The flagship luxury sedan from Lexus has arrived in South Africa. Lexus claims it brings premium levels of powertrain smoothness, spaciousness, handling, ride comfort, safety, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Let's meet the new Lexus LS 500.
Riding on a new rear-wheel-drive platform and featuring trademark Lexus design cues like the spindle grille, the new Lexus LS 500, now in its fifth generation, is promising a lot. Underneath that bonnet is an interesting powertrain. It's a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 packing 310 kW and 600 Nm, meaning this luxury limo is capable of 100 kph sprints in 5 seconds. Lexus claims this engine promises V8 levels of power without the thirst associated with an 8-cylinder engine. Power goes to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Lexus claims its new LS 500 consumes 9.5 L/ 100 km.
The new Lexus boasts adaptive variable damping as well as air suspension, with the aim of providing ultimate comfort irrespective of road quality as well as being able to raise/lower the car for easy access. Lexus has fitted its new LS 500 with 20-inch alloys wrapped in run-flat rubber and there are 11 colour options.
The cabin is where it becomes really special. While the rear of the LS 500 is arguably the best place to be, the new version features a driver-focused cockpit filled with luxury elements such as metal and wood as well as leather in abundance. The rear cabin features a multi-function touchscreen in the rear centre armrest console which is used to precisely control the position of the rear seats, together with audio, climate, sunshade and interior lighting functions. There are three preset seat modes: Business, which is the default; Entertain, which reclines the seat for comfortable viewing of the entertainment monitor, and Relax, which extends the leg ottoman, deeply reclines the seatback and moves the front passenger seat to its further forward position to provide maximum legroom. The rear seats feature 22-way adjustment too! The front seats are just as comfortable with 28-way adjustment and massage functionality.
The rear cabin of the new Lexus LS 500 will be a very comfortable place to be
In terms of standard features, the new Lexus LS 500 comes packed to the hilt. Its safe too, featuring autonomous systems which will intervene to avoid crashes. There's a 12.3-inch multi-media screen, head-up display, rear-seat DVD entertainment as well as the famous Mark Levinson 23-speaker QLI Reference Surround Sound audio system.
Lexus LS 500 Price in South Africa (May 2018)
The new Lexus LS 500 goes up against the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ. Lexus is offering a 7-year/105 000km Warranty and Full Maintenance Plan. The vehicle service intervals are at every 15 000km, alternatively once a year.
Ford South Africa has confirmed that a facelifted version of its Ranger bakkie will be coming to SA in 2019. The big change? A biturbo diesel engine and a 10-speed automatic gearbox from the Raptor!
Ford South Africa, after investing R3-billion in its local operation, confirmed that the new updated Ranger will be built at the Silverton factory in Pretoria, with engines assembled by the Struandale plant in Port Elizabeth. The facelifted Ranger will also continue to be exported to over 148 countries around the world.
So what's new? The big news are the engine changes. The new Biturbo diesel four-cylinder which was the headline for the Ranger Raptor will also be available for non-Raptor derivatives. Packing 157 kW and 500 Nm from just 1 750 rpm, this new engine appears quite potent but we've got to look at it mechanically. Ford claims the sequential turbos are the key to responsiveness and efficiency, and let's not forget that new 10-speed automatic gearbox either. The facelifted Ford Ranger will still be able to tow up to 3 500 kg.
In terms of looks, the Ranger will feature a cleaner new grille and a revised bumper with a wider intake. Ford claims there'll be a bigger difference between the derivatives with colours and bumpers. Safety is becoming more and more autonomous and the Ranger will feature Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist using Inter-Urban Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Vehicle Detection and Pedestrian Detection. This system is designed to detect pedestrians as well as vehicles and to bring the Ranger to a complete stop, to help mitigate rear-end collisions and road-traffic collisions with pedestrians at speeds above 3.6km/h.
The suspension has also been reworked for the 2019 model, and Ford claims it has reduced and controlled body roll. There's also a focus on improving the driving experience when towing as well as sharpening up the steering.
We'll have more details, specification and pricing for the 2019 Ford Ranger closer to the launch date. We also predict, based on the Australian market that the Everest SUV will be facelifted with the new Biturbo and 10-speed gearbox.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class (2018) International First Drive
To the untrained eye, the new G-Class looks much the same as its predecessors. But don't be fooled by the newcomer's iconic silhouette: Mercedes-Benz has reinvented its mightiest off-roader. Our UK correspondent, Richard Lane, has driven the Mercedes-AMG G63 version of the G-Class (traditionally the range's top-selling derivative) and boldly declares it a "proper Range Rover rival".
