Ready to Launch: Porsche Overall performance Start off Added to Cayenne Diesel

Porsche is adding the Performance Start function to the 2015 Cayenne diesel (as effectively as the 2015 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo) as part of the optional Sport Chrono package.

Although Overall performance Begin is not a complete-bore launch-handle system like the a single utilized to slingshot PDK-equipped 911s, Boxsters, and Caymans toward the horizon, it does permit the driver to launch the Cayenne from rest at wide-open throttle right after side-stepping the brake pedal. Porsche claims that Performance Start shaves .1 second from the Cayenne’s zero-to-60 time. And as if getting a compression-ignition Porsche SUV weren’t oddball enough, the gadget also signifies that model joins the really, extremely little roster of production diesel vehicles with similar technology. (Our extended-term BMW 328d wagon has launch manage, for instance.)

Here’s how it operates: The driver pushes the Sport Plus button on the center console. With the Cayenne stopped and the 8-speed automatic in drive, the driver presses the brake pedal and floors the accelerator pedal. A dash telltale indicates that Performance Begin has been initiated. Inside 2 seconds, the driver side-measures the brake pedal and with the accelerator nevertheless matted, the Cayenne launches in what Porsche describes as the “most efficient manner attainable.” This involves extraquick 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts, occurring at the optimal engine speed to leverage the powerplant’s peak power and torque.

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No muss and no fuss, and the compression-ignition Cayenne pulls a wicked holeshot. At Porsche, it appears even the frugal get to have some enjoyable.

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Ready to Launch: Porsche Overall performance Start off Added to Cayenne Diesel

Nissan ready for round two with more in-your-face Juke

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• Significant cosmetic and mechanical changes, including new 1.2 DIG-T engine

• Entire range now turbo charged

• NissanConnect smart phone integration on certain models

Rosslyn, South Africa,  30 JANUARY 2015 -  Nissan’;s design team has given the world’;s first B-segment crossover a concentrated dose of Juke-ness for its 2015 upgrade.

The new 2015 Nissan Juke is set to reach dealers at the end of January and promises to repeat its sales success with redesigned front and rear styling and a significant upgrade in luxury specification.

“The Juke is a surprising vehicle in many respects,” says Konstantin von Vieregge, General Manager of Marketing and Planning at Nissan South Africa. “Apart from its unique styling, the slightly irreverent Nissan Juke has surprised market-watchers with its performance and its appeal to styling enthusiasts of all ages, both male and female.

“This is why more than 500 000 people across the globe have gone for a Juke since its global introduction in 2010. In South Africa, we have maintained a near-300 unit average a month since its introduction in 2011, selling close on 12 000 units in the period to date.”

Styling and design changes – Exterior

• Refreshed bumpers, lights and side mirrors


• Newly designed and larger wheels


• Favourite Juke styling cues remain untouched

The refreshed Juke retains many of its favourite elements, such as the sporty sloping roofline, SUV stance and hidden rear door handles, while updating many other elements to align with the current popular Nissan crossover design language.

Viewed from the front, all 3 levels of lighting have been given more prominence, starting with the fog lights that nestle in a newly designed black air intake and redesigned colour-coded bumper. The rounded fog lights with new clear lenses take centre stage and flank a new grille with grated design and a bolder SUV-style Nissan badge. This badge cue is repeated in the centre console instrumentation and at the back of the car in the diffuser design.

The most dramatic and visually enticing change is found in the uppermost-lights that have been completely redesigned and which joins the family of modern Nissan crossovers with its boomerang shape and integrated daytime running lights – a standard feature across the entire Juke range.

On the flanks the new side mirrors with turn signals are squared off and bolder, and in the Tekna specification integrate, wide-angle cameras that link to the rear and nose camera to offer 360 degree visibility when manoeuvring the Juke.

New alloy wheels complete the packaged and have been inched up from 16″ to 17″ on all but the 1.2 DIG-T Acenta model and from 17″ to 18″ on the Tekna models.

The rear of the Juke has been given a similarly dramatic upgrade with a new luggage door with wider number plate area, and the new diffuser and rear air dam have been redesigned to create a wider and more purposeful stance for the Juke.

Other changes to the rear of the car include the new roof-mounted aerial, completely redesigned rear lights that mirror the front lights and pay homage to Nissan street-stars such as the 370Z, redesigned rear reflectors and an exhaust pipe that takes pride of place with new chrome detailing on the Tekna models.

Styling and design changes – Interior

• Premium treatment for centre console


• High level of standard specification across entire model range


• Luggage storage area now 40% bigger

Step inside and the Juke has retained all of the playful elements that have made it a top seller. The centrepiece remains the painted transmission tunnel, which is inspired by the radical lines of an Italian superbike and hints of the Juke’;s nimble road manners.

