7 New Double Cabs to Look Out For

We take a look at 7 bakkies that are bound to shake up the market when, or if, they arrive in the near future!

If there’s one segment that continues to thrive amid declining new vehicle sales in South Africa, it’s the bakkie market. Despite tough economic conditions, bakkies are in high demand. The local market, which is led by the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger in terms of sales, recently saw the introduction of the Fiat Fullback and its cousin, the new Mitsubishi Triton, is on its way too. But there are further changes afoot…

More manufacturers are joining the bakkie fray in the hope of securing a piece of this (lucrative) market pie. Newcomers to the market, however, have lots of convincing to do to sway buying decisions into their favour. There are a number of new bakkies that could potentially “rock the boat” when (or if) they finally go on sale in South Africa. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most-anticipated bakkies you can expect in the short to medium term.

1. Mercedes-Benz X-Class

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class bakkie will arrive in South Africa late in 2017 or early in 2018.

Probably the most anticipated bakkie currently in development is the Mercedes-Benz X-Class. The recently revealed Mercedes-Benz X-Class Concept showed the design direction for the forthcoming production version with its bold face and luxurious interior. The X-Class (previously referred to as the GLT) has been spotted numerous times in recent months undergoing testing and the new model is destined for markets in Europe, Australia, Latin America and South Africa.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class is being developed in partnership with Nissan and the new model will be based on the running gear of the Nissan NP300 Navara. A range of 4- and 6-cylinder engines (including turbodiesels, of course) will be offered with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed automatic transmission. Multiple trim levels will be available to suit different requirements and an AMG styling pack is also on the cards. It was recently reported that an AMG version of the X-Class will not become a reality due to a lack of demand. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class will go on sale in Europe in 2017 before arriving in South Africa 2017/2018.

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2. Nissan Navara

The new Nissan Navara can be expected in South Africa at the end of 2016 or early in 2017.

The Navara is Nissan’s answer to the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger but there’s currently no definitive introduction date for the new Navara. From all accounts and considering feedback from Nissan South Africa, you can expect to see the all-new Navara during the first quarter of 2017. The new Navara will be built at Nissan’s plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, which is being readied to produce the newcomer.

Although local specification is yet to be confirmed, you can expect the new Navara to be powered by a new 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine with either 120 kW or 140 kW on offer. The current 3.0-litre V6 dCi engine will in all likelihood remain, offering 170 kW and 550 Nm of torque. The Navara will be available in 2- and 4-wheel drive guises with the choice of a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Search for a new or used Nissan Navara on Cars.co.za

3. Peugeot/Citroen Bakkie

You can expect a new Hilux-based double-cab bearing either a Peugeot or Citroen badge within the next five years.

Earlier this year PSA Peugeot Citroen announced its “Push to Pass” growth plan that will see no less than 26 new passenger cars and 8 light commercial vehicles see the light between 2016 and 2021. Interestingly, this plan will spawn a new 1-tonne bakkie that will carry either a Peugeot or Citroen badge.

All indicators point to a partnership between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota to develop the new bakkie, which means it will be loosely based on the Hilux. It’s still early days for the Peugeot Citroen bakkie, so details regarding engines and specification remain a mystery at this point.

Search for a new or used Peugeot on Cars.co.za

4. Renault Alaskan

The Alaskan is Renault's take on a premium leisure double-cab bakkie. Not a bad looker!

Based on the Alaskan concept shown in 2015, the production-ready Renault seems to be a promising product of the Renault-Nissan alliance. The Alaskan shares its underpinnings with the Nissan NP300 Navara (as well as the Mercedes-Benz X-Class) and slots into the premium-end of the leisure bakkie market.

The Alaskan is powered by a 2.3-litre twin-turbodiesel engine offering either 120 kW or 141 kW. A 2.5-litre petrol and turbodiesel powerplants will complete the engine offering with a choice of a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

As it stands, the Renault Alaskan has not been confirmed for introduction in South Africa, but it seems likely if it gets the go-ahead to be produced in right-hand drive. We can only hope that Renault can make a case for the Renault Alaskan as it will provide more depth in the local leisure bakkie market. If the Renault Alaskan gets the green light in South Africa, an introduction in the second half of 2017 is likely.

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5. Renault Duster Oroch

The Duster Oroch could be a popular offering in South Africa, but only if Renault brings it here.

The Duster has been a huge success for Renault and if the Duster Oroch bakkie makes it to South Africa, it will surely be a good thing for the French automaker. The Duster Oroch bakkie is a medium-sized double-cab bakkie that slots in between the half-ton and one-ton segment, offering space and performance typically seen in a compact SUV.

The Duster Oroch will in all likelihood be powered by the same 77 kW/148 Nm 1.6-litre petrol engine and 80 kW/240 Nm turbodiesel engine found in the current Duster line-up. Renault South Africa has not yet confirmed if the Oroch will be made available in South Africa. Let’s hope it will.

