The Hyundai i20 CRDi Glide review and price in South Africa

As I type this, there’s a headline on my newsfeed which suggests another massive petrol price increase is on the cards. How is the consumer expected to cope with an ever-increasing fuel price and still be in the market for a new vehicle? The answer is a small B-segment diesel, one of which I recently drove – the Hyundai i20 CRDi Glide.

Form follows function

Hyundai gave the little i20 a nip-and-tuck in the looks department and while it looks a little better, I still think it’s no beauty queen. That said, it’s not the ugliest thing around and winning pageants is not what the Hyundai i20 is about. The Korean car manufacturer is answering the call for comfortable, practical and sensible motoring, and if the numerous Car of the Year nominations are anything to go by, it’s doing a damn fine job.

Economical diesel engine

The little 1.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine powers the i20 and what an ingenious piece of tech it is. With 66kW and 220Nm at hand, it’s pretty powerful for such a small vehicle and in-gear acceleration is particularly potent. There’s a slight pause before the power comes surging in and the car (and I) will suggest changing down a gear to cancel out the turbo lag.

Like all modern diesel engines, fuel economy is a priority and here the Hyundai i20 excels. In the week I had this vehicle the trip computer read 5.7L/100km, which is excellent given the current rate of exorbitant petrol price increases.

How does the i20 drive?

The Hyundai i20 is quite pleasant to drive. There’s plenty of oomph for overtaking and it gets from 80km/h-120km/h surprisingly quickly However the engine has a rather on/off nature as mentioned above, but you can get round that by keeping it in the power with gear changes. Speaking of gearbox, it’s smooth and direct meaning changes are effortless. What impressed me was the quality of the ride where despite deliberately driving on poor tarmac, the i20 still felt fine. It’s a rather comfortable car, which is an important factor if you’re doing the daily grind. There’s no mistaking the fact you’re in a diesel though as the distinct truck-like clatter is quite obvious. It would be great if there was some form of noise shielding that could be fitted to diesel engines as some, like this one, sound very unrefined.

Hyundai i20 specs

It has been awhile since I had last driven one of Hyundai’s smaller cars and I was blown away by how much you get for your R200 000. There’s a comprehensive trip computer, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear park assist, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connection for mobile devices, glovebox cooling, one touch indicators and the radio finally has RDS which means it actually shows you the name of the selected station. The only thing which I’d like to see fitted is cruise control, but other than that the Hyundai i20 has the essentials box well covered.

There’s also a full set of safety features like driver, passenger, side, curtain airbags as well as anti-lock brakes.

Hyundai i20 CRDi Glide price in South Africa

Pricing for the Hyundai i20 CRDi starts from R199 900

Hyundai i20 CRDi Glide conclusion

In the highly competitive B-segment where nearly every manufacturer is having a go at making a thrifty runabout, the Hyundai i20 makes a good name for itself especially with this diesel engine. The diesel motor’s shortcomings are easily overshadowed by the generous power and torque, while the fuel consumption is outstanding.

I drove my i20 test unit for a week and it was returned to Hyundai with ¾ of a tank still remaining. In fact, the fuel needle only moved off the ‘Full’ mark after five days of driving. The price tag may scare off some potential buyers though, but I think you’d recoup that cost in saved fuel quite easily. I wouldn’t be put off by the distinct diesel engine noise either.

EuroNCAP announces crash test results for Honda CR-V and Citroen C4 Picasso

Renowned vehicle safety organization EuroNCAP has released its latest set of crash-test results featuring the Honda CR-V and Citroen C4 Picasso, which both earned the maximum five stars. The latest CR-V has recently reached the local market.

According to the organization, by law, all new car models must pass certain safety tests before they are sold, however legislation provides a minimum statutory standard of safety for new cars. EuroNCAP’s aim is to encourage manufacturers to exceed these minimum requirements.

The C4 Picasso scored 86% for Adult Occupant Protection, 88% for Child Occupant Protection, 68% for Pedestrian Protection and 81% for Safety Assist, while the Honda CR-V which recently launched in South Africa scored 93% for Adult Occupant Protection, 74% for Child Occupant Protection, 68% for Pedestrian Protection and 66% for Safety Assist.

