30 JANUARIE
RE/MAX HELDEBERG:TOP AWARD FOR SALES ASSOCIATE PIETER KOTZE
International Hall of Fame RE/MAX Helderberg’s Watertone Village office achieved spectacular sales figures in 2013, mirroring the growth of RE/MAX internationally. RE/MAX now covers 92 countries worldwide. The RE/MAX Helderberg office is benefiting from improvements and extensions to the magnificent Waterstone Village shopping centre, which is the dynamic RE/MAX sales team’s home, and which is rapidly becoming the hub of Somerset West society! Most notably, RE/MAX Broker/ Owner Lee Siebert, commends Sales Associate and Team Leader, Pieter Kotze, for his outstanding achievements in 2013, and for his international career achievement – the highly acclaimed RE/MAX International Hall of Fame Award. Kotze entered the real estate industry in 1993 in Johannesburg, and relocated to Somerset West in November 1997. His many accolades throughout his career within previous companies include Rookie of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Most Profitable Agent, and Highest Turnover of the Year. Kotze joined RE/MAX Helderberg in 2009 and within 6six months achieved his first RE/MAX of Southern Africa award. Kotze comments “.. since joining RE/MAX my business has grown by between 20-30% year on year – through these years of severely depressed market conditions.” Kotze’s RE/MAX of Southern Africa Awards include Platinum Club in 2010; Millionaires’ Club in 2011; and REMAX of Southern Africa Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also presented with the Chairman’s Award in 2012. He has won a Diamond Award
in 2013, and marking his 20th anniversary in the industry, in recognition of outstanding sales levels – measured in US Dollars – Kotze has also achieved the RE/MAX International Career Award, Hall of Fame, an accolade reserved for the top Sales Associates within the RE/ MAX Group internationally. Siebert adds: “Since there are over 90 000 RE/MAX Sales Associates operating in over 90 countries worldwide, and only a handful have achieved International Hall of Fame status, Pieter’s achievements are extraordinary! His team’s property
transfers total R130 million plus within the residential sector, not including developments and agricultural property sales.” Kotze says about RE/MAX: “Having experience of other top real-estate companies, in my opinion, REMAX offers a great deal more opportunities for top agents to maximise their earnings. Also the RE/MAX ethos of community involvement – and of giving back to one’s community – is incredible and is very close to my heart ... so for me RE/MAX is the only choice.” “I base my success on my referral
business and on dedication – and on working 7 days a week for 20 years. My natural empathy with clients’ circumstances has helped, because we deal a lot with emotion in our industry. Genuinely caring, and always striving to achieve perfection are important in this job. But, also being accepting in certain areas, and recognising that perfection is not always within one’s grasp – and accepting that close-to-perfect - one can sometimes live with,” quips Kotze. For more information contact Lee Siebert on 021 852 6464 or e-mail lee@remax-helderberg.co.za.
Pieter Kotze
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Districtmail
SOLD HELDERBERG BOLAND
30 Januarie, 2014
Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland
SOLD bied die grootste en maklikste toegang tot die mark vir eiendomkopers en -verkopers in die Boland.
021 841 4285
021 887 2840 021 870 4600
Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland
SOLD is die mees koste-effektiewe, hoĂŤ-impak keuse vir die bemarking van eiendom in die Boland
021 841 4285
021 887 2840
021 870 4600
BOLAND SOLD
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HELDERBERG
Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland
30 Januarie, 2014
SOLD is die mees koste-effektiewe, hoĂŤ-impak keuse vir die bemarking van eiendom in die Boland
021 841 4285
021 887 2840
021 870 4600
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Districtmail 30 Januarie, 2014
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HELDERBERG 10 Districtmail Factors to consider when buying or selling house 30 Januarie, 2014
In today’s real estate market, homeowners who have decided to move to another property may find themselves sitting with the conundrum of whether they should first sell their current property or find a new property and then sell their home. The answer to this question will be different for every homeowner, based on their personal circumstances and unique situation, says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa. “There will be several elements that could influence the homeowner’s decision in cases such as these,” Goslett says. “These factors could include the financial options available to them, local market conditions and of course the homeowner’s feelings about moving more than once, should they have to vacate their current home before the new home is available.” Factor one: finance While every home buyer would ideally like to have the option of purchasing their next property with cash, most home buyers are reliant on banks for finance. Essentially what this means is that home buyers who are upgrading to a larger or more expensive home may need the equity from the sale of their current home as a deposit. “If the home buyer does require the equity from the sale of their home to purchase another property, they could sell their property and perhaps negotiate with the new owners that they rent the property back from them until they find a new home. This does mean however, that they will be paying occupational rent and this may not be possible if the new homeowners are eager to move into their new home themselves,” says Goslett. “Another option is that the seller temporarily stays with family members or friends or at a short-term rental. In this instance storage facilities may become a necessity.”
