Best Boutique City Cars in South Africa

For this weeks #ChooseDay we asked you which boutique city cars you would love to own and your choices included the new Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1, Opel Adam and the Volkswagen up!

Boutique city cars differ from your run-of-the-mill offering with features such as funky and flamboyant exterior and interior styling, personalisation options and a ‘cool car factor’ that an ‘ordinary’ car lacks. Boutique city cars are aimed squarely at younger buyers who want to make a statement and express their personalities through the cars they drive. Boutique city cars are therefore expressive, modern and vibrant in their design. Fuel efficiency is also a key attribute of a city car and as such, all the city cars on this list are powered by small capacity, 3-cylinder engines.

You responded and voted for your favourite boutique city cars and we tallied up the scores. Take a look at the results below…

Best Boutique City Cars in SA

1. Toyota Aygo – 37% of the total vote

  Toyota Aygo

The new Toyota Aygo has just launched in South Africa (read the launch drive story here), and judging by the number of votes it racked up here, it’s bound to sell well. The new Toyota Aygo sets itself apart with fresh and bold styling as seen with its prominent ‘X’ design grille while the roof features a ‘double-bubble’ design. The rear-end features a black glass panel which is flanked by boomerang-shaped taillights.

Buyers can also choose a funky two-tone exterior design which includes X-play Black with a black roof combined with either a Cherry Red or Ice White body. There’s also X-Play Silver with a silver roof and Ash gray body for a more classic look. The interior is quite funky too, with different shapes and colours giving the Aygo a sense of youth. The Aygo also features a touchscreen display audio system, which is a first for the segment.

Under the bonnet, the Aygo is powered by a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre engine that offers 51 kW and 95 Nm through a 5-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.4L/100km. The new Toyota Aygo is priced from R138 900.

Buy your Toyota Aygo here!

Opel Adam – 34% of the total vote

  Opel Adam

Since its launch in South Africa, the Opel Adam has proven to be a popular choice for youngsters, hipsters, funksters and everyone in between. All for good reason, because the personalisation options for the Adam are almost endless, allowing buyers to create a unique car that’s got loads of funky appeal.

Throw a peppy 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine under hood with 85 kW and 170 Nm and suddenly you have a winner. Fuel consumption for the 1.0-litre engine is 5.1L/100km.

The interior is well sorted too with a great touchscreen infotainment system and the performance and drive is remarkably good. The Adam is well worth a look if you are looking for a funky city car that will deliver unique style. The Opel Adam is priced from R191 800 for the 1.4, while the Adam 1.0T starts at R212 000.

Buy your Opel Adam here!

Everything you need to know about the Opel Adam below!

3. Volkswagen up! – 18% of the total vote

Volkswagen up!  

The Volkswagen up! has been well received in South Africa and ranks third on this list. The up! is a petite boutique city car with a distinct European feel about it and customers will be particularly attracted to the interior, which although simple in design, makes you feel like you sitting in something a bit more upmarket. There are also a number of optional extras available, like a sunroof, which adds to its appeal.

The up!, much like the Adam, offers excellent ride quality and performance is relatively decent with 55 kW and 95 Nm on offer from its 3-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.6L/100km.  Pricing for the Volkswagen up! starts at R140 000.

Buy your Volkswagen up! here!

Also be sure to watch our video review of the Volkswagen up! below.

Citroen C1 – 11% of the total vote

Citroen C1

Although the Citroen C1 is last on this list, it has loads of funk factor and it’s a convertible too. With a roof that peels back, the C1 is quickly transformed into a funky summer car. The interior pops out at you and the bold use of colour in the cabin makes the C1 a refreshing choice. You will also be happy to know that your infotainment needs are taken care of through a 7-inch touchscreen.

The C1 is as fun to drive as it looks and with its 3-cylinder 1.2-litre engine with 60 kW and 116 Nm of torque, it goes about its business quite adequately. Fuel consumption is rated at 4.3L/100km. You can expect to pay no less than R168 900 for the Citroen C1.

Buy your Citroen C1 here!

Peugeot 308 GTi (2016) First Drive

We headed to Portugal to put Peugeot’s attempt at a grown-up hot hatch to the test. Is it a worthy rival to the perennial market favourite, the Volkswagen Golf GTI?

