The Mazda CX-3 has finally been launched in South Africa and after reading the generous praise the compact crossover garnered in the international media, I was very excited to get to grips with the newcomer
With an asking price of more than R320 000 for the top-spec model, the CX-3 commands a premium, but the Mazda does not disappoint. The interior is, for my money, the best in its segment. Everything from the extensive leather trim to the super comfy, plush seats is of an excellent quality.
In this video, we give you a detailed look at the newcomer, as well as comparisons to its close rivals, such as the Honda HR-V, Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Jeep Renegade.
What you won’t see in the studio, however, is how the Mazda fares out on the road. Suffice it to say that the CX-3's ride quality is excellent; the Mazda achieves that sought-after mix of comfort and handling prowess which makes it both a nippy day-to-day vehicle as well as comfortable long distance cruiser.
Those sporty lines have their drawbacks however, which are best shown visually. Let us know what you think of the new Mazda in the comments below.
Mazda CX-3 prices and specifications
2.0 Individual Auto
Price
R325 900
Engine
2.0 naturally aspirated petrol
Power
115kW
Torque
204Nm
Gears
6-speed auto
0 – 100km/h
Not specified
Fuel economy
6.1l/100km
Boot space
264/1 260 litres (seats down)
Airbags
6
Stability Control
Std
USB
Std
Bluetooth
Std
Volkswagen Caddy (2016) First Drive
We get acquainted with the latest iteration of the Volkswagen Caddy, arguably VW’s most "multi-purpose" MPV of the lot
The Caddy has seen duty as a panel van, five-seater, seven-seater and a slightly rugged Cross Caddy. The newest addition, launched in KZN in January 2016, is an evolution of previous versions but VW has made a concerted effort to make the Caddy more appealing to the passenger car market (in other words, families). VW has also designed a new model to compete with the Toyota Avanza, Honda Mobilio and the Suzuki Ertiga. We had a chance to take it for a spin in the Midlands.
Engines
The engine lineup begins with a 1.6-litre petrol engine that produces more power (81 kW, as opposed to 75 kW) and 155 Nm of torque. Then there are two power outputs for the 2.0-litre turbodiesel. Turbodiesels with manual gearboxes produce 81 kW and 250 Nm, while the DSG-equipped versions deliver outputs of 103 kW and 320 Nm. We were able to test the turbodiesel engine in both states of tune and, even though neither Caddy was heavily loaded, the motors pulled smoothly with surprisingly little turbo lag. Fuel consumption is bound to be a massive factor for buyers looking to put the Caddy to work and the newcomer (in turbodiesel guise) is particularly efficient around town and in start/stop traffic. We saw an indicated return of 5.2L/100km after 170km of driving on day one and, on the following day, 7.1L/100km over 300km of freeway driving at a steady 120 kph.
Long and short
There are four models available in the new Caddy range – Panel Van, Crew Bus, Trendline and Alltrack (this model replaces the Cross Caddy). The first two are positioned as workhorses for the commercial customer, with the Crew Bus aimed at the taxi/Uber market.
The Trendline and Alltrack are more for the private buyer. All models except the Alltrack are available in long wheelbase (Maxi) as well as short-wheelbase models. The longer wheelbase adds an extra 469 mm to the loading area and comes with seven seats. All seats can be folded, tumbled and removed with relative ease. The only thing the seats don’t do is fold flat so it’s best to actually take them out when they're not needed. Loading space, even in the seven-seater, is plentiful behind the final row of seats and legroom is decent for all rear passengers.
The look
The Caddy isn't unattractive, but it still looks more like a commercial van than a fashionable people mover. However, passenger vehicle buyers will be buoyed by the fact that Volkswagen has engineered its newcomer to incorporate several passenger-car attributes.
The front-end features the latest generation LED daytime running lights and xenon headlights are optional. The tailgate has some new creases designed into it to make it look less like a barn door, but the result is still unmistakeably van-ish. On the flipside, the Caddy is extremely versatile, spacious and drives as smoothly as a Golf. What's more, the VW can be specced with handy features such as a reverse camera and parking sensors, a fatigue detection system and additional airbags for rear passengers.
Peace of mind
The Volkswagen Caddy is available with a flexible warranty system that allows owners to decide whether they want to extend their vehicles' service plans and warranties. The new Caddy Panel Van and Crew Bus (except 1.6 with 81 kW – service plan optional) come standard with a 2 year/unlimited km warranty and a 3-year/60 000 km service plan. The Caddy Trendline (including Alltrack) comes standard with 3 year/120 000 km manufacturer warranty and a 3-year/60 000 km Service Plan.
