Extended Test: Mazda MX-5 [with Video]

A Mazda MX-5 recently spent a month in Cars.co.za's test fleet for an extended evaluation. Does the Hiroshima-based manufacturer's iconic little roadster still impress as a daily driver, or will the realities of living with such a focused machine destroy fantasies of top-down summer fun?

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Roadster – Quick Specs

Price: R441 700
Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Power: 118 kW
Torque: 200 Nm
Fuel Consumption: 6.7 L/100 km (claimed)
Acceleration 0-100 kph: 7.3 seconds (claimed)

The Mazda MX-5 has an illustrious history and the current iteration has garnered several awards – it is the reigning World Car of the Year – and, as a finalist in the Fun Car category of our own Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by Wesbank, it may yet add another trophy to Mazda's cabinet. Since its debut in 1989, more than a million MX-5 units have been sold; not bad for a tiny "compromised" 2-seat roadster that offers limited practicality!

The recipe for the Mazda MX-5 is a simple one: 2 seats, a front-mounted naturally-aspirated engine developing a healthy power output, a snappy manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive configuration. Now consider a 50/50 weight distribution and a manually operated roof mechanism to keep the purists happy and you have a classic formula that remains relevant to this day.

One legendary convertible meets another: Mazda MX-5 and the Mercedes-Benz SL500 in the Cars.co.za office in Cape Town.

One Month… and Go!

The author posed a challenge to himself: drive the Mazda MX-5 with its roof down more often than in the deployed position. It's a simple challenge, or so you'd think. With the changing of the seasons, the temperatures weren't going to be horribly hot, but rain was always a possibility. Fear not, as the manually-operated roof mechanism can be opened or closed in about three seconds flat. Trust us on that one, we tried it. The custodian of this Mazda MX-5 made the most of the weather conditions and would drive to work with the top down early in the morning and would leave work a little later when the fierce sun had all but disappeared… We'd say that's the best way to savour the "roadster experience".

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on Feb 4, 2016 at 9:53am PST

Unfortunately, as a passenger vehicle, the MX-5 can be one of the most infuriating vehicles to live with (although its potential owners will undoubtedly anticipate this). Plans for making weekend trips with the Mazda were thwarted by its lack of boot capacity, for example. There's just no way that a couple's two-day luggage bags and a cooler box would fit in the boot, and there was no chance that a passenger would travel with a cooler box on their lap (we would have asked, but decided against it). What's more, taller members of the test team battled with the roadster's driving position and frequently the driver's seat was pushed so far back that its back section would squeak as it rubbed against the bulkhead.

Meanwhile, the MX-5 sports exquisite, minimalist styling and looks quite expensive, in an exotic kind of way. The other side to that argument is that its practical drawbacks render it quite a dear purchase for a 2.0-litre engined 2-seater car.

But all will be forgiven shortly after you wedge yourself into the cabin and stab the Engine Start button. You sit snugly, but find your left hand reaches the gear selector with ease. The steering wheel is the correct distance and with a few minor adjustments, is at the perfect height. With a tiny repositioning, you're seated in the optimum driving position. Engage first gear with that delightfully mechanical transmission and ease out the clutch. Who said that driving a sports car needed to be a laborious affair? Once you're trundling along, you'll find the Mazda MX-5 is wonderfully light on its feet and nimble throughout the gears, let alone the bends. Overtaking ability is just an extension of the right foot away…

The Mazda MX-5 can deliver an exhilarating turn of speed on demand, which we'll attribute to a combination of light kerb weight and a rev-happy engine. You don't need to wring every last ounce of power out of it and you can get plenty performance from short-shifting at, say, 4500 rpm. The lightweight MX-5 coupled with a driver who knows what they are doing represents a formidable foe in terms of straight-line antics, but that's a crude way of demonstrating its real skillset.

Mission Accomplished! We drove the extended test Mazda MX-5 with the roof down more often than when it was up. That's the point of a "convertible", not so?

That's because the best thing about the Mazda MX-5 is how, as a driver, you feel "mechanically" connected to the car. We'd happily endure a slap on the wrist for that first-class ticket on the Cliche Express, because, in this case, there's real merit to the assertion. When did most modern cars become merely the sums of their mechanical parts? Now they're computers on wheels that carefully make millions of calculations a second. In fact, in performance cars you get 2- and 3-stage traction control systems, dual-clutch transmissions that can shift faster than you're eyes can blink and incredibly smart launch control systems that vault vehicles off the line in the quickest way possible, without any wheelspin.

Spirited driving has become a bit of a button-pushing digital exercise and don't get us wrong, we're completely better off with all the advancements in motoring tech, but getting this hands-on with a vehicle has been a refreshing experience.

The Mazda's steering and handling have a reassuring feel about them, and while the vehicle is rear-wheel driven, at no point during a leisurely drive does it feel like it's rear end is going to whip around on you. That said, you can disable the traction control at the touch of a button (No ESP Sport here) and then it's completely off. And you're on your own.

We were fortunate enough to run into "our" MX-5 again after its stint in Cape Town. This exact model was sent by Mazda South Africa to participate in the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards testing process, held at the formidable and thorough Gerotek Testing Facility. In the safe confines of a closed skidpan, we could drive with the traction control off and it behaved accordingly. The rear would come around very quickly and you'd need to have your wits about you if you thought replicating scenes from Tokyo Drift were possible. Best to leave the ESC on and drive as Mazda intended…

Is it sensible?

Simple and uncomplicated cockpit. Dashboard and dials are crisp, while infotainment offers 21st-century convenience features.

The Mazda MX-5 goes straight for your heart like a dagger thrown by a deranged ex-lover. This is not a logical buying decision, but then again if you want something sensible, then join the masses in their crossovers and SUVs. It's a vehicle with which you bond on an emotional level, yet it still features plenty of modern-day creature comforts that enhance the driving experience. We were big fans of the heated seats and with careful positioning, you can direct the heat flow from the vents onto your hands and feet, which made early morning Spring drives most enjoyable.

