Toyota Hilux Dakar Edition released

With chart topping sales month after month, it’s easy to argue that the Toyota Hilux is one of South Africa’s most loved bakkies. Over 860 000 Hilux vehicles have been sold locally since its introduction in 1969, and now the Toyota Hilux Dakar Edition has been released to celebrate the stellar performance of the Hilux in the 2013 Dakar Rally.

Exterior improvements for the Toyota Hilux Dakar Edition include stainless-steel nudge bar, rear styling and door steps with a Dakar logo, and also a step bumper with towbar, a black load-bay cover and Smokey grey alloy rims. The model also benefits from body coloured mirrors and door handles as well as Dakar badging.

The interior is enhanced with black leather seats and door inserts with red stitching, black carpets with red Dakar embroidery, and a reversing camera (Xtra Cab and Double Cab).

The Dakar package is available for a limited period only (July to September) on Raider grade models across all three body types: Single, Xtra and Double Cab

Toyota Hilux Dakar Edition – Price

View the New Toyota Hilux Dakar Edition

Toyota Hilux Single Cab 2.7 VVTi Raised Body Dakar R292 200
Toyota Hilux SC 3.0 D-4D RB Dakar R333 800
Toyota Hilux SC 3.0 D-4D 4X4 Dakar R385 600
Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab 3.0 D-4D RB Dakar R364 500
Toyota Hilux XC 3.0 D-4D 4X4 Dakar R416 500
Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.7 VVTi RB Dakar R365 800
Toyota Hilux DC 2.5 D-4D RB Dakar R397 100
Toyota Hilux DC 3.0 D-4D RB Dakar R420 900
Toyota Hilux DC 3.0 D-4D RB AT Dakar R433 700
Toyota Hilux DC 3.0 D-4D 4X4 Dakar R473 700
Toyota Hilux DC 3.0 D-4D 4X4 AT Dakar R486 400
Toyota Hilux DC 4.0 V6 RB AT Dakar R433 000
Toyota Hilux DC 4.0 V6 4X4 AT Dakar R509 100

MINI Vision concept revealed

MINI has shown off a design concept called the MINI Vision – a teaser of what the next generation of the popular premium compact car could look like.

MINI Vision is perfect balance between old and new

Unveiled at MINI’s design studios in Munich, the MINI Vision concept still follows closely in line with MINI’s current styling. The concept does however feature future-focused aesthetic and technical innovations such as an aerodynamic bumper and a slightly new take on the classic hexagonal grille that features integrated fog lights.

The MINI Vision is also equipped with full-LED headlights, air intakes and outlets around the front wheel arches, some new chrome accents, the distinctive side indicator element and the black band framing the lower edge of the car.

One standout feature is the clear separation of the roof, glasshouse and body. Further back, there’s ‘organo metal’ accents, a tailgate-mounted spoiler and a centre-mounted dual exhaust system.

MINI Vision – Interior

The interior has a symmetrical design, and is covered with a variety of colours and textures. Some highlights include a floating centre console, lounge seats, and a large screen mounted in the centre of the dash.

Some new additions include Union Jack inspired flexible retaining devices designed to hold a magazine, mobile phone or drinks bottle, a MINI click system and a Driving Experience Control System which allows adjusting of the lighting scheme.

There is also a ‘Mini Disco’ floor that illuminates the footwells, and customisable digital instruments. Perhaps there’ll be “Swinging 60s” mode.

The brand believes this design vision demonstrates that they will continue to use intelligent variability, imagination-capturing technology and a compact sporting presence to deliver unrivalled driving fun over the years to come.

Alfa Romeo goes rear wheel drive

Alfa Romeo is reportedly returning to its sportier roots by ditching its front and all-wheel drive platforms in favour of a rear-wheel drive range of future vehicles. The Alfisti (you know a group of fans is enthusiastic when they have their own name) are going to be very pleased about this.