Pricing
Panel Van
Caddy Panel Van 1.6i 81kW
R234 000
Caddy Panel Van 2.0 TDI 81kW
R265 700
Caddy Maxi Panel Van 2.0 TDI 81kW
R289 400
Caddy Maxi Panel Van Sport 2.0 TDI 81kW
R312 400
Caddy Maxi Panel Van 2.0 TDI 103kW DSG
R317 900
Crew Bus
Caddy Crew Bus 1.6i 81kW
R226 800
Caddy Crew Bus 2.0 TDI 81kW
R270 500
Caddy Maxi Crew Bus 2.0 TDI 81kW
R302 600
Caddy Maxi Crew Bus 2.0 TDI 103kW DSG
R331 100
Trendline
Caddy Trendline 2.0 TDI 81kW
R351 200
Caddy Maxi Trendline 2.0 TDI 81kW
R369 900
Caddy Maxi Trendline 2.0 TDI 103kW DSG
R399 300
Alltrack
Caddy Alltrack 2.0 TDI 81kW
R365 400
Caddy Alltrack 2.0 TDI 103kW DSG
R395 000
Farewell Land Rover Defender
Production of the Land Rover Defender has ceased, bringing an end to 68 years of automotive history.
The last Land Rover Defender has rolled off the Jaguar/Land Rover production line at the Solihull plant. Land Rover invited more than 700 employees, both current and former, to witness the last vehicle – a Defender 90 Heritage Soft Top – leave the line. It was destined to become part of the Jaguar Land Rover museum collection.
Since 1948, more than two million Series Land Rovers and Defenders have been manufacturered at the JLR's British plant. The vehicle has become the iconic offroad vehicle and Land Rover claimed it was "the most versatile vehicle on the planet".
There were several reasons why Land Rover ended the production run of this iconic model, such as the Defender's dearth of safety features and ever-stringent emissions laws.
It's not all doom and gloom, however, because Land Rover announced the new Heritage Restoration Programme, which will oversee the rebuilding of a number of Land Rovers sourced from around the world. These vehicles will be beautifully restored to full-working order and resold. The first model is expected to go on sale in July 2016.
Land Rover’s Heritage Restoration programme will be manned by a team of twelve experts. Ten of these Land Rover staff will be transferred from the current production line. The team is said to have 172 years of combined experience working on Defender or Land Rover production.
Hyundai South Africa Adds Industry Leading Warranty
As consumers face rising vehicle prices and interest rates in 2016, products with extensive after-sales backup are more in demand than ever before. Hyundai’s new warranty should therefore be very appealing.
When Hyundai introduced a 5-years/150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty at the end of 2007, it added another crucial element to a product package that was starting to become seriously attractive to consumers. No wonder, then, that so many other car makers had to react.
Brands such as Nissan (6-years/150 000 km) and, more recently, Honda (5-years/200 000 km) have entered the fray with aggressively extended warranty offerings, but now Hyundai has upped the ante once again, to 7-years/200 000 km.
"We are proud to be a leader once again in the South Africa automotive industry with a manufacturer's warranty that really bears testimony of the trust that we place in our products. Our cars' quality and reliability have established excellent resale values over the years, and many thousands of Hyundai customers and drivers can vouch for the peace of mind that our products bring to the consumer," says Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.
The Korean brands in particular are, of course, under more pressure than most of their rivals, especially those that manufacture vehicles locally, not just due to the Rand's weak exchange rate, but because their products are increasingly competing in higher market segments. This was certainly a consideration in the decision to up the warranty.
The new, extended warranty will cover a wide array of engine and transmission components of any Hyundai passenger car and light commercial vehicle sold by Hyundai Automotive SA as of 1 February 2016.
Hyundai says that, in the engine, items such as the timing chain, cylinder block, head gasket, cylinder head and crank case, to name a few, are covered by the extended warranty. The turbocharger, water pump, flywheel and engine mountings also fall under the warranty, while the pressure plate and the torque converter are also covered in the manual and automatic gearboxes.
Several other components in the transmission – front wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive – are also covered by the warranty, including the transfer case, universal joint, prop shaft, axle shafts, constant velocity joints and front and rear differentials. Front and rear hub bearings are also on the list of parts that enjoy the warranty cover.
All Hyundai passengers vehicles, from the entry-model, the i10, to the range-topping Santa Fe SUV and the 9-seater H-1 Bus, are covered by the new 7-years/200 000km warranty. The light commercial vehicles enjoying the new warranty cover are the H-1 Panel Van and H-1 Multicab, as well as the popular H100, also known as the "Bakkie".
Fuel Prices in SA for February 2016 Diesel Down, Petrol Up
The Department of Energy has released the fuel price adjustments and as of Wednesday 3 February both grades of petrol (95 Octane and 93 Octane) will increase by 6 cents per litre. As for diesel, 0.05% sulphur and 0.005% sulphur will decrease by 62 cents and 63 cents per litre respectively.
According to the Department of Energy, the main reason for the decrease in diesel prices is due to oversupply in the global market. The rise in the petrol price was also affected by the unplanned shutdown of some major refineries in the USA but the weakening Rand has had a major impact on the current fuel price adjustments.