Search for a new or used Renault Duster on Cars.co.za

6. Mazda BT-50

Mazda and Isuzu have teamed up to develop the new BT-50.

Mazda and Ford collaborated to produce the current BT-50, which was built locally at Ford’s Rosslyn plant and it shares its underpinnings with the popular Ranger. That partnership has now dissolved and to keep itself in the bakkie game, Mazda recently announced a “basic agreement” with bakkie specialist, Isuzu, to develop the next-generation BT-50. Details of the new BT-50 are yet to be revealed, but it’s safe to assume that the new model will be heavily based on the Isuzu KB.

The new BT-50 isn’t expected in the near future, but an arrival date sometime in 2018/2019 seems likely.

Search for a new or used Mazda BT-50 on Cars.co.za

7. New Mitsubishi Triton

The new Mitsubishi Triton will offer more comfort and a smoother ride thanks to its revised suspension.

The new Mitsubishi Triton Sport Utility (SU) bakkie will launch in South Africa in February 2017 and will introduce higher levels of refinement and comfort features. Offroad ability will be made possible with Mitsubishi's Super Select II 4WD system and the Triton's interior will feature more space for passengers.

The new Triton will be powered by a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with 133 kW and 430 Nm of torque. Customers will have the choice between a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The Triton will be offered as both a 4×2 and a 4×4.

Search for a new or used Mitsubishi Triton on Cars.co.za

Spy Shots: Audi Q8

A new model joins the Audi family. Meet the Audi Q8, seen here testing in Scandinavia. It's a super SUV which will be taking on the Range Rover Sport and BMW X6.

Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

We'll get an official first look at this new model at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show, but in the meantime, this prototype gives an indication of what Audi has been up to. Essentially it's an Audi Q7-based model with a rising roofline. Given how the market has reacted to Audi's SUVs (every third car sold by Audi is a Q), it makes perfect business sense to expand its product offering. The Q8 is going to be a sportier and more luxurious version of the Q7, and will feature a choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains. It's built on the MLB platform, which underpins the likes of the Bentley Bentayga and its Q7 sibling.

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler announced that the SUV would be aimed at markets such as the US, China and the Middle East, where big coupe-styled SUVs have proven popular. At this stage, we reckon we'll see a production version of the Q8 on the road in 2018.

Our 7 Most Memorable Drives of 2016 – Video

It was an interesting year at Cars.co.za – we drove some exciting cars and some… not so exciting ones. So we asked Ciro De Siena to trawl through his memory banks and pick his most memorable drives of the year, and this is the list he's come up with. We've created a highlights reel for this video, but if you'd like to watch each video, here are all the links:

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLA Teased

Mercedes-Benz will be showcasing the facelifted GLA crossover at the Detroit Motor Show next week.

The small GLA crossover from Mercedes-Benz is due for an update and the Stuttgart-based firm has revealed a teaser image (shown above) to entice us before the refreshed model makes its official appearance at the Detroit Motor Show next week.

Changes to the GLA are minimal and you can expect minor styling tweaks to the front and rear bumper while a new headlight and taillight design is likely. On the inside, more trim and colour options will likely be offered and the infotainment system will be upgraded too. Don’t be surprised if you see a larger 8-inch touchscreen display make its way into the GLA with Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink compatibility. Reports suggest that the Dynamic Select system with adaptive dampers will be standard on all GLA derivatives, barring the entry-level offering.

The range-topping GLA 45 AMG will retain its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 280 kW and 475 Nm of torque powering all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The sprint from zero to 100 kph will take just 4.3 seconds before hitting a limited top speed of 250 kph.

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLA will arrive in South African showrooms in coming months and we will keep you updated as more information is revealed next week, so stay tuned!

Want to buy a Mercedes-Benz GLA?

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Fuel Price Increase for January 2017

Fuel prices are going up on Wednesday 4 January 2017. Take a look at what you will be paying for fuel this month…

South African motorists are in for a bumpy ride in 2017 and to kick off the New Year, fuel prices are going up this week. The Department of Energy has released fuel price adjustments for January 2017 and moderate fuel price increases will take effect as of 4 January.

The main contributing factors for the fuel price increase include the poor Rand/Dollar exchange rate and the higher price of crude oil based on an agreement by OPEC members to slash production by as much as 1.2 million barrels per day. Similarly, Russia and non-OPEC producers have also cut crude oil production by 600 000 barrels per day. The cumulative result has put crude oil prices on an upward trajectory and is therefore impacting negatively on local fuel price forecasts.

According to the Automobile Association (AA), “It is too early to know at what price level oil supply will match demand in the wake of the OPEC decision to cut production". The AA also predicts a tough year ahead for motorists with a number of fuel price increases expected during the year.

