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March 16, 2017
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Cameron Lock (pictured below) said classic bikers and MG enthusiasts from around South Africa are interested in the next vehicle auction at Maritzburg Auctioneers, which will sell Andy Hauptfleisch’s classic motorbikes, MG cars and a trailer full of orginal HarleyDavidson spare parts on Saturday, March 25. Dave King, who worked many hours on the rare MG A coupe (below), said this car was found in a terrible state, with the roof dented and front and back fenders rusted away. PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN Pehlane Gwane shines the late Andy Haupfleitsch’s classic bike collection, which goes under the hammer at Maritzburg Auctioneers on March 25. Former Witness motoring editor Dave Fall said the character that was Andy will be much missed in classic bike circles.
HarleyDavidson enthusiasts from as far afield as Cape Town expressed interest in a trailer load of original and used Harley Davidson spare parts that will be sold as part of the late Andy Hauptfleisch’s estate.
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
March 16, 2017
A car for grampa, yee ha! The new Maverick X3 boasts features that read like poetry for petrol heads ALWYN VILJOEN GOING on current trends, I expect most of my smarter grandchildren will scoff at the very idea of owning a car. All that depreciation! All that looking for parking! And especially all that park ing! Instead, they will hop onto a version of the small robot buses being tested around the world (five at the last count) or rideshare an electric scooter similar to the ones Gogoro is testing with Coup in Berlin, Germany. But I do hope there will be at least one grandchild who takes after his ole grandpappy, with a yen to be barely in control of a powerful conveyance while trying to chase down the horizon. It is for rebel grandchildren like these that Valene Motors built the Black Mamba, a roll cage bolted to a three wheeled, electric supercar that does ze ro to 100 km/h in 4,2 seconds and whips around corners too. My problem as a futuristic granddad is this powerful trike has only two seats. Where to put the grandkiddies? In the back seat of our new Maverick X3, says CanAm, which recently re leased a fourseat version of its popular Maverick X3. Pretty this fourseater ain’t. In fact, it is so ugly it may just de throne my beloved Fiat Multipla as the fugliest car ever. CanAm calls this look an ErgoLok cockpit with “unmistaka ble, futureforward exterior design”. Basically, its a light, strong race car
Both the Can Am Maverick X3 two and fourseaters have the exceptional classbeating Fox 3.0 Podium RC2 HPG shocks to ensure suspension that will enable grandads to take the kiddies for a jump (inset). PHOTOS: CANAM built on the principles Gordon Murray predicts as the future of car making — start with a solid roll cage, bolt on your
choice of offtheshelf drivetrains, sus pension and seats, and add personalised steering. Windscreens and cladding for
the cage to keep out the elements are optional and — frankly — a bit sissy. If you want to avoid the weather, take one
of those robot buses. The offtheshelf goodies CanAm chose for the X3 fourseater include a new turbocharged and intercooled Ro tax Ace engine that jumps the car in un der five seconds from zero to 100 km/h. A small QRSX continuously variable gearbox keeps the revs in the optimum range and a fourlink TTX suspension with about a foot of travel keeps the rub ber aimed at the ground, however far down it may be. When the X3 does land, classbeating Fox 3.0 Podium RC2 HPG shocks “are special enough to star in their own studio photo”, says CanAm. Other boasts read like poetry for pet rol heads — unparalleled power transfer, virtually no bump steer, precise steering response and no turbo lag — everything a super car promises. But the real beauty of pipe cars like the X3 is their price — some R386 833 before taxes and Zuma sparked depreciations to the rand. Even Neil Woolridge Motorsport, where they build the racing Ford Ranger bakkies in Pietermaritzburg, will be hard pressed to beat this price.
