October 10, 2019
THE WITNESS
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15
WHEELS
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Finalists in SA’s vehicle awards
A big black number
RETRO RACERS PUSH ESCORTS TO THEIR LIMIT
VOLKSWAGEN again leads the field, with Haval making a first appearance in the #CarsAwards, which will announce winners in 13 categories, as well as the top brand in February. Executive head of sales and marketing at WesBank, Ghana Msibi, said the listings offer buyers credible opinions on the types of cars and features available in the market, and help them to make informed decisions when choosing a new vehicle. This year’s listing has 17 brands in the list of finalists, with Volkswagen leading with seven derivatives, followed by BMW, Ford and Toyota (four models each), Mazda and Suzuki (three each). Premium Chinese SUV brand Haval makes its first appearances in the final stage of the #CarsAwards, while Jaguar and Land Rover return to the list after failing to make the last round in 2018/19.
ALWYN VILJOEN turns heads in Isuzu’s latest X-Rider Black Edition bakkie
THE Pietermaritzburg-based Retro Racing contingent produced a thoroughly entertaining display at Dezzi Raceway at Oslo Beach at the weekend, with some heartbreak thrown into the mix. The first heat of the day saw a dazzling charge to the front from Greg Steen (Ford Escort) and, just as it looked as if he was going to pull away for a comfortable run to the flag, a coil wire came adrift and left him stranded. Reg Sutton (Robsteel Ford Escort) claimed the place and scooted over the finish line just 0,4 seconds ahead of the charging Meredith Willis (Hopgood Ford Escort), with Manfred Schroder (Ford Escort) in third place. The second race saw another titanic struggle between Sutton and Willis, with the gap at the finish down to 0,3 seconds in favour of Sutton. Schroder was again third overall. In the Super Modified category, Elton Fuchs in the M Trac VW Golf made it two wins from two starts. He knew he was under pressure in the first heat when Shiren Rajpaul powered his Class A Goldwagen VW Golf to pole position in practise with Andrew Strike (Toyota Chaser) alongside him, with Fuchs only third quickest. Rajpaul hung on to second place to finish 1,2 seconds adrift and ahead of Ronald van Rensburg (Handok VW Golf). The second heat saw the top five finishers in a reverse grid start but Fuchs simply blasted his way through to take the lead, while Ronald van Rensburg wormed his way through to take second overall at the flag, a mere 0,5 seconds behind Fuchs. Rajpaul finished in third place ahead of Pierre-Richard Potgieter (PS Performance VW Golf), with the next Super Modified on the road being the BMW of Dieter Ziesing in fifth place ahead of Andrew Strike. • The final round is on November 9 at the Dezzi Raceway.
FINALISTS Budget Car • Kia Picanto 1.2 Style • Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX • Volkswagen Polo Vivo Trendline Compact Hatch • Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend Auto • Mazda2 1.5 Individual Auto • Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline Auto Premium Hatch • Mazda3 2.0 Astina • Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG-Line • Volkswagen Golf GTI Executive SUV • BMW X3 xDrive20d M-Sport • Range Rover Evoque D180 R-Dynamic SE • Volvo XC60 D5 R-Design Compact Family Car • Renault Duster 1.5 dCi Prestige • Suzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX Auto • Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI 85kW Highline R-Line Family Car • Mazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic Auto • Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDI Allure • Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto Adventure SUV • Ford Everest 2.0 Bi-Turbo 4WD Ltd • Haval H9 Luxury • Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4x4 Auto Premium SUV • Audi Q8 55 TFSI Quattro • BMW X5 xDrive30d M-Sport • Range Rover Velar D300 R-Dynamic HSE Crossover • Audi Q3 35 TFSI S Line • Jaguar E-Pace D180 AWD R-Dynamic • Volvo XC40 D4 R-Design Leisure Double Cab • Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTDi Wildtrak 4x4 Auto • Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend 50 4x4 Auto • Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI Highline 4Motion Business Class • BMW 320d Sport Line • Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line • Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion R-Line Fun Hatch • Mini Cooper S Sports-Auto • Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4T • Volkswagen Polo GTI Performance Car • BMW M2 Competition M-DCT • Ford Mustang GT 5.0 • Toyota Supra 3.0T — WR.
BRITS ALSO VEXED BY NO SPARE BRITISH motorists have given an overwhelming thumbs down to “space saver” spare wheels and puncture repair kits, new research by independent expert car buying guide Carbuyer.co.uk showed this week. Over a thousand motorists were asked which modern car features annoy them most and two out of three said having no full-size spare was their biggest gripe. Ranking second in the list of British drivers’ annoyances was another feature aimed at improving fuel efficiency — the engine stop-start system. Automatic handbrakes came third on the list, followed by keyless entry, inaccurate satellite navigation systems and interior hazard warning sounds. — WR.