Highlights
-1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 200 kW and 330 Nm
-Track-biased brakes and Torsen limited slip differential
-All the tech and features you’d expect from a modern hatchback
-Ride quality is very good as a daily driver

Let’s be honest with our petrolhead caps. We all associate the GTI brand with the boys from Wolfsburg, Germany who build the Golf GTI. Thanks to a great balance of comfort and performance, we think the GTI is simply terrific. Other pretenders to the hot hatch throne range from the track-focused Renault Megane RS and the wild-child Ford Focus ST.

The bottom line is that all three of the above cars are excellent and with their 2.0-litre turbo engines, pack a formidable punch. Peugeot, along with Peugeot Sport, wants a piece of this market. The 208 GTi is not a bad little performer, but what if you want something to tackle the bigger boys? The answer is here in the shape of the Peugeot 308 GTi and first impressions are impressive.

Peugeot’s 308 GTI is not a bad-looking car at all thanks to the combination of twin exhausts, bold 19-inch alloys and red trim, but if you want to really stand out, then opt for the red and black two-tone combination. It really is striking and turned heads wherever we went.

That Motor!

The secret to the Peugeot’s performance prowess is the engine. Unlike its competition which all pack 2.0-litre motors, this 308 GTi comes with a 1.6-litre turbo delivering 200 kW and 330 Nm. Tech such as forged pistons, a turbo boosting at 2.5 bar, sports exhaust and high-performance injectors all play their part in getting this performance without compromising on reliability. With 200 kW, the Peugeot 308 outguns the Ford Focus ST and the Volkswagen Golf GTI comfortably, and it’s fractionally down on power compared to the Renault Megane 275 Trophy.

Ride, Drive and Handling

We had the opportunity to drive the Peugeot 308 GTi in Portugal, which offer roads of great quality. First up was a public road drive through rural Porto. These tight urban roads gave us plenty of feedback and we came away pleasantly surprised with the ride and drive quality, especially as the vehicle is fitted with 19-inch alloys and low-profile rubber. For a hot hatch, the 308 GTi offers the most comfortable ride we’ve experienced in a long time. The power delivery in normal mode is decent too and the spread of torque means you have access to acceleration anywhere in the rev range, and there’s no need to reach for the gears.

Speaking of gears, the Peugeot 308 GTi makes do with a six-speed manual transmission. Solid and weighty, this transmission offers great shifts albeit with a hands-on action. It’s most satisfying nailing those changes. Power is sent to the front wheels and there’s a Torsen limited-slip differential which sharpens up the handling and steering.

Track Time

When a performance car is launched, motor manufacturers usually schedule in some track time where the car can be really put through its paces in a safe environment. The Vasco Sameiro circuit in Braga, Portugal is a twisty little layout and it really suits hot hatches. On long sections the abundance of torque means you’re not continually reaching for the gear-stick and the brakes are really potent – slowing the car down really rapidly.

The addition of the limited-slip differential means handling is sharp and it does a reasonable job of countering understeer. Naturally if you push hard, the laws of physics still apply and the car will start to lose front-end grip. All in all though, we think the handling is very good and we’d love to put the track king RenaultSport up against its fellow Frenchman.

The figures make for interesting reading. Due to its relatively low weight and power, 0-100kph is hit in just 6 seconds and it’ll cover a standing kilometre in 25.3 seconds. The more interesting number is economy and efficiency related. How does 6L/100km grab you? Emissions of just 139g/km are also mighty impressive.

Conclusion and Summary

As it stands, the Peugeot 308 GTi is due to hit South Africa sometime in 2016. According to a Peugeot SA representative, the homologation vehicle has yet to arrive and a full business case study will need to be undertaken. As good as the Peugeot 308 GTi is, a few factors for South African success must be taken into consideration.

Firstly, the Rand/Euro exchange rate. Peugeot is one of those manufacturers whose products are affected by foreign currency fluctuations. If the Rand declines, Peugeot will have to put its prices up. Secondly, our fuel quality will be called into question. This highly tuned engine will require the good stuff and our 93 is potentially not up to scratch.

