Wheels 12 may 2015

ASH CAR SALES

May 12, 2016

Catch on e v i l

s u

Witness

WHEELS

4 FM 0 1

L A T I CAP ays d r u t a S 9­10 am

ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za

2015 MERCEDES BENZ AMG GT 5.0 V8 COUPE 500 kMS

Only done 500 kms. Auto, 19-inch AMG Wheels, PDC, Xenon lights, Electric Folding side mirrors, F1 style Paddleshift, Electric Seats, Air-con, Redpepper AMG Sport seats, SpeedoCruise, Heated and memory Seats, Balance of M/Plan.

R1 850 000

Contact ASH on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

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

… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

Cute but astute DAVE FALL feels like a nut in its shell in the FourTwo THE Smart range of cars have been available in South Africa since 2007 and the latest models remain the designers’ answer to all parking problems.

Launched last week in Cape Town, the new Smart is completely redesigned, but both the two­seater and four­seater are still available in four trim levels: Base, Passion, Prime and top­of­ the­range Proxy.

The engine in the rear is either a normally aspirated, 52 kW/91 Nm 999 cc three­cylin­ der or a turbo­charged 898 cc that makes 66 kW and 135 Nm. Power goes to the front via a five­speed manual or a decent six­speed dual clutch automatic transmission, the latter being a standard fixture on the turbo en­ gine and adding R30 500 to the prices listed at the end.

Having been party to a cross­

country drive from Beit Bridge in the north to Cape Town in a 2007 year model Smart FourTwo, I can assure you this is not for the long road.

It is made to sniff out parking in congested European cities, where you often see two to a park­ ing meter. And the tiny engine is frugal enough to possibly embar­ rass a moped or scooter rider.

The FourFour is also very frugal, but offers five doors — just like its much cheaper competitor from Germany, the VW UP! now does.

But it was the tiny FourTwo that impressed me most on a blustery morning trip in the Western Cape last week. As a veteran MG driver I was prepared for a tiny cabin and being blown about by the Cape winds, but none of this transpired and I actively enjoyed driving the Smart FourTwo. There is also a surprising

amount of space once you have settled into the comfortable driv­ ing seat, while the retro­style dials and instruments are also appeal­ ing to the eye.

The powerplant and transmis­ sion comes courtesy of the Ren­ ault Twingo due to some liaison deal of days gone by and with that all the exceptional fuel consump­ tion figures this French car manu­ facturer is renowned.

At the press conference later in the day I learned that the “tridion safety cell” (think Formula One cockpit) assumes the main role in occupant protection.

For gridlock in the CBD of Cape Town is now the norm and pulling up in traffic every few minutes meant being crammed from all sides by suddenly much bigger cars. With a wheelbase of just 1,87 m the FourTwo really is cer­ tainly diminutive.

We’re selling these brand new vehicles at cost prices!

Get these incredible offers on our range of Audi Used vehicles

Year

Vehicle Description

Colour

Cost Price

2016

Audi A1 1.0T FSI S tronic 3DR

White

R295 000*

2016

Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI S tronic

Silver

R399 000*

Description Xenons Xenons,Fog Lights,17 Alloy Wheel

2016

Audi A3 1.4 FSI S tronic 3DR

White

R369 000*

Black Styling,Hold Assist,Fog Light

2016

Audi A3 Sedan 1.8 FSI S tronic

Black

R459 000*

Sunroof,Xenons,Led,Flat Bottom Steering Wheel

2016

Audi A3 Sedan 1.4T FSI S tronic

Silver

R459 000*

Sunroof,Tire Indicator,Cruise Control

2016

Audi A3 Sportback 1.4T FSI Manual

White

R359 000*

Tyre Monitor,Xenons

2016 2016

Audi A6 1.8T FSI 140kW Audi Q3 1.4 FSI S tronic

White Grey

But just like a nut is pro­ tected by its hard shell, the Smart’s shell is made up of 75% high­ Able to turn on a dime, the 2016 Smart FourTwo is surprisingly spacious and strength steel packed with kit even on the Base model. PHOTO: QUICKPIC to keep the occupants safe from harm. In conjunction drawer, simple and intuitive to op­ likes of which I’ve never seen be­ with further components such as erate via the multi­touch display; fore. Factor in five airbags for up crash boxes and deformation ele­ in addition to a hands­free func­ front and even a kneebag for the ments, the safety cell works its tion and music streaming by way driver and this is the safest super magic in a minimum of space. of Bluetooth — which neatly inter­ mini for buyers with no need to Now that’s reassuring. faces through Aux, USB and an SD rush and a big need to park.

Inside the kit fitted across the Card. The optional TomTom sat­ All smart models come stan­ board is also impressive — al­ ellite navigation that boasts really dard with a smart Service Plan — though at launch only the five­ useful traffic snarl­up info, can three­years/60 000 km. speed manual ’box varieties were even be controlled by voice com­ available for evaluation (the auto mand.

Prices FourTwo and FourFour versions are expected around Ju­ Other creature comforts in­ Base R174 900...............(R210 400) ly). As an Apple puppy I can vouch clude power steering/windows/ Passion R194 400........(R229 900) the Smart’s media system — also wing mirrors and the luxury of a Prime R203 400............(R241 400) shared by the Twingo — is top­ multi­function steering wheel the Proxy R207 400............(R242 900)

R679 000* R459 000*

Navigtaion,Ambient Lighting Led,Park Aid,Partial Leather,

Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid while stocks last.

