Alfa revs up changes to Giulia and Stelvio

As a carmaker for the past 111 years, Alfa Romeo has built more than just a reputation; this transcending rather to a mystique warmly embraced by millions of ‘Alfisti’ around the world. 

It has not always been plain sailing for the Italian carmaker but some really lean years were broken six years ago with the launch of the Giulia and Stelvio that have become the brand’s most-awarded cars ever: 170 international accolades awarded by specialised and general media, voted by juries of experts or directly by customers, dedicated to both innovation and style.

Now the two models have been updated  and the interiors of both cars have been freshened, connectivity has become a key focus thanks to the 8,8-inch touch-screen infotainment system and smartphone-like ease of use and enables a suite of Mopar services for remote car management. 

 

The updated Giulia embodies Alfa Romeo legend: cutting-edge and innovative engines; ideal weight distribution; technical solutions; excellent power-to-weight ratio and, of course, a design with unmistakable Italian flair.

 

The front suspension has double wishbones with semi-virtual steering, to make the suspension angle more controllable and obtain optimal road grip: the two lower links create a ‘scissor’ movement that generates a linear feeling in all conditions. The new Alfalink is introduced on the rear suspension, a multi-link system with four-and-a-half links: rigid when cornering, but also longitudinally flexible. Both these solutions are ‘made in Alfa Romeo’.

 

Giulia's all-aluminium engines remain the same, but are now Euro 6b-final compliant. The 2,0-litre turbo-charged power units offer 206 kW and fuel consumption of 8,4 l/100km on the combined cycle. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and carbon-fibre drive shaft for exhilarating performance.

 

The sports sedan – the Giulia QV – also receives model-year updates and its 375 kW bi-turbo V6 engine catapults the Giulia up the road to 100 km/h in 3,9 seconds and on to a top speed of 307 km/h. 

The Giulia QV is equipped with the Alfa Chassis Domain Control unit and Alfa Active Suspension, the system that continually, actively controls the suspensions and shock absorbers. Up front it has a double wishbone system with semi-virtual steering axis, with a four-and-a-half link Multilink system at the rear. 

The centre of the dashboard is dominated by the Alfa Connect 3D NAV 8,8-inch infotainment system. The system offers Apple CarPlay as well as being Android Auto compatible, bringing the best of Google into the car.

 

Sharing the Giulia’s dynamic platform, Alfa Romeo’s first SUV has a 50/50 weight distribution, Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel drive architecture, best-in-class power-to-weight ratios and innovative engine and driver technologies.

 

The Stelvio features Alfa Romeo’s segment-first Integrated Brake System, Autonomous Emergency Brake with pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning.

 

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super is powered by an all-aluminium four-cylinder 206 kW 2,0-litre turbo-charged petrol engine with carbon fibre drive shart, combined with the automatic eight-speed transmission.

 

In addition to MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve actuation, the distinctive features of this engine include ‘2-in-1’ turbo and 200-bar high-pressure direct injection, which pair up to deliver a particularly snappy accelerator response across the rev range in addition to best-in-class fuel-efficiency. The Stelvio Super has a top speed of 233 km/h and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 7,2 seconds. 

Stelvio Quadrifoglio is equipped with the exclusive aluminium 2,9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine, developed with inputs from Ferrari, which delivers maximum power of 375 kW at 6 500 r/min and generates a maximum torque of 600 Nm from 2 500 r/min to 5 000 r/min. 

This power plant is teamed with the specifically calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission that allows gear shifts in just 150 milliseconds in Race driving mode.It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 3,8 seconds and on to a top speed of 283 km/h.

 

Further additions to the Giulia include rear USB ports, a cargo net, passive entry, a wireless charging pad, and eight-way electrically adjustable seats with driver memory and four-way lumbar support adjustment.

 

Stelvio enjoys a new Driver Assistance Pack including automatic high-beam assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Outside and Interior rearview mirrors with electrochromic auto dimming, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert. The SUV also shares the upgrades from the Giulia range.