Finally the pricing. For this car to sell, it will need to be priced competitively and be a realistic rival to the Golf GTI/Megane RS/ Focus ST brigade. If Peugeot can bring this car in as is for around the R450k mark, then it’ll be spot on. This Peugeot is doing many things right and we’re looking forward to more from the Peugeot Sport division.

Mahindra XUV500 (2015) First Drive

A new version of the Mahindra XUV500 landed on South African shores this week. We gave it a spin.

The Mahindra XUV500 has always enjoyed an essentially pleasing body shape, marred by a few details here and there. Well, it appears as if the Indian company has been listening carefully to feedback since the car was launched in 2011.

The so-called New Age XUV500, as it is tagged in the company’s media release, has bowed in with some fine detailing that moves it up in the taste stakes.

Exterior touch up

First and foremost for us is the wheel choice. The car now wears new 17-inch alloys and Bridgestone rubber of a profile tall enough to handle bad roads, and these are now of a very pleasing pattern, subtle yet still solid-looking. The wheel and tyre combo also fills out the wheel arches nicely front to rear, although if you order the base-spec model, known as the W4, you’ll have to put up with steel wheels and rather off-looking plastic hubcaps that look as if they could be enlarged egg whisks.

But very few people, it seems, order the base-spec models in this category of car, despite the pricing inducements. They want the high-end image and as many of the bells and whistles they can afford. Mahindra, having been around the block a few times, know how to spec a range from base to top-end. This consists of the W4, W6 and W8 in front-wheel-drive form. The W8 is also available as an all-wheel drive model.

The styling refresher includes a bling-diminished grille with metal accents now forming subtle slivers on a black, mesh background, and a restyled bonnet and headlights. The lights are all new with a curved daytime running signature, while the fog lamps are also new, as are the tail lights.

More refined interior

Inside, the big up-grade is the new touch screen, standard on the W8 flagship models. This is a seven-inch fitting with a full-colour display, with features including navigation, music streaming, iPod compatibility and a reverse camera.

The dashboard has also been redesigned to accommodate this and includes a new shroud for the standard instrument clusters. I have to say, though, that at times on the launch drive, reflections spoiled the smart, blue-tinged display of the instruments.

Of course, the Mahindra XUV500 is a vehicle that offers plenty of features for the price, and these include an extra row of seats in a car that is really only lengthy enough to be a full five-seater. But those two extra seats are in place, and they do offer enough space for occasional adult transportation or an extra serving of children.

With those back-row seats erected, however, luggage space diminishes to about 90 litres, or rather, enough space to stash your laptop case in an upright position. With the third row flattened, the luggage space increases to a useful 700-litres or so.

How does it ride?

The changes to the New Age XUV500 are not limited to the purely cosmetic, however. At the launch this week Mahindra staffers spoke of Lotus involvement in developing the suspension set-up. I must say that on the launch drive which, included some tasty dirt road sections, I was impressed with the way the XUV 500 behaved. Apparently the latest Bosch ESP software is also loaded onto the driver-aid system.

On the road it’s okay too. The ride and the chassis build quality seem to have improved on bumpy tar. The steering is still a little on the inaccurate side but acceptable for this class of car.

Single engine

As for the basics, well, all XUV500s come with a 2.2-litre 103 kW four-cylinder diesel engine, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The AWD range-topper, of course, also provides drive to the rear wheels, which is not only handy for dirt road excursions but in rainy weather, where all-wheel-drive adds much to the stability of any vehicle.

The torque peak figure of 330 Nm is attained at just 1 600rpm and this means you are rarely likely to rev the car much beyond 3 500rpm. Fuel consumption is claimed at 6.5L/100 km, but I would think you’ll be getting between 8 and 9-litres per 100km in general city use. Working the manual ‘box requires deliberate movement, but not of the strenuous variety.

Not a bad car then, this revamped SUV from India, a motor industry that is reinventing itself faster than even the Chinese can manage at the moment, and growing in size faster than any other car-producing nation on the planet.

Mahindra XUV500 Pricing

Right now, all this means you get good value for money. Prices for the XUV500 range are R262 995 for the base W4 version, R304 995 for the W6 (which has a medium equipment level), R339 995 for the W8, which is our choice, and R359 995 for the W8 AWD.

The prices include a five-year/150 000 km warranty and a five-year/100 000 km service plan.

