2015 Subaru Legacy Revealed

The 2015 Subaru Legacy was revealed at the Chicago Auto Show this week and offers a lot more in terms of safety tech, features, refinement and design. It’s also noted that Subaru is claiming its new Legacy boasts the largest interior passenger volume in the midsize sedan segment.

There are a number of four-cylinder and six-cylinder Boxer engines to choose from. The 2015 Subaru Legacy is fitted with the Lineartronic CVT box as well as symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard. The base model features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with three trim lines, while the top of the range boasts a powerful 3.6-litre six-cylinder motor.

Trim and refinement

Trim and refinement is what the 2015 Subaru Legacy does best and the latest version boasts some impressive standard features. Limited trim boasts standard perforated leather upholstery; two-position memory for the 10-way power driver’s seat; a 4-way power front passenger seat; three-mode heated front seats. The rear seats are heated and feature their own air conditioning vents and to round off a great cabin, there’s a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system.

New Safety and Security

The 2015 Subaru Legacy is fitted with a re-positioned rear-view camera, a new rollover sensor can deploy the side curtain airbags if the vehicle is about to roll. After the sun has set, the new Legacy features welcome lighting that automatically turns on cabin illumination and exterior lights as the driver approaches or leaves the car. There’s also a Keyless Access & Start system, as well.

For 2015, the Legacy features a new type of airbag restraint and a new available rear radar system. The new front seat-cushion airbags help to keep occupants in place in a frontal collision. The rear radar works as a blind spot detector, a lane change assistant as well as a rear cross traffic detection system. The latter will pick up vehicles while you are reversing out something like a driveway into a busy street.

There’s a new driver-assist option for the higher spec versions of the 2015 Subaru Legacy. EyeSight incorporates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. This system is the highest-rated front crash prevention system by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

New Infotainment Systems

Subaru has been very busy working on the infotainment of its 2015 Legacy. There’s an HD Radio, Radio Data Broadcast System, single-disc in-dash CD player, 6.2-in. multi-function touch screen display, smartphone integration, rear vision camera, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, iPod control capability, USB port and aux. input jack. The multi-touch display offers swipe and scrolling gestures – much like tablets and smartphones.

If you want a bit more, the next trim level up adds in a 6-speaker audio system with 7-inch touch screen display, SiriusXM satellite radio, SMS text messaging, iTunes tagging capability and dual USB ports.

Currently Subaru Southern Africa is evaluating feasibility and viability for the 2015 Legacy.

2015 Subaru Legacy Gallery



Citroen C4 Cactus Confirmed For SA

The all-new Citroen C4 Cactus has been confirmed for production and will be on its way to South African shores in 2015. This exciting-looking vehicle is claimed to break the mould in terms of car design and will address the customer needs in terms of better design, more comfort and innovation.

The Citroen C4 Cactus is a fascinating example of how a striking design can be both eye catching, yet practical and function. Citroen claims the C4 Cactus ‘brings customers more of what really matters’. It features a dominating front end, complete with daytime-running LEDs and headlamps. These are protected by ‘airbumps’, which are designed to absorb smaller impacts such as those encountered by shopping trolleys and car doors in a mall parking lot.

It may look quite chunky, but thanks to some clever use of materials, the Citroen C4 Cactus is in fact 200kg lighter than its C4 sibling. It tips the scales at just 965kg, meaning it should have a decent power-to-weight ratio which translates into good performance. At this point we have no idea what engines will be coming to South Africa.

Innovative features

The Citroen C4 Cactus has many great, innovative features which we’re keen on trying out. The big one is the Citroen Multicity Connect application portal. There are a number of apps available which are designed to make the driver and passenger’s lives easier. You can download a fuel app, which sources the nearest petrol station. The Yellow Pages and Trip Advisor app assists with hotels and restaurants, while the Michelin Traffic app provides live traffic info. Finally, Coyote alerts you when you’re in a high-risk area.

Standard features include automatic air conditioning, media connectivity, satellite navigation, reverse camera, park assist, speed limiter, cruise control, hands-free telephone connectivity via Bluetooth, hill-start assist, cornering headlamps to name but a few. Fingers crossed we get the Citroen eTouch service, which detects when the car has been in an accident and helps the emergency services can locate and reach the vehicle quickly.

