Pricing Update: Mercedes-Benz B-Class Refreshed for 2015
Mercedes-Benz has revealed its facelifted B-Class family car that it calls a Sports Tourer. The B-Class was the first of Mercs cars to enter into the new hip and cool market that has led to the likes of the A-Class, CLA and GLA. For the facelifted variant Merc has added a B-Class Electric Drive model to the range.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Update
The easiest way to recognise the facelifted B-Class is from the front: a new bumper, wide radiator trim with two louvres and now integral daytime running lamps in the headlamps are the major changes up front. The rear bumper has also been modified and now features an additional chrome trim strip. Bicolour tail lamps featuring LEDs are the only rear end changes.
The B-Class has enhanced the free-standing head unit display, which is now larger, with a diagonal of up to 8-inches. Small touches here and there to the interior aim to give the B-Class a more upmarket feel from its predecessor. The Infotainment system has also been upgraded and features Mercedes Connect Me the available services include, among others, accident recovery, as well as service maintenance and incident management. It also connects to the users Smartphone, displaying several functions of your car such as fuel level and being able to set the climate control remotely.
Engines in the range take the form of a single petrol and two diesels with the electric model finalising the range. The petrol 1.6-litre turbo is available in two states of tune – 90 kW and 200 Nm or 115 kW and 250 Nm. The diesels starts with a 1.45-litre turbodiesel capable of 80 kW and 260 Nm. The second spec diesel is the 2.1-litre that in its lowest state of tune produces 100 kW and 300 Nm whilst in highest tune produces 130 kW and 350 Nm.
The Electric B-Class is rated at 132 kW and 340 Nm. It also has an impressive top speed of just short of 160 kph. From zero to 100kph the electric B-Class is quite rapid, managing the sprint time in 7.9 seconds.
2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class price in South Africa
Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI – R404 200
Mercedes-Benz B 220 CDI – R448 000
Mercedes-Benz B 200 – R388 300
Mercedes-Benz B 250 – R464 800
New Volkswagen Scirocco Ushered Into SA
Volkswagen has introduced a new Scirocco model in South Africa for 2015 with enhanced exterior and interior designs.
Exterior highlights
Changes on the outside include a redesigned bumper, new bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights as well as a tweaked grille. At the back there are restyled LED taillights, along with a reworked bumper and boot lid. These changes can also be seen on the range-topping Scirocco R.
The Scirocco R is however differentiated with door mirror housings in “matt chrome”, side sill extensions with “R” styling and 17-inch brake callipers painted black with an “R” logo, as well as chrome-plated tailpipes and a larger roof edge spoiler.
Customers also have the option of selecting from five new exterior paints called Pyramid Gold, Urano Grey, Flash Red, Pure White and Ultra Violet.
The company has also introduced new alloy wheel designs. The entry level Scirocco is equipped with 17-inch Long Beach alloy wheels, while the Sportline is fitted with new 18-inch Lisboa alloy wheels. The Scirocco R comes standard with 19-inch Cadiz alloy wheels, while the optional R-Line package is offered with 18-inch Salvador alloy wheels, with optional 19-inch Lugano alloy wheels for the Sportline variant.
Interior features
Inside the new Volkswagen Scirocco is a redesigned flat-bottomed leather-wrapped steering wheel, a new tubular-look instrument cluster and new air vents and gauges like those of the Golf GTI. Theres also a “Dynaudio Excite” audio system, a ParkAssist system and a covered storage compartment next to the handbrake lever.
The Scirocco R is fitted with sport seats with the “R” logo on headrest and decorative stitching in crystal grey, decorative “Carbon Touch” inlays and stainless steel pedals. The instrument needles are in blue and the aluminium door sill plates are complemented by an “R” logo.
Other standard features of the new Volkswagen Scirocco include decorative inlays in “Titanium Silver” for the dashboard, electrically adjustable driver seat (manual in 1.4 TSI), electrically adjustable lumbar support in front seats, sport seats, sport steering wheel, hand-brake lever grip and gear shift grip in leather, an asymmetrically divided folding rear seat backrest and Easy Entry system.
Unchanged engine line-up
The engine line-up for the new Scirocco remains unchanged, consisting of three TSI petrol engines with power outputs ranging from 118 kW to 188 kW. All units are offered with dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) and are all front-wheel drives.
