Suzuki Ertiga (2014) Driven

Suzuki is launching a flurry of new models in 2014, and hot on the heels of an entry-level Swift and an all-new SX4, comes the family-orientated Suzuki Ertiga. The Ertiga, like many of its Suzuki siblings, is built in India and we attended the local launch of this vehicle in East London.

The Lifestyle Utility Vehicle is a small segment which has been dominated by the Toyota Avanza, and you can see why. The Avanza offers the Toyota badge and practicality, but Suzuki reckons its new Ertiga can beat the Avanza in departments such as economy, practicality and features.

Suzuki Ertiga looks

Onlookers will note the visual similarities between the Suzuki Ertiga and the Suzuki Swift, and this is due to the Ertiga being assembled on a stretched version of the Swift’s platform. As far as MPV family-orientated vehicles go, the Suzuki Ertiga is not unpleasant and looks quite Eurocentric, especially in a chocolate brown paint scheme.

Practicality

Its first strength are its dimensions. It’s cleverly designed to ensure occupants have plenty of space, and as a 6ft tall male, I was genuinely impressed with how much legroom and headroom I had while trying out the second row. It’s 4 265 mm long, 1 695 mm wide and 1 685 mm high which in MPV terms isn’t that big, but as I mentioned, the clever interior design has resulted in seven seats.

The third row can fold completely flat and the second row can slide forward, further increasing load capacity. From seven seats to panel van in just a few seconds – how cool? The downside of this is that with all three rows assembled, boot space is tiny.

Powerplant

The Suzuki Ertiga is powered by the same 1.4-litre four cylinder engine which does duty in the Swift. Power and torque outputs are rated at 70 kW and 130 Nm. Transmission options include an automatic and a five-speed manual, which is what I drove on launch. Being a Suzuki, the engine loves to be revved and the gearshift action is slick and smooth.

Quality ride

Ride and build quality is where the Ertiga really shines as the vehicle made light work of the poor quality roads of the Eastern Cape. Wind noise was just noticeable and the area we were passing through was buffeted by strong winds throughout the day. What also pleased me was that despite the rev counter sitting at almost 4 000rpm at the national highway speed, the engine noise was barely noticeable. In summary, the car feels well assembled and should be tough enough to be used as a shuttle or taxi.

Standard specification is where the Ertiga also scores highly. There are three versions available with varying levels of specification. We drove the top-of-the-range 1.4-litre manual GLX Ertiga on the launch and that comes to market at R192 900 – a bargain in other words. More details about the Suzuki Ertiga’s features, specification and pricing can be found here.

Launch route

The launch took us from East London and into the back and beyond of the Eastern Cape, where Suzuki’s corporate social responsibility program is in the shape of a small primary school. Many of my fellow journalists jumped at the chance to drive the school kids back to their school, and the Ertiga was able to seat two adults and five children with ease.

I had two Suzuki staff members with me as well as another journalist, and with four adults in the car, I was worried there wouldn’t be enough power from the small engine. Thanks to some tweaked gear ratios, the Suzuki Ertiga still managed to perform admirably! I look forward to driving this vehicle on test, where it will be loaded to full capacity.

Porsche 911 S Martini Racing Edition Unveiled

Porsche has revealed a limited edition 911 S Martini Racing Edition to mark its return to the Le Mans endurance motorsport.

Traditional Martini racing design

The Porsche 911 S Martini Racing Edition is offered in black or white, and wears the iconic red and blue race stripes on the roof, rear wing, boot lid and side. The same colour scheme was also used on Porsche’s classic 1970’s race cars.

In addition, the special front of the Aerokit Cup has an optimised spoiler lip which gives the vehicle an even more distinctive appearance, as well as a fixed rear spoiler which rounds out the car’s sporty look.

Inside, the special edition is upgraded with stainless steel door sill panels with ‘911 Carrera S – Martini Racing Edition’ illuminated lettering, a Bose sound system, the sport chrono pack, a sport design steering wheel, black leather-wrapped electric sport seats and a body-coloured dashboard with a Martini emblem.

