Latest news with #TheCitizenMotoring
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Why Hyundai Santa Fe has gone hybrid at the expense of diesel
While the seven-seater SUV goes for well over R1-million, it is huge on value. The quick facts are that the new 'love it, or hate it' styled Hyundai Santa Fe offers you seven seats, comes with a petrol-hybrid engine option along with all-wheel drive only and is now available locally for a cool R1.25-million. There was a time when the name Santa Fe meant something a bit different in the SUV world. A time when it was a soft, vaguely jellybean-shaped thing that could have easily got mistaken for a Hyundai Tucson, a Kia Sorento or any other generic SUV on the road, depending on the angle you looked at it. I like squared-off, boxy-type SUVs and for me it's the new Hyundai signature H-pattern lights and somewhat controversial/ugly rear of the new Santa Fe that works. In 2025, all you must do is take one look at the new Hyundai Santa Fe to see that if the old one was built to blend in, this one was built to stand out. ALSO READ: No longer boxed as Hyundai prices all-new, hybrid-only Santa Fe Hyundai Sante Fe drops diesel Staying with the controversial theme for a bit, as already said, you get one engine derivative choice only with the new Hyundai Santa Fe, and that is a petrol/hybrid combination. Under the bonnet is a 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, turbo petrol engine that churns out 132kW of power and 256Nm of torque. It works in conjunction with an electric motor for a system output of 175kW and 367Nm. Was it good out on the road during The Citizen Motoring's launch drive? Sure thing. The Hyundai Santa Fe was smooth and quiet too, with what felt like more than enough urge for a family mover. Even the fuel consumption was relatively good for a small capacity petrol turbo unit, albeit with some electrical assistance, and settled in around the mid-8L/100km during our media launch drive. The elephant in the room is a diesel one, and we all know how consumers love diesel down here on the tip of Africa, and in the Hyundai family there is that great 142kW/440Nm, 2.2-litre turbodiesel on offer in their Palisade. Love it or hate it – you cannot sit on the fence. Picture: Supplied Seamless hybrid driving Now, before you take pitch forks to Hyundai SA's HQ for doing this to you, you need to understand that this is the all-new Sante Fe, and the car's new platform does not support diesel powertrains. The good news for what it is worth, is that the hybrid system is self-charging, so no plugs and other electrically annoying stuff to worry about. Unless you want to be specifically in Sport mode or Eco driving mode, choose My Drive mode and let the new Hyundai Santa Fe decide when it wants to use petrol, or electricity, or both; and this it does seamlessly. And just in case using your Sante Fe means going a little off the beaten path, there are three Terrain modes: Sand, Mud and Snow. Paddle shifters control braking regen The only quirky thing that might throw you for a moment or two is that the steering wheel paddle shifters that are usually associated with changing gears are there to increase or decrease the amount of brake force electricity regeneration that is offered when you deaccelerate. I say quirky, because every other hybrid I have driven either offers this function via the touch screen or not at all. What is substantially less complicated is that this new Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a host of advanced safety technologies and a broad range of convenience features. The Hyundai Santa Fe features all the latest tech you'd expect in a R1-million plus car. Picture: Supplied Families will appreciate the six airbags as well as upper and lower ISOFIX points in both the second and third rows for the kids. Driver and passenger-controlled central door locks and automatic safety locks improves safety further. ALSO READ: Diesel boxed as Hyundai fully details all-new Santa Fe Safe as a house And the Smart Sense Safety features include the likes of 360-View Monitor, Drive-Attention Warning, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Rear-Occupant Alert, Forward-Collision Avoidance Junction as well as the Lane-Follow Assist, among others. For entertainment purposes, the new Hyundai Santa Fe features a Bose premium audio system, and large touchscreen display, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available as standard, and all of which can pair wirelessly with your mobile device. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster shows all the car's vitals. Hyundai Santa Fe worth a second look Crossing the R1-million has become the norm for a car like the Sante Fe. In fact, its price puts this SUV right in the middle of at least 20 other similar products, ranging from an Audi to a BMW, to a Jeep, to a Ford, plus even a GWM Tank 500.