The light Audi Q2 boast both good consumption and the brand’s unique dashboard. The seven models sell from R434 500, which includes a 5 year/100 000km Audi Freeway Plan. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Light new Q2 no lightweight in specs All new Sandero Stepway Renault has replaced the current Sandero lineup with a completely revised model range for 2017. Priced from R159 900 to R189 900, standard features include ECO Mode function, front power windows, remote central locking, Bluetooth connectivity and music streaming from a USB port or phone. Renault also boasts bestinclass safety, with front air bags, ABS, EBD, EBA, ESP, ASR and HSA standard across the range. The range topper Dynamique offers front side air bags, cruise control, rear park assist, an onboard computer and 7” touchscreen navigation system. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
AUDI South Africa will offer a choice of two petrol engines or one turbo diesel for the seven Audi Q2 on sale locally. With the 1.0 TFSI engine and manual transmission, the compact SUV weighs just 1 205 kg. Hotshaped steels give the passenger cell a strong backbone and high rigidity. The noise level onboard is low thanks to the vibrationoptimized body and Audi’s high level of competence in aeroa coustics and aerodynamics. For an SUV, the Q2 boasts a superior
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cd figure of 0.30. Progressive steering is standard in all versions — in this system, the toothing of the steering rack is designed to vary the steering gear ratio according to the steering input. With large steering movements it is more direct, making driving more dynamic. With ESC Offroad mode and nearly 15 centimeters of ground clearance, the Q2 is also wellsuited to dirt roads ter rain. The smallest petrol engine in the Q2 lineup is the 1.0 TFSI. It produces 85 kW and 200 Nm of torque from a displacement of 999 cc. Claimed fuel consumption for this engine is 5.1 litres per 100km while it is exempt from CO taxa tion with emissions figures of 117 grams per kilometre. Both a manual and S tronic transmission is available on this model. Above that is the 1.4 TFSI pro ducing 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque and also comes with cylin der on demand (COD) technolo gy. Combined with the manual
sixspeed transmission, the COD system deactivates the second and third cylin der at loads up to 100 Nm and while coasting when engine speed is between 2,000 and 3,200 rpm. If the dualclutch transmission is in stalled, cylinder deactivation occurs sooner, between 1,400 and 3,200 rpm. With S tronic, the engine consumes on average 5.2 litres of fuel and emits 119 grams CO per kilometer; with the man ual gearbox these figures are 5.4 litres and 124 grams CO2 per kilometre. The sole diesel engine on offer is in the form of the 2.0 TDI producing 105 kW and 350 Nm of torque. This engine will only be available in S tronic trans mission. The 1.4T FSI engine is available at launch in February in South Africa, while the 1.0T FSI and 2.0TDI engines will fol low in May 2017. Additionally, a Sport trim line is avail able optionally on the 1.0T FSI, while this trim is standard on the 1.4T FSI and 2.0TDI. Prices start at R434 500 for the 1.0T FSI manual and go up to R565 000 for the 2.0 TDI Sport S tronic. — WR.
MOTORING WitnessWheels TRANSPORT
March 16, 2017
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Methane power ride New Holland moves away from diesel with alternative fuels for farmers SCOTT COLLIE NEW Holland is no stranger to alter native fuels and technology in its trac tors, having dabbled with hydrogen and autonomous batterypowered models in the past. In another attempt to move away from diesel, the agricultural giant has just unveiled the T6.180 Methane Power. Much like its predecessor, the T6.140 Methane Power, the latest New Holland tractor is just a prototype, de signed to raise awareness about the potential of alternative fuel for farm ers. At the moment, that vehicle is touring farms in Brazil, where the company is subjecting it to a set of tests exploring how effective bio methane could be compared to diesel. The new T6.180, which is now on display at the Sima Agribusiness show in Paris, is fitted with a compressed methanepowered NEF6 engine. Fuel is stored in nine integrated tanks, giv ing the tractor identical ground clear ance to a regular diesel mode. The 52 kg total capacity allows for about half a day of work without a fillup. Compared to a conventional diesel tractor, New Holland says its methane models can save up to 25% on fuel costs alone, all the while emitting 80% less CO². According to the company, it al ready meets the emissions standards expected to hit Europe in 2020. For even greater emissions cuts, the trac tor can even be powered using bio methane produced on site.
“I HOPE they have water on Mars,” joked Sar el Jacobs, the national fleet manager of the pathology specialists Ampath. Jacobs had just completed a report for the busy holiday season in which Ampath’s fleet of more than 200 Nissan NP200s travelled over two million kilometres between hospi tals, airports and laboratories. “Since chang ing our fleet to mainly Nissan NP200s, we have travelled 25 million kilometres. That is over 500 times around the circumference of the Earth and half the distance to Mars.” Jacobs has looked after the Ampath and as sociated practice’s fleet for over 25 years and he has investigated virtually every delivery ve hicle on the market. In the end, he standard ised his fleet to the Nissan NP200 as a courier vehicle. “The NP200 costs us the least to op erate, service and repair ... and returns very acceptable resale values.” Testing by Malcolm Kinsey of the Kinsey Report found that the NP200 offers the most affordable service and repair parts and is one of the best buys in the bakkie segment, thanks to its 800 kg payload, cabin space, rubberised load bin and sixyear/150 000 km mechanical warranty. — Supplied.
