CARS WANTED
July 2, 2015
’s Toyota er swagg n wago PAGE 7
Witness
Exotic,luxury and supercars WANTED FOR CASH must be low mileage and mint condition, email pics and brief description to ashgani@telkomsa.net
WHEELS
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
EDITOR ALWYN VILJOEN 082 458 9332 ADVERTISING AVIR THULSIRAM 084 278 3447
More surefooted Sorento New ute conquers the rough with the smooth ALWYN VILJOEN KIA hopes its Sorento — which went on sale yester day at dealers across SA — will make as much of a splash in SA as it did at its global debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show nine months ago. David Sieff, marketing director of KIA Motors South Africa said the third generation Sorento takes the next step up the quality and refinement ladder. Shan Van Leliveld, sales manager at Kia in Piet ermaritzburg has invited all SUV drivers to experi ence the new Sorento at the local dealer launch at 305 Hoosen Haffejee Street tomorrow night, from 6 pm onwards. Van Leliveld said Kia offeres competitive trade in prices, adding the Sorento gives drivers the best of both worlds, with plenty offroad ability and luxury features that allows one “to conquer the rough with the smooth”. Four models Four new Sorento models start at R380k and tops out at R635k. The entry level Sorento is the 2.4 LS, which is only available in with frontwheel drive and a five seat configuration. The 2.2 CRDi LX sixspeed au tomatic is also only frontwheel drive with five seats. Sorento 2.2 CRDi EX gains the Dynamax AWD system with seven seats. The range topper is the Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX AWD, with seven seats, Blind Spot Detection, the Smart Power Tailgate and a full glass panoramic sunroof. All models ship as standard with KIA’s industry leading fiveyear/150 000 km warranty, as well three years of unlimited roadside assistance. The Soren to 2.4 LS comes as standard with a four year/90 000 km service plan, while LX, EX and SX models include a fiveyear/100 000 km mainte nance plan. Longer, lower, sleeker In profile, the new model retains the Sorento’s hall mark long bonnet and characteristic wide Dpillar, but a lower roofline, higher beltline and swept back shape give the car what Sieff calls a muscular stance. The design was led by KIA’s chief design officer Peter Schreyer, working at Kia’s new Research and Development Centre outside Seoul, with signifi cant input from the brand’s design studios in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, California. The rear of the car features more prominent shoulders and a highly sculpted number plate sur round. The latter is made possible by the introduc tion of new laser welding manufacturing tech niques — a first for a KIA model — which renders weld lines invisible, meaning the Sorento can do without the traditional jointmasking garnish on the tailgate. The new Sorento is 95 mm longer but a little lower (15 mm) and a tiny bit wider (5 mm).
V SHAN VAN LELIVELD Sales manager at Kia Pietermaritzburg
“All SUV drivers can experience the new Sorento tomorrow night, from 6 pm onwards.”
Although the roofline is 15 mm lower, lower seat cushions increase the headroom in all three rows while Schreyer’s team made the most of that al most 10 cm extra length by making more legroom in the third row of sevenseat models. The structure of the new Sorento is significantly stronger, thanks in large part to the more wide spread use of ultrahigh tensile steel. While the previousgeneration model was made up of 24,4% ultrahigh tensile steel (UHTS), this has been in creased to 52,7% for the new model Drive train Under the hood, the Sorento models has either a 2,4litre multipoint injection petrol engine or the 2,2 turbodiesel, which now features Kia’s fourthgeneration fuelinjection system for greater fuel economy and performance. KIA offers the allnew Sorento in frontwheel drive and allwheel drive configuration, with a choice between sixspeed manual and automatic transmissions. The allwheel drive models has an improved 4WD Lock mode, which splits torque distribution evenly between front and rear wheels for more traction. Next Level Technology Sieff said key conveniences that make the new top end Sorento a driving pleasure include a Smart Power Tailgate, which automatically opens when the key is “sensed”; the 10way powerassisted driver’s seat; and a seveninch touch screen in the higher specification models and a range of multi media entertainment options. All models come as standard with a Radio/CD/ MP3 player, as well as multimedia ports for USB and AUXin connections, and six speakers around the cabin. In entrylevel models, information is displayed on a 3,8inch display, while higher specification grades feature a 4,3inch colour touch screen that incorporates the rearparking camera. As with the outgoing models, the Sorento sells with five or seven seats, with the back row folding down in a 40/20/40 split. The rear seats in the high end models fold using levers placed in the side of the cargo bay. Assisting the driver The new Sorento debuts a number of new, ad vanced onboard technologies to improve conve nience and further enhance the ownership experi ence. These include a Blind Spot Detection system, which uses radar sensors to monitor approaching vehicles from the rear in the lanes flanking the driv er. If a vehicle is detected, a visual alert appears on the side view mirrors. Linked to the system is a Lane Change Assist function: if the Blind Spot Detection system detects an approaching vehicle in the blind spot, and the turn signal is activated in an attempt to change lanes, the Lane Change Assist emits an audible warning. High specification models also feature Ad vanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC) that further aids handling by transferring torque to the wheels with the most grip. If the system detects understeer, ATCC is activated before the Electron ic Stability Control system, providing more torque to the outer rear wheel and braking the inner rear wheel under cornering. Additionally, the allnew Sorento’s Vehicle Sta bility Management (VSM) system helps ensure the car remains stable when simultaneously braking and cornering, particularly on lowgrip surfaces, by carefully controlling both the Electronic Stabili ty Control (ESC) and RMDPS. Pricing KIA Sorento 2.4 LS R379 995 KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi LX R499 995 KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi EX AWD R599 995 KIA Sorento 2.2 CRDi SX AWD R634 995
The latest work of art from Kia’s chief design officer Peter Schreyer, with more than half of the body shell now made up by ultrahigh tensile steel. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
come test drive
g in n in W d r a w ulti A M w e N ll A e Th Kia Sorento
* Diesel/Petrol * All Wheel Drive or 4 x 2 * Manual/Auto * 5 Seater or 7 Seater
DRIVE THE NEXT LEVEL
PIETERMARITZBURG 305 - 310 Hoosen Haffejee (Berg) Street. Tel: 033 345 3692 • Shan: 082 457 4253 T’s & C’s Apply
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
July 2, 2015
SA’s dearest train ride
TOMTOM OFFERS TRADE INS
The Gautrain is a worldclass system, also when it comes to gobbling resources
JOHANNESBURG — Tom Tom is offering all consumers the opportunity to get up to R600 “money back” this winter with the purchase of selected GPS navigation de vices. The offer will be available in selected outlets nation wide and is open to all South African residents that have purchased a participating promotional product be tween June 21 and August 31, 2015. GPS Navigation Devices with TomTom Traffic help road users avoid traffic jams by providing live traffic up dates that are able to suggest alternate routes, helping commuters get to their desti nation faster. TomTom’s Traffic Index, an international study that analyses congestion patterns around the globe, placed two of South Africa’s major cities in the top 100 most congested in the world. Cape Town is ranked 55th and Johannesburg, 77th. To help solve your conges tion issues by taking part in this great offer, simply follow the three easy steps below: • Buy one of the devices listed below from June 21 and Au gust 31, 2015. • Complete the registration form at www.tomtommoney back.co.za within 30 days aft er purchase. • Receive money back into your bank account within 30 working days of submitting purchase receipts and bank ing information. Please note that terms and conditions apply. For further information, please visit the website at www.tomtom moneyback.co.za. — WR. TomTom products: • Start 20 R300 • Start 25 R200 • Start 40 R400 • Start 50 R400 • Via 130 R300 • Via 135 R300 • Go 820 R300 • Go 1005 World R400 • Go 40 R500 • Go 400 R500 • Go 500 R500 • Go 5000 R600
THE Automobile Association has reacted with concern to an announcement by Gauteng Transport MEC Ismail Vadi that the annual subsidy for the Gaut rain has reached R1,5 billion. Vadi was reported to have made the announcement at a business breakfast on June 24. Former DA shadow minister of transport James Swart told Wheels this amount came to some R125 million each month. Swart said this money could have been put to better use to solve all the Metro Rail problems, which recently left commuters in Pretoria stranded. The AA said in a statement R1,5 billion a year would have be been enough to fund the entire annual payback costs for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), excluding the cost of the tolling infrastructure and the inflated costs arising from tender collusion on the project. “The Gautrain subsidy is now consuming almost a quarter of the Gauteng Department of Transport’s budget,” the AA said. Approximately 60 000 people a day use the Gautrain, which connects Pretoria with Johan nesburg and provides a rail ser vice to O.R. Tambo Airport. “The Gautrain’s fares make it clear that it is a transport mode for higher earners. It is unjust for
WARNING SIGNS OF OLD BATTERIES BATTERY issues are a common complaint from car owners during the winter months. Chairperson of the Motor Industry Workshop Associa tion (Miwa) Les McMaster says the cold can be tough, es pecially on weak batteries. “As it gets colder it becomes harder for the engine to turn over because the oil inside the engine thickens which de mands far more current from a battery, and the battery can not produce its normal amount of energy because of the cold,” he explains. “The ability to accept a charge also drops so the bat tery doesn’t recharge as quick ly when the vehicle is being driven. “Another consideration is the load increase when heat ers, blowers and lights are switched on.” While three to five years is a typical life span of a battery, various internal and environ mental conditions impact on a battery’s longterm health. McMaster says that the cli mate, how far and often you drive your vehicle, and the length of time electronic ac cessories are plugged into your vehicle are all contributing fac tors. WARNING SIGNS • A grinding or clicking sound when you start the ignition is an indicator of a weak battery. • Headlights dimming when idling but brightening when the engine revs. • The starter motor cranks slowly when you turn the igni tion. — WR.
