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Contents Pg 6 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 3.6 Pg12 Hyundai I30 1.8GLS Pg 21Nissan Murano Xtronic PG28 Subaru WRX 2.5 Premium Pg38 Chev Trailblazer 2.5 VS Toyota Fortuner 2.5
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Credits and stuff: Editor : STephen De Vries PhotoGrapher : Shooting Spree Photography Publisher :360 Media Webhosting : 360 Media Online Marketing : Internetmarketers.co.za / Perclick.co.za Contact info: Office 0224612526 Mobile 0825888383 Email: Info@Leftlane.co.za Web : www.leftlane.co.za Photography : Shootingspree.co.za Facebook : www.facebook.com/leftlaneza Twitter @ leftlaneza
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ISSUE one Hey Guys and Girls :) This is our first new issue in a relatively new part of our ever-expanding motoring website. We decided to put this magazine or ezine, as I would like to think of it, together for those techno boffins out there who like to have their material on the go. This magazine should easily be available on your android or apple devices. I’ve personally tested it on both units and it works rather brilliantly. So next time you have no excuse not to get reading when there is no signal about. In this issue we have a couple of great cars for you. The ever so popular Jeep Wrangler; an icon of off-roading makes a quick turn at our offices and we decided to put it through its paces. The new car of the year finalist; the Hyundai I30 also got a great little work out and, let me tell, you its a pretty impressive little car.
The Highlight of the issue is the little shootout between the new trailblazer and the fortuner which trailrider and Left Lane decided to put together. Both vehicles performed very well head to head, but its best you check it out and see for yourself. We also spent some time in the rally-bred Subaru Wrx and I must admit that the new model is an extremely surprising package. The end of the year is upon us once again and I would just like to wish all of you a happy and safe festive season. Please don’t forget to join our page on facebook if you haven’t already and follow our twitter page for upto-date news and snap-shots of those awesome photos Kirsten has been taking. Until our next issue, which shouldn’t be too long, I promise. Stephen de Vries (wannabe editor guy)
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Urban Transformer Jeep Wrangler Sahara 3.6
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The Wrangler recently got a completely new engine and the new Pentastar 3.6l engine is not only more powerful, but the fuel consumption figures are actually really impressive. The 209kw v6 features variable valve timing, which makes it eager to rev and it’s apparent that it actually is pretty comfortable running high rpm for sustainable periods of time. Perfect for those sand duning days! The new Wrangler looks very similar to the others before it, but it actually is a little more coloursome now with colour coded fenders and a colour coded roof. The roof is obviously removable, from the roof in the front to the rear. What you are left with is a
padded roll bar; that signature Jeep look. The interior is still very basic, but is a major improvement over models that came before it. For once we have a decent stereo. The My Gig setup offers you an internal hard drive with touch screen capabilities. Uconnect, which is Jeeps connectivity package, is an optional extra. I actually found the sound pretty impressive with a factory fitted seven speaker setup, including a rear subwoofer. The interior space is good in the front but for obvious reasons the rear space can get a little cramped if you try and fit two abnormally large driver and passenger in the front. It would however comfortably seat 4 occupants with ease. Boot space is a rather tiny 142liters, but you are not buying it for its boot space, are you? To be honest, this is not aimed as an overland vehicle.