Toyota Aygo (2015) First Drive

The next generation of Toyota Aygo has arrived on our shores and we headed to Durban to get a taste of the little city slicker.

The Toyota Aygo is a funky little A segment city slicker that is built in partnership with the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107. It aims to bring costs down, and provide an uncomplicated and reliable city vehicle. A new version has just been launched now that the segment is starting to show a little more life with the entrance of Volkswagen’s up! We were at the launch in Durban as the cars arrived off the container to get a first spin in them.

Funky style

The Aygo aims at the buyer looking for something a bit more stylish than a standard A to B shuffler. The front end is particularly prominent with a massive X streaking across its nose. Interestingly Toyota has gone with the slogan “make your mark in the new Aygo”. Maybe it could team up with the electoral commission for the next municipal elections and promote some synergy. Back to the car, the rear is maybe not as big a hit as the front, but it has its own look and overall it should have appeal to the youngsters.

The two-tone colour is also a stylish new addition to the range. The roof can be ordered in black or silver to contrast with the body colour.

The interior doesn’t carry through on the funky design and feels functional rather than stylish. The centre-mounted touchscreen is easy to use and an upmarket addition to the segment. Everything inside works with perfect Toyota precision and it doesn’t rattle or shake when you get up to speed. The ventilation system could be better as you only have two adjustable vents in the vehicle. The middle ventilation shaft sits behind the touchscreen and fires air at the roof.

Three-cylinder engine

The engine carries over from the previous generation Aygo, but Toyota says it has managed to improve the fuel economy figure. The 1-litre engine is good for 51 kW and 95 Nm of torque with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4.4L/100km. It’s also good for a sub 15-second 0-100kph time that should keep you in touch with traffic.

The clutch is extremely light and takes some getting used to. Finding the bite point took some time and a few drivers found their resting foot would often drag the clutch. Just something to be aware of. The Aygo does require some revs to get it off the mark but the five-speed manual ‘box is a slick-shifter and helps keep the engine on the boil.

Ride and drive

While trudging through the traffic of Durban central, the Aygo showed its new party piece. The ride is exceptional, even over some nasty roadworks and aggressive speedbumps it stayed settled. The suspension soaked up the bumps impressively and the interior held together without flinching. The steering is well-weighted and thankfully doesn’t feel as over-assisted as some of the other Toyotas in the range.

Toyota Aygo Range

The standard Aygo comes well specced, but doesn’t come with a two-tone roof. It doesn’t get leather on the steering wheel or gear lever either. It does get Bluetooth, a 12V socket and a USB port as standard. Safety wise all models get ABS with brake assist as well as dual front and side airbags.

The Aygo X-Play Silver and X-Play Black get the two-tone colour options as well as the added leather bits in the interior.

Toyota Aygo Pricing

Aygo 1.0 – R 138 900

Aygo X-play Black 1.0 – R139 900

Aygo X-play Silver 1.0 – R 139 900

The Aygo comes standard with a 3-year/100 000km warranty but a service plan is optional. All customers who buy an Aygo before the end of the year will get a free service plan included in the sale price.

Ford B-Max 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium (2015) Review

Compact MPVs are a dying breed, but Ford isn’t giving up on the segment. Is the new B-Max good enough to lure you away from a crossover or small SUV?

Highlights

  • Sliding rear doors improve rear cabin access
  • Very luxurious specification
  • Perky performance and fine dynamics

The unstoppable rise of the crossover is currently busy killing what is left of the once massive sedan market. But there is already one casualty in the morgue… the compact MPV. Citroen has dropped its quirky (and very good) C3 Picasso. Opel no longer lists the Meriva… its focus is now on the Mokka, another crossover. And the model that started the whole MPV craze in the ‘90s, the Megane Scenic, is no longer available either. Renault sells the Captur and Duster crossovers instead. Many of them, too.

So why is Ford launching the B-Max when clearly nobody cares about compact MPV’s anymore?