There are also bridging finance options available to sellers who would like an advance on their home’s equity before the money from the sale has come through. Bridging finance is a short-term finance option based on a seller’s credit record, the amount of equity available in their current property and the expected cash inflow. “While having the equity readily available is an advantage, the down side is that living in a temporary situation could make you rush into buying another property that doesn’t quite meet all the criteria. There is also the chance that there are no properties available that offer what you are looking for,” says Goslett. “Perhaps the best option is for the homeowner to stay in their current home while looking for another property. They could then make an offer to purchase their next home subject to the sale of their current home going through. This way they have time to do their research and find the perfect home that fits all their criteria before making a move.” In the case where the homeowner does not require the equity from their current home, but can obtain finance for an additional property without selling first, they may find themselves in a situation of being stuck with two properties. This could be fine as a short-term solution, but might not work for the homeowner on a long-term basis. In this instance the homeowner will need to have a contingency plan in place. Factor two: local market conditions According to Goslett, while there are general property market trends seen throughout the country, most areas are affected by their own unique micro conditions. “It is never good to assume that because the general market conditions currently favour buyers, that the same will be true for your specific neighbourhood. Elements such as the type of home, price range and availability of other similar homes in the area will all have an impact on
the sale of the property. This is where the services of a professional real estate agent with area specific knowledge will be of value. The agent will be able to advise the homeowner how long homes are sitting on the market for, and how much they are selling for. This is valuable information in gauging time frames and possible equity expected from the sale,” says Goslett. From a buying perspective, the purchaser should be researching properties that are available in the areas they want to buy in, looking at all aspects of the neighbourhood and elements that may have an influence on
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their decision. Factor three: risk and emotion Whether selling first or buying and then selling, either option has an element of risk involved, so it is important for the homeowner to ask themselves if they would rather sell first and possibly have nowhere to go; or buy first and have two bonds to pay until a property is sold? “While the emotional response to these questions is strongly based on finance options and the local market conditions, the homeowner will need to have a plan in place to deal with either scenario,” Goslett concludes.
BOLAND SOLD
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Eikestadnuus 30 Januarie, 2014
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30 Januarie, 2014
How to safeguard your home environs for baby For many young couples, the prospect of starting a family is what prompts their first home purchase. But if you’re about to bring home a new baby, you need to make sure your home will provide a safe as well as a loving environment. So here’s a Chas Everitt Top 10 tips for making a baby-friendly home as your little one starts to crawl, walk and run: * Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all stairways and keep them properly closed at all times;
* Install plastic safety guards in all unused plug points to keep out curious little fingers and put snap locks on all groundlevel cupboard doors; * Make sure any nappy or cleaning buckets have lockable lids, and install snap locks on toilet lids too. Small children are top heavy and can easily drown in very little water. * If you have a pool, it’s best to have both a fence with a locked and alarmed gate and a safety net. Small children should also not be allowed to play in a paddling pool without close supervision, and the pool should
be emptied immediately after use. * Make sure all bookcases and storage cabinets are firmly fixed to the wall with brackets so that they cannot fall over if used as standing aids by a child learning to walk; * Make sure deck or balcony railings are close enough together that a child can’t squeeze between them. If they are not, plastic mesh at least 1m high should be firmly fixed to the vertical railings and the floor. * Store medicines and chemical cleaners in closed, preferably locked cupboards, well out of reach of any climbable furni-
ture. * In the kitchen, be careful not to let pot and pan handles project over the edge of the stove, and never leave a climbable chair or stool near the stove. * If you have glass sliding doors, place bright stickers or decorative decals low down on the glass so that children can easily see when they’re closed. * And finally, add to your baby-friendly home safety by keeping children out of tool sheds, workshops and garages, and keep your car locked – even when it’s parked in the driveway.
