Ford Invests R2.5-billion into South Africa and will build more products locally

A massive investment of R2.5-billion from Ford will see production of the Ford Everest in South Africa. We can also expect the Everest line-up to expand considerably during the course of 2016.

By starting Everest manufacture and boosting overall production numbers in South Africa, Ford South Africa is adding 1 200 new jobs at the Silverton Plant in Gauteng as well as in its supply chain countrywide. From a product point of view the big news is that the Everest range will expand to include 2.2 and 3.2 models, with introduction scheduled for late 2016. This Everest will then be exported into Sub-Saharan countries. Currently, the Ford Everest is imported from Thailand. In the process production output will be boosted from around 74 000 (2013) to 93 000 (2017) per year.

Speaking to Cars.co.za's Hannes Oosthuizen following the announcement, Ford Sub Saharan Africa President and CEO Jeff Nemeth, said that the decision to build the Everest locally was made years ago when it first saw the new Everest and completed its local market feasibility studies on the vehicle. It was clear, way back then already, that the Thailand plant would not be able to satisfy South African demand.

“Our customers love the capability and utility offered by the all-new Ford Everest,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa. “By producing the Everest in South Africa, we will be able to make it more readily available, and in a greater variety of models, for customers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. “The R2.5-billion investment reaffirms the importance of these markets as part of our growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa,” Farley added. “It further reinforces South Africa’s position as a strategic export base for Ford Motor Company.”

The bulk of the R2,5 billion spend took place in the Silverton plant where new carriers for the Everest, as well as an all-new bodyshop were some of the big-ticket items. But importantly from the country's and a more general point of view, major investment continues to be made in the supply chain. In fact, Nemeth says that there are currently more than 120 localisation cases being studied and that the company is constantly looking at ways to localise. For the Everest in particular improved localisation is something that will be an on-going strategy. To get the vehicle into local build as quickly as possible meant that it doesn't currently offer the same very high levels of localisation as the Ranger, which consequently can be imported to Europe.

The engine for the Everest comes from the Struandale Plant in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. This 3.2-litre five-cylinder motor currently offered in the Everest will be joined by the 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine, and it's this smaller unit which will debut in the Ford Everest soon. Expect to see an expanded (8 models) Everest line-up comprising big and small diesels, automatic and manuals soon. Given that rivals Toyota launched a complete and comprehensive Fortuner lineup, this countering move by Ford comes at an excellent time. 

Ford has seen Africa's potential and this investment is not the first time the Blue Oval has chosen this region. Back in 2008, Ford announced plans to build the Ranger at its Silverton plant and the Ranger has been a rampant sales success ever since. Currently, the South African-made Ranger is exported to 148 countries around the world, while the engines and components are supplied to Argentina, Thailand, North America, China and India. 

Read a review of the Ford Ranger here.

Watch a video review of the Ford Everest here.

Watch the latest Toyota Hilux take on the Ford Ranger

 

New Hilux vs Old Hilux – An Expert’s Opinion on What’s Changed

For 2016, Toyota has introduced a brand new Hilux to South Africa. To see just how much the new model differs from the one it replaces, we travelled to the Goodyear 4×4 Academy in the Western Cape to meet Gerhard Groenewald, a man who has probably driven over a million kilometres in various Hilux models over the years.

In this interview, we chat to the 4×4 expert about what we can expect from the latest Toyota Hilux.

Read our massive comparative test between the Hilux, Ranger, Isuzu KB and VW Amarok here:

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Interested in buying a new 2016 Toyota Hilux? Find one here:

Interested in buying a used Toyota Hilux? Find one here:

For a detailed spec sheet of the 2016 Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 double cab 4×4 Raider

Any views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the commentator and do not represent those of Cars.co.za or its editorial content team.

