Ford EcoSport (2018) Launch Review

Ford’s popular compact family car – the EcoSport – returns with an updated interior and more safety equipment as standard. Is it still a bargain buy, however?

Turn back the clock to 2013 when the EcoSport arrived in the local market. Back then, Ford's mini SUV had very few competitors to fend off. In fact, the polarising Nissan Juke and chunky Renault Duster were its main threats. Now, the segment hosts far more players, many of which are produced by volume manufacturers, such as the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Creta, Suzuki Vitara, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008.

As a result of its early arrival, Ford got a bit of a jump on the segment with the EcoSport; large volumes of the Indian-made model found homes over the course of the first model’s lifespan. Some months would see close to 1 000 units sold, making it a top-seller across the whole market, not just the compact family car segment. Now, after ceding sales to newer entrants, Ford has renewed the EcoSport, which we drove in the KZN Midlands.

What’s new?

New EcoSport shows the more aggressive front grille as well as the new bonnet bulge.

The range still consists of Ambiente, Trend and Titanium derivatives, but it’s now the 1.5-litre turbodiesel that sits at the bottom of the range, it's only available in Ambiente trim and with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This unit is sourced from India, whereas the Trend and Titanium versions are built in Ford’s Romania plant. The Trend and Titanium feature the longstanding 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol with 92 kW and 170 Nm of torque.

The interior has been vastly improved. We sampled the Trend and Titanium derivatives at the launch and their infotainment systems feature the Sync 3 interface, plus are Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatible. The Titanium gets a larger touchscreen and features navigation as standard.

Meanwhile, the EcoSport's standard safety specification has been improved to such an extent that it now ranks it as one of the safest cars in the segment. Stability control is stock fitment across the range, with 6 airbags on the Ambiente and 7 on the Trend and Titanium models.

Is it practical?

The EcoSport retains its rear-mounted spare wheel. It allows for a full-size spare to be equipped and avails more luggage space.

The EcoSport is based on the Fiesta's underpinnings, so there’s only so much space you can create on a B-segment hatchback platform. The luggage bay can accommodate a maximum of 333 litres and has a 2-tier system where the bay floor can be raised to hide valuables underneath it. Rear legroom feels economical for an adult with a (just about) acceptable level of kneeroom. We'd say that width-wise, you’re going to struggle to fit more than a pair of adults in the back. Children will have enough room, however, and that’s why Ford markets the EcoSport at young families.

While many other brands have opted to position the spare wheels of their compact family cars inside or underneath the vehicles, in the case of the EcoSport, it remains bolted to the tailgate. The tailgate-mounted spare allows for a full-size spare, as well as improving the luggage capacity.

Is the 3-cylinder engine enough?

The 6-time Engine of the Year-winning 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo delivers 92 kW and 170 Nm of torque.

The short answer is yes. The 1.0-litre turbo has been around for a long time by modern engine standards and garnered 6 Engine of the Year awards (in its class) along the way. With 92 kW and 170 Nm of torque, it does the job adequately. The new torque converter 6-speed automatic is also better suited to the engine than the previous dual-clutch ‘box. It cruises better than expected at freeway speeds with enough in reserve to overtake easily.

The question of "actual versus claimed" fuel consumption often comes up in discussions about small-capacity turbocharged engines and during our trip up from Durban to the Midlands, the dirt track and multitude of climbs took a toll on the EcoSport's return. We averaged in the range of 10 litres/100 km, but on the return leg back to the airport (which comprised a stretch of freeway), we achieved a more reasonable 5.6 litres/100 km.

During our off-roading stint, the small turbo provided enough shove to climb some quite steep inclines. Not once did the pint-sized engine’s capability come into question.

Is it comfortable?

The Trend derivative gets these black wheels and black surrounds on the foglights, but it appears to be the sweet spot in the range.

The EcoSport is only available in front-wheel-drive configuration in South Africa and that suits its purpose just fine. It handled the 60 km of dirt road with consummate ease. The suspension is well damped and balanced nicely between being cushioning and firmly sprung.

The steering lacks feel on twistier roads, but has enough weight to it around the centre to instil confidence when the EcoSport's travelling in a straight line. The taller body style does contribute to more body roll than in the Fiesta, but nothing worse than any rivals in the segment.

What’s it like inside?

Improved materials throughout the cabin lift its ambience. The Sync 3 system is one of the best infotainment systems around.

First of all, the EcoSport's interior quality levels have been improved by virtue of the fitment of comfier seats and a more liberal use of soft-touch panels. At this price point, as you’d expect, there is still a fair amount of coarse plastic applied around the dashboard and door panels. Having said that, it’s a modern cabin that feels more upmarket than many of its rivals, mostly due to the high-res infotainment system.

There are 2 USB ports positioned in front of the gear lever and the Titanium derivative comes with an armrest/centre console storage compartment. It’s a bit on the small side, but a nice place to rest your arm.

