Bucket Seat: GAC Emkoo

GAC is yet another Chinese brand that has entered our market, first with their hatchback the Emzoom and now with the crossover the Emkoo which I spent a few days with not too long ago. While all the Chinese brands have really great  and interesting designs,  GAC really know how to make a statement with theirs. It's really far our and extremely futuristic which I love. It's bold and cool, some might call it extra but it plays the part. While all Chinese cars come at a great retail price which are making peoples head sway away from the Europeans, many are still skeptical about the longevity of them. My gripe with the other brands is the gear boxes and the fuel consumption so I was looking forward to seeing how this new comer fairs against its Chinese competition. 

DESIGN

The Emkoo’s exterior design is arguably one of the most futuristic in its class, making it ideal for those who want a vehicle that stands out on the road. The GAC Emkoo is a head-turner, featuring a cyberpunk-inspired design that sets it apart from more conventional compact SUVs. Some key exterior highlights include an aggressive Front Fascia which has distinctive V-shaped front grille with integrated LED daytime running lights (DRLs) gives it a high-tech appearance. The grille has an intricate, angular design that blends into the front bumper. The slim, angular sharp, split-type LED headlights add to the vehicle’s futuristic aesthetic. A sloping roofline, sculpted body lines, and blacked-out pillars create a sporty, coupe-SUV look. The car boasts air ducts and sharp creases that improve aerodynamics while enhancing its aggressive stance. A connected LED taillight design and angular rear bumper complete the bold look.

PERFORMANCE

The GAC Emkoo comes powered with a 1.5L Turbocharged Engine which delivers 130kW and 370Nmof torque with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The 1.5L turbo engine offers a good balance of power and efficiency, making it suitable for city and highway driving. The DCT gearbox shifts quickly but may feel a bit jerky at low speeds, which is typical for dual-clutch transmissions. The steering is light and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in urban environments. The suspension is tuned for comfort, absorbing road imperfections well while maintaining decent handling characteristics. While the Emkoo is not a performance-oriented SUV, it delivers a refined and comfortable drive with enough power for daily use. 1.5L Turbo with a claimed consumption of 6.4L per 100km in mixed driving conditions.

COMFORT

The cabin of the GAC Emkoo is equally futuristic, blending a minimalist layout with high-tech features, a large 10.1-inch or 14.6-inch touchscreen (depending on the variant) dominates the dashboard, offering a clean and modern look.  The driver gets a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster with customizable displays. Premium Materials: Soft-touch materials, leather upholstery (on higher trims), and metallic accents enhance cabin quality. The minimalist design eliminates excessive buttons, focusing on touchscreen controls and a sleek gear selector. Comfortable Seating: The Emkoo offers well-cushioned seats with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats are slightly reclined for added comfort. Customizable LED ambient lighting adds a premium touch, enhancing the driving experience at night. While the interior design is sleek and modern, some may find the heavy reliance on touch controls less intuitive than traditional buttons. Being Chinese, the Emkoo is loaded with tech, some of the key features being, the 10.1-inch or 14.6-inch touchscreen runs GAC’s latest UI, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Intelligent voice commands allow you to adjust climate settings, navigation, and multimedia functions, Wireless Charging, Premium Audio System, Advanced Connectivity: Includes Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The cabin is much more spacious than it looks in pictures with ample headroom for the front and rear, the luggage space is a decent size too, with more than enough room to pack bags for a family holiday. 