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Eikestadnuus
STELLENBOSCH
30 Januarie, 2014
What tourism really means to real estate Among all the exciting new statistics on South Africa’s burgeoning tourism sector, one number in particular should stand out, and that is the fact that this sector currently accounts for at least 10% of the country’s employment. So says Richard Gray, CEO of the Harcourts Real Estate group, who says this is the real relevance of the encouraging growth in tourism to the economy – and to South Africa’s property market. “Quite simply, the real estate sector can only really expand when the economy is growing and more jobs are being created, and that is where there is a really important link between property and tourism.” He says it is of course good to hear that foreign visitors who have been to South Africa on holiday or business have been so impressed that they have decided to buy a property here, or that the lower rand exchange rate is bringing overseas investors back to globally sought-after destinations such as the Atlantic Seaboard, the Winelands and the “Golf Coast” of the southern Cape. “But our real hope should be that we can keep the tourists coming here in ever-greater numbers, as that will create more opportunities for South Africans to be employed and eventually become homeowners. Theoretically, doubling the current tourism figures could raise the country’s employment rate by 10% – and that would already give thousands more local consumers the chance to participate in the formal real estate market.” The most recent statistics released by Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk show that tourism now contributes some R70 bn a year to the national economy,
and that the number of tourists coming to SA has been growing by around 10% a year since the Soccer World Cup in 2010. “Now when one considers that the current growth rate of the overall economy was estimated in November at just 1,9% a year,” notes Gray “the significance of tourism as a potential driver of job creation – and of spinoff growth in many other sectors – becomes even greater. “However, we believe that in order to keep up the momentum and enjoy the downstream benefits of higher employment, those other sectors need to ‘pay it forward’ now by doing whatever they can to support and promote tourism either locally or beyond our borders. “In our case, for example, being part of the international Harcourts group and interacting with potential property buyers all over the world gives us many opportunities to showcase South Africa as a destination. But growing local tourism is just as important at this stage as increasing overseas visits, and even small businesses can and should be finding ways to attract people to their own areas. They will undoubtedly benefit from doing so.”
“Quite simply, the real estate sector can only really expand when the economy is growing and more jobs are being created, and that is where there is a really important link between property and tourism.”
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Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland SOLD is die mees koste-effektiewe, hoë-impak keuse vir die bemarking van eiendom in die Boland
District Mail – 021 841 4266
Eikestadnuus – 021 887 2840
Paarl Post – 021 870 4600
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Eikestadnuus 30 Januarie, 2014
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PAARL/WELLINGTON
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30 Januarie, 2014
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Paarl Post
SOLD PAARL/WELLINGTON BOLAND
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A placid landscape for relaxed weekends on the farm.
The historic beauty of Cape Dutch architecture sets the mood.
Historic Paarl farm going on auction Portion 1 of farm 1111, Malmesbury Blijdskap is to be sold on auction by BKB Properties. This well-positioned 206 ha farm close to Paarl dates back to the early 1800’s and contains fertile land used for wine grapes and fruit. The farm contains ± 37 ha under vineyards including Palomino; Clairette Blanche, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The balance consists of open, mountain
and fallow land. Water is plentiful with a mountain stream running into a large earth dam. The main house is a Cape Dutch classic with three large bedrooms and spacious living areas. In addition, there are two guest cottages, three garages, an office building, workshop, stores, an old wine cellar and eight worker’s houses. The farm is steeped in history with a surveyor general’s diagram from 1822 clearly indicating the portions of land that formed the original farm, then known as
Brauwerskloof. This consisted of about 2 000 ha which went over the top of the mountains. It has subsequently been subdivided into De Modder Kloof to the east and Brauwers Kloof no. 871 and 872. A while later the middle portion of the farm was occupied by then Administrator of the Cape, Mr Joubert, who mainly farmed wine grapes, peaches and guavas. Willie van Rensburg of BKB Properties comments, “This is an excellent opportunity to obtain a historical farm in a sought-after area, less than an hour from Cape Town.
Subdivision of the farm into two portions of ± 126 ha and ± 80 ha has already been approved.” The auction takes place on-site at 11:00 on 7 March. Order of sale: 1. Portion A: ± 80 ha. 2. Remainder: ± 126 ha. 3. Total farm: ± 206 ha. For more information, contact Willie van Rensburg on 083 261 7641; Albie Loubser on 082 573 9902/ willie.vanrensburgbkb.co.za; or visit www.bkb.co.za.
