Ford Go Further Highlights Awesome New Products

The biggest success story on the South African motoring scene right now is Ford Motor Company’s massive progress made in the past few years.

Under the dynamic leadership of Indiana-born CEO Jeff Nemeth, Ford has seen its market share in South Africa rise from 8% to 15% in the past five years, and currently, in terms of total vehicles sold in South Africa, it occupies the number two position, behind perennial market leaders Toyota, and ahead of Volkswagen, which has been relegated to third spot (in overall vehicle sales, as it should be noted that VW, without a high-volume player in the bakkie market, still leads the passenger-car sales race).

All this gave the Ford Go Further conference in Sandton this week a bullish spirit, as it was attended by hundreds of dealers and suppliers to Ford, as well as members of the media from South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

New Products from Go Further

From a product point of view, Ford has plenty on offer in the next few months to keep the excitement level on the boil. And Ford previewed a host of new models on the horizon on the stage of the Sandton Convention Centre, which had the dealers baying for more!

The day after the conference, Ford launched the new B-Max, a city-orientated mini-family car with the unique feature of enjoying a sliding rear door on either side of the well-priced, modern-looking little running about.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, Ford will introduce the new, comprehensively face-lifted Ford Ranger, produced in a vast array of derivatives. It uses the same chassis and body shell  as the Ranger introduced here in 2011, but with a new nose section featuring a modern trapezoidal grille, projector headlights, new bumper designs front and rear and a new interior.

The up-dated interior features a soft-touch dash with re-designed instrumentation, and many modern hi-tech features usually found on up-market sedans. The new tech includes  Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Alert, Front and Rear Park Assist and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

The Ranger has proved to be the biggest success story on the South African motoring scene in the past year, becoming the country’s best selling vehicle as measured over the first six months of sales in 2015. This sees it topple its arch rival, the Toyota Hilux, from this position, which it held for many years.

The car that raised the second biggest cheer when introduced on stage was the new Ford Figo, which also arrives here in the fourth quarter. This was the car, in previous-gen form, that saw the revival of Ford as a volume-player in South Africa, and the new model is set to re-write the scenario once again in the burgeoning entry-level segment in this country.

Another favourite, from a visual point of view, is the new Ford Everest, a tough, bakkie-chassised luxury SUV, which is also set for launch here before the end of 2015.

CEO Jeff Nemeth is an avowed motorsport fan, and his personal garage in South Africa contains some real petrol-head specials, including a classic early ‘70s Mustang. Nemeth is no-doubt torn between whether he should order up the new right-hand-drive Mustang, which finally makes its appearance here in South Africa right towards the end of 2015, or a new Ford Focus RS, which is due here in early 2016.

The Mustang is the biggie in terms of a halo model here, and it is due to arrive in late November or early December in right-hand-drive form, in both 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost form, and with the V8 engine for which it is fabled. At the Go Further event, Ford showed an eye-catching convertible, that is currently produced in left-hand-drive form. We have some exclusive details about the Ford Mustang here, which you should know about.

The new Focus RS has 257 kW of power from its turbocharged 2.3-litre Ecoboost engine, and will come with all-wheel-drive, as well as a “Drift Mode” setting that enable drivers to really hang the tail out in fabled Ken Block fashion.

While unfortunately no real-life example was on offer in Sandton, Ford also showed visuals of the stunning new Ford GT which is set to return to Le Mans in 2016, after a hiatus of 47 years, when the original Ford GT scored its last of four Le Mans victories at Le Mans in 1969. On the production-cat front, Ford is set to launch 12 new performance-orientated products on the global market by 2020!

Update: BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW continues to reveal its entrants for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with the M4 GTS already confirmed to make its debut. From the original concept revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy, BMW has detailed some additions to the 3.0 CSL Hommage. Firstly the paint scheme is straight from the race track and they’ve given it the an amended name. It will be called the 3.0 CSL Hommage R in this form.

The grille is slightly changed and it also sports some more racing derived lightweight alloy wheels. The rest of the exterior remains almost identical to the previous concept car. The interior gets some proper race treatment and futuristic technical elements. BMW may have taken things to the extreme however as part of its innovative technology relies on the driver wearing a special helmet and race suit.

