Most Anticipated Sedan in South Africa

South Africans have much to look forward to in terms of new and refreshed sedan products making their way to the country in 2015 and 2016. We took to social media once again with this week’s #ChooseDay to get a sense of what sedan you, the reader, are most looking forward to seeing in South Africa.

We gave you the choice between four new or facelifted sedans, all of which are not yet available in South Africa. The choices included the recently revealed new Audi A4, the facelifted BMW 3-Series LCI, the Jaguar XE and the new Alfa Romeo Guilia. At the time of publishing this article a total of 466 votes were pledged on both Facebook and Twitter and it was a close race to decide which forthcoming sedan holds the most public sentiment in South Africa. Here are the results…

1. BMW 3-Series LCI – 30% of total votes

The forthcoming facelifted BMW 3-Series sedan seems to be top-of-mind for many South Africans with 30% of the total votes and can be expected on showroom floors in the third quarter of 2015. The facelifted 3-Series will usher in new engines and technology with minor design tweaks. You can read all about the facelifted BMW 3-Series here! Local pricing and specification will be announced closer to launch.

2. Jaguar XE – 138 – 29.6% of total votes

In a very close second place on the sentiment scale is the Jaguar XE. An official South African launch date is yet to be confirmed but you can expect the XE in South Africa soon. The Jaguar XE sedan made its first local appearance at the 2015 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb. Three engines will be on offer including a 132 kW 2.0-litre turbo diesel, a 177 kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol and a 250 kW supercharged 3.0-litre V6.

3. Audi A4 – 23% of total votes

Audi recently revealed details of the forthcoming A4 sedan and Avant which comes with fresh styling and a host of new technologies. The A4 is a popular model in South Africa can be expected in early 2016. Although local specification and pricing is yet to be confirmed, buyers may have the choice between seven petrol and diesel derivatives. You can read all about the forthcoming Audi A4 here!

4. Alfa Romeo Giulia – 17% of total votes

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia was recently unveiled in Italy and we attended the unveiling. The flagship Quadrifoglio Verde performance version uses a Maserati/Ferrari-sourced six-cylinder biturbo engine with an estimated output of 375 kW. The Alfa Romeo Giulia is claimed to hit 100kph in just 3.9 seconds. Although, the Giulia comes last on this list, its not to be under estimated and you can expect to see it in South Africa at the end of 2015 or early in 2016.

Mercedes-AMG Teases High Performance Model (Video)

The performance arm of Mercedes-Benz is Mercedes-AMG and the crazy men from Affalterbach are renowned for making the premium sedans go a lot faster. Mercedes-AMG has released a video which teases a forthcoming high-performance product and this video has the simple tagline of ‘Something Fast is Coming.’

There’s virtually no footage of the new car itself, but the video is accompanied with a distinct engine note. Rumours are rife it will be either a Mercedes-AMG C63 Black Series, or an even faster version of the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car. The GT goes on sale in South Africa in July 2015 and we’ll be in attendance.

Another strong possibility is that this vehicle will be a road version of the GT3 Mercedes-AMG race car. It should be more powerful and lighter than the standard model, and feature an extensive aerodynamic kit.

Mercedes-AMG Teaser Video

Kia Sorento (2015) First Drive

The Kia Sorento has always catered for the family buyer with loads of space and good value in an uncomplicated SUV. This new Sorento claims to be more refined in every department, bigger inside and more pleasing to drive. We attended the official South African launch of the Sorento to get a feel for it as it aims to garner some sales in the medium to large SUV segment.

Up Space

The new Sorento increases space for passengers inside by increasing the wheelbase by 80mm. Its certainly feels very spacious inside with more than enough room up front or in the rear for passengers. The boot is also large and can hold up to 660-Litres in the five seater or 605-Litres in the seven-seater version. No matter how many seats you opt for the second row of seats will slide forward or backwards to increase legroom or cargo room to suit. All seats can also be folded flat as youd expect in a practical SUV.

