Toyota Yaris Pulse (2017) Launch Review

The facelifted Toyota Yaris, now called the Yaris Pulse, has arrived in South Africa with a new 1.5-litre engine and updated exterior and interior styling! We drove the Yaris Pulse in Cape Town this week… herewith our first impressions of Toyota’s facelifted compact hatchback offering.

The Yaris is up against some stiff competition in the B-segment with rivals such as the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20, Renault Clio and Kia Rio providing a competitive backdrop in the local market. Now carrying the Yaris Pulse nameplate to signify a fresh identity, the facelifted Yaris introduces a new 1.5-litre petrol engine along with a visual makeover to enhance the vehicle’s appeal.

A new heart for Yaris Pulse

The Yaris Pulse welcomes a new 1.5-litre engine that boasts improved performance and efficiency.

In addition to the familiar 51 kW/95 Nm entry-level 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission, the majority of Yaris Pulse derivatives are now powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that develops 82 kW and 136 Nm of torque. This engine not only offers 12% more power (and, therefore, improved performance), but it’s also up to 12% more efficient than the previous 1.3-litre engine it replaces, Toyota claims. The new engine is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a CVT, depending on your preference.

Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of 5.0 L/100 km for both the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre engine with manual transmissions, while the CVT derivative is claimed to consume 4.8 L/100 km.

Meanwhile, the Yaris Pulse Hybrid sits atop the range and Toyota’s engineers are said to have improved its ride quality with the fitment of new engine mounts, roll restrictor, front driveshafts and subframe, while also adjusting the shock absorbers and power steering to improve ride comfort and steering precision. The Yaris Pulse Hybrid offers 74 kW and 111 Nm of torque with a claimed fuel consumption of 3.6 L/100 km.

Furthermore, Toyota has also added a high-spec Pulse Plus CVT derivative to the range, which benefits from added features such as additional airbags (curtain and driver knee airbag), projector headlamps, cruise control and a unique upholstery design. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is now standard across the range along with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist and Hill Assist.

New look for Yaris Pulse

Updated styling gives the Yaris Pulse a more modern look and an improved interior look and feel will make it easy to live with on a daily basis.

The Yaris Pulse benefits from a redesigned front bumper that, along with the trapezoidal grille, gives the car a wider, more purposeful stance. The headlights and fog-light surrounds have also been updated to give the Japanese hatch a more modern appearance, while the rear-end benefits from a restyled rear bumper, tailgate and light clusters.

As for the interior, the Yaris Pulse features new upholstery, colours and trim details. The instrumentation and controls have also been updated to reflect improved tactile quality. A new-look 3-spoke, leather-wrapped, multifunction steering wheel with piano black inserts adds to the overall appeal inside the cabin. The air vents now feature a new propeller-style design and the controls and switches on the centre console have also been improved.

What’s the Yaris Pulse like to drive?

The Yaris Pulse offers good ride quality and surefooted handling while the engine delivers punchy performance.

The launch route started at Cape Town International Airport and we drove the 1.5-litre Yaris Pulse manual. We headed out along the N2 towards Somerset West and the additional power of the 1.5-litre engine was instantly noticeable. With a kerb weight of around 1 045 kg, the Yaris Pulse is quite light and with this new engine, it felt refreshingly punchy and eager to press on.

At highway speeds, engine-, wind- and road noises are adequately suppressed. The 6-speed transmission is smooth to operate, but you do have to gear down if you need to execute a quick overtaking manoeuvre. Tractability under normal driving conditions is reasonable, however and the Yaris Pulse has no problem keeping up with faster-moving traffic on the highway. In the corners, the Yaris Pulse felt composed and surprisingly agile with seemingly high levels of grip. Ride quality was good; road imperfections are absorbed with little effort.

The luggage bay is on the small side at 286 litres, but the 60:40 split rear seats do fold down to open up more space.

