Hyundai Grand i10 (2014) Review

In a few days’ time the 2014 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Brazil and right now in South Africa, Hyundai is launching the Grand version of its i10. Four years ago in South Africa, Hyundai was the vehicle sponsor when our country hosted the world’s soccer show piece, and if you speak to the Korean company’s executives today, they will tell you that it was the best bit of brand awareness marketing they’ve ever done here, harking way back to Hyundai’s SA debut in the mid-1990s.

Value for money offering

The entry-level market segment of new cars is set to keep on growing here as long as fuel prices remain under such pressure.  In other words, A-segment appeal is likely to broaden and still include first-time owners, but woo a big chunk of The Establishment away from the likes of three-box sedans.

Yet, when buying down, these customers still want all the comfort accoutrements that they’ve been used to when enjoying a more sophisticated but thirstier example of personal mobility. This is where the Hyundai Grand i10 comes into its own. The exterior styling has a nod to funkiness while leaning towards conservatism, while the interior has a grown-up feel to it that is remarkable in a car costing just under R140 000.

Fuel consumption

Fuel economy has been in the news lately regarding manufacturers’ claims and what car owners are actually achieving out there in the real world. It is interesting to note on the Hyundai Grand i10’s spec sheet that there’s a claim of an overall consumption of 5.9 litres/100 km. Yet the overall consumption on the trip read-out for  “our” car (scheduled to be used on the press launch) read 5.8 litres/100!

Our test drive included some urban commuting as well as highway driving, and what we noticed with the Hyundai Grand i10 is that the overall gearing of the car is perfectly pitched at what South African’s are likely to encounter in real-world conditions.

Gearbox and performance

The manual transmission version of the Hyundai Grand i10 ( a four-speed auto is available for those who feel clutch and gear change action is getting too much in clogged freeway snarl-ups) is a five-speeder, and at 120 km/h the little 1 248 cc naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine is spinning at around the 3 500 rpm mark.

This rev-range is perfectly pitched to enable the Grand i10 to ascend most highway hills in top gear, and on a light throttle opening at the speed limit. Around town, there is plenty of urge available for quick acceleration away from the traffic lights, again not using full throttle. If you do mash pedal to the metal, it will sprint to 100 km/h in just under 13 seconds (at sea level) and top out at just under 170 km/h.

Talking of gear change action, the shift on the Grand i10 was a little notchy, and the clutch action on the car we tried was weirdly light. This light action resulted in no feel, making smooth getaways a chore that required lots of concentration.

Performance and build quality

Nevertheless, performance is more than adequate. More important, perhaps, is the feeling of overall maturity and quality that the Koreans have injected into the body shell of the Hyundai Grand i10. The dashboard and door capping materials used are of a higher perceived quality levels than what you are likely to expect in a car in this price range. Yes, the overall layout still tends to lean towards the conservative side of the spectrum, but there’s no denying the feeling of well-being that comes with noticing high-end levels of panel fit.

Upholstery on our launch-preview model was of a particularly rugged, ribbed fabric material, quite smart, with a shiny finish. But the equipment levels on the Grand are very good in both models launched, these being the base-line Motion model and the slightly better-equipped Fluid model.

Features and practicality

Interestingly, the Motion model comes complete with all the must-have features in this ever more demanding market segment. Thus there is standard air-conditioning, electric window operation, a standard RCD radio with CD and MP3 compatibility, an on-board driving-function computer and central locking. The Fluid model gets rear-window electric operation, remote wing mirror adjustment, heated wing mirrors, and one-touch auto-down window operation.

All Hyundai Grand i10 models come with alloy 14-inch wheels with (cheap to replace) 165/65 by 14 rubber, and while the disc brakes on the front wheels are still complimented by drum brakes on the rear wheels, ABS braking is standard across the range, along with EBD.
Rear seat accommodation is adequate for large adults, but the boot space is only moderately good for a car in this bracket, measuring 256 litres.