Petrol and Diesel

Two engines are available from launch in the Sorento, a 2.4-Litre naturally-aspirated petrol and a 2.2-Litre turbodiesel. The petrol unit claims 127 kW and 225 Nm of torque and feels like it could definitely do with more grunt. It struggles to accelerate up to freeway speeds and if an overtaking move is necessary, it requires a fair amount of gear-shifting and a large gap in front. At city speeds and general chugging around town the engine seems to cope better, but may have similar problems when loaded up.

The 2.2-Litre turbodiesel puts out 147 kW and a lofty 440 Nm of torque. It is certainly the engine of choice, and even when we drove it with the all-wheel drive system it felt strong enough. The diesel does sound a little rough from the outside, but on the inside the noise hardly penetrates into the cabin. If you spec the automatic or the manual six-speed gearbox the diesel pulls well up hills and in overtaking manoeuvres.

Improved Safety

Kia has implemented an impressive array of safety systems in the new Sorento range that thankfully includes stability control across the range. Entry level models start with just two airbags but a maximum of six airbags can be specced. The body structure is also stiffer in order to better deal with impacts.

Interior Trim and Spec

The new Sorento ups its game tremendously in terms of build quality. The panels fit flush and nothing moves or flexes badly when you push and prod around the cabin. The materials whilst claiming to be premium dont feel all that great to touch and seem to be made mostly from softish rubber. The infotainment screen will soon include a seven-inch touchscreen but the lower spec radio is small, lacks functionality and feels like a cost saving effort.

I was expecting Kia to have moved its game on with the new Sorentos interior, but the materials and design is much of what we have seen in past and current models. It is however comfortable to sit in with really supportive and adjustable seats.

Driving it

The new Sorento Drives well for an SUV, its characteristics can be changed on top spec models with a Drive Mode button that navigates through Normal, Eco and Sport modes. They alter the automatic gearboxs gearshift points to enhance the requested driving experience. On road the Sorento feels well-planted but also comfortable on the long journey, its definitely the core focus point of the vehicle.

On the short stint of gravel we experienced the Sorento seemed to shake and bump a little more than expected and might not be the most comfortable if you intend to put in long, hard miles on dirt roads.

The new Kia Sorento is in stiff competition with many competitors having just launched new vehicles as well. It will probably have to rely on a keen price to see buyers tempted to it. The entry-level model is just that and competes with the likes of the Nissan X-Trail and Chevrolet Captiva in the petrol engine department. The higher spec models seem a bit steeply priced and will have to deal with buyers being lured towards Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Kia Sorento Pricing

KIA Sorento 2.4 LS R 379 995

KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi LX R 499 995

KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi EX AWD R 599 995

KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX AWD R 634 995

All models are standard with a 5-year/150 000km warranty. The Sorento 2.4 LS comes as standard with a 4-year/90 000km service plan, while LX, EX and SX models include a 5-year/100 000km maintenance plan.

Jaguar F-PACE Prototype to Support Team Sky

The forthcoming Jaguar F-PACE performance crossover will make its first public appearance at the Tour de France this weekend where it will serve as a support vehicle for Team Sky rider, Chris Froome.

“We are delighted to be supporting Team Sky again at such a prestigious sporting event and are excited at the prospect of the F-PACE being seen in action in public for the first time”, said Kevin Stride, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar F-PACE.

Special Camouflage for F-PACE

The Jaguar F-PACE will only be fully revealed later this year, so some special camouflage will be used to hide the exact design details of the car. The F-PACE will be covered in a soft wrap with inspiration taken from the Tour de France and road racing bikes. The camouflage features carbon textures, rubber and chains interspersed with Team Sky design.

The F-PACE prototype’s appearance at the Tour de France forms part of its final testing, giving Jaguar a chance to test its performance, durability and packaging. The F-PACE prototype will carry up to four people as well as team equipment, tools, spare parts, drinks, clothing and other cycling necessities. The F-PACE also features a cutting-edge bike racking system designed by Jaguar Land Rover which will help carry bikes for the riders.

Watch the short film below featuring Chris Froom and the Jaguar F-PACE.