Gunnar Guthenke, the head of Mercedes-Benz's G-Class division, suggests the people who buy this car fall into 3 categories. There are "true off-roaders", who, for either professional or recreational reasons, require a device capable of forging a path many would consider too challenging to undertake on foot. Then there are the aesthetes, who feel they can’t get a machine of such bravura anywhere else. The kindest way to describe the last group is "the new money"… this is the buying demographic that craves the most extravagant, bombastic creation to wear the Three-pointed Star. It’s a role that’s been comfortably filled since AMG began fettling the G-Class in 1999.
The car’s history goes back rather a lot further in time than that, of course. Having been introduced in 1979, the Graz-built G-Class is Mercedes’ longest-serving model, and it’s also the only one to have no specified "end of production" in the diary. What you see here represents the most significant upgrade the G-Class has undergone – one that aims to keep all 3 of the aforementioned cliques happy – and it’s no stretch to call it a "reinvention".
The G-Class is one of the most instantly recognisable vehicles on the road, underneath its aluminium sheetmetal, Benz has rung the changes.
However, the biggest problem in reinventing an icon lies in knowing what to keep and what to change. In this case, Mercedes has improved almost everything underneath the aluminium skin, but left the car’s demeanour well alone. It must have been tempting to increase the rake of the windscreen – less wind noise, more space for the vast digital dials embedded in the dashboard – but the change amounts to less than a single degree and so the fantastically elevated, abrupt view from the front seats remains.
Still looks old school – on purpose
Similarly, the hinges of the doors remain visible, and much of the opening and closing mechanism has been carried over so owners can continue to enjoy that richly mechanical crunch. That’s precisely the sort of thing that matters to so many of those prepared to hand over the best part of R1.7 million to get their hands on a new G-Class, let alone the AMG version. No surprise, then, that the bonnet-mounted indicators also remain, despite costing 5 times as much to develop as originally planned.
Although the G-Class interior is as luxurious as any premium SUV's, the driving position remains bolt-upright and on-top-of-the-dashboard.
Mercedes has safety regulations to thank for that. They stipulate that the housing must be deformable from any angle and the light emitted be visible from road level less than a metre from the front of the car. The front passenger still has the convenience of a dash-mounted grab handle, although, this being 2018, it looks much smarter.
All occupants will also benefit from substantially more leg and shoulder room than before. Step from the old W463-generation car into the new one and the growth spurt is palpable. In fact, the new car has grown in every dimension, being 53 mm longer, 64 mm wider and 15 mm taller than before.
The new G-Class' increased dimensions make its occupants feel less cramped. The quilted leather adds to a bespoke-cabin ambience.
The other fundamental change to the G-Class is found within the interior. The architecture retains an old-school feel, with its squared-off panels, but that’s juxtaposed against a pair of adjacent 12.3-inch displays. Various parts are borrowed from the E-Class but, for a hand-built car, it feels suitably opulent, not to mention comfortable.
There is little here to upset the design junkies, then (moreover, this car looks far more convincing in the metal than in the pictures), although it is the driver who stands to gain most from the wholesale changes Mercedes-Benz has wrought… With the help of a new brace that links the front suspension turrets, the torsional rigidity of the ladder frame and bodyshell has increased by more than half.
The fascia of the G-Class' cabin is a far cry from the '80s original; the milled metal finishes feel grand and look positively futuristic.
The G-Class has historically been guided by a low-geared recirculating ball set-up so infamously indirect that having only just turned the nose of the car in you’d need to begin unwinding the lock simply to avoid running wide on the exit. Owners have long complained about this, so there’s now electromechanical rack and pinion steering.
New double-wishbone front suspension
Laying the foundations for such a change, Benz relinquished a rugged solid front axle in favour of using double wishbones mounted directly to the ladder frame. It has not been an easy job: to maintain the G-Class’ tremendous ground clearance, the engineers had to position the lower wishbone attachment point as high as possible, fighting for every millimetre. Incidentally, ground clearance between the axles has increased by 6 mm to 241 mm (it continues to better that of a Toyota Land Cruiser 200).
Even though the G-Class' on-road performance shows tremendous improvement, its off-road prowess is, incredibly, better too.
You could fill a book with this car’s off-road vital statistics – breakover angles, wading depth and so on – but suffice it to say that when going gets tough, the new G-Class is superior to its predecessor in every measurable way, if only by a small margin.
The 'brick' handles much better
By contrast, out on the road, it is quickly apparent that this car now possesses an attribute that has for decades evaded it entirely: handling. In addition to the modernised front axle, there’s a new rigid rear axle that’s placed by four trailing arms with the continued use of a Panhard rod to prevent any undesirable lateral movement.
The redesigned suspension and adaptive damping have made the G-Class much more sure-footed, body roll is well under control.