Other standard equipment include Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with navigation, tachometer with black gauge and a Bose audio system.

Each Porsche 911 S Martini Racing Edition is powered by a flat-six 3.8-litre engine that delivers 294 kW sent through the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission. This setup allows the limited-run 911 S reach 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds when the Sport Plus button is activated.

The special edition is limited to 80 units and will be exclusively sold in select markets of Europe, in China, Japan and in Latin America. For select 911 models, Porsche Tequipment will also be selling the exclusive Martini decal set as an aftermarket kit in Germany and other markets.

MINI Cooper SD Revealed With Additional Engine Variants

Following the debut of the five-door hatch model, MINI has extended its range with the addition of new engines headlined by the new MINI Cooper SD as the most powerful diesel variant and the new entry-level petrol engine model MINI One First.

According to MINI, both models “offer an impressively favourable balance between driving fun and fuel consumption.”

The Cooper SD features a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that develops 125 kW and 360 Nm of torque. This setup enables the hatchback to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds (7.2 seconds with the optional six-speed Steptronic transmission). Average fuel consumption is rated at an average 4.0-4.1 L/100km with CO2 emissions of 104-110 g/km.

The One First model is equipped with a 1.2-litre TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder diesel engine that produces 55 kW and 150 Nm of torque. With this setup the hatchback completes the 0-100 km/h run in 12.8 seconds and has an average fuel consumption of 5.0-5.2 L/100km with CO2 emissions of 117-122 g/km.

As with the Cooper S, the MINI Cooper SD gets more aggressive styling, featuring S badges in the grille and an SD badge on the bootlid. It also has a bonnet intake and a pair of exhausts at the rear.

Both models are scheduled to go on sale in July. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.

Datsun Go Revealed in SA

Datsun is officially back in business with the launch of the new Go hatchback scheduled to happen this year, marking the brand’s official return to the South African market.

Selected High line features

The Datsun GO is said to “offer first time new car buyers accessible motoring” with its stylish and modern looks and all the benefits that come with the pricier models in its segment.

Representing a simple city car, the five-door Go comes in at 1.6m wide, 1.4m tall and 3.7m long with a 2.4m wheelbase and is powered by a 1.2 petrol engine sending power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Fuel efficiency is rated to be over 20km/L.

“In creating the Go we designed a brand-new car that has all the benefits of models that are much more expensive. Our car has class-leading performance, economy and handling and is built to requirements, not down to a price… the addition of the many advanced features proves this,” said Vincent Cobee, global head of Datsun.

The Datsun Go is additionally equipped with a unique mobile docking station that will allow users to sync their smartphone with the audio system through a holder in the centre of the dashboard which can be paired by an AUX cable to the car’s system and the car’s integrated door mounted loudspeakers.

“Research has indicated that the Datsun GO purchasers, place a premium on having a car that reflects their individual personalities. As such a full range of optional accessories will be available to personalize the Datsun GO to owner’s requirements” added Des Fenner, General Manager, Datsun.

Datsun GO is planned to go on sale in the last quarter of CY2014 and the aim is to bring in the car in at under R 100,000 making it a real value proposition for the first time new car buyer.

Sales and service will be initially established through a network of 30 Datsun branded dealerships throughout South Africa, a number to be doubled in mid-term.

The Datsun GO is the realisation of the commitment made by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in March 2012 to return the Datsun brand to the marketplace. Datsun is the third brand for the Nissan Motor Company along with the company’s Nissan and Infiniti brands. Datsun will play an important role in the Nissan Power 88 mid-term business plan.

All-New Suzuki Ertiga in SA

Suzuki has announced the market launch of the Ertiga MPV, extending its passenger car offering in South Africa.

The All-New Suzuki Ertiga range

The Ertiga model line-up comprises five models, spanning a choice of three specification levels – GA, GL, and GLX.

The GA runs on 15-inch steel wheels with centre caps, with the door handles and C-pillars finished in black. Front and rear mud flaps are standard, while the exterior mirrors are manually adjustable.

