Wheels 14 jan 2016

ASH CAR SALES

January 14, 2016

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

Witness

PAGE 6

A rabid ragtop puppy

WHEELS

ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

PAGE 8

2011 Mini Cooper S CountryMan 6 speed manual, 107 000 km, FSH, Just serviced at agents, Black leather,Double Pano Sunroof, Xenon lights, MFS, 18 inch mags, Fogs, Window tint

R199 995

nCe

a Bank fin

Contact Ash on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

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

… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

PAGE 3

SA’s supermen racing in the Dakar Volkswagen’s next­gen dashboards PAGE 6

General Motors and Google’s future in lift clubs

PIETERMARITZBURG SALES • SERVICE • PARTS

CMH COMMERCIAL UD TRUCKS CONTACT DETAILS BILAAL MOHAMED: 078 817 8800 PHAKS NHLUMAYO: 079 940 7872 LANDLINE: 033 346 1430 ADDRESS: 18 SHORTTS RETREAT STREET, MKONDENI , PMB

UD 60 TRUCK TRACTOR

R467 999+VAT

MEDIUM COMMERCIAL VEHICLES UD 80 CHASSIS CAB

R478 760 + VAT UD 90 CHASSIS CAB

R523 200 + VAT UD100 CHASSIS CAB

R587 999 + VAT

UD QUESTER 420HP TWIN STEER 15 CUBE TIPPER

UD 85 DROPSIDE TIPPER

R1 314 499 + VAT

R599 999 +VAT

2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

January 14, 2016

THE G2 PROMISE: • A 114-Point Quality Check • Vehicle History Check • Full Service History • Various Finance Options • Verified Mileage • Ownership Peace of Mind • Optional 2 Year/Unlimited km Warranty • Optional 2 Year Roadside Assistance

CHRISTMAS ISN’T OVER BEST BUYS

at KEY PIETERMARITZBURG! AUTOMATIC 1 WHITE LEFT

2014 CHEVROLET AVEO 1.6 LS SEDAN 32 121KM

R139 990*

COMPANY DEMO

2014 OPEL ASTRA 1.6 ESSENTIA COMPANY DEMO, ONLY DONE 19 522KM

RETAIL PRICE: R264 000 OUR DEMO PRICE ONLY:

R179 990*

2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE 1.4T SEDAN, SILVER AND WHITE IN STOCK,

2015 ISUZU KB 250 FLEETSIDE SAFETY, 5 999KM, BIN LINER, A/C, MP3,

2015 CHEVROLET UTILITY 1.4i

2014 CHEVROLET SPARK 1.2 L

TOWBAR

6 222KM, CANOPY, BIN LINER, CD/MP3

11 000KM, IN HUGE DEMAND

R209 990*

R229 990*

R139 990*

R104 990*

AUTOMATIC COMPANY DEMO

2015 CHEVROLET AVEO SEDAN ONLY 5 212KM, NEW SPEC MODEL, CD, MAG WHEELS

R139 990

*

2014 CHEVROLET SPARK 1.2 L 35 333KM, A/C, P/S, MP3, FRONT E/W

2015 CHEVROLET CRUZE 1.4T ONLY 16 552KM, LOTS OF TURBO POWER

R195 990

*

2015 OPEL ASTRA 1.4T

R179 990

R259 990

R195 990

2015 ISUZU KB 250D FLEETSIDE

2015 CHEVROLET SPARK 1.2 CAMPUS

2012 CHEVROLET UTILITY 1.4i A/C, 29 333KM, 1 OWNER FROM NEW,

R99 990

R119 990*

ONLY 5 000KM

ONLY 1 IN STOCK, 6 000KM

*

*

COMPANY DEMO

AUTOMATIC

2015 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 2.8 LTZ 4X4, 35 995KM, CUSTOM-MADE SEAT COVERS & CHROME NUDGEBAR

R104 990

R129 990

2015 OPEL ADAM 1.0T JAM (TWISTED PACK), JAMES BLOND

2015 OPEL CORSA 1.0T ESSENTIA (NEW SPEC)

2015 CHEVROLET SPARK 1.2 LT

R174 990*

R134 990*

2015 ISUZU KB 300 LX 4X2 D/CAB, 26 992KM, CANOPY, NUDGE

R379 990*

*

*

OUR DEMO PRICE ONLY:

