Citroen DS5 THP200 review

Citroen is an eccentric car manufacturer and thanks to the relaunch of the revolutionary DS brand, has really elbowed its way into the modern markets. I take a look at the latest in the DS lineup – the jaw-dropping Citroen DS5.

Citroen DS5 THP200 review by David Taylor

French car meets modern funk?

The plucky French car company is better known for its hatchbacks and family people carriers, but since the relaunch of the DS range, the market is starting to regard Citroen as a fashionable and cool brand. Take the DS3 for instance, here’s a fun and funky runabout that makes the MINI Cooper look overrated.

Citroen’s achingly-beautiful looks, both inside and out?

The Citroen DS5 is the flagship of the luxury and stylish DS range. Your eyes are not deceiving you. It does look that outrageously beautiful, and photos do not do this car justice whatsoever. It is a real head-turner and you can expect plenty of attention while on the roads. The best part has to be telling onlookers that the vehicle is a Citroen. The reactions are priceless…

The interior is as special as the outside. With a distinct aeroplane cockpit feel to it, the Citroen DS5 cabin is a work of art. It’s a little daunting at first as there are so many buttons dotted around the cabin but once you’ve spent time getting used to it, everything falls to hand nicely.

The Citroen DS5 THP200 Loaded with tech as standard?

Unlike the German trio, most of the gadgets and gizmos fitted are standard. This particular vehicle comes with satellite navigation, Bluetooth/USB connectivity, audio and cruise control buttons on the steering wheel, tyre pressure monitors, keyless operation, cornering headlights, head-up display, reverse camera, parking sensors, heated seats (driver’s seat has massage function), auto headlights with daytime LEDs, auto wipers and not one, two but THREE panoramic glass roofs. It is safe too, with airbags galore, ABS, stability control and hill start assist.

Surprisingly brisk on the road

What’s it like to drive, you ask? Well, with the same 1.6 turbocharged engine as the MINI Cooper S, DS3 and GTI models, the Citroen DS5 isn’t lazy. It has 147kW and 275Nm on tap, and can hit 100km/h in under 9 seconds. Despite having sporty credentials, the Citroen DS5 is actually a great cruising vehicle and is effortless when driving in town. The best part of the engine has to be the fuel economy. It may have big power but you will see around 8L/100km on the dash readout. If you want to save fuel and don’t want to change gear, there’s also a diesel automatic version.

Citroen DS5 THP200 – Conclusion

There are a few drawbacks of the Citroen DS5. While it may drive well, the ride isn’t perfect especially if the road is patchy and uneven. It’s quite firm thanks to the sporty suspension and low-profile tyres. Being a Citroen, there could be depreciation issues. On the other side of the coin, this means that pricing for this flamboyant Frenchman will be in your favour. If ever you’ve wanted something unique, luxurious, quick and stylish, the Citroen DS5 could just be the perfect car for you.

Citroen DS5 – Price

Citroen DS5 THP200 price as evaluated: R403,900

  • Why you should: Gorgeous inside and out, good engine, excellent specification, great boulevard cruiser, very different.
  • Why you shouldn’t: Ride and handling is too firm on poor roads. Depreciation risk.
  • It would be better if: Soften that suspension, fit thicker tyres (or avoid the optional 19-inch wheels) and you’ll have one of the most underrated cars on sale today.
  • View the Citroen DS5 THP200: New / Used
  • Competitors worth checking out: Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Audi A3 Sportback, BMW 1-Series

Lexus IS makes its premiere at 2013 Detroit Auto Show

The all-new Lexus IS sport sedan made its world premiere at the Detroit Auto show. The Lexus IS will be available in rear and all-weather drive versions seen in the IS 250, IS 350, F SPORT and the IS 300h which is the first IS to feature Lexus Hybrid Drive. The F SPORT will be available across the range.

“The all-new IS kicks it up a notch with true sport sedan driving dynamics, state of the art onboard technologies, and an all-new design that makes it look fast even when it’s standing still.” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.

Lexus IS – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The rear and all-weather drive versions of the Lexus IS 250 are powered by a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine and the IS 350 features a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. The IS 300h, which will employ the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, is based on a newly developed 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine. No other technical information has been provided. ??The IS adopts the Drive Mode Select system which offers up to four switchable drive modes including ECO, NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT S+. These modes optimise vehicle systems to suit the driver’s preference for fuel economy, comfort, performance and handling characteristics.

