Car Reviews

First drive in the Kia Grand Sedona

Never underestimate a Kia! That is what I say to my Dad far too often. Although, to his credit, he has started listening to me. It was after I forced him in to the Sportage I was driving last December and he hated to admit that he really, I mean really really, enjoyed it. What is it with South Africans? Hey? My Dad still has this warped idea that Kia makes cheap cars. Now, I get that it came from rather humble beginnings back in 1998. That year saw just 310 units sold, across the board! But things change. In 2006, Kia did something just a little bit genius. They brought on Peter Schreyer, the man who was behind the very first Audi TT, as Chief Design Officer. And then Kia’s world changed, as did ours (added for extra dramatics). The new Sportage hit the market in 2010 and people went batshit crazy! I mean, like, proper cray cray for that thing. All my friends wanted one. I wanted one. Then boom! 2011, the new Kia Rio hit the market. Changing lives (I might be going a bit far with the dramatics). And then again. Boom! 2012 – the new Kia Picanto. Kia was on fire. And still is. You might think that because the focus is so heavily on design (it is one of the world’s most awarded design teams) that Kia has forgotten about quality. Wrong again, my friends. It is also the highest ranked non-premium brand in Initial Quality. If I have to hear one more person say, “It’s just really expensive, for a Kia,” I will high five that person…in the face…with a chair. (I wanted to say that I would give you a PK, but some people might be offended. Ag I said it anyway! P*@s Klap, what an underused phrase!). Back to this review. My hub and I hopped in to the new Kia Grand Sedona this weekend and headed up the Garden Route to George. We were joined by fellow motoring journalist Calvin Fisher and his lovely lady friend, Kelly Lodewyks…who happens to be my ex. My ex-colleague that is. We were at CAR together. Ah the stories we could tell…I digress! This is all about the really grand, Grand Sedona. It competes with the Hyundai H1 which I drove a few weeks back as well as the Volkswagen Caravelle and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class. But the Grand Sedona is my kinda people! It is not pretentious. It is trying to be anything it is not. And you certainly don’t feel like you should be transporting goods anywhere. It feels like a family car. A luxurious one at that. The top of the range SXL even has heat seates for the rear passengers. Which, I must tell you, kept my hub and I entertained for hours as we kept putting the other one’s chair on without their knowledge. It’s not great when the outside temperature is hitting the 40’C mark. Immature we will remain! The current range says goodbye to the SX trim level but hello to the new EX+ trim which has an eight-seat configuration. The EX+ and SXL models are rid of the oudoos foot brake and now sport an electronic brake. Also on the list is an 8-inch colour touchscreen with SatNav and a wireless smartphone charger. The SXL is only available in seven-seat configuration, the EX is seven- or 11- seat configuration and the EX+ only eight-seat configuration. All you really need to know is there is loads of space. Kelly and Calvin have a litter of children to cart around and they both mentioned (about a million times – insert eye roll) that this was the car they wanted. Like really, really wanted. Kia has bid the 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine goodbye, but the familiar 2.2-litre CRDi engine is as good as ever AND is now mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission which shifts so smoothly through those gears you won’t really even notice it at all – which is a good thing in my books. Highway cruising is a dream and overtaking is an easy manoeuvre. Even with all four of us packed in to the car along with our luggage. It would not be a kak idea if Kia organised adaptive cruise control for this bad boy, but for now, cruise control will have to do. I think this is my only criticism. Of the whole car! Oh, except that it can get a bit bouncy in the back, but if you’re the driver (or the parent), who cares? You won’t be sitting back there. For the price, you are getting A LOT of car. And what is not to like. It looks great, drives beautifully and has enough standard spec to keep even the most demanding customers moan-free. If you also have enough children to form a band, then consider this Kia Grand Sedona. You will not be disappointed. KIA GRAND SEDONA PRICING Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX 7-Seat: R 599 995 Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX+ 8-Seat: R 629 995 Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI SXL 7-Seat: R 782 995 Grand Sedona 2.2 CRDI EX 11-Seat: R 615 995 Standard is an unlimited km / 5-year warranty and roadside assistance. Plus a 5-year / 100 000km service plan.

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First drive in the new Hyundai Kona

Car Reviews / julzmcg

Ah, the new Hyundai Kona! Before I start this review, I have something else I want to chat about first: Car names. Naming a car can be a complicated affair. What some might consider a pretty average word in, say, English, might have a completely different meaning in another language. Manufacturers really do have to be careful and many will rather stick to naming their cars after animals (think Viper, Colt, Jaguar, Cobra) or after places like Tucson, Monterey, Murano. Some just keep it simple and use a numbering system like BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Peugeot. The reason I am telling you all of this is because Hyundai likes to name its cars after places, like the mentioned Tucson or Santa Fe. What you might not know, because Hyundai didn’t either, is that some of the name choices refer to, well to put it bluntly, vaginas. Or more specifically, labia minora (giggle, giggle – gosh I am so immature). This is the case with both the Creta and the now new Kona. The name Creta, while totally fine in most places, had to be changed to the ‘Hyundai Cantus” in the Dominican Republic because the word “creta” refers to labia minora there. It gets even better with the name Kona, which is actually named after a village in Hawaii, but to those who live in Portugal it would be the equivalent to us calling it c*nt, (interestingly enough, also spelt with a “c” – as in cona). Glorious! That is just glorious! But anyway, back to the cun…I mean Kona. This car will sit just above the Hyundai Creta and below the Tucson. It’s a crossover that will compete with the likes of the Ford EcoSport and Renault Captur to name just two. This car is not as practical as the Creta, but Hyundai believe it is the styling that will attract its customer. It’s targeted at young, hip singles or those who are middle-aged but young at heart. Possibly even an empty nester who really doesn’t want to let go of times gone by. The styling is pretty cool in a quirky and unique way. I love the look of the front, it is the rear that I have questions about and that’s only because of the C-shaped light clusters positioned quite low. Step inside and it’s not as quirky or as out there as one might have expected. Although, if you opt for the Acid Yellow exterior paint job (Acid Yellow? Why that name? I can’t get bile out of my head when I see it) you get bright yellow piping and helluva bright yellow seatbelts. The other interiors have red piping which is a touch more subtle. It’s well specced with features such as cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear park distance control with a rear view camera, traction control and, for the first time on a Hyundai, a tyre pressure monitoring system. It also boasts 6 airbags, ABS, EBD and brake assist. There is only one choice of trim, Executive, but you have a choice of two engines. A 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Can you guess which one I prefer? You won’t believe it, but I choose the 1.0-litre manual. I mean, I do love an auto gearbox, and so will those of you who sit in traffic for most of your day. But this 1.0-litre engine is super refined and performs better on the open road. It’s nippy enough and the smooth shifting gear box makes for such a pleasant driving experience. The ride was ever so rough, but I put this down to the road conditions and not necessarily a harsh suspension set up. The steering is super sensitive, even if direct, which can make for an erratic feeling if you’re not used to it. The big question is; was Hyundai’s decision to bring this Kona to our market a good one? Well, obviously time will tell. It’s tricky to predict whether buyers will opt for a less practical but more expensive offering than the Creta. But not everyone needs their car to be as practical. Some of us don’t have kids and so don’t need that extra space. Some of us are more about the looks (the Mazda CX-3 comes to mind). So if you are in the market for a Crossover/SUV vibe and love the heck out of the Kona’s styling, you will not be disappointed. Just don’t shout the name at any Portuguese-speaking folk. PRICING OF THE NEW HYUNDAI KONA Kona 1.0 TGDI Executive Manual – R379 900 Kona 2.0 NU Executive Automatic – R399 900

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First drive in the new Lexus ES

2 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

“It’s all about hospitality.” These are the words of Lexus Product Planner Basetsana Msimanga. She was speaking to us at the launch of the new Lexus ES where we had just done a tea tasting, accompanied by cakes, eclairs and truffles (whatever I could get in my mouth, really) followed by a Japanese whisky tasting. Hospitality at its finest. And this, for me, embodies the Lexus brand. It’s a car you want to be hosted in, just for the experience if anything else. To be honest, I am not exactly the biggest Lexus fan – I’ve never envisioned owning one myself. And I can’t really say for sure why that is. The German brands have a hold on me, like it does on most South Africans. But what I can appreciate is a brand that not only listens to its customers, but caters to their every need. And this, my fellow humans, is why you should consider the new Lexus ES if you are in the market for a sedan. This new ES is flipping sharp looking. The lines are clean and the overall design is sleek and stylish. It commands respect as it comes in to view on your rear view mirror. You will happily move out of the fast lane for this new Lexus ES. The interior is modern, except for a few “oudoos” touches here and there. (Side note: “oudoos” means old fashioned in my vocab, but I fear it could also mean old vagina to others). The wooden trim along the dashboard and on the steering wheel just gives it an outdated look and feel. And the touchpad used to operate the infotainment system has been a bugbear of mine for some time. I cannot get to grips with it, it is not user friendly enough and I find it to be far too finicky. Other than that, the spacious cabin is a great place to be as a driver, or as a passenger. As is typical with Lexus, these cars come standard with a bazillion features and so there are no optional extras available…there doesn’t need to be any, they are all in the car already. The ES250 boasts heated seats, reverse camera, leather upholstery, keyless start and 10 airbags to name a few. You can also expect the Lexus Climate Concierge which operates the climate control system, seat heating and steering-wheel heating (hybrid only). The 300h adds things like heated seats for everyone, that heated steering wheel, navigation, a panoramic view display on the reverse camera, and a wireless charging pad. The line up in South Africa consists of the ES250 EX which boasts a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 152 kW and 243 Nm. It sends this power to the front wheels via a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The other, far more expensive model on offer is the ES300h SE which is the hybrid offering. It combines the 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a CVT transmission. You’re looking at power outputs of 131 Kw and 221 Nm. I drove both these models on the launch and am impressed by how refined the drive is on both these cars. The ride quality is magnificent and you don’t hear much a part from what is going on in the cabin – so very minimal wind and road noise. From a performance point of view, don’t expect fire! The Lexus ES is about comfort and tranquility. It is not about giving it horns. But if you want to throw it in to a corner for some reason, you will be happy for the reworked steering which is far more responsive and direct (interestingly, it is the same steering wheel found on the LS500). The hybrid is impressive and of course, it means less stops at the fuel station. However, the almost R250 000 price difference makes my mind up as to which I would choose. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this review, Lexus is all about hospitality and this new ES exudes this. It is the car you want to be driven in. There is more space than its rivals, more features and an air of that luxurious hospitality you want in a car in this segment. But like I say, go for the ES250. I cannot fathom why you would pay so much more for a car that is essentially the same barring a few extra features and the added electric motor. But if you want to be all earthy and drive a hybrid, I won’t judge you. I might become friends with you, however, but only for your money. LEXUS ES PRICING Lexus ES 250 EX – R593 300 Lexus ES 300h SE – R843 800

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First Drive in the new Renault Duster

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

When the Renault Duster launched in South Africa back in 2013, I recommended it to anyone who would listen. A few did listen and two of my friends went out and bought themselves the 4X4 derivative. And they loved every second of it. I constantly got updates about the surf missions and wave hunting expeditions they went on and that their affordable little Duster had no problems getting them to wherever it was they wanted to go. The new Duster has finally settled in South Africa and I headed up to Nelspruit to drive the little beast. But first, I must tell you that I also went tobogganing, yes tobogganing. It was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. It’s never been on my bucket list of things to do, but ag, I am glad I did it. And that I am alive to tell the tale. Ok, that’s a bit dramatic, it wasn’t that scary, there were just a few moments when I thought that I would fly off the track with the toboggan attached to my butt and veer down the mountain side. Other than that, what a blast, you should do it. Back to the hero of the moment, the Duster. As much as I recommended the previous model to my friends, I would not have bought one myself. I couldn’t handle the interior. It felt too plasticky and just far too unrefined for my, apparently, posh taste. Enter the new Duster. This new interior feels a lot more solid, the materials used are of a much higher quality and overall, it is just a pleasant place to be. The infotainment screen has been set higher on the dash so you’re no longer looking at the floor when changing the radio station. There are a few tiny bugbears, like the USB port being above the screen (not unique to the Duster, mind you.) and so your phone cord hangs down over the screen. It just looks messy. Connectivity isn’t at its best with the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto which I think a few younger peeps will have a problem with. And there is only one cup holder up front. Fine if you’re a bit of a selfish driver, but it’s not great for the passengers amongst us. The boot is flippin spacious at 478-litres which means it can fit this much: (see pic below of a very outdoorsy owner). The engine choices range from the 1.6-litre petrol engine to the two 1.5-litre turbodiesels which come in different guises. We got to drive the 1.5-litre dCi Prestige EDC 4X2 on the launch which is the top of the range model. It has 80 kW of power and 250 N.m of torque which sounds sufficient and is for the most part, but it does lack some oomph, especially when overtaking. You need to be very strategic about it. Once at cruising speeds it is fine. My only gripe is off the mark where there is a bit of a delay, but you could just opt for the manual ‘box. The ride is superb! The soft, floaty suspension means that there is a bit of body roll, but because the ride is so smooth, you easily forgive this. The perfectly weighted steering makes the whole driving experience that much better. And let me not even mention the turning circle! U-turns are a doddle! As is squeezing in to tight parking spaces at the last minute. 😉 There are a host of new 4X4 features to take you places you’ve never been before (is that a song lyric?) such as Hill Descent Control, a 4X4 monitor that allows you to check the pitch and roll angles of the Duster at any given time and a Transmission Mode Selector which enables the driver to switch between three driving modes: 2WD Mode where the engine torque is distributed to the front wheels, Automatic Mode allowing distribution of engine torque over the 4 wheels or Lock Mode for engine torque distribution to all four wheels. I think my favourite thing about the Duster, and always has been, is that it is so unpretentious. It is what it is. No frills, no fuss. It does what it says on the box (I could keep going with these clichés, but I think you get my point). The CEO ofRenault, Carlos Ghosn, had a vision which was to develop a car that complied with European quality and standards but must also be able to go on rough roads and be affordable. His vision certainly became a reality and the Duster became a segment breaker. I have no doubt it will continue it’s almost cult-like success story because the recipe just works: a compact SUV with real 4X4 abilities, strong, practical, reliable, and most importantly, affordable. I just love this car. NEW RENAULT DUSTER PRICING Renault DUSTER 1.6 Expression 4X2 R249 900 Renault DUSTER 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4×2 R282 900 Renault DUSTER 1.5 dCi Dynamique EDC 4×2 R316 900 Renault DUSTER 1.5 dCi Dynamique 4×4 R321 900 Renault DUSTER 1.5 dCi Prestige EDC 4×2 R334 900

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First drive in the new BMW X4

Car Reviews / julzmcg

I want to kick this review off with a few cool facts. Did you know that since 1999, 5.6 million BMW X models have been sold? The BMW X4 has seen 200 000 units sold since it hit the ground in 2014. And one third of all BMW’s sold, are in fact, X models. So you see, the X vibe is pretty huge for BMW, hence they keep expanding said X range. I hopped on a plane to good ol’ Durbs to drive the second generation BMW X4. In all honesty, I don’t see the appeal of the coupé crossovers, but I am clearly alone in this, if the numbers are anything to go by. Although, I did quite love the BMW X6 when it first showed up, but that has since worn off. Just in case you don’t know, the X6 is essentially the sporty version of the X5 and so the X4 is of course the sporty version of the X3. So if you love the X3, you will more than likely love the X4…barring a few difference here and there, obviously. This new BMW X4 has increased in length and width but decreased in height. It’s lighter too. But don’t let that fool you, it still looks like a muscly beast. Very athletic, if you will. There is no doubt it is a head turner. Inside remains very BMW and if you have read any of my previous BMW reviews or watched any of my videos, you will know I am not a fan of a BMW cabin. I think it needs a good old revamp, but, if you like the X3 interior you will certainly feel at home in the new X4. It’s all about user friendliness and focus is on the driver. The latest iDrive infotainment system has made its way in to the new X4 and you can enjoy it on a 6.5-inch screen or opt for the 10.25-inch screen. It is easy to use and can be controlled via a myriad of ways – let’s just take a moment here to talk about Gesture Control: My driving partner and I are both quite exaggerated with our hands when we talk so we often found ourselves changing the radio stations and turning the volume up and down…it can be really annoying. Why you wouldn’t just want to use a button I will never know (I sound like my Gran when she says things like,”The Blueteeth in my car isn’t working.” Most will expect practicality to be compromised, but I am delighted to tell you that this is not the case with the new X4. The boot has been increased and looks pretty decent at 525-litres and if you hop in to the rear you will be glad to know the legroom has also been increased. South Africa will see the 20i, 20d and M40i available, the M40d will be here in 2019. There are no mid-range models available, something BMW has opted to do with many of its ranges, because, well, they just don’t sell well enough. I didn’t get to test the M40i (selfish motoring journalists, only kidding, sort of), but I did drive both the 2.0-litre turbodiesel with its 140 kW and 400 N.m of torque as well as the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with its 135 kW and 290 N.m of torque. I think the obvious choice would be the 20d if only because of the lighter fuel consumption, but also for the extra oomph when it’s really needed thanks to the extra torque available. Everything about the drive was pleasant, except for the steering. This variable-ratio steering makes it rather sensitive and can feel quite erratic. It will just take some getting used to though. Other than that, I can’t really complain about much when it comes to this new BMW X4. Pricing starts at R843 000 for both the xDrive20d and xDrive20i derivatives which is a bit more than its competitor, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. And if I were you, I would save a bit of cash and rather opt for the X3, but then again, as I mentioned I am not in to these sports coupes, so you might not want to take my word for it and rather go and test one of these out yourself. You big spender you!

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First drive in the Lexus UX – International Launch

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Ooooh this post is going to make you SOOOOO jealous. Be prepared! I headed to Stockholm (yes, the one in Sweden, is there another?) to drive the brand-spanking new Lexus UX. I had never been to Sweden before so I was over the moon when I got this invite, of course, I was also excited to drive the car. Firstly, a little bit about where I laid my head to rest while in Stockholm. Have you heard of Stockholm Syndrome? It’s when hostages sympathise or identify with their kidnapper. In August 1973, four people who worked at the Kreditbanken (a bank) were taken hostage for almost six days. The hostages gained sympathy for and even loyalty to their captors during this time and so the term ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ was coined. Why am I telling you this? Well the Nobis hotel I stayed at used to be the bank where this situation occurred. Mind blown, right? Either way, there’s some trivia for you. Use it. Don’t use it. Stockholm kidnapped my heart (see what I did there?). Not only the city, but the people as well. I have never seen so many beautiful and stylish people in one place before. It really does nothing for one’s own confidence, believe me. But something else that turned heads was the Lexus UX. Look, I am not going to lie, I am undecided about the look. It’s all angles and sharp curves. I would like to see Lexus move on from this design language, but I cannot deny that the UX stands out and is certainly unique-looking. Inside, however, is just magical. It really is a gorgeously luxurious interior with a few non-traditional materials here and there (there’s no boring wood or leather trim). You should opt for this two-tone trim, look how flipping cool it looks! My only gripe (ok I have a couple) is the track pad Lexus insists on featuring in its cars. I thought it might be easier to use in this left-hand drive car because I could then use my right hand (unlike here at home), but I was wrong. I still struggled with it, especially when driving. I wish they would do away with it and opt instead for a toggle. The other issue would only be for rear passengers and I never plan on being one of those so it wouldn’t really bother me too much, but there is limited legroom and the rear door plastics are something I have never experienced. If you scrape your knuckle along it, you literally leave skin behind. My driving partner actually demonstrated this to me. It was gross! There is a choice between the UX 200 or the UX 250h. They are both powered by a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine, but the hybrid adds two electric motors to the mix. The UX 200 could have done with a turbocharger, but when driven in the city, which is where this urban warrior belongs, you will be more than satisfied with the performance. If I had to choose I would probably go with the UX 250h – which is the model Lexus predicts will sell the best (in overseas markets). Here in South Africa, we are more than likely going to see more of the 200s leaving the showroom floor. The ride is noticeably smooth, but then again the roads in Sweden are noticeably well-maintained and manicured. We will have to wait and see how the ride will fare on our pot-hole-ridden trails here in South Africa. Overall, it is a rather enjoyable drive. I wasn’t able to put it to the test as I would have liked to, only because the well-maintained roads of Sweden wouldn’t allow me to go over 100 km/h…ever! Ag, but we had a lovely drive through the country and got to take in all the sights and smells of Sweden. It will still be a while before we see the Lexus UX arrive here in South Africa. It will be interesting to see how it sits amongst its competitors and pricing will certainly be the make or break of this product. Bearing in mind it has to compete with the likes of the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. There may be a few tiny issues that may dissuade buyers, but if you are able to look past them, you will find an excellent product in the form of the Lexus UX. Check out more Lexus car reviews.

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First drive in the new Porsche Cayenne

Car Reviews / julzmcg

Watching the speedometer of the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo hit the 204 km/h mark is a moment I will never forget. In part because I nearly crapped myself. There I was thinking I was at a lovely illegal cruising speed of around 160 km/h, so imagine my surprise when I looked down and saw 204 km/h on the screen in front of me. Brake! Brake! Brake! Thank goodness for the Adaptive Roof Spoiler! (I will tell you what that is in a moment). You see, when a car is based on the iconic Porsche 911, you can’t help but drive it like, well like it should be driven! As a Sports SUV. I took the third generation Porsche Cayenne through its paces this week across the Western Cape. And with out a doubt, my favourite of the three models available, is…the Cayenne S. You thought I was going to say Turbo, didn’t you? I am not all about the performance though, you see. I also like luxury, a comfortable ride, 324 kW of power, 550 N.m of torque and getting to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Ok, ok, I do want performance…but in moderation…ya right! The 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine provides all the performance I need. The slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission is paired perfectly to this engine and there is almost no lag to mention. But for you petrol-heads, the Turbo is all about the performance figures; sporting a 4-litre V8 biturbo engine delivering 404 kW, 770 N.m and a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds (3.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package). Just let those figures sink in for a moment. The Turbo is the new flagship of the model line-up. I know this completely new top-of-the-range model should be my favourite of the three models available, but I think it has to do with less is more. The Cayenne S is certainly the sweet spot for me. It’s also a lot more in my price range. (insert sarcastic eye roll here). Quickly, a note on that Adaptive Roof Spoiler I mentioned. The new Cayenne Turbo is the first SUV to boast such aerodynamics equipment. Depending on the position of the spoiler, it optimises efficiency, increases downforce on the rear axle and, in the airbrake position, reduces the braking distance needed from higher speeds. As a result, at full braking from 250 km/h, the SUV comes to a stop up to two metres earlier. Impressive hey!? The new Cayenne is sportier than before, it’s more attractive (although it isn’t too far off from its predecessor and fans will make up their own minds about the looks), it has more standard equipment and a larger luggage compartment. As Porsche boasts, “It is the best Cayenne that’s ever been.” The dimensions of the new Cayenne have changed ever so slightly, but it is the interior that truly impresses with its air of luxury and modernity. The impressive 12.3-inch full HD touch screen is the heart of this cabin. With very few analogue buttons, you will be glad for the Porsche Communication Management (PCM), launched last year with the new Panamera, with its range of digital functions that can be operated intuitively – including by voice control. I spoke of something similar in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class last week. Does the new Cayenne set the benchmark for sport SUVs, like Porsche suggests? I would say yes it does. It’s quicker, more luxurious, lighter, more efficient and heck, more desirable than ever before. It might not be a budget-friendly offering, but it’s not trying to be. You get what you pay for with this new Porsche Cayenne and if I had the money, I know where I would put it. PRICING FOR THE PORSCHE CAYENNE Porsche Cayenne – R1 142 000 Porsche Cayenne S – R1 296 000 Porsche Cayenne Turbo R2 158 000

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First Drive in the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Do you remember when the very first Mercedes-Benz A-Class hit the streets? It was back in 1997 and it was not exactly a hit. Especially as it would topple over during a moose test. But Mercedes-Benz wasn’t going to allow such low standards and so they developed a car that would set the bar pretty high for safety features in the compact hatch segment. But it was the third generation A-Class that saw the tipping point (pun intended ha ha) for Merc. I will never forget the moment I saw the third generation A-Class in the metal. I was at the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) and was running around like a headless chicken as the ‘social media manager’ at CAR magazine. Bearing in mind that back in 2012/2013, it was all about the Twitter! And videos! And the Facebook friends not followers. We were all learning through trial and error. And if you’ve ever been to a motor show you will know just how manic it is. You have to capture every reveal, your feet feel like they’re going to fall off, your neck is stuck in an unnatural position as you try to see through and over the crowds, and you start to see black spots and stars from all the lights, the flashes and the adverts being screamed at you. (I realise I am digressing somewhat). The point is that the moment I saw the A-Class, everything sort of went quiet. I stood there with a thought, one thought, it was, “This is why I do what I do!” I couldn’t believe how one of the blandest cars on earth could now look like this. It was such a great moment. I shared it with all my friends, over a chat at a braai, not via social media – can you believe it?! The new A-Class looks as good as the third gen, actually better! The moment of awe will forever be lost because you just cannot recreate such magic, but this little beauty certainly turns my head. As much as I loved the look of the previous generation, I did not love how it drove and I certainly did not like the interior. Thankfully Mercedes-Benz has stepped it up and this all-new model is really impressive, from looks to ride. But by far the most exciting thing for me is the MBUX system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). Gosh, it really shows you how far we have come and just how close we are to the future. Instead of spelling it all out with words, just watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEA3K9V1vNs and this one from Mobile Geeks: How flipping cool is that???????? Everything else now seems so boring to mention, but I will just give you the engines and pricing and then you can go and get your ass in to a new A-Class and see just how much better it is than the previous generation. You can choose between two models; the 1.3-litre A200 or the 2.0-litre A250. Most peeps will opt for the A200, according to Merc. PRICING FOR THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS Mercedes-Benz A200 R499 000 Mercedes-Benz A250 R593 300

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Juliet drives the new Volvo XC60

3 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

I am in yet another excellent product from Volvo. It is the Volvo XC60. It could be considered a mini XC90 even. Gosh, I love this brand. You know how much I adored the XC40, so it goes without saying that I would love this XC60. But if that doesn’t convince, but you’re in to a little Marvin Gaye, then hit play now anyway! Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Twitter @JulietMc and Instagram @juliet_mcguire Check out last week’s video of the Opel Grandland X.

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First drive in the updated Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Raise your hand if you are a Mercedes-Benz fan? Well you must be because Mercedes-Benz is the number one car brand in the world, followed by BMW and then Audi. It has also been number one in South Africa since 2014, in terms of sales. That is no small feat. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains the brand’s best-selling car and what is super cool to note is that it is made right here in the RS of A. Yup, the Eastern Cape has seen its millionth C-Class roll off the line. Impressed yet? You should be. We are the only market who builds the right-hand C-Class to export to the rest of the world. It is sold in 120 countries and since 1982 (fun fact: the year I was born), 9.5 million sedan and station wagons have been sold. This is a pretty important car for Mercedes-Bens then. I headed to the heart of Johannesburg CBD to sample the updated Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This is not a place I frequent, but as Merc’s Marketing Director, Selvin Govender, points out, the international C-Class campaign is all about improving, “Never Stop Improving,” to be precise. And the JHB CBD is seeing a bit of a revamp, albeit slowly. But it is ‘improving.’ This is not a completely new C-Class, but it has seen 6 500 parts changed. That is as good as a new car, I’d say. Well not entirely, but it is the biggest and most comprehensive mid-life update this car has ever seen. Basically, it is 50% new car. With that said, it is quite tricky to spot the differences from the outside. The usual line up of grille, bumper and head and tail lights see a slight revamp. Most of the changes are seen inside the cabin and under the bonnet. The steering wheel has been changed and now sports the cruise control functionality – remember the weird stalk thing behind the wheel that you so often mistook for the indicator? Well that is now gone, thank goodness. The optional 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster is worth the extra bucks and the upgraded infotainment system includes standard smartphone integration which can be accessed from the new steering wheel via touch-sensitive controls. It’s all rather futuristic. Not to mention the host of safety tech added to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class including an improved camera that, with radar, can see up to 500m in front of the car. The new C-Class sees the launch of a new generation of four-cylinder petrol engines. There is a new 4-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in the C200, with 9-speed automatic transmission across the range. The 1.5-litre engine is supplemented with a 48-volt on-board network and the EQ Boost integrated starter-generator that produces an additional 10 kW and 160 N.m while accelerating. There’s also a new-generation 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine in the C300, with outputs of 190kw and 370N.m. The new 1.6-litre variant of the current diesel engine family will celebrate its world premiere in the C-Class. The C 220 d 4MATIC providing a healthy 143 kW and 400 N.m. But I wanted to drive the range-topping C43 4MATIC, obviously! So I did. Ok I also drove the C180 to balance things out and to not look like a performance-hog. But back to the C43, it boasts a 3,0l V6 biturbo engine with an increased output of 287 kW. As you can imagine, not only is it a blast to drive, but listening to that engine burble and pop is all part of the excitement and it is louder than ever. The C180, although great around town, felt a bit pap on the open road, especially when trying to overtake. But Mercedes-Benz has ensured there is an option for everyone, I just happened to drive one extreme version and then the other. Overall, the updated Mercedes-Benz C-Class is exactly what you’d expect from this top-selling brand. It’s no longer the bland and boring car it once was, well in my eyes anyway. It probably wouldn’t be my first pick, but only because I love the Audi A4, however, this updated model certainly gives it a run for its money (although the face-lifted A4 is due out this year so time will tell). If you are a Merc fan, I doubt you will be disappointed with this C-Class. And there is no doubt that it will remain the brand’s best seller. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Pricing: Sedan Coupe Cabriolet C180 R586 500 C180 R666 000 C200 R793 500 C200 R613 500 C200 R766 000 C300 R884 000 C220d R651 000 C300 R716 000 Mercedes-AMG C43 Pricing: Sedan Coupe Cabriolet R948 500 R983 500 R1 100 000

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