NEW HYUNDAI i20 CRDi DIESEL IS HERE

The addition of Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s new i20 1.4 CRDi Glide to its passenger car range has created the most complete line-up of a Hyundai model locally. The Hyundai i20 range now boasts five derivatives – topped by the new 1.4 CRDi Glide with its turbodiesel engine.

In 2012 Hyundai launched the popular i20 in a revised and refreshed form – both inside and out – which heightened its appeal to a new, younger group of car buyers. Then, towards the end of last year, the entry-level i20 1.2 Motion – with an impressive list of standard features – was added to the range to satisfy the needs of buyers in this segment who had to keep their eyes firm on their budget.

“The i20 has been very popular with South African buyers since it came to market in 2009, thanks to its combination of efficiency, quality, practicality and value. With its sharper styling influenced by fluidic sculpture, the new i20 will appeal to an even broader range of buyers, including younger consumers,” says Stanley Anderson, marketing director of Hyundai Automotive SA.

The entry of the new 1.4 turbodiesel derivative to the i20 range now creates even more choice and is expected to increase the substantial market share that this small hatch back model already enjoys in its segment. It is a fitting way to finish off Hyundai Automotive SA’s most comprehensive model range with an attractive flagship derivative.

As with its i20 siblings, the new 1.4 CRDi Glide can boast with a long list of standard equipment and convenience features – with the important added benefit of a substantially lower price than its direct competitors. The value offered by the new addition to the i20 range is evident when its comprehensive specification list is compared with those of its competitors.

Inside the latest addition to the i20 range in South Africa beats a new heart: A 1.4 litre turbo-charged four cylinder diesel engine that delivers 66kW of peak power and an exemplary 220Nm maximum torque. Linked to a smooth and efficient 6-speed manual transmission, this translates to more than ample power through the front wheels for the medium-sized hatch back, but with equally exemplary fuel economy figure of 5 litres per 100 km, recorded on a combined European test cycle.

Its 110 g/km carbon emissions also ensure that no tax will be levied in this department. Taking its place next to the 73kW 4-cylinder, 1.4-litre petrol engine, the new 1.4 turbodiesel forms a solid partnership at the top-end of the i20 range. The i20 1.4 CRDi Glide can run on 500 ppm diesel.

Hyundai’s engineers have matched the turbodiesel engine with carefully chosen ratios in the refined 6-speed manual transmission to provide a precise gearshift for maximum ease and feel. Gear ratios are optimised to ensure that the engines they are mated to operate at their most efficient speed for the longest period of time.

The Hyundai i20 range now consists of five derivatives: The entry-level i20 1.2 Motion with a manual five-speed gearbox; the 1.4 Fluid with a six-speed manual gearbox; a 1.4 Fluid with a four-speed automatic transmission; the petrol-driven 1.4 Glide with a manual 6-speed transmission; and the new 1.4 CRDi Glide with its turbodiesel engine and six-speed manual transmission.

As with all other passenger models from Hyundai Automotive South Africa, the new i20 1.4 CRDi Glide comes standard with a five-year/150 000 km warranty and 5 years/150 000 km roadside assistance. Part of the standard i20 1.4 CRDi Glide package is a 3 years/60 000 km service plan and 5 years/160 000 km perforation warranty – delivering outstanding value to buyers in this popular segment of the local market. Service intervals are 15 000 km apart.

2013 Hyundai i20 Pricing

i20 1.25 Motion manual (R144 900)

i20 1.4 Fluid manual (R169 900)

i20 1.4 Fluid auto (R179 900)

i20 1.4 Glide manual (R181 900)

i20 1.4 CRDi Glide manual (R195 900)

FORD RACING'S NEW RACERS

The new Ford Ranger makes its global racing debut when it turns its wheels for the first time in the opening round of the Donaldson Cross Country Championship. The first race of the 2013 season, the RFS 400, gets underway on March 1 in the Magaliesburg area. 

The newly designed Rangers were built in Pietermaritzburg with assistance from Ford Motor Company’s Global Product Development division. Every aspect of the new Ranger has been carefully considered and built with precision and performance in mind. 

“This weekend will be a proud moment for us as the new Ford Ranger makes its global motorsport debut,” says Team Manager Neil Woolridge. “We have been working on the design and development of the vehicles for two years and have received overwhelming support from our Ford colleagues around the globe, who are now as eager as we are to see the vehicle in action.” 

A complex jigging system was used in the manufacturing process to ensure that each part is built according to the design in order to achieve the perfect fit on every vehicle built.