Once the roof is down, you can enjoy your favourite tunes as they blast through the Bose sound system and Mazda has fitted speakers into the headrests, so the beats are not drowned out by wind noise. There's also a potent climate control system as well as a smart touchscreen infotainment system that features satellite navigation. There are 2 USB ports for convenience too. Is it sensible? Hardly.
Bose speakers in the headrests so your favourite tunes aren't drowned out by road noise.

Verdict

Recommending such a niche offering to the average car consumer was always going to be a tough sell. The MX-5 offers just about enough features to keep digitally-savvy motorists happy and the boot has enough space for a laptop bag, a camera bag and a completely folded tripod, but not much else. The cabin is a tight squeeze for taller folk, but once you're in, you'll just grin and bear it because the driving experience is so hands on and grin-inducing. This is not a car in which you can sit back in comfort and daydream as you drift home in a traffic jam…

Even at slow speeds, the Mazda's engaging to drive, but where you'll appreciate it the most is at the weekends, when the open, winding road beckons (make that a return ticket on the Cliche Express – ed). That said, the best roadster and all-round driving experiences are to be had in the Mazda MX-5, which is the cheapest drop-top on sale in South Africa. What's more, if the jealous looks garnered from other road users are anything to go by, you're living your best life.

Happy days. Sunset and the Mazda MX-5. We miss its simplicity.

Video

We made a quick video about the Mazda MX-5. See what Francisco Mwamba had to say about the athletic little convertible…

Interested in buying a Mazda MX-5?

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Mike Horn and G-Wagon to Conquer the World

Mike Horn – the world renowned professional adventurer and explorer – is circumnavigating the planet via the poles as part of his Pole2Pole expedition and when he’s not sailing or walking, he’s behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

At age 50, Mike Horn is evergreen. His eyes have arguably seen more than anyone on earth and the man positively brims with almost incredible tales of adventure and discovery. For the last 25 years, Mike Horn has explored the world and visited places that most people could only dream of. From swimming the entire length of the Amazon River, circumnavigating the earth via the equator, circumnavigating the Arctic Circle, skiing to the North Pole and scaling the some of the highest mountains in the world… those are only a few of Horn’s achievements.

Mike Horn took us for a sail in Table Bay, Cape Town, in his 35-metre vessel named Pangaea.

Mike Horn is a truly worldly man and his latest adventure, the Pole2Pole expedition, will see Horn circumnavigate the earth via the North and South poles. This is an epic adventure that will see him cover at least 38 624 km across 6 continents and his journey will take at least 2 years to complete. The purpose of the Pole2Pole expedition is to encourage and inspire people to step out of their comfort zone, to venture into the unknown and to understand the importance of the planet we live on and act in ways to preserve it.

Mike Horn is using two Mercedes-Benz G500's for overlanding in his Pole2Pole expedition.

As a Mercedes-Benz G-Class ambassador, Mike Horn will make use of two G500s for overlanding during his expedition. The G500 is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine developing 310 kW and 610 Nm of torque. Mike’s G500 features specialised shock absorbers for tackling difficult terrain, underbody protection, a loading rack on the roof and additional spotlights for navigating in the dark. The G500 has already been put to use in the Namib Desert in Namibia and in Botswana as part of Horn’s journey. According to Horn, the G-Wagon is the only vehicle in the world capable of taking him where he needs to be, often to high altitude locations where ordinary (turbodiesel) vehicles will cease to function.

Pangaea sailing from Gibraltar to Walvis Bay, Namibia, with dolphins leading the way.

For the ocean-going legs of the Pole2Pole expedition, Horn and his team will sail the high seas on Pangaea, a specially designed, 35-metre vessel equipped with a media and broadcasting centre, 16-seat conference room and space for 30 people. Pangaea’s kitchen is also optimised to recycle waste and the vessel is equipped with nets to pull rubbish from the ocean along the way.

Pangaea is currently moored in the V&A Waterfront and we joined Mercedes-Benz this week to bid Horn farewell for the next part of his journey. We had the opportunity to board Pangaea and we joined the explorer and his team for a quick sail in Table Bay. It was an amazing experience!

Horn will be sailing directly south from Cape Town to Antarctica on 15 November 2016. Once there, Horn will cross the icy continent on foot, using specially designed boots, covering about 8 000 km over a period of 3-4 months.

Horn will then continue his journey to new Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, India, Kamchatka, the North Pole, Greenland and finally back to his starting point in Monaco. The Pole2Pole expedition is expected to come to an end in the second half of 2018. In the meantime, Horn’s Mercedes-Benz G500s will be shipped to Australia for transit to New Zealand where he will need them once again for his overlanding adventure.

You can follow Mike Horn’s journey on his website here!

Watch the video below to see what Mike Horn was up to in his recent visit to Namibia.

Want to buy a Mercedes-Benz G-Class?

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Self-Driving Cars: BMW Puts the Record Straight

Autonomous driving is the hot topic in the automotive world at present, but rampant misreporting on the subject has not only created unrealistic expectations, it has also made driving enthusiasts feel threatened. BMW, however, has some good news…

The recent Paris Motor Show was the first international exhibition I have attended since coming back to the motoring media world. I was only away for 3 years, but nevertheless the change the industry has experienced in that time was astonishing to see as I walked the otherwise familiar halls of the Mondial de L'Automobile at Porte de Versailles. Electrification, digitalization and autonomony were the buzz trends, and like many of my colleagues, I sometimes find the big changes that are looming around the corner intimidating and hard to understand.

