Audi revealed the more powerful TT RS (in Coupe and Roadster forms) at the Beijing Motor Show.
We recently had the Audi TTS on test and we were impressed with its performance and handling capabilities. Audi has now gone a step further with the introduction of a more powerful TT RS version powered by a revised five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine.
Audi South Africa has confirmed that the TT RS Coupe will become available in South Africa in the second quarter of 2017. The TT RS Roadster will not be offered in South Africa.
The Audi TT RS will offer more performance thrills with power output at 298 kW from its 5-cylinder 2.5-litre mill. That’s significantly more power when compared with the TT 2.0T with 169 kW / 370 Nm and the 2.0 TTS with 210 kW / 380 Nm. Torque is up too, with the TT RS offering a peak output of 480 Nm.
With quattro all-wheel drive, the TT RS Coupe is claimed to sprint from zero to 100 kph in just 3.7 seconds while the Roadster is capable of achieving the benchmark in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 kph, but can be increased to 280 kph as an option.
Styling
The TT RS sits lower and is lighter than the outgoing model. The TT RS Roadster is fitted with a fabric roof that can open and close in 10 seconds at speeds up to 50 kph. Visually, the TT RS is distinguished with a fixed rear spoiler, whereas other TT models are fitted with a retractable rear spoiler. The front air intakes are also noticeably larger and the TT RS rides on specific 19 or 20-inch wheels. The new model can also be had in special colour variations of Nardo grey or Catalunya Red.
On the inside, the TT RS is fitted with RS sports seats, but the interior is otherwise much the same as those other derivatives in the TT range. The interior of the TT is top-notch and the Audi Virtual Cockpit lies at the heart of its design.
Cars.co.za Journalist, Gero Lilleike, explores the hype surrounding the introduction of the Ford Mustang in South Africa. Is this premium-priced, low volume sportscar worthy of all the attention it's getting… or is it just a transient marketing ploy?
The Mustang nameplate has been around for 52 years and its absence from the South African motoring landscape over that period is nothing short of depressing, or is it? Depending how you feel about the Mustang, it’s either the best car to be launched in South Africa in recent times, or it’s just a hunk of American steel that rides on the coattails of its storied precursors from the Sixties.
Although the hype around the Mustang is palpable, what value does it hold for motorists in South Africa? Quite frankly, should we even care that it’s here? You see, the Mustang has gone on sale in South Africa and even though you can’t even buy one (because they’re all sold out for the next two years), it begs the question: is the Mustang generating genuine interest in South Africa or is it just another fad?
The power of time
Born in the 60’s, the Mustang is an integral part of American motoring culture… it spurred other manufacturers into building affordable V8-engined sportscars of their own in what became known as the "musclecar era". The Mustang was an instant hit, selling over 1 million units within two years of its introduction in 1964. Since then, more than 9 million Mustangs have been sold around the world.
In many ways, the Mustang symbolises the rebellious freedom and carefree attitude of a bygone era. Yet, even today, the Mustang evokes the same emotions in anyone who has the pleasure of laying their eyes on one, and therein lies the Ford's lasting allure.
The Mustang’s indelible iconic musclecar status was further popularised when Hollywood jumped on the musclecar bandwagon. The original ‘64 1/2 Mustang made its first appearance in the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger while the 1968 film Bullit, featuring Steve McQueen in his Mustang GT Fastback remains a classic reminder of the spirit of the Mustang, and that particular car also bears a striking resemblance to the sixth-generation Mustang that stands before me today.
Those are just two examples, but there are thousands upon thousands of references to the Mustang in popular culture, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mustang Sally and even Vanilla Ice enjoyed Rollin’ in his 5.0. More recently, who could forget Ken Block tearing up the streets of Los Angeles in his heavily modified 630 kW all-wheel drive Mustang in Gymkhana 7? The list goes on forever and the impressions are timeless. Few cars in history can claim such widespread and entrenched popularity across the globe as the Mustang does.