The nine methane tanks on the New Holland T6 hold enough fuel for half a day’s work. PHOTO: NEW HOLLAND “The T6 Methane Power tractor is one of the cornerstones of our Clean Energy Leader strategy, which we launched 10 years ago to increase
farming efficiency and sustainability,” said Carlo Lambro, brand president. “Today we see methane and pro pane as the fuels with the greatest po
tential for the development of technol ogies that deliver on all fronts: per formance, costs and sustainability.” — New Atlas.
Stuttgart opts for natural gas trucks SEVEN MercedesBenz Econic NGT (Natural Gas Technology) models with an environmentally friendly naturalgas drive system and extensive safety features are set to take over waste collection and disposal duties in the city of Stuttgart, the regional capital of BadenWürttemberg. In Johannesbug, 50 buses with the same fuel sources are already operating. Peter Bauer, head of product manage ment Econic, MercedesBenz Special Trucks unit, handed over the seven Econic models to Dr Thomas Hess, CEO of the local authority owned enterprise AWS Abfallwirtschaft Stuttgart, and Dirk Thürnau, technical mayor of Stuttgart, on February 23. “The purchase of the latest generation of the MercedesBenz Econic NGT is of particular importance for MercedesBenz Trucks. The regional ties to Stuttgart play just as big a role as AWS’s long and inten sive relationship with MercedesBenz products,” said Dr Ralf Forcher, head of marketing, sales and services Mercedes Benz Special Trucks. Since the market launch of the Econic in 1998, the regional capital has pursued an ongoing policy of purchasing Econic vehicles to replace its conventional waste disposal vehicles and AWS Stuttgart has been involved with the Econic and Econic NGT from the outset as a development partner. Econic product manager Peter Bauer said that this forwardthinking invest ment will make an important contribu tion towards ensuring a positive environ mental track record. The key reason be hind this lies in the innovative drive technology with economical fuel con sumption combined with very low CO² and noise emissions. “AWS is taking on the issue of fine dust emissions in Stuttgart,” said Hess. With their 3 900 mm wheelbase, AWS Stuttgart’s new, full airsuspension Econ ic NGT waste collection vehicles are ex tremely agile. This is an important advantage when it comes to urban traffic in Stuttgart’s city
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The Nissan NP200. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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Seven MercedesBenz Econic NGT models with an environmentally friendly naturalgas drive system are set to take over waste collection and disposal duties in the city of Stuttgart, Germany. PHOTO: SUPPLIED centre. They have a permissible GVW of 26 t, which is identical to the diesel vari ant of the Econic. The Econic vehicles with naturalgas engines boast very low nitrogen oxide, particulate and noise emissions. The passby noise emissions of the Econic measured in Stuttgart at 78 dBA are audi bly lower than those of a Euro VI diesel engine, which have been measured at 80 dBA. The tank holds up to 600 litres of natural gas, allowing high ranges for daily waste collection operations. For the first time, the seven new Econic NGT models in Stuttgart feature the new Euro VI M 936 G naturalgas engine with a displacement of 7,7 l and a powerful out put of 222 kW (302 hp). The configura tion of the fuelefficient BlueTec inline sixcylinder engine is, in many respects, identical to that of a conventional diesel engine. However, the naturalgas engine in the Econic NGT burns a prepared mix ture of natural gas and air rather than a
diesel/air mix. Because combustion of the alternative fuel natural gas by the monovalent Econic natural gas engine produces virtually no particulate or finedust emissions, com pliance with Euro VI limit values can be achieved without the need for SCR tech nology with AdBlue, postinjection proc esses and particulate filters for exhaust gas cleaning. The CO² emissions measured are around 23% lower than those of a Euro VI diesel engine, and where biogas is used, it is possible to reduce CO² levels even further. “Despite the higher cost of purchasing a naturalgas powered waste collection vehicle, the saving on fuel bills that can be achieved with a complete switch from diesel to natural gas is going to offset our additional costs after around three and a half years,” said Hess. Fitting an Eco package limits the vehi cle speed to 85 km/h. — WR.
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WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING
4
March 16, 2017
The winners of the new, cheaper NR4 class were Lee Rose and Elvene Coetzee, in their willing Ford Escort RS. PHOTOS: COLIN WINDELL
Caned it: Gazoo Racing in front
Richard Leeke III and Henry Kohne placed their ATS Ford Fiesta second.