VERDICT

The GAC Emkoo is a bold, high-tech, and efficient compact SUV that stands out in a crowded segment. With its eye-catching design, premium interior, and modern safety features, it offers strong value for money. With an eye catching affordable price like other Chinese variants, its also packed with safety features such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Traffic Sign Recognition. It also has Multiple airbags (front, side, and curtain), Rigid chassis construction, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system that is really cool and high-definition. The Emkoo’s safety package is competitive, positioning it well among rivals like the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Haval H6. While the name GAC isn't as prominent on the roads as Haval, Chery and BYD.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.5 Turbo Petrol
Gear Box	7-Speed DCT Auto
Torque	370Nm
Power	130kW
Avg Fuel Economy	6.4L per 100km
Price	R599,900*  base model

Bucket Seat: Volkswagen Tiguan Launch

Since it's introduction, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a been a popular choice of crossover enthusiast around the country, in fact the launch model back in 2007 got people interesting in the segment altogether has it offered the consumer a more spacious yet versatile vehicle at a similar price to the Golf. Over the years, the various models and face-lifts to the Tiguan enjoyed a large share of the market with buyers ranging from people who loved the brand, to those who just felt the Tiguan suited their needs and budget, however over the last few years and the introduction of the Chinese brands to the market, many are starting to sway not only for pricing reasons but also the overall package. There's no denying that the Chinese are taking over strong and with 95% of their cars being SUV's, sales of brands from other countries, especially Germany have been taking some strain. With the new Tiguan model breaking cover in late last year, many were waiting to see what the pricing would be like. This week, I got the opportunity to be one of the first people to drive the new Tiguan at the local launch taking place in the home of Volkswagen Group SA, Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, here's the low down on the new Tiguan. 

The Tiguan will be offering in 3 engines, the 1.4-litre TSI, 2.0-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TDI, available for us on the launch was only the 1.4-litre TSI as the TDI variant will be arriving on our shores later this year and the 2.0-litre TSI version early next year. Lets talk about styling, VW call this design confident and typically Volkswagen, the front the new Tiguan follows the lines of the new Golf 8 styling cues with curved front face that see's the introduction of the solid light bar which is becoming a trend across all their lines which is a clean and fresh look. The LED integrated headlights tie in neatly with the new grille which has a solid plate unlike previous models with open type vents. This gives the Tiguan a cleaner look from the front. So you must be thinking, how does the engine breather? Well the grille on the bottom half of the bumper has increased in size and depending on the trim choice, the designs vary. Volkswagen is offering the Tiguan in 3 trims, being Tiguan, Life and R-Line, on launch was just Life and R-Line trims. The R-Line is definitely more eye catching with its bolder elements, bigger wheels and chrome detailing, while the Life is more subdued. The rear of the Tiguan see's a horizontal LED strip that runs across the tailgate, connecting the two LED cluster lights, this emphasizes the width of the Tiguan a lot more, showing that the model has grown in size from the older model even though the curves on this new one doesn't make it seem that way. The new Tiguan has three new colours added to its list, being Persimmon Red Metallic, Cipressino Green Metallic and Oyster Silver. 

Stepping on the inside, the Tiguan's cockpit has been completely re-design, with a very modern interior that is dominated by the new infotainment screen that adorns the dash board center. The materials and textures used are good quality and seem robust enough for family usage. The R-Line, again has a bit more flair to it with the dash panel in front of the passenger having a starlight detail with R Logo present. Lets talk about that screen, standard with a 12.0-inch unit but can be upgraded to a 15-inch as an optional extra makes such a big difference to the cabin. With virtually everything accessible from it, apart from driving the car, shows Volkswagen's advancement in technology since the introduction of the Golf 8. The  MIB4 user interface is easy to use, with tiles and icons clear and the touch screen being very responsive. It has wireless app connect with wireless charging available standard on certain trims otherwise there is two USB C ports in front and back. The steering wheel is leather covered and conventional buttons and not the haptic touch ones used in the Golf 8, so makes it much more easier for the driver to use. In saying that, there is still haptic touch controls for the volume below the screen for volume and haptic controls for the sunroof and sun curtain. 

