Support The Sunflower Fund with Cars.co.za

Cars.co.za is getting behind a worthy cause and raising money for The Sunflower Fund.

Simply “Like” our Facebook page and we will donate R1 to The Sunflower Fund for each person that joins (up to a maximum of R20 000). This drive will last for a month, ending on November the 14th 2010. Join us today and do your bit to show your support. Every click helps!

The Sunflower Fund aims to educate and recruit a viable source of well-informed potential bone marrow stem cell donors who are ethnically diverse, in an effort to save the lives of those needing a transplant when suffering from life-threatening blood disorders. It strives to maintain the associated donor records of the South African Bone Marrow Registry.

Click here to visit The Sunflower Fund website

To find out more information contact the Sunflower Fund on 0800 12 10 82

Aston Martin Cygnet begins production next year

It’s not every day that Aston Martin give the go ahead for production of anything other than a supercar but times change and Aston Martin intend to change with them. To this end, the Aston Martin Cygnet, which debuted in March as a concept car, has just been given the green flag to begin production in 2011.

Aston Martin Cygnet is a urban dweller

The Aston Martin Cygnet is being billed as a compact luxury vehicle designed with city-driving in mind. Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez notes that “Our customers need a small car for urban and city use, and they want the right tools for the right job, to downsize creatively without compromising intelligence, artistry and personality.” Aston Martin mention that because of its size, at 3m long, the Cygnet is able to slot into small parking spaces, find gaps in traffic and like most compact cars, maintain impressive fuel efficiency all the while keeping CO2 emissions to a minimum.

Time will tell just how well the Cygnet will be able to compete with other compact cars currently in the market and what exactly Aston Martin mean by “Luxury”, a term not always associated with compact cars. The other obvious issue is the cost of the Cygnet, if Aston Martin add in too many luxuries and the cost climbs, they will have missed the point of a compact car. Aston Martin are not new in the car game, so it is likely they will get it right.

I can’t imagine James Bond will be trading in his DB9 for a Cygnet any time soon but I think it will slot in perfectly into the compact car market.

Kia Sportage 2,0 4×2 (2010) Driving Impression

Kia’s decision to appoint ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer as its head designer is already paying dividends, that much is clear from a quick walk-around of the latest – and let’s be clear, very sexy – Kia Sportage. It is not often that a vehicle in this category attracts so much attention, and judging by the overwhelmingly positive response to the newcomer during its time with us, the good looks are likely to translate into good sales. But does that make it a good car, or is the Kia Sportage merely a pretty face?

A VERY pretty face for Kia Sportage

As is to be expected, the Kia Sportage shares much under the skin with its Hyundai cousin, the ix35. But you’d never say it by looking at the two vehicles, even when parked right next to one another. This is not to say that the ix35 is an unattractive vehicle, but merely that the Kia is so bold, so individualistic and so appealing, that the Hyundai fades into the background.

The Kia Sportage with its muscular presence has much to do with its narrow side glass area and the well-defined edging of the sheet metal, but Schreyer and his design gang have also worked hard on the details. The headlamps, complete with striking LED detailing, represent a party trick that the public appears to love, and the subtle use of chrome accentuates rather than overpowers the design. Oh, and then there are those large alloy wheels, of course, which do well to give the Kia Sportage a visual “lift” that disguises the fact that the ground clearance is a relatively poor 172 mm.

Spacious, plasticky cabin

To a large degree the same attention to detail is evident inside, where the Kia Sportage boasts considerable flair. The facia may be largely constructed from hard black plastics, but at least much of the dashboard “looks” soft. Highlights include particularly sporty instrumentation with a very deep-set centre dial (speedo), and a very neat control panel, finished in piano black, for the dual-zone climate control system. Whereas the backlighting is of a cooler blue tone in the Hyundai, the Kia’s more aggressive, sporty character is reinforced by the predominantly red lighting.

Just like its Hyundai sibling, the Kia Sportage boasts very impressive rear legroom, which comes courtesy of a relatively long wheelbase. Headroom is good too, and the boot is, at 740 litres in size, capable of swallowing more items than the ix35’s, yet still features a full-size spare (on an alloy rim) under the boot board. The rear seat is split 60:40 and can fold to accommodate larger items.

As is to be expected from a Korean manufacturer, the standard specification list reads like a fairytale. Included in the price are leather upholstery, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, auto lights, power folding mirrors, the aforementioned dual-zone climate control, a radio/CD player with remote audio controls and auxiliary and USB support, cruise control, six airbags and rear park distance control… the list goes on.