Code

Year

Vehicle Description

11380

2009

Audi A3 Sportback 1.8T FSI

11382

2016

Audi RS3 Sportback S tronic

11388

2012

Audi A3 1.8T FSI S tronic

11395

2015

11398

2015

11399 11400

Pre-owned Colour

Mileage

Special Price

Grey

120 770

R139 995

Red

4 900

R799 995

White

66 000

R259 995

Audi S3 Cabriolet S tronic

Red

2 277

R569 995

Audi A3 1.6 TDI S tronic

Grey

6 400

R339 995

2015

Audi A4 1.8T S 88kW

Silver

10 000

R339 995

2016

Audi A4 1.4T FSI S tronic

Red

10 000

R539 995

11407

2015

Audi A3 1.4T FSI SE S tronic

Blue

8 000

R339 995

11408

2011

Audi A4 1.8T Ambition multitronic

Grey

41 000

R209 995

11410

2015

Audi A4 2.0T FSI Design S tronic

White

6 000

R499 995

11413

2012

Audi A4 1.8T Attraction B8

White

96 585

R179 995

11415

2014

Audi A3 1.8T FSI SE S tronic

Silver

24 000

R349 995

11424

2015

Audi A4 2.0 TDI SE multitronic

Silver

33 000

R349 995

11427

2009

Audi RS6 Quattro tiptronic

Silver

171 358

R299 995

11428

2013

Audi A3 1.8T FSI SE 3DR

Black

73 000

R209 995

Only while stocks last, terms and conditions apply.

Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg Nathi Mncube • Sharon Mpulo • Darryl Chetty • Lawrentia Reddy • New Vehicle Sales Manager: Prunella Naidoo Mandla Mkhize • Mark van Rijsbergen • Anwar Charfaray • Pre-owned Manager: Riaz Mahomed

BP Advertising

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

2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

May 12, 2016

So you want a nice hatch?

Follow the lines to choose a car with an odd­number of doors that best fits your needs ALWYN VILJOEN

The Fiat 500 Abarth 595 Turismo 1,4T sells for R371 990 with an auto box, which includes a 3­year/100 000km war­ ranty and maintenance plan. The Abarth out handles, out accelerates and out jeeh­haws any other little hatch out there today. Its only minus point is that the Italians added a lot of lightness to make all that responsive handing pos­ sible, and it shows when compared with the competing Opel Adam S 1,4T (below), which sells for R330 000, or a grand less for the S­less but equally fun Adam 1,4T. There are five Adam models, all with a 5­year or 120 000km warran­ tee and a 3­year or 60 000 km service plan. Wheels recom­ mends the 1,0­litre, which is fantastic.

Note, none of the Adams come in auto — you have to give them stick. The build quality is better and even the entry level Adam 1,0T packs more gadgets than the Abarth, but this also make the little Opel a tad slower and the fuel­efficient ratios mean even the most experienced illegal drag racer will struggle to snap­shift the Adam R’s gears from first to third. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

THE hatch is where the circle of ageing meets, presenting a shape that is (mostly) afforda­ ble and always sensible, both for students starting out and pen­ sioners cashing in. But which one to choose?

Just under the As for Abarth

Stop with the questions already, just tell me which is the funnest, hardcore hatch out there right now!

Did you mean affordable fun?

… or a cheap as they come, but still able to corner?

… as in a NEW not used?

The Hyundai i10 (left), shown here after driving a wet Sani Pass, is a favourite on the rental car floor and has been our budget hatch of choice for several years running. The 55 kW/99 Nm i10 automatic now sells for R169 900, with a 5­year/150 000 km warranty, which is also offered by the Kia Picanto 1.0 auto, but for R95 more. The edges on the facelifted Picanto, however show where the money went. Despite these two Koreans’ hard­ earned reputation, their resales are only slowly catching up with their new prices. PHOTO: AMIR WALD/KIA

and Audi there are over 40 mod­ els that offer three or five doors in the practical hatch shape.

Answer the questions below to find the hatch that suits your image, investment or travel needs, from the most affordable automatics with large doors, to a very fast shoebox with no re­ spect for corners.

At R154 700 with a 2­year or 30 000 km warranty, the Suzuki Celerio is the cheapest “automatic” hatch in SA, with 50 kW and 90 Nm from the 980 cc engine. The gears are shifted electronically by an electro­hydraulic shift actuator mounted atop the regular five­speed gearbox that reportedly works well on India’s clogged roads. On SA’s faster roads, the results are less pleasing, with glacial gear changes, much like those in the first Smart car. Unless your knees demand an auto, pay only R138 900 for a manual Renault Sandero, which comes with a 5­year/150 000 km warranty and a 2­year/30 000 km service plan and is, as we reported in Wheels last week, able on the N3 and eager on dirt roads, with boot space and leg room to spare. Ideal then, for the retired couple who go away on weekends or the young friends on their way to Splashy.

Fen. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

I’m on a tight budget

Does sensible mean big door, big boot and a good safety rating?

Or does sensible mean an automatic gearbox?

… or do you realise the smaller car ALWAYS comes second in a crash and you may as well go for cheap and cheerful?