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THERE are big moves afoot in the bakkie market. Tomorrow sees the official reveal of the next-generation Isuzu D-Max bakkie in Thailand — a country where people love their bakkies even more than we do in South Africa. This next model D-Max will still use the current three-litre turbo-diesel, first because it was recently updated to make 130 kW and 430 Nm; and second because Isuzu drivers trust this engine. This next D-Max is only expected to arrive next year in the other top bakkiebuying markets of Australia and SA. LIMITED EDITION ON SALE NOW Meanwhile, Isuzu is turning heads with the limited edition, all-extras standard X-Rider Black Edition, which sells for R462 000 with all the bells and whistles, including an eight-inch AX2 touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth for audio streaming and hands-free calling inside. The one luxury the X-Rider does not have is an auto box, being sold only with Isuzu’s five-speed manual gearbox. Courtesy of Isuzu, I got to work this gear shift on the highways, urban roads and a short stretch of dirt near PE to compare how the X-Rider compares against its main rivals — the 2,5 Di-D Fiat Fullback, the 2,2 TDCi Ford Ranger, and the 2,4GD-6 Toyota Hilux.
Dealers expect the limited offer will again fly out of the showrooms. Executive technical services Dominic Rimmer, said the X-Rider Black is for people who want to stand out in the urban jungle. “It’s bold, stylish and in your face. It brings all the familiar Isuzu attributes of rugged reliability but will not look out of place parked in an upmarket urban setting,” he said.
Kirsty Harwood from PE admires how nicely the Isuzu D-Max cleans up when dressed in Isuzu’s ‘Black Meet Kettle’ body colour and bolted to big, 18-inch alloy wheels. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN In terms of price, the Isuzu is on par with the Fullback, but R40 k dearer than the Ranger and some R7 k more than the Hilux. In the downturned economy it is a buyer’s market, hence demand the discount. When it comes to power, the X-Rider Black Edition’s 2.5-litre turbo diesel makes 100 kW from 3 400 rpm and 320 Nm between 1 800 rpm and
2 800 rpm. It is happiest at 100 km/h, and the 2,4-litre Hilux leads this group with 110 kW and 400 Nm from 1 600 rpm. As for the ride, I found the X-Rider and the Ranger softer on the kidneys, an important consideration for the leisure drivers for whom these limited edition double-cabs are actually built. Appearances are the most important
part for leisure vehicle buyers, and the Isuzu X-Rider certainly turns the heads of both sexes with its Black Meet Kettle body colour and 18-inch black alloy wheels. “I can see myself driving this black beauty, it stands out on the line,” said Natasha Schultz, who fits wiring harnesses on the D-Max production line at Isuzu’s plant in PE.
SHARING BAKKIE DESIGNS The new Isuzu D-Max will form the basis of the next Mazda BT-50 in an agreement dating back to July 2016, but their JV is not alone. Recent news is that Ford will supply its Ranger know-how to underpin the next Volkswagen Amarok. This “Rangerok” is due for market launch in 2022, but there is as yet little news how much of the Blue Oval will go into the VW bakkie. Equally vague is the news from Japan that the next Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara will share parts. The Navara already shares its underpinnings with the Merc X-Class, and if Renault gets around to building the Alaskan bakkie, it will also use the Navara chassis and engines. While Renault dithers, rival French brand Peugeot confirmed that plans are far advanced to sell a Peugeot double-cab in 2022. • alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za
Bridgestone and SA Taxi deal offers operators safer tyre at discount BRIDGESTONE South Africa has entered into a strategic partnership with SA Taxi to supply a tyre designed for the Ses’fikile Toyota Quantum minibus taxis. This Bridgestone Taxi R15 tyre will be made at Bridgestone’s plant near
Brits in the North West province. Bridgestone SA CEO Jacques Fourie told Engineering News the partnership is the first of its kind between a tyre manufacturer and the taxi industry. This deal involves supplying taxi owners with a high quality tyre that
Shot left on KZN Freedom Route Maritzburg-based tour operator African Link has announced a new tour of the four sites in KZN where South Africa’s history was changed. The Freedom Route tour bus departs daily from the Tourism Hub at 283 Langalibalele Street, visiting the Old Prison Project Gateway, the Arya Samaj Manaye hall, Pietermaritzburg Railway Station and the Nelson Mandela Capture Site. Tour operator Bunny Boolah said the tour is ideal for pensioners, with discounts for block bookings at freedomroute@africalink.co.za
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currently sells for R1 700 at a reduced price of R1 322,50. The Taxi R15 will be available from Supa Quick outlets nationwide and accredited SA Taxi Auto repair centres. Through SA Taxi Rewards, taxi operators will save R400 per tyre and earn
rewards on parts, maintenance, and fuel. The minibus taxi industry consumes around a million tyres a year, but supplying this large market is not the main focus. Fourie said some 36 people die on South Africa’s roads every day, three of whom die in taxi-related crashes.
He said one in 10 fatal road crashes in South Africa are related to tyre issues. “This partnership aids taxi owners in getting access to a world-class tyre that is one of the safest in its class and affordable to buy,” Fourie said in a statement. — WR.
COLIN WINDELL