new cars

Juliet ‘drives’ the Haval H2

Thanks to the wonderful peeps at Haval, I was able to access some launch footage from January and bring you this “review” on the Haval H2. It now feels like I am in lockdown day 4 million, but at least I can still bring you videos, right? Even if they are being conducted in the Kia Seltos. If you missed last week’s video, not to worry, you can watch it now. It is all about the Suzuki S-Presso, the cheapest new car currently on the market. Also, let me know what you think on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And don’t forget to be a peach and subscribe to my YouTube channel obviously follow me on TikTok.

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Juliet drives the new Audi Q3

Car Reviews / julzmcg

I have always loved the Audi Q3 and the new one has made me love it even more. I wasn’t going to post this Q3 video on my website only because I had already loaded it on to my social media channels, and also, well, because I want to be on holiday like everyone else. I quickly realised that freelancers can never take a holiday. It is the choice we have made. Plus, I really want you, my loyal and lovely readers, to experience the Audi Q3 for yourself (well through me through my video obviously). Enjoy it! And look out for more videos coming up. I will even release one on Christmas Day. How committed am I to you lot? Don’t forget to be a peach and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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4 sports cars in South Africa you want to know about

Car Reviews, Lifestyle / julzmcg

This one is for my true petrol heads. Wait, I take that back, this one is for any of you who love sports cars. And who doesn’t, really? I don’t think you need to be a petrol head to love Porsche, for example. And in fact, I have many friends who aren’t interested in cars at all…until I rock up in something like a Mercedes-AMG C63 that is. Four sports cars have snuck in to South Africa recently and I wanted to keep you in the loop. So here we go: PORSCHE 718 SPYDER & 718 CAYMAN GT4 For the first time ever, the 718 Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4 share a technical base, which includes the newly developed four-litre, six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, combined with a six-speed manual transmission. What does that mean? It means that the boxer engine generates 309 kW and 420 Nm of torque. Both these manual transmission sports cars break the 300 km/h barrier. And both will get you to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. Whilst the GT4 represents the entry-level GT road model from Porsche, the Spyder is geared towards open-top, dynamic driving on curvy routes. Both rely on highly efficient aerodynamics, a full GT chassis and powerful brakes. If you’re interested, you’ll have to pop in to your nearest Porsche dealership to find out how much each of these will cost you. Pocket change, I imagine. LEXUS RC F & RC F TRACK EDITION The revised Lexus RC F range is officially available for the first time in South Africa. Lexus says, the range is all about “race-bred styling meets head-turner”. I like the sound of that. Car enthusiasts have an option of two model choices, namely the RC F and RC F Track Edition. Just when you thought you wouldn’t get quicker than the Porsche 718s, I am here to blow your mind. These beasts are powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine giving you 351 kW and 530 Nm of torque. That means you’ll get to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. Although the top speed is a lower 270 km/h. Um…but still, who the hell goes 270 km/h anyway? If you do, you are a criminal…just by the way. The entry price of the RC F is R1 318 300, while the faster RC F Track Edition is priced at R2 098 200. Chump change! BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE… Just kidding, I don’t have any more sports cars to tell you about, but I will be able to tell you about a few new cars arriving in the next couple of weeks. Just don’t expect the same kind of power outputs, ok? Or maybe…expect more. Jokes again! I am on a roll here! Best I leave you then.

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First drive in the new BMW X7

