ASH CAR SALES
April 14, 2016
Catch on e v i l s u FM
Witness
WHEELS
104 L A T I P A C ays d r u t a S 910 am
Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za
2011 GOLF 6 GTi-DSG (155kw) 28 000 km with Sunroof, Bi Xenon headlights with LED lights & headlight washer, factory touchscreen radio ,removable tow hitch, comfort climate control air con, leather seats all-round with heated front seats, imported 19”exclusive Caratere Alloy Rims.
CE FiNAN BANk
R299 995
Contact ASH on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg) 550 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201 PO Box 8390, Cumberwood 3235
KZN’S BEST READ ON ALL THINGS WHEELED … EVEN A PEDAL CAR FOR ADULTS
Taxing tyre questions ALWYN VILJOEN learns why the tyre fee and tyre levy differ, and where these taxes go SOUTH Africa’s tyre repair in dustry has been asking a lot of questions on where the new tyre levies will be spent. Wheels invited Hermann Erd mann, CEO at Redisa (Recycling and Economic Development In itiative of South Africa) to ad dress the issues, starting with the new tyre levy, its use and if the levy will replace the existing waste management fee. The amounts involved are huge — in 2014 Erdmann told Wheels the tyre levies amounted to R620 million a year, each cent of which was audited by three auditing firms — KPMG, Price waterhouseCoopers and Ernst and Young. What the industry now wants to know is where the levy on tyres will be spent. Will it be used to recycle the mountains of tyres South Afri cans throw away each year, or will we see another fortune that is supposedly ringfenced to fund recycling, as is the case with the plastic bag levy, disappear into the deep dark tax hole that funds new presidential jets or to pay for King Zwelitihini’s expensive an nual holidays in London? In a generic statement, Erd mann said Redisa is not a gov ernment body and does not know what the proposed tyre levy entails. He said operations are continuing as usual at Redi sa, which is funded by a waste management fee, and pointed out the difference between a tax and the waste management fee. Levy and fee not the same “Understanding the difference between the Redisa waste man agement fee and a tax is critical to ensuring the ongoing success of this new tyre recycling indus try’s development. “A tax is a compulsory contri bution to state revenue, levied by government on workers’ income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions. “Money collected from taxes goes into the general fiscus. The waste management fee on the other hand is a fee paid by pro ducers to offset the cost of deal ing with tyres once they reach endoflife. “The Redisa Plan does not de termine that consumers carry the cost: it is up to tyre producers whether and how they recover their cost. A critical difference is that this money is directly and specifically applied to dealing with the product and building the recycling industry.
100% accountable: Hermann Erdmann. PHOTO: REDISA “These funds are managed re sponsibly, in an audited and ac countable fashion, making it far more effective than a taxbased system where funds are diluted into the general Treasury pool without being ringfenced. “It is important that Redisa collect the waste management fee because it allows us to change the fee structure that producers and importers of tyres pay ac cording to an environmental rat ing system for tyres that is cur rently being developed. “To this end, Redisa is build ing a tyre Product Testing Insti tute that has as its main objec tive to test tyres and environ mentally rate and certify each type of tyre. The better the rat ing, the lower the fee. “Currently, the waste man agement fee paid to Redisa is standardised at R2,30 per kilo gram. Once an environmental rating system has been devel oped and linked to tyre homolo gation standards, Redisa will be in a position to set a new pricing structure. “This will allow those tyres manufactured using better envi ronmental standards to have a lower fee, while those tyres that are manufactured with more ad verse effects on the environmen tal will have a higher fee. “This capacity to introduce a differentiated fee structure is ab solutely fundamental to the Re disa business model because it creates an upstream incentive for tyre manufacturers to change their production methods to cleaner technology and lower environmental impacts. “This means that in the long term, should all tyre producers start using production methods that are fully cradletocradle certified tyres, then the waste management fee charged in South Africa will reduce to zero since the associated environ mental impact will be zero.”
Plastic bag tax As for how Redisa’s manage ment fee differs from a plastic bag tax introduced in 2004, Erd mann said one of the key challen ges of the plastic bag tax is that the funds collected go directly to the government fiscus, and the DEA has to apply to Treasury to recoup monies to develop the promised recycling industry. He said the BuyisaeBag NGO that was started as the im plementation arm, was closed in 2011 without being able to achieve its objectives. “A study by the CSIR reported that in the February 2006 finan cial year only seven percent of the levies collected actually got paid to BuyisaeBag, so it is per haps not surprising that the or ganisation shut down with little to show. In contrast, when the Redisa Plan was legislated, Min ister [Edna] Molewa empha sised that the waste manage ment fee collected would not end up in the general fiscus, and that it would be the responsibili ty of those introducing the waste (i.e. tyre manufactures and im porters) to pay for the remedia tion of the resulting waste. “The advantage is that Redisa is 100% accountable for what happens with the funds through strict corporate governance practices and audit require ments that ensure these funds are applied according to the mandates set out in the plan. “Without the waste manage ment fee being used as pre scribed in the Redisa Plan, the new tyre recycling industry would not have been estab lished, and the creation of jobs, small businesses and other so cioeconomic benefits would not be possible.” So what next? “We have always believed that with waste comes opportunity, and that by looking at waste dif ferently from a circular economy perspective we can only grow as an economy. “With South Africans gener ating more than 108 million tons of waste per year and only 10% of this being recycled, there is an opportunity to turn the burden of waste around. “The circular economy ap proach could successfully be used to recover and recycle all kinds of waste. “The Redisa Plan provides government a solution at no cost to the fiscus, and drives GDP and employment growth.”
OLD TYRES AND MILK MAKE BEST MOZZIE TRAPS Researchers with the Grand Challenges Canada initiative have combined mosquitoes’ love for old car tyres and their own chemical expertise to design a highlyeffective trap using two halves of an old tyre. The rubber is ‘significantly more effective’ at attracting mosquitos than plastic bottles or buckets. They call the trap the ovillanta, and use the mosquitoes’ habit of releasing pheromones in water containing mozzie eggs against the insects. Users mix water and a milk based nontoxic solution, developed at Sudbury’s Laurentian University to attract mosquitoes, and place the mix in the trap with a twig or piece of paper for the female to lay the eggs on. Ovillanta owners burn these once a week, but reuse the water, as more pheremones attract more mozzies to make the trap increasingly effective. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
THE ALLTOYOTA NEW TOYOTA FORTUNER ALL NEW FORTUNER ARRIVING HAS ARRIVED BOOK YOUR TEST FROM THE 11TH OF APRIL 2016. DRIVE TODAY
Place call-to-action / special offers / event day details here: Dealership name details:
Location / Address details: Contact number :
McCarthy Toyota Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road Tel: 033-897 8100 Insert dealer logo here
2
WitnessWheels MOTORING ELECTRIC
April 14, 2016
China’s first supercar Very frugal onboard charger for very fast acceleration from electric vehicle ALWYN VILJOEN
el consumption of just 0,18l/100 km (1,569 mpg).