Also read: BMW & Digitalisation – Embracing the Future

Consequently, I was particularly grateful for the opportunity to chat to senior BMW engineers and designers on these very hot topics in Paris… not only because I could generate content on the subjects, but for more personal reasons, too. As is the case for many driving enthusiasts, I'm sure, the subject of autonomous driving is particularly bothersome. And, besides, what does it all mean for a brand such as BMW, famed for its "Sheer Driving Pleasure" slogan?

Enter Dr Dirk Wisselmann, Senior Engineer Automated Driving of the BMW Group. Within 20 minutes, he had not only corrected numerous misconceptions, but also allayed my biggest fear – that driving for fun will soon be a thing of the past. This is what I learned…

Highly Automated and Autonomous – it's not the same thing

The various levels of Automation according to NHTSA and SAE.

During my research prior to the Paris Motor Show interview, I noticed that Dr. Wisselmann prefers to avoid the blanket term "autonomous driving". It was a good starting point for the chat.

"There is a big difference (between highly automated and purely autonomous driving)," he says. "Let’s start with autonomous driving. This is very simple to define because there is no activity required from the driver. This means you don’t need a driver’s licence. You don’t need to be able, or even capable of driving a car. The kids can drive… You can be drunken. It’s really like a train. There is no activity required. Here we talk of so-called level 5 cars, and in some instances level 4.

"Highly automated driving will, in terms of timing, be available much earlier. These are the Level 3 capable cars. With these cars, in specific situations and on specific roads, divided roads for example, where there is no relative (oncoming) traffic, we want to offer drivers the opportunity to completely delegate driving tasks – the work of driving – and he can relax and do other things, such as send e-mails, for example. But he may not sleep. That’s a big difference. Highly automated driving means that within a given timeframe, let's say 6 to 7 seconds, the driver can take over the driving function again. Maybe there’s a work zone on the highway, and the car tells the driver about the situation, and instructs him to take over."

Hands-off in… 2021

So, where are we at present, and how long before we can take our hands off the steering wheel?

"At the moment we have so-called level 2 capable cars, which means there is a constant monitoring of the driver and car. We call the actual systems “assistants”, such as lane and steering control assistant. This is very important for us, because it must be very clear to the driver that it’s not autonomous driving right now. It’s really a kind of intelligient power steering, with a foresight function. This means the technologies relieve you from these minor control activities, so you can already relax with today’s cars, but you have to monitor the situation."

See the video above for examples of the assistant technologies Wisselmann makes mention of.

Level 3 vehicles are, however, around the corner, Wisselmann says. BMW has announced that its first Level 3 capable car will be shown in 2021, but it would appear some Level 4 technology will also feature. Wisselmann's description of a Level 4 driving scenario seems pure science fiction, but the reality is that it is nearer than we think.

"Let's say you want to go to the Alps to ski," he begins. "It's a long trip, so you can leave Munich in your Level 4 car and go to sleep. The car will then wake you up when you near the Alps and the roads get twistier or the road conditions are poor. Then you can drive yourself. Level 4 is very interesting to us, and it will still require you to have a driver's licence, and to be capable of driving."

The future for driving fun?

Don't expect the steering wheel and pedals to disappear from cars any time soon!

BMW, of course, is associated with the "Sheer Driving Pleasure" slogan. How does Wisselmann see the brand ethos being affected by all these new technologies, seemingly with the ultimate goal of no human involvement in the act of driving?

"I think the difference is really from level 4 and level 5," Wisselmann begins. "As I said before, to be honest, today, the driving situation is not very interesting, such as on the highway and in traffic… not very fun. With the automation technologies we want to delegate the driving in these situations to the car, and if there is an interesting road or trip, then you can do it yourself. It is therefore fitting perfectly with our brand. It is the driver's decision. You can do it yourself or hand it over to your car."

Wisselmann pauses, as if thinking very carefully about his next words…

"Autonomous driving, without steering, without pedals, is something different of course, but this is something we will see first in an urban environemnt. It’s not realistic that we will see level 5 cars going to very complex, or countryside roads. We should not talk about this in the next decade because the cars will not be capable (to do so). And I think we can talk in 10, 15, 20 years whether we really will switch completely to level 5 cars. At the moment it is something we can discuss on a hypothetical basis but it’s not interesting," he explains.

Indeed… later in the interview he also mentions that the computing power needed for full autonomy is such that the current processing power available would have to increase tenfold.

Safety and the Human factor

Dr. Dirk Wisselmann – Senior Engineer Automated Driving at BMW Group.

Our chat then turns to safety concerns and the much-publicised goal of "Vision Zero", the phrase coined for the industry-wide aim to have no road accidents.

"We want to completely avoid traffic incidents. Of course we are on the way. In the last 40 years we have reduced the number of people killed in Germany from more than 20 000 per year to fewer than 3 000 in 2016. It's a dramatic decrease. But we are not at zero and the automation has a potential to bring us closer to zero. Real zero will never be realistic.

"The automation will help to decrease the number of accidents. The automated car is constantly aware of the driving situation and not distracted. It is always attentive. It is a good means to reduce a number. But one thing is important – automation is not always helpful. A highly experienced and trained driver is very capable of avoiding accidents. Of course a driver today is the main reason for accidents, but is also the main reason for not having accidents. If we replace the driver we must put something in the car to avoid accidents in the same way and that’s not that easy."

And what of ethical decision making, a topic often raised by naysayers in the media?

"I have a personal opinion when it comes to the ethical decision making. We looked at the number of accidents where ethical decisions have to be made today and to be honest, you virtually find nothing. Actually, there are almost no accidents where the driver has to choose if he kills a human, or between an old man or a child. This doesn’t really happen," Wisselmann explains. "So in our cars, we will not apply any ethnical algorithms.

