2011 Subaru Forester Revealed

Details for the 2011 Subaru Forester have been releasedand while there aren’t any sweeping changes, the updated model lineup improves on what is already a solid vehicle. The 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X models are receiving a new engine but the horse power is remaining the same, albeit at a lower rpm. As always the apparent number one concern of all car manufacturers the world over, fuel economy, has been addressed and improved in the 2011 Subaru Forester.

2011 Subaru Forester – Features

The top Subaru Forester model will be the 2.5XT Touring which will replace the previous top model, the 2.5XT Limited. There are additional perks on some of the new models that include: Blue-Tooth hands free kit, CD player, 6 speakers and Ipod control capability, all of which are completely useless to a Forester driver, who will probably be using their Subaru to career through a treacherous mountain-pass carrying a massive amount of logs and raw material.

The changes for the 2011 Subaru Forester model are nothing to write home about as it remains much the same. There are a few other additional changes but nothing to attract a new buyer, if you wanted a Forester, chances are you already have one.

Ford Figo 1,4 Ambiente (2010) Driving Impression

Until very recently, shopping for a budget car meant either buying an archaic “reinvented” oldie, or a very small supermini from a relatively unknown brand. But times are changing, and a car that is at the forefront of this change is the Ford Figo, the brand’s new entry level contender. Made in India, and based on the previous-generation Fiesta, the Ford Figo is a well-priced contender that could lure many first-time buyers into the Ford stable. But has the de-speccing of Fiesta resulted in a car that is too obviously cheap, or has Ford managed to retain its iconic B-segment hatchback’s sparkle?

Ford Figo looks more expensive than it is

Transforming the Fiesta into the Ford Figo has thankfully not resulted in a cheap-looking car. In fact, quite the opposite is true. There’s a new front-end that now incorporates Ford’s latest “Kinetic” design language and a few other minor changes, but most people will identify the Ford Figo as a Fiesta. This is not a bad thing, because the Fiesta was still a crisply styled, good-looking car at the time of its replacement. Even in Ambiente form the Ford Figo retains a lot of colour coding, and the black door handles and mirror housings do not cheapen the appearance. Even the plastic covers of the 14-inch steel wheels manage to look like upmarket alloys.

Similarly, Ford has managed to retain much of the Fiesta’s appeal in the cabin. The basic architecture is the same, but it does without the smart soft-touch upper facia panel, for example. All the plastics are hard to the touch and quite shiny, but the build quality is reassuringly solid. And at least there’s still some design flair – the round ventilation outlets remain and there are some gunmetal plastic trim pieces to break the monotony of black. The instruments, too, are simple but very neat. This is a car that manages to look more expensive inside than it really is.

Being based on a previous-generation B-segment champion has other advantages, too. The Ford Figo is more spacious inside than the A-segment rivals priced at around the same level, which will especially benefit those seated in the rear. The boot, too, is bigger than most at this price level – it measures 284 L. Pity the rear seat can’t be split 60/40 when folding… In front, the driver’s seat doesn’t offer height adjustment, but the set position will be acceptable to most drivers, especially because the steering wheel can, surprisingly perhaps, adjust for height.

Given the price positioning, Ford has been aggressive with the standard specification. Most important – because this car could be bought by many inexperienced drivers – is the standard fitment of dual front airbags and ABS with EBD. But it also gets power steering, air-conditioning, a radio/CD player with auxiliary support, central locking and a rear demister and wiper. Sure, you have to wind the windows manually but that’s pretty much as good as you’re going to get at this price.

Willing Engine

The Ford Figo weighs only 1 070 kg, so it doesn’t need a great deal of power to move around. The 1,4-litre 16-valve engine under the bonnet seems to be more than up to the task. It delivers 62 kW and 127 Nm of torque and, while neither figure is particularly impressive, the engine is keen to rev and remains smooth when doing so. Coupled with a slick five-speed transmission that also feels very robust, the little engine powers the Ford Figo to 100 km/h in 13,1 seconds, but it feels faster, especially around town. The top speed is nearly 170 km/h. As the Ford Figo is mostly likely to do duty within the confines of the city or town environment, its nippiness and refinement will be widely appreciated. Fuel economy is also good, with a figure of 6,6 L/100 km actually being achievable with a little bit of concentration.

Finally, there’s the matter of dynamic ability. The Ford Figo has a head start in this department seeing as it makes use of the underpinnings of an old class champion – the Fiesta was always a fun car to drive. Its spirit lives on in the Ford Figo, because the keenness to change direction, the good body control, supple ride and precise steering are all still present. Combine these attributes with the willing little engine and slick gearbox, and you’ve got an entry level car with superior ride and handling. In fact, it towers above its price rivals…

Ford Figo – Verdict

If you’ve read this far, then you’d have realised that the Ford Figo is incredibly hard to fault. There are smaller cars at the same price that maybe pack a few more features, but they’re all compromised in terms of packaging and driving enjoyment. At the same time, Volkswagen’s Polo Vivo, the spiritual replacement for the iconic Citi, looms large in the Figo’s sights, but we feel the Ford has the edge. It offers a far more comprehensive standard package and is much more fun to drive. Ford is going to do very well with this one!

We like:

• Upmarket looks
• Cabin comfort
• Quality
• Standard specification
• Safety features
• Fun to drive
• Value

We don’t like:

• Single-piece folding rear seat

Fast Facts:

Engine: 1,4-litre, four-cylinder, petrol
Power: 62 kW @ 6 000 rpm
Torque: 127 Nm @ 4 000 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Wheels: 14-inch steel
Top speed: 169 km/h 0-100 km/h: 13,1 seconds
Fuel economy: 6,6 litres/100 km

Source: www.um.co.za

Also consider:

• VW Polo Vivo 1,4 Base: More expensive and it lacks ABS and a sound system as standard. Still, the Vivo appeals because it comes across as a more upmarket product, courtesy of its Polo facia and excellent build. But the price gap is too big.

• Chevrolet Spark 1,2 LS: New on the market and quite impressive. It combines funky looks with very good interior packaging as well as a good standard features list that includes the required safety items. The boot is a mite small, though.

• Hyundai i10 GLS: A very popular choice with good reason. The i10 offers neat, inoffensive styling, a surprisingly upmarket cabin environment, and reasonable specification package, but it lacks safety features. Pity.

Support The Sunflower Fund with Cars.co.za

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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.

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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.