October 25, 2018
Witness
BAKKIE NEWS
WHEELS
ALWYN VILJOEN BAKKIES continued to make news last week, with Merc listing the asking price for the much anticipated V6 X-Class X350d; GWM announcing plans to sell the Steed 7 in six key markets outside China, and half-ton fans being intrigued by Renault’s Duster bakkie. In China, every third bakkie is a GWM, and the group has listed Australia, Middle East, South America and southern Africa as primary export markets, and will also be “exploring” markets in South Asia, and North Africa. The fashionable Steed 7 has all the latest in digital tech but should come with very competitive pricing, backed by its reputation as the best-selling bakkie in China for 20 consecutive years. On the other end of the pricing spectrum, Mercedes-Benz wants R973 188 for the X350d. This includes VAT and CO2 tax but excludes any optional extras and any dealer associated costs, such as registration and delivery. The X350d will be available for delivery by the end of November. Then there is much speculation on social media about a half-ton bakkie to compete with the Nissan NP200. Romanian company Romturingia has done a neat job of cutting the back off a Duster and welding a load bin in place. Nissan, currently the only seller of a half-tonner in SA, averages over 1 500 units a month. In September, this number rose to a respectable 1 888 units of the NP200. While this sounds like a lot, the number crunchers at Ford and Toyota have repeatedly told Wheels there is no margin in half-tonners, not while they are running double shifts to export four times as many big bakkies. But who knows, there may just be a niche here for Renault to exploit.
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ALWYN VILJOEN GWM sees South Africa as one of its six important export markets for the Steed 7.
The V6 X-Class X350d will sell for just under a million before any optional extras.
Specialist insurer Infiniti is providing cover for the convoy of pre-war cars, like this 1934 MG K3 raced by Dick Seaman, that will be taking part in the tour from East London on November 25 to Val de Vie in the Western Cape on December 2. Tickets for the event and more information on www.sahistoricgp. com
WHY MODERN CARS ARE SAFER
It is sad to see a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air destroyed by 50-year younger Chevrolet Malibu, but this safety comparison, done in 2009, shows how modern plastics and polymer composites absorb energy to send the 64 km/h impact around the occupants, rather than into the cabin to crush the driver and passengers.
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THE most exciting regional rally in KZN has not even started yet, but drivers are already seeing “red mist” over what some view as unnecessary red tape, but Motorsport South Africa (MSA) views as sensible public safety requirements. A field of 38 racers have entered the Zane Rencken Tribute rally, which will be held on Saturday at Dalton, and which organiser Dean Redelinghuys said will be a showcase for Natal Rallying, boasting several “firsts” that all aim to make rallying more enjoyable for the fans. “We have designed a World Rally Championship-style Fan Zone which includes exhibitors, Reach For a Dream kids going for a ride, food from the local farm and big screens with live streamed action from the stages to the fan zone. “We have received support from the likes of Castrol, New Holland, Barlow World Ford and Shell through their local agent Trimborn. “Added to this various social media platforms will be streaming the sixhour long live feed on Saturday on Rally Afrique, which has 11 000 followers into Southern Africa,” Redelinghuys said. This live feed will also be streamed to the Dalton farm hall, where the fans can watch the action in comfort and safety.
Current KZN rally champions Bertus Labuschagne and Peter Chadwick show what fans can expect on Saturday at Dalton. The rally will be the first to stream the action live and raise funds with charity fan rides. A short rally section has been created just outside the hall where passengers, including Reach for a Dream children, will get rides in a rally car. Members of the public who are keen to experience why all drivers agree rallying is the most exciting motorsport, can buy a ride at R150 a person, with the proceeds going to Reach for a
Dream and the Newton school. Redelinghuys said the Zane Rencken Tribute rally is about sportsmanship and as such has attracted the biggest field in a long time from both Motorsport SA and the World of Motorsport SA’s (Womza) Africa Regional Rally Organisation. This tribute rally will now, however, be raced under Womza
after Motorsport SA said all its drivers over 50 must have an electrocardiogram (ECG) to gain a racing licence. Redelinghuys had asked for this requirement to be waved for the tribute rally, arguing that MSA drivers who climbed stairs for 120 seconds in January for the Stress ECG test are allowed to drive eight months later, but regional
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racers have to get a fresh test. MSA CEO Adrian Scholtz explained this requirement for Stress ECGs has in all probability saved one or two lives. “We are aware of a few competitors who were rushed in for heart bypass surgery after heart problems were detected as a result of the Stress ECGs they underwent in order to obtain licences,” Scholtz wrote. He added this was not just about medical insurance, but public liability and safety. “As this is an MSA-permitted event, MSA will be held accountable should the stipulated requirements not be met and MSA’s Public Liability will not activate. “It is important to note that in the event of non-compliance the organisers could be sued in his/her personal capacity,” he warned. This has left drivers who entered the race fuming. In an open letter, Tony Ball stated: “I am placing on record that in all my years of motorsport I have never seen such petty politics and what is concerning me is that in these poor economical times MSA do not seem concerned about growing the sport and making it easy to participate in.” MSA, however, had the last word: “If the requirement irritates some people but saves even just one life, I think the scales tip decisively in favour of the ECG requirement,” Scholtz wrote.
