Witness Wheels 19 March 2015

BIGGEST OLD BIKE AUCTION YET ­ P7

ASH EXOTICS

March 19, 2015

Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars

Witness

Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za

WHEELS

2008 TOYOTA FORTUNER 3.0 D4D 4x4 MANUAL, 7-SEATER

160 000 km with FSH, just been serviced, metallic bronze / cream leather, 1 owner, chrome bullbar, side steps, tow bar, roof racks, a/con, p/ steering, mp3, new Yokohama tyres

R199 995

BANK FINANCE ARRANGED • Contact ASH on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

534/550 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201 PO Box 8390, Cumberwood 3235

KZN’S MOST RIVETING READ ON CARS, BIKES, TAXIS, TRUCKS … AND GIANT CRANES

Dezzi’s hosting first historics Raceway ‘very driver friendly’

HUMBLE ROYALTY OF KZN RACING THE Gutzeit family have lived on the South Coast and been investing in the growth of the area for over 40 years. A clan of motoring enthusiasts who work as hard as they play, they can rightfully be de­ scribed at the humble royalty of KZN racing.

• Des Gutzeit (61) has raced from oval tracks to bikes and had a legendary 12­year career in the Wesbank Super 8 se­ ries. He currently competes in the AutoTrader SupaDrift Se­ ries and Hill Climbs.

• Jade Gutzeit (38) made his racing name as a motorcycle enduro racer, winning the SA Enduro Championships 10 years in a row. He joined his father on the Wesbank Super 8 circuit, and is also a hill­ climb champion. Today his main focus is the Time Attack format.

• Shane Gutzeit (30) races with his father in the Auto­ Trader SupaDrift Series and finished third in the 2014 na­ tional championships.

KZN racing’s humble king, Des Gutzeit.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED • Blake Gutzeit (19) has set his sights on international motorcycle Enduro Racing and is currently competing in his first year of the world Enduro Circuit in Europe, where he consistently places in the top 10, and has recorded a fourth position finish so far.

• Carl Gutzeit (36) is the one Gutzeit son to stay out of racing, preferring fishing, for which he has his national colours.

The family business, Dezzi, is run under the guidance of Des and Louise and designs and makes yellow machines.

More on www.dezzi.co.za

The new­look Dezzi Raceway outside Port Shepstone offers drivers with less horsepower but great skill a chance to win.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED country and contribute to the growth of motorsports in South Africa. We are looking forward to huge things in the future.”

The Gutzeit couple last year decided to take the next step in developing the track. A new stretch of high­speed corners joined the north and south cir­ cuits into a full­circuit track, one that offers exceptional speeds in a matchless setting.

Earlier this year, they extend­ ed the original runway to accommodate a quarter­mile (about 400 metres) drag strip.

The drag track is currently un­ der construction.

“The Dezzi Raceway is unique,” said Louise. “It’s very driver friendly. We tried to ensure that guys with less horsepower but great skill have the ability to win. All kinds of cars can be competitive; it’s the skill of the driver that counts at Dezzi Raceway.”

Along with a track built by drivers for drivers, the Dezzi Raceway offers fans all the amenities to make an unforget­ table day at the races. There are two sets of open pits, one lock­ up pit, an aeroplane hangar, viewing decks and banks, marshalling towers, hospitality zones, a timing office and briefing room, showers and toilets and a big entertainment area that is currently under construction.

Renowned tuner Steve Clark has partnered with the track in the business Gutzeit Clark Racing and his No Sweat Racing workshop is based at the Dezzi Raceway.

With the backing of the track

by Motorsport South Africa and several other associations, and having been approved for all types of racing (motorcycle racing is currently in the final testing phase), the Dezzi Race­ way has announced itself as a bold new high­speed presence on the SA racing circuit, and the pride of KZN motor racing.

The only way is up!

Take up! 55kW 3-door from R133,500* incl. VAT The entry level Take up! offers an impressive level of specification, with many advanced features fitted as standard. Safety equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, side head/thorax airbags for driver and passenger. The interior features contemporary ‘Dots’ upholstery, practical storage compartments, power steering, remote central locking and manual air conditioning for extra comfort.

The Take up! 55kW 3-door standard features include: -

55kW @ 6200 r/min 108g/km CO2 emissions 5 speed manual 4.7l/ 100km Anti-locking Brake System (ABS)

-

Power-steering Daytime running lights Electronic immobiliser Central locking system with radio remote control

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the Take up! 55kW 3-door model in standard specifications. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Price excludes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Volkswagen Financial Services a division Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 30 March 2015.

Barons Pietermaritzburg

9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100 New Sales Consultants: Alison Wiltshire – Sales Manager 082 783 8855 • John Brown – 082 645 4396 Merglin Rama – 083 382 4589 • Menzi Ngubane – 073 534 8545 • Bahle Bhengu – 082 337 5825 Erica Neff – 082 858 7749 • Thando Gumede – 078 969 8072 • Keshnee Pillay – 073 372 1452

BP Advertising

THE Dezzi Raceway will host the first Historic Race in four weeks on April 17.

“We’re expecting up to 8 000 people. It’s the first time historics are coming to KZN, so it’s a big day for us,” said Des Gutzeit, owner of the track.

This year will also see the third annual instalment of the Dezzi Invitational Time Attack, which will welcome over 55 of SA’s top drivers from around the country from July 3 to Ju­ ly 5, all competing in the inter­ national Time Attack format.

“Time Attack is extremely ex­ citing, and very popular,” said Louise Gutzeit.

In addition, the SupaDrift

Series will be visiting the Dezzi Raceway for a record three times this year.

It all started in 2010, when Des and his wife, Louise, saw the growth of drifting as a sport and knew they wanted to get in­ volved. They decided to up­ grade so that Des and Shane could get to grips with the new way of racing.

“As a family we’ve always been cautious in business,” said Louise on the track’s begin­ nings. “All we wanted was a place for the family to practise.

We had no idea the track would become what it has.”

Des added: “This track is a big milestone for us and KZN. “It’s a privilege and honour to be able to share it with the

e&oe

MICHELLE LEWIS

2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 19, 2015

Changing the taxi industry 30 newly­appointed officers trained to impart skills to owners, drivers and conductors SANTACO­KZN held its first training session for financial officers at Siyazi in Pietermaritzburg.

The two­day training course aimed to qualify educators who could change the mindsets of taxi operators, drivers and the conductors at grassroots levels.

Thirty newly appointed training offi­ cers, who represent 16 regional offices

in KZN, underwent the course on March 10 and 11.

