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iAgents
Opinion
Top hotel
Meridian Realty embrace the future PG 10
Talking Property, by Steve CaradocDavies PG 9
La Residence receives international award PG 14
Unique luxury estate for Parel Vallei Over 300 years ago early explorers to the Cape settled on the slopes of the Helderberg on a farm called Parel Vallei. Today the suburb of Parel Vallei is just as desirable and for the fortunate few who live there, it is one of the most sought-after suburbs in Somerset West. The launch of the Whispering Woods Private Estate now offers a rare opportunity to own a luxury property within a gated community in Parel Vallei. Situated on the site of Straightway Head Country Hotel, which was destroyed by a mountain fire in April 2011, this new develop-
ment has been carefully designed to preserve the gracious trees and ambiance that characterise the site. Combined Developers tasked the architects, Dennis Moss Partnership, with designing luxurious homes that would meet, or exceed, the expectations of the luxury homebuyer, while maintaining the unique integrity of the site. “We’re so excited to have secured this site for development. There are only 23 opportunities to own a property at Whispering Woods Estate,” says Japie de Vos of Combined Developers. “We’ve created a top-end product that will appeal to buyers who desire
An artist impression of Whispering Woods, a luxury development planned for Parel Vallei in Somerset West.
The layout plan for Whispering Woods, planned for the suburb of Parel Vallei.
a secure lifestyle in Parel Vallei, without compromising on quality.” Sole mandate agents, Harcourts Platinum, have worked together with the developer and Dennis Moss Partnership to create a product that meets the demands of the modern buyer. Principal of Harcourts Platinum, Steve Caradoc-Davies, says:
“We’re really proud to be offering Whispering Woods for sale. There is no other product like it in the area that delivers on quality and value. Pre-launch demand has been exceptional and we expect to sell out in record time.” Whispering Woods offers a total of 23 homes with three- and four-bed-
rooms, luxury features as standard, and everything you’d expect in a secure estate. Dennis Moss Partnership have maximised the views and privacy and the estate also offers large private open space areas for residents to enjoy. Launch pricing starts at R3 795 000 (including VAT).
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Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland
2 Oktober, 2014
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Get started on your investment portfolio enough financial position, usually a parent or family member, they can stand surety for them. This means that they agree to pay any bond repayments that the investor fails to do so on their own. For This is mostly because someone with a reasonthey are unaware of the aveable amount of disposanues and procedures inble income, this can be volved in getting a foothold a great option as they in this market. will only be paying the Starting a portfolio at a difference between the young age does not need to bond repayments and remain an elusive dream. the rental income that This was said recently by they receive from the Bill Rawson, chairperson of property – and in some the Rawson Property Group. cases this rental income In order to build confican cover the entire dence and master the fears There is no time like the present to get going on your investmonthly bond repaythat come with starting a ment portfolio. ments. new investment, thorough The banks, he said, are likely to ap) Where to buy research and planning needs to be ) What type of property to buy (sec- prove a bond that is held jointly by two done, says Rawson. Would-be property investors need to explore all of their op- tional title, freehold, residential, com- or more people because it spreads their risk, and the combined salaries of the tions and educate themselves before mercial, etc.) ) And whether to renovate the prop- investors will likely prove more than taking action. adequate for their loan criteria. Some of the main points to consid- erty or not Also an important factor that a Of these points, says Rawson, the ered are: ) How to structure the ownership most intimidating and daunting is the young property investor needs to coninvestment (for example sole owner, question of how the property will be fi- sider is what type of property to buy nanced. Getting approval for a mort- and where to buy it, says Rawson. partnership or trust); In my opinion, he said, a low priced ) How to finance the investment and gage bond and actually paying the bond what assistance is available to you, if off each month can be quite a challenge residential unit, in an area where yearany (such as tax rebates, urban devel- for a young person or family, but there on-year house prices are increasing opment zones, surety and investment are a few options available to them to faster than inflation and perhaps where future renovations can take ease this challenge. partners); If the investor has someone who is place, is the safest bet to take for some) Which bank to use for the mortboth willing to help and is in a strong one in this situation. gage finance Taking the initial steps to build a property portfolio can be a very daunting task for many young people who are trying to sustain themselves without direct financial support.
