Alfa Romeo announced earlier this year that it is working on introducing seven new models by 2018 to increase sales, and according to Automotive News, the company has already started development on three of them.
Alfa Romeos latest future product plan
The cars are said to be a midsize sedan that will rival the BMW 5 series, a midsize SUV that will go against models such as the Audi Q5 and a flagship large sedan.
The company is yet to give specific details on the models, however according to the report the brand will switch to rear- and all-wheel drive configurations from front-wheel drive.
The midsize sedan, which was due in in 2014 badged as the Giulia will supposedly be launched in mid-2016 and will likely use a new name. Engine options are said to include a 2.2-litre four-cylinder with outputs ranging from 132-243 kW and a 3.3-litre V6 with outputs ranging from 294-368 kW. There will also be two diesel engines, a four-cylinder diesel with outputs ranging from 88-155 kW and a six-cylinder diesel with outputs ranging from 184-243 kW.
The midsize SUV is expected to debut in the second half of 2016 and will be underpinned by the platform and engine range of the sedan. The larger sedan is said to follow after and is set to rival the Audi A8 and BMW 7 series. It will reportedly have powerful versions of the new engine range, however it will not include a V8 variant.
Apart from these three Alfa Romeo models, the company is said to be considering a roadster and a mid-size coupe, a large crossover as well as an entry-level model that could be offered as a hatchback, sedan and coupe.
Now the time has come to pull out the big guns and reveal our pick of the best luxury SUVs available in South Africa. There is some seriously beautiful machinery in this category and the level of quality and refinement is out of this world. Here is our pick of the three best SUV vehicles in the luxury segment.
Offering exemplary performance, luxury and on and off-road ability, the Range Rover is most definitely one of the best SUV vehicles on the market today. As an alternative, the Range Rover Sport is equally impressive. The top-of-the-range engine in the range is the V8 Supercharged 5.0-litre petrol engine that delivers a powerful 375 kW and 625 Nm of torque. For diesel lovers, a 190 kW / 600 Nm 3.0-litre V6 and 250 kW / 700Nm 4.4-litre V8 diesel engine are also on offer. The Range Rover is priced from R1 565 000.
The BMW X5 likes to be called a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), offering impeccable road manners and superb levels of comfort and luxury. The BMW X5 is perfect for the morning school run and just about everything else in between and performs well on gravel and sand, but it’s not a heavy off-roader, so choose your terrain carefully. Both petrol and diesel engines are offered on the X5, but we recommend the 40d derivative offering 230 kW of power and 630 Nm of torque. If money is no object, then look at the M50d. Pricing for the BMW X5 starts at R856 000. Read our BMW X5 40d Review.
The Porsche Cayenne cracks the nod to drive amongst the best SUV vehicles in the land. The Cayenne is perfectly suited for on-road driving where it excels beyond expectations and there are some seriously good engines on offer, particularly if you’re looking for a powerful diesel. To top it off, there’s also a hybrid model if you wish. Comfort and luxury you ask? The Cayenne has both and in bucket loads. We recommend the Cayenne S Diesel offering 281 kW with a hefty 850Nm of torque. Pricing for the Porsche Cayenne starts at R971 000.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI Review
Mercedes-Benz has ventured into the baby crossover market with the dinky GLA. Pricing may scare you, but trust me you’ll fall in love with this machine. I’ve been driving the front-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI and think it’s one of the best baby crossovers.
Economical engine
The Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 comes with the brilliant 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. This engine is available in varying states of tune across all Merc products, but here in the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 you get 100 kW and 300 Nm. Performance off the line isn’t anything noteworthy, but the car’s strength lies in overtaking ability and fuel economy.
On a roadtrip to Ceres for the weekend, the little Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 was most impressive and the trip computer had 5.3 l / 100km proudly displayed for the majority of the trip. The only downside to this engine is the really blatant diesel clatter on start up – it’s a proper tractor, but once it’s up to temperature and you’re cruising, the engine note settles down nicely.
The drive
This GLA in 200 CDI guise is a brilliant open road cruiser. While ride and handling is firm in the Mercedes-Benz A- and CLA-class, I believe the Germans have got it right with the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI. Yes, the ride is firm, but in no way is it unbearable. On an open and smooth road, the car glides along beautifully.
My only gripe with the drive is the gearbox is a little too fuel consumption-orientated. When in eco-mode the car tries its hardest to get to a higher gear as possible so if you come off the accelerator, the car will change up and save fuel. If you suddenly need to overtake, the car will panic and change down two gears, resulting in lurching. Drive in manual mode and use the paddles located behind the steering wheel and you’ll be happy.
