FIRST BIKE PRINTED IN 3D P6
CARS WANTED
June 4, 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
Audi buyers happiest National survey keeps Volkswagen Group in the lead with buyers’ sales and service experiences
Toyota on top despite Hilux drop The allnew Ford Everest — an unsung hero of an SUV if there ever was — is heading to SA along with the new Ranger and Focus ST, which models may move Ford closer to Toyota’s No. 1 spot in SA’s market. PHOTO: FORD TOYOTA during May retained its market leadership position during May, with 8 043 units sold which translates to 16,8% market share, closely followed by Ford in second spot with 15,5%. While thousands of Hilux buyers await the arrival of the new bakkie next year, the Ranger dominated in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, for the second month running, with 3 039 Rangers sold in May, compared to 2 608 Hilux models. Toyota SA’s senior vice president for sales and
marketing Calvyn Hamman said Toyota was satis fied with its performance during May, as it achieved a fifth consecutive month of market leadership without capitalising on government and large fleet special deals, as competitors did. Rob Crouse, general manager of sale and market ing at Ford said the local boom in sales has been driven by a range of new models, adding that buyers can look forward to a new Focus ST, all new Everest and a facelifted Ranger. — WR.
V PATRICK BUSSCHAU Ipsos Automotive Business Unit director
Delivering a meaningful experience to a customer is what set brands apart. a growing market and a very wide repertoire of choi ces, means we are seeing a drop in attitudinal brand commitment in many sectors, including automo tive. Brands and retailers are increasingly being ex pected to involve themselves with the customer through individualised customer engagement. For many retail businesses this is a huge challenge, but this would be the differentiator: understanding how to engage more effectively and proactively with cus
tomers in an appropriate way that drives memora ble and positive experiences” Busschau said customers are increasingly expect ing retailers to understand their individual needs, which retailers could do by asking the right ques tions, before acting appropriately to meet those needs. “Being able to deliver a unique and meaning ful experience to a customer is what set brands apart,” said Busschau.
Works hard. Works smart.
Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 103kW Basic from R274,700* incl. VAT The Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 103kW Basic standard features include: -
103kW @ 3500rpm 6-speed manual ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) incl. offroad ABS
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TCS (Traction Control System) EDL (Electronic Differential Lock) EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) Daytime running lights
Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Buy your Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 103kW and you will receive a free tow bar, binliner and rollbar. Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the Amarok Single Cab 2.0 TDI 103kW Basic model in standard specifications. Price excludes any optional extras. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 26 June 2015.
Barons Pietermaritzburg
9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100 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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customer satisfaction in terms of the purchasing and servicing experience of vehicle owners in South Africa. This is clear in the detailed breakdown of the latest Ipsos Competitive Customer Experience which is the result of telephonic interviews with more than 25 000 owners of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles over a 12month period. The sample does not include all the brands on the market, but covers 85% of the new vehicles sold through the retail dealer channel. Women, for instance, are slightly easier to please in terms of both buying and servicing a car. The difference is only about half a percent, but it is meas urable. People over 35 years of age generally give higher ratings than the younger groups, with the 2534 year group being the most demanding in terms of the buying experience and the 1824 group giving the lowest ratings when it comes to servic ing. The province where the sale or servicing took place also impacted the results. People buying a car in the Free State are the most satisfied, but this is not the case with buyers of LCVs, where Mpum alanga gets the highest rating. Servicing is totally different, with those car owners in the Northern Cape the most satisfied and LCV owners in the Western Cape giving the highest rating. Busschau said South African consumers could be a bit more indifferent and forgiving than their counterparts in the U.S. and Europe, but South Africans were quick to vote. “When it comes to engaging with a retailer, especially about problems or complaints, there is often a sense of indifference or even helpless ness, be this real or imagined. As a result, too often we see customers stating that they are satisfied and committed, but when it comes to market be haviour the customer may decide to purchase from another brand as this is often easier than risking the stress and frustration of trying to re solve issues. This tendency to defect, coupled with
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THE Volkswagen Group once again fared very well in the recently announced 2015 Ipsos competitive customer experience (CCE) for people buying or servicing a vehicle in South Africa. Audi took gold in the passenger car sales survey as well the servicing experience, with Volkswagen taking gold for sales and silver for servicing. Among the bakkies, Volkswagen and Isuzu took gold for sales and these two brands, together with Nissan and Toyota took gold for servicing of their bakkies. Last year Audi took gold for both sales and ser vice in the passenger car category, while Volkswagen took gold for sales and silver for service in the PC category. (Volkswagen earned gold for both sales and service in the 2013 LCV survey). BMW, Chevrolet, Nissan, Opel and Toyota all took silver for the passenger car sales experience this time around, with Ford, Lexus, MercedesBenz, Renault and Volvo collecting bronze. Chevrolet, Lexus and Nissan joined Volkswagen in the silver category for passenger car servicing, with BMW, Honda, MercedesBenz and Toyota all in the bronze category. Four brands qualified for silver in the LCV pur chasing experience. They were Chevrolet, Ford, Nissan and Toyota. Isuzu, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen each re ceived gold, while Ford and Chevrolet collected sil ver. Mazda was excluded from the rankings from January to December 2014 due to the ongoing setup of the revised dealer network following Mazda sep arating from Ford. “The local vehicle manufacturers and importers can be very proud of the latest Ipsos study results as a tribute to dedication to quality at all levels and extensive quality improvement programmes and intensive staff training,” added Patrick Busschau, director of the Ipsos Automotive Business Unit. He said demographics play a significant role in
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
June 4, 2015
Insurers for generic car parts Key objective is to help consumers save money on premiums FOLLOWING on the Right to Repair campaign, a number of insurers have started a joint initiative to support cheaper generic car parts. Original equipment manufacturers (OEM) had cast doubt on the reliability of generic parts. Gari Dombo, MD of Alexander Forbes Insurance, however reassured that the insurance firms only supported “generic parts that are safe and that would ulti mately reduce the premiums that clients pay”. “One could draw a parallel between generic parts and generic drugs which are now generally acceptable and have reduced the overall prices of drugs.” Dombo said OMEs should be includ ed. “This should be a collaborative effort between all stakeholders, especially the manufacturers, to ensure generic parts perform in the same manner as genuine parts.” He stressed the importance of stream lining the SA Bureau of Standards’ in spection process for generic parts and thus helping South Africans gain access to safe and affordable generic parts. “The use of generic parts should ulti
mately lead to reduced insurance premi ums; in fact, some manufacturers have already embarked on producing generic parts as genuine alternatives. We are see ing this not only in motor vehicle parts but glass as well,” says Dombo. “This is critical in an environment where more than twothirds of vehicles on South African roads are not insured due to unaffordable prices,” said Dombo. The key objectives of this initiative would be to ensure that: • consumers can save money by making use of the generic part as they are cheap er than the genuine equivalent; • performancewise generic parts ap proved by an insurer will be comparable to the original; • generic parts should be fitted on all ve hicles that are out of warranty to save costs; • manufacturers of generic parts will be liable and thus consumers get the assur ance that the quality is up to standard; and • generic parts should be more readily available to ensure that clients’ vehicles are fixed faster. — Wheels Reporter.
