Witness Wheels

SAVE FUEL LIKE A TRUCKER P4

CARS WANTED

March 26, 2015

Exotic,luxury and supercars WANTED FOR CASH must be low mileage and mint condition, email pics and brief description to ashgani@telkomsa.net

Witness

WHEELS

ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

ASH EXOTICS Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za 534/550 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201

Ash 083 786 3377

… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

Swazi Cowboys Ballito off­roader Brett Swanepoel (Team Proudly Bidvest Yamaha) claimed his second win in the 200cc Class in the Swazi Cowboys 400 over the weekend.

Swanepoel posted the fastest time trials and then steamed on to claim the OR3 victory ahead of Brother Leader Tread KTM rider Jarryd Coetzee and Swaziland rider Jonathan van Wyk. The racing saw several crashes on a challenging route that took the racers from the Usutu Forest Country Club through the forests and mountains in the area, fortunately without lasting injuries.

• The bikers and quad riders next meet for the third round of the 2015 Totpak National off­road Championship near Mooi River on April 25.

— Elza Thiart­Botes PHOTO: SKYE PHOTOGRAPHY

Hiltonite Jarrod Blackman with the pipe car in which he will compete in tomorrow’s national cross country race near Harrismith.

PHOTO: AMIL UMRAW

Dangerous to go slow

HAIL-ELUJAH!

South Africa’s only quadriplegic racer will be living his motto at Harrismith this weekend JARROD Blackman (24) from Hilton can be ex­ cused for wearing a tiny superman logo around his neck. This former factory offroad motorbike racer has achieved what many considered to be superhuman feats since he hit a rock in a “slow crash” in 2010.

Paralysed from the chest down, he spent years learning how to be mobile again, or as he writes in a moving poem — being fragile after being agile.

Today Blackman is a quiet force of inspiration to many, from stroke victims to offroad racecar drivers. He and co­driver Matthew English (26) will be racing against the latter group in a special pipe car imported from Canada tommorow and Saturday. The roll cage of the 1 000 cc vehicle has been adapted to open up so that he can be lifted in and strapped to the seat. Once inside, his left hand gets strapped to a special grip on the steering wheel, while his right arm gets tied to a sliding lever with which he works the accelerator.

He does not consider his achievements to date superhuman. Single­minded maybe and mad about racing definitely, but compared to other pa­ ralysed athletes, he is about par for the course. But for his many followers on YouTube, Blackman shows the way out of depression and into fierce determination to not only live, but be fully alive.

He has only 70% muscle in his arms and is oth­ erwise paralysed from the chest down, but this hasn’t put a glitch in the young man’s racing dreams. “It’s dangerous to go slow,” Blackman laughed as he described his near fatal fall back in

2010 when he was going at about 30 km/h.

About the grim years of rehab, he said: “My goal was never to walk, it was to race.

“During rehab, my psychologist asked me to write out a list of six goals. My first goal was getting back on a bike and my second goal was to race. Only my sixth goal was to walk,” he said.

It took him almost a year just to roll over on his side unassisted and four years to regain most of his independence.

“A disability is never something that should hold you back from your dreams. You take safety for granted as you look at the risks of a race as academic. I decided long ago that I was never going to stop racing and that’s where recovery begins — in the mind,” Blackman said.

Tomorrow’s race sees him and English tackle the first­leg of the Donaldson Cross Country Championship, when they will reach speeds of 120 km/h over rough terrain.

Apart from his racing, Blackman has now taken it upon himself to help other physically disabled people, who all face the same set of problems, one of which is the need for expert rehabilitation and physical activity to stay healthy.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s: “You must be the change you want to see in the world”, Black­ man started his own wellness centre in Hilton, called the Sci­Motion gym, where he offers rehab exercises on the right equipment for people who suffered a stroke or paralysis at a cost that is af­ fordable to most. More on www.scimotion.org • All about the Donaldson Cross Country Championships on page 8

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2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 26, 2015

A smarter kind of tough BANGKOK — Ford on Monday unveiled its new Ranger, which will be launched in South Africa in the fourth quarter.

Pricing will be confirmed closer to the launch, but Ranger fans may want to place an order already, as the list of extras in the big bakkies back Ford’s claim of new benchmarks in the bakkie segment.

“The new Ford Ranger brings a new level of comfort and refinement to its segment without compromising on the rugged capability that our customers de­ mand,” said Brett Wheatley, vice presi­ dent of marketing, sales and service at Ford Asia Pacific.

“It represents a smarter kind of tough, and will help our customers to achieve more, whether at work or with their fam­ ilies,” said Wheatley.

The new Ranger has a new look nose and a stylish, smart and functional new interior. It also boasts an array of new cutting­edge technologies that enable new and more practical solutions to ev­ eryday challenges.

“When we set out to improve upon the Ford Ranger, we knew we had our work cut out for us— the current Ranger is one of the toughest, most capable trucks out there,” said Richard Tilley, ve­ hicle line director, Ford Asia Pacific.

As the current model, the next Ranger can wade in 80 cm deep water and trav­ erse 230 cm high rocks.

An electronically controlled transfer case allows drivers in 4x4 models to shift on the fly from 4x2 to 4x4 high with a

Inside the big Ford, the cabin provides a contemporary car­like environment for both driver and passengers. knob on the centre console. For low­ speed torque or additional downhill braking, drivers can also engage low­ range 4x4 gearing, while an electronic locking rear differential helps to improve traction in difficult conditions. These off­road strengths are matched by tow­ ing capability of up to 3 500 kg and ex­ ceptional payload capacity.