Specification and optional extras
Standard specification for the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI includes seat comfort package, media interface, eco start/stop, attention assist, pre-safe system, collision prevention assist, multifunction steering wheel, audio 20 CD, Bluetooth connectivity and stowage space package.
Our test car was jam-packed with optional extras. There was a reversing camera, active park assist, panoramic sliding sunroof, 7G-DCT automatic transmission, COMAND Online, intelligent light system, Harman Kardon sound, easy pack tailgate, AMG line, mirror package and light & sight package. Out of those options, I would heartily recommend the sound system, AMG line kit which includes beautiful seats, reverse camera and COMAND navigation.
Summary
While many manufacturers have laid claim to the crossover segment with good offerings, Mercedes-Benz has come along and trumped them all with the GLA. The Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI may only be front-wheel drive, but has just enough ground clearance and high-profile rubber tyres to make dirt road driving easy. You can opt for more powerful engines, higher ground clearance and even a performance version called the GLA 45 AMG. This one will sell well, particularly amongst public who crave status symbols.
Second opinion
The Mercedes-Benz GLA seems better when equipped with the brilliant 2.1-litre turbodiesel. It is best used in Sport mode as it is frustrating to drive in town in Eco mode. Once that’s sorted, it’s more like a raised A-Class but with a less crashy ride, and that’s a good thing. – Ashley Oldfield
Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 CDI quick specs
Price
R422 700 (R532 200 as tested)
Engine
2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Power
100 kW
Torque
300 Nm
Transmission
Seven-speed Automatic
Wheels
17-inch alloys
0-100km/h
10 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
4.5 l/100 km (claimed)
We like:
. Style
. Economy
. Cool gadgets like automatic boot lid and self parallel park
We dislike:
. Gearbox is too good at fuel economy
. Options can be pricey. Pick carefully!
According to a recent report by Auto Express, BMW is getting ready to launch six front-wheel drive models by the end of 2017.
BMWs front-wheel-drive range
The six front-wheel-drive BMW models will apparently be based on the companys new UKL1 platform which is currently being used in the new range of MINI models.
The first BMW model to come under this platform is the recently released 2-Series Active Tourer and a seven-seat variant which is in the works for 2015. The company is said to expand its SUV and crossover line-up with a new X1 late next year and in 2016 an X2 coupe crossover which will also be available with xDrive four-wheel-drive.
In 2017, the company is expected to usher in a small NMW Z2 roadster and a replacement for the current 1-Series which is expected to be larger than the current model, with the wheelbase stretched even further than the 2 567 mm of the five-door MINI.
Zenos Cars Reveals E10 S
Zenos is not a major vehicle manufacturer as far as numbers go but they do pop up every now and then with a few interesting track-bred machines. Its latest tarmac hunter is this E10 S and its pictured here in a sort of Boomslang green racing colour.
Zenos Equips Ford Turbo
Zenos cars is owned by the former owner of Caterham and weve seen the sort of awesome machinery thats come out of there over the years. This E10 S then is powered by a slightly uprated version of the 2-litre Ford Ecoboost engine. Its capable of pushing out 186kW and 400Nm of torque.
Use of carbon fibre and aluminium for the monocoque means that the E10 S tips the scales at just 700kg. The featherweight E10 only manages a 0-100kph sprint in 4.5 seconds we say only because with that sort of power to weight ratio we were expecting KTM X-Bow acceleration figures. However the S version has claimed to decrease the sprint time to four seconds flat.
The E10 S rides on 16-inch front wheels and 17-inch rears and the rubber comes courtesy of Avon.
Track Add-ons
A whole bunch of extras can be mounted to the E10 S to make it look racier and in some cases improve the handling and track-worthiness. Add-ons include a limited slip differential, six-speed gearbox instead of the standard five, a racing harness, detachable steering wheel and heated seats for those cold winter track days.
The E10 S is available in the UK for around R590 000, which is nearly R400 000 cheaper than a KTM X-Bow, except that you can actually buy a X-Bow in SA right now.
Updated Nissan Almera Reintroduced For 2014 Model Year Specs and Prices
Nissan has updated the looks and specification of its Almera sedan for the 2014 model year.
“With cumulative sales of some 3 500 units, the new Nissan Almera has seen great success in the South African market since we reintroduced the nameplate in 2013, forming a strong following in both the rental and private buyer markets,” says Alda Gildenhuys, ALMERA Product Manager at Nissan South Africa.
Updated face and interior enhancements
“For 2014 we are offering even more car for the money, with updated looks and enhanced specifications elevating Almera to lead the pack in its segment. The space and versatility so prominently offered by the Nissan Almera remain as key characteristics and reconfirms Almera as a forerunner.”
Changes to the exterior include an aggressive front bumper, along with a more distinguished chrome grille flanked by new edgy headlights. The car also comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, a redesigned rear bumper and rear parking sensors.
