Colin-on-Cars: Road Review - Toyota Prado 2.8 Diesel VX-L

As a young boy I had quite an extensive collection of Dinky toys (and I wish I had kept them) that made way for an extravagant Marklin train set that threatened to banish both my parent’s car from the garage (it too, would have been worth keeping) that made way for an eclectic collection of motorcycle parts acquired with the idea of resurrecting an old Garelli; the space shared with car parts to get cousin Cyril’s Renault Dauphine up and running.

Of those Dinky toys my favourite was a battered old Land Rover and that ignited my ongoing affair with life off the road.

However, interest only turned to adoration when Toyota first introduced the Prado to South Africa. I cannot properly explain why I fell so hopelessly in love with the Prado – perhaps it was the first less than conservative design from Toyota, perhaps it was its ability in the bush.

Who knows, who cares?

The fact is the Prado has been a bucket list car for me since then and, will almost certainly remain on that list until I kick the darn thing considering the more than R1-million price tag on the latest generation – the top-of-the-range 2.8 Diesel VX-L the subject of this test.

I had not had the opportunity to park my bum in a Prado for quite some time, so the arrival of the VX-L was awaited with much anticipation along with a touch of trepidation – would it measure up to my expectation; would it still be the car I would buy instantly if I won the Lotto.

Short answer. Yes.

Like pretty much all vehicles, the Prado has grown in size with each new iteration and the current model is undeniably big, although not disproportionately so. However, there are some Sandton socialites who tend to buy vehicles like this as pose-mobiles that will need some driving pointers to get in and out of silly little shopping centre parking bays.

Not that it is a problem with high-definition reverse camera and the wealth of driving aids packaged into the Prado.

For anyone intending to put the vehicle through its paces as an on/off-road tourer, the good news is the latest range offers an additional 30 kW of power and 100 Nm of torque derived from the switch to the 2,8-litre GD-6 turbo-diesel engine, that is now mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission (previously five-speed).

Prado's overlanding and towing credentials benefit from the higher-performance engine that now delivers a maximum of 150 kW at 3 400 r/min and 500 Nm over a wider 1 600 r/min – 2 800 r/min band.

The latest generation 2.8 GD-6 engine (as debuted in the updated Hilux) has received a raft of upgrades including a new ball-bearing turbo-charger with a larger turbine and impeller and improved engine rigidity and cooling. Better fuel economy is realised through optimised pistons and piston rings, changes to the cylinder block and head, higher fuel-injection flow rate and the adoption of high-performance materials for the exhaust manifold and cylinder-head gasket.

A newly-fitted balance shaft helps smooth out engine vibrations, improving NVH performance and contributing to an even higher degree of refinement.

The new six-speed transmission has revised torque converter lock-up mapping, to provide smooth gearshifts and a newly-added paddle-shift function. A low-range transfer case makes off-roading a cinch, while user-selectable differential locks (centre and rear) keep the wheels ‘in sync’ when navigating slippery conditions.

While those aforementioned socialites may shudder at the thought of their ‘precious’ getting all dusty, it is precisely what the Prado is designed to do and, with little effort, it makes the likes of the mighty Sani Pass and Naude’s Nek seem like slightly bumpy flat surfaces.

Despite the stronger outputs, fuel consumption improves to 7,9 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions are down to 209 g/km. Fuel capacity is 150 litres with an 87-litre main tank and 63-litre sub tank.

More strenuous work off the beaten track obviously impacted the on-road consumption, pushing it up to around 10 l/100 km in some instances.

Along with the evolved body shape and lines, the Prado remains a luxuriously appointed carriage and there is now a new-generation multimedia system that incorporates a larger 9-inch touchscreen display, enhanced voice recognition and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Users are able to utilise mobile-phone-services such as Google Maps, Waze, Spotify, SoundCloud etc.  and an embedded satellite navigation system backs up smartphone functionality – particularly useful when out of signal range.

All variants come with automatic dual-zone climate control, 6-speaker touch audio system, electrically adjustable driver’s seat (with memory on the VX-L), illuminated entry, cruise control, park distance control, keyless entry, auto door lock, three power outlets, Bluetooth connectivity, USB, 3rd row seating and reverse camera.

Seat heating and ventilation are provided for front row occupants while second row occupants also benefit from seat heating. The refrigerated centre console helps make light work of road trips or bushveld excursions.

VX-L models gain a 14-speaker Premium audio system with woofer, multi-information display, power tilt-and-telescopic steering adjustment, rain-sensing wipers and power-fold-down functionality for the third-row seats along with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which encompasses Pre-Collision System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind-Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). In addition, the Automatic High Beam (AHB) function provides enhanced visibility via the LED headlamps when activated. A power-operated tilt-and-slide moonroof completes the VX-L package.

Its off-road ability lies embedded in Toyota’s Active Traction Control system (A-TRAC), which actively regulates wheel-slip, by directing torque to the wheel with the most traction. The system is capable of applying braking pressure to wheels individually to maximise traction. Hill Assist Control (HAC) forms part of the standard ensemble.

The Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system, operated by a centrally mounted rotary knob, allows the driver to select the correct mode depending on the ‘road’ ahead. The system has five pre-configured modes (mud and sand, loose rock, mogul, rock and dirt and rock), to tailor the vehicle’s traction control, transmission characteristics, power delivery and suspension settings to the terrain at hand. Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and Crawl Control are included on VX and VX-L models.

Over and above that it has Drive Mode Select, which offers five modes; Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Normal and Eco; to adapt vehicle dynamics according to driver preference.

All Land Cruiser Prado’s have a body on frame construction with a double-wishbone front design and multi-link rear layout. The VX and VX-L versions have Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS).