Summary

Appealing design/packaging and keen pricing seem to be the major characteristics that buyers look for when shopping in this segment. The new EcoSport has enhanced kerb appeal by virtue of its more purposeful and eye-catching front-end styling – its looks alone could attract new buyers. Plus, shoppers who were a little put off by the lack of safety equipment will now be appeased with the improved safety spec across the range.

As for pricing, Ford has kept it very competitive, so much so that the EcoSport doesn’t demand much of a premium over its Fiesta sibling. The range starts at R264 500 and tops out at R339 900, making Ford's newcomer good value for money in the segment. It is a little dinky compared with its rivals, but if you’re a family with small kids or looking for a dirt-road capable car to support your hobby, the EcoSport makes a good case for itself.

Interested in buying an EcoSport?

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Infotainment Systems: As Distracting as your Smartphone?

Touchscreens and elaborate infotainment systems look great, but to operate them when you're driving a vehicle could pose as big a risk to road safety as using a smartphone while you're at the 'wheel.

In the realm of automotive design analysis, we often speak in millimetres, when describing a styling crease or character line. For decades metric markets, such as South Africa, only used inches when referencing wheel size. That’s all changed rather rapidly in recent years and an obsession with inches has potentially become a huge issue in the making for motorists.

That's because the demand from consumers for progressively larger infotainment screens has made inch-width one of the most quoted numbers in contemporary car marketing. Whereas the Smartphone industry has contained the largeness obsession by prioritising weight and slimness, most modern automobile manufacturers' interior architects keep inflating the size of touchscreen infotainment systems.

It could be argued that some of the latest dual-screen displays create a distracting field of view. This is the issue: Are infotainment screens becoming too large and complex to safely operate while you're driving… could they pose the same risk as typing a text message on your phone?

How big, is big enough?

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class features the new MBUX system with dual 10.25-inch screens.

The first infotainment screens with touch functionality were American and featured on Buick’s 1986 model year Riviera. At only 3-inches wide and 4-inches in height, it was compact, but also unpopular. Buick discontinued the feature by 1990 after customers cited it as a distraction to driving.

True to its billing (as a digitally-driven disruptor of the automotive industry), Tesla has made the largest possible screen available: a 17-inch tablet-type interface with no tactile controls other than the screen. Volvo’s has championed the use of a tablet type system too, with its Sensus interface.

Mercedes-Benz is inching up too and its new MBUX infotainment system is destined to become a digital departure point for most ‘Benz vehicles. It features dual 10.25-inch screens, it offers a gigantic swathe of active pixels to inform (and potentially distract!) drivers. The issue of distraction does not reside in any graphics lag, MBUX is powered by 8G of RAM and runs on a quite-slick Linux operating system.

Fortunately for consumers, infotainment systems with touch functionality are getting larger and displaying with clearer resolutions, even in direct sunlight – which was a bane of attempting to operate earlier systems in South African conditions. Their weakness, however, is that the user experience (UX) engineering that drives most touch-based technology, is meant for a relatively static environment, instead of the highly dynamic environment in which a vehicle operates. The distraction of sitting in public while operating some of a Smartphone's higher functions presents a very low risk in terms of personal injury or liability – which is quite different to a similar operating logic while driving a vehicle on a congested road.

The BMW iDrive system as seen on the new X5. According to research, one of the most taxing systems to operate.

With sub-menus and a surplus of functionality, most of which are impressive yet largely superfluous to users, contemporary car infotainment systems create a nearly infinite source of possible distraction to a driver while they're operating their vehicle. University of Utah researchers evaluated 40 new vehicle infotainment systems last year and found that 29 of those place a very high cognitive demand on drivers. The most demanding vehicle systems were all German: Audi’s Q7, BMW’s 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class. These vehicle interfaces may be feature-rich, but they require immense application by a driver, which diverts attention from their primary task, to steer and manage the vehicle’s speed.

Keyboard intuition versus touch?

Touchscreens are brilliant in their adaptability: they're capable of consolidating loads of functionality and input commands in a relatively compact allocation of screen real estate. If you were to replicate the entire depth of a touchscreen infotainment system’s myriad inputs and submenus, with traditional buttons, it would overwhelm the centre console and dashboard. A good example to illustrate this is imagining the cockpit of Concorde, with panel upon panel of gauges, switches, toggles and buttons, in comparison with a modern A380, which has a relatively uncluttered cabin.

The cockpit of the Concorde. It was clearly designed long in advance of the touchscreen revolution.

Where touchscreens fail, is that even with practice, the ergonomic intuition of a screen with submenus is massively challenging to operate without looking at it. And when you're driving a vehicle, that’s essentially what the touchscreen is expecting of you: eyes on the road and a left hand attempting to find the correct touchpoint on that screen.

Touchscreens have a relatively small margin for input error and when you are driving a vehicle on anything but the most perfectly smooth road surface, you’ll often find frustration in continuously glancing away from the road to check you've made the intended input to the infotainment screen.

The 1986 Buick Riviera, the touchscreen proved unpopular and was discontinued for the 1990 model.

