The forthcoming Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has been teased in a short video clip. The new Pajero Sport will make it’s debut on 1 August at the 2015 Bangkok International Grand Motor Sale in Thailand before going on sale later in the year.
New Styling for Pajero Sport
From the the video, it’s clear that the new Pajero Sport has received some love in the styling department. The vehicle is based on the latest Triton and features a more prominent front-end while the rear has been reworked to give the Pajero Sport a bit more flair.
Details are scarce at this point but you can expect a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine and a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre petrol unit.
We tested the Mitsubishi Pajero LWBlast year and put it through its paces in the dirt. One thing was certain, the Pajero is a very capable vehicle and judging by the video clip below, the Pajero Sport looks to be greater than ever before.
More details will be revealed closer to the vehicles debut and we will keep you informed as more information becomes available. The release of this teaser video seems to be a reaction to the official release of the upcoming Toyota Fortuner.
The Mercedes-AMG GT is a thoroughbred sportscar that tries to be everything to everyone who can afford it. It can be soft and comfortable when you have to limp around in traffic or over bumpy roads. It can be a long distance GT cruiser with reasonable luggage space. Then it can also be an absolute maniac at the track when you unleash all of its 340kW. Its the Mercedes-AMG to take on the Porsche 911 and the Audi R8, and we spent the day in Johannesburg for the South African launch. We were lucky enough to get a chance to drive it on track and at high speed at the Gerotek test facility.
Does it look good?
In the flesh it looks just as good as in the perfectly edited photos youve likely already seen. The bonnet is long and handsome, commanding its own entrance before the rest of the carriage arrives. The cockpit looks like The Jetsons space bubble with the rear sloping downwards into a smooth, familiar GT cruiser shape. The rear wheel arches are widened and give it a muscular rear end. Throw a few Rands at the options packages and you can alter the front grille to the studded diamond look. The interior is lined with leather and Alcantara to make it feel exclusive. The centre console is raised and features all the important switchgear like the gearshift stick and the controls to adjust the suspension, exhaust note and driving modes.
What makes it shunt?
Underneath the bonnet lurks a 4-Litre bi-turbo engine with 340 kW in the AMG GT. Upgrade to the GT S and you get 375 kW. Respectively, they have 600 Nm and 650 Nm of torque. Its a very responsive engine and revs beautifully, delivering a constant wave of acceleration as you mash the throttle into the floorboard. The AMG GT has a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox that feels streaks ahead of any box Merc has developed. Its right up there with the best in the business, rifling through upshifts with an equally sharp downshift. Opt for the performance exhaust system and you should and at the touch of a button it sends an effervescent fizz down your spine. Barks, pops bangs and gargles, the AMG GT has all the talents that hit the right senses, whether under acceleration or once you lift off the throttle. It sounds crazy.
So it does everything?
Everything a two-seater sportscar is capable of being able to do, the AMG GT does superbly. On our freeway and city jaunt to Gerotek it was comfortable, thanks mostly to the adjustable ride and dynamic engine mounts that work to soften the ride and improve comfort. At high speed its stable and planted, and it also weights up the steering so you dont over adjust it at speed. For a 375 kW sportscar the AMG GT S is actually quite forgiving.
Then we headed for Zwartkops. We experienced the vehicle in Sport mode, which allows a little bit of rear-wheel slip before cutting the power and stopping the fun. The AMG GT S is well balanced and you can really grab it by the scruff of the neck and fling it around, something that is normally quite daunting in a car this powerful. If anything, it picks up a touch of understeer under acceleration as the weight shifts to the rear and causes the front wheels to go light. The more laps we did of the track, the more the car impressed us with its driveability and agility, but in a different, more aggressive way than a Porsche 911 or Audi R8.
Mercedes-AMG GT Pricing
Both the standard GT and GT S will be available in SA and come with both interior and exterior packs to suit the individual buyer. Pricing starts at R1 660 000 for the AMG GT and the AMG GT S is R1 999 000. For similar kicks you can also look at cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS PDK or a Nissan GT-R Black edition. The upcoming Audi R8 will also be in the mix soon.
