2015 Car of the Year Finalists Announced

Wesbank’s CEO Chris de Kock made a particularly telling remark in his welcoming speech to the attendant journalists, industry big-wigs and marketing boffins gathered for the Wesbank –SA Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Car of the Year announcement at the posh Inanda Club in Sandton this week.

“What we are really hoping for is that the Car of the Year chosen will be relevant,” said De Kock.  Many of the assembled industry-watchers took this to mean that after two back-to-back wins by Porsche in this competition that the feeling was it would be nice to have a more affordable car as the winner.

The line-up of 11 finalists, when it was announced, didn’t contain any cars in the R100 000 to R200 000 range, which might lead to criticism in some quarters that the Guild is a bunch of spoilt elitists. But, as the SAMGJ’s Car of the Year panel chairman Bernard Hellberg explained, first and foremost the chosen car has to exhibit excellence in its category. No-one could argue that a Porsche Boxster or Cayman S doesn’t fulfill those requirements.

So, that’s the insider background to the competition in recent times. What should be noted, too, is that the past year hasn’t produced the launch of a breakthrough car in the entry-level category in the league of, say, a Kia Picanto. And taking a look at the cars that made the finalists, it’s easy to justify the inclusion of every single one of them.

2015 Car of the Year finalists

Let’s go through them, using a price scale rather than alphabetical listing:

  1. Renault Duster 1.5 DCI Dynamique AWD, R255 900. This Renault offers a lot of car for the money, in a package that has surprised every single journalist who has driven it. It is also good-looking in an appropriately chunky manner, and has some real off-road ability, hence the choice of the AWD model.
  2. Toyota Corolla 1,4 D-4D Prestige, R259 900. It was a toss-up whether to opt for the less-expensive 1.6-litre petrol model, but the diesel engine works extremely well in this Corolla package. And it’s a package that ticks so many boxes for the family man or woman, that it is unobtrusively brilliant, in concept and execution. An excellent car at the price.
  3. Citroen C4 Picasso E-HDI 115 Intensive, R345 900. I’m really glad the Citroen C4 Picasso made the cut. It’s a great example of French expertise in the use of space in a quirky, but nevertheless practical way.
  4. Audi A3 Sedan 1,4 SE S Tronic, R380 000. Such a beautifully made car, with such crisp, practical styling, and a great powertrain. Sheer class in this price range.
  5. Nissan Qashqai 1,6 DCi Acenta Auto, R382 500. Nissan established the cross-over concept with its previous-gen Qashqai and the new one is more refined and has more utility in every respect.
  6. Subaru WRX Premium, R449 000. Subaru’s latest WRX is much more mainstream than in the past, with less extroversion in terms of engine noise and visual eye-candy. But its interior is the best-equipped yet, and mechanical integrity is outstanding. By current pricing standards you get a huge driving experience for the money.
  7. Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 Auto, R455 729. This is one of the breakthrough cars of the 2014 launch year. Superb. If I was a betting man….
  8. Lexus ES 250 EX, R462 500. Lexus really established itself here as a player with the previous ES, and this latest-generation model is even more refined, and offers so much equipment at an all-in price. But does it have that indefinable essence that we call character?
  9. Honda Accord 3,5 V6 Exclusive, R549 000. Those that have driven it rate it as a great car with a superb engine. But then it’s a Honda isn’t it? Whether it makes it, given its price, though, remains to be seen.
  10. Porsche Macan S Diesel, R862 000. This is a game-changing car, a breakthrough car in its category as it has introduced undoubted sports-car levels of competence into a large five-seater family SUV. But will Porsche’s previous two victories count against it when judging time comes in February next year?
  11. BMW M4 Coupe Auto, R1 099 092. So, the most costly finalist is not a Porsche, but a BMW. How can it be appropriate to include one as a Car of the Year finalist? Well, drive around Johannesburg’s northern suburbs and see how many people have the wherewithal to afford an M3/M4. And once you’ve driven one, you’ll be gob-smacked at the near supercar levels of performance this car offers. Expensive? In terms of what it offers, it may just be considered a bargain!

Next step for the 25-strong Guild of Motoring Journalists’ COTY jury is to stew on things. In February 2015 we all convene in Gauteng for three days of evaluation, back-to-back. Note, we don’t judge a Porsche directly against a Renault Duster, we judge whether a BMW M3, for instance, is the best in its category, in terms of design, competence, value for money in terms of equipment, and in terms of design and engineering excellence. The winner has to push the envelope the furthest, in its particular category.

