New Volkswagen Crossover Concept To Debut In Detroit
A new Volkswagen Crossover concept is said to have its world premiere at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show next month, designed to increase the companys range in the crossover segment and boost sales.
Volkswagen Crossover
The car is expected to hit production 2016 and go on sale later that year or early in 2017. According to Reuters, the concept will be a five-seat variant of the seven-passenger SUV that VW plans to build at its assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The company has not yet confirmed any additional details on the crossover concept. The North American/Detroit International Auto Show takes place on January 12th 2015, so expect more details then.
Please note pictured is the Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe concept.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe Officially Unveiled In Germany
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has been officially unveiled with distinctive styling, on-road vehicle dynamics and striking characteristics of a robust SUV.
In terms of engines, there are three to choose from. The entry-level GLE350 diesel 4Matic has 190 kW and 620 Nm, while the GLE400 AMG 4Matic comes with a petrol biturbo 3.0-litre V6 that makes 245 kW and 480 Nm of torque. Finally, there is a GLE 450 AMG 4Matic with 270 kW and 520Nm.
The coupe-styled SUV is additionally equipped with a 4Matic all-wheel drive system that provides a nominal 50:50 front-to-rear apportioning of drive, and has further been tuned to deliver a more sporting 40:60 front-to-rear. Theres also a nine-speed automatic transmission with five modes; individual, comfort, slippery, sport and sport+, that can be set via a rotary control on the centre console.
The GLE model also features Mercedes AIRMATIC air suspension that is now available with the continuously variable damping system ADS Plus. Steel suspension is standard with selective damping system.
Styling and interior equipment
On the styling front, standard equipment includes AMG body styling with a front and rear apron, a rear-spoiler lip and larger 21-inch light alloy wheels and tyres. The single bar grille on the front is flanked by LED headlights. Additional features include plastic body cladding, a distinctive rear end with chrome trim, and a dual exhaust system.
Inside, the model is fitted with a new infotainment display, a sports steering wheel, and sport seats. It is further adorned in silver shadow accents and aluminium or wood trim. The latest version of Mercedes COMAND infotainment system combines a tablet-style 8.0-inch screen with a console-mounted touchpad.
The list of safety features includes Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, Active Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist, Cross-Traffic Assist, 360-degree camera and Active Parking Assist.
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe will be unveiled officially at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show before going on sale later next year. We can also expect a potent AMG version in the near future.
1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor Up For Auction
The 1967 Ford Mustang fastback dubbed ‘Eleanor’ by Nicholas Cage’s character in the 2000 remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, is said to go up for auction at Mecum’s Austin event scheduled for December 12th and 13th of this year.
Eleanor, the 1967 Ford Mustang could be yours
Eleven fictional Eleanor Mustangs were created for the movie, but only three of these were working cars, of which two were destroyed during filming. The cars were built by Cinema Vehicle Services, with key features of the 1967 Ford Mustang including a custom body kit, 17-inch wheels, air conditioning, a Lecarra steering wheel and an Auto Meter Sport Comp tachometer. Under the bonnet, the car houses a Ford Racing 351 CI crate engine with Holley 700 CFM 4-barrel carburettor with a high-volume fuel pump and 4-speed manual transmission. It is connected to a four-speed manual transmission which sends power to a Positraction rear end. The 1967 Ford Mustang ‘Eleanor’ will go up for auction at the Austin collector car auction, alongside other notable models including a 1969 Corvette L88 Coupe and a 1967 Corvette Convertible owned by astronaut Gus Grissom.
Common Driving Mistakes
As we head into the festive season, more traffic aims for the coastal areas and the national roads see a heavy increase in traffic. With that in mind we thought we would come up with a list of driving rules that are often forgotten about.
The main aim behind our list is to remind road users to be considerate of others on the road and that the simplest rules are often the ones most neglected. The Arrive Alive website has some great road safety tips as well as statistical info if youre keen to up your road safety knowledge. If you have any tips of your own, leave a comment at the bottom and we could add them to the list.
Common Driving Mistakes in SA
1. Keep Left Pass Right
This is the most simple of rules but somehow its extremely rare to find anyone who obeys it. The idea is that you stay as far left as you can and only move right to overtake, then return to the left, this aids traffic flow. If you do happen to have a faster car come up behind you then do your best to let the faster through by moving to the left when safe to do so. Dont hog the middle lane either, the inside lane when clear is where you should always aim to be driving.