They will next champion changes in business management “to bring about dignity in the taxi industry”, said chief strategic officer from the Santaco (South African National Taxi Council) national office Bafana Magagula.

He said the training focused on im­

parting skills, knowledge and clarity on business management.

The skills include informing drivers about customer care, providing ad­ vanced driving skills, first­aid training, time and finance management.

Thembinkosi Ngobese told the train­ ing officers they had to assist the indus­ try and its members to act differently.

He said the industry has been in exis­ tence for decades “but the very mini­ mum has been achieved”.

“It is an industry famously known by severe harassment, intimidation and vi­ olence, an industry that has been effec­ tively de­regulated and any form of reg­ ulation that has taken place has been viewed with suspicion and resent­

ment.”

Santaco­KZN provincial chairperson Boy Zondi told all the facilitators their job would be to change the minds of the taxi drivers and the operators.

He emphasised that Santaco­KZN will have present all the modules re­ quired by the taxi drivers and the opera­ tors at its academy. — WR.

The sleek Apalis holds all the South African records for solar cars in the Challenger Class and was named after a small bird found in KwaZulu­Natal.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Mokka at a GM dealer near you Opel’s first sub­compact SUV in SA arrive at GM dealers at month end. Introduced in Europe last year, the Moka has already sold over 240 000 units there. Four models with two trim levels and either a six­speed manual or six­speed automatic transmissions will be sold locally. Only the front wheels are driven, with Opel’s 1,4­litre turbocharged Ecotec providing power in all four models.

The engine makes 103 kW between 4 900 and 6 000 rpm and 200 Nm between 1 850 and 4 900 rpm. Pricing start at R288 500 for the Mokka Enjoy 1.4T manual and goes up to R335 500 for the range­topping Mokka 1.4 T Cosmo automatic.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Honda dusts off the CR­V Honda has updated its six CR­V models, with four specification levels driven by a choice of either a 2­ or a 2,4­litre engine. The most frugal choice will be the 1997 cc i­VTEC four, delivering 114 kW at 6 500 rpm and 192 Nm at 4 000 rpm, driving the front wheels with either a six­speed manual or five­speed automatic. Prices start at R347 400 for the 2.0 Comfort and go up to R544 400 for the 2.4 Exclusive AWD AT and include a three­year or 100 000 km warranty and a five­year or 90 000 km service plan, at intervals of 15 000 km.

PHOTO: QUICPIC

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 084 278 3447 or Avir@witness.co.za

UKZN team return with the revolutionary Apalis UKZN’s solar car will impress visi­ tors at the 2015 KZN Industrial Technology Exhibition (Kite).

This year visitors will get to see the University of KwaZulu­Natal’s (UKZN) revolutionary solar car, Apalis.

Vincent van Erk, senior tutor in UKZN’s mechanical engineering department, said that, as a leading university, it is a great opportunity for them to feature Apalis at Kite.

“It gives us the chance to show­ case our ability to produce world­class research projects whereby we look into green energy solutions as an alternative to the current trend of fossil fuel­powered vehicles,” explained Van Erk. He said it provided a fantastic platform to showcase the technological talents of its mechani­ cal engineering students.

The car was built by 16 team members from UKZN’s mechanical engineering department — includ­ ing four lecturers, four postgraduate and eight undergraduate students.

The UKZN Solar Car Project, which started in 2001, was a six­year project, the end result of which was a car named Wildebeest. Unfortu­ nately, through a lack of funding, the car was never able to compete and was benched in 2007.

In 2012 a new group of UKZN staff members, Kirsty Veale and Clinton Bemont, built on the les­ sons learnt during the production of Wildebeest, and developed a new solar car named Apalis.

The sleekly designed Apalis, which still holds all the South Afri­ can records for the Challenger Class, was named after a small bird found in KwaZulu­Natal. Visitors to Kite 2015 will get the opportunity to view this impressive vehicle.

UKZN has since developed an­ other solar car, The Hulamin — iKlwa, which took part in the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge, winning the South African competition and set­ ting distance records for the Olim­ pia Class. The team’s largest indus­ trial sponsor, Hulamin, has pledged

‘

It gives us the chance to showcase our ability to produce world­class research projects whereby we look into green energy solutions as an alternative to the current trend of fossil fuel­ powered vehicles

funds to allow the team to take part in the 2015 World Solar Challenge.

This will be the first year that an African team have ever taken part.

The Hulamin — iKlwa will be en route to the World Solar Challenge in Australia.

The previous instalment of Kite saw more than 5 000 visitors from South Africa’s industrial technology sector, including senior decision­ makers, directors, managers, own­ ers, contractors, engineers, regional government personnel, municipali­ ties and planners. — WR. • The biannual event takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from June 9 to 12. Pre­register at www.kznindustrial.co.za for free entry.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 19, 2015

3

Refreshingly unpretentious BRIAN BASSETT explains why the Move UP! 1.0l may yet become VW’s best­seller in South Africa.

AS we have said before in this column, the rising cost of mo­ toring and the increasing car­ owning middle class worldwide, has led to this being the great age of the small car in most of the world.

The exceptions are the United States and Canada, where bigger is still best and large personal in­ comes support this trend. In most of the remainder of the world the concern is not with size but with quality and com­ fort. Volkswagen, the world’s second largest motor manufac­ turer after Toyota, has sought to meet this market need with the recent introduction of the new UP!. I had a chance to spend a few days with this remarkable lit­ tle motor car courtesy of Kevin Pillay, dealer principal at Baron’s in Pietermaritzburg.

Styling Volkswagen has one of the finest industrial design studios in the world and their vehicles reflect this. The UP! is 3,54 metres long and 1,64 metres wide and as I ap­ proached the car across the parking lot at the dealership I wondered if, as a paunchy old man, I would be able to fit into the vehicle comfortably. Look­ ing at the UP! closely, however, I realised that I was dealing with an innovative and clever piece of modern industrial design.

The car is wedge shaped, which allows the designers to create good headspace at the rear and by sloping the design forward at an easy angle, to cre­ ate big windows both front and

The three­cylinder, 999cc petrol engine of the UP! puts out just a little less same power as a first generation Ford Bantam.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC side which, supported by the electric sunroof in the model I drove, provides a light, airy inte­ rior.

The rear window doubles as the boot lid and cuts away to complete the wedge at the rear.

The engine cover slopes for­ ward and the two headlight modules and a centrally­placed VW badge, together with two fog lights develop a pleasant rhythm at the front. The design is supported by colour­coded door handles and heated side mirrors and is rounded off by at­ tractive alloy wheels (optional).

