Top 10 Fastest Accelerating Cars under R550k in SA

R550 000 might sound like a strange number to define the top 10 fastest accelerating cars, but we think it hits the spot just right. It incorporates just the right amount of bang for buck without diluting it with a whole bunch of mainstream German machinery.

We tried to get the best bang for buck ratio here, and the list proves quite interesting reading with a mix of all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive methodologies being employed. There’s also hatchbacks, sedans and coupes represented.

Still the Germans reign supreme at the pull-off competition, claiming seven spots on the top 10.

We have news and content on all of these top 10 fastest accelerating cars, click their titles for more.

Top 10 Fastest Accelerating Cars

1. Audi S3 Quattro

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

Whilst there are multiple versions of the S3 (3-door hatch, Sportback and Sedan) this three-door version accelerates to 100kph the fastest – 4.9 seconds. It ties up with the M135i for sprint time but delivers its power through all four wheels instead of the beemer’s rear-wheel drive. R495 000

1. BMW 135i

Top 10 Fastest Accelerating Cars

Technically the same as the M235i except for the reduction of 5kW and being a couple centimetres shorter than the 2-series. The M135i hits 100kph in 4.9 seconds and if you happen to have people that want a go in the back this is the fastest accelerating car on the list with back doors – if you choose the 5-door version obviously. R539 743

3. BMW M235i Manual

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

Carrying 5kW more than it’s M135i sibling it’s able to reach 100kph in 5 seconds with a manual transmission. The dual clutch version is faster but creeps outside of our budget cap – just. Whilst we may have to settle for the slightly slower manual, we think it’s better looking than the five-door hatch. R537 579

4. Volkswagen Golf R

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

Volkswagen claim the 206kW Golf R will hit 100kph in five seconds dead. Local tests have put it more around the 5.3 seconds range but that would still keep it in fourth spot on the list. Not bad for a four-wheel drive Golf if you ask us. R498 000

5. Volkswagen CC 3.6 V6

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

This one caught us a little bit by surprise as it’s one of the lesser-loved cars in the VW range. Nevertheless it’s pretty good value for a V6 and does have 220kW to boot. Add that to the slick shifting DSG gearbox and you can see why it takes just 5.5 seconds to get to 100kph. R524 800

6. Volvo S60 T6 AWD

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

The second medium sized sedan on the list, this time with the traditional three-box shape. Three-litres and a turbocharger give the S60 T6 a kick up to 242kW and a sprint to 100kph of 5.7 seconds. The S60 cracks two models inside our price range and under 6 seconds to 100kph with the 2-litre turbo S60 T6 Elite managing a 5.9 second sprint. R547 200

7. Volkswagen Scirocco R

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

Still making do with an older version 188kW VW engine the Scirocco has a low centre of gravity with good traction that helps it launch off the line. 5.8 Seconds is all it takes the Scirocco R to get to 100kph. R483 300

8. BMW 328i

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

A relative bargain as far as BMWs go. You get all the space of a 4-door BMW sedan with an efficient and powerful 2-litre turbo that’s good for 180kW and 350Nm. Apparently it will sip just 6.1-litres of fuel per 100km whilst galloping to 100kph in 5.9 seconds. Its 428i cousin is nearly R100k more and thus doesn’t make the list. R481 875

8. Lexus IS 350

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

The lone Japanese figure in a Euro dominated list. The IS 350 proves the resurgence of Lexus’ promise to deliver more power in its luxurious machines. The Lexus ties the 328i on the 100kph sprint time but uses a 3.5-litre V6 with 228kW and 375Nm to get the job done. R478 200

10. Renault Megane RS

Top 10 fastest accelerating cars under R550k

The French super hatch is mostly about track lap times but is still rampant out of the blocks. It clocks 6-seconds dead to 100kph thanks to it clever front differential and 195kW 2-litre turbocharged engine. It’s also the cheapest car on the list. R359 900

 

2014 Hyundai Elantra SA Pricing and Specs

The Hyundai Elantra has been refreshed and facelifted for 2014. The redesigned car receives a few visual elements as well as some interior tweaks which will ensure it carries on the success story from the previous car, which went on to win the 2012 South African Car of the Year title.

