Car & Leisure Issue 59

CAR LEISURESA’s only complete motorised lifestyle magazine

BUILT TO RULE THE ROAD

Launched Toyota PradoLaunched Nissan GT-RLaunched Range Rover SportTested Daihatsu Materia Turbo LTDTested Volkswagen CC V6Feature 2010 Car Of The Year

BMW X5M & X6M

Xtreme

&

ISSUE 59

2010 Yamaha YZ Range

MasterCraft X-14

Launched Yamaha FX Wave RunnerFeature Azimut 43S Tested Kawasaki ER-6F + Ninja 250R Tested Triumph BonnevilleTested Yamaha FZ6-RFeature Honda VFR1200F

R26.00 (Includes VAT)Other Countries R22.80 (Excl Tax)

Visit our websitewww.xmg.co.za

9 7 7 1 7 2 8 3 0 8 0 0 6 95

Get away to the seacountrymountainriverside.

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The adventure begins in a Triton. With its legendary 4X4 EasySelect system and rock-hard

RISE body, you can’t go wrong, no matter where you choose to go. Your hardest choice will

be whether to go for the Double Cab or the ClubCab. Visit your nearest dealer today and

test-drive the vehicle that was awarded “Best Pick-up Truck, Double Cab 4WD” and “Best

Realistic Fuel Economy Pick-up” at the Bangkok International Motor Show. And wherever you

go, please drive safely. To book, call 0800 133 355 or visit www.mitsubishi-motors.co.za

R_70097 (Triton Family)285x420.indd 1 2/24/09 10:25:41 AM

CONTENTSIssue 59 EDITORIAL

PublisherEwald van Zyl082 569 2318

[email protected]

EditorMark Jones

082 553 [email protected]

Deputy EditorReuben van Niekerk


Staff WriterJohan Keyter083 310 0936

[email protected]

Art & Graphic DesignLynne-Mari Vos082 592 8445

[email protected]

Photographywww.motorpics.co.za,www.quickpic.co.za,

Amoré Augustyn

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Willem van der Merwe082 530 0917012 548 1505

[email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS


ACCOUNTS

Account ManagerLoune van Zyl083 273 5674

[email protected]

Published monthly byVan Zyl Publishers cc

PO Box 83775, Doornpoort, 0017Suite 2, Apple Leaf Office Park,Montana Street, Montana Park

Tel: 012 548 1505Fax: 086 672 7739

[email protected]

CopyrightOpinions expressed in articles, news and views or in advertise-ments appearing in Car & Leisure are those of the Author, ad-

vertiser and do not reflect those of this journal nor it’s publisher. The mention of specific companies, people, photos or products in articles or advertisements, does not imply that they are endorsed

by this publication.

Some manoeuvres are extreme and we do not recommend that you attempt any said manoeuvre as portrayed in this publication

without professional instruction. Car & Leisure cannot be held responsible for any injury, loss or damage of any kind whatsoever.

MOTORINGEditors NoteMotoring NewsMarine NewsMotorcycle News

LaunchedBMW X5 & X6 M Land Rover Discovery 4Toyota Land Cruiser PradoRenault Clio 1.6 & RSKia Sorento Mazda MX-5 Coupe Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Bentley Continental SuperSports Ford Everest Mercedes-Benz E63 AMGNissan Murano Mitsubishi Pajero Sport TestedDaihatsu Materia Turbo LTD Nissan 370Z Coupe Auto Volkswagen CC Suzuki Alto 1.0 GLS Range Rover Sport Supercharged

FeatureCar of the Year 2010 Toyota Conservation Outreach Hyundai H1

MARINELaunchedYamaha FX Waverunner

FeatureMarine Terms Azimut 43S Sea Ray 230 SundeckViking Velocity Swift Hitch

TestedMasterCraft X-14

MOTORCYCLES

Launched2010 Yamaha YZ Range Kawasaki ER-6F & Ninja 250RYamaha XT660Z Ténéré

TestedTriumph Bonneville

FeatureHonda VFR1200F

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note

Probably one of the most iconic series of racing games ever made, the Need for Speed series is quite famous, even if you aren’t that big of a gamer.

And late 2009 saw the latest installment of the series, Need for Speed Shift, hit platforms worldwide. Shift moves the series back to its

original racing roots and away from the street racing and customization based games that dominated the series in recent years.

This means they have pursued a much more realism-based approach this time around as the game aims to put you in the seat of a pro-fessional racing driver.

So if you feel like powering around in some sportscars without paying or worrying about it when you slam them into a concrete bar-rier, Need for Speed Shift should give you one of the most real experiences outside of an F1 simulator.

Porsche recently put its new racehorse, the 911 GT3 RS through its paces at their test track in Stuttgart, Germany. Delivering even more engine power,

offering a lower weight and featuring shorter transmission ratios as well as body and sus-pension elements upgraded to an even higher standard, the new 911 GT3 RS is set to be the ultimate racing version of the ever-popular Porsche 911.

The heart of the new 911 GT3 RS, its power unit, is based on the engine already featured

in the 911 GT3. The RS now displaces 3.8 in-stead of 3.6 litres, delivering even more power than before.

To further improve its sporty behaviour, the new 911 GT3 RS will for the first time ever sport a purpose-built and specially set up PASM suspension, with wider track at the rear and front axle.

Accordingly, the body of the entire car is wider at the rear and the front through the use of additional wheel arch covers.

Need For Speed Shift

New 911 GT3 RS

MOTORINGnews

EDITORS

I know each year we all wake up on New Year’s Day full of optimism, and not too long thereafter we are drinking too much again and have broken our diet

at the same time too, but I truly believe that 2010 will be a good year.

On a very localised level, the mag you are reading right now has undergone a subtle re-fresh to coincide with me, Mark Jones, joining the team as Editor again. The news gets better as there have been some serious negotiations

going on behind the scenes by our Publisher, Ewald van Zyl, and I am proud to report that Xtreme Car & Leisure will be reaching a much bigger readership thanks to a ground breaking deal done with a prominent financial institution to distribute the magazine to their elite clients. So it is a big year for us!

And of course, who can forget that the Soccer World Cup will be kicking off around the coun-try in a few months time. The hope is that this massive event will spark further confidence in

our economy and result in a much needed up-swing in the car, marine and bike market. I am sure it will, but my opinion is that this will merely be the beginning of a long and slow recovery.

Be that as it may, going forward slowly is better than going nowhere, and you can be assured that the motorised lifestyle manufacturers will continue to bring new and exciting product to our shores, and we will be covering it all for you right here.

2010 A Big Year Ahead!

4 ISSUE 59

End of an Era - Last Merc SLRs Built

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Lim-ited Edtion

A limited number of Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Limited Edition will be available exclusively to South African motorists from January 2010.

The C63 AMG Limited Edition boasts unique 19-inch alloy wheels and three special Designo paint colours, along with the AMG driver’s pack-age that sees an increased speed limit of 280 km/h from the 336 kW 6.3 litre V8 engine.

To easily identify this limited C63 AMG Limited Edition, each of the sixty-three units will be numbered “1 of 63”. This designation will ap-pear on the gearshift lever in the outline of the map of South Africa.

The recommended retail price of the C63 AMG Limited Edition is R930 000 and comes stan-dard with the MobiloDrive 120 maintenance plan - 120 000 km or 6 years - together with a 2 year full vehicle warranty.

The shroud of secrecy surrounding Alfa Romeo’s most highly anticipated new C-segment hatch has finally been lift-ed. It’s name? The Alfa Romeo Giuliet-

ta, possibly one of the most evocative names in motoring history.

The Giulietta has brand-new architecture, de-signed to meet the expectations of the most demanding customers in terms of road hold-ing, agility and safety. Its excellent dynamic performance and great comfort are the result of refined technical solutions implemented in

the suspensions, a next-generation steer-ing system, a rigid yet light structure made of aluminium and high-strength steel, and state-of-the-art manufacturing technolo-gies. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta guarantees top level performance and next-generation technology in terms of technical solutions, performance and environmental friendli-ness. For South Africa the line-up is still to be defined but the two most likely engines are the 126 kW Multiair and the 175 kW Multiair in Quadrifoglio Verde guise.

The last examples of the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss are currently being built, bringing the active era of the SLR super sports car from Mer-

cedes-Benz and McLaren to an end.

This breathtaking, high-speed racer is a lim-ited edition of 75 examples, and is the final chapter in the modern SLR story. Overall 2000 SLR models have been produced – sub-stantially more than any other sports car in this elite category.

Mercedes-Benz has presented the most spec-tacular and uncompromising version of the reinterpreted 300 SLR as the last model in the SLR family - the SLR Stirling Moss. With neither a roof nor a windscreen to separate the driver and front passenger from nature, thus allowing them to enjoy sheer high-speed excitement with all the attributes of a speed-ster.

Further attributes of the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss include highly sophisticated technology and breathtaking design that provides a new take on the SLR legend. A V8 supercharged engine develop-ing 478 kW accelerates the SLR Stirling Moss from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, and is good for a top speed of 350 km/h – performance that no other standard-produc-tion car can match.

With the Amarok, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is now also entering the segment of mid-range pick-ups, representing an

annual market volume of two million vehicles worldwide.

The Amarok is not only the fourth model se-ries of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand – Caddy, T5 and Crafter - it is also the first 1-tonne class pick-up to be developed in Germany.

For the powertrain, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has chosen two reliable, fuel-efficient and clean high-tech turbo-diesels for the pick-up’s market launch. The 120 kW strong 2.0 TDI with common rail injection has two-stage bi-turbo turbocharging, which generates a torque of 400 Nm at a low 1 500 rpm.

Another four-cylinder TDI with 90 kW will fol-low as a second engine variant late in 2010. It has a turbocharger with variable turbine geom-

etry and develops a maximum torque of 340 Nm from 2 000 rpm. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta is Coming Back to SA

MOTORINGnews

Volkswagen Amarok To Debut In SA

5 ISSUE 59

MARINEnews

Unveiling the 4300 Open

One Lifeboat = 370 People

Lifeboat and davit manufacturer Schat-Harding has delivered the world’s larg-est lifeboats, complete with unique davit systems, to the Royal Caribbean

International’s Oasis of the Seas.

The Oasis of the Seas is equipped with eighteen of Schat-Harding’s unique, 370-person CRV55 lifeboats and LS45 davit systems. The CRV55 has a catamaran hull, which provides excellent sea-keeping capability and manoeuvrability. The LS45 davit, meanwhile, is a completely new integrated system for cruise vessels. The lifeboats are lowered directly from the stowed position, so that no outswing is needed, and the entire boat is positioned outside the hull of

the ship. The CRV55 is of reinforced construc-tion and has a special “green sea” lashing sys-tem, making it secure in high waves.

The CRV55 boat is 16.7 m long and 5.6 m wide. Built from Fibreglass Reinforced Polyes-ter using a vacuum technique, the boat weighs 16 tons in its stowed condition and 44 tonnes when fully loaded. Two 70 hp diesel engines give the boat a speed of 6 knots, and the cata-maran hull and twin rudders provide excellent manoeuvrability.

Good news indeed, but it seems like we’re go-ing to be waving goodbye to the good old “full lifeboat” movie plot... finally.

When Welcome Radebe was intro-duced to Jet Ski racing back in 1998 he was just a shy young gardener, today however he is

one of South Africa’s most celebrated jet ski heroes.

And in December of 2009 he finally got the chance to realize one of his long-standing dreams of competing internationally when he headed off to Pattaya City (Thailand) with the rest of the team representing South Africa in the White Sand Beach Jet Ski King’s Cup 2009, basically the world cup of jet ski racing. This

invitational tournament has grown in popular-ity over the years and boasts the “who’s who” of jet ski racing who hail from all corners of the globe. The event ran over six days from the 1st to the 6th of December 2009 at the idyl-lic Jomtien Beach in Pattaya City and covered all skill levels from professional to amateur in both the ladies and men’s categories respec-tively. In the end Radebe finished in 14th place in his category (amateur ski), no mean feat considering it was his first international tour-nament and he was racing against some ex-tremely talented riders.

As the new flagship of the Tiara Yachts Open Series, the 4300 Open obvi-ously reflects its predecessors, the 4200 and 3900 Open, and also rep-

resents future generations of the line. With outstanding standard/optional features and equipment, the 4300 Open is equipped to be fish or cruise ready, or both. A serious deep-water performer, the 4300 gives a stable, secure platform to aggressively manage sea/weather conditions, with a hull design and matching power package providing optimum performance and handling. Below deck, the interior offers a large, spacious, comfortable living area, with U-shaped dinette/lounge, full galley, two private staterooms, and head with separate shower. Similar to the 3900 Open, the 4300 also features a large fore-deck skylight/hatch system that runs nearly full length below deck, flooding the interior with outside light.

Sneak previewed at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, the new Tiara Yachts 4300 Open is scheduled to debut live at the Miami Interna-tional Boat Show, February 11-15, 2010, with initial plans calling for an exclusive unveiling and christening. We will keep you informed as launch details are further developed.

In an announcement recently at the Paris Boat Show, MasterCraft expressed their delight at having been chosen as the of-ficial towboat of both the Water Ski and

Wakeboard World Championships.

MasterCraft have enjoyed a long and success-ful relationship with the International Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) hav-ing supported many previous events including the Wakeboard World Championships and also the World Cup, an invitational elite only series that has grown year on year and recently cel-ebrated its 29th stop in Putrajaya – Malaysia. MasterCraft’s Vice President of International Business – Ian Birdsall comments: “This six year agreement to partner the IWWF and Mas-terCraft in all world titled Wakeboard and Wa-ter Ski events is a tremendous opportunity to

continue the growth of these sports Worldwide. This long term commitment will make it pos-sible for Water Ski Federations, and competi-tive skiers and wakeboarders around the world to be confident in the knowledge that the most important and prestigious events will be pulled by the very best in towboat performance and technology. We will be producing “World Cham-pionship” editions.

Welcome To The Jungle

Water Ski and Wakeboard World Championships

6 ISSUE 59

JCR / Honda WINS SCORE Baja 1000

MOTORCYCLEnews

Morais and Emtek to race Aprilia V4 in 2010

Having won the 2008 South African Superbike championship on a Ka-wasaki, and then claimed both the Superbike and 600cc Supersport na-

tional titles for the same manufacturer in 2009, Sheridan Morais and the EmTek Racing team are moving to Aprilia for 2010. After seeing how well the Aprilia RSV4 performed in its first season in World Superbike we are also curious as to how well it would shape here.

Sheridan is looking forward to coming to grips with the Aprilia, “It’s beautiful, and it feels like a 125 to sit on,” he says. “In World Superbike and Superstock racing the guys are right there, so it’s definitely a contender.”

How does the multiple SA champ feel about going into uncharted territory on a motorcycle that is as yet unproven in South Africa? “My dad and I have raced many different bikes over the years, and we’ve usually got them up to speed ahead of everybody else. Chris always makes sure we get our bikes as early as pos-sible and by the time the season starts we’ve already had two months of flat-out testing.

The Aprilia RSV4 Factory arrives pretty close to race-ready so we don’t have to buy and set up new suspension. That’s a big plus.”

Andy Reid brought you Europe’s style icon, the Vespa, in 2003. He intro-duced the renowned Art Vespa com-petition in 2005. The three-wheeled

Fuocco arrived in 2008. And now, Reid con-tinues the innovation with the production of a stretch Vespa.

As if the Vespa didn’t already have a dozen sim-ilarities with luxury limousines - including sleek contours, superb finishes and the ability to turn heads - you can now take your friends along for the ride. Not into double dates? Here’s a list of uses you haven’t thought of for the stretch

Vespa, it’s a ‘sensible’ family car on two wheels and kids will look forward to going to school on this, you can play designated driver and still park outside the front door of the party, when you make new buddies, you can take them home with you, save money on fuel and you can do this all with simple twist and go automatic transmission.

You’d be surprised to discover that the stretch Vespa is even easier to manoeuvre than a standard two-wheeled scooter. And it includes a hi-tech four stroke engine and all-steel chassis.

This win marks the 13th SCORE Baja 1000 in a row for Honda, the 4th for Kendall Norman, the 2nd for Quinn Cody, the 1st for Timmy Weigand and

the 2nd in a row for Johnny Campbell’s newly formed JCR/Honda.

NBC shot a special on the race featuring the JCR/Honda team. Mark your calendars for the 2009 SCORE Baja 1000 air date of De-cember 19th on NBC at 2pm. The team raced on an Eric Siraton prepped Honda CRF450X. The course was a brutal 1076.56 km loop of the toughest trails in Baja and the JCR/Honda team averaged 79.9 km/h, the fast-est of all competitors finishing in 13:27.50. The JCR/Honda B team of Brent Harden, Matt Eddy, Max Eddy and lead by Colton Udall was racing without a recently injured Jeff “OX” Kargola. Racing a Colton Udall prepped Honda CRF450X number 18X, and finishing in 14:10:10.

When Kendall Norman crossed the finish line he knew he had just lead his team to the Baja 1000 victory. He celebrated with a massive burnout that ignited thousands of spectators surrounding the finish of the 42nd annual SCORE Baja 1000. Thus kicking off a party of flash bulbs and congratulations that lasted until early the next morning with the team celebrating the accomplishment of winning in Baja, a feeling very few will ever know.T

he ParkinGo European Series (origi-nally named the ParkinGo World Series Trophy) will run at seven WSBK rounds in 2010, each featuring a grid of up to

24 riders on the Triumph Street Triple 675R.

The series, is organised by the Oasi Handling Group which owns the title sponsor ParkinGo. The airport car park network is also the title sponsor of the ParkinGo Triumph BE1 World Supersport team which competes with the Daytona 675, so it’s no surprise Triumph was selected as the supplier for the new series. The series is open to riders with a European Motor-cycle Union license, but limited to six riders per country. The winner of the ParkinGo European Series may be offered a wild card entry at the 2010 World Supersport season finale. “I think

the ParkinGO Series is a brilliant idea and gives the opportunity to anybody that loves Motor-sport to be part of it,” says Garry McCoy who races for BE1. “I have heard a lot of people saying how much they would like to be us, well now they have the chance to be themselves in the same involvement of the top riders.”

Vespa Stretching Your Imagination

New Single-Spec WSBK Support Series

8 ISSUE 59

I was at a dinner in Spain a few years ago at the international launch of the M6 when the boss of BMW’s M Division said that there will never be a turbocharged or an all wheel drive M car. I guess it’s true when they say that you should never say never.

Made In The USA To Rule The Road

LaunchedBMW X5 & X6 M

Because here I am about to tell you

all about my drive in the new all

wheel drive turbocharged X5 and

X6 M models.

I have got to say right up front that I have

always thought that the X6 is quite a pointless

car and now as an M derivative, I think even

more so. But BMW have gone and produced a

very good car and created themselves a new

segment called the Sports Activity Coupe cat-

egory at the same time.

They are unchallenged here mostly because

nobody else plays here, and to be honest, as

pointless as it is, the X6 M can’t be touched

by anything that is remotely in the same

category.

I will get into the dynamics and the power-

plant and what that does in a few moments,

but make no mistake though, there are a few

flaws on these R1 000 000 plus packages that

actually ruin the high speed driving experience

out on the road.

