Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i Leisure Wheels

I’ll never forget my first visit to an international motor show. It was the year that the Audi A1 was launched. The scantily clad German ladies on their massive stand had to wield off Chinese ‘journalists’ who were using a steel ruler and camera to take up close images of details of the car that had just been unveiled to the world, clearly for research towards the development of their own car. The famous quote “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” might be true. But it’s not nice when the imitation cheapens the original design and steals sales. Luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has won a legal battle in China against local rival Jiangling Motors for building cars that heavily imitate the Range Rover Evoque. The court ruled that…

Single cab workhorses and people movers are rarely exciting, but locally there’s a huge demand for these cars. There’s a large chunk of the population that relies on the taxi system for transportation. They’re also a perfect fit for any company ferrying tourists, school kids or the elderly. Not to mention families, that simply want something large, economical and reasonably well equipped. This segment has traditionally been dominated by the Toyota Avanza but now Suzuki’s all-new Ertiga has arrived to shake things up a bit. It has space for seven full-size adults and a small amount of luggage, or five adults and a large amount of luggage. That’s pretty much what we were expecting given the body shape. What we weren’t expecting is the refinement. We were able to have…

Suzuki recently introduced a refreshed Vitara model range in South Africa, equipped with a generous helping of creature comforts. The upper instrument panel is now made from premium soft touch materials and on the GLX specification level there is new seat trim material. Suzuki has fitted the GL+ and GLX models with a new 4.2-inch full colour LCD information display while the GL gets a 3.5-inch monochrome LCD. This screen displays information such as driving range, average speed, outside temperature, a gearshift indicator and, on AllGrip models, the selected driving mode. Suzuki has added a second large screen in its new Smart Linkage Display Audio system, which replaces the more traditional analogue system on the GL+ and GLX models. This new touchscreen system features smartphone integration, built-in Android Auto and…

More information: www.cuttingedgesa.co.za The Kelly Kettle is a volcano kettle made from double-walled durable stainless steel. It was originally popularised by anglers before being adopted by campers thanks to its fast boil time and natural fuel versatility. The system consists of a stainless steel water chamber that is built around a central chimney. The unit sits on top of a base in which a fire can be lit, creating an upward draft through the chimney, ensuring fast and efficient boiling even in wet or windy weather. The kettle can be used with almost any natural solid fuel such as sticks, pine cones or wood chips and will boil water in mere minutes. It might be a bit bulkier than a camping stove but you'll never run out of fuel. The…

IT’S made in a glorified shed. In Bloemfontein. In the Free State. And it looks as if it could very well belong on a Hollywood film set, with a guy called Arnold Schwarzenegger behind the wheel. Or Sylvester Stallone. Or Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. But no Ed Sheeran. Or Danny DeVito. And definitely no Woody Allen. The company is called Brandt Radical Vehicle, or BRV. And the bakkie is the shedmade BRV S89-M3 Sport, featuring a 2.8-litre Cummins turbodiesel engine, Dana axles, 35-inch wheels and body panels made from 1.6mm steel. Want airbags and ABS? Shame. You can get those in that Tupperware bakkie at the local dealership. The Brandt family are following in the footsteps of their father, Antonie, who previously built more than 400 DTV roadrunner off-roaders, so…

ZAMBIA: FROM AWESOME TO ZEST 23 MAY – 13 JUNE We are particularly excited to introduce the ‘revamped’ itinerary for Zambia. It is a combination of all the spectacular waterfalls, awesome parks and wildlife Zambia has on offer. We start in Botswana, work our way via Lake Bangweulu towards the north-east of Zambia to experience the spectacular Kabwelume, Lumangwe and Ntumbachushi falls, all the way to Lake Tanganyika. Turning south, we start to experience the wilder side of Zambia with visits to North Luangwa, Luambe and South Luangwa National Parks. After we have recuperated around Lusaka, we visit the northern part of Kafue National Park and venture through the southern part to Livingstone where the route ends. Surely the A–Z of Zambia, if ever there was one. ■ Price: R26…

THE first was the creation of work opportunities for 560 unemployed youths via the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme. The group began its 12-month employment period with VWSA on 1 March. The group will be placed across the country and in different business areas such as VWSA’s national sales organisation in Gauteng and in technical areas in the manufacturing plant in Uitenhage which has employed 70 people. The VWSA dealership network has also taken in 230 emloyees while YES small medium enterprise host partners will be employing 260 people. YES, which was recently launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is a business-led collaborative programme that aims to enable young people (black youth between the ages of 18–35) without formal qualifications to get work and internship opportunities for a 12-month period, with…

