Range Rover Sport SDV8 (2014) Review


The words Range Rover Sport conjures up images of fire breathing V8 and V6 petrol beasts, however there’s something to be said for a strong and torquey diesel. How does the diesel-powered V8 Range Rover Sport match up?

Over the years, we’ve made some good memories with the Range Rover Sport lineup. We smoked a BMW X5 M50d in a quarter mile sprint with a V8 and found the supercharged V6 petrol to offer a terrific blend of performance, value for money and fuel economy on a road trip up the West Coast.

Diesel power makes a lot of sense in the premium SUV market as it provides good pulling power and overtaking performance, while returning not unpleasant economy figures.

Lumbering Diesel Range Rover Sport

Enter the Range Rover Sport SDV8, which is powered by a 4.4-litre turbodiesel V8 engine, the Range Rover SDV8 offers lumbering performance. Its 0-100kph time of 6.9 seconds is not far off when compared to its petrol brothers, and while it may offer 250 kW, it has a very handy torque figure of 740 Nm. Coupled with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with shift paddles located behind the steering wheel, the SDV8 looks like a luxurious and tough recreation vehicle. Think about well-off people who go caravanning or tow horseboxes. This vehicle would be more than up for those tasks.

In terms of fuel economy, it is claimed to consume just 8.9L/100km, but in reality you’re looking at a bit more than that. Given the car’s weight of around two tons, the engine works hard to get the bulky Range Rover Sport around and you’re more likely to see 10L/100km on the fuel consumption read out.

Credible Offroad Ability

The Sport badging on the latest generation of Range Rovers offers a supposed road biased and urban luxury SUV, but don’t be fooled by this. While its on-road manners are generally flawless, it’s still a Range Rover and still able to traverse roads deemed impassable for the current generation of soft offroaders. It really doesn’t muck about with its adjustable air suspension, low-range gearbox and various 4×4 modes.

It also offers a rather impressive wading depth of 850mm. The reality is that most Range Rover Sports will be city slickers and there’s merit in that as the raised driving position is superb. Still, there’s something extremely comforting about having the confidence to go anywhere you want if the need arises.

Luxury Trim and Fittings

Finishes are of the highest order in the cabin and in certain departments, it’s the passengers that receive the best comfort features! The rear in this particular vehicle for example, has two LCD screens and two sets of wireless headphones as well as jacks for AV cables.

Features of the Range Rover Sport SDV8 are plentiful. You get a fair amount of kit as standard, but in the Range Rover way you can always pay more for outright unnecessary things. This particular unit came with adaptive cruise control, chilled centre console storage area, Bluetooth, satnav, USB/Aux connectivity, heated and ventilated seats as well numerous parking cameras. The LCD main infotainment screen is getting on a bit and lacking resolution when compared to its rivals. I believe an all-new system is on its way and has been shown off in the new Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Summary and Conclusion

If the bling lifestyle and frequent trips to the petrol station aren’t your thing, then perhaps the Range Rover SDV8 diesel is what you should be looking at. It’s certainly well-appointed and the diesel engine gives it some credibility for practical applications such as towing.

The diesel engine also rounds off the range nicely, and while its petrol siblings may be first to mind when you think of a Range Rover Sport, having a reliable and strong diesel workhorse in the lineup is a gentle reminder that these vehicles can actually be used for serious offroad applications. If you’re financially conscious then perhaps the mighty BMW X5 M50d would make for a better buy though but won’t offer the same offroad talent.

Second Opinion

The Range Rover Sport SDV8 is an incredible piece of machinery, it’s very hard to pick faults at and has ‘want’ factor like no other SUV for sale. It does everything you could ever need a vehicle to do and still looks fast. You do however pay a seriously eye-watering premium for all of its capabilities, but for most in this price bracket it’s a pill worth swallowing. -Ashley Oldfield

Range Rover Sport SDV8 Price in South Africa

The Range Rover Sport SDV8 retails for R1 366 031 and comes with a 3 year/100 000km warranty as well as a 5 year/100 000km service plan. Service intervals are every 26 000km.

We Like: Stylish, offroad ability, luxury and premium feel

We don’t Like: Price in comparison to rivals, dated infotainment screen

Also consider: Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, Lexus LX570

Compare the Range Rover SDV8 to the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 here.