2. Traffic Circle Usage
This rule is seemingly impossible to fathom, and is a particular sore spot for me as there is one situated on my drive to and from work. Look at the graphic above, it really is that simple, plan ahead, get in the correct lane and indicate your direction. Traffic circles are an upgrade from stop streets as you shouldnt ever need to come to a full stop, thus traffic flow is better and you save a bit of fuel by not having to accelerate from a standstill.
3. The Solid Line
Theres no reason to cross a solid line, they put them there for a reason. The classic mistake is when entering a freeway to cross the solid white line before it ends so you can get a jump on the traffic ahead of you. All this does is then hold up the people who waited patiently and backs up traffic as they all have to slow down. Wait your turn and be a courteous driver, no point in infuriating a bunch of other road users for your personal gain.
4. The Flashing Red Traffic Light
We all know how stop streets work right? With all the load shedding at present, its quite likely youll come across a few out-of-order traffic lights. When this happens treat it as a stop street. Stop streets in themselves prove to be a bone of contention for most road users so heres a quick refresher: the first vehicle to arrive at a 4-way stop has priority, dont sneak through with the vehicle in front of you, thats just criminal. When arriving at the same time as someone else you can either take the initiative and go first or give the other driver safe passage, just dont do that awkward roll thing where you both end up trapped in the middle of the intersection upset at one another.
5. Tailgating
Not leaving enough space to the car creates a multitude of problems, worst of all, increasing the likelihood of an accident and increasing the number of casualties involved. Arrive Alive states that the human reaction time to recognise a potential hazard is 0.75 seconds. It then takes a further 0.75 seconds to react to hazard and press the brakes. The vehicle then takes 0.05 seconds to apply the brakes. Studies have indicated that when a driver follows another vehicle at 100kph and the vehicle in front suddenly applies the brakes, the driver following will need about one and a half seconds to react. So be patient and apply the two-to-three second rule by watching the vehicle in front of you pass a landmark and then counting off three seconds.
Ferrari Sergio Unveiled; All Six Units Sold Out
The Ferrari Sergio, a production version of the Pininfarina has just been unveiled and the first car has already been delivered to its new owner, the SBH Royal Auto Gallery in the UAE, at Abu Dhabis Yas Marina Circuit.
The first Ferrari Sergio arrives in the UAE
Unveiled earlier at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show, the Ferrari Sergio has now entered its limited production run of six vehicles all of which have been sold. The car was created to celebrate the spirit and core values of the historic Cambiano Company in the 60th anniversary year of its collaboration with the Prancing Horse. It was also designed to pay tribute to Sergio Pininfarina, who helped to forge the company’s longstanding partnership with Ferrari.
A genuine radical roadster
The production model is based on the 458 Spider, retaining the latters technological content as well as all of the functional aspects of its cockpit. The main styling of the design is two bodyshell masses melded together via a longitudinal black insert.
Theres also a semi-floating front spoiler which helps to balance down force and optimises heat exchange, while at the rear, there’s a ventilated rear engine cover, circular taillights and a dual exhaust system. There’s also a rear diffuser and Sergio-specific forged alloy wheels.
The Ferrari Sergio delivered to Abu Dhabi features a three-layer red exterior paintwork and a sporty cockpit with black leather upholstery with contrasting red stitching, Alcantara seat inserts, and extensive carbon dash and door well trim. It also features Sergio-specific forged wheels, on this car gold in colour with a diamond finish.
Performance specifications are yet to be revealed, but Ferrari confirmed power will be provided by a 4.5-litre V8 engine that develops 445 kW, enabling the roadster to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in three seconds.
Each one of the six Ferrari Sergios was configured by its owner in dedicated sessions at the Tailor Made atelier in Maranello, which means each car will be unique.
Volkswagen Cross Caddy (2014) Review
Most of us know the Volkswagen Caddy as a worker bee, utility vehicle. Usually the Caddy comes fitted with a set of seats up front and from there backwards its all load bay. Its low loading height and dual sliding doors make the Caddy perfect for small business owners looking to ferry goods around under a closed roof. Now though, the VW Cross Caddy has morphed into a family van, complete with rear seats. Does the Cross Caddy work as an MPV? We spent a week with the family-based van to decide.