Conclusion and summary

Well, the Grand version of Hyundai’s entry-level A-segment car could well turn out to be a marketing masterstroke of similar proportions. While Hyundai Motor SA will retain the original i10 as an ultimate entry version of the car, at least for the foreseeable future,  Cars.co.za’s sneak preview of the i10 prior to launch has convinced us that this car could be a game-changer for the segment overall,  as well as Hyundai.

Hyundai Grand i10 Price in South Africa

Regards the ownership experience, Hyundai offers its impressive five year/150 000 km warranty as part of the R139 900 price, while service intervals are 15 000 km. But the biggest ownership-experience factor is likely to be the level of understated sophistication you’ll enjoy with this car.

Hyundai Grand i10 Quick Specs

Engine  1.2-litre four cylinder petrol
Power  64 kW
Torque  120 Nm
Transmission  Five-speed manual
Wheels  14-inch alloys
0-100km/h  13 seconds (estimate)
Fuel economy  5.9 l/100km (claimed)

We like:
. Affordable
. Generous specification
. Economical

We dislike:
. Light clutch and notchy gearshift action

Also consider:

. Toyota Etios
. Suzuki Swift
. Volkswagen Polo Vivo
. Ford Figo
. Renault Sandero
. Honda Brio

 

Maserati Centennial Editions Confirmed for SA

Maserati is celebrating its 100th anniversary and has announced the allocation of the exclusive GranTurismo MC Stradale and GranCabrio MC Centennial Editions to the South African market.

Maserati Centennial Editions

Available as a coupe or convertible, the Maserati Centennial Editions will feature three special, new three-layer colour schemes to the four already available for the MC Stradale. The special three-layer paint finishes include Magma red and Inchiostro blue, and according to the company, these colours are a modern interpretation of the colours of the Maserati shield and also represent the traditional colours of the town of Bologna where the company was founded in 1914.

Models finished in Magma Red will have black leather seats and a dashboard with red, white and blue accents. There’ll also be carbon fibre trim and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tri-colour accents. While the Inchiostro Blue model will have similar features but with contrasting white leather seats and a dashboard with Santorini Blue inserts and stitching.

Like the standard model, the special editions are powered by a 4.7-litre V8 engine that first appeared in the GranTurismo Sport. Connection to a 6-speed MC Race Shift gearbox allows the GranTurismo MC Stradale to achieve a top speed of 303 km/h.

In a statement, Verene Petersen, Marketing Manager for Maserati in South Africa, said “We expect more demand than we can fulfil for this special edition, however, customers who receive the car can be certain to have a truly exclusive Maserati. It’s a pleasure to celebrate the centennial of Maserati with them in this extraordinary way.”

Mysterious Nissan Pick-up teased

Nissan has mysteriously teased a new pickup model scheduled to be launched on June 11, through its Instagram account.

Nissan hasn’t announced details about the model, however it looks like an upgrade to the popular Navara bakkie, sold as the Frontier in America.

From the looks of the image provided, the model appears to feature LED-infused headlights and a chrome grille as well as chrome-edged fog light surrounds.

In South Africa, the Navara is one of the most popular sold bakkies. The latest addition to the range was the Safari model designed particularly for over-landing excursions and is available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a few additional special features. You can read more about it here.

Stay tuned for more details about this mysterious model.

2015 Audi RS7 Sportback Updated

Audi just recently revealed the facelifted A7/S7 Sportback models, and now the company has unveiled the range-topping RS7 version, which comes with new LED headlights and enhanced infotainment features.

Redefined dynamic features

Audi has made subtle changes to the visual appearance of the RS7 and has upgraded the equipment inside. The single frame honeycomb front grille features sharper corners, and for a more distinctive look Audi is offering matte aluminium, glossy black and carbon packages.