An argument could be made for the merit of a hybridised configuration that recognises the importance of buttons. If you blindfolded someone in a test scenario and asked them to input data or execute a simple task on any smartphone, the traditional keyboard function of a Blackberry (the wildly popular smartphone of a decade ago) would probably be far superior for achieving success than a touchscreen phone. It’s the tactility of buttons and our ability to remember which button, or sequence of buttons, correspond to a specific thread of functions.

When the first satellite controls appeared on steering wheels they were marketed as boons to road safety, because they allowed drivers to access vehicles' onboard audio, phone, trip computer and cruise control functions without the need to take either of their hands off the wheel. These days some steering wheels have a dozen or more input buttons or toggles (of some kind) and if you don’t have a sophisticated head-up display to show menu guidance for what your thumbs are trying to do, it all becomes a bit too complicated.

Is voice the great mediator?

Although its UX is problematic the processing power of modern infotainments systems can render a fantastically convenient service. For technologists, the argument in mitigation is voice control, which keeps your eyes on the road and both hands on the helm whilst driving.

In theory, voice would appear to be the ideal solution, but there are 2 distinct disadvantages. The first of these is vernacularity. Localised accents can prove problematic and in South Africa, with its diverse spread of pronounced English, voice command inputs can become a war of accent attrition. Even the very best digital voice recognition systems, like Apple’s Siri, could hardly be classed as flawless and often frustrate users.

Voice commands also lack immediacy and agility. A physical button renders immediate function while voice commands require the cognition of thinking about, then relaying a plain language command, hoping the system will interpret it as intended and then following it up with another. A system with reinforcement learning, where the vehicle owner spends time in a static (parked) environment, tutoring the infotainment system on an exact selection of voice commands to be used, could render greater efficiency – but that’s quite analogue, for a digital system, isn’t it?

Tesla's touchscreen system is so large it looks like a TV screen has been plopped on the dash.

It appears unlikely that a voice recognition-based interface will become the solution for drivers, considering the dynamic environment of cars moving near each other at speed, or navigating traffic. The burden of cognition to continuously think of and construct perfectly logically sentences for input commands are unrealistic. Pilots have superior training and discipline logic compared with the overwhelming majority of car drivers and even they don’t use voice commands to throttle engines or release landing gear. And yet, they also have the redundancy benefit of being two instead of one.

Would the future perhaps be an iPod-like active dial, on the steering wheel? Apple managed to convince most of us to adopt the simplicity of iPod functionality and two such dials, in reach of your thumbs on the steering wheel’s horizontal spokes, could yield a lot of functionality. Paired with a high-contrast head-up display, this could be a solution of sorts for lessening cognitive burden and infotainment system distraction while driving.

Saab championed a night mode where only important information was displayed, focusing the driver's attention on the road.

As cabin digitation is a trending topic right now, the burden of cognition and distraction is only getting worse, flooding the contemporary vehicle cabin with an overwhelming blend of entertainment and infotainment functions. There is a sense of the inevitable that current design tendencies are merely a transition to full autonomy, preparing us for a mobility future where we’ll be entertained and engaged passengers, instead of drivers.

One can't help but pine for the night-panel cockpit function available in Saabs of yesteryear, where only the most necessary instrumentation was shown when driving in the dark, thereby focusing the mind and avoiding fatigue.

New Car Sales Summary July 2018

New vehicle sales in South Africa in July 2018 remained stable and true to expectation with marginal gains while exports nose-dived according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).

Aggregate new vehicle sales in South Africa reflected a slim improvement of 2.6% in July 2018 despite weaker economic growth numbers but export sales took a significant knock with a decline of 19.2% during the same period. The new car market gained 4.3% compared with the same period last year while light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales declined marginally by 2.3%.

The dealer channel accounted for 80% of sales in July 2018 and WesBank's Executive Head of Sales and Marketing, Ghana Msibi commented, "The consistent growth seen in the dealer channel this year is testament to the strength of the dealer model, as well as an increase in demand off the back of the positive consumer sentiment seen in the first half of 2018. When consumers feel more positive about the future, they are more comfortable making longer-term financial decisions such as buying new cars."

“This is further supported by WesBank’s data showing a 13% increase in applications year-on-year and the Bureau for Economic Research indicating a consumer confidence of 22 index points in the second quarter of 2018 versus -9 in the second quarter last year,” Msibi concluded.

The Toyota Hilux remains king of the sales charts for July 2018, indicating that the Hilux’s popularity is still far superior to that of its main rival, the Ford Ranger. The Volkswagen Polo and Polo Vivo are still best sellers in the passenger car segment. Let’s take a quick glance at some of the key figures for the month of July 2018.

