Wheels 19 may 2016

Catch  on us live

ASH CAR SALES

May 19, 2016

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

WitnessÂ

WHEELS

104 FM  L A T I P CA ays Saturd  9­10 am

ADVERTISING:Â AVIRÂ THULSIRAMÂ ONÂ 084Â 278Â 3447Â

2012 ToyoTa 86 2.0 57000 kms,6 speed manual, Xenons, 17 inch wheels, Cd system, Sport button, Electric folding side mirrors, A.con, P/str, Bal of warranty and service plan.

R229 995

anCe Bank fin Contact ASH on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

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

‌ NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

This clever little car from Russia has what it takes to protect its occupants like a rally car. — Page 7 England test auto­pilot pods designed for safety, if not for the eye. — page 4

Find out why the Captiva is very good value for money in the SUV market. — page 4

Local dealership stills sells VW best in all of South Africa — page 2

Big crowd marks 2016 Cars in the Park. — page 8  Pre-owned

a— ꓯ Ĺą [Ă—ĂŒĂšĂĽÂŒÂ Â?½Ģ r ß  — “Ģ

Visit Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg today for ¯ÆÂ?ĂšÂ—Â“ÂŻÂŒÂżÂ— ĂŒÂ¤Â—ĂšĂž ĂŒĂ†  Ú Æ§— ĂŒÂĄ ꓯ Â“Â—Ă…ĂŒ Ă…ĂŒÂ“Â—ÂżĂžÄ˘ Only while stocks last, terms and conditions apply.

Ref

Year

11382

2016

Vehicle Description Audi RS3 Sportback S tronic

Colour

Mileage

Special Price

Red

5 000

R 779 995

White

69 000

R 259 995

Red

3 000

R 549 995

rÂŻĂĽÂŹ ü— ƗÜ ꓯ Ĺą [Ă—ĂŒĂšĂĽÂŒÂ Â?½Ä&#x; ü— “—Þ¯§Æ Þח ½Þ  êƯÙê— ¿ ÆIJ guage, the dynamism is impressive on every trip, and the interior Â?ĂŒĂ…ÂŒÂŻĂ†Â—Ăž  —Þü—ü¯Â?Ăž ܯü ¯Æüê¯ü¯þ— ¥êÆÂ?ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ†Â ÂżÂŻĂĽĂźÄ˘ Ýחگ—ÆÂ?— ĂŒĂŞĂš lead in vehicles that are way ahead.

11388

2012

Audi A3 1.8T FSI quattro S tronic

11395

2015

Audi S3 Cabriolet S tronic

11398

2015

Audi A3 1.6 TDI S tronic

Grey

16 500

R 309 995

11399

2015

Audi A4 1.8T S 88kW

Silver

9 000

R 299 995

Choose one to suit your needs

11400

2016

Audi A4 1.4T FSI S tronic

Red

9 000

R 519 995

11407

2015

Audi A3 1.4T FSI SE S tronic

Blue

30 100

R 339 995

11408

2011

Audi A4 1.8T Ambition multitronic

Grey

42 000

R 209 995

11410

2015

Audi A4 2.0T FSI Design S tronic

White

6 500

R 499 995

11415

2014

Audi A3 1.8T FSI SE S tronic

Silver

30 200

R 349 995

11424

2015

Audi A4 2.0 TDI SE multitronic

Silver

32 000

R 349 995

Model

Vehicle Price

Monthly Instalments

No. of Instalments

Interest Rate Linked/ Variable

Deposit

GFV

Total Cost Incl. Fees and Vat

Audi A3 1.2T FSI S Manual

R 363 500

R 4 939

48

10,75%

12% (R43 620)

55.60% (R202 106)

R 439 178

Audi A3 1.4T FSI S Manual

R 373 000

R 4 973

48

10,75%

12% (R44 760)

57.10% (R212 983)

R 451 687

Audi A3 1.4T FSI S S tronic

R 390 000

R 4 993

48

10,75%

14% (R54 600)

57.10% (R222 690)

R 462 354

11427

2009

Audi RS6 quattro tiptronic

Silver

173 000

R 299 995

10,75%

10% (R41 000)

57.10% (R234 110)