Interior The doors of the UP! are wide, allowing easy access for all ages.

I puzzled about access to the rear seats until I realised that the front seats slide forward and make rear access easy.

As you know I am sceptical about rear seating space in small cars and borrowed my neigh­ bour’s two teenage sons once again to assist. They fitted into the rear seats with ease and little adjustment was necessary to the front seats, so the UP! offers an astounding amount of interior space for a small car. The build

quality is of the best and is re­ flected in the fine interior plas­ tics and the robust coverings on the fully­adjustable, comforta­ ble seats.

The dashboard is refreshingly unpretentious, with all dials placed in such a way that once used to them you can operate ev­ erything from the CD/MP3 two­ speaker audio system, through Bluetooth to the air­condition­ ing without taking your eyes off the road. The steering is also ful­ ly adjustable, adding to driver comfort.

Controls for the electric win­

dows, door locks and side mir­ rors are on a convenient shelf on the driver’s side door. Boot space is limited to 251 litres with the rear seats up. This will take about a week’s shopping for a family of four. The rear seats do, however, fold down in 60; 40 fashion and provide up to 951 li­ ters of space offering flexibility and once again accentuating the fine basic design, which charac­ terizes every aspect of this car.

Safety and security The UP! has a five­star Euro NCAP safety rating with ABS,

Volkswagen and Barons lend a helping hand to Unogwaja VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles and one of its dealer franchises, Barons Volkswag­ en (Division of Barloworld Group) will provide six support vehicles — four Ama­ rok Double Cabs, a Transport­ er Crew Bus and Transporter Panel Van — for the 2015 Unogwaja Challenge.

The Unogwaja Challenge, now entering its fifth year, will start on 21 May, 2015, in Cape Town and end in Pieterma­ ritzburg 10 days later. This year’s Challenge has 11 local and international cyclists rid­ ing over 1 700 km and then running the famous 89 km Comrades, the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon from Durban to Pietermaritz­ burg on 31 May, 2015.

According to the founding member of Unogwaja, John McInroy, the inspiration to cy­ cle over 1 700 km and then run 89 km ultramarathon is a trib­ ute to Phil Masterton­Smith, nicknamed “Unogwaja” or “Hare” in Zulu. Phil, the youngest ever Comrades win­ ner, completed this feat in 1933 when he could not afford the train fare to get to the start of the Comrades.

“This demonstration of one man’s determination and commitment has inspired a movement … to nourish hope

From left: John McInroy, founding member of Unogwaja Challenge, Sharlene Graham, dealer principal at Barons Volkswagen Tokai and Riyaaz Slarmie, sales manager at Barons Tokai.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC and facilitate empowerment in South Africa” said John.

On partnership with Volks­ wagen Commercial Vehicles and Barons Volkswagen, John said: “This is massive for our journey and could not have come at a better time. Not on­

ly do we have six top­class ve­ hicles which will help us sig­ nificantly on the road, but we have formed a meaningful partnership with one of the most forward­thinking brands in our country who be­ lieve and support our vision.

I could not be more excited.

The greatest way we can show our gratitude to Volkswagen and Barons is through pro­ gressing the impact of our mission: to be the agents of hope and meaningful change in our beautiful country.”

Last year the Unogwaja Challenge raised over R1,2 million for charity and this year have set the target at an ambitious R2 million. One of the main aims of the Chal­ lenge is to raise funds for cho­ sen charities.

Jaco Steenekamp, general manager: sales and marketing of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said, “The responsibility for positive change lies with each and ev­ ery one of us and it can only be realised through deter­ mined action in any way we can. Volkswagen has always been about people, and our commercial vehicles specifi­ cally are always up for a tough challenge so partnership with the Unogwaja Challenge is a perfect fit.”

Brett Rowlands, franchise executive at Barloworld Motor Retail responsible for Barons in the Western Cape, mirrors these sentiments: “Barons prides itself on being ‘The Volkswagen People’ so this remarkable story reso­ nates with our company val­ ues. We are looking forward to supporting John and his team during this inspirational jour­ ney and wish to enable them to focus their energies on their important social mission.”

— Supplied.

Hydraulic Brake Assist and an anti­lock braking system; driver and passenger airbags, along with side, head and thorax bags.

There are seatbelts for all, height­adjustable head re­ straints and a warning buzzer to tell you if any seatbelts are unfas­ tened. The UP! also has remote central locking and is appropri­ ately alarmed.

Performance and handling The UP! is a city car and ideally suited to dashing around in traf­ fic and avoiding collisions with taxis, articulated vehicles and moms in enormous 4x4 vehi­ cles, which, I have observed, they often find difficult to park.

However, on the first evening I had the car I took it on a visit to friends who farm in the Kark­ loof and, coming back at about 10 pm that evening, I was sur­ prised at the comfort on gravel and the quality of the headlights, which made driving on a diffi­ cult road surface easy.

In town the UP! is composed, responsive and the easiest thing on four wheels to park.

The three­cylinder, 999cc petrol engine, linked to a five­ speed gearbox puts out 55 kWs of power and 95 Nm of torque, which is more than adequate for town driving and, should you de­ cide to climb steep hills, the gears are easy and pleasant to operate.

Fuel consumption in the com­ bined cycle is around 5,5l per 100 km, but so much depends on how you drive.

Top speed is about 170 km/h, which hopefully you will never need to use.

Costs and the opposition The entry level Take UP! will cost you about R135 000 and the Move UP! I drove just over R140 000 — the cheapest VW in South Africa.

The car comes with a three­ year or 120 000 km manufac­ turer’s guarantee and a 12­year anti­corrosion warranty.

Service intervals are 15 000 km apart and there is as yet no service plan.

The UP! is in many ways in a class of its own but if you want to browse, which is never a bad thing, look at a few of the A­seg­ ment cars.

4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 19, 2015

‘Godzilla’ gets an upgrade Ride and handling improvements to the Nissan GT­R, with extra focus on comfort THE all­conquering Nissan GT­R, which remains one of the most striking supercars on the planet, has received a number of important handling, interior and exterior enhancements for 2015.

Aimed at improving the already re­ nowned GT­R driving experience, the 2015 upgrades underline GT­R’s legend­ ary position in the upper echelons of the super sports car segment.

Achieving a heightened sense of pre­ mium sports performance, the most notable changes improve GT­R’s ride and handling, with comfort playing an even greater role than before.

