It was not so long ago that I owned a Suzuki Swift, but in Sport form with 1.6 litre normally aspirated engine, so it was with a sense of anticipation that I spent a whole two weeks with two derivatives of the newest models, the Swift 1.2 and the saloon-derivative with the same motor. To […]
Die motorfietsmark is ‘n dinamiese omgewing met verskillende mark-verskuiwings en tendense. Soos motorbestuurders se voorkeure beweeg het van sedans na sportnutsvoertuie, het motorfietsryers se keuse grootliks verskuif vanaf sportfietse na sogenaamde avontuur motorfietse. Behalwe vir die groot ooglopende skuiwe, is daar ook onderlinge tendense. Een van die interessantste is die grondswel onder die kleiner motorfietse, […]
South Africans are brand loyal. Some fiercely so. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing erroneous about going down the same road over and over again, but you are running the risk of not fully knowing what the market has to offer. Mitsubishi is one of those auto-makers that, if you take into account their productive […]
Stylvolle vars voorkoms gaan bydra tot selfs groter gewildheid Toyota SA het gedurende Julie 2018 die Suid-Afrikaanse mark bederf met ‘n nuwe Hilux Dakar Edition reeks bakkies en ‘n maand later sy 2018 Hilux bakkie reeks bekendgestel met ‘n vars en stylvolle voorkoms soorgelyk aan die van die Dakar-modelle. In die proses het Toyota sommer […]
Honda latest offering on the market, the Amaze, was launched recently. Given the strain our economy is under, not to mention the fuel price, Honda is hitting the market with the right product at the right time. A real budget beater in these trying times. Three models make out the new Amaze range and this […]
George Old Car Show 9 – 10 February 2019 The 23rd George Old Car Show was launched at Protea Hotel by Marriott King George on Friday 2 November 2018. Oakhurst Insurance Company will be involved for the third consecutive year. George Municipality also confirmed their continued support. “George mayor Melvin Naik believes the show is […]
Trio of Three Stars but shocking Zero for the Nissan ‘Hardbody’ Global NCAP and the Automobile Association (AA) South Africa launch the second round of #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results today with the welcome support of the FIA Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The four models tested show a wide range of safety performance, from zero to […]
The Ducati Panigale V4S walked away with this year’s Pirelli SA Bike of the Year title. A small contingent of motorcycle journalists gathered at a function in Rivonia on the 25th of October to witness the Bologna bike take top honours. The panel of judges consisted of seasoned motorcycle journalists. It was said that between […]
The Isuzu KB has been a trusted name in the bakkie market in South Africa stretching over 40 years and six generations, boasting a proud heritage that was built on reliability, capability, durability and trust. The popular Isuzu bakkie range is entering an exciting new chapter with a name change from KB to D-MAX, re-aligning […]
No-one needs reminding that car buyers the world over have gone SUV/Crossover mad, so much so that very worthy sedan models from a multitude of manufacturers are becoming liabilities. Hyundai perhaps spotted the trend a little earlier than most and ensured that its product-line-up, once known more for sharply-styled sedans such as the Elantra and […]
A stand-out feature of the 2018 Knysna Motor Show that was held on April 29, 2018 was an historical display of production sedans and sports cars only available in South Africa. We at Ultimate drive have been covering these unique cars in previous issues, from the Protea of the fifties, GSM Dart and Flamingo, Renault […]
A stand-out feature of the 2018 Knysna Motor Show that was held on April 29, 2018 was an historical display of production sedans and sports cars only available in South Africa. We at Ultimate drive have been covering these unique cars, starting with the Protea manufactured from 1956 to 1958. Not too long after the […]
Back in 1998, Ford’s small city car, the Fiesta, won the coveted South African Car of the Year competition. It was an epic year in the small car’s history, and though it never repeated its 1998-success, it remained a strong product in Ford’s model line-up here in South Africa. Fast-forward some two decades since that […]
My passage into motorcycling was though Japanese bikes. I grew up with Suzukis, Kawazakis, Honda and Yamahas, and that was a far as my motorcycle knowledge went. It was only much later in my life, when I got acquainted with American motorcycles, that I had to learn a whole new vocabulary. Words like ‘Scrambler’, ‘Softail’ […]
‘n Koel miljoen. Dié woorde rol deesdae so maklik oor die tong, veral as daar van premium voertuie gepraat word. En dis gewoonlik net die begin, want agter die miljoen word die ekstra honderde duisende van die prys nog bygelas. Een komma ses miljoen. Een komma drie miljoen. So asof dit niks is nie. Nie […]
Teen die tyd wat jy hier lees, is jy dalk al te laat! Nee, ernstig. Sake staan so: Toyota as handelsmerk staan so sterk in SA dat, as die eerste van ‘n maand op ‘n Maandag val, dan het Toyota teen middagete van daai Maandag al reeds meer karre verkoop as wat sommige fabrikate in […]
