ROAD

TESTS

BMW 116i CITRON C4 VTi 120 SEDUCTION TOYOTAYARIS 1,3 XR vs KIA RIO 1,4 TEC VW POLO VIVO GT RANGE ROVER EVOQUE 5-DR Si4 4WD PRESTIGE AT 20 000 KM: CITRON C3 1,6 VTi EXCLUSIVE

www.carmag.co.za carmagblog.co.za carmag.mobi

BMW 3 SERIES

FIRST DRIVE

FIRST DRIVE

TOYOTA GT 86

3
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE FIRST TEST

2012s
MOST
WANTED

NEW CARS
FEBRUARY 2012

GOOD, BAD AND WOEFUL AUTO AFRICAS CARS RATED BRAND SOUTH IN EXCLUSIVE SURVEY

RSA: R31,95

Other countries: R28,03 (excl. tax)

(incl. VAT)

THE NEW
* 7-seater model only

LOVES COMPANY

Say goodbye to the stress of loading the family into one car for a long drive, because the new Toyota Innova turns family driving time into family fun. And, with 2nd row captain seats*, display audio system, reverse camera, ABS and driver and passenger airbags, you can rest assured that your family will always be safe and happy. Models include 2.7 VVT-i 7-seater; 2.7 VVT-i 8-seater. Contact your nearest Toyota dealer or visit www.toyota.co.za for more information.

EDITORS LETTER
February 2012 Volume 55 No 12

THE POWER OF THE BRAND

GET CAR DIGITALLY
Good news for those readers who are interested in reading CAR magazine on a tablet computer or laptop. The latest digital issue of CAR goes on sale with the printed version every month but at a dramatically reduced rate of only R16,00 a copy, or R102,00 for a 12-month subscription. All you need to do is download the necessary Zinio software from the Apple Appstore and purchase online.

Not so long ago, this would have been an easy decision. Now, however ... See page 76.

HE BMW 3 Series has it in spades, and thats why youve already decided to buy one, even though youre yet to take one on a test drive. Similarly, the Range Rover Evoque puts it financially within reach of more people than any other Range Rover before, and has consequently sold to more than 20 000 people before reaching showrooms. And the Toyota GT 86 aims to inject some excitement into it. This it factor, of course, is brand appeal. And, in these exceedingly brand-conscious times, the strength or weakness of a brand can mean the difference between success and failure. But which brands press South Africans buttons? You have to look no further than our exclusive AutoBrand survey (see page 50) for the answers. Conducted by RamsayMedia Research Solutions and Bateleur, the AutoBrand survey is the largest and most detailed of its kind, and has yielded interesting results. The one that most perfectly illustrates the power of a brand is the case of Land Rover. Finishing at or near the bottom in many of the research fields matters little; Land Rover owners love their vehicles in spite of all the trouble. When it comes to replacement time, they are most likely to buy you guessed it another Land Rover. Then there is Toyota. One of the highlights of this issue is a first drive in the eagerly anticipated GT 86. Even by Toyotas own admittance, the past few years have been tough so the Japanese marque is returning to its roots in a bid to recapture some of the lost magic. The GT 86 is finally proof that the gigantic, once infallible automaker is serious about again providing the quality, fun and affordability on which its brand strength was built. Does the GT 86 succeed? Flip to page 34 to find out. Judging by Toyotas middle-of-the-road performance in AutoBrand (as well as the Kia Rio/Yaris comparative test on page 76), the renewed focus on product may have come just in time.

Stay in touch by following me on Twitter (HannesO_CARmag)

CAR February 2012

credits
FOUNDER Norton Ramsay (1914-1986) EDITOR Hannes Oosthuizen PUBLISHER Neil Piper

Whats GONE in 60 Seconds?

lEditorial tEaml
DEPUTY EDITOR mike Fourie ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gareth Dean, brett Hamilton, Sudhir matai, ian mclaren JOURNALISTS Kyle Kock, Kelly lodewyks, Wilhelm lutjeharms, juliet mcGuire TECHNICAL EDITOR Nicol louw ROAD-TEST ENGINEER Peter Palm ROAD-TEST ASSISTANT john Naud COPY EDITOR Terence Steenkamp PROOFREADER margy-beves Gibson HISTORICAL ADVISOR Hans Heese CONTRIBUTORS maurice Hamilton, Dieter losskarn, Hidemitsu Hoshiga, Hidenori Hanamura, jake Venter

lCrEativE tEaml
ART DIRECTOR SENIOR DESIGNERS ILLUSTRATOR/PHOTOGRAPHER WEB DESIGNER/WEBMASTER Kian eriksen Chris agenbag, aidan billing, laura Davey Duwyne aspeling lars liedberg

lProduCtion tEaml
PRODUCTION MANAGER Penny Dear ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER Helen van beuge PRODUCTION (SUPPLEMENTS) judy romon

lBusinEss and markEting tEaml

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER DIGITAL BUSINESS MANAGER BUSINESS MANAGER NATIONAL SALES MANAGER MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER MEDIA RESEARCH ANALYST PROMOTIONS MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Dean Dicks Wendy lucas andr Stadler lea van Coller andrew Stodel Zanele Hlatshwayo Chanelle Vivian joanne Thompson, lindi van den Heever, brett Soutter, Peter botha, Nicky lloyd, Patrick Kennedy Sandton Christian von Durckheim Cape Town ADVERTISING SALES ASSISTANT linda Delport DIGITAL TRAFFICKER Nawhaal Fakir CAR DEALER SALES MANAGER alain Simpson

lCirCulation tEaml
CIRCULATION MANAGER SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER SUBSCRIPTIONS ADMINISTRATION SUBSCRIPTIONS MARKETING MANAGER NEWSSTAND MARKETER NEWSSTAND REPRESENTATIVES ian Dinan Catriona bennie lynn Heiberg Sandy immelman Pia King agnes Naidoo, mariet Kruger, Noorie ebrahim CONTACT CENTRE MANAGER Werner Debba PR & COMMUNICATIONS Shelly van Zyl how to subscribe or contact us

of every working day, 6 ETL accessories are tted to vehicles across South Africa.