A more mature suspension setup — which is still a double wishbone design up front and a multilink system at the rear — allows for improved ride com­ fort, handling and stability.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels have been reduced thanks to improved transmission noise and shock reduction, with brake noise re­ duced as well for an overall more pleas­ ant drive. Braking ability — which is powered by a revered two­piece float­ ing­rotor Brembo 4­disc system — has also been enhanced.

Completing the list of improve­

ments, a new multi­spoke wheel design is now available for the GT­R Premium Edition.

“What is most important to note is that the price increase on 2015 Nissan GT­R derivatives has been capped at a mere one percent,” comments Konstan­ tin von Vieregge, general manager prod­ uct planning at Nissan South Africa.

“This means a minimal increase of just R15 000 to all models, offering the 2015 modifications at exceptional val­ ue.”

The Nissan GT­R maintains its 3,8­li­ tre turbocharged V6 engine as stan­ dard, which, thanks to its 397 kW and 628 Nm, is still good for a blistering 0­100 km/h sprint of just 2,9 seconds and a top speed of 315 km/h.

Power is transferred to all four wheels via Nissan’s ATTESA E­TS all­wheel drive system linked in a transaxle design to a six­speed dual­clutch automatic transmission at the rear and a high­per­ formance mechanical limited­slip dif­ ferential. — Supplied.

Pricing R1 490 000 — GT­R Premium Edition R1 541 000 — GT­R Premium Edition (red interior) R1 542 000 — GT­R Black Edition

The view most of us get to see of Godzilla, aka the Nissan GT­R, now comes as ‘a minimal increase of just R15 000 to all models’.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

DJ Rally: Robertson takes seventh title

MANY WHEELS MAKE FOR STABILITY

CLAIRE MACFIE

THE most wheels that Wheels can re­ port on this month were spotted be­ tween Velddrif and Vredenburg on the West Coast, where the last giant wind turbine blade was last week hoisted into place.

At about 50 metres, each blade is half as long as a soccer pitch, and weighs

KEVIN Robertson, of Pretoria, scored his seventh win in the prestigious in­ ternational DJ Rally for classic motor­ cycles recently.

This ardent Velocette enthusiast, who is the honorary secretary of the Velocette Owners’ Club of SA, rode a 500 cc 1936 Velocette MSS and col­ lected only 136 penalty points for late or early arrival at the many secret checkpoints on the route from Hill­ crest, outside Durban, to Germiston.

Second overall was Mike Ward on a similar British machine, with 144 penalty points, while Martin Davis (1930 500cc Sunbeam 9) took the last step on the podium with 154 penalty points.

His performance also completed a clean sweep of the first three places for the Vintage Motorcycle Club of Johan­ nesburg.

Robertson has now won more DJs than any other rider, while the first three in the 2015 DJ Rally are all previ­ ous winners of the famous event and ensured that it was ultra­competitive.

This year less than five minutes sep­ arated first place and the 12th­placed finisher, with the latter position being taken by last year’s winner Allan Cuninghame on a Velocette MSS. The competitors had a very tough rally this year, with rain from Hillcrest­ to Germiston.

In addition, this year’s route includ­ ed many sections where road building was in progress.

This was particularly a problem on the section between Perdekop and Bal­ four.

The route totalled almost 650 km, made up of 350 km on the first day and

JAMES SWART

about seven tons. It takes less than a day to pull the tower up for the wind turbine, but twice that time to erect and dismantle the crane.

The height of these wind turbines va­ ries from 85 metres to 95 metres.

Herman Rix, the owner of the farm where the wind is being harvested, said the 280­ton crane had put in place 46 of the wind turbines.

Roloef (54) and Hans Coertse take a break as Stuart Anderson from KZN looks on.

PHOTO: IAN GROAT 295 km on the second day with 68 fin­ ishers from an original field of 100 mo­ torcycles.

Unfortunately two of the riders were involved in collisions: Alan Crookes (1936 Ariel Red Hunter) collided with a bakkie in Newcastle due to a combi­ nation of rain and non­working traffic lights because of load shedding, while Kevin Duncan, of Cape Town, took a spill when his 1935 BSA W35 hit a big bump.

Both riders sustained bruising, sprains and abrasions, but nothing was broken, fortunately.

Dorian Radue, a former South Afri­ can now living in Australia, once again

took the honours for the best perform­ ance by a female rider, riding a Rudge.

She placed an excellent 10th overall with 255 penalty points.

The other two woman riders also finished, with Chantal Madgwick (1936 600 cc Panther) taking 52nd spot and Samantha Anderson notch­ ing up another DJ finish on the oldest bike in the event, a 1909 Humber pedal cycle with a 500cc engine that often needed help from the pedals, particu­ larly on the climbs out of Durban.

Famous international motorcycle journalist Mike Scott was very pleased at finishing the DJ Rally at his first attempt.

To support a 280­ton crane that has to lift a seven­ton blade in place on top of a 85­metre high tower requires a lot of wheels. The last of these wind turbines were erected last month at a farm on the West Coast.

PHOTOS: HERMAN RIX

Tuning you straight Q We want to come down to KZN during the June holidays. The plan is to visit my sister in Durban, and then show the family of four, which includes a girl of 12 and a boy of 14, the South Coast. My hubby and I want to rest, while the teens entertain themselves in a safe place with LOTS to do. Yes, I’m asking the

impossible, but what recommend?

Elsa Cilliers, Centurion

can

you

A Three words: Wild Coast Sun. An old favourite with us coastal types, the resort has in recent times been upgraded to the tune of some

R400 million and should meet all your requirements.

On the border of the KZN and Eastern Cape, the 35­year­old landmark is no longer just known for its casino, although that is still operating.

(However, if it’s gambling you want, we recommend Sun Coast, a short turn left

from Durban up the North Coast.)

Sun International has instead turned the Wild Coast Sun into a holiday resort with the focus on entertaining families.

The tables at Chico’s Buffet groan under all the food and the balconies in the rooms offer views over the Indian Ocean and the wild waves that gave this

part of the coast its name.

The teens (and parents) can have extreme fun at the Wild Waves Water Park. Horse rides on the beach, some of the best golfing in SA, a bowling alley and long hikes are also on the to­do list.

To get there, make a short right on the N2 from Durban on the N3.

You’re under arrest…Yes YOU!

By Pieter from Maritzburg Durban and the Drakensberg? Well then, let’s get you to Barons Pietermaritzburg to tailor a deal that suits your budget and needs.

You have the right to a Volkswagen. Any trip you take will be completed with the quality and reliability of Das Auto Engineering and the fuel efficiency and economy of BlueMotion Technology.

