November 11, 2021
THE WITNESS
11
WHEELS
www.witness.co.za
Will be launched in SA with three variants
Staria gets lots of stares
125th London to Brighton Run celebrated Participants in the 125th London to Brighton Run cross Westminster Bridge, followed by a breakdown recovery vehicle. The 60 mile (96,6 km) run is the world’s oldest motoring event and was started by Harry Lawson, who formed the first motoring club in the UK, to celebrate the passing into law of the Light Locomotives on the Highway Act on November 14, 1896. The act raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ not exceeding three tons from 4 mph to 14 mph (6 km/h to 22,5 km/h), and abolished the requirement for the cars to be preceded by a man on foot with a red flag. PHOTO: REUTERS
Flaming out in Phoenix Flames are visible under the car of Xfinity Series driver Stefan Parsons (99) after blowing an engine during the Xfinity Championship at Phoenix Raceway recently. The stockcar racing series is organised by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (Nascar) and is promoted as its ‘minor league’, where drivers who wish to step up to the organisation’s top level circuit, the Nascar Cup Series, can make a name for themselves. PHOTO: MIKE DINOVO-USA TODAY SPORTS
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The futuristic front of the Hyundai Staria certainly has people staring. It packs in all the latest in driving aids, including cordless charging, seats that both warm and cool, and USB ports for all four rows. PHOTOS: QUICKPIC ALWYN VILJOEN Roadworks to widen the N3 between Pietermaritzburg and Durban means traffic is likely to move even slower at peak hours than it does at the moment. If one has to sit in traffic, then Hyundai’s allnew Staria van is a better place than most to do it in. Featuring a futuristic design, the van turned heads wherever the contingent of KZNbased motoring hacks drove it during its local launch on Monday. And stare they might, for the Staria is but the first stair in Hyundai Motor’s climb to become a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa, said the complete Staria range will be available in two to 11-seat configurations, but is initially launched in South Africa with only three variants — the Luxury, Elite and Executive. The Staria Panel Van and a versatile five-seat-
er version, similar to the previous H1 Multicab, will be added to the local range next year.
from as low as 7,3 l/100 km, although Hyundai’s official consumption figure is 8,6 l/100 km.
On the road I drove the Luxury and Elite versions over the potholed, speed-humped roads in the KZN hinterland. The Staria’s firm chassis, 18,6 cm rideheight and 17-inch tyres took the rough roads in their stride, while the disk brakes all round made slowing the big vehicle a cinch. The Staria is driven through its front wheels by a 2,2-litre with a variable-geometry turbo (VGT) that can increase or decrease the volume of airflow in line with the revolutions to totally eliminate turbo lag. An eight-speed automatic transmission makes the most of the engine’s 130 kW and 430 Nm. While it does so at 100 rpm more than the bigger-engined Quantum, the Toyota is also some 400 kg heavier, giving the Korean van a power-to-weight advantage. This can be seen in the consumptions reported for the Staria,
Smart features The Staria has secured the highest level of passive and active vehicle safety. It offers six airbags, and all seats come with three-point seat belts and headrests. Safety is further bolstered by smart features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) in the top derivatives. An innovative blind-spot view monitor in the Luxury derivative shows an image on the 10,2-inch Supervision instrument cluster in front of the driver, replacing either the rev counter (for right turn) or speedometer (left turn) momentarily with a real-time rear-view image.
The new Peugeot bakkie lands in SA
rear park assist camera, aided by park warning sensors in both front and rear bumpers. In the Luxury version the screen also displays a bird’s eye view of the car and its surroundings when reversing the Staria. It is possible to select various views from a menu. The infotainment system, standard in all versions, links wirelessly via Bluetooth to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The system can accommodate multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections. A wireless cell phone charging pad is standard in all models. Each row of seats also has USB ports, cup holders and overhead air-conditioning vents. the Elite model has warming or cooling front seats, which extends to the second row in the Luxury model. The two top models have window curtains all round to block the rays. On top of this, the seven-seat model is equipped with Premium Relaxation Seats in the second row that recline electronically and have sliding capabilities for easy reach or to maximise cargo space. Even when the seats are reclined by this mode, there is enough room for an adult passenger to sit comfortably in the third row. In the nine-seat Luxury model, the second row’s two seats swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row. This is not a new feature — I had the same luxury in my old Ssanyong Stavic — but few manufacturers make it this easy to turn a seat around. A Bose sound system with 12 speakers makes for good noise and the Executive and Elite versions have genuine Nappa leather seats in brown, grey or black. Competitors The Hyundai Staria competes with the Mercedes-Benz Vito 2,2 Tourer and V-Class range, the Toyota Quantum 2,8-litre, the VW Kombi and the Ford Transit. Anderson rightfully boasts that Hyundai is not in the business of selling bare-bones models with expensive optional extras and short warranties. Instead, each model is packed with many luxuries as standard, and sold with a seven-year or 105 000 km service plan for the Executive, while the Elite and Executive have a six-year/90 000tkm service plan. A seven-year/200 000 km manufacturer warranty and roadside assistance for seven years or 150 000 km are included in the price for all derivatives. STARIA R2,2 PRICING Executive nine-seater R789 900 Executive 11-seater R799 900 Elite nine-seater R959 900 Luxury nine-seater R1 099 900
Comforts inside An eight-inch touch-screen display is fitted to all derivatives and is equipped with a wide-angle