 

Powerful Nissan GT-R Smashes 1/4 Mile Record

 

The Nissan GT-R is a brutally fast car, even in standard form, but what happens when you give it a tune-up? Records fall…

A Texas-based tuning company, T1 Race Development, got their hands on a R35 Nissan GT-R and got to work to make it the fastest car in the quarter mile drag. This GT-R uses the block of the standard 3.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine, but with a number of (very) custom bits and bobs. While the standard GT-R produces a hefty 397 kW and 628 Nm of torque, this version pushes out a ridiculous 1 793 kW. This is Godzilla on steroids!

The result?

T1 Race Development developed the car to break records and it did just that. The quarter mile in this pumped up GT-R took only 7.28 seconds, reaching a top speed of 314 kph. That result is only 0.1 seconds faster than the previous record holder, the Alpha Omega GT-R.

The car also clocked 378 kph in the half mile stretch, which according to T1 Race Development, is a world record. Although this Nissan GT-R is mainly used as a product development test mule, it’s also road legal.

New Nissan GT-R coming to SA

Nissan recently showcased the new 2017 GT-R at the New York Motor Show and it will go on sale in South Africa in the second half of 2016. The new GT-R features revised exterior and interior styling, and power from its 3.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine has been bumped up to 421 kW with 633 Nm of torque on tap. The new GT-R also features a more refined 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and engineers have improved the engine sound too. Nissan South Africa will provide more details regarding timing and local specifications in the near future and as usual, we will keep you informed as soon as more information becomes available. 

Watch the video below to see this tuned Nissan GT-R unleash its power!

 

Volvo Polestar Unleashes Updated Models for Global Availability

The Volvo S60 Polestar was a limited-edition performance vehicle, but demand has outstripped supply so the Swedes have launched a newly-engineered model and expanded its market availability.

A few months ago we attended the launch of the Volvo S60 Polestar in South Africa, and it impressed us immensely – look out for a full test soon. However South Africa only received 25 of these beasts, and all of them were snapped up exceedingly quickly.

Read the detailed specifications and pricing for this model here.

Read a launch story of the Volvo S60 Polestar here. 

Volvo Polestar has clearly realised that it’s on a good wicket with these blue rockets and has doubled the annual production output from 750 to 1 500 units of both the S60 sedan and V60 estate. The big news, however, is that there has been an engine change. The meaty 3.0-litre six-cylinder motor has been replaced by the latest generation four-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter Drive-E. While the downsizing means a lack of a meaty six-pot roar, power and performance is on the up.

This Drive-E engine features a bigger turbocharger, a supercharger, new camshafts, new conrods, larger intake as well as a high capacity fuel pump. Power is rated at 270kW, which is 20kW more than the outgoing model. Torque has dropped from 500Nm to 470Nm, and the vehicle’s grunt reaches the road through a BorgWarner four-wheel drive setup. The six-speed automatic ‘box has been replaced by an eight-speed Geartronic unit. The revised car will hit 100kph in 4.7 seconds and go on to a top speed of 250kph.


With its new, smaller engine, the S60 Polestar will hit 100kph in 4.7 seconds.

Volvo Polestar also points out that the vehicles have been on a diet and both the V60 and S60 have shed 20kgs. Fuel economy has been improved due to the downsizing and Volvo Polestar claims that both vehicles will return 7.8L/100km. Visually there are new 20-inch alloy wheels, while the brakes are now slotted discs of 371mm.

Distribution

While a new car is always nice, perhaps the most important take away here is that Volvo Polestar is on the sales offensive, with new markets on the cards. Currently Volvo Polestar products are only available in 13 countries, but this will be expanded to 47.

Volvo S60 Polestar South African availability

In total 32 units have been allocated to South Africa and we can expect them to arrive in the third quarter of 2016. Pricing is unconfirmed at this stage, but we estimate that it won’t be far off the current asking price of R735 000. At this stage, the V60 Polestar Estate is not confirmed for South Africa.