Ford Fiesta 1.0T Ambiente Automatic (2015) Review

Since its introduction in South Africa, the Ford Fiesta has remained a popular choice for compact hatchback buyers across the country. The success of the Fiesta lives on, with Ford selling Fiestas by the hundreds on a monthly basis. The Fiestas success hasnt come easy though and the compact hatchback segment is crowded with competitors like the Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio, Kia Rio, Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20 and so forth, all vying to dominate the segment. So why should you consider a Ford Fiesta then?

We spent a week with the Fiesta 1.0T Ambiente automatic to see what makes this offering so competitive.

Solid Interior

Step inside this Fiesta Ambiente model and you are met with a rather grey interior. The seats are grey too and are upholstered in cloth, but offer reasonable levels of comfort. Although hard plastics dominate the cabin, we were pleased to note that the interior is solid and well built. Its the type of interior that lends itself to durability, which is a good thing, but overall it lacks contrast and an element of excitement.

In Ambiente trim, interior features are rather basic, but sufficient. Features include a multifunction function steering wheel thats adjustable for rake and reach, SYNC Bluetooth connectivity, USB and Auxiliary inputs, Radio/CD player, electric front windows and air conditioning.

In terms of space, the Fiesta offers 276-litres of boot space, which is less than its main rivals, but space can be increased by folding the split rear bench down to load larger items. Space for rear seat passengers is on the tight side and larger individuals may have a problem in terms of leg and headroom. Family-orientated buyers will be happy to find ISOFIX child seat mounts fitted as standard.

Excellent Performance

The Ford Fiestas core strength lies in its performance. This particular Fiesta model comes fitted with Fords 3-cylinder 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine which offers 74 kW of power and a healthy 170 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. It must be said that the combination is excellent. The transmission never really labours to find the right gear and transitions are generally smooth and responsive.

This Fiesta has a claimed 0-100kph time of 10.8 seconds, but in reality it feels a whole lot quicker. Performance is brisk and the Fiesta responds well to throttle inputs making it very nippy in traffic and quite fun to drive. Out on the highway, the Fiesta copes well at highway speed and it always has a bit of punch when you need to overtake. The Fiesta is a pleasure to drive.

In terms of fuel consumption, Ford claims 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle, but you can expect about 6.5L/100km, depending on your driving style.

Good Ride & Handling

Ride and handling in this Ford Fiesta is good. Not only is the Fiesta comfortable to drive, it handles really well too. It keeps its composure in a bend with minimal body-roll being evident and it feels solid and confident when you decide to push on. The Fiesta soaks up bumps nicely and the ride is smooth with good feedback from the steering wheel. In terms of performance and handling, you cant really go wrong with the Fiesta. This derivative rides on 15-inch steel wheels fitted with wheel covers.

On the safety front, this Fiesta in Ambiente trim comes with two airbags for the driver and passenger and ABS with EBD is fitted as standard.

Ford Fiesta Price in South Africa

This Ford Fiesta 1.0T Ambiente Automatic is priced at R199 900 and comes with a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km service plan. Buyers also receive 3-year roadside assistance and a 5-year corrosion warranty.

Click here to see pricing for the Ford Fiesta range.

Verdict

Overall, the Ford Fiesta is an excellent car, offering commendable performance from its 1.0 Ecoboost engine. Its an easy, fun car to drive and is even easier to live with on a daily basis. However, the Fiesta offers less space than its main competitors and in Ambiente trim, its features list is a bit shy. Even so, the Fiesta wont let you down and its well worth consideration in this segment.

You can compare the Ford Fiesta against its main rivals here!

Want to buy a new Ford Fiesta? Click here for more information.

Team Opinion

You won’t get a better small automatic than this Fiesta. It’s good to drive and comes with the basics. – Hannes Oosthuizen

The Ford Fiesta is a good-looking small hatch and the EcoBoost powerplant and automatic gearbox make for a good combination. –David Taylor

We Like: Engine performance, good ride and handling, solid interior

We Dont Like: Lack of features, dull interior, could do with more space

Also Consider: Volkswagen Polo, Renault Clio, Hyundai i20

Ford Fiesta 1.0T Ambiente Automatic Quick Specs

Behind The Scenes: How We Make Our Drag Races Happen

Every now and then when it stops raining in Cape Town, the Cars.co.za team takes over the Killarney Race Track and well, its a lot of fun.

