Nissan Outlines its Autonomous Driving Systems Scheduled for Launch in 2020
Last year Nissan announced plans to launch multiple Autonomous Drive vehicles by 2020. However the company now says that the vehicles won’t be fully autonomous, but will instead be introducing the autonomous technology in a phased manner.
Autonomous Driving Systems aimed at accelerating consumer adoption
During a recent press conference, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said new technologies including automated lane controls and highway traffic management systems, to be introduced over the next four years, would demonstrate to consumers the viability and value of Autonomous Driving systems, which Nissan intends to make commercially viable by 2020.
The first system will be a “traffic-jam pilot” which will let vehicles drive themselves on gridlocked freeways. In the same timeframe, the company will also introduce a fully-automated parking system that will enable the car to park itself and will be available across a wide range of vehicles.
“This will be followed in 2018 by the introduction of multiple-lane controls, allowing cars to autonomously negotiate hazards and change lanes. And before the end of the decade, we will introduce intersection-autonomy, enabling vehicles to negotiate city cross-roads without driver intervention,” said Ghosn.
Ghosn went on to say that four major trends are fuelling demand for autonomous drive functions. These are: the need to ease congestion in increasingly crowded mega-cities; growing demand for in-car communications by younger tech-savvy drivers; the need to make car operation easier and safer for the growing ranks of senior drivers; and increased purchasing and decision-making power of female consumers.
Unlike pilot-projects for completely self-driving vehicles, currently undergoing preliminary tests elsewhere in the industry, drivers remain in control and ‘at the wheel’ in Nissan models equipped with Autonomous Drive functions.”
By next year, for example, the company says they will have “enhanced communications” functions loaded on 1.5 million vehicles, and the technologies include cloud-based systems to offer better access to social media, entertainment applications and voice recognition software.
“Nissan will be part of the transport solution in the growing number of megacities. We will continue to make our cars more connected. We plan to lead in delivering Autonomous Drive vehicles. And, in every part of the business, we are recognizing the unique needs of elderly drivers and the impact and influence of female customers.”
2015 Ford Mustang Engine Details Revealed
Ford has announced engine details on its 2015 Ford Mustang. There will be three engine variants to go with an entirely new chassis that is heavily focused on power to weight ratio. Ford has also revealed its performance pack details for those wanting a more track focused machine.
Powerful Engines
The three engine lineup consists of a 3.7-litre V6 with 223 kW and 379 Nm to open the range. The 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost motor takes the middle spot as it manages 231 kW and 433 Nm. The top of the range Mustang engine is the 5-litre V8 that thumps out 324 kW to go with 541 Nm of torque.
Lightweight Chassis
The Mustangs chassis has been strengthened and lightened over the previous generation. Kerb weight sits at just 1600kg. This was achieved through use of advanced technologies and materials including hydroforming, laser welding and high-strength steels. Lightweight aluminium is used for the bonnet and front fenders to help reduce weight and improve balance.
2015 Ford Mustang Performance Pack
For those who want something a little more track honed, Ford will offer a performance pack for its 2015 Mustang. The performance pack is only available on the top two models (Ecoboost and the V8) and gets a list of tweaks:
Retuned springs, bushings and monotube rear dampers
Additional cooling capability for track-day durability
Thicker rear sway bar
K-brace connecting strut towers to bulkhead
Unique tuning for ABS, electronic stability control and electric power-assisted steering
Centre gauge pack
The top V8 model in addition gets a 3.73:1 final drive ratio with Torsen differential and a unique front splitter to channel cooling air to the front brakes.
We set out to create an all-new Mustang that would go, handle and stop better than any previous Mustang, while also being a better all-around daily driver, said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. The results speak for themselves during track testing, the 2015 Mustang GT with performance package consistently beat the lap times of the 2012-2013 Mustang Boss 302.
IIHS Recommends Safest Used Cars for Teens
A new report out from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has listed what it says will help parents pick the safest used cars for their teen drivers.
First-ever list of recommended safest used cars for teens
The IIHS puts the focus on safety features like airbags, electronic stability control (ESC) and anti-rollover systems.
“A teenager’s first car is more than just a financial decision,” says IIHS President Adrian Lund. “These lists of recommended used vehicles can help consumers factor in safety, in addition to affordability.”
When picking a car for their teens, the IIHS recommends parents to follow these guidelines:
– Avoid high-power vehicles that could tempt teens into speeding.