Kona crossover brings cute but capable to SA roads ALWYN VILJOEN
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HYUNDAI has launched the Kona, a very neat crossover with all the trimmings and a choice of two engines. Selling from just under R380 000, Hyundai SA’s sales and operations director Stanley Anderson said the Kona is an important milestone in Hyundai Motors’ journey, with looks as well as fit and trim levels that shows Hyundai is now one of the top automotive brands in the world. “We are launching the Kona with a 2-litre naturally aspirated engine and the punchy new 1-litre, 3-cylinder turbo engine that is frugal, yet powerful enough to make a drive in the Kona an exciting experience.” Designed by Daniel Kim, senior designer at Hyundai America’s Design and Engineering Centre in Irvine, California, the Kona comes across (in the eyes of this beholder) as cute but capable. It rides 17 cm off the ground, which is ample for most dirt roads and even middelmannetjies, while Hyundai makes its own steel, ensuring a strong, light body with 51% ultra-highstrength steel that enhances the dynamic performance and increases passive passenger safety. Engines The Kona 1.0 T-GDI Executive (manual) enters the local market at a launch price of R379 900, while its sibling, the Kona 2.0 NU Executive (automatic), comes with a price ticket of R399 900. Wheels drove both at its KZN launch in Umhlanga and our vote goes to the 998 cc turbo-engine, which makes a very impressive 172 Nm between 1 500 rpm and 4 000 rpm, with peak
Not as small as it looks In the front, there is over a metre of legroom with the seat all the way back, while the rear offers 880 mm knee space with the front seat pushed forward. The boot swallows a respectable 361 litres with the seats up, and more than double this with the 60:40 split rear seat back rest folded down. The exterior rear-view mirrors can fold in with remote control to protect from damage in tight parking spaces. The sun visors include vanity mirrors with illumination, and the centre roof console includes a sun-glass holder.
Hyundai sells the Kona in five colours. Acid Yellow, with matching interior trim, actually looks very good. PHOTO: QUICKPIC power of 88 kW at 6 000 rpm. Hyundai achieved 6,8 litres/100 km while testing the vehicle in SA and a top speed of the 1.0 TGDI is 181 km/h. We recommend not to push the little engine to 6 000 revs to get to this speed, as all that low down torque, combined with long ratios in a sixspeed manual gearbox, makes for an relaxed driving, be it between traffic lights or up on KZN’s steeper hills on the open road. That said, the 2-litre engine is no slouch, with an automatic transmission that shifts smoothly between its six cogs. The 2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine makes 110 kW at 6 200 r/min. and 180 Nm at 4 500 r/min. Top speed of 194 km/h, and recorded fuel consumption of 7,2 litres/100 km on a combined urban/open road test cycle. A button on the centre gearshift console offers a choice between Comfort,
Eco or Sport driving modes. Interior Inside, smooth, contoured surfaces fold around the occupants. Four presses of a button connects Bluetooth and the backlit AUX and USB plug points are both aesthetically pleasing and very practical in the dark. The onboard computer offers a wide variety of information, including instant and average fuel consumption, and the tyre pressure, which is standard equipment on both models. A seven-inch touchscreen controls the navigation, infotainment and sound system. The sound is excellent thanks to four speakers and two tweeters. The Display Audio also allows passengers to mirror their smartphone’s content onto the
Safety The Hyundai Kona achieved a five-star safety rating in the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). Active safety features include an Anti-skid Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Downhill Brake Control, Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Rear CrossTraffic Collision Warning. Passive safety features include two front, two curtain and two side-impact airbags. All models are sold with Hyundai’s seven-year or 200 000 km manufacturers’ warranty (comprising the five years/150 000 km warranty with a two-year/50 000 km drivetrain warranty); a five-year or 90 000 km service plan; and five years or 150 000 km roadside assistance. Kona prices 1.0 T-GDI Executive Manual — R379 900 Kona 2.0 NU Executive Automatic — R399 900
Ramasgate also for hobby class riders
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Record field for rally Zane Rencken Tribute rally first to live stream the action to a fan zone in Dalton farm hall
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ORGANISERS of Ramasgate — billed as the toughest hard one-day enduro in Africa — have completed all the routes for the event on November 9 and 10. Starting from the Chertsey farm, 20 km outside Matatiele, the routes aim to provide a unique opportunity for all forms of dirt bikers to enjoy this weekend. In a statement, the organisers said “Ramasgate is setting its goal to be the best one-day hard enduro weekend in Africa while at the same time giving our hobby class riders and adventure bikers the ultimate riding experience, without the ‘racing’ pressure, so that they can enjoy the experience.” A 30 km prologue on Friday will determine starting position for the Saturday ride.