There is body roll and it can be substantial if you’re really working the Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber fitted to AMG models, but the roll rate is suitably commensurate with steering inputs, allowing you to work the contact points. Likewise, with such a high centre of gravity to fight against, it’s not long before the front tyres are chirping with understeer, but the remarkable thing is that you can accurately predict when that point will arrive and drive accordingly.
Play by its rules – be patient on corner entry – and you can get the G63 to adopt a satisfying rear-led balance as you knead more torque into the road surface. It’s old-fashioned (if slightly cantankerous) fun. This car is farcically quick; the decision to adjust the torque split from 50/50 to a rear-biased 60/40 hasn’t hurt the dynamics.
A "bewildering" 850 Nm is enough to create a mini sandstorm when applying full throttle in the loose stuff…
Adaptive suspension now standard
The ride quality has dramatically improved too. All G-Class models will use adaptive suspension, and although there’s still a consistent low-frequency jostle, it’s subtle enough that you might just consider this car as a long-range rival for a Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne. Barring the odd clunk from a differential and the wind noise at speed, usability and refinement are now a significant part of the G-Class package.
But let’s return to the subject of torque, because it’s remarkable that it has taken so long to get to the heart of the matter. In the case of the G63, that heart is Mercedes-AMG’s M178 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Tuned for duties in a 2.5-tonne off-roader, it develops 430 kW at 6 000 rpm and a bewildering 850 Nm at 2 500-3 500 rpm, making it more potent even than its dry-sumped sibling in the Mercedes-AMG GT R supercar. Top speed is 240 kph, but it is a 0-100 kph of 4.5sec that widens the eyes.
Again, the side-opening rear door is an anachronism in contemporary SUVs, but at least you can stack goods completely vertically.
The engine operates through a Mercedes 9G-Tronic torque-converter transmission with quite outstanding aural pomposity, and while not quite as serrated as the 5.5-litre M157 unit, its more hulking tone matches its predecessor for sheer volume. Cruise anywhere remotely near a parallel structure and there’s no doubt the exhausts exit to the sides, so for all its sophistication, this (at least in AMG guise) is still a machine those of a retiring disposition will tire of quickly.
Summary
With so much to take in, a full road test of this G-Class is certainly warranted, and we're unlikely to get a chance before the 4th quarter of 2018 (its South African launch is confirmed for late in Q3). What’s clear is that it’s a machine that has comprehensively redefined its bandwidth, while richly retaining its core character.
Ford South Africa is going on the product offensive for 2018. Having taken a while to bring Fiesta to the local market, we now have some insight into what else we can expect.
Just arrived: Ford Fiesta
We've just returned from the local launch of the Fiesta compact hatchback. With a trimmed lineup comprising only 1.0-litre turbopetrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel engines, the Fiesta brings new levels of tech and comfort in its fight against the segment-leading Volkswagen Polo.
If you think this facelift is a mere nip and tuck, you’re mistaken: Ford has thoroughly enhanced its baby SUV to capitalise on seemingly inexhaustible global demand for compact SUVs. In fact, this latest EcoSport features more than 2 300 new parts.
The Ford Kuga range will be expanded in the third quarter of 2018. Currently, the range comprises both petrol, diesel, manual, auto and all-wheel-drive models, so it will be interesting to see what else Ford could add to the range.
A dedicated performance bakkie is a bold project to embark on, but buoyed by its success with the Raptor name in its left-hand drive only F150 pickup, Ford thought it'd be a good idea to make a Ranger Raptor. As pictures will attest, it certainly looks the part. It will initially be assembled in Thailand and then production will kick off at Ford South Africa's plant in Silverton, Pretoria.
Here are 12 cars that are the most gizmo-packed in terms of safety and convenience features (from new) for less than R250 000. Take a look…
If you are in the market for an out-of-the-box purchase that costs less than R250 000, you have many options to consider but you will have to make some difficult decisions on what car will give offer you the most in terms what you will get for your money. If outright practicality (in terms of people-carrying ability or loading capacity) is not high on the priority list and you're effectively looking to find a vehicle with the most "big-car features" in a "small car (compact) package", which is what so many consumers are looking for, what should you consider?
We created this list to help you narrow down your search, particularly if safety and convenience features matter to you. To make it onto this list, a car must have at least 4 airbags as standard as well as ABS and stability and/or traction control. The cars are then ranked, according to the convenience features they offer. The cars with the most comprehensive list of convenience features appear higher on the list, while cars with less or more optional features will appear further down the list. All the cars on this list are priced under R250k (May 2018).
The features considered for this list include satellite navigation, USB and auxiliary ports, Bluetooth functionality, cruise control, multifunction steering wheel, electric windows and park distance control.