 

New Car Sales in South Africa for March 2016

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), new car sales, light and medium commercial vehicle sales and exports experienced double-digit declines in March 2016.

Substantial declines across all segments were experienced during March and the Easter holiday period also had a negative impact on the final numbers.  New car sales declined by 13.4% while light commercial sales declined by 14.0%. Exports struggled too with a substantial decline of 18.5%, which is largely attributed to the model run out of the Toyota Hilux. Exports are however expected to recover as the new Hilux is exported into Africa (April 2016) and Europe (mid-year).

The new Toyota Hilux was launched at the end of February and after its first full month of sales, it recorded excellent figures to become South Africa’s best-selling vehicle for March, stealing the spotlight from the popular Ford Ranger. Take a look at the sales breakdown below…

New Car Sales Summary – March 2016

  • 47 631 aggregate new vehicle sales; down by 14.0% (7 758 units) compared to March 2015.
  • 30 702 new passenger car sales; down by 13.4% (4 766) compared to March 2015.
  • 14 507 light commercial sales; down by 14.0% (2 359 units) compared to March 2015.
  • 27 714 export sales; down by 18.5% (6 311 units) compared to March 2015
     

Top Selling Car Brands in South Africa – March 2016

Brand

Total Sales

Market Penetration %

1. Toyota

8 740 (-3)

18.3%

3. Volkswagen

7 360 (-235)

15.5%

3. Ford

6 807 (+97)

14.3%

4. Nissan

4 123 (+345)

8.7%

5. GMSA

3 341 (-597)

7.0%

Top Selling New Cars in South Africa –March 2016

Model

Total Sales

 1. Toyota Hilux

3 273 (+1 013)

 2. Ford Ranger

3 004 (+ 234)

 3. VW Polo Vivo

2 367 (-279)

 4. VW Polo

1 958 (+98)

 5. Toyota Corolla

1 214 (-295)

New Car Sales Outlook

The economic environment in South Africa remains under strain with low GDP growth prospects projected for 2016. Double-digit price increases for new vehicles are to be expected in 2016 thanks to the weak Rand and the possibility of further interest rate hikes. The new car market will remain under pressure this year with an expected decline of 10% in volume terms. Exports are expected to reflect strong upward momentum in the second half of 2016.

 

2016 Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Offroad & Review

In terms of sales, Toyota and Ford have been locked in a battle for the top of the charts with the Hilux and Ranger, a feat which was impressive for the Hilux given that it was essentially 10 years old.

It has finally been replaced and we gathered together the new 2016 Toyota Hilux 4×4 and facelifted 2015 Ford Ranger for a head to head review.

We took the bakkies offroad at Klipbokkop, a legendary 4×4 testing facility in the Western Cape for this comparison.

Read our massive comparative test between the Hilux, Ranger, Isuzu KB and VW Amarok here

Subscribe to your Youtube channel here

Interested in buying a new 2016 Toyota Hilux? Find one here

Interested in buying a new 2016 Ford Ranger? Find one here

Interested in buying a used Toyota Hilux? Find one here

Interested in buying a used Ford Ranger? Find one here

For a detailed spec sheet of the 2016 Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 double cab 4×4 Raider

For a detailed spec sheet of the 2016 Ford Ranger 3.2 double cab 4×4 XLT auto

BMW X1 xDrive20d (2016) Review

 

BMW has redesigned the X1 to look more like an SUV, but can its on-road bias and smaller size justify its upmarket price tag? We tried out the turbodiesel AWD derivative to find out

We like: Improved design, build quality, road holding, spaciousness

We don’t like: Noisy ride, expensive if you want to spec it up

Also consider: Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3

If you want more space then consider: Volvo XC60

Not worried about badge appeal then look at: Mazda CX-5?

Want something that can actually go off-road then opt for: Land Rover Discovery Sport.

What is it?