R459 990

*

6 000KM, CANOPY, BINLINER, MP3, TOWBAR

R239 990

*

FACTORY DEMO

YELLOW, 20 098KM, PARK ASSIST

R169 990*

10 000KM, WHITE & SILVER AVAILABLE

R254 990*

2015 ISUZU KB 250

6 374KM, BIN LINER, TOW BAR, MP3

2015 CHEVROLET AVEO 1.6 HATCH, ONLY 6 300KM, A/C, P/S, MP3, ALLOY WHEELS

R119 990*

*

22 219KM, A/C, P/S, MP3

GREAT CONDITION

*

COMPANY DEMO

NON G2

14 999KM

2015 CHEVROLET UTILITY 1.4i A/C

2012 ISUZU KB 300 LX 4X2 D/CAB

LOW LOW MILEAGE, BIN LINER

135 331KM, EXCELLENT CONDITION, CANOPY, LEATHER, BIN LINER,TOWBAR

R184 990*

R144 990*

R254 990*

2015 OPEL ASTRA 1.4TURBO HATCH, ONLY 1WHITE IN STOCK ,7 923KM

2012 CHEVROLET SPARK 1.2L

2015 ISUZU KB 300 LX 4X4 D/CAB, 26 000KM, IN EXCELLENT

2012 CHEVROLET UTILITY 1.8i A/C

CONDITION

1 OWNER FROM NEW, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, 89 000KM

R244 990*

R89 990*

R409 990*

R119 990*

LEATHER INTERIOR, 12 555KM

2015 OPEL CORSA 1.0T COSMO

COMPANY DEMO

AUTOMATIC

2014 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA 2.4 LT, 69 111KM, 7-SEAT SUV

DEMO

2015 OPEL ADAM JAM 1.0 TURBO

2013 CHEVROLET UTILITY 1.4i A/C 11 000KM, 1 OWNER, SERVICE PLAN

27 221KM, A/C, P/S, MP3, FRONT E/W

BAR, TOWBAR, BIN LINER

ONLY 46 121KM, AIRCON, POWER STEERING, MAG WHEELS

VISIT US TODAY!

2016 CHEVROLET UTILITY 1.4i AS NEW, WITH DELIVERY KMS, COMES WITH MAG WHEELS, CAB SLIDER, MP3, FREE BIN LINER

R159 990*

2012 ISUZU KB250 D-TEQ LWB

98 745KM, AIRCON, POWER STEERING, 85KW OF POWER,1 OWNER FROM NEW

R179 990*

GOOD CARS. BEST VALUE.

Shazeer 073 819 8679

Saleem 083 704 6968

Lungisani 071 450 8192

*On-the-Road and Registration Fees Excluded. Terms and Conditions Apply. Model/s shown may differ. Errors & Omissions Excepted.

2 Peter Kerchhoff Street Tel: 033 345 2542

94928 ADMAKERS.COM

We’ve got plenty of great deals for you!

MOTORING WitnessWheels

January 14, 2016

3

Mazda tests turbo 2­litre Japan’s leader in naturally aspirated engines moves to forced induction in prototype racing MAZDA Motorsports an­ nounced it will be testing the group’s new two­litre turbo en­ gine with its prototype racing team.

Mazda claims it has the most comprehensive auto racing de­ velopment ladder system among the world’s car builder, with the Mazda Road to 24 programme offering limited scholarships to drivers to develop into Mazda Prototype race drivers, racing in the top level of IMSA sports car racing in North America.

The Mazda Road to Indy is a similar system in open­wheel rac­ ing, which includes USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights rac­ ing categories with Mazda power.

This year sees the new Global MX­5 Cup car making its debut, with affordable, turnkey race cars available direct from Mazda to drivers.

Based in Irvine, California, the two­car Mazda Prototype race team have started racing the new gasoline­fuelled MZ­2.0T en­ gine in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The engine has been in devel­ opment for much of the past year and has completed nearly thou­ sands of test kilometres prior to this last weekend’s “ROAR be­ fore the 24” test session at the Daytona International Speed­ way.

The MZ­2.0T earned its name

It’s a Mazda, but not like we know it. The Mazda prototype race team features two entries: the No. 55 car — numbered in honour of the 25th anniversary of Mazda’s Le Mans victory. PHOTO: MAZDAMOTORSPORTS from its configuration: “MZ” re­ fers to Mazda, “2.0” references its two­litre capacity, while “T” is a nod to the turbocharger.