The price of petrol 93 ULP/LRP will increase by 50 cents per litre while petrol 95 ULP/LRP will increase by 48 cents per litre.

The price of diesel 0.05% Sulphur will increase by 39 cents per litre while diesel 0.005% will increase by 37 cents per litre.

You can expect to pay the following for fuel in January 2017:

Petrol

Reef: 93 Unleaded – R13.09 per litre / 93 LRP – R13.09 per litre / 95 Unleaded – R13.33 per litre

Coast: 93 Unleaded – R12.71 per litre / 95 LRP – R12.85 per litre / 95 Unleaded – R12.85 per litre

Diesel

Note: Wholesale diesel prices quoted, prices may vary between retailers.

Reef: Diesel 0.05% – R11.43 per litre / Diesel 0.005% – R11.45 per litre

Coast: Diesel 0.05% – R11.03 per litre / Diesel 0.005% – R11.07 per litre

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Mercedes-Benz C350e (2016) Review

Barring the fire-breathing AMG derivatives, Mercedes-Benz's new plug-in hybrid model, the C350e, is the most powerful offering in the C-Class line-up, and also claimed to be the most frugal. Can the first locally manufactured plug-in hybrid really offer the best of both worlds? Let's find out…

We like: Pure electric works well in stop-start traffic, all the style and sophistication of a normal C-Class, performance
We don’t like: Lack of real tax benefit in South Africa, real-world consumption

Alternatives:

A more affordable, similarly powerful option: BMW's equivalent 3 Series model (the 330e) has not yet been launched in South Africa, but is coming to market in early 2017. However, if you want similar performance and even greater real-world fuel economy, look no further than the 330d. It is priced from R708 476 in M Sport sports-auto guise, making it nearly R100k cheaper… Read a review of the 330d here.
For something different: There aren't any other plug-in hybrid models of similar size available in South Africa at present (until the BMW 330e arrives), but you may also want to look at the Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid AWD for R736 700. It is similarly powerful, loaded with features and boasts all-wheel drive security, too. But, the dealership footprint is very small…
Something else from the Benz stable?: For nearly the same price, you could consider Mercedes-Benz's excellent new E220d Avantgarde, which offers great refinement and impressive frugality. It may not be powerful enough, however, so if the reason for your considering the plug-in C350e is the extra performance the package offers, you may need to look elsewhere. The E220d Avantgarde is priced at R795 600. Read a comparative review featuring the E220d and BMW's 5-Series by clicking here.

What is it?

The C350e is the first locally manufactured plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

The Mercedes-Benz C350e is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle to be manufactured in South Africa (for the local and export markets), and on paper at least seems to offer an unbeatable blend of performance and economy. In fact, it also offers the option of driving some distances (charge and situation allowing) on electricity alone, which will be highly appealing to eco-conscious – and frugrally minded – consumers. As ever, however, the real-world consumption of this product will depend highly on usage patterns and we are confident that very few owners will achieve the claimed figure of somewhere in the region of 2.1 to 2.4L/100 km. But that's only part of the dilemma… while in some countries the C350e's low claimed fuel consumption would realise a healthy tax break, that is not the case in South Africa. Does this mean the C350e is an impressively sophisticated, but ultimately "pointless" vehicle in the South African context?

How does it fare in terms of…

Real world performance & efficiency?

The C350e is charged using this power inlet in the rear bumper. A full charge from a household socket takes about 2 hours.

The C350e's complex drivetrain consists of a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol that develops 155 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The electric motor, which is housed in the front section of the 7-speed automatic transmission, adds a further 60 kW and 340 Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz claims a total combined output of 205 kW and 600 Nm. These figures make the C350e the most powerful C-Class, excluding the AMGs.

The high-voltage lithium-ion battery has a total capacity of 6.2 kWh, weighs a not-inconsiderable 100 kg and is mounted in a sheet steel housing under the rear axle and can be charged at a 230V, 16A, 3.7 kW single phase wall-box in approximately 1h45min. It can also be charged using a domestic socket, in which case the charge time is around 2 hours. The packaging of the battery into the rear of the vehicle has robbed the car of some boot space, and has also raised the boot floor by about 50 mm.

That, in short, is the tech covered. But how well does it work in the real world? Is it as brisk as a 0-100 kph time of 5.9 seconds make it sound? And how realistic is the fuel consumption claim?

To answer in short, you have to really dig into the staggering number of set-up options to optimize the abilities of the C350e. Firstly, there are the driving modes on offer – take your pick from Individual, Sport, Sport+, Comfort and Economy. But beyond those, there are also several settings for the hybrid drivetrain, namely Hybrid, E-mode, E-Save and Charge.

The hybrid system offers 4 modes, with E-mode allowing for driving on electricity alone.