The race suit works as a connection system between the driver’s head-up display that is screened onto the driver’s visor. When both hands are on the steering wheel, the suit is able to send a signal to the head-up display to show on the driver’s helmet. Track information, gear selection and other types of relevant data are likely to be displayed on the driver’s visor and scattered around the dashboard. The problem is race driver’s spend most of their time with at least one hand off the steering wheel, fiddling with settings and brake bias.

The seat shells follow a rising diagonal path rearwards, a line extended behind the seats into the rear by a structural carbon-fibre element that increases the torsional rigidity of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R. It is also said to improve the driver’s connection with the chassis.

Previously:

BMW has a history of revealing concepts at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy and for this latest event it revealed a modern take on the classic 3.0 CSL. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage as it is called is merely a case study, but aims to maintain the key pillars that the original was built to – Coupe, Sport and lightweight.

In order to make the 3.0 CSL Hommage as light as possible there is a vast amount of Carbon Fibre Reinorced Plastic (CFRP). The material is both strong and extremely light, but no figures have been given on the cars weight.

3.0 CSL Hommage Styling

Karim Habib, Head of BMW Design, explains the thinking behind the design of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage: “For BMW designers like us, the BMW 3.0 CSL is a style icon. Its combination of racing genes and elegance generates an engaging aesthetic that continues to win hearts even today.

The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage celebrates many of those characteristic features, but without copying them. Indeed, some of the parallels are not immediately obvious. We wanted people to sense the family resemblance rather than see it straight off.”

From the side the heritage is clearly seen and the wing is a dead giveaway to the original. From the front though the designers have gone to work trying to make something futuristic and may not have pulled it off. The rear is a definite nod to the BMW i8, especially in the lighting department.

Hybrid Power

Power details for the 3.0 CSL Hommage are lean, but BMW says that it would be powered by a straight-six cylinder engine with eBoost. That’s BMW’s name for hybrid power but no word has been given on specific outputs yet.

Pared down to a minimum, the interior of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage puts its lightweight design on show and renders its racing character. All interior elements are there out of absolute necessity, every part has a structural or drive-related function. In the all-CFRP interior, the only wood-like presence is the “instrument panel” – a cross-member and purely structural element. This is a clear reference to the interior of the earlier BMW 3.0 CSL, which featured all-round wood trim throughout the interior.

Racing features include bucket seats, a six-point belt and red anodised safety features such as the outlet nozzles for the extinguishing foam, the fire extinguisher itself, and the two switches on the centre console for the emergency shut-off and fire extinguishing mechanism. The only elements in the rear of the vehicle are two helmets integrated into the transmission tunnel. These are held in place by a belt when not in use. In the place of a rear seat bench, there are only covers for the eBoost energy accumulators.

Ford B-Max (2015) First Drive

The Ford B-Max is the brand’s all-new super practical family vehicle and we drove it in Johannesburg. Most male readers will have paused at some time or another to marvel at the modern-mom’s ability to simultaneously manage tasks such as shopping, baby care, business administration and the  communication via a collar-bone-cradled smart phone with a vast circle of friends, while still managing to identify the latest bargains in a shop window 200m distant from the parking bay they recently secured.

But, as these multi-tasking  goddesses will tell you, any appliance or design feature that can take some of the drudge out of their daily micro-and-macro-management schedules is something well worth a second or third glance. Suffice to say, the first time that a new Ford B-Max slides open its pair of rear doors, there is likely to be a quick Googling of the nearest Ford dealer to learn a lot more!

Ford B-Max Dimensions and Practicality

The combined aperture for loading things like giant Woolworths packets and securing the baby in an ISOFIX seat in the B-Max is said to be 1.5 metres wide. What’s more, the rear seat design means that the 60/40 split enables both or just one of the rear seat back rests to be folded flat with a simple, one-hand, one-motion execution. You can also fold the front passenger seat back rest flat in the B-Max, effectively creating a giant, flat surface area within the car. There are a total of seven seat-folding combinations on offer.