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Demand for Paarl residential property continues to rise Numerous predictions made by herself and other estate agency principals in Paarl to the effect that the demand for residential property in the town is increasing all the time – and is pushing up prices – have in the last three to four months been proved completely correct, says Lizette Joubert, franchise principal for the Rawson Property Group’s Paarl franchise. On several recent sales, said Joubert, her team has received two or three offers, very often backed by an ability to pay big deposits (in the region of 25% to 50%). Furthermore, she said, trading conditions have
been improved by the banks adopting a more accommodating approach to potential buyers. Historic central Paarl, said Joubert, has always had a slightly superior up-market image and the majority of recent sales here have been in the R1,6 million to R2,4 million bracket – and it is here, too, that demand is strongest Prices, she said, are 5% up on the same time last year and her franchise’s sales are 38% up, which keeps her in line with the Rawson Property Group’s national average. Also showing big increases are Paarl rents, which, Joubert estimated, have
grown by 80% in the last year. Capitalising on the demand, Joubert has bought the entire rental book of another national agency and this has more or less doubled the Rawson Paarl team’s managed portfolio. Joubert has, on several occasions, stressed that the entire residential estate agency sector depends to a large degree on accurate valuations and the ability to do these requires thorough training. “In this field, I believe, we have been performing exceptionally well. Our agents, have recently done around 52 valuations in two weeks and these have proved to be so well researched that we have now been
recommended by current clients to others, who are also interested in knowing the correct market value of their homes, possibly with a view to putting them up for sale.” Asked to explain Paarl’s on-going popularity, Joubert listed several factors: the town’s attractive historic central area, its excellent schools (some now over a century old), its low crime statistics, its platteland lifestyle, its efficient municipality and its still affordable prices. “This combination of factors puts Paarl on the same level as Stellenbosch as regards popularity in the Boland, the difference however being that our prices are still far more affordable,” said Joubert.
Biggest and Best Property guide in the Boland SOLD is die mees koste-effektiewe, hoë-impak keuse vir die bemarking van eiendom in die Boland
District Mail – 021 841 4266
Eikestadnuus – 021 887 2840
Paarl Post – 021 870 4600
Peugeot backs Tread Mountain Bike Skills initiative MOTORPRESS Peugeot South Africa is about to throw its weight behind the growing sport of mountain biking in a big way, thanks to its sponsorship of Tread Magazine’s innovative Tread Skills Clinics initiative. The mountain-biking journal will be presenting at least 39 clinics during 2014, all backed by Peugeot, and aimed at improving both the capabilities of novice riders, and sharpening the technique and speed of more experienced mountain bikers. “We have identified a very real synergy between the rapidly growing sport of mountain biking, and Peugeot’s burgeoning range of crossover vehicles,” says Clara MetivierBeukes, GM of marketing at Peugeot SA. “Our 3008 is the perfect partner for mountainbikersseekingaspacious,luxuriousvehicle that is also versatile and practical enough to cope with the specific needs of the mountain
biking community,” says Metivier-Beukes. “The cargo capacity of the 3008 is generous enough to accommodate a fully assembled mountain bike, and access to that space is convenient, thanks to the split tailgate. That tailgate also provides a useful seating platform during final preparations before a ride,” she points out. In addition, Metivier-Beukes adds, the 3008’s standard on-board navigation system makes finding mountain-bike race venues and trail parks easy, while its raised ride height ensures that it easily copes with country roads and gravel tracks. “Then there’s the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, which not only delivers sparkling performance and plenty of low-down lugging power, but also achieves excellent fuel efficiency on the open road,” Metivier-Beukes said. By mid-2014, Peugeot will be extending its reach into the crossover market with the exciting 2008 compact crossover, which will
