Car Reviews

My epic road trip in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio

I took this beauty, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, in to the country and then up the coast and it was such a pleasure. I really didn’t expect to love this car so much. And let me tell you, the Stelvio turns heads where ever you go. This is just a little video montage of my epic road trip up the Garden Route via Greyton for my best friend’s wedding and a little sneaky holiday. Check out the link if you missed my video review on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Twitter @JulietMc and Instagram @juliet_mcguire And check out last week’s video if you haven’t already on the Audi RS3 Sportback.

My epic road trip in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Read More »

First drive in the Lexus LS 500

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

If you’ve ever wondered what it must be like to fly business class you could just hop in to the back of the new Lexus LS 500 and you will get the experience you are after. This is what my husband expressed as I chauffeured him to Du Doorns for the weekend. Chair fully reclined, 17-inch telly screen on, music blaring, munching on sour worms he “stole” from the Lexus launch, he was in his element. And so he should have been…he had the coolest chauffeur in town: Me! This is the fifth generation LS 500 and competes with the big guns such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series. And because we are such badge snobs, the LS 500 too often falls to the wayside. It shouldn’t though, it is an excellent product and as Lexus likes to put it, it’s about “amazing experiences”. This is a car for the typical CEO who wants something a little bit unique, someone who appreciates attention to detail and who wants something that can be tailor-made to their specific requirements. The attention to detail and craftsmanship within this cabin is truly something to behold. Even the lighting is inspired by traditional Japanese Andon lanterns, it’s a place of beauty. It has a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine under the bonnet which propels it to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds. It produces 310 kW of power and 600 N.m of torque which is sent to the rear wheels via the first ever 10-speed automatic transmission found in a premium passenger car. But this car is not all about performance, for me, it is all about the luxury. It is about the tech found inside that makes you go, “Holy shit that’s cool.” This Lexus LS 500 has a LOT of that going on. And, unlike its German rivals, all the fancy tech comes standard. There are no optional extras for this car. You don’t need them because they are already jam-packed inside. There are far too many cool features for me to list here, so I will list a few that I think are pretty dope. (I don’t think I have ever used the term ‘dope’, unless referring to something you smoke, but I think I pull it off, don’t you?) This Lexus LC 500 features a 23-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system. TWENTY THREE speakers I said. Twenty three! Where they are all hidden I will never know, but they do create a marvellous sound inside the cabin. My husband is in the music industry and even he was left impressed, in fact, I think his exact words were, “F^&% this is an insane sound system.” A professional’s very professional opinion confirms it then. The back is the place you really want to be though. The seats can be position in three ways; “Business” which is upright as per usual, “Entertain” reclines the seats so that you can watch telly on the 17-inch screens in front of you (yislaaik if they had this when I was a kid for road tripping…ah one can dream), and “Relax”which reclines the ottoman so that you are comfy enough to have a good old nap. And if you are really struggling to relax, no probs, just turn on your Shiatsu massage and drift off to dreamland. Everything is operated via the touchscreen in the centre console between the two rear seats. If you didn’t already feel safe enough with cocooned inside this large beats, never fear, because standard safety features include a pre-crash system, active cruise control, lane keep assist (and lane departure warning) and an adaptive high-beam system to name but a few. What does this kind of luxury cost? Well it ain’t cheap, but it is competitive (although, if you specced some of the competitors to the level of the Lexus, you will more than likely pay a lot more). The LS 500 will cost you R2 141 400 with a best-in-class 7-year/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan. This might be the last LS we see, people are moving away from showing off their wealth, but there are a few of those left who want the world to know exactly what their payslips can buy them. I can’t say which of these two types of people I would be (or I don’t want to admit it) but I sure as shit wouldn’t mind being chauffeured around in one of these for the rest of my days.