In summary

Arguably the most important nugget of information gained from this interview was that Wisselmann, and I assume BMW as an organisation, doesn't currently view automation as a threat to what the brand stands for. A future of automated (Level 5), connected transport in cities makes absolute sense if you think about it, with personal cars ultimately becoming Level 4 vehicles that allow you to still "head for the hills" should you desire.

And that, folks, is mighty good news…

Interested in buying a new / used BMW?

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Volvo introduces XC90 Excellence

Volvo has introduced an all-new, ultra-luxurious XC90 to occupy the summit of its lineup. It's called the Excellence, and has all the toys…

In order to turn the regular X90 into an Excellence model, Volvo has dropped 3 of the seats. This has transformed the already luxurious XC90 into a true first class offering tailored for 4 lucky individuals. The Excellence package is also only available for the Twin Engine T8 model.

A raft of small detail improvements and additional specification further boost the XC90's limo-like character. Rear seat controls have been added for the climate control system and an even better Bowers & Wilkins sound system has been installed. Sound insulation has also been improved in order to mute road and wind noise as well as to keep sound escaping when listening to the high-end sound system.

The already impressively comfortable seats now come with a massage function as well as heating and cooling modes. The rear bench has been replaced with 2 individual seats that can be electrically adjusted as much as the front chairs and footrests are fitted.

Individual rear seats with footrests and enhanced entertainment and comfort features mark out the Excellence.

Rear entertainment has been added with tablet holders placed in the front seatbacks with a tray table fitted for those with laptops. For charging requirements, there’s a 230V socket as well as 2 USB ports in the rear.

To improve sound insulation, a glass partition separates the rear seating area from the boot compartment. The claimed luggage space without the 3rd row of seats is 726-litres.

Volvo has included just about every option from its lengthy accessories list into the Excellence model with the only choice being 1 of the 10 paint colours and the colour of the leather (Blond in Charcoal or Charcoal in Charcoal).

Pricing

The XC90 Excellence is available on request and costs R1 550 000, putting it up there with the likes of Range Rovers and Mercedes-Benz's GLS.

Looking for a new / used Volvo XC90?

Search for one on Cars.co.za here

Isuzu KB 250 HO X-Rider Extended Cab (2016) Review

Special edition vehicles and “cab-and-a-half” bakkies are two things that the mainstream automotive media reviews infrequently. Shortly before the facelift of the KB range, we were availed an X-Rider Extended Cab unit… and liked it.

We like: For urbanites, an extended cab is far more practical than a single cab. Tax benefit.

We don’t like: Ill-fitting doors, low footwell, very basic infotainment system

Alternatives

For greater refinement: Consider the Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab 2.4 GD-6 Raised Body SRX, priced at R354 800. It may appear slightly expensive in this company, but what you do get is the best engine on offer as well as a very car-like cabin. In addition to its smoothness, the 2.4-litre mill is also powerful (400 Nm of torque), endowing the Hilux with a braked tow rating of 2 750 kg. It comes with a diff-lock as standard, but lacks electronic stability control. Somewhat surprisingly, it rides on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard.
For a workhorse-oriented offering: Battling it out with the Toyota in the sales charts is the more basically specified (as standard) Ranger 2.2 Hi-Rider XL. You pay extra for alloy wheels, a diff-lock etc., but those items are available and not that pricey, which means the price of R343 900 is competitive. What you do get is an impressive engine, a braked tow rating of 2 500 kg, standard electronic stability control and even rear storage boxes.

What is it?

The X-Rider add-ons made the pre-facelift Isuzu KB turn plenty of heads. It looks more "leisure", than workhorse.

First, a disclaimer – the bakkie reviewed here is no longer listed on the new vehicle price sheets, so unless you can find one standing at a General Motors dealer (unlikely), you may have missed the boat on this one. Based on traffic on this site, however, there appears to remain significant interest in the special edition Isuzu KB X-Rider. In some ways this is quite perplexing. A refreshed Isuzu KB has since been launched – read about that here – and if you look at the sales figures, fewer than 100 units have been sold in the four months it was officially on sale (June, July, August, September). A closer look at those sales figures reveal, however, that the X-Rider had boosted Isuzu sales in this segment (especially considering the pre-facelift KB was on run-out). And if you look at the other brands, it seems there is some demand for a more highly specified, leisure-oriented offering such as this X-Rider. Isuzu… you may want to make it a permanent fixture of the line-up!

So, given the continued interest in the X-Rider even since its discontinuation, we've decided to publish the review to aid buyers looking for this type of vehicle in the pre-owned market.

How does it fare in terms of…

Making a statement

Unlike other special edition bakkies, the X-Rider's accessories don't appear generic and "off-the-shelf".

“Extended-cab” bakkies aren’t generally on the radar of the automotive media, because family vehicle buyers want bakkies with bigger cabins to accommodate passengers (that’s why there are double cabs). And, because most motoring publications’ content is tailored to private buyers, “stretched cabs”, which are meant to avail space for the transportation of goods/equipment (SARS allows businesspeople to deduct such purchases from tax), hardly ever feature in car companies' media fleets. But, the X-Rider appears to target a different type of buyer. With its bold looks it turned plenty of heads during its time with us, and generally we think it appeals strongly as a dual-purpose vehicle – workhorse during the week, leisure vehicle by weekend.

The X-Rider accessories package turns the pre-facelift KB into quite a looker. In fact, some members of the team were of the opinion that the X-Rider package should have been the facelift! You get a black front bumper guard, black tubular side steps, black sports bar and a neatly blacked-out B-pillar. Combined with the Maranello Red paint of our test unit, the black accessories were particularly eyecatching. Also included are striking 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, wheel caps with the Isuzu branding in red and X-Rider body decals.

Cabin features

Leather upholstery, piano black inserts and X-Rider logos dominate the cabin.