For those concerned about whether the lack of a B-Pillar in the centre of the car induces a safety consideration, Ford says it simulated 5 000 side-impact crashes in the B-Max before going into production with its special locking mechanism and door-reinforcement design. In essence, the two inner edges of the front and rear doors, when locked into place, form a securely-locked high strength steel B-pillar. Some 58% of the body and door structures is made of high-strength steel to ensure that the mechanism is not only as strong as a car with a welded-in B-Pillar, but will also open and shut rattle-free for years to come.

What impressed me about the car was that despite a rather truncated rear-end design, the boot space with the seats upright still measures just under 400 litres, which is still quite large. So even with the sliding doors and folding seats, this is a useful multi-tasking shop-around.

Engine and Economy

A factor that will also appeal to the modern mom is the low fuel consumption. Ford’s one-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine has an official rating of 4.9L/100km in the  base 74 kW Ambiente model , and only slightly more in the potent 92 kW form, as used in the Trend version and the range-topping Titanium model we sampled at this week’s launch.

Forget about obtaining these theoretical consumption figures. They are there to provide an industry standard, measured in tests conducted in a theoretical way, and should never be mistaken for real-world driving. Figure on petrol consumption of around 7L/100km in careful driving, less if the car is to be used on freeways extensively.

The power of the little one-litre turbo is more than adequate for a five-seater run-about, and although we didn’t drive the 74 kW model, its torque of 170 Nm is shared with the 92 kW engine, and should prove equally proficient. Interestingly, Ford only offer the B-Max at present in five-speed manual form, and the engine buzzes away so unobtrusively up front that it sometimes easy to forget to change up into top gear on the freeway, if your mind is on other matters.

Features

The interior ambiance is most pleasing with soft-touch dash and door cappings and, on the range-topping Titanium model, leather upholstery makes for a smart environment.

Handy for “kid-watching” in the rear seats is a wide-angle mirror for the front-seat passenger.  On the top Titanium-spec  model here are also some neat touches such as keyless entry, a rear-view camera for parking, and a Sony Audio system. The Ford SYNC connectivity interface provides multiple functions for “hooking up” with other portable  communication and entertainment devices.

Ford B-Max Price in South Africa

Ford pricing is very impressive right now. The base Trend version of the B-Max costs R221 900, the mid-line Trend model (which includes the more powerful 92 kWengine) costs R246 900 and the top-line Titanium costs R271 900.

BMW M4 GTS Concept Revealed

BMW’s much anticipated M4 GTS has broken through some covers and made it onto the internet. Those who remember the previous generation M3 GTS will remember that it was only available in burnt orange and extremely limited in numbers. None made it to the shores of South Africa and resulted in BMW SA building its own Frozen Edition M3 to make up for it.

BMW M4 GTS Details

This latest concept M4 GTS is not as orange as the previous generation but certainly gains a few orange accents. Much of the M4 GTS is about focussing talents at breaking lap records. In order to do this BMW has gone to work at adding lightness, improving downforce and no doubt upping the power.

For example, the BMW Concept M4 GTS features the innovative water injection system that has already provided a significant output and torque boost in the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car. The manually adjustable front splitter and rear wing – both in exposed carbon – ensure better aerodynamic balance and allow the BMW Concept M4 GTS to be adapted for both individual race tracks and for use on the road. A CFRP (carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic) bonnet lowers the car’s weight and centre of gravity even further. A wide front air intake optimises airflow and minimises front axle lift.

On the styling front, and also functional front, the lightweight, forged and polished light-alloy wheels in 666 M styling also feature an Acid Orange accent. The 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are fitted with Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres for added stickiness. In addition, the BMW Concept M4 GTS has rear lights with OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology that give it a whole new look when darkness falls.

BMW would not be tempted into details regarding the power output of the M4 GTS, but you can expect it to make around 10% more than the 317 kW the current M4. The official reveal will be at Pebble Beach in the USA later this year.

