-loyal market. Indeed, an indication of this popularity (as well as notable durability) is surely just how many of the more than 22 000 original models sold in South Africa are still visible on our roads. This fact should help Hyundai SA navigate…

Price: R736 733 0-100 km/h: 4,35 sec Power/Torque: 280 kW/475 N.m Top speed: 250 km/h CAR fuel index: 8,28 L/100 km CO 2  : 171 g/km “UNDERLINING the claim to leadership in this market segment.” This extract is from Mercedes-Benz’s press material on the facelifted A45. If that’s not a statement of intent, then we’re not sure what is. When Benz launched the smallest AMG a few years ago, it blew the hot-hatch segment wide open. Power from its inline four was rated at a near unbelievable 265 kW, easily trouncing others in the class. Sure, Audi’s previous RS3 Sportback delivered impressive power outputs even before the arrival of the A45, but they had an extra cylinder in play. AMG briefly enjoyed its newfound leadership of a segment it…

Once the traffic clears, take the engine up to 9 000 r/min and marvel at the motorcycle’s sheer pace SOUTH AFRICA has a perfect combination of an extensive network of gravel roads, perfect stretches of quiet tarmac and picturesque mountain passes. We also have congested cities and the challenge of commuting in and out of these metropolises. Given all this, it’s no wonder dual-purpose motorcycles sell in large numbers. Aprilia’s answer to these discordant challenges is its Caponord 1200 (“North Cape” in Norwegian) and, when a Rally derivative arrived at our offices six months ago adorned with all the trimmings you see here, we were eager to test it in every scenario. The V2 1 197 cm3 engine develops a healthy 93 kW and 115 N.m, and has three throttle…

PRESENCE OF MIND My monthly stories might have given you the impression that we never make mistakes at the garage. We certainly do, but I don’t write about them… Last week, we had major drama on the forecourt that taught our pump attendant and the driver involved a lesson, which is why I feel I have to tell CAR’s readers about it. One morning, I heard a diesel engine revving its guts out on the forecourt. I dashed outside and was there just in time to see clouds of smoke billowing from a diesel exhaust and a frantic Hennie opening the bonnet and jamming a pillow against the air intake. This calmed the beast and the engine died. The driver and bystanders were mystified, but Hennie and I knew what…

The lens should last up to two years before fading again sets in THE sun isn’t only harmful to your skin, but also to your car’s plastic headlamp lenses. Units that were once crystal clear turn yellow and this not only affects the performance of the headlamps, but also the aesthetics of the vehicle. As new headlamps cost a fortune, we decided to investigate whether faded headlamps can be repaired. We took photographer Kian Eriksen’s 2004 Hyundai Getz and its faded lenses to repairer acciDent Guru in Paarden Eiland and watched in wonder as they were restored to good-as-new condition. THE PROBLEM Most plastic headlamps have UV protection against the sun’s destructive rays. Unfortunately, this barrier breaks down over time and the outer skin of the lens discolours. The only…

NOTES The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred before 1 April 2016. 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 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 E = electric. POWER…

DUSTER, Sandero Stepway, Captur, Koleos and now Kadjar. SUV/crossover models now comprise more than half of Renault’s current local lineup and the all-new Kadjar heralds the arrival of the firm’s newest compact crossover. Fittingly, this model is kitted with a whole host of modern conveniences, including such niceties as satellite navigation, parking sensors and a seven-inch, adaptable, touchscreen infotainment system. With a prelaunch test unit at our disposal, the brief was simple: go explore the West Coast, and explore we did. Access to this scenic part of the Western Cape is easy: just head north out of the city on the R27, locally referred to as the West Coast Road. This rather characterless piece of tar is flanked by the wide open spaces of the Swartland on one side and…

ECO-FRIENDLY TECH From Korea’s first EV, the Bresta in 1986, to current hybrids, plug-in hybrid and full-EV production models, KIA remains committed to zero-emissions mobility. ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS KIA has launched a new sub-brand, DRIVE WISE, to encompass its future Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). DRIVE WISE embodies KIA’s philosophy to realise intelligently safe vehicles featuring the latest and forthcoming ADAS technologies. The brand recently announced plans to manufacture partially autonomous cars by 2020, and it aims to bring its first fully autonomous car to market by 2030. Engineered to improve safety for all road users, DRIVE WISE will enable KIA to introduce intelligent safety technologies to its future model range, helping to eliminate potential dangers – and, for many, the boredom – of driving, while changing the ways…