You have the right to a Bespoke Volkswagen Dealer, which is why Barons Pietermaritzburg has been appointed to you. You can decide to change the specifications at any time.

Barons VW Pietermaritzburg can be found at 9 Armitage Road. They are committed to bringing you quality cars and excellent service at the best possible prices ALL year round! To start hunting for your dream vehicle, visit www.baronsvwpmb.co.za. And to book a test drive or service call (033) 845 3100. Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.

Do you understand these rights as they have been explained to you? Yes? Then having these rights in mind do you wish to speak to the most affordable and convenient Volkswagen dealers between

Live confident. Drive confident.

Adventure calls.

3 Year 45 000km Service Plan

5 Year 60 000km Maintenance Plan

New Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline from R2,999* per month

Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun vs Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun

The New Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline standard features include: Multi Collision Braking System Hill-hold Assist Electronic stability control (ESP) incl. ABS with brake assistant, ASR, EDL and EDTC

New Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline

R221,200

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

R2999*

72

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

7.65%*

R2999

R79,596

R295,542

Mileage certified Full Service history 7-day exchange plan Vehicle Customization 24 Hr roadside assistance

• • • • •

2013 2013 2014 2015 2015 2015

Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline Tiptronic Polo Vivo 1.6 Trendline 5 Door Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline 5 Door Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline 5 Door

Silver Silver Red Silver White White

R132 900 R139 900 R149 900 R159 900 R159 900 R169 900

44 000 40 000 9 000 1 500 1 000 1 000

km km km km km km

2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015

Polo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo 1.2 TDI BlueMotion 5 Door Polo GTI 1.4 TSI DSG Polo GTI 1.4 DSG Polo Sedan 1.6 Comfortline Tiptronic Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline Polo 1.2 TSI Highline Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline

White White Red White Silver Silver Red White

R152 900 R174 900 R288 900 R274 900 R249 000 R229 000 R239 000 R185 900

25 000 48 000 5 500 11 800 1 400 1 000 3 000 900

km km km km km km km km

2012 2012 2015 2015

Golf 6 GTI DSG Golf GTI DSG Golf 7 2.0 TDI Highline DSG Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG

Black White White Silver

R279 900 R298 900 R339 000 R319 900

59 000 66 000 23 000 3 500

km km km km

2014

Amarok Double Cab DSG 132kW

White

R429 000

16 000 km

2010 2012 2012 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015

Scirocco 2.0 TSI Jetta 2.0 TDI Jetta 1.4 TSI DSG Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Passat 2.0 TDI DSG VW Transporter Single Cab TDI 21st Century Beetle 1.2 TSI Touareg 3.0 TDI BlueMotion Tiptronic

Silver White Beige Grey White White White White

R259 900 R229 000 R279 000 R299 000 R329 900 R249 900 R249 900 R799 900

45 000 81 000 58 000 6 500 15 000 7 000 8 000 1 000

km km km km km km km km

2008 2010 2011 2012 2012 2013 2014

Opel Corsa Lite Sport Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Sportback Ford Bantam 1.6i XLT Mercedes Benz C180 Merdedes Benz C200 Avantgarde Ford Kuga 1.6 Ecoboost BMW 320D F30 Sportline

Grey Blue Grey White Silver White White

R69 900 R169 900 R119 900 R245 000 R259 900 R299 000 R369 000

94 000 88 000 70 000 42 000 69 000 44 000 20 000

km km km km km km km

Golf

Amarok Other VW

Other

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun

R332,400

R3,816*

60

6.78%*

15% (R49,860)

40% (R132,960)

R361,930

Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun

R355,900

R4,103*

60

6.91%*

15% (R53,385)

40% (R142,360)

R388,537

*The advised price exclude the 2 year Mastercars Warranty. The Mastercars Warranty is available as an option and is a contract between the customer, an insurer and administrator. This extended Warranty is not available for all Amarok and Light Commercial Vehicle models. Terms & conditions apply. While stocks last.

Mastercars Sales Consultants After hours: Laurie: 082 783 8040 • Rajen: 072 228 9834 Sanjay: 083 639 0989 • Barry: 072 235 4244 • Phumlani: 073 017 1294 Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Barons Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100

An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun and Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun models in standard specifications. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services.

Instalment includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Volkswagen Financial Services a division Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 30 March 2015.

Tough gets you across rivers and over mountains.

80-point mechanical check 2-year / unlimited km warranty* Vehicle History Integrity Check Balance of VW Automation Plan Professional Vehicle Reconditioning

5 Year 90 000km Service Plan

Amarok 2.0 BiTDI Highline 4x2 from R5,371* p.m.

Model Amarok 2.0 BiTDI Highline 4x2

Interest Rate Monthly No. of Vehicle Price Instalments Linked / Instalments Variable

R467,700

R5,371*

72

6.69%*

Deposit

Balloon Payment

10% 35% (R46,770) (R163,695)

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

R550,400

Get this special interest rate and we will throw in a tow bar, rollbar and binliner free.

Buy any New Amarok Double Cab between March and May and you could

Choose between camping gear, vehicle accessories or a family holiday anywhere in SA, destination of your choice. Terms and Conditions apply.

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za

e&oe

• • • • •

e&oe

An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the New Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline model in standard specifications. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Instalment includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Volkswagen Financial Services a division Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 20 March 2015.

Polo

Vehicle Price

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za

Polo Vivo

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

Model

An optional cost of R1600 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the Amarok 2.0 BiTDI Highline Auto 4x2 in standard specifications. Instalment includes delivery, initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 30 March 2015.

New Sales Consultants

Alison Wiltshire – Sales Manager 082 783 8855 • John Brown – 082 645 4396 Merglin Rama – 083 382 4589 • Menzi Ngubane – 073 534 8545 Bahle Bhengu – 082 337 5825 • Erica Neff – 082 858 7749 Thando Gumede – 078 969 8072 • Keshnee Pillay – 073 372 1452

BP Advertising

Vehicle Price

15” Tosa alloy wheels Electric mirrors Alarm with ultrasonic interior monitoring 3 year / 120 000km warranty

e&oe

Model

-

e&oe

-

6

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 19, 2015

Swazi Cowboyz 400 is back Off­road enthusiasts are excited for a weekend of bar­banging racing at Usutu Country Club ELZA THIART­BOTES OFFROAD racing returns to Mbabane after a nine­year hiatus.

Lots of things can happen in nine years — the format of a national series can change (and it did); riders come and go and the racing technology gets bet­ ter.