For the elite 60 000 who can afford it every month, the Gautrain rules. For the rest of South Africa, it is a tax drain. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN taxpayers’ money to be diverted from the transport budget to subsidise these commuters,” the AA said. The association explained that millions of commuter trips were made on Gauteng’s free ways every day, and that those roads remained the arteries of the province for commerce. “The cost of installing and managing the tolling infrastruc
ture substantially increased the cost of the Gauteng Freeway Im provement Project, and govern ment claims that tolling was cho sen as a funding model because there was no money available elsewhere,” the AA said. “The scale of the Gautrain subsidy demonstrates that this is not true. The R1,5 billion which is being used to subsidise a mi nority of Gautrain commuters
would have been better used to fund the roads which benefit all citizens in Gauteng Province and the country.” The AA said that the govern ment’s selective reliance on the socalled “userpay” argument for roads was not sustainable. “The government’s own re view of stateowned entities, published in October 2013, found that there should be less reliance
on userpay funding for social in frastructure like roads,” the asso ciation said. “And if the userpay principle is to be applied, it should be ap plied equally; we see no reason for the Gautrain to be exempt. We remain of the opinion that taxation is the most costeffec tive way to fund transport infra structure,” the AA concluded. — Wheels Reporter.
Crash test dummies that can slump and lean TOYOTA’s crash test dummies can now replicate human reac tions. You are in a car and you know you are about to hit something. If you are the driver, you’re likely to hit the brakes and turn the wheel; if you’re a passenger, aware of what’s about to happen, your instinct is to brace yourself for impact. These changes in posture — relaxed or braced — aren’t some thing physical crash test dum mies can copy, but Toyota has produced new software for its Total Human Model for Safety (Thums) virtual human model ling that replicates these kinds of precollision reactions. The latest version of Thums adds a muscle modelling feature that can simulate the body attitude of different vehicle occupants, from relaxed to braced, allowing for more de tailed computer analysis of the injures collisions can cause. Until now, Thums could only simulate changes in posture after
Toyota has produced new software that replicates the relaxed human postures people are typically in before a collision. PHOTO: SUPPLIED a collision has happened, but the new Version 5 model allows changes prior to an impact to be scrutinised. This means the per
formance of seatbelts, airbags and other safety equipment can be studied more accurately, as well as more advanced precolli
sion systems. The intelligence gained will help in the develop ment of new safety technologies that can provide better occupant protection. Thums Version 5 has already been adopted by dozens of businesses, including vehicle and parts’ manufacturers, and is contributing to vehicle safety re search worldwide. About Thums By simulating many characteris tics of different parts of the hu man body, from its overall shape to bones and skin, Thums ena bles detailed analysis of the kind of injuries that can occur in a ve hicle collision, such as fractures and severed ligaments. Toyota began development of Thums in 1997, working with To yota Central R&D Labs. Version 1 was launched in 2002, followed by Version 2 in 2004, which add ed face and bones to the model; Version 4 in 2006, with a precise brain model; and Version 4 in 2010, which gained detailed modelling of internal organs. — Wheels Reporter.
Tuning you straight on designated drivers THE Automobile Association (AA) has announced a nationwide des ignated driver service in an at tempt to curb the amount of deaths on the country’s roads. The AA Designated Driver is a service that aims to ensure drivers will not have to drive after drinking during a night out. This is a very laudable project, as is any initiative to get the me nace of drunk drivers off our streets. We were asked what the costs are, and thanks to the prompt an swers supplied by Layton Beard, the AA’s public relations officer,
we can now reveal that the price is cheaper than even a Siyaya taxi. He confirmed the service is available in Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The pricing is determined by the distance between the pick up and dropoff points. Less than 15 km costs R89 a month for AA members and R99 for nonmembers. As most people drink within this radius from their home, less than R100 a month is a very rea sonable price to havie a chauffeur on call to take you and your pas sengers home — all for the same price. Mind, the AA states once
you have used your monthly “free entitlement” kilometres, you start paying a kilometre fee. For those larneys who prefer to drink in the next suburb, the AA will charge its members R197 and nonmembers R219 to have that chauffeur on call for distances up to 20 km. By comparison, a meter taxi will charge you between R50 and R60 rand for five kilometres late at night. For those who party in the right areas in Johannesburg, the Gautrain buses are the cheapest ride home, provided you can stag ger to the bus stop. Rides in the
city start at R20 in peak hours. And for the party animals who somehow find themselves chat ting up total strangers in a differ ent town, the prices of R445 and R495 a month, which retains a chauffeur who will fetch you home over a distance of under 60 km. This laudable service does get pricey for the frequent traveller, who stands to pay R634 in the case of AA members or R715 for non members who got plastered 80 km from home — which is all the more reason to make sleeping arrangements before you open the bottles. — WR.
FASTEST LOTUS YET LOTUS has launched its quick est car yet. With a dry weight of below 900 kg (Race version), the road legal 3Eleven has over 372 kW per ton, and can do zero to 100 km/h in less than three seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 280 km/h. Lotus CEO JeanMarc Gales, called the 3Eleven a giant slayer and said it will embar rass far more expensive rivals. “It condenses our engineer ing knowhow into one, hard core package, and is so fo cused that it won’t suit every one. “This is a perfect demon stration of the faster and light er concept, something which will be crucial to all Lotus cars in the future,” Gales said. The new Lotus 3Eleven will enter production in February 2016. Production will be limited to just 311 units. — WR.