Ford said its electric power­assisted steering “provides precise steering with a natural and confident feel”.

The Ranger comes with Ford’s latest generation in­car connectivity, which al­ lows the drivers to tell the bakkies to set the climate control by simply saying “temperature 20 degrees”, or “play AC/ DC”, or “I’m hungry”. The latter obser­

vation will have the sat nav look for the nearest place that sells food.

There is also a 240­volt power socket to power a laptop computer.

Driver assist technologies range from Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid that will steer the big bakkie back onto its proper course if the driver drifts between the lines; to adaptive cruise con­ trol.

The rest of the list include a rear­ and front view cameras, a tyre pressure moni­ toring system, rollover mitigation and trailer sway control, Bluetooth­paired emergency assistance, as well as hill launch assist and descent control.

The next Ranger still comes with an option of four engines. The proven 3,2­li­ ter Duratorq five­cylinder TDCi diesel engine has a new exhaust gas recircula­ tion system to improve fuel efficiency by up to 18%, while still putting out 147 kW and 470 Nm. Ford’s latest 2,2­litre Duratorq four­ cylinder TDCi diesel engine uses less fu­ el, but still makes 118 kW and 385 Nm. For up to 22% percent less diesel, there is also a 96 kW variant.

The fourth engine is a 2,5­litre Duratec petrol engine, that makes 122 kW and 225 Nm. For city slickers who drive their Ran­ gers in peak hour traffic, all four engines have Automatic Start/Stop Technology, which can improve fuel economy by up to 3,5%.

— Wheels Reporter.

The popular H100 Bakkie is now produced daily at Hyundai’s assembly plant in Benoni on the East Rand, using components imported from South Korea.

PHOTO: QUIKCPIC

Hyundai to produce popular H100 locally THE Commercial Vehicles Division of Hyundai Automotive South Africa has begun production of the popular H100 Bakkie from its assembly plant in Benoni on the East Rand — little more than six months after the factory was opened in September 2014 for the initial production of the HD truck range.

H100 Bakkies assembled from components imported from South Korea are now produced daily for the commercial market in South Africa — creating value for Hyundai Automotive SA’s customers and in­ creasing jobs for local factory work­ ers.

“The establishment of the H100 production line forms part of a capi­ tal investment of about R110 million in the Commercial Vehicles Divi­ sion of Hyundai in South Africa.

“There are financial rewards for us, but one of the important benefits of this extension of our SKD pro­ duction is job creation and the testi­ mony that it bears of Hyundai’s commitment to the local automo­ tive market,” said Wade Griffin, di­ rector for commercial vehicles at Hyundai Automotive SA. One of the reasons why the 1,3 ton H100 — or the ‘Bakkie’, as it is known in South Africa — was con­ sidered for local assembly is because it is one of the most successful vehi­ cles in the local model range of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

The H100 has operated world­ wide under some of the toughest working conditions, and has elevat­

ed the Hyundai workhorse to a posi­ tion amongst the toughest light commercial vehicles available today — and rightfully so.

“Close to 60 000 of the H100 Bakkies have been sold since Hyun­ dai Automotive SA started operat­ ing in the year 2000, and it has be­ come a workhorse for many smaller as well as large, established busi­ nesses and organisations in South Africa. It is also the perfect all­round vehicle for a small family business, with a proven track record of relia­ bility,” said Griffin Griffin says no one should have any qualms about the quality and durability of locally produced Bak­ kies: A full­time quality control en­ gineer does duty at the assembly plant, and Hyundai Motor Compa­ ny has sent a team of five engineers to South Africa in February to over­ see quality control procedures and to train and upskill the local work­ force at the factory.

Assembly of the second batch of 60 H100 units has already started on the production line in the Apex, Benoni, factory with the aim of roll­ ing out 360 Bakkies per month when full production is reached at about September this year.

As is the case with the HD trucks being produced in the assembly plant since last year, several applications and permutations is possible due to customised fitment of different load boxes and canopies on the H100’s sturdy frame.

— Supplied.

The new Ford Ranger arrives in SA after October.

PHOTOS: QUICKPIC

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 084 278 3447 or Avir@witness.co.za

Extra long for an Africa safari Jeep launched the Wrangler Africa as part of a seven­ model reveal at the Easter Jeep Safari in the U.S recently. The Safari is built for overland expeditions with the rear extended, stripped out and rubberised to take lots of gear. A 2,8­litre diesel engine provides motivation with help from an automatic transmission.

The Africa rolls on 17­inch body colour steel wheels with 35­inch BFGoodrich Mud Terrain tyres.

PHOTO: GIZMAG.COM

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 26, 2015

3

The Rejuvenator Exhilarating: The Scirocco R looks good even when parked, but around corners this car at all times remains taut, tight and together even at very high speeds.

PHOTO: JONATHAN BURTON

BRIAN BASSETT loses 30 years while driving the new Volkswagen Scirocco R LAST week, I had the most enjoyable time I’ve had with a car in a long while.

It all started when Kevin Pillay, dealer principal at Baron’s in Pietermaritz­ burg, lent me his personal vehicle, a Volkswagen Scirocco R, for a few days.

STYLING The Scirocco is now in its third genera­ tion following its launch in 2009.

It is a sports coupé aimed at buyers who go for aggressive styling.

