Buying a smartphone today is no longer about the hardware; it all comes down to operating system preference. It’s easier to stick to a familiar interface, instead of starting from scratch with something completely different. It has taken a couple of years but we have now adapted to using voice commands, and by extension, using our handsets like a virtual assistant.
Enter Android Auto and Car Play. Similarly, these two systems are not fighting a battle about which one is going to be more popular than the other. They exist for current smartphone owners as a way to interface their devices within a vehicle. If you look at the bigger picture, it is ultimately a battle against car manufacturers infotainment systems.
In an article Forbes published earlier this year: “If automakers don’t like Android Auto, they need to do better”, it said most manufacturer-designed user interfaces are terrible. It went on to state, “They are often cluttered and unattractive and because of the long-lead times in developing vehicles and the need for robust electronics, OEM systems often run on old processors and don’t perform well.”
Infotainment systems are not updated regularly
Smartphones are like computers that we carry in our pockets. They can arguably process commands faster than our desktop PCs and deliver results within seconds. Your car’s infotainment system doesn’t receive software updates nearly as frequently as your phone, thus it cannot compete with speed alone.
What car manufacturers need to focus on is improving their user experience, the way Android Auto and CarPlay have already done; and to stand out from the rest. While Apple and Google offer four core features – calls; messages; navigation and music, neither have addressed integration.
Digitaltrends says these systems work beautifully when it comes to showing off smartphone features, but it completely shuts out what the car’s infotainment system can offer.
“Cutting-edge infotainment systems offer a great deal more… they switch through different categories of features, from audio to navigation to climate control, but many have begun to integrate performance apps.”
Admittedly, it might be early days as Android Auto and CarPlay are not mainstream, but it appears manufacturers are upping their game.
The most notable one being Audi’s partnership with Cubic Telecom in Europe to provide in-car mobile connectivity. The MVNO has a high-speed LTE platform and with its partners, are able to provide access to Audi connected infotainment services across 13 countries in the EU. It will be available at competitive pricing for customers. Audi South Africa tells Cars.co.za that the full Audi Connect service will be making its way here in early 2018, and while the manufacturer does plan on working with local mobile operators, none of the negotiations have taken place yet.
Earlier this year, Ford invested $182m in a cloud-based software company called Pivotal, which, according to Forbes, was to further strengthen its software abilities. This may not seem uncommon for Ford however, as we’ve seen the Blue Oval transform into a mobility company over the last couple of years. It is also the first car manufacturer to have opened a research and innovation centre in Silicon Valley.
Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW recently co-purchased a division of Nokia to improve live traffic integration.
The future is HERE
Towards the end of last year, Audi, BMW and Daimler purchased HERE Maps, a division of Nokia that supplied mapping software to a majority of in-car satellite navigation systems for €2.8bn. According to Autocar, Nokia claimed that around 80% of new in-car infotainment systems featured its software, which has maps for almost 200 countries and live traffic for 33 countries. Live traffic integration within these German vehicles looks like a step in the right direction.
Another manufacturer trying to set itself apart from the rest is Jaguar Land Rover, with its “door to door” navigation using the Route Planner smartphone app, in conjunction with its InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, which will launch with the F-Pace in South Africa soon. The feature provides walking directions once you step out of your vehicle and, as an example, will take you straight to the shop you are visiting at a mall.
Unique-to-brand user experiences are key
While initial reviews of Android Auto and CarPlay from markets that support these systems look positive, and suggest that car manufacturers current systems are terrible, it does not appear to be the "end of the road" for onboard infotainment systems, yet.
Car manufacturers are evidently investing and trying to offer a more improved user experience, unique to their brand – and customers, and it could very well be a significant feature that sets it apart from each other.
It’s only a matter of time before we will see the results of these investments, which by then should bring speed, data connectivity, improved software, cloud features, live traffic and better maps.
Any views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Cars.co.za or its editorial content team.
Kia adds new 1.2 entry-level Picanto
The Kia Picanto is now available in a 1.2 LS derivative, which is said to offer extra oomph over and above the LS spec.