Exciting future for Alfa Romeo

CAR UK magazine has published a report citing inside information from Alfa Romeo that the brand will be aligning itself more with the Maserati brand – possibly sharing components and engines, in a bid to distance itself from the mass market offerings from sibling brand Fiat. While rear wheel drive does appeal to enthusiasts, the reality is that front wheel drive layouts are cheaper to manufacture and provide more interior space particularly in smaller cars. But Fiat-Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne wants to take on the premium car market, and reportedly he thinks the only way to do this is with a RWD product line. This means we will most likely say goodbye to cars like the Alfa Romeo Mito and Guilietta. Technology such as the eight-speed ZF gearbox, V6 Maserati engines and hybrid drivetrains will be accessible to the Alfa team. It’s a strategy that will see their future products competing against well established rivals from BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus and Jaguar.

New Alfa Romeo models to compete with top brands

Future models will include a 3-series/C-Class competitor named the Guilia, a 5 series competitor possibly named the Alfetta, and a duo of SUV’s up against the likes of the BMW X1/Audi Q3, and BMW X3/Audi Q5. The CAR report says the first model line, the Guilia, will arrive in 2015. The Alfetta will arrive thereafter and may include a sportwagon version, something we haven’t seen since the Alfa 156, something of which this particular petrolhead was a big fan. The six model Alfa Romeo range will be rounded off by the upcoming and spectacular-looking 4C, and an as yet unnamed Roadster based on the Mazda Mx-5 platform. The Alfa Romeo 4C will arrive in South Africa late this year and prices have been quoted at R799 000, making it an interesting rival to cars like the Porsche Boxster.

Volvo safety features mean lower insurance premiums

Insurance is a significant and necessary cost to consider when buying a car. There are various ways to bring your premiums down, for instance, ensuring the car is in a garage at night. However, for perhaps the first time, the safety features of your next car could affect your monthly premiums.

Volvo safety features benefit motorists

UK motorists seem to be the first to feel this affect. Following extensive testing by Thatcham’s Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, commissioned by the Association of British Insurers to research all Autonomous Emergency Braking systems (AEB) to validate the effectiveness of such systems, the insurers have decided to include these safety features as a factor in insurance ratings.

The inclusion has happened very soon after a technology’s emergence on the market; testament to the industry’s confidence in these system’s potential to significantly reduce accident damage and personal injury.

The Swedish car maker Volvo has now announced that new Volvo owners could see their annual insurance premiums fall by as much as £160 (about R2395.34) as its City Safety AEB is now fitted as standard across the whole range (apart from the XC90).

We have contacted the South African Insurance Association to find out if local insurance companies are investigating this development for introduction to the local market. We await their response and will follow up as soon as we have more information.

Volvo safety features include Volvo’s City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system operates at speeds up to 50 km/h on the V40 (currently 30 km/h on other Volvo models), keeps an eye on traffic in front and automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops – or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.

Following its success in reducing accidents and injury, Volvo took the decision to fit its award winning City Safety technology as standard to all subsequent new models reflecting the brand’s commitment to developing the safest vehicles across its range.

“With City Safety AEB now fitted as standard across all new production Volvos except the XC90, it’s fantastic to see the technology recognised by Thatcham, ultimately allowing Volvo drivers to enjoy big cost savings on their insurance. The continued introduction of all these lifesaving technologies links back to our Vision 2020 long term objective that by 2020 no one should be killed or injured in a new Volvo,” said Volvo Car UK managing director Nick Connor.

The European Commission has suggested widespread adoption of AEB could reduce accidents by up to 27 per cent, potentially saving 8,000 lives a year and reducing insurance claims by up to £6.3 billion. In the future it could also be “practically impossible” for car models to obtain an NCAP five-star rating without this technology fitted.

Renault-Nissan alliance sell 100 000th electric car

Renault–Nissan reached a major milestone earlier this month by selling its 100,000th electric vehicle. The two companies announced that they have sold more zero-emissions cars than all other automakers combined, with sales led by the LEAF.