Renault Sandero Stepway 66 kW Turbo Dynamique
The facelifted Renault Sandero Stepway Dynamique is a value-oriented proposition that’s difficult to ignore at R201 900 – it comes equipped with ALL of the aforementioned convenience features and is powered by a 0.9-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine with 66 kW and 135 Nm of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission drives the front wheels and the claimed fuel consumption is 5.4 L/100 km. As a bonus, the Stepway is quite practical with a 292-litre luggage bay, as well as a split-folding rear seatback that can free up more loading capacity.
Watch our video review of the Renault Sandero Stepway 66kW Turbo Dynamique below!
If you are looking for something more fashionable, the Opel Adam 1.0T Jam is a boutique city car that should be worthy of your attention. Priced at R248 662, the Adam Jam offers a total of 6 airbags as standard and comes fitted with a reverse-view camera, along with front and rear park distance control.
The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine is a peach too and delivers punchy performance with 85 kW and 170 Nm of torque transferred through a 6-manual transmission. Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.1 L/100 km. Luggage space is rated at 170 litres, expanding to 484 litres with the rear seat bench folded down.
Toyota introduced the Aygo X-Cite to South Africa in 2017 and it comes fitted with a total of 6 airbags as standard along with electronic stability control and ABS. The Aygo X-Cite is also equipped with a retractable soft-top roof, giving it some added flair. Other notable features include 15-inch alloy wheels, a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB functionality, electric windows and electrically adjustable mirrors.
The Aygo X-Cite is powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine with 51 kW and 95 Nm. A 5-speed manual transmission drives the front wheels and Toyota claims an average fuel consumption figure of 4.4 L/100km. The Aygo X-Cite is priced from R193 100.
The entry-level Renault Captur Blaze is priced at R236 900 and is well equipped with features such as 4 airbags, stability control, ABS, cruise control, electric and heated side mirrors and an R&Go infotainment system with Bluetooth capability and 2 USB ports.
The Blaze employs the familiar 3-cylinder, 0.9-litre turbopetrol engine with 66 kW and 135 Nm of torque and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.4 L/100km. Load volume capacity is rated at 377 litres which is expandable to 1 235 litres with the rear seats folded down.
Watch our video review of the facelifted Renault Captur below!
As an alternative to the Polo sedan or Toyota Corolla Quest, you can also consider the mid-range Honda Ballade Elegance manual priced at R241 800. The Ballade was updated in 2017 with a new look and improved interior feel. A total of 6 airbags are standard and features niceties such as alloy wheels, multifunction steering wheel, rear camera and cruise control. The boot is large, offering 536 litres of space.
A naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 88 kW and 145 Nm of torque is found in the engine bay and Honda claims an average consumption figure of 5.9 L/100 km. A 5-speed manual transmission drives the front wheels.
Renault’s popular Clio benefited from a facelift late in 2016 with exterior and interior updates. Powered by a 0.9-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine offering 66 kW and 140 Nm of torque, the Clio Dynamique is a well-sorted compact city car. A 5-speed manual transmission drives the front wheels and Renault claims a fuel consumption figure of 5.5 L/100 km.
The luggage bay is sizable at 300 litres, expanding to a useful 1 146 litres with the rear seats folded down. The Renault Clio 66 kW Turbo Dynamique is priced from R246 900. The Clio 66kW Turbo Dynamique was a finalist in the Compact Hatchback category of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards — powered by WesBank.
New for 2018 is the Volkswagen Polo Vivo. It essentially last year's Polo made to be a bit more budget-friendly and the good news is that the whole lineup comes in below R250k. The 1.6-litre Highline and turbocharged 1.0 TSI GT come with 2 airbags, stability control and alloy wheels. Cruise control is optional on all models but comes standard on the 1.0 TSI GT. Practicality-wise there's 280 litres of boot space and the rear seats fold down to offer up 952 litres.
The Polo Vivo range starts at R179 900 for the 1.4 Trendline hatch but to get decent standard spec you'll want to push to the 1.6 Highline at R214 900. The 1.0 TSI GT retails for R245 000.
Check out this video of the differences between an Old Polo and a New Polo Vivo
Fiat Panda
The quirky Fiat Panda made a comeback in 2017 with 4 derivatives on offer (including two 4×4 versions) and most of them are priced below the R250 000 cutoff. A 2-cylinder, 0.9-litre turbopetrol engine with outputs of either 63 kW or 66 kW on offer with 145 Nm of torque. The range starts with the Panda Easy at R199 900, the mid-spec Panda Lounge is priced at R214 900 and the higher-spec Panda 4×4 is priced from R245 900. A total of 4 airbags, ABS and stability control are fitted as standard.
