The Maserati's first class sedan, the Quattroporte, has received a number of exterior and interior updates and the Italian marque's South African distributor expects to take first deliveries of the updated version in the fourth quarter of 2016.
The current incarnation of Maserati’s big sedan made landfall in 2013 and has always been regarded as a classy alternative to the wares of the Teutonic trio, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, as well as the Jaguar XJ. Alluring exterior styling, involving dynamics and characterful powerplants made the QP an exclusive choice in a technology-dominated segment.
For 2016, the Maserati Quattroporte gains a redesigned front bumper with matte black detailing. The enlarged Maserati grille is more prominent than before and now features an adjustable air shutter, which automatically opens and closes to help regulate engine coolant temperature and reduce aerodynamic drag.
The cabin also gains some upgrades. There are two trim options: GranSport and GranLusso and, apart from the introduction of an all-new high-res touchscreen infotainment system (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity), the console sports redesigned switchgear. An air quality sensor and a nifty area to store your mobile phone have also been added.
In terms of safety equipment, there is driver assistance technology such as adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera view, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning.
The engine line-up hasn’t really changed, but some of the current engines have gained a tad more power, while top speed has been increased slightly.
The GTS model has a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 from Ferrari, the S comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 and there’s a turbodiesel-powered derivative powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo. All Maserati Quattroportes come with a ZF eight-speed gearbox. Local pricing will be confirmed closer to the launch date…
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S not confirmed for SA
Having famously beaten the Honda Civic Type R’s Nürburgring lap record, Volkswagen will produce limited numbers (only 400 units) of the Golf GTI Clubsport S, but, whereas the Clubsport version of the GTI is due in SA soon, the S version's arrival hangs in the balance…
Volkswagen South Africa will be expanding its Golf GTI offering in the local market with the introduction of the Golf GTI Clubsport Edition in early July 2016. The Golf GTI Clubsport celebrates the 40th anniversary of the GTI and its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine produces 195 kW and 350 Nm of torque. More than that, additional power will be made available with an overboost function that will see the Clubsport's power figures creep up to 213 kW for ten seconds. The Golf GTI Clubsport is sure to keep GTI fans happy when it arrives…
Will we see the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S in South Africa?
But, although many GTI fans are eagerly awaiting the launch of the Golf GTI Clubsport, hot hatch aficionados must be frothing with excitement at the chance of the uprated, record-breaking Golf GTI Clubsport S being offered locally as well. The Clubsport S is powered by a retuned version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine in the standard Clubsport, but offers 228 kW and 380 Nm of torque. As opposed to the standard Clubsport, the S version is a 3-door and doesn’t have rear seats, which shaves about 30 kg off its total weight (1 360 kg).
We spoke to a local Volkswagen spokesperson who confirmed that there were no plans (at present) to offer the Clubsport S in South Africa. However, this could change subject to units being availed to VWSA and the "resolution of homologation issues", should there be any. Let’s hope Volkswagen South Africa can make it happen.
The Clubsport S is currently the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap the Nürburgring with a time of 7 minutes 49.21, beating the previous record set by the Honda Civic Type R by 1.4 seconds. Autocar.co.uk recently took the Golf GTI Clubsport S for a drive around the Nürburgring and you can watch the video below to see how the car performs:
Would you like to see the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S in South Africa? We certainly would…
BMW M5 Pure Metal The Most Powerful M5 Ever Made [Video]
The M5's production run will end soon, but, don't worry, BMW will release a next-generation version in 2018. Until then, Bimmerphiles will have to make do with the Pure Metal edition – a last hurrah for the F10-generation of BMW’s iconic performance sedan and the most powerful version ever made.
However, if you live anywhere other than South Africa, the closest you might get to driving this car is watching this video. That’s because this limited edition, of which only 20 will ever be made, will only be sold in South Africa.
Find out this and other amazing facts by watching our video…
Renault Duster Explore Edition (2016) Lands in South Africa
Renault South Africa has quietly introduced a limited edition version of its small Duster SUV. Let’s see what the Explore derivative is all about.
