Extended Test: Foton Tunland 2.8 double cab 4×4 Luxury [with Video]

Foton is a relative newcomer to the bakkie market and therefore many buyers still compare buying a Tunland to taking a leap of faith. But how big a leap does it need to be? We found the top-spec Chinese bakkie old-school in some ways, and pleasantly luxurious in others

Foton Tunland 2.8 Double Cab 4×4 Luxury – Quick Specs

Price: R409 995
Engine: 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power: 120 kW
Torque: 360 Nm
Fuel Consumption: 8.3 L/100 km (claimed)
Load Bay Capacity: 965 litres

Eye-catching presentation

Lifestyle family car buyers favour double-cabs for a variety of reasons, not least value for money and utility. While the competition in the segment grows tighter by the day, manufacturers realise that exterior paraphernalia, colloquially known as “bakkie bling”, represent extra value to showroom visitors, many of whom would probably want to specify some “off-roader bits” at extra cost anyway.

Distinctive looks are supplemented by sporty adornments such as a chrome-look roll bar and running boards.

The bold, colourful plastic body wrap (applied by the Foton’s distributor for marketing purposes) helped the otherwise plain-white Tunland draw admiring glances throughout its tenure in Cars.co.za’s extended test fleet, but the Luxury’s “bakkie bling” will be of most interest to prospective buyers…

Standard fog lights, running boards, colour-coded mirrors and door handles (the former with integrated indicator lenses, the latter amended by chrome accents), a chrome-look roll bar, as well as a tonneau cover gave the Foton good kerb appeal. Why a chrome-look nudge bar, which would have complemented the roll bar beautifully, was not fitted remains a mystery, but check with local dealers to see if there are Tunland demonstration units that might already have them fitted.

The dark faux wood interior inserts and shiny trim strips aren't garish, but arguably out of fashion…

If you are considering purchasing a double cab, note the relatively sparse exterior specifications of other bakkies listed as new for around R410k and compare it with the Foton’s standard fitments, as well as…

An interior awash with nice-to-haves

Whereas “luxury” and “SUV” are commonly associated with one another, “luxury” and “bakkie” sit together less comfortably, especially at the value end of the double-cab market. Some offerings have basic steering wheels, cloth/vinyl seats and basic radio/CD/MP3 audio systems (if standard), but the Tunland comes equipped with leather upholstery (with adjustable lumbar support for the front seats), a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, electrically folding side mirrors (with a demisting function) as well as rear PDC system (with audible warnings); quite a comprehensive package.

Streaming music from a smartphone via Bluetooth is just as easy as… loading a CD into the audio unit!

However, bakkies that are of a newer design than the Foton certainly have comparatively more “car-like” interiors. The Tunland’s fascia and dashboard designs are rooted in the bakkie’s commercial vehicle origins and although that shouldn’t ultimately deter too many buyers, it does show up the Chinese firm’s attempts to make the interior look more upmarket, because chrome-look trims and faux wood are a bit passe nowadays, let alone in a bakkie cabin. Exposed screw heads in the door handle housings and steering column are obtrusive: why not hide them under plastic caps, for example?

Having said that, the Foton’s cabin quality held up well (for the most part) during the test. We initially judged the audio system on its plain appearance (it still has a CD slot!), but it offers USB and auxiliary inputs and can stream music from a smartphone via Bluetooth, plus it’s easy to set up and use. Furthermore, the multifunction steering wheel’s controls work well and the integrated handsfree system’s microphone (mounted on the inside of the A-pillar) relays clearly audible dialogue.

The rear seats in the Tunland don't offer generous legroom, but can accommodate 3 adults at a squeeze.

The front seats are comfy and the cabin is spacious enough to accommodate up to 5 adults at a squeeze, even if the rear legroom is comparatively tight. Voluminous cupholders in the centre console are big enough to accommodate a pair of large takeaway coffees, the lidded oddment storage spaces (at the bottom of the fascia) is ideal for storing sunglasses and other valuables from prying eyes.

But a one-touch up/down function on the driver's window and more than one 12V outlet would not have gone amiss. The only glitch we encountered was with the ventilation control knob, which stopped working toward the end of the test. We also noted that the shift-on-the-fly 2H/4H/4L push button console did, at times, refuse to obey inputs (yes, we adhered to the maximum speed limit for shifting between 2H and 4H). Switching the ignition off and on again “resolved” the problem.

Lugging detritus? The load bay easily swallowed a quartet of bar stools.

Willing to work hard

The Foton was one of the first vehicles to join Cars.co.za’s extended-test programme and its arrival was perfectly timed to facilitate a staffer’s house move (and the repeated loading/loading it requires). It’s a sizeable bakkie, which is advantageous in terms of its spacious cabin and broad, deep loading area.

Removing the standard tonneau cover requires loosening 4 g-clamps, lifting the cover’s frame and a pair of braces off the load bay’s edge and sliding the cover out of a groove behind the rear screen. One person can do it, but refitting it is much easier with assistance. We were impressed with the quality of the cover’s components and installation, although as the pictures of a trip to a hardware store suggest, the tonneau' does not limit practicality in all scenarios.

With a load bay capacity of 965 litres, the Foton easily hauled a load of building supplies.

We did notice sporadic creaks emanating from the left rear suspension (it could have been caused by the load bed straining against the chassis), but otherwise the Tunland performed dutifully. As a source of everyday transport, however, the bakkie’s exterior dimensions were, as expected, disadvantageous in congested parking lots, where the wide turning circle made parking a bit tricky. Having said that, the manoeuvrability problem is not limited to the Foton, but endemic to most modern double cabs.

