Mercedes-Benz is set to introduce a whole new range of cars to its lineup. The new model range will be dubbed AMG Sport and will fill the gap between the standard AMG sports pack and the full-blown AMG cars.
Is AMG Sport a more affordable AMG?
“The new Sport models represent a convincing proposition for our customers: genuine sports car technology becomes accessible, appealing to an even broader-ranging clientele worldwide,” observes Tobias Moers, Chairman of AMG.
According to AMG, the AMG Sport models will include uprated engine output, all-wheel drive as standard in selected markets and special chassis components and brake systems from the classic AMG models. The first two AMG Sport models are set to be unveiled at the International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2015. It is planned to add further models to this new product line in due course.
From the teaser picture accompanying the release, the first two models in the range could be the GLE Coupe (old M-Class) and the Merc C-Class Coupe although its hard to tell from the image.
New Toyota Safety Technology Systems Revealed (Video)
New and smart Toyota Integrated Safety Technology Systems have been revealed, which the company says will begin to roll out from 2015, together with advanced active safety packages for new models.
The new features, announced at a safety seminar in Toyota City, Japan, include Safety Sense active safety packages, tailored to suit different size vehicles that will be made available worldwide by the end of 2017, with the aim of preventing or mitigating collisions.
Vehicle-infrastructure and vehicle-vehicle communications
The company says it has developed a system to help eliminate the risk with new vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communications, using a wireless frequency reserved for Integrated Traffic System (ITS) services.
For example, when you arrive at junction with no clear view, sensors above the road will detect oncoming traffic or pedestrians crossing the road and send the information to your car, which is what Toyota calls the vehicle-to-infrastructure system.
According to Toyota: Vehicles approaching the intersection will signal their presence using the vehicle-to-vehicle link, activating visual and audio warnings when necessary to help prevent an accident.
Toyota has also developed a new Communicating Radar Cruise Control that uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication to make it easier for preceding and following vehicles to keep a safe distance apart. It works with a forward-facing millimetre-wave radar which monitors the distance between the vehicles ahead and behind, their approximate speed and the acceleration/deceleration of the car in front.
LED Array Adaptive High Beam
Besides these safety systems, Toyota also confirmed they are developing LED Array Adaptive High Beam headlights. This system uses multiple independently controlled LEDs arranged in a single row to create “wider illumination without dazzling drivers of oncoming or preceding vehicles.” In addition, it can light up the gaps between cars ahead and those approaching.
Toyota active safety technology systems packages
Furthermore, in 2015, Toyota is set to launch a range of new active safety technology systems designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions. There will be two Safety Sense packages that will be launched, firstly in Japan and subsequently in the USA and Europe by the end of 2017.
The two packages will comprise of C and P for mid-size and larger vehicles respectively, and will use a number of Toyotas existing active safety technologies, including its pre-crash safety system, lane keep assist and auto high beam. The C package uses a laser radar and the P package a millimetre-wave radar, each combined with a camera to secure high performance and reliability.
Lastly there will be a separate active safety package called Lexus Safety System+, which will include the new Road Sign Assist function, which recognises speed limits and road signs when traveling overseas, presenting the information on the drivers instrument display.
Toyota safety technology systems overview video
Suzuki Splash 1.2 GL (2014) Review
Suzuki recently expanded its model offering in South Africa with the launch of the Suzuki Splash hatchback, bringing its local model count up to eight, including hatchbacks, sedans, MPVs and SUVs. Of all of them, the Suzuki Swift hatchback has proven to be a major success for the brand and Suzuki engineers have reworked a good formula and created yet another small city car, the Splash. The new Suzuki Splash shares the same underpinnings as the Swift and squeezes in rather tightly between the Alto and the entry-level Swift. Is this a wise move? Time and sales will determine this, but is the Splash good enough to take the fight to its competitors?
I spent some time with the Suzuki Splash 1.2 GL to see if it will be able to tread water in this competitive segment.
Cute Styling
The styling of the Suzuki Splash brings a degree of pleasing features to the table. The front-end is dominated by a large two-tier grille, which is flanked by oversize headlight clusters and fog lights are fitted as standard on this GL model. The rear-end features a roof spoiler for extra flair and the short overhangs with a near-vertical tailgate give the Splash a flat-back look. All Suzuki Splash models are fitted with 14-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.
With a height of 1.62m, the Suzuki Splash is no shorty, and in combination with a generous wheelbase of 2.36m, interior space has been maximised. I quite like the large windows, which increases visibility and the sense of space in the cabin. Stylistically speaking, the Splash is a cute looking city car, but may not appeal to everyone.
