Land Rover Introduces 2014 Range Rover Long Wheelbase

To extend its customer appeal, Land Rover has introduced the 2014 Range Rover Long Wheelbase Autobiography Black ahead of its public debut at the 2013 Dubai Motor Show. This ‘L’ version, based on the fourth-generation SUV which debut about a year ago is the first Range Rover long wheelbase in 20 years.

Long wheelbase extends customer appeal

The 2014 Range Rover Long Wheelbase edition measures 5.2 m in length and features considerably longer rear doors and increased rear legroom by 140mm for rear seat passengers.  Boosted recline to 17 degrees and executive seating package provides enhanced comfort and space. For added convenience, the long wheelbase is equipped with powered side door blinds and a panoramic sunroof as standard, as well as increased stowage.

This ‘L’ version will also be available for the Autobiography and Autobiography Black models and a Hybrid derivative which will be starting next year.

A new range-topping trim level

In addition to introducing the stretched wheelbase model, Land Rover has also announced a new Autobiography Black trim level. It has an interior that has been “carefully crafted and tailored to meet customer needs with subtle but distinctive exterior detailing and is appointed and finished with the highest quality leathers and materials.” Also it will come with two exclusive sets of seven-spoke 21- and 22-inch alloy wheels featuring a high gloss polished finish.

Further, the Autobiography Black will offer unique seat cover designs along with the Executive Class seating package. An extended centre console with electrically powered folding tables finished with black leather and will feature integrated USB charging sockets, along with more traditional functions like cup holders.

There will also be a chiller compartment with space for glasses and bottles, and it will be available only in the long-wheelbase version. The rear seats in the Autobiography Black edition will offer lumbar massage. While the whole interior will  feature LED mood lighting in a range of 10 colours. Completing the look will be the Black enamel and chrome accents throughout the exterior.

The brand claims both derivatives exude Land Rover’s renowned breadth of capability and performance.  First customer deliveries will start in March 2014 for the long wheelbase and August 2014 for the Range Rover Autobiography Black.

Land Rover South Africa has confirmed that these models will be available in SA towards the end of 2014.

2014 Range Rover Long Wheelbase gallery

Fiat 500L Launches In South Africa – Specs and Prices

The Fiat 500L which expands the line-up of the 500 series was first presented at the 2012 International Geneva Motor Show, and is now available in South Africa with a choice of two engines.

Engine capabilities

According to Fiat, both the 1.4-litre engine delivering 70kW and the 1.6-litre MultiJet 2 engine delivering 77kW are distinguished by their lower polluting emissions and CO2 levels, corresponding to real economic benefit in everyday use for the customer. Both engines are also mated to the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

Comfort in the car is a result of the MacPherson-strut front suspension has a hollow anti-roll bar to add both lightness and rigidity while the rear torsion beam that has been updated to ensure control and comfort at top levels and remove the need for a rear anti-roll bar.

Exterior design features

Designed as an alternative to traditional B and C segment cars, the five-door model is labelled as an MPV that has the feel of a small SUV. It has ample seating for five people with dimensions measuring 4.15 m long, 1.78 m wide and 1.66 m high and also has a 2.61 m wheelbase which results in a large interior space, including the luggage compartment, which boasts a capacity of almost 400 litres.

The Fiat 500L has 360° glazing to ensure best-in-class visibility, while the glass roof – the largest in its category with a size of 1.5 m2 is available in two versions: electric roof or Skydome.

Extensive colour range and trim options

The car will also be available in a choice of seven body colours – red, white, blue, cream, metallic red and two shades of metallic grey. In addition, there are three designs of alloy rims and two interior trim levels to choose from.

The Lounge trim comes with either a suede beige dashboard and panelling, beige and dark grey fabric and a two-tone black and beige steering wheel, or a suede grey dashboard and panelling, black and grey upholstery and the same two-tone black and beige steering wheel.

The Easy trim comes with either a beige soft-touch dashboard and panelling, magnesium/beige fabric upholstery and a two-tone black and beige steering wheel, or a grey dashboard and panelling, red and grey fabric upholstery and the same two-tone black and grey steering wheel.

Simple onboard technology

The 500L is the first car of the Fiat group to be equipped with the new-generation Uconnect infotainment platform, which can manage media content on the car such as the radio, cellphone, media player, iPod or smartphone as well as the navigation system – all hands-free.

There’s also a 5-inch touchscreen, a USB port and an AUX-IN connector, as well as a Bluetooth interface that gives you access to call management, voice recognition (in 11 languages), reading received text messages out aloud and audio streaming from your smartphone, based on the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system.

A future development will also let you use a number of apps to stay in constant contact with Facebook and Twitter or get real-time updates on news, traffic and weather.

