DUCATI: THE MAD SCRAMBLER IS BACK P6
CARS WANTED
May 7, 2015
Witness
WHEELS
ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447
Exotic,luxury and supercars WANTED FOR CASH must be low mileage and mint condition, email pics and brief description to ashgani@telkomsa.net
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
Good buy in the van market With a change in service providers, good aftermarket service is assured WHEN we first reported on the Maxus 16seat midibus in Febru ary last year, we put on record our liking for the product but reserved judgment on the aftermarket ser vice. At that stage, Maxus was one of two new 16seaters trying to impress taxi owners against the BAW, which is assembled in Springs, and the Nissan NV350 Impendulo, which is available on ly in petrol. We ended up recommending the Citroën Relay 15seater with its 20 000 km service intervals as the best buy at that stage. Since then, UD trucks has taken over the sales from what amount ed to indifferent multifranchise car dealers, ensuring that the stur dy Chinese van now has sales staff who respect the needs of commer cialvehicle owners. These needs are quick finance and quicker service, as Wheels found when our test van came complete with a driver from UD Pinetown, who hitched a ride to fetch a V80 for its service from a school in Pietermaritzburg. During the week of testing, we parked the Maxus at several taxi ranks, (alas, we had no permit to
transport passengers) and asked commuters for their opinions. Top of the like list were the very solid grab handle and step, the spacious seats and the automatic lights at night. Top of the dislike list were the lightgrey seat covers (wena, how will you keep this clean, eh?) and the automatic door locks (you mean I have to press that unlock button every time I stop for a pas senger? Aikona!). At night, the Maxus is at its most impressive, with adjustable headlights, automatic interior lights and allblue back lighting on the essential buttons like the elec tric windows and air conditioner. On the road, a rattle on the back doors and squeak on the side door became very irritating very quick ly. These were the only niggles, and the able sound system soon drowned them out, with the radio providing clear FM signal and an aux plugin point for MP3 players. Maxus claims 100yearold British genes for its 2,5 TD V80, and 330 Nm from 1 800 rpm. On the neverending incline that is Fields Hill, it became clear that this power is measured on the fly wheel, not the tar, as the empty
V80 could not keep to a steady 100 km/h against a loaded Mer cedesBenz Sprinter which has similar power specs. But then even a used Sprinter costs substantially more than the R300 k price of a new Maxus 16 seater, which does look a good buy at R299 000. This includes a threeyear or 100 000 km factory warranty and an optional fiveyear or 90 000 km service plan for R13 900. Service intervals are at 15 000 km and as a trucking scribe, I can vouch for UD’s ser vice. In the Japanese trucking sta ble, the Maxus taxi has finally got a home worthy of its genes, and with the price now below R300 k, this Chinese van competes head on with the French Relay for those rare buyers willing to experiment outside the Toyota fold. POWER STAKES Nissan Impendulo 2,5 (108 kW/213 jkNm). BAW 2,5 diesel (100 kW/330 Nm). Toyota Quantum diesel (75 kW/260). Toyota Quantum petrol 111 kW/241 Nm. Maxus V80 2,5 100 kW/330 Nm.
The Maxus 16seater midibus impressed wouldbe commuters with its spacious seats. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
CAPTUR
NO COMPARISON
The interior of the ‘luxury’ Maxus V80 is as comfy as it gets, while the drive of the van lives up to its sturdy stance. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Antihijacking course for women drivers offered PROGRESSIVE Driving Techniques (PDT) will present an intensive an tihijacking course in Pieterma ritzburg on May 16. Aimed specifically to promote the safety of women drivers in large sport utility or highpowered German vehicles, the course costs R2 500 per person and applies les sons learnt from analysing vehicle hijackings in South Africa. Advanced highspeed tactical driving instructors will also train
the drivers to recognise safe brak ing distances and execute emer gency lane changes in their own vehicles. The course is four hours long, with two sessions presented for 20 people at a time at the Roy Hesketh track in Hayfields, Pieter maritzburg. The first session starts at 8.15 am and the second group starts at 3.15 pm. PDT members are all profes sional driver trainers registered
with the Safety and Security Sec tor Education and Training Au thority (Sasseta), and their cours es are used by police and public sector drivers. Certificate can be sent on com pletion of course, which may be used for discounted premiums at select insurance companies. • Please note that only 40 people can be accommodated and book ing is essential. Contact Michelle at 072 237 6257.
R219 900 COME TEST-DRIVE NOW FROM
McCARTHY RENAULT PIETERMARITZBURG 9 Armitage Road • Tel: 033 341 7600 • www.renaultpmb.co.za