Inside, the model boasts smart upholstery, silver accents for the door trims and gear shift knob, and chrome interior door releases. The model additionally comes with a more comprehensive instrument binnacle with dual analogue dials for speed and rev count respectively, together with the same digital trip computer, as well as an integrated audio system combining an FM/AM CD tuner compatible with MP3 and WMA music files. There’s also a four-speaker system that incorporates a USB port.

The GL model is equipped with a rear screen demister and wiper/wash system, while electric windows are standard front and rear. Also included is remote central locking, while the air-conditioning system offers both front and rear controls.

Topping the range is the Suzuki Ertiga GLX model which comes with all the standard features of the GL, but benefits from an even more extensive equipment list. It’s fitted with spoked 15-inch alloy wheels, while the front design incorporates integrated fog lamps.

Engine and drivetrain

Based on the same platform as the Swift compact hatchback, the Ertiga has three-rows for seven-seats and features the latest-generation K14B 1.4-litre engine delivering maximum output of 70 kW at 6 000 rpm and torque of 130 Nm at 4 000 rpm.

The variable valve timing fitted to the engine allows it to prioritise torque at lower engine speeds, and power at higher engine speeds, thus ensuring brisk responses and sustained cruising speeds under all driving conditions.

Safety features

The all-new Suzuki Ertiga offers dual front airbags for all three specification levels, together with three-point seat belts for the front, centre side and rear seating positions, and a two-point lap belt for the second-row centre seat. Head restraints for the front seats are standard on GA models, while GL and GLX versions get head restraints for all seven seating positions.

All-new Suzuki Ertiga price in South Africa

Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GA MT – R159 900

Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GL MT – R179 900

Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GL AT – R194 900

Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GLX MT – R192 900

Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GLX AT – R207 900

Prices include a 4-year/60 000 km service plan

Ford Lightweight Concept Announced

It’s a good assumption that lighter cars are generally better. Lightweights are faster, lighter on fuel and handle is better. Ford has proven how important weight reduction is with the Lightweight Concept vehicle.

Cleverly constructed from high-strength steel, carbon fibre, magnesium and aluminium, this concept has shown as much as 317 kg can be lost. The whole idea behind the Ford Lightweight Concept is to experiment with different weight-reduction methods and materials which will result in better performance and reduced fuel consumption across Ford’s product range.

“Consumers today want better fuel efficiency, but they also want more technology and features in the car, which usually adds weight to the vehicle,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “A focus on light-weighting will be fundamental to our industry for years to come, and we are investigating many advanced materials applications as possible solutions for weight reduction in our vehicles.”

Every single aspect of the vehicle was examined for potential weight saving. The engine, the chassis, body, battery and interior features such as seats were inspected. The result is a big Ford Fusion sedan weighing the same as a standard Ford Fiesta.

Ford Lightweight Concept changes

• Suspension components, which led to a 30 percent weight reduction through the use of:
– Tall, narrow tires
– 19” by 5” carbon fibre wheels
– Aluminium brake rotors coated with steel
– Composite and hollow steel coil springs
– Lightweight hollow steel stabiliser bars
• Interior components, which led to a 35 percent weight reduction through the use of:
– Carbon fibre seats
– Carbon fibre interior components
– Foamed interior plastic trim, which saved 15 percent
• Lightweight glazing, which saved 35 percent:
– Polycarbonate rear window
– Hybrid chemically toughened laminate (chemically toughened glass plus soda lime glass) windshield and door glass
• Powertrain design, which led to a 24% weight reduction through the use of:
– 1.0-liter aluminium EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine
– Hollow steel crankshafts and forged aluminium connecting rods
– Carbon fibre oil pan, front cover and cam carrier
– Cast aluminium and magnesium transmission components
• Body- and door-in-white designs, which led to a 25 percent weight reduction through the use of:
– Aluminium sheet
– Aluminium extrusions
– Aluminium castings
– Advanced High Strength Steel
– Ultra High Strength Steel
– Magnesium (small casting in front doors)

Peugeot 2008 (2014) Review

We spent a week with the budget-busting Peugeot 2008 – one of the French brand’s most important models for 2014.

