Take a look at these 5 tips to help you secure a car loan!
Buying a car, whether it be new or used, is one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your life. Obtaining a car loan is the easiest way to purchase a car, but getting car loan approval can be difficult, especially if you have a poor credit rating or are in debt due to excessive credit reliance.
If you are seeking car loan approval, take heed of these best practices to ensure that you improve your credit score and increase your chances of obtaining vehicle finance.
1. Know what you can afford to spend on a car
In order to determine how much you can afford to spend on a car, you need to determine your disposable income. Disposable income is the amount of money you have left over after you have accounted for ALL your monthly expenses.
To calculate your disposable income, take your income (after taxes and deductions) and deduct all your monthly living expenses such as rent, food, school fees, TV subscriptions, cellphone costs, medical aid payments and so forth. Once all your expenses are accounted for, you will be left with your disposable income. Your disposable income will determine how much you are able to spend on monthly car loan repayments.
2. Be aware of additional motoring costs
Monthly car repayments is but one factor to consider when buying a car. There are, however, other costs related to your car purchase that you need to factor into your budget plan. Additional costs such as car insurance, fuel and maintenance costs need to be accounted for too and will have a direct impact on your affordability. By accounting for these costs, the chance of your car loan being approved is more likely.
WesBank, a market leader in vehicle finance, advises that consumers allocate between half and two thirds of your car budget to monthly car repayments, with the remainder of the budget accounting for car insurance, fuel and maintenance costs.
As an example, if your have R5 000 in your budget for a car, at least R2 500 – R3 000 can be used for monthly car repayments. The remaining R2 500 – R2 000 can be used for car insurance, maintenance and fuel costs.
Although a deposit is not entirely necessary, it can be hugely beneficial. By putting down a deposit for your car purchase, you are effectively reducing the amount of credit required for the car purchase which will improve your affordability and reduce your monthly installments. Your ability to afford the monthly repayments is a key factor that banks consider when assessing your car finance application and according to WesBank, financial responsibility reflects positively on your credit profile and will help ensure that your car loan is approved.
4. Clear your debt
The National Credit Act (NCA) requires banks to consider all credit facilities in your name as a way of getting the ‘full picture’ of your financial situation and your level of affordability. Your credit profile shows banks how you use credit and this credit may include clothing accounts, home loans, personal loans, overdrafts and credit cards. If you don’t fault on your monthly repayments, your credit score will be healthy.
However, if you have too many credit facilities and are struggling to make your payments every month, this is an indication that you are not a reliable borrower and banks will be less inclined to approve your car loan. WesBank advises that you try and reduce your debt as much possible by settling and closing unnecessary facilities so that you can free up money in your monthly budget. Fewer credit facilities in your name will play in your favour when applying for a car loan.
5. Consider trading in your car
Your existing car can contribute towards the purchase of a new car. If you have had your car for a longer period of time, say 4 years, then the chances are that your trade-in value will be more than what you still owe the bank. That means that you have passed the break even point of your car loan and you will be able to use the remaining amount as a deposit for your next car. The same applies if you have already paid off your car, which means you will have a larger deposit available for your next purchase.
However, if your trade-in value is less than what you still owe the bank, then you will either have to keep your current car for a while longer or use additional savings to settle the existing vehicle loan. WesBank further advises that consumers be patient and shop around for the right deal suited to their budgets.
Porsche goes green with Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo [Video]
Porsche is expanding its Panamera Sport Turismo model range with a new hybrid. While its green credentials are impressive, the real drawcard will be the stupendous performance.
The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is one of the brand's more striking models and while none of the range can be regarded as slow, Porsche has felt it necessary to introduce a frugal-but-brutal derivative. It's called the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo and the headline numbers are staggering. Thanks to a combination of a turbocharged 4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine with an electric assist, outputs come in at 500 kW and 850 Nm. This translates to a 0-100 kph sprint time claim of just 3.4 seconds, 8.5 seconds to 200 kph and a top end speed of 310 kph. What's more impressive is the claimed fuel consumption of just 3 L/100 km.
The hybrid technology employed in the E-Hybrid Sport Turismo shows you just how far things have progressed. All 850 Nm is available from just 1 400 rpm. Lag? What lag? It's also able to cruise along at speeds of up to 140 kph for 49 km on pure electric power only. Power goes to all four wheels through Porsche's PDK 'box while the lithium-ion battery has an energy content of 14.1 kWh and can be charged within 2.4 to 6 hours, depending on the charger and power connection.
The vehicle comes standard with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC Sport) roll stabilisation including the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) rear differential lock, the high-performance Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) braking system, 21-inch alloy wheels in a 911 turbo design, Power Steering Plus, the Sport Chrono Package and auxiliary air conditioning, as well as adaptive three-chamber air suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management.
Volkswagen SA has launched an app for its customers which will make their lives easier in terms of booking servicing as well as tracking loved ones.
This new app from Volkswagen SA is available for any Android and Apple smartphones, from Google Play Store and Apple app stores.
“The My VW App is part of Volkswagen’s digitalisation strategy and is another way in which we are bringing the full Volkswagen experience to our customers,” says Stefan Mecha, Sales & Marketing Director at Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA).
Some of the features include:
Request a service appointment at their nearest service centre
Book a test drive
Request a quote for a new car
Access their car’s service history
View and manage their financial contract information.