The seats have been upgraded too, with new leather trims and the option of getting the new ergoActive Plus leather seats that have heated and cooling functions as well as a pneumatic four-way lumber adjustment and a pneumatic 10-chamber pressure massage function which is ideal for front passenger and drive over long distances. VW have however limited it to 30-minute duration in case the driver feels too comfortable and falls asleep I guess! Another interior highlight see's the introduction of a Drive Experience dial, what looks like a volume dial is that and so much more, pushing it in engages the driving profiles available for the driver, be it Eco, Comfort or Sport, then there is the drive emotions which change the colour profiles for the car including ambient lighting of where there are 30-colours to choose from. The luggage capacity has increased with the boot space now accomodating 652-litres. The cabin it self is very spacious and the dual zone climate control worked a treat in the harsh Karoo heat without compromising on power output from the engine. 

Speaking of the engine, power output was a big topic of discussion as the engines for the new Tiguan have been downtuned for our market which caused a bit of a stir. VW explains that the fuel quality in SA has been on the decline and hence it didn't make sense bringing the higher tuned engines as it customers would not have enjoyed the full benefit of them. The 1.4-litre TSI I had had plenty of pluck though, even though it only churns out 110kW and 250Nm of torque, the help of the 7-speed DSG box assists the car in optimally changing the gears when driving, if you want to take control yourself, you have the option of using the paddle shifts behind the steering. 

VW have included a host of safety features as standard on the new Tiguan, this includes, Park Assist Plus which parks the car for you. Park Distance Control, Rear camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Hill Start Assist, Travel Assist, ESC, Lane Assist, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and exit warning. It also has IQ drive which monitors the road in front of you, keeping track of cars around you, and warns you should there be any sudden danger if you're not paying attention. There is the optional extra HD LED Matrix headlights with 38,400 multi-pixel LEDs that was specially designed for the Tiguan giving you brighter lights and and higher resolution of light. 

Overall, the new Tiguan is a very impressive package, whether you choose the Life or R-Line package, they both ride the same and offer a great drive with comfort and stability on all types of road surfances. The 1.4-litre engine did superb in the harsh conditions we drove in, with it being extremely economical for the type of driving we were doing and the load we were carrying. Pricing on the Tiguan is very attractive with it being very similar to the outgoing model, with such an attractive package at a decent price it may sway people to re-consider one of our favourite brands in the market again.

 

Retail Prices (VAT and emissions tax included)

• Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110 kW DSG - R651 500
• Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110 kW Life DSG - R702 800
• Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110 kW Life 4Motion DSG - R755 700
• Tiguan 1.4 TSI 110 KW R-Line DSG - R766 300
• Tiguan 2.0 TDI 110 kW R-Line 4Motion DSG - R834 800
• Tiguan 2.0 TSI 140 kW R-Line 4Motion DSG - R835 900

The Volkswagen Tiguan comes standard with a 3 year / 120 000 km warranty, 5 year / 90 000 km EasyDrive Service Plan including a 12 year anti corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km. 

Bucket Seat: New KIA Sonet

 

Today I attended the local launch of the face-lift KIA Sonet, the baby crossover/ SUV in the KIA range has gotten better in more ways than one. I always felt KIA was a more premium brand coming out of Korea and after attending today's launch it only cemented my thoughts about them. Seeing the new design language applied across the fleet, giving them a very unique but elegant feel with a modern touch. The Sonet, even at base model has so much to offer, that some of its rivals can't even be called that because of how much more the Sonet has to offer. 

The new Sonet comes with two engines to choose from, the 1.5L naturally aspirated motor that has an option of a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic CVT gearbox and the 1.0L Turbo-petrol engine that only is offered with the CVT transmission. The Sonet does come in a few derivatives, each one offering more tech and safety features with it starting at R366,995 for the LX 5-speed manual all the way up to R484,995 for the 1.5 SX CVT model. 