And the car with the most votes garnered is the winner. It’s a fantastic exercise and a huge honour to win the Car of the Year title. Wesbank has been sponsoring it since 1986, and incidentally the writer was on that very first jury when a Toyota Gli Twin Cam was the first winner. Looking back, that was indeed a worthy Car of the Year!

Hyundai Santa Fe Update Quietly Revealed

Hyundai’s Santa Fe has probably not taken off as well locally as the brand would have liked. Whilst we can’t garner exact sales figures from Hyundai we can’t say we’ve seen too many rolling around the streets. Hyundai though has not changed the formula too much with the facelift as it’s merely modified the suspension and steering settings.

Hyundai Santa Fe Updates

The new steering system features an updated processor for the electric steering system that is said to offer more feel. The Sport setting on the steering is also said to have better weight to it.

The suspension has been firmed up to provide a better ride and a less body-roll in the bends.

On the equipment side, daytime running lights have been added as well as blind spot detection on the wing mirrors. The boot now has a hands-free opening system and auto-open functionality.

Sparkling Silver and Platinum Graphite have been added to the colour options on the Santa Fe. The facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe has only been revealed for the American market so far, but we expect the changes to filter down to our local market soon. You can read about the current Hyundai Santa Fe here.

Top Five Hybrid Cars in South Africa for 2014

Hybrids seem to be the interim stepping stone before the world comes to the ultimate solution as to how we will power our personal vehicles in the future. Whilst the answer probably lies somewhere in the hydrogen powered fuel cell, the electric car has its place as a city car with limited range.

For the moment, hybrids appear to be a decent solution. They combine an internal combustion engine with some form of electric power in order to cut fuel usage. Here’s our pick of the best hybrid cars you can currently buy in SA.

Best Hybrid cars in SA

Infiniti Q50S Hybrid – from R559 000

Infinitii Q50
The Infiniti Q50S hybrid has a 3.5-litre V6 engine and an electric motor which together deliver a maximum output of 268 kW. This enables the sedan to accelerate from 0-100kph in less than 5.5 seconds and hit a top speed of roughly 250kph.

In terms of efficiency, the car is rated to average 6.2L/100km with CO2 emissions of less than 145g/km. The Q50 Hybrid is further available exclusively with a seven-speed automatic transmission and can be connected to an optional all-wheel drive system.

Lexus CT200h – R408 500

Lexus CT200h
The Lexus CT200h first made its debut at the March 2010 Geneva Auto Show, and the model has received several facelifts since then. The 2014 model benefits from an increased body rigidity, various suspension updates and aerodynamic enhancements. Read our review of the 2014 Lexus CT200h.

It’s equipped with a 1.8-Litre engine working together with an electric motor to produce a combined output of 100kW. Lexus says the car can return 4.1L/100km –representing one of the best fuel economy ratings in its segment. The model is also said to complete the 0-100kph sprint in just 10.3 seconds.

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid – R1 114 000

most fuel efficient petrol cars
The hybrid version of the Cayenne is powered by a supercharged 249 kW 3-Litre V6 engine with a 34 kW electric motor delivering a combined output of 283 kW with maximum torque of 580 Nm.

Like the Panamera hybrid, the Cayenne S Hybrid can cover short distances on electric power alone, free of emissions and noise up to 60kph, with the electric motor providing a power burst during hard acceleration.

The Cayenne S Hybrid is also one of the most fuel efficient petrol cars in SA

Honda Jazz Hybrid – R289 700

Honda Jazz Hybrid
Under the hood of this model is a hybridised 1.3-Litre petrol engine with 73 kW and 167 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a CVT transmission which is said to allow it to return 4.4L/100km with CO2 emissions of just 104g/km.

At 3900 mm long, 1695 mm wide and 1525 mm tall, the hybrid Jazz features subtle, unique styling elements, which differentiate it from the conventional petrol car. The Jazz still remains an extremely practical and versatile hatchback and the definition of worry-free motoring.

Toyota Auris Hybrid – from R297 900

Toyota-Auris-HSD
The Hybrid Auris comes with a 1.8-Litre petrol engine as well as an electric motor. Together these units enable the Auris HSD to accelerate to 100kph in 11.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 188kph.

Together the motors develop 100 kW and drive is provided by a CVT gearbox.

Fuel consumption is rated at 3.8L/100km with CO2 emissions of 87g/km. There is a specific EV mode button that will automatically engage the electric motor and run solely on electric power at speeds up to 50kph.

