Weekly News Wrap 04/04/2014

Missed any of our motoring news this, heres a short wrap of everything thats happened in the motoring industry this week.

BMW X7 Confirmed For Production

BMW confirmed plans to introduce another X model to their family of SUVs set to compete against the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Mitsubishi Outlander (2014) Driven

We drove the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander which punts itself against some hefty competitors but aims to offer added value for money over its competitors.

Hennessy Venom GT Worlds Fastest Edition Revealed

Hennessey announced plans to celebrate the Venom GT’s 435.1 km/h run at the Kennedy Space Centre with a “Worlds Fastest Edition.”

McLaren 650S Now In South Africa

Stuart Johnston went on the launch of the McLaren 650s, read more about his views here.

Volkswagen Golf 40th Anniversary

Volkswagen celebrated 40 years of its iconic Golf model which is now in its seventh generation, and includes derivatives such as the GTI, GTD, GTE, R and e-Golf.

GWM C30 Sedan Now Available In South Africa Specs and Prices

GWM has finally launched the C30 sedan which was first previewed at the Johannesburg International Motor Show last year.

Citroen C4 Aircross Diesel (2013) Reviewed

David Taylor takes behind the wheel of the new Citroen C4 Aircross Diesel and to see how it fares. Read his views here.

MINI Paceman GoalCooper Revealed (April Fools!)

Since the host of this years competition is Brazil MINI revealed its new Brazil-focussed Paceman GoalCooper model based on the John Cooper Works Paceman wearing the traditional blue, yellow and green colours of the South American country.

Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium (2013) Reviewed

We take a drive in the Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium and see if this pint-sized crossover can tick all the boxes.

New Audi A8 Launched In South Africa Specs and Prices

The new Audi A8 has been launched in South Africa featuring a new and innovative Matrix LED headlight technology.

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept Teased Ahead of New York Debut

Land Rover revealed the Discovery Vision concept which was designed to preview the styling direction of the new Discovery family, and is set to debut at the New York Auto Show.

2014 BMW M4 and M3 Pricing Announced for South Africa

Local pricing information for the yet to be launched 2014 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe has been revealed.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Bespoke Waterspeed Collection

Rolls-Royce has announced plans to offer a limited edition Phantom Drophead Coupe Bespoke Waterspeed Collection designed to celebrate Sir Malcolm Campbell’s water speed record in 1937.

New Nissan Juke GT Available in South Africa

Nissan South Africa has revealed a new sports focused limited edition Juke GT which will be limited to 50 models.

2015 BMW M4 Convertible Revealed Ahead Of New York Debut

BMW has officially unveiled the M4 Convertible ahead of its debut at the New York Auto Show. The model will be available in South Africa in October this year.

Toyota Rav 4 VS Subaru Forester XT (Video)

Watch the Toyota Rav4 vs Subaru Forester XT go head to head in this video review.

Citroen DS 5LS R Concept Revealed

Citroen will be showcasing at Beijing Motor Show later this month the all-new DS 5LS R concept model which is a unique version of the DS 5LS.

Citroen DS 5LS R Concept Revealed

Citroen has unveiled an all-new DS 5LS R concept model which is a unique version of the DS 5LS that will be showcased later this month at the Beijing Motor Show.

Performance

The Citroen DS 5LS R Concept is powered by a 4-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine that develops 224 kW and torque of 400 Nm.

The chassis has been lowered by 15mm, and compared to the production version, the concept has received wider front tracks together with a sequential gearbox featuring steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Designers have also used carbon fibre components to help lower weight.

Sporty design features

The DS 5LS R version features a more muscular and sporty design. The model is finished in special anodised Carmine Red paint with a matt metallic finish which is complemented by new carbon fibre trim, a wide side stripe finished in matt grey, as well as R badging and new 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the new concept features full leather and Alcantara upholstery, real carbon fibre inserts and Carmine Red inserts on the air vents, and embossed DS logos, while the dashboard, seats, central armrest and upper door panels feature pearl top-stitching in Carmine Red.

The Citroen DS 5LS R concept will be on display between April 20 and 29 at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show in China.

