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.
This is a launch report. In other words, it's simply a new model announcement. The driving experience was limited to a short drive over a preselected course. We can therefore not tell you what it will be like to live with over an extended period, how economical it is, or how reliable it will be. A very brief first impression is all we can give you until such time as we get an actual test unit for trial. Thank you for your patience.
Posted: 26 May 2018
The numbers
Prices range from R229 900 to R284 900
Engines:
1) 1197 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder
Power: 61 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 115 Nm at 4000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 13.3 seconds
Maximum: 165 km/h
Claimed average fuel consumption: 5.9 l/100 km
2) 1368 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder
Power: 74 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 133 Nm at 3500 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 11.4 seconds (m), 13.2 seconds (a)
Maximum: 182 km/h (m), 163 km/h (a)
Claimed average fuel consumption, l/100 km: 6.5 (m), 7.5 (a)
Tank: 40 litres
Luggage: 285 – 1001 litres (VDA)
Turning circle: 10.4 metres
Warranty: 5 years/ 150 000 km with additional 2 years/ 50 000 km on the power train
Service plans: 2 years / 30 000 km for 1.2-litre models and 3 years / 60 000 km on 1.4s
Service intervals are at 15 000 km
The scene: Introducing the 2018 Hyundai i20 range to a group of journalists and fleet owners, at a dealership not too far from here. The launch team led with a video presentation, complete with “yoomps” and power slides, highlighting the i20 WRC cars' most recent triumph in the 2018 Rallye de Portugal. Thierry Neuville had won, with Dani Sordo fifth. They presently stand as leader and fourth-place holder in the Drivers’ Championship. Team Hyundai WRC heads the Manufacturers’ log.
The car is a three-door i20 Hatchback unlike any you can get here. Its engine is quite special too: 1600 cc, turbocharged and making 280 kW with 450 Nm. It boasts awd and three differentials. You couldn’t buy it in SA, it’s left-hand drive, but we wish we had one.
There’s always a humourist: As we were about to set off on the evaluation run he raised his hand and, in best Oliver Twist voice, asked: “Please Sir, could you show the instructional video again?”
The background: The South African passenger car market shrank by 1.0 percent this past year but Hyundai increased sales by 6.0 percent over previous levels. It is now officially in third spot with a market share of 9.0 percent. The only segments showing increased sales volumes were five-door hatchbacks and SUV-Crossovers. Hyundai chose its prime sectors wisely.
Although there’s no need to clamour for attention, a little facelift and model re-alignment doesn’t hurt. The grille was reshaped and DRLs moved down to below the remodelled fog lights. Around back, there’s very little “old” – reshaped tail lamps in a new tailgate with the number plate raised to just below the Hyundai emblem, new fog- and reversing lights and a simplified lower valance. The only change to its side view is new wheels, but that’s always expected. Interior changes include a new dash, bigger information screen and revised vent controls.
The lineup is basically unchanged: There's a pair of 1200s with five-speed manual gearboxes, two 1400 cc automatics and a pair of 1.4-litre cars with six-speed manual shifters. One of these is new. There is no longer a Sport model with tweaked engine. Its replacement is called Active and it boasts a completely new face with different grille, round fog lamps, roof rails, silver skid plates and 20 mm more ground clearance – 170 mm vs. 150.
Specific equipment on this version consists of projector headlights with active bending, a racer-style fuel lid, stainless-steel free-flow exhaust and coloured highlights on gear knob, outer seat panels and vent surrounds. Said highlights are blue or red, depending on the car’s exterior colour. There’s also lots of black cladding to make it look more Crossover-like; those market segments, you know.
Speaking of colours, there are six – Passion Orange, Marina Blue, Sleek Silver, Star Dust (deep Charcoal), Fiery Red and Polar White.
Standard kit at entry level includes 14-inch steel wheels; a new infotainment system with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and 7” display; built-in, but not activated, satnav (buy a card for R2500); USB charging point; filtered, manual aircon; two airbags; disc brakes front and rear; four-channel ABS with EBD; electrically operated mirrors; powered front windows with one-touch and anti-jam for the driver; on-board computer; fabric upholstery; manual seat adjusters; audio, Bluetooth and computer buttons on the tilt-and-telescope steering wheel; central locking and escort lighting.
Upper grade Fluid and Active models add 16" alloy rims; powered rear windows; automatic air conditioning; front fog lamps; DRLs; indicator repeaters and electric folding for the outside mirrors; luggage net; rear parking assistance and air vents for rear passengers.
Prices, model for model, have increased by about R5000 – approximately half of which is owing to the new rate of VAT.
There were no surprises on the short test runs along winding country roads and connecting freeways. We were let loose in Fluid and Active 1400s. Hyundai’s little five-door hatch is solid, well-built, handles nicely, performs briskly and inspires confidence. The brand is no longer priced to tempt; it hasn’t been for quite a while. Its forte is value for money, reliability and good resale value; all points it needs in order to hang on to Number Four while shooting for the podium.
Information gathered at a manufacturer-sponsored launch event
Fluid on left and Active on right
Inside the Active version
Rear view of Fluid
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 ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle 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. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles. And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.
Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or 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.
This site is operated by Scarlet Pumpkin Communications in Pietermaritzburg.
Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are courtesy of www.quickpic.co.za
Copyright this business. All rights reserved.
SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8