We made our way around the Cape Peninsula and decided to spend some time on the back seat to get a sense of rear passenger space. We found rear leg-, head- and shoulder room to be quite adequate. The luggage bay, at 286 litres, is admittedly quite small, but the rear seats can fold down in a 60:40 configuration to access more space for loading bulkier items.

We also had the chance to drive the Yaris Pulse Plus derivative. As mentioned previously, this derivative benefits from nice-to-have features such as cruise control and high-density headlights. Featuring a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Yaris Pulse Plus will appeal to customers looking for a fuss-free motoring experience. This derivative also boasts steering mounted paddle shifts that allow the driver to manipulate the 7 "simulated gears" to get the most out of the engine when it’s required. Only under harder acceleration does the typical CVT drone become apparent, but for the most part, the CVT performs unobtrusively and it offers a pleasant, relaxed driving experience.

A basic touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth is fitted and is easy to operate.

Summary

With its updated styling and new 1.5-litre engine, the Yaris Pulse is noticeably more refined and offers better performance than its predecessor. Furthermore, the Yaris Pulse is well-priced against its key rivals and in theory, at least, should find favour with buyers seeking value and peace-of-mind motoring.

We will have the Toyota Yaris Pulse on test soon, so look out for a thorough evaluation in the near future.

Toyota Yaris Pulse – Price in South Africa

1.0 Pulse M/T R199 000
1.5 Pulse M/T R228 700
1.5 Pulse CVT R241 400
1.5 Pulse Plus CVT R249 600
1.5 Hybrid CVT R307 200

The Toyota Yaris Pulse is sold with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan, but the 1.5 Hybrid CVT has a 4-year/60 000 km plan.

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BMW 330e & Mercedes-Benz C350e (2017) Electric Range Challenge [Video]

Although petrol-electric hybrids are no longer rare in the South African market, plug-in versions (PHEVs) are relative newcomers. What’s more, the BMW 330e and Mercedes-Benz C350e represent their marques’ most compact and affordable PHEV sedan offerings. It is an interesting match-up…

Both models feature 2.0-litre turbopetrol engines mated with their manufacturers’ electric motors, batteries and energy recovery systems. Given their similar configurations and target markets, the BMW and Mercedes-Benz are direct rivals, but which one is better at running on electric power only?

Because these products are purported to offer commuters the ability to complete significant parts of their daily routes in emission-free electric-vehicle mode, we were keen to see just how far the 330e and C350e could travel, on no more than battery power, from a full charge. Let’s find out!

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Toyota Yaris Pulse (2017) Specs & Price

The Toyota Yaris Pulse has been introduced in the South African market, replete with a host of updates that include revised exterior and interior styling, upgraded features as well as the introduction of a new 1.5-litre engine. Herewith the specifications and prices of the updated range…

Toyota has implemented a number of changes that will enhance the appeal of the vehicle. Designed at Toyota's ED2 European design centre, the refreshed Yaris will wear more distinctive, reshaped headlights (with daylight running lights), an upgraded grille (with less chrome-look garnish) and a reshaped bumper replete with revised foglight housings. At the rear, elongated combination taillights, a redesigned tailgate and a re-profiled bumper and diffuser help to give the compact hatchback a wider stance.

The ornate LED-adorned taillight clusters certainly give the Yaris a more distinctive rear aspect.

The interior features new fascia material, an updated instrument binnacle with multi-information display (it relays time, temperature, odometer reading, fuel-efficiency and other data), upgraded seat and door trim fabric, a 6-speaker Bluetooth-enabled touchscreen audio system, aircon, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and electric windows all round.

The Pulse Plus model adds cruise control and knee- and curtain airbags, whereas the 1.5 Hybrid gains, inter alia, dual-zone automatic air conditioning system and a reverse-view camera.

By cutting back on the chrome grille trim, the expansive grille louvres look a lot more prominent.

The local Yaris range will feature the familiar 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine with 51 kW and 95 Nm of torque which will make use of a 5-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is claimed at 5.0 L/100 km.

