Wheels 2015 12 03

2x2 bikes ew n the hot d tren PAGE 6

ASH CAR SALES

December 3, 2015

Witness

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

WHEELS

ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

2011 hyundai ix35 2.0 gls exec a/t Petrol, Auto, 18 inch mags, Reverse camera, Bullbar, Tinted windows, Side Steps, Airbags, Roof Racks, MFS, Black Leather interior, C/D, Air-con, Electric windows, USB, IPod, AUX Connection ... 63 000 kms

R219 995

Contact Ash on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

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

… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

Self­steering cars to race Electric races to be proving ground for robots ALWYN VILJOEN THE 60 drifters and spinners who will wow the crowd at Ma­ sons’s Mill with their precision car control on Sunday, all wonder what is the point of the new championship series for driver­ less electric cars.

Called Roborace, the series will join the Formula E series and was announced for Kinetik this week.

Denis Sverdlov, Founder of Ki­ netik and Roborace, explained the series will provide a competitive platform to test the autonomous driving solutions that are now be­ ing developed by many large in­ dustrial automotive and technol­ ogy players as well as top tech uni­ versities.

Svedlov said the plan is to run a Roborace before each of the FIA Formula E Championship races, with the first race intended to take place next year.

Ten teams, each with two driv­ erless cars, will compete in one­ hour races over the full champi­ onship season.

Because its is not the car, but real­time computing algorithms and AI technologies that are be­ ing put to the test, all the teams will have the same cars equipped with their different soft­ and hardware.

“The mission of Roborace is to demonstrate that the future of automotive and information technology is already here and can even work in extreme conditions, said Svedlov.

“Roborace believes that there is a lot of independent talents in the world that might contribute to this initiative.

“That is why one of the race teams will be organised as a crowd­sourced community team open for enthusiastic software and technology experts all over the world.

Further support for both For­ mula E and Roborace shall come from Charge, an automotive start­up founded by Kinetik that develops revolutionary range­ex­ tended electric powertrains for commercial vehicles.

Charge will become Official Truck Partner of the FIA Formula E Championship and will provide electric trucks for the drivers’ pa­ rade, towing trucks for emergency recovery of the racing cars and shuttles for transportation of guests and visitors of the champi­ onship around the eVillage.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of For­ mula E, said in a statement: “We are very excited to be partnering with Kinetik on what is surely one of the most cutting­edge sporting events in history.

“Roborace is an open challenge to the most innovative scientific and technology­focused compa­ nies in the world.

“It is very exciting to create a platform for them to showcase what they are capable of and I be­ lieve there is great potential for us to unearth the next big idea through the unique crowd­ sourced contest.”

Further details and announce­ ments about the teams and tech­ nologies to be used will be made early next year.

V DENIS SVERDLOV Founder of Kinetik and Roborace

‘The mission of Roborace is to demonstrate that the future of automotive and information technology is already here and can even work in extreme conditions.’

Sidewayz and Driftkhana for the price of one Team Kyle (pictured) will be among more than 60 of KZN and SA’s best drifters and spinners who will assemble in Pietermaritzburg to show of their driving skills at Mason’s Mill on Sunday, December 6. Gates open at 8:30 am.

Organisers say the new format of hosting both drifting and spinning events on the same day is very popular with spectators, who get to see two events for the price of one. Tickets are R50 per adult and R20 for children under 10 years.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

WE BUY cars and

BakkiEs * anY mOdEL * OLd and nEW TEL: ajay

It is not only on track that electric cars are charging ahead. The fully electric Eco Powered 4x4 completed the Rally of Morocco in October and will be raced in the 9 000 km Dakar in January, with Argentinean Ariel Jaton and Spaniard Gaston Scazzuso piloting the car. Eight battery packs drive the motor and a roof of high­yield photovoltaic solar panels recharge the vehicle’s electronic components, navigation, lighting and communication systems.

PHOTO: DAKAR.COM

082 966 2384

2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

December 3, 2015

Do like Zimbabwe does CHRIS BARRY explains why SA drivers must have third­party insurance WITH vehicle insurance not be­ ing compulsory in South Africa, experts estimate that only 30% to 40% of vehicles on the road are covered, making all drivers vulnerable to the costly conse­ quences of an accident.

It’s time for the South African government to set up a state­run compulsory third­party insur­ ance vehicle, run along the same lines as Sasria insurance. This to protect citizens from the conse­ quences of an accident with an uninsured vehicle, in particular to cover the costly aftermath of an accident not covered by the Road Accident Fund (RAF).

While injuries to your person are covered by the RAF, damage to a vehicle is not — and if an uninsured or underinsured driver has an accident with another ve­ hicle, they would be liable for the costs incurred in that accident.

How many uninsured or un­ derinsured South Africans have the money lying around to pay for repairs to damage caused by an accident — even a bumper bashing? Not many, I’m sure you’ll agree.

If we were to look for a locally relevant model on which to base this third­party insurance pro­ vider, Sasria would be a good ref­ erence point.

It is one of the state­owned en­ terprises (SOE) that has a good story to tell, with its results for the last year including an under­ writing surplus or R468 million, a net profit before tax of R834 million, and gross written premiums of R1,5 billion.

The dividend paid to the state was R206 million, an increase of nearly R100 million from the previous year.

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has gone so far as to praise

AA sees no drop in deaths THE Autombile Association said the holiday season will again see as many deaths on the roads in South Africa as in previous years unless long­ documented road safety man­ agement strategies are put in place to ensure safer road con­ ditions.

These include, amongst others, better road manage­ ment plans, safer vehicles, and safer road users.

The AA said both drivers and government need to fol­ low the rules. “Not enough road users follow the rules. On a daily basis we all see drivers whose tyres are in a poor con­ dition, who use their cell­ phones while driving, who don’t buckle up or who don’t obey the speed limit, or indeed any rules of the road.”

It is also critical, the AA said, that proper statistics on road fatalities and crashes be pro­ vided across the country as this will provide a clear indica­ tion of where interventions are most needed.

“We are concerned that crashes and fatalities will re­ main high unless urgent action is taken,” the AA said.

— Wheels Reporter.

Estimates are fewer than half of the cars on South Africa’s roads are insured, leaving people unable to pay for damages.

PHOTO: ROAD SAFETY Sasria as one of South Africa’s top­performing SOEs. Obviously, this state­run third­party insurance would need to be funded from some­ where, and there would always be the argument that South Africa’s drivers cannot afford even more costs to be added to their licens­ ing fees or to the overall fuel price. I would argue that South Africans simply cannot afford to NOT be covered by third­party insurance.

Neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe have seen the wis­ dom of instituting compulsory third party insurance, with Zimb­

abwe charging road users the equivalent of R550 per annum per car, R990 per annum per truck, and R330 per annum per trailer. With around 9,2 million cars and light delivery vehicles, 365 000 trucks and 183 000 trailers on South African roads, that amounts to a minimum an­ nual income of nearly R5,4 bil­ lion.

If government were to set up a third­party insurance SOE run on the same lines as Sasria, the organisation could turn to short­ term insurance companies to col­ lect annual fees, in return for a small commission for the admin­

istration and collection of premi­ ums. The insurer would be self­ managed, and would settle claims directly with claimants, keeping operating expenses to a minimum.

If the state was either a licence carrier or a shareholder, we could assume an underwriting margin of 10%, yielding a R540 million margin, and if we were to assume a 20% underwriting surplus, that would result in more than R1 billion surplus … if the third­ party insurance SOE was run on the same principles as Sasria.

Introducing this insurance would also be an opportunity to

reduce the number of uninsured vehicles on South African roads.

A third party cover of about 10%, it would make a significant dent in the more than R350 bil­ lion that accidents cost the coun­ try each year.

The “template” is there, so to speak.

Now all that we need is politi­ cal will and legislative action to create a body that will truly make a difference in the lives of the many South Africans affected by our country’s appalling road ac­ cident statistics.

• Chris Barry is the MD of HCV Insurance.

BMW launches auto degree OXFORD Brookes University and the BMW Group has devel­ oped a BSc (Hons) Business and Automotive Management specialist course for people who wish to pursue a career in the automotive sector.

During the four­year pro­ gramme, students will spend their first year of the course studying at Oxford Brookes and the second year studying at OTH Regensburg, Technical University of Applied Sciences, Germany.

The third year will be spent in work placement at BMW Group Plant Regensburg and MINI Oxford plant for six months each. The fourth and final year of study will be at Oxford Brookes.

The course prepares stu­ dents for a career in the auto­ motive industry and is tailored specifically to meet the needs of BMW Group as a potential employer.

Business and Automotive Management students will complete an engineering mod­ ule within the department of Mechanical Engineering and the Mathematical Sciences department in order to under­ stand the technical side of the business, which is a require­ ment for all BMW Group gradu­ ate employees.

• More information about the Business and Automotive Management course, entry re­ quirements and how to apply can be found here: http:// www.brookes.ac.uk/studying­ at­brookes/courses/under­ graduate/2016/business­ and­automotive­manage­ ment

VW plans to fix the mess its in with a mesh and software VOLKSWAGEN Group CEO Matthias Müller had confirmed in a speech to VW managers that the automaker was ready with a fix for most of the four­cylinder diesel engines discovered in Sep­ tember to have been fitted with “defeat device”.

Volkswagen said in a state­ ment the group has presented specific technical measures for the 1,6 and 2,0­litre EA 189 en­ gines affected to the Federal Mo­ tor Transport Authority.

This means that correction measures have been fixed for the majority of the vehicles affected.

In the development of the solu­ tions the focus was on maximum customer­friendliness.

After implementation of the technical measures, the vehicles will comply with the applicable emissions standards.

The final technical solution for the 1,2­litre diesel engine will be presented to the Federal Mo­ tor Transport Authority at the end of the month and is expected to comprise a software update.

The technical measures devel­ oped for the EA 189 diesel en­ gines affected have been present­ ed to the Federal Motor Trans­ port Authority.

Following an intensive exami­ nation, these measures have been ratified by the Federal Mo­ tor Transport Authority.

A “flow transformer” will be

Looking suitably contrite, Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Müller explains plans to stop over 11 million vehicles with its 1,6 and 2,0 engines from cheating when tested for emmissions.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES fitted directly in front of the air mass sensor on the 1,6­litre EA 189 engine.

This is a mesh that calms the swirled air flow in front of the air mass sensor and will thus de­ cisively improve the measuring accuracy of the air mass sensor.

The air mass sensor deter­ mines the current air mass

throughput, which is a very im­ portant parameter for the engine management for an optimum combustion process.

In addition, a software update will be performed on this engine.

The time needed for the imple­ mentation of the technical meas­ ures is expected to be less than one hour.

The 2­litre engines will get a software update. The pure la­ bour time for this measure will be around half an hour.

Thanks to advances in engine development and improved sim­ ulation of currents inside com­ plex air intake systems, in combi­ nation with software optimisa­ tion geared towards this, it has

been possible to produce a rela­ tively simple and customer­ friendly measure.

The objective for the develop­ ment of the technical measures is still to achieve the applicable emission targets in each case without any adverse effects on the engine output, fuel con­ sumption and performance.

However, as all model variants first have to be measured, the achievement of these targets cannot yet be finally confirmed.

Based on these technical measures accepted by the Feder­ al Motor Transport Authority, the necessary service concepts are currently being developed for the EU28 markets concerned.

The aim is to implement the required technical update in the first vehicles during a recall from January 2016.

According to the current as­ sessment, all measures in the course of the recall for all engine variants will extend over the whole calendar year 2016. Volks­ wagen will ensure that the time needed to implement the techni­ cal measures is as short as possi­ ble for all customers.

Based on the approach of the Volkswagen brand, the Group’s other brands — Audi, Seat, Ško­ da and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles — are also planning cor­ responding measures for their affected vehicles.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

December 3, 2015

Power from bacteria New processes to harness algae’s eletrodes and methane’s energy.

RESEARCHERS this week an­ nounced two advances in power gen­ erating that may yet impact on trans­ port.

At the Concordia University in Montreal, researchers have invented a power cell that harnesses the elec­ tricity created during the natural processes of photosynthesis and res­ piration in blue­green algae.

And at the Institute of Advanced Sustainability Studies (Iass) and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Kit) have developed a process that extracts the energy content of meth­ ane, in the form hydrogen, without producing carbon dioxide.

The journal Technology quotes Concordia engineering professor Muthukumaran Packirisamy: “By taking advantage of a process that is constantly occurring all over the world, we’ve created a new and scala­ ble technology that could lead to cheaper ways of generating carbon­ free energy.”

Blue­green algae, which is actually cynobacteria, is also touted as possi­ ble source of biofuel.

The Concordia group report their prototype photosynthetic power cell measured open­circuit voltage of up to 993 millivolts, while a peak power of 175 microwatts was obtained un­ der an external load of 850 ohms.

Packirisamy hopes the photosyn­ thetic power cells could soon be used to power mobile devices and com­ puters and perhaps eventually be­ come a major source of energy world­ wide.

In the U.S., meanwhile, research­ ers are looking at cheaper ways to milk methane for its energy (hydro­ gen) to meet the American’s demand for natural gas, which accounts for over 28% of U.S. energy consump­ tion.

Methane gases are produced wherever plant materials are rotting or have rotted, such as coal mines, but also by livestock, rice paddies and even termites.

Kit adapted an old process called “methane cracking,” which separates the hydrogen and carbon molecules at temperatures of over 750° C, by designing a small new reactor design based on liquid metal technology, and made of quartz and stainless steel.

Professor Thomas Wetzel of Kit, said the reactor produces hydrogen with a 78% conversion rate at 1 200° C, and can run continuously for two weeks.

Kit researcher Stefan Stueckrad said the team expect to spent until 2018 to research and develop an in­ dustrial prototype for a modular re­ actor, which could be scaled by sim­ ple multiplication.

Stueckrad added that the energy efficiency of the process “has been evaluated as slightly higher than con­ ventional steam reforming of natural gas and about 20% higher than coal gasification” — assuming both em­ ploy carbon capture and storage.

The team’s research showed that methane cracking is comparable to water electrolysis, in regards to CO2 emissions per unit of hydrogen, and more than 50% cleaner than steam methane reforming technologies.

Preliminary calculations reveal that the technology could achieve costs of €1,90 to €3,30 (R29 to R50) per kilogram of hydrogen (at current German natural gas prices).

Critics however point out Kit’s new cracking process needs huge amount of energy, and unless solar power is used to make this power, their process will lead to CO2 emis­ sion being generated upstream.

Icing on the SVR Ranger cake Land Rover has made a film to promote the fast Landy yet, the Range Rover Sport SVR with polar explorer, Ben Saunders, who raced it around a full­scale replica of the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit that was carved in the snow on Lake Udjaur. Saunders said afterwards it was his first time driving on ice and the most fun he has had on four­wheels. “The performance of the Range Rover Sport SVR is simply breathtaking and its poise in the corners was astounding, given the slippery conditions,” Saunders said.

PHOTO: MOTORPRESS

3

New RAV4 looks even better at the dealer THE 2015 RAV4, which was launched in 2013, is the sales leader in the small SUV class, which means Toyota’s engi­ neers had their work cut out to make the RAV4’s mid­life facelift a success.

They not only succeeded in this aim, but excelled, making the popular ute even sleeker both on paper and on the dealer’s floor.

Wheels had a look at the new model in Pietermaritz­ burg and can report a slinky tail light design that features LED lights and no visible re­ verse lights that sharpen up the rear end, while the re­ shaped lower tailgate and tail­ gate garnish further empha­ sise the RAV’s solid stance.

The rear bumper now com­ prises a larger painted section while the revised rear fog lamps, a stylish shark­fin an­ tenna and under body valance strengthens the look.

All grades of the new RAV4 have new alloy­wheel designs with differing styles depend­ ent on grade: The 17­inch five­ spoke design on the GX now

The new RAV4 sports a sleeker profile, thanks to LED­equipped headlamps, and revised upper and lower grilles, front bumper and mud flaps.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC has split spokes, while the 18­ inch 10­spoke designs availa­ ble on the VX models has been refined with slimmer spokes to express high quality and strength.

A host of new features in­ clude full LED headlights and an automatic door lock sys­ tem and auto­locking retrac­

tor seatbelts for the rear cen­ tre seats. The GX models also get Trailer Sway Control and an alarm system.

The new RAV4 comes stan­ dard with a three­ year/100 000 km warranty and a five­year/90 000 km service plan. The new models are also supported by the To­

yotaCare Roadside. — WR. Prices RAV4 2.0 GX MT ­ R327 700 RAV4 2.0 GX CVT ­ R338 800 RAV4 2.2D GX MT ­ R409 900 RAV4 2.5 AWD VX 6AT ­ R457 000 RAV4 2.2D AWD VX 6AT ­ R487 400.

4

WitnessWheels MOTORING EXPLORE

December 3, 2015

Chinese contractors dig culverts along the new tar road on the Lesotho side of Sani Pass. This new road is very good for Underberg’s economy, but boring for 4x4 owners.

Sani no longer cuts it Wheels readers explore Ongeluksnek with two Isuzus NEWSFLASH for 4x4 drivers planning a weekend away in scenic Lesotho — you can drive up Sani Pass in any sedan with decent road clearance, and don’t need a 4x4 unless it recently rained heavily.

Chinese contractors have now tarred the Lesotho side of Sani and South African contractors are maintaining the famous hairpins on the South African side.

While a well­maintained Sani is good for Underberg’s economy, it only presents a challenge to 4x4 drivers after a serious snow or rain storm, turning the so­called “Mother of All Passes” into the Mother Of All Yawns for people who know what the diff lock does.

Those who like to engage low gear on a scenic pass will fine joy on Ongeluksnek, which still does what Sani Pass did — offering un­ paralleled views, a challenging drive and a rare stamp in your passport to prove how intrepid

you are. Wheels did the pass in two Isuzu double cabs, last weekend, powered by the new 2,5­ and 3­li­ tre engines. Passing over the cor­ rugations of the scenic road through Swartberg, Toyota driv­ ers commented again about the Isuzu’s legendary ride quality. “In my Toyota, I would have been bouncing off the roof by now,” said 4x4­fixer Gary Peacock .

Road builder Vumile Mbdola, was most impressed by the 3,0 DTeq’ 8,7 l/100km, despite a heavy right foot. And 4x4­veteran Ronnie Drew loved the low crawl speed of the 2,5 Isuzu up the 1:3 gradients. You will need the low gear both up and down, for the pass is very slippery after even a light spat.

Once on top, there is no cosy pup waiting and if that’s what you’re after, pack the sedan and head to Sani. Campers can pack their tents and follow Wheels.

A misty rainbow greets the campers after a cold night on a vast plateau, kept as neat as any bowling green by sheep.

The 6,7 kilometres of Ongeluksnek pass near Matatiele offer 4x4 and camping enthusiasts what Sani pass used to, with unparalleled views, a challenging drive and a rare stamp in your passport to prove how intrepid you are.

PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN

Peak hour on Ongeluksnek: cattle driven by herd boys in their all­weather gear — a blanket, balaclava and gumboots.

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

When wet, this section gets very tricky, but travellers who are lucky enough to get a clear day will see forever.

Go camp with ‘Wheels’ WHEELS will be hosting another two­ day self­drive 4x4 trip for five cars to Matatiele, from where we will explore the Bushman caves at Ongeluksnek, learn about the fauna and flora in Les­ otho’s pastoral highlands and expand the limits of our 4x4 driving skills with expert instructors to ensure no dam­ age to the track or vehicle.

The cost per vehicle is R500, which includes lunch on top of the world,

4x4 tips from expert instructors, re­ covery equipment on standby, a photo compilation of the trip and subscrip­ tion to The Witness.

Each trip’s itinerary is tailored to the group’s requests and allows for camp­ ing or sleeping in a B&B. (B&B tariffs not included in the costs) To book space on this horizon­ expanding journey, send an e­mail to alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za.

2016 Registration – It Just Makes Sense

By Pieter from Maritzburg

As regular readers of this column will know, I’ve spent the last few weeks being very excited about Barons PMB’s end-of-year offer, whereby you can buy your vehicle in 2015, and have it delivered and registered in 2016. I’m pleased to say that the offer has now officially commenced!

As with any special deal, though, the proof of the (Christmas) pudding is in the eating. What are the benefits of buying now, registering later? What, to be blunt, is the point?

Well, let’s start with the benefit to your wallet. Buying a new car isn’t cheap (although the folks at Barons PMB make it as painless as possible with their tailor-made financing deals, but that’s another story), and prices go up year on year. By buying in 2015, you effectively beat the new year increase, buying tomorrow’s car at today’s price!

Next, there’s the fact that you can secure your vehicle before the distribution centres and shipyards close for the festive season. That means that you can be sure your shiny new car will be ready and waiting come the new year.

Deal of the year - Polo for Vivo money.

There are no warranty implications: your warranty only commences once delivery is completed. That goes for your instalments too – you only start paying once you take ownership.

Finally, as the icing on the cake, Barons PMB is offering free insurance cover while your vehicle awaits delivery in 2016.

So why wait? When the vista of 2016 opens up in front of you, how do you want to explore it? Me, I can think of no better way than in a brand new Volkswagen.

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.

Drive confident more often, for less.

2016 Registration now available.

2016 Registration now available.

Image depicted is only a representation.

Purchase a Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline from R1,934* per month.

Purchase a Polo Vivo Sedan Eclipse from R2,395* per month or R179,600* incl. VAT and we will upgrade you to the newly launched Polo Sedan Trendline.

The Polo Sedan 63kW Trendline features include: -

Standard 45 000km service plan Front and rear electric windows Dual front and side air bags Radio/CD/Bluetooth 3 year / 120 000km warranty 12 year anti-corrosion warranty

Offer exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Limited to 5 units; 3 in white, 1 grey and 1 silver.

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

Polo Vivo 2012 Polo Vivo 1.6 Trendline 2014 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2014 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2014 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline Tip 2015 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo 2012 Polo 1.6 TDI Comfortline 5 Door 2012 Polo 1.6 Comfortline 5 Door 2014 Polo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2014 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Trendline 2014 Polo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 Comfortline Golf 2010 Golf 6 1.6 TDI Comfortline 2011 Golf GTI 2.0 TSI R DSG 2011 Golf 6 GTI 2.0 TSI 2012 Golf 6 GTI 2.0 TSI DSG Jetta 2012 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2012 Jetta 1.2 TSI Trendline Up! 2015 Take UP! 1.0 55kW 2015 Move Up! 1.0 55kW Other VW 2011 Amarok Double Cab 4x2 90kW 2011 Volkswagen CC 2.0 TSI DSG 2013 Volkswagen CC 2.0 TDI DSG 2015 Amarok Double Cab 4x2 132kW 2015 Tiguan 1.4 TSI Trend Other 2012 Hyundai i20 1.4 2013 Audi A4 1.8T FSI 2013 Ford Kuga 1.6 EcoBoost

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

e&oe

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

Silver Silver White Silver Silver

R119 900 R107 900 R132 900 R129 900 R149 900

84 000 71 000 26 000 20 000 8 000

km km km km km

White Red White White Silver Red

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

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

km km km km km km

Silver Red White White

R164 900 R349 000 R209 900 R259 900

106 000 67 000 77 000 132 000

km km km km

White White

R169 900 R155 900

60 000 79 000

km km

Silver Blue

R119 900 R125 000

4 500 5 000

km km

Silver Silver Black White White

R259 900 R188 900 R279 900 R389 900 R319 900

116 000 85 000 55 000 11 000 13 000

km km km km km

White White White

R109 000 R239 900 R249 900

85 000 32 000 36 000

km km km

*The advised price exclude the 2 year Mastercars Warranty. The Mastercars Warranty is available as an option and is a contract between the customer, an insurer and administrator. This extended Warranty is not available for all Amarok and Light Commercial Vehicle models. Terms & conditions apply. While stocks last.

Mastercars Sales Consultants: Laurie - 082 783 8040 • Rajen - 072 228 9834 • Sanjay - 083 639 0989 Barry - 072 235 4244 • Phumlani - 073 744 8350 Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445 Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Barons

Vehicle Price

Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline

R229,300

R1,934*

48

6.93%*

Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline

R229,300

R2,518*

48

7.17%*

Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline

R229,300

R3,102*

48

7.38%*

Deposit

Guaranteed Future Value

20% 61% (R45,860) (R139,873) 10% 61% (R22,930) (R139,873) 61% 0% (R139,873)

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

R232,697 R260,744 R288,792

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 9.75%. Note: Offers calculated on the Polo Vivo Sedan 63kW Eclipse and Polo Sedan 63kW Trendline models in standard specification. Excludes optional extras and delivery fee, but includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Instalment requires a R20,000* finance deposit. No cash deal. R2,000 holding deposit secures the deal. 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 12 December 2015 or while stocks last.

• • • • •

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

Model

Pietermaritzburg

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

An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.75%. Note: Offers calculated on the Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline 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. **The Guaranteed Future Value is based on 20 000km p.a. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 12 December 2015.

Often copied. Never Equalled. Golf GTI.

2016 Registration now available.

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WitnessWheels MOTORING BIKING

December 3, 2015

Two­wheel drive bikes are becoming increasingly fashionable, as Wunderlich shows with a BMW

When the West designs a foldable bike, it will be a cute scooter. When Russian engineers took their sickles and hammers to a bike frame, they made the 70 kg Taurus that goes anywhere, pulls (almost) anything and dismantles into two duffel bags that fit into the back of a Lada Niva.

PHOTO: TAURUS

Unstoppable – and unsinkable. For over 60 years since it was first launched in 1958, the Rokon is America’s answer to Russia’s Taurus. The heavier you load it, the better it goes, says Tim Ralston, survival gear expert and spokesperson for NatGeo’s Doomsday Preppers. The Rokon also pulls 180 kg.

PHOTO: ROKON

New Zealand’s contribution to the world of 2x2 bikes is this year’s Ubco — basically a sturdy electric bike with a large battery to power hubmotors in each wheel — and a cellphone.

The New Zealand media were also very impressed with how the Ubco’s electric motor can quietly sneak up on ewes.

PHOTO: UBCO

Joining the 2x2 revolution LOZ BLAIN TWO­WHEEL­DRIVE motor­ cycles have some real advantages, but in the past they’ve tended to be highly complex systems that require significant re­plumbing of your motorcycle.

That’s what makes this con­ cept from German Beemer tun­ ers Wunderlich so appealing — using an electric hub motor in the front wheel, it looks like a rela­ tively simple way to add electric 2WD, as well as a handy reverse gear, to a standard BMW R1200GS. Most people who’ve tested them agree on the advantages of­ fered by two­wheel­drive motor­ cycles over regular rear­wheel­ drive bikes, particularly offroad.

They’re far less likely to get stuck in rocks or bogged in the really loose or sloppy stuff, and they pull harder out of corners.

The front end doesn’t wash out nearly as much under hard cornering, and the rear wheel doesn’t tend to break away nearly as much as usual.

The trouble, of course, is how to get the power to that front wheel. You can’t use a chain drive, because the bike needs to turn. So we’ve seen some inter­ esting solutions — be it Christ­ ini’s geared drive shaft system that runs down through the forks, or the kooky hydraulic sys­ tems that Yamaha and BMW

Wunderlich’s prototype control system (left) for the first hybrid electric front wheel drive system fitted to a BMW R1200GS. PHOTO: BMW have both flirted with.

German company Wunder­ lich, which translates loosely as “whimsical”, has thrown another idea into the ring.

Known as an aftermarket parts

supplier for BMW machines, the Wunderlich team also enjoys making radical concept bikes to demonstrate what can be done with its extensive parts cata­ logue. And for EICMA 2015, it

Mini­laser show to safeguard cyclists A study by the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory shows 79% of bicycle vs car crashes are the car driver’s fault, because they did not see the cyclist. Now product design student at University of Brighton, Emily Brooke, has created the Blaze Laserlight as her final­year project. The bicycle headlight projects a laser image of a bicycle onto the road about six metres in front of the rider to alert drivers in cars. Four years and one successful Kickstarter campaign later, the Laserlight is now available to buyers in North America.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

presented an R1200GS adven­ ture bike kitted out with a hybrid electric two­wheel­drive system.

The system appears very sim­ ple — the front wheel is kitted out with an electric 7,6­kiloWatt hub

motor that draws power from a small battery pack that lives un­ der the front beak.

The system is hooked up to a sensor in the bike’s throttle, and it runs through a switch on the

tank that allows you to choose how much power it puts out, and in which direction.

Because it runs with the bike’s engine turned off, it gives you the capability to accelerate up to 20 km/h under electric front­ wheel­drive alone, or to reverse the giant GS at up to three kilo­ metres per hour, which will be handy if you park it in an awkward spot.

We have no idea what happens if you put the front wheel in re­ verse and the rear wheel in first gear, but we’d sure like to watch.

Regenerative braking helps re­ charge the battery.

Most of the electrics come from Italian company Evolt, but as part of the retrofit, Wunder­ lich has made its own chassis ad­ justments to account for the ex­ tra weight at the front end.

There’s no word on the weight penalty for the AWD system — presumably it’s a fair bit more than the 15­pound system Christini was selling back in 2007. But that was a race­focused system, where this is an enhance­ ment to an already­heavy adven­ ture machine, and this looks like a simpler system and one that’s easier to fit to an existing bike.

Right now, the R1200GS LC hybrid 2WD system is just a con­ cept and Wunderlich hasn’t re­ vealed any plans to put it up for sale. But it looks like a great kit idea to us! — Gizmag.

First aid kit for bikers in a roll When the Australians invent something you can bet it will be useful and long lasting, like the dual flush toilet, the plastic banknote, and now, the Original Rescue Swag. Founder of this rescue kit in a roll Tracey Beikoff (pictured) explains the container converts into a sling, splint or immobilisation device, and its 1,6 kg of packed weight contains everything a biker could need after a fall or even camping incident, from serum for snake bites and gels for burn wounds, to plastic baggies for amputated body parts. The swag, of course, also contains that other useful Aussie invention, the disposable syringe.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

MOTORING WitnessWheels

December 3, 2015

7

Students project the future While rioting students made headlines, Durban’s engineering students shaped our tomorrows ALWYN VILJOEN

LEFT: Robert Mawbey has a unique, but proven, one­size­ fits­all approach to evee control.

RIGHT: Brian Bassett tries to control Ashlin Naicker’s robotic picker.

PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN

off­the­shelf tank­track and GPS equipment.

Other projects that may excite investors are: • Shivar Dhurgaduth’s smart spectacles that outline moving

objects in real time for partially sighted people; • Ashlin Naicker designed a ro­ botic picker that can be con­ trolled using any Android phone, and can scale up to carry

heavy barrels over rough surfa­ ces without spilling the con­ tents; • an app­driven system by Priv­ aan Ramchunder that allows us­ ers to allocate power from a solar

panel so that it charges only se­ lected devices; • Bandile Mchunu’s induction hot plate that can boil water in suitable plastic bottles using on­ ly solar power; and

• Saing Maulidi’s permanent magnet synchronous motor that uses lock­up tables to manage exponential torque, and which can turn any diesel truck into a diesel­electric hybrid.

22195

MORE than a 100 fourth­year students at Howard College Campus in Durban last week showed their final year projects, and as always left the observers marvelling at their ingenuity.

The students’ projects range from an automated pet feeder to a telemetry system that can drive any electrical vehicle.

Senior lecturer in Computer Engineering Programmes Dr Thamid Quazi said the projects contributed the most credits to­ wards the student’s honours de­ gree. The project nominated for a national tertiary design com­ petition is a generic platform de­ signed by Robert Mawbey to drive any type of vehicle that is driven by electric motors.

Mawbey said he decided to build a modular system when he designed the telemetrics for the UKZN solar race car, so that he did not need to reinvent the wheel if he wanted to use his sys­ tem to steer anything from hull­ inspecting submarines to aerial drones.

He proved his system during the 2015 Bridgestone Solar Car Challenge and said the radio controls work up to one kilome­ tre. He then spent three weeks and a budget of only R2 000, wrote all software using C#, and built all the hardware using an

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WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

December 3, 2015

Roof riders check the skies Spectators and riders in this year’s Roof of Africa race have only one question: is that cloud rain?

ALWYN VILJOEN

V KIRSTEN LANDMAN Brother Leader Tread KTM Factory Team rider

WHILE the Yellow Brick app al­ lows fans to track riders compet­ ing in the weekend’s Roof of Afri­ ca, the app that riders are most using is AccuWeather, with the big question everyone is asking: “Will it rain, or not?”

Over 380 bikers have entered this year’s Roof of Africa, with racing having started today on what organisers say is a “shorter and more compact route”, but with higher levels of extreme rid­ ing for all classes.

Officially the riders compete until Sunday for a purse of R180 000, but everyone knows it’s finishing that earns you the real bragging rights. In fact, just being a Roof spectator will earn you a free beer in even the tough­ est bikers’ bar, for the Roof is one race where spectator assistance is not just allowed, but encouraged — as long as it’s not planned.

“The course is so tough that if riders didn’t receive help from bystanders, even fewer would fin­ ish,” says race organiser Peter Luck, who has been involved with the race since 1977.

ONLY THE FITTEST SURVIVE Former winner Chris Birch said riders don’t have to be the great­ est in the world to finish, but they do have to be “really fit to do it at any pace”.

The route comprises sand and “rock tracks with hard surfaces”, which may sound like tautology, but is not.

British campaigner Ben He­ mingway explains: “There’s a carpet of grass, but underneath it feels like iron. It’s a different sort of ground to Europe, which is softer and more forgiving. This gives your hands and your body a pounding. It’s punishing.”

Riders will climb to nearly 3 000 metres before plunging down valleys, where several rivers will have to be crossed. The names of the sections, like Mr Moleko’s Pass, Thabang’s Road to Hell, Impossible and Down­ town x2, give a hint at the new level of difficulty which riders will face. As always, the Roof riders have to go slower through villa­ ges. “We try to avoid villages as much as possible, and we warn the locals not to bring their cattle out. In fact, we work with the lo­

“Roof of Africa 2014 was by far the hardest thing I have ever done” classes: gold, silver and bronze, depending on the degree of diffi­ culty of the route they follow.

The Roof of Africa enduro is in full swing until Sunday, with more than 380 riders hoping they can finish.

PHOTO: ROOFOFAFRICA.INFO

The talented Altus de Wet wearing the number 2 plate in 2013.

Will his internatonal experience make it No. 1 by Sunday?

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM

KTM factory rider Kirsten Landman finish 23rd in her first Roof in 2014. She is keen to do even better this time around.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM

cal farmers on how to best route the race around their villages,” said Luck on the Roof’s website.

Lights are optional but recom­

but any type of motocycle is wel­ come, and this year will see Christini racing their 2x2 bikes for the first time in the Roof.

mended, especially for those who get lost, a nightmare that haunts even the front riders.

Trail tyres may not be used,

Racers ready for 38th Dakar PREPARATIONS are in full swing for the 2016 Dakar, which starts just after New Year and will see 556 riders, drivers and truckers pit their vehicles against the desert for 9000 km two weeks in the 38th Dakar Rally.

The intrigue in the car category will be two­fold, with the matter of the continuing Mini supremacy, triumphant on the last four edi­ tions, and especially that of their leader Nasser Al Attiyah.

Having dominated last January to pick up his second title, the “Prince of the Desert”, he has gone on to outshine the competition on the rally­raid world cup, also add­ ing an 11th success in the Middle­ East Rally Championship, and the WRC2 title.

Peugeot’s Stéphane Peterhan­ sel, Carlos Sainz and Cyril Despres have been joined by nine times

world rally champion Sébastien Loeb.

These four drivers will be count­ ing on new version of the Peugeot 2008 to stay ahead of Toyota Ga­ zoo Racing South Africa.

Their rivals include the Minis (Roma, Terranova and Hirvonen), and the Toyota Hilux of South Afri­ ca’s Giniel de Villiers.

De Villiers and Von Zitzewitz will again partner Poulter and Rob Howie for the 2016 Dakar Rally.

However, this year also sees the addition of Saudi racing sensation Yazeed al Rajhi to the team.

He has German navigator Timo Gottschalk in the car beside him, and the pair completed a short test session of their own in South Africa earlier in November.

This year will be the Dakar to allow trucks into Bolivia. The 2016 route includes sections at an alti­

tude of more than 3 500 metres.

The Russian Kamaz drivers have only missed out on one truck category title since the race switched to South America.

However, the winner of that ti­ tle in 2012, Gerard de Rooy, has teamed up with his former rival Ales Loprais to attempt to counter the favourites.

The oldest truck racer, 74­year­ old Yoshimasa Sugawara, has two new Hino trucks on his team and they aim for a seventh straight win in the class for trucks with engines under 10 litres.

Racers on quad bikes will be watching winners of four Dakars in the quad category, brothers Al­ ejandro and Marcos Patronelli, who make their return after — as usual — not taking part in a single race to prepare for the world’s hardest enduro race. — WR.

The conditions favour light two­stroke machines. Past win­ ners rode on 250 cc or 300 cc bikes. Bikes are divided into three

RIDERS TO WATCH All eyes will be on KZN rider Wade Young, who became the youngest rider to win the Roof in 2012, narrowly lost to Britain’s Graham Jarvis in 2013, and last year took the title again, beating Jarvis by almost six minutes.

Brett Swanepoel and Altus de Wet followed home, and De Wet, who wore the number 2 plate in 2013, is chomping at the bit for a podium this year.

The start and finish for all bikes is at Ha Patrick, which has easy access and a spectacular fin­ ish line. Using the tracking sys­ tem, now in its second year, fans and crews alike can follow the bik­ ers using the Yellow Brick app.

Among the female riders, Kir­ sten Landman is hoping that this year will be just as good as 2014, when she finished a strong 23rd in Silver Class on her first Roof.

“Roof of Africa 2014 was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. There were many times when I doubted my abilities, when I wanted to throw in the towel and give up, but I made a promise to myself that I was not going to quit and that giving up was not an option. Thank good­ ness I have really long arms be­ cause I had to really dig deep to push through and cross that fin­ ish line,” she posted afterwards on her website.

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Witness Wheels thanks all their clients and readers for their support and loyalty in 2015.

Our last publication for 2015 will be 17 December and we will be back on the 14 January 2016.

A Safe & Joyous Festive Season To All!!