Both cars were given the top ‘Good’ rating for whiplash protection in the event of a rear impact.

The Safety Assist score refers to a new test implemented relatively recently by the safety organisation. Manufactures often offer new breakthroughs in safety assist systems technologies which play an increasingly important role in accident avoidance. Euro NCAP implemented this crashworthy vehicle test to help mitigate the consequences for those involved in an accident and enhance driver judgement. Many systems are quite new and their impact on safety is not yet fully understood.

However, other technologies such as Intelligent Seat Belt Reminders, Electronic Stability Control and Speed Assistance systems have already been shown to save lives and are widely available amongst the vehicle fleet. The functionality of these technologies is assessed by Euro NCAP and points can be scored, but only if the fitment on all of the vehicle variants sold across Europe is high.

Other star ratings from 2013 include the Toyota Auris, also relatively new to the SA market, which scored 92% for Adult Occupant Protection, 84% for Child Occupant Protection, 68% for Pedestrian Protection and 66% for Safety Assist, and the Toyota RAV4 which scored 89% for Adult Occupant Protection, 82% for Child Occupant Protection, 66% for Pedestrian Protection and 66% for Safety Assist.

EuroNCAP also presented two automakers with its Advanced Award, which went to Mitsubishi for its Forward Collision Mitigation system and to Fiat, for the City Brake Control feature offered as an option on the Panda and 500L.

Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend Review

Having had the chance to sample numerous 1.0-litre three-cylinder engines over the years, I was rather excited to get behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta Ecoboost which on paper had the power to match much larger-engined counterparts.

Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend review by David Taylor

After a facelift, Ford’s Fiesta adopted an all-new gaping grille on the front end. Many have suggested it looks like an Aston Martin and I applaud Ford for being so bold with a radical design. The Ford Fiesta has always been a bit of an eye-catching car and now it’s even more so. In the crowded B-segment where competition is tight, I believe looks and value for money play a huge role. The Fiesta is off to a great start as it gets thumbs up in the design stakes.

International Engine of the Year

The main change with the facelift can be found under the hood where a rather special engine can be found. Voted as ‘International Engine of the Year’ Ford’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder is hands-down the best engine of its kind. The amount of power it makes is simply astounding. There’s 92kW and 170Nm produced by this tiny engine. Read that again. To put that in context, many 1.6-litre motors have about 75kW on tap.

When you put your foot flat, the Ford Fiesta Ecoboost responds well and the power comes almost right away, which I find rather useful if you want to overtake. Being a three cylinder, it also has a pleasant sound which is exaggerated if you drive it hard.

Fuel consumption surprise

This little motor is marketed as being incredibly light on fuel, with Ford claiming an eyebrow-raising figure of 4.3L/100km. Despite the tiny size of the engine, I struggled to get anywhere near that figure. You should still see around 7L/100km on the combined cycle which isn’t too bad given the level of performance. The big plus with this engine is you have the option of driving it really gently, or you can pretend you’re Ken Block and race everywhere – the fuel economy difference between the two styles is hardly noticeable. Anyone with a performance car will be well-aware that the moment you start driving aggressively, fuel consumption skyrockets. In the Fiesta Ecoboost, the figure went from 7.0L/100km to 7.3L/100km during the week I had the vehicle. Brilliant.

Well-kitted out interior

Inside the Fiesta, you receive plenty of bells and whistles, and everything is laid out in one of the more visually appealing and better designed cabins. From the legendary Ford SYNC which is a voice-controlled Bluetooth phone pairing system, to the steering wheel-mounted controls, it doesn’t feel like there’s anything major missing. There are seven airbags, a stability control program, air conditioning, daytime running lights, hill start assist and automatic stop/start.

Ford Fiesta 1.0 conclusion

To date this is the best application of a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine I have evaluated. While marketed as an economical and sensible choice, the Ford Fiesta Ecoboost is actually fun to drive without the drawback of the fuel economy taking a hit when you drive enthusiastically. It looks good, drives well and has the lovely SYNC tech to boot.

