September 27, 2018
Witness
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Mercedes-Benz’s Urbanetic van and container concepts (on the left) fit onto the electric ‘skateboard’ on the right. MORE TRANSPORT TRENDS ON PAGE 2
MOTORING ACROSS KZN SINCE 1904
Mirrorcam sees blind spots Latest Merc makes emergency stops and offers wrap-around views of a truck’s front and rear ALWYN VILJOEN HANOVER — Europe’s biggest annual truck show has in its previous 66 years shown many safety features that appeared first in trucks before becoming standard safety systems in cars. The best known examples are electric mirrors and lane keeping assist, both systems pioneered by Mercedes-Benz trucks. The world’s first car builder did it again this year — launching the best thing since the electric mirror — no mirror. Instead of several large slabs of curved reflective glass that need to be heated to stay clear, Merc now offers Mirrorcam, an elegant little camera housing that aims lenses at the many dangerous blind spots around a truck. And this is not merely a clever gizmo designed to dazzle under the spotlights in the main hall at the 67th IAA commercial vehicle show, but are already on sale on the new Actros. In addition to increased safety, removing the large mirrors also reduces drag and diesel consumption, as the compact digital cameras bring considerable aerodynamic advantages. This safety feature will be welcomed by all truckers who otherwise have to wonder exactly where that biker and two small cars are in their blind spots, but Mirrorcam is only the cherry on top of a raft of active safety systems in the new Actros. Mercedes-Benz consider the most important new feature on the Actros the latest version of Active Drive Assist. Unlike systems that only work within a certain speed range, Active Drive Assist provides semiautomated driving at all speeds — the first such system in a series production truck. The system features active longitudinal and lateral control
Maretha Gerber, new head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks for Southern Africa, urges all fleet managers to compare the benefits the new Actros truck brings to a fleet. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
The Mirrocam removes blind spots around a truck. at all speed ranges by combining radar and camera information, which enables a driver to stay perfectly within the lane on highways. At the test track around its truck factory in Wörth, Merc had one of their executives walk
in front of a speeding truck to display how fast and effectively the Active Drive Assist works. Should the driver not brake in time, as happened here to the gasps of media, the truck will slam on the brakes in such a manner that the trailer stays neatly in its lane, and automatically speed up again once the obstacle is cleared. Should the trailer or tractor cross a lane unintentionally, Active Drive Assist intervenes and independently steers the vehicle back into its lane. The distance from the vehicle in front and the vehicle’s position in its lane can be adjusted in multiple stages using the driving assistance menu. Using 3-5% less fuel Compared to its predecessor, the new Actros consumes up to three percent less fuel on motorways and expressways. With mileage in long-distance haulage typically exceeding 120 000 km per year, Mercedes said in a statement that three percent translates into a significant cost reduction for the operator. When travelling on rural routes, like most of South Africa offers, the savings can be up to five percent, as this is where the effect of the improved Predictive Powertrain Control system is even more significant. The fuel savings are helped by a new standard ratio for the weight-optimised rear axle. The gear ratio has been reduced from 1:2.533 previously to 1:2.412. Thanks to the weight-optimised G211 transmission, the new gear ratio is now available for all new Actros models equipped with the second-generation, six-cylinder OM 471 inline engine and 315/70 R 22,5 tyres, paying off both on motorways and when travelling on rural routes alike.
A small but stylish camera housing replaces the traditional large truck mirrors on the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, to totally eliminate blind spots and provide the driver with several views around the truck, as well as a considerable reduction in aerodynamic drag. PHOTOS: MERCEDES-BENZ
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The 67th Hanover Truck show dispayed several road-ready drivetrains that do not burn diesel, with Merc showing three non-diesel drivetrains, with the battery pack of the eActros (above), the Actros with liquid natural gas (LNG) and the all-electric eCanter. Iveco and Shell showed their bio-gas refuelling system, Volvo displayed its LNG tanks and Renault had on display its latest all-electric trucks.