Range Rover HSE SDV8 Quick Specs

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Audi TT 2.0T Quattro (2015) Review

The Audi TT is now in its third generation and we spent a week with it to see if it can continue to offer a great blend of sportiness and technology, without becoming a compromised daily driver.

The original TT rocked the world in the late 90’s. Here was a coupe that combined athleticism with futuristic good looks that was fairly affordable at the time. The main concern with the first generation TT was, however, that it wasn’t quite sharp enough to impress the real driving enthusiast, and more a boulevard cruiser, something which was addressed with the second generation which made landfall around 2010. That, however, was a little too clinical in operation, but it followed the same recipe of sporty dynamics without losing in the comfort and refinement stakes.

The third-generation Audi TT is the best yet. I had the pleasure of putting this new version through its paces at the local launch in Mpumalanga as well as a test through the finest mountain passes the Western Cape can offer.

One engine and one gearbox for now

There’s only one engine and gearbox combination on offer currently, with the only option being front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive Quattro. Power comes from a Volkswagen Group-sourced four-cylinder engine. This 2.0-litre turbo engine does duty in many products such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s a terrific powerplant, offering zesty performance without wallet-sapping consumption. Power is rated at 169kW, while there’s a rather potent 370Nm of torque and this reaches all four wheels through the superbly engineered S-tronic twin-clutch gearbox.

This gearbox is beautifully refined whether you leave it to its own devices in full automatic mode, or take the reins yourself via steering-wheel mounted shift paddles. Gear changes are wonderfully smooth, with barely any disruption to momentum as the car hooks up the next ratio. Thanks to some clever clutches, downshifts are even smoother and the car will be able to shift from 6th to 3rd without any lurching or hesitation. When you’re in the mood for some enthusiastic driving, simply engage manual mode and each pull of the right (shift up) paddle results in an exhaust pop that few will grow tired of. Despite the enthusiastic nature of the sporty Audi TT, fuel consumption is not bad at all, with a claimed figure of 6.4L/100km. In reality you’re going to get around 8L/100km.

Interior is a minimalist’s dream

The much talked about virtual cockpit in the Audi TT is simply superb. Analogue dials have been phased out in favour of an all-digital instrument cluster which integrates the satnav and infotainment screens. While it initially looks daunting, the system is straightforward to use and within a few minutes I had settled on my screen preferences. After flicking through the various modes, it appears that a small rev counter and speedometer, with the satnav map making up the background is the best combination (for me).

The specification in the Audi TT is comprehensive and after going through the list, I feel the price of the vehice is completely justified. There are two USB ports, climate control, cruise control, satellite navigation, Bluetooth and a reasonable audio system. I’d go for broke and get the uprated Bang Olufsen setup as well as the incredible Matrix headlights which cleverly follows corners and adapt their beam intensity and direction in relation to other road users. Watch the system in action below:

There are so few cars that offer the accessible performance that the Audi TT offers. Audi has blended agility and a sorted chassis with a compliant ride so well, and you’ll really struggle to find a product that better answers the need for a sportscar that doubles as a daily driver. There’s very little body roll and the Audi TT is very forgiving when you’re pressing on. It’s only when you’re really getting a move on that the TT will start displaying the understeering characteristics that are to be expected of an all-wheel drive car, but up to that heady limit it is actually a remarkably neutral handler and ultimately designed to be safe.

Summary and Conclusion

While the Audi TT Quattro has a lot to offer and the bottom line is that it’s an exceptional product, one has to wonder about the R70k discrepancy between the front-wheel drive model and the Quattro model. You’re not getting that much more car and the Quattro system does add a bit of weight. The difference may be ever so slight, but the front-wheel drive Audi TT feels the more nimble of the two. Performance aside, it would make a lot more sense to use that saving and splash out on some extras instead, like the sound system and fancy headlights I mentioned earlier.

In conclusion, a combination of accessible performance, minimalist interior design which is simply breathtaking and a forgiving, yet sporty drive make the latest incarnation of Audi TT an excellent offering. I do feel for Audi engineers as they’ll have a serious headache trying to improve on this…

Second Opinion

The new Audi TT is a hard car to fault. The exterior has been carefully sculpted to enhance its sportscar tendencies while the interior has a wonderful new take on fresh tech. The drive is responsive and light and it’s a fun car to push without testing your driving skills to the limit. The S Tronic gearbox is incredibly fast and responsive and arguably now sets the benchmark for a dual-clutch ‘box (at this price). Best to stick with the front-wheel drive version though as quattro feels unnecessary. -Ashley Oldfield

Audi TT Coupe Quattro Price in South Africa

The Audi TT coupe Quattro retails for R642 000, but this particular unit was specced with around R80k worth of extras. The front-wheel drive version sells for R558 000. If you’re after more performance, the Audi TTS will arrive later in 2015.