The Scirocco R provides this in spa­ des, starting with those slit­eyed bi­ Xenon headlamps and large air intake openings up front and continuing to the rear, where LED lights wrap around that gorgeous derrière. Even the number plate has soft LED lighting.

On the sides, streamlined door han­ dles and colour­coded mirrors support the chic sportiness of the design, which is punctuated on the Scirocco by the huge, 19­inch Cadiz alloy wheels.

INTERIOR Dark grey stitching adds taste to the al­ ready elegantly black interior which is

good enough to pose for its own selfie.

The leather­covered multifunction steering wheel and aluminum, tiptronic gearshift are a pleasure to operate. The steering also operates an impressive eight­speaker, 400­Watt audio system consisting of a six­disc changer/MP3/ aux and radio. Having tested the car in the dark, I can vouch all the gauges are easily readable while looking ahead.

When starting up, the luminous rev and speed needles make a quick flip to their maximum positions, an old trick that still manages to add personality to the car each time you turn the key. The onboard computer scrolls through a wealth of information at the flick of a button on the steering wheel.

In a hood above the dashboard are three dials which remind me of a Tri­ umph TR3 I owned in the 1960s. Should you wish to keep an eye on your oil pres­ sure, lap times or charge pressure while on the way to work; these will allow you to do so. The well­placed touch screen in the centre of the dashboard operates a number of information­linked and ra­ dio functions, as well as the Park Assist

Function, while a built­in DVD drive and standard Bluetooth technology are available on the vehicle and the RNS 510 Radio. The climate control system is sophisticated and effective, as well as easy to operate.

The rear seat space is quite adequate for two adults, even for the two some­ what large adults I used to measure it.

The boot will take luggage for two for a weekend away, but should you need to add a set of golf clubs the rear seats fold down in 50:50 fashion, virtually doubling the space available.

SAFETY AND SECURITY The Scirocco R has a 5­star NCAP rating and just about every safety and security device available. Beside the usual ABS and EBD the car has Hill Hold Assist, an Anti Spin Regulator, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Program and Transverse Differential Lock to mention but a few.

For the passengers there are safety belts, rain sensors, Driver Fatigue De­ tection, Isofix attachments for new mums, side impact bars and six front

and side airbags. The vehicle is also alarmed and locks remotely.

PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING In the initial two days the Scirocco R sat under my carport, I drove it around town and on the N3 so I can tell you what I already knew; namely that the steering is precise, the parking easy, the envy amusing and the acceleration from a working traffic light invigorating.

On the N3 you can sail past every­ thing from 60 to 100 and — if you don’t mind the fines — you can leave many more expensive German cars standing when that softly whistling turbo kicks in. But the highway will not allow you to touch the heart of the Sirocco R, which is that of a thoroughbred sports car.

To really experience this four­cylin­ der, turbocharged 188 kW motor, which can give you a 350 Nm lumbar massage that will make the needle hover over 100 about six seconds, you need a few hair­ pins and a decent straight.

There are not many tracks that are long enough to allow such fun in safety,

but invest the gate fee, for if you take the Scirocco R there, it will take you to a top speed of 250 km/h, remaining at all times taut, tight and together.

I spent an hour allowing the Scirocco to express itself in conditions for which it was designed. This really is a car for the connoisseur, someone who loves driving as much as they love life.

The power is delightful, the exhaust note symphonic, the flappy paddles on the steering immediately responsive.

The steering itself is direct and the cor­ nering — given this is a front wheel drive — superb. After an hour I found myself smiling broadly, feeling 30 years young­ er and longing to own this car while en­ vying those who have one.

GUARANTEES, COSTS AND THE COMPETITION The Scirocco has a three­year 120 000 km warranty, a 12­year anti­ corrosion warranty and a five­year 90 000 km service plan. The Scirocco R will cost you about R 490 000. Also have a look at the Renault Megane Coupé, the Opel Astra GTC the Peuge­ ot RCZ and the BMW 2 Series.

Korean designs promise a shake­up TWO cars from Korea promise to shake up designs in the industry.

The first is the next Kia Optima.

Following its debut at the New York International Auto Show in 2010, the Kia Optima became a catalyst for the brand’s tremendous growth and has been the company’s best­selling vehicle in the U.S. for three years running. Now, five years later, Kia will return to New York on Wednesday, April 1, for the world debut of a passionately designed and obsessively crafted all­new version of its popular midsize sedan.

Meanwhile the Hyundai Motor Company has received the Jury Prize at the JEC Innovation Awards 2015 for its innovative carbon­fibre frame design used in the Intrado concept car. The prize was presented during the JEC Eu­ rope 2015 conference in Paris this month.

The JEC Innovation Awards recog­ nise technical excellence, market poten­ tial and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions world­

The Hyundai Intrado has won its first design awards.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

The next Kia Optima will be shown in New York on April 1.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

wide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic frame of In­ trado, which complements the con­ cept’s advanced fuel­cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor Company.

At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon­fibre reinforced plas­

and other CFRP chassis architectures.

The minimalistic, self­supporting skeleton­like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, sav­ ing 70% weight compared to a conven­ tional chassis and around 30% on the overall vehicle weight, without compro­ mising safety attributes.

tic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon­fibre tubes.

This approach allows for more effec­ tive and flexible use of the carbon mate­ rial, avoiding offcuts and long energy­ consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel

One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam.

This beam provides Intrado with its unique strength and supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.

— Supplied.