Back to Basics Interior
Step inside the Suzuki Splash and you are welcomed by a two-tone grey, plastic interior. Comfortable cloth seats offer sufficient support and bolstering, and the tilt-adjustable steering wheel features mounted audio controls for the entertainment system. The driver is faced with a large speedometer which incorporates a digital trip computer display. In the GL model, a periscope-style rev-counter is mounted separately on the dashboard which, is meant to look sporty but just looks odd instead.
The buttons and switchgear found on the centre console are reminiscent of a kiddies toy and I feel Suzuki could have done better here, especially when comparing this to the switchgear found on the entry-level Swift.
Thanks to the Splashs dimensions, rear space is ample with sufficient leg and head room. Boot space is reasonable for this segment at 236 litres and with the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, storage volume increases to 1 050 litres to the ceiling which could come in handy when loading larger items. In-car storage includes a lidded compartment on the top of the dash, door binnacles with bottle holders, a glove compartment, exposed storage trays and seatback pockets.
Other standard features for the Suzuki Splash include dual front airbags, ABS, electric side mirrors, electric windows, manual air conditioning, USB/auxiliary port and an under passenger seat stowage tray only fitted to the GL model. Overall, the interior is neat and functional, but lacks excitement.
Well-Mannered Drive
The Suzuki Splash is powered by the proven four-cylinder 1.2-litre engine found in the entry-level Swift which offers 63 kW of power and 113 Nm of torque. A five speed transmission is standard across the Splash range but a 4-speed automatic is also available for the GL model.
Acceleration is far from blistering, but for a car this size, weighing 1090 kg, those power figures are more than enough to go about your daily commute with ease. Better still, the ride is smooth and the handling is nimble around the bends. Highway driving is a breeze in the Suzuki Splash and it feels particularly responsive when you need to push on or overtake. The Suzuki Splash is therefore an excellent urban runabout thats up to the task of niftily navigating busy city roads and highways.
The only gripe I have in terms of driving the Suzuki Splash, is the transmission. The dash-mounted gear lever is stubborn through the gear changes and requires some grappling to select the preferred gear. Other than that, the Splash was a pleasure to drive.
Fuel consumption for the Suzuki Splash manual is claimed to be 5.6L/100km on the combined cycle. In our time with the Splash, 6L/100km was easily achieved making it a relatively economical vehicle to own.
Suzuki Splash – Verdict
Overall, the Suzuki Splash is a good choice to consider in this segment. The engine performs well and returns decent fuel economy and the good ride and handling makes the Splash easy and enjoyable to drive on a daily basis. The Splash comes well specced, particularly in GL trim, and for the money, you’re getting a decent product. If you can look past the cheap switchgear and stubborn transmission, then the Splash is a winner.
If you don’t fancy the Splash, then theSwift 1.2 GL offers excellent value with a more attractive interior and smoother transmission, all for a few extra pennies.
Suzuki has a raft of small car offerings within about R30k of each other, the best of which by far is the Swift. The Splash though is a solid little runabout and if your budget won’t quite reach to the Swift then it’s a viable option. The engine is bulletproof and its quite spacious inside in a mini MPV kind of way. -Ashley Oldfield
Suzuki Splash Price in South Africa
This Suzuki Splash 1.2 GL manual is priced at R134 900. The automatic version will set you back R149 900 and the base model Splash manual is priced at R124 900. A 2-year / 30 000 km service is plan is standard along with a 3-year / 100 000 km warranty.
We Like:
. Cute styling
. Good engine
. Low fuel consumption
. Good ride and handling
Its that time of the year again where we start to look ahead to what we can look forward to in the motoring world next year. Weve focussed specifically on whats coming to South Africa and covered most bases from SUV to Sportscar.
2015 promises to be a big year for some manufacturers as they release multiple models throughout the year. Mazda for example will launch the new CX-3, MX-5 and the Mazda2 next year. There will be some all-new machines taking to our streets as we see the first appearance of the Jaguar XE, Lexus RC and BMWs electric i3.
After a quick run through of our list of 2015 models, these are the top five most anticipated cars of 2015. Click the headlines for more information about the product.
The veil has been lifted off the BMW 3-Series plug-in hybrid prototype which is said to provide a first taste of the extra-efficient driving pleasure which the worlds most successful premium sedan will offer.
Award winning TwinPower Turbo technology in the BMW 3-Series Plug-In Hybrid Prototype
The model still wears some form of camouflage on the front and rear fascia, however, BMW has revealed that significant improvements come from under the hood. Underneath the semi disguised prototype is a four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine working together with an electric motor which according to BMW offer the prototype the same level of performances as a six-cylinder 3-Series.
Its plug-in hybrid drive system has a combined output of approximately 180 kW and maximum combined torque of approximately 400 Nm which is sent to the wheels through an updated eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
Average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are rated to be approximately two-litres/100 km and 50 g/km respectively. The model can be driven in electric mode for up to 35 km during which it can reach a top speed of 120 km/h.