Even a used City Golf, like this 1986 1600 Sport, still rates as one of the most responsive hatches to heel­ toe­heel out of a corner, and is yours for R19 500 on OLX, with bucket seats. Parts to fix a Golf are in every store. Just be sure to park this model in a garage, for thieves also still love these 1980 classics. PHOTO: OLX

… with proven history and a long warranty? … or do you want some resale value with that?

If you are also still liking the City Golf, may we rather rec­ ommend the Datsun Go (right) and the Tata Bolt (below). Compared to the ever­popular City Golf, both the Datsun for R104 900 and the Tata for R146 995 are the better cars by far, even in a crash, thanks to modern crumple zones. (But bear in mind, small cars always come second.) Security companies love the Datsun for its low price and lower running costs. The Go now sells on a 72­month plan R2 499/m for the Go and R2 799/m for the Lux. Wheels, however, prefers the Bolt, for in that R40 k price difference are ABS brakes, (which do help on wet roads), and a 5­year or 100 000 km warranty and 2­year or 30 000 service plan.

On the same wet spot the Go’s brakes will just lock up and its warranty is shorter — 3 years or 100 000 km, with op­ tional service plans avail­ able. We still admite how, when the Bolt launched, the importers challenged all motor hacks to see who could get the most from each litre, in the process proving any careful driver will get over 20 km/litre in a Bolt, a claim that cannot be made by many of the Bolt’s competitors that sell for un­ der R150 000. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED You want all the air bags you can get for the leasr money

In SA, no hatch is cheaper, or cuter, than the Geely LC 1,0 — yours for R92 990 with a 3­year/100 000 km warranty. Inside there are hugging seats, aircon, a radio with a USB slot and even park distance control. The best surprise, however, is how it all comes together when you push the engine behind 3 000 revs. The skinny 165/60 R14 tyres pull hard up front while the light cabin sits well on a rear hybrid link to remind one of the City Golf’s glory days. The resale value on this little Chinese? You are kidding, right? PHOTO: GEELY The VW Polo (shown above as raced by Sheldon van der Linde in the Polo Cup) is SA’s top­selling car. Last month, 3 459 peo­ ple bought a Polo in SA and 6 004 units were exported. Thanks to this demand, the hatch retains its value better than most hatches on the used market. The 63­kw Polo Vivo Hatch Trendline costs R189 450 with a six­speed Tiptronic, which can give about 20 km/l thanks to 175 Nm from just over 1 500 revs. Large 215/45 R16 tyres also do not notice potholes that much. VW’s 3­year/120 000 km war­ ranty is respectable, as is the 3­year or 45 000 km service plan.

• If you do not demand an auto, Wheels recommends not a Polo, but the 2015 Best Budget Car, Toyota’s Etios, (shown right in race mode).

Toyota wants R152 000 for the 1,5 Xi. Granted, the measly 66 kW/132 Nm from the robust 1 496 cc engine in the Etios will not blow anyone’s hair back, and nor is Toyota’s 3­year/100 000 km warranty and 2­year/30 000 km service plan as good as that of VW, but Toyota has more dealers and this hatch from India does thrive as a Witness staff car. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Good industrial design means less is more and form follows function. The three­door VW UP! for R152 500 epitomises these design tenets and the frugality from its 1.0 55 kW engine has to be experienced to be believed. But three doors are two too few for most South Africans, which is why VW added four new models — all with five­doors as shown. The Cross UP! costs R181 400 with its bigger wheels and 166 mm ground height. Standard safety and convenience features on all include four air bags, ESP, power steering, front electric windows, remote central locking and radio/CD, with a warranty of 3 years or 120 000 km, and optional service plan.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

MOTORING WitnessWheels

May 12, 2016

3

Live restoration of iconic Range Rover eBay will form part of the Silverstone Classic in the UK in a first collaboration of its kind between a website and a classic car event. eBay will join the official parts and accessories partner of a live restoration of a Range Rover during the world’s biggest historic mo­ tor racing festival from Ju­ ly 29 to 31. Demonstrating that eBay is the premier destination for car parts, show­goers will be able to BMW and Toyota are in talks to build sportcars together, which will make the sleek Z4 a last­of­the­breed rarity for classic car collectors.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Z 4 the collector BRIAN BASSETT discovers why the Z4 is bound to be a classic IT has been over a year since we re­ viewed a sports car in this column and were delighted when Anthony Ellis, dealer principal of SMG Pieter­ maritzburg, offered us an opportuni­ ty to spend a few days with the Z4 sDrive 2.0i.

This is the second generation of the original Z4, designed by the Dan­ ish industrial designer Anders Warming in 1998 and launched in 2002. The remarkable car designer Juliane Blasi from the BMW Design Studio sorted all its design kinks to launch the facelifted car we drove in 2009. Going forward, new Z4 mod­ els are likely to be the result of a co­ operative effort by BMW and Toyota so, as a colleague of mine said recent­ ly; the new car is likely to be fast and conservative.

Styling The Z4 is one of the best­looking cars on the market. No wonder retiring executives buy them as retirement presents to themselves. After all, a heart attack or two and years of stress must be worth something.

Blasi has gone for classic roadster proportions: two­thirds bonnet, half cabin and a small rump, which at­ tracts attention nonetheless. The second generation adds 147 mm bumper to bumper, which adds pres­ ence. The car is strikingly styled, with discerning touches everywhere, the whole underlined by appropriate alloys shod in 19­inch rubber.