– Select bigger cars that have the mass to protect occupants in an accident.
– Put young drivers in vehicles equipped with electronic stability control, which helps a driver maintain control of the vehicle on curves and slippery roads.
– Parents should also pick vehicles with good Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety ratings.
“Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to get a safe vehicle for a teenager at the prices most people are paying,” says Anne McCartt, IIHS senior vice president for research. “Our advice to parents would be to remember the risks teens take and consider paying a little more.”
All the recommended used vehicles by the IIHS have standard ESC and provide good protection in moderate overlap front crashes. Those considered “best choices” for under $20,000 (about R214 181) also have good ratings for side crash protection, good head restraints and seats for rear crash protection, and good roof strength to protect occupants in rollover crashes. Vehicles considered “good choices” for under $10,000 (about R106 916) have good or acceptable side crash protection and head restraints rated better than poor.
Vehicles rated by NHTSA were included in the recommended lists only if they earned four or five stars in the front and side tests under the agency’s original testing regime. Or if they received an overall rating of four or five stars under the newer, more stringent rating system that began with 2011 models. One vehicle, the Hyundai Santa Fe, was excluded from the list of best choices because its 2012 model had an overall rating of just three stars.
In a clash that just ten years ago would have seemed impossible or just downright silly, we lined up BMW’s most powerful diesel SUV against the new Range Rover Sport, which uses an engine shared with the Jaguar F-Type to develop an incredible 375 kW (502hp).
BMW X5 M50d VS Range Rover Sport 0-100 km/h time
Both manufacturers claim their cars accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in the same time, so we honestly had no idea which car would win over the quarter mile drag race.
The BMW has launch control which would certainly help get it off the line, but could the massive torque of that diesel engine make up for the incredible power of the Range Rover? Let’s also not forget that the BMW X5 is a little smaller and therefore lighter than the Range Rover Sport.
What we did know is that one of these cars would not be needing a visit to a petrol station on the way home.
Specs: BMW X5 M50d vs Range Rover Sport SCV8
BMW X5 M50d
RR Sport SCV8
Price
R1 113 148
R1 365 023
Engine
3.0 I-6 triturbo diesel
5.0 V8 supercharged
Power
280 kW
375 kW
Torque
740 Nm
625 Nm
0-100km/h time
5.3 seconds
5.3 seconds
Top speed
225 km/h limited
250 km/h limited
Fuel consumption
6.7 l/100 km
13.8/100 km
Weight (curb)
2125 kg
2310 kg
Mercedes-Benz Announces SA Prices For 2015 C-Class Estate
Mercedes-Benz has opened its order books for the 2015 C-Class Estate scheduled to officially launch in South Africa in October 2014.
Increased space and new engines
Compared to its predecessor, the 2015 C-Class Estate is 96 mm longer and has an 80 mm elongated wheelbase which now measures 2 840 mm. Rear legroom has also been significantly increased by 45 mm while the additional 40 mm in the cars width (now at 1 810 mm) has boosted head, elbow and shoulder room.
Engine line-up for SA customers include the C180 four-cylinder petrol engine with 115 kW and 250 Nm of torque, and the petrol C200 delivering 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The C250 BlueTEC diesel engine produces 150 kW and 500 Nm of torque, whilst emitting 124 g/km of CO2 emissions.
Customers will also have a choice between a standard or sporty standard suspension or, for the first time on the C-Class Estate an air suspension which is said to “bridge the gap between a high level of ride comfort and dynamic, agile handling”.
2015 C-Class Estate Price in South Africa
Mercedes-Benz C180 Estate – R447 600
Mercedes-Benz C200 Estate – R468 300
Mercedes-Benz C250 BlueTEC Estate – R558 400
The 2015 C-Class Estate will come standard with Mercedes-Benzs class-leading PremiumDrive 6-years/100 000 km maintenance plan requiring no customer contribution.
Best SUV in SA – Medium Size
Moving along from our Compact SUV list and onto the family seeking a little more comfort and space in their life. Perhaps even a little off-road prowess wouldn’t go amiss on those family outings to the game reserve where you share a lodge with some other outdoor enthusiasts?
We have tried to keep the starting price under R500 000 and interior space to a happy medium. Weve also added a blend of off-road skilled vehicles and pavement hoppers. There are so many good vehicles in this category we could easily throw 10 options at you and they would each merit a purchase. Instead we have stuck to our guns and narrowed it down to just five of the best.