KDSS employs a hydraulic system attached to the sway bars, to effectively link all four wheels reducing body roll and improving wheel articulation. In addition, there is Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) to allow adjustability of the shock absorber damping level. This is linked to the Drive Mode Select function.

All pretty on paper! So, does the Prado meet the bucket list requirement?

Indeed, it does. Those fortunate enough to own one should fully embrace its capabilities by pointing it at the wide-open spaces that make South Africa such a great country and go, see and experience all of the goodies not visible from motorways and highways.

The Prado is light and nimble, despite its size and responds quickly to driver commands whether on or off the road where, its sure-footed stance inspires confidence.

All Prado models are sold with a 9-services/90 000 km service plan – with 10 000 km service intervals. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is also provided.

Well, back to the bucket then.

https://bit.ly/3urV2jz

Colin-on-Cars - The point of it all

It is all about points gained, points lost and points being sacrificed going into the sharp end of the South African Cross Country Series with a double-header event in the home of the Nampo Show, Bothaville this weekend.

The double-header will see crews complete a qualifying session and full race on Friday; with a new route, qualifying session and race following on Saturday.

“This is a big race for us,” says Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Team Principal, Glyn Hall. “We have many interesting factors that will play a role this weekend, but we still have our eyes firmly on the championship, despite also using the opportunity to further prepare for January’s Dakar Rally.”

The team narrowly lost out on victory at the Toyota 1 000 Desert Race, which took place near Upington in June this year. However, Giniel de Villiers still tops the standings in the Production Vehicle category, while navigator Dennis Murphy finds himself in second place in the standings.

“Despite leading the title chase, Giniel has decided to focus on the development of our new GR DKR Hilux T1+, which we’ll be running at Dakar,” continues Hall. “This means he will not be able to score points with the new car, as it will be racing under special permission from the organisers, rather than a regular entry.”

As such, the focus for the title chase shifts to Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, who will again be fielding a turbo-charged V6-powered version of the team’s Class FIA Toyota Hilux, as he did at the Desert Race. The team has built a new car for the 4x4 Mega World 400, and though it is capable of running the new T1+ specifications, it will be set up to conform to the SACCS’ Class FIA regulations in order to allow Lategan/Cummings to score championship points.

“Henk is only four points behind Giniel in the overall standings, and a single point behind Ford’s Lance Woolridge, so he is very much in touch with the title chase,” says Hall.

The team’s third Toyota Hilux, running the V8 engine, will be in the hands of Shameer Variawa and navigator Danie Stassen, who will also be competing together at Dakar 2022. The pair showed good pace at the Desert Race, and will be aiming to cement their relationship in the car, and build experience together in preparation for the Dakar Rally.

Class T will see brothers Johan and Werner Horn attempt to close the gap to class leader Malcolm Kock (Ford), after the Malalane Toyota crew failed to score meaningful points in Upington. The brothers started the season with two victories on the trot, and even though they now find themselves in third place in the standings, more than half of the season remains, with four scoring opportunities in hand.

“This weekend is a big, tough race for all the crews,” concludes Hall. “We are recently back from a very tough Dakar test session in Namibia, but despite the hectic schedule, the lads are ready for the weekend, and we are hoping to not only make progress with our Dakar preparations, but also score maximum points in the championship fight.”

Following his win in the opening round of the championship at the Mpumalanga 400, Lance Woolridge (334) is the team’s top-placed driver in the Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) prepared Ford Ranger, and is currently second in the overall Production Vehicle championship on 61 points, just three points behind Giniel de Villiers (Toyota).

Lance Woolridge

However, it’s a close-run affair, as Henk Lategan Toyota) and Brian Baragwanath (Century Racing) are tied in third place just a single point adrift. Woolridge’s co-driver, Elvéne Vonk, is placed third overall for navigators.

In the fight for the FIA-class title, Lance is third on 76 points behind Baragwanath (78) and De Villiers (81), while Elvéne holds third place for the FIA-class navigators.

Gareth Woolridge (377), in the second Ford Castrol NWM Ranger, is currently ninth in the overall Production Vehicle championship and eighth in the FIA-class, with co-driver Boyd Dreyer ranked seventh and sixth respectively.

“It has been a long three months since we last raced in Upington, and the team is very keen to get out there again,” says Ford Castrol NWM team principal, Neil Woolridge. “We have used the time productively to do extensive testing and development work on our new EcoBoost-powered Ford Rangers, focusing on refining its performance, cooling and suspension setup to ensure we are even more competitive for the second half of the championship.

“The 4x4 Mega World 400 will be an exciting challenge, as it comprises two full races over the two days and will cover almost 800 km in total,” Woolridge adds. “With the opportunity to score double points, this event will play a pivotal role in deciding this year’s championships, so it’s essential that we do well and score maximum points.”

The 4x4 Mega World 400 will be the third outing for the Ford NWM Development Team of Bapi Rubuluza and co-driver Fanifani Meyiwa in the V8-powered Class T Ford Ranger (T49).

Following a solid first race together at the Sugarbelt 400 in May, the pair unfortunately crashed out of the Desert Race in June, and are looking forward to a confidence-building performance in the Free State.

“Bapi and Fanifani were looking really good for a decent result in Upington, but they were caught out by the challenging terrain,” says Woolridge. “They are very keen to get back on the horse and gain more experience in the Class T Ranger. With two full-length races packaged into one weekend, it will be the perfect opportunity for them to get back into the groove. The priority will simply be for them to finish both races and get more seat time in the vehicle, and in the heat of cross country racing.”

