Drive360 - Issue 4 | The Adventure Vehicle Edition

DRIVE360

THE ADVENTURE VEHICLE EDITION

POWERED BY IOL MOTORING | ISSUE 4

DRIVEN:

GWM P-SERIES LAND ROVER DEFENDER FORD RANGER RAPTOR AUDI Q7 VOLKSWAGEN T-ROC JAGUAR F-PACE SVR VOLVO XC60 R-DESIGN

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE

CONTACT US

PUBLISHER | Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com DRIVE360 EDITOR | Pritesh Ruthun pritesh.ruthun@inl.co.za EXECUTIVE SPORTS EDITOR | Ian Smit ian.smit@inl.co.za DESIGN | Mallory Munien mallory.munien@inl.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | Keshni Odayan keshni.odayan@inl.co.za SALES Charl Reineke | charl.reineke@inl.co.za Kyle Villet | kyle.villet@africannewsagency.com

16

GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@anapublishing.com

4 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS 4 OUR HERO SHOT 5

GWM P-SERIES 6-9

20

22 CAR FINANCE 101 24-25

HYUNDAI’S SECOND-GEN CRETA 10-11

T-ROC READY TO RUMBLE 14-15

LAND ROVER SIMPLY THE BEST 26-27

GLB HITS THE SWEET SPOT 12-13

FORTUNER NIP/TUCK 18-19

FOR RANGER MADE FOR THIS 30-31

28 SAFETY & COMFORT FOR THE FAMILY 32-35 PERFORMANCE CAR NEWS 36-39

sh e t i r P 26

2020 will no doubt remain etched in our collective memories forever. For me personally, as well as our automotive business unit as a whole, I can genuinely say it has been one of the toughest years since the Global Financial Crisis rocked the country and the planet in 2008 and 2009. That man made pandemic and this viral one we’re experiencing right now has made a prolific impact on the way we do business and the way we engage with you, our valuable readers.

We’d like to say thank you to all of you for buying our newspapers every day, particularly those of you that must buy on Thursdays when our vehicle reviews and new model pieces hit the shelves. We’d also like to say thank you for making IOL Motoring the go-to source on the Internet for the latest motoring news in the country. To our advertisers and supporters, thank you for embracing our new digital publication as well as our social media activity and for engaging with us, with your interesting questions, noteworthy comments and criticisms.

We truly appreciate all of your engagement. We trust you enjoy this look at an extremely popular segment, Adventure Vehicles, in this edition and that you have a wonderful and safe festive season. For editorial queries, new product launches, new model introductions or to share you cool ride with us, please email: pritesh.ruthun@inl.co.za Stay safe on the road and we’ll see you with all cylinders firing in 2021. Cheers.

PRITESH RUTHUN

SOUTH African new vehicle sales recorded their best post-lockdown performance in November, providing positive signs of a slow rehabilitation of the country’s motor industry.

Amid an overall market, down 30.6% year-to-date, November’s sales performance of 39 315 units shows signs of resurgent consumer demand and relief for motor retailers as volumes continue to increase.

In essence, November sales doubled the performance increase over October (down 25.4%) to close 12% down on November last year.

CONSUMER DEMAND UP According to sales data from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa), vehicle sales continued to increase for the fifth consecutive month, although the volume growth was 563 units.

The increase in market performance was mirrored by the ongoing growth in consumer demand, as measured by applications at WesBank.

“Generally, we have recovered to about 70% of pre Covid-19 volumes,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank Vehicle and Asset Finance.”

WesBank chief executive Chris de Kock says new blended working arrangements have reduced the demand for consumers to own cars. “For those who do, it is likely that their annual mileage will reduce considerably, increasing the time between replacement cycles. The South African

economy will simply not be able to support a market of 500 000 vehicles per year,” says De Kock.

Passenger car sales were 18.1% lower than November last year, recording 25 707 unit sales. This is 5 696 units less than November last year and 989 units less than last month.

DEALERS UNDER PRESSURE South Africa’s hard-pressed motor dealers are feeling cautiously optimistic following the release of the November new vehicle sales figures. “Even though the retail sales figures remained muted in November, which once again reminded us of the challenges facing the overall automotive industry in these times, the general feeling of dealers is that they are slightly more hopeful than they were a few months ago,” says Mark Dommisse, chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (Nada).

The total dealer retail sales figure of 33 547 units last month was 5% above the October figure, but still 3.8% lower than sales in November last year, with 34 861 units sold. Dealer sales equated to 85% of total sales in November this year, with the rental market taking 8%, the government 3.9% and corporate fleets the remaining 2.8%.

The Nada chairperson said the pricing of pre-owned vehicles was holding up well, but there was a concern about a decrease in the supply of used vehicles. He believed that the shortfall would continue into next year and was problematic for the industry.

DID YOU KNOW? The word POER (pronounced as power) is an acronym for “Powerful, Off-road, Enjoyable and Reliable,” and is inspired by the Chinese character Pao. POER represents GWM’s aim to build a vehicle that embodies mechanical and practical power. Rides are always enjoyable and intelligent safety makes the GWM POER reliable in all road conditions.

GWM POER 2021

insights

INDUSTRY

Improvement in new vehicle post-lockdown sales heralds promise

GWM P-SERIES

Tough enough?

COLIN WINDELL PERCEPTION and position are the two keywords that come to mind at the launch of the all-new Great Wall Motors (GWM) P-Series pickup – a hefty range consisting of 16 distinct variants.

Perception comes from the belief Chinese products are inferior.

However, as the largest Chinese automaker and an exporter to many countries around the world where it has to comply with safety and quality specifications far more stringent than our own, this is not like a ‘Made in China’ item such as those infesting tourist souvenir shops.

The perception portion was also heightened by the announcement the day prior to the launch the old Steed bakkie had scored zero in the AASA/NCAP crash test ratings. This is not the place to discuss those results but just to say the new P-Series represents a quantum leap upwards in safety standards.

Position plays it role in how GWM, through local operation, Haval Motors South Africa, has pitched the product – dividing it into two groups, Commercial and Passenger, even giving them different front grille designs.

WORKHORSE or PASSENGER VEHICLE? The Double cab is available in both versions, but single cab is available only as a commercial version. There are also both manual and automatic transmissions available in all versions except the single cabs, which utilise manual transmissions.

The entire range of P-Series bakkies has high levels of safety, more safety than any previous GWM pick up.

Crash bags feature on all models and vary from two on base models up to seven in the top specification, while vehicle stability and traction control is standard across the range as well as hill hold assist.

Park distance control is standard on all models and, moving upward in the range it changes from reverse camera to a full 360 view in the flagship.

The all-new P Series uses an Armour system body design as well as a high strength ladder frame, which together create improved torsional and bending stiffness.

Convenience and value-added items are also in abundance in the form of a damped rear tailgate, an exclusive rear step that integrates into the tailgate, a standard plastic bed liner, and a standard roll bar on certain models.

OFF-ROADING OPTIONS AVAILABLE 4X4 derivatives of the P Series are capable off-roaders featuring 232mm of ground clearance as well as an entry angle and exit angle of 27 degrees and 25 degrees respectively. Borg Warner takes care of the TOD Intelligent all-wheel-drive system featuring 2H, Auto and 4L modes and various Off-road modes.

The P-Series offers just one engine choice, a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that delivers 120kW and 400Nm of torque. This product marks the first time that GWM will introduce auto transmission on a pickup and this being the ZF 8 Speed Auto gearbox.

SO WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? In keeping with modern design trends for light commercial vehicles, the P-Series is bigger than ‘traditional’ bakkies with dimensions similar to its opposition counterparts such as Isuzu D-Max, Hilux and Ranger.

First impressions on the road with the workhorse 4x4 variant reveal a well-appointed cabin with quality plastic finishes and seats supportive and comfortable enough to make long hours in the ‘office’ a whole lot more pleasurable.

Standard fare includes hydraulic power steering, adjustable steering column, steering wheel controls, 3.5-inch instrument cluster, two USB ports, 12-volt power socket and cruise control among them. For safety, there are dual crash bags, anti-lock braking, traction control and hill start assist on that list. Putting it through a 4x4 obstacle course showed it had plenty of ability to master the course with little effort, so can be used by corporates operating in rural environments. Out of on the road, especially dirt roads, the only complaint is it is, perhaps, a touch too rigid and stiff. However, these were all brand new very low mileage so the leaf spring rigid axle rear suspension probably needs a bit of driving to loosen it up to the ‘sweet spot’. Front suspension is via a doublewishbone arrangement and this follows through on the full range.

The vehicle was unladen, so that might change with a full load on the back. In terms of the engine, the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel provides ample power in the middle and upper reaches of the rev range, lacking a little under 2000rpm. GWM has chosen, with the Passenger automatics to make them all-wheel-drive with a full low range selector.