What is lacking, however, is reach adjustment for the steering wheel – a failing shared with its sibling. And just like the Hyundai, the driver’s seat also doesn’t adjust low enough. The result is that some taller drivers may not be able to quite achieve the ideal driving position.

Not so fast…

This version of the Kia Sportage is powered by a 2,0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine that delivers 122 kW and 197 Nm of torque. The power figure is certainly nothing to be sniffed at, but unfortunately the reality is that this engine does not quite deliver the expected performance. Yes, grit your teeth and rev it hard, and you may well be able to sprint to 100 km/h in 10,4 seconds, but it’s not a pleasurable exercise, primarily because the engine lacks refinement, becoming quite coarse and loud at higher engine speeds. But that’s not all… There is a comparative dearth of torque at low revs, a five-speed gearbox that doesn’t deliver the slickest of gear shifts, and a clutch that “takes” far too suddenly, too. All of this combined result in a car that is not particularly easy to drive smoothly, and which can become tiresome around town. In these conditions you’ll also struggle to match the 8,7 L/100 km fuel consumption figure.

Better on the open road

Thankfully the Kia Sportage is significantly better outside of the confines of the city. Boasting the same multi-link rear suspension design as the ix35, the Kia Sportage nevertheless feels different on the road, with less of the harshness exhibited by the Hyundai at low speeds. Out on the open road, cruising at near the speed limit, the Kia Sportage is a pleasure to be in – the cabin has all the toys, there is ample space for passengers and their baggage, and the suspension deals well with corners, bumps etc. It is also at this kind of speed where the engine feels at its best, even exhibiting some overtaking grunt.

Kia Sportage – Verdict

In addition to its good looks and long specification, the Kia also offers a five-year warranty and service plan for added peace of mind. Consequently the Kia Sportage is a very appealing offering that will undoubtedly lure many first-time Kia buyers into the brand’s ownership circle. While some of the irritations are annoying – especially the lack of reach adjustment for the steering wheel and the coarseness of the engine – we suspect many buyers won’t care and fall head-over-heels in love with the look of the car. See what we mean about having a top-notch designer on board?

We like:

  • Good looks
  • Standard equipment
  • Spaciousness
  • Long warranty


We don’t like:

  • Gruff, unwilling engine
  • Bouncy ride


Fast facts

Engine: 2,0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol

Power: 122 kW @ 6 200 rpm

Torque: 197 Nm @ 4 600 rpm

Transmission: Five-speed manual

Wheels: 16-inch alloy

Top speed: 184 km/h

0-100 km/h: 10,4 seconds

Fuel economy: 8,7 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

  • Hyundai ix35 2,0 GLS: The Kia’s sibling is already a top-selling vehicle and it’s easy to see why. The standard features list is long, the warranty and service plan comprehensive, and the cabin spacious. The low-speed ride, however, is a trifle too firm, and the steering lacks reach adjustment.
  • VW Tiguan 1,4 TSI Trend & Fun: The Tiguan is a firm South African favourite, and not without reason. The Tiguan is a more compact vehicle than its main rivals, but the cabin space is nevertheless very good. And while it can’t match the Koreans on specification, it is arguably the more comfortable car overall, partly due to its superior suspension set-up, and also because it boasts a better driving position.
  • Renault Koleos 2,5 4×2 Dynamique: A surprisingly good first-ever compact SUV from Renault. Developed from the solid underpinnings of the Nissan X-Trail, the Koleos offers superb MPV-like packaging, great perceived quality, and lots of features.

VW Passat BlueMotion sets economy run world record

The VW Passat BlueMotion is a long distance traveler it seems. The number of kilometers that you can squeeze out of a tank of fuel is becoming a huge draw for new and used car buyers, not that fuel economy of a vehicle is a new thing, it’s just a lot more of a concern these days. To this end we have fuel economy runs, to see just what these vehicles are capable of, assuming the vehicles mpg rating is not a good enough indication.

VW Passat BlueMotion impresses with long range traveling

On one such run that recently took place, a Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion set a new Guinness world record for the longest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel for a standard passenger car. The VW Passat BlueMotion traveled from Kent to the South of France and back, a total of 1562 miles, or roughly 2457km, an incredible feat. The Passat BlueMotion was the standard model 1.6 liter TDI and traveled at an average speed of 72km/h.

Volkswagen attribute the Passat BlueMotion’s impressive fuel economy with the following factors: Aerodynamic modifications to the bodywork, lower ride height, Stop/Start technology, programmed battery charging, longer gearing and low rolling resistance tyres. These features are also available in the VW Golf BlueMotion and Polo BlueMotion.