The black/red X-Rider theme continues inside where the KB's cabin ambience gets a welcome lift through the standard fitment of black leather upholstery, piano-black plastic inserts on the facia and doors, bold X-Rider logos and a red Isuzu badge on the steering wheel. It's a solid-feeling vehicle that strikes a fine balance between being obviously hard-wearing, yet sophisticated enough in appearance to appeal to the leisure crowd.

Standard features on this model include a radio/CD system with USB and Bluetooth support, a rake-adjustable steering wheel with remote audio controls, air-conditioning, and electric windows and mirror adjustment.

Open the rear "suicide" doors and there's quite a lot of space available in the back for the fitment of storage boxes. As standard, there's nothing, except a carpeted floor (including two lift-up flaps) and a slightly padded section against the rear wall. The rear windows can be opened using hinges. An irritating characteristic of this particular test unit was that the doors needed a very determined – borderline violent – slam to close properly. On many an occasion the remote central locking refused to function because the doors were not closed.

The cabin features a number of useful storage solutions. You get a double glove compartment, a large storage box between the seats and numerous drinks holders, including ones sliding out of the facia.

Power and Refinement

The red on black theme continues inside, and matches the instrumentation.

There has been no change underneath the bonnet of the X-Rider. Power comes from the brand's tried and tested 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine, which following an earlier upgrade delivers 100 kW from 3 600 rpm and 320 Nm of torque from 1 800 to 2 200 rpm. These power figures are by no means class-leading, and as we also found in our test of the Double-Cab 4×4 LE model, it's not particularly free-revving, either. Nevertheless, we wouldn't describe the X-Rider as frustratingly slow, and once you've grown accustomed to its power delivery characteristics and the spacing of its five-speed manual transmission's ratios, you can make swift and steady progress.

From a workhorse point of view the engine is more impressive. Mechanically the vehicle feels very robust, and the braked tow rating of 2 100 kg and payload capacity of 1 133 kg translate into a vehicle that can roll up its sleeves when necessary and do the hard yards. Notwithstanding its lower torque output (compared with its rivals), the Isuzu feels particularly strong after pull-away.

Isuzu claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.6 L/100 km for this model, and during our test we managed an average of 8.5 L/100 km. Interestingly, the percentage difference between claimed and real-world is significantly less than what we've achieved with some other vehicles. On a 80-litre tank of diesel you should be able to achieve close to 1 000 km between fill-ups.

Ride and Handling

Notwithstanding the X-Rider's striking looks, the KB remains a hard worker.

One area in which the X-Rider's workhorse roots are difficult to hide, is in its ride and general on-road behaviour. It's a firmly sprung vehicle, obviously, and the refinement of its drivetrain falls some way short of what is offered by the more modern rivals from Toyota and Ford. Then again, this isn't necessarily a criticism. The Isuzu feels indestructible and built to take punishment. It remains highly regarded in this respect by its owners.

Price and after-sales support

The Isuzu KB 250 X-Rider Extended Cab retails for R355 900 (if you can still find one), but is based on the KB 250 Hi-Rider, which sells for R337 400 following its facelift. All Isuzu KB models are backed with a lenghty 5-years/120 000 km warranty and 5-years/90 000 km service plan.

Verdict

The X-Rider was quite a unique offering at its price point, which perhaps explains the strong interest in the vehicle to some extent. Current offerings in the market can't quite match its combination of leisure-oriented specification, good looks, and workhorse ability… not in standard form anyway. It is a very appealing dual-purpose vehicle for a couple without kids that also need their vehicle to work hard. In that regard, we'd highly recommend the fitment of lockable rear storage boxes, tonneau cover and a rear diff-lock.

That said, as trusty as the 2.5-litre diesel engine is, Isuzu is falling behind the pack when it comes to refinement and power. It's less of a problem in a pure workhorse application (especially if there is a cost benefit), but when there is also a leisure role to consider the rivals' engines are more in tune with segment demands.

Interested in buying a new/used Isuzu KB?

Find one on Cars.co.za now

Ford SYNC3 Coming to SA

Ford will be introducing its third-generation SYNC3 communications and entertainment system to the South African market in 2016/2017.

Ford will be rolling out its SYNC3 infotainment system that will offer improved functionality and faster performance. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will also be offered once SYNC3 is licensed in South Africa.

SYNC3 will be available in various Ford models before the end of 2016 including the Mustang, Ranger, Everest and Fusion. The Ford Focus and Kuga will feature SYNC3 as of early 2017. The system will incorporate an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation will be rolled out during the course of 2017. SYNC1 will remain to be an entry-level offering for selected models.

“SYNC3 brings to life even more innovative new ways of staying connected on the move. Designed to complement modern smartphones, with an intuitive touch screen and an exciting array of new features, SYNC3 understands even more conversational speech commands, is significantly faster and offers a higher resolution interface that is simpler, and easier to read and use than the outgoing SYNC2 system,” says Tracey Delate, General Manager, Marketing – Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

SYNC3 features

The SYNC3 infotainment system offers increased processing power and more streamlined functionality. The number of steps to complete an action has been reduced, thereby improving the functionality and simplifying the user experience.

SYNC3 will operate much like a smartphone, where users are able to swipe and pinch-to-zoom. Apple CarPlay will allow iPhone users to send and receive text messages, play music, make phone calls and get traffic information, all via voice activation. SYNC3 is also compatible with Siri Eyes Free and iPhone users can access Siri via Bluetooth.

Also Read – Why the tech in your next car matters

For Android users, Android Auto will offer a number of Apps and services including Google Maps, Google Search and Google Play Music, all commanded using SYNC3 voice activation.

“Some of the licenses for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still being finalised for official release in the collective Middle East and Africa region, and therefore will be introduced as they become available in market,” says Delate. Over-the-air software updates will be required and can be done by downloading updates using Wi-Fi.