Designers have also retained the speed-sensitive sport steering wheel with satellite controls the contoured front seats and the large, easy-to-read circular gauges that require a mere glance from the driver to see all the necessary vehicle information.

The centre cluster has, however, received a rethink and has been upgraded to offer a more premium feel. Drivers familiar with the original Juke will still find the I-CON system at hand, which controls vehicle set-up and performance settings, but will notice the premium treatment of every element that falls to hand, just as Nissan has recently done with the new Qashqai and X-Trail crossovers.

The driver will also notice that the entire range has received a specification upgrade. Even the entry-level Acenta model has Bluetooth phone integration, cruise control with speed-limiting capabilities, Stop/Start technology and full climate control. All models in the range also have vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and 6 airbags, key elements to the Juke’;s 5 star Euro NCAP rating.

However, the upgrade is not only focused on design elements and specifications. In response to customer feedback, Nissan engineers have redesigned the luggage storage area and lowered the space saver spare wheel to increase the luggage space by no less than 40% from 251 litres to 354 litres. This applies to all models, except the 4WD model, which has to house a rear differential and multi-link rear suspension system.

Engines, performance and technology

• 1.2 DIG-T replaces normally aspirated 1.6


• Entire engine range now turbo charged


• I-CON vehicle control system available across range


• 4WD and XTronic transmission available on selected models

In keeping with its position as trendsetter, the Juke will now offer forced induction and direct injection across its entire engine range. The range of engines delivers on the stated promise of offering a car with great drivability and engine responsiveness.

The new 1.2 DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbo) engine, which debuted on the new Qashqai replaces the normally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol engine that powered the entry-level Juke models.

The 1.2 DIG-T engine features a turbo and intercooler and offers 85 kW at 4 500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque in a completely flat band from 2 000 rpm to 4 000 rpm, which means that compared with the engine it replaces, the new 1.2 DIG-T gives the driver near 30% of the engine range back to play with under full power delivery.

The new engine offers the added benefit of improved fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100 km, a figure made possible by the standard fitment of Stop/Start technology

The second petrol engine is the highly popular 1.6 DIG-T. Equipped with  the same technology as the 1.2 DIG-T, such as an intercooler, Start/Stop technology and direct petrol injection, this engine has no less than 140 kW at 5 600 rpm and 240 Nm in a wide band between 1 600 and 5 200 rpm on tap. This engine propels you to  100 km/h in 8 seconds and uses 6.9 litres of fuel in a combined driving cycle.

The last of the turbo-charged engines is the equally popular 1.5 dCi turbo diesel engine. It is also fitted with an intercooler and has common rail direct injection to offer 260 Nm between 1 750 and 2 500 rpm and 81 kW at 4 000 rpm. The 1.5 dCi Juke reaches 100 km/h in 11.2 seconds and only sips an impressive 4.2 litres of diesel in a combined driving cycle.

The engines are mated to a choice of direct-shifting 6-speed gearbox or Nissan’;s XTronic constantly variable transmission, depending on the model and engine choice. The XTronic gearbox has been upgraded to offer 17% greater ratio speed and 40% less internal friction, which promises to make this transmission even more popular among traffic-weary city dwellers.

The Juke has also retained the option of a 4WD system with Nissan’;s proven torque vectoring system. This system constantly calculates power delivery to all 4 wheels to neutralise understeer and track the Juke on a more neutral path through fast corners. This system is further bolstered by the fitment of a multi-link rear suspension.

The Juke retains the unique driving control system in the Nissan I-CON system, which allows the driver to select and customise driving modes, with pre-set options for Normal, Sport and Eco driving. The 2WD Tekna model is also fitted with the new NissanConnect system, with 5.8″ touch screen and full smart phone integration.

Safety and security

• Juke introduces Nissan Safety Shield


• 6 airbags, VDC standard across the range


• Nissan DataDot, immobiliser and alarm standard

The Juke has carried a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating since its introduction, and Nissan has not compromised on its high level of safety specifications with the upgraded model, which includes front, side and curtain airbags and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) across the whole range. The entire Juke range is also fitted with electronic brake-force distribution, brake-assist and anti-lock braking (ABS).

The Juke is secured with a Nissan immobiliser, an alarm system and the Nissan DataDot identification system, which Nissan pioneered and which has now become a regulated fitment to all new vehicles sold in South Africa.

