the Bucket: Car Play

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Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Bucket Seat: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2D Executive

Hyundai's Santa Fe has been around for years and has always been the brands flagship SUV in the stable, that was until recently when the ginormous Palisade was launched locally but I'm not here to talk about that one, but rather the Santa Fe. Did you know Santa Fe means "Holy Faith" in Spanish? I just Googled that now because it is an odd name to give to a car, not sure of the Korean's are deep into religion or just like the town in New Mexico? Either way the latest rendition of this model see's a drastic change in design of the front which forms part of Hyundai's new design language and boy does it look good! Even though this model has been dethroned as their biggest model, the Santa Fe still does hold presence as I will elaborate on in the design aspect of this review but after spending some time in this car, its has its fair share of niggles but what you will appreciate is the honesty about itself and if you think it photographs well, you should see it in the metal!

DESIGN

As mentioned just a few lines up, the new Santa Fe has presence, and that is thanks to the bold new styling of the front of the vehicle with that massive new grille, its finished off in a brushed aluminum like look and really is the cars most stand-out feature when looking at it dead on. From a glance it oks like a fishnet texture but upon closer inspection, it gives a metal chains look. The front headlamps are integrated with the lines of the grille that extend outwards to the sides but at split, both horizontally and vertically by the new LED daytime running lights when illuminated look like the letter T, not sure if this was a specific design aspect but it looks kinda cool. The whole design seems smooth and well though out, with just the right about of creases and folds, that make the appearance of the car rather elegant. The wheel arches are well pronounced with an extra edging to accentuate the large rims, which are 18" alloys in a stylish 5-spoke laser cut pattern. Moving to the rear, that's where most of the old styling remains with a familiar rear lights which follow the crease of the car with a solid read piece linking the two lights. Additional reflective lights adorn the rear bumper with skidplates at the bottom to match the front. The interior of the Santa Fe has a very modern look to it, with a floating center console which is finished in leather and plastic. The patterns and styling of the cabin are very arty and easy on the eye.

PERFORMANCE

I had with me the 2.2D Executive model, which is the bottom of the two models offered locally. Its a front wheel drive SUV with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that produces 148kW and 440Nm of torque. The motor is tied to an 8-speed DCT box which isn't a CVT but I did have some niggles with at first with gear selection but that was mainly due to my heavy foot but over time I figured how to get the best from it. When driven properly the Santa Fe can give you between 8-9L per 100km, I managed to get it down to 8.2L per 100km on a long distance trip which I mainly used the cars cruise control to regulate the speed. The drive of the car is pretty good, given the size and weight you'd think there might be times when it would struggle but the car seems to get better as it goes. There were a few grips I had with the steering when full lock is done, you get a plastic knocking noise which annoyed me but it was soon forgotten as you straighten out and be on your way.

COMFORT

I don't think you can fault the level of comfort afforded to you in the Santa Fe, the seats are large and luxurious, with a diamond stitching upper which is also on the second row seating. It's expected to have this sort of luxury in a large SUV like this, the 3rd row seating is finished off in the same leather but are much thinner in-terms of cushioning. They're very easy to lift and fold back into space to allow for greater trunk capacity. They also feature cup holders as well as addition storage space for mobile phones or other items. Second row passengers get to enjoy two USB ports for charging, aircon vent which is controlled by the front, seat pockets for storage and electric windows and moving to the front, driver and passenger have dual climate-control aircon and a leather wrapped dash. The center console is laid out quite differently with the gear-selectors being push buttons, which are normally reserved for high-end sports cars but here are Hyundai adding them to their Santa Fe. It does get a bit tricky when you're not used to it but it's refreshing to see. The drive mode dial is large prominent with PDC and camera buttons clearly placed. The float console has additional storage below which features a USB port as well as 12V socket. The rubberised mat makes sure that items place there don't go sliding around. The cars infotainment screen is large and features pre-loaded mobile apps for ease of connectivity with a multi-function steering wheel to control all aspects of the cars communication and vehicle information.