The Duster has proven quite popular in our market and, on average, a few hundred new examples leave local Renault showrooms every month. The range varies from petrol front-wheel drive versions to turbodiesel 4x4s, so there are quite a few options to choose from. One of the Cars.co.za team members recently spotted a car transporter truck loaded with half a dozen blue Dusters bearing discrete Explore badges. Subsequent investigation revealed that the limited-edition Renault Duster Explore derivative is now available in South Africa.
What’s special about it?
The Renault Duster Explore is available in four colours: white, platinum silver, black and blue, which are not available on the standard Duster. The Duster Explore features bespoke rugged-looking 16-inch alloy wheels, black protective wheel-arch cladding, Explore badges and a stainless steel nudge bar.
The vehicle also gains a reverse-view camera, rear park assist and cruise control, which makes it appear to be more comprehensively equipped than the current top-of-the-range 1.5dci 4×4. It also features a touchscreen multimedia system with built-in navigation.
Powering the Renault Duster Explore is a 1.6-litre petrol motor that produces 77 kW and 148 Nm. Power is directed to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission and the fuel economy figure is a claimed 7.6 L/100 km. Like its siblings, the Duster Explore also features the same level of safety and comes with 4 airbags and ABS-equipped brakes.
Renault Duster Explore Price in South Africa
The Renault Duster Explore costs R258 900 and this price includes a 3-year/45 000 km service plan, 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion protection.
Responsible (read: efficient) performance has become the major selling-point for car manufacturers over the last decade or so. Every newcomer to the market claims better performance and lower emissions, but which car is best at getting the most performance out of the least amount of fuel?
Our eco performance index lists cars that accelerate from zero to 100 kph the fastest relative to how little they are claimed to consume on the combined fuel test cycle. It requires a bit of mathematics and applying a formula, but the results reveal the best vehicles for your money if you seek “green performance”.
Over the last year or so there has been an increase in hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars in the South African market and many of them are powerful, as well as extremely fuel efficient. These vehicles do skew the results slightly as they have the ability to run in a full-electric mode where they use zero fuel.
For this top 10, we haven’t set a price barrier and it shows. If you want the best of both worlds, you have to be prepared to fork over a heap of cash. We set the minimum entry for performance at 7.5 seconds from zero to 100 kph.
Top 10 Eco Performance Cars in SA
1. BMW i8 eDrive Coupe
BMW's futuristic, low-slung and carbon-fibre infused petrol-electric hybrid sportscar ramps up the power with its 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine and lets the electric motor deal with the economy part of things. When in full flight, the two motors produce 266 kW and an impressive 570 Nm of torque. Zero to 100 kph takes just 4.4 seconds and BMW claims an average fuel consumption figure of just 2.1 L/100km, making the Bimmer the perfect combination of performance and economy on sale in SA. It does cost R1 871 500, though.
Despite using absolutely no fuel, the all-electric BMW is said to take 7.2 seconds to get from zero to 100 kph. Charging up an i3 technically does use “fuel" (electricity, generated by coal-fired power stations, no less, isn't free), but, if you charge at certain BMW charging stations, it won’t cost you anything to "juice up" your i3. The electric i3 has a maximum range of 160 km and can be 80% charged (from depleted) in 2.5 hours from a BMW-supplied wall box. The i3 eDrive doesn’t come cheap, however, as the EV costs R556 500.
It’s crazy to think that an SUV can be a high-performance family car as well as a frugal fuel sipper. The Twin Engine XC90 packs 300 kW on board and has no less than 640 Nm of torque on tap thanks to its supercharged and turbocharged engine backed up by an electric motor. Due to its nifty plug-in petrol-electric configuration, the XC90 T8 is said to consume just 2.1 L/100 km on the combined cycle and will launch from standstill to 100 kph in 5.6 seconds. The T8 costs just north of a million bucks at R1 053 400.
