Out of the Box Frankfurt
A Superlative SUV: The Jeep Grand Cherokee
The recent Frankfurt Motor Show produced a limited number of truly new models. One exception was the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
With its timeless design and advanced engineering, this rugged go-anywhere, yet decidedly luxury SUV is destined to achieve remarkable sales figures in our country. Offering perhaps the best value for money in its class, the 3.6 litre V6 is a sophisticated blend of off-road capability and on-road refinement.
Fully imported, the Grand Cherokee can be recommended as the medium-sized SUV of choice for the South African market, as it manages to combine the best of both worlds: a 4×4 capable of tackling difficult terrain, while transporting its occupants to desolate places in absolute comfort and style.
Aggressive pricing (available from dealerships) will also enhance the sales appeal when compared with more pricey European and British products.
Hybrid Honda
As one of the most popular brands in South Africa, Honda now seems poised to take a leadership role in the field of hybrid motoring as well.
Available since April this year, the Honda Jazz Hybrid follows the tried and trusted route of combining its 1.3 litre V-Tec engine with an advanced IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) battery system and the Company’s superb CVT automatic gearbox.
This system is positioned under the seats, yet the Jazz’s unique fold-flat and tuck-away rear seats have, thankfully, been retained.
As the world’s current “cleanest” small car with an automatic transmission (the car boasts a tax-cheating 104 grams of C02/100 km), the Jazz Hybrid is destined to improve on its current sales figures of more than 500,000 units to date.
abouTime will be featuring a full page road impression on this exciting newcomer in the near future.
Superb Build Quality: The Hyundai i30
The new generation Hyundai i30 carries the company’s ambitions of not only becoming a major player in its segment, but also proving that this innovative Korean company is right up there when it comes to build quality and modern design.
Designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the i30 is also built in Europe (the Czech Republic). It offers a range of four engines with six different power options. Its CO2 emissions are also below 100 g/km thanks to an upgraded, highly efficient 1.6 litre diesel unit. This unit is currently only available in Europe, but hopefully it will also become available in South Africa soon.
Six airbags and every possible additional safety feature (right down to emergency stop signals) are included.
Every new generation i30 is backed by Hyundai’s class-leading five-year/150,000 km warranty.
Alfa Romeo Racing Ahead
Boasting sales of more than 350 cars in September, the Alfa Romeo/Fiat Group is clearly picking up momentum. This is aided by some exciting new models such as the face-lifted Alfa Romeo 159 and the Fiat Panda.
Its strong showing at the Frankfurt Motor Show and the use of a 1.4 litre Turbo Giulietta during my trip to Germany, proved to me that Alfa is an excellent all-rounder which has the potential to swing sales away from the current three favourite German brands.
The 159 adds to the success of the MiTo and Giulietta by offering a 1.75 litre, four cylinder engine that produces 147 kW, and is probably superior to the 3.2 litre V6 in terms of emissions and power output per litre of engine capacity.
Fuel consumption (in Frankfurt peak-hour traffic, as well as high speed Autobahn driving) was a remarkable 7.8 litres/100 km. With fuel in Germany costing more than R17 per litre, this was indeed much appreciated!
Story by Bernard K Hellberg