The inline, four­cylinder en­ gine is built upon a similar foun­ dation of the MZR­R engine that was developed by Mazda and Ad­ vanced Engine Research (AER) for sports car racing beginning in 2006.

In addition to the new proto­ type engine, Mazda works with AER on the current version of the MZR­R engine that powers the entire field in the Indy Lights se­ ries, the top rung of the Mazda Road to Indy.

John Doonan, director, Mazda Motorsports North America said the impending rules changes in 2017, which will not allow diesel

engines, was why Mazda went for a purpose­built racing engine to win championships.

Doonan said he couldn’t be more optimistic about the prospect of this engine. “After extensive testing, the MZ­2.0T is not only very fast, but reliable as well.”

Mazda Prototype team driver Jonathan Bomarito said the first

thing you notice is how smooth the power is delivered in every gear through the RPM range.

“There is great low­end torque with zero turbo­lag, which is very impressive.

“All race tracks are different and the gearing is never perfect for every corner, so having an en­ gine where you can short­shift or stretch a gear longer is very im­

portant. The MZ­2.0T does this easily.”

Chief engineer for the Mazda Prototype team Marcus Shen said the two­litre engine has transformed everything for the team, which to date has been rac­ ing stock diesel blocks to benefit Mazda’s diesel R&D. “Obviously, it’s more powerful so we’re going faster. Once you go faster, the aerodynamics work very differently — we have much more downforce — and the chas­ sis works better.

“It’s not just straightaway speed, the engine has improved every aspect of our overall per­ formance.

“When the driver puts the pedal down, it goes. It’s creating roughly 285 horsepower per litre, which is much higher than the es­ timated 110 horsepower per litre of the 5,5­litre V8 Daytona Proto­ type engines.”

The Mazda Prototype team features two entries: the No. 55 car (numbered in honour of the 25th anniversary of Mazda’s Le Mans victory) with drivers Jonat­ han Bomarito and Tristan Nun­ ez, and the No. 70 car with Joel Miller and Tom Long driving.

For the Rolex 24, current Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot will join the No. 55 team, while Ben Devlin will return to the team to drive the No. 70.

— Wheels Reporter.

4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

January 14, 2016

It’s all suave practicality BRIAN BASSETT drives the BMW 420i MSport Auto AT first BMW said the 4­Series would have two doors and the 3­Series would have four doors and they duly launched these con­ figurations in November 2013.

Then in July 2014 came the 4­Series Gran Coupe, which is the four­door version of the 4­Se­ ries.

Just to be clear then, the 4­Se­ ries Gran Coupe is the higher­ roofed, quad­door partner of the regular 4­Series, two­door coupe, based on the 3­Series saloon … sooo it’s a four­door version, of a two­door version of a four­door car.

No wonder that in the ensuing confusion we neglected to review this fine motorcar and hence are grateful to Anthony Ellis, dealer principal of SMG Pietermaritz­ burg, for the opportunity to drive the vehicle for a few days.

Styling The 4­Series Gran Coupe was the first four­door coupe in the pre­ mium, mid­size class in South Af­ rica. The car is very BMW, with a huge double kidney grill at the front, a double order of head­ lamps on the sides, all underlined by a gaping air intake flanked by two fog lamps.

The ribbed bonnet flows into a raked windscreen onto the slop­ ing roof, which in our car came with an electrically­operated sun­ roof, which is an optional extra, but nice to have.

The steeply­sloping rear win­ dow and tailgate combined with wraparound tail lights to present a very sleek profile, punctuated by a centrally­placed blue badge on the bonnet.

While the car looks like a coupé — svelte, sensual, glamorous and sophisticated — it does not lose any headroom with a too­low C­pillar, so it can transport tall adults at the back as a four­door saloon should.

The BMW 420i tackles the D­roads in the Midlands with confidence to get you to places off the beaten track, like Madiba’s capture site.

PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN The design is complemented by some serious rubber on its 19­ inch light alloy wheels and stands out in any parking area, a compli­ ment to the owner’s good taste and financial muscle.

The interior Overall the multi­coloured interi­ or is a comfortable, solid, pleas­ ant place to be and is finished in leather.

The control ergonomics are ex­ cellent. The instruments are clear, the i­drive and its rotary selector foolproof, even for an old man like me, who sometimes becomes confused with contemporary technology.