Two bonus features include Volkswagen Alert Roadside Assistance and the Guardian Angel. “Roadside Assistance provides users with a direct line to the Volkswagen Roadside Assist call centre, which sends exact GPS coordinates at the same time, so they do not need to worry about finding out and relaying their precise location; while the Guardian Angel feature is a journey tracking tool, which notifies select friends or family of a driver’s journey progress and sends alerts if there is a journey disruption,” added Mecha.
The new Audi Q5 was launched in the South African market recently and the executive SUV's understated looks have drawn a fair amount of criticism. In fact, its detractors even go so far to suggest it is "just a facelift"… But the Q5, which is a top-selling family car for Audi across the globe, is an all-new product.
In this video, Cars.co.za contributor and #CarsAwards judge Francisco Nwamba proves that the changes are not just skin deep and that the new Q5 (tested here in 2.0 TDI quattro guise) is a competent offering. Does it justify its premium price tag and why is it a leading contender in the 2017/18 #CarsAwards? Let's find out.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2017) International First Drive
Alfa Romeo's highly anticipated Stelvio sports SUV will arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2017 and we recently headed to Alfa's test track in Italy for a drive. Let it be known, the Stelvio doesn't disappoint…
Alfa Romeo is making a big comeback and the hot-blooded Giulia sedan is due for launch in South Africa early in March 2017. Watch this space! But that's not all because Alfa Romeo will also be launching its new Stelvio sports SUV.. Does the Stelvio have what it takes to compete in this growing segment? We headed to Italy to give the Stelvio a poke and to learn more about this attractive offering ahead of its arrival in South Africa. Let's dig in…
What is it?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has a big boot with rear seats that conveniently split in a 40:20:40 configuration. It has sensible black plastic wheel arch lips, a power tailgate, multiple cup holders, several shopping hooks and… 206 kW, which is quite generous for a high-riding five-seater family car.
This certainly isn’t the first time that Alfa Romeo has set about building a more practical vehicle – it made a rugged, Jeep-like 4×4 called the Matta in the early ‘50s – but what its Canadian boss Reid Bigland underlines is that ‘the Stelvio is an Alfa Romeo first, and an SUV second.’ And as any car enthusiast knows, that should mean a recipe to include excellent handling, feelsome steering and a tunefully characterful soundtrack. To this end, chief engineer Roberto Fedeli points out that Alfa Romeo consulted a couple of musicians (of rock, blues and pop leanings rather than orchestral, rap or trance, apparently) to create a backing track in harmony with the rest of the car in the interests of bestowing a ‘coherent character’ on the car.
Stelvio is positioned as a sports SUV, a segment currently filled by the Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Macan
That character is built on the so-called ‘Georgio’ platform that forms the building block of the Giulia sedan, Fedeli pointing out that the Stelvio was developed at much the same time in a ‘cluster’ of models that will grow from this architecture. Bigland reminds us that Georgio was developed as a premium architecture and that by debuting the 375 kW Giulia Quadrifoglio first it was possible to develop high-cost items like a lightweight carbon fibre prop shaft that also appears below the floors of all the mainstream Giulias, and the Stelvio besides. Had the less potent versions been developed first, he explains, the finance department would have vetoed such functional indulgences.
The Stelvio is rich in lightweight aluminium too, the doors, bonnet and tailgate are all alloy, as is the suspension and its sub-frames. The result is a mid-size, four-wheel drive crossover that weighs in at 1 659 kg with fluids: impressively competitive heft even against the equivalent predominantly aluminium 1 775 kg Jaguar F-Pace. The body is also exceptionally rigid, a vital requirement both of a keen-handling car and a crossover with off-road capabilities. It’s presumably no Land Rover – there are no terrain settings to choose from – but there is a hill-descent facility and a heated steering wheel for sub-zero adventuring.
Integrated exhaust pipes and an automated tailgate are just a few of the premium touches the Stelvio offers.
Mostly, though, the Stelvio’s innards have been arranged to provide an entertainingly diverting drive, to which end Fedeli and colleagues established an unusual dynamic goal. Which was to reproduce the handling of the Giulia in a car whose driving position – or H-point, in industry-speak – is 190 mm higher. And that includes replicating the Giulia’s low-roll cornering habits. No trick roll-resisting devices are employed, Fedeli confirming that this goal has been achieved with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. To which the obvious next question is: ‘what about the ride?’ Specially developed dampers are the apparent solution, and on the petrol and diesel versions driven here, of the non-electronic variety.
What's it like?
There’s little chance of finding out how effectively Alfa's ambitious approach to the Stelvio's chassis tuning works at FCA’s Balocco test track, most of which is as smooth as a fresh-shaved cheek. Rest assured by the fact that the Stelvio has been tested on roads in South Africa, Wales, Scotland and England. But for this car more than most, it’ll take a local drive to determine what the ride is really like.
Driven on track, it's hard to tell how well the suspension will cope with everyday use, but it's certainly impressive when pushed.
There is, however, plenty of scope for testing the Stelvio’s thrust. The 2.0-litre turbo not only delivers an enticingly generous 206 kW, but also 400 Nm of torque, and you can feel the full strength of this from 2 250 rpm if you floor the throttle from idle in a low gear. The Multiair four-pot is smooth, although what you notice most is the mild rort issued across most of the rev range. It’s certainly not loud – that would get irritating within miles – and it’s not as sweet as you’ll hear from an old Alfa 75 Twin Spark, for example, but it’s assertive enough to give the engine a characterful voice. It also encourages you to drive the Stelvio with zest, especially as the chassis is at least as eager.