This luxury sedan is ideal for the CEO who’s particularly environmentally conscious and wary of provoking the ire of environmentalists. The S500e L makes use of a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine in combination with an electric motor to churn out 325 kW and 650 Nm. Zero to 100 kph comes up in 5.2 seconds and Benz claims the limousine will consume just 2.8 L/100 km. R1 875 500 should be enough to get you behind the wheel (or at least ensconced on the back seat) of one of these machines.
The Porsche Panamera S eHybrid (R1 551 000) follows the same philosophy as the aforementioned Benz – it is powered by a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder that works in conjunction with an electric motor. The eHybrid packs 306 kW and 590 Nm, which will shove it to 100 kph in 5.5 seconds, and is claimed to sip just 3.1 L/100 km. The electric motor alone can propel the Porsche for up to 35 km.
The Cayenne utilises identical running gear to the Panamera S eHybrid, but due to its higher kerb weight is a little slower from zero to 100 kph (5.9 seconds) and slightly thirstier (3.4 L/100 km). It’s still a great combination in an SUV package, but, as with most of the cars above, the Porsche (at R1 517 000) is only for the well-heeled few.
This plug-in hybrid BMW X5 derivative was recently launched in South Africa. There’s a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine under the bonnet, which, when working in tandem with the electric motor, generates peak outputs of 230 kW and 450 Nm. That’s good enough to move the X5 from 0 to 100 kph in 6.8 Seconds. Fuel economy is claimed at 3.3 L/100 km. R1 097 500.
The first non-hybrid, non-electric car to make this list comes from Bavaria. The facelifted 330d was launched in the local market towards the latter end of 2015. Its 3.0-litre turbodiesel is both powerful and frugal… The 6-cylinder engine develops 190 kW and 560 Nm of torque, which help to propel the 330d from zero to 100 kph in 5.6 seconds. With a claimed average fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km and a list price of R624 026, it’s one of the better-value options here.
From here on, it’s just a list of BMW turbodiesels that prove to be extremely efficient, but also rapid in the acceleration department. The 640d also uses a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, but has more power and torque than the 330d. With 230 kW and 630 Nm on tap, the 640d is faster to 100 kph (5.3 seconds), but thirstier at 5.4 L/100 km. R1 171 622.
The BMW 535d and Audi A7 Sportback 3.0TDI are tied for the 10th spot, but the 535d is a touch more affordable and therefore claims the 10th spot. Acceleration and fuel economy are nearly identical in this sedan (5.4 L/100 km and 5.5 seconds to 100kph) to its 640d Coupe sibling. The most powerful turbodiesel 5er costs R1 026 052.
Its gestation period was extremely long, but now the Bentley Bentayga has arrived in South Africa.
The Bentayga is now officially available and, if you’re wealthy enough to order one, the new Melrose Arch dealership is the only place in the country where you can view the new Bentley.
The Bentayga is Bentley’s first attempt at an SUV. In typical Bentley fashion, it’s not only opulently luxurious but offers more than enough pace to scare off even the fastest saloon cars. Bentley has developed an all-new 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 for the Bentayga that develops 447 kW and a whopping 900 Nm of torque. Zero to 100 kph is ticked off in 4.1 seconds and it will carry on accelerating until 301 kph.
Inside, the Bentley sports what is claimed to be the world’s finest SUV interior. There is a mixture of metal, wood and leather crafted together with painstaking attention to detail.
Pricing in South Africa
The Bentley Bentayga commands a hefty price tag at R3 987 000. We're pretty certain that makes it the most expensive SUV officially on sale in SA.
The Renault Clio is one of the more stylish choices in the B-segment hatch market. It’s now received a facelift and a new turbodiesel engine.
The current Renault Clio arrived in the local market in 2013 and has been particularly successful, especially in comparison with its preceding generations. The Clio is well specified and with its small (0.9-litre) turbocharged engine, proves to be very fuel efficient. Last year, Renault SA added an entry-level Blaze- as well as a 1.2-litre automatic derivative to the range.
The new facelifted model, which will arrive in the local market before the end of 2016, features a wider grille and new LED headlights. The rear end has a slightly redesigned skirt that is apparently more robust (we believe it means "will absorb parking impacts better"). Four new colours have been added to the range – Mars red, Titanium grey, Arctic white and Iron blue.
