2016 Honda Pilot Teased (Update, First Official Pics)
The 2016 Honda Pilot has been teased ahead of its scheduled premiere set to take place in February at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.
Reengineered and redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot
According to Honda, the all-new third generation eight-passenger Pilot SUV is going to be completely reengineered and redesigned, as well as raise the stakes in the mainstream three-row SUV segment with new technology, advanced safety, and class-leading fuel economy.
Honda is not saying much about the model at this point, however its mentioned that the new Pilot will be more appealing than the outgoing model, promising a dramatic shift in design also remaining true to its family-friendly approach.
Rumours have suggested that the SUV will be fitted with a V6 3.5-litre direct-injection engine with the latest array of Earth Dreams technologies and an estimated output of 231 kW.
Just like the outgoing model, the 2016 Honda Pilot has been developed by Honda R&D Americas in Los Angeles and Ohio, and will be manufactured in Lincoln, Alabama and is set to go on sale this summer.
Expect more details when it finally debuts on February 12 at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.
New BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer Revealed
The BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer has officially been unveiled as the worlds first premium compact model to offer up to seven seats, and is the second front-wheel drive vehicle from BMW built on the new UKL architecture.
Powerful presence and significant increase in space
Acting as a larger sister model to the recently introduced 2-Series Active Tourer, the Gran Tourer offers ample space and a generous luggage compartment that can be extended to 805 litres from 645 litres. This rises to an impressive 1905 litres of load space with the rear-seat backrests folded down. The standard-fitted fore-aft sliding rear seat bench ensures maximum variability with a 40:20:40-split backrest that folds down at the press of a button which allows three child seats to be fitted.
Five newly developed turbo engines
The 2-Series Gran Tourer will be available with five newly developed turbo engines with three and four-cylinders, as well as a standard six-speed manual and optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Petrol units include a 1.5-litre three cylinder producing 100 kW and 220 Nm in the 218i and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 141 kW and 280 Nm in the 220i. While the diesel range includes a 1.5-litre three cylinder delivering 85 kW and 270 Nm in the 216d and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that serves up 110 kW and 330 Nm in the 218d and 140 kW and 400 Nm in the four-wheel drive 220d xDrive, which is available in automatic guise only.
In addition, the 2-Series Gran Tourer lineup will feature a full range of advanced technology systems including BMWs EfficientDynamics and ConnectedDrive systems. Also available will be Traffic Jam Assistant that assists the driver in accelerating, braking and staying in the lane in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Honda Civic Type R First Official Pics
Honda has revealed a few pre-launch images of the upcoming Civic Type R that is set to be launched at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show this March.
From the details emerging, the Civic Type Rs design is heavily sculpted by aerodynamic pieces that enhance its high speed stability and develop high levels of downforce. Honda says it did extensive testing both on computer simulation and in the wind tunnel.
Civic Type R will hit 270kph
The Civic Type Rs 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine, enables the car to achieve a top speed of 270kph, comparatively impressive in the hot hatch segment.
A new, almost completely flat underside aids airflow under the vehicle and combines with a rear diffuser to optimise downforce effectively sucking the car onto the road. A bespoke rear wing gives the car enhanced visual presence and delivers powerful additional downforce.
A wide front splitter and deep side skirts also manage airflow and reduce lift, while the front bumper has been shaped specifically to inhibit air turbulence around the front wheels.
Big Brembo Brakes
The Civic Type R is equipped with a high performance Brembo brake package for the front wheels, developed specifically for the car. At the front, four-piston callipers apply braking force to 350 mm drilled discs. New 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to the Type R, complement the visual changes, filling the wheel arches and accommodating the larger brakes.
Heat management was another major focus for the design team, influencing several prominent external design modifications. Enlarged upper and lower grilles in the front bumper, vents above the wheels on the front quarter panels and vents at the trailing edges of the front wheel arches combine to provide greater cooling and ventilation for the high-output engine.
The Civic Type R will be unveiled in Championship White a colour shared with successive generations of iconic Type R vehicles.
World Car of the Year Finalists Announced
The World Car of the Year jury has revealed its finalists for the coveted award in all five award categories. The finalists are chosen from a global pool of models so many of the cars that make the list are not sold in SA. In 2014 the overall award win went the the Audi A3.
The countdown is now on for the 2015 World Car Awards prize-giving ceremony to be hosted by the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, 2 April 2015.
A jury of 75 international motoring journalists selected the following finalists in the World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car and World Performance Car categories by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work.
