Thursday Roundup #20 - News Wrap Up

One Liners:

• The new Volvo S60 has gone completely diesel free
• Petrol prices set to rise yet again in SA. So, there's that
• Ford’s next Focus blessed with a rear camera that can ‘see’ around corners
• Massive recall on new VW Polo in South Africa
• Ford’s spate of upgrades to the Ranger officially set to extend to the Everest

New Ford Fiesta launched in Sun City

And it’s all turbo-powered.  The whole damn range, which starts as ‘cheaply’ as R261,900 for the 1.0 Ecoboost Trend with manual ‘box, all the way to the identically-engined Titanium derivative at R310,600, yours with an automatic transmission. There’s a diesel option somewhere in the middle there too, a 15.TDCi Trend with a manual gearbox for R292,500 which comes with 63kW and 175Nm versus the petrol car’s 74kW and 170Nm. That is except for in the manual Titanium model which gets 92kW for some reason.

The cabin is comprehensively specced across the board now featuring SYNC3 infotainment, visually the facelift is convincing and the drive, already at the top of its class, even more refined than the car it replaces. Nice job, Ford. Now let’s see that new Focus.

Pricing:

Nissan Navara 4x2 represents great value in SE trim

Nissan South Africa folded a group of local journos into their new two-wheel driven Navaras for the trip from Lanseria to Bothaville to check out the NAMPO Harvest Day 2018. The journey was comfortable and somewhat premium in SE spec, as opposed to the more workhorse LE trim levels. It represents the entry-point to Navara ownership which at R461,900 includes that family-friendly 5-link independent rear-suspension, a reverse camera, 16” inch alloys hoops and a six speed manual.

That’s mated to Nissan’s well-received 2.3litre diesel with 140kW and 450Nm in reserve, with a combined fuel economy figure of just 6.5l/100km and an emissions footprint of 172g/km. The double cab bakkie also comes with a 3 year/90,000km service plan and a 6 year/150,000km warranty and since you’re wondering anyway, compares directly with the Mercedes-Benz X-Class 4x2 Progressive M/T which retails for R642,103 (120kW/403Nm).

Nissan NP300 Hardbody in Rogue 

Also unveiled at NAMPO was the new Rogue 4x4 Offroad edition of the Hardbody. Now featuring the tenacious 2.5TDI (4-cyl diesel) to the 4x4 double cab range to the tune of 98kW and 304Nm. An agricultural engine for sure, but then, this is NAMPO, where you can pull in and buy anything from mulchers to muscle cars, trucks to tractors, boerewors biltong or khaki pants.

Xavier Gobille, Managing Director for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Nissan Group of Africa had this to add "The model was created after we received feedback from farmers and dealers in rural communities on the need for a diesel-powered off-road capable NP300 double cab.”

Yep. Sounds about right. We just really like the Rogue edition for it’s black wheels.

Behold the mighty Toyota Etios Sport

Yes, Sport. It’s a limited edition model, a two-tone aesthetic thanks to a black roof and body colour in either Glacier White or Retro Red. Also the 15 inch wheels get the two-tone treatment and to really impress upon us its new sporty nature, SPORT stickers. There’s also a new ‘Optitron’ digital instrument cluster – we like this, while the entry-level Xi model receives power windows at the rear. Power comes from the familiar 1.5 litre engine, good for 66kW and 132Nm – which helps the Etios achieve a 0-100kph in 11.3 seconds and a top speed of 165kph.

The Toyota Etios 'Sport' then, very much in the way Olympic Curling is a sport. They’re going to sell loads.

Pricing:

Special edition Datsuns ‘GO’ on a pilgrimage to Bothaville

It’s no secret that the largest private collection of Datsuns (and Nissans) lives in Bothaville, the Datsun Heritage Museum of Mr Freek De Kock. So it was great to have the opportunity to visit via a short drive in the complete Datsun Go range. Freek’s collection is extensive – think Skylines, Cedrics and Laurels, coupes of every description, Stanzas and badges such as SSS, Z, Fairlady and of course GT-R.

Find out more about the museum tomorrow.