Wheels 2015 11 05

November 5, 2015

New

Passat , shorter r smarte PAGE 4

Witness

WHEELS

ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

WE STOCK: Passenger and Performance 550 Church Street, Pietermaritzuburg Vehicles, Supercars and Commercial Vehicles.

Tel: 033 345 1971/033 342 4714 We’ll sell it to you at the best price. We’ll buy it Fax: 033 342 2900 from you, no amount too big.

Email: ashgani@telkomsa.net www.ashcarsales.co.za

… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

The automatic Clio is the one for those who want to stand out in the crowd, without any tremble in the left knee.

PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN

Automatic exclusivity guaranteed

Renault CLIO

Which vehicle is best for both the school run and a first varsity car?

Now available in AUTOMATIC

IT used to be that my peers asked me which wedding I was going to go to.

Soon after it was baby show­ ers. Fast­forward 15 years and the question became which auto­ matic car to buy that won’t make them look old before their time.

The asker is as often male as is female, divorced or still cud­ dling up to the spouse, and those babies now have to be carted about between showers.

When I asked why the new car has to be automatic, they answer they are tired of having to change gears on the dreaded, slow­mov­ ing school run.

At the other end of the scale, select VW dealers are offering SA’s best­selling (if rather bland) Polo with six automatic gears at a current special of R179 300.

Priced in the middle of these two extremes is the Fiesta, which has been turning heads with snappy design and features like voice command for the Sync software inside.

The rest of the industry are agog at Ford’s ability to hold pri­ ces in check despite a weakening rand. The top spec Fiesta Trend Powershift, for example, retails for a very reasonable R215 900, including a four­year or 60 000 km service plan.

TWO FEET FOR TWO PEDALS So which wheels will save the trembling joints without caus­ ing the bank manager to have the tremors?

First off, it has to be a hatch, this being the one vehicle shape that offers the lowest fuel con­ sumption with the most versa­ tility for family use, up to provid­ ing the offspring with a first car for varsity.

When it comes to hatches with automatic transmission, the South Africans’ default choice was a Honda Jazz.

An excellent all­rounder, the Jazz enjoys a deserved reputation for reliability, but these days, this reputation comes at a price — R232 700 for the bare­bones Comfort and R277 400 for the better specced Dynamic.

JUST EXTEND A FINGER Compared to this, the new Clio Dynamique looks dear at R234 900 with a three­year, 45 000 km service plan — until you add the aspiring student’s demand for a dash of exclusivity.

VW last month moved 3 170 Polos and Ford sold 1 005 Fies­ tas, but only 575 people took ownership of a Clio.

Then there are the ergonom­ ics. I have in my time owned both Renault and Ford models, and while they were both effec­ tive, I found the little touches are executed just a little better in the French car, like the toggle­con­ trol for the radio that is mounted behind the steering wheel.

To turn up the volume or change a track, there is no need to release your thumb’s grip on

the wheel to press a button on the front of the steering wheel.

Just extend the index finger to turn up the sound, which is ex­ cellent across the range, thanks to a Bass Reflex system.

A seven­inch touch screen connects a phone and stream au­ dio via Bluetooth. Hill Start As­ sist is standard, there is an ECO mode to save fuel in city traffic, and when the city gets too big, there is Satnav with 2D or 3D display to find your way.

Renault’s little three­cylinder turbo has not won Engine of the Year like that in the Fiesta and is not as feisty as the Ford’s, but it’s 66 kW and 135 Nm gives it adequate performance. Around town, 121 of these Newtons are available from 1 650 revs, mean­ ing the autobox can just cruise at fuel­sipping revolutions.

Equipped with Stop and Start, this results in Clio reporting ex­ cellent fuel consumption.

TRADE­IN IS WHERE IT’S AT To give a final answer to my peers then, it is a really a tough call opting for an auto between the Fiesta and Clio.

My final answer is to check what the dealers will give on trade­in. In the battle for a sale, the staff at McCarthy Renault Pietermaritzburg assured me they give the best assessment possible on your old jalopy. And with Clios currently recording just over half the sales of the Fiestas, the French car of course comes with exclusivity built­in.

All passion. Fewer pedals.

Standard on-board navigation 88kW F1-inspired turbo engine Automatic Gearbox (EDC) Not only does the NEW Renault Clio EDC have a more powerful engine but it now also comes with a dynamic automatic gearbox which makes driving through traffic a jam. Test drive the Clio EDC now to reignite your love for the city life.

Renault Clio 88kW turbo EDC Expression 5dr at R234 900. Retail price is in accordance with 22 October 2015 price list. Price excludes “on the road” costs. Terms and Conditions apply. Features and model-specific and may vary.

McCarthy Renault • 9 Armitage Road Tel: 033 940 1433

5

WARRANTY

ALWYN VILJOEN

STEP LIVELY NOW! Vice­chancellor of the University of KwaZulu­Natal (UKZN) Professor Albert van Jaarsveld steers a human powered pedal bus, which was developed by final­year mechanical engineering students at the UKZN Howard College Campus in Durban. The students demonstrated the bus during the annual mechanical engineering open day held at the college campus. Each saddle adjusts to accommodate shorter or taller students. The pedal bus can easily be converted to ride on the many unused railways in South Africa, which opens the door to public transport that is both cheap and healthy.

