Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki's Swiftest Swift
By Brendon Carpenter
Hot Hatch or Pocket Rocket: Choosing the right term to describe the latest offering from Suzuki is a difficult task. Most vehicle manufacturers choose either one or the other. According to my “Brendon Dictionary” a Hot Hatch is: “An extremely good looking and super fast hatchback”. In the same dictionary the phrase Pocket Rocket refers to: “An unrealistically small pocket-sized rocket” or “An affordable car with explosive performance”.
The Suzuki Swift Sport fits the description of these phrases rather well. In terms of the aesthetic and design the Swift Sport is a Hot Hatch. Every angle and curve follows each of the three distinctive lines from the lower front spoiler, with the larger air intakes, over the widened wheel arches filled with 17” multi spoke rims and into the lower rear bumper diffuser, housing the two separated chrome tailpipes on either side. It looks like a ripped, pumped up version of the standard Swift that paid for its gym contract and actually made the effort to improve on its looks and performance.
The interior mimics the exterior in terms of sporty design with racy bucket seats, a sporty leather steering wheel, silver inserts and chrome sports pedals. The red, black and silver theme exudes the promise of lively performance. The European market can choose between both three door and five door variants of the Swift Sport, while you as a South African consumer will have to rely on your ability to slide the front seats forward in order to take your buddies for a spin. Passengers will have to call “shotgun” for the front passenger seat as lengthy journeys can become uncomfortable for rear passengers. With all the performance credentials evident in the look and feel of the tangible elements, the Swift Sport proves to be a one Hot Hatch.
The aesthetic look and design of a Hot Hatch is important, but the top trump in any car with sporting potential is the performance. The Swift’s free revving 1.6 litre engine develops 92kW of maximum power at 6800rpm and 148nM of torque at 4800rpm. The engine has no performance assistance like a turbo or further aspiration, just pure revving lunacy that really comes to life after around 4500rpm. A sprint from 0 – 100km/h can be achieved in just 8.9 seconds while the top speed is claimed at 200km/h (Car Magazine). The short shifting gearbox complements the Swift Sport’s naughty nature and inspires the driver to drive with addictive exuberance, although a sixth gear would’ve been ideal to tame engine noise at cruising speeds.
It is, in essence, a true driver’s car. The chassis is firm in its set-up but never compromises driving comfort while the 17” rims wrapped in Good Year Eagle F1 tarmac-gripping tyres makes the twistys much more enjoyable than the straight and narrow. The Electronic Stability Programme (EPS) keeps the car on the road when it gets slippery, while the supportive bucket seats keep your bottom from sliding around. Other safety features include ABS with EBD and six airbags. We had plenty of opportunity to test the cornering ability of the Swift Sport on our Breakfast Run to Hartebeespoort Dam with the Swift Owner’s Club.
Although the Swift Sport handles and feels like a little go-kart, it is still equipped with a multitude of extra’s to a decent specification level. Standard equipment includes a front loading MP3 cd player with 6 speakers, electric windows, mirrors and digital climate control and a rather interesting key-less entry remote system that allows the driver to unlock and start the car without removing the key from his/her pocket. Pocket Rocket? In order for the Swift Sport to really qualify as a Pocket Rocket it needs to be fast and affordable. We already know that the Swift Sport is a sporty, fast Hot Hatch but how well does it stack up in terms of value for money? At R199 900 it is priced to directly compete with its main rivals, the Renault Twingo RS (R199 900) and the Toyota Yaris 1.8 TS (R225 900). What sets it apart though is the fact that there are only 100 units available in South Africa, adding a sense a exclusivity and individuality. Our test unit was no. 81 of 100, complete with a signed certificate. So if you want your own Hot Hatch Pocket Rocket, you better move... Swiftly!
Special thanks to Suzuki Auto South Africa for the test car and the Swift Owner’s club for organising the breakfast run.
By Brendon Carpenter
Hot Hatch or Pocket Rocket: Choosing the right term to describe the latest offering from Suzuki is a difficult task. Most vehicle manufacturers choose either one or the other. According to my “Brendon Dictionary” a Hot Hatch is: “An extremely good looking and super fast hatchback”. In the same dictionary the phrase Pocket Rocket refers to: “An unrealistically small pocket-sized rocket” or “An affordable car with explosive performance”.