Having shed its predecessor's raised station wagon looks, the BMW X1 now resembles a real compact SUV. It’s compact in appearance but relatively spacious inside with excellent engines and on-road dynamics. The new platform allows for front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive configurations and frees up more interior space, so that X1 adds practicality to its proficiency list. We have already tested the top-of-the-range xDrive25i petrol model but now it’s the diesel’s turn to take the spotlight.

How does it fare in terms of?

The X-factor 

It has a BMW badge on its nose – that’s bound to count in its favour. Because the badge offers a premium appeal that most other crossovers cannot match, many customers will buy it just because it’s a BMW. Seeing that SUVs remain in high demand, a reasonably-packaged car with a BMW badge seems tailor-made for the school run or corporate car park.

Practicality

As mentioned, the new platform creates more space for passengers and avails more room in the luggage bay, of which the capacity has swollen to 505 litres. That makes the X1's loading space bigger than those of the competition from Mercedes-Benz and Audi. There are neat additions such as bag hooks and elastic netting to hold stored items firmly in place. The rear seats fold flat to free up a class-leading level of utility space. The optional electric boot lid adds that little bit of ease when loading or unloading with your hands full. Sitting space is very good for rear passengers, even behind taller drivers. Some of the testers complained that the front seats were a bit too narrow and uncomfortable to occupy during longer periods. 


Adaptable luggage area with areas to store and hold loose items

Premium interior

The X1’s interior sits at the lower end of BMW’s premium ladder, but that doesn’t mean it’s spartan or unimpressive. It’s well put together and the quality of the leather trim and smooth soft rubber finishes is impressive even if, below the eye line, the surfaces appear a little more of the hard, durable variety. The iDrive screen above the dash (in standard 6.5-inch form), makes everything in the display look cramped, especially when you're trying to view maps and real-time traffic alerts. There is an optional bigger screen available, it must be said.

The stash-away space in front of the gear lever is a clever addition as it can be closed up entirely to avert prying eyes from your keys and personal items. Other notable standard features include rear park distance control and a sporty leather steering wheel, but almost everything else is optional. If you want to splash out, then you can spec up the X1 with a host of extras, including everything from a head-up display to adaptive cruise control and the latest crash prevention systems. Options we believe are most worthwhile are a reverse-view camera, LED headlights and a Harmon/ kardon audio system.


Neat retractable storage bin big enough for phones and keys

Driving refinement

In terms of finding an optimal engine and gearbox calibration, BMW has hit the mark perfectly. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel offers plenty of torque (400 Nm) with almost no turbo lag from very low revs. Power figures suggest 140 kW and despite the short rev range, it can be quite fun to hustle the X1 through its gears at pace. The combination of the 8-speed transmission and turbodiesel motor results in very good fuel efficiency, with claimed consumption of just 4.9 L/100 km. We achieved 6.2L/100km during our test but under normal conditions, returns in the 5L/100km range should be attainable.

Ride and handling on and off-road

The model on test was specified with 18-inch wheels and tyres, which delivered a more pliant ride quality than the 19-inch rims and boots that were specified on the previously-reviewed xDrive25i, but we felt it the former was still too low in profile to provide good ride comfort. The standard 17-inches might be a better choice, but will obviously not be as aesthetically pleasing. The run-flat tyres are also quite noisy on the tarmac; their rumbling noise can be quite irritating on long journeys.

The "sporty" ride does have a pay-off, however – the X1 handles with all the agility of a 3 Series sedan. In fact, its on-road prowess is arguably surplus to what would be required from a practical run-around. On a dirt road, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system works well at preventing wheel slip, but with only 183 mm of ground clearance, it’s probably best to stick to the tarmac, because the BMW's firm ride can become bothersome on longer routes on unsealed surfaces.

That’s also why we recommend your save R50 000 and opt for a standard front-wheel-drive X1 sDrive derivative.

