The first examples of the visceral BMW M4 GTS, of only 700 examples will be produced, are expected to arrive in South Africa in May 2016. Of the 700, only 25 have been earmarked for the local market, which means the car will only be available from certain M dealers…
Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the BMW M3, the M4 GTS is described as an “exclusive technological showpiece that elevates the potential of the BMW M4 Coupe to another impressive new level.” Cars.co.za recently reported that the Competition Pack had been made available for the M3/M4 duo on the local market, but for some aficionados "the 331 kW upgrade" (among other additions to the standard car) will just not be enough. The BMW M4 GTS is in quite another league, however, it was designed predominantly for track use and in a show of ability, the M4 GTS achieved a time of 7.28 minutes around the famous Nürburgring-Nordschleife, which makes its intentions clear. Let’s take a closer look at what the BMW M4 GTS has to offer…
Brutal engine power
Under the bonnet lurks a 6-cylinder, 3.0-litre turbocharged engine. The powerplant makes use of water injection technology to boost output significantly: the GTS generates peak power of 368 kW and 600 Nm of torque while keeping fuel consumption at a reasonable 8.3 L/100km. Using a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission (M-DCT), the M4 GTS is capable of blistering performance, achieving 0-100 kph in only 3.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 305 kph.
Styling
The M4 GTS weighs only 1 585 kg, because BMW M engineers have employed lightweight construction throughout to achieve the optimum power-weight ratio. Up front, the M4 GTS features two sets of twin circular headlights that combine LED technology with BMW Selective Beam and Adaptive Headlights. The rear OLED L-shaped lights make their debut in this M4 GTS and emphasise the width of the car. On the inside, the driver is met with carbon-fibre M bucket seats, which weigh about 50% less than the sports seats found in the M4 Coupe.
The seats are trimmed in exclusive Alcantara and Merino leather with M stripes found on the backrests while three-point seat belts and door pull loops hint at the performance ability of the car. Alcantara features on the M sports steering wheel too and you will notice that there are no rear seats either. Instead, a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) shelf and rear panel in carbon-fibre sandwich construction saves up to 40% in weight.
If customers opt for the Clubsport Package, a roll bar in Acid Orange is fitted behind the front seats and a race-specification six-point harness and fire extinguisher is included in case things get crazy hot while out on the track. The BMW M4 GTS is fitted with forged and polished Acid Orange weight-minimised M light-alloy wheels with star-spoke 666 M Styling, with 19-inch examples fitted at the front while 20-inch wheels are fitted at the rear. The exhaust system features a titanium muffler, giving the M4 GTS a rich soundtrack while the adjustable rear wing reduces lift when travelling at high speed.
Local Availability
A reputable source has confirmed that the M4 GTS costs R2 137 500 in the South African market. As the saying goes, the order books are open, but suffice to say the M4 GTS's availability will be severely limited.
The BMW M4 GTS has an official Nurburgring lap time! Watch the video below:
Maserati Levante: Italy’s Super SUV
Maserati has revealed images and details of its (now) production-ready contender in the premium SUV market, the Levante.
Modena-based luxury vehicle manufacturer Maserati is known for its exclusive and luxurious grand tourers and saloons, such as the Quattroporte, Ghibli and GranTurismo. The presence of an SUV in the Maserati product lineup would have been out of the question a few years ago, but premium SUVs remain very popular around the globe and especially so in growing markets. The proof comes from Porsche, whose Cayenne and Macan SUVs sell well, Bentley has made its own super SUV: the Bentayga, and there'll be a Rolls-Royce SUV soon. Maserati recently announced it'd be joining the luxury SUV segment and we've seen a few spy shots of pre-production Levantes from around the world. Some were even spotted in South Africa. .
The Levante is unmistakably a Maserati – it incorporates many design cues from the brand's current model lineup and is claimed to offer "outstanding on-road performance typical of every Maserati". The Levante will also be offering reasonable off-road performance thanks to electronically controlled (and adaptable) air suspension. There will be "Q4" intelligent all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission specially calibrated for the product. While the full engine lineup is yet to be confirmed, Maserati says the Levante will come with Euro6-compliant petrol and diesel engines.
The Maserati Levante will be manufactured in the Mirafiori plant in Turin and the global launch is set for the third quarter of 2016. We had confirmation from Maserati South Africa that the first right-hand drive cars will arrive in SA in mid-November 2016.