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Interest rate hike ‘not needed now’ The latest decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to leave the interest rates unchanged makes good sense in view of the fact that consumer price inflation, it is now predicted, will be contained within a 6% upper limit towards the end of the year and the rand has begun to appreciate against the dollar. This is according to Bill Rawson, chairman for the Rawson Property Group. “The general opinion among those who comment regularly on the South African economy seems to be that an interest rate hike is not needed now because the South African consumer, increasingly prevented by the National Credit Act and the banks from overextending his debt, is now slightly less likely to overspend. This, in turn, could lead to a slight reduction in South Africa’s foreign debt and balance of payment situations,” said Rawson. The decision to not raise the interest rate, said Rawson, will help the South African residential sector to continue to “turnover satisfactorily”, if not in a spectacular way. “One has to realise that on a R1 million mortgage bond, if the MPC had decided to increase the interest rate by only 0,25%, the interest rate
rise would have made it necessary for the home buyer to find an extra R162 per month. Increases in payments of this kind, although very small, can demoralise those already struggling to meet their bond commitments,” said Rawson. Nevertheless, he said, the point has not yet been reached where easier credit to home owners can be allowed because the average South African household consumer debt today is still equal to 70% plus of their annual income. It may, therefore, be a few years before easier credit becomes available. However, according to Rawson, the government’s stated goal of making a large majority of South Africans home owners – not tenants – is definitely worth striving for. Every sort of alternative strategy to bring this about should be investigated and employed. Rawson said that although a total revival in the housing sector’s upper middle and upper brackets, namely houses priced between R5 million and R15 million, has not yet taken off, there are encouraging signs that sales in these brackets are beginning to improve. Here again, he said, keeping interest rates down will prove helpful.
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Landlords: Get insurance to cover your pocket Much has been said about the Consumer Protection Act and the protection that it now offers tenants. But what of the landlord who is the victim of tenants who either don’t pay, or damage their property, or both? The lease agreement and the law will hold the tenant liable in these instances. The problem for the landlord is that, if they wish to go the legal route, this takes time and costs money. The process can severely affect landlords’ cash flow and possibly their credit rating, but also cause significant stress. In order to reduce the risk to a landlord, there are now a number of “insurance” products out there that a landlord can choose from. Some products cover the tenant deposit up to a certain value. In the event that a tenant damages a property or fails to pay for municipal services or rent-
al, the insurance product will pay to the landlord within a few weeks or days after the expiry or breach of the lease. Most of these products also include legal cover to a certain value – usually enough to have a tenant evicted if necessary. These are a good idea to take, in addition to the standard deposit by a tenant, which usually isn’t enough on its own. There are also products that cover the non-payment of rental. These products are more expensive, but totally remove the cash flow risk for the landlord. If a tenant doesn’t pay their rental by a certain date – usually the third of a month – then the rental insurance pays the landlord and recovers the payment from the tenant. There are a variety of different service providers in this market, and their products and benefits can vary greatly. Some are very costly and force you to use their legal team for an eviction, while others
give you more flexibility. So shop around, because not all these products are created equal. Tenants must be warned that non-payment and the failure to return a property in good condition will be recorded on Tenant Profile Network (TPN). Most rental agencies subscribe to this service and when you next rent a property your poor history will reflect. Also, in almost all cases of rental or deposit insurance, the insurance company qualifies the tenant as well, looking at their TPN history. So leaving a bad record will make it impossible to rent a property in the future. Unfortunately, the current
Talking Property, by Steve Caradoc-Davies, principal of Harcourts Platinum
risks that landlords have are a reality. It’s wise for landlords to take either deposit or rental insurance in some form to reduce the risk that they have. Ultimately this will increase the rentals that tenants have to pay, as landlords will simply increase the rent to cover their additional insurance costs. Sadly for the good tenants out there, they will also bear the brunt of increased rentals to cover these additional landlord costs. But that’s the price of progress. Landlords simply must reduce their risk.
