Mazda launches three new models in SA

Mazda South Africa is finishing up the details regarding its sepearation with Ford South Africa. The brand will no longer be the red-headed step child hiding in the corner whilst big brother Ford grabs all the limelight. To mark this momentous occasion for Mazda, it has launched three models into the South African market. The Mazda 3 hatch and sedan, the Mazda 6 and a renewed CX-5 have made the list.

Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 has always been an underdog in the C-segment hatchback market. The new model makes use of Skyactiv engine technology, which in its 2-litre petrol engine means an extremely high compression ratio of 14:1. Compare that to its naturally aspirated rivals at around 10:1 and you can see that it’s a much more forceful bang out of the engine. Mazda say that it increases power, torque, efficiency and therefore fuel economy as well.

Mazda 3 is available in both 1.6-litre and 2-litre petrol models. The 2-litre we drove on launch predictably coped well with its 121 kW and 210 Nm whilst fuel economy is kept to around 6.1l/100km. The interior is nicely built with an array of soft touch materials and leather seats. There’s two USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity via the iPad style touchscreen on the centre of the dashboard. It is controlled via a centre switch, much like a BMW’s iDrive system or Merc and Audi equivalent. Nice tech for a hatchaback.

During our launch route drive the Mazda 3’s notable feat was the cabin insulation, wind noise is kept to a minimum whilst the engine is hardly audible at all. The ride is also plush, landing somewhere in the middle between sporty and comfortable. Connected to a smooth and soft shifting six speed manual the Mazda 3 is a pleasant car to drive.

Mazda 6

Our first glimpse of the all-new Mazda 6 in SA and it’s a stylish car from the outside, Mazda’s Kodo design language (soul of motion) resulting in a sleek, low centered appearance. There’s a choice of three engines for the 6 as we’ll have two petrols and a diesel to choose from, all with some form of Skyactive technology in them. If petrol is your thing then there’s a 2-litre with 114kW and 200Nm or a 2.5-litre with 138 kW and 250 Nm. The engine linuep is completed by a 2.2-litre diesel with 129 kW and 420 Nm. We had a chance to drive the diesel with the six-speed automatic transmission. It’s a very clean pulling diesel engine with very little diesel clatter apparent and torque seems to be distributed evenly throughout the revs rather than in one big lump like is so often the case with turbodiesels.

The interior gets an upgrade from the 3 with a dual-zone climate control system and loads more space – especially for rear passengers. The iPad style entertainment system is dropped in favour of a different touchscreen system, but I’m not sure it’s as good as the one in the 3, it feels like an add-on piece rather than an integrated system like the 3 has.

The ride and drive is also particularly good, the 6 does a good job of hiding its size feeling quite nimble and comfortable over the course of our drive. It will definitely make a great long distance mile-muncher. It’s up against competition such as: Honda Accord, BMW 3 Series, Merc C-Class and Audi A4.

Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is still a relatively new model in SA having only been launched in 2012, the update then comes in the form of a diesel engine with two power options and an all-wheel drive version. Petrol versions are still available with a 1.6-litre and a 2-litre. The diesel is the same 2.2-litre from the Mazda 6 but makes do with just 110 kW and 380 Nm of torque. In all-wheel drive it unleashes the full 129 kW and 420 Nm of torque that the 6 has. Both the 2-litre petrol and 2.5-litre are also available in the CX-5

The CX-5 is a good compact SUV that takes on the likes of the new Qashqai, Sportage, Tiguan and ix35. With a wider range of engines and better value for money, it could well be a contender on our Best Compact SUVs list. Inside it feels very similar to the Mazda 6 as far as layout goes and it’s well equipped in the lower powered diesel we drove.

Road manners and handling are admirable in the CX-5, again like much of the new range, attention has been paid to making sure the car feels stable on the road and the driver has faith in its abilities. It rides nicely on tarmac but a better assessment will need to be made on its dirt road talent when we get one for a full test.

Mazda seems to have big plans for South Africa over the next three years and hopes to grow it back to pre-recession numbers. They launch with a vast dealer network and a pretty good warranty deal where these three vehicles all come with three-year unlimited mileage warranties.

Pricing

Mazda 3 R232 900 to R326 300
Mazda 6 R342 000 to R430 500
Mazda CX-5 R316 600 to R456 100

Peugeot Quartz Concept Introduced

Peugeot has revealed its Quartz concept ahead of a public debut scheduled for early next month at the Paris Motor Show.

Ultra-athletic crossover

Riding on massive 23-inch wheels with functioning flaps, the Quartz concept combines the body of an SUV with the cabin of a sedan and features styling taken from Peugeot’s latest design language, which first debuted on the Exalt concept at the Beijing Motor Show. It measures 4.5 metres in length and is 2.06 metres wide with benefits from a composite structure and bonded body panels to shave off weight.