Renault-Nissan lead the way to a greener future

“The age of the mainstream zero-emission vehicle is here,” said Renault-Nissan Alliance Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “We expect demand to keep growing as the charging infrastructure develops – and we remain 100% committed to zero-emission technology for the long term.” Electric cars from Renault and Nissan have driven approximately 841 million zero-emission kilometres, enough to circle the earth more than 20 000 times. Together, they represent 53 million litres of oil saved and 124 million kg of CO2 that have not been emitted. Worldwide, more than 71,000 Nissan LEAFs have been sold since the car was first released in December 2010 and, according to Nissan, the all-electric car makes up more than half of all global sales of pure electric cars. The U.S. leads the market with about 30 000 LEAFs sold, with the car in the top 10 vehicles sold in San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu. Japan scooped up 28 000 sales, while in Europe, 12 000 have been sold. The LEAF also has made great strides in Norway where 4600 have been sold, making it Nissan's top-selling vehicle in the country. Meanwhile, Renault has sold 30 000 electric vehicles since it launched its first model the Kangoo Van Z.E, and leads the electric vehicle market in Europe with a 61 percent market share. The two-seater Twizy is its best-selling model, with 11 000 units sold since it went on sale in early 2012. In order to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles around the world, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is working with government authorities, utility companies and others to rollout a network of charging stations that allow drivers to recharge their cars from zero to 80% capacity in less than 30 minutes. Rival automakers are expected to launch competing electric models over the coming year, including BMW's i3, set to hit show rooms in November.

New Bentley SUV in the making

A new Bentley SUV is on the cards according to the auto manufacturer and it will be the first time the brand ventures into the highly competitive SUV segment. The new Bentley SUV will go on sale in 2016 and will be Bentley's fourth model line to be built in Crewe, in the process creating more than 1000 jobs.

New Bentley SUV faces stiff competition

The luxury SUV will join a future segment which is very much in full swing, with both Maserati and Lamborghini confirming that they will be building SUVs of their own. While this is good news for manufacturing in Britain in general, car enthusiasts will be wondering why Bentley is pursuing a project that was met with such derision last year. Rumours are that the new Bentley SUV will look nothing like the 2012 EXP 9 F Concept which the brand showed at last year’s Geneva Motor Show as a preview for an SUV production model. But Bentley has brushed that reaction aside, saying there has been extremely positive reaction to a new Bentley SUV from its customers. No matter what us journos think of it, this will probably become the new unofficial car of the English Premier League. The new Bentley SUV styling “will set it apart from any other SUV on the road and will be true to the Bentley design DNA. In addition, Bentley describes the model as being the "most luxurious and most powerful SUV in the market." Details remain sketchy There’s no word on specs as yet, but if the sketch that Bentley has provided is anything to go by, it seems the new Bentley SUV will feature improved styling including a sleeker roofline, and will most likely be based on the same platform as the next-generation Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. This gives them a whole range of engines to choose from, but we would speculate that the car will run the twin turbo V8 from the Bentley Continental GT, and possibly the W12 also from that model line. The £800 million that the company is investing will not only be used to develop the SUV, but also for additional models which will be added in the future. There has been no word as yet as to whether or not it will come to SA. Note: Pictured is the 2012 EXP 9 F concept, not the forthcoming car.

Volvo V40 T5 R Design Review

Volvo is a car company obsessed with safety. It’s an obsession that has won them countless awards, and a loyal following. But in the premium segment, you just can’t sell millions of cars on airbags alone. You need mass appeal, something which the brand might have lacked until now.

The V40 range was a bold step for Volvo, but I’ve sampled just about every V40 available (by my count there are 16 variants available) and I’ve generally been impressed. But nothing could have prepared me for the Volvo V40 T5 R-Design. A hot hatch? From Volvo? I had to have a go.

Volvo V40 T5 R Design Review by Ciro De Siena

Rebellious exterior

The Volvo V40 T5 arrives in quite the strangest paintwork I’ve ever seen. Somewhere between matte and metallic, it’s an unnatural hue of blue that I find myself staring at for quite some time. Volvo calls it Rebel Blue, a clue to this car’s cheeky demeanour.

The Volvo V40 T5 R-Design is lower than its stable mates, and features an angrier front chin, aerokit on the sides and rear and very sexy, unique 5-spoke wheels. It looks fantastic. A Volvo has just never looked like this. The V40 is already a very attractive car, but with the R-Design treatment, it looks like nothing else on the road.