We Like: Drive, engine/gearbox combination, incredible interior, handling

We don’t Like: Price gap between quattro and front-wheel drive

Also consider: Mercedes-Benz SLK, BMW Z4

Compare the Audi TT with the Mercedes-Benz SLK and the BMW Z4 here.

Interested in purchasing an Audi TT?

Audi TT Coupe Quattro Quick Specs

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Global Reveal of the new Toyota Hilux



After spy shots and leaked photos and engine spec reveals, Toyota has finally decided to show the world its new Hilux. It is calling the bakkie an entirely new development that aims to be easier to service, even more reliable, feature new diesel engines and offer a more luxurious and refined interior.

Toyota Hilux Details

The biggest addition to the all-new Hilux is the new engine lineup that features newly developed turbodiesel engines. We revealed the details on the 2.4 and 2.8-Litre versions earlier this month and you can see them here. The engines have improved power, torque and efficiency – a welcome sight for long haul farmers. There’s also a new six-speed automatic gearbox that adds to the overall performance enhancements. The manual gearbox also features rev matching technology to ensure smooth shifts.

The exterior has obviously been restyled in order to make up for lost ground to the likes of the Ford Ranger. In particular the taillights have increased in size, wrapping around the rear fender. The front headlamps now feature LED technology, showing Toyota’s willingness to make the bakkie appealing to SUV would-be-buyers as well.

New Interior

The interior looks to have taken a massive stride into the 21st century, showing a mix of durable and modern touches. There’s a touch screen that deals with all the audio functions and houses the rear-view camera display. The manual gearbox lever looks to be a much shorter than before and more car-like. Gearbox swapover from high to low range can now be done via an electronic switch, which may upset fans of the second lever.

Toyota South Africa has announced that the new Hilux will only be available in the first quarter of 2016 along with pricing and specification levels for local models.

Buying Advice: Peugeot 308 – Pricing & Rivals (Video)


The Peugeot 308 just arrived in South Africa and takes on the popular premium hatchback segment. With the likes of Audi’s A3 and Volkswagen Golf in 7 guise, the Peugeot has a fight on its hands.

The Peugeot 308 has an ace up its sleeve in the form of a European Car of the Year title as well as improved quality both inside and out. We put the latest offering from Peugeot into the studio and explored its features, space and abilities.

In the video you will get to see the Peugeot 308’s interior, its features and introduce its two closest rivals from Germany. For a more detailed look at how the Peugeot 308 stacks up against the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf 7, click here for the comparison page.

Interested in a Peugeot 308?

Interested in a Volkswagen Golf?

Interested in a Audi A3?

Peugeot 308 Buying Guide Video

Citroen C4 Picasso Upgraded With Auto & Petrol Engine


The Citroen C4 Picasso has received an upgrade and now welcomes a new flagship 1.6-litre turbo-petrol model to the range. The new model is offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission and is only available in the Intensive trim level.

The 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine offers 121 kW with 240 Nm of torque which translates into a 0-100 kph sprint time of 9.3 seconds with a top speed of 200 kph. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.3L/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 130 g/km.

Being a top-spec model, comprehensive features are part of the package and this includes auto headlights and windscreen wipers, tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD, ESC, Hill Start Assist, a total of six airbags, reversing camera and navigation system. The infotainment system also comes equipped with Bluetooth and a 8 GB hard drive Jukebox.

The new C4 Picasso model stands alongside two 1.6-litre turbodiesel models offering 85 kW and 270 Nm and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

“The realigned range, topped off by a new automatic turbo petrol model, and featuring a comprehensive list of standard features, translates into exceptional comfort levels, a spacious interior and flexible load options. Value added pricing means that our Citroën C4 Picasso represents exceptional value, too” says Francis Harnie, managing director Peugeot Citroën South Africa.

Read our review of the Citroen C4 Picasso here!