It goes without saying then, that when Ford announced that the Mustang would, for the first time, be produced for right-hand drive markets and become available in South Africa, people went absolutely bonkers. The local launch of the Mustang in Cape Town became a hipster parade with Mustang selfies ruling the Twittersphere. Local demand for the Mustang is surging and Ford’s order book is bursting.
According to local Ford Mustang brand manager, Kuda Takura, demand for the Mustang in South Africa will remain strong over the next two years. “We have sold 84 units of our 960 allocation for the year. All 960 units are spoken for and are literally sold as they arrive. Based on orders still in the system, we are presently sold out through 2017 too” says Takura. And, Mustang allocation for 2017 is unlikely to increase.
South Africa is not the only right-hand drive market where the 2015 Mustang has been well received. Markets in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, among others, are reporting strong demand for the Mustang. The Mustang is also making waves in the Chinese market where it’s one of the best-selling cars. In Germany, the Mustang was the best-selling sportscar in March 2016, outselling major models from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, a phenomenal achievement for the Mustang. Latest reports indicate that the Mustang was the world’s best-selling sports coupe in 2015, racking up over 140 000 sales.
Apart from car clubs such as the Mustang Club of South Africa, car museums and imported examples owned by collectors and Mustang enthusiasts, the Mustang is rarely seen on South African roads. In America, however, Mustangs run wild. Even though that’s true, the influence of American culture on South Africa is undeniably clear for all to see. We adore Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama. We laugh at Donald Trump and George W. Bush, but adore the Mustang.
American culture is entwined in our daily lives and many South Africans' identities have been influenced by it. It’s through mass media and the Internet that the image of the Mustang has remained alive in South Africa. For decades, South African car enthusiasts have ogled longingly at their TV and computer screens at images and footage of the Mustang and the car felt so intangible… so far away from home.
Instead, petrolheads living in South Africa in the late 70's and 80's will fondly remember cars such as the Ford Capri Perana, Cortina XR6, Sierra XR8 and the Escort XR3. The cars were icons in their day; it was through these locally developed cars that a passion for the Blue Oval remained alive in the hearts and minds of South African petrolheads.
In the absence of the Mustang, these models, in many ways, embodied the same spirit and one could argue the arrival of the Mustang has created something of a nostalgic resurgence. The Mustang has been – and still is – unobtainable for many and an object of envy. South Africans lust after the Mustang, because we haven't yet enjoyed the promise of freedom it embodies. It's an alien from another world, the power of time has made it so.
The Mustang effect
Perhaps the reason why South Africans have latched onto the Mustang with such fervour is because there hasn’t been that many cars that could capture the public's imagination to the same extent as the 'Stang. Today, there are but a handful of cars that are regarded as icons in this wonderful land, the BMW M3, Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Toyota Hilux immediately come to mind, but not much else. We are deprived in that sense and the Mustang seems to somehow fill the void and console our fragile egos. Iconic cars have the power to make us feel special and the Mustang has that effect.
It will take many years for the Mustang to become a common sight on our roads and even longer for us to come to terms with its endearing presence. The Mustang hype will continue to drive demand and even though the latest Mustang is far from perfect, there’s nothing quite like it on sale in South Africa and as long as people stare, the Mustang will be long-loved in South Africa.
Mustang is Back – Review, Test Drive & Beauty Shots (RHD)
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.
Teaser images: Volkswagen Amarok facelift
Volkswagen's commercial vehicles division has released three teaser sketches showing what the forthcoming facelifted Amarok bakkie could look like. Do you like what you see?
The Volkswagen Amarok recently featured in a Cars.co.za comparative test with the new Toyota Hilux, updated Ford Ranger and the Isuzu KB. However, the Amarok is due for a makeover in a year's time and VW Commercial Vehicles has released three images showing off the looks of the refreshed Amarok. A host of exterior and interior changes are expected that will ensure that the Amarok remains competitive and relevant to bakkie buyers in South Africa.
Volkswagen South Africa has confirmed that the facelifted Amarok will be launched in South Africa in the second half of 2017.
