' Incisive Simplicity ' - Hyundai Sonata Review

I know there are a host of appealing cars you can buy for around 300 grand at the moment. The trouble is that most of them look the same, offer the same limited excitement and in some cases scream ‘I do a school run’. So how about a new Hyundai for the same money? Well, If you can live with the minor impracticalities of having people stare in awe as you glide past with the sun roof open, it’s much more interesting than a hot hatch. Isn’t it?

This is the all new Hyundai Sonata. The exterior is so outrageously sexy, you would be forgiven for staring and believe me staring there was..The Sonata’s swoopy exterior design marks the start of new things for Hyundai. What the Mercedes-Benz CLS did for luxury sedans—bring coupe-like style to the segment—Hyundai hopes to do for midsize family sedans. Yet I honestly see this car as a serious competitor for Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Lexus in terms of it’s ‘Exterior Styling’

Hyundai also took far more risks here than with previous models. An arching roofline, a couple of strong, curving character lines, and a ribbon of chrome trim that connects the beltline to the headlights could have combined in the side view to form a complicated mess. And yet these design elements manage to form a whole that is both stylish and zen like, it just completely stands out on any crowded road.

From every possible angle this car is an attractive shape and there’s everything terribly distinctive about it, like the details. The big sun roof and Bi – Xenon headlights with auto dim, the perfectly rich sound that resonates from the car sound system, good proportioned seats with great ride height and the auto adjust front drivers seat – not at all shabby for a contender within this segment!


Inside, a designer has picked up on VW’s cool blue backlighting in a big way. the new Sonata’s interior is stylish. The instrument panel includes some artful curves, but is cleanly designed. All of the buttons are easy to reach, and they helpfully vary in shape and size. As with the exterior, Hyundai appears to have benchmarked luxury .

At 131kw the Sonata has enough power and torque output to keep drivers entertained, but the real kicker is how smooth the engine is! Push to start, yes that’s correct – it has keyless entry. Slot ‘D’ with the slightly diminutive gear lever – and ease off. The throttle is lively from pull off, to fifth. I very quickly found myself throwing the whole length of this car into corners to encourage those 17’s to take evasive action proving that the Sonata’s steering, while nearly as devoid of feel, isn’t light but rather nicely weighted, and has a clear sense of direction. As a result, the Hyundai is more engaging and fun to drive.

The Sonata has a relaxed character, sharp styling and an appealing price tag. If this ticks your boxes, the all new Hyundai Sonata is a compelling proposition worth serious consideration.

A Hybrid With Purpose - Honda Insight - REVIEW

Saving the South American rain forest, is not the point of a hybrid car. The point is not to save the planet but to be seen trying. I saw a Prius in Cape Town the other day with the registration plate “Mr. Green” and that’s what the car does. It says to other road users, “Hey. I’ve spent a lot of money on this flimsy p.o.s. But I’m making a green statement.” Think of it, then, as a big metal beard or Al Gore with windscreen wipers

 

Now lets run with my above perception of ‘ Hybrid’ and fast forward the tapes to about a week ago, when I was offered a chance to feel the dawn of new things, in the shape of the Honda Insight. Now, much has been written about the Honda insight. Hondas new low priced fuel efficient hybrid and where we don’t always believe what we see, hear or read, I must admit that this vehicle really struck a chord with me.

It has a conventional 1.3 petrol engine that at full chat produces 73 ferocious kilowatts. In the Honda the electric motor is designed to “assist” the petrol engine, providing more get-up-and-go when the need arises. The net result is this: in a Prius the transformation from electricity to petrol is subtle. In the Honda it’s a bit more of scene, however In short, you get greater performance off fewer carbon emissions and what’s more, the car even rewards frugal driving by glowing green when you ease off the accelerator. Saving the planet never looked so cool.

It’s quite invigorating prowling up behind a BMW or an Audi in the Honda Insight and seeing the stares of intrigue as you take the exit or that next left turn. The acceleration is not going to make heads turn but then the guy with a beard that lives down the road from you and grows his own vegetables is buying this car not for performance but because he believes he is doing his bit for the environment.