R 506 078

11428

2013

Audi A3 1.8T FSI SE 3DR

Black

76 000

R 209 995

11429

2015

Audi A3 1.4T FSI SE S tronic

Grey

35 000

R 339 995

11430

2015

Audi A3 Sportback 1.8T FSI

Silver

33 000

R 339 995

11431

2015

Audi A4 1.8T S 88kW

White

25 000

R 299 995

11434

2012

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic

Beige

75 000

R 299 995

11435

2012

Audi A4 1.8T SE multitronic

Silver

76 500

R 219 995

11443

2011

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 130kW

White

85 000

R 219 995

Audi A3 1.6 TDI S S tronic

R 410 000

R 5 666

48

Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.75%. Rate is dependent on customer credit scoring. Interest rate ÂŻĂž êޗ“ ÂĄĂŒĂš ¯¿¿êÞüÚ ü¯þ— Ă—ĂŞĂšĂ—ĂŒĂžÂ—Ăž ĂŒĂ†ÂżĂźÄ˘ .ÆÞü ¿Å—Æü Â? ¿Â?ê¿ ü—“ ĂŒĂ† Þü Æ“ Ú“ ÞחÂ?¯¢Â?Â ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ†Ä&#x; —ÝÂ?¿ê“—Þ ĂŒĂ—ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ†Â Âż —ÝüÚ Þ ÂŒĂŞĂĽ ¯ÆÂ?¿ê“—Þ ÂŻĂ†ÂŻĂĽÂŻÂ ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ†  Æ“ Ă…ĂŒĂ†ĂĽÂŹÂżĂź Â Â“Ă…ÂŻĂ†ÂŻĂžĂĽĂšÂ ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ† ¥—— ĂŒÂĄ WųžĢ Ĺ„Ĺ„aĂŒĂĽÂ Âż ڗü ¯¿ ×Ú¯Â?—  Þ Â ÂŒĂŒĂľÂ—  ü  &ê Ú Æü——“ %êüêڗ q ¿ê— ĂŒĂ† ŜŎ ŎŎŎ½ÅÞ ×Ģ Ģ [ĂŞÂŒÂşÂ—Â?ĂĽ ĂĽĂŒ ÂŒÂ Ă†Â˝ Â Ă—Ă—ĂšĂŒĂľÂ ÂżÄ˘ .Ă†ÂĄĂŒĂšĂ…Â ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ† ĂžĂŞÂŒÂşÂ—Â?ĂĽ ĂĽĂŒ Â? Æ§— ĂśÂŻĂĽÂŹĂŒĂŞĂĽ Ă—ĂšÂŻĂŒĂš Ă†ĂŒĂĽÂŻÂ˘Â?Â ĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ†Ä˘ ¿¿ %¯Æ ÆÂ?— ĂŒÂ¤Â—ĂšĂž  Ú— ĂžĂŞÂŒÂşÂ—Â?ĂĽ ĂĽĂŒ Â?ڗ“¯ü Â Ă—Ă—ĂšĂŒĂľÂ Âż ÂĄĂšĂŒĂ… qĂŒÂżÂ˝ĂžĂśÂ Â§Â—Ă† %¯Æ ÆÂ?ÂŻÂ Âż [—Úþ¯Â?—ÞĢ I¤—ÚÞ ĂŒĂ†ÂżĂź Â ĂľÂ ÂŻÂżÂ ÂŒÂżÂ— ĂĽÂŹĂšĂŒĂŞÂ§ÂŹ qĂŒÂżÂ˝ĂžĂśÂ Â§Â—Ă† %¯Æ ÆÂ?ÂŻÂ Âż [—Úþ¯Â?—Þ [ĂŒĂŞĂĽÂŹ ¥Ú¯Â? TĂšĂŒĂ—ĂšÂŻÂ—ĂĽÂ ĂšĂź =¯Å¯ü—“ üÚ “¯Æ§  Þ qĂŒÂżÂ˝ĂžĂśÂ Â§Â—Ă† %¯Æ ÆÂ?ÂŻÂ Âż [—Úþ¯Â?—ÞÄ&#x;  Æ ĂŞĂĽÂŹĂŒĂšÂŻĂžÂ—Â“ %¯Æ ÆÂ?ÂŻÂ Âż [—Úþ¯Â?—Þ  Æ“ ڗ“¯ü TĂšĂŒĂľÂŻÂ“Â—ĂšÄ˘ D W TŴŴŹųĢ a—ÚÅÞ  Æ“ ĂŒĂ†Â“ÂŻĂĽÂŻĂŒĂ†Ăž  ×׿ßĢ ¿¿ ü— Â ÂŒĂŒĂľÂ— ÂŻĂž ĂžĂŞÂŒÂşÂ—Â?ĂĽ ĂĽĂŒ ×Ú¯Â?— ¯ÆÂ?ڗ Þ—  Æ“ þ ¿¯“ ܏¯¿— ĂžĂĽĂŒÂ?½Þ ¿ ÞüĢ

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

BP Advertising

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

2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

May 19, 2016

City’s Barons tops it again Fantastic achievement for VW dealership in KZN capital as staff keeps dealer of the year title BARONS Pietermaritzburg is the 2015 Volkswagen Dealer of the Year. This was the second consec­ utive year that Barons Pieterma­ ritzburg was recognised as the best­performing dealership in the Volkswagen network.

Speaking at the annual Volks­ wagen dealer awards gala dinner hosted in Johannesburg recently, the chairperson and managing di­ rector of the Volkswagen Group South Africa, Thomas Schaefer, said: “The sustained success of Volkswagen in the passenger car market in South Africa comes from the dedication and diligent work of our dealership network which I am convinced is the best in the country.

“After a rocky and challenging start in 2015, each one of you put your shoulders against the wheel to ensure that we finished the year on a high, to become the passenger

car market leader for the fifth con­ secutive year.”

Schaefer added: “The declining sales in the first quarter have given us an indication that 2016 will be another tough year for the local car market. This will be exacerbat­ ed by the weakening currency and uncertain sociopolitical outlook.

We, however, remain positive that the strength of our brand and your ingenuity will carry us through the year.”

Each year, the 106 Volkswagen dealerships are set targets across various disciplines of the business.

The targets include sales vol­ umes and customer service deliv­ ery. The Dealer of the Year award is presented to a dealership that excels in all major disciplines of the business.

Kevin Pillay, dealer principal at Barons Volkswagen Pietermaritz­ burg until October 2015 before

From left: Thomas Schaefer (chair and MD of VW Group SA), Kevin Pillay (former DP of Barons Volkswagen Pietermaritzburg), Stefan Mecha (director of sales and marketing at VW SA) and Keith Abrahams (DP at Barons in Pietermaritzburg). Schaefer is ready to continue the tradition of delighting customers. PHOTO: QUICKPIC. moving to Barons Volkswagen maritzburg is honoured and proud “This is a fantastic achievement Culemborg in Cape Town, said to win the Dealer of the Year award for our team and a massive recog­ the Armitage Road team in Pieter­ for the second consecutive year. nition to the work of our employ­

ees.”

While in the KZN capital, the young­looking Pillay often sur­ prised clients by driving the cour­ tesy vehicle to drop them off while their VWs were being services.

Pillay’s successor, Keith Abra­ hams, shows the same commit­ ment in getting to know the cli­ ents, as Wheels first met him shut­ tling people up the hill to the Dunrobin evening market.

He said the togetherness and drive of the team at Barons to de­ light customers have been the reci­ pe of their success in the past year.

“We will strive to continue with this attitude to ensure that we re­ main one of the best dealerships in the Volkswagen network.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehi­ cles Dealer of the Year award was presented to Hatfield Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the sec­ ond straight year. — Supplied.

Get a third quote on older cars WITH consumers choosing to keep their cars longer, Les McMaster, chair of the Motor Industry Workshop Associa­ tion (MIWA), has one piece of advice for owners of cars without warranties or service plans — get a second or even third opinion from an inde­ pendent workshop.

McMaster said that second opinion will often show the initial diagnosis was incor­ rect, or if it was correct, that the repair quote is exorbitant.

He recalls how, recently, a car owner was quoted R85 000 at a dealership to re­ pair a turbo and was left feel­ ing he had no alternative but to trade the car in at a fraction of its worth.

“A friend then recom­ mended he take the car to an independent workshop in­ stead.

“Not only was the turbo re­ paired but they also replaced the brakes and carried out a full service — all for R28 000.

“It is also not an isolated case as we receive numerous requests from motorists monthly with similar com­ plaints,” McMaster said.

His adds that in seeking a second opinion, it’s impor­ tant to select a workshop that has the latest technology, methods, equipment and training.