The Picanto 1.2 LS will sit above the 1.0 LS in the range, making it the second-most affordable model that Kia offers. The introduction comes after Kia Motors South Africa launched the 1.0 LS, which has become the best-seller in the range, the importer says, late last year.
The 1.2 LS is available in both manual and automatic guises with the latter being R13k more expensive than the former. Specification wise the 1.2 LS is identical to the 1.0 LS (that means you can differentiate it by its colour-coded bumpers and 14-inch steel wheels).
The interior is equipped with air-conditioning, a trip computer, USB and auxiliary audio ports and split-folding rear seats. There isn’t an audio system installed in the car as standard, but Kia says it is wired and ready for the installation of an aftermarket unit.
On the engine front, the 1.2-litre unit is naturally aspirated and delivers 65 kW and 120 Nm – respectable outputs at this price point. Fuel economy is claimed at 5.0 L/100 km with a tank range of about 700 km from the 35-litre tank.
The 1.2 LS comes with Kia Motors South Africa's recently-introduced 5-year/unlimited km warranty. A 2-year/45 000 km service plan is available as a R7 500 option.
Kia Picanto prices in South Africa
1.0 LS Manual R129 995 1.2 LS Manual R139 995
1.2 LS Automatic R152 995
1.0 LX Manual R159 995
1.0 LX Automatic R172 995
1.2 EX Manual R178 995
1.2 EX Automatic R191 995
The Smart brand is back in SA and its products offer a mix of funkiness and city practicality. In typical Smart fashion, the ForTwo is very different from anything else out there so we tried out the Prime-specification derivative to see how it copes in SA’s most congested city.
We like: tight turning circle, funky styling, decent storage space
We don’t like: pricey, not great at freeway speeds
Alternatives:
For a better engine: Opel Adam 1.0T Enjoy – the 1.0-Litre turbocharged Opel is equally at home around town and on the freeway, plus it returns excellent economy.
For something bigger: The aforementioned Adam or Volkswagen Up!, but if you have to have a Smart, the ForFour has two more seats and doors.
For a better driving experience: The Opel has a lower driving position and is just as agile around town. It doesn’t turn as tightly in a parking lot, though.
For a less pricey option:Opel Adam or… Volkswagen Up! The Smart gets pricey when you start adding options and doesn’t offer much more than the equivalent Adam. Volkswagen’s Up! is a comparative bargain, but is sparsely equipped.
Unique?
The Smart ForTwo aims to be something different that stands out from your average city car. It delivers this on multiple fronts, including its design with two-tone colouring options, tiny proportions and a vibrant interior. The layout is also quite unique in that the engine is at the back and drive goes to the rear wheels – a configuration normally reserved for sportscars. It’s not alone in this setup however as the Renault Twingo sold overseas has identical running gear, in fact, the smart is actually 70% Renault Twingo…
How does it fare in terms of…
City driving?
The Smart is built to live in the city, where parking spaces are few, gaps in the traffic are rare and where u-turns are seemingly impossible. Thanks to its incredibly short length (2,695 metres) the ForTwo takes care of all those situations. To put that length into perspective, if you park the smart next to a Ford Figo, the Smart ends before the Figo's rear door openings begin. As a result, the Smart can nip into minute parking spaces that other cars could never hope to occupy and will zip into gaps in traffic other drivers will hate you for.
Small enough to fit into a parking space, sideways…
The steering angle allows the Smart to perform a u-turn in just 6.95 metres so there’s almost never any need to pull off a stressful 3-point turn with it. The steering action is so light at parking speeds that you can easily whip the ForTwo around in a hurry. As a tool for traversing a cramped and congested urban environment, the Smart represents a near-perfect mobility solution… provided you like to travel light.
Practicality?
Despite its tiny dimensions, the Smart offers a variety of useful little hidey-holes (places to store oddments). The hatch has a split-folding tailgate system which can withstand a 100 kg person sitting on it. The tailgate also opens up to reveal an extra loading compartment and neat place to hide small things. The luggage space is reasonable and can store up to 350-litres once you fold the front passenger seat down. In fact, when the left seat is folded flat you can actually load a surfboard in the ForTwo.