Next year’s Cruiser? Hamad1two3 posted photos on Instagram of pages from a Japanese brochure showing what looks like it could be next year’s Land Cruiser (top). Gone are the windswept design and strong shoulder lines of the current model (right), which was introduced in 2013. The possible new look instead has a less edged, more bulky design with smooth metal slabs where the current model has curves. If the brochure does indeed show the next Cruiser, the instrument cluster has also been redesigned, with a bigger console. PHOTO: INSTAGRAMQUICKPIC
Land Rover PMB tops with customers PRETORIA — KZN dealers dominated the top dealers whom Jaguar Land Rover SA recently recognised at its annual Dealer of the Year Awards in Gauteng. The Customer Service award jointly went to Land Rover Ballito and last year’s winner, Jaguar Umhlanga, who were rec ognised for embracing JLR’s Customer First philosophy.
Preparing for people who share cars
Land Rover Pietermaritzburg was awarded 2014’s Most Improved Dealer. Vehicle sales manager Brendon Meintjies said to win this award, Land Rover Pietermaritzburg had to show the highest overall improvement, year on year, in all areas of the Dealer of the Year scoring. He said the handson approach by dealer principal Peter Caley and a gen
uine love by each member of the team for the lifestyle that only Land Rover of fers made the award possible. The evening’s top honours — Jaguar Dealer of the Year and Land Rover Dealer of the Year — were both awarded to Jag uar Land Rover Hillcrest, which Richard Gouverneur, MD described as an out standing achievement. — WR.
SA’S TOP APPIES HEADING TO BRAZIL THREE apprentices have been selected at the recent Automechanika Johan nesburg to represent SA in the automo tive categories of the 2015 World Skills championships in Saõ Paulo, Brazil, in August All three apprentices had won region al events and then tough semifinals which took place over three days at the
2014 SA Automotive Week when two fi nalists were selected for each discipline. They were Ntebaleng Seema and Rabelani Malema (car painting), Bon gani Nkosi and Thabiso Mohale (auto body repair), Willem Nel and Jason dos Santo Maraou (automotive technolo gy). The finals prepared them for the gruelling World Skills Competition. Greg du Preez, of ABS, a mentor in the auto body repair category with the winner Thabiso Mohale (left), an apprentice at Dent Doctor Randburg. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Chevrolet is preparing for a world in which young people share vehicles, rather than own them, with a ridesharing pilot programme at a Chinese university. PHOTO: SUPPLIED ALWYN VILJOEN A PREDICTION by an expert on dis ruptive technologies and a rollout in China took the rise of the electric vehicle a step further this week. Thomas Bartman, a member of the Forum for Growth and Innovation, a Harvard Business School thinktank studying disruptive innovation, pub lished his view that lowspeed electric vehicles like golf carts and airport vehi cles will have a far greater impact on the future of transport than the likes of Tesla or BMW. His prediction seems to be borne out of a twoyear vehiclesharing pilot programme rolled out this week by General Motors and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in Shanghai. The programme features 16 tiny
Chevrolet ENV 2,0 electric concept ve hicles that will be integrated into the multimodal transportation system at SJTU’s Minhang campus alongside bicy cles, cars and shuttle buses. They will help meet users’ “first mile, last mile” transportation needs. “This programme will allow us to un derstand better how people could use an urban mobility vehicle such as Chevrolet ENV 2,0 in a realworld setting and in a vehiclesharing arrangement,” said president of GM China Matt Tsien. “It represents an important step toward transforming GM’s vision for sustaina ble urban mobility into reality.” Eligible drivers selected from among qualified faculty members and graduate students at SJTU will prepay a set mem bership fee to offset the cost of using
the ENV 2,0s. This will support a simple and seamless locating, renting and driv ing experience. GM engineers and SJTU staff and students will work together to collect and analyse data from the vehi cles’ operation and users’ input, and share findings on usage patterns and ve hicle requirements. The Chevrolet ENV 2,0 is the next generation of GM’s original Electric NetworkedVehicle (ENV), which made its global debut at Expo 2010 in Shanghai. It can travel up to 40 kilome tres on a single charge with a top speed of 30 km/h. The vehicle works by combining elec tric drive with easyswipe card access for entry, fees and starting; cameras for a rear view; and GPS, OnStar and tablet based smartphone technologies.
Lee Da Sousa, support and operations manager at the Imperial Technical Training Academy, who was a mentor in the automotive technology category with winner Willem Botha (right).
Stuart Parmenter, the technical manager of 3M, who was a mentor in the spraypainting category with Rabelani Malema (right).