An important change for the 2015 Totpak National Off­road Motorcycle and Quad Championship, was the deci­ sion to take the series back to Swaziland and off­road enthusiasts are excited for this weekend’s Swazi Cowboyz 400, that is taking place from the Usutu Country Club outside Mbabane.

The last time Swaziland hosted a round of the national off­road motorcy­ cle and quad championship, was in 2006 when the event was held in the Piggs Peak area.

Having a look at the results, it seems that only a few motorcycle riders are still competing actively and will again make the trip to the neighbouring country.

These include Kenny Gilbert (Proud­ ly Bidvest Yamaha) who will aim for an OR1 (Open) victory; the defending Sen­ ior Class champion, Juan ‘Bollie’ van Rooyen (Brother Leader Tread KTM) who leads this class after the first round as well as Wayne Farmer (Roost KTM / EC Security) and Martin Poole (Yama­ ha) who is currently third in the Master Class.

Another former Senior Class cham­ pion, Guy Henley (KTM), has also fin­ ished the 2006 Swaziland event and has indicated that he will return to this country to do so again this year.

A few more riders who competed in Swaziland nine years ago may aim to better their results this weekend.

These riders include the multiple SA champion, Louwrens Mahoney (Broth­ er Leader Tread KTM) who will not on­ ly aim for a proper result at this event, but also to put his first points in the OR1 Championship on the score board.

He could not finish the season open­ er due to a shoulder injury after a crash.

Local Swaziland rider and Mahoney’s team­mate, Jono van Wyk, did not fin­ ish this event in 2006 and will aim for a good result in front of his home crowd as will Leon Gerber, now racing for Team Bert Smith All Stars Racing Pow­ ered by RAD KTM and his team­mate, Kobus Jonck, who finished third in the Senior Class at the first race and will aim for another podium result.

Of the 190 motorcycle riders who competed in Swaziland in 2006 (124 finished the race), these are the only rid­ ers who will make the trek back to this country this weekend.

The cream of the South African rac­ ing crop and more riders who are enjoy­ ing the competition, will however be in

(Top) Andre Park from Musina and (right) Jono van Wyk from Swaziland will be aiming for podium places in the 2015 Totpak National Off­road Motorcycle and Quad Championship, which returns to Mbabane after a nine year hiatus.

‘

If all the KZN riders in the competitive High School Class have their passports sorted out, some great action can again be expected.

PHOTOS: ACTION IN MOTION AND IAN MACLAREN action and so will some local Swaziland riders as well.

Riders like the Swazi hero Danny Heenan as well as Laurence Murton, who have both competed in the SA na­ tional series before, are capable of throwing a spanner in the works.

In OR1, Mahoney’s team­mate, Ross Branch, currently leads the standings with Jonathan Webster (Yamaha) third behind Gilbert and another tight battle is on the cards in this class where riders on motorcycles with engines bigger than 450cc compete against each other.

In OR2, Cameron Becker (VAN’s Racing Division KTM) would want to make a come back after a huge crash during the season opener.

Expect some bar­banging racing as the defending champion, Tyron Miller (Louw’s team­mate) as well as Jaycee Nienaber (D&H Engineering Works Yamaha), who is second, will be at each others’ throats again.

Off­road newcomer, Brett Swanepoel (Proudly Bidvest Yamaha) will be chased by Jarryd Coetzee (Brother Leader Tread KTM) and Bernard McGee (McGee Yamaha Lydenburg)

who will aim for more podium results while Swaziland’s Van Wyk would like nothing more than a win.

If all the youngsters in the competi­ tive High School Class, especially the KZN riders, have their passports sorted out, some great action can again be ex­ pected. Eduan Bester (KTM Centurion Liqui Moly Racing) is on a winning spree, but Dean Lindsay (D&H Engi­ neering Works Yamaha) and Brendon Fourie (Kawasaki) will again aim to stop

him in his tracks. These youngsters might not even have started school when others raced in Swaziland, but they will be able to add this event to their ‘Been There, Done That’ after the Swazi Cowboyz 400 event.

In the Master Class, Ian Venter (KTM Centurion Liqui Moly Racing) and Wade Miller (KTM) will have to watch out for local Swaziland rider, Guy Price­Jones (Yamaha).

The Swazi Cowboys 400 will consist

of two 60 kilometre loops.

Motorcycle and quad riders will tack­ le the different loops between 7.30 am and 8 am to complete the time­trial that will determine the starting order for the race that will start at 10.30 am.

All the action will happen from the Usutu Country Club outside Mbabane.

More information and news: www.dirtracing.co.za / Dirt Racing (Facebook) / Follow @DirtRacingSA (Twitter)

6x6 Defender in ‘Volcanic Rock Satin’ to remember the legend by BRITISH tuning shop Kahn Design has shown their “Flying Huntsman 110 WB 6x6”.

Competing with the Mercedes G­Wagen 6x6, the Flying Huntsnam is another mad set of axles designed for the deep sand and wallets of Arab oil sheiks. Kahn Design added 1,2 metres to the Defender’s length, gave it a third driven axle in the middle and bolted on six 20­inch Cooper LTZ 275/55 tyres.

All the axles have low ratio drive and locking differentials to ensure this 6x6 Defender can put down the power from a GM LS3 V8 up front, using a six­speed automatic to do so.

“The Defender is probably the most iconic and well­loved British vehicle in existence — I believe even more so than the Mini,” says Afzal Kahn, CEO and

creative director of the Kahn Group, in a statement. “The fact that Land Rover are retiring it is an absolute tragedy — it’s one of my top three all time favourite vehicles. With the Huntsman Concept, I set out to create something fashion­ able, iconic and revolutionary which carries on the spirit of the Defender.”

Khan dubbed the paint colour “Vol­ canic Rock Satin”, which scheme con­ tinues inside with a red leather and tweed theme, all well­lit by a panoramic roof over each of the two back rows.

Brushed aluminium adds subtle con­ trasting to all the russet manliness.

— Witness Wheels Reporter.

The Land Rover Defender 6x6 is a tribute to the legend.

PHOTO: GIZMAG.COM

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 19, 2015

ONE MAN’S JUNK, ANOTHER MAN’S FORTUNE E.J. Cole purchased many of these bikes for one or two percent of what he will sell them for. He’s a shrewd investor whose entire considerable for­ tune has been built upon the premise that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. He has been collecting bikes since long before it was fashionable or exhibited conventional wisdom.

There are no British bikes in his collection be­ cause they were always highly regarded. His wis­ dom in investing almost exclusively in American bikes will be proven on March 20 and 21.