2012 SA Car of the year winner

“The Hyundai Elantra was the first Korean car to win the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year Award, and deservedly so. It is a car with qualities and standard features that makes it a very competent competitor in its segment. The excellent ergonomics of its interior design, outstanding exterior looks and the roomy cabin and luggage area makes it a perfect compact family sedan. It is also a very rewarding and pleasing car to drive,” says Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

Exterior changes

The 2014 Hyundai Elantra some styling upgrades in the form of a redesigned front bumper, radiator grille, fog lamps as well as new headlights and tail lamps. These lights now feature LED technology. Some attractive 17-inch alloy wheels replace the 16-inch units and some chrome lines add to the premium look of the vehicle.

Interior changes

The 2014 Hyundai Elantra has also grown very slightly. The overall length is rated at 4 550 mm which is 20 mm longer than the outgoing model. Interior-wise, changes come in the form of repositioned air vents, arm rest being raised, a new audio setup with Bluetooth, new climate control interface, redesigned automatic gearbox layout and perhaps most importantly, reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Essentially, the interior of the 2014 Hyundai Elantra has been changed based on customer feedback and the cabin has been designed for better ergonomics.

Engine and safety

The engine line up for the 2014 sees the 1.8-litre motor fall away.  The 1.6-litre four cylinder is available in both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic versions and Hyundai SA says this motor was the popular choice in the outgoing model. Power wise, it puts out 96 kW and 157 Nm, and fuel consumption is rated at 6.4l/100 km for the manual. The automatic version has a claimed economy figure of 6.0l/100 km.

Safety features of the 2014 Hyundai Elantra include airbags for the driver and front passenger, Advanced Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

2014 Hyundai Elantra Pricing in South Africa

Each 2014 Hyundai Elantra comes with a 5 year/150 000 km warranty, with 5 year/150 000Km roadside assistance. A 5 year/90 000 km service plan is also part of the standard package, with service intervals are 15 000 km.

2014 Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Premium (manual) R247 900
2014 Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Premium (automatic) R262 900

2014 Hyundai Elantra Drive

I attended the Hyundai Elantra launch, which was held north of Cape Town in the quaint seaside town of Melkbosstrand. The mandatory brand briefing detailing how well Hyundai is doing both in terms of sales and motorsport then followed. Our launch route took us out to Riebeek-Kasteel and included some open road driving.

This is where the Hyundai Elantra owner will really appreciate the ride comfort and refinement of the vehicle. The outgoing model was exceptional in this regard, and this new version is even better. Both driver and passenger were comfortable for a considerable amount of time without some sort of numbness setting in the buttock region.

While its competitors make do with smaller capacity turbocharged engines, I feel the 1.6-litre Hyundai engine is not inadequate in any way. It’s smooth and delivers great power. Let’s see if this quality translates into sales.

Tata and Jaguar Land Rover to Share Technologies and Platforms

Indian automaker Tata has announced its collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover stating that the two groups will work together on a number of future models and technologies.

Sharing of technologies and platforms

The first collaboration is said to be of the Tata Nexon crossover which might share its platform with the next-gen Range Rover Evoque and is slated to be launched around 2017.

In an interview with Australian motoring publication Drive, the managing director of Tata’s Australian distributor Fusion Automotive revealed that the companies are collaborating with a number of models, but there won’t be any badge engineering between vehicles from Jaguar, Land Rover and Tata.

He further added that, “You’re going to see in the future a lot of sharing of technologies and platforms over time, but you won’t see a JLR with a Tata badge on it or a Tata with a Jaguar badge on it or a Land Rover badge on it.”

Bowler gave the example of the Tata Nexon compact crossover concept unveiled back at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo.

“Nexon was the development of a new platform that has been developed to be shared amongst the group to be utilised for different products and different brands,” explained Bowler explained.

Although he didn’t reveal much, Bowler said “the platform could be used as an Evoque, it could be used as a Tata, or it could be used as a Jaguar.”

A production version of the Nexon is due around 2017. A second-generation Evoque based on the platform could be launched before the end of the decade.

Mitsubishi Pajero Facelift

Mitsubishi has quietly released the facelifted Pajero in Japan. There isn’t much to tell about the update as it’s a small cosmetic change to the interior and exterior with the engine units remaining the same.

The front grille is the major modification and brings it in line with the SUV concept show at the Tokyo motor show in 2013. They have also added LED daytime running lights and redesigned the spare tyre cover.

