Volvo V40 Cross-Country review

Volvo has significantly raised the stakes with its new V40, tackling the German trio head-on with a hatch that stands out. And to broaden the appeal of the V40, a Cross Country or ‘activity’ model has been launched ahead of the SUV XC40’s launch in 2016.

What’s it about?

Well, its for the driver who is a bit more adventurous and active, and needs a car that shows off that active streak. It offers slightly more practicality with some plastic and aluminum bits around the vehicle, protecting it should you venture off the tar road. It is the only vehicle of its kind in its class.

The look

The ride height is raised by about 40mm from the standard vehicle, with dark contrasting bumpers, and aluminum skid plates and side-sills. There’s a different mesh grille and upright LED lights. It’s fairly standard stuff for these types of vehicles, but can look a bit ‘aftermarket-ish’, especially against bright colours.

Engine and gearbox

Equipped with the D3 turbo diesel, the Cross Country did not lack power or torque. The 2 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder unit competes well, pushing out a familiar 110kW, with an impressive 350NM of torque, and it doesn’t sound rough on idle at all. The 6-speed gearbox does an excellent job of keeping the revs at the right range and I found it best leaving the gearbox to do its own thing. It’s a powerful engine and hauls the V40 along nicely, doing the weight of the vehicle justice, while returning reasonable fuel consumption. I averaged just over 7.6l/100km driving heavy highway and city routes.

Driving

The daily drive is comfortable, due to the fatter rubber on the 17-inch rims, however the control-blade independent rear suspension setup did feel unsettled over sudden bumps and “jumped” a bit at low speeds. It was comfortable and quiet but was a bit more bouncy and wafty than the standard V40, which tends to happen with increased ride height. Interestingly, there isn’t an increase in wheel travel even though there’s increased ride height. A typical Volvo characteristic still alive in the V40 is the yo-yo feeling in the steering in corners, with detached feel (which is not something I was particularly enamored to!) Only the T5 is all-wheel drive, but you sacrifice fuel economy for that added grip which is probably not necessary.

The front-wheel drive unit squirms and tugs at the wheel when cornering or losing traction in sand. And these Cross Country-type vehicles rarely sport all-wheel drive as the front-wheel drive setup is good enough for what’s needed. I suspect only in colder climates where it snows does all-wheel drive make more sense. An impressive DSTC (Dynamic Stability Traction Control) system did a superb job of keeping the CC in line on gravel roads no matter how much torque the diesel engine threw down to the front wheels. Brakes did their job well and Volvo’s City Safety (monitors to stop the vehicle at speeds below 50km/h before a collision occurs) saved me in heavy stop-start traffic, by automatically braking the vehicle before it ran into the back of another car. A brilliant system that worked flawlessly, even though I wasn’t intentionally out to test it!

Interior

The V40’s interior is typically ‘Volvo’. A simple layout with the familiar hangdown-gap dash as seen in the C30. The white stripe trim in my unit looked a bit tacky, but the ultra modern instrument binnacle with 3 different “looks” all but made up for that. These allow comfort, eco and sport “looks” in the dials that allude ever so slightly to the dials of competitor (cough MercedesBenz) vehicles, but they bring up different information and are fully digital. It looks ultra modern and gives the V40 something different in this category.

A host of standard features including Bluetooth, climate control and the usual Volvo safety systems are all standard. The view out the rear through the rather odd-shaped window is odd, let alone the difficult blind-spot view, which makes you crane your neck. Front seats are leather bound and comfortable, with a surprising amount of space for passengers in the rear. The boot isn’t big, but the seats fold flat and the CC also offers the option of a load net between driver and back seats keeping the Labrador from jumping through to the front seats.

Overall

With SUV’s becoming so close in ride and drive to city vehicles, these stick-on-activity vehicles are phasing out. I’d stick to the standard V40, as I don’t particularly care for the looks of the Cross Country, and feel a proper city SUV might actually be more practical in the long run. The standard V40 is a worthy competitor to the A3, 1 series and A-Class and the Cross Country only further widens that appeal to buyers who are more adventurous and don’t necessarily want an SUV. For those buyers, Volvo offers the Cross Country model in all engines and trim options!

Volvo V40 D3 Elite Cross-Country – R371 500

5yr/100 000km maintenance plan standard.