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The Jeep really is a toy and is meant for the serious off roader who likes conquering the tallest dunes and the highest mountains. With an approach angle of 38.4 and a departure angle of 31.3, the Jeep will climb nearly everything you throw it at and the new engine really makes it completely effortless, too. Fuel consumption was pretty impressive at 10.5l/100km on our open road stint. In town, it crept up to 12.l/100km. Still majorly impressive for a 209kw vehicle! 0-100kph times is claimed at 8.6 seconds. Yes, that’s close on hot
hatch territory, only this time, you are in a Wrangler! The wheels are 245/75/17 all terrains with tire pressure monitors. The live axle front suspension, coupled with a rear live axle setup, can make things a little bouncy if you find yourself on a really bad road, but it’s to be expected due to the short wheel base nature of the Jeep. In actual fact, it’s pretty comfortable and you really can’t fault it otherwise. Gravel road driving is stable with no nasty surprises; this is due to the wide footprint keeping good
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track for the most part. We really love everything about the wrangler. It’s not a vehicle you would buy if you just want to commute to and from work; it’s something far more special than that. It gives you a great feeling just knowing that this is a Jeep and a go-nearly-anywhere kind of machine. I would buy one in a heartbeat. That sense of coolness behind the wheel. Go drive one and you will understand. The Jeep Sahara 3.6 retails for R379 990 and has a 3 year 100 000km warranty and a 3 year 100 000km maintenance plan. For more info, check out Jeep.
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New Kid On The Block Hyundai i30 1.8GLS
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*
Warrant y SerVICe PLan 51ye50ar000km 51year 00 000km www.renault.co.za
NOTHING WAS EVER ACCOMPLISHED BY STANDING STILL. Introducing the new Mégane Collection 2 curves and smart technology – including LED lights; integrated navigation with live traffic updat search; climate control aircon with air quality control; USB with iPod connectivity; Bluetooth; rain ESP; and 8 airbags – every part is designed to make sure you never stop evolving. Mégane available in both hatch & coupé Terms & conditions apply. Certain features are optional or may vary across different models. *Retail prices in accordance with 03 October 2012 price list. Prices exclude “on the road” costs.
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2012 with expressive tes and Google local n and light sensors;
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There are so many hatchbacks available to us today, it’s really hard to choose. Hyundai released the i30 a couple of months ago and, well, your choices have just become a little tougher. From the outside, you see similar lines to that of the Accent or the Elantra and the interior sort of follows suit. From the outside you have the sharp angular headlights and shapely fog lights which are recessed in a sporty looking bumper. This sporty line continues down the car to the tail where you have a boot spoiler with integrated brake lights. Everywhere you look you have sharp angles, which are very pleasing to the eye. There is no doubt that the I30 is a looker and here to take on the likes of Honda, Ford, VW and Toyota. The I30 is available in 3 models; the 1.6 GL Manual, 1.6GL Automatic and the top of the range 1.8GLS. All engines are fitted with variable valve timing and this 16
just gives it a little bit more power in the upper RPM’s. Make no mistake; both the 1.6 and 1.8 will surprise you in the performance department. The 1.6 produces 95kw and the 1.8 a whopping 110kw and 178nm.
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The 1.8 will see a 0-100km sprint in 9.7 and will run on to around 200kph on a flat level road. Fuel consumption figures are pretty good, all things considered. The 1.6 automatic is a little bit heavier than the 1.6 manual and does about 7.6l/100km on a combined cycle. We averaged about 7.8l/100km in the 1.8 on the combined cycle. If you drive carefully, you should be able to bring it close to about 7l/100km. The 6 speed manual transmission on the 1.8GLS is as smooth as silk. The clutch is also pretty soft and will suit the female gender perfectly. Let’s get inside. The 1.8GLS, which we tested, was the top of the range model fitted with leather seats . All models in the range are similarly specced and the only thing that differs on the 1.6GL vs. the 1.8GLS are the leather seats in the GLS and 17inch alloy wheels. The audio system accepts USB, MP3, CDs and also streams via Bluetooth. There is also a Bluetooth car kit which is very easy to figure out and setup. The Sound system is a 6 speaker unit which is surprisingly good. It has ample Leftlane.co.za
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volume without sounding flat. Climate control is also standard and is a nice fearture. Headlights are adjustable and are halogen across the range, fog lights are standard. The I30 is fitted with 6 airbags, and crumple zone and side impact beams have also been incorporated into the body’s construction. Alarm and immobilizer is standard, as well as central locking. An auto lock function is present when the vehicle exceeds 15km/h and, as with most cars, child locks are present on the rear doors. The I30 makes a compelling argument in this sector and at the entry level price of R229 900 for the 1.6 GL and R249 900 for the 1.8GLS. The I30 comes standard with a 150 000km/5 year warranty, a 5 year service plan and a 5 year, 150 000km roadside assist package. You really do need to ask yourself why you have not yet considered the I30 in your shopping basket. If it’s there, good on ya, its worthy! Leftlane.co.za