It will also be an important race for the other NWM-supported Ford Ranger crews. Malcolm and Frans Kock (T4) currently lead the Class T drivers and navigators standings on 106 points, with Wors Prinsloo and Andre Vermeulen (T41) placed second in an identical Ranger V8 on 79 points – the latter four points ahead of the Toyota of Johan and Werner Horn. Christo Rose (T58) is fourth with 69 points on his debut season in Class T, with Bernard Johnstone (T22) fifth in another Ford Ranger.

The event will be based at Nampo Park, just outside Bothaville. The opening race on Friday will comprise a short 15 km sprint, starting at 07:30, followed by the first of two loops of a 180 km route to the east of Nampo Park. According to SACCS, the route will include fast open sections and a mix of technical areas around an old pan, an unused coal power station and old mine dumps now covered in grass, with the final section featuring bushy terrain along the Vaal River.

Saturday’s race follows the same format with a 15 km qualifying sprint, along with two 180 km loops of a different route that encompasses tight and technical terrain, a Super Special set in a field of irrigation pivots, along with soft sandy sections.

Although the event remains closed to spectators due to the COVID-19 restrictions, fans can follow all the action and track the position of the crews using the RallySafe app which can be downloaded free of charge for iOS and Android devices. Also, be sure to follow the Ford Performance SA social media channels, listed below, for regular race updates.

https://bit.ly/3kQBP83

Colin-on-Cars - Truck driver shortage remains a concern

Food shortages and other disruptions following the July looting served to highlight the importance of the logistics sector to the South African economy and, with more than 150-millions tons of freight being delivered by trucks, the shortage of drivers is a major problem.

Stellenbosch University and World Bank figures estimate South Africa’s logistics sector is responsible for as much as 11,8% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

However, road freight is increasingly surpassing rail as South Africa’s transport medium of choice, exacerbating the issues caused by the growing scarcity of qualified truck drivers. According to the C-track Freight Transport Index report for April, for example, more than 150-million tons of cargo was transported by road between January and March 2021, compared to just 40-million moved by rail over the same period.

“Our goods and supplies don’t just miraculously appear in supermarkets, and the trucks they come in don’t drive themselves either. The people responsible for driving those trucks are as vital as the goods they deliver because without drivers, our supply chains will come to a grinding halt,” says Arnoux Maré, Managing Director at Innovative Learning Solutions.

He warns the disruption to supply chains in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal during July’s riots highlighted the need for a reliable, efficient transportation industry, most people glossed over the other part of that equation – having qualified, experienced drivers.

“As of 2021, there is a shortage of approximately 3 000 truck and bus drivers in the South African transport sector. As a result, many companies are recruiting unskilled and unqualified drivers, placing road users at risk.

“Most concerning, however, is the fact this shortage means employers simply cannot allow their pool of drivers any time off. Drivers are required to be behind the wheel every available moment, despite all the safety consequences that follow.”

The shortage of qualified truck drivers is not unique to South Africa, as countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom are also grappling with the same challenge. These nations have resorted to recruiting drivers from all over the globe, including South Africa. However, this appetite for expatriate drivers is furthering fuelling shortages in South Africa’s supply chain.

“Without skilled, committed truck drivers, much of the economy and life as we know it in South Africa, would come to a grinding halt. Trained and qualified drivers mitigate accidents, curb losses and ensure the country’s residents receive their essential supplies without delay, all while contributing to the economy,” concludes Maré.

https://bit.ly/2XXLYHr

Colin-on-Cars - Peugeot 2008 is Car of the Year

The Peugeot 2008 is the South African Car of the Year as judged by members of the SA Guild of Mobility Journalists, today’s announcement following the first online scoring of the competition that dates back to 1986.

The South African Car of the Year trophy is the country’s most highly respected and sought-after motoring accolade. While the competition has evolved over the years (categories were introduced recently), one thing has remained true to the contest; it celebrates and rewards automotive excellence.

Peugeot 2008

The 2021 SA Car of the Year (COTY) had its unique challenges. For the first time in the competition’s history, we did not host our scheduled two-day juror evaluation event. An ongoing online scoring system available to all South African Guild of Mobility Journalists’ (SAGMJ) members was created in 2019 based on scoring criteria that closely mirrored COTY’s voting criteria. The scoring system was initially created to build up a database of vehicles tested, their strengths, weaknesses and to be able to compare them to category contenders.

Our expert COTY jurors had access to this scoring system and were encouraged to score vehicles as they experienced them on launches or as test-drive vehicles and to input scores and notes via the SAGMJ scoring system. The use of this ongoing scoring system had been introduced to COTY jurors and trainee jurors as part of the COTY process before 2021.

The selection of our COTY jurors and the training of potential jurors had remained as stringent as ever.

Based on specific requirements, potential jurors and trainee jurors are presented to SAGMJ members who choose their peers through the online voting system. Trainees are required to complete a 2-year apprenticeship under the guidance of a juror mentor. On average, the turnover on our jurors is about 17% annually, and our trainee programme ensures that we have a constant pool of newly trained jurors to step into the jury team.

“To ensure we are continuously developing our systems and stay relevant; there was a concerted effort by the SAGMJ to meet with OEMs and ensure we were cognisant of their input on various matters relating to COTY,” says Chairman, Carl Wepener.

“The COTY Committee also paid close attention to worldwide competition trends and took advice from experts in the field. The result is that COTY created more categories and will also be making provision for the new mobility enhanced vehicles we will see more of in the future. We are very proud of two of the new categories, the Motor Enthusiast’s Choice and our Jurors Excellence Award.

Mercedes-Benz E Class - Motor Enthusiast's Choice Award

“In the last two years, the public has become more involved in our COTY scoring/voting process. This voting counted towards the juror scores and effectively held the weight of a single juror. Having discovered that this made minimal impact, we wanted to encourage the public to be more involved and, as such, we felt that the public rightly deserved their own award - the Motor Enthusiast’s Choice Award.”