The 2015 World Green Car category is handled differently. Five experts in green technology were appointed by the World Car Awards Steering Committee to extensively review all documentation and specs associated with each candidate on the list of nominees. The experts then create a short-list of finalists for review by the 75 jurors in their second round of voting this month. The finalists for 2015 are:
January 2015 got off to a busy start at the Cars.co.za office with many exciting cars revealed both internationally (Detroit Motor Show) and locally, providing a taste of things to come in 2015.
We have compiled an infographic showing the highlights for January 2015 and every month we will choose a ‘Car of the Month’. For January, the Opel Adam took the spotlight because it’s such an impressionable car with cheeky good looks and a funky personality. The Adam is also a fresh offering to the market and is well priced, making it our top choice for the month.
It’s quite interesting to note that many of you like the thought of Hyundai moving into the Bakkie segment with the Santa Cruz Concept. BMW made waves with its 1-Series facelift as did the third Cross Coupe Conceptfrom Volkswagen. The Mercs were also popular with the reveal of the X6 M rival in the form of the GLE 63 AMG and the Autonomous driving car-F 105.
Here’s our infographic on Januray’s motoring happenings.
January 2015 Highlights – Infographic
Koenigsegg Agera RS Confirmed For Geneva
Koenigsegg has confirmed that it will introduce a new version of its Agera supercar the Agera RS at next months Geneva Motor Show.
The Swedish hypercar manufacturer is still shying away from revealing any details about the car, which they are rumoured to be referring to as a “megacar”, which possibly means that the car will be packing quite a substantial amount of output.
The Koenigsegg Agera supercar was first shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, packing a Koenigsegg developed 5.0-litre variable geometry twin-turbo V8 engine capable of 679 kW, coupled to a newly developed 7-speed gearbox.
Currently holding the fastest production car in the world title is the Koenigsegg One:1 which boasts 1044 kW and weighs about 1341 kg, providing the vehicle with a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.
The One:1 is also said to complete the 0-400 kph run in about 20 seconds while stopping from that speed takes around 10 seconds. It apparently needs only 28 metres to come to a full stop from 100 kph.
Details on the Koenigsegg Agera RS will be revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
All-New Renault Koleos SUV Expected in 2016
According to Motoring.com.au, Renault is working on the second-generation Koleos which will be larger than the Kadjar and feature seven seats.
Second-generation Renault Koleos to debut in 2016
CarAdvice previously reported that Renault’s Australia managing director Justin Hocevar confirmed the French brand will offer a second generation all-new Renault Koleos by 2016.
Last year the automaker introduced its latest Renault Koleos SUV in South Africa, featuring an exclusive new in-dash R-Link navigation and media system, as well as a sophisticated front grille design which features Renaults latest styling identity.
The Koleos was first introduced in 2008, and according to Hocevar, the Koleos is getting a little old, and its getting towards the tail end of its cycle.
The next gen Koleos is also said to too sit on top of the SUV range, being approximately five metres long making it possible to accommodate a third row of seats, further turning the SUV into a seven-seater.
Like the current model, the all-new Koleos is rumoured to ride on an extended version of the CMF platform which has also underpinned the smaller Kadjar as well as Nissans Qashqai and X-TRAIL. The Nissan X-Trail which is the fifth compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker and is assembled in Tennessee is also the first vehicle to be built on the jointly developed Nissan/Renault Common Module Family platform architecture.
In addition, the company hopes the all-new Renault Koleos will increase sales of the SUV and will be more popular since the Captur is doing a good job at boosting the company’s crossover presence.
Comparison: Honda Mobilio vs Suzuki Ertiga
Comparing a Honda Mobilio MPV to a Suzuki Ertiga MPV isnt the most exciting, adrenalin infused shootout Ive ever had to put together. The usual cornerstones of speed, handling and fun factor dont really make for relative indicators in an MPV test. Things like practicality, space, durability and value for money were thrown into the mix as we got down to determining exactly what you should buy instead of a Toyota Avanza.
Practicality
There isnt much to separate the Mobilio and Ertiga size wise, the Mobilio is a bit longer, the Ertiga a touch taller. They both have three rows of seating, but the Mobilio has a slightly bigger boot with all the seats upright. The deciding factor in loading capability though comes down to what happens when you start folding the seats down. The Ertigas back row of seats fold flat neatly providing a flat, larger load bay, the Mobilios have to be folded and then lifted in order to get the flat boot section.
If you tend to load long and large items into your car like a bike or surfboards then the Ertiga makes life easier as the whole rear section can folded flat. The Mobilios seats when folded dont provide a flat load bay as the seats stick out in their half-folded position. Both rows in the Mobilio can be tilted forwards but that reduces the overall loading length.