New car sales summary – July 2018

Aggregate new car sales of 47 881 units up by 2.6% (+1 210 units) compared with July 2017
New passenger car sales of 32 108 units up by 4.3% (+1 323 units) compared with July 2017
New LCV sales of 13 458 units down by 2.3% (-311 units) compared with July 2017
Export sales of 28 063 down by 19.2% (-6 657 units) compared with July 2017

Top 5 Most Popular Car Brands in SA

Toyota – 12 840 units
Volkswagen – 7 691 units
Ford – 4 856 units
Nissan – 4 530
Hyundai – 3 150

Top 5 Best-Selling Cars in SA

Toyota Hilux – 3 373 units
Volkswagen Polo – 2 817 units
Ford Ranger – 2 499 units
Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 312 units
Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest – 2 047 units

New Car Sales Outlook

Domestic new car sales continue to be supported by stable consumer confidence and improved new vehicle affordability with price increases remaining well below inflation for the fourth consecutive quarter. New car sales are expected to follow previous positive sales trends in the second half of 2018 with further improvements on the cards for the remainder of the year.

Exports, however, are expected to remain under pressure with a downward revision for the remaining months of the year. This downward projection is further complicated as a result of the increased risk of global trade disputes which could have a negative impact on international trade flows, which include vehicle exports.

Ford Ranger Raptor (2019) International Launch Review

With the first-ever Ranger Raptor, Ford is pioneering what may become an important splinter of the top-end double-cab segment. And, with such a radical new product, Ford needed a spectacular launch location to best show off its capabilities, so we made our way to the Australian Outback to get our first taste of the new performance bakkie.

If you have been anywhere near a road in South Africa, you may have already spotted a Ford Ranger Raptor… however, your eyes would have deceived you. In a bid to capitalise on the brand cache and status factor created by Ford’s F150 Raptor, which is sold in the United States, local Ranger owners have resorted to (mostly cheap and nasty) aftermarket kits that turn their tame Rangers into garish monstrosities.

The official Ranger Raptor will only arrive in South Africa early in 2019 and, as we would find out, the upgrades go far deeper than a plastic body kit.

Ford gave the Ranger Raptor its international debut in the expansive and untamed Northern Territory of Australia.

So, what’s changed?

For the Raptor, Ford has made extensive changes to the Ranger chassis to ensure that the newcomer can cope with the unique demands of caning your bakkie off-road without voiding your pricey asset's warranty. The chassis is, in fact, a hybrid of that found under the Everest and the Ranger, but significantly strengthened to handle big impacts and high-speed travel along badly surfaced roads.

For extra stability, the rear suspension has been softened by a fair margin to provide improved handling abilities. The pay-off is immediately noticeable, especially when tarmac turns into gravel. On one of the world’s largest cattle farms, unhindered by speed limits, we were comfortably cruising at around 130 kph and hugely impressed with the grip available and the low noise and vibrations making it through to the cabin.

Whereas motoring journalists are usually requested to treat test cars with great care, Ford said the Raptor should not be spared.

The downside is that the Ranger Raptor can only handle a 600-kg load on its rear bed (down from approximately 1 050 kg, and the tow rating is down from 3.5 tonnes to 2.5 tonnes.

One of the most notable changes is the significantly wider track. The Raptor is 150-mm wider at each axle than a standard Ranger, and 50-mm taller. As a result, the car looks far more imposing, with aggressively flared wheel arches and redesigned front and rear bumpers that increase approach-, breakover- and departure angles, as well as accentuate the Raptor's width. What's more, the extra-wide track is critical to the offroad stability of the Raptor… and is undoubtedly going to be more important in setting the official Raptor apart from the knock-offs in the parking lot.

The widened tracks of the Ranger Raptor not only contribute to the newcomer's broad-shouldered look, but aids off-road stability.

The oily bits

The Ranger Raptor's suspension has been completely overhauled and now features a new coil-over rear suspension using a Watt’s link setup with a solid rear axle, which is claimed to provide superior lateral control off-road while also helping improve ride and handling.

The dampers undoubtedly steal the show. They are sourced from Fox Racing and designed to absorb an enormous amount of stress, and specially tuned to settle quickly after a huge jump and/or bump. The entire braking system has been replaced by a high-performance arrangement, while the 17-inch wheels are shod with all-terrain BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tyres (they are fitted as standard and were specifically designed for the Raptor).

The Ranger Raptor's all-terrain BF Goodrich 285/70 R17 tyres are standard fitment as was developed especially for the vehicle.

The looks

In the metal, the Ranger Raptor is so different from a standard Raptor that it almost looks like a different model. For the most part, this is down to the extra width, but every new element combines to make the Raptor look special. The bold Ford badge across the nose is unmissable. The magnesium alloy running boards are fitted as standard and protect the bodywork as well as helping the vertically challenged, such as myself, climb aboard.

However, Ford has been careful not to overdo the styling, and it is, in the best way possible, more subtle than some of the radical aftermarket kits available. For the tribal tattoo brigade, this may actually be a turn-off, but I suspect most buyers will be impressed when they see it in the metal.

Although there are many Rangers adorned with aftermarket Raptor-look kits, the raised, wider newcomer's kerb appeal is undeniable.