The Peugeot 2008 is a great-looking little crossover which combines efficiency, practicality with a generous helping of affordability. Crossovers are all the rage, and Peugeot’s aim is to capitalise on the market by ticking all the boxes. The Peugeot 2008 is based on the 208 – a vehicle we quite like here at Cars.co.za.

It’s of a smart, modern design and the Peugeot 2008 will struggle to appear dated. I really liked the design and you can see it has been built from the inside out with practicality and interior comfort playing key roles. Crossovers all appear like smaller cars on stilts, and the Peugeot 2008 is no exception.

Engine and economy

The Peugeot 2008 makes use of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 88 kW and 160 Nm. That power drives the front wheels only through a five-speed manual gearbox. While there is plenty power for cruising, you’re going to land up with strong leg and arm muscles, as you’ll be working that gearbox to get the most out of the vehicle.

I have a suspicion that this motor is mechanically identical to the Citroen DS4 I drove not so long ago. I enjoyed that engine as it offered just enough power to make for entertaining drives, but its real forté was economy. The Peugeot 2008 is also a thrifty vehicle, with the comprehensive trip computer returning figures of 7.1l/100km during its week-long visit.

Features

Economy is not the only feather in the cap of the Peugeot 2008. It’s also quite highly specced for a vehicle costing under R300 000. I was quite surprised to see a full LCD touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, aux jack and two USB ports.

There’s also cruise control with speed limiter, dual-zone climate control, auto wipers, auto headlamps with daytime-running lights as well as park distance control.

Interior quality

The cabin is spacious and there are some funky touches like the blue neon lights surrounding the speedometer and rev counter, the strip lighting in the roof and the ability to customise the vehicle with neon green and pink stickers. Fortunately, my test unit was plain Jane and didn’t have the neon green, which may be a bit garish for some. I was quite impressed with the amount of cabin space in the Peugeot 2008 and it’s worth noting that high quality materials have been used extensively.

I was most impressed with the ride quality too. Even with 17-inch alloy wheels, the ride was great on uneven and rough surfaces. It’s a very comfortable car and a longer journey in a vehicle with these ride and handling qualities wouldn’t result in cramp and sore buttocks.

Grip Control

The downside has to be the Grip Control system. A dial near the gearstick allows you to select modes like Normal, Sand, Snow and All-Terrain. Being a bit of an offroad and 4×4 enthusiast, I headed straight for the nearest dirt section and promptly got stuck. Only with some careful digging and switching the traction control completely off was I able to recover the Peugeot 2008.

Upon further research, it seems Grip Control is just variations of traction control and not an all-wheel drive system. It’s adequate for very basic offroad driving, but don’t expect much more than that. Speaking of traction control and other safety features, it’s worth noting the Peugeot 2008 comes standard with a five-star Euro NCAP rating as well as six airbags.

Peugeot 2008 Summary and conclusion

In summary I liked the Peugeot 2008 and feel as its one of those better bargain offerings. At R269 900, there’s exceptional levels of specification and in reality, I don’t think you’ll need more toys and features than that. It’s spacious and feels well put together. It’s also pleasant to drive, comfortable and boasts great fuel economy.

Peugeot 2008 Quick Specs

Engine  1.6-litre four cylinder petrol
Power  88 kW
Torque  160 Nm
Transmission  Five-speed manual
Wheels  17-inch alloys
0-100km/h  9.5 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy  5.9 l/100km (claimed)

We like:
. Generous specification
. Very comfortable to drive
. Spacious and practical
. Affordable

We dislike:
. Grip Control is not an offroad system, but you may find it useful on gravel.

Also consider:
. Suzuki SX4
. Nissan Juke
. Subaru XV
. Renault Duster

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Special Edition Revealed

BMW unveiled another unique special edition model, developed in collaboration with audio specialists Bang & Olufsen.

Based on the 650i Gran Coupe, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Special Edition will be limited to just 100 units and will be available in either rear-wheel drive or the brand’s xDrive all-wheel drive. It will also be offered in two paints: Brilliant White Metallic or Dark Graphite II Metallic, both part of the Individual range.