Watch: Cars.co.za drives the Maserati Ghibli S
Hotter Ford Fiesta ST200 Revealed
Ford has announced a more powerful version of its compact hot hatchback champion, the Fiesta ST. Meet the Fiesta ST200.
The Ford Fiesta ST is one of our favourite pocket rockets and an archrival to the popular Volkswagen Polo GTI and Renault Clio RS. But, whereas the ST's 1.6-litre turbocharged EcoBoost motor produces 134 kW and 240 Nm, the ST200 is claimed to push out 10% more power and 20% more torque, which would give it outputs of 147 kW and 290 Nm. The Ford Fiesta ST200 is said to achieve 100 kph from standstill in 6.7 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the standard model. It's not just about going fast in a straight line, though, as the ST200 has revised suspension to sharpen its handling.
Some of the handling upgrades include enhanced torque vectoring control, 3-mode electronic stability control, a specially modified front steering knuckle, an adapted rear twist-beam with increased roll stiffness, as well as unique front and rear spring and damper settings. Furthermore, the ST200's centre of gravity is 15 mm lower, it has a quicker steering ratio and shortened steering arm, plus an enhanced braking system with a larger tandem brake master cylinder and rear disc brakes
The ST200 features an exclusive Storm Grey exterior paint finish, matte black alloy wheels and red brake callipers. What's more, its custom interior has been enhanced with charcoal Recaro front seats trimmed in partial leather and accented by contrasting silver stitching, as well as illuminated scuff plates and seatbelts with silver detailing.
At the time of writing, Ford South Africa said it had no plans to introduce this model to our country. What a pity.
Watch the Ford Fiesta ST take on the Volkswagen Polo GTI
Toyota C-HR Crossover Revealed
Images of Toyota’s new C-segment crossover, the C-HR, have leaked ahead of it’s official debut at this week’s Geneva Motor Show.
Last year Toyota showcased the CH-R concept at the Paris Motor Show and the production version is now ready to be revealed to the world. Although the production CH-R is admittedly a watered-down version of the concept, it still embodies the same design cues and it actually looks quite attractive in our opinion.
Toyota CH-R Details
The images show that the CH-R has a bold front-end with elongated headlights. The flared wheel arches and elaborate body cladding give the vehicle a sense of ruggedness, but the profile remains sleek courtesy of the raked windscreen and sloping roofline. Meanwhile, the angled beltline and three-quarter-light sized rear windows (replete with hidden door handles) create a coupe-like look. At the back, the CH-R is fitted with a ‘floating’ spoiler and boomerang-shaped taillights.
The CH-R Crossover was developed on the TNGA platform that underpins the Toyota Prius and will be built in Turkey. Although Toyota hasn’t revealed exact engine details yet, reports suggest that a number of engines will power the CH-R, including a hybrid powertrain sourced from the Prius. If that’s the case, then you can expect the CH-R to be fitted with a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle engine, a pair of electric motors, as well as a CVT transmission. A small capacity turbocharged engine with 85kW is also expected to be fitted.
However, details regarding the new Toyota CH-R won’t be a secret for long because all will be revealed this week when the car is shown at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Toyota South Africa has confirmed that the CH-R Crossover will arrive in SA in January 2017.
Bugatti unleashes 420 kph Chiron
After months of teasing Bugatti has finally unleashed the successor to its iconic Veyron supercar. The Chiron is claimed to set a new benchmark for hypercars, just as its predecessor did a decade ago.
More than 1 100 kW and a staggering 1 600 Nm of torque
Top speed of 420 kph
Only 500 to be made – priced at about R41 million each!
In recent times the ageing Bugatti Veyron's position as the world's ultimate hypercar has come under serious threat from the likes of Pagani, Ferrari, Porsche and Koenigsegg. But just as those brands appear to be catching up, the Molsheim-based French luxury brand appears to have shifted the goalposts again. Due for its official unveiling at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show is the successor to the Veyron, dubbed the Chiron.
Why "Chiron"?
The new Bugatti Chiron is named after famed Bugatti racer, Louis Chiron
The new super Bugatti is named after racing driver Louis Chiron, who campaigned Bugattis to great effect during his long and storied racing career. Interestingly, it follows in a tradition set by the Veyron, itself named after Pierre Veyron, another French racer from the Bugatti stable.