Also look at

BMW X1 sDrive18 AT – 110kW/200NM – R375 000

Audi Q3 2TDI – 105kW/320NM – R370 000

Hyundai Veloster Review

When I was first scheduled to drive the Hyundai Veloster I was quite excited. Mostly because I couldn’t wait to refer to it as a Velosteraptor. It’s a car that plays in a segment I quite like – sporty, practical coupes – a segment dynamically and aesthetically difficult to compete in. The Veloster arrives at a very interesting price point though, and I was keen to see what it had to offer.

The Veloster arrives to take on the establishment of two door hatchbacks, although I can’t help but feel its only real rival is the Volkswagen Scirocco. While two-door coupes such as the Renault Megane are certainly similar by all accounts, the Scirocco and the Veloster are the only two that immediately come to mind that are completely uniquely shaped from the hatchbacks they are based on.

The Veloster’s Design

In the metal the Veloster is lower and wider than pictures reveal. Mine came in metallic white which I think is the best colour for the model. It’s quite an odd looking thing, but because it’s so different, it’s strangely alluring. Like a pug. The rear reminds me of the Honda CR-Z I reviewed a while ago, with that double-decker glass arrangement. Rear visibility is reduced, but it’s easy to see your blind spots and reversing is aided by a standard-fitted rear-facing camera.

Those Three Doors – Uniquely Veloster

The most curious aspect of this new Hyundai is its 3-door configuration. The driver’s side has one long door, and the passenger side has two, shorter doors. The rear door on the passenger side has a handle integrated into the black plastic glass housing, a trick Alfa Romeo used to use to make its 4-door cars look more like 2-door cars. It kind of works, and I asked a few people to have a good look at the car, and no one could tell me what was odd about it. Maybe I need more observant friends.

It is quirky, but it’s a neat solution to a problem South Africans have with two door cars; we seem to like the styling, but we don’t like the reduced practicality of restricted rear seat access. The odd door arrangement on the Veloster works.

Interior design and comfort

Hyundai dashboards are always a little bland. I understand this approach – in a way it’s impossible not to like the design and layout – it’s functional and accessible. But at the same time, it doesn’t ask you form an opinion about it, and maybe that’s worse.

Everything except SatNav is standard. Bluetooth, a large LCD screen, Radio/CD/Mp3 with aux and USB connectivity, rear facing camera as I’ve mentioned with rear park distance control, auto light control, steering wheel mounted controls, electric folding mirrors and one touch power windows make you feel like nothing is missing from your fingertips. It’s a lot of spec you might pay extra for on some of the car’s rivals, and makes the price feel like very good value indeed.

Rear space is to be commended – there’s generous rear space even though the outside of the car makes the rear seem like it would be cramped. That’s down to clever design – the rear seats have a very low hip position, and afford more comfort than some of the newer four door hatches I’ve test recently, notably the Mercedes A Class.

Engine, Ride and Handling

The only engine option available is the new generation 1.6 GDI naturally aspirated petrol, which you can spec with a 6-speed manual or Hyundai’s newly developed double clutch transmission. My unit arrived with the double clutch ‘box, which I found to be seamless in automatic mode, and relatively quick in manual.

The engine is rev happy, if a little powerless low down in the rev range. It feels like it was designed very much for economical cruising, and is a little reluctant to really put on the power. Perhaps with a proper stick shift the Veloster would be a bit more exciting, but the whole package feels reigned in – for a car with such dramatic looks, I think it could have been more excitingly tuned.

The ride is comfortable though – very smooth even on less than perfect roads, but with enough firmness to encourage you to press on. There’s loads of grip, and body roll is managed well especially at the rear, but feedback through the steering wheel is a little lacking and I wasn’t entirely sure what the front end was up to. It’s not an unrewarding drive but the VW still has some secret in their handling sauce that makes the Scirocco feel alive compared.

Safety features

With a slew of active and passive safety features, the Veloster has received top marks in the industry, carrying a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. Six airbags are fitted as standard. Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Management; Active Yaw Control; Electronic Stability Programme (ESP); an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS); and Electronic Brake Distribution.

Summary

The Veloster is a welcome addition to the local Hyundai offering. Its unique look certainly attracts attention and the three-door setup solves the impracticality of owning a two-door car. But I feel the dynamic package has been toned down a bit too much, I think Hyundai missed an opportunity to offer the buyer something a little more edgy and aggressive. If you like the brand and you’re not too fussed about looks, the i30 makes much more sense. If you want a driver’s car, you might have to look elsewhere.

