Lexus is launching its new luxury compact UX crossover in South Africa this week. Herewith specification and pricing details…
The Lexus UX is the new kid on the block in the compact crossover segment and it will rival the likes of the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and the Volvo XC40.
The new Lexus UX is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine with 126 kW and 205 Nm of torque and mated with a CVT driving the front wheels. This engine will be offered in the entry-level EX grade as well as in range-topping F Sport guise. Fuel consumption for both these derivatives is claimed at 6.1 L/100km.
The UX 250h SE hybrid derivative sits in the middle of the range and it also makes use of a 2.0-litre petrol engine in conjunction with an electric motor to develop total outputs of 107 kW and 180 Nm of torque and is equipped with a specially-designed CVT. Fuel consumption for the UX 250h SE is rated at 4.5 L/100km.
Standard Features
The Lexus UX will be offered with generous specification as standard. Look out for our impressions this week!
Standard specification appears to be generous, even for the base-spec UX 200 EX. Key features include LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, electric/heated side mirrors, 2-way adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual zone climate control air conditioning, wireless smartphone charger, cruise control, 10.3-inch infotainment system with integrated navigation and Bluetooth functionality, an 8-speaker sound system and front and rear park distance control with a reverse camera, to name but a few.
The UX 200 F Sport gains LED Adaptive High Beam headlights, 18-inch F Sport alloy wheels, F Sport scuff plates, a 3-spoke F Sport steering wheel, F Sport leather seats with 8-way adjustment, 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, remote touch interface, F-Sport instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control and a surround view camera. This derivative also adds Blind Spot Monitor and Lane Keeping Assist. The UX 250h SE follows the specification of the UX F Sport but minus the F Sport-specific details.
The UX is equipped with 8 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, stability control with traction control and tyre pressure monitoring. Load capacity is claimed at 272 litres.
We will be driving the new Lexus UX at its launch in Cape Town this week, so look out for our impressions coming your way soon. See pricing details below.
Lexus UX – Price in South Africa
UX 200 EX – R599 000
UX 250h SE – R699 000
UX200 F Sport – R726 200
The Lexus UX is sold with a 7-year/105 000 km warranty and a 7-year/105 000 km maintenance plan.
The world’s third most popular vehicle becomes a TRD.
Toyota has revealed a more adventure focussed version of its new RAV4, rather unimaginatively called the RAV4 TRD Off-Road.
This TRD RAV4 is not meant to become a Fortuner rival of sorts, but rather a slightly more confident high-speed gravel traveller. Styling is remarkably similar to the standard RAV4 in Adventure trim, but there are some slight mechanical revisions which justify the TRD Off-Road billing.
Although ground clearance remains unchanged from a factory all-wheel-drive RAV4 at 218 mm, this TRD derivative has better suspension components, designed to absorb harsh gravel road pothole strikes and corrugations at speed.
The RAV4 TRD Off-Road’s shock absorbers have been re-valved to provide superior ride quality on unmaintained roads and new suspension bump stops improve wheel travel, which means you should hear less of an audible ‘thump’ when rolling over – or through – an unexpected road feature at speed.
Toyota’s aim was most certainly not to create a rock-crawling RAV4, but rather one which is superbly comfortable at high-speed dirt road touring.
Distinguished by a slightly restyled grille insert and red TRD logos present in the cabin, this is a derivative which could make a lot of sense to those Toyota RAV4 owners who are dedicated backroad explorers.
A surprise reveal at this week’s Chicago auto show is from Subaru.
As Arctic conditions envelop the northern United States, it made for a poignant environment to reveal new product from the brand which established its reputation by providing honest all-weather motoring solutions.
The car in question is the seventh generation of Subaru’s large sedan, the Legacy, which rides on an all-new platform. Subtle styling hides a structure which is claimed to be 70% stiffer torsionally and 100% more twist resistant around the front axle – hence the promise of superior steering response, compared to the previous Legacy.
Inside, the new sedan’s cabin architecture is dominated by Subaru’s 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, which is vertically orientated – in a manner similar to Volvo’s Sensus system.
Subaru’s all-wheel-drive sedan cars might be niche purchases in a segment dominated by traditional German offerings, but this Legacy is noteworthy for debuting a new engine development – one the brand is desperately in need of.
Powering the new Legacy is a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, which boosts 194 kW and 375 Nm. Those are tidy numbers and should offer a vastly improved driving experience, although the only transmission option is a CVT auto. This new 2.4-litre engine is the first turbocharged powerplant offered in Subaru’s Legacy since 2012 and will headline the range, with a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated flat-four powering more affordable models.
