Jaguar has announced it will officially unveil its all-new Jaguar XE compact sport sedan on September 8, with sales scheduled to start in Europe in 2015.
The all-new Jaguar XE with aluminium-intensive architecture
Built around an all-new, aluminium-intensive architecture, the brand new Jaguar XE model will feature advanced suspension design which will offer thrilling performance, agile handling and precise, responsive steering, with outstanding levels of refinement.
The aluminium double wishbone front suspension is derived from the F-Type while, the integral link rear suspension promises to deliver sharp response and handling without compromising a refined and luxurious ride.
Jaguar vehicles have always been renowned for a balance of precise handling and high-quality ride. The XE is the culmination of everything the company has learned over the years. The Integral Link rear suspension provides a combination of supple ride and crisp handling that is unmatched in this segment. We are on target to deliver a vehicle that dynamically outperforms our rivals, said Mike Cross, Chief Engineer of Vehicle Integrity.
According to the company, the XE will be their first vehicle to be equipped with the latest generation Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) with steering damping. Jaguar has also developed an All Surface Progress Control that will increase traction of the rear-wheel drive sedan on various surfaces.
Jaguar has announced more details will be offered in the weeks to come before the car’s September 8 reveal in London.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster Revealed (Video)
The much anticipated Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster, billed as the company’s fastest and most potent roadster to date has finally been revealed.
Fastest-accelerating series production roadster
The roadster comes equipped with a 6.0-litre V12 engine delivering 421 kW and 620 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through Aston Martins new rear-mounted seven-speed Sportshift lll transmission, which further enables the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h 4.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of 323 km/h.
Like the V12 Vantage S, the Roadster will feature the three-mode (Normal, Sport and Track) Adaptive Damping System, a two-stage anti-lock braking system and a three-stage dynamic stability control system to fine-tune the suspension and steering to match your intended driving conditions.
Bespoke design features
Visually, the car features a ventilated hood, carbon fibre arrangements that include sporty black or titanium silver mesh. It also has an aggressive grille that draws inspiration from the CC100 Speedster concept, with heat extractors built into the long hood.
The interior has been styled to reflect the roadsters powerful nature with new seat and door trim as well as an optional carbon fibre package that adds carbon fibre trim, carbon fibre door handles and black alloy pedals.
The company is also introducing a Q by Aston Martin Collection which comprises of a variety bespoke features that include red-tinted carbon fibre, flashy colours both inside and out and a full carbon fibre centre console.
The new roadster is truly a treat for the senses with, underlying all this, the capacity to deliver one of the most dynamic, exciting and stirring driving experiences in our current range,” said Aston Martin Director of Design Marek Reichman.
The new V12 Vantage S Roadster not only looks the part, but has been engineered and built to showcase the ethos of Aston Martin: power, beauty and soul.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster will go on sale later this year. Pricing and availability will be announced closer to launch.
Powerful Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster Unveiled
Toyota Etios Cross Driven at Launch
Next in line to make headway into the entry level crossover market is this Toyota Etios Cross. Its a pumped-up Etios, full of extra cladding to make it look a bit more butch. Toyota says the current Etios seems to be a bit girly and it wants to attract more masculine buyers, hence the muscle flexing bits around this Toyota Etios Cross.
Same Old?
Essentially youre still getting the same Toyota Etios that has been selling around 2 000 units a month locally for the last couple years. The Etios has had a bit of sprucing up over that period in order to keep it up to date. The interior was definitely improved upon from the first models we saw at launch in 2012.
The centre display of the Toyota Etios Cross where the RPM, speedo, fuel level and trip metre display look less tacky and the font size has been increased to a legible level. The radio unit is standard in the Etios Cross and has been upgraded as well to a modern unit that features Bluetooth, a USB port and an auxiliary jack.
Key Improvements
Toyota has certainly improved on what was a decent value for money offering by adding the extra touch of refinement our SA market requires over the Indian market where the car is built. The exterior bits though are what Toyota is hoping will get dudes into its Etios Cross and theres definitely some distinctive bodywork to mention.
Firstly the front bull bar grille changes the face of the Toyota Etios Cross and gives it a sort of handlebar moustache look. The side skirts have got serious sills now with bulging plastic running right the way around the Etios Cross. The rear end gets a grey scuff-plate as well as a roof spoiler for that boyish rear wing cool factor. The roof rack has been added and is not purely cosmetic, it can support a load of up to 50kg more than enough for a couple bicycles. Youll also note from the pictures that the Toyota Etios Cross isnt lacking for branding, the new model to the Etios lineups name is badged three times on the bodywork as far as we can see.
Strong Engine
The Toyota Etios Cross strong point remains its 1.5-litre petrol engine that really feels peppy when driven around the city. It accelerates up to speeds quickly, never feels laboured and with Toyotas quick shifting five-speed gearbox is happy to rev hard all day long. The ride is satisfactory and theres a decent amount of space for passengers in the back.