McLaren P1 GTR Has F1 Style Interior (Video)

McLaren’s fastest going road car the P1 GTR is a much more track-focused machine than a standard P1 that has already set a new lap record at Kyalami. The P1 GTR is sold not only as a car, but a lifestyle or package that includes driver training just like an F1 driver would go through.

P1 GTR Interior from Hamilton’s F1 Car

While we have already seen images of the P1 GTR exterior, McLaren has now revealed what the interior will look like. It claims the cockpit is based off the championship-winning 2008 MP4-23 Formula One car. The interior is as focused for the driver as possible, and is stripped of all but the essential items in a bid to keep weight to a minimum.

The centre piece of the driver’s environment is the newly-developed steering wheel, which has been designed to make all controls as easily accessible and as user-friendly as possible. This unit in particular carries a lot of heritage and significance to the F1 car it harks back to.

As in an F1 car, controls including the mode switches are located to the centre of the steering wheel. This allows the driver to fully adjust the setup and characteristics of the car without having to move their hands from the wheel. The DRS and IPAS buttons are still mounted on the steering wheel.

Once you’ve forked out the cash for the P1 GTR it opens up all the doors into the driver programme that it entitles you to. Check out the video below to see what these lucky few owners can look forward to experiencing.

McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme

5 Ways to Improve Fuel Efficiency

Fuel prices always seem to be on the rise and if you own a car, you will feel the pinch. However, as a motorist, there are many ways to save money in the long run. To help you on your way to burning less juice, here are 5 simple ways to start improving your fuel efficiency today.

Tips to Improve Fuel Efficiency

1. Change Your Driving Style

You might want to consider changing your driving style to improve your fuel efficiency. Taking it easy and driving slower will use less fuel. Quick acceleration and hard braking uses more fuel so rather aim to accelerate and brake slowly and smoothly. Changing gears at the right time without putting strain on your engine will also help reduce fuel consumption. Avoid revving the engine unnecessarily and don’t leave your car idling for extended periods of time. You could also consider buying a more fuel efficient car.

2. Adapt to Traffic Situations

You can improve your fuel efficiency by adjusting your driving according to what is happening on the road. For example, if you are approaching a red robot or stop sign, there is no point in speeding up to it. Rather reduce speed and approach slowly until you have to come to a stop and then proceed slowly and smoothly. Use downhills to your advantage by coasting and drive conservatively on the uphills.

3. Lose Weight

A car loaded with unnecessary weight will use more fuel so rather remove these items from your vehicle. If you have to transport goods, driving slower will reduce your consumption. Also, if you have bicycle racks or roof racks, take them off if you not using them as they increase weight and drag which increases fuel consumption.

4. Plan Trips

Effectively planning and combining trips will drastically improve your fuel efficiency. A single trip is more economical than several separate trips so rather try combine your daily trips. Plan your route properly by avoiding busy, congested roads or roads with lots of traffic lights. If you can, rather use the highway.

5. Maintain Your Car

Car maintenance is important and a well maintained car will use less fuel over time. Make sure that your car is regularly serviced and change your oil and air filters with each service. Also make sure that you are using the correct fuel and grade oil for your car. Poorly inflated tyres contribute significantly to higher fuel consumption so check your tyre pressure often and make sure your tyres are correctly inflated at all times. It may sound like a small thing, but research has shown that clean cars are more aerodynamic and use less fuel, so be sure to give your car a regular wash.

If you use these tips on a regular basis you will save a bit of money over time. Do you have any fuel efficiency tips of your own? Share them with us in the comment section below.

Infiniti Q50 Engine Range Extended in SA

The Infiniti Q50 engine range has been extended in South Africa with a powerful and economical new turbocharged petrol engine.

Two-litre turbocharged petrol extends Infiniti Q50 engine range

The new and modern two-litre lightweight 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine further expands powertrain options for the premium sedans delivering 155kW of power and 350Nm of torque, sending drive to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.

This new addition to the Q50 engine range, is part of continued expansion of powertrain options and model range across Infiniti range which the company says will happen over five-years.

Infiniti personalisation packs

In addition to the new engine, the all-new Infiniti Q50 can be personalised with a wide range of stand-alone options that include sunroof, 18 & 19-inch alloy wheels and Infiniti’s navigation system. There’s also five different option packs which you can read about here.

15 years of BMW X models, Which is Best?

All the way back in 1999 BMW revealed it was entering the SUV market with the first generation X5. Since then the range of BMW’s SUVs has grown substantially to include the X1, X3, X4 and X6 as well. The BMW X models have become extremely important now, with over 3.3-million X vehicles having been sold in those 15 years. In fact, every third vehicle BMW sells globally is an X model.

