Table of contents for February 2025 in CAR

Like the scene from a movie, where a group of children would sooner head home than recover a ball that has flown over the wall of a ‘no-go’ neighbouring plot, for more than 50 years, the gates to Los Angeles-based car scrap dealer Rudi Klein’s yard were known to have been kept strictly locked to avoid unwelcome attention. An immigrant who initially worked as a butcher in Los Angeles, Klein would eventually combine his knowledge and contacts within his native German auto industry to found Porche Foreign Auto in 1967. With the name of his European automobile trading and scrap business deliberately misspelt to avoid the ire of a certain Stuttgart-based sports car maker, Klein gradually filled his south LA salvage yard with countless highend cars, spare parts, components and…

I was sent a pin location on WhatsApp of where to meet the proprietor of Classic Car Africa. At one of Johannesburg’s many multi-storey car parks, I turned up in front of a large but inconspicuous door. As it opened, Stuart Grant appeared and upon entering, I was greeted by a long line of cars reverse parked against the wall on either side. They included classic, modern classic and sports cars. As we turned the corner, even more vehicles were spread out before us; from European and American marques, as well as some rare cars of which there are maybe only one or two in South Africa. There are even classic motorcycles tucked away in here. Stuart invited me into a seating area and offered me a cup of coffee before…

MERCEDES-BENZ V300D EXCLUSIVE 9G-TRONIC ETA: NOW *Claimed figures Price: R2 267 768 Powertrain: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbodiesel Transmission: 9-speed automatic Power: 174 kW @4 200 r/min Torque: 500 N.m @1 600–2 400 r/min 0–100 km/h: 7.80 sec* Top speed: 220 km/h* Fuel consumption: 7.0 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 205 g/km* Rivals: Volkswagen Caravelle; Volvo EM90 Sense of occasion Expensive Upgraded in 2021 to introduce revised exterior styling and the brand’s venerable 174 kW/500 N.m, 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the flagship Mercedes-Benz V300d has proven so popular among affluent South African families that, at its latest refresh, it is now the only model offered locally. Mercedes-Benz Vans is, however, assessing the viability of introducing a new Vito Select model to be priced closer to the likes of the more attainable Volkswagen Caravelle. Less prevalent with…

Price: R359 300 0–100 km/h: 11.24 seconds Top speed: 170 km/h Power: 77 kW Torque: 138 N.m CAR Fuel index: 6.96 L/100 km CO2 : 134 g/km An honest crossover with mass appeal, but those modest outputs are better exploited via a 5-speed manual transmission Kyle Kock Toyota’s dealership network is a big plus, although the Fronx’s warranty trumps that of the Starlet Cross Marius Boonzaier Since its introduction to Toyota’s local line-up in mid-2024, the Suzuki Fronx-based Starlet Cross (tested here in range-topping XR automatic guise) has proven an immensely popular addition thanks to its competitive pricing, appealing looks and strong value proposition. However, when it comes to spending your hard-earned money, which one of these models and, more specifically, derivative thereof, is the one to get? The Starlet…

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Email: car@habarimedia.com Mail: CAR, PO Box 180, Howard Place, 7450 OVER TO YOU… Please include your physical address and telephone number. Diverse ideas and opinions are welcome, but publication of your letter doesn’t necessarily mean we agree. Please stick to a maximum of 300 words. CAR reserves the right to edit and shorten letters owing to space constraints. HAVE THE CHINESE BRANDS PEAKED? I suspect I am among many who are bemused by the dramatic uptake of Chinese brands in South Africa. Don’t get me wrong, I think the effort that has gone into the likes of GWM/Haval and the resurgent Chery brand is noteworthy, and their products are well priced, but at some point I think we’re going to see a gradual decline in quality owing to the drive…

ETA: early 2026 Featuring more dynamic styling, the new Q5 Sportback is based on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, which also underpins the box-fresh A5 (December 2024) and, of course, third-generation Q5 SUV. At market launch, the Sportback will be available with the choice of three engine options, each incorporating 48 V mild-hybrid technology, which provides an additional 25 kW and 230 N.m of torque for brief periods. The model range opens with the 150 kW and 340 N.m 2.0 TFSI, available in both front-wheel drive and quattro all-wheel drive, while the sole diesel option is the quattro-equipped 2.0 TDI, which churns out 150 kW and 400 N.m. Spearheading the line-up, the SQ5 retains its forebear’s 3.0-litre turbopetrol V6, uprated by 10 kW and 50 N.m for peak outputs…

With fuel costs accounting for a significant portion of most vehicle owners’ expenses, it’s understandable that fuel consumption has become an important factor in vehicle purchase decisions. The dilemma for buyers is how and where to obtain representative fuel consumption figures in order to compare the vehicles on their buying shortlist and estimate their respective running costs. Theoretically, the official figures provided by the vehicle manufacturers in their marketing material and displayed inside vehicle windscreens on dealership floors should be comparable and provide potential buyers a reasonable idea of what they can achieve in normal driving. Unfortunately, the reality is that, while the figures are comparable to what was achieved when testing vehicles to the same standard, the actual consumption figures will not be achievable in normal use as the…

A brand lauded since the 1950s for its sleek and stylish coupé offerings, Mercedes-Benz is suitably proud of its modern Coupé-Luxury family of vehicles. Where just a few years ago there were two-door versions of most of the brand’s traditionally best-selling products, including C-, E- and S-Class, a recently self-imposed mandate on refocusing resources has consolidated this line-up into a lone new CLE portfolio, complete with a Coupé and Cabriolet offering. Assembled alongside the Mercedes-AMG SL (Sport Light) in Bremen, and sharing its underpinnings with the modern C-Class, the CLE aims to blend the dynamic appeal of C with the level of luxury and sophistication expected from a member of the executive E-Class family. With this in mind, until the CLE53 arrives in the coming months, the four-model local line-up (two…