If you just want to use the seats to sit on then both vehicles are extremely flexible. The middle row of seats on both cars can slide forwards and back and recline to provide a more comfortable seating position. Access to the back row is a simple one lever pull and the seats will either fold or tilt in the Mobilio, or half fold and slide forward in the Ertiga. The systems both work well, but the Mobilios is the easier to access the rear seats. Comfort wise its the Suzukis last row with the cinema-style seating thats the most comfortable, the Mobilios rear row is not best suited for larger people as your knees tend to line up with your ears while in the back.
Engine
If you are looking for a technologically advanced engine then this is not the segment for you. The Mobilio uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-Litre petrol with 88 kW and 145 Nm of torque while the Suzuki uses a petrol 1.4-Litre with 70 kW and 130 Nm. They also both make use of a standard five-speed manual gearbox.
The Honda obviously feels the better when loaded due to its torque and power advantage, its also a bit more fuel economic, claiming 6.1L/100km to the Suzukis 6.6L/100km. The Ertigas downfall though lies in its freeway cruising rpm, it sits at 4000 rpm at 120kph and that makes it a bit noisy in the cabin, by contrast the Mobilio sits at about 3200 rpm, which most likely means it uses less fuel on the freeway sprint to the airport.
Interior
From a solidly built point of view the Ertiga feels a lot better put together, the dashboard running gear is straight from the Suzuki Swift, albeit in a disappointing beige colour. The seats too are coloured in the beige and seem to be decorated with gold tinsel strips as a throwback to its Indian heritage. It is well specced though, complete with a USB port, 12V port and air conditioning both for the front and the rear passengers.
The Mobilio doesnt feel as well assembled as the Ertiga, the shut lines are a bit iffy and the glove box closinging gap is so large it looks like the whole unit is open. It also rattles badly on uneven roads. It is equally as well specced as the Ertiga and as a major plus, the dashboard comes in black as do the cloth seats.
Ride and Drive
Out in the traffic where these two are likely to spend much of their time, the Mobilio has a more comfortable ride, its lower overall height also helps it to sit better in the corners meaning passengers wont have to brace themselves against the windows every time you make a turn.
The Ertiga is by no means bad, it feels a bit bigger and top heavy out on the road, especially on the freeway where youre changing lanes and avoiding slower traffic. They both ride reasonably well too for their size, bumps or holes in the road dont really crash through to the cabin and you feel confident as you hustle around town that the passengers wont be in any discomfort. Both do a better job here than a Toyota Avanza.
Verdict
The Mobilio and the Ertiga are both extremely practical MPVs, they also hit the market with value-oriented pricing making them easy sells to public in the market for seven seats on a budget. The Mobilio has the better engine and copes better fully loaded than the Ertiga, but the Ertiga takes top honours in the practicality department as well as vastly superior build quality. The downside is the beige interior.
Factor in the pricing difference between the Mobilio 1.5 Comfort and this Ertiga 1.4 GLX we have here and the Ertiga is R10 300 cheaper than the Honda. Thats probably going to be more than enough to convince me into an Ertiga. The Mobilio despite being more expensive, still does enough to coax me away from a Toyota Avanza.
Second Opinion
It’s a super close competition this. Both of these vehicles are vying for a share of the market and both offer great elements of practicality. However, based on the fact that it’s cheaper, feels more solid and better built, I’m going for the Suzuki Ertiga.
Perhaps more importantly, the Ertiga comes with a better after sales plan: 3 year/100 000km, 6 year corrosion, 3 year road assistance, 4 year/60 000km service plan, as opposed to Honda’s: 3 year/100 000km, 2 year/300 00km service plan. – David Taylor
In this video well save you the hassle of driving to an Opel dealership with a detailed look inside, outside and under the bonnet of the new Opel Adam.
In 2015, be prepared for an onslaught of new models from Opel as the German brand attempts to reclaim some of the South African market. The first of which is a compact, city car called the Adam.
Before you start with Garden of Eden jokes, the Adam is actually named after Adam Opel, the man who started it all back in 1862. Naming a product for the companys founder can only mean that Opel has big ambitions riding on the Adams little shoulders.
In this video, well take you through the base model Adam and the more highly-specced Jam model:
– Styling: The Adam is very customisable, find out how you can personalise yours
– Engines: We detail the two engines available in the range, and the fuel economies of each – Interior: The basic radio setup and fancy touch screen system are both discussed – Boot space: It is small car, so what is the boot space like, and can you fold the rear seats?
We test drove the two Opel Adam models when prices werent yet available, so please see pricing below.