The new Fiat 500L standard equipment includes six airbags – front, window and side airbags – front headlights with DRL (Daytime Running Lights) function and fog lights with the self-adaptive cornering function. The model also comes standard with ABS, BAS (Brake Assist System) and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) that intervenes in driving conditions close to the limit.

Fiat 500L Price

Fiat 500L 1.4l 16V Easy – R232 990

Fiat 500L 1.4l 16V Lounge – R247 990

Fiat 500L 1.6l MultiJet Lounge – R287 990

The 500L comes standard with a 3 year/100 000km warranty and maintenance plan.

Fiat 500L gallery

GWM M4 Makes A Bold Statement At JIMS 2013

GWM previewed the striking M4 at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show.

The GWM M4 Compact Crossover

Dubbed the urban warrior aimed at the young and trendy at heart, the M4 is powered by GWM’s proven 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with intelligent variable valve timing producing 77kW at 6000 rpm and 138Nm at 4200 rpm.

On the styling front the GWM M4 boasts an individualistic design, high ground clearance (180 mm+), 16-inch alloy wheels and comprehensive standard specification that include air-conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, power steering, rear park sensors, radio/CD/MP3 player with USB and auxiliary support, as well as Bluetooth.

Safety equipment offered as standard consist of dual front airbags, disc brakes all-round supported with ABS with EBD and rear-mounted Isofix child seat anchorages.

GWM is confident that the M4 will be as successful in South Africa as it has been in its home market. At JIMS, Tony Pinfold, the company’s chairman, stated that the M4 would be offered for “well below R200 000” when it launches locally within the next few months.

GWM M4 gallery

Hyundai At The 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show

Hyundai took the opportunity to demonstrate some of their hidden innovations at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show.

The best of Hyundai at JIMS 2013

The brand unveiled the long awaited Veloster Turbo packed with a turbo-charged 150kW direct injection petrol engine, and is the first model in South Africa to feature an engine with a high-compression and twin-scroll turbo-charger. This model is due to be launched on local roads in the first half of 2014.

This year at the show, Hyundai introduced the #findthefeature competition which allows show-goers planning on visiting the Hyundai stand to register for an RFID tag via Facebook; on the Hyundai website or on the stand itself, where they will then be encouraged to search the stand for 5 specific hidden features within the Hyundai range. The person who identifies all 5 features and tags them via the RFID tag stands a chance to win a weekend away in a Hyundai vehicle of their choice.

Hyundai also took the opportunity to present a limited edition, once-off, customised Santa Fe wrapped in a matt black finish with custom 22-inch alloy wheels. Also on display was the facelifted ix35 and Elantra.

The brand has since confirmed that in the next four years they will be introducing new products and product enhancements which include the i10 Grand and the new Genesis saloon for 2014.

There is still time for you to go down to the Hyundai stand before the show ends on Sunday to see some of the vehicles on display.

Hyundai JIMS gallery

GMSA At The 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show

Subsidiaries Opel, Chevrolet and Isuzu made sure they pulled out all the stops at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show with a number of striking new models making their debut in South Africa.

New models galore

In addition to about seven of their latest models already available in South Africa, Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu brought out some special international vehicless. These included the ultimate muscle car from Chevrolet the Camaro ZL1 Convertible, the new Sonic RS set to debut in 2014, the stylish Opel ADAM and the Opel Mokka B-segment SUV.

Isuzu and Chevrolet gave show-goers the pleasure of experiencing off-road capabilities of their LCV segment vehicles at the 4×4 track and see some of the accessories and special features the brands had to offer.

Isuzu took creativity to another level with a selection of special KB bakkies, showing off the customisation options available. In addition, the vehicles were displayed in a unique display of out-of-the-box thinking – a trendy, pop-up style event solution.

Other Chevrolet models included the facelifted Chevrolet Captiva, refreshed Trailblazer and locally-produced Spark models. Opel on the other hand brought the refreshed Opel range which includes the new Astra sedan and Corsa OPC Nurburgring Edition, launched to the South African market only a month before the show.

The General Motors South Africa stand can be visited in Hall 7 at the Johannesburg International Motor Show which ends on Sunday.

GMSA JIMS gallery

Renault At The 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show

Renault attracted the world to its stage at the Johannesburg International Motor Show with the premiere of the Duster Detour Concept.

Demanding international attention

Renault revealed a teaser image and some details weeks before the show, saying they will use the motor show to globally unveil their one of a kind SUV in South Africa. The Renault Duster Detour (which you can read about here) is described as the alter ego of the recently launched Duster SUV, a mixture of the Terminator, and a sprinkling of Dakar dust.$

However this was not the only showstopper presented by Renault. Their line-up included 2014 SA Car of the Year finalist Clio Dynamique, the Clio Sport 200 EDC which is the flagship model of the new Clio range, the sophisticated Koleos, and the special edition Megane Sport RB8 which was released to celebrate Renault and Red Bull’s third F1 Constructors’ world title.