Toyota Rav 4 VS Subaru Forester XT (Video)

The Toyota Rav4 vs Subaru Forester XT go head to head. Let’s see which of these two SUVs is better, with a number of interesting challenges.

I can completely understand why some motorists prefer SUVs. The high ride height and seating position offers a feeling of extra security, and the extra visibility in the traffic doesnt hurt either. Theres perhaps a feeling of invincibility which is worth paying for, over the price of a standard four-door sedan.

However a full-sized SUV can be very expensive to buy, very expensive to maintain, and if you choose a petrol engine, almost certainly expensive to run. Each tyre will require a call to your bank manager to replace, and then of course there is the daily battle of parking the thing without scratching it.

Enter the mid-size SUV. Sometimes built on car platforms, these often offer the best of both worlds. For about the same price as a normally-sized family sedan, you can buy yourself that high seating position, the status of an SUV and the added benefit of being more capable when the going gets rough. The engines are smaller so they use less fuel; the tyres are standard so they cost less.

We took two of the most popular mid-size SUVs on the market and put them head to head in a couple of tests. In our main feature video, well take you through how much they cost, which one is better to drive, which one offers more interior space, handles the best and last but not least, which cars tailgate has the best built in safety system. That ones hard to explain, youll just have to watch the video.

The cars tested in this video are both the top spec, highest price vehicle in their ranges. The Toyota Rav4 has been with us forever now, and this latest generation is a particularly brilliant revolution of a very popular nameplate in South Africa.

In the USA, the Subaru Forester outsells the Rav4. It is by far and away the companys most popular vehicle in this country. With a reputation for bullet-proof reliability, the Forester offers a sports-car feel, with all the practicality of a big SUV body. The XT tested here also offers 177kW, using the same engine as the rally-bred WRX, making this the GTi of the segment.

Be sure to watch the other videos from this head-to-head shootout.

Handling Test, Gravel and Tar

Which car will lose grip first? Ciro makes himself nauseous while driving in circles, trying to see which car can reach the highest speed using their clever all-wheel drive systems, without understeering – losing grip. The Forester is famed for its Symmetrical All Wheel Drive, so can the Toyota Rav4 keep up?

Boot Race, Boot Safety: Ciro Sticks His Neck Out

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.

The Ultimate Space Test: We Ask Some Schoolkids To Load Up The Two Cars

Ciro is lazy. He enlisted some school kids to pack all of their bags into the new Toyota Rav4 and Subaru Forester, to see which offers more load space. The winner was surprising.

Toyota Rav4 vs Subaru Forester XT Everything you need to know

	Toyota Rav4 2.5 AWD VX	Subaru Forester XT AWD
Price	R428 900*	R529 000
Engine	2.5-litre inline four	2.0-litre flat-four turbo boxer
Fuel type	Petrol	Petrol
Gearbox tested	Six-speed automatic	Lineartronic Sportshift CVT
Power	132 kW	177 kW
Torque	233 Nm	350 Nm
Acceleration	Not supplied	7.5 seconds
Top Speed	Not supplied	210km/h
Fuel consumption	8.5l/100km (claimed average)	8.5l/100km (claimed average)
Tank capacity	60 litres	60 litres
Warranty	3 year/100 000km, 3 year corrosion, 3 year roadside assistance	3 years/100 000km
Service Plan	5 year/90 000km service plan	–
Maintenance Plan	–	3 years/75 000km

*Price has increased since the video was filmed

2015 BMW M4 Convertible Revealed Ahead Of New York Debut

BMW has officially unveiled the M4 Convertible ahead of its debut at the New York Auto Show.

New inline-6 M engine

Like the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe, the new M4 Convertible is equipped with a 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine that delivers 317 kW and 550 Nm of torque. Mated to the standard six-speed manual transmission, the convertible accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds while the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission-equipped unit completes the task in 4.4 seconds.

The top speed of the M4 Convertible is an electronically-limited 250 km/h. The model has an Active M Differential, M compound brakes and an M-tuned electromechanical steering system. Options include an Adaptive M suspension (with COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes) and M carbon ceramic brakes with gold-painted callipers.