Hyundai Veloster Price in South Africa

Veloster 1.6 GDI Executive (manual) R259 900
Veloster 1.6 GDI Executive (auto) R276 900

Hyundai Veloster Specs

Engine: 1.6 litre petrol direct injection inline-4
Power: 103kW at 6300rpm
Torque: 167Nm between 4850rpm
Fuel consumption: 8.4 litres/100km (combined cycle, claimed)
Fuel capacity: 50 litres
CO2 Emissions: 163 g/km
Acceleration: 0 – 100km/h in 9.7 seconds
Top Speed: 201km/h

Rivals

VW Scirocco 1.4TFSi – R324 800

A significant premium over the Hyundai, and likely with less standard kit, but offers much more to the driver.

Renault Megane 1.4T GT-line Coupe – R259 900

Much closer to the Hyundai in terms of performance and spec level. A better chassis to exploit and better fuel consumption if you don’t. Quite a looker too.

Hyundai Veloster Gallery

Last Classic Kombi Made After 56 Years

After 56 years of continuous production, the iconic Volkswagen Kombi nostalgically known to some as the Bully, Microbus or Hippie-van has reached end of production in Brazil – the only country where the vehicle was still being produced. Production of the vehicle is coming to an end because of the new 2014 safety legislation that states that all cars sold in Brazil must come with an ABS system and have driver and passenger airbags. Like the original Beetle, Volkswagen is sending the Kombi off with a limited last edition designed to celebrate the vehicle’s legendary history.

Last Edition Volkswagen T2 Kombi – Features

Limited to 600 units, the VW Kombi last edition exclusive two-tone blue and white body paint, whitewall tyres with matching white wheel caps, luxury internal finishing and design elements which give a nod to the many versions made in Brazil since 1957. In contrast to the old school air-cooled Kombi, the last edition version will be equipped with a water-cooled EA111 1.4-litre engine delivering 57kW on petrol or 58kW on ethanol, and connected exclusively to a four-speed manual transmission. The interior is splashed with blue and white vinyl upholstery and trim, with matching blue curtains on the side and rear windows. The floors are fitted with carpet and dilour Basalto inserts, which is the same material that covers the spare tyre, while the instrument cluster boasts a special serigraph treatment and keeps the traditional Kombi design of speedometer at the centre and fuel gauge on the right. An mp3-enabled sound system has been fitted, with USB ports. How very 1950s.

Updated Volvo 60s Range Now Available – Full Pricing

Volvo 60s range has been updated with quirky features and dashes of colour in the interior as well as with new safety technology, and all are now available in South Africa.

The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 offer an extended wheel choice with a variety of designs that increase the personalisation possibilities for customers, including a range of exterior colours, new pedestrian and cyclist detection technology, simplified Scandinavian design for both the exterior and interior.

For full details on the revised Volvo 60s range, read our full report here. Full gallery below pricing.

Revised Volvo 60s range price list

Volvo S60

Volvo S60 T3 Manual Essential – R329 600
Volvo S60 T3 Manual Excel – R334 500
Volvo S60 T3 Manual Elite – R350 500
Volvo S60 T3 Powershift Excel – R355 400
Volvo S60 T4 Manual Excel – R358 100
Volvo S60 T3 Powershift Elite – R369 300
Volvo S60 T4 Manual Elite – R374 100
Volvo S60 T4 Powershift Excel – R375 500
Volvo S60 D4 Manual Excel – R381 500
Volvo S60 T4 Powershift Elite – R391 500
Volvo S60 D4 Geartronic Excel – R397 500
Volvo S60 D4 Manual Elite – R397 500
Volvo S60 D4 Geartronic Elite – R413 600
Volvo S60 T5 Powershift Excel – R430 100
Volvo S60 T5 Powershift Elite – R446 100
Volvo S60 T5 Powershift R-Design – R454 100
Volvo S60 D5 Geartronic Elite – R457 500
Volvo S60 D5 Geartronic R-Design – R465 500
Volvo S60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite – R518 800
Volvo S60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design – R526 700