Citroen C4 Picasso Price in South Africa

Citroen C4 Picasso e-HDI 85kW Seduction Manual – R325 900

Citroen C4 Picasso e-HDI 85kW Intensive Manual – R345 900

Citroen C4 Picasso 2-THP 121kW Intensive Auto – R369 900

Pricing includes a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 5-year/100 000 km service plan, as well as roadside assistance. There is an option to upgrade to FreeDrive (Full maintenance and warranty) or 5-year/100 000 km warranty extension.  Services are at 20 000 km/1-year intervals on the petrol model and 15 000 km/1-year intervals on the two diesel derivatives.

Renault KWID Revealed

Renault has revealed its new KWID in India, a compact crossover that will compete in a segment that is likely to see significant growth in the coming years. The KWID will initially be offered in India later in the year and then make its way to other markets around the world – South African availability is still to be confirmed, but probably likely.

The KWID bears the name of a concept shown at the 2014 Delhi Motor Show and is the first car to be built on the brand’s new CMF-A platform. The KWID adopts the look of a hatchback along with crossover elements such as increased ride height and plastic body cladding. According to Renault, the KWID marries style, innovative features and affordability.

Small, Efficient Engine for KWID

The Renault KWID is powered by a small 0.8-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission which Renault believes makes it “extremely well positioned in terms of fuel consumption.”

Inside, the KWID features a digital instrument cluster, chrome air vents and a MediaNAV system which offers a radio, Bluetooth and navigation via a 7-inch touchscreen.

Jeep Renegade (2015) First Drive



The Jeep Renegade is the American brand’s B-segment crossover and we attended the local launch of it in Johannesburg this week.

“Designed by Jeep, made in Italy” is the slogan that first catches my eye during the presentation of the 2015 Jeep Renegade. It sounds like a strange combination, but it’s the result of the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep tie in with Italian automotive giants Fiat, who own Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. The result of such a collaboration is product that offers the hard and rugged appeal, with a few Italian touches here and there.

Design of the new Renegade

This is very much the case for the new Jeep Renegade. There’s no mistaking this vehicle for any other brand. With its trademark headlights, slotted grille and distinct boxy shape, the design is Jeep through and through. What I enjoyed most about the design is how it pays tribute to the World War II Willys Jeep and the Jeep brand through the use of subtle touches across the product.

The X motif on the rear lights is not too dissimilar to the jerry can logo, while there’s a Jeep logo on the edge of the windscreen. Further inspection of the vehicle resulted in spotting an abominable snowman on a window, a topopgraphical map at the bottom of the centrally-mounted storage binnacle and mud splashes which form the redline on the rev counter.

As far as design goes, it’s a visually striking vehicle especially when paired with some of the impact colours such as red, burnt orange and yellow. Throw in some big and chunky black alloys and you’ve got a recipe for a vehicle dripping in street cred.

Only one engine for now

Being a Jeep, you’d expect a hearty V6 forged in the fires of Detroit but this is where the Italians come in. Gone are the days when there was no replacement for displacement. Times are achanging and the best bang for buck comes in the form of small capacity turbo mills. In this case, power comes from a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 103 kW and 230 Nm. Fuel economy is claimed at 6.3L/100km.

The model, which goes on sale immediately is a front-wheel drive manual, with automatic and all-wheel drive derivatives to follow later in the year. There’s also talk of an entry-level naturally-aspirated 1.6 model.

Ride and handling

How does it drive? Well, the ride’s good and the car is able to keep itself together when you’re pressing on. What’s perhaps most useful is the 175mm of ground clearance, which makes pavement crawling super easy and also gives you the option to tackle mild offroad scenarios.

Jeep was keen for us to sample its new urban baby SUV in a unique environment and we found ourselves at a makeshift offroad track next to the old Johannesburg Park Station. Despite the lack of any offroad systems, the front-wheel drive Jeep Renegade acquitted itself well on the gravel inclines and undulations. For the amount of offroading an average family would do, this is more than fine and the forthcoming all-wheel drive model will have to offer some serious bundu bashing ability to justify itself.

A couple of highway drives highlighted how refined the Jeep Renegade is. NVH is low and there were times I had to turn down the radio to hear if the engine was still running. It’s that quiet!