Sporty and aggressive features

Compared to its predecessor, the new BMW M4 Convertible is 56 mm longer, 65 mm wider and 4 mm lower. The model further adopts an aggressive exterior with muscular styling and measures a curb weight of just 1839 kg which is around 41 kg less than its predecessor. The most noticeable feature has to be the power retractable hard top which can be lowered in 20 seconds at speeds up to 18 km/h.

Additionally, the 2015 BMW M4 Convertible comes with a headlight arrangement (with optional LED technology), distinctive twin-bar kidney grille with black painted grille bars, BMW M double-spoke wheels that bear the M logo and the powerfully designed front apron with its trio of large intakes.

The aggressive and masculine styling continues inside with a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, BMW M sports seats are equipped with comfort-enhancing features including electric adjustment and heating, as well as contrast stitching, an M gearshift and M-branded sill plates.

The M4 Convertible will go on sale in the South Africa this October and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

2015 BMW M4 Convertible gallery

New Nissan Juke GT Available in South Africa

Nissan South Africa has revealed a new sports focussed limited edition Juke GT which will be limited to 50 models.

Standout features

The vehicle, targeted at the young, quirky and trendy, is based is based on the 140 kW/ 240 Nm JUKE 1.6 DIG-T Tekna. Its fitted with leather trim as well as a number of special personalisation upgrades which include sporty GT stripes in black or white, matching colour-coded mirror caps, GT badges and striking 17-inch Hot Black alloy wheels, which are imported from Europe.

The new Juke GT is additionally equipped with automatic climate control, a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, full audio integration with USB, aux and Bluetooth compatibility, keyless entry and starting, automatic lights and wipers. While safety features include ABS with EBD and BAS, six airbags and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with traction control.

Nissan Juke GT price in South Africa

The new, limited edition Nissan Juke GT retails for R298 200.

The price includes a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty and 3-year/ 90 000 km service plan.

Nissan Juke GT gallery

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Bespoke Waterspeed Collection

Rolls-Royce has announced plans to offer a limited edition Phantom Drophead Coupe Bespoke Waterspeed Collection which features a number of exquisitely designed and crafted Bespoke design features that have never appeared on a Rolls-Royce before.

Finest contemporary materials used

Designed to celebrate Sir Malcolm Campbell’s water speed record which he achieved in 1937. The speedboat race was between the United States and Great Britain on Lake Maggiore on the Swiss-Italian border. Campbell is believed to have taken the wheel of his Bluebird K3 hydroplane boat, powered by Rolls-Royce’s R-Type engine, which enabled him to set his legendary record of 94 kW of which he improved to 96 kW the following day.

The Waterspeed Collection features a Maggiore Blue and Brushed Steel exterior materials never used before on a Rolls-Royce. The model is additionally equipped with hand-crafted wood inlays that “evoke the sense of a boat effortlessly gliding through water at pace.”

According to Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos, Sir Malcolm Campbells successful pursuit of world-speed records on land and water were the result of his commitment to the most exacting standards of British design and engineering excellence.

Such attributes are hallmarks of every Rolls-Royce motor car, ensuring the marques position at the pinnacle of super-luxury manufacturing. This special Collection, and those to follow in 2014, serve to display the breadth of Bespoke personalisation available to every Rolls-Royce customer. I very much look forward to revealing these remarkable cars over the coming months.”

Production of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Bespoke Waterspeed Collection will be limited to 35 units and more information will be released in the coming months.

2014 BMW M4 and M3 Pricing Announced for South Africa

Local pricing information for the yet to be launched 2014 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe has been revealed.

The 2014 BMW M4 Coupe which was showcased along its M3 sedan sibling in Detroit earlier this year retails for R997 500. Both the 2015 BMW M4 and M3 share the same newly developed 3.0-litre 6-cylinder TwinPower Turbo rated at 317 kW and 550 Nm. When mated with the standard 6-speed manual transmission the M4 Coupe will need 4.3 seconds to complete the 0-100 km/h while with the optional 7-speed M DCT the time is reduced by 0.2 seconds.