Staggering Power
The 8.0-litre W16 engine produces a staggering 1 600 Nm of torque
Using a "newly developed" version of the brand's now trademark quad-turbo, 8.0-litre W16 engine, the Chiron is the first road car to offer 1 500HP (just over 1 100 kW) in production trim. Perhaps even more impressively, the engine delivers a crunching 1 600 Nm of torque, all the way from 2 000 to 6 000 rpm. In Top Speed mode the Chiron can reach 420 kph! To compensate for the weight increase resulting from the higher power output, Bugatti employed more lightweight materials such as titanium and carbon fibre in its construction. For example, the intake tube, the charge air system and the chain housing are all made of carbon fibre.
Another key feature of the powertrain is its two-stage turbocharging system. To ensure maximum acceleration from standstill without turbo-lag, the Chiron blasts off using only two of its four turbochargers. The other two are only activated at around 3 800 rpm, for full "afterburner" acceleration.
As was the case with its predecessor, the Chiron employs a highly sophisticated all-wheel drive system. Sending so much power to the wheels is no easy task and, as a result, the Chiron has the world's largest and highest-performance clutch (for a passenger vehicle). A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission handles shifting duties.
Beauty and beast design
Central fin recalls the famous spine of the iconic Bugatti Atlanic
The Chiron is significantly more hardcore from a design point of view, with Bugatti saying there is more "beast" in the overall look. Nevertheless, there are plenty of historical references and some exquisite detailing, too. The dramatic and accentuated "C" on either side of the vehicle is inspired by the stunningly pretty Type 57SC Atlantic, while the central fin recalls the central spine of the iconic Atlantic model. The famous horseshoe grille, in particular, contains some beautiful artwork, with the emblem (also called the Bugatti "Macaron") measuring 26 cm in circumference and made from 140 g of silver…
And then there are the modern touches… Bugatti has fitted the Chiron with the flattest full-LED projector headlamps ever fitted to a car, with a height of only 90 mm. Each headlamp has its own controller to operate the LEDs installed behind the main lenses, which are mounted on delicate aluminium arms. The 8 outer lighting squares consist of light conductors providing sidelight and daytime running light functions.
Less weight, more rigidity
The monocoque structure of the Bugatti Chiron is made entirely from carbon fibre and is claimed to be the most sophisticated in its class, technically speaking. For the first time, the rear end of the car is also made from carbon fibre. Bugatti says that if all the fibres used in the monocoque were laid out end to end, they would stretch nine times the distance between the earth and the moon! The production of a single monocoque takes four weeks. The Chiron is only 8kg lighter than before, which doesn't sound like much until you understand the technical implications of an engine producing as much power as the one bolted in the back of this monster. The rigidity of the new structure is astounding – it's equal to that of an LMP1 racing car (the type you'll see at Le Mans).
Sharper handling
Active aero and Adaptive suspension boost Chiron's handling and grip levels.
For the Chiron, Bugatti has developed an advanced new adaptive chassis with five driving programmes that is said to provide an extremely dynamic driving experience, very direct responses, considerably improved agility, more precise steering, fast cornering and outstanding roadholding even at high cornering speeds. The fives modes are; Lift, EB "Auto", Autobahn, Handling and Top Speed. To reach the 420 kph maximum speed, the driver can activate the "Top Speed" mode, which is done by using a second, separate ignition key.
For maximum grip, the Chiron rides on entirely new high-performance tyres developed in partnership with Michelin. The tyres are sized 285/30 R20 at the front and 355/25 R21 at the rear, and have larger contact surfaces (by 14% at the front and 12% at the rear) than the rubber fitted to the Veyron. Bugatti claims that the new tyres will also be easier to fit and offer lower operating costs.
And then there are the brakes, which utilise special carbon ceramic discs made from carbon silicon carbide (CSiC). This material makes the disc lighter and offers greater corrosion resistance, performance and durability. The discs are 20 mm larger in diameter, 2 mm thicker and offer improved heat dissipation for improved performance. The brake callipers are forged from an aluminium part and then "milled using bionic principles", the manufacturer says.
For cooling and aerodynamic purposes, the Chiron features a very advanced active aerodynamics system that includes an adaptive rear spoiler that can be deployed at four positions: completely retracted, slightly extended (the position for the Top Speed mode), completely extended (for the Handling and Autobahn modes) and also tilted forwards in the air brake position. The level and angle of the wing are adjusted automatically as required.