 

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio comes with a 5 year/100 000km full warranty and maintenance plan as standard. Be seduced.

 

Pricing:

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce: R 989,900.00

Alfa Romeo Giulia QV: R 1,599,900.00

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super: R 1,159,900.00

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q: R 1,749,900.00

 Jaguar F-PACE upgraded with new looks and engines

The fact lady racer Tasmin Pepper was not white-knuckling the grab handles or actively trying to push a foot through the floorboards from the passenger seat as I hurled the first edition Jaguar F-PACE around the Aldo Scribante race circuit spoke volumes for my talent. . .or the ability of the SUV. 

I claim a combination of the two. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 

Now, the Jaguar F-PACE has been fully refreshed with new exterior styling, an all-new interior, new engine options and latest generation Pivi Pro infotainment systems.

 

The SUV features a cleaner look thanks to a new sculpted bonnet with a wider power bulge and smoother, more precisely defined surfaces. The new bonnet also contributes to a more striking finish by reducing the number of shutlines on the front of the car. 

New super slim all-LED quad headlights with ‘Double J’ Daytime Running Light (DRL) signatures, which are available with optional Pixel LED technology, deliver increased resolution and brightness. Adaptive Driving Beam capability evaluates the road ahead and automatically adapts the high beam light to mask oncoming traffic or traffic signs. The system can create varying light beam patterns by selecting different LED segments to optimise visibility without distracting other drivers.  

 

Premium LED technology is fitted as standard across the range and is available with Auto High Beam Assist on SE and HSE models. Animated Directional Indicators are also available on all models when fitted as part of additional linked options.

At the heart of the new interior is a centrally-mounted 11,4-inch curved-glass HD Pivi Pro touchscreen in a magnesium alloy casing. New finishes, including open-pore wood veneers and aluminium, can be found in the upper door insert and full width ‘Piano lid’ that is formed across the width of the instrument panel. 

A new centre console sweeps up to the instrument panel while incorporating a wireless charger and greater stowage capacity. The new Drive Selector features an upper section finished with ‘cricket-ball’ stitching and a lower section made of precision-engineered metal. 

New seat designs feature wider cushioning, new massage functions and enhanced coverage of the heated and cooling areas. A set of ‘Est.1935 Jaguar Coventry’ upholstery tags highlight the brand’s heritage, and embossed Jaguar Leaper is included on all headrests of selected models.

The latest Pivi Pro infotainment system is accessed through an all-new 11,4-inch curved glass HD touchscreen. The screen is three times brighter and 48% larger than the previous 10-inch screen, and the simplified menu structures allow drivers to access or view up to 90% of common tasks from the home screen in two taps or less.  

The F-PACE now also has a 12,3-inch HD Interactive Driver Display with a configurable layout which can show full-screen navigation mapping with turn-by-turn instructions, digital dials, media, contact list or infotainment details. Working in conjunction with the latest Head-up Display technology, new F-PACE gives drivers all the information they need without distraction. 

A second-generation wearable Activity Key can be used to lock, unlock and start the vehicle without the need for the conventional key fob to be present in the vehicle. This rechargeable device incorporates a watch and has a battery life of seven days between charges.  

The new F-PACE is available in South Africa with two diesel and three petrol engine options, all featuring intelligent all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmissions.  

Diesel choices include a next-generation 147 kW/430 Nm D200 2,0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium, while a new D300 3,0-litre in-line six cylinder diesel producing 221 kW and 700 Nm delivers acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6,4 seconds. 

A 2,0-litre four-cylinder P250 Ingenium engine with 184 kW and 365 Nm, which completes the 0-100 km/h test in 7,3 seconds, serves as an entry point to the petrol range, while a new 3,0-litre in-line six-cylinder P400 boasts outputs of 294 kW and 550 Nm thanks to its mild-hybrid (MHEV) system. This system features latest engine technologies including an electric supercharger supported by a twin scroll turbo-charger and Continuous Variable Valve Lift (CVVL). In P400 form the new F-PACE is capable of 0-100km/h in 5,4 seconds. 