These units are gifted a ZF gearbox and this is a stunning piece of equipment – although paddle shifters are offered for manual changes, I found the gearbox was more than up to the task of selecting the

right ratio at the right time. The only time manual becomes necessary is negotiating extreme obstacles, when it ideal to pre-select and/or hold a specific gear. On this front, the camera system fitted to the flagship rivals vehicles costing more than R1-million and the driver can switch front view to rear view, 360-degree view or front-wheel view depending on the need at the time.

The vehicle uses a mechanical centre differential that operates automatically – and the clunk as it engages or disengages can be a touch disconcerting if not pre-warned. In real time, this is extremely efficient, ensuring the vehicles has the best possible traction at all times and eliminating the need to switch from one level of control to another.

Riding on 18-inch tyres (compare to the 17-inch on the Commercial), the flagship gains a 7-inch display inside as well the entire bag of ‘goodies’ including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping control and lane centre keeping control, forward collision warning an auto braking, traffic sign recognition and wireless charging.

GWM P-SERIES PRICES Single Cab 2.0 TD Commercial SX 4X2 6MT - R339 900 SX 4X4 6MT - R384 900 DLX 4X2 6MT - R359 900 DLX 4X4 6MT - R404 900

WORTH THE MONEY? Equally adept at defeating off-road obstacles as its Commercial counterpart, the luxury flagship is fully geared to a leisure lifestyle with all the fixtures and fittings anyone is likely to need. In China, GWM has held a market share of between 24% and 31% since 2010, but since the P-Series launch late in 2019, that figure jumped to 42% and then again to 54% in 2020 – more than double its closest rival. In South Africa more than 50 000 GWM bakkies have been sold since 2007 with a market share of around 2% annually. We urge you to take one for a drive and to let us know your thoughts on whether this bakkie could replace your Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-Max.

All models are sold with a five-year/100 000km warranty and fiveyear/100 000km service plan, as well as five-year/unlimited mileage AA roadside assistance.

Double Cab 2.0 TD Commercial SX 4X2 6MT - R369 900 SX 4X2 8AT - R404 900 SX 4X4 6MT - R414 900 SX 4X4 8AT - R449 900 DLX 4X2 6MT - R389 900 DLX 4X2 8AT - R424 900 DLX 4X4 6MT - R434 900 DLX 4X4 8AT - R469 900 Double Cab 2.0 TD Passenger Version LS 4X2 8AT - R434 900 LS 4X4 8AT - R479 900 LT 4X2 8AT - R499 900 LT 4X4 8AT - R544 900

Bold exterior with a masculine stance With a breathtakingly beautiful and edgy design Creta has been crafted to command respect JASON WOOSEY

HYUNDAI’S second-generation Creta has been launched in South Africa and there is absolutely no chance of mistaking it for its predecessor.

The new compact SUV hits the scene with a radical new look that takes inspiration from the smaller Venue and larger Palisade, and key features here include a large ‘Cascading’ grille and two-tier headlight design.

While the design might not be to everyone’s liking, Hyundai is broadening its appeal to a wider audience through an expanded range that offers a lower entry price as well as an additional engine option.

While the previous model was only available with the high-end Executive spec grade, the 2020 range offers a new entry spec grade called Premium, which brings the base price of the range down from R388 900 to R374 900.

The base models also get a slightly less powerful engine, with the previous normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol making way for a 1.5 unit that produces 84kW and 143Nm (down from 90kW and 150Nm). However, those with deeper pockets and a hunger for more power are now able to opt for a 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine, which is good for 103kW and 242Nm. As before, Hyundai is also offering a diesel option, with this unit also downsized from 1.6 to 1.5-litres, and with outputs listed at 84kW and 250Nm (down from

94kW/260Nm). As before, all models are frontwheel driven and buyers can choose between four gearbox options, depending on the engine.

The 1.5 petrol is available with a 6-speed manual or IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission, similar to CVT), while the 1.4T petrol is sold only with a 7-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox. The 1.5 diesel engine is paired exclusively with a sixspeed torque converter automatic.

WIDE RANGE OF MODELS

The Premium base model ships with manual air conditioning, a 20.3cm touchscreen infotainment system with CarPlay connectivity and reverse camera, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, Park Assist, dual front airbags and ESP stability control. The seats are upholstered in cloth and the car rides on 15-inch alloy wheels as standard.

The Executive models upgrade to artificial leather upholstery (with orange trim in the case of the 1.4T) and 17-inch wheels, and over and above all the aforementioned features, the flagship spec grade also gains side and curtain airbags, LED headlights, electric-folding mirrors and wireless phone charging.

Furthermore, all models are sold with a fiveyear/150 000km warranty, with an additional two years and 50 000km of coverage for the powertrain, as well as a five-year/90 000km service plan.

PRICES Hyundai Hyundai Hyundai Hyundai

Creta Creta Creta Creta

1.5 Premium R374 900 1.5 Executive R429 900 1.5D Executive R469 900 1.4T Executive R484 900

GLB hits the sweet spot PRITESH RUTHUN

WE’VE been waiting for what seems like forever, but it’s finally here and we’ve finally driven it on local soil. The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLB compact SUV has been launched in South Africa.

The GLB is Merc’s newcomer in the C-segment, looking to take the fight to cars such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, but where those cars are five-seaters, the GLB can accommodate up to seven people.

Beyond its seating capability, it has a cracking diesel engine and it is as capable off-road (in 4x4 guise) as you can expect it to be considering the segment that it’s playing in.

The new GLB forms part of the Mercedes-Benz compact car family that includes the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ Car of the Year-winning A-Class Hatch, as well as the A-Class Sedan, the B-Class, the CLA, and the GLA. Since the first A-Class was launched in 1997, over seven million vehicles of this compact segment have already been delivered worldwide. “There is a growing interest for SUVs, while compact cars are also seeing an increase in sales. So a compact SUV such as the GLB blends all the success factors of our two segments,” says Johannes Fritz, Co-CEO Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Executive Director Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.

track at the Zwartkops Raceway. This off-road track had originally been used for the X-Class launch activities, which means it’s quite a rugged course.

There were certain sections where the GLB simply scampered across the sand and mud where the G-Class 400d behind needed a fistful more revs. In fact, it was only the front bumper of the GLB that snagged in one or two places on the course on approach to obstacles. Breakover angle and departure angle were also respectable considering that this is, after all, a road-biased family car.

The 220d engine fitted to our test car also purred like no other diesel I’ve experienced this year. Beyond the smooth noise, however, comes the smooth power and torque delivery.

There’s very little turbo lag in the car and in the sportier driving settings it’s actually quite spritely and fun to hoon about in.

The best part of the GLB though, as I came to realise after a few hours of thrashing it around Zwartkops, is that it truly offers so much of all worlds. It sipped so little diesel that you’d think it was some sort of super eco model, but considering the abundance of power and torque on taps, it’s really a fantastic blend of performance, economy, practicality and style.

PACKED WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

Like the voice control systems we’re now used to testing in the larger Mercs, the GLB also features MBUX as an option. It works well enough if you are straightforward with your commands and I didn’t really have trouble working the system as needed.

For instance, we said to the car that it was too hot. So, it adjusted the climate control to make the cabin cooler. Short sentences, loud, clear and precise seem to do the trick. You can ask MBUX a question too, but it’s still learning and might get confused at the best of times. I’d say, as far as these systems go, the best one is Google Assistant on your Android phone, so I stick to using that. Incidentally, Google’s Android Auto system (and APple CarPlay) is available in the GLB and it’s a fantastic solution if you make use of apps such as Waze or Spotify. I use Google Maps quite a bit together with Apple Music and had no problems streaming audio or making calls through the system. Using the car’s on-board systems really frees up your hands to concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing.

Added to all the connectivity technology is the safety tech, Mercedes basically offering everything you’d find in an S-Class (up to nine airbags if you option it to the hilt). As standard you can expect a sturdy construction using high-strength steel and aluminium and a frontwheel drive-architecture that can be optioned with 4MATIC. You also get the usual fare of Pre-Safe with ABS, EBD and variable mode stability and traction control, as well as several driving modes to suit your driving style or situation.

I particularly enjoyed the active cruise control with distance monitoring that maintains a gap to the car in front of you. It’s nothing new, but the nice thing about the system in the GLB combined with the slick eight-speed DCT gearbox and the smooth engine, is that it responds with immediacy.

WORTH THE ASKING PRICE?