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MOTORING
September 27, 2018
Hanover Truck Show 2018 The latest trucking trends in Europe DRIVETRAINS
On the left, a typical truck’s drivetrain, with a diesel engine up front, a heavy rear axle drive, a diesel tank to store the energy and hubs to attach wheels to. The same platform requires thousands fewer moving parts when the diesel tank is replaced by a flat battery pack, and the diesel engine by motors in the hubs, like the 550 Nm motor (right). PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN
SAFETY
ROBO BUSES LEFT: South Africa’s taxi drivers, who move 15 million people a day, will not have much use for the new wave of electric buses and vans that struggle to get a range of only 165 km, but they should be aware that the little EasyMile EZ10 robot buses (right) have now been deployed in more than 100 cities and 29 countries, where they drive passengers with no human error.
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A BAKKIES AND V “The trend in [European] accident figures is currently heading in the right direction, but we must not let up in our efforts to improve road safety,” Dekra board member Clemens Klinke (pictured) told Wheels at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hannover last week. Dekra is an automotive inspection company with branches also in South Africa. In Europe the organisation is lobbying to change a law requiring cyclists to pass trucks on the right — the stickers “Fahr niemals rechts vorbei” translates to “don’t pass anyone on the right”. Klinke said driver assistance systems can save lives, but they are still not as widespread in fleets as they should be. And where they are installed, drivers are often not trained to make the most of the systems. Klinke called on manufacturers, politicians, haulage companies and drivers to leverage the potential safety benefits of systems such as lane keep assist, emergency braking or turning assistance for safer roads.
ABOVE LEFT: Russian truck builder Gaz showed the Vepr Next, a concept double-cab bakkie designed to carry a 2,5 ton payload over extreme routes. After failing to convince the local taxi market with the Gaz minibus in 2007, the Russians have no plans to export to South Africa yet, but if they do, this double cab will appeal to our bakkie buyers. The interior (left) is basic, but active diffs on both axles and 18inch tyres will take this 4x4 everywhere. ABOVE RIGHT: At the Hannover Truck Show Mercedes-Benz staff had to clean drool marks off the windows of the Vision Urbanetic concept van, which comes with its own futuristic trailer and self steering robot trolley (right) that pulls and loads luggage in the van, using techniques long tested in automotive factories.
ABOVE: Belgian truck builder MOL showed its biggest oilfield truck yet — the HF8066. Standing over four metres high, the rig will start working in north Africa next year. The 80 ton 6x6 truck pulls a trailer and payload totaling 230 tons. To move this mass, a Cummins X15 engine makes 460 kW and 2 780 Nm. The big wheels can be inflated or deflated from the cabin. The bumper is designed to push other trucks through soft sand.