A new 2,0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model produces a combined 297 kW and 640 Nm from its petrol engine and 105 kW electric motor. The advanced electric motor is powered by a 17,1 kWh lithium-ion battery and helps contribute to CO₂ emissions from 49 g/km and fuel economy from 2,2 l/100km as well as performance figures of 0-100 km/h in 5, seconds. 

When fully charged, the new PHEV is capable of up to 53 km of all-electric driving, enabling the new F-PACE PHEV to complete a daily commute of 30,2 km in EV mode without requiring a recharge. Fast Charging (32kW DC) is capable of delivering 0%-80% charge in 30 minutes while a domestic 7 kW wall box can provide a charge of 0%-80% in one hour 40 minutes.

All engines are paired with Jaguar’s eight-speed automatic gearbox, which can be controlled using the steering wheel shift paddles for added driver engagement. All-wheel drive is standard across all F-PACE models and Intelligent Driveline Dynamics provides rear-wheel drive biased performance, with the ability to vary torque to individual axles almost instantly depending on conditions. 

 

F-PACE pricing

·                  F-PACE D200                                       R1,122,500

·                  F-PACE D300                                       R1,233,200

·                  F-PACE P250                                       R1,214,500

·                  F-PACE P400                                       R1,239,400

·                  F-PACE P400e                                     R1,610,100

·                  F-PACE D200 R-Dynamic                     R1,190,500

·                  F-PACE D300   R-Dynamic                   R1,301,000

·                  F-PACE P250   R-Dynamic                   R1,282,400

·                  F-PACE P400 R-Dynamic                     R1,307,300

·                  F-PACE P400e R-Dynamic                    R1,672,700

·                  F-PACE D200 R-Dynamic Black             R1,176,600

·                  F-PACE D300   R-Dynamic Black          R1,287,100

·                  F-PACE P250   R-Dynamic Black          R1,268,500

 

All prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax. All Jaguar vehicles come with a standard 5-year/100,000 km Jaguar Care Plan and warranty.

 Morgan heads for the hills

Morgan, the British carmaker renowned for its quirky, bespoke hand-built sports cars, has made a leap back in time to the off road arena with the very limited Plus Four CX-T. 

Just eight vehicles will be built, priced at £170,000 (R3,4-million) and supplied in full overland specification, with each customer having the opportunity to work alongside Morgan’s design team to specify their own CX-T.

The Morgan Plus Four CX-T is inspired by Morgan’s history of competing in all-terrain endurance trials. As early as 1911, Morgan sports cars were competing and winning in trials competitions. The more adventurous journeys that are frequently undertaken by Morgan customers all over the world have further fuelled the desire for Morgan to imagine the Plus Four CX-T. 

Following the launch of the Plus Four in 2020, Morgan partnered with Rally Raid UK, creator of Dakar race cars, to jointly design and engineer the Plus Four CX-T. One of the aims of the project is to demonstrate the capability and durability of Morgan’s new CX-Generation platform, along with the Plus Four upon which the CX-T is based. 

Every Plus Four CX-T is built at Morgan’s factory in Malvern, Worcestershire, before undergoing the final preparation and setup at Rally Raid UK’s own workshop facilities. Morgan’s design and engineering team have worked alongside Rally Raid UK throughout the programme to define the concept, specification, technical attributes, and aesthetic of the model.

The exterior of the Plus Four CX-T is designed to maximise luggage and equipment carrying capacity and provide the occupant protection necessary for extreme environments. 

Most prominently, the rear panel of the vehicle has been replaced with an equipment rack, with side body panels designed to be reminiscent of the classic four-seater Morgan. 

The rack houses two ruggediand waterproof Pelican luggage cases, a Zarges aluminium tool/storage box, two Rotopax 11-litre containers and two spare wheel/tyre assemblies. Additionally, for those who venture further off the beaten track, recovery equipment is mounted on the exterior of the car within easy reach when required. 

The external protective exoskeleton can also be adapted to carry leisure equipment such as bikes and surf boards, to compliment the lifestyle activities of the owner, while the removable side screens can be mounted onto the roof of the vehicle, allowing them to be carried unobtrusively in case of a change in weather conditions. 