UPDATE: BMW 3-Series Price in SA
The BMW 3-Series is an iconic vehicle and in line with BMW’s life cycle program, is now due for a facelift. What you see here in the images on this page is indeed the facelift, however we understand if you’re hard-pressed to spot the differences.
The BMW 3-Series is a seriously popular vehicle, and if the BMW marketing speak is to be believed, the founder of the modern sports sedan market. Having driven numerous BMW 3s over the years, I can happily agree with this statement. It’s just that complete. It’s interesting to note that around one in every four BMWs sold in the world is a 3-Series, which speaks volumes about its popularity.
What’s New for 2015?
Some new engines, a visual tweak and some incredible technology headline the 2015 BMW 3-Series. From launch, there will be four petrol motors and seven diesels with power ranging from 85 kW to 240 kW. These engines can be hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission (standard on the BMW 330d, BMW 335d and BMW 340i Touring). Rear-wheel drive is retained, although some models gain BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive, however these have never seen introduction into the South African market.
In terms of design, the front receives new aprons with revised air intakes which accentuate the perception of width, while the sensor for the optional Active Cruise Control is neatly integrated into the central air intake. The rear apron design features standard LED rear lights. Full-LED headlights can now be specified as an option.
The interior receives a classy update in the form of new materials and additional chrome highlights for the controls, air vents and central control panel. The newly-crafted centre console with a sliding cover for the cupholders enables better use of the storage surfaces forward of the gearshift lever, which improves the ergonomics. There’s a wide range of personalisation options as far as upholstery and interior trim elements are concerned, as well as new wheels, exterior colours and equipment options that round off the specification choices for the new BMW 3-Series.
New Engines
Finally, there are the new engines. The headline act is a toss up between the three-cylinder engine making its 3-Series and segment debut, or the mighty 340i. All the three, four and six-cylinder petrol engines and the four-cylinder diesel units in the BMW 316d, BMW 318d and BMW 320d are now sourced from the newly developed, modular BMW EfficientDynamics engine family.
Making its BMW 3-Series debut is a four-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 320i Sedan which offers a combined fuel consumption of 5.95.3l/100 km while combined CO2 emissions range from 138124g/km, depending on transmission. The BMW 330i Sedan now has a four-cylinder engine, while the BMW 340i features an all-new six cylinder turbo engine. The 330i offers a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.55.5L/100 km and combined CO2 emissions of 151129g/km. The six-cylinder petrol unit in the BMW 340i Sedan has a combined fuel consumption of 7.76.5L/100 km with combined CO2 emissions: 179152g/km).
All engines have been tweaked and offer enhanced efficiency and improved emissions. Consumption and CO2 emissions are claimed to be reduced by as much as 11%. For example, the new 320d EfficientDynamics Edition Sedan has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.33.8 l/100 km with combined CO2 emissions of 11399 g/km). Not bad at all for a vehicle with 120 kW fitted with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and standard tyres.
Also new are the enhancements to the six-speed manual gearbox, which now automatically blips the throttle on downshifts, while the eight-speed Steptronic transmission allows multiple sequential downshifts, which has a positive effect on smoothness and sound while the coasting function increases efficiency.
Engine
kW / Nm
318i (1.5-litre, 3cyl)
Petrol
100kW/200Nm
320i (2.0-litre, 4cyl)
Petrol
134kW/290Nm
320d (2.0-litre, 4cyl)
Diesel
140kW/400Nm
330d (3.0-litre, 6cyl)
Diesel
190kW/560Nm
340i (3.0-litre, 6cyl)
Petrol
240kW/450Nm
Technology
The BMW ConnectedDrive system is also subject to some revisions in the new 3-Series facelift. The full-colour BMW Head-Up Display in the new BMW 3 Series enables all relevant information to be displayed directly in the drivers field of vision, leaving the motorist to concentrate fully on the road ahead. The Professional navigation system boasts quicker start-up, significantly faster route calculation and even more realistic 3D graphics with the navigation maps automatically updated free of charge for a period of three years.