The first and most notable issue I found was

that the Servotronic steering was constantly

second guessing the input from the driver and

the faster I went, the worse it became. Keep-

ing the car in a straight and smooth line was

impossible. It is as if there were imaginary

ruts in the road that the car kept wanting to

follow.

I got to say though, on the track where the

tar was indeed very smooth, the problem was

nowhere near as apparent and both these big

heavy machines turned in as good as can be

expected and far better than any other SUV or

SAC or whatever you want to call them could

ever hope to.

The other issue was that there was an exces-

sive amount of wind noise around the A Pil-

lar and mirror area and this intruded into the

cabin quite a bit. More so than I found on other

high end SUVs like the Audi Q7 V12 and Range

Rover Supercharged Sport.

For me that was the end of the problems,

thereafter it was a case of revelling in the M

power baby! And for this you have a twin turbo

4.4 litre V8 doing the business. And not just

any old engine either, these M machines boasts

a world first with a common exhaust emission

manifold joining both rows of cylinders as well

as twin scroll twin turbo technology.

This in turn is good for a massive 408 kW of

power and 680 Nm of torque, which is claimed

to get these vehicles to 100 km/h in a mere

11 ISSUE 59

4.7 seconds and along to a limited top speed

of 250 km/h not all that much later. There is

an option to raise this limit to 275 km/h with

an optional M Driver’s Package in Europe, but

at this stage there is no confirmation that this

will be available in SA.

Both are also said to offer by far the highest

level of efficiency in their respective segments

due to them not only running high precision

injection but also technologies such as Brake

Energy Regeneration as well as on-demand

control of the electrical fuel pump, the detach-

able a/c compressor and the volume flow-con-

trolled supply of hydraulic fluid to the anti-roll

system.

In simpler terms though, fuel consumption

is claimed to be 14.3 litres / 100 kilometres,

but you will be very hard pressed to get this

number as the boost and the nature of these

beasts almost demands that you make liberal

use of the power on tap, and then you are go-

ing to pay for this privilege at the pumps to the

tune of around 20 litres / 100 kilometres.

Of course being an M car means that although

they come with a six-speed auto transmission,

it is an M Sports Automatic transmission that

not only allows traditional smooth auto shift-

ing, it also has a proper manual paddle shift

mode that sees the vehicles holding the gear

to the rev limiter, which in turn made the laps

around Aldo Scribante in Port Elizabeth excep-

tionally fun.

There is also a full Launch Control function

that makes these big machines jump off the

line in a sportscar humbling fashion.

I predict that when we run them against our

Racelogic VBOX test equipment they will re-

write the SUV record books.

There won’t be any smoking wheels either

thanks to BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive

system that ensures variable distribution of

drive power front to rear along with dynamic

performance control that varies the distribu-

tion of power between the two rear wheels and

allows for phenomenal levels of grip.

Going along with the sporty theme you also

get M seats, an M leather steering wheel and

an M footrest, as well as the M-specific cockpit

including an instrument cluster with a variable

pre-warning field in the rev counter, specific

vehicle function displays, and white illumina-

tion of the display units and a Head-Up display

completing the package.

As to be expected, you also get an interior

and a level of spec that is top class and offers

everything you could want from electric seats

to even an optional towbar that includes an

electrically swivelling ball head.

In wrapping up, has BMW’s M foray into SUV

territory been totally successful? I don’t really

know, only time and future sales will tell.

But now at least you have an M to go play in

the bush with and then rip up the tar all within

the same package.

Pricing

BMW X5 M R1 225 000

BMW X6 M R1 260 000

Mark Jones

12 ISSUE 59

The Discovery can be described as

the ideal vehicle for many differ-

ent jobs. Workhorse, tow car, law

enforcer, status symbol, people car-

rier and bundu basher, the Discovery has risen

to all these tasks over the last twenty years,

earning itself iconic status as the ultimate all-

purpose vehicle.

The Discovery 3 was the model that helped

Land Rover remain at the top of the pile in

terms of SUV’s that can really go off-road. It

was a really good vehicle in all aspects and one

would have to be hard pressed to improve it,

but they did.

We always say it and they always manage to

pull it off. With the design of the Land Rover

Discovery 4, designers kept the sustainability,

premium feel and desirability of the model in

mind while still giving it a fresh new look and a

good dollop of new technology.

Discovery 4 inherits the clean lines of the pre-

vious generation, but now subtly updated and

given a more premium, more contemporary

look. Smoother simpler surfaces are employed

at the front, giving the vehicle its new char-

acter, emphasised by sportier looking front

lights, with new LED lights front and rear. The

new front bumper has a larger cooling aper-

ture to accommodate the new engines greater

power outputs.

The interior has been entirely redesigned with

a transformed dashboard and centre console,

new seats and an array of new, user friendly

features.

The new interior combines smooth, flowing

surfaces with significant reduction in the com-

plexity and number of controls. Like its prede-

cessors, Discovery 4 comes with seven seats

– the rearmost pair now offering legroom for

full-sized adults, providing a versatile space

for family and friends.

Designed originally to plug the gap between the utilitarian attributes of the iconic Land Rover Defender and the more luxurious characteristics of the flagship Range Rover, Dis-covery soon became the perfect niche vehicle for the growing demands of the family 4x4 market and the model celebrates it’s 20th anniversary this year.

Versatility Is Key

LaunchedLand Rover Discovery 4

14 ISSUE 59

Some of the features now available include

a Portable Audio Interface, DAB radio, a new

five-camera surround system, for easier park-

ing and towing and a new key system which

allows Keyless entry and push button start.

A new five inch TFT driver information screen

is also introduced with Discovery 4. Sitting

within the re-designed instrument cluster, the

message centre displays key information that

is communicated in a clean simple and user

friendly manner. Five digital cameras make

up the new surround camera system, relaying

to the touch-screen a near 360-degree view,

which is great for tight parking spots or ob-

stacles with low down hazards.

Land Rover claim that the Discovery 4 is the

greatest tow vehicle in the world. With com-

prehensive chassis developments the Discov-

ery 4 now boasts even more impressive load

carrying capacity, while towing stability and

guidance make towing, reversing and park-

ing with any kind of trailer a stress free ex-

cercise.

In the engine department, the Discov-

ery 4 now boasts a highly efficient TDV6

3.0 twin turbo diesel engine. This is claimed to

deliver a nine percent fuel economy improve-

ment on the combined cycle and ten percent

less CO2 emissions, while power is increased

by 29 percent. Their results in a claimed

0 – 100 km/h time of 9.6 seconds. The

180 kW and 600 Nm are accessible across the

entire rev range, delivering immediate throttle

response and effortless cruising ability.

The parallel sequential turbocharging sys-

tem of the 3.0 litre engine makes use of its

larger primary turbo most of the time, while

the smaller secondary turbo remains dormant

when high power is not required, reducing

pumping losses and fuel consumption.

The TDV6 3.0 is mated to the revised and

super smooth ZF HP28 six speed automatic

transmission. Its characteristics have been

optimised by Land Rover engineers to provide

class leading response, with rapid and refined

shifts.

Land Rover engineers have also transformed

the on road ride and handling as well as the

off road capabilities thanks to new suspension

components, revised steering, larger brakes

and improved traction control.

Enhancements to the Terrain Response system

help optimise the vehicle for every conceivable

type of terrain. Five different settings include,

General driving, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand,

Mud and Ruts and Rock Crawl. For soft sand,

one of the most power hungry surfaces, ‘sand

launch control’ has now been introduced,

which makes for noticeably easier pull aways.

This is achieved as new speed dependant

wheel slip targets for the traction control sys-

tem permit only very limited initial wheel-slip,

helping to prevent the wheels digging down

into the sand.

In terms of versatility you will still be hard

pressed to find a better vehicle than the Dis-

covery. Road manners are good, off road abil-

ity is exceptional and there is luxury and space

to keep passengers comfortable. Couple to this

good towing ability and efficient, well perform-

ing engines and you simply can not go wrong.

Pricing

3.0L TDV6 S R595 000

3.0L TDV6 SE R645 000

3.0L TDV6 HSE R725 000

5.0L LRV8 HSE R720 000

Pricing includes a Land Rover Care Plan valid

for 5 years / 100 000km.

Reuben van Niekerk

15 ISSUE 59

The challenge in designing the new

generation Prado was to improve on

the excellent reputation of the cur-

rent model and it seems that Toyota

have managed to do so by achieving even bet-

ter reliability, durability and robustness while

also improving the overall performance and

functionality of the vehicle.

Essentially a brand new design, the latest mid-

sized Land Cruiser SUV follows the formula of

a strong, all steel body mounted on a ladder

type frame for the highest level of durability in

tough operating conditions. By nature a Land

Cruiser model needs to live up to its reputa-

tion as tough, virtually indestructible vehicles.

The exterior design makes the Prado equally

at home on the sophisticated streets of Sand-

ton or in a harsh desert environment, one that

looks good even when it is dirty.

Toyota’s new Prado will initially be available

in the top-of-the-range luxury VX seven seat

specification with a choice of 4.0 litre V6, or

3.0 litre turbo diesel engines.

The Prado 4.0 VX Petrol is powered by the

highly acclaimed 1GR-FE 4.0 litre V6 engine

with a 24-valve DOHC configuration. This all-

aluminium engine from Toyota was purpose

designed for 4x4 SUV applications and has

proven itself in the current Prado. It has been

refined further for its use in the new Prado with

improved fuel economy and power in this lat-

est application. Maximum power is improved

from 179 kW to 202 kW at 5 600 rpm.

Torque is also marginally up with 381 Nm

available at 4 400 rpm. Dual VVT-i, high ef-

ficiency intake and exhaust ports, a number

of low friction components, and a 10.4:1 com-

pression ratio add to the performance of this

lightweight engine.

The Prado 3.0 VX Diesel model is equipped

with the 1KD-FTV common rail direct injection

engine. This is a 3.0 litre four cylinder turbo-

charged and inter-cooled engine with a

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is an extremely popular vehicle in South Africa, mainly be-cause it combines luxury interior design with good on road manners and true go anywhere ability that comes standard with any Land Cruiser model. It is no surpsise that the Land Cruiser is affectionately known as the Master of Africa.

Go Anywhere, Do Anything

LaunchedToyota Land Cruiser Prado

16 ISSUE 59

16-valve DOHC configuration. Maximum pow-

er is 120 kW at 3 400 rpm and peak torque

of 400 Nm is delivered between 1 600 rpm

and 2 800 rpm. Power is up by 25 percent on

the current model while torque improves by

17 percent. Both the petrol and diesel engines

are mated to a five-speed electronically con-

trolled automatic transmission.

This transmission offers excellent performance

and fuel efficiency together with a smooth

shifting characteristic and low noise.

The Land Cruiser Prado now has a host of

technology under its belt to help it sustain

its title as the Master of Africa. These include

Multi-terrain select, a first for Toyota, which

displays operational procedures for the driver

and at the same time controls the acceleration

dynamics of the vehicle.

Selecting one of the four available modes that

best matches the terrain being negotiated

prompts the system to provide easy to under-

stand guidance while optimising throttle and

brake control. The four modes are Mud and

Sand, Rock, Loose Rock and Moguls. These

functions ensure that even novice off-roaders

can tackle obstacles with confidence and will

make the vehicle that much easier to for sea-

soned off-road drivers to operate.

Other electronic gadgetry includes Multi-ter-

rain ABS, Brake assist, Electronic Brake force

Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill start

Assist control and CRAWL (Crawl control).

This system allows the vehicle to maintain a

low uniform speed over the roughest terrain

by controlling power output and brake pres-

sure to individual wheels for the purpose of

reducing the burden on the driver and provid-

ing a more comfortable ride when travelling

off-road. This allows the driver to apply his full

attention to steering the vehicle along the best

course.

The approach and departure angles, which

are an important factor in the off road abil-

ity remain the same as the outgoing model,

32 degrees and 24 degrees respectively.

In general on and off-road performance tend

to serve conflicting interests and it is often

difficult to achieve both good off-road perfor-

mance and good on-road characteristics in the

same vehicle. However with the new Prado,

Toyota have succeeded in improving both of

these conflicting qualities.

The Prado KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension

System) helps achieve excellent ride comfort

and driving stability for all driving conditions,

from off-road driving to motoring on paved

roads. This system controls the effectiveness

of the front and rear stabilisers to provide the

most suitable suspension performance for pre-

vailing conditions.

A double wishbone independent suspension

setup is used at the front and a four link with

lateral rod system is implemented at the rear.

Both systems use coil springs and have been

fine tuned to realise excellent handling, stabil-

ity and ride comfort as part of the new models

total overhaul.

Interior comfort is also improved, particularly

in the second and third rows, although I still

believe the third row of seats is reserved for

children only. The luggage compartment is

now more user friendly, as the third row of

seats can be folded away at the touch of a

button. The interior space and utility was

improved thanks to a slightly larger external

envelope.

Safety protection includes dual stage driver

and single stage passenger airbags as well

as seat side airbags for front occupants and a

knee airbag for the driver. Curtain side airbags

provide side on protection for all three rows of

seats and 18 Inch alloy wheels allow for large

diameter brake discs and calipers to be fitted

for superb braking. Ventilated discs are fitted

front and rear and are matched to four piston

calipers at the front with floating calipers at

the rear.

The Land Cruiser Prado 3.0 VX Diesel costs

R637 900 and the Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX

Petrol will sell for R650 000. This includes a

five year / 90 000 kilometre ToyotaCare Ser-

vice Plan. Service intervals are 10 000 kilome-

tres for both models.

Reuben van Niekerk

17 ISSUE 59

The Clio III line-up for 2010 will com-

prise the five door 1.6 Dynamique,

and the ferocious little monster

from Renault Sport, the 2.0 three-

door RS. So let’s first take a look at the 1.6

Dynamique, as I already mentioned the styl-

ing has been completely revised endowing the

new Clio with a truly individual character.

The previous models features list is carried

over and is further supplemented by the in-

clusion of cruise control, automatic climate

control, a combined rain and light sensor and

heated electric folding mirrors. In addition to

placing you in full comfort with this compre-

hensive list of features is an MP3-compatible

sound system with Bluetooth and iPod sup-

port.

On the safety side the new 1.6 Dynamique is

equally well stocked with ABS, EBD and Emer-

gency Brake Assist (EBA). Based on the five

star rated Clio platform, this latest version will

offer occupants more protection than ever be-

fore with dual front and side airbags, as well

as curtain and knee airbags. Engine wise the

new Clio retains the familiar 1.6 litre 16 valve

engine renowned for its combination of perfor-

mance and economy. Maximum power is rated

at 83 kW at 6 000 rpm with a peak torque of

151 Nm at 4 250 rpm. Fuel economy is en-

sured with a claimed combined fuel consump-

tion cycle of 6.6 litres / 100 km along with a

CO2 emission rating of 157 g/km. The new Re-

nault Clio 1.6 Dynamique has a recommended

retail price of R188 000.

Now let’s move on to the Clio’s sportier cousin,

the Clio RS. As the performance flagship of

the Renault Clio range, the Renault Sport (RS)

models have always been held in high regard

by driving enthusiasts, and it will be no differ-

ent in the case of the new Clio RS. Changes

on the RS roughly mirrors that of the 1.6 Dy-

namique, however it exudes a far more power-

ful stance due to the muscular accents found

throughout its design.

The RS isn’t just pretty though, it’s made to

go fast. The Sport suspension has been re-

vised and the wheelbase has been extended

by 10 mm for greater stability. It also features

a more refined power steering system that

achieves improved feedback to give you the

edge in corners. And getting you from A to B

is a revised version of the impressive 2.0 litre

16 valve power plant found in the previous

Clio RS. Power has increased to 147.5 kW at

7 000 rpm and the 215 Nm torque peak is now

achieved at 5 400 rpm. The first, second and

third gear ratios have also all been shortened

for punchier acceleration and transmission

is provided by a six speed manual gearbox.

With all these refinements the Clio RS is said

to be capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h

in just 6.9 seconds and on to a top speed of

225 km/h.

The RS also has some tantalizing little ex-

tra’s like a bold yellow rev counter which in-

cludes a visible F1-style gearshift indicator,

form-hugging two-toned Renault Sport seats

as standard and an 80 watt MP3-compatible

CD player. And also included in the purchase

of the new Clio Renault Sport is a free high-

performance advanced driver-training course

conducted by the Renault Driver Academy.

And having driven the RS, I can assure you

that this little monster will surprise you, it’s

an absolute joy through the corners and un-

der braking, definitely one of the most fun

cars we’ve driven this year. The new Renault

Clio RS has a recommended retail price of

R249 900.

Upgrading models is an annual phenomenon in the motoring industry, usually it’s nothing more than a slight facelift, maybe making a bumper a little curvier here or adding some polish to the dash there. But Renault is truly revolutionizing their Clio range with the latest generation models.

The Face Of Progress

Johan Keyter

LaunchedRenault Clio 1.6 & RS

18 ISSUE 59

The Kia design team aimed to deliver

futuristic styling with a bold sense of

power and dynamism, to once again

differentiate Kia’s larger SUV from

potential rivals by incorporating Kia’s new de-

sign DNA into the all new Sorento.

It was also important for Kia to have a new

face, as in the past Kia cars were neutral in

design and not easily recognisable. With its

longer front overhang, wedge profile and

accentuated wheel arch volumes, the new

Sorento looks powerful, modern, sporty and

robust at the same time. Bold frontal styling,

which incorporates Kia’s new signature Tiger

nose grille that blends seamlessly into the new

Sorrento’s four-light, black bezel wrap around

headlamps, creates a simple yet striking char-

acter.

The new Sorento was designed on an all new

monocoque body shell with room for up to

seven occupants. Building on these founda-

tions engineers concentrated on eight key de-

velopment areas, class leading performance,

increased fuel economy, reduced emissions,

improved on road handling, more fun to drive

responsiveness, greater cabin space and com-

fort, enhanced overall safety and the introduc-

tion of new technologies. Reacting to market

forces and consumer trends, Kia has down-

sized the engines for the Sorento in terms of

capacity, while improving the efficiency of all

the powertrains.

The 2.2 litre diesel engine produces 147 kW

and 436 Nm from 1 800 rpm – 2 500 rpm

when coupled to an automatic transmission

and 422 Nm when used with the six speed

manual transmission. This engine features a

n electrical variable geometry turbocharger.

The 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine will produce 207

kW at 6 300 rpm and torque of 335 Nm at 5

000 rpm, when it becomes available in the 2nd

quarter of 2010 and will feature CVVT, for bet-

ter acceleration and fuel efficiency.

New Sorento buyers can select from two ad-

vanced drivetrains (2WD or 4WD) on the die-

sel derivatives and 4WD only on the petrol

derivative, to best match the on road and off

road abilities to the buyers individual lifestyle.

The 4WD drivetrain uses a single ratio (high)

4WD system, in normal driving conditions 100

percent of the power is delivered to the front

wheels but whenever a front wheel loses grip

a percentage of torque is automatically trans-

ferred to the rear wheels to maintain forward

motion. When driving in slippery conditions a

driver can manually select Lock Mode, which

then splits torque 50/50 between the front

and rear axles for increased stability below 30

km/h. The top of the range seven seater pack-

age includes a smart key, rear view camera,

self levelling suspension, 18 inch alloy wheels,

xenon headlights and a panoramic sunroof.