Tailgate on the smart can hold up to 100 kg and has a storage compartment hidden within
Good loading space is available in the door pockets and there’s an extra drawer underneath the gear lever for things like your phone, keys and wallet. The cupholders are a bit shallow so be careful when cornering fast and carrying hot drinks – they will spill hot contents onto your feet. Overall, the Smart’s design works well (if you consider it as a one-person vehicle), it's able to deal with small amounts of shopping and the odd local surfing trip.
Engine?
The engine is a 3-cylinder naturally aspirated unit similar in configuration to those of the Volkswagen Up! and Toyota Aygo. The Smart’s motor puts out 52 kW and 91 Nm of torque in total. That’s enough to get its 880 kg body off the mark and to 100 kph in a claimed 14.4 seconds. There’s a typical 3-cylinder rasp from the engine and at anything under 60 kph, the ForTwo delivers perfectly acceptable performance. The Smart does, however, struggle somewhat outside city limits and on the freeway in particular. It can do 120 kph but getting there takes a while and any loss of speed takes ages to regain. In-gear acceleration above 80 kph is a struggle and you will find yourself with the throttle mashed to the floor more often than not.
The Smart is claimed to be quite economical with combined fuel consumption figure of 4.1 L/100 km. During its time with us, we couldn’t match that figure and even on an economy run we were only able to achieve 6.2 L/100 km. The test united averaged 7.4 L/100 km over its 10-day stay at Cars.co.za, which demonstrates that outside of pure city driving the 1.0-litre engine has to work much harder.
Interior funkiness?
The interior of the Smart is interesting and quirky and adds to the Smart’s unique character. It’s here where the Renault parts are visible: the gear lever, steering wheel and just about every button that controls an electric function. It’s not a bad thing; most buyers are unlikely to notice it.
Most of the touch points in the Smart come from the Renault parts bin. The steering wheel is thick-rimmed.
The interior is highly customisable in that you can have a two-tone colour inserted to match the exterior of the car. The dashboard is covered in a carpet/cloth material that’s much better to touch than bare plastic. The infotainment system is available with either a 7-inch touchscreen system or a smaller, digital system. Both connect to your smartphone and offer apps for your phone to stream or play music. There are USB and auxiliary ports available on both systems but the touchscreen system offers MirrorLink navigation. There are a lot of options to choose from on the Smart brochure, some of which should really be offered as standard. The comfort package, for example, includes a height-adjustable seat, -steering column and -electric mirrors – all of which should really be standard, but cost R3 500 extra.
Safety?
Just because the Smart looks like it will get knocked around like a pinball in a collision doesn’t mean it isn’t safe. There’s a high strength safety cell beneath the paintwork that ensures occupants the best possible protection in an accident. All Smarts come standard with 5 airbags, ESP, ABS and crosswind assist. If you want to up the ante on the safety spec, there’s a forward collision system warning and lane keeping assist available.
Ride and drive?
The Smart’s handling is a massive improvement over the previous model's. Change of direction no longer confuses the ForTwo and it can be driven quickly through town; it's quite dexterous. It can however, be quite noisy over uneven tarmac. The five-speed gearbox is easy to flick through and the shift indicator prompts you to change up a gear just after 2 000 rpm for economy's sake. The clutch action is light, which helps in start/stop traffic.
The rev counter/clock pod is a quirky addition and not really in the driver's eye-line.
Price and warranty
The ForTwo is offered with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/60 000 km service plan. The service plan can be upgraded to an 80 000 km plan.
Verdict
The Smart ForTwo offers loads of appeal for trendy urbanites. The vibrant colour options and cute proportions made it eye-catching and the 2-seater model makes sense as a second car where it will only ever perform short trips with one or two passengers on board. There isn’t much in the way of luggage space if you want to go away for the weekend and it is also a bit expensive when you factor in the competition. The Smart ForTwo as we have it here is fully specced with all options and costs in excess of R250k. That’s the same as a fully loaded Opel Adam and R25k more than a Fiat 500…
BMW’s new flagship 7 Series was introduced earlier this year to depose its archrival, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as the world's premier First Class car. Following our review of the 740i, the team was divided on whether the new 7 has what it takes to wear the luxury sedan crown. Will the even more luxurious, V8-engined 750i put the matter to rest?
