BMW Steers Digital Car Revolution [w/Video]

Regular Cars.co.za contributor (and seasoned motoring journalist) Calvin Fisher provides some insight into the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology found inside the new BMW 3 Series, which was revealed at the Paris Motor Show last week…

While sitting at a table across from Dieter May, the Senior Vice President of Digital Services for BMW, I am trying to conceal my disappointment. This is the man charged with steering the Bavarian brand into the future, but after some prying, he's just admitted to me that he's not really into science fiction. As someone who's into space flicks and the like, it hurt to hear that Mr May is instead a self-titled "product guy" and, as such, is all about optimising a system's user experience. So no Minority Report style human interfacing for now, but that's not to say the BMW Personal Assistant in the new 3 Series doesn't represent several steps in the right direction. 

It's a voice-activated artificial intelligence, much in the same vein of the one that only recently begun doing service in the products at a rival marque, MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience, as featured in the new A-Class). The reason for this is simple; much like navigation systems and automatic transmissions, outsourcing of components is key to staying competitive in the automotive marketplace. And while the systems in both (with its Microsoft brain) is developed out-of-house, BMW's own engineers turn theirs into what it is now, a wholly-BMW-programmed item that functions much in the way a Google Home or Amazon's Alexa does.


The BMW 3 Series features voice-activated artificial intelligence that's expected to develop rapidly in the near future.

So, no carefully recited commands such as, "set temperature to 26 degrees in the passenger seat". Simply say, "Hey, Mona Lisa, I'm cold," from the front passenger pew and it will handle the rest. And yes, on our demo of the new system, the 3 Series was named Mona Lisa, but you'll have the opportunity to give it a name of your choice: Maggie Thatcher, Angela Merkel, Victoria Beckham, Cher – whatever you fancy.

Lighting, navigation, media – you have control over it all by simply speaking to your car. BMW’s officially moved from the traditional voice command systems of the past into the world of free-form dialogue. It understands more, your intent specifically. But in the firm's own words, this is just the first version – the beginning.

And, if you believe that we've already begun down the road to autonomy (and I firmly believe we have), it's nice to have a partner, even if it's a digital one. We're already on the cusp of "Hey Sabine, let's cruise at 120 kph, thanks", so how long until it's followed up with "and take me home," too? Dieter feels we're close, and grows considerably more excited when he expands on his vision for digital services. “This is an opportunity for us also to really get to know our customers, to have access to them, their desires from our vehicles, their habits. The Personal Assistant is our newest and best touch-point with them.” 

Planes, Cars, Phones and such

"Eleven months, that's how long it takes before there's a new one of these," Dieter says as he raises his iPhone. "For us (car manufacturers) it's closer to 4 years. And that's just a facelift." We spend some time discussing this, how rapidly technology moves in the realm of smartphones and how the motor industry is a dinosaur compared with the personal electronics market; a big ship that's slow to change course. Indeed, step into the cockpit of a Boeing 737 (as an example) and you'll be greeted with a cabin featuring instrumentation that looks 30 years old, which is, again, prehistoric by comparison. It makes you wonder if the airline's insistence on us keeping our phones off during flight isn't born out of spite more than anything else… 

The future is now-now


The new BMW 3 Series is expected to arrive in SA in March 2019. 

With the Smart Assistant, BMW can roll out updates quicker than ever before, claiming that “even directly after launch there’ll be the next level of functionality to roll out.” And that’s all very exciting, but we’re already quite fascinated by how organic the conversation has become. Again, you can hardly refer to it as a simple (do this, do that) response to commands or prompts anymore, as we run through examples such as – “navigate me to Place A, I’d like to fill up on my way there, and what’s the weather like when I get there? Also, I’m hungry.” The dash area is now cleaner than its ever been, and with the advent of a Smart Assistant, I can’t help but wonder how long it will be before our cabins will be completely bereft of any buttons. 

For now, the voice system only caters for the front occupants (not really a problem in something like the new Z4, obviously), but you can expect more functionality when it arrives in something larger like an X5 – eventually rolling out to all 3 rows of seats and of course, greater control over even more facets of driving. Add to this the fact that, like your phone – software (firmware) updates and upgrades will be performed over the internet, no dealership visits required, essentially a remote service upgrade. 

Easter Eggs

You know how the Germans are world-renowned for their sense of humour? Here’s just one example when we told our 3 Series demo that we were bored. Mona Lisa’s response? “I can’t imagine that. Maybe you haven’t had the chance yet to try Sport Mode?” before promptly activating said mode for me, as well as displaying the sports telemetry across the dashboard screen. Smart. And we’re told there are many more of these gems to be discovered…

Buy a new or used BMW 3 Series on Cars.co.za

Related Content:

New BMW 3 Series: This is it

The new BMW M340i: Your budget-friendly M3

BMW 3 Series (2019) International Prototype Drive

Classic Drive: BMW 325iS "Gusheshe" & 333i

Ford EcoSport 1.0T Trend Auto (2018) Quick Review

The revised Ford EcoSport recently arrived in South Africa. The improvements over its predecessor are significant, but given the stiff competition in the compact family car segment, they needed to be. Does the Blue Oval deliver? We put the newcomer to the test.

We like: Cabin space, practicality, connectivity, lively performance, better spec

We don't like: Some minor interior quality issues

Fast Facts

  • Price: R306 900 (October 2018)
  • Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol
  • Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
  • Fuel economy: 6.3 L/100 km (claimed)
  • Power/Torque: 92 kW/170 Nm

SERIOUS ABOUT BUYING?

Where does it fit in?