First drive in the Lexus LS 500 Read More »

First drive in the all-new Ford Fiesta

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

It’s pretty impressive when a car has been around as long as the Ford Fiesta don’t you think? Sheesh, this guy was originally launched back in 1976 and at the time it was seen as a bit of a risk, especially since the Ford Escort was really styling at the time! But Ford needn’t have worried because since that launch more than 45 million Fiestas have been sold in Europe. Not to mention it being crowned Uk’s best-selling car more times than one can count (well one can, but I don’t feel like working it out and I am rubbish at maths). It hasn’t sold quite as many in South Africa, but with that said, it is still very popular with more than 145 000 sold between 1997 and 2017. Right, so now that we know the previous generations were popular, what about this all-new model? I first got to experience it at the international launch last year in Madrid, Spain (yes, my job is awesome), and again this week at the local launch at Sun City. I was concerned I might have only been that impressed by the new Ford Fiesta due to being in Spain (obviously I am far more professional than that…or am I?), but thank goodness, after spending some time in it over the past two days, I remain impressed. From a design point of view, Ford has stuck with an evolution as opposed to a revolution, but for good reason; the Fiesta is a good-looking car. It now has a slightly softer design with a sleeker bonnet; the lines are simpler and the design as a whole is more refined and more sculpted. It has increased in length by 71mm with rear legroom seeing a 43mm increase as well. The boot has even gained an extra 27-litres, taking it to 303-litres. Now if you are a Volkswagen fan, you will know the struggle of loving any other interior. Well I am here to tell you that you might even just fall for this Fiesta’s cabin. Hear me out! It’s far more modern than before, Ford has even done away with 50% of the buttons. Instead you can now enjoy a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen (derivative dependant) which gives the whole cabin a far more sophisticated feel. PLUS, it contains Ford’s latest Sync 3 which is pretty darn impressive. I had loads of fun sending Whatsapp messages to my driving partner just so I could hear the system read it out. To listen to an emoji being read out is very, very entertaining. You should try it out. Ok so the interior might not be AS good as the Polo, especially when it comes to the quality of the materials, but it is much-improved and certainly on par with the likes of the Kia Rio or Mazda2. In my original review I spoke about the Fiesta being “fun to drive.” This is a key attribute for Ford and so it is something they wanted to retain in this new generation. I wouldn’t say it can make you slip off your chair or anything, but ag, it is as fun as a compact hatch can be I suppose. However, the thing that does excite me somewhat is the 1,0 Ecoboost engine sitting under the bonnet. Mainly because it is just so darn impressive. It’s won International Engine of the Year six years in a row, I mean come on! The new Fiesta is offered with the 1,0 Ecoboost in two guises, namely the 74 kW or the 92 kW. When mated to the six-speed automatic transmission, you would be forgiven for thinking this had a far more powerful engine pushing it. If you are really hung on up on fuel consumption you can opt for the 1,5 TDCi which is mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission, but it would definitely not be my first choice. This car is also flipping safe with its six airbag, ABS (with EBA and EBD – this makes it safe I assure you), hill assist and electronic stability/traction control. But how does it really compare to SA’s top-selling Volkswagen Polo? Let me explain using pictures taken at the launch (see below). As you can see the Ford Fiesta is better specced than the Volkswagen Polo, but I fear this will not be enough to knock the German wonder child off its pedestal. I cannot think of any reason not to buy this car. It is safe, it’s comfortable, it has a host of standard features and I believe that the youngsters of today will find it fun to drive. Will it sell the same kind of numbers as the Polo, more than likely not, but it is certainly a great alternative nonetheless. PRICING FOR THE NEW FORD FIESTA Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Trend 6MT R261 900 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Trend 6AT R277 300 Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Trend 6MT R292 500 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 6MT R295 900 Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 6AT R310 600 All models come standard with Ford Protect, comprising a four-year/120 000km comprehensive warranty, three-year/unlimited distance roadside assistance and five-year/unlimited km corrosion warranty. A four-year/60 000km service plan is included, with 15 000km service intervals.

First drive in the all-new Ford Fiesta Read More »