The dashboard’s centrally placed screen reflects the state of functions like the excellent six­ speaker audio system, Bluetooth, cruise control and GPS. All controls are configured to give the driver optimal access and to ensure that he does not have to take his eyes off the road while operating the vehicle.

The tactile, leather­ covered, three­spoke, multi­function steering wheel has a rake and tilt function and the front, sports seats, which in the car I drove were manually operated, are infi­ nitely adjustable and very com­ fortable.

The rear seats look like two in­

dividual seats, but a third person can easily occupy the upholstered surface between them.

Boot space is generous at 480 litres and, with the rear seats folded down there is little the car will not accommodate.

The tailgate has a Comfort Loading Function, which hydrau­ lically raises the boot lid in a few seconds to allow easy access.

There is a long options list for the interior in order to personalise the vehicle, all at a price of course.

Safety and security The 420i has all the safety fea­ tures you could want in a car.

There is the usual ABS with

EBD, seatbelts for all, built­in head restraints and six airbags.

Runflat tyres — love them or hate them — are supplied with the car. (At Wheels, we recom­ mend all owners of runflats buy and pack a full­size spare wheel for when, not if, the pothole bites).

There is also an occupant cell, which takes care of front­end or side accidents, as well as active headlights and Dynamic Stability Control, to mention but a few.

The only thing the car cannot protect against is bad driving.

There is also the usual built­in re­ mote locking and alarm.

Performance and handling The car’s two­litre, four­cylinder petrol engine combines a twin scroll turbocharger with Valvet­ ronic Double Vanos and high pre­ cision injection to deliver 135 kW and 270 Nm for a top speed of around 230 km/h. The 100 mark comes up in about 7,3 seconds and fuel consumption in the com­ bined cycle is likely to be between nine and 9,5 l/100 km, depending on driving style and conditions.

Throttle response is crisp and power delivery impressive. Han­ dling on the 420i is stability based and grip is everywhere.

The steering is precise and with adaptive suspension I found that you can tackle D­roads in the Midlands with confidence.

The car is very refined and the eight­speed steptronic gearbox delivers a butter­smooth gear change or, if you like changing gears yourself, you can use the flappy paddles on the steering wheel.

A six­speed manual is also available but the auto box is the one to aim for.

The 420i’s ability to cover ground in quick and comfortable fashion is, however a little more convincing than its ability to slice through a corner, but that said the car has an engaging dynamism which I found most attractive.

Costs and the competition The 420i manual sells for about R510 000 and the auto for around R530 000.

A diesel is available and that will cost you another R10 000.

The extras list is long and quite expensive.

The car comes with a five­ year/100 000 km extendable motor plan and breakdown as­ sistance.

Also have a look at the Audi A5, if suave yet practical design ap­ peals to you.

VW goes back to the future with all­electric retro van concept SPEAKING on the eve of a huge suit against VW during the com­ pany’s keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, Volkswagen passenger cars chairperson Dr Herbert Diess apologised again for the company lying about its emissions, and revealed the com­ pany’s new focus on “electric mo­ bility, fully connected cars, and a new driver experience”.

The head of Volkswagen said he is confident the German auto­ maker will reach an agreement with U.S. regulators to bring nearly 500 000 diesel vehicles into compliance with U.S. emis­ sions laws.

“We are confident we will find an acceptable solution,” Diess said at a press conference at the Las Vegas show.

In an interview with Reuters, Diess said fixing older VW cars equipped with two­litre diesel engines will be more difficult than bringing more recent mod­ els into compliance.

“The intrusion into the car will be quite significant,” Diess said of the older models.

Some U.S. regulators and law­ makers have said VW may have to buy back older models.

Diess did not say whether VW

LEFT: Volkswagen passenger cars chairperson Dr Herbert Diess shows VW’s concept for an electric, highly connected microbus, called the Budd­e, which he said could be brought to market by 2020. ABOVE: The interior of the Budd­e features a retro­modern driver’s console with swivel seats that can face the built­in bench at the rear.

PHOTO: YOUTUBE is discussing that, but said he is optimistic an agreement with U.S. regulators will be reached soon.

“It’s a very constructive dia­ logue,” he said.

The U.S. Environmental Pro­ tection Agency (EPA) said last Wednesday that “recall discus­ sions with the company have not produced an acceptable way for­ ward”.

EPA continues to insist that

“VW develop effective, appropri­ ate remedies as expeditiously as possible”.