Also Read – Android and Apple vs car infotainment systems

SYNC3 will be offered as standard on certain derivatives, or as an option. Customers will also be pleased to know that navigation will be offered for the first time in 2017. Depending on the model derivative, navigation may be offered a standard or as an option and will be rolled out in phases in 2017. SYNC3 navigation will also offer 3 language options including English, Afrikaans and Zulu.

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Exploring Lesotho with Toyota and Bridgestone

Fitting the right specification tyres to your vehicle is crucial, especially if you want to traverse grueling off-road terrain. We tackled some of the most challenging mountain roads with Toyota Hilux and Fortuner derivatives shod with new Bridgestone Dueler 693III *tyres. Here's how the picturesque expedition unfolded…***

Many of us long for a good old-fashioned road trip; a trek to an uninhabited locale; a drive into the unknown. A spur of the moment getaway seems rather romantic and adventurous doesn’t it? It certainly does on televised travel programmes. The reality though, is that a road trip usually requires a great deal of planning. We discovered this when we took part in a road trip that would entail long distances, mountainous gravel roads and large quantities of biltong. What, where and how are critical details on trips of this nature. What are we using to get there? Where are we going? How are we going to get there?

What

The Toyota Fortuner proved to be very capable in the tough terrain found in Lesotho.

Those who regularly make off-road expeditions stress how important it is to fit the right rubber to your vehicle to suit route conditions. Our recent encounter with Bridgestone’s new Dueler A/T 693III tyres proved this. This is a tyre that is meant to drive comfortably on-road for daily use and then tackle the roughest terrain off-road when necessary. It stands to reason, then, that given the off-road credentials of the Hilux and Fortuner, that Toyota would find Bridgestone's Dueler A/T 693III tyres to be perfectly suitable. In fact, the Dueler A/T 693III is the OEM tyre for both the Hilux and Fortuner models – vehicles we had at our disposal for this journey. So, our what was taken care of – a few Toyotas fitted with some dual purpose tyres.

Where

Lesotho is the perfect place to test your vehicles capability. The Toyota Hilux and Fortuner are well-equipped to deal with difficult terrain.

Where were we going? We needed a place that would allow us to test the capabilities of these tyres, preferably a place with large inclines and steep declines and a combination of gravel and tar. Fortunately, South Africans have the opportunity to explore our neighbouring countries and Lesotho was the perfect escape for this test. As one of our more mountainous neighbours, Lesotho would give us the chance to see what a tough car with tough tyres can do.

How

Our trip to Lesotho began in KwaZulu-Natal and we headed towards the Ongeluksnek pass on a tar road. Normally an off-road tyre tends to “whurrr” on tar due to the reinforced tyre walls and mixed compounds. Surprisingly, holding a conversation didn’t seem all that difficult as we had minimal noise in the cabin. Tyre noise will always be prevalent, but in this case, it wasn’t droning or annoying. The Toyota Hilux was our mode of transport for the first day and this gave us the opportunity to experience the refinement of these new bakkies, which offer a superior ride to the previous-generation vehicles. There was no “bobble head” effect present in this unloaded Hilux and we sailed along smoothly to our first stop where we feasted on gourmet pies, warm scones and freshly squeezed cow’s milk. This is the stuff road trips are made of!

With our bellies full, we trekked toward the Ongeluksnek pass in Lesotho, but before we arrived at the border, we had to switch the cars to 4H and manoeuvre through some steep gravel inclines. Some of the most outstanding views surrounded us upon our arrival in Lesotho. Beyond the border post was greenery, moist gravel and uphills high enough to leave marathon runners panting. This is where we would see how dual-purpose these tyres really were. As we climbed, not once did we fear for grip and not once did we get stuck. We were elated because of the views and the beauty of Africa. The descents proved to be somewhat more challenging, as these require careful planning. But again, with the Hilux in the right mode and our Bridgestone’s hard at work, we arrived at our destination happy.

The views in Lesotho are a great reward for your off-road efforts.

The next morning, we left Lesotho through a different pass to enter KwaZulu-Natal, only to drive into Lesotho again for another taste of dust. This time our challenge was the famous Sani Pass road, a climb that is not only scenic but quite challenging if you don’t have the appropriate machinery. Tarred roads were welcome on our journey back after slowly navigating through rocks on the previous day.

This is where you see why Toyota chose the Dueler A/T 693III to be its OEM product. It simply handles the transition from on to off-road so well. Interestingly, we averaged 8.6 litres/100km in the Hilux despite us driving on very different terrains every hour. By then we'd swapped into the more family-friendly Fortuner, which had no problem powering through the sweeps on the newly tarred roads back to KZN.

As we arrived at the beginning of the Sani Pass, road conditions seemed to suggest that the route would be a walk in the park. However, having traveled barely 3 km further, it became apparent that the road is meant for SUVs. Oncoming traffic (mainly tour bakkies) requires you to be vigilant on the climb and the higher you go, the steeper it gets. A combination of low range, second gear and not looking down got us through the climb. Moments like those make you appreciate having the right amount of traction to keep going, something we had plenty of. There’s a feeling of fulfillment that one gets after climbing 3 200 m and looking down to see what you’ve conquered. It's no wonder why people from all over the world enjoy these sorts of excursions.

Bridgestone's new Dueler A/T 693III tyres proved invaluable in reaching the Lesotho highlands.

As we arrived safely back in Lesotho and settled into our place of rest, the business presentation by Bridgestone’s representatives meant so much more to me than it usually does. Generally, we are told how good a product is and what it can potentially do. This time we had the chance to experience it for ourselves. The tyre truly offers the great handling they claim, both on and off-road. It’s low rolling resistance meant that we maintained almost identical fuel economy in both the Hilux and the Fortuner and the way the tyre is constructed meant that it doesn’t kill your ears. A manufacturer like Toyota wouldn’t trust a tyre brand if they couldn’t ensure that the claims are in fact the reality.