The GLB is the freshest of the compact off-roaders to land in South Africa this year and thanks to its boxy styling and rugged appeal, it’s certainly more alluring than that GLA in Merc’s own stable. Incidentally, Mercedes had a brand new GLA for us to drive at this event and having driven both the GLA and GLB back to back, there’s this feeling that the A still feels like a car in your hands whereas the B has this heft to it giving it more an SUV feel.

Perhaps it was the rather large wheels and tyres on our test car that added to it’s allure and meatiness in the hands, or its sumptuous interior package that captivated us the most.

It’s so challenging to nail exactly why the GLB makes sense even at its ludicrous pricing level, but it does if you have the bucks to spend in these trying times.

It’s small, it blends in while having this ability to stand out, and it has all the benefits of the bigger Mercs for a fraction of the price. Go test drive one this weekend and see what I’m on about.

EXTREMELY SATISFYING DRIVE

A new take on the compact SUV range with a distinctive profile

Powerful big-car proportions with short muscular overhangs and an off-road-oriented design with standard LED headlights, as well as 4Matic all-wheel drive in the GLB 220d make the vehicle a versatile SUV and a spacious family car alternative.

We took the GLB around Merc’s purpose-built 4x4

PRICES Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz

GLB250 R839 760 GLB220d 4Matic R846 880 GLB250 AMG Line R 891 860 GLB220d 4Matic AMG Line R898 980

T-ROC READY TO RUMBLE The T-Roc Golf-based SUV is fun to drive, great to look at and family friendly

When all five seats are occupied, luggage space is 445 litres. The backrests can also be folded down in a 60/40 split, yielding luggage capacity of up to 1 290 litres and hardly any other SUV in this class offers such a spacious package. The flagship 2.0TSI is also equipped with Volkswagens 4Motion system as standard. This enables the vehicle to venture off the beaten track now and then, it also provides extra grip on-road which improves safety.

JUSTIN JACOBS

AFTER a long wait, we finally managed to get behind the wheel of the T-Roc, a car that finds itself between the entrylevel T-Cross and larger Tiguan. Is the T-Roc worth your attention? The Volkswagen T-Roc is 80mm longer than the T-Cross and 162mm shorter than the Tiguan. Its arrival has completed the Volkswagen T range of vehicles with the Touareg remaining the flagship offering.

ENGINES AND THE DRIVE

STYLISH LITTLE THING

The model has broken the mould when it comes to design. The front features a wide radiator grille flanked by dual headlights. However, the Day-Time Running Lights have been moved lower down the bumper.

One of the noticeable design features is its coupe-like silhouette. A distinct chrome design element runs from the A-pillars across the side roofline into the C-pillar highlighting the sloping roof at the rear. Prominent character lines, sharp angles and an overall sporty look also lend to its appeal.

The rear design is equally as eye-catching as the front thanks to a somewhat sporty look.

The R-Line derivative comes standard with the 19-inch Suzuka alloy wheels while the Design derivatives come standard with the 17-inch Mayfield alloy wheels with options to upgrade to an 18-inch Montego alloy wheel as well as an 18-inch Grange Hill alloy wheel. The look is completed by the addition of dark plastic trim around the lower edges.

SMART AND STYLISH INSIDE

PRICES T-Roc 1.4 TSI 110kW Tiptronic Design T-Roc 2.0 TSI 140kW 4MOTION® DSG® Design T-Roc 2.0 TSI 140kW 4MOTION® DSG® R-Line

R489 400 R548 300 R593 600

The interior feels similar to that of other Volkswagen models in the line-up and you can expect decent quality and neatly integrated technology. The T-Roc will come standard with a 20cm colour touch screen Composition Media radio with App-Connect. The latter offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (when you upgrade to the Discover Media system) which is a good thing as the two USB ports on offer are Type-C, so be sure to have an adaptor at the ready.

The digital instrument cluster is also a visually pleasing item and it offers various views for a unique experience, the full map display is a favourite. On the R-Line model one will

notice the steering wheel is identical to that offered in the current Golf GTI. However, it now features the new look logo and adds an added sense of sportiness to the interior.

Not all is perfect though. The fascia and door panels feature hard plastics.

The Volkswagen T-Roc will be available with a 1.4TSI motor that delivers 110kW and 250Nm. Power is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Onroad performance is impressive, the motor is eager and despite not having 4Motion, grip through the corners is still impressive, as is the overall ride quality due to the higherprofile tyres. Volkswagen claims a 6.9l/100km and a top speed of 205km.

The 2.0TSI, on the other hand, offers 140kW and 320Nm of torque, a 7-speed DSG gearbox features as does the 4Moton, the recipe is completed by the addition of launch control which will then see this T-Roc hit 100km/h in 7.2 seconds. The performance is somewhat deceptive, the car doesn’t feel as fast as what it is, one needs to pay attention.

The fuel consumption on this engine is 8.3l/100km.

The T-Roc could just be the pick of the bunch. It looks good, it features unique design elements. The technology is noteworthy as are the passive safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Park Distance Control, LED Headlights, Light and Vision Package, Blind Spot Monitor and Fatigue Detection, to name but a few. Both engine options are decent and there wasn’t a time that we longed for more power. For those that do want more, unfortunately, Volkswagen SA has no plans on introducing the T-Roc R anytime soon.

That said, the waiting list for the T-Roc, which should be out on showroom floors soon, is said to be at about the 400mark already. The Volkswagen T-Roc comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 5 year/ 90 000km Volkswagen Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.

AUDI Q7 Refreshed for 2021

WILLEM VD PUTTE

THE AUDI Q7 has been around for almost half a decade and, considering what we’ve been through this year, it’s pleasing to see a refreshed face.

It’s more than just a refreshed face, it’s a reasonable makeover over the previous model. While Audi admits to more customers “buying down” into its Q SUV range, there’s a place for the Q7, especially if you need seven seats, which are optional, to tow a big caravan or boat and want to enjoy top-class connectivity and a premium cockpit.

DIESEL IS THE WAY FOR SUVs In order to do that you need a bit of grunt under the bonnet. The Q7 TDI V6 3.0 litre turbo-diesel quattro tiptronic has 183kW of power and 600Nm of torque and drives all four wheels via the eight-speed automatic transmission.

Audi says it will reach 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and will even out at 225km/h, which gives an indication of what it’s capable of and why you don’t need anything else.

If you have to, though, wait until the next month for the SQ7 quattro which will give you 310kW and 900Nm. SHARPER ALL AROUND Audi has also introduced all-wheel steering to provide better handling, especially in tight corners. Externally, the new package is 11mm longer at 5.063m, but it’s still the same height at 1.74m and has a wheelbase of 2.995m. The horizontal grille slats have been replaced by vertical ones and the front-end has been reshaped with a sharper, more intense look, especially in optional S-Line trim with a chrome blade across the front bumper and blacked-out radiator grille. There’s also a chrome blade across the tailgate and the front is quite striking.

The biggest change is inside: with virtual cockpits and the latest connectivity the new buzzword, Audi has delivered in dollops.

The digital cockpit with two large touchscreens has fantastic resolution, providing haptic and acoustic feedback when clicking on the touch controls. With all the hi-tech, it’s pleasing to see an old-fashioned volume control button on the centre console.

LOADED WITH TECH The MMI navigation plus infotainment system is equipped with an embedded SIM card, which enables live apps such as real-time traffic updates and weather updates along your route. It can also call Audi services or emergency services if you require assistance. It’s still spacious inside with a load bay of 865 litres and 2 050 litres when you fold down the rear seats.

The cars on the launch were fitted with optional adaptive air suspension. I would highly recommend this, not only because of the 270mm lift it gives the vehicle should you take it off-the-beaten track, but also because the drive is immensely comfortable and stable at speed.

There’s little lag when you pull away before you get to experience what, in my view, is one of the best diesel engines on the market.

The vehicle was fitted with optional 22-inch wheels, so there was a bit of a rougher ride over bumpy bits, but the standard 20-inch should provide a happy medium.

WORTHY ALTERNATIVE TO LUXURY SEDAN Once you get to understand the Q7’s driving dynamics you will want to drive it on the Autobahn as it’s happy cruising at about 40 to 50km/h faster than the national speed limit with the rev counter still under 2 000rpm.

As with other new Audi models launched in South Africa, the package concept is also valid on the Q7, so you have a choice of Comfort, Black-styling or S-line interior.

The exterior design changes, improved connectivity and hi-tech have given the Audi Q7 more stature.

Coupled with a comfortable drive, decent performance and driving dynamics it’s a serious contender in its category.

While pricing may make you think twice, it’s still in line with the competition. For an additional R60 000, you will get the S-Line which would be money well spent.