One of the bikes that stood out in E.J. Cole’s collection was the 1975 Chang Jiang KL750 Yang­ tze, a bike which was produced in China for the Red Army and has a family tree that runs back through the Soviet Union’s Dnepr M­72 all the way back to BMW’s pre­WW2 R71. There’s some interesting history represented by this mo­ torcycle.

Scoff if you will at the motorcycle, but E.J. Cole got ridiculously wealthy playing the long game.

His motorcycle collection will likely bring some­ where between $15 mil­ lion and $20 million.

Right now, Japanese motorcycles are just be­ coming fashionable for collectors and prices are beginning to rise past that magical point where they are worth more than their original price plus inflation. The most valuable Japanese motor­ cycles, like Ferraris, Brough Superiors and other collectibles, are those which are available in very limited quantities.

The Japanese motorcy­ cle industry has been dominant globally for half a century and the Chi­ nese motorcycle indus­ try’s time is yet to come.

It’s time will come how­ ever, and when it does, bikes such as this early and original Chang Jiang KL750 will become valua­ ble, not just to eccentric American collectors but to the many wealthy Chi­ nese collectors who will emerge when that coun­ try becomes much, much wealthier than it is now.

If you have the time and resources, there are many motorcycles and cars of today which will become collectible if you have the foresight and patience. Think about it.

Mecum will be net­ casting the auction of the E.J. Cole Collection.

It’s an auction the mo­ torcycle world will still be talking about a century from now.

7

Motorcycle auction of the century E.J. Cole Collection reads more like a history of American­made motorcycles

Lot F19 – estimated $18,000 to $20,000 Sadly, with an estimate of just $18 000 to $20 000, the delightfully eccentric 1922 Ner­a­car (above) isn’t really a contender for a top 250 spot, but it is yet another indication of the levels of innovation the American motorcycle industry once exhibited.

The feet­forward, hub­centre steered, Ner­A­Car in many ways attempted to do what Honda succeeded in doing with its step­through design 50 years later, and was marketed as a low­cost alternative to a motor car. Like Honda’s ubiquitous (at least in Asia) scooters, the Ner­a­car offered freedom from road grime and engine fluids, enabling riders to wear ordinary clothes. The company was funded by King Gillette (of safety razor fame) and one of its strongest advocates was the legendary Cannonball Baker who rode one from New York to Los Angeles in 1922, with the total journey of 3,364 miles taking 174 hours and costing $15,70. Baker later started a Neracar dealership in Los Angeles.

Around 10 000 were manufactured in the United States and another 6 500 were produced under licence in England by Sheffield­Simplex.

One of the true classics in the Cole collection, this 1907 Indian Tri­Car With Sedan Chair is for all intents, a chauffeured armchair. It was made in the period where personal transportation was still finding its way, and while the pedal­ powered rickshaw became commonplace in some countries, putting the passenger dead­centre in harm’s way proved folly and most tri­cars used the passenger space for more commercial endeavours and the transportation of goods.

Though only built for two years (1910­11), the Detroit motorcycle uses very large­ diameter tubing for its frame, which contains both the gas and oil tanks, similar to the Pierce motorcycle. The Detroit features a direct flat­belt drive and leading­link fork, and the engine is a 30.5 cu­in. (500cc) F­head single, with the throttle and ignition controlled by twistgrips on the handlebars, and rods to the carburettor and points assembly.

This 1910 Detroit single is built around an original engine, and is extremely rare, being one of just three known to exist.

PHOTOS: GIZMAG.COM MIKE HANLON THE motorcycle world will hold its breath tomorrow and Saturday, when the largest and most significant collection of motorcycles ever auctioned at one time will sell at “no reserve” in Las Vegas.

The 220­motorbike catalogue for the E.J. Cole Collection Auc­ tion reads more like a history of American­made motorcycles

than a normal auction cata­ logue, with examples of many of the most important motorcycles ever made in the United States going under the hammer.

While there may yet be a big­ ger auction in the next 85 years, the E.J. Cole Collection repre­ sents the most important mo­ torcycle auction that has been held in the last 130 years.

To date, only 27 motorcycles have ever sold for more than

$300 000 at auction. The Cole Collection contains five motorcycles that Mecum Midamerica estimates will sell for at least that amount.

The 220 models contain sev­ eral hidden gems and a “bolter” might well emerge during the bidding if two collectors covet the same rare motorcycle. In the world of collectibles, value is in the eye of the beholder.

Bidding starts at at 4 pm (Ve­

1908 Reading Standard Single Tri­ Car, Lot S115 – estimated $65 000 to $85 000.

gas time, 5 am SAST) tomorrow and 11 am (2 am SAST) on Sat­ urday. Expect the highest bids to go on the three Harley­Davidson Strap Tank Singles in the collec­ tion. The strap tank single is the popular name given to Harley­ Davidson’s first motorcycle, a 440 cc single cylinder motorcy­ cle with nickel­plated steel straps attaching the oil and main fuel tank to the frame.

These bikes are the most

sought­after of all Harley­David­ son models and when the Otis Chandler Collection was sold in 2006, a 1907 Strap Tank Single sold for $352 000. It will be in­ teresting to see how this bike sells because the original Otis Chandler bike, which set the record for a “strap tank”, ap­ peared at auction again earlier this yearand only fetched $165 000.

— Gizmag.com.

8

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 19, 2015

No triskaidekaphobia here UD shows its intent with the release of 13 new models in its extra heavy range ALWYN VILJOEN SO confident is UD Trucks in its new Quester range that the company last week, on Friday the 13th, launched 13 models of these extra­heavy trucks. On hand to drive several of the trucks was the vice president of product strategy at UD Trucks, Nobuhiko Kishi. He told Wheels the Quester was a first for UD, which traditionally designed trucks for Japan and then exported them to the rest of the world.

Kishi said the Quester was designed according to the needs expressed by fleet operators in modernising markets in Africa, and will probably not be sold in Japan. He pointed out the Quester range comes with the bare minimum of on board computers controlling the two engines from the Volvo Group, and these computers controlled only the most basic functions to ensure their du­ rability in dusty, shaking conditions.

Rory Schulz, managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa said the new range will be assembled from semi­ knocked down kits by the company’s plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, where the as­ semblers have already been trained in the new procedures and technologies.

Asked how UD’s Quon, which was designed for Japan’s smooth roads, would cope with the tough rival in its own stable, Schulz said the Quester range will “simply enhance our offering to the market”.

ing diesel.