MOTORING WitnessWheels
June 4, 2015
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Suited for babes and babies TWO impressions remained from our first time with the Hyundai Veloster — it is a babe magnet, and the 103 kW from the 1,6 engine was not enough power. The newly launched Veloster Turbo is still a babe magnet, but with forced induction the 1,6litre GDI engine now makes 150 kW and 265 Nm — perform ance figures that are quite a step up from its nonturbocharged sibling which de livers 103 kW and 167 Nm. This is the same block used in the i20 racing in the World Rally Champs, al though Stanley Anderson, marketing di rector of Hyundai Automotive SA, points out that i20 makes 200 kW. Nevetheless, the Veloster Turbo points to where the Hyundai brand is heading — “vehicles with advanced en gine and transmission technology that will appeal to car buyers who are looking for an exciting, yet reliable and wellde signed automobile”. I was fortunate to be part of a KZN media contingent to drive both the auto and manual iterations of the Veloster turbo on Monday. The marketing material claim a quick erratio steering rack and a revised steer ing calibration has been fitted to provide precise cornering, feedback and control, with the suspension tuned to match. Over the sugarcan trammelled ruts of KZN’s D roads, the ride certainly deliv ered the “firm and surefooted road manners” the media statement boasted about. Ask for Auto or Manuel To handle the power enhancements, the Veloster Turbo is paired with a standard sixspeed manual transmission — devel oped inhouse by Hyundai — featuring a wider gear ratio spread to handle the additional torque output. It also comes with a sevenspeed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which changes gears automatically or through driver input with steering wheel mount ed paddles or the gear lever. My preference is for the manual. Apart from letting me feel more in control of things than the flappy paddles
KYLE VENKTESS explores all the possibilities the new Veloster Turbo offers to the younger driver
The Veloster Turbo is attractively priced in the premium sports car segment, but thanks to its third door and Isofix hooks for baby seats, this is one babe magnet that remains practical even when the babies arrive. PHOTO: QUICKPIC can, the exhaust notes from the double trapezoidal centre tailpipes at the back sound more bubbly in the manual. Inside, a long list of luxury features include a sound system with its Grace note musicmanagement feature to leather seats, and Bluetooth sound sys tem and cellphone integration. All are operated from either a seven inch touchscreen interface or the mutli function steering wheel, which has the handiest buttons for a Cruise Control outside a Nissan.
This touchscreen device allows for streaming audio from your smartphone device or easy access to your favourite radio stations. A panoramic sunroof that stretches all the way back to the rear passengers is standard. One button opens or closes it in a few seconds. Other standard trim include fog lights, 18inch alloy rims on 225/40 R 18 tyres, projection headlights with unique LED headlight accents, and unique LED tail lights.
And, yes, the Veloster Turbo still has the innovative 1+2 door design which Anderson says appeals so much to the Millenials, of which I am a member. The competition The quirky yet practical threedoor from Korea competes with the equally quirky and competent sportscars like the Audi A3 Sportpack, Mini, Renault Coupé, Toyota 86 and VW Scirocco. Total sales of this exclusive group of pre mium sports cars amount to about 200
A sedan that makes anyone feel like Lewis Hamilton KYLE VENKTESS IT is hard to mention the Mercedes AMG C63 and C63 S in casual conver sation without sounding like a sales rep resentative for the manufacturer. The C63 boasts unprecedented pow er and turns head on the road as not many vehicles can, going from zero to 100 in 4,1 seconds for the standard model and four seconds for the S model. A posse of motoring journalists was invited to test the C63 and C63 S to their limits at the Zwartkops Raceway in Centurion and in the terrain of the surrounding area. The first question to be answered was how well the C63 sits on the skidpan when faced with sharp bends. The C63 features a threestage ESP with the ESP On, ESP Sport Handling Mode and ESP Off functions, which work with the locking differential, and is tuned to driving dynamics of the vehicle. The ESP On mode is active the mo ment the engine is started and it initi ates a braking intervention and reduces the torque of the engine, when it detects operating conditions become unstable. With the ESP Sport Handling Mode activated the driver maintains 75% control of the vehicle and allows a high er threshold to allow more drifting but will catch the vehicle before a mishap. With the ESP off, the driver maintains full control of the vehicle with no brak ing intervention and no reduction in torque. The vehicle also features the AMG
With the ESP off the driver can maintain full control of the vehicle with no braking intervention and no reduction in torque — or in other words, drift. PHOTO: QUICKPIC Dynamic Select transmission modes — Comfort, Sport, Sport +, RACE (only for C63 S) and Individual. Despite the big block upfront, the C63 AMG offers a relativity lowfuel combined consumption for a sports car of 8,2 litres per 100 kms. Taking the vehicle on an open road or freeway, is a testimony to its zero to 100 in four seconds. The C63 easily climbs in speed, maintaining the luxuri ous even while peaking at 247 km/h. While still a relatively new model, the
vehicle attracts much attention from other drivers, with some even snapping pictures of the vehicle. And if it cannot be seen it can be heard. The fourlitre V8 biturbo engine roars offering an emotional and spine chilling engine sound, reminiscent of previous models of the C63 with an out put 350 kW for the standard model and 375 kW for the S spec. At the Swartkops Raceway track, the vehicle makes a racer out of any driver, offering peace of mind for safety, and
a performance to raise the hairs on your neck — making one feel like Lewis Ha milton. The exterior of the vehicle is very close to that of the MercedesBenz CClass, offering a series of styling packages, with the traditional added red accents in the grill and on the callipers and of course, the AMG badge on the rear. MercedesAMG C63 retails standard at R1 004 700 and the MercedesAMG C63 S retails at R1 163 800.
a month, and Anderson said he will be happy if 20 of these sales are Veloster Turbos. At R379 900 for the manual and R399 900 for the auto, including Hyun dai’s fiveyear or 150 000 km warranty, the Veloster makes a compelling price argument. Add to this the Isofix hooks for baby seats on the rear seats — and that wideopening third door — and you have to agree this is a babe magnet that will remain practical even when the ba bies arrive.