The U.S. Justice Department on Monday sued Volkswagen for up to $48 billion (R8 trillion) for allegedly violating U.S. environ­ mental laws.

Diesel technology will still play an important role in VW’s future products, Diess said.

“Diesel still has a future in some segments,” including in

sport utility vehicles, “and in some markets it will be a must”, he said.

Europe will still be a major die­ sel market in the next decade, Di­ ess said.

Volkswagen has admitted it in­ stalled software in certain diesel models sold in the United States, that allowed the cars to pass gov­ ernment emissions tests, but then emit nearly 40 times the al­ lowed levels of pollutants on the

road. Diess said Volkswagen ex­ pects the company will be able to repair by the end of 2016 about 8,5 million diesel cars sold in Eu­ rope that do not comply with emissions standards.

Separately, Diess announced a new partnership with Mobileye, an Israeli machine vision compa­ ny that is a leader in camera tech­ nology used in advanced safety features such as automatic brak­ ing or lane departure warning.

Mobileye’s camera systems will strengthen the mapping sys­ tems VW cars will use to enable autonomous driving, Diess said.

To show where VW is heading Dies unveiled the Budd­e all elec­ tric van, which the group plans to sell in the next five years. VW cloaims its 101 kW batttery pack is good for 120 km an hour and can be recharged in 15 minutes, claims that will make Elon Musk at Tesla take notice.. — Reuters.

Same, but Different

By Pieter from Maritzburg First off, Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fantastic festive season, and are feeling rejuvenated and ready for 2016.

It’s going to be an interesting year: for one thing, it’s a leap year, so February comes outfitted with a 29th day at no extra charge; for another, it’s an Olympics year, with Rio de Janeiro hosting the Summer Olympics this August; for yet another, the US will elect its 45th president in November, with (as always) global consequences… it’s a year for excitement and change.

Of course, I’m something of a stick-in-the-mud myself. Change is good and all, but I like to keep touch with the good things of last year and the year before; sometimes there’s a great comfort to be had in familiarity. Like your favourite slippers, or a classic song, or even the taste of something cool at the end of a long day, there are some things that should just stay as they are, preferably forever.

What is my point? Simply this: the recipe for perfection is to blend innovation with familiarity, change with stability,

Purchase a Polo TSI hatch from R1,995* per month.

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

R1,995*

36

6.72%*

R254,700

R1,999*

36

5.96%*

Polo 1.2 TSI Highline DSG R270,700

R2,099*

36

5.98%*

R2,099*

36

5.83%*

Polo 1.0 TSI BlueMotion

R243,800

Guaranteed Future Value

19.6% (R45,844) 20.09% (R51,169) 20.33% (R55,033) 20.43% (R49,808)

67% (R156,713) 67% (R170,469) 67% (R181,369) 63.4% (R154,569)

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

R228,539

The Tiguan Avenue package standard features include: - 17” New Orleans alloys - Tyre pressure monitor - Alcantara comfort seats - Avenue front and rear spoiler

R242,614 R256,931 R230,135

Offer exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Only 5 available.

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

• • • • •

Polo Vivo 2011 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2011 Polo Vivo 1.6 GT 3 Door 2012 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2014 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo 1.6 GT 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo 2013 Polo 1.2 TDI BlueMotion 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Golf 2011 Golf GTI 2.0 TSI R 2011 Golf GTI 2.0 TSI 2015 Golf GTI 2.0 TSI Jetta 2010 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2012 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2015 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline Up! 2015 Take up! 1.0 55kW 2015 Take up! 1.0 55kW Other VW 2010 Scirocco 2.0 TSI 2015 Golf SV 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2015 Tiguan 1.4 TSI Trend 2015 Amarok Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI 4Motion Auto 2015 Cross Caddy 2.0 TDI 2015 Golf SV 1.4 TSI Comfortline Other 2013 Renault Sandero 1.4 2013 Hyundai iX35 2.0 Executive 2014 Nissan Juke 1.4 Acenta

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

e&oe

An optional cost of R950 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.75%. Note: Offers calculated on the Polo TSI range in standard specification. Instalment excludes optional extras and delivery fee, but includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other special service or offering. The Guaranteed Future Value is 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 23 January 2016 or while stocks last.