The circuit has a drag strip and as you may have seen, we have staged some rather epic races which have been a hit with our Youtube audience.

Weve also started making use of the full circuit for races, now that we have our very own actual racing driver, Ashley Oldfield. Hes really ridiculously good at going fast, hes won the Knysna Hill Climb twice and also won the 1000 km of Silverstone, as well as a podium finish at the Dubai 24 Hour. There cant be many South Africans who have been sprayed with champagne on the top podium at Silverstone.

And so we thought wed give you an idea of what it takes to capture these races, in a behind the scenes video from our last drag day. As youll see, coffee and doughnuts are as essential as petrol.

Filmed and offline edited by Mike Salzwedel. Say hello him here: www.twitter.com/saltwag *We dont understand his handle either.

Behind The Scenes Video:

For all of our drag races, watch our Drag Race Youtube playlist Here:

Audi A1 1.8T FSI (2015) Review

The Audi A1 received a mild facelift not so long ago and first impressions were generally good. The new Audi A1 arrived at our offices and while we were hoping to sample the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder motor, quietly we were smiling when the performance-biased 1.8T FSI arrived. How did it do?

Premium Offering

The A1 is Audi’s entry-level product and on paper at least, promises premium and luxury bundled into a compact product. Based on the Volkswagen Polo and sharing some of its underpinnings, comparisons are inevitable, but we can tell you straight away that the premium you pay over an A1 is justifiable when you look at the build quality and premium touches. That’s not to say the Polo is poorly built, when it’s actually a quality offering, but the Audi is just that little bit more premium.

Our Audi A1 1.8T came in Mythos Black and had some subtle matte black decals on the A-, B- and C-pillars, as well as on the rear bumper. This model is distinguished by the prominent red splitter at the front, which gives it a bit of a boy racer edge.

Powering this Audi A1 1.8T FSI is a tried-and-tested 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor pushing out 141kW and 250Nm. Performance fans will notice the similarities between this and the Volkswagen Polo GTI in terms of outputs and essentially it’s the same engine. Power reaches the front wheels through a 7-speed twin-clutch S Tronic transmission.

Strangely there’s a lack of shift paddles located behind the steering wheel, which would contribute greatly to the sporty nature of this vehicle. It’s claimed to be an economical engine, with Audi reporting figures of 5.6L/100km. During its week-long tenure, we saw figures of around 8L/100km and the tank capacity is rated at 45L.

On The Road

On the road, the Audi A1 1.8T has generally good manners although testers noted the ride was firm and jarring on certain sections of tarmac. Granted, tarmac in the vicinity of the office is being resurfaced and parts of it are in poor condition. We suspect the smart-looking 17-inch alloys are also not helping its case. On smooth roads at the urban speed limit, the Audi A1 1.8T is sporty and firm, which is appropriate for a car of this nature. Throw some corners into the mix and the fun side of the Audi A1 1.8T comes out, and it offers a spirited driving experience. Audi claims this enjoyment comes from the new electro mechanical steering system.

The car is lacking launch control which means getting it off the line is a little tricky, but its the in-gear acceleration which is the real strength of the S Tronic transmission. Gearshifts are effortlessly quick and without hesitation. Kickdowns are quick too, with the car being able to get to 3rd gear from 6th without any obvious momentum changes. If only all twin-clutch gearboxes were this good.

Mash the accelerator to the floor and Audi says you’ll reach 100kph in 6.8 seconds. Our testing revealed this figure was about right, with the timing equipment proudly displaying a 7.1. If the car had launch control, we’re confident of getting about mid-6s, but that would be a little too close to the flagship Audi S1, wouldn’t it? Top speed is rated at an optimistic 250kph…

Specification and Optional Extras

In true Audi fashion our test unit was generously fitted with optional extras and these included MMI navigation (R24 700), panoramic glass roof (R11 220), roofline decals (R4 470), cruise control (R3 250), black styling package (R2 040) and a decal set for the rear (R1 800). Strangely leather seats are an option and we’re disappointed that a vehicle with this price tag lacks quality seats. This brings the optional extras total to R47 750 and you can make your own mind up on whether its absolutely necessary to fork out for these things. Audi is going down the MINI/Fiat 500 route and making a number of personalisation options available, so you can go wild with your choices.