‘BabyMerc’ proves most popular MERCEDESBENZ announced this week the CClass has sold over eight million units since its launch in 1982. The brand has sold more than 250 000 Sedans and Estates of the current, fifth model series alone since it was introduced in 2014. Thus, the CClass remains the topselling model in the MercedesBenz product portfolio. “With the allnew CClass, launched last year, we continue a success story that spans more than 30 years, with no end in sight,” said Ola Källenius, member of the board of management of Daimler AG, responsible for MercedesBenz Cars mar keting and sales. The record performance of the CClass Sedan and Estate contin ues unabated. As already over the whole year 2014, the two model series also regis tered excellent sales figures in the first quarter of 2015. In the first three months of 2015, 109 050 units of these model se ries were sold – 57,8% more than in the same period of the previous year. . In April 2015, four out of five customers worldwide opted for the CClass Sedan. The sedan is especially popular in the U.S. and in China. In the first quarter of 2015 nearly every second sedan sold went to customers from one of these two key markets. The estate sells particularly well in Europe. The CClass Estate, of which already over a million units have been sold, is one of the most important models for business customers. — Supplied.
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
Japan’s modern classic Mitsuoka’s ode to the Jaguar Roadster now also on sale in the UK JAPANESE recreator of Jaguar road sters, Mitsuoka Motor, will start selling its classic Mitsuoka Roadster in England in June through T W White & Sons. Founded in 1968 by Susumu Mitsu oka, Mitsuoka Motor Company is a unique Japanese Automobile manufac turer which, until recently, has been largely unknown outside of Japan. Jen White, Mitsuoka project manager
for T W White & Sons said: “The UK represents one of the largest classic car markets in the world. The unique design of the Mitsuoka Roadster draws inspira tion from the classic Roadster heritage and combines this traditional styling with the latest state of the art technolo gy. “We share in the philosophy and pas sion of Susumu Mitsuoka, and genuinely
June 4, 2015
Mitsuoka’s interpretation of the classic Jaguar is now sold outside Japan. PHOTO: NEWSPRESS believe that the Mitsuoka Roadster can make a real impression on those who want exclusive luxury — albeit at a very competitive price,” White said. The Mitsuoka Roadster is available with power retractable hard top, with manual or automatic transmission both for £53 800 (about R1 million before im port taxes). Metallic or Pearlescent paint is an additional R11 500.
Each Mitsuoka will still be handmade in Toyama City, Japan, where 45 skilled craftsmen work with their hands to blend traditional timeless beauty with stateoftheart technology. The coupe is powered by a twolitre with either a sixspeed manual or six speed automatic Powershift gearbox. Rearwheel drive with an admirable high powertoweight ratio, the Road
ster is fully equipped with the latest tech nology, advanced safety features and modern conveniences. The hood open and closes in 12 seconds. Luxury heated leather seats and automatic climate con trol air conditioning are standard. Active safety features include fourwheel anti lock brake system with electronic brake force distribution, traction control and air bags. — Newspress.
Cars are part of the Internet of things
New Suzukis use less fuel
AT the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show Asia that was held in Shanghai, China, this week, Audi CEO Rupert Stadtler talked about how cars are be coming part of the Internet of things. The Internet of things are all the inter connected devices that talk to systems, from stockmonitoring devices to heart monitors. Stadtler also presented a version of the new R8 etron electric supercar equipped with Audi’s upcoming autono mous driving technology. Stadtler stressed that the R8 etron Piloted Driving is strictly a concept car, but added many of the selfdriving fea tures are ready for production. To prove the point, an A7 Piloted Driving prototype ferried visitors around at the CES Asia from the event’s Shanghai expo area to the Bund riverside without any driver involvement. Unlike the Google car’s ungainly array of sensors, Audi has neatly packaged a new type of laser scanner, several video cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar sensors at the front and rear to place it self on a road.
SUZUKI has updated the Swift and DZire models with new exterior styl ing, improvements to the interior and a refined engine management system. Externally, the updated Swift 1,2 and DZire feature a new grille and front bumper design, while the DZire is also fitted with a redesigned front head light cluster and a revised rear bumper. Fullsized wheel covers are standard too, while a new range of exterior col ours are offered on both models. Inside, all GL models gain Bluetooth connectivity as standard, while the rear bench seat of the Swift 1,2 is now split 60:40 for improved versatility. The DZire’s cockpit features a smarter, blackhued cloth upholstery. Suzuki said the new mapping has re sulted in reduced fuel consumption of the Swift 1,2 and DZire models, which are both powered by a 1,2 engine with a maximum power output of 62 kW at 6 000 r/min, and a torque peak of 115 Nm at 4 000 r/min. In the case of the Swift 1,2, the com binedcycle fuel consumption has been reduced from 5,7 litres/100 km to 5,3 li
The Audi R8 etron supercar is part of the Internet of things. PHOTO: AUTO ZETUNG.DE
A compact central computer creates a comprehensive picture of the vehicle’s environment to steer, make gear changes and brake the etron. Audi selfdriving technology will be sold in the new A8, to be launched in 2017. Initially, the big sedan will be able to handle only some parking situations and slowmoving traffic on its own, but
when the protocols surrounding culpability in a selfdriving car crash are settled, the A8 will be able to handle all driving situations. The R8 etron is also a concept car, but with a 92kWh battery and a claimed driving range of some 450 km, this is competition for the Tesla, should Audi start to sell the electric super car. — WR.