To ensure that everything was legit, the vehicle was trailed by two AA patrolmen to accredit the record. The fuel tank was completely drained and then filled with 77 liters of standard forecourt diesel. For this economy run, the vehicle ran at a ridiculous 89.83 miles per gallon, which is significantly higher than its official combined figure of 64.2mpg.

Well done to the guys at VW for creating such an economical vehicle and credit must also go out to the driver for having the patience to drive at such a slow speed for the 3 days it took to complete this economy run.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento debuts in Paris

When Lamborghini debut a new vehicle, even if it is only a concept vehicle, there isn’t always a need for any kind of write-up when you have imagery this stunning. This is the concept for the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento from the Paris Motor Show. The naming of this latest Lambo stands for “Sixth Element” which is a taken from the period table of elements, where Carbon is classified as the sixth element, which is a nod to the fact that the car is made largely from carbon-fiber.

Carbon is the key element for Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

This brings us to the most fascinating and impressive feature of the new Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, the use of advanced carbon-fiber in its construction. With Lamborghini spending many years of development on the subject of strong, light-weight materials to be used in the construction of their vehicles, the Sesto Elemento comes out with a seriously impressive light weight. The Sesto has an overall curb weight of just 999kg which is a lot lighter than other Lamborghini models, like the Gallardo which weighs in at over 1500kg.

This translates to an incredible power to weight ratio, allowing the Sesto Elemento to churn out some rather astounding figures. The engine pumps out 570hp with a power to weight ratio of just 1.75kg per hp. And according to Lamborghini; this means that the Sesto Elemento completes 0-100km/h in a break-neck 2.5 seconds. Fuel economy is another feature which is boosted thanks to the vehicles light weight, an overall technological improvement due to the carbon-fiber and carbon fiber-reinforced plastics.

Lastly the styling, this is always an iffy subject as everyone has hugely varying opinions when it comes to supercars looks. The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento looks like the combination of the Bat-mobile and a Transformer, while still retaining that iconic Lambo-look and it’s great!

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback debuts in Paris

Chevrolet were not always the big brand in South Africa that they are today, only recently have they started to compete with the other top manufacturers in the South African car market. Their recent success is due to many different factors but two of the main components are the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevrolet Spark which are great cars and have helped drive the brand onto South African roads. That and some seriously impressive marketing campaigns, especially for the Spark, which seems to be advertised everywhere these days. It makes sense then, that Chevrolet will produce a hatch model of the increasingly popular Cruze, which will target a different segment of the market.

Chevrolet Cruze explores Hatchback territory

Hatchback’s are popular the world over and in Europe represent 65% of the compact car market, which has over a quarter stake in the total car market. Figures for South African roads are likely similar, with South African’s love of anything with a hatch-back, and usually a VW symbol to go with it. The Chevrolet Cruze hatch maintains many of the styling elements of its sedan predecessor and will therefore retain the same recognizable look that the brand has established.

At the moment the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback is still just a concept as it debuts at the Paris Motor Show. The car will go on sale around Europe in mid 2011 and fingers crossed will hit South African shores shortly after. Check back closer to the time for pricing and availability in South Africa.

Win a R5000 online shopping spree!

The Cars.co.za and edreams.co.za competition is currently underway and a winner will be drawn at the end of October. Up for grabs this time around is a R5000 edreams.co.za gift voucher, letting you go on the online shopping spree you have always wanted!

Choose from a range of electronics, watches, games, jewelry, appliances, sporting equipment and a whole lot more, the choice is up to you! Head over to the competition page to enter by following the link below, answer the easy question, validate your email address and you are in!

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New Volkswagen Passat in South Africa

Volkswagen are a massive brand world wide and their appeal is not lost on South African drivers who seem to love anything with the VW logo on it, so it’s a sure bet that the release of the new Volkswagen Passat will have a lot of people smiling. While the Passat model is nowhere near as popular as the Polo or Golf, it does fit into a somewhat different niche, catering to a slightly older more discerning driver. As with many other Volkswagen vehicles, the Passat has a long history, with the model spanning 37 years of production and endless kilometers up and down South Africa’s roads.

New Volkswagen Passat gets new styling and gadgetry

The 7th generation Passat has undergone a completely revamped look and styling, with a new front grille element and horizontal chrome fins finished at the front, with the back featuring distinctive rear tail lights and subtle chrome highlights. Inside, the new Volkswagen Passat is decked out with new seats, which can be set to heating or cooling and just to top it off, they have a massage function for the driver and front passenger seat. Another clear indication that the Passat definitely caters to a different customer compared to that of the Golf, Polo and Scirocco.