PRICES 45 TDI quattro tiptronic - R 1 328 500 45 TDI quattro S line tiptronic - R 1 388 500 Both models come standard with the fiveyear/100 000km Audi Freeway plan

JASON WOOSEY

Fortuner nip/tuck 2021

FOLLOWING hot on the heels of the upgraded Toyota Hilux that it shares a platform with, the Toyota Fortuner SUV has been given its own makeover, which includes freshened styling, a new infotainment system and a beefed up flagship engine. As per its bakkie cousin, the Fortuner’s 2.8-litre GD-6 turbodiesel has been upgraded with a new turbocharger and improved cooling and as a result it now produces 150kW at 3 000-3 400rpm and 500Nm at 1 600-2 800rpm. This is a significant improvement over the previous engine’s outputs of 130kW and 450Nm. Toyota has also dropped the manual gearbox version of the 2.8 GD-6, citing low demand.

PETROL ENGINE NO MORE Toyota has discontinued the 2.7-litre normally aspirated petrol engine derivative, which produced 122kW and 245Nm. The 4-litre V6 petrol option was already axed from the range in April this year when the “Epic” models were introduced, and this means that there are no longer any petrol engine options in the Fortuner range. For those seeking a more affordable diesel option, Toyota still offers the 2.4 GD-6 unit, which is good for 110kW and 400Nm. The price advantage is significant, with the 2.4 GD-6 models starting at R566 800, whereas the 2.8 GD-6 derivatives cost between R700 100 and R790 500.

Furthermore, the 2.4 GD-6 4x4 model gets an increased towing capacity of 3.3 tons (up by 800kg).

PRICES 2.4 GD6 2.4 GD6 2.4 GD6 2.8 GD6 2.8 GD6 2.8 GD6 2.8 GD6

4x2 man - R566 800 4x2 auto - R588 000 4x4 auto - R616 700 4x2 auto - R700 100 4x4 auto - R770 400 VX 4x2 auto - R720 200 VX 4x4 auto - R790 500

KEY SPEC CHANGES MADE The 2.8 models have also seen a spec reshuffle, with buyers now able to choose between a standard model and a more luxurious VX trim grade. The VX costs just R20 000 more, but comes with some extra kit. However, the standard 2.8 models are still extravagantly equipped, with standard kit. The 2.4 models make do with conventional air conditioning, as well as manual operation for the seats and tailgate, while the satnav also falls away. As per the new Hilux, the infotainment system has been given an upgrade.

STYLISH NEW LOOKS TOO The Fortuner has received a subtle facelift, which includes a new (and larger) grille. There’s also a new front bumper, featuring larger air intake, and the LED headlights and taillights are fresh too. Customers can choose from seven exterior colours.

with its Conquest-based Tazz, but in 1995 the cheapest Conquest sold for R51 039 and we feel genuine sympathy for those who bought one at that price, not knowing that the Tazz was coming. For the sake of comparison, SA’s cheapest cars in 2020 are the Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL (at R145 900), BAIC D30 1.3 Comfort (R149 900), Mahindra KUV 100 1.2 Nxt (R151 999), Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA (R153 900) and the Renault Kwid 1.0 Expression (R162 900).

What we paid for cars 25 years ago JASON WOOSEY

SO WHAT did South Africans pay for a new car in 1995?

Keep in mind that this is not an extensive analysis of inflation or affordability, but rather a fun look at what cars were available to buyers 25 years ago, as well as how much they cost and what they cost in relation to each other. Fact is, cars were significantly cheaper back then, but people also earned a lot less.

ENTRY LEVEL PRICE WAR With a young democracy ever keen to get mobile, 1995 saw the eruption of a price war at the bottom end of the market, with Mazda and Ford having slashed the entry prices of their 323 and Laser twins through the introduction of “Tracer” and “Midge” derivatives priced at R34 357. VWSA had also entered this war with its even cheaper R33 950 Chico.

The Rosslyn-assembled Fiat Uno range would soon respond with cut-price “Mia” and “Cento” models.

The following year would see Toyota enter the price war

COMPACT EXECUTIVES ON THE RISE However, there was a lot more to the car market 25 years ago than just entry-level cars, and with an upwardly mobile population, came a boom in the compact premium segment that until recently had been completely dominated by BMW’s 3 Series. While the E36 BMW 3-Series was considered the ultimate “starter kit” for young career ladder climbers, there was a sudden increase in competition with Audi launching its first-generation A4 in late 1995 and Mercedes having introduced its first C-Class a year earlier. All three were built in SA, with the Audi A4 costing between R103 869 for the 1.8 base model and R169 613 for the 2.8E auto. A new 3 Series would set you back R108 800 in 316i form while a 328i auto was yours for R177 300, with the M3 topping the range at R258 200.

A new Mercedes C-Class cost between R116 500 (C180 Classic) and R198 300 (C280 Elegance). For the sake of comparison, an Audi A4 today starts at R644 000, while a BMW 318i is listed at R667 724 and a Mercedes C180 at R723 600.

BIRTH OF THE ULTRA LUXURY SEGMENT There was also plenty on offer in 1995 for those seeking a larger executive sedan, such as a BMW 5 Series (R208 100-R298 900), 7 Series (R385 300- R510 000), Audi A6/S6 (R174 515-R275 000), Audi A8 (R390 000), Mercedes E-Class (R165 600-R270 800), S-Class (R375 000R485 000) and the Volvo 850 (R169 970-R219 970). These were the default choices for business executives before SUVs like the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and Britain’s Range Rover line-up became all the rage at the premium end of the market.

NEITHER HERE NOR THERE CARS Lower down on the price ladder, mid-range compact sedans were also a popular choice among company car drivers and those seeking family-sized wheels.

Back then your go-to choices would have been a Toyota Corolla 160i GLE (at R73 815) or an Opel Astra 160i E (R77 241), Mazda 160 E (R76 277), Honda Ballade 150 Luxline (R78 000), Nissan Sentra 160 GX (R75 110) or Volkswagen Jetta CLX (R76 991).

If you were in the market for something with a little more fizz, the Jetta VR6 was an enticing performance option at R128 212, and for a few grand less buyers could get the Golf version. The GTI of that time, however, is certainly not worthy of mention. What is, is the extremely rare locally-developed Opel Kadett and Astra 200 TS turbocharged models, which started at R127 100.

Today a Corolla starts at R380 200, a Honda Civic at R410 000 and a Mazda3 at R366 100. The locally-built Corolla Quest, however, bucks this trend with its R265 000 starting price.

WHAT ABOUT THE VENERABLE BAKKIE? Although SUVs were still a very rare breed 25 years back, double cab bakkies were starting to gain in popularity, and a popular option was the Isuzu KB 280 DT LE (from R119 775), which pioneered the high-spec turbodiesel double cab trend in South Africa, although by 1995 Nissan also offered a 2.7 turbodiesel (from R130 356).

Toyota had not gone the turbo route yet, but its petrolpowered double cab range had been popular in South Africa since the 1980s. In 1995 a Hilux 2.4 D/Cab raider was listed at R135 937.

However, as is the case today, the single cab “workhorse” spec bakkies were also popular fleet vehicles, and in 1995 you could buy a Toyota Hilux 1.8 S short-wheelbase for R62 493, or a Mitsubishi Colt 1600 for R56 000, a Mazda B1900 for R58 371 or an Isuzu KB200 for R63 089. Today you’ll pay R291 100 for a Toyota Hilux 1.8 S single cab, while the most expensive double cab 4x4 model, the Legend RS auto, comes in at R851 100.

DAYS, CARS & GOOD DEEDS

FOLLOW #IOLMOTORING FOR MORE ON WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE WITH A FORD RANGER

THREE days, three cars and three good deeds. That is what Ford SA’s #RangerHer #driveswithamission invitation promised, but what transpired was so much more.

This exclusively women-led media ride and drive event was aimed at celebrating South African women who show that toughness comes standard.

It was also a unique opportunity to help support Ford’s charitable causes. So let me start with the most important part of the trip: the good deeds.

time, but during Covid we also have our normal work. We are very happy for organisations like Ford that have us on their minds and for giving us this boost.”

Day 3’s good deed was a check-in with the Knysna Basin Project, one of the initiatives supported by the Ford Wildlife Foundation. The project is mostly about research aimed at achieving and maintaining the desired ecological state of the Knysna Estuary.

Connecting these three missions was the many hundreds of kilometres we had to cover! Luckily we were driving some of the best bakkies in South Africa.

NEW DESTINATIONS Do me a favour and look up Rietbron on a map. It is literally in the middle of nowhere, in the heart of the Karoo, between Beaufort West and Willowmore.

The town’s pride and joy is Bronvlei Primary School, a beautiful and well cared for set of buildings, which was where day 1 of Ford adventure took us from Port Elizabeth.