Verdict

The Audi A1 1.8T Sportback is a good car, there’s no doubting that. However questions about value for money will be asked when you’re paying almost R400 000 for a small city car, regardless of how premium and luxurious it feels. That said, it’s remarkably premium and the build quality is exceptional and if you’re wanting something a bit more mature than a Volkswagen Polo GTI, but can’t quite stretch to one of the bonkers Audi S1 flagship models, then this will do nicely. Or, be sensible and buy an Audi A3 which is bigger and more practical, and about the same price too.

Audi A1 1.8T FSI Price in South Africa

The Audi A1 range starts from R265 000 for the base-spec three-door 1.0T S, while the 1.8T Sportback goes for R390 000. This exact vehicle with its extras came to R437 750. Included in the price is a 1-year unlimited warranty and a 5 year/100 000km Freeway plan.

Test Team’s Comments

“Luxury comes at a price but you can be assured that the Audi A1 1.8T FSI is a hoot to drive and the interior is superbly built with class.” – Gero Lilleike

We Like: Refinement, Engine, Build quality

We dont Like: Price, Interior is small, No S Tronic paddles

Also consider: Volkswagen Polo GTI, MINI Cooper S

Compare the Audi A1 to its rivals here.

Want to buy an Audi A1? Click here.

Audi A1 1.8T TFSI – Quick Specs

Renault Captur or Ford EcoSport?

The Ford EcoSport has been a serious hit in South Africa since its launch way back in 2013. Ford has racked up more than 15 500 EcoSport sales locally with average monthly sales exceeding 1 000 units in 2015. Much of the EcoSport’s success can be attributed to its attractive styling and keen pricing which has put it on top of the sub-compact crossover pile. Not even the once-popular Nissan Juke or Peugeot 2008 come close to selling those numbers. There is a newcomer, however, that poses a threat to the EcoSport, and it’s called the Renault Captur.

The Renault Captur was introduced to market in May 2015 and interest in this vehicle has been huge. In it’s first partial month of sales, just under 500 units were sold, hinting that the Captur is a serious and worthy competitor to the EcoSport. Like the EcoSport, the Captur has much to like in the looks department and it too is keenly priced. But what car is the better buy? Let’s take a closer look to see how the new Renault Captur stacks up against the dominant Ford EcoSport.

Engine Comparison

The Renault Captur currently has three derivatives on offer powered by a three-cylinder, 0.9-litre turbo engine and a four cylinder 1.2-litre turbo engine. The Ford EcoSport on the other hand is by powered by a three cylinder 1.0-litre Ford Ecoboost engine as well as a 1.5-litre engine. There’s also a 1.5-litre TDCi derivative but for the purpose of this comparison we will only focus on the petrol derivatives.

	Renault Captur 0.9-litre Turbo	Ford EcoSport 1.0-litre Ecoboost	Renault Captur 1.2-litre	Ford EcoSport 1.5-litre
Cylinders	3	3	4	4
Power	66 kW	92 kW	88 kW	82 kW
Torque	135 Nm	170 Nm	190 Nm	138 Nm
Transmission	5-speed manual	5-speed manual	6-speed auto dual-clutch	5-speed manual or 6-speed auto dual-clutch
Fuel Consumption	4.9L/100km	5.7L /100km	5.4L/100km	6.5L/100km

Engine Verdict

Although we haven’t tested the Renault Captur 66kW Turbo, we have our reservations about it. On paper, it seems that the Captur is under gunned in the face of Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine, which is a remarkably good engine offering excellent performance. For the larger capacity engine offerings, we feel the Renault Captur 88kW Turbo automatic is the better offering as it offers more power and torque over Ford’s 1.5-litre engine. If fuel efficiency is important to you, then the Renault Captur is the car to go for.

Read our review of the Renault Captur 88kW Turbo Dynamique here!