However all hopes of this vehicle receiving a top rating evaporate when you see the price tag. The price as tested for the Trend derivative sits at the R213k mark – a figure that will send a budget-conscious consumer running for miles. What’s more alarming is the higher-specced Trend model retails at R233 900! That figure puts you squarely in Volkswagen Golf 7 and Ford Focus territory, which isn’t a good place to be. For the same price as the top-of-the-range Ecoboost, you could have a Golf 7 1.2 Bluemotion which is a bigger car and lighter on fuel.

I’d recommend going for the 1.6 TDCi Ford Fiesta instead and save yourself around R30 000. It will be lighter on fuel, have similar levels of specification and is a lot cheaper. It’s a real shame that such brilliant technology costs so much. Hopefully we’ll see this Ecoboost technology come down in price in the near future.

Ford Fiesta – Price

Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend – R213 700

2014 Mazda3 officially unveiled

Mazda has officially pulled the cover off its sleek and sporty 2014 Mazda3 which features a longer wheelbase, new human-machine interface and a new range of engines. Another Japanese competitor in an incredibly crowded segment which includes the VW Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Auris, the 2014 Mazda3 will be available with a choice of two naturally-aspirated petrol four-cylinder petrol engines when it launches.

Locally, Mazda has confirmed that the 2014 Mazda3 will be introduced, but they couldn’t give an exact date at time of publication.

2014 Mazda3 – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The 2014 Mazda3 will be offered with two different petrol engines for the US market. At this stage we can’t confirm the local powertrain line up. The 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G which produces 115 kW of power and 203 Nm of torque, while the 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G develops 137 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque. Both engines can be paired to a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual transmission or SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission.

To improve fuel efficiency, the Mazda3 has i-ELOOP (Intelligent Energy Loop) brake energy regeneration and a SKYACTIV-Body that uses high-strength steel for significant weight savings.

SKYACTIV is Mazda’s sub brand, used to refer to all the technologies the company is developing which increase fuel efficiency and engine output. This technology appears in Mazda products that were developed from 2011.

Exterior Design Features

Aside from the name, the 2014 Mazda3 doesn’t share much with its predecessor. The car’s wheelbase has been stretched, however the length of the car has been reduced by nearly two inches.

Dominating the front fascia is a five-point grille which is equipped with a new active air-shutter system that helps to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic performance while contributing to real-world gains in fuel economy. The car’s presence is further emphasized by soft curves and flowing surfaces as well as a tailgate-mounted spoiler, and embraces the company’s KODO design language, which means ‘soul of motion’ in Japanese.

According to the manufacturer each set of wheels on the 2014 Mazda3 expresses dynamic motion from hub to rim, whether it is the 16-inch full cover steel or higher trim-equipped 16-inch and 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels.

At launch, the model will be available in eight colours, including the premium metallic finish Soul Red, two all-new Mazda hues introduced with Titanium Flash Mica and Deep Crystal Blue Mica.

Interior Design Features

The redesigned body has increased the interior space which features Mazda’s latest infotainment system, the Human Machine Interface (HMI) which is set to offer drivers more connectivity than any other Mazda model. This will happen through simplified methods of operation that have been designed with safety in mind.

The cabin is further fitted with a new instrument cluster, a seven-inch colour screen in the centre of the dashboard, a centrally positioned analogue gauge flanked by a pair of wing-shaped digital displays, satin chrome trim, piano black accents and the seats have been redesigned for more comfort and efficiency.

The re-sculpted front seats give back seat passengers more legroom. The car is also offered with cloth, leather and leatherette seat coverings. There is also a new infotainment system with Bluetooth/USB/AUX connectivity as well as the ability to access the internet via a smartphone.

The 2014 Mazda3 is also the first vehicle to feature Mazda’s all-new Active Driving Display, a clear pop-up panel that displays important driving information such as vehicle speed, navigation directions and is vertically mounted behind the meter hood. This is similar to the system available on some Peugeot models.

Safety Features

The 2014 Mazda3 will feature a variety of new safety systems including High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Obstruction Warning, Smart City Brake Support, Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning System.