Other models that were included in the fresh and attractive local line-up were the flagship Megane 1.4 Hatch GT-Line, the Renault Sandero Stepway which has successfully attracted a new customer base to the Renault brand with no less than 3000 sales achieved in 2012, and there was the new Fluence Dynamique 2.0-litre sedan which is now available with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and is the third and final variant in the model’s 2013 Phase 2 line-up.

Renault JIMS gallery

Toyota and Lexus At The 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show

As much as we’d like to talk about how awesome the press offices of both Lexus and Toyota were at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show, the show was not at all about that but about their exquisite selection of cars (although we’d like to say that they did have really good food – including sushi).

Innovative models

Lexus was first up with the ES 250 shown to the public for the first time at the show, and according them will present unrivalled value in the premium segment of the South African market when it goes on sale early next month.

Their stand –  inspired by their design philosophy that provides an ideal showcase for the new look, luxury and technology of Lexus vehicles also featured the IS attired in F-Sport apparel, the GS in hybrid 450h guise, and the stunning and powerful LFA supercar, as well as the LS flagship.

A mixture of old and new

With an equally stylistic stand and impressive line-up, Toyota brought to the show an exhibit of about 18 cars which included LCV models. The star reveal of the show was the all-new Corolla which goes on sale in the first quarter of 2014.

The rest of the line-up included the supermini Aygo exclusively available in five door format, the Etios which is becoming really popular in the SA passenger market, the fine-tuned 2013 Yaris as well as the Yaris XR HSD, the all-new sporty 2013 Auris sporting distinctive looks in XR HSD guise, and the world’s best-selling hybrid, the Prius.

The FT 86 Open concept also stole the show as it was its first time on African soil. The model was created to test the water for the possible introduction of a convertible version of its globally acclaimed 86 sports coupe, and deliver the lively, highly engaging and accessible performance and dynamic abilities of the 86 with the added appeal of top-down motoring. We will continue crossing our thumbs that this concept makes it to production and in SA.

There was also the Le Mans TS030 Hybrid Replica driven by Anthony Davidson, Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin which finished second at this year’s gruelling 24-hour Le Mans race.

For those that love cars that can handle the rough and pothole infested roads of South Africa, Toyota also had on display the Hilux, Fortuner, the new Land Cruiser Prado, the 60s inspired FJ Cruiser, fourth generation RAV4 and the Toyota Imperial Racing Hilux piloted by Dakar champions, Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz.

The full range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles will be on view till the show ends on Sunday.

Toyota and Lexus JIMS gallery

GWM At The 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show

GWM had one of the biggest stands at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show that featured about four new models which are due in SA in the next couple of months.

New models coming in 2014

First up was the M4 boasting unique design features, a 1.5-litre VVT petrol engine and plenty of standard equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels. This was followed by the unveiling of the upmarket C30 B-segment sedan and the C50 C-segment sedan, which are ready to set their mark in the competitive SA sedan market. Both models boast the same specification and have plenty of passenger and luggage space.

Then there was the big reveal of the first ever unibody, front-wheel drive SUV from GWM, the H6. You can the read more about the car here.

Weeks before the show, GWM promised that they will unveil a surprise model which will be appearing in SA for the first time. This was the bold, shiny and macho Steed 6 which will be arriving in South Africa next year, measuring 5430 mm in length, 1800 mm in width and 1755 mm in height. This model is also the biggest bakkie to ever come from GWM. Standard features include a touch-screen info-tainment system, climate control, one-button start-up and six airbags.

The GWM stand also featured the recently launched H5 SUV and the C20R hatchback based on their popular C10 hatch.

 GWM JIMS gallery

Volkswagen At The 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show

The German brand definitely made a statemnet with their performance-driven and uncompromisingly advanced hybrid/electric vehicles at the Johannesburg International Motor Show.

Although in a country where saving energy is not yet second nature, it’s going to be interesting to see how these models succeed in the market, if they ever get here. Here’s what the brand had to offer petrol heads and “eco-warriors” at the show.

Volkswagen’s hyperefficient model line up

They really took preserving energy to another level. Not only were their hybrid and electric vehicles a feast for the eyes, but their energy efficient photo booth integrated with a bicycle was a sure winner. This instalment let you ride on the bicycle till you made enough energy/electricity to take a photo in the booth – showing you how much energy you use (or as they say ‘waste’) by taking just one picture on your phone.