Somerset Lakes Townhouses Selling Fast! In the heart of sought-after Somerset West, a magnificent new residential estate is taking shape. Featuring 6 hectares of pristine lakes and water features, 15 hectares of indigenous landscaping and mature forest, 4 kilometres of trails, and a clubhouse with swimming pool, lakeside beach and spectacular views, Somerset Lakes offers a quality of life second to none. 2 bed, 2 bath homes from R1,3 million 3 bed, 2 bath homes including garage from R1,6 million Fibre-optic backbone for superfast internet connectivity Fitted appliances include ovens, hobs (gas option) & extractors Security includes 24-hour gatehouse & biometric access control Upmarket finishes include Gres Porcelain tiles and Hansgrohe taps NH LORD CHARLES HOTEL
40 kms
Somerset West Golf Club
Town Hall
Somerset Mall
Vergelegen Mediclinic New Shopping Centre
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BP G arag e
Directions from Cape Town: Take the R44 off the N2, turn right at the Lord Charles Hotel, follow the Main Road all the way through Somerset West Village, turn right at Reunion Drive and follow our boards to the Sales Centre.
Cheryl Brand 081 271 2584 t 021 202 2200 e sales@somersetlakes.co.za
Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland
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MACHETE.CO.ZA 7051 / SL 260x1200 PJ.5
To Cape Town
Somerset West
Rd
Sunday: 2pm to 5pm Weekdays: 10am to 5pm
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in Ma
SALES CENTRE OPEN
in
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No transfer duty • Occupation late 2016
Ma Waterstone Shopping Centre
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From R1,3 million
R D eun riv io e n
WATERFORD GREEN
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Meridian Realty is embracing new technology with its i-Agents strategy.
Unstoppable change in the real estate sector Soon the days of expensive offices occupied by agents paying 50% of their hard earned commission to their agency may be over. This, according to Antonie Goosen, principal of Meridian Realty, is part of an unstoppable change that is heading towards the real estate sector. He says the real estate sector has been transformed over the past decade. Not only has the more stringent qualification criteria lead to an overall professionalisation within
the industry, but the dawn and growth of the internet and social media has transformed the way in which buyers and sellers approach real estate. According to recent studies conducted in the USA, over 90% of all buyers start their property search on the internet. The battle ground for dominance of the industry is therefore currently within the domain of cyberspace. Today we live in a world where information is literally at people’s fingertips, and to truly harness the power of the web, estate agents have to provide better
information and be able to respond in record time to queries. These factors, among others, have led to the launch of a division within Meridian Realty focused on servicing professional estate agents working on their own terms from their own homes or offices, by providing them with the unparalleled services and support that Meridian Realty has become known for. These services include access to: a professional photographer; video and virtual tours showcasing properties; a fully qualified principal es-
tate agent; an array of legal documentation required in the estate agency business and virtual private assistants that take care of administrative tasks on behalf of the agents, such as loading the listings onto the various property portals and following up on FICA administration. Another ground-breaking factor that sets Meridian Realty apart is its commission offering, where agents can retain up to 100% of their commission once they have reached a certain threshold. The success of this unique busi-
ness model can be seen in the fact that over 25 i-Agents have joined Meridian Realty since the launch of this division in January 2014. On 19 September these i-Agents got together at a training and networking event at Knorhoek Wine Estate. Testimonials were made by some of the leading estate agents from within the group that currently serves areas as diverse as the Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, Stellenbosch, Klapmuts, Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Hermanus and Helderberg.
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Home-buying homework for millennials Millennials all over the world have been much slower to enter the property market than their parents or grandparents. But that does not mean they do not want to be homeowners, says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of BetterBond Home Loans, SA’s leading mortgage origination group. “And the demand is especially noticeable among this group in SA, where first-time buying still accounts for about 40% of all home purchases at the moment.” One reason for this is that SA has a very “young” population, with more than a third of its people (38%) currently falling squarely into the 15 to 34-year-old millennial category and likely to fuel the residential property market for years to come as their finances and families grow, he says. “Another is that SA has, since 1994, experienced a huge rise in the number of middle-class people for whom home ownership is a major aspiration – and who can afford to satisfy that aspiration at a much
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earlier age.” However, to make sure that buying a home makes financial sense, millennials do need to know that they will be living there long enough (about five to seven years) to be able to recoup the “hidden costs” of their purchase, such as transfer duty and bond registration and legal fees. In addition, Rademeyer says, they need to scrutinise their finances very carefully before buying in order to maximise their mortgage potential. “For example, they need to review their credit histories, reports and scores to get a sense of how attractive they are as borrowers, because this will have a huge influence on how easily they will be able to obtain a home loan; how much they will be able to borrow; how big a deposit they will need and what interest rate they will be charged. “And the easiest way to do this is to seek the help of a reputable mortgage originator such as BetterBond Home Loans to get pre-approved for a home loan.” Other factors for millennials to
... SA has, since 1994, experienced a huge rise in the number of middle-class people for whom home ownership is a major aspiration – and who can afford to satisfy that aspiration at a much earlier age.