Read our review of the Ford EcoSport 1.0T Titanium here!

Features Comparison

With engines out of the way, let’s see how these two competitors stack up in terms of spec. For this comparison we will examine both the entry-level model and the top-spec model.

Entry Level

Features	Renault Captur 66kW Turbo Expression	Ford EcoSport 1.5 Ambiente
Auto Stop/Start	Yes	No
ABS	Yes	Yes
EBD	Yes	No
Brake Assist	Yes	No
Stability Control	Yes	No
Alloy wheels	Yes	No
Climate Control	Yes	No
Multifunction steering wheel	Yes	No
Navigation	Yes	No
Cruise Control	Yes	No
Bluetooth	Yes	No
CD Player	No	Yes
USB Port	Yes	No
Auxiliary Port	Yes	Yes
Park Distance Control	Yes	Yes
Airbag Quantity	4	6
Interior Space	377 – 1 235L	362 – 705L

Top Spec

Features	Renault Captur 88kW Turbo Dynamique Auto	Ford EcoSport 1.5 Titanium Auto
Upholstery	Cloth (Opt Leather)	Leather
ABS	Yes	Yes
EBD	Yes	No
Brake Assist	Yes	Yes
Traction Control	No	Yes
Stability Control	Yes	Yes
Alloy wheels	Yes	Yes
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Yes	Yes
Multi Information display	No	Yes
Navigation	Yes	No
Cruise Control	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
CD Player	No	Yes
USB Port	Yes	Yes
Auxiliary Port	Yes	Yes
Park Distance Control	Yes	Yes

Spec Verdict

The Renault Captur is difficult to trump in terms of specification. The entry-level offering is packed with features when compared to the Ford Ecosport 1.5 Ambiente, which looks rather sparsely specced. The spec sheet for the EcoSport however improves somewhat as the trim level improves. A major draw card for the Renault Captur is its space offering. The Captur has the bigger boot with 377L which can be adjusted to 455L which is in contrast to the EcoSports 362L boot. The Captur however takes the cake when the rear seats are folded flat, offering up to 1 235L compared to the EcoSport’s 705L.

Price Comparison

	Renault Captur 66kW Turbo Expression	Ford EcoSport 1.5 Ambiente	Renault Captur 66kW Turbo Dynamique	Ford EcoSport 1.0T Trend	Ford EcoSport 1.0T Titanium	Renault Captur 88kW Turbo Dynamique Auto	Ford EcoSport Titanium Auto
Price	R219 900	R210 900	R239 900	R246 900	R266 900	R279 900	R270 90

Renault Captur pricing includes a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan.

Ford EcoSport pricing includes a 4-year/120 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

Overall Verdict

Despite being slightly under powered at the entry-level price point, the Renault Captur still offers excellent value when considering the sheer amount of standard specification on offer compared to the Ford EcoSport. At mid-level specification, Ford’s 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine is well worth consideration but buyers will have to opt for the pricey EcoSport 1.0T Titanium to match the specification of the Captur. At the top-end of the range, the Captur pips the EcoSport in the performance department and the Captur offers more space and is more fuel efficient overall when compared to the Ford EcoSport.

Still not sure? Watch this Buying Advice video to get some more information and don’t forget that you can use our Cars Compare tool to see how these vehicles stack up against each other.

Buying Advice: Renault Captur Pricing & Rivals (Video)

Kia Sorento (2015) Specs & Pricing Announced

The all-new Kia Sorento launches this week and officially goes on sale in South Africa on the 1st of July 2015. The Sorento is a large SUV which offers up to seven seats, generous specification and the choice of either petrol or diesel engines. The all-new KIA Sorento had its global debut 2014 Paris Motor Show and is now in its third generation.

The all-new Sorento is a key model for KIA due to our affinity for the SUV class of vehicles, says David Sieff, Marketing Director, KIA Motors South Africa. The third generation Sorento is especially exciting to bring to market as we make the next step up the quality and refinement ladder. We realise innovation and technology is expected from KIA but we have again brought key conveniences that make owing the new Sorento a driving pleasure, he added.