In fact, I commented to the design team from Ford that perhaps the downside of releasing the Raptor is that it makes the standard Ranger look dull and softcore by comparison…

The engine

The Ranger Raptor is the first Ford to use a brand new, twin-turbo 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, which is mated with a relatively new 10-speed transmission, developed in a partnership with General Motors. The engine has come in for much criticism for, on paper at least, not providing the sort of firepower worthy of the Raptor nameplate. In a world of 190 kW Amaroks and Mercedes X-Classes, the peak outputs of 157 kW and 500 Nm (as claimed for the Raptor) do seem somewhat anaemic. With a 0-100 kph time of around 10 seconds, this is no robot-to-robot racer.

However, where the engine shines is in the linear characteristics of its power delivery, which is arguably more important in a performance vehicle. The Raptor's handling is easy to balance on the throttle and the relationship between the transmission and engine is quite extraordinary.

The 10-speed transmission makes optimal use of the Ranger Raptor's 500 Nm. The motor isn't as punchy as a V6, but it's very flexible.

The linearity is a result of the twin turbo setup, which features one turbo smaller than the other, connected in sequence, with the added trickery of bypassing the smaller turbo at higher speeds. The result is a turbodiesel-powered bakkie that exhibits virtually no turbo lag, which is no mean feat. While, on occasion, my co-driver and I did want more oomph out of the engine, the Raptor’s handling ability far outshines what it "lacks" in grunt.

The handling

There is nothing on the market today that offers the capability of the new Raptor. I’ve never driven a vehicle that can take as much punishment as this; drivers can hammer this vehicle in a way which, until now, has only been possible in bespoke off-road racing vehicles. But here, you get a warranty.

At the launch event, Ford had carved out a large offroad playground for us to drive the Raptor with abandon. The instructor who accompanied me was a hugely enthusiastic legend from the world of Aussie V8 racing, and he seemed to be having as much fun as I was.

The Ranger Raptor's well-balanced chassis allows drivers to balance the bakkie's handling on the throttle.

It must be said that normally on car launches we are asked to be careful and employ “mechanical sympathy”, all of which is fair enough. There was none of that on this launch. I got shouted at for slowing down and was constantly encouraged to “hit it hard”. I attacked the multiple “S” section of the track at around 90 kph. And as I was drifting the Raptor through the switchbacks, I felt like an absolute hero.

I pummeled through riverbeds and hit at least 130 kph on a horribly surfaced straight stretch along the treeline. The final leg of the track featured jumps that we hit at over 100 kph and ramped the Raptor clean off the ground. It was an utterly exhilarating experience and I'm not being humble in saying that the Ford almost certainly flattered my off-road driving ability, which, up until that very moment, was scant. The way this vehicle settles after a huge jump or undulation is frankly ridiculous, and the control and, moreover, "sense of control" afforded to the driver inspire much confidence.

The Ranger Raptor's sure-footed handling and ability to stabilise itself after traversing an obstacle at speed, inspires confidence.

If you have the location and the opportunity to thrash this bakkie, you will have enormous fun. This is smile-inducing motoring at its very best.

Normally, with on-road sportscars, the more extreme its handling abilities are, the more unusable the car becomes in everyday situations. However, that is not the case with the Raptor. By virtue of its radically altered underpinnings, the Raptor is better to drive on-road and on gravel than a normal Ranger. The ability to deal with poor surfaces is much improved and, despite those enormous, knobbly tyres, there is little road noise to speak of. All of these characteristics make for an even better experience on gravel. If ever there was a Bush Lamborghini (with respect to the Italian firm's ill-fated LM002 of yesteryear), this is it. For those who live far from tarred roads and need to get to their destinations in a big hurry, there is no better vehicle.

The interior

Little has changed in the interior, but the changes that have been made are effective in reminding you that you’re driving something quite special. A Ford Performance steering wheel with Raptor insignia looks and feels the part, while the instrument cluster is unique to the model and has been rejigged to feature a proper, analogue tachometer, which replaces the vertical, digital rev counter in the standard Ranger.

The best elements of the upgraded interior, according to the author, are the supportive, sculpted front seats.

The transmission selector has been revised and the dashboard features a graphite grey inlay, which matches the large, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, which, to be honest, I never used – the transmission is very good at doing its thing and I found is generally best when left alone.

The seats are a real highlight. Unique to the Raptor, they not only look sporty, but offer impressive comfort and support. They hold you in place in a way that, in a vehicle that can perform like this off-road, is almost a safety feature.

Infotainment is provided courtesy of Ford’s more-than-sufficient Sync 3 system and navigation is fitted as standard. In fact, there are few, if any options on the Raptor, it’s ready to go right out of the showroom.

The Ranger Raptor challenges its driver to make the most of the off-road conditions at their disposal… at considerable speed.

Pricing and optional extras

While local pricing has not been confirmed, there are whispers that the car will make it to our market at under R800 000, which given the new climate of million-rand bakkies, will be impressive if Ford pulls it off. The Raptor, including its powerplant, will be locally built for our market.

While a full list of options is yet to be confirmed, there will be precious few boxes to tick if you decide to place an order. You may want to add a protective armadillo-style bed cover, which the dealer will fit for you. Ford has recently changed supplier for the item (further details will be made public next year).

The Ranger Raptor possibly marks the emergence of a performance-bakkie niche, one that goes beyond mere horsepower and luxury.