Meanwhile, the Renault's interior has received a quality upgrade and particular attention was paid to the quality of plastic finishes. The chrome trim within the cabin is also less blingy thanks to a more tasteful matt finish. The upholstery is new too and said to be of a better quality.
The multimedia systems have been upgraded and even the entry-level models now include Smartphone integration. The touchscreen systems (with navigation) are still available and R-Link with voice activation is now included. A Bose sound system can be added for a bit of extra audio power and hands-free, self-parking is available in top spec models.
New turbodiesel engine
The major news with the facelift is that there is now a turbodiesel engine available, although it is not clear whether it will be offered in South Africa. The 1.5-litre engine (sourced from the Nissan Juke and Qashqai) is available with a six-speed manual gearbox. The current 1.2-litre turbopetrol automatic is now also available with a manual gearbox for the first time.
Renault plans to launch the facelifted Clio towards the back end of 2016.
Now that there are no V8-engined derivatives in the XF line-up and the V6 versions cost in excess of R1 million, the 2.0-litre powered 25t R Sport represents the sportiest derivative that can be had at a “reasonable” price. Does the XF still strike a healthy balance between dynamism and luxury…. and, more importantly, can it justify its asking price?
We like: handsome styling, improved rear leg- and headroom
We don’t like: zingy powerplant, marginal interior build quality, thirst
Alternatives:
For all-round competence: BMW 528i M-Sport. Although the replacement for the BMW 5 Series is expected to be unveiled before the end of the year, the 5er still represents a good combination of luxury, refinement and performance. Even though this 2.0-litre engine has been superseded by a new generation motor in other BMW products (such as the 3 Series and 4 Series), outputs of 180 kW and 350 N.m are still competitive.
For state-of-the-art prestige: Mercedes-Benz E200 AMG Line. Although many of the E-Class’ cutting-edge technological features are extra-cost options, the range is widely regarded the new benchmark in its segment and with an asking price of R764 008, this E200 can be specced-up even further before you reach the XF’s price.
Understated performance: The Audi A6 2.0 TSI quattro continues to evade buyers’ attention. Discreet, refined and spacious, the A6 has a slick 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive surefootedness that make the Audi surprisingly involving to drive. It is, however, a bit plain compared with the Jaguar.
Well-specced, well-priced executive: Lexus GS 200t EX. The introduction of a smooth, more economical 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder motor has added fresh appeal to an otherwise old-school executive sedan. It’s conservatively styled and anything but dynamic to drive, but, as a luxury car proposition, it offers good value.
The 20-inch Matrix contrast diamond turned wheels cost an extra R33 500.
Big cat, short claws
In our review of the Jaguar XF 20d Prestige we declared it “a far more polished product with few obvious flaws”, that it delivers “accomplished performance that even die-hard fans of the German brands should be able to appreciate" and, "it should no longer be considered a compromised fringe player, but a serious challenger.” However, whereas the XF 20d Prestige makes sense as an entry-level offering by virtue of the purported fuel efficiency of its turbodiesel engine, the XF remains an executive sedan with a sporty bent; it needs to satisfy buyers who fully expect an involving and entertaining driving experience that will complement the Jaguar’s evocative styling.
In R Sport guise, the 25t certainly looks the part, but, does its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine, which is mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission, endow the XF with sufficient urge and dynamic ability to please driving enthusiasts, while delivering an appreciable level of refinement and acceptable fuel efficiency? Let's find out…
How does it fare in terms of…
Sporty packaging?
To say that the XF 25t R Sport looks handsome and athletic when finished in Glacier White (albeit a metallic finish) is to pay it a massive compliment. White paint finishes tend to add bulk to larger sedans (well, at least most of them) by visually flattening out their definitive exterior lines, but the XF, which is admittedly not as distinctive as its predecessor, still has oodles of kerb appeal. From the outside, the R-Sport package adds sportier bumpers and skirts, which are appealing in their own right, but the test unit was further specified with eye-catching 20-inch multi-spoke, twin-tone rims and a Black package, which, as expected, adds dark window and grille finishes, bumper detailing and even noir R-Sport plates on the front fenders.
As we alluded in the previous XF review, the Jaguar's interior does not have quite a sense of occasion to match the sleek exterior, but the cabin detailing comes alive courtesy of two-tone leather and strategically positioned R-Sport decals. Yes, the central air vents are now conventional (they don’t slide open when you start the car) and the design of the fascia is so modular that the climate control console looks virtually slabby, but, at least ergonomically-speaking, the driver feels utterly ensconced and comfortable behind the wheel.
Evolutionary styling most obvious from the XF's rear three-quarter view. Still a head-turning car.
Performance and handling?
With peak engine outputs of 177 kW and 340 N.m, the turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-litre 4-cylinder powerplant delivers commendable performance… as a 7.0-second claimed zero to 100 km/h sprint time for the 25t R Sport clearly attests. Unfortunately, as is the case with many direct-injection units of its ilk, the motor emits an uninspiringly strained engine note when it is required to rev into its upper reaches. Although the drivetrain feels thoroughly refined at cruising speeds, the combination of the 2.0-litre motor, which produces peak torque between 1 750 and 4 000 rpm and the 8-speed transmission can, at times, feel cumbersome.
Perhaps it can be attributed to an economy-oriented throttle-mapping in the XF’s default driving mode and perhaps it’s just a factor of the sedan’s 1 650 kg kerb weight plus the weight of its occupants, but the 25t hesitates too much when a short, sharp burst of speed is required (when you need to nip past slower vehicles or take a gap in traffic, for example). If you then apply seemingly excessive throttle pedal inputs immediately thereafter, frantic gearbox kick downs and a wailing motor are sure to make their presences felt.
The zingy motor was a trifle disappointing, because in terms of a ride and handling balance, the XF is superb. Granted, the R-Sport suspension tuning errs on the firm side of pliant, but the suspension never felt jittery or unyielding (those sizeable rims do give the game away when major road imperfections need to be absorbed, it must be said). The steering is well-weighted, quick and pleasingly accurate. Considering it is electrically-, as opposed to hydraulically power assisted, it remains as pleasing to use as its predecessor's tiller, plus the Jaguar responds with deft handling and appreciable body control. It all augurs well for when a pukka R version makes its arrival one day… but alas, the 25t is a far cry from that!
An excellent driving position with excellent ergonomics, but the cabin is let down by a few trim rattles.
Comfort and practicality?
With complaints of tight rear leg- and headroom addressed with the second-generation XF, the newcomer’s cabin is an eminently comfortable space to occupy, the ease of use of the 12.3-inch touchscreen and Meridian digital audio system drew praise from testers, and although the boot is relatively small, the rear seatbacks can split and fold forward. What's more, the Jaguar's level of on-road refinement, at least as far as NVH suppression is concerned, is impressive, but the build quality of the interior doesn’t measure up to that of the best in class.
The switchgear, although chunky and neat, didn’t feel particularly grand to operate, some of the stitchwork looked less than sumptuous and during its tenure in Cars.co.za’s review fleet, the XF 25t’s cabin emitted a few rattles and creaks (nothing that the audio system could not drown out, but they were persistent!). The weak Rand contrives to make the asking price for this model steep (R 856 526 — and that's without options) and, unfortunately for Jaguar, given the stiff Teutonic competition it's up against, the XF is, well, imperfectly premium.
Pricing and warranty
The Jaguar XF 25t R Sport sells for R856 526, which includes a 3-years/100 000 km warranty and 5-years/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Verdict
Does the 2.0-litre turbopetrol version of the XF do its range proud? Given its predecessor’s reputation for offering exclusive style and cool luxury in (an easily accessible) dynamic package, we’d say not quite. It’s not that the 25t R Sport disappoints as an executive sedan… it looks the part, is a pleasure to drive (once it has gathered momentum) and is comfortable and reasonably sophisticated, but it feels like a boulevard cruiser, and that detracts a lot from the test unit’s (let’s just call it) Jaguarness.