No Lift
The Toyota Etios Cross does not come with any sort of raise to the ride height, according to Toyota the Etios was built with SA in mind and therefore already had a slight ground clearance elevation. The standard 15-inch wheels do give the overall height of the Etios Cross an almost negligible increase in ride height if you want to be pedantic.
Pricing for Toyota Etios Cross
The Toyota Etios Cross comes onto the market at R159 800, those who are keen price watchers may have noted that its exactly R100 cheaper than the Renault Sandero Stepway launched in May 2014. Toyota is confident itll be able to hold the price advantage over the long run, but well have to wait and see wholl hold out as the winner when it comes to sales. Never thought Id be saying that in a Toyota vs Renault sales showdown in South Africa
Porsche Reveals 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition
Porsche Exclusive has unveiled its 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo S and will be limited to 40 examples.
Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition detailed
Special features of the 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition include high-gloss black finish on the rear spoiler, 20-inch Sport Classic alloys, exterior door handles and wing mirrors. Theres also a black Porsche logo and stripe decals running down the doorsills, and rear privacy glass.
Inside, the black leather upholstery features contrasting red stitching and unique highlights include Union Jack logos on the centre storage compartment lid and glove box. Personalised carbon sill guards with illuminated 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition lettering and embossed Porsche head rests finish off the look.
The 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition also features an all-wheel drive chassis with active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, full-LED headlights and a 418 kW flat six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine.
Additionally customers will receive a bespoke photo book documenting the production process, a personalised indoor car cover and a leather key pouch with Guards Red decorative stitching.
Peugeot #5Year Plan Goes Live (Video)
Peugeot is now offering a 5 year premium plan for free with all new vehicle purchases
Peugeot #5Year Plan details
If theres one consistency with cars, its that they require some kind of maintenance and most of them come with a service or maintenance plan but usually have many exclusions (if youre lucky) and as Murphys Law would have it, the very things that are not covered will fall apart. That’s why the latest guarantee from Peugeot is very appealing to us.
Peugeot is offering a #5YearPlan for free with all new vehicle purchases. That means that all your services and replacement parts are covered (only excluding tyres and fuel). So if you’re looking to upgrade your ride any time soon to a Peugeot, take advantage of this information.
Warranties and service plans are crucial for any car from any brand. French cars have suffered in the past due to servicing issues, and the Peugeot #5Year is a massive step in the right direction for the brand.
Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Updated for 2015 Model Year
Land Rover is introducing a series of updates to its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models to reaffirm its standing in the premium SUV segment.
Greater performance from Range Rover and Range Rover Sport
As the worlds best luxury and premium sporting SUVs, the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport have long offered an unrivalled combination of performance, luxury and off-road capability, says Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director for Jaguar Land Rover.
These latest updates ensure both vehicles maintain their market-leading positions, with a special focus on performance, efficiency and increased personalisation options.
The SDV8 engine now delivers 249 kW and 740Nm a 40Nm increase with a fuller torque curve from 1700 to 3300rpm thanks to detailed calibration changes.
Power is sent to the wheels through the ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic box which has been re-engineered with a revised torque converter incorporating a twin-spring damper. In spite of such a huge increase in torque, the SDV8s fuel economy and CO2 emissions remain unchanged at 8.7-litres/100 km and 229 g/km CO2.
Distinctive new features
Land Rover has additionally updated the looks of the two models with different puddle lamps, fixed panoramic roofs with power blinds as well as 19-inch Satin Dark Grey alloys for the Range Rover. The long-wheelbase derivatives can be specified with a sophisticated 22-inch alloy wheel for the first time.
An updated colour palette features Kaikoura Stone and Aruba Silver along with body-coloured or black roof and door sills.
Both the 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport now come as standard with InControl Remote and InControl Secure systems which provide services such as SOS Emergency Call, Optimised Land Rover Assistance, Wi-Fi and a tracker system.
There’s also an Intelligent Cargo Mode system which automatically moves the front seats forward when detecting the rear seats are folded down to increase luggage capacity. Once the rear seats have folded flat, the front seats are returned as close as possible to their original position.
The 2015 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are available to order from 16th July. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.
Mercedes-Benz Extends A, CLA and GLA-Class Engine Line-Up
First up is the A 220 4MATIC which comes with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 135 kW and is connected to a 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission which allows it to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated to average 6.3-litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 148 g/km.
CLA 200 CDI: new diesel version
The CLA 200 CDI will come with a new 2.2-litre diesel version which replaces the previous 1.8-litre engine. The new engine produces 100 kW and 300 Nm of torque, and can be connected to a six-speed manual transmission, a 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission and a 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission with a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.