Slight modifications have also been made to the bumper, with its distinctive air inlets, and there are also fresh body paint colours such as Sepang Blue, Mythos Black, Glacier White and Floret Silver.

The headlights, also adapted to the new singleframe come with LED technology as a standard feature. However on request Audi provides the headlights with the innovative Matrix LED technology as seen on the A8/S8 facelift, but have a darker trim on the RS7.

In addition, the 2015 Audi RS7 Sportback facelift rides on 20-inch forged alloy wheels but can be optionally had with a 21-inch set available in three colour finishes. Also at an additional cost customers can configure the vehicle with carbon fibre ceramic disc brakes.

The cabin is equipped with a modestly revised instrument cluster, along with revised air outlet controls, updated shift paddles, quattro emblem and an updated MMI infotainment system with MMI touch. The elegant black interior is additionally dominated by RS sport seats.

Impressive driving performance

Power is provided by the same twin-turbo V8 4.0-litre TFSI engine which benefits from the cylinder on demand (COD) system and generates 412 kW with 700 Nm of torque. The engine enables the RS7 Sportback to hit 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 305 km/h, with the optional dynamics package.

An eight?speed tiptronic gearbox tuned for sporty performance allows the model to return 9.5-litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 221 g/km.

We are awaiting confirmation from Audi on when the revised 2015 Audi RS7 Sportback will be available in South Africa.

Lexus GS Range Updated – Specs and Prices

Lexus SA has introduced additional updates for its GS range.

Lexus GS 350

Still representing Lexus’ medium executive range, the GS 350 model now benefits from an intelligent climate control system, Lexus Premium Sound, electrically-adjustable front seats and steering wheel and full high grade leather trim. Also a first for the GS 350 model is an all-new eight-speed, Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) auto box from the Lexus IS F.

There will also be an F Sport package which includes a new bumper, exaggerated spindle design with larger lower-grille aperture and a honey-comb design for the grille slats. The F SPORT also gets smoked 19-inch allows as opposed to the 18-inch wheels on the GS 350 EX.

Lexus GS 450h SE

The GS 450h SE comes with a full colour heads-up display, a Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system and is equipped with the same V6 petrol engine found in the GS350. The 450h SE offers 345 Nm of torque and has been tuned for a maximum delivery of 213 kW.

This is further complimented by a powerful electric motor and high voltage battery to boost total system output to 252 kW. The electric motor also adds a further 275 Nm for impressive response. The drivetrain is coupled with an E-CVT continuously variable gearbox.

Lexus GS price in South Africa

GS 350 EX – R629 000

GS 350 F SPORT – R697 800

GS 450h SE – R872 100

All Lexus GS models are covered by a four-year/100 000 km warranty and service plan (Lexus Distance Plan Plus for the GS 350 models and Lexus Distance Plan Complete for the GS 450h SE).

Volkswagen Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition Unveiled

Volkswagen unveiled the Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition alongside the Volkswagen GTI Roadster Vision Gran Turismo at the 33rd Worthersee GTI meeting this past week.

Same engine, extra power

Created by a dozen Volkswagen apprentices aged between 18 and 23, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Wolfsburg Edition features a host of performance and visual modifications when compared to the standard road-going GTI.

The special Golf is powered by an amped up 4-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with an increased output of 279 kW from 169 kW. The extra power was made possible by the installation of a carbon air box, a hand-welded stainless steel exhaust system featuring vacuum valve control which allows engine sound adjusting as well some extensive tweaks to the ECU.

Enhanced styling

Visual improvements include a one-off, hand-made body kit, two-tone wheels with Wolfsburg emblems and a Wolfsburg Skyline decal featuring eight landmarks from the Wolfsburg region.

The exterior is additionally dominated by red unique paintwork with special black liveries, a hand-crafted front splitter and lowered suspension, as well as red brake callipers.