MOTORING WitnessWheels
July 2, 2015
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Hammer in a silk wrapping THE Audi TT was first launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1995. Its design was considered such a departure from the Ingol stadt house style that many mo toring journalists laid bets on whether it would survive the con cept stage. The argument continued after the introduction of the first gen eration with those who disliked the vehicle calling it a hairdress er’s car, while those who appreci ated the arresting design, calling it a style icon and one of the most recognisable car designs of the 20th century. Whatever your view, the TT is a remarkable motor car and the recentlylaunched third genera tion S8 offers superb exterior de tailing, while the iconic profile re mains much the same. I am grateful to Darryl Topper, dealer principal at Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg, for allowing me to live with the car for a few days and to experience those at tributes that make the TT special and one of the great sports cars of its time. Styling The new TT’s profile remains largely unchanged, but details are better defined, starting with a large, trapezoidal grill now domi nating the front end. The head lamps appear narrower with sharper angles than previously. At the rear an LED strip along the length of the rear spoiler acts as a third brake light. The spoiler itself deploys as a rear wing by pressing a button in the cabin. The Cpillar is wider than be fore and the bolted fuel cap repre sent small design changes which do homage to the original model. Interior The TT’s claim to fame is a screen that replaces the analogue nee dles in front of the driver with vir tual instrument cluster. Having a screen means you can select the display configuration of your choice, including a full screen map. The only elements which cannot be removed are the
BRIAN BASSETT checks if Audi managed to raise the bar with their new TT 2.0T FSI S TRONIC If you are stuck on KZN’s roads with its kamakazi goats and slow trucks, you can still experience the exhiliration of doing 0 to 100 km/h in under eight seconds. PHOTOS: QUICKPIC digital speedometer and rev counter, which can be reduced to chronographsized displays. I loved it. The leathercovered seats are fully adjustable, as is the Lambor ghinitype, multifunction, leathercovered steering wheel, which is in itself a work of art. The driving position is very comfortable and my kidneys wished I had such lumbar support for those quick drives to Joburg in the days before tolls and average speed cameras. The dash is uncluttered and the controls and seatheating settings are cleverly housed in the centre hub of the three ventilator rings. As is the norm in twoseaters, the rear seats are only for chil dren, but the boot with its large window will take two sets of golf clubs and can be enlarged by fold ing down the rear seats. Safety and security The TT has everything you could want in terms of safety, from six airbags to ISOFIX type mounts for child seats on both the rear
The new TT’s claim to fame: A screen replaces the analogue needles in front of the driver. and passenger seats — to men tion but a few elements of the ex tensive range safety technology fitted to the car. There is also an effective park assist system and electronic dif ferential lock. The car also has the usual key less entry, electronic locking and
Audi proud to be part of moon bid AUDI is taking off for the moon — together with the PartTime Scientists. Nearly 45 years after Nasa’s Apollo 17 completed the last manned mission to the moon, the cooperating partners have selected the old landing site of Apollo 17 as the new target. The group of German engi neers in the PartTime Scien tists team are working within the Google Lunar XPrize com petition to transport an un manned rover onto the moon. Audi is supporting the Part Time Scientists with its know how in several fields of technolo gy — from quattro allwheel drive and lightweight construc tion to electric mobility and pi loted driving. “The concept of a privately fi nanced mission to the moon is fascinating,” says Luca de Meo, Audi board member for sales and marketing. Professor Dr Ulrich Hacken berg, Audi board member for technical development said Au do supported the project with the company’s know how in lightweight technology, elec tronics and robotics. The $30 million (R368 mil
onboard alarm system. Performance The Audi TT is a powerful sports car and, while it can easily be used to collect the kids from school or to do the weekly shopping, the turbocharged petrol engine puts out 169 kW of power and 370 Nm
of torque, with a sixspeed auto matic gearbox turning this power into Thor’s hammer, wrapped in a silk. You really don’t want to waste this on the school run, but go seek out a quiet, wellmaintained road with minimal traffic, where the car’s power and sharp han dling can be properly experi enced. The best place for this is Up ington in the Northern Cape, where the long roads officially used for speed testing will allow you to experience the electroni cally limited 250 km/h. If you are stuck on KZN’s roads with kamakazi goats, slow trucks and blind rises, you can still expe rience the exhilaration of doing 0 to 100 km/h in under eight sec onds, even with my less then svelte figure behind the wheel. Audi’s slim race drivers can do it in 6,4 seconds. If you are doing the school run, the TT will give you about 7,6 l/100 km, but you can toss this figure out of the window if you drive hard and fast. The brakes are excellent and
the car is absolutely stable at most speeds. The TT is a heady package of power and great handling, which easily raises the bar set by its pre decessors offering a good value package of performance and standard specification which is class leading. Costs and the competition The Quattro version of the Audi 2.0T FSI S Tronic comes in at about R645 000, while the two wheel drive will cost you about R560 000, depending on the ex tras you decide to purchase. (I can recommend the Bang and Olufsen sound system at an addi tional R8 800). The TT comes with a two year, unlimited manufacturer’s warranty and fiveyear or 100 000 km maintenance plan. Service intervals are deter mined by the onboard comput er. If you are spending your hard earned money on a sports car, you may as well also have a look at the Volkswagen Scirocco R and the BMW 228i Steptronic coupé.
Guess the Wheels #2 For a chance to win a memory stick, guess which bakkie this is and send your answer to alwyn. viljoen@ witness.co.za. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
The design of the Audi lunar quattro is out of this world — literally — as this quattro is made for the moon. PHOTO: AUDI lion) Google Lunar XPrize is a competition to challenge and in spire engineers and entrepre neurs from around the world to develop lowcost methods of ro botic space exploration. To win the Google Lunar XPrize, a privately funded team must successfully place a robot on the moon’s surface that ex plores at least 500 metres and transmits high definition video and images back to Earth.
As a cooperating partner, Audi is primarily supporting the team with its expertise in light weight construction and emo bility, with quattro permanent all wheel drive and with piloted driving. In addition, the Audi Concept Design Studio in Mu nich is revising the rover, which will be named the “Audi lunar quattro”, to ensure ideal light weight construction conditions. — Supplied.
THANKS to all the readers who responded to our first Guess the Wheels competition. Manoj Balkaran was one of the many who guessed it was a Fiat 128 and he won a leatherbound, fourgigabyte memory stick, which Wheels received courtesy of MercedesBenz. Our sincere apologies for this announcement slipping through the cracks last week, for as Chris Pretorius of Duzi Air Conditioning asked, “Please tell me what it is. And who won the competition? We all guessed that it might be a Fiat 128.” Steele Ord also spotted the Fi
at 128 from a mile away, and no wonder, as he likes his veteran ve hicles; and the quirkier, the bet ter, even as far back as the first known driven vehicle, designed be the Greek Hero in 60 AD. “My hobby since my retire ment is the restoration of the VW Kombi Campervan, that must be the success story of all time as one could be bought new in the early sixties for around R900 and it is unbelievable what figures they are fetching now.” He knows of only three other VW Camper vans in PMB and appeals to any one with the same passion to contact him through Wheels.
As old cars are obviously too easy for Wheels readers, (al though we did get a few Fiat 124s and even a Datsun Bluebird) the next chance for you to win one of the memory sticks is a tad more recent; and a lot trickier. — Alwyn Viljoen. • T&Cs: By entering, you not only stand a chance to win one of the memory sticks we get at car launches, but your name goes in to the pool that will get invited to join us on new car reviews. The winner will be announced in the next edition, and as usual our decision is final, but we like to correspond with you.