We Don’t Like: Understated exterior styling, disappointing rear leg room
Alternatives
For similar power: Consider the Mercedes-Benz S500 (R1 843 904). With its turbocharged 4.7-litre V8 engine, the S500 offers slightly more power than the 750i with 335 kW and 700 Nm of torque. The S500 is the 7’s closest nemesis and although it’s starting to show its age, it’s a formidable and stylish rival. The refreshed S-Class will arrive in South Africa in 2017 with a host of impressive new technology currently offered on the new E-Class, so it should be rather extraordinary when it makes landfall. The Mercedes-Benz S500 is our current First Class Car of the Year – see why by clicking here.
For value-for-money and all-wheel drive performance: You can also consider the Audi S8 quattro, which boasts more power at 382 kW and 650 Nm of torque from its 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine. The Audi S8 commands a price tag of R1 695 000.
For more space: For an additional R143 000, consider the 750Li (long wheelbase version – R1 993 138), which offers more rear passenger space compared to the standard 750i. As a cost-saving alternative, you can consider the Mercedes-Benz S500 L (R1 885 304), which will only cost you R35 500 more than this 750i Design Pure Excellence derivative and will afford you increased rear passenger space for significantly less money compared to the BMW 750Li.
For better fuel economy: Consider the Mercedes-Benz S500e L (R1 875 500), with a cost difference of about R26 000, you get access to impressive performance but with the benefit of drastically improved fuel efficiency. The S500e L is powered by a 6-cylinder 3.0-litre turbocharged engine and an electric motor with a total output of 325 kW and 650 Nm of torque. Mercedes-Benz claims an average fuel consumption figure of 2.8 L/100 km for the S500e L.
The 7 Series is imposing and packed with the latest technology from BMW. But does it have enough presence?
The battle for supremacy in the world of luxury sedans came to a head earlier this year when the BMW 7 Series was named the World Luxury Car of the Year in the 2016 instalment of the World Car Awards. Mercedes-Benz had locked out the World Luxury Car title since it became a standalone category in the World Car Awards in 2014, but the 7 succeeded the S-Class Coupe and sedan.The best of Mercedes-Benz is realised in its well-accomplished S-Class, which is widely regarded as the benchmark if you are looking for a near-perfect blend of style, luxury, technology and performance. It’s so good that the S500 scooped the First Class category win in the inaugural Cars.co.za Consumer Awards in January this year.
The arrival of the new 7 is nothing short of monumental for the Munich-based firm. BMW developed the 7 to be the best in the world and, in terms of its technological prowess, the 6th-generation of the brand's flagship design sets a benchmark. With lessons learnt from the futuristic i3 and i8, the 7 Series is made up of what BMW calls a “Carbon Core”, a combination of steel, aluminium and Carbon-Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), making it more rigid and up to 130 kg lighter than its predecessor. Even so, this behemoth of a car still weighs well over two tonnes and measures more than five metres long and over two metres wide. It’s big, heavy and filled with the richest technological features in BMW’s arsenal.
This 750i Design Pure Excellence derivative (M Sport package is also available) features a few notable design details that set it apart from the standard 750i, including black brake callipers and an extra dose of chrome treatment seen on the front and rear bumpers. On the inside, the Design Pure Excellence package adds an Alcantara headliner, brushed aluminium door sills and wooden inlays (in this case American oak) with metal trim.
As you can expect, there's a long list of options available for the BMW 7 Series. Some of the extra-cost options fitted to this test unit include LaserLight headlamps (R17 200) with a range of 600 metres, 20-inch bi-colour V-spoke wheels (R21 400), a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system (R63 700), rear seat entertainment with two 10-inch colour screens (R44 300), TV function (R17 700), BMW Touch Command with an integrated 7-inch rear tablet (R7 000), front and rear massage function (R31 400) and a rear refrigerator (R18 000). The addition of the refrigerator does, however, impinge on the boot (515 litres).