In addition, the CLA 220 CDI features a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 125 kW and 350 Nm of torque, and can now be equipped with 4MATIC.
Other modifications include optimisation of the belt drive system, a cylinder head package with camshaft roller bearing and additional finishing, optimisation of the vacuum pump, aluminium pistons with optimised assembly clearances and a low-friction ring package and optimised roller bearing for the Lanchester balancer shaft.
GLA 180 CDI: new base model
Lastly, the entry-level GLA 180 CDI featuring the same four-cylinder engine offered in the A- and B-Class. The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine delivers 80 kW and 260 Nm of torque, and is equipped with the 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission. The model has a combined consumption figure of just 4.0 or 3.9 litres/100 km and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 11.9 seconds to reach a top speed of 190 km/h.
These new engines are already available to order in selected markets. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.
Volkswagen CrossBlue Production Confirmed
Volkswagen has announced its building a production of its CrossBlue concept which debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2013.
Volkswagen CrossBlue
Slated for 2016, the seven-seat mid-size SUV is said to be built in U.S. at Volkswagen’s three-year-old Chattanooga factory, which presently assembles the Passat midsize sedan, and has the capacity to produce 150 000 units per year.
The Chattanooga-built midsize SUV will allow us to fulfil the wishes of our dealer network, bringing new customers to our showrooms and additional growth for the brand, VW Group of America CEO Michael Horn said. We are eager to be entering this growing vehicle segment with a world-class, seven-passenger SUV from Volkswagen.
Not much has been revealed about the car, however the report mentions that the Volkswagen CrossBlue will ride on the MQB platform and will likely feature the same large dimensions as the concept. It will also be offered with a seven-seat configuration featuring a three-seat bench in the middle and maybe two stadium-style seats in the back as seen in the concept.
A sportier coupe version of the Volkswagen CrossBlue was also unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show late last year, you can read more about it here.
Audi S3 Sedan (2014) Review
Having jumped straight out of the very powerful, very fast Audi RS Q3 and directly into this less powerful Audi S3 Sedan, I may have thought at one stage I was downscaling or going to be left wanting more. Not at all, this Audi S3 Sedan had me sold after just a few kilometres of driving it from collection. Its a stunner to look at, fast enough to keep your heart rate escalated and just enough fun in the corners to keep the inner racer interested.
Number Crunching
The Audi S3 Sedan is a quick car and considering it hasnt had the full RS treatment yet, makes you wonder just how fast Audi is going to make that RS3 when they ever get around to it. 0-100 kph in the S3 Sedan is dealt with in a face slapping 5-seconds flat thanks to the 206 kW, two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol motor.
Combine that with torque of 380 Nm thats available for an unbelievably long period (1 800-5 500 rpm) and Audis fast shifting S-Tronic gearbox and youve got a pleasing array of figures to enjoy. Fuel economy is quite decent at 7 l/100 km claimed, although I saw around the 9l/100 km on our fuel economy run.
Plays Hard
Audi S-models have never struggled for speed though, if anything its in the handling and fun department that they could work on, at thats where this S3 Sedan comes into its own. Its exciting to drive right from the moment you hear the bark of the exhaust as the gearbox cracks another gear to attention.
Its an addictive sound, I found myself using the paddle shifters more often than usual, snapping the upshift paddle like a Formula 1 driver. As much as the rip of the gearbox shift is exciting so is the handling when you get it onto a nice long stretch of twisty tarmac. The S3 Sedan feels low and controllable, theres an abundance of grip from the chassis and tyres as you swing the S3 from side to side. It seems the more you push it the more grip it offers up. The steering is nicely weighted at higher speeds and though lacks out-and-out feedback, it never leaves you feeling anything but in control.
Plush Interior
The S3 Sedans interior is concise and reeks of build quality. Its not laced with buttons everywhere but rather keeps all the functions simple with a few buttons for the dual zone climate control adjustments. Above that theres one row of buttons for traction control settings and the Drive Select option it allows you to change the cars personality through eco, comfort, auto, individual and dynamic settings.
The rest of the interiors functionality is dealt with via the multimedia interface and the centre console scroller. Its neat and uncluttered and that helps it feel more focussed on the driving part. The red and black sports seats are an S3 addition as is the S3 logo embossed on them. The boot space is quite generous too, although it does compromise a little on the rear legroom.
Finding Faults
I was finding it hard to fault this S3 Sedan and I may even have let slip that this would be a really cool birthday present for my upcoming name day. I did however come across something to nit-pick at.
Whilst driving in traffic or start/stop driving it can be a bit jerky, as you lift your foot off the brake and let the car creep in first gear, the initial bite can be a bit bumpy. When the fuel saving start/stop engine cut kicks in, the restart to moving time is prolonged and the rolling speed in first gear is maybe a bit fast for crawling traffic.