Luxury cabin
Authentic materials and modern tech co-exist in a snug, ultra-luxurious cabin
A modern-day Bugatti must not only be a performance superstar, but also offer the type of luxury and first-class accoutrements the brand has always been famous for. For this reason, only authentic materials are used in the cabin – parts that look like carbon fibre, aluminium or leather are really made from the materials that they appear to be. And yet, the cabin is also bang up to date in terms of technical features.
In front of the driver is a new adaptive instrument cluster. Installed in an aluminium housing, it consists of three compact displays surrounding the analogue speedometer. High-resolution TFT displays are positioned to the left and right of the speedometer with a smaller flat IPS display located below. The idea behind the design is that the driver should be offered only the information that is necessary at that moment. The faster the Chiron is driven, the simpler the presentation becomes.
If the roar of the W16 engine does not provide enough aural delight, the Chiron is fitted with what is claimed to be the most luxurious sound system offered in a super sports car, developed exclusively for Bugatti by the "accuton" brand. Audio system connoisseurs will appreciate the use of a one-carat diamond membrane in each of the four tweeters, delivering a crystal-clear sound. In addition, the world's first mid-range speaker with two separate membrane zones is fitted to the Chiron.
Sales success
Austerity may be the word of the decade, but the world's rich and famous are already forming a lengthy queue for the Chiron. Bugatti says it will only build 500 and that each will cost roughly R40 million, but orders have already been placed for a third of the total production run… Once more, South Africans are unlikely to ever see a Chiron on South African roads as the vehicle will be produced in left-hand drive guise only.
Audi has moved into the small crossover segment with its new Q2. The good news is that it's coming to South Africa.
The Q2 – an all-new offering from the Ingolstadt-based brand – has just been revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. If the A3-based Q3 is either too grown up for young trendy urbanites' tastes or larger than what their lifestyles require, the Q2 may suit them down to a tee. Expect the latest technological features in terms of infotainment, connectivity and safety assistance systems from Audi's arsenal. The styling is unmistakably Audi and the trademark LED lights are present, both at the front and at the rear. As an option, Audi can also supply dynamic turn signals at the rear that pulse (as opposed to flash).
Despite its (presumably light hatchback) underpinnings, the Q2 is said to offer reasonable space. The luggage compartment can accommodate up to 405L in cargo and when you fold the rear bench down, there's 1 050 litres of utility space. Your options include an electrically-operated tailgate and a three-way split of the second row of seats.
Technology
In terms of driver assistance, you get Pre-sense that automatically applies the brakes when the Q2 detects there are pedestrians in its path. There's also adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go functionality and the Traffic Jam Assist is quite novel: it takes over steering duties in bumper-to-bumper traffic at speeds of up to 65 kph. There's also traffic sign recognition technology and the latest version of auto parking that will take the challenge out of parallel parking.
In terms of infotainment and driver assistance systems, you can opt for the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital interface as well as an all-new head-up display that provides info such as navigation, speed and warnings. MMI navigation Plus with the MMI touch function is the flagship infotainment setup, which includes a wi-fi hotspot that will allow passengers in the Audi Q2 to surf the web with their mobile devices. The online services of Audi Connect can also be accessed via the MMI touch – the functions range from traffic and parking-space information to navigation with Google Earth.
Powerplant and transmission options
In terms of engines, there will be six powerplants available from launch. There will be three TFSI turbopetrols and three TDI turbodiesel motors with outputs ranging from 81 kW to 140 kW. The petrol range starts with the three cylinder 1.0-litre turbo and goes up to a 2.0-litre, which has a 140-kW peak power output. The entry-level turbodiesel is a 85-kW 1.6-litre unit, followed by a 2.0-litre engine that comes in two states of tune: 110 kW and 140 kW. There are two gearboxes available: a six-speed manual and a seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission.
Availability in South Africa
The new Audi Q2 is assembled at the home of Audi in Ingolstadt, Germany and will come to South Africa in the first quarter of 2017.
Lamborghini has announced the Centenario – an exclusive model to celebrate founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth.
The Lamborghini Centenario will be produced in extremely limited numbers. Just 20 coupes and 20 roadsters will be manufactured and already all 40 vehicles have been sold. The price? A simple 1.75-million Euros including tax. That's R29-million!