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Iconic Fiat Panda 4x4 poised to make Grande all-electric comeback
Modern day version of old favourite is a blend of its rich heritage and new innovation. Fiat's cute little go-anywhere Panda was to South African's what the Jimny is to Suzuki fans. Now it has been shown as the new Grande Panda 4×4 concept, a legendary icon reborn to capture the imagination of drivers around the world. The next chapter in the legacy of the Italian brand is marked by a potential true symbol of versatility, reliability, and freedom on four wheels. First launched in 1983, the Fiat Panda 4×4 quickly won over generations of enthusiasts by delivering a unique combination of practicality, comfort and elegance. All wrapped in a compact form capable of tackling any terrain. Fiat Panda reborn Think Suzuki Jimny again. Small on the outside, yet cleverly spacious on the inside. It offered everyday drivability paired with rugged off-road capability, embodying the ideal balance of city car and mountain climber. It was a revolution in motion: accessible, adaptable, and beloved by everyone. With its eyes set firmly on the future, the new Grande Panda 4×4 project is destined to be a manifesto for a fresh vision of sustainable mobility. It is a vision rooted in innovation and in line with current dictates, while maintaining the characteristics that made it a global cult favourite. Back in 2007 The Citizen Motoring accordingly had a Fiat Panda on test. It produced a mere 44kW of power and 102 Nm of torque from its 1 200cc naturally aspirated engine. But now, the Grande Panda 4×4 concept is powered with an electrified innovative rear axle. Embracing sustainability This feature would enable the vehicle to deliver impressive performance in urban settings and on more demanding terrain. It's a deliberate choice that underscores Fiat's ongoing commitment to embracing increasingly sustainable and forward-looking technologies. All while preserving the adventurous spirit and everyday practicality that have always defined the Panda 4×4. The choice of materials and colours have been chosen to define the spirit of this Grande Panda 4×4 Concept model. It is all about the concept of freedom, adventure and desire to rediscover the connection the original had with nature. On the exterior, the iconic dark red colour has been reinterpreted in a modern key with a deep, enveloping Bordeaux. The beige details also dress the model with a nostalgic reference to the great 4×4 icon. ALSO READ: Boxy and retro meet as Fiat debuts all-new Grande Panda Blending heritage with innovation The Grande Panda 4×4 Concept, which is now Fiat's potential next four-wheel drive is accessorised with two lamps on the roof rack in addition to those on the front. A list of even more accessories will likely be available if the vehicle comes into production. With this modern reinterpretation of the Fiat Panda 4×4, the carmaker has reaffirmed its desire to blend heritage and innovation. It is in response to the needs of a changing mobility landscape while not losing sight of the model's authentic and deeply popular soul.
The Citizen
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Land Rover Defender PHEV would not please the Camel Man
The Land Rover Defender 110 P400e PHEV is very thirsty once it runs out of electricity. Anybody that lived in the 1980s must remember the Camel Man. His name was Bob Beck by the way and I only know this because I googled it. He was this weathered, tough-looking guy with a real mop of curly hair. He had a proper moustache and plenty chest hair on display. And he would light a Camel cigarette while leaning on his old Land Rover Defender in remote places deep in the heart of Africa. Smoking was cool back then. So was driving a square-shaped bucket of bolts held together by oil leaks that could go literally anywhere. It was a lifestyle choice. If you were around in the 1980s, you'll recognise the Camel Man. Fast forward to 2025. Beck is no longer with us. He died from cancer, but nowhere does it state that it was a result of smoking. Either way, smoking is very un-PC in the modern world, unless you are Snoop Dogg. Bodies get waxed and manscaped these days, and a Land Rover Defender comes with a five-year/100 000km full maintenance plan. This means you don't have to get your hands dirty and driving a R2.3-million square shaped bucket of very high-tech bolts held together by oil leaks that your maintenance plan takes care of is still cool. It is still very much a lifestyle choice. ALSO READ: More powerful diesel engine gives Land Rover Defender 130 kick in its step Putting PHEV to the test There is absolutely no dispute that the Land Rover Defender is an iconic vehicle that has long been synonymous with ruggedness and off-road prowess. In the case of the Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that The Citizen Motoring recently had on test, the Defender brings its legendary off-road capability into the future with the integration of hybrid technology. And this is what I want to talk about today because we have already covered all the luxury details. The real story of the Defender 110 P400e PHEV begins under the bonnet. Land Rover has equipped this model with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor and eight-speed gearbox, which works on paper and in the real world. Well sort of. While the hybrid setup produces a combined 297kW of power and 640Nm of torque, and this offers a serious level of performance as you can see from the road test stats, it's the claimed fuel consumption and efficiency that spoils the party a bit. The Land Rover Defender 110 P400e reached 190km/h in just 800 metres of tar. Picture: Mark Jones No slouch on the tarmac We all know it's a bit heavy at 2.5 tons, but it has all this power and torque to push it along. A 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds is not slow, nor is a 190km/h speed in just 800m of tar. But you would think that is thanks to its hybrid system and battery assistance that is said to offer you up to 51km of pure electric only. And with a claimed average fuel consumption of 2.8-litres per 10 km, you should have no complaints. But like said, there is a problem at this party, and it's range, or the lack there of. Firstly, when I fully charged our Defender, it showed a maximum range of only 35km. Now unless you live within this radius, once that electricity is gone, you only have a 2.0-litre mill doing the hard work. And that took our average fuel consumption out to 11.8 litres per 100km. And that is not that great. ALSO READ: JLR gears up to unleash 467kW Defender Octa in South Africa I really enjoyed my time with the Land Rover Defender 110 P400e X-Dynamic HSE. It successfully combines the brand's legendary (but untested by me) off-road capabilities with modern hybrid technology. It features all the luxury and technology that one would expect from a high-end SUV, but the similarly-priced D350 X turbodiesel just makes so much more sense if you are Defender shopping. Land Rover Defender test results
The Citizen
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Easy-going Ford Ranger XLT the perfect camping companion
Double cab bakkie not only comfortable and safe, but very easy on the juice too. There can be nothing more South African than jumping in a Ford Ranger and going for a weekend of camping at an ATKV holiday resort. And that's exactly what we did when we took our long-term XLT to Buffelspoort recently. Buffelspoort is located around an hour from both Pretoria and Johannesburg on the road out towards Sun City, which meant it was just long enough to appreciate the open road manners of our Ford Ranger double cab. Unfortunately, though, open road driving in this country is a dangerous thing and any and all safety systems are welcome in a vehicle. And even though our long-term Ford Ranger is a mid-spec model, that slots in above the XL and below the Wildtrak, it still comes with a level of active and passive safety features that many of its competitors simply can't match. Ford Ranger safe as a house On board, you have Dynamic Stability Control incorporating ABS, Load Adaptive Control, Roll Over Mitigation, Traction Control and Trailer Sway Control. And if you tick one of the Tech Pack boxes, you can have Pre-Collision Assist, Post-Collision Braking, Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage, Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Keeping System with Road Edge Detection. ALSO READ: Even without a fancy badge, Ford Ranger XLT is a lot of bakkie On the road is also where the Ford Ranger excels with its car-like ride while still retaining its off-road abilities. To achieve this balance, there have been a host of under-the-skin improvements, from increasing the wheelbase by 50mm to moving the rear dampers outboard of the springs. Not that a trip to Buffelspoort required any sort of off-road driving, but it is worth noting that the front approach angle is up from 28.5 degrees to 30 degrees. And the departure angle is up to 23 degrees from 21 degrees. This is with the towbar fitted. The loadbin is large enough to swallow camping gear with ease. Picture: Mark Jones If the road less travelled still calls, the Ford Ranger features an electronic rear differential lock. A differential lock allows both wheels on a specific axle to turn at the same speed, providing additional traction when you're off-roading. This feature might still come in handy, as we chose a 4×2 Ford Ranger XLT instead of a 4×4, knowing most of its life would be spent in the urban jungle. Four driving modes Talking of which, The Citizen Motoring's bakkie comes with four selectable drive modes to help you get traction to the wheels that need it the most and in a way that is best suited for the situation at hand, without you having to be an expert. These modes are Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery. They adjust everything from the gearshift to throttle response, traction and stability controls, ABS and more. Tow/Haul mode is a new drive mode that optimises the gear shift timing to maintain power when you're climbing up a hill or deliver the right amount of engine braking when you're travelling down a hill. All of which comes in handy when you know that your Ford Ranger has a braked towing capacity of 3 500kg with a 350kg tow ball download limit. That's a heavy load. The XLT's interior. Picture: Supplied Perhaps the best kept secret of the four Ford Ranger XLT derivatives on offer is that you can have the 154kW/500 Nm 2.0 litre bi-turbo top spec model in 4×2 and 4×4 guise with a 10-speed automatic transmission if you really want the extra urge. Or you can opt for a simpler 4×4, or 4×2, 125kW/405Nm single turbo with easy shifting six-speed auto like we did. Trust me, and I have done the performance testing of our Ranger XLT, when I say that this combo is more than good enough for everyday use. ALSO READ: Ford Ranger's clever onboard systems allow you to tow like a pro Easy on the juice What's even better is the fuel consumption that has settled at 8.9 litres per 100km with a heavy bias towards city-type driving. It went into the high 7s on the trip out to Buffelspoort. It's really hard to fault this bakkie in single turbo guise. The Ford Ranger XLT double cab 4×2 SiT 6AT retails for R681 500. The price includes a four-year/120 000km warranty, with service and maintenance plans available as options.
The Citizen
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Corolla Cross hybrid SA's favourite new energy car for good reason
Crossover SUV's fuel economy, ease of use and level of comfort are hard to beat. Not that long ago, we were made to believe by many manufacturers that electric vehicles (EVs) will soon be the be-all and end-all. Staying true to its traditional measured approach, Toyota refused to put all its eggs into one basket. The Japanese manufacturer believed different markets will require different solutions. Apart from EVs, alternative fuels, fuel cell technology and a variety of hybrid powertrains were kept in the mix. As the world started backtracking on its ambitious plans of an immediate all-electric future, Toyota's approach turned out to be quite visionary. Especially in the hybrid department, which in theory is the perfect automotive evolution from internal combustion engines. And it's something they have extensive knowledge of since the pioneering days of the Prius and the Lexus brand's commitment to it. Enter Toyota Corolla Cross What really put Toyota's hybrid technology on the map is the Toyota Corolla Cross. It would be unfair to call it the spiritual successor to the Corolla as the sedan is still alive and kicking, so let's just say it has taken the baton as Toyota's go-to family car. The carmaker expected it to sell well at its introduction in 2021 and its lofty sales numbers was therefore no surprise. What did come as a bit of a surprise to them was the demand for the hybrid powertrain compared to the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine derivatives. The Prospecton-built Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid or HEV quickly became South Africa's best-selling new energy vehicle, a distinction it still holds on to by a country mile. Something that is unlikely to change any time soon as most local new energy offerings are plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and EVs with much loftier price tags that the Cross HEV's entry point of just under R500k. The Corolla Cross Xr HEV rides on 18-inch alloys. Picture: Michel Bega After undergoing its first model update in January, The Citizen Motoring spent the last three months and over 6 000km in the Corolla Cross HEV in Xr guise. At R545 200, the Xr trim level comes at a R51 000 premium over the Xs HEV. A hit all-round The only way we can start out overall report card on the Cross is to say that everyone that drove it, absolutely loved it. And it was driven by quite a motley crew of people which included tamed racing drivers, overly cautious men and finicky women. Giving the Corolla Cross a huge thumbs-up is probably the only thing all these people will ever agree on. Topping the list of what everyone enjoyed most about the car are ease of operation, excellent fuel economy and the comfort and space it has to offer. The beauty of an HEV is that it is what we call a self-charging hybrid. It draws power from both a 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor and battery which produces a total of 90kW of power and 143Nm of torque. The power sources work seamlessly together – or on their own – to not require any input from the driver. At lower speeds it runs just on electricity powering the electric motor, when the engine kicks in it works together with the electric side and then the engine can also generate power back into the battery or run the car all on its own. ALSO READ: PODCAST: Can updates keep Toyota Corolla Cross Chinese-proof? On-board education At first the various configuration all seem a bit confusing, but a little graphic in the digital instrument cluster indicating which power goes where educates you very quickly. During start-up and pulling away there is hardly any sound as the Corolla Cross runs purely on electricity. Then you hear the engine kick in and see the two power sources sending the twist to the wheels. When you need brisk acceleration or start pushing it beyond the national limit, the internal combustion engine roars with a distinctive continuously variable transmission (CVT) sound. The typical CVT-droning is in fact the only criticism that came up during its time with us. From mostly the tamed racing drivers. The Corolla Cross Xr features a 10.1-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Picture: Michel Bega In terms of fuel consumption, we averaged an excellent 5.5 litres per 100km for the duration of the Corolla Cross' stay with us. That includes lots of city traffic and two open road trips to Kroonstad and Durban. When you start figuring out the hybrid system and take it easier on the accelerator to use more pure electric power, inner city trips done at less than 4L/100km is not uncommon. ALSO READ: Toyota Corolla Cross Mzansi's most popular pre-owned hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross' crown safe The Toyota Corolla Cross will face its biggest test soon when Chery introduces the Tiggo Cross HEV locally. There is talk that it will undercut the Corolla Cross' sticker by an attractive sum which will make it hard to ignore. But it is less likely to undercut the Corolla Cross' fuel consumption, taking into consideration Chinese carmakers' struggle in this department. Until rivals top the Toyota Corolla Cross in all departments, its crown as Mzansi's favourite new energy vehicle will rest easy on its head.