Summary

As mentioned, much goes into planning for a road trip and without the right tools your TV fantasy may end up to be a horror story. As many will embark on road trips soon, never underestimate the importance of having the right rubber fitted to your vehicle. Comfort, fuel economy and safety are all factors directly linked to tyres, so having the right set for the job can mean the difference between you relating the story of your travels, or your story being related for you.

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Renault Kwid (2016) First Drive

The budget-friendly Renault Kwid has rolled into South Africa and we drove the pint-sized city crossover in sunny Durban this week.

With the new car market continuing to suffer declining sales and consumers struggling to make ends meet, deciding which new models to introduce in the local market (and which to avoid) has become increasingly important for car makers. With the new Kwid – a city car with the look of a compact crossover and attractive pricing – Renault appears to have hit the nail on the head. After all, it is clear that consumers want crossovers, but that they want to pay less!

It's not marketed as a crossover, however, yet it comes with visual and functional aids to make the Kwid surprisingly useful when the tarmac makes way for gravel and pot-holed surfaces. The vehicle looks chunky and solid while boasting 180 mm of ground clearance. Combined with high-profile tyres, you'll soak up the bumps with no fuss at all.

It's powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which was a surprise given the brand's fondness for the 0.9-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit which does duty in many of its products. Nevertheless, it's a pleasant powerplant and it pushes out 50 kW and 91 Nm. Power reaches the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

For specifications and in-depth details about the Renault Kwid, click here.

Top-spec Dynamique models gain front fog lights.

The Drive

Those outputs look meagre on paper, so you'd expect performance to be sluggish. However, the Kwid has a trick up its sleeve. It's terrifically light and tips the scales at under 700 kg without a driver. This means it has an impressive power-to-weight ratio and straight off the bat we were able to navigate the confines of King Shaka Airport with a spring in our, erm, step. The steering is power-assisted, making maneuvering easy and parking in tight spaces a cinch. The Kwid has commendable performance in the first three gears and only once your speedometer ventures over the 100 kph mark does the engine start losing its breath.

The gearbox and clutch are pleasantly light, and the shift action is smooth. Cars in this segment are generally a little coarse and unrefined, but the Kwid demonstrates that some degree of refinement is really appreciated. There is also very little vibration through the steering wheel and gearknob – a common affliction in this segment. Typically, 3-cylinder engines are a bit gruff and the Kwid's is no exception as the revs climb through the range.

The downsides? Well, its mass is not conducive to high-speed stability and at the national speed limit there was no hiding the vehicle's lightness. Coupled with a strong gusting wind straight off the Indian Ocean, the little Kwid needed the driver's focus to keep it in its lane.

Chunky rugged looks combined with 180 mm of ground clearance mean the Renault Kwid can handle potholes and rough roads.

Elephant in the room

The main gripe with the Renault Kwid is its safety package, or rather, lack thereof. Usually Renault South Africa's products are comprehensively specified in this department. The Kwid, at first glance, is the odd one out. It received just a single star rating in a safety test and features only an airbag for the driver. While an airbag certainly adds value in the safety stakes, surely anti-lock brakes (ABS) would be more beneficial as they'd help prevent the accident in the first place? Nevertheless, it was evident that Renault SA plans on doing something about this and will be looking at enhancing this offering's safety features. Just up the spec to 2 front airbags and ABS, and you'll have a winner, Renault!

Summary

There's a small risk of this vehicle suffering from Datsun Go syndrome – the two vehicles share the CMFA common platform thanks to the Renault-Nissan Alliance. As witnessed in the sales figures, customers in this segment rate value for money over safety, and the need for a brand-new vehicle will counterweigh some hesitation over the lack of anti-lock brakes. Renault and Datsun may be in the limelight for a lack of safety features, but they're not the only culprits, as entry-level versions of the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 do without anti-lock brakes too.

While this piece is not meant to represent a head-to-head comparison of the Kwid and Go, it has to be said that the Kwid appears to hold a couple of important advantages. It feels substantially more solid, drives better and boasts cabin quality and features on par with vehicles costing more. It may be cheap, but it's far from nasty.

As it stands, we're getting the highest specification Kwid. The version sold in the Indian market offers an airbag as an optional extra! The Kwid's specification is decent for a vehicle in this segment and we were impressed to see the comprehensive infotainment/satnav unit from the Duster make its way into the spacious cabin. With such an aggressive pricing strategy and the bonus of a year's free insurance thrown in, the Renault Kwid is ticking many of the boxes for those who have started climbing the car ownership ladder.

Satnav infotainment system is clean and intuitive, with a simple user experience.

Pricing and after-sales support

The new Renault Kwid comes standard with a 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services take place at 15 000 km intervals. Optional service plans are available.

1.0 Expression 1.0-litre SCe – R119 900
1.0 Dynamique 1.0-litre SCe – R129 900

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New Engines for Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce a whole range of new engines in 2017. There will be new 4, 6 and 8-cylinder motors available in turbopetrol and turbodiesel guises.

Starting with the smallest engine, the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol will have a specific output of 100 kW per litre. That means around 200 kW as a starting point. Mercedes is also adding a 48V electric system that can be used in hybrid format to boost engine speed by up to 2 000 rpm, but also power ancillaries such as the starter motor and water pump.

The new 2.0-litre turbodiesel has already been launched and features in the smooth and comfortable E220d that we compared with the previous-generation 520d earlier this year. It puts out 143 kW and 400 Nm of torque.