First drive in the Mercedes-Benz X-Class

2 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Has there ever been such hype over a bakkie before? I don’t think so. And why? Well, this is the first premium brand to attempt to take a portion of the hugely popular bakkie segment. The bakkie, as we know it in South Africa, is the best selling vehicle in the world, so it is no wonder everyone wants in on this train. The Mercedes-Benz X-Class launched in South Africa this week and I headed up to a farm in the middle of nowhere to test drive it. (I genuinely have no idea where we were!) First things first people, let’s just get the whole Nissan Navara thing out of the way. The X-Class shares the same engine, drivetrain, chassis and gearbox as the Navara. And sure, it is made in the same factory in Spain. BUT, this is not just a “Navara with Mascara”, it actually feels quite different and in fact, there are a few ways in which these bakkies differ. Price being the most obvious difference…the top of the range Nissan Navara costs R220 000 less than that of the Mercedes-Benz X250d Power auto. Crisis! That is a whole car cheaper. But I shall leave the comparison for another review. This review is about the Mercedes-Benz X-Class in all its glory. It’s not a bad looking bakkie by any means, it sports a Merc badge after all, but would you pick it out of a bakkie line up? I doubt it. Not with the likes of the Ford Ranger or Volkswagen Amarok around. What this X-Class does have going for it though is the actual X factor (not the show!). Look, it’s the novelty thing, I get it, but isn’t that always the case with new cars? People want to see this thing in the metal, they almost break their necks trying to get a glimpse of it driving past. This will certainly be one of the reasons some people buy it. Believe me, the price ain’t going to be the reason, that’s for sure. But more on that in a moment. First let’s chat about the cabin. From pictures it looks rather flashy, but in the flesh it is a little bit odd really. It is certainly Mercedes-Benz, but what sucks is that it is just not user-friendly enough. There is not one spot to put your phone or your wallet or anything else you might keep up front with you. If you utilise the USB within the really small bin between the seats, you will have to place your phone in one of the really small cupholders. My driving partner and I fought over phone space with his oversized (mind out the gutter please) Samsung Galaxy. What is pleasantly unsettling (if that is such a thing) is that while you’re driving, your mind can’t really compute that it is Mercedes-Benz dials its looking at while driving a bakkie. It’s pretty cool! Again, that X factor I speak of. For all its faults, the cabin is really tranquil. Little road noise enters it and the ride quality is superb. So even if you are frustrated with the set up of the cabin, it is forgotten the instant you hit the open road and settle in to your comfortable cruise. Is it any good off-road? Of course it is! This is not Mercedes-Benz’s first rodeo. Just think of a few of its other products like the G-Wagon and you will soon realise this is something Merc excels at. We took it over a pass called Duiwel’s Kop (or Devil’s Peak) which is notoriously rocky and slippery, not to mention twisty and narrow. It’s what the Voortrekker’s used to use and if you know who Thomas Bain is, then you’ll be happy to know that it was he who built this pass. Let’s just say the X-Class was more than capable and felt no different to any of its competitors when it came to traversing some of the more tricky obstacles. And again, it was really comfortable. Even with a full bladder – ok that is a lie, it was excruciating having to keep that wee on board for a two hour mountain pass journey. Ah the joys of being a woman! Under the bonnet lies, as mentioned, the Navara’s 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine. You can choose between two outputs; 120 kW and 403 Nm in the X220d or 140 kW and 450 Nm in the X250d. And you can opt for manual or automatic transmissions. Why you would get a manual I cannot fathom, but I guess it is cheaper than the auto. So now its time to reveal the pricing. Hold your breath, close your eyes…no wait don’t close your eyes because you will stop reading this and then not know what the price. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing though. Because at R624 103 for the entry-level X220d 4×2 Progressive, you will see just how expensive this bakkie is. Look, it is a premium brand, but I am not sure that is enough to convince people to part with money that could essentially buy them a top of the range Navara, Hilux, Amarok or Ranger and still have money left over. The Volkswagen Amarok has always been my pick of the lot and it remains so. It was the first bakkie to really get that balance between bakkie and passenger-car-feel spot on. Although Mercedes-Benz will have you believe they have done it first with this X-Class. Moving on up to the Power X250d derivative and you can expect to pay a hefty R763 256 and that’s for the manual. The automatic derivative will cost you R791 315. Don’t be tempted to tick any of the options boxes because you will find yourself very close to a number you don’t want to see next to a Bakkie. Reading this review back it seems like I am not a fan of the X-Class, but this is actually not the case. I am a HUGE fan. I absolutely loved driving

First drive in the Mercedes-Benz X-Class Read More »

First Drive in the new Volvo XC40

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Let me just get this out of the way. I am a die-hard Volvo fan. I have been since I first attended the launch of the V40 in Verona, Italy, back in 2012. I certainly wasn’t a fan before that when its cars still looked like they took on the shape of the shipping containment they arrived here in. Since the V40, every product that Volvo has produced has just cemented my love affair with this brand. I was so excited to get behind the wheel of the new Volvo XC40 that I was willing to wake up at 4am to catch the red-eye to Johannesburg for it (in fairness I do this a lot for my job, but this car made it slightly more bearable). The XC40, which is Volvo’s first true compact SUV, is brand new to the segment that already houses the likes of the Jaguar E-Pace and BMW X2. And just to ensure it arrives with some attitude, it’s already nabbed the 2018 European Car of the Year award. Firstly, the look! Yislaaik. How hot is it? It’s got that “I am here to stay” look in its eyes (headlamps if you will) and with the wheels pushed right in to the corners of the car, it has a real dik stance (yes I am now throwing in Afrikaans words for effect). It looks distinctly Swedish. It’s practical yet rugged, beautiful and stylish. The high-quality interior is as gorgeous and with touches of the XC90 trickling in to the cabin, you are in for a real treat. I still struggle with the IMAX-sized 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, but I think an owner would get used to this in no time. Where the XC40 really shines, is with its features. If you know anything about the XC90 you know it is a leader in technology, the XC40 is following in its big brother’s footsteps and ensuring you are not left wanting anything. So, it has good looks and desirable charm, what else do you need? Well, probably the most important thing of all really; safety! And this is where Volvo is just untouchable and probably one of the main reasons why it remains one of my number one brands. Did you know that since the XC90 launched in 2002, not one person has died in one? Just take a moment to let that sink in! Think of the carnage on our roads and then reread that sentence. Volvo’s mission is to ensure no one dies in a Volvo by 2020. With the roads like they are, especially in this country, it is something that I wish every manufacturer would strive for. With driving behavior worsening we need something to change. Volvo is a leader in this avenue and it’s something worth noting. City Safety, which acts like a co-pilot, if you will, is standard on every XC40 model. It identifies other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals ahead, warning you If a collision is imminent. If you don’t react in time, it will brake automatically to help avoid or mitigate an accident. Can you imagine if every single car on the road had this system? It’s expensive, so it is no wonder they don’t, but here’s hoping it becomes a requirement for every brand-new car going forward. Another cool feature, but one you will have to pay extra for, is called Run-off Road Safety. This helps to keep you on the road. If it detects you are about to leave the road unintentionally, it uses steering input and, if necessary, brake support to guide you back on track. Another optional feature is Pilot Assist, Volvo’s next generation of semi-autonomous technology. The Adaptive Cruise Control feature maintains the desired set vehicle speed but utilises radar to monitor the vehicle in front and automatically slows down or speeds up as necessary. In an evolution of this, Pilot Assist also takes care of the steering (up to 130 km/h and when lane markings are clearly visible) by continually monitoring the area in front of the vehicle, making the necessary steering, accelerator and brake inputs as required to keep to the desired speed, distance and within the lane markings. Are you starting to see why the XC40 can be called the safest compact SUV on the road? The XC40 is currently available with two trim levels (R-Design and Momentum) and two engine options (D4 diesel and T5 petrol) with all-wheel drive on evert model. We will see Inscription trim and D3, T3 and T4 petrol engines with front-wheel drive options arrive later this year. PRICING FOR THE NEW VOLVO XC40 T3 Manual Momentum R489 500 T3 Manual Inscription R521 300 T3 Manual R-Design R528 400 D4 Geartronic AWD Momentum R600 300 T5 Geartronic AWD Momentum R610 900 D4 Geartronic AWD Inscription R632 100 T5 Geartronic AWD Inscription R639 200 D4 Geartronic AWD R-Design R642 600 T5 Geartronic AWD R-Design R649 700 The bottom line, if I had the money, this is the car I would buy for my mom. Not to say I wouldn’t buy one for myself as well, mind you, but my mom is in the market for a new car and I could not think of a better option for her, or for anyone really. Watch this space, it will become Volvo’s best-selling car for sure. Now we just need Care By Volvo to come to South Africa (thankfully it is being considered and will hopefully be here in 2019). Care By Volvo allows customers to “subscribe to a car rather than buy it, for a fixed monthly fee which includes the likes of service, maintenance, insurance and other added value benefits”.

