Ford Mustang Lottery – You Could Be The First To Own This Icon
The Ford Mustang is one of the world’s most iconic cars and globally, the muscle car lifestyle is exceptionally desirable.
So when news broke that Ford South Africa would be bringing the Mustang to our shores, people went wild. This was a chance to own the legendary car and not have to settle for a gray import, or a left-hand drive model. Ford South Africa knows its sitting on a goldmine with this car and demand will very likely exceed supply – especially seeing as pricing is going to be competitive, as revealed to us at the recent Ford Go Further Conference.
The Ford Mustang Lottery will give potential purchasers a shot at becoming the first to own one of these exciting cars. We know waiting lists will be flooded and this lottery will make waiting lists redundant as they’ll essentially jump the queue. No waiting, no hassles… and what an opportunity!
According to Ford South Africa: “The Ford Mustang Lottery will operate on a sweepstake basis, and will be run once-off at the end of January 2016. Participants are entered into the competition by registering on the Ford Mustang Keep Me Informed tab on the Mustang model web page: https://www.ford.co.za/cars/mustang/kmi. Participants already registered need not re-register as their previous registration will automatically validate them.”
To build some hype around the Ford Mustang Lottery, Ford South Africa created this video:
Ford Mustang Lottery Video
Honda BR-V Revealed
Honda has used the 2015 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) to show the BR-V crossover prototype which draws inspiration from the Mobilio MPV.
The Honda BR-V will go into production in early 2016 and will be introduced in Indonesia first, which is its key market, before being rolled out in other countries. There is a strong possibility that the BR-V will come to South Africa but we haven’t yet recieved confirmation from Honda SA at the time of publishing this article.
Honda BR-V – Features
Being a crossover, the BR-V rides higher than the Mobilio and is designed to seat seven people. In terms of exterior styling, the BR-V features roof rails with black plastic cladding seen over the wheel arches and side skirts while the front end features underbody protection. According to Honda, the rear end features C-shaped graphics on the LED tailights and th BR-V rides on 16-inch alloy wheels.
The new Honda BR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder i-VTEC engine that develops 89 kW 145 Nm. This is the same engine that powers the recently launched Honda HR-V. Power is sent to the front wheels using new six-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
On the inside, the BR-V claims to feature class-leading space and comes equipped with a rear air conditioning system, a multi-information display for the driver, ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist while dual front airbags are also fitted.
We will keep you updated with any information that becomes available regarding South African availability, so stay tuned!
Popular Performance Cars in South Africa
We pulled out all the stops for this week’s #ChooseDay and decided to tug at your performance heart strings to find out what your favorite performance car is.
We gave it some thought and offered four options which are considered to be the ultimate performance machines. Your choices included the Mercedes-AMG GT S, Porsche 911 Turbo, Jaguar F-Type R Coupe and the Nissan GT-R Black Edition. Either way you look at it, all of these cars are worthy choices in their own right, making it a difficult choice. With hundreds of votes recieved, the battle for top spot was close and intense but the battle for third place was even closer. Without teasing you any further, take a look at what performance car you, our readers, admired the most…
Popular Performance Cars in SA
1. Mercedes-AMG GT S – 36% of the total vote
The Mercedes-AMG GT S reigns supreme with 36% of the total vote. We recently had the GT S on test and we can certainly vouch for its performance credentials, its absoutely bonkers! The AMG GT S is fitted with a thumping twin turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that develops 375 kW and 650 Nm of torque. The Mercedes-AMG GT S makes use of a AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT Sport transmission which powers the GT S to 100kph in only 3.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 310kph. If you are looking for a beautifully packaged performance car that offers brutality on all levels, then this Mercedes-AMG GT S is the car for you. You can expect to pay R1 991 670 for this beast. Be sure to look out for our full review coming your way soon!