The concept additionally comes with LED lights, an electronically-retractable step, ‘scissor’ doors, two rear wings and a glass roof. There’s also a limited slip differential and a front MacPherson struts suspension combined with a rear multi-arm setup. The pneumatic suspension is automatically adjustable and offers a ground clearance varying between 300mm and 350mm.

Interior styling features

Inside, the Quartz gets a basalt-coloured centre console which Peugeot calls the ‘i-cockpit’ – complete with a compact steering wheel with built-in controls for shifting gears, digitally-woven textiles using plastic from recycled water bottles and fawn-coloured leather highlights sourced from old furniture and clothes.

Other interior highlights include a configurable head-up display with a central 45-degree polycarbonate strip providing extra info, along with four bucket seats that have an exposed seat structure and come with a four-point retractable harness.

High-performance drive train

The Peugeot’s Quartz concept will be powered by a plug-in hybrid drive train comprising of a 198 kW 4-cylinder 1.6 THP turbocharged petrol engine with 330 Nm of torque, supplemented by an 85 kW electric motor which charges the 400V battery during deceleration and also provides assistance to the conventional engine during gear changes. The rear axle also features an 85kW electric motor for propulsion and battery charging.

In EV mode, the car runs for up to 50 km using battery juice. In Road mode, the front motor and the engine work together in FWD unison, while Race mode will allow the concept to use the combined output of the THP engine and the two electric motors.

The Peugeot Quartz concept will be on display starting October 4 during the 2014 Paris Motor Show.

Citroen C4 Cactus AIRFLOW 2L Concept To Be Unveiled In Paris (Video)

The Citroen C4 Cactus AIRFLOW 2L concept based on the C4 Cactus is set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next month, packed with advanced technologies that illustrate the ambition and ability of the brand to develop innovative responses to the automotive challenges, as well as improvements to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Modified styling features

Featuring an optimised design with a 20% improvement in aerodynamics, the Citroen C4 Cactus AIRFLOW 2L concept comes with a new front bumper with three air intakes that automatically open to cool the engine and close to improve aerodynamics. The concept also has 19-inch “ultra ultra” low rolling resistance “tall & narrow” tyres, a larger rear spoiler as well as slender rearview cameras which have replaced side mirrors.

Besides the aerodynamic styling tweaks, lightweight materials including carbon fibre, aluminium, high-yield steels, composite materials and translucent polycarbonate were used to enable the concept to weigh 100 kg, which is less than the production Citroen C4 Cactus.

Hybrid Air technology reducing fuel consumption

Power is provided by a three-cylinder 1.2-litre PureTech engine from the Cactus line-up and paired it to Hybrid Air technology, which uses compressed air rather than electricity, a hydraulic pump/motor and an automatic transmission with an epicyclic gear train.

Three driving modes can be selected, with two utilizing either air or petrol power exclusively, and the third using a combination of the two. The modifications to the powertrain help the concept return just 2L/100 km. The concept answers a challenge set by the French government to put a vehicle capable of returning 2L/100 km into production by 2020.

Citroen C4 Cactus AIRFLOW 2L Concept video

New Lamborghini Concept Car to Be Unveiled At Paris Motor Show

A teaser image of a new Lamborghini concept car, said to be shown at the Paris Motor Show has been revealed.

Mysterious new model from Lamborghini

The company didn’t disclose much but has issued a line drawing of the car, together with the vague statement: “Once perfection is achieved, you can just double it”.

The outline shows the sloping roof line to what looks like a huge cabin that might have space for a 2+2 seat configuration – which in turn fits into Lamborghini’s plan to expand its model range beyond the staple sports cars for which it is best known.

The company does have a history of four-seat production cars, such as the Espada and Urraco, as well as the unusual LM002 off-roader from 1980 or so. Lamborghini also previewed another four-seater option at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show with the Urus Concept SUV – which is expected to make production by 2017.

The new Lamborghini concept car will be unveiled on October 2nd at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, stay tuned for full details.

2014 Toyota Yaris Now Available in SA

The 2014 Toyota Yaris has been launched to the South African media and we were there at the Cape Town launch.

The Toyota Yaris is one of the brand’s more Eurocentric offerings and I can see the appeal. Who wouldn’t like a modern, European-styled hatchback, but with legendary Toyota reliability? The Yaris has sold pretty well in SA, but has been under threat from more modern and funkier offerings from the likes of the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo. The Ford Fiesta also sells well and even the Koreans are getting in on the act.