MOTORING WitnessWheels
September 27, 2018
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Facelift for HR-V The cross-over segment just got even more competitive THE popular Honda HR-V has received a significant upgrade. The facelift includes the usual all-new front and rear styling, but the interior features now have the HR-V’s full-featured 6,8-inch infotainment system as standard equipment across the range. Honda’s clever Magic Seat System remains in place while six airbags, vehicle stability, hill start assist as well as emergency braking indicators all aid safer driving. The Magic Seat system is made possible by the HR-V’s centrally located fuel tank, which allows a flat rear cabin floor. The split rear bench seat can be folded forward conventionally to extend the 393-litre luggage compartment to a capacious 1 002 litres. The updated HR-V model range still offers a choice of Comfort and Elegance trim levels, as well as 1,5-litre and 1,8-litre drivetrains featuring Honda’s i-VTEC technology and Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gearboxes. While the 1,5 Comfort model retains its popular 16-inch alloy wheels, the 1,8 Elegance is now fitted with new, headturning 17-inch wheels sporting a contemporary design in line with its flagship status. Toshiaki Kusakari, head of automobiles at Honda Motor Southern Africa, said the HR-V’s global popularity is also reflected here in South Africa, where it slots between the larger CR-V and the more compact BR-V. “We’re convinced that these latest updates will further entrench the urban crossover as one of our top sellers local-
Petrus Venter from Williams Hunt Roodepoort, Stefan de Wet from Isuzu Motors SA and Johannes van Heerden from Westvaal Mashishing in Mpumalanga won the annual I-1 Isuzu World Technical competition in Thailand. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
SA Isuzu techies score in international competition Honda has given the HR-V crossover a sleeker look and interior upgrades. PHOTO: QUICKPIC ly,” Kusakari said in a statement. Interior Inside, Honda still features piano-gloss black detailing new materials and stitching, while noise and vibration dampening has been upgraded. Electrically operated windows and mirrors, remote central locking, air-conditioning, cruise control, a multi-function steering wheel and a multi-information trip computer are standard across the board. In the case of the 1.8 Elegance model, a rear-view parking camera is linked to the parking sensors to make reverse parking more convenient. Prices include a five-year or 200 000 km warranty, a four-year/60 000 km service plan, and
a three-year AA Roadside Assistance package. Services remain at 15 000 km intervals. Competitors The crossovers segment is very competitive and the two automatic HR-V models square up against the likes of Ford’s Ecosport, Hyundai’s Creta, Nissan’s Juke and Qashqai, the Opel Mocca and Crossland, Renault’s Sandero and Duster, the Subaru XV, Suzuki Vitara and VW’s Tiguan, to name just a few rivals. Prices HR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT R354 900 HR-V 1.8 Elegance CVT R419 900 — Wheels Reporter.
IT’S official, South Africa has some of the best bakkie technicians in the world. The Isuzu South Africa team came third out of 24 participating countries in the Light Commercial Vehicle Division of the 2018 Isuzu World Technical Competition, known as the I-1 Grand Prix, which was held in Thailand recently. Representing SA were Izak Stefanus (Stefan) de Wet, from Technical Support and Field Services at Isuzu Motors South Africa, Petrus Venter from Williams Hunt Roodepoort in Gauteng and Johannes van Heerden from Westvaal Mashishing in Mpumalanga. The technicians were given several mechanical tasks to test technical competency and problem-solving skills on Isuzu bakkies. Technicians from the host country, Thailand, came first in the competition while Russia came second.
According to Dominic Rimmer, Isuzu Motors South Africa Executive Technical Services, the participants were selected based on their superior performance in technical competitions held locally. “We can comfortably say that our Isuzu technicians are amongst the best in the world. They competed against the world’s best in a rather tough competition that comprises both a practical and a written exam,” said Rimmer. Isuzu has a comprehensive aftersales support system which includes regular skills development and training to ensure technicians keep up to date with the technological trends of new vehicles Rimmer added. Participant Stefan de Wet believes that the team’s success could be attributed to the excellent teamwork and camaraderie among team members. — WR.
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MOTORING RACING
September 27, 2018
Just one team to beat now Toyota Etios crew in pole position to take SA Rally Championship with round to spare TOYOTA Gazoo Racing SA’s Class R2N Toyota Etios crew of Guy Botterill and Simon VacyLyle have now recorded four victories on the trot in the 2018 SA National Rally Championship. This has put the KwaZulu-Natal team in a position where they could potentially end up winning the title at the upcoming Lake Umuzi Secunda Rally, leaving them with one round of the championship to spare. “We’ve had a look at the maths,” says Guy Botterill, “and it looks as if we only need to finish ahead of AC Potgieter to clinch the title.” Botterill/Vacy-Lyle have won all but one of the five rounds thus far, having failed to finish the opening event of the season. This gave them 64 championship points, with Potgieter
(Volkswagen Polo) their nearest competitor at 57 points. “But remember, in rallying each driver has to drop the points from one event,” explains Botterill. “So even though the gap between us and AC is only seven points at the moment, our worst result is a DNF, so we don’t lose any points when we drop it.” Potgieter’s worst finish was worth nine points, effectively increasing the gap between the two crews to 16 points — which just happens to be the number of points you score for a win. “So, if AC wins the event and we have a DNF, we’ll be tied for the championship with just the final round to go. However, if we finish anywhere ahead of him, he won’t be able to catch us during the last round, even if we have a DNF then,” says Botterill.