Exterior Styling Features

The exterior of the Lexus IS exposes a double wishbone front suspension system revised to offer a 20 percent increase in sway rigidity. The strong horizontal beltline shows off the large rear tires and a powerfully articulated headlamp cluster design with Lexus’ trademark L-shaped Daytime Running Lights located below.

The F SPORT announces its presence with an exclusive spindle grille that incorporates a bolder insert design. The bottom corners of the front bumpers feature aerodynamic detailing to provide enhanced brake cooling. Unique 18-inch wheels feature a Y-spoke design inspired by the LFA and interior trim detailing includes an F SPORT steering wheel and shift knob while aluminum pedals and scuff plates bear the Lexus logo.

F SPORT models benefit from Electric Power Steering (EPS), Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) which is also available on the IS 350.

Interior Styling Features

On the inside, the Lexus IS features a clean, strong horizontal theme bisected by the strong upward sweep of the centre console. The newly designed driver’s seat offers greater comfort and lateral support, with a lowered angle of the new LFA-inspired steering wheel and seat hip point. The steering reach has been increased, creating a driver focused seating position.

Refined materials throughout the cabin are complimented by a high quality analog clock with surface emitting illumination. The climate control system incorporates Lexus’ first electrostatic switches, which enable vehicle occupants to adjust temperature settings with the touch of a finger. Other interior features include new standard lockable 60:40 split/folding seats.

All Lexus IS models are equipped with the next-generation Lexus Display Audio or Remote Touch-controlled Navigation multimedia systems that provides industry-first complimentary real-time traffic and weather information delivered without a subscription through HD Radio Technology. Also, the new steering wheel is the first on a Lexus to coordinate multimedia system control with both the meter cluster and center console displays.

There is no current indication when the Lexus IS will become available in South Africa.

Dakar Rally comes to a halt after heavy rain on Day 11

Rivers swollen by heavy rains came down in flash flood on Wednesday and prevented competitors from completing the special stage 11 of the Dakar Rally between La Rioja and Fiambala in Argentina. Organisers were forced to halt the already shortened 190km special stage with Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz in their Imperial Toyota Hilux leading at the 110km mark.

De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz unlucky in Dakar Rally

To the disappointment of De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz, race officials declared the stage results as per the positions at the earlier CP1 (Control Point 1) at the 67km mark, giving the win to Americans Robbie Gordon and Kellon Walch in a Hummer ahead of Ronan Chabot and Gilles Pillot of France (SMG Buggy) and Argentinian duo Lucio Alvarez and Rolan Graue (Toyota Hilux).

De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz had to settle for a disappointing fifth place ahead of race leaders Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret (Mini). De Villiers, in attack mode, took the lead ahead of Gordon and Peterhansel shortly after the CP1. De Villiers’ intention was to use the notorious Fiambala stage to close the gap to Peterhansel and increase his 16 minute advantage over the third-placed Russians Leonid Novitskiy and Konstantin Zhiltsov (Mini). De Villiers almost succeeded, and then the flood waters came.

Toyota Imperial South Africa team manager Glyn Hall said, “Giniel started slowly to protect the tyres in the rocks but once in the big dunes Dirk gave perfect direction and Giniel kept an accurate heading. When the race was stopped he had reached waypoint 11, 110 km into the special, 10 minutes ahead of the field and 16 minutes faster than Peterhansel.”

De Villiers commented, “It’s a pity what happened today, because we were first on the road, we’d passed Robbie and Stephane. It was not a lucky break for us.”??The top three positions in the general classification are as follows:

1. Peterhansel/Cottret (Mini) – 29 hours 7 minutes 25 seconds

2. De Villiers/Von Zitzewitz (Toyota Hilux) – +51 minutes 59 seconds

3. Novitskiy/Zhiltsov (Mini) – +1 hour 26 minutes 40 seconds

Dakar Rally – Stage 12

Thursday’s stage 12 will take place between Fiambala and Copiapo in Argentina. The competitors will cross the Andes Mountains from east to west via the Paso de San Francisco and return to the Atacama Desert which should pose a major challenge. The major sections of dunes are situated right in the middle of the 319km special stage. There are ‘cathedral’ dunes to climb and deep basins just as big. There are also tracks with lots of stones. Stage 12 starts at 5:08 PM (SA Time).