Old school motor, but frugal

The 2.8-litre Cummins engine at the heart of the Foton is a proven quantity, but it’s neither as refined, nor significantly more powerful, than its (smaller-capacity) competitors. Apart from the somewhat noisy engine, the bakkie’s 5-speed transmission is notchy, especially from a cold start and we found that when trundling below the urban speed limit (60 kph), we’d flit between the second and third gears of the Tunland just to keep the motor “on the boil”. The motor always performed tirelessly, however.

The instant consumption readout isn't particularly helpful, but L/100 km is a click of the trip computer button away.

An extra ratio would undoubtedly have facilitated cruising in freeway conditions, but, having said that, Foton’s claim of an average consumption figure of 8.3 L/100 km is quite conservative. The highest indicated figure we saw was 8.1, which was most impressive (if the trip computer is accurate). In addition to the frugal performance, the bakkie rides as comfortably as any product of its generation, the road-holding is relatively neutral and predictable and the “snatchiness” of the brakes at low speed (to which we alluded in the review of this Tunland derivative) did not require all that much familiarisation.

Meanwhile, the Foton offers more than capable off-road capability. We’ve already praised the bakkie’s shift-on-the-fly functionality, but a diff-lock is conspicuous by its absence… It suggests that Foton conceived the bakkie as an urban-based family vehicle that will only be called into action as a 4×4 lifestyle vehicle now and again. It is rated to tow braked trailers of up to 2 500 kg, incidentally.

The rightmost (ventilation control) knob felt a little flimsy to operate; the shift-on-the-fly buttons are chunky.

Verdict

Underpinned by a prudent design and reasonable build quality, the Foton Tunland 2.8 double cab 4×4 Luxury is undeniably an attractively-packaged bakkie, especially insofar as aesthetic accoutrements and luxury interior features are concerned. After all, in a market where other fringe players that are priced below it don't feel as substantial, and more sophisticated/newer products priced above it feel relatively stripped down, a generous standard specification undoubtedly adds to showroom appeal.

However, the Tunland isn’t flush with features in every respect. On the safety front, auto-locking doors, front airbags and ABS with EBD are standard, but that’s not a class-leading specification (there’s neither traction- nor stability control).

When the time came for the Tunland to make its video star turn, the bakkie didn't hesitate to make a splash.

Then factor in Foton’s limited dealer footprint compared with those of top-selling bakkie brands, the military medium 3-year/100 000 warranty and limited (albeit 5-year) 70 000 km service plan and one could not begrudge conservative, brand-loyal buyers (especially in the bakkie market) for favouring used examples of established products over the newcomer.

Yet this test highlighted that Foton deserves to be considered based on its new-out-of-the-box proposition. Apart from the annoying ventilation knob malady and shift-on-the-fly quirk, the Tunland “did not put a wheel wrong”. If this product is a harbinger of future Foton products, even those that incorporate incremental improvements, the brand deserves to grow its presence in the cutthroat double-cab market. Dismissing the Tunland as just an astute used buy would be patently unfair.

Interested in buying a Foton Tunland?

New? Check our Car Specials page for the latest deals
Used? Browse Cars.co.za stock for available vehicles

Isuzu KB (2016) Specs & Price

Isuzu has announced a facelifted version of its Isuzu KB bakkie and here are some details about this model.

The facelifted version of the Isuzu KB bakkie has gone on sale and while we attended its launch in Namibia (look out for a First Drive report of the newcomer soon), here are some key facts and details about this new vehicle.

What's new?

New front fascia design including changes to bonnet, radiator grille and fog lamps
Redesigned headlamps with projector and integrated LED day time running lights on LX models
Updated tailgate styling on extended and double cab models.
Reverse-view camera integrated to tailgate handle on LX double cab models
4×4 decal on load box
LX models get new-look 18-inch alloy wheels
16-inch styled wheel features on the rest of the range
Instrument cluster design with improved functionality and shift indicator for manual models.
Rear park assist camera is now integrated into the rear tailgate handle on all LX double-cab derivatives.

“The new KB looks a lot sleeker and streamlined with a new instrumentation cluster design, improved sound system while maintaining all the key Isuzu characteristics we have come to love. In addition to the new look, 3.0 4×4 LX Double Cab customers will benefit from additional value as these models now come standard with a towbar, sportsbar, roofrails and power adjustable leather seats,” says Brian Olson, vice President Vehicle Sales, Service, and Marketing General Motors Sub-Saharan Africa.

In terms of engines, the trusty 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engines continue to be offered. The top-of-the-range 3.0 pushes out 130 kW and 380 Nm, while consuming 7.9 L/100 km for 4×4 double cab and extended cab models, dropping to 7.7 L/100 km for the 4×2 versions. The single cab 4×2 also returns a figure of 7.7L/100 km, with the 4×4 single cab version consuming 8 L/100 km. The second engine is the 2.5-litre which has 100 kW and 320 Nm. Both workhorse 250 modes come with the Direct Injection 4 Cylinder 2.5 Diesel engine which produces 58 kW and 170 Nm and fuel consumption is rated at 7.9 L/100 km.

Another important change is a refined suspension which helps deliver a smoother ride. This change comes from over 100 000 km of testing completed by local engineers. Hi-Rider 4X2 models receive new front and rear dampers while 4X4 models received revised rear dampers only.

Isuzu KB Price in South Africa (February 2017)

Isuzu has a complete customer care programme aimed at giving customers peace of mind by covering all aftersales related worries under one programme. Isuzu Complete Care covers:

All routine maintenance, regular servicing and roadside emergencies
New Vehicle Warranty – Standard 5 Year or 120 000km
Roadside Assistance for 5 Years or 120 000km
5-year/ unlimited mileage anti-corrosion warranty and,
5-year/ 90 000 km service plan. Service intervals are 15 000 km or twelve months for all derivatives.