Other standard safety features on the 2014 Mazda3 include six airbags, whiplash-reducing front headrests, power-assisted ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, daytime running lights, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), a Traction Control System (TCS), a collapsible steering column, a trunk entrapment release system, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), three-point safety belts for all seating positions, front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters as well as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH).

Gallery

View the new Mazda3 gallery here

GMSA Sales Summary for May 2013

GMSA’s sales success from April continued through May and totalled 5956 units, an increase of 7.5% from the same month last year. The Trailblazer continued to grow its presence in the market with a best-to-date performance of 423 sales, while the Chevrolet Utility once again dominated the sub-1 ton segment. Here is a breakdown of GMSA sales including key sales figures, Top 5 model sales and the most popular GMSA used cars for May 2013.

GMSA sales summary – May 2013

  • Total new car sales: 5956
  • Total market share: 11%
  • Total passenger vehicle sales: 2275
  • Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 3311

Top 5 GMSA new passenger car sales – May 2013 (compared to April 2013)

  1. Chevrolet Utility – 1853 units (1628 units)
  2. Isuzu KB – 1364 units (1047 units)
  3. Chevrolet Cruze – 546 units (429 units)
  4. Chevrolet Spark – 464 units (433 units)
  5. Chevrolet Trailblazer – 413 units (321 units)

Most popular used GMSA cars in South Africa – May 2013

  1. Isuzu KB Series
  2. Opel Astra
  3. Chevrolet Spark
  4. Opel Corsa Utility
  5. Chevrolet Cruze

GMSA in the news

Locally produced Chevrolet Spark celebrates its first year of production

New Chevrolet Trailblazer – the all in one lifestyle SUV

Renault Twizy Cargo revealed

The all-new Renault Twizy Cargo has been introduced and is the second version of their single seat city run-around electric vehicle. The Cargo loses a seat to feature a sizable boot, which according to the automaker makes it a Light Commercial ‘van’ designed for business owners.

Renault Twizy Cargo is a versatile mover

The standard white Twizy van is aiming to change/shake up the commercial vehicle world with its stylish features and ability to be used for multiple business needs. The model swaps its rear tandem seat behind the driver for a 75 kg boot that is accessible through a door that opens to 90 degrees. While the front seat is still movable, the door features a locking system that also works with the ignition key.

The Renault Twizy Cargo is equipped with a 12kW electric motor that can reach a limited top speed of 90 km/h and has a real world range of 50 km.

With a real world range of around 50 km, once at its destination, the Twizy Cargo can be fully recharged in just three and a half hours by simply using a standard three-pin plug by way of the built-in charging cable.

The Renault Twizy Cargo is likely to be of interest to businesses offering callout or support services, and also provide businesses with the opportunity to showcase its green credentials using a zero-emission vehicle in cities where air quality is a concern.

Ideal as a run-around in all conditions, Renualt Twizy Cargo keeps the easy to get in and out of feature of the passenger version as the driver can get in from either side. It can also be parked easily and in the tightest of spots.

Renault confirmed that there is unfortunately no plan at this stage to launch the Twizy Cargo in South Africa.

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupes and Cabriolets

Mercedes-Benz has carried out a revamp to its E-Class family, including the Coupe and Cabriolet models which draw on the new Mercedes Benz design idiom and feature powerful and efficient BlueDirect four-cylinder engines. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class range features exciting engine options and upgraded design features for the 2013 model year.

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet hit the streets of SA

Engine Capability

The three highly efficient and powerful petrol engines available for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are also equipped with the ECO start/stop function. A new element is the BlueDirect four-cylinder petrol engine with spray-guided direct injection, based on the same groundbreaking technologies used in the latest generation of six- and eight-cylinder engines from Mercedes-Benz.

The E 500 Coupe is powered by a V8 engine producing 300kW of power at 5000-5750 rpm and 600Nm of torque at 1600-4750 rpm, resulting in acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds (4.9 seconds for the Cabriolet) and a top speed of 250 km/h. Combined fuel consumption is at 8.9-litres/100km (9.1-litres/100 km for the Cabriolet) with CO2 emissions of 209 g/km (213 g/km for the Cabriolet).