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Nissan Murano Xtronic CVt
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Samurai Showdown Leftlane.co.za
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When the Nissan Murano was released here for the first time, I was not particularly fond of it. Maybe it was because I had not given it a chance or hadn’t spent some proper time with it to actually give credit where it was due. The new Murano has been around for a couple of months now and, compared to the old car, it’s a fresh look. It not only looks better, it’s faster and more fuel efficient too. When we are talking softies, this is about as good as it gets. The Murano is all about comfort and space and that it
provides ample of. The interior is full leather with soft touch pieces and inserts just about everywhere. This really puts it a step above the rest and I would like to come right out and say that this interior can easily compete with the likes of the Lexus GS and the 5 series BMW. Rightfully so, it’s cost about the same. The Murano is premier front wheel drive and, as with most softies, traction gets pushed to the rear whenever front wheel slip is detected. The CVT gear box is extremely smooth and can
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really put the power down when it’s needed. Gearshifts are completely smooth and you really would need to concentrate to feel when you are shifting gears. The gearbox is also able to shift manually, but being a trip trogon gearbox, it hardly makes for an exhilarating drive. Inside there is plenty of space in both the front and the rear. I, being nearly 2 meters tall, had no problem getting into the soft and comfortable heated leather seats. Even with the seats fully retracted to the rear, I could still fit in between the seats at the back. That’s not always possible in other vehicles. The double sunroof tilts 24
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and slides only the front one, but the rears sunshade retracts with that of the first one. You can either have them both closed or both open. Visibility in the cabin is excellent with them either open or closed. The entertainment area is where I really am most fond of the Murano. The eleven speaker Bose system, with two subwoofers, play exceptionally loud and clear and it will play from your iPod, Bluetooth device, from the internal CD or the 9.3gb hard drive it has built in. There is also a reverse camera and a complete onboard computer which will inform you of all the trip details, including fuel consumption and things like distance travelled, estimated range and such. If you are a gadget freak, then you will have a little piece of heaven right there. The 3.5 v6 is smooth as
silk. It makes a good amount of power; 191kw and 336 nm to be exact. As previously mentioned it’s mated to a lovely CVT gearbox which makes the gear changes silky smooth. There always seems to be enough power available, and that 3.5 engine sounds amazing while making it. Top speed is claimed at 210kph and it gets there pretty quickly for a vehicle of this size. Fuel consumption is not bad either with our vehicle returning just over 10.5l/100km during granny driving mode. If you are more enthusiastic, which it is hard not to be with such a great engine, you are looking at around. 13-15l/100km 0 to 100 is also claimed at 8 seconds flat, which is pretty good for a vehicle of this size. Speaking of big, the Murano is big and wide and not really recommended if you have a fear of parking. While there are sufficient parking aids, there was still a lack of park distance control on our vehicle. The intuitive rear camera made up for it though; however, I sorely missed the front PDC. Tar weight is 1.8 tons and the Murano will tow a maxi-
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and with the intelligent all mode 4×4, which can be locked into allwheel drive, the Murano should handle small climbs with ease. Just don’t take it to Dewilt and try and compete with the Jeeps. The Murano comes standard with key less entry and an array of other confidence goodies. I personally liked the dual zone sunroofs, electric tailgate opening and the electric flip up rear seats. Bi-xenon headlights provided a brilliantly sharp light for night driving and the LED based taillights are bright and clear. I see a trend with new vehicles all utilizing the led taillights for low energy consumption and life. Safety is all important and the Murano does not stand back for any of it. VDC, ABS, Brake Assist, active brake limited slip, dual front, curtain and side airbags all are standard.
mum braked trailer that weighs in at 1.5tons. While the Murano is no 4Ă—4 it will do the average gravel road and grade two trails just fine. The 185mm ground clearance is adequate enough 26
The Murano is a good solid offering from Nissan in this segment and I was really impressed with the smooth drive and comfortable seats. I would really be able to travel great distances without much fatigue. This is the perfect family hauler.