Back when it was launched in 2013, the EcoSport was quite the revelation. Ford took what we knew and loved about hatchbacks and applied them to a raised body baby SUV. As South Africa's small crossover craze gained momentum, the EcoSport soared… sometimes, as many as 1 000 units were sold a month. It's also critical to note that there were few competitors back then, making Ford one of the early trendsetters in this (now) ultra-competitive segment. Fast forward to 2018 and the market is now flooded with rivals from many manufacturers. It is key, then, that the new Ford EcoSport carry the baton and continue where its popular predecessor left off.

Also Read: Ford EcoSport: (2018) Specs and Price


Even though it is not marketed as an offroad vehicle, the 206 mm of ground clearance proved useful on some rocky dirt roads.

What's good about it?

Performance/Efficiency balance


We're glad to see the spare wheel being kept outside the car. It adds to the visual appeal and frees up more luggage space.

Powering the Ford EcoSport is the tried-and-tested 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. It's quite far along in its lifespan, yet continues to impress with its in-gear punchiness and outright power despite its small capacity. It's completely understandable why the motor has bagged so many category wins in the World Engine of the Year Awards. In this latest EcoSport, it's tuned to deliver 92 kW and 170 Nm, with power going to the front wheels via an all-new 6-speed automatic gearbox. 

Although there's always a discrepancy between claimed and real-world fuel economy (as it appears on the trip computer), experience has shown derivatives powered by this diminutive EcoBoost engine really struggle to match Ford's claimed figures. However, things have improved and we put this down to the new transmission. Whereas Ford claims a 6.3 L/100 km on the combined cycle, we found ourselves averaging under 8 L/100 km, with the majority of our driving taking place on the open road.

Good standard specification


Android Auto means you have access to Google Maps and more

One of the key changes in the latest-gen EcoSport is the overhauled cabin. The infotainment setup has been replaced by an all-new Sync3 unit straight from the Ford parts bin and we simply adore its interface. Not only does it boast Android Auto/Apply CarPlay compatibility, but you can actually utilise your phone's features in the car, like Spotify music streaming and vitally, Google Maps, making the need for navigation redundant. There are 2 USB ports located in the centre console (with which you can charge devices, for example) and we appreciated the fact that these are illuminated, so it is easier to figure out where you should plug in our smartphone et al.

There are also nice convenience features such as rear parking sensors, front fog lights, tyre pressure sensors, a cooled glovebox and remote audio toggles on the steering wheel (but cruise control is reserved for the Titanium derivative). Shift paddles are also availed, but we preferred leaving the transmission to shift gears automatically. Meanwhile, safety is an avenue in which the Ford EcoSport has been improved considerably – it now features 7 airbags, as well as stability control.

Ride comfort & off-tar ability


These alloy wheels are a nice blend of ride quality and sportiness. Note the car is a touch firm on the more coarse gravel roads.

In this segment, ease of use is critical and we're happy to report that the revised Ford EcoSport is a pleasantly simple to drive and manoeuvre around town. The perky compact engine and automatic transmission work well together. In terms of ride quality, the newcomer rides on 16-inch alloy wheels in Trend specification, which offers a nice blend of comfort and agility. The suspension is reasonably damped for South African roads, but those who want to venture off the tarmac (from time to time) will find the suspension a touch firm when traversing really rutted roads. The ground clearance of 206 mm helps immensely though and makes up for the lack of all-wheel drive.

The steering follows the same pattern as the majority of players in the segment. It's not the most direct and there's not much feel, but it is light enough and offers enough weighting to instil confidence. As we expected, the EcoSport does tend to roll a little when you're pressing on, but this is par for the course for small crossovers; there is little amiss in terms of the Ford's general road holding. Overall, refinement is fair (given the price tag), although we did encounter some wind noise at highway speeds.

Practicality

When images of the all-new EcoSport were released, we were worried that the trademark spare wheel on the back had been dropped. Thankfully it wasn't (for the South African market) and this is great for 2 reasons. Firstly, the spare wheel on the EcoSport's tailgate gives it a nice butch appearance and secondly, the absence of a 'wheel in the luggage bay means there's more loading space for your detritus. Ford claims a capacity of 333 litres and, when you fold the seats down, 705 litres is available. 


Ford EcoSport boasts a generous luggage bay, which can carry enough supplies for a long weekend away.

Where does it fall short?

Unfortunately, build quality was not one of the Indian-made previous EcoSport's strong points. However, this revised EcoSport is sourced from Ford's Romanian factory and only the entry-level derivative is built in India. While quality has improved both inside and out, there are still a few bits of shoddy workmanship. Our test unit had some loose rubber trim along the bottom of the doorframe and upon inspecting other new EcoSport demo units we noted similar issues. Look, at this price point, it's not a dealbreaker, but when you consider how well the Fiesta is assembled, it's puzzling to see (especially considering that the Fiesta and EcoSport share the same platform). 


The 2nd generation of Ford's EcoSport has benefitted from over 2 300 new parts and the cabin (Titanium trim shown) feels more upmarket.

Pricing & Back-Up

The Ford EcoSport range starts from R267 500 (for the 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine in Ambiente spec). This Trend Auto retails for R306 900, while the asking price for the flagship Titanium Auto is R346 900. All versions come standard with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 4-year/60 000 km service plan, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.

Verdict

It may only be an updated version of a car that we know well, but this EcoSport really moves the game on for the segment. Not only has the number of onboard features and the array of safety equipment improved dramatically, but it retains all those little traits that made it such a popular model. The range is diverse too, with the option of manual and automatic, as well as petrol and diesel. We think going the automatic route will take away the stresses of driving in commuter traffic and given its more-than-fair specification, we regard the Trend a better value-for-money proposition than the top-spec Titanium, which is a finalist in its category of the 2018/19 #CarsAwards. 