The E 400 Coupe is powered by a V6 engine producing 245kW of power at 5500 rpm and 480Nm of torque at 1400-4000 rpm, resulting in acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds (5.3 seconds for the Cabriolet) and a top speed of 250 km/h. Combined fuel consumption is at 7.6-7.4-litres/100km (7.9-7.6-litres/100 km for the Cabriolet) with CO2 emissions of 177-172 g/km (185-178 g/km for the Cabriolet).

The E 250 Coupe is powered by a L4 engine producing 155kW of power at 5500 rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1200-4000 rpm, resulting in acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds (7.5 seconds for the Cabriolet) and a top speed of 250 km/h (245 km/h for the Cabriolet). Combined fuel consumption is at 6.1-5.7-litres/100km (6.5-6.2-litres/100 km for the Cabriolet) with CO2 emissions of 142-132 g/km (150-144 g/km for the Cabriolet).

Exterior and Interior Design Features

The redesigned E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet comes with a fresh front-end and a new single-rib front grille with central Three-Pointed Star. On either side there are sleek new headlamps fitted with LED technology in the main beams as well as LED daytime running lamps fitted as standard. The inside of the headlamps features flowing LED fibre-optic cables which resemble the typical four-eyed look of the E-Class.

Adding an extra dose of aesthetic aggression to the front apron is a new bumper with large air intakes and wing design with chrome details, and a sports car grille, while at the rear new tail lights and a broad-looking rear bumper also in wing design and chrome-look trim finish off the look. The models can be further accentuated with the optional Sports packages including a two-pipe exhaust system with trapezoidal tailpipes.

The inside of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet is furnished with stylish wood/aluminium materials and structured surfaces like the two-part trim element that stretches across the entire dashboard and a new three-tube instrument cluster with white dials, a trapezoid-shaped full-colour TFT display with a high-gloss frame and sport seats with integrated head restraints.

Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive Features

The new E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models feature sophisticated safety technology like Agility Control and sport-tuned Dynamic Handling suspensions, 4MATIC all-wheel-drive technology, Next-generation Attention Assist system, and a new Pre-Safe Plus system. The optional Driver Assistance Package features Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control with Steering Assist and PRE-SAFE Brake, plus Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet – Price

View the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E 250 Coupe R582 554
Mercedes-Benz E 400 Coupe R774 632
Mercedes-Benz E 500 Coupe R938 465
Mercedes-Benz E 250 Cabriolet R657 211
Mercedes-Benz E 400 Cabriolet R858 032
Mercedes-Benz E 500 Cabriolet R999 445

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet and Coupe come standard with the leading PremiumDrive maintenance package 6-years/100 000 km without any customer contribution.

Ford Kuga EcoBoost Review

If you’re looking for a SUV for under R350K, you cannot ignore the performance and value from the Ford Kuga EcoBoost.

Ford Kuga EcoBoost review by John Beale

After giving us the Kuga 2 years after international launch a few years back, Ford finally brought us the updated Kuga right on time, just when things are hotting up in the mid-size SUV category. All new look, a heap of tech and two new engines, one of which was the 1.6-litre turbo Ecoboost unit that also does justice in the Fiesta ST!

Performance

Detuned in the FWD Trend model to deliver 110kW and 240NM, the unit is plenty powerful to pull the larger Ford Kuga around. It competes here quite nicely against rival 2litre units, sporting more torque than most of them, and larger overall interior. There’s even considerable kick back and torque steer from the front wheels during pull off! The torque curve is strong enough to keep the Kuga going at highway speeds and overtake with ease.

Only, as with the Ecoboost unit in the Fiesta, 2nd gear pull-away can lead to the unit stalling too easily. The other benefit of smaller capacity turbocharged units is their frugal nature, and I achieved around 8.4l/100km, which is just over claimed figures. You do have to drive quite carefully to achieve this as the nippy unit begs to be driven.
A superb 6 speed manual box that is now familiar in the Ford range, does justice in the FWD units, and it’s a perfect fit with the Ecoboost engine.