VERDICT

Overall the Santa Fe solidified its value in the Hyundai stable to me, its a luxury large SUV with comfort features and finishes that would normally cost you a lot of money in European rivals. The cars drive is a smooth one and leaves you refreshed rather than tired. The design of it is bold and eye-catching, it exudes presence on the roads and it gets the attention it deserves. While we know there is a bigger model available now from Hyundai, I still think this would be the ideal sized SUV for a large family, with the option of having the two extra seats in the rear, mind you much of the luggage space does get compromised with the seats being utilized. I really enjoyed my time with the Santa Fe but I'm still intrigued to see how the larger Palisade goes but I guess I have to wait for that one.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.2L Diesel
Gear Box	8-Automatic DCT
Torque	440Nm
Power	148kW
0-100km/h	7.9 seconds
Price	R769,500

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Bucket Seat: Audi A4 40 TFSI - With Audi Connect

We live in a connected world, with information available at our finger tips thanks to cellular technology, with the addition of 5G communication networks, this information can be accessed even faster from our phones. It's the one device that majority of the population cannot do without, and with good reason to as you can pretty much run a business from one of them, with the phones we use, they learn from us to adapt to their user, they learn where we go, what we watch, what we eat and what we like now what if this same technology was used in the cars we drive? Well, the guys at Audi have been thinking this to and with that have released Audi Connect, it was first introduced in the new A4 which I had the pleasure of spending the festive season with, getting used to not only the car but all the cool new features that it has thanks to Audi Connect. This technology will be rolled out in future models in their range this year but they decided to launch it in the revised A4 sedan which see's a few changes apart from the new 10.1" infotainment touch screen.

DESIGN

Spending a month with a car rather than a week really helps you appreciate things that you would normally overlook. While many will see this face-lift A4 and say that just the lights are different which is the noticeable difference yes but there are subtle elements in the design that have enhanced the look of the new A4. The model I had was finished in Terra Grey Metallic, giving it that bronze sheen in the sun but that cool grey look in the shade. With the headlights now conforming to the new design language featuring the sectional L shaped LED running along the top of the unit, the grille has been expanded slightly with a clear visible gap between the bonnet opening and the grille. The fog lamp duct has been enlarged with a more angular design giving the car a sporty, bulk look to the front end that adds to the aggressive look. New 18" cast alloy wheels boosts the cars elegance as you look at the side profile, also the lines tie up well with the new lights which give the design that continuous flow from whichever angle you look at it. Moving to the rear, the reconfiguration of the rear bumper with the reflectors now running parallel to the rear lights as well as a more bulky diffuser setup which enhances the huge exhaust frames which are finished in chrome. The car really does look regal and elegant whether on the move or standing still.

PERFORMANCE

I think its been enough time since Audi have changed their naming configuration of their engines as even I am now tired of explaining it to people. The 40 TFSI is powered by a 2.0-litre motor which generates 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque. The engine is fused to a 7-speed S tronic gearbox which has paddle shift should the need arise to switch over into manual mode. While this engine performance figures isn't anything to write home about but it does what it is meant to do and with sublime pleasure. The A4 is a family sedan and built for cruising, long distances as well as the everyday commute. The car manages to give you an enjoyable ride day in and day out, also having to spend a longer time with it, got me to appreciate how well it manages fuel, with me only having to fill the car up three times and doing over 2000km with it. Audi's claimed combined consumption is 6.3l per 100km and if given a proper run in, it is very much achievable with this car. Driving long distances with the A4 was nothing short of a pleasure, having done a few trips in excess of 300km with the car, it makes you want to drive more and doesn't give you that feeling of fatigue you normally would associate with long drives.