2. Nissan GT-R Black Edition – 34% of the total vote
Coming in with a very close second place is the Nissan GT-R Black Edition. At first we thought the GT-R would take the win, but it was pipped by only 10 votes against the Mercedes-AMG GT S. The GT-R is not to be scoffed at with its turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine that cracks out 397 kW and 628 Nm of torque. The GT-R Black Edition is fitted with 6-speed automatic transmission that takes it from 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 315kph. The Nissan GT-R Black Edition will set you back R1 542 000, making it the cheapest vehicle in this comparison.
Fighting its way into third place is the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe with 16% of the vote. This stylish performance car is powered by a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine that offers fun in the form of 405 kW and 680 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic ensures that the F-Type R Coupe completes 0-100kph in 4.2 seconds before topping out at 300kph. The F-Type R Coupe will cost you no less than R1 669 551 while the all-wheel drive version will set you back R1 760 187.
Crawling over the finish line in fourth place is the Porsche 911 Turbo, losing to the F-Type with a mere 7 votes. That’s not to say that the 911 Turbo is not worth a look, quite the opposite actually. With its turbocharged 6-cylinder 3.8-litre Boxer engine, the 911 Turbo offers a heady 383 kW and 660 Nm of torque delivered through a 7-speed PDK automatic transmission. Performance is swift and on point, reaching 100kph in 3.2 seconds before reaching a top speed of 315kph. In terms of pricing, the Porsche 911 Turbo is the most expensive car on this list coming in at R2 439 000.
Mercedes-AMG has followed the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz this week by revealing the hot AMG version of the new C-Class coupe.
The standard C-Class coupe was revealed earlier this week and it’s very pretty. However performance fans were craving a hardcore AMG model and it’s finally been revealed. It’ll go on sale in Germany in March 2016 and visually it shares some similarities with the standard coupe. However numerous performance bits have been bolted on and these include aggressive front bumper, a front splitter and an AMG-branded grille. The model also has an aluminum powerdome hood, a trunk-mounted spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser that is flanked by a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system.
Underneath the bonnet lurks the same V8 engine that does duty in the five-door C63 sedan. It’s a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine packing a 349 kW and 650 Nm punch. Power reached the rear wheels through a seven-speed Speedshift MCT transmission, giving it a 0-100kph time of 4.0 seconds. It’ll go onto a limited top speed of 250kph, unless you fit the optional AMG Driver’s Package which will increase that limit to 290kph.
If this is not enough for you, then you can opt for the C63 AMG S Coupe which features the same engine, but tuned to deliver 375kW and 700Nm. A 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds is claimed, while top speeds remain the same.
The official reveal of the C63 AMG coupe will take place at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany, and Cars.co.za will be in attendance.
C63 AMG Coupe Video
New Renault Models Planned for SA
Renault SA confirmed that before year-end the local Clio range will receive a new addition to its model lineup. Also under keen consideration is the introduction of the A segment SUV/Crossover Kwid that was launched in Europe during May this year.
Clio Automatic
At the launch of the facelifted Renault Duster, the brand let slip that the Clio will be receiving an automatic model to help strengthen sales. The engine and gearbox combination will be a direct pull from the recently launched Captur. This means the Clio will get a 1.2-Litre turbo petrol mated to the EDC dual-clutch gearbox. From our experience with the dual-clutch gearbox in the Captur, it could do with an upgrade to make it less jerky in shifts. It may feel different in the Clio, but there was no word on why the manual gearbox could not be used as well.
Thecurrent 890cc Clio engine has been a superb seller for Renault, but has always felt like it needed a little bit more shove. The 1.2-Litre turbo should no doubt provide that with its 88 kW and 190 Nm. We look forward to getting a drive when its launched later this year.
Kadjar and Trophy
Also on the cards for Renault, albeit only in 2016 is the Renault Kadjar and Clio Trophy. The Kadjar is a Qashqai based compact SUV that looks like a good prospect for our market considering our love for SUVs. The Clio Trophy, with its upgraded dual-clutch gearbox and enhanced handling will also land in SA early in 2016 and hopefully provide some proper competition for the all-conquering Polo GTI.
Kwid
Renault SA is currently considering the feasibility of introducing the Kwid to South Africa. The Kwid takes compact SUVs/crossovers to another level. Think of it as a Sandero Stepway but a little bit larger and taller and a touch more premium. The Kwid looks interesting and could see Renault start a new fad of even smaller crossovers joining our roads.