Sticking with a turbodiesel, you can expect to see a new 6-cylinder version in next year’s S-Class. The new engine is 40 kW more powerful than the current engine meaning you get 230 kW and over 650 Nm of torque.

There’s a new 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol unit on the way as well. It’s an in-line 6, which is claimed to produce 300 kW and more than 500 Nm of torque. CO2 emissions are said to have been cut by 15% and like the 4-cylinder unit, it uses a 48V electric system to power the engine at low revs and also power certain ancillaries.

For those sold on a V8 then the all-new 4.0-litre motor appears to be even more powerful than the current 4.7-litre unit. Its power output has been lifted from the old engine’s 335 kW to 350 kW with 700 Nm of torque. That’s before any of the engineers at AMG have tinkered with it. The V8 features cylinder deactivation, effectively turning it into a 4-cylinder in certain situations to conserve fuel.

The larger engines – 4 and 6-cylinders will be available next year in the new S-Class with the others being staged in as various model updates are introduced.

Also Read:

Update: First Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ-based SUV Coupe Coming in 2019 [with Video]
Mercedes-Benz X-Class Concept Finally Revealed
Mercedes-AMG E63 Details Revealed [with Video]
Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet (2016) First Drive

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Renault Kwid (2016) Specs & Price

Renault has targeted the budget car market with the crossover-flavoured Kwid hatchback. Here are the specification and pricing details for this keenly priced new model.

The Kwid comes to market as the entry point to Renault’s comprehensive product range and will be available in 2 trim levels. Both derivatives are powered by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor with peak outputs of 50 kW and 91 Nm. Although not a particularly powerful engine, it’s claimed to be quite frugal… Renault SA claims that its newcomer will consume an average of 4.71 litres/100 km from its 28-litre fuel tank.

Power reaches the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. While it’s not marketed as an offroad vehicle, the Kwid's ground clearance of 180 mm should be a boon when traversing dirt roads, for example.

In terms of dimensions, the Renault's wheelbase measures 2 422 mm, which means that this compact newcomer offers reasonable interior space, while the claimed luggage capacity is a credible 300 litres.

Features

Despite the Renault Kwid being an entry-level vehicle, the features/equipment list looks substantial. The Dynamique is the more comprehensive of the pair and it features the MediaNav navigation/multimedia system replete with a 7-inch touchscreen display, radio with Bluetooth connectivity.

There are height-adjustable seats at the front, with power steering and one-touch lane changing indicators. Electric front windows and air conditioning, as well as plenty of oddment storage spaces are afforded.

The Expression model lacks metallic paint (but it’s an option), front fog lamps, some exterior finishings as well as the dual-tone dashboard. It also loses out on the fancy navigation/infotainment system, but retains the USB/Aux inputs.

The Kwid shares its platform with the Datsun Go, but on paper at least, looks to be the more premium of the two vehicles.

In terms of safety, it features just the single airbag for the driver. We were expecting ABS at the very least, but we’ll have more clarity on the important issue of safety once we’ve driven the car and spoken to Renault SA.

Pricing and after-sales support

The new Renault Kwid comes standard with a 5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services take place at 15 000km intervals. Optional service plans are available.

1.0 Expression 1.0-litre SCe R 119 900
1.0 Dynamique 1.0-litre SCe R 129 900

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Extended Test: Mazda MX-5 [with Video]

A Mazda MX-5 recently spent a month in Cars.co.za's test fleet for an extended evaluation. Does the Hiroshima-based manufacturer's iconic little roadster still impress as a daily driver, or will the realities of living with such a focused machine destroy fantasies of top-down summer fun?

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Roadster – Quick Specs

One Month… and Go!

Is it sensible?

Verdict

Video

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Mike Horn and G-Wagon to Conquer the World

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Self-Driving Cars: BMW Puts the Record Straight

Autonomous driving is the hot topic in the automotive world at present, but rampant misreporting on the subject has not only created unrealistic expectations, it has also made driving enthusiasts feel threatened. BMW, however, has some good news…

Highly Automated and Autonomous – it's not the same thing

Hands-off in… 2021

The future for driving fun?

Safety and the Human factor

In summary

Further reading

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Volvo introduces XC90 Excellence

Volvo has introduced an all-new, ultra-luxurious XC90 to occupy the summit of its lineup. It's called the Excellence, and has all the toys…

Pricing

Further Reading & Viewing

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Isuzu KB 250 HO X-Rider Extended Cab (2016) Review

Special edition vehicles and “cab-and-a-half” bakkies are two things that the mainstream automotive media reviews infrequently. Shortly before the facelift of the KB range, we were availed an X-Rider Extended Cab unit… and liked it.

Alternatives

What is it?

How does it fare in terms of…

Price and after-sales support

Verdict

Related Content

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Ford SYNC3 Coming to SA

Ford will be introducing its third-generation SYNC3 communications and entertainment system to the South African market in 2016/2017.

SYNC3 features

Want to buy a Ford?

Exploring Lesotho with Toyota and Bridgestone

What

Where

How

Summary

Related content:

Interested in buying a Toyota Hilux or Fortuner?

Renault Kwid (2016) First Drive

The budget-friendly Renault Kwid has rolled into South Africa and we drove the pint-sized city crossover in sunny Durban this week.

For specifications and in-depth details about the Renault Kwid, click here.

The Drive

Elephant in the room

Summary

Pricing and after-sales support

Related content

Want to buy a Renault?

New Engines for Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce a whole range of new engines in 2017. There will be new 4, 6 and 8-cylinder motors available in turbopetrol and turbodiesel guises.

Also Read:

Looking for a used Mercedes-Benz?

Renault Kwid (2016) Specs & Price

Renault has targeted the budget car market with the crossover-flavoured Kwid hatchback. Here are the specification and pricing details for this keenly priced new model.

Features

Pricing and after-sales support

Related content

Interested in buying a Renault?