Verdict

The BMW X1 xDrive20d has an excellent engine and gearbox combination. It changes gears smoothly, pulls strongly and uses little fuel while doing so. The turbodiesel is certainly the best engine in the range, but the all-wheel drive models make little sense by virtue of their below-average ground clearances and overtly sporty ride qualities.

The X1's exterior treatment is much more appealing than its predecessor's and, inside, the BMW is sufficiently spacious and quite practical with storage bins and hooks aplenty. In terms of how it compares with its rivals, it’s difficult to place the X1 as it’s not as spacious as an XC60, but costs the same. A Mercedes-Benz GLA will garner more attention and an Audi Q3 is a bit cheaper. It leaves the BMW with the "premium sporty SUV" card to play, which is very appealing, but even then, if you aren’t worried about badge appeal the Mazda CX-5 is right up there in terms of style, but it costs much less.

BMW X1 xDrive20d pricing

The standard auto xDrive20d can be bought for R566 821 but, given the fitment of options such as 18-inch wheels, reverse- view camera, electric seats, LED headlights, cruise control, navigation, the xLine exterior kit and the Harmon/kardon sound system etc. the price as tested leaps up to R678 970.

Interested in buying a new/used BMW X1? Search for one on Cars.co.za

Tesla Model 3 Coming to SA

Tesla – the American electric car manufacturer announced last night that it has added South Africa to its order book for the upcoming Model 3 compact sedan.

 The eagerly anticipated Model 3 is widely viewed to be the company's make-or-break model as it has to sell in significant volume. Tesla CEO, South African-born Elon Musk tweeted the message below at the launch event.

The Model 3 was launched in Los Angeles as a prototype model with sales set to begin in late 2017. It’s a family car of similar size to the A4, 3 Series and C-Class. With an electric motor to power it, there’s no need for a front grille to cool an engine, hence the unfamiliar front end design.

Despite being battery powered, Tesla claims the model 3 will manage at least 350 km per charge. It’s quick, too, with a claimed 0-100 kph time of six seconds.

Safety has always been at the forefront of Tesla’s philosophy and Musk has stated that the car will earn five stars in every modern test of safety.

Finding a place to charge the Model 3 will be easier than ever in the US as the number of charging stations will more than double before the car hits the road in 2017. In South Africa, the task is more difficult as our existing electric car charging stations are limited to BMW and Nissan dealerships. Perhaps Tesla will partner with current providers to expand the charging network beyond Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Model 3 is also equipped with Supercharging ability, a fast charging solution that charges the Model 3 within 30 minutes. Many of the Supercharging facilities in the US are solar powered as well, meaning the charge is absolutely free.

Not many details of the Model 3’s interior are available but from initial images, it hosts a massive tablet infotainment system similar to what is used in the acclaimed Model S. The tablet controls all the car’s functions and can be remotely updated by Tesla as software improvements or new systems are introduced.

The end of 2017 is still a long way off but we’ll keep track of this to see how it develops. Tesla recently announced that it will open an office for its energy division in Cape Town, and in America it owns its dealerships. We're yet to see what the distribution model will be in South Africa.

Interested in reserving your Model 3? It will cost you $1 000 and can be done here.

Vehicle Warranties: The Devil’s in the Detail

 

Aftermarket car warranties are sold as "peace-of-mind" items, but can fall well short of offering the same protection as manufacturers' warranties. Whether you're buying a new vehicle, or adding a warranty to a used car, it's best to read the small print very carefully

The large print giveth and the small print taketh away.

I wish I’d come up with that brilliant line, but Tom Waits beat me to it 40 years ago in the lyrics of his song Step Right Up.

The sentiment is particularly apt when it comes to motor vehicle warranties.

Granted, the manufacturers' warranties, which contractually oblige them to repair your car if it goes wrong within the warranty period, offer pretty good peace of mind, in that they cover repairs to most things, apart from wear and tear items such as brakes, clutches, windscreen wipers and tyres.

That’s if you don’t inadvertently invalidate the warranty by failing to read the policy’s small print.