The Suzuki Swift Sport fits the description of these phrases rather well. In terms of the aesthetic and design the Swift Sport is a Hot Hatch. Every angle and curve follows each of the three distinctive lines from the lower front spoiler, with the larger air intakes, over the widened wheel arches filled with 17” multi spoke rims and into the lower rear bumper diffuser, housing the two separated chrome tailpipes on either side. It looks like a ripped, pumped up version of the standard Swift that paid for its gym contract and actually made the effort to improve on its looks and performance.
The interior mimics the exterior in terms of sporty design with racy bucket seats, a sporty leather steering wheel, silver inserts and chrome sports pedals. The red, black and silver theme exudes the promise of lively performance. The European market can choose between both three door and five door variants of the Swift Sport, while you as a South African consumer will have to rely on your ability to slide the front seats forward in order to take your buddies for a spin. Passengers will have to call “shotgun” for the front passenger seat as lengthy journeys can become uncomfortable for rear passengers. With all the performance credentials evident in the look and feel of the tangible elements, the Swift Sport proves to be a one Hot Hatch.
The aesthetic look and design of a Hot Hatch is important, but the top trump in any car with sporting potential is the performance. The Swift’s free revving 1.6 litre engine develops 92kW of maximum power at 6800rpm and 148nM of torque at 4800rpm. The engine has no performance assistance like a turbo or further aspiration, just pure revving lunacy that really comes to life after around 4500rpm. A sprint from 0 – 100km/h can be achieved in just 8.9 seconds while the top speed is claimed at 200km/h (Car Magazine). The short shifting gearbox complements the Swift Sport’s naughty nature and inspires the driver to drive with addictive exuberance, although a sixth gear would’ve been ideal to tame engine noise at cruising speeds.
It is, in essence, a true driver’s car. The chassis is firm in its set-up but never compromises driving comfort while the 17” rims wrapped in Good Year Eagle F1 tarmac-gripping tyres makes the twistys much more enjoyable than the straight and narrow. The Electronic Stability Programme (EPS) keeps the car on the road when it gets slippery, while the supportive bucket seats keep your bottom from sliding around. Other safety features include ABS with EBD and six airbags. We had plenty of opportunity to test the cornering ability of the Swift Sport on our Breakfast Run to Hartebeespoort Dam with the Swift Owner’s Club.
Although the Swift Sport handles and feels like a little go-kart, it is still equipped with a multitude of extra’s to a decent specification level. Standard equipment includes a front loading MP3 cd player with 6 speakers, electric windows, mirrors and digital climate control and a rather interesting key-less entry remote system that allows the driver to unlock and start the car without removing the key from his/her pocket. Pocket Rocket? In order for the Swift Sport to really qualify as a Pocket Rocket it needs to be fast and affordable. We already know that the Swift Sport is a sporty, fast Hot Hatch but how well does it stack up in terms of value for money? At R199 900 it is priced to directly compete with its main rivals, the Renault Twingo RS (R199 900) and the Toyota Yaris 1.8 TS (R225 900). What sets it apart though is the fact that there are only 100 units available in South Africa, adding a sense a exclusivity and individuality. Our test unit was no. 81 of 100, complete with a signed certificate. So if you want your own Hot Hatch Pocket Rocket, you better move... Swiftly!
Special thanks to Suzuki Auto South Africa for the test car and the Swift Owner’s club for organising the breakfast run.
Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.6
Viva Vivo
By Gavin Myers
Photos: Gavin Myers
The new VW Citi Golf is not a Citi Golf. Well of course it’s not, because that car has been discontinued, but VWSA has an uncanny knack for developing a separate brand around its entry-level models. Take for instance this: the new VW Polo Vivo.
It is based on the previous generation Polo, much like the Citi was on the MK1 Golf, and is VW’s new entry point to the brand, much like the Citi was. The Vivo gets the new VW face, and loses the old Polo’s bump-strips around the doors and bumpers. Obviously there has been some cost cutting too. Noticeable is more noise creeping inside when on the move (an indicator of less being spent on sound-deadening) and the hard plastic door paneling. But not that any of this detracts from driving the car at all.