Under the hood, the new Volkswagen Passat comes with a range of petrol and diesel engine options as one would expect. With the most efficient of the lot being the 1.6 liter TDI, which when combined with VW’s BlueMotion package that includes; aerodynamic modifications and start/stop and battery regeneration, all come together to enable the Passat to hit a combined fuel efficiency of just 68.8mpg and a CO2 emission rating of just 109g/km.

You expect the Passat to be fitted to the max with safety features, and this rings true for the 7th generation model. First on the list is an optional “City emergency breaking system” which applies the brakes (only if the vehicle is traveling below 18mph) if an unavoidable collision is detected in front of the vehicle. In the same way, if the system detects a collision from the rear, it will automatically accelerate in an attempt to avoid the collision. Another rather cheeky safety feature comes in the form of an optional fatigue sensor, which monitors the driver’s inputs and lets the driver know if the system believes the driver should take a break. Time will tell just how accurately this feature performs.

And lastly, if there was any doubt as to who VW was targeting the new Passat at (read: Shopping moms), here is the final clue: as long as the Passat is equipped with keyless entry, the driver, who is carrying the key fob, can open the boot by a simple foot movement aimed at the rear end of the vehicle. VW note how this is a “useful function when your hands are full”, subtle Volkswagen, very subtle!

Look out for the new Volkswagen Passat early next year.

New Citroen C4 Picasso revealed

The new Citroen C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso receive a welcome update for 2010. As with seemingly all new cars coming out at this time, the updated C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso models will make their debuts at the up coming Paris Motor Show, which is just around the corner. The new models receive updates to their engines, enhanced levels of equipment and new styling, as well as always focusing on reducing CO2 emissions and increasing fuel efficiency, of course.

New Citroen C4 Picasso styling revised

As far as the looks are concerned, the New Citroen C4 Picasso has chevron design on the front grille and tailgate, the bumper has also been updated and the headlights and rear lights have also been changed. As an option, the Picasso can be fitted with a “Black top” option, which means that the door handles, door mirrors and alloy wheel center caps receive a glossy onyx black paint finish. A few other sections also receive this splash of paint should you go with this option but it all seems a little unnecessary as I imagine most people buying the vehicle will do so for its utility and for commuting families around and would have little need for an optional styling extra.

Improved Fuel Consumption

The fuel economy on the new Citroen C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso has been improved largely thanks to Citroens new e-HDi micro hybrid technology. This technology incorporates a second generation start/stop system, an e-booster system that restarts the engine in just 0.4 seconds, a reversible alternator that recovers energy during breaking and a 6-speed EGS transmission. All these features combine to reduce the Picasso’s fuel consumption by up to 15% in built-up urban driving conditions. Which brings the new Picasso’s fuel economy rating to 58.9mpg and a CO2 emissions rating between 125g/km and 132g/km.

The new Citroen C4 Picasso will be available in the UK from the 1st of October, check back for further information regarding a South African release date.

New Range Rover Evoque Revealed

Land Rover have released full information about their highly anticipated new Range Rover Evoque ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show. Land Rover are punting the Evoque as being the lightest, most fuel efficient and the smallest Range Rover that they have ever produced. For a company that is not used to making vehicles of this size, it will be interesting to see just how well the Evoque compares to similar vehicles in its class.

New Range Rover Evoque brings excitement to compact SUV segment

Land Rover are focusing on a whole segment of the market which they previously ignored in the premium compact Sports Utility Vehicle range. That’s not the only case though, as Land Rover mention they are focused on producing vehicles that have reduced CO2 emissions and are more economical in order to have less of an impact on the environment. It’s something of a pleasant change as Land Rover vehicles tend to be quite thirsty.

We previously wrote about the Evoque when the news first became available, so it’s nice to now have the full spec of information, including all the juicy bits. The Evoque comes with a 2.0 liter Si4 turbo charged six-cylinder engine capable of 240bhp and yet Land Rover maintain that its fuel efficiency is equal to that of a 4 cylinder engine. Further helping with fuel efficiency, the transmission is a 6 speed automatic.

Land Rover Terrain Response system means that the new Range Rover Evoque comes equipped to handle all-weather and all-surface conditions much like its larger siblings. This is achieved through the all-wheel drive system which comes as standard. It constantly allocates varying amounts of torque to the front or back wheels to achieve optimum grip and balance in tough conditions.

The new Range Rover Evoque goes on sale world wide in the fall of 2011 and it should fit in perfectly in the market of Land Rover enthusiasts in South Africa.