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The Murano has a price tag of R562. 925 and while it sounds like a lot, it offers some serious amount of kit! Service intervals are every 15 000km and it comes standard with a 90 000 km service plan and an optional maintenance plan is also available. Road side assistance is included and, as per usual with Nissan, there is a 3 year 100 000 km warranty.
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Schoolyard Bully Subaru Wrx Premium
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Grip, grip and more tarmac shredding grip. That all I have to say about the WRX. Its amazing what a good chassis and symmetrical all wheel drive and do for handling. The WRX has been a wet dream for most petrol heads for a long time and to be honest its easy to see why. All wheel drive, a turbo charged boxer engine and sharp aggressive lines on the bodywork. Its almost as if the WRX wants to eat, its fellow motorists and spit it out those quad exhaust tailpipes and out onto the road.
lights with spot lights and autolevelling for the headlights. The visibility at night is pretty good, but the high beam is still halogen. The sharp front nose area for the car is pretty pleasing and its something I could look at, for hours at once. There is just nothing that looks out of place. Its almost as Zeus carved up the car with a lightning bolt! I’ve never really been a fan of previous generation Wrx interiors because they were just simplistic. Nothing fancy, nothing to write home about. But Subaru has gone a long way from the
The new Wrx has been changed somewhat from the previous generation and the biggest most noticeable element is the body. The arches has been widened and this one is much more of a looker. Lets be honest. 99Percent of the Wrx owners wants their Wrx to look like the STI. The Wrx carries the same body kit, minus the wing, the 18inch forged alloys and the STI front fender. If you glanced quickly, you would be able to mistake the Wrx for the more racier STI. The Wrx features Xenon head30
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first Wrx’s interior from the early 90’s. The new vehicle has leather bucket seats with a leather multi function steering wheel and a leather based gear nob. The pedals are also aluminium with rubber inserts for grip. There is no doubt in my mind, that this is a drivers car and the interior points that out clearly.
There are some luxuries too, a tilt and slide sunroof and obviously the leather interior. Climate control and electric windows front and rear also comes standard. Driving the Wrx is much better than just admiring it in the driveway. Its a car that begs to be driven, whether on a track or
on the road. The Wrx suspension feels pretty comfortable around town. It soaks up the bumps and this car would actually be a very good daily driver for those who want something a little extra ordinary and different. Sure you could settle for a Golf R, but you would 32
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have less space and obviously there are more Golfs on the roads than anything else, so where is the uniqueness in that. 0-100kph is claimed in 6 seconds flat and a governed top speed of 220kph. Overtaking acceleration from about 100kph in 5th gear is excellent with a strong pull all the way to the speed cut. It actually surprised
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me to say the least. The 195kw turbocharged boxer just wants to go on and on and on. Recently the engine was completely changed to move away from the timing belt and onto the timing chains, which is essentially a lifetime part. So there would be no need to worry about the dreaded 100 000km service as with most oth-
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er cars. The lovely forged 17inch alloys with 245/17� Dunlop tires provide ample grip and comfort, with very low road noise, which was surprising. The 60l tank should take you around the 550km mark of you control your right foot. With our open road consumption minded run in mind, we averaged a 10.4km/l, which is
not bad for this vehicle. I’ve owned a couple of Subaru’s myself and I’ve been off far worse at times. Drive it like you stole it and you will see about 7km/l, which can be costly, but how much is that smile on your face worth? The Subaru Wrx is a great car. It swallows a family of five and with a boot space of 368l it will take their
luggage too! With a price tag of R429 000, its good value for those that need something different and out of the norm. The acceleration is strong enough to make you giggle and the grip through the bends will make you wonder how did you just do that, but at the end of the day it comes down to if you can live with a car like