PHOTO: RAJESH JANTILAL

YEAR 150 000 km

www.renault.co.za

Darryl Smith 033 940 1435 • Gerard Chetty 033 940 1437 • Andries (Sbu) Hadebe 033 940 1434 • Hector Mkhwanazi 033 940 1436 • Yagan Padayachee 084 555 7456

WitnessWheels MOTORING INDUSTRY

2

November 5, 2015

Too many dud tyres in Dbn Bridgestone Tyre Check finds unacceptably high levels of underinflation and worn tread BRIDGESTONE’S long­run­ ning Tyre Check project has re­ leased data from its recent survey held in Durban. The event was the fifth of its kind to be under­ taken in KwaZulu­Natal since 2007. Bridgestone’s team of tyre specialists set up shop in the car park of the Ballito Lifestyle Cen­ tre, and surveyed 1 000 tyres on 250 vehicles.

“Unfortunately, the results were not encouraging,” said Bridgestone general manager of

marketing, Tony Burns. “The survey showed that tyre condi­ tion and maintenance are at their lowest levels in Durban since we started the Tyre Check surveys eight years ago.”

Tyres surveyed by the Bridge­ stone team are recorded as “fine” if they are within an inflation pressure band of 180 kPa to 290 kPa. Tyres with higher inflation pressure are recorded as over­in­ flated except where they are in ac­ cordance with the vehicle’s man­

ufacturer specification. Four per­ cent of tyres in the Durban survey were over­inflated. Tyres which are below 180 kPa are classified as under­inflated, and divided in­ to three categories depending on how low their pressures are. In Durban, nine percent of tyres were found to be “low”, two per­ cent “very low” and three per­ cent “dangerously low”.

“This is the highest percent­ age of tyres we have yet seen in the ‘dangerously low’ category at

a Tyre Check event,” Burns com­ mented. “Usually it is less than one percent. The previous high of 2,4% was also recorded in Durban, in 2014.”

The Bridgestone Tyre Check team also checks for tyres which are worn beyond legal limits or have damage that makes them unsafe. Usually, fewer than eight percent of tyres are identified as needing replacement. In the Dur­ ban survey though, fully 18% of tyres were either unsafe or due

for replacement, the highest per­ centage seen in a Tyre Check sur­ vey since 2008.

“The picture painted by the Durban survey raises two con­ cerns,” Burns commented.

“Firstly there is widespread ne­ glect of tyre maintenance, with nearly one in five motorists not checking tyre pressures regularly enough,” he explained. “Second­ ly, there is a substantial number of vehicles driving on damaged or worn tyres, increasing the risk

of blowouts or loss of control in wet weather,” he added.

He reminded motorists to check tyre pressures at least every two weeks using an accurate tyre gauge and to inspect each tyre while doing inflation checks.

“Regular tyre checks can help drivers improve tyre life and fuel economy,” he explained. “Also drivers will be able to detect tyre damage or wear problems before they affect driving safety,” he concluded. — Supplied.

THE WHEELS GO ROUND AND ROUND AT SHONGWENI

Just a little longer, dad! Richard Galvin rolls his eyes with baby Renny on arm as his son, seven­year­old Brody, learns how to lower the floor of the bus.

Proving even the Uber generation loves a classic, Deveshen­Bobby said he would love to drive a veteran car like this 1959 Rover 90. He was one of the many people at the Shongweni Truck, Car, Bike and Outdoor Expo last weekend, and was surprised to learn how low the sale price was on the Natal Rover Owner Association website (www.nroa.co.za).

PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN

Model Kathryn King, who worked hard to hand out fliers extolling the strengths of FAW trucks, seen here with another bargain for people who have to shift payloads.

Sipho Magwaza, an offical at the Africa Gospel Church, is praying for the day when he can drive in Scania luxury to meetings.

Fuel leak sees a recall of bikes KTM is recalling its EXC, SX and Freeride bikes of different model years for a check at authorised KTM dealers.

KTM discovered during rou­ tine testing that deviations in the manufacturing process of the supplier of the aluminium fuel pump nut can result in unsuffi­ cient sealing and cause uncon­ trolled fuel leakage on 250, 350, 450 SX­F/XC­F/EXC­F and EXC Six Days bikes of model year 2016.

Deviations in the manufactur­ ing process of the molded fuel hoses of the motorcycles 250,

350, 450 SX­F MY2016 as well as 250 and 450 SX­F Factory Edi­ tion MY2015, can cause prob­ lems, including fuel leakage at the bends or at the ends.

Market monitoring has shown that there can be problems with the tank breather in individual cases on Freeride 350 MY2012­ 2016 and Freeride 250 R MY2014­2016 models. Fuel may escape in extreme riding sit­ uations.

In extreme cases, the leaked fu­ el may cause damage or even a fire in the three cases referred to.

In a limited number of cases,

problems with the Freeride mod­ els have been reported. Beyond this, no more damage of this type is known in the market.

All owners of affected and al­ ready delivered vehicles will be informed in writing by KTM. More information, or the infor­ mation whether the respective motorcycle is affected by the re­ call, can be gathered at KTM dealers.

The above­mentioned reviews can only be implemented by an authorised and qualified KTM dealer. The needed checks are free of charge.

The Bowmans aim to manage the number one crane and aerial platform supplier by 2017 by manufacturing its own lifting platforms through Lift And Shift and keeping prices down. Seen here taking a sky­selfie on a 12­metre­high Challenger skylift are Bianca Homeier, John Henry Bowman and Kathryn Steynberg — the KZN representatives of Lift and Shift.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

KIA DONATES MOTOR FOR STUDY PURPOSES

KIA Motors Umlazi recently handed over a Kia Optima engine to Chief Ngonyama Technical School in Ozwathini, north of Durban. The KIA engine will assist pupils with the required practical training portion of mechanical technology in the school workshop. The Chief Ngonyama Technical School, which opened in 1998, is a no­fee comprehensive technical school that serves mostly indigent pupils from deep rural areas.

