We sat down with Peugeot/Citroen managing director Francis Harnie at the launch of the faclifted 208. He seems upbeat about the brand’s prospects in South Africa despite some troubles on the horizon.
Cars.co.za:How has the we come to you initiative worked so far?
FH: I think South Africans are still getting used to the idea that we will bring the car to them to test drive. We have seen that the internet is a particularly strong place to make inroads into the buying public. Those that have requested test drives have been surprised that we were able to get a vehicle to them at their convenience to test drive. As far as sales go it has the same sort of turnover as a buyer coming into the dealership a one-in-ten turnover rate.
Cars.co.za:Things are currently tough in SA, how likely is it that Peugeot will continue to sell in SA?
FH: Its not even an option for us to leave the country, even if we only sell a few hundred cars a year. There is a huge opportunity for both our brands (Peugeot and Citroen) here in SA and its a launchpad into other parts of Africa as well. If we are to meet our goal of one-million cars in Africa and the Middle-East by 2025 then South Africa has to contribute at least 25 000 – 30 000 cars (per year).
Cars.co.za:Five years ago, Peugeot was heavily investing in diesel and diesel hybrids, now it seems the shift is towards small capacity turbos. Why the shift?
FH: Five years ago PSA was a European company, focussing on sales in Europe. Today we are a global company focussed on other sales outside of Europe. Europe is all about diesel engines and manual transmissions. Outside of Europe its petrol and automatic. South Africa is a little bit less automatic than the other countries around it. Thats why our engineers have developed these PureTech turbo petrol engines and the new six-speed automatic gearbox. Were even finding in Europe buyers are moving to turbo petrol because the fuel consumption is similar to diesel cars now and they are generally cheaper than the diesels.
Cars.co.za:The Rand weakness will start to hurt car prices soon. What has PSA planned to do in order to cope with the impending increases?
FH: We are not forecasting a strong Rand against the Dollar or Euro. Last year we offset our pricing based on R14-R14.50 to the Euro and now we have done it again so that we wont have to keep increasing our pricing ever two or three months. Its important… a very important factor to deal with when importing cars.
Cars.co.za:Whats next on the cards for Peugeot in SA?
FH: We will be introducing the new Peugeot 3008 which is very big for us. It will be moving away from the MPV segment and joining the mid-size SUV brigade. We think its going to be quite a big hit.
Ford Everest (2016) Specs and Pricing Announced
The new SUV from Ford is launching in South Africa this week. We’ll be driving it soon, but right now here’s pricing plus details.
The new Ford Everest is manufactured in Thailand, unlike its bakkie sibling Ranger, which is made in South Africa at Ford’s Silverton plant. Featuring seven seats, the new Everest is marketed to be supremely comfortable and practical. In terms of safety, there are seven airbags, an electronic stability program, traction control as well as a whole host of intuitive features such as Blind Spot Information and Lane Departure Warning.
The Ford Everest also boasts the latest tech such as SYNC2 infotainment system. The vehicle comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, two USB ports, an SD card slot and an RCA port. The car is also able to parallel park itself thanks to Active Park Assist.
From what we know, there’s only one engine and gearbox combination in South Africa for now. The tried-and-tested 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel mated to an automatic transmission does duty in both models. Power is rated at 143 kW with torque sitting at a worthy 470 Nm.
It’s quite capable too, featuring a towing ability of 3 000kg, ground clearance of 225mm and the Ford Everest can wade through water up to a depth of 800mm. The 4×4 system is called Terrain Management and it features modes to tackle snow, grass, mud, sand and it can even crawl over rocks. It also comes with hill descent control and an electrically locking rear differential.
Ford Everest Price in South Africa
With pricing and spec levels set this high, we’re looking at a premium competitor that’s aimed right at the likes of the Toyota Prado, but don’t discount the Toyota Fortuner just yet as that model is due to replaced in 2016.
The Peugeot 208 line-up was recently given a boost with new paint options, a new engine and some other features. We attended its local launch in Johannesburg.
The Peugeot 208 is a peppy little French hatchback that pits itself against the might of the Polo, Clioand Corsa just to name a few of the heavy hitters. Peugeot is hoping that despite pressure on global markets and the exchange rate, youll drive away happy with a 208 that offers something a little different from the crowd. We took the new 208 GT Line for a quick spin around Johannesburg at the local launch.