Manufacturer Warranties

In order to keep manufacturers' warranties valid, vehicles must be serviced at prescribed mileages, or every 12 months, whichever comes first.

But the either/or stipulation “catches” quite a few people, on both ends of the mileage spectrum.

Someone who does less than average mileage, but concentrates only on the mileage part of the service interval – 20 000 km, for example – could well fail to get the car serviced within a year, because they won’t have come close to reaching that mileage within a year.

Likewise, someone who travels excessively would reach the mileage service interval in under a year, and, if they don't keep a close eye on their mileage, could fail to get it serviced at the stipulated mileage.

Most dealerships will allow a small grace period, but beyond that, your warranty is history.

Be careful with modifications

Modifying your car may also invalidate your warranty.

A Durban man unwittingly voided the manufacturer warranty on his new Audi S3 last year by installing a “plug-and-play” device, a unit he described as “completely safe; all it does is help improve fuel economy and performance”.

Within two months the car’s turbocharger was broken and he was presented with an invoice for R71 000 and informed that the modification had voided the car’s Audi SA warranty.

Having “too big” rims put on your car will have the same effect.

Another thing: If you’re buying a new car, check that its warranty didn’t start “ticking” a few months earlier when the dealership bought the car. Day 1 must be the day you purchased the car, or you’ll be short-changed.

The length of the manufacturer’s warranty has become a highly competitive factor, the longer ones potentially sparing the owner many thousands in repair bills, plus increasing the vehicle’s resale value.

Volkswagen is still offering a warranty of just three years or 120 000km on its vehicles, Honda’s warranty is 5 years/200 000km, Nissan’s 6 years/150 000km and in February this year, Hyundai leapt into the lead once more with its warranty of seven years/200 000km.

And when that runs out, the third party mechanical warranty policies are waiting to step in.

Aftermarket warranties

Many consumers make the mistake of thinking that third-party warranties provide them with the same blanket cover as the manufacturers' warranties, but sadly they don’t; not even close.

So much so that former Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) Dennis Jooste issued a warning about mechanical warranty policies in late 2014.

“A mechanical warranty policy is a policy that covers certain mechanical failures on a vehicle after the factory warranty has expired. It is not an extension of the factory warranty,” he warned.

Oh, how I wish that it was legally mandatory for that paragraph to be uttered by the second-hand car sales people who sell the policies, and printed in bold, large font on the cover page of all such policies. With the addition of: “Now read the exclusions very carefully.”

Jooste went on to say that in many cases, the way these policies are sold doesn’t comply with the provisions of the Policyholder Protection Rules, which state that a direct marketer must provide the consumer with exact details of the cover, including any special terms and conditions before the inception of the policy, so that the consumer can make an informed choice.

“Often the consumer completes a one-page application form and is then given a booklet with the terms and conditions of the policy and is advised to read it at his or her leisure, or is told that a copy of the policy will be forwarded to them within 30 days,” Jooste said.

The small print

Failing to plough through the small print before signing the agreement means being in the dark about the policy’s trip-up exclusions, waiting periods, penalties, excesses or restrictions.

Or it could be that the warranty that you paid thousands for is, unbeknown to you, dead in the water from the start.

A Durban motorist contacted me last week, having been told that his R34 000 mechanical warranty claim on the 2012 model year SUV he bought just four months ago, had been repudiated, because the vehicle didn’t have a full service history.

It turns out the SUV owner had been misled by the dealership about the vehicle’s patchy service history and he didn’t do his own checks before signing the policy, for which he paid almost R7 000.

The mechanical warranty company paid the claim after my intervention (happily for the SUV owner), but the case highlights one of the many pitfalls of these policies and the way they are sold.

Tread carefully before signing on the dotted line: insist on seeing the policy documents first, and read every word of the exclusions.

As with hiring a car – the subject of a future column – it’s best to proceed knowing how exposed you are, than for it to come as a nasty shock.