Verdict
The Audi S3 sedan is a get in and feel instantly comfortable kind of car. Its planted on the road and urges you on to go faster, its backed up by a fast acting S-Tronic gearbox and a banging exhaust note on shifts. Its also comfortable to drive over long distance and has a well-equipped and beautifully finished interior.
Audi S3 Sedan Price in South Africa
At R529 500 the sedan may be a R10 000 more expensive than the five-door S3 Sportback, but Id pick the sedan purely on the improved looks and that great side profile.
Second Opinion
The Audi S3 Sedan has gone from youthful and pricey hot hatch to junior premium performer. It’s exceptionally comfortable and offers luxury quality, with great performance just a stab of the right foot away. – David Taylor
Audi S3 Sedan quick specs
Engine
2-litre four cylinder turbo petrol
Power
206kW
Torque
380Nm
Transmission
Six-speed S-Tronic
Wheels
18-inch alloys
0-100km/h
5.0 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
7.0l/100km (claimed)
We like:
. Great looks
. Superb performance and handling
. That gear-shift bang
The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a great blend of practicality, sensibility and thanks to a generous helping of standard features, this seven-seater SUV may just be one of the finest offroad purchases of 2014.
Mitsubishi is an interesting brand and I do like its products. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a massively underrated truck and the Lancer Evolution promises massive performance for not an obscene amount of money. Sadly, the lack of variety in the product line-up means Mitsubishi often falls under the radar.
The Outlander was launched earlier in 2014 and Ashley was there to drive it. Fast forward a few months and I found myself behind the wheel of this generic-looking SUV. It’s not the best of starts as I find the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander very average in the looks department and there’s nothing really striking about its design at all.
Thankfully, the good far outweighs the bad as the capabilities and specification of the vehicle means looks are soon forgotten. Let’s start with the standard specification. The only thing missing is satellite navigation and to be honest, most smartphones are GPS-capable.
All the features!
There’s seven seats all with leather with the driver and passenger chairs featuring heaters, Bluetooth with Handsfree Voice Control, Dual-zone Automatic Air-conditioning, Multi-functional Leather Steering Wheel, Touch Screen Audio Display System, Rockford Fosgate sound system, USB port, auto wipers, auto levelling headlamps, rear view camera, park distance control, automatic tailgate, flipdown DVD player for second row (includes 1x headphone set) as well as top of the range safety features.
It’s very impressive and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car with this much specification under R500 000. Truly remarkable!
Engine
Powering the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a CVT gearbox. Being an offroad vehicle, there are some 4×4 modes too, and there’s no need for any complications as operation between four-wheel drive lock and eco mode is as simple as a single button. Power comes in at 123 kW, with torque being rated at 222 Nm.
It’s not the quickest of vehicles, and it’s not the thriftiest of cars either. You should see 100 kph come up in around 11 seconds and while Mitsubishi claims 8.2l/100 km, I couldn’t get below 10.1l/100 km.
Offroad ability
The real test of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander came during a particularly cold snap of weather had hit the Western Cape. Snow had been reported overnight, and my girlfriend insisted we get up early and drive to Ceres. Driving in snow is something I’d never done before and it was a perfect opportunity to grab some photos and put the Mitsubishi Outlander to the test.
As we reached the Matroosberg area, the car sounded an ice warning as temperatures dropped from 9 to -1 degree and the road was covered in snow. I put the vehicle into 4×4 Auto, which automatically transfers power across both front and rear axles as the wheels started slipping in the mud and slush. It handled a brief detour down a frozen gravel road too and I was impressed with its offroad ability. As you can see by the pictures, it was properly cold, but the vehicle handled it all.
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Price in South Africa
R439 900 puts you behind the wheel of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Included in that price is a 3 year/100 000 km manufacturers warranty and a 5 Year/90 000 km service plan. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.
A second opinion
The Mitsubishi Outlander is an underrated competitor in the medium SUV segment. It has credible offroad skills and decent on-road dynamics. Seven seats counts as a major plus when you factor in price-worthy competitors. It may look bland, but it has a good deal of standard specification and that DVD player screen should be a serious hit on the long journey. – Ashley Oldfield 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander quick specs
Engine
2.4-litre four cylinder petrol
Power
123 kW
Torque
222 Nm
Transmission
Six-speed CVT (Multi-select control-on-demand 4WD Eco mode, 4WD Auto and 4WD Lock)
Wheels
18-inch alloys
0-100km/h
10.6 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy
8.2 l/100km (claimed)
We like:
. Has everything you’d ever need in terms of specification
. Can go offroad with ease
. Excellent family vehicle
We dislike:
. Engine is thirsty
. Styling is generic