The Smart ForTwo and ForFour offer consumers something different. The new 3rd-generation Smart models were launched in South Africa in 2016 and seem perfectly suited to the urban commute. In Passion trim, the specification is adequate with a number of optional features on offer.
Both the ForTwo and ForFour Passion are powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine offering 52 kW and 91 Nm of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is available for both derivatives while the ForFour Passion can also be had with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Pricing starts at R196 105 for the ForTwo Passion and R201 149 for the manual ForFour Passion. The automatic ForFour Passion is priced from R231 917.
The Honda Jazz 1.2 Comfort was a finalist in the 2016/17 Compact Hatchback category of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank and it’s a formidable offering in terms of space, practicality and reliability. The Jazz covers the basics in terms of features, but nice-to-have navigation and cruise control are not offered. Six airbags are standard, however.
A naturally aspirated 1.2-litre engine (with outputs of 66 kW and 110 Nm) is mated with a 5-speed manual transmission and the claimed fuel consumption figure is 5.6 L/100 km. In terms of space, there’s plenty, with a loading bay offering 363 litres expanding to a generous 1 881 litres with the rear seats folded down. The Honda Jazz 1.2 Comfort is priced from R243 500.
The Peugeot 208 Active is not as popular as some of the other cars on this list, but it’s a decent offering nonetheless with a reasonable level of specification. Cruise control is one of the stand-out standard features and the luggage bay offers 311 litres of space, expanding to 1 152 litres with the rear seats down.
The 208 Active is powered by a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine with 60 kW and 118 Nm of torque. A 5-speed manual gearbox put those numbers to the tar with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.3 L/100 km. The Peugeot 208 Active is priced from R224 900.
The Up! has been popular locally and there is an Up! to suit a variety of tastes. The Move Up!, priced from R185 100, is basic, but you can spec it (up!) with features such as park distance control, cruise control, alloy wheels and heated front seats. If you love music, you may want to consider the Up! Beats priced from R201 500, featuring a banging 300W BeatsAudio sound system. Alternatively, you can also consider the Cross Up! priced at R201 500.
All Up! models are powered by a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine with 55 kW and 95 Nm of torque driving the front wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission. Claimed fuel consumption is 4.6 L/100 km. Luggage space is rated at 251 litres and 959 litres with the rear bench folded down.
Buying a car doesn’t only involve raising the capital to purchase it, there is another major cost to consider – monthly car insurance premiums. Finding the right insurance for you can seem like a monumental task, but it is worth the effort because as much as you don't want to risk driving around in an un- or underinsured car, you shouldn't have to pay for extra coverage you don’t really need.
First, let’s find out what the different types of insurance are that you can choose from. Bear in mind that every insurance company offers something slightly different under these same umbrellas.
Comprehensive Insurance
This includes accidental loss or damage to a vehicle – think an accident, theft or if you live in Gauteng, a damaging hail storm. Even if you are the cause of an accident, this policy will insure both you and the third party involved.
Limited
Just as the name suggests, this option is limited to loss or damage due to fire and theft. It also covers you against third party claims, in cases where you are the cause of the accident and you’re legally liable for the damage to the other person’s car.
Third-party Insurance
This is a basic type of insurance that will cover you if you cause an accident and you are liable to pay for the damage to another person’s vehicle.
With these options in mind, here are a few things to consider when shopping for car insurance.
Do your homework
This is probably the most important piece of advice when shopping for anything really, but especially when it comes to car insurance. Many people end up overpaying because they're convinced to purchase more insurance coverage than they actually need.
Research the companies that you are considering. Contact the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) to inquire whether the insurer is in fact licenced.
Read ALL the fine print before you sign anything. If you don’t understand something, ask for a comprehensive explanation. Ask friends and family members you trust if there are still things you do not understand.
Low can mean high
Beware of an almost unbelievably low premium, because this usually equates to a very high excess (the deposit you pay when a claim gets paid out by your insurer). Find out exactly what your excess will be and make sure you would actually be able to afford it. And, be sure to check for any additional costs you might be required to cover in the event that you put in a claim. If you are not risk averse, you can, of course, opt for a higher excess to decrease your monthly insurance payments.
Be sure to ask about implications of someone else driving your car, you need to stipulate an extra driver in an insurance policy to ensure you are covered if something were to happen while they are driving your vehicle.
Find out just how easy (or difficult) the insurance company’s claim process is. Read reviews online of other people’s experiences – this should give you an idea of just how good, average or bad a company you're dealing with.
Be sensible, but economical
If things sound too good to be true, they usually are. Shop around with legitimate insurance companies and get the deal that is right for you.
