Many cars are now available with electronic bootlids or tailgates. So we organised a race to see which was fastest to open and close, between the new Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forester. Ciro then tested the safety systems of these bootlids by literally sticking his neck out.
Check out the full comparative test between the Subaru Forester and Toyota Rav 4 here, and watch the full video review here:
Audi has revealed a number of design sketches of a crossover concept which is scheduled to be unveiled later this month at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show.
The company is yet to reveal any additional information on the concept. The sketches were labelled “Audi showcar Beijing 2014” which indicates the car is likely to be unveiled on April 20 during the show’s press day.
The concepts design resembles that of the Allroad Shooting Brake concept that debut earlier this year in Detroit, melding the distinctive curved roofline of the coupe with the chunky off-road stance of the crossover.
The five-door Audi TT Crossover Concept additionally features a large chromed front grille flanked by slender LED headlights and comes with large vents as well as a clamshell hood, while the flared wheel arches and oversized alloys and tyres represent the concepts muscular proportions. The interior sketch reveals a TT-inspired cabin with four individual bucket seats, of which the rear ones can be folded forward to extend load space.
More details on Audis latest TT-inspired crossover concept will be released at the Beijing show.
The Peugeot Exalt Concept has been revealed ahead of its official debut at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show in China happening later this month.
This concept seems to be the same one Peugeot teased earlier this year which it said would serve as a follow-up for the Onyx. The four-door Exalt concept is powered by a hybrid drivetrain encompassed by a petrol engine and an electric motor which provides a combined output of 250 kW.
According to Peugeot, the concept’s body has been constructed from original materials and is an “association of crude steel and an efficient textile, Shark Skin, inspired by the structure of shark skin.”
Interior details are yet to be divulged, however the company has said the use of innovative materials will continue inside with the likes of textiles, leathers, raw steel and ebony.
More details of the Peugeot Exalt concept will be revealed when it publicly debuts on April 20 at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show.
Honda has announced plans to debut two brand new concepts later this month at Beijing Motor Show in China one of them being the Spirior (Accord) concept.
This sketch of the Spirior concept serves as a preview for a new model destined for the Chinese market.
Details remain very scarce at the moment but its seems the Spirior concept will feature a coupe-like profile and a bold front fascia that draws on the styling of Hondas latest models. It also looks like it will have oversized alloy wheels and instead of conventional side mirrors it appears to have cameras.
Along with the Spirior concept, Honda will also introduce the third generation Fit and an undisclosed “middle-class SUV”. The new Fit will come with two engine choices, a 1.3-litre and a 1.5-litre, available with a 5-speed manual or an automatic.
All models are scheduled to debut on April 20 at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show.
Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the SL 400 which is now endowed with a six-cylinder biturbo drive system and serves as a replacement for the SL 350.
In contrast to its predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz SL 400 is not fitted with a naturally aspirated engine, instead it is equipped with a six-cylinder unit with two turbochargers. And despite having its displacement reduced by three litres, the output has risen by 20 kW. Its torque has increased to 480 Nm and is available from 1 600 rpm.
Like all BlueDIRECT petrol engines the biturbo engine in the new Mercedes-Benz SL 400 also works with a direct injection system with spray-guided combustion, which Mercedes-Benz was the first car manufacturer to offer in series production.
In addition, the Euro 6-compliant engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and enables the aluminium-made roadster to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.2 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The SL 400 is also capable of returning 7.3 litres/100 km with corresponding CO2 emissions of 172 g/km.
If all goes according to plan, we’ll see the Mercedes-Benz SL400 reach South Africa in July 2014.
The top 1% of the top 1% of those who benefit from our economy are not interested in the trivialities of piloting a motor vehicle through traffic, and all the stress that activity may generate. For these mostly suited individuals, the rear seats of a luxury car are far more important, which is something brands like Mercedes Benz, Bentley and Rolls Royce have realised for a very long time.
As the Asian economies grow however, the market for these types of luxury vehicles has exploded, and there are a few other car makers who want a piece of the velvet-lined pie. Enter the Audi A8.
Quite simply, the interior of this car is one of the very best I have ever experienced. Tens of thousands of design hours are at work here. Everything is beautifully sculpted, beautifully finished and feels absolutely solid. The removable ashtray weighs 143kg. The hinges on the centre storage lids are cast out of solid aluminium. The wood inlays are exceptional, the alcantara is exceptional, the leather is exceptional. No expense has been spared here.
The rear seating is epic. I have never, ever seen leg room like that. It is vast. At least three metres. Would you like to watch TV while pootling around? Of course you do, you government minister you. Well these are the biggest in the segment, and we all know bigger is better. Bigger taxes, bigger TVs. The centre armrest is your own little private control centre; here you can heat your seat, cool your seat, adjust your seat or the radio, or TV, or DVD, or the health departments budget, probably.