Fresh look for Amarok
From the outside, the Amarok will sport a new front and rear bumper design as well updated graphics for the headlights and taillights. The grille design is expected to change a bit too. The refreshed Amarok is also likely to be offered with new wheel designs, which will give you something to talk about around the braai. The images also show the Amarok wearing an orange paint finish, which may very well be available when the facelift arrives on our shores.
The interior however, is where most of the changes will occur. The image reveals a redesigned dashboard with a distinct car-like feel and the touchscreen sits a bit higher up compared with the current Amarok. The air vents have been redesigned too and take on an angular shape with chrome trim (circular in current Amarok). The buttons found on the centre stack have been repositioned, adding to its car-like feel.
Volkswagen has not confirmed any changes to the engine offering and we may very well see the same 2.0-litre turbodiesels doing service in the facelifted Amarok. The current Amarok engine offering includes a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 103 kW and 340 Nm of torque as well as a more powerful 2.0-litre BiTDI engine with 132 kW and 400 Nm of torque. Transmissions will likely include a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available on the facelifted Volkswagen Amarok.
For an in-depth comparison between the new Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok and Isuzu KB, watch the video below!
Land Rover has built more than 2 million units of its trusty 4×4, the Defender, since 1948 and in the years it was produced this Landy earned itself iconic status. Just looking at a Defender conjures up images of adventure and travel. But now, it is no more.
The Defender Heritage Edition reviewed here is the last of the breed as the Landy no longer complies with modern pedestrian safety regulations. So, to give it a fitting farewell, we sent our video man, Ciro de Siena, who had not driven a Defender previously, to find out why the Defender possesses such timeless allure.
Car Theft Insurance Claims: When Are You Negligent?
An insurance company won't pay a motor theft claim if it deems the policyholder or nominated driver to have been negligent in some way. But negligence is a somewhat subjective term; motorists must be aware that insurers can refuse to pay out claims based on how they interpret their clients' actions and circumstances.
On a recent holiday in New Zealand, I saw an unattended car parked on the side of a busy highway, with the doors left wide open, possibly even with the engine running. Alarmed, I looked to the left and saw a few people (ostensibly the car's former occupants) some distance away in the adjoining bush, but they weren't displaying the body language of a group in the middle of a personal crisis…
As the only South African in our car, I was the only one who noticed the car and, having discussed it with my fellow passengers, the only one who regarded that as a highly risky thing to do, whether or not the keys were left in the car.
Given our crime statistics…
Very few South African motorists would choose to stop and leave their cars unattended, let alone with the doors open, on the side of a highway. And if we did, that would certainly be considered grossly negligent by a motor insurer.
Which brings me to the story of a South African named "Mr J".
Having driven his girlfriend's car to a shop one evening, to buy them cooldrinks and cigarettes, he left the keys in the ignition, and the car unlocked, while he went into the shop, despite the car being parked in a spot where Mr J couldn't keep an eye on it. He would later tell the insurer of the car that he thought it was okay to do that, because he only intended to buy those two items, so he knew he wouldn't be away from the car for very long. But, alas, while he was in the shop, he heard the car being started. He ran out, but it was too late – he could do nothing to prevent the thief from driving off in it.
Mr J had been "grossly negligent"
Unsurprisingly, Ms S's insurer, RMB Structured Insurance, rejected the claim on the grounds that Mr J had been "grossly negligent." Ms S argued that while he may have been negligent, that didn't mean she, the policyholder, was negligent. But the insurer wouldn't budge.
Unhappy at having to bear the financial loss of her car, Ms S lodged a complaint with the Ombudsman for Short-Term insurance. Unfortunately for her, her insurance contract contains a paragraph that reads: "We do not pay.if the loss was caused or contributed to by any grossly negligent, illegal, criminal or fraudulent act by you, a family member or a nominated driver at the time of or just prior to the loss."
Mr J was a nominated driver on his girlfriend's policy (alas, that's probably no longer the case). "Mr J was clearly grossly negligent, as a reasonable person would have foreseen the possibility of the vehicle being stolen under these circumstances and would have taken steps to prevent the loss," the Ombudsman found.
And so the rejection of the claim was upheld.
High risk? Says who?
