Hyundai Tucson Sport is an oil-burner with attitude
On my way back from Gerotek after testing this week, I spent way too much time thinking of terrible reality TV shows in trying to come up with a clever way to explain new car launches to you.
Look, doing this saved me from having a mental meltdown at how lawless the drivers are in and around Pretoria West. Driving straight in a turning lane, no big deal. Driving in the yellow lane, also, no big deal. Even driving in the veld next to the road. Hey, no biggie, this is Africa, we are tough and can go anywhere. But seriously, when car after car simply uses the other side of the road and forces the oncoming traffic to play a dangerous game of chicken, I lose my sense of humour and stop thinking that our traffic is cute.
Honda Jazz Sport hits a flat note
I wish to register a complaint. I have a problem with the manufacturers of flu medicine. Like politicians and rich pastors, they make a living by selling insincere promises. I know this to be a fact, via hugely painful and expensive personal experience.
Honda BR-V: One to consider if size counts
As interesting as the monthly Naamsa sales figures are, they often paint a disappointing and even worrying picture for many manufactures wanting a slice of the local market pie.
You can’t cage this Raptor
You might have seen them around Joburg. They are big, pimped out to the brim and have serious personality disorders.
No fuss Honda Civic a solid commuter
Honda Motor Southern Africa recently announced a series of improvements and upgrades to its Civic range. We spent some time in the tried and tested 1.8-litre naturally aspirated Elegance, middle-of-the-road, model derivative in the range.
More to the BMW i3s than just battery size
When the subject of electric cars comes up, it’s not a case of addressing the elephant in the room because this ellie is way bigger than the room and pretty much fills up the whole house.
End of an era for the General Motors Opel Astra
The Opel Astra, if you include the nameplate’s use by sister brand Vauxhall for the Kadett in the UK, has been around since 1979 and despite the obvious changes with each passing generation, one element that remained constant was that all were conceived under the ownership of General Motors (GM).
Honda HR-V: Perfect ride for soccer moms
Life, this writer has painfully found over the last six-and-a-half decades, comes with compromises. About 47 years ago, I thought my life would be perfect if I could just pass matric.
Audi Q8 is a ‘luxury lounge’ on wheels
It might have taken Audi quite a while, but it finally followed its fellow German manufacturers into the crossover coupe segment with the Q8.
Nissan hits six with Stealth
When South Africans were still excited about the Cricket World Cup some weeks ago, the pay channel’s television broadcast of the Proteas’ matches started off with former national captain Shaun Pollock advertising the new Nissan Navara Stealth.
JMC Landwind 5: Solid, if not a rocket ship
This writer does not often sample test vehicles’ safety gear, for good reason. My mandate is to drive test cars like their probable buyers would, and things like panic braking and sideways sliding do not fit.
Renault Sandero Stepway: Getting bang for your buck
Along with the Volkswagen Cross Polo, Renault Sandero Stepway helped establish a crossover-inspired hatchback niche that has become a favourite among South Africans in recent years.
Opel jazzes up old favourite
Back in the day, there was a joke about those distinctive purple three-door Opel Corsas. It went like this: Why are purple Corsas not allowed in the Kruger National Park? Because they make the tortoises … oh wait, this is a family newspaper, so let’s just say the answer rhymes with dandy.
Changan Star: Going right back to basics
I thought the electronic “jamming” of car locks by thieves was an urban legend – until it happened to me. When in Cape Town recently, I stopped a Toyota Corolla hire car next to a main road in Wynberg, locked it with the electronic key fob and rushed into a cafe to buy a cold drink.
Mini Cooper: Fun never goes out of fashion
This year marks the anniversaries of two things very dear to me. The one is the iconic Mini, which turns 60, and the other the original silver screen classic The Italian Job, who made the car famous to a large extent, which celebrates it’s golden anniversary.
today in print