consider before setting out to buy, he says, are: ) Debt: The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is a common term used in the mortgage industry that measures potential borrowers’ monthly obligations versus gross income, and most banks will be looking for a level below 36%. If it is higher, the borrower will need to reduce debt, increase income or consider buying a cheaper home. ) Income: Lenders want to see that borrowers can sustain homeownership and have the income to support the bond repayments, which is why they generally ask for pay slips and tax returns for at least two years to establish an income “history”. If your income is too low for the loan you have in mind, you will need to get rid of debt to become a more attractive borrower, and try to save a bigger deposit. ) The deposit: Although the BetterBond statistics show that the average deposit required by first-time buyers is currently only 11% of the purchase price. The bigger the amount you can put down, the better as it will enable you to secure a better interest rate on your home loan, pay off your home faster and save many thousands of rands in the long run. ) Savings: The costs related to homeownership certainly don’t end when you move in and since some of them may be quite unexpected for new buyers, it is recommended that they have at least six months’ of living expenses in savings before signing an offer to purchase.
There are several things that millennials should consider before taking the jump and investing in property.
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La Residence one of world’s best hotels
The Western Cape has earned a spot on the “ultimate list” of the world’s best hotels. La Residence in Franschhoek has been named as one of the top 26 hotels by the Business Insider website. The news comes in the same week as the Lilizela Tourism Awards, which recognise service excellence in the Western Cape’s tourism sector. The Business Insider list is formulated using scores from the leading global lists. These are Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotel Awards, Conde Nast Travelers Top 100 Hotels and Resorts,
Tripadvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in the World and the Fodor’s 100 Hotel Awards. Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, said the Business Insider ranking was the latest in several accolades for the province’s hospitality industry. “I would like to commend La Residence for delivering excellent service to its visitors. They have garnered international exposure for themselves and for the destination as a whole. I am confident this will encourage even more international guests to visit Cape Town,” said Minister Winde.
The luxury accommodation at La Residence.
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Renovations of the Oude Werf Hotel are almost complete and boast stylish and luxurious décor.
Oude Werf Hotel is ready for business Oude Werf, the famous landmark in the heart of the historic town of Stellenbosch, is excited to announce that the final stage of renovations is nearing completion and the hotel is open to receive guests. While parts of the hotel are still receiving the last spot of polish, general manager, Elanie Fourie, and her team are already welcoming their first guests of the season. From the first week in November, guests can also look forward to a revamped Oude Werf restaurant, boasting a fresh, delicious new menu from chef Albert. November will mark the end of this extensive, multi-million rand revamp, which – upon its completion – will give guests all the convenience of modern living while maintaining
the graceful ambience that has always been associated with this historic hotel. “We are very excited to see guests walking through our hotel’s doors again”, says Fourie. “While the last few touches are still being made to the hotel, we can’t wait to share the many improvements to Oude Werf, which include a new wing of rooms and stylish, updated décor. While we finalise renovations to our restaurant – which will open to the public in November – our guests are able to enjoy a full English breakfast in our elegant poolside lounge. With guests already commenting on how comfortably they are sleeping and how gorgeous the new rooms are, we are sure the ‘new’ Oude Werf Hotel will be extremely well received by our locals and guests alike”.