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Three classes The Hobby class has been designed for your lower Bronze rider/fun rider who maybe has not got the fitness, as he most probably works for a living, but wants an enjoyable less stressful ride. The Expert Class has been designed to cater for riders that are at Silver Roof of Africa level and above average bronze rider. The Pro Class is for top 30 Roof of Africa riders only. All the classes will start and finish at Chertsey farm with the Saturday route comprising three stages, with all classes doing the same Stage 1 and Stage 3, apart from the Adventure class that have their specific adventure class route. Stage 1 starts in the form of a mass start in rows of riders determined from
the previous day’s time trial and ends at the Ramasgate decontrol where all riders will do their passport checks. From there the Expert, Pro and Adventure classes will complete their specific class route as part of Stage 2 which ends back at the Ramasgate. The Hobby class do not do Stage 2 but have a 3-hour decontrol to joy ride and spectate in Lesotho. All classes will then start Stage 3, which follows a relatively easy, flowing route back to the finish. Adventure Bikes The adventure bike routes have been designed for the ultimate adventure rider who would like a scenic ride in the beautiful Lesotho mountains that is designed specifically for the adventure bikes.
The Adventure bike route starts and finishes with the other classes and basically runs along/near to the Hobby, Expert and Pro routes enabling adventure riders to stop along the way at many spectator points. This route is going to be awesome from the comments and pictures we have received from the adventure bike route directors. On Saturday night a spit braai will be held at the Matatiele country club with some interesting biker entertainment and presentation of your Ramasgate “Rock” or signature medals. The entry fee is a low R750 to ride, camp, get the bike washed and enjoy two braais. More on www.WFOracing.co.za
RMI CALLS FOR MORE ROAD WORTHY TESTS THE Retail Motor Industry (RMI) organisation has called for all vehicles to be tested for road worthiness more often to reduce road deaths. The RMI said of the 14 050 people who died in major fatal crashes in 2017, human factors contributed to nearly 90% of the crashes, the road environment 3,4% and vehicle factors 6,9%. Jakkie Olivier, RMI CEO said a 2016 Research and Development Report on the Costs of Crashes in South Africa, published by the CSIR put the total national costs for 2015 at almost R143 billion, which translated to 3,4% of South Africa’s GDP. “We strongly believe that the implementation of Periodic Vehicle Testing and Inspection (PTI) will yield great benefits to the country in terms of reducing the road deaths, creating jobs and stimulating the retail sector with the maintenance of vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition,” he said. Ferose Oaten, national chairperson of the RMI’s Vehicle Testing Association (VTA), said only 21% of the current registered vehicle population are required to be tested on a regular basis. “We have a vehicle population of 12,4 million vehicles on our road, as at September 2018, according to the National Traffic Information System (Natis). “Trucks, buses and taxis as well as vehicles which change ownership make up the 21% of vehicles that require testing on a regular basis. 78,3% of the vehicle population has no requirement to be tested, no matter the age of the vehicle.” The RTMC Road Fatality report shows over half (54,3%) of the crashes in 2017 were caused by a burst tyre, followed by faulty brakes (13,5%). Other vehicle factors include smooth tyres, headlights blinding or faulty, and faulty steering. Oaten said in Turkey, periodic vehicle testing and inspection has decreased accidents by 82 925 and saved Turkey’s economy $274 million when PTI was introduced in 2009, and since then the country has seen an annual average of 102 000 fewer accidents. — WR.
Binder on the podium in Japanese Moto3 GP DARRYN Binder followed in his brother Brad’s tyremarks when he returned from injury to take his first world championship podium with a third place in the 2018 Japanese Moto3 Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old, Red Bull KTM Ajo rider crashed at the Sachsenring Circuit in the German Moto3 earlier this year, resulting in a displaced collarbone break. The Potchefstroom-born Binder broth-
ers raced against each other in Moto3 in 2015 and 2016 before older brother Brad was promoted to Moto2 after winning the Moto3 World Champions series with four races to spare in 2016.
Brad tweeted: “My day wasn’t very good but @DarrynBinder40 got his first world championship podium! Well done Dazza you deserve it.” — Wheels Reporter.