Click here for the latest Isuzu KB Pricing in South Africa

Single Cab	KB 250 BASE SINGLE CAB (LEED)	R 236 500
	KB 250 FLEETSIDE SINGLE CAB (LEED)	R 258 800
	KB 250 FLEETSIDE (SAFETY)	R 285 600
	KB 250 SINGLE CAB LE	R 334 500
	KB 250 4X4 SINGLE CAB LE	R 392 700
	KB 300 4X4 SINGLE CAB LX	R445 100

Extended Cab	KB 250 EXTENDED CAB HI-RIDER	R 337 400
	KB 300 EXTENDED CAB LX	R 418 200
	KB 300 EXTENDED CAB LX (AUTO)	R 432 200
	KB 300 4X4 EXTENDED CAB LX	R 479 200

Double Cab	KB 250 DOUBLE CAB HI-RIDER	R 358 400
	KB 250 Double Cab LE	R 439 600
	KB 250 Double Cab 4×4 LE	R 462 000
	KB 300 Double Cab LX	R 384 200
	KB 300 Double Cab LX (Cloth)	R 486 900
	KB 300 Double Cab LX (Auto) (Cloth)	R 501 200
	KB 300 4×4 Double Cab LX	R 549 800
	KB 300 4×4 Double Cab LX (Auto)	R 563 500

New Car Sales in South Africa – September 2016

The bloodbath in the South African new car market continues with another big decline recorded in September. All five segments of the market recorded double-digit (or near double-digit) declines in percentage terms. On the other hand, the swing towards used cars continues unabated.

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), only 47 399 new vehicles were sold in September, representing a 14.3% decline compared with the same period in 2015. Thus far this year total industry sales are down 11.3%.

"It is not really unexpected," said Rudolf Mahoney, Head of Brand and Communications, WesBank Marketing. "We forecasted at the start of this year that the market would shrink by around 12% in 2016. It seems like we are heading in that direction," he continued.

"If you look at WesBank's own data," he said, "it is clear that the trend to used is continuing." According to Mahoney there has been a 17.8% decline in new vehicle financing applications, but a 6.7% increase for used cars. Increasingly finance applications are also turned down – currently less than half of the applications that WesBank receives are successful.

Consumers under pressure

Affordability is a major factor that is driving consumers to exploring the used car market, Mahoney explained. New car prices have dramatically increased over the past 12 months, with the average price of a new financed car in September coming to R293 343, a whopping 18% more than last year. Household income has simply not kept pace with not only rising new vehicle costs, but all rising prices, so consumers are forced to either postpone their purchases, or look at the used-vehicle market. But even there prices are rising because of strong demand – the average deal value for a used car in September was R191 236, an increase of 8.7%

“History has shown that the performance of the new vehicle market is cyclical, and we are nearing the bottom of this cycle. However, in the medium term the future of the market will be determined by the verdict from the international ratings agencies,” said Simphiwe Nghona, CEO of Motor Retail at WesBank. “A downgrade in the country’s debt rating will have a number of far-reaching consequences that will have direct and indirect impacts on vehicle prices and consumer budgets.”

The top sellers

Passenger Cars

In total 31 957 new cars were sold in September, a decline of 14.4% compared with the same month last year. The top selling passenger vehicles were;

Volkswagen Polo Vivo — 2 822 units
Volkswagen Polo — 2 426 units
Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest — 2 061 units
Ford Fiesta — 1 190 units
Toyota Fortuner — 1 180 units
Ford EcoSport — 987 units
Toyota Etios — 947 units
Renault Sandero — 625 units
Toyota Avanza — 572 units
BMW 3 Series — 487 units

* Note that Mercedes-Benz and the AMH brands (Hyundai, Kia etc.) do not report detailed sales figures and their model listings are therefore not included.

Light Commercial Vehicles

With only 12 879 LCVs sold in September, this segment of the market recorded a sharp decline of 14.8% compared with the same month last year. Many businesses have cut back on capital investments and prefer to rather spend more on maintenance in the current economic climate. The top sellers were;

Toyota Hilux — 3 063 units
Ford Ranger — 2 437 units
Toyota Quantum — 1 329 units
Chevrolet Ute — 1 126 units
Nissan NP200 — 1 020 units

Looking for a new or used car? Find one on Cars.co.za today!

Mitsubishi Debuts Outlander Facelift in Paris

Mitsubishi has revealed a dramatically updated Outlander at the Paris Motor Show, and has added a Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) variant to the line-up

We rate the Mitsubishi Outlander highly – it was a semi-finalist in the Leisure Vehicle category of the inaugural Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – but its design was, admittedly, an acquired taste. The Japanese marque chose the Paris Motor Show to unveil the facelifted version, and it addresses the design criticisms very effectively indeed… Look at the pictures and judge for yourself.

Mitsubishi has already confirmed that the updated Outlander will arrive in South Africa early in 2017 and it has also stated that the new Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) version is undergoing technical tests and is the subject of a market study for possible local introduction. The Outlander PHEV can be distinguished from its petrol-engined siblings by its unique bumper extensions and side garnishes, as well as striking bi-tone 18-inch wheels.

More upmarket interior

The upgrades extend beyond the exterior, with Mitsubishi claiming a more premium-class cabin, as well as a reinforced, stiffer body. The steering wheel, control interfaces and information displays have all been improved, Mitsubishi says. The stiffer body, with its recalibrated suspension settings are claimed to improve on-road dynamic performance, while the fitment of improved dampening materials have made the cabin quieter.