PHOTO: MOTORPRESS

MOTORING WitnessWheels

November 5, 2015

3

CHERY’S FEATURE­PACKED HATCH WITH SWAG SSANGYONG’S KORANDO GETS A LOT MEANER

Chery South Africa, which markets a number of attractive and affordable small to mid­ size cars and an SUV, has just launched a special edition model that is the answer for those — particularly in the younger set — who are looking for a stylish car that makes a statement about its owner as being independent, sporty and a person with an active lifestyle. The attractive new addition to the range is based on the trendy, J2 mid­size hatchback. It has been named the Swag and is a feature­packed hatch with real attitude that will stand out from the crowd. Importantly it is also affordable at a price of R154 900 including VAT.

SsangYong launched a new Korando, with only a petrol engine but a lot of spec, including 17­inch wheels and Bluetooth hands­free telephony. The 2,0­litre engine is credited with 110 kW of maximum power at 6 000 rpm, linked to a torque peak of 197 Nm at 4 000 rpm. The gearbox is a six­speed manual powering the front wheels. The retail price is R324 995, which includes a five­year or 150 000 km warranty, AA roadside support for the same period, and a five­year/100 000 km service plan.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Built for the young at heart BRIAN BASSETT leaves the herd behind by putting foot in the latest version of a motoring icon WHEN Sir Alec Issigonis sketched his initial idea for the Mini on the back of a tablecloth in 1956, his revolutionary com­ pact design was a perfect re­ sponse to a world in turmoil.

The car was a huge success. By the time John Cooper completed production in 2000 and the brand went to BMW, over 4,5 million had been produced.

It is described as the most bril­ liant motoring package in history and was voted the second most influential car in the 20th century after the Model T Ford. For allow­ ing us to spend a week with the Mini Cooper S Hatch we are grateful to Ian Grieg, sales man­ ager at SMG Rocks in Umhlanga.

STYLING The Mini Cooper S Hatch is still the basic box shape with wheels at the corners, but the original proportions have been reinter­ preted and are now irresistibly eye­catching, effortlessly con­ temporary and well built.

The sloping bonnet ends in a front grill with big air intakes and is flanked by LED headlight mod­ ules and fog lamps built into the front bumper.

The electric side mirrors are colour coded and, at the sides, deep creases break the scale of the metal and lead the eye to the rear tailgate, which is dominated by large tail light modules and cen­ trally­placed double exhaust out­ lets flanked by rear fog lamps, while a centrally placed Mini badge on a black background re­ inforces the car’s overall identity.

The design is finished off with chrome door handles and petrol cap and 18­inch chrome spoke sil­

Its over­the­top interior is what sets the Mini Cooper S (inset) apart from all the other hatches out there.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED ver alloys — no problem finding this car in a parking lot.

INTERIOR The Mini is easy to access and not as low as it appears. The interior is pure theatre. The speedometer and half­moon shaped rev coun­ ter are in front of the driver, flanked by a petrol gauge which consists of a series of stepped or­ ange lights. The centre of the dash is occupied by the Mini Cen­ tre Instrument with its 22,4 cm display screen, surrounded by an LED lighting panel which tells you which driving mode you are in.

The screen handles driving in­

formation and the radio/CD/ AUX/iPod, as well as the huge range of BMW connect services with supporting Apps and GPS, providing of course you have these extras on the car. A large knob and buttons between the passengers operates all the func­ tions.

The shift gate has a surround­ ing ring which allows you to change driving modes and sport mode alters the car’s character.

The controls are framed by a three­spoke, leather­covered multifunction, fully adjustable steering wheel which handles the multi­speaker Harman­Kardon radio, as well as speed control and

telephone functions, while the centrally­placed, leather­covered gear lever is tactile and enjoyable.

The rear seats will take two adults for short distances only.

The front seats themselves are fully adjusta­ ble sport seats covered in dura­ ble cloth, with a leather option. The boot offers 211 litres of space with rear seats in place and 731 litres with the rear seats folded in 60:40 fashion.

SAFETY AND SECURITY The Mini has a 4 star NCAP rat­

ing and offers the entire range of safety features you would expect fro m a BMW from ABS with EBD to child seat an­ chors, a whole range of driver assists and traf­ fic driving aids; and of course the usual seat belts. There is al­ so an onboard securi­ ty and alarm system and keyless entry.

PERFORMANCE The Mini Cooper S Hatch is essen­ tially a Go­Kart made to look re­ spectable with some fine design.

The four­cylinder, two­litre en­ gine delivers 141 kW and 300 Nm and in a car the size of a shoe, this makes for exciting driving.

The needle goes to 100 km/h in about 6,8 seconds while top speed is around 235 km/h. A six­ speed gearbox, a short, rigid chas­ sis supported by direct, respon­ sive steering, delivering immedi­ ate feedback makes superb handling at speed.

City driving is fun, leaving the herd behind at traffic lights and weaving in and out of traffic queues. Parking is no problem and for once I enjoyed reversing into a city centre bay.

Even with four adults on board and shopping in the boot the car is immediately willing and re­ sponsive. On the N3 passing long trucks is a pleasure, with the car accelerating from 80 km/h. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle after a heavy footed week was about 7,3 l/100 km.

The Cooper S is not just for the young, but for anyone whose heart leaps at the thought of go­ ing out each day to a car which delivers a funky and fun driving experience.

COSTS AND COMPETITION Nothing good is ever cheap and the Cooper S Hatch is no excep­ tion. Prices start at around R372 000 and there is a long and expensive options list.

The car comes with a five­year or 100 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, as well as a three­year or 75 000 km maintenance plan.

There is no direct competition, but have a look at the Fiat 500 Abarth, Alfa Romeo MITO and Audi A1 Sportback.

Detroit Electric’s SP:01 takes on Telsa, BMW i8 DETROIT Electric finally made good on its promise to give Tesla and the BMW i8 some serious competition in SP:01.

Billed as the lightest and fastest two­seat pure­electric sports car in the world, the first model last week rolled off the assembly at the UK plant

in Leamington Spa. Detroit Electric’s office in the Netherlands will now mar­ ket the R1,7 million sportscar to rich drivers looking for something different in Asia and Europe. The two­seater cabin is made from carbon fibre bolted onto an alumini­ um chassis from a Lotus Elise.

The 0­100 km/h run takes place in less than four seconds with a top speed of 249 km/h.

The car’s 210 kW electric mo­ tor has a single­speed auto­ matic transmission as stan­ dard, with the option of twin­ speed automatic or six­speed manual transmissions.

Power comes from what

Detroit claims to be the most energy­dense automotive bat­ tery pack in the world, offer­ ing over 140 Wh/kg, benefit­ ting range while keeping over­ all vehicle weight low. The battery is built into the chas­ sis as a stressed member, add­ ing stiffness to enhance han­ dling and safety. — WR.

Two of the world’s lightest and fastest two­ seat pure­ electric sports cars being tested in the UK. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

November 5, 2015

Mazda rotary is back Nissan’s futuristic Leaf front and rear.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The LF­FC flagship is a hybrid that shows where Lexus is aiming at.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The rotary is back, and with it, Mazda at its best, in the RX­Vision sports car concept.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Mazda shows next generation spinning engine at Tokyo ALWYN VILJOEN WHILE the Lexus LF­FC flagship con­ cept took centre stage at this week’s To­ kyo Motor Show and Nissan’s futuristic Leaf showed how forthcoming technolo­ gies will revolutionise the relationship between car and driver, it was Mazda’s old rotary engine in the RX­Vision that

had the petrolheads salivating.

Mazda said the rotary engine is a sym­ bol of the company’s “never stop chal­ lenging” spirit and the RX­Vision repre­ sents a vision of the future that Mazda hopes to one day make into reality; a front­engine, rear­wheel drive sports car with exquisite, Kodo design­based pro­ portions, all powered by the next­gener­

ation Skyactiv­R rotary engine.

Rotary engines feature a unique con­ struction, generating power through the rotational motion of a triangular rotor.

Overcoming numerous technical dif­ ficulties, Mazda succeeded in commer­ cialising the rotary engine, fitting it in the Mazda 110S in 1967.

As the only automaker to mass­pro­

duce the rotary engine, Mazda contin­ ued efforts to improve power output, fuel economy and durability, and in 1991 took overall victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans with a rotary engine­pow­ ered race car.

Over the years, the rotary engine has come to symbolise Mazda’s creativity and tireless endeavour in the face of dif­

ficult challenges. While mass produc­ tion is currently on hold, Mazda has never stopped research and develop­ ment efforts towards the rotary engine.

The next rotary engine has been named Skyactiv­R, expressing the com­ pany’s determination to defy convention with the latest technology, just as it did when developing Skayctiv technology.

European car of the year.

New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG from R4,999* per month.

The new Passat is 2 mm shorter but has more interior space and features the first head­up display as standard in a VW..

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Volkswagen’s new Passat is shorter, lighter and smarter

The New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG standard features include: -

City Emergency Braking Adaptive Cruise Control Digital instrument cluster with Active Info Display Model

Vehicle Price

New Passat TSI 110kW R398,800 Comfortline DSG

-

Park Distance Control Side and curtain airbags European Car of the Year 2015

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

R4,999*

36

6.68%*

Deposit

Guaranteed Future Value

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

10.78%

R242,072

R422,025

Barons Pietermaritzburg

9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100 • Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

BP Advertising

An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%. Note: Offers calculated on the New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG model in standard specification. Instalment includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Total Retail Price R398,800 at a Guaranteed Future Value of R24,2072 based on 20 000km per annum 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 15 November 2015.

e&oe

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

THE shorter, lighter Passat that made its debut last year in Paris has arrived in SA. It is the first VW with standard head­ up display and active info display.

From the driver’s perspective, the pro­ jected data appears to be located two metres in front of the Passat.

This reduces eye fatigue by reducing the number of times drivers have to re­ focus as they do not have to shift their gaze back and forth between the instru­ ments and the street nearly as often.

The head­up display is activated by a separate control next to the rotary light switch.

As with Audi, naviga­ tion informa­ tion on the in­ strument clus­ ter can be shown in either 2D or 3D views on a 12,3­inch display, and its 1,440 x 540 pixel resolution enables ex­ tremely precise, high­quality

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising

Contact Avir on 084 278 3447 or Avir@witness.co.za

graphics and interactive display of all de­ tails.

In Navigation mode, for instance, the speedometer and tachometer are relo­ cated to the sides to make more room for the map, and information on driving, navigation and assistance functions can be integrated into the graphic areas of the speedometer and tachometer as needed.

Data that is displayed on the centre console via the infotainment system, such as phone contact pages or CD cov­ ers, can also be shown in the Active Info Display in the Passat. The new genera­ tion of infotainment devices is character­ ised by better system performance, backed by eight speakers front and rear.

Four models are available, each cov­ ered by a three­year or 120 000 km manufacturer warranty and five­year or 100 000 km Automotion Maintenance Plan. All models have a 12 year anti­cor­ rosion warranty and service intervals are 15 000 km. — WR. Prices 1.4 TSI Comfortline 110kW Manual R378 800 1.4 TSI Comfortline 110kW DSG R398 800 1.8 TSI Highline 132kW DSG R444 200 2.0 TSI R­Line 162kW DSG R476 800

A New Adventure

By Pieter from Maritzburg I had an adventure this weekend. Some of my friends took me out bungee-jumping. I’ve never been great with heights, so at first I was very unhappy about hurling myself out into space. Once all the safety gear had been explained to me, though, it was fantastic. I needed to know I was safe so I could enjoy the thrill.

Buying a new car is always a big adventure; and like any good adventure it should be a mixture of thrills and security. That’s why I’m excited to tell you about the brand new Passat Comfortline, which is launching at Barons Pietermaritzburg.

The Passat Comfortline packs a whole lot of thrills and a whole lot of luxury into an affordable

package. Speed-sensitive power steering? Check. Automatic headlight activation? Check. Acoustic parking distance control? Check. Media system with 6.5” touch screen and 8 speakers? Check. Turbo Stratified Injection? Check. The list of features is as long as my bungee line.

With Barons Pietermaritzburg’s unbeatable financial packages and after-sales service, you know you’re in good hands. So take my advice: take the new Passat Comfortline out for a spin, and have yourself an adventure!

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.

Choose one to suit your needs.

European car of the year.

Purchase a Polo Vivo hatch from R2,125* per month.

New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG from R4,999* per month.

Interest Rate Linked / Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

Polo Vivo 1.4 Conceptline

R147,900

R2,125*

72

8.36%*

0%

36% (R53,244)

R206,208

Polo Vivo 1.4 Blueline

R154,400

R2,217*

72

8.38%*

0%

36% (R55,584)

R215,178

Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline

R163,900

R2,343*

72

8.41%*

0%

36% (R58,788)

R227,459

Polo Vivo 1.4 Eclipse

R172,300

R2,470*

72

8.43%*

0%

36% (R62,028)

R239,879

Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline

R177,500

R2,544*

72

8.45%*

0%

36% (R63,900)

R247,054

Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline Tiptronic

R179,300

R2,569*

72

8.45%*

0%

36% (R64,548)

R249,538

Polo Vivo GT 1.6

R184,900

R2,649*

72

8.47%*

0%

36% (R66,564)

R257,266

Polo Vivo 1.6 Maxx

R187,300

R2,683*

72

8.47%*

0%

36% (R67,428)

R260,578

The New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG standard features include: -

Model

• • • • •

Polo Vivo 2011 Polo Vivo 1.4 Blueline 5 Door 2011 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2013 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2014 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2014 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2014 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2015 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo 2012 Polo 1.6 Comfortline 5 Door 2012 Polo 1.6 TDI Comfortline 5 Door 2014 Polo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2014 Polo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2014 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Trendline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 Comfortline Golf 2011 Golf GTI 2.0 FSI DSG 2012 Golf GTI 2.0 FSI DSG 2013 Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG 2013 Golf 7 GTI 2.0 FSI DSG 2014 Golf 7 1.2 TSI Trendline 2014 Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline Jetta 2012 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2012 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2012 Jetta 1.2 TSI Trendline Up! 2015 Take UP! 1.0 55kW 2015 Take UP! 1.0 55kW 2015 Move UP! 1.0 55kW Other VW 2010 Scirocco 2.0 TSI 2011 Tiguan 1.4 TSI Trend 2011 Touran 2.0 TDI Comfortline 2011 Touareg 3.6 FSI V6 2013 T5 Kombi 2.0 TDI LWB 2015 Tiguan 1.4 TSI Trend 2015 Touareg GP 3.0 TDI V6 Other 2010 Audi A5 2.0 FSI Multitronic Sportback 2013 Hyundai Veloster 1.6 2013 Hyundai IX35 2.0 2015 Isuzu Double Cab KB300 D-Teq Auto

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

Barons

e&oe

91 000 63 000 44 000 71 000 26 000 20 000 8 000

km km km km km km km

Red White White Silver White Red

R165 900 R175 900 R154 900 R159 900 R169 900 R224 000

31 000 58 000 32 000 16 000 34 000 9 000

km km km km km km

Red White White Red Silver White

R239 900 R259 000 R219 900 R319 900 R208 900 R254 900

117 000 122 000 73 000 70 000 28 000 19 800

km km km km km km

White Silver White

R169 900 R179 900 R155 900

60 000 57 000 79 000

km km km

White Silver Blue

R119 900 R119 900 R125 000

6 000 4 500 5 000

km km km

-

White Silver Grey Brown White Silver Blue

R199 900 R189 900 R204 900 R349 000 R349 000 R314 900 R679 000

115 000 90 000 78 000 39 000 83 000 6 000 14 500

km km km km km km km

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Grey Silver Silver White

R199 900 R189 900 R245 900 R389 900

79 000 75 000 78 000 16 000

km km km km

Pietermaritzburg

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

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

R4,999*

36

6.68%*

Deposit

Guaranteed Future Value

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

10.78%

R242,072

R422,025

Escaping Civilisation just got more civilised.

R99 900 R104 900 R119 900 R107 900 R132 900 R129 900 R149 900

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Park Distance Control Side and curtain airbags European Car of the Year 2015

An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%. Note: Offers calculated on the New Passat TSI 110kW Comfortline DSG model in standard specification.

Instalment includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Total Retail Price R398,800 at a Guaranteed Future Value of R24,2072 based on 20 000km per annum 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 15 November 2015.

Silver Silver White Silver White Silver Silver

Mastercars Sales Consultants: Laurie - 082 783 8040 • Rajen - 072 228 9834 • Sanjay - 083 639 0989 Barry - 072 235 4244 • Phumlani - 073 744 8350 Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

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Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

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

*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.

Vehicle Price

New Passat TSI 110kW R398,800 Comfortline DSG

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%.

Note: Offers calculated on the Polo Vivo hatch range in standard specification. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes monthly administration fee of R57. 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 15 November 2015.

City Emergency Braking Adaptive Cruise Control Digital instrument cluster with Active Info Display

Purchase the Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI Luxury from R10,939* p.m.

The Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI Luxury standard features include: Climatronic air-conditioner Bi-Xenon with LED Daytime running and Dynamic cornering lighting Park Distance Control, front and rear Model

Vehicle Price

The Touareg 3.0 V6 R822,500 TDI Luxury

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Offroad Mode with Hill descent Start-Stop system with Brake-energy Recuperation

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

R10,939*

72

9.5%*

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

(R65,000)

35% (R287,875)

R1,075,490

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost of R4550 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%. Note: Offers calculated on the Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI Luxury model in standard specification.

Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes monthly administration fee of R57. 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 15 November 2015.

New Sales Consultants

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

Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

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WitnessWheels TRANSPORT MOTORING

6

Audi goes loco for lower carbons

November 5, 2015

BIG, BUT NOT THIRSTY

Three commercial vehicles used by Germany’s top car makers ALWYN VILJOEN IN July Merc announced its plans to build a bakkie, while BMW went one better and started test­ ing its first electric truck on short routes in Munich.

Now Audi has seen both BMW’s lil’ lorry and Merc’s ute, and raised the stakes with a mas­ sive hybrid locomotive.

Yep, you’d be forgiven for thinking the traditional German truimverate have gone loco, or at least mad for the heavy stuff.

Granted, Audi did not build its locomotive. But then, neither does Merc plan to build its bakkie from scratch — a Nissan NP300 will donate the chassis. And BMW got a German automotive service provider, the Scherm group, and the Dutch manufac­ turer Terberg to build that Beem­ er truck. (And could they really not make it look any better than the average luggage pullers we see at airports?)

Audi opted to contract the world’s leading train puller Al­ stom to match a locomotive to the needs of its factory. After all, Volkswagen already uses Alstom, so they must be good, right?

Ralf Materzok, managing di­ rector in charge of locomotive services at Alstom in Germany, said in a statement: “Alstom is pleased to count Audi amongst our H3 customers, after Deut­ sche Bahn and Volkswagen. The benefits of our newly developed shunting locomotive platform are multiple: the H3 is environ­ mentally friendly, compact and powerful in terms of tractive force on starting. On top of this, the innovative hybrid traction al­ lows us to reduce energy cost sig­ nificantly.”

In the same statement, Johann Schmid, operations manager for Audi’s industrial railroad at In­ golstadt, said the Alstom loco­ motives would save more than half the 20 litres of diesel trucks used per hour, as the generator

Audi’s plant at Ingolstadt will save lots of diesel each day with a hybrid locomotive.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

BMW is justifiably proud of the emission savings its electric truck has compared to diesel trucks. Pity no designers were involved in its exterior appearance.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

of the hybrid locomotive needs only nine litres per hour to charge the battery pack.

Living the dream of every model train set builder, Schmid

gets to play on 18 km of railway at the plant, managing the un­ loading of 15 goods trains as they arrive with pressed parts, engines and transmissions, as well com­

BEEMER TRUCK ALSO FRUGAL AT the BMW plant, Jürgen Maidl, head of logistics at BMW Group, said their 40­ton truck has a range of about 99 km per charge.

The truck is currently transporting vehicle components — such as shock absorbers, springs and steering systems — over stretches of less than two miles across Munich seven times a day.

Maidl said compared to a standard diesel engine truck, the electric truck will save 11,8 tons of carbon dioxide per year — the equivalent of the emissions produced by driving one of BMW’s more efficient cars around the world almost three times.

There is now word from Merc on how much their envisaged NP300 Merc bakkie concept will save.

plete Audi cars from other plants.

He said a single plant locomo­ tive carries out up to 75 shunting manoeuvres every day. The new locomotive runs for up to two hours on its battery pack inside the plant buildings. The batteries can be recharged with CO2­free electricity when the train is parked, but while rolling a big dirty diesel generator loads those Watts.

Still, it uses less diesel and emits about half the CO2 of a normal diesel locomotive, saving the plant up to 60 tons less CO2 each year.

Audi said this is another step towards making the Ingolstadt factory CO2­neutral.

Amid gloomy truck sales figures, the staff at Scania in KZN have reported a steady rise in numbers this year, thanks to aggressive marketing to show how much fuel the advanced European trucks will save fleet operators using older tech, and backed by finely­tuned financing.

PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN

FACELIFTS FOR CHEV UTE Chevrolet has up­ dated its bakkie with two limited editions — the UteWorking and the Surf.

Only 200 of the UteWorking models will be built, all with a cab protector around the rear window and a rubberised load box. A tuner/CD is now standard.

Aimed at the other extreme of the Ute buyers profile is the Utesurf, which comes with a tubular stainless steel sport bar and a roof rack/spoiler com­ bination which makes it simpler and safer to carry lifestyle accessories.

Only 400 of the Utesurf models will be built, each with five­spoke alloy wheels with a tuner/CD and air conditioning as standard.

The bakkies are sold with either Chev’s proven 1,4 petrol engine that develops 132 Nm at 3 200 rpm, or its punchy 1.8 (77 kW/161 Nm). We recommend the 1,4 as the more frugal.

The prices include a 5­year/120 000 km warranty and a 5­year/unlimited mileage anti­corrosion warran­ ty. — WR. Prices UteWorking 1.4 R154 400 Utesurf 1.4 R159 200

ASPIRANT TRUCKING BOSS

Bus of the year promises scenery and safety THE bus of the year in Europe, Iveco’s Magelys, is all about see­ ing out. The roof has side win­ dows to provide a truly panoram­ ic view and give a feeling of spa­ ciousness to passengers.

Iveco said its Magelys family meets the many needs of trans­ port companies in the tourism and line markets, with either a 12,2­metre body or a longer 12,8­metre version. Two models, the Magelys Line and Magelys Pro, also cater for different bud­ gets.

Illustrating the flexibility of the design, the winner of the In­ ternational Coach of the Year 2016, tested in Bulgaria, was fit­ ted with all required devices for the emerging coach­line busi­ ness following German and now French deregulations.

In that respect, the vehicle was presented on the base of the most equipped version, i.e. on Magelys Pro, with the following addition­

PHOTO: SUPPLIED al equipment: wheelchair lift with dedicated door and a de­ mountable table arrangement that enabled drivers to board a disabled passenger without hav­ ing to remove seats, 46 Kiel leather seats, toilets, three mo­ torised LCD monitors, connec­

tivity with WiFi, 220 V and USB plugs, GPS and road camera.

Unique among the candidates, the Magelys does not utilise EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) to control the engine exhaust emis­ sions, relying solely on SCR (se­ lective catalytic reduction) to ac­

complish this.

In addition, the Iveco Cursor 9 unit has a capacity of only 8,7 litres, yet delivers 294 kW and 1 700 Nm at 1 250 rpm.

It is matched to the ZF AS­ Tronic automated transmission, delivering a very comfortable drive.

Fuel consumption is reduced by up to 10% compared with Eu­ ro V, helped by a 200 kg weight reduction and optimised aerody­ namics.

The Magelys is protected against corrosion with a cata­ phoresis treatment for a longer lifetime, and has all of the latest safety features like LDWS and AEBS, and includes a self­sup­ porting structure that complies with the roll­over test R66/01.

This international regulation en­ sures that the coach structure re­ mains secured for passengers in case of a roll­over accident.

— WR.

Eish, tough one: Luynada from Edendale wonders which is best, driving a truck, or riding a bike?

PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN

2015 Nissan NP200 1.6 Delivery Mileage a/c, p/s

SAVE R27 000

NEW LIST R157 100

R129 900

2014 Ford Figo Ambiente 59 000 km

R109 900

3 at 201 ilable a 90 v a 9 o Als R99

WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

8

November 5, 2015

Castrol Team Toyota take clean sweep with Atlas Copco 450 win HAVING already wrapped up the title for the 2015 Donald­ son Cross­Country Champi­ onship on the previous round, Castrol Team Toyota’s Leeroy Poulter and navigator Rob Howie (Toyota Hilux) put the cherry on top this weekend, by winning the Atlas Copco 450, the final round of the 2015 sea­ son.

The newly crowned champi­ ons qualified in second place, less than two minutes behind former champions and team­ mates Anthony Taylor and navigator Dennis Murphy, but went on to take the win by six minutes during the main race.

This result gives Castrol Team Toyota a clean sweep for the year, having won every qualify­ ing race as well as every round of the year.

Just 34 seconds separated second through to fourth place as the teams blasted through the final timing point of the 2015 championship, having produced the year’ most excit­ ing and closely fought race.

Lance Woolridge/Ward Huxtable wrapped up a solid weekend for the Ford Perform­ ance team in fifth place, result­ ing in three Rangers finishing in the top five overall Produc­ tion Vehicle results.

After the heart­break of leading last year’s event until an electrical fault stopped their charge almost within sight of the finish line, former Produc­ tion Vehicle champions Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst powered their Ford Ranger to the runner­up position follow­ ing a punishing 430 km route staged in the gold mining belt

The Ford performance team who helped Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst (inset) power their Ford Ranger to the podium in the year’s last cross country race over the weekend.

PHOTO: COLIN MILEMAN on Gauteng’s West Rand.

It was a good race for the made­in­Maritzburg Fords in general, with the ex­factory Ranger of Australians John Purshouse and Murray Hynes earning a commendable 10th place overall.

Team principal Neil Wool­ ridge said: “This was a great way to end what has been a dif­

ficult season for us. We set out firstly to finish the race and secondly to secure a podium result, and we achieved both of these objectives.

“What was really encourag­ ing is that all of our cars were on the pace throughout the race, and the entire event was dictated by the exceptionally tough terrain.

“There simply wasn’t any room to make a mistake, and just a single puncture could put you out of the running com­ pletely.”

Woolridge thanked Ford, his team, the sponsors and fans for supporting and encouraging the team throughout what has been “a very challenging year”.

— Wheels Reporter.

KZN duo bag S1600 honours Pace and consistency of defending champs Botterill and Vacy­Lyle pay handsome dividends CHARMAINE FORTUNE IT was a tough season and a tight battle in Class S1600 of the South African National Rally Championship, but in the end the pace and consistency of de­ fending class champions Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy­Lyle paid handsome dividends.

The KwaZulu­Natal based Ya­ to Tools Toyota Etios duo won their second consecutive S1600 championship after scoring four well­earned victories, a third and fifth position and retiring from two events in the eight rounds of the 2015 season.

The year did not start particu­ larly well for the pair, as a punc­ ture and brake problems forced them to settle for a distant third in their home event, the Tour Na­ tal Rally, in March.

The first event of season was won by Paulus Franken/Henry Kohne (Manitou Group VW Po­ lo) who capitalised on the ex­ treme bad luck of fellow Capeto­ nians Ashley Haigh­Smith and Damian van Ass (Castrol Ford Fi­ esta) who were forced to retire two kilometres from the end with a broken wheel on their car.

They eventually finished over a minute ahead of Matthew Vacy­ Lyle/Schalk van Heerden (Fra­ gram Tools Toyota Etios), Bot­ terill and Simon Vacy­Lyle’s

team­mates.

The treacherous conditions in the Sasol Rally in Mpumalanga saw a high attrition rate in S1600, but Chad van Beurden/Nico Swartz (Jem Sport VW Polo) gave good account of themselves by finishing first in the class and eighth overall, beating log lead­ ers Franken/Kohne by more than two minutes.

However, Franken and Kohne was still leading the class on 28 points, followed by Vacy­Lyle/ Van Heerden and Van Beurden/ Swartz a further 2,5 points adrift.

Botterill bounced back in the Secunda Motor Rally in Mpuma­ langa, delivering an impressive performance to win the class in style, more than a minute ahead of Richard Leeke Jr. and Rikus Fourie (ATS Ford Fiesta R2), and finishing a fine sixth overall.

Third in class after a steady run was Vacy­Lyle/Van Heerden in their Etios, but Marko Himmel/ Francois Schoombee (North Panelbeaters VW Polo R2), while competing under Superally rules, showed some good sportsman­ ship by stopping to assist Nico Higgs/Etienne Lourens after their VW Polo caught fire in a stage.

Botterill and Vacy­Lyle cele­ brated their second consecutive class victory in the Bela­Bela Mo­ tor Rally, followed by Van Beur­

Durban­based driver Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy­Lyle drove their Yato Tools Toyota Etios to a second consecutive S1600 championship this year.

PHOTO: FILE den/Swartz (now in a Jem Sport Ford Fiesta R2) and Matthew Va­ cy­Lyle/Van Heerden.

This moved them to the top of the leader board with 43 points — four clear of Vacy­Lyle/Van Heerden, with Van Beurden/ Swartz third on 33,5 and Franken/ Kohne down in fourth position on 28,5 — only 1,5 points clear of Leeke/Fourie.

However, the waterlogged and shortened Volkswagen Rally in the Eastern Cape saw the demise of most front­runners, while Franken and Kohne stayed out of trouble, securing the class win

ahead of Vacy­Lyle/Van Heerden — the only other team in the class to see the chequered flag.

This also meant that after five rounds completed earlier points leader Simon Vacy­Lyle’s broth­ er, Matthew, and co­pilot Van Heerden had moved to the top of the log on 51 points, followed

by Franken/Kohne on 44,5 points.

Unfortunately Vacy­Lyle/Van Heerden’s class lead did not last long, as in the next event, the Im­ perial Toyota Tshwane Rally, they rolled out of the rally in spectacu­ lar fashion, virtually destroying

the Fragram Tools Etios.

Meanwhile their team­mates Botterill/Simon Vacy­Lyle did not put a wheel wrong in their dice with Van Beurden/Swartz, gaining another victory to again lead the class (59 points) — only 2,5 points clear of Tshwane Rally runners­up Franken and Kohne.

Still in striking distance, with two events remaining in the 2015 championship, was Matthew Va­ cy­Lyle/Van Heerden on 52 points, followed by Van Beurden/ Swartz (45) and Leeke/Fourie (34).

Botterill/Vacy­Lyle all but wrapped up the season in the pe­ nultimate event, the Toyota Cape Dealer Rally, winning the class by a huge margin over team­ mates Matthew Vacy­Lyle/Van Heerden in a borrowed Fragram Tools Toyota Etios.

All that now remained for the pair (on 75 points) was to finish sixth or higher in the final event, the Polokwane Motor Rally, in or­ der to secure the championship.

They were now 11 points clear of Vacy­Lyle/Van Heerden, with Franken/Kohne only 7,5 points further in arrears and Van Beur­ den/Swartz fourth on 45 after sit­ ting out the Cape round.

The Polokwane event saw Namibians Marko Himmel/Gert Nienaber making a strong return by winning the class, followed by

Haigh­Smith, also making a re­ turn with Patrick Brides as co­ driver, and Leeke/Fourie.

However, by finishing fifth in class Botterill and Vacy­Lyle did enough to secure their second consecutive championship, as well as the S1600 drivers’ and navigators’ titles.

The 2015 NRC4 Challenge for older S2000 four­wheel drive two­litre rally cars wasn’t that well supported, but with one event left one of three crews could still win the challenge — Piet Bakkes/Shaun Visser (Acci­ dent Guru Toyota Auris), Wilro Dippenaar/Kes Naidoo (North­ ern Panel Beaters Toyota Auris) and Theuns Joubert/Mari van der Walt (Salom Agri Toyota Auris).

Dippenaar/Naidoo did not en­ ter the Polokwane event, and with Bakkes/Visser retiring from the event it was Joubert/Van der Walt, who drove a steady rally to finish sixth overall, to win the challenge and the 2015 Class NRC4 series.

CV JOINT SPECIALISTS

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

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