Family Caddy?
Yes, thats the idea, you get rear seats in the Caddy, a spiced up interior to make it look less like a workmans shed and some cladding on the exterior that makes it look a bit funkier. The exterior gains some black plastic body armour around the wheel arches and side sills. The silver roof rails are also added for the Cross Caddy as is some privacy glass for the rear window. The interiors spruce up includes some colour-coded door trim that can match some pretty vibrant exterior colours such as Viper Green or Honey Orange. The trim is backed up with a leather steering wheel and a few high gloss bits of material surrounding the air vents. Storage compartments are abundant and the roof lining compartment runs the width of the entire cabin, just dont load any heavy items there or you could have it tumble down onto your head.
If youre looking for space in your MPV then look no further, the Cross Caddy maintains its low loading height and makes use of 750-litres of boot space, fold the rear seats up and that increases to 2852-litres. You can just keep packing in the wife and kids bags until they get tired or they run out of things in the house. Rear legroom is adequate and once the seats are folded up theres room to roll a mountain bike in upright an industry standardised test. The Cross Caddy can be ordered as a seven-seater, but comes standard as a five-seater.
Powering up
The Cross Caddy gets a 2-litre turbodiesel engine that generates 81 kW and 250 Nm of torque. Its still focused at more commercial use rather than passenger use. Usually a 2-litre turbodiesel is good for over 100 kW and around 350 Nm so you might feel a little short-changed by the grunt of the Cross Caddy, but the fuel efficiency makes up for it. VW claims it will return 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle and we were able to achieve this figure easily. I racked up 450km before handing over the keys to the other guys in the office and there was still just over half of the 60-litre tank left.
Ride and Drive
VW has played with the exterior and the interior to make the Cross Caddy feel more home-like, but once you get behind the wheel it still feels like youre driving a van. The seating position is low, but still feels like a cab-forward design where you sit on top of the front wheels. Its not a bad daily driver, its quite comfortable although the longer wheelbase means the rear end tends to jolt more than the front, although its better under load.
The Cross Caddy comes standard with ABS, traction control and an electronically-controlled differential. Theres the added bonus of hill-hold and front and side airbags as well. For the people who like high tech interiors the Cross Caddy may not quite meet their expectations. Theres no USB port or fancy multimedia display unit but there is a radio/CD/MP3 player that has an AUX port. From the options list, the only thing worth having would be the rear parking sensors that come in handy with a vehicle of this size.
VW Cross Caddy – Verdict
The Cross Caddy does a decent job of hiding its commercial skeleton with some colourful tricks like the plastic cladding and colour-coded interior, but once driven its still a van at heart. Thats not to say it isnt good, theres space in here that most large SUVs can only dream about with hidden compartments that you can lose just about anything in. The engine isnt as powerful as youd expect but it copes with everyday driving relatively well and gets good mileage on a full tank. Price may just be the Cross Caddys downfall as it will set you back R340 600 and that puts it up there with some quite nice SUVs that carry more desirability and in some cases 4×4 capabilities.
Second Opinion
As an MPV, the Cross Caddy has lots to offer. With the extra row of seats, the Cross Caddy is a great option for medium-sized families with active lifestyles who place value on having a versatile vehicle that can carry just about anything. When Monday comes around, the Cross Caddy easily transforms into a work horse with the benefit of a comfortable and flexible interior. I enjoyed driving the Cross Caddy, it felt solid and handled well on some of the twisties around Cape Town and the power and torque was enough to get around briskly. Yes, there are many alternatives on the market, but the Cross Caddy excels in terms of versatility and you can’t ignore the excellent fuel range which will come in handy when the family sets off on those long distance holidays.-Gero Lilleike
We like:
. Storage compartments everywhere and ample space
. 1000km range on a single tank is possible
. Cool colour palette and new look
We Don’t Like:
. Still makes you feel like a van driver
. Pricey
. Lack of engine power and torque for a 2-litre turbodiesel
In September 2014 we looked at how South African petrol prices compare with the rest of the world and at the time South Africa ranked 42nd (now 43rd) in the world with a petrol price of R13.66. The highest petrol price in 2014 in South Africa was in April at R14.39 per litre and today we are paying about R12.06 per litre, which is still expensive. In comparison, fuel prices in Venezuela are the cheapest at R0.12 per litre and Norway the most expensive at R27.27 per litre.