What's more, the EcoSport is more capable than you'd expect when it comes to travelling on gravel and there's just enough interior and loading space for it to qualify as a near-ideal small family car, although rear legroom at the back is admittedly not the greatest for full-sized adults. Ford claims that 2 300 parts have been changed on this new EcoSport and if our experience of the vehicle during its tenure in our test fleet is anything to go, this new version will continue to sell in respectable numbers. 

Alternatives (click on the names for detailed spec info)

Renault Duster

The Duster follows the example of EcoSport… It's been extensively revised, so much so that it feels like an all-new contender. There's a focus on more features without losing any of the traits that endeared itself to us. The Duster is a popular vehicle and we expect the new one to be just as good.

Hyundai Creta

Hyundai facelifted its Creta compact family SUV recently. It offers petrol and turbodiesel options and is arguably better suited to families thanks to a bit more space.

Toyota C-HR

The most stylish of the lot, this Toyota sacrifices space in favour of looks. As great and modern as it looks, its load bay lags behind the best of this squad.

Honda HR-V

Honda South Africa has tweaked its HR-V compact SUV in an effort to keep pace with the segment. We've yet to drive it, so we can't pass judgment on it yet.

Compare the Ford EcoSport to these rivals here

Looking for a new / used Ford EcoSport to buy?

Find one on Cars.co.za today by clicking here

Toyota Corolla Hatch (2019) in SA soon

The eagerly-anticipated new Toyota Corolla Hatch(back) will be launched in South Africa in early 2019. With its eye-catching styling and sophisticated packaging, this important C-segment contender now has a distinctly different personality to its sedan sibling. Here's what you can expect from the new range:

The new Corolla Hatch is built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, which also underpins the Prius hybrid and C-HR compact family car. So, apart from having a lower centre of gravity, a new multi-link rear suspension, 60% stiffer body and improved weight balance, the new Corolla is 40 mm longer, 30 mm wider (therefore generally more spacious) and 25 mm lower than its predecessor.


The new Corolla Hatch's rear aspect is dominated by the distinctive LED tail light clusters. Note the sporty bumper and tailgate spoiler.

The new Corolla Hatch will arrive on the local market in early 2019, to follow closely on the heels of its recent introduction in Australia (whose derivatives are pictured here). But whereas the range Down Under includes 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol (with peak outputs of 125 kW and 200 Nm), as well as range-topping hybrid derivatives, we understand that the local line-up is likely to kick off with the 85 kW/185 Nm 1.2-litre turbopetrol engine from the C-HR, which will be followed by the 1.8-litre (Atkinson Cycle) petrol-electric version, replete with advances in engine, electric motor and battery technologies.

New CVT transmission

The standard 6-speed manual ‘box is said to feature rev-matching technology, while the automatic option will be a new Direct Shift continuously variable transmission that offers a 10-speed sequential shift mode, a mechanical launch gear and 3 driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport.


The elaborate grille treatment, replete with a chrome surround strip, gives the hybrid version impressive road presence.   

Although the sharp-ended, low-slung styling and hunkered stance of the Corolla Hatch need no introduction – the 5-door variant has generated much excitement since its Geneva Show reveal – some exterior features that are worth noting are LED headlights with tail lights (the former with and daytime running lights), front and rear fog lamps, heated electric exterior mirrors and 16-inch alloy wheels, possibly going up to 18-inch units in top-spec versions.

The future-forward interior of the Corolla Hatch is, however, its biggest revelation… It’s fitted with wider, more comfortable seats trimmed in either fabric, leather or a combination of the 2 (spec dependent), and its slick slimline fascia includes an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display (yes, apparently the newcomer's native system will be offered on SA-spec vehicles) and instrument cluster with a full-colour 4.2-inch multi-info display. Whereas manual air-con, power windows and door bins with bottle holders (front and rear), an electronic parking brake, USB and auxiliary audio inputs, a 12V accessory socket and 60/40-split rear seats will be standard, higher-spec models could feature dual-zone aircon and smart entry and start.


The new Corolla Hatch's fascia design is unfussy and characterised by a large infotainment screen and instrument cluster. Note the standard electronic parking brake.  

Some of the top-end features that have been offered on the new Corolla (to reiterate, they’re not yet confirmed for our market) are a wireless charging pad, a 7-inch multi-info display (with analogue and digital display options), LED ambient lighting as well as a head-up display!

Safety spec relative to local market

The various Toyota Safety Sense features on the Australia-spec newcomer, including the pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active cruise control, lane trace, -departure warning and -centring with steering assist and road-sign recognition technology, are not feasible for the SA market. But, we anticipate that local Corolla derivatives will feature a full complement of airbags (front, knee, side and curtain), a reverse-view camera, ISOfix child restraint anchors, ABS with brake assist, vehicle stability control and, hopefully, active cornering control.

When the new Corolla Hatch comes to market in early 2019, it will most likely be backed by a Toyota Service Plan for 6 services/90 000 km with the option to extend through Toyota Genuine Extended Service Plan. Further product details will be revealed at the vehicle’s official launch.

Detailed product overview video

Related content:

New Ford Focus: 5 Ways in which it could beat VW's Golf

Ford Focus (2018) International Launch Review

Peugeot 308 (2018) Specs & Price

Spy Shots: Volkswagen Golf 8

6 New Hatchbacks to Consider in 2018

Interested in buying a new/used Toyota Corolla?

Find one today on Cars.co.za by clicking here

The new BMW M340i: Your budget-friendly M3

With the reveal of the new BMW 3 Series done and dusted, attention now turns to derivatives. While the mainstream models are of consumer interest, we found a tasty model that is sure to keep the petrolheads happy before the G20 generation BMW M3/M4 arrives. Meet the M340i.