2015 Kia Sorento Details

In terms of size, the new Kia Sorento is longer, lower and wider. The length has been extended by 95mm to 4 780mm, making the new Kia Sorento a rather large vehicle. While its large exterior makes its quite eye catching on the road, its the interior where the majority of improvements can be found. The interior is now more sophisticated and more luxurious, featuring significantly higher quality materials and there’s confidence that the brand is able to match its European counterparts.

There’s extensive use of soft-touch materials and leather which combine to create a modern and luxury feel to the cabin of the Kia Sorento. All Sorento models come with a Saturn Black interior as standard with cloth or leather trim depending on the model. There has been substantial improvements to the new Kia Sorento’s quality and this includes strengthened body, improved NVH, increased torsional rigidity which all add up to improved refinement.

Depending on the model, the all-new KIA Sorento is equipped with one of two instrument binnacles. In entry-level guise, the new Sorento comes as standard with a 3,5-inch mono LCD screen while higher spec models feature a 7-inch colour TFT LCD screen. All models come as standard with a Radio/CD/MP3 player, as well as multimedia ports for USB and AUX-in connections, and six speakers around the cabin. In entry-level models, information is displayed on a 3,8-inch display, while higher specification grades feature a 4,3-inch colour touch screen that incorporates the rear-parking camera.

Technology in the new Kia Sorento

The new Sorento has a number of new, advanced on-board technologies to improve convenience and further enhance the ownership experience. These include a Blind Spot Detection system, which uses radar sensors to monitor approaching vehicles from the rear in the lanes flanking the driver. If a vehicle is detected, a visual alert appears on the side view mirrors. Linked to the system is a Lane Change Assist function: if the Blind Spot Detection system detects an approaching vehicle in the blind spot, and the turn signal is activated in an attempt to change lanes, the Lane Change Assist emits an audible warning.

Also new is a Smart Power Tailgate, which automatically opens when the key is sensed in close proximity to the trunk. When owners approach the rear of the vehicle and the key is within the correct range of proximity, the trunk opens automatically after three beeps, allowing you to load shopping bags or heavy objects straight into the vehicle without first having to shake a foot underneath the bumper.

In terms of engines, you can pick either a 2.4-litre multi-point injection petrol engine or a 2.2-litre R turbodiesel engine. The diesel engine has been revised to offer improved smoothness and efficiency, while increasing torque. Kia offers the all-new Sorento in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configuration with a choice between six-speed manual and automatic transmissions the combination dependent on the specification grade.

High-specification versions are equipped with Kia’s DYNAMAX all-wheel drive system, which balances torque distribution to the front and rear wheels depending on the specific requirement. The system is further enhanced with a 4WD Lock mode, which splits torque distribution evenly between front and rear wheels and gives greater traction in snow, on sand, on other low-traction surfaces, and around bends.

Kia South Africa will offer the all-new Sorento in four derivatives, ranging from LS and LX at the entry level to the mid-spec EX and top-spec SX.

Starting off is the front-wheel drive KIA Sorento 2.4 LS, which is the only model powered by the 2.4-litre MPI engine, and the only model equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as well as five seats. The next model is the front-wheel drive Sorento 2.2 CRDi LX which has a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. It too is a five seater. Next up is the Sorento 2.2 CRDi EX which has the AWD system, as well as two additional seats. Finally, there’s the range-topping Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX AWD, which gains Blind Spot Detection, the smart power tailgate and a full glass panoramic sunroof.

Kia Sorento Price in South Africa

KIA Sorento 2.4 LS R 379 995
KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi LX R 499 995
KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi EX AWD R 599 995
KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX AWD R 634 995

All new Kia Sorentos come with KIAs industry-leading 5-year / 150 000 km warranty, as well three years of unlimited roadside assistance. The Sorento 2.4 LS comes as standard with a 4-year / 90 000 km service plan, while LX, EX and SX models include a 5-year / 100 000 km maintenance plan.

Ashley Oldfield is currently at the launch of this vehicle. Look out for his driving impression in the next few days.