Hyundai Vision G Concept Will Inspire Future Product Design (Video)

Hyundai Motor America has taken the covers off the Vision G Concept Coupe to a select group of media at the County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, USA. The concept has been described as the brand’s inspiration for its family of future premium products that promise luxury, performance and style with the value and responsibility that is the foundation of Hyundai’s brand. Essentially, premium Hyundai’s will have design traits similar to what you see here.

Hyundai Vision G Concept Details

“The concept was designed with coordinated input from Hyundai design studios around the world, but was led by our team here in the U.S.,” said Peter Schreyer, Hyundai’s president and chief design officer. “The design is our interpretation of the idea that Hyundai breathes into all of its vehicles – a DNA that balances design and performance with the idea that you don’t need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues.”

Powering the Vision G Concept is the award-winning 5.0-liter Tau V8 engine producing around 310kW and  518Nm. This motor has been awarded victory in Ward’s Ten Best Engines list three times. We will see the Hyundai Vision G Concept later this month at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California.

Video

Most Popular Small Hot Hatchbacks in South Africa

For this week’s #ChooseDay we set out to find out which baby hot hatchback you thought to be the most desirable in Mzansi. We gave you the choice between four cars including the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and the Peugeot 208. Responses came flooding in, which in itself is an indication of the popularity of baby hot hatchabacks in South Africa. After a few hours of counting up hundreds of votes, the most popular small hot hatchback was revealed, but the battle was fierce and hotly contested. Take a look at the results…

Popular Small Hatchbacks in South Africa

1. Volkswagen Polo GTI – 50% of the total votes

Volkswagen Polo GTI

The Volkswagen Polo GTI’s popularity in South Africa is as clear as day and it recieved a whopping 50% of the total vote. The new Polo GTI was introduced earlier this year with a 1.8-litre turbo engine that develops 141 kW and 250 Nm of torque through a DSG transmission. Volkswagen recently introduced the Polo GTI with a 6-speed manual transmission which has allowed for an increase in torque to 320Nm. Performance for both derivatives has remained the same however, with a 0-100kph sprint time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 236kph. The Volkswagen Polo GTI with DSG will set you back R328 800 while the manual version will cost you R313 300.

Buy Volkswagen Polo GTI here!

VIDEO – Drag Race: New VW Polo GTI vs Ford Fiesta ST

2. Ford Fiesta ST – 32% of the total votes

Ford Fiesta ST

The Ford Fiesta ST is much loved in South Africa and 32% of the total vote is testement to this love. Many readers voiced their opinions, saying that the Fiesta ST offers better handling and is a better package overall when compared to the Volkswagen Polo GTI. The Fiesta ST offers 131 kW and 240 Nm with an additional 50Nm overboost torque from its 1.6-litre turbo engine. The Fiesta St makes use of a 6-speed manual transmission to put those figures onto the tar. In terms of pricing, you can expect to pay no less than R276 900 for the Ford Fiesta ST.

Buy Ford Fiesta ST here!

Drag Race Video: Fiesta ST vs Polo GTI

3. Renault Clio RS – 15% of the total votes

Renault Clio RS

The Renault Clio RS is significantly less popular, but still adored, with 15% of the total votes. The Renault Clio RS is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine that develops 147 kW and 240 Nm via a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. There are currently two Clio RS models on offer including the RS 200 LUX and the RS 200 Cup. The Clio RS Lux is priced at R309 900 while the Clio RS 200 Cup is priced at R339 900.

Buy Renault Clio RS here!

4. Peugeot 208 GTI – 3% of the total votes

Peugeot 208 GTI

The Peugeot 208 GTI has limped home last on this list with only 3% of the total vote. The 208 GTI is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine that offers 147 kW and 275 Nm of torque using a 6-speed manual transmission. You can expect to pay R309 900 for the Peugeot 208 GTI.

Buy Peugeot 208 GTI here!

VIDEO – Head to Head: Renault Clio RS vs Peugeot 208 GTi

Volkswagen Golf SV In-depth Video Review, Pricing & Rivals

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

The Golf SV has arrived in South Africa at quite an interesting time. The segment that was quite literally invented by the Renault Scenic – which ironically is no longer available in SA – has been shaken up recently by the arrival of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

A massive departure for the brand, the front-wheel drive MPV from Bavaria was a bold move, and time will tell if departing from the BMW formula so drastically has been worth it.