As a sedan, you’d expect decent boot-space too and thanks to some slight design revisions, the new Legacy can accommodate 427-litres worth of luggage.
Subaru South Africa has yet to decide whether to offer the new Legacy in South Africa.
Volkswagen USA has used the 2019 Chicago Auto Show to show off its 2019 Jetta GLI. Featuring the same engine as the Golf GTI and brakes from the Golf R, the new Jetta sadly isn't coming to SA, but it's certainly nice to look at.
"Volkswagen has long been synonymous with small, sporty cars," said Scott Keogh, CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "The redesigned 2019 Jetta proved once more that its combination of design, technology and value continues to resonate with buyers. The 2019 GLI takes the Jetta foundation and adds performance features from the Golf GTI to give buyers a true sport sedan."
Built on the same MQB platform which underpins many Volkswagen Group product, this new Jetta GLI sits a little lower than a standard Jetta, giving it a sporty stance. There are LED projector headlights with daytime running lights at the front which combine well with the black honeycomb grille and red detailing. Upon closer inspection, you'll see brakes from the Golf R with red callipers wrapped in 18-inch rubber.
In terms of power, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the same 2.0-litre turbo motor as the Golf GTI. For those wish to know, it's the direct-injection EA888 TSI. It produces a tidy 170 kW and 350 Nm, and power goes to front wheels via a standard 6-speed manual transmission. The option of a 7-speed DSG auto is available. There's also an all-around independent sport suspension.
Sadly, as cool as the new GTI-powered Jetta is, there is no right-hand drive production available so it will not be coming to South Africa.
Mazda has updated its CX-5 family car with specific specification updates across the range. See what’s changed below…
The Mazda CX-5 has received a mild round of updates across its 8-derivative lineup. In terms of specification, all CX-5’s are now equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard.
Other new interior details include a new air-conditioner panel pattern while the door and window dials now feature chrome accents. The commander dial and volume controls have also been redesigned.
On the outside, CX-5 Active derivatives now ride on 17-inch wheels with a new colour while the CX-5 Dynamic derivatives are fitted with newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels. The specification for the range-topping Individual derivatives remains unchanged.
A total of 3 engine choices are on offer including a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine with 121 kW and 210 Nm while a larger 2.5-litre petrol engine with 143 kW and 257 Nm is offered in all-wheel-drive guise. A 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with 140 kW and 450 Nm is also available in either front or all-wheel drive guise.
Buyers also have the choice between a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmissions.
Mazda CX-5 – Price in SA
CX-5 2.0 Active – R398 300
CX-5 2.0 Active auto – R410 500
CX-5 2.0 Dynamic – R423 900
CX-5 2.0 Dynamic auto – R436 100
CX-5 2.2DE Active – R482 600
CX-5 2.0 Individual – R493 700
CX-5 2.5 AWD Individual – R557 900
CX-5 2.2DE AWD Akera – R586 100
The Mazda CX-5 is sold with a 3-year/unlimited km warranty and a 3-year/unlimited km service plan.
A slick self-shifting diesel Qashqai is finally in the offering.
Nissan has announced a mechanical specification upgrade for its indomitable crossover. The company’s popular Qashqai has thus far only been marketed globally with either a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT) option.
In the local product portfolio, Qashqai only offers the above-mentioned two transmissions options, between its blend of 1.2-litre turbopetrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel engines. The diesel Qashqai is only available with a manual – which can be a touch inconvenient to drive in stop-start traffic.
The latest news from Nissan headquarters is that those interested in a diesel Qashqai with dual-pedal driving convenience in traffic, but who wish to do without the lack of responsiveness which often afflicts small capacity engines and CVTs, finally have a seven-speed option.
Late last year Nissan introduced a 1.3 DiG-T version of its Qashqai to select markets. This 118 kW engined crossover was the first Qashqai to benefit from a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission upgrade. Now, Nissan is expanding this option globally to its 1.5 dCi Qashqai – an engine derivative which is already available in South Africa.
Probability of this sharper-shifting diesel Qashqai becoming available to local buyers? Considering the 1.5 dCi engine has been on sale in South Africa for some time, unlike the 1.3 DiG-T (which is currently unavailable here), there is every likelihood that Nissan’s popular diesel crossover could soon be a lot more comfortable to drive in Sandton traffic.
In a crossover market where buyers are increasingly choosing self-shifting transmissions, instead of being burdened with swapping gears themselves, Nissan finally has a trump card of its own to play.