In summary

For those who believe in using their bakkies to the utmost of their abilities, there is enormous appeal in owning a vehicle that's capable of far beyond what the average owner might ever utilise or experience. Manufacturers have been exploiting this for decades to sell sports cars, the vast majority of which never see racetracks. In the same way, the average owner might never race their Raptor off-road, but the fact that they could is a big draw.

It's potentially an industry-changing gamble from Ford. The Ranger was Ford's first ever global pick-up, and this is the first global Raptor. If the company can develop a thirst for off-road vehicles in this segment, and capitalise on the ever-increasing status symbol factor of owning a high-end bakkie, there is potential for huge success, and I suspect the business model will be rapidly copied by competitors. In fact, I’ve just seen a highly-modified racing Hilux outside my office… and so it begins!

Want to buy a Ranger?

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Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018) Launch Review

???Mercedes-Benz has introduced a facelifted version of its C-Class, but has the Three-pointed Star done enough to keep the business class sedan at the cutting edge of its segment? We sampled the newcomer at its local launch…

It must be a good time to be working for Mercedes-Benz! Not only is the Stuttgart-based company the best-selling luxury brand in the world, it's also rated the 9th-most valuable brand globally, which is to say it rubs shoulders with the likes of Apple and Amazon. It's critical, then, for Mercedes-Benz to ensure that its bestseller remains at the top of the pile. To that end, the firm has introduced a raft of upgrades for the C-Class that bring it in line with the rest of Benz's portfolio and, thanks to a massive investment into the East London plant, the new car will continue to be assembled locally.

What's changed?

In terms of changes, the highlights are to be found in the cabin

You'd be hard-pressed to spot the changes to the C-Class' exterior. There are subtle revisions to the grille, some tweaks to the bumpers, plus revised head- and tail lights (the bumper treatments differ depending on trim level). Speaking of headlights, there are LED high-performance headlamps, but you really want the Multibeam LED units with Ultra Range, which Mercedes-Benz claims can illuminate up to 600 metres.

By contrast, there have been significant advances in terms of cabin layout, infotainment systems, ergonomics, and engines. Overall, Mercedes-Benz claims to have changed more than 6 000 parts, with a particular focus on electronics. The new electronics incorporate the latest safety systems from Mercedes-Benz and the Stuttgart-based brand claims in terms of semi-autonomous driving capability, the new C-Class is on par with the S-Class.

A digital dashboard makes its debut in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class; it is an extra-cost option, however.

Speaking of bigger Mercedes-Benz models, the first thing you'll notice when you step inside the cabin of the facelifted C-Class is the revised steering wheel, which is akin to those in the E-Class. It's a smart-looking tiller and you can now activate cruise control from the 'wheel as opposed to using the clumsy stalk of yesteryear. The 'wheel also gains smartphone-like swipe buttons… Remember the Blackberry touchpads from a decade (or so) ago? Well, they're very similar in operation. While you may scoff at the idea of Blackberry-style tech being used in a 2018 car, we can confirm after driving both the facelifted C-Class locally and facelifted C63 S internationally, that the controls are remarkably easy to use – and work well.

The other focus points in the revised cabin are the displays. The crisp 12.3-inch digital dashboard is admittedly an option, but it's worth considering because it brings the instrument cluster bang up to date with the best systems in the new vehicle market, let alone its business class segment. The Comand infotainment screen is underpinned by new software – its icons, menus and, importantly, user experience mimic those of a smartphone, which will please tech-savvy users. It's a smooth and intuitive system with excellent graphics, a far cry from previous generations of Comand.

The new steering wheel is stylish and now incorporates cruise control functions, which eliminates the need for the stalk.

Powertrain changes

From launch, there are numerous engines to choose from. Sadly, due to the C200 suffering a puncture on the test route, we weren't able to test the new 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo motor with electric assist. We got a chance to get behind the wheel of the C180 (the entry-level point in the range), as well as the mighty C43 AMG. All Mercedes-Benz C-Class derivatives now feature a new 9-speed (as opposed to 7-speed) automatic transmission.

The C180 is powered by a 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine, with outputs of 115 kW and 250 Nm. The C200's (relatively small-capacity) engine, pushes out a credible 135 kW and 280 Nm by virtue of turbocharging and a 48V electric system. The electrical system alone provides 10 kW and 160 Nm.

There's a punchy 2.0-litre turbopetrol in the C300 with 180 kW and 370 Nm and turbodiesel fans can opt for the C220d's 2.0-litre with 143 kW and 400 Nm. Finally, at the top of the pile of the C-Class range (at least before the C63 arrives later this year), is the new C43 AMG. Its 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol now produces 17 kW more and is mated with the new 9-speed 'box. With its 287 kW and 520 Nm, the C43 4Matic is ballistic off the line.

What's it like it drive?

Refinement and build quality have improved, but the steering feel is more suited to cruising than dynamic driving.