The big news is that the previous 1.3-litre engine has been replaced with a 1.5-litre petrol engine offering 82 kW and 136 Nm of torque. This engine will be offered with a 5-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). According to Toyota, this engine is more efficient and provides improved performance with a zero to 100 kph time of 11.0 seconds, compared to 11.8 seconds for the previous 1.3-litre engine. Fuel consumption for the CVT derivative is claimed at 4.8 L/100 km, while the manual claims a figure of 5.0 L/100 km.

The 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid version tops the range. It offers a total output of 74 kW and 111 Nm and also utilises a CVT. Toyota claims a fuel consumption figure of 3.6 L/100 km.

Safety wise, every derivative in the Yaris Pulse range features an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA), hill assist control and vehicle stability control (VSC) and dual front and side airbags, while knee- and curtain shield 'bags feature on the Pulse Plus CVT and Pulse 1.5 Hybrid. For added security, each Yaris Pulse is fitted with an immobiliser, remote control central locking and a follow-me-home light control system. All derivatives are equipped with a child restraint seat belt and rear door child protection locks.

Toyota Yaris Pulse – prices in South Africa

1.0 Pulse M/T R199 000
1.5 Pulse M/T R228 700
1.5 Pulse CVT R241 400
1.5 Pulse Plus CVT R249 600
1.5 Hybrid CVT R307 200

The Toyota Yaris Pulse is sold with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan, but the 1.5 Hybrid CVT has a 4-year/60 000 km plan.

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Top 10 Fastest-Selling Used Cars on Cars.co.za

We've analysed changes in the dealer listings of second-hand vehicles on Cars.co.za from February to April 2017 and, according to the information at our disposal, these are the 10 vehicles that positively "flew off dealership floors"…

As South Africa's leading automotive platform, with approximately 72 000 cars for sale on our site at any given moment; some models are much sought after, but others less so. Which ones fall under the former category? We’ve looked at our data and produced a list of cars that spent the least amount of time in our used cars section. We removed outliers, such as seemingly overpriced cars and made sure a model sold at least 5 cars in the month to be worthy of its spot. We also excluded private sellers as it’s more difficult to determine whether a sale was made – or the advert has expired.

Without getting too hung up on the nitty gritty, here are the top 10 fastest-selling second-hand cars on Cars.co.za for February to April 2017.

1. Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ambiente

The Ford Fiesta seems like a go-to choice for second-hand buyers. Both the 1.4 Ambiente and Trend models sell well, but it's the former that races out of dealerships faster than anything else that's listed on our site. There was a fair number sold over the last 3 months with the 5-door appearing the most popular. The average list price was R96 438 for the Ambiente with the Trend at R118 124. Average time to sell a Fiesta on our site? Just 3 days.

2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4

According to new vehicle sales statistics, the Polo Vivo is often South Africa’s top-selling passenger car. The second-hand market wants them too. Average time listed: 6 days for a Conceptline and 20 days for a 1.4 Trendline. The 1.4 Trendline is a more popular model, selling 3 times as many as the 1.4 Conceptline. Resale value looks to hold up reasonably well, with the average list price of R110 200.

3. Toyota Hilux double cab

Most months, the Hilux is South Africa's most popular new vehicle. In the second-hand market, buyers appear to like the petrol 2.7 Raider double cab model. It took on average just 7 days to sell one. At R179 938 a pop it seems like a lot of bakkie for your money.

4. Hyundai ix35

Hyundai's SUV has been a bit of a sales revelation for the Korean brand over the last decade. Second-hand buyers lean towards the 2.0 Executive model as a favourite. Over the last 3 months, it has taken just 9 days to shift one off a dealer's floor. The average price for one is R194 960.

5. Nissan NP200 1.6

The small business bakkies (also known as half-tonners, although their carrying capacities are usually much more than that) are popular used car buys. The Nissan NP200 sold well over the 3 month period, possibly a good sign for small businesses around SA. It takes around 11 days to sell an NP200, at an average list price of R119 846.