While most economy-minded drivers are likely to leave the car in Comfort or Economy, and select Hybrid mode, you're unlikely to do much better than 8 L/100 km in general driving. To really get the full benefit of the C350e's costly tech, you need to use it in full EV model as often as possible.

According to Mercedes-Benz you can drive for a distance of up to 31 km on electricity alone, and up to useful speeds of around 130 kph. The C350e features a haptic accelerator that, when the C350e is running in electric (EV) mode, lets the driver know when maximum electric performance is being delivered by offering a point of resistance in the pedal. If the driver depresses the pedal beyond the point of resistance, the combustion engine will kick in to provide additional propulsion.

Furthermore, using the car's radar systems to gather data on the prevailing driving conditions, a double impulse from the ECO Assist function will tell you when it is more efficient to take your foot off the accelerator pedal, and then proceed to decelerate the vehicle using a mixture of unpowered (sailing) and energy recuperation – very clever indeed, and especially beneficial in traffic.

If you live relatively near to your office, and mostly face crawling traffic daily, then you could conceivably drive to work and back without ever consuming a drop of petrol. If you have access to a suitable powerpoint at the office (or the shops), you could double your EV range. In this scenario, the C350e makes perfect sense, especially as it retains all the performance capability (and fuel range) of a normal C-Class should you need those qualities… on the weekend, perhaps.

And yes, the C350e is brisk… very brisk. The power delivery is, however, very linear, so you never feel the thump of the torque arriving, as you would in a powerful turbodiesel. It never feels like a car that is overtly performance-oriented.

Comfort and Refinement?

Cabin remains as classy as ever and standard specification is generous.

The C350e is offered in Mercedes-Benz's sporty Avantgarde specification as standard. As ever, however, a variety of optional extras remain available. But with most of the comfort and entertainment items you'll need as standard, extra spend will more than likely be in pursuit of individualisation – static LED or Intelligent LED lighting systems are optional, for example, as are the striking Himalayas grey 19-inch wheels fitted to this test unit.

A standard item on the C350e is Airmatic self-levelling air suspension. This addition in theory should boost ride comfort, but the reality is that it's probably there because the C350e is significantly heavier than its steel-suspended siblings, and Airmatic makes the extra bulk easier to control. Whatever the reason may be for its fitment, the C350e rides very well indeed, always feeling like a refined premium product. In its set-up and specification, it is clear that Mercedes has erred on the comfort side for the C350e, which plays well to the C-Class's inherent strenghts… just don't expect lighting fast dynamic reflexes.

If there is one characteristic, however, that is a blotch on an otherwise copybook performance in terms of refinement, it is the switch-over moment from electric to petrol. Running around in electric mode is so smooth and impressive, that it stands in stark contrast to the initial start-up phase from the 4-cylinder engine, which can be surprisingly vocal and rough.

Another high-tech item fitted to the C350e as standard is the so-called Pre-Entry Climate Control system that can be controlled via the Internet. And if you really want to impress your friends, do remember to tell them that the Hybrid system can be optimised by specifying the exact destination in the satellite navigation system – do this, and the charge and discharge of the C350e’s high-voltage battery will be carefully controlled to ensure the optimal use of energy over the whole route.

Pricing & Warranty

The Mercedes-Benz C350e Avantgarde sells for R804 900 and comes backed with a 2-years/unlimited km warranty and 6-years/100 000 km maintenance plan. Service intervals are as per instruction of the on-board computer.

Verdict

Stylish, sophisticated and clever… the C350e will appeal to first adopters.

We appreciate the technology fitted to this model and do feel a sense of pride that such a sophisticated product is built in our country. The reality, however, is that it is quite difficult to formulate a strong purchasing argument in favour of the C350e. This outcome has little to do with the product, however. In other countries, where vehicles such as the C350e realise a healthy tax break, a plug-in hybrid could make sense. In South Africa this is, however, not the case. And while the turbodiesel argument is a strong one from a product point of view, wherever you are in the world, the reality is that in Europe, specifically, there is a rising anti-diesel sentiment that further plays into the C350e's favour. But once again… this is not the case in South Africa.

So, what we have here, then, is a vehicle for first adopters who can maximise their opportunities for electric driving only. In that (admittedly limited) scenario, it does present an interesting and potentially practical solution to luxury/performance/eco-friendly motoring.

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5 Most Memorable Drives of 2016

With over 100 cars driven in 2016, choosing 5 of the best is a tough task. These are Ashley Oldfield's most memorable drives of 2016.

As the resident ‘go-to-guy’ for performance machinery in the office, my top drives are probably going to revolve around cars that go fast. It may surprise you that it’s not always the track-bred cars that get the blood flowing. You see, most road cars are actually quite disappointing to drive on track, and that’s because a track will always bring a car’s faults to the fore. That’s why I always try to balance a track session with a solid effort over my favourite mountain pass or section of sinewy tarmac that I’ve come to know over the past 6 years of testing in the Cape. When you dial the enthusiasm down slightly – as you do on a public road – some cars really start to activate the senses. When everything comes together on a great mountain pass with achingly beautiful views and a perfect run of no traffic, then a road run can beat any lap at the track.