Adding to the long range of safety features is the Nissan Safety Shield. This system is fitted as part of the NissanConnect system on the 1.6 DIG-T 2WD Tekna model and offers Around View Monitor – a full bird’;s eye view on all sides of the vehicle thanks to 4 integrated cameras fitted in the nose, side mirrors and rear spoiler. Interestingly, the rear camera offers a 180 degree viewing angle and given its position on the luggage door can detect when the lens is dirty and clean itself.

The Safety Shield system is capable of detecting and warning the driver of moving objects around the vehicle whilst manoeuvring the vehicle at parking speeds. Once at cruising speed, the system shifts to provide lane departure and blind spot warning systems.

Standard features – New Juke line-up

“One could say that the Juke has not jumped to a higher vehicle segment, but rather has drawn from a higher segment to offer luxuries not common in the B-segment,” says von Vieregge about the increased specifications on all Juke models.

The Juke range now offers 6 models instead of 7, with the increase in specifications reflecting customer choice. This follows a report from Nissan Global that more than 30% of Juke sales were for highly specified range topping models, an uncommon phenomenon among B-segment vehicles and proof of the unique appeal of the Juke among trendsetters and performance enthusiasts.

The Juke range is available in Acenta, Acenta+, Tekna and Tekna with sunroof and NissanConnect options.

Acenta

The Juke 1.2 DIG-T Acenta offers the following specifications as standard:

• Rear privacy glass


• Front and rear fog lights


• 16″ steel wheels with wheel covers


• Leather clad steering wheel with speed sensitive power assistance


• Front and rear electric windows


• Cruise control


• Nissan Integrated Control System (I-CON) with vehicle control settings


• Bluetooth connectivity


• LED daytime running lights


• Six airbags


• VDC, ABS, EBD


• Isofix baby seat anchoring system


• Remote keyless access and central locking

Acenta+

The Acenta+ grade is available on the 1,2 DIG-T and 1.5 dCi Juke models. It adds the following key features:

• Rain-sensing wipers


• Keyless access with Start/Stop button


• Electronic folding mirrors


• 17″ alloy wheels


• 2-tone suede-like seat trim

Tekna

The 140 kW 1.6 DIG-T Juke is available in Tekna trim, with the following added features:

• Auto headlights


• Chrome tailpipe finisher


• 18″ alloy wheels


• Leather seats with front seat heaters


• 6 speakers

Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect

Nissan has added the following specifications on the Tekna grade for the 1.6 DIG-T 2WD model and 1.6 DIG-T XTronic 4WD models:

• Sunroof


• NissanConnect 5.8″ touch screen system with smart phone integration, Google Search, Google Voice Commands and Facebook integration


• Satellite navigation


• Nissan Safety Shield with 4 camera Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection


• Lane Change Assist


• Blind Spot Warning

Pricing, service plan and warranty information

All Juke models are sold with a 3-year / 90 000 kilometre service plan and a 3-year / 100 000 kilometre mechanical warranty.  Prices include VAT.

1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta                                                           R254 900

1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta+                                                         R277 900

1.5 dCi Juke Acenta+                                                            R299 900

1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna                                                           R325 900

1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect                       R354 900

1.6 DIG-T 4WD XTronic Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect    R364 900

For more info on buying a vehicle also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

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Nissan ready for round two with more in-your-face Juke

Winter motoring – be ready!

We’ve been chatting to Goodyear Tyres to get their thoughts on secure driving in the course of the winter months.

Their most recent research threw up a few difficult statistics on the subject.

• only 15% of motorists will take their car for a service this winter


• 44% of individuals say they actively try to use their auto less in the winter as they are worried about driving in dark, cold conditions


• more than half of drivers in the UK say they locate driving in the snow and ice nerve racking


• 48% list scraping ice off wind screens in the mornings as a problem


• 40% fret about the lack of grit on icy roads.

Rock steady

Goodyear’s Kate Rock told me: “Driving in winter can be nerve wracking for any driver, specifically in the course of the darker afternoons. Rain, icy roads or gently falling snow can make a enormous distinction to how your vehicle handles the road, so it’s vital to plan ahead and know your route and the weather situations expected just before you set off.

“Ensuring your vehicle is in good working situation to cope with every little thing which winter could throw at it is also essential to putting your thoughts at rest. It sounds straightforward but preparation truly is the crucial for winter driving.”

Kate’s leading 12 guidelines for coping in the dark months to come are:

1. add antifreeze to the engine coolant to defend your car against freezing and corrosion


2. change your oil and check the battery to make sure you have ample energy for cold winter begins


3. check your brakes to guarantee they are in complete operating order


4. verify headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators to make certain they are functioning properly.