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

Silver Red Silver White Silver White White Beige

R102 900 R134 900 R114 900 R134 900 R149 900 R159 900 R142 900 R139 900

44 000 56 000 57 000 16 500 8 000 14 000 18 000 30 000

km km km km km km km km

White White Blue Red White Blue

R149 900 R209 900 R219 900 R209 000 R209 900 R205 900

99 000 9 500 16 000 9 000 7 700 12 500

km km km km km km

Red White Grey

R319 000 R209 000 R429 000

67 000 km 77 000 km 6 000 km

Silver Silver Red

R119 900 R165 900 R279 900

102 000 km 88 000 km 6 000 km

White White

R109 900 R109 900

8 000 km 28 000 km

White Red Silver Beige Green White

R199 900 R309 900 R305 900 R435 900 R309 900 R319 900

115 000 km 6 400 km 11 000 km 15 000 km 19 000 km 7 000 km

Gold White Grey

R79 900 R195 900 R165 900

99 000 km 93 000 km 23 000 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 - 073 744 8350 Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Barons

Avenue steering wheel Chrome door sills Silver roof rails New chrome grill slats

Pietermaritzburg

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

An optional cost of R2200 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.75%. Note: Offers calculated on the Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun and Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun models in standard specification. Price excludes optional extras. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other special 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 23 January 2016.

Guaranteed Future Value.

New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline from R3,744* p.m.

The New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG standard features include: - Park Distance Control - City Emergency Braking - Adaptive Cruise Control - Side and curtain airbags - 479l Luggage space - European Car of the Year 2015 - Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

Model

Vehicle Price

New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline

R378,800

R3,744*

36

New Passat TSI 110kW R398,800 Comfortline DSG

R3,933*

36

Deposit

Guaranteed Future Value

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

8.15%*

25% (R94,700)

57.2% (R216,674)

R351,455

8.36%*

25% (R99,700)

57.7% (R230,108)

R371,705

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost of R2200 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.75%. Note: Offers calculated on the New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline model in standard specification. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other special service or offering. The Guaranteed Future Value is 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 23 January 2016.

New Sales Consultants

Alison Wiltshire – Sales Manager • John Brown • Merglin Rama Menzi Ngubane • Bahle Bhengu • Erica Neff • Keshnee Pillay • Shika Chunderdave

Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

BP Advertising

Polo 1.2 TSI Highline

Deposit

Purchase a Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun from R309,900* incl. VAT or Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun from R335,900* incl. VAT and we will upgrade you to the exclusive Avenue package.

e&oe

Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline R233,900

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.

e&oe

Vehicle Price

That’s what Barons Pietermaritzburg is doing. You can rest assured that all the best things about Barons – the wonderful after-sales service, the expert financial planning and advice, the tailor-made deals, not to mention the cars themselves – will still be there. After all, they’re what make Barons “the Volkswagen people”, and there’s no changing that! On the other hand, as cars get more and more advanced, and as the boffins at VW come up with better and better technology, Barons PMB will keep looking to the future, staying ahead of the curve, and leading the way.

Free upgrade at Barons Pietermaritzburg.

Guaranteed Buyback.

Model

keeping the best of the old and adding the best of the new.

6

WitnessWheels MOTORING

January 14, 2016

A rag top like a rabid poodle The ‘Wheels’ team piled into the Opel Adam Rocks cabriolet, and only one member had a moan ALWYN VILJOEN OKAY, let’s get the moan out of the way, since it affects all small cars and short women.

As is the case with most mod­ ern cars, the Adam is not built with short drivers in mind.

By the time these drivers can reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel, their seat is moved so far forward and the steering wheel set so low that they bump their knees on the steering wheel console when they change gears.

Solution? Get an automatic.

Or a Renault Clio. Vertically chal­ lenged drivers assure us this French model is the one that gets the proportions right for petite drivers.

That said, our short tester Rie­ tha Viviers added none of the cars that fits her build is quite as much fun to drive in the city and to the farm where she works as the Ad­ am Rocks.

For the rest of us, the Opel Ad­ am range is loads of fun, both to drive and to park.

Thanks to the increased road clearance, the seat is comfortably high to get out of, and the doors open wide enough to make in­ gress and egress a smooth move even for our pensioner tester.

It is fun to own too, as Daniel Malan, owner of Mankind Studi­ os in Cape Town assures us.

Malan, who spent his youth building buggies and race cars, also owned a Fiat 500 Abarth edi­ tion and is well placed to com­ pare the super­mini from Opel.