Whats different?
On the exterior, not much. Theres a slight change to the rear lights and the top model now comes with LEDs. Two new paint schemes come in a texture colour matte grey and matte red. Mechanically the biggest change is to be found under the bonnet where Peugeot offers a new turbocharged engine. Its a 1.2-litre turbo petrol that pops out 81 kW and 205 Nm of torque. This engine replaces the naturally aspirated power units and offers improvements in torque and fuel consumption. The claimed consumption figure sits at 4.5L/100km for both the manual gearbox and the new six-speed automatic.
In order to try and boost sales Peugeot will also enter a model into the sub-B segment (Figo, Vivo, Sanderoand Etios) with its new 208 Pop Art. It is powered by a 1-litre engine with 50 kW and 95 Nm and offers quite good spec for a not overly pricey R159 900.
Strong performer
The turbocharged engine in the new 208 is a very strong performer, with power coming in smoothly and with a hint of a three-cylinder rasp it can sound sporty, too. We drove an example fitted with Peugeot’s new six-speed gearbox. It shifts quickly and without interruption. There are very few good autos in this segment but the Peugeot unit is certainly right up there in terms of quality feel. The turbocharged unit is only available in GT Line models whereas the Active 1.2 is still powered by a naturally aspirated 1.2-Litre with 60 kW and 118 Nm of torque.
Competent drive
Initial investigation into the handling of the 208 proved positive. The suspension soaks up harsh bumps well and rides without any harsh feedback. It proved its sporty credentials, especially in the cornering department as it was fun to send into bends quickly. The i-cockpit will take getting used to (small steering wheel) but it does make the little 208 feel agile and boosts confidence in its handling/steering abilities.
The finish
The interior of the top of the range GT Line is all we got to see and its a cheerful place to sit. Theres bits of pseudo carbon fibre, half leather seats and a full leather steering wheel. Theres the odd red streak thrown around the cabin to let you know its kind of sporty. The touchscreen up front handles all the media like USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
Range
There will be four different kinds of 208 that you can buy. Already mentioned, the 208 Pop Art is the beginner and still comes quite well-equipped for this segment. The naturally aspirated 1.2 Active offers ESP, cruise control, 15-inch alloy wheels and four airbags as standard fare. The GT line (turbos) then furthers that spec with cornering lights, 17-inch wheels, six airbags, auto lights and wipers and some leather for the interior. The top GT-Line variant throws in the automatic gearbox at an extra R20k.
Peugeot 208 Price in South Africa
208 Pop Art 1.0 R159 900
208 Active 1.2 R209 900
208 GT Line 1.2T Manual R269 900
208 GT Line 1.2T Auto R289 900
TATA – Dramatic Product Overhaul on the Cards
Although Tata trucks have achieved good success in South Africa, its passenger vehicles are not highly regarded. With an aggressive roll-out of much-improved products planned for South Africa, that negative perception could soon change.
The current perception of Tatas products isnt good. In fact, it is downright negative. Poor engineering and design, bad quality, and even worse aftersales service is what the brand is associated with. Tata wants to change this with its Horizonext strategy, incorporating its DesigNext, DriveNext and ConnectNext campaigns.
In short, Tata Motors is gearing up for a show of power and real progress in the local car market and the first example of this new approach is the imminent arrival of its new Bolt.
The newcomer hatch and sedan, set to replace the outdated Vista and Manza, will be launched here early next month and will spearhead a massive model assault from Tata with no less than ten new model ranges to be introduced over the next five years.
Just how dramatic this new market campaign will be became clear during a recent visit to Tatas headquarters in Mumbai and its massive manufacturing facility in nearby Pune.
Here we were given an exclusive preview of the new Bolt, and briefed in detail on the car giants future plans for South Africa which includes an “enriched customer purchase experience and a more consistent quality of service.”
A Bolt assault
The new Bolt is the first model to be developed as part of this strategy, but the name has nothing to do with sprint athletes or small animated dogs.
Underpinned by Tatas X1-platform it is the Indian manufacturers new contender in the highly competitive sub-B segment, facing off against the likes of VWs popular Polo Vivo, the Toyota Etios, Chevs Aveo, the Ford Figo, Hyundai i20, Renault Sandero, Suzuki Swift and Nissan Micra.
Tata Motors has not just lost market share in South Africa, but also in India. Within six years it has dropped from a strong third to a struggling sixth in its home market, so the Bolt has a tough task ahead.
Not only will it need to make buyers start considering Tata again, it will also have to change their perceptions on quality.
Judged on first impressions, is it good enough to effect these changes?
Well, its confident dynamism styling, refined by Tatas design studios in Pune, Coventry in Britain and Turin, Italy, is quite modern and flowing with an Hyundai i20-esque design line around the blacked-out C-pillar.
In this sense it compares well with its closest competitors. Also on the power front it is on par sporting a newly developed and quite advanced turbocharged 1.2-litre MPFi Revotron petrol mill delivering 66kW at 5000rpm and 140Nm at1500-5000rpm, or a 1.3-litre Quadrajet turbo diesel (55kW at 4000rpm and 190Nm at 1750-3000rpm).
While making it no speed machine, the small power plants are smooth and willing, giving the Bolt derivatives quite acceptable performance.
Similarly, its newly developed suspension clearly benefitted from Jaguar and Land Rover input and the small newcomers compliant ride and quite nimble handling attest to this.
Vast quality improvement
Another major attribute is the Bolt models advanced infotainment system. Developed with audio company Harman the system is not just easy to use, it also boasts fantastic sound quality.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect, and a pleasant surprise, is the tactile feel of the interior materials used, the solidity of the cabin and the overall perceived build quality.
It is a clear indication of the progress Tata has made in this respect; in no small part due to the transfer of advanced technology and quality control measures from JLR (Jaguar Land Rover).
In this sense it is light years removed from what we have come to expect from Tata, and if this level of quality can be consistently replicated in future models it bodes well for the Indian manufacturer.
Upcoming models
After the introduction of the petrol-driven Bolt derivatives next month the unveiling of the 1.3-litre turbodiesel models will follow. Their introduction is set for early next year, and it may also a derivative with F-Tronic auto-manual transmission.
The small entry-level Nano has also recently been facelifted in India with the Nano Gen-X model, but the chances are slim that this small car will find its way here
Other possible models for 2016 include the sporty Bolt Sport, endowed with a more powerful version of the 1.2-litre Revotron engine (delivering 90kW and 170Nm), and the Hexa SUV, successor to the premium medium-sized Aria.
The attractive Hexa, now in its final stages of development, will come equipped with a 2.2-litre Varicor turbodiesel engine and Tatas first six-speed automatic transmission.
Also on the cards is the A-segment Kite (the hatch version will most probably be called Glade in India, and the notchback Boom), Tatas new challenger in the A-segment against the Hyundais i10, Suzuki Celerio, Chev Spark and Kia Picanto.
By all accounts this supermini will also use the 1.2-litre Revotron turbo mill, as well as a newly developed 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbodiesel engine.
The Kite will possibly be followed by the Nexon, a small crossover SUV on the same platform as the Bolt, squarely aimed at the likes of the Ford Ecosport, Renault Captur and Hyundai Creta.
A concept model of the Nexon was displayed at the Auto Expo in Delhi last year and a production version is expected late next year, to be introduced to South Africa by 2017.
Other possible models include a Bolt-sized MPV aimed at the Suzuki Ertiga, Toyota Avanza and Ford B-Max, the long-awaited successor to the Xenon pickup, as well as a new version of the Safari MPV.
Given the perceived improvement in styling, quality and driveability of the Bolt range it seems the Indian giant is set on making some real inroads into the market, not only locally, but also worldwide.
Sliding Rand to hit South African car prices… soon
If youre thinking of buying a new car, there may be no better time than the present. The effect of the Rands slide against the major currencies in the world will likely soon be reflected in rising new car prices.
During the past 12 months the US Dollar has appreciated against the Rand by about 21% a significant jump to say the least. Why is the US Dollar of particular importance? Because a very substantial number of vehicles sold locally are paid for in that currency these include the Korean brands as well as the Chinese in addition to some others. That said, the Rand has slipped against most of the major currencies, so the pressure to price up will not be restricted to only Dollar-priced products.
What will be the possible impact?
To put the impact into some perspective, consider this. In the period mid-2012 to around early-2014 the Rand to Dollar rate changed from around R7,90 to R11 for $1. Without a degree of natural hedging that comes as a result of a strong export programme, the importers were hit hardest. The price of a Kia Rio 1,4 Sedan rose from R159 995 to R193 995 from June 2012 to October 2014. Another Korean model, the Hyundai Elantra 1,6 Premium, saw its price escalate by 19,4% in the same period (R199 900 to R247 900). One of the worst hit was the Foton Thunda Single-Cab 2,2V that went from R109 950 to R139 950.
By comparison, the locally made Toyota Fortuner 2,5 D-4Ds price rose by 10% during the same period. The price of the Ford Ranger Single-Cab 2,2 TDCI Base increased by only 8%.
So rest assured, given a 21% currency devaluation in a year, price increases are inevitable. Very soon, too.
According to Kia Motors South Africas Marketing Director, David Sieff, those paying for their imports in Dollars are worst affected right now. He predicts, however, that those paying in Euros will soon start feeling the heat as well.
But first some good news
The cars already in the country are paid for. And, some industry insiders predict that particularly the importers will aggressively incentivise these vehicles in the short term to get cash out of the current inventory. One such industry insider, Mazda South Africas Managing Director David Hughes, puts it bluntly; Its never been a better time to buy and avoid the price rise, he says. So, keep a close eye on the Cars.co.za New Car Special page in particular Ford Motor Company of Southern Africas CEO and president, Jeffrey Nemeth, agrees with Hughes Its a buyers market, he says.
Cars arriving in the country during the last four months of the year will however come at much higher landed cost. Whether these rising costs are immediately passed onto consumers through price increases or not depends greatly on the individual strategies of the companies concerned. Insiders say that car prices are already moving up, but that the impact has not yet been felt due to all the incentives in the market.
Volkswagen South Africas Matt Gennrich, General Manager Group Communications, for one, doesnt expect panic increases simply because the market is so fiercely competitive. Pricing too high, too fast, he says, will simply result in being uncompetitive. For a brand such as Volkswagen, which has a strong export programme (50% of its production will be exported this year) there is a degree of protection, but even so normal quarterly price increases of between 2,0% and 5,0% seem inevitable. Remember, Volkswagen South Africa remains a net importer, as it imports the entire Audi line-up, VW Commercial vehicles and all Volkswagen passenger vehicles except for Polo and Polo Vivo.
According to Fords Nemeth, however, the Blue Oval is both blessed and cursed by its significant recent successes, whether it has a strong export programme or not. Nemeth says that demand for Fords products is such that it does not currently sit with a lot of stock in the country. New stock will therefore be ordered and consequently price increases look inevitable. There is currently a lot of pressure to price (up) from a profitability point of view, he says. Like Volkswagen, he predicts similar increases of 2-5%, with some models edging towards the top end of that range. The biggest price step, he says, is likely to happen in January/February.
For full importers such as Hyundai, Kia, Jaguar/Land Rover etc. the picture looks considerably bleaker. To remain price competitive the bulk of the cost increase cant simply be passed on to the consumer. This means savings will have to be made elsewhere. Those could range from fixed costs (rent, salaries etc.) to marketing spend. Additionally, these importers may have to rely on assistance from their respective overseas motherships or alter specifications on certain models to be more price competitive. But the bulk of the importers will have to pass on significantly larger price increases. According to Kias David Sieff the industry average price increase could be between 4,0% and 8,0% for the rest of the year
Furthermore some experienced industry insiders predict that one or two of the smaller, unprotected players may be forced to pack up and ship out
Could the Rand bounce back?
In short, the answer is unlikely. Global predictions are that the Rand to US Dollar will stay at around R13,50-R13,80. Most local car companies have business plans built around a weakening Rand. There are also other factors at play when it comes to car affordability. Some good news is that the US Reserve Bank has not upped its interest rate, which would further strengthen the Dollar… but this may still happen. The South African Reserve Bank also decided to stay put for now, but has warned that it wouldnt hesitate to move the interest rate if the inflation outlook deteriorated. Chinas growth forecast also plays an important role, and doesnt look all that rosy at present either. Whatever happens, history has shown that when it comes to car prices the old saying that what goes up must come down doesnt necessarily apply…
So negotiate hard and buy now if you must.
Fiat 500X: In-Depth Video Review – Styling & Pricing
If you dont follow the world of motoring too closely (I dont blame you), you might be surprised to know that Fiat now owns Chrysler. Yes, in the upheaval caused by 2009s American Carpocalypse, the Italians picked up Chrysler for a song.
Recently the first offspring of that unlikely marriage have begun arriving in South Africa, namely the Jeep Renegade and the Fiat 500X. Both are built side by side in Italy, sharing the same platform and engines.
We reviewed the Renegadea little while ago and its safe to say everyone at the Cars.co.za office was pleasantly surprised by the little Jeep. Build quality was superb and even though the price was steep, we thought that maybe, maybe, the Renegade had enough character to sway a few buyers.
Fast forward and weve now spent some time with the rather awkward-looking sibling of the Renegade, the Fiat 500X. Fitted with the same 1.4 litre turbo MultiAir motor borrowed from the rest of the Fiat and Alfa Romeo line-up, the 500X is certainly peppy. Its an eager little terrier around town and build quality is just as impressive as in the Renegade, but somehow it doesnt feel as refined.
We gave the 500X a thorough once-over in our latest video. Do let us know what you think of the little Italian and whether at about R350 000, youd actually consider one. While not a bad car at all, the segment that the 500X enters into is well established in SA, with cars like the popular Nissan Juke, affordable Renault Captur and, soon, the Mazda CX-3 all vying for attention.
Fiat 500X Vs Nissan Juke
Fiat 500X 1.4T Cross
Nissan Juke 1.6T Tekna
Price
R344 900
R330 800
Engine
1.4 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol
1.6 litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol
Power
103kW
140kW
Torque
230Nm
240Nm
0 100km/h
Fuel economy
6.0 litres/100km
6.0 litres/100km
Airbags
6
6
Boot space
245-910 litres
354-830l
Leather upholstery
Partial cloth/leather
Std
Bluetooth
Std
Std
SatNav
Opt
Opt
Volkswagen Diesel Scandal: Update
The Volkswagen Diesel “cheat” scandal continues to unfold but it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between fact and rumour. What is very clear, however, is that the repercussions for Volkswagen are far reaching and severe.
Since publishing our first update two days ago, the following has happened or is strongly rumoured to be in development.
The CEO has resigned
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn has resigned, but has stated that he does not know of any wrongdoing on his part.
Porsche boss likely to take over
Matthias Mueller (62) who currently heads up Porsche (a VW Group company) is likely to be appointed the new CEO of Volkswagen on Friday 25/09/2015. Mueller is backed by the Piech/Porsche family which controls a majority stake in Volkswagen. Ferdinand Piech, the legendary former head of the supervisory board of Volkswagen AG, who was ousted in a boardroom battle with Winterkorn earlier this year, had put forward Mueller as his preferred successor back then, instead of Winterkorn.
More heads to roll
A string of very senior Volkswagen employees will find themselves unemployed shortly, either by choice or through being given their marching orders. At a supervisory board meeting on Wednesday it was announced that any executive found to be involved in the scandal will be subject to the full consequences.
Reports by the Bildnewspaper suggest that Audi R&D boss Ullrich Hackenberg and Porsche engine chief Wolfgang Hatz will be dismissed today. Bild didnt name its sources. The current Volkswagen U.S. Chief Executive, Michael Horn, would also be fired, according to Reuters. Earlier this week Horn was quoted as saying we totally screwed up, at the launch of the 2016 Passat, when referring to the diesel scandal. Horn, however, has the backing of his dealer council according to latest reports.
Market over-reaction?
BMWs shares fell by nearly 10 % after German magazine Autobildreported on Thursday that a diesel version of the companys X3 emitted as much as 11 times the European limit for air pollution in a test. The share price drop came without there being any evidence of wrongdoing on BMW’s part, illustrating the market sensitivity to rumours and speculation. BMW has been quick to deny any wrongdoing.
The X3 was tested by the ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation), that same organisation whose tipoff led US regulators to further investigate a gap in emissions between Volkswagen diesel cars (Jetta and Passat) in laboratory tests and in the real world.