The steering's swift-acting ratio is exactly the same as the Giulia’s, and at low to brisk speeds on Balocco’s dampened tracks, the Stelvio changes direction with a crisp immediacy that’s heightened by the promised lack of roll. What you feel at the rim is more resistance than outright feel, but it’s accurate and consistent at least. It’s not long before you forget your distance from the road below, and begin to drive the Stelvio with the verve of its lower-riding Giulia brother.
The Stelvio is fundamentally rear-wheel drive, like the Giulia, with 100 percent of the engine’s effort channelled to the rear axle – for which a mechanical limited-slip differential is optionally available – unless traction issues require a contribution from the clutch-controlled front axle. How much time does this take? ‘Nothing,’ is the slightly unbelievable answer from Fedeli with a smile. But on the track, the Q4 system responds briskly enough to avoid feeling clunky. Up to 50 percent of the torque can be redirected to the front wheels, matching the Stelvio’s ideal 50:50 weight distribution. There’s plenty of urge to direct, too, the 206 kW petrol launching the Alfa to 100 kph in 5.7 seconds – usefully faster than the latest Golf GTI – the diesel managing this in 6.6 seconds.
It's 100 percent rear-wheel drive until torque is needed at the front, then it can send 50 percent to the front instantaneously.
Balocco’s slightly slithery Tarmac provides a decent chance for exploration of the effectiveness of this hardware, tight low-speed corners soon revealing the amusing discovering that the Stelvio’s quite substantial rear-end can be poked decisively sideways. That’s if you’re in the dynamic setting of Alfa’s familiar DNA driving modes, which allows some slippage but not enough to spike your heart rate. The ESP can’t be completely killed, which is a good thing given that it’s also quite easy to make the Stelvio’s front tyres slide towards understeer. As we know, tracks can often be highly deceptive, so it will take a twisting, bump-scattered road – or indeed, the Stelvio Pass – to discover what this Alfa’s really like. So far, though, it’s more than promising.
And so to seat folding, boot space and the mundane necessities of family car life. The Stelvio manages two fair wins with decent rear room and a long, uniformly shaped boot, although it might have been wider had its sides not been packed with components-unknown behind carpeted trim panels. The rear seats can be semi-released from the tailgate end, but only semi- because the backrests don’t drop down once their catches are released, making this facility rather pointless. The backrests fall fairly flat however, and the tailgate is powered on all versions.
Interior looks plush, as it does on the new Giulia. Soft touch materials and brushed aluminium dominate the cabin
Should I buy one?
Our early-build test had one or two frustrating bugs, among them wind noise that roared too obviously and a driver’s seat with no tilt facility. But, on the flip side, further positives included the Stelvio’s robust aura, the high quality of much of the interior trim, a particularly tactile steering wheel – with a perfectly positioned starter button – and the enjoyment of driving an SUV with a bit of verve.
The Stelvio faces stiff competition from a renewed Audi Q5, the Porsche Macan and Jaguar F-Pace, but it certainly deserves short-listing if its turns out to be as impressive on the road as it is on the track.
Estimated price and details
Expect estimated starting prices in the region of R700 000 for the Stelvio.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Smashes SUV Ring Record
The Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio has set a new record at the famous Nurburgring to become the fastest production SUV to lap the ‘Green Hell’.
Alfa Romeo’s new Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV is the fastest production SUV to set tread on the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7:51.7, relegating the previous record holder, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (7:59.74).
“We specifically engineered and designed the Stelvio Quadrifoglio to set world-class benchmarks and it did not disappoint with a world-record Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Alfa Romeo. “We’re proud to now hold two Nürburgring lap time records with the Giulia Quadrifoglio as the fastest four-door production sedan and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio as the fastest production SUV.”
Watch the record-breaking run in the video below!
However, Alfa Romeo’s glory might not last very long because the Lamborghini Urus super-SUV will make its debut at the end of 2017 and it will surely have its day for a Nurburgring record attempt in 2018. Lamborghini is confident that the Urus will be the fastest SUV around the ring.
Lamborghini research and development chief Maurizio Reggiani recently commented, “Our SUV will achieve more than 300 kph, because it’s a Lamborghini. It’s our DNA. We will achieve the best lap time for an SUV on Nordschleife—this is a faster SUV”.
For now, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio can bask in its glory. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine that develops 377 kW and 600 Nm of torque via an 8-speed automatic transmission with power sent to all 4 corners. Alfa Romeo claims a zero to 100 kph sprint time of 3.9 seconds.
The Stelvio is due to arrive in South Africa early in 2018 and order books are open for interested customers. However, the Stelvio will only be offered with a 206 kW / 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The potent Stelvio Quadrifoglio has not been confirmed for our market, but we can only hope that it will be offered.
We look at some of the new cars that landed in South Africa in 2017 and see if they are selling as well as predicted.
It’s difficult to tell if a new car is going to be a hit with the public or not – unless it’s a Volkswagen or Toyota, in which case it probably will be. What we as members of the motoring media do after we've reviewed new products is to sign off with a final line about letting the sales charts do the talking… But how are the new cars of 2017 actually doing? Looking through the list of new vehicles for 2017, Audi went large brought 3 new models to market with an all-new Q5, A5 and the refreshed A3. Other large introductions this year included the Golf 7.5, BMW 5 Series and Kia Picanto.
As for the rest, we’ve picked a selection of interesting new vehicles across various segments to see which models are doing well and which are flopping. A few things to note, however, are that the overall market a mixed bag at the moment, with sales in the last few months on the up, but earlier in 2017, things did not look bright at all. Also, the supply of certain models may be limited – sales figures may suffer as a result of this. Also note, BMW and Mercedes-Benz do not release sales figures, but Kia and Hyundai now do.