New models — Astra due in 2016, Audi Q7 on sale The new Opel Astra is under consideration for introduction in South Africa in 2016. Overseas, the models will be powered by Opel’s 1.6 diesel turbo, or the 1.0 Ecotec, or a new 1.4 Ecotec, both petrol engines featuring direct injection turbo. The groundbreaking, Opel patented full LED matrix lights of the next generation enable driving with glarefree high beams and they will be available in the compact class for the first time in the Astra. GM said the local model range, specifications and pricing are still being priced. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
tres/100 km for the manual transmis sion model, which is an improvement of 7,1%. The automatic version now achieves a consumption figure of 5,8 li tres/100 km, compared with the 6,3 li tres/100 km of the previous version, which is an improvement of 7,9%. The DZire shows similar gains, with the manual model’s consumption also dropping from 5,7 litres/100 km to 5,2 litres/100 km (a 7,1% improve ment), while the auto version’s 5,9 li tres/100 km is also significantly more frugal than the previous version’s 6,3 litres/100 km, with an improve ment of 6,8%. All Swift 1,2 and DZire models are backed by a three year/100 000 km warranty, and a two year/30 000 km service plan. Retail pricing Swift 1,2 1,2 GA Manual R131 900 1,2 GL Manual R143 900 1,2 GL Auto R158 900 DZire 1,2 1,2 GA Manual R133 900 1,2 GL Manual R145 900 1,2 GL Auto R160 900
The facelifted Audi Q3 goes on sale next month, with five models on offer. The Audi RS Q3 has also been updated with the rest of the range. The compact performance SUV is now more dynamic than ever before. Its 2,5 litre, five cylinder engine now produces 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,8 seconds. A RS exhaust system with a switchable flap adds even more volume to the unmistakable sound of the fivecylinder engine. The new 1,4litre 110 kW entry model starts at R402 500, while the model range tops out with the phenomenal RSQ3 2.5T FSI 250 kW quattro S tronic at about R770 000, pending the strength of the Euro. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Defining the motoring industry best sales and after-sales service for anyone living between Durban and the Drakensberg. They are specifically renowned for tailoring deals that suit your budget and needs.
By Pieter from Maritzburg Volkswagen (Volks-vagen) – noun A motor vehicle that is engineered to provide quality and reliability, all the while promoting fuel efficiency and economy through a unique innovation called BlueMotion Technology. Usage: “I love driving in my Volkswagen.” Synonyms: Das Auto
Usage: “You can’t get a better deal on a Volkswagen anywhere other than Barons PMB.” Synonyms: The Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers 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.
Barons-PMB (Ba-runs-pee-em-be) – noun A Volkswagen dealership that is conveniently situated in Pietermaritzburg to provide the
In one word, iconic.
service plan
3 year / 120 000k
New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG from R4,950* per month
Polo TSI 81kW Highline from R2,999* per month
The New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG standard features include: 162kW @ 5300-6200 r/min 6-speed DSG Start-Stop with Brake Energy Recuperation Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) Cruise Control
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Interest Rate Monthly No. of Vehicle Price Instalments Linked / Instalments Variable
New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG
R427,800
R4,950*
72
7.29%*
Deposit
Balloon Payment
10% 37% (R42,780) (R158,286)
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Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
Model
R514,678
Polo TSI 81kW Highline
• • • • •
Mileage certified • Full Service history • 7-day exchange plan • Vehicle Customization • 24 Hr roadside assistance •
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80-point mechanical check 2-year / unlimited km warranty* Vehicle History Integrity Check Balance of VW Automation Plan Professional Vehicle Reconditioning
2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015
Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline Polo Vivo GT 1.6 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Blueline Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline 5 Door Polo Vivo Maxx 1.6 Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door
Red Silver White Silver Silver White Silver Beige
R 142 900 R 129 900 R 139 900 R 129 900 R 132 900 R 159 900 R 159 900 R 139 900
3 000 35 000 42 000 11 000 27 000 1 000 6 500 8 000
km km km km km km km km
2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015 2015
Polo 1.6 Comfortline Polo Sedan 1.6 Comfortline Polo GTI DSG Polo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo 1.2 GP Trendline Polo 1.2 TSI Highline Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline
Red White Silver Silver White Red White
R 149 900 R 184 900 R 169 900 R 149 900 R 159 900 R 239 000 R 185 900
62 000 21 000 20 000 24 000 24 000 3 000 1 500
km km km km km km km
2012 2013 2014 2015
Golf 6 1.4 Comfortline Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline Golf 7 GTI 2.0 TSI Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline DSG
Silver Silver White Silver
R 184 900 R 229 000 R 369 900 R 295 000
60 000 61 000 38 000 6 000
km km km km
2011 2011 2011
Amarok Double Cab 4x2 120kW Amarok Double Cab 4x2 120kW Amarok Double Cab 4x2 120kW
White White Grey
R 259 000 R 299 900 R 259 000
115 000 km 56 000 km 111 000 km
2011 2011 2011 2012 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015
Touran 1.4 TSI Highline Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline Touareg 3.0 TDI V6 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Passat 1.8 TSI Comfortline DSG Touareg 3.0 TDI BlueMotion Tiptronic Volkwagen CC 1.8 TSI DSG Move up! 1.0 Scirocco R 188kW DSG
White Blue White Grey White Grey Grey Silver Grey
R 199 900 R 139 900 R 425 000 R 219 900 R 279 900 R 699 000 R 374 900 R 146 900 R 449 000
75 000 88 000 82 500 105 000 15 000 13 800 7 000 2 000 6 000
km km km km km km km km km
2010 2012 2015 2015
Mazda 3 1.6 Toyota Hilux 3.0 D4D 4x4 Automatic Nissan NP200 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL
Blue White White Silver
R 109 900 R 299 000 R 149 900 R 117 900
62 000 124 000 1 500 4 000
km km km km
Polo
Golf
Amarok
Other VW
Other
5.1l/100km 6 speed manual Hill-hold assist Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
Interest Rate Monthly No. of Vehicle Price Instalments Linked / Instalments Variable
R244,300
R2,999*
72
8.14%*
Deposit
Balloon Payment
10% 36% (R24,430) (R87,948)
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
R303,858
Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100
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Maintenance Plan
Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun for R299,990 vs Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun for R319,900 The Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun and Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun standard features include: -
6-speed manual Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) Front, side and curtain Airbags Electronic Park Brake with Auto-hold
-
High-Beam Control “Light Assist” Cruise Control Start-Stop with Brake Energy Recuperation 16” Portland alloy wheels
Offer exclusive to Barons Pietermartizburg. Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za
e&oe
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
An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the Polo TSI 81kW Highline in standard specifications. Instalment includes delivery, initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 26 June 2015.
5 year / 60 000km
*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.
Barons
-
Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za
Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG in standard specifications. Excludes optional extras. Instalment includes delivery, initiation and monthly administration fee of R57. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 26 June 2015.
Polo Vivo
81kW @ 5,000 r/min 175Nm @ 1,500 r/min 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds Top speed of 196km
An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.25%. Note: Offers calculated on the Tiguan TSI 90kW Trend & Fun and Tiguan 2.0 TDI 81kW Trend & Fun models in standard specifications. Price excludes any optional extras. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 26 June 2015.