TECHRULES, the young auto motive research and develop ment company based in Beijing, last week announced it is now looking for European cities in which to a establish production base. Techrules presented what it billed as China’s first supercar concept at last month’s 86th Geneva International Motor Show. According to the compa ny statement, “the world pre miere of its revolutionary tur binerecharging electric vehicle (TREV) technology made a sig nificant impact with media and public guests alike.” Engine that is all turbines Techrules explains on its web site it is a company dedicated to the innovation of new energy technologies to advance the en vironmental and dynamic per formance of EVs as well as the convenience to the user. Its TurbineRecharging Elec tric Vehicle system is an allnew patentprotected series hybrid powertrain technology compris ing a turbinegenerator. Trev combines extensive ex perience of aviation and electric vehicle technologies with sever al proprietary technical innova tions to deliver unprecedented levels of efficiency and perform ance, and ultralow environ mental impact. Trev is a range extender sys tem that uses a microturbine to generate electricity that charges a battery pack. The battery pow ers the motors that drive the wheels. Newly developed battery management technologies ena ble superior charging efficiency. The high efficiency of the Trev range extender results in a re quirement for fewer batteries, saving weight and space. Techrules showcased its ground breaking technology at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show in a plugin hybrid range extender Trev concept
Producing the Trev At Geneva, Techrules said plans to launch China’s first supercar into the global market in the next two to three years. It then plans to begin production of higher volume city cars a few years later. It is currently exploring op tions for production facilities in Europe, as well as continuing ne gotiations with new develop ment partners. Techrules has now appointed a small team to identify specific locations in Europe where it can establish a production facility for its supercar. The team is looking at exist ing sites that are currently or will soon become vacant, and also at possible sites where it could de velop an allnew site from the ground up. The company’s strong in house engineering team is fo cused on finalising the develop ment and manufacturing proc esses of the production version of its Trev micro turbine hybrid range extender technology. Meanwhile, it will continue to progress vehicle engineering and styling programmes for the AT96 and GT96 variants of its supercar with specialist partners in the UK and Italy.
TOP: William Jin, chairman of Techrules (left) and Matthew Jin, president of Techrules, with the first truly fast, very innovative car from China that features a microturbine to generate electricity that charges a battery pack (above). PHOTOS: SUPPLIED that represents the first step to wards production of China’s first supercar. A development prototype started testing in Feb ruary 2016 at the worldfamous
‘Electric roll cage’ does 0100 in under 10 seconds With a price of $11 900 (R178 000) Arcimoto from Oregon in the U.S. says its SRK “is the daily electric vehicle for the rest of us”. The 12 kW motor propels the roll case on wheels from 0 to 100 km/h in under nine seconds, while riders have the security of racing harnesses, impact crumple zones front and rear as well as side covers that attached in a few minutes to protect against rain and cold. The base model range of 70 miles (112 km) is plenty for most urban areas, but you’ll also be able to choose a 130 mile extended range option for those longer commutes. And the battery recharges in just a few hours. Arcimoto, which was founded in 2007 in Oregon to build products that catalyse the shift to a sustainable transportation systems, is taking orders for the SRK now at $100 deposit. More on arcimoto.com PHOTO: ARCIMOTO
Silverstone race circuit in the UK. Producing peak power of 768 kW (1,030 bhp / 1,044 PS), initial projections indicate blis
tering performance (0 100 km/ h in 2,5 seconds; 350 km/h re stricted top speed) and a huge range (over 2 000 km). Under plugin operation, it achieves fu
What next for Trev? William Jin, chairman of Tech rules, said the tehcnology that drew such wide interest at Gene va will be updated with results from performance testing the company will undertake in the coming year at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Matthew Jin, president of Techrules. “We are a young company but we have a bold vi sion. To see that so many highly respected industry analysts, ex perienced executives and influ ential media understood our vi sion and believe in its potential is incredibly inspiring.”
Watch out Tesla, here comes the budget German mail van for small businesses. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
German mailvans to go all electric DEUTSCHE Post, the German postal service, announced it will replace all vehicles in its 30 000strong fleet with its own electric delivery van, called the Streetscooter. Work has already started on the first 2 000 vehicles, which are due to go on the streets in 2016, with the company gradu ally replacing its fleet of 30 000 delivery vans. Earlier, Germany’s Focus news magazine reported the Street scooter was founded as a startup in 2010 as an offshoot from RWTH University in the border city of Aachen. Deutsche Post took over the company a yearandahalf ago with the intention of using its knowhow to build vehicles for postal deliverers. In the longer term, Deutsche Post plans to market the Streetscooter. Juergen Gerdes, manager of the postal service’s parcel divi sion, told Focus magazine Deut sche Post sees itself as a foil to electric car pioneer Tesla. “They build highvalue vehicles for private customers, we can build tools for business cus tomers that are aggressively priced,” Gerdes told Focus. — EuropeonlineMagazine.
New Qin goes for 349,5 km BYD in China has announced two new allelectric sedans to boost its lineup of EVs: the QIN EV300 and the e5. In Europe and the U.S., BYD is best known for having Warren Buffett as one of its sharehold ers and selling electric buses around the world. In China, BYD is, however, known for its all electric Corollasized taxis. These taxis have in the last five years proven and improved BYD’s technology by doing mil lions of kilometres in China’s harshest traffic, allowing BYD’s engineers to sort out all the is sues electric cars face today. The Qin EV300 is equipped with BYD’s highefficiency, high speed permanent magnet syn chronous motor, with a maxi mum power of 160 kW and maximum torque of 310 Nm, ac celerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,9 seconds, and features regen erative braking system. BYD said its models give elec tric car owners what they value most, with a long range from the battery foremost. BYD said the new electric sys tem gets “at least” 300 km on a charge, but cites one test cus tomer who took the Qin EV300 for a spin and drove for 349,5 km. — WR.
MOTORING WitnessWheels
April 14, 2016
3
Impressing the ladies BRIAN BASSETT fails in the fuel stakes, but impresses his wife in the Passat 1.4
Robotic assistant THIS week’s weirdest use of wheels is in Hitachi’s new robotic shopping assistant, a machine called Emiew3. Standing about half as tall as a human, the robot rides on four wheels and has a brain in the cloud that is programmed to spot shoppers who need help and then provide guidance to the right shelf or toilet. Emiew3’s party trick that is getting all the other robot builders excited, is that it can do the facial recognition and approach autonomously. Hitachi next plans to start a proofofconcept (PoC) on new robot services for various situations and environments. Building on what is learnt from Emiew3, Hitachi said it will make ro bots that “will contribute to the advancement of society and business”. — WR.