Whilst it may be a tubby Ford Focus, the Kuga has better turbocharged petrol engines with loads more torque. The diesels are only available as all-wheel drive units and the Kuga does a pretty good job of dealing with the dirty conditions. Its strong point though is its on road manners its a great handling and comfortable SUV. Pricing from R310 900 R435 900.
Honda knows that people like to carry things and this car seems built to carry all those things. For a medium-sized SUV, the CR-V has very generous loading capacities and storage compartments. Whilst the diesels in the range get a bit pricey, the entry level models (2-litre petrol) offer good value, comfort and durability. Also it carries Hondas renowned reliability. Pricing from R330 400 R565 800.
The Freelander is the forgotten sibling of the now show stopping Land/Range Rover lineup. While the Evoque probably steals from the Freelanders market its not without its own merit. Freelander is a good off-roader and fitted with the terrain response system it can adapt to any type of obstacle thrown at it. Gone are the unreliable motors of the past and in are the newer uprated Jaguar/Land Rover motors. It only just makes it onto the list at its entry level price is quite high. Pricing from R486 840 R628 970.
Toyota will claim to have invented the SUV with the RAV4 but many others who came after did a better job of perfecting it. The new RAV4 is a great value option, with the whole range coming in under R460 000. It may be a little less refined inside than the others but it has good off-road potential and a good choice of engines. Again, you can rely on this RAV4 to get you back from the bundus without a breakdown. Pricing from R301 900 R456 500.
The Subaru Forester has always been happy to get down and dirty with the off-road crowd. This new model has taken a step closer to the tarmac, but not given up its mountain climbing shoes entirely. The cabin on the Forester is its weakest part, it feels a bit cheap and designed in a time gone by. If you can deal with that and have kids that are going to ruin things anyway then the Subaru will fit your lifestyle. Some of the best CVT gearboxes can be found in a Forester too. Pricing from R339 000 R529 000.
New Mazda 2 Shown off in Japan
Mazda has finally revealed its new Mazda 2 at its Hiroshima plant in Japan. The Mazda 2 is set to feature the brands SKYACTIV range of engines and KODO soul of motion design language.
Mazda 2 engines and safety features
Whilst no specific details have been released about the Mazda 2, we know it will begin selling to the Japanese market mid spring this year. Out of the blocks it will feature a 1.5-litre petrol motor with varying outputs as well as a 1.5 diesel derivative. The diesel using SKYACTIV-D technology focuses on high compression whilst reducing fuel economy and should put out somewhere in the region of 77 kW and 250 Nm. Mazda is saying there will also be a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.
The interior looks very clean and simple with a modern LCD display on the top on the centre dash. The Mazda 2 is said to use i-ACTIVSENSE which is a combination of safety systems that uses radar and camera systems to avoid collisions. It includes systems like radar cruise control, lane departure warning and rear vehicle monitoring. Well have to wait and see which of the systems Mazda decides to insert into the new Mazda 2.
Toyota Prius Plug-in TRD Sets Nurburgring Lap Record (Video)
At a track famous for fastest lap records set, Toyota has announced its Prius Plug-in hybrid has accomplished a record-winning 0.4-litres/100 km lap of the infamous Nordschliefe.
Toyota Prius Plug-in sets benchmark 0.4-litres/100 km lap record
The record was set by Joe Clifford who completed the 20.7 km long course in 20 minutes and 59 seconds. The minimum speed of 60 km/h had to be maintained and no mechanical modifications were allowed. The only parts fitted to the car included lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling resistance tyres, upgraded suspension and aerodynamic improvements.
The technology that made this possible is a Toyotas full hybrid system that pairs a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a small rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The batterys performance and excellent energy retention means the car can be driven faster and further on just electric power alone when compared to the standard Prius.
In addition, Toyota says the record was set during a public track session, so the car had to deal with navigate through traffic while sticking to the circuit rules including the minimum average speed of 60 km/h.
“Although the 12.9-mile (20.7 km) distance is similar to a typical commuter trip, the difference here is a rise and fall in elevation of around 1000 feet (0.3 km),” said Clifford.
In fact it was only on one long climb that the petrol engine cut in, and then only for a short while. Without that, we think we might have even achieved the ultimate 999.9 mpg (0.23-litres/100 km) read-out the highest figure the display can show.”