With an aggressive exterior with modified bumpers, revised side skirts and ventilated front fenders, the 2014 BMW M3 Sedan kicks off at R958 300 for the manual gearbox. The sedan has also been equipped with a carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof, a sport-tuned suspension, an Active M Differential and an electronic power steering system with three different modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

Equipped with the same engine as the M4 Coupe, the sedan can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in as little as 4.1 seconds with the optional seven-speed M double-clutch transmission reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, which is increased to 280 km/h with the M Driver’s Package.

2014 BMW M4 and M3 price in South Africa

2014 BMW M4 Coupe R1 007 800 (R1 056 300 for the 7-speed DCT)

2014 BMW F80 M3 Sedan R958 300 (R 1 006 800 for the 7-speed DCT)

2014 BMW M4 Coupe driven around a track

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept Teased Ahead of New York Debut

Land Rover has confirmed its plans to introduce the Discovery Vision concept, a new family of premium leisure SUVs at this years New York Auto Show.

Designed to preview the styling direction of the new Discovery family, the concept is said to use pioneering technology and new customer focussed advanced technologies from Jaguar Land Rovers Advanced Research unit which will be previewed for the first time.

The Discovery Vision Concept also promises to have an “emotive design, unrivalled capability and ultimate versatility.” The teaser video reveals the model will have a rounded front fascia, a sweptback windscreen and a stepped panoramic roof. It also appears to have three-row seating with a sliding second row that can be partially tucked away.

“The Discovery has been pivotal in helping to build the foundations of the Land Rover brand. It is admired all over the world and loved by its strong customer base. We have created the Vision Concept to share the essence of Land Rover’s new age of Discovery and to debut a new, compelling, relevant design direction that connects on an emotional level with customers of today and tomorrow,” commented Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern.

The 2014 New York Auto Show takes place on April 16, more details are expected to be made available then.

Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept teaser footage

New Audi A8 Launched In South Africa Specs and Prices

Audi South Africa has announced pricing details for its flagship A8 model featuring a more powerful engine line-up, new assistance systems and innovative Matrix LED headlight technology.

More power and efficiency

At launch, the new Audi A8 will be offered with a full diesel range including the 3.0 TDI quattro clean diesel with 190 kW and 580 Nm of torque, and the 4.2 TDI quattro clean diesel, which produces 283 kW and 850 Nm.

Later in the year, Audi will introduce the all new S8 and the A8 W12 6.3 long-wheelbase mode both to be offered in 4.0T FSI and W12 6.3 versions.

Dynamic design features

The model is distinguished by a new front bumper, a revised hood and a modified single-frame grille. Xenon plus headlights are standard on all 3.0 TDI quattro and 4.2 TDI quattro models, with full LED headlights standard on the S8 4.0T quattro model.

There’s also additional chrome strips and high-gloss black window frames, and optional Matrix LED headlights which use 25 individual diodes to deliver the optimal amount of light regardless of the situation.

Standard features on the Audi A8 3.0 TDI quattro include 19-inch alloy wheels, Audi connect for on-line services, 360 degree camera for Audi Parking System, Audi drive select with Efficiency Programme, adaptive air suspension, Audi music interface, Bose sound, four-zone climate control, Burr Walnut inlays, and electrically operated front seats with memory function, as well as heated front seats.

There is also a 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles, electrically operated steering column, keyless entry, power closing doors, LED interior lighting, electrically operated glass sunroof, Rear seat entertainment system (LWB only), and Panoramic sunroof (LWB only).

Additionally the Audi A8 4.2 TDI will be fitted with Audi dynamic steering, rear sports differential, 20-inch wheels from quattro GmbH, comfort front seats with 22-way adjustment, and front seats with ventilation and heating.

Driving assistance systems

On the safety front, there are several updated assistance systems including adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go function, an optional head-up display, and optional night vision assistant which can now recognize larger animals in addition to pedestrians.

The model is also fitted with a standard MMI control element on the centre console which includes a touchpad that the driver uses to control numerous navigation and multimedia functions.

New Audi A8 price in South Africa

Audi A8 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic R 1 101 500

Audi A8 4.2 TDI quattro R 1 390 000

Audi A8 3.0 TDI LWB quattro R 1 257 500

Audi A8 4.2 TDI LWB quattro R 1 545 500

Pricing for the Audi A8 range includes the standard 5-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway Plan.