“Most good independent workshops regularly upgrade their facilities and equipment and upskill their technicians.”

— WR.

A premium SUV for all sizes Three models of the new GLS ensures that Mercedes­Benz’s SUV portfolio now ranges from the compact GLA and the new best­selling GLC to the successful GLE family, the GLE Coupé and the G­Class. The GLS is available with a class­leading 6­year/100 000 km PremiumDrive maintenance plan, with prices starting at R1 283 900 for the GLS 350 d 4Matic and going up to R2 469 900 for the AMG GLS 63 4MATIC. PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Shoebox on wheels the latest top training aid BEN COXWORTH If you’re a serious competitive runner, then training on your own isn’t always enough — you need someone else to race against. That said, a fast enough runner might not always be avail­ able. What do you do then? Well, if you’re one of a lucky few, you may soon be able to use your Pu­ ma BeatBot robot.

The device was created by Pu­ ma’s advertising agency, J. Walter Thompson New York, with some

help from a NASA robotics engi­ neer and a group of MIT stu­ dents.

It’s equipped with nine down­ ward­facing infrared sensors that can track straight or curved lines on the ground. With some help from an Arduino microcon­ troller and a nine­axis acceler­ ometer, it can zip along a run­ ning track while following one of the existing lane­marking lines, making 100 steering ad­ justments a second to stay on target.

Usain Bolt with the weirdest application of wheels this month.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 033 355 1152 or 084 278 3447 Avir@witness.co.za

Puma hasn’t stated a maximum speed, but it can match Usain Bolt’s 100­meter dash world record of 44,7 km/h.

Users start enter the distance that they plan to run on an app, as well as the time they’d like to beat. They then place the Beat­ Bot on the starting line alongside them­ selves, wait for it to beep three times, and then start running. It will move along on its own line, counting its wheel revolutions to determine its speed and distance trav­ elled. If the user ends up beating it, they’ve achieved their goal. A limited number of BeatBot will only go to select sponsored runners. — Gizmag.

VW’S BLACK SUPPLIERS DAY A WIN VOLKSWAGEN Group said first Black­Owned Suppliers’ Day hailed an unqualified success.

From 430 applicants only 45 companies were ap­ proved to be exhibitors of VWSA’s first ever black­ owned suppliers’ day.

Successful organisations had to have a minimum of 51% black ownership (in­ cludes coloured, Indian and Chinese as per BBBEE guidelines) and/or a mini­ mum of 30% black female ownership. Another key re­ quirement considered by VWSA was companies that are owned or managed by disabled persons or war vet­ erans.

Chief executives of Toyo­ ta, Ford and Mercedes in South Africa also visited the exhibition to familiarise themselves with the poten­ tial future suppliers exhibit­ ing on the day. — WR.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

May 19, 2016

3

Adventurous retirement Kelvin and Caral Barichievy of Kaycee’s Sunshine Tours BRIAN BASSETT WHEN they retire most people be­ come part of their children’s daily schedule, fetching and carrying grandchildren, while travelling over­ seas to visit children working there and touring, if they can afford it.

For Kelvin Barichevy, a senior manager at the local municipality with a PhD in public administration and his wife Caral, an infection con­ trol manager at a local hospital, re­ tirement meant an opportunity to build a tourist business.

Initially they offered tours to his­ torical sites and places of natural beauty in KZN, while doing airport and harbour transfers to Durban, starting during the World Cup in 2010, for which they took leave.

Subsequently Kelvin and Caral re­ tired on the same day and com­ menced Kaycee’s Sunshine Tours SA. At a time when most retired people have become very conservative about money and are concerned about protecting their capital, the Barichievys planned the purchase of an appropriate vehicle for their oper­ ation.

The vehicle needed to be reasona­ bly inexpensive to run, be able to transport 10 to 15 people in comfort and safety, as well as be reliable and durable.

Finally they decided on a Mer­ cedes Benz Sprinter 315 2,2 litre tur­ bo diesel, High Roof Tourer, which is probably the most luxurious peo­ ple mover available, at a cost of around R750 000.

The Tourer’s 4­cylinder turbo die­ sel engine puts out 120 kW and 380 Nm, allowing them to transport tourists both in and outside the prov­ ince. They also limited accommoda­ tion in the bus to 10 seats, with two seats upfront for themselves, as Kel­ vin and Caral crew and host each tour.

The Barichievys realised that com­ fort for their passengers would bring repeat business and the interior of the Sprinter has high comfort levels and is spacious, allowing Caral to serve food on longer trips while Kel­ vin drives.

The vehicle also has an excellent sound system which allows them to play music and communicate with passengers.

The Sprinter is now six years old but looks new. It has done only 48 000 kilometres as the couple have purchased a second vehicle to provide transfers to Durban since their business has grown.

These days, the couple do one tour a month with the Sprinter, but the tours have grown longer. From day trips to the battlefields and Clarens, Kaycee’s now travel to the likes of the Knysna Oyster Festival, and provide a 10­day tour to Namaqualand, amongst other interesting excur­ sions.

The Sprinter has performed bril­ liantly and is clearly the right tool for the job.

They have no plans to replace it and it continues to deliver the kind of service of which the Barichievys can be proud.

A Sprinter panelvan is much more than a means to an end for one retired couple in KwaZulu­Natal’s capital.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

LAND ROVER APPROVED. LOOK HOW FAR WE GO.

Advanced offroad drives THE Isuzu Off­Road Academy now operates with the new and enhanced Isuzu KB range for all of its Off­Road Driving Courses and Corporate Team Building Experiences.

Launched at the end of last year, cus­ tomers now benefit from a robust range which includes a 4x4 Automat­ ic and a new 2.5­litre DTEQ turbo­ diesel engine.

Founded six years ago, the Isuzu Off­Road Academy has trained over 5000 people on the basic techniques of 4x4 driving for road and off­road driving. Now with a new advanced off­road course customers can expect to learn advanced driving techniques for all terrain, vehicle re­ covery, vehicle maintenance and most importantly the protection of the environment around you whilst off­road driving.

Corporates can now spend a day out with the Isuzu Off­Road

Academy as part of an excellent team building initiative where they can enjoy tailor made off­road training programmes whilst enjoying the outdoors and learning the art of Off­ Road driving.