The COTY scoring process is so much more than just juror scoring. Once the expert panel concluded scoring, the automated scoring factors that cover sales performance, segment share and value for money, are applied. The automated scoring information was provided by Lightstone Auto, which provides data-driven insight, online market intelligence and new vehicle sales data to the South African automotive industry. Our Jurors Excellence Award uses raw scoring to reveal which vehicle received the highest scores before automated factors were included.

Additional honours the SAGMJ instituted at their Annual General Meeting held on 26 June 2021 were the Most Admired OEM, which was presented to Stellantis, and the Lifetime PR Achiever’s Award, which was presented to Lindsay Pieterse from BMW. Although these two awards are not officially part of the COTY competition, they are just as prestigious.

The 2021 South African Car of the Year category winners are:

- Budget Category: Toyota Starlet

- Compact Category: Hyundai Venue

- Compact Family Category: Peugeot 2008 SUV

- Family Category: Audi A4

- Premium Category: BMW 4 Series

- Adventure Category: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

- Double Cab Category: Toyota Hilux Double Cab

- Performance Category: Porsche 911 Turbo S

- New Energy Category: Porsche Taycan

- Motor Enthusiast’s Choice: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

- Jurors Excellence Award: Peugeot 2008 SUV

The first-place overall winner of the 2021 South African Car of the Year competition is the Peugeot 2008. The Toyota Hilux Double Cab was placed second, while the BMW 4 Series came third.

Hyundai Venue
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Colin-on-Cars - Mahindra adds range of special vehicles

Mahindra South Africa is capitalising on its Durban assembly facilities by branching out with the PikUp into specialised markets and has launched options for the medical services, game viewing and mining sectors.

Based on the Mahindra Pik Up S6 Single Cab Chassis Cab, the new Pik Up Ambulance offers go-anywhere medical mobility for first responders and medical staff, especially in rural areas and to reach crisis sites through off road or through rubble and debris.

The new Pik Up Ambulance is converted with a double-walled and insulated ambulance cabin. These proven underpinnings and the support from Mahindra engineers mean that the model carries a full factory warranty and is available as either an S6 Single Cab 4x2 or S6 Single Cab 4x4.

While there are significant customisation options, the Pik Up Ambulance was created with feedback from medical professionals to ensure that it fits the broadest range of applications from the onset. The range of custom options are available directly from Mahindra and are also covered by comprehensive warranty support.

These requirements include an access ramp to enable the smooth transition of the patient from curb to cabin, with the roll and cot stretcher included in the package specifications. There is an additional spine board that is flush fitting and secured to the side.

The canopy itself is double-walled and insulated, with frosted laminated side windows and one-way windows in the rear. The floor is shock-proof and has been treated with a hard-wearing anti-skid coating.

Inside the ambulance cabin, Mahindra has fitted a range of medically approved equipment that is not only easy to reach and use but allows most customers to buy and use the ambulance without requiring additional customisation and certification.

The range of equipment includes an air conditioner linked to that of the driver cabin, a fresh water system with basin, oxygen tanks, an intercom, interior LED-lighting, a swivel rear spotlight and storage space that double up as a bench. This equipment, and the additional power points in the rear cabin, are powered from an additional battery system fitted in the engine bay.

Each Pik Up Ambulance also has a public address system with siren, a regulation set of red and orange emergency vehicle lights and a range of decals for each province and application.

The S6 also includes luxuries such as cruise control and air-conditioning fitted as standard. The standard Pik Up S6 has a ground clearance of 210 mm, with an approach angle of 34 degrees, a departure angle of 15 degrees and a breakover-angle of 18 degrees. The bakkie is certified to tow a braked trailer of up to 2 500 kg and it has a combined fuel consumption of 7,7 litres per 100 km.

Every Pik Up model offers dual front crash bags, anti-lock brakes with EBD, side-impact protection, and seatbelt reminders as standard.

Also standard, is the mHawk turbo-diesel engine with common-rail direct injection. This engine delivers 103 kW and 320 Nm.

The new S4 Mahindra Pik Up Game Viewer launches in South Africa with a full manufacturer warranty. The standard offering adds features normally required by game farms and tourist operators and is available with the choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains. In addition, a customised solution is available for specific client needs.

“With its breadth of talent as both a workhorse and a leisure vehicle, it is no surprise that the Pik Up has become such a popular bakkie in South Africa,” says Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

“We have been listening to our customers and, together with our manufacturing team, suppliers and industry partners have decided to expand the range with a series of locally developed and tested built-for-purpose models. There first of these is our new Game Viewer.”

Built on the S4 Single Cab platform with the input from game farms and tourist operators, the new Game Viewer has a 1 195 kg payload, a 3 040 mm wheelbase and 210 mm ground clearance. This makes it ideal for duty in the rugged African bushveld and for the safe and comfortable movement of up to ten guests.

The standard model features an open cabin to allow for easy movement by the tour guide and unspoiled views by the guests. Mahindra has included a fold-down windscreen, rubberised interior for extra durability in all weather conditions, and passenger access on either side of the wheel well on the right-hand side of the vehicle.

The standard upholstery is replaced by rip stop canvas and there is a new high roof that doubles as a heavy-duty roll cage with similar canvas covering.

In the back, Mahindra has added nine individual padded seats, each with an anchored lap belt. This will ensure the highest level of comfort and safety when travelling on tar or dirt.

Options include an extended foldaway polycarbonate windscreen that reaches the roof, a marine-ply roof cover, canvas roll down sides, additional 12V plug points inside the cabin, an optional wheel fitted on the rear of the cage and a nudge bar. Further, a full customized solution is available to cater to a customer’s specific needs.