When using the vehicle as a five seater, the

total cargo capacity is now 1 047 litres. Cargo

capacity with all seats upright is 258 litres and

a massive 2 052 litres when both the third and

second row seats are folded down.

The new Sorento offers a luxurious and relax-

ing drive thanks to a great interior and good

driving dynamics. Its stylish appearance and

good engines rockets it forward in the seg-

ment, while competitive pricing will make it an

attractive choice towards buyers.

With six diesel models available from launch

pricing ranges from R339 995 for the 2.2 die-

sel 2WD manual to R399 995 fro the 2.2 diesel

4WD auto with the 7 seater package.

Kia say that they have adjusted there brand and design from simply being a car producer to being a modern mobility provider. After driving the new Sorento we can not help but agree.

Style, Space And Stand Out Looks

Reuben van Niekerk

LaunchedKia Sorento

19 ISSUE 59

Since launching the first generation

MX-5 in 1989, Mazda has stuck to

the concept that driving enjoyment

is the number one priority when

climbing behind the wheel of an MX-5. The

MX-5 is even listed in the Guinness Book of

World Records as the best selling two seater

sports car ever.

The facelifted model of the third generation

MX-5 embodies refinements for an even purer

experience of what Mazda call ‘Jinba Ittai’,

the unique feeling of oneness between driver

and car that has set the MX-5 apart since its

inception. With the freshened design, Mazda

retained the well known friendly facial expres-

sion while incorporating elements of Mazda’s

latest design themes for a dynamic, athletic

look that embodies the MX-5’s function and

purpose as a sports car.

In terms of dynamic performance, Mazda en-

hanced characteristics that appeal to the emo-

tions. The engine potential has been optimised

for greater enjoyment, a sportier engine sound

that responds more crisply to accelerator in-

puts has been created and a brisk, high quality

steering feel has been realised.The front grille

has been enlarged and changed from an oval

shape to the five point shape that forms part

of the well known Mazda family face. Com-

bined with tautly styled headlamp units and

flowing foglamp bezels, the new grille creates

a refined and athletic expression.

The MX-5 Roadster Coupe features an inge-

nious powered roof system. The power retract-

able hard top is a world first in that it retracts

into the back of the cabin, thereby precluding

any impact on the boot space. When the roof

is opened, an electrically powered mechanism

folds the roof and moves it rearward to stow it

in a space behind the seats. A rear deck cover

over the storage space is automatically lifted

out of the way to allow the roof to be stowed

or unfolded and is then automatically returned

to its original position.

The interior design delivers the MX-5’s tradi-

tional combination of comfortable snugness

below the shoulder level and openness above

shoulder level. With the latest facelift of the

MX-5, Mazda engineers have evolved the dy-

namic and performance attributes of the ve-

hicle. The powertrain has been enhanced to

enable the driver to enjoy the full potential of

the engine’s performance. The speed at which

the engine delivers its maximum power of 118

kW has been raised from 6 700 rpm to 7 000

rpm and the rev limit has been raised from 7

000 to 7 500 rpm. Torque remains ample with

188 Nm available at 5 000 rpm. As the engine

note is a big part of the sports-car experience,

Mazda engineers made the engine sound even

better with a clearer engine not being deliv-

ered throughout the rev range.

Aerodynamic improvements such as air guides

that protrude downward from the left and

right corners of the front bumper, protruding

rear combination lamps and wider front tyre

deflectors have contributed to improved han-

dling stability, quietness and high speed fuel

economy.

The Bose sound system now features a six

channel equaliser to achieve clearer. More dy-

namic sound reproduction, while an AUX jack

has been added, allowing third party audio de-

vices to be connected to the car’s audio sys-

tem. The new paro MX-5 offers 15 000 km ser-

vice intervals, an impressive four year / 120

000 km as well as a four year / 60 000 km

service plan. The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe

retails for R337 500.

Mazda’s MX-5 offers roadster driving at its best, the original concept has been so success-ful that Mazda has never changed it, affordable to buy and use, lightweight, good handling and classic roadster looks, all it needed to bring it up to date was a few minor tweaks.

Zoomy Drop Top

Reuben van Niekerk

LaunchedMazda MX-5 Coupe

20 ISSUE 59

The GL-Class’ expressive presence is

further accentuated by modernised

bumpers, redesigned chrome under-

body protection at the front and the

rear, a new radiator grille, fog lights and op-

tional day time driving lights. Other new fea-

tures include a host of new light alloy wheels

and reworked chrome tailpipes and the range

of colours is supplemented by two new me-

tallic paint colours. A towbar is now standard

fitment and is hidden behind the rear apron,

which allows it to be swung out when needed

and concealed when not in use.

Occupants of the GL-Class will enjoy an incred-

ibly spacious interior that provides up to seven

passengers with the pleasant ambience that

is typical of Mercedes-Benz. The redesigned

luxury leather seats with contrasting trimming

will be a real eye catcher in the new GL-Class,

while the top of the line GL500 model is avail-

able with exclusive nappa leather appoint-

ments. The Comand APS multimedia system

is now standard fitment and combines a radio,

MP3 player with a hard disc navigation sys-

tem including high-resolution map display on a

6.5 inch colour display. The instrument clus-

ter features a high class 3D look, consisting of

two, one for the speedometer and the other

for the rev counter. The analogue clock is in-

corporated into the speedometer tube and the

fuel gauge into the rev counter tube.

Besides featuring the innovative 4Matic per-

manent all wheel drive system, the standard-

fitted Airmatic air suspension ensures out-

standing drive comfort and active safety. The

Airmatic system allows the vehicle to achieve

a ground clearance of up to 307 mm. The

Off-Road pro engineering package is a stan-

dard feature and greatly improves manoeu-

vring in difficult terrain, thanks to the use of

gear ratio reduction and multiple disc locks at

the rear axle and the centre differential. Ad-

ditional electronic handling systems include

off-road ABS, downhill speed regulation and

anti-stall assist.

With a lightweight design and equipped with

common rail technology, the GL350CDI 4MAT-

IC BlueEFFICIENCY with 165 kW of power is a

powerful V6 diesel engine with low consump-

tion. Maximum torque of 510 Nm is available

from as low as 1 600 rpm. The V8 engine in

the GL500 4MATIC is among the most pow-

erful in its displacement class with compara-

tively frugal consumption. This eight cylinder

engine with 285 kW develops 530 Nm from

2 800 rpm and is claimed to accelerate from

0 – 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds on it’s way to

a top speed of 240 km/h. The intelligent 7G-

TRONIC automatic transmission constantly

adapts to meet the requirements of the cur-

rent driving situation and the driving style of

the driver. The transmission is operated via a

Direct Select lever on the steering column or

alternatively by shift paddles on the steering

wheel.

The generous dimensions of the GL-Class

forms the basis for an exemplary load com-

partment. With three rows of seats there is

360 litres of space. With the third row of seats

folded downan impressive 1 240 mm is avail-

able and with the second and third rows folded

down, it offers a humongous load capacity of

2 200 litres, that can easily accommodate a

pair of mountain bikes or surfboards. The Easy

pack tailgate system opens and closes electro-

hydraulically and can be halted in any interme-

diate position.

The GL350 CDI Blue EFFICIENCY will retail for

R 860 00 and the GL500 for R990 000 which

includes the MobiloDrive 120 maintenance

contract.

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class continues to hold a strong position in the market segment of luxurious sports utility vehicles. The latest model update has made the premium off-road-er even more attractive. The designers have paid special attention to the vehicle’s exterior design and have made its striking body even more appealing.

Off-road Limousine

Reuben van Niekerk

LaunchedMercedes-Benz GL-Class

21 ISSUE 59

As with many of these kinds of cars

it began as an ‘under the radar’

project exploring the possibilities

of weight reduction on the Conti-

nental GT but with more oomph. A slight in-

crease in power and a new quicker shifting

transmission are the main culprits in the im-

proved acceleration times. Overall, the team

have achieved a weight reduction of 110 kg

compared with the Continental GT Speed.

This performance is complimented by chas-

sis enhancements including retuned steering

and suspension, utilising lighter weight com-

ponents, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars.

Agility is further sharpened by the 40:60 rear

biased torque split for the all wheel drive sys-

tem.

Ceramic brakes are standard fitment and are

needed to stop such a fast and heavy car. In-

creased power and torque of the W12 engine

required additional airflow to the twin turbo-

charger intercoolers and cooling system and

this was satisfied by adding large vertical in-

take apertures and twin bonnet vents.

An interesting fact is that the Supersports is

also the first Bentley capable of running on

both petrol and biofuel, pioneering the use of

FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector

The Supersports is further distinguished from

its Continental coupe stable mates by what

I like to call the Brakpan kit. This includes a

dark smoked steel finish to all exterior ‘bright-

ware’, including front grilles, lamp bezels, win-

dow surrounds and of course the wheels. This

just goes to show that having lots of money

doesn’t necessarily mean that you have style

and good taste.

Over the years I have attended a fair number

of car launches and the manufacturers always

try and do something special in showcasing

their new cars. For the launch of Bentleys fast-

est car ever they summoned us to the world

renowned Kyalami circuit.

And they had Derek Bell on hand to take pas-

sengers on hot laps around the track at night.

He is a is a former English racing driver who

was extremely successful in sportscar racing,

winning five times at Le Mans. He also raced

in Formula One for the Ferrari, McLaren, Sur-

tees and Tecno teams. Bell was one of many

drivers to take part in the filming of Le Mans

(1970) starring Steve McQueen. He is now one

of Bentley’s test drivers. Being driven around

Kyalami by Derek Bell in the fastest Bentley

ever, at night, rates right up there with those

special motoring memories that petrolheads

would all like to cross off their ‘bucket list.’

This is the part where I am supposed to tell

you how the car feels, how well it handles and

how amazingly fast it feels around the track

in the hands of Derek Bell. But I can’t. I was

one of only two journalist to even bother put-

ting my name on the list and got 16th spot,

because I really wanted a drive in the car and

because it is rather difficult to write a story on

a car that you haven’t even been a passenger

in. With plenty of track time I was confident

that in 16th spot I would get a chance, to ride

shotgun with this Le Mans legend.

It would seem that if you own a Bentley you no

longer regard the universal queing system or

common courtesty with any importance. Our

hosts continued to push customers into the car and after two hours, Kyalami had taken its toll and the tyres were toast, with the list long rearranged in order of importance, with journalists not ranking very high in terms of importance.

The Continental Supersports is the fastest, most powerful Bentley ever boasting with 621 hp and 0 – 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 329 km/h thanks to a bit of a crash diet, well that is what Bentley says it will do...

Jump The Queue

Reuben van Niekerk

LaunchedBentley Continental Supersports

22 ISSUE 59

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Caring for your assets is our profession, Caring for you is our difference.

Now Ford is expanding its range

in South Africa with a new sports

utility crossover vehicle (SUV)

that is sure to see great appeal

across our country. Based on the successful

Ford Ranger, the new seven-seater SUV boasts

bold styling that reinforces the ‘Built Ford

Though’ image of the brand.

From the refined chrome grille to the mus-

cular wheel arch flares, all the design ele-

ments of the Everest oozes with toughness

and gives the car an aggressive stance that

any SUV owner covets. But it’s not all about

looks though, the Everest is first and foremost

a family vehicle, and it has been designed with

that concept in mind.

It’s the only vehicle in its segment to feature a

side-hinged door, this allows the spare wheel

to be mounted on it, creating more space in-

side the car and makes opening the door itself

a lot easier for smaller people. The third row

of seats can also be folded down or even re-

moved, if you don’t need the extra passenger

space, to create the tallest and widest cargo

area in its class. As far as power goes the new

Everest makes use of Ford’s acclaimed Dura-

torq TDCi diesel engine. The 3.0 litre engine

employs advanced injection technology, in-

tercooler and variable-geometry turbo charg-

ing, to reduce turbo lag and improve overall

performance. With plenty of available torque

the Everest is responsive and offers plenty of

grunt while the 3.0 litre engine will go on to

deliver 115kW and 380Nm at a peak torque

of 1 800 rpm.

As far as the drive train goes, the Everest XLT

is available in either 4x2 or 4x4 guise and will

make use of a five speed manual transmission.

The Everest LTD on the other hand is avail-

able in 4x4 only with a five speed automatic

transmission. The automatic model features

an electronic shift-on-the-fly system, allowing

the driver to shift the driving mode between

2WD and 4WD whilst driving up to speeds of

a 100 km/h.

All Everest’s will also feature High-Trail sus-

pension with double wishbones up front and

leaf springs at the back optimised for the com-

bination of rugged off-roading and urban use

that the Everest is designed for. The interior as

well is spacious and comfortable and leather

upholstery is standard across the range. You’ll

also find power windows throughout, air con-

ditioning and ample music capabilities inside

the Everest. And when it comes to safety the

vehicle sports a variable arsenal of safety

equipment which includes front airbags for

both driver and passenger, side airbags for

protection against side impacts, and three-

point safety belts installed throughout the car.

The vehicle also sports anti-lock braking (ABS)

and electronic brake force distribution (EBD)

to help avoid an accident in the first place.

And finally, something South African buy-

ers will especially appreciate is Ford’s unique

Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) which is in-

cluded in the Everest. This means a uniquely

coded computer chip is included on the ignition

key to ensure the vehicle will not start without

the correct key, so no worries of seeing your

beloved being driven into the sunset with a

screwdriver jammed into the ignition.

Pricing

3.0 TDCi XLT 4x2 R324 900

3.0 TDCi XLT 4x4 R364 900

3.0 TDCi LTD 4x4 a/t R382 990

From the revered Model-T to the new Everest, it’s amazing to see how Ford has evolved over the years. And it’s reassuring to see one of the oldest motor companies in the world still making headway today, even throughout all the economic troubles the motor industry has been through over the last year.

Mountain Conqueror

Johan Keyter

LaunchedFord Everest

24 ISSUE 59

The Mercedes-Benz E-class is already

a leader in the large luxury saloon

car market, offering all the luxury,

space and appeal that one would

come to expect from the German car maker.

These models are however completely trans-

formed when the AMG division wave their

magic wand over them.

The biggest difference compared to a regular

E-class model is a powerful AMG 6.3 litre V8

engine, a completely newly developed AMG

ride control sports suspension with electroni-

cally controlled damping and a new front axle.

Newly developed ceramic composite brakes

are also available as an option for the top of

the line E-Class model.

The AMG 6.3 litre V8 engine in the new E 63

AMG develops an output of 386 kW and 630

Nm. The E 63 AMG is claimed to accelerate

from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.5 sec-

onds, with a top speed of 250 km/h (electroni-

cally limited).

The high revving, naturally aspirated engine

with a displacement of 6 208cc impresses with

its agile responsiveness, muscular power de-

livery and great flexibility. Helping to get this

power to the ground is the same AMG Speed-

shift MCT gearbox as seen in the SL 63 AMG.

This transmission uses a compact, wet start-up

clutch. In conjunction with the four individual

drive modes, the double-declutching and Race

Start functions, the resulting direct connection

to the power train allows an extremely emo-

tional and highly dynamic driving experience.

In the suspension department, the driver of

this car is not obliged to accept any promises

in this respect. The AMG ride control sports

suspension copes equally well with the agile

manoeuvres of the racetrack and more com-

fortable, sedate driving.

High performance and typical Mercedes-Benz

long distance comfort go together as an ex-

traordinary synthesis in the E 63 AMG. An

electronically controlled damping system au-

tomatically varies the damping characteristics

according to the driving situation, reducing the

roll angle of the body. In addition the driver is

able to choose between the three suspension

modes of Comfort, Sport and Sport plus at the

touch of a button.

The three stage ESP familiar from the SL 63

AMG and C 63 AMG enables individual settings

to be selected – with clear benefits in terms

of driving pleasure combined with the same,

high level of handling safety. Perfect decelera-

tion is ensured by the AMG high-performance

braking system with 360 mm, internally ven-

tilated and perforated brake discs all round.

The decidedly dynamic design of the E 63 AMG

is fully in keeping with the uncompromisingly

sporty technology.

The front aspect is characterised by 17 mm

wider wings, the new AMG front apron with

large intake air apertures and the AMG-specific

daytime driving lights in LED technology. As a

hallmark of the brand, the AMG sports exhaust

system has two newly designed, chrome-plat-

ed twin tailpipes. Exclusive interior features

include the dedicated, electrically adjustable

AMG sport seats with improved lateral support

and the AMG sports steering wheel in a four-

spoke design with AMG shift paddles.

The E 63 AMG comes standard with the Mer-

cedes-Benz MobiloDrive 120 maintenance plan

(120 000 km or six years), together with a

two year full vehicle warranty and is priced at

R1 150 000.

Offering an impressive combination of outstanding performance, exhilarating driving dynamics and a technology transfer from the SL 63 AMG high-performance roadster. The E 63 AMG ushers in a new generation of dynamic sport saloons with day to day suitability.

Everyday Super Saloon

Reuben van Niekerk

LaunchedMercedes-Benz E63 AMG

25 ISSUE 59

And the new 2009 Murano is striving

to live up to that legacy, and what

a legacy it is. Being the pioneer of

the mid-sized crossover SUV seg-

ment, and making it into the SA Car of the Year

2005 contest isn’t something easy to top.

So what do you need to make a new Mura-

no? Well a short list would include, distinctive

looks, swift performance, improved efficiency

and optimum luxury, hardly a walk in the park.

But it looks like Nissan has done it again with

the new Murano.

The new D-platform, which the Murano is

based on has been further modified specifical-

ly for the Murano, with revised suspension ge-

ometry front and rear and a new speed-sensi-

tive TOPS (Twin Orifice Vehicle Speed Sensing

Power Steering), a mouthful to say the least,

for superior high-speed steering precision, al-

lowing for improved handling and a smoother

ride overall.

The result of this is a level of luxury and com-

fort usually only found in large executive sa-

loons, the ride is unbelievably smooth and fil-

ters out all the harsher elements of driving on

South African roads. And helping you do this

is Nissan’s new Intelligent All-Mode 4x4 drive

train, a permanent four-wheel drive system

that allows torque to be distributed on demand

where it’s needed. Additional safety features

on the car includes ABS with EBD, Vehicle Dy-

namic Control (VDC) stability optimiser and an

Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) system for

optimum traction on all surfaces.

Front and rear passengers will also benefit from

active head restraints in the case of a collision

and pre-tensioning, low-friction seatbelts are

provided for all five occupants. Also standard

are driver and front passenger airbags, driver

and passenger side-impact airbags and roof-

mounted curtain side-impact airbags.

Under the hood the refinement continues, the

new Murano is claimed to go from 0-100 km/h

a full 0.9 seconds faster than the previous

model, giving it a time of 8.0 seconds flat. It

will comfortably sprint to a top speed of 210

km/h and fuel consumption has fallen from 12

l/100 km to 10.9 they say.

To achieve these figures the award-winning

3.5-litre petrol V6 engine has been further

refined to produce more power and torque,

191 kW and 336 Nm respectively. Also mak-

ing an appearance on the Murano is the latest

incarnation of Nissan’s X-Tronic Continuously

Variable Transmission (CVT), which features

20 percent less internal friction than earlier

examples.

Gearbox software has also been improved to

give the new system even better efficiency

than earlier CVT systems, the engine is now

held at peak torque during hard acceleration

rather than at peak power. In addition to im-

proving ride and economy the new gearbox

with Advanced Shift Control Logic also makes

ratio changes smoother than ever before, even

should the driver opt for shifting gears manu-

ally. The combination of all of these impres-

sive features is a car that gives you a sense

of absolute comfort and safety coupled with

sporty looks and performance. So whether

you’re driving the kids to school or driving

across the continent, the Murano isn’t likely to

let you down.

The new Murano is available from R488 000

and includes a 90 000 km / five year service

plan.

When the first Murano was launched in South Africa in 2004, it took the country by storm. Finally motorists had a car which had the space and ruggedness our roads demand but with the heart of a sports car, literally.

Where Style Meets Power

Johan Keyter

LaunchedNissan Murano

26 ISSUE 59

2 9 6 3 1 H y u n d a i _ i 2 0 X t r . p d f P a g e 1 1 2 / 1 8 / 2 0 0 9 , 3 : 2 6 P M

The urban styling of the vehicle is in

sharp contrast with the boxy look of

conventional 4x4’s, and while it ex-

udes a rugged presence on the road,

a sleek profile hints at passenger comfort and

refinement at the same time.

The crisp lines, bulging curves and low overall

height create a unique functional design that

looks striking whether cruising in the city, or

off-roading on the rugged back roads.

“We are extremely pleased to introduce the

Pajero Sport, a vehicle that is set to appeal to

persons with an active and engaging lifestyle,

those looking for more than just the ordinary,”

says Annette Erasmus, Acting Divisional Man-

ager of Mitsubishi Motors.

Built in Thailand, the Pajero Sport retains the

large dimensions of an SUV yet still offers

nimble handling and parking maneuverability,

even when struggling through traffic.

The interior has been upgraded with genuine

leather seats and intelligently laid-out switch-

es and controls equipping the vehicle with the

luxurious comfort expected in an SUV. For

audio entertainment, the vehicle comes stan-

dard with Mitsubishi’s audio design radio that

features MP3 and CD compatibility and six

speakers. The standard seven seats can also

be moved around to accommodate baggage,

sports equipment and of course passengers.

Under the bonnet the Pajero Sport is armed

with the proven 3.2 litre Common Rail inter-

cooled turbo-charged DI-D diesel engine.

This power plant sports a maximum output

of 120 kW at 3 500 rpm and a very impres-

sive peak torque of 343 Nm at 2 000 rpm. And

aside from being durable and dependable, this

engine has been noted to be quiet, responsive

and economical.

Transmission is provided in the form of a rally-

proven INVECS-II 4-speed automatic gearbox

and the new Pajero Sport will come with all

the usual tech in the package including ABS

and EBD.

Stopping power is provided by 16″ ventilat-

ed discs at the front with L/T drum brakes at

the back that will bring this SUV to a quick

halt. Additional safety is provided in the form

of dual stage front airbags and Pajero Sport’s

RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution)

body, designed to assure a high level of safety

in the event of a collision. And the smooth car-

like ride of the Pajero Sport can be credited to

its front double wishbones and rear 3-link sus-

pension with coil springs and stabilizer bar.

And in addition to giving you peace of mind on

the road, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.2 DID

GLS comes standard with Mitsubishi’s 3-year /

100 000 km new vehicle warranty and Mitsubi-

shi’s 5-year / 100 000 km service plan with

service intervals every 10 000 km.

You also receive Mitsubishi’s Diamond Promise

roadside assistance plan which offers repairs,

towing and storage, twenty-four hours a day,

365 days a year.

The new Pajero Sport 4x4 retails at an esti-

mated R414 000, and is sure to appeal to the

Dakar driver inside you.

A strong heritage in making sports utility vehicles, and an invaluable experience gained from many gruelling Dakar rallies will always count in your favour if you’re designing an SUV. And this invaluable experience has been integrated into the new Pajero Sport, a new 4x4 SUV from Mitsubishi.

Your Everyday Dakar Champion

Johan Keyter

LaunchedMitsubishi Pajero Sport

28 ISSUE 59

JWT56079/E

www.newfordeverest.co.za

All Action.

Introducing the New FordEverest, the SUV that is here to change the way you experience

the world of driving. From its turbo-charged 3.0 TDCi engine, to its ability to seat up to 7,

the Everest is designed and built with one purpose in mind, to take on any road, any terrain,

anytime. Available in 4X2 and 4X4, automatic or manual transmission.

New FordEverest

In saying this, it has a massive repu-

tation to live up to, and I predict it

will do so, as my first impression of

this impressive car around the Zwart-

kops Raceway during the local media launch

was very good! The car has lost none of the

traditional core values of the original Materia,

like a spacious interior, filled with all the mod

cons you would want in any car, never mind a

pocket rocket. You have air-conditioning, cen-

tral locking, electric windows and mirrors and

electrically assisted power steering to name

but a few of the luxury items found on board.

But these are the ‘boring’ details, you all

want to know exactly how well it goes? First

up there is a Japanese-engineered IHI turbo

on board, boosting a mere 0.4 bar to get the

Materia blasting away from the traffic lights

without any lag. Okay, maybe blasting is go-

ing a bit too far, but the power is up from 76

kW to 110 kW and the torque from 132 Nm

to a very impressive 190 Nm, and this en-

sures rapidish progress. When put against our

Racelogic VBOX test equipment at the Gerotek

Testing Facility, the Turbo ran to 100 km/h in

8.98 seconds and went on to a limited top

speed of 195 km/h true at 6 250 rpm. This is

more than enough to wake a few traditional

hot hatches up. And thanks to the short ratio

five-speed manual box, gearing down becomes

almost null and void and as such the Materia

Turbo can be used around town without killing

your expected Daihatsu fuel consumption fig-

ures and then back out on the open road too.

Claimed is 7.0 litres / 100 km, but a more re-

alistic figure would be around 8.0 litres, just

because it is so nice to play in the boost. Use

it all of the time though and this number will

then go some way over the 10 litre mark.

In standard trim you get the 17 inch wheels

shod with Yokohama 205/40 17 rubber, an

Eibach Progressive Racing spring kit that sees

the car 30mm closer to the ground and a stain-

less steel performance exhaust. The car comes

with ABS and electronic brake distribution and

brake assist, but the brake fluid has been re-

placed with a high performance derivative. On

the standard brakes, this was enough for me,

but should you want more, there is an optional

high performance disk and pad upgrade that

can be ordered when you buy your Materia.

The options don’t end there though, you can

also order a Momo steering wheel with air bag,

a 1000W amp sound upgrade to go along with

the standard six-speaker radio / CD / MP3-

player and a limited slip differential, all while

keeping the three year / 100 000 km factory

warranty for complete peace of mind. Only 40

of these units will be available initially, so you

better be quick in order to secure yourself the

most fun you can have for R219 900 today!

Daihatsu South Africa has launched a turbocharged version of their Materia and this ultra funky car goes straight into the motoring history books at the same time. Why? Because it is a uniquely local performance creation that is not found anywhere else in the world, ala the legendary Opel Superboss and BMW 333i.

TestedDaihatsu Materia Turbo LTD

Tiny Terror

Mark Jones

SPECIFICATIONSDaihatsu Materia Turbo LTD1.5 Litre Turbocharged110 kW @ 5 750 rpm190 Nm @ 4 800 rpm8.98 seconds16.60 seconds @ 135.32 km/h30.47 seconds @ 169.08 km/h195.35 km/h (Limited)R219 900

Model: Engine: Power: Torque: 0-100 km/h: ¼ Mile: 1 KM: True Top Speed: Price:

Apply online atwww.wesbank.co.za

30 ISSUE 59

Nissan’s all new 370Z, the sixth

generation of the iconic sports

car, celebrates 40 years of Z-car

existence and the compelling her-

itage of the Nissan Z-car continues to attract

loyal followers as powerfully as ever before.

This formidable heritage extends all the way

back to the original 240Z introduced in 1969.

The heart and soul of any sports car is the

drivetrain, the combination of a high perfor-

mance engine matched to a precisely engi-

neered transmission. The new 3.7 litre V6

delivers a healthy 245 kW of power and revs

with enthusiasm all the way to the 7 500 rpm

redline. The rev happiness is mainly thanks

the Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) mech-

anism that has been further improved for an

engine with even better responsiveness to the

loud pedal.

Nissan has realised that even true sport car

fans have to wade through traffic jams on a

daily basis and they now offer a seven speed

automatic transmission at a modest price pre-

mium, easing the burden of the daily grind,

but still offering stonking gearbox performance

when needed. Featuring lightweight paddles

behind the steering wheel and the widest

torque convertor lockup range in the business,

this gearbox delivers the best of both worlds.

Optimised software and the paddles allow the

driver to have a similar amount of involve-

ment as that of a manual box when the need

arises. Nissans development team have also

concentrated on delivering a better balance in

weight distribution than ever before. Nissan

has realised that a 53/47 front to rear split

actually delivers a more responsive and stable

vehicle. The extra weight over the nose means

that under braking, the front tyres are pressed

harder into the tarmac providing more grip,

aiding turn in. Upon acceleration weight is

transferred rearward, giving the 370Z perfect

50/50 weight distribution right at the point

where you need it most.

All this technology allows the 370Z to sprint

from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.45 seconds on

its way to a quarter mile time of 14.60 seconds

and a limited top speed of 252 km/h. These

figures are not bad in the real world, but are

not great for a sports car of this pedigree. I

say this because these kind of figures are eas-

ily achieved by smaller capacity hot hatches,

which often offer higher levels of practicality

and greater value for money. Still, the 370Z

is a real drivers car, mainly thanks to its rear

wheel drive configuration and well balanced

handling. The car is now shorter for even

sharper agility, lower for improved body con-

trol in all situations and wider for even more

lateral grip than ever before. This all adds up

to make the 370Z a car that is great to drive

when the roads gets twisty or a trackday is on

the cards.

With the task of upholding forty years of proud Z-car heritage, the 370Z has been crafted using the same exceptional engineering standards and performance know how which has catapulted the latest R35 GT-R to the forefront of the hypercar pecking order.

The Fairlady Grows Up

Reuben van Niekerk

TestedNissan 370Z Coupe Auto

SPECIFICATIONSNissan 370Z Coupe Auto 3.7 litre V6 Naturally Aspirated245 kW @ 7 000 rpm363 Nm @ 5 200 rpm 6.45 seconds 14.60 seconds @ 158.06 km/h26.16 seconds@ 200.58 km/h 252.19 km/h @ 7 000 in 5th R516 200



31 ISSUE 59

SPECIFICATIONSVolkswagen CC 3.6 FSI 3.6 litre V6 FSI220 kW @ 6 600 rpm350 Nm @ 2 400 rpm 7.42 seconds 15.40 seconds @ 150.27 km/h27.82 seconds @ 193.15 km/h 252.31 km/h @ 6 200 in 5th gear R451 000



You will be forgiven for thinking that

this car shares a lot of parts or

resemblance to the VW Passat, but

basically it only shares the platform

and that is where the similarities end. Which

is why Volkswagen decided that the car will be

known only as the CC. The thing is however,

that it still drives like a Passat. Not that that is

necessarily a bad thing.

A few years ago we had a Volkswagen Pas-

sat in our long term fleet and and it was one

of the more popular cars amongst the maga-

zine staff. This was simply because it was such

a comfortable car to drive, both on the daily

commute and when tackling longer trips.

The CC shares a very similar interior and is just

as spacious and comfortable. Some changes

do however set the CC apart from the rest of

the VW family. New instruments were devel-

oped with numbers and markings as well as

the multi function display that is now lit up in

white. Further adding to front passenger and

driver comfort is 12-way power sport seats

with a climate control feature. The new cli-

mate seat actively ventilates the driver’s seat

and seatback surfaces, ensuring that a sporty

drive doesn’t leave you all sweaty. The boot is

certainly one of the biggest around at 535 litres

and easily swallowed up the month’s groceries

with plenty of space to spare, an added bonus

is that the seats can be folded down extending

the load carrying ability quite considerably.

The 3.6 litre V6 model ensures that there is

always enough power available underfoot,

220 kW and 350 Nm to be exact. This trans-

lates to a 0 – 100 km/h sprint of 7.42 seconds

on its way to a top speed of 252.31 km/h.

We also thought that this large displacement

engine would be sending us to the fuel pumps

very soon, but with regular freeway driv-

ing we saw the onboard display dip to 8.0 l /

100 km. Volkswagen claim an average figure of

9.5 l / 100 km which is easily attainable.

Dynamically the car is well balanced and needs

to be pushed hard to find the limits, this is

thanks to the 4 Motion system that works well

in conjunction with the acclaimed six speed

DSG gearbox.

What I like about the car is that the suspen-

sion it is extremely comfortable under normal

driving conditions yet it has the ability to per-

form in a sporty fashion when needed, without

being hard and bumpy as many performance

saloons tend to be.

If you are looking for a comfortable cruiser

with a good dollop of power underfoot the CC

V6 is not a bad buy at R451 000.

Volkswagen really knows how to make cars that appeal and work for real people. The re-cently launched CC, now available with a V6 powerplant, is the answer for drivers looking for beautiful coupe styling that does not compromise on everyday functionality.

A Coupe For The People

Reuben van Niekerk

TestedVolkswagen CC

32 ISSUE 59

The Grand Vitara - for a journey that’s a way of life.

SuzukiAuto_Car&Leisure.indd 1 12/12/08 12:03:37 PM

Now, usually I’d consider myself

someone who wouldn’t be too

fussed with the kind of prepu-

bescent arguments surrounding a

guy driving a pink car. But even I was shocked

at the utter pinkishness of this little Alto. But

anyway, you didn’t come here to read about

my embarrassment, so let’s get on to the car.

The Suzuki Alto is aimed mainly at urban mo-

torists seeking a small car that offers style and

driving enjoyment, together with good envi-

ronmental credentials. Although this seventh-

generation model is the first sold in South Af-

rica, it has been a pioneer since its launch in

Japan in 1979, and its international debut two

years later.

The concept for the first-generation Alto was

to provide a definitive response to contempo-

rary needs, representing great value by virtue

of superior fuel economy in the wake of the oil

crisis of the time.

And this has been the hallmark of the Alto for

some time, its fuel efficiency. Its attributes

embrace low fuel consumption and running

costs, a high degree of environmental effi-

ciency, exceptional value and affordability, as

well as Suzuki’s renowned traits for fun and

practical motoring. However the Alto isn’t sim-

ply a vehicle that sports good fuel economy,

it really is a fun drive. And if mine wasn’t so

outrageously pink I might have even felt con-

fident driving in it. It isn’t bad looking and it

has all the amenities you look for in a car, air

conditioning, an MP3 player, electric windows,

it’s all there in the Alto.

But how does it get around? Well, with a sur-

prisingly sturdy, small, highly efficient, all-al-

uminium 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine boast-

ing multi-point fuel injection, four valves per

cylinder and Euro 3 emissions compliance...

yep, that.

Economical and eco-friendly, the engine is

credited with a power output of 50 kW at 6

000 rpm and a torque peak of 87 Nm at 4 500

rpm. It boasts an uncharacteristically sprightly

character for its segment, matched to a low

kerb weight of just 895 kg. This is sufficient

to propel the Alto from 0-100 km in 17.7 sec-

onds, and attain a more than respectable 155

km/h top speed. More notably, however, the

Alto is credited with a convincing combined

cycle fuel consumption figure of just 5.7 litres

/ 100 km, and a very competitive CO2 emis-

sions rating of only 133 g/km. So in closing,

don’t shrug off the Alto because of its size or

speed, because this little car has really got

some character. Plus you get to save money on

fuel and you won’t have to worry about replac-

ing that German engineered air conditioner for

some ridiculous amount.

So there we were, it was the end of November and we were in the midst of the usual pre-holiday deadline scramble. As we were furiously churning out copy, a squeak of a hooter was heard from the gate and in came the new Suzuki Alto I was to test that week. Alas though, it was bright pink.

Feisty Fighter

Johan Keyter

TestedSuzuki Alto 1.0 GLS

SPECIFICATIONSSuzuki Alto 1.0 GLS1.0 litre50 kW @ 6 000 rpm87 Nm @ 4 500 rpm17.70 seconds20.48 seconds @ 106.63 km/h38.52 seconds @ 127.01 km/h155.19 km/h @ 6 100 rpm in 4th

R119 900



34 ISSUE 59

SPECIFICATIONSRange Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged375 kW @ 6000 rpm625 Nm @ 2500 rpm 6.08 seconds 14.26 seconds @ 163.09 km/h25.64 seconds@ 211.18 km/h 229.65 km/h @ 5 200 in 5th R961 000



A comprehensive programme of

chassis modifications has trans-

formed the Range Rover Sport’s

on-road dynamics, while also deliv-

ering a substantial improvement in its off road

capabilities.The muscular exterior has been

updated to provide a cleaner, more sculpted

feel, while the interior has been comprehen-

sively redesigned, using higher quality mate-

rials, soft-touch finishes and superior crafts-

manship to create a premium environment.

The Range Rover Sport has generated a pas-

sionate following among customers who re-

quire the performance and refinement of a

true sports tourer but with the great off road

ability of a Land Rover. It is the vehicle that

rockstars and royalty aspire to, and simply

says you have arrived.

Coupled to our VBOX testing equipment the

Range Rover did not fail to impress. It did the

0 – 100 km/h sprint in 6.08 seconds, which

is serious hot hatch destroyer territory, on its

way to a quick 14.06 second quarter mile at

163.09 km/h. The 5.0 litre V8, supercharged

petrol engine is all new and designed by the

Jaguar Land Rover powertrain team using an

impressive collection of technology. This engine

was developed to deliver a smooth, refined

and responsive driver experience, producing

an impressive 375 kW and 625 Nm of torque.

This engine develops bucket loads of power in

a smooth, refined and responsive driver expe-

rience that will soon see the vehicle rocketing

towards the horizon, while passengers are sur-

rounded by luxury in the spacious cabin. The

V8 petrol engine is mated to the revised six

speed automatic transmission. This transmis-

sion features a intelligent sport mode, which

can sense and adapt transmission characteris-

tics to particular driving styles.

Also new to this model for 2010 is the Adap-

tive Dynamics system, which works in con-

junction with the Dynamic Response system

to enhance control of the vehicles ride and

handling. This system optimises the vehicles

body and ride control, instantly responding

to the demands of the prevailing driving style

and the terrain encountered, in both on and off

road situations. Slowing everything down is a

new braking system which has been compre-

hensively updated to provide enhanced stop-

ping power and improved driver feel. Making

off road driving as easy for everyone including

first timers is Land Rovers award winning Ter-

rain Response system which now gains new

features and refinements, further extending

the vehicles all-terrain capability, this system

now also includes a new dynamic programme,

designed for sporty on-road driving. The

various off road programmes meant that the

Range Rover made light work of the very soft

sand of the Atlantis dunes outside Cape Town

too.

The Range Rover Sport retains its title as the most exciting and dynamic member of the Land Rover range with a comprehensive package of engineering and design changes for the 2010 model year.

Reuben van Niekerk

TestedRange Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged

35 ISSUE 59

Blows Over Anything

A vote consisting of the full members and a jury made up of 30 selected members of the SAGMJ have chosen the eight finalists to partake in the 2010 SAGMJ / WesBank Car of the Year competition to compete for honours in the country’s premier motoring event. We take a look at the finalists.

SAGMJ/ Wesbank Car Of The Year

FeaturedCar Of The Year 2010

The Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced

The Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced is the latest

generation of Toyota’s green Prius, which was

the first hybrid vehicle to go on sale in South

Africa. It is powered by the latest generation

Hybrid Synergy Drive system form Toyota that

uses a 1.8 litre Atkinson cycle four cylinder,

16-valve VVT-i petrol engine in combination

with a 650 volt electric motor. The fuel injected

four-cylinder engine develops 73 kW at 4000

rpm with a maximum of 142 Nm of torque

available from 2180 rpm. The electric motor

has a maximum power rating of 60 kW with

maximum torque of 207 Nm.

Drive is via a CVT transmission that constantly

matches engine speed to power requirements

and driving conditions. Power delivery from

the petrol and electric motors is constantly ap-

portioned by the Hybrid Synergy Drive system

to optimise fuel consumption. The Prius 1.8

Advanced will enter the market at a price of

R326 200 which is a lower than the price of the

outgoing Prius that the new model replaced.

Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic

Dressed in a thrilling blend of muscular Cross

Country capability and the dynamic, sporty

charisma of a coupé, the new Volvo XC60 is

stepping boldly into one of the most competi-

tive and fastest growing segments in the au-

tomotive world.

The car is packed with Volvo’s accumulated

safety know-how and technology, both when

it comes to preventing accidents and protect-

ing all the occupants in a collision. And Volvo

Cars regards it as the safest Volvo yet, with

the unique City Safety system as a standard

feature and a tribute to Volvo’s firm commit-

ment to its core value of safety.

The six-cylinder turbocharged 3.0T engine in

this model produces 210 kW All Wheel Drive

(AWD) with Instant Traction is fitted as stan-

dard on all variants.Both engine versions come

with the automatic Geartronic gearbox, which

offers manual gearshift as an option.

The XC60 3.0T Geartronic retails for R515

000

Audi Q5 2.0T S tronic

The Audi Q5 is a new kind of SUV: it combines

the dynamism of a sports sedan with an im-

pressively versatile interior and a wide range

of practical features for leisure and family use.

A powerful, efficient engine, quattro perma-

nent all-wheel drive and an agile suspension

layout form an impressive technological pack-

age for on-road and off-road use.

The 2.0 TFSI combines three hi-tech features

– turbocharging, petrol direct injection, and

the innovative Audi valvelift system for vari-

able control of valve lift. Its high torque of 350

Nm is already reached at 1 500 rpm and is

maintained constantly up to 4 200 rpm with a

maximum power output of 155 kW available

from 4 300 rpm. Gear change duty is taken

car of by the innovative S tronic seven speed

dual clutch transmission.

Audi’s performance SUV drives with sporty

precision and unwavering stability and the Audi

Q5 also excels on rough terrain with a climb-

ing performance of 31 degrees. The angles of

approach and departure are 25 degrees, and

the ramp breakover angle where the wheel-

base really does matter is 17.6 degrees. The

ground clearance is a substantial 200 mm

while a wading depth of 500 mm is permitted

when driving through water. Capable of pulling

a trailer load of 2.4 metric tons the Q5 is a

powerful towing vehicle too.

The Audi Q5 sells for R465 280

Suzuki Alto 1.0 GLS

This little car is aimed at urban motorists seek-

ing a small car that offers style and driving

pleasure, together with low fuel consumption

and good environmental credentials. It’ll get

you from A to B efficiently, inexpensively and

in comfort to boot, and that’s why it’s a car

of the year contender, it does what it sets out

to do.

The Alto is powered by a highly efficient, all-

aluminium 1.0 litre three-cylinder engine that

boasts multi-point fuel-injection and four

valves per cylinder. This is sufficient to pro-

pel the Alto from 0-100 km in 16 seconds,

and attain a more than respectable 145 km/h

top speed. More notably, however, the Alto is

credited with a convincing combined cycle fuel

consumption figure of just 5.7 litres / 100 km,

and a very competitive CO2 emissions rating

of only 133 g/km. In addition to this the Alto

features luxuries such as power steering, dual

front airbags, air conditioning, an MP3 com-

patible CD player, electric windows and much

more. A truly impressive package for only

R119 900.

Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LS

The Cruze 1.8 LS is a car that is changing

minds about what a sedan in this segment re-Suzuki Alto 1.0 GLS

Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic

Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 Turbo Petrol

39 ISSUE 59

to offer. With fresh new Chevrolet styling, a full

suite of safety features and impressive value,

the Cruze is making a strong impact on South

African motorists.

The Cruze is powered by a new all-aluminium,

twin-cam 16-valve petrol engine with variable

valve timing for both inlet and exhaust sys-

tems. The 1.8 LS achieves 104 kW at 6 200

rpm and 176 Nm of torque is available at 3

800 rpm. It’ll also sprint from 0-100 km in 10

seconds and sports a combined fuel consump-

tion cycle of 6.8 litres / 100 km.

Refinements on the Cruze includes air con-

ditioning, an MP3 compatible CD player with

auxiliary support, ABS, EBD, TCS (traction

control) and a total of six airbags. The Chev-

rolet Cruze 1.8 LS can be yours for R 204 133

and will be one of the most comfortable cars

you’ll ever drive.

Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline

The Volkswagen Golf is without a doubt one

of the most iconic cars ever made, with its il-

lustrious 35-year history it has made its way

into the hearts of many a driver. And evidently

Volkswagen is still doing something right, be-

cause the newest iteration of the Golf is once

again up for Car of the Year title.

The Golf in question is the 1.4 TSI 90 kW Com-

fortline, also featuring the highly advanced

new TSI engine. This compact powerhouse

provides you with 90 kW at 5 000 rpm and

200 Nm of torque at 1 500 rpm, it’ll also reach

100 km in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 200

km/h.

But chances are you aren’t looking for a sports

car when buying a Golf, so let’s go over some

of the cars finer features. The quality of the in-

terior is top-class, with high quality materials

used throughout and instruments and climate

control derived from the Volkswagen CC.

As far as safety goes the Golf succeeds with

flying colours scoring five stars in the EuroN-

CAP safety evaluation. It also boasts new sen-

sors that help with crash detection, front, side,

head and knee airbags and head restraints

that work against whiplash trauma. The Gold

VI 1.4 TSI Comfortline is priced at R238 400.

Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS

The Hyundai i20 is another one of those cars

that goes back to the roots of the word ‘car’.

It gets you where you need to go, but unlike

other cheap variants where you might have to

sacrifice features for affordability, the i20 gives

you an all-in-one option. In addition to looking

great, the i20 features several luxuries, includ-

ing electric folding mirrors, electric windows,

remote central locking, air conditioning, an

MP3 compatible CD player and auxiliary and

USB inputs, in short, the perfect vehicle for the

modern commuter.

Powered by a 1.6 litre multivalve engine, the

i20 1.6 GLS provides spirited performance

thanks to an impressive 91 kW and 156 Nm,

a top speed of 190 km/h and a claimed 0-100

km time of 9.5 seconds. And whether you’re

stuck in the morning commute or dashing

down the highway. Overall fuel consumption

in mixed driving shouldn’t rise above six litres

per 100 km, so you don’t have to visit the

pumps too often.

Transmission is provided via a five speed man-

ual gearbox and owners will also benefit from

ABS, EBD and front airbags. The 1.6 GLS will

cost you R159 900, definitely a worthy invest-

ment.

Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 Turbo Petrol

In recent years Alfa has been kind of quiet in

the motoring industry, having long waits be-

tween releases and with few new cars to boot.

But in 2009 they unveiled the Mito, a small and

powerful new hatchback.

And if anyone doubted Alfa’s capability to

make new quality vehicles, the Mito immedi-

ately smashed them. By far one of the most

enjoyable cars we’ve driven this year it’s easy

to see why the Mito is one of the main con-

tenders for Car of the Year 2010.

The sprightly little Mito features a compact 1.4

16v Turbopetrol engine, but don’t let those

figures put you off, it goes like a rocket. This

powerplant boasts a maximum power of 114

kW at 5 500 rpm and a maximum torque of

206 Nm, but a mighty 230 Nm can be obtained

at 3 000 rpm by simply selecting the Dynamic

driving mode on the Alfa D.N.A switch.

The refinement the engineers have put into

the engine is immediately visible, why make a

large gas-guzzling engine when you can pro-

duce a smaller, more efficient and even faster

engine? The logic is irrefutable, and so is the

new Mito.

Judging Process

The next step in the process is to determine

the winner from a two-day test session to be

The Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced

Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS

Golf VI 1.4

40 ISSUE 59

held in February 2010 at the Gerotek test fa-

cility near Pretoria, where the cars will be as-

sessed independently by the jury members.

The evaluation includes high speed dynamic

assessment; an autokhana test to mark ma-

neuverability, parking prowess and general

ease of control; driving tests under various

conditions on track and road, in town and on

gravel, all the while taking fuel economy into

account.

A static evaluation of each finalist also contrib-

utes to the car’s score in terms of aesthetics,

build quality and ergonomics, while consider-

ations based on perceptions of value for mon-

ey, cost of a spares’ basket, safety features

and environmental friendliness contribute to

overall points.

Then there’s value for money to consider.

What does the vehicle cost to run? Are parts

expensive? What kind of fuel consumption fig-

ures does it return? How practical is the car?

Is it equipped with all the comfort and user

friendly features you would expect at the quot-

ed price? Is its performance worth the money?

What innovations does it bring to the automo-

tive mainstream?

South Africa’s Car of the Year competition –

sponsored for the past 25 years by wheels

bank, WesBank, with additional support this

year from Total, Hollard Insurance, Garmin

and Varta – is unique in the world in that the

victor is determined not by popular vote as in

most countries, but by actual testing of the

finalists to determine by what margins they

meet criteria for COTY honours.

Win the 2010 SAGMJ Car of the Year – for

a Year!

One code to one number could win you the

2010 SAGMJ Car of the Year for a Year!

The SA Guild of Motoring Journalists invites

you to predict which one of the eight finalists

below will be declared the 2010 SAGMJ Car of

the Year and you could stand a chance to win

the Car of the Year for a Year!

The prize includes the use of the car for 12

months along with free prescribed servicing; a

fund to cover fuel for an average year’s driv-

ing, free comprehensive insurance cover, with

the only cost to the winning motorist would

be the payment of the excess on any insur-

ance claim and traffic offences made during

the period.

You will also automatically be entered into a

draw for eight lucky winners to attend the ex-

clusive banquet on 18 March 2010 at which the

2010 SAGMJ Car of the Year will be revealed.

All travelling and accommodation expenses

will be sponsored by WesBank, the main spon-

sor of this competition.

To enter, SMS the word of the car you think

is going to win (Alfa / Audi / Chev / Hyundai

/ Suzuki / Prius / Golf / Volvo) to 36870 at a

cost of R5 per entry and you will receive an

automatic response verifying the registration

of the selection.

Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LS

End

41ISSUE 59

We see flashy documentaries

filled with graphs and predic-

tions, the greatest scientific

names talking about theories

and ideas, but somehow it just doesn’t sink in.

One gets the feeling that everyone is sympa-

thetic to these ideas, but we’re just as quickly

distracted by whatever else is going on in our

lives.

Why do I need to worry about a plant in Malawi

when my car just broke down? Or when I’m

late for work, or when I just saved enough for

that new TV. The bottom line is, most people

just don’t care enough to actively make a dif-

ference, and that’s why it’s such a heartwarm-

ing experience to see people actually going out

and doing something on the ground, and that’s

what the Toyota Conservation Outreach is all

about. Nine years ago the first Eco Challenge

was put together, many 4x4 teams took part in

a great driving adventure across South Africa.

Over the years though it evolved from a 4x4

enthusiast project into a mission in support of

conservation.

And in 2007 the main organisers of the event,

Gerhard and Elmarie Groenewald, from the

Klipbokkop Mountain Reserve held talks with

the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC),

Toyota South Africa, the Peace Park Foundation

and SanParks to officially transform the Eco

Challenge into the Toyota Enviro Outreach.

The first outreach was held in 2008, with a

total of 14 Toyotas that set off from the Kruger

National Park to visit 14 national and transfron-

tier parks in five countries. And on the 1st of

October 2009 the Outreach set off once again.

With their 10 Toyotas (seven Hiluxes and three

Fortuners) and four Jurgens CI XT140 off-road

trailers packed to the brim with all the essen-

tials needed to survive in the African bush they

set off, and this time the focus would be on

Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Nowadays we are bombarded with environmental protection information, how we are de-stroying the ozone, how global warming will ruin ecosystems, how pollution affects fragile species, etc, etc.

Saving The Environment, One Step At A Time.

FeatureToyota Conservation Outreach

42 ISSUE 59

As they travel through the various parks, the

SAWC, represented on the trip by Theresa

Sowry gets the opportunity to visit 35 past

students in their places of work and conduct

evaluation on how well the students have been

able to implement the skills they learnt at the

SAWC. Alongside them, the Wildlife and Envi-

ronmental Society of Southern Africa (WESSA),

represented on the trip by Bryan Haveman,

conducted programs with local communities

on water quality and avoiding deforestation.

The other major environmental project on the

Outreach is headed by Prof Michelle van der

Bank and PHD student Olivier Maurin from the

University of Johannesburg.

They are currently involved in an amazing in-

ternational project called the Tree barcode of

life (BOL) initiative which aims to catalogue all

of the known tree species on the globe through

DNA bar coding. This means they are identify-

ing the unique short DNA sequence used to

identify species and by doing this they aim to

set up a database which custom officials and

game rangers can use to identify species in the

field. This will greatly aid the fight against the

trade of illegal trees and plants across borders

and it can even identify the plants in a crushed

powder form. There are 20 000 plus species of

trees in Africa alone, just to give you an idea

of the daunting task they’re tackling.

Throughout the outreach they collected a total

of 150 new species to be added to the Tree

BOL Africa project. All DNA material is housed

in a DNA bank at the University of Johannes-

burg where it is made available to researchers

around the world.

In addition to the researchers and game rang-

ers several logistics people also joined the Out-

reach, and without them we certainly wouldn’t

have made it very far. It is truly amazing what

an organized and motivated team of 22 can

do in the bush. From setting up tents to a

bush kitchen and bar, everything happened

smoothly and quickly. To give you an example

of their proficiency, one night we were late in

reaching our overnight destination so we sim-

ply stopped and made camp in a cornfield at

the side of the road.

Literally in minutes tents were popping up,

communications were being set up and a cook-

ing fire was warming our dinner before my tent

was even out of its bag. With a motivated and

friendly team like this it’s no wonder why the

Outreach has been such an amazing success

over the years. But let’s go back a bit; as the

Outreach set off from the SA Wildlife College

on the 1st of October they travelled through

the Kruger National Park and into Mozam-

bique. From there the convoy travelled over

the border into Zimbabwe and set up camp at

Masvingo, on the borders of the Rundu River.

From there it was back into Mozambique all

the way to Tete and then to Cape Maclear in

Malawi to see the great lake in all its splen-

dour. From Malawi it was back into Zimbabwe

where we finally joined them for a few days

of exploring. And what a wonderful experience

it was, the first night I joined the Outreach

we spent at a local tobacco farm, enjoying the

always-legendary farmers hospitality.

From there we drove up to Mana Pools, a large

park in the Northern reaches of the country.

After a few hours on the road we reached

the reserve and promptly made camp on the

banks of the Zambezi River. Now the one main

difference between wildlife reserves in South

Africa and Zimbabwe you should always keep

in mind is the fact that there aren’t any fences

keeping the animals away from the camps, or

away from anything else for that matter.

This means you get an amazing up close and

personal experience with the wildlife, from an

elephant bull lazily making its way through the

camp to the initially scary experience of en-

countering hyena on your way back to your

tent.

At Mana the Outreach met up with more ex-

SAWC students, collected more important

plant samples and had a long chat with the

parks director, Norman Monks on the situation

they’re facing trying to run the park at the mo-

ment.

After staying at Mana for a few days we packed

up camp and set off for Hwange National Park,

basically Zimbabwe’s equivalent of the Kruger.

But as happens so often things don’t neces-

sarily go according to plan in Africa and we

ended up being behind schedule by the end

of the day.

No worries though, “’n Boer maak ‘n plan”

is a saying that kind of expresses the entire

work ethic behind the Outreach, so we simply

stopped at a nice looking corn field (the one

mentioned earlier), and after getting permis-

sion from the local chief set up camp for the

night.

One peaceful night later we set off to cover the

last bit of road that would lead us to Hwange

and after another fun and surprisingly com-

fortable drive (thanks to our Toyota’s) we

reached the park. At Hwange we once again

quickly set up camp and everyone settled into

their own routines to get things done, or have

a beer, depending on what your job happened

to be at that time.

That night we enjoyed a delicious dinner of

ostrich fillet and everyone relaxed around the

fire until sleep finally urged us to bed. And this,

unfortunately is where my story ends, the next

day I flew back to Johannesburg to trade the

sound of lions roaring for the sound of trucks

lumbering down the highway.

But the few days I spent with the Outreach

was truly amazing, the passion these indi-

viduals have for conserving the environment

is truly impressive and without them I’d fear

for our chances in the battle against polluters,

poachers and the woefully ignorant.

The Outreach continued until the 22nd of Octo-

ber and throughout their journey they helped

make possible many more steps to conserving

our fragile African eco-system. For more infor-

mation on the Toyota Enviro Outreach you can

visit their blog at www.toyotaoutreach.com

and really get a feel for the full extent of their

amazing journey.

Johan Keyter

43 ISSUE 59

A vehicle has to be notable to be featured more than once in a publication, it’s got to have that certain something, it’s got to be memorable. And that’s exactly what the Hyundai H1 is.

Crossing The Country In Style

FeaturedHyundai H1

Thanks to the good people at Hyundai

we were able to drive it for a few

months and really get a feel for what

it would be like owning one of these

gentle giants. And let me tell you, it would be

pure bliss.

The H1 is the perfect vehicle for the family

who likes to travel, it has abundant space,

great cruising comfort and it won’t quit on you

for no reason. To truly put the H1 through its

paces, in addition to driving it all over for a

few months, we also took it on a 4 000 km

trip through the Nothern Cape. Let me explain,

some of our publishers family members had a

trip like this planned for some time, so after

some deliberation we decided to let them use

the H1 for their trip. This would be the perfect

opportunity to really get a feel for what the

vehicle can do and how it would cope on the

open road, this is after all what the H1 was

built for.

So on the 8th of September 2009, eight adults

(it’s licensed to take nine) piled themselves

and all their combined luggage into our Hyun-

dai H1, and quite comfortably at that. And

we’re not lying, the H1 seriously has enough

space for eight people to go on vacation at the

same time, in the same car!

Anyway, the procession set off in good spirits

from Pretoria and after a few hours of com-

fortable highway cruising they reached Bloem-

fontein where after a quick stop they set off

for Augrabies, their overnight destination and

about a 1 000 km drive from Pretoria.

Augrabies is always a beautiful place to visit,

and thanks to favourable weather our party

was able to view the famous waterfalls before

sundown with a glass of red wine at hand. Af-

ter a night at Augrabies the party set off to see

the world famous spring flowers of the garden

route, the real reason behind the trip.

Driving on the long, straight roads this part

of the country is famous for seems like the

very thing the H1 was born to do as the

2.4 litre Theta petrol engine confidently keeps

on gobbling up the miles. After a quick stop at

Pofadder it was on to Springbok and by now

the road was leading our party through the Ka-

lahari, orange and yellow flowers dotting this

otherwise barren landscape, a truly remark-

able sight.

Finally arriving at Springbok the search for the

road to Nabobeep started immediately, appar-

ently some of the most beautiful flowers could

be seen there. Alas, luck wasn’t on our par-

ties’ side this time as the locals informed them

45ISSUE 59

the flowers had already come and gone. No

matter though, the road goes on and this one

was heading to Kammieskroon, another one of

the myriad of small towns that dot the North-

ern Cape.

On the way though it was decided to take a

detour through the Namaqua National Park,

another test of the H1’s endurance and one

that it once again passed with flying colours.

The dirt roads through the park were rough at

times but the H1’s impressive ground clear-

ance of 190 mm, coupled with its general du-

rability and five-link coil spring rear suspen-

sion conquered them without a fuss.

The next day it was off to “Skilpad Park” within

the Namaqua National Park and here the true

beauty of the flowers in their prime made itself

visible.

The plains are carpeted with rich layers of

orange flowers and when you get out of the

car and walk into the veld you really get to

see all the small beauties that covers the land

as spring rolls in. From there the H1 carried

our party to Hondekilpbaai, all along the sea

as far as the road stretched the Hyundai kept

pace. It’s really noteworthy how comfortably

this van cruises, whether it be on the highway

or a single lane gravel road the comfort with

which the H1 conquers them is astounding.

Once again, the beauty of the route captures

one, the purple flowers growing between the

rocks with waves breaking in the background

is something worth seeing.

From there it was on to Nieuwoudtsville for

two nights and from there the road led to

Paternoster, another idyllic seaside town. At

this stage of the journey the H1 had seen and

done a lot, and while it had easily triumphed

over all the hazards the road had in store for it,

how were the passengers handling it all? Well,

if you find yourself in an H1 heading across the

country, quite nice to be honest.

The H1 sports leather furnishings all around

that is both comfortable and adds to the up-

market ambience of the vehicle. These, along

with independent controls for fan speed and

air temperature for each occupant and a six-

speaker CD player is sure to keep everyone

relaxed as the hours fly by.

Anyway, back to the journey. Our party of in-

formal Xtreme Car and Leisure testers had by

now also visited Langebaan, Yzerfontein, Sal-

danabaai and Elandsbaai and was now on their

way to Lambertsbaai to admire the Cape Gan-

nets in the breeding season.

After staying over at the Paternoster hotel for

a final night the road turned homewards again

and soon our gallant H1 was packed up and

ready to tackle the cross-country driving once

more.

The journey home was a relaxing drive with

our party staying over at a small roadside ho-

tel the one night and at Bloemfontein the next.

The rest of the drive was completed without a

hitch and by their return in Pretoria our party

and ever-reliable H1 had driven more than

4 000 km without a single problem.

So if you’re a leisure enthusiast that likes to

travel with a group of people the H1 may be

near to the perfect vehicle for the job. The

Hyundai H1 retails at an estimated R289 900

for the wagon version and this includes a

five-year / 150 000 km warranty.

Johan Keyter

46 ISSUE 59

Introducing the new FordBantam. The bakkie that works harder than

any other creature on earth. Now available in the smoothest diesel engine

in its category, the 1.4 TDCi. The DuraTorq TDCi engine develops 50 kW

and 160 Nm, while returning a fuel consumption fi gure of 19.6km/l.* Also

available in 1.3 and 1.6 RoCam petrol engines. *Manufacturer’s fi gure.

www.ford.co.za

JWT55233/E

The Yamaha FX Series is the most

technologically advanced personal

watercraft in the world, loaded with

more “industry-first” innovations

and exclusive features than any other water-

craft in PWC history. Designed for watercraft

enthusiasts that demand class leading per-

formance and industry-best comfort features,

the Yamaha FX Series has no equal. Building

on their successful HO models, the FX HO fea-

tures improved performance, a more aggres-

sive body style and graphics that exude per-

formance on the water.

The FX HO, the sportier of the new models fea-

tures a new 1.8 litre, 1812 cc high output ma-

rine engine. Now let’s just stop to think about

that, a 1.8 litre engine in a PWC? That’s more

than what you’ll find in a medium sized car!

And it’s also the largest displacement motor to

be used in a PWC, ever.

The FX HO will offer a fuel capacity of 70 litres,

more than enough for a day’s fishing or hav-

ing some fun on the water. The large seat can

take up to 3 people and storage capacity is

an amazing 89.6 litres ensuring you can take

ample refreshments along. The hull is made

from a NanoXcel High-Compression moulded

compound ensuring toughness and a solid feel

on the water. In fact the FX HO is so stable on

the water that anyone would be hard pressed

to get it to throw them off. And falling is even

less of a concern when you take into account

that you hardly even get wet, even when

you’re flying over the water at 60 km/h and

faster.

The other new addition to the Yamaha marine

fleet is the new FX Cruiser HO. Yamaha com-

bined a bit of the best from each of its designs

to create this high output, comfortable cruiser.

As far as performance goes it sports almost

identical statistics as its sportier cousin, the

FX HO. But what makes the Cruiser HO differ-

ent is its innovative touring features and class

leading fuel efficiency.

Some of the FX Cruiser HO’s features include a

Yamaha exclusive fuel flow meter, Yamaha ex-

clusive pull-up cleats and the spacious Yamaha

cruiser seat and three-point contact system.

All these extra’s on the Cruiser HO adds barely

5 kg to the overall weight. So whether you’re

looking for a bit more room or that aggressive

sporty edge, one of the new FX models will do

it for you. But let’s look at some of the other

innovations Yamaha has put into the design of

these remarkable new craft. Firstly, Yamaha’s

exclusive Cruise Assist, a feature that reduces

throttle fatigue, improves towing capability,

and can extend the range of touring.

Then there’s Yamaha’s ‘No Wake Mode’, a fea-

ture that sets the engine to optimum no wake

speed for optimal control in marinas and long

no wake zones. The FX series also sports Ya-

maha’s exclusive remote transmitter security

system and low RPM mode which reduces fuel

consumption by up to 26 percent. A throttle by

wire reverse system controls RPM in reverse

gear for maximum thrust efficiency and all of

the FX series models are optimized to operate

using regular unleaded fuel.

Wow, a staggering number of features to say

the least. It is clear that Yamaha has truly

gone out of their way to pack as much technol-

ogy into the FX series models as possible, both

to increase performance and to give you the

most comfortable PWC ride you’ve ever had.

If you’re a PWC fan I’d definitely recommend

taking a close look at Yamaha’s FX HO and FX

Cruiser HO, they’re truly remarkable.

Yamaha has always been at the forefront of PWC technology, and as one of the most recognisable and trusted names in the industry many watercraft aficionado’s opt for a Yamaha when looking for a new plaything. And they are continuing this successful legacy with the introduction of their new FX series.

Riding The Waves

Johan Keyter

LaunchedYamaha FX Waverunner

48 ISSUE 59

But a specific branch most people

have little to no understanding of

is marine jargon, or marine termi-

nology, and that is what this article

is about. To educate both our technically chal-

lenged readers and ourselves we’re going to

go over some generally used but seldom un-

derstood marine terms, so let’s get down to

it.

Aqualung

Also known as a cylinder in diving circles an

aqualung is a portable breathing apparatus for

divers, consisting of cylinders of compressed

air strapped on the back, feeding air automati-

cally through a mask or mouthpiece. Referring

to a bottle or tank is generally frowned upon,

so impress the guys at the dive shop with

some additional knowledge.

Ballast

Ballast refers to any heavy material placed in

a ship or the basket of a hot-air balloon etc.,

to secure stability. In boating terms the bal-

last is filled or emptied with water depending

on what kind of boating you want to do. So if

you’d like a fat wake for wakeboarding you’d

fill the ballast tanks and if you want to do

some skiing you’d empty it to keep the wake

as small as possible.

Bathometer

An instrument used to measure the depth of

water without the use of a sounding line. The

bathometer does not require a line to extend

to the bottom because it measures the differ-

ence in the gravitational effect of the water

surface and of solid ground.

Bow

One of the easier terms, the bow refers to the

fore-end of a boat or a ship.

In our modern world with all its different occupations and industries we’re quite often con-fronted with a little thing known as jargon. Now according to the dictionary, jargon is a specialised language concerned with a particular subject, be it I.T. jargon, motoring jargon or whatever.

Getting To Know Your Inner Mariner

FeatureMarine Terms

50 ISSUE 59

Draught

The draught or draft of a ship’s hull is the ver-

tical distance between the waterline and the

bottom of the hull. Draft determines the mini-

mum depth of water needed to float a ship or

boat. The density of the water (salt or fresh)

and the content of the ship need to be taken

into account when calculating draught.

Hydrofoil

A boat equipped with a device consisting of a

wing-like structure mounted on struts below

the hull of the boat, this lifts the hull out of

the water to increase speed and reduce drag.

This results in a great reduction in drag and a

corresponding increase in speed.

Keel

The lengthwise timber or steel structure along

the base of a ship on which the framework of

the whole ship is built, almost like the ships

foundation.

Port

In addition to referring to a harbour the term

also refers to the left-hand side of a ship, boat

or aircraft. The helmsman would for example

issue the instruction to turn to port, meaning

to turn left.

Quay

A quay is a solid, man-made landing place ly-

ing alongside or projecting into water from the

shore. It’s mainly used for the loading and un-

loading of ships.

Reef

Right, so most of us knows what a reef is but

for those who don’t, it’s a ridge of rock or coral

at or near the surface of the sea.

But here’s something you may not have known,

the word is also used in sailing terminology, a

reef is each of several strips across a sail used

for taking it in or rolling it up to reduce the

surface area of the sail in a high wind.

Schooner

A fore-and-aft rigged ship with two or more

masts, the foremast being smaller than the

other mast. Schooners were popular craft for

pirates, as it could carry eight or more can-

nons and was sleek and fast vessels despite

the fact that it weighed around 100 tons.

Starboard

The opposite of port, starboard refers to the

right-hand side of a ship or boat.

Johan Keyter

51 ISSUE 59

Allow me to introduce you to the MasterCraft X-14, quite possibly the perfect wakeboard-ing, water-skiing and all-around family fun boat out there. The X-14 is a spacious, world-class towboat with a hull configured for flat slalom runs with the throttle forward; and fat, rounded wakes with the throttle eased back

A Skier’s Best Friend

TestedMasterCraft X-14

A KGB ballast system also enables

you to design your own wake and

the X-14’s plush, wrap-around

seating section with a lounge ac-

commodates any friends and family you might

want to bring along for the ride.

Being part of MasterCraft’s legendary X-se-

ries, the Tennessee-made X-14 mixes nimble

direct-drive handling. With X-series amenities,

meaning it’s a versatile performer whether you

want to practice your wakeboarding moves all

day or take the family out for a leisurely ride.

Being the biggest direct-drive boat in the X-

series line, the 21ft. 4in. (6.5 m) X-14 features

comfortable seating for 11 and considerable

space for stowing all of your gear. With amaz-

ing standard features like an almost indestruc-

tible Zero Flex tower, swivel wakeboard racks

and a below-the-floor ballast system, riders

will find it easy to adjust from slalom-friendly

to air-ready.

The drivers seat and console has been upgrad-

ed and refined and thanks to its ergonomic de-

sign it’s been transformed into a digital com-

mand center on the water that lets you stay

on top of everything, from speed to ballast.

Featuring the VDIG in-dash video graphical

display centre, this up-to-date one-touch ac-

cess screen enables monitoring and control of

all the X-14’s instruments, like speed, ballast,

trim, depth and Perfect Pass.

There are also gauges that measure fuel lev-

els, low oil pressure, high coolant temperature

alerts and even a shallow water alarm. So as

you can see, no problem is going to sneak up

on you in an X-14. Near service time for oil

change or pump impeller replacement? No

worries, this highly intelligent computerised

information centre’ll warn and advise you on

what to do next. Many boaters find it’s easy to

forget the bilge system and the manual switch

too. No problem, as an auto system turns the

bilge-pump on when water is detected.

Versatility is key to the X-14’s design philos-

ophy, with a premier ski wake based on the

190 EVO hull and a wakeboard wake that will

propel most riders to the next level with ease.

This is in part thanks to its ballast system that

can keep up to 315 litres of water, freeing up

the boat’s 24 cubic feet of storage space for

more important tasks. As for power, the X-14

is propelled by a humungous 5.7 litre, 350 hp

GM Vortec V8 motor. The growl from this mo-

tor is most impressive and anyone looking for

some quick slalom skiing will be delighted to

find the X-14 moves from standstill to plan-

ing in just 3.9 seconds. The X-14 motor box

53 ISSUE 59

wrapped in high-performance, marine grade

diamond pleat vinyl, keeping it safe and look-

ing good. And due to this well insulated engine

bay there’s no problem whatsoever carrying

on a conversation or listening to some good

music while blasting across the surface of the

water. Speaking of music, the X-14 features 13

JL audio speakers, with two of these mounted

on the wake tower, so whether you’re lounging

on the seats or skidding across the water on

your wakeboard, you’ll be able to hear the mu-

sic. Also mounted on the wake tower are two

spotlights that will make that late afternoon

docking exercise a little bit less stressful.

And you don’t need to be a professional skip-

per to pilot the X-14 either, the cable-less

digital throttle control delivers quick, smooth

access to a wide powerband and a car-like

cruise control system precisely maintains the

selected speed.

One of the things that impressed me the most

about the X-14 though, if not the most, was

the way it turned. You wouldn’t believe agility

like that to be available on the water, and es-

pecially not in such a large boat, but the X-14’s

manouvarability felt more like a motorcycle

than a boat. Precision steering also equips it

with a very tight turning circle and even at

speed it will turn on a dime.

But if you’re planning on getting an X-14

chances are you want to use it for its towing

capabilities, human towing capabilities that

is. Featuring a highly durable tower with pod

speakers, lights and board holders that swivel

180 degrees into the boat for easy release

you won’t find yourself wanting on the practi-

cal side of things. But the wake is what you’re

really interested in, and the X-14’s wake is

among the most versatile in the MasterCraft

line. At 58 km/h the wake becomes flat enough

for slalom skiing but fill the ballast tanks and

the wake plumps up, clean and shapely, and

perfect for wakeboarding.

And added to all these refinements is a practi-

cal and easy to use boat, the X-14 is the only

direct drive in the X-Series that comes stan-

dard with snap-in and snap-out carpets for

quick and easy cleaning. The audio system is

also an AM/FM radio, a CD player and features

iPod compatibility.

In short, the X-14 is an amazingly engineered

boat with a large range of functions and kit,

and one of the best out there for some fun on

the water.

MasterCraft X-14 5.7 litre, 310 hp GM Vortec V821 ft. 4 in. (6.50 m)96 in. (2.44 m)11151 litres3.9 seconds75 Km/h @ 5 200 rpmR795 000

Model: Test Engine: Length: Beam: Seating Capacity: Fuel Capacity: 0-plane: Top Speed: Price:

SPECIFICATIONS


Johan Keyter

54 ISSUE 59

This picture depicts professional drivers or wakeboarders executing manoeuvres under ideal and/or controlled conditions. Do not attempt any of these, or any other risky manoeuvres, if they’re beyond your level of driving or wakeboarding ability, as well as your understanding and respect for the performance of your personal watercraft.

A REVOLUTIONARY NEW EXPERIENCE.

YET AGAIN.

The iControl is also available on the RXT® iS 255 model.

// THE WORLD’S FIRST ON-WATER BRAKING SYSTEM

iControl

iBR™ - Intelligent Brake/Reverse

// THE WORLD’S FIRST FULL SUSPENSION ON A PWC

iS™ - Intelligent Suspension

// THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED THROTTLE CONTROL

iTC™ - Intelligent Throttle Control

// THE WORLD’S FIRST STEPPED HULL DESIGN FOR A PWC

S3 Hull™

Introducing . The world’s most

advanced watercraft technology, offering a level of

control never before seen on the water. The world’s most

advanced watercraft is no longer a matter of opinion. It’s a matter

of fact. And it will change the way you think about riding.

™

GTX†

LImITediS

™

255

THE WORLD IS OUR PLAYGROUND.From water to on- and off-road fun, BRP’s passion for adventure fuelsthe innovations that deliver the ultimate experience in powersports.Because your free time should always be your best time.

For your nearest Seadoo dealer contact CMH Recreational Products JHB (011) 462 4390 or CPT (021) 511 0220 visit www.brpsa.co.za

BRP Seadoo 10090902

GTI 130 RXT X 255 RXP X 255

// THE WORLD’S ONLY WATERCRAFT WITH A BRAKING SYSTEM

GTXLTDiS brake Leisure Boating 210X276.indd 1 2009/09/10 02:30:35 PM

Not Just Skin DeepBeing one of the most illustrious yacht builders in the world, Azimut has captivated the imaginations of many a glazy-eyed dreamer. And even though very few of us will ever be able to find ourselves aboard an Azimut, let alone own one, we can still dream can’t we?

FeaturedAzimut 43S

With its dynamic lines and a

boldly asymmetrical design

the style of the Azimut 43S

is unmistakable in its beauty

and appeal. Its uniqueness is exalted by the

new design of the windows in the hull, de-

signed for maximum comfort on board.

The slick exteriors and restrained yet con-

temporary interiors of Azimut’s flying-bridge

models, courtesy of the dynamic design duo of

Carlo Galeazzi and Stefano Righini, have suc-

ceeded where others have failed: executing

striking design across a line of flying-bridge

cruisers.

And while they are now available in sizes rang-

ing from 39 to 116 feet, the builder felt it

needed to offer more than just cruising boats

aimed at families. So Azimut acquired Gobbi

in 2001 and then created the Atlantis brand of

open boats. But something was still missing.

Hence the Azimut S range was born, and our

story really begins.

Even for a company known for being a trend-

setter since launching its first boat in 1974,

the S range is a high-water mark, and Galeazzi

and Righini have done it again with the 43S.

Like the 62, 68, and 86 S boats that preceded

her, she is simply gorgeous. She’s identifiable

by the trademark broad, wine-red stripe on

her hull sides set off by mirrored and shark

fin-shape windows in the superstructure that

make her look like she’s running hard while

sitting still. The hardtop, with Azimut’s signa-

ture raked aft section, shades the cockpit, and

a series of square windows in her hull com-

pletes the S treatment.

It turns out that her looks aren’t the only

features that are a breakthrough for Azimut

though. Never one to shy away from new tech-

nology, Azimut teamed with Volvo Penta to be-

come Italy’s first boat builder to incorporate

IPS drives as standard equipment on one of

its models. In fact, Volvo Penta’s 370 hp IPS-

500s are the only engines that are available

on the 43S.

In the cockpit one is greeted with smart de-

sign: three separate access points to the pow-

erplants and engine-related gear ensures you

can move around easily if you need to. The

cockpit hatch is suitable for everyday checks

and there’s nearly two feet of space between

the engines, dipsticks and oil filters. Fills and

belts are also an easy reach from this vantage

point.

However, unless you’re willing to crawl forward

from here, a removable panel in the

57ISSUE 59

saloon provides better access to the standard

10 kW Kohler genset and the mains’ bulkhead-

mounted Racor fuel-water filters. To get to the

marine gears and hydraulic steering ram, sim-

ply remove the cushions on the C-shape cock-

pit settee and open a hatch. The gear for the

boat’s standard hydraulic swim platform can

also be found here.

While the IPS drive system is something new

for Azimut, the 43’s stunning interior is not.

Two cream-colour settees contrast with the

copious dark wood, while those huge shark-fin

windows - as well as the big windshield - bring

in plenty of light.

As open and airy as she felt, the space can be

further brightened by retracting the large elec-

tric roof and opening the glass and stainless

steel folding door to let in some sun.

Two more S-range design hallmarks work bril-

liantly on the 43. Firstly, the fusion of wood

and metal in the galley creates a modern

kitchen scene that looks like it fell straight out

of a Defy advertisement.

And two steps down from the saloon and to

port, the galley’s stainless steel countertop

and backsplash are cool counterpoints to the

dark wenge sole, cabinetry, and the panels

that hide the optional full-size Vitrifrigo refrig-

erator/freezer. If you didn’t understand much

of that, don’t worry, but it basically means

you’ll find a mini mansion under the skin of

the 43S.

But how does this behemoth move across the

water? Well like we said, Volvo Penta engineers

helped Azimut design this hull to accommodate

the forward-facing IPS drives and its clear that

the two teams worked well together.

The Volvo Penta fly-by-wire electronic steering

provides excellent wheel response and she is

able to execute 180 degree turns in a flash.

Her two 370 hp Volvo Penta IPS-500 diesel in-

boards propel this yacht to her top speed of 34

knots with little effort.

And with a fuel capacity of 1 100 litres the 43

S won’t be bothering you with a flashing fuel

gauge too soon.

To summarize, the Azimut 43S is a thing of

beauty, the way the lines seamlessly mould

together to create this breathtaking yacht is

simply well, breathtaking.

End

58 ISSUE 59

Sea Ray has always had a prestigious reputation when it comes to manufacturing high quality, versatile and highly fun sport boats. And they’re striving to continue this legacy with the 230 Sundeck.

Your Ultimate Summer Companion

FeaturedSea Ray 230 Sundeck

The 230 Sundeck is a vessel that, like

its next-generation siblings, has all

the features an active boating fam-

ily craves. This leads to the natural

question: What does an active boating family

crave? Quite simply, the ability to host lots of

people easily and comfortably without losing

the performance, good looks and “trailerabil-

ity” of a sport boat.

That’s no problem with the 230 Sundeck. This

model has plenty of room for guests to enjoy

cruising, wakeboarding, fishing or all of the

above. They can relax on plush bow lounges,

which can be converted to a sun pad with op-

tional filler cushions. Two swivelling bucket

seats with flip-up bolsters ensure that the cap-

tain and navigator have a good vantage point

whether sitting or standing.

The large cockpit lounge can also become a

sun pad with an adjustable backrest. There’s

even an aft-facing transom bench at the stern.

Convenience is a big contributor to comfort,

and the 230 Sundeck has it in spades. The

walk-through windshield provides easy access

to the bow, while also granting unobstructed

views and generally speaking this is one of the

most spacious sport boats out there.

A bow block-off door offers protection from the

wind while under way. A bow boarding ladder,

enclosed head compartment, bimini top and

snap-in carpets for easy and hassle free clean-

ing all come standard as well.

The carry-on cooler has designated stor-

age that allows access without requiring that

guests stand up and move aside. So in addi-

tion to being user friendly the 230 Sundeck

is also lazy person friendly, what more could

you want?

There’s never a shortage of storage space on

the 230 Sundeck, thanks to a cavernous floor

locker with gas-assisted lid and mildew-resis-

tant vinyl matting, in addition to a huge com-

partment under the transom bench for wake-

boards and water skis. Storage is also located

beneath the helm and lounge cushions, which

are hinged for quick, easy entry.

Based on a 21 degree deadrise hull and boast-

ing a standard MerCruiser 5.0L MPI Bravo III

sterndrive that delivers 260 hp (194 kW), the

230 Sundeck imparts the adrenaline rush of a

zippy bowrider. Optional power ranges up to

a fuel-injected MerCruiser 6.2L MPI Bravo III

DTS 320 hp (239 kW).

Power-assisted steering gives the driver re-

sponsive control of the boat, and he or she

61 ISSUE 59

can monitor and operate the vessel’s systems

with the standard SmartCraft diagnostics and

Vessel Control System (VCS), which features

integrated steering-wheel thumb pads.

When it’s time to drop the hook and get the

party started, the 230 Sundeck obliges with

a standard Clarion AM/FM stereo with single

CD player and digital cockpit remote that will

ensure the music keeps pumping even as the

engines churn out fountains of spray.

Eight cup holders and a cockpit table will hold

all your food and beverages in place and keep

the party going, even when the water decides

to turn a bit choppy.

The latest Sundeck also scores style points for

its contemporary design, which incorporates

slick touches like stainless-steel engine vent

covers and an extended swim platform with

rubber inserts and a concealed ladder. And just

look at it, even if you aren’t a marine afficiona-

do you have to admit this boat looks gorgeous

as it skids across the water.

Available options on the 230 Sundeck give you

more than enough choices to personalize your

craft, including a premium stereo upgrade with

amplifier and subwoofer for even louder music

capabilites, hull colours and custom graphics,

a water sports tower with wakeboard racks, an

air compressor for water toys, speed control

and two trailer packages. More than enough

toys to keep you happy.

One thing that hasn’t changed is a full free

membership in the Sea Ray Owners Club,

where you can earn discounts on everything

from travel and insurance, to your next Sea

Ray purchase.

And as if this isn’t enough to convince you,

Sea Ray has also received four awards from

the marine press in 2008 and 2009.

A “Best Bet” award from Boating magazine for

the Sea Ray 230 Fission; a “Best of the Year”

from Motor Boating magazine for the Sea

Ray 43 Sundancer; an “Excellence in Design

Award” from Trailer Boats magazine for the

Sea Ray 230 Sundeck; and an “Excellence in

Design Award” from Trailer Boats magazine for

the Sea Ray 270 Sundancer.

To receive such a credible and prestigious ac-

knowledgement of our product quality is very

gratifying. It shows that they continue to pro-

vide their customers with boats that fit their

needs and reinforce their promise to be the

best.

So arguably being one of the most fun and

versatile leisure craft available at the moment,

the Sea Ray 230 Sundeck is sure to appeal to

a wide range of consumers. So whether you

want to have some family fun, a raucous party

or just some quiet fishing, be sure to take a

look at the 230 Sundeck.

And if you’re seriously considering the pur-

chase you can contact Waterworld for a local

quote. As most marine enthusiasts know Wa-

terworld has been importing Sea Ray products

into South Africa for as long as anyone can

remember.

They also own the import rights to the 230

Sundeck, so if you’re interested in this multi-

function beauty be sure to give them a call

about the specifics.

End

62 ISSUE 59

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Marine MarauderIf you’re a weekend boating fan who’s looking for a quality runabout that’s affordable and practical the Velocity is one to consider, seeing that it will offer you all the qualities that you would want in a boat.

FeaturedViking Velocity

Launching the Viking Velocity from the

coves into the Hartebeespoortdam

provoked great excitement on an al-

most perfect sunny day. The cove is

a housing village set in a natural style on the

banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam. The setting

is similar to that of a farmland, with natural

woodlands and stands situated on the imme-

diate waterfront, providing a magnificent view

towards the dam to the north and northeast.

The development provides a security village

with monitored security and access control at

the entrance and stands of various sizes, each

stand has an individual character and features

that require a specific design to make full use

of the potential of each site. The view might

be breathtaking, but the Velocity is not far be-

hind. Although it is small in size it is big on

demand.

Not only does the design look attractive, but

once you see the attention to detail you realise

this Velocity was not only built to look great,

but built to last a lifetime. And with a design

like that it would take much more than a life-

time to get tired of the Viking Velocity.

Once you step onboard you are met by a sim-

ple design and layout that will appeal to many

boating enthusiasts, this is because all the ne-

cessities are there but no unnecessary clutter

is taking up space. Half of the deck is covered

with a fixed carpet that is treated against mil-

dew and rot, while the bow has non-slip floor-

ing.

The floor storage compartment for skis, wake-

boards and general goodies is a worthy addi-

tion in the interest of saving space and keep-

ing your toys safe. Moreover, ample storage is

available under all the seats and side compart-

ments for the small provisions, not to mention

the handy glove box. Drink holders are spread

across the deck for passenger convenience,

while stainless steel grab handles will come in

handy for bow passengers.

Look above you and a Bimini top is in position

and ready to be deployed once the sun starts

beating down on you, but if you prefer cooling

off in the water, a telescopic ladder will make

it a little easier getting in and out the water,

even when preparing to get towed behind the

Velocity. At the helm you find yourself on an

easy to use console, with a rev counter, speed-

ometer, voltmeter and hour meter laid out in a

simple but attractive design.

The wrap around windscreen provides protec-

tion against wind for both the pilot and the

passengers. Sitting down on the bolster seat,

65 ISSUE 59

a rare feature on an entry-level boat creates

the perfect panoramic view for cruising the

water and making your experience that little

bit safer. Just take one more glance at the Ve-

locity and one will notice the use of stunning

colours throughout, and a striking logo design

that will take your breath away so fast that

the only word you’ll be able to utter will be

“wow”.

The 130 horsepower engine offers enough

power to get any powerboat enthusiast ex-

cited, especially if you enjoy a day of boating

which includes some watersport.

A modern looking boat needs a modern en-

gine to fit the looks and therefore Waterworld

fixed a Evinrude e-tec 130 engine to the Veloc-

ity’s transom. The more excitable crowd will

feast on the fact that the 130 hp mill roars up

speed in an instant and tears up the water like

a roller coaster with each change of direction.

What’s inside the Evinrude e-tec, didn’t hap-

pen overnight.

It takes incredible focus, discipline, and a

team of engineers who understand the needs

of boaters to engineer such an incredible ma-

chine. And the result is a technologically ad-

vanced engine that has been proven to be

both powerful and very reliable. With the ulti-

mate performance, this hull and engine combi-

nation makes this craft run effortlessly in any

conditions.

With two thirds of the well-balanced hull out

the water and only one-third in, less friction

makes the Velocity stable on the water whilst

at speed.

The layout is functional and ergonomically de-

signed and reminds me of a deck boat. It pro-

vides a good flow of L-shaped seating as well

as a more than decent cockpit and bow area.

Loads of attention has been given to smaller

detail on this vessel, making the owners of

these beauties proud boaters indeed. On-

board, the all-new L-shaped deck is spacious

with a wide walkway to the bow and overall

seating for up to six people.

What makes it even better is that this mini

performer is on the plane in just 2.4 seconds

and only runs out of steam at around 65 km/h

at 5 100 rpm. So the Velocity is a good family

runabout that will come in handy when scout-

ing for some weekend fun.

The Viking Velocity should not only be appeal-

ing to the first time boat owner, but indeed

the experienced one as well. You get a descent

sized boat with plenty of sporty features and

economical performance, what more could you

ask for?

Johan Keyter

66 ISSUE 59

If there’s a labour-saving device which will

make life simpler and better, the Americans

will invent it, so it comes as no surprise that

the Swift Hitch hails from a company based in

Maine, on the USA’s east coast.

Swift Hitch’s takes the hassle and risk out of

hooking up a tow vehicle and a trailer by pro-

viding a visual guide to where the ball and the

tow hitch are in relation to one another. Think

of Swift Hitch as a high-resolution revers-

ing camera pointing directly at the vehicle’s

gooseneck.

Those who tow regularly – whether it be a

trailer, boat, caravan or motorsport competi-

tion vehicle - will in all likelihood have experi-

enced the challenges that come with hitching a

trailer single-handedly: it can be fraught with

danger and the possibility of damaging the tow

vehicle.

But those issues are a thing of the past, thanks

to modern wireless video technology and with

Swift Hitch drivers will be able to line things up

perfectly, making for quick and easy aligning

of the two vehicles. Swift Hitch is completely

portable and comprises a tiny camera with a

magnetic base, and a display unit with a full-

colour LCD screen with 960 x 240 resolution.

So when it is required, simply attach the cam-

era in a convenient position on the back of the

towing vehicle, place the display inside the car

(or hold it in your hand) and select reverse.

Apart from actually driving the vehicle, Swift

Hitch pretty much does the rest, making this

kind of maneuvering much easier and much

safer. When done, remove the camera and

stow it in the glove compartment.

The fully-automatic night vision function allows

the user to hitch up in low-light conditions too,

thanks to built in infrared lights providing illu-

mination over a distance of five metres.

In strong daylight it has a range of up to 100

metres, giving it a myriad of other uses, rang-

ing from using it as a tool to help with the

setting of a satellite dish (leave the camera

focused on the television while you’re up on

the roof), or using the camera as a hand-held

aid to find that missing bolt that dropped out

of sight inside the engine bay.

With its long range and three-hour life from re-

chargeable Lithium-ion batteries, it could even

be put into use as an ad hoc early-warning

security system. The combined weight of the

Swift Hitch camera and receiver is little more

than 300 grams, while the display is little larg-

er than a packet of cigarettes, and the camera

is substantially smaller.

Automotive Technology Specialists is offering

the Swift Hitch at a special retail price of

R2 250, inclusive of VAT.

Contact ATS on 011 670 8400 for more infor-

mation.

Many luxury SUV manufacturers have started to integrate systems into their park distance control and reversing camera systems that make hooking up a trailer much easier, than shouting to and fro while reversing. This luxury is now no longer limited to newer, more expensive vehicles.

Seeing Is Believing

End

FeatureSwift Hitch

68 ISSUE 59

4002

_PEN

QU

IN_S

UZ

E&O

E

The Ultimate Boat & Engine Packages

www.SuzukiSA.co.za

For Trade & Dealer Enquires call + 27 11 974 1200E-mail: [email protected] or visitwww.SuzukiSA.co.za

Suzumar inflatable boats have been designed and built to specifications laid-down by Suzuki to meet the demands of South African boating enthusiasts for a range of quality inflatable boats which are offered as highly competitively priced Suzuki powered packages. Designed in the Italian style for good stability and handling the three models include tenders, family run-abouts and sports inflatables from 2.9m to 3.9m.

Constructed from heavy duty material with inflatable keels for good stability and control and aluminium or glass fibre floors providing the strength needed for more demanding performance and conditions. Each craft comes with stainless steel fittings, wooden seat and oars, repair kit, foot pump, painter and carrying bag. Suzumar and Suzuki are the Ultimate combination

The new YZ450F has a unique, fuel

injection, rearward-slanting engine

in a revolutionary bilateral beam,

aluminium frame. Every element of

these components has been designed to en-

sure a synergy between engine and chassis

that makes the bike corner better than ever

before.

The most noticeable change in the 2010

YZ450F is clearly the new engine layout. The

rearward slanting cylinder allows a steep and

direct line from the airbox through the new

throttle body and into the cylinder head. This

allows a smoother and easier flow of air as the

airbox is placed forward and high up out of the

path of dirty air. This also opened up space,

allowing Yamaha to centralise the position of

the shock absorber, creating better suspension

performance and feedback.

For the first time, Yamaha’s premier motocross

machine is equipped with fuel injection, which

automatically adjusts to give the best pos-

sible combustion under changing conditions

by means of various sensors. The introduction

of fuel injection allowed designers to reposi-

tion the fuel tank and air filter and develop

the rearward slanting engine. Having the cyl-

inder inclined backwards allows a straight in-

take design, giving greater intake efficiency

and more power. The rear shock and spring

revision ensures this power comes with a high

traction feel through the turns. To comply with

the straight intake design, the YZ450F’s fifth

valve was removed, giving the bike a more

compact four valve engine and a combustion

chamber with a wider bore and shorter stroke.

The compression ratio has been improved

from 12.3:1 to 12.5:1, for even better power

development.

The front straight intake brings excellent in-

take efficiency and helps mass centralisation.

The engines heat has less effect on the intake

Every motocross rider wants a machine with exquisite handling, that lets you zip through corners, get on the gas sooner on the other side and and is less tiring to ride. Yamaha have listened and have completely redesigned the YZ450F with one goal in mind – to handle better than anything else on the track.

Playing Dirty Gets Innovative

Launched2010 Yamaha YZ Range

70 ISSUE 59

temperature and there is less chance of dust

making its way into the intake system. With

the exhaust now exiting the rear of the engine

and passing under the seat, curves have been

added to the exhaust pipe to maintain a length

similar to the existing model. A resonator has

been fitted to ensure sufficient silencing while

also bringing out plenty of torque across a

wide rev range.

Supporting the revolutionary frame and en-

gine is a new suspension system. Both front

and rear suspension units have more capacity

and the front fork has a 10 mm longer stroke.

The new fork is tuned for high traction under

a variety of riding conditions and offers great

damping precision. Even more remarkable is

the fork’s supple operation when entering a

corner, further enhancing the riders ability to

overtake.

The rough yet elegant of the YZ450F’s me-

chanics has been emphasised by keeping the

body as bare as possible. The Bilateral Beam

aluminium frame, rearward slanting engine

with straight intake tract, and mass centra-

lised engine are allowed to stand out, with as

few plastic body parts as possible.

Those that exist are aggressively styled, a fish-

tail rear fender gives the impression of a de-

parting motorcycle and the riders view of the

front fender has a shape to suggest lunging

forward. Seen anywhere, whether standing in

the garage or crossing over the finish line, this

is an awesome looking motorcycle.

YZ250F

The 2010 YZ250F is moving the four stroke

250 cc machine into the next phase of opti-

mum track performance, as Yamaha claim that

it is still the wisest and best equipped choice

for young riders aspiring to success on the

track.

Riders are always looking for a bike that will let

them turn in earlier and get on the gas sooner.

That is why, from the ground up, the YZ250F

has been designed for exceptional cornering

performance and better engine control.

The new aluminium bilateral beam frame has

been engineered specifically to work with

the 250 cc engine, this new design features

increased lateral and torsional rigidity giving

more feedback on the terrain.

Improvements have been made to the damp-

ing valve and the inner rod of the YZ250F’s

long stroke front suspension to ensure a better

feel when turning in on fast corners, giving the

rider more confidence to power through the

bends. At the rear, the position of the spring of

the suspension unit has been lowered 29 mm

in order to enable a straight intake passage

– resulting in better cushioning performance

over bumps in the track.

The liquid cooled four stroke, DOHC, single

cylinder, five valve engine features revised

carburettor settings and improved ignition

characteristics. The result of all these modifi-

cations is more linear power delivery through

the rev range for better control at low to mid

speeds.

The YZ250F’s greater poise and agility are re-

flected in the new 2010 styling. New bodywork

is much sleeker and the surface area of exteri-

or parts has been minimised creating a feeling

of lightness and accentuating the bikes com-

pact, dart-like shape. The new textured plastic

parts keep the bike looking its best, even after

hours of hard riding on the track. Rider ergo-

nomics are better catered for with four step

adjustable handlebars and a newly designed

flat seat developed specifically for the YZ250F.