Other upgrades include the embedded SIM card now allowing LTE connectivity, the Parking Assistant can enable automatic parallel parking as well, while Auto PDC also automatically activates the front parking sensors when manoeuvring.
BMW 3-Series Facelift Price in South Africa
The BMW 3-Series facelift Sedan will go on sale in South Africa in the third quarter of 2015, so that’s around August/September. Pricing is as follows:
BMW 318i R409 000 BMW 320i R443 820 BMW 320d R472 000 BMW 330i R518 359 BMW 330d R596 923 BMW 340i R661 335
Cars.co.za Supports Little Eden for 67 Minutes
Cars.co.za staff supported the Edenglen-based charity Little Eden as part of the 67 minutes for charity efforts as part of Mandela Day.
Little Eden is a non-profit organisation based in Edenglen, Jhb. They provide life-long care to children and adults with profound intellectual disability (some who are orphans) and help them to reach their full potential. You can visit the charity’s website here.
Cars.co.za donated well needed shoes and clothing, then spent some time with the residents. Here the team learned more about the organisation , were taken on a tour of the facilities and then spent a little time with the residents.
Drag Race: VW Scirocco R vs VW Golf R
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Have you ever been driving your 188kW Volkswagen Scirocco R and decided that it just wasnt quick enough? Well, thats exactly what happened to our friendly Scirocco owner.
He turned to Revo for a digital tune up of the car, installing Stage 1 software and then fitted a decat downpipe, resulting in a 34kW power upgrade to a dyno-tested 222kW.
When the owner heard that a VW Golf 7 R was attending our drag shootout, he insisted that he come along and see if his upgraded Scirocco R could take on the less powerful, but newer, Golf.
The result is this drag race at the Killarney Race Circuit in Cape Town, filmed in perfect weather conditions. Both drivers acknowledged that the track surface was quite slippery, a condition which would obviously favour the all-wheel drive Golf.
All the relevant stats and details of the Sciroccos modifications are in the video.
Ford is keen to show just how capable its new Ranger double-cab bakkie and it has created a video for us to watch. The market for double-cab bakkies is heating up, with the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Hilux both replaced by newer versions.
The Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger are neck-and-neck in South Africa in terms of sales each month, and it’s hard to choose between the two. Personally I favour the Ranger Wildtrak’s rugged looks, but then I find myself wanting the Hilux’s legendary reliability and go-anywhere attitude.
It’s this go-anywhere and do-anything attitude that Ford is wanting to try convey with its new Ranger. Watch the video to see what the new Ford Ranger is capable of.
Ford Ranger Capabilities Video
New Lexus NX200t: All You Need to Know (Video)
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The Lexus NX200 is the brand’s entry into the baby SUV market. In true Lexus tradition build quality is of the highest standard and specification is excessively generous. In F-Sport guise it also happens to look really good.
In this video Ciro De Siena will get up close and personal with the latest offering from Lexus. The NX200 range starts from R539 900 for the 200t E, while this F-Sport retails for R659 900. There’s also a hybrid in the range and the NX300h retails for R633 000. You can see the differences between the Lexus NX models by using our car compare tool here.
We at Cars.co.za were very impressed with the Lexus NX and agree with Ciro – this is easily the brand’s best model to date. For a more in-depth review of the Lexus NX200T F-Sport, read our review here.
The next-generation Toyota Fortuner has just broken cover online after a few teaser images hit the Web recently. Let’s take a look at the next version of this popular seven-seat SUV in South Africa. While this article is primarily about the Australian-spec 2016 Toyota Fortuner, our market is not too dissimilar and we would be very surprised if the South African-spec Toyota Fortuners are radically different.
The new seven-seat 2016 Toyota Fortuner will be hitting its first market in October 2015. Australia will be one of the first countries to receive the Fortuner and South Africa is expected to receive its stock towards the end of the year.
Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said at the world premiere, “Fortuner’s strength and refinement ensures it is equally at home on the school run as on the toughest off-road trails found in Australia. Fortuner shares the rugged underpinnings of the ‘unbreakable’ Hilux, allowing owners to travel to – and return from – places many other SUVs simply can’t go. At the same time, Fortuner’s unique design suits the advanced tastes of modern SUV buyers while being equipped with a comprehensive list of features appreciated by families and business owners.”