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this. I’ve had two and to be honest, its so very easy. The Suburu WRX comes standard with a 3 year / 75 000km maintenance plan, and a 3 year / 100 000km warranty. For more info and your nearest dealer, www. subaru.co.za
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Get a NEW
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FORESTER
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Model
Retail Price
Instalment
Interest Rate
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2.5X MT
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BLOEMFONTEIN 051 448 6000 JOHANNESBURG 011 6 DURBAN 031 365 6600 EAST LONDON 043 701 6400 POR
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3 year/75 000km Maintenance Plan
Constant Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
ANC AP Rated
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Interest rate linked to the prevailing prime rate. This deal is subject to credit approval by Subaru Finance, an authorised financial services and registered credit provider. Pricing includes once off initiation fee of R 1140 and a monthly service fee of R 57. Terms and conditions apply. E & OE. While stocks last.
622 0260 BRYANSTON 011 463 2400 CAPE TOWN 021 430 8000 CENTURION 012 653 7309 RT ELIZABETH 041 484 3331 PIETERMARITZBURG 033 342 9922 SOMERSET WEST 021 853 8618
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DeathMatch 38
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TrailBlazer vs Fortuner.
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Enter the new Trailblazer. We recently attended the launch and were pretty much impressed by the new level of quality that GM brought to South Africa. However, this segment is currently pretty much dominated by the ever so popular Toyota Fortuner. It’s not only that it’s a brilliant vehicle in one role, but that it does everything with little or no fuss. The new Trailblazer is here to dethrone the king. Whether the 4x4 model will jump at the Fortuner with its claws out, remains to be seen. However, this report is not at all about the 4x4, but the entry level 4x2 models. Call it the bread and butter vehicles. Lets start with the Trailblazer. It’s new, it’s fresh 40
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and you won’t find 5 million of them on our roads so, naturally, there would be some head turning here and there with onlookers gawking at the first sight of it. Personally, I like the Trailblazer. The lines run neatly from front to back, but there is just so much of a resemblance to the Fortuner, or so nearly everybody tells me. The 2.5 is powered by a 110kw and 350nm turbo diesel engine which runs pretty well and is very quiet. You sometimes wonder if this really could be a diesel when you are driving it. It is priced at R364 000; a little more expensive than the Fortuner, but it does come with a little bit more kit. The Trailblazer is fitted with 245/70/16 42
tires which seem to soak up the dirt roads very well. There is also very little squirming when cornering on tar and although the Trailblazer has no traction control, there are times where a heavy foot will screech tire tires. The 76l fuel tank is good enough for about 700km in mixed driving conditions and we averaged about 12km/l with our trip to Mossel Bay. The 5 link suspension makes things pretty smooth going on even the roughest roads and I must confess that I Leftlane.co.za
did not think it was that wonderful until we switched vehicles. If you like towing, you would be pleased to hear that the Trailblazer can tow a mammoth 2.5 tons versus 1.7 tons of the Fortuner. The Trailblazer is also about a 150kg heavier in its gross vehicle mass and measures in at 2620kg, vs 2505 of the Fortuner. The infotainment system on the Trailblazer is pretty good. You have a frontloading CD player with mp3 support, Bluetooth connectiv-
ity for your phone, audio player and a micro USB, which is a little annoying since the industry standard is obviously full size USB. The Trailblazer is also fitted with 6
be extremely tedious and the ability to keep your speed set at a certain level makes things a little bit more convenient. Unfortunately, the Fortuner lacked this
Fortuner from the start. I mean, how could a bad vehicle sell so many units month after a single month? Sure this is not the 3.0 D4d, but the con-
speakers and the sound is average for a vehicle this size.