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
July 2, 2015
Ideal for good works
MARINE DIESEL IS
At least one group of women in the capital are interested in the new Genio
GIANT marine engine manu facturer, Finlindbased com pany Wärtsilä has achieved a Guinness World Records title for the most efficient four stroke diesel engine with its 31 engine. Guinness World Records verified the record on May 26 the Wärtsilä 31 has a diesel fu el consumption of only 165 grams per kiloWatt hour. This is far lower than any other fourstroke diesel en gine currently available on the market. The Wärtsilä 31 engine is designed to serve various types of vessels serving the offshore, cruise and ferry markets, as well as other ma rine segments where the pow er range requirement is from 4,2 to 9,8 MegaWatts. The engine can be operated using a range of different fu els, and comes in three alter native versions; Diesel, Dual Fuel (DF) and SparkIgnited Gas (SG). Wärtsilä said in a state ment the multifuel capabili ties extend the possibilities for operators to utilise differ ent qualities of fuels, from very light to very heavy diesel, and a range of different quali ties of gas. “The marine industry is fo cusing more than ever on effi ciency and flexibility. The val idation of the Wärtsilä 31 by Guinness World Records as being the most efficient four stroke diesel engine in the world speaks for itself. Ship owners and operators now have the chance to take a more efficient approach to improving vessel operations and reducing costs. “The Wärtsilä 31 clearly re defines efficiency,” says Roger Holm, senior vice president, engines, Wärtsilä Ship Power. As for size, the 31 measure on ly about 4,7 m long by 8,7 m high, and does not compare with Wärtsilä’s other Guin nes World Record engine, the mammoth RTA96C, which stands 27 metres high and 13 metres long, held the record for the world’s most efficient diesel before it was broken by the Wärtsilä 31. While the Wärtsilä 31 is not in the behemoth class, it is still a sizeable marine engine, standing 4,7 metres tall and measuring 8,7 metres long. The cylinder bore is 31 cm and the stroke is 43 cm long. In its largest V16 format, it makes up to 13,142 horsepow er, just shy of 9800 kilo Watts. — WR.
MAHINDRA South Africa has introduced a new version of its popular Genio singlecab pick up and at least one group of women are keen to test it. They all work with the Zimele nonprofit organisation, which only uses Mahindras to roll out the benefits of this effective group from Maritzburg to Kwa ZuluNatal’s deep rural areas. Zimele means “people stand on their own feet” in Zulu and is a faithbased, nonprofit orga nisation based in Pietermaritz burg that has started several suc cessful social development and womens’ empowerment projects in KwaZuluNatal since its incep tion in early 2007. Rosetta Stander, founder of Zi mele, said the field trainers travel considerable distances to bring the programme to womens’ homes. Bad weather can make KZN’s dirt roads almost impass able, which is why hardy, fuelef ficient, loadcarrying vehicles are essential to deliver for Zimile’s good work. The NPO currently use the spartan but durable Ma hindra Bolero singlecabs as the best valueformoney bakkie they could find. The facelifted Genio Plus easi ly matches the older Boleros with proven workhorse credentials. But the cabin is more sleek, re taining the aerodynamic cab de sign, and boasting comfortable and wellequipped interior, and the large corrugated cargo box, with a carrying capacity in excess of 1 000 kg. Adding further appeal to those talents is a package of extras that includes a front bull bar, rear bumper, side steps, a front cab mounted roll bar and a rear, tail
The facelifted Genio is the most comfortable workhorse in the Mahindra stable, fit for work in deepest rural KZN. PHOTO: SUPPLIED gateside roll bar, all supplied by LA Sport. The cargo box is rub berised while the Genio Plus rides on smart alloy wheels. These additional features add further value and functionality to the standard Genio’s extensive talents, while highlighting that there’s more to this versatile ve hicle than utility. An independent, double wishbone front suspension, cou pled to a leafsprung rear suspen sion, delivers an optimum com bination of carlike ride quality and cargo carrying capacity. The spacious cabin is also more reminiscent of a car than a utility vehicle.
The two, individual seats fea ture comfortable, durable cloth upholstery, while the stylish dashboard is home to a full com plement of instruments. The whitefaced dials are ergo nomically grouped together in a binnacle ahead of the driver, and clearly visible through the gener ously proportioned steering wheel. A centre console is fitted with dual cup holders, while a central ly mounted digital clock is locat ed above the generous air vents. The centre stack is occupied by a doubleDIN audio system in corporating a FM Stereo receiver, CD player, SD card slot and USB
flash drive socket. The system is also MP3 capable. The Genio Plus boasts an ex tensive standard equipment list that includes electrically adjusta ble windows and exterior mir rors, fog lamps, airconditioning, central locking and power steer ing. An ABS antilock braking system ensures safe emergency braking. Powering the Genio Plus is Mahindra’s mHawk 2,2 litre commonrail turbodiesel engine. The fourcylinder unit has a maximum output of 88 kW at 4 000 rpm, linked to a torque peak of 290 Nm sustained be tween 1 800 and 2 600 rpm.
Drive is to the rear wheels via a slickshifting fivespeed manu al gearbox. Combinedcycle fuel con sumption is an impressive 7,9 li tres/100 km, allowing an operat ing range in excess of 900 km from the 74litre fuel tank. Consumption drops to just 7,1 litres/100 km during open road cruising. The CO2 emis sions rating 210 g/km. The Mahindra Genio Plus is now on sale at a recommended retail price of R209 995. — WR. • Contact Zimele at 033 342 7787. More details on zimelecommunity.co.za.
Tapping electricity from the wheels’ friction on the road NICK LAVARS CARS are one of mankind’s most revolutionary creations. But just like with the iPhone, space travel or WiFi, there’s al ways room for improvement. In the eyes of a team of University of WisconsinMadi son engineers, one of the more promising ways automotive technology might be improved upon lies in the energy wastage caused by friction as tyres roll across the road. Armed with special nanogen erator and a toy Jeep, the re searchers have demonstrated that this power can be captured and turned into electricity, a de velopment that could bring about better fuel efficiency in the fullsized cars of the future. According to Xudong Wang, associate professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Wisconsin, the fric tion created as a car’s tyres run over the ground accounts for ap proximately 10%of the vehicle’s fuel usage. For him and PhD student Yanchao Mao, this presents a big opportunity to improve efficien cy, so for the last year or so they have been building a device to tackle the problem. Their work looks to harness the electrical charge that is creat ed when certain materials come into contact with one another, much like what happens when you run a comb through your
Xudong Wang, associate professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Wisconsin, used a radio control car to show how an electrode built into a section of the tyre can tap the charge created by the friction created when a wheel comes into contact with the ground at high speed to to generate electricity. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
hair. This is known as the tribo electric effect and has been used in the earlystage development of promising technologies like elec tricitygenerating touchscreens and clothing. Not to be confused with the approach taken by Goodyear, which in March unveiled a concept tyre that turns heat and motion into electricity using a fishnet pattern of thermo/piezo electric material, Wang’s solution sees an elec trode built into a section of the tyre. As the wheel spins and this part of the tyre comes into con
tact with the ground, the charge created by the friction causes electrons to move, in turn gener ating electricity. To bring this new source of electricity to life, the team equipped the toy Jeep with LED lights. As the car moved forward, enough power was created to cause the lights to flash on and off, suggesting that this hitherto wasted energy could actually be captured and put to use. The research was published in the journal Nano Energy, which reported: This successful dem
onstration provides a promising solution to scavenge the wasted friction energy from rolling tyres, which may improve the fuel effi ciency or the cruising ability of electric vehicles. Interestingly, the researchers also found that the amount of en ergy the system was able to pro duce was proportionate to both the weight of the vehicle and the speed at which it was travelling. Wang estimates that the solu tion could offer approximately a 10% increase in the average vehi cle’s gas mileage. — GizmagWR.