The suspension has been designed to be expedition ready: tough and fit for purpose. Durability and a drive-over obstacle clearance of 230 mm, has been achieved using modified Plus Six wishbones. These widen the track and allow for the extra arc of movement required to achieve the desired suspension performance. The wheel arch apertures have also been modified, allowing the suspension to compress deep into the wheel well, providing maximum traction and stability. 

In addition to the main suspension hardware, the lower suspension arms contain bespoke bushes which further increase durability. 

A five-piece underbody protection system – comprising an engine guard, rear chassis guard, mid-section shield and rear undertray – helps to protect the chassis and important components from damage when driving in extreme conditions. The car is also fitted with a full bespoke exhaust system with rear side-exit that improves the departure angle and contributes to 230 mm of ground clearance. 

The Plus Four CX-T uses a BMW X-Drive electronic differential with bespoke software, calibrated and tested specifically for the application. Switches inside the cabin allow a choice of three modes to be selected depending upon the driving conditions; each mode varies the degree of differential lock that is applied.

Selecting ‘Road’ mode fully opens the differential, while ‘All-Terrain’ mode applies approximately 45% lock to the rear differential, allowing some variation torque distribution between the rear wheels. ‘All-Terrain – Extreme’ mode fully locks the rear differential, providing equal torque to both rear wheels. 

Inside the cabin of the Plus Four CX-T features have been added to improve occupant comfort and usability in remote environments. A RAM mount track is built into to the dashboard to allow the secure fixing of a variety of devices such as phones or cameras. A flexible map light, pencil and notebook holder have also been integrated, all designed to withstand operation in harsh driving environments.

Cabin stowage has also been optimised with the addition of a removable map/document holder and insulated cool bag, both located in the passenger footwell. A custom-made first aid kit is mounted to the internal roll cage behind the seats. 

The Morgan Plus Four CX-T is the second of two special projects being produced by Morgan in 2021, with the first being the Plus 8 GTR. The introduction of the Plus Four CX-T also coincides with the announcement of Model Year 22 updates to the Plus Four and Plus Six, and helps to inform technical and aesthetic advancements for Morgan’s current and future range of vehicles. The Plus Four CX-T is on sale immediately, with all vehicles due to be built before the end of 2021.

 Little big loads

Following on the uptake for the Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo, the company has now homologated a version for the Atos. 

“We have identified the need for a small cargo transporter, particularly for delivery of smaller parcels and goods in a vehicle that keeps it secure in a robust cargo hold. The initial conversion of the Grand i10 into the Cargo derivative, with the secure hold area in place of the two rear seats, proved to be a winner,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa. 

“We homologated the Grand i10 Cargo as a light commercial vehicle, which created another benefit for businesses, because they can claim back VAT on their purchase. Following the success of the Grand i10, we also homologated the slightly smaller Atos 1.1 Cargo as the youngest entry to our light commercial vehicle range.”

At a time when the economy is shaky to say the least and fuel prices are skyrocketing, the availability of smaller, fuel efficient transporters will be good news for embattled fleet managers. 

The converted Grand i10 and Atos Cargo hatchback models offer a secure, robust compartment of up to 1,2 cubic metres in the Grand i10, hooks to hold a cargo net down and a strong wire mesh cargo barrier between the cargo area and the two front seats. The rear side windows are also securely covered with the strong wire mesh on the inside. 

Two derivatives are available in the shape of the smaller hatchback: the Atos 1.1 Motion Cargo (manual) and Atos 1.1 Fluid Cargo (manual). The Grand i10 1.0 Motion Cargo (manual) completes the range.

The popularity of these light commercial vehicles is evident from the 350 sales of the first Grand i10 Cargo model, supplemented by 50 new Grand i10 Cargo sales and 13 of the new Atos Cargo. Furthermore, the Fidelity Services Group has acquired 131 Grand i10 Cargo vehicles, making this well-known provider of security services one of the biggest buyers of the hatchback cargo-carrier. 