The engine’s sound is a combination of whirring and humming but very hushed until pushed. Surprisingly enough when you do mush the accelerator into the carpet, the response is pretty swift, holding it’s own on the road with relative ease. The instrument panel was futuristic, very sexy with it’s singular rev counter and digital speedometer perched ontop. A bit of a let down where interior trim comes into play but for it’s class segment, Honda is right on point.

At present I really do think this hybrid idea is just a case of the car manufacturers cashing in on the lunacy of the environmental movement. Forcing the Cornish to buy something that is about as green as Jacob Zuma’s hair. If they really wanted to make a car that saves the planet it would not only be sleek but also would utilise a few more of the world’s natural resources. Honda has definitely taken the best step in that direction producing a vehicle that syncs value for money, with organic al fresco driving and awesome boot space for all those organic veggies.

Think of that. Finally, you can do up all those things which, we’re told, global warming has undone. You can buy a Honda and mend the world.

New Improved Chevrolet Lumina SSV

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has introduced some subtle changes to the iconic Chevrolet Lumina SS sedan and Ute for 2011. The changes include upgrades to the vehicle’s specification and changes to the exterior and interior styling of both vehicles.



The front of the Lumina features a revised bumper and air dam as well as new styling treatments for the fog lights and headlamps. A chrome strip is added to the boot lid just above the number plate on the sedan while the rear tailgate moulding on the Ute is now finished in body colour. The design of the massive 18 inch diameter alloy rims has also been refreshed.





A more subtle change is the addition of a V to the nomenclature changing the model designation from SS to SSV to bring the South African models in line with naming of other V series vehicles in the Lumina range.



The Lumina’s 6-litre V8 all aluminium engine remains unchanged with a maximum of 270 kW and a massive 530 Nm of torque driving the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The Lumina SS sedan retails for R441 930 (auto) and R444 390 (manual). The auto and manual Lumina SS Ute both retail for R413 700. All models come standard with GM’s 5 year/120 000km warranty with Roadside Assistance

Worlds Fastest Pickup

Following the BMW M3 Coupé, BMW M3 Convertible and BMW M3 Sedan, a fourth body variant of this globally successful high-performance sports car is about to cause a stir. Under the strictest secrecy, the world’s first high-performance pickup has been created at the BMW M GmbH development centre. The sportiest example by far in this vehicle category, the BMW M3 Pickup will fire the imaginations of all motorists with a deep appreciation of top performance matched by a keen practical bent. 309 kW/420 hp under the bonnet and a rear-axle load capacity of up to 450 kilos take the hallmark BMW M relationship between race-oriented driving pleasure and everyday utility to an entirely new level. This unique vehicle has already completed extensive test and set-up drives on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife in advance of its global unveiling on 1 April 2011.

New Polo GTI

The Polo GTI is back. A powerful 132 kW comeback!

The new Polo GTI lives up to its legendary name with superior handling properties combined with uncompromising engine dynamics and a maximum of safety. The list of high-tech features runs through the new Polo GTI. This Polo is powered by a new 1.4-litre TSI with petrol direct injection plus turbo and supercharging.


Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG. An electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) reduces understeer and improves handling in fast driving through curves
 
Retail Price

1.4 TSI Polo GTI 132 kW DSG R259 000

The Brabus iBusiness - The S Class Limo.

Brabus has updated its iBusiness Mercedes S-class-based saloon to incorporate the second generation of Apple’s iPad.
Up to two of the slim-line tablet computers can be integrated into the rear compartment of the bespoke limo and they are wirelessly connected to a Mini Mac hidden in a specially built draw in the rear parcel shelf. A 64GB iPod Touch can also be specified to store over 14,000 songs.


Brabus has developed its own iPad app for the iBusiness. It allows rear seat passengers to control all functions of the Mercedes infotainment system, such as the radio, navigation and telephone. DVDs and digital television can be viewed from an electrically deployed 15in widescreen, which is integrated into the leather headliner, or from the two monitors built into the front seat headrests.

Of more interest to us at AutomobloG, however, is the engine, and in typical Brabus style it’s an absolute monster. The iBusiness is powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12. This massive output is enough to send the two-ton-plus Brabus from 0-100km in 3.9sec . What that feels like from the back seat, we daren’t imagine.