To read the previous stage’ writeup, click the link below

Dakar Rally Day 10

New Fiat Designs at Detroit Auto Show

New Fiat designs are being showcased at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show which hint at the design potential of the Fiat 500 line-up with two new design concepts namely the Fiat 500 Cattiva and the Fiat 500 Tenebra. The Fiat 500 Cattiva is based on the Fiat 500 Turbo while the Fiat 500 Tenebra is based on the Fiat 500 Abarth.

New Fiat Designs add flare to range

Fiat 500 Cattiva?

The Fiat 500 Cattiva concept adds more excitement and style with its turbocharged engine, vibrant Rame (copper) exterior colour and contrasting Nero accents giving it a twin-colour appearance. Drawing inspiration from the Fiat 500 Sport and Turbo models, the 500 Cattiva features Nero Chrome exterior accents, Gloss Nero headlamps, tail lamps and parking lamp bezels and a sport tuned suspension with unique 16-inch satin dark grey painted aluminum wheels. To give the 500 Cattiva a distinctive bi-colour look, the roof and lift-gate spoiler are painted Gloss Nero.

The interior features a Nero environment with leather sport seating and a unique Matte Nero instrument panel. A Nero leather-wrapped, sport-designed steering wheel is hand stitched with Argento (silver) stitching and there is a matching manual transmission gear lever. For high performance sound, an exclusive Beats Audio system is included.

Fiat 500 Tenebra

With inspiration from the Fiat 500 Abarth, the exterior of the Tenebra design concept is finished with a matte Grigio (grey) paint giving it an individual look. Like the Cattiva it also features Nero (black) Chrome exterior accents, Gloss Nero headlamps, tail lamps and parking lamp bezels, but with lightweight 16-inch Hyper Nero Chrome Abarth design aluminum wheels.

The signature Abarth bodyside stripe and mirror cap are grey and remain glossy for added contrast. A Gloss grey, roof-sized Abarth “Scorpion” logo delivers an unmistakable look and adds a bold finishing touch to the exterior design.

The interior of the Fiat 500 Tenebra features unique Abarth front performance seats with racing harness and are finished in Nero leather with grey piping and accent stitching. The signature Abarth flat-bottom steering wheel and instrument-panel cluster brow are all finished in Nero leather with grey piping and accent stitching. For an authentic look, carbon fibre with a matte finish spans the width of the instrument panel. The gear lever and parking brake handle are glazed in grey accent stitching.

Adding a high-definition music experience, the segment exclusive Beats Audio system is standard and includes six premium speakers, an 8-inch dual-voice coil (DVC) subwoofer with a trunk-mounted enclosure and 8-channel amplifier with Beats Audio’s proprietary digital sound processing (DSP) algorithm.

New Porsche Cayenne Turbo S shown at 2013 Detroit Auto Show

Porsche sold more sports cars globally in 2012 than ever before. In 2012, 141 075 customer deliveries were made, an increase of 18.7% compared to the 2011 record of 118,868 vehicles sold. This year, Porsche is celebrating a new member of their SUV family at the Detroit Auto Show, the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

New Porsche Cayenne Turbo S – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability?

The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre engine that produces 410kW and accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds while reaching a top speed of 281km/h. The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S is equipped for maximum dynamic performance with the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and the Sport Chrono package as standard. .

Styling Features

The exterior styling is distinguished by front air intakes and rear-view mirror trim painted in high-gloss black. Standard 21-inch 911 Turbo ll wheels with coloured Porsche badges complement the overall design while the dual twin-tube sport tailpipes and high-gloss black accents are exclusive to the Cayenne Turbo S.

Interior colour combinations include black and red with red stitching or black and beige with beige stitching. Carbon fibre elements further enhance the dynamic interior. ??The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S can be expected in South Africa in the first half of 2013.

Jeep Altitude Compass Limited Edition in South Africa

The Jeep Altitude Compass Limited Edition is available in South Africa. The ‘Altitude’ name was derived from a competition following the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee concept vehicle at the Houston Motor Show in 2012 where more than 100 000 Jeep enthusiasts entered and ‘Altitude’ emerged as the winning name.