Citroen C4 Cactus Photo Gallery

New BMW X5 lands in South Africa

The third generation of the vehicle that started a massive trend of luxury, road-oriented 4x4s has arrived in South Africa. But don’t call it an SUV.

BMW insists the X5 is a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), and if your activities include cornering at unsettling levels of g-force, being extremely comfortable on the school run and occasionally driving through the remote grasslands and forest of Mozambique, then the X5 is very hard to beat.

I remember driving the first generation X5 with a 4.4 litre V8. It was a rainy night in Cape Town and over some desolate, twisting Cape roads, the car blew me away. How could a car offer this high driving position, this luxury and this much space, and deliver a drive that would rival many sports sedans?

Successful recipe

The X5 today accounts for a third of all the brand’s sales, so I wasn’t the only person impressed. BMW hasn’t messed with the winning recipe too much, although the cars sound significantly tamer than that legendary naturally-aspirated V8.

The model has grown in every dimension, and now offers frankly vast interior space. The engines are the latest versions of already solid powerplants from across the BMW stable, but of course, emissions and fuel consumption are down and power is up. It’s magic, I’m sure of it.

New BMW X5 Styling

The styling is my biggest bugbear. I don’t think the car looks very comfortable with itself; the rear third is particularly ungainly to my eye. However the all new kidney grills and front treatment are very bold indeed, and certainly have much presence on the road.

Interior and iDrive

The interior is also an evolution rather than a revolution of what BMW has been offering for some time. Clean, uncluttered lines and fascias, with optional wood, metallic or piano black trim. The dash is angled to the driver, and the latest version of iDrive falls easily under your left palm next to the gearshift.

The latest version of iDrive features a “drawing pad” on the jog wheel, which allows you to draw letter and numbers with your finger, saving chunks of time rotating the jog wheel to each letter, for instance when entering a destination into the SatNav. If I’m not mistaken, this concept first debuted on the Audi A8, but BMW has integrated it cleverly.

Drive and Handling

Driving dynamics have become so accomplished as to almost feel benign. While the first generation had a solid, almost too heavy steering feel, piloting the latest generation is about as taxing as having a gin and tonic brought to you on a pool lounger.

While the light feel will make it a pleasure to drive around busy urban areas, on the open road and in the twisties I found there was just too little feedback. That said, the seemingly endless traction makes itself well known, and I have a feeling that the X5 would run away from rear-wheel drive sports sedans with similar weight and power. There are two clever new active rear suspension systems, which self-level as well as firm up the ride, to provide comfort and sporting handling at the flick of a switch.

4×4 Credentials

Offroad, the new BMW X5 didn’t break a sweat, although we only cruised over soft sand and through a few streams. If you want to scrabble up a mountain, this isn’t the car for you. But if you want to reach a remote hotel in Mozambique, over what can only be describe as forest trails made for buffalo, the X5 copes admirably.

What was most remarkable was even at a fair pace over rough terrain, there was not a squeak or rattle to be heard. Ever. It is solidly built, this vehicle.

New BMW X5 – First impression summary

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then car makers are very sincere. The X5 spawned a massive new niche, which features the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes ML, Audi Q7 amongst others, and will soon be joined by cars like the Maserati Levante.

Personally, the 30d is the perfect X5. More than enough power to cruise and make overtaking easy, while returning very decent fuel consumption. BMW claims an astonishing 6.2 l/100km for this model, which you’re unlikely to see in the real world. We achieved 10.2 l/100km, which is still very impressive, given that we had a plane to catch.

Very few cars would keep up with the new BMW X5 on road, except for the Porsche. Styling is down to personal taste, and I think the Porsche is prettier. But if you want to cart yourself and loved ones around in superior comfort and luxury, enjoy the odd blast up a windy road, and have the ability to tackle fairly rough stuff on occasion, the new BMW X5 is very much at the forefront of this segment.

BMW X5 launch range in South Africa

Model Price Fuel efficiency Power Torque
X5 xDrive35i R762 000 – – –
X5 xDrive30d R777 000 6.2 (combined) 190 kW 56 0Nm
X5 xDrive40d R881 500 – – –
X5 xDrive50i R972 000 10.4 (combined) 330 kW 650 Nm
X5 M50d R1 026 000 6.7 280 740

 BMW X5 Photo gallery

Volkswagen Golf R Countdown To Local Launch – Pricing Revealed

The Volkswagen Golf R is due to land on our shores in February and to add to the hype of this range-topping model, we found this exhilarating video.