Specification and Offroad Ability
For the Australian market, the 2016 Toyota Fortuner will be offered in three spec options – GX, GXL and Crusade. All models are powered by the new 2.8-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that has 450Nm of torque. There’s also a six-speed manual gearbox which cleverly matches engine speed to gearbox speed, resulting in smoother shifts. There will be a six-speed auto available too. Trailer sway control, which is designed to assist if a towed vehicle is affected by crosswinds, bumpy roads or sharp turns of the steering wheel, will be fitted. The maximum towing capacity is rated at three tons for the manual and 2.8 tons for the automatic. At the touch of a button, full 4×4 capability with high and low range is available. There will be a rear differential lock fitted too.
The suspension has been tweaked by Australian engineers for their specific harsh conditions and it comprises of double wishbones at the front and a five-link, coil-spring configuration at the rear, which gives it impressive handling stability and ride comfort on all surfaces.
In terms of specification, a reversing camera is standard across the range, as are seven airbags, hill-start assist control and an emergency stop signal. Toyota said it is expecting the new Fortuner to achieve a five-star safety rating. All models will receive front and rear air-conditioning, large touchscreen audio displays, Toyota Link connected mobility, side steps, 17 or 18-inch wheels, disc brakes front and rear, and an air-conditioned compartment to keep drinks and food warm or cold. Other features include a tablet-inspired multimedia, touchscreen display, a Smart Entry & Start system, and second-row seats with one-touch operation for ease of folding. The third row seats are fitted with a fixed hook attachment for simple and convenient stowage. There are no less than 15 storage areas in the new 2016 Toyota Fortuner.
The two top-spec models are fitted with roof rails, fog lamps, reverse parking sensors, keyless smart entry and start, and downhill assist control, with the flagship featuring bi-LED headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, a power back door and 18-inch alloys with highway tyres. There will be a number of Toyota Genuine accessories available too.
Engine and Powerplant
The 2016 Toyota Fortuner will be powered by a new 2.8-litre direct-injection turbodiesel engine. It’s called the 1GD and is claimed to be highly efficient. Torque will be available from as little as 1600rpm in the automatic gearbox and has an output of 450Nm. Manual gearbox-equipped Fortuners will have 420Nm. Maximum power is rated at 130kW with the peak at 3400rpm while the power curve below 3000rpm supports low-to-mid-range performance. The engine is said to comply with Euro 5 emissions standards and fuel consumption is rated at 8L/100km.
2016 Toyota Fortuner in South Africa?
We had a brief chat to one of Toyota SA’s representatives about the 2016 Toyota Fortuner. At this stage, we’re likely to see the South African Toyota Fortuners arrive two months after the Toyota Hilux, which is around February 2016. We’re going to get more engine variants than the Australians too, which is great. Best news is that the 2016 Toyota Fortuner will be built in South Africa at Toyota’s plant in Durban.
Volvo XC90 (2015) First Drive
Volvo is extremely excited about its new XC90, so much so that locally it launched the car to the media two weeks before it actually goes on sale (on sale from 1 August). The XC90 is the first all Volvo-developed car since the Geely take-over and showcases what the brand intends to do with future models. In the next four years, Volvo plans to release several new models to the global market, so in a very short while this XC90 will be the oldest in the line-up. We headed out to Franschhoek, Western Cape to sample this reinvention of the Volvo brand.
What is it?
The XC90 is the Swedish brands flagship model until a rumoured new luxury sedan, probably called the S90, arrives. The XC90, it claims, raises the game of modern, premium SUVs in terms of style, safety and connectivity. The front end will be passed down for generations to come and Thors Hammer the daytime running lamp style – will be a characteristic well see on future Volvos. This premium SUV is a proper seven-seater, capable of comfortably carrying people of up to 170cm in height in the third row of seats.
What makes it special?