A case I investigated about 18 months ago also hinged on the question of driver negligence. A young woman had an accident in her car, and in terms of her insurance policy, the insurer covered the cost a rental car for her use while hers was being repaired. Wanting to support her sister, who'd just had a baby, she parked it overnight in the street outside the sister's flat in a fairly upmarket Durban suburb – along with others – as she'd done with her own car several times before, without incident.
The next morning the rented Polo was gone.
And to cut a long story short, the rental company, which "self-insures", held her responsible not for the R3 000 excess, as she was expecting, but for the full cost of replacing the car (R120 000) on the grounds that she'd been negligent to park the car in the street of that "high risk" area overnight. As a Durban resident, the rental company argued, she ought to have been aware that it was a high-risk area.
That's when she approached me for help. "I am a part-time student and I honestly cannot afford to pay this huge amount," she said. Few would.
With any contract, disclosure is key.
So while it may not be necessary to warn someone, particularly a South African, not to leave their car unlocked and unattended with the keys in the ignition, in this young woman's case, if parking the locked rental car in a fairly upmarket residential street overnight was regarded as negligent, and would leave her having to pay for the full value of the car if it was stolen, this ought to have been spelt out to her upfront.
But it wasn't.
I questioned company's description of the area in question (Morningside) as high risk. Is there any street in any South African residential area that's not considered to be a "high risk" area for car theft these days? A spokesman claimed that the fact that the woman had admitted that she had checked on the car at 3 that morning was evidence of her own concern for the car's security. That was clearly an over-reach. "I did not wake up at 3am to check on the car," she told me, "but to help my sister with the baby.
"I was pacing in the lounge with him, trying to burp him, and I could see the car in the road below," she said. "I mentioned that in my report in order to give some indication of when the car was stolen."
What if it was parked outside a nightclub?
I asked the company if the woman would also have been considered to have been negligent if she had parked that rental car outside a nightclub while she partied into the early hours of the morning. Her response: "We look at each case on its own merit." For me the crux of that case was that most people would interpret their responsibility to "secure" a hired vehicle as needing to ensure that it was locked.
"Only at a stretch could parking when and how she did be regarded as negligent behaviour, certainly in the absence of any specific written or verbal instruction that the car was not to be left overnight on any public street," I argued.
Happily, the rental company did an about-turn, deciding to absorb the loss of that Polo, rather than requiring the woman to pay the R121 000. She had to pay only the R3 000 waiver amount.
The bottom line is that sometimes driver behaviour is clearly negligent, not to mention stupid, but other times it's worth challenging that assertion, given the full context of the incident in question.
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.
Lexus RX350 EX (2016) Review
When it comes to the Lexus RX the headlines are usually dominated by the flagship RX450h hybrid model. In reality, however, it is the RX350 derivatives that represents the pick of the litter…
We like: Standard features, build quality, rear legroom, refinement, value
We don’t like: Finicky infotainment controls, high boot floor
Alternatives:
For better economy: If you don’t mind opting for a turbodiesel instead, then consider the BMW X5 xDrive25d or the Volvo XC90 D4 Momentum. At this price level, however, you will have to sacrifice standard specification if you do that. For flair, spec and greater economy, you may want to look at the ageing Infiniti QX70 3.0d GT.
For more space: The new Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum is the most practical premium SUV you can buy at this price level. The Audi Q7 is another option, but in 2.0T form it's more expensive and down on specification.
For better value: If it’s a premium SUV you want and R839 000 is what you can spend, the Lexus RX350 offers an unbeatable combination of prestige, specification, quality, power and refinement.
Wallflower no more
Large spindle grille and 20-inch alloy wheels endow the RX350 with lots of presence.
We recently published a review of the flagship RX450h model and although that derivative impressed on many fronts, the overall impression was spoilt somewhat by a drivetrain that doesn’t quite offer the performance/economy balance that it promises on paper.
It was noted back then, already, that the RX350 looked very appealing at first glance and that it could be the pick of the two-car range. Why is that? Well, just look at it. For a good R200 000 less, you get a vehicle that looks pretty much identical to its more expensive sibling, and one that offers near-identical standard specification, too!