There were two options available for us to drive on the launch, first up being the LX 1.5L CVT. The thing that grabs you immediatly when you get into the Sonet is how spacious the cabin is of it, being the smallest SUV in the KIA stable, it really is quite roomy on the interior. The materials, while more plastic and cloth, still feels good and durable, not cheap and tacky like some of its competitors. The engine goes well and unlike other CVT's on the market. The KIA one doesn't seem to struggle when it comes to selecting the right gear for the driver. It's a smooth seamless change that doesn't get your frustrated especially when overtaking or going up hill. The ride quality is smooth and comfortable, even with the newly designed 16-inch steel design rims. Tech wise, the Sonet LX does come with an 8-inch touch screen infotainment unit with wireless mobile app connectivity. 

After lunch I got to jump into the 1.0L T EX DCT, this model comes with a more premium interior that includes leather wrapped steering and gear shifter, center consol with arm rest, cruise control and auto folding side mirrors. The key stand out design element is the LED day time running lights for both front and back of the car. These really give the KIA Sonet a stand out presence on the road, especially when viewed from a rear view mirror. The DCT gearbox coupled with the 1.0L Turbo engine is extremely spritey, especially on the open road where it picks up speed quite quickly. The handling is extremely good and and while there is cabin noise, it's not as bad as others on the market. 

Overall, first impressions on the new Sonet are good, and as usual the brand has done an extremely good job on delivering another great product for our market. Full review of the new Sonet will come soon once we get it on test. For pricing on the models, see below. 

• Sonet 1.5 LX Manual - R 366,995
• Sonet 1.5 LX CVT - R 391,995
• Sonet 1.5 EX CVT - R 411,995
• Sonet 1.0T EX DCT - R 436,995
• Sonet 1.5 EX Plus CVT - R454,995
• Sonet 1.5 SX CVT - R 484,995

Bucket Seat: Mercedes-Benz GLC300d

The crossover has fast evolved since its introduction to the motoring market, from being a mixture of a sedan or hatch on stilts, it's fast  becoming more of an SUV as newer models are introduced and that is exactly what Merc have done with the latest model of their GLC. Blending what the C-Class offers in terms of a luxury sedan but mounting it on an SUV platform that not only gives you the comforts you'd normally associate with the C-Class but the driving platform that gives the driver the option to venture in more tricky terrains. While I agree, the SUV culture in SA leaves much to be desired as the main purpose for people getting cars with raised ride heights and bigger tyres are to mange the poor road conditions we're faced with rather than exploring the beaten track, but that being said, we cannot ignore the massive upsurge in the segment, so much so that manufactures are creating more and more variants for people to choose from. The GLC is now in its second generation and after spending a few days with it, I will attempt to dissect my thoughts and experiences with you in this review. 

DESIGN

The exterior design of the GLC is a perfect mixture of elegance and robust, with it still looking classy but you can tell it can kick up some dirt if need be. The front grille which is the main focal point of the design has the new star pattern across it with the solid bar that links the main tr-star logo which sits bold and prominent in the center. With this particular test model being in black, the chrome accents really elevated the cars design and lines, making it stand out more. The headlamp cluster which feature the Digital light projection LED's has a different shape to the C-Class and integrates with the radiator grille following the lines of the nose down from the bonnet. The GLC came with the AMG style package which featured a sportier diffuser with black accents, 19-inch multi-spoke black rims and an aluminium look running board on the side with rubber studs, to serve as a step for the car. The new tail lights wrap around the well sculptured rear of the GLC, keeping that elegant look from back to front. The interior is a carbon copy of the C-Class sedan with a few minor tweaks to accentuate the SUV nature of the car. Overall, an extremely attractive looking package from the brand and one that fits in well to any environment. 