5. stock up on emergency supplies – a torch, blanket, sand or salt, and an ice scraper are indispensable, along with spare winter clothing, foods, e.g. biscuits, and water. Emergency triangles and a phone charger are also worth taking into consideration, and do not overlook medicines and important personal supplies. It is often a good idea to have a initial aid kit handy also


6. let additional time to attain your destination as visibility can be challenging in winter


7. usually leave further space amongst you and the auto in front of you will give you ample time to come to a quit. It takes about 3 occasions longer to brake on wet roads than it does on dry roads.


8. check your tyres – are in very good situation and inflated to the proper stress. Contemplate winter tyres if you are going to be driving in snow and ice


9. in fog, slow down, brake as early as attainable and drive with fog lights. If the fog is too dense, pull off the roadway and stop in a secure spot till the fog clears


10. be conscious of high winds – slow down and be alert to wet or slippery roads. Be further cautious when passing autos such as caravans or lorries.


11. let added time to defrost windscreens and clear snow if necessary. Not clearing the ice appropriately from windscreen can effect on your visibility of other road customers and pedestrians


12. don’t leave your auto running on the drive although the windscreen defrosts. In the time it takes to nip back into the residence for a final swig of tea, a thief could be off and away in your vehicle.

Plane sailing

A final word on aquaplaning – certainly a single of the scariest items that can confront a driver, and a critical winter peril.

Kate explains what happens, and how to cope: “When the water in front of your tyres builds up quicker than your car’s weight can push it out of the way, the stress causes your automobile to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road.

“At this point, your auto can be entirely out of speak to with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road.

“To keep away from aquaplaning, hold your tyres correctly inflated, preserve very good tread on your tyres and replace them when required, slow down when roads are wet, and remain away from puddles. Try to drive in the tyre tracks left by the cars in front of you.

“If you do discover oneself aquaplaning, do not brake or turn abruptly as this could throw your auto into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator until the vehicle slows and you can really feel the road again.”

Winter motoring – be ready!

Winter motoring – be ready!

We’ve been chatting to Goodyear Tyres to get their thoughts on secure driving during the winter months.

Their most recent investigation threw up a handful of challenging statistics on the subject.

• only 15% of motorists will take their automobile for a service this winter


• 44% of folks say they actively attempt to use their car less in the winter as they are worried about driving in dark, cold circumstances


• more than half of drivers in the UK say they uncover driving in the snow and ice nerve racking


• 48% list scraping ice off wind screens in the mornings as a problem


• 40% fret about the lack of grit on icy roads.

Rock steady

Goodyear’s Kate Rock told me: “Driving in winter can be nerve wracking for any driver, specially for the duration of the darker afternoons. Rain, icy roads or gently falling snow can make a huge difference to how your auto handles the road, so it’s vital to program ahead and know your route and the climate circumstances anticipated prior to you set off.

“Ensuring your auto is in excellent operating condition to cope with almost everything which winter could throw at it is also crucial to putting your mind at rest. It sounds easy but preparation actually is the key for winter driving.”

Kate’s best 12 tips for coping in the dark months to come are:

1. add antifreeze to the engine coolant to safeguard your automobile against freezing and corrosion


2. modify your oil and verify the battery to make positive you have ample power for cold winter starts


3. check your brakes to ensure they are in complete working order


4. check headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators to make sure they are working properly.


5. stock up on emergency supplies – a torch, blanket, sand or salt, and an ice scraper are indispensable, along with spare winter clothing, foods, e.g. biscuits, and water. Emergency triangles and a phone charger are also worth thinking about, and don’t neglect medicines and important individual supplies. It’s often a good concept to have a very first aid kit handy as well


6. let further time to attain your destination as visibility can be difficult in winter


7. constantly leave extra space among you and the auto in front of you will give you ample time to come to a cease. It requires about 3 times longer to brake on wet roads than it does on dry roads.


8. check your tyres – are in good condition and inflated to the appropriate stress. Think about winter tyres if you’re going to be driving in snow and ice


9. in fog, slow down, brake as early as possible and drive with fog lights. If the fog is too dense, pull off the roadway and stop in a secure location till the fog clears


10. be conscious of high winds – slow down and be alert to wet or slippery roads. Be further cautious when passing cars such as caravans or lorries.


11. let extra time to defrost windscreens and clear snow if required. Not clearing the ice properly from windscreen can impact on your visibility of other road customers and pedestrians


12. do not leave your automobile operating on the drive even though the windscreen defrosts. In the time it requires to nip back into the house for a last swig of tea, a thief could be off and away in your car.

Plane sailing

A final word on aquaplaning – certainly 1 of the scariest factors that can confront a driver, and a critical winter peril.