Car Reviews / julzmcg

The BMW X7 has arrived in South Africa! This, despite the 16.7% decline in the premium car segment. But BMW, always up for a challenge it would seem, will continue to expand their footprint in this struggling segment. In fact, we will still see six high-end models arrive this year, some of which include the 8 Series Convertible and Coupe. According to BMW, these are the most sophisticated cars the German brand have ever built. Will the BMW X7 sell? Well yes. The 29 pre-orders have already been delivered to very happy customers around South Africa. And there will certainly be more where that came from. This is luxury on another level. A level I aspire to. Even if people mock the big-ass grille up front. OPEN WIDE The X7 really has been the butt of many a joke because of this larger grille. Jokes such as, “You keen on a bring-and-braai?” or as one of my followers remarked, “Tell it to close its lips otherwise it will get bugs stuck in its teeth.” Hahahaha. That one really made me laugh. But I must be honest, in the metal, it didn’t stand out to me as something to be ridiculed. I like that it has that presence that says, “Boom! Check me out!” THE FAMILY AND THE KITCHEN SINK The new BMW X7 is a big bugger. It is 5.1m long, 1.8m tall and has a wheelbase of 3.1. It is, after all, the head of the BMW X model family. And speaking of families, the X7 is aimed right at the family who enjoys a bit of a road trip. Seven seats are standard but you can opt for the six-seat set up instead – that means two in the front, two in the middle, and two at the back. This six-seat configuration really makes it feel like “business class on wheels.” The only issue with the road trip idea is that if you have a bum on every seat, there ain’t no luggage going in the boot. With all seats up you are left with 326-litres. That converts to space for my small carry-on bag and my driving partner’s small duffel bag and not much else. But ag, hook a Venter trailer up to the back and a way you go. I think this is one of the few times I would take the riding comfort and luxury over the practicality. The seats take comfort to another level. KEEPING IT SIMPLE In a very unlike BMW move, the brand has tried to keep the optional extras list to a minimum. Basically, from the get go you are in for a car that has just about everything your heart desires. Don’t get me wrong, there are still many an option to ensure you spend a pretty penny, but you won’t have to fork out extra for things like LED headlights or 21-inch wheels. Laser lights and 22-inch wheels, on the other hand, will cost you extra. And don’t mention the R65 200 it will cost you for the Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround sound system. To keep things simple, BMW offers two main packages, namely Design Pure Excellence package and M Sport Package, and a couple of exclusive packages for those who really want something truly unique. Where BMW is shining with this X7 is with the wide arrange of driver assistance systems that all come standard. This includes the Driving Assistant Professional and Steering and lane assist systems. With Park Assist Plus with assistant, the X7 will recall your previous parking maneuver and then perform it for you, with your hands off the wheel. Yislaaik, how lazy are we as drivers becoming? But I love it! HE’S GOT THE POWER At launch you can choose between three engines, namely the M50d with its 294 kW and 760 Nm, the xDrive 30d with its 195 kW and 620 Nm, or the M50i with its 390 kW and 750 Nm. All engines are mated to the eight-speed Steptronic which has been slightly modified to ensure quicker gear shits. It is most noticeable in the engine I would choose for myself, which is the M50d. It is just power! Ok it is not the M50i, but it is more than enough. You won’t require any more power to overtake or make it up an incline quickly. It is just a dream to drive. Don’t be greedy when you don’t need to be, I say. We managed to take the X7 off-road and what I can tell you is that this beast eats gravel up for breakfast. I hate that saying, but it describes exactly what I felt driving this car off-road. If I wasn’t driving and my attention was focused on the screen in the back headrests, I would never have known we were on gravel. It was only over the rocky terrain you could feel those low profile tyres. But overall, what an absolute pleasure to take off the beaten track. IS IT WORTH IT? Well that depends, do you have R1.5 million to spend? And do you require more space than, say, the BMW X5? This is the top of the top when it comes to luxury and I think I was expecting a higher price tag for what you are getting. It is a beautiful machine and one that most families could only ever dream of owning. But one can dream, can’t they? Perhaps you want to wait for the Mercedes-Benz GLS to arrive, but yoh, this X7 will be a tough act to follow. I say don’t wait, buy it! PRICING FOR THE NEW BMW X7 BMW X7 30d 1 554 500 BMW X7 M50d 1 853 200

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First drive in the new Toyota RAV4

1 Comment / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Do you remember when the first-ever Toyota RAV4 launched in 1994? I was so in love with that car. That first generation was still one of my favourite cars when I matriculated in 2000 and a friend of mine received one as his first car. There was so much jealousy I had to end the friendship. Just kidding, we just grew a part. Fast forward to 2006 when the third generation arrived and another friend of mine bought herself one. Thankfully the friendship was solid, I didn’t want history repeating itself. But since then, I haven’t given the RAV4 much consideration. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, it just got a bit lost among the crowd. The likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan took my attention (and others) away from it. It is great delight that I can tell you that after having driven this new fifth generation RAV4, it is back on my radar. It looks fantastic and is now more capable and practical than ever. It had to change the accommodate the ever-changing market. RAV4 used to stand for Recreational Active Vehicle 4WD. It now stands for Robust Accurate Vehicle 4WD. So, what does Robust refer to? The styling, handling, cabin and luggage, space, and rough road capability. Accurate refers to the visibility, interior usability, storage and efficiency and range. So basically, everything is covered. WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS? The range consists of the entry-level GX (manual or CVT), the high-spec VX (CVT 2WD or CVT AT AWD), and the new GX-R (CVT AWD) which sits slap-bang in the middle of the two familiar trim levels. The base model GX doesn’t leave you high and dry boasting standard features such as LED headlamps, speed sensitive door lock, cruise control, and back guide monitor to name only a few. The GX-R adds leather seats, power adjustable seat with lumbar support, seat heaters (fun for pranking), smart entry and push start wireless charger and three USB ports. The VX grade adds all the, what I deem, unnecessary extras you don’t really need, but are nice to have, such as memory seat and a panoramic sunroof. It does add a few extra safety features that can come in very handy such as cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor and Toyota’s Safety System The new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platforms means the new RAV4 is longer by 30 mm, wider by 10 mm, larger in diameter and has been elevated by 15 mm. The look of this new RAV4 is what has so many people talking. And so they should be talking. It looks goooooood. It’s all very modern SUV. And if you want even more aggressive styling you can opt for the GX-R which has an enlarged upper grille and larger skid plates and wheel arches. When it comes to colour choices, there are nine to choose from for the GX and VX and five for the GX-R. And if you want to stand out in a cool way, not in a purple Lamborghini way, then check out the Urban khaki colour. The interior has been completely modernized and it is super spacious. The build quality is great and the materials used feel all fancy and sh*t. Just take a look (I don’t love this tan vibe going on, but you don’t have to choose this): PRACTICAL JOKER If you want to know what motoring journalists get up to on the long test drives we conduct on launches you might be surprised to find out that we are not always professional. Well, I am not. So much so that one of my favourite pranks to play on my unsuspecting driving partner is to activate their seat heater without their knowledge. I usually pull this off with skills slicker than Cat Woman. But not this time. It was 37’C with a humidity of 5 million (my hair was unruly!), and as my driving partner was getting in to the car I switched on his seat heater. After 70 km we were due to do a driver change. Having forgotten I had switched on said seat heater, I hopped in the driver’s seat only to be met by a seat that was literally on fire! Well not literally, but damn close. Two things; 1. What is wrong with my partner’s bum that he could not feel it? and 2. How did I end up pranking myself here? It made for a rather uncomfortable drive. Thankfully I matured somewhat over the rest of the launch and so our drive back to the airport was incident free and a far more comfortable experience. Two petrol engines are available, a 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre either mated to a six-speed manual, an improved CVT or an automatic transmission. Power is pretty instant and so overtaking is generally easy enough. The ride is smooth and comfortable, even if you’re off the beaten track. It was what left me most impressed. The new RAV4 performs gracefully on gravel and one can push it a bit and still feel confident. It is not exactly a hardcore 4X4er, but it is not built to be and who really goes 4X4ing? Ok lots of people, but then you wouldn’t be looking at the RAV4 then anyway. This is more for the soft off-roaders out there. The all-wheel drive derivatives feature a mode dial which allows you to select modes such as Rock & Dirt and Mud & Sand, depending on the terrain. The RAV4 offering is broad and so there should be one to suit most budgets and most requirements. It has a Toyota badge so you can bank on its reliability. The competition better watch their backs. PRICING OF THE NEW TOYOTA RAV4 2.0 GX 2WD R416 400 2.0 GX CVT 2WD R427 600 2.0 GX-R CVT AWD R508 100 2.0 VX CVT AWD R505 400 2.5 VX 8AT AWD R577 900

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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 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 new Volkswagen Touareg