And, yes, we do like the dramatic looks of the new RX. Riding on “blingy” 20-inch alloy wheels and with that mammoth spindle grille upfront, it certainly doesn’t hide in the shadows anymore. Compared with the RX450h you’ll have to look very closely and have a specification sheet at hand to notice that those wheels are of a slightly different design, and that the pricier model has fancier Tri-LED headlamps and sequential indicators that work in conjunction with the LEDs.
How does it fare in…
Comfort and luxury features?
RX350's interior is loaded with standard features that would cost extra on rivals.
The Lexus recipe has been the same for many years and is very different to the approach followed by the German brands. Essentially, what you see is what you get and there are no options. And what you get is a lot!
For example, both the front seats are multi-way electrically adjustable, cooled and heated and offer memory functions. The steering wheel, too, is electrically adjustable. You also get one of the biggest infotainment screens on the market as standard, and there’s a clever pad in front of the transmission tunnel to recharge your mobile phone without the need for wires. Needless to say – this is a Lexus after all – the build quality is superb and the fittings are top class. As we also found on the RX450h, a minor irritation was the noisy ventilating fans in the seats.
The RX350 doesn’t offer the flagship’s Mark Levinson sound system as standard, but the 12-speaker system instead still delivers excellent sound quality and you get two USB slots (as well as auxiliary input socket) in the storage box between the front seats. Voice control and navigation are also part of the package. Of course, the RX350 shares its control interface with the RX450h, too, and while the combination of a mouse-like controller with haptic feedback sounds good in theory, it just doesn’t work very intuitively in practice.
The new RX is slightly longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, and the wheelbase has been lengthened, too. The result is significantly more rear legroom. In fact, the second row is particularly spacious, with seats that can slide forward/backward if needed and come with adjustable backrests. There are even retractable sunblinds for rear passengers. Due to the almost “fastback-like” styling, rear headroom is slightly limited. A standard sunroof is another specification item you're unlikely to find on the competition at this price level.
Performance and fuel economy?
Simple, clear instrumentation for the RX350, and a comprehensive digital information display.
The RX350 EX is powered by the brand’s updated 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that produces some 17 kW and 24 Nm of torque more than before. With 221 kW and 370 Nm available, it’s not short on power. Power goes to all four wheels (varied, as required) via an eight-speed automatic transmission as opposed to the seamless CVT of the RX450h.
And you know what? It works. We took the RX350 on two long runs of around 800 km each, and were impressed not only by the power and refinement, but also, perhaps surprisingly, the fuel economy. Lexus claims a combined-cycle claimed fuel economy figure of 9.6 L/100 km, and this is exactly what we achieved on one of the runs, with the other being 10.1. These are good consumption figures for a vehicle of this size and power and were achieved with a full luggage area and four passengers, as well as selecting Eco mode (Normal and Sport are also offered). Of course, if you're going to mostly trundle around town, the constant acceleration and deceleration, combined with the vehicle's overall mass will see that consumption figure look rather different.
While this achieved figure is still worse than RX450h's, as well as most of the turbodiesels, the gap is however clearly much smaller than it appears on paper, and that means the RX350’s price advantage should be considered even more strongly. Plus the drive in the RX350 is so refined…
Ride and refinement
Normal, Eco and Sport modes are offered. Note beautiful wooden inlay.
As we’ve come to expect from Lexus, the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) control of the RX is quite superb. The vault-like cabin lets in precious little noise when cruising, the sturdiness of the materials and general rattle-free nature of the cabin further enhances the perception of refinement. So it’s just those noisy seat fans that irritate.
The engine, too, is smooth and quiet when you’re out of the hustle and bustle of the city and the ride quality is exemplary in these circumstances. And seeing as the typical CVT characteristic of engine revs shooting up and causing a drone is absent, the RX350's drivetrain feels more refined, too.
Overall, it’s only the ride from those large wheels on poor surfaces that causes a slight smudge on an otherwise copybook performance, in terms of refinement. But on most surfaces (even well-maintained gravel), the RX350's is a beautifully supple cruiser.
Practicality
The RX350's rear legroom is impressive, and the seats can slide backwards/forwards as required.
The new-generation RX is about as long as a BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne, but more compact than the Volvo XC90 or Audi Q7. It was never designed to offer third-row seating, and with its swoopy fastback styling was clearly not conceptualised to be the last word in family-friendly packaging.
Open the (slow) electrically operated tailgate and you’re confronted with a boot that is about average in size for this category of vehicle, and which has a very high load floor courtesy of the standard fitment of a full-size spare wheel. Of course, if more packing space is needed you can fold down the middle row, which can conveniently be done by using levers mounted in the sidewall of the boot. But keep in mind that the load surface won’t be even due to the stepped nature of the boot floor.
So, in terms of actual packing space for luggage, the RX350 falls some way short of class best. But there are some clever touches. For example, if you lift up that boot floor, you will find a reasonably sized storage compartment to accommodate smaller/fragile items, and if you really want, you can always remove the foam insert that “fills out” the upside-down alloy wheel and put more things in there.
In the cabin, the door pockets are big and can even fold out, and there’s another storage compartment in the front passenger footwell. We also like the flat design of the facia. Combined with the grippy leather that covers it, you have a perfect place to rest magazines/books on a long road trip.
Verdict
The RX350 represents excellent value for money in the Premium SUV segment.
For the money, it is really hard to argue a case against the Lexus RX350. Yes, a turbodiesel rival would ultimately be more economical and yes, the RX is not the most spacious SUV around. But it makes up for these small deficiencies in so many other areas. It is superbly built, loaded with standard features that would inflate the price of just about any other rival, refined and offers good performance as well as surprising fuel economy. It gets a big thumbs-up.
Pricing
The Lexus RX350 EX sells for R839 000 and comes with a four-years/100 000 km vehicle warranty and maintenance plan. Servicing is required every 15 000 km.
Renault has revealed the all-new Koleos SUV ahead of its official debut at next week’s Beijing Motor Show.
Renault’s flagship Koleos SUV has been around for a few years and let’s be honest, it never really sold well, both locally and abroad. Renault has however breathed new life into the Koleos and an all-new model will be shown at the Beijing Motor Show next week. This is no coincidence either, as China is a key market for the new Koleos and it will be built there too. China will also receive the model first before it’s rolled out into international markets.
The Koleos faces stiff competition from competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Kuga, Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota’s RAV4. Sporting a new look, the new Koleos may just rise from the ashes after all. Renault South Africa has stated that the Koleos replacement is under consideration for local introduction in 2017.
New Koleos details
The new Koleos borrows it’s styling cues from the smaller Kadjar crossover SUV (which was recently introduced in South Africa) and the Talisman mid-size sedan. The new model shares its underpinnings with the Nissan X-Trail as part of the Renault-Nissan alliance and is built on the Common Module Family (CMF) platform.
It was originally reported that the new Koleos would be a seven-seater, much like the Nissan X-Trail on which it’s based, but Renault has instead opted to develop the Koleos as a 5-seater SUV. It shares its wheelbase with the X-Trail (2 705 mm) but is slightly longer and wider. Without a third row of seats, the Koleos is expected to offer impressive levels of luggage space.
South African engine offerings for the new Koleos have yet to be confirmed, but the new model will be offered in both front- and rear-wheel drive guises.
More details will be revealed when the new Koleos is officially revealed next week; we will provide you with further details as they become available.
Land Rover Defender 110 Heritage Edition (2016) Review
Production of the iconic Defender has come to an end, but the legend lives on. We take a closer look at the special Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition…
For more 4×4 capability: Nothing beats the Defender.
What is it?