There has never been a bridging model in the BMW 3 Series before, making this BMW M340i quite special. A bridging model fills the gap between the consumer-focused models and the high-performance flagship derivatives. Take the BMW 2 Series, for example. The M240i bridges the gap between the 220i and the M2, by offering 80% of the performance for less money and is not quite a full-blown M car with its M Performance badging.

As for this new BMW M340i, it is the first-ever M Performance model of the 3 Series. It's powered by a new 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine, which produces 275 kW and 500 Nm, although BMW says this is preliminary data and could be subject to change. The new BMW M340i has an eight-speed automatic transmission and the option of xDrive all-wheel drive. Our units will likely be rear-wheel drive. BMW claims a 0-100 kph time of 4.4 seconds with the xDrive model shaving 2 tenths off that, which is very quick and almost as fast as the outgoing F80 BMW M3. There's also an M sports differential, for those wanting ultimate handling.

Visually, you can spot the BMW M340i with its unique grille, bigger alloy wheels and big exhaust tips. Inside, there will be exclusive sports seats. The dashboard boasts an M specific display, there are M pedals as well as an M leather steering wheel. You can expect a few more details in the coming months and it's expected to go on sale globally in June 2019.


The new grille on the BMW M340i. It'll boast some impressive performance when it's launched in the middle of 2019

Buy a new or used BMW 3 Series on Cars.co.za

Further Reading

New BMW 3 Series: This is it

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018) Launch Review

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018) Specs & Price

Fresh Audi A4 Revealed

Preview: 2019 BMW 3 Series

Spy Shots: BMW 3 Series is coming

Next BMW 3 Series Spied

Classic Drive: BMW 325iS "Gusheshe" & 333i

New Volkswagen Touareg Review – Premium SUV Bargain?

The Volkswagen Touareg is back with a strong premium SUV contender. What it lacks in premium brand cache it makes up in value and capability. Juliet McGuire tests out the new model.

The new 2018 Volkswagen Touareg is the third generation of the flagship SUV and it is undoubtedly the best yet. A radically altered design brings it in line with Volkswagen's new design language. With a brand new drivetrain and chassis and a thoroughly updated interior, in terms of tech, comfort and luxury, makes this one of the best long-distance cruisers we've ever tested.

And, even though the price tag hovers around the R1million mark, with rivals such as the new BMW X5 attracting prices between R1.1 and 1.5million, the Touareg starts to look like very good value indeed.

In this video, Juliet McGuire will take you through all the updates.

Related Content

Volkswagen Touareg (2018) Launch Review

Volkswagen Touareg (2018) Specs & Price

Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI Luxury (2018) Review

Is VW’s Touareg a Bargain Bentley?

2018/19 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – Powered by WesBank; Semi-Finalists

5 South African Summer-Driving SUVs

South Africans love SUVs and there is scarcely a better summer car than an open-top SUV! Here are the Top 5 you want.

Although September has proved a month of snow in parts of the country, we are inevitably transitioning towards summer and that means the opportunity for open-top motoring. It’s a symptom of being spoilt by an abundance of sunshine that South Africans take convertible vehicles for granted. In Europe, if the sky is blue, they’ll retract their vehicles' roofs (if they can) no matter the temperature, but we very rarely embrace our magnificent open-top motoring environment with quite the same commitment.

Understandably, the likelihood inner-city smash-and-grabs increases if you are exposed without a roof in place, but that’s still not quite enough of an excuse.

South Africa should be Convertible Country and the best vehicles to absorb our magnificent landscapes, and nature, are SUVs. If you intend to cruise through Ballito-ville or Camps Bay this summer, an open-top SUV makes parking that much easier; you can always roll up a kerb. Conversely, if you are journeying from Gauteng to Cape Town through the Karoo – it’s an amazing experience for passengers, at night, having the opportunity to look up at a night sky awash in stars, with the top down.

So, we’ve done the homework for you and listed 5 great ragtop SUV ideas to make your Mzansi summer an unforgettable one.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara (R710 900)

You’d imagine that all removable-roof SUVs would be soft-roaders… vehicles designed for kerbside posing at best… but not this. Jeep’s reputation for off-roading excellence isn’t accidental or the result of targeted saturation marketing. The Jeep Wrangler ranks among the most capable hardcore off-road vehicles you can buy for civilian use and the neat aspect of an Unlimited is that it has 4 doors and comfortable seating for 5 occupants.

Search for a used Wrangler here

Engine options are either a 2.8-litre inline-4 turbodiesel (147 kW/460 Nm) or Jeep’s more responsive 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol, which revs with greater linearity to produce 209 kW and 347 Nm. Both engines drive through a 5-speed automatic transmission and in the 4-door Unlimited configuration, you’ll have all the associated off-road goodies too, such as low-range, a rear differential lock and Dana heavy-duty axles. There is simply no kerb you cannot mount, with your entourage, in one of these.

Although removing the roof isn’t really the work of a moment (don’t try it by yourself, do budget for 25 minutes without practice). The Wrangler Unlimited comes into its own as a convertible. Hidden in the roll-over safety architecture are superb Alpine speakers, with a total of 9 speakers combining to offer 552 Watts of sound.
 

Range Rover Evoque Convertible HSE Si4 (R1 026 023)

If you don’t quite need the Wrangler’s low-range rock-crawl gearing and prefer boutique style and absolute drivetrain refinement, Land Rover does quite a convincing version of its baby Rangey – replete with a soft-top. An electro-mechanically operated roof saves you any do-it-yourself disassembly administration and there is never any risk of getting drenched if a sudden Highveld thunderstorm interferes with your journey. A simple cabin pushbutton function can retract the fabric roof in only 18 seconds, and have it up and secured into place again, 21 seconds later.