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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Model
The Polo TSI 81kW Highline standard features include:
Front, side and curtain airbags with knee airbag for driver Multi-collision brake system Electronic Park Brake with Auto-hold Climatronic Air-conditioner
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-
m warranty
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5 year / 90 000km
Low on fuel, high on power.
6
Volkswagen pedals for education IT was a special occasion for 600 pupils in the Nkonkobe district of the Eastern Cape on May 28 as they received brand new bicycles funded by Volkswagen as part of the Bicycle Education Empower ment Programme (Beep). Through its partners Qhubeka, World Vision South Africa and World Vision Switzerland, Volkswag en handed over 600 bicycles to pu pils in 11 rural schools, following on from the 500 bicycles it supplied to nine rural schools in Umzimkhu lu, KwaZuluNatal, in April. In total, the company has provided 1 100 bi cycles to 20 schools over the past two months. “Education is one of our key pil lars in our quest to be a company with meaning and impact through our corporate social investment ini tiatives under the banner of Volks wagen for Good,” said managing di rector of Volkswagen Group South Africa Thomas Schaefer. “As the maker of people’s car, we are passionate about South Africa. This drives us to working towards making a sustainable difference in the fight against poverty and com munity upliftment.” Beep aims to address the chal lenge of distance as a barrier to education. Recent statistics show that of the estimated 17 million children in school in South Africa, 11 million walk to school each day, with 500 000 of these pupils walk ing more than an hour (up to six kilometres) one way. The result is high levels of nonattendance and fatigue, low performance and in creased dropout rates. Girls, who are often kept home to help with chores, are particularly vulnerable. Beep was originally started in 2009 in Zambia by World Bicycle Relief (Qhubeka is World Bicycle Relief’s programme in South Africa). The initial programme demonstrat ed that bicycles could provide a safe, reliable and affordable mode of transportation for the pupils, and assist in improving school at tendance and academic results. Qhubeka, in partnership with World Vision South Africa, intro duced Beep in South Africa in 2013. To date, 8 100 bicycles have been delivered in five provinces. Volkswagen is one of the largest donors of the Beep programme. The cost of one bicycle is R2 320, and cost covers, among other things, component manufacturing, delivery, helmet, training of the field mechanic as well as ADP’s monitor ing and evaluation programme. Each pupil receives a bicycle with a helmet, spanner, combination lock and pump. The pupil and parents or guardian are required to sign a contract which stipulates the terms and conditions of using the bicycle (for example, that the bicycle will be used to attend school). A Bicy cle Supervisory Committee is also set up at each recipient school, in cluding representatives from the school, pupil governing body, local community leaders, and parents. The Bicycle Supervisory Committee’s role is not only to select beneficia ries, but also enforce the twoyear studytoown contract, which gov erns the use of the bicycle. The bicycle becomes the personal prop erty of the pupil after the two years of the contract have elapsed. “We are very hopeful that these bicycles will change the pupils’ ap proach to their schooling and en courage them to work harder …” said Schaefer. — Wheels Reporter.
WitnessWheels MOTORING
June 4, 2015
Now, 3Dprint your motorbike TE Connectivity makes loadbearing production parts SPIROS TSANTILAS UNVEILED at Rapid 2015 in Long Beach, California, TE Connectivity’s ex ercise in 3D printing demonstrates the ability to design a motorcycle on a com puter, print it in plastic, add tyres and a motor, then take it for a spin. While the result may not quite be ready to hit the highway, the concept is still nothing short of exciting. Considering that fundamental parts such as the frame and wheel bearings are entirely printed in plastic, one would agree that TE’s goal to show that the technology can be used to manufacture loadbearing production parts has been achieved. Modelled in a HarleyDavid son Softail fashion, the motorcycle measures around 2,4 m long, weighs 113,4 kg and consists of more compo
nents than its designers can account for. Its frame, printed after a process of trial and error, can support a total of 181 kg. Apart from the small electric motor and tyres, some other outsourced parts include the braking system, electrical wiring, battery, belt drive, mirrors, side stand and some bolts. The highlight is, of course, its fully functioning status. A small one hp (750 W) electric motor can power a 24 km/h ride for several minutes. Though this may not sound ground breaking, it doesn’t necessarily need a bigger battery or a stronger engine to make a point as a show bike at a confer ence on printing, scanning and additive manufacturing. All that matters is that, after some 1 000 work hours and $25 000 (R300 000), TE Connectivity has come up with a proper motorcycle
indeed. The main loadbearing parts were constructed with fused deposition mod elling technology, the process of inject ing layer upon layer of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic enriched with the heatresistant resin Ultem 9085. With this process, TE printed several parts with complex dynamic properties, such as the frame. The wheel bearings sound tricky to fabricate, especially the rear one that was printed into a single piece with the hub and the drive sprock et. After some testing, both bearings re portedly held up against the load they must bear and the heat generated in the process. Equally difficult work has prob ably been involved in the fabrication of the wheel rims, which have to support real motorcycle tyres with fully inflated tubes. — Gizmag.com
(ABOVE and LEFT) The 3Dprinted motorcycle, on display. The V2 block is just a plastic mock up, the real motor is hidden in the fake ‘oil tank’ behind it. PHOTO: TE CONNEC TIVITY
MV Agustas’ Stradale 800 ‘is out of this world’ THE 2015 MV Agusta Stradale 800 is the touring version of the Rivale. If rid ing 10 hours a day on the Rivale sounds alright for you, then the added luggage system and the windscreen should defi nitely make you smile. “The new Stradale 800 Tourer is real ly something out of this world, making it the classiest tourers in the world said the media at the Milan show where it was recently launched to the public and the media,” said Craig Langton, princi pal dealer at Cayenne Group. “We will be launching this new model at R159 900 inclusive of all the added value offers, such as the threeyear free service plan, 0% deposit, up to 72 months to pay, guaranteed tradein facil ity, above book value, guaranteed buy back at 60% after three years and 24 hour roadside assist,” said Langton — all part of the Cayenne strategy of mak ing motorcycles more affordable to all. The 2015 Stradale offers 115 hp at 11 000 rpm and max torque is 78,5 Nm. The bike benefits from the electronically assisted shifting, the eight levels of traction control and four mappings for traction control. As far as suspensions go, the 2015 MV Agusta Stradale 800 is equipped with the same array of Marzocchi forks and a Sachs rear damper, with unchanged
Cayenne have started taking orders for the new MV Agusta Stradale 800. PHOTO: SUPPLIED travel figures. The ground clearance ap pears to have also been slightly reduced, and this makes the 870 mm tall seat a bit more accessible to riders with a shorter reach. The frame is the traditional steel trel lis tube, and stopping power comes from dual 320 mm front rotors and a single 220 mm one. ABS is supplied by Bosch, and is the same unit which equips the new 800 RR machines, the 9 Plus, with
rear wheel liftup mitigation. The 2015 Stradale 800 is more like a Ducati Hyperstrada, touring gear added to the base version of a bike, and chang ing one or two digits in the price figure. “Here is a class Italian machine with a touring package that stands way ahead of its competition for looks, style, per formance and handling,” said Langton. “We are already taking orders for these units …” — Wheels Reporter.
