SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.
My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.
The cheat sheet
Price: R201 600
Engine: 1796 cc, SOHC, eight-valve four-cylinder petrol
Power: 77 kW at 5400 rpm
Torque: 161 Nm at 3000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 9.7 seconds
Maximum speed: 185 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.3 l/100 km
Tank: 56 litres
Bin capacity: 1180 litres
Kerb Mass: 1147 kg
GVM: 1850 kg
GCM: 3050 kg
Ground clearance: 170 mm
Warranty: 5 years/120 000 km; with roadside assistance
Service plan: Optional
Service intervals: Annually or every 15 000 km
Not long ago, we had more choice of half-ton pickups in South Africa; always a small Nissan, one from the Ford and Mazda conglomerate and something from GM. In between we saw Fiat, Proton, a Golf 1-with-bin from VW, a Renault 12 copy-with-bin from Dacia and a short-lived little diesel from Tata.
Today we are left with Nissan’s NP 200 and Chevrolet’s Utility. Prices range from R137 000 to R218 000, depending on specification. This places them head-to-head with some well-regarded one-ton pickups, although equipment levels aren’t always similar. Three big names in the R190 000 to R210 000 bracket don’t offer airbags or ABS brakes for instance.
GM’s baby truck is no longer an Opel Corsa with a bin. Now a purpose-designed “coupé-utility” called Chevrolet Montana in Brazil and Argentina, it arrives here in completely knocked down (CKD) kits for local assembly. It’s offered in various levels of utility, or smartness, and with choice of three engines; two petrol, one diesel. Our test rig was a top-of-range Sport version fitted with the larger, 1800 cc, SOHC, eight-valve petrol motor.
This level boasts powered windows and mirrors, remote central locking with autolock on the move, a single channel air conditioner, radio and CD player with the usual sockets and Bluetooth with streaming and voice dialling, fog lamps in front, a trip computer, ABS brakes with EBD, two airbags, automatically-on headlights with follow-me and welcoming feature, and 15” alloy wheels. Options include a sliding rear window, a cover for the load bin and a service plan.
The only specification difference between the 1800 and its 1400 cc twin is in engine size and, presumably, gearing. This one turned over at 3600 rpm in fifth gear at 120 km/h. That would be quite busy for an 1800 cc passenger vehicle, but probably about right for a commercial. It drives smoothly, has enough power for what it’s designed for and it rides comfortably.
In line with its car-plus-loadbox image, the pair of cloth-covered seats are sportily styled, and trimmed with a single blue stripe and edge stitching to contrast with the plain grey background. The driver’s chair adjusts for elevation but you had best be squatting beside it rather than sitting on it, because it tends to default between “all the way up" and "all the way down.” There is enough fore and aft adjustment for most drivers and head space is generous.
A bonus is 164 litres of free space behind the chairs, plus two bins for small parcels and a pair of bag hooks. Other interior stashes include four cup holders, half a dozen open slots, a moderately sized glove box and decent door bins. Smokers will appreciate the removable ash tray and a lighter, while both pilot and crew have makeup mirrors. Two is rare on pickups, so please appreciate them. Thank you. Before moving on, we felt that interior and exterior trim was rather “bitty” with too many inserts-within-inserts and the quality of some fittings and finish needed work.
The bin measures 1680 x 1340 x 525 mm, has a capacity of 1180 litres and is rated to carry 703 kg with this engine. Loading height is at 650 mm (10 centimetres lower than most one-tonners) or just above knee height. There are three lashing posts on each of the rails and four rings inside the bin. The tailgate locks with the ignition key.
Both manufacturers’ little utes have their unique selling points and by providing choices with differently sized petrol and diesel engines, each can be assured of its fair share of the market.
Test vehicle from GMSA press fleet
Our review of the 1.3 diesel Sport is here
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so they can see I do actually exist.
Comments?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? If you have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.
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Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are courtesy of www.quickpic.co.za
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8