The interior receives an update with more materials featuring a ‘piano black’ finish. The outlines have also been improved with a silver plating metallic touch and most of the materials used inside have been improved. Most importantly the soundproofing has been improved around the doors making for a quieter ride.

Engine options remain the same with a 3-litre V6 petrol and a 3.2-litre turbodiesel. The Pajero was launched to the Japanese public on 17 July 2014. Hopefully the Mitsubishi Pajero facelift comes to SA before the end of the year.

Jaguar Reveals F-Type Coupe for Tour de France (Video)

Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations has unveiled a bespoke F-Type Coupe high performance vehicle developed as a support vehicle which will be used during stage 20 of the 2014 Tour de France.

Bespoke one-off F-Type Coupe detailed

Based on the F-Type R Coupe, powered by a 404 kW/680 Nm 5.0-litre V8 supercharged engine, the Team Sky F-Type Coupe will be a one-off model featuring a bespoke racking solution carrying two of the team’s Pinarello Bolide TT bikes. It will also come with Team Sky’s livery while other graphic design features specific to the team have been implemented throughout the cabin.

Further specifications include a separate electric supply in the boot which provides power to the radios, amplifiers, microphones, horns and televisions which support communications between Team Sky’s Sports Director and the rider.

“Jaguar is an iconic British brand that has been an integral partner for Team Sky for over four years,” said Team Sky Team Principal, Sir Dave Brailsford. “We have already benefited from their high performance credentials and expertise in technological capabilities and engineering innovations, particularly with the recent development of the Pinarello Dogma F8.”

The Team Sky bespoke Jaguar F-Type Coupe

BMW M235i Manual Review (2014)

Whilst bearing definitive M badging, the BMW M235i is not a pure M car but an ‘M Performance’ model. Other names like the X5 M50D and M135i have similar upgrades, but don’t get the official nod from the famous M division. Nevertheless the BMW M235i does not lack for M-like performance with a serious turbocharged engine, rear-wheel drive and track-worthy handling.

Looking the Part

I would go as far as saying this is the best-looking BMW you can buy. I said the same about the previous generation 1-Series Coupe though – which is now the 2-Series. The dimensions look right, short, muscular and just enough mean in those headlamps to initiate a fight.

That said, the two-door nature means rear occupants have to climb in behind the front seats. There has to be a better mechanism for sliding electric seats forward than waiting for a minute whilst it slowly crawls forward so there’s enough space to clamber in behind. Pre-electric seats used to slide forward when you tilted them, so why the step back?

Kick of the M

The BMW M235i carries a whole 5 kW more than the M135i taking it up to 240 kW, but sticks with the 450 Nm of torque. In our manual version that means a 0-100kph time of five seconds with a top speed limited to 250kph. In spite of the turbocharged engine the BMW M235i delivers its power so smoothly and continuously right the way until the red numbers start appearing.

Shift up to the next gear and the familiar BMW short lever, hard notch action calls more power and torque to attention. Around the city the manual shift can be a bit cumbersome, but the BMW purists will hark back to ages gone by and familiarity to cement its place in modern BMWs. Out on the open road when you’re driving for pure enjoyment and thrills, that’s when you want the hard shift action – it’s fun and involving like no other.

It’s a Biter

Whilst BMW’s German competitors have gone the four-wheel drive route with their performance models, BMW has stuck with rear-wheel drive. It makes the BMW M235i stand out from the likes of the S3 Sedan and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG. The steering in particular feels fast, small movements of the steering wheel set the BMW into a g-force fed turn of direction.

It takes some getting used to but it makes the Beemer feel super direct and pointy – very involving. Don’t think it’s a tame beast though, try and manhandle it or show it who’s boss and it will snap at you, the rear end breaks away under power – with the traction control settings set to off. The wet Cape winter taught me that the M235i likes to be treated with finesse and rewards a smooth driver with a great feeling of achievement at the other end of an awe inspiring set of bends.

Simple Interior

BMW has simplified much of its interior over the years, the number of pressable buttons decreasing dramatically but the overall functionality of the vehicle sky rocketing. Almost everything is controlled through the iDrive system, allowing you to scroll though navigation, multimedia and lighting settings.