PERFORMANCE

All new Mercedes-Benz cars come fitted with engines that feature mild-hybrid technology which offer and electric boost from batteries that power an electric motor to give you extra performance and assist in lowering the fuel consumption of the car. This particular model came fitted with a 2-litre, 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 198kW plus an addition 17kW from that electric boost giving it a total power output of 215kW and 550Nm of torque. While the appeal of diesel engines is fast declining, it applications like an SUV, I still think they have a major role to play and I'm glad that Mercedes-Benz have invested the money into integrating the hybrid engines with the diesel motor which many brands are refusing to do. The performance in the GLC is felt almost instantaneously and this can be dialed up or down by scrolling through the various driving modes. With its 9G tronic gearbox, the car cruises through the gears with ease, knowing when to downshift or upshift at optimal times to give you the performance required at the time. Should you wish to be in charge, there is paddle shifts mounted behind the steering wheel for you take over which I found to be on very rare occasions. 

COMFORT

With the increase ride height and slight roomier cabin, the GLC interior makes for a very pleasant place to be. While the new design language hasn't completely won me over yet, the large displays do make me as a tech geek very happy. The MBUX interface is extremely easy to use and navigate which is a big plus in my book as some manufacturers still make it tricky for the user to perform simple tasks. Everything is very neatly laid out with most functions being controlled by the large infotainment screen, the car has wireless phone connectivity for mobile apps and USB C ports located in the storage space under the arm rest. The digital instrument cluster is customisable to each drivers preference and this is controlled via the multi-function steering wheel. I still find this a bit tricky to use at times so I normally opt to just use the touch screen interface. The AMG line means this cabin comes with the sporty seat upholstery and layout with redesigned headrests, all of which are electric adjustable via the controls on the door. It has AMG sport pedals finished in silver, dashboard and beltlines in ARTICO man made leather that has a black nappa-look to it. Most of the interior pieces are finished in high-gloss black with silver chrome surrounds. The car came with a glass panoramic sunroof which I made use of all the time, I just love the amount of natural light that gets into the cabin from it. The ambient lighting in the GLC, just like any other Merc is next level and really is a stand out feature for me.

VERDICT

Mercedes-Benz have done a stellar job on this second generation GLC, it feels a lot more SUV like than the previous gen, offering a great ride quality, modern interior and comforts that you can only experience in a Merc. Some of the gadgets do take some time to get used to but for an overall driving dynamic, it ticks all the boxes. The host of safety features in this car is quite a long list and each paying a pivotal role in keeping the driver and in occupants safe throughout any journey, The luggage space is plentiful and the automatic tailgate makes loading and unloading a breeze. When compared to the others in the segment, this one does stand out but seeing that it is one of the newer models, the others have to play catch up. This also explains the higher price tag than the others, which does raise ones eye brows when doing comparisons. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	9G tronic
Torque	550Nm
Power	198+17kW
0-100km	6.3 seconds
Price	R1,323,894*

*base price

Bucket Seat: Mercedes Benz C43 AMG

When Mercedes-Benz AMG announced that they were swapping the V6 and V8 engines in their AMG W206 range for 2.0L Hybrid Electric Turbo's, everyone, myself included thought the gents in the Affalterbach had gone mad. When it comes to AMG, especially in the C-Class, range, that roaring V8 from the C63 is something that just got everyone, not only the purist invigorated. It was first introduced in the W204 where we saw variants like the Edition 507 and the Black Series which reached cult status on the roads as being demons on the straight line and rather tail happy when it came to the corners. Merc improved on this tech in the W205 models with the introduction of a slightly calmer variant in the C43 AMG which featured a V6 instead of the brutish V8 in the C63. I flirted with the W204 C63 507 Edition on the open road and had a short stint in the W205 C63S sedan and both cars blew me away with the performance from that engine under the hood so knowing it was going from that to a 2.0L would make anyone feel a bit let down from the group but as people who get to review these cars, we have look at it with an open mind so when Merc dropped off the new C43 AMG with me last month, I was rather excited to see what it had to offer because the figures claimed on the spec sheet really are eye catching. 