And in South Africa?
As we reported in initial piece on this scandal, investigations in other countries, including South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa will get underway soon.
It is reported in the Cape Argustoday that the Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and the departments of Environmental Affairs and Transport would investigate the matter in South Africa to determine whether South African vehicles are affected. A recall is not out of the question, should irregularities be found. The NRCS has however confirmed that all VW products have gone through the local homologation process and were found to be compliant.
We shall keep you posted if there are any further updates.
Best Family Cars in SA 2015
We’ve made shopping for a family car a little easier. Here are the finalists in the 2015 Cars Awards in the Best Family Car category.
Shopping around for the best family car in SA is a tough task. Nearly every manufacturer has an SUV that offers space, practicality and car like handling. In order to make the decision making process a little easier weve dug into the segment and pulled the best of the best at a reasonable budget of R350 000.
A vehicle in the family car sector of the market needs to be a jack of all trades. Combining elements of practicality, spaciousness and safety (both the front and the back) is what were looking at. We also cant discount that the engine needs to be able to move a fully laden vehicle with reasonable ease and not drink too heavily.
In order for a family car to make it onto our radar it needs ABS, ESP, a minimum of six airbags, split folding rear seats, a service plan and air-conditioning. Bonus features that garnered extra credit were things like: engine flexibility, fuel economy, space and practicality, design and quality appeal, comfort and safety.
Here are the vehicles that we have selected as semi-finalists in the Family Car category.
Best Family Cars in SA 2015
Citroen C4 Picasso e-HDI Intensive R345 900
Citroen has always been good at cramming features into its cars and being innovative with space. The new Picasso continues the trend with sliding rear seats and a huge boot 537-litres. Theres underfloor storage bins in the back and tray tables as well. Theres also a handy 1.6-Litre turbodiesel engine under the bonnet with 85 kW and 270 Nm of torque. The headline figure though is the fuel economy number that claims 4L/100km and around 1 300km per tank of diesel. Read More
Mazda CX-5 2.0 Active Auto R329 300
Mazdas CX-5 is an attractive offering, especially in the value for money department. The ride is a particular strength in the CX-5. Its very supple with minimal body roll and really feels comfortable in any situation. Its petrol engine pumps out strong power at 121 kW with torque at 210 Nm. Its not quite as spacious as the competition here but is by no means small with a 403-litre boot. All the seats can be folded down and standard specification is excellent. Read More
Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi Acenta R338 800
The second-generation Nissan Qashaqai has returned with a vengeance. The ride and drive are still impeccable and the interior has been improved to feel less bulky and plastic. Space and practicality are excellent, the boot measure 430-litres and passenger space is ample all round. The 1.5-Litre turbodiesel engine hits just about the perfect combination of economy and performance. It delivers 81 kW and 260 Nm while claiming just 4.1L/100km. Read More
Nissan X-Trail 2.0 XE R327 700
The X-Trail also makes it into the semi-finalist batch as it seems excellent value in terms of practicality, space and capability. The ride is aimed more at comfort than road holding prowess as it soaks up tar and dirt roads without a shudder. The 2-Litre petrol engine delivers 106 kW and 200 Nm of torque which means it will probably need a fair amount of throttle to get moving with a full load on board. It does offer a raised ride height, decent off-road ability and a 550-litre boots on the plus side. Read More
Volkswagen Golf SV 1.4 TSI Comfortline R325 200
Volkswagen lives up to its name with this people mover. The SV with its turbo petrol engine is a solid piece of machinery with a strong emphasis placed on build quality. The engine is sufficiently powerful with 92 kW and 200 Nm of torque. The ride is quite firm but not harsh as Volkswagen tries to aim it at a slightly more sporty family. Space is still a priority and the SV will load up 500-litres worth of things. Read More
Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum (2015) Review
Following our earlier test of the diesel-powered Volvo XC90, it was time to sample the petrol engine in the T6 version. What’s better, petrol or diesel?
The Volvo XC90 has generated much attention since its launch in South Africa in July, and for good reason. Theres much to like about the XC90 and aspects such as styling, interior quality and superb drive quality are glaringly obvious when you step into this large luxury SUV. The XC90 is also big on safety and ranks as the second safest car in South Africa for 2015, only beaten by the Volvo V40, according to Euro NCAP safety statistics which further adds to its appeal.
