Ballito Car Review
Six of the best? An irreverent synthesis of six new cars Words richard webb
Opel’s Adam seeks an Eve. Or another Adam. Opel is the third-largest brand in Europe, but it’s still relevant here. What’s good? Packed with standard crash protection equipment and infotainment in a package that you can personalise to really make it yours. I want to hug it and take it home. What’s not? The names. There’s Adam, Adam Jam and the top of the range Adam Glam. Hmmm… Verdict: Go for the Jam or Glam because it’s got Opel’s brilliant 1000cc three-cylinder turbocharged Ecoflex engine. 85kW/170Nm means combined fuel consumption of 5.1-litres/100km and 119g/km CO2 emissions. 100km/h happens in 9.9sec. From R189 900 | www.opel.co.za
Mitsubishi has a long history of SUVs, but what the ASX is this? What’s good? Lots of goodies – seven airbags, multimedia touchscreen, reversing camera, panoramic roof, auto aircon, heated leather seats, and rocking Rockford audio systems in some models. What’s not? Anything with a CVT gearbox Verdict: Anything with a ‘Dakar developed Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) safety cell’ must be good, right? 7.5-litres/100km isn’t bad either. Buy the fivespeed manual. It’s crisper than a packet of Lays. From R284 900 | www.mitsubishi-motors.co.za
Renault Sandero Stepway. When 3 is much more than four. Opel is the third-largest brand in Europe, but it’s still relevant here. What’s good? Affordable, with a 898cc 3 cylinder 66kW turbo engine is bonkers enables you to brag around the braai about the F1 technology under the hood. What’s not? It’s a bit leisurely to 100km/h, but not much else, really. Verdict: It’s practical and at home on poor surfaces. 5.4-litres/100km. From R169 900 | www.renault.co.za
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