Renault Duster Facelift (2015) First Drive
Renault has now updated the range with a few exterior touches and some interior enhancements. We were at the local launch in Joburg to see how its improved.
The Renault Duster has become a South African favourite, amassing sales of over 8000 vehicles since its introduction here less than two years ago. Its rugged off-road looks paired with excellent pricing and the option of 4×4 have certainly helped Renaults cause.
The new stuff
From the outside its a very slight facelift. The front grille is now a single blade unit, making it more prominent and the headlights have been swapped for a more modern looking set. On certain models the door handles are now colour coded and the roof rails have been made chunkier. Cruise control is standard on all models as is park distance control a major plus.
The engine range remains the same with a 1.6-Litre petrol capable of 77 kW and 148 Nm. The diesel derivative can be made either in 4×2 or in 4×4 guise and sports 80 kW and 240 Nm. We drove the diesel on launch in 4×2 mode and it impressed. The torque delivery is strong initially and its got enough constant push to get you past vehicles on the open road. Matched with a competent six-speed gearbox the Duster returns excellent fuel economy figures. We averaged around 5.5L/100km over our 300km of driving that included dirt roads, traffic and a fair amount of cruising at 110kph. Thats not too far off the claimed 4.8L/100km.
Inside upgrade
Part of the Dusters revamps has included a more premium looking seat cover with Duster logos on the headrests. Ergonomically it remains a bit strange with the touchscreen located at knee height on the centre dash. It means you have to look down every time you want to adjust something or set the navigation. The materials surrounding the dashboard and door panels seem quite rugged and durable.
The instrument binnacle has also been replaced by one that looks similar to the Renault Megane’s. Apparently Renault SA has changed its source for the Duster from India to Romania, resulting in a better quality product. Well have to wait for a full test to see if this is the case. If you choose a Dynamique spec Duster, you get the option to fit it with leather seats and it comes standard with satellite navigation.
Dirt road prowess
Over the course of our test drive the Duster proved its certainly an all-purpose vehicle. Its comfortable on a dirt road and soaks up bumps like a much more expensive SUV does. There is a fair amount of feedback from a corrugated feedback through the steering wheel however. Only the 4×4 model in the range gets traction control which is a bit of a skimp by Renault as they market the car as a family vehicle.
Renault Duster Pricing
Despite sourcing the Duster from Romania now, the pricing changes less than one-percent across the range. The 4×4 is the pick of the range though as it offers that added off-road talent with traction control for only R15 000 more than the 4×2. Overall the pricing is extremely keen when compared to competitors like the Ford Ecosport or Nissan Juke.
Duster 1.6 EXPRESSION 4×2 75kW petrol R215 900
Duster 1.6 DYNAMIQUE 4×2 75kW petrol R233 900
Duster 1.5 DCI DYNAMIQUE 4×2 80kW diesel R254 900
Duster 1.5 DCI DYNAMIQUE 4×4 80kW diesel R269 900
2015 Hyundai i20 Automatic – Quick Review
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The Hyundai i20 is a very popular car in South Africa, a feat it has achieved in spite of being quite dull to look at. But the new one is a huge leap forward.
There are some things in life that are only going to get worse. Eskom tariff hikes, traffic, the size of Cadbury chocolate slabs, and traffic.
Theres not much we can do about any of that, but when it comes to traffic, an automatic gearbox goes a long way to soothing the frustration of sitting in stop-start traffic. In fact, in a statistic Ive just made up, an automatic gearbox can add three years to your life expectancy.
The problem of course is that there are precious few small automatic cars on the market, and even fewer with autoboxes that are any good. And so when I heard that a version of the sharp-looking new Hyundai i20 was available in automatic, I was very keen to have a go.
The Hyundai i20 is a very popular car in South Africa, a feat it has achieved in spite of being quite dull to look at. But the new one is a huge leap forward. Sure, it apes the Audi A1 a bit, but thats not a bad thing, is it? Its a properly grown up design, and I feel its one of the best in the busy B-segment.