Every 60 seconds

Call Centre: 0860 100 205 Fax: 0866 704 101 E-mail: subs@ramsaymedia.co.za Online: www.magsathome.co.za

SMS: car to 32698 and well call you back (SMS charged at R1,50)
>>> see page 41 for subscriber discounts and special offers <<<
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ETL. 33 Years of Serious Manufacturing.

The full range of ETL Custom Fit Stickability car carpets, Bootbags, Triangles, Skinz Custom Fit Seat Covers and Gazetted Number Plate Holders are available as standard equipment on most new cars. Alternatively, you can buy these accessories from the parts and/or sales departments of all leading new car dealerships.

PuBlISHEd By RAMSAyMEdIA (Pty) ltd Chairman alan T ramsay MD Stuart lowe Directors Terry moolman, Gordon Utian, brian burnett, james eedes, Simon Turck, Tim Holden, Peter Venn Chief Financial Officer Werner Schmidt HR Executive amanda Kirk ICT Executive Thomas Turck
Printed by CTP Gravure, 19-21 joyner road, Prospecton, Durban. Distributed by rNa, 12 Nobel St, industria West, johannesburg.

MEMBER OF tHE AudIt BuREAu OF CIRCulAtIOn OF SA While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the advice and information given to readers, neither the editor, the Proprietors, nor the Publishers can accept any responsibility for any damages or injury which may arise therefrom. Company registration number: 1934/005460/07 RESERvAtIOn OF COPyRIGHt The publishers of Car reserve all rights of reproduction or broadcasting of road tests, feature articles and factual data appearing in this journal, under Section 12 (7) of the Copyright act, 1978. Such reproduction or broadcasting may be authorised only by the publishers of Car. Published by ramsaymedia, for the Proprietors, The Sa Commercial journals (Pty) ltd, Uitvlugt, Howard Drive, Pinelands, Cape. registered at the GPO as a Newspaper. AvERAGE MOntHly SAlES (TOTal PaiD) 76 079 (jUly TO SePTember 2011 abC)

(011) 672 9700

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5

CAR February 2012

OGILVY CAPE TOWN 48112/E VWSA

* * * * * *

* canoes / mountain bikes / surfboards / antique chests of drawers / quad bikes

New Tiguan. Now from R278 000.

Take the road less travelled. And hey, why does it have to be a road? Built for both the city and the great outdoors, its the ideal way to embrace any adventure. With its muscular lines and streamlined front grille, its looks will grab attention, no matter where you go exploring. Now available with environmentally-conscious BlueMotion Technology that incorporates new generation TDI and TSI engines, the New Tiguan also features a 5-star Euro NCAP Safety Rating, High Beam Light Assist, advanced options like Park Assist and Fatigue Detection, as well as terrain-conquering 4Motion all-wheel drive*. With the New Tiguan, the minute you close the door, you open a few hundred others. Visit your nearest Volkswagen Dealer to nd out more about exciting offers through Volkswagen Financial Services.

Adventure calls. New Tiguan.

Trend & Fun with BlueMotion Technology available in: 1.4 90kW TSI; 2.0 81kW TDI; 1.4 118kW TSI. Trend & Fun also available in: 1.4 118kW TSI. Track & Field available in: 2.0 TDI 103kW DSG; Sport & Style available in 2.0 TDI 103kW DSG; 2.0 TSI 155kW DSG Price correct at the time of going to print and is subject to change at the sole discretion of Volkswagen Group South Africa. *Not available on BlueMotion models.

Visit vw.co.za and join facebook.com/VWSA

* * *

/ water skis / full-size telescopes / 4-man tents / kayaks not included.

CONTENTS
MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG
FEBRUARY 2012

ROAD TEST

ROAD
TESTS

1,4 1,3 XR vs KIA RIO TOYOTAYARIS 120 SEDUCTION PRESTIGE AT CITRON C4 VTi 5-DR Si4 4WD BMW 116i ROVER EVOQUE GT RANGE VW POLO VIVO VTi EXCLUSIVE CITRON C3 1,6 20 000 KM:

TEC

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FEATURES
SUBSCRIBE ON PAGE 41 AND WIN ONE OF 50 FIVE-YEAR CAR SUBSCRIPTIONS, WORTH R1 917 EACH 28 125 most significant car designs part four 50 SA AutoBrand Survey 2011: which brand is best?

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
34 Toyota GT 86 42 BMW 3 Series 102 Paramount Marauder

FEBRUARY 2012

BMW 3 SERIES

FIRST DRIVE

FIRST DRIVE

TOYOTA GT 86

3MOST
TEST EVOQUE FIRST RANGE ROVER

2012s

SOUTH AFRICAS ING MAGAZINE LEADING MOTOR

NEW CARS
2012 FEBRUARY
(incl. RSA: R31,95 R28,03 (excl. tax) VAT)

WANTED

UPDATE
14 Tokyo Motor Show 2011, Nissan Leaf, interview with Pierre Loing of Nissan, BMW 6 Series Gran Coup
CAR February 2012

AUTO BRAND

WOEFUL GOOD, BAD AND CARS RATED

SOUTH AFRICAS SURVEY IN EXCLUSIVE

Other countries: