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[duncanoncars]

More than just espresso choc

Opel Mokka review , some news on the industry blah blah blah...

Kicking of with international news:  I am going to offer my arm chair opinion about Bernie Ecclestone’s 40 year reign at the top of F1 and loudly say to Liberty Media who are the new owners, lets make Formula One great again. If that phrase hasn’t been trade marked by someone else already... 

Since the Schumi era, Formula One has been a bit beige. It has lost its connection to the die hard petrol heads as well as the younger fans and I doubt it can sustain itself on the adenoidal anoraks, who which if are not retired are well um not here anymore. What am I on about? Well I used to watch Formula One every Sunday when it was on. I would ride my bicycle to my mates place and make a day of it. I was 13. Im not 13 anymore, rather the numbers have reversed and at this point my youthful excitement has temporarily been rekindled regarding fast car racing because we could see the return of ‘the glory days’ of yesteryear with Liberty Medias recent acquisition of the premier racing championship. Heres hoping!    

Moving on…The BBC reports that Volkswagen have overtaken Toyota as the worlds largest carmaker. Toyota  hailing from Japan if you didn’t know, has topped sales for the past four years, selling 10.175 million vehicles globally in 2016. That fell short of the 10.31 million sales which Germany’s VW reported last week.That comes despite VW's recent scandal over emissions tests cheating, which sparked a global backlash and multiple lawsuits. It seems as though bad publicity is good for business... note each picture in this piece bearing some truth to that... 

In the local market its much the same old players at the top of the log in terms of sales:

Top 5 best selling passenger vehicles in reverse order: 5. Ford fiesta 4.Toyoat etios 3. Toyota Corolla 2. VW Polo 1. VW Polo Vivo

Closer to home, the local markets have regained a smidgen of strength, thanks mostly to the rental and government purchases in January. 

 The market saw a year-on-year increase of 3.7% – the first sales increase in 14 months. However, consumer spend still trends in the low, with dealer sales down 3.6% as reported by Wesbank. For these and more figures, you can log on to Naamsa.co.za   Big thanks to the rental guys, but seriously, stop buying Datsun's and something with more airbags and ABS for that A Mini segment. 

Staying in SA – 6 vehicle models have been canned. These are: -The Aston Martin V8 Vantage -  so thousands of South Africans have been deeply affected by this… er or not. -Ford Grand Tourneo Connect – which I thought was a good value practical people mover, apparently not everyone agreeing with me here   -Renault Clio Blaze & Clio GT line, model derivatives of what is a rather polite mid sized compact hatch -Toyota Corolla Sprinter  and -The VW Touareg V6 ... um who cares? That engine will soon be seen in the new Amorok, coming soon to a showroom near you.

Right so onto my wheels for the week:

The Opel Mokka X which is a recent almost come too soon facelift of the existing Mokka still to be found on dealer floors. So this big little Crossover is something of the taste of marmite for me. Some days I love it, some days absolutely not.

And this boils down to the only signifiant gripe I have with this vehicle. The power, or more specifically, the lack thereof.  The 1.4 Turbo mill which can produce 110 kilowatts and does in the Corsa Sport, only develops 103 kilowatts in the Mokka X. Marry that to a 6 speed manual transmission turning 19 inch wheel and the drive becomes a bit pedestrian.

It is simply not enough go and the vehicle feels sluggish at freeway speeds. Not dangerously so but noticeable. Now you may well think that I am splitting hairs over 7 kilowatts and being rather pedantic but heres the deal:

This New Opel may well be the most refined and premium feeling compact crossover the South African market has seen and is by far the most refined and comfortable one I have driven.

It is loaded with luxury kit from heated leather seats (yes please!) to touch screen sat nav, park distance control and the list goes on and on. In fact I struggle to think of a bell or whistle that the Mokka X does not have packed tightly into its snug but generous interior.

The X has been styled beautifully too, adding those 19s wheels to the already good-looking Mokka I had on test last year.

It is spacious, practical and easy to park. The suspension lulls you comfortably and the interior cocoons you from the cacophony of road noise. Further to this the premium heated leather seats with extended thigh support just reiterates the feell of premium luxury. I adored this premium luxury feel of what was once reserved for the bigger badges in the business.

The pricing seems reasonable to, starting from R317 500 for the entry model and R357 400 for the one on test, the super specced Cosmo.

Auto options are available for around 10 grand more per derivative, which would be my pick as I really enjoyed the auto in the Mokka from last year. So marmite then, I loved it and hated, but ended up loving it more, isn’t that often the case in most heart involved relationships?

That’s it from me today, 

[duncanoncars]

Scandal! Fire!! And Victors partner?

Your local petrol heads take on all things 4 wheels...

A very happy Thursday to you from me, your resident petrol head Duncan McDonald.

So right, whats up with Ford and its recall? If you haven’t heard #Ford #Kugas have been catching a light all by themselves. If you haven’t heard about it in the news maybe you have seen the Nandos spoof ads or the memes on social media. #toosoonnandos  

One death and 48 reported fires. Eleven of those in the past month – the issue appears to be simple enough: insufficient cooling to prevent material warping of the engine’s aluminium cylinder head, which cracks, leaking oil into a very hot engine compartment, resulting rather predictably in a fire.

Ford has issued a recall of the more than 4500 Kugas so if you are driving one right now, it best be to your closest Ford Dealership.

Also in the news VW emissions scandal has progressed to prosecution of a few involved...

The Volkswagen emissions scandal (also known as "emissionsgate" or "dieselgate") erupted on 18 September 2015, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice of violation of the Clean Air Act to German automaker Volkswagen Group after it was found that Volkswagen had intentionally programmed turbocharged direct injection(TDI) diesel engines to activate certain emissions controls only during laboratory emissions testing. The programming caused the vehicles' NOx output to meet US standards during regulatory testing but emit up to 40 times more NOx in real-world driving.[15] Volkswagen deployed this programming in about eleven million cars worldwide, and 500,000 in the United States, during model years 2009 through 2015.

The company agreed to pay $4.3 billion in penalties, the largest fine ever levied by the U.S. government on an auto company. On top of the already $14.7-billion settlement that VW signed, in July, to cover customers’ class-action suits. In addition, six Volkswagen executives have been charged with running a decade-long scheme to rig VW diesel engines with so-called defeat devices. (-wikipedia)

Amazingly enough that has not tarnished the local market sales in any way as VW leads the passenger segment of the local market with its VW Polo and Polo Vivo outselling everything. It is also blistering ahead and gaining market share with a few of its new models, notably the new, VW Tiguan, which I hopefully will have on test soon.

On to some good news: The brand new PEUGEOT 3008DKRs completed the 2017 Dakar Rally’s 9, 000-kilometre run through Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina in the top 3 spots in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This landmark one-two-three result takes PEUGEOT’s score on the Dakar to six outright victories just in time for the launch of the new Peugeot 3008 SUV’s across the world.

Peugeot, still carries a reliability and low resale stigma in the minds of our 'more mature' audience here in SA and I hope this impressive performance goes a long way to remind us saffers that in todays automotive trade, sometimes your brand perception could be a bit off the facts…

5 months away until the 3008’s are launched locally and I am very keen to drive it.

Speaking of what I am keen to drive, I have been in yet another bakkie this past week as I am almost always keen for a bakkie. The bakkie market in SA is alight with new metal, with the soon to be realised Renault Duster Oroch being of most interest to me, and a heated competition for top sales spot with the Hilux this past month trumping the Ford Ranger.

This week I was in the new look Isuzu double cab. If you follow me regularly, you will know I was recently in the extended cab Isuzu which I had high praise for, despite its significant price premium over the relevant other brands offering in the cab and a half space.

This week is slightly different as I wasn’t as impressed as I usually am with the GM offering. The double cab just didn’t live up to the expectation from all my previous drives in an Isuzu.

Firstly, the window winder on the passenger side didn’t work the way it usually does, now I know this sounds like nitpicking and is test vehicle specific, but this seemed to set the tone of the weeks experience for me rather adequately. Let me explain: I needed to transport an office chair from one house to the other and thought sure no problem, this week I have a double cab bakkie, no problem. But when I tried to open the tonneau cover, I found it impossible to remove. Further to this the chair didn’t fit in the back of the cab either, so I ended transporting my new desk chair in the back of Hyundai Atoz… not a good impression and certainly a little embarrassing for the bakkie guy…

It was a similar let down in the ride comfort department. At walking pace speed the double cab seems to rock from side to side or wobble on its suspension. Further to this, the suspension setup is rock hard, worse than the Mazda BT50, almost reminiscent of a Nissan Hardbody from 15 years ago, which is fine if you are loading the Isuzu everyday, but is simply unacceptable for the leisure buyer. Although on the blurb on Isuzu’s website, it does mention that the KB come out with heavy duty Twin-tube Gas Pressurised shock absorbers. It also goes on to mention that you can load over a 1000kg on the back but before you think that is where the compromise comes in, the most comfortable bakkie I’ve driven, the Ford Ranger has the same payload.

I also battled to find the most suitable cruising rpm with the 5 speed manual transmission. Cruising at 120kph in 5th gear the engine revs towards the top of the torque band of 1800-2800 rpm. This leaves you feeling that a 6th gear would have dropped the revs to a more comfy 2000rpm.

The start stop button, is annoying, having to start the bakkie in neutral. Its just an unnecessary faf. The navigation system is certainly not easy to use. I preferred to use my google maps on my phone. There is no mute button on the steering wheel for the media player, so if you need to have a quick conversation with someone for example at the drive through, you need to hold down the volume button. And the seat belt reminder alarm is as gentle on your ears as a room full of crying toddlers. Now before you think I don’t buckle up before I drove off, you’re wrong. The same calamity engulfs you when your passenger unbuckles, even when the vehicle isn’t in motion, for example a farm gate is going to be a noisy affair until he or she’s bum is off the seat.

Anyway those were the attributes I didn’t appreciate , those I did included:

The economy of the 250 D-Teq 100 kilowatt diesel engine is class leading. Manufacturer claims a combined 7.9 litre per 100km for the 4x4 model. This is paired with a massive 80 litre fuel tank.

Safety features include Electronic Stability Control, with elements like Brake Assist, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Anti-lock Braking Systems. The LX model is fitted with six airbags so you and your passengers are safe. And the steering wheel is fitted with easy to use multi function controls and cruise control.

The New look exterior styling is great, leaps ahead from the previous design. But here is the biggy, price comparisons between the big three leave the Isuzu far above what you would expect to pay for an Isuzu 4x4 double cab.

The equivalent Toyota Hilux 4x4 double cab 2.4 GD-6 4X4 SR is priced from R462 500 The Ford Ranger 2.2 TDCI D/cab xl 6 speed manual 4x4 starts from R431 900

And the Isuzu KB 250 D-Teq LE 4x4 comes in at R462 000

And this shows in sales figures: As I mentioned earlier Toyota leading the pack with 3074 units moved in December, Ford selling 2665 of its Rangers and Isuzu managing a distant 3rd of 912 units.

I think if Isuzu sorted out the ergonomic and comfort issues, promoted their bakkie in a different paint option and offered some style packages, and realised that they need to price point their offering more reasonably, they would see a vast improvement in uptake of the new KB double cab.

Its good looking enough to compete, we know it has lasting pedigree and can perform.

Its just expensive and unnecessarily finicky it some areas. Come Isuzu, we are rooting for you.

So do you think I’m totally off base or on point, comment on the Facebook page.

Till next week, happy and safe motoring...

[duncanoncars]

Whats new and a Baleno

Industry Update 2016/17 & Suzuki Baleno review...

My first point of order today comrades, if you are unhappy with your car right now 2017 is your time to change!  With over 80 new vehicle and vehicle derivatives hitting the showroom floors, you are now further spoilt for choice, and with the industry still in a tight spot, dealers out there are hungry for business thus offering some really attractive deals.

So ditch the boring or not suitable anymore and find something to brighten up your commute. Welcome back to you avid followers and if you arrived here by accident just to let you know what you are reading, myself Duncan McDonald is in the drivers seat sharing the low down on all four wheels and a steering wheel...

Right so straight into it today and reiterating what I mentioned moments ago, plenty of fresh metal on the scene this year, we will go through a few of the interesting ones shortly. Then touch on some stats regarding what happened over the festive season in the industry and on the roads with some top safety tips thrown in there, and then conclude with a vehicle review of what I have been driving, the Suzuki Baleno.

Cool so the new stuff, over 80 new vehicles and derivatives here are my top 5 must check out vehicles and todays list is about aesthetics, for the love of beautiful metal:

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport starts us off in our top 5 cool looking cars heading our way, with its futuristic front end.

Next up Renault Duster Oroch- I know an SUV based 3/4 ton bakkie hitting a style list is rather peculiar, but here in SA, we love our bakkies and this is just the best looking one of late.

 Toyota hits our list at number 3. Toyota more sensible than sexy for the most part, defies its usual fair and offers us the C-HR, a sleek and very sexy light SUV Crossover. 

In second place, the Alfa Romeo Gulia – the reimagined 159 looks the business as the new offering in the compact executive segment and thank you Alfa, there is a hot 375kilowatt version coming!

And todays top pretty car fro me is the  Alfa Romeo Stelvio- Alfas first attempt at an SUV/compact cross over and boy does it look good!

Any other notable mentions I may have missed out or my list differs to yours? Message me on the Facebook page and lets compare notes.

So what happened whilst we were on holiday in the car trade in SA?

Well not much to honest, a further drop of 15.3% was recorded in December 2016 year on year. The usual players held the top spots in the passenger segment with the VW Polo Vivo regaining the top spot of its more mature brother the Polo. Notable mentions the BMW 3 series rejoined the top 10 best sellers in 6th place and the newbie Renault Kwid placed at 7th. This concerns me though, many South Africans choosing to buy a new vehicle with no ABS and optional 1 airbag in a country where on average 40 deaths per day occur on the roads… hmmm. Im not knocking Renault or the Kwid here, Im merely just saying that there are safer options in the bottom end of our market, perhaps consider a pre owned vehicle? Just my two cents worth.

Moving on, Opel sold 23 of the recently released Opel Mokka X, one of the cars I am very keen to have on test and finally the Honda BR-V moving rather well as Honda’s most sold vehicle last month.

And finally in the hotly contested King of the Bakkie segment Toyota regained top spot from the Ford Ranger a whopping 409 units, very closely contested space. Interesting to note that the top 2 selling Bakkies far out sell the top selling passenger cars which just goes to show how much we love our bakkies.

That was the good news, unfortunately here is some bad news

According to the transport minister, Dipuo Peters, the festive season saw 1714 people killed on our roads in SA.

The minister said there had been an increase of more than 250 000 vehicles on the roads. She said the combination of back-to-back long weekends‚ rain and irresponsible driving was to blame for the high number of road fatalities‚ with 75% of those killed being men. I feel that these stats are almost entirely avoidable with driver error being the main cause. Now before we place all our hope in self driving cars, we have a few years to wait before we are there, so lets best just pull up our socks for the time being. To further help,  I have compiled 3 easy non negotiable top tips for driving safety that we can adopt and also share with our friends and family.  I have even given them a fun flight theme to make them easier to remember:

Top Safety Non negotiable one:

Pledge and hold yourself accountable to a zero alcohol policy. Pilots don’t drink, only passengers. When you plan a night out, you commit to not go out unless there is a designated driver or the Uber has been booked. Hold your mates accountable to this one to. Perhaps make it a challenge to see who can rack up the most frequent flyer miles free Uber rides

Top Saftey Non negotiable two: Buckle up and switch your cellphone to flight mode. With distracted driving causing a significant amount of crashes out there, just put your phone on flight mode before you take off switch back on when you land at your destination.

And 

Finally Top Safety Non negotiable three: Equipment flight check at regular intervals: do the walk around and check your tires every time you take off. When refuelling check the tyre pressure Schedule your maintenance services for the year ahead now. You don’t want your equipment to fail whilst in the air.

Cool so now on to my wheels for the week: 

The Suzuki Baleno

What is it, well if you live under a rock Suzuki is well known Japanese brand which has been fielding cars to  SA motorists for ages, Most noted historically in the 80’s for the indomitable SJ and very Mitch Buchanan Vitara convertible, if you don���t understand the references ask your parents. The Baleno is their new medium hatch sedan offering, complementing the current range which includes the Swift and Ciaz. You will be forgiven for not knowing about the different offerings, as Suzuki has seemed to let them fly largely under the radar. Which quite frankly I am surprised at because they are really good offerings. In the staunch VW and Toyota or nothing medium segment, I’m talking Polos and Etios, I think Suzuki should be shouting just a little louder about their products. The good news for you is that if you are reading this review, you can consider yourself now more informed than the next bloke.

“The Baleno is a splendid vehicle, mixing a sweet blend of all the creature comforts, bells and whistles and good to haves in to one very affordable package...”

What am I on about?  Well the Baleno is very comfortable, has plenty of interior, claimed class leading space, ergonomically friendly interior, all feeling premium. Its super economical, with me managing most of the time to hit 6.7 litres per 100km. Couple this with cruise control, a relatively easy multimedia system and priced between R199 900 to R244 900, this suddenly makes a lot rands and er sense. Its good looking too, very actually, when compared to the rather beige alternatives with the likes of the Polo and Etios. Its almost cool, but easy there, not quite just yet. Its still a car built on a budget and thus then by definition cannot qualify to by cool in my books. If I am looking for niggles, the amount of wind noise at freeway speeds is more than a Polo sedan. And you will feel cross winds in it a little more to. But as for the rest of the drive, sublime. In town, a doddle to drive, on the open road comfy and gets on with it, if you do not try to rush the 68 kilowatt 1.4. Has a nice little growl from the 4 cylinder around 4000rpm, hints to you that its time to change up, you are out of economy mode. Decent boot space too. So the Baleno I must say really impressed me and if you can shift your paradigm away from the big two, affordable medium size compact hatch sedan brands, I think you will enjoy this quirky alternative.

So that’s it from me today, Duncan McDonald, feel free to connect with me on the Facebook page Duncanoncars, Next week we will chat about the New Isuzu KB double cab, until then Happy and Safe Motoring…

[duncanoncars]

Quality imports have arrived...

Introducing the JMC Landwind 

So it is the beginning of a new year, I hope it will be prosperous and successful one for you. As for me, I will be firmly planted behind the drivers seat, keeping you informed on all things 4 wheels and a steering wheel.

 2017 promises to be an eventful year in the South African motoring landscape with around 80 new vehicles and derivatives coming to market. We won’t touch on all 80 but I would like to highlight a few, after that I want to tell you about the car I have been driving, the JMC Landwind.

Right, so straight to it, looking ahead 2017 appears to be a Charlie and the Chocolate factory experience for South Africans buying new cars. It feels to me as if the Oompalommpahs have been hard at work and now we have to choose our chocolate even more carefully with an even wider variety. We each have our different tastes and there is certainly something for almost everyone, ranging from new compact hatches to mini double cabs.  The interesting new cars for me and the ones I suggest you keep in mind are as follows:

1. The Alfa Romeo Guilia. Of late, Alfa has been neither here nor there in SA and I am quite keen to see what their new models offer us. The Guilia is the all new 4 door sedan and the range of models coming our way include a hot sport version producing 375 Kilowatts.

2. Also in the Alfa stable a new compact SUV / Crossover named the Stelvio makes its way from Italy, which from the pictures Ive seen certainly looks the business and who wouldn't want to stand out from the all new hipster cool SUV crowd with an Alfa?  

3. Moving on, the long awaited Mitsubishi Pajero Sport enters the fray taking on the likes of the Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner. I found the previous Pajero Sport to be relatively underrated compared to its rivals and I hope the new one is just as good and even better received than before.

4. And then lastly, another vehicle to be mindful of coming next year is the Renault Duster Oroch. As the name suggests, it is based on the current Duster, which is a popular 4 door compact SUV, the Oroch is a mini double cab bakkie. Slotting in between the half ton and the one tonne bakkie segments yet offering 4 doors and 4 seats. I think if it is priced well, this will be a new hero for us here in SA. I can’t wait to test it and offer you the low down.

So the those are some of the new vehicles we will see in 2017, now on to what I have been driving:

The JMC Landwind 

Now the resounding “huh” or “what” or “excuse me, come again” that you are probably asking right now is not unfamiliar nor isolated.  Often whilst I had the vehicle on test I was met with many more questions from passers by than usual, revealing that this vehicle is relatively unknown. Also unknown to myself up until recently.

The other day I read the badge on a vehicle I couldn’t place whilst driving, put the name to memory and at my next stop did the google thing. I was intrigued surprised that a vehicle on the road had slipped my knowledge and secondly it seemed very interesting from its online blurb. I was keen to find out more and rang up the JMC guys to find out when next they could have me behind the wheel and a few days later I was seated in the drivers seat of what I found to be a surprisingly good SUV. So what is it? It is a Chinese manufactured 5 door SUV. Now before we go any further, lets address what I perceive as a misnomer around Chinese imported vehicles to SA. 

Chinese vehicles have been on the SA market for sometime now and yes, when certain other brands hit the market they were certainly not what we were used to and some were certainly sub par with regards to build quality and after sales service. The dust has since settled, the duds have vanished and the quality imports from China are here to stay. And further to that, perhaps even be the solution to our ever upward soaring vehicle prices?

JMC, or Jiangling Motors CO in full, has been manufacturing commercial and light commercial vehicles in China since 1947. They have a market leading pedigree that side of the pond and have now put out an SUV that stands with the rest of what is available internationally.

The Landwind I found it to be a most pleasant and adequate SUV. It has plenty of space, a comfortable drive and a punchy 2 litre turbo motor, pushing out 140 kilowatts, whilst delivering acceptable fuel economy. Its good looking too. Externally reminiscent of a Subaru Forester cross Mitsubishi Outlander. Same interior space as the others mentioned, if not more than the latter. It reminds me a little of the Toyota Yaris inside, spartan but functional.

It has all the bells and whistles of what you have come to expect of a modern car, power steering, electric windows, radio CD etc. It doesn’t disappoint if you are used to a basic no frills no fuss in car experience. The drive experience is much the same, it performs well and the turbo announces its presence around 2500rpm and glides you progressively forward until its time to change gear.

The Landwind has a host of safety features one might not expect on a Chinese vehicle of old but let me remind you, this is the new generation, deemed to be safe and reliable so driver and passenger airbags are standard as well as ABS.

And this is where we follow on to the most definitive attribute of the JMC Landwind and what caught my eye from the day I read the blurb, the value offering:

-5 doors, elevated right height, safety and comfort features, combined with a punchy 2 litre turbo mill, all for the price of usually R289 880! Even further to this its current promotional pricing details it at R249 880 or a finance deal from R4336 per month.

That sounds like incredible value. Other vehicles in this price range include: Ford Fiesta 5 door diesel Hyundai i20 1.4 Kia Rio Hatch   SUV Crossovers comparing in price: Ford Ecosport petrol Renault Captur 66 kilowatt Suzuki Jimny

Other SUV Crossovers offering the same equipment: Honda BR V @ R272 900 (although offering similar value, substantially down on power when compared to the Landwind: 88 vs 140Kw) Mazda cx 3 2.0 @ R303 100 Kia Sportage 2.0 ignite @R369 995

The Landwind comes standard with a 5 year / 100 000 service plan and those customers here in Nelson Mandela will be serviced by some friendly folk from Humansdorp.

So my parting thoughts, I enjoyed what the Landwind has to offer and I think those who are buying with a budget in mind will be doing themselves an injustice should they not consider this one.

Further to that, this pokey petrol head predicts a steep incline in sales of quality Chinese vehicles in SA over the next 3-5 years. And I also think that they may be one of the solutions to the ever increasing cost of vehicle ownership in SA.

That’s it from me today,

Till next time, happy and safe motoring.

[duncanoncars]

Isuzu KB Extended Cab

This week is another exciting week for me. It is an opportunity to review another product offering from the GM stable and also offer you some feedback on the past month in the industry. Further to this, over the past two weeks we have been intentional about discussing safe motoring and this week is no different, we will touch on another 3 brief points to be mindful of. So welcome to today’s Car Argument with me Duncan McDonald.

Right so first up, an industry update:   Big international news but perhaps not so new, the 3 presenters of TopGear, the worlds largest motoring show, with over a quarter of a billion viewers, have migrated to their new show, aptly entitled The Grand Tour. Jeremy James and Richard have began their journey around the world hosting a new motoring program which promises to be just as entertaining as the original TopGear. The first few episodes are out and are definitely a must watch.

Local news:   The NAAMSA figures are in and the big shake up, at least from the reports in the media, is the bakkie segment where the Ford Ranger pipped the Toyota Hilux for first place in number of sales, er again... And when I say euphemistically pipped, I really mean beat down with a Bakkies Botha blind side tackle. The Ranger selling 3680 as compared to the once almighty Hilux at 2492 units. Speaking of bakkies, we will be addressing another new vehicle on the market, the New look 2016 Isuzu, specifically the KB300 extended cab which I have been driving.

Back to the figures: Top passenger vehicle sales in 3rd spot the Corolla Quest, 2nd the VW Vivo and in top for another consecutive month the VW Polo.  Coincidentally the same vehicles Jeremy Clarkson highlights as the vehicles most stolen in SA, him saying this in the second episode of their new show the Grand Tour, which if you haven’t seen yet you need to. Other notable activity this month, Peugeot South Africa have announced a new strategy for the next 5 years in the SA market. They announced a brand relaunch as well as 3 new vehicles, of which 2 will be SUV’s.

So that’s the industry in brief, for further info you can log on to Naamsa.co.za 

So as this is a Car conversation, best we talk about the vehicle I have been driving, the updated Isuzu KB300 extended cab. 

Extended cab means that the bakkie seats two passengers but also has a large storage space behind the seats that is accessed by two additional suicide or front facing opening doors. After driving this for a week I realised the benefits of this design and can see the appeal reaching further than just for farmers or business owners looking for the tax benefits. The appeal now is stealing into the leisure scene where I see the active lifestyle peeps are choosing to clad their bakkie with their motorbikes, bikes kayaks and surfboards. How does the Isuzu offering fair?

Well the updated look certainly is a vast improvement, the external aesthetics are now up there with the relevant local competition, and I would say better looking than most. The Isuzu now has what it lacked previously, presence. With its legendary reliability coupled with this new look, it is bound to be a player in the bakkie segment in 2017.  It may still feel like the “werkseasel” of old but is that such a bad thing? I enjoy the diesel purr and the feel that I can take it on any road, gravel or grass track. And I did. I took the path less traveled and the Isuzu, in 4 wheel drive mode, dealt with it superbly.  Ground clearance and low gearing, coupled to all terrain tyres offer you a confident footing on the most challenging gravel paths and off road adventures.

The vital stats: The Isuzu KB extended Cab is priced from R377, 400 compared to the Ford Ranger Super Cab starts at R265 900 – that’s a staggering R100 000 price difference, but note the Ranger base model comes out with no airbags, ABS or aircon. To add this is an additional R13 000, so still a vast difference in pricing.  

Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab starts from R354 800 Some R60 000 more than the Ford but 20 grand less than the Isuzu.

Apples of apples the vehicle on Test vs relevant competition: 

KB 300 4x4 LX manual priced at R474, 400

Ranger 3.2 4x4 manual R462 900  

Hilux 2.8 GD-6 4x4 Raider Manual R492 900

So consider the pricing differences per model if you are considering alternatives.

The Isuzu is well equipped and offers a good value package for a large brand competitor. 3 litre 4 cylinder diesel motor delivering 130 kilowatts and 380 newton metres of torque is under the bonnet. And the manufacturer claims fuel consumption is 10.1 litres per hundred. Offered with a 5 year / 120 000 warranty And 5 year 90 000 service plan.

I enjoyed the extended cab Isuzu and I think you would too.

Safety this season, over the past 2 weeks we have been intentional about discussing safety, this week is no different. Last week we spoke about driver safety, this week I want to talk briefly about being a good passenger and pedestrian, noting that more of the aforementioned are killed in crashes than drivers. 40 deaths per day on our roads in SA and this increases over the festive season. So todays top tips: Top tip number 1 Do not get into a vehicle with a drunk driver or someone you know who is likely to take a call or text whilst driving. To do this you need to think ahead to avoid a potentially offensive or embarrasing situation. But this one seemingly insignificant decision, will save someones life this season. Top tip number 2: Do not be a distraction to the driver. You wouldn't barge into the cockpit of an aircraft whilst in mid flight and start an argument with the pilot right? Likewise leave the serious talk for the destination. Top tip number 3: Pedestrians – think for the drivers whilst crossing a a road or  intersection, realise that some drivers may not see you and thus you need to take appropriate action, do not assume at anytime that you have right of way and simply walk. Look out and be mindful.

And that’s it today from me Duncan McDonald, be sure to follow me on Facebook at DuncanonCars. 

At the time of writing and recording this weeks vehicle review, it is two weeks to Christmas, for some a wonderful time of the year, for others a not so great time. My sentiments to both parties is I pray that you have a wonderful, restful time of the year filled with joy and  peace. Further to this happy and safe motoring...

[duncanoncars]

Chevrolet Trailblazer Z71

7 seats, space and refinement...

So this week on we shall combine my love for cars with the need to be mindful of our motoring safety over the festive season. What that means is we shall review the Chevrolet Trailblazer Z71 special edition and chat about 3 simple safety tips we can do right now, that could save our lives.

First up, the Chevrolet Trailblazer Z71 is a large 7 seater SUV, purposely designed to be as capable off road, as it is present and comfortable on road. I am distinctly impressed with the versatility and cross over performance of this particular vehicle.

Off the beaten track, the ground clearance and large wheels offer a confident grip on the loose gravel of the Zuurberg Mountain pass, which was where we decided to put the Z71 through its paces. It is however designed to be far more capable of just a gravel road, fitted with 4 wheel drive and further to that low range. But I assume for the most part this well equipped SUV will be driven mostly on tar and gravel roads, seldom finding itself in the really tough stuff. The reason for this is quite simple. The Z71 is different to the standard 2.8 Common Rail Diesel Trailblazer offering, only in aesthetics with a few interior stitched decals on the seats, and the black dual stripe bonnet stickers adding an aggressive flair to an already imposing presence of this motoring behemoth. The wheel size is the deciding factor or give away here, upped from 17 inches to Black coated 18’s. And as I have come to find out, your better option when the going gets tough, is to have more rubber and a little less wheel. So the peeps purchasing this one have a form over function approach.

More than just the styling the Trailblazer is very well equipped. The Bluetooth infused media centre which is easy to operate dominates the look of the cockpit. Other interior luxuries include rear passenger operated climate control, ergonomically designed multifunction steering wheel and leather seats, the drivers seat electrically operated. To liken this updated Offroad machine to camping, this is definitely more “glamping" than spartan camp sites. Possibly a luxury tented camp as compared to a pitch your own SUV of the past.

Its packed with safety features to. The ones that didn’t feature for me: the Forward Collision Alert that frights you whenever there is a car travelling slower than you and you are currently still on the accelerator. Im worried about your driving if you need this feature. Lane Departure Warning seams a little unnecessary too. Im from that school of thought that believes when driving a car, you should be aware and cognoscente of your surroundings and vehicles proportions. But maybe these safety features work for you.    

The ones that did feature for me: 6 airbags and an ANCAP 5 star rating – so its tested and proven to be a safe vehicle by the independent experts . It also has Side Blind Zone alert. This is a little yellow light in your side mirrors that flashes whenever something is in your blindspot. I found it very helpful to remind me that there may be a cyclist off to my left so before I turn or change lanes make sure its clear to do so. Also helps a lot with vehicles over taking on the right. For example when on the open road behind a slower truck and you are focussing on the road ahead and oncoming traffic, the situation presents itself to overtake safely. You check your rearview and all is clear. Then the little yellow light in the mirror flashes and the side blind spot alert alerts you to a dangerous inconsiderate road user overtaking you, the 3 cars behind you and the truck without regard for the other road users… those people..hmmm… don’t be like that.

I digress, back to the Trailblazer – So wrapping up this vehicle with the vital statistics: pricing starts at R464 000 for the base model which sounds like a lot of money but these days that is what cars cost. For example, that’s the same price as a new Audi A3 1.8 TFSI auto or BMW 120d 5 door. So a 7 seater high riding family SUV or hatchback with a badge? Your choice. The Z71 comes in at R623 200 and all Trailblazers come standard with a 5 year 120 000 Warranty To speak of the relative competition, vehicles offering similar attributes are the: Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD –6 4x4 Auto R614 800 and the Ford Everest 3.2 limited R698 900

So the final thoughts on the Trailblazer, if you need a large capable vehicle this is definitely one to consider. I enjoyed my time with it immensely, on the road in daily traffic, the auto box and immense power is great, on the open road it cruises beautifully, and on the gravel it handles its size well and it looks cool whilst doing it. Job done Chevrolet  

Right, 3 safety tips for the season before we end off todays Car Argument : Last week we spoke about some of the SA road crash stats. Just a quick recap: In SA we have on average 40 road deaths per day. Small motor vehicles account for just under half of these at 47.9% which was interesting considering when I a few people what they thought was the predominant type of vehicle contributed the most to crashes they said trucks and taxis. So a bit of a perception challenge there. Passengers, pedestrians and then drivers accounted for the most deaths respectively. We also spoke at length last week about distracted and drunk driving as well as dangerous over taking. Today’s top 3 safety tips are for the driver: Tyres: The rubber which keeps you in contact with the tarmac is vital to the safe operation of your vehicle. SO Walk around and inspect your tyres every time you get into your car.  Make sure they pumped up and more to that every time you are at the pumps, make sure that your tyres are correctly and equally inflated according to the manufacturer specification   Brakes: Have your brakes checked regularly. Its free at Hi Q Walmer park or R80 at Best drive on the William Moffat in PE. Lastly have your shocks checked too. That’s it from me today, Duncan McDonald, thanks for reading and be sure to tune in again or follow duncanoncars on Facebook or Tumblr 

Till then, 

happy and safe motoring...

[duncanoncars]

Lets just be safe!

3 tips and some stats on how and why to be safer this season...

So this week I want to take a break from our usual weekly reviews and shootouts and chat about something a little less glamorous but perhaps more important… you, and more specifically, your safety.

The silly season is close upon us and we as South Africans love to travel. We pack up our families and luggage, fill the car up and venture to our favourite holiday destinations. Its all very exciting and always something most of us look forward to.

A sad reality is that many of us don’t make it to our destinations. Now before your tune the dial away, motoring safety is something that we as a nation need to be more cognisant of and treat with more intention than we have before. Why you may ask? Well here are some fast facts:

"Every day, 3200 people are killed on roads around the world, most of these being in low and middle income countries, with South Africa contributing around 40 deaths per day and 15 000 annually. The country’s mortality rate per 100 000 citizens is one of the worst in the world and the largest unnatural killer of children in South Africa today is road crashes." - NATIONAL ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY 2011-2020

https://www.arrivealive.co.za/documents/road%20safety%20strategy%20for%20south%20africa%202011.pdf

According to the South African department of Transport:

"Between 1 December and January 11 2015, (we had) 1387 fatal crashes (here in SA)

With the highest figures coming from, yip you guest it, the Eastern Cape 17.1%.

Small motor vehicles accounted for 47.9% of total crashes during this season, followed by light delivery vehicles at 22.7%, minibuses or combis at 10.1% and trucks contributed 4.8%. The majority of people who died were passengers at 38.3%, followed by pedestrians at 34.9%. Drivers contributed 23.9% of the fatalities and cyclists 2.8%. The age group most affected for drivers as well as passengers and pedestrians between 25 to 39 years accounting for about 47,9% for drivers, passengers 38.5% and pedestrians 34,3% of the fatalities respectively.

"The International Transport Forum’s (ITF) ranked South Africa the worst, out of 36 others, when it came to the number of road fatalities."

Read more: http://buzzsouthafrica.com/see-video-top-5-most-terrific-road-accidents-in-south-africa/

So what can we do about it?

Well, there are a few actions we can implement into our daily lives, and over the next three Thursdays, we will pick up on what we can do as motorists, and pedestrians.

So today we will chat about 3 things we can do to assist in combating road accidents and deaths.

Firstly,  a few misnomers: According to arrive alive, up to 90% of the factors contributing to road accidents are human factors. Other factors include vehicle 5-20%, and road factors between 5-10%. So before we go blaming the equipment lets take an honest look at ourselves. Now the challenge of prescribing some easy do’s and don’ts is that they are just that, easy. They seem too simple and as such we are inclined, at least here in SA to ignore them.

So without no further a-due, here they are:

1. Well you knew it was coming – your cellphone. More to the point distracted driving is the first and easiest change of behaviour we can adopt to mitigate the chance of causing or being victims of accidents. Netcare general manager, Mande Toubkin, adds: “The impairments associated with drunken driving and texting while driving have much in common, and both are illegal in South Africa as well as exceedingly perilous activities.

“It is not possible at present to establish how many motor vehicle crashes in South Africa may be related to distracted driving, which may include using a mobile phone or other technologies while on the road.

"We certainly have many patients who are admitted to Netcare’s emergency departments who report that their vehicle accidents were related to one or other form of diversion while they were at the wheel."

Further research from the National Safety Council of the USA indicates that contrary to popular belief, we (ladies included) cannot in-fact multitask. “Activity in the parietal lobe, the area of the brain that processes movement of visual images is important for driving, and decreases by as much as 37% when listening to language or talking on the phone.” http://www.nsc.org/pages/home.aspx

So top tip number one- flight mode – you would probably want the pilot of the aeroplane you were a passenger on, to switch his phone off, just as the flight attendants tell you to turn off your mobile device, likewise, you as the pilot of your vehicle should not take calls, and certainly not text whilst driving…ever. So whether its a trip to the shops, just let it ring and return the call or message at your destination. Better yet, on longer journeys turn your phone on flight mode or Do Not Disturb mode if you are using the GPS. And then return your messages and calls at a mandatory 2 hour bathroom/fuel break.

2. Drunk driving – So I know that this has been hammered into us, justifiably so by campaigns such as Arrive Alive, ” But the sad reality is that we, South Africans, tend to ignore these. So what can we do, well lets leave the awkward one, but lets leave the whole confront the guy or girl who has had too much to drink just focus on self. If you are attending a year end function or event or party where there will be the possibility of you drinking, start being in the habit of pre-booking your Uber or Good fellas.

3. So the two above, being distracted or inebriated are applicable for every day driving, the next top tip I want to touch on is perhaps more focused for out of town and freeway driving – that is the activity of over taking.

Now this is bit of sensitive one, as someone who reviews cars and does a lot of out of town driving, I have noticed that, in general, here in the Eastern Cape, we are not good with this idea. I have seen motorists often either mistime or misjudge there over taking of a slower vehicle. So here are 3 easy tips to adopt when the need for overtaking arrises:

A. Step One: Just don’t. If at all you feel uncertain or unsure, err on the side of caution. This may seem very simple, but simply waiting for a better opportunity can save you, and your families lives.  

B. Step Two: Don’t be rushed. Plan your trip and leave early. Do not put yourself in a situation where you feel hurried, nor let other motorists rush you. If you are not comfortable over taking the vehicle ahead, simply extend your following distance to allow other vehicles to safely over take you.

C. Finally, step Three: Know the capability of your vehicle. If you have a smaller engined car or a heavy laden vehicle, your ability to accelerate past the other vehicle safely , as well as change lanes, should be well known to you before you attempt to essentially put two fast moving objects in close proximity to one another.

So that wraps up this weeks banter on all things motoring, be sure to tune in next week with me Duncan McDonald for more on safety this festive season, if you have any queries or comments, please make contact via email at duncan@upstream-media.co.za , I look forward to hearing from you, until then

Happy and safe motoring

[duncanoncars]

Industry update Oct/Nov 2016

And I review the new Chevrolet Trailblazer...

So that monthly stats are in

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) show total industry sales of 48 745 new vehicles – a year-on-year decline of 10.1%. Year-to-date, the industry is down 11.2%, with sales of 459 486 new vehicles, compared to 517 152 new vehicles sold for the same period last year.

Interesting to note, sales to rental and fleet companies grew 31.6%, year-on-year, with total sales of 7 042 vehicles. Year-to-date, the rental market has grown 20.5%.

Affordability remains the main influencing factor for the decline in new vehicle sales and the migration to used. New car prices have increased above CPI rates, based on the Rand’s weakness over the last two years and so consumers are finding better value in the used market.

Top 3 passenger vehicle sold this month past :

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 701 2. Volkswagen Polo – 2 458 3. Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest – 1 968

Top bakkie sales in October:

1. Ford Ranger – 2 964 2. Toyota Hilux – 2 781 3. Nissan NP200 – 1 175

Just goes to show how much of a bakkie buying nation we are.

For more info on the motor industry, log on to naamsa.co.za

3 New vehicles arriving on our shores soon that seem of interest to me: Just released the new Suzuki Baleno is on showroom floors. It has some stiff opposition as it goes up  against South Africas beloved VW Polo and other strong sellers. I can’t wait to have it on test and see if its up to the challenge.