Asked what he looked for in a new truck, South Africa’s most fuel­efficient driver in 2014, Reginald Naidoo from Eshowe, told Wheels there are three things to consider before buying a lorry — fuel, fuel, and fuel.

Schulz had good news for Naidoo, promising: “The new [Quester] range will cut fuel costs and maximise uptime, giving fleet owners quick dependable payback that will help them succeed in their business.”

What Schulz could not say yet was what the Quester trucks could cost.

On of 13 new models from UD, the Quester faces adds welcome competition to the 400hp arena, where it faces serious competition from Tata and Isuzu.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED NO MORE DIESEL THIEVING Among the 13 models, my pick of the bunch is an 8x4 model. Like the other 12 models, it comes standard with an innovative telematics system that fea­ tures built­in fuel coaching and UD’s new three­year or 150 000 km UD Basic

service contract, but more importantly, it monitors the volume of diesel in the tank.

Design engineer and product plan­ ning specialist at UD Trucks at UD, Heinrich van As, explained to Wheels that if there is less diesel in the tank at

start up than what there was at shut down, the fleet operator will get an SMS informing him to check up.

He said it could be the tank suffered a hole on the rough forestry and farm roads the Quester is designed to drive on, but it’s more likely the driver is steal­

PUNCH­UP IN THE 400HP AREA Naidoo said the Quester adds welcome competition in the 400 horsepower arena, and the use of the Volvo D9 and D12 engines should make them very light on diesel, given the right driver.

But he warned UD they will have to work hard to compete with the latest offer­ ings from Tata and Isuzu.

While the proven combo of a Cummins engine with a nine­speed ZF transmission in the Tata Prima will not use diesel as efficiently as the D9 Volvo engine matched to a 12­speed ZF gear box, Tata is offering a game changing four­year or 450 000 km warranty on each of the Prima models, compared to UD’s three­year or 150 000 km UD Basic service contract.

• Driving impressions gathered at a launch sponsored by UD.

Everything the average consumer needs in a vehicle AMIL UMRAW

Still setting the safety standard Twenty years ago, Mercedes­Benz sent the first 500 Sprinter panel vans off the assembly line at its Düsseldorf plant. The large van set new safety standards, being the first van with disc brakes on both front and rear wheels, as well as with the ABS anti­lock braking system.

The international motoring media were so impressed they voted the Sprinter the ‘Van of the Year 1995’.

Fifteen years ago the Sprinter arrived in South Africa, where over 25 000 have been sold since the year 2000. The new vans continue to set standards for frugal fuel consumption as well as safety, as the latest models come with assistance systems to help drivers with collision prevention, blind spot checking, and lane departure warning.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

WHETHER you’re looking a trades­ man looking for a commercial vehicle or a dad looking for a really practical family car — Ford’s new Connect range ticks all the boxes and adds a few of its own.

Although the compact C­segment panel van and MPV sectors claim a small share of the South African market, Ford’s offerings of the Transit and the Tourneo sought to change that by providing everything the average consumer needs in a vehicle — and they have.

Starting with the Tourneo, which comes in a choice of three specification levels and two wheelbase configura­ tions, the basic Ambiente and Trend models sit steady on a short­wheel base five­seater foundation. The “Grand Tourneo” Titanium deriva­ tives have a longer wheelbase with a five­ or seven­seat offering.

All this with a price variation of R269 900 to R279 900 for the Ambi­ ente and Trend, which, mind you, come with Ford’s much­loved and award­winning 1.0 litre EcoBoost en­ gines; or R359 900 to R367 900 for the high­end Grand Tourneo with a 1,6 li­ tre automatic petrol EcoBoost engine or a 1,6 litre TDCI. I had the opportunity of city­slick­ ing through the bustling streets of Johannesburg in both the Tourneo and the Grand Tourneo TDCI. Before starting it up, the sheer space inside the vehicle and the adaptability of the seating, which fold quickly and easily into a flat, unobstructed luggage platform was very impressive. The pas­ senger seat can also be folded, enabling one to pack items up to three metres long.

Ford really put a lot of thought into how practical they could make it in terms of everyday use, with a host of different stowage areas and more than one 12V socket so that the kids don’t

Ford Tourneo Connect.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Ford Transit Connect loading bay.

Ford Tourneo Connect interior.

fight over the phone charger on long trips.

The smart MPV offers 2 410 litres of luggage space in the smaller range and 2 620 in the larger models, with the rear seats folded of course, which essentially converts the entire vehicle from a passenger mover to an all­pur­ pose transporter at your will.

Driving both variations was bliss.

Besides the large dashboard in front of me, I didn’t feel at all like I had a large vehicle behind. A short turning space and a responsive steering had much to do with it, with ample power at the foot to really boost around Johannesburg traffic.

With Ford’s superb SYNC system standard, voice control, Bluetooth and steering controls elevate the range into an entirely new category, merging lux­ ury and versatility into one vehicle.

Now, on to the Transit, which has been ranked with top spots in the “In­ ternational Van of the Year”.

The Transit offers operators superb fuel economy, load carrying ability and durability, with the 1.6 TDCI engine offering frugal consumption of just 4,9L/100 km and a maximum payload of just over a ton and a total load vol­ ume of 3 222 litres.

The dual side­hinged rear doors can be opened 180 degrees to facilitate eas­

ier loading and the low­slung suspen­ sion makes it much easier to get a fork­ lift in there.

There’s also a wide­opening sliding side door just to make things a bit eas­ ier.

Standard bodyside fixing points are present in the load compartment as well as a few more on the floor, allowing you to tie down just about anything and everything.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to get behind the wheel, but the interi­ or driving bay offers comfort and so­ phistication to anyone driving the ve­ hicle.

Whether it’s for a fleet or privately owned, Ford’s SYNC technology comes into play again, affording long distance drivers practicality and ease of entertainment that surpasses all other commercial careers in its class.

With a price tag of R272 900, it’s worth every cent you’re paying for it.

So the verdict is quite simple. It’s a great vehicle for everyday use by ev­ eryday people. Whether you need a commercial vehicle for your business or something for your entire family, Ford’s new Connect range does it all and more.

With the nearest competitor being the bulkier Hyundai H1, which comes with a price tag of R326 900 for the panel van and 357 900 for the passen­ ger vehicle, the Ford is competitive in its class and a well­rounded vehicle that can do just about anything, be­ sides going off­road of course.

• amil.umraw@witness.co.za

CV JOINT SPECIALISTS

for CV joints, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings.

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