October 8, 2020
THE WITNESS
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11
WHEELS
www.witness.co.za
Latest A4 offers simplified packages to avoid long list of options Audi has introduced the facelifted A4 offering three turbo-charged engines and power outputs ranging from 110 kW to a mighty 260 kW. For the market launch this month, two engine variants (A4 35 TFSI and 40 TFSI) will feature a mild-hybrid system (MHEV) based on 12 volts, which reduces fuel consumption while improving comfort. This broad-based electrification makes an important contribution to achieving positive fuel consumption. In everyday use, the MHEV system reduces fuel consumption by up to 0,3 l/100 km, according to individual Audi measurements. All A4 models come off the production line with an automatic transmission as standard. The flagship Audi S4 TFSI follows from the previous generation Audi S4 with a turbo V6 petrol engine that makes 260 kW and 500 Nm between from 1 370 and 4 500 rpm. The 0 to 100 km/h run gets done in 4,7 seconds with an eight-speed tiptronic transferring power to the permanent all-wheel drive quattro system. In normal driving, it distributes engine forces with a slight emphasis of the rear wheels — if necessary the majority of forces can be directed to the axle with better traction.
The 2020 Audi A4 S4 TFSI flagship has 260 kW and 500 Nm on tap to jump from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Local packages: offering simplicity The new Audi A4 range will offer the package concept as introduced on other new models launched in South Africa. The concept aims to reduce complexity when ordering a new vehicle,
considering that a customer is generally faced with a long list of options to choose from. It classifies key options according to a specific customer need and offers a straight-forward value proposition
Long wait for licences Dealerships across KwaZulu-Natal are frustrated by officials’ slow pace ALWYN VILJOEN
SEPTEMBER’S STAR SELLERS
that is easy for a customer to understand. These packages have been defined by a combination of customer preferences as well as strategic options which aim to highlight Audi’s uniqueness or tech-
nology enhancements. The packages include Comfort, Technology, Sport, Lights (35 TFSI only) and three levels of assistance. Pricing for the six facelifted A4 models start at R644 000 for the Audi A4
35 TFSI S tronic and tops out at R944 500 for the Audi S4 TFSI 260kW quattro tiptronic. All models come standard with the 5-year or 100 000km Audi Freeway plan, inclusive of all taxes. — WR.
Hilux models tweaked for competitive bakkie market
Suzuki Auto South Africa ended the third quarter on a very high one after the dealer network sold more cars overall than ever before. According to Naamsa, Suzuki retailed 1 787 cars, SUVs, and commercial vehicles in September. In doing so, it shattered its previous sales record set in February (1 696 vehicles) and jumped in the overall sales rankings to 6th with an alltime passenger market share record of 7,46%. The S-Presso and Swift are vying for the title of South Africa’s favourite Suzuki, with The S-Presso took the crown with 538 units, while the Swift followed closely with 533 new owners. At Mitsubishi Motors SA, general manager Nic Campbell also reported increased its sales across the board during September, thanks to the new Pajero Sport, which was only introduced last month and which has proved extremely important to Mitsubishi Motors. He said Mitsubishi’s renewed emergence in the lifestyle sector over recent months is set to continue to grow in 2021. “We will continue to invest in world-class products and people, who provide the very best experience to our customers,” he said. — Witness Reporter.
Toyota has made changes to the Hilux line-up that improves the eighth-generation architecture — which was introduced in 2019 — in keeping with evolving market trends. In total, 33 Hilux models are now sold in four model ranges — S, SR, Raider and Legend (pictured) — as single cabs, Xtra cabs or double cabs. All Hilux models come equipped with the Toyota Connect telematics system that creates an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and has 15Gb complimentary data. All models come with a 3-year or 100 000 km warranty and a 9-services or 90 000 km service plan. Glenn Crompton, vice-president of marketing, said in a statement the biggest change is in the ‘mid-range’ where the SRX is replaced by the Raider. “The SRX and Raider have now effectively merged, creating an opportunity for a flagship grade above Raider — precisely what the new Legend grade offers,” Crompton said. The entry-level S and SR workhorses remain largely unchanged, although the S-grade now features emergency brake signal and the SR-grade receives a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) and Variable Flow Control power steering. More power and performance The 2,8 GD-6 engine now delivers 150 kW and 500 Nm in the automatic. Toyota engineers added a larger turbocharger and a new common-rail in-
jection system to improved fuel economy. The 2.4 GD-6 4x4 can tow up to 3,5 tons, matching that of the 2.8 GD-6 4x4, although maxing out the trailer weight reduces the payload in the bin. Toyota said the Legend 4x4’s sixspeed automatic transmission allows improved acceleration, especially while towing. A pre-collision system, lane departure alert and adaptive cruise control are now standard on all Legend 4x4 models.
Prices and competition The Hilux bakkies compete head-on with the Ford Ranger. Hilux single cabs start at R291 100 for the 2.0 VVTi S 5MT, while the topend 2.8 GD-6 4X4 Raider 6AT lists for R602 400 (against R509 700 for the Ranger 3,2 TDCi 4x4 XLS auto). Hilux Extra cab models are only available in Raider or Legend cladding, starting at R460 000 for the 2.4 GD-6 RB Raider 6MT, with the 6-speed auto adding R18 200 to the price.
Ford offers its entry-level 2,2 TDCi SuperCab HiRider XL for R418 600. The Hilux doublecab models starting at R440 400 for the entry level 2.7 VVTi RB S 5MT (Ford’s 2,2 TDCi doublecab Ranger lists for R449 400). The range-topping Hilux 4.0 V6 4X4 Legend 6AT lists for R765 200, by comparison, Ford lists the popular 3,2 TDCi Wildtrack for R678 200, while the new 2,0 Bi-Turbo Thunder lists for R787 000. — Witness Reporter.
“I was up at 3 am this morning, stressing about the delays at the licensing office. We have been waiting over a month now for our cars to be licensed. “The banks are demanding the log books and police are stopping clients with expired temporary permits, but there is nothing I can do.” This is a typical complaint of one sales manager at a new car dealership in Pietermaritzburg approached by Witness Wheels after a report on the Dealerfloor news site that dealerships in KZN have been endlessly frustrated by vehicle licensing officials since lockdown started. The complaints came from dealerships on the North and South coasts as well as the Midlands, but the dealers Witness Wheels spoke to in Maritzburg say they are getting the slowest service. All dealers spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing even slower service in reprisal from clerks. The dealers allege staff at the local licensing office are exploiting the backlog caused by lockdown to extort bribes in order to get files processed. One new car sales manager said he also deals with a licensing office in Durban, were the staff are working much faster than in Maritzburg. “We used to send in our file and get the paperwork back three or four days later. Now, we wait three to four weeks,” said another salesperson. “The delays have cost us lots of money. “One of our clients in Matatiele had to drive twice to Kokstad for the CoR (Certificate of Roadworthiness) and we had to pay this and the client’s fuel,” the dealer told Dealerfloor. A used car dealer who managed to exceed his targets despite lockdown, said all the effort came to naught as he is still waiting for the licensing to get done. “Permits expire and customers are very uneasy about the entire situation, leaving the dealer in a very difficult position. It’s definitely a major concern,” he said. “They are always either short-staffed or closed, not just for Covid either. Yesterday, our driver returned saying a paper on the door said there is a union meeting and the office was closed.
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Permits expire and customers are very uneasy about the entire situation, leaving the dealer in a very difficult position.
“But inside, the few tellers on the job were behind their windows, not in any meeting and no one could tell him when the union meeting was supposed to start or end. “Ever since they closed 13 licensing centres in July, they’ve had us over a barrel,” said another. “They tell us there is a big backlog and they are working overtime to catch up. They know we cannot go anywhere else.” When it was pointed out that staff are really working hard on weekends to catch up on the dealers’ bulk files, one used car salesman asked how come some dealers’ files get done on time but others just go to the bottom of the pile? “This ‘weekend work’ simply means we are now paying three ways for work to get done, first the salaries, then the overtime and lastly the ‘gratuity’ you have to slip in there to get your file processed,” he said. This salesperson said he would have slipped a R50 note from his own pocket into the file had he known if would get his bulk file returned faster. “Each time their delays cause a CoR to lapse, I have to pay several hundred rands to have another CoR done,” said the dealer. Witness Wheels approached the deputy manager of the Department of Transport PMB Region, Gugu Hlabisa, for comment on these allegations. She directed the query to the department’s communication directorate, which she said is responsible for issuing statements for publication. “We will respond to them and they will respond to you,” she said. This had not happened at the time of publishing. • alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za
FORD ADDS USB FOR DASH CAMERAS
Rich motorists who want to travel in luxurious style without a vulgar display of wealth can now order a bespoke ‘Black Cab’, complete with taxi sign on the roof, starting at over R2,5 million for private buyers.
Comfy black cab for the super rich In England, well-heeled motorists who want to travel discreetly in unrivalled comfort can now order a bespoke “black cab”. Sutton Bespoke, the tuning arm of luxury car dealer Clive Sutton, is basing the cars on the unique electric range-extender LEVC TX, black taxis that have become iconic in London. The firm is embarking upon the build process after receiving a positive response on social media channels to the ultra-luxury taxi and pilot vehicle for the project, which was snapped up by a private customer in London. The Sutton VIP Class LEVC taxi features a fully redesigned interior, with rear seats angled for comfort and trimmed in Sandalwood leather with Alcantara trim. Replacing the hard-wearing rub-
ber flooring is high-quality thickpile carpet, and hand-crafted wood veneers adorn the door trims. A panoramic roof floods the cabin with natural light, and after dusk occupants can tailor the ambient lighting system with a colour to match their mood. The interior is as high-tech as it is luxurious — occupants have access to haptic climate controls, an upgraded stereo system with Bluetooth connectivity, a TV tuner with Apple TV, and a Sony PS4 games console. Between the rear passengers there is a new luxury armrest complete with cupholders, and behind that a refrigerator. Separating the driver and passenger compartment is a retractable screen, affording privacy as well as making the vehicle more Covidsecure. A fully electrically adjusta-
ble leather seat and a state-ofthe-art digital instrument cluster ensures that the driver remains comfortable during prolonged stints at the wheel. Soft-close doors can also be specified. For the exterior a subtle yet distinctive “two-tone” paint finish is applied; the iconic black taxi paint for the lower portions, and Ferrari “Grigio Silverstone” above for a touch of added sophistication. The taxi sign on the roof will remain to preserve the iconic silhouette of the vehicle, albeit with the “TAXI” lettering replaced by “VIP”. The price of the vehicle will be in the region of £100 000 (excluding VAT) for business buyers, or £120 000 including VAT for private buyers, which converts to over R2,5 million. — Newspress.
Ford’s latest Ranger Raptor, Thunder and Wildtrak derivatives now have a USB power outlet in the rearview mirror to power any dashboard camera (dash cam) mounted to the windscreen. Ford said in a statement the new USB power outlet is universally compatible with most mainstream dash cams on sale. However, those who prefer to buy new accessories from FordApproved dealers will be able to choose from the latest Mio range of dash cams, fitted with advanced features like GPS tracking, vibration detection and real-time smartphone backup. “With the increasing number of offences committed every day on South Africa’s road network, a dash cam has become an essential recording tool in any car. In many instances the footage from a dash cam can be put forward as evidence, whether to substantiate insurance claims, prevail in the fight against corruption or to detain criminals,” said Yusuf Abramjee, an anticrime activist. “Dash cams provide an accurate timeline of events, and ensure that vital information such as vehicle registration, individual character descriptions or aggressive behaviour are recorded.
“Should you be involved in an incident, or be a witness to one, always be aware of where the dash cam is pointing — move the car, or people into frame while completing the incident report,” Abramjee added. The Driving Skills For Life (DFSL) programme, which uses Ford’s vehicles to raise the standard of young drivers in SA, also supports the use of dash cams. “It’s safe to say that if you haven’t already gone out and purchased a dash cam for your car, now would be an excellent time to do so. The peace of mind they generate alone is, for most people, more than worth it,” says Derek Kirkby, training director at DSFL. Dale Reid, product marketing manager at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, said this new feature on select Ranger models proved that Ford is constantly responding to emerging trends, particularly when these trends have the potential to improve the safety of drivers. As South African traffic volume steadily returns to preCovid-19 levels, the number of traffic violations and accidents is expected to increase. In these situations a dash cam can make a big difference to any journey, said Reid. — WR.
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