May 23, 2019
THE WITNESS
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PMB-BUILT RANGERS WIN AT BERG 400
Supra orders open online
TOYOTA has released the new, fully imported Quantum, and instead of the cab-over-engine, the van now has a bonnet over a bigger, 2,8 turbo-charged, intercooled diesel. The engine makes 130 kW and 420 Nm between 1 400 and 2 600 rpm in panel vans and the 11-seater bus; but a lower 115 kW in the 14seater bus. A six-speed manual gearbox sends power to the rear wheels. Believing in not fixing what ain’t broken, Toyota will continue to build the 16-seater Ses’fikile Commuter, now renamed the Hiace, at its Prospecton plant. The Hiace Ses’fikile will retain the 2,7-litre petrol and 2,5 diesel engine and drivetrain. All Quantum models come with a nine-year or 90 000 km service plan. Service intervals are every 12 months or 10 000 km. Toyota’s standard three-year or 100 000 km warranty is also provided. Nine models are available, from R473 900 for the panel van to R597 700 for the LWB, 11-seater GL bus. The Hiace Ses’fikile 2,7 16-seater sells for R419 100 and the 2,5D 16-seat for R444 200.
CROSS COUNTRY: Maritzburg-built Rangers took the top four spots in Class T at the Berg 400 held in Winterton last weekend, with Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable earning their second Class T win on the trot. In the Special Vehicles, KZN drivers Lance Trethewey and Adriaan Roets
TOYOTA is taking orders for its Supra online until June 14. New owners of the 2020 model will be decided in a draw at the 47th 24-hour endurance race at Nürburgring on June 22, in which the new Supra is taking part. Two engines are available, a 3,0-litre, turbo-charged inline six cylinder making 250 kW and 500 Nm from 1 600 rpm, which Toyota confirmed costs $49 990 plus $930 for destination charge (around R732 520 before import taxes); and a cheaper 2-litre inline four with twin-scroll turbochargers, mapped to make either 190 kW/400 Nm or 145 kW/320 Nm. Both engines are linked to an eight-speed auto box.
EAST COAST IENGINE MPORTS QUALITY USED LOW MILEAGE ENGINES AND GEABOXES Brand New Turbos for most makes of vehicles
WE OFFER DELIVERY INTO DURBAN AND PMB ON ENGINE AND GEARBOX PURCHASES
NOW WITH OUR OWN IN HOUSE WORKSHOP FOR ALL YOUR FITMENT REQUIREMENTS The 1,0 Renault Kwid makes 50 kW and 91 Nm, with a year’s insurance, a two-year service plan and a five-year 150 000 km warranty for R135k.
The 1,2 Datsun Go makes 50 kW and 104 Nm, with a year’s insurance and a six-year 150 000 km warranty included in the R149 600 list price.
Affordable rides ALWYN VILJOEN rates two small hatchbacks that won’t hurt the wallet
WITH four in 10 Europeans saying their next vehicle will likely be electric, Ford has revealed the new Transit Smart Energy Concept, which gets a claimed 150 km range from a four-hour charge, supported by energy-saving and energygenerating innovations from solar panels to powertrain heat recovery systems. Kuda Takura, Smart Mobility specialist at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, said the Transit Concept is not available in SA, but shows where Ford is heading.
took a flag-to-flag victory in their LT Earthmovers BAT Venom. TRACK: Reg Sutton in the Bobsteel Ford Escort topped the tables after the third round of the KZN Roadracing Club Championship at Dezzi Raceway, ahead of Vaughan Robinson (Mk1 Ford Escort) and Rory Nossiter (Mini).
A YEAR ago, we could still list 10 vehicles selling for under R150 000. Now, such relatively affordable cars are harder to find than a pacifist politician in KZN. For those who never drive far from the dealers, there is the Chery QQ; FAW V2 and BAIC D20. While the Chery is as basic as a car can get, the FAW and BAIC models offer commuters proven engines, air conditioning, a USB charging port and two airbags. Monthly sales of these three brands are, however, counted on one hand, which means owners constantly worry how long before their parent companies follow the Daihatsu and Chevrolet examples and pull the plug on marginal dealers and parts supply in SA. For those who want more than a cheap commute, there is the Datsun Go+ 1,2; the Renault Kwid 1,0 Expres-
sion and the Suzuki Celerio 1,0 GA. The Celerio leads this trio with several industry awards in India, the UK and South Africa. The Celerio also rides on 14-inch rims compared to the cheaper 13-inchers of the Kwid and Go, which makes it a little better over potholes, although its 165 mm road clearance is 1,5 cm lower than the 180 mm of the Go and Kwid. Despite the awards, the Celerio’s average of 78 sales per month since February lag the Go’s 685 and the Kwid’s 874. The Celerio’s low sales may be ascribed to fewer dealers and pricier parts. The Go led in the last Malcolm Kinsey parts lists in 2017. However, Pinetown’s parts guru told Wheels the little Kwid now looks set to give the Datsun a go in his 2019 parts price comparison, to be published later this year.