Want to suggest a consumer topic for Wendy to write about? Mail us at [email protected]

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.

Toyota Fortuner (2016) First Drive

We got a chance to get behind the wheel of the new Toyota Fortuner, one of South Africa’s most popular lifestyle vehicles. This new model represents a major leap forward from its predecessor and promises much in terms of refinement and go-anywhere ability

The Toyota Fortuner has been the best-selling vehicle in its class since it was launched back in 2006. Despite the launch of rivals such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer and two generations of the Ford Everest, the Fortuner's continued to dominate the sales sharts. The Toyota market share in its segment has been over 40% and has been as high as 60%. To date, nearly 100 000 Toyota Fortuners have found homes in South African – it's a fantastic achievement by any standards.

Check out specifications and further details of the new Toyota Fortuner here.

This new version of Toyota Fortuner is vastly improved in the looks department. Stylistically, the outgoing model made little attempt to hide the fact that it was derived from the Hilux, but this new version looks more like a premium SUV that would easily bear a Lexus badge. From front on, there are elements of the Toyota Prado, while the rear is not too dissimilar to that of the new-look RAV4. It really is a remarkable step up in terms of visual appeal. Even the key's been upgraded; it really looks upmarket in your hand.

The new imposing looks are not just for show either, because the Fortuner's interior space has been increased significantly. Many seven-seat vehicles suffer from a lack of legroom for the third row of passengers, making the seats only suitable for small children. However, the new Toyota Fortuner benefits from increased legroom for the occupants of the 2nd and 3rd rows, and the rearmost seats are now able to fold away with just one action.

Have a walk around the new Toyota Fortuner by clicking the Play button

 

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on

The new engines are excellent

The new engines and gearboxes from the Toyota Hilux have been carried over and on the launch, we spent most of our time in the 2.8 GD6 and 2.4 GD6 turbodiesels, with a highway drive in the range-topping petrol 4.0-litre V6. While there has been much fanfare about the 2.8-litre – and, rightfully so, as it’s a great engine – the 2.4-litre motor proved a pleasant surprise. It produces 110kW and 400 Nm, which is more than adequate to lug the Fortuner around. The 2.8 has 130 kW and, depending on whether you want a manual or an automatic, 420 Nm and 450 Nm respectively. If you'd like a more frugal petrol motor than the V6, a 2.7-litre VVTi makes its debut.

How does it drive?

Our launch route took us through the Western Cape Overberg area and we had the chance to drive the Fortuner on tarred surfaces, back roads and at the offroading academy at Klipbokkop near Worcester. The Fortuner is certainly not lacking in grunt whatsoever and there’s no hesitation when overtaking acceleration is required.

Refinement is one of the key things that Toyota has focused on with the new Fortuner. The old Fortuner was not the quietest, nor softly-sprung, vehicle and in certain scenarios it felt agricultural, even primitive. There’s was no doubt about its abilities, but comfort levels were middling. This new model has fixed those aspects and the vehicle feels more mature and premium. Road noise and engine vibration has been ironed out, and we now have a vehicle that delivers that premium ride and feel.

The 2.4-litre in 4×2 application was a particular revelation. While it lacks the outright offroad ability of its all-wheel driven siblings, it does everything else so well and handled gravel/dirt roads with ease. The engine is not short of grunt whatsoever and the manual gearbox is slick in operation. While its specification is entry-level, it's not spartan by any means. We feel that this model is certainly the one to consider first if you’re not planning on doing some serious offroad driving. It would be great to see Toyota offer a 4×4 version of the 2.4, which would prove to be ultra-competitive both in terms of ability and value for money.

The 4×4 models are exceptionally capable thanks to a combination of great ground clearance (279 mm) as well as a plethora of electronic aids. The traditional Toyota 2nd gear lever (to activate low range) has been replaced with a rotary dial. You can shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive mode while you’re driving, but low-range will require you to come to a complete stop. Give it a few seconds, the low-range light comes on the dashboard, then you’re ready to tackle an off-road route.