COMFORT

To continue from my last point, a lot of that has to do with the level of comfort in the car, Audi have done a brilliant job on the suspension which elevates the ride quality in the cabin for both driver and passengers. The car did come with the comfort package which is a R20,200 extra but includes electric front seats, seat heaters for driver and front passenger, review camera and storage package which includes handy nets in the boot to keep things from rolling around. The car also had Audi's Sport package which included the much loved flat-bottomed multifunction leather steering wheel. The seats themselves were finished off in leather and extremely comfortable. Dual zone climate control for front driver and passenger as well as ducts for the rear passengers ensured the cabin was comfortable for all. The car also came with the upgraded sound option of the Bang & Olufsen Premium package with 3D sound, glass sunroof.

AUDI CONNECT

So what's the big deal with Audi Connect you may ask? Well as I said at the start, there is a need for us to be more connected in this modern lifestyle, Audi Connect is an innovative connected car technology that provides you with a range of features to help keep you and your Audi Connected, wherever you are. With the aid of the myAudi mobile app which links specifically to your car by means of your driver ID and a code which comes with the car, the app gives you real time vehicle status report, which includes info like whether the car is locked, if anything is left open such as sunroof or doors, fuel level, last service and even gives you the option to unlock or lock the car via the app. It also includes a host of security features such as theft alarm notifications which will come through to the phone should there be a break in or attempt at one, a valet alert should the car venture out of the specific radius that you set it, or if someone else is driving your car, you can set up Geofencing which alerts you when the car is going into areas where you specified it not to be driven and also speed alert should the person driving exceeds the speed you set on the app, all of this done in real time and sends notifications to you immediately via the car which has a built-in sim card which Audi will give buyers the first year free.

Safety is a major factor as well so the Connect system also has Audi incident assist which activates should there be a collision, with a menu option popping up on the MMI interface giving you the option to call for emergency assistance or roadside assistance. Emergency all, automatically connects to the Audi Emergency Call Center in the event of a major collision, the car will feed the location, direction it was heading in and the number of passengers to the call center. With the large infotainment screen, it now features the new MMI 2 menu configuration, the navigation is upgraded with Audi Connect to give you live traffic information, alerting you to possible delays and alternative routes should there be an issue on your preferred way. It also gives you the option to view a satellite image instead of the 2D maps, that way letting you see points of interests and landmarks much easier. Another handy feature is a live weather report, which can give you the forecast for the next days based on your location. Overall its a step in the right direction by Audi to bring their cars up to speed and making use of the technology available in making ones driving experience all that much more better.

VERDICT

It's difficult to fault a car that does everything just about right, the practicality aspect of car like the A4 will forever be needed in the market which is why I have confidence in it surviving the ongoing trend to shift to SUV's. While this car is more molded to family, there's enough in this package to make it great for leisure and business as well. The refinement of the model year on year by the brand just shows the commitment Audi has in bettering their product offering, while changes come in quickly, they're ensuring that the customer doesn't have to wait an extended period to get something that they have now. Which is why launching Audi Connect now, on a face-lift was so significant, it really is a great offering and one I would personally get if I were in the market for a car of this nature.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L Turbo-Petrol
Gear Box	7-speed S Tronic
Torque	320Nm
Power	140kW
Economy	6.3L per 100km
Price	R700,500*

* Price as standard

Friday, August 11, 2017

Bucket Seat: KIA Rio 1.4 TEC

I won't lie, I'm pretty lucky that I get to drive some amazing cars from top class manufacturers. More often than not, the cars I drive I can't really afford and its always those expensive ones that get you excited but there comes a time when I get a car, knowing that it's in my price range of what I could buy and it just blows my mind, the new KIA Rio did just that. The Korean car market has really come around in leaps and bound, not only proving to be a major competitor to the Japanese market but impacting the global market on a large scale. KIA is one of the manufacturers that has contributed to this success and when you look at their products, you can understand why. Not only are they making cars that can rival the opposition on pricing but also technology, style and quality. After driving the new Rio for 7 days, it was a bitter sweet moment giving it back as I really got attached to the car and this is how it went down.

