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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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: 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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
Toyota het onlangs sy opgekikkerde Yaris Pulse plaaslik bekend gestel. Die nuwe Yaris het in Maart vanjaar sy buiging gemaak op die Geneefse Motorskou en is in werklikheid net ‘n middellewe mooimaakkuur en nie ‘n nuwe model nie. Tog is daar heelwat veranderinge en verbeterings aangebring wat die Yaris Pulse ‘n varser en meer moderne […]
The Toyota 86 utilised for this record attempt was a standard production unit with no mechanical modifications – bar the fitment of a neatly constructed additional fuel tank which occupied the spare-wheel-well area.
Die wêreld mag dalk besig wees om te herstel van ‘n resessie, maar as jy produkte het wat die hart vinniger laat klop sukkel jy lyk my nie met verkope nie. Dis juis hier waar die Mercedes “Dream Cars” die hartsnare tokkel, veral as AMG die modelle verder omtower het! Gepraat van AMG, die afdeling […]
Fabrikate is dit baie keer eens dat hul karre die wonderlikste is. Elk verkondig hul produk het die “nuutste” dit en die “beste” dat. En daar is niks fout daarmee nie, dis net dat die motors soms so “oorverkoop” word dat wanneer jy agter die stuur in klim – soos die Ingelsman sou sê – […]
Mercedes-Benz het sy GLA sportnuts ʼn opknapping vir die 2017 modeljaar gegee, en ook ietwat van ʼn nuwe persoonlikheid. Die GLA het in 2013 sy verskyning in Suid-Afrika gemaak en het, saam met die A-Klas en CLA, sommer vinnig aanklank by kopers gevind. Die veranderinge wat hierdie Merc by baatvind is nie net kosmeties nie, […]
Ek gaan nie doekies omdraai nie: híérdie Audi A5 TDI het my bekoor. Nie omdat dit stylvol, mooi en aantreklik is nie, maar omdat ek elke rit agter die stuur geniet het. Maar laat ons by die begin begin. Die kar se vloeiende lyne en lae profiel maak van dit ʼn trekpleister op die pad […]
Toyota SA het onlangs in die Ooskaap hul gewilde klein Etios modelreeks uitgebrei met die toevoeging van die nuwe Sprint variant, en ons was daar. Die Sprint vervang die ou Xs-model en word geposisioneer tussen die intreevlak Xi-model en die Etios Cross. Volgens Toyota SA word die Sprint gerig op kopers vir wie die voorkoms […]
Shelby’s full range of high performance Mustangs is now available in South Africa in an extensive range of Ford Motor Company approved performance and aesthetic upgrades.
Daar is nagte wanneer jy nie jou lê kan kry nie; wanneer Klaas Vakie net nie sy opwagting wil maak nie. Probeer soos jy wil, jy kan nie wag vir die oggend om te kom nie. Die opgewondenheid is tasbaar en jou hart klop met mening in jou keel. Kan die haan nie net kraai […]
BMW Suid Afrika het onlangs hul nuwe 5-reeks in die Suid Kaap bekendgestel. Terwyl BMW wêreldwyd met talle modelle sukses en by sommige ook ikoniese status verwerf het, is daar myns insiens geen ander model wat oor die jare heen die naam BMW meer vergestalt as juis die 5-reeks. Hierdie nuwe model is nou reeds […]
As spesialis kleinvoertuig vervaardiger kan jy maar notosie neem as Suzuki ‘n nuweling na die mark bring. En met die splinternuwe Baleno is dot ook nie anders nie. Hierdie luikrug behoort beduidende sukses vir Suzuki Suid Afrika te wees.