The new Pik Up with Mining Specification package is available on the recently upgraded S6 manual double cab with 4x4 drivetrain.

The Mining Specification Pik Up is fitted with heavy-duty external roll-over protection, the necessary red, white and yellow decals, a roof-mounted light bar and a reverse buzzer.

Other additions to this specification include a rubberised load bin with cargo net, stop blocks, wheel nut indicators and heavy-duty seat covers. Mahindra has also added a fire extinguisher, First Aid kit and COVID kit.

https://bit.ly/39DaGPm

Colin-on-Cars: Road Review - Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 VX

Way back in 2006 when Toyota first launched the Fortuner, it was pretty much a body on a bakkie but, even so, the company’s timing was perfect and it became an instant hit and has hung on as a chart-topper longer than any Kurt Darren tune.

In the intervening years, the Fortuner has evolved with improved levels of comfort, fittings, driveability and off-road capability.

In its latest format, it also introduced the range-topping 2.8 GD-6 VX where VX follows Toyota badging style on its other SUV options such as RAV4, Prado and Land Cruiser.

This means it is packed with a mix of tech and luxury, including nice-to-have’s such as autonomous braking along with its ability to get well off the beaten track.

At the front a larger, blacked-out grille with gloss wave-like mesh pattern is accompanied by a silver-accented ‘skid-plate’ underrun. Re-profiled Bi-LED headlamps provide a sleeker look and these are further enhanced by prominent chrome accent strips that bridge the grille and headlamp assemblies.

On the VX, the side profile is enhanced with a thin, chrome belt-line that extends towards the rear, effectively wrapping around the vehicle while new tail lamp units with integrated light guides, help deliver a more striking night-time signature.

The 2.8 GD-6 variants ride on 18-inch alloy wheels with turbine design and metallic surface treatment – employing 265-60-R18 tyres.

The original interior of the Fortuner was a kind of farm dust beige and this has now been changed to black in line with requests from the market the car serves.

The new black ‘hide’ with silver contrast stitching raises the level of sophistication (and desirability) to put it on a par with price bracket rivals such as the VW Tiguan Allspace 2.0TSI 4-Motion, the Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi AWD and the BMW X3 sDrive.

The revised instrument cluster design has metallic-blue dial faces, white needle pointers and a simple, elegant font making them easy to read even when bounding over undulating terrain.

An all-new 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality now allows navigation applications such as Google Maps and Waze and occupants can also access their music libraries and streaming accounts via apps such as Apple Music, JOOX, Spotify and SoundCloud. Wireless telephony is supported via Bluetooth with a USB input for additional media options.

The VX is also equipped with embedded Audio Visual Navigation (AVN).

More important than the aesthetics is the fact the power output of the 2.8 GD-6 engine is boosted by 20 kW to achieve 150 kW at 3 000 r/min with an extra 50 Nm on the torque to move than to 500 Nm at at 1 600 r/min.

The Tiguan has marginally more power than the Fortuner, but it is way ahead of the opposition grouping in terms of torque.

The increase in power and torque can be best felt when doing some serious donga-diving and putting the all-wheel drive system to the test. Toyota engineers improved performance and fuel economy simultaneously by adopting a larger, heavy-duty turbo-charger with a ball-bearing cartridge and a new common-rail injection system with a higher maximum fuel pressure of 250 Mpa.

On my test cycle, including the off-road element, the average fuel consumption was 8,4 l/100 km. Keeping to the tarmac this average drops down to 7,9 l/100 km.

Underpinning the Fortuner execution is a double-wishbone suspension at the front with a four-link arrangement in the rear – all using coil springs.

At the end of the day, it is all about balance and this suspension setup provides just that to be the best it can on or offroad. It strikes a comfortable balance between work and play modes.

All Fortuner models come with Park Distance Control (PDC) alongside full LED lighting, cruise control and touchscreen infotainment, one-touch power windows, reverse camera, steering switches, air-conditioned upper glovebox, multiple 12-volt power outlets, cup/bottle holders and a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column.

The 2.8 GD-6 adds an electro-chromatic rear view mirror, power seat adjustment for both driver and passenger, climate control as well as rear fog lamps. A leather steering wheel, leather dashboard accents and matte wood trim, with the VX gaining seat heating (driver & passenger), welcome lighting and the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system.

TSS integrates a Pre-collision system, Lane Departure Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and road sign recognition, joining active safety aids including anti-lock braking, EBD, Brake Assist, VSC, Trailer Sway Control, Traction Control and Downhill Assist Control (DAC).

All Fortuner models come with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty. A 9-services/90 000 km service plan is standard on all models (service intervals of 10 000 km or 12-months).

https://bit.ly/3zDt6Kj

Colin-on-Cars - New racer and four cars for Toyota's Dakar attack

Four cars and a whole new race beast is the attack plan from Toyota Gazoo Racing for the 2022 Dakar Rally taking place in Saudi Arabia from January 2.

The works team will be spearheaded by Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Mathieu Baumel. Giniel de Villiers will be partnered with navigator Dennis Murphy; Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings will return for their second Dakar, and Shameer Variawa will now be partnered with navigator Danie Stassen.

The team will also be fielding an all-new Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+, which conforms to the updated regulations for the T1 category. The prototype car, in temporary raw carbon fibre finish, is currently undergoing testing in preparation for an official reveal later in 2021.

Since finishing second at the 2021 edition of the race, 2019 winners Nasser (Qatar) and Mathieu (France) have powered to victory in the Andalucia Rally; as well as the Baja Spain Aragon. The pair, who won the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies three consecutive times, will be aiming to add a fourth Dakar victory to their resume in 2022.