I do like the odd surprise too, so not everything you see below is likely to have 300 kW with multiple ‘sports modes’ and rock hard suspension – most do. Also, I don’t expect you to agree with anything I’ve chosen, these just happen to be the cars that jumped out at me as I reflect on 2016’s motoring metal.

In no particular order of awesome:

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport

I am by no means a GTI fanboy, in fact, quite the opposite as I find them plain, unoriginal and quite average in the bends. The Clubsport changed all of that as I unleashed it up Franschhoek pass from the Theewaterskloof side at the local launch. With more power, better suspension and tweaked steering, it felt like a proper hot hatch. It's what the GTI should have been all along. With the handling and improvements, the front-end bites better and the faster steering makes it more agile and flexible. Flicking from hairpin to hairpin up the pass was brilliant fun, occasionally dropping an inside wheel onto the dirt – rally style, to achieve better apex speed. In our VW-friendly market, the GTI could be sold with only 3 wheels and still outsell all of its competitors, but now that there’s a Clubsport model available, it deserves to be on top.

Read: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport (2016) Review

Watch: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport (2016) Video Review

Search for a used Clubsport here

BMW M2

Overcast weather with a serious storm looming meant that our BMW M2 drive was going to be extra exciting. Killarney is a notoriously slippery surface, even when dry. Throw water into the mix and you might as well be driving on an ice rink. We were extremely lucky as our late-to-arrive M2 headed out onto a drying track. It had a tough task to beat two AWD hyper-hatches and a demonically fast FWD Civic Type-R, but unlike the others, the M2 kept getting faster and faster. What differentiates it from its M siblings is that it isn’t constantly trying to break traction when you shift up a gear, it feels more planted and accessible than the M3/4/5. It got to the point where I was trading ultimate lap time for mild drifts out of the corners just because it was so fun to control. I’m no good at picking winners, but, if I was to pick one winner for a #CarsAwards trophy, it would be the BMW M2 for Performance Car of the Year.

Read: BMW M2 Coupe Auto (2016) Review

Watch: Track Race: Audi RS3 vs Merc-AMG A45 vs Honda Civic Type R vs BMW M2 [Video]

Search for a used BMW M2 here

Jaguar F-Pace 30d

The Jaguar F-Pace is the most dynamically gifted SUV I’ve ever driven. I realised this as I breezed up and over Houw Hoek pass claiming absolutely everything in my path. It completed the pass in such a flat and composed manner that there wasn’t even a complaint from the usually boisterously vocal passenger in the seat beside me. Combined with over 200 kW and 700 Nm of torque, the F-Pace simply wafts past everything, always in a good-enough gear. Turning and direction change is impressively rapid and it’s not just on the road where it’s good, I drove it on the new Kyalami and it stood up to that test astoundingly well.

Read: Jaguar F-PACE 30d AWD R-Sport (2016) Review

Search for a used F-Pace here

Mercedes-AMG E63 S

I got the chance to drive the E63 S at the international launch in Southern Portugal. The drive took us from the Faro airport to the Circuit de Algarve – also known as Portimao. I was expecting the track part of the launch to be the exciting part, but it was the route to the track that won me over. The tarmac was smooth, the terrain mountainous, the roads quiet and the exhaust loud. The swivelling asphalt seemed to go on forever, offering up endless hairpins, sweeps, slow corners, fast corners, it had everything you could want. The E63 S amazed with its traction, front grip and the way I never really felt its heft. In between the corners, the pipes opened up, echoing off the rocks and creating an amphitheatre effect of roaring thunder and gargling backfires. The experience culminated into one of the best driving experiences I’ve had thus far.

Read: Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic (2017) First Drive

Search for a used model here

Peugeot 308 1.2 GT Line Auto

The Peugeot 308 is probably South Africa’s most underrated car. With the addition of the automatic gearbox to the range, the 308 improved its offering even further. The 308 feels special inside and its engine and gearbox refinement is right up there with the likes of VW, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It rides comfortably and the small steering wheel does make it fun to whip around corners. It impressed me more than any other hatchback I’ve driven in the last few years. It’s a pity local sales don’t reflect how good this car actually is.

Read: Peugeot 308 1.2 GT Line Auto (2016) Review

Search for a used 308 here

Kuga Fires: Here’s What You Need to Know

In recent weeks the Ford Kuga engine fire issue has been the subject of much controversy and debate, particularly on social media platforms. But in the absence of a recall, and with Ford seemingly slow to react decisively, what must owners of the popular SUV do?