6. Volkswagen Polo

There are a lot of Polos listed on Cars.co.za, so competition for prospective buyers' attention is tough. Some can stay listed for a long time, but the Polo GTI is the fastest selling model, just. It takes about 15 days to complete the sale of a Polo GTI at an average price of R228 332. The Polo 1.4 Comfortline is just behind it, taking just 16 days to sell, but at a price of R138 475.

7. Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6

Uber drivers keep a keen eye out for this popular city taxi as it lists for around 18 days before being sold. Popularity of this old Corolla appears to be quite high as the resale value remains strong. The Corolla Quest sells for around R173 249 and will take about 18 days to sell.

8. Hyundai i20 1.2

The i20 has become a very popular car on the local front. It appears to be quite reliable and Hyundai’s build quality has improved vastly over the last decade. Average time to sell: 19 days, and average listed price: R171 692.

9. Hyundai i10 1.1

Hyundai's smallest car still appears to be a popular one. Buyers seem to trust what the Korean brand has manufactured over the last decade and believe in its reliability. Average time to sell: 20 days, and average listed price: R86 433.

10. Hyundai Tucson 2.0

If you were in any doubt as to what brand flies off the dealership floors, then this should settle it for you. The latest generation Hyundai Tucson is one of SA's best-selling SUVs and buyers are out there looking for low mileage, young models. The naturally aspirated 2.0 Premium Auto is the popular choice, selling in just 22 days at an average price of R339 900.

BMW M8 Undergoing Testing

BMW has revealed that the new 8 Series will feature a hardened M version.

BMW showcased the 8 Series concept car last week at the Concorso d’Eleganza d’Este and it has now been revealed that BMW is working hard on an M8 version that will highlight the range’s sporty nature.

Frank van Meel, President BMW M Division said “The future BMW M8 will build on the genes of the 8 Series and augment its DNA with added track ability and generous extra portions of dynamic sharpness, precision and agility. It all flows into a driving experience that bears the familiar BMW M hallmarks and satisfies our customers’ most exacting requirements.”

BMW is also developing an M8 GTE, specially developed for BMW’s return to Le Mans. They will not be fighting for overall victory but hope to challenge the likes of Ford, Ferrari, Corvette and Aston Martin in the GTE class.

The BMW M8 will offer honed performance ability but powertrain details have yet to be revealed.

No details are available on the production M8 yet but we can speculate on the powertrain BMW might use. The obvious choice would be the 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo unit that powers the new M5. It makes the most sense as it has already been developed as a performance engine and with the 8 Series using the same platform as the 5 Series, it might be easier to engineer. There is the option for something else though.

BMW once built an M8 prototype in the ‘90s, a car that never saw the light of day as the BMW bankers deemed it ‘unprofitable’. To be honest, it would have cost way, way more than its competitors but BMW fans would have swooned over it. It packed a naturally aspirated 6.1-litre V12 engine and booted out 410 kW and 500 Nm of torque, impressive for natural aspiration.

The reason we mention this is that BMW has developed a V12 motor that it uses in its 7 Series M760Li X-Drive. In standard guise that engine develops 448 kW and 800 Nm, but with fettling by the M division, it could get close to the 500 kW mark. Scary stuff, but if the bankers have anything to say about it, it will basically be an M5 in an M8 body.

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Shelby SA provides peace-of-mind warranty

Following a successful introduction year in South Africa, Shelby SA has not only moved into state-of-the-art new premises, but has also boosted its warranty offering, and continues to offer the latest hardware from the States.

The iconic Shelby nameplate officially arrived in South Africa last year and recently started operating from its new base in Malmesbury, on the outskirts of Cape Town. "Having launched in SA in July 2016, Shelby has had a very positive response," enthused Peter Lindenberg, CEO of Shelby SA. "There is no doubt that the strength of the Shelby brand makes it the foremost Mustang upgrade, and its history speaks for itself," he added.