In addition, the 3-Series plug-in hybrid prototype features a lithium-ion battery pack installed underneath the load compartment which can be re-charged (through a plug on the front left fender) at any household power socket, and is mounted in a particularly crash-safe position underneath the load compartment.
Furthermore, like all current BMW models, the prototype has a Driving Experience Control switch with three modes: Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro. Each of these modes feature different suspension settings, different shift characteristics for the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, and a different hybrid operating strategy. There are also two new plug-in hybrid modes: Max eDrive, which provides all-electric, zero-local-emission propulsion, while Save Battery mode keeps the battery at a constant state of charge.
Production of the BMW 3-Series Plug-In Hybrid Prototype is said to begin in early 2016.
Toyota Yaris (2014) Review
The Toyota Yaris was a big seller back in the early 2000s when it was a brilliant little budget car. Through the years though the Yaris seems to have climbed the corporate ladder and now sells itself as a more premium B-segment hatch. Filling the space at the entry level market is the Etios and Etios Cross we drove a few months ago. This facelifted Yaris has had 1 000 new parts engineered for it that covers a vast amount of the car, it feels more than just a mid-life facelift as we spent a week with the Yaris Hybrid and the 1.3-litre manual.
1000 New Parts
The facelift pertains to more than just the usual headlamp restructuring and interior modifications. The face of the Yaris gets the full redesign and the X marks the spot front end is a trait embedded in all new Toyotas. There are new daytime running lights for the range with the Hybrid getting special LED daytime running lights. The rear bumper has been modified to make the Yaris appear lower and theres an aesthetically placed diffuser. The changes go on and on as Toyota aims to make the Yaris look cooler, younger and edgier.
Interior
The highlight of the new interior is the updated touchscreen that looks much better than the previous, blotchy Nintendo graphics one. The touchscreen measures 7-inches and covers all the features and media needs from USB, Bluetooth, text message receiving and iPod connection. The Hybrid has a cool fuel economy readout that shows when electric mode was used during your journey and the resulting fuel gains from it. Noise reduction has been improved and the car is notably quieter at freeway speeds.
The top spec Hybrid has some pretty cool sausage style seats that combines cloth and leather to make a sporty feeling seat. Overall the interior is smarter and a more well thought out place. The boot has a cool false floor section which, you can lift up to make the most of the 286 litres of boot space thats good enough to fit two large suitcases.
Performance
We had a chance to drive the 1.3-Litre, four-cylinder petrol with 75 kW and 125 Nm of torque and the Hybrid 1.5-Litre, which has 74 kW and 111 Nm. Most of the Yaris competitors have gone the small turbocharger route, Toyota however, has stuck with natural aspiration. The lack of torque is noticeable compared to its competitors and the Yaris has to be revved a little higher to keep it on the boil. The good news is that due to the lightweight nature of the Yaris (it weighs 1 040kg) fuel consumption isnt affected too much.
The 1.3 claims 5.6L/100km and we got pretty close to that figure during our week long test. The Hybrid is particularly impressive when it comes to fuel usage, especially when in town. The electric motor takes over for the periods when the petrol motor would generally use the most fuel, like pulling off. This cuts fuel consumption drastically and we easily achieved under 5L/100km. The CVT gearbox is a bit whiney and doesnt like to be raced. The six-speed manual on the other hand likes a good thrashing and feels typically Toyota in that it will last forever.
Ride and Handling
The Yaris is a fun car to drive around at pace, the strengthened chassis in this facelifted version has led to the Yaris leaning less in the bends and feeling more solid over bumps and ripples in the road. The steering could provide more feedback but the feel is acceptable and it helps the Yaris feel nimble and agile around town. In the manual model I struggled to find a nice smooth balance between clutch and accelerator. Over time it will likely get easier and smoother, but normally Toyotas are particularly easy to get into and go.
Toyota Yaris – Verdict
This facelifted Yaris is a marked improvement over the previous offering and its easy to spot that Toyota have improved the value for money offering. Theres loads more standard equipment and the interior has caught up technically with its competitors. Toyota could still do with adding standard safety essentials such as stability control and traction control that are only available on the Hybrid.
The new changes to the exterior have made it more noticeable especially with the chrome accents on the front and rear. 15-inch wheels are also standard across the range. Even so, the Yaris is still a bit pricey with the range starting at R167 900 for the 1-Litre three cylinder. The Hybrid tops off the range at R276 300 and is too expensive to ever offset the gains made in fuel consumption. Toyota though, should be commended for offering a hybrid in such a small package. Right now though the Yaris sits in a battle with the VW Polo, Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and the Suzuki Swift. Its a tough group to choose from so make sure you do your homework before throwing your cash at it.
Second Opinion
I really enjoyed driving both the Yaris Hybrid and the Yaris 1.3. The Hybrid was a comfortable cruiser and returned excellent fuel economy, and the car felt solid and composed on the road. The hybrid however needs to be driven with a gentle foot to get the best out of it, so don’t expect too much in terms of performance.