Search for a used Evoque Convertible here

True to its billing as the urbanite’s Range Rover, the Evoque’s styling appears to have been drawn with an eventual convertible configuration in mind. The 2-door profile looks great and the 177 kW/340 Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium engine (177 kW/340 Nm), mated with a 9-speed auto box, moves the vehicle along gracefully.

Debits? Not light on fuel, though, at a kerb weight of 2013 kg and without the rigidity of a fixed metal roof, you’ll notice it doesn’t flow as crisply through corners, and roll as gracefully over bumps, compared with other Evoques. That said, there is no better Camps Bay Beach Road poser than one of these. Especially a burnt orange one.
 

Land Rover SVX 90 soft-top R500k plus

With the iconic Defender no longer in production, values of Land Rover’s original vehicle line's derivatives are increasing. True to their military adaptability, there have always been soft-top Land Rovers: through Series 1, 2, 3 and the final Defender.

You could try one of the pre-Defender soft-tops, but they aren’t great as daily drivers. For those who prefer the convenience of power-steering and shifting gears with the assistance of synchromesh, that Defender of destiny is Land Rover’s 60th-anniversary SVX special edition. These short-wheelbase convertibles are prized by collectors and command a premium, with only 1800 SVXs ever built and of that number, only about half were 90s… and very few found their way to South Africa.

Search for a used Defender soft-top here

With bright grilles and special-edition wheels, SVX 90s are both disarmingly cute and wonderfully capable off-road. They sport mechanical upgrades too, with custom dampers, which make the most of Land Rover’s 4-corner coil suspension, and deliver a level of ride quality that's a touch superior to those of other Defenders.  

Perhaps the Defender SVX’s greatest appeal is Recaro semi-bucket seats. Vastly more comfortable than anything fitted (as standard) to Land Rover’s workhorse 4×4 through the decades, they are ergonomically padded and fixed to slightly revised mounting points – which does much to alleviate the Defender awkward driving position.
 

Toyota RAV4 3-door convertible (R80 000)

Toyota never received enough credit for its original RAV4, a vehicle that established the compact SUV/crossover category in South Africa, long before any marketing people had invented those catchphrases. The original RAV4 featured uncharacteristically daring Toyota design, with characteristically bombproof Toyota mechanical components. If you are looking for a true 1990s gravel-travel icon to arrive at the Neighbourgoods market in Braamfontein or a Woodstock’s design bureau, this is it.

Search for a used RAV4 here

Rarest of all 1st-generation RAV4s, were the 3-door convertibles. Two decades after they first appeared on local roads, the original RAV4 still looks strangely contemporary… and by virtue of being endowed with Toyota Camry mechanical bits, they prove ridiculously reliable too. Indulge all the 1990s irony with one of these.
 

Suzuki Samurai SJ413 (R75 000)

The new Jimny’s local launch is less than a month away, and if you are dedicated in your search, there are still some rust-free versions of its SJ-series forebears to be found. And yes, of course, some of them were canvas-roofed.

What you are seeking, ideally, is not the earlier, 2nd-generation SJ with vertical grille slats, but the later SJ413, introduced locally in the early 1990s, with a mesh grille and Suzuki badge floating on one horizon grille bar.

The earlier 1980s SJs are courageous little 4x4s, but unfortunately, they were tragically rust-prone too – and many have met an untimely end as beach house vehicles.

Search for a used Suzuki Jimny here

Suzuki’s better mini-SUV sun-seeker is a later Samurai, which is a better vehicle in almost every possible way. These SJ413s were vastly more rust-resistant than the earlier SJ-series cars and they also happen to be powered by larger engines, which offer more poke. Having said that, we are still talking of a 47 kW 1.3-litre engine!

Monumentally capable off-road, if a touch uncomfortable due to the leaf sprung front/rear suspension configuration and micro-car wheelbase, there is no summer venue with a parking problem the Samurai can’t solve…

Related content

5 Moments that Defined the Suzuki Jimny

Range Rover Evoque Convertible (2017) Quick Review

The Journey Mozambique – The Search for Sunken Land Rovers

Spy Shots: All-new Land Rover Defender

Lexus ES (2018) Launch Review

The latest incarnation of Lexus ES has arrived in South Africa and we got a chance to sample both derivatives at its local launch in the Western Cape.

Japanese brand Lexus has launched its 7th generation ES to market. South Africa only ever received the 6th generation and now this 7th. It's interesting to note that the ES is available as a Toyota, in the form of the Camry in the US. 

What's new, you ask? Well, the new Lexus ES features an all-new platform and as a result, is longer and wider than before. With a 50 mm extension to the platform, cabin space (which has never been a fault before) has grown considerably, making it one of the most spacious cars in the segment. In comparison to its rivals, the Lexus ES goes up against the likes of the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series, and yet it has legroom equalling the A6, E-Class and 5 Series. 

The ES 250 has a brand-new 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as well as a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission and with outputs of 152 kW and 243 Nm, you can expect it to hit 100 kph in 9.1 seconds and go onto a top speed of 210 kph. The ES 300h features Toyota's 4th generation hybrid system. It too features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder motor. It boasts a total output of 160 kW with the electric assist (the petrol engine delivers 131 kW and 221 Nm) and is brisker than its sibling, at 8.9 seconds to 100 kph. Its real strength is economy and it's said to consume just 4.6 L/100 km.

One of the factors which makes Lexus products excel is the standard specification. There are no optional extras and you get a fully specced car. Despite the ES 250 sitting at the bottom of the range, it's still comprehensively specced with luxury features such as heated seats, leather trim, reverse camera, and keyless start to name but a few. The hybrid ES 300h adds on niceties like autonomous safety capability, uprated audio system, heated steering wheel, heated seats for all 4 passengers, navigation, and a wireless charging pad. Safety spec is excellent, with 10 airbags fitted to both models.