Audi Q5
The all-new Q5 has only been on sale since July this year. The Q5 takes major steps in ride refinement and comfort levels inside, at a cost. The entry-level model is expensive as are the options, but it is the best of the current German mid-size SUVs. Sales for the new model appear to be on the up as it has jumped from below 100 units to over 150 units per month during August 2017.
The facelifted A3 arrived right at the tail end of 2016 featuring a plusher interior as well as the option of Audi's Virtual Cockpit dashboard. The ride has also improved and throughout the year we've seen the introduction of the RS models to both the hatch and sedan derivatives. The A3 has done well so far in 2017, pushing well over 200 units a month and on the odd occasion, 300 units. It makes it one of the top sellers in the C-segment hatch market.
The A5 is never going to shift huge numbers with its premium price tag and niche-segment placement. Even with the addition of the Sportback 5-door models, allowing for more practicality the A5 is a heart-over- head purchase. It seems to be doing reasonably well in its first 4 months of sales, as it turns between 70 and 90 units per month, which is not bad considering the starting price is R600k.
The Creta is a new product from Hyundai in the compact family car/crossover segment. Rivals are the likes of the Renault Captur, Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Juke, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3 – to name but a few in this tightly fought segment. The Creta is very popular as it's spacious and very practical. Like a few of the Korean models, it skimps a bit on the active safety systems, but that hasn't hampered its sales at all. We only have sales figures for the Korean brands for July and August, but the Creta is romping away with the segment, notching up 514 and 438 units a month.
We didn't include the Jag F-Pace in last year's article as it was too new. How's the fastest-selling Jaguar of all time doing in our market? Okay it seems. The F-Pace is quite expensive and certainly pins itself as a road-biased SUV with a sporty demeanour. The F-Pace is certainly outselling the XF and XE sedans and appears to be keeping the brand on the up and up. The F-Pace sells an average of 64 units a month.
The new Picanto has been on sale since early July and appears to be doing quite well. The improved build quality of Kia is certainly noticeable, but the meagre safety spec on certain models is a bit bewildering. The new car retains the previous model's engines, but appears well-suited as a city runabout. Its keen pricing and reputation appear to be helping it on the sales front as the first 2 months of sales have yielded 659 and 846 units. It outsells competition like the Toyota Aygo and VW up! by some margin.
The Rio is another new entrant from the Korean brand; the compact hatchback arrived in early June. The previous generation was a top seller for Kia and it's really hoping the new model will continue the sales momentum. It may suffer next year against perennial favourites in the form of an all-new Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, but we'll have to wait and see how things shape up. Sales appear to be good for the Rio, with 635 and 504 units in the last 2 months. That's better than the Hyundai i20 and Mazda2, but not quite as much as the Fiesta or Polo.
The previous Mazda CX-5 continued to sell extraordinarily well right up until it was replaced with this all-new model. The CX-5 is often ranked as one of the best-selling SUVs in the country and the new model is more stylish with a more premium cabin, excellent sound insulation is excellent. We tip it to continue selling well. Currently, it's selling upward of 350 units a month, which is excellent for an importing brand.
Mitsubishi waited a long time to release the new Triton. It wanted the new 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, so had to wait a little longer than the introduction of Fiat's Fullback, which makes do with the older 2.5-litre unit. Sales haven't exactly been good for the Triton as the double-cab market has moved further into leisure vehicle territory, while Mitsubishi still appeals to those who like the utilitarian nature of a 4-door bakkie. That said, it's still a very capable bakkie and a worthy contender in the segment. The Triton sells between 25 and 40 units a month, well below par for what it's capabilities suggest.
There has been a lot spoken about the new Navara's suspension setup and how it would revolutionise the segment. Unfortunately, the rest of the Navara hasn't managed to match the competition with its plasticy interior and lack of a real infotainment system. Pricing is keen, however and it will be locally built, which may bode well for the provision of more competitive offerings down the line. Sales do appear to be on the up as stock becomes more freely available. The first 3 full months of sales resulted in 110, 137 and 175 Navaras finding homes.
The Suzuki Ignis is an all-new offering from the Japanese brand. It rivals vehicles like the Volkswagen Up!, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo and Renault Sandero. It continues Suzuki's local philosophy of cheerful and keenly priced A- and B-segment offerings. Suzuki has been on the up for almost the duration of 2017 after winning the Brand of the Year title at the 2016/17 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. It's still early days for the Ignis but after 3 months of sales, it appears to be doing around 110 units a month, which is certainly competitive.
The Volkswagen Golf 7.5 or facelift arrived this year with GTI and R models added to the range almost immediately. The Golf is the go-to vehicle in the C-segment, but this segment has seen a downfall in sales of late as buyers are moving towards SUVs/crossovers. Even with a much higher price, the GTI still turns excellent sales numbers. Currently, the Golf sells around 470 units a month, most of which are GTI and R derivatives.
The Volkswagen Tiguan was officially launched in South Africa late in 2016, but with a full year of sales under its belt, it's interesting to see how it has done. We expected it to rocket away with the segment, but hasn't been able to match the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4 in terms of outright numbers. It sits alongside the Mazda CX-5 in the second tier of medium SUV sales averaging 340 sales per month.