With years of experience under their belts, instructors at the Isuzu Off­Road Academy include Grant McCleery ­ a multiple South African Motorsport Champion, and Marius van Vuuren. Both qualified to facilitate 4x4 courses with qualified training in the specific techniques required for safe and effective 4x4 driving.

The Isuzu Off­Road Academy is based at Gerotek Testing Facility close to Pretoria but is geared to pro­ vide training at virtually any location nationally where training is needed.

For more information contact them on 011 431 2000 or e­mail info@drivingdynamics.co.za

Chev’s new 10­speed box DETROIT — Engineers for the new 10­speed automatic transmission available in the 2017 Chevrolet Ca­ maro ZL1 built on the experience of previous, critically acclaimed Hy­ dra­Matic multispeed transmissions to push its performance, refine­ ment and efficiency advantages to a new threshold.

The 10­speed is an all­new de­ sign with a wider, 7,39 overall gear ratio spread, that enables the ZL1’s supercharged engine to remain at optimal engine speeds during up­ shifts.

New ultra­low viscosity transmis­ sion fluid also reduces friction, while an internal thermal bypass

allows the transmission to warm up faster – attributes that en­ hance fuel efficiency The wider overall ratio enables a lower numerical top gear ratio — an attribute that reduces engine speed on the highway, which con­ tributes to greater fuel efficiency than a comparable eight­speed transmission. Improvements in spin loss complement the optimised gearing, further enhancing efficien­ cy. And while the Camaro ZL1 will be the first GM vehicle to offer the new 10­speed automatic designed for rear­wheel­drive applications, it will be available in eight additional vehicles by 2018. — WR.

It starts with rigorously checking a vehicle’s full mileage and service history. Before any Approved vehicle can be given our two-year warranty*, it has to undergo a punishing series of checks. Its service history and mileage are validated. It’s subject to a 165-point inspection covering everything from Hill Descent Control to the rear seat Touch-screens. It’s given a road test by fully trained Land Rover Technicians. Finally, to ensure it truly holds its value, an independent assessor regularly authenticates all our processes, service and Retailers.

Only when a vehicle gets this far, is it Land Rover Approved.

LAND ROVER PIETERMARITZBURG 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg Tel. 033 897 8700 A/H: Grant 072 241 6281 landroverpmb@smg.co.za pietermaritzburg.landrover.co.za *Two-year warranty or 60 000 kilometres, whichever occurs first.

4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

May 19, 2016

A strong sport ute bargain The Captiva offers 400 Nm, enough room for the kitchen sink (we checked) and 5­star safety AS with bakkie drivers in South Africa, there seems to be two main camps of SUV drivers — those in a Fortuner, and those in another brand of sport ute.

But the Toyota plant at Prospecton is struggling to meet international demand for the new Fortuner, causing very long wait­ ing lists at all local Toyota dealers, and this opens the door for the seven­seat Chevrolet Captiva to get a look in.

And the Captiva’s doors literal­ ly do unlock themselves, thanks to keyless entry, which also means the start button is all you need to press to get going.

Keyless entry is a rarity in this price range, and once you get used to the luxury of not having to dig keys out of pant pockets or cluttered handbags, you’ll wonder how you managed to do without it.

Sensible front­wheel drive Much as Nissan did with the Mu­ rano, Chevrolet took a tactical decision not to market the new face­lifted Captiva as a vehicle able to conquer the Malutis in winter, but as a safe and luxurious lifestyle vehicle for families with young children and — thanks to seven seats — their children’s friends as well.

This decision means there are only three Captiva models on sale these days, all front wheel drive and all packed with the same standard array of safety technolo­ gy, such as hill descent control and an electronic stability control

litre diesel with 135 kW and 400 Nm at 2000 rpm.

Without really trying, we got a fuel consumption of eight li­ tres/100 km only in city driving, which is close to the official com­ bined total of 7,6 litres/100 km.

Paired to the smooth six­speed automatic box, this diesel burner really has a lot to recommend it, making as it does the same torque as the Land Rover Discovery and SsangYong Actyon, or only 70 Nm less than Ford’s popular 3,2­litre diesel.

Wheels editor Alwyn Viljoen balances on two wheels to show how the new Chevrolet Captiva can surmount suburban axle benders, despite having only front­wheel drive. PHOTO: MERLIN system, active headrests and rear park assist.

Solid construction also earned for the Captiva the maximum five­star rating in the Euro NCap crash tests, making this Chevro­ let “a massive bargain compared to other large front­wheel drive SUV offerings”, to quote our learned colleagues at Leisure Wheels.

If you need to transport, say a toilet and the kitchen sink instead

of kids — as I did — the boot of­ fers 769 litres of space with the second row in place and a massive 1 577 litres with the second and third rows laid flat.

Despite being aimed at noth­ ing rougher than the sports fields at school, the front­wheel drive proved very able over all the rough dirt roads we took the Cap­ tiva on and with skillful use of gravity, even conquered the worst axle benders Pietermaritzburg’s

steep pavements could offer. En route, the new­generation Chev­ rolet MyLink is simply outstand­ ing. Managed by the new seven­ inch HD colour touch­screen dis­ play, the MyLink system goes beyond merely pairing a smart­ phone with Bluetooth, but inte­ grates it so that you can access your favourite apps and other fea­ tures on the touch screen.

Depending on your data pack­ age, you can stream music online

or play the music from your phone via Bluetooth, using the buttons on the console or steer­ ing wheel. For those with an old er phone, there is a USB port.

Diesel power The Captiva’s two proven en­ gines remain the same, with buy­ ers having to choose between a 2,4­litre naturally aspirated four­ cylinder petrol (123 kW/ 230 Nm) or a turbocharged 2,2­

The competition Thanks to its seven seats and re­ spectable power, the Captiva can compete against the bigger Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner, but for bargain hunters, its only real rival is Mahindra’s equally formi­ dable seven­seater XUV500, which retails for less at R272 995.

This Indian SUV also has a longer service plan than Chev’s three­ year/60 000 km as well as a longer warranty than the five­ year/120 000 km on the Captiva.

But we always recommend that you buy from a dealer closest to home, and Chev boasts 181 dealers compared to Mahindra’s 64, giving the Captiva the edge.

The sales staff at Key Pieterma­ ritzburg are ready to talk turkey on the best trade­ins possible.

Just say we sent you.