The M performance touch comes in with a digital power and torque display screen that lets you know just how much of that 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque you’ve just used – neat. You’re not left wanting for gadgets or tech, but I can’t help feeling that modern BMWs could do with a major spruce up of the rpm and speedo dials. Whilst they do their job adequately it’s the same font and colour they’ve been using since as far back as I can remember. It would be nice to see a fresh take on these.

Finishing Touch

The BMW M235i is a performance bargain as far as BMWs go, you get near enough M power, with dynamics that have been breathed upon by the chaps at M division in a car that is the best-looking BMW out there. The acceleration is supersonic, handling spot on for a driver’s car and it’s got just enough bite and attitude to keep you on your toes. Yes it has a few things that you can nit-pick at like the old school manual gearbox and historic dials but that never detracts from the driving experience it involves you in. Simply brilliant. Yours from R537 579.

Another opinion

The BMW M235i could be called a race car for the road as few cars are this involving and hands on to drive. Once you learn how to drive it properly, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking performance coupled with a raw emotive soundtrack. In six-speed manual guise, the BMW M235i is one of the finest driving cars I’ve ever experienced. – David Taylor

2014 BMW M235i quick specs

Engine  3-litre 6-cylinder turbo
Power  240kW
Torque  450Nm
Transmission  Six-speed manual
Wheels  18-inch alloys
0-100km/h  5.0 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy  8.1l/100 km (claimed)

We like:
. M Power without M price
. Superb driver’s car
. Well styled BMW

We dislike:
. Old school manual gearbox
. A few interior updates would be nice

Also consider:
. Audi S3 Sedan
. Subaru WRX STi 
. Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

BMW M235i Track Edition Introduced in the Netherlands

A special BMW M235i Track Edition model has been introduced in the Netherlands.

Strong appearance and high quality

The “exclusive” and “sporty” version of the M235i Coupe incorporates numerous BMW M Performance parts, including an aerodynamics package, a special exhaust system and a limited slip differential.

The M performance aerodynamic pack comes complete with a front splitter, carbon trunk spoiler and a diffuser at the rear. The model additionally features a black grille, a trunk-mounted spoiler, a stainless steel sports exhaust system and 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels.

Inside, you’ll find an Alcantara wrapped M steering wheel with a digital display, aluminium pedals, a carbon fibre / Alcantara handbrake lever and an Alcantara-wrapped sport steering wheel with integrated display at the top of the rim of the steering wheel.

The 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine in the BMW M235i Track Edition delivers an output of 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque. Combined with the eight-speed sports automatic transmission with launch control, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 4.8 seconds, before hitting an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Production of the BMW M235i Track Edition will be limited to 12 units.

Bentley To Retain W12 Engines

Bentley has announced it’s committed to continue to build its W12 engine for the foreseeable future, and that it hopes it will be the last manufacturer in the world to produce these 12-cylinder engines.

The future of Bentley’s W12 engines

A W12 engine is said to be a twelve cylinder piston internal combustion engine in a W configuration. Research shows that the original W12 configuration was used in some early aircraft engines, notably including the Napier Lion, while the more recent configuration is used in the Volkswagen Group W12.

According to a source within the company, Bentley plans on being the “last manufacturer of 12-cylinder engines in the world.” The company is also said to switch its current 6.0-litre twin turbocharged W12 engine to direct injection – to ensure that it remains relevant and viable into the future.

The company’s forthcoming SUV will also be offered with a W-12, and with this new model, production is expected to increase from 5000 units to roughly 9000 units annually.

2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.5D Review

The Chevrolet Trailblazer made its debut in South Africa around 18 months ago and it opened with a solid offering that could match up to the all-conquering Toyota Fortuner in nearly every aspect. Have a glimpse at the sales figures and they tell a different story, the Fortuner sells four to five times more units per month than the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Chevrolet has updated its offering for 2014 and we had a chance to test the updated 2.5-litre turbodiesel with a manual transmission.

Engine Upgrade

Chevrolet has seen fit to give the 2.5-litre engine a small increase in both power and torque, so it now sits at 120 kW with 380 Nm of torque. That’s plenty for any type of terrain and while it sounds rough on cold start-ups, it smooths out as it warms up. The manual gearbox is typically agricultural and bakkie-like, it’s a long throw, bulky action shifter that requires a fair bit of effort if you want to get moving quickly.