MOST FRUGAL
Looking for that ‘Sure Bet’ this weekend? from the horse’s mouth. Once you do you’ll barely be able to hold your horses. And when their Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers offer you a tailored deal that suits your budget and needs, be sure not to look the gift horse in the mouth. This is just me leading the horse to the water; once you’re there I know they can help you drink.
By Pieter from Maritzburg
As far as I am concerned, Barons Pietermaritzburg is the sure bet for anyone looking to get the best sales, and most convenient after-sales, service all the way from Durban to the Drakensberg. I would go as far as to say it’s a one-horse-race when compared with any other Volkswagen Dealership! They specialise in the quality and reliability of Das Auto Engineering and the fuel efficiency and economy of BlueMotion Technology, so when it comes to buying power… they’re strong as a horse!
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.
Don’t be caught backing the wrong horse this weekend; get to Barons Pietermaritzburg. After all, you won’t fully believe me until you hear what they have to offer straight
Often copied. Never equalled.
It’s not just a car. It’s a Golf.
In one word, iconic.
New Golf 1.4 TSI Comfortline New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI from R3,978* per month. from R5,039* per month. Performance Pack DSG from R4,986* per month. The New Golf 1.4 TSI Comfortline standard features include:
The New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG standard features include:
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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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In addition to the current GTI DSG, Performance Pack additional features: -
Increased power (+7kW) Front limited-slip differential lock Bigger front disc brakes
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Red painted brake callipers with “GTI” branding Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC)
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90kW @ 5000rpm 6 speed manual Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) Electronic Park Brake with Auto-hold
Model
Interest Monthly No. of Rate Linked Instalments Instalments / Variable
New Golf GTI R427,800 R5,039* 2.0 TSI DSG
72
Balloon Total Cost Incl Payment fees & VAT
Deposit
10% 35% 7.27%* R512,555 (R42,780) (R149,730)
Model
Vehicle Price
New Golf GTI 2.0 TSI Performance R447,800 Pack DSG
Monthly No. of Interest Rate Linked / Deposit Instalments Instalments Variable
R4,986*
72
• • • • •
Polo Vivo
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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 model in standard specifications. Installment excludes optional extras and delivery fee, but includes 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 10 July 2015.
16% 35% 7.93%* R515,735 (R71,648) (R156,730)
Mileage certified Full Service history 7-day exchange plan Vehicle Customisation 24 Hr roadside assistance
72
9.25%*
Balloon Total Cost Incl Payment fees & VAT
Deposit
11% 35% R394,227 (R33,880) (R107,800)
Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Receive a free R-line kit and xenons. Limited to 3 units. Visit us on www.baronsvw.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 1.4 TSI Comfortline model in standard specifications. Installment excludes optional extras, but includes delivery fee 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 10 July 2015.
• • • • •
80-point mechanical check 2-year / unlimited km warranty* Vehicle History Integrity Check Balance of VW Automation Plan Professional Vehicle Reconditioning
Silver Silver White White Red Beige
R 129 900 R 132 900 R 149 900 R 159 900 R 142 900 R 139 900
35 000 km 27 000 km 21 000 km 5 000 km 3 000 km 8 000 km
2011 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2015
Polo 1.6 TDI Comfortline Polo Sedan 1.6 Comfortline Polo GTI DSG Polo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo GP 1.2 Trendline Cross Polo 1.6 Polo 1.2 TSI Trendline
Grey White Silver Silver White Beige White
R 149 000 R 175 900 R 269 900 R 149 000 R 159 900 R 189 000 R 185 900
106 000 km 21 000 km 20 000 km 24 000 km 24 000 km 20 000 km 1 500 km
Golf GTI 2.0 TSI Golf 6 1.4 TSI Comfortline Golf 7 1.4 TSI Comfortline Golf 7 2.0 GTI DSG Golf GTI R DSG
White Silver Silver Grey Silver
R 269 900 R 184 900 R 219 000 R 419 000 R 589 000
88 000 km 60 000 km 61 000 km 4 000 km 3 500 km
An Eclipse you can’t help staring at.
New Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse from R2,266* per month.
Golf
Amarok 2011 2011 2014
Amarok Double Cab 4x2 120kW Amarok Double Cab 4x2 120kW Amarok Double Cab 4x2 132kW
White Grey White
R 259 000 R 259 000 R 389 900
115 000 km 111 000 km 22 000 km
2010 2011 2012 2014 2015
Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline Touareg 3.0 TDI V6 Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Touareg 3.0 TDI BlueMotion Tiptronic Move up! 1.0
Silver White Silver Grey Silver
R 139 900 R 459 000 R 229 900 R 699 000 R 139 900
97 000 km 82 500 km 79 000 km 13 800 km 2 000 km
2010 2013 2013
Ford Focus 1.8 Ambiente Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro
White Silver White
R 131 500 R 99 900 R 319 000
38 000 km 68 000 km 90 000 km
Other
R3,978*
Interest Rate Linked / Variable
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 Performance Pack DSG model in standard specifications. Installment excludes optional extras and delivery fee, but includes 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 10 July 2015.
Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door Polo Vivo Maxx 1.6 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline 5 Door Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door
Other VW
New Golf 1.4 TSI R308,000 Comfortline
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Air conditioner 16” Toronto alloy wheels Start-Stop with Brake Energy Recuperation Cruise Control
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
2014 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015
2011 2012 2013 2015 2015
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg.
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
Polo
Balloon Payment
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.baronsvw.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg
Barons Pietermaritzburg 9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100
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*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.