Specification and features

Being a Jeep, specification errs on the side of generous. There’s a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, with fabric seats (leather is an option), dual zone air conditioning, rear parking sensors, UConnect infotainment with 5-inch screen (6.5-inch option with two USB ports), six speakers and two 12V power sockets dotted around the cabin. Option packs give you access to an array of extra safety features and improved audio systems.

Speaking of safety, there’s lots of tech thrown in. There’s a tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX  child seat mounts, six airbags, panic brake assist, lane departure warning, cruise control as well as an electronic parking brake.

Naturally, there’s a whole host of accessories to customise and make your Renegade unique. Mopar is the group’s customisation arm and there’s a huge range of stickers, different alloy wheels as well as numerous styles of load-carrying boxes to choose from. At the launch there was a Renegade that had been kitted out with a mountain bike rack as well as a canoe rack.

Quick summary

What’s not to like? Well there’s that price tag. Jeep claims its playing in the B-segment space, which puts it squarely against the likes of the similarly specced 1.2-litre Renault Captur which retails for R280 000. The Jeep Renegade’s B-segment competition are all substantially cheaper, but feel less premium, so there is a business case for it. Also, I hope ‘my’ launch unit was an exception to the rule, but the plastic surrounding the A-pillar was coming loose as was the plastic surrounding the steering wheel.

Overall though, the Jeep Renegade is a damn good-looking baby SUV which is jammed with specification and is a good drive. It’s surprisingly good for light offroad applications too. Comparisons between this and forthcoming Fiat 500X are inevitable and in reality, there will be very little to separate them mechanically.

Jeep Renegade Price in South Africa

This specific Jeep is the Renegade 1.4L Limited and that goes for R375 990. You do get a lot of spec for your money, as well as a three-year/100 000km warranty and class/leading 6 year/100 000km maintenance plan.

2015 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb – Highlights



The scene at the 2015 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb was electric. The pits roared to life as a fine selection of classic cars, road cars and modified race cars lined up to do battle up Simola’s renowned hill in a bid to set the fastest time possible. More than 12 000 spectators dotted the Simola hillsides to catch a glimpse of machinery going full-tilt in a show of power, screeching tyres and thumping engines. This was a car lovers paradise.

Range Rover Sport SVR and Jaguar XE Shown

Range Rover Sport SVR

Apart from all the racing action taking place at the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, the event also presented the perfect opportunity for Jaguar Land Rover to present new and exciting products directly to the public. The new Range Rover Sport SVR wowed spectators with its supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine offering 405 kW and 680 Nm. The SVR is the most powerful Land Rover ever made and is capable of accelerating to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 260 kph with the help of a 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Jaguar also showed the new XE sports sedan to the public for the first time, who had a chance to interact with the vehicle in person. Both diesel and petrol derivatives will be offered when the XE is launched later in the year. The top-of-the-range XE S will be powered by a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine that puts out 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque which, translates into a 0-100 kph in 5.1 seconds.

Simola Hillclimb Highlights

Porsche 911

Although each car brought a level of interest to the spectacle that is the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, there were cars that simply stood out from the rest. The first of these standout cars was Micheal Forsyth’s AC Cobra Race Car, which was arguably the loudest piece of machinery to hit the tar at Simola while the McLaren MP4-12C driven by Ernst Du Preez was possibly the quietest car to climb the hill. The new Range Rover Sport SVR showed off its power with Peter Lindenberg behind the wheel, which was impressive to watch as it launched off the line at blistering pace.

A Lamborghini Aventador is always a special sight and this specimen was spectacularly fast off the line with Greg Parton rocketing the supercar up the hill. Kyalami owner and Porsche South Africa CEO, Toby Venter, fired up his 911 GT2 race car which was insanely quick from take-off, leaving the crowd cheering in awe. There was also a good-looking  1972 Porsche Carrera 964 RS4 in Martini colours which put on a good show. The 2014 Simola HillClimb ‘King of the Hill’ winner, Franco Scribante took to the course once more in his Chevron B19 and managed to take the class win in a time of 41.891 seconds as well as fourth overall.

Desmond Gutzeit was the man to watch as he revved up his Nissan GT-R R32. Desmond Gudzeit and sons, Shane and Jade, were racing hard all weekend providing thrilling entertainment for the crowds. In the final run to determine the King of the Hill, Desmond Gudzeit had a perfect start off the line and went on to smash a new Simola Hillclimb record of 40.148 seconds.