4

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 26, 2015

Getting 15,6 km/l from a supercharged V6 Audi A8 on a return journey between Durban and Johannesburg shows what can be achieved by applying the five steps below.

PHOTO: RUBEN PILLAY

Five expert tips to save fuel from SA’s top trucker REGGIE NAIDOO

The Fortuner is not just a bestseller in SA, but tried, tested and trusted as a mom’s taxi around the globe.

PHOTO: YOUTUBE SCREEN GRAB

One Fortuner, 3 generations Toyota recently lent ‘Wheels’ a 3,0 D4­D model, which gave three car­nuts, aged from 20­something to 70­something, a chance to find what they liked — and didn’t — about South Africa’s most popular ute.

WHEN the fuel price shoots back up

by R2 a litre next on April 1 next week, people will start worrying how to drive with a light right foot. Below are the tried and tested tricks of the trade top truckers use to save diesel.

1. Be patient The first rule to save fuel is to remain patient UNTIL you get there.

Driving to save fuel means driving slowly, which for most people be­ comes very boring very quickly.

To prevent boredom from making your right ankle fall flat, either start thinking long and slow thoughts, or if you are not the medidating type, download audio books and listen to these. Such is the power of a good book, often times people will remain sitting in their cars to hear the end.

2. It all averages out Driving slowly of course means not starting late, so plan your life to leave in time. But even if you left it too late, don’t rush.

Your average speed in town will rarely go over 41 km/h — and that is on a good day. Stick to this speed between traffic lights and you will burn a lot less fuel, plus save on wear and tear.

3. See the invisible Wind is your biggest enemy when try­ ing to burn less fuel.

The wind resistance rises exponen­

Amil Umraw — the 20-something bloke

Alwyn Viljoen — the 40-something oke

Brian Bassett — the venerable madala

DRIVING the Fortuner made me feel like I owned the road, sitting high above just about everything else.

It was the perfect combination be­ tween the hardcore off­road rigidity of a Landy and the elegant sophisticated interior of a Mercedes.

But taking the Fortuner’s wheel in the dark for the first time, I had no idea where to disengage the central diff lock. The buttons where these controls are normally positioned are not back­ lit and of course Toyota further con­ fused this newbie driver by requiring the 4x4 short lever to be pulled into the traditional engage position in or­ der to disengage the central diff lock.

And while probing around under­ neath the dashboard, looking for that elusive button in the dark, you also find the Fortuner’s roof lights are definitely more for romantic mood lighting than illumination.

Luckily there are apps that turn smartphones into torches!

AS a member of the neighbourhood watch I note at night how Mahindras are parked outside while the Fortuner flock huddle behind locked gates.

For that is the sad reality of owning SA’s most popular ute — you also own a vehicle that is on top of car thieves’ shopping list. And then there is the huge key to start the Fortuner with.

You cannot stuff it into your pocket for fear of it poking a hole in the lining.

At half a bar for the Fortuner, I’d want a fold­in key fob like those the compet­ itors use. But over 700 people who buy a Fortuner each month cannot all be wrong, as a quick drive along a se­ lection of gravel and tar convinced me.

Where other firmly­sprung 4x4s judder over the cement section of the N3 highway near Cato Ridge, the For­ tuner just sits, ditto around gravel cor­ ners. Just don’t tap off!

Toyota’s Bluetooth system is anoth­ er big plus, as it pairs with any smart­ phone in less than five key presses.

A DRIVER of German cars for many years, sweeping corners are my forte, not 4x4ing.

Which is why my colleagues waited with baited breath as I prepared to sur­ mount our usual steep, rock­strewn slope.

The last time I had tried to get up there in a competing ute, I returned with a flat tyre. But with the Fortuner’s central and front diff lock engaged, this terrified 4x4 novice was king of the hill in no time.

If I have to nitpick — and the editor said I do — the Fortuner’s sheer size makes it difficult to park. I wonder how the thousands of petite women who use this ute as a mom’s taxi cope with this issue on a daily basis.

From a design perspective, the air intake on the bonnet also spoils the lines for me.

I think Toyota could have enabled the engine to breath in more attractive ways, as its 86 sportscar shows.

tially the faster you go. At 120 km/h you car has to push its way through an invisible wall that is about the same consistency as wet cement. Keep at the average speed for best results (See trick 2).

4. Bad drivers brake Bad drivers brake, good drivers regu­ late. Truckers are rated on how many times they touch their brakes and can lose their jobs if the red lights show too often, for each flash of lights means they have just wasted all the diesel they burnt in order to drive that little bit too fast. (And with trucks of­ ten getting one kilometre out of a litre, this quickly makes a big difference.)

Learn to look far ahead so that you can change down to cruise at the same speed over any speed hump or around any corner.

5. Throw your weight around Check your car’s handbook to see at which revolutions your car’s engine make the most Newton metres.

Then switch off the speed control and focus on using your right foot to keep your rev needle hovering around the lowest possible revs. To do this without losing speed, you will have to use the vehicle’s momentum.

Let it gain a bit of speed downhill so that the vehicle’s weight will push it partly uphill. Don’t put your car in neutral when going downhill. Idling uses more fuel in a fuel­injected en­ gine that riding against compression.

Last year’s Car of the Year in Europe comes to a Peugeot dealership near you at month end.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

New Pug shows its nose THE parking lot at Granny Mouse in the Midlands last week had a parking lot filled with the model that won Eu­ rope’s Car of 2014.