Our mission was to deliver two much-needed hand washing stations to this school in the middle of a semidesert during the Covid-19 pandemic, where hand washing is key in preventing the spread.

A frustrated Principal Tommy Jacobs laid out some of the issues the school faced, an almost complete lack of assistance from the Eastern Cape authorities, 270 pupils being taught by only 7 teachers, and the impossible task of fund raising in a town whose population of about 1 100 souls relies heavily on grants.

Jacobs was overjoyed with Ford’s gift of the hand washing stations, alcohol-free sanitiser, soap and face shields from Ford and joked that he would be the envy of the schools in his district.

After spending the night in the Royal Hotel in Willowmore, day 2’s good deed was the donation of face shields to the Willowmore Clinic. Just days earlier President Cyril Ramaphosa had warned of a resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape, with the Sarah Baartman district, where Willowmore is one of the hotspots.

Nurse Heather Coetzee said that the clinic was under immense pressure since Covid hit. “We sometimes feel that we are going to burn out because it’s just Covid all the

DREAM DRIVES For the trip from Port Elizabeth to Rietbron and our night in Willowmore, my co-driver and I were assigned the Ford Ranger Thunder, a gorgeous beast that made my first time driving a bakkie.

The road holding in 4x4 mode made what could have been uncomfortable and perhaps a little scary ride on some rough terrain, so comfortable that I could enjoy the magnificent and unique scenery. This is a vehicle that can handle the school run and the savanna, with its red trim and an inside that has all the style of a luxury sedan.

On Day 2 we navigated the drive from Willowmore to Knysna via the twisting and turning, climbing and dipping 68-kilometre Prince Albert Pass in a Ford Ranger Wildtrak.

Described as the “longest publicly accessible mountain pass in South Africa” and “Thomas Bain’s greatest work”, the pass saw us doing our greatest driving work with the Wildtrak absolutely up to the task. Exhilarating!!

Coming off the pass, you enter Knysna from the back of the forest, an unbelievable drive and one I will definitely do again, hopefully in a Wildtrak.

Day 3 was a demonstration of the Ford Ranger performance on a “normal” highway on that summer favourite, the Garden Route. The road from Knysna to Cape Town was 488km of bliss in the Ford Raptor.

I thought I would feel overwhelmed by the size of this bakkie, but we made that stylish cabbie with all the mod cons our home and the kilometres flew by. This is by far the biggest vehicle I have driven.

Mission accomplished, Ford!

RIANA HOWA

DAY 1 | FORD THUNDER

DAY 2 | FORD WILDTRACK

DAY 3 | FORD RAPTOR

CAR FINANCE 101: Buy right in 2021 PRITESH RUTHUN

WE’D ALL love to buy a shiny new car with savings that we’ve built up over time, but the reality is that the vast majority of South African motorists can’t afford to buy cars outright and rely on banks to loan them the money.

There are, however, a few different options when it comes to the way vehicles are financed, so how do you know which one is best for you?

WesBank has outlined the three main choices for us, available to car buyers with a clean credit record when applying for vehicle finance, to help you understand the differences and make better informed decisions when shopping for a vehicle in 2021.

TIME IS RIGHT TO FINANCE “Uncertainties about the economy and the stability of personal incomes mean household budgets are tight at the moment and many South Africans are choosing to pinch pennies,” says Ghana Msibi, chief executive of WesBank Motor Division. “However, for those in the car market, right now is actually a great time to buy, thanks to the current low interest rates combined with some tasty offers from car dealers around the country.”

BALLOON PAYMENT This is a convenient solution designed to assist the buyer with cash flow at the start of a finance agreement. A portion of the purchase price is set aside in order to lower monthly repayments, but it’s important to remember this deferred amount will still be owed to the bank at the end of the contract term.

Balloon payments require discipline to be used effectively, and customers opting for this arrangement should make sure they’re saving enough cash every month to settle the debt once the instalment period is complete.

Think of a balloon payment as a deposit, but one that’s put down at the end of the contract term instead of at the beginning.

Depending on the size of the balloon, the money saved on the monthly payments should more than cover the cost of interest for a loan to refinance the lump sum of debt at the end of the term. In other words, saving the money yourself while driving the financed vehicle could be cheaper than it would be to apply for another bank loan to pay off the outstanding debt owing on the car.

“While the benefits that come with keeping monthly costs down may be extremely appetising, it is important not to view a balloon deal as a way to get into a car you simply cannot afford,” says Msibi. “A looming lump sum after years of driving a vehicle is easy to ignore and forget, but settling that debt is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer. That said, a balloon payment has some great advantages if used properly.”

GUARANTEED FUTURE VALUE Guaranteed future value, better known as GFV, is a form of finance suitable for drivers more focused on vehicle “usership” than “ownership”. Simply put, GFV offers customers a clear indication of the future monetary value of their car to make planning ahead easier, but it does come with some mileage and maintenance restrictions, which need to be adhered to. GFV is best suited to customers who stick to a regular driving routine and have a good grip on the distances they drive annually.

At the onset of a GFV deal, the customer and the bank will agree on maximum distances to be travelled with the financed vehicle over the term (usually three to four years), as well as some guidelines about acceptable wear and tear. At the end of the pre-determined contract term, GFV customers have three choices: they can either enter into another GFV deal and drive away in a new vehicle, settle the outstanding balance to own the vehicle, or simply return the vehicle to a respective dealership and walk away.

It’s important to remember, however, that there may be penalties if the vehicle has exceeded the allotted mileage and/or been returned in an unacceptable condition.

“GFV finance is similar to a balloon payment, except the residual value held over until the end of the term is guaranteed by the bank.

“This means less risk and more options for the customer, as the outstanding amount set aside at the start of the agreement can be refinanced, settled with cash or walked away from. But, as with any contract, it is important for the customer to read and understand the fine print before signing on the dotted line.”

INSTALMENT FINANCE Instalment sales are by far the most common and simplest of the vehicle finance options. Monthly repayments are calculated on the purchase price of a car, and payment terms can be structured into time frames of between one and six years. The longer the term, the lower the monthly instalment will be, but it’s important to remember that interest will increase proportionally to the length of the contract.

As such, the total amount repaid to the bank will be more for a longer loan period than a shorter one.

“Instalment finance agreements come with fewer restrictions such as mileage and the condition of the vehicle, but monthly repayments will naturally be a bit more. The extra monthly cost does, however, pay off in the long run because once the payment term is concluded, the customer owns the car outright,” explains Msibi.

CONSIDER THIS “One of the most important pieces of advice WesBank has for customers, regardless of which of the three finance options is chosen, is to begin with a healthy deposit.

“Any money put down upfront will automatically mean lower monthly instalments and less interest, combined with a lower outstanding balance at the end of the contract in the case of balloon payments or GFV deals.

“Any dealership that offers finance through WesBank has a registered Finance and Insurance (F&I) consultant to guide buyers and explain the different finance options,” concludes Msibi.

“These experts can propose which option is most suitable for each respective customer and will offer financially sound advice on what you can and cannot afford,” says Msibi.

The recently launched WesBank App offers you an efficient and immediate tool to check affordability upfront, apply for vehicle finance, receive approval to qualify, customise their own deal terms and even sign their vehicle contract, all in a matter of minutes.

PRITESH RUTHUN

LAND ROVER DEFENDER Simply the best

LAND Rover’s Defender finally landed in South Africa this year after what feels like a decade of waiting. Teased and shown in prototype form for years, we’ve always expected the new Defender to move into a new generation in a big way, leaving behind its war-time heritage and utilitarian nature. Some say the Defender is no longer a Defender; they say it’s too modern, perhaps too 22nd century.

The reality is, the latest Defender is an exquisite piece of engineering and although it is a far cry from its predecessor, it’s a much better vehicle now than ever before.

MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE NATHAN DRAKE Let’s start with the way the Defender makes you feel when you look at it. There’s no doubt, you will smile when you see one. It’s not ostentatious, it’s not built for bling, it’s finely sculpted and flat like the old one but curved in just the right spots to give it a futuristic look. In fact, we recently played through the Uncharted video game series and it was in the third instalment that we came across a vehicle that looked like the new Defender. A proper beefy, squared off dirt-road monster that would take you up the steepest inclines and down the most viscous descents. When I look at the Defender I get those same “Nathan Drake” vibes, where I just want to pack the 900-litre boot with gear and head off into the unknown. So, from a looks perspective, to my eyes, the new Defender is one heck of good looking vehicle, with just the right proportions and stance.

THE DRIVE The Defender is available with a large range of engines, most recently augmented by the addition of some new diesel and plug-in-hybrid models for 2021.