Oopdak karre is lank nie meer ‘n nuutjie op plaaslike bodem nie, maar peperduur luukse oopdakmodelle, soos die S-klas Cabriolet, laat steeds die koppe draai. Stuttgart se ringkoppe het die laaste S-Klas Cabriolet in 1971 gebou en geglo die SL sportmotor kan daarvandaan dieselfde doen. Nou is daar egter tog weer besluit om die S-Klas […]
Wat ʼn absolute belewenis! Die 2017 Shanghai Motorskou het my voete onder my uitgeslaan vir twee redes: 1) mens stap jou ore van jou kop af; en 2) die motors wat daar ten skou was was letterlik uit die boonste rakke. Alhoewel ek vir ʼn week in China was en my lyf bietjie toeris gehou […]
Lexus se IS- modelreeks is pas opgeknap en gedurende Desember laasjaar plaaslik bekendgestel. Met ‘n veel aggressiewer voorkoms en varser binneruim is die nuwe reeks gereed om die C-klas, 3-reeks en A4 uit Duitsland die stryd aan te sê.
It’s very difficult when reviewing an Alfa Romeo not to go all nostalgic and hark back to the good old days when the once-revered Italian brand was a common sight on race tracks all over the world. Sure, Alfas even from the glory era were regarded as just a little highly-strung compared with competitive models […]
Toe die Renault Sandero die eerste keer sy verskyning op ons Suid Afrikaanse paaie maak, het hy sommer met die intrapslag ‘n goeie indruk gemaak. Plaaslik het die Sandero meegeding met voertuie soos die Polo Vivo, Toyota Etios en Ford Figo, almal basiese motors met vorige geslag tegnologie, maar teen ‘n mededingende prys.
Die wedywering in die kompakte leefstylvoertuig segmente is steeds witwarm. Tog word daar steeds met nuwe nisvoertuie vorendag gekom om die ewigsoekende honger na markaandeel te probeer stil. BMW het met hul X6 sportaktiwiteitnuts ‘n paar jaar gelede ‘n nuwe segment geskep wat meeste voorspellings verkeerd bewys het en steeds wêreldwyd stewige verkope behaal.
Met die steeds groeiende gewildheid onder jonger en moderne kopers van enigiets sportnuts, is ek van opinie dat die profiel van motormodelle in vyf jaar se tyd heel anders gaan lyk as vandag. Ek persoonlik dink die tradisionele middelslag sedan gesinsmotor se dae is getel onder die Afrika son. Dalk sal die top groot luukse […]
The event will take place on Sunday April 30 in Knysna, at the Knysna High School grounds, located on Waterfront Drive. With Monday 1 May and Thursday 27 April being public holidays it provides those from out of town the opportunity of enjoying a wonderful long weekend in the beautiful Garden Route.
The Opel Astra is the Wesbank South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ 2017 Car of the Year, making South Africa the thirteenth country where the Opel Astra has been recognised as a Car of the Year since its global introduction in 2015.
Artikel: Dirk Gallowitz Fotos: Johann van Tonder Hyundai het onlangs sy baie gewilde nuwe Tucson modelreeks met twee turbodiesel enjins uitgebrei. Eers was die nuwe Tucson, ‘n medium grootte sportnuts wat die gewilde IX35 model in Suid Afrika vervang het, met ‘n 1,6l turbo-aangejaagde petrolenjin bekendgestel. Die model het intussen die segmentleier in plaaslike […]
Artikel en Fotos: Johann van Tonder Dis nie elke dag dat mens die geleentheid kry om in ‘n Aston Martin rond te ry nie. Die geleentheid het ons so toevallig te beurt geval, mens kan amper se dit was bestem om so te wees. Ultimate Drive berig grotendeels oor nuwe motors, maar in […]
Article: Mimi Finestone. Photo: Johann van Tonder The Oakhurst George Old Car Show, driven by Oakhurst Insurance Ltd, celebrated its 21st year of existence on 11 and 12 February this year. “We are thrilled that the show attracted more than the 2016 record number of people with a total attendance of over 12800 people for […]
Deur Dirk Gallowitz & Johann van Tonder Fotos Johann van Tonder Met Toyota se nuwe Fortuner wat harte op ‘n galop wen, moes Chevrolet iets doen om meer kopers te lok na sy bestaande Trailblazer sportnuts. Nie dat die Trailblazer nou juis terugstaan vir enige ander in die segment nie, maar vandag se koper […]