It’s fair to say that Mitsubishi South Africa has not launched a lot of new products recently, with only the Pajero Sport counting as an ‘all-new’ model in the last three years. Fortunately the all-new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has arrived in South Africa, albeit with some nomenclature baggage. First to fourth generation Eclipses were all sporty vehicles that featured prominently in the Fast & Furious franchise. Mitsubishi has taken the decision to use its well-known model names on new models that are in vogue with car buyers. In other words, don’t expect a fast and furious performer, a high seating position is the new 10-second quarter mile. The Eclipse Cross is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that boasts 110kW and 198Nm and is mated to a CVT gearbox…

BMW is expanding its plugin hybrid drive portfolio with the X3 xDrive 30e and X5 xDrive45e models. The plug-in hybrid system in the BMW X3 xDrive30e consists of a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower turbo technology and an electric motor. Both drive units put their power on the road via an eight-speed steptronic transmission and the intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Their joint system output of 185kW can be increased by up to 30kW via temporary use of the electric motor’s peak output and will see this model accelerate to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds. The X3 is fitted with a lithium-ion battery, which is positioned under the rear seat. The X5 xDrive45e is fitted with an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor, ensuring a combined output of…

THE Cape Epic is the world’s toughest mountain-bike race; classified out of category by the UCI (Union of Cycliste Internationale) alongside road races like the Tour of France and the Tour of Spain. Over eight days, riders traverse some of the toughest trails of the Western Cape over a distance of 630km with 16 650m of climbing. When choosing a vehicle to follow this race, it simply had to wear the green oval. This race attracts the world’s best including Olympic and world champions. What makes it unique is that the regular man on the street can enter this event and race against these elite cyclists. But make no mistake, everyone who lines up at this event has put in months of preparation because the Epic has a reputation for…

SOME say it’s the ultimate relationship tester. The ultimate test to find out if a woman really loves her man. Or a man really loves his woman. Or a man really, er, likes his buddy. It’s the legendary mud sleigh obstacle at the Rust de Winter 4×4 Jamboree. And it works like this: The co-driver has to strap him or herself into a Tiger Wheel & Tyre-sponsored mud sleigh. The strapped-in person is handed some stylish goggles and the sleigh is hooked up behind the team’s 4×4. Next, the driver has a limited amount of time to drag the sleigh around a set course in the figure of eight, which includes two mud holes. We must just add: These mud holes come with the distinct whiff of cow dung, as…

WHEN it comes to the kind of cars South Africans prefer, our taste tends to lean more towards European than American. It’s an odd anomaly, given that our buying habits align more with the Americans. Their bestselling vehicle is a bakkie, as is ours. For the most part, we leave it to the Europeans to define the cars we buy but now and then we head into the metaphorical garden shed to throw something unique and special together. Sometimes these projects fail. South Africa’s ill-fated electric car – the Joule – was a non-starter. We can think of at least 10 other local car companies that attempted to build a South African sports car on an already existing international platform, only to fail. For this article, however, we’re focusing on…

OUR love affair with the H6C was definitely not a rushed, fall-in-love-within-two-hours kind of Hollywood romance. This one was a slow burn but there certainly was some attraction from the get-go. Upon its arrival at the office, we did the obligatory meet and greet. Climb in, push every button, prod the dashboard to assess quality and adjust the seating position. Everyone was blown away by the quality of the vehicle. Suffice to say that the days of Chinese cars smelling like glue are long gone and anyone who doesn’t agree simply hasn’t been inside one of these yet. The second surprise was the generous specification. Our H6C was not a top-of-the-line Luxury derivative but rather an entry-level City. Even so, there’s not much we wanted to add. Higher up in…

Herewith a suggestion that may restore the somewhat biased representation of the magazine. I recommend that you send a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in standard trim, as a benchmark competitor along with the customised Ford Everest on that pukka overland trip, with a (really) rough section of 4×4 in the mix. We, some old farts and 4×4 enthusiasts from the Cape, are of the opinion that there is too much coverage of the Everests, Fortuners, Jimnys and so on in Leisure Wheels, whereby one of the finalists in the 2019 Car of the Year competition, the Pajero Sport, did not receive any substantial mention in your magazine during 2018. Looking forward to a credible 2019. Jurgen and Co Durbanville Stating that the magazine is somewhat biased is an unfair statement in…

Gone is the range anxiety phenomenon associated with electric cars, as the Jaguar I-Pace boasts a range of 470km. Jaguar have also invested R30 million in a charging network on most of South Africa’s major routes, to the point that you can actually drive from Jozi or Cape Town in one go. A faster charge at a charging station costs more than a slower one, but according to Jaguar, when compared to a traditionally powered SUV of the same size, you’re looking at onethird of the price. At home, using a wall box, a full charge on an empty battery will cost you around R300. The I-Pace takes a mere 4.8 seconds to get to 100km/h and it will keep on accelerating right up to an electronically governed top speed…