bring the youthful exuberance and dynamic style of the popular 208 hatchback to the crossover segment. The 2008 will also be incorporated into Peugeot’s activities at the Tread Skills Clinics. The Tread Skills Clinics organised and hosted by Tread Magazine employ a series of progressive modules to teach mountain bikers of varying expertise how to enhance ride comfort, improve bike control and gain confidence. The 39 clinics planned for 2014 will provide riders with tips and techniques to assist in maximising their performance in a convivial and enjoyable framework. “Mountain biking has already established itself as a key sport and recreational pastime with a very broad appeal across all age groups and genders, and a strong emphasis on families,” Metivier-Beukes says. “The sport’s exponential growth means there is a real need for credible guidance and assistance to master the mountain biking art,
and Peugeot is proud to be assisting mountain bikers in their quest to improve their skills to the benefit of their safety and enjoyment.” Tread is a mountain-biking brand established five years ago with the aim of enhancing the South African mountain-biking experience. It includes a magazine, a website and skills clinics as well as women-specific experiences. Peugeot will have a product presence at each of the Tread Skills Clinics, allowing mountain bikers attending the clinics to experience its crossover models hands on, and will provide clinic attendees with Peugeot-branded goodie bags and certificates. The company will also use its presence on social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter to interact with the mountain bike community via #PeugeotMTBSkills and the @PeugeotClinic handle. For more information on Tread Skills Clinics, driven by Peugeot, visit www.Treadskills.co.za
20 Countdown to Car of the Year kicks off
SOLD AUTO BOLAND
Donderdag
30 Januarie, 2014
QUICKPIC Twenty-five members of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) have just spent two days on the road in the area surrounding the greater Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to evaluate the nine finalists for the coveted WesBank/SAGMJ Car of the Year award, to be announced in less than a month. Each of the 25 jurors had already been exposed to the finalists, having either attended the local launch event of the vehicle or having tested them for at least three days, under normal driving conditions, in 2013. During the evaluation days, the jury had to test each fi-
Here are the nine finalists in the 2014 SA Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year competition. nalist under simulated extreme conditions at the Gerotek vehicle testing facility. In these controlled conditions, the jury was enabled
to evaluate each of the finalists’ dynamic and response in wet conditions, steering inputs and stability at high speeds, road comfort and suspension on simulated extreme road surfaces as well as handling, braking and cornering abilities on the facility’s Dynamic Handling Track. According to Christo Valentyn, chairman of the SAGMJ, the South African version of the Car of the Year award is one of the toughest and most professionally run events of its kind. “The competition is unique in that all full members of the Guild have input in which vehicles ultimately become finalists. These members also determine the jury, which conducts the formal evaluation of the finalists on behalf of the broader membership, making it one of the most representative and experienced jury panels used in competitions of this nature,” he says. “The demographics of this year’s jury include a wide spectrum of individuals that represent a fair cross-section of the motor-buying public. In terms of age, the youngest jury members are, for instance, in their twenties, while the oldest is in his seventies. And considering the important role women play in vehicle purchasing decisions, the jury also includes four highly experienced and respected women.” Over the next week, the jury members will
PHOTO: QUICKPIC
evaluate the finalists for the COTY trophy in their segments, with due consideration of aesthetics, quality, price, cost of parts and services and value for money. “The jury has the mandate to select, from the nine extremely worthy finalists, the car that, against its direct competitors and in the market as a whole, displays the ultimate in motoring excellence. This is the competition’s primary criterion,” says Valentyn. The jury members will cast their secret votes on-line, after which the votes will be tallied and audited. The finalist vehicle with the highest score will be awarded the title of 2014 WesBank/SAGMJ Car of the Year, the ultimate award in the South African motoring industry, at a gala event in Sandton on 19 February. The nine finalists for the 2014 WesBank/ SAGMJ Car of the Year competition are: • Audi A3 Sportback 1.4T FSI Manual • Jaguar F-TYPE 3.0 V6 S • Lexus IS 350 F-Sport • Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG • Peugeot 208 GTI • Porsche Cayman S • Renault Clio4 66 kW Turbo Dynamique • Volkswagen Golf 7 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline DSG and the Volvo V40 D3 Geartronic Excel. Issued on behalf of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists and WesBank.
