Wheels 2015 2 25

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Catch on us live 104 l Capitadays Satur m 9­10 a

ASH CAR SALES

February 25, 2016

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

Witness

WHEELS

KWAZULU­NATAL’S BEST READ ON ALL THINGS WHEELED

2013 Mercedes Benz cLs 250 cdI 150KW, Blk/Blk leather, only done 30 000 kms, glass sunroof, Smash and Grab windows, front and rear PDC, intelligent light system, Xenons, MFS, auto, full electric memory seats, electric folding side mirrors, F1 style paddleshift, 20” wheels.

R499 995

Contact Ash on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)

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

… EVEN LIL’ BIG TRUCKS

Hilux still SA’s top bakkie? There is a long waiting list for the new Hilux in the Midlands. ALWYN VILJOEN finds out why. SOUTH Africa has two kinds of bakkie buyers — those in over a million Hilux bakkies, and a few thousand in other makes. The latter group are keenly awaiting the latest car­like comforts in the likes of the new Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton and even the new Fiat Fullback (made with Mitsubishi), while the fans of the Ranger, Isuzu, Amarok, Bolero and Steed remain true to their brands. The Hilux disciples, however, couldn’t care less. All they want to know is when can they wrap their fingers lovingly around the multi­function steer­ ing wheel of the all­new Hilux, 23 models of which were launched to the media at the Kyalami race track on Tuesday. Never mind that the top­spec Ranger’s 3,2 litre diesel engine offers quite a lot more power than the new Hilux; or that both the Isuzu and Navara bakkies offer rides that will smooth out even rough dirt roads, even without a load in the bin; or that the Amarok still has the best­looking profile for some beholders; or how much less the Bolero and Steed cost. Hilux riders will tell you that Toyota has now matched all these strong points of the competing bakkies and made the Hilux’s own strong points even better. This includes pricing, said new car sales manager at McCarthy Pietermaritzburg, De­ on Olivier, who told Wheels that three models are now cheaper than their outgoing models, with the 2,8 4x4 Raider with six speed autobox costing R3 300 less. Having driven his new Hilux for almost a week, Olivier can confirm the legendary bakkie is more luxurious inside and has as pliant a ride as the com­ petitors, while the launch prices will escape the next round of price increases. The bad news, said Olivier, is that there is already a waiting list of over 30 people for the new Hilux. He expects demand to exceed supply from the plant in Prospecton for a long time yet. Under the hood Toyota has replaced the 3,0­litre diesel unit with a more efficient 2,8­litre diesel and the 4,0­litre V6 4x4 and 2,8 diesel 4x4 models are paired to a new six­speed automatic. The manual transmis­ sions on all the 2,8 engines also have “intelligent manual transmission” (i­MT) as standard. This matches engine revolutions to the right gear for really smooth shifting. Toyota is very proud of the fantastic infotain­ ment system, which is anchored by a huge touch­

Readers can experience the new hill descent control of the new Hilux at the upcoming Royal Show. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN

screen, how it will manage the old tyres in accord­ ance with the Waste Management Act of 2008, the trailer sway control which buyers demanded and got and hill descent control. I got to test this control down a 43­degree steel ramp that had me butt­munching the seat. Wheels readers can expe­ rience the same thrill at the upcoming Royal Show. I can further report that infotainment system paired with any smartphone in three clicks — only the Bluetooth system in the latest VW Caddy is as quick — while those LED head lights do look handsome framed in a rear­view mirror. Owners also stand to get a nice fuzzy feeling from knowing that the interior of the Hilux is clad with plastics that are highly recyclable. Even nicer is the five year or 90 000 km warran­ ty and service plan that can be extended to six years and 220 000 km, backed by a longer service plan of seven years or 200 000 km. This is highly recommended for fleet buyers who want to “pay today’s rates for tomorrow’s maintenance”, as To­ yota puts it. McCarthy Toyota in Pietermaritzburg will be hosting some of those fleet buyers tonight, who will be asking a lot of questions on these ex­ tended warranties and bulk­buy discounts on espe­ cially the Hilux SR single cab workhorse. The glass just got fuller All the above are just part of the little umbrella on top of the private Hilux owner’s glass, which was already brimming with a big mix of low­rev­ ving torque and more dealers than you can com­ fortably pin on Google maps. Hilux engineers’ se­ cret sauce has always been their ability to match all the available torque at low revs with ideal gear ratios in order to idle a loaded Hilux up steep hills, including in the thin air of the Highveld. The new models continue this tradition. Even the entry level 2­litre petrol makes its 183 Newtons at 4 000 rpm, while the popular, mid­range 2,4 turbo diesel wrings the drive shafts at a steady 343 Newtons between 1 400 and 2 800 rpm. Being able to move loads at low revs leads to burning less fuel, but Toyota thinks any of the 23 new models can beat the fuel consumption of simi­ lar competing bakkies out there, with the best of the bunch being 10,6l/100 km from the 2,7 petrol engine on a combined cycle, thanks to clever varia­ ble valve timing. There are two other petrol engines, the entry two­litre and the top­of­the range six­cylinder that displaced four litres, as well as two diesels, a 2,4­li­ tre mapped to make either 343 NM or 400 Nm, and a 2,8­litre making either 420 Nm or 450 Nm. Steve’s Auto Clinic is just one of several tuning companies that are already braced to up these numbers significantly just with a remap, which will deliver half again as much torque while still using Euro two fuel levels. Being pegged at a low Euro level simply means the new Hilux can burn 500 ppm fuel anywhere from Cape Town to Cairo. And, of course, it does not matter whether you do the Cape to Cairo trip by going left via Oshakati or right via the Tete province in Mozambique, there will be Toyota dealer nearby. This wide dealer network is the reason why Hi­ lux buyers stay so loyal. With close to 200 dealers spread across southern Africa, no other brand even comes close to providing adventurous drivers with as much reassurance that help is close at hand, should they run out of talent somewhere. Which is why Toyota says it is not worried about competition from the Ranger, Bolero, Navara, Fiat et all. Despite the waiting lists, dealers are already gearing up to sell well over 2 000 Hiluxes a month nationwide, as all the loyalists prepare to upgrade to what looks to be the best addition to this legend ary bakkie yet. • Next week in Wheels: we speak to the chief engineer behind the Hilux.

The first three new Hilux bakkies in the Midlands get a thorough pre­delivery check by worskhop manager Leon Olivier (left) and PDI technician Amirchand Ragunanan at McCarthy PMB. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN

... THE ALL NEW HILUX

HAS ARRIVED

McCARTHY PMB SATURDAY 27/02/2016

9 am - 3 pm

: deono@mcmotor.co.za

24/02/2016


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WitnessWheels MOTORING

The small print

Service plans turn the fine print into bold

Maintenance plans, service plans and warranties – confused? WHEN purchasing a new or used vehicle knowing what mainte­ nance plan, service plan or war­ ranty to get can be overwhelm­ ing. And in today’s economy, ev­ ery cent spent needs to make sense for our specific circum­ stances. Les McMaster, chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Association, says it is important to understand what the differen­ ces are between the three options available so you can make an edu­ cated decision on where to put your money. “Interestingly we find that many vehicle owners don’t fully understand what their specific plan covers. This leads to many complaints when repairs are needed, especially when the own­ er thinks the repairs should be covered by the plan, but in fact are not.” He highly recommends taking the time to understand what is and isn’t covered by the different plan options and to ask questions if in doubt. Warren Fryer, dealer relations manager at Motorite Adminis­ trators, explained what each op­ tion entails. Service plans “Firstly emphasis must be made that a service plan is NOT a maintenance plan. “A service plan covers only ser­ vice parts and labour used in ac­ cordance with a manufacturer’s service schedule. “Parts that are replaced on a scheduled service such as oils, fil­ ters, spark plugs, air filters (when required and stipulated by the specific service) are covered by a

The auto industry offers several contracts that sell peace of mind to vehicle owners who don’t want to make use of the cut­ rate sidewalk mechanics like these gents, who say their hourly rates are less than R150. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN service plan. Additional parts such as brake pads, v­belts, brake linings etcetera, are excluded from a service plan.” Items generally not covered by a service plan include: • Internal and external trim, body work and paint due to nor­ mal wear and tear. • All glass, tyres, wheels, wheel alignment, accessories, electrical wiring components. • Additional maintenance that may be required as a result of the vehicle being operated in severe or unusual conditions. • Additional maintenance that may be required as a result of any modification made to the vehi­ cle. • Additional maintenance that may be required as a result of: accident, damage, abuse or mis­ use or consequential damage as

a result of such an action. • Failure to use the vehicle in ac­ cordance with the instruction contained in the vehicle service book. • Failure to ensure that the vehi­ cle is properly, regularly and punctually serviced in accord­ ance with the instruction and recommendations specified by the vehicle manufacturer in the owner’s handbook. Maintenance plans “A vehicle maintenance plan cov­ ers regular scheduled vehicle ser­ vices as well as specified wear­ and­tear on parts and labour costs. “This means that certain problems that are not part of a routine car service and the labour costs involved to repair them will be covered.

February 25, 2016

“Examples of items covered in maintenance work include clutch, exhaust, globes, fuses, brake pads, brake discs, shock ab­ sorbers, v­belts and wiper blades,” he says. Fryer points out that a mainte­ nance plan makes budgeting for a vehicle’s maintenance needs simple. “It is a convenient way of en­ suring that your maintenance costs are taken care of. These costs are also fixed which means they do not change throughout the duration of your contract. Inflation does not af­ fect your maintenance costs should you decide on taking out a maintenance plan but some fin­ anciers do require car owners to pay an additional fee into the maintenance plan as the years progress. — Supplied.

WARREN Fryer, dealer relations manager at Motorite Administra­ tors, stressed warrantees is an in­ surance cover against vehicle me­ chanical breakages and the repairs resulting from the failure of these covered items. “Each warranty differs in the items covered and, in terms of used vehicle warranties, the maxi­ mum benefit limits,” he says. Extended warranties The term ‘Extended warranty’ is used when a warranty has been designed to follow a manufactur­ er’s standard warranty when the vehicle is bought new. These warranties are often un­ limited in terms of the benefits on covered items. A ‘used car’ warranty is de­ signed to cover mechanical break­ ages on covered items but is limit­ ed to a maximum benefit depend­ ing on the age of the vehicle in terms of years and mileage. Examples of what components may be covered under a warranty include the engine (including tur­ bo chargers); fuel system and fuel pump; drive shafts and axles; brake components, etc. “There are many differentiators in warranty policies hence the vari­ ous pricing structures. “Always compare against an­ other warranty to ensure that you choose the most cover for the amount of money you will be pay­ ing. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the servicing schedule is strictly adhered to, to ensure that the plan remains valid,” he ad­ vises. A good idea for used cars Fryer advises car buyers of espe­ cially used vehicles to also consid­ er a service plan to support any remaining manufacturer’s warran­ ty.

“Correct servicing often results in preventing large repairs should the service repairer identify a problem when it is relatively small. “If a vehicle already has an un­ derlying warranty and service plan, and your budget allows, you may want to consider upgrading to a maintenance plan which ensures that most expenses in terms of mechanical breakage, service costs and wear and tear costs would be covered within the dura­ tion of the plan,” he explains. “In most cases when you buy a new car in South Africa the war­ ranties and service plans are built into the price of the vehicle. “As the consumer you don’t have the option of declining these items. They come with the vehicle as a package. “In much the same way as the manufacturer sells a vehicle with a specific brand of tyre, they will sell the vehicle standard with a warranty, service plan, mainte­ nance plan or combination,” he says. Les McMaster of Motor Industry says while these plans are often viewed as so called grudge pur­ chases, if done properly, they prove well worth the money paid. “When buying a vehicle, espe­ cially a used vehicle, you can’t be sure of the maintenance history of the vehicle. “Owner abuse and lack of main­ tenance can add undue stress on mechanical components that lim­ its their lifespan. “It’s always wise to be prepared should an unforeseen mechanical failure take place. “The key, however, is making sure you understand the plan or policy and what the terms and conditions are that will enable the plan/policy to remain valid and en­ forced BEFORE signing anything,” he concludes. — WR.

Enthusiasts use Welsh millions build a hydrogen car for rental driving COLIN JEFFREY A NEW hydrogen fuel­cell elec­ tric vehicle prototype has been launched with a claimed fuel economy equivalent to 0,9 (100 km). Dubbed “Rasa,” the new car has a lightweight carbon­fibre monocoque shell, in­wheel elec­ tric motors, a bank of super­ capacitors charged by braking­ regeneration, and a host of other features that enable it to travel up to a claimed 483 km on just a 1,5 kg tank of hydrogen. A road­legal two­seater engi­ neering prototype, the Rasa by Riversimple Movement Ltd UK has been designed from scratch to meet the company’s brief of lightness, strength, affordability and safety, as well the maximisa­ tion of fuel economy and minimi­ zation of pollution. Given that the pollution emitted by the Rasa is just 40 gCO2/km “well­to­ wheel”, even if the hydrogen is sourced from natural gas, and that water is the only substance to come out of the tailpipe, the company is claiming the lowest carbon emissions for any vehicle thus far produced. Being built for full European type approval, the development of the Rasa was supported by a £2 million grant (R34,2 million) from the Welsh government. Be­ ginning this year, using matched funding from a €2 million Euro­ pean Union endowment, the company will be running a public 12­month trial of a fleet of 20 Ra­

Despite its low kerb weight of just 580 kg, the Rasa is no stripped­out hydro car, but a luxury alternative to fossil fuels. PHOTO: RASA sa prototypes. It is expected that the outcome of this on­going de­ velopment will result in the launch of a full production model to market sometime in 2018. “The Rasa engineering proto­ type marks another key mile­ stone in bringing an affordable and highly­efficient hydrogen powered car to market,” said Hu­ go Spowers, Founder of River­ simple Movement Ltd. “We real­ ly have started from a clean sheet of paper.” With headquarters in Llan­

drindod Wells in Wales, and a de­ sign studio in Barcelona, Spain, Riversimple was born of the SWARM (Small 4­Wheel fuel cell passenger vehicle Applica­ tions in Regional and Municipal transport) consortium project that aims to build on and expand existing hydrogen refuelling in­ frastructure across Europe, and collaborates to produce vehicles specifically designed to use these hydrogen stations. Taking the shape of a relatively low­slung two­seat hatchback,

the Rasa has an interesting exte­ rior design, with faired rear wheels, a cluster of projection headlamps up front, a vented hatch at the rear, and upward­ swinging gull­wing doors. The interior appears to be a rather un­ cluttered affair, and provides a pod­style instrument binnacle, a simple dash layout, and a mini­ malist, but attractive finish. On the performance side, the com­ pany says that the car will be “light to handle, responsive, and fun to drive” with acceleration to

89 km/h in around nine seconds and a maximum speed topping out at around 96 km/h. With a total kerb weight of just 580 kg, and an 8.5 kW (11,4 hors­ es) fuel cell to power the motors contained in each of the four wheels, the Rasa also recovers more than 50% of the kinetic en­ ergy produced under braking and stores this in a bank of super­ca­ pacitors which it then uses to boost acceleration. Not quite in the performance league of such promised hydro­

gen fuel cell vehicles as the Audi h­tron or the Honda Clarity, the exceptionally light weight of the Rasa and its resulting handling characteristics, however, should still make it a fun little car to drive around town. Styled by Chris Reitz (a rela­ tive of Wolfgang Porsche and former design director at Alfa Ro­ meo), the company claims that the Rasa has been designed and built with input from a highly­ skilled in­house team whose ex­ perience ranges from Formula 1 to aerospace engineering. All going well, when the vehi­ cle is finally offered for sale at some stage in 2018, the company intends to offer the Rasa through a “sale of service” scheme where, for a fixed monthly fee and dis­ tance allowance, the company will provide all repair, mainte­ nance, insurance, and fuel costs. As a result, drivers will not own the car, but simply swap it for a new one or return it at the end of the use period. This approach, claims the company, will help re­ duce the financial burden of out­ right vehicle ownership for the average driver. “The Rasa gives us the oppor­ tunity to introduce customers to a more convenient concept of motoring, a lightness of owner­ ship that neither places a burden on the pockets of motorists or the surrounding environment,” says Spowers. “The car is simple, light and fun in every respect.” — Gizmag.


MOTORING WitnessWheels

February 25, 2016

3

Mazda’s urban warrior BRIAN BASSETT explores Hillcrest in the Mazda CX­3 SOUTH Africans love cross­ overs. They drive like a car, have excellent luggage space and keep your petrol bill fairly low, while their flexibility allows for use as a mom’s taxi and a car for family holidays. Manufacturers have re­ sponded to this demand in the marketplace and the crossover segment has consequently be­ come quite a crowded place. Mazda’s offer in this fray faces the likes of Opel’s Corsa­based Mokka, Ford’s Fiesta­based Eco­ sport, Renault’s Clio­based Cap­ tur and Honda’s Jazz­based HR­V, to name but a few excellent competitors. The Mazda CX­3 uses the Mazda2 platform as its base and bears a considerable resem­ blance to that vehicle in silhou­ ette. Since its introduction in De­ cember 2015 the car has become so popular that there is a waiting list and it has been dif­ ficult to obtain a demo model to drive from the dealerships. I am therefore grateful to my friend Michael Porter, a Hillcrest resi­ dent, who offered me his two­week old CX­3 for a Sunday morning in order to experience firsthand the driving enjoyment he found in the vehicle. Michael is both a mathematician and an engineer by training, is married to Estelle, who runs her own home­based busi­ ness and they have two children, a girl and a boy — so a typical South African middle class family. Michael has an of­ fice car to use as trans­ port during the week and the family’s re­ quirement was for a mom’s taxi, which could also be used on the weekend and on holidays. Their CX­3 is in red and we walked around the car before moving off with Michel point­ ing out the design which first attracted them to the vehicle. The Mazda is a good looking, slightly squat vehicle, with a typical Mazda grill at the front, flanked by slit­ eyed, halogen head­ lamps and fog lights placed on either side of an air scoop under the Mazda grill. Two strong design lines give the bonnet a pow­ erful character and the bonnet lines sweep to­ wards the molded rear end, with its large rear light clusters and two

exhausts, which add a feeling of power and strength. Obviously the CX­3’s looks sold it to the Porters, but I was told “just wait until you see the interior”. So I opened the front door with its electric, colour­ matched side mirrors and had a look around. My first thought was that the black colouring of the interior made it a little gloomy and what was needed was the power slide and tilt glass sunroof, which comes as standard with the Indi­ vidual spec. But that small criti­ cism aside the interior is one of the best in its class and speaks to fine materials, quality and craftsmanship. All controls are ergonomically well placed, and the dash is dominated by a seven­ inch, full­colour touch screen display, which can also be operat­

Mazda’s marketing manager Doreen Mashinini warned at the local launch of the CX­3 (top) the brand will not continue building on the cheap and cheerful legends of the 323 (right) and Mazda halftonner bakkie, but will be based on aggressive pricing for its three passenger cars, all with the group’s proven Skyactiv petrol and diesel engines and — more importantly — a three­year, unlimited­kilometre warranty and service plan. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED ed by a command wheel in the centre console. The multi­func­ tion steering is a pleasure to han­ dle and has the usual sound, Bluetooth and cruise control buttons and is also completely adjustable. Air conditioning in the Dynamic spec is automatic and there are rear parking sen­

sors. The seats are comfortable and I am told easily wiped down. Rear space is what you would expect from a small hatch, as is the boot, but there are lots of small storage spaces in the car and the baggage area nearly dou­ bles in size with the rear seats folded down in 60/40 fashion. The six­speaker Audio/USB system is pleasant and suits most needs. As a small business owner

Estelle likes the ease of op­ eration and flexibility of the CX­3, while Michael as an engi­ neer is concerned with safety and performance. In both cases the CX­3 does not disappoint. There are six airbags, driver, passenger, side and curtain. ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist, Side Impact Bars, Dynamic Stability

THE ROAD IS YOURS IN A BMW 3 SERIES.

Control, Hill Hold Assist, seat belts for all and remote central locking with alarm and engine immobiliser. These are but a few of the long list of safety measures on the car. When it came to driving in the pleasant leafy environment of Hillcrest Michael, who has never been much of a petrol head, was proud of the performance of the peppy, two­litre, naturally­aspi­ rated, 115 kW/204 Nm petrol en­ gine. On tar the car is responsive, almost eager and I did not miss the almost regulation turbo that most of the opposition installs. The steering is responsive and the car holds the road well when cornering as fast as the civilised road system of Hillcrest will al­ low. In fact it is remarkable that a vehicle marketed as a hatchback could be so sporty. The ride is harder than expected, but still comfortable and adds to the nim­ bleness and the fun of driving. The car I drove had an auto six­ speed gearbox, which comes with Dynamic Stability Control. The manufacturer suggests that 0­100 km/h takes around 9,5 seconds and Michael tells me that he gets around 8 l/100 km. The CX­3 entry model comes in at R255 000, the Dynamic Au­ to, reviewed here, at about R290 000 and the Individual spec (only in auto), will cost around R330 000. There is a three­year, unlimit­ ed mileage guarantee with road­ side assistance, as well as a three­ year, unlimited mileage service plan. You should also select several other crossovers and evaluate them against the CX­3 before making a final decision.

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4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

February 25, 2016

No keys in new Volvos ‘New technology will make our customers’ lives easier and save them time’

SHAVED ELISE THE FASTEST LOTUS YET AARON TURPEN

NOT content with being the first car maker to install seatbelts in all its models as standard, Volvo has now announced another ground­breaking move for the automotive industry — no keys. Volvo Cars said in a statement it plans to become the world’s first car manufacturer to offer cars without keys from next year 2017. Volvo customers will be of­ fered an application for their mo­ bile phones to replace the physi­ cal key with a digital key. The innovative Bluetooth­en­ abled digital key technology will offer Volvo customers far more flexibility, enabling them to ben­ efit from entirely new ways to use and share cars. The new Volvo app enables the digital key on the customer’s mo­ bile phone to do everything a physical key currently does, such as locking or unlocking the doors or the boot and allowing the en­ gine to be started. This new technology will also offer customers the possibility to receive more than one digital key on their app, allowing them to ac­ cess different Volvo cars in differ­ ent locations – according to their changing mobility needs. Using the app, people could potentially book and pay for a rental car anywhere in the world and have the digital car key deliv­ ered to their phone immediately. On arrival, a customer could simply locate the rental car via GPS, unlock it and drive away, avoiding those frustrating queues at airport or train station car rental desks. Volvo Cars’ digital key means that sharing a car will become

A Bluetooth­enabled digital key technology will offer Volvo drivers far more flexibility, enabling them to benefit from entirely new ways to use and share cars. PHOTO: VOLVO both simple and convenient. Vol­ vo owners will be able to send their digital key to other people via their mobile phones so they can also use the car. This may be to family members, friends or co­ workers in a company. “At Volvo, we are not interest­ ed in technology for the sake of technology. New technology has to make our customers’ lives eas­ ier and save them time. Mobility needs are evolving and so are our customers’ expectation to access cars in an uncomplicated way,” said Henrik Green, vice president

of product strategy & vehicle line management at Volvo Cars. “Our innovative digital key tech­ nology has the potential to com­ pletely change how a Volvo can be accessed and shared. Instead of sitting idle in a parking lot the entire day, cars could be used more often and efficiently by whoever the owner wishes.” Volvo will pilot this technolo­ gy in spring 2016 via its car­shar­ ing firm Sunfleet, stationed at Gothenburg airport, Sweden. A limited number of commercially available cars will be equipped

with the new digital key technol­ ogy in 2017. “There are obviously many permutations when it comes to how this shared key technology can be used,” added Martin Ro­ senqvist, new car director, special products at Volvo Cars. “We look forward to seeing how else this technology might be used in the future and we welcome any and all ideas.” Volvo is a pioneer with new digital key solutions. In 2015, the Swedish premium car maker launched the world’s first com­

mercial offer to have online shop­ ping delivered directly to the car by providing a one­time digital key to a delivery company. Now the digital key technology will al­ so be made available for custom­ ers. Physical keys will continue to be offered for people who want them. Volvo’s innovative keyless car technology will be shown for the first time at the Mobile World Congress 2016 (22­25 February) in Barcelona at the Ericsson booth. — WR.

STANDING about waist high to most adults and being not much longer than a tandem bicycle, the Lotus Elise is al­ ready a small sports car. Imagine if that became even lighter and more power­ ful, capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in 3,9 sec­ onds and 0­100 km/h in 4,3 seconds. That, when you boil it down to brass tacks, is what the Lotus Elise Cup 250 is — a lighter, faster, more power­ ful version of the regular Elise model as the high perform­ ance version of what is al­ ready a high performance car. As a replacement for the Cup 220, the Lotus Elise Cup 250 will have a limited run of only 200 units per year. Performance improve­ ments come from 21 kg shaved off and 19 kW added, with slightly wider 195/50 R16 up front. In England, pricing for the Elise Cup 250 begins at £46 500, (about R1 031 760).

With 261 horses to pull each ton, the Elise Cup 250 does zeroo to 100 km/h in 4,3 seconds. PHOTO: LOTUS

N­series gives N­otably more power SIBONELO MYENI HYUNDAI’S N­Performance has brought us its new and sporty i20 1.4 N­series model in Mzansi. On the outside, the N­divi­ sion has done a good job with the sporty bits, which man­ aged to draw a lot of bystander attention during our test peri­ od. The Sport Body kit con­ sists of side skirts, front and rear bumper trim finishes and a rear boot spoiler, all of which make it a true N car. Underpinning modifica­ tions include stiffer springs, suspension tweaks also add­ ing a firmer ride, sporty han­ dling and roadholding to the package, making it firmer and reassuring under high speed cornering. New 17­inch alloy rims, a stainless steel free­flow CAT back exhaust system and N­badges on the front fenders

Hyundai’s i20 1.4 N takes the fight to the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta. PHOTO: QUICKPIC and rear hatchback door sum up its sporty nature. Step inside and you are wel­ comed by a dull cabin that leaves a sense of disappoint­ ment. Nothing has been changed

from the standard model, of which the N­division could have made minor improve­ ments that could have com­ plemented the sporty exterior. Beneath the hood is a re­ vised 1,4 litre 4­cylinder en­

gine that produces 84 kW/160 Nm, allowing the N­Sport to complete the 0­100 km/h sprint in a claimed 11,4 sec before reach­ ing a top speed of 182 km/h. There is a notable improve­ ment in power over the stan­ dard model, which makes driving the N­Sport a joy, how­ ever the 7l/100 km fuel con­ sumption that we achieved during the test period proved to be a bit high for a 1,4 litre motor but nonetheless, the i20 N­Sport does deliver un­ der enthusiastic driving. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a smooth shifting six­speed transmis­ sion. On the road, the i20 N­Sport proved comfortable with good road manners when pushed, and with a price tag of R239 000, it is priced to take on the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta. — Imotoonline.

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

Hard­shell for pets on wheels One of the more innovative projects on Kickstarter is a hard­shelled pet carrier designed in Italy by Massimiliano Fasana. He calls his moulded box POW, for Pet on Wheels. Fasana states on Kickstarter the box can be strapped on any two­wheeled transport, onto a car seat, or carried in hand, and meets the laws of Italy, the U.S. and UK as well as New South Wales in Australia. On bikes, the POW can face forwards or backwards. A pledge of almost R1 700 gets one in line for the first POW in April, which will be moulded all in white. Fasana warns the retail price will double. PHOTO: YOUTUBE


The Return of the Night Market By Barons Pietermaritzburg Some of you may recall that I was very excited around the end of last month, waxing lyrical about the Dunrobin Night Market. Dunrobin Garden Centre (off Townbush Road) is one of Pietermaritzburg’s better-known landmarks, and has been helping gardeners get kitted out for many years, but the night market is something new and wonderful. And, I’m pleased to say, it’s happening again this Friday the 26th of February, from 5:30pm to 9pm. As always, the night market promises to provide an evening of “wonderment, mystery, and celebration,” with live music and a wide array of stalls (including some typically delicious local foodstuffs); it’s the perfect evening out for the whole family: browse the stalls, explore what’s on offer, make new friends and see old ones. And the best part? Once again visitors to the night market can park at the bottom of the long hill up to Dunrobin Garden Centre, and catch a lift on the Barons PMB shuttle service all the way to the top. And of course back

It’s not just a car. It’s a Golf.

down again once they’ve had their fill of the magical atmosphere. There’s no charge at all, so you can save all your cash for the wonderments on offer at the market! The folks at Barons PMB have made it their long-term goal to make their customers’ lives easier. It shows in their superlative after-sales service, and in their tailor-made financial advice and planning, and it shows in their support of one of Maritzburg’s hidden gems. So head to the Dunrobin Garden Centre on Friday night, and then head to Barons PMB the next day. You’re guaranteed to find something worth your attention! Find out more about the night market at http://www.dunrobin.co.za/night-market.html. 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.

Guaranteed Future Value with Barons Pietermaritzburg.

T BEAT

PRICE INC

01

MARCH

A SE RE

HE

2016

Purchase a Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG from R5,931* per month. The Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG standard features include:

Monthly Instalments

Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG

R449,600

R5,931*

Golf GTI 2.0 TSI Performance Pack DSG

R469,600

R6,210*

No. of Interest Rate Instalments Linked / Variable

72 72

T BEAT

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

8.29%*

5% (R22,480)

35% (R157,360)

R584,424

8.35%*

5% (R23,480)

35% (R164,360)

R611,498

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za

• • • • •

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

Polo Vivo 2013 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.6 2014 Polo Vivo GT 1.6 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo 2013 Polo 1.6 Trendline 5 door 2014 Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline Golf 2009 Golf 6 GTI 2.0 TSI DSG 2011 Golf R 2.0 TSI 2015 Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG 2015 Golf 7 R TSI DSG 2015 Golf SV 1.4 TSI Comfortline Jetta 2010 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline 2015 Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline Up! 2015 Take up! 1.0 55kW Other VW 2011 Amarok Double Cab TDI Highline 4Motion 2012 Volkswagen CC 3.6 FSI DSG 2015 Cross Caddy 2.0 TDI 2016 Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG Other 2012 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Executive 2013 Toyota Aygo 1.0 5 Door 2013 Renault Sandero 1.4

e&oe

An optional cost of R1100 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.25%. Offers calculated on the Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG models in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, delivery, licensing and registration, but includes bank initiation fee of R1140. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 29 February 2016 or while stocks last.

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

Silver Silver White White Beige

R123 000 R159 900 R144 900 R144 900 R144 900

89 000 14 000 29 500 27 000 30 000

km km km km km

Silver Red Red White Silver

R154 900 R169 900 R209 000 R199 900 R204 900

57 000 35 000 9 000 9 000 17 000

km km km km km

Silver Red White White White

R229 900 R289 900 R399 900 R549 000 R309 000

58 000 64 000 15 000 3 500 7 000

km km km km km

White Red

R149 900 R279 900

98 000 km 6 000 km

White

R122 900

8 000 km

Beige Silver Green Grey

R289 900 R219 900 R299 000 R399 000

89 000 68 000 19 000 3 000

km km km km

Blue Red Gold

R149 900 R89 900 R79 900

70 000 km 89 000 km 99 000 km

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

Mastercars Sales Consultants: Laurie - 082 783 8040 • Rajen - 072 228 9834 • Sanjay - 083 639 0989 Barry - 072 235 4244 • Phumlani - 073 017 0294 Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Barons

Pietermaritzburg

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

01

MARCH

2016

Purchase a Polo hatch from R3,653* per month. - Guaranteed buyback** - Short term: 48 months The Polo hatch standard features include: - Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) - Dual front and side airbags - Hill-hold control - Electric windows, front and rear - Air conditioning system

- Leather multi-function steering wheel - Front fog lights - Volkswagen Service Plan (3 year /45,000km)

Monthly No. of Interest Rate Deposit Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl fees & VAT

0%

53.42% (R130,238)

R305,571

7.63%*

0%

57% (R145,179)

R320,973

48

7.61%*

0%

55% (R143,770)

R328,372

48

7.65%*

0%

57% (R154,299)

R341,080

Model

Vehicle Price

Polo TSI 70kW BlueMotion

R243,800

R3,653*

48

7.55%*

Polo TSI 81kW Highline

R254,700

R3,662*

48

Polo 1.4 TDI Highline

R261,400

R3,846*

Polo TSI 81kW Highline DSG

R270,700

R3,891*

Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za An optional cost of R950 incl. VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.25%. Offers calculated on the Polo hatch models in standard specification. Interest rate is used for illustrative purposes only. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes bank initiation fee of R1140. Offers may not be used in conjunction with any other specials service or offering. **Guaranteed Future Value based on 25 000km p.a. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Offers only available through Volkswagen Financial services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 29 February 2016 or while stocks last.

New Sales Consultants

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

Sales Enquiries: 033 940 1445

BP Advertising

Vehicle Price

PRICE INC

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Model

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- Start-stop with Brake Energy Recuperation - Front, side and curtain air bags - Electronic Park Brake with Auto-hold - Electronic Stability Programme - Climatronic air-conditioner - Cruise Control


WitnessWheels MOTORING BIKING

6

February 25, 2016

Relaxed bush ergonomics Honda’s Crossrunner offers all the looks of an adventure bike, but with a definite on­road bias DRIES VAN DER WALT JOHANNESBURG — When Honda decided to use the iconic VRF800F’s motor in an adven­ ture­style frame to create the VFR800X Crossrunner, they didn’t get it right the first time around. The riding public found the looks odd and the ergonomics awkward, and the bike got a luke­ warm reception on dealership floors. Honda (eventually) took note, and revamped the ’Runner completely in 2015. The “new” VFR800X is now available in South Africa and Honda SA in­ vited us to test it. Following what is becoming an increasing trend, Honda de­ signed the Crossrunner to have all the looks of an adventure bike but with a definite on­road bias. Despite the rugged looks and long­travel suspension, it rides on 17­inch mag wheels fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Trail tyres — not exactly suited to bundu bashing. Instead it offers comfortable seating, relaxed ergonomics and a flat torque curve — features that become seriously important when you’re stuck in rush­hour traffic. Taking its cue from the VFR1200X’s appearance, the new Crossrunner has much more coherent styling with greater em­ phasis on ruggedness than its predecessor. The X­shaped LED headlamp is joined by the typical adventure “beak” and (on the re­ view bike) front protection bars to bring the Crossrunner visually closer to its bigger sibling. ‘Vastly improved’ In fact, the latest iteration is a downright handsome machine that needn’t stand back for any of its competitors. The bike feels bigger and more solid than its predecessor, and its ergonomics have been vastly im­ proved. The seating position is relaxed and comfortable, and the

ance, one which the recently­ launched Africa Twin also suffers from. On the upside, the bike’s gear­ box is smooth and positive, re­ sulting in very few mis­shifts dur­ ing the review period. With the second generation of the Crossrunner, Honda has ad­ dressed most of the ailments of their first attempt, and the bike has grown into a comfortable commuter that’s equally at home on the open road, with sure­foot­ ed handling for the twisties. I don’t think one could wish for much more in a light adven­ ture sport bike. — Wheels24.

Honda ticked all the boxes for a light adventure sport bike in its VRF 800 X Crossrunner. PHOTO: HONDA rider is perched high enough to be able to clearly see over most of the surrounding traffic. Unusual on a bike in this cate­ gory, the handlebars don’t feel too wide and as a result are less affected by wind buffeting. Buttons and switches are rea­ sonably easy to operate, although Honda’s habit of making the hooter button more prominent than the indicator switch is as an­ noying as ever. Creature comforts Creature comforts include five­ setting grip heaters and self­can­ celling indicators. Although the fact that it is summer prevented me from testing the former, I can

report that the latter works ex­ tremely well: the indicators are cancelled within a reasonable time of going around a corner (a feat it accomplishes by using the ABS sensors to measure wheel speed differential). In addition to the speedo and rev counter (the latter a bar graph), the rede­ signed LCD dash also includes a gear position indicator, fuel con­ sumption and cruising range in­ dicator, clock, ambient tempera­ ture gauge and twin trip meters. The 782 cm3 V4 VTEC engine fires up with ease and emits a sat­ isfying growl if you give it a hand­ ful of throttle. In its current itera­ tion, the engine serves up more low­to midrange power and

Almost 63 000 Qubhekas delivered QHUBEKA’S supporters last year helped the group to distrib­ ute 9 391 Buffalo Bicycles, assem­ bled in Pietermaritzburg. The plant has a particular fo­ cus on working with women, and to date the ladies have helped 62 982 people acquire a bicycle in South Africa. The majority of last year’s bi­ cycles were distributed to Qhub­ eka programme participants, who work to earn their bicycles by committing to improving their academic results or working to improve their communities or environment. These were distributed across five different provinces in South Africa. • 6 323 bicycles went into the Bicycle Education Empower­ ment Programme in partnership with World Vision. • 698 bicycles went into Qhubeka Eco programmes in partnership with Wildlands Conservation Trust, where peo­ ple barter for bicycles by growing indigenous trees or collecting re­ cyclable waste. • 343 bicycle went into other Qhubeka programmes. Of the total number of bicy­

torque. Peak power and torque have been increased to 78kW at 10 250 and 75Nm at 8 500 rpm, respec­ tively. During riding it is evident that a generous helping of torque is available from low down in the rev range, making the bike feel very responsive in traffic. The VTEC effect has been tamed in this application — al­ though still noticeable, it is a lot less intrusive. However, things do get rather exciting closer to the red line when the Crossrunner begins to feel more like the sport tourer it originated from and less like the adventure sport it has be­ come.

How practical is it? On the subject of touring, the ca­ pacious topboxes and panniers Honda offers as accessories, combined with the smooth en­ gine and comfortable seating makes it a credible light tourer. The bike is heavy for its size, but the centre of gravity is low and the added weight doesn’t af­ fect its handling negatively. In it’s default setting I found the traction control system too intrusive, especially on wet roads. I would routinely put the TCS in its lower setting, but unfortu­ nately it returns to default next time you switch the bike on. This is another minor annoy­

Specifications Engine: Liquid­cooled 4­stroke 16­ valve DOHC 90° V­4 Displacement: 782cm3 Maximum Power: 78kW @ 10,250rpm Maximum Torque: 75Nm @ 8,500rpm Fuel supply system: PGM­FI elec­ tronic fuel injection Fuel type: Premium unleaded 95 octane RON Fuel consumption: 5.6 L/100 km (actual) Transmission: Constant mesh 6­speed, final drive: Chain Kerb weight: 242 kg Fuel tank: 20.8 litres Brakes (front) 310mm x 4.5mm dual floating hydraulic disc with radial fit 4­piston calipers (*ABS) and sintered metal pads (rear) 256mm x 6mm hydraulic disc with two­piston caliper (*ABS) and sintered metal pads Suspension (front) 43mm HMAS cartridge­type telescopic fork with stepless preload and ten DF adjustment, 131mm axle travel, 145mm stroke (rear:) Pro­Link with gas­charged HMAS damper, 35­step (remote­controlled hy­ draulic) preload and stepless re­ bound damping adjustment, 148mm axle travel Wheel, front: 17M/C x MT3.5 Wheel, rear: 17M/C x MT5.5 Price: R141 990

Trikes for rent Canadian trike builder Velomotro is negotiating with the city fathers of Vancouver to roll out a point­to­point rental service that will allow users to rent the eletric trike and leave it at their destination. The Velomotro’s pedals are backed by an electric motor with an top speed limited to 32 km/h to ensure it is classified as a three wheeled bicycle, and not a motorbike. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

Clipon bottles

This man transports maize in bulk to a spaza shop in an informal settlement. PHOTO: QUBHEKA.ORG cles, 2 027 were purchased from Qhubeka, either by companies or individuals. Many people sponsored bicy­ cles, which helped thousands of others get to school, work, shops and clinics, while some compa­ nies helped employees pay for the

bicycles so they could get to work more easily. • Donate to Qhubeka before Feb­ ruary 29, 2016 and your donation could be eligible for a tax saving of up to 41%! Find out more on http://qhubeka.org/

The Clipon bottles comprise of two 300 ml S­shaped bottles that close with a clip in the middle, with a non­ slip layer on the inside to keep the bottle in place on most pipes, be it a bicycle frame, baby stroller or golf bag’s pull handle. Its Dutch makers say they aim to ship in July and a bottle will cost about R320 on Kickstarter. PHOTO: KICKSTARTER.


MOTORING WitnessWheels TRANSPORT

February 25, 2016

Lil’ big trucks

Battlefield robotics DAVID SZONDY

Model rigs on bakkie frames IT is not just good bourbon and those two fine music genres, Country and Western, that comes from Nasvhille, Tenness­ ee. For about R204 100 ($12 950) you can also order a mini truck called Lil Pete that is lovingly built to scale from the Lil Big Rig company in Hermitage. Its bigger brother, Lil Kenny, goes for $15 950. Apart from these two “stock” models, Lil Big Trucks will also custom make any rig their clients fancy, at a price. The go­to man to order a scale model truck, Bob Suffern, has clearly suffered a lot of fools in this dream, which may be why payment is 25% down before they consider your order. The cabins both of which fit on typical big “truck” chassis in the States. Note, America’s “trucks” are called “pickups”, “utes” or “bakkies” in the rest of the world, and their “semis” are called “trucks” elsewhere. Like most model cars, fibre­ glass laid over steel reinforce­

ment is used to shape the main cab and sleeper units. Under­ neath the dashboard, the archi­ tecture reminds of the first Sub­ arus, for its all rectangular iron­ work in there. While neither Lil Pete or Ken­ ny will get five stars in a Euro NCAP crash test, (nor any other kit car) the cab does come with seat belt mounts and DOT ap­ proved laminated safety glass. The windows are also powered. It seems the makers, Lil Big Rig have taken a leaf from German car manufacturers’ books. Add all the accessories — and you re­ ally have to if you don’t want a naked truck — and the price quickly rockets up too R425 600 for Lil Pete and to $20 385 for Lil Kenny. (Prices valid in 2014 and may rise soon.) These “accesso­ ries” range from a chromed front bumper ($520) and headlight as­ sembly ($425) to exhaust stacks and pipes ($11 250) and cosmetic side lights for the cab at a rather steep $19 each. The bodies are also available in right­hand drive, with import taxes and costs excluded from above pricing. — The Driver.

A leggy model shows the scale of Lil Kenny and Lil Pete (right), neither of which stands much higher than a kombi, which means they are dwarfed by the real thing (below). PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

THE modern battlefield requires soldiers who are able to adapt quickly to any mission and as ro­ bots join them, they’ll have to do the same. At the Singapore Airshow 2016 this week, Estonian defence company Milrem took the wraps off its robotic Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THe­ MIS) — a compact battlewagon billed as the “first­of­its­kind modular hybrid Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)” that acts as a multi­mission vehicle platform to assist or replace sol­ diers on the battlefield. According to Milrem, the key to THeMIS is its modular design. In other words, it’s a bit like one of those toy building kits where you swap out various bits and pieces to create different ma­ chines. In the case of THeMIS, the basic system consists of a pair of tracked pods separated by a

central platform. Each pod has independent electronics as well as power packs that are either electric or diesel driven. When they’re assembled they form a two­track remote controlled or autonomous robot weighing in at 700 kg with the capability of carrying the same in payload. Top speed is 50 km/h and the THeMIS can run for eight hours on a full battery charge and fuel tank. Milrem says that this modular approach reduces costs, allows new versions of the UGV to be developed quickly and simplifies maintenance. In addition, the platform al­ lows the vehicle to carry a num­ ber of modules for different mis­ sions, such as communications relay, medevac, training, mine clearance, supply transport, weapons platform for infantry and anti­tank operations, lifting, UAV base, or firefighting. — Gizmag.

Like an old fashioned luggage trolley with tank tracks, the THeMIS can carry a load over most areas. PHOTO: YOUTUBE 22289

ALWYN VILJOEN

7

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8

WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

February 25, 2016

Talking to a drift­smith Chris Smith, 2015 winner of the Drift Kings series in the UK. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

AHEAD of the return of Drift Kings to Japfest at its new venue, Silver­ stone Circuit, the event team caught up with 2015 winner, Chris Smith, (27) to ask him a few questions about the skill and culture of drifting. Japfest is the UK’s premier Japa­ nese car show and takes place on April 24th, 2016, at Silverstone, the home of British Motor Sport. How did you get into drifting? I started drifting in 2013 as I decided I wanted to do something a bit differ­ ent. I had a modified Vauxhall Nova that I used to take down to Santa Pod for drag racing, but it wasn’t exciting enough. A couple of people men­ tioned drifting, so I thought I’d get myself a cheap car and start making a go of it, and it kind of developed from there! What was your first car? I started off with a BMW E36, which is quite a popular entry­level drift car as there are plenty about at sensible money. Japanese drift cars are often a lot more expensive, and are properly developed machines. On my first time out, I stacked the BMW into a wall, which wasn’t the best introduction, but I stuck at it and got better from there. Winning Drift Kings 2015 was the highlight of my career so far. What do you drive now? My current drift car is a Nissan 200SX S14A, which is one of the most popular cars among drifters. There are so many tuning parts you can get for them, and most of it bolts on. Plus, it enables you to be part of the thriving Japanese car culture.

What makes for a good drift? For me, style is more important than speed, though you’re measured on both. You know when you’ve got it right as the car feels at home, it feels set­ tled, and you can see the wall of smoke that you’re building up as you go along. There’s a kind of connec­ tion there, you just know when you’ve got it right. How does it feel to be behind the wheel of a drift car? It’s funny, because I’ve always felt at home in a car without grip. For some people that feeling’s a bit disconcerting, but for me it’s very much the other way round. Drifting is all about car control, and a con­ trolled drift is a very skilful and diffi­ cult thing to master. But when you get it right, it feels great. It does take a lot of practice though.

sport. There’s no sniping in the pits, just a bit of banter. If someone needs a bit of help, we all muck in to help each other out. At the end of the day, we’re all there to put on a show for

the crowds and that’s what matters most to all of us. We’re all good mates, really, though it’s good to have some healthy rivalry.

What will be the highlight of Drift Kings 2016? I think I, along with a lot of the other drivers, am most looking forward to the chance to drift at Silverstone. I’ve nev­

Join the club and have many more opportunities to get lucky. landrover.co.za

Do you do all your own repairs and maintenance? I built my current car myself — I did everything apart from the spe­ cialised welding we had to carry out when we removed the boot floor. I know every nut and bolt of that car, and I’ve taken it apart and rebuilt it many times. A lot of the bits for the Nissan are available off the shelf from specialists such as Driftworks, which makes it easier to build a car up from scratch — although 200SXs are getting harder to find in good condition these days. How do you get along with other drift drivers? It’s not like other forms of motor

SCHOLTZ OFF TO A FLYING START

When you buy an approved pre-owned Land Rover you become part of an elite club with benefits that are guaranteed to leave a smile on your face. These perks include “you-go-first” hand signals at every intersection. And if you buy an approved pre-owned Land Rover on the 11th or 12th of March, you’ll get a free 2-year extended warranty and an experience voucher.

Camron Hackart leads Tyreece Robert at the Mpumalanga SuperGP at Red Star Raceway on Saturday, February 20. Mathew Scholtz got his 2016 championship chase off to the best possible start when he piloted his ETR CV Joint Yamaha R1 to two convincing wins at the fast track near Bronkhorstrpruit. Scholtz was speCialists followed by Clint Seller (NeoLife Africa for CV joints, ball joints, Yamaha R1) less than a second later, but tie rod ends, wheel bearings. third­placed rider for most of the race, Anthony Shelley (Fercor / Tarpave/ Supreme 341 GReYlinG stReet Yamaha R1) crashed out in the final turn. Pmb. 033 342 9174/75 PHOTO: MOTORPRESS.CO.ZA

Call or visit to find out more: LAND ROVER HILLCREST 37 Old Main Road, Hillcrest Tel: 031 941 6464 sales@smg.co.za

Terms and Conditions apply.

LAND ROVER PIETERMARITZBURG 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg Tel: 033 897 8700 landroverpmb@smg.co.za

er had the opportunity before, and it’s a great venue with su­ perb visibility for the fans. In terms of putting on a show, it’s the perfect place for it. — Newspress.


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