STYLE

KIA Motors chief designer, Peter Schreyer who is also one of three presidents of the company has really set the right design language for the brand. While the previous generation Rio was pretty good, the new look is more Euro-centric, by means of clean lines, more square edges and trims but overall very professional looking. The ex Audi design chief has incorporated some of the styling from the German manufacturer in KIA's interior design but added it's own flair to it. The car has new LED headlamps which pronounce the cars front end as well as the LED rear lights add lovely detail to the back of the car. The 1.4 TEC model which I had came with a few extras that really enhanced the car, for starters it had 17" rims, glass sunroof and large touch screen infotainment screen which also had Apply Car Play and Google Android Auto but more about that later. The interior design is very sleek with some similarities to the previous model, many will recognize some of the switched and dials from the old Rio but it still looks great.

PERFORMANCE

The KIA Rio comes in two engine variants, a 1.2 and 1.4 both of which are available in manual or automatic transmission. Both engines are in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve Double OverHead Cam with CVVT which basically mean you have two separate camshafts, one for intake valves and one for exhaust valves. This coupled with the CVVT design reduces valvetrain inertia which leads to a more responsive output. Some figures from the engine is that pushes out 74kW and has a Max Torque of 135Nm. For a hatch it size, it is adequate power but on lower gears I did find the engine to be a bit tame. It only really opens up between 4th and 6th. This goes to show with its 0-100km/h time, but one has to realise, while it does look rather smart, this isn't a hot hatch so if it's performance you're after, look elsewhere as this car does everything perfectly apart from that. Another major plus side to that is the economy, I swear I thought this was a diesel at the end of my 7 days, I couldn't fathom how a tiny car like this with me pushing the limits hardly drank fuel. I managed to rack up just over 600km's with it and it still had a range of 100km! remarkable.

COMFORT

I spoke early about the Audi influence in KIA's design philosophy, while their are similarities I'm sure the brand would like to say they've created their own. The KIA Rio was extremely comfortable, the ride quality is unbelievably soft even with the large rims, For a hatch, I found that very surprising but pleasing at the same time. The car came with leather seats, which were pretty good quality as well. It wasn't that stiff leather that normally makes it hard to slide in and out. Space wise, even though it is a relatively small car, it was rather spacious, even for the rear passengers. The boot space was more than adequate for a smell weekend away. The climate control aircon ensured the cabin stayed at a comfortable temperature.

TECHNOLOGY

As mentioned before in this post, the car came with built-in Apply Car Play and Google Android Auto. This is relatively new to South African motorists and for me, is the future of in car connectivity. When I say it's relatively new, while Apple Car Play is available for iPhone users, Google is yet to make Android Auto available for the local market, since I am an Android user, I found a loophole to get the app installed onto my device, it wasn't rocket science and in no time I was all set. No idea why but with these services, it requires your phone to be plugged into the USB port, even though the car has Bluetooth connectivity. With Android Auto, the infotainment screen came alive, first thing it does is disables your phones screen so everything you want is available on the cars display, from Maps, to contacts, calls and music! What's even better, Googles voice activated menu is active at all times so you don't have to fiddle around pressing buttons or selecting menus, you can control virtually everything by just talking to the car! It really is the future of in-car entertainment and information, I hope to see other manufacturers make use of this in the future.

VERDICT

I get to drive some pretty cool cars, pretty expensive ones too but I didn't expect a car of this level to wow me as it did. Yes, it wasn't the fastest but in today's pace and roads cluttered with traffic, who has the time or space to go fast? The new Rio has everything you need in a car and with it being up to date with most of the tech which included reverse came and easy to use cellphone connectivity with Car Play and Android Auto, there isn't much one needs more in that space. The car is comfortable, a great city car and can be equally great for the open road. This honestly is the best car I've driven all year, it's price fits my pocket, it has everything I need and it looks great!