I did find it a little cheeky that the rear seats are fixed, and movement is optional. Surely that is the point of this whole L exercise? Anyway, massages are also optional. You definitely want to tick that box. You have a choice of five types of massage. Waves is the best. It feels like there are tiny masseuses running around in the seat, gently punching your lumbar region, then your mid back, then your lumbar region. Its wonderful.
However, in my humble opinion, the exterior is still bland. Sure, its the best looking Audi limo ever, but I feel like its a fairly beige overall design, tinsled up with some very (admittedly clever) details. The headlights, for instance, are awesome. I quite like the rear end, too. But for the most part, this is just a large slab of car. To people who arent car nerds like me, this could be an A6. If I bought one of these, Id have huge signs made for the exterior which read The Interior is Amazing, you should see it.
The powerplants are just fantastic though. Could you imagine ten years ago the bulk of a luxury limo range would be diesel powered? Yes, if you want to burn petrol while contemplating important business strategies on the way home, you only have two options, the V8 in the S8, and the W12 in the flagship W12.
But you dont want any of those. Because these oil burners are some of the very best in the business. The 3.0 V6 is a superb entry level engine, and will be just about all the engine youll ever need. With 190 kW and 580 Nm you never really feel like theres any lack of power. And most importantly, on the official test cycle this car achieved fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100km, and it reaches 100km/h from standstill in 5.9 seconds. At the price, its a solid all-rounder.
This engine is the smallest engine you can buy inside a long wheelbase car in SA a very clever move by Audi. It’s ahead of the pack in realising people mostly care about the bling and the prestige that a long wheel base car represents, and dont actually give two hoots about the kilowatts.
However, for golf-club bragging rights, and that whoosh-feeling which never really gets old, you want the V8 diesel. For your money, this is an unholy amount of torque, which you wont even find in a Range Rover. Crikey, look at these figures: 283 kW and 850 Nm. Its monstrous, and it feels wonderfully smooth, and well, whooshy. It actually feels like you might be standing still, and youre just making the Earth go backwards when you accelerate.
In fact, youll probably boot the chauffer. Having power like that at your control is quite intoxicating, especially in a barge like this that can actually dance.
The car comes in at under 2 tonnes due to the all alumimium construction, which is impressive. Its about the weight of a BMW 5-series, which of course is smaller and technically in the segment below. Its even lighter than Audis own RS7. Handling is therefore massively improved over the last model. On perfect road surfaces, you may as well not be making contact with the Earth.
All in all, I feel Audi is boxing clever with this one. Without having sampled the latest S Class, this is the best Limo spec luxury car Ive encountered to date. Its better than a Bentley, less austentatious than a Rolls Royce, cheaper than a Merc and better inside than the equivalent Beemer. Its going to be fun to watch this battle roll on. The W12 and S8 arrive in May 2014.
Pricing for the Audi A8 range is as follows, inclusive of all taxes and the standard 5-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway Plan.
British Automaker McLaren has announced it will be ending production of the MP4 12C supercar which has essentially been replaced by the 650S in the line-up.
The announcement was made through a letter where McLarens CEO assured existing 12C owners that despite the discontinuation of the model theyll be receiving a free upgrade to their sports cars.
He added that the companys focus will now be on its recent products the 650S Coupe and Spider, which are mechanically very similar to the outgoing MP4 12C. The removal of the MP4 12C from the production line means space opens for a lighter, compact sportscar to challenge the Porsche 911. It’s code named the P13 and we’ll see it on our roads in 2015…
The free upgrade to the MP4 12C models includes the new Active Aero software that will allow their 12Cs existing Airbrake to ‘sense’ different driving scenarios and deploy the rear wing as an Airbrake during braking and also as a Drag Reduction System improving aerodynamics during high-speed driving in a straight line.
The free Technology Upgrade will also add improvements to functionality and usability of the Android-based IRIS system, while DAB radio and reversing camera will be available at a special price.
McLaren confirmed it has received six months worth of orders of the recently-launched 650S already. The McLaren 650S made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year in both coupe and spider forms, and we attended its local South African launch.
It’s a premature farewell for one of our favourite supercars and we expected its product life cycle was going to be a little longer. Nevertheless, the 650S is here and we’re itching to get our hands on it. You can read our road test of the McLaren MP4 12C here.
Hyundai has launched its new Accent hatchback to the South African market. The all-new Hyundai Accent Hatchback slots between the i20 and the i30, making it an interesting offering for consumers who may not be able to afford the i30.