The Hyundai Cargo models are a good substitute for the half-ton bakkies and offer a competitive cost of ownership. 

A 998 cc normally aspirated petrol engine is used to propel the Grand i10 1.0 Motion Cargo with its power going to the front wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox. The 3-cylinder engine delivers peak power of 49 kW at 5 500 r/min., and maximum torque of 94 Nm is reached at 3 500 r/min. 

In the Atos Cargo derivatives, a 1 086 cc 4-cylinder normally aspirated petrol engine – also linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox – drives the hatchback through the front wheels. It delivers 50 kW at its maximum power output, which is reached at 5 500 r/min., while the torque peak of 99 Nm comes at 2 800 r/min. 

Both models boast low fuel consumption which helps a business to keep running costs low. In the case of the Atos Cargo a best consumption figure of 5,7 litres per 100 km was measured in a combined test cycle, while the Grand i10 Cargo recorded 5,4 litres per 100 km.

The Grand i10, which was launched in South Africa at the end of 2020, as well as the Atos, feature body-coloured bumpers and door handles that adds to the attractive design lines of the two hatchbacks. 

The Grand i10 1.0 Motion Cargo and the Atos 1.1 Fluid Cargo run on 14-inch steel wheels with an attractive styled cover, while the Atos 1.1 Motion Cargo uses 13-inch steel wheels, also with styled covers. 

A spacious cabin with conveniences such as an infotainment centre with a 7-inch screen, air-conditioner, electrically operated windows, central locking, and audio and Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel are on the list of comprehensive luxury features in the Atos Cargo. The infotainment centre is compatible with a smartphone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 

The cloth-covered seats of the Atos Cargo will make the long time spent on the road in a commercial vehicle easier. In the Grand i10 Cargo, the driver can adjust the seat height, and central locking, remote keyless entry, a manual air conditioner, an infotainment centre with a 6,2-inch touch-screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, electrical adjustment for the side mirrors and opening of the side windows all form part of its convenience features. 

Cras bags for both driver and passenger take care of passive safety in the Grand i10 Cargo and in the Atos Fluid Cargo derivative. The Atos Motion Cargo comes with a crash bag for the driver. 

Both Cargo models have 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners for driver and passenger. An anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), and crumple zones and side impact protection beams completes the safety package. 

Pricing 

Atos 1.1 Motion Cargo (manual)	R179 900
Atos 1.1 Fluid Cargo (manual)	R189 900
Grand i10 1.0 Motion Cargo (manual)	R211 900

Roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000 km and a 1-year/15 000 km service plan form part of the package. The service interval for both models is 15 000 km.

 Improving pedestrian visibility

The Automobile Association (AA), in collaboration with the FIA Region I, has distributed another 10 000 high visibility sashes to commuters at various taxi ranks in Gauteng as part of its #ISeeYou campaign. The campaign, launched in 2017, aims to make pedestrians more visible to motorists and is part of the AA’s ongoing road safety campaigns. 

Funding for the #ISeeYou campaign was provided through FIA Region I and its member clubs ACP, ADAC, ANWB, AvD, FDM, ÖAMTC, RACE and TCS, and in conjunction with sister clubs throughout sub-Saharan Africa. 

“FIA Region I is extremely proud of this initiative, which shows how much our network can make a concrete contribution to road safety in South Africa and beyond. These small steps, put together, make a difference!” says Laurianne Krid, Director General at FIA Region I. 

According to StatsSA’s National Household Travel Survey 2020, about 17,4-million South Africans walk all the way to their destination daily. In addition, the report also highlights that about 10,1-million learners walk all the way to their educational institution. In total, this represents more than 27-million vulnerable road users who are pedestrians on South African roads daily.

 

A critical component of the #ISeeYou campaign is to urge pedestrians to wear reflective sashes which are easier for drivers to see. The campaign seeks to provide reflective sashes to as many pedestrians as possible. Within the campaign, a mechanism has been provided for individuals and corporates to make donations to fund the purchase and distribution of more sashes. Anyone interested in contributing to the campaign can visit www.aa.co.za to make a donation. In this way many more South Africans could make it home safely at night. 

A major boost for the campaign this year came from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). Members of the JMPD’s Community Outreach division assisted the AA to distribute high-visibility sashes, and information pamphlets, at all the venues in Johannesburg. 

“Up to 40% of all road deaths on South African roads annually are pedestrians and we consider initiatives such as the #ISeeYou campaign critical to improving road safety, and to reducing these horrific numbers. In addition to highlighting the need for greater pedestrian visibility, the campaign also seeks to drive increased mutual respect between motorists and pedestrians hence the name of the campaign: I See You,” says Willem Groenewald, CEO of the AA. 

To foster this mutual respect, the AA urges motorists to focus on the roads they are driving on, to watch their speeds in high traffic areas, and to be aware of pedestrians wherever they are driving. 

Willem says pedestrians face many obstacles to safe travel, including wearing dark clothing, or being forced to cross busy roads because there is no sufficient infrastructure for them to cross where it’s safe to do so. 

“Another big danger for pedestrians – especially those who walk on dimly lit or unlit roads – is that they are ‘invisible’ to motorists who may only see them when it’s too late to avoid hitting them. Our message to pedestrians is clear: making yourself more visible could save your life,” he says. 

As a start to this year’s initiative, high visibility sashes were distributed at the Randburg Taxi Rank, Bree Street Taxi Rank, Thembisa Taxi Rank, Mamelodi Station Taxi Rank, Bloed Street Taxi Rank in Pretoria, and Germiston Taxi Rank. 

“As a society we have to acknowledge that pedestrian safety must enjoy much more attention than it is currently receiving. Looking at the statistics we see that dealing more effectively with pedestrian safety will save lives, and will greatly impact on our appalling road fatality statistics,” says Willem. 

The #ISeeYou campaign is also being run in Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya and Rwanda.  In addition to the ‘live’ activations at taxi ranks, the #ISeeYou campaign also features print, radio and television advertising to re-enforce the high visibility messaging.

 Vehicle crime - not a pretty picture

South African vehicle crime statistics are considered horrific considering the number of reported instances of hijacking, armoured vehicle theft, truck looting and the like – but what does the bigger picture look like? 

Usually, looking back 25 years can be nostalgic. However, when the focus is on vehicle crime, it is unlikely to evoke sentimentality, but can paint a very insightful picture. The latest Tracker Vehicle Crime Index reveals vehicle crime statistics since the company’s inception 25 years ago, recorded from its installed vehicle base and analysed in line with its financial year. 

The statistics indicate the level of vehicle crime was significant in the early years of vehicle tracking, with vehicle crime activities affecting 4,5% of Tracker’s customer base at the peak in 1999. However, this rate declined as vehicle tracking matured and the insurance industry drove an increase in subscriptions to vehicle tracking services. The level of vehicle crime has been consistent since 2012 at 0,7% of Tracker’s customer base, dropping to 0,6% for the past three years.

 

“As one of the first vehicle tracking companies established in South Africa, Tracker was in the trenches,” says Duma Ngcobo, Chief Operating Officer at Tracker South Africa. “The early adopters of vehicle tracking services would most likely have been those that really needed it. However, the confluence of insurance and tracking companies, plus the degree of technological innovation from reactive to proactive and then pre-emptive vehicle tracking, would have had a positive impact on driving down the rate of vehicle crime.” 

Nevertheless, the nature of vehicle crime is changing. For the past three years, hijacking has been on the rise and is now more prevalent than theft. Hijacking attributed a higher percentage of the Tracker vehicle crime activities in 2021 when compared to theft, averaging a 54/46% split. This is higher than the last time hijacking overtook theft, during 1999 with a 52/48% split. 

“The slant towards hijacking is most likely an opportunistic tactic, with a noticeable increase in vehicles being targeted for their loads, particularly fast-moving consumable goods. Drivers carrying large amounts of cash are also being targeted. South Africans should be wary and remain vigilant at all times, especially when returning home from shopping or when goods bought online are delivered to their homes. Hijackings are often violent and there are instances where a hostage is taken,” says Ngcobo. 

“Further techniques include criminals impersonating law enforcements officials in order to commit hijackings, a method otherwise known as blue light robberies. Criminals also commit vehicle theft using online selling platforms, where sellers hand over goods on receipt of a fake payment. Sometimes, criminals pretend there is something wrong with your vehicle, a method known as flagging down. They also take advantage of drivers stopped on the side of the road or those picking up hitchhikers,” says Ngcobo. 

The province that has always been at the forefront of vehicle crime is Gauteng, clocking an average 64% of the total vehicle crime activities in 25 years. Yet, for the past three years, Gauteng has attributed a smaller percentage of the national vehicle crime activities at an average of 56%. This, as the other two dominant provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, start accounting for more of the national vehicle crime activities. KwaZulu-Natal has moved from an average of 16% of the vehicle crime activities to 19% for the past three years, while Western Cape has moved from 6% to 9%. 

When examining the split between theft and hijacking at provincial level for the past year, six provinces experience a greater amount of hijacking than theft. The Western Cape has the highest incidence of hijacking compared to theft with a 78/22% split. The majority of this vehicle crime occurs in the greater Western Cape metropolitan area. 

The theft and hijacking split per province is as follows:

 

Province	Theft	Hijacking
Eastern Cape	40%	60%
Free State	53%	47%
Gauteng	49%	51%
KwaZulu-Natal	49%	51%
Limpopo	38%	62%
Mpumalanga	30%	70%
North West	62%	38%
Northern Cape	57%	43%
Western Cape	22%	78%

 

Tracker’s efforts to combat vehicle crime has resulted in a total of 108 164 vehicle recoveries, 19 695 arrests and 1 048 firearms recovered in the 25 years of the company’s operation.

Road Review Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S Coupé 

This car is legally insane!

 This car is the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S Coupé kitted with an AMG 4,0-litre V8 biturbo engine whacking out 450 kW and 850 Nm. 

Impressive numbers indeed. However, the numbers themselves do not mean that much despite much beer-fuelled banter around the braai fire. Consider a race car with similar numbers that offers them up only in small band between, say 6 000 r/min and 9 000 r/min. 

Not ideal for negotiating the morning traffic. What makes the numbers significant is how they are delivered and the GLE releases maximum torque from 2 250 r/min with peak power around 5 750 r/min – mean it is not only blisteringly fast but gives and keeps on giving. 

In fact, on the private landing strip used during my test I ran out of road before the GLE ran out of breath. 

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h comes up in 3,9 seconds!

For the first time, the new GLE 63’s 4,0-litre V8 biturbo engine is fitted with an integrated EQ Boost starter-alternator that combines a starter motor and an alternator in a single, powerful electric motor. It provides an additional 16 kW of output and 250 Nm of torque which can be called upon temporarily and also supplies the 48-volt on-board electrical system to use as a power generator and perform hybrid functions. These include boost, recuperate, load point shift, gliding and the virtually imperceptible restarting of the engine with the start/stop function.  

Power is regulated through a 9-speed transmission, which features extremely short shift times and fast multiple downshifts, and delivers an especially emotive gear shifting experience thanks to the double-declutching function. 

For increased efficiency, Mercedes-AMG has also equipped the V8 engines with cylinder shut-off. In the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated, which crucially reduces fuel consumption. When the driver has selected the Comfort drive program, the cylinder deactivation system is available from 1 000 r/min to 3 250 r/min. The transition between these two operating states is so smooth and immediate passengers will scarcely feel it. 

And, herein is the conundrum. The ‘G’ portion of the nomenclature signifies a car with off road capability but, why would anyone want to take this high-rise on steroids off-road? 

Perhaps it is just the ‘old school’ in me but, when I’m nudging over the 200 km/h mark, I like my butt to be mere millimetres from the ground. Talking of that 200 number, from that speed the GLE picks up some buffeting from its own wind both smashing a hole in the air ahead of the car and from the vacuum effect created at the rear. 

It is not hugely significant, rather a touch disconcerting.

Perhaps, even surprisingly, the GLE handles rather well for what it is and will take on tight corners with minimal body roll and even less feeling of wanting to come unglued from the road, even with its 2 445-kilogram mass. 

Being a 4Matic all-wheel drive, it will plough on at initial turn-in but quickly steady and follow steering directions precisely. 

In ‘Race’ mode all bets are off though and ill-considered entry into corners will produce some lurid moments as the ‘nanny’ systems cease to provide assistance to the driver. 

For daily driving and standard use set in ‘Comfort’ mode, the best is tamed and remains absolutely gentle, just the choogling boogies of the V8 a delicious reminder of what lurks within. In this frame of mind, fuel consumption is around 12,9 l/100 km. 

The exterior design of the AMG GLE is muscular and distinctive, with specific radiator grilles with vertical louvres affirming its membership of the AMG model family. The side skirts, exterior mirror housings and flared wheel arches are painted in the vehicle colour and seamlessly blend into the overall look. 

I mulled over the look for a long time and could not get away from the side view appearing a bit like one of compacted cartoon drawings of a car. It is a big vehicle, yet the proportions just did not seem right to me – perhaps just missing that elongated bonnet of the sedan. 

Also, unless you are a tallish driver with the seat position set low, the more vertically challenged (like me) with a higher seat position tend to fall foul of the rake coupé shape, clocking the head on the door frame getting in and out. 

Once inside, it is more spacious than it might convey from the outside, although tall people in the rear seats may be compromised by the sharply dropping roofline.

 

AMG-specific interior appointments and controls lend the cockpit a hallmark AMG atmosphere and the latest generation, three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles looks the business. 

AMG seats are upholstered in Nappa Leather, as a standard and individually adjustable ambient lighting also comes as standard, while the second seat row is optionally available with full electric adjustment. 

The vehicle functions are directly visualised on the instrument cluster on the left side and on the touchscreen display on the right, and visually blend into a Widescreen Cockpit. The centre console has an AMG-specific control panel with additional switches with which the 3-stage ESP, manual transmission mode, the adaptive damping adjustment, the optional AMG Performance exhaust system and the suspension level can be controlled.  

Through the voice control – activated with the phrase ‘Hey Mercedes’ – the AI software recognises and understands practically all commands common in infotainment and vehicle control.  

The standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension and the adaptively adjustable ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System) can be preselected in three stages - Comfort, Sport and Sport+, allowing a much more obvious distinction between high long-distance comfort and sporty vehicle dynamics.  

Thanks to pneumatic self-levelling, the GLE maintains a constant ride height regardless of the vehicle load. This can be adjusted depending on the driving mode, or manually using a rocker switch in the centre console. The vehicle level is generally lowered by 10 mm in Sport, Sport+ and RACE mode, while in Comfort mode, the vehicle is lowered by 10 mm from a speed of 120 km/h, and raised back to normal level when the speed falls below 70 km/h.

In Trail and Sand modes, the suspension is raised by 55 mm to increase ground clearance on poor surfaces, and automatically lowered to normal level when the speed reaches 70 km/h. This function can also be controlled using the rocker switch. 

The all-wheel drive is controlled depending on the selected stage of the 3-stage Electronic Stability Program ESP – from sporty, with a focus on safety, to highly dynamic. To further improve traction the it has an electronically controlled locking differential at the rear axle as standard. The slip is thus suppressed at the inner wheel on bends, allowing the driver to accelerate out of corners earlier and with more power thanks to the improved traction. 

The GLE 63 Sis equipped with 400 mm x 38 mm brake discs at the front, plus 370 mm x 32 mm discs at the rear. As an option, a high-performance ceramic brake system can be ordered.  

As with all Mercedes-Benz products there are raft of options that can be added to the basic package including the AMG Night Package, MBUX Innovation Package, MBUX Augmented Reality for navigation, AMG Performance Exhaust system and Magic Vision Control among them. 

Base Price - R2 970 920.