2 Comments / Car Reviews / julzmcg

Ah the Volkswagen Touareg, or what I like to call it, the “Silent Assassin.” Why you ask? Well, think about it. This gentle giant has quietly been doing its thing in the background while the likes of the loud and attention-seeking Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE have hogged the spotlight. But the Silent Assassin still managed to sell a million units worldwide. Do you see now? It’s hardly ever brought up in conversation, it is never at the top of a list, but it still sells a million units and remains a firm favourite amongst people who dare to speak of it. Even though it flies under the radar, this car has always attracted the right kind of attention and this third generation is no different. I headed to one of my favourite places on earth, Plettenberg Bay, to get behind the wheel of a car that has always been a favourite of mine…even though the last time I was in one was about eight years ago at the Wine on the River weekend in Robertson with my best friend from work, Ian McLaren. You might know him from CAR magazine fame. Anyway, back to the new Touareg. Volkswagen claim it to be the most technologically advanced model of its era. That’s quite a statement, hey? But step inside the new Touareg and you will see and feel this statement. Just look at this: The picture does not do it justice. But I can tell you, it really is quite glorious in that cabin. What you’re seeing is the optional “Innovation Cockpit” which is the control centre of the car really. It houses all essential comfort, assist and infotainment systems. This means that there are almost no buttons as everything is done on the touch screen. Something I hate because I love a good ol’ knob (get your head out of the gutter). Changing the air conditioning while driving can prove tricky, one bump and you are blasting yourself in to Kingdom come or find your bum getting warm instead of your face getting cool. With time, I imagine, this will become easier. Volkswagen also claim the Touareg to be one of the safest cars in the world. It is the first Volkswagen available with a night vision system. This uses a thermal image camera to register infrared radiation coming from a living being. If the system detects an animal or a person, they are marked yellow or red, depending on risk, in a black and white image. The system warns you as well as brakes the vehicle if required. There are a host of other features as well, but the night vision one was the one I liked I most and I cannot list everything in one post. The cabin is super spacious as is rear legroom, but something families will really appreciate is the added 113-litres of luggage space. That boot is BIG! And so all-round, a car you’d happy to travel long distances in. Under the bonnet you will find a 3,0-litre V6 turbodiesel which gives you 190 kW of power and 600 N.m of torque. You’ve got two trim levels to choose from, namely Luxury and Executive. You will struggle to find a smoother and more comfortable ride. Driving is effortless. Even if you are travelling on gravel, at speed. It’s one of my favourite things about this car, you don’t need to think too much while driving it, it makes driving an effortless task and one that is enjoyable on long trips. I doubt I will be able to call this new Touareg a Silent Assassin, the reason being is that it is now in the spotlight and once people get a taste of it, it will no longer be able to hide. Which I guess is a good thing for Volkswagen, but I quite liked the air of mystery the previous model created. With any luck, this model will be as successful but as quietly alluring. New Touareg retail price 3.0 V6 TDI 190kW (Luxury) R999 800 3.0 V6 TDI 190kW (Executive) R1 088 200

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First drive in the 2018 Ford Focus – International launch

Car Reviews / julzmcg

Don’t be jelly, but I headed off to Nice, France, to drive the all-new Ford Focus. Yes, yes, we have established I have a kick-ass job. But that aside (for now), the Focus was my main focus on this trip. Ok, ok, that will be one and only time I do that (I lie). The first thing my driving partner (who happens to be my ex-boss…awks!) and I discussed when we stepped in to the new Focus, was its competitor. The obvious, the Volkswagen Golf. It is hard not to compare anything in this segment to the Golf, it is the segment leader after all. And so, the bar is set high. The Focus had a lot to live up to in our eyes. And did it? Read on to find out! (Because I need that average time thing on my Google Analytics to look good). First of all, what’s actually new? Well everything. Ford started with “a blank piece of paper” and wanted to make the new Focus a car that people would fall in love with and remain in love with. And it does look goooooood, people! Better than before. I haven’t been a major Focus fan in the past, but I genuinely like the look of this one. My favourite model is, and if you are South African you will start hurling abuse at me right about now, the wagon. But because said South Africans don’t buy station wagons, Ford South Africa will not be bringing it to our shores. Thanks a lot, guys! So, my next best model is the Vignale, oh now wait, we can’t afford that one, so again, not hitting our shores. We are left with is the hatch and sedan in four spec levels; Ambiente, Trendline, Titanium and ST-Line. Engine-wise, we will see the familiar multi-award winning 1,0 EcoBoost head to SA, as well as the new 1.5-litre turbopetrol EcoBoost. I drove the 134 kW 1.5-litre engine on the launch and it is punchy to say the least. It is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, which had my focus (haha) not been solely on driving on the right-hand side of the road, would have felt smooth and direct. I may have missed the gear knob completely a few times while trying to navigate the very narrow, windy mountain passes our route took us on. How we survived, I will never know. What was noticeable was just how well this car handles the corners we threw at it, or we threw it in to…. whichever which way you want to look at it. It feels solid and sticks to the road like shit to a blanket (my mom will kill me if she reads this). We will have to wait to see which derivatives come to SA, but I am hoping this 134 kW does. This Ford Focus is full to the brim with tech, from Ford’s Co-Pilot360 technologies which include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Speed Sign Recognition, and Lane Centering to Evasive Steering Assist and Blind Spot Information system with Cross Traffic Alert. These are just a few of the tech available on this car, and again, we will have to wait to see what makes its way to South Africa. But by far, my favourite bit of tech, is the Door Edge Protector which is a little piece of rubber that ‘creeps’ out from the inside of the door and wraps itself around the outer edge of the door as to protect it if it hits a wall or another car door etc. As you close the door, it disappears almost quicker than your eye can detect. I may have spent far too much time closing doors on this launch just to see if I could catch the piece of rubber out. I never did, not once! Oh, how I am amused by the small things in life. My final say… The more time I spent in this new Ford Focus, the more I liked it. I expected to walk away still pledging my allegiance to the Volkswagen Golf, but there are enough Focus lovers out there (16 million worldwide, in fact) to prove a point; the Focus is a worthy contender to the Golf. I will go as far as to say that Ford might just be right when they call this the best car they have made. An excellent product all round. Now to see how much it will cost here in SA. You can expect to see it on our roads in the beginning of 2019.