The Hyundai Accent hatchback is a decent looking vehicle, but its strength is unreal levels of specification coupled to a refined 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. There’s steering wheel-mounted audio controls, USB/aux ports for multimedia, integrated Bluetooth which enables phone calls and music streaming, height adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat, four-speed air conditioner, and park distance control.
Interestingly, there’s no cruise control but for this amount of money, it’s not a train smash. There is however, a full-size spare wheel – something which can be regarded as a necessity on South Africa’s potholed roads.
The car’s cabin is rather practical and there are a few clever storage places which are handy to put house keys and mobile phone. The back seats fold down in a 60:40 split, which then makes the luggage area a commendable 370 litres. Safety features for the new Hyundai Accent Hatchback include driver and passenger airbags, side/curtain airbags along with ABS with EBD. This vehicle score five stars on the Australian version of the NCAP test.
The 1.6-litre engine has 91 kW and 156 Nm on tap, making it rather potent on paper. This engine has been tuned for fuel economy however, and the Hyundai Accent Hatchback is claimed to consume just 6.4l/100km, while its automatic sibling goes through 6.8l/100km. Speaking of automatic, there are two transmission offerings.
There’s a decent six-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. The number of ratios in the automatic is a puzzling one, surely we’ve progressed beyond this antiquated technology? My advice is to stick with the manual – it’s a slick-shifting pleasant affair.
As mentioned earlier, the Hyundai Accent Hatchback fits between the popular i20 and i30. The Accent hatchback fits in very well in the local Hyundai range between the i20 and i30 hatchbacks not only in terms of price, but also when it comes to interior space for passengers as well as luggage storage, says Stanley Anderson, marketing director at Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
Our launch route took us from Spier Wine Estate in the Western Cape up to Malmesbury and Riebeek Kasteel. Despite the car’s small engine, it felt adequate and enough grunt. I’d be keen to see how the Hyundai Accent Hatchback performs at Jhb altitudes though. The steering is very light, thanks to a new motorised assistance system, which makes low-speed maneuvers a breeze. This car is effortless to drive on the open road and it feels like a premium product. It’s a pleasant enough drive and ideal for those who just want a comfortable and practical hatchback, without any brand pretentiousness.
Accent Hatch 1.6 Fluid (manual) R 234 900
Accent Hatch 1.6 Fluid (auto) R 244 900
A 5 year/150 000 km warranty, 5 year/90 000 km service plan and 5 year/150 000 km roadside assistance is part of the Hyundai Accent Hatchback package. Service intervals are 15 000 km.
Porsche is introducing two new models to the 911 range: the 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S. These models join the coupe and convertible in the product line-up and are the first to combine the classic Targa concept with cutting edge, innovative roof technology.
Like its predecessor, the new generation Targa is launching onto the market in two variants exclusively with all-wheel drive. The Porsche 911 Targa 4 is equipped with a flat six 3.4-litre engine with 261 kW and will complete the 0-96 km/h run in 4.6 seconds. A top speed of 280 km/h can be reached when equipped with the optional PDK and Sport Chrono package, while the manual gearbox car can reach 282 km/h.
The top of the range Targa 4S is fitted with a 3.8-litre flat six engine with 298 kW and allows the car to sprint from 0-96 km/h in 4.2 seconds before hitting a maximum speed of 293 km/h with PDK and Sport Chrono kit and is increased to 295 km/h with the manual.
Maintaining its original 1965 design, the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa features the characteristic wide bar instead of the B pillars and a wrap-around rear window and a removable front roof section. The roof part can be easily opened and closed at the press of a button in 19 seconds but only when the car is stationary. When not in position the automatic roof system stows the roof behind the rear seats.
Check out the roof mechanism of the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa in action:
The interior of the Targa models is completed by a standard sport seat system with electrically adjustable backrest angle and seat height. The models are additionally equipped with a manually-operated wind deflector mounted on the windshield frame, black fabric roof, Alcantara-lined Targa bar and airy curved rear screen, as well as top sound systems from Burmester and Bose and the Sound Package Plus with nine loud speakers as standard.
Deliveries of the models are scheduled to begin this summer, it is not yet clear whether these models will make their way to South Africa, however we will keep you updated on any developments.
Richard Wiley was invited to Barcelona, Spain to drive the all-new Jaguar F-Type Coupe.
My only association with the F-Type Jaguar was on the international launch of the soft-top version in Spain last year. With 5.0-litre power in particular, the convertible was just a touch lairy when pressed, a characteristic which was entirely in keeping with the hairy-chested exhaust note and all the pops and bangs emanating from those two large diameter pipes.
Whichever model was on the agenda though, all shared restricted boot space which may not be of too much concern to those who primarily want to be seen enjoying wind-in-the-hair motoring.