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Ford Tourneo 2.2TDCi LWB: Sederberg beproef HANS HEESE Normaalweg durf ons altyd die Sederberge met ’n 4x4 voertuig aan om ons geliefde ent pad tussen Matjiesrivier en Wuppertal te kan ry. Hierdie keer was dit anders want die geskeduleerde toetsvoertuig was ’n nuwe Ford Tourneo bussie met sitplek vir agt, en belangriker nog, pakplek vir bagasie vir agt mense. Ondanks die vier vroue se bagasie was daar nog steeds ekstra pakplek! Dié van ons wat heelwat ouer is as die gewone groep lesers, sal nog Ford se Transit Wonderbakkie (en bussie) van die middel-sestigs onthou. As jong onderwyser op Upington het ek Sondae altyd ’n groepie leerlinge met die skool se Transit-bussie langs die Oranjerivier vervoer waar hulle opheffingswerk in die gemeenskap gaan verrig het. My herinneringe aan die Ford van daardie jare was dat die ruimte amper dubbeld dié van my eie Kombi was maar dat die vering en rygerief glad nie waffers was nie. So het die Transit by ons gekom en mettertyd weer verdwyn – tot nou onlangs. Intussen het ek darem oor die jare opgemerk dat die Transit nog lank ná sy verdwyning by ons ter lande in Duitsland nog altyd gewild was, en om een of ander rede, veral by groot Turkse families. My kennismaking met die nuwe Ford bussie met sy lang as-afstand was ’n groot en aangename verrassing; veral toe ons almal, en hulle amper oordadige bagasie, ingelaai het en die langpad gevat het. Die 2.2 F turbodieselenjin, gekoppel aan ’n sesgang-ratkas, maak die teerpad kort en die brandstof-naald het só stadig gesak dat ek later wantrouig begin raak het en op Citrusdal volgemaak het om seker te wees dat die diesel sou hou vir die terugtog deur Ceres. Met die tenk vol was ek verbaas dat die gemiddelde verbruik met ’n baie vol vrag 11 tot 12 km per liter opgelewer het. (Ford reken dat die verbruik onder optimale toestande so laag
Die Tourneo is ’n veilige voertuig met lugsakke voor en lugsakgordyne aan die kant, ABSremme is natuurlik standaard plus elektroniese hulpbystand in ’n noodgeval. FOTO: QUICKPIC as 6,5 F/100 km kan wees). Die geheim vir die uitmuntende verbruik is natuurlik die hoë ratverhoudings waar sesde rat teen 2 000 rpm ’n spoed van 120 km/h beteken! Vir die rekord: die 2.2 F turbodiesel ontwikkel 92 kW teen 3 500 toere per minuut en 350 Nm is beskikbaar vanaf 1 450 rpm. Op die teerpad was die gedrag van die Tourneo gelykstaande aan dié van ’n groterige Duitse gesinsmotor; op die grondpad, en later swak grondpaaie, was die gedrag soos dié van ’n goeie Japannese 4X4 stasiewa. Dit ondanks die feit dat die 16” bande volgens die voorgeskrewe 3,5 bar voor en 4 bar agter gepomp was. Die suspensie van die Ford is seker van die beste wat daar in hierdie groep nutsvoertuie gevind kan word. Verder was die grondvryhoogte ook so goed dat daar nêrens ’n pensslepery oor middelmannetjies was nie; swaar vrag of nie.
Aan die binnekant is daar alles wat van ’n luukse transito of toerbussie verlang word met ’n oormaat van armleunings, ’n goeie radio- en klankstelsel en ’n oulike wegsteekkissie vir die laai van selfone en ander elektriese apparate. Al wat aan die luukse kant kort is ’n smukspieëltjie vir die voorste passasier. Maar aan die ander kant is BlueTooth standaard en gaan dit byval vind vir persone wat professioneel mense vervoer of ’n toerbussie vir ’n professionele toergids. ’n Opsionele ekstra, wat aan te beveel is; is die lugreëling vir die agterste ses passasiers. Daar is wel ’n wegvou-ruitjie vir die passasiers in die tweede ry se syvenster, maar die heel agterste passasiers mag miskien kla van bedompigheid. ’n Bonuspunt is dat die sitplekke in die tweede ry se rugleunings ook kan terugvou om gemak op die langpad te verbeter. Hierdie nuwe Ford wonderbussie is inderdaad ligjare ver-
wyder van die baie basiese Transit van die jare sestig. Die Tourneo is ’n veilige voertuig met lugsakke voor en en lugsakgordyne aan die kant, ABS-remme is natuurlik standaard plus elektroniese hulpbystand in ’n noodgeval. Belangrik ook is die feit dat die deure vanself sluit as weggery word en dat die slotte in geval van ’n ongeluk ontsluit. Hierdie veiligheidsfaktor kan van lewensbelang wees en word nie altyd vermeld in motorverslaggewing nie. Hierdie verskynsel kan werklik help om vinnig by insittendes uit te kom om hulp te verleen, veral as sekondes van belang is. Die voorwielaandrywing het hom goed gekwyt van sy taak wanneer daar met so ’n swaar vrag teen steil bulte op gruispad gery is. Slegs een keer het die klippe effens gespat toe daar teen ’n skuinste moes weggetrek word. Om die wegtrek te vergemaklik is die bussie egter met wegtrekhulprem-aksie toegerus (Hill Assist) wat baie help om die toere effens te laat klim