The Kuga’s handling

Handling shows typical front wheel characteristics and the weight of the Kuga does come as a surprise which is where the plethora of safety systems, including Curve Control which brakes wheels individually if you’re cornering too quickly to slow the vehicle down, comes into play. Brakes show good feel, and the steering is meaty at speed but light enough when parking, which is a huge difference to the lifeless steering from Kia and Hyundai.

Safety features

The Ford Kuga EcoBoost will more than likely be bought by those looking for a leisure / family focused vehicle so safety is a key priority. Ford sports the highest NCAP crash rating for the Kuga in class, thanks to 7 airbags, ISOFIX child seat attachments as well as Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Stability Control (ESP).
The Kuga boasts the largest load area, and ample rear legroom with tray tables for the little ones in the rear. As a whole the Kuga feels big and spacious with generous large windscreen and big dash.

Impressive interior

Interior quality and materials are probably some of the best of all of the Ford Range. Doors shut with a solid thud, and buttons feel quality when touched. A healthy dose of standard spec includes leather electric heated seats that are exceptionally comfortable and supportive, keyless start, SYNC Bluetooth streaming audio system, steering wheel and voice control, auto folding mirrors, rear parking sensors and dual zone climate control. Eight cupholders adorn the interior and the centre console swallowed a 1.5litre coke bottle and closed! My only gripe here is the overcomplicated SONY sound system with its plethora of unnecessary buttons.

Ford Kuga EcoBoost conclusion

The Kuga is an exceptional little vehicle, and offers the functional size, with more standard spec than even the Koreans can muster up. Don’t be put off by the 1.6litre, this little Ecoboost unit is more than capable and delivers good fuel consumption. It’s no surprise there are over 440 units leaving showroom floors a month, so if you’re looking for an SUV for under R350 000, this has to be on your list. One of the few SUVs in this price range that reward both passengers and driver.

Ford Kuga EcoBoost – Price

Ford Kuga 1.6 EcoBoost Trend price – R324 900 (110kW / 240 NM)

  • Service plan – 4-year 80 000 km’s is standard.
  • View the vehicle: New Ford Kuga / Used Ford Kuga
  • Competitors worth checking out:
    • Hyundai iX35 2,0 Executive – 122kW / 197 NM – R314 900
    • VW Tiguan 1.4TSI Trend&Fun 4×2 Bluemotion – 118kW/ 240NM – R325 300
    • Toyota Rav4 2,0 GX – 104kW 187NM – R279 900

Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTec Hybrid is a frugal runner

The Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is the brand’s first diesel hybrid passenger car which obtained its Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standards and is considered to be the world’s most economical luxury-class model rated in energy efficiency class A+.

Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is super efficient

The Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTec Hybrid sedan is fitted with a four-cylinder diesel engine that develops 150kW of power and 590Nm of torque and is mated to a 7G-Tronic Plus transmission.

The compact electric motor which is installed in a space saving configuration in the clutch housing between the engine and transmission, is a three-phase AC internal rotor magneto motor which produces 20kW and 250Nm of torque at an operating voltage of 120 volts.

The hybrid drive’s electrical energy comes from a high-voltage lithium battery specially developed to use in vehicles. It has an output of 19kW and an energy content of 0.8kWh which allows the E-Class to run on electric power alone at up to 35 km/h and for up to one kilometre.

Compared with the equivalent E 300 CDI BlueEfficiency diesel model, the consumption of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID has been reduced from 6.1 and 5.8-litres/100 km to between 4.3 and 4.2-litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km – depending on the tyres fitted.

Mercedes-Benz hybrid technology offers a wealth of extra functions that enhance comfort and efficiency, as well as helping to deliver a special driving experience underpinned by accomplished sportiness. Some of these notable technical features of the Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid include Boost function, Hold function, a Lithium-ion battery, Wet start-up clutch, and Kinetic energy recuperation.

“After introducing the S 400 HYBRID in 2009, Mercedes-Benz is now setting new standards for luxury-class business vehicles with the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid. The modular hybrid technology is opening the way for us to quickly expand other model series with the addition of hybrid models,” explained Professor Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer for Daimler AG.

Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid – Price

Mercedes Benz E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Sedan – R 634 000

ISUZU KB 3.0 D TEQ 4×4 Review

Improved from the previous model, tough as nails, but still off the mark in terms of comfort and spec from the competition, meet the Isuzu KB 3.0 D TEQ 4×4.

Isuzu KB 3.0 D-TEQ 4×4 reviewed by John Beale

March finally saw the arrival of the new ISUZU KB range to a very competitive bakkie market. On test was the KB 3.0 D-TEQ 4×4 EXTRA CAB, (cab and a half) which now ads two extra suicide doors that aid access to the half cabin behind the front seats. The Extra Cab range consists of 3 diesel units in three trim levels: Base, LE & LX. New look shiny chrome grille and larger overall size and stance takes after the rest of the competition. The only directly competing “Extra-Cab” units are the Ford Ranger, Hilux and BT-50.

On the inside

A slight change in materials and dials, but otherwise the exact same dash used in the Trailblazer, which is a good thing. Harder plastics are used, but functional spaces for goods in and around the KB are welcome additions. The round-startrek-looking climate control (only one of competitors to feature auto climate control) unit from the Trailblazer is used here, which works well except when in direct sunlight you can’t read the digital dial. Steering wheel controls with cruise-control is standard.

In binnacle on-board computer displays all the necessary fuel consumption averages etc. Seats are cloth covered with a lockable load-box behind drivers seat. The interior is an upgrade from previous model, but not as much of a jump as I expected. Thankfully the vibrating gear-lever from previous KB is all but gone as the gearlever sits right above the gearbox, negating larger linkages.

Engine Performance

Under the bonnet is the updated diesel D-TEQ unit, which now pushes out 130kW and 380NM from 1800RPM. It’s still a noisy unit that sounds rough and requires a lot more work than competitor units to keep on the boil, feeling a lot more agricultural than them too. I averaged just over 11l/100km on the 80litre tank, which is reasonable.

On dust roads I had to switch to full time 4-wheel drive, as the torque would kick the rear out way too easily, leaving some pretty interesting fishtailing happening. A very simple rotary knob in between the seats is used to switch between 4Hi & 4LOW and can be done at high speeds with no fuss.

A lockable diff-lock is switched out using a button on the dash. Sadly, it has the lowest ground clearance of the competitors at 220mm, and the running boards didn’t help break-over angle at all. It does however have the highest rated towing ability (heavy duty towbar fitted) at 3500kg.

Off road the engine seems very willing with a lot of muscle in low range, which means there was very little wheelspin. Off-road enthusiasts will be happy to hear traction control or stability control is not available… It’s old school select diff (unlike the limited slip unit in the Trailblazer), with no electronic gadgetry. It definitely shows the tough off-road focus ISUZU has put on the vehicle. (5yr/120 000km best-in-class warranty is standard here).

Ride and handling

It is in town where the ride and handling is not up to the high standards set by the Ranger. It is still surprisingly rigid and stiff, even though steering has lightened up a bit, there is no disguising the utilitarian focus of the new Isuzu KB. For old KB drivers there are definite improvements, but in terms of ride comfort it seems it has caught up to a pack that has just run away again.

When you start to compare spec to spec, you’ll see the Ford trumps all on standard safety and equipment, sporting 7 airbags, stability and traction control, and highest ground clearance (same as the BT-50). The Hilux sports auto lights and wipers as well as a touch screen multimedia unit with Bluetooth audio. The Ford / BT-50 has the largest and deepest load-bed, with the ISUZU and Hilux battling it out for second place. The ISUZU did not have standard rubberized load-bed or tonneau cover hooks, which is standard on other units.

Isuzu KB 3.0 D-TEQ 4×4 – Conclusion

An improvement on the previous model, but not as much of a jump as you’d expect. Tough as nails, and is probably the only Extra Cab of all to go toe-to-toe against the Hilux on reliability. That said, with the highest price in category it is tough to justify the additional R15 000 for less specifications than the Ford.

Isuzu KB – Price

Isuzu KB 3.0 D-TEQ 4×4 EXTRA CAB – R412 300 (130kW / 380NM)