Our test unit came with the “right”engine, though, the straight-six turbo 3.0-litre engine that you’d usually find in a Jaguar sports car. 294kW on tap and around 550Nm to play with from a relatively low 2 000rpm makes it a formidable on-road GT type car as well as rock-crawler. The combination of this engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission with low-range and driving modes also made it one of the easiest vehicles to take on an off-road course.

We headed out to the Hartbeespoort area to tackle some courses there over a weekend and came away extremely impressed at how the Defender made light work of every obstacle thrown at it. Along the Hennops 4x4 course, for example, there’s this steep shale rock-face incline that I really battle with in lesser 4x4s but not so in the Defender.

Hit the thing into Rock mode, get comfortable behind the wheel and let the car climb. You give it a little bit of gas when you need to, but for the rest, you just watch the onboard cameras and steer in the direction you want to go and the Defender goes there. Some of the off-road enthusiasts at the trail that day commented that the Defender “is lekker”, but it “does everything for you”. They’re right, it does most things for you, but you still need to know the basics of 4x4-ing, such as assessing obstacles, or be willing to test water crossing depths (although the Defender has a built-in depth detection gauge when you make those sorts of crossings), and you genuinely need to know what you are doing as a driver. Look, I get the argument that the old Defender did lots of things right as an off-roader, but this new one is just as capable, if not more capable for the type of leisurely 4x4-ing most people will do with it.

THE TECH Powering the Defender is a high-tech range of engines, shared with sister company Jaguar, which is an excellent thing as these power units punch with the best that Germany has to offer. I would prefer a diesel in my Defender, but the petrol unit worked well to deliver smooth performance and safe, brisk overtaking.

It’s packed with those driving modes I mentioned earlier, several for off-roading and a road-drive programme that keeps things smooth and comfortable. You can even spec it with air-suspension to give you additional ride height options depending on your needs. I thoroughly enjoyed the infotainment technology, with smooth, responsive touchscreens and hard-wearing buttons and dials .Seat comfort in the new Defender is also praiseworthy as you never feel uncomfortable when bouncing over rocks. It’s also supremely comfortable for long highway journeys.

WORTH THE MONEY? Looking at the price list for the new Defender, it’s easy to let out a gasp for air. It’s not cheap, even at the entry level, but then it’s not a cheap car.

As mentioned, it’s extremely well-engineered, with solid metals and materials that give you this feeling that it will withstand a nuclear blast. All Land Rover Defenders come with a 5-year/100 000km full-maintenance plan.

SPECIFICATIONS MAKE: LAND ROVER MODEL: DEFENDER ENGINE: 3.0-litre straight-six turbopetrol POWER: 294kW at 5500rpm TORQUE: 550Nm at 2000rpm GEARBOX: 8-speed with low-range DRIVE: All-wheel drive 0-100km/h: 6.1 seconds TOP SPEED: 191km/h FUEL CONSUMPTION: 14.5l/100km (on test, combined cycle) LENGTH: 5018mm WIDTH: 2105mm HEIGHT: 1967mm GROUND CLEARANCE: 291mm PRICE: From R1 158 804

Style & Grace

JASON WOOSEY

THERE are few things on this earth that sound as spinetinglingly sonorous as a V8 engine, but with the world shifting to smaller engines and battery power, these big lumps of metal are becoming an endangered species.

Even AMG is looking set to replace the V8 in the C63 with a blown-out four-pot motor.

But a snippet of news that I came across recently gave me some renewed hope in the eight cylinder’s survival as a mechanical species. Jaguar Land Rover currently sources its 5-litre supercharged V8 flagship engine from Ford, but since the latter is ending production of this particular unit, Jaguar has decided to buy up the tooling and produce it in-house for the foreseeable future.

And as luck would have it, there was a Jaguar F-Pace SVR in my driveway on that day, meaning I could celebrate the news in pedal-stomping style.

And yes, if you want to experience this engine in all its glory then the F-Type R is the one to go for, but if you need more space than that then the F-Pace SVR is an extremely enticing all-rounder. It’s not the most practical SUV on the market, but you can put people in the back and the boot is a decent size, lugging 650 litres. While it’s big enough to serve as a family vehicle, Jaguar has thankfully avoided the temptation of making it too big and as a result the F-Pace still feels fairly nimble on the road.

For the record, it’s slightly longer and wider than a BMW X3, of which there is also an M version to serve as a direct rival to the SVR.

JAGUAR F-PACE SVR

ENGINE: 5.0-LITRE V8 PETROL, SUPERCHARGED POWER: 405KW AT 6000RPM

TORQUE: 680NM AT 3000RPM 0-100KM/H: 4.3 SECONDS TOP SPEED: 283KM/H

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 11.3L/100KM FUEL CAPACITY: 82 LITRES

BANG FOR BUCK Priced at R1.65 million the Jaguar F-Pace SVR is only a few grand more expensive than that aforementioned Munich rival, which costs R1.64m, and it’s a good 220 grand less expensive than the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 AMG 4Matic+.

While both German rivals are good for 375kW, the Jaguar SVR trumps them with its 405kW output, while its torque figure of 680Nm puts it way above the 600Nm Beemer, but 20 newtons below the Merc.

However, the bigger Jag is still the slowest from 0-100km/h if we go by the manufacturer supplied figures, with the SVR doing its dash in 4.3 seconds, versus 4.1s for the BMW and 3.8 in the case of the Merc.

However, all three are astoundingly quick by mid-size SUV standards, but to me the enjoyment factor provided by the Jaguar’s vocal and burbly V8 gives it a slight edge over the BMW. It also helps that the Jag’s engine breathes through a variable-valve exhaust system with reduced back pressure and increased gas flow.

Of course, it’s not an economical car and even if you feather-foot it you’re going to battle to keep consumption below 13 litres per 100km. Drive it more enthusiastically, however, and you’re looking at 15 l/100 or more.

Power goes to all four wheels through a smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive system.

HIGH AGILITY SET-UP While an SUV is never going to dart through corners like a sports car, like its BMW rival the Jaguar actually corners

pretty smartly for an SUV, and there’s a directness to the steering that adds to the sensation of agility. Of course, it certainly helps that the SVR features a sports-tuned electronic differential and a torque vectoring system that uses individual wheel braking to enhance agility through tight corners. The vehicle’s Dynamic Stability Control system has also been adapted to suit the Jag’s increased performance potential, and as you’d expect at this level drivers can choose various drive modes, including a Dynamic Driving Mode that’s unique to SVR models. This initiates faster, more responsive gear shifts, sharper throttle responses and increased steering response.

Despite our test car featuring massive 22-inch optional wheels (21-inch rims are standard) the ride quality was not uncomfortable.

Talking comfort, the cabin is as cushy as you’d expect from a Jaguar, and it feels the sports car part too thanks to those race-style sports seats with integrated headrests and 14-way electric adjustment upfront.

SPECIFICATIONS MAKE: JAGUAR MODEL: F-Pace SVR LUGGAGE CAPACITY: 650 litres LENGTH: 4737mm WIDTH: 2175mm HEIGHT: 1670mm GROUND CLEARANCE: 213mm AFTERSALES: Jaguar Care 5-year/100 000km PRICE: from R1,65 million

FORD RANGER RAPTOR

WILLEM VD PUTTE

IT WAS going to be a lazy Sunday chilling at the pool and throwing some meat on the fire.

Still grappling with my first coffee of the day, a message came through on one of the 4x4 WhatsApp groups announcing the intention to venture out to Cullinan and drive the Diggers Hole 4x4 route run by Bosvark Safaris.

A QUICK GETAWAY The long-term Ford Raptor was in the driveway, nice and clean from the previous day’s valet, but I was itching to take it off the black stuff again.

I casually mentioned it to my partner, who’s always game for a bit of outdoor fun, and an hour or two later three vehicles, the Raptor, a 3.2-litre Ranger Wildtrak and a Discovery 3, met at a fuel station to buy snacks and cold drinks, before engaging in a four-wheel drive showdown.

Diggers Hole isn’t a crazy vehicle-destroying track but, like any 4x4 route, you can make it as difficult or easy as you wish, depending on what lines you select.

We’ve taken the Raptor on a tough, dusty and hot four-day excursion along a river bed in Limpopo towing my off-road trailer, it’s taken a road trip to Durban and we’ve attended one of Ford’s off-road training days.

It’s been a pleasure to drive and not once did it give a moment’s hesitation or resistance, but I wanted to try it out on a more difficult and technical route.

So after picking up the gate keys and catching up with owner Michael van Dyk, we headed to the first obstacle which was a mud hole, made even muddier after recent rains.