Styling The Passat is a goodlooking car in a subtle, classy way. It is the car for a driver who wants to an nounce that he or she has arrived but has not lost good taste during the journey. Several people came over in
The 2016 European Car Of The Year proved itself a deserving winner on KZN’s D roads. PHOTO: MOTORTREND.COM shopping centre parking lots and commented on the car’s good looks. It would be true to say that the Passat is distinctive in design, with its strong, elongated, hori zontal lines, as well as the shoul der line, which runs parallel to the leading edges of the headlamp clusters and joins up with the trapezoidal rear lamps. Interior and safety The interior is finished in soft
leather with highquality work manship. The cabin is minimalist with slim ventilation outlets spanning the entire fascia, and metal trim finishes that match the brushed aluminium strip across the dashboard, with a cen trally placed analogue clock. The pianoblack finish around the centre stack, steering wheels boss and 6,5inch colour touch screen, gives the interior a slick, luxurious appearance. The front
seats are fully adjustable, as is the steering, and the Passat is one of the most comfortable cars I have driven and is easy to drive. The car is a full fiveseater with a huge boot and rear seats that fold down in 60/40 fashion. As to safety, the car has every safety feature you can think of. I was, however, impressed by the Hill and Incline Hold feature, as well as the Park Assist and mul ticollision braking facilities.
Performance and handling The 1,4l turbocharged, fourcyl inder engine puts out 110 kW/250 Nm and has a seven speed, butter smooth auto gear box. The 0100 km/h run is done in about 8,5 seconds and top speed is around 220 km/h. In the test drive, my challenge was to match the factory’s fuel consumption of 5,2 l/100 km. I failed dismally, getting at best 6,6 l/100, but in my defence, this was done over several bad D roads in the Midlands. The 1,4 li ter engine cruises with ease on the N3 and overtakes trucks with gusto. The car is stable and respon sive on bad roads, even at speed, and in town the Passat is an abso lute pleasure to handle. We believe that this is the best family sedan available in the RSA today. Costs and the competition The Comfortline auto we drove comes in at about R415 000 and the topoftherange model the TSI RLine Auto, costs around R495 000. Remember, however, that there are many extras. The car comes with the usual VW guar antee and a fiveyear 100 000 km maintenance plan. Also look at the Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy and Volvo S60, among others. 22310
Hi. Human. My. Name. Is. Emiew3. Do. You. Need. The. Toilet? PHOTO: HITACHI
MY wife is no petrol head, being more the blue or red car type of person. But she does enjoy driv ing, so much so that I am some times frightened by the speeds she achieves through the Karoo on our occasional journeys to the Western Cape. The Passat, however, is one car that impressed her. Pressed for details, she pointed out its com fort, space and convenience, and informed me this was the car I should consider buying, if ever we could afford to replace our current vehicle. My wife’s response to the car is a great compliment to the eighthgeneration Passat, which has been around since the seven ties, as an old friend in Howick pointed out. He still drives his 1977 station wagon, which has just done 500 000 km and is still in daily use. Like the old, the new Passat is a serious motor car that ticks all the boxes, including the one for European Car Of The Year. The new Passat was also a finalist in the World Car of the Year awards.
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
Freestyle Cab only from R330 600. Double Cab only from R391 000.
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
YEAR
NOW only from R341 000.
YEAR
While stocks last. Offers are valid until 30 April 2016.
4
WitnessWheels INDUSTRY MOTORING
April 14, 2016
Hyundai outlines its road map for connected cars that can receive and use data faster than before
A computer on wheels
Ride share in Germany
HYUNDAI Motor Group has presented its road map for con nected car development, paving the way for new innovations in vehicle connectivity. Hyundai will collaborate with leading global IT and networking companies to develop its “Hyper connected and Intelligent Car” concept, with research and devel opment focused on bringing new values and efficiencies to the lives of customers. Along with the road map, Hyundai Motor Group plans to embark on a new era of connect ing the “Car to Life”, as cars are increasingly at the centre of our lifestyles. This initiative will pro vide users with a hub of know ledge, plus the ability to analyse and utilise all information to en hance owners’ lives. The Hyperconnected and In telligent Car goes beyond con verging communications tech nology and the vehicle, to be coming a highperforming computer on wheels. This is a concept of connect ing the car to other cars, the of fice and to the city. In other words, Hyundai will connect cars to life. The road map outlines four main service fields that will help develop more intelligent cars that can receive and utilise data faster than before. The mid to longterm development focus in cludes a range of key features, in
IN Europe, car sellers are adapting to offer transport to travellers who don’t want to own cars, but who also don’t want to wait for a bus or cycle. Car sharing is the answer and in Germa ny, the Linde Group last week announced it will use 50 of Hyun dai’s Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell electric vehicles in the world’s first fuel cell carsharing service. Hyundai also offers hybrid fuel electric, as well as fully electric, drivetrains, but the Lin de Group went for the models that run on hy drogen in a nod to its reputation as a global supplier of industrial, process and speciality gases. A statement by the Linde Group also as sured it can supply enough hydrogen for the 50 cars to fill up. This is an important reassurance, for re ports from first adopt ers of hydrogen cars are that they cannot get gas to refill their cars.
VW INSTALLS NEW PRESS AT UITENHAGE VOLKSWAGEN SA has invested R120 million in a new 21 000 kg Newton tryout press to im prove the manufacturing capa bility of its Uitenhage plant. The new press will be used to ensure that the tools are pressing the vehicle sheet met al parts according to the quali ty standards prior to going into production. This ensures that the currently installed presses are used solely for production, thus improving the productivity of the press plant. It will also be used in tool maintenance and implementing engineering changes on the current series production press tools. Once fully assembled, the new press will weigh about 600 tons and will deliver a maximum force of 2 100 tons, equivalent in weight to 306 male African elephants. The Uitenhage plant has one of the newest press plants in the VW Group. The plant is ca pable of producing close to 10 000 parts per day and the tryout press is expected to be operational by midyear. — WR.