Volvo V60

Volvo V60 T3 Manual Essential – R340 500
Volvo V60 T3 Manual Excel – R345 400
Volvo V60 T3 Manual Elite – R361 400
Volvo V60 T3 Powershift Excel – R367 100
Volvo V60 T4 Manual Excel – R369 000
Volvo V60 T3 Powershift Elite – R380 700
Volvo V60 T4 Manual Elite – R385 000
Volvo V60 T4 Powershift Excel – R386 800
Volvo V60 D4 Manual Excel – R392 100
Volvo V60 T4 Powershift Elite – R402 900
Volvo V60 D4 Geartronic Excel – R406 200
Volvo V60 D4 Manual Elite – R408 100
Volvo V60 D4 Geartronic Elite – R422 200
Volvo V60 T5 Powershift Excel – R441 000
Volvo V60 T5 Powershift Elite – R457 000
Volvo V60 D5 Geartronic Elite – R468 900
Volvo V60 D5 Geartronic R-Design – R476 900
Volvo V60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite – R529 900
Volvo V60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design – R537 900

Volvo XC60

Volvo XC60 D4 Manual Essential – R464 800
Volvo XC60 D4 Manual Excel – R472 100
Volvo XC60 T5 Powershift Essential – R479 600
Volvo XC60 D4 Geartronic Essential – R480 000
Volvo XC60 D4 Manual Elite – R481 000
Volvo XC60 T5 Powershift Excel – R486 800
Volvo XC60 D4 Geartronic Excel – R487 300
Volvo XC60 T5 Powershift Elite – R495 700
Volvo XC60 D4 Geartronic Elite – R496 200
Volvo XC60 D5 Geartronic AWD Excel – R546 300
Volvo XC60 D5 Geartronic AWD Elite – R555 200
Volvo XC60 D5 Geartronic AWD R-Design – R577 200
Volvo XC60 T6 Geartronic AWD Excel – R591 700
Volvo XC60 T6 Geartronic AWD Elite – R600 600
Volvo XC60 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design – R622 600

All Volvos come standard with a five-year/100 000km plan.

New MG3 Coming To South Africa

The upcoming Johannesburg International Motor Show will see quite a number of new vehicle introductions including four models from the Chinese-owned British brand MG – the flagship MG3 3 Style, the mid-range MG3 3 Form, MG3 3 Form Sport and the entry level MG3 3 Time.

MG3 – Engine specs and Features

All models will be powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC VTi-TECH petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox delivering 78kW of power at 6000 rpm and 137Nm of torque at 4750 rpm. Acceleration from 0 – 100km/h is expected to be around 10 seconds, reaching a top speed of 175 km/h.

South African MG COO Craig Lanham says the new five-door hatch from MG offers buyers something really new as it is “a stylish, highly practical car that is huge fun to drive and fun to own” and appeals to the younger generation.

The new MG supermini comes fitted with a number of unique design features including its front signature front LED daytime running lights, a wrap-around front windscreen, spacious interior and standard latest safety technology features.

Specifications and options for the South African market will be announced at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October happening from 18-27 October 2013, with pricing expected to be announced closer to launch.

Toyota’s Extreme Hybrid For Frankfurt

After weeks of teasing, Toyota has released a full sketch of the Hybrid-R Concept set to debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. By end of 2015, Toyota believes they will have introduced a further 16 new or revised hybrid models.

Toyota Hybrid-R Concept fully embedded with the latest-in-class technology

Based on the three-door Yaris, Toyota says the Hybrid-R will be equipped with a 1.6-litre Global Race Engine (GRE) working together with electric motors that enable the car to have an all-wheel drive arrangement.

It uses some of the technology featured in Toyota’s TS030 Hybrid race car, such as the ability to recover energy under braking in a super capacitor and then deliver it to the powertrain to provide an extra boost. Toyota also mentions that this technology is suitable for use in a sports car because of its high power density, quick charge and discharge speeds.

The Japanese automaker will also be showcasing the latest status of its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) technology, ahead of the market launch of a production car by 2015. Further, the automaker calculates that its global hybrid fleet has already saved 12 billion litres of fuel and 34 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, compared to the same number of equivalent conventionally powered vehicles.

 

Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R Gallery

Audi Quattro Concept for Frankfurt Motor Show

The revised Audi Quattro Concept has been confirmed to appear at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Audi Quattro Concept is big on Power

Audi hasn’t disclosed which engine it will be using for the concept, but they are likely to fit a 4.0-litre V8 engine found in the RS6/RS7 models, producing around 441kW working together with a 125kW electric motor. This will enable the plug-in hybrid to provide a combined output of almost 588kW and 1000Nm of torque, sprinting from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 300km/h. That’s a simply astonishing amount of power.

The Audi Quattro concept is highlighted by a ‘new design language’ with taillights that match the interior, an adaptive sports suspension, and limited slip differential and ceramic brakes. Some of the sketches suggest the concept might be a four-seater coupe, with possibly the same size wheelbase as the existing A5 coupe, proving it with more interior space.

The Frankfurt Motor Show will take place from 12-22 September 2013.

BMW M4 Concept Gallery

BMW has officially unveiled its ‘Aurum Dust’ painted M4 Coupe Concept sport car, that resembles the production M4 Coupe, which is expected to debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The BMW M4 Concept will be joined by a whole new family of M models including the M3 Saloon and M4 Cabriolet.

Although this is being billed as a “concept” – it is almost certainly what will appear in showrooms in 2014 and 2015.

BMW M4 Concept – Engine

BMW is not saying anything about engine capabilities, but rumours are that the concept might be fitted with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre six cylinder engine that delivers just about 335kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

M-style Design

The design of the Concept M4 Coupe continues with the strong, emotional, and dynamic design language clearly reflecting aesthetics of the M models from its large air inlets to the aggressive front end.

Distinctive visual depth is reinforced by the expressive front end featuring the black kidney grille bars, twin round headlamps with LED technology, redesigned M gill incorporating the Air Breather, which when combined with the Air Curtain on the front apron help ventilate the wheel arches and facilitate better airflow. The model is further stylised with an integrated trunk lid spoiler and bespoke 20-inch M light alloy wheels with a two-tone finish. There’s also carbon fibre reinforced plastic components including the front splitter, roof and rear diffuser.

The German Automaker is set to publicly debut the Concept M4 Coupe at this weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

BMW M4 Concept Gallery

Feast your eyes on the the full BMW M4 Concept Gallery

Renault Duster Coming to SA – Pricing

Following the recent successful launch of the Clio 4, Renault has announced it will introduce the affordable Duster SUV to the South African market. Sold under the Dacia brand in Europe, the Duster represents incredible value for money in the segment. According to the automaker the Duster is a big contributor to the expansion of the brand outside Europe, with strong sales in India, Russia and Brazil. The Duster will be launched with a 4×2 model equipped with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 75kW of power and 145Nm of torque, and will later be launched with a 4×4 line-up and a diesel engine model. Standard options will include air conditioning, ABS with EBD, power-assisted steering, six function on-board computer, front and side air bags, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, reverse parking sensors, front fog lamps, roof rails, body coloured door handles and mirrors, 16-inch wheels, CD/MP3/radio with Bluetooth connectivity, and fingertip audio controls. More details on the SUV will be available at launch.

Renault Duster – Price

Renault Duster 1.6 Expression 4×2 – R194 900 The Renault Duster comes with a standard service plan, five-year or 150 000km warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Ssangyong Reveals New Turismo MPV

Korean automaker SsangYong has introduced its Turismo MPV which is on its way to SA – to be launched at the Johannesburg International Motor Show. Designed to appeal as a family, leisure and business transportation, its designers “have gone to great lengths to create a distinctive and innovative look”, which is a slight improvement over its predecessor.

SsangYong Turismo – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The Turismo is powered by the 2.0-litre turbo charged e-XDi200 diesel engine offering maximum power of 114kW at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm at 2800rpm. There’s a choice of 6-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed Mercedes-Benz T-Tronic automatic transmission. Each model in the range comes with standard two-wheel drive, apart from top-spec EX models, which come with selectable four-wheel drive.

The new Turismo utilises double wishbone front suspension and rear independent multi-link suspension aimed at providing executive saloon style ride quality. This set-up offers a quiet and comfortable driving environment with firm body motion control, a flat ride and optimum stability regardless of the road conditions.

Features

The Turismo is available in wine black, black, gunmetal grey, silver and white. The front of the car has a robust stance thanks to its hexagonal shaped radiator grille and trapezoidal bumper.

The interior is equipped with electrically operated and heated door mirrors, a leather covered steering wheel and gear knob, a top-end entertainment system, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable driver’s seat heated front seats, rear parking sensors, heated lower windscreen, solar controlled glass, rain sensitive wipers and eco cruise control. The seven-seater has a luggage space of 875 litres which can be extended to 3146 litres with rear seats folded up. If more space is needed, the third row can be removed completely.

Safety features include Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Active Roll over Protection (ARP), Brake Assist System (BAS), dual front and side air bags and two strength sub-frames fitted to the front and rear of the car.