Price: R501 300 0–100 km/h: 11.19 seconds Top speed: 193 km/h Power: 85 kW Torque: 200 N.m CAR fuel index: 6.70 L/100 km CO2 : 126 g/km Minor but well-considered changes have improved on what was already an impressive product Gareth Dean Remains the most refined and upmarket-feeling offering in its segment Ian McLaren It’s difficult to believe that, prior to 2019, there was a gaping, compact crossover-sized hole in Volkswagen’s otherwise expansive product portfolio. In a market that had been particularly fertile ground for such models for some years (the over-whelming popularity of Ford’s basic but well-packaged EcoSport bears testament to this), the eventual arrival of the Polo-based T-Cross was met with a great deal of enthusiasm, and it was justified. Our December 2019-issue road test saw the 1.0 TSI Highline…

It’s done. The final curtain has fallen on the 2024 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, bringing an end to a gruelling 24-race season, the greatest number of Grands Prix ever in a single F1 year. This was a season of unparalleled action, where narratives of dominance, redemption and change unfolded both on and off the track, shaping what many consider to be one of the sport’s most gripping seasons. SUPER MAX Max Verstappen continued his remarkable trajectory by clinching his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship title in Las Vegas, securing his place among F1’s all-time greats. Driving for Red Bull Racing, the Dutchman’s season highlighted his resilience in a year when his car lagged behind the advancements made by McLaren and Ferrari. Yet, his precision and focus saw him claim…

In a bid to recapture founder Sir William Lyons’ original ethos, “Copy Nothing”, Jaguar sparked considerable debate – as it occasionally goes with the reimagining of a brand with such a storied legacy – when it debuted its new visual identity. After causing quite a stir with its somewhat cryptic pre-reveal campaign video, featuring lots of eccentrically dressed models but no cars, the next step in the Coventry-based carmaker’s transformation to allelectric automaker was to showcase what to expect from its future line-up. Enter the Type 00, a bold, controversial design concept that will inspire future Jaguar models. MONOLITHIC MINIMALISM The concept car’s sculpted exterior defies convention, according to Jaguar. The Type 00’s flush surfaces, elongated bonnet, sweeping roofline and 23-inch alloy wheels lend it a dramatic silhouette. However, the…

HYUNDAI CRETA 1.5 EXECUTIVE MATTE EDITION IVT ETA: NOW *Claimed figures Price: R524 900 Powertrain: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol Transmission: CVT Power: 84 kW @6 300 r/min Torque: 144 N.m @4 500 r/min 0–100 km/h: 11.8 sec* Top speed: 170 km/h* Fuel consumption: 6.3 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 143 g/km* Rivals: Chery Tiggo 7 Pro; Haval Jolion; Kia Seltos; Toyota Corolla Cross; Volkswagen T-Cross Build quality; after-sales promise Engine may be too lethargic for some Introduced to South Africa in 2017, while the conservatively styled first-generation Hyundai Creta sold in reasonable numbers (14 811 units in three years), the late-2020 launch of a quirkier and more distinct-looking second-generation model was seen as a concerted effort by the Korean brand to future-proof its compact SUV against the burgeoning influx of rivals in this crucial…

Price: R484 900 0–100 km/h: 11.89 seconds Top speed: 180 km/h Power: 115 kW Torque: 230 N.m CAR fuel index: 9.36 L/100km CO2 : 179 g/km It’s unfortunate that the X70 lacks what many of its more expensive rivals offer – substance Ian McLaren A sub-R500k seven-seater with strong spec levels, but not enjoyable to drive and will be thirsty when packed Kyle Kock It seems every other month, there’s a new Chinese brand introduced to the South African new-car market. Many of them have been crossovers and SUVs, and the latest addition to the fray follows the same formula. Jetour is a subsidiary of Chery Automotive (yes, another one), and the X70 is one of two models with which the brand will try and obtain some market share. With such a…

3 months 1 520 km 22.5 kWh/100 km Sense of occasion; comfort  It always feels heavy; unsettled chassis Introduced in 1993 with the facelifted W124, Mercedes-Benz’s adoption of the broader E-Class naming structure sought to more clearly define the mandate of this family of vehicles, compared to the smaller C-Class and premium S-Class of the time. It also made the positioning of the first GLE SUV, introduced in 1997 as the M-Class, easier to explain. One of this German brand’s best-selling product portfolios, in their current respective applications, the E-Class and GLE combine executive levels of comfort and sophistication with impressive versatility and the latest in software and technology. Available as a sedan or SUV, the EQE, which joined the product portfolio in 2023, needed to package everything good about…

Notes • The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred on 05 December 2024. Readers should check with a dealer before making a decision. • The HP payment calculations are based on a 10% deposit, current prime interest rate @11.25% and a 5-year (60-month) repayment period, with no residual value/balloon payment at the end. • Under ENGINE we list the number of cylinders and the cubic capacity in cm3. Here, V = V-shaped engine layout; H = horizontally-opposed engine layout; The absence of an initial symbol implies an in-line engine layout. • FUEL SUPPLY abbreviations are P = petrol-engined; D = diesel-engined; T = turbocharged, a compressor driven by exhaust gases; S = supercharged, a compressor driven by the engine; P/H =…