Go to the Ford South Africa website, click on the Kuga link and you’ll find this:

“Attention: Do you drive a 1.6-litre Ford Kuga?
“Ford is currently investigating reports of engine fires in Kuga vehicles equipped with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine.
“To help reduce the risk of engine overheating, please urgently contact your Ford dealer to book your vehicle in for a one-hour maintenance check, free of charge. For more information, contact Ford Customer Service: 0860 011 022.”

The advice applies to the owners of some 6 300 1.6-litre Kugas bought between 15 December 2012 and 20 October 2014. The announcement came one year and 18 days after Reshall Jimmy burnt to death in his 1.6-litre Ford Kuga while holidaying in Wilderness. The latest announcement was the first time the company had publicly used the words "engine" and "overheating" in the same sentence as Kuga. This comes after numerous photographs of Kugas pulled over on the sides of various South African roads, their engines on fire, had blazed across social and traditional media for many weeks, striking fear and distrust in the hearts of Kuga drivers everywhere. Some even took to driving around with fire extinguishers and heavy tools to smash their windows should their cars catch alight.

The background

According to Jimmy’s siblings, Kaveen and Renisha, 38 Kugas have caught fire in South Africa to date, and many of their owners have described their experiences on the Jimmys’ Facebook page, Ford Vehicles Burning.

Two days before Ford’s big announcement, the National Consumer Commission issued a press release saying that Ford had undertaken to conduct safety inspections on ALL Kugas “as a precautionary measure”.

Elizabeth Lumley of Durban, who drives a 1.5-litre Kuga, only heard her model was excluded from the fire risk after she’d taken it to be checked at her local dealership – a waste of time and energy for both her and the dealership. “I’d put a wrench in the car, and told my children what to do if the car caught fire,” she said. “It was not fun.”

Ford investigation continues

Then came Ford's big revelation on Thursday. “We are currently investigating reports of engine fires in Kugas equipped with the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine. While our investigations into the incidents are not complete at this time, we have found that the fires may be a result of engine overheating.” The company has since emailed and SMSd Kuga owners with the maintenance check advice, but the company hasn’t seen it fit to make mention of the Kuga “maintenance check” on its Twitter or Facebook pages (by Friday, December 23).

“No notice or response to owners on @FordSouthAfrica social media channels. Facebook posts ignored, nothing on Twitter..” posted Andrew Fraser (@Arfness) on Twitter.

Wayne Fillis learnt of the check in a press report, and he’s very glad he heeded the advice to get his Kuga checked out. “Mine was taken to Ford in Bellville and it did not pass their inspection which I feel saved me just before I planned to take a road trip,” he posted on Ford Vehicles Burning. But the bad news is the issue couldn't be sorted out there and then. “I am now awaiting parts and I’ll only get the car back from Ford in mid-January.”

When Masindi Mainganye heeded the call, he wasn’t impressed by the response. “I was told they are fully booked and I must bring it next Thursday. “I told her this is an urgent matter and if anything happened to my car in the next few days Ford will be accountable. So then she booked my car in and they did not find anything. “Still I don't feel safe.” Mainganye said he received “a most annoying message” telling him to check his Kuga’s coolant level every day. “Like I am driving an old car – it’s only three year’s old!”

No recall, yet

But still, Ford SA has not issued a safety recall. Why not?

Just three months after Vanilla Nurse died on her second birthday in November 2009 when her family’s Honda Jazz caught fire, Honda issued a recall of almost 20 000 Jazz models, having established that in extreme cases the window switch in the driver’s door could overheat, resulting in a fire. Forensic investigator Dr David Klutzow, who is working on the Kuga case on behalf of the Jimmy family, has urged Ford to follow Honda’s example.

Responding, Ford SA spokesman Rella Bernardes said: “It is inappropriate for us to comment on the actions of others. “Our decisions are driven by the data available, and when the data indicates action is needed, we move quickly on behalf of our customers.”

Sadly, Ford SA is unlikely to be remembered as moving quickly in the Kuga matter.

What to do

If you are among the estimated 6 300 owners of 1.6-litre Kugas bought between 15 December 2012 and 20 October 2014, get your car to a Ford dealership as soon as possible to have the vehicle’s coolant system inspected. They need to check the coolant concentration level and for any leaks or damage to the cooling system, and conduct cooling system pressure tests,” according to Ford SA spokesman Rella Bernardes.

If any engine warning light comes on, stop driving the car immediately and contact Ford on 0860 011 022.

If you drive the 1.5- or 2.0-litre model, relax, the fire risk does not apply to your car, according to Ford SA.

Maserati Levante Diesel (2016) First Drive

It seems an outrageous challenge: to create the "Maserati of SUVs" – a vehicle that is as sporty and luxurious as it is versatile. The turbodiesel-engined Levante is the first derivative of Maserati's new model to be launched in South Africa… Cars.co.za Consumer Awards guest judge, Eddie Kalili, drove the newcomer in Dubai to find out whether the Modenese marque has hit the mark.