It’s all about access and packaging

Based on the underpinnings of the Fiesta, the B-Max looks very compact from the outside. Appearances can be deceptive, however. The B-Max is actually slightly longer than the similarly priced EcoSport (Ford’s fast-selling crossover). The wheelbase, however, is shorter. One of the two main USPs of the B-Max becomes clear when you compare the interior dimensions with the EcoSport. The B-Max’s boot is smaller (304L vs 362L), but when you fold down the seats, you have lots more utility space (1 372L vs 705L). Interestingly, however, neither of these vehicles hold a candle to the amazing interior space on offer by the Honda Jazz (363L/1 881L). But yes… the B-Max can accommodate lots of “stuff”, and very awkwardly shaped things, too. Also note that the front passenger seatback can fold completely flat, allowing the B-Max to accommodate lengthy items with ease, too.

The design of the rear doors provide the second B-Max USP. They slide backwards and out of the way, making it very easy to fit a child seat or to remove/move some of those previously mentioned awkwardly shaped/sized pieces of cargo. You’ll also notice that there is no B-pillar, so the side aperture is vast when the front door is also open.

There are, however, one or two small niggles. The rear doors can’t be locked in the open position, so beware when parked on a steep decline. And they’re not terribly easy to operate for kids, either.

Generous specification

We tested the flagship Titanium specification model, which means this B-Max comes equipped with lots of goodies. It has a fairly vast panoramic roof, for example, as well as leather upholstery, heated/power folding side mirrors, auto lights/wipers, climate control, privacy glass, cruise control and heated front seats, among many other items. Of course, Ford’s SYNC infotainment system is present, and offers Bluetooth and USB/Aux connectivity.

It also boasts a solid safety package, including seven airbags, ABS/EBD, electronic stability control and front and rear park distance sensors.

Sitting behind the steering wheel, you can be forgiven for thinking that you’ve stepped into a Fiesta. The switchgear is very familiar. A minor irritation is the dated control interface. When the Fiesta was launched much hype was created by the mobile-phone inspired button layout, but the world has moved on considerably since then, and the multitude of buttons/knobs shows the age of the design. As is the case in the Fiesta, the B-Max offers an excellent driving position, courtesy of its height-adjustable driver’s seat and rake/reach adjustable steering wheel. There’s also an adjustable armrest for the driver.

The cabin proved spacious enough for a family with two kids, even though rear legroom is not overly generous and the interior can feel quite narrow when transporting adults.

Grunt and Grip

This B-Max is powered by Ford’s highly acclaimed three-cylinder, 1,0-litre turbopetrol that delivers 92kW and 170Nm in this instance. The torque band is very wide, stretching from 1 400 rpm to 4 500 rpm, promising great flexibility. The engine is mated with a slick five-speed manual transmission.

On the go those outputs deliver impressive urge. The B-Max responds eagerly to throttle inputs, so it feels faster than it actually is. It also sounds quite sporty – the engine is quite vocal in this model, more than what it is in a Focus, as an example.

Of course, fuel economy is a major consideration when specifically opting for a vehicle such as the B-Max. Ford claims a combined cycle consumption figure of 4,9L/100km, which is very low indeed. But as is the case with all EcoBoost-equipped vehicles, achieving this consumption figure is very difficult indeed. We averaged just under 7L/100 km in the real world.

On the road the B-Max puts in a very good showing – the Fiesta’s fine ride/handling has certainly been carried across. It doesn’t pitch and roll like other comfort-oriented MPVs, so body control is excellent in this class. Now factor in the rorty and punchy engine, and you could even call the B-Max fun to drive. One small criticism is wind noise, which seemed excessive compared with similarly sized vehicles.

Conclusion and Summary

The B-Max 1,0 EcoBoost Titanium costs just about the same as a similarly powered and specced EcoSport. We suspect most families will continue to opt for the more fashionable crossover, but if you need to occasionally transport large or long objects, then the B-Max is certainly worth a look. There are undeniable advantages to the B-Max’s packaging and design, but in the final analysis we’re not convinced that those advantages are big enough for this vehicle to make a major impact on the local market. If you’re a practical-minded type of person who doesn’t care too much for fashion statements, then the B-Max should be on the shortlist.

Ford B-Max 1,0 EcoBoost Titanium Price in South Africa

The Ford B-Max 1,0 EcoBoost Titanium costs R271 900 and comes with a four-year/120 000 km warranty and four-year/60 000 km Service plan. Service intervals are a convenient 20 000 km apart.

