SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.
*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.
*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories.
This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a prepared course chosen to make the product look good. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.
Pics supplied
Steve Jobs and the folk at Apple must be smiling. Every marketing boffin seems to have hopped on the lower case “i” product nomenclature bandwagon, reinforcing the electronics manufacturer’s message to get on your iPhone to tell your friends about the latest music you have downloaded to iTunes on your iMac for transfer to your iPod, the phone itself or your new iPad. It’s called “owning” the idea; like Cremora and the top of your fridge or Mercedes Benz and Chapman’s Peak. Every copycat and every competitor’s rebuttal ad simply reinforces the original concept.
Be that as it may, Hyundai tells us that its use of the letter ”i” represents the latest-generation approach to car design philosophy. This includes engineering, styling, safety features and convenience items.
The i30 released to the press in Gauteng recently is the third in the series and a natural progression in size from the i10 and i20 released earlier. Like its baby sisters, the i30 comes loaded with up to date engineering, solid construction, all the basic safety kit and a shipload of convenience features. The plan is to take on the established kingpins of its chosen market sector, in this case the “C” segment, and win.
Unashamedly Eurocentric in its styling, the i30 is aimed at clientele in the “rational to sporty” buying space. The other two groups are labelled “conventional” and “emotional,” by the way. What I think this means, is that the i30 is intended for pragmatic folk who like a little excitement in their lives – like VW Golf people, perhaps?
Choosing not to go directly head-to-head with the German manufacturer just yet, there will be no turbos, GTIs or diesels on offer. What is available is a choice of 1,6 and 2,0 litre naturally aspirated engines, both with five-speed manual transmissions. An automatic option might be introduced later, if demand dictates. The 1600 produces 89 kW at 6 200 rpm and 153 Nm of torque at 4 200 rpm. Corresponding figures for the 1 975 cc VVT motor are 105 kW at 6 000 and 186 Nm at 4 600. Average fuel consumption is quoted at 6,2 l/100 km and 7,1 l/100 respectively, while CO2 numbers are given as 152 and 170 gm/km. Fuel tank capacity is 53 litres
The i30’s wheelbase of 2 650 mm is claimed to be the longest in its class while overall length of 4 245 mm makes it slightly shorter than most rivals. The resulting short overhangs and front and rear track widths of 1 546 mm and 1 544 mm, enable an assured and stable stance. Both models ride on lightweight alloy wheels. The 1,6 is equipped with 205/55R16s and the 2,0-litre with 225/45s on semi-chrome 17-inch wheels. In both cases, full-sized alloy spare wheels are standard.
Safety equipment includes the usual crumple zones, side intrusion beams, intelligent construction and varying grades of steel to keep the passenger cell intact in the event of an accident. Six airbags, active head restraints and seatbelt pretensioners all contribute to 5-star ratings in the new Euro NCAP system, for both adults and children. ABS, EBD and ESP are standard. The driver can switch off the ESP system if he or she wishes, but it defaults back to active on restart.
Convenience and styling features include front and rear fog lamps, indicator repeaters on the side mirrors, a high-mounted stop lamp that incorporates the rear window washer, anti-submarining leather seats with lumbar support, autolocking doors, transponder immobiliser, keyless entry, pollen filtered air conditioning with chilled glove box, six-speaker radio/CD/MP3 player with USB, iPod and auxiliary connections (iPod cable supplied free), steering wheel controls, on board computer, electric windows front and rear, and height and reach adjustable steering wheel. The 2,0 litre boasts a sunroof and cruise control as well.
Introductory prices are R189 900 for the 1600 and R229 900 for the 2,0 litre. Warranty is for 5 years/150 000 km and a 5 year/100 000 km service plan is included.
This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.
What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax.
So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? That's your privilege, because if everybody agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place. All I ask is that you remain calm, so please blow off a little steam before venting too vigorously. Contact me here
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Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are courtesy of www.quickpic.co.za
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8