For starters and as mentioned above, the looks are impressive for a bulky SUV. The XC90 easily stands out of the crowd and if you want to bling it up you can order it with crazy 22-inch diamond cut alloys. The wheels look incredible, but you may want to keep them away from a dirt road or pavements as the profile on the tyre is extremely low. This also affects the ride quality on bumpy tarred surfaces.
The interior is another impressive aspect of the XC90. Its a luxurious place to sit and the dashboard boasts soft-touch leather and aluminium inserts. Its very stylish and uniquely minimalistic. The infotainment system works very similar to a smartphone so modern users should have no problem working out the swipe functions and selections. Its a very intuitive system and simple to get to grips with. The rear passengers share in the luxury with dual-zone rear climate control available and seats that can slide forwards and backwards to increase legroom. The rear seats can all be folded down to create a huge, flat loadbay as well.
The engines are now all Volvo engines, which means no more Ford units doing duty under the bonnet. Volvo has been able to develop a new generation of engines specifically for this XC90. All of them are 2-Litre, four-cylinder units that develop plenty of power and torque thanks to the addition of turbochargers, superchargers and in the T8 versions case, electric power. From launch, only the D5 turbodiesel 165 kW, 470 Nm and the T6 super and turbocharged petrol (235 kW and 400 Nm) will be available. Later on this year the D4 with 140 kW and 400 Nm and the T5 with 187 kW and 380 Nm will become available. Then in early 2016 the plug-in hybrid T8 will be introduced with 300 kW and 640 Nm.
How does it feel?
The D5 and T6 we drove on launch both coped very well on freeways and in town-driving situations. The eight-speed automatic gearbox seems intuitive to the drivers needs and works seamlessly in the background. The ride is very comfortable and its nice that its not trying to be overly dynamic for an SUV. That said, the XC90 can handle a corner if needed and feels stable in fast cornering situations.
On our dirt excursion we played with the various drive modes on offer, one of which is Off Road. The throttle feels less responsive in this mode, but thats probably so you dont jump into an obstacle with too much speed. The XC90 coped with the bumps and gutters on the dirt road well although I would certainly specify smaller wheels and higher profile tyres if you plan to venture down dirt paths regularly.
Volvo XC90 Pricing
Volvo initially launched pricing for the first edition XC90 last year and has managed to stay relatively close to that with the local introduction. There are plenty of options to choose from and tons of safety features available as Volvo plans to have nobody killed or severely injured in a Volvo product by 2020.
XC90 D4 Geartronic FWD Momentum R 804 000
XC90 T5 Geartronic AWD Momentum R 827 400
XC90 D4 Geartronic FWD Inscription R 844 600
XC90 D5 Geartronic AWD Momentum R 853 200
XC90 T6 Geartronic AWD Momentum R 867 000
XC90 T5 Geartronic AWD Inscription R 868 000
XC90 T5 Geartronic AWD R-Design R 888 700
XC90 D5 Geartronic AWD Inscription R 893 900
XC90 T6 Geartronic AWD Inscription R 907 600
XC90 D5 Geartronic AWD R-Design R 914 600
XC90 T6 Geartronic AWD R-Design R 928 300
XC90 T8 Twin Engine Geartronic AWD Momentum R 1 005 100
XC90 T8 Twin Engine Geartronic AWD Inscription R 1 042 000
XC90 T8 Twin Engine Geartronic AWD R-Design R 1 066 400
Land Rover Discovery Sport SD4 SE (2015) Review
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the latest model to come from the brand and upon first glance looks like the lovechild of a Range Rover Sport and a Range Rover Evoque. Is this genre dilution at its finest, or is the Land Rover Discovery Sport a credible offering? We spent a week with the Freelander-replacement to find out.
Land Rover and sister company Jaguar are making waves at the moment. There’s a lot of product and innovation coming from the company and it’s difficult to find fault with most of their offerings. The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the latest, and probably one of the most important new models, to reach the market. vehicle The demise of its predecessor, the Freelander, is a real shame as it offered a chance to get into the brand for a not-too-unreasonable amount of money, and we were sad to see it go. But despite its positives, the Freelander had its faults – all of which the Discovery Sport address with ease.