Test Team Opinion

“The Ford B-Max offers a little something different. It has a potent 1.0-litre engine offering reasonable power and those sliding doors make access simple. Should you buy it when the EcoSport is around? I would stick with the little SUV instead.” – David Taylor

We Like: Cabin access, load space, ride/handling, performance, specification

We don’t Like: Wind noise, cluttered control interface

Also consider: Ford EcoSport, Honda Jazz

Compare the Ford B-Max with the EcoSport and Honda Jazz here

Ford B-Max 1,0 EcoBoost Titanium – Quick Specs

Ford B-Max

Across Africa in the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery (Video)

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO!

I have been very fortunate to visit a few sub-Saharan countries and I always, without fail, have a wonderful experience, bordering on the magical. However, I’ve always flown into our neighbouring states, missing out on what is reputedly a completely novel experience: Overlanding.

Being invited to drive across Zambia and Botswana in a Land Rover Discovery is the sort of thing you clear your schedule for. But on landing in Lusaka, we were greeted by a fleet of the latest Range Rover Evoques, which looked about as comfortable as the Princess of Monaco in an episode of Survivor.

However, as you’ll see in the video, the smallest Range Rover handled everything Zambia threw at it – and to make matters worse, it was the rainiest rainy season in 30 years. In the first few hundred meters, driving through an average-sized mud pond, the convoy was halted. Car No. 2 was asked to remain in position. Car No. 2 was me. Turns out, the rather bucket-shaped rear bumper of my Evoque had filled with water and simply popped off.

With my bumper in the back of the lead vehicle, our touring party cruised almost effortlessly across Zambia, with each car reaching Botswana in full working order. Besides my piece of bodywork making a break for freedom, the Evoque was extremely impressive out here.

The Discovery

But, it was time to find the Discoveries, which were over in Botswana. If anything, the terrain we faced in the Discovery was less harsh than that faced in the Evoque, and what followed was a mostly comfortable ride to a remote camp site, where Kingsley Holgate was scheduled to pop in for a rum or two.

On the way back to the airport, we quite literally bombed it on what can only be described as a sand-road highway, and this is where the big Discovery with its latest generation air-suspension was remarkable. If you were in the backseat and not really concentrating, you would have barely noticed we were offroad.

Ultimately, three days and two nights of being a complete novice, combined with a great film crew and trying to talk to camera without hitting a tree, lion or other Land Rover resulted in this video; an epic road trip in impressive cars, taking in the incredible beauty of this continent.

If you ever have a chance to drive across Africa, don’t hesitate for a minute. It’s as good as you’ve heard. The experience even changed the way I think about buying cars; why have a normal car when you can have a 4×4, which is just as comfortable as a luxury sedan and affords you the freedom of travel?

We’d love to hear about your Overlanding experiences in the comments below.

New Ford Figo in South Africa

Ford is introducing the all-new Figo hatchback and sedan in South Africa and it will be available in dealerships from mid-October 2015.

The Ford Figo is a popular car in South Africa and for the first time, the Figo will be offered in 4-door sedan guise. For this new Ford Figo, 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines are on offer mated to either a manual or PowerShift automatic transmission.

New Look

The styling of the new Ford Figo is derived from Ford’s Kinetic 2.0 design language used on other products such as the Fusion and Focus. At the front, a trapezoidal grille is flanked by elongated headlights while the raked bonnet adds further presence to the face of the Figo.

The hatch version features a rising roofline with a sporty looking spoiler and there’s a ‘speed lip’ up front which is claimed to improve aerodynamic performance by reducing drag.

On the inside, buyers are met with a ‘modern’ interior built with convenience and comfort in mind. Ford says the interior is more refined and more premium compared to the outgoing Figo with enough space to comfortably seat three passengers in the rear. The new Figo also benefits from a powerful air conditioning system, or automatic climate control system on the Titanium model.

Ford has placed no less than 20 storage spaces and convenience features throughout the cabin. These include bottle holders in the front doors, three cup holders, a large glovebox and a bin for rear seat passengers. There’s even a hidden side compartment on the driver’s side which is only accessible when the door is open.