The operation now boasts a state-of-the-art showroom and Mod Shop, with a Shelby American-trained head technician on hand to ensure that all work done in South Africa complies with Shelby's strict international standards. A key part of the Shelby appeal, of course, is that conversions are certified within the international Shelby registry. This keeps record of upgrades done to each vehicle, and is key to the current and future value of a vehicle. Furthermore, Shelby CSM chassis plates and numbers are affixed to official Shelby American vehicles.

Enhanced Peace of Mind

Local Shelby conversions are done under the watchful eye of a Shelby American technician. Comprehensive warranties are offered.

Although Shelby conversions can be extensive, owners are provided with plenty of peace-of-mind through Shelby warranties in addition to Ford warranties (where still applicable). Officially converted vehicles retain the standard Ford warranty (varies across different components), including the all-important drivetrain warranty on all models up to and including the 670hp engine modifications.

Once over the 670hp mark, however, the Ford warranty makes way for a 3-years/60 000 km drivetrain warranty which is administred through the Innovation Group via Shelby SA. Ford's warranty (excluding drivetrain) remains in place (varies across components). "Now that Ford have approved Shelby in SA, there is no doubt that this positive endorsement of the iconic brand will be the foundation of a very strong relationship between ourselves and Ford and with the Ford dealer body now effectively agents for Shelby, we expect to make major inroads in this market," Lindenberg added.

Product offering

The Shelby GTE conversion is available on both the 2.3-litre EcoBoost and 5.0-litre V8 Mustangs.

At present there are 4 Shelby Mustang conversions available to South Africans. The line-up kicks off with the GTE, available on both 2.3-litre EcoBoost and 5.0-litre V8 models. This package includes a Shelby exhaust system and an extensive range of styling upgrades.

The GTE Plus sees the addition of a supercharger to the 5.0-litre V8 engine, boosting power to 670hp (approx. 500 kW). To put that number into context, keep in mind that the standard car's output is 306 kW!

Watch our video review of the Ford Mustang GT here.

The ultimate is arguably the Shelby Super Snake, which adds very wild body styling, interior upgrades, boosted performance and Wilwood front and rear brakes. A 750 hp (560 kW) supercharger upgrade is available as an option on this model and possibly a must for the full experience.

Only one example of the extremly rare Shelby Terlingua is still available in South Africa.

Finally, for one lucky customer-to-be, there is still a single Shelby Terlingua available in South Africa. Only 75 were made available world-wide and South Africa was allocated 5 of them. The Terlingua is Shelby's most track-focused vehicle and pays tribute to the Terlingua Racing Team that was victorious in the 1967 Trans Am Championship. The Terlingua has more than 600 kW at its disposal and features an adjustable Eibach suspension kit, Shelby Performance cooling pack, Brembo brakes, a short-ratio diff and a number of styling enhancements.

You may also be interested in;

Shelby muscles into South Africa (2016)
Updated Ford Mustang gets heartbeat start button
2018 Ford Mustang spotted, and it looks weird
Ford Mustang tops global sportscar sales

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Mini JCW Clubman (2017) Specs & Price

The Mini JCW Clubman is now available in South Africa! Take a look at specs and pricing for the newcomer…

Mini South Africa has expanded its Clubman range in South Africa with the addition of the John Cooper Works Clubman. According to Mini, the JCW Clubman “combines authentic race feeling with the most space, everyday practicality and long-distance suitability" ever seen in a JCW model.

The JCW Clubman is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine offering 170 kW and 350 Nm of torque and it’s mated to a 6-speed manual transmission while an 8-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option. The JCW Clubman also features a new generation ALL4 all-wheel drive system to ensure maximum traction. Both the manual and automatic accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 6.3 seconds. Mini claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.4 L/100 km for the manual while the automatic is more frugal with a fuel consumption figure of 6.8 L/100 km.