Lexus has introduced its fourth-generation RX premium SUV in South Africa. We ventured to the Kruger National Park to drive it.
Since its introduction in 1998, the RX has proven a success story for Lexus; the firm has sold more than 1.2 million units of its premium SUV across the globe. The RX accounts for about 18% of Lexus’ sales and is by far the brand’s most popular SUV. Lexus epitomises luxury so we weren’t too surprised that the 4th generation RX launch took place at Sir Richard Branson’s Private Nature Reserve in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. Let’s take a closer look at what the new RX offers…
What's new?
As before, the RX range comprises two models: the 350 EX and 450h SE petrol-electric hybrid, both of which have received power upgrades (more about this later). Compared with the previous generation, this new RX is 120 mm longer, 10 mm wider and rides 20mm lower than before. The wheelbase has been extended by 50 mm, which translates into increased interior space.
The first thing you notice about this new RX is its distinctive and eye-catching front-end styling. Those sharp angular lines and bold spindle grille, let alone revised headlight design with daytime running lights, add to the sharp looks. The 350 EX features HID headlights while the 450h SE gets eye-catching tri-LED headlights with a nifty sequential LED indicator function. Towards the rear, you may also notice that the C-pillars have been blacked out to give the RX a “floating roof design” and both models feature an electrically operated tailgate that makes closing the luggage bay much easier.
The overall design is certainly striking, so much so that it may polarise opinion, but we feel that the RX is, if flamboyant, rather attractive.
The RX now rides on 20-inch alloys (as opposed to the previous range’s 19-inch items) and customers can choose between seven metallic colours including: White Quartz, Platinum Silver, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black, Morello Red, Amber and Opulent Blue. Buyers can also choose between a black or ivory interior trim schemes.
More power
The Lexus RX 350 EX is fitted with an upgraded 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces higher power and torque outputs than the previous generation (221 kW and 370 Nm, which represent improvements of 17 kW and 24 Nm) and the fuel efficiency is said to have improved by 9% (Lexus claims 9.6L/100km for this model).
The model adopts dynamic torque control, which distributes torque dynamically between the front and rear axles as required, and power is delivered to all four wheels via an 8-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission (with manual mode). The driver can switch between three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) via the Drive Mode Select dial on the centre console.
The RX 450h SE, on the other hand, is powered by a new 193 kW / 335 Nm 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle V6 engine mated with a 123 kW front electric motor as well as a 50 kW motor that forms part of the E-Four AWD system. The flagship model’s combined power output has improved by 10 kW with the total output now claimed at 230 kW. The 450h SE utilises a CVT transmission to deliver propulsion to all four wheels. Thanks to a number of improvements to the hybrid system, Lexus says that fuel efficiency for the 450h has improved by 9.5% (the claimed figure is 5.7L/100km).
Both models feature new pre-load front differentials that are said to improve the RX’s drivability and stability in various driving situations. Lexus has also redesigned the body structure to increase structural rigidity and the steering, suspension and braking systems have been tweaked to improve ride and handling out on the road.
The Lexus RX driving experience
Our first experience of the RX was behind the wheel of the 450h SE. The new leather-trimmed front seats are 10-way electrically adjustable and feature heating and ventilation functions and the multifunction steering wheel allows the driver to control a host of functions while driving. Other notable features include a large 12.3-inch high-definition TFT display that is operated via a remote touch controller, as well as a wireless smartphone charger (compatible with Qi-enabled smartphones). Apart from a pair of USB ports and an auxiliary audio input port, the 450h ES is fitted with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound, which is very effective audio system!
Our trip started at the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, from where we set off for the Kruger National Park. On start-up, the 450h ES barely made a sound as we exited the parking area courtesy of the Lexus’ EV drive. Out on the open road, the 450h delivered an excellent ride quality and its powertrain operated in a smooth, refined manner befitting its luxury packaging. The RX is by no means a performance machine, but Lexus has struck a good balance between performance and everyday drivability.
The RX 450h is claimed to be capable of accelerating from zero to 100 kph in 7.7 seconds and gets up to freeway speed reasonably quickly and there is sufficient power in reserve to execute swift overtaking manoeuvres with ease. With Sport mode engaged, the 450h livens up somewhat and the CVT transmission was surprisingly smooth in response to throttle inputs. It must also be noted that road and wind noise was near non-existent in the RX, which is a testament to the solid build quality of the vehicle.
Tar roads soon gave way to dirt and presented the RX 450h with a new challenge. How would the RX cope with poor dirt roads? Surprisingly well. The RX glided over the rough roads and the lack of interior rattles suggested excellent NVH suppression. The test unit’s trip computer displayed a consumption figure of 10.3L/100km which was surprising, considering Lexus claims 5.7L/100km for the top RX model.