Pricing starts from 199 900 to 244 900 which sound very reasonble for what this newcomer has on offer. Also coming our way soon, probably in the 4th quarter of next year is the 3l Amarok, I was bundi bashing in the current model and was blown away by its capabilities and its unique safety features.

And then staying with bakkies, Mercedes-Benz has revealed that they are building a double cab, that’s definitely going to be something.

So that’s a wrap of what happening around us, now onto what I have been driving.

The Cheverlot TRAILBLAZER has been around for a while and its refreshed offering is sublime. It has been slightly restyled on the exterior but the interior update is a vast improvement.

Just to be clear, perhaps for those who do not know, the Trailblazer is a 7 seater SUV with proper 4x4 capabilities. Industry rivals would include the new Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner.

The Trailblazer is great, if you need space and are often on the road less traveled. It has plenty of space for 5 and a huge boot or for 7 and  some space for luggage. 2 diesel engine choices to choose from, both offered in 4x4 or 4x2.

A 2.5 delivering 120 kilowatss and 380 nm of torque and the 2.8 delivering 144 kilowatss and 500 nm of torque. What does that mean, you have a bigger engined vehicle that would be better suited to towing a caravan or boat.

There is a kitted out top of the range 2.8 Z71 version with lots bling and looks really good.

The spec I had on test was the 2.5 4x4. The ride height offers you plenty of security on off road and bad gravel, but is comfortable on the  open road and around town. The auto box is mated well to the engine and takes care of changes without worrying or disturbing you at all.

If I have any criticism of the Trailblazer is that the diesel engine sound does permeate into the cabin a little when accelerating. For auditory sensitive folks like myself that can be a but noticeable.  

Pricing starts from R464 000 and is offered with a 5 year 120 000km warranty

Wrapping up today, if you have queries or comments, or simply wish to connect with me, you can mail me at duncan@upstream-media.co.za I look forward to any feedback or if you have a specific vehicle you want me to review, please make contact, I look forward to hearing from you.

Till next week, happy and safe motoring…

[duncanoncars]

Best of the Bakkies Shootout 2016

We pipped the Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Isuzu & VW double cabs against one another...

Listen to the review here:

[duncanoncars]

“Cruz-ing” on the PM Cruz

“American” is not a bad connotation... 

Initial thoughts

Comfortable, very comfortable...easy to live with and currently on special! 

The Drive

The Chevrolet Cruise 1.4Turbo Automatic, was my wheels this past week. The 6 speed Manual variant Roland’s designated car too.  So I will let him contribute a little too.

I found the auto just chuffing sublime. It just did the daily commute perfectly. No fuss, no hassle, just a comfortable, solid ride. A must mention is the drivers seat, which I found supremely good.

The new generation engines add to the driving experience, but I rarely ventured further than 5000rpm as there simply wasn't any need to. The 1.4 Litre Turbo, delivers 103 kilowatts of power, and most of the torque is low down the rev range so no need to push it.

The Looks 

Roland mentioned how he enjoyed the day time running lights. I didn't to be honest. What I did notice though was that the new Chevrolet styling which I first saw in the movie Transformers, fits well on the face of the Cruz.

The Interior 

This is where the Cruz shines. The interior is bang up to date. Steering wheel with controls is not cluttered but rather sleek. BlueTooth is fathomable...which is a good thing. And the big win with the Cruz sedan is that is has boot space for days!

      The Value

Claimed fuel consumption is 5.8L/100km for the manual and 6.8L/100km. I did manage around 7L/100km in the auto.

Starts at R230 400-00

Closing thoughts

Practical, affordable, does “being a car” really well.

[duncanoncars]

Adam...

The Opel Adam is small in stature but big on personality.

Initial thoughts

Fun, funky & trendy city car...

The looks

The Opel Adam is the most modern city car available right now. Meant for the young at heart, the design style is menacing yet elegant.

It has interchangeable exterior panels that allows you to personalise it even before you drive it off the showroom floor... much like an iPhone cover... and the ladies are loving that.

The sleek lines make the Adam stand out, the posture of the vehicle is aggressive and leaves you with the impression of the vehicle wanting to move...

The features

Optional 7 inch intelli ‘what what’ screen with touch screen is a nice to have. The multiple connective options ensure your music is always playing from whatever device you have.

I specifically like the “centre console box” which seems to fit your phone, iPod, gym gloves and sunglasses perfectly. Well thought out Opel.

The other up to date feature is the ability to customise your Adam... Exterior panel colour choices, 3 model variants and plenty of options ensures your Adam is unique.

The interior

Is very comfy for the 2 peeps up front. The back seats are suitable for two persons of average height ;)

The boot meets my standard minimum requirement: a 23kg suitcase, which fits perfectly.

The drive

This is where the Adam shines.. 

A city car must be fun to drive and economical, at least in my opinion.

And this is what the Adam does well. The punchy 3 cylinder turbo makes light of most hills and over taking is a doddle. The steering is light and honestly doesn't need a “city” easy steering option to assist you when parking.

The fuel bill is corrupt.

 These 3 Cylinder 1 Litre Turbo Ecoflex motors from Opel are the popes robes..   And I will continue to preach about them until there is something better, but at the moment... they are unbeatable..

Delivering 85 kilowatts of power, 166 Nm of Torque, AND offering you a combined consumption figure of 5.1L/100km!  

The value

Look, the Adam is not a cheap car. It has premium finishes that you would expect from some luxury sedans such as electronic climate control on the Glam model. The built quality seems right up there too. 

So if you are looking for a smart, trendy, city slicker vehicle with low running costs, its hard to find strong competition for the Adam...

Prices start at  R189 900 for the entry level Adam with the 1.4 litre motor mated with a 5 speed gearbox. If you are sold on the car but are on a tight budget that would be the one to have. But I would definitely opt for the Glam with various options, but mainly for the 6 speed box and 1.0 Litre motor.  Thats the real highlight of this vehicle in my opinion.

Closing thoughts

The new Germans are all great and the Adam is one of them!

[duncanoncars]

Trailblazer

Chevrolet’s Trailblazer may not be brand new, but its still a great option for SA

Initial thoughts: BIG, BIG BIG 

The exterior

The Chevrolet Trailblazer leaves an impression on other drivers and pedestrians, one of gargantuan proportions. Just walk around one to see what I mean.

 However, this does not translate negatively in the eyes of the driver. Once behind the wheel, there is nothing intimidating about the size. The steering is easy for a larger vehicle, reversing a doddle, assisted by the reverse camera.

The diesel power plant

The 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine with 4 cylinders and 16 valves delivers 144 KW and 500 Nm torque at 2,000 rpm. This engine employs the direct injection system, Variable Geometry Turbo and an intercooler to boost torque at low revolutions. 

Good fuel efficiency too, claimed figures 8L/100km whilst I achieved a very reasonable 10L/100km. 

The drive

This translates into an easy, efficient drive. Speaking of, whilst on test, one of my copilots hazarded a comedic response to my sprightly driving style... he mentioned that he would have enjoyed the option of seat-belts for his luggage. 500 Nm of torque does assist when towing, climbing hills and apparently driving like a looney.