That Scandinavian interior

The inside of a Volvo V40 T5 is a very comfortable place to be. The black leather seats in this test vehicle look so plush and comfortable, they might as well be American-spec Lay-Z-Boys. And they are, but they still manage to offer great lateral support. It’s a very good mix they’ve managed here.

The rear seats are just as comfortable but rear head and leg room are not what I expect. It’s certainly not cramped, especially for little ones, but I’d imagine an adult approaching 6 foot would not be too comfy back there for hours on end.

The centre console features that awesome floating design that first debuted on the S40 some years ago. It hasn’t aged at all; it still looks very clever and very modern. The fact that you put your arm through the space behind all the buttons is just cool, really.

The infotainment system takes a bit of getting used to, I keep turning it off when I want to hit enter, but I’d imagine I’d get the hang of it with more time in the car. The dials straight ahead feature quite a few gauges and graphics that I’ve never seen before. The fully digital display shows a power metre to the right seems to respond to my throttle inputs – to help you drive economically. You can change between three modes: Elegance, Eco and Performance. Each mode has its own unique look and feel, with different info emphasised in different ways. It’s interesting, but I’m more interested in the engine.

Volvo’s 5-cylinder engine and specs

This is the only 5-cylinder engine available in this segment, and it’s a peach. Smooth, powerful and with some mighty in-gear shove, the specs put it very firmly in the middle of the current hot hatch war.

187kW peaks at 5400rpm, but the impressive torque of 400Nm is available from as low down as 1800rpm. That’s some very clever turbocharging, but the bigger displacement helps. Where some hot hatches feel flat before the 2500-3000rpm, the Volvo V40 T5 pulls hard almost from idle. Throttle mapping feels a little dull though, I feel it could be even sharper.

And there is one thing amiss from the whole experience – the noise. I know how good a 5-cylinder engine can sound; it is a rare thrum in the world of motoring, and for my liking it’s just not loud enough. Sure, it has nice, bassy idle note, but perhaps an active exhaust might have added the joy of noise to the driving experience.

Volvo V40 T5 R-Design – Ride and handling

A sports car it is and therefore as a sports car it must be driven. The Volvo V40 T5 is quick, and it is a lot of fun shooting out of corners with all that torque. Its acceleration time is claimed at 6.1 seconds, which would make it the fastest hot hatch on paper, but acceleration feels similar to rivals – that is to say, very quick.

But there’s a slight dullness to the feedback through the wheel to your fingertips, and you’re not entirely sure what the front end is up to until there’s a bit of tyre squeal.

Bigger roll bars and a stiffer suspension mean this is definitely the best-handling Volvo I’ve ever driven, but still the car has a disconnect between what it’s doing and what its telling you. There’s a lack of engagement as well with the autobox, as there’s no flappy paddles to work with. You can manually shift with the gearlever, but this makes it feel even more like a car simulator and not a car.

In terms of ride, overall I’d say the R-Design chaps at Volvo probably wanted the T5 to be a bit edgier, a bit sharper, but were over-ruled by the powers that be, and told to make it more comfortable. It just feels a little reigned in, but Volvo knows its customers better than I do.

Low profile tyres are great for handling, but imperfections in the road have little rubber to overcome as they send shockwaves up your backside. The Volvo seems well sprung, and it’s a solid, well put together car, so it deals with bumps admirably. But for a smoother ride, you might want to walk past the R-Design and opt for a normal V40 instead.

Safety Features

This is where Volvo really excels. There are a myriad of safety features that are either unavailable on rivals, or only available on much more expensive cars. Two worth mentioning are the City Safety and pedestrian airbag.

City Safety is fed information by a pair of “eyes” hiding behind the rear view mirror, staring ahead through the windscreen. The Volvo has advanced software detecting stationary traffic, pedestrians and animals, and will alert you if it detects any of the above in your path. If you fail to brake before the car thinks you should, it will bring the car to a stop for you, at anything up to 60km/h. No more bumper bashings, I would hope.