The next day, we drove the 350 EX back to the airport. Much like the 450h, this 350 EX coped well with the unsealed road and was largely unhindered by the undulations that are so common in the Kruger Park. We did find the 350 EX to be a bit sluggish from a quick pull-away, but once it got up to speed our reservations faded away. The RX is a solid "cruising" SUV and the smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic responded reasonably well under harder acceleration. This derivative returned consumption figures of 12.5L/100km, which is fairly close to its claimed figure of 9.6L/100km.
Overall, the RX scores highly in terms of refinement, drive quality and, importantly, luxury execution. Its overall performance is more than adequate, but perhaps not as quite exciting as its exterior design leads you to expect…
Safety features
The new Lexus RS is packed with safety features including ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Assist Control, Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (hybrid only), Tyre Pressure Monitor and front and rear park distance control with a rear camera. A Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is also included and a total 10 airbags are fitted as standard.
Standard Features
The RX 350 EX includes the following standard specification:
10-way power front seats
Leather upholstery
Laser-cut ornamentation
12-speaker audio system with DAB+ digital radio tuner
Heated and ventilated front seats
Wireless charger
20-inch alloy wheels with Sonic Titanium colour inserts
Electrically operated tailgate
LED headlamps
Eight-speed automatic transmission
Three-mode Drive Mode Select
12.3-inch high definition display with satellite navigation
Power-adjustable steering column
Electrochromic interior mirror
Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
Automatic heated exterior mirrors
Tyre pressure monitoring
Rear privacy glass
Reversing camera with back guide monitor
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Clearance and back parking sonar
Smart entry and start
Cruise control
Electronic park brake
Power sliding roof
2 000 kg braked towing capacity
Full spare with alloy
Maintenance Plan – Lexus Distance Plan Plus
The RX 450h SE adds the following specification:
Unique SE petal-style alloys
Tri-LED headlamp clusters with integrated washer system
Sequential LED indicator function which works in conjunction with the DRLs
The latest interest rate hike will increase the pain of South African consumers, especially for those paying off a financed car.
Following our recent report that new vehicle prices were under severe pressure due to the Rand's weak exchange rate (New Car Prices: Big Increases Coming), the South African Reserve Bank increased the interest rate by 50 basis points on January 28, resulting in an effective repo rate of 6.75%, with the prime lending rate now sitting at 10.25%.
“Given the current economic conditions this hike comes as no surprise. But it will not be welcomed by consumers,” says Rudolf Mahoney, Wesbank's head of brand and communication.
“Household budgets are under tremendous pressure. The interest rate has increased 175 (2.25%) basis points in 24 months, meaning those who have had car and home loans since the start of the rate hiking cycle will now really start feeling the effects.”
Those of you who have vehicle finance agreements (or any finance agreements coupled to the interest rate) with a linked interest rate should be notified of the recalculated monthly instalments shortly.
And what is the impact? Wesbank explains: Using an example of a vehicle that costs R250 000, financed over 72 months at an interest rate of prime plus 1.5%, the instalment amount at the start of January 2014 would have been R4 710 (at an effective interest rate of 10%, including all charges). Purchasing that same vehicle at today’s hiked interest rate would result in a monthly repayment of R4 935 – a difference of R225.
“Every time there’s a 25 basis-points hike a vehicle’s monthly instalment only changes by 20 or 30 Rand, but all those small hikes add up,” says Mahoney. “This is an excellent example of why we urge consumers to build some fat into their car-buying budgets.”
But, of course, it’s not only about cars, but also credit cards, home loans, clothing accounts etc. Consumers with additional debt will notice the increased repayments starting to significantly affect their budgets. Household debt levels in South Africa remain at high levels – with more than 75% of disposable income servicing debt.
Rising interest rates and inflation, brought on by a deteriorating Rand and compounded by the fallout of the national drought, will see buyers either postpone vehicle purchases, buy down or exit the new market altogether in order to find better value the used market.
The Volvo XC90 was one of the most widely anticipated new product introductions by the Volvo brand; critics received it well and accolades followed. However, what's the Swedish premium SUV like on closer inspection – is it really as good as Volvo say it is?
The XC90 is the Swedish brand’s phoenix. Rising from (what was rumoured to be) financial Armageddon, and emboldened with Chinese investment, the Scandinavian manufacturer created a thoroughly modern vehicle that is said to embody everything the brand stands for.
With this in mind, I was afforded the opportunity to live with the XC90 for a three-week period during the December 2015 holidays. A standard Cars.co.za car test lasts only five to seven days and while this may seem a long enough period to thoroughly engage with a car, the reality is that the demands of a work week and sharing the car with your colleagues means that there’s often a shortage of time to drill down into a vehicle’s pros and cons.
The holidays represented a perfect window in which to bond (or not bond) with the Volvo, and with my extended family due in Cape Town, the seven-seater SUV seemed a godsend.
At the outset
The Volvo arrives and it's so dazzlingly white in the harsh Cape Town sun that I have to don my sunglasses. It’s ridiculously good looking. Riding on 21-inch wheels, the new XC90 is a masterpiece of bold elegance, if such a thing is possible. Maybe it wasn’t until now.