The Vivo is available with two 1.4 and a 1.6 engine and we were lucky enough to sample the R127 465 1.4 Trendline (63kW) and the R142 320 1.6 Base (77kW) derivatives. Both motors have an eager willingness to rev and are very smooth through the rev range. While the 1.6 feels especially torquey and picks-up speed easily indeed, the 1.4 needs to be worked quite a bit more to make the same sort of progress. The least powerful 55kW model we would then surmise to be far too pap… Both cars we tested come standard with ABS and EBD (on the point of safety, all have standard driver and passenger air-bags).
But the Vivo is an easy car to pilot around town; visibility is excellent, the power steering is very light and so is the clutch. The car is comfortable and the ride (if memory serves) seems to have been softened compared to the car on which it is based, but this leads to it feeling quite floaty over uneven roads. The Vivo is definitely not a dynamically entertaining hatch, though it’s not meant to be.
Feature wise, only the top 1.6 Trendline model comes with front electric windows, but some good news is that you won’t have to wind-down those windows too often because air-conditioning has recently been made standard across the Vivo range. As a student, the option box you absolutely have to tick is for the upgraded sound system. This includes: MP3 CD compatibility, an auxiliary input, a USB input, an SD card slot and Bluetooth connectivity. The coolest part, though, is that the Bluetooth isn’t only a hands-free system for your phone, but you can also play music from your phone’s MP3 player through the system! It isn’t flawless though, the controls can take some getting used to and there is a slight difference in music quality when listening via Bluetooth vs a CD or Aux-in, for example. But overall the system provides some very good sound.
The Polo Vivo comes standard with a 3-year/120 000km warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, but you will have to dish out extra for service and maintenance plans, which are optional through the range. However, this hasn’t stopped the Vivo from being a consistent top seller for the past few months. For us, the mid-range 1.4 Trendline at R127 465 represents the best value for money buy – it has all the same features as the 1.6 and you won’t really miss that car’s extra shove around town. It seems then, that the new Citi Golf, is the Polo Vivo.
Watch our video review and read alternative reviews at www.ujobservermotoring.blogspot.com!
Our sincerest thanks go to Gerrit Schoeman and Rui Fernandes from Hatfield VW Braamfontein for the Polo Vivo experience. Hatfield VW Braamfontein is located on the corner of De Korte and Henri Street, Braamfontein, and can be contacted on (011) 408-0000, or at www.hatfieldvw.co.za.
By Gavin Myers
Photos: Gavin Myers
The new VW Citi Golf is not a Citi Golf. Well of course it’s not, because that car has been discontinued, but VWSA has an uncanny knack for developing a separate brand around its entry-level models. Take for instance this: the new VW Polo Vivo.
It is based on the previous generation Polo, much like the Citi was on the MK1 Golf, and is VW’s new entry point to the brand, much like the Citi was. The Vivo gets the new VW face, and loses the old Polo’s bump-strips around the doors and bumpers. Obviously there has been some cost cutting too. Noticeable is more noise creeping inside when on the move (an indicator of less being spent on sound-deadening) and the hard plastic door paneling. But not that any of this detracts from driving the car at all.
The Vivo is available with two 1.4 and a 1.6 engine and we were lucky enough to sample the R127 465 1.4 Trendline (63kW) and the R142 320 1.6 Base (77kW) derivatives. Both motors have an eager willingness to rev and are very smooth through the rev range. While the 1.6 feels especially torquey and picks-up speed easily indeed, the 1.4 needs to be worked quite a bit more to make the same sort of progress. The least powerful 55kW model we would then surmise to be far too pap… Both cars we tested come standard with ABS and EBD (on the point of safety, all have standard driver and passenger air-bags).
But the Vivo is an easy car to pilot around town; visibility is excellent, the power steering is very light and so is the clutch. The car is comfortable and the ride (if memory serves) seems to have been softened compared to the car on which it is based, but this leads to it feeling quite floaty over uneven roads. The Vivo is definitely not a dynamically entertaining hatch, though it’s not meant to be.
Feature wise, only the top 1.6 Trendline model comes with front electric windows, but some good news is that you won’t have to wind-down those windows too often because air-conditioning has recently been made standard across the Vivo range. As a student, the option box you absolutely have to tick is for the upgraded sound system. This includes: MP3 CD compatibility, an auxiliary input, a USB input, an SD card slot and Bluetooth connectivity. The coolest part, though, is that the Bluetooth isn’t only a hands-free system for your phone, but you can also play music from your phone’s MP3 player through the system! It isn’t flawless though, the controls can take some getting used to and there is a slight difference in music quality when listening via Bluetooth vs a CD or Aux-in, for example. But overall the system provides some very good sound.