The offroad route at Klipbokkop Academy took us through thick sand as well as crossing over some dunes. While it would have been an ample test for basic all-wheel drive vehicles, the Fortuner breezed through effortlessly and it’ll take some serious terrain to really challenge it. You also get the feeling that, within reason, the only limitation to the Fortuner’s offroad ability is its driver's off-road prowess. A Fortuner in the right hands will be a superb offroad vehicle, and the 4×4 fanatics will revel in its go-anywhere attitude. The fact that it offers a combination of appreciable off-road ability, space for 7 occupants and a host of creature comforts is a massive boon.

The drive from the offroad area back home was completed in the flagship 4.0-litre V6. This is the top-of-the-range model and is only available in automatic. It’s powerful and the drive experience is commanding. There’s a bit of a roar from the big engine when you’re pressing on, but no shortage of outright grunt. However fuel consumption is a concern and at times, we were averaging 16.0 L/100km. If fuel consumption is a worry (which it should be considering the massive fuel increase on the cards for April 2016), then we’d recommend opting for one of the excellent GD6 diesel. The 2.8 is powerful yet refined, while the 2.4 punches well above its weight.

The Fortuner is not without a drawback, however. Thanks to the re-engineered suspension (front double wishbones and four-link coil springs at the rear), the newcomer's ride quality and cabin refinement have been substantially improved (much like that of the Toyota Hilux upon which it is based). Having said that there’s still a somewhat "wallowing" quality to the Fortuner's on-road behaviour. We expect that the Toyota's ride will even out when it's loaded up with cargo and a few passengers, but when unladen there’s a level of bounciness and noticeable body roll. Those characteristics are, unfortunately, endemic in bakkie-based SUVs, but will undoubtedly aid occupant comfort on rougher terrain.

An in-car video of the new Toyota Fortuner crossing tough offroad terrain

 

A video posted by Cars.co.za (@carssouthafrica) on

Summary

2016 will be a great year for comparisons in this segment. The new Ford Everest was launched towards the end of 2015 and a facelifted Chevrolet Trailblazer should arrive before the end of 2016.

In terms of pricing, if you compare rivalling Everest and Fortuner models, every Toyota derivative is about R45 000 cheaper than the equivalent Ford. When specification plus value for money counts for almost everything and your product can do everything and more than its rival for nearly R50 000 less, it’s devastating. There are rumours that the Everest range will soon expand to include lower-specced and smaller-engined derivatives, but for now, that's mere speculation.

Overall, the new Fortuner is very accomplished: it excels in terms of space, comfort and performance/efficiency. Moreover, the range is keenly-priced (for what you get) and 4×4 models offer excellent offroad ability. Unless you're determined to buy a petrol derivative, opt for one of the fine turbodiesel motors and you’ll enjoy one of the most capable and practical vehicles in its class. Expect the new Toyota Fortuner to be just as popular as the outgoing model, if not more so…

Toyota Fortuner (2016) prices in South Africa

Toyota has not only come to market with a wider model line-up than the new Ford Everest, but has also priced very aggressively. Yes… expect to see many of these Fortuners on our roads, very soon. 

2.4 GD-6 Raised Body Manual: R436 400

2.4 GD-6 Raised Body Automatic: R453 400

2.7 VVT-i Raised Body Automatic: R429 400

2.8 GD-6 Raised Body Manual: R513 400

2.8 GD-6 4×4 Manual: R571 400

2.8 GD-6 Raised Body Automatic: R531 400

2.8 GD-6 4×4 Automatic: R589 400

4.0 V6 4×4 Automatic: R633 400

All retail prices include a three-year/100 000km warranty and five-year/90 000km service plan.

Check out specifications and further details of the new Toyota Fortuner here.