??Jeep Altitude Compass – Special Features

The limited edition Jeep Altitude Compass continues the ‘from-the-factory’ customised look first seen in the Grand Cherokee concept shown last year and features a Compass trademark seven-slot Jeep grille and headlights finished in black gloss surrounds. Black roof rails and a black step pad add to its unique features. The limited edition Jeep Altitude Compass rides on exclusive 18-inch black gloss aluminium wheels.

Other notable features include power heated exterior mirrors, heated seats, Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), electronic roll mitigation, Hill Start Assist (with manual transmission) and side-curtain airbags that cover all rows.

The Jeep Altitude Compass is available in Bright Silver, Black, Tungsten metallic and Bright White. Only 199 Jeep Altitude Compass units will be available locally.

Jeep Altitude Compass – Price

Jeep Limited Edition Altitude Compass (Manual) R295 490
Jeep Limited Edition Altitude Compass (CVT) R302 490

Giniel de Villiers holds second place at 2013 Dakar Rally?

Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz consolidated their overall second place standing after finishing the difficult 353km special stage 10 between Cordoba and Rioja in Argentina in fourth place in their Imperial Toyota Hilux on Tuesday.

??Leaders widen gap?? between Giniel de Villiers and von Zitzewitz

Defending champions Stephane Peterhansel and Jean Paul Cottret of France (Mini) extended their lead over De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz to 52 minutes 38 seconds after finishing third on the special stage. Giniel De Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz however cemented their position by extending their lead over Russians Leonid Novitskiy and Konstantin Zhiltsov who are placed third, to just over 16 minutes.

The South African/German duo started the morning in fourth and got caught in the dust of Americans Robbie Gordon and Kellon Walch (Hummer) but De Villiers was content to defend his second place position and not risk it all trying to pass the Americans.

Giniel de Villiers had the following to say, “After our exciting Monday we enjoyed a comparatively quiet day today. It was a good feeling, particularly as tomorrow sees us head into the dunes around Fiambalá. Although we were slightly hampered by Robby Gordon’s dust today, we are pleased we managed to extend the gap to third place. It gives us a useful cushion between us and the next car.

”??Dirk von Zitzewitz commented, “We are extremely satisfied with today. Navigation was comparatively simple, so we were able to drive consistently through the stage. We know the 11th stage to Fiambalá well, so we are very optimistic, and aim to post another good performance on Wednesday. We also have a good starting position (fourth), which makes it a lot easier.”

Dakar Rally – Stage 11

Wednesday’s special stage from La Rioja to Fiambala is relatively short covering a distance of 217km, sandwiched between a 256km opening liaison section and a 6km link to the overnight bivouac. This stage is the most feared stage on the Dakar and has been a significant day in each of the editions since the rally moved from Africa to South America in 2009. The stage includes forestry sections and some very fast stretches before reaching the big white dunes of Fiambala and later a labyrinth of canyons and dry river beds leading towards the end of the stage. Maximum concentration will be required by both driver and co-driver with tempretures expected to reach 40 degrees Centigrade.

The cars start Wednesday’s stage at 4:53PM (SA Time).

To read the previous days coverage click the link below:

Dakar Rally stage 9

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible unveiled

The world’s fastest four-seat convertible, the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible  has been unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The Continental GT Speed Convertible combines supercar performance with the thrill of open top motoring.

Dr.Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley said, “The new Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible is a truly breath-taking Grand Tourer, promising supercar performance and high end luxury, with the added thrill of open top motoring. This unveiling maintains our position as the largest producer of high-end luxury cars in the world, with our market share continuing to grow.”

Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible sets the bar high

Engine Capability

The Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine that delivers an impressive 460kW with a maximum torque figure of 800Nm. This powerful engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel drive system that accelerates the GT Continental Speed Convertible to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds while reaching a top speed of 325km/h. ?Fuel efficiency has been improved by up to 15% and the Continental GT Speed Convertible has a combined fuel consumption figure of 14.5-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 347g/km.

??Exterior and Interior Styling Features

The Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible features a matrix radiator grille and bumper air intakes in a dark-tint chrome finish. Exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels are available in silver or optional dark tint. Large elliptical exhaust tailpipes feature a ‘rifled’ interior.