The large, solid key fob is wrapped in black leather to match the interior of the car. It is a nice touch and after I’m given a quick tour of the highly specced T6 Inscription I’ll be living with for a few weeks, I immediately return to my desk to do some work.
My first trip in the Volvo is sometime later: to a supermarket that's quite literally 800m from the office. Before you accuse me of being a lazy shmuck, yes, it’s a walkable distance, but with the mercury touching 35 degrees, I prefer the Swedish aircon, thank you very much.
Puncture! On my return to the Volvo, I spot a massive nail sticking out of the left rear tyre. Many, many terrible words fill the air – it’s late December and the chance of sourcing a tyre like that at short notice is remote. I shoot over to the nearest Supaquik and after the very polite assistant recovers from the shock (of finding 21-inch wheels on a Volvo), she informs me that I am, most likely, screwed.
But Supaquick tried to repair it anyway. The XC90 barely managed to fit on the hydraulic lift – it’s a big car. Thankfully, the most relaxed tyre technician I’ve ever met manages to repair the huge Pirelli Scorpion Verde, sparing me from the misery of driving the XC90 back to the media fleet manager on its biscuit spare wheel and parking it there until January.
This was an eye-opening little lesson. While huge 21-inch wheels and tyres might be aesthetically pleasing, they’re really not worth the cost and hassle of trying to source them. Supaquick couldn’t even find a price for the tyres, but estimated them at about R9 000 apiece. There are other reasons why smaller rims/tyres make more sense, which I’ll get to shortly.
Discoveries
This car has seat coolers. I love seat coolers. And it has seat heaters, but in the current climate using them would be tantamount to taking a nap in your microwave. I also discover that the steering system is very… suggestive. The car detects lane markings and gently nudges you back into the lane. After a few kilometres I decide that this is a very good thing.
You see, I’m a daydreamer. I find commuting dull at the best of times and so I spend most of my daily drives dreaming up what my dream home would look like or what it would be like to fly a helicopter over Table Bay so that I could avoid all this godforsaken traffic. This means that I don’t have the best lane-discipline in the world. Which means that this XC90 was made for me; it has been sent from Sweden to make me a better driver. I like that.
However, the system does not detect pavements or kerbs. I’m no physicist, but straying into a kerb with an XC90 is probably a bit more damaging to the vehicle than wafting over a white line every now and again. I’m sure building these systems isn’t easy, but I do hope version 2.0 has kerb detection. I’d really appreciate that.
A masterstroke is the one-touch adaptive cruise control system. Reach your desired speed, hit one button on the steering wheel and you’re cruising. Another button increases your speed in 5 km/h increments and another sets the following distance to the car ahead of you. I used this every time we traversed a freeway, especially in zones monitored by average speed cameras. By monitoring the traffic in your path, the Volvo facilitates a stressless motorway experience for its driver.
The car is specced with another system that excels in stop-start traffic. Flick into the “queue mode” and the XC90 will use Swedish mind tricks (and some technology) to lock on the car ahead, steering between the lanes and maintaining a safe following distance up to 50km/h.
Fuel consumption
The XC90, even on big 21-inch wheels, is a comfortable daily driver. The ride quality is firm, but as smooth as a butterscotch latte. I'd spent time in an XC90 with 19-inch wheels and I'd recommend the smaller rims if you like your ride quality a bit spongier. My test unit handled like a large, sporty sedan. There’s very little body roll and the Volvo hides its considerable bulk well, a fact that's very impressive if you consider that all XC90s have 2.0-litre engines.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor is a thing of wonder. We’ve seen it average 6.9 litres/100km during its tenure in our test fleet and you’d have to drive like a real knob to achieve over 10 litres/100km. This is a very good thing. If you are thinking of buying an XC90, you’d be quite silly not to purchase a turbodiesel version.
That being said, the turbopetrol is a star performer in its class. Given the size of the Volvo, it’s not the sort of vehicle that encourages you to dart around town, tearing through corners and taking on 18-year-olds in their modified Polos at the lights. No, the XC90 encourages a driving style which I call “Swedish Zen”. Either that or every car journalist should be made to pay for their own fuel, because I drove everywhere like an octogenarian Buddhist.
Flicking the car into Eco mode seems to help a great deal with your fuel economy. I achieved close to 12 litres/100km and drove approximately 550 km on a full tank. The T6 is a powerful, smooth motor, but diesel makes more sense in this application.
Ciro and the whale
The XC90 swallows any luggage you can possibly throw at it during the course of your day-to-day life. My sister is a die-hard two-wheeled spandex warrior who insists on travelling across the country with a box that's not just taller than her but filled with bicycle bits.