The time has come then, for a revitalised Toyota Yaris to make an appearance. You can read the full specifications and changes here, but essentially there’s a new front face, a new infotainment system as well as some upgrades in terms of ride refinement and driveability. Engine options include two petrols and the hybrid.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

After an evening press briefing and hotel stay, we awoke early for the day’s driving activities. First car to sample was the 1.5-litre Yaris HSD – a car that promises fuel economy of 3.6-litres / 100km, which sounds incredible. Start it up and you’re greeted with… nothing. If it wasn’t for the dashboard lights and gentle whir from the air-conditioner, you’d think the car was still off. Put the gearbox into Drive, drop the handbrake and the Yaris hybrid gets going in complete silence. In fact, it’ll stay in full electric mode up to 50 kph.

The car feels refined and solid on the open roads around Malmesbury, while the CVT gearbox keeping the 1.5-litre engine ticking over nicely. It’s only when you want to overtake a slower vehicle on the open road and need all power does the gearbox noise become intrusive. But when you’re getting such low economy, it’s not a bad price to pay.

Yaris Rally Experience

Usually small car launches are very low-key and forgettable events, but Toyota SA had a plan up its sleeve to keep things exciting. The route guide directed us down a dusty farm road where we met up with the Toyota SA rally team and its superstar driver Giniel de Villiers. De Villiers is currently driving a Toyota Yaris S2000 rally car which competes in the regional offroad championship. Aside from vaguely looking like a Yaris, there’s nothing in this car that can be found in the normal road-going version. Riding shotgun in this monster offroad was an incredible experience.

Toyota Yaris 1.3

We then headed out towards Ceres and Tulbach for the lunch stop. After lunch, I switched to the 1.3 manual Yaris. This is probably the pick of the range as it offers great fuel economy, decent specification and a good driving experience. The hybrid does offer more spec and incredible fuel economy, but at R276 900 I feel that’s a little pricey. The 1.3 Yaris engine is willing to be revved, but the gearbox was a little notchy which I’ll put down to how new the car was. I’d like to see how a test unit fares with a bit more mileage on the clocks when everything has loosened up. The best part of this 1.3 manual Yaris has to be the price as it comes in under R200 000.

New Yaris Verdict

So, the new Toyota Yaris. Is it any good? Can it steal some sales away from the rampant Volkswagen Polo and Renault Clio. I would say yes. There’s a whole host of upgrades and the car is built in France, making it feel a little European. The engine isn’t the most performance orientated, but there’s enough grunt to get about at a reasonable pace. It’s a Toyota and reliability plus resale will be commendable too.

The warranty is good. Petrol versions come with a three-year / 45 000km service plan as standard. The hybrid gets a standard four-year / 60 000 km service plan as well as an additional eight-year / 195 000km warranty on the battery in addition to the standard Toyota warranty of three years / 100 000km.

Facelifted Volkswagen Polo GTI Set To Debut in Paris

The facelifted Volkswagen Polo GTI has been revealed ahead of its scheduled public debut at the upcoming 2014 Paris Motor Show.

Revised styling

The reworked front-wheel drive hatchback is uniquely designed with a sporty front bumper, red GTI badges, honeycomb grille inserts, widened sills underneath the doors and an understated tailgate spoiler. Additional changes include a new rear bumper and a dual exhaust system.

Inside, it receives a sports steering wheel, unique instrument graphics and contoured sport seats like those seen in the front cabin of the larger Golf GTI. There’s also gloss black accents and red contrast stitching.

More power for Volkswagen Polo GTI

Planned for UK sale from next month, the facelifted Volkswagen Polo GTI is said to be powered by a new powerful turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder direct injection unit from the Audi-developed EA888 engine family. Delivering 141 kW and 320 Nm of torque enables the hatchback to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 236 km/h.

Further changes for the Volkswagen Polo GTI include a standard six-speed manual gearbox, whereas the previous model was sold exclusively with a seven speed dual shift gearbox – which is now available as an option for this model. In line with other recently launched facelifted fifth-generation Polo models, it also offers the choice of a sport select suspension featuring adaptive damping control.

We should see the new Volkswagen Polo GTI in South Africa from early 2015. Read the review of the previous generation Polo GTI here.

 

New Toyota Yaris gets Makeover – Price and Specs

The new Toyota Yaris has gone under the knife and received a host of improvements, inside and out. According to Toyota, an 85-million Euro investment, 1 000 new parts and 576 000 man hours have brought the new Yaris to life. Toyota set out to create a Yaris with more emotional appeal by focusing on the interior and exterior styling as well as improving on driveability, ride comfort and noise levels while still offering value for money.