The Centenario's naturally-aspirated V12 engine pushes out 566kW and it'll smash 0-100 kph in just 2.8 seconds thanks to all-wheel drive. What's even more terrifying is it will go from 0-300 km/h in 23.5 seconds and the top speed is claimed to be more than 350kph. The car weighs 1 520kg thanks to a monocoque and body in full carbon fiber. In terms of aerodynamic design, there's an extending rear wing which provides more downforce at high speeds. Also new is rear-wheel steering which provides increased agility and stability. When you step inside the cabin, you'll see a new touchscreen that provides connected infotainment, including internet browsing and Apple CarPlay.
The Centenario is another cog in the Lamborghini strategy wheel which makes exclusive limited edition models. The Reventón, Sesto Elemento, Aventador J and Veneno are some other Lamborghinis in the arsenal which form part of this strategy, whereas the mainstream and accessible models are the Huracan and Aventador.
We drove the Lamborghini Huracan, watch the video
BMW M3 & M4 Competition Pack (2016) Specs & Price
To add extra venom to the already fearsome BMW M3/M4 duo, the Munich-based manufacturer has made the Competition Pack available in South Africa. Here's what you get…
The M3/M4 are two very desirable performance vehicles from BMW. Thanks to turbocharging, the pair is claimed to hurtle from zero to 100 kph in under 4.5 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 250 kph without much effort. Had it not been for their electronic limiters, the cars' top speeds would probably be close to 300 kph. There are a number of options you can add to make your BMW M3/M4 more dynamic, such as a carbon ceramic braking system, but what if you want to combine extreme dynamics with some exclusive specification? BMW SA has announced the Competition Pack is available for the M3 and M4.
Performance is now rated at 331 kW, which is 14 kW more than the standard car's 317 kW. Torque stays the same at 550 Nm. The claimed 0-100 kph sprint time is now 0.1 seconds faster at 4 seconds dead. The limiter has been moved from 250 kph to 280 kph and to go with the additional performance, a sports performance exhaust has been added. Featuring black chrome tailpipes, this setup is bound to wake the neighbours. It's not just about straight line ability, however, as the BMW M3/M4 also gains the Adaptive M suspension. This features new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, along with remapped driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+). The Active M differential and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) have also been upgraded to cope with the extra power.
To set the BMW M3/M4 Competition Pack visually apart from normal M3/M4s, there are exclusive forged, machine-polished, weight- and rigidity-optimised 20-inch M alloy wheels with exclusive multi-spoke 666 M styling. For the keen-eyed enthusiasts, there are discreet black gloss BMW M badges on the rear. Finally, the Competition Package also includes some special lightweight M sports seats with woven-in BMW M seatbelt stripes.
BMW M3/M4 Competition Pack prices in South Africa (March 2016)
The Competition Pack retails for R123 500 on top of your standard BMW M3/M4 price.
BMW M3 R1 031 118 BMW M3 auto R1 080 992
BMW M4 R1 084 118 BMW M4 auto R1 133 992
BMW M4 convertible R1 231 042 BMW M4 convertible auto R1 280 916
BMW M3/M4 launch video
Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT (2016) Review
Ford's Ranger has become a serious threat to the long-term dominance of the Toyota Hilux. Recently a facelift to the double cab has enhanced its appeal in anticipation of the arrival of an all-new Hilux. Do the changes go far enough?
Butch looks enhance leisure appeal
Introduces tech usually fitted to luxury SUVs
Strong 3.2-litre turbodiesel remains unchanged
The Ford Ranger has been somewhat of a revelation since the current generation's original launch back in 2011. Since then, the Blue Oval has climbed its way up the bakkie sales charts to compete with the mighty Hilux for leadership status. Ford made the most of its growth opportunity in the leisure bakkie market, where the affordable 2.2-diesel double cab has been a massive hit, and one of the country's top-selling vehicles overall. Well equipped, sturdy and endowed with appealing square-jawed looks, the Ranger continued to sell up a storm, even when its upgrade was imminent. The long-awaited facelift happened late last year, perhaps strategically for Ford to get a jump on the latest Hilux. In this test, we get to grips with the new 3.2 XLT double cab.