Newlook SA National Rally Championship starts with Tour Natal COLIN WINDELL GUY Botterill and navigator Simon VacyLyle were the first winners of the newlook South African Na tional Rally Championships when they took their Toyota Gazoo Racing Etios to a convincing three minute win in the sugarcane fields in the Tour Na tal Rally — the opening round of the season. Second were Richard Leeke III and Henry Kohne in the ATS Ford Fiesta, and their 3 minute, 22,8 sec ond deficit may well have been less had they not suffered brake failure on the opening special stage of Saturday morning. They were followed home by Jono van Wyk and Scott Howden, also in a Ford Fiesta. The new format for national rallying, run for the first time, on the Tour Natal sees 1,6litre cars with frontwheel drive doing battle at roughly onethird
of the cost of the allwheeldrive highly modified S2 cars from last year. A total of seven of these new cars, called R2 — started the event on Friday afternoon, but A.C. Pot gieter/Mari van der Walt (Volkswagen Polo) were lucky to escape uninjured when they rolled their car on the opening stage on Saturday morning. George Smallberge and Chris Brand, in their newly built Volkswagen Polo, were forced to retire on Saturday afternoon after having had electrical issues since the start of the event. “Enough is enough,” said a disappointed Brand. “The car is now running on two cylinders and we do not want to damage the engine.” The fourth R2 car home was the Tjaart Conradie/ Carolyn Swan Toyota Etios, nine minutes off the pace of the leader. The final R2 finishers were Chris Coertse and Greg Godrich (Toyota Etios), who
were robbed of a better placing when they went off the road in stage six and lost 23 minutes. For the 2017 season, there are additional classes being run simultaneously in their own event and catering for older cars. The winners in the NR4 class were Lee Rose/Elvene Coetzee (Ford Escort RS), followed by Rolof Coertse/Nico Swartz also in a Ford Escort and Ashley and Lee Mackenzie in their Escort. Trevor Graham/Brian Clifton (BMW 135) won the NR1 category with Roger de Charmoy/Clive Wilson (Volkswagen Golf) chasing them hard. In the S1 KZN Regional Rally section Bertus La buschagne/Peter Chadwick (Volkswagen Playa) had a good battle throughout the event with Tony Ball/Stuart Clifton in their Lancia Fulvia, with Llle welyn Blackler/Lance MorganEdwards (Volkswag en Golf 1) rounding out the top three.
Jono van Wyk and Scott Howden came in third, also in a Ford Fiesta.
Guy Botterill and navigator Simon VacyLyle won the first leg of the national rally championship, held on the South Coast last weekend.
Cross Country Motor Racing announces Total sponsorship TOTAL South Africa today announced its spon sorship of the South African Cross Country Mo tor Racing Series (SACCS). This follows on the heels of the company’s sponsorship of the Toyo ta Gazoo Racing team, which was announced late last year. The sponsorship is a oneyear deal where To tal South Africa will provide Total Excellium fuel to all the racing events on the calendar, of which there are six throughout the year for all crosscountry vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes. The series will be known as the South African Cross Country Series Powered by Total and will comprise six events, with five held in South Afri ca and one in Botswana. Each event will have a qualifying race on day one that determines the starting positions for the main race on day two.
There are five classes within the car category and they include both four and twowheel drive racing cars. The bike category has 11 classes that include both four and twowheel bikes. MD and CEO of Total South Africa PierreYves Sachet said: “Total has an ambitious growth plan for the coming years and part of this plan is to improve the visibility of our products and services, notably Total Excellium fuel and our worldclass lubricants, Total Quartz. The cross country series will focus on our fuel offer with Total Excellium and the sponsorship of the Toyo ta Gazoo Racing team of Giniel de Villiers and Leeroy Poulter focuses on our Total Quartz lubri cants products. This sponsorship allows us not only to test our products under the harshest of conditions, but also to reach our target market with a medium that is visually exciting and high
ly entertaining. The professional way that this series is presented and the attractiveness for in ternational teams to participate bring additional benefits for us and we look forward to an excit ing motorsport calendar.” “We are proud to be associated with a com pany that has an impressive history in South Af rican and international motorsport,” said SACCS chief executive officer Siegfried Rousseau. “Our association with Total adds immense val ue to the SA Cross Country Series, and we are looking forward to a longterm mutually benefi cial relationship,” he said. Rousseau added that the link between SACCS and Total is a further indication that the sport is on a firm footing, with the potential for fur ther growth. This applied not only to the nation al series but the regional championships as well.
The first event of the series is on March 31 in Lichtenburg. Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service park will be located at the show grounds on the outskirts of the town, and public entry to these areas and spec tator points along the route will be free of charge. Crosscountry enthusiasts will be able to follow all events on the RallySafe app for Apple and Android devices. The app is down loaded free of CV Joint charge from app speCialists stores and it ena for CV joints, ball joints, bles fans to track tie rod ends, wheel bearings. the cars on a map as well as download 341 GReYlinG stReet split times and ac Pmb. 033 342 9174/75 cess results. — WR.