Isuzu gave its local bakkie line-up a rejig late last year and also adopted the international D-Max moniker. With improved specification levels, slight design tweaks and, most importantly, a new 6-speed automatic transmission to go with its highly competitive pricing, can the D-Max fend off the competition for a few more years while an all-new version is under development?
We like: Reputation for reliability, standard spec, high-value pricing, good cruiser, off-road ability
We don't like: Lazy, gruff engine; lacks a few modern touches
Some Isuzu dealers regularly offer specials: Have look here.
The King of Chrome: the easiest way to distinguish the D-Max from its KB brethren is by its elaborate chrome-look grille.
Where does it fit in?
The Isuzu KB has an enviable reputation in South Africa as a reliable, rugged bakkie and now that the brand is free from the bureaucracy of General Motors and steers its own ship, the Japanese marque appears to be reinvigorated with frequent updates and even an all-new model (the Mu-X adventure SUV). Late last year it made another round of changes to the trusty KB and decided to adopt its international nomenclature: D-Max.
Underneath the updated styling and extra features the D-Max remains the KB we know and (mostly) love, but it's no spring chicken… Nevertheless –and even though it competes in a fierce market against the likes of the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger – it has managed to carve itself a sizeable niche between these top-sellers and the lower volume (newer) competitors such as the Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara. It has done so by appealing to those who crave a no-nonsense, trusty machine that can fulfil work and leisure roles equally effectively. But can the latest round of updates ensure it ongoing strong sales while we wait for the all-new D-Max (co-developed with Mazda), which will likely launch in 2020?
The cabin has aged well and the addition of a 9-inch touch infotainment screen (optional), as well as upgraded trim, is welcome.
It's one of the oldest tricks in the book… Once a vehicle has fallen behind the best in other areas, its manufacturer just increases the standard specification to improve the old warhorse's showroom appeal. With the latest D-Max, the approach is similar. While the list price makes the D-Max one of the most affordable "flagship" Leisure Double Cabs, it still manages to compete with the more modern offerings on features fitted.
The standard infotainment system is an 8-inch unit that also doubles as the rear-view camera display. Should you wish to upgrade to the 9-inch Alpine system, as featured on our test unit (including navigation), that'll cost R14 000 extra. We appreciated the 2 USB outlets in front, particularly as one of them is of the fast-charging variety. Another USB port is provided for rear passengers.
Rear legroom is competitive and the D-Max offers a manually sliding rear window as well.
Single-zone climate control is part of the deal, as are cruise control and a 6-way electrically adjustable driver's seat. Of course, the usual items such as power steering, remote audio control and electric windows all round (the driver's window was very slow on our test car, however) are fitted, but there are also a couple of nice surprises – leather upholstery is standard and the rear window can slide open. You also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control. Considering the likely usage pattern, the standard fitment of a heavy-duty tow hitch is also a boon.
Two items we did miss, however, were automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.
On the safety side, the LX Auto features 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and stability control (with trailer-sway control). In addition, ISOfix rear child-seat anchors are fitted, as are rear parking sensors and a reverse-view camera.
Still handsome
At its core, the D-Max (previously known as the KB) is one of the older bakkies on sale in South Africa, but regular updates have kept it looking fresh. Finished in "Pull Me Over Red" our D-Max drew plenty of admiring glances. The revised grille, with its chrome fins that now extend into the headlamps, gives it a menacing look. The headlamps are Bi-LED units (with daylight running lamps) and front foglamps are fitted. In LX specification, the D-Max comes standard with striking 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as black side steps, roof rails and a stainless steel sportbar.
The D-Max offers two glove compartments with the upper one being cooled.
Inside, Isuzu has been similarly clever when upgrading the ageing architecture's look. The use of piano black surfaces and leather on the fascia cubby, for example, do much to create an impression of luxury. It's also still very much in the game when it comes to comfort and convenience.
The seats proved comfortable on longer journeys (and off-road), and rear legroom is generous. A number of storage solutions are offered in addition to the door pockets – the storage box between the seats is generously sized, there is a secondary glove compartment (cooled) and another lidded box on top of the fascia (with a sticky opening mechanism on our test unit).
Off-road ability
Solid off-road performance has always been one of the Isuzu's strengths and this D-Max is no different. Isuzu claims a ground clearance of 220 mm, which appears to be conservative compared with what some rivals are claiming. We didn't experience trouble with scraping or bottoming-out when using the D-Max off-road during the December holiday period in the Southern Cape. Of course, one has to mind those side steps when driving over obstacles. A minor criticism is that we'd have liked the hill-descent control to keep the speed even lower for greater drive peace-of-mind.