Before settling on one company, get a few quotes and compare them. Then go back to the ones you are interested in and ask if you are eligible for a discount if you combine household insurance with a vehicle policy.
Ask if there are any optional covers on your policy that can be removed to lower your premium. Find out if the company offers any value-added benefits that will assist you in the case of an emergency or when you need to get around without a car of your own for a while. Find out how flexible the policy is: are you able to change it at any time… does the insurer offer any rewards for good driving behaviour or claim-free years?
Find out what will lower your premium rates. Things such as safety features on your car, your age, your address, your driving habits, if your car is parked securely at night, and cars that are considered a low theft risk.
And be wary of policy sliding, which is what happens when agents attempt to slip additional policy coverage into your package without your knowledge or approval, it increases your rates significantly.
Don't get scammed
There are loads of scams out there. Here are a few examples below:
Low-ball offers
If your vehicle is written off, your policy may cover a replacement or the cash value of an equivalent car. Low-balling is when car insurance providers offer a deceptive bid by understating the car’s condition with imaginary complaints or they estimate the value of your car by using a “comparable” vehicle with higher mileage. Be sure to keep copies of all your scheduled services to prove your current mileage.
Ghost agencies
These are fake insurance agents who offer unrealistic deals. Again, check with the SAIA before signing anything or handing over any money.
Renewal hike prices
A really tempting introductory offer may be followed by a price-hike and little to no explanation as to why such an increase in your premium is warranted. Remember to read the fine print! It may all sound very complicated and laborious, but you don’t want to end up in a bad situation that could have been prevented if you had just done a little bit of research.
Don't underinsure
This might contradict everything written above, but not everyone is actually out to scam you. But one thing you need to know is what your car is actually insured for because you don’t want to end up being underinsured. What is the difference between retail, market value and trade-in?
Retail value
The retail value is what your car's asking price would be if you to buy it from a dealership. The retail price is usually the closest value to the replacement cost of the car.
Trade-in
The trade or book value of a motor vehicle represents the average price that a dealership would pay for your car given its specification and condition.
Market value
The market value of a car is almost always lower than the retail value and takes into account a number of variables, including mileage, vehicle condition, service history and accident reports. If you were to sell your car privately, the market value would be the price that you could likely sell it for.
So, which should you choose? Many insurance companies recommend that clients insure their cars for its replacement value. In the case of older cars, this would amount to the retail value. However, in a total loss scenario where your car is either stolen or written off, it is not often that you will receive a sum of money that will allow you to purchase the exact same car you had. This is due to the fact that vehicle prices are constantly changing and don't forget the excess you will be responsible for.
Consider that retail value is greater than market value, which is greater than trade-in value and as a result, your premium can be higher or lower. Be sure to chat with your insurer about which will be best suited to your car and to your budget. You don’t want to be left with little to no money in the event your car is stolen or written off.
Yearly check-in
This is the last piece of advice we have regarding the insurance process, but it is an important one. Don't let your policy blindly roll over when the renewal date arrives.
Every year you need to check in with your insurance provider and make amendments to your policy that fit your current situation. Cars devalue in price so if you have insured your car for a retail value, then that should be altered each year, as the car will have depreciated.
Porsche continues to improve its hybrid offering. For the new Cayenne, the capabilities of the new electric power unit are dramatically improved.
Porsche has been developing hybrid tech for some time now. The previous generation Cayenne and Panamera both shared parts for hybrid models that promised all-electric modes as well as combining with turbopetrol powerplants to deliver maximum performance.
The new Cayenne e-Hybrid uses the same 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol engine that delivers 5 kW more to make a total of 250 kW. The electric motor has vastly improved from the predecessor by some 43% and offers 100 kW of additional power. The sum total amounts to 340 kW and 700 Nm of torque.
Zero to 100 kph is dealt with in 5.0 seconds at it will run on to a top speed of 253 kph. There are 4 driving modes to choose from that deliver very different levels of performance and power from the battery-powered electric motor. E-Power, Hybrid Auto, Sport and Sport Plus work in ascending order in delivering maximum power. The Cayenne e-Hybrid has placed a major emphasis on sportiness hence the standard spec now includes the Sport Chrono package.
The hybrid system has been sufficiently improved that the range in pure electric mode has increased from 30 km to 44 km and it can maintain a top speed of 135 kph in pure electric mode. The plug-in charging system includes a new connection that's easier to use. The key shows the current status via an LED and allows the driver to switch between timed and immediate charging at the touch of a button. The timer can be programmed for time-shifted charging via the Porsche Connect app. Charging times themselves vary depending on the onboard charger and electricity source.
Porsche South Africa has confirmed that the Cayenne e-Hybrid will be arriving in SA before the end of 2018. Porsche owners will have the option of charging their Cayenne either at home or at Porsche centres around the country.