Interior enhancements include new seat fabric with contrasting stitching, an updated fascia with a new audio system design and classier air conditioning controls. The steering wheel has been updated with satellite controls for the new audio system – which now has a USB port in addition to Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
Updated Nissan Almera range
The Almera range continues to offer two models – the Almera 1.5 Acenta 5-speed manual and the Almera 1.5 Acenta 4-speed automatic. Both are powered by a 73 kW and 134 Nm petrol engine.
Safety features include ABS with EBD and BAS, auto-locking doors, three-point seat belts for all five seats, dual front airbags and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
Nissan Almera price in South Africa
Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta Manual R177 600
Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta Automatic R189 100
Both updated Nissan Almera models are available as standard with a class-leading 3-year/60 000 km service plan and Nissan’s 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty. Service intervals are 15 000 km.
Top 10 Eco Performance Cars in South Africa
Performance vs economy is a raging battle in the car industry so we’ve come up with a performance index to rank the best performers and fuel efficient cars on a single scale. The results as it turns out makes for interesting reading.
It came to our attention via a comment on our top 10 Accelerating Cars under R550k list that it would be interesting to incorporate fuel economy into the equation. So the idea is to take acceleration figures in terms of 0-100kph figures and compare them with fuel economy stats from the EU combined cycle.
How we came up with this performance vs economy index
Its not as simple as just adding the figures together and the winner is the lowest number. As were not great at maths, we delegated that section to a computer engineer we had on hand and he conjured up a formula. The gist of it is that, take all the acceleration figures (all cars with a 0-100kph time of 7.5 seconds and below) relative to each other with the fastest being given the largest number, take that number and divide by the fuel economy also relative to each other.
If it sounds confusing, thats because it is but weve been convinced it works. Now obviously, self-tested figures would be ideal but with the amount of cars in the list well have to make do with manufacturer claimed acceleration times. As for fuel economy we have used the combined cycle figures which, are completed under identical conditions for every car tested.
What became apparent is that diesel power is becoming particularly adept at sprinting off the line, especially in the hands of the Germans. Thankfully, petrol still fills most of the slots of our top 10. Sitting just outside the top 10 is the likes of the Peugeot 208 GTi, Fiesta ST and VW Polo and Golf GTI, all good choices but didnt quite make the top 10.
Thats all of the confusing stuff out of the way, now well just give you the list of cars that offer the best green or eco performance.
This Merc statistically speaking is the best green performance car under R550k in SA. It accelerates to 100kph in 6.6 seconds and consumes only 4.5l/100km. Its 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine is obviously a gem with 150kW and 500Nm of torque. That amount of torque is probably the key factor in both a fast acceleration time and in fuel economy when working with Mercs seven-speed automatic gearbox, keeping revs low before shifting gears. R526 700.
BMWs 2-litre turbodiesel engine litters this list as it is used across multiple variants of its cars. Just so you know making the list using this engine is the 120d, 420d and 320d. For variety sakes weve kept them in this one slot. The 220d Auto does top of the BMW hierarchy though, 7.1 seconds to 100kph and an excellent fuel economy of 4.2l/100km gives it second spot. Its engine delivers 135kW and 380Nm of torque. BMW certainly knows how to make an efficient car get a move on. R439 900.
Another manufacturer with multiple entries in our list, first off though the 2-litre turbodiesel from Volvo has loads of grunt. Its capable of 140kW and a whopping 400Nm of torque. The acceleration figure of 7.5 seconds to 100kph is coupled with an excellent economy figure of 4.3l/100km. The other Volvo V40 that would make the list (albeit further down) is the standard (not a Cross Country) T5 that claims 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds and a fuel stat of 5.9l/100km from its 2-litre petrol turbo. R403 700.
The equal fastest accelerating car on this list is still reasonably fuel economical as it gets to 100kph in 4.9 seconds and consumes 6.9l/100km. The S3 also gains the honour of being the first petrol car on the list and shows that performance, higher revs and petrol can still be green. The S3 produces 206kW and 380Nm. R512 000.
The Golf R is another carry over from our fastest accelerating cars list and the first VW. You would expect it to be in a similar position to the Audi S3 as it has the same running gear. The Golf R does take a tenth longer to get to 100kph 5.0 seconds but uses the same 6.9l/100km over the combined cycle. R499 900.
Both the 228i and the 328i would make the top 10, but the 228i does slightly better with its lighter chassis. Petrol is making a strong comeback now as the 2-litre turbo in this 228i is capable of 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds and use only 6.3l/100km. In the 228i Auto the engine delivers 180kW and 350Nm. R448 273.