Ford seems determined to attract the lion's share of leisure buyers in the bakkie segment. A proper, touchscreen infotainment system has made it into the upgraded bakkie and is identical to what you'll find in several of Ford's other recent introductions, including the Mustang. Buyers with families will be interested to know that the facelift has introduced a number of additional safety systems such as lane keeping alert, lane keeping aid, adaptive cruise control with forward alert, tyre pressure monitoring system, a driver impairment monitor, as well as front and rear park assist.
The styling has also undergone some revisions, which is most notable from the front. The grille is the most eye-catching feature. It looks very American with its new, err, big face, and Ford offers it in bold chrome (as illustrated here), black or grey, depending on model derivative.
Powertrain
The 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbodiesel (the most powerful engine in the lineup) and is unchanged from the previous model. It delivers 147 kW and 470 Nm of torque, making it very suitable for towing (braked trailers of up to 3 500 kg). The load bay is also capable of carrying loads of up to 938 kg; its dimensions are: 1 549 mm (length) by 1 560 mm (width) and 511 mm (depth). The load space sits at the bigger end of the current double-cab market.
The engine and six-speed automatic gearbox work well together too. The Ranger can hold onto gears for a bit longer than expected, but that doesn’t detract too much from the overall refinement. In town the throttle can feel a bit slow to react and then jerky once it does, which can become tiring.
Fuel consumption is claimed at 8.9 L/100km, but during its tenure with us we saw 10.8 L/100km on the readout, covering a mix of long distance and town driving.
Interior comfort
Leather-upholstered seats are standard on XLT models and there is a multitude of storage spaces around the cabin. Ford's Sync2 eight-inch touchscreen interface offers Bluetooth and can play various types of user media from CD, SD, USB (two ports) and auxiliary devices. The system is quite simple to use, especially if you utilise the voice-activation function, which you can to operate almost every feature within the system. The instrument panel is adaptable to the driver's requirements, so all the digital information displayed around the analogue speedometer can be personalised to what you want to see.
You have to upgrade to the Wildtrak model if you want all the advanced systems offered in the Ranger range. This XLT model is well-specced (rear parking sensors and a rear camera are standard, for example), but it doesn't include the lane keeping aid, lane departure warning and the driver alert system.
Ride comfort
As is the case with all bakkies in South Africa, the Ranger is still based on a ladder-frame chassis so you have to expect a firm ride as part of that package. In America, some leisure-oriented double cabs have started to adopt a more refinement-oriented unibody construction… That said, the Ranger’s ride quality is not as annoyingly bouncy as those of other bakkies out there, with the exception of the Volkswagen Amarok. The Ranger doesn’t make you hold your breath and brace every time you crest a speedbump and it certainly doesn’t buck you like a rodeo bull when the unloaded rear end has to deal with the same bump. If you’re looking to hit the dirt tracks then the Ranger can be shifted from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and low range with the simple twist of a knob next the gear lever. Ford sells the Ranger replete with a free off-roading course to help you learn the ins and outs of the bakkie’s off-road capabilities.
Verdict
The revised Ford Ranger improves on what has proven to be a very successful recipe for a leisure-orientated bakkie. It is safer with a host of new crash mitigation technologies and it’s also more technically capable with the full Sync2 infotainment system. The top spec 3.2-litre turbodiesel engine is extremely strong and capable when it comes to loading and towing trailers, caravans or 3 500 kg of whatever. The ride is good for a bakkie and the interior comfort hides its agricultural underpinnings rather well. It’s certainly a step forward from what already was South Africa’s best leisure bakkie. The Hilux however, has just arrived on the local market, and first impressions of the newcomer are good – the Toyota has seemingly lifted its game considerably in the cabin finish, refinement and comfort stakes. Seems like a comparison test is what's called for… watch this space.
The 3.2-litre double cab XLT retails for R566 900 and comes with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan. For full pricing on all the Ranger models click here.
Team opinions
"The new Ford Ranger is an improved product and the leisure buyer will be pleased with the increased levels of comfort and safety. This 3.2 XLT derivative delivers good ride quality and there's sufficient power in the bank when needed. The interior is pleasantly comfortable too. If sales are anything to go by, the new Ranger will continue to prove tough to beat in the local bakkie market." Gero Lilleike
We like: Powerful engine with a smooth gearbox, SUV comfort levels and tech
We don’t like: Jerky throttle in town, thirst in the city
We attended the launch of the new Audi A4 in George last week. Could the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer's compact executive sedan be the new benchmark in a tightly-contested segment?