Key Features

The MINI JCW Clubman's rear doors open automatically and the optional 40:20:40 split rear seats offer additional practicality.

The JCW Clubman rides on 18-inch light alloy wheels as standard while 19-inch light alloy wheels are offered as an option. Stopping power comes courtesy of a Brembo sports brake system and a sports exhaust system is also fitted.

In terms of practicality, the JCW Clubman luggage compartment offers 360-litres of space and the optional 40:20:40 rear seats can be folded down to increase capacity to 1 250-litres. The split doors open automatically and a storage package, roof rails and a tow bar with a removable ball head is offered as an option.

The central colour instrument display is 6.5-inches in size which can be increased to an 8.8-inch colour display as an option. The familiar start/stop button and familiar toggle switches are found in the cabin as well as a central console with armrest, Mini Controller, electronic parking brake and 2 cup holders. A Head-Up display is offered as an option. The Radio Mini Visual Boost system is fitted as standard and a USB and Aux port are also offered. Mini offers a wide range of options to further customise your JCW Clubman.

The JCW Clubman is also equipped with a parking assistant, park distance control, rear view camera, driving assistant with camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning, high beam assistant and road sign detection.

Other safety features include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, stability control with traction control, electronic differential lock and rear ISOFIX mounts.

MINI Clubman – Price in South Africa (May 2017)

MINI Cooper Clubman M/T – R376 070

MINI Cooper Clubman A/T – R394 070

MINI Cooper S Clubman M/T – R456 692

MINI Cooper S Clubman A/T – R475 052

MINI John Cooper Works Clubman M/T – R558 612

MINI John Cooper Works Clubman A/T – R584 516

The MINI Clubman is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty as well as a 5-year/100 000 km service plan with service intervals set at 20 000 km.

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Mercedes-AMG Hypercar Details Revealed

Mercedes-AMG has revealed technical details of its much-anticipated hypercar that will bring F1 technology to the road and it's expected to make its debut later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017.

You’ll want to save the date for this ‘One’! Mercedes-Benz is planning on showing its latest hypercar creation, dubbed Project One, at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. The Project One hypercar will essentially be a Formula One car fit for the road and according to AMG, it will feature a “perfect” and “stunning” design. Furthermore, AMG says that its new hypercar will probably be “the most fascinating two-seater that will ever hit the road.”

Powertrain details

With no less than 745 kW and a redline limit set at 13 500 rpm, the Project One hypercar is a technological marvel.

The Project One hypercar will feature a hybrid powertrain comprising an F1-derived, turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engine from the championship-winning WO7 Hybrid, coupled with a “purely electric and wheel-selective front axle drive concept”. The engine will idle at 4 000 rpm and will redline at an eye-watering 13 500 rpm. According to reports, the engine will be good for at least 50 000 km before needing a rebuild

The engine will work in conjunction with 2 electric motors. The first 80 kW electric motor is tasked with keeping the turbocharger on the boil at all times while the second 120 kW motor is linked directly to the crankshaft. An additional 2 electric motors at the front axle will allow for pure electric driving with a range up to 24 km on electric power alone.

The Project One hypercar will develop more than 746 kW and will make use of a single clutch 8-speed transmission to lay power to the road.

Mercedes-AMG celebrated its 50th Anniversary over the weekend and the Project One hypercar is the perfect way to commemorate this milestone. Production is limited to 275 examples and all of them are already sold. Testing is due to commence soon before the big reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. The price tag for the Project One hypercar is estimated at about $2.5 million, or almost R34 million.

We will keep you updated as more details are revealed, so stay tuned!

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Extended Test: Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 GLX [Video]

Although the compact sedan market has shrunk due to the public's growing predilection for hatchbacks and compact family cars/crossovers, cars such as the value-oriented, spacious Suzuki Ciaz still offer a lot of appeal if you're urban-based and need to cart around people and their luggage.