Hyundai IT engineers test a vehicle’s ability to hyper connect. PHOTO: SUPPLIED cluding smart remote mainte nance services, autonomous driving, Smart Traffic and a con nected mobility hub that pro vides security and data manage ment for all elements of the con nected car. More specifically, the smart re mote maintenance service will remotely diagnose and fix vehicle issues before they become appar ent. Autonomous driving pro vides utmost safety by connect ing the vehicle to city and road infrastructure. Smart Traffic re
duces congestion, speeds up journeys and minimises social costs by considering traffic and road conditions. Lastly, the connected mobility hub will feature a mobile hub with strong computing power to make daily life and interaction with the car and its surroundings, smarter. In the short to mid term, Hyundai Motor Group will concentrate on technologies re lated to smartphone connectivi ty and Smart Home Services, while establishing the core infra
structure that will provide the foundation for future develop ments. In order to incorporate in creasingly complex features in its road map, Hyundai will prioritise early investment in these select ed areas. The main areas of the research and development focus include invehicle networks for high speed transfer of large amounts of data, and cloud technology to collect vehicle data and provide computing power. Hyundai will also research big data analytics
that will allow large data sets to be used effectively, and it will in vest in connected car security, es sential for protecting the integri ty of a complicated platform hosting varying technologies. Hyundai will bring the future of connected cars closer by co developing connected car tech nologies through open innova tion collaborations with global companies. The connected car road map will concentrate on industry leading research and develop ment to foster new talents that will change the way customers in teract with their cars and the world around them. With previous experience in this field, Hyundai Motor Group has already established the Cloud system, which puts the core infrastructure of connected cars into place. Meanwhile, a group of data scientists has helped Hyundai to specialise in data analytics since 2013. The company is using big data in various areas to enhance re search and development and products, and also to gather cus tomers’ opinions. The car is the last frontier to bridge the missing link in future connected life. Hyundai Motor Group’s connected car road map will accelerate the development of new technologies that help place mobility at the centre of customers’ lives. — Supplied.
Peugeot transformation driven by evolving expectations THE PSA Group has an nounced its “Push to Pass” plan for the 20162021 period, which aims to meet custom ers’ mobility needs by antici pating changes in car usage patterns. Driven by evolving custom er expectations, Peugeot said the plan will transform the company in order to unleash its full potential, capitalising also on the efficiency, opera tional excellence and agility demonstrated during the “Back in the Race” plan. The plan sets two objec tives for the PSA Group: to reach an average four percent automotive recurring operat ing margin in 20162018, and target six percent by 2021; and to deliver 10% group revenue growth by 2018 vs 2015, and target an additional 15% by 2021. To achieve these targets, the company is adapting its business model and will cre ate more value by optimising its existing customer base, while also expanding it through digitalisation and
sure profitable growth in all the regions where the group operates. Push to Pass represents a first step towards the achievement of the group’s vision to be “a great global carmaker with cuttingedge efficiency and the preferred mobility provider worldwide for lifetime customer rela tionship”. PSA has also announced a dividend policy from the 2016 financial year based on a 25% payout ratio. Commenting on the pre sentation of the Push to Pass plan, Carlos Tavares, chair person of the managing Future Peugeot models, like this Traveller, promise to meet changing customers’ needs. board, said: “Based on our PHOTO: SUPPLIED financial reconstruction, we will launch a global product multibrand offers in after be supported by: year”; and technology offensive. sales, leasing, used cars and • highquality products and • a rich and sharp coretech Now more agile, we are ready mobility services and fleet services as a basis for the nology strategy, notably to … [anticipate] changes in management. Selected venture brands’ pricing power; shaped by the launch of seven carusage patterns. Our digital capital investments will also • a product blitz, built on 26 plugin hybrids and four elec transformation will make the enhance the company’s port passenger cars and eight light tric vehicles; and PSA Group a company con folio of mobility solutions. commercial vehicles, including • the deployment of the con nected to its customers. With Growth of the strong and a one ton pickup, leading to nected and autonomous vehi Push to Pass, we will ensure welldifferentiated Peugeot, the launch of “one new car, cle programme. PSA’s profitable organic Citroën and DS brands will per region, per brand and per The plan will help to en growth.” — Supplied.
For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 033 355 1152 or 084 278 3447 Avir@witness.co.za
MAZDA WORKING ON NEW WANKEL THE magazine Auto Evolution has uncovered a patent application for a rotary engine. The U.S. patent application is number 2016/0084158. Titled “Rotary Piston Engine Mounted on Vehicle”, Mazda sub mitted it last year and the U.S. Patent Office published it on March 24. The patent drawings show how Mazda may be dealing
with rotary issues. Auto Evolution says that Mazda is flipping the en gine over, putting the intake at the bottom and the exhaust at the top. The turbo is mounted on the exhaust outlet, giving the exhaust gases a short trip to the turbo. This should improve performance, especially throttle response. Motor Trend said this is similar to V8 engines. — WR.
I Heart Barons Pietermartizburg. By Pieter from Maritzburg
That’s a whole lot of heart. And the heart is a symbol of passion. So if you live anywhere between Durban and the Drakensburg and want to talk to someone who is passionate about finding the right car to suit your budget and needs, get to Barons PMB – they wear their hearts on their sleeves.
The Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers at Barons PMB are at the heart of Durban and the Drakensburg. Volkswagen is at the heart of Barons PMB. Das Auto Engineering is at the heart of Volkswagen. And YOU are at the heart of Das Auto Engineering; every Volkswagen is engineered with you and your needs front of mind.
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.
That is why BlueMotion Technology has been incorporated in to Das Auto Engineering – to improve fuel efficiency/economy and reduce emissions. With BlueMotion Technology under the hood, Volkswagen takes you and your pocket, and the sustainability of this planet you call home, to heart.
Guaranteed Future Value.
Have you seen the Eclipse?
BEAT the PRICE
BEAT the PRICE
INCREASE
INCREASE
Buy a Polo Vivo 63kW Trendline from R169,400* incl. VAT and we will upgrade you to a 63kW Eclipse.
Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline from R5,299* per month. - Guaranteed buyback** - Short term: 36 months
The Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse standard features include: Low Profile 16” Mistral alloys Chromed strip on sides and boot-lid Lowered suspension Silver painted side mirrors
- Centre console - Anthracite hood-lining - Sport seats
Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg. Available in only Pure White or Deep Black.
Model
Vehicle Price
Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline
R390,200
Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable
R5,299*
36
7.56%*
Deposit
Guaranteed Future Value
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
10% 59.7% (R39,020) (R232,949)
R423,906
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
e&oe
An optional cost of R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Rate is dependent on customer credit scoring. Offers calculated on the Polo Vivo 63kW Trendline and the Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse models in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Price excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration. 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 30 April 2016 or while stocks last.