The interior continues with the red and black theme, and additionally features Recaro bucket seats wrapped in leather and GTI tartan with red stitching, a handcrafted centre console with an integrated iPhone Docking Station, a motif of the Wolfsburg skyline and a PlayStation and 24-inch LED TV in the boot.

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Review


We get behind the wheel of the fire-breathing A45 AMG – the smallest vehicle in the AMG arsenal.

The latest generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class has been quite a success story for the brand as it’s chalk and cheese when compared to its near-MPV predecessor. The A180 Blue Efficiency I had in 2013 for a few days was a great combination of Mercedes-Benz class and technology in one compact and very stylish package.

With every Mercedes-Benz model comes a performance version. That’s not to say the A250 is a slow coach, but for the full effect in-house tuners AMG were tasked with creating the ultimate incarnation of the A-Class.

Subtle looks

AMG has given the Mercedes-Benz A45 a subtle visual upgrade. There’s a small front lip, 18-inch AMG five-spoke alloys and a set of rectangular exhausts out the back. Coupled with a simple A 45 4Matic badge, this little monster really slips under the radar when it comes out outrageous visuals. If you want to turn every head on the street, then consider the A45 AMG Edition One option pack – complete with wing, aerodynamic bits and big 19-inch wheels for an extra R70 grand.

Outstanding engine

The team at AMG has gone all out in making the Mercedes-Benz A45 the ultimate hot hatch. Let’s start with that engine. Whereas most AMG products have big V8 motors in various states of tune and aspiration, the A45 has a turbocharged 2.0-litre. Don’t be disheartened as it has 265 kW and 450 Nm, putting it well above the competition in terms of outputs.

The turbocharger for instance, boosts around 1.8 bar – high for a road-going car. That engine is a hand-built example of masterpiece engineering as its the most powerful production 2.0-litre motor in the world.

Race-inspired technology

It’s not just the engine which has been given the AMG treatment. There’s a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz seven-speed DCT gearbox which runs the same software as the SLS supercar. To put all that power to the road front-wheel drive just wasn’t going to be good enough, so the 4Matic all-wheel drive system was fitted. It does have a front-wheel drive focus, with the rear wheels coming into action if there’s a loss of traction. Finally, a firm AMG suspension was fitted. This then is the recipe for a ballistic-quick hatchback.

Performance

How does 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds grab you? I was pretty shocked at that claim too, as it puts it in supercar territory and I do feel sorry for owners of non-turbo Porsches and Aston Martins who try their luck against this little demon. In reality it does feel that quick. There’s very little hesitation and the Mercedes-Benz A45 just takes off. If you’re not prepared, the performance can be quite alarming.

It has a party trick too. Put the car in either Sport mode, or Manual mode and put your foot flat on the accelerator. Watch the rev counter reach about 4 500rpm and pull the change up paddle located behind the steering wheel. There’s an almighty bang out of the exhausts and its loud enough to scare pedestrians. In fact, if you do it too often, the police may pull you over for a gentle talking to – something I discovered one evening. No harm done and I think the men in blue just wanted to see this low-flying missile up close.

The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is claimed to consume just 6.9l/100km, but when you’ve got the world’s most powerful hatchback in your garage, you’re not going to see anywhere near that figure. If you get 10l/100km, you’ll have done well.

Interior and features

Being a Mercedes-Benz, there’s a good number of features. Let me start with the most intrusive of the lot, the safety. There’s a very handy alert which tells you if you’re getting too close to the car ahead of you and if you don’t brake when cars in front are slowing down, the car will beep loudly. It’s enough of an annoyance to make you really concentrate while driving – something which we should be doing anyway.

There’s the decent COMAND system, which I find is one of the most intuitive infotainment and navigation units around. There’s USB connectivity, with the port located in the centre compartment located between the two front seats. There’s also Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices too.

The interior looks quite similar to the normal A-class, but the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG cabin makes do with some seriously comfortable leather racing seats, a pretty alcantara/leather AMG steering wheel with paddles, an AMG-badged drive selector as well as some cheeky red seatbelts. Who said Mercs were for old people? The A45 AMG is very clearly aimed at a younger crowd!