Mercedes-AMG has expanded its GT convertible portfolio with a new GT S derivative. Herewith some details.
The Mercedes-AMG GT family has grown considerably and now comprises four two-door coupés, three roadsters, two customer sports racing cars and three four-door coupés. This new GT S Roadster slots between the baby AMG GT Roadster and the potent AMG GT C Roadster. In comparison to the entry-level roadster, the GT S feaatures uprated performance, suspension, brakes and trim.
"With the AMG GT S Roadster, our AMG GT family has gained another exceptionally sporty member that combines high driving dynamics with an emotional open-air experience," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "The new model represents the perfect alternative for the performance-oriented AMG GT Roadster customer."
Under that long bonnet is the potent 4.0-litre biturbo V8 motor, but in GT S application, outputs are ramped up to 384 kW and 670 Nm, with all that shove available from 1 900 rpm. If you bury the throttle from standstill, Mercedes-AMG claims you'll blitz to 100 kph in 3.8 seconds and max out at 308 kph. Power goes to the rear wheels via a 7-speed AMG Speedshift DCT 'box. The AMG GT S rides on 19-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, wrapped in 255/35 R 19 and 295/35 R 19 at the front and rear respectively.
Adaptive damping is fitted as standard, as is an electronically controlled differential. In terms of stopping power, you can opt for ceramic brakes, but the standard AMG composite units should be plenty if you're not taking your AMG GT S to the track. In the cabin, the AMG GT S Roadster features the AMG Silver Chrome Interior package as standard, giving the interior an upmarket finish.
Mercedes-AMG says the new GT S Roadster is available to order right now, with a market launch in July 2018.
Ford showcases new reverse camera technology [Video]
Statistics have shown that reversing is one of the most stressful and hazardous parts of everyday motoring. Ford claims to have helped improve things by showing off a new reverse camera system, which claims to show drivers what's around the corner.
The new Ford Focus is expected to make landfall in South Africa towards the end of the year and some of the technology that debuts in this car is quite futuristic. In response to the theory that reversing is one of the most stressful and hazardous parts of driving, the Blue Oval has come up with a solution to make things easier. It's a reverse camera offers 180-degrees of vision and it's linked to the car's autonomous systems, which, if the driver fails to react, will automatically brake the car.
“We know that for nearly all our customers, reversing is a crucial part of their daily drive – and one that some of them really don’t enjoy”, said Ford’s chief program engineer for the Focus, Glen Goold. “This little camera is helping us to make a big step forward in making it easier to go backwards.”
The new Ford Fiesta has landed in South Africa and we got a chance to drive the newcomer. The big news is that Ford is playing an upmarket strategy with its new compact hatchback – the entry-level naturally-aspirated Fiestas are gone.
The Ford Fiesta is the number one rival to the segment-leading Volkswagen Polo and with 2018 being the year where both models have been replaced by all-new versions, we're in for an interesting comparison. For a start, the new Ford Fiesta range has been trimmed dramatically, with the popular naturally-aspirated models like Ambiente being culled from the lineup.
While it may look like a facelift of the previous version of Fiesta, we're told that while it is based on the same platform, there have been substantial changes mechanically with better insulation, stiffer body structure and improved suspension. There are new upmarket materials in the cabin too. Ford claims the front track is 30 mm wider and the reworked chassis offers better body control and more cornering grip. To be fair, the Fiesta has never been a dull car to drive and this new-generation model is just as great to drive in an enthusiastic manner. But more on that in a little while…
The new Ford Fiesta gains a new look. Titanium derivatives gain the Aston-Martin-style grille.
Engines
The petrol and diesel powerplants now feature force-induction exclusively throughout the range. The award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is retained and there's a 1.5-litre turbodiesel motor. Available in two states of tune, the 1.0-litre Ecoboost 3-cylinder engine promises brisk performance coupled with decent efficiency.
Both the manual and automatic transmissions have 6 forward speeds. The manual Trend and automatic Trend and Titanium derivatives produce peak outputs of 74 kW and 170 Nm of torque, but the manual Titanium derivative's power is increased to 92 kW (although peak torque is unchanged at 170 Nm). The turbodiesel 1.5-litre Fiesta is only available as a manual and delivers 63 kW and 175 Nm of torque. If you're after the ultimate in fuel efficiency, then the diesel is the way to go; while the claim of 3.3 L/100 km is a little far-fetched, we saw an indicated return of less than 5.0 L/100 km on our launch route.