The 1 133 cc Cruiser is the first truly new Scout in more than 70 years, and it goes on sale in SA during June with prices starting at R159 900. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
More Indians heading to SA’s shores JOHANNESBURG — Indian Motor cycles launched in South Africa only in August 2014 but already the bike maker is bringing in more new mod els. Its Scout has already hit show room floors, more will arrive through June (2015), starting at R159 900. The bikemaker says: “One of histo ry’s most famous, innovative and ver satile bikes has been reimagined with timeless craftsmanship — plus per formance, handling and pricing that will appeal to any rider.” Time will tell … Indian Motorcycle, which has claimed the title of “America’s first motorcycle company”, has launched the 2015 Scout as “a contemporary yet classic interpretation of one of motorcycling’s most famous and coveted bikes”. The Scout, at 225 kg, claims to be the lightest in its class. It’s a middle weight cruiser that, its maker says, “carries forward the spirit of innova tion that made the original one of the most talked about motorcycles”. It has, says Indian, “a break through” chassis — a light but rigid castaluminium frame — and a low (643 mm) seat for comfort, balance and manoeuvrability. The bike is powered by a liquid cooled, 1 133 cc, 75 kW, Vtwin with, Indian says, “handling that makes it a bike that will thrill even the most experienced rider”. The bike is, we’re told, the first tru ly new Scout in more than 70 years and means the return of the bikes that conquered the infamous “Wall of Death” and carried the “Indian Wrecking Crew” motorcycle race team to multiple victories. According to Indian history, tech nology and designs derived from Scout models played a significant role for Allied forces in World War 2 and a 1920 Indian Scout earned the title of the “world’s fastest Indian” as proven by Burt Munro in 1967. The brochure says it has: • classic “rigid triangle” looks, a set of premium coilovermonotube rear shocks; • 1,56 m wheelbase; 13,5 cm ground clearance, 31 degrees of lean angle; • antilock brakes; • solo tan leather bucket seat; • classic engine design cues with “purposeful styling for form and function”; and • closedloop fuelinjection and drivebywire accelerator to the 98 kW engine and sixspeed over drive transmission. The 2015 Indian Scout is available in two shades of black (none of grey!), red and silver. More stock is expected midJune in South Africa. — Wheels24.
Renault MEGANE GT
W k 162
New
Renault CAPTUR Capture life.
* Trade assist of R20 000
* Only 2 available, White and Grey * Rear Camera, Navigation, Blue-tooth
O% DEPOSIT 100% RENAULT DUSTER 1,5 dCi DYNAMIQUE 4X4 FROM
R3 999 PM
From 4,9 litres/100km* Automatic Gearbox available Standard On-board Navigation
CLIO 66 kW TURBO EXPRESSION FROM
R3 199 PM
R2 999
From only or R219 900
For those who jump in with both feet, the all-new Renault Captur is the perfect way to free your spirit. With impressive F1 inspired turbo engine technology designed to take you further and On-board Navigation, standard across all models, this crossover will take you beyond the here and now. There’s life out there, let’s go. Capture life *NEDC Combined Fuel Cycle. With 0% deposit | OVer 72 months | 35% OF R76 965 Balloon payment | 8,93 interest rate | Retail price of R219 000 | Total price in accordance with 5 May price list | Price exludes *on the road* costs | Terms and conditions apply | Features are model-specific and may vary. Inclusive of 5 uear/150 000 km Warranty and 3 year/45 000 km Service Plan. The 0% deposit offer is available for a limited time only. www.renault.co.za
SANDERO 66 kW TURBO EXPRESSION FROM
R1 999 PM
Yagan Padayachee 084 555 7456 • Andries (Sbu) Hadebe 082 672 6618 • Darryl Smith 078 120 6861 • Hector Mkhwanazi 078 739 6392 • Gerard Chetty 071 192 1609
CARTAGIOUS INFECTIOUS DEALS AT McCARTHY PRE-OWNED FROM 4 - 6 JUNE MCCARTHY PRE-OWNED
PIETERMARITZBURG 9 ARMITAGE ROAD PIETERMARITZBURG TEL: 033 341 7600
ISHAAD RAHIMAN 084 274 7867 (SALES MANAGER) ishaad@mcmotor.co.za • Nicholas Mduli 082 977 0058 • Ruzaid Mahomed 073 786 1368 • Neil Pandaram 072 650 7108
McCARTHY RENAULT PIETERMARITZBURG 9 Armitage Road • Tel: 033 341 7600 • www.renaultpmb.co.za
8
WitnessWheels MOTORING
June 4, 2015
World’s fastest tank For the man who has everything, a dual track racer with gullwing doors AMERICAN company Howe and Howe Technologies has announced the Ripsaw Extreme Vehicle 2, which the company described as a “the ultimate in extreme luxury”. The original Ripsaw was built as a highspeed super tank for military use and it is still the world’s fastest dual track vehicle. That was in 2012. In the two years since, Howe and Howe Tech refined the military spec race tank to appeal to “the highend, luxury market” — read oilrich Texans and Sheiks. Made to spec on a limited production run at the factory in Maine, little is known about the private Ripsaw’s tech nical details, but engine size will presum ably be limited only to the buyer’s bud get. The demo model has 30 cm of sus pension travel on coiloveroil racing dampers, and over 600 diesel horsepow er, with a hitech console inside to please any geek. Set all the buttons right and this dual track will jump snow drifts and even drift like a race car on ice at high speed. On any other tank, drifting would re sult in a lot of sprockets and important bits coming off. Howe and Howe said it takes six months to fabricate and can cost well into the 100s of thousands [of U.S. dol lars] depending on desired luxury and performance packages. — WR.