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The new Toyota Yaris: Own it
In profile, Yaris displays a new door belt moulding and door mirrors – the look is rounded off by standard 15-inch alloys across the range. QUICKPIC Toyota has invested 85 million Euros, engineered 1 000 new parts and spent 576 000 man hours refining the new Yaris. The result is a thorough visual refresh, inside and out, the adoption of upmarket cabin textures and materials, as well as a host of under-the-skin modifications to make the new Yaris a whole lot more desirable. “Assertive, contemporary styling with a distinctly European flavour and a feisty new attitude,” is how Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing for Toyota SA Motors pitches the revamped hatch. “Yaris has always been a sound rational choice. But what we wanted – and feel we have now achieved – with the latest model, is a car that not only connects with our customers’ brains, but also with their hearts.” After exhaustive research conducted across several platforms including press analysis, customer clinics and dealer feedback, Toyota Europe identified three key areas where the current generation Yaris scored highly – outstanding roominess, powertrain efficiency and standard features, making it the smart choice. In the area of emotional appeal, however, there was room to improve. The focus was therefore placed on upgrading the aesthetics, most notably exterior styling and interior plastics, as well as honing in on driving pleasure by enhancing driveability, ride comfort and noise levels. A fourth element has been factored in and that’s value for money. As Crompton points out, “the new Yaris petrol models are arguably the best value proposition in the highly competitive B segment. Quality finishes backed up by a comprehensive suite of standard kit ensure that it stays ahead of the pack. Not forgetting, of course, the unique proposition of its hybrid powertrain – still the only
vehicle of its kind in this class.” Eschewing supermini stereotypes for a highly distinctive exterior, the new Yaris sees the most dramatic execution of Toyota’s contemporary frontal design language to date with sharp-edged detailing. The narrow upper and large trapezoidal grilles, a hallmark of Toyota’s current design, are present but the design twist is that they now merge at the point of the Toyota emblem to form a powerful cross shape. Another recurring design trait is the chrome trim bar which runs through the length of the upper grille into new headlamp clusters, tying the frontal elements together in a powerful, horizontal emphasis of the car’s width. The headlamps themselves use projector technology (Hybrid) for high and low beams and the clusters incorporate standard daytime running lights (LED for the hybrid). In profile, Yaris displays a new door belt moulding and door mirrors – the look is rounded off by standard 15-inch alloys across the range. At the rear, a new bumper design gives the appearance of a broad, lower stance, with an integral faux diffuser adding to the car’s more athletic road presence. The introduction of the new 2014 Yaris sees both versions – petrol and hybrid – sharing the same overall styling, with just a few subtle cues differentiating each powertrain. Ringing the changes are the aforementioned LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps and unique badging which identify the hybrid as the flagship of the range. Eight exterior colours are available, including new Avante-Garde Bronze Metallic (petrol models only) and Pacific Blue Metallic. Lava Red Metallic and Pearl White Metallic are Hybrid exclusive colours. The new Yaris is available with three engine choices – two petrol, and a hybrid. The full hybrid system, a first for this segment,
benefits from adjustments which have brought its CO2 emissions down further, from 88 to 82g/km. Extremely fuel efficient (3,6 litres in the combined cycle) and clean (virtually zero NOx and particulate emissions), this innovative powertrain is at the cutting edge of technology. Renowned for its near-silent running, comfort and easy handling, especially around town where the hybrid system allows the car to be driven for certain distances in electric mode, or with limited use of the petrol engine. The auto CVT-based transmission adds to the all-round smooth, quiet and comfortable driving experience. Yaris Hybrid’s powertrain features a fourcylinder Atkinson cycle 1,497 cc engine that is 50 mm shorter than the 1.8-litre unit used by Prius and Auris Hybrid; it is also 17 kg lighter. Its features include a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system, an electric water pump, a low-friction distribution chain, an intake manifold made of a composite material and a compact exhaust manifold. In a similar vein, the 1.33 Dual VVT-i petrol has undergone secondary modifications specifically aimed at reducing noise and vibration. When paired with a six-speed manual transmission the 1.3 Yaris is engineered to achieve the best balance of performance and fuel economy. Top speed is pegged at 175 km/h (the 0-100 kmh dash is dispatched in 11,7 seconds), while fuel consumption in the combined cycle fuel consumption averages out at 5,6 litres per 100 km. This powerplant is also available with Toyota’s Multidrive S continuously variable transmission. More compact and lighter than a conventional automatic, it combines an easy, comfortable and smooth drive with optimum engine torque control that delivers considerable fuel savings in city traffic. The system also provides a manual mode with seven fixedgear ratios that can be selected using the shift
PHOTO: QUICKPIC
lever. ) Pricing, service plans and warranties •1.0 : R167 900 •1.3 : R194 300 •1.3 Multidrive S : R206 500 •Hybrid : R276 900 Petrol models come standard with a threeyear/45 000 km service plan. For the hybrid version, it’s a standard four-year/60 000 km service plan. Please note that the hybrid has an additional eight-year/195 000 km warranty on the battery in addition to the standard Toyota warranty of 3 years/100 000 km.