Isuzu has never claimed to be as accomplished in off-road conditions as its rivals, but the D-Max is more than capable on the rough stuff.
Shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive is accessed through a rotary dial on the centre console. The standard fitment of a rear diff-lock will be appreciated by many, as are the engine sump- and transfer case guards. A wading depth of 600 mm is claimed, which should be sufficient for most folks. The Isuzu may not quite match the Ford Ranger or Volkswagen Amarok for general ride quality, but it's not far behind, especially in terms of on-road comfort.
What's not so good about it?
Gruff engine
The long-serving 3.0L turbodiesel engine may offer unburstable reliability, but compared with rivals it is lacking in grunt and refinement.
The D-Max's 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine has been in service for quite a while. On paper, the big 4-pot powerplant still competes well, with a power output of 130 kW and torque rated at 380 Nm from 1 800 to 2 800 rpm. A big change is that the engine is now mated with a new 6-speed automatic transmission, instead of the 5-speeder that did duty before. The change is welcome – the D-Max is now a quieter cruiser in its higher gears and the first gear is quite useful at slow speeds in the rough – but it can't completely hide the inherent gruffness of the engine, nor its comparative lack of refinement. The D-Max is a rough-sounding vehicle most of the time, and the power doesn't come as freely as in some rival vehicles.
Still, the D-Max does offer a segment-competitive 3 500 kg towing capacity (braked), provided maximum vehicle mass does not exceed 2 500 kg. It has a 945 kg payload rating. In terms of fuel efficiency, the D-Max is also competitive. Isuzu claims a combined cycle figure of 7.8 L/100km and we achieved a figure of closer to 9.6 L/100km, which compares well with those of its competitors.
Have a trailer? Will tow. The D-Max's 3 500 kg braked towing capacity is still competitive compared with those of newer bakkies.
Pricing and Warranty
The D-Max 3.0 TD LX 4×4 Automatic is priced at R606 400 (February 2019) without options. This makes it significantly more affordable than some of its newer rivals and, at the same time, the Isuzu matches or betters those competitors on specification. It is also worth noting that Isuzu dealers offer specials rather often, so shop around and compare… The D-Max also comes with very solid backing, including a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and 5-year/90 000 km service plan. Servicing intervals are at 15 000 km/12 month intervals.
Verdict
There remains a lot to like about the Isuzu D-Max. It offers a pretty-much full-house package at a significant saving over its direct rivals, and does so while offering considerable peace-of-mind ownership – not only because of its excellent warranty and service plan, but by virtue of its inherent, proven robustness. That said, the Leisure Double Cab game has moved on considerably, and while the addition of a 6-speed automatic is welcome, this facelift has not addressed the main area of criticism: its gruff engine. Undeniably reliable it may be, but rival vehicles offer smoother, more relaxed cruising and greater responsiveness. Then again, our Ownership Survey shows Isuzu owners like the way their bakkies drive, so loyal Isuzu customers won't be deterred. Finding new customers, particularly those used to the smoothness of rival offerings, may, however, be more difficult.
Otherwise, the D-Max is much like the KB that preceded it – a tough vehicle that seems well-suited to regular use off the beaten track, but one which offers enough comfort to also potentially be a daily driver. Right now, however, its most powerful selling point is its very competitive pricing. If you can live with a vehicle that feels slightly old-school in the way it "gets down the road", then the D-Max remains a solid buy.
The 2020 BMW M3 has been spotted testing again and this time, it's a step closer to production. Here's what we know so far.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
The iconic BMW M3 is arguably the Bavarian manufacturer's flagship performance car. Now in its 7th generation, the G20 M3 has yet to be officially revealed. Rumours suggest that an official reveal will happen around September this year, making a Frankfurt Motor Show debut likely.
What you're seeing here is a less camouflaged test mule out on the roads of Munich. The headlights and taillamps look production ready, as do the exhausts. We are expecting a sharp-looking rear diffuser too. Under the skin, we're expecting the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder, but with substantial revisions. Power and torque will increase, and to be fair they'll need to jump substantially to match its rival from AMG. We reckon that around 350 kW should do it!
There's an interesting school of thought doing the rounds which suggest that the xDrive all-wheel-drive system (like the BMW M5) will make its debut in the all-new BMW M3. This will upset many purists, but there's also news of a potential entry-level "Pure" model which will feature rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
Watch this space as the all-new BMW M3 is on its way.
Here's what our in-house artist reckons the new M3 could look like.