An optional cost of R2200 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Offers calculated on the New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline model in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes bank initiation fee of R1140. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. **Total retail price of R390 200 at a Guaranteed Future Value of R232 949 based on 20 000km p.a. 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 30 April 2016 or while stocks last.
e&oe
-
Get S.A’s smartest pickup from R5,555* R132 900 R144 900 R144 900 R163 900 R159 900
45 000 29 500 30 000 6 000 15 000
km km km km km
Silver Grey Silver White
R179 900 R209 900 R225 000 R199 900
22 000 18 000 8 000 9 000
km km km km
White White Silver
R549 000 R249 900 R275 900
3 500 km 35 000 km 15 000 km
White Blue
R132 900 R159 900
5 000 5 100
km km
Silver White White Grey
R229 900 R174 900 R369 000 R375 000
75 000 97 500 12 000 3 000
km km km km
White Blue White Red
R189 900 R148 900 R69 900 R149 900
65 000 90 000 69 000 19 000
km km km 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
BEAT the PRICE INCREASE
Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI from R5,555* per month. Model
Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI Trendline Amarok Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI Trendline Amarok Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI Highline Auto Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI Trendline 4Motion Amarok Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI Highline 4Motion Amarok Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI Highline 4Motion Auto
Vehicle Price
Monthly No. of Interest Rate Guaranteed Total Cost Incl Deposit Future Value fees & VAT Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable
R459,500
R5,555*
36
11%*
20%
R281,674
R481,651
R489,700
R5,910*
36
11%*
20%
R300,186
R512,929
R507,200
R6,115*
36
11%*
20%
R310,914
R531,053
R510,500
R6,154*
36
11%*
20%
R312,937
R534,471
R540,700
R6,508*
36
11%*
20%
R331,449
R565,749
R558,200
R6,714*
36
11%*
20%
R342,177
R583,873
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost of R1600 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Offers calculated on models in standard specification. Offer excludes the Amarok Double Cab Ultimate model. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes bank initiation fee. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. **Total retail price as above at a Guaranteed Future Value on 25 000km p.a. 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 30 April 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 White Beige White Red
e&oe
Polo Vivo 2013 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Tiptronic 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline Polo 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Trendline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline 2015 Polo GP 1.4 TDI Trendline Golf 2015 Golf 7 R TSI DSG 2015 Golf 7 TSI Trendline 77kW 2015 Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline up! 2016 Take up! 1.0 55kW 2016 Move up! Club 1.0 55kW Other VW 2012 Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion 2012 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG 2015 Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI 103kW 2016 Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG Other 2011 Hyundai IX35 2.0 Premium 2012 Toyota Corolla 1.6 Professional 2012 Fiat Punto 1.2 Active 2015 Toyota Etios Cross 1.5 XS
6
WitnessWheels MOTORING BIKING
April 14, 2016
Pedal car for adults Podride is the latest word from Europe on small, energyefficient vehicles ALWYN VILJOEN SWEDISH design engineer Mi kael Kjellman designed the Pod Ride, which he described as “a velomobile that is meant to be a practical everyday vehicle”. It has approximately the same sitting position and seat height as a small car, allowing easy ac cess and good visibility in traffic. The electric motor and the battery are the same as on an electric bike so it is legally a nor mal pedal cycle and may there fore be operated on bicycle paths and without a license. The 88 cm axle distance of the four wheels is narrow enough for Europe’s bicycle paths, but sta ble around corners. Kjellman added a full waterproof body to keep you warm and dry in any weather, heated windshield with manuallyoperated wipers, a soft seat with back support, air suspension and studded tires for icy lanes in winter. Optional extras include a small trunk for your shopping bags and a hitch for a bike trailer, to load either large loads or chil dren. (Ed’s note, these trailers are popular in places like the Netherlands, but too unsafe in South Africa, where we choose to spend our money on coffins instead of birthday candles.) Kjellman thinks there should be a fair percentage of people in terested in buying his pedal car for adults, despite the rather steep price of some R52 000, about the price of a used Toyota Tazz or City Golf in South Afri ca. “My assessment is that with largescale production the price would be €2 000 to €3 000. And then I think many people would be interested. Today they sell 60 million cars and 130 mil lion bicycles per year in the world. There are over one billion cars in the world now. If one per
Qhubeka bikes for loveLife JOHANNESBURG — Qhubeka and loveLife have signed an MoU for a new programme that will see loveLife youth volunteers riding to their ve nues on Qhubeka Buffalo bi cycles. The programme, which will see the first bicycles distributed in July 2016, is aimed at helping the love Life volunteers, known as groundBREAKERs and mpintshis, to implement community programmes. Qhubeka executive direct or Sarah Phaweni explains that a bicycle cuts down travel time to enable loveLi ife volunteers to spend more time to implement loveLife’s healthy sexuality, positive lifestyle and skills development programmes. The groundBREAKER mo bility project requires of the volunteers to sign a con tract to care for the bicycle and upon graduating from their respective programmes to return the bicycle for use by the next volunteer. More on www.qhubeka.org. — WR.
The latest green vehicle from Europe is Swedish designer Mikael Kjellman’s PodRide, which he hopes to sell for just over R50k. PHOTOS: JMK INNOVATION
The manually (dare we say digitally?) operated wipers above. RIGHT: PodRide opens like a truck’s engine bay, with the cab tilting forward to give access to the soft chair cent of that market could be made to choose a vehicle that is a cross between a car and a bicy cle, it will be 1,9 million units. 1,9 million units with a sales price of €2 500 resulting in revenues of €4,7 billion. This is just specu lation, but there is certainly po
tential if you succeed! “With the environmental and traffic problems we have today as background I believe the trend will move toward small en ergy efficient vehicles. And in the long term 2030 years, I think more small PodRidelike
vehicles will be sold than passen ger cars.” said Kjellman in a statement on his website. Technical data: Height: 180 cm Width: 75 cm Height: 145 cm Seat Height: 50 cm Weight: 70 kg
Wheel: 20 inch tyres Wheelbase: 88 cm Turning radius: 1,75 m Motor: 250 W electric Gears: 14 speed hub Range: 60 km Speed: 25km/h; Co2 emissions: 7g/km (EUelectricity mix)
New Zealand electric bikes like no other ALWYN VILJOEN FROM New Zealand, ETT In dustries, specialists in electric vehicles, announced their new Raker electric scooter and Trayser ebike, both with laser cut monocoque aluminum frames. It may be necessary to remind South Africans, who buy more vehicles made out of a cabin bolted onto a ladder frame chas sis, (vis the Hilux) that a mono coque is when one bolts the wheels to the cabin instead. The bikes were designed and built by CEO and founder of ETT Industries, Jay Wen. Wen is no novice to vehicle design, for after getting his mas ters in automotive design in Mi lan, he worked for Peugeot and Citroën, two brands who are not afraid to push the envelope. The new Raker and Trayser bikes certainly push the envel ope and then some. Wen can rightfully claim nothing else on the road looks like them, and adds both have won prestigious IF Design Awards. “We’ve seen guys who own expensive cars and boats but as soon as they get on one of these bikes, their faces light up like kids. It’s so cool to see as that’s exactly what I set out to do; to
Light, powerful and fast — the Raker (right) and the Trayser (below) from New Zealand. PHOTO: ETT INDUSTRIES
make people happy through my vehicles. We’ve looked at the market and there really is noth ing else like it. eBikes are on the
up but we believe that our de sign and sheer scope of custom options are unique,” Wen said. He has also made the specs
for some of the plastic compo nents available on the company site to enable riders to 3D print such items as need replacing. The 75 kg Raker is more mo torbike than ebike, and is pow ered by a 72 V/25 kWh lithium ion battery pack, which drives a brushless 2 000 W motor and can reach a top speed of 45 km/h. The batteries are good for 80 km in the city after a five hour charge. The Raker comes with air sus pension (120 and 27 mm front and rear), 12inch wheels, light ing front and aft and a choice of four colours, priced at £2 700 (about R56 498). Riders who want to do some pedalling can opt for the 27 kg Trayser, which has a 250 W rear hub motor, good for a top speed of 25 km/h. Driven only on the 42 V/20 Ah lithiumion battery pack, the Trayser can go 97 km on a fivehour charge. Other fea tures include a belt drive and Tektro disc brakes, but no sus pension. The Raker sells for just under R58 000 and the Trayzer goes for almost R37 000, deliveries excluded. As for when deliveries will happen, Wen said shipping to customers is within 90 days. Order can be placed at www.et tindustries.com.