According to Bloomberg, South Africa ranks poorly in terms of affordability at 8th in the world and ranks 1st in terms of income spent on fuel. With an average daily income of about R196, South Africans spend the highest percentage of their annual income on fuel, 5.17% in fact. In comparison, Cyprus ranks 2nd with an annual spend percentage of 3.60% and Mexico 3rd with a spend percentage of 3.44%.
Check out the infographic below to see how South Africa’s fuel spend percentage compares to some other countries. If you’re looking to cut down on your fuel costs then check out our list of most fuel efficient cars in SA for some handy tips.
Annual Fuel Spend in South Africa
Volkswagen Touareg (2014) Driven
Stuart Johnston attended the local launch of the refreshed Volkswagen Touareg in George, South Africa this week.
Subtle styling revisions to Touareg are aimed at giving Volkswagens large SUV a more purposeful ‘attitude’ while drawing even deeper on current VW design language. And to go with the new mid-life-cycle facelift yes, its been over four years since the second-generation was introduced in 2010 there are some slight interior revisions, as well as some mechanical upgrades to what is now an extremely well-priced vehicle in the premium end of the SUV market.
Revised Looks
Visually, car-spotters will recognise the revamped Touareg by its new larger headlights which are now bi-xenon with LED running lights that form a solid line rather than a segmented effect.
The effect from the all-important front view is that of a typical modern-gen VW product. At the rear, the bumper has been re-shaped, while there is a stronger diffuser element between the twin exhaust pipes and a re-modelled VW emblem. Also part of the new styling package are re-designed wheels, which can be ordered in sizing ranging from 17-inch to 20-inch.
Refreshed Interior
Inside, there are some updates too, including the use of aluminium on the rotary knob switchgear, and white illumination for the instruments replacing the previous red. And there are more seat cover options in the new 2015 model.
Hopping aboard the Touareg, one is struck by the Volkswagen-ness of the interior, and in the writers opinion this is both a good and a bad thing for this car. On the one hand you are impressed by the excellent panel fit and solidity of the car, much as you are in, say a Mitsubishi SUV. But in an era where Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have gone quite flash on their SUV interiors, with more of a sports-car luxury feel, the Touaregs flat expanse of dashboard still leaves you feeling a little, well, flat. It needs some sort of vibey makeover to make you feel special, which you obviously are, as you can afford to pay R709 000 and some change, just to hop into the least expensive version of the car.
R-Line Package Details
Volkswagen is aware of this, and thus on offer is the special R-line package, which applies to both the exterior and interior. Here you get 20-inch Talladega alloy wheels, black gloss air intakes with a bit of chrome bling, side sill extensions and a roof-mounted spoiler. The interior with the R-line pack offers titanium black headlining, a leather-covered multi-function steering wheel, R-Line inlays in the tread-plates covering the door-sills and stainless steel pedal caps.
Of course, having said all of this, once on the move you are once again impressed at the wonderful integration of the Touareg package as a whole, just as you are in almost every Volkswagen product in its vast range. Hewn-from billet-metal is the phrase that comes to mind as you feel the cars sure-footedness over windy roads, and ones with bumps in the middle of corners, for that matter.
Mechanical changes on the car include a sharpening up on the steering, and indeed during a quite memorable ultra-brisk run through the Langkloof on the launch thats the area that runs from Uniondale back down to the N2 in the direction of Port Elizabeth I was amazed at how crisply the car reacted to steering input, and how stable it was in fast sweepers on narrow bumpy roads.
With such a strong chassis package, Volkswagen still hasnt felt the need to offer a vast range of engines on the Touareg. This remains a very perky 206 kW V6 , with direct petrol injection, a 180 W TDI diesel with 550 NM of torque, and the range-topping V8 TDI, a brute of a turbo-diesel that offers 250 kW and stomping 800 Nm of torque.
All Touaregs come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard permanent four-wheel-drive, but there are various running gear options you can choose from. In the suspension department you can opt for steel (conventional) suspension which is very good, or the optional air suspension.
And with the V6 TDI with the optional Terrain Tech, you get a low range gear, a lockable centre differential and raised ground clearance up to 235 mm. If you then specify the air-suspension which offers adjustable ride height, you can raise the ground clearance to a maximum of 300 mm, which is just dandy for even the toughest of offroad sections or outsize curb in Sandton that you may encounter.