The Foton Toana. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Foton has midibus plans for SA
The Ripsaw is a bespoke luxury tank for the man who has everything. Based on the military spec ripsaw (top right), billed as the fastest dual track vehicle on earth, each Ripsaw is built to client spec, with the engine limited only to the buyer’s budget. PHOTOS: RIPSAW AND YOUTUBE SCREEN GRAB
Bakers appoint extra drivers for new Defy trucks ALWYN VILJOEN TWO words kept emerging during a handover ceremony of a fleet of over 30 new Atego 1518 closed body trucks to Bakers at Pietermaritzburg last week: re liability and trust. The trucks will make secondary leg deliveries of Defy appliances accross South Africa. Shabir Tayob, director of marketing and logistics at Bakers SA Limited, told Wheels the company have been using MercedesBenz in their fleet for over 30 years. He said the decision to trust in Mer cedesBenz was as much based on the company’s reputation for reliability as the aftersales support offered by Garden City Commercials. Greg Vaughan, national marketing executive at Bakers, said Bakers’ contract to deliver Defy appliances has formed part of the company’s growth over the past 20 years to its current size of more than 1 000 employyes working at 13 depots and numerous client sites throughout South Africa. Tayob said 22 new drivers had been recruited and trained for the contract.
Insurance claims and tyre wear DAVE SCOTT
Bakers SA Limited’s founding brothers Shabir and Abdul Tayob, with Garden City Commercial’s dealer principal Mark Naidoo and sales manager Naudé Terblance at a handover of more than 30 new Atego 1518 trucks in Pietermaritzburg last week. PHOTO: JONATHAN BURTON Vaughan said the trucks were higher to accommodate more volume, with each truck’s roof carrying a wind deflector to
ensure a lower fuel bill. At the back of each truck a aluminium tail lift has been specially customised for Bakers to ensure
careful on and offloading of white goods. alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za
Timber24 takes delivery of new trucks TRANSPORT company Timber24, which operates the secondlongest rigs in KZN, recently took delivery of new 3350 Actros trucks from Garden City Commercials in Pietermaritzburg. MD Blake Ferguson told Wheels that while the company runs a few Volvo trucks in serious offroad areas, their cost analysis shows that Mercedes Benz trucks have the lowest total cost of ownership over the typical 500 000 hard kilometres their trucks run a year. This low ownership cost is why the fleet of more than 70 trucks comprises Actros and Axor truck tractors, linked by drawbar to trailers especially de signed for Timber24 to haul cane and timber.
FOTON displayed the Toana midibus and van at the recent Auto Shanghai mo tor show. The company said in a press state ment there are no immediate plans to import the Toana to South Africa, but it is one of the company’s new vehicles that will be evaluated for local introduc tion to Foton’s 36 sales and service out lets in South Africa. The midibus is named after a small town in Italy and has been developed by the original MercedesBenz Sprinter team, which is now based at Foton’s new research and development centre in Stuttgart, Germany. The Toana has proven its reliability, power, safety and electronic features through Foton’s rig orous test process as well as obtaining certification through TüV Rheinland. Foton SA is currently evaluating the Sauvana SUV for possible introduction to local shores. There is a choice of two turbocharged engines, a Cummins ISF diesel 2.8litre and a Euro V compliant, direct injection, petrol 2litre, with the availability of five and sixspeed manual gearboxes or a six speed automatic transmission. No final decision has been made on a power train if the Sauvana is launched in SA. Foton has a joint venture with Cum mins of the U.S. as well as Daimler to develop and build engines. — WR.
Ferguson said his company has in vested heavily in improving trailer de signs, with the current fourthgenera tion trailers both higher and four me tres shorter than the first generation rigs, which enables drivers to use twisty, narrow roads. He said shortening the trailer while equipping the rigs to carry higher payloads per trip translated into fewer trips and reduces road risk by up to 25%, leading to significant annual savings for all parties involved. Shorter rigs also mean fewer Depart ment of Transport limitations apply to the vehicles. All Timber24 trucks are fitted with onboard weighting systems that enable drivers to optimise pay loads without overloading. — WR.
Timber24 runs the secondlongest trucks in KZN, with special rigs that can carry both logs or sugar cane throughout the year. The longest trucks operate at Richards Bay Minerals. PHOTO: TIMBER24
TYRES are critical safety items under all weather conditions. Drivers and operators must under stand the consequences if the legal limit of a minimum of 1mm tread depth is ab sent from 100% of the tread footprint area. More importantly both the fleet oper ator and the drivers must understand the role of a tread depth indicator on a tyre — tyre wear may not be level with a tread depth indicator in terms of Regulation 212. Tread depth indicators on tyres are usually around 1,6 mm higher than the bottom of tread grooves and this means that the old 100 mm legal limit is now generally irrelevant except where a tyre does not have tread depth indicators. In the event of a crash, insurance as sessors will mark the vehicle as illegal. • Dave Scott is an accredited journalist with expertise and a keen focus on the road transport industry including fleet manage ment. CV JOINT He can be SPECIALISTS reached for CV joints, ball joints, at dave@ tie rod ends, wheel bearings. dave scott.co 339 GREYLING STREET .za Pmb. 033 342 9174/75