The S90 is an excellent offering in the executive sedan market. It uses Volvo's new styling and technologies in a plush, premium and very different way to what we're used to from the Germans. This segment is sadly in decline, however, even though Volvo offers guaranteed future value financing deals and preferential insurance rates for buyers, the S90 still hasn't lit up the sales charts – it averages 7 units a month.
The current iteration of the Nissan 370Z sportscar has been around for some time and while there's no immediate replacement on the cards, a facelift was desperately needed to bring in line with 2017/2018 trends…
The Nissan Z range has a phenomenal heritage stretching all the way back from the 60s. For 2017, the long-serving Nissan 370Z has been facelifted and it brings a number of updates to the table. According to Nissan South Africa, "the enhancements create a contemporary new finish to the coupe’s classic design as well as dynamic improvements including a sports-clutch from well-known performance brand EXEDY."
"The heritage of Nissan’s Z-car series means unparalleled quality and performance, providing drivers with the quintessential sports car experience,” said Xavier Gobille, Managing Director, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Nissan Group of Africa. “The Nissan 370Z MY18 is no different and is sure to provide a thrill for the Z’s cult following as well as new customers who are willing to explore living life in the red…”
The changes on the exterior comprise metal chrome door handles and a black rear bumper fascia. Dark-tinted headlamps and rear combination lights, which were previously only available on the Nismo derivative, are now standard. There are also new 19-inch alloy wheels and a new Red Metallic exterior paint finish. For those technically included, Nissan has fitted a new high-performance clutch into manual versions. This clutch results in less driver pedal effort and the claim is that there's more precision, comfort and feel.
The engine remains unchanged and for the record, it's a 3.7-litre naturally aspirated petrol V6 with peak outputs of 245 kW and 363 Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels via either a 6x-speed manual 'box or a 7-speed automatic.
A new Exedy clutch for the manual gearbox is the main technical change for the facelifted Nissan 370Z
Nissan 370Z Price in South Africa (September 2017)
R661 900 for manual transmission
R680 900 for automatic transmission
The facelifted Nissan 370Z comes standard with Nissan’s 3yr/90 000km service plan and 6yr/150 000km warranty.
Renault Alaskan (2017) International Launch Review [Video]
Renault has launched its Alaskan medium-size bakkie in Europe and the South African market can expect the newcomer to arrive on local soil in the second half of 2018. We attended the bakkie's international test drive event in Ljubljana, Slovenia to put the Alaskan through its paces…
"What? Renault's building a bakkie? Are they crazy! It will never be as good as the Ranger, Hilux, Navara, Amarok or any other bakkie for that matter. Stop die lorrie, hier kom groot… konsternasie!"
That was – and probably still is – the general sentiment when the Renault Alaskan creeps into conversation around the braai on a Saturday afternoon with a brandy and coke in hand. Am I wrong? I think not. Comment threads on social media are rife with insults hurled at a bakkie that, until now, had not been driven or tested by any South African motoring journalist. And let's not forget… South Africans are a bakkie-mad bunch, and fiercely brand loyal. So, the Alaskan certainly has a huge mountain to climb.
The Alaskan is coming to South Africa in 2018 and we think it has the potential to upset the 'popular' local bakkie establishment.
Like many cars, the Navara-based Alaskan first appeared in concept guise (in September 2015). That was also the moment when consumer doubt and scepticism spread faster than wildfire and much of that doubt still persists to this day. If you are an Alaskan sceptic reading these words, then I must ask you: "What if you are wrong?" More importantly, what if I told you that the Alaskan is as good (if not better) than most of the bakkies currently on sale in South Africa? What would your response be? Would you believe me?
For context, bear in mind that the Alaskan only went on sale in Latin America towards the end of 2016 and has recorded strong sales there ever since. Now, the Alaskan has arrived in Europe where the pick-up market has grown by as much as 51% since 2009 and Renault is a leading brand in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, which all bodes well for the Alaskan. Only time will reveal how the European market will respond to the newcomer.
As part of the Alaskan's arrival in Europe, Renault hosted a month-long international test drive event in scenic Slovenia and we joined members of the motoring media and bloggers from all over the world to finally drive and experience the new Alaskan in the metal. This is what we discovered…
First impressions
The Renault Alaskan has a powerful face with familiar Renault C-shaped design cues seen in the headlight and fog light design.
Design strength
Although Navara genes are clearly evident in the design of the Alaskan, don't be fooled into thinking that the Alaskan is merely a Navara wearing a Renault badge. In fact, the Alaskan is more boldly styled (and far more handsome, in terms of exterior design) than many of its rivals
Wearing its large Renault logo with pride, complemented with a striking grille with chrome accents and a powerfully sculpted bonnet, the Alaskan exudes strength in its design and adopts a muscular stance.
In addition to this, the Alaskan features Renault's signature C-shaped lighting signature seen in both the LED daytime running lights and C-shaped fog light surrounds. The flared wheel arches further add to its exterior appeal and attractive 16- or 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels can be fitted.
This is indeed a Renault and the Alaskan is, in our opinion, one of the best-looking bakkies out there. Don't agree with us? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
The Alaskan has a practical load bay with a nifty tie-down system. A handy load box is a great option too.
In terms of practicality, the Alaskan's load bay is fitted with a C-channel tie-down system that comprises fixed rails with 4 sliding hooks that allow you to effectively tie-down all types of cargo. The tailgate can withstand weights of up to 500 kg and the Alaskan has an unbraked towing capacity of 3 500 kg.