The pedestrian airbag is a world first fitted to a production car. The windshield is particularly dangerous to pedestrians, and in the case of collision, the bonnet will spring upwards, and an airbag will cover the lower half of the windshield. Hopefully no one ever has to test this.

The car also monitors both your blind spots up to 70 metres behind the vehicle, so if you want to execute a lane change and there is fast-approaching traffic, it will alert you to that.
The steering will also automatically correct any wandering, by detecting the white lines and shoulder of the road, it will make tiny adjustments to keep the car centred.

Volvo V40 T5 R-Design – Summary

At just over R400 000, the Volvo V40 T5 R-Design is on the upper end of the hot hatch segment. However, given the level of spec and comfort, I would look at it the other way. This is a compact car packing executive levels of just about everything. If you don’t need a massive saloon, the V40 is a seriously attractive option. Petrolheads might get slightly more satisfaction out of say a Ford Focus ST, but for exclusivity and style, the V40 is just that much more interesting.

View the vehicle: New Volvo V40 / Used Volvo V40

Quick Specs – Volvo V40 T5 R-Design

Acceleration6.1 seconds

Price R402 100
Engine 2.5 litre inline-5 turbocharged
Power 187kw at 5400rpm
Torque 350Nm from 1800rpm
Fuel comsumption 8.1litres/100km (claimed – combined cycle)

Hot Hatch rivals

VW Golf GTI

  • From R368,300 (Manual)
  • Similar spec levels, similar performance. More involving drive though, especially the manual

Ford Focus ST

  • From R363,900 (Manual)
  • Very similar power, similar sized car but with more boot space. A bit more of a fighter in terms of handling which can be more exciting, but definitely a less comfortable drive.

Chris Froome presented with unique Jaguar F Type

Cycling the length and breadth of France faster than anyone else this year must have been very rewarding for Chris Froome, but Jaguar have just made his achievement even sweeter. Chris Froome has just been awarded a bespoke Jaguar F-Type for completing and winning the 2013 Tour de France.

Chris Froome gets rewarded in style

The model features a unique two-tone paint job, and features Team Sky Pro livery, sponsor decals, and selected pictures from fans who were part of Jaguar’s #GetBehindTeamSky social media campaign.

Jaguar has not been clear about which model Chris Froome received, but the S badge suggests it will either be the F-Type V6S or V8 S. The F-Type S uses a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 280kW and 460Nm of torque, while the F-Type V8 S has a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 364kW and 625Nm of torque.

The F-Type’s interior features a driver-focused philosophy, with engaging controls encased in dramatic architecture. Unique technical grains tailor the trim materials, further differentiating the dual-cockpit cabin.

According to Chris Froome, “Every young cyclist dreams of one day riding in the Tour de France, let alone winning it. I haven’t done it alone though. Team Sky has a great set of partners, and I’d like to thank Jaguar for their brilliant support over the past four years. They’ve invested a lot of time and ingenuity into designing the XF Sportbrake, which is the perfect race support car for us. It has been crucial to keeping the team on the road throughout the competition.”

Nissan Pathfinder 2.5 dCI 4×4 SE AT Review

The 4×4 SUV market in South Africa is huge and the Nissan Pathfinder is a well-known contender. With the market-leading Fortuner still carrying the “best-selling privately-owned vehicle in SA” badge and the recent addition of Chevrolet Trailblazer, this category is a lucrative one for manufacturers.

Nissan Pathfinder review by John Beale

The Nissan Pathfinder is no stranger here, and was updated a few months ago with this “entry-level” contender. It offers a 2,5litre turbodiesel unit that wrenches out an astonishing 140kW and 450NM, which trumps the Fortuner, and matches that of the Trailblazer. The shape hasn’t changed much, however small tweaks to the interior specification has brought the price in at R470 000, competing head on against the Fortuner 3,0 D-4D 4×4 AT (R476 700) and Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ 4×4 AT (R476 600).