Note the digital dashboard behind this steering wheel, which comes straight from the flagship Lexus LS limousine

What's it like to drive?

The Lexus ES has always impressed us for outright comfort and refinement. Not only is the cabin exceptionally well assembled, but the ride quality is superb and insulation from the outside world is amongst the best. In terms of performance, the ES 250 is not going to blow your hair back, but it's adequate. Perhaps we have been spoilt by the German turbocharged engines and their quick-reacting dual-clutch transmissions they offer, but the Lexus feels comparatively tepid.

Obviously, Lexus isn't to bothered by the lack of performance, as it creates a relaxed and comfortable driving style. The engine is of the smooth-revving variety, which is good, because if you're in a hurry, you'll be calling upon every last rev. The real star of the powertrain is the gearbox. It's a new 8-speed unit and it flicks through the gears exceptionally smoothly. There are paddles located on the steering wheel, but given the executive commuter nature of the ES, we left the car to its own devices.


The Lexus ES doing what it does best: comfortable and refined cruising. Rear legroom is commendable. 

Our launch route took us through some sweeping driving roads and the latest incarnation of the ES showed a hint of dynamic prowess. While it was never intended to offer the direct feel and rear-wheel drive antics of say an Alfa Romeo Giulia, we're pleased to say that the ES can show a bit of athleticism when hustled through some curves. The previous generation ES wasn't like this at all, preferring to turn into a giant squishy marshmallow at the sight of a corner. The key here is the steering, which has been reworked to deliver a bit more feel and response. Body roll has been tightened up too and the result is not bad at all for a large front-wheel drive luxury barge. As mentioned before, the ride quality is really good and much of that comes down to the base-spec 17-inch sporty alloys, while the hybrid ES 300h features 18-inch units.

We then had a go in the ES 300h. Essentially, the powertrain is similar to that of the ES 250 with a 2.5-litre, but here it is tuned to run on the Atkinson cycle and swops the automatic gearbox for a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) to make the most of the engine's sweet spot. The batteries are located underneath the rear bench and there's some smart tech to recover charge through braking and off-throttle recuperation. You can drive the car in a fully electric mode, which is great in start/stop traffic and frequently, you'll find yourself pulling away from standstill in complete silence, before hearing the petrol engine engage at around 40 kph. Impressively the Lexus ES 300h was reading 7.5 L /100 km despite some brisk open-road driving. We predict that you'll easily get into the mid-6s if you drive in lots of traffic. 


The styling is a big leap forward for the ES brand and when paired with the right colour, looks upmarket

Verdict

While Lexus products don't get nearly enough support and love, despite their quality, refinement and specification. The badge may not offer as much prestige as the German counterparts locally, but there's no denying you're getting a bigger, more spacious and better-equipped sedan for a similar price. We're a bit puzzled by the massive price difference between the ES 250 and its hybrid ES 300h, which is why we'd happily opt for the former.

Despite the massive surge in SUV sales at the expense of sedans, we still believe that there will be more than a few customers who will be wanting a big and well-appointed sedan. We also think that the Lexus ES will find favour amongst UberBlack drivers, whose customers will appreciate the cavernous boot and expansive legroom in the rear.


The ES is available in petrol and petrol-hybrid flavours

Lexus ES Price in South Africa (October 2018)

Lexus ES 250 EX       R593 300

Lexus ES 300h SE     R843 800

Lexus is offering a best-in-class 7-year/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan. Vehicle service intervals are at every 15 000km, alternatively once a year.

Further Reading

Buy a new / used Lexus ES on Cars.co.za

New Lexus ES Teased

Lexus ES Review

New SA-bound Lexus ES Revealed

Lexus ES (2018) Spec and Price

The 7th generation of Lexus ES has made its way to the South African market. Here's how much this spacious and fully-equipped sedan costs.

While South Africa has only received 1 generation of the Lexus ES prior to this launch, globally it has spanned 6 generations. Now in its 7th generation, the Lexus ES has arrived in SA and hopes to take some of the market share in the executive sedan segment. There just two models for now, a petrol and a petrol hybrid derivative. 

Under the skin, there is an all-new platform called Global Architecture (GA-K) and this has meant the dimensions have changed completely, for the good we might add. The new car is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model, but the key detail here is the longer wheelbase (+50mm) which has meant the wheels can be pushed to the edges and the increased space can be devoted to the cabin. Yasuo Kajino, ES Chief Designer, describes the car’s new look as ‘provocative elegance’. “The ES has always been an elegant luxury sedan. For this generation, we have added daring design elements that challenge buyers’ traditional expectations,” he said. There are two sets of wheels. The ES 250 has 17-inch multi-spoke cast alloy wheels, while the ES 300h boasts 18-inch Hyper Chrome Cast Allow noise-reducing wheels, featuring a turbine design.


You have the choice of either a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine or a petrol-hybrid powertrain

In terms of standard features, the Lexus ES comes fully equipped, with the hybrid model going above and beyond what's normally deemed 'standard fare'. For example, the hybrid has heated seats for the rear passengers and a heated steering wheel, as well as a heads-up display. The steering wheel is straight from the Lexus LS, there's a 12.3-inch multimedia display and second-generation touchpad control; its voice recognition capabilities extend to a mobile assistant, allowing contactless driver’s smartphone control. The display features a reverse camera as standard kit, but the hybrid tops this up with a panoramic view display. The top-spec hybrid also gains a Mark Levinson audio system with 17 speakers.