But the concept of front-wheel drive, family orientated cars sits considerably more comfortably with a company like Volkswagen. It’s kind of in its name.

And so we have a Golf that looks like it has been cartoonishly inflated to twice its size. However, in the metal, the SV design works. The proportions have been carefully considered and the car doesn’t seem ungainly from any angle.

The benefit of driving a car shaped a bit like an igloo is vast interior space. The rear seats in particular have quite exceptional legroom, and the boot space is claimed at 500 litres, almost exactly the same as its German rivals. But I found the BMW Active Tourer and Mercedes B-Class to have noticeably larger load space.

That said, the comfort and luxury offered by the Golf SV left me wondering why on earth I’d spend vastly more on those aforementioned rivals.

In this video, we compare the Golf SV to the BMW Active Tourer and Mercedes B Class, Mazda5 7-seater and the Citroen C4 Picasso. We also try to highlight some of the little niggles of living with the Golf, and which options you’ll need to pay extra for at the dealer.

Volkswagen Golf SV versus The Rivals

VW Golf SV 1.4TSI Comfortline Auto BMW 218i Active Tourer Auto
Price R341 200 R399 105
Engine 1.4 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol 1.5 litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol
Power 92 kW 100 kW
Torque 200 Nm 220 Nm
0 – 100km/h 9.9 seconds 9.2 seconds
Fuel economy 5.2L/100km 5.2L/100km
Boot space 500 litres 468 litres
Airbags 7 6
Seats 5 5
Leather upholstery Optional Artificial (leather optional)
Bluetooth Optional Standard

 

VW Golf SV 1.4TSI Comfortline Auto Mercedes Benz B200 Auto
Price R341 200 R407 223
Engine 1.4 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol 1.6 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol
Power 92 kW 115 kW
Torque 200 Nm 250 Nm
0 – 100km/h 9.9 seconds 8.4 seconds
Fuel economy 5.2L/100km 5.5L/100km
Boot space 500 litres 486 litres
Airbags 7 7 (optional 9)
Seats 5 5
Leather upholstery Optional Standard
Bluetooth Optional Standard

 

VW Golf SV 1.4TSI Comfortline Auto Mazda5 2.0 Individual Auto
Price R341 200 R308 500
Engine 1.4 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol 2.0 litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power 92 kW 106 kW
Torque 200 Nm 180 Nm
0 – 100km/h 9.9 seconds 13.1 seconds
Fuel economy 5.2L/100km 8.3L/100km
Boot space 500 litres 112 (7 seats up) 1485 (5 seats down)
Airbags 7 6
Seats 5 7
Leather upholstery Optional Standard
Bluetooth Optional Not available

 

VW Golf SV 1.4TSI Comfortline Auto Citroen C4 Picasso e-THP 121kW Intensive Auto
Price R341 200 R369 900
Engine 1.4 litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol 1.6 litre 4-cyliner turbo petrol
Power 92 kW 121 kW
Torque 200 Nm 240 Nm
0 – 100km/h 9.9 seconds 9.3 seconds
Fuel economy 5.2L/100km 5.6L/100km
Boot space 500 litres 537 litres
Airbags 7 6
Seats 5 5
Leather upholstery Optional Standard
Bluetooth Optional Standard

BMW M2 On The Cards for November

It’s likely that we will see the release of a BMW M2 towards the end of this year. There aren’t many details about the M2, but it seems the LA Motor Show in November will be the vehicle’s official debut.

BMW M2 Heading to LA Motor Show

Official launch will then happen in the first quarter of 2016 and then probably launch in South Africa a couple months later. The BMW M2 is likely to sit somewhere between the M235i and the M3 in terms of power. The straight-six turbocharger will almost certainly do duty under the bonnet, like it does in the M3. Numbers being bandied about rate the upcoming M2 at around 270 kW and 460 Nm of torque. BMW will probably employ both the short-throw six-speed manual as well as the dual-clutch auto from the M3/M4.