The cabin of the new Ford Fiesta is dominated by the big infotainment screen featuring Android Auto / Apple Carplay
Specification
The Fiesta's list of standard features is excellent. Unlike its rivals, who tend to make most of the nice-to-haves optional, Ford has specced its new Fiesta comprehensively. The focal point of the refreshed cabin is the new infotainment system. Its the SYNC3 setup, which we've experienced in other contemporary Fords (such as the Ranger, Everest and Kuga) and, for those who live permanently connected, it's superb. SYNC3 features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which allows you to mirror your smartphone and enjoy hands-free communication. It also integrates Google Maps and supports apps such as music-streaming service Spotify.
The Trend derivative does get a smaller screen of 6.5-inches, while the Titanium's is 8-inches in size and boasts navigation as standard. Both levels of trim feature a pair of USB ports, while the Titanium gains an extra speaker over its Trend sibling. Previous generations of Fiesta were hindered by the immense number of buttons and ergonomically, it wasn't great. New Fiesta has addressed this by drastically cutting down on buttons and incorporating most functions in the infotainment system.
The new Ford Fiesta is safer too, with a tougher and stronger crash-absorbing structure and front-, side- and curtain airbags. The usual safety acronyms are there too; ABS with electronic brake assist (EBA) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), hill launch assist (HLA), plus electronic stability- and traction control (ESC).
The Titanium derivatives come jam-packed with features such as satnav and heated seats
What's it like to drive?
The launch route from Johannesburg to the North-West province is filled with tarmac that is in dire need of repair in places and it's here where the Fiesta showed off its decent ride quality and on-road refinement. The suspension was working overtime to soak up all the ruts and undulations, but we didn't feel any harsh jolts in the cabin.
We sampled 2 derivatives: a 1.0-litre EcoBoost automatic and a 1.5-litre diesel manual. The petrol-powered Fiesta still delivers credible performance while the gearbox shifts smoothly when left to its own devices. You can mix things up by slotting the gear lever into Sport and take control using the steering-wheel-mounted paddles and while it's not a super-responsive dual-clutch unit, shifts are brisk enough. Thanks to the new sound deadening material, the car is more refined and we could hardly hear the triple-cylinder motor, which is a pity, as the motor usually emits unique, pleasant thrum.
Fiesta has not lost any of its fun-to-drive traits. The communicative chassis and great steering have been retained, but refinement has been increased.
The second vehicle was the diesel and while we're on the topic of refinement, it too exhibited lower-than-expected noise levels. We're quite used to hearing small capacity diesel motors clattering away, but this engine is deceptively quiet. It's also punchy, with all its shove becoming available from low down in the rev range. The 6-speed manual gearbox is good too, but if you're a little careless and lazy with your shifts, you can find yourself accidentally going from 2nd to 5th. Minor concentration issues from the driver aside, it's a commendable package if you want notable overtaking ability from a motor that's otherwise tuned for optimal efficiency.
With an excellent track record when it comes to handling thanks to a communicative chassis and steering feel, the Fiesta has never been a mundane car to "pedal". The previous range's ST, of course, was one of the most entertaining vehicles you could buy at its price point, but performance aspirations aside, even the 1.0-litre Ecoboost can provide bargain thrills. The best news is that the new Fiesta carries on this tradition and can be hustled around traffic circles with youthful exuberance. The steering delivers generous feedback and, unlike some of the modern setups that feel vague, the Fiesta's tiller feels like there's a direct mechanical connection to the front wheels.
Summary
With a new Volkswagen Polo, a new Ford Fiesta and a new Suzuki Swift (about to be launched), the compact hatchback segment of the market's buzzing.
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Ford has applied this mantra to the Fiesta and while its great to see new levels of refinement, tech and comfort applied, the fun factor and ease of use when it comes to the basic art of driving has not been lost. We're lamenting the lack of an ultra-affordable Ambiente model, but understand that the new Figo will be filling this gap, in the same manner that the Polo Vivo sits at the bottom of the Polo family.
The Ford Fiesta's new infotainment system is a major feather in its cap as its German rival charges extra for the convenience. We're big fans of the redesigned dashboard and think the younger audience will appreciate this car for its standard specification. While its admittedly not as well finished as the segment leader and unlikely to match its sales figures, it's worth noting that the new Fiesta is the number one selling car in the United Kingdom, so Ford is clearly doing something right.
While some may be shocked by the cost of getting behind the wheel of the new Fiesta, it does come with a full house of specification, features and safety and if you pick the right derivative, you could be bagging an accomplished compact car with all the bells and whistles for a reasonable price.
The next iteration of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank, should see a close battle between the new Volkswagen Polo, new Ford Fiesta and, most probably the new Suzuki Swift (which will be launched soon).
Pricing (as of May 2018)
All new Fiesta derivatives come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 3-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A 4-year/60 000 km service plan is included, with service intervals at 15 000 km.
