Wheels_29Sept2017

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Witness

WHEELS

104 FM L A T I P CA ays d r u t a S 9­10 am

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… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING South Africa’s Brad Binder became the third South African world champion after a spell­ binding 2016 season that saw the boykie from Potch do it all on his KTM. He joins the legends of ‘Kork’ Ballington, SA’s first world champ in 1978­ 1979, and privateer Jon Ekerhold (1980). More racing news on PAGE 8. PHOTO: MOTOGP

INSIDE TODAY: The Russian driver managed to jump free before his load of pipes pushed the ferry, and his truck, into a deep river. More transport news on PAGE 6. PHOTO: WQLZ.COM

The safest cheap cars in SA, according the AA. None of them use a roll cage, which is what saved this C1. — PAGE 5. PHOTO: YOUTUBE

As the world’s foremost diesel engine builder, Isuzu’s trucks are famous for driving on dirty diesel across Africa. We discuss five more models on PAGE 6. PHOTO: WILLIAMS HUNT

The hatches we recommend, from quite fast to best value, like the Renault Sandero. — PAGE 6. PHOTO: QUICKPIC

The Isuzu X­Track turned into an instant classic when it went on sale in July. PHOTO: WHEELS24

The bakkie you can’t buy ALWYN VILJOEN WHEN Isuzu issued the limited edition X­Track, buyers almost immediately snapped up all availa­ ble units in August, except for the media test unit Wheels got to drive this week. Assessing a vehicle that is no longer for sale rais­ es interesting questions. Does the X­Track have the makings of a collectable car — even a classic? Or can it perhaps point to all the Hilux and Ran­ ger buyers being wrong about South Africa’s third most popular bakkie? I decided to answer the latter question, loading the bakkie and assessing the ride over 1 000 km. The X­Track is based on the 250 HO Hi­Rider 4x2, so no mud or any of our usual axle­bending inclines, but the aggressive­looking 255/60 all­ter­ rain tyres on 18” diamond­cut alloy rims can — and did — take on all the rutted dirt roads past the toll gates. The X­Rider was sold in the extended and dou­ ble cab body styles; we had the latter and even the heavier cab bounces a fair bit over the ruts when empty. This ride is on par with a Hilux or Ranger. Loaded with a scooter, it settled down to the smooth ride Isuzu made its name with. Inside, leather seats embroidered with the X­Track logo on the front head­rests, a leather­ trimmed steering wheel, red stitching and remote keyless entry and piano black inserts — also with

a bold red “X” motif — add a luxury feel to the bakkie. Bluetooth pairs simply by telling the phone to look for Isuzu and pressing accept and the GM system seamlessly pairs music and Google Maps’ voice. A tow bar for a 2,1­ton braked trailer on the back is really useful. Remember the law requires the tow­ ing vehicle to be as heavy or heavier in gross vehicle mass than the trailer, which means you cannot load more than 2,1 tons — a very realistic weight to my mind. This compares to three tons for the Nissan Nava­ ra, a weight that few normal vehicle brakes are de­ signed to stop. All X­Track derivatives are powered by the new 100 kW/320 Nm version of Isuzu’s 2,5­litre turbo diesel, and we got well over 11 km/l doing sensible speeds over long roads even with our scooter add­ ing drag on the back. Selling for R366 380, the X­Track certainly was good value, and my only niggle at this price is the lack of a difflock. For with its bold red logos over a black front bumper guard and LED daytime run­ ning lights, this bakkie is a looker, but it needs to prevent wheel slip to take on really extreme tracks. Maybe that can be the next limited edition, Is­ uzu South Africa? Now that will be a collectible bakkie, much like the Toyota Land Cruiser that sold for R2,5 million at Pebble Beach last month.

Spring into your choice of an Audi Q5

Visit Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg to take advantage of our limited offers on the Audi Q5. We’re also giving you a chance to win exclusive Audi goodies every Friday in our weekly lucky draw! Model

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 130kW S quattro S tronic Audi Q5 2.0T FSI 132kW S quattro manual Audi Q5 2.0T FSI 169kW SE quattro Tiptronic Audi Q5 3.0T FSI SE quattro Tiptronic Audi Q5 3.0 TDI SE quattro S tronic

Vehicle Price

Interest Monthly No. Of Instalments Instalments Rate Linked/ Variable

R630 000

R8 099

48

8.46%

R604 500

R7 999

48

8.31%

R690 000

R8 899

48

8.65%

R782 000

R10 199

48

8.90%

R803 000

R10 499

48

8.95%

Deposit

Guaranteed Future Value

10.06% (R63 381) 10.42% (R62 990) 10.30% (R71 087) 10.24% (R80 052) 10.21% (R81 971)

54.20% (R341 460) 51.10% (R308 900) 54.20% (R373 980) 54.20% (R423 844) 54.20% (R435 226)

Total Cost Incl. Fees And Vat

R730 212 R692 852 R801 132 R913 396 R939 178

Offers calculated on the Audi Q5 models specified, in standard specification over 4 years. *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.75%. Instalment amount as specified, and includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R68.40. Total Retail Price as above at a Guaranteed Future Value based on 80 000 km p.a. Information subject to change without prior notification. All Finance offers are subject to credit approval from Audi Financial Services. Audi Financial Services a division of Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd. An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply.

Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201. Tel: 033 397 8800. www.audipietermaritzburg.co.za

New Vehicle Sales | Nathi Mncube • Cameron Govender • Imdaad Hoosan Pre-owned Vehicle Sales | Mandla Mkhize • Mark van Rijsbergen Anwar Charfaray • Pre-owned Manager: Riaz Mahomed

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September 29, 2016


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