Interior execution and comfort
Stepping inside, the Alaskan's interior is distinctly Navara-esque in design, and unashamedly so. Some critics will be quick to lambaste the Alaskan for this fact, but the reality is that the Alaskan's cabin is robust with good to excellent build quality.
Solid build quality and a comprehensively-equipped interior are hallmarks of the Renault Alaskan.
Indeed, it's a solidly-made cabin and the hard-wearing dashboard feels like it's built to last a lifetime. It's worth mentioning that the quality of the switchgear and overall fit and finish is good too and although the materials are by no means extravagant, the cabin has a fair degree of "premiumness" to it.
The Alaskan we drove was well-specced and came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a CD player, Bluetooth capability and satellite navigation, but fitted with only a solitary USB- and auxiliary audio port.
The 7-inch touchscreen is good and features a useful 360-degree camera for ease of manoeuvrability.
Another cool feature is the 360-degree camera display that works using 4 external cameras that provide an all-around view of the vehicle's surroundings, which is very useful in avoiding obstacles while off-roading or when parking the Alaskan in your driveway.
Rear park distance control will also give the driver audible alerts while parking and this feature is bolstered with a rear-view camera with guidelines to make parking easier.
The driver can access vehicle information using a 5-inch 3D TFT colour display, which provides information such as fuel economy, navigational instructions, driver-aid settings, compass and USB device controls.
The steering wheel, which is just about identical to that found in the Navara, is adjustable for rake only and features mounted controls for the audio, Bluetooth and cruise control. Our test unit was equipped with leather upholstery and the NASA-inspired seats were particularly comfortable; they should provide high levels of comfort on longer journeys. Both the driver and passenger have the luxury of heated seats and the driver's seat is electrically height-adjustable with 8-way power adjustment.
Other notable features include automatic dual-zone climate control with independent air conditioning for front and rear passengers and ample storage space including a centre console and storage bins underneath the rear seats and in the doors. We also liked the electrically retractable sunroof, which bathed the cabin with light.
A comfortable space to occupy on a journey to your favorite fishing spot on the river.
Rear passenger comfort is good with sufficient leg-, knee-, shoulder- and headroom and it must be noted that the cabin is well insulated; noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are kept to a minimum, even at speed. Based on our first exposure to Renault's double-cab, the Alaskan's interior is on par with rival offerings, and in some cases, is noticeably better.
Performance and ride comfort
Ride quality and refinement are key strengths of the Alaskan. Fuel economy is good too…
Our test drive started at Labjhiana airport where we hopped into the high-powered Alaskan 190 DCi 4×4 fitted with a 7-speed automatic transmission.
As its name suggests, the Renault-tuned, 4-cylinder 2.3-litre twin-turbodiesel engine offers peak outputs of 140 kW at 3 600 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 2 000 rpm. A 120 kW version with a single turbocharger is also offered, but it was not available for the test drive.
In Slovenia, like most countries in Europe, you drive on the right-hand side and it took a few minutes to feel confident behind the wheel of the left-hand drive Alaskan. The first major highlight of Alaskan was its engine refinement, which quickly became apparent as we set off on the freeway towards the picturesque town of Bled. Engine noise at highway speed is noticeably muted and remains relatively constant, even when you mash the pedal.
In comparison, the Navara's engine is much noisier overall, especially as the revs climb. Renault has really done a sterling job in terms of refinement in the Alaskan and it appears to be superior to its rivals in this regard, including Hilux and Ranger.
Slovenian roads are much like South African roads. The Alaskan will be right at home here.
We were also particularly impressed by the way in which the Alaskan transferred its power to the asphalt. Not only was it responsive to throttle inputs, but we also found the transmission to be smooth, unobtrusive and well-matched to the engine's performance characteristics.
You don't really notice how quickly the Alaskan gathers pace under harder acceleration and this may very well be due to the combination of engine refinement and the suspension setup. Much like the Navara, and unlike conventional leaf spring suspension setups found on most bakkies, the Alaskan also adopts a 5-link rear coil suspension that's said to alleviate the intrusions of road noise and vibrations to the cabin while enhancing overall ride and handling.
Our experience in the Alaskan is congruent with this claim and we found it to offer good ride comfort on tar and dirt roads alike. Perhaps the enhanced ride comfort was aided by the 100 kg of sand loaded in a lockable storage bin in the load bay to serve as ballast, but either way, we came away impressed with the Alaskan's ride comfort on different surfaces.
Its ride comfort is even more encouraging considering that Slovenian roads are quite similar to South African roads. In terms of fuel consumption, Renault claims a figure of 6.3 L/100 km and during our test drive, the Alaskan easily returned a respectable 9.6 L/100 km, which is fair.
After driving over 200 km, we were suitably impressed with the Alaskan's overall engine performance, refinement and comfortable ride quality on both tar and gravel.
How good is it off-road?
There'sonly one way to test a bakkie!
Most bakkie aficionados are probably more curious about the Alaskan's off-road ability and Renault made sure to demonstrate that its bakkie's more than capable of tackling the rough stuff. To do this, the Alaskan was put to the test on a 4×4 obstacle course on an out-of-season ski resort. The combination of excessive rain, mud and slippery grass provided a stern challenge and to make things even more difficult, the Alaskan was fitted with road tyres, which would make the task of completing the course even more demanding.
Off-roading in the Alaskan is made easy with 3 driving modes that can be quickly activated using a dial. 2WD is used under normal driving conditions with power sent to the rear wheels. In more demanding terrain, high-ratio 4-wheel drive (4H) can be engaged "on the fly" at speeds up to 60 kph and you can remain in 4H at speeds up to 100 kph, making it ideal for optimum traction on gravel or in slippery conditions.