The Polo Vivo comes standard with a 3-year/120 000km warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, but you will have to dish out extra for service and maintenance plans, which are optional through the range. However, this hasn’t stopped the Vivo from being a consistent top seller for the past few months. For us, the mid-range 1.4 Trendline at R127 465 represents the best value for money buy – it has all the same features as the 1.6 and you won’t really miss that car’s extra shove around town. It seems then, that the new Citi Golf, is the Polo Vivo.
Watch our video review and read alternative reviews at www.ujobservermotoring.blogspot.com!
Our sincerest thanks go to Gerrit Schoeman and Rui Fernandes from Hatfield VW Braamfontein for the Polo Vivo experience. Hatfield VW Braamfontein is located on the corner of De Korte and Henri Street, Braamfontein, and can be contacted on (011) 408-0000, or at www.hatfieldvw.co.za.
Suzuki Jimny 1.3
Funkiest4x4xFar
By Brendon Carpenter
“If you wanna play with the big dogs, don’t pee like a puppy”. Nowhere is this phrase more appropriate than in the testosterone filled world of off-roading. So, at the very first glance of the new Suzuki Jimny, I thought I’d better cover the driveway with some old newspapers...
Fact is that this is the very first 4x4 review that the UJ Observer Motoring Section has ever attempted. So, if the Jimny’s off-road capability wouldn’t let us down, our lack of proper off-road driving experience would. Nevertheless, we decided to head to In the Gorge Adventures in the Cradle of Humankind and test our skills in the Jimny over an array of 80 obstacles.
On the Eye
If I had to describe the design of the Jimny using only one word, it would definitely be, Funky! The short and stubby overhangs, widened wheel arches and relatively large wheels situated at the far end of every corner, shows that this little 4x4 means business. The Jimny’s silly face however, suggests that you shouldn’t take it too seriously. It looks like a cheeky Jack Russel showing its teeth in an attempt to frighten the neighbours Doberman. Although the colour of our test vehicle is classic and hides any amount of dirt rather well, we suggest that a darker, more masculine colour would fit the underdog appearance rather well.
The inside can only be described as “Old School 4x4” and in my book, that’s a good thing because there is less to go wrong. It feels solid and to a large extent even unbreakable. The interior houses all the necessities and nice-to-haves. The door panels are solid and the seats provide adequate comfort for a vehicle in this class. One nice addition is the red needles on the icy-white instrument panel as you travel at night. All of these features, however is not enough to distract your attention from the sheer lack of interior space.
On the Spec Sheet
The Jimny is equipped with most of the comfort and safety features that you would expect from a vehicle in this price category. Comfort features include air conditioning, electric windows and an mp3 CD front loader radio, while safety features include remote central locking, front fog lights ABS brakes with EBD and both driver and passenger airbags. The real party piece however, is the three buttons in the centre consol labelled “2WD”, “4WD” and “4WD-L”.
On the Road
The road going ability of the Jimny borders on acceptable. The soft, long travelling suspension absorbs most of the big bumps but the short wheel base makes urban travel a rather bumpy experience. The high driving position and tight dimensions make the Jimny easy to park. The gear shifts are rubbery, unlike the sleek secure action that we came to love in other Suzuki models. On the highway the Jimny settles at around 100km/h. You don’t really want to travel faster than 110km/h. That’s the “Joy” of 4x4 driving, I guess. The owner’s manual suggests using “2WD” mode for urban travel.
Off the Road
At first we were anxious to test the Jimny off road. The gentleman at In the Gorge Adventures told us that we had the freedom to explore all of the eighty obstacles in his resort at our own discretion. Is that a good thing? Here we are, two students, alone, on a daunting 4x4 track with eighty odd obstacles ahead of us and with very little off-road driving experience. Time to activate four wheel drive, low range, I think... Gulp!
Selecting “4WD” and “4WD-L” is as easy as pressing a button. The drive train and gear ratios change automatically and then all hell breaks loose. One single button transforms the little Jack Russel into a furious mountain goat, with agile manoeuvrability and rock climbing abilities to match. Our lack of off-road driving ability was quickly compensated by the sheer ease of drivability. The Jimny belongs in the Cradle of Human kind. All its sins of daily impracticality and bounciness are forