Colin-on-Cars - Triton single cab starts a facelift rollout

Mitsubishi Motors launches the start of the facelifted Triton range rollout in the form of the single cab workhorse to the South African market.

The modernised single cab Triton GL, gets a black grille, black door handles, mirror, tailgate handle, black rear bumper and black side steps. The interior of GLS double cab models boast rear air vents, auto headlamps and auto wipers.

The new entry-level Single Cab Triton provides the fleet owner with quality, reliability, durability and fuel efficiency to make a bold, but a reliable statement.

“The launch of the Single Cab is firmly directed at the fleet and small business market and aimed to provide a cost-effective solution in the face of the steadily rising price of fuel and the recent repo rates hike,” explains Jeffrey Allison, General Manager: Marketing at MMSA.

“Offering a more versatile commercial vehicle range is a clear indication of MMSA’s consumer-centric approach of listening to and acting on the needs of customers.”

Powerful engine and transmission

The Mitsubishi Triton 4x2 Single Cab is powered by Mitsubishi’s proven DOHC intercooled turbo-diesel engine, with 100 kW of power and 324 Nm of peak torque on tap.

An overall fuel consumption average of 8,0 l/100 km will give fleet owners some comfort and relief from the high fuel prices. The 75-litre fuel tank will ensure that economical long distance-travel is matched with the shorter workhorse power of the eager 2,4-litre diesel engine.

The new Single Cab is exclusively available as a 4x2 with a six-speed manual transmission.

It features a limited-slip differential, which along with the weight saved by the 4x4 gear, improves performance and fuel economy. The limited-slip differential provides effective, well-proven traction when one wheel slips and controlled power is transmitted to all the driving wheels, redistributing the engine's torque to the wheels with the most grip.

“In some situations the limited slip diff will perform as good as a 4WD vehicle with open differentials”, it offers more control over power delivery, explains Jeffrey Allison.

Robust, dependable, and versatile to the core

Underneath the head-turning styling is a rigid ladder chassis, designed to provide the best possible handling and ride comfort, irrespective of the road surface.

The suspension setup consists of double wishbones with coil springs and a stabiliser bar up front, while the rugged above-the-axle leaf spring rear suspension provides outstanding traction and load-carrying capacity of up to 1-ton.

The single handle on the tailgate enables one-handed operation, while four integrated cargo hooks mean that loads can be secured safely and with ease.

Practical, yet durable 205R16C steel wheels are fitted. Seats are covered in high-grade, tough, vinyl for dust-beating practicality.

Innovative safety and features

Says Allison: “Some of the Triton’s most striking exterior features include Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ front design, which incorporates a high hood line and beefy-looking front view. At the same time sculpted body curves with contrasting sharp lines, extended wheel flares and bright accents exude strength.

“Add to this halogen headlamps and, it is obvious this bakkie is slated to be a trusty workhorse.”

Warranty and service

Cost of ownership is low, as the Single Cab is priced R75 000 cheaper than it’s Double Cab sibling and will set you back only R409 995,00. Replacement of common parts in the case of accidents or other damages were also carefully considered to lower the ownership cost.

The entire commercial vehicle line-up – including the Triton Double Cab GL – is covered by a three-year/100 000 km manufacturer’s warranty as standard, along with a five-year/90 000 km service plan. Five-year/unlimited km roadside assistance is also included. Service intervals are set at every 10 000 km.

“Looking ahead for Triton range we should end the year off with more than 10 derivates so there’s still a lot to be excited about with a few more additions to the Triton range on the horizon,” says Allison.

“This forms part of our 2023 product offensive, adding to Triton Xtreme 4x2 introduction, GL Double cab and a wider range of ASX Aspire, ASX ES and Pajero Sport Aspire.”

https://bit.ly/3SYFPlV

Colin-on-Cars - Chery cracks top 10

Just eight months after relaunching the brand in South Africa, Chery has cracked the top 10 list of monthly sales, having moved 1 262 units in July.

Chery entered the new vehicle market in late November 2021 with the Tiggo 4 Pro range and followed with the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro in late February 2022 and the newest addition, the Tiggo 7 Pro, only landed on showroom floors in May 2022.

In July, the Tiggo 4 Pro range represented 689 units of the total 1 262 units sold. This ranks it in the top five best-selling SUVs in its segment. In total volume, it is followed by the Tiggo 7 Pro (372 units) and the flagship Tiggo 8 Pro (201 units). Both these luxury SUVs now rank first in their respective segments, based on sales.

“Chery’s sales performance is a tribute to our dealer network, which has been our greatest ambassador and which has been exemplary in its treatment of our Chery customers,” says Jay Jay Botes, National Sales Manager of Chery South Africa.

According to Botes, all of Chery’s sales were made through the dealer network and not as bulk sales to fleet or rental companies.

“We realise South Africans are under significant economic pressure and that they need the best possible value for money when buying a vehicle. That is why we have put so much effort into creating our 1-million-kilometre mechanical warranty and our best-in-class list of luxury and safety specifications in every Tiggo Pro,” says Botes.

Chery currently has 60 dealers and it will soon announce new dealers and expand to neighbouring countries in Africa.

https://bit.ly/3p26sbN

Colin-on-Cars - Spectacular roads for stunning cars

The sound of several high-powered engines bouncing off the cliff face on the spectacular roads of the Western Cape produced an auditory symphony eagerly soaked up by the crowds lining the route for the first running of the Cape 1000 recently.

Some 40 true classics, the oldest of which dated back to 1956, set off from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town for four days of motoring, averaging 400 kilometres a day and enduring rain, wind and thunderstorms along the route.

Ross Crichton, who founded The Cape 1000, is justifiably pleased with how the event was run.

“It still needs to sink in,” he says. “I’ve done many motoring events before, but I have never experienced such a positive response, from the participants and public alike, as I did with The Cape 1000. The organising team did an incredible job.”

Exotic

The Cape 1000 is a classic and exotic car rally inspired by some of the world’s most famous and historic motoring events. It is run in four classes: Tribute (1927-1957), Classic (Pre-1977), Modern Classic (1977-1996) and Sports Car (1997-2022).

As the event’s name suggests, it is run over a 1000 miles (1 600 km) over the course of 4 days, with 60% of the route consisting of ‘grand touring’ and the remaining 40% comprising challenging regularity stages, during which navigators and drivers have to work closely together and meticulously follow the stage's timing and speed instructions to achieve success and, hopefully, score some points.

So, it’s not a race, but certainly still a challenge, one which is won through consistency, reliability and accuracy.

Spectacular

The route initially wound its way around the Peninsula, taking in the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive, before heading for Gordon's Bay and the stunning Clarence Drive along the coast.

A temporary cafe was set up along the route on each day to give participants an opportunity to stretch their legs… and for the venerable classic cars’ engines to cool down.

From Clarens Drive participants toured to Hermanus before heading inland for some Winelands scenery and then sweeping back to the coast for the first overnight stop. Already on the first day it was clear that the high temperatures would create problems for some of the older cars. The 1957 Austin-Healey 100/6 driven by Greg Marucchi and Hannes Oosthuizen overheated twice, but the crew managed to complete the first day nevertheless, in 7th place overall.

Iconic

Day Two took participants from Hermanus inland to the towns of Bredasdorp and Swellendam, over the stunning Tradouw Pass, through Villiersdorp and over the iconic Franschhoek Pass to the overnight stop. It was another tough day for the older cars, with the distance of 474 km made all the more difficult by high temperatures and a multitude of hills to ascend.

It was also during this day that the camaraderie of this event was on display, when the De Siena/Aspeling crew in the Citroën DS could not get the French car going again after the refuelling stop. Matt Kreeve, driving his Concours-condition Porsche 356 stopped and quickly found the problem (a loose distributor cable) and the ‘Goddess’ was swiftly on its way again.

Favourite

The Tradouw Pass was a favourite among the participants, and to hear the engine sounds of V12-powered Ferraris and Lamborghinis bounce off its cliff faces was music to the ears of the petrolheads enjoying a lunch break at the day’s Cape 1000 Cafe, situated halfway up the pass.

The passes of Day Two were again proving problematic for the older cars, however, with the Austin-Healey overheating twice; it required a tow to a refreshment stop after grinding to a halt on a hill near Villiersdorp. A battery change got it going again, but the niggles soon returned, with the British sports car only just managing to crest the Franschhoek Pass and then freewheeling into town. It appeared as if The Cape 1000 had claimed its first victim.

Laps

Day Three saw participants travel back to Cape Town for a few laps of the Killarney racing circuit. The Healey had been fixed again (distributor) and was in the queue to go around the track. For many of the participants it was their first opportunity to drive their cars on a racing circuit, and while the Italian and German exotics looked at home blasting around the track, the same could not be said of the older cars – particularly a ‘67 Citroën DS gliding down the main straight in pursuit of a 1969 Porsche 911 S driven, rather vigorously, by Michelle Hambly-Grobler.

From Killarney, the route took participants into the Swartland, and a new challenge could be seen on the horizon – massive thunderstorms! Pouring rain, howling winds and lightning strikes made the going rather tough for particularly the older cars, but The Cape 1000’s mechanic always managed to get the cars going again. It was on this day that three of the Tribute category cars encountered problems – the MG and Austin-Healey ran out of fuel, and the Triumph suffered from fuel starvation. Drenched and exhausted, the cars’ crews made it to the end but, sadly, the beautiful Mercedes-Benz 300SL had to retire due to a clutch problem.

Fatigue

The last overnight stop was at Shelley Point in St Helena Bay, with the convoy leaving for Cape Town after another loop of the Swartland area and more regularity stages. Again, temperatures soared and some cars showed signs of ‘fatigue’. A punctured radiator eliminated one of the Lamborghini Huracans, while the beautiful Jaguar XK150’s steering failed (thankfully at low speed).

When the colourful convoy reached the cooler climes of Cape Town it seemed every petrolhead in the Mother City was awaiting them. Motoring enthusiasts, young and old, were out in force to support and wave The Cape 1000 participants through to the finish line at the V&A Waterfront.

The winners

While The Cape 1000 is more of an experience than a competition, points were scored in the regularity stages, and the prize-giving ceremony on the last night was anxiously awaited.

- Tribute Class – Overall Winners: Greg Marucchi & Hannes Oosthuizen (Austin-Healey 100/6)

- Classic Class – Overall Winners: Ciro de Siena & Duwyne Aspeling (Citroën DS19)

- Modern Classic Class – Overall Winners: Stuart Kidgell & Dawie de Villiers (Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0)

- Sports Car Class – Overall Winner: “Hollywood” (Lamborghini Murcielago)

- Cape 1000 Overall Winners: Stuart Kidgell & Dawie de Villiers (Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0)

- Spirit of the Cape 1000 Award (as voted for by participants): Michelle Hambly-Grobler (Porsche 911 S)

https://bit.ly/3CNwdTb

Colin-on-Cars - Aluminium body for Polestar 5

Using a new bonded aluminium platform, the upcoming Polestar 5 electric performance 4-door GT will be lighter and faster.

Bonded aluminium is light-weight and rigid, offering superlative performance and environmental advantages but has previously proven labour-intensive and difficult to use in mass production vehicles without sacrificing quality.

Polestar’s 280-strong team of former Formula 1, low volume and bespoke sports cars engineers working in the heart of the UK’s Motorsport Valley in the Midlands have resolved this challenge by developing an entirely new, faster manufacturing process that develops both body and platform in unison.

Smaller

As a result of the new materials and techniques involved, the body-in-white (completed platform and body) is expected to weigh less than that of cars in smaller segments, contributing to improved vehicle efficiency, real-world EV range and dynamic responsiveness, all while delivering leading safety levels. The new bonded aluminium platform will also help drive faster product introduction, high quality and platform rigidity.

“Our UK R&D team is one of Polestar’s greatest assets,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “Their mix of engineering and technological expertise enables us to develop advanced, light-weight sports car technology with a creative mindset and a spirit that embraces innovative engineering. This will set Polestar apart in the years to come.”

Rigidity

By further developing this technology for Polestar’s first in-house platform, the 4-door Polestar 5 is being designed with torsional rigidity superior to that of a traditional two-seat sports or supercar. The decision to develop a bespoke platform has also enabled the brand to deliver a production model that remains true to the Precept concept car that inspired it.

“We knew we wanted this car to be light-weight, we knew we wanted high quality and we knew we wanted it quickly,” says Pete Allen, Head of Polestar UK R&D. “This architecture delivers outstanding dynamic and safety attributes, with low investment technology applicable to high production volumes.”

Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017.

Markets

Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and its vehicles are currently available and on the road in markets across Europe, North America, China and Asia Pacific. By 2023, the company plans to be present in at least 30 global markets.

Polestar cars are currently manufactured in two facilities in China, with additional future manufacturing planned in the USA.

Polestar has produced two electric performance cars. The Polestar 1 was built between 2019 and 2021 as a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT with a carbon fibre body, 1 000 Nm and an electric-only range of 124 km (WLTP) – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.

Variants

The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback is the company’s first fully electric, high volume car. The Polestar 2 model range includes three variants with a combination of long and standard range batteries as large as 78 kWh, and dual- and single-motor powertrains with as much as 300 kW and 660 Nm.

In the coming three years, Polestar plans to launch one new electric vehicle per year, starting with Polestar 3 in 2022 – the company’s first electric performance SUV. Polestar 4 is expected to follow in 2023, a smaller electric performance SUV coupé.

https://bit.ly/3LGNx0q

Colin-on-Cars - Building on tradition

As the world races towards electric vehicles, there is a small corner of England that remains unphased by all the hubbub and The Morgan Motor Company has just released sketches of the design direction planned for an all-new three-wheel model.

Design sketches for new Morgan released

To be powered by a three-cylinder Ford petrol engine, the new car – destined for launch next year – has a bold and eccentric design in keeping with the historic traditions of Morgan and takes inspiration from mid-century jet planes, motorcycles, historic Morgan models and modern industrial product design — images of which adorn the walls of Morgan’s design and engineering offices.

Demonstrate

No single sketch in isolation reveals the exact look of the new model, yet in culmination, they demonstrate some of the key design features that will be revealed in full when the new three-wheeled model is launched.

Sketches show a technical front end trailed by a fluid form, the vehicle ‘visually towed’ by its leading front wheels. The visual mass resides behind the centre line of the front wheels and never on top of them, a theme that has remained prevalent from the earliest sketches. Further design tenets include the celebration of mechanical honestly and the communication of function through design, hallmarks of previous Morgan three-wheelers.

Pillar

Steve Morris, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Motor Company, says: “Morgan was founded on the production of three-wheeled cars, and when the 3 Wheeler was re-introduced in 2011 it became a firm pillar of the company’s product range.

“We recognise the importance of evolving this bloodline and continuing to provide our growing community of enthusiasts with new, exciting, and unforgettable motoring experiences. Creating the all-new three-wheeled model has been a ground-up project, throughout which safety, durability, and character have been at the forefront of our focus.

“It has been an absolute joy seeing the new vehicle take shape, and we cannot wait to present it to the world next year, continuing the legacy of the model.”

https://bit.ly/3DuyBgp

Fit for purpose 

Honda South Africa has dropped the Jazz nameplate and replaced it with the Fit that also becomes the first model powered by the company’s new e:HEV hybrid technology – alongside a more traditional 1,5-litre petrol engine. 

“The all-new generation of the longstanding Honda Jazz will officially be reintroduced into the South African market as the Honda Fit, in recognition of the vast and distinct improvements made over the previous model,” says Yuishi Fukuda, President of Honda Motor Southern Africa. 

“The all-new Japanese-built Honda Fit represents a new generation of cars for Honda Motor Southern Africa focused on reasserting Honda’s position as a brand that is synonymous with outstanding quality, durability and technology,” says Dinesh Govender, General Manager of Honda Motor Southern Africa. “Our strategy for the Fit aims to rebrand the image of the model from one that has always appealed to customers’ rational side due to its space and practicality, to one that appeals more to customers’ emotional side with an exquisite design, exceptional drive and brand-new technology.”

 

The new design evolution introduces simplicity to the shape of the outgoing Honda Jazz. Its smooth contours follow the short nose, long roof line and cabin-forward style of previous generations. 

The A-pillar thickness has been more than halved from 116 mm to just 55 mm with the pillar behind now providing the main structural strength. This, along with the hidden windscreen wipers, provides the driver and front seat passenger with an unobstructed, almost panoramic field of vision. 

The overall height is reduced by 13 mm, which combines with a forward-leaning tailgate design to create a more compact-looking, well-balanced cabin and a reassuringly surefooted stance.

 The user-focused dashboard incorporates a slim instrument panel that sweeps horizontally across the cabin, where the central HMI 9-inch touchscreen (standard on Elegance and Executive grades) and 7-inch full TFT instrument cluster which is standard across the range, are simple and easy to read.

The luggage capacity (with rear seats up) starts from 309 litres (298 for HEV) and increases to 1 210 litres (to the roof with the rear seats down) (1 199 for HEV). 

Also key to maximising cabin room is the positioning of the fuel tank in the centre of the chassis beneath the front seats, which is unique in this class. This enables the Fit to retain the rear Magic Seat configuration that offers both fold-flat or flip-up seat flexibility. 

Front seat occupants also benefit from Honda's newly developed body stabilising seat frame featuring a new premium mat structure for additional support and an increase of 30 mm in seat padding thickness for extra comfort. 

The base Fit petrol models are equipped with Honda’s new 1,5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine generating 89 kW at 6 600 r/min and torque of 145 Nm at 4 300 r/min. This new powertrain is more powerful and efficient than the outgoing model fuel consumption claimed at 5,5 l/100 km and a CO₂ emission figure of 132 g/km. 

The flagship Fit Hybrid has two compact, electric motors connected to a 1,5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery and a fixed-gear transmission via an intelligent power control unit, which all work together to provide a smooth and direct response.

 

The total output of 80 kW and 253 Nm of electric propulsion torque can propel the car to 100km/h in just 9,4 seconds and on to a maximum speed of 175 km/h. Fuel economy is claimed at 3,7 l/100 km and produces CO₂ emissions of 88 g/km, exempting the Fit Hybrid model from additional CO₂ tax. 

In most urban driving situations, optimum efficiency is achieved through seamless transitions between EV Drive and Hybrid Drive. For driving at highway speeds, Engine Drive is used, supplemented by an on-demand peak power ‘boost’ from the electric propulsion motor for fast acceleration. 

In Hybrid Drive, excess power from the petrol engine can also be diverted to recharge the battery via the generator motor. EV Drive is also engaged when the car is decelerating, harvesting energy through regenerative braking to recharge the battery. 

Rather than using a conventional transmission, the Fit Hybrid is equipped with a newly-developed electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT) with a single fixed-gear ratio to create a direct connection between moving components. The result is a smooth and reassuring transfer of torque with a linear feel during acceleration across all drive modes. 

When in Hybrid Drive mode the all-new e-CVT control logic ensures the electric propulsion motor provides powerful torque, whilst the engine provides a direct and linear feel during acceleration, similar to that of a multi-stage transmission. 

Honda has enhanced the car’s chassis, suspension and body rigidity and the ratio of higher tensile strength steel has risen by 80% for the new generation model, helping to reduce weight and improve safety performance in the event of a crash. Static bending is improved by 6% while static torsion is improved by 13%. 

The front suspension geometry has a low front roll centre to enhance stability, which helps the Fit feel precise, natural and agile when cornering. Its agility is further augmented by an electric power-assisted steering system and steering ratio improvements, which deliver accurate feedback to the driver and provide more natural direction-changing behaviour.

 

Stopping power is ensured by an all-disc braking system featuring 262 mm ventilated front discs and 239 mm solid discs at the rear. Electronic brake systems include: Vehicle Stability Assist, Brake Assist System, Hill Start Assist and Automatic Brake Hold. 

Fit owners and occupants are protected by six crash bags, comprising front, side and curtain SRS bags while the enhanced Honda SENSING active safety technology, includes:

·                  Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with improved night-time operation to also detect pedestrians when there is no street lighting. The system also alerts the driver when it detects a cyclist turning into the road. In addition, the system now also applies the brakes when the Fit cuts across or turns into the path of an oncoming vehicle thanks to the new front wide-view camera.

·                  Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) manages the distance to the car in front automatically by continuously adjusting the speed, allowing the car to follow traffic at highway speeds.

·                  Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) prevents the vehicle from drifting into adjacent lanes by detecting lane markers on the road

·                  Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) system assists the driver to not stray from the road. It alerts the driver if it detects that the vehicle is approaching the outer edge of the road, an oncoming vehicle, or drifting into another lane without indicating.

·                  Auto High-Beam (AHB) switches High Beam head lights on/off automatically depending on oncoming/preceding vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles), bicycles and environmental brightness so not to blind other road users.

The driver is also able to operate and determine how much driver assistance information is displayed on the seven-inch TFT liquid crystal display (LCD) instrument binnacle. 

PRICING

Fit 1.5 DOHC i-VTEC Comfort CVT                                R319 900

Fit 1.5 DOHC i-VTEC Elegance CVT                              R359 900

Fit 1.5 DOHC i-VTEC Executive CVT                             R389 900

Fit 1.5 DOHC i-MMD e-CVT Hybrid                                R469 900 

The Honda Fit range comes standard with Honda’s 5-year/200 000 km warranty, as well as a 4-year/60 000 km Service Plan with 15 000 km service intervals. The Fit Hybrid model comes standard with an extended 8-year/200 000 km warranty specifically covering the battery and related components of the Hybrid system.