On stand was the special edition iBeetle which is based on a full integration of the iPhone and Beetle, and the fuel-efficient Cross Coupe powered by an alliance of a turbodiesel direct-injection engine (TDI) and two electric motors. This concept SUV is based on the new Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) from Volkswagen AG and features design elements that are much sportier than in conventional SUVs.

Their list of energy efficient models included the Jetta Hybrid powered by a high-tech petrol engine (TSI with 110 kW) and a zero-emissions 20kW electric motor. The Golf TDI BlueMotion which has a top speed of 200 km/h, a 50-litre fuel tank and 3.2 l/100 km fuel consumption, and a theoretical driving range of over 1000 kilometres.

Volkswagen also presented brand’s first production electric vehicle, the e-up! which premiered at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September – creating a double impact on the e-mobility stage.

Making its first appearance in SA was the sporty special edition Scirocco GTS based on the Scirocco Mk2 which rolled off the production line nearly thirty years ago. Distinctive features of the GTS then as they are now include individualised exterior and interior in a sporty style. The Scirocco GTS will only be available with the 2.0 TSI 155 kW engine mated to 6-speed DSG transmission.

Demanding attention in the Light Commercial Vehicles stand, were both the Amarok Edition and Amarok Worthersee single-cab concept in their lowered body, big wheels, massive load box and shining exterior paint.

The motor show only ends on Sunday, so there’s still a chance for you to view these models and others such as the Toureg R-Line, Passat R-Line, S200 Sasol Racing car, Golf GTI Cabriolet and the Polo Vivo Maxx.

Volkswagen JIMS gallery

2013 Kia Cerato Review

The 3rd generation Cerato designed in the states by ex-VW’s Peter Schreyer shows a shift in design language to Kia’s new slightly more rounded and emotional shape. It’s a very similar look from the rear to the Rio sedan, but from the front it’s instantly Cerato with the wide fish-like grille, and new daytime running lights.

The engine

The 4-cylinder naturally aspirated 2-litre SX with 115kW and 194Nm felt very underpowered. It struggles at highway speeds with the bigger body and there’s not enough low down torque through town. It could definitely do with a smaller capacity turbocharged engine, which will also help fuel efficiency. It’s reasonably fuel efficient when given the open road and not pushed, ending up just under 9l/100km, but nowhere near claims.

The interior

A fairly spacious interior, the rear legroom is a bit tight, but full leather seats are standard and materials used have a high quality feel. Standard features include Bluetooth, reverse camera, PDC, colour screen in the instrument binnacle for on-board computer, dual zone climate control, auto windows all round, electric folding mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto lights and xenon headlamps. It’s quite a lot of kit, including the nifty way the car lights up on approach and keyless start and entry. 6 Airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC and VSM are all standard.

For this level and price, these are knock-out features. There’s a lot of storage space – including a small area that locks up under the hangdown section. Steering wheel controls for the familiar horrid 50’s Kia radio are there too. There is also lots of luggage space – 492 litres of it, that can fit a dozen dead bodies, being both deep and wide.

Steering and brakes

As with all other Kia vehicles I’ve driven the steering is lifeless, however the SX model features variable steering that is supposed to give more feel, but instead feels similar to the SEGA rally games in the arcades way back when. It’s rather frustrating considering the rest of the package is quite good. The other problem is the rather ‘wooden brakes’ which are a tad limited in feel, but this isn’t a racer so most people wouldn’t notice that.

The drive

The Cerato balances a comfortable ride on good-looking 17inch rims with fairly predictable control when pushing on. This isn’t a car made for spirited driving, and when pushed on, it does feel out of its element. But at highway speeds and in town it’s comfortable and solid. The 6 speed manual gearbox has slick shifts but don’t slot anywhere near as solidly as Toyota or VW.

Overall

It just gets better and better with Kia, getting closer and closer to Toyota quality, probably not in real long-term reliability, but definitely in perceived quality. It’s a much more refined vehicle than its predecessor but you don’t pay in the price tag. Compared to the venerable Toyota Corolla, it might not last till 200 000km’s – but who drives a car that long these days anyways? If that’s what you’re after, go Corolla, but for a daily drive in the next 2-3 years it’s well styled, with high specification levels and a spacious boot for R279 995.

Kia Cerato price in South Africa

Kia Cerato 2,0 SX Manual – 115/194 – R279 995

5yr/90 000km motorplan

Also look at:

Chevrolet Cruze 1,8LS – 104/176 – R240 500

Toyota Corolla 2,0 exclusive – 102/189 – R273 000

Hyundai Elantra 1,8 Exec – 110/178 – R254 900

Renault Fluence 2,0 Dynamique – 105/195 – R249 900

2013 Kia Cerato gallery