The smooth automatic gear box works well in normal road driving. 

I recently drove to Kirkwood and the TrailBlazer handled the “b” type road with ease. It communicated the road surface but was in no way uncomfortable.

But this vehicle is not meant solely for the road, so I put it through a ‘light’ off- road test to examine the limits of the 2 wheel selected option and then the 4x4 mode.

Needless to say, the purpose built TRAILBLAZER handled the off-road track effortlessly.  

The interior

At no point whilst I had the Trailblazer did I ever feel a lack of space.

7 seats, ample luggage space. Bag up to date interior too. Comfy place to be.

6 airbags added to the mix for safety add a reassuring. 

Price point

Starting from R 434,900

Parting thoughts:

Great for the family, 4x4ing and very useful for the daily commute if you need the space. 

[duncanoncars]

Car Argument

German conquest imminent?

So I tick another vehicle off my list of impressive new offerings from Opel... welcome then to the...

Opel Corsa 1.0T Enjoy

Initial thoughts:

Comfy, punchy, economical & great value for money...

The engine

A 1.0 litre, turbo charged, 3 cylinder engine, delivering 85 kilowatts and 170 Newton Metres of torque? Finally the future of internal combustion is on the showroom floor. Unbelievers of the smaller engine can carry on with their unbelief, or be instantly converted as I was, upon your first drive of this new technology. It delivers a sporty feel, whilst delivering exceptional economy, almost beyond belief...  

The Drive

Straight into it, this New Corsa is the business. As refined as any mid-priced German sedan, which is high praise I tell you. A smooth and progressive acceleration dominates the engine’s characteristics, which translates into an effortlessness in the feel of the drive, so no ‘working the gear box’ needed. Which one would need to do in other smaller engined cars. 

A noticeable ‘torque pull’ carries you up hills far further than before. You would have dropped a cog or two in other vehicles. The 6 speed manual mates perfectly with the small capacity motor.  Thus culminating in consumption figures that even the most tight fisted of motorists will appreciate. Opel claims figures of 5.0L/100Km whilst I managed 6.2L100Km. I almost called the dealership and asked if there was an issue with the digital fuel gauge as it did not drop a bar for the first 4 days of driving the demo... I’m not making this up. 

The Corsa is noticeably, quiet. Disconcertingly quite, until I realised I activated the stop/start function. Rev it up and it delivers a punchy energetic sound pleasant to this petrol head’s ear.

  The Refinement & Style

Interior is bang up to date, and the plastics and fabrics used are not noticeably ‘cheap’ for a value purposed vehicle. Ergonomically friendly, optional 7″IntelliLink infotainment system has a large screen display format which works well.

Looks of the new Corsa are inline with the other siblings in the stable, edgy and elegant. Not much understated in the design which makes it stand out in the crowd.

 It is as convenient as any hatch available today and is without a doubt vying for top dog status in this segment in my opinion.

The Price:

Essential from R185 500

Enjoy from R216 200

Enjoy 1.4L Auto from R216 500

Cosmo 1.0L T from R236 300

The end

Opel is repositioning itself in the South African market, its fast captivating hearts again, reminiscent of days past with models like the Super Boss and GSI... it has certainly won me over again and if you dare to test drive or purchase one, it will almost certainly win you over to...

[duncanoncars]

Car Argument

Opel Mokka - not just a chocolatey cappuccino...

OPEL MOKKA 1.4T Cosmo AUTO

Initial thoughts: 

Quiet, comfortable and economical... suburb offering for the South African motorist. 

So I drove off without reading the brochure or asking any questions, and learned as I rode along.

I initially noticed the interior road noise or lack thereof, this made for a sublime drive, I expected more noise from the 18 inch wheels. Clever smaller side mirrors also add to the quiet “in studio” sound track. Speaking of, the perky 1.4 does make a pleasing “whir” as you ascend the rev range too. 

This new German offering is a cruiser, not only quiet, but frugal as well. I managed 7.3 litres per 100km on a combined PE in town and freeway test trip route.

Interior

The Mokka interior is a happy space.

Interior is ergonomically pleasing as well as atheistically functional. The long swooping curve of the dashboard echoes space. As is the German norm, everything is where it should be, and works well. The leather and other ‘nice to haves’ soothes your in-traffic experience. Most notably, and mentioned by my female test pilots, was the reverse camera. Apparently a must have if you are less gifted in stature.  I personally enjoyed the heated seats and steering wheel more. Its mid-June and winter is not kind to the 6am gym commute. 

Rear space

Enough for 2 or 3 comfortably seated adults (more 2 than 3- nobody likes sitting in the middle back, except your kid sister) and plenty of drop down seat space for loading your gear and groceries. The seats fold smartly and flat with little effort.

Drive

Highlight for me was the way the 6 speed auto mates beautifully to the torquey 1.4 Turbo 103Kw / 200Nm engine. 

This is my favourite experience of the MOKKA: it cruises beautifully and effortlessly, like a 3 litre diesel without the noise or vibration. Town or open road, the Mokka is purposed to instil a sense of  driving effortlessness and competence.  

I am truly impressed with the driving feel of this car versus its economy. A real leader in this space. This is further complimented by the elevated suspension which negotiates potholes and gravel roads safely and comfortably.

Style

The Opel Mokka delivers on style too. As do most of the new Opels. Many passers by in traffic gave the Mokka the once over. Many men in far larger, more expensive SUV’s were looking at me with defeat in their eyes as I drove off from the traffic lights... 

Price Point

At the time of writing this article the pricing on derivatives are as follows:

- 1.4T Enjoy Manual R 288,500 - 1.4T Enjoy Auto R 298,500

- 1.4T Cosmo Manual R 325,500 - 1.4T Cosmo Auto R 335,500

Parting thoughts:

Great offering in a competitive market segment... don't buy anything else till you have driven one of these. 

More info  

 http://www.opel.co.za/vehicles/opel-range/cars/mokka/index.html

Test drive:

 William Hunts Uitenhage: (facilitated “to your door” demos, anywhere in Nelson Mandela Bay)

041 922 7823 

[duncanoncars]

Monday!

Today on the PM Cruz:

1. The begin of our race to 90 in 90 days!

2. Chat to Frikkie Venter from Williams Hunt Uitenhage about the return of the Chevrolet  Ute Force..

[duncanoncars]

Its June 1st!!!

So its the beginning of a new month and a great day to shake things up on your favourite drive show.

We have a jam packed PM Cruz for you today:

First up just after 3, Christ Bright from Pesfa will be chatting to us about MMA &  Ju-Jitsu as ways to stay in shape...

After that, Frikkie Venter from Williams Hunt Uitehage will be informing us on whats new in the local car world...

And then just after 5pm, we have Siya Mahakoto discussing the possibilities of battery powered cars in SA.

So  a great show planned.. Tune in on 103.8 or 107.5 or live stream at http://kingfisherfm.ndstream.net