SAFER THAN A TAXI The main criticism against the Go and Kwid is their safety — or lack of it. Safety certainly is a worry — the combined mass of the Go (779 kg) and Kwid (693 kg) add up to less than your average 1,8-ton SUV or two-ton taxi. And as physics teaches, distracted moms and taxi drivers hit harder. But this point is moot for the millions of aspiring car owners who queue daily for a minibus. The real dangers they face loom much larger than the theoretical risks posed by being in a smaller car. And despite what the veteran car fans believe, modern small cars are far safer than bigger, older cars, thanks to pre-tensioner seatbelts, crumple zones and stiff metal cages that direct crash impacts around, instead of into, the vehicle’s occupants. The biggest bonus offered by the Go
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RENAULT
KWID 1.0 Expression 5-dr ABS From R1 999 PM* 2 YEAR
INSURANCE ASSISTANCE
SERVICE PLAN
CV Joint speCialists
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WE HAVE A LARGE VARIETY OF ENGINES AND GEARBOXES TO CHOOSE FROM
• Top Quality used low mileage engines, gearboxes & Lexus parts • Heads AFFORDABLE • Turbos ENGINE • Diffs • Lexus spares • New and Second hand
Our friendlly sales teaam is equippedd to deaal withh all enquiiriess annd havve a weaalth of knowleddge in the mootoring fielld. We pride ourselvess in deliivering exceptionnal serrvi rvice and products to our clliennts and therefforre have a stringent quality check process in placee to make sure thaat every ry prodduct complies with our requirements and is in top order.
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341 GReYlinG stReet Pmb. 033 342 9174/75
Tel: Craigh: Dianne: Ntuthuko:
Unit 1 No 13 Betastraal Street Alton, Richards Bay Fax 086 459 6725 sales@eastcoastengines.co.za
035 789 0464 035 789 0754 084 357 1082 071 677 0799 062 633 4755
PRE-OWNED KWID MANIA 2019 RENAULT KWID 1.0 EXPRESSION 5 year/150 000 km warranty Delivery mileage
CALL IN FOR MORE INFORMATION LAST 3 AVAILABLE
ALL INCLUSIVE 12* MONTHS
and Kwid are their frugal engines. Security guards who use the 1,2 Go can wring over 670 km from its 35-litre tank, while conservative Kwid drivers report a truly impressive 600 km from the Kwid’s tiny 28-litre tank. With some analysts predicting that petrol prices will get close to R20 a litre next year, such sippiness may yet replace zippiness as the main criterion for Mzansi’s car buyers. • alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za
FOR THE LEXUS V8 ENTHUSIASTS WE OFFER
FROM
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2019 RENAULT KWID 1.0 DYNAMIQUE 5DR
5 YEAR
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2019 RENAULT KWID 1.0 DYNAMIQUE AUTO 5 year/150 000 km warranty Delivery mileage
LAST 3 AVAILABLE
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FROM
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FEATURES: • FOGS • DOOR MOULDING • CHROME INSERTS • AIRCON • ELECTRIC WINDOWS • POWER STEERING • ALARM •CENTRAL LOCKING • REVERSE CAMERA • TOUCH SCREEN • SAT NAV
Bidvest McCarthy Renault Pietermaritzburg
* T’s & C’s Apply Bidvest McCarthy Renault | 0800 00 4415
Bidvest McCarthy Renault Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road • 087 893 0488 / 087 893 0485 • www.bidvestmccarthyrenault.co.za
Njabulo 084 413 7751 •
Victor 072 102 4667 •
Phumembo 083 950 7744 • VeneshS@mcmotor.co.za
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9 Armitage Road • Tel: 087 893 0488/0878 930 485
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www.bidvestmccarthyrenault.co.za Hlengiwe 072 677 8325
Muhammad 072 159 1056
Darryl 078 120 6861
Kayson • Sales Manager 083 735 6506