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Vehicle Price
No. of Monthly InstalInstalments ments
Vehicle Price
Model
-
The New Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse standard features include:
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Side mirror housings painted in Reflex Silver 16” Mistral alloy wheels Branding on front, side and tailgate Lowered suspension (-7mm) Chrome strip on boot and side Vehicle Price
New Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse
R168,600
R2,266*
New Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse
R168,600
R2,572*
Body colour bumpers Maxx seat trim Small leather package (steering wheel, gear lever) Centre console painted in Steel Graphite colour Available in black or white only
Interest Rate Linked / Variable
Deposit
Balloon Payment
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
72
9.25%*
10% (R16,860)
35% (R59,010)
R222,192
72
9.25%*
0%
35% (R59,010)
R244,224
Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments
Model
-
Exclusive to Barons Pietermaritzburg: Receive free Smash ‘n Grab with your purchase. Visit us on www.baronsvw.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 theNew Polo Vivo 63kW Eclipse model in standard specifications. Installment excludes optional extras, but includes delivery fee 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 10 July 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
BP Advertising
-
-
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162kW @ 5300-6200 r/min 6-speed DSG Start-Stop with Brake Energy Recuperation Electronic Stability Programme Cruise Control
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6
WitnessWheels MOTORING
July 2, 2015
New KTM promises to be EXCiting Nine new uprated engines sure to boost the range, with special offers on outgoing models WITH KTM’s expertise in off road, the manufacturer presents once again its successful and ex tensive Enduro range for 2016. This includes twostroke and fourstroke models that offer classleading performance with highend serial equipment, and some detail refinements made over last year’s models. Thanks to the continued work
developing these worlddominat ing machines, the KTM R&D and motorsports department in Mat tighofen, Austria, has enjoyed fur ther wins in the Enduro World Championship, while claiming the overall E1 and E3 world titles with Christophe Nambotin and Matthew Phillips last year. Not only that, numerous Extreme En duro wins were achieved, along
with a number of national titles, with the list being extended once again this year. Five fourstroke engines, from 250 cc to 500 cc, are on sale alongside four two stroke engines, ranging in size from 125 cc to the ultrahigh kilo Watt 300 cc. The KTM EXC machines offer an electric starter as standard equipment on all models (except
Nine new KTM EXC models arrived at dealers in South Africa this week. PHOTO: QUICKPIC the 125 EXC), along with a mod ern, highstrength chromoly steel profile frame, which offers easy handling, precise cornering and outstanding stability. The overall chassis design in cludes a number of high quality, premium parts and technology specifically designed for Enduro
use. Each engine has been special ly designed for purpose and maxi mum performance in the most challenging conditions. For the 2016 model year the range received reworked WP open cartridge forks with new fork boots and a smaller front axle. These refinements, with new sus
Movie magic ensures a top 50 price for Brando’s bike A 1970 HarleyDavidson FLH ElectraGlide owned since new by screen icon Marlon Brando was sold for $256 000 (R3 134,758) at Julien’s Holly wood Legends auction in Holly wood recently. Brando won two Academy Awards for best actor (from eight nominations) and despite many famous film roles (A Streetcar named Desire, The Godfather, Last Tango in Paris, Guys and Dolls, On the Waterfront, Julius Caesar, Apocalypse Now and Mu tiny on the Bounty, it was his role as Johnny Strabler in the 1953 Co lumbia movie The Wild One for which he is best remembered and which helped catalyse the outlaw biker culture. Brando was a motorcycle en thusiast throughout his life, rid ing in New York before he became famous and even after he became famous. He enjoyed going on long rides. The following Brando quote further establishes his two wheeled bona fides: “It still pleas es me to be awake during the dark, early hours before morning when everyone else is still asleep. “I’ve been that way since I first moved to New York. I do my best thinking and writing then. “During those early years in New York, I often got on my mo torcycle in the middle of the night and went for a ride anyplace. “There wasn’t much crime in the city then, and if you owned a motorcycle, you left it outside
The black HarleyDavidson FLH Electra Glide motorcycle purchased by Marlon Brando on April 8, 1970, was sold with 22 303,9 km on the clock. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
your apartment and in the morn ing it was still there. It was won derful on summer nights to cruise around the city at one, two, or three am. wearing jeans and a Tshirt with a girl on the seat be hind me. If I didn’t start out with
one, I’d find one.” The black HarleyDavidson FLH ElectraGlide motorcycle purchased by Brando on April 8, 1970, was sold with 22 303,9 km showing on the clock. The $256 000 (R3,1 million)
sale price puts Brando’s Harley comfortably inside the top 50 motorcycles yet sold at auc tion. But these millions it would only pay the frame of Steve McQueen’s old Indian, which fetched R10,4 million, and per
haps just the saddle of the Chopper ridden by Captain America in the popular American television series, which auctioned for the highest bid yet on a “mov ie bike” — over R15,9 million. — GizmagWR.
Five tips to help drivers think like riders LONDON, England — The rela tionship between drivers and motorcyclists can sometimes be described as heated. Each group tends to blame on the other, while what is needed is education: motorcyclists are the more vulnerable, drivers need to be more informed on how to share the road with their two wheel cousins. Motorcyclists account for one percent of road users in Britain, but they’re grossly overrepre sented in casualty statistics, making up as much as 19% of all roaduser deaths.
But they, like every other road user, all set off with the intention of arriving safely at a destination and, according to GEM chief ex ecutive David Williams, there are ways we drivers can help them stay safe. Williams said: “You may think that motorcyclists can look after themselves because they’re ma noeuvrable and can change lanes quickly and easily. “However, they are at greater risk for a number of reasons, in cluding other roadusers not be ing aware of them, or not appre ciating their ability to accelerate
rapidly. Williams said by ‘Thinking Bike’ on every journey and com mitting to a courteous driving style, drivers will help to make the roads safer for themselves and bikers, who are 75 times more likely to be killed in a crash. GEM has five simple tips to promote safety for drivers and motorcyclists:
maintain a defensive attitude, avoid conflict and competition.
1 Avoid conflict Remember above all that every body on the road is trying to get somewhere safely, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. So
3 Look over our shoulder Check your blind spot before changing lanes. Motorcyclists move faster than you might ex pect, so it’s always good to dou
2 Look for the fast dot Good observation is key, espe cially at junctions. Take more time to look for motorcyclists when you’re approaching a junc tion or joining a busy main road. After all, motorcyclists can be much harder to see.
blecheck. 4 Move over If there’s a motorcyclist behind you, anticipate that he or she will probably want to overtake. Make the manoeuvre as easy and safe as possible by moving slightly to the nearside. This tells the rider he has been seen. 5 Look in the mirror Think bike even after your jour ney has ended. Just check it’s safe to open your door and that you won’t be putting an approaching rider at risk.
pension settings, mean each mod el can offer improved handling and better traction, with a more precise feedback to the rider. The maintenance of the sus pension is also easier, thanks to a new design of fork guard, a new look across the entire range, along with further detail changes.
ALDO RACE EMBARGO STILL ON THE embargo on racing the new, bumbier track at Aldo Scribante continues as Round 5 of the 2015 Deod SuperGP Champions Trophy will in stead take place at the East London Grand Prix circuit on Saturday, July 25. The Eastern Cape Super GP was originally scheduled to be held at the Aldo Scriban te Circuit in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, 26 July, but problems with the newly rejuvenated track surface at the circuit came to light during the Ex treme Festival event held there in June. A subsequent assessment of the situation by Motor sport South Africa has result ed in the suspension of the sanctioning of all circuit rac ing events at Aldo Scribante until the problems with the track surface are rectified. — Wheels Reporter.
CAYENNE OFFERS A BUYOUT BIKERS who buy from the Cayenne group can have the company buy out their exist ing financial contracts. Craig Langton Sales Di rector and coowner of the Cayenne Group said he wants to help the many bikers on the wrong motorcycles. “Because they have fi nanced it, they end up owing more than the bike is worth and therefore get stuck with a motorcycle which they don’t want to own any more but are still paying for.” The Cayenne sales team take pride in matching the correct motorcycle to riders and to back the deal with FlexiFin, with a twoyear war ranty, a threeyear service plan, zero percent deposit, up to 72 months to pay, as well as guaranteed buy back at 60% after three years.
MOTORING WitnessWheels
July 2, 2015
7
The Swagger Wagon
WORRIES OF FLEET MANAGERS
A few Texans’ idea of what the Ultimate Utility Vehicle by Toyota should be like
STANDARD Bank’s head of fleet management Dr David Molapo spoke to fleet manag ers about their most recent pain points — and what they’re doing about them.