On test here is the petrol-powered Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Momentum in Bright Silver Metallic paintwork. Is it better than the diesel model? Lets find out
Power Vs Economy
This very pretty XC90 T6 is fitted with a 2-Litre super- and turbocharged petrol engine and when you consider that theres 2 750 kg of metal and leather to haul around, youd think its too small, but dont be deceived. Despite its relatively small capacity, this Volvo-built engine whops out 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque on command through an 8-speed automatic transmission. On the road, those figures translate into a 0-100kph sprint time of 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 230kph. Claimed fuel consumption for the T6 Momentum is rated at 8L/100km.
Comparatively, the D5 Inscription offers less power at 165 kW but more torque with 470 Nm. Performance in the D5 is a bit slower too, with 7.8 seconds in the 0-100kph dash and a top speed of 220kph. Fuel consumption however is where the D5 excels with a claimed combined figure of 5.8L/100km. During our time in the T6 Momentum, we managed to achieve a fuel consumption figure of 12.2L/100km versus 8.0L/100km in the D5 Inscription. Buyers will therefore have to weigh up the importance of power and economy when choosing their XC90.
Magic Carpet Ride
The XC90 is not only pleasing to the eye, it’s appealing to drive too. As with the D5, the T6 Momentums performance is impressive, but not in the sense of being brutally fast, but rather brutally smooth. The beauty of its drive lies in the silence of it all and the XC90 has a way of wafting you on your way, much like a dandelion riding on the wind.
The automatic transmission is barely noticeable as it works its magic to keep power in the sweet spot while the engine hums away quietly. Power is delivered beautifully, in a smooth refined manner, making the XC90 an absolute pleasure to drive. The feeling is quite addictive actually and somehow makes you look forward to your next drive. Ride quality is excellent, even with the optional 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels this T6 delivers a magic carpet ride and manages to even-out most road irregularities with very little effort at all.
Up to seven passengers can be accommodated in the XC90 and rear passengers will travel in comfort thanks to rear climate control and sufficient leg, head and shoulder room. Space is plentiful in the XC90 and with all the seats in position, boot space is at 314-litres which quickly expands to 692-litres with the third row of seats folded flat. With all the seats folded down, space increases to a substantial 1 947-litres. To put that into perspective, I easily loaded a large bicycle, two surfboards and a dog with very little effort and there was lots of space for more. The XC90 is big!
Feature Fest
One thing is for sure, the XC90 is packed with a substantial amount of standard features and buyers shouldnt feel short changed when driving their XC90 off the showroom floor. The XC90 is built with comfort and convenience in mind and just about anything you will ever need is at your fingertips. Standout features include comfortable leather seats which are electrically adjustable with memory function and are four-way adjustable with lumbar support and cushion extensions for both the driver and passenger. Theres also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which incorporates navigation, similar to the Virtual Cockpit found in the latest Audi TT, and provides access to various menus using the mounted steering wheel controls.
The minimalist interior of the Volvo XC90 is clean, plush and attractive thanks to the fact that there are very few buttons present. Most of the vehicle’s functions have migrated to the central tablet-style Sensus Connect infotainment system which provides access to everything from navigation, vehicle functions, audio system and climate control. The system is easy to use and navigate by swiping the screen, much like you would on an iPad or smartphone. Its a marvellous system to use.
Volvo has also gone to great lengths to make the XC90 the safest SUV on the road and as such, the XC90 comes well sorted with safety features which include six airbags, ABS, EBD, Electronic Brake Assist, traction control, electronic stability control, hill descent control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and front and rear Park Distance Control.
Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum Price in South Africa
The base price for the Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum starts at R867 000. Our test unit came fitted with a number of optional extras which included a Black Headliner (R3 000), 20-inch 5-Double Spoke Matt Tech Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels (R8 500), Rear Parking Camera (R9 300), Interior Lighting High Version (R2 250), Keyless Entry with remote tag and hands free tailgate opening (R7 200) and Metallic Paint (R3 250). The total cost of this particular test unit comes in at R900 500.
The Volvo XC90 is sold with a 5-year/100 000km warranty and a 5-year/100 000km Maintenance Plan.