They were the Peugeot 308, two models of which the French car maker has now launched in South Africa, both with 1.2 engines dubbed 110 and 130. The 1.2 PureTech Active has a three­cylinder, quad­valve, turbo­ charged engine making 81 kW at 5 500 rpm and 205 Nm at 1 500 rpm, using a five­speed manual gearbox.

The 130 engine in the 308 GT Line

makes 96kW at 5 500 rpm and 240 Nm from 1 750 rpm through a six­speed manual gearbox.

A three­year or 100 000 km manu­ facturer’s warranty, a five­year or 60 000 km service plan, and a three­ year or 100 000 km roadside assist­ ance package are standard. — WR. PRICES Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech Active ­ R275 900 Peugeot 308 1.2 PureTech GT Line ­ R329 900

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 26, 2015

5

Volkswagen enthusiasts needn’t look further than Barons PMB Conveniently situated between Durban and the Drakensburg, The Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers at Barons PMB are ready and waiting to tailor a deal that suits your budget and needs.

By Pieter from Maritzburg If you are looking for the most affordable and accessible Volkswagen dealer between Durban and the Drakensburg then look no further than The Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers at Barons PMB.

Now you know why Volkswagen enthusiasts needn’t look further than Barons PMB. Barons VW Pietermaritzburg can be found at 9 Armitage Road. They are committed to bringing you quality cars and excellent service at the best possible prices ALL year round!

To start hunting for your dream vehicle, visit www.baronsvwpmb.co.za. And to book a test drive or service call (033) 845 3100. Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.

Volkswagen’s commitment to efficiency and economy is BlueMotion Technology. And this philosophy was carried out in the design and construction of the entire Barons PMB dealership.

Each staff member at barons PMB, from cleaning staff to dealers and on to management, is trained in-line with the quality and reliability that Volkswagen enthusiasts have come to know and trust.

Anything is possible with the New Polo Vivo.

3 Year 120 000km Warranty

The New Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline for

R159,900*

Retail incl. extras

Vehicle

The New Polo Vivo 1.6 Comfortline standard features include: -

77kW @ 5,250 rpm Fuel-injected 5-speed manual 6.6l/100km* Air-conditioning Driver and passenger airbags Power steering

-

Height and reach adjustable steering column Digital clock and trip recorder 3 cup holders (1 in front 2 in rear console) Body colour bumpers Front electric windows Fog lamps

Colour

Savings

Special

Volkswagen CC 1.8 TSI DSG

R481 799

White

R44 856

R436 943

Volkswagen CC 1.8 TSI DSG

R424 199

White

R36 799

R387 400

Golf 7 1.2 TSI Trendline

R273 601

White

R21 000

R252 601

Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline

R310 599

Silver

R23 000

R287 599

Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline

R324 349

White

R23 999

R300 350

Golf 7 2.0 GTI DSG

R468 349

Grey

R34 999

R433 350

Cross Polo 1.2 TSI

R260 349

Silver

R17 050

R243 300

Tiguan 2.0 TDI Trend & Fun

R409 299

Silver

R30 300

R378 000

Kombi T5 2.0 TDI DSG

R513 749

White

R 30 749

R483 000

Scirocco Highline

R386 349

White

R 25 349

R361 000

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za

• • • • •

80-point mechanical check 2-year / unlimited km warranty* Vehicle History Integrity Check Balance of VW Automation Plan Professional Vehicle Reconditioning

Silver Silver Red Silver White White

R 132 900 R 139 900 R 149 900 R 159 900 R 159 900 R 169 900

44 000 40 000 9 000 1 500 1 000 1 000

km km km km km km

White Red Silver Silver Red White

R 152 900 R 288 900 R 239 900 R 229 000 R 239 000 R 185 900

25 000 5 500 1 400 1 000 3 000 900

km km km km km km

Black White White Silver

R 279 900 R 298 900 R 329 900 R 319 900

59 000 66 000 23 000 3 500

km km km km

Silver

R 429 000

9 500

km

Silver White Beige Grey White White White White

R 259 900 R 229 000 R 199 000 R 299 000 R 329 900 R 249 900 R 249 900 R 839 000

45 000 81 000 58 000 6 500 15 000 7 000 8 000 2 000

km km km km km km km km

Grey Blue Grey White White White

R 69 900 R 169 900 R 119 900 R 245 000 R 299 000 R 369 000

94 000 88 000 70 000 42 000 44 000 20 000

km km km km km km

Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Visit us today for these great specials.

Enquire about the optional extras included in the vehicles.

Specials on selected stock.

While stocks last.

Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za Note: Offers calculated on the above mentioned models are in standard specifications. Price excludes dealer delivery fee and finance plans. Information subject to change without prior notification. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase. While stocks last.

Don’t forget about our:

New Polo TSI 66kW Comfortline from R2999 per month and the Amarok R30 000 prize competition.

Mastercars Sales Consultants After hours: Laurie: 082 783 8040 • Rajen: 072 228 9834 Sanjay: 083 639 0989 • Barry: 072 235 4244 • Phumlani: 073 017 1294 Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg

Barons Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100

e&oe

*The advised price exclude the 2 year Mastercars Warranty. The Mastercars Warranty is available as an option and is a contract between the customer, an insurer and administrator. This extended Warranty is not available for all Amarok and Light Commercial Vehicle models. Terms & conditions apply. While stocks last.

Terms and Conditions Apply.