In terms of boot space, the new Figo sedan offers 445-litres and the rear seats do fold down too if you need more space. Both the Trend and Titanium hatch versions feature 60/40 split rear seats.

The Figo is also equipped with MyFord Dock for docking and charging devices, SYNC in-car connectivity system, Ford MyKey, radio with MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth and USB and auxiliary inputs.

Engine Power

Two engines power the new Ford Figo and both are 1.5-litre units. In the petrol version, 75 kW and 138 Nm of torque is offered with a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.6L/100km.

For the diesel version, 75 kW and 215 Nm of torque is available with a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.1L/100km. A 5-speed manual transmission puts power to the road while the 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission is available for the 1.5 Titanium model in both hatchback and sedan guise.

Three trim levels are on offer and they include the familiar Ambiente, Trend and Titanium lines.

The Figo in Ambiente trim comes with dual front airbags and ABS. Other features include body-coloured bumpers, rear fog lamps, manual air conditioning, MyFord Dock and Bluetooth audio system with USB and Aux inputs.

In Trend trim, the Figo offers color-coded door handles, 14-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps and electric windows and side mirrors.

For the Figo Titanium things such as chrome headlamp bezels, automatic climate control, SYNC with Bluetooth and voice control is standard fare. In terms of safety, six airbags are fitted along with ABS with EBD in the Figo Titanium model. With the PowerShift transmission fitted, features such as Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Launch Assist are also included.

Ford Figo Price in South Africa

Model Price
Hatchback  
1.5 Ambiente R158 900
1.5 Trend R167 900
1.5 Titanium R181 900
1.5 Titanium PowerShift Auto R203 900
1.5 TDCi Ambiente R189 900
1.5 TDCi Trend R199 900
Sedan  
1.5 Ambiente R160 900
1.5 Trend R169 900
1.5 Titanium PowerShift Auto R205 900

Prices include a 4-year/120 000km warranty, 2-year/40 000km service plan, 3 -year/unlimited km roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty.

Service intervals are every 20 000km on both petrol and diesel derivatives.

Tata Bolt Strikes SA

Tata has launched the new Bolt hatchback and sedan in South Africa.

We recently reported on Tata’s dramatic product overhaul which will see a variety of new Tata products introduced locally with improvements in aftersales support and general service expected. Tata Motors has now started its offensive in South Africa with the introduction of the Bolt hatchback and sedan which according to the company, offers a “comfortable and responsive driving experience”.

Johnny Oommen, Head International Business, Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors said: “The Bolt range, loaded with many segment-leading features, is built to global design and product standards and will appeal equally to the first time buyers as well as existing automobile owners looking for a new and exciting product.”

Under the Bonnet

Both the Tata Bolt hatchback and Bolt sedan are powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged REVOTRON engine that develops 66 kW and 140 Nm of torque with power transferred to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Tata has said that it may introduce an automatic gearbox to the Bolt range in 2016.

The Tata Bolt also has a Multi-Drive feature where the driver can switch between the default Sport mode, ECO and City mode.

Features

The Tata Bolt is offered in two trim levels namely XMS and XT with a choice of five colours to choose from. In XT trim, the Bolt is fitted with a 5-inch ConnectNext Touchscreen with Advance voice recognition, SMS notification fully automatic temperature control accessed via the touchscreen. Video playback via USB or SD card is possible on the system. The steering wheel also has mounted audio and phone controls.

Standard features include electric windows and mirrors as well as remote openers for the fuel flap and luggage compartment. The boot offers 210-litres of space in the hatchback while the sedan offers 360-litres. In terms of safety features, the Bolt is fitted with ABS and EBD as well as dual front airbags and Cornering Stability Control.

Read our first drive of the Tata Bolt here.

Tata Bolt Price in South Africa

Bolt Hatch XMS – R132 995
Bolt Hatch XT – R142 995
Bolt Sedan XMS – R142 995
Bolt Sedan XT – R152 995

Best Premium SUVs in SA 2015

The big premium SUVs in SA are hot property, whether you’re looking at the new market or for second hand bargains. The segment is all about road presence, comfort, style and a little about actual off-road ability.

When we at Cars.co.za went about picking our best buys in the premium SUV category, we felt that R700k was a good baseline price. We also felt that the vehicle needed a mix of exclusivity and status. Cross coupe or SUV coupes were not excluded or whatever the actual name for something like an X6 is.