Ford Tourneo Connect 1.0T Trend (2015) Review

The Ford Tourneo Connect is the brand’s attempt to move into the people-carrier segment and on paper it looks promising. Despite its very apparent van-like design, the Ford Tourneo Connect offers some great family practicality and thanks to a decent price, makes a strong case for itself as an affordable people carrier. We spent a week with the 1.0-litre Tourneo Connect in Trend spec, but is a 1.0-litre engine powerful enough for a people carrier?

Engine and Performance

The star of the show has to be the engine. While were well aware of the punch offered from Fords 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, we thought a people carrier application would be a bit of a stretch. It doesn’t have the same outputs as the Fiesta 1.0 and Focus 1.0 as its detuned from 90kW to 74kW. Torque however sits happily at the 170Nm.

Questions were asked of the Ford Tourneos performance while loaded. Without any cargo and just a driver, were satisfied with how the Tourneo drove. A perfect opportunity arose when some of the Johannesburg office staff requested transportation and this included their luggage which consisted of surfboards and suitcases. With four adult males in the car as well as gear, performance remained credible and the six-speed gearbox made light work of a busy commute.

Practicality and Boot Space

Practicality is another area where the Ford Tourneo Connect shines. There are storage compartments aplenty all around the cabin. For the driver and passenger, there are some overhead lockers which are perfect for loose jerseys and laptop bags. The second row of passengers gets similarly-sized compartments, however these have access doors.

The boot space is commendable and with the ability to fold down the rear bench, the potential to carry items such as bookcases or washing machines becomes very real. The headroom in the Ford Tourneo Connect was particularly impressive and the entire cabin felt very spacious.

The rear bench is accessed by two sliding doors, which make entry/exit easy. The seats in the rear are spacious and adults will be comfortable.

The Drive

Thanks to a relatively decent six-speed manual gearbox and reasonable ride quality, the Ford Tourneo Connect offers a generally positive drive. It’s super comfortable and offers a car-like driving experience. Once you’re up to cruising speed, the Ford Tourneo Connect starts returning impressive fuel consumption figures and at one stage we saw 3.5L/100km on the instant fuel readout. Overall you’re looking at around 8L/100km when driving the Tourneo Connect around town.

The materials inside the cabin feel very durable, but cheap. It’s not a crisis as materials like this are designed to last and are easily wiped clean. Trend specification gets you a lot of features such as steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, speed limiter as well as the rather good Ford Sync infotainment system which plays through a small screen in the middle of the dashboard. Parking sensors and alloy wheels are strangely optional…

An excellent feature is the tiered wing mirrors which offer two sets of glass. The one mirror is your usual rear view setup, while the other makes parallel parking super easy and you’re able to accurately see how far the vehicle is from the kerb.

Summary and Conclusion

The Ford Tourneo is a simple and sensible multi-purpose vehicle that offers tons of practicality and interior space. While it may lack some premium touches, the market prefers simple yet durable materials anyway. The engine is more than up to the task of lugging people and cargo about, and offers reasonable fuel consumption returns. If you’re in the market for an affordable people carrier, this may be the answer to your needs.

Ford Tourneo Connect Price in South Africa

The Ford Tourneo Connect 1.0 EcoBoost starts at R269 900 for the Ambiente model, while the model tested here is the Trend at R279 900. The vehicle comes with a 3 year/60 000km service plan, 3 year’s worth of roadside assistance and the warranty is a 4 year/120 000km plan.

Test Team’s Comments

“The Tourneo Connect has a smaller engine than you’d ever imagine. What a great car for surfers!” – Ciro De Siena

“The Tourneo Connect is a super practical vehicle perfectly suited for family use. The 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine offers good performance and the Tourneo Connect should be fairly easy to live with on a daily basis.” – Gero Lilleike

We Like: Practicality, engine, drives well, features galore, value for money offering

We dont Like: Commercial looks, rear tailgate only accessible for tall people and it’s impractical for confined garages,

Also consider: Volkswagen Golf SV, Citroen C4 Picasso, Opel Meriva

Compare the Ford Tourneo Connect to its rivals here.

Ford Tourneo Connect 1.0 EcoBoost Trend Specs