Road Tests 2001
Not ever have South Africans had the choice of such the variety of roadsters as they have now. And with the South African climate more than conducive to drop-top motoring, spoiling oneself has never been easier. We compared three “budget” roadsters – Toyota MR2, Mazda MX-5 and MG F.
Clever solutions to everyday problems
DaimlerChrysler’s Mitsubishi division has increased the number of popular Colt bakkies in its range by adding four extended cab variants to the mix, while at the same time appealing to a wider audience and giving some buyers – especially farmers - a tax benefit to boot.
Opel Astra Caravan & Zafira compared
Opel has broadened its product range by making available a couple of desirable imported lifestyle vehicles. What may look like very similar vehicles on a spec sheet, the Caravan estate car and Zafira MPV are in fact vastly different from one another.
Three models of Opel’s flagship Omega range are available locally as full imports. It heralds the return of the brand to the medium and large segment of the market. We try out the flagship 2.6 V6 Elegance
It's the question everyone's been asking us: which is better, quicker, faster? So we've put them head to head to lay the questions to rest. BMW M3 SMG takes on Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG
Moving up four notches- shootout
In the wake of rocketing car prices, traditional buyers in the medium sedan segment are being pressured to move down a slot without losing out on equipment levels. We put together the new wave of small, three-box saloons
Citroen’s fresh from France Xsara 2,0 SX lives up to claims that it is stylish, safe and packed with the kind of performance and dynamic appeal South African motoring families are likely to find attractive.
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.7 V6 GLS AT
Hyundai's launch of the Santa Fe, the first "SUV" in the their product line-up is yet further affirmation that this company means business.
Chrysler Grand Voyager 3,3 Limited
Despite the bad press that the Daimler-Chrysler group has suffered recently, the dynamism, creativity and ingenuity that made Chrysler famous is far from dead.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado 3.0DT GX 3-door
Climb into the cloth-upholstered driver's seat of the GX and chances are that unless you are a most unusual example of the 4x4 species, you'll feel completely at home..
Isuzu KB 280DT Double Cab 4X4 LX
Having captured the high ground in the turbodiesel double-cab market during the 1990s, Isuzu has rationalized its range for 2001 with the popular KB 280 DT retained as the flagship. But how does it shape up in the face of newer competition?
Land Rover Freelander Td4 5-door
Land Rover has upped the stakes in the compact fashion 4x4 market with the introduction of the Td4 turbodiesel, with the option of a five-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. Is it the new yardstick?
The Condor RV is Toyota South Africa's answer to soaring prices and pent-up demand for an affordable 4x4 recreational vehicle. Fuel consumption is relatively high, but it offers space, comfort and versatility that can't be beaten at the price
Toyota Hilux 3.0KZ-TE Double Cab 4X4 Raider
After taking stick for being under-powered, Toyota has endowed its top Hilux diesel double cab with a formidable boost in the form of a revised Prado engine. Leisure Wheels sees how it stacks up
Audi has introduced a new breed of sporting estate that is claimed to be at home at speed on the tarmac or wading through mud and snow. Leisure Wheels pits it against grueling African conditions?
Whereas the Mazda Drifter is the luxury version in the Silverton, Pretoria, home of Ford and Mazda, the Ford Ranger is more of a workhorse -- albeit a reasonably luxurious one. Leisure Wheels put spur to the Ranger to see if it's Built Ford Tough
Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D GLS
Mitsubishi has engineered a vehicle that is strong on style, charisma, comfort and safety, providing exhilarating on-road performance. But expectations in this class are sky-high, and so they should be with customers forking out the kind of money that buys a sophisticated BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi. Leisure Wheels weighs it up against its rivals.
If there’s a vehicle that makes a convincing argument for diesel-powered family motoring (as opposed to compact vehicles such as the acclaimed BMW 320d and the equally competent Golf Tdi) it has to be the Kia Carnival turbodiesel, introduced recently as the third model in Kia’s full-sized multi-purpose vehicle range
For may years now, Ford South Africa has been out on a limb, offering an eclectic mix of begged or borrowed models disguised to be Fords. None of them were able to achieve the legendary successes of the Capri, Cortina and Escort of old. But Ford are back with a vengeance ...
... the PT Cruiser looks great, and the ever-original Chrysler design boys deserve a rousing cheer for their daring styling.
What Volvo's previous V70 turbo wagon lacked in looks, it made up for in terms of performance, and achieved numerous successes on the racetracks of the world. Adrian Burford put the latest version through its paces.
Yet another nominee for the SAGMJ Car of the Year contest is the rather unique new people carrier from Toyota. Adrian Burford and the DiskDrive team put it through its paces.
Peugeot's (albeit now aged) 306 GTi set some standards for hot hatches, which a few other manufacturers have yet to equal. Based on styling alone, the new 206 GTi (badged S16) promises to push the envelope even further. We spent some time with this “Car of the year” nominee recently.
Subaru’s all-new Impreza has got a tough act to follow, especially in WRX guise – the nomenclature chosen for car that replaces what was previously known as the GT.
Volkswagen's Golf 1.9-litre TDI
Volkswagen's Golf 1.9-litre TDI Highline is already being rated as the GTI sports hatch of the next millennium.
What goes from robot to robot like a hot hatch, cruises the highways like a limo, and scarpers across the veld like a housebreaker with a Rottweiller in tow?
Chrysler Neon - Redefining automotive values
Now, after an R4.4bn revamp, and with the support of a substantial dealer network, the new Chrysler Neon is a package, which we predict is destined to kick some proverbial butt.
And the award for Miss Personality goes to...
It is an easy car to like. Willing and extremely able, cheerful looks, no real vices and nothing about it that really irritates…a car with real personality
Breathtaking performance, miserly consumption
Take the revs up to around 1700, let go of the clutch and the shove in the back is enough to make you forget to change into second – something you need to do very quickly as the rev counter swings past the 4000 mark in the blink of an eye.