In the world of 4×4’s, the Land Rover Defender is probably the most instantly recognisable (and therefore, iconic) 4×4 vehicle that money can buy and, given that more than 2 million Series Land Rovers and Defenders have been produced at Solihull in the United Kingdom since 1948, the global popularity of the Defender is undeniable. No matter who you are, we'd say the likelihood that you know someone who has a story about a Defender is pretty high…
To celebrate the iconic Defender, Land Rover introduced a total of 215 Celebration Edition Defenders to the South African market in 2015. The offering included Heritage and Adventure Editions in both 90 (short wheelbase) and 110 (long wheelbase) derivatives. According to Land Rover South Africa, all Defender Celebration Editions have been sold out in South Africa. For Defender enthusiasts then, best keep your eye on the used car market for one of these special Defender Celebration Edition models.
We wanted to give the Defender 110 Heritage Edition a dignified send-off and decided to put it through its paces on a fully-fledged camping trip into the Olifants River Mountains in the Western Cape. How did it fare, you may ask? Let’s find out…
Unashamedly old-school
This Defender Heritage Edition pays homage to the pre-production 1947 Hue 166 Series 1 with its classic design details and old-school styling. The Defender 110 Heritage Edition dons a metallic Grasmere Green body with a contrasting Alaska White roof and rides on heavy-duty 16-inch wheels shod with off-road tyres. The rugged look is further emphasised with a heritage-style grille, silver door hinges and aluminium heritage badging found on the grille and rear body panel. From the outside then, the Defender 110 Heritage Edition looks like a relic from the past, nothing more, nothing less.
A total of seven passengers can be seated in the Defender 110 Heritage Edition and although the simple interior design is a throwback to Defenders from a bygone era, it’s functional and comes with a few modern touches too. The seats are upholstered in comfortable Almond Resolve cloth and vinyl while aluminium air vent bezels and door handles liven up the interior somewhat. The steering wheel (not adjustable for rake and reach) features a perforated leather outer rim, which is also found on the gear lever and handbrake. With its minimalist design, the Defender Heritage Edition is a 4×4 enthusiast's dream…
How does it fare in…?
Performance
This Defender 110 Heritage Edition is powered by a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that offers 90 kW and 360 Nm of torque. All four wheels are driven through a 6-speed manual transmission. At start up, the engine is gruff – it idles as if it had just woken up with a bad hangover, but you get used to it. The Defender is no speed demon, but it has enough power to comfortably reach 120 kph on the highway. Overtaking manoeuvres do, however, require some planning and gearing down. Talking of gears, the gear lever is a bit notchy and the act of changing gears requires a fair amount of force. In terms of fuel consumption, Land Rover claims 11.1 L/100 km and you will do well to achieve that in the real world, but with its 75-litre fuel tank, you won’t be filling up all that often.
The high driving position gives the driver good visibility of the road ahead and because of its top-heavy design, the Defender is susceptible to a fair degree of body roll when its negotiates corners. Overall the performance of the Defender Heritage Edition is not for the faint of heart. It’s noisy, cumbersome and rough around the edges, but in many ways, that makes it attractive too.
4×4 capability
The Defender Heritage Edition shines brightest in the rough stuff. Our route into the mountains included long, corrugated gravel roads, steep rocky inclines and undulating mountain passes. The Defender felt right at home in those conditions and, with its exceptional ground clearance of over 300 mm, the Landy can crawl over just about anything that its surrounding topography can muster.
When the going gets tough, low range (4L) can be engaged using the transfer case lever, but for most applications, high range (4H) is more than sufficient. During our excursion, the Defender Heritage Edition had little trouble in dealing with the dirt. In fact, it inspired confidence over rocky terrain especially.
Practicality
Although the Defender Heritage Edition excels as a 4×4, it’s not very practical vehicle for the urban commute. Apart from its thirst, the sheer size of the Land Rover makes manoeuvring a chore, and remember to keep its large turning circle in mind before you choose a parking spot or attempt a U-turn.
A pitfall of having a vehicle standing so high off the ground is that it’s difficult to get in and out of, but this Defender is equipped with a side step to help you out, something short (or more mature) passengers will appreciate. A step is also fitted at the rear, allowing for easier access to the rear seats.
As mentioned previously, this Defender is a 7-seater, with two foldable rear seats in the luggage bay. When upright, the seats can accommodate two adults (just about), but at least headroom is ample. When the seats are folded to the sides, loading space increases to a maximum 1 124 litres. We managed to pack the Defender to the roof with camping gear for five people and we still had space for two rather cute dogs on top. It all worked out perfectly.