And so we wanted to find out, whats it like to drive, and to live with? In this quick review, we drove the top of the range Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid Auto, in a fetching bronze colour.
Hyundai i20 Auto vs Volkswagen Polo Auto vs Opel Corsa Auto
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid Auto
Opel Corsa 1.4 Enjoy Auto
Price
R223 500
R216 500
Engine
1.4 litre 4-cyl naturally aspirated
1.4 litre 4-cyl naturally aspirated
Power
74kW
66kW
Torque
133Nm
130Nm
Gears
4
6
0 100km/h
13.2 seconds
13.9 seconds
Fuel economy
7.5 litres/100km
6.0 litres/100km
Boot space
294 litres
285 litres
Airbags
2
6
Stability Control
No
Yes
USB
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Hyundai i20 1.4 Fluid Auto
VWPolo 1.2TSI Highline Auto
Price
R223 500
R262 200
Engine
1.4 litre 4-cyl naturally aspirated
1.2 litre 4-cyl turbo petrol
Power
74kW
81kW
Torque
133Nm
175Nm
Gears
4
7
0 100km/h
13.2 seconds
9.3 seconds
Fuel economy
7.5 litres/100km
5.1 litres/100km
Boot space
294 litres
280 litres
Airbags
2
4 (opt 6)
Stability Control
No
Yes
USB
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
2016 Hyundai Elantra Teased
Hyundai has released a teaser image revealing a fresh look for the 2016 Elantra. According to Hyundai, designers identified a series of ‘innovative design aspects’ to enhance its presence.
Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer at Hyundai Motor Company said: The All-new Elantra captures the cars unique design characteristics that really place this model in a class of its own. The subtle and innovative appearance enhancements reflect Hyundai Motors vision for design. Furthermore, this car indicates a move from traditional to modern styling by communicating the new models comfort, fashion and sporty feel.
As can be seen from the teaser image, the 2016 Hyundai Elantra features a large hexagonal grille flanked by slim headlights while the wheel arches have been redesigned to enhance the Elantra’s dynamic character.
Technical details are scarce at this point, but the 2016 Elantra is likely to be shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2015.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser Revealed
Toyota has revealed details regarding the facelifted Toyota Land Cruiser which can be expected in South Africa by the end of 2015.
What’s New?
For starters, the exterior design has changed somewhat and up front you will notice a redesigned grille with a three-bar design that extends into the LED projector-style headlights. The bumpers, bonnet, fenders, side protection mouldings and door handles have been reworked too.
At the rear, the Land Cruiser features a new upper tailgate panel, combination taillights, reflectors and mudguards. Toyota has also added two new colours to the mix including Copper Brown and Onyx Blue.
On the inside, the interior benefits from added soft padding with particualar attention paid to material thickness and finish. Switches, buttons and dials have been restyled and regrouped to improve usability while a storage area with a 12V outlet has also been added.
The Toyota Land Cruiser also benefits from a new Optitron intrument cluster with a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Top-spec models also feature a larger 9-inch display screen compared to the previous 8-inch system.
New driver assistance systems in the facelifted Land Cruiser include a Pre-Collision Safety System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert and automatic high beam. A blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic alert and panoramic multi-terrain monitor is also available.
Toyota Land Cruiser Engines
Toyota South Africa are keeping engine details for the facelifted Land Cruiser close to their chest for now, but you can expect details to surface closer to the vehicle’s launch in South Africa towards the end of the year.
In Australia however, the Land Cruiser will be powered by either a 200kW/650Nm 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine or a 227kW/439Nm 4.6-litre V8 petrol engine.
We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Watch the video below to see what you can expect from the facelifted Toyota Land Cruiser!
Audi A6 1.8T FSI (2015) Review
The Audi A6 of 2015 returns to the limelight as a facelifted model. Theres a few updates to the exterior and interior, but its largely the same vehicle as before. There is however this new four-cylinder 1.8-litre turbo engine, but has it got the guts and grunt to keep the premium Audi buyer happy? We tested this entry-level A6 to see if it can deliver the goods.