Tied fastest accelerating car in this performance index, the M135i manages a 4.9 second sprint time, but uses the most fuel of the bunch at a claimed 7.5l/100km. When you think about it, thats not bad for a straight-six, 3-litre turbo petrol, capable of punching out 235kW and 450Nm. R541 643.
The Mini is the newest car on this list, so youd expect it to be quite sophisticated in terms of engine technology (its owned by BMW after all) and chassis lightening. With the 2-litre turbo variant, youre good for 141 kW and 300 Nm. Those figures will get you to 100kph in just 6.7 seconds whilst only using 5.5l/100km. Grab a Cooper S from R378 618.
It seems the best thing Volvo has done was drop the old five-pot turbo in favour of a four-cylinder turbo engine. They still get good acceleration with the S60 T6 hitting 100kph in 5.9 seconds. Fuel economy has been its biggest improvement though with a claimed 6.4l/100km from the 225 kW and 400 Nm engine. Yours from R506 200.
The Merc C250 makes the list for a second time, but this time in petrol format. The C250 impresses with its 2-litre turbo petrol that churns out 155 kW and 350 Nm. Acceleration to 100kph takes 6.6 seconds whilst it uses just 5.9l/100km. R504 549.
The new Sorento comes across as an improvement over its predecessor with a sophisticated new design. The SUV is distinguished by long, wrap-around headlamps and more prominent fog-lamps, as well as a larger, more upright tiger-nose grille, with a distinctive three-dimensional diamond pattern.
The model also has a gently sloping roofline and a higher beltline to give the car a more dramatic and muscular stance. The sleeker look of the 2015 Sorento is enhanced by its increased length (+95 mm to 4780 mm), reduced height (down 15 mm to 1685 mm) and extra width (+5 mm to 1890 mm). Other notable features include plastic body cladding, chrome trim and a tailgate-mounted spoiler.
Modern interior styling
Inside the car is a three-spoke steering wheel, chrome trim and wood grain accents. Available in 5- or 7-seat versions, the 2015 Sorento features 40/20/40 second row split folding for improved versatility, with a higher folding centre armrest. The second row seats of the 7-seat version are equipped with remote folding controlled by two levers in the side of the cargo bay.
Depending on the market, the model can also be equipped with an Around-View Monitor with four cameras that helps the driver manoeuver effectively when parking. This system also opens the tailgate automatically when the key is sensed in close proximity to the trunk, so owners can slide their shopping bags or heavy objects straight into the vehicle.
Drivetrain options
Five engines are available with the new Sorento, depending on country, offering power outputs ranging from 127 kW to 199 kW.
In South Korea, the Sorento will be offered with two different diesel engines. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder produces 136 kW and 402 Nm of torque, while the 2.2-litre unit delivers 148 kW and 441 Nm of torque.
Following its unveiling in Korea, the all-new Kia Sorento will make its European premiere at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The model is apparently scheduled to make its entrance in SA in the first quarter of 2015. Prices and specs will announced closer to launch.
Volkswagen Golf R now available in Manual
The Volkswagen Golf R has up until recently only been available as a dual-clutch auto. The DSG variant will now be accompanied by a six-speed manual that will undercut the DSG by some margin.
The six-speed manual maintains the same power and torque figures, so thats 206kW and 380Nm of torque. According to VW the manual can accelerate to 100kph in the same five seconds flat that the DSG is capable of. Top speed of 250kph still remains as does the low fuel economy claim of 6.9l/100km.
Golf R Manual Pricing
Prices are already listed on VW SAs website so that would presume that its already available for order. A manual Golf R will set you back R485 400. The DSG version retails for R499 990.
New Renault Concept To Show Up At The Paris Motor Show
A report by Autocar has revealed that Renault is set to introduce a new experimental engineering concept at the Paris Motor Show in October this year.
Renault to debut 2.0-litre concept car
According to the report, Renault’s Senior Vice President of Design, Laurens van den Acker confirmed the new concept is Renaults answer to a challenge set by the French government, to put a car capable of returning 2.0-litres/100 km into production by 2020.
Van den Acker went on to say that the new Renault concept will be based on a completely new lightweight platform, because the existing platform would be too heavy. To be able to get to these numbers you need a dramatic weight reduction and a dramatic aerodynamic improvement. The new Renault concept is also said to feature styling cues of traditional hatchbacks, sports cars, and crossovers.
Peugeot is another manufacturer thats answered the challenge from the French government, with its near production-ready 2008 Hybrid Air concept which is equipped with a three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine delivering 60 kW combined with a pair of hydraulic pumps, setting the total power to 83 kW. Peugeot claims the car has already managed to achieve 2.9-litres/100km and 69g/km in homologated Drive Cycle tests.