Also, although the Coventry-based manufacturer claims an average fuel consumption of 7.5 L/100 km for this derivative, we did not see an indicated consumption figure of anything near that during the test. So, with fuel efficiency not in its favour and, when you consider the top-spec Mercedes-Benz E200 (with AMG Line) constitutes a saving of more than R90 000 compared with the XF 25t R Sport, this Jaguar derivative is a hard-sell.
The next-generation of Ford's popular supermini, the Fiesta, is set to debut in 2017. Our spy photographer has caught prototypes undergoing testing in Europe.
Ford's current Fiesta has been around since 2009 and has remained amazingly popular during this long model life. In fact, last year was this Fiesta generation's best sales year in the UK! But, with the competition getting stiffer and the Fiesta falling behind in terms of interior packaging and ergonomics, a replacement is around the corner.
PHOTOS: S.Baldauf/ S.B Medien
Reports suggest a new model that is slightly larger than before, with a particular emphasis on improving rear knee and shoulder room – areas where the Fiesta has been lagging its rivals. Up front, the cluttered current facia will make way for a more minimalistic design featuring Ford's SYNC3 info-tainment system. The growth in size and (primarily) sophistication makes sense as Ford has just released a new, bigger Ka+ (badged Figo in SA) in Europe, positioned below the current Fiesta.
At this point drivetrain news is based on pure speculation, but a hot tip is that only three-cylinder turbo engines will feature. It is also rumoured that the dual-clutch transmission will be dropped.
We spent a month in the top-of-the-range Mazda2, a small hatchback with a novel configuration of a turbodiesel engine mated with an automatic transmission. With generous specification, the 1.5 DE Hazumi offers a blend of luxury, ease-of-use and economy. Does the package work?
The standard Cars.co.za review period is usually around 10 days and while you can get a reasonably accurate idea of what a car is like during that time, a few more weeks afford us with an opportunity to form a better opinion of what a vehicle is like to live with; its inherent strengths and weaknesses and how it performs on longer trips. The 1.5 DE Hazumi, which had served extended time in the media test fleet before reaching us for this test, was immediately put to good use for a long-distance trip to the Garden Route.
Let’s get the numbers out the way. This is the only turbodiesel automatic hatchback in its segment of the market. Powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder motor with 77 kW and 220 Nm, the Mazda2 offers performance that’s on par with its rivals and has a claimed fuel consumption of only 4.4 L/100 km. Power reaches the front wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. This derivative costs R286 700, which includes a 3-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and 3-year/unlimited kilometre service plan.
Mazda South Africa has gone from strength to strength since it became a standalone entity in the local market. It’s actively marketing its model line-up and from small hatchbacks to crossovers, family saloons to compact SUVs (there's even a double-cab!), Mazda offers products that will suit most needs and budgets. After chatting to some sales reps from our local dealer, there is much demand for the Mazda2 and Mazda CX-3, while the World Car of the Year-winning MX-5 roadster is selling in numbers that reflect its niche-product positioning.
The transmission and turbodiesel engine work well as a combination. There’s a little hesitation when you pull away, which is likely to make you instinctively apply a bit more throttle. This will then result in the turbomotor delivering a wad of torque, which makes the acceleration uneven. Fight that instinct and let the car naturally build up acceleration for a smoother ride.
Most turbodiesel engines, especially those of a smaller capacity, don't deliver much oomph before 1 500 rpm. The Mazda delivers all its torque from 1 500 to 2 500 r/min and peak power at 4 000, but this narrow "power band" and the six-speed auto work surprisingly harmoniously in an urban environment, We found that mashing the throttle pedal to the floor was not the answer as the transmission would kick down too many gears – if you're in a hurry, use the manual override by knocking the selector to the side and treating the 'box like a sequential unit.
The fuel-saving auto start/stop system is a little intrusive and the ‘i-stop’ message will blink on the dashboard telling you that the car wishes to switch off to save some diesel, if you have opted to switch it off. We found it best to leave the i-stop to its own devices.