DESIGN

Before we delve into that electric beast under the hood, we need to talk about the styling on this new performance sedan. Coming off the stunning W206 platform, its already quite an eye catching model, then with the added sportiness from the AMG Styling package on the car just gives it that aggressive nature. Key characteristics of this include the vertical slatted grille with chrome finishes, the large Mercedes-Benz emblem fitted to the center and the large diffuser at the bottom of the front bumper that looks like it just swallows the air as it eats the tarmac in front of it. The profile of the car has a lowered stance with large AMG 19-inch multi-spoke rims. AMG styled side skirts transition into the rear fender which is bulky and houses the quad performance exhausts. The boot lid has a micro spoiler which looks like its adds some aerodynamic edge to the car as it is longer than the norm. This particular car was finished if Graphite Grey Metallic which was more of black but with the speckles looked great in the sun light and menacing in the night. The interior follows the same design cues as the standard C-Class with the material and finishing choices more sporty in nature. There are AMG badges in the cabin to remind you what you're driving. 

PERFORMANCE

Right, lets get to it, a 2L - 4 Cylinder "turbo electric" engine that produces 300kW and 500Nm of torque. Firstly, a 2L in an AMG C-Class sounds underwhelming but then you read the performance figures and wondering what kind of black magic are they performing to get that? We all know of Mercedes Benz AMG F1 dominance over the past decade, using that tech and evolving it into their road going cars has helped them produce engines that meet European emissions standards as well as giving the driver the optimal performance required from a car like this. Let me tell you that the term "don't knock it till you try it" really applies to this car as it is phenomenally fast! Using the electric hybrid tech with added boost from the battery powered electric motor, gives the car and double kick and propels it from a standard start to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. The fun doesn't stop there as it just continues to climb in speed as you keep your foot rooted to the floor. Handling on this car is sensational, even with the semi electric feel the car still remains nimble and stable, I suppose the only down side is not having that roaring V6 under the hood but the engineers at AMG got that covered for you as there is an optional extra AMG Real Performance sound package that will set you back a little over R10,000 that makes the cabin come a live with real life engine noises as you accelerate. Its nothing new to cars as we've seen other brands do the same to their hybrid cars, I suppose it also helps with the transition from combustion to hybrid for most drivers. 

COMFORT

The car is based on the mid-sized family sedan so space and comfort isn't an issue with the C43 as there is ample of room inside the cabin. The two toned leather sports seats are not only great to look at but also extremely comfy, the driver and front passenger enjoy electric adjustable seats with 4-way lumbar support while the rear bench seat has two bucket styled sport seats for the rear occupants. The 11.9-inch infotainment screen is a bit of an overkill as its its just large, it would be nice if it was customisable like a phone screen with widgets  so you can set out what you want to see, especially when you running one of the mobile phone apps which it comes built in with that is accessed wirelessly. There is dual zone climate control with seat heating for the driver and front passenger. I still don't like the large plastic panels used on the front dash as they do tend to creek when traveling at high speeds and makes the cabin sound a bit cheap. There is a lot of high gloss or piano black finishes that attract a lot of dust so you always find yourself busy wiping the interior making sure it looks clean. Mercs ambient lighting is something to be admired, at night it transforms the cabin into an luminous spectacle with various colours and tones to choose from. While the boot lid can be opened from the key, I found it disappointing that it was automated, but that's just me, guess I expected to push a button to close it to. 

VERDICT

Overall, its an extremely well put together car, offering the customer a performance sedan with a practical aspect to it. While it might not be as fast as its bigger brother it offers the consumer a nice inbetweener option that also carries the famed AMG badge to it. While the verdict is still out on the 2.0L turbo electric engine that is also being used in the C63SE which is due to come, rumours of Merc returning to the V8 earlier this week were quickly squashed from the brand. While many don't like change, its time to get used to it as the world is evolving at a rapid speed so we need to deal with it and enjoy the perks of engineering performance delivered to us like this. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo electric
Gear Box	9-speed automatic
Torque	500Nm
Power	300W
0-100km/h	4.6 seconds
Price	R1,608,810*

*base price

 Pictures by Bongusandisiwe