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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Car Review Ballito
Honda Ballade Elegance. The Ballade of conformity. What’s good? It won’t let you down, and it’s got a really big 536-litre boot. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol-only unit buzzily musters 88kW and 145Nm and is enough for most needs. 3-year/100 000km warranty, 4-year/60 000km service plan What’s not? The CVT automatic version and slightly frantic engine sound. ‘Blue rinse’ image. Verdict: 5.9-litres/100km with light and easy to pilot controls make this Ballade a reliable car that fleet managers will love. From R220 900 | www.honda.co.za
Pardon? Excuse me? The new generation Hyundai i20 has the quietest cabin in its class. What’s good? Good value, chunky looks, and shows the brand is serious. It’s a hoot to drive and well built too, and that great Hyundai warranty gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling. What’s not? Poverty spec on base models, but still a great buy. Verdict: Low running costs, long warranty, easy to drive. I’d buy the 1.2 Motion Manual for a mere R 184 900. www.hyundai.co.za
New Jeep Cherokee? Shock-horror, I really like it! What’s good? 4x4 capabilties to get you thoroughly dirty and it’s got a brilliant on-road ride too. Two engines - a 3.2 Pentastar V6 and a 2.4 Tigershark Multiair four-cylinder are bolted to new nine-speed auto/manual sequential gearboxes. What’s not? I have to review my opinion of Jeeps from now on. Verdict: Prices start at R479 990. An altogether better proposition and signs a brighter future for the Jeep. www.jeep.co.za
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