SA Roadtests
South Africa
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Welcome
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.
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*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories.
Ford Ikon 1,4 TDCi Ambiente
Exterior pics by Author
Interior pic by Quickpic
An iconic little diesel
Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday 24 June 2009
When it comes to the zero to 100 km/h sprint, most other 1400s will blow the Ford Ikon diesel into the weeds. Where it gets its revenge, however, is in the cut and thrust of day-to-day traffic and in holding 120 km/h in top gear up Key Ridge.
Possibly a little slower tearing away from traffic lights, the Ford Ikon 1,4 TDCi nevertheless keeps up with those of us who pay for our own fuel, no matter what we drive, and is actually quite nippy when it comes to real-world driving.
As you all know by now, the Ikon is Ford of India’s Fiesta-with-a-boot, toughened up a little for extreme weather conditions and exhausting traffic. The Ikon range in SA was recently stripped to basics with a 1 600cc petrol engine replacing the previous 1 400cc unit and availability in only two specification levels, Ambiente and Trend. The 1400cc commonrail turbodiesel we tested soldiers on, but as Ambiente only.
What we have, then, is a fairly basic little car built down to a lower price level than its Fiesta and Focus sisters. Standard kit includes air conditioning, manual exterior mirrors, rear fog lamps, remote central locking, power windows front and rear, two air bags, ABS brakes with EBD, 15”steel wheels, a single disc CD player/radio with auxiliary input and a pretty fair collection of electronic bits and pieces.
Trend models boast stylish alloy wheels, sport suspension, front fog lamps and additional exterior trim, reading lights, folding rear seat back, additional cup holders and rear head restraints. While some might miss the split and tumbling backrest on Ambiente versions, the boot itself is very generous for a car this size, so it’s a question of priorities.
On first acquaintance, I found the seats a little high and flat, but back support isn’t too bad and one soon grows accustomed to them. A big improvement is the two-tone Ebony and Jasper Blue interior trim, rather than the “any colour you like, as long as it’s Camel” of previous generations. The cloth appears sturdy and should withstand repeated cleaning of sticky marks.
On the road, one’s first impression is that the suspension is a little soft, with some body lean in corners, but ride and road holding is actually very competent. A Focus it isn’t, but it’s definitely not shabby either.
Rear seat leg- and headroom is adequate for taller passengers, while a clever sliding arrangement converts the single cup holder at the rear of the console between the front seats, to double. A map pocket is included in the front passenger seat backrest. The biggish glove box is supplemented by a variety of little stash areas throughout the cabin.
While some might question the wisdom of paying an almost-R21 000 premium for an 8-valve, SOHC 1400cc diesel over a 16-valve DOHC 1600cc petrol motor (both in basic Ambiente trim), high mileage users and true diesel fans would probably disagree.
The numbers
Price: R162 200 (Petrol models R141 550 to R157 950)
Engine: 1 399cc SOHC 8 valve commonrail turbodiesel
Power: 50 kW at 4 000 rpm
Torque: 160 Nm at 2 000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 15,4 seconds (claimed)
Maximum speed: 165 km/h (claimed)
Fuel consumption: Actual test conditions - approx 6,1 l/100 km
Warranty: 4 years/120 000 km
Service plan: 4 years/60 000 km
Service intervals: Every 15 000 km
Roadside assistance: 3 years/unlimited km
What We Do
This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.
What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax.
So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!
Comments?
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This site is operated by Scarlet Pumpkin Communications in Pietermaritzburg.
Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are courtesy of www.quickpic.co.za
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8