Ashley Oldfield Wins Media Challenge

Jaguar XF

Cars.co.za motoring journalist and road test editor, Ashley Oldfield competed in the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb in a Jaguar XF as part of the media challenge. At the start of the practice sessions, Ashley was achieving times in the region of 59 seconds and steadily improved after every session, eventually achieving a best time of 54.4 seconds. The media competitors were judged on the basis of a ‘Performance Index’ which meant that drivers needed to consistently match or improve on their previous lap times. In the end, Ashley came out on top to secure the win. This is not the first time Ashley has taken top spot, as he also won on the media challenge at the 2011 Simola Hillclimb event.

Here are some of Ashley’s thoughts from this years event, “The Jaguar Simola Hillclimb is only a club event but judging by the seriousness with which the drivers take it and the incredible machinery on show you would think it’s the halo motorsport event on the South African calendar. The crowds can get extremely close to the cars, smell the rubber and get drenched in tyre smoke. The event gets a little bit better every year but it’s a shame it only comes around once a year, it would be awesome to have a series of hillclimbs around the country. We wait in hope.”

Ashley was up against Stuart Grant from Classic and Performance Car Africa, Jesse Adams from Star Motoring, Mark Jones from The Citizen and Dieter Losskarn from GQ Magazine. Cars.co.za would like to congratulate Ashley on his achievement at the 2015 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb and we look forward to seeing Ashley racing up the hill again next year.

Jaguar Simola HillClimb – King of the Hill Results

1. Desmond Guzeit: Nissan GT-R R32 – 40.148 seconds

2. Sav Gualtieri: BMW 335i – 41.659 seconds

3. Darron Gudmanz: Nissan GT-R – 41.763 seconds

4. Franco Scribante: Chevron B19 – 42.015 seconds

5. Shane Gudzeit: Nissan GT-R R32 – 42.983 seconds

Jaguar XE Debuts in SA at Simola Hillclimb


Jaguar took the opportunity to tear the drapes off its new XE model at its self-named Simola Hillclimb over the weekend (14-17 May 2015). Whilst the Jaguar XE was only a static reveal, the new Range Rover Sport SVR was let loose to ravage the 1.9km Hillclimb. Both cars were seen for the first time in SA as Jaguar Land Rover made the most of the excitement around the Simola Hillclimb.

Jaguar XE at the Hillclimb

Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE is a very important vehicle for the British marque as it will finally go head to head again with the BMW 3-Series, Merc C-Class and the Audi A4 – to name just a few. Jag has dropped the X-Type name that previously competed in the segment and is leading with XE. There was much hype around the unveiling of the XE at the Hillclimb as Marius Roberts and Marc Lottering revealed details on the new model in a light-hearted manner. I was unable to see a thing as the crowd gathered so I had to wait for the car to make a parade run up the hill to get a good gander at it. To start with, it looks like a slightly smaller XF, which is a good looking car but I feel Jaguar could have done a bit more to make the XE look a little different from its bigger brother. Surely Jaguar doesn’t want to fall into the ‘Russian Doll’ or ‘cookie cutter’ scenario that has befallen a few other manufacturers lately.

South Africa will get access to all the three engines available in the XE globally. There are diesel and petrol models to choose from with the diesel being an all-new Ingenium version that can be ordered in auto or manual. It delivers 132 kW and 430 Nm and claims 5L/100km in the fuel economy stakes. The familiar 2-Litre petrol is available with 177 kW and 340 Nm. Then, at the top of the range, and set to compete with the likes of the BMW 335i and Audi S4, Jaguar has added a supercharged V6 with 250 kW and 450 Nm. That should be a worthy competitor in the segment.

Range Rover Sport SVR as fast as an F-Type

Range Rover Sport SVR

Fans of insane SUVs will remember our Cars.co.za video where we drag raced a Supercharged Range Rover against a crazy BMW X5 M50d. BMW has since launched the new X5 M in SA and now Range Rover has an adequate challenger in the form of the Nurburgring record-holding Range Rover Sport SVR. Unbelievably the monster SVR was able to climb the Simola Hillclimb in a similar time to the Jaguar F-Type V6 – both cars completed the Hillclimb in the mid-49s range with expert drivers behind the wheel. There’s still a few months until the launch of the Range Rover Sport SVR but judging by the amount of attention the mighty SUV garnered at the Hillclimb, the SVR will be a massive hit with its 405 kW and 680 Nm of torque, not to mention the unbelievable acceleration that takes the SUV from 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds.