The ES 250 has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a new eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission and with outputs of 152 kW and 243 Nm, you can expect it to hit 100 kph in 9.1 seconds and go onto a top speed of 210 kph. The ES 300h features Toyota's 4th generation hybrid system. It too features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder motor, but it runs on the Atkinson cycle. It boasts a total output of 160 kW with the electric assist (131 kW and 221 Nm) and is brisker than its sibling, at 8.9 seconds to 100 kph. It's real strength is economy and it's said to consume just 4.6 L/100 km.

In terms of safety features, the Lexus ES features 10 airbags, while the hybrid model features Lexus Safety System+ which offers some degree of autonomous safety as well as adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert.


The steering wheel is straight from the Lexus LS. Note the digital dashboard

Lexus ES Price in South Africa (October 2018)

Lexus ES 250 EX       R593 300

Lexus ES 300h SE     R843 800

Lexus is offering a best-in-class 7-year/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan. Vehicle service intervals are at every 15 000km, alternatively once a year.

Further Reading

Buy a new / used Lexus ES on Cars.co.za

New Lexus ES Teased

Lexus ES Review

New SA-bound Lexus ES Revealed

6 Key Insights from Paris Motor Show

Calvin Fisher spent two full days trawling the floor of the Paris Motor Show and he came away with these 6 observations.

1. You can't ignore the past

Many manufacturers tapped into their reserves and brought along models from their past to add some legacy to their stands. It worked. Not only could you appreciate the parity with their contemporary designs, but the likes of the Jaguar XJ6 and Renault 5 added splashes to colour in a world overrun with ten shades of business-grey.

You can find out more here: 

How Manufacturers Have Weaponised Sentimentality

2. Nor the future

Concept cars still draw the masses, just ask anyone at the Renault exhibit. Despite a pair of retros, three mighty concept mobility solutions stood at centre stage and likewise dominated the entire exhibit hall. Our favourite was dubbed the 'EZ-Ultimo' – a car that answers a question nobody cared to ask. "What if Batman required a car far more French, and even more fabulous than his outgoing BatMobile?" Then there's the EZ-GO and EZ-PRO Concepts, a pair of bonkers Robo Cars. We are ready for this brave new world, especially if it resembles my personal favourite concept of the show, the Peugeot 504 reimagining, the E-Legend. The past is retro, and so is the future.

3. Cars are going digital in a big way

"Hello Mona Lisa, I'm cold." Wait. What? Sure, I'll explain. This is the command I directed at the dashboard of the new BMW 3 Series. It responded by dropping the AC temperature, just on my passenger side of the car. Clever, but in effect identical to the likes of Google Home and Amazon's Alexa. The best part is you don't have to call your BMW Smart Assistant Mona Lisa, you can name it anything, Monica? Or full name, so perhaps Monica Bellucci? And she has to listen to you. Finally! 

4. Race cars equal sales

They were everywhere. Classic Ferraris and Porsches, circuit cars and dirt cars. Legends of Le Mans, Formula One and some now obscure rally raiders of the past. Many rolled out Formula E race cars, real and fictitious to enthral onlookers and to of course link their on-track electrification efforts to their road cars. Then there were the likes of the Hyundai i30 N race cars directly paralleling their upcoming production car's performance, arguably one of the most interesting new cars at the show. And then there was the Gazoo Racing A90 Supra will make its official appearance in Detroit early next year. 

5. People are taking the Chinese seriously 

If stand size, breadth of product range and crowd interaction are anything to go by, Chinese marques have just about come of age. The products are holding up well alongside rivals from established markets and no longer look 'borrowed'. Rather, emerging design elements found in Japanese and European vehicles have been 'lifted', or perhaps I should say inspiration has been drawn? Regardless, overall car styling feels familiar rather than stolen and there's a sense of cohesion previously lacking. Besides, with the arrival of two Vietnamese cars to the show (and therefore the industry) China will no longer be the new kids on the block.

6. The future is silent

EVs, Hybrids and more. Not only are they running rife, but they're doing it almost completely soundlessly too. And that's terrifying since the organizers thought it would be wise to use them as the event's official taxis. I could have died! Seriously, they're the ninjas of the automotive world and it's exciting to live int a time when the Prius is no longer synonymous with electrification. Citroen, Peugeot, Renault – every French car company now has skin in the game, I should know – I narrowly avoided many of them while traversing the halls. 

Related content

How Manufacturers Have Weaponised Sentimentality

New BMW 3 Series: This is it

All-new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Revealed

Hyundai Creta 1.6D Executive (2018) Quick Review

The Hyundai Creta was recently updated and remains a popular choice in the compact family car segment. Just how good is the range-topping Creta 1.6D Executive? We recently tested it to find out if it's worthy of appearing on your shortlist, read on… 

We Like: Revised styling, fuel economy, practicality 

We Don’t Like: Lazy acceleration, engine refinement, pricey

Fast Facts

Price: R409 900

Engine: 1.6-litre turbodiesel

Power/Torque: 94 kW @ 4 000 rpm / 260 Nm @ 2 750 rpm

Gearbox: 6-speed automatic

Fuel Economy: 7.4 L/100 km

Load capacity: 402 litres

Serious About Buying?

Check out full specification details and finance estimates here.
Some Hyundai dealers regularly offer specials: Have a look here.

What is it?


The updated Creta offers attractive styling and practicality while returning good daily fuel economy. 

Since the Hyundai Creta was introduced to our market in early 2017, it has been a top-seller in its segment (despite its somewhat unusual name). In fact, more than 8 000 Cretas have found homes in South Africa. The demand for compact crossovers is booming at present and to keep the Creta in sync with buyers’ demands, Hyundai recently updated its crossover’s styling with a new grille design, bumpers, roof rails, skid plates and newly-designed tail lights, fog lights and LED daytime running lights.