The Z4 looks good even with the hood up. The 120 kg hood is made of lightweight materials and opens in 22 seconds and closes in 19 sec­ onds. It can be used at speeds up to 40 km/h.

Interior The cabin architecture is finished in black leather and is a familiar BMW blend of superb ergonomics and fo­ cus on the driver.

The centrally­placed ventilation controls and door trim invigorate and distinguish the cabin, while the road and engine speed dials are from the 3­Series, but mounted in bezels and back lit with an impressively ac­ complished look. The idrive system is intuitive and the fully­adjustable sports seats offer considerable com­ fort. The multi­function, leather­ covered, fully­adjustable steering wheel is a pleasure to handle.

My only problem relates to the sun visors, which are not fully adjustable and make driving somewhat difficult if you are driving at an angle to the

sun. The boot offers a measly 180 li­ tres of space with the roof down and a more useful 310 litres with the roof closed.

Safety and security The Z4 has a host of safety features too long to include here and most of which the owner will come to take for granted.

These include ABS with EBD, Dy­ namic Stability Control, a Rollover Protection System, Side Impact Pro­ tection, Rear Park Assist, Adaptive Headlights, Adaptive Suspension and an impact absorption system in both front and rear bumpers. There are also four airbags supported and seatbelts. The car has central locking and is alarmed and the key can be used to open and close windows, as well as to open the roof.

Performance and handling The twin­power, 4­cylinder, petrol engine with double Vanos twin­ scroll turbocharger delivers 135 kW/270 Nm expressed on road via a smooth, six­speed manual gear­ box. 0­100 km/h takes about 6,9 sec­ onds and top speed is around 235 km/ h. It is difficult to quote fuel con­ sumption for a sports car, but you can expect around 8,5 litres per 100 km with sensible driving.

The Z4 has monumental grip be­ cause of its low centre of gravity and generous rubber on each wheel.

The 2,0­litre engine, which is one of the best in the world, produces a mechanical symmetry unmatched for smoothness and acoustic appeal.

The ride quality is hard because of the run­flat tyres and, if you get car­ ried away with the car’s effortless speed a failsafe under steer is built into the package.

The rear­wheel drive takes care of power delivery, leaving the front wheels to manage direction, which leads to instant steering feedback and allows absolute control by the driver. In all the car goes way beyond what most owners will need with the roof down.

Costs and the competition The Z4 sDrive 2.0i comes in at around R600 000 and the auto at about R630 000.

There are seven models in the range, with the six­cylinder, sDrive 35is costing about R950 000.

The car comes with the iconic and extendable BMW 100 000 km, five­ year motor plan. Also look at Porsche Boxster, Jaguar F­type Convertible and Mercedes SLC.

follow the live restoration of a 1982 classic Range Rover over the three­day event.

Silverstone fans are no strangers to restoration pro­ jects and many will be watching the host of Resto­ ration Live, Fergus Walkin­ shaw, and his team guide the crowd through every step as they restore the 34­ year­old Range Rover to its original condition, using only items bought from eBay. — WR.

Ranger Rovers don’t die. They go on to be make­over stars at the world’s biggest historic motor racing festival.

PHOTO: NEWS­ PRESS

Discovery Sport sees the stuff you forgot LAND Rover has announced its Discovery Sport will be­ come “the car that never for­ gets” thanks to the world­first integration of an advanced tracking app by Tile.

The app uses tiny Bluetooth trackers, called tiles, that can be attached to important but often forgotten items — like wallets and school bags — and used to track their where­

abouts using smartphone technology. Once the app is in­ itiated using the central touch screen, customers are alerted if specified items are not in­ side the vehicle and are even able to get on­screen direc­ tions to their last known loca­ tion. The items that can be tracked are limitless.

Peter Virk, Jaguar Land Rov­ er’s director of connected

technologies & apps, said Jaguar Land Rover is the first automotive company to inte­ grate Tile with its in­car enter­ tainment system.

Mike Farley, CEO of Tile, said: “We’re really excited to be partnering with Jaguar Land Rover. We believe this in­ tegration will provide many benefits such as improved as­ surance and peace of mind

about the whereabouts of es­ sential items, helping drivers save time before they embark on journeys. Having increased the number of Tiles in circula­ tion from two million to over five million in the last six months alone, we are confi­ dent of the extensive advanta­ ges this will bring.”

The app works on Android and Apple platforms. — WR.

2016 RANGE ROVER SPORT

REDEFINES THE ‘S’ IN SUV

AVAILABLE FROM R15 299 PER MONTH WITH 0% DEPOSIT Range Rover Sport is the most agile, dynamic and responsive Land Rover ever. Its 5.0 litre V8 Supercharged engine delivers an exhilarating 0-100kph in just 5.3 seconds. Supported by the latest Terrain Response 2 technology, capable of adapting to changing road conditions seamlessly and effortlessly.

Model

Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 S/C S

Retail Price (incl VAT, Excl CO2) Principle Debt Deposit 0% Period Monthly Instalment* Rate Balloon Payment (30%) Total Cost of Finance

R1 073 816 R1 078 456 0 72 months R15 299 7.46% R322 145 R1 408 375

Call us today to book a test drive.