How does it fare in…
Technological sophistication?
The raft of technology starts with the 7 Series' BMW Display Key and it’s by far the most sophisticated key fob we have ever seen in South Africa. The fob has a digital screen and much like a cell phone, you can swipe through various functions such as climate control timer, vehicle range, -status and -security. The key is useful in that it relays important vehicle information to you, even if you aren't near the vehicle. You can, for example, set a timer for the climate control to heat or cool the interior before you plan to drive, activate or turn off the headlights (also from outside the vehicle) and park your car via remote control (optional – R7 900), but, sadly, our test unit was not equipped with this function.
The key does need to be charged every so often and this can be done by using the wireless inductive charging holder in the centre console. You can also use this holder to wirelessly charge your phone, providing that it’s compatible for inductive charging. Two USB ports are included too.
BMW’s iDrive system lies at the heart of the 7 Series and incorporates the familiar iDrive Touch Controller and, for the first time, a high-resolution, 10.25-inch touchscreen display is fitted, where the vast majority of vehicle functions can be accessed. Everything from infotainment, navigation, Internet, telephony, BMW ConnectedDrive, vehicle settings and interior settings are easily browsed. The system is impressively comprehensive and intuitive to use, but you may have to allocate an hour or two to familiarise yourself with the layout and functionality. Techno boffins will salivate all over this new 7, but for technophobes less adept to grasping technology, the 7 Series will teach you its ways with a wide selection of helpful video tutorials accessed via the touchscreen.
The interior of the 7 Series is luxuriously appointed and will resonate with technically inclined buyers.
A highlight feature in the new 7 Series is called Gesture Control. Sensors in the headliner recognise specific hand and finger movements that serve specific functions. For example, if someone calls you and you don’t want to speak to them, simply swipe your hand across to the side and the call drops. If you want to answer the call, point your finger towards the touchscreen and your wish comes true. Furthermore, swirling your index finger in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction will increase or decrease the volume of the sound system. It takes some practice, at first, to perfect the gestures and find the correct parameters to initiate them, but once you do, the Mozart in you will come alive. It’s a brilliant piece of technology that provides a glimpse of how far in-car technology has come in recent years, while keeping you guessing at what’s to come in the future.
Gesture Control functionality is also incorporated into other functions, such as the 360 parking camera. By pinching your index finger and thumb together, you are able to ‘grab and pan’ the camera to scout for obstacles around the car. This is a useful tool if you are parked in tight spaces and need to reaffirm your judgment before exiting a parking bay.
Rear passengers are well catered for in terms of technology and comfort in the 7 Series, but legroom is tight.
It’s not only the driver and front passenger who are spoilt with technology. Rear passengers have it pretty good too in the 7 Series. With the optional BMW Touch Command system, a rear central armrest houses a storage compartment, rear seat controls and a 7-inch detachable tablet. Using the tablet, rear occupants can control functions such as seat positions, rear climate control, ambient lighting, window blinds, the infotainment system and surf the Internet at leisure. All this happens, while the seats massage you into submission. There are also plush, sleep inducing pillows fitted to the rear headrests for added comfort. It’s pure bliss sitting in the back of the 7-Series, but the feeling is somewhat tainted when you realise that your legroom is quite limited and you can’t really stretch out far enough to obtain nirvana.
Even so, if the BMW 7-Series isn’t the pinnacle of technological sophistication, then what is? The features mentioned above form part of a collective whole and although they are wonderful, there is much more to this 7 Series. Let’s see how it performs on the road…
Performance
The 750i is a super comfortable cruiser but it can be overtly dynamic too, just as a BMW flagship should be.