“The new Toyota Yaris petrol models are arguably the best value proposition in the highly competitive B segment. Quality finishes backed up by a comprehensive suite of standard kit ensure that it stays ahead of the pack. Not forgetting, of course, the unique proposition of its hybrid powertrain – still the only vehicle of its kind in this class,” says Glen Crompton, Vice President of Marketing for Toyota SA Motors.

Upgraded Exterior Looks for new Toyota Yaris

The front-end of the new Toyota Yaris features ‘sharp-edged’ detailing with the trapezoidal grilles merging to create a ‘cross shape’. A chrome trim bar runs along the upper grille and into new headlamp clusters which is said to emphasise the car’s width. The new Toyota Yaris features new door belt moulding and door mirrors with 15-inch alloy wheels standard across the range.

The rear-end features a new bumper design and diffuser for added flair. Both the petrol and hybrid models share the same styling with the exception of the LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps and badging which is found on the flagship Yaris Hybrid. Eight exterior colours are available.

Interior Styling Improved

On the inside of the new Toyota Yaris, much has changed. The upper instrument panel on the dashboard is thinner creating a strong horizontal line and the driver’s binnacle is slimmer in appearance. The door panels feature a larger soft-touch area and has been made to look more ‘fluid’. The centre console is raised by 23 mm allowing for the gear lever to be reduced by 30 mm for improved gear changing. The petrol models now feature a closed storage area in the console.

The upper instrument panel features a new grain effect of higher quality with a thick trim band. The central dashboard panel has thicker and softer padding finished in PVC. Chrome accents have been replaced with satin finish for a more sophisticated look. The seats of the new Toyota Yaris features new fabric patterns and colours while the hybrid model is fitted with a leather-cloth combo.

Engine Improvements

Two petrol engines and a hybrid are available for the new Toyota Yaris. With its 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine, the hybrid model sees a reduction of CO2 from 88 g/km to 82 g/km and offers a fuel consumption figure of 3.6-litres / 100km.

The 1.3-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine now has reduced noise and vibration and offers a fuel consumption figure of 5.6-litres / 100km when mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This engine can also be had with Toyota’s Multidrive S continuously variable transmission.

The 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine has been tinkered with to provide improved performance and CO2 emissions from this engine has dropped from 119 g/km to 117 g/km. The 1.0-litre engine is mated to a five speed manual transmission and is most suitable for city driving.

Better Driving Dynamics

A major improvement to the new Toyota Yaris is the reduction of road noise in the cabin and improved ride comfort and handling. A more rigid upper and lower body structure has made the steering more direct while maintaining balanced body control. Body rigidity is said to have increased by about 20% which has contributed to improved driving dynamics.

The rear suspension of the new Toyota Yaris has been improved with a stiffer torsion beam with softer coil springs which has enhanced ride comfort. Softer coil springs at the front and rebound springs in the shock absorbers have also improved handling while reducing body roll during cornering.

Standard Features

Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) are standard on the hybrid model while electric windows, Toyota Touch Multimedia system with Bluetooth functionality is fitted as standard across the range. Other standard features include 15-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, air-conditioning, electric mirrors, power steering, dual front and side airbags and ABS with EBD and Brake Assist.

In addition to these features, the 1.3 Multidrive S model gets a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever while the Yaris Hybrid benefits from automatic climate control, leather-cloth upholstery, reverse camera, 7 airbags, traction and stability control, front fog lights and Hybrid badging.

New Toyota Yaris – Price in South Africa

Toyota Yaris 1.0 – R167 900

Toyota Yaris 1.3 – R194 300

Toyota Yaris 1.3 Multidrive S – R206 500

Toyota Yaris Hybrid – R276 900

The warranty is good. Petrol versions come with a three-year / 45 000km service plan as standard. The hybrid gets a standard four-year / 60 000 km service plan as well as an additional eight-year / 195 000km warranty on the battery in addition to the standard Toyota warranty of 3 years / 100 000km.

Sportier Bentley Mulsanne Speed Officially Revealed

Bentley has unveiled the flagship of its line-up – the new and sporty Bentley Mulsanne Speed ahead of its Paris Auto Show premiere happening early next month.

Assertive speed styling with new exclusive features

According to the company, the model has been designed as “the fastest ultra-luxury driving experience in the world.”

“The new Mulsanne Speed is the car that defines Bentley, as a flagship for driving luxury performance. Our customers don’t compromise, and we’ve adopted the same approach in the design, engineering and crafting of our new flagship,” says Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, Wolfgang Durheimer.

He added that “the Mulsanne Speed is distinguished, calm and relaxing, but always with a connection to the road and relentless dynamic performance on demand. In this car, every journey becomes a drive.”