It’s a good looking vehicle overall and the Creta 1.6D Executive automatic on test here has also been chosen as a semi-finalist in the compact family car category of the 2018/19 iteration of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank.    

How good is it? Let’s take a closer look…

What’s Good?

General performance and fuel economy


You can expect fair performance from this Creta on various road surfaces. 

This flagship Creta derivative employs a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine that offers outputs of 94 kW and 260 Nm of torque. The front wheels are driven through a 6-speed automatic transmission, which we found shifted gears relatively smoothly, but it's perhaps not quite perfectly mapped to get the most from the engine's torque delivery.  

We took the Creta on a weekend road trip and found its general performance to be average to good, both in city and highway driving conditions. Despite being a torquey engine, it’s not as punchy (or responsive) as you might hope it to be, but it’s more than adequate for the typical city run or out-of-town excursion. To expand on our statement about the transmission's mapping, the 'box felt a bit sluggish to select the appropriate gear when we tried to execute quick overtaking manoeuvres.  

However, this Creta’s strength lies in its fuel economy, and while Hyundai claims an overage consumption of 7.4 L/100 km, we were surprised to see real-world figures of around 6.0 L/100 km during the 1.6D Executive's tenure in the test fleet, which impressed us… It’s not often a car consumes less than its manufacturer claims it will…

Comfortable ride

Another strength of the Creta is that it offers a very comfortable ride quality. It is well behaved on tar thanks to its MacPherson strut (with gas dampers) front- and torsion-beam rear suspension setup. It soaks up bumps and ruts with aplomb, and the pliancy speaks to Hyundai retuning the Creta's damper settings for the facelift.

Meanwhile, the Creta comfortably scrabbled over gravel too – it dealt with the surface very well indeed. Good job, Hyundai.   

Comfort and Practicality


This Creta's interior offers average levels of comfort and comes fitted with most of the essentials. 

Although its interior is characterised by harder plastic surfaces, the Creta's cabin is well made; it looks and feels durable. Comfort features include artificial leather seats, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, rake- and reach-adjustable steering wheel with mounted controls (including for cruise control, which is a new addition), manual air conditioning, an electrochromic rear-view mirror, rear PDC and a reverse-view camera, as well as electric windows all round.   

The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is basic and easy to use and it offers Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 playback and a USB plus auxiliary inputs, should you need them. Navigation is an optional extra.


A spacious and flat loading area makes transporting bulkier items easy.

From a practical perspective, the Creta is well sorted with a capacious load bay (its claimed capacity is 402 litres), which can be expanded further with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down. We easily slotted two 6-foot surfboards in and still had plenty of room left over for luggage and other bits and bobs.

Rear passengers are afforded generous legroom and 2 cupholders are availed in the central armrest. The driver and front passenger also have access to 2 cupholders. Storage space for bottles can be found in the door mouldings and additional space is offered ahead of the transmission lever.  

What’s not-so-good?

Engine refinement

If you close your eyes while starting the Creta's engine (especially from cold), you might drift away into a dream where you are sitting on a chattering tractor in the crisp early morning air somewhere, only to be rudely awakened by the smell of diesel emitted from the Creta’s tailpipe. Let’s just say it’s not the most refined turbodiesel out there… Although the mechanical noise is less apparent at cruising speeds, anything but slow, steady throttle inputs generates almost as much noise as acceleration.

Pricing and Warranty

The Hyundai Creta 1.6D Executive is priced from R406 900 and offers attractive after-sales support in the form of a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan.  

Verdict


The Creta 1.6D Executive is a well-rounded offering in this segment and is worth consideration. 

The Hyundai Creta 1.6D ticks most, if not all the boxes for a compact family car. It’s spacious (arguably the most spacious in the compact family car segment, if you consider the Haval H2 a larger, family car) and it's reasonably well specced, while offering sufficient performance (and, importantly, economy) to conduct your daily chores. While it is equipped with 6 airbags as standard, it must be stated that it does lack safety features such as brake assist, stability control and traction control.

Overall, this Creta is a well-rounded product, but it is significantly pricier than many of its rivals in this segment (the premium is particularly noticeable because only Renault and Nissan offer other turbodiesel options). Customers, however, will be buoyed by the fact that the Creta’s robust build will serve owners well for many years and the product is backed with comprehensive after-sales support. The Creta offers a lot of car for the price and is worth considering if your budget can stretch that far, but keep in mind that there are a myriad of other options available for more budget-conscious buyers. It’s up to you to decide how much you need that extra torque.

Alternatives (click on the names of the cars for detailed info)

Renault Duster

The new Duster was recently introduced in South Africa and it offers an even larger load bay than the Creta (at a claimed 478 litres). The Duster 1.5-litre turbodiesel dual-clutch automatic offers 80 kW and 250 Nm of torque with the top-spec Duster Prestige priced from R334 900.   

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is a popular choice in this segment and it’s bigger than the Creta. Load capacity is 430 litres and its 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine offers similar outputs of 81 kW and 260 Nm of torque, but this engine is only available with a 6-speed manual transmission. Pricing starts at R418 900 for the Qashqai 1.5dCi Acenta.

Honda HR-V

For a similarly spacious vehicle, you can consider the petrol-powered Honda HR-V 1.8 Elegance priced from R419 900. It offers 105 kW and 172 Nm from its naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine. It comes well-equipped with features and its load bay offers 393-litres of space.

Related Content

Hyundai Creta (2018) Launch Review

Hyundai Creta (2018) Specs & Price

2018/19 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – Powered by WesBank; Semi-Finalists