Kate explains what occurs, and how to cope: “When the water in front of your tyres builds up quicker than your car’s weight can push it out of the way, the pressure causes your automobile to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road.

“At this point, your vehicle can be entirely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road.

“To steer clear of aquaplaning, hold your tyres correctly inflated, keep very good tread on your tyres and replace them when essential, slow down when roads are wet, and remain away from puddles. Try to drive in the tyre tracks left by the vehicles in front of you.

“If you do discover your self aquaplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly as this could throw your auto into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator till the automobile slows and you can really feel the road once again.”

Winter motoring – be ready!

Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team ready for 2015 Dakar Rally

For motorsport enthusiasts the month of January is synonymous with only one thing: The Dakar Rally. The 2015 race promises to live up to the legend created by the 35 previous editions of what has become one of our planet’;s most iconic motorsport events. As in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Imperial Toyota South Africa Dakar Team will be there for the start, fielding the best race Toyota Hilux yet.

“We are very pleased with the latest evolution of our proven Toyota Hilux Dakar bakkie,” says Team Principal Glyn Hall. “This is the third generation of the vehicle which came third in its first year on the Dakar. And most importantly, the drivers are just as happy with it as I am.”

The driver line-up for 2015 is unchanged from the last Dakar: Giniel de Villiers, who won the event in 2009, will again spearhead Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team’;s attack. This will be De Villiers’; 12th year of participation in the rally. Beside him in the car is long-time navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz (Germany), who is himself a veteran of 14 Dakar Rallies.

Leeroy Poulter and navigator Rob Howie will again be in action in the second Toyota Imperial Hilux. The pair made their mark early in the 2014 race when they set the third-fastest time on Stage 3, finishing in 33rd position overall after the 13 stages that made up the race.

The new Toyota Imperial Hilux is issentially an evolution rather than a complete redesign. As such it has built on the strengths of the preceeding versions, though visually the 2015 vehicle may represent the biggest change yet.

Immediately evident is that the spare wheels have been relocated from the back of the car. One wheel now fits under the cockpit, with one each mounted on the sides behind the doors. This has shifted the significant mass (120 kg) of the wheels to an area within the axles, and also lowered the center of gravity as a result.

“You can really feel a massive difference,” says Dakar veteran Giniel de Villiers of the new layout. “The new bakkie is much faster through twisty sections, and we’;ve also worked a lot on the suspension to make it land better after jumps.”

The change in layout came largely thanks to new regulations, which allow the Toyota Imperial Hilux to be 60 kg lighter than before. In order to fully capitalise on this reduction in weight, the team decided to also maximise weight distribution for better handling and balance.

In addition to the weight saving, the regulations now also allow for a slightly larger air restrictor. This was done in an effort to level the playing field for the various different engine types that essentially compete in the same class – notably the turbo diesels that suffer less at high altitudes and in thick sand than the normally aspirated petrol engines, such as the motor used in the Toyota Imperial Hilux, do.

At the same time, the new Imperial Toyota Hilux features a fully South African-developed suspension system, a new air conditioning system and many other refinements to the original race bakkie.

All of this will be put to the test when Dakar 2015 gets under way in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 4 January 2015. Next year’;s route consists of a trans-continental loop, which visits Chile and Bolivia, before returning to Argentina for the finish back in Buenos Aires on 17 January.

The Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team will not be the only team fielding South African-developed Toyota Hilux race vehicles. As in the past, the South African team will receive logistical and infrastructure support from Belgian outfit Team Overdrive on the event. Team Overdrive also support a host of other Toyota Hilux competitors, including accomplished drivers such as Lucio Alvarez (Argentina), Bernhard 10 Brinke (Netherlands) and Yazeed Alrajhi (Saudi Arabia).

The 2 South African Toyota Hilux race vehicles depart for Argentina on 15 December, and will again be transported by SAA Cargo. South African Dakar fans can follow the fortunes of the Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toyotasouthafrica and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toyotasa.

Toyota Motorsport South Africa Acknowledges Its Dakar Sponsors, Specialist Official Suppliers and Technical Partners:

Hallspeed, TFM, Castrol, SKF, Spanjaard, Robor, 4×4 Megaworld, NGK, Donaldson, Mastercraft, Sat4Rent, Oakley, Edgecam, Supreme Springs, FreeM, Bosch, Smiths Manufacturing and Shatterprufe. Also Duxbury Netgear, Innovation, Toyota Financial Services, SAA Cargo, Toyota and Imperial Toyota.

Toyota Imperial South Africa Dakar Team ready for 2015 Dakar Rally