Conclusion and summary

As a fairly normal driver with very few race skills, I loved how confidence-inspiring the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG was. Most AMGs have a tendency to bite and punish the careless driver, but in the A45 you feel safer thanks to the all-wheel drive. It’s loud, fast and makes most cars appear stationary. When you’re not in the mood for speed you can put it in comfort mode, which takes the sting out of the engine and turns off the loud exhausts. It also reduces fuel consumption.

It’s absolutely bonkers and quite easily one of the most exciting performance cars. Dislikes? Well, the ride could be too firm for some and when you’re having fun, the fuel tank empties quite quickly. These are small compromises for an otherwise outstanding car.

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Price in South Africa

R 617,500 for the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG 4Matic. Be sure to look carefully through the options list, as there are some cool things you may want, such as racing seats, climate control and so on. If you’re after bigger wheels, there are 19-inch wheels available as part of the Edition One package, but beware as the ride will be even firmer.

*The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG was a hit with underprivileged and terminally ill children at the 2014 Live to Race event.

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Quick Specs

Engine  2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged petrol
Power  265 kW
Torque  450 Nm
Transmission  Seven-speed automatic
Wheels  18-inch alloys
0-100km/h  4.6 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy  6.9 l/100km (claimed)

We like:
. Supercar performance for under R1 000 000
. Pretty to look at
. All-wheel drive stability
. Sounds like a military weapon with each gear change

We dislike:
. The fuel tank empties quickly when you’re having fun.
. They’re rare as demand is exceeding supply.
. Ride could be too firm for some drivers

Also consider:

. BMW M235i
. Low mileage Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
. Audi S3

2015 Honda Civic Type R Teased (Video)

Honda has released a teaser video for the upcoming 2015 Civic Type R, with further details expected in the coming months leading to its official debut in 2015.

Honda uploaded this video revealing the aggressive soundtrack provided by what is believed to be a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering about 198 kW of power. However it’s also believed that Honda’s engineers are targeting an output in excess of 224 kW.

With a bright red colour and huge wings out the back, the 2015 Honda Civic Type R will additionally feature an aerodynamic body kit with bigger side skirts, a quad sport exhaust system and high-performance brakes with larger alloy wheels.

2015 Honda Civic Type R engine sound teased

Mitsubishi Introduces Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo

Mitsubishi has revealed the Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo based on the XR-PHEV model introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2013.

Athletic design structure

The concept features a carbon fibre reinforced plastic body and a huge rear wing. In addition, the car features dynamic front fascia, massive 20-inch aluminium wheels and aerodynamic side skirts.

According to Mitsubishi, the iconic front grille is a study of next generation Mitsubishi automobiles, and the shape that forms a wedge starting from the triple diamond mark is designed in the image of an athlete at crouching position on a starting line, evoking an intense image of tension and potential.

The car is powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is connected to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to drive the four wheels. Its performance is additionally controlled with the S-AWC vehicle dynamics control system that distributes the drive force optimally to the four wheels, producing a handling characteristic that moves the car exactly as the driver desires.

The Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo is available now in Gran Turismo 6 through individual purchase in the Cars section of the game or by completing a lap in a brand new Seasonal Event.

Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution Vision Gran Turismo unveiled

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Now in South Africa

By Mercedes-Benz standards, the C-Class is relatively new in the product line-up. After all, there have been Benz cars driving around since 1886! But since 1982 – when the C-Class car was still called the 190 series, the Stuttgart-based company has sold 8.5 million of the so-called kleine Mercedes.

It is obvious then the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class had to be not just good, but very good, a big leap ahead of its predecessor, since in volume terms it is the most-produced car in the passenger line-up. And just before lunch on the very first day of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class international launch in Provence, France, I was of the opinion that yes indeed, this is not only a good Mercedes, but an excellent one.