We’ve touched on the specifications and engine of the new Volkswagen Golf R here and any doubts about the GTI’s performance credentials will be put at ease when this beast reaches South Africa later this week.

Volkswagen Golf R engine specifications

Powered by a highly-modified version of the current 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit found in the GTI, the Golf R boasts 221 kW and 380 Nm. New cylinder heads, exhaust valves, valve seats and springs, bigger turbocharger as well as new pistons differentiate the Golf R from its lesser-powered GTI sibling.

Performance will be quick, thanks to a combination of 4Motion all-wheel drive and DSG. Expect the Golf R to hit 100km/h in 4.9 seconds. A manual derivative will also be offered and will be fractionally slower.

Top speed is limited to 250km/h. Interestingly, fuel economy is claimed to hover around the 7l/100km figure – impressive considering the performance credentials of the Golf R.

Volkswagen Golf R price in South Africa

The new Volkswagen Golf R with DSG will be available from R486 200.

Renault KWID Concept Unveiled In India


Following last week’s teaser, the Renault KWID concept has had its official global debut at the Auto Expo currently happening in New Delhi, India.

A new vision tailored for new markets

Designed by an international team for international markets, including inputs from Renault Design India, the Kwid concept features very short overhangs, a two-tone grey and yellow body and has an increased ride height along with big alloy wheels.

The snug cocoon-like interior features seats that are suspended over a solid white base while their 2-tone elastomer material provides a sense of brightness. The rear passengers’ benefit from air conditioning with the controls mounted on the back of the driver’s seat. The dashboard is an integrated tablet for commanding the navigation of the Flying Companion.

A high-tech concept car

The KWID concept was created in a way that it would be compatible with an electric motor and batteries for a potential Z.E. version.

It’s powered by the latest-generation downsized 1.2-litre petrol turbocharged engine mated to dual-clutch transmission EDC to combine driving enjoyment with low fuel consumption.

Additional highlights of the concept include the “Flying Companion” which takes off from the rotating rear portion of the roof and can be manually controlled but also has an automatic mode via a pre-programmed flying sequence using the GPS location.

Renault has said there aren’t any plans to put the Kwid into production, however there will most likely be an affordable crossover model for India and other emerging markets is in the works.

Renault KWID Concept gallery

The Updated Peugeot 3008 Launched In SA


Peugeot South Africa has released details of its updated version of the 3008 crossover vehicle which comes with a fresh new styling package.

The 3008 range has also been extended with three models – Access, Active and Allure – offering a choice of three specification levels and a revised choice of drivetrains.

Fresh contemporary styling

The front has been totally redesigned with an all-new floating grille, a trapezoidal grille featuring a polished metal surround, slim horizontal bars and signature daytime running lights, while top-end models will feature high-intensity Xenon lighting elements.

Other updates include new dark-tinted tail light clusters with LED elements, exterior mirror housings in chrome finish, prominent wheel arches, as well as metal sill trims.

On the inside, the 3008 boasts updated fabrics and “smarter finishes”. The head-up display unit of the Allure derivative now features colour-coded graphics for the first time.

The model further comes with leather upholstery and a panoramic glass roof complete with motorised blind as standard. Adjustable ambient strip lighting continues the theme of innovative lighting after dark.

Three drivetrains

The updated Peugeot 3008 range offers a choice of three drivetrains – two petrol, and one turbodiesel.

The new Access model is equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre VTi petrol engine which delivers 88 kW of power at 600 rpm and 160 Nm at 4250 rpm.

Power is driven to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, while acceleration from 0-100 km/h task is completed in 13.3 seconds.

Fuel consumption is rated at 6.7-litres/100 km in the combined cycle. Peugeot has confirmed that this model will become available in April.

The 1.6 THP Active turbopetrol engine delivers 115kW and 240Nm of torque at 1400rpm. It will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, while benefiting from a combined fuel consumption of 7.0-litres/100 km.

The flagship of the updated 3008 range, the Allure, uses a 2.0-litre HDi engine producing 120kW and 340Nm of torque fed to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Its combined fuel consumption is rated at 6.1-litres/100km.