In its pomp, Dubai was a byword for supreme luxury… a Gulf city dedicated to the worship of all things expensive, bespoke and utterly opulent. And even though its economy has slowed in recent years (it has been overtaken by its Arab neighbours with deeper oil reserves), there are still ostentatious glimmers of the outrageous wealth that once was.

Our hotel, for example – where we spent three nights as guests of Maserati for the launch of its first-ever SUV, the Levante – is one of only two in the world designed by none other than fashion icon Giorgio Armani. The Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa is a truly luxurious place to lay one’s head – the perfect setting to launch Maserati’s first foray into SUV territory.

The Levante offers oodles of "let me past" presence thanks to its elaborate grille and "sinister" slim headlights.

Another premium marque joins the SUV fray

The SUV/crossover segment has seen tremendous growth in recent years and even luxury car manufacturers have seen it fit to also find a niche in the segment, by launching products that will appeal to well-heeled drivers who want space and versatility from their luxury vehicles, should they decide to venture off the beaten boulevard. Porsche was certainly ahead of its time with the Cayenne… 2016 saw the local launches of Bentley Bentayga, Maserati Levante and Jaguar F-Pace and globally, the Lamborghini Urus, Rolls-Royce Cullinan and crossover-flavoured Aston Martin DBX are in the pipeline…

Over dinner at At.Mosphere, one of the highest restaurants in the world located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, Umberto Cini, Maserati’s Managing Director of General Overseas Markets, explains that the brief for the Levante was "to create a car that would be the most luxurious SUV on the roads". Well, Bentley may have something to say about that, but as a performance SUV, the Levante proved a truly sumptuous vehicle with a well-hewn interior and spirited performance.

The trio of vents in the front fenders is a design cue carried over from Maserati's Quattroporte first class sedan.

Its off-road capabilities were discovered by accident, apparently, while the Levante was undergoing testing on the desert-like outskirts of Dubai. While running up to 12 hours in sweltering temperatures of up to 52 °C the (pre-production) Levante test unit's engine never overheated and suffered no mechanical maladies whatsoever… Maserati engineers, realising they had the start of a truly capable SUV, went back to the drawing board to add more versatility to Levante. Well, that's the story…

Lowest centre of gravity in its class

The result? A performance SUV that Maserati claims has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution and the lowest centre of gravity in its class. It offers multiple driving modes and an adaptive suspension that can adjust the vehicle's ride height by a range of 85 mm so that it can ostensibly tackle just about anything the bundu and gilded boulevards in Dubai could throw at it.

Aided by a 50/50 weight distribution, low centre of gravity and adaptive suspension, the Levante is wieldy to drive.

Propulsion comes courtesy of an intelligent Q4 all-wheel drive system (with a default rear-biased setup), while a limited slip differential (LSD) automatically directs power to the wheels with the best traction (depending on the type of terrain the Levante is traversing, of course). There are 4 driving modes: in Normal, 90% of power goes to the rear and 10% to the front; Off-Road mode has an 80/20 split (for better road-holding at the front) and the Eco Mode setting is self-explanatory.

Multiple suspension modes

Meanwhile, the Levante's suspension has 6 respective modes: in Sport Mode 1, it will drop by 20 mm and, in Sport 2, by 35 mm at speeds above 170 kph. Parking mode is 45 mm higher than normal (to avoid unfortunate scrapes with kerbs and sloped driveways), while Off-Road 1 and Off-Road 2 modes raise the vehicle by 25 mm and 40 mm above Normal mode.

The dynamic AWD system and adaptive suspension, which offers multiple ride heights, aid off-road prowess.

All this makes the Levante as agile on a racecourse as it is capable in a desert. We went for a spin around Dubai Aerodrome track, an FIA-sanctioned 5.39 km motorsport circuit outside of town. We sampled the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine that's currently the only one available in South Africa, with Maserati hinting at a pair of twin-turbo V6 engines producing 257 kW and 316 kW, reportedly capable of 0 to 100 kph in 6.0 and 5.2 seconds, will be launched soon.

The Diesel, whose engine produces 202 kW of power and maximum torque of 600 Nm and mated with an 8-speed ZF-sourced automatic transmission, proved to be exceptionally nimble on a track – an admirable feat considering its heft (the Levante is approximately 5.0 m long, 1.9 m wide and 1.6 m high). Not only is the Maserati said to be capable of accelerating from standstill to 100 kph in 6.9 seconds, going on to reach a top speed of 230 kph, but it takes corners with, shall we say "a feline grace" that many would believe could only be achieved by a certain British manufacturer’s premium SUV…

The Levante Diesel sets the scene for the introduction of a pair of turbopetrol derivatives in the near future.