Special features are found mostly inside. The interior is fitted with handcrafted Merino Leather in either Black with contrast stitching and piping or Opal White and Black with contrasting stitching and piping.

The design is additionally complimented by a Piano Black wood trim with a Bang & Olufsen inlay on the front cup holder, as well as specially designed floor mats that add to the unique atmosphere. The car will also be fitted with a 1 200W Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, made up of 16 speakers.

Power comes from the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 336 kW and 650 Nm of torque but complemented by exclusive optional features.

Citroen C4 Picasso (2014) Now in SA

The 2014 Citroen C4 Picasso was launched to the South African motoring media in George, and Cars.co.za was amongst the first to try out this futuristic-looking and practical family vehicle.

Despite looking like a large MPV, the Citroen C4 Picasso is actually quite a featherweight thanks to a new platform and extensive use of lightweight materials such as aluminium. The vehicle is in fact 140 kg lighter than the previous generation model and is visually one of the most interesting-looking vehicles on the market.

Engine and economy

I was a little disappointed by the engine size of the Citroen C4 Picasso as I initially felt that a 1.6-litre turbodiesel wouldn’t have enough power and a 2.0-litre would be more appropriate. I was quite happy to be proven wrong as the 85 kW and 270 Nm 1.6-litre e-HDi offered more than adequate power and boasted great economy to boot.

Citroen claims a 0-100 km/h time of 11.8 seconds with a top speed of 190 km/h. Economy is claimed at 4l/100km, but in reality you can expect about 5.5l/100km if you’re careful. Power is driven to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

Specification

The car is available in two versions. Both versions come with the 1.6-litre e-HDi motor and the differences are in terms of specification and wheel size. The Seduction has 16-inch alloy wheels, whereas the Intensive features bigger 17-inch units.

The Citroen C4 Picasso comes well-specced, with numerous options for further gadgetry and technology. Standard gear includes cruise control, electric handbrake, hill-start assistance and auto headlights. For further information about the Citroen C4 Picasso’s specification and features, click here.

The Citroen C4 Picasso drive

It’s a pleasantly smooth drive too, with the engine having enough grunt to get around and showing some levels of refinement inside. Outside, there’s a typical diesel chugging sound. Handling wise, there’s a considerable amount of body roll so don’t throw it into the corners! All in all, I was impressed with how luxurious the car felt while driving.

The cabin is functional, stylish and spacious. Thanks to the giant windscreen and panoramic roof, the interior feels airy. In fact, I’d go as far as to suggest the cabin feels similar to that of an aircraft. I was impressed with the array of technology and features fitted to the Citroen C4 Picasso, and I look forward to a week-long evaluation period where I can fully try out all the incredible gadgets.

Warranty

Fears of French motoring quality can be allayed by a comprehensive three-year or 100 000 km warranty, five-year or 100 000 km service plan and three year’s worth of 24-hour roadside assistance. Buyers can also opt for Citroen Freedrive – a five-year or 100 00 km warranty and a five-year or 100 000 km maintenance plan.

Citroen C4 Picasso Price in South Africa

The range starts at R325 900 for the Seduction, while the Intensive goes for R345 900.

Subaru Guns for Isle of Man Record (Video)

Back in 2011, Subaru set about snatching the Isle of Man lap record over the course of the legendary TT circuit. Despite nearly burying that Scooby into a wall during the lap in an amazing save, Mark Higgins managed a lap of 19m37s. Good enough to be the fastest production car over the lap but not quite as fast as the sidecars that race over the TT weekend.

With the all new 2015 Subaru WRX STI Mark and his team went for it again, their aim being to beat not only their previous time but that of the sidecars as well. That would make the Subaru team only slower than the 600cc and 1000cc superbikes. To do that, they would need to break under the 19m30s and an average speed of 180kph.

The video also shows some quite awesome driver telemetry as Mark Higgins is fitted with a heart rate monitor and skin temperature sensor to monitor him over the lap.

Subaru WRX STI Laps the Isle of Man