LAND ROVER PIETERMARITZBURG 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg Tel: 033 897 8700 A/H: Brendon 083 253 6768 landroverpmb@smg.co.za pietermaritzburg.landrover.co.za

Offer available from Land Rover Financial Services. Deal parameters flexible but will affect rate and payment, contact dealer F&I manager for options. These payments are indications only and may change depending on date of first payment etc. Changes in the prime rate, currently 10.50%, will cause changes to this schedule unless calculated on a ‘Fixed Rate’ basis. Customer is responsible for Balloon Payment when and if applicable. Subject to normal credit approval as per JLR FS credit criteria. Retail Prices subject to change without notice. Advertised monthly payment includes initiation fee of R 1 197.00 and R 68.40 monthly service fee and while stocks last. Land Rover Financial Services, a product of WesBank. WesBank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited. An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP20. Terms and conditions apply and subject to credit approval.

WitnessWheels MOTORING INDUSTRY

4

May 12, 2016

Green gives smoothest cut ALWYN VILJOEN The sing song of the horse racing commentator at Scottsville Race Course was replaced by talk of turf tyres, reel and rotary cutting blades and 4x4 drivetrains on Thursday May 5.

Francois Marais, marketing and sales director at Mascor, SA’s award winning John Deere deal­ ership, said the group was not in­ to selling tractors, but into pro­ viding solutions.

Mascor had invited members of the Institute for Environmen­ tal and Recreation Managers to a presentation of mowers, spray­ ers and light tractors, but it was John Deere’s “big bakkie”, offi­ cially called the ProGator 2030a diesel that garnered the most nods. After the presentations, the camouflaged Gator had a queue of officials trying the seats.

Mascor’s sports turf mower expert, Doug Lyall, told the offi­ cials these machines are not cheap, starting at R700k for a five gang cutting system, but added these machines are the only cut­ ting system that can render the striped lawns seen on top tourna­ ment pitches.

The latest three­wheel drive fairway mower, the 7200a fea­ tures the same drivetrain that has been tried and tested for 16 years, but the cutting width of the blades can increased or reduced, while the mowing and transport speeds of the mower are also

Mascor’s sports turf mower expert Doug Lyall on John Deere’s versatile ProGator 2030a diesel. PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN eThekwini staff on the ‘little JD bakkie’ (from left): Basheshile Thusi, Nom­ afu Dlamini, Jabulani Mdiniso, and Nosipho Ndzimbom­ vu.

John Deere’s 3x3 fairway mowers are the only type of machines that deliver the alternate dark and light mowed lines seen on top sport fields and golf courses. managed by computer to save fu­ el and avoid operators speeding in the work area.

The biggest fairway mower is the 8700a, available in two or four wheel drive configuration..

Using John Deere’s proprietary Load Match system, the drive wheels automatically compen­ sate for differing turf conditions when thicker grass slows the sys­ tem down. This ensures the fin­

est cut and pitches that are tour­ nament ready. For rougher work, the 8800a is fitted standard with 4 wheel drive and uses rotary blades to evenly cut grass blades up to 125mm high. This mower is ideal for large park lawns to cre­ ate smooth backdrops for wed­ ding photos, or to deliver flat and even soccer pitches.

The Mascor show also hosted the Stihl exhibition trailer, which

was packed with all the chain saws, trimmers and branch prun­ ers a park manager could desire, as well as that noisome tool that was designed by the devil him­ self, the petrol­driven leaf blower.

But the good news for all the neighbours who don’t start cleaning their gardens at 7 am on Saturday mornings, said Stihl staffer Brenden de Villiers, that there is now an all­electric model.

This cordless BGA100 is also Stihl’s most powerful leaf blower, but in this case, the silence is lit­ erally worth gold. The blower costs R6 435 ex VAT and the A3000 lithium­ion battery, which lasts about 100 minutes at full throttle, or three to four hours of normal, but blissfully quiet blowing, costs another R18 150 ex VAT. De Villiers said the initial out­

lay on a cordless blower is lot higher than a petrol model, but the running and maintenance costs were a lot lower.

Horticulturalists at the Mitch­ ell Park Zoo, at the top of Florida Rd in Morningside, Durban will soon be testing the quiet blower.

The groundskeepers there are al­ ways striving to make the least amount of noise for the benefit of the birds, animals and visitors.

15

VOLKSWAGEN 0 AWARDS 2 w s a k g l e o n V / D d ealer o 14 Vote f the 0 year, g, 2 g r n i u n t b w n o years ru Barons Pietermaritz

Barons Volkswagen Dealer Group of the year

Merglin Rama 1st Place New Car Salesman Award

Club of excellence Barons Pietermaritzburg

Polo Vivo

2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door

White R 133 900 29 500 km

2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door

Silver

R 138 900 30 000 km

2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline

Red

R 159 900 15 000 km

2016 Polo Vivo Sedan GP 1.6 Comfortline Silver

R 125 900 45 000 km

R 162 900 8 900

km

Polo 2011 Polo 1.6 Comfortline Tiptronic

Silver

R 156 900 43 000 km

2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline

Grey

R 205 900 25 000 km

2016 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline

Silver

R 248 900 6 000

km

2016 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI Highline

White R 239 900 6 000

km

Golf 2015 Golf SV TSI Trendline

Gold

R 264 900 1 400

km

2015 Golf 7 R TSI DSG

White R 529 900 3 500

km

2016 Golf 7 GTI DSG

White R 434 900 100

km

Other VW 2012 Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion

Silver

R 229 900 75 000 km

2012 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG

White R 174 900 97 500 km

2013 Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI

White R 539 900 72 000 km

2016 Tiguan TSI 90kW

White R 339 900 3 500

km

2016 Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG

Grey

R 375 000 3 000

km

2016 Amarok Double Cab Highline Auto

Black

R 509 900 6 000

km

Volkswagen Beetle TSI 77kW Design Manual from R3,999* p.m.