It does have a sixth gear though, which is a particularly long ratio, at 120kph the Trailblazer is chugging along at less than 2 000 rpm. That’s perfect for saving fuel on those long drives.

Beige is out

The first edition of the Trailblazer was a beige-fest, especially around the easy to scuff with the end of your shoe areas. Beige isn’t great for the longevity look, but thankfully the 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer has more dark material in those areas and in our base model, the full cloth seats. The seats feel very durable, despite being a bit soft and lacking in support.

The major area to get the upgrade treatment is the infotainment system. The 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer has the MyLink system into the Trailblazer, which includes a seven-inch touch screen. The system is very simple to use and integrates well with current Smartphones. It even comes standard with built-in apps that allow you to stream radio through your phone’s data connection. That way you can listen to radio stations from anywhere around the world through your car’s radio. The radio did seem to have a mind of its own on our model as it would randomly come to life whilst the car was off and we were loading stuff into the rear. Possibly some electric gremlins at work.

Load Away

Loading space in the 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer is at a premium and the rear seats fold down flat and with a simple one-click lever. The rear privacy cover springs out easily and can be stored in a compartment under the boot. That means we were able to toss two rather muddy (thanks to the Cape winter) mountain bikes straight into the Trailblazer without having to take the front wheels off. There was still loads of room for luggage too.

Road Holding

Overall I was very impressed with the road holding ability of the Trailblazer. Whilst its bakkie underpinnings don’t make for the most agile machine, the 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer lets you know steadily that it’s relinquishing grip. Even when the tyres are squealing away it holds a pretty true line.

On the muddier and more corrugated surface the Trailblazer excels more, scoring well on ride comfort. Whilst I see going the full 4×4 route a better option in the bakkie-based SUV segment, I can see the reward of getting this much space at way less cost than an equivalently-sized large SUV. Even if you don’t intend on climbing a mountain with it.

Conclusion

The 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer has all the improvements that the initial offering lacked in order to match the might of the class-leading Toyota Fortuner. The engine is more powerful and carries more torque, the interior has had a colour palette adjustment and the infotainment system is a step ahead of the competition. All that remains then is the price point and with this entry level 2.5 you’re in for R398 100. It’s a slight premium over the Fortuner but still remains competitive and is now a more premium offering than its main rival.

Another opinion

The 2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer receives the brilliant MyLink system among other upgrades. While it may not have quite the pedigree of the Toyota Fortuner, the Chevrolet Trailblazer makes a good name for itself and if you’re needing a spacious and capable 4×2, then this’ll do nicely. However, do note you could get a pre-owned 4×4 version for about the same price… David Taylor

2014 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.5D LT quick specs

Engine  2.5-litre four cylinder turbodiesel
Power  120 kW
Torque  380 Nm
Transmission  Six-speed manual
Wheels  16-inch alloys
0-100km/h  11.7 seconds (claimed)
Fuel economy  7.4l/100 km (claimed)

We like:
. Upgraded interior
. Space – there’s loads
. Decent fuel economy

We dislike:
. Clunky manual transmission
. Opt for 4×4 if you want to go off road

Also consider:
. Toyota Fortuner
. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Audi A8 e-tron set for 2015

A recent report by Auto Express claims Audi’s chief technical officer Ulrich Hackenberg announced the company plans to introduce an e-tron version of the facelifted A8.

Audi A8 e-tron – more powerful plug-in hybrid version of V6 diesel

Audi recently confirmed plans to add plug-in hybrid powertrains across its main line-up in the next five years. The report from the publication further claims the full-size A8 sedan will be among the first vehicles to be electrified, following closely on the footsteps of its younger sibling – the A3 Sportback e-tron showcased at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

There were no details on the size of electric motor, but Audi did confirm that the upcoming A8 e-tron will get its power from a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine (most likely to be sourced from the RS5 TDI Concept), coupled with one or more electric motors delivering a combined output of about 271 kW and up to 700Nm of torque. The manufacturer also confirmed that the system will have an all-electric range of up to 48 km running only on electric power and in hybrid mode it will have CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km.

The new e-tron system is said to be available by early 2015, and production of A8 e-tron is most likely to commence after that, with the same setup of other prominent models A6 and Q7 will follow.