CC WEISS THERE must be something in the water supply around Toyota HQ. Maybe pure grain alcohol. As if a Lexus hoverboard wasn’t enough weirdness for one week, Toyota also revealed the Ultimate Utility Vehicle, a Sien na/Tacoma hybrid that will be trekking across North America. The Swagger Wagon has more swagger than ever, along with the newfound mettle to back it up. The Ultimate Utility Vehicle is the kind of design that leaps from the page and makes you blurt out, “What the hell is that thing!” Its ruggedised edges have all the makings of an offroad 4x4 with lots of aftermarket love, but the short, curved hood, cabin shape and Bpillaradjacent rear door handles betray the fact that it’s anything but. What it is is a heavily modified Sienna minivan planted atop the ladder frame of the Tacoma pick up. The Ultimate Utility Vehicle reveal was buried in a press re lease about Toyota’s work on a new North American headquar ters in Plano, Texas, and there’s really no additional information about it, save for the fact that it will travel on Toyota’s 110day, 26 550 km transcontinental Ev erBetter Expedition. The trip started in Plano earli er this week and will travel through some of America’s most iconic and rugged regions, in cluding Death Valley, Alaska, Route 66 and New York City. The nineToyota convoy has been organised to get engineers and other employees out from
The Ultimate Utility Vehicle is travelling across North America and will show up at the Sema Show later this year. PHOTO: GIZMAG behind the office and factory walls and into the world, experi encing the drives that Toyota ve hicles are making on a daily basis. After the trip, the team will bring what it learned back to the office and apply it to future vehi cle and equipment work. At least that’s what Toyota planned — maybe a few will enjoy the working road trip so much that they’ll ditch their 9to5 lives for the freedoms of a VW camper van. The North Americanbased EverBetter Expedition is the
second leg of the Toyota’s Five Continents Driving Project, fol lowing start in Australia. And some fuel for the ongoing Land Rover vs Land Cruiser de bate in South Africa, a Land Cruiser 200 is the only vehicle that will participate in all five legs. The Ultimate Utility Vehicle looks plenty ready for the gnarli est, most remote parts of the ex pedition. While we don’t know all the exact specs or component brand names, we do know that Toyota
has completely overhauled the Sienna into a convincing off road machine. The Ultimate Utility Vehicle has a downright vicious front bumper with embedded winch, a set of beadlockstyle wheels neatly wrapped in Nitto M/T tires, flared arches, rock sliders and a full set of offroad lights. We can also see that the Taco ma’s suspension has been up graded by the folks at Engage Of froad. Matte black paint completes the sinister look.
Beyond that, we’ll have to wait for Toyota to reveal additional details as it drives the 4x4 mini van across the country. It will debut the vehicle at the Sema Show in November, and as last year’s Semadebuted Sleeper Camry shows, getting full details on what lurks below the body can be well worth the wait. You can find out more infor mation about the EverBetter Expedition in the preview video below and on Toyota’s dedicated expedition website. — Gizmag.com.
Ses’fikile carries South Africa to work, and work to Durban Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) officially launched the South African produced Ses’fiki le at a prestigious event held at the newly built Quantum Manu facturing Facility in Prospecton. The function was attended by Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies as well as the Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel. Back in 2012, the local Quan tum / Ses’fikile assembly plant was opened at TSAM’s produc tion facility — prior to that this model was imported in fully builtup form. Dr Johan van Zyl, CEO of To yota Europe and Africa Region said from April 2015, production of the Ses’ikile had switched to a wholly operational local plant with weld, assembly and paint fa cilities as well as a full logistics operation taking shape to facili tate the local production of the Ses’fikile. “South Africa is a very impor tant market to Toyota globally in terms of supply to the rest of the world and it serves as a gateway to the African continent. “With over R550million in vested in the Quantum plant to date, it certainly underlines To yota’s confidence in this country. “This sizeable investment shows that Toyota is committed to development in the taxi indus try and to continue its contribu tion to the country as a whole,” said Van Zyl. The Taxi industry in South Af rica transports over 15million
Opening the Quantum plant at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in Durban is (from left) Japanese ambassador to South Africa, Shigeyuki Hiroki, Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel, CEO of Europe and Africa Region of Toyota, Dr Johan van Zyl and regional Numsa representative, Mbusi Ngubane. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
people daily, which constitutes 60%70% of the commuting public and furthermore creates thousands of jobs through entre preneurship and small business development. “This illustrates the impor tance of this industry in the transport and small enterprise sectors and the need for continu ous improvement and develop ment of the vehicles. Van Zyl said as importers and manufacturers of taxis in South Africa since 1967, Toyota was syn onymous with the Taxi industry and remains fully committed to develop both entrepreneurs and new vehicles, such as the ubiqui tous Ses’fikile, which has benefit ted from continuous improve ment aimed at meeting the needs
of South African commuters and taxi operators alike. The new Quantum plant has also contributed to the economy with the creation of over 260 new jobs, raising the full Quantum staff compliment to over 300 of which 45% of the new employees are young professionals between 18 and 35 years old. The new plant created 165 jobs at supplier level, taking the total amount of jobs created by the Quantum plant to well over 400. Training saw Toyota invest R11million to upskill staff for the Quantum Plant.” “With an 80% share of the taxi market in South Africa, it is clear that the local product is the preferred vehicle for transport ing customers to various destina
tions in South Africa. “We are constantly looking for local suppliers to produce the parts and accessories we use for our vehicles. “This is imperative to us as it further stimulates the economy and allows Toyota to collaborate with suppliers to get the right product at the right price with out compromising our promise of quality, durability and reliabili ty,” said Dr van Zyl. TSAM also made a considera ble investment with suppliers to ensure readiness for Ses’fikile R24million was invested with suppliers for development of parts and tooling with a further R71million invested by suppliers to upgrade their facilities” said Dr van Zyl.
V
DR JOHAN VAN ZYL CEO of Toyota Europe and Africa Re gion
We are constantly looking for local suppliers to produce the parts and accessories.
Etolls Many fleet managers struggle with faulty etoll bills. Daylene Damons, fleet manager at the multination al JTI, said the monthly cap of R450 per vehicle is some times exceeded, and Sanral’s “pay now, argue later” princi ple in effect becomes a “pay now, write it off” scenario for the fleet manager. Etags, the electronic de vice which automatically logs the vehicle’s passage through the tollroad gantries, some times don’t work. The vehicle is still billed by the tolling sys tem, but it loses the discount extended to etag users. Shaun de la Peyre, national fleet manager at Lancet Labo ratories, said he received at least five bills per month in which the registration had been misread by the gantries. He finds these “almost im possible to resolve”, despite the fact that a colleague spends at least one day a week at Sanral’s offices. MaryAnn Calvert, fleet manager at Masslift Africa, experiences the same billing problems, and has also found that sometimes vehicles dis posed of through sale on the secondhand market are not recorded/updated on the etolls billing system, and Masslift continues to be billed for the vehicles. Potholes A startling number of fleet managers mention an in crease in their accident rates as a rising challenge, adding potholes as one of the under lying causes. “Pothole damage is be coming more prevalent. Sometimes it can be minor potholes, but the vehicles come back, you inspect them and you realise that they’re damaged,” says Anesh Kas sen, BMW group fleet opera tions manager. Calver from Masslift has had a similar experience. A year or two ago, their insur ance service provider re viewed their premiums down ward because of their low claims ratio. But in recent months she has had to proc ess as many as seven claims. A number of them were caused by potholes, she says. She believes a recent increase in windscreen damage is also related to deteriorating roads. De la Peyre says potholes are “without a doubt” an in creasing problem, especially in outlying areas. Card fraud Fuel card fraud is not at epi demic levels, say fleet manag ers, but it still requires vigi lance. De la Peyre has experi enced garages deliberately ringing up inflated totals. Standard Bank’s transac tion authorisation system has helped, he says. It automati cally declines any transaction that falls outside certain pa rameters, such as filling up more than the tank capacity, or filling up twice within a cer tain time frame. — Supplied.
