SA Roadtests
South Africa
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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 reports.
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
Posted on February 27, 2013
Published in Weekend Witness Motoring on Saturday March 2, 2013
Generation Y, anyone born between 1981 and 1995, is the first group of car buyers to grow up online. That means staying connected to friends and music while on the go is not just a trend but part of everyday life. These are the new Fiesta’s target market and SYNC, co-developed with Microsoft, is the intelligent interface.
By using this hands-free technology, customers can connect almost any mobile phone or digital media player to their Fiesta via Bluetooth and USB connection respectively. Drivers can use either steering wheel-mounted controls or voice commands to manage the system’s features. As many as six devices can be connected simultaneously, so while listening to music streamed from your passenger’s phone, you can still take or make a call on your own.
The voice command repertoire requires no training; it recognises 150 standard commands that control most functions. It also compensates for accents and different ways of saying things. Naturally, it handles incoming text to voice translation too. SYNC is standard on all but the two entry-level Ambiente versions, on which it is optional.
Parents of younger Gen-Yers will appreciate the MyKey feature on Trend and Titanium models that allows the youngster’s key to be programmed with parental presets like maximum speed, maximum music volume, or no music at all unless all occupants are belted in. It also prevents Baby Schumie from deactivating the ESP - just in case. The rationale is that parents gain some peace of mind and teens get driving privileges they might not otherwise have enjoyed. Warning: don’t let your tech-savvy kid get hold of your remote because it’s the gateway to deleting the parental controls on his or her key.
The new Fiesta face is dominated by a large trapezoidal front grille bracketed by laser-cut headlamps with daytime running lamps featuring LEDs on some models and a power-dome bonnet design. A high-gloss finish for the upper instrument panel that flows to the lower centre console, is replicated in the door panels. Twelve vibrant and dynamic colours, including Copper Pulse, Hot Magenta and Candy Blue add further appeal.
Satin-chrome detailing is offered together with Ford’s signature Ice Blue lighting to illuminate dials, switches and displays. Ergonomic improvements include relocated power window switches and interior door handles, together with higher quality contact point finishes. Improved storage solutions include a new central arm-rest and larger, more practical door pockets.
The range consists of six models; basic Ambiente in 1,4 petrol or 1,6 diesel, more upmarket Trend versions with these engines or the award-winning EcoBoost turbocharged one-litre, three-cylinder motor, and the range-topping Titanium with “everything” and the hot mill only. Well, not quite everything – you could add leather upholstery; or a Titanium Pack with rear parking sensors, a styling kit and a Sony sound system with eight speakers and a bigger TFT screen.
Other option packs for various models add features such as ESP and extra airbags, a basic air conditioner for Ambientes and more sophisticated radio/CD units for most models. It gets quite complicated. What is included on all versions are at least a pair of airbags, ABS brakes with EBD, high level brake light, remote central locking, immobiliser, ISOFix, childproof locks, 60:40 split rear seatback, a radio and CD player, heated electric mirrors, powered front windows and rear fog lamps.
Our familiarisation drives were in Trend and Titanium versions with EcoBoost engine, and the Trend-equipped diesel. The overriding impression was of excellent fit and finish, good ergonomics and the way they felt so solid; like much bigger cars. Performance from both power plants was great fun, with the turbocharged one-litre probably the nicer one to drive and best equated with a strong 1600.
Summary: Great little car. Advice for driver: Be sure to assist the nominated parent who programs your MyKey unit.
Information obtained during a manufacturer-sponsored press launch
The numbers
Prices range from R164 400 to R231 500
Engines:
1.4-litre: 71kW at 5750rpm, 128Nm at 4200 rpm
1.6-litre TDCi: 70kW at 3800rpm, 200Nm at 1750rpm
1.0-litre EcoBoost: 92kW at 6000rpm, 170Nm at 1400-4500rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Fuel economy (claimed): 5,7 l/100 km (1,4); 3,6 l/100 km (diesel) and 4,3 l/100 km (EcoBoost)
Tank: 40,5 litres (diesel) and 42,0 litres (petrol)
Warranty: 4 years/120 000 km; with 3 years roadside assistance
Service plan: 4 years/60 000 km
Intervals: 20 000 km (petrol), 15 000 km (diesel)
To read our review of the 2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium, click here
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
My reviews and launch reports appear on Thursdays in the Wheels supplement to The Witness, South Africa's oldest continuously running newspaper, and occasionally on Saturdays in Weekend Witness as well. I drive eight to ten vehicles each month, most months of the year (except over the festive season) so not everything gets published in the paper. Those that are, get a tagline but the rest is virgin, unpublished and unedited by the political-correctness police.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so they can see I do actually exist.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8