Features
One thing to be mindful of when considering the Defender Heritage Edition, is that it lacks many of the comfort and safety features that are common in most new cars on the market today. The seats are manually adjusted and the steering wheel can’t be adjusted. There’s no cruise control or USB port either but at least the front windows are electric. A basic air conditioning system is included and an aftermarket Alpine radio CD player is fitted too. On the safety front, it must be highlighted that the Defender Heritage Edition is not equipped with any airbags but ABS, traction control and stability control is fitted.
It’s all very basic in this Defender, and in many ways, that’s how it should be for a vehicle of this nature. I found it particularly refreshing to be out in the wild, in a raw vehicle, with no way of charging my smartphone. The Defender brings you down to earth and makes you appreciate the present moment. In a world where technology is constantly in your face, the Defender forces you to forget about all the technological clutter of life. Few cars these days have that kind of power…
Verdict
The Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition will tug at the heart strings of 4×4 enthusiasts and those with an adventurous spirit. As an adventure vehicle, it excels with its proven capability but it will remain a niche product that only hardened 4×4 nuts will cough up money for. It's certainly not suited for the city and with a price tag of R714 800 and only basic features on offer, it’s difficult to justify buying this Defender when cars such as the new Ford Everest, for example, has so much more to offer for considerably less money.
But that’s missing the point entirely, the Defender Heritage Edition laughs in the face of modernity and revels in its simplicity. If you want to drive a piece of motoring history, then the Defender Heritage Edition will fill your heart with joy. Long live the Defender!
Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition – Quick Specs
Land Rover Defender Heritage Edition – Farewell Video Review
New Volkswagen Tiguan (2016) Heading to SA
The new Volkswagen Tiguan is expected to arrive in South Africa at the end of 2016.
The new Tiguan is the first SUV from Volkswagen to be built on the brand’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform and considering how long its predecessor has been on the market, the new version's arrival (expected in the fourth quarter of the year) should shake up the compact SUV segment.
Tiguan details
The new Tiguan was first shown at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and it's longer, wider and up to 50 kg lighter than its predecessor. The wheelbase base has been extended too, which translates into a more spacious cabin.
In terms of engines, Volkswagen is yet to confirm engine offerings for South Africa but you can expect a range of turbopetrol and -diesel engines to power the new Tiguan. Fuel efficiency is said to have improved by up to 24% too. On the petrol front, there’s the possibility of four TSI engines with power outputs ranging from 92 kW, 110 kW, 140 kW and 162 kW.
Similarly, four turbodiesel derivatives with power outputs of 85 kW, 110 kW, 140 kW and 176 kW may be on the cards. The new Tiguan range is also expected to comprise front- and all-wheel drive derivatives.
Toyota has improved its locally-built Corolla Quest offering in South Africa.
When the Quest was introduced to market back in 2014, it presented an excellent value proposition for buyers looking for an affordable, well-built sedan. That proposition still stands, but Toyota is now building on the success of the Quest with minor exterior improvements as well as the addition of extra interior features.
New features for Quest
The enhanced Quest now features color-coded accents applied to the door handles and electrically adjustable side mirrors. All models in the Quest range now feature electric windows with one-touch function.
These features are in addition to the following standard specification:
• Aircon
• Illuminated entry
• Multi-information Display
• Electric Power Steering
• Tilt & Telescopic steering adjustment
• Anti-theft system
• Auto door lock
• Remote central locking
• ISOFIX-anchor points
• Driver & Passenger airbags
• ABS + EBD + Brake Assist
Two trim levels are on offer for the Quest, including standard and Plus. The Quest Plus includes a 4-speaker CD/radio with USB connectivity and now also benefits from Bluetooth connectivity.
The Quest is powered by a 1.6-litre, 16-valve petrol engine that develops 90 kW and 154 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission are on offer too, while Plus models are only fitted with the manual box. Toyota claims 7.1 L / 100 km for the Quest.