The seat surface material is said to offer a per-

fect combination of grip and ease of sliding.

The leaner YZ250F features new lightweight

parts throughout, including newly designed

sprocket, plastic resin engine protector, a more

compact oil tank, optimised brake pedals and

smaller brake hose guides.

The YZ250F will sell for R68 499, while the

YZ450F will retail for R76 499.

Reuben van Niekerk

71 ISSUE 59

The Kawasaki is pitched at the same

owner. Someone, just like me, who

will use a motorcycle as a commuter

during the week and then to enjoy

the open road or a track day on the weekend.

One of the problems I have is that my legs are

a bit short so seat height is perhaps the most

important dimension I look at when reading

the specifications. Anything more than 800

mm I ignore. The ER-6F must rate as one of

the bikes most suited for my frame. The screen

was even high enough not to make my head

feel like a pinball. The bars and controls were

in place, but the mirrors weren’t as well posi-

tioned as those on the Yamaha. However, this

isn’t a comparison between the two. Rather, it

is a fresh look at a bike which should appeal to

both inexperienced riders and those who as-

pire to wearing knee sliders on Sundays.

If it were my bike, I would fit the optional rack

that is available as attaching a bag or a set of

soft panniers to the seat is a bit fiddly. Fuel

consumption was pretty much average, but

not quite as good as the Versys I tested a few

months ago.

The two bikes share the same motor, but gear-

ing is a bit shorter on the Ninja which gives it

brisk acceleration through the gears as the 649

cc parallel twin winds its way from 4 000 rpm

to 8 500 where it is delivering 53 kW. Torque

is 66 Nm at only 7 000 rpm which makes it a

delight in traffic. I found the exhaust note ap-

pealing, but perhaps it would be an irritant af-

ter a few hours on the open road. I also wasn’t

particularly impressed with the messy sliding

graph digital display for the rev counter and

fuel gauge. Speedo is also of the digital variety

and the harsh highveld sun often made it dif-

ficult to read.

Kawasaki has paid particular attention to rider

comfort and rear engine mountings are now

In recent months I’ve managed to get my leg over some nice things, and by pure coinci-dence they have all been in the middleweight market. Before fetching Kawasaki’s ‘lime green, real mean’ ER-6F Ninja I had the pleasure of using Yamaha’s very capable FZ6-R, a bike I really enjoyed.

A Genuine Middleweight Gem For All Seasons

LaunchedKawasaki ER-6F & Ninja 250R

72 ISSUE 59

rubber mounted to reduce vibration as are the

fairly high mounted handlebars. I could still

feel the reassuring parallel twin beat, but I

was never conscious of it.

Weighing in at 205 kilograms, it isn’t the light-

est bike, but around town it is an absolute de-

light as the centre of gravity feels quite low.

On the road all it takes is a bit of knee pres-

sure on the tank and it responds to the request

for a change in direction. I never rode it hard

enough to get anywhere near the limits, but

the 41 mm forks felt well suited to the bike

while the rear, an adjustable unit was left at

the factory setting.

Running on 17 inch rims shod with Dunlop

tyres it felt pretty good as it dealt with Gau-

teng’s roadworks and continual changes in

road surface. Stopping power comes from twin

semi-floating 300 mm discs at the sharp end.

They felt powerful and were easy to use, but

the rear lacked feel. I managed to lock it up

and get quite crossed up when a brain dead

construction worker decided to cross the R21

opposite OR Tambo airport. The ER-6F comes

with ABS as an option, but the test bike wasn’t

fitted with it. Styling of the ER range isn’t to

everyone’s liking. But I love the way the near

horizontal rear shock is a focal point on the

right hand side of the bike. It is refreshingly

different.

My verdict of the Kawasaki ER-6F is that it is a

very, very competent motorcycle….. and, yes I

would be prepared to use it everyday. Moving

to the Ninja 250R, in this day and age it seems

that the most important figure in motoring

terms is litres per 100 km. But what if we were

to buck the trend and call it in fun per litre?

Somewhere near the top of the chart you’d

find the Kawasaki’s latest version of its quarter

litre parallel twin. It might be a relatively small

bike, but the Ninja 250R is a little gem as long

as you remember it thrives on revs and it’s

quite easy to see why the forthcoming Kawa-

saki 250R race series is already attracting so

much hype.

The fuel injected 249 cc four valve twin de-

velops 24 kW at a fairly lofty 11 000 rpm, but

very few of them can be found under 6 000

rpm which means you have to be a bit unsym-

pathetic to the engine to make it go. But when

it gets into its powerband everything changes

and it comes alive.

The exhaust note changes as an urban com-

mute suddenly becomes a whole lot more fun

as soon as it gets past 8 000 rpm. Drop down

to under 6 000 rpm and it is boring. Use the

six-speed gearbox to keep it between 6 000

and 10 000 rpm and you are rewarded with

brilliant fuel consumption figures.

It makes its 22 Nm of torque at 8 200 rpm and

it’ll cruise comfortably at 130 km/h with an

80 kilogram rider but the motor does start

sounding buzzy. Riding normally, i.e. obeying

speed limits it is easy to get more than 30 km

from each litre of unleaded. At 120 km/h the

tacho needle is hovering on 8 000 rpm and in

favourable conditions it will top 160 km/h.

Instruments are ‘old fashioned’ analogue de-

vices which I think work better in bright sun-

light than the digital devices that are fitted to

so many bikes. Weighing in at 154 kilograms

the handling is superb. Think about a corner

and it falls towards the apex where it remains

composed and it responds beautifully to direc-

tion changes. 17 inch rims are found at each

end and the rear suspension is Kawasaki’s Uni-

Track linkage together with a shock that is ad-

justable for pre-load.

Conventional 37 mm forks keep the front un-

der control and a 290 mm disc with twin-pis-

ton floating calliper provides stopping power

via a lever with gives wonderful feel.

A smaller disc on the back keeps everything

steady. I liked it very much and the lightweight

made it a delight in traffic.

Steve Wicks

73 ISSUE 59

In the last decade Rally Touring has

changed quite a bit. Most bikes to-

day are big multi-cylinder machines

with excellent touring qualities. But

the lightweight segment around 650 cc was

almost forgotten. Yamaha believes that as a

real multi purpose machine, the light weight

single cylinder is a perfect choice because of

its road touring qualities and excellent control-

lability on gravel roads or small tracks, as we

experienced , following in the footsteps of the

Voortrekkers across the Drakensberg.

When adventure touring through Africa was at

its peak, the first choice was generally either

an XT 500 with a big tank, or later the XT 660

Ténéré. The reasons were that the bikes were

relatively light and its big tank offered a range

of over 400 km. The aircooled single cylinder

engine was also very reliable and economical

and the bike was built in a way that made it

easy to service and repair next to the road if

you had the right tools. The motorcycle indus-

try today has forgotten some of these quali-

ties, but the XT660Z Ténéré will bring these

back.

The Ténéré is practical in the sense that you

can ride several hundred kilometres without

worrying about the next fuel station for exam-

ple. The single cylinder is practical, because of

its economy in consumption and maintenance,

while still having enough power to be superior

in today’s traffic and having a good enough

cruising speed on the highway.

The windscreen is quite efficient, providing

good wind protection without any buffeting,

even for taller riders, coupled to the comfort-

able riding position and long trips are never

a hassle. With a dry weight of 183 kg, the

Ténéré is comparatively light in its segment,

adding to the good handling character that we

experienced on some bad roads and mountain

trails.

The new XT660Z Ténéré has everything the original concepts success was made of: It is simple, unbreakable, practical, light and has a reliable, strong single cylinder engine. We put it through its paces in the beautiful Drakensberg.

Dust Buster For The Long Road

LaunchedYAMAHA XT660Z Ténéré

75 ISSUE 59

The luggage carrier is, as always standard

equipment, but the optional accessory top

case and side panniers will allow you to carry

everything needed for your own adventure.

Although sharing some components, the Té-

néré was actually designed as a new bike from

the ground up, due to different priorities. The

Ténéré was designed as an all round touring

bike and needs to cover all kinds of usage. So

things like comfort for long trips, a strong rear

frame to carry luggage and a passenger as

well as off road capabilities were factored into

the design plan.

The powerplant of the Ténéré is based on the

engine which is used in the XT 660R. Changes

include a new muffler and different air box

and the electronic engine management was

altered. This new air box is located under the

seat making it easy to remove the dry filter

element for cleaning.

The smooth-shifting five speed transmission is

equipped with carefully chosen gear ratios that

are designed to optimise the bikes strong, low

to mid range torque output.

Helping deliver high levels of rider and pas-

senger comfort while smoothing out a variety

of off road terrain, the new Ténéré is equipped

with long travel forks which give 210 mm of

front wheel travel. At the rear is a lightweight

aluminium swing arm which reduces unsprung

weight for enhanced rear suspension perfor-

mance offering 200 mm of rear wheel move-

ment. This combination ensures good handling

performance over all road conditions.

With its abundance of wild, wide open spaces,

glorious scenery, breath taking natural beauty

and the naturally adventurous spirit of its peo-

ple, the new XT660Z Ténéré could have been

designed with South Africa in mind.

The 2009 XT660Z Ténéré was designed to

offer a new generation of adventure seeking

riders the opportunity to explore a new world

of possibilities as was an integral part of the

original go anywhere philosophy.

The best part is that this can be done with-

out breaking the bank, with the 2009 Ténéré,

retailing for R89 500.

Reuben van Niekerk

76 ISSUE 59

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I’ve never been to the Bonneville Salt

Flats in Utah or been anywhere near

Salt Lake City, but I’ve known about

Bonneville ever since I can remem-

ber…. I also know Donny Osmond comes from

Utah State. Bonneville is a famous landmark

to any motoring enthusiast.

It is a giant salt lake, it is white and flat which

makes it ideal for seeing how fast anything will

go and Bonneville Speed Week is an event at-

tended to by thousands each year in quest of a

speed record. Bonneville has become too small

for the ultimate jet engined devices that touch

the other side of 1 000 km/h that is needed in

order to break the big land speed record, but it

is fine for just about anything else. Triumph set

some pretty impressive records there in 1960

and launched the Bonneville to commemorate

the achievement. That name has stuck for al-

most 50 years and any two wheel enthusiast

over the age of 50 has most probably lusted

after a Triumph Bonneville at some stage of his

life, or at the very least knows what a Triumph

Bonneville is.

Triumph, along with the rest of the British mo-

torcycle industry, vanished in 1983 when the

original factory in Birmingham closed and it

wasn’t until 1990 that the name was resur-

rected and production re-started. The motor-

cycle world gasped as the ‘new’ Triumph range

was launched at the Cologne show, but was

blown away a decade later in 2001 when the

Bonneville range was launched.

Somehow the styling department at Hinckley

managed to use modern materials and pro-

duction methods to re-create an authentic

looking version of the original Edward Turner

designed engine. It was never marketed as a

replica, only as the Triumph Bonneville. Word

of mouth and the fact that it was quickly ac-

cepted by motorcycling industry itself ensured

it would become a good seller.

Steve Wicks is a short motor journalist who rides motorcycles, even in the rain, because he prefers them and reckons they are much more suited to the daily urban grind than a car. He says a motorcycle must be practical and with the state of our roads he thinks any motorcycle is more practical than a car.

A Bike Straight From Heaven?

TestedTriumph Bonneville

78 ISSUE 59

But what is it like to ride? For starters the riding

position is wonderfully relaxed and the high,

wide bars make it so easy to steer through

even the worst of traffic jams. It’s one of those

bikes that just fits humans, although I wasn’t

to keen on the pegs being so wide apart.

On the road it is one of the easiest motorcy-

cles you could ever hope to ride. It is simple in

that it does everything without needing a sec-

ond stab. Gear changes, although a bit noisy,

are light yet positive and I never once found

a false neutral. Weighing in at a reasonably

heavy 205 kg with a 28 degree rake you do

feel the weight at low speeds, but the cen-

tre of gravity isn’t too high up. Use the power

to keep it from flopping over at walking pace

turns in a car park and it’ll be fine.

Suspension is adequate rather than superb. I

can’t describe it as being plush and the con-

ventional 41 mm front forks felt more com-

pliant than the twin rear units. The rears are

adjustable for pre-load, but seeing as though

they were set it the middle I didn’t change

them.

With 71 Nm of torque available at a lowly 6

000 rpm, I never once found myself frantically

downshifting through the five speed box in or-

der to find enough power to accelerate past a

line of cars, trucks or buses. Power is 49 kW

at an unstressed 7 200 rpm, but this bike isn’t

about power and it never felt short of power.

Engine size is 865 cc, yet those big pots don’t

send vibrations through the bars or pegs.

The torquey motor combined with an upright

riding position makes it an ideal commuter and

morning traffic on a Johannesburg-Pretoria

run proved entertaining and totally relaxing.

The mirrors are also spaced well enough so

I wasn’t looking at my shoulders whenever I

wanted to see what was behind me.

Despite a small fly-screen, at 160 km/h

the wind buffeting is unpleasant, but up to

140km/h the screen works well. It isn’t the

type of bike that encourages boy racer im-

personations, but handling is good. It doesn’t

wallow through fast corners, rather it has a

sort of “don’t push me any harder” handling

characteristic.

You know, it makes you want to slow down

way before it would try to spit you off. Ground

clearance doesn’t look great, but I never

ground the pegs, even though I thought I

would once when I entered a roundabout a bit

quicker than I expected. Roll the throttle on

gently and the fuel injected motor responds

without fuss or snatching. Did you wonder

about fuel injection? Yes Sir, those impressive

carb bodies are fake.

They are simply for show, but they cleverly

conceal all the fuel injection wizardry, but just

to give a slight touch of confusing realism, the

choke lever on the left hand ‘carb’ is really the

choke/fast idle lever. Although there’s a single

310 mm disc up front and smaller version at

the rear, the brakes were good and there was

a lot of feel through the lever, which is adjust-

able to suit any size hands. At 775 mm the

seat height is brilliantly low (I’m a low down

bum) and although the board like seat doesn’t

look very comfortable, not once during the

week that I had the bike did I think about it.

It was another item about the Triumph that

was just fine! If ever the term ‘modern clas-

sic’ could be used accurately then I think the

Triumph Bonneville is the only motorcycle on

the road that carries the accolade!

Triumph has a comprehensive and attractive

range of accessories with a classic theme and

if I was lucky enough to own a ‘Bonnie’ I would

invest in a carrier together with a set of leather

saddle bags. In standard trim there is nowhere

to anchor bungee cords so if you need to take

any luggage or a laptop to work with you; it

will have to be on your back.

But what makes the Triumph such a fun bike.

I didn’t try to wheelie it, I didn’t try to get my

knee down and I didn’t try to do economy runs

with it. Yet fuel consumption was around the

20 km / litre mark and I suspect it might even

improve as the engine loosens up with some

more mileage on it. It’s rare that a bike just

feels so unfussy, so unstressed and so friendly

right from the outset. Even Ian Anderson’s

classic rock band Jethro Tull mentioned the Tri-

umph Bonneville in the hit “Too Old to Rock ‘n’

Roll: Too Young to Die!” …. So why don’t they

offer a free Jethro Tull CD with every Triumph

Bonneville bought new?

Steve Wicks

Model:Engine:Displacement:Power:Torque:Fuel system: Fuel tank capacity:Transmission:Drive:Front suspension:Rear suspension:Front brakes:Rear brake:Front tyre:Rear tyre:Length/width/height:Wheelbase:Seat height:Claimed dry weight:Price:Distributed by:

Triumph BonnevilleFour stroke, parallel twin865 cc49 kW (66hp) @ 7 200 rpm71 Nm @ 6 000 rpmTwin Carburettors 16.6 litresFive speedChain41 mm forksChromed spring Single 310 mm disc, Single 255 mm disc, 100/90 19130/80 172 230 / 840 / 1 100 mm1 500 mm775 mm205 kgR 89 995 Kawasaki SA 011 566 0333

SPECIFICATIONS


79 ISSUE 59

The new phase shift complements the advan-

tages of the cylinder layout. Operating with a

28 degree throw, it effectively reduces the pri-

mary vibration and noise, eliminating the need

for a power sapping balance shaft. The new V4

typically produces more than 90 percent of its

maximum torque (129 Nm at 8 750 rpm) at

4 000 rpm. To allow the rider to comfortably

take full advantage of this torque, delivery is

smoothed by four drivetrain dampers, which

are said to further eliminate uncomfortable vi-

bration and backlash.

Every last part of the VFR has been designed

to aerodynamic advantage, right down to the

hand controls and switchgear with their re-

vised button positioning. The pillions comfort

and security have been taken into account too,

the supportive, vacuum moulded dual seat has

a flat and expansive area for the pillion to sit

with strong, easy to reach hand grab handles

and footrests.

A balance of positive and negative surfaces

gives the front of the motorcycle a light, open

look while also creating a profile that slices

through the wind with the least possible re-

sistance. Concave surfaces direct the eye and

air upwards towards the windscreen, which in-

corporates another air directin aperture at its

lower edge. Even the edges of the screen have

been crafted to create stability at speed.

For many the V4 cylinder configuration rep-

resents the perfect motorcycle engine layout,

providing high performance, vastly flexible

power delivery, and an almost musical tone as

it rises through the rev range. A V4 engine is

made up of two pairs of cylinders sharing a

common crankshaft, arranged in a V shape.

Within this configuration the possibilities for

variation are infinite. The V-angle, the firing

order, cam timing and many more factors play

their parts in the characteristics of the power

delivery. Honda engineers have continually

honed these variables, arriving at the opti-

mum mix for different demands of each V4

motorcycle. The focus for the team was to

develop an engine with incredible power and

torque, laid out together with an exhaust and

induction system that would deliver a truly re-

markable sound.

The VFR1200, as you might have guessed

from its name, will be a 1200 cc version of

the VFR model line. With the added displace-

ment, the new V4 will take on the likes of the

Hayabusa and ZX-14R, while Honda phas-

es out the 800cc VFR and CBR1100xx. The

1200 cc engine will also feature a selectable

cylinder deactivation system. This feature will

reduce fuel consumption by halting fuel supply

to specific cylinders under low load conditions,

such as when running at a constant speed on

a highway.

This technology has been used in Honda’s

four wheelers and has proved to be efficient

as there has been noticeable increase in the

mileage of vehicles. When the cylinders are

shut, the engine virtually becomes a 600cc

parallel-twin engine, which increases the fuel

economy. Honda President Takeo Fukui, had

said that such a technology could increase the

2010 Honda VFR 1200 V4’s economy by 30 per

cent. Rumour has it that ride-by-wire throttle

and brakes, electronically adjustable suspen-

sion, C-ABS and an airbag are some of the

other noticeable features of the bike.

Some unconfirmed reports say that the 2010

Honda VFR 1200 V4 will have a top speed of

300 km / h and a horsepower figure of about

200 hp.

The VFR1200F is set to deliver the power and experience of a V4 but it does so in such a controlled and sophisticated way that it leaves you completely free to enjoy your riding experience while it boast some of the most innovative technology to be seen on a motor-cycle in recent years.

Honda Attacks Supersports

Reuben van Niekerk

FeatureHonda VFR1200F

80 ISSUE 59

Car & Leisure Issue 59

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Transcript of Car & Leisure Issue 59