New Volkswagen Scirocco price in South Africa
Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI 118kW Highline Manual R355 200
Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI 155kW Sportline DSG R419 100
Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI 188kW R DSG R489 300
The new Volkswagen Scirocco comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.
Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant Blitz Wagon
Volkswagen has taken the covers off the new Golf GTD Variant ahead of its debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2015.
Golf GTD Variant is a Sporty Cruiser
Whilst it means nothing for us locally as we dont care much for station wagons its nice to see what the folks in Europe get up to where the wagon is more popular. The GTD Variant in particular is a diesel chugging, sporty-looking distance cruise. At least thats what VW claims. The exterior has some sporty elements to it, there are some smoked rear light, flared side sills, some big 17-inch Curtiba wheels and chrome tailpipes.
Inside the GTD Variant continues its sporty theme with sports seats in Clark tartan, illuminated door sills, black headliner and black pillar trim. Theres touches all around the cabin to remind you that this is a sporty car, even the steel pedal caps and aluminium gear knob accentuate the theme further.
Powering the GTD Variant is the familiar 2-Litre turbodiesel with 135 kW and 380 Nm of torque. Obviously this is the part of the Variant that ticks the distance cruiser checkbox as VW claims it will return just 4.4L/100km. It accelerates to 100kph in 7.9 seconds and comes with an optional sports pack that features driving mode selection, Nogaro 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers and tinted windows.
As mentioned, it is unlikely we will see the GTD variant in SA but as far as wagons go this is a pretty cool looking example.
Infiniti Q70 Detailed
The 2015 Infiniti Q70 facelift has been introduced with a long-wheelbase variant.
Evocatively designed Q70
In addition to the long-wheelbase variant, the revised Q70 includes a mild exterior makeover inspired by the smaller Q50 which, consists of reworked bumpers, a new front grille and full LED front and rear lighting. The stretched long-wheelbase Q70 benefits from an additional 15cm of wheelbase which has increased rear knee and legroom.
The Sport version features a specially designed front bumper that gives an even lower and wider stance, and 20-inch wheels and tyres, while the lower part of the rear bumper is finished in high-gloss black paint to make it look even more athletic.
The interior boasts a host of high-quality materials including handcrafted wood accents and custom leather appointments. Theres also an instrument panel with specially illuminated gauges and a 7-inch full colour vehicle information display, while the driver and front passenger’s seats are leather, heated, and feature 10-way power adjustment, including 2-way lumbar support.
Efficient powertrains
The engine line-up features the 3.7-litre V6 and 5.6-litre V8 petrol engines, both of which are equipped with hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. Both engines work exclusively with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
3 Best Super Bowl Ads of 2015
Its that time of the year again where car manufacturers will jump on the Super Bowl frenzy to unveil their latest creations through mind blowing or downright disappointing commercials.
The 2015 Super Bowl commercial frenzy
Eleven car manufacturers ran Super Bowl ads during last years game. However, its alleged that a lot of the brands are backing off making Super Bowl specific ads, as they have seen spending money on social media campaigns as a better investment than spending millions on Super Bowl ads, which at the end of the day dont drive sales to hit the roof.
Only a handful of manufacturers are known to have plans of appearing in ads for this years contest. These include Toyota, Kia, Nissan, Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Volkswagen is said to have opted not to participate in the fun this year due to other priorities and initiatives it has planned across all platforms.
BMW i3 Super Bowl commercial
BMW has already revealed its Newfangled Idea Super Bowl commercial, ahead of this weekend’s game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. The ad features former Today show hosts Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel, taking them back to 1994 when they couldn’t gasp what the Internet was. Their confusion continues today as they cant grasp the concept of the revolutionary BMW i3.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S stars in Super Bowl commercial
The 60 second ad described as a “fresh, modern spin”, features woodland creatures in the classic forest dominance race. The one is a super obnoxious hare, racing against the tortoise. Take a look at the clip below to see which animal wins the race – its not that obvious.
Kia Sorento Official XLIX Ad with Pierce Brosnan
Kia used 007 persona Pierce Brosnan to show off its Perfect Getaway Vehicle the 2016 Kia Sorento. The ad features Brosnan talking to his agent who is pitching a relatively boring commercial without big explosions, rocket launchers or snipers that the actor is used to. Take a look at the end result below.