AUTO 20 Ferrari 458 Speciale A: a new record-breaking spider Donderdag
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QUICKPIC Ferrari is pleased to announce the Paris Motor Show world debut of the 458 Speciale A (A as in Aperta). The new limited edition special series is a celebration of the dazzling success of the various versions of the 458, a model that has collected an array of international motoring media awards and track victories, not least a double WEC title and category wins in classic endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Dedicated to just 499 Ferrari collectors, the 458 Speciale A is the most powerful spider in Prancing Horse history, effortlessly marrying extreme performance with the sublime pleasure of drop-top driving. Its aluminium retractable hard top, which takes a mere 14 seconds to deploy or retract, helps reduce the weight difference with the Speciale coupé to
the 458 Speciale A’s sculpted forms are just 50 kg. absolutely performance-oriented. In The 458 Speciale A sports the fact, a series of innovative and origimost powerful naturally-aspiratnal bodywork solutions has made the ed road-going V8 engine ever built 458 Speciale A the most aerodynamiby Ferrari. It punches out a mascally efficient Ferrari spider ever. sive 605 cv (135 cv/F specific powThe 458 Speciale A is being preer output) and 540 Nm of torque at miered in a unique triple-layer yellow 6000 rpm yet only generates 275 g/ livery with a Blu Nart and Bianco km of CO2 emissions. The three Avus central stripe as well as fiveinternational Best Performance spoke forged wheels in Grigio Corsa. Engine awards the V8 has won are The cockpit has a distinctive racingacknowledged on a special plaque inspired look: lightweight yet excluin the cockpit. sive materials have been adopted The new car sprints from throughout and, of course, crafted 0-100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds and with Ferrari’s signature artisanal sohas a Fiorano lap time of 1’23”5. phistication. This is particularly true These superb results are thanks of the finish of the dash, the moulded in great part to its front and rear The 458 Speciale A sports the most powerful naturally-aspirated door panels and central tunnel in an active aerodynamics, the rigidity road-going V8 engine ever built by Ferrari.. PHOTO: QUICKPIC exclusive blue carbon-fibre (also used of a chassis that incorporates 10 aluminium alloys, and Side Slip Angle Con- by the seductively exhilarating signature Fer- for the treadplates) as well as the newly-designed seats in Alcantara© with contrasting trol (SSC), which guarantees unparalleled rari soundtrack. As is the case with all Prancing Horse cars, stitching and 3D technical fabric. sporty driving in all conditions, underscored
This powertrain upgrade continues the series of enhancements that has been made to the Volvo V40 Cross Country this year.
PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Volvo V40 Cross Country AWD receives upgrade QUICKPIC The Volvo V40 Cross Country will soon be available with Volvo’s superb new 180 kW T5 Drive-E engine with the added capability of AWD. “Volvo Cars is continuing to evolve the V40 Cross Country with this powertrain upgrade. The combination of the Drive-E T5 engine with AWD will give adventurous customers the power to explore, and all the control they need to be confident in all road conditions,” says Dr. Peter Mertens, senior vice-president Research & Development at Volvo Cars. With 180 kW and 350 Nm of torque, the Volvo V40 Cross Country delivers excellent power and capability. In addition to the new engine’s refinement and fuel-efficient driveability, Volvo’s new 8-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shift makes the Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD Drive-E one of the most luxurious, stylish and capable cross countries on the market. Since the introduction last year, Volvo Cars’ ground-breaking four-cylinder Drive-E engines have been widely praised for their unique ability to combine power and efficiency with an extremely small footprint. The new Drive-E powertrain reduces the Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD’s emissions to an impressive 149 g/km – a level unmatched by the Audi Q3 TFSI Quattro (179 g/km), the BMW X1 xDrive20i xLine auto (170 g/km) or the Mercedez-Benz B-class (SUV) 220 Sport 4MATIC DCT (156 g/km). This powertrain upgrade continues the series of enhancements that has been made to the Volvo V40 Cross Country this year. Other refinements / additions include new 19” Damara alloy wheel with grey diamond-cut rims, delivering not only extra comfort and off-road capability, but also less noise and added rim protection; a new exterior colour, Power Blue, as well as the updated on-board infotainment and navigation system, Sensus Connect, providing customers with a fully connected car. The Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 AWD Drive-E is expected to arrive in SA early next year. Full specification and pricing details will be confirmed closer to the time.