The Alaskan conquered rain and mud in Slovenia. What will it conquer in South Africa?
When things get seriously slippery, you can engage low-ratio 4-wheel drive (4LO) to maximise traction in severe terrain. This mode is activated while stationary and uses a supplementary torque transfer box to enhance traction. Further offroad assistance is offered in the form of an electronic limited-slip differential that provides increased stability by monitoring and braking individual wheels as required. In addition to this, a mechanically-controlled, self-locking rear differential directs power equally to the rear wheels, providing maximum traction when traversing tough obstacles. Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist provide further reassurance.
Despite the challenging conditions, the Alaskan completed the course with confidence, clambering over logs, punching up steep inclines and declines and it even successfully navigated a section of river, all in the pouring rain and with enough mud to keep every pig in the world happy.
The standard capability of just about any bakkie is pretty good these days and most bakkies would have, or should, complete a course like this with relative ease. The Alaskan did it with road tyres, which makes a strong case for its capability.
Safety Features
The Alsakan is equipped with comprehensive safety features which include ABS with EBD, electronic stability program (ESP), emergency brake assist (EBA), traction control system (TCS) and active emergency braking (AEB) with audible and visual alerts. A total of 7 airbags and rear ISOfix child-seat mounting points are standard.
Renault Alaskan – Availability and Pricing
If the South African economy plays ball, the arrival of the Alaskan has the potential to upset the bakkie apple-cart in the local market.
A spokesperson from Renault South Africa has confirmed that the Alaskan will be introduced locally in the second half of 2018. At this stage, local Alaskan specification is yet to be confirmed and it's not yet clear if both engine options will be offered in South Africa.
However, we can speculate that the range-topping 140 kW version will be offered in 7-speed automatic guise. High-spec automatic double cab bakkies constitute the majority of sales in the leisure double cab segment in South Africa and a flagship Alaskan automatic would, theoretically, make strong business sense. In addition to this, Renault will, in all likelihood, offer a mid-spec Alaskan which may very well be powered by the 120 kW Renault-tuned 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine with both a 7-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmission on offer.
Like many manufacturers in South Africa, Renault is at the mercy of the exchange rate and the potential success of the Alaskan will depend on its price point in relation to its rivals. Renault SA has indicated that pricing will likely be similar to that of the Nissan Navara, which means that pricing may start from about R520 000 for the entry-level Alaskan and going up to approximately R600 000 for the top-spec automatic version. We expect that the bakkie will be offered with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a competitive service plan to boot.
Based on our experience in Slovenia, the Alaskan is a strong product that is superior to many double-cab products currently on sale in South Africa. We'd even go so far to say the Alaskan eclipses its Navara cousin in terms of its overall product execution…. it arguably has more road presence, and somehow its power delivery, engine refinement and even ride quality seem superior by comparison, which is quite an achievement, because the bakkies' underpinnings are the same. Also, the Alaskan's infotainment system is far better and it appears to be a robust offroad offering. If Renault SA can introduce the Alaskan with comprehensive specification and attractive pricing, it should, in theory, be well-received.
Perhaps the Alaskan's greatest challenge is to overcome the way in which it is perceived in the minds of typically stubborn brand-loyal consumers who may find it difficult to justify spending their money on the Alaskan. The Alaskan's performance speaks for itself and we can't wait for it to arrive on local soil so that we can put it to the test against all of its rivals. We believe the Alaskan has the ability to shatter and redefine public perception. Furthermore, we wouldn't be at all surprised if the Renault Alaskan becomes a finalist in the Leisure Double Cab category of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank – in 2018/2019.
Watch this space, the Alaskan is coming for you! Enjoy the braai…
Going up against key rivals such the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and new BMW 5 Series, the Volvo S90 needs to make a bold statement and this new S90 R-Design –resplendent in Bursting Blue paintwork – counters its rivals with inimitable Swedish style! Let's take a look at what this S90 R-Design has to offer.
We Like: Styling, powerful engine, infotainment and technology
We Don't Like: Difficult to fault, boot is slightly smaller than rivals
Alternatives
Classy choice: Consider the Mercedes-Benz E400 AMG Line 4Matic priced from R1 037 526. The E400 offers more power and torque than the S90 and is powered by a 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 245 kW and 480 Nm of torque. The E-Class arguably offers the best-in-class ride comfort too and is equipped with a wide range of impressive technology. However, many of the desirable optional extra's are quite pricey.
Enter the new 5: The latest BMW 5 Series has much to offer and the 540i M Sport priced at R1 055 016 has the power to match both the S90 and Merc E400. The 540i is equipped with a 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque and is more gifted in terms of dynamic performance than its S90 rival.
Something more extroverted: The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards-winning Jaguar XF 25t Portfolio is a dynamic, stylish and luxurious alternative, but doesn't have the engine power to compete with the vehicles listed here. In 35t and S guises it is simply too expensive.
In a segment traditionally dominated by ze Germans, Volvo has well and truly risen to the occasion with its S90 executive sedan. The local S90 lineup was recently bolstered with the introduction of 4 sporty R-Line derivatives and we recently spent some time with the most powerful T6 R-Design. Should you consider the S90 T6 R-Design AWD over its German & British rivals? This quick review could help you decide…
The Good
Attention-grabbing exterior styling
Pretty from all angles, the S90 T6 R-Design exudes style and luxury.