The company made no announcement regarding the powertrain of the current petrol-engined model, so we expect that to continue unchanged. The PHEV model, however, is said to boast an extended range solely on electric power, as well as smoother transition between driving modes. Mitsubishi claims a consumption figure of 4.95 L/100 km. Also offered is a 100 Volt on-board socket which can supply up to 1 500 Watt of electricity to power a variety of equipment or appliances – such as a camp fridge.

You may also be interested in;

Mitsubishi Outlander (2014) Review
Mitsubishi Pajero LWB 3.2 DI-D GLS Legend II (2016) Review
South Africa's best Lifestyle SUVs

Looking to buy a new / used Mitsubishi Outlander?

Find one here on Cars.co.za

Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016) Review

The Audi R8, which showed the world that Porsche isn't the only German marque that's brave enough to build a supercar – and that lofty performance potential does not need to be synonymous with driver discomfort, is back. Quattro GmbH has dispensed with the V8 and fitted a more powerful V10 in its flagship derivative. Is it still a great everyday sportscar, though?

We like: Screaming V10, sublime comfort and refinement, thrilling to drive.

We don’t like: Steering controls can get in the way when cornering, not as much of a bargain as before.

Alternatives

For something with more prestige: McLaren 570S – if it’s a supercar with a more exotic badge you’re after, the "baby Mac" is a solid choice and offers rear-wheel-drive thrills. Its base price of approximately R3.6 million is not preposterous, but a moderately specced-up one will cost more than R4 million.

If you just wanna go fast: Nissan GT-R – it’s harder and arguably faster, but you won’t be doing any long journeys in this without a good physio at your disposal… We exaggerate, yes, but it is an old-school supercar in some ways.

For something with looks that can kill: Mercedes-AMG GT S – not as fast a sportscar as the rivals mentioned above, but there’s still plenty power and torque available and has oodles of kerb appeal.

What’s different?

The new Audi R8 hasn’t changed much in terms of styling, it sports more of an enhanced, evolutionary look. It’s still lip-pursingly gorgeous, but it’s donned a new more modern suit. It’s now only available as a 5.2-litre V10 model; the 4.2-litre V8 was discontinued to make way for the introduction of a twin-turbo V6 unit in the near future. Audi has spent its budget on improving the R8's chassis, interior and tech gadgets in what it believes is a much-improved supercar. We spent some time on-road and then on-track with this R8 V10 Plus, just to see how much better this new model is.

How does it fare in terms of…

Performance?

It’s an invisible line – the border between sportscars and supercars. When does something stop being fun and playful and become seriously quick and a treasure trove of sensory overloads? Or is it simply down to the price? It’s probably not the latter, but something intangible that you feel in your gut the very first time you bury the throttle or feather the steering in towards an apex. A supercar is just that bit more of everything: faster, grippier and louder. It sends adrenalin to all parts of your body in a manner that fizzy foam cascades from a full bottle of Coke when you deposit Mentos into its contents.

Evolutionary design is still so purposeful and eye-catching to gawk at

Audi has persisted with natural aspiration when every brand around it has seemingly bolted on a turbocharger, supercharger or electric motor to their cars' powerplants. As a result, Audi has a unique spot in the supercar market. If you’re after sudden hits of torque and short intense power bursts then you’re better off shopping in Turboland but, if it’s instantaneous throttle response and linear power delivery right up until the 8 500 rpm redline you're after…

The purity of the sound produced by the R8 V10 Plus is enough to make you forget about its (relatively) peaky performance characteristics. There’s nothing quite like a high-pitched wail from a V10 to get you involved in the experience and urge you to explore the car's limits. Those limits will test your mettle as the quattro system will send the R8 leaping from 0 – 100 kph in just 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 330 kph – that’s in excess of the magical 200 mph mark.

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on Aug 19, 2016 at 2:50am PDT

Handling?

The original R8 was the car that demonstrated that sportscars could be used every day – and in veritable comfort. With the extra power, a V10-only lineup (at least for the time being) and an upgraded chassis, there was always the risk that it may have crossed over into the realm of outright supercar. We need not have worried, however, this is an Audi and a composed (but adaptable) ride quality is what drivers expect. The car’s impressively comfortable around town and easily capable of pottering around in traffic. It’s stiffly sprung, even in comfort mode, but it absorbs rough surfaces or potholes reasonably well.

New R8 V10 Plus can be identified by its solid rear wing.

On anything but a racetrack, the R8 is an accomplished, multi-talented driving tool. Thread it through a mountain pass and the pliant suspension soaks up the road conditions, while the quattro system makes sure you never feel outmatched. For a 449 kW brute, the R8 can really be manhandled with confidence – it won’t, as the saying goes, chew you up and spit you out. The grip seems endless and the front end eager to hold tight when you stomp on the power.

There never seems to be a moment when you feel like things are on a knife-edge or that you should probably tone it down a notch. Keep focused and keep hitting those apexes and adding power, it will make you feel like a very special driver as your input mistakes are forgiven with a small correction to the steering wheel.

It's not all good news, however. Purists might complain that the R8's forgiving nature will possibly enable a relatively unskilled driver to match the speed of a seasoned driving veteran (in some circumstances) when at the wheel of this supercar. Although that is unlikely to be true, the Audi's safety-first, always-planted and by-default neutral behaviour (all advantageous on a public road), preclude it from being a wholly engaging, visceral and challenging track car.

Feel good factor?