Unmistakably Land Rover Design
Let’s start with the basic question: what is a Land Rover Discovery Sport? Think of this as a Discovery-lite, a practical and sensible vehicle. The Discovery range has become quite pricey and this Sport model offers similar levels of specification and performance, without the price tag bordering R1-million. It’s a smart-looking SUV with a touch of sportiness, and thanks to the headlight/grille combination it’s unmistakably Land Rover.
Seven Seats
Thanks to clever engineering seven seats are fitted as standard. The third row of seats can be folded flat when not in use resulting in a cavernous boot area, or quickly activated by pushing a button located in the boot. The downside of having three rows of seats means that no matter how cleverly designed your product is, boot space becomes very limited. The passengers in the third row of seats have space thanks to the second row being able to slide forwards and backwards.
Build Quality and Features
Build quality feels good at face value and the materials certainly feel premium. Tested here is the SD4 SE model, which sits halfway up the Discovery Sport ladder. Standard specification is commendable and you’re certainly getting your money’s worth. Cruise control, rear parking assist, two-zone climate control, navigation, USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, three 12V charging sockets, auto headlamps and rain-sensing wipers all come standard. Safety features include seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control as well as trailer control. Being a Land Rover, you can specify extra goodies to your heart’s content, but be mindful of the cost!
New Infotainment System
One of the big changes seen in the cabin of the Land Rover Discovery Sport is the all-new infotainment sustem which replaces the unit which has done duty in pretty much every recent Land Rover/Range Rover product. While the previous touchscreen system wasn’t too bad, it was getting dated compared with the HD, tablet-like screens from the likes of Audi and BMW in recent years. This new 8-inch touchscreen features better resolution and a smartphone-like interface. Colours are crisp and the user experience is generally pleasant. We did find that you have to firmly press the screen repeatedly to make a selection and the system is initially a little confusing. Once you’re familiar with it, however, it’s straightforward.
Engine, Transmission & Offroad Ability
Powering the Land Rover Discovery Sport is a 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 140kW and 420Nm. Power drives all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. While some may suggest that nine ratios is perhaps one or even two ratios too many, we found that it was a good combination as it keeps the engine in its sweet spot of power, torque and economy. Shifts are smooth and the transmission is responsive if you suddenly mash the accelerator. Despite its fashionable and modern looks, it’s still a Land Rover and that means its offroad ability has to be good. The vehicle has a wading depth of 600mm and a ground clearance of 212mm, meaning it can confidently press on through the rough stuff, which was limited to a mild off-road track and a shallow river test.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport comes with the brand’s acclaimed Terrain Response system, which adapts the vehicle’s drivetrain to different offroad situations through a simple-to-use interface. The modes include gravel, snow and mud/ruts and so on, and selecting one of these modes will assist the car in automatically applying the correct amount of throttle and traction control to safely traverse the obstacles. There’s also a centre differential and hill descent control which allow the Land Rover Discovery Sport to venture quite far offroad. So much for a fashionable icon then!
When not doing its best Bear Grylls impression, we found the Land Rover Discovery Sport to have excellent tarmac manners. The ride quality is noticeably refined and the car exudes a premium feel that few can match. Land Rover is pitching this at the likes of the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 which are popular vehicles in the luxury lifestyle class and we think the Land Rover Discovery Sport is easily a match for these two.
Land Rover Discovery Sport Price in South Africa
The Land Rover Discovery Sport range starts from R545 901, with the range-topping model retailing for R739 300. The mid-spec SD4 SE here costs R640 320.
Verdict
The Land Rover Discovery Sport does an excellent job of being both a premium offroader and seven-seat transporter. With a premium a badge on the nose and the ability to cross rivers as well as carry seven people, this new SUV will give rival manufacturers massive headaches. We’re prepared to excuse its hefty asking price based on the above reasons and essentially it does everything asked of it exceptionally well. So if you can’t afford a Discovery and think the Evoque is a little too designer chic, then Discovery Sport is your answer.
We Like: Offroad ability, modern looks, revised infotainment system, great engine/gearbox combo, seven seats.
We Dont Like: Not a lot…
Also Consider: BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, Lexus NX, Jeep Cherokee