New C 63 AMG Coupe

The new car won’t get AMG’s latest blown 5.5-litre V8, instead using the wonderful 6.2-litre naturally aspirated unit from the existing C63 saloon. We know one thing for sure, it’s got more than enough firepower to worry rivals from BMW and Audi.
Mercedes is also offering the AMG Performance Package for the new coupe. As well as gaining new interior touches and carbon-ceramic brakes, the engine benefits from uprated pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft, as used in the 6.2-litre motor in the SLS AMG gullwing supercar.


The performance pack upgrades are enough to get the C63 Coupe from 0-100km in 4.4sec.
German rivals be afraid.

Mycityflow - Volvo S60 - Useful Fact ..

Innovative Safety - with city safety standard, the all new volvo s60 monitors traffic ahead to prevent low speed rear end collisions - it also keeps a watchful eye out for when people cross and applies auto brake if they do!

The Explosive New Renault Megane RS -

I’ll be completely honest. I found the Renault Megane RS simply ‘irresistible’. The RS’s attitude is undeniably more thuggish than any other in its class, with a lot more swagger and that will always attract healthy criticism, but lets face it, at 184kw you could never accuse it of being dull. I found the Megane RS hugely absorbing because it kicked up my heart rate, pure and simple - Real adrenalin inducing stuff!

So once again we have a sporty Renault that feels far too specialized to have come from a French corporation. The French are marveled for vehicles with warmth and soul for the most part and at a push excitable driving – For me the Megane RS is such a powerful leap to a whole new level of vehicle which is obviously a huge part of the appeal – it’s a more personal car, than a Golf GTI. It is the angry, whooshing, warbling engine note and the RS’s take-no-prisoners attitude to any given road that every warm blooded male loves about this machine.

When floored, the RS struggles to contain the rampant power and torque of the turbo’d 2.0-litre engine. Throw in some bumps and you’re in for an upper-body workout as the front end tussles with the tarmac, but then I’m one of those drivers that likes to remain in tune with the road beneath.

The Megane RS’s turning circle is great, seats were fit for a king, the pumping-iron physique tormented just about every male driver on the road but I wasn’t fond of all its features, though. The sound system left me wanting. I really feel Renault disappointed in that area.

The engine is truly dynamite, with a commanding view of the road ahead (the seats were mounted perfectly), there was little that I found could touch the RS’s pace along a challenging road. Driving it you had a sense of its barely contained energy, its urgency and explosive delivery. It’s utterly, utterly different to anything you would experience before.

 

At the moment it’s also a safe place for your money.

So take the RS for what it is: a car that’s left a gaping hole in my drive way and one you definitely want to fill the one in yours.

My Journey in a Renault Stepway ..

I had a last minute trip planned to Hermanus about two weekends ago and since the all new, nifty Renault Stepway was in my possession, I figured it’d be a great car to take on this little venture, especially since Renault bills this as a crossover. The Renault Stepway comes with a 1.6 liter engine that delivers 64kw. Disappointing, But more on that later. The test vehicle had a decent package, and more than adequate leg room and boot space ( for four adults & bags ). For an economy built cross over, I was impressed.

Surprisingly, the 1.6-litre engine felt really strong and was great at keeping the engine it its optimal power band. Unfortunately, getting up Sir lowry’s pass as you exit strand is already a challenging experience, having to constantly drop gears and floor the gas pedal just to maintain speed and not get stuck behind container trucks made the trip all the more exciting. Cornering and road grip felt above average in the Stepway. Ride quality was supple, like a sofa on wheels, but it’s exactly what you expect from the French.

The interior space on the Renault Stepway left me for the most part ‘ wanting’. It is however what you expect from looking at it from the outside. Where the Stepway has good exterior build quality, they have under delivered on the interior with plenty of hard plastics that left me expecting just a little more. Fuel consumption on the other hand was truly amazing, this car gave me the impression that it could run on the smell of an oil rag.
The rear leg room exceeded expectations, two thumbs up to Renault for thinking of comfort for the larger than life. The trunk space fits two small roller suitcases  and 2 back pack with additional room for 2 or 3 shopping bags without any issues.

Personally I would pass on the Renault Stepway, but that is purely based on my needs. For families with kids, that frequent weekend getaway or running around town, I’d recommend the Stepway as an economical and better styled alternative to some of the other options within it’s segment– but don’t take my word for it, book a test drive and see for yourself.