Mazda recently took the covers off the second model in its new-generation line-up. The CX-30 is a crossover that combines the bold proportions of an SUV with elegant styling that embodies Mazda’s Kodo design language. Basically, it’s the all-new Mazda 3 with slightly more ground clearance and some plastic body protection. Mazda says it has user-friendly packaging and a cabin that comfortably seats four adults. No engine details were released but Mazda did state that it’s a global model, which means it will most likely find its way to South Africa.…

WHAT do you get when a big horsepower Baja desert racing truck and a 4×4 rock crawler with huge mud terrain tyres, locking differentials and a transfer case get jiggy and this union results in offspring? You get a madcap Ultra4 car with around 700 horses under the bonnet. Essentially a stupidly fast, V8-powered 4×4 running on 40-inch mud terrain tyres. With a winch, transfer case and locking differentials. That is worth around R3 million. This is the King of Hammers, or KoH. Believed by many to be the world’s ultimate, toughest and most spectacular off-road spectacle. The 2019 King of Hammers was a massive step up over 2018, with a huge entry list. The growth of the event can be attributed to the expansion of the allterrain vehicle (ATV)…

TOYOTA HILUX 2.8GD-6 4×4 RAIDER AUTO Engine: Four-cylinder diesel Displacement: 2 755cc Power: 130kW @ 3 3000r/min Torque: 450Nm @ 1 600r/min Gearbox: Six-speed automatic 4WD system: Part-time four-wheel drive Driving aids: Transfer case, rear differential lock, hill descent control, stability control and traction control Ground clearance (claimed): 286mm Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres Average consumption: 10.2 litres/100km Service plan: Nine services/90 000km Mechanical warranty: Three-year/100 000km Service intervals: 10 000km Price: R637 500 MITSUBISHI TRITON 2.4D1-DC Engine: Four-cylinder diesel Displacement: 2 442cc Power: 133kW @ 3 500r/min Torque: 430Nm @ 2 500r/min Gearbox: Six-speed automatic 4WD system: Part-time four-wheel drive Driving aids: Transfer case, Super Select 4WD, rear differential lock, hill descent control, stability control and traction control, terrain management system Ground clearance (claimed): 205mm Fuel tank capacity: 75…

You might be thinking that putting a toddler behind the wheel is a bad idea, but we’d argue that it might be one of the best ideas ever. Not only will they develop a love of cars (which should keep the motoring industry in business for a few more decades), but they’ll get all of the inevitable antics out of their system before they’re legally allowed to hit the road at 18. As such, we decided to scour the internet in search of cars kids are legally allowed to drive and we found some magnificent machines. Best of all? They range in price from relatively affordable to obscenely expensive, so there’s something for everyone out there. 1 A BOG-STANDARD PEDAL CAR These are a dime a dozen in just about…

A unique part of the world awaits visitors to Weskus Quarry. The area around Lambert’s Bay is relatively flat and at Steenbokfontein there are a couple of spectacular sandstone formations. This gives the terrain some elevation and the Burger family has used it in a clever way by developing campsites with a rustic feel. providing shade and giving the impression the tent is ready for any fisherman or surfer. Each tent is pitched on a cement slab with a spacious porch which includes braai facilities. Weskus Quarry is fully self-catering, you just need to bring your own braai paraphernalia, wood and drinks. The kitchen has all the equipment needed for the preparation of side dishes including cutlery, a fridge, microwave and kettle. There are great ablution facilities, with two toilets…

CONTROLLING these temperatures is the job of the cooling system. In water-cooled applications, the system basically circulates liquid coolant through the engine and out to the radiator to be cooled by the air stream that comes through the front grille of the vehicle when it is moving forward. The cooling system consists of a heat exchanger (radiator), fan and pump. The more coolant and airflow you pump through the heat exchanger, the more cooling (heat rejection) you will get. Both flow rates have a saturation point, however, at which point more flow will not result in more cooling. The cooling system’s fundamental purpose is to keep the engine within its optimal operating temperature limits. The cooling system will find a balance point between the heat input from the engine to…

VOLKSWAGEN TYPE 181 Year of manufacture: 1968–1983 Engine: Air-cooled flat four, 1 584cc Power: 34kW @ 4 000r/min Torque: 96Nm @ 2 800r/min Gearbox: Four-speed manual Suspension: Torsion beam upfront with either swing axle or independent rear suspension (year model dependent) 4WD system: n/a Ground clearance: 203mm Top speed: 109km/h THE Beetle had already proven itself competent as an off-roader when it was the first two-wheel-drive vehicle to conquer the iconic Sani Pass in 1956 but there was scope for improvement. In the mid-’60s, the German army was looking for a new set of wheels. They could have ordered a fleet of Jeeps but were too proud. Civilian customers were looking for a vehicle better suited to bad roads than the Beetle and the popularity of VW-based dune buggies in…