This is the second of our All You Need to Know videos, a series of short, highly informative videos that we conceived to give you, the car buyer, a detailed, visual understanding of new cars available on the SA market.
We feel its much better and much more convenient than visiting your local dealership; you dont have to leave the comfort of your home or office, you dont have to decline a cup of instant coffee and no one with a name badge is going to pressure you into buying anything.
We have plenty of these useful videos in the pipeline, so stay tuned for everything you need to know about your favourite cars.
1.4 Base model – R189 900 1.0T Jam – R209 900 1.0T Glam – R232 900
Comparison: Renault Clio vs Volkswagen Polo
Hatches sell like hot cakes in South Africa. Take a glance through the top sales figures of passenger cars and youll see what I mean. Weve pitted the brand new VW Polo (2014) against an up and coming head-hunter in the form of the Renault Clio. The two rivals are still new offerings and as far as were concerned are your best choices if youre looking for an affordable, modern and refined hatchback.
Looks Matter
The Renault Clio IV has shown that a stylish car can sell well, especially if you have a very vibrant colour palette for buyers to choose from. The Clio has got one over on the competition here, we have the mid-spec Expression model and its got all the smart add-ons that make it look the part. The blackened rear diffuser comes together nicely with the metallic side-sill inserts and the front grille. It looks sporty and very attractive for what is essentially an entry-level hatchback.
The Polo has continued with the time old Volkswagen tradition of chiselling away at the details and refining the design. Theres a slight redesign to the front bumper and the rear bumper has had a bit of a fiddle as well. As with any facelift the Polo also has a new set of wheels to differentiate it from its predecessor. Its a slight tweak to the overall look, but it cant match the Clios style and full-bodied design.
Pocket Power
Both of these hatches use modern turbocharged petrol engines. The Clio has a Formula One inspired three-cylinder turbo petrol and is all of 899cc. Despite its small size, it produces 66 kW along with with 135 Nm. Not bad if youre in the city, stuck in traffic or just want something to shuttle to the shops. It works ideally in those situations as its built for fuel efficiency, Renault claims it will average 4.5L/100km and you can get close to that figure if you drive extremely diligently and merely breathe on the throttle pedal. Every day driving though is a bit different and the Clio feels a little on the slow side if you want to get somewhere quickly, also on the open road theres not much in the way of overtaking ability from the puny three-pot.
Volkswagen has added a new turbocharged engine for the facelifted Polo. It hasnt gone the three-cylinder route, but stuck with four and downsized capacity to 1.2-Litres. It produces an identical power figure of 66 kW, the torque though is higher at 160 Nm. That extra 25 Nm makes a big difference, it gives you the confidence to overtake quickly and spices up the whole driving experience. It feels more alert and more willing to get going around town and doesnt make a fool of itself on the freeway. It comes at a slight cost to fuel economy as the Polo claims to average 4.8L/100km, but its worth it if you ask me.
Cabin Fever
The Clio has upped the ante in the small car market as far as interiors go, theres so much standard kit and most of it accessible through the seven-inch iPad style touchscreen. Everything from satellite navigation to cruise control, USB and Bluetooth compatibility is available. Theres not much missing from the Clio and thats what makes it such an excellent value proposition. The materials used in the Clio arent bad either, mostly soft touch and theres decent room for four passengers.
The Polo may not be able to match the Clio on standard spec, but you can always pay in a bit more for certain options if you want. You still get a touchscreen multimedia unit, but it feels more like a touchable head unit than a full-on touchpad system. The cabin does feel extremely well put together and solid, its no work of art styling-wise but it certainly isnt ugly.
Drive Alive
Both cars are fun to put through the bends and offer decent thrills in the handling department. The Clio has a good chassis that corners accurately and the thick steering wheel provides good feel for what the wheels are doing. The smaller 16-inch wheels are a better option than the 17s as the ride is more comfortable over bumps and youre less likely to ding a rim in a pothole.
The Polo is perhaps a little more fun though as its just that little bit quicker. It delivers more punch out of the corners and feels more athletic. The ride is adequately firm and there isnt much in the way of body roll to deflate your enthusiasm.
Verdict
In the small hatchback segment, price has to be taken into account and though the Polo may have the better engine and feel a little more solid, it lacks the value for money the Clio offers. For nearly R20k less the Clio offers far more in the way of standard kit, an equally specced Polo can be around R30k more than the Clio.
If youre looking for a bargain in this segment that offers great looks, excellent safety and all the interior goodies you can ask for, then the Clio is the best choice. If you can afford the extra R30k for a fully specced Polo then the added 25 Nm of torque is well worth it.