Let's start with the Mercedes-AMG C43 sedan. Other than a subtle AMG badge, bigger alloy wheels and quad exhausts, its an understated car. The transmission's closer-spaced ratios allow you to access that sonorous V6's powerband often and in Sport+, it feels effortlessly capable of matching its claimed sub-5-second 0 to 100 kph time. We also commend the AMG division for amplifying the soundtrack of the C43: it's certainly a lot louder than before. Each pull of the nicely-crafted metal shift paddles prompted a cacophonous bang from the new-look quad exhaust system.

Drawbacks? Well, the 9-speed transmission battled to produce smooth gearshifts in Comfort mode, but seemed more keen to deliver lightning-quick shifts in Sport+ mode. We believe the clumsy shifts could be attributed to the newness of the car – our unit had only 300 km on the clock! We expect that the car will loosen up nicely after a few thousand kilometres and we look forward to giving the C43 a more thorough assessment on home turf.

With a smart 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder motor combining with an electric assist, the C200 should be light on fuel

The road noise was a little high, but the test unit did traverse sections of very coarse tarmac. The ride quality was commendable, but it all depends on which driving mode you're in, as the differences between them are night and day. Comfort is pliant and fair, while Sport+ is firm and poised. The modes also modify the engine's responsiveness, exhaust tone and gearbox shift speed. The best part is you can get the best of both worlds by using the Individual setting: Suspension in comfort, engine responsiveness about midway and exhaust at its loudest would be our preferred setting.

Our second vehicle to drive was the entry-level C180, which came in AMG Line trim. It really is a good-looking car with its diamond-stud grille and 5-spoke AMG alloys. The performance of the turbocharged 1.6 litre was adequate for around town, but highway overtaking manoeuvres required a bit of effort (and several kicks down the 9-speed auto 'box) to access all of the 250 Nm. It may have had bigger, sportier wheels, but ride quality was not that compromised. The steering setups in both the C180 and the C43 are not the most direct, with a bias towards comfort and ease of use.

Summary

The updates bring the C-Class up to date with its rivals and with a new BMW 3 Series just around the corner, it's going to have its work cut out

There's a distinctly upmarket feel about the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. On the back of a massive investment (R10 billion), the future of Benz's East London plant is looking bright as the assembly line's productivity is expected to increase in the near future. In the past, we've criticised some Mercedes-Benz products for marginal cabin finishes (frequently, test units have had annoying rattles and squeaks). While press cars tend to live hard lives, it's unfathomable how an R800 000 premium German sedan could suffer from a creaking dashboard with under 10 000 km on the clock.

Thankfully, our first impression of the facelifted C-Class' cabin quality is positive! The materials feel more upmarket and critically, solid. The C180 unit we drove did have a rather rudimentary glossy plastic finish around the trio of centre vents, which unfortunately creaked, but it's perhaps forgivable on the entry point of the range and likely to be improved as local production ramps up. Also, we expect dealerships to offer prospective C180 customers tasty incentives to get them behind the wheel of the C200, the second-from-bottom derivative we expect will be the most popular.

Overall, the facelifted C-Class does what it says on the tin – but in an admirable way – it's a package that looks smart and performs smartly. It should remain the brand's best-seller (both locally and globally) and with these new technological updates, continues to shake off its "Old Man's Car" image. With a facelifted Audi A4 and all-new BMW 3 Series due before the end of the year, the battle for "best in class" will resume in earnest.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class main change is in the interior

Mercedes-Benz C-Class prices in SA

You may look at the price and wonder how Mercedes-Benz justified this new price when compared to the outgoing model. We sure did. For example, a pre-facelifted C200 cost R559 167, whereas a new car retails for R613 500. Mercedes-Benz explained that there's more specification fitted as standard, as many of the options fitted to the outgoing model had a 100% take-up rate. So instead of Mercedes-Benz making them available as costly options, they're fitted as standard. The facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class comes with a 6-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Sedan

C180 R586 500

C200 R613 500

C220d R651 000

C300 R716 000

Mercedes-AMG C43 R948 500

Coupe

C180 R666 000

C200 R766 000

Mercedes-AMG C43 R983 500

Cabriolet

C200 R793 500

C300 R884 000

Mercedes-AMG C43 R1 100 000

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Suzuki showcases facelifted Vitara

Two-time #CarsAwards compact family category champion – the Suzuki Vitara – has been updated for 2019 with a slew of visual, safety and engine tweaks. The newcomer is expected in South Africa in the first quarter of next year.

Suzuki, which recently launched its budget-oriented Swift compact hatchback in the local market, has won back-to-back Brand of the Year titles in the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank, validating its position as one of the most loved automotive brands in South Africa.

Having sold close to 300 units this year alone it’s fair to say that Suzuki’s Vitara is one of the brand’s best-selling cars here in South Africa. For 2019, the Vitara has gone under the knife and received a mild nip and tuck, improved safety and engine configurations to keep it more relevant.

Visually, the updated Vitara benefits from a re-designed grille and overhauled front bumper, which helps keep it more in line with the contemporary cues of its stablemates. The tail-light clusters have also been given a makeover with a distinctive LED graphic taking centre stage.