Under that long bonnet sits a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine that develops a mighty 330 kW and 650 Nm of torque. Those numbers are delivered to the rear wheels using an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission. Alternatively, manual intervention from the driver can be initiated by shifting the transmission into manual mode or by using the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
There are also various driving modes to choose from, depending on what you want to achieve, and these include ECO Pro (optimise efficiency), Comfort (optimise comfort), Sport (optimise performance) and Adaptive (damper control, steering and transmission adapts independently according to drive style and road conditions). Adaptive mode can be engaged in conjunction with the other modes too and settings can be altered via the touchscreen. Each mode also has its own colour and display layout in the large digital instrument cluster.
In normal driving conditions, the 750i performed admirably. The engine operates in silence and very little engine noise is audible in the cabin. The transmission responded smoothly to throttle inputs and the engine never felt strained under harder acceleration. In fact, quite the opposite. The 750i is something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It’s calm and sedate when you are, but it can also be involving and engaging when you floor the pedal. Despite its weight, the 750i is a strong performer when it needs to be and it’s very fast too. When you are pushing on, it feels like there’s no end in sight, the power is relentless! BMW claims that the 750i will sprint to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds and there's the usual limited top speed of 250 kph. For a large limousine sedan, that’s not to be sniffed at…
Although the 750i can devour tar at will, driving it enthusiastically all the time is not what’s it’s built for and your fuel consumption will suffer severely if you do. Even though BMW claims an average fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100 km for the 750i, you’re unlikely to see figures below 10 L/100km very often.
Ride Quality & Handling
The 7 Series delivers exceptional ride quality and handling ability.
The 7-Series is equipped with various chassis technology and control systems to ensure high levels of comfort and handling ability and these include self-levelling all-round air suspension, dynamic damper control, integral active steering and active roll stabilisation.
The collective result of these features is superb ride quality. The 750i was supremely comfortable to drive and road imperfections became obsolete. More so, it felt surefooted and confident in the bends too. With its extensive levels of grip, it would take an Ashley Oldfield or similarly skilled driver to even remotely unsettle the 750i.
As for road and engine noise entering the cabin? Silence is all you will hear…
The steering is light, almost feathery, and although it provides good feedback to the driver, some members of our team felt that the electronic steering was overly sensitive.
In this segment, ride quality is all important and this 7 Series undoubtedly delivers a pleasingly refined drive.
Kerb Appeal
In a segment where looks matter, the 7 Series is somewhat understated.
Cars in the luxury sedan segment, such as the S-Class and 7 Series, must offer heaps of kerb appeal if they are to win buyers over. Striking styling, class and general attractiveness need to combine in a way that motivates people to lay down the kind of money that the car demands. These attributes are essential and it’s in part why cars in this segment exist. They are status symbols for success, they shout “look at me, I’m rich, I have made it”. If they don’t do that, their worth wilts away.
The latest BMW 7 Series certainly offers this effect, but more so on the inside, than the conservative exterior. Then again, design is so subjective…
Safety Features
As you would expect, the 7 Series boasts a full complement of safety features including ABS with EBD, electronic brake assist, traction control and stability control. A total of six airbags are fitted as standard too.
Active safety features include lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, steering assist, traffic jam assist and night vision. Adaptive cruise control is also standard and in conjunction the steering assist and traffic jam assist, the 7 Series is able to reach a semi-autonomous state where minimal action is required from the driver in congested traffic situations. We put all these systems to the test in heavy traffic and were suitably impressed by how simple they are to operate. Park assist is also fitted as standard.
A comprehensive head up display communicates information such as speed, traffic sign information and navigation, keeping the drivers eyes locked on the road. Front and rear park distance control is included along with a 360-degree camera.
Pricing and Warranty
The BMW 750i Design Pure Excellence is priced from R1 849 796 and is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Note that a long list of options are available for the BMW 7 Series. Our test unit had over R290 000 worth of optional equipment fitted, escalating the overall price to at least R2 140 000.
Verdict
This latest BMW 7 Series is one of most technologically advanced cars we’ve had on test and it’s by far the most refined, well-built and lavishly appointed cabin we have seen from BMW. The 750i’s performance is commendable too. It’s a smooth and comfortable cruiser with poise that belies its size but it also has oodles of power to tap into and delivers it discreetly and with utter tact. The 750i is a marvellous car to drive.