Honda’s Africa Twin is consistently a top 10 seller. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Africa Twin has a deeper ‘voice’ HONDA’S much anticipated new Africa Twin went on sale at dealers this month, with rec ommended retail prices of R99 999 for the NC750X and R109 999 for the NC750X DCT. The pricing includes a two year unlimited mileage warranty and oneyear roadside assist ance. Honda described the 705X engine as its “ultimate com muting motorcycle”, and added in a statement the latest mod el gets more adventurous with a tough new look, revised front fork damping, expanded stor age compartment plus LCD in struments with personalised colour options. The Dual Clutch Transmission machine receives 3level S mode, plus further software upgrades in both MT and AT riding modes. The frugal 750 cc parallel twin gains a revised ex haust muffler which adds a deeper tone. The updated NC750X commuting motorcycle has revised front fork damping, expanded storage compartment plus LCD instruments with per sonalised colour options. The frugal 750 cc parallel twin now also has a revised exhaust muffler to give a deeper “voice”. Ticking as it does all the boxes of economy, light weight and easy riding with a dual clutch transmission, the 750X is one of Honda’s most popular commuting bikes in both Eu rope and South Africa, consist ently ranking among the top ten best selling motorcycles. Riders like its groundbreak ing, torqueladen twincylinder engine, which runs on air while riding in the lowtomid rpm ranges, as well as the relaxed, roomy riding position, thanks to wide handlebars and a com fortable seat. The compliant, longtravel suspension and dis tinctive adventure styling add to the appeal. Over a third of the custom ers choose Honda’s unique dual clutch transmission (DCT). Like most modern bikes, the fuel tank is actually a storage compartment, capable of hold ing a fullface helmet. This storage area has increased in size by one litre to 22 litres and the lid exterior now features rugged external rails — useful for mounting a tank bag. The new instrument cluster uses a negative LCD display and can be set to change into nine colours, depending on vari ous engine or transmission set tings. The rear monoshock gains a spring preload adjuster system and has 150 mm of travel. It operates through Pro Link that offers optimised bal ance over lowspeed bumps. — WR.
MOTORING WitnessWheels
April 14, 2016
Self drive Volvos for China GEELY, China’s largest pri vately owned car builder and owner of Volvo Cars, said it will use the Swedish vehicles to test autonomous driving cars in China. Volvo said in a statement that the experiment could involve up to 100 cars and Geely will, in coming months, negotiate which cities in China will take part in the test and then set up the necessary permissions, regulations and infrastruc ture. Volvo has committed it self to making cars in which no one will be seriously in jured or killed by 2020. The company said autonomous driving technology promises to reduce car accidents as well as free up congested roads, reduce pollution and allow drivers to use their time in their cars more val uably. Håkan Samuelsson, presi dent and chief executive of Volvo, said at a seminar in Beijing on April 7: “The sooner autonomous drive (AD) cars are on the roads, the sooner lives will start being saved.” He added the AD cars promise to revolutionise Chi na’s roads in four main are as — safety, congestion, pol lution and time saving. AD cars can reduce the 90% of all accidents that are caused by human error and reduce the scope of traffic jams by driving in co hesion, saving drivers time. AD cars also reduce emis sions and associated pollu tion by idling less in peak hour traffic. — WR.
7
Platooning the future Connecting robot trucks into a platoon on highways will prevent a lot of smog THREE connected and autono mous MercedesBenz Actros trucks last week drove in convoy from Stuttgart in Germany to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Nothing weird in that, as thousands of trucks do this route every day. Except that these trucks — as shown by the very relaxed driver in the image — steered themselves. And they fol lowed so close to each other they could almost be mistaken for trucks on our N3 highway. The exercise formed part of the European Truck Platooning Challenge 2016, initiated by the Netherlands government, but it is safe to say Daimler leads at the moment, as it is the only group whose robot trucks have official road approval worldwide and in five other European countries, where it competes with the likes of Scania, Volvo, and Daf in the rally. The crossborder selfdriving demo came just two weeks after the world premiere of its High way Pilot Connect system on the A52 highway near Düsseldorf. The Highway Pilot Connect is a worldwide system that con nects automated driving of heavy trucks. By adding slipstreaming to this mix, Daimler says it can save even more fuel. To slipstream the trucks re quires close following distances, which Daimler does safely using electronic vehicletovehicle (V2V) networking. Unlike a human driver, who will take about 1,4 seconds to re act, V2V reacts within 0,1 sec onds to the signals from the truck in front, with the whole braking or accelerating simultaneously. This much faster reaction time can make a major contribution
Three selfsteering MercedesBenz trucks drove in close convoy across Germany into the Netherlands to show it can be done. PHOTO: SUPPLIED towards reducing rearend colli sions such as occur when en countering traffic jams on mo torways. The quick reaction time also allows the trucks to “dock”, or drive platoon style with very close following distances on mo torways and longdistance high ways. As any driver on the N3 who is casing a low consumption bo nus will tell you, by following only 15 instead of 50 metres behind a truck, the truck in the back scores a significant reduction in wind resistance — what cyclists and car racers know as slipstreaming. The short distance of the con voy of only 80 metres also almost halved the usual 150 metres of road space the trucks would have
used. Bear in mind, unlike South Africa, all trucks on European roads have enough power to pull their loads, so the entire slow lane moves at a steady 80 km/h, with none of the angst our drivers experience when they have to duck in and out of the spray of truck wheels to pass. Using Daimler’s FleetBoard telemetric system that connects vehicles to a central server to pro vide a detailed analyses of an en gine’s performance during a drive, Daimler could show the three trucks had logged a fuel sav ing of up to 10%, reducing CO2 emissions by the same measure. The emissions that are not be ing spewed out by the trucks are what has the truck builders most
excited. They say connected driv ing in the form of a truckplatoon can spare the air in Europe mil lions of tons of carbon dioxide each year, with attendant bene fits to help slow down climate change. EU Council president Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, responsible for Daimler Trucks & Daimler Buses in Daimler’s Board of Man agement, was on hand to send the trucks off from the Mercedes Benz museum for their twoday trip. He said platooning will form a meaningful part of the integrat ed approach in which all stake holders in road transport con tribute to reduce fuel consump tion and CO2. “Driving in a convoy is one of
numerous examples to raise the performance of goods transport extensively with connected trucks. “Today already 365 000 com mercial vehicles of Daimler are connected. We are consequently pushing this development,” Bernhard continued. “The worldwide transport of goods is a prerequisite for eco nomic growth. Transporting more goods in the future requires innovative solutions like truck platooning. Daimler’s smart trucks have the potential to make the transport of goods substan tially more efficient, more sus tainable and safer in the coming years,” he said. — Wheels Reporter.