First Drive in the new Volvo XC40 Read More »

First drive in the new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

Car Reviews / julzmcg

Have you ever seen or driven a car and instantly known that it will remain a firm favourite of yours for the rest of time? This happened to me with the Volkswagen Tiguan back in 2008 and now, the second generation in, I am still a massive fan. It’s comfortable, it’s practical and it’s pretty much like driving a raised-up Golf, which is car I find hard to fault. I have always been the practical type so it’s no wonder I would be more excited by a car like the Tiguan than say, a BMW M5 (you can close your mouth!). So, can you imagine my excitement when I heard about the Tiguan Allspace? A Tiguan with even more space and practicality? Crisis, things were about to get wild…for me. Off I headed to good ol’ Durbs and on landing we got straight in to the business presentation. On a side note quickly, did you know that since the Tiguan launched back in 2008, 25 600 units have been sold, that’s like 250 a month! Even more impressive, is since the second generation launched in 2016, VW has seen between 400 and 450 units sold a month, that’s only private customers, not rental companies. Yoh! Back to the Allspace. International markets like China, USA and us practical-minded South Africans, had a need for a bigger and more versatile seven-seater. So Volkswagen set out to make the Tiguan the most sophisticated family car in SA. VW calls it its “can do everything, look good anywhere” offer. After piling up on biltong, chips, and all sorts of goodies for our snack packs (yinna, I love a snack pack) we headed outside to the greet the newcomer. The Tiguan Allspace is recognisable as the seven-seat offering by the large side window, a new front grille and raised bonnet, decorative badging and trapezoidal tailpipes. It is 210mm longer overall than the standard Tiguan, the wheelbase is 110mm longer and the luggage space has increased by 115mm. The height and width remain the same. Climbing inside is a bit more obvious…obviously. The seven-seats give it away. Duh! And here is where things get really good. The folding arrangement allows for 40/20/40 split and the front passenger row can be folded flat which then gives you 1 775-litres of space. Can you imagine what you can put in there? A surfboard, a mountain bike, or in my case, all the packing I want when going on holiday and a wine farm full of drinks. Ideal really. But even with passengers and the third row of seats folded down, you are left with 700-litres of luggage space. I can easily work with that still. I can hear my friends with kids singing “Hallelujah.” And it’s all made so easy with a lever in the boot which allows you to drop the rear seats, no need to strain yourself and pull a poopstring trying to manhandle them in to position. Let’s be frank for a second, those rear seats ain’t comfortable. But it is what it is, it is for kids or those who draw the short straw (or your younger sibling). You’re not exactly going to put ol’ Grandma in the back, although a video of her getting in would certainly go viral, and you’re not going to put your 7ft friend, Kevin, in there either. Just be kind about it people. There is also a new engine in the shape of a 2,0-litre turbopetrol that produces 132 kW of power and 320 N.m of torque. But you can also opt for the 1.4-litre turbopetrol with its 110 kW output, the 2.0-litre TDI 110kW or the 2.0-litre TSI 162 kW. But that’s not all folks. A part from the entry-level 1.4-litre derivative, the rest of the models come standard with 4Motion all-wheel-drive and a selectable off-road mode. It’s really the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it? Look, you’re not going to be trekking up Kilimanjaro in this or anything, but throw a bit of gravel and rock under those tyres and the Tiguan Allspace will eat it for brekkie. The Tiguan Allspace is in a league of its own. It’s only really got the Nissan X-Trail seven-seater to contend with. But I can guarantee that Tiguan fans are going to look nowhere else but the in the direction of the Allspace. It is slightly more expensive than the standard Tiguan, it has an extra row of seats after all and you also get a few extra standard features as well. It truly is a fantastically practical family car and one that I would certainly consider buying myself…if I weren’t a broke-ass journalist that is. PRICING FOR THE NEW VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN ALLSPACE 1.4 TSI 110 kW Trendline DSG R463 400 2.0 TSI 132 kW Comfortline 4MOTION DSG R523 800 2.0 TDI 110 kW Comfortline 4MOTION DSG R571 100 2.0 TSI 162 kW Highline 4MOTION DSG R604 800 The new Tiguan Allspace comes standard with a 5-year/90 000 km service plan, 3-year/120 000 km warranty Watch my video on the Volkswagen Tiguan for cars.co.za.