While BMW has tried exceptionally hard to maintain its image of sporty-luxury by calling its X models SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicle) or in some cases SACs (Sports Activity Coupe) when the X6 made its arrival. The naming conventions never really caught on and are mostly referred to as SUVs by the media.

Comparing the BMW X models

So then, which X model is best? Well we can probably rule out the X1 immediately as if it was any good, BMW wouldn’t be looking to replace it with the new front-wheel drive models it intends to release soon. The X1 was based on the 3-Series station wagon and never really took off, possibly because the 3-Series was just too good to turn down at a similar price point.

The X3 is a good compact SUV for the road but over the years has never felt as sturdy or as well built as the other X models. There are loads of rivals to the X3 and some offer much more value for money and have better off road credentials.

X6 is limited in its capabilities as an off roader and its overt coupe styling isn’t to everyone’s taste. Initially the X6 only came with two-rear seats as well but BMW quickly rectified that in the facelifted model. The X6 makes a very large statement of intent and its handling capabilities astound, especially with the petrol units under the bonnet. However its niche character and polarising styling isn’t enough to top the list of best X car.

So we’re left with the brand spanking new X4 and the original- the X5. We enjoyed the X4 we drove with its petrol engine and the way it handled tarmac better than just about any SUV we’ve ever driven. It’s reasonably spacious and quite good looking, plus you can get it in all-wheel drive too. The only problem with the X4 though is that it’s not an X5 and that’s why the X5 is our favourite X model.

BMW X5

BMW X5

The X5 combines luxury with space and practicality. It’s one of the most capable SUVs you can buy, the X5 brought on-road prowess to the SUV market and proved that SUVs make sense even if they aren’t’ that great off road.

The X5 has off-road talents like its X-Drive all-wheel drive system that will get you by for most situations and that’s good enough for most families heading on holiday. With a host of great engines like the 30d, the X5 is at its best where most SUVs spend almost all their time – on the road, packed full of things.

Lexus CT200h (2014) Review

The Lexus CT200h is the entry-level offering from the Japanese luxury manufacturer; it combines technology from the Toyota Prius to whoosh it along as greenly as possible with typical excellent Lexus build quality to provide a sort of upmarket, sporty hybrid offering. Whilst hybrid and sporty have only recently come in contact with each other (think Porsche 918, LaFerrari and McLaren P1) can it work in an everyday hatchback?

Lexus CT200h has new bits on it

This being the facelifted model of the CT200h, Lexus has made sure it has improved the offering and made it feel like it belongs inside the Lexus stable. The CT200h has been strengthened to make the body more rigid whilst the suspension is now more tuned to passenger comfort.

There are also a few notable changes to the exterior as the front end receives the edgier styled front bumper. The wheels are 10-spoke 16-inch alloys, the rear bumper has been redesigned whilst the taillights now incorporate the distinctive Lexus ‘L’ shape to them.

Lexus has narrowed its CT200h offerings to just the single model as it drops the CT200h F-Sport from the range. This is a good thing as the sportier model had an unexpectedly firm ride.

Have the changes helped?

The most noticeable change to the CT200h is the improved ride. The stiffened chassis has helped so much. The CT200h corners with great agility and poise and remains flat when asked to dart into a corner. The ride is firm, but not crashy,yet if you hit a bump in the road the CT200h deals with it nonchalantly, there’s no fuss or flex felt anywhere else in the cabin. The steering may feel a little lifeless, but it’s well weighted and you get good feedback through the chassis to relay the car’s state.

The ride quality is also superb, Lexus has worked hard on improving the NVH levels in the car and it is now worthy of wearing the Lexus badge. Nothing rattles, nothing vibrates and everything feels like it will last for decades without shifting a millimetre.

Any better inside?

That depends on how you look at it. The specification has been upgraded slightly with some new leather touches to the shift lever and dual seat heaters as well. However the switches to work the seat heaters seem archaic and sourced from a ‘90s hi-fi system to adjust the left-right audio balance.

The rest of the technology feels outdated as well; the radio is plainly from a Toyota Hilux/Fortuner and most of the buttons in the cabin hark back to the days of my mom’s Toyota Corolla Sprinter circa 1991. We wait to see the updated interior that Lexus has launched recently that is said to bring some modernism to the CT200h’s ageing cabin. The rear seats fold flat though, so that’s something cool to shout about, I slotted my mountain bike in and out of the CT200h with absolute ease thanks to the flat rear load-bay.