“Inside, the Opel is light years ahead of the Fiat, which was retro looking and fun to drive, but without the feeling of solidity you get in the Adam. But bear in mind, the Adam is a much more modern car, so we are not really comparing apples here,” he ad­ vised.

Get it while discounts last Last month, more than 90 peo­ ple bought an Adam, helping General Motors South Africa to finish 2015 on a strong note, with the best sales results of the year for Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu.

The Adam will, however, have

We recommend a neck brace until you learn where the clutch releases, for while the little ragtop Adam Rocks is cute enough to pet, it goes like a rabid poodle and will bite your ankles off with a happy tail wag to boot.

PHOTO: OPEL to work hard to make the future as rosy. Brian Olson, GMSA vice president for vehicle sales, ser­ vice and marketing, said the 2015 vehicle sales numbers, although down, were still artificially inflat­ ed by unsustainable levels of in­ centive support.

“We anticipate an even more challenging year in 2016, with a further slowdown in the econo­ my — the recent increases in in­ terest rates and the weak rand, which will put further pricing pressure in the market.”

The key words for anyone in­ terested in the Adam is “unsus­ tainable levels of incentive sup­ port”. It’s dealer­speak for dis­ counts and fantastic trade­in prices, but only for a short while, so get yours while GM is still in­ centivising.

The pensioner view Our pensioner tester Brian Bas­ sett can vouch for the fact that you will not only turn heads in an Adam — you will pull talent

like a train. As Bassett explains: “Not many people these days will take the time and trouble to come across to you in a shopping cen­ tre car park and ask about the ve­ hicle you are driving. Last week three males in car parks from Hayfields to Hilton approached me to ask about Opel’s trendy new coupe, the Adam Rocks.

“The colour range is distinc­ tive. My car was mustard with a black top, which sported a swing­ top canvas roof. This turns the vehicle into a semi­cabriolet at the touch of a button.

“The front end has a smile on its face and the rear is practical but good looking.

“Opel has raised the ride height by 15 mm, hinting at the possibility that this might be a crossover, but, of course, it is not.

“You could drive over a rough­ ish road occasionally but you would have to careful not to dam­ age the glamorous 18­inch alloys with their low­profile tyres.

“This exotic footwear gives

the Adam a firm feel on tarred roads and quite a hard ride on rough surfaces.

“The car is, however really ag­ ile and corners well with quick feedback from the steering, which is direct and responsive.

“The Adam is a town car and is easy to park and drive. The in­ terior is small but equipped with a classy, stylish cockpit, which has every gadget you can think of. From the up­market Infinity sound system, to other standard goodies like cruise control, mul­ ti­function steering wheel, cli­ mate control, automatic head­ lights and wipers, blind spot alert and semi­automated park assist.

“The Opel, one­litre,three­ cylinder, turbo petrol engine de­ velops 85 kW and 170 Nm of tor­ ques, which adds to the enjoy­ ment of this little car,” said Bassett.

Bassett points out only 150 of these cars will be available to rock your world in South Africa and because there is a price­demand

for equation going, his wife, who would like one, is going to have stick to her Jazz for a while.

The hipster view Our tallest tester, Amil Umraw, points out the Adam Rocks is not a car for cruising with the mates, but one is “for the Beliebers and the Swiftys”.

“The charming Adam Rocks seems to be most at home in the world of hashtags and hipsters, oozing a colourful confidence from every trim of its body,” said Umraw.

“There is nothing subtle about the little crossover as it screams for attention, flaunting through the urban jungle with pizzazz.

“Fitting in well with our pho­ to­editing and filter­using youth, almost the entire catalogue of wheel clips, logo bars, side mirror covers, rear­view mirror covers and decals is literally yours to chop and change.

“Feature­packed on the inside, the Rocks also looks like it spent

some time in the gym with its heightened suspension, sweep­ ing curves and brawny 18­inch rims.

“But it’s not all about the looks. The Adam is a high­pow­ ered agile go­kart with a surpris­ ingly vivacious one­litre turbo­ charged engine that reminds me of a rabid poodle.

“You can pet it because it seems so innocent, but try to rough it up and it will bite your ankles off. And that’s not only on the straights.

“Opel have worked their mag­ ic on the Rocks’ chassis, allowing the driver full freedom to open up its snarling 170 Nm, 85 kW Ecotec engine around the bends.

“The six­speed gearbox also works hard to deliver seamless shifts, but only after you’ve learnt where the clutch releases.