Model

Vehicle Price

Volkswagen Beetle TSI 77kW Design Manual

R312,400

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

R3,999*

White R 189 900 65 000 km

2012 Toyota Corolla 1.6 Professional

Blue

R 148 900 90 000 km

2015 Toyota Etios Cross 1.5 XS

Red

R 149 900 19 000 km

2015 Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 Auto

White R 279 900 22 000 km

2015 Chevrolet Utility 1.8 Sport

Silver

2014 Ford Focus ST3 GTDI

White R 319 900 17 000 km

R 184 900 21 000 km

*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: 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

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

8.12%*

10%

R93,720

R381,671

Golf TSI 92kW Comfortline from R3,999* p.m.

Model

Vehicle Price

Golf TSI 92kW Comfortline

R329,900

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

R3,999*

72

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

8.1%*

11.09%

R115,465

R406,396

Golf SV TSI 92kW Comfortline DSG from R4,581* p.m.

Model

Vehicle Price

Golf SV TSI 92kW Comfortline DSG

R392,000

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

R4,581*

72

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

7.12%*

10%

R137,200

R467,059

Scirocco TSI 132kW Manual from R4,999* p.m.

Model

Vehicle Price

Scirocco TSI 132kW Manual

R404,300

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

R4,999*

Other 2011 Hyundai IX35 2.0 Premium

72

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

72

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

8.07%*

12.18%

R121,290

R481,201

Golf GTI 162kW TSI from R5,596* p.m.

Model

Vehicle Price

Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

Golf GTI 162kW TSI

R453,300 R5,596*

72

7.37%*

10%

R135,990

R538,911

Golf GTI 162kW TSI DSG

R469,300 R5,811*

72

7.45%*

10%

R140,790

R559,218

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost from R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Offers calculated on the Volkswagen hatch models in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration, but includes bank initiation fee. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through 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 31 May 2016 or while stocks last.

New Sales Consultants

John Brown • Merglin Rama • Menzi Ngubane • Bahle Bhengu Erica Neff • Keshnee Pillay

Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

BP Advertising

Silver

e&oe

2013 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4

6

WitnessWheels MOTORING

New Astra a good rival for the Focus and Golf ALWYN VILJOEN WHEELS borrowed the new Opel Astra from Key Delta before its local launch on May 19.

When we parked at the Steam­ punk Cafe on the Midlands Me­ ander to compare notes, truck driver Cyril Zondi stopped be­ hind us in his 1.6 16­valve Astra Sport, which is now 11 years old.

“It is still going strong, as is my 16­year­old Monza,” Zondi said. He dismissed people who think Opel parts are expensive, saying his Opels are reliable and service costs compare well.

The boldest claim about the new Astra was, however, made by Wheels24 journalist Cyril Klop­ per, who drove the 1.6T Sport­ Plus from East London to Port Elizabeth. After the six­hour trip, Klopper said the Opel Astra is one of the best hatchbacks availa­ ble in South Africa today, able to take on the Ford Focus and VW Golf. Wheels car writer Brian Bas­ sett adds to this that even the As­ tra 1.4T we drove would give his 2.0 BMW a go.

And gone are the days of my youth when Opels had whistling turbos able to only give a tiny burp of boost at high revs. The 1.4 engine’s turbo provide seam­ less power throughout the mid range. On his long ride, Klopper, however, did not like the “Opel Eye” — a front­facing camera that observes the road ahead and help to keep the car safely in the middle of the lane. Klopper said the system works reasonably well as a warning device at exactly 65 km/h, but too many variables

May 12, 2016

U.S. cars get auto steering GM and Fiat Chrysler join Ford and Google for a safer future

confuse the Opel Eye; from smeared bugs to uneven road edges and faded lines.

Prices for the eight new Astras start at R254 000 for the 1.0T Es­ sentia and go up to R407 000 for 1.6T Sport Plus. Our thanks to Key Delta dealer principal Mike Paul­Jones and marketer Sam Job for the 1.4T Sport MT. Job invites all Astra fans to Key Delta in Pietermaritzburg on May 19 to hear more. — WR.

Eleven years old and still going strong, an Astra 1,6 Sport next to the new Opel Astra 1,4T, which retails for R354 000. PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN

GENERAL Motors (GM) an­ nounced it will partner with Lyft to test a fleet of self­driving­ Chevrolet Bolt electric taxis on public roads.

The Chevrolet Bolt, which will have a 200­mile (321 km) range, is expected to go on sale later this year for $30 000 (R455 000) aft­ er federal and state rebates. Lyft is a competitor for Uber and in January GM invested $500 mil­ lion in the company to establish a network of on­demand autono­ mous vehicles in the U.S. The self­driving Bolts are expected to join Lyft later this year in a yet­to­ be disclosed city.

Customers will have the op­ portunity to opt in or out of the pilot when hailing a Lyft car from the company’s mobile app.