Visually, this S90 R-Design is distinguished by its deeper front bumper with menacing air dams and a glossy grille with satin chrome detailing. We really like the striking effect of Volvo’s "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights too.
A satin chrome finish frames the windows, and the side mirrors are finished in matt-silver. At the rear, rhomboid tailpipes add to the sportiness and the colour-coded diffuser rounds off the dashing rear-end. Those large 21-inch diamond cut wheels (a R15 500 optional extra) complement the stylish bodywork and, although taste is subjective, we think that this S90 T6 R-Design is an attractive alternative to its German rivals.
Impressive interior features
A central tablet-like infotainment system houses most of the S90's functions and settings. Interior build quality is right up there too.
Moving inside, the S90 R-Design strikes a tasteful balance between opulent luxury and high-end technology. The driver and passenger are treated to comfortable, electrically adjustable and heated contoured Nappa leather sports seats. Further R-Design details can be seen on the sports steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather, aluminium sports pedals, R-Design door sills and carbon-fibre decor inlays.
The interior build quality is excellent and a major highlight is Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system. Working much like a tablet, the system houses most of the vehicle’s functions and is very easy to use thanks to swipe-and-pinch functionality. It’s one of the best systems currently available in this segment. Another highlight is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster featuring a crisp, integrated navigation display.
A 360-degree camera is a useful aid when manoeuvring in tight spaces.
Optional extras fitted to this test vehicle include Visual Park Assist with a 360-degree camera, head-up display, 4-zone climate control air conditioning and a 19-speaker Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system. As with other S90 derivatives, rear passengers are comfortably accommodated courtesy of more than adequate head-, shoulder-, leg and knee room.
Willing performance
A digital instrument cluster with integrated navigation further adds to the S90's interior appeal.
This S90 T6 R-design is powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque, driving all-four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Although the 4-cylinder motor is less than sonorous, it's very responsive to throttle inputs and in-gear acceleration is plentiful and brisk. Volvo claims a zero to 100 kph sprint time of 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 250 kph.
The 8-speed automatic transmission is well-matched to this engine and delivers relatively seamless transitions with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters provided for manual override. There are 3 driving modes (including Eco, Comfort and Sport) at your disposal too.
Volvo claims an average fuel consumption figure of 7.2 L/100km and we averaged in the region of 11.0 L/100 km during our test. But with a conservative driving style, figures below 10.0 L/100 km should be achievable.
Good balance between ride quality and handling
Power and comfort are key strengths of the S90 T6 R-Design.
The R-Design’s chassis is stiffer than that of the standard S90 in a bid to offer enhanced dynamic ability. It does feel very capable at tackling corners at speed and remains wonderfully composed and planted to the tar when you weave together a set of bends.
Although the suspension is noticeably stiffer, it’s still forgiving. Yes, it absorbs and eradicates most imperfections in the road relatively well, but it can become marginally crashy over harsher surfaces. The 19-inch will offer more comfort, but are not as striking as the 21-inch examples. Although the S90 delivers a refined ride, we don’t think it quite matches the sublime ride offered by the class-leading E-Class, however.
Safety and driver assistance systems
As you would expect from Volvo, this S90 T6 R-Design is packed with the latest safety technology and driver assistance systems. Aside from the basics, the S90 is also equipped with pedestrian-, cyclist- and large animal detection, run-off-road mitigation, automatic braking at intersections for oncoming traffic, front collision warning with full automatic braking, lane keeping aid, lane departure warning and driver alert control.
But perhaps the most impressive driver assistance system offered on the S90 is the semi-autonomous Pilot Assist feature, which is an extension of the adaptive cruise control system that can be activated using the mounted steering-wheel controls. Once activated, the system will take care of accelerating, braking and steering at speeds up to 130 kph. Pilot Assist still requires full attention on behalf of the driver as our local lane markings can confuse the system, but it affords the driver higher levels of relaxation and we found it particularly effective in heavy traffic jams and when cruising on the highway.
The Bad
Middling luggage space
Although the boot is large, it's still not as big as the rivalling E-Class or 5 Series.
We are nitpicking here as the S90 is difficult to fault, but it's worth noting that the luggage bay is smaller than that of the equivalent E-Class and 5 Series. At 500 litres, the S90's boot is still capacious but falls short of the E-Class (540 litres) and the 5 Series (530 litres). For most buyers, however, this fact shouldn't be a deal breaker.
Pricing and warranty
This S90 T6 AWD R-Design is attractively-priced against the equivalent Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5-Series with a starting price of R879 730, but once you start ticking off some of the desirable options, the price can quickly escalate to over a R1 million (as is the case with the test unit shown here). A fully-equipped S90, however, is still more affordable than a similarly specced E-Class or 5 Series.
A 5-year/100 000 km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan is standard.
Attractive pricing and solid capability make the S90 T6 R-Design worth considering.
If you are in the market for a stylish executive sedan that offers everything from sporty looks, performance, comfort, luxury and heaps of safety and driver assistance technology, then this Volvo S90 T6 R-Design makes a strong case for itself. Yes, some rivalling products may offer more thrills behind the wheel or a more resolved ride quality – and arguably more prestige – but the Volvo’s styling execution inside and out is to be admired and it has an air of sophisticated quality in the way that it drives that can’t be ignored. In a premium segment like this, the S90 R-Design says so much more about you than the more traditional rivals and we like that as it shows that Volvo has taken a big step towards carving itself a piece of the premium car pie.