Pricing and specification details for the Audi A8 W12 6.3 quattro and Audi S8 will be released closer to the launch of these models in May 2014.

Be sure to check out Ciro De Siena’s review later on as he’s currently on the local launch.

Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium (2013) Review

We take a drive in the Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium and see if this pint-sized crossover can tick all the boxes.

Styling

I do like the looks of the Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium. It’s an interesting looking vehicle and in a market shared by over 50 brands, you’ll want something that stands out a bit. It has macho looks and looks ready to scamper about. Sadly the tough looks are just that, looks as it’s not a dedicated 4×4. More on that later.

Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium engine

Powering this Ford Fiesta on stilts is the acclaimed and award-winning 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine. It’s a technological marvel and combines a healthy power output with good fuel economy – vital as yet another petrol price increase looms.

This 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine puts out 92 kW and 170 Nm, which puts it in the same league as some bigger 1.8-litre engines. Fuel economy is this engine’s forté and while Ford claims a figure in the low 5s, I could only manage 8l/100km. My excuse is that great-sounding little engine and wanting to hear it purr…

Features

Standard specification is quite generous and the car comes with the brilliant Ford SYNC, which is essentially a voice-controlled system for audio. There’s cruise control, satellite controls for the audio system on the steering wheel, auto wipers, auto headlamps, a USB port located by the handbrake, aux slot, Bluetooth connectivity and the cabin is dripping with practicality.

There are little storage compartments everywhere, and I’m thankful for the cup holders in the centre to hold my mobile phone and house keys. There’s even a chilled glovebox which is perfect for keeping a bottle of water cool.

Speaking of practicality, the rear isn’t small and the boot has impressive depth. The added space comes from having the full-size spare wheel outside the car, which makes the car look butch. The boot’s handle is cleverly integrated into the right tail light and the space is fairly generous. Leather seats are fitted as standard and offer decent support on longer journeys. It’s safe, with all the features you’d need to avoid losing stability.

Pleasant to drive

It’s a good drive too, with the little Eco engine providing adequate power. Overtaking requires a little planning as you’ll need to have the engine in the sweet spot for maximum grunt. Thankfully the gearbox is a solid and precise unit, which makes it a pleasure to work the transmission.

It has great ground clearance too, which makes it useful if ever you decide to try a bit of offroading. Ford claims you can wade through about 60cm of water without flooding the engine – useful if ever you’re caught in a sudden mini flood. That’s where the offroad credentials stop though, as the lack of an all-wheel drive system makes this car a bit of an offroad wannabe. You know the type of guy I’m talking about. The man who spends thousands of Rands on branded mountain gear, but then never heads for the trails. This is its motoring equivalent. What a pity.

Summary

My issues are with the vehicle’s build quality. The Ford Fiesta (which this is based on) is a fantastic car and combines a fun-to-drive nature with generous specification along with some good engines. The Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium is made in India, along with the Ford Figo and there are a few things I’m not happy with.

The ride refinement could be better. I could feel the engine’s vibrations through the steering wheel and pedals, which fortunately is an easy fix. Some of the interior finishes feel a bit cheap too. Luckily this can all be fixed with a simple facelift at the next stage of the product’s cycle. Otherwise it’s a solid product, perfect for mums taking the little ones to school.

Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium price in South Africa

Pricing for the Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium is R249 900. The car is sold with a four-year or 120 000km warranty and four-year or 60 000km service plan. Service intervals are 20 000 km intervals for the petrol models and 15 000 km for the oil burner.

Ford Ecosport 1.0 Titanium (2013) Quick Specs

Engine	1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol
Power	92 kW @ 6 000 rpm
Torque	170 Nm @ 1 400 rpm
Transmission	5-speed manual gearbox
Wheels	16-inch
0-100km/h	12.7 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy	5.7l/100km (claimed)

We like:

. Great engine
. Features
. Fun to drive

We dislike:

. Not a 4×4 despite offroad looks
. Could be more refined

Also consider:
Mitsubishi ASX
Renault Duster
Suzuki SX4
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan Juke