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
July 2, 2015
KZN karters into the fray A bumpy Vereeniging track will sift out the country’s top drivers in the SA Rotax Max Challenge STUART JOHNSTON KZN’s karters of all ages will race South Africa’s best in the second round of the South African Rotax Max Challenge at Vereeniging on Saturday. These are arguably the prov ince’s best race drivers, as only F1 cars maintain higher speeds around corners and in karting, all the engines are the same, leaving the drivers to trash out a winner using only raw talent and guts. Gearbox class The big news in the topflight Ro tax DD2 Gearbox class is that Benjamin Habig from KZN is making a welcome return after an injury sustained in a school sporting event kept him out of the first round of the SARMC held in Cape Town in April. Habig, son of multiple South African rally champion Jan Ha big, is one of the strong favour ites to take the DD2 title this year after coming ohsoclose in 2014. The karters can count their best results over the fourround championship, effectively drop ping one of the rounds, so Habig is very much in the fight. Habig will have his work cut out to match the talent and speed of current title holder Bradley Liebenberg, who won in Cape Town. But Liebenberg, from Sandton, was in turn pushed hard by yet another motorsport son, namely Cape Town’s Jonathan Aberdein, son of former saloon car champ Chris. These three will have to stay ahead of Eugene Britz (Gauteng), Mitchell Licen (KZN) and Luca Canderle, while Bloemfontein’s Justin Allison is a driver who has been knocking
Cristiano Morgado. PHOTO: FILE Cape drivers to watch include Delano Fowler, Dino Stermin, Ja son Coetzee and Giordano Lupi ni. Daniel Dumini (son of Pro duction Car racer Shaun) is an other KZN driver on the move. Bloemfontein’s Justin Allison has been chasing KZN’s Benjamin Habig (inset) for a win in the DD2 karting championships while Durban’s multiple world champ Cris Morgado (top, right) faces increasing competition in the DD2 Masters class. PHOTO: SUPPLIED on the door of outright victory for some time. Masters class The race is also on among the old timers, with Potchefstroom’s Ronnie Baptista making a come back in the increasingly competi tive DD2 Masters category, dom inated for the past five years by Durban’s Cristiano Morgado. Baptista has showed particu larly good form in regionals at Vereeniging this year, but hus band and wife team Nicholas and
Jennifer Verheul have also shown plenty of speed since their entry into the DD2 Masters division this season. Another name to watch in this category is KZN’s Jonathan Peterse, who qualified for the World Finals some years ago, running in company with Morgado. Maxterino class Among the Maxterino class for karters here aged eight to 13, Kwanda Makoena has been look ing particularly strong this sea
son at Vereeniging. He will ex pect a big fight from Cape Town round winner Aidan Strydom (son of drag racing star of the 1980s Wynand Strydom), and fellow Capetonians likely to fight for honours are Charl Visser, Jo seph Olz, Troy Dolinschek and JP Hamman. KZN’s Tristan Losch and Aquil Alibhal from Gauteng are star drivers out to thwart the Cape challenge in this class. Junior Max In the Junior Max for high
schoolage drivers (ages 1216) a strong entry of 17 karts has been received. Most notable is KZN returnee Clinton Bezuidenhout, who is likely to pick up where he left off in recent years, which is at or close to the front. Delon Thompson is another to watch, as this Gauteng driver has been doing exceptionally well in European Rotax Max champi onship events this season. His sidekick Joshua Dias has also been quick, while from the
Senior Max racers In the Senior Max class the cur rent points leader is Jonathan Aberdien who dominated in Cape Town, but on the bumpy Vereeniging track, which rewards local knowledge he has to stay ahead of the very quick woman driver Fabienne Lanz. Fabienne (daughter of former Saloon champ Peter Lanz) is in top form. Ivana Cetinich is another quick woman to watch out for in Senior Max, as is fellow East Lon don driver Shannon Jackson. Richard Upton from KZN went very well in Cape Town, and another onform driver in this class is Robert Whiting.
Case of beginners’ luck for Ford duo as Desert Race stings old hands JWANENG (Botswana) — Reigning South African champi ons Anthony Taylor and Dennis Murphy gave the Castrol Team Toyota Hilux factory team a Pro duction Vehicle double for the weekend when they won heat two of the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race and round three of the Donaldson Cross Country Championship, which ended here today. Taylor and Murphy, who won both heats last year, cruised in well ahead of secondplaced Gary Bertholdt and Siegfried Rousseau in the Atlas Copco Ford Ranger, who scored the first podium place this season by a privateer team. In the first two races of the sea son and the opening heat this weekend, all the podium places were filled by crews from the fac tory Castrol Team Toyota or Ford Performance teams. Third today were champion ship leaders Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second of the factory Castrol Team Toyota Hi lux entries, who won both the qualifying race to determine grid positions and heat one. Their luck ran out today, however, with a broken brake calliper on the first of two 210kilometre loops that made up today’s race, cost ing them around 20 minutes. Despite being handicapped by threewheel braking during the first loop of the day and a dam aged clutch, which also resulted
As the veterans around them limped home in last weekend’s tough Desert Race, Ford Team’s Desert Race rookies, Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, did not put a wheel wrong in their Neil Woolridge Motorsport Ford Ranger. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
from the broken brake caliper that jammed instantly the wheel of the Hilux, their Hilux ran ex tremely well, and they managed to catch up with some of the slower cars. “We tried our best to haul in the Atlas Copco car on the sec ond loop, but the earlier incident left us with some clutch damage,” said Poulter. “In the end, we had to slow down and settle for third. It was heartbreaking to start the day with a lead, only to lose it in the first five kilometres of the route.” Despite losing his lead, Poulter retains his lead in the Donaldson
CrossCountry Championship, thanks to winning the first day of the Desert Race. Effectively, this has given him three wins from three starts, with Taylor still comfortably in second place. For Taylor/Murphy, however, Poulter and Howie’s trouble opened the door. They passed their stricken teammates just 4 km into Sunday’s first loop, aft er pausing to check if they could assist. “We saw Leeroy and Rob stuck on the route, so we asked if there was anything we could do to help,” said an elated Taylor from the service park in Jwaneng. “They told us to carry on, which
is exactly what we did.” Taylor said he has been a vic tim of the Desert Race sting in the tail in the past. “In this race there are so many little things that can catch you out.” It was also an unhappy week end for the works Ford Perform ance team, with former South Af rican champions Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst the last of the classified finishers, in 14th place overall and ninth in Class T. Teammates Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable, in the sec ond of the Ford Performance Rangers, were forced to retire with a broken transfer case.
But behind the two factory cars and the highly experienced Bertholdt and Rousseau, there was a dream result for the Ford Team’s Desert Race rookies, Ga reth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, in their Neil Woolridge Motor sport Ford Ranger. Woolridge’s father is a three time winner of the Desert Race with the young crew hardly put ting a wheel wrong throughout the day. “The Desert Race is al ways a tough event, but it’s disap pointing to have had such a diffi cult weekend without achieving the results we expected, especial ly after the team put so much ef
fort into the cars before the race,” said Neil Woolridge. “At least we had two of our Fords in the top four, and we’re delighted for Gary and Siegfried, and particularly for Gareth and Boyd, who did a brilliant job to maintain a consistent pace and bring their Ranger home fourth.” A topfive finish was also just reward for Heine Strumpher and Henri Hugo in the 4x4 Mega World Toyota Hilux. They domi nated Class S for vehicles up to four litres with solid axle rear sus pension, with the North West crew revelling in the tight and sandy conditions. Strumpher and Hugo were followed home by three premier Class T crews in Jurgen and Max Schroder (Regent Racing Nissan Navara), Johan van Staden/Mike Lawrenson (Regent Racing Nissan Navara) and the brother/ sister combination of Jacques and Lizelle van Tonder in the Uni Freight Ford Ranger. • The next event on the Donald son championship calendar is the Nkomazi 450 in Malalane on August 7 to 8. — WR.
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