The Yaris 1.3 on the other hand, was more willing to push on and the smooth ride and nippy handling made the drive enjoyable. Both cars feature comfortable, well kitted interiors and the bold, aggressive styling has gone a long way to improving the Yaris’ appeal. The Yaris is a good product and is well worth consideration if you have slightly deeper pockets. – Gero Lilleike
We like:
. Big upgrades for a facelift
. Interior has improved standard spec
. Improved handling and ride
We Don’t Like:
. Hybrid is the only model with traction control and stability control
. Range gets quite pricey
. Engines don’t compete at altitude
Ford has published a little teaser video of its next-generation Ranger bakkie.
With a completely revised front end, this new Ford Ranger is visually identical to its Everest SUV, a vehicle which has fans of the blue oval excited. The Ford Ranger is made in South Africa at the plant in Silverton, Pretoria and the vehicle has proven popular among the bakkie fans. You can expect this new Ford Ranger to make its South African debut in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Ford Ranger 2015 Teaser
2015 Porsche 911 Turbo Facelift Leaked
Images of the updated 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo have already surfaced on the web ahead its public debut expected to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015.
These images are said to be the first to completely reveal the entire exterior of the 2015 Porsche 911 Turbo facelift. The cosmetic revamp seems to include subtle changes to the rear spoiler which has been reshaped; so has the headlight graphics, while the taillights have been tweaked to seem slightly longer.
Power is rumoured to come from a 3.8-litre six cylinder turbo engine, which could be upgraded to as much as 441 kW of power. As part of a new strategy, the entire range except for the GT3 and GT3 RS could be upgraded with a turbocharged engine.
Toyota Fortuner Epic Introduced In SA Specs and Prices
The Toyota Fortuner has received quite a number of facelifts since its debut on the local market in 2006, including the now recent introduction of a Fortuner Epic, which comes with changes to the exterior and interior enhancements.
Toyota Fortuner Epic redesigned for the 2014/2015 model year
The proudly South African built Toyota Fortuner Epic features a redesigned front, flanked by new headlights with black-out detail. Other new details include the refreshed teardrop-shaped chromed bezels surrounding the front fog lights, sport dark grey 17-inch alloy rims and chromed mirrors all-round as opposed to body-coloured, as well as new taillamps also with black-out detail. Theres a chromed nudge bar with unique Epic branding up front, and a towbar as well as a rear sill protector to make loading bulky objects easier and hassle free.
According to Kerry Roodt, general manager of marketing communications for Toyota SA, the Fortuner “is the consummate all-rounder, suitable for use in a number of different conditions, from urban highways and rocky mountain passes to sand dunes and the bushveld.”
This Go Anywhere, Do Anything and Do it in Style character of the Fortuner perfectly complements the lifestyle of outdoor-loving South Africans who need the dual-purpose capability of a bush and boulevard cruiser. If ever there was an apt tag line then the Fortuners got it Freedom is indeed beautiful.
Toyota Fortuner Epic price in South Africa
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4×2 Epic R461 800
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4×2 auto Epic R474 700
Toyota Fortuner 4.0 V6 4×2 auto Epic R493 100
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4×4 Epic R513 400
Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4×4 auto Epic R526 500
Toyota Fortuner 4.0 V6 4×4 auto Epic R544 500
Toyota has confirmed that the Epic treatment will be applied to “50% (over two months of production) of all 3.0 D-4D and 4.0 V6 derivatives”.
Our Editor David Taylor will be on the launch of the model next week, look out for his driving impression and more details then.
New Jeep Wrangler To Feature Eight-Speed Auto
It has been reported that the 2018 Jeep Wrangler will benefit from an eight-speed automatic transmission, doing away with the old-five speed ‘box and cut fuel consumption by more than nine percent.
Eight-speed automatic for 2018 Jeep Wrangler, 9% more efficient
The company is yet to release any detailed information on the 2018 Wrangler which is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of 2017. However, according to Automotive News, in a filling revealed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Jeep stated that the eight-speed transmission is currently paired with petrol and diesel engines in the 2014 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee and is also featured in the new 2014 Dodge Durango. We plan to use this transmission in all of our rear-wheel-drive vehicles, except for heavy-duty versions of the Ram pick-up truck and the SRT Viper.
The filing further notes that the eight-speed ZF transmission, “reduces fuel consumption by more than nine percent over the five-speed transmission it replaces.
Apparently the company had no intention of introducing the eight-speed transmission in the current Wrangler because it did not fit. So with the new model, which, is set to receive a fresh aluminium body that will also enable a massive diet, engineers have the freedom to infuse optimum packaging techniques.
Market entry of the 2018 Jeep Wrangler is slated for 2017.