AXLE TWISTERS AHEAD I offered to take the lead, which in hindsight I understand why the others agreed, selected the mud/sand mode, dipped the nose into the hole, pressed the accelerator and within five metres promptly got stuck with the 35-inch all-terrain tyres spewing mud everywhere. Eventually, with a short-backward recovery from one of the dedicated recovery points and giving it a lot more stick to gain momentum, the Raptor nudged its way forward over the

edge. Needless to say vehicle two and three gave it a miss.

Next was a serious axle twister and while the Raptor would do it with little help except for traction control, I opted to engage the rear difflock to spare both the environment and the brakes, especially as they were now covered in mud.

We did it a few times to compare the Ranger Wildtrak and the Raptor, both built just up the road in Silverton.

The owner has put on slightly bigger tyres to raise the Wildtrak a bit while the Raptor is fitted standard with 35-inch BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber.

Neither of the vehicles struggled but the difference the Fox suspension – designed specifically for the Raptor – makes really becomes clear in situations like these.

With decent flex and those big tyres it literally takes only a touch of the accelerator to shoot through the obstacle and don’t get me wrong, the Wildtrak is an excellent bakkie, but the Raptor makes finishing an obstacle just a little more elegant. We took on a couple more obstacles with ease, eventually only two of them remained; a loose, very rocky stretch that included an axle twister and a water crossing.

WORTHY ADVENTURE VEHICLE The Raptor is an imposing double cab so it needed a few turns to get it aligned, and with the terrain mode set to Rock, I gently eased it forward and, well, I really didn’t need to, it did the final turn without so much as raising a sweat.

Does that mean it’s not a difficult challenge? No, it means that the Raptor makes things look easy.

The river crossing looked deep so we tested the depth first with a stick and because the surface was solid, decided to test the 850mm wading depth. Heading in, the water washed slightly over the bonnet before settling down and cruising out without any fuss. Because of the amount of clay mud we headed back to reception to wash the brakes and callipers off with a high-pressure hose, the rest would have to be done at its next valet wash.

Fortunately, it poured down on the way back so the undercarriage was being cleaned nicely as we drove the 2.0-litre twin turbo in 10th gear home along the highway.

It was a day that we tested the mud/sand and rock settings, gave it a bit of stick in Baja mode on the entrance road, tested the 283mm ground clearance, 850mm wading depth 32.5-degree approach angle and 24-degree rampover and departure angle. Basically we did everything the Raptor was built to do and it did it without raising an eyebrow or lifting a tyre. Damn, I love that truck!

SPECIFICATIONS MAKE: FORD MODEL: RANGER RAPTOR ENGINE: 2.0-litre four-cylinder biturbo diesel POWER: 157kW at 3750rpm TORQUE: 500Nm at 1500rpm 0-100km/h: 12 seconds TOP SPEED: 160km/h FUEL CONSUMPTION: 8.3l/100km (claimed) / 10.9l/100km (on test) FUEL CAPACITY: 80 litres LUGGAGE CAPACITY: 607kg max payload LENGTH: 5398mm WIDTH: 2180mm HEIGHT: 1873mm GROUND CLEARANCE: 283mm AFTERSALES: Ford Protect 6-year/90 000km Service Plan and 4-year/120 000km warranty PRICE: R888 900

KIDS ON BOARD

Safety & comfort for the family City slicking Volvo XC60 hits the sweet spot off road too PRITESH RUTHUN

I HADN’T attempted the 2 150 metres above sea level (at its highest point) Long Tom Pass in Mpumalanga in several months and thought the cold and wet weather that presented itself last month would make for an ideal grand touring test of the Volvo XC60 D4 AWD R-Design.

We packed the smart-looking mid-size premium SUV to the brim, using more than the 505 litres the boot offered by stuffing some of the kids’ luggage into the rear footwells under their baby seats that were mounted next to each other.

It was a long road ahead to our destination, the Kruger National Park, which we wanted to visit due to it being SA National Parks Week. The annual event, traditionally held in September, was moved to November because of the Covid-19 Alert Level 2 regulations.

We ensured the necessary water and snacks were available, particularly for the toddlers, although we would be making several stops along the way to break up the journey and to stay refreshed behind the wheel before hitting the road.

SUV INSTEAD OF SPORTS CAR My relationship with Long Tom Pass is a special one and it began more than a decade

ago when I was fortunate enough to take a Honda S2000 (AP1) on a weekend sojourn to Hazyview. That car to this day remains arguably one of the greatest cars ever made and on that piece of road, I knew it was one of the greatest motoring experiences I’d ever have.

I took a friend’s Porsche 996 911 Turbo up and down that mountain and came away mildly impressed (it was the Tiptronic). After that, I’d gone again, and again, taking everything from BMW’s manic E92 M3 Frozen Black Edition to my old lethargic Maserati Quattroporte up and down the “cannon” road. My point is, I’d done the sports car thing on Long Tom and now that we seem to be buying more SUVs than anything else, I wanted to see what a city-slicking Volvo would feel like on that road; a road that has provided so many memorable experiences.

On paper, the Volvo XC60 D4 AWD R-Design won’t set your heart or pants on fire if you’re into performance figures, but you’d be surprised to know that it makes the same power and torque that an Audi Q5 40 TDI Sport makes.

At 140kW and 400Nm, it’s nothing to scoff at, and while it won’t light up all-four wheels from a standstill, it’s built solidly with the power and torque coming on progressively. I prefer driving it in Dynamic Mode, to ensure

the throttle is ultra-responsive, while the ride is in its firmest setting. On this trip, I kept it in Dynamic mode for most of the way out of Johannesburg along the N1 North and then the N4 before heading off the highway towards our usual routes through Dullstroom and Lydenburg and the rest.

Tackling the Pass on the way to the KNP was my main goal, however, with the canon that sits on the right as a potential stopping point on the journey for a photo opportunity. Now, I wouldn’t be attacking the mountain

as usual when travelling with motoring buddies because this was a family trip, but I tried to maintain a steady pace up and as smooth as possible without upsetting the car or the wife.

In some of the corners, the vehicle was working hard to maintain composure, never breaking a sweat as I felt it shuffle the power and torque to the wheels that needed it when cornering. Body control was sublime, offering just enough lean to let you know where the vehicle’s limits were and where the occupants felt

comfortable in terms of enjoying a sporty drive that isn’t overwhelming to the senses.

Even the kids loved the drive the whole way, particularly when the mountain ascent and descent took place with cheers or “Go faster, dad” from my son.

MADE TO ADVENTURE The XC60 D4 R-Design is fitted with a host of comfort, safety and luxury features to ensure that even the most tech-savvy city dweller won’t feel left without

DETOUR

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM FOR WEEKLY UPDATES ON LIVING WITH THE XC60

when spending around R900 000 on a premium vehicle. Our car, as standard, is kitted out fairly nicely but it’s the optional air suspension that really proved its worth on the long road this time.

Don’t get me wrong: it’s still a fantastic vehicle if you’re looking for something that will spend 90% of its life in the city or suburbs, but if you take it on the highway for a long drive; well that’s when you’ll start to truly appreciate the qualities of the vehicle.

For example, I didn’t make much use of the ECO driving programme in the city while running the vehicle in. I kept it in Comfort, the everyday setting they call it. I used ECO throughout our touring in Mpumalanga and throughout the Kruger National Park, using the Stop/Start system too. On the highway back, the ECO mode proved extremely relaxing to use, giving you a very lazy accelerator pedal and lightweight steering.

And, because this car is fitted with the air suspension package, it lowers itself closer to the tarmac to reduce aerodynamic drag too.

In ECO mode, the vehicle tries to hang onto 8th gear for as long as possible to ensure you are sipping as little fuel as possible and will even disengage and “coast” in many off-throttle circumstances. With the ECO mode engaged on the return journey from Mpumalanga for most of the way, the car’s range shot up to nearly 1 500km after a top-up of 50ppm in Hazyview. I had just achieved 900km on the previous tank full of diesel and that was while still enjoying the sportier driving dynamics it has to offer.

We arrived back in Johannesburg with the range sitting around 550km to empty. Amazing, considering we encountered lots of traffic on the way back, as well as stop/go roadworks.

I enjoyed the blind spot assist too, as well as some of the camera systems and the safety systems that made it so confidence-inspiring to drive.

In fact, the blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert system not only came in handy when on the road but also inside the Kruger Park when people were scampering about to catch glimpses of a leopard,

wildebeest or cheetah. The onboard camera systems and the OFFROAD driving programme helped in many instances where the rain had cut deep ridges and trenches into the dirt roads around the park. The XC60 simply sailed through loose sand and mud with ease.

I wasn’t too sure that the sporty 21-inch Pirellis we had fitted to the car were up to the challenge of the dirt roads but I came away quite surprised that the big wheels and tyres package worked well despite their sporty characteristics.