Roll the calendar along by a year and Im back in the same country – near the city of Lleida some 160 km west of Barcelona – with a new F-Type the suave and elegant Coupé. Not only has the fixed roof made for an even sweeter looker, its added much-needed load space. The load area might be rather shallow, but theres an unusually-generous 407 litres available and the promise of enough space for two golf bags which suggests that all reasons to leave the wife at home have gone out of the tailgate.
The other advantage conferred by the fixed roof is that of improved stiffness, so stiff in fact that Jaguar claim the aluminium Coupe is the most torsionally rigid of all its production models. Well see in due course whether this characteristic has further improved the feel and handling of the Coupe over the Convertible.
Three models make up the Coupe range the 250 kW V6, the 280 kW V6 S and the 405 kW V8 R but the first was not available on the launch. It was the V6S the anticipated best-seller – that awaited us for our first drive which was conducted on a mix of motorway and sinuous country roads leading away from the airfield at Lleida.
I recall a majority preference for this more powerful of the two supercharged V6 engines – even over the V8 – when installed in the convertible because it provided the best overall balance in terms of handling and performance and the early impressions of this installation in the altogether more rigid coupe, were even better.
The beautifully weighted steering, so linear in feel from lock to lock, felt even sharper and responses to direction changes even quicker. The fixed top did little to muffle the simply glorious wail emanating from the rear but it did ensure that extraneous noises, in particular those generated by a stiff wind, were kept at bay more effectively, notwithstanding that the wing mirrors did generate some rustle.
As weve come to expect, the 8-speed ZF auto gearbox remains peerless in terms of smoothness, responsiveness and speed of shifts, not to mention the fact that it can be set up to suit your mood, especially in dynamic mode with paddle shifters in use.
Most significantly, the chassis felt even more planted, especially when mid-corner undulations and surface imperfections were encountered. Jaguars have always been noted for ride comfort but this is a sports coupe and not a limo. Nonetheless, the underlying firmness is cushioned to a surprising extent by a well-judged dose of pliancy which ensures that overall ride comfort, even in dynamic mode, is most acceptable. Just whats needed in a grand tourer, Id say.
Our destination was the Motorland Aragon circuit, best known as the home of Moto GP in Spain. Here we were assigned the range-topping 300 km/h 405 kW F-Type R, a configuration unique to the Coupe, which was extended on the main circuit and on a nearby handling track.
This supercharged 5.0-litre V8 comes with a number of ‘aids’ designed to keep all those horses in check, most notable of which are Torque Vectoring and an Electronic Differential. Importantly, all the test cars were equipped with optional ceramic brakes which are known for fade resistance and durability.
On the main circuit, the extra power and torque of the R were quickly apparent and in dynamic mode, the throttle and steering responses were razor sharp. At what seemed like break-neck speeds to those of us unfamiliar with track driving, the Jag demonstrated uncanny levels of grip and beautifully accurate steering responses, but most of all, those powerful and progressive ceramic brakes never showed a trace of fade.
Out on the road on day two, we traversed the most testing mountain roads Ive ever seen, in the powerhouse F-Type R. If ever a cars agility and stability were put to the test, this was it. And at the end of a breathless journey of sweeps, gradients, descents, ascents, unveven surfaces and narrow village roads, we were all amazed by the composure of this elegantly-proportioned fixed head coupe.
It combined the dual roles of grand tourer and out-and-out sports car with aplomb, partly because of the extra stiffness conferred by the industry-leading aluminium structure and partly because Jaguars engineers have got the underpinnings honed to an extraordinary degree.
The extra grunt of the V8 was very evident, especially from lower engine revolutions and when instant overtaking was required and the intoxicating exhaust note never failed to induce the broadest of grins.
Happily though, and in common with the sweet-spinning V6, all those lovely noises can be dialled out at the flick of a switch if a quiet and comfortable cruising mode is the order of the day.
And all this can be enjoyed from a cabin swathed in the finest leathers available in a wide range of hues and from seats that that offer good support and comfort without being over restrictive.
For sure the Jaguar F-Type Coupe, regardless of power unit, represents a formidable challenger and raises the levels of driver enjoyment and involvement to even higher levels than those offered by the brilliant convertible which will still find favour with those who love wind in the hair motoring.
Give your Jag dealer a shout for an update on delivery lead times but expect to pay from R855 000 for the privilege of owning a seductive Grand Tourer which allows you to bring your baggage with you.
The Jaguar F-Type Coupe range starts at R855 100, with the S retailing for R994 100. Finally, the fearsome V8 R will cost R1 550 400. This breathtaking coupe will arrive on South Africa shores in June 2014.
WRITTEN BY – RICHARD WILEY