Step inside the R8 and may think the cabin's a bit bland, as least from a visual point of view. That’s because Audi has crammed everything onto the steering wheel or the instrument cluster. Everything happens in front of you as there’s no separate infotainment screen (it can take a bit of getting used to), but it is a very pretty screen! We feel Audi has put a few too many buttons on the R8's steering wheel, they tend to get in the way of your palm when you're twirling the tiller. For example, we often found the radio station had changed or a display had scrolled into a different setting after negotiating a sharp corner.

Among the multitude of buttons is a chequered flag button, which is a new addition. This button accesses performance modes within the R8 V10 Plus (additional modes to the drive select modes). These modes focus on achieving maximum traction from the stability control programme, while adapting the throttle, steering, suspension and exhaust flaps for utmost excitement.

Chequered flag button acts like a shortcut button to access all the best parts of the R8 in one click

The R8 feels more luxurious and spacious compared with to its Lamborghini Huracan cousin, which we drove earlier this year. The driver’s seat is more accommodating and larger fellows will feel more comfortable in either of the front seats. Overall, the Audi has a less constricting cabin with better visibility out the windows and rear view mirror, all of which underlines the fact that the R8 is not totally unsuited to the daily commute.

Pricing & Warranty

The Audi R8 V10 sells for R3 089 000 and comes backed by a 1-year/unlimited km warranty and 5-years/100 000 km maintenance plan.

Verdict

There wasn’t too much debate as to whether the new R8 was going to be good – it was already an excellent sportscar. What the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer managed to do was finely tune just about every area of its supercar: from the engine to the super-fast dual-clutch gearbox to the chassis and handling characteristics and just make them a little bit better. Even its designers evolved the R8 into an even prettier car. As a starter supercar (if there is such a thing), this new R8 V10 plus is a brilliant piece of machinery, capable of making any driver feel like a superstar behind the wheel. It isn’t daunting to drive quickly either… it’ll get your adrenaline going, but it won’t make you sweat in fear of running out of talent and suffering a "vehicular misadventure".

Interested in buying an R8?

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Fords Autonomous Future: A Hands-Off First Drive

After much debate and media coverage, it's crunch time. Autonomous vehicles are here – sort of – so we headed to Detroit, Michigan in the United States to experience the future. Ford, strategically repositioning itself for a radically different next 100 years, is one of the companies leading the charge…

The word "autonomous" has been a hot topic for while now, but we could all be forgiven for behaving like a snowman thinking of sunburn… ‘It’s too far away to affect me and I won’t be around long enough to experience it’, would be the general cry. The reality, however, is that the technology is pretty much ready – through features such as lane-keeping assistance and automated parking, we've already experienced "partial" autonomous driving or, to be more accurate, "assisted" driving to various degrees. And judging by our recent visit to Ford’s epicentre of the autonomous revolution, in Dearborn, near Detroit, Michigan in the United States of America, the revolution is hitting the home straight.

But firstly… why Ford? While the likes of Uber, Google and Tesla are grabbing the autonomous headlines, it is clear that the Blue Oval, more than a 100 years old as it may be, is not sitting back and letting the young upstarts dictate the future. Ford regards itself as the "original start-up", and believes that bringing life-changing technologies to people is fundamental to its purpose. To do this, it is transitioning from being a car manufacturer to an auto and mobility company, and is collaborating with more than 60 universities globally as well as strategic research alliance partners such as Standford, MIT and Aachen University to find solutions to tomorrow's problems. No surprise then, that it has been developing autonomous vehicles for more than 10 years…

A Hands-off experience

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on Sep 13, 2016 at 12:17pm PDT

Usually invites for vehicle launches are a simple affair. Fly in, drive the car, talk to the important people developing the car and fly out. This was different. We wouldn’t be the ones driving. This time around we were being driven… and not by a human, either.

Our test "drive" route twisted its way through the company's Dearborn facility and represented a real urban road. It featured plenty of other traffic as well as traffic lights, road signs and active pedestrian crossings. We climbed into the back of the Ford Fusion and in the front were two Ford engineers. The first we’ll call Justin (Just In Case) and his job was to take over control in the event of an emergency, while the second engineer had a laptop connected to the car showing us how the vehicle sees the surrounding environment. The Ford Fusion has multiple sensors and it continually scans the environment around it (see image below).

“Sit back, put your seatbelts on and enjoy the ride,” said the burly Ford representative in that firm, yet overly polite manner that Americans are famous for. This Ford Fusion we’re sitting in is not like the ones we get back home. While it has a steering wheel and pedals, they’re redundant and only for use in emergencies. The vehicle glides off on its own accord and joins the road as the two Ford engineers sitting in the front gleefully point out that they’re not doing anything and wave their hands in the air. This is it. Autonomous driving. We’ve arrived.

The first test was a four-way stop. The vehicle anticipated the stop and coasted to a halt. A human-operated vehicle was also at the stop and while it was not his turn to proceed, decided to cut into the path of the autonomous car. Our Ford became aware of the other vehicle the moment it had started moving and immediately slowed down to prevent an accident. Due to the overly cautious nature of the autonomous cars, we reckon that humans are going to take advantage of this safe approach.

The second challenge was a pedestrian crossing where Ford had conveniently placed people ready to cross the road. Forget detecting pedestrians for a second, the autonomous vehicle was able to read the pedestrian crossing sign and had already prepared itself for objects in its path. It waited for the pedestrians to clear and started moving again. A late pedestrian tried to make a last-minute dash across and the car came to an immediate halt. While the pedestrian was completely in the wrong, the car allowed this.

How Does It Work?

The car we experienced in America was the Ford Fusion hybrid. It looks just like any other Fusion on the road in terms of design, but you can’t miss the array of sensors, cameras and aerials mounted on the roof. Ford summed it up beautifully by comparing an autonomous vehicle to a human.