In terms of its interior execution, it's still a relatively conservative affair, but the facelifted version receives a sprinkling of soft-touch materials, most notably atop the dashboard, and an all-new instrument cluster (with full-colour central information display) for a more premium feel in the cabin.

One of the Vitara’s biggest drawcards for 2019, however, is its the enhanced array of integral safety features, which includes dual sensor brake support, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert system.

As for the engine options – Suzuki has reportedly replaced the naturally aspirated 86 kW/151 Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol motor with a sprightly 82 kW 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol motor, while the 103 kW 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol (offered in the European market) remains available too.

Suzuki South Africa has yet to confirm the specification of the updated Vitara for the local market (such as the engine and safety specification line-up). However, given the brand's overall value-for-money product strategy, we assume that the newcomer won't move far upmarket, spec-wise.

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Porsche Releases Taycan EV Specs

Remember the Porsche Mission E concept from 2015? Well, the good news is that it’s going into production albeit with a very different name – the Taycan, a name Porsche says translates to a ‘lively, young horse’. Interesting…

Porsche has confirmed that the Taycan will utilise 2 electric motors fed by a battery pack comprising 4-volt cells, which equates to a range of 500 km. The battery pack’s biggest trump card is its ability to be fast-charged to 400km (80%) in just 15 minutes – something which was a ‘major challenge’ for the brand according to Nora Lobenstein, Porsche's head of energy storage systems.

And what of the key specifications? Well, the combined power output of the synchronous electric motors – each of which powers an axle – is confirmed at 440 kW making the Taycan a rather lively machine. It’s zero to 100 kph sprint time of under 3.5 seconds puts it ahead of the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo in the acceleration stakes.

The forthcoming Porsche Taycan is based on the Mission E Concept and will offer 440 kW.

As far as dynamics go, nothing has been divulged at present, but several test mules have recently been spotted barreling around the infamous twists and turns of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, so it’s safe to say we’ve got nothing to worry about.

During the initial testing phase, Porsche sent 21 camouflaged prototypes to western South Africa where more than 60 developers racked up about 40 000km worth of hot-weather testing data. Not a lot by global standards, no, but that’s just the start. Porsche says ‘millions’ of kilometres will be spent honing the Taycan and ensuring it runs like clockwork in the toughest conditions.

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

The Mercedes-Benz's refreshed C-Class business class sedan, which is produced at the Stuttgart-based firm's East London plant, is now available in the local market. Herewith the prices and specifications of the updated range.

Although the updates incorporated in the C-Class may be perceived as relatively minor, the Stuttgart-based brand claims the changes are the most significant in the history of its business class sedan range!

The C-Class’ exterior has received only a mild tweak and features the eye-catching diamond grille as standard (in combination with AMG Line), redesigned LED headlamps (Multibeam LED units with Ultra Range high beam-function are optional), with revised front bumpers (for all lines), as well as updated taillight clusters. The rear bumper treatments vary according to the selected equipment and engine variant.

The interior, however, incorporates a host of new technologies, including a fresh electronic architecture, which is said to be on par with that of the S-Class. An all-digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster is available as an option and the newly designed steering wheel now affords access to more onboard and infotainment systems (including Distronic active cruise control – if specified) and its control buttons respond to sweeps of the thumb.

Predictably, the infotainment system has been upgraded too, with a new 10.25-inch screen offered on high-end models (smartphone integration is now standard) and there are a handful of new interior trims, such as open-pore brown walnut and anthracite oak trim inserts, to choose from.

Meanwhile, a number of Intelligent Drive electronic assistance features, which offer a higher degree of semi-autonomous driving functionality, have made their way to the options list, which also includes a new Multicontour Seat package that Benz claims "literally offers a massage – the side bolsters and lumbar support can be individually adjusted by an electrically-driven pneumatic pump (to create) a massage effect in the lumbar area".

Engine Choices

The facelifted C-Class range is headlined by this, a more powerful C43 4Matic with 287 kW and 520 Nm.

As for engines, a new 4-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine, mated with a 9-speed automatic transmission, makes its way into the C200. This mild hybrid offering is supplemented with a 48-volt onboard network and the EQ Boost integrated starter-generator that produces an additional 10 kW and 160 Nm when the sedan's accelerating. The C300 is powered by a new-generation 2.0-litre turbopetrol that produces peak outputs of 190 kW and 370 Nm, while the range-topping Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic boasts a more powerful twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine with outputs of 287 kW (17 kW more than before) and 520 Nm (unchanged). Benz claims the C43 4Matic will sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds.

On the turbodiesel front, the C220 d 4Matic is powered by a 1.6-litre engine that provides peak outputs of 143 kW and 400 Nm.

Another new feature is an automatic notification if the vehicle suffers an impact caused by another vehicle when parked, is towed away or there is a break-in attempt. The highly sensitive sensors of the standard Anti-theft alarm system (ATA) can detect such situations and immediately send a "push notification" message to the Mercedes me App. The optional feature includes the new sensors and the corresponding software, Benz says.