MOTORING

MUSIC

THE FAMILY SEDAN Spotong was given a chance to test two stalwarts of the South African motoring scene over the last few decades, the Nissan Almera and the Toyota Corolla. Both have been, and still are, ever present on the roads of OLD FAVOURITES RETURN WITH NEW LOOKS, BUT HOPEFULLY ALSO THE SAME GOOD REPUTATION does not seem to impact on the interior space of the car. The Almera is powered by a nippy little 1.5 litre engine that delivers a rather decent 73kW of power, with a shade over 130Nm of torque. Although the The Quest is also a decent-sized family car that has a mighty big reputation to live up to. Toyota has made some marked improvements to the Corolla over the last few years, and some of the changes they have made, especially to the looks, haven’t been so great, but the

South Africa; testament to the superior Almera is not designed to win a drag Quest is a great looking family sedan. build quality that both Nissan and Toyota race, it did feel a tad sluggish with the Again, we think Toyota missed the boat a prided themselves in delivering during air-conditioning pumping. What was bit here with the 2014 Quest, and didn’t the 80s and 90s, but are the newer, more impressive is that Nissan claimed the quite give it the upgrade in looks we stylish versions of these classic sedans as good as their forefathers? We explore. Almera would get you 550km of driving per 41 litre tank, yet we were able to stretch that to would have hoped for, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t good looking car. The interior is generously spaced and well over well finished. 600 km. And in a time where the petrol price is climbing faster than we can keep The Corolla has always been that car, the one that never lets you down, never breaks down, and even if it does, most people can fix it with a bit of spit and up with it, the polish. The 1.6 litre engine in the Quest extra kilometres gives the driver just enough grunt certainly help. to make the drive fun, but it is also a The drive is little sluggish up the hills with the airincredibly conditioning on. The Quest, like the smooth, effortless Almera, is not designed to set the tarmac actually, and on fire, but rather provide the driver with exactly what you a decent and comfortable drive, which would expect. it does with honour. The slightly bigger engine delivers a bit more power and The Almera torque, with 90kW available along with The Nissan Almera will set you back around R173 000 and in a highly 154Nm of grunt. The bigger 55-litre petrol tank was also very economical,

The Almera is a decent-sized family sedan that looks quite different to the previous version. The reason for this is that there have been several years competitive market, that is a fair price. however because of the extra power, it was ever so slightly thirstier than the Nissan. between the last Almera and this one. Priced at R179 900,

The front end has had a serious facelift the Quest gives you and now looks as stylish as some of a good return for the best business sedans out there. money spent and is

The overall design and look of the car, sure to prove popular although modern, still feels a little with the discerning behind some of the other competitors family man.in this specific segment. It feels like it is missing that special something to make As excited as we it stand out on the roads, rather than were to put these just fade away into the ordinary drone two family favourites of cars on our roads. Inside the Almera through their paces, everything is very basic, but very well laid and out it has just about everything The Toyota Corolla Quest we can’t help but wish we were given six you could need from a run-around family months to drive these car. There is plenty of space and comfort Probably one of the most popular cars in cars. It would be nice to see if they are for the driver and all passengers. The South Africa over the last three decades, still as great, and also as reliable as the

Almera has enough space to carry five it was exciting for us to get behind the cars that got so much acclaim over the adults. The boot space is generous and wheel of the new Toyota Corolla Quest. last few decades.

LOOKING AHEAD FORTHCOMING EVENTS THIS QUARTER As we start thinking about bidding another year goodbye, we cast our eyes ahead at some of the highlights on the festive calendar. Beer, cider, music, whisky, sport and fashion … Good times lie ahead. SOWETO DERBY POSTPONED TO DECEMBER

The tragic and untimely death of Pirates caption Senzo Meyiwa has caused Soweto’s signature soccer tournament to be delayed. All indications point to December 20 being the date of the match, provided all parties concerned agree. This means that the Absa Premiership matches scheduled for December 20, Pirates against Bloemfontein Celtic and Chiefs against Mpumalanga Black Aces respectfully, would also have to be rescheduled.

If you bought tickets to the Derby you can keep them and use them on December 20 or get your money back in full.

As Spotong went to print this arrangement had not been completely finalised. “The @OfficialPSL has not confirmed a new date for the #AbsaPrem Soweto Derby,” tweeted PSL official Lux September. “The PSL will, at an appropriate time, release a statement on a new date for the #AbsaPrem Soweto Derby fixture.”

CALLING ALL WHISKY LOVERS

Whisky-Lovers, whether connoisseurs or occasional sippers of a dram or two, are looking forward to the FNB Whisky Live Festival held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 12 to 14 November 2014. The Whisky Love Festival is the largest consumer whisky show in the world. Featuring more than 180 top brands, same of them new releases, from Scotland, Ireland, the US, Canada, Wales, Japan, and South Africa. Whisky is progressively becoming the drink of choice for adults in the 40 to 45 year age group, says Sian Neubert, cofounder of NC Connect, the company that organises the South African event.

There is an international trend, with whisky festivals being held in London, Paris, New York, Belgium and Tokyo. South Africa, however, is leading the way, with the Whisky Live Festival being the worlds largest consumer show. With the industry sending its distillers, master blenders and global brand ambassadors to present the whisky tasting workshops and give consumers a chance to meet the faces behind the brands, the festival promises to be as informative as it is entertaining. Scottish, American and Irish brands remain the most wellknown. but whiskies of the world from as far afield as Japan and Wales are beginning to feature, too. Festival visitors have whisky tasting workshops from which to choose. Hosted by international master distifiers, global brand ambassadors, and whisky experts, they are a chance to taste whiskies not available in the main tasting hail or possibly South Africa. These lectures will run during the festival and be held in meeting rooms.

Times: 18h00 to 22h00 Venue: Sandton Convention Centre Times: 18h00 to 22h00 Venue: Sandton Convention Centre

SOWETO FASHION WEEK

26-29 November

fashion industry has had them push through years of hard work and self After the worldwide explosion of this dedication, the challenge of having to work with minimal materials and low prestigious event, Soweto Fashion week budgets. Their chance to get noticed and is back at it again! This year we have 12 carefully selected designers, who will revealed is everything. have to impress and show South Africa how high their talent soars. Tickets and VIP tickets available from Pick n Pay Stores in Soweto. This is a fabulous marketing and Venue: The Soweto Theatre, Soweto, advertising initiative for designers, Johannesburg, Gauteng fashionistas and corporates. Only a few of the 12 contestants will walk away Time: Starts at 18h00 with success on their shoulders and the Call : opportunity to have their garments in +27 (0)84 392-2228 international showrooms! For most of or +27 (0)11 024-6343 these designers, making it big in the CELEBRATE SUMMER AT THE RACES The Gauteng SANSUI Summer Cup is Jozi’s premier horse racing event and with general entry tickets starting at R75pp from Computicket, this is an event that is not to be missed.

It was first run in 1887, a year after the dusty mining camp that was to become Johannesburg sprang up on the farm Turffontein following the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand. Many famous horses have won the race down the years and they include Pamphlet (1917), Lenin (1940), Cuff Link (1963), Caradoc (1966) and Home Guard (1970). Top trainer Mike de Kock has won the race a record nine times with six of those victories coming since the race’s reintroduction in 1999.

Turffontein Racecourse was founded in 1887 at Turffontein, Gauteng by the Johannesburg Turf Club. The facility has both an inner and outer grass track. Turffontein is widely acknowledged as a true test of stamina for races contested around the bend due to the climb from the 1200 meter mark to the final turn.