Chevrolet Captiva pricing 2,4 LT FWD M/T R396 600 2,4 LT FWD A/T R415 500 2,2 D LT FWD A/T R431 300

Bots and pods that may yet change transport TWO transport experiments on opposite ends of the globe may yet change the way trucks are loaded and taxis are hailed in fu­ ture.

In Korea, the Hyundai Motor Group has released photos of an exoskeleton which the company says on its blog was inspired by Iron Man. The suit, which is still in its pre­production form, can reportedly lift objects weighing over 60 kg with no stress to your legs, arms or back.

The latest exoskeleton follows the H­LEX, a miniature exoskele­ ton focused on keeping frail, eld­ erly and disabled people as mo­ bile as possible that Hyundai re­ leased last year. The H­LEX weighs 12 kg and is powered by a battery in a small backpack.

In Greenwich, London, mem­ bers of the public can now regis­

Step right in: The driverless pods being tested on auto­pilot in Greenwich, London PHOTO: SUPPLIED. ter to take part in the UK’s first public trials of driverless vehi­ cles.

The trials form part of the

Greenwich Automated Trans­ port Environment project — an £8 million research project to in­ vestigate the use, perception and

acceptance of autonomous vehi­ cles in the UK. Members of the public can now register for their chance to rate the driverless rides.

Professor Nick Reed, director at TRL and technical lead of the project, said the move to auto­ mated vehicles is probably the most significant change in trans­ port since the transition from horse­drawn carriages to motor­ ised vehicles.

“Testing these vehicles in a liv­ ing environment, like the UK Smart Mobility Living Lab, takes the concept from fiction to reali­ ty. It gives the public a chance to experience what it’s like to ride in an automated vehicle and to make their own mind up as to how much they like it, trust it and could accept it as a service in the city.” — WR.

Thousands apply to qualify for new GT40 COLOGNE — After more than 10 800 people showed interest online in buying a new Ford GT, Ford received 6 506 fully completed applications from people around the world in the one­month window to ap­ ply to purchase the new Eco­ Boost­powered, carbon­fibre supercar during its first appli­ cation window.

The number of applicants spiked in the last six days during which 32% of the total fully completed applications were completed before the window closed.

“We’re excited by the amount of enthusiasm fans are showing for the new Ford

Over 6000 people hope to qualify for the GT40 supercar.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC GT,” says Dave Pericak, direct­ or, Global Ford Performance.

“This initial application window is just one of many ways fans and potential owners will have

to connect with our all­new supercar even before it hits the streets.”

Ford is now reviewing appli­ cations from those 6 506 po­

tential supercar buyers and will start notifying potential owners in the next 90 days.

Hundreds of registrants sub­ mitted videos with their appli­ cations during the month­long application window, hoping to bolster their chances of pur­ chasing one of the first 500 new Ford GTs. Creative applicants featured children, lighting effects, racing footage, revving engines and life stories to show why they should own the all­new Ford GT. The all­new production su­ percar is expected to start ar­ riving in customers’ garages by the end of 2016. — Supplied.

A mint­condition 1974 VW Beetle, discovered with only 90 km on the clock, is expected to fetch well over R600 000 at auction. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Rare barn­find Beetle A 42­YEAR­OLD Volkswagen Beetle, that has covered just 90 km, has been discovered in time warp condition and will be sold at Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Race Aarhus Auction in Denmark at month end.

Unique is a word often used in­ correctly, but in the case of this 1974 Beetle, it is not inaccurate.

With just one owner from new and only 90 kilometres on the clock, this little car must be one of the lowest­mileage examples in existence still in its original condition.

Supplied new by G. Terragni Volkswagen, Genoa, Italy, on January 23, 1974, its first and only proud owner was an elderly man by the name of Armando Sgroi.

He had never owned a motor car before and did not particularly want this one. However, he was a deeply religious man and walk­ ed every Sunday from his house in the hills to his local church.

This was only a short distance, but it had become a struggle as he became more and more frail with age.

The car was used less and less

as his church­going became more infrequent, up until the last outing in 1978, when the car was retired to a barn where it has re­ mained for almost four decades.

This little Beetle has recently been rediscovered, has been lightly recommissioned and will now be offered at auction. For sale for only the second time in its life, it will head to auction with an estimated value of €35 000 (about R620 590).

Nick Whale, managing direct­ or of Silverstone Auctions, com­ mented: “The VW Beetle is one of the most successful and loved cars worldwide, and we’re no strangers to them at Silverstone Auctions, but this one is a very special example and something we rarely see. With such an in­ credibly low mileage, it is in virtu­ ally new condition, 42 years after it was first bought.”

The barn­find Beetle still has its original oil in the engine and is shod with its first set of tyres.

The original books and invoice, along with its unwrapped tool kit, are also supplied with the car.

— Newspress.

Volkswagen enthusiasts needn’t look further than Barons PMB

By Pieter from Maritzburg

Now you know why Volkswagen enthusiasts needn’t look further than Barons PMB. 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.

If you are looking for the most affordable and accessible Volkswagen dealer between Durban and the Drakensberg then look no further than The Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers at Barons PMB. Volkswagen’s commitment to efficiency and economy is BlueMotion Technology. And this philosophy was carried out in the design and construction of the entire Barons PMB dealership.

Barons Pietermaritzburg would like to introduce Nick Vettlesen, their New Vehicle Sales Executive. Nick is a Maritzburg lad, born and raised, with five years of motor industry experience with BMW and Hyundai, and Barons is delighted to have him on the team!

Each staff member at barons PMB, from cleaning staff to dealers and on to management, is trained in-line with the quality and reliability that Volkswagen enthusiasts have come to know and trust.

Conveniently situated between Durban and the Drakensberg, The Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers at Barons PMB are ready and waiting to tailor a deal that suits your budget and needs.

New 5-door up! now with free insurance.

Polo TSI from prime less 3%

FREE INSURANCE: On Polo Trendline & Comfortline

Purchase a New 5-door Volkswagen Cross up! or a Colour up! from R181,400* incl. VAT and receive 1 year comprehensive insurance.

Polo TSI hatch from R2,780* p.m.

-

Multi-Point-Injection (MPI) 5-speed manual Electronic stability control (ESP) Electronic immobiliser Central locking system with remote key Air-conditioning

-

Power steering Front, side and curtain airbags (front) 16” Cross alloy wheels Height adjustable driver seat Leather covered steering wheel

The Volkswagen Colour up! standard features include: -

Electronic stability control (ESP) Central locking system with remote key Air-conditioning Power steering Front, side and curtain airbags (front)

-

Electric windows, front 17” Polygon alloy wheels Electrically adjustable & heated side mirrors Special edition Colour up! stickers on sides

Offer exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg.

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

Model

Vehicle Price

Polo TSI 66kW Trendline

R217,100

R2,780*

72

7.87%*

Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline R243,300

R2,999*

72

7.86%*

Polo TSI 70kW BlueMotion

R253,200

R3,167*

72

7.42%*

Polo TSI 81kW Highline

R265,000

R3,314*

72

7.44%*

Polo TSI 81kW Highline DSG R281,000

R3,513*

72

7.46%*

Deposit

Balloon Payment

10% (R21,710) 12.5% (R30,413) 10% (R25,320) 10% (R26,500) 10% (R28,100)

30% (R65,130) 30% (R72,990) 30% (R75,960) 30% (R79,500) 30% (R84,300)

R265,305 R288,884 R303,951 R318,078 R337,233

Offer exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Comprehensive insurance available to the first five customers purchasing a Polo Trendline or Comfortline.

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

An optional cost of R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Offers calculated on the Volkswagen Cross up! and the Volkswagen Colour up models in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Price excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration, but includes bank initiation fee. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. The advertised offer is only available as a finance deal through 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. This deal is only valid for 1 year.

Insurance Policy through Optimum Insurance Brokers. Insurance does not cover third party financing. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 31 May 2016 or while stocks last.

An optional cost of R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Offers calculated on the Polo TSI hatch models in standard specification. Excludes vehicles with sunroof.

Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration, but includes bank initiation fee. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. The advertised offer is only available as a finance deal through 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. This deal is only valid for 1 year. Insurance Policy through Optimum Insurance Brokers. Insurance does not cover third party financing. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 31 May 2016 or while stocks last.

e&oe

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

e&oe

The Volkswagen Cross up! standard features include:

Exclusive deal.

Silver White Beige Red White

R149 900 R144 900 R144 900 R159 900 R134 900

74 000 29 500 30 000 15 000 60 000

km km km km km

Silver White Grey Blue White

R169 900 R225 000 R209 900 R199 900 R239 900

43 000 36 000 18 000 45 000 6 000

km km km km km

White White Beige Silver

R299 000 R529 000 R264 900 R434 900

59 000 3 500 13 000 100

km km km km

Silver White White Blue White Grey Black

R229 900 R529 900 R409 900 R299 900 R339 900 R369 900 R509 900

75 000 72 000 20 000 32 000 3 500 3 000 6 500

km km km km km km km

White Blue Red

R189 900 R148 900 R149 900

65 000 km 90 000 km 19 000 km

- Xenon lights - Panoramic sunroof - 90 000km Motor plan

Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Limited to 5 units.

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

Pietermaritzburg

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

An optional cost of R1100 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.5%. Offers calculated on the Golf GTI models in standard specification.

Includes manual, DSG and DSG Performance Pack. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. 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. The advertised offer is only available as a finance deal through Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and conditions apply.

All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 31 May 2016 or while stocks last.

New Sales Consultants

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

Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

BP Advertising

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

*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.

Barons

Purchase a Golf GTI in the month of May and we will include:

e&oe

Polo Vivo 2014 Polo Vivo Maxx 1.6 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 Sedan 1.6 Polo 2014 Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2016 Cross Polo 1.2 TSI Highline Golf 2009 Golf GTI TSI DSG 2015 Golf 7 R TSI DSG 2015 Golf SV TSI Trendline 2016 Golf 7 GTI DSG Other VW 2012 Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion 2013 Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI 2015 VW Kombi TDI 2015 Touran TDI DSG 7 Seater 2016 Tiguan TSI 90kW 2016 Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG 2016 Amarok Double Cab 4Motion 132kW Auto Other 2011 Hyundai IX35 2.0 Premium 2012 Toyota Corolla 1.6 Professional 2015 Toyota Etios Cross

6

WitnessWheels MOTORING

May 19, 2016

Fever follows our Matis New ‘through­the­road’ system aims to turn small cars into hybrid, like we did ALWYN VILJOEN IT is, in theory, quite simple to turn any car into an electric hy­ brid with four or two­wheel drive.

Former Maritzburg mechanic Jens Denks and I proved in Sep­ tember 2014, when we created just such a hybrid car to race with at Hakskeenpan. We are still very proud with the results of our late­ night labours with the angle grinder.

The rough calculations on the back of an oil­stained envelope show ours to be the world’s fast­ est, strongest (and so far only) hybrid 4x4 Daewoo Matiz. It even has a big red knob marked “electric” to engage the other­ wise rattling motorbike chain be­ tween the fork­lift motor and sprocket welded to the rear diff.

Now, we are not sure if it was our effort alone that inspired four major companies to do what we

Wheels editor Alwyn Viljoen in the world’s fastest (and so far only) hybrid 4x4 Daewoo Matiz, built in Pietermaritzburg and now buzzing about in Namibia.

PHOTO: ARMAND VAN ASWEGEN did, but we can sell them a lot good advice*. And they certainly can afford to pay.

Various UK government agen­ cies have granted some R73,6

million in total to four companies to research a “through­the­road” hybrid system, in which the inter­ nal­combustion engine drives the front wheels and the electric

motor powers the rear wheels.

The four companies with a fin­ ger in this R73­million pie are Controlled Power Technologies (CPT), Ricardo, Provector and Tata.

CPT will develop the electric motor and control system, Ricar­ do is a global engineering, strate­ gic and environmental consult­ ancy with a vision to maximise efficiency and eliminate waste, and Provector is a small company in Cambridge that specialises in power­electronics, control and battery systems for hybrid and electric vehicles. Tata will pro­ vide two small cars.

There is a good chance that the fine engineers employed by this foursome won’t need, or heed, our advice and that their hybrid may as consequence be a bit fast­ er than our Atos.

We still blame the lack of space on the back of that envelope for not allowing us to factor in just

how much slower the weight of four big truck batteries, a fork­lift motor and a Corolla steel axle would make our little car.

As things stands, the bar for the next “through­the­road” hy­ brid system is not set very high.

The unofficial word record for a hybrid 4x4 Matis (noted on the down slope of Victoria Road in Pietermaritzburg) was about 32 km/h.

We simply called our project the 4x4ing Matiz (and as the deadline for the race got closer and closer, the forking Matiz).