New Sales Consultants

Alison Wiltshire – Sales Manager 082 783 8855 • John Brown – 082 645 4396 Merglin Rama – 083 382 4589 • Menzi Ngubane – 073 534 8545 Bahle Bhengu – 082 337 5825 • Erica Neff – 082 858 7749 Thando Gumede – 078 969 8072 • Keshnee Pillay – 073 372 1452

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6

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 26, 2015

When wheels turn faster On opposite sides of the world, humanity’s most important invention has been made better ALWYN VILJOEN HUMANITY’S most important tool has in recent times been made a little bit better on opposite sides of the world.

In Japan, two brothers made a bicycle axle so smooth it can add at least three kilometres per hour to a rider’s speed.

In England, a group is building wheels for the supersonic Bloodhound record car, while worrying about the weight of a bag of sugar.

Japanese over­engineering From Japan, Jason Clenfield reports for Bloomberg Businessweek about a set of bicycle wheels that costs over R94 920 a pair.

The wheels turn on super­smooth axles, engineered by brothers Nobuo and Yutaka Kondo at Kondo Machine, a company that employs 30 engineers who make parts for Rolls­Royce jet en­ gines and machines that make parts for Toyota cars.

They call ther wheel the Gokiso wheel and their tests prove it turns four times smoother than competing wheels. Spin a Gokiso wheels at 28 km/ h on a test track and it will take six min­ utes to come to rest, compared with about 90 seconds for a high­end, resist­ ance­impaired competitor.

The Kondos told Clenfield they weren’t thinking much about sales when they started developing their bike wheels in 2009.

Younger brother Yutaka had just lost to his older brother in an endurance race and like all little brothers, he blamed the bike. But he was right, as the rear axle had been partly crushed during the four­hour ride. Yatuka took about six

Nobuo Kondo (left) and Yutaka Kondo made a bicyle axle so smooth it can add at least three kilometres per hour to a rider’s speed.

PHOTO: TAKUROH TOYAMA FOR BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK

Bloodhound SSC staff with one of the wheels that is designed to handle supersonic stresses over Hakskeenpan near the Namibia border.

PHOTO: BLOODHOUND SSC

months to develop an axle that could remain completely straight, suspending it inside a protective sleeve that redis­ tributes weight and absorbs shock.

They have since tested the axle at speeds of up to 300 km/h and have run it twice around the Earth at 100 km/h, (a test that took 10 hours a day for 100 days). After all that, Nobuo says, the wheels still spun like new.

The Gokiso has one­third less me­ chanical resistance than the next­ smoothest wheel on the market, the brothers say, which means speeds of three kilometres per hour more for most riders and crucial seconds shaved off professional’s race times.

Even in Japan, paying close to R95 000 for a set of bicycle wheels is a lot, which is why only 30 sets of the tyres have sold in four years, and about

at top speed. When going flat out, the wheels generate 50 000 radial g at the rim, which means that a one­kilogram bag of sugar set on the rim would weigh 50 tons or as much as a truck.

To handle that sort of stress, the wheel discs are made of a special alu­ minium alloy created for cutting­edge aerospace applications called 7037, which is forged into a perfectly balanced “cheese” using hot and cold presses.

The company forging the wheels, Bloodhound SSC, said the aim of both presses is to remove any voids and form a stronger, more compact matrix in the crystalline structure of the aluminium.

Even such strengthening, followed by precision machining by the Castle com­ pany and testing by Rolls Royce has its limits. Should the crew that has been sweeping the pan overlook a single

1 000 of the cheaper models that go for “only” R39 650 a pair.

English revolutions In England, engineers at the company Bloodhound SCC are preparing a su­ personic race car that will attempt to set a new land speed record at Hak­ skeenpan near the Namibia border.

Powered by a F1 racing engine and the jet engine from a Typhoon fighter, the Bloodhound can, in theory, blast across the pan quite a bit faster than the speed of sound. To handle such su­ personic speeds requires wheels that can withstand stress and can turn with­ out deforming from 10 200 rpm.

These revolutions are only the lower limit, because it is not certain how fast the Bloodhound will go and hence how fast the wheels will actually be turning

stone, the results could be catastrophic.

A pebble hitting the wheel at super­ sonic speeds could cause it to lose its balance, which would quickly damage bearings and increase the wobble until the wheel tore itself apart in a manner normally only seen in an exploding jet turbine. Another danger is that the front wheel could fire a stone at the rear wheel or into the body of the car at su­ personic speeds.

This could be extremely dangerous for the driver, Andy Green, despite the carbon composite cockpit. To protect against this, Morgan Advanced Materi­ als is developing lightweight composite ballistic panels to guard the cockpit and other vital areas. The laminated panels will not stop the stone, but will tear to dissipate its supersonic momentum.

• alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za

The self­ adjusting tyre from Goodyear.

PHOTO: GOODYEAR

Making power on the turn TWO concept tyres that were unveiled

by Goodyear at the recent Geneva In­ ternational Motor Show promise to create electricity and adjust the tyre pressure to suit the road.

The power­making tyre is called the BHO3 and could, according to Good­ year, charge the batteries of electric cars by transforming the heat generated by the rolling tyre into electrical energy.

This tyre generates electricity through the action of materials in the tyre that capture and transform the energy creat­ ed by heat when it flexes as it rolls dur­ ing normal driving conditions. The ma­ terials used would optimise the tyre’s electricity generation capabilities as well as its rolling resistance.

As demand for electric cars grows, this technology has the potential to contribute significantly to the solution of future mobility challenges and could eliminate the vehicle­range anxiety mo­

torists may have with electric cars.