GM’s Lyft news comes after

Google announced its engineers will work with those of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to more than double Google’s existing self­driving test fleet with Chrys­ ler Pacifica Hybrid minivans. It will be Google’s first collabora­ tion with an automaker to inte­ grate its self­driving system, in­ cluding its sensors and software, into a passenger car, but the van is made for family life on the road, being sold with a built­in vacuum cleaner.

Earlier this year, Google, Ford and Uber also formed a coalition to push for federal support for self­driving cars. All the compa­ nies involved say self­driving cars can prevent some of the 33 000 annual deaths on U.S. roads, 94% of which are caused by hu­ man error. — WR.

MORE SPACE. MORE ADVENTURE. THE NEW

CHEVROLET CAPTIVA 7-SEATER SUV

Two of the new Swift hatchbacks that will rejuvenate Red Alert’s fleet of reaction vehicles.

PHOTO: DES­MARIE SHAW

Red Alert now even ‘Swifter’

2.4LT FWD A/T from

415 500*

R

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Now with Tumble-flat seating for 7 | Electronic Stability Control | 18” Alloy Wheels MyLink infotainment with full smartphone compatibility Class-leading interior and load space

THE Pietermaritzburg branch of Red Alert introduced its first Suz­ uki Swift into its fleet during 2015 as part of an evaluation process to establish suitability for 24­ hour armed response purposes.

The company took delivery of additional Suzuki Swifts from Fury Suzuki Pietermaritzburg on May 5 as part of its programme to replace their current fleet of reaction vehicles.

This after Red Alert’s Avinash Sukai in September told Wheels he was very impressed with the

response from the 1.2 engine that makes a surprising 63 kW and 115 Nm from only 4 000 rpm.

The investment into an ever ex­ panding new fleet says a lot about how far Red Alert have come as a company, whilst at the same time, it highlights their in­ tentions for the future.

“The frequency and violent nature of certain crimes dictates that as a security organisation we must continually seek out new ways to enhance response times and improve our levels of effi­

ciencies. By maintaining and continually upgrading our oper­ ational infrastructure, while keeping service delivery as our primary motivator for growth, we demonstrate a strong com­ mitment towards continuous improvement where it matters most” says Red Alert’s regional manager, Rob Anderson.

Gary Stokes, dealer principal of Suzuki Fury in Pietermaritz­ burg, said his team is very proud to be associated with Red Alert.

— Wheels Reporter.

Winner of ‘Artist Round the Bend’

THE NEW CHEVROLET CAPTIVA 7-SEATER SUV

TEL: 033 345 2542

2 Peter Kerchoff (Chapel Street), Pietermaritzburg Fax: 033 394 3199 | Email: pmburg@keygroup.co.za | www.keygroup.co.za *On-the-Road and Registration Fees Excluded. Terms and Conditions apply. Model/s shown may differ. Errors & Omissions Excepted.

Orie Pillay 084 915 8254

Byron Smith 072 254 3971

Moosa Mohamed 072 378 7687

Rowade Rajah 083 456 4010

CONGRATULATIONS to Kavita Sukhnundan, whose correct answer to our competition for the Artist Round the Bend illus­ trated book on the East Africa Safarai Rally has won her a copy signed by the artist.

Perhaps it is the collector’s value, or the artistic merit of the art in the book, but this compeition saw the highest ra­

tio of women to men yet in a Wheels competition — well over 60%.

For the many readers who did not win with Wheels this time, (despite all the repeat entires!) the book will be on sale for just over R300 a copy at the classic Mercedes­Benz stand at the Cars in the Park in Ashburton on Sunday.

On sale at Cars in the Park on Sunday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

22310

Freestyle Cab only from R330 600.

Double Cab only from R391 000.

NOW only from R2 499 P/M.

Model Recommended Retail Price

Mazda2 1.5 Active Manual R198 500

Instalment (excl R57 monthly admin fee)

R2 499

YEAR YEAR

NOW only from R3 199 P/M. Model Recommended Retail Price

Mazda3 1.6L Original 4Dr R238 600

Instalment (excl R57 monthly admin fee)

R3 199

YEAR

NOW only from R341 000.

YEAR

YEAR

While stocks last. Offers are valid until 30 April 2016.

PIETERMARITZBURG

PIETERMARITZBURG 307 Hoosen Haffejee (Berg) Street.

Tel: 033 345 3692 • Shan: 082 457 4253

310-322 Hoosen Haffejee (Berg) Street. Tel: 033 345 3692 • Shan: 082 457 4253 • Latasha 072 604 1544 T’s & C’s Apply

Introducing a new definition of space!

Ultimate Family Car: GRAND SEDONA

New Age XUV500 Real Value for money Bold Stance, brand new styling

from R552 995

Optionals may vary

• Auto • 2,2 Diesel • 7 or 11 seater option • Warranty and maintenance plan • 147 Kw • Power sliding doors • Smart Tailgate

GRAND SEDONA DEMO R449 995 • Auto • 2,2 Diesel • 6500 km • Balance of warranty and maintenance plan • 7-seater Optionals may vary

from R272 995 • 2,2 CRDi • 7 seater • 5 year/150 000 km warranty • 5 year/100 000 km service plan • Manual 6 speed • Leather • Reverse camera, etc

Optionals may vary

from R159 995

TOUGH, RELIABLE, PROVEN WORKHORSE • 2,5 Diesel • Available in loader or dropside • Factory warranty • Power steering, etc • 4x2 and 4x4 • Single and double cab

Optionals may vary

BOLERO

from R180 995

• 2,5 Diesel AND 2,2 Diesel • Factory warranty • Service plan • Single Cab or Double Cab • 4x2 and 4x4 • Power steering, etc.