The well­funded foursome calls their axle­in­a­little car project “Fever” — for Forty­ Eight Volt Electrified Rear­axle.

We like to think the companies are in this way paying oblique homage to our Witness Wheels effort, for Fever is also the group title for our community papers. * Mainly, don’t do what we did.

• alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za

Audi board to shorten the walk from parkade to office SPEAKING during Audi’s annu­ al meeting in the automaker’s home of Ingolstadt, Germany, CEO Rupert Stadler outlined a plan to introduce at least one electric car per year, starting from 2018.

The 2018 date is significant as it is the year Audi launches its long­awaited electric SUV based on last year’s E­tron Quattro concept. The new SUV, likely to be called a Q6 E­tron, will be pro­ duced in Belgium and promises a range of over 480 km.

At the recent Beijing Auto Show, Audi presented the Audi connected­mobility concept, a concept car based on the Audi Q3, the brand’s urban­compact SUV. Tailored to markets with growing urbanisation such as China, the concept was devel­ oped at Audi Research and Devel­ opment in Beijing and focuses on young, progressive drivers.

An electrically powered multi­ functional longboard, measuring 1,05 metres in length, is integrat­ ed into the rear bumper of the car for storage and removal.

To ensure permanent usabili­ ty, the device is charged automat­ ically while loaded in the car. The board’s premium design includes superior materials such as car­ bon fibre and aluminum.

The car’s infotainment system is linked to the smartphone cal­ endar of the user. Based on the destination and planned arrival time, the system will calculate the

To make the blocks between the office and the car park shorter, Audi proposed an electric skateboard that charges in a drawer built into the rear bumper of the Q3.

PHOTO: AUDI

fastest mobility mix based on re­ al­time traffic data.

If the longboard option is fast­ er, the system will recommend a parking space nearby so that the driver may continue to the desti­ nation with the electric board.

The navigation information synchronises with the Audi MMI connect App on the user’s smart­

phone that continues to guide the route. The multi­functional longboard has a battery range of more than 12 kilometres and reaches a speed of 30 km/h.

The board can be utilised in three riding modes: • in scooter mode with the han­ dlebar upright, the phone is con­ veniently clipped to the unfolded

handlebar to display directions.

The speed is adjusted via remote control attached to the right han­ dlebar grip. A backpack can clip onto the handlebar; • in sport mode, with the handle­ bar folded down, the rider con­ trols the speed via remote con­ trol in his hand; and • in follow mode, the board car­

ries luggage or shopping bags, connecting wirelessly to a smart­ phone or smartwatch to follow its owner automatically.

The concept is based on the Audi Q3, which is produced in China, where over 70 000 units were sold in 2015, making the Q3 the leader in the premium com­ pact SUV segment. — WR.

Cape cafe the first to offer charging points ALWYN VILJOEN DARIO’S Cafe in Hout Bay, Cape Town, will become South Afri­ ca’s first venue to offer gratis charging points for electric cars and scooters.

Councillor Brett Herron, may­ oral committee member for transport for the City of Cape Town, will officially launch the new electric vehicle charge points on Sunday. The points will be able to charge the latest clean electric vehicles from Nissan and

BMW as well as electric scooters from Ewizz.

Ewizz proprietor and electric vehicle proponent Andy le May told Wheels that his entire range of Ewizz electric scooters and motorcycles can top­up at Dar­ io’s Café, increasing the usability of their electric vehicles by ex­ tending the range.

“Our aim is to create a public network available to all electric vehicles. So ours are max 16A with a normal three­pin plug socket and thus are a tiny fraction

of the cost to install. This is just what you need around town.”

Le May said his entry level Spark 3 scooter sells for R19 000 and costs about six cents per km to run. “With 10 000 km, or yearly, service intervals, the Spark 3 electric scooter is ridicu­ lously inexpensive and can be re­ charge while you work. Like Tesla cars, the software controlling all 2016 model year scooters can al­ so be regularly upgraded.”

Le May told Wheels the next step is to rent out scooters in

Cape Town as the cheapest way for young people to commute.

Several cities in the world are renting scooters, but the best case study is set by Scoot, a rental company in San Francisco that maintains a fleet of over 400 scooters, which are parked and recharged in garages all over the city. “We are developing special­ ist monitoring and tracking elec­ tronics specifically for electric scooters and will next look for a partner or partners to join us,” said Le May.

The most affordable electric ride in SA is the Spark 3 scooter from Ewizz in Cape Town.

PHOTO: EWIZZ

GM’s future is green GENERAL Motors last week launched its new sustainabili­ ty report, which outlines the strategic technology invest­ ments the group is making to reshape the future of personal mobility.

Key words in the report are connectivity, car­sharing, al­ ternative propulsion and au­ tonomous vehicles, all based on a drive towards a future with safer, cleaner and more efficient mobility options for customers.

“We see tremendous po­ tential in these technologies and the long­term benefits for our customers and communi­ ties around the world,” said GM chairperson and CEO Mary Barra.

While China’s BYD and America’s Tesla currently lead in electric buses and cars, Barra added the GM team are looking to take the lead to transform personal mobility.

The interactive report out­ lines strategic technology in­ vestments that are helping GM strengthen its core busi­ ness and reshape the future of personal mobility. Here are some highlights.

The road to autonomous GM is using its 20 years of OnStar connectivity expert­ ise to enable advanced safety technologies and car­sharing.

GM is paving the way for au­ tonomous vehicles and vehi­ cle­to­infrastructure technol­ ogy. These efforts will help re­ duce congestion, crashes and pollution. The company is working with stakeholders to create the largest V­to­I ena­ bled corridor in the U.S. It will also bring SuperCruise, the industry’s first semi­autono­ mous driver­assist technolo­ gy, to market next year on the Cadillac CT6.

Urban mobility Earlier this year, the company launched its Maven car­shar­ ing brand and invested $500 million in an alliance with rideshare provider Lyft.

Chevrolet is also building the all­electric Bolt EV, which will offer a more than GM­esti­ mated 320 km per charge.

Focus on fuel efficiency GM is addressing climate change, in part, by continuing to provide fuel­efficient mod­ els across each vehicle seg­ ment given that 77% of the company’s carbon footprint comes from driving. GM’s electrified vehicles on the road increased nine percent to 196 861 vehicles.

Carbon reduction Last year, Barra and 12 other automotive CEOs commit­ ted to the vision of decarbo­ nising automotive transport and 435 dealers have joined the company’s Green Dealer programme.

Renewable energy The company is also pursuing ways to use more renewable energy. Two wind deals in Mexico and Texas will add 64 megawatts to its 106 mega­ watt portfolio, enabling GM to achieve its renewable ener­ gy target four years early.

Manufacturing GM is on track to meet all of its 2020 global manufactur­ ing commitments. — WR.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

May 19, 2016

7

Clever Russian roll cage One door, four seats, a low price and able to roll down a mountain rally style ALWYN VILJOEN RUSSIAN designer Malyshev Al­ exander describes his Mirrow Provocator as a short, but not a small car.

“Its height and width could be comparable with a large SUV. In­ side, the Mirrow Provocator feels like a mini­van, but the driv­ er’s position behind the wheel and the front passenger’s posi­ tion are close to the Mercedes E­class,” he states on the compa­ ny website.

The Provocator is another milestone to the future we pre­ dict for car design; namely, that our few descendants who will still want to own their own cars in future, will demand some­ thing unique.

Such bespoke design can best be delivered by shaping the de­ sired vehicle around a roll cage, as race car builders have been do­ ing for decades.

Alexander states the Provoca­ tor uses a rally­style roll cage to keep passengers safe from all an­ gles.

The problem with roll cages is the heavy side bars go where the doors are, which is why race car drivers emulate pole dancers when they get in and out of their cars.

Alexander solved this prob­ lem by having only one door for his Provocator, at the rear, with a narrow central giving access to the seats.

Emergency hatches along the

The Mirrow Provocator concept from Russia stands taller than most people, but is as short as a Smart, with one rear door giving access to the seats along a narrow central aisle.

PHOTO: MIRROWCARS.COM side of the Provocator allow es­ cape if the single rear door is damaged or blocked.

The engine is mounted in line with the wide central aisle, which makes it less likely to crush the front passenger’s legs in a serious

impact. The fuel tank for the ver­ sions with the classic engine and batteries for hybrid or electric versions are located on each side of the aisle, under the floor, which is the most safe location and provides excellent stability

on the road for the car.

With air bags proven to be as likely to kill and maim as they are to prevent injury, Alexander only offers three­point inertia seat belts as standard, but the air bags can be ordered as an option.

Alexander predicts a retail price of up to €4 500 for the ba­ sic Provocator, which is about R78 392 — or the price of a de­ cent mountain bike, with no date yet for construction to start.

• alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za

Cerato hose recall JOHANNESBURG — Kia Mo­ tors South Africa announced a safety recall of 180 Kia Cerato vehicles built in 2011.

The purpose of the recall is to replace two Automatic Transmission Cooling Hoses.

These hoses carry hot transmission fluid from the transmission to the trans­ mission cooler, and cooled transmission fluid back to the transmission.

There is a possibility that the transmission cooling hoses may have been im­ properly cured during the manufacturing process and that, over time, it may leak transmission fluid.

In such instances, the malfunction indicator lamp will illuminate and some ve­ hicles may display abnormal shifting. Depending on the amount of transmission flu­ id lost, reduced vehicle mo­ bility may occur. The recall only affects models with automatic transmissions.

The affected vehicles were all assembled in Korea between August 27, 2010, and November 11, 2010, and only 180 units from this production run were shipped to South Africa.

Owners of affected vehi­ cles involved will be tele­ phonically notified by the Kia Motors South Africa’s Call Centre.

More information at 010 596 2000. — WR.

8

WitnessWheels MOTORING

May 19, 2016

Big crowd at Cars in the Park Organisers ponder a two­day function as SA’s oldest show just keeps growing in popularity Norman Mehlo’s wire cars proved a hit at Cars in the Park last Sunday.

Seen here with a Cadillac wire model, he also made a Ford T model and a Mercedes­Benz SL cabriolet, with all the doors and roofs opening and closing. He said he sold three different units at R200 each and received orders for several more unique vehicles.

PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN

The only barn find at Cars in the Park was this 1958 Plymouth V8 with a door in the boot. Its finder, Roy Choromanski, told Wheels that 1958 was when the fins on American cars were at their tallest; they started bending outwards in the sixties. Choromanski also turned heads with his braai, which is an old Ford V8 block. ‘It is the only thing the block is good for!’ he joked.

Leah Hardy (left) and Danielle Paine from Girls’ High School, photograph the gorgeous lines of Brett Peattie’s Jaguar XK120 Roadster, one of over 1 200 rare vehicles on display at the show last Sunday. .

Ever since the start of Africa’s oldest motoring show in 1976, old canvas and new metal hoods have been sharing space at Cars in the Park, held for the second time at the Equestrian Training Centre at Ashburton this year.

Oliver Broome custom­repairs old VW Combis at East Coast Classics in Munster. He uses this 1600 air­cooled VW when he goes fishing at Munster. To cope with the sandy roads, he raised the suspension by about 20 mm, put on 15­ inch 4x4 Yokahama tyres and added a platform for a rooftop tent. Such Combis fetch a high price overseas, but Broome said he prefers to sell local, ‘because we live in the finest place in the world and these Combis are best to explore it in’.

This Land Cruiser hot­rod attracted a lot of attention at Cars in the Park, with 20­somethings from Durban, Nikita, Riksha Bilal, Kelisha and Kerusha, agreeing with Tinus (12) from a farm near Elandskop, that this is one weird but wonderful looking car. Andre Allers of Allers Rods and Customs, told Wheels he drove the hot­rod from Joburg and almost everything, from the diff at the back to the solid axle in front and the flat roof on top, are custom made,

While the silverheads peered under the bonnets of very thirsty old V8s at Cars in the Park, Kieran Hunt (12) from Pietermaritzburg, used his long board to get about. He told Wheels he hopes to soon build his own off­road long­ board, using an electric mo­ tor powered by a lithium­ion battery pack to drive one set of wheels.

CV Joint speCialists

The Vintage Sports Car Club, whose members organise the Cars in the Park show, this year had pupils conduct an opinion survey. Here, the club’s chair, Junior Fouché (left), listens as Nobuhle Mtheku and Pindhile Nkosi, both at Carter High School, relate people’s views on the show. Fouché said the club is now considering making SA’s oldest car show a two­day event.

for CV joints, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings.

341 GReYlinG stReet Pmb. 033 342 9174/75