I don’t know if you’ve ever encountered the cardboard behemoth that bicycles are shipped in but they are comically long. My sister hadn’t warned me that she’d be arriving with what is essentially a legless patio table in a box. However, with one seat flicked down, the box slid into the Volvo with palpable ease. I had visions of strapping the damn thing to roof only to have it fly off on the N2 and my sister hating me forever, because, for some reason, a bicycle costs more than a tertiary education these days.
Big SUVs are generally quite useful things, especially if you have procreated and you need to ferry not just people, but prams/bikes/other people’s kids/dogs/tents/giant bicycle boxes. But of all the SUVs I’ve been fortunate enough to drive, the Volvo seems to be the most practical of the lot. I think it’s down to the chassis, the whole rear suspension has been engineered to allow for the optimal amount of cabin space possible. The only other vehicle that I can think of that offers this level of practicality is the Land Rover Discovery.
Over the course of the holidays, my family and I went mountain biking, trampolining, wakeboarding, shopping and sightseeing all over the province. There were times when we were 7-up in the car and everyone was comfortable, had their own aircon outlets, or marvelled at the XC90’s massive centre iPad-like touchscreen.
The XC90 still has a sizeable boot with all 7 seats in upright positions, which is super useful. However you’ll most likely have 5 seats up, in which case you will benefit from having a vast boot space, complete with what I like to call a “shopping flap”.
This is a stroke of genius from the Swedes and helps keep shopping upright and from rolling around. I found it very adept at looking after my wine…
I haven’t started a family yet, but based on my experience over the last three weeks, it would be a pleasure to tackle life with one of these cars.
The iPad thing
While many cars offer similar levels of comfort and practicality to the Volvo, I haven’t come across a single car that features a human-machine-interface like this. I’d imagine the 17-inch touchscreen in the Tesla Model S must feel like it's from another planet, but until Elon Musk’s electric wonder arrives in Mzansi, the XC90’s infotainment system will reign supreme.
The design of the software is just… inspired. The attention to detail and fingernomics (I literally just made that up, but I’m totally chuffed with myself and will be copyrighting it. It's a combination of “finger” and “ergonomics”) is utterly remarkable.
From the way you can set the aircon temperature, to the media controls, telephony, navigation and trip information functions, everything is fluid, intuitive and straightforward.
If there is a heaven, and if Steve Jobs is up there hosting elaborate product launches for Bluetooth leather sandals and smart-robes that measure your blood sugar levels, I’m almost certain he’s driving an XC90, swiping away at the touchscreen and smiling like the obsessive technologist we all knew him to be.
It’s difficult to capture in words how well the system works, so I’d encourage you to skip to 1:39 in our video below to see the touchscreen in action.
To summarise, then…
And then came the time that the XC90 and I had to take leave of each other, as I knew it always would.
I will miss the glances from jealous-types in underground parking lots. I’ll miss the driver’s seat – so comfy and supportive. I’ll miss the space and I’ll miss that touchscreen.
I won’t miss the seat coolers, which are unacceptably loud. Honestly, I’ve been in quieter hair salons. And the stop-start system needs some tweaking – it’s too eager, cutting the engine before the car has come to a complete stop, creating quite a jerky experience at the traffic lights. I won’t miss trying to do my utmost to go easy with my right foot, although this is a more a reflection of my spoilt position as a motoring journalist than that of the car.
The XC90 is a remarkable product made by a company that we always knew could build remarkable products. Having spent time with this Volvo, it’s clear to me that no thought was spared and no idea wasted in the pursuit to build a car that is exceptional. It’s obvious the Swedish manufacturer is exceptionally proud of this vehicle – you can almost feel it.
It absolutely nails the basic characteristics of what makes a great premium SUV, but it goes further than that: the engineers want this to be a car that not only fits into your life with ease, but improves it. To me, the XC90 is important, and deserving of its many awards, as it represents a new chapter in how we interact with our cars. And that makes the big Volvo worthy of very special praise. The XC90 is not perfect – it’s better than that. It’s human.
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.
BMW 7-Series (2016) First Drive
We take a drive in BMW’s flagship product. It incorporates a raft of new technologies and is claimed to be the segment’s most dynamic offering, but is it good enough to best the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
The BMW 7-Series was first introduced in 1977 and, with the brief exception of the discontinued 8 Series (1989-1999), remains the brand’s flagship passenger car range. The sixth generation has been introduced locally and, as ever, it's vying for segment supremacy.
The big news for the latest incarnation of BMW 7-Series is its all-new platform and a smorgasbord of onboard driver technology. The platform is assembled out of a combination of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, high-strength steel as well as aluminium. You even get a badge proudly proclaiming "Carbon Core" on the B-pillar when you open the door. Weight saving seems to be one of the big priorities here as carbon fibre has been used extensively and BMW says the new model is 15% lighter (by about 130kg) than the outgoing version. 15% may not sound like much, but in a big limousine, it makes a difference. In terms of looks, the new 7-Series is unmistakably a BMW when viewed from the front, while the rear oozes luxury and presence thanks to some chrome exhaust surrounds and fancy taillamps.