On the inside, the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible features the Mulliner Driving Specification as standard which blends contemporary luxury with a distinct sporting character. The seats are adorned in distinctive diamond-quilted hide upholstery. The infotainment system features Bentley’s latest software upgrades and includes point of interest mapping, optional satellite landscape imagery, live traffic data and digital radio. Also included is 15Mb of music space and the ability to play music using an iPod, MP3 player, CD’s or an SD card.

The Bentley Continental GT V8 is also currently on display at the Detroit Auto Show and is powered by a new 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine that produces 373kW with a maximum torque output of 660Nm. Both models are capable of driving more than 800km on a single tank of fuel.

Audi RS 7 Sportback expands lineup at 2013 Detroit Auto Show

The Audi RS 7 Sportback unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show is the new member of the RS line up. The new Audi RS 7 five-door coupe features aesthetic design with innovative technology and impressive sportiness.

Audi RS 7 Sportback set to impress

Engine Capability

The Audi RS 7 Sportback comes complete with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre TFSI V8 engine that produces 412kW at 5 700 and 6 700rpm with a maximum torque figure of 750Nm available at between 1750 and 5500rpm. This engine is mated to a standard 8-speed tiptronic transmission with shift paddles.

The Audi RS 7 Sportback sprints from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. In the standard configuration, the top speed limit is 250km/h while with the optional dynamic package the top speed is limited to 280km/h. If the dynamic package plus is chosen, the RS 7 will reach a top speed of 305km/h. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 9.8litres/100km.

Exterior Styling Features

The exterior features include standard polished 20-inch forged lightweight wheels in a seven twin-spoke design with optional 21-inch cast wheels available in a choice of three designs. Four internally vented discs feature a weight saving wave design and offer notable braking power while black painted six-piston callipers which are optionally available in red, grip the discs. Carbon fibre ceramic discs with anthracite gray callipers are offered as an option.

Distinctive bumpers and a high gloss black protective grille with honeycomb structure at the front give the Audi RS 7 Sportback a sporty edge to its flowing coupe design. The body comprises 20% aluminium and includes many parts made of high-strength and ultra high-strength steels. The rear-end features a power extending spoiler, a diffuser and two large elliptical tailpipe trims for the exhaust system.

Other optional features include exterior mirrors with carbon fibre housings, all-LED headlights with tinted designer trims and a front centre air inlet that sports a quattro badge, all part of two styling packages – matt aluminium and carbon.

The Audi RS 7 Sportback is available in ten exterior colours including the new shade Nardo grey and the exclusive Daytona grey in matt effect.

Interior Styling Features

Elegance is carried over inside with dial instruments in black faces, white scales and red needles. A 3-D RS 7 logo in the tachometer is a further accent and the steering wheel is in a flat-bottomed three-spoke leather design. The illuminated door entry sills and driver information system also sport RS badges. The footrest, pedals and soft keys in the standard MMI navigation plus terminal have an aluminium look finish while the trim below the retractable monitor sports a piano finish.

RS sport seats feature side bolsters, integrated head restraints and RS 7 logos. They are covered in a combination of black Alcantara and leather, and the centre sections feature diamond quilting. The seats can also be covered alternatively in high-grade, honeycomb quilted Valcona leather in either black or lunar silver. The two rear seats are powerfully contoured and luggage capacity ranges from 535 to 1 390 litres depending on the position of the rear seat backs.

Standard and Optional Features

Carbon inlays are standard with four additional materials available as options. Included in the list of standard equipment are xenon plus headlights, a tire pressure monitoring system, the parking system plus, three-zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control and the Audi sound system. High-end options include a head-up display, a comfort package, dynamic package and the dynamic package plus.

Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept debuts in Detroit

The Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept has officially been unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. The VW Passat Performance Concept hints at Volkswagen’s efforts to explore the sportier side of the Passat sedan.

Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept gets sporty

Engine Capability

The Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept is fitted with a modified 1.8-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder, direct-injected TSI engine that produces 184kW and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features?

The Passat Performance Concept is differentiated by a dual exhaust, 19-inch ‘Luxor’ alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights including AFS (Advanced Front Lighting System), LED taillights and carbon applications on its mirror caps.

The inside features carbon-like touches that dominate the dashboard which match the carbon-style inserts on two colour leather seating surfaces and complements the black headliner and side pillars. A lowered sport suspension and electro-mechanical steering enhance the handling of the Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept.