Wheels 16Nov2017

November 16, 2017 Durban’s Richard Upton won the 2017 Inex Legends title. More racing on page 4.

PHOTO: TONY ALVES

Witness

WHEELS

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… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

Two litres of eye­caressing SIBONELO MYENI goes Vrrr­Phaa in the F­Type JAGUAR Mzansi has launched an entry level F­Type, powered by the marque’s most powerful four­cylinder engine.

The 2­litre turbo­charged block makes 221 kW and 400 Nm and Jaguar claims it can send the F­Type from stand­ ing to 100km/h in 5,7 seconds.

Top speed is a governed 250km/h, and when driven at the legal speeds, the combined fuel efficiency figures are a claimed 13 km/l.

Drive is to the rear wheels via a slick eigth­speed automatic transmission, standard across the four models.

Standard passive suspension comes with a Dynamic mode that alters the throttle response.

At launch we drove the new F­Type at the Kyalami Race track and the entry­level model offers the thrills without needing to get to crazy speeds.

Turn in and front­end trac­ tion are aided by the lower mass in the front wheels.

An option that is definitely worth the price is the sports ex­ haust, which is controlled by a

active exhaust button to open the exhaust flap and emit a Vrrrr­ Phaa sound when pushed, with crackles on the over run.

This is the best sound track in the car for just over R1000.

On top of this sound effect, the entry­level F­Type’s design retains the eye­caressing lines of both the two­seat convertible and coupe. Up front are LED headlights, a bulging bonnet with side air scoops, a large low­ er mounted grille flanked by re­ designed side air intakes.

The side gets the F­Type de­ sign line that runs from the front wheel­arch to the rear overhang.

Eighteen­inch wheels are stan­ dard, but the R Design gets 19inch wheels.

The Coupe has a flowing hardtop reminiscent of the leg­ endary E­Type, while the con­ vertible gets an electrically fold­ ing soft top.

The rear of the 2.0T models is distinguished from V6 and V8 models by having a single, mid mounted exhaust.

Inside, the 2.0t F­Type gets the recently updated interior

with an enhanced infotainment system and connectivity for smartphones.

Electric sports seats come as standard with Performance seats offered as an option.

The Meridian sound comes as standard with the Meridian Sur­ round sound offered as an op­ tion.

SOS connectivity allows 24­ hour emergency services to lo­ cate the vehicle in case of an acci­ dent or an emergency.

All new Jaguar cars come with the Jaguar Five­Year Care Plan: a five­year/100 000km service plan, a five­year/100 000km maintenance plan and a five­ year/100 000km warranty, as standard 2­litre auto F­Type pricing Coupe:.............................R909 300 Coupe R Dynamic:........R987 100 Convertible:.....................R926 100 Convertible R Dynamic: ....................................... R1 003 900.

• Hear more from Sibonelo Myeni on Ukhozi FM, every Thursday from 7.45 am.

Code of conduct battle begins RESPONSES to the draft code of conduct for the automotive industry are in and it’s clear that finalising the code is not going to be an easy process.

“We did anticipate a strong opposing response from the Original Equipment Manufac­ turers because the current status quo suits them just fine,” said Les Mc Master, Director of Right to Repair South Africa (R2RSA).

“We agree that the code needs to be realistic and practi­ cal. In fact, we welcome a very practical implementation of change as soon as possible.

“The true reality in South Af­ rica is that consumers can no longer be denied the right to have their vehicle serviced at a workshop of their choice and at an acceptable fee.

“For too long the OEMs have been restricting access and charging exorbitant fees. Things have to change,” he said.

Mc Master adds that the threat of disinvestment should not be used as a scare tactic to hinder change.

“Far greater reasons for disin­ vestment would more likely be the current volatile political cli­ mate and depressed economy.

“Of more concern should be the potential job loss factor in the SME aftermarket automo­ tive sector if a code enforcing ac­ cess to information is not imple­ mented.

“Independent workshops will not be able to sustain their busi­ nesses over the next few years if

“Consumers need to understand that they are paying a premium for a built­in service plan.” the current restrictions contin­ ue.”

When it comes to service plans, Mc Master emphasised the aim is not to do away with service plans, but rather to give consumers the choice of wheth­ er or not they want a service plan.

“Consumers need to under­ stand that they are paying a pre­ mium for a built­in service plan.”

He highlights that the Euro­ pean guidelines for competition in the automotive aftermarket have been tried and tested for 15 years.

“The principals of competi­ tion in Europe do not just apply to the automotive industry, but to other industries too. The United States too has a long his­ tory of addressing competition issues in the automotive indus­ try.These are the biggest auto­ motive markets in the world, with the strongest intellectual property rights. All OEMs in those countries are complying with the rules. Property rights

are adequately protected and the size and strength of the automo­ tive industry in those markets clearly shows that the concerns raised have no basis.”

He adds that R2RSA strongly believes the European guidelines should be used as a good exam­ ple of best practice. “The Rus­ sian code has hardly any experi­ ence in the Russian automotive market and appears to not fully be aligned with international best practice. In our engage­ ments with the Competition Commission we have made mention of this,” he said.

A spokesperson for a replace­ ment parts supplier and sup­ porter of the R2R campaign, who wishes to remain anony­ mous, said the anti­competitive environment is in itself a latent and structural economic defect, the consequence of which pre­ vents progress, hinders consum­ ers’ rights and avails the benefits to the few instead of the broader economy.

Mc Master agrees. “OEM rep­ resentatives are claiming that anybody can currently partici­ pate in the industry on the same terms and conditions.“It should not be up to the OEMS to lay down these terms and condi­ tions, which is currently the case. They should be based on internationally acceptable com­ petition law.”

He said the RMI will continue to seek a solution that has con­ sumers’ best interests at heart.

— Wheels Reporter.

The single exhaust at the rear denote the 2­litre engine in the new F­Type, which offers all the auditory and visual pleasure of its bigger­engined stablemates at almost half the price.

PHOTO: JAGUAR

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WitnessWheels TRANSPORT MOTORING

2

November 16, 2017

Bus made for pupils Mercedes­Benz’s new OF1723 can handle the demands of school transport UPS is developing new drivetrains for its courier vans in New York.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

ALWYN VILJOEN THE KwaZulu­Natal department of ba­ sic education last week promised to pro­ vide transport for vulnerable pupils from 12 schools in Nquthu, a minor victory in an ongoing battle to provide bus transport for pupils in the province.

In terms of the 2013 KwaZulu­Natal Learner Transport Policy, the local gov­ ernment must provide government­as­ sisted transport to disabled by April 1 2018. There are still many questions on the education department’s ability to keep this promise, but it is encouraging to note that officials are finally putting shoulder to the proverbial wheel to meet their obligations.

Such promises of delivery before elec­ tions is all part of an international gov­ ernment pattern, which Jasper Hafkamp, executive director of Daimler Trucks and Buses, said may yet benefit all South Af­ rica’s bus sellers next year. This after 2017 was a rather torrid year in terms of orders and sales.

When the KZN basic education de­ partment gets its ducks in a row to issue tenders for pupil transport in the prov­ ince, Mercedes­Benz will be ready with a purpose­designed bus that can handle the demands of up to 66 pupils on the daily school run.

The company this week unveiled the OF 1723 bus chassis at Monte Casino.

Shane Henry, brand manager for Mer­ cedes­Benz Bus and Coach Southern Af­ rica said the OF1723 was designed to

New motors for UPS use no magnets

Sane Nciliba, national marketer for Mercedes­Benz buses and coaches.

PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN meet the demands of bus operators op­ erating on tight margins and low bud­ gets. He said the new bus offers an entry­ level bus chassis that will assist in curb­ ing the number of challenges our customers face, while providing a stable, safe transport platform.

Sane Nciliba, national marketer of Merc’s buses and coaches, said the OF 1723 was designed from the steel leaf­ springs up to create a reliable bus that uses as little diesel as possible.

The bus uses only proven compo­

nents, including Merc’s OM 906LA die­ sel engine, which is tuned to make 175kW (235HP) and 850Nm, delivered between 1200 and 1500 rpm.

These power figures are slightly under the block’s optimum delivery, but will ensure less consumption and longer life.

Ncili ba said features such as the Con­ stant Throttle Valve Engine Brake and High Boost Pressure Turbocharger fur­ ther enhance fuel efficiency. All these characteristics have a direct impact in in­ creasing the bus operator’s profitability.

Merc’s proven six­speed manual G85 gearbox has an overdrive gear for lower engine revolutions during highway oper­ ation. “From the RS4 rear axles that aid highway driving and improve fuel effi­ ciency, to the wider brakes and larger brake chambers, which mean a longer life for brake liners, we really have ensured that this product makes a tangible effect in our customers’ businesses, Henry said. The OF 1723 bus can already be or­ dered at Garden City Commercials in Pietermaritzburg.

Volvo launches captive financial services for Africa VOLVO Financial Services, the global captive finance arm of the Volvo Group has announced the launch of its opera­ tion in South Africa through the newly established Volvo Financial Services Southern Africa.

Working with WesBank, Volvo’s fi­ nancial partner since 2010, Volvo Finan­ cial Services will focus on lease contracts to provide companies with off balance sheet (OBS) assets.

Volvo Financial Services (VFS) was formed in 2001 and is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. The company manages a net credit portfolio of over R 213,0 billion and provides cus­ tomer financing in over 45 countries.

“While we are a global organisation, VFS leverages our local expertise to en­ sure our South African customers’ unique business requirements are ad­ dressed through a tailored, competitive solution,” said Scott Rafkin, president of

Volvo Financial Services.

“We deliver value to customers by be­ ing easy to do business with, through our speed and industry knowledge, and by working hard to develop a long­term relationship with them throughout the business cycles.”

Torbjörn Christensson, president of Volvo Group Southern Africa, told Wheels with VFS co­locating with Volvo Group Southern Africa’s businesses, our countrywide dealer networks will be able to provide a full range of integrated financial solutions to our customers.”

He said between Volvo and UD the group currently enjoys almost 25% of SouthAfrica’s commercial vehicle sales and the group predicted more growth from the mining and agricultural sec­ tors. Asked about the timing of launch­ ing a finanicial services company ahead of elections, Rafkin said all 45 countries in which VFS operated in, had their cy­

cles, and added the group saw many op­ portunities in South Africa and the neighbouring regions. “Although VFS will only initially be present in South Af­ rica, we will aim to make it available to our customers across southern and east­ ern Africa, as these respective product markets continue to develop,” said Christensson.

He explained VFS will continue its al­ liance with WesBank, a division of First Rand Bank Ltd, but VFS will focus on Operating Lease Agreements, Instal­ ment Sales Agreements and Finance Leases to customers.

“The South African truck market is an extremely competitive environment and we therefore see a great opportunity for VFS as a captive financial solution provider to present our customers with a customisable transport solution,” said Jens Winkelmann, Country Manager for VFS in South Africa. — WR.

Torbjörn Christensson, president of Volvo Group Southern Africa PHOTO: VOLVO

United Parcel Service (UPS) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will de­ velop electric motors to replace the diesel engines in the brown UPS vans operating in the Big Apple.

UPS and Unique Electric Solu­ tions LLC will design, build, test and make the conversions. The project supports Governor Andrew M. Cuo­ mo’s aggressive goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 by replacing diesel vehicles with clean technology.

New York State is providing $500 000 in funding to develop and test the conversion system.

The project is expected to bring a production version of the converted truck to the streets of New York City by Spring 2018.

In addition to producing a new, cost­effective all­electric conversion kit, the project will deliver a blue­ print for converting up to three UPS vehicles a day. This could lead to the conversion of up to 1 500 UPS delivery trucks, which is about 66% of UPS’s NYC fleet, operating in New York City by 2022.

The conversions will be based on unique electric vehicle technology developed by Unique Electric Solu­ tions. The core system features a 225kW Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) with a high voltage back bone optimized for the duty cycle of UPS delivery trucks.

SRMs are simpler, cheaper and better suited for electric vehicles over conventional induction motors and do not rely on the use of mag­ nets made from imported rare earth metals like permanent mag­ net motors do. Overall, the UES SRM propulsion system provides more miles per battery charge, re­ ducing charging times and increas­ ing energy efficiency up to 20%.

UPS recently set a goal that by 2020 one in four vehicles purchased annually will use alternative fuels or advanced technology. UPS already operates over 8 500 alternative fuel vehicles worldwide. — WR.

MOTORING WitnessWheels

November 16, 2017

3

The R is for sport SIBONELO MYENI finds an interior decorating lesson in three Audis Team Audi call it their “most powerful TT of all time”.

The Coupe is a four­seat in theory, but the rear seats are good only for midgets.

This is, however, not a pas­ senger car, but a perform­ ance car and when it comes to putting foot, all three RS models deliver in spades.

RS5 Powering the RS5 is Audis new 2,9 TFSI BiTurbo V6 developing 331 kW/ 600 Nm going to all wheels (Quattro) via an eight­ speed Tiptronic automatic.

The 0­100km/h dash is done in a claimed 3,9 sec­ onds, with top speed limit­ ed to 250 km/h (280 km/h with RS Dynamic package).

Fuel efficiency claims are 8,7 l/100 km.

To ensure all that power is transferred dynamically to the road, Audi has in­ stalled an RS sport suspen­ sion as standard with Dy­

EAST COAST

namic Ride Control, ceram­ ic brakes and RS dynamic steering adding to the fun factor for the buyer that wants such features.

Audi also offers an op­ tional rear sport differen­ tial.

The standard Sports Ex­ haust is one of the revela­ tions and is set to live a lasting im­ pression not only for the driver but also for passers by.

TTRS and RS3 Sportback Both the TTRS and RS3 models fea­ ture the new 294 kW/48 N m 2,5­litre five­cylinder TFSI engine as seen in the much­lauded

RS3 Sedan.

The 2,5 TFSI engine, which has been voted En­ gine of the Year seven times in a row, is linked to a seven­ speed S Tronic Dual clutch transmission driving all wheels.

The RS3 Sportback claims a 0­100km/h sprint in 4,1 seconds while the

TTRS blisters the 0­100km/ h sprint in 3,7 seconds.

Both TTRS and RS3 Sportback models are limit­ ed to 250km/h (280km/h with RS Dynamic package).

The standard Sports Ex­ haust linked to the five­cyl­ inder engine is pure reli­ gion.

An RS sport suspension

comes standard on both models with Dynamic Ride Control.

If it matters to anyone, the RS3 Sportsback claims 8,2l/100km while the TTRS claims 8,6l/100km.

All new Audi cars come with the Freeway Plan: a five­year/100 000km main­ tenance plan as standard

Pricing Audi RS5 Coupe: R1 285 500 Audi RS3 Sportback: .................................. R895 500 Audi TTRS Coupe: ..................................R963 000 • Hear more views on wheels live from Sibonelo Myeni on Ukhozi FM, every Thursday from 7.45 am.

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AUDI has bolstered its per­ formance arsenal with the introduction of the RS5, TTRS and RS3 Sportback.

Having driven them all, I can testify these are cars you want to need.

The three models top their respective range in the Ingolstadt line up and as such gain design enhance­ ments to differentiate them from standard models The interior is a lesson for other manufacturers in quality fit and finish with a well laid out cabin as seen on A5 models — and I say this as a proud owner of a Beemer with an M on the back.

Audi loaded the RS5 with features, which rival manu­ facturers charge extra for, and this is to the benefit of the buyer.

Of the 3 RS modes, it’s the TTRS that wears the RS­ness the most with ag­ gressive design accents.

But it is not all looks.

(From left) The RS3 Sportback, the RS5 and and the most powerful TT yet at launch this week.