Downsizing
Audi is no stranger to downsizing its engines, yet it is still able to keep power and torque levels acceptable. For instance the Audi A1 now has a 1-Litre turbo and something as big as a Q3 can make do with a 1.4-Litre turbo. So in order to continue the pursuit of fuel economy gains, Audi has installed a four-cylinder 1.8-Litre motor to do duty under the bonnet. Engine nerds will point out that this is the same engine that does duty in the Volkswagen Polo GTI.
The 1.8-Litre in this A6 puts out 140 kW and 320 Nm of torque so the figures still do an A6 justice. In town situations the smaller engine is blissfully easy to live with. Fuel consumption is low and turbo lag is non-existent so scooting around traffic is a cinch. The A6 is one of the most comfortable and isolated cars to sit in traffic with. The seven-speed S tronic box clicks away silently in the background and with Audi build quality sealing off all exterior sounds, its extremely pleasant and quiet.
On the open road
Theres not much to dislike about the way the Audi A6 goes about its business in the city. Out on the wide open road its nearly as good. Accelerating up to 120kph is taken care of with consummate ease, but overtaking is not as Audi efficient as expected. The 1.8-Litre starts to run out of puff when called on to do speedy overtakes or accelerate on a steep incline.
Spice up your A6
Getting your Audi A6 to suit you just perfectly is no hard task. There is bucket load of options to choose from of which the Matrix LED headlamps are the most expensive at R38k. They are extremely potent lights and certainly make night driving easier. All you do is set the lights to bright and it will intelligently light the road ahead as well as making sure that oncoming drivers dont get dazzled. See why Audi Matrix lights are one of our favourite car technologies here.
This specific A6 came with the Sports Suspension setup that firms things up a bit, but there is also the option to get adaptive air suspension. The ride on the Sports Suspension was excellent though, giving the A6 a bit more dynamic feel without being crashy or harsh over bumps and ruts. Obviously both setups are optional extras.
Interior
Not too many people complain about an Audi interior nowadays. Its beautifully designed and built, and exudes a premium aura. Spend enough money on options and you can get anything your heart desires in an A6. Watch out though as it can get expensive and things like MMI Navigation Plus go for R22k and a sunroof at R13k. The same goes for the exterior options where the S-Line Sports package introduces a much more aggressive front end.
Theres plenty of space in the rear of the A6 with the option for dual-zone climate control in the back. The boot is wide and deep, making it easy to load things into and at 530-Litres, its more than enough. Only the Merc E-Class and VW Passat are able to surpass the Audis luggage capacity in this segment.
Verdict
The facelifted Audi A6 1.8T is a hard car to fault as it does everything you want an executive sedan to do. In town the A6 is quiet, refined and sedate. It potters around in bumper to bumper traffic with its excellent automatic gearbox. On the freeway it rides well and remains comfortable over long journeys. It could do with a little more punch in the higher RPM zone when its called on to pull off an overtaking manoeuvre. The ride is comfortable and not overly sporty and its a car that is very easy to live with day-to-day. The interior is top notch and Audi has pretty much honed its talents so that its near perfect, barring the rotary knob that works the wrong way for us in right-hand drive countries.
Audi A6 Pricing
At a base price of R601 000 the A6 1.8T is less expensive than the equivalent Merc E-Class and BMW 5 Series. Throw in some extras that make the A6 look sporty and some more that give you all the connectivity inside and the A6 will cost around R750 000. Still, thats probably what youre likely to pay for any of the other Germans.
While I’d love to own the flagship fire-breathing S6, it’s this A6 which makes the most sense. Given the state of our roads and incessant crack down on speeding, it’s much wiser to opt for a downsized car anyways. The ride and build quality in this car are next level, and you’re getting a proper premium sedan at prices cheaper than it’s rivals. -David Taylor
We Like: Town driving, premium feel and comfort, small engine punches well
We Dont Like: Could do with more overtaking grunt
Also Consider: Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-Series, Jaguar XF, Volkswagen Passat