No doubt BMW will create an exceptional handling car with the help of the M-differential and multiple settings for the gearbox, suspension and steering. If we’re honest though, something more like the previous BMW 1M would be a great addition. Something a little wild but extremely engaging to drive in a short wheelbase sportscar.

Exterior style will be beefed up to improve aerodynamics and appearance. In many ways the 2-Series is regarded as the best-looking BMW in its stable so an M2 would certainly go down well with the BMW faithful.

*BMW M235i M Performance pictured

Honda HR-V (2015) First Drive

Priced from: R299 900
Search for a new Honda HR-V here.

What impressed me most about the Honda HR-V was its drive comfort. The steering feel was on the heavier side and it felt really solid and planted on the road. Even on a bouncy country road, and the odd dirt road, the HR-V wafted along, delivering a pleasant, smooth drive.

Honda has launched its HR-V crossover in South Africa, which is set to do battle with the segment champion Nissan Qashqai. In its homeland of Japan, the HR-V is a best-seller and it certainly has a tough market to contend with on South African tar. We attended the launch of the Honda HR-V in Cape Town and buckled up for a 215km journey through the Cape Winelands.

The Lineup

There are two front-wheel drive derivatives to choose from, including the entry-level 1.5 Comfort and the top-spec 1.8 Elegance. In Comfort guise, 88 kW and 145 Nm torque is at your disposable while the Elegance offers 105 kW and 172 Nm of torque. Both derivatives are mated to a CVT transmission with selectable Sport mode and steering-mounted paddle shifters.

The 1.5 Comfort, which has been on sale in South Africa for a month already, rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and benefits from standard features such as a multi-function steering wheel, 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with CD player, Bluetooth capability and USB and auxiliary ports. Niceties such as cruise control and all-round electric windows are also included.

The 1.8 Elegance has just arrived in South Africa and this model scales up with 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights and DRLs, a 7-inch touchscreen with rear camera, HDMI port, leather upholstery and a larger, 50-litre fuel tank.

In terms of safety, the Honda HR-V comes equipped with ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal. A full complement of airbags and ISOFIX child seat mounts are also included as standard.

How does it drive?

The 1.8 Elegance derivative was Honda’s star child on launch and so we didn’t get a chance to drive the 1.5-litre Comfort. However, the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated Elegance was up to the task and it performed reasonably well on our drive in the countryside. The CVT transmission did a fair job of scooting the HR-V around, but requires a more conservative pedal approach to get the most out of it. An aggressive approach results in a lot of unnecessary engine noise which could get annoying, but the HR-V gains speed quite quickly as a result. That said, the HR-V performs well, but it’s not particularly exhilarating to drive, even when Sport mode is engaged or when using the paddle shifters. For the everyday urban commute, the HR-V is more than capable though.

The CVT transmission does however contribute to reduced fuel consumption and Honda claims 6.8L/100km for the 1.8 Elegance. We noticed that in highway driving situations, the HR-V achieves about 7.8L/100km, while in other driving situations, consumption easily drops below 7L/100km.

What impressed me most about the Honda HR-V was its drive comfort. The steering feel was on the heavier side and it felt really solid and planted on the road. Even on a bouncy country road, and the odd dirt road, the HR-V wafted along, delivering a pleasant, smooth drive.

The interior is comfortable and well-built with quality materials giving it a more upmarket feel. One thing you will notice is the abundance of space. Rear passengers have lots of leg, head and shoulder room and Honda’s Magic Seat system allows for various seat configurations to manipulate loading space. Boot capacity is at 393-litres with a full-size spare wheel underneath the luggage floor and space increases to 1 002-litres with the 60:40 split rear seats folded down.

The Honda HR-V is squarely aimed at a younger market and is perfectly moulded to suit the needs of young professionals and start-up families in need of a stylish and versatile vehicle. Overall, Honda is offering a good quality product in the HR-V and it’s well worth consideration if you are shopping for a tasteful crossover.