Hybrid Drive

Power to the wheels is sourced from the Toyota Prius electric/petrol motor combination. The Electric motor takes over from the petrol where it’s able to, like at slow speeds or at initial pull away. It keeps the consumption low and the batteries are topped up by regenerative braking. The energy produced by braking is diverted back into the batteries and keeps them charged for later use. The combined output of both the electric motor and the petrol motor comes to 100 kW but you’d never really notice because it’s so heavily tuned towards fuel economy.

Throttle response is sluggish even when in Sport mode and it’s easy to get annoyed with the slow progress and consequently mash the throttle pedal to the floor. The CT200h’s engine gives better performance when hammered with the CVT gearbox whining away at high rpm not providing much thrill for all its hard work.

The CT200h, much like the Prius it shares its DNA with, is best used as an eco-friendly machine. Work less on G-force thrills and more on E-force skills – a term I’ve just coined for super-efficient or economical driving. The Lexus CT200h will easily return under 5L/100km when driven normally around town and Lexus claim it does 4.1L/100km of the combined cycle and that makes it one of the most economical petrol cars you can buy in South Africa currently.

Verdict

The Lexus CT200h is a much improved chassis, the strengthened body and improved suspension have made it a solid and impressive handling car. It’s fun to drive around town despite the economy bias of the engine and gearbox, and will always return an impressive fuel economy figure. The interior is still stuck in the mid ‘90s, but the updated 2014 models are said to have improved kit in them. The CT200h in this spec is actually cheaper than the Toyota Prius and is almost certainly the better car to own, although you probably won’t get the same ‘green’ kudos the Prius derives.

Second Opinion

I’m glad the CT200h F-Sport was canned as its ride was unacceptably harsh. This softer-riding version is way better, and the hybrid engine does a great job of returning low fuel consumption. Learn to drive the car correctly and you’ll easily see figures of under 4.5L/100km. At one stage in peak hour traffic the car was consuming just 4.0L/100km, making this car great if you drive on congested roads often.-David Taylor

Lexus CT200h quick specs

Price  R408 500
Engine  1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol + 60 kW electric motor
Power  100 kW-e
Torque  142 Nm-e
Transmission  CVT
Wheels  16-inch alloys
0-100km/h  10.3 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy  4.1L/100 km (claimed)

We like:
. Refined ride and solid feel
. Sporty handling for a hybrid
. Build quality befitting of its Lexus badge

We dislike:
. Tech inside a generation too old
. Not fun to drive hard

Also consider:
. Toyota Prius
. Audi A3 Sportback
. Honda Civic

Land Rover Celebrates First Production Discovery Sport (Video)

Land Rover is celebrating the first production Discovery Sport which has rolled off its production line in Halewood, UK.

First production Discovery Sport rolls off assembly line

Land Rover said the model is headed to Virgin Galactic’s headquarters, to be used by the team as they continue to prepare for the launch of the world’s first commercial spaceline. The company further confirmed that the new Discovery Sport features 5+2 seating “in a footprint no larger than existing five-seat premium SUVs”.

The first production Discovery Sport will additionally be offered with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine four-cylinder engine that produces 179 kW and 338 Nm of torque. There will also be a 2.2-litre SD4 turbodiesel engine delivering 139 kW.

During a ceremony at Land Rover’s Halewood plant, Land Rover Programs Director Murray Dietsch said in a statement: “It fills me with pride to have seen the first new Discovery Sport coming off the line here at our world-class Halewood production facility. We are now even more excited to hand the keys over to the crew at Virgin Galactic. The new car embodies Land Rover’s spirit of Above and Beyond, so it’s fitting that it will be used by a similarly pioneering company in Virgin Galactic.”

Land Rover Discovery Sport production

BMW 1-Series DTM Package Available

Straight off the back of the BMW M4 DTM Championship Edition, BMW has announced it will make a 1-Series DTM Sports Edition. The DTM Sports Edition will replace the M Sport Package in the range as of November 2014 in Europe.

BMW 1-series DTM details

The scheme follows the same lines as the M4 DTM, celebrating Marco Wittman’s DTM championship win in 2014. The package though is almost identical as the outgoing M Sport kit. The new kit does include new 18-inch wheels, xenon headlights and some new high gloss black trim with a bright accent trim in Oxide Silver inside.

Other than that the 1-Series DTM Sports Edition remains identical to the M Sport Package.

BMW has released a few special packages and performance kits of late, check out a review of the 335i M Performance we drove earlier this year. The 2-Series has also had Performance Kit added to it arsenal recently.