Advanced safety systems

With its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, the Peugeot 3008 crossover boasts an extensive list of passive safety features, including six airbags, inertia reel seatbelts and head restraints for all seating positions, and deformable, energy-absorbing crumple zones in the case of a collision.

Active safety features include electronic stability control, advanced ABS anti-lock control for the all-disc braking system, and hill assist. There’s also an electric parking brake, auto-activating headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

Peugeot 3008 price in South Africa

Peugeot 3008 Active 1.6 THP – R309 900

Peugeot 3008 Allure 2.0 HDi – R380 750

Prices include a three-year or 100 000km warranty, a five-year or 100 000km maintenance plan and three years’ roadside assistance.

Pricing for the 1.6 VTi Access will be announced at the SA launch in April 2014.

Peugeot 3008 gallery

All-New Chevrolet Sonic RS Launched In South Africa – Specs and Prices


The all-new Chevrolet Sonic RS has just officially launched in South Africa, sporting high levels of specification and enhanced design elements.

Turbocharged performance

The new Sonic RS is equipped with a 1.4-litre turbocharged ECOTEC petrol engine which delivers 103 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. Power is sent through the front wheels via a six speed manual gearbox.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes place in 9.5 seconds to reach a top speed of 197 km/h, while fuel consumption is rated at just 6.6-litres/100 km on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 155 g/km.

Tuned suspension, which takes shape in the form of a MacPherson strut design up front and a multi-link setup at the rear, allows for improved handling especially under sportier conditions. The Sonic RS further features a lower ride height with stiffer suspension and performance-tuned dampers to deliver a communicative and firm-yet-comfortable ride.

Enhanced design elements

The new Sonic can be identified by its aggressive front bumper flagged by expressive and angular fog lights with chrome detailing, gunmetal-painted 17-inch alloy wheels, new side skirts and black-painted door mirrors with integrated LED indicators.

At the rear, the motorcycle-inspired tail lights are joined by a new roof spoiler, an accented rear diffuser with a striking trapezoidal exhaust tip and special Sonic RS badging.

The interior boasts red detailing with a new sports steering wheel, new aluminium sports dials and seats decorated in RS emblems, high-resolution 7-inch touch screen, as well as a Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system. An upgraded rev counter also features an RS badge, while the centre console features piano black finishes.

Safety equipment includes disc brakes all-round with ABS, EBD and BAS, ESC and Traction Control, a full-size spare wheel, ISOFIX child seat anchors and four airbags.

Chevrolet Sonic RS price in South Africa

The new Sonic RS retails for R225 300 and is available as standard with a 5-year/ 120 000 km warranty and a 3-year/ 60 000 km service plan linked to service intervals of 15 000 km.

Chevrolet Sonic RS gallery

 

The Simola Hillclimb Festival Back With Jaguar As Sponsor


Speed lovers and performance car enthusiasts are invited to experience a festival of passion at the fifth running Simola Hillclimb taking place on 16-18 May 2014 in Knysna.

The event that started back in 2009 comes back after it took a break in 2013 due to the unforeseen withdrawal of their sponsor at a late stage.

Jaguar becomes Simola Hillclimb title sponsor

Announcing its sponsorship for the event, Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa Managing Director Kevin Flynn, said that the Simola Hillclimb is custom-made for Jaguar, a brand which not only has an incredibly rich heritage but an impressive current line-up and an equally exciting future.

“We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of an event which pays homage to the past but is firmly rooted in the present.”

“The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb transcends the mere metal however, and is ultimately a weekend for those who love car culture and what it embraces: it is a celebration of all that personal mobility is about, bringing people with a common passion together. I can’t wait for May to come around and enjoy the sensory pleasures that are part and parcel of the weekend,” he added.

The entertainment

The festival is expected to attract 9000 spectators over three days and will include Classic Car Friday for pre-1975 cars and the King of the Hill Shootout for modern, exotic and supercars on the Saturday and Sunday.

Jaguar will be showcasing some of their old school models from the elegant SS100 of the 1930s, through D-Type competition cars, the iconic E-Type and MkII saloon cars. There will also be modern R cars and there are rumours of the company launching the F-Type Coupe there.