Nadat Chevrolet laasjaar oor die horison uit Suid Afrika gery het en die Chev/Opel/Isuzu alliansie verfomfaai het, was daar baie gissinge en spekulasie of Opel nie ook gaan handdoek ingooi nie. Die Opel Astra was weliswaar die waardige wenner van 2017 se SA Gilde van Motorjoernaliste se gesaghebbende Motor van die Jaar kompetisie, maar het […]
As suksesstorie moet Suzuki sekerlik êrens ‘n voortvarende student se tesis onderwerp wees. Wat die fabrikaat oor die laaste paar jaar in ‘n moeilike motormark vermag het is eenvoudig fenomenaal. Die handelsnaam is Suid-Afrika se snels groeiende handelsnaam en nie net het hulle hul produkaanbieding, verkope, handelaarsnetwerk en markaandeel wesenlik vergroot nie, hulle het ook […]
South African exotic bakkie — or should that be exotic truck fans — now have something to really look forward to with the imminent arrival of the all-new 2019 Shelby F-150 ready for South African roads in right hand drive. “We are delighted to confirm that the order book is open for a limited number […]
A stand-out feature of the 2018 Knysna Motor Show that was held on April 29, 2018 was an historical display of production sedans and sports cars only available in South Africa. We at Ultimate drive have been covering these unique cars, starting with the Protea manufactured from 1956 to 1958. Not too long after the […]
Die Rebel-viertrekklub bied Saterdag 25 November hul laaste byeenkoms van die jaar by Kobra Transport se terrein op Mosselbaai aan. Die terrein bied ‘n stel uitdagende hindernisse wat die bestuurders en hul voertuie deeglik gaan toets. Die inskrywingsgeld per voertuig beloop R350 en inskrywings kan van 07:00 af gedoen word. Die byeenkoms begin stiptelik om […]
Ware petrolkoppe sal die passie en petrol in die bloed verstaan wat Alfisti oor die jare so fanaties oor die Alfa motornaam en embleem gemaak het. Die ikoniese Italiaanse vervaardiger se roemryke rengeskiedenis en kleurryke modelle oor die jare verander bloed in petrol en jaag jou hart se toereteller in die rooi!
Article: Charlen Raymond. Photos: Johann van Tonder As most people know, the S-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s best vehicle. In terms of overall refinement, luxury, class, and elegance, it simply towers above other products the manufacturer has to offer.
Transmission upgrade brings about transformation Article: Richard Wiley. Photos: Johann van Tonder I have had tenure of a number of Mitsubishi Pajeros over the years and without exception, the overriding issue has been the old-fashioned auto transmission which produced more slip than an oiled banana skin. Traversing the hills in my neighbourhood simply exaggerated […]
Artikel: Charlen Raymond Stel jou voor: elke maand word meer as 1000 eenhede verkoop van ‘n voertuig wat tussen R450 000 en R670 000 prys. En elke maand is daar kopers wat op ‘n waglys geplaas word omdat daar nie genoeg voorraad is nie. En dis die lekker predikament wat Toyota mee sit wanneer daar van […]
The V-Strom has been around since 2002 in two guises: the DL650 and the DL1000. For the first part of their lives, the two shared almost everything except the engine size and exhaust. The 1000 nearly fell by the wayside, and when the 650 got a restyle in 2012, the 1000 was really starting to […]
As Audi se Q5 ‘n gereg of dis was, sou dit verseker opgeneem wees as ‘n wenresep in een of meer glanskookboeke. In 2008 toe sportnutse, anders as deesdae, nog in die skadu van sedanmotors moes ry, het Audi die eerste Q5 bekendgestel, maar soos ‘n goeie melktert op ‘n kerkbasaar was dit nie lank […]
Article and Photos: Brian Cheyne It is widely accepted that Harley-Davidson is the oldest American brand of motorcycle. Fact is, that title goes to Indian. Since the start of the 20th century there has been a fierce rivalry between these two companies. Unfortunately, Indian’s production was interrupted a few times due to bad decision […]
Boisterous Beemer defies disbelief Article: Charlen Raymond. Photos: Warren Wilson Most of us, when growing up, always said that one day, when we’re big and have lots of money, we’re gonna buy ourselves a BMW. Because why not? I mean, Beemers are known to be fast and dynamic, without sacrificing good looks and sex-appeal. And […]
Article and Photo: Brian Cheyne There is a groundswell in the lower end of the motorcycle market. A new segment is being carved out and formed in the small capacity adventure market. Kawasaki ’s contender, the Versys X300, takes the engine from the Z300 and 300 Ninja, and wraps it in an adventure styled […]
Article and Photo: Brian Cheyne When I got the invitation to attend the launch of the little BMW G310 R, I hoped that it would be a city launch rather than on a track. I wanted to see the baby Beemer in its natural habitat. Fortunately BMW obliged, and we took a scenic route […]
Article and Photo: Brian Cheyne When you mention Chinese motorcycles, faces grimace and heads shake. Zontes wants to challenge that perception and move them even closer to their Japanese counterparts. Case and point is the Zontes S250. There are three models in the current line-up, two 125cc bikes and the S250.