Toyota Prius Plug-in TRD in action at Nurburgring
Suzuki Swift (2014) Review
The Swift is a plucky hatchback that seemingly offers good value for money. Should the Swift be on your budget car shortlist?
This 2014 Suzuki Swift review will help you make an informed buying if you are looking to buy a first-generation Swift on the used car market.
Suzuki Swift – Quick Specs
Engine
1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power
63 kW
Torque
113 Nm
Transmission
5-speed manual
Wheels
14-inch steel wheels
0-100km/h
12.5 seconds (estimate)
Fuel economy
5.7 L/100 km (claimed)
We like: . Fun to drive . Value for money . Exceptionally light on fuel . Doesn’t feel cheap
We dislike: . Boot is a little small, but that’s a minor gripe
The Swift is an admirable little car. It’s well-equipped, has a sporty drive and boasts interior space rivaling many bigger cars. Like most things in South Africa, inflation and exchange rate have made the great Swift 1.4 hover dangerously close to the R200k mark.
In an effort to counter spiraling costs, Suzuki South Africa launched the 1.2 entry-level model as well as the sedan Dzire, which we drove at the launch earlier in 2014. I’m behind the wheel of the Swift 1.2 hatchback and despite it coming in substantially cheaper than its bigger-engined sibling, offers just as much fun and specification.
What’s the Swift like to drive?
There’s a rev-happy 1.2-litre engine under the curved bonnet and it delivers 63 kW and 113 Nm. There’s a great five-speed manual gearbox and changing gears in the Swift is an effortless affair. Drive enthusiastically and the car responds with eagerness. At sea level, the car has a sporty drive and it’s most enjoyable. Few entry-level cars are this fun to drive.
Thanks to a superb chassis, the Swift 1.2 can be driven briskly and loves being thrown around corners. The best part is you can drive like a hooligan and won’t be punished with ridiculous fuel consumption. Suzuki claims 5.7 L/100 km on the combined cycle, but on our test route down to Cape Point and back, the car returned 4.7 L/100 km – a fantastic result.
Space and specification
Being a Suzuki, specification is quite generous. There’s a USB port with radio controls on the steering wheel, trip computer with consumption readouts, central locking, electric windows and front fog lamps. Safety wise, there’s ABS with brake assist and dual airbags for the driver and passenger.
The cabin is spacious and airy, and taller folk will not be uncomfortable in the Indian-built Suzuki Swift 1.2. The boot size may be a little on the smaller side, but you can increase its dimensions by folding the seats down.
Conclusion
As far as entry-level cars go, we found the Swift 1.2 to be a near-perfect offering. It’s fun-to-drive characteristics are thrown in with fair specification and outstanding fuel economy. If you can look past the Made In India sticker, this should be on your shopping list if you’re after a fun and affordable car.
How much does the Suzuki Swift cost in South Africa?
R136 900 puts you behind the wheel of the Swift 1.2 GL manual. There’s a lower-specced 1.2 GA available for R126 900 which does away with the radio.
The price includes a warranty against any defects for a period of 3 years or 100 00 km. There’s also a three year anti-corrosion cover as well as a 2 year / 30 000 km service plan.
Second Opinion
The Swift 1.2 is happy to have you rev the nuts off of it all day long and it’s actually quite rewarding and entertaining to do it. Contrarily, if you drive it respectfully it’s super fuel efficient. It’s a true Japanese simple hatchback – built to outlast its competition – Ashley Oldfield
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different Suzuki Swift models available in South Africa?
The 2025 Suzuki Swift in South Africa is available in three main derivatives: the GL, a new mid-tier GL+, and the top-end GLX.
What is the engine and performance of the new Swift?
The new Swift is powered by a Z-Series (Z12E) 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. This engine produces 60 kW of power and 112 Nm of torque, and is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
What is the price of the new Suzuki Swift in South Africa?
The starting price for the 2025 Suzuki Swift is approximately R219,900, with the top-end GLX model priced around R284,900.
What safety features are standard on the 2025 Suzuki Swift?
Standard safety features across all models include six airbags, hill-hold control, ABS, electronic stability control (ESC), and ISOfix child-seat anchors.
What warranty and service plan are included with the Swift?
The vehicle comes with a 5-year/200,000 km warranty and a 2-year/30,000 km service plan.