New look Duster boasts more inside The Renault Duster looks small but is a spacious, tough and robust SUV that just sips fuel. The latest model, launched on Monday, continues this design but with new driving aids and new equipment. Renault uses its new model range names for the Duster, with Life representing the entry spec, Zen the mid spec and Intens the highest model spec. The Diesel 1,5 dCi makes 66 kW and 210 Nm, and consumes as little as 5,1 L/100 km. The 4x2 EDC and 4x4 Manual versions make 80 kW and 250 Nm and 260 Nm, respectively, sipping as little as 4,8 L/100 km. They come with a five-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services take place at 15 000 km intervals, and a standard three-year/45 000 km service plan applies. Prices for the four models start at R337 900 for the Zen 4x2 and go up to R384 900 for the Intens 4x4. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Peugeot introduced the Landtrek double-cab in two models, both kitted with all the latest bells and whistles. A 1.9 litre turbodiesel develops 110kW, thanks to a variable turbine geometry with 16 valves and 350 Nm. The 4x2 Allure sells for R579 900 and the 4x4 Action Double Cab, lists at R669 900, which puts the latest bakkie in SA in the Land Cruiser’s price range. The price covers a fiveyear or 100 000 km warranty and service plan, with maintenance intervals every 10 000 km. PHOTO: PEUGEOT MEDIA
Volvo recalling certain S60 and S80 vehicles to replace faulty airbag Volvo Car Corporation has announced that it is recalling certain Volvo S60 and S80 vehicles in order to replace the driver’s airbag. A total of 4 128 cars in South Africa are affected by the recall. The recall only affects S60 and S80 sedans from model 2001 to 2003. This follows a recent Volvo Cars investigation conducted in conjunction with the inflator manufacturer, ZF, which revealed an issue with the driver airbag. In the event of a collision in which the driver
airbag is activated, the driver side frontal airbag inflator may rupture, releasing metal fragments when the airbag is deployed. The exact part involved in the recall is the FG2 Twin Driver Airbag inflator, which contains the 5AT 148N propellant. It will be replaced by a driver airbag with a modern state-of-the-art propellant/inflator. One fatal incident involving a known rupture for this type of inflator has taken place in the world. Based on Volvo component testing, one percent of involved
cars could be impacted. Despite this relatively low risk, Volvo Cars is replacing the driver airbag in all affected vehicles as soon as possible. Owners of S60 and S80 vehicles from model year 2001 to 2003 are encouraged to check if their cars are affected by the safety recall by visiting the Volvo website and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the search box. Volvo owners can also contact their nearest dealer to find out if their cars are impacted. Because of the age of
these vehicles, many of them are not active in Volvo’s retail network. Volvo Car South Africa will also therefore work through South Africa’s electronic national administration traffic information system (eNaTIS), with the help of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa to send Quality Bulletin (QB) recall letters to the registered owners. South African Volvo car owners are advised to keep a lookout for the QB letter. — WR.
ALL SET FOR THE RETURN OF THE ICONIC ROOF OF AFRICA WHICH IS JUST WEEKS AWAY This year’s Roof of Africa is now just weeks away (November 24 to 28) and organisers are putting the finishing touches to what will be a very welcome return of one of Africa’s most iconic Hard Enduro events. The buzz around the return of the Motul Roof of Africa, after only its second-ever postponement, can be judged by the fact that over 400 entries have already been received for this year’s event. Alongside the established Gold, Silver and Bronze classes, a new Iron Class has been added to give “weekend warriors” the chance to experience the mountains of Lesotho from the saddle. As the event approaches, organisers Live Lesotho have further refined the format to achieve a balance between challenging elements and striving to ensure the safety of riders and their support crews. This will see each rider limited to just five support crew members. The format this year will be similar to 2019, but with the notable exception of the EnduroX component. This decision was taken by Live Lesotho in an effort to avoid mass gatherings while Covid-19 is still a consideration. On November 24, riders will need to go through the required documentation and scrutineering sessions. The process will take place at the Avani Lesotho Hotel and Casino and will be streamlined to facilitate social distancing, without being in any way less rigorous. On November 25, the programme will run as follows. • Round the houses through the streets of Maseru. • Followed by a time trial at Thaba Bosiu for all
Riders line up at the start of the 2019 Motul Roof of Africa. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
classes. • November 26 and 27 will be race day one and race day two, respectively, and the start and finish will be at Thaba Bosiu, the headquarters for the event. “This year’s Motul Roof of Africa will be the result of two years’ planning and plotting new routes, so we’re certain that riders will feel it was worth the wait,” said Charan Moore, Motul Roof of Africa route director and manager of Live Lesotho. Speaking of returning riders, this year’s field will be headed by defending Roof champion Wade Young of the Sherco Racing Factory Motul Team. Young will be hot off the international circuit. He’s reportedly delighted to have the chance to try to retain his crown in the face of stiff Gold Class competition from the likes of Travis Teasdale (Trax GasGas), Brett Swanepoel (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna), Matt Green (Matthew Green Racing), Luke Walker (McLarens bLU cRU Yamaha), Kerim Fitzgerald (Red Bull KTM) and Heinrich Aust (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna). Kirsten Landman (Brother Leadertread KTM) will be tackling the Gold Class as training for next year’s Dakar Rally. Confirmed participants in other classes include riders from the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland, as well as a strong showing of Basotho riders. For more information about this year’s Roof, including Covid-19 measures, visit the Motul Roof of Africa Facebook page. — Supplied.
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