Article: Richard Wiley. Photo: Johann van Tonder Perception can be a destructive tool in any environment but it is especially so when it comes to wheeled transport in South Africa. I could give you a handful of brand names that sell really well in Europe, to my mind the most sophisticated car market on earth, […]
Artikel: DIRK GALLOWITZ Foto: JOHANN VAN TONDER Die voorkoms van Hyundai se nuutste generasie Tucson is in my opinie die mooiste SUV in sy segment. Die moderne ontwerplyne en impossante voorkant vang onmiddelik die oog. Selfs die kajuit word, wat my betref, net deur die nuwe generasie Tiguan getroef. Dit blyk dat kopers ook […]
Van die klein GLA tot die hardebaard G-klas – Mercedes het ‘n Sportnuts vir jou. Artikel: Dirk Gallowitz & Johann van Tonder. Fotos: Johann van Tonder Toe Dieter Zetsche, Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van Daimler AG, in 2011 op ‘n verhoog gestaan het was dit minder goeie tye vir Mercedes-Benz. Duitse konkurrente BMW was […]
Many firsts mark Mitsubishi’s first 100 years as a world-class vehicle manufacturer – not the least the claim to the world’s first SUV. In South Africa Mitsubishi Motors renewed assault on the South African car market. Along with the much awaited Triton launch, Mitsubishi also refreshed their other models, a program that will culminate in […]
Article: RICHARD WILEY It’s all too easy to damn the Renault Duster with faint praise. After all, its origins are rooted in the Dacia brand and even with a name like Duster, you’d hardly expect it to show a clean pair of heels to its B-segment rivals.
7 000 km, vyf berge, twee avonturiers en een tawwe Jimny Diep in die hartjie van Afrika, in die skadu van die Maangebergtes tussen die Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo en Uganda, staan ’n tawwe klein Suzuki Jimny en wag op sy eienaars.
Origins The X-Class is the result of a parts-sharing deal between Mercedes and the Renault-Nissan Alliance – so it’s based on the ladder-frame platform of the Japanese brand’s Navara bakkie. Mercedes has made significant modifications right across the board, however, in a bid to produce a pick-up that it deems worthy of the three-pointed star. […]
Mercedes-AMG is turning the most intelligent executive sedan into the most powerful E-Class of all time in the shape of the next generation of the E 63 S 4MATIC+. Delivering superior acceleration, the 4.0‑litre twin-turbo V8 engine generates up to 450 kW. This makes it the most powerful engine Mercedes-AMG has ever installed in an E-Class. […]
It’s very hard not to be captivated by Renault’s hugely successful Clio range and this latest phase-2 iteration, dubbed GT-Line, simply enhances the appeal. First impressions are often lasting impressions and on this count, the GT-Line scores with its outstandingly glossy paintwork that does much to enhance the chic styling. GT-Line differentiators include 17-inch titanium […]
Dis moeilik om te glo dat dit reeds 37 jaar is sedert BMW hulle eerste “G/S” motorfiets bekend gestel het. “GS” motorfietse is die gewilde reeks van dubbel doel motorfietse wat mens beide op en teer en kan gebruik. 37 Jaar gelede was daar heelwat skeptici oor die nuwe konsep. Mense was óf mal daaroor, […]
I feel like I am watching an episode of ‘The biggest loser’ with the Kawasaki 2017 model line-up. The latest version to get with the slimming program is the Kawasaki Z900.
For years now, the Super Duke name has been synonymous with a mental machine which basically has an engine, wheels, a seat and something for you to cling onto. Monumental power and just sheer lunacy. In 2014 KTM introduced us to the Super Duke R which was even more bonkers. For 2017 they went even […]
“What’s new?” the uninitiated might ask when first spotting the latest iteration of the Volkswagen Golf 7. The answer is simple – “More than meets the eye.” This unequivocal statement is made in the aftermath of a two-day press launch starring South Africa’s favourite hot hatch – the GTI – which has accounted for no […]
In the first week of June, local motoring journos were formally introduced to the latest incarnation of Kia’s popular hatch, the all-new Kia Rio. We took the top-of-range 1.4 TECH model for a spin around the streets of Joburg on an average weekday afternoon, giving us a fairly accurate idea of how the vehicle delivers […]
Suzuki voertuie het ‘n stewige reputasie as betroubaar, taai en relatief goedkoop om te onderhou. Marknavorsing het gewys dat eienaars wat een van die gewilde handelsnaam se voertuie besit gewoonlik weer een sal koop. Nou het Suzuki Suid Afrika ‘n welkome nuweling bygevoeg in die Suzuki stal – die nuwe Suzuki Ignis. Die Ignis het […]
Over the years Ferrari always made an effort when unveiling their new cars, because of the rarity of these events. So when a new Ferrari is being revealed, as in the case of the GTC4Lusso, you take note and marvel in what is sure to be another hit from the fabled Italian marque. And when […]
In just a year’s time, a quarter of a century will have passed since I bought an E36-series BMW 318iS. It came onto my radar because overseas motoring titles were near-unanimous that the new “Three” was the best compact sporting saloon on the planet, at least in terms of pure driving experience. The multivalve four […]
Great Wall Motors (GWM) has been in South Africa for around a decade and to date has sold more than 55 000 of its cars to South African consumers. This is a big number for a Chinese manufacturer in a market where consumers are brand loyal and true to what they know. But in recent times […]