In order to make it through to the semi-finalist stage of the competition, we looked at specifics such as: powertrain technology, luxury, brand strength, design and quality appeal, driving dynamics, space and practicality.

Here’s what we came up with as our semi-finalists. To check what made it to the finalist stage, click here to visit the Cars Awards site.

Best Premium SUVs in SA 2015

BMW X5 xDrive30d Steptronic – R890 194

BMW-X5_2014

BMW has steadily improved its recipe for the ultimate premium SUV. It has always leant towards a road bias, with exceptional road manners for an SUV. The engines are as good as it gets too, with this 3-Litre straight-six turbodiesel offering up 190 kW and 560 Nm of torque. Any overtaking manoeuvre or hill is conquered with authority and ease. There’s a host of technologies and gadgets you can add into your X5 to make it the ultimate tech lap of luxury – the options can get pricey though. Read more

Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Overland – R899 990

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee in Overland spec comes jam-packed with everything you need. It offers superb value that the Germans can’t match. Even its engine is now a match for the competition in the power stakes. The 3-Litre turbodiesel cranks out 179 kW and 569 Nm of torque. It’s not quite as fuel economic as the others but still claims a creditable 7.5L/100km. The ride is slightly softer than the BMW but it’s geared towards the driver that will go off-road more often. Read More

Land Rover Discovery SDV6 SE – R911 286

Land-Rover-Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery is probably the most capable vehicle here. It can tame any off-road terrain and then chow down on some long miles on the freeway in comfort. It’s getting a bit long in the tooth and a new model is due soon. The engine, like those above is a 3-Litre six-cylinder turbodiesel. It makes 183 kW and 600 Nm of torque. Consumption is a bit on the high side at 8.9L/100km but it’s got huge space and a lot of weight to drag around. Read More

Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE – R1 366 031

Range-Rover-Sport

This Range Rover Sport has immense desirability, mostly due to its on road presence and muscular looks. It’s much lighter than its predecessor and saves on fuel compared to the Discovery above. It also puts out more power at 215 kW whilst maintaining the 600 Nm of torque. The Range Rover Sport is a bit on the pricey side now due to the hefty Pound/Rand exchange rate but you’ll probably still fork out the extra dosh to get behind the wheel. Blissfully smooth on the road and still has all the tricks if you find yourself deep in the sticks. Read More

Volvo XC90 D5 Inscription – R893 900

Volvo XC90 Review

The XC90 is the newest model here and has really shaken things up. It’s impressively practical with a wide, flat loadbay that fits over 2 000-Litres of things with all the rear seats down. It’s a stunning machine to look at with some standout LED lights in the shape of Thor’s Hammer. The engine is just a 2-Litre turbodiesel but thanks to some spectacular engineering it’s able to punch out 165 kW and 470 Nm of torque. That makes it impressively capable on road and fuel consumption is reduced to a claimed 5.8L/100km. Read More

If you own any of these cars, we want to hear about your experiences. Complete our Owner Satisfaction Survey now!

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Nearing Production (Video)

The All-New Range Rover Evoque Convertible is nearing production state. The soft top will be a unique addition to the range, offering wind in the hair thrills with some off-road abilities too. It’s a bit of a strange concept but that’s never stopped buyers from trying out something a bit different.

The footage, released today, shows the SUV convertible completing the final phase of testing at Land Rover’s Eastnor Castle estate, in Herefordshire, UK. The film demonstrates how Land Rover’s engineers have tested the four-wheel drive convertible to ensure it delivers Land Rover spec all-terrain capability.

“Land Rover prides itself on being a class leader when it comes to all-terrain capability and the Evoque Convertible is no different,” said Mike Cross, Land Rover Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity. “Thanks to a combination of innovative engineering and the application of advanced technologies, Evoque Convertible will deliver a dynamic and assured SUV experience that has been tested around the world. We call it ‘The Convertible for all Seasons’.”

Land Rover confirmed plans to launch a desirable convertible derivative of its Range Rover Evoque at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015. The addition to the range has just completed its extensive development programme.

Launching in November and making its public debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Evoque Convertible will be on sale from 2016.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Video