Let’s hit the road
The boot size is on par with rivals, and it was packed fully for a long-weekend trip to the Garden Route.
We tested the Hazumi on the open road for a long journey from Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay. Two tog bags, a laptop bag, camera gear and fishing equipment stretched the Mazda2’s boot to its capacity. While it couldn’t quite take the cooler box, it’s nice to know you can fold the seats down in a 60/40 split to further increase space. The cooler box in question landed up on the back seat strapped down with a seatbelt!
On the open road, the lack of cruise control was annoying, but this was offset by not one, but two USB ports. My partner had her phone plugged in to charge, while the second USB provided power to a portable wifi modem. Why can’t all B-segment cars come with multiple USB ports? It would really appeal to the overwhelming majority of 21st-century car buyers.
Meanwhile, It offers good fuel consumption on a long journey. Driving at 120 kph resulted in an indicated consumption figure of 5.5 L/ 100 km, while reducing speed to 110 kph would see that fuel figure drop to under 5.0 L/100 km. We estimate that if you drive long journeys at around 95 kph, your fuel consumption would sit at around 4.0 L/100 km, which is excellent.
Smart-looking touchscreen offers clear visuals and app-like design.
The car feels quite sporty too, and the combination of a firmer suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels meant that the Mazda2 was involving (and most importantly, fun) to drive briskly on a twisty stretch of road. The auto ‘box and engine don’t like to be thrashed and it’s obvious that both have been mapped for a relaxed drive.
The cabin is a pleasant place. It feels well assembled and the materials used in its construction feel smart, but also hard-wearing. This unit had already endured numerous journalist evaluations, yet the cabin felt fresh and unscathed after 10 000 km on the odo. Operating the functions of the touchscreen infotainment system takes some time to get used to, but once you’re familiar with its layout, you’ll be able to navigate those menus almost without taking your eyes off the road.
What do you mean it’s not full house?
Climate control, two USB ports, CD player, decent infotainment system, steering wheel controls… but no cruise control.
Speaking of the infotainment system, Mazda claims this top-spec model is full house, but although Mazda marketing material suggests a satellite navigation system is present, the car’s message system said the nav system required an SD card to work. Our next extended test of the Mazda CX-3 presented the same problem. The GPS hardware is fitted as it will give you latitude and longitude data, as well as altitude above sea level, but for street directions you’re going to require that SD card. A visit to our nearest Mazda dealership in Paarden Eiland resulted in a quote for R5 500. For that money, a smartphone with Google Maps and an in-car mount can do as good a job.
The omission of cruise control was a letdown. Cruise control would not only aid this model’s fuel consumption figure, it would be such a benefit to the Mazda2 on longer trips.
Verdict
We enjoyed our time with the Mazda2 1.5 DE Hazumi and we tallied up a tidy 2 000 km in it. Not only is it a well-built and -specified product, but it also happens to be a pleasure to drive and impressively frugal (if you drive it with a measured inputs from your right foot, of course).
The 1.5 DE Hazumi proved a willing tourer, but the inclusion of cruise control would have been welcome.
With its price tag of R286 700, some may argue that the Hazumi demands a premium price for what’s essentially still a small car. Yes, perhaps there is better value in the manual petrol versions, but for those who cannot quite afford the premium-badged boutique hatchbacks, the top-of-the-range Mazda2 offers a smart, well-equipped package and a satisfying driving experience with the not-insignificant benefit of an automatic transmission, which, in congested urban areas, makes daily motoring a lot more bearable.
First impressions of a Mazda dealership were good too, with a brand representative immediately leaving his desk to come and greet me as I walked through the door. Buoyed by well-made and -priced products, Mazda's reputation in South Africa is better than ever. Given how solid and robust the test unit felt, we find ourselves asking: is Mazda the new Honda? Before the arrival of Lexus and Infiniti, Honda was considered the most desirable premium-but-affordable Japanese marque in the market; its products were well-specced, sporty and desirable. Now that Honda's products are more mainstream and, arguably, a bit staid, Mazda appears to be producing the most fashionable alternatives to the premium brands' wares.