With a wealth of useful and impressive technology onboard, BMW has pushed the boundaries of what is possible to the next level. There’s much to appreciate about this new 7 and for now, at least, the 7 Series has hit the mark. Or has it? Faults are difficult to find but given that rear legroom could be better and that it’s not particularly striking to look at, which is its Achilles heel, this latest 7 Series is not perfect. Then again, what car is?
Mini Announces Hardcore, Track-Focused JCW Challenge
Mini has announced an even more extreme version its JCW performance model. Sadly this model won't be coming to South Africa as it's a limited edition purely for the UK market.
While the actual engine itself hasn't been upgraded, the rest of the Mini JCW Challenge receives numerous go-faster mechanical bits. Big front brakes, Nitron NTR R1 adjustable suspension, Quaife limited-slip differential and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber are the main performance changes, while most of the visual accessories from the Mini JCW catalogue have been applied. These include lower front splitters, rear spoiler add-ons for the already large roof spoiler, rear diffuser and rear splitters for additional aerodynamic performance. There's also a carbon fibre air intake, which further complements the look of this new model, as do the carbon fibre mirror covers.
At the rear, a JCW Pro exhaust features a carbon fibre tailpipe finish. This exhaust is unique, as its tone can be controlled via Bluetooth, giving you a choice of Sport or Track to entertain your ears. As mentioned earlier, power from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor is unchanged and it continues to produce 170 kW and 320 Nm of torque. Power reaches the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. The Mini John Cooper Works Challenge comes in a White Silver paint finish with unique graphics, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels finished in black paint. Only 100 units of this limited edition track toy will be built and they're all destined for the UK market only. We hope that a similar version for South Africa comes to market, as the idea of a track-focused Mini is a great one.
Tata introduced the Evolve limited-edition version of its Xenon bakkie in South Africa earlier this year and the offering has now been expanded to include a new exterior colour.
There’s a large market for affordable double-cab bakkies in South Africa and we recently created a list of South Africa’s cheapest family double cab bakkies (with ABS and airbags) and the Tata Xenon XT cracked the list. In an effort to offer even more value for customers, Tata introduced a limited-edition Evolve model earlier this year, which is based on the Xenon XT. Until recently, it has only been available in white, but Tata has now added black as an option to further expand the appeal of the Evolve.
More features for Tata Evolve
The Tata Evolve is now offered in black.
The Tata Evolve limited-edition bakkie is fitted with a host of added features that sets it apart from its stablemates. These features include a roll-over bar, side steps for easy access, a front nudge bar for added kerb presence and a tow bar. The look of the Evolve is further emphasised with special badging and a decal package. In addition to these appointments, Tata has revised the design of the 16-inch alloy wheels for added effect.
The inclusion of leather upholstery will be welcomed by customers while the "Evolve" logo can be seen on the interior floor mats.
The Tata Evolve is also packed with useful features such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth capability, electric windows, audio system with MP3 player, air conditioning and power steering with a tilt-adjustable steering column. In terms of safety, the Evolve bakkie is equipped with two airbags (for the driver and front passenger), as well as ABS with EBD.
Engine power
The Tata Evolve is available as a 4×2 or 4×4 on special request.
The Tata Evolve is powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that develops 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque, with a five-speed manual transmission delivering power to the rear wheels. The Evolve is offered as a 4×2 with a rear diff-lock. Customers can also opt for the 4×4 option upon special request.
Tata Exonon Evolve special edition price in South Africa
Tata Xenon Evolve special edition R269 995
Price includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/75 000 km service plan with service intervals set at 15 000 km.
Whereas hot hatch aficionados are frothing with excitement ahead of the arrival of the Ford Focus RS, don't forget that the Blue Oval updated the RS' little brother, the ST, last year. How close can the ST come to matching the lap times set by the BMW M2, Mercedes-AMG A45, Audi RS3 and Honda Civic Type-R at Killarney? Let's find out…
Last month, we launched our biggest track test video (featuring the aforementioned cars) ever; the comments section on our Youtube channel simply exploded with activity! However, many people wanted (no, demanded) to know why didn’t we include the Ford Focus RS?