The Bentley Mulsanne Speed will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, and will be available in four new exterior colours – Spectre, Candy Red, Camel and Marlin. The model will additionally feature a dark tint finish applied to the radiator grille, lower bumper grilles and wing vents. It will also be equipped with new 21-inch wheels, available in painted, polished and dark tint with machined accent finishes.

The distinctive headlights of the Mulsanne show the same dark tint application, and at the rear of the car the taillights retain the “floating ellipse” design, but are similarly finished with a dark tint for a striking appearance, especially at night. Completing the exterior changes are the twin rifled exhaust tailpipes and polished stainless steel Speed badging on the front fender and door tread plate areas.

Inside, the Bentley Mulsanne Speed features a new and unique colour split with new stitch lines that combines diamond quilted light-colour hide with darker, smooth hide. The Piano Black veneer panels now include handcrafted carbon fibre inlays, with the model also getting the Mulliner Driving Specification interior features as standard.

Re-engineered powertrain

Power comes from an upgraded 6.75-litre V8 engine producing 395 kW and 1100 Nm of torque. This allows the luxury car to complete the 0-100 km/h task in only 4.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 305 km/h.

The new engine is paired with a recalibrated eight-speed gearbox designed to enhance the driving experience of the Mulsanne Speed. Besides the upgraded engine, the Mulsanne Speed also gets a selectable sports suspension and steering on demand. The suspension’s Sport mode stiffens the all-round air suspension for improved body control and adjusts the steering dynamics for greater feedback and accuracy.

The unit further benefits from a cylinder deactivation system that allows it to run as a V4, resulting in CO2 emissions reduced from 393 g/km to 342 g/km.

The Bentley Mulsanne Speed will be fully unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on October 2 and is said to be available for customer delivery sometime this year. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.

New Special Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2 Style Introduced

A new special edition Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2 Style has been officially introduced in Germany.

New special model of the Mercedes-Benz A 180 and A 180 CDI

According to Mercedes-Benz, the special edition is based on the A 180 and A 180 CDI, but comes with extra special features such as bi-xenon headlights with headlamp cleaning system, a dual exhaust system and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Building on the peripheries of the range of style, the interior of the “2 Style” comes specially equipped with heated front seats, ARTICO wrapped dashboard with contrast stitching, a leather wrapped steering wheel, silver trim, a revised instrument cluster with a checkered flag motif and velour floor mats.

The special edition Mercedes-Benz A-Class 2 Style is said to go on sale in Germany later this month.

New Suzuki Splash in South Africa – Price and Specs

Suzuki Auto South Africa has added the new Suzuki Splash to its local lineup of passenger cars. Aimed at a youthful market, the new Suzuki Splash is compact and is said to offer generous space thanks to its tall roofline, long wheelbase and short overhangs. The new Suzuki Splash will serve between the entry-level Alto model and the Suzuki Swift hatchback.

“The new Suzuki Splash provides a level of space and practicality not usually available in the minicar segment. But it’s also fun to drive, thanks to its agile road manners and composed ride. At the same time, its efficient drivetrain keeps running costs low,” says Suzuki marketing manager Francois van Eeden.

New Suzuki Splash uses familiar engine

The new Suzuki Splash is fitted with the familiar 1.2-litre engine that does service in the entry-level Swift hatchback range and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission while a four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. This 1.2-litre unit offers 63 kW of power and 113 Nm of torque while achieving a combined fuel consumption figure of only 5.6-litres / 100km.

Model Range

A total of three models make up the new Suzuki Splash range. The entry-level Splash 1.2 GA is the most affordable option and comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission. Features on this model include a digital clock, air-conditioning, key-operated central-locking, cloth seats, 60/40 split rear seats, ABS and dual airbags.

The Splash 1.2 GL can be had with either a five speed manual or four speed automatic transmission. this model is distinguished with color-coded door handles, front fog lamps and a ‘sporty’ rear spoiler. This model features a rev counter, large speedometer, Radio/CD player with four speakers, auxiliary/USB inputs and audio controls on the three-spoke steering wheel. The GL model also benefits from keyless entry, electric windows, heated rear screen with wip/wash system and an stowage tray under front passenger seat. ABS and dual airbags are standard on this model too.

New Suzuki Splash – Price in South Africa

Suzuki Splash 1.2i GA M/T – R124 900
Suzuki Splash 1.2i GL M/T – R134 900
Suzuki Splash 1.2i GL A/T – R149 900

The Suzuki Splash is sold with a three-year/100 000 km warranty and 2-year/30 000 km service plan. Scheduled services are at 15 000 km intervals.