What about safety?

There was much alarm recently when a driver was killed after his Tesla vehicle failed to recognise a truck and collided with it. To be clear, however, Tesla does not market its products as fully autonomous vehicles and the driver involved was not paying attention at all, choosing instead to watch a movie, it was reported. Of course, it is to be expected that any safety related incident will make the headlines, but the companies pursuing autonomous technology regard safety as one of its greatest benefits and, perhaps equally importantly, those in charge of making the laws governing motoring and transport are in agreement. The statistics just don't lie…

Tesla was quick to point out that its systems are not meant to replace the driver’s inputs, but rather aid him/her. In fact, most vehicles which have a fair degree of self-driving ability require the driver to keep his/her hands on the wheel at all times. If you take your hands off the steering wheel for too long in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it will eventually put on its hazard lights and come to a complete stop in the emergency lane. It is this misconception of autonomous driving as a blanket term that car makers will have to address effectively very quickly. Simply put, there are various levels of "autonomous", with fully hands-free driving only truly on offer on so-called level 4 or 5 vehicles. At present, the semi-autonomous cars on sale or under development offer at best level 2 capabilities…

Ford & Autonomous Vehicles: Already a decade-long project

At this point, most of you are probably thinking ‘this technology is still unproven, the take-up will be negligible and we’re decades from this being a reality.’ You’d be wrong. Ride-share company Uber has a fleet of similar Ford Fusion autonomous vehicles and they’re already active on the roads of Pittsburgh. Admittedly these vehicles come with a driver just in case, but the technology is there. It's the result of some clever thinking by the companies involved. They’re well aware that these vehicles need to tally up miles in real-world testing, so why not make some money off them in the meantime? Summon an autonomous UberX and you’re likely to meet the driver behind the wheel and an engineer with a laptop in the passenger seat. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Ford itself is working on mass-producing a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles exclusively for ride-sharing duty by 2021. To do this the company has shifted its mindset from a car company to a mobility solutions provider. In fact, according to Mark Fields, President and CEO of Ford, the autonomous revolution is likely to be every bit as important to the Blue Oval's next 100 years, as its move to develop production lines for the Model T was in the previous century… Cars are still going to be the core business for Ford, but the expansion into bicycles, ride-sharing and buses definitely shows intent.

Implications for South Africa (and petrolheads)

As we said right at the start of this article, most owners of relatively new cars in South Africa have already experienced assisted driving technologies to some extent. New products from Volvo and Mercedes-Benz are already on the market with a certain degree of "hands-off" capability, but the likelihood of fully autonomous cars on sale to South Africans in the next decade appears slim. However, South Africa does not exist in a vacuum, and when the technology has matured enough to be fully compatible with our road infrastructure and conditions, we expect some local testing to start happening sooner rather than later.

What you are likely to see in the short term is an aggressive roll-out of semi-autonomous technologies, and the arrival of level-4 capable vehicles (partly autonomous) in the 2020s. These vehicles will allow you to take your hands off when the driving is taxing and boring (traffic) and concentrate on other stuff, such as checking your e-mails or watching a movie. But… they'll also still allow you to get your driving kicks when the opportunity presents itself. So, driving enthusiasts, don't fret… autonomy is not necessarily the enemy.

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Airbus developing autonomous flying car?
Volvo details Auto Pilot system
Ford Fusion 1.5 EcoBoost Review (2015)

Fuel price hikes announced for October 2016

*The Department of Energy has announced that on 5 October 2016 the retail price of 93 octane petrol will increase by 44 c/litre, 95 octane petrol by 43c/litre and diesel by 23c/litre***.

What's the biggest reason for the increases? Well, for once, it was not the weak rand/dollar exchange rate. Although the national currency declined last month, it recently made a decent recovery. "The Rand declined early in September against the US dollar, but has since strengthened. Only around eight cents of this month's increase will come from Rand weakness. It is oil strength which has been the major contributor," said the AA.

It's interesting to note that the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has reached a preliminary agreement to limit oil production, the first time this has happened since 2008. If this deal goes through, outputs could be curtailed by up to 700 000 barrels a day which will stimulate international petrol prices. However, non-OPEC countries could up production and affect the price negatively. It's all a case of supply and demand.

The AA is more concerned about our currency. "If the Rand remains volatile, South Africans will be more exposed to changes in the oil price, and we advise motorists to continue to economise in the absence of a clear picture of what effect the OPEC decision may have," the Association concluded.

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Time to buy a new car?

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Volvo S60 Polestar (2016) Specs & Price

The second iteration of the Volvo S60 Polestar has arrived in South Africa and, unlike its first arrival (at the end of 2015), there will be more of these fast Swedes to go around.

What’s not to like about a fast Volvo? We reviewed the previous-generation Volvo S60 Polestar (of which only 28 units were allocated to our market) and generally liked it. A few months on and there’s a new version, but this time 45 units will be availed to customers; they’re likely to get snapped up quickly too.

The big changes occur under the bonnet, where the 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder motor has been replaced by the new-generation Drive-E engine. This new powerplant is a turbo- and supercharged 4-cylinder unit with peak outputs of 270 kW and 470 Nm. Power is directed to all 4 wheels through a new 8-speed transmission and Volvo SA claims its new Polestar is faster than the outgoing model: it is claimed to catapult to 100 kph from standstill in just 4.7 seconds and max out at 250 kph.

Perhaps the biggest improvement comes from the fuel consumption where Volvo claims 7.8 L/100 km on the combined cycle and its emissions are down to 179 g/km. Other technical changes include new lightweight alloy wheels, an upgraded power-steering setup and beefed-up new brakes.