We will have the Honda HR-V for a full test soon, so be sure look out for a thorough evaluation coming your way.

Honda HR-V – Price in South Africa

Honda HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT  – R299 900

Honda HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVT  – R354 900

Prices include a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

BMW M135i (2015) Review

The next-generation BMW 1-Series has arrived and we’re evaluating the entire range. We’re starting with the flagship performance model, the M135i, tested here in three-door Sports Auto guise.

Monster Engine

Let’s go straight to what matters when it comes to a premium performance hatchback and that’s the engine. BMW has stuck to the tried-and-tested 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engine and what a fantastic piece of engineering it is. Due to the fact that it’s a new model, power naturally has been increased and we’re now sitting with 240kW and 450Nm. While the rest of the segment has stuck to highly-tuned 2.0-litre engines, BMW is happily throwing a middle finger to the establishment and resorting to what it does best: the six-cylinder engine.

Power reaches the rear wheels through an eight-speed DCT ‘box and with the drive experience buttons, the car can range from calm, sedate cruiser focusing on economy to all-out Defcon 5 attack mode. Put the car into Eco Pro and the engine is neutered as it powers down in favour of low boost and smooth gearshifts. The auto start/stop engages as soon as you come to a standstill and the result is a very civilised way of getting around town. Comfort is pretty self explanatory, but engage Sport and that’s where the M135i comes alive. The throttle becomes super responsive, the exhaust opens up and provides wonderful backfires and if you listen carefully, there’s a large amount of turbo whistles and pops. Fuel economy sat at around the 10.5L/100km – adequate given the nature of this performance vehicle.

Performance is what you’d expect from this baby M car. 0-100kph takes under 5 seconds, but how it gets there is brutal. The gearbox slams the next gear in and the car feels easily capable of reaching its 250kph claimed top speed. Throw some corners into the mix and this is where the enthusiast will truly appreciate what this rear-wheel drive car can do to the senses. Few cars are this involving at the price and we feel you’d have to look to more expensive machinery to get a similar experience… As fast and agile as it is, it’s real strength is being able to switch from race mode to sedate commuting mode at the touch of the button.

Being a BMW, you get a lot of premium touches and the gadgetry is pretty special. The car feels well built, but we’d have to express disappointment over the dull orange glow from the speedo and odo. That colour scheme has been around for ages and surely it’s time to make it look a little modern? The negativity surrounding the dials is easily surpassed by the infotainment screen which is vibrant and crisp. This particular unit came with satellite navigation and a Harmon Kardon audio system. As lovely as that Harmon Kardon sound system is, the purr from that engine is better…

Summary and Conclusion

The BMW M135i is a proper premium hot hatch and we like where it’s positioned in the market. For less money, you can get a Volkswagen Golf R which offers similar performance thanks to its all-wheel drive setup. But it’s a Volkswagen and is that premium enough when you’re paying over half a million Rand? You could look at Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG 4Matic, but that’s almost R100 000 more. For the enthusiast, there’s very little to touch the BMW M135i. It sounds incredible and performs well both in a straight line and in curves and as for the rest of the BMW 1-Series range, we’re impressed and have nominated the BMW 120i in the Premium Hatchback category.

Team Opinions

The BMW 1 Series now has a better looking body to go with its always brilliant engine range. It’s amazing what a few slight changes can do to an overall appearance. In M135i mode it emphasises the 1 Series’ handling talents and balance. It’s an involving car to drive. -Ashley Oldfield

BMW M135i Price in South Africa

The BMW 1-Series range starts from R342 000 for the three-door 118i, while the range-topping M135i goes for R560 243. The price includes 2-years/unlimited km warranty and 5-years/100 000 km maintenance plan.

We Like: Performance, luxury, technology, dual personality

We Don’t Like: Nothing major

Also Consider: Volkswagen Golf R, Audi S3, Mercedes-Benz A45

Want to buy a new BMW M135i?
Want to buy a used BMW M135i?

Compare the BMW M135i with its competitors here!

BMW M135i Quick Specs

cars-BMW-135i-M-Sport-Automatic