Pricing of Refreshed Touareg
At the launch, VW execs pointed out that the Touareg is now extremely well-priced in its segment, being between R100 000 to R200 000 less expensive than its competitors when measured on a spec-to-spec basis. This, more than anything else, makes the car worth a re-look in this elevated SUV league.
Pricing, before any options are added, starts at R709 100 for the 3,6 V6 FSI (petrol) model. The 3,0 V6 TDI 180 kW model costs R796 500, with the Terrain-Tech V6 TDI model selling for R822 100. And if you want to experience torque-above-all-else, lash out on the 4,2 V8 TDI, with 250 kW and 800 Nm. That will set you back R990 600.
Toyota Fortuner Epic Offroad Adventure
*Photos kindly supplied by Michael Salzwedel
The Toyota Fortuner is an icon in South African motoring history. It’s rugged, tough and has a go-anywhere attitude which makes it popular among motorists seeking reliability and capability.
Recently Toyota South Africa launched the Epic version of its Fortuner SUV. You can read about the specifications and pricing here. I was invited to the regional launch of this vehicle and this event served one purpose: how far can you push a Fortuner offroad?
There are some challenging 4×4 trails in the Western Cape, so after the mandatory safety and product briefing, we jumped into the Fortuners and headed for the Le Bonheur wine estate. Le Bonheur’s Wiesenhof trail is quite beastly and the Fortuners would be pushed to their limits as they climbed up the hill overlooking the Winelands.
Offroad Abilities
First we did a smaller trail, where the Fortuner’s diff locks and axles were demonstrated and journalists had a chance to get familiar with offroad driving. There’s nothing more alarming than seeing the vehicle in front of you driving on three wheels through fairly deep ruts! It’s also quite difficult to not instinctively brake while descending a steep gradient.
The Fortuner boasts permanent all-wheel drive, with the option of a low-range gearbox as well as a mechanical differential lock at the rear. The Fortuner also offers excellent ground clearance as well as some reliable powerplants. My choice for this excursion was a manual 3.0-litre D4-D with 120 kW and 343 Nm of torque. As for the trail itself, it mostly resembled a vaguely-cleared rocky path and at times progress was near walking pace. Still, the Fortuners showed no signs of wanting to give up and pressed on to the summit of the Wiesenhof trail, where we were promised the views were spectacular.
The Toyota Fortuner is based upon the Toyota Hilux, the ever popular bakkie offering from the Japanese manufacturer and you can expect a new Hilux in SA around the middle of 2015. Given the fact that you can easily seat seven, ride reasonably comfortably to work on tar, yet take on the most hardcore of offroad obstacles, it makes perfect sense why the Toyota Fortuner sells in the numbers that it does. It really is a solid and reliable offering. The Epic may just be a cosmetic upgrade, but for those who crave a limited edition vehicle that will stand out from the rest, this Fortuner will probably sell very quickly.
Toyota Fortuner Epic Video
http://instagram.com/p/wGdvNGmSqV/
BMW i3 and i8 Price Announced for South Africa
BMW has announced pricing for both the i3 and i8 models due to arrive in SA next year.
Update: The four dealerships that will service and sell the BMW i3 and BMW i8 are: Supertech, Durban SMG, Cape Town Sandton Auto, Johannesburg Club Motors Fountains, Pretoria
BMW i3 and i8 Price in South Africa
Its said that BMW will sell both the full electric i3 for R525 000 together with the i3 range extender at R595 000, while the i8 will be priced from R1 755 000.
Please note that you will have to install the BMW i WallBox home charging station at an additional cost of R25 000.
Both the BMW i3 and i8 first made their South African debut at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show, where they showed up with fresh and modern looks that reinterpret the meaning of modern luxury.
The passenger cell of the i3 is made of carbon fibre while sustainable yet high quality materials are used throughout making it a serious green runner for urban environments. The i8 stands low and wide and has the undeniable look of a sports car, while its proportions serve to deliver optimal performance. Out of the two cars, we’re most excited by the i3 which will be a direct rival to the Nissan Leaf.
Look out for more details and driving impressions once the vehicles officially launch at the end of February 2015. Ashley Oldfieldwill be there representing Cars.co.za.