AUDI A4 2,0T FSI SPORT S TRONIC Price: R517 000 0-100 km/h: 7,32 sec Power/torque: 140 kW/320 N.m Top speed: 210 km/h CAR fuel index: 5,88 L/100 km CO2 : 112 g/km MERCEDES-BENZ C200 7G-TRONIC Price: R498 180 0-100 km/h: 7,95 sec Power/torque: 135 kW/300 N.m Top speed: 235 km/h CAR fuel index: 6,72 L/100 km CO2 : 132 g/km BMW 320i STEPTRONIC Price: R482 356 0-100 km/h: 7,94 sec Power/torque: 135 kW/290 N.m Top speed: 235 km/h CAR fuel index: 6,40 L/100 km CO2 : 124 g/km EIGHT years. In automotive terms, it’s the equivalent of several eons, but that’s how long the previous-generation Audi A4 spent taking on Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class and the BMW 3 Series. So it’s little wonder that, towards the end, as its rivals whipped the…

Price: R495 0000-100 km/h: 5,55 secPower/Torque: 138 kW/208 N.mTop speed: n/aCAR fuel index: 10,2 L/100 kmmCO2 : n/a “ADD lightness.” That was Colin Chapman’s famous philosophy. And when it comes to sportscars, the founder of Lotus Cars’ statement still rings true. With physics forever playing a role in car design, so too does a reduction in weight. The Birkin S3’s genesis car is, of course, Chapman’s legendary Lotus 7 – a lightweight road and track car that was in production from 1957 until ‘73, when Lotus discontinued what it regarded as a vehicle whose time had come and gone. Of the many companies that subsequently assumed the mantle where Lotus left off, British maker Caterham is the most acclaimed, developing the basic 7 template into a vehicle that has spawned…

The Sasol Fuel Application Centre is a state-of-the-art fuel research facility in Cape Town that consists of six engine-test cells that are used to research the impact of Sasol’s range of synthetic and crude-oil-derived fuels and lubricants on vehicle emissions and performance. It is the only engine test facility of this kind in South Africa. Three of the advanced test cells are fitted with AC dynamometers that replicate real-world drive cycles, like the NEDC used for this feature. This facility is also employed to develop new products and to evaluate additive packages, used in Sasol fuels and lubricants, for the local environment. Sasol conducted this test work under the scrutiny of CAR and we thank the company.…

The C63 AMG looks set to tackle the BMW M4 head-on when it arrives in July MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS COUPÉ PRICES FROM R553 357 By the time you read this, the popular C-Class range will have grown to include a Coupé version. Based on the latest platform, the two-door has a unique appearance that includes a diamond-finish radiator grille, lower ride height, a steeply raked rear screen and an extended rear overhang, accentuating the low profile. The sleek shape provides a class-leading drag-coefficient figure of just 0,26. Initially, two petrol engines will be available for the Coupé. The 2,0-litre, four-cylinder engine in the C200 is rated at 135 kW, while the C300 (R664 096), which uses the same power-train but with higher boost on the turbocharger, develops 180 kW. The sole…

PREVIEWS of the 2016 Formula One season spoke of Ferrari needing to make a flying start, the inference being that if reigning champion Mercedes was allowed to rack up more wins in the opening Grands Prix, neither Ferrari nor anyone else would be able to catch up as the 21-race season quickly got into its stride. Optimism that Ferrari would be able to offer some sort of challenge was based on two things: a huge improvement by the Italian marque in 2015 (perhaps not that encouraging when you consider how dismal 2014 had been), and a productive preseason test. Even allowing for the difficulty in forming an accurate prediction based on information-limited testing, it seemed Ferrari had reduced the gap to Mercedes from 0,8 to 0,5 seconds per lap; not…