Well, the answer is fairly straightforward: at the time of filming, the Ford Focus RS was not yet available to the media or the public in South Africa.
And so while we wait for the RS to arrive, we thought we would send our racing driver, Ashley Oldfield, out to set a lap time in the Ford Focus ST, the more affordable hero hatchback. No-one is expecting it to defeat any of the first set of cars, but, how close can it get?
The GT incorporates a few design tweaks to individualise the compact crossover's appearance and receives the most powerful version of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine (134 kW).
The exterior of the GT model benefits from a model-specific front bumper and LED lights. The tailpipes for the GT model are chromed for a bit of sporty edge, while the “black diamond” (two-tone) roof is a standard finish. The 2-tone paint scheme (Coupe Franche) is also available, but as an optional extra.
The final touch for the exterior is 18-inch 2-tone diamond-cut aluminium wheel rims and chrome door mirror shells
Inside the GT
The GT line gets the all-new i-Cockpit system, with a configurable instrument cluster. The infotainment system has also gone through a re-think and features 3D navigation as standard. TomTom plans to implement the live traffic updates to the navigation system for free for the first 3 years, Peugeot said in a statement. The contoured seats are covered with a 3-material TEP/Alcantara trim, or optionally, Nappa leather. The compact steering wheel sports the GT logo in chromed steel on its flat-bottomed end.
In an effort to make its Yaris small hatchback more appealing, Toyota South Africa has added 2-tone paint options to the line-up. What else is new?
The Toyota Yaris is a solid offering, but it lacks a bit of pizzazz. However, Toyota South Africa has made available 3 new 2-tone paint jobs to the range. Despite the most common colours being white and silver, these new colours will be popular. The combinations are Pearl White, Crimson Metallic and Grey Metallic and all three have a metallic black top half. As pictures will attest, the Crimson Metallic with black looks very eye-catching. You can spec bi-tone paint on the entire line-up, ranging from the bottom Yaris 1.0 Xs 5dr to the Yaris HSD 1.5Xs CVT.
You'd expect something like this to add some numbers onto the price tag, but it appears that Toyota South Africa isn't charging anything extra for the extra vibrancy. The Prospecton-based company's marketing material is claiming the 2-tone is available as a no-cost option, which is good!
The Yaris is not badly equipped: electric windows, leather-wrapped (multifunction) steering wheel and gear knob, touchscreen infotainment system, and Bluetooth hands-free functionality are standard, as are ?15-inch alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric mirrors, power steering, dual front and side airbags and ABS with EBD and Brake Assist.
The top-of-the-range HSD (hybrid) model offers the above specification as well as a reverse-view camera, traction control, keyless start, and LED daytime running lights.
Toyota Yaris Price in South Africa
Petrol-powered Toyota Yaris variants come with a standard 3-year/45 000 km service plan while the Hybrid model comes with a 4-year/60 000 km service accompanied by an 8-year/ 195 000 km hybrid battery warranty.
Ford has been testing the facelifted Ecosport ahead of its international reveal in November 2016.
The Ford Ecosport has been a topseller in South Africa due to its keen pricing, good looks and compact SUV proportions that seem to be all the rage at the moment. The mid-life facelift is now due and Ford has been adding the finishing touches to its design.
The test mules in the pictures above are heavily camouflaged in the areas that the new bits will be fitted to. There’s likely to be a new front bumper, as well as updated headlight and foglight designs. At the rear, the spare wheel is still mounted on the tailgate although it’s not certain whether the production model will still have the spare mounted outside the car.
The inside too will get a reasonable update, mostly consisting of updated technology. Ford Sync2 looks most likely to be fitted (as it is in the current Fusion, Ranger and Everest). The interior will also get new switchgear to neaten up the cabin’s appearance.
The engine range is unlikely to change with Ford retaining the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol motor, the 1.0-litre turbopetrol and the 1.5-litre turbodiesel.
The facelifted Ecosport should make its global debut at the Sao Paulo Auto Show in November this year. The model will only officially go on sale in 2017 however.