Performance

I was very surprised at how much power was on offer from the engine. For a 2.5litre it competes well here. It felt a lot quicker than the figures (0-100km in 11seconds) suggested, and there’s more than enough torque at relatively low revs to cope with the class-leading 3-ton tow rating. There’s a lot of initial shove at low speeds, I even got some tyre chirp on a few pull offs, but once moving you can feel the slip from the clutch as you accelerate, so small inputs from the throttle can keep the Pathfinder plodding along in typical lazy SUV style. The 5-speed automatic gearbox does the job of making sure shifts are smooth and works well. It allows for manual shifting, but I find leaving the box in automatic is where it’s the happiest. Brakes have slight squish to them but work well and are assisted with ABS, EBD and EBA.

The ride and handling

The ladder-frame chassis is carried over from generations of Nissan SUVs. It allows for a lot more towing capacity, but does very little for the ride. The usual side-shuffle and waddle that is so familiar with this frame is evident in the Pathfinder. That said, it isn’t uncomfortable at all. In fact, the Nissan Pathfinder is probably the most comfortable of the trio, as you rarely feel bumps in the road. It is a fairly easy ride in town, requiring very little effort in steering or throttle inputs. A slight lack in refinement is noticed when you start the car on cold mornings, as the engine is quite rough, but eventually quiets down. Another nicety would be the standard addition of park distance control, or reverse camera, as it is a large vehicle to park.

Inside the Nissan Pathfinder

The interior is typically Nissan, with a lot of hard-touch grey plastics, and orange and white lighting on all dials. Here the Toyota and Chevrolet are a lot better specced and refined. The Nissan boasts nothing that wouldn’t be right at home in a car in 1998. There’s nothing here you don’t need, and it’s fairly bare-bones, with cloth seating (notably wide seats for larger occupants) for 5, dual zone climate control, Bluetooth/Aux/6Disc CD sound system, steering wheel controls and individual control for rear climate control. Two cupholders, and quite a few hidey spaces do the Pathfinder justice – this is a large vehicle, so there’s a lot of space.

This is where the Nissan Pathfinder again trumps the competition, with enough space to park a motorcycle or jetski IN the vehicle. As this model doesn’t feature the last row of seating for 7, the luggage space is carnivorous. It’s wide, flat and square and easily folding rear seats and passenger front seat means you can put items nearly 2.5metres in length through the vehicle with ease. The large tailgate has a split function, and spare wheel is situated under the vehicle.

Taking the Nissan Pathfinder off-road

Off-road credentials are key here, and the Nissan Pathfinder is equally capable as its rivals. Short overhangs in the front are a plus, but the familiar running boards are a hindrance on break-over angle off-road. Shift-on-the-fly knob on behind the gearlever allows you to switch between Auto (which will automatically engage 2 or 4-wheel drive), manual 2-wheel drive selection and full time 4-wheel high and low range. Low range initiates the centre differential.

Nissan, like the Trailblazer doesn’t feature a locking rear or front differential (Which might put off hardcore offroad enthusiasts) but rather makes use of a system called ABLS, which detects slip and locks up that wheel using the brakes to move the power to other wheels. I didn’t get to try this for an extended period of time, but the reliability of these systems over the long term as brakes can get overheated, is my only concern.

Conclusion

The Nissan Pathfinder is however coming on in age, it sells far less units than the competition and higher specced models are ridiculously expensive. A new model has been launched overseas, but there’s no word of that same unit making its way to SA. The Pathfinder only trumps the Trailblazer, which is pretty much matches everywhere else, on interior space, so go look at both if you’re in the market.

Nissan Pathfinder – Price

Nissan Pathfinder: R470 900

Suzuki Grand Vitara Dune Edition reviewed

As “soft-roaders” generally become softer, and in reality just high riding hatchbacks, it’s nice to know that there are still a few options out there if you’re looking for full 4×4 capability, without the full 4×4 size. Whereas cars like the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage are only available in front wheel drive – offering very little to the casual offroad enthusiast – the Suzuki Grand Vitara is similarly sized and priced but offers full low range capability.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara Dune Edition reviewed by Ciro De Siena

Engine Specs

I’ve been lucky enough to drive the updated Grand Vitara for the 2012 model year in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. The updated model retains the powerplant and drivetrain, with the only option being the 2.4 litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol. The engine is starting to show its age a little, but remains a very smooth and reliable motor.

