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.
Posted: 12 April 2016
The numbers
Base price: R841 000
Engine: 1968 cc, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 132 kW at 4000 rpm
Torque: 400 Nm between 1500 and 2000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 11.3 seconds
Maximum speed: 191 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.1 l/100 km
Tank: 80 litres
Payload: 1025 kg
Warranty: 3 years / 120 000 km
Maintenance: 5 years / 60 000 km; at 15 000 km intervalsToday’s history lesson: A caravel (Portuguese “caravela” or French “caravelle”) was a small, highly manoeuvrable sailing ship developed in the fifteenth century by Portuguese mariners to explore the African coast and, later, the Atlantic Ocean. Its lateen (triangular) sails gave it speed and ability to sail against the wind. Portuguese explorers used caravels during the Age of Discovery in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Christopher Columbus’ flagship, Santa María, was a slightly larger carrack version that included some square sails, while Niňa and Pinta were pure caravels.
So there we have it: Caravelles are small(ish) compared with others, manoeuvrable, quick, and excellent for travel or exploration. Although 400 mm shorter than their lwb Kombi stablemates, they aren’t exactly tiny. They’re a whisker over 4.9 metres long, a touch over 1.9 wide and almost two metres tall. Older passengers really need the doorway grab handles and we were glad the mirrors could fold when passing through our front gate.
Four versions share one engine, VW’s 132 kW biturbo diesel, a seven-speed DSG automatic and seven seats arranged in 2-2-3 formation. The differences lie in whether you order Comfortline or Highline trim and your choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion awd.
Apart from all-wheel drive, 4Motion versions use a mechanical rear differential lock rather than the electronic device offered on others. As for trim, the R78 000 price difference between Comfortline and Highline is thanks to different alloy wheels; 12-way electrically adjustable front seats with memory setting for the driver; darkened window glass; two more airbags (six vs. four); warmed headlamp washers; side assist; Discover Media infotainment and satnav; special trim items; movable centre table; three-zone air conditioning with full adjustment in the rear; electric sliding doors; LED headlamps with running lights and automatic range adjustment; LED tail lamps and a detachable tow bar with trailer stabilisation.
A glance at the spec’ sheet shows that Highline versions stand 20 millimetres lower than Comfortlines and ground clearance is 15 mm less (178 mm vs. 193). This would make Highline models more stable when hustling through corners but still allow plenty of clearance on typical game park roads. Those preferring to visit less accessible places would probably find a Comfortline with 4Motion a better overall choice, especially as much of the Highline’s extra kit is available as options.
As it happened a friend, whose idea of a perfect weekend away is a game viewing jaunt, was highly enthusiastic about the Caravelle’s versatile seating arrangements and picnic table. Head- and knee space, with all chairs facing forward, is like being in a limousine. Turning second row seats around to face those in the back is a simple matter of pulling on a handle and giving a gentle twist. Adjustment fore and aft, for both rows, is a breeze while the table can be slid back and forth, or removed, very easily.
Big door bins and compartments within the table structure provide lots of space for storing maps, gadgets, snacks and drinks. Satellite aircon controls handle temperature, fan speed and direction. Thanks to huge side windows and a high viewpoint, no-one should miss sightings. Making it easy for those in front to stop and share in the fun, there’s a walkway between the front seats. Further, despite its bulk, it steers and parks easily with its 11.8-metre turning circle. Think of this as your own, personal, luxury tour bus.
Obviously, no vehicle is completely perfect. While we found the automatic gearbox very good, it wasn’t quite as quick or intuitive as the one in a 1.4 Passat TSI we drove recently. Second, the tailgate doesn’t offer automatic opening and closing, so although it lifts easily enough on gas struts it’s heavy to close again. To be fair, we doubt that either of these niggles would be deal breakers.
For a luxuriously-equipped but weighty (2055 kg unladen) minibus with the frontal aspect of a bulldog, this Kombi Caravelle pulled strongly and easily, its performance was decent if not exciting and fuel consumption was fair. Luxury tour busses are like that.
Test unit from VWSA press fleet.
We drove the T6.1 update in 2021
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 you can see I do actually exist.
Comments?
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