The kidney grille is imposing and while it’s mostly cosmetic, it features active vents that open and close to assist with cooling and aerodynamics. All vehicles in the BMW 7-Series range feature an eight-speed Steptronic gearbox with paddles located behind the wheel, self-levelling suspension (front and rear), dynamic damping control, and the options list promises even more.
You can opt for the revolutionary BMW Laserlight headlamps, which are claimed to illuminate an area up to 600 metres ahead of the car. How about a breath-taking audio system from Bowers and Wilkins? You can even spec Executive Drive Pro, which scans the road ahead for surface irregularities and adjusts the 7's damping to compensate.
As is the case with most German vehicles, the options list is extensive and BMW has taken its cue from its Rolls-Royce division in terms of the level of personalisation it affords 7 Series customers. With BMW Individual Design Composition a buyer can customise and personalise a variety of elements, including exclusive wheels, as well as a multitude of paint/trim/leather combinations. The Munich-based manufacturer claims "additional customer requests based on personal preferences are met by the BMW Individual Manufactory", which we read as "whatever you want, we’ll do it, but it’s going to cost you".
The line-up
The initial South African 7-Series line-up consists of three engines, with the plug-in petrol-electric hybrid 740e to follow shortly. BMW has not confirmed the mighty V12 yet, but we expect it to arrive eventually. At the launch, we drove only the 730d and 740i models.
Our first stint was behind the wheel of the petrol 740i, which has a 240kW and 450Nm six-cylinder turbopetrol motor. It’s brisk too, with a claimed 0-100kph time of a formidable 5.5 seconds. The 740i is also said to return combined fuel consumption figure of 6.6L/100km.
Its diesel sibling was the chariot for the second day, and that motor packs 195kW and a mighty 620Nm of torque. It’s no slouch either, with 0-100kph being accomplished in a claimed 6.1 seconds. The main benefit of the oil burner will be its economy; the 730d is said to consume just 5L/100km. Of interest, the forthcoming 740e will feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 70kW electric motor. It has a combined output of 240kW and 500Nm, but the most impressive stat has to be the 2.1L/100km fuel consumption claim.
The key of the new BMW 7-Series is definitely worth a mention as it's more of a smart device than a car key. The fob bears a remarkable resemblance to a smartphone with its screen displaying car status, range to empty and so on. You’re also able to remotely start the car as well as set your temperature preferences before you get in. Imagine you’re at a restaurant on a winter’s night. A few minutes before you leave, you set the car’s heater to warm the cabin. Don’t worry about the key’s battery dying either; it sits nicely on a wireless charging pad.
The measure of success in this segment has to be the ability to deliver an exceptional ride quality, low noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) and refinement in spades. We appreciate the effort that BMW has put into the new 7-Series in an effort to match the Mercedes-Benz S-Class: you can feel just how far this new vehicle has come. Turn down the radio and climate control, and you’ll be gobsmacked by how quiet it is.
The launch route comprised a variety of roads such as highways, open roads, dynamic sweeping bends as well as inner city congestion. The BMW 7-Series soaked it all up and past complaints about noisy run-flat tyres have been dealt with. Overall, the 7 feels a highly polished saloon that's always relaxing to drive– whether you're cruising on a smooth, open road or creeping in slow-moving rush hour traffic.
Throw some corners into the mix and the 7-Series transforms from a restrained luxurious limousine to a lithe, athletic performer. When he drove up Franschhoek Pass (a dynamic test for any vehicle). Despite its size, the 7 performed admirably and felt not too dissimilar to a 3-Series, dynamically. It’s certainly agile enough for its size.
There are essentially three driving modes: Comfort, Eco and Sport. We say essentially because there are sub-modes of the three, which you can personalise. We found that you can make the ride extremely soft and floaty in Comfort Plus, whereas Sport with damping, steering, ‘box and engine in Sport Plus was very responsive; you could feel how taut the suspension suddenly became. To correspond with the different drive modes, the digital dashboard changes colour, layout and font.
If we had any gripes, it’d be that the electronic steering is very numb and unless you’re in Sport mode and pressing on, it can be a tad vague with very little reassuring feedback. Also, the safety systems (when fully enabled) could be viewed as rather intrusive and overly cautious. This car is not meant to driven like a sportscar, but it’s nice to know that it can provide effortless performance should the need arise to press on.
The cabin
A mark of a successful limousine is well it drives, but perhaps, more importantly, how much space/comfort/refinement is afforded to rear passengers. BMW organised drivers for the last leg of the launch so we could sit in the back and experience chauffeur-driven first-class service. The BMW 7-Series is a pleasure to drive, but it’s far more enjoyable to experience it in the comfort of the passenger seats.
The seats are of exceptional quality and you’re able to specify heating/cooling and massage functionality for all four passengers. Rear passengers get soft pillows on top of their headrests. Space and legroom are considerable, and at no point does one feel cramped.
We’ve left the technology section until the very end of this First Drive, because it’s by far the most comprehensive and futuristic vehicle we’ve ever experienced. To make things easier, we’ve compiled some of the best features in a quick, easy-to-read format.
iDrive The satnav/infotainment system has been redesigned for better user experience, features new graphics and now has touchscreen functionality. All screens have high-quality resolutions.
Gesture Control Using your hands in the area by the infotainment system, you’re able to accept/reject phone calls, raise/lower the volume, zoom in on the satnav and much more. A highlight!
Head-up display: The new HUD in the 7-Series is a lot more detailed and in the right mode, there’s hardly any need to glance down at the dashboard; all the important information is projected in front of you.
Semi-Autonomous Driving and Safety: The new BMW 7-Series is able to park itself, keep inside its lane, follow the car in front of it as well as match the traffic speed autonomously. In low-speed traffic jams, we were able to remove our hands from the wheel and the car automatically kept pace with the flow and stayed in its lane. The car is able to read road signs, spot pedestrians in the dark, avoid collisions from the front, side and rear. Cross traffic is thrown in as well.
Remote parking: You can use the BMW Display Key to remotely park the 7-Series. Park in front of your bay/garage, get out of the vehicle, close the door and direct the vehicle fore and aft using the key.
Tablet: Located in the central armrest in the rear is an Android tablet. Using the BMW app, you’re able to control the seats, blinds, lighting and media. Plus you’re able to remove the tablet and take it with you and enjoy normal tablet functionality (email, browsing etc).
Connectivity: two USB ports, Bluetooth as well as wireless charging (thanks to an inductive charging pad). The car also has a built-in SIM for Internet connectivity and to run BMW ConnectedDrive services.
These are just some of the many incredible features that the BMW 7-Series can be equipped with and we’ll be sure to try them out in detail when the vehicle arrives for a full evaluation.
Summary
In an effort to make the 7-Series the new king of the luxury limousine segment, BMW evidently threw everything including the proverbial kitchen sink into the project. Older buyers will be daunted by the sheer array of onboard technology, while the tech-savvy generation (those who can afford such a vehicle, of course) will feel right at home.
In terms of dynamics, the BMW 7-Series is a lot more agile than its predecessor and feels like a larger, more mature 3-Series, which is meant as a compliment. The 7's imbued with that lovely hands-on driving feeling and despite its electronic steering (which ultimately lacks feedback), you feel like you’re still behind the wheel of something vaguely sporty, which is something none of its rivals offer.
The plush cabin, refined ride quality and extensive integration of high technology will win the BMW many fans, and the plethora of features packed into the car arguably renders everything else in the class obsolete. It’ll be interesting to see what Mercedes-Benz’s reply to the new 7 is. If this vehicle is anything to go by, it’s very likely that the next-generation BMW 7-Series will offer fully autonomous capability.
BMW 7-Series Price in South Africa
The BMW 7-Series comes with many trim options and being a premium product, numerous options are available:
CO2 Tax
Standard
Exterior Design
Pure Excellence
M Sport
M Sport with
Interior Design
Pure Excellence
740i Sedan
R3 488,40
R1 339 000
R1 350 600
R1 378 500
R1 398 300
730d Sedan
R1 128,60
R1 365 500
R1 377 100
R1 405 000
R1 424 800
750i Sedan
R6 566,40
R1 755 000
R1 766 600
R1 775 000
R1 424 800
750Li Sedan
R6 874,20
R1 893 500
R1 905 100
R1 913 500
R1 932 200
2015 Suzuki Vitara Video Review
We get to grips with the all-new Suzuki Vitara, an important newcomer in the growing compact crossover segment. With so much heritage attached to its name, much is expected of the new Vitara. Will the Suzuki live up to the hype?
Previous generations of the Suzuki Vitara were known for their outstanding reliability and off-road capability. However, back then the Vitara had the segment entirely to itself. The new Vitara faces stiff competition in the ever-growing compact crossover market. The dominating presence of the Ford Ecosport, Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Kia Soul is bound to make life tough for the newcomer. Nonetheless, the Vitara is well packaged, as well as attractive; it's likely to make a significant impact on the local market, especially considering Suzuki's reputation for superb after-sales service.
We recently spent time reviewing the latest Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+, which is priced at R269 900, and comes fitted with a host of standard features. Some notable items include climate control, cruise control, a multifunction steering wheel and USB/Aux inputs. Front- and all-wheel-drive derivatives are available and suit a variety of driving conditions. In fact, buyers will revel in the new model's ride comfort.
The Vitara is also quite practical and with 375 litres of boot space along with a removable floor, there's ample room for ordinary and, not so ordinary, items. Fuel efficiency is good too, with Suzuki claiming 5.8 L/100km. The best facet of the new Vitara is its reassuring feeling of solidity; the sense that you could happily drive it year after year and eventually pass it on to your kids and that's quite refreshing.