The A4 is one of Audi South Africa's most important products – since its introduction in 1994, more than 110 000 units have been sold on the local market. Despite its successes, the A4 has come under fire from critics, some of whom labelled the car "boring" and "uninvolving". We recently took an example of the outgoing A4 for a drive and the criticism seemed justified. Compared with its main competitors, BMW's 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the old A4 felt, well, old.
Audi has sharpened its pencil for the new A4 and imbued its sedan with much-needed zest. Buyers shopping in the mid-size executive sedan segment will be pleased to know that the new A4 is a vastly improved product over the previous-generation car. Yes, the new A4 still looks like an A4 (its exterior design is an evolution of its predecessor's), but it’s just that much sharper, leaner and… elegant. The new A4 has shed some weight too (up to 110 kg, depending on model) and that’s a good thing because it makes the sedan more athletic. When you factor in that power has gone up by up to 25% and fuel consumption has improved by up to 21%, you have a vehicle that’s more balanced in terms of proportion and performance.
The interior of the new A4 deserves a special mention because it represents a giant leap forward from the outgoing model. Once you step inside the cabin you are welcomed by comfortable leather seats and a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. The dashboard is home to horizontal air vents for the climate control system (they're remarkably similar to that of the new Audi Q7) and there’s a "floating" 8.3-inch monitor with a touchpad rotary controller ahead of the shift lever. It all looks much more contemporary and smart than the previous A4's interior. This one has a real sense of occasion.
A major highlight of the new A4 is that Audi’s Virtual Cockpit is available as an option. It’s a marvellous system that replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch, high-resolution LCD digital display that provides easy access to navigation and all the vehicle functions. Wizardry comes at a price, however. Expect to pay as much R39 000 to have the Virtual Cockpit fitted to your new A4.
What's the new Audi A4 like to drive?
The launch route encompassed 360 kilometres and included a total of four mountain passes that put the A4's dynamic capabilities to the test. We had the opportunity to test both the 110 kW/250 Nm 1.4T FSI and the 140 kW/320 Nm 2.0T FSI during the launch event. Audi did say that the more powerful 185 kW/370 Nm 2.0T FSI quattro derivative will arrive in April 2016, while the 140 kW/400 Nm 2.0 TDI turbodiesel will become available later in the year.
Our first drive was in the 2.0T FSI Design and it soon became evident that the driving experience of the new A4 is significantly more refined and comfortable than before. Fitted with a 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission, this model felt pleasantly punchy under hard acceleration. The 2.0T FSI responded well to throttle inputs and in-gear acceleration was impressive too. The transmission is well matched to the engine and the shifts through the gears are virtually imperceptible to the driver. The steering feel is on the lighter side, but adequately direct and precise, providing good feedback to the driver.
We were particularly impressed with how poised the A4 felt while cornering. Even at higher speeds, the new A4 held its line with confidence. The car certainly felt lighter and more agile than the outgoing model and managed to soak up bumps well with its balanced suspension setup. Audi claims a fuel consumption figure of 5.4 L/100km for this 2.0T FSI.
Although Audi says that major efforts were made to reduce noise levels in the cabin, we couldn’t help but notice an obtrusive rumbling noise emanating from the test unit's 18-inch tyres. Perhaps it's a credit to the cabin's noise, vibration and harshness control that the tyre noise was that noticeable…
We also spent some time behind the wheel of the 1.4T FSI model and although its handling was identical to that of the 2.0T FSI, there was a major difference in performance. With 30 kW less power and 70 Nm less torque available, the smaller-engined model's more moderate performance was immediately noticeable. However, the model's performance was satisfactory – it was by no means sluggish to drive. Overall, both models delivered a comfortable and refined driving experience. Audi claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.9 L/100 km for the 1.4T FSI.
Summary
The new A4 is a very accomplished product. It incorporates major improvements over the previous-generation A4 and its higher levels of refinement and sprightly performance are refreshing. The cabin not only looks more modern and up-to-date, but it also offers more space for the driver and passengers. That, plus the addition of various in-car technology and driver assist features makes the A4 much closer matched to its natural competitors. In fact, a direct comparison between the Audi and its rivals could see the newcomer come out on top in certain aspects, perhaps overall. Look out for a full review of the A4 on Cars.co.za in the near future, when we'll gladly delve deeper into the Audi's merits.