The Jaguar F-Type coupe resembling the C-X16 concept comes with a range topping R variant that is equipped with a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that gets to 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds achieving an electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h. It also comes with a number of technologies that help it deliver not only exhilarating performance but also tremendous efficiency.

As part of the Speed Festival the Hillclimb is preceded by the Knysna Motor Show, run by the Garden Route Motor Club, on Sunday 11 May, and the Speed Festival Charity Golf Day on Thursday 15 May.

Audi A1 R18 Le Mans Limited Edition Introduced In SA


In celebration of its 24 hours of Le Mans heritage Audi South Africa has introduced a special edition A1 model in anticipation of the 2014 Le Mans race.

The A1 R18 Le Mans Limited Edition is purely cosmetic and includes styling elements from the R18 Le Mans race car which has been adapted for the Audi A1, and only a 100 units have been secured for the South African market.

Limited edition features

Starting with the exterior, the car has been equipped red and grey decals, “378” badging and a unique tailgate-mounted spoiler. The number “378” represents the number of laps which led the Audi R18 to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2012.

The limited edition model also includes the winning drivers’ signatures on the top corner of the rear window, as well as a front lip spoiler and stylish alloy wheels with black accents.

Interior changes are limited but include special floor mats and a unique centre console that mimics the exterior’s design.

The R18 package further includes the following equipment as standard: 17-inch cast aluminium wheels in 5-V-spoke titanium look design, a competition kit front spoiler and side sills, rear diffuser and competition kit rear roof spoiler, sport tail-pipes, exterior mirrors in Ice Silver or Misano Red, and air vents, rear-view mirror, and door handles in decorative R18 Le Mans design.

The special edition model is available with a choice of the following exterior colours: Amalfi White, Glacier White, Misano Red, Phantom Black and Brilliant Black.

Audi A1 R18 Le Mans Limited Edition price in South Africa

The Audi A1 R18 Le Mans Limited Edition pack is available on all Audi A1 Hatchback and Audi A1 Sportback SE models at R10 800 over and above the standard price of the vehicle.

Audi A1 1.6 TDI SE manual R262 500
Audi A1 1.4T FSI SE manual R269 000
Audi A1 1.4T FSI SE S tronic R286 500
Audi A1 Sportback 1.6 TDI SE manual R270 000
Audi A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI SE manual R276 500
Audi A1 Sportback 1.4T FSI SE S tronic R294 000

Prices include the standard 5-year/100 00 km Audi Freeway Plan.

Audi A1 R18 Le Mans Limited Edition gallery

2014 Ford Figo Concept Unveiled

The 2014 Ford Figo Concept was revealed by the American car manufacturer at the Taj Hotel in Delhi, India. Cars.co.za was one of the few media invited to attend the live unveiling.

The Ford Figo is an important model for the brand and represents a big chunk of both local and Indian B-segment sales. Given the fact this segment is rapidly growing, the future of the Figo needs to be secured. This question of longevity is partly answered by the 2014 Ford Figo Concept.

2014 Ford Figo Concept design

It features the same aggressive styling on the front end as the current generation Ford Fiesta, but if you were expecting a stylish hatchback, you’re going to be a little disappointed. The Indian market has a special emphasis on practicality, so the car you see here is a sedan. Usually there’s a negative aspect to B-segment sedans as they tend to be rather boxy,  but this is rather pleasant and disapproves the thought process of sedans compromising intellectual design. The 2014 Ford Figo concept design is refreshing and upmarket and was penned by Egyptian-born US-based Ford designer Ehab Kaoud.

Currently there’s no talk on engines or detailed specification, but I can tell you the Americans are keen on putting in a fair whack of technology into the 2014 Ford Figo concept. Things like places to charge and mount mobile Mp3 players and phones are considered through use of a rather clever device dock and there’s a strong emphasis on space. Given the current crop of great motors found in the Ford EcoSport and Fiesta, it would be no surprise to see the little 1.0-litre Ecoboost motor doing duty.

Watch this space. I predict we’ll see a production version of the 2014 Ford Figo concept within a few months. It’s great to see cheap and affordable vehicles which don’t look cheap and affordable. In the meantime, Cars.co.za will be heading to the Delhi Auto Show on Wednesday to bring you the latest concepts and news.