The self­adjusting concept tyre is called the Triple Tube, thanks to three tubes that adjust tyre inflation pressure in response to changing road condi­ tions to ensure optimum grip in all con­ ditions.

The tyre relies on an internal pump that moves air from the main air cham­ ber to the three individual air chambers or tubes. “These concept tyres reimag­ ine the role that tyres may play in the future,” said Joe Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice president and chief technical officer. “We envision a future in which our products become more integrated with the vehicle and the consumer, more environmentally friendly and more versatile.”

Although the two tyres are concepts, Zekoski said they represent a vital as­ pect of Goodyear’s innovation strategy.

— WR.

iX35 CRDi PHOTO: KYLE VENKTESS

Turning ‘sexy’ upside down in the iX35 KYLE VENKTESS TURN upside down “iX35” and you will see this 1.7 CRDi hatch from Hyun­ dai has a rather cute name.

After taking my lady for a ride, she noticed the iX35 logo on the door sill reads “Sexi” when seen upside­down.

Or “sex!”, as I pointed out with my more accurate journalistic eye.

Whether this is just ironic or an in­ tentional visual Easter­egg — the iX35 definitely lives up to this reputation on its interior and exterior.

While offering a smooth and com­ fortable ride, the iX35 gives the driver the option to have a little more space from a clingy partner, while striking the space­factor­balance well enough

to ‘clutch’ their hand on a long drive.

An infotainment system complete with Bluetooth, USB and Auxiliary in­ puts composed into a luminous ambi­ ent setting on dash are obvious remi­ niscent of the Tron movie.

Bluetooth connectivity pairs with almost any device in under a minute and connects automatically when en­ tering the vehicle complete with hands­free options.

On the outside, the vehicle greets the driver entering with a wink of its xenon eyebrows and fog lights.

Chrome accents on the front need not beg for attention but futher accen­ tuate its exterior appeal.

The styling of the rear of the vehicle is very similar to previous models with

slight modifications to the brake­ lights, which helps maintain the prices of the used models.

The question begs whether to pur­ chase the diesel or petrol variant — from a performance and fuel economic point of views, there is an obvious and distinct difference. The iX35 CRDi has enough torque to carry the vehicle up a semi­steep incline in fifth gear and matches that power on the freeway — with the ability to bully other vehicles off the fast lane.

All­in­all, the package of the iX35 CRDi is a comprehensive one, with its intricate exterior appeal, performance that matches and surprisingly less trips to the petrol station.

• kyle.venktess@witness.co.za

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March 26, 2015

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8

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 26, 2015

Wide­open Specials

The Ford Performance team are ready and primed for the exciting first round of the 2015 Donaldson Cross Country championship, which takes place in the Free State town of Harrismith from tomorrow.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Battle at Harrismith Pit stops form part of tactics in new­look Donaldson Cross Country races WHILE the factory teams of Ford and Toyota slug it out around Harrismith in the first leg of this year’s Donaldson Cross Country Championship starting tomorrow, several talented privateers will make the Production Vehicle cate­ gory as interesting for spectators.

The RFS Endurance in Harrismith ushers in a new­look Donaldson series, with six instead of eight events in which sprint and endurance races and a mara­ thon will make the pit stops as much part of the race strategy as the driving.

Team Castrol Toyota and Ford Per­ formance provide the factory muscle in the premier Class T for vehicles over four litres with independent suspen­ sion, but there is no shortage of priva­ teers who could turn out to be a pain in the neck for the big guns.

Straightforward Class S The situation in Class S, for vehicles up to four litres with solid axle rear suspen­ sion, is more straightforward, with a no­ holds­barred confrontation between Toyota, Nissan and Ford teams who will engage in a turf war.

Reigning champions Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy, looking to make it three titles in a row, and Leeroy Poul­ ter and Rob Howie give the Team Cas­ trol Toyota Hilux squad a powerful hand. The two crews will be out in Da­ kar Rally spec machinery, and you would have to be out of your mind to leave them out of the championship equa­ tion.

Much the same goes for the Ford Per­ formance team where the status quo is restored with Chris Visser/Japie Baden­ horst and Lance Woolridge/Ward Hux­ table out in a pair of Ford Rangers.

Visser missed most of last season and Woolridge the entire season recovering from neck and back injuries, and moti­ vation levels will be high.

A private battle Among the privateers, Mpumalanga brothers Johan and Werner Horn, in the Malalane Toyota Hilux, conjured up a dream Class T debut season last year to finish second in the overall and Class T championships.

The trick will be to produce the same high levels this time out, and that will be no easy task.

High standards will also be expected of Gary Bertholdt and Siegfried Rous­ seau (Atlas Copco Ford Ranger) who were part of the Ford factory setup last season, and Johan van Staden/Mike Lawrenson (Regent Racing Nissan Na­ vara) who switch allegiance after cam­ paigning in recent seasons under the Atlas Copco banner.

Two other youngsters in Jason Venter and Vincent van Allemann (4x4 Meg World Toyota Hilux) will be out to prove their championship potential, and to demonstrate a growing maturity.

Newbie contenders On the subject of youngsters, another Woolridge will appear on the scene with Gareth Woolridge, younger broth­ er of Lance, linking up with Boyd Dreyer in another Ford Ranger with an influx of talent for the future always a pleasing development.