Under the hood, the new Ranger boasts an impressive 5.0-litre V8 engine with variable cam timing, managed by the Magneti Marelli system. In addition to its lightweight body and a chassis design that allows for a low centre of gravity, the vehicle is equipped with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle, eight state of the art BOS dampers and front and rear anti-roll bars. Add Brembo brakes, an air-conditioned cabin, advanced onboard computer system and it is clear to see that the new Ranger has been designed with winning in mind. 

“It has been a tremendous team effort. We believe we have the right team, the right car and the right expertise to mount a strong challenge in this year’s championship battle,” he adds.

The RFS 400 event has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the team in the past with Ford taking a one-two finish on the event last year.  

Though the route is expected to be a testing one, with long grass expected to challenge the leading crews by hiding potentially hazardous obstacles, Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst have high hopes following their winning performance last year. Team mates Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable will also be looking to challenge as they get to grips with the new vehicle. 

“We have done extensive testing with the vehicles and are extremely excited about our prospects for the season. Of course, being the first race there is an element of the unknown but we are as prepared as we can be – whatever the outcome, it will be a proud moment for all who were involved in making it happen,” concludes Woolridge. 

Team Ford Racing’s efforts would not be possible without the support of its dedicated sponsors: Time Freight, Castrol, Dynotherm, Motorvia and Sign Solutions.

STORY BY FORD

MAGESH VIDEO SHOT AT TIGER WHEEL & TYRE

South African Kwaito star Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala is making waves with his newly released music video for the song Ezimnandi from his album Heist, which was nominated for an award in the category Best Kwaito Album in the 2013 Metro FM Music Awards.

The Ezimnandi (meaning “the good things”) music video features Tokollo doing what he does best, being his charismatic, hip self and enjoying the good things in life. In this case the good things centre largely on the new set of wheels and Hankook tyres that Tokollo pimps his sweet ride with, at the Tiger Wheel & Tyre store in Fordsburg, Johannesburg.

This thoroughly entertaining music video, which is richly reflective of the Kwaito street culture, was written, produced and its story line directed by producer Monde Dube.

As to why he chose to film the music video at a Tiger Wheel & Tyre store, Dube says: “I understand the culture of alloy wheels and the tyre community and Tiger Wheel & Tyre is a lifestyle partner that people in the Kwaito culture can relate to. When people purchase a product they want to go somewhere that is reputable. Tiger Wheel & Tyre has this and we wanted to align the Kwaito brand with it.”

Tiger Wheel & Tyre was quick to see Dube’s point of view and how well the Kwaito culture and the alloy wheel culture dovetail and gave the creative producer free reign to film at its Fordsburg store.

Comments Tiger Wheel & Tyre marketing executive Joe du Plooy, “It was a real privilege to host a hugely talented artist like Tokollo “Magesh” and his team at one of our stores and we are honoured that he and Monde have given Tiger Wheel & Tyre the Kwaito stamp of approval.”

The new Ezimnandi music video premiered on Friday, 22 February 2013 and will be aired on Channel O, e.tv, SABC 2 and other local channels. It can also be viewed online on YouTube under the video title “Tokollo Magesh Ezimnandi”

STORY BY TIGER WHEEL & TYRE

LAMBORGHINI VENENO BREAKS LOOSE!

Only three unitsof this Lamborghini Veneno will be produced. And yes, all three are already attached to owners. These owners apparently paid about R42 millionfor each of their cars. That’s some steep loot, but if you are worth billions, it’s all pocket change. Who bought them? It could be anyone really; Hollywood types, a European football brat, some oil Sheik, a Russian Mafioso…

The Veneno is extremely radical, reminds one of the Reventon that ran out the Murcielago. It runs a 6.5-litre V12 motor, just like the Aventador on which it is based. Maximum power is 552kW and the drive to all four wheels is actuated through a 7-speedrobotised manual gearbox. It can run to over 350km/h.

GENEVA 2013: CORVETTE STINGRAY CONVERTIBLE OUT

The 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible arrives at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show today, and this is what it looks like. Stingray, a follow-on on the brand’s yesteryear glory days, looks like a well-sorted machine that deserves the name. The Convertible is of course, for those who like their hair blown back.

The car uses the company 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 to make its reported 336kWand 609Nm, as some have suggested. It should be capable of running from 0 – 100km/h in less than five seconds. Sadly there are currently no plans whatsoever from GM SA to import and sell these cars in Mzansi, most probably because there are no right-hand-drive models to be built.