With 122kW available at 6000rpm, and peak torque of 225Nm at 4000rpm, if you’re in a hurry you have to work the gears to get the car to hustle. But for relaxed, every day cruising, there’s the right amount of oomph available.

However, if you live near the coast, the Vitara will feel a lot sprightlier. That lack of forced induction is noticeable on the reef. Another good reason to move to the coast then.

Ride and Handling

It’s refreshing to see some tall sidewalls on a 4×4. So many “offroaders” these days offer very little rubber between the road and the rim. It might not be the best set up for attacking corners, but who wants to attack corners in a Vitara?
What you want to do is attack rocks and climb curbs, and that’s what this kind of tyre lets you do, confident that you won’t leave a mark on those fancy 17 inch rims.

I’m convinced the tyres also contribute to the extremely smooth ride. The Grand Vitara seems to glide over just about every road surface you can throw at it. On highways, it feels like a very expensive saloon car. It’s very impressive and quite a surprise in a car in this segment.

Interior Specs and Comfort – Updated Grand Vitara

For the base price, the Vitara is relatively well specced. The Koreans may offer a bit more in the infotainment department, but the only thing I really missed was Bluetooth. It is fairly functional inside the cabin, but everything feels like it might outlive you, the owner.

Like all Suzuki’s I’ve driven, they feel bulletproof. Nothing rattles, everything is very well finished and the cheap plastics are kept to a bare minimum.

Cloth seats are standard in the Dune Edition, which I didn’t mind at all on Joburg’s freezing winter mornings. Electric windows all round, automatic aircon and ISOFIX fittings are standard. The front chairs are extremely comfortable, and I would imagine you could happily cover great distances perched in those.

The inside of the Vitara feels very big indeed. It’s a wide car, and 5 people can travel in comfort. The boot area is generous as well, and with the rear seats folded, you could fit just about anything in there. A chest of drawers. A rugby team. A biltong cabinet. Things like that.

Drivetrain and 4×4 Capability

The Grand Vitara features the only real low range capability in this segment. The Nissan X-Trail is perhaps its closest competitor offroad, but the X-Trail has an intelligent torque transfer system, where the Vitara’s is mechanical. This I would imagine appeals to people who really like to get the car dirty.

An electric switch on the dash allows you to easily switch between 4×4 modes. The drivetrain uses a torque-sensing centre diff which will transfer power between front and rear depending on the conditions, but the centre diff can be locked. Full low range mode is available for when the going gets really rough.

I’ve only ever been duning in the Vitara, which is a unique 4×4 challenge, but we easily kept up with the Land Rover Defender 90 and Nissan Navara we were travelling with. It was really good fun.

Safety Features – Updated Vitara

Suzuki is known for offering very healthy levels of safety equipment in their products. The Dune comes equipped with all-disc ABS brakes, front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear head restraints, and five inertia reel seatbelts, with the front belts featuring pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Summary

The Suzuki Grand Vitara represents a unique offering amongst the mid-size SUVs. It might not be packed with tech, but it is big, comfortable, and very capable off road. And at the base price of R298 000 for the manual Dune Edition, represents quite impressive value.

It leaves you with the feeling that you might pay this car off, and keep it. You could then hand it down to your son or daughter to go off to Varsity in the thing. And they could probably keep it for another ten years. It’s very rare to feel that way about a car these days.

Suzuki Grand Vitara price – 2012 Model Year Suzuki Grand Vitara Dune Edition R298 000

View the vehicle: New Suzuki Grand Vitara / Used Suzuki Grand Vitara

Quick Specs – Suzuki Grand Vitara Dune Edition

Engine 2.4 litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol
Power 122kW at 6000rpm
Torque 225Nm at 4000rpm
Fuel consumption 8.9 litres/100km (manual)
C02 emissions 212 g/km
Acceleration 0 – 100km/h in 11.7 seconds
Top speed 180km/h