KZN racers Guy Botterill and Simon VacyLyle only have to beat the VW Polo in their Toyota Etios to win the rally title for Toyota Gazoo Racing SA with a race in hand. PHOTO: MOTORPRESS
With the mathematics in place, there is still the small matter of a rally to do, and the Lake Umuzi Secunda Rally is set for next weekend, September 28 and
29. As in the past, the event will be centred in the area around the Lake Umuzi Waterfront in Secunda, with the event starting at 3 pm on Friday, September 28,
from the Eastvaal Ford/Mazda dealership in Secunda. The crews tackle four stages tomorrow, with the final stage taking place after dark— and the crews tackling it
in reverse road order. The action restarts at 8 am on Saturday, with eight stages forming the meat of the rally. The Lake Umuzi Secunda Rally has become a firm crowd favourite over the last few years, and it forms part of a festival hosted by the town each year. Spectators can enjoy the rally, and take in the festival at the same time. Entry to all areas is free of charge, and Secunda is within easy driving distance from both Johannesburg and Pretoria. “We didn’t win in Secunda last year, so we’d really like to perform well this time out,” said Botterill. “A win would seal the championship for us, making it five in a row — and nothing would please us more.” — Motorpress.
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Cape Town’s Jonathan Aberdein took three podiums in car no. 23 (right) in Austria over the weekend. PHOTO: MOTORSPORTMEDIA
Aberdein takes three F3 podiums in Austria CAPE Town racer Jonathan Aberdein enjoyed a splendid weekend of FIA European Formula 3 racing with three podium finishes at Austria’s Red Bull Ring. Aberdein qualified fifth for the first two races before bringing it home seventh and sixth to stand on the rookie podium each time. He then brought it home third overall despite huge pressure from behind in the final. “That was a pretty good weekend,” Aberdein said. “It was great to stand on the podium in all three races, with the last one being the main podium too, so all good in Austria. “The first heat was wet and my mid race pace was very strong — I
ran in sixth for most of the race but my team-mate Juri Vips found a way past in the end. “Qualifying for races 2 and 3 went very well, so I started fifth in race 2 and I came home sixth, but the final was mega and quite tough with Tictum on the rear. “I had a good start and ran a good pace through the race so I’m happy with another overall podium — that really makes all the effort we put in worth the while.” Aberdein’s late rookie season charge has seen him up to 12th overall in the hugely competitive FIA European Formula 3 championship and sixth in the rookie standings with one race left to run at Hockenheim October 13-14. — Motorsport Media.
Next wheeled events • October 14: national cross country at Terra Topia in Gauteng. • October 17: KZN racing cross country at Boston. More info on www.kznracing.co.za • October 27: Natal Motorcycle and Car Club hosts Reach for a Dream children at the first regional rally with both Motorsport South Africa and World of Motorsport racers. Contact Dean Redelinghuis for more at 083 657 1526. • November 2-3: SunCity400, which this year relocates to Kloof Recreation Club Glenharvie in CV Joint Westonaria. speCialists • November 24 to 25: World Rallycross of for CV joints, ball joints, South Africa at Killarney Raceway in Cape tie rod ends, wheel bearings. Town. • November 9-10: Ramasgate, “the hardest 341 GReYlinG stReet one-day enduro in Africa”, at the Chertsey farm Pmb. 033 342 9174/75 near Matatiele. More on www.wforacing.co.za
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