Motoring: Sleek and Sophisticated For Work and Play

VEHICLE REVIEW SLEEK AND SOPHISTICATED FOR WORK AND PLAY

For your business: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 311CDI

Most people see Mercedes-Benz as a car for the discerning businessman. It oozes sophistication and class and is the perfect car to complement an executive lifestyle, but the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel van is proving that you can still be classy while getting your hands dirty. The new Sprinter prides itself on the number of variants available to potential consumers, with a plethora of sizes, heights and lengths available. You can choose between two different wheelbases, three body lengths, three loading space heights and three different roof variants. You can mix and match the options available to you to find the perfect partner for your business needs. The problem with most panel vans is that they are all about the load and less about the driver. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter prides itself on interior comforts that go well beyond the industry norm. In the new 2017 version, Mercedes-Benz has an all-new design steering wheel

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 311 CDI

that is comfortable with an easy grip. The standard steering wheel is adjustable in angle and height, which provides better adaptation to the individual requirements and to the driver’s stature. This means the driver will feel better on those long hauls doing deliveries. The ergonomics of the interior all make for a better driver experience. It has climate control, adjustable seating and an incredible information system, which allows drivers to focus more on the road and less on their environment. The diesel engine varieties range from economical to industrious, and there are many size options to choose from. The six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gear-boxes are smooth and effortless, and provide the Sprinter with maximum output, with fewer emissions and consumption. The Sprinter is a pleasure to drive and is quite comfortably one of the best panel vans money can buy. Starting at R455 800, the Mercedes-Benz is not cheap, but that doesn’t mean it is not a bargain.

For you: The New Golf Trendline

Quite possibly one of the most popular cars on South African roads, the new 2017 Volkswagen Golf is in a class of its own. There is a reason most people opt to buy this particular hatchback above all others, and those who don’t aspire to do so. The VW Golf is so well built that as a driver you cannot understand why it would ever need to go for a service. Volkswagen delivers a near-perfect car with the 2017 Golf and it ticks just about all of our boxes. Besides the standard safety features, the new Golf comes standard with air-conditioning, a 6.5” touchscreen entertainment system with eight powerful speakers and a connectivity package with Bluetooth and USB interface for an iPhone or iPod.

The slick exterior design is complemented by the 15” alloy wheels, daytime running LED lights, body-coloured bumpers and black radiator grille with chrome moulding. The new Golf stands out on the roads and is always good for a head turn or two. The exterior good looks are well matched by great performance and economy – two things critical to a complete motoring package today. The 1.0 litre Trendline engine delivers an impressive 81kW of power, with 200Nm of torque and because of the splendid six-speed manual gearbox, it is able to deliver all that power and still keep the average consumption to around 5.0l per 100km. The price of the new Golf starts at around R289 900 for the Trendline and goes all the way up to R647 500 for the new Golf R. With prices that low, those who have aspired to own a Golf should try and get into one as soon as possible.