Dewald and Anton Nienaber (Toyota Hilux) also fall into the newcomer cate­ gory with the likes of Malcolm Kock/Jo­ hann Burger (Kock and Sons Toyota Hi­ lux), Hennie de Klerk/Johann Smalber­ ger (BMX X3) and the Harrismith­ based brother/sister team of Jacques and Lizelle van Tonder (Uni Freight Ford Ranger) among those who know their way around the Donaldson cham­ pionship.

The Regent Racing Nissan Navara challenge in Class T is also rounded out with a touch of experience via drivers

Terence Marsh and Jurgen Schroder.

Former Special Vehicle champion Marsh will be accompanied by televi­ sion personality Marius Roberts, the first of the Imperial Auto Celebrity Challenge co­drivers, while Schroder will link up with Michael Abramson.

Schroder, like Van Staden and Lawren­ son, will also be pumped up after a finish on the Dakar Rally early in the year.

Levelling the field Bookmakers, in setting up the Class T odds for the RFS Endurance and the rest of the season, would without a doubt favour the factory heavyweights. The beauty of cross country racing, howev­ er, is the unpredictable nature of human error and mechanical failure that levels the playing field.

In choosing the Class S odds the bookmakers would have a far more diffi­ cult task. There is no single crew that would dominate the betting in a catego­ ry that looks to have the potential to develop into a dogfight.

Deon Venter (4x4 Mega World To­ yota Hilux), runner­up in last year’s driver championship, will fancy his chances to go one better.

Venter is never short of self­confi­ dence, and will link up with Jaco van Aardt in a category given added impetus

by Portuguese pair Rómulo Branco and João Serôdio in a Regent Racing Nissan Navara.

The Portuguese pair have two class wins in the FIA Cross Country World Cup, and link up with Luke Botha/Andre Vermeulen and Sean Reitz/Gerhard Schutte in the Regent Racing squad.

Local crew Freddie and Sune Kriel (Uni Freight Ford Ranger) will be look­ ing to exploit local knowledge, and fam­ ily ties continue via another husband/ wife team in Marius and Jolinda Fourie in the PHB Toyota Hilux.

New distances, new thinking Under the new Donaldson Cross Coun­ try Championship race format, the RFS Endurance will be run over a distance of 698 kilometres. This will be made up of a 196­kilometre qualifying race to de­ termine grid positions, and two laps of 251 kilometres with a compulsory 20­ minute halt at the end of the first loop.

It is a format that provides teams with a new slant on overall race tactics. How they approach matters simply adds to the intrigue.

Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service park will all be located at the La La Nathi Resort on the outskirts of Harrismith.

Public entrance to these areas and spectator viewing points along the route is free of charge. The qualifying race will start at 10.30 am tomorrow and the race at 7.30 am on Saturday.

CREWS competing in the Special Vehicle category in the Donaldson Cross Country Championship face a tactical race. A 196­kilometre qualifying race to determine grid positions, followed by two 251­ kilometre loops with a compulsory 20­minute halt after the first lap create new tactical options and crews will have to be able to adapt their game plans.

The premier Class A and Class P fields look to be more open than in previous seasons, and that sets up an interesting scenario for the rest of the series. It also high­ lights the need for a fast start to a season where the constant change of race format is going to provide teams with an additional challenge. There is very little to choose between the Class P championship contenders. Kwa­ Zulu­Natal pair James Watson and John Thompson (BAT) will resume a rivalry with the (Zarco Magnum team of John Thomson and Mau­ rice Zermatten.

Another KZN crew in Leon Bothma and Quinton Brand will be racing their BAT against Andrew Makenete/Ntoate Bereng Nic Gos­ lar/Andrew Massey and Grant Watkins/Mark Irvine will be out in a trio of Zarco models.

The BAT challenge is bolstered

by John Telford/Victor Ntsekhe in the Calcamite entry, and veteran Ernest Corbett and Martin Hermi­ da will also make a rare appear­ ance in the Century Racing CR2.

But in Class P the odd are all in favour of Matthews/Burke. When this racing pair manage to put to­ gether a trouble free run, none of the other Class P drivers get close and the Century Racing pair even pose a major threat to the Class A brigade.

Class A is led by former cham­ pions Evan Hutchison and Danie Stassen in the Motorite BAT Viper.

Newcomers Lourens and Carien Booysen (BAT) are an unknown quantity, while the father/daughter combination of Coetzee and San­ dra Labuschagne move up a notch after a gaining experience in Class P. — Wheels Reporter.

KZN racers James Watson and co­driver John Thompson will retry for the Class P title in this year’s cross country race.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Racers aim for a free pass to Dakar SEVEN crews from three continents have entered the weekend’s racing at Harrismith as part of the Dakar Challenge events.

The crews are all looking to earn a free entry into the 2016 Dakar. Five crews will be competing in the Production Vehicle

category and two in the Special Vehicle cat­ egory. Two of the five Production Vehicle entries for the RFS Endurance are from the premier Class T, which caters for cars over four litres with independent rear suspen­ sion. South African National Off Road As­

sociation CEO Richard Schilling said the Dakar Challenge strengthens the ties be­ tween local cross country racing and the Dakar Rally and has become an important part of the Donaldson championship.

The RFS Endurance will be based at the

La La Nathi resort on the outskirts of Har­ rismith. A 196­kilometre qualifying race to determine grid positions will start at 10.30 am tomorrow and the race, run over two laps of 251 kilometres, will start at 8.30 am on Saturday. — Supplied.

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