Giniel and Dennis, both from South Africa, have competed successfully in the South African Cross-Country Series (SACCS), which also serves as a testbed for the continued development of the Toyota Dakar Hilux. They were in the lead of the title chase after three of the seven rounds that make up the series.

Dennis Murphy (left) and Giniel de Villiers

With a crash on Stage 5 of Dakar 2021 forcing South Africans Henk and Brett to retire after posting highly competitive times on Stages 3 and 4, they will be keen to show their pace and mix it up with the more experienced crews ahead of them. Henk’s Dakar debut drew global attention, and the young driver from Johannesburg, who has won the SACCS crown multiple times, will be looking to build significantly on that experience.

Finally, Shameer and Danie, also from South Africa, will complete the four-car team. Shameer, who has won multiple championships in South Africa, finished his first Dakar in 2021, but will now have Danie doing navigational duties. This will be Danie’s first Dakar, but he campaigns in the SACCS together with Shameer, so the two should find it easy to gel in the car.

The new Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ will share components with the Hilux that was first introduced in 2018, and won the race in 2019, but will feature a host of improvements including bigger running gear – tyres of 37 inches, up from 32 inches; together with a tread increase from 245 mm to 320 mm. The new car also has more suspension travel with the previous limit of 280 mm now increased to 350 mm.

Under the hood, the car is now equipped with a 3,5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, sourced from the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR-S . In standard form, the engine produces 305 kW of power at 5 200 r/min and 650 Nm of torque from 2 000 r/min. However, in race trim, those numbers are significantly higher.

Dakar 2022 will again be based solely in the Saudi Arabian desert, though the race follows a clockwise route this time. The race will start on January 2 in the northern city of Ha’il, before traversing southward to the Empty Quarter. The rest day will be in the Saudi capital of Riyadh on January 8, before the race heads south-westward to the finish in the city of Jeddah on January 14.

The race will kick off with a prologue to determine the starting positions for Stage 1. Two looped stages will also feature on the route, though the details have yet to be announced by the organisers. Finally, the traditional Marathon Stage will see the crews race away from the main bivouac to an unsupported encampment for an overnight stop, before racing back to rejoin their technical crews at the main bivouac. This is a challenging part of the race, that often plays a major role in its outcome.

Nasser Al-Attiyah

Glyn Hall, Team Principal: “We are very pleased to announce a team that is very similar to last year. With Nasser and Giniel heading up our attack, and Henk gaining confidence, we are excited to take on the 2022 edition of the Dakar Rally. Our new GR DKR Hilux T1+ is progressing well, and we are confident that the new car will allow us to compete on a new level, come January.”

https://bit.ly/39sKHtJ

Colin-on-Cars - New VW Caddy range due in November

Built on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf 8, the new Caddy – due for launch in November – will be underpinned by the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) setup that allows the fitment of new, high-end technologies.

The fifth generation Volkswagen Caddy will be launched with a new naming convention; Caddy, Caddy Maxi, Caddy Kombi, Caddy Maxi Kombi, Caddy Cargo and Caddy Maxi Cargo.

In terms of engineering and specification, the exterior of the Caddy offers a number of new features. Exterior features include new LED headlights and LED rear lights, painted body-coloured bumpers and black roof rails. Optional exterior features include a panoramic sunroof with a large glass area of 1,4 sq/m, a removable tow bar that can tow a maximum weight of 1 500 kg as well as 16-inch Wien alloy wheels. The new Caddy is available in 12 exterior paint colours with five new colours now available in the fifth generation model.

Even as a short wheelbase, the Caddy is broader and longer and the Caddy entry-level derivative comes as a short wheelbase with five seats and an optional seven-seat selection. The Caddy Maxi (long wheelbase) comes standard with a seven-seat configuration.

The Caddy Kombi is ideal for everyday use as well as for sport, leisure, work and holidays. The vehicle can be easily converted to suit various personal and business needs. The Caddy Kombi comes available as a short wheelbase with seven seats and the Caddy Maxi Kombi is available in a long wheel base version with five seats and an optional seven-seat configuration. Both model lines feature easily removable and folding seats as well as easy-access sliding rear passenger doors.

Features of the Caddy Kombi include black coated bumpers, steel wheels, H7 Halogen headlights and an electronic brake with auto-hold. Optional features include a Rear View Camera, LED headlights, App-Connect, multi-function steering wheel, 16-inch Wien alloy wheels, tow bar (fixed or removable), rear wing doors, front fog lamps with cornering lights and cruise control.

The Caddy Cargo exterior design sees the roofline sloping down slightly towards the back. The short wheelbase is 2 755 mm in length and has a load compartment volume of 3,1 cu/m.  The Caddy Maxi Cargo with a long wheelbase of 2 970 mm allows a load compartment volume of 3,7cu/m.

Highlights of the Caddy Cargo include; up to six lashing rings in the load compartment, a brake assist system, electronically adjustable door mirrors, an electronic parking brake with auto hold function, H7 Halogen main headlights and daytime running lights, single near-side sliding door (Caddy Cargo SWB), twin near-side and off-side sliding doors (Caddy Maxi Cargo) and a rear wing door which is split into a two-thirds and one-third ratio and has a maximum opening angle of 180°.

The Caddy Maxi Cargo, now provides room for up to two Euro pallets. The indicator and control elements have been completely redesigned: the interactive interfaces for the driver and front-seat passenger are formed by the new radio and infotainment systems of which the Composition Comfort radio is smartphone compatible (App-Connect). The modern instrument cluster now has the traditional rotary switch for lights. In addition, LED interior lights enhances the interior of the car. Another new feature is a roof vent for better climate control and faster stationary ventilation in the back.

With Cruise Control, the new Caddy offers a relaxing drive for longer journeys. Park Assist paired with the Rear-View Camera takes the hassle out of parking in tight spaces, while Trailer Manoeuvring will give drivers the confidence to guide a trailer easily. 

The new Caddy range will be available in two engines, one petrol and one diesel.

The 1.6i MPI four-cylinder petrol engine develops 81 kW, torque of 152 Nm and is coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is 7,3 l/ 100 km. This engine is available in the Caddy, Caddy Kombi (SWB) and Caddy Cargo (SWB) derivatives.

The four-cylinder 2.0 TDI diesel engine also develops 81 kW and a torque of 300Nm and is coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel consumption is 5.5 l/ 100 km. The 2.0 TDI engine is available in the Caddy, Caddy Maxi (LWB), Caddy Kombi (SWB), Caddy Maxi Kombi (LWB), Caddy Cargo (SWB) and Caddy Maxi Cargo (LWB).

The passenger version Caddy and Caddy Maxi come standard with a 3-year / 120 000 km warranty while the Caddy Kombi, Caddy Maxi Kombi, Caddy Cargo and Caddy Maxi Cargo come standard with a 2-year / unlimited kilometre warranty. The entire Caddy range also comes standard with a 12-year anti corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 kilometres.

https://bit.ly/3tWb2tP

Colin-on-Cars - Emira pricing revealed

Even before import duties and other nasty taxes, the new Lotus Emira V6 will set you back around R1,5-million, based on the just announced UK pricing for the ‘First Edition’ model.

Matt Windle, Managing Director, Lotus Cars, says: “The Emira is the most accomplished Lotus we have ever made, and to celebrate and reward our keenest early customers, we want to make the first cars extra special to own. The features have been carefully selected by our design team to make for a truly special and distinct First Edition.”

The Emira has been developed on a new lightweight bonded aluminium chassis – technology pioneered by Lotus and which remains an intrinsic part of the company’s sports car DNA.

Powering the V6 First Edition is the Lotus-honed 3,5-litre supercharged V6 engine, mid-mounted behind the two seats. Developing 298 kW, it is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with a visible gearchange mechanism and hydraulic power-assisted steering.

Exterior details include LED lights all round, a titanium exhaust finisher, heated power-fold door mirrors and rear parking sensors. The Lower Black Pack is fitted as standard, which means the front bumper air blades, front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser are all in finished in gloss black.

The heated seats feature 12-way adjustability and two memory presets linked to the door mirrors (driver’s seat only). Climate control, cruise control, keyless start and selectable drive modes are all included.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation (in selected markets) are integrated into the Emira V6 First Edition, supported by Bluetooth and USB/12v sockets. The 10-channel/340W premium audio system has been developed in partnership with British brand KEF and includes DAB digital radio. All functions are accessed through a 10.25-inch centrally mounted touch-screen, with driver feedback through a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster ahead of the multi-function steering wheel.

Three more option packs are fitted as standard to the car, making four in total. The Drivers Pack gives customer the choice of Tour or Sport suspension with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres, or Sport suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

The Design Pack adds privacy glass, sports pedals, a black Alcantara headliner, and the choice of black, red, yellow or silver painted brake callipers. Lotus-branded footwell mats are also included. The Convenience Pack adds front parking sensors, rear reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers with aero blades, auto-dimming mirrors and a rear luggage storage net.

LOTUS EMIRA V6 FIRST EDITION TECH SPEC

Engine configuration3,456cc / V6Engine modelToyota 2GR-FESuperchargerEdelbrock 1740Power400hp / 298kWTorque420Nm (manual) / 430Nm (auto)Max engine speed6,800rpmGearboxSix-speed manual / six-speed autoCO2 emissions (WLTP combined)243g/km*0-60mph4.3 seconds*0-100km/h4.3 seconds (manual) / 4.2 seconds (auto)*Top speed180mph / 290km/h*Drag coefficient (Cd)0.349*

                                         *subject to homologation

https://bit.ly/3nXbGpI

Colin-on-Cars: Road Review - Hyundai Palisade 2.2

Road Review - Hyundai Palisade 2.2

As large as possible, the deepest black with equally dark tinted windows – the weapon of choice for an endless array of politicians whose measure of their own fondly imagined importance is the number of smaller, but equally black vehicles they can surround themselves with and how many motorcycle outriders with blue lights flashing it needs to go to a meeting.

So, it was with some sense of glee I took command of the darkest black Hyundai Palisade – complete with tinted windows – and sallied forth into the Durban traffic where, lo and behold, taxis willingly gave way, their overcrowded interiors a sea of faces scanning to see which ‘important’ personage was on the move.

Other traffic also hopped smartly out of the way, probably with huge feelings of resentment when they realised it was ‘lil ol me’ behind the wheel of Hyundai’s behemoth SUV.

That said, after a week behind the wheel of the biggest vehicle in the Korean automaker’s stable, I was rather enjoying the ride and found, from the driver’s seat, it did not feel as big as it looks – this really only becoming noticeable when parking alongside mere mortal cars in a crowded shopping centre.

In that environment, it is also impossible to ‘lose’ the car by forgetting where you parked since it stands out in the crowd like Roman Rock lighthouse on a foggy night.

Ok. It's not black but it makes a better picture

Hyundai South Africa has stepped into uncharted territory with the introduction of the big, bold and brash Palisade luxury SUV that nudges the R1-million and which, the company believes, will attract a new legion of buyers to the Korean brand.

The Palisade – with an overall length just short of 5 meters – takes its place in the local Hyundai SUV line-up next to its slightly smaller sibling, the Santa Fe, as well as the Tucson, Creta and the compact Venue.

As Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade offers a host of technology features ideal for family road trips, including an 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions, wireless cell phone charging, multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, seven USB outlets, ventilated front and second-row seats in the 7-seater derivative, heated front and second-row seats in both derivatives, shift-by-wire and roof-based diffuser vents. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety technology also comes standard.

It is powered by a R2.2 CRDi engine, linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivers 142 kW maximum power at 3 800 r/min and 440 Nm maximum torque from 1 750 to 2 750 r/min.

This 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine meets Euro 6 emission standards and returned an average combined fuel consumption of 8,5 l/100 km.

The engine delivers its power to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter and offers HTRAC four-wheel-drive configurations. Gears can also be selected manually with paddle shift controls behind the steering wheel.

For touring purposes, even taking the odd off-road excursion, this power and torque are ample for the job and, should the need arise – like, say you join a blue light convoy – will provide more than ample top end and passing acceleration.

A rotary knob on the centre console provides a shift between driving modes as well as options for the type of terrain being traversed. Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart modes are offered.

The HTRAC AWD system was developed as a multi-terrain mode system, providing an electronic, variable torque split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles.

Through its Terrain selector, the Palisade’ offers Sand, Mud and Snow modes, with special traction tuning for each road condition. Each selected Terrain mode adjusts front and rear torque distribution, left and right wheel slip control, engine torque and shift patterns according to available traction levels. In addition, Palisade’s AWD HTRAC system includes an AWD locking-differential function for challenging traction situations.

Hyundai like to refer to the styling of the Palisade as ‘understated’ – however, with that monster grille up front, ‘in-your-face’ is a more apt description. Yet, the proportions and style lines on the vehicle work nicely together to create a pleasing-to-the-eye package that does not look cumbersome.

The vertical headlights add a unique touch.

Full volume over-fenders and body sides provide muscular detailing. The rear view emphasises a wide stance via a vertical LED rear taillamp design. Panoramic rear glass coupled with a cutaway roof provides a generous sense of spaciousness to rear passengers. The big 20-inch alloy wheels further fill out the Palisade’s flagship presence.

The Palisade’s design features have aerodynamic benefits as well, with a 0,33 coefficient of drag (Cd).

The interior design of the Palisade screams luxury and the One-Touch second row seat allows one-touch movement of the seat forward and out of the way for easy access in and out of the third-row seats. Second-row captain’s chairs were fitted to our 7-seater derivative.

Every Palisade seating row offers USB outlets for all passengers, for a total of seven available USB outlets. Even more, a wide-angle conversation mirror allows the driver to clearly see passengers in the rear.

The audio and navigation display is an 8-inch touchscreen, coupled with a 7-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster for the driver. Two Bluetooth devices can be connected simultaneously to the infotainment system, with one for a mobile phone connection and the other for audio streaming.

The Palisade come standard with a shift-by-wire transmission that also includes automatic park logic that shifts the vehicle into park when the engine is off and the driver opens the door.

The interior features seven available USB outlets, including front-seatback-based USB outlets for the second-row occupants and mini-pockets for digital devices of all kinds.

The Palisade offers abundant technology, including navigation display on the infotainment system’s screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. To eliminate the need for a charging cord, there’s a wireless charging pad for compatible Android devices and Apple iPhones. When it comes to audio technology, the premium sound system is well-suited to the Palisade’s upscale interior.

For me two things were missing – a front passenger grab handle and autonomous braking. With regard to the latter, Hyundai did indicate at the launch the refresh of this model due in a couple of years will probably have that feature included.

The grab handle should be easy to rectify – and is useful to aid getting in and out of the car.

The Palisade also offers a Rear Seat Quiet Mode system that allows the driver’s row to listen to their selected audio without that same audio being transmitted to the second- and third-row audio speakers, so that potentially sleeping passengers will not be disturbed.

The Palisade offers several standard advanced safety technologies, including Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Occupant Alert.

Hyundai’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert enhances driver awareness to the rear of the Palisade. Using the Blind Spot Detection system’s radar sensors when backing up, the system warns the driver if vehicles approach from the rear side.

Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) monitors the rear seats using an ultrasonic sensor that helps to detect the movements of children and pets. The system first reminds drivers to check the rear seats when exiting the vehicle with a message on the center instrument cluster display. If the system detects movement in the rear seats after the driver leaves the vehicle and locks the doors, it will honk the horn and flash the car’s lights. The system is designed to prevent children and pets from being forgotten in the car, but it also helps in case children accidentally lock themselves in.

The Palisade also features a Safe Exit Assist system which uses radar to detect cars approaching from the rear and cautions passengers that are about to exit the vehicle. If a passenger attempts to open the door when a car is approaching from behind, a visual and acoustic warning on the center cluster will alert the driver. In addition, if the driver attempts to deactivate the Electronic Child Safety Lock feature, Safe Exit Assist will override the driver and ensure the rear doors remain locked until the approaching vehicle has passed. Once the road is clear, the driver can then deactivate the Electronic Child Safety Lock and successfully unlock the rear passenger doors.

In addition, the Palisade has six standard airbags: dual front, dual side, and roll-over sensing side-curtain crash bags. The Palisade uses a full-length large side curtain crash bag that includes third-row seating coverage for enhanced rear occupant protection in the event of a collision. Tire pressure monitoring with individual position display, two Isofix anchors in the second seat row and one in the third seat row, and a rearview camera are also standard on the Palisade.

Included in the package is a 7-year / 200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty; a 7-year / 105 000 km service plan; and roadside assistance for 7 years or a distance of 150 000 km.

As they say in the classics – go big or go home.

https://bit.ly/3Ez7XVq