as daar teen kwaai skuinstes met volle vrag weggetrek word. Die Tourneo bestuur soos ’n passasiersmotor; hoe hy egter teen hoë spoed om draaie en los oppervlaktes gaan reageer, is nie gedurende hierdie luilekker toets beproef nie! Maar teen ’n wettige 120 km/h is hy so padvas as wat enige sedan kan wees. Hier kry die Ford 10 uit 10. Maar hoe lekkerder ’n voertuig ry, hoe hoër is die prys wat betaal moet word. Teen R414 700 is die bussie met die groot bagasieruimte nie van die goedkoopstes nie, veral as die lugversorging agter ’n paar rand ekstra gaan kos. Die korter weergawe, met minder bagasieruimte, verkoop teen R407 800. En die kampeerentoesias kan ’n Transit-afleweringswa vir R309 700 koop en dan ’n ideale kampeerwa van hom maak. Die Torneo-reeks word gedek deur ’n fabriekswaarborg van 4 jaar of 120 000 km en ’n 5-jaar/90 000 km diensplan. Dit dek ook ’n Padbystandplan vir 3 jaar en ’n waarborg teen roes wat vir vyf jaar geldig is. Galimoto
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SOLD AUTO BOLAND
Donderdag
30 Januarie, 2014
Opel Meriva 1.4T Enjoy: the party trick HANJO STIER Some people argue that purchasing an MPV or mini-van signals the end of your life’s excitement. Gone are the all-nighters and crazy adventures because chances are good that you’re carting around a little family. I say there’s nothing wrong with that, quite the opposite – it can be just as adventurous. Sure, moving between Kindergarten, school and the office won’t be quite as thrilling as that time you still had a cabrio, when four-finger Frik stole the belt off a Tequila Sheila and you singed all your facial hair at a beach bonfire. That doesn’t mean your new life or car should be dull and dreary though. Never mind that it’s all down to your mindset, but if those boring boxes on wheels alarm you and stretched vans give you heart palpitations, perhaps you should add Opel’s Meriva to your shortlist of family transport. Yes, I immediately christened it “Mommy Mobile” but I also grew quite fond of it. Let me explain. Drawn with lots of creases and curves, the compact MPV shows good proportions and just enough flair to not disappear in a sea of metal at the local mall’s car park. Big headlights share a similar kink to what you’ll find along the car’s flank, the reasons for this being open to multiple interpretations. One reason may be to lower the rear passenger’s window-line, another could simply be the reduction of its rising waist and decreasing visibility. Most probably, Opel’s designers just wanted something different and fun (good!) which draws attention to the opposing door handles on either side of a Meriva. Not only are they opposing, they’re also incredibly close together and thus give away the car’s chief party trick – rear suicide doors. “Suicide” means they open in the opposite direction of what one is accustomed to and given the
You may think that this (the doors) is the car’s only redeeming feature, but luckily there are a few other niceties to lift it above the MPV crowd. PHOTO: QUICKPIC worst set of circumstances, could somehow lead to your involuntary suicide. Modern cars like the Meriva prevent this with auto locking and child locks, this Opel also gets around any tricky door gaps or closing procedures by providing a fat B-pillar (middle beam) with opposing locks. This also aids safety, which is visually obvious when the Meriva’s sides open like a clam shell. You may think that this is the car’s only redeeming feature but luckily there are a few other niceties to lift it above the MPV crowd. Its cabin layout is modern and functional with good quality materials as you would find in other contemporary Opel products. It also has ample storage and luxury features. A central cubby box provides multiple levels
and slides along a rail system, which covers even more space to hide stuff; the front doors have two storage pockets each and the front passenger enjoys a shallow recess for small items above the main glove compartment. The rear seats also adjust individually. Our test model was a base 1.4T Enjoy but its specifications are very similar to the more posh Cosmo version. Main differences are a bit of chrome, climate control and leather trim, bigger wheels and a panoramic sun roof. The compact dimensions of 4,3 m length, 1,9 m width and 1,6 m height are identical. Other measurements are a 400F boot, which extends to 920F by folding the rear seats and a 54F fuel tank, giving an ideal range of 806 km with a claimed average consumption of