PHOTO: SIBONELO MYENI

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Purchase a new Audi A3 or A4 Sedan during November or December and you could receive an interest rate of up to prime less 6% or a minimum of R50 000 assistance.

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WitnessWheels MOTORING

RACING

4

November 16, 2017

Mixed bag for SA karters Habig off pace while Leyton stays focused at Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal STUART JOHNSTON THE 10­driver team from South Af­ rica return home this week from the 2017 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal with a mixed bag of results, but with a sense of honour that our drivers can still compete with the very best kart racers in the world.

Benjamin Habig, the talented youngster from KwaZulu­Natal, was strangely off the pace all week, and never really found his personal groove at the Algarve kart circuit, so went home empty­handed.

Perhaps the demands of an inten­ sive university programme, as well as competing in Polo Cup on the main circuit this year may have played a part in diluting the ultimate focus on karting for Habig in 2017.

The event certainly was the most competitive in the 18­year history of this World Championship for Rotax­ engined karts, with 350 drivers from 59 countries taking part.

To put the calibre of the compet­ ing drivers into perspective, all the drivers earn their seat by being the cream of the crop in their respective countries.

Rotax estimates that these 350 drivers have come out tops in their regions by beating an estimated 15 000 competitors in each Rotax season world­wide.

So just to be chosen for the finals is already a huge honour.

The South African who came clos­ est to glory was young Leyton Fourie,

Leyton Fourie did South Africa proud with a sixth place in the “World Champs” of karting.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED. who actually took the lead for a few brief moments in the Mini Max event for drivers aged 10­13 years old.

The 12­year­old SA Mini Max champ, driving in his first Grand Fi­ nal, put in a huge effort for the 2017 World Championship meeting, practising at the Algarve karting cir­ cuit in Portimao a few weeks before the event. And it paid off, as he was competitive from the word go.

Leyton qualified in an excellent third place for the finals, out of 36 karts. He ran in the top three on the opening lap of the final and then made a brilliant overtake to briefly lead the race for a few corners.

But he then lost a bit of pace a few laps before the end to finish in a sixth place.

Rotax’s Ed Murray said Leyton’s attitude was spot­on from the start of the event and kept things together brilliantly.

Over 27 000 people packed out the historic Killarney circuit in Cape Town for the first­ever WRX event in this country last weekend.

Johan Kristofferson had already clinched the world title but that didn’t dull his competitiveness as the Swede swept through to a thrilling win in the season finale in his Volkswagen Polo GTI. Timmy Hansen in a Peugeot 208 took second and Mattias Ekstrom was third in his Audi S1, a result which clinched the championship runner­up position for him. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

UPTON IS THE 2017 INEX LEGEND After 11 grueling rounds contested across the Northern Regions of the country in the Inland Championship, Durban’s Richard Upton (shown) clinched this year’s Inex Legends title with an emphatic hat trick of wins at Red Star Raceway on Saturday. He won both the Pro Class and the overall title. The auburn­haired 22 year old CV Joint has had an eventful year in which he also speCialists competed in the Inex Legends World Finals for CV joints, ball joints, which took place in Finland in September, tie rod ends, wheel bearings. where he set the fastest lap in his class in the final before getting caught out by 341 GReYlinG stReet inclement weather.

Pmb. 033 342 9174/75 PHOTOS: TONY ALVES

The world’s greatest enduro riders are competing for the annual ‘Mother of Hard Enduro’ title in Lesotho this week. An international showdown is expected between Red Bull KTM Factory Racer Alfredo Gomez and Rockstar Energy Husqvarna’s Graham Jarvis (right) the four­times winner and title holder in the event.

After a calculation error in last year’s event, Gomez was defeated by Jarvis by a mere nine­second margin on the final climb to the finish line.

But both these top enduro rider are being chased by 2012 and 2014 winner Wade Young and Brett Swanepoel. These two KZN riders are keen to prove his skills over Lesotho’s technical terrain, which also sees Bradley Cox of Motul KTM Racing chasing honours in the enudrance race.

PHOTO: ROOFOFAFRICA