First drive in the new Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Read More »

Introducing the new BMW M5

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the new BMW M5 last week at Kyalami race track in Johannesburg. Maybe I shouldn’t put it out there, but I will because, well what’s the point in a dishonest website I say? I have never been BMW’s number one fan, far from it in fact. I don’t dislike them, but I have never yearned to own one. The husband, on the other hand, is right up there with screaming girls at a Justin Bieber concert. There is not one BMW he does not love. But back to the M5. I might not be all about that base BMW but, as a professional motoring journalist (she says as she thinks to herself, “ya right”), I know a good product when I experience one. And the new BMW M5 is certainly that! Just to reiterate, it is new, new, new! Not “the-grille-and-front-bumper-were-slightly-revised” new, but actually brand spanking new. It is based on the platform of the 5 Series and is now the fastest of all the M5s built since 1984. This is thanks not only to it now being much lighter, but also due to the latest and most advanced version of the 4.4-litre V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology that sits under the bonnet. It produces a hefty 441 kW and a whopping 750 Nm of torque which means this twin-turbo V8 unit gets you to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. I didn’t get to spend too much time in this new M5, I only got 6 laps around the race track. Kyalami is a rather technical track, but having driven it numerous times before I felt quite confident. Until I took the first corner and realised very quickly that this was going to require more concentration than I had anticipated. I was, after all, in a 2-tonne sedan. As much as I want to say it thrilled, I was left a little underwhelmed. This might also be due to having an instructor, with massive street cred, watching your every move. But actually, it is probably due to the almost effortless driving. This car is comfortable, it is smooth and it gets up to speed very, very quickly. It might not be as engaging as I wanted, but that doesn’t mean it is no fun at all. I want to say it handles really well for its size, but that’s like saying, “She drives really well, for a woman,” so instead I will say flatly that it handles superbly! It might be one of the fastest sedans on offer, but sadly, most people won’t get to legally experience what this car can really do. But maybe it is just in the knowing that counts? Either way, owners will be living with a very comfortable, very quick performance sedan that boasts the badge so many adore (here’s looking at the husband). Pricing starts at R1 762 806. For more technical info, you might need to head to another website 😉 Or you could just go to BMW’s website. Check out my ridiculously amateur video of the day.

Introducing the new BMW M5 Read More »

First drive in the new BMW X2

2 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

I am just going to put my hand up here and say that BMWs have confused the living daylights out of me for years. I should know all the derivatives, but for some reason I just cannot get them all in to my head. Imagine my horror when they started throwing in sporty versions of models but giving them different numbers. Gosh even writing this is confusing me. But I do feel better now that I have let this dark secret out. Thankfully, after years of confusion, I finally get it. And just in good time because I had the BMW X2 launch to attend this week. For those of you who are like me, the X2 is to the X1 what the X4 is to the X3 and what the X6 is to the X5. Yoh, that is a lot of X’s in a row. Basically, if an X has an even number after it you know that it is the sporty version of the number just below it. The X2 is therefore the sporty version of the X1. Right off the bat, this car is bloody good looking. Striking, if you will. It looks quite similar to the concept car we saw at the Paris Motor show in 2016 which doesn’t happen all that often. It comes in a few interesting colours such as Galvanic Gold and Sunset Orange, not my vibe at all, but I do quite love the Misano Blue – but then again, I am a massive fan of the colour blue in general – some info about me you might not have known. Inside is BMW bland. I know this sounds harsh, I don’t mean it to be, but for years I have been waiting for BMW to step it up and modernise their interiors, but you know what, they are obviously doing something right as customers love it. The lower seating position due to the lower roofline means you get a much sportier feel, aided as well by the figure-hugging seats. My driving partner found them to be a tad uncomfortable whereas I found them to be fine. We do have very different figures though, him being tall and trim. Speaking of trim, there are two trim levels available, namely M Sport and M Sport X. Two engines are available; a 2.0 turbopetrol with 141 kW and 280 N.m of torque and a 2.0 turbodiesel with 140 kW and 400 N.m of torque. The diesel is AWD whereas the petrol front-wheel drive. The smaller sDrive 18i will be here soon. Which would I pick? Probably the diesel. I love a bit more torque you see. But either way, throwing this car in to the corners on the many passes we drove at the launch showcased just how different it is from its X1 sibling. The sportiness of it comes out to play and you really can have a bit of fun with it. Who is going to buy this? Well at R642 200 as the starting price it certainly won’t be me – but then again I am a motoring journalist and therefore cannot afford any car. But BMW wants to attract new customers who are looking for something unconventional and unique. They want free-spirited customers who are “ungovernable.” The hashtag for this car is #TotallyUngovernable” which is quite pertinent to South Africa don’t you think? So BMW wants those customers who don’t want to conform (those in government perhaps?). The X2 is expensive but it is good looking! It has some stiff competition in the form of Jaguar’s E-Pace, the soon-to-be-launched Volvo XC40 and I would say the Audi Q2 although BMW thinks the Q4 will be more of a competitor. However, if you are a BMW fan (and there are many) then I believe this unpractical but beautiful car will be right up your alley. Pricing ranges from R642 200 to R722 600.

First drive in the new BMW X2 Read More »

First drive in the new Volkswagen Polo Vivo

3 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Raise your hand if your first car was a Volkswagen Citi Golf? Mine too! Gosh they were cool back in the day, hey? Mine was white, which was not the colour I would have chosen for myself, but hey, who’s complaining? It had a 1,6-litre engine that would get me from 0-100 km/h in about 2 seconds flat. Who needed airbags or ABS? These were still the days when such safety features could only be found in the likes of my Grandad’s Volvo and it was only about image. But the end of an era came when the Citi Golf was laid to rest and in its place arrived the Polo Vivo. I remember thinking this was utter crap! Who would buy a Vivo instead of a Citi Golf? Well, just about everyone in fact! The Vivo has been the best selling car in South Africa since it launched in 2010. Almost 200 000 units have been sold. Who is eating their words now? Me, that’s who! In fairness to myself, the Vivo wasn’t exactly cool enough back then. But now, through more mature eyes, I can see that this second generation Vivo could one day, for our kids (or possibly grandkids) be their very own “Citi Golf.” It is an excellent product made even more likeable by the fact that it is made locally. That’s right! Almost 76% of the Vivo’s parts are sourced locally too. Local is lekker hey? Now before you go all Courtney Love on me, I know you are thinking that this Vivo is just an old Polo so what is the big deal? You are right, it is based on the outgoing Polo, but it has been Vivo’d in a way that makes it more affordable. It has also had a tweak here and there to make it a slightly different car. We can’t very well have expected VW to put together a completely new product when it already had a best-seller on its hands. The Vivo’s 1,4 and 1,6-litre engines have been carried over but they now consume less fuel. You can also now opt for the flagship 1,0 TSI 81 kW GT if you want a bit more oomph. But I was really impressed with the 1,6-litre 77 kW Highline. I don’t think you need much more, in fact. You get 153 N.m of torque and a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission. Could it do a with a sixth gear? Perhaps! But it is not as bad as many a five-speed I have had the not-so-pleasure of driving. It has all the bells and whistles like air con, electric windows, Bluetooth, a USB port, a driver and passenger airbag, ABS, Electronic Stability control and tyre pressure monitor. If you don’t want to cross over the R200 000 barrier, then the 1,4 Comfortline is the one you want. It is truly an excellent offering from Volkswagen, once again, and when you consider that the Vivo has the best resale value in its class, it is hard to look at any of its competitors. Here is the pricing of the new Volkswagen Polo Vivo: 1.4 55kW Trendline R179 900 1.4 63kW Comfortline R192 000 1.6 77kW Comfortline Tiptronic R221 900 1.6 77kW Highline R214 900 1.0 TSI 81kW GT R245 000

First drive in the new Volkswagen Polo Vivo Read More »

Driving the new Jaguar E-Pace in Corsica

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

I attended the international launch of this beautiful car, in the most beautiful place! PS. It is based on Discovery Sport, not Discovery. I left out the Sport part. Doh! Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on Twitter @JulietMc and Instagram @Jagger_Frost

Driving the new Jaguar E-Pace in Corsica Read More »

Copyright © 2024 Juliet McGuire Motoring Media.