6.7F/100km. Maximum output of the 1.4L turbopetrol four cylinder are 103 kW (140 hp) at 4 900 rpm or 200 Nm from 1 850 rpm. 0-100 km/h is pegged at just over 10 seconds and the Meriva’s top speed lies just shy of 200 km/h – not that you’ll enter many races with your Mommy Mobile. What’s far more important is the engine’s wonderful power delivery; a linear and eager pull once it hits 1 500 rpm. The motor runs out of ideas near its red line but we found that it has more than sufficient mid-range punch to dart through traffic or zip along the motorway. Our average consumption was quite a bit higher but we gladly accepted that in exchange for the engine’s willingness to pull forward at almost any speed. MPVs should also be easy to drive and the Meriva shines with very light steering and pedals, a good turning radius and not much torque steer to write about. Its brakes are excellent and, unless you hate these sorts of gadgets, the electric park brake and automatic hill start assist make commuting even easier. Further items to seal the deal are fine instruments with a basic trip computer, multiple driver aids (ABS, EBD, ESP), power windows and mirrors, radio with CD/mp3/Aux/USB and seven speakers, automatic lights and wipers, Bluetooth, daytime running lights, side impact protection, six airbags and ISOFIX anchors. Starting at R253 800 with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and 5-year/90 000 km service plan, there are cheaper MPVs available but you’ll struggle to find any excitement or class in them. The bigger and more expensive stuff is too bulky so the Meriva doesn’t have much competition in this segment. All testers found Opel’s Meriva 1.4T Enjoy easy and indeed enjoyable to drive while offering enough versatility and quirkiness to any potential owners. The element(s) of fun, adventure and excitement are up to you – it’s my opinion that the Meriva won’t hold you back from any of these. Galimoto Media
BOLAND SOLD
AUTO
Donderdag
30 Januarie, 2014
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SOLD AUTO BOLAND
Donderdag
30 Januarie, 2014
Touch, pause, engage QUICKPIC Western Province Rugby can look forward to the support of the toughest player on the block for the 2014 season: Land Rover.
Land Rover has partnered up with WP Rugby. Here from left with their new team mate are De Kock Steenkamp, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni and Schalk Burger. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
At a launch function held in Cape Town this morning, it was announced that Land Rover will be the official associate and exclusive vehicle partner of the union for the next three years. In terms of the agreement, the Land Rover brand will be represented on the kit of the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province in Vodacom Super Rugby, the Absa Currie Cup and the Vodacom Cup tournaments respectively. The local sponsorship complements Land Rover’s global association with the sport of rugby, and in addition to the distinctive branding, a fleet of vehicles will be supplied to a number of Western Province athletes and management. Kevin Flynn, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa (JLR SA and SSA) said: “Today’s announcement marks a significant development in the partnership between Land Rover and rugby. The brand is proud of its latest partnership at this level of the sport and it is fitting that the world’s finest allterrain vehicles – sold in over 160 markets worldwide - should support Western Province Rugby. It also dovetails perfectly with the build-up to Land Rover’s partnership with the 2015 Rugby World Cup”. The full range of Land Rover models will join the DHL Western Province squad; from the iconic Defender to the all-new Range Rover Sport – the fastest, most agile, most responsive Land Rover ever. “There’s nothing tougher or more capable than a Land Rover and we believe this partnership will build on and reinforce that fact,” explained Flynn. “Through this association we will drive the message home, and reap the benefits not only for our dealers in the Western Cape, but across the country.” A number of senior DHL Stormers and DHL WP athletes were present at the announcement, as well as top management and executives. WPRFU President, Mr Thelo Wakefield, said: “We are delighted to welcome Land Rover to the family. This long-term partnership with one of the world’s most recognisable brands further enhances the enormous prestige and attraction of WP Rugby, both locally and nationally. Land Rover is a true champion of rugby from community to elite level and we look forward to working closely with the company in the future.” “DHL Newlands has a capacity of almost 48 000, and we hope to fill it to the brim – aided by Land Rover owners in the Western Province - for the DHL Stormers’ first Vodacom Super Rugby home game on Friday 28 February, when they take on the Hurricanes,” concluded Flynn.