What's more, because it is powered by the same naturally aspirated 1.4-litre petrol engine found in the popular Swift hatchback, the Ciaz is particularly fuel-efficient, as we found.

In this video we take a detailed look at the standard features of this GLX derivative (compared to the base-spec GL), as well as boot capacity, rear seat space, fuel consumption and a few issues that we've experienced in our time with the car.

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Suzuki Ignis (2017) First Drive

The Suzuki Ignis is due for introduction in South Africa in May 2017. We had a chance to get behind of the wheel of this mould-breaking compact family car/crossover at its European launch in Italy. British Correspondent, Wayne Gorrett reports.

Firstly and most importantly, what this ISN’T, is the Jimny replacement…just so you know.

What it is, is the all-new Suzuki Ignis – a car the automaker describes as an ultra-compact crossover. But, irrespective of whichever market niche the majority of car buyers will ultimately classify this oddball newcomer, the Ignis constitutes an original piece of automotive design — deftly blended with multi-purpose functionality.

Built at Suzuki’s Sagara plant in Japan, the Ignis is rooted in affordability, practicality and youthful style.

By utilising Suzuki’s new platform strategy that was revealed last year, the Ignis forms part of a bigger picture for future Suzuki models. The new strategy focuses strongly on weight reduction and increased rigidity, something that has already been applied to the new Baleno and the upcoming all-new Swift, due in 2018. To demonstrate this, the Ignis weighs a mere 810 kg.

The Ignis has been on sale in Japan since January 2016 and has sold over 18,000 units there in its first 10 months.

The designer’s work

Staying true in many respects to the iM-4 concept first revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Ignis wears chunky Tonka Toy styling and looks cool, VERY cool. Sure, it’s small but it will cope with far more than city streets, particularly when you choose Suzuki’s own “always on” AllGrip four-wheel-drive system.

Suzuki Ignis brings a fresh look to the new A-segment crossover.

With its flared arches, bluff nose and jacked-up stance, there’s no mistaking it for anything other than a radically designed and eye-catching baby crossover.

Exterior design highlights include a chrome grille surround, muscular bodywork and blacked-out A and B pillars, the latter being a nod to the aforementioned Swift. Other design traits include the clam-shell bonnet from the Vitara and a trio of creases on the C-pillar which pays homage to the crimped air intakes on the rear-engined Suzuki SC100 “Whizzkid” from the late 1970’s.

Suzuki hopes that the Ignis will attract a new breed of customer to the brand, with young women who enjoy stylish models like the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper, being the key target demographic.

The interior

Suzuki’s new generation platform strategy allows the engine compartment of the Ignis to be significantly minimised, the benefits of which transfer directly to the cabin which is surprisingly roomy both front and rear, with all four occupants well catered for in head and leg room.

Boot capacity stands at 270 litres (front-wheel-drive models), which is slightly below the supermini average. This can, however, extend to 514 litres by folding the rear seats down, although doing so results in a large hump between the boot and rear seat.

Customers choosing the AllGrip all-wheel-drive transmission will have their boot space reduced to 204-litres thanks to the rear differential.

Rear seats feature 50/50 split and individual sliders.

The front seats are surprisingly comfortable (although more lateral support would be welcome), and the steering wheel is adjustable for rake, not reach. Along with folding uprights, the rear seats are split 50/50 and slide individually forwards and backwards for greater functionality for when awkward-shaped loads need shifting.

Along with the Swift and new Baleno models, the Ignis focuses more on funky design and functionality rather than outright quality. Scratchy plastics abound throughout the cabin but are offset with quirky design features such as the linear dashboard, two-tone colour schemes and colourful inserts on the tubular door handles, air vent surrounds and centre console, which contrast with the body colour. Even the air-con and ancillary buttons get cool aviator-style switches.

The updated version of the Suzuki interior would be a welcome addition to SA models.