BMW 2-Series Active Tourer (2015) First Drive
The first front-wheel drive BMW has made its way to South Africa. Stuart Johnston was at the launch of the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and gave it a quick run through its paces.
There is a certain core-feel to the way a BMW rides, and responds to inputs through the steering wheel, and the question was always going to be whether a front-wheel drive BMW would feel like a totally different example of what the Munich-based concern call sheer driving pleasure.
After experiencing the first BMW FWD in the form of the 2-Series Active Tourer cross-over compact, it is good to report that there are still BMW core values at play here, important ones such as steering feel, crisp reaction to steering-wheel inputs, a controlled ride quality with a satisfying degree of compliance, and an overall feeling of body-shell integrity of the highest order.
Handling
This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, as BMW now has well over a decade of building one of the sportiest front-wheel drive cars on the planet, the Mini. But it should be hastily pointed out that the 2-Series Active Tourer has none of that go-kart feel of the Mini. It is a much more family-orientated car, with the accent more on ride comfort than outright grip.
Over good quality tar roads it has a crispness that is typical of the brand, and yet the ride has none of the plank-like overt stiffness that afflicts even the base models of, for instance, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class range. The new BMW comes with a range of four engines, all of them transversely mounted across the body-shell in the nose, as one would expect of a FWD car. And, unsurprisingly, these power-plants draw on BMWs Mini technology.
Engines
The most interesting engine in the range is the three-cylinder petrol twin-turbo, a 1.5-Litre unit producing a quite impressive 100 kW and 220 Nm of torque. I am a fan of triple-cylinder engines, having owned a three-cylinder motorcycle (Kawasaki) many moons ago. I love that off-beat low groan at low revs, rising to a howl as a triple gets fully onto its power-band.
The downside of many triples in cars is that they can be quite rough. Thanks to a very sophisticated mounting system for engine and transmission, as well as a special flywheel, the company has ironed out minor frequency vibrations resulting in smoothness. What is almost as impressive, is the spread of torque.
I experienced this engine in the so-called 218i in six-speed Steptronic (automatic) form. It is also available in a six-speed manual.
The other models in the range are powered by four-cylinder engines. These are the 320i two-litre four-cylinder petrol at 141 kW, with six-speed manual or eight-speed Steptronic, the 220d twolitre diesel at 140 kW and notably 400 Nm of torque also using a six-speed manual or optional Steptronic eight-speed, and, finally, the second car available on the launch drive, the range-topping 225i, with 170 kW equipped with an eight-speed Steptronic as standard.
This latter is endowed with 350 Nm of torque. And while it copes with this power admirably in terms of torque steer, if you unload the inside front wheel, for instance when exiting a sharpish corner at lower speeds, and then plant the throttle, youll feel the power being transferred back and forth between the two front wheels. It will be interesting to see how the system handles 400 Nm.
As far as performance goes, the 225i Active Tourer is rated with a 6.6-second 0-100 kph sprint, a 240 kph top speed and an average EU fuel consumption of 5.9L/100 km, which should translate to a Real World figure of around 7.0-7.5L/100 km.
Another point worth highlighting, from the launch drive, is just how exceptional the brakes are. Even with relatively narrow tyres this car comes to a stop like it has hit something solid, when you climb as hard as you can on the brake pedal.
Practicality
The Active Tourer is all about space utilisation, and despite looking relatively low slung in profile, it has cavernous interior space when measured against its 1-Series sibling. This particularly applies to the rear passenger compartment, where access is excellent and leg room is languorous, especially as the rear seat can be moved fore and aft to juggle passenger and luggage space. That boot, before youve folded down any seat backrests, is impressive, with a capacity of 468-Litres.
What’s not to like?
I found it quite difficult to achieve a good driving position that enabled me to feel comfortably perched with good forward visability, and still see some vital aspects of the instrument cluster, particularly the trip meter. And as for the styling, I didnt find it exactly the most riveting BMW Id ever laid eyes upon, or even the best-looking cross-over compact.