- something which was sorely missed on the drive back to Cape Town.
cept stays the same. High ground clearance and a reliable diesel engine is all part of the package.
Cruise control is a big plus for an entry level vehicle like this. Long roads can
The Fortuner. I must admit that I was bias to the Leftlane.co.za
The 2.5 Fortuner is powered by a 43
The Trailblazer seems the roomier of the two. Specs say different though.
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The Fortuner 3rd row seats fold up where the Trailblazer seats fold into the floor.
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The difflock did prove a handy feature when we crossed the Moordkuyl river. It meant that the Fortuner would be able to stop and pull away without much issue. We did have a bit of an issue with the Trailblazer turbo diesel engine making 106kw and 343nm. Admittedly a few ponies down from the Trailblazer, but it’s hardly noticeable. The Fortuner did feel like it was more alive through the gears, but seemed to have lost power when speeds approach 160kph. The 220mm ground clearance is sufficient enough to forge rivers and streams and also don’t forget that the Fortuner is fitted with a rear difflock, Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control as standard and will keep things in check on bad gravel roads.
digging into the loose and slippery rocks, but it was due to us being negligent and wandering ever so slightly off the trail. After we tugged the Trailblazer from its resting spot, we went through that same spot several times without trouble. A mental note; momentum, momentum and more momentum.
While the Trailblazer lacked the difflock and stability control, it was no more unstable than the Fortuner. Only in extreme cases of badly corrugated roads did you feel a bit of a tail wiggle.
The Fortuners interior is a bit of a let-down compared to that of the Trailblazer. While the interior is a practical colour, the cabin lacks certain aesthetics and resembles that of a bakkie.
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Not necessarily a bad thing, but I enjoyed the cabin of the Trailblazer a little more. The Fortuners drivers cockpit was a little bigger and I had more leg room, but the difference is very marginal. There are only 4 cup holders in the Fortuner, vs. 11 - yes eleven - in the Trailblazer. Why you would need eleven of the things is beyond me; I suppose it makes sense for a family trip.
little bit heavier heading down to Cape Town in gusting winds. Loading space in both vehicles is impressive with both being 7-seaters. I do think that the Trailblazer will be able to seat actual passengers at the back and not just double jointed kids. With the seats flat, the Fortuners space is claimed at 1680l versus the 1830l of the Trailblazer.
The 80l tank, coupled with good fuel consumption, will give you a great range. We averaged about 12.5km/l on our initial test and a
The infotainment, or rather lack thereof, is also another point of concern on the Fortuner. Luckily in this case we have a
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full size USB, so playing music from your phone is thankfully a little easier than it would be in the Trailblazer. There is also CD/ mp3 support and there are only 4 speakers in the vehicle. These two vehicles are a bit of an odd bunch. You have a lot of space for hauling the kids around and some decent ground clearance if you want to jump a pavement or two. Neither of them are suited to any sort of real off-roading or rather trail riding, but they can and will take any rough gravel road with ease. There are pros and cons with both vehicles and it comes down to vehicle taste and obviously personal requirements.
Both of these vehicles are standard with a 5 year, 90 000km service plan, but the Trailblazer trumps the Fortuner in terms of a longer warranty period; 5 year, 120 000km vs. a 3 year 100 000km. This could be a deal breaker for certain buyers.
The Trailblazer lacked a difflock and traction control, which would have completed the car and put it a step above the Fortuner. The Fortuner, although kitted with a difflock and great electronic stability control, it lacks cabin ambiance and obviously also convenient things like cruise control, Bluetooth and PDC.
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We were fortunate (no pun intended) to have these 2 vehicles available to us for a thorough testing out in the Southern Cape where we drove various terrains and different conditions. The idea behind this test is not to say which vehicle is necessarily the better of the 2, but which would suit your lifestyle better.
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