On the road, it promises to deliver a claimed fuel economy of 7.2 litres/100 km, and while the engine's general demeanour is more than satisfying, the peak torque (600 Nm) avails overtaking punch to make the Levante an enjoyable highway cruiser.

So far, so good…

We headed out to the desert just outside Dubai, a 30-minute drive that proved to be frustrating due to Dubai officialdom's exuberant love for speed cameras – there is one located every 3 kilometres! But the slow slog was worth it when we hit the dunes. After deflating the Levante's tyres a little, to increase their surface area and aid traction in the sand, we set off.

If the Levante's taillight cluster looks familiar, it is because it closely resembled that of the Ghibli sedan.

The increased ride height afforded by Off-Road mode makes the Levante particularly adept at negotiating sand dunes, and, once again, the torque makes its presence felt… the Maserati makes quick work of the dunes, where the sand can shift rapidly before your eyes. It almost seems as if only a lack of driver skill for off-roading could slow you down…

There’s no mistaking the capabilities of the Levante, but what really sets it apart is the luxury in which you are enveloped.

Lavish 2-tone leather upholstery, ornate fixtures and carbon-fibre look trim give the cabin a big sense of occasion.

Signature Maserati interior

Inside, the Levante is every bit a Maserati with a well-hewn interior with stunning attention to detail. If you take the optional Ermenegildo Zegna 100% Italian silk, your vehicle's seats will not only be exquisitely trimmed in leather and silk – the Italian design house will also give you enough of its fabric to make up 4 suits… how is that for exclusivity?

No self-respecting luxury car these days would be without the usual amenities such as an 8.4 inch high-resolution Maserati Touch Control infotainment system, plenty of USB connectivity and digital storage capacity.

Levante has a claimed boot capacity of 580 litres (with rear seats that fold down for utility space), making it a viable family vehicle too (although personally, I wouldn’t dare set my sticky-fingered 3-year-old loose in this plush interior).

An elegant quartet of exhaust tips helps the Levante to produce its signature soulful, urgent exhaust note.

Summary

Yet, for all its all-road ability, on-road refinement, luxurious cabin and practicality, my favourite feature of the Levante is the deep beautiful sound of its engine. Turbodiesel motors aren't generally known for being sonorous, but the deep rumble that is interspersed with evocative crackles and pops (created by placing little baffles in the exhaust) underlines something that cannot easily be described and explained to those unfamiliar with the Trident marque's products: its sheer Maserati-ness.

When you consider that the beautiful symphony is emitted by an eye-catching prestige road machine that is more than the sum of its capabilities, you get a truly special SUV – the Maserati of SUVs, if you will. Having said that, exclusivity (as ever) comes at a price; the Levante Diesel costs R1 649 000, which doesn't position it at the top-end of the performance SUV price bracket, but makes it more expensive than established, similarly-engined rivals on the market, such as the F-Pace 30d AWD S (R1.33 million), the Cayenne S Diesel (R1.39 million) and even the mighty BMW X6 M50d (R1,5 million).

However, it's unlikely any of those rivals (there are others too) will make as tasteful a style statement that the Levante does.

Watch a promotional clip for the Maserati Levante below:

Maserati Quattroporte Receives Midlife Facelift
Maserati Ghibli S (2016) Review
Mercedes-AMG GLE63 AMG (2016) Review
Drag Race: BMW X6 M vs Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe
Drag Race: BMW X6M50d vs Range Rover Sport SDV8
Bentley Bentayga (2016) First Drive
Spy Shots: Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV
DBX crossover: Aston Martin will build it!

Interested in buying a Maserati?

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Teaser Images: Next Kia Picanto

Kia has released teaser images of its new 3rd-generation Picanto city car!

The pint-sized Kia Picanto is a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers in South Africa and the new Picanto is set to build on the success of its predecessors. The teaser images you see here provide insight into the design direction for the third iteration of Kia’s A-segment city car.

Kia describes the new design as “youthful and energetic” with more customisation options available to customers. The interior of the new Picanto has been completely redesigned and according to Kia, will offer “smarter packaging than ever before”. Based on the images, it seems that the new Picanto’s interior will be more upmarket and will feature a tablet-like infotainment system, much like the system found in the new Kia Rio, which is due to arrive in South Africa in 2017.

The new Picanto is also expected to be larger than the outgoing model, which means interior space will be more forgiving, especially for rear passengers. The luggage bay should grow in size too.

The new Kia Picanto will offer more interior space with improved material quality.

In terms of engines, you can expect a 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine with either 75 kW or 89 kW to power the new Picanto. As is the case with the current model, a 1.2-litre engine will also likely be offered and both manual and automatic transmissions will be available.

The full reveal of the new Kia Picanto is set to take place early in 2017 and we will keep you updated as more information regarding local specification becomes available, so stay tuned!

Want to buy a Kia Picanto?

Find a new or used Kia Picanto on Cars.co.za