Optionals may vary

SCORPIO

WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

8

May 12, 2016

Still king of the hill One car proved fastest at the annual hill climb at Knysna — the Nissan GT­R NISSAN celebrated the end of an action­packed racing week­ end at the Simola Hill Climb in Knysna with five GT­Rs qualify­ ing in the top 10 for the King of the Hill competition and first place in the Supercar Class for its factory­backed GT­R R35.

In total 11 GT­Rs entered the Simola, ranging from the top­ performing GT­R R32 of Des Gutzeit to a Nismo­tuned R35, a pristine GT­R R34 V­Spec with 680 horsepower and a com­ pletely standard R35 with road tyres, running on 95 octane fuel.

Ignus Geyer, the owner of the standard Nissan, drove his car all the way from Johannesburg to Knysna, filled it up at the local fuel station, raced to a fifth posi­ tion in the Supercar class and then drove the Nissan GT­R back to Johannesburg.

“The only modification I made was to increase tyre pres­ sure by 0,1 bar,” says Geyer, who clocked half of the vehicle’s

Dezzi Gutzeit blitzes his way to the top of the 1,9 km Jaguar Simola Hill Climb last weekend. PHOTO: QUICKPIC 9 000 km on race tracks across the country. “I cannot get enough of this car, it is a com­ fortable everyday drive and a peerless performer on the track.”

The best performing GT­R on

racing day in the King of the Hill competition was the beastly 1 800 horsepower R32 GT­R of Des Gudzeit. Des won last year’s event and came second this year behind the custom­built open

top racer of Franco Scribante.

The Dezzy R32 set a blistering time of 40,324 seconds for sec­ ond place on the King of the Hill podium.

The top step on the podium in the Supercar class belonged to Jaki Scheckter, who led this di­ vision from practice on day one, showing a clear set of tailpipes to the Italian and German super­ cars in this class.

Scheckter won the class with a final time of 43,591 in his R35 GT­R, which was supported by Nissan South Africa and pre­ pared by BB Nissan in Pretoria.

The fourth place in this pres­ tigious event went to Wilhelm Baard, global test engineer for Nissan.

Baard piloted a Nissan GT­R, which was upgraded to deliver approximately 1 000 kW by the team from BB Nissan with back­ ing from Nissan SA, to the top of the 1,9 km Simola Hill course in 42,745 s.

Other GT­Rs that competed for the King of the Hill title was an R32 GT­R driven by Duane Galloway, which finished in fifth, and a modified R35 GT­R of Ed­ rich Zwiers, which was sixth fast­ est. Zwiers partnered with NxGen to upgrade his GT­R with a full race exhaust from HKS, an Alpha 6 upgrade kit, Cabb intakes and a flexi fuel sys­ tem which allowed it to race on ethanol. With these and other conversions the GT­R #35 deliv­ ered 670 horsepower and re­ corded a final time of 43,894 s on its last run.

The good news from Xavier Gobille, Nissan’s director for sales, marketing and aftersales is that the new GT­R, which was launched at the New York Auto Show in March this year, will be available in South Africa in Sep­ tember.

The bad news is the first ship­ ment has already been sold out.

— Supplied.

Toyota makes it two in a row at Vredefort Super Sprint REIGNING Production Vehicle category champions Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie made it two in a row with a come­ from­behind win on the Vrede­ fort Super Sprint, round two

of the Donaldson Cross Coun­ try Championship.

Poulter and Howie led home Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy but the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA team­mates had to

fight rear­guard actions to hold off PMB’s Neil Woolridge Motorsport/Ford Performance Ranger pair of Chris Visser and Ward Huxtable. Both Toyota crews compete in the FIA

Class and Poulter and Howie finally had 40 seconds to spare over Taylor/Murphy, with the final podium place giving former South African champi­ on Visser and Huxtable the

win in a hotly contested Class T. The event, a new entry on the Donaldson calendar, was run over two 100­kilometre loops and drew massive crowd support. — Supplied.

Sheldon van der Linde racing to a double win in Germany.

PHOTO: MOTORSPORT

Making SA proud SOUTH Africa’s 17­year old rac­ ing prodigy Sheldon van der Lin­ de, scored an emphatic double victory on his international race debut in the opening round of the Audi Sport TT Cup at Hocken­ heim, Germany, at the weekend.

He beat a competitive interna­ tional field en route to victory at his first attempt in the prestig­ ious series and doubled up with a spellbinding performance in the second race. “I’m speechless right now,” a delighted Van der Linde admitted on the first race podium. “A win on my interna­ tional race debut — this is the best day of my life!”

The Audi Sport TT Cup feeds the DTM, GT, Le Mans, with the next round at the tight Norisring next month. — WR.

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2013 Citroen C4 Aircross

2014 Quantum 2,7 GL 10-Seater

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McCarthy

TOYOTA

OUR PEOPLE

DELIVER

Ernie Biddulph 079 137 9702

McCarthy Toyota Automark PMB 9 ARMITAGE ROAD. TEL: 033 897 8100

Sandile Cele 071 620 1260

Dynan Lutchman 084 915 5109

Carlon 083 286 9496

Thuli 076 153 0824

Sumen Kisten (Sales Manager) 083 368 0679