“This car is properly quick,” says Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer at Polestar. “But it’s more than that. It combines Polestar’s 20 years of racing pedigree with Volvo’s inherent pragmatism and engineering heritage. This is a very fast car that you can use every day of the year.” The ace in the Volvo S60 Polestar’s sleeve is the level of specification on the vehicle. There are no options and what you see is what you get.

Standard features include:

revised 20-inch Polestar alloy wheels
automatic bi-xenon headlights with Active Bending and Active High Beam (including anti-dazzle for other road users, a feature usually restricted to LED headlights)
auto-dimming mirrors inside and out
front and rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera
CleanZone automatic dual-zone climate control with rear seat ventilation and remote pre-conditioning
an 8-speaker Harman/Kardon multi-media infotainment system with USB, Bluetooth and Internet compatibility, and voice control
satellite navigation
heated leather/alcantara steering wheel
leather/alcantara upholstery with heated front and rear seats
cyan contrast stitching
genuine carbon fibre “floating centre stack”
active TFT digital instrument cluster
gear-shift paddles
sunroof
keyless access and starting
an active twin-pipe Polestar exhaust system
adaptive cruise control with a toggle switch to cruise control

Being a Volvo, the S60 Polestar features comprehensive a level of safety technology. There are 6 airbags, ABS, EBA, BAS, HAS, ESC and IntelliSafe, which besides City Safety (AEB) includes the likes of Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Information System, Cross Traffic Alert, Road Sign Information and a Driver Alert system.

Volvo S60 Polestar price in South Africa

The new Volvo S60 Polestar retails in South Africa for a recommended R749 500 which continues to include a 5-year/ 100 000 km full vehicle warranty, a 5-year/ 100 000 km full maintenance plan, laminated glass and Tracker Connect.

All-new Nissan Micra Revealed in Paris

The 5th generation of the Nissan Micra has been unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Let's take a closer look at this compact hatchback, which the Japenese manufacturer is considering for the local market.

The new Nissan Micra has grown up. It looks less radical than its predecessors, yet retains styling cues from the latest Nissan products. It is lower, wider and longer than the previous model which means a nicer drive and improved cabin space. There are also new engines as well as innovative safety features.

"When the first Micra appeared more than 30 years ago, it marked a revolution in the small hatchback segment and opened a new chapter for Nissan. The fifth generation Micra is just as revolutionary, and will raise expectations for what a hatchback can, and should, deliver to its customers," said Carlos Ghosn, CEO, Nissan Motor Company, "Following in the wheel tracks of distinctive cars like Qashqai and Juke, the latest Micra reinforces Nissan's position as a leader in automotive design. It also shows our intent to compete right at the top of Europe's B-segment market – the largest and most competitive B-segment market in the world."

Personalisation of the new Nissan Micra is one of the key changes, and Nissan offers 10 vivid colurs as well as numerous interior and exterior personalisation options which allows up 125 different creations. The cabin features a lower driving position and the steering wheel is fully adjustable.

The new Nissan Micra features Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition, as well as Intelligent Around View Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist and Blind Spot Warning. In terms of entertainment, the Micra comes with an all-new six-speaker Bose® Personal® sound system as well as a 7-inch full-colour display featuring satellite navigation, apps and Apple CarPlay. Micra Gen5 comes with a 7-inch full colour central display, providing access to the audio system, satellite navigation, mobile phone, downloadable apps and Siri voice control via Apple CarPlay.

At launch, the car will offer the choice of a 0.9-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel, both developing 66 kW. The range will be expanded with a naturally-aspirated 54 kW 1.0-litre petrol engine. The Nissan Micra will go on sale in European sales in March 2017.

But what about the Mica's arrival in South Africa? Nissan South Africa media liaison Veralda Schmidt comments: "Our product planners are in the final stages of studying plans to introduce the new Micra in the local market. We are certainly optimistic that we will be able to make an announcement in this regard soon. The new Micra will certainly make for an attractive option in the highly contested upper B-segment."

Interested in buying a new/used Nissan?

Browse stock on Cars.co.za

Jaguar F-Type SVR (2016) First Drive [with Video]

This fiery-mouthed SVR transforms the F-Type from a stylish sportscar to fun track-day tool.

Design, like art, may be a naturally divisive subject, but few could argue against the claim that the Jaguar F-Type is one of the most beautiful cars on the planet. Its smooth, curvy lines converge with piercing taillights and create a side profile that’s so perfectly proportioned it will make you want to remove the family photos from your living room wall and replace them with a big motivational F-Type poster.

Just stand behind this new F-Type SVR (Special Vehicle Racing) when its rear wing is deployed and tell me you don’t see the tips protruding like devil horns. The taillights even look like evil, demonic eyes. This car is bad… but the good kind of bad, and that's before you even get behind the wheel.

"Devil horns" and "demon eyes". Jaguar living up to its slogan, "it's good to be bad"

The SVR I'm stepping into is the only one in the country, used as a marketing tool to promote the SVR badge as an AMG, M and RS competitor. The engineers haven’t gone overboard with the power increase, it has a meagre 18 kW and 20 Nm advantage over the F-Type R AWD. The weight saving on this car is around 50 kg due to the carbon ceramic brakes, carbonfibre roof, carbon interior trim and the lighter exhaust system, but the hardest work, from a developmental point of view, has gone into the optimisation of the SVR's aerodynamic efficiency and suspension tuning.

Jaguar claims the SVR creates zero lift, but in V-Max mode (the rear wing folds down) it will top 200 mph (320 kph). Contrary to everything manufacturers usually say about performance suspension, Jaguar has made the front end slightly softer, but the rear firmer, to promote better turn in. Finally, just in case you couldn’t hear the F-Type R's exhaust note, Jaguar has ensured the SVT's flaps open at a lower RPM and so it can roar with even more ferocity.