Relief? Well, I have been less than convinced by the A-Class and its sedan-coupe sibling, the CLA, launched here in the past nine months or so. Styling-wise, yes the A-Class is a huge success, doing the very job it was designed to do and that is to woo young customers to the Mercedes family. They are selling up a storm!

But as an overall package, they lack that composure for which Mercedes-Benz is famous, and I was afraid this might be the case with the C-Class too, that the chassis-cum-suspension engineers may have strayed too deeply in the stiff-equals-sporty territory that in my opinion mars the current entry-Merc.

C-Class safety tech

The new 2014 C-Class evinced all the characteristics that traditionally sets a Mercedes-Benz apart from entry-premium sedan segment competitors – composure, and an absolute sense of assurance, with no hint of aggression. Technologically, the new C-Class moves the boundaries in terms of having safety and driver-assist systems that have only just been introduced on the range-topping S-Class

As part of the new Intelligent Drive driver-assistance safety package it has the most advanced collision avoidance systems currently in production, its Plus system offering autonomous braking at speeds of up to 200 km/h. It also brakes automatically in response to stationary vehicles at up to 50 km/h and the braking force initiated totally without driver intervention is astounding.

Engine choices

The new C-Class comes with a variety of engine options, all designed to meet the forthcoming Euro 6 emissions standards. The diesel options include 1.6-litre turbo-diesels in 85 or 100 kW form, as well as improved versions of the current 2.3-litre diesel four-cylinder motor ranging in output from 85 kW to 150 kW.

Torque readings, more important from a diesel perspective, range from 280 Nm in the entry-spec 1.6 turbo diesel to 400 Nm in the C 220 BlueTEC, which we sampled on the launch drive. The petrol variants range from  a 1.6, badged as the C180 (115 kW) to a 180 kW two-litre. South Africa will be getting initially, the C 180- and C 200 petrol variants, the C220 BlueTEC diesel and the C250, which is a 155 kW  petrol model.

Ride and handling

In recent years, many manufacturers have battled in achieving this ideal steering feel, where the front tyres loading up in a corner transfer that increase on torque through to the steering wheel, as manufacturers have moved from hydraulically-assisted steering systems to electric power assistance, so that the electric systems can be switched off when there is no movement on the steering wheel and thus save energy.

A longer test drive in South Africa will confirm just how good it is, but for now, I feel Mercedes has achieved a great compromise. And the same goes for the suspension system with its all-new four-link from strut system which is superb in the way it absorbs bumps and keeps steering and suspension geometry accurate.

Build quality

The cabin is also very much a step way ahead in  terms of tangible quality, the materials used being of exemplary class and tasteful, and the fit of panels, such as those on the inside of the A-pillars and the door arm rests and cappings,  is way ahead of the offering in previous C-Class.

Design

All this, and the car looks good too. Mercedes’ designers have managed to incorporate many of the themes introduced on the SLS sports car, the A-Class and the CLA, as well as the S-Class, into an integrated whole that to my mind is very pleasing on the high. It has a cutting-edge feel to it, as well as a svelte elegance, something not that easy to achieve. There may be the odd fussy detail, but these, perhaps, add character too. Bland the new C-Class certainly isn’t, and yet it is still a C-Class.

Pricing and summary

There is much more to tell about the new car, but not enough time and space right here. By the way, the test cars we drove in France were produced in Germany, but right now as we speak Mercedes-Benz South Africa is ramping up to full production on the all-new C-Class in its East London.

Those will be the ones we will getting in a few months time and the average price increase over the current model is said to be just six per cent. That means that the launch prices here in May will range from R415 900 for the c 180 to R502 600. Right now, my leaning would be towards the C 220 Blue TEC at R459 000, although this is for the manual model, and I would definitely go for the automatic model in this engine configuration.

For detailed pricing and specifications of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, click here.