The seven-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard looks the part but could do with being a tad more responsive. The flagship models at the Italian launch came with everything from navigation, reversing camera, automatic air-con to LED daytime running lights. Safety kit is a big deal with the Ignis too, with top models getting dual camera brake support (DCBS), which allows for autonomous braking if your attention strays, lane keep assist and a weave alert function that detects fatigue.

But even for those looking to come in at entry-level, kit on the Ignis is still generous, with manual air-con and Bluetooth thrown in.

Engines and transmissions

At its Italian media launch, all Ignis models were fitted with the 1.2-litre DualJet (K12C) four-cylinder petrol engine which generates 67 kW and 120 Nm of torque at 4 400 rpm. It was mated to an excellent five-speed manual ‘box.

South Africa will get this engine and gearbox pairing at launch next year, and possibly a five-speed automatic, but this has not yet been confirmed.

Performance

Due to the Ignis’ lightweight disposition, performance from the 1.2-litre four-pot is more than adequate for most driving conditions, be it short urban stints or inter-city motorway slogs (for which you should plan sufficiently in advance for overtaking manoeuvres). The five-speed manual is well-matched too, with snappy and accurate shifts.

A new 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine will be used in the Ignis locally.

The linear power delivery of the peppy 1.2-litre is one of its best attributes and you may even find yourself flooring it to the rev limiter just for the delight in hearing the growl of the engine as it smoothly builds up speed.

Ride and handling

Being a boxy, high-sided car, you may expect the Ignis to nervously wallow about the place but, it doesn’t.

Take an urban corner or roundabout at speed and it is surprisingly well planted and composed. Chuck it into a tight rural bend and it may not stay as hooked to the tarmac as a lower supermini, but body roll is minimal and grip remains plentiful. You can certainly feel the Baleno DNA intertwined within it.

The balanced ride of the Ignis is to thank here. Engineered to be slightly on the firm side, it helps maintain the car’s composure in the corners and yet delivers a comfortable ride. However, it can become a little undone and shake when hitting a few bumps in quick succession, so beware of potholes.

Despite only weighing 810 kg, the Ignis feels quite sturdy.

The electronic steering is a tad odd at first. For such a nippy city car, the steering is unusually weighty – which when cruising around the city feels unnecessary. This is an attribute that makes it entertaining to drive on outer urban roads though, and when it comes to difficult manoeuvres like parking, the steering does lighten up at a three-quarter turn, making things a little less physical.

In terms of convenience and comfort, the seating position is great, the large windscreen makes the cabin feel airy for both driver and passenger and it has a town-friendly turning circle of just 4.7-metres. On the ultra-smooth Italian motorways, I encountered wind whistle around the B-pillar. It’s one of those things that, once you’ve noticed it…

As you would expect for a car of this nature, fuel consumption is very reasonable with an official figure of 4.6l/100 km. During the nearly 300 km test drive over a variety of roads and elevations, I averaged 5.8l/100 km, which is still impressive.

Pricing

No prices are available on the South African Ignis models yet, but in the UK the Ignis range starts from a mightily impressive £9 995, which if the Rand and Yen both behave themselves for the next few months, should translate to around R180 000.

Summary

A chap at Suzuki UK described the Ignis to me as being a ‘typical Suzuki-ish product’, which is pretty apt, to be fair. It oozes Suzuki aesthetic, it’s very affordable and enjoys a spirited interior design and drive characteristics. It may not offer the most conventional styling, but for anyone after an ultra-compact crossover that offers an endearing quality – just look at the success of the Nissan Juke.

The Ignis’ only local rival in SA is likely to be the cheaper but debatably-cheerful Renault Sandero Stepway. But that would do the Ignis an injustice. In many ways the Ignis is a far superior offering; it is better equipped at entry level, offers far higher levels of safety and is a superior driving and handling car (particularly at speed). The only area the Sandero should beat the Ignis is likely to be on price, but that says more about the Ignis than it does the Stepway.

In many ways, the Ignis feels quite grown up – a tasty proposition for those looking for the next fashion trend to sink their teeth into.

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