Haggle for a car like you would for a house DESPITE a buyer’s best inten tions, if a dream used car be comes available that ticks all the right boxes — except for the price tag — the budget can all too often get quickly forgotten. To stop the heart ruling the car buyer’s head, vehicle history check expert in the UK, HPI, is offering a simple guide to the art of negotiation, helping buyers se cure a good deal whether they are buying, selling or partexchang ing a car. Neil Hodson, deputy manag ing director for HPI, explains, “Despite a car being the second largest financial purchase a per son will ever make — a property being the biggest — 56% of us would rather pay the asking price for a used car than negotiate with a dealer.” This compares to just 16% of people who would rather offer the asking price for a house than
A study of online classified site OLX will show used car buyers what the models they want are trading for. PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB
negotiate. In fact, as many as a third of us would rather negotiate a pay rise at work than haggle for a car. “The reality is all too often buyers find the car they want and pay the full sticker price because they lack confidence in their own negotiating skills, particularly when having to deal facetoface with the seller.
House buyers have estate agents to negotiate through, which gives them more room to be bold with their offer. “The trick to clinching a good used car deal is balance; you need to make sure the vendor or sales person knows you’re a serious buyer without appearing desper ate. “It is equally crucial to do your
homework. “Before you start the process of securing a deal, research the marketplace and ask the right questions. Knowledge will em power a buyer.” Hodson advises car buyers to start by understanding the vehi cle’s current market value. “A used car valuation will give motorists a good idea of the price they should expect to pay if they are buying, or how much they can expect from a buyer if they are selling or partexchanging. “If a car for sale is priced low to sell quickly, the chances are it’s hiding something serious. For example it could be ‘clocked’, sto len or have finance owing against it.” In South Africa, the OLX site shows current prices demanded by private car sellers, while the Trans Union Auto Dealers Guide informs dealers. — WR.
Guide to bartering a bargain What NOT to say: • I really like this car • Have you sold many cars to day? • What sort of discounts are people getting on cars at the moment? • Please can I have a discount? • Are you sure you can’t meet my budget?
• Is that all that my old car is worth? • What will it cost if I pay in cash? What you SHOULD say: • I’m interested in buying this car from you, but I need more than you are offering by way of part exchange on my old car to
do that • I’m ready to do a deal today at the right price’ or ‘I’m a cash buyer’ • Has this car been checked by an insurer or the AA? • Has this car ever been in an accident? • How much discount will you give me?
• Can you meet my budget — if not, I can buy elsewhere … • If your manager is the one making the decision, can I talk to him/her? • I’ve seen a better deal at (mention a nearby competitor) • If we can agree on Rxxxx then you have a deal. — Wheels Reporter.
The dos and don’ts on Germany’s speedunlimited road. PHOTO: INSURANCE4CARHIRE
Fast Autobahn facts GERMANY is famous for two things: amazing beer and its 12 950 km long highspeed Autobahn. Though these two things should never, under any cir cumstances, mix, it’s the lat ter that caught our attention. How fast can you really travel? How safe is a “road without speed limits”? There are many misconcep tions regarding the iconic Au tobahn. Insurance4carhire has answered the questions most frequently asked and helps to correct some misconceptions of Germany’s famous road. The first and most impor tant difference between Ger many and South Africa is that it is much more difficult to obtain a German driver’s licence, which also costs over R23 000 for a car licence. Learners must also drive on
the Autobahn as part of tak ing their test, and the first thing they learn is the Auto bahn is not just about speed. Safety is a primary concern for authorities, starting with roadways that are impeccably maintained, offering some of the smoothest tarred surfaces in the world. Germany’s ver sion of our Sanral last year spent R8,28 million per km on the Autobahn. Police patrols also enforce rules against reckless driving, with 60% of the Autobahn carrying a recommended speed limit of 130 km/h. The result is that less than 10% of the road collisions in Germany occur on the Auto bahn. This translates into a billion accidentfree kilometres for every 2,7 fatalities. — Wheels24..
WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING
8
April 14, 2016
Jo’burg boykie on pace Alibhai in top 10 on first outing NINEYEAROLD Johannes burg kart racer Aqil Alibhai put in a splendid performance to come home a fighting sixth in the Formula Super Kart Cadet class Finale in Sunday’s Buckmore Park series opener in Kent, En gland. “That was a hard weekend!” the Ormonde lad admitted. “The racing is far tougher here, but I am very happy to have done so well at a racetrack I have never seen before against top overseas karters in my age group.” Aqil’s performance was all that much more impressive consider ing race organisers cancelled Fri day practice at the last minute, leaving only Saturday for him to get to know a brand new track. But then it rained to even further complicate the situation, al though it did dry up in the after noon, leaving just three sessions to become familiar with a track most of his rivals quite literally know backwards. That was not enough to pre vent Aqil from turning in a stellar performance to qualify sixth just threetenths of a second off the pace on Sunday morning in spite of his rhythm being interrupted. “The team called me in to make a change on my kart when I was lying fourth,” Aqil said. “That’s a pity because I couldn’t get a quick lap in afterwards.” Aqil had a good start in race 1 to run fifth in the lead bunch for most of the way, only to be taken out on the last lap and drop to seventh. The second heat went better with Aqil starting sixth, gaining a place at the start and holding on to the finish. Race three was the highlight of Aqil’s weekend as he came to grips with the track and the team
MadeinSA racing Hilux wins first leg of CrossCountry World Cup
Aqil Alibhai (9). PHOTO: SUPPLIED honed his kart setup to allow him to make a brilliant start to shoot up to second before taking the lead on the second lap and holding on for four laps. Inevitably the local opposition ganged up to twice shuffle Aqil onto the dirt in three laps and drop him to fourth and later sixth, from which he was unable to pass the lad ahead in spite of a spirited fightback. So Aqil started the final in sixth and was soon up to fifth and fighting hard to lose contact with the lead bunch before his sixth placed rival barged into him from behind in the last corner, knocked him into a spin and dropped him to sixth. “I’m not making any excuses,” Aqil said. “These guys win in the British championship, so to be on the pace with them in my first race here is great. “But they race very hard and I need to improve my racecraft to take it back to them. Overall the weekend was a great experi ence, there are still 15 rounds left and I’ll be back, I’m definitely not giving up!” — Supplied.
Most SA racers yet THIS weekend will see what is believed to be a record number of South Africans racing in sever al top series across the world. The action starts in Germany and England on Saturday after noon when SA duo Kelvin van der Linde and Jordan Pepper race in the opening round of the ADAC GT Masters at Oschersleben, while young Jonathan Aberdein makes his ADAC German For mula 4 debut at the same meet ing. In England Eugene Denyssen and Sisa Ngebulana will be racing in British Formula 3 at Brands Hatch. At Long Beach, Califor nia, Stephen Simpson will race in IMSA sports cars. The SA A1 GP driver from Cape Town finds himself at the top end of the U.S. IMSA Prototype Challenge championship following victory in the Daytona 24 and fourth place in the 12 hours of Sebring. The classic street circuit in
Long Beach, California, is the most popular weekend race in the state, and his team is in a close fight for the IMSA Prototype Challenge championship lead. In the UK, Pepper is set for his first race for Bentley in the Ger man Adac GT Masters series opener at Oschersleben. The experienced Van der Lin de said he is ready for his third year of racing in the German AD AC GT Masters series. The 2014 champion in his rookie year in the series shares his 440kW V10 Audi R8 LMS with Spanish driver Isaac TutumluLopez. Where to watch live streams: • Van der Linde and Pepper at Oschersleben on www.adacgt masters.de/uk/ • Denyssen and Sisa Ngebulana on livestreamracing.net/catego ry/formula3. • Simpson at Long Beach weekend, streamed on www.imsa.com on Sunday, from 03h00 SA time.
Nasser Saleh AlAttiyah (left) and Matthieu Baume defended their title in the FIA CrossCountry World Cup circuit in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in a MadeinSA Hilux last week. The fiveday race was Round Two of the World Cup and AlAttiyah piloted the Toyota Hilux, built at Toyota South Africa Motors’ motorsport HQ at Hallspeed near Kyalami, to a 32minute victory and the top of this year’s World Cup standings. They are now looking forward to racing the Toyota in Qatar for another five days from Sunday. The Toyota Hilux that AlAttiyah drove on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge was the same vehicle that finished third in this year’s Dakar Rally, in the hands of Toyota Gazoo Racing SA’s Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Ford ready to take it global from Silverstone GREATWORTH PARK (UK) — The two Ford Chip Ganassi Rac ing “WEC” Ford GTs will make their competitive debut in the FIA World Endurance Champi onship on Saturday at the Silver stone Circuit in round one of the World Endurance Champion ships (WEC). The Silverstone race tradi tionally draws the biggest crowd for the WEC outside of the Le Mans 24 Hours and with 23 Brit ish drivers to cheer on, the spec tators will be spoilt for choice. Ford Performance global di rector Dave Pericak said the Ford GTs had been racing in the U.S. since January, but their “global effort” will start at Silverstone. “Our WEC team looks strong and I believe the combination of the Ford GT, the drivers we have chosen and the team that we have put together will be a force to be reckoned with. “We expect fierce competi tion from Aston Martin, Ferrari
The new Ford GT will want to repeat the glory days of the GT40 that beat all the Euro brands in the World Endurance Race, which starts this weekend in England. PHOTO: FORD and Porsche, but make no mis take, we’re ready to race!” The action gets underway at Silverstone at noon tomorrow, when the WEC cars take to the
track for the first free practice session. GTE Qualifying takes place on Saturday, April 16, at 11:50 pm and the six hours of Sil verstone will start the 2016
WEC season at noon on Sunday, April 17. Watch the action live on the official website www.fia wec.com/live.html. — Wheels Reporter.
Jaguar Simola Hillclimb readies for the fans THE organisers of the Simola Hillclimb in Knysna have re leased ticket prices for what they billed “the most anticipated and exciting event” on the South Af rican motorsport calendar. Hyperbole aside, KZN cer tainly has a lot of interest in the race, thanks to Marburg’s Dezzi Gutzeit having shown himself the fastest driver up the hill after his spectacular win last year. The Hillclimb takes place from May 6 to 8 in Knysna, with plenty of entertainment for the whole family. More than 60 cars will be contesting Classic Car Friday, with 84 entries for King of the Hill and the allnew SuperCar Shootout, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday — making it the “mustattend” for any motoring or motorsport enthu siast.
Over 60 cars will be contesting Classic Car Friday in the Simola Hillclimb in Knysna this year. PHOTO: SUPPLIED General entry and pit tickets for this year’s seventh running of the Hillclimb are available in advance through www.iTick ets.co.za — a convenient online portal to purchase and obtain all your tickets for this event. Once paid for, customers can print their barcoded ticket di
rectly at home. Tickets will also be available at the gates during the weekend. Fans can buy a twoday pass for the King of the Hill action on Saturday and Sunday, priced at R140 per adult and R80 per child. Single entry tickets are a tad pricey at R80 per person.
Children under 12 enjoy free en try on Friday, with a cost of R50 for children between the ages of three and 11 for each of the re maining days. A limited number of pit access tickets, which in clude general entry, cost R180 for adults or R150 for children for singleday passes, or R320 and R250 respectively for the twoday passes. A shuttle operates from the Knysna Waterfront to the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb throughout all three days. — WR.
CV Joint speCialists
for CV joints, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings.
341 GReYlinG stReet Pmb. 033 342 9174/75