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First drive in the new Nissan Micra

Car Reviews / julzmcg

I can’t say I have ever really been a Nissan Micra fan. It just never really featured in any recommendations I may have given to friends and family looking to buy and it certainly never made it to the top of my list when it came to choosing my top budget buys. But Nissan has stepped it up and for the first time I look at the Micra with new eyes. (Gosh that sounds dramatic, but I like a bit of drama.) The Nissan Micra Active will still be available for the more budget-conscious buyer, but this new Micra is the cat that lands amongst the fat pigeons that are the Volkswagen Polo, the Ford Fiesta, the Kia Rio and the Hyundai i20 to name but a few. Tough crowd! The new Micra is a far more mature offering than before. It looks bloody good too. It’s longer and wider and overall just appears to offer more. The interior continues to impress and even from the entry-level Visia you can expect standard features such as a multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, hill-start assist and an auto-stop system (which is possibly one of my least favourite technologies ever invented, but I can’t get away from it so I am going to have to just accept the intrusive annoyance). Move up to the Acenta trim level and you are in for a seven-inch infotainment system which features Apple Car Play, and a five-inch colour drive display. The top of the range Acenta Plus model range adds things such as an orange interior (not my vibe) and selected exterior colours. The seats are noticeably comfortable, something Nissan gets so right – the X-Trail houses some of the comfiest seats I have ever experienced in a car. The infotainment system I mentioned in the previous paragraph, although comprehensive, is somewhat finicky to use. I found myself having to press the screen a bit too hard to get some of the buttons to actually work. I imagine this will frustrate the crap out of a driver. All new Micra’s house a 0.9-litre turbopetrol engine under the bonnet, the same you will find in the Renault Clio. I know, I know, you are thinking, “What the hell? That engine is far too small.” But let me put your mind at rest. It might be small but it has adequate power, 66 KW and 140 N.m to be exact, but more than that, it has enough oomph to give you a pleasant driving experience both in the city and on the highway. Like I say with all the cars in this and similar segments, you have to expect the performance you are paying for. If you go uphill and some punk in front of you slows down and you lose momentum, you will need to gear down and start the whole process over again. It is par for the course. Plus, you buggers who complain about lack of power, also want low fuel consumptions. Make up your minds! You will be happy to know the new Micra claims 5.1l/100 km. Overall, this new product is something worth considering. It’s certainly not going to topple the Polo off its pedestal and I can’t see it taking sales away from the new Fiesta either (what an excellent product that is), but it will certainly be a different option for those who don’t like to follow the norm. Look at the Micra through my eyes and you will definitely want to give it a go. NEW NISSAN MICRA PRICING Micra Visia R233 500 Micra Acenta R257 400 Micra Acenta Plus R272 400

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