Jaguar Land Rover looks like it’s in for a big year having already launched the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The Jaguar XE, new XF and the Range Rover Sport SVR are still to hit SA soon.

GWM Steed 6 2.0 SX (2015) Review



It’s a fact, South Africans love bakkies and they sell by the thousands in Mzansi. For relatively new manufacturers competing in this segment, business is tough, something GWM knows all too well. Bakkie buyers are generally hell-bent on acquiring popular models such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and to a lesser degree, the Isuzu KB, making it exceedingly difficult for alternative brands to get that foot-in. With the introduction of the new Steed 6 Double Cab, GWM aims to turn the tide on its competitors, but is it good enough to succeed? I spent a week behind the wheel of the Steed 6 2.0VGT SX in bright Fashionable Orange to see if has the guts to take on the heavyweights.

Upmarket Styling

Positioned as an upmarket leisure vehicle, the Steed 6 looks the part, inside and out. Its presence is felt with its large louvered chrome grille, LED driving lamps, flared wheel arches filled with 16-inch alloy wheels and an overall length of 5,345 metres. That said, the Steed 6 is big and bold enough to command respect on the road.

Inside, you are met with a spacious, modern-looking cabin that’s well kitted out with features. Comfy cloth seats welcome you in and the interior layout is rather smart and doesn’t feel tacky. A nice touch is the leather covered instrument binnacle and a leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls. The steering wheel is, however, only rake adjustable.

How does it drive?

Powering the Steed 6 is a four cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine that generates 105 kW and 305 Nm of torque through a 6-speed manual transmission. Although slightly under-powered when compared to its competitors, these figures still do a good job of lugging all 1 816 kg of metal about town.

As you would expect from a bakkie, the engine roars to life in an agricultural fashion but once on the move, the Steed 6 comes alive and has sufficient grunt to execute overtaking manoeuvres with relative ease. Initially the gear shift felt annoyingly stubborn in selecting the correct gear, but once I got used to the ruggedness of it all, driving the Steed 6 became somewhat easier and I started enjoying the feel.

Having that sixth gear makes highway cruising pleasant as the engine never feels excessively laboured. It helps with saving some fuel too and GWM claims 8.6-litres / 100km on the combined cycle, but you can expect a figure in the region 10.5-litres / 100 km.

The Steed 6 has a payload rating of 625 kg but without a heavy load in the back, the suspension can feel quite bouncy, but even so, the ride quality is acceptable. I did notice a fair amount of wind and road noise entering the cabin at higher speeds, which was mildly disappointing. This is a 4×2 model so hardcore off-road enthusiasts will have to look elsewhere, but there is a standard Eaton rear diff-lock that kicks in automatically when needed. This endows the Steed 6 with good traction on poor gravel (at low speeds).

Big On Features

Buyers with a family in mind will be happy to know that the Steed 6 2.0 SX doesn’t skimp on safety and comes fitted with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and ISOfix seat mounts in the back, too.

Other standard items include a neat audio system with USB/Aux support as well as Bluetooth, rear park assist, climate control and electric windows all-round. Another nice touch is a driver’s seat that is height-adjustable

GWM Steed 6 Price in South Africa

The GWM Steed 6 SX on test here is priced at R299 900. The price includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, 10-year/unlimited km Anti-corrosion warranty and 2-year/unlimited km roadside assistance. A service plan is offered as an option with service intervals every 10 000 km.

Verdict

The GWM Steed 6 SX is an offering that simply can’t be ignored when shopping for a 4×2 Double Cab bakkie. For your money, you are getting a capable and modern bakkie that comes packed to the hilt with features. The Steed 6 is by no means perfect but it’s better than you think and does a good job of undercutting its competitors by a significant margin and represents excellent value for money.

We Like: Modern interior, long feature list, striking styling, price

We Dislike: Stubborn gearshift, bouncy ride

Also look at: Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu KB, Foton Tunland, Mazda BT-50

Compare the GWM Steed 6 with its competitors here!

GWM Steed 6 SX – Quick Specs

GWM Steed 6