The Department of Transport's latest strategy document outlines a big push for more sustainable and greener forms of transport. However, it also appears motorists will be targeted in the forms of scrapping regulations, congestion charges, licence fees based on vehicles' CO2 emissions and mandatory roadworthiness tests every 3 years…
The document was loaded onto www.transport.gov.za and is titled "Green Transport Strategy for South Africa: 2018-2050". The Department of Transport's strategy focuses on more than just passengers cars: there are initiatives to reduce emissions across the rail, aviation and maritime sectors too. The comprehensive strategy document is quite long, but we've analysed and pulled out the key items that will affect you, the motorist.
While a reduction in vehicle emissions across the national transport network is a core focus, there are also factors such as the country's road infrastructure, which is under strain due to the sheer volume of vehicles on our roads. The Department of Transport has said that it wishes to change the existing model from commercial road transport to rail as well as getting private vehicle users to switch to public transport. The proposed new levies and taxes, or adjustments to the taxes we currently pay (for annual licencing, for example) are of most direct concern to vehicle owners.
Interestingly, there's an encouraging section on electric vehicles, in which the Department of Transport recognises the advances in technology and that these low- or zero-emission vehicles should be recharged via renewable energy, and potentially work as back-up power sources to homes. There's good news too, as the Department of Transport wants to offer OEMs incentives to sell and manufacture affordable electric cars in South Africa, for both export and domestic use. However, the market for EVs is tiny at the moment, so the proposal is very much with an eye to the future.
Green Transport Strategy for South African vehicles
Car lifespan changes: The Department of Transport has suggested that a car with an engine mileage of more than 400 000 km should be scrapped or banned from the road.
Heavy truck time restrictions: A potential situation where heavy freight/cargo vehicles like trucks can only enter urban hubs during off-peak hours.
Congestion tax: This is a stinger as so many people drive into the cities to get to work. The Department of Transport says it will follow international best practice, following the example of cities like London, which charges motorists to drive their vehicles within its centre.
Environmental tax: There's currently an environmental levy (CO2 tax) and the plan is to apply this tax to commercial vehicles too.
Annual license: Taxing of cars will be based on emissions and every 3 years, a vehicle will need to be tested for exhaust emissions and roadworthiness.
Emissions standards: The SA rating for emissions is Euro 2, but there'll be a push for stricter emissions standards… like Euro 5.
While the intentions are admirable, there are numerous questions about, and potential problems with, this strategy. The Department of Transport is trying to get people out of their cars and into public transport and, at this point, we ask ourselves: "What public transport?"
The current Transnet-managed rail service is in disarray, both in terms of passenger service and cargo transportation. MetroRail in the Cape Town region is notoriously unreliable and unsafe. Given the sheer volume of people who need to get to work, we don't think there's enough capacity to get them out of their cars and taxis, even if they did want to make the switch. We hope that the Department of Transport does a lot of research into what's actually happening on the ground and experiences the dire public transport system for themselves, before rolling out unworkable plans.
The Department of Transport's strategy wants to get trucks off the road and move cargo across the country using the rail system. However, the rail network needs work too.
Thanks to this Jimny conversion kit, that work sabbatical or mid-afternoon nap has just become a whole load more plausible.
Suzuki’s boundlessly popular new Jimny has swiftly established a cult following everywhere, and in its home market, there is a feverish demand to convert these all-conquering little 4x4s into campers.
Size is both the ultimate strength and weakness of Jimny, with its compact dimensions allowing unrivalled manoeuvrability in technical off-road terrain, but also constraining the capability to sleep in one.
Measuring only 3.6m bumper-to-bumper, conventional wisdom grades Jimny as way too small to function in the role of a true Safari style camper. Don’t discount the ingenuity of Japanese industrial designers, who have been building innovative stowage solutions to fit in the smallest of spaces for decades.
The latest Jimny’s camper solution comes from Car Centre Takai – a camper conversion specialist based in Kasaoka. Its innovative mattress system is expandable with all seats folded, to provide a bedding solution for two occupants up to 1.8m in length. Comprising three parts, the mattress system stows in a stacked formation when not in use, piled on top of the folded rear seats.
Shaped and crafted to fit exactly along the Jimny’s cabin contours, there’s no folding and scuffing of corners with Car Centre’s sleeper kit. All the edges fit exactly against Jimny’s cabin architecture, with a triangular cut-out to work around the manual gearbox’s shifter and tailgate pillars.
There’s also the convenience of a drop-down cupboard section, stove and window covers – which can either insulate the cabin and block-out light, to facilitate daytime sleep. Car Centre Takai’s Jimny sleeper conversion trades for R9 600, excluding import taxes.