Also, getting back to handling, on dirt roads or other surfaces with ripples, the front suspension becomes quite jittery and rattles if you hit undulations at any sort of speed. Funnily enough, this is a trait that can affect rear-wheel-drive BMWs, but more on the rear axle end of things.
And then theres the price. While the overall feel inside is classy without being overtly lavish, and the car does have that typical BMW clean, sculpted dash architecture, the car is by no means cheap.
2-Series Active Tourer Pricing
Pricing for the base 100 kW three-cylinder 218i starts at a not-inconsiderable R378 000, for the manual, and range pricing tops out at R447 000 for the 225i (only available in eight-speed auto). So you pay for that BMW badge (and all the essential quality that goes with it, including, of course, the excellent five-year/100 000 km Motorplan).
Volkswagen Touareg (2015) Review
The Volkswagen Touareg sits at the very top of Volkswagens offerings in SA, a large, comfortable SUV built for the road with a dose of off road talent if youre that way inclined. This new Touareg has had VWs styling team give it a makeover while the engineers have fettled with the suspension setup and thrown in some new tech. We traversed the Cape roads and dirt tracks to get a good feel for it.
New Touareg in a nutshell
The VW Touareg has cemented its name as a value for money offering in the large SUV market, then Volkswagen took it to the Dakar race and cleaned up the competition for three years straight before making a hasty exit – with added off road credentials intact. With no more racing for the Touareg Volkswagen purely focused on building a new car.
This new model features entirely new styling front and rear bringing it in line with the modern face of VW. I liked the old muscle-infused front end as opposed to this sharper and clean look, it makes the new Touareg look smaller and lacking presence on the road. The suspension has been optimised to improve agility, comfort and steering. Finally the interior has been brushed with aluminium in certain areas and the buttons are illuminated for added theatrics.
Engine
Our test model was fitted with the 3-Litre V6 turbodiesel with a BlueMotion badge that signifies its good at saving fuel. The diesel is capable of 180 kW and is packed with 550 Nm of torque and as far as engines go this is a great one. It accelerates from a standstill quickly, and the mid-range torque delivery makes 60-120kph a cinch.
The engine is combined with an eight-speed auto that takes the hassle out of everyday driving, it works seamlessly in the background doing its job perfectly, even when its forced to accelerate suddenly the quick shifts and torque delivery from the engine make it a perfect everyday driver. The Touareg diesel claims 7.2L/100km however we returned a figure of 10L/100km after our test period, not alarming but not as good as we were expecting. It does have a massive 100-Litre tank that means you’ll clock around 1000km per fill up.
The Inside
The Touaregs cabin is spacious and comfortable, but not outstanding. When it comes to infotainment systems especially, the VW touchscreen is not very responsive and lacks the ease of use of some of the newer systems from the likes of Merc, Volvo and General Motors. It also looks a bit dated in comparison when a world of high-res screens are everywhere.
The rear seats fold down easily with an electronic switch in the boot and theres also the option for a stow-away towbar which is a good idea. Volkswagen is a little stingy with the options on the Touareg as it would be nice to have things like a reverse camera, blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning as standard in an R800k car. They are all available as optional extras though.
Ride and Handling
The Volkswagen Touareg remains an impressive drive both on road and off it. The new suspension modifications hold it more upright in corners and the steering is well-weighted providing confidence in the capabilities of the Touareg at speed. The adjustable suspension allows the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes although I mostly swapped between Comfort and Sport as Normal feels like a compromise of both settings.
Comfort does a great job of ironing out bumps and feeding back a cushy ride. Sport as youd imagine firms things up and turns the Touareg into a solid sports SUV, the Touareg corners with very little lean and stiffens up over bumps, not great for everyday driving but for the odd sprint through the countryside its good fun. Whilst our model didnt have the optional 4xMotion system thats tailored for off road use, it does still have a standard four-wheel drive system that can be activated with a rotary knob next to the gear lever.
Verdict
I kept trying to find value for money in the Touareg offering when I compared it to competition like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML, Land Rover Discovery and yes the Touareg is cheaper at R796 500, but not by much. Add a few extras (ours had R150k worth of extras) and it starts to get too close to those rivals that offer a more premium package and in the Discovery, extreme off roading capability.