“A neck brace is recommended until then,” said Umraw.

He likes the “SwingTop” can­ vas roof that folds back “for when you need a tan and can’t find a spot on the beach”, but warned the Adam has less leg room at the back than you’ll get when sitting behind a 150 kg bloke in an econ­ omy class flight.

Corsa vs Adam The Rocks has all the same fea­ tures as the range­topping Adam in terms of entertainment, driv­ er­aid and all the other bells and whistles. And yes, it also parks it­ self.

Opel claims a combined fuel consumption of 5 l/100 km, but I’m not too sure I agree with that.

The lowest we got was 6 l/100 km, and that was when a guy on a MTB overtook us.

On the bright side, the Adam Rocks comes with Opel’s five­ year/120 000 km warranty and three­year/60 000 km service plan. On the not­so­bright side is the price. Starting from R273 400, you need to be sure you need the pull the Adam will give you.

Otherwise may we suggest the range­topping Opel Corsa would be more in line with practicality and overall bang for buck.

(• Disclaimer: Test vehicle sup­ plied by Opel.)

GM and Google plan lift clubs for people who don’t like driving cars SAN FRANCISCO — General Motors and Lyft have announced a long­term strategic alliance to create an integrated network of on­demand autonomous vehi­ cles in the U.S. GM will invest $500 million (R8,3 billion) in Lyft to help the company continue the rapid growth of its successful rideshar­ ing service. In addition, GM will

hold a seat on the company’s board of directors.

“We see the future of personal mobility as connected, seamless and autonomous,” said GM pres­ ident Dan Ammann. “With GM and Lyft working together, we be­ lieve we can successfully imple­ ment this vision more rapidly.”

John Zimmer, president and co­founder of Lyft, said: “Work­

ing with GM, Lyft will continue to unlock new transportation ex­ periences that bring positive change to our daily lives.

“Together we will build a bet­ ter future by redefining tradition­ al car ownership.”

South Africa is far from ready for Lyft, as the key elements of the GM and Lyft alliance include an autonomous, on­demand net­

work, a rental hub, connectivity and joint mobility offerings.

GM’s development is, howev­ er one of several in a slew of trends that will change car own­ ership for people who do not have licences yet and may never need to get one. Why bother, when you can share a ride for a small fee with the petrolhead who actually likes driving?

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

Google is banking on this trend as part of their vision to re­ duce the number of people killed by cars every day. Addressing the Society of Automotive Engineers at their annual conference in the U.S. last year, American futurist Ray Kurzweil said the aim with the Google self­driving car was not to replace drivers, but to make available cars for rideshar­

ing. In what must have come as music to the ears of the car build­ ings in the room, Kurzweil said there will always be people who want to buy their own cars and who will want to drive these cars.

It is at the other people, those who currently describe their car by its colour, that Google is aim­ ing its little bubble car.

— Wheels Reporter

V RAY KURZWEIL American futurist and author

‘There will always be people who want to buy their own cars and who will want to drive these cars.’

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WitnessWheels MOTORING

January 14, 2016

Dakar 2016 As the world’s longest enduro heads to an end on Sunday, we look at the race to date

Peugeot driver France’s Sebastien Loeb and co­driver Monaco’s Daniel Elena, change a tyre during the sixth stage of Dakar Rally 2016 in Uyuni, Bolivia.

PHOTO: AP/JEROME PREVOST

Sergei Karyakin of Russia rides his Yamaha quad as Bolivian women cheer during the seventh stage in the Dakar Rally 2016 in Tupiza, Bolivia.

PHOTO: REUTERS/MARCOS BRINDICCI

Guo Meiling of China, the first Asian woman in the race, jumped her Mini too fast into the road and slewed into the fans at the start of the 38th Dakar Rally in Arrecifes, Argentina. Ten people were injured, three of whom were airlifted to hospital.

PHOTO:REUTERS Husqvarna rider Ruben Faria of Portugal receives medical attention as KTM rider Gerard Farres Guell (right) of Spain approaches him after a fall in the Dakar Rally 2016.

PHOTO: REUTERS/ FRANK FIFE

SA quad rider for Team Rhide, Brian Baragwnath, ploughs through a river on his way to winning Strage 2 of the Dakar.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Russia’s Andrey Karginov scatters the more daring fans as he races his Kamaz through Bolivia.

PHOTO: REUTERS/DAVID MERCADO

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