The Volvo XC90 is a superb premium SUV that offers a high quality interior and an excellent driving experience. Buyers will appreciate that the T6 Momentum comes well specced with standard convenience and safety features and is competitively priced against its rivals. Apart from its admirable performance, the XC90 blends luxury and versatility extremely well and it can be both a luxury family vehicle during the week as well as your best friend on those weekend adventures into the wild. Premium SUV buyers will be doing themselves a disservice by not considering the XC90, it really is worth a look.
Team Opinion
I am a big fan of diesel engines in SUVs but this petrol version is so immediate and creamy smooth it may just have changed my mind. The XC90 as a whole remains an excellent example of how to do big SUVs properly. It’s spacious, runs clever tech and is very, very easy to live with. – Ashley Oldfield
We like: Performance, comfort features, interior technology, excellent drive quality
We dont like: A bit thirsty.
Also Consider: BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Audi Q7
Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum Quick Specs
Most Beautiful Cars at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show
Take a look at the most beautiful cars shown at the 2015 Frankurt Motor Show, as decided by you!
We had a busy week last week covering all the goodness shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Our very own David Taylor attended the show but he also had the opportunity to drive the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the new A-Class, what a lucky guy! The rest of us were left glued to our computer screens, drooling at some of the beautiful cars being revealed on the other side of the planet. Now, the show is behind us and we are left to ponder.
For this week’s #ChooseDay, we picked four cars from the Frankfurt Motor Show that we thought were too beautiful to ignore and asked you choose your favorite. You responded and we tallied up the votes to reveal the most beautiful car of all. No matter what your choice is, you can’t really go wrong with any of these cars. Take a look at the most beautiful cars shown at the 2015 Frankurt Motor Show below…
Most Beautiful Cars at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show
1. Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet – 34% of total vote
Dubbed as the “most beautiful and exclusive S-Class cars of all time”, the S-Class Cabriolet tops this list with 34% of the total vote. The S-Class Cabriolet features a retractable three-layer acoustic soft top that opens or closes in 20 seconds at speeds up to 60kph. The entry-level S500 Cabriolet is powered by a twin-turbo 4.7-litre V8 that produces 335 kW and 700 Nm of torque. If you want more power you can opt for the S63 AMG or S63 AMG 4MATIC Cabriolet which are fitted with a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 that thumps out 430 kW and 900 Nm of torque allowing for a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds before topping out at an electrically limited 250kph.
2. Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV Roadster – 29% of the total vote
In close second place on this list is the Lamborghini Aventador Super Veloce Roadster. Although the car was revealed earlier in the year at Pebble Beach, it did make an appearance in Frankfurt and it’s certainly worth a squizz. The Aventador SV Roadster adopts styling cues from the coupe version but features two removable quick-release matt black roof panels and an electrically retractable rear windshield. Power is delivered by a 6.5-litre V12 engine that produces 552 kW and 690 Nm of torque. These figures are put to good use through a 7-speed transmission which allows the Aventador SV Roadster to accelerate from 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of more than 350kph. Lamborghini also revealed the Huracan Spyder, which was mightily impressive too.
We recently had theLamborghini Huracanon test and you can watch our awesome video below!
3. Ferrari 488 Spider – 26% of total vote
This is the fastest Spider model built by Ferrari and it’s called the 488 Spider. Based on the Ferrari 488 GTB, the 488 Spider features a retractable hard top roof which is said to be 25 kg lighter than a regular soft top roof and takes only 14 seconds to open or close. The Ferrari 488 Spider is powered by a 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine that produces 493 kW and 760 nm of torque. 0-100kph is dispatched in 3 seconds while 0-200kph takes only 8.7 seconds.
4. BMW M6 GT3 -11% of total vote
BMW Motorsport’s latest GT racing car is this M6 GT3. The car weighs less than 1 300kg and is fitted with a race-tuned 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 engine and mated to a six-speed sequential racing transmission. Official power figures have yet to be confirmed but a mammoth 680 kW is likely. If we consider that the road-going M6 Competition Packis able to produce 441 kW and 700 Nm of torque and go from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 300kph, then you can only imagine what this M6 GT3 is capable of. We will have to wait until 2016 to see this M6 GT3 in action, but we know it will be blisteringly fast.