BUILT TO EXPLORE Look, if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we cannot take our country for granted and that while it might be nice to travel to far off exotic places overseas on holiday, South Africa offers true hidden gems like the hideouts we found in the Kruger National Park to discover.

The Volvo XC60 D4 AWD R-Design proved to be the ultimate companion for this inland trip and it’s making it clearer and clearer to me every day why people are buying vehicles in this premium segment.

The enhanced seating position that an SUV like the XC60 gives you as a driver makes these sorts of longdistance drives so much more relaxing.

I made use of the voice control through Android Auto to control most of our navigation and audio needs and we even streamed some Google Podcasts in the car while driving to take a small break from the deep bass notes generated by the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

While we were on the way back, my wife and I were talking about the comfort of the car and its ability to make the journey feel so effortless. In fact, she commented that next to the Volkswagen Touareg, perhaps one of our favourite SUVs of all time, this Volvo XC60 really hit the sweet spot as a family getaway vehicle. I tend to agree; it certainly didn’t disappoint and it didn’t skip a beat, and I’m really looking forward to taking it on another cross-country journey in the coming weeks to rack on another 1 000km.

Over the past 2 000km, the vehicle is sipping an average of 9.5l/100km and I expect to drop well into the 8l/100km mark as the vehicle is run-in further.

The only niggle? A wayward stone that hit us squarely on the windscreen while following a truck on a very potholed section of the R536 road. I’ll be popping into my local Volvo dealer this week for an assessment of the windscreen damage and to see if we have to replace it. Stay tuned for more updates as I report back on more of the technical nature of the vehicle; its engine and drivetrain tech and its safety credentials.

PERFORMANCE CAR NEWS

Nissan readies Fortuner, Everest rival for SA NISSAN has launched its new X-Terra SUV in the Middle East, and it’s essentially a facelifted version of the Navara-based Terra which has been around since 2018 in various global markets.

A Nissan South Africa spokesperson has told IOL that the new SUV is earmarked for local introduction in the latter part of 2021, and it will be called the Terra in our market (instead of X-Terra). Prices and other specifics will be disclosed nearer to the time.

When asked whether it would be built in Rosslyn alongside the upcoming Navara, the Nissan representative said “not at first”, meaning that local production could follow at a later stage. The only engine Nissan is mentioning for now is a 2.5-litre normally aspirated petrol unit with 124kW, however, South African versions would no doubt inherit the Navara’s 2.3-litre diesel unit, which is offered in 120kW single-turbo and 140kW twin-turbo guises. Like its natural rivals, the X-Terra has got all the hardware necessary for a challenging off-road excursion, including a part-time four-wheel drive system with low range, an electronic locking rear differential and Hill Descent Control.

The cabin offers seating for up to seven occupants, and the third row can be folded to create a flat loading space. The Terra has a different dashboard to the Navara, but it does share its 20.3cm Nissan Connect infotainment system as well as the large (17.8cm) TFT display between the analogue dials of the instrument cluster. Watch this space for more details when they become available later in 2021. | IOL Motoring

Compact Toyota SUV confirmed for SA TOYOTA South Africa is planning to launch a new compact SUV. While introducing its new Agya budget hatchback to local media last month, the company showed a slide detailing its small car line-up in South Africa, and at the top was an unnamed B-Segment SUV which the company describes as affordable, spacious, stylish and comfortable.

When approached for comment, a Toyota SA spokesperson told IOL that it could not disclose any details on the B-SUV as yet.

However, there is good reason to believe that the new high-rider in question is the Urban Cruiser. While the new Yaris Cross is technically also a B SUV candidate, it’s unlikely that this is the vehicle TSA plans to introduce as it would be a more expensive offering. | IOL Motoring

Gaming making cars safer VIDEO gaming has taken the globe by storm since its conception in the 1950s, today standing proud as a massively profitable niche within the entertainment industry.

Statista reports that there are currently around 2.7 billion gamers across the globe. What very few of those gamers probably realise though is that this fun activity is having a big impact on road safety.

Volvo Cars last month showed us how it has harnessed unconventional, cutting-edge video gaming technology employed by the gaming industry’s leading developers and coders and – instead of playing with it – the company is using this tech to create safe cars.

“We are inspired by the gaming community. They are always pushing the boundaries. And they have already created virtual ‘props’ such as trees, for instance. This meant that we didn’t have to reinvent these things,” explained Timmy Ghiurau, Innovation Leader and virtual experiences expert at Volvo Cars. Video gaming also opens many possibilities when it comes to testing and development.

“Some scenarios are too dangerous to test in real life; others are too rare,” said Ghiurau. Enter Unity 3D modelling, which Volvo is now employing in its research and development processes.

While it’s better known for being a game development platform, Volvo is now employing this technology to create scenarios that all happen in real-time.

There are two other pieces of tech that are playing an equally important role in helping to develop safer cars, namely the Varjo XR-1 mixed reality headset and Teslasuit’s full-body haptic suit. The headset – so sophisticated that it was recently used by Boeing to conduct first-ever astronaut training in virtual reality (VR) – enables the user to “create” a car. “You can actually climb into the car by walking through the side of the car or through the windscreen – because it is VR, of course,” explains Ghiurau. The location of the car can be changed at the press of a button.

The third piece of the tech puzzle – the haptic suit – allows the wearer to physically feel how a real car would react in simulated scenarios. “Haptics is all about the field of touch. When we combine the use of the suit with tracking of the eyes, we know how the person is feeling. Safety is not only about the car. We are a human-centric company – so we really care about how people feel,” Ghiurau pointed out.

Volvo Cars’ next-generation SPA 2 modular vehicle architecture will be available as hardware-ready for autonomous drive from production start in 2022. In fact, the live stream contained demonstrations of autonomous driving in action on the simulator and on the test track. The engineers even created a blue avatar, who was seated next to the driver, while the Volvo was driving itself.

And it was all thanks to the use of gaming technology. | IOL Motoring

Armour series Land Cruiser for SA SOUTH African armoured product specialist SVI Engineering has launched a new armoured vehicle that aims to provide a more cost effective solution for those seeking protection from both ballistic and general riot threats. Built around the Toyota Land Cruiser 79-series chassis and engine, the new Max 3 is available in both civilian and military configurations.

The civilian variant, which doesn’t require NCACC permits, was designed for everything from convoy protection to civil security, riot control and mining security.

Customers can choose between three body configurations: single cab, double cab and armoured personnel carrier.

The newcomer is an evolution of the previous version, and boasts a new design as well as a roomier cabin and improved ergonomics. The conversion sees the Land Cruiser’s ‘soft-skin’ body removed and replaced with an all-steel body built from armoured plating. This outer shell was designed in-house by SVI, employing the latest CAD software. SVI says the vehicle provides a minimum protection of EN1063 BR6 (assault rifles) with additional protection against anti-personnel mines.

It can also be upgraded to BR7 level. The military version was designed to be air transportable in a C130, and it’s also fitted with weapon mounts. The powertrains remain as per the Toyota, including the option of a 5-litre V8 turbodiesel. How much? SVI Engineering says that pricing starts at R1.6 million, excluding vat, but including a one-year/50 000km warranty.

However, costs differ depending on the configuration. | IOL Motoring

V8 Wrangler a reality (but not for us) JUST days after teasing us with the prospect of a V8 Wrangler, Jeep has whipped the covers off the production version of the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept.As the most powerful Wrangler ever, the Rubicon 392 comes with FCA’s 6.4-litre V8 Hemi engine, which produces 350kW and 637Nm - enough, Jeep says, to haul it from zero to 96km/h in 4.5 seconds. That’s a cool 40 percent improvement over the current V6 Wrangler Rubicon. Putting that power to the road is an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive system with Selec-Trac two-speed transfer case.

Also helping its ‘go anywhere’ cause are heavy-duty, wide-track Dana 44 axles with Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials and electronic front sway-bar disconnect.

Furthermore the beefed up suspension system, with revised geometry, lifts the Wrangler by 50mm, while 33-inch off-road tyres on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels further enhance its off-roading ability.

All of this, Jeep says, allows the vehicle to confidently climb up and down steep obstacles with minimal throttle and braking input. The Jeep also comes with a tri-level Hydro-Guide air intake system that can channel water away from the engine at a rate of 56 litres per minute.

Inside, the luxurious cabin boasts unique bronze stitching and Rubicon 392 embroidering on the seats and it’s also set apart by a new sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters. Sadly, it appears that Fiat Chrysler is only planning to build the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 in left-hand-drive guise, which means it will remain forbidden fruit for South African Jeep fans. | IOL Motoring

FOLLOW @IOLMOTORING ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST CAR NEWS AS IT BREAKS