The Touareg though is still a good drive thats capable in every environment and looks modern with its new facial upgrade, its just a step behind the luxury SUVs it competes with in the interior department. If I were looking for value for money in a luxury SUV I might lean towards something like a Volvo XC60 D5 AWD.
Second Opinion
As far as luxury products go, the Volkswagen Touareg acquits itself well. There’s a strong engine in there, a smooth 8-speed box as well as a decent all-wheel drive setup. There’s plenty gadgetry to keep people happy – the two-pin plug in the rear is genius! However, the Touareg would be a good product if there was very little competition. Sadly, the competition offers a lot more performance and prestige which makes the Touareg look out of its depth. -David Taylor
Renault has enhanced its Clio range with the addition of the new GT-Line derived from the Megane GT-Line and will be available in South Africa at the end of January 2015.
Sporty design
The model sports GT design front bumpers incorporating daytime running LED lights. Theres also a new GT design rear bumper with F1-inspired diffuser in dark metal, a chromed exhaust tailpiece, 17-inch alloys, GT-Line badging, body coloured protective strips with dark metal inserts as well as Renault Sport door sills.
Inside, the car is fitted with a dashboard sculpted to resemble an aircraft wing, an integrated multimedia system inclusive of navigation (MediaNav), a new smart Bass Reflex sound system integrated into the front doors loudspeakers and high-tech materials combined with glossy black and chrome details. The aforementioned MediaNav system incorporates multimedia and satnav, and has Bluetooth, USB and aux connectivity and is accessed through an 18cm touch screen.
Safety wise, the Clio GT-Line is equipped with traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist as well dual front and side air bags. Inside it benefits from power steering, cruise control (with speed limiter), card key and power windows.
Upgraded engine with overboost function
The Clio GT-Line is equipped with the F1-inspired 900cc 66 kW Turbo engine found in the Clio Expression and Dynamique variants. The added overboost function helps it deliver an additional 4 kW and 15 Nm (in second and third gear for up to 20 seconds) for a total output 70 kW and 150 Nm.
Fuel consumption is rated at 4.5Litres/100 km with CO2 emissions of 105g/km.
Renault Clio GT-Line price in South Africa
Renault Clio GT-Line – R224 900
The new Renault Clio GT-Line will be available with a five-year or 150 000 km mechanical warranty, three-year or 45 000km service plan and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty.
Jaguar XF R-Sport Now Available In SA
Jaguar has launched its new XF R-Sport model in SA as the first Jaguar to adopt the R-Sport moniker.
Jaguar XF R-Sport extending Jaguars performance DNA
While the companys performance models have long been marketed under the R banner, the new R-Sport badge is said to extend Jaguars performance DNA, which is a first in the XF range. The R-Sport range sits under the traditional R models as a more budget conscious performance model but with all the looks.
The XF R-Sport comes with a number of exterior enhancements which include a rear decklid spoiler, a sport bumper, and R-style side sills. Adding to its sporty road presence are 18-inch Lyra wheels.
For optional features, customers can add a Black Pack which comprises of gloss black surrounds for the windows and bootlid, along with a black grille set inside a black chrome surround.
The sporty theme is carried inside where you will find an R-badged steering wheel and stainless steel pedals, electric seats finished in Suede cloth with Dove contrast stitch, or optional Red or Tan contrast stitching. The optional Sports Interior Pack adds heated, 18X18-way adjustable front sport seats, with two memory settings for the driver.
Power comes from a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine delivering 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque.
Jaguar XF R-Sport price in South Africa
Jaguar XF R-Sport 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged from R777 430
New Mitsubishi Concept Car Teased
Japanese automaker, Mitsubishi, has revealed two images teasing a new SUV crossover concept car that will be revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show come March 2015.
Mitsubishi Concept Car Hints at Future Design
Details are scarce at this point but what we do know is that this concept car is considered to be a ‘declaration of intent’ for Mitsubishi’s future design direction. The concept car will showcase the company’s next generation 2WD plug-in hybrid electric or PHEV technology as well as a fresh take in terms of design.
The concept car will feature a high-output electric motor and combine ‘smart engineering’ with progressive design features while having a low impact on the environment.
We will update you if any further information becomes available, but for now we will just have to wait until the concept car is shown in its metal. Stay tuned!