Exhaust is made from Titanium and Inconel (space ship superalloy) and saves 16 kg over the standard exhaust

Seated behind the steering wheel, a notable change is that leather trim has been replaced with sporty Alcantara, but it’s business as usual as far as design goes. The infotainment system has some added features that allows the driver to track their lap times, check how many Gs they've pulled in the corners, as well as a bar graph that plots throttle and brake applications in 120-second bursts (a feature track-day aficionados will certainly appreciate).

We had a chance to spend some laps at Kyalami with an instructor beside us. Right from the first go, the louder exhaust gets your adrenalin levels rocketing. Instantly, you’re more attuned to the finite changes on the SVR. The machinations of the transmission are quicker, on both up, and down shifts. The steering feels heavier but faster. The AWD F-Type’s steering can feel light and vague on track but this SVR is communicative with perfect heft.

The small power increase is noticeable in the mid-range, especially upon corner exits – that's where the SVR does everything just that little bit faster. The suspension delivers the biggest surprise, under braking the SVR feels alive, even a little bit loose, like it could break away at any second and send you farming. It won’t though, it’s all part of the engineers' plan to get the SVR into a prime position to arrow into the apex quicker. It’s impressive to watch it work, but don't hestitate – you can floor the throttle earlier with the extra downforce pushing the SVR into the tarmac like it’s being stood on by the Hulk's left foot.

SVR makes good use of additional aero features in order to improve corner speed.

The Pirelli P Zero tyres just hold on and are prone to overheating quickly under this sort of continuous pressure. An upgrade to the P Zero Corsa tyres may be just what the SVR needs if it wants to be more than a one lap specialist.

Our time in the SVR is over all too soon, but it leaves a lasting impression. For what is essentially an add-on pack for an F-type AWD, it feels like so much more than that. It’s a proper sportscar with racing pedigree; much more powerful than the Porsche Cayman GT4, less hardcore, but probably as visceral as the BMW M4 GTS and seeing that the aforementioned rivals are no longer available from new, the Mercedes-AMG GTS and Nissan GT-R are probably the only adequate rivals. What we'd absolutely love to see is a comparison between the SVR and an Audi R8 V10 or the McLaren 570S to evaluate just how good it is as an all-round powerhouse. Frankly we can't think of a loftier complement to pay the Jaguar than that…

You can order an F-Type SVR for R2 134 100 (depending on stock availability), which puts it a fair chunk below the price of an R8 and McLaren 570S.

Interested in buying a Jaguar F-Type?

Find one for sale on Cars.co.za

Extended Test: Foton Tunland 2.8 double cab 4×4 Luxury [with Video]

Foton is a relative newcomer to the bakkie market and therefore many buyers still compare buying a Tunland to taking a leap of faith. But how big a leap does it need to be? We found the top-spec Chinese bakkie old-school in some ways, and pleasantly luxurious in others

Foton Tunland 2.8 Double Cab 4×4 Luxury – Quick Specs

Eye-catching presentation

An interior awash with nice-to-haves

Willing to work hard

Old school motor, but frugal

Verdict

Related content:

Interested in buying a Foton Tunland?

Isuzu KB (2016) Specs & Price

Isuzu has announced a facelifted version of its Isuzu KB bakkie and here are some details about this model.

What's new?

Isuzu KB Price in South Africa (February 2017)

New Car Sales in South Africa – September 2016

The bloodbath in the South African new car market continues with another big decline recorded in September. All five segments of the market recorded double-digit (or near double-digit) declines in percentage terms. On the other hand, the swing towards used cars continues unabated.

Consumers under pressure

The top sellers

Mitsubishi Debuts Outlander Facelift in Paris

Mitsubishi has revealed a dramatically updated Outlander at the Paris Motor Show, and has added a Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) variant to the line-up

More upmarket interior

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Looking to buy a new / used Mitsubishi Outlander?

Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016) Review

Alternatives

What’s different?

How does it fare in terms of…

Pricing & Warranty

Verdict

Related content

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Fords Autonomous Future: A Hands-Off First Drive

A Hands-off experience

How Does It Work?

What about safety?

Ford & Autonomous Vehicles: Already a decade-long project

Implications for South Africa (and petrolheads)

Fuel price hikes announced for October 2016

The Department of Energy has announced that on 5 October 2016 the retail price of 93 octane petrol will increase by 44 c/litre, 95 octane petrol by 43c/litre and diesel by 23c/litre.

Want to save more fuel? Take a look at this…

Time to buy a new car?

Volvo S60 Polestar (2016) Specs & Price

The second iteration of the Volvo S60 Polestar has arrived in South Africa and, unlike its first arrival (at the end of 2015), there will be more of these fast Swedes to go around.

Volvo S60 Polestar price in South Africa

Further Reading

All-new Nissan Micra Revealed in Paris

The 5th generation of the Nissan Micra has been unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Let's take a closer look at this compact hatchback, which the Japenese manufacturer is considering for the local market.

Further reading

Interested in buying a new/used Nissan?

Jaguar F-Type SVR (2016) First Drive [with Video]

This fiery-mouthed SVR transforms the F-Type from a stylish sportscar to fun track-day tool.

Related Jaguar content

Interested in buying a Jaguar F-Type?

Fords Autonomous Future: A Hands-Off First Drive

*The Department of Energy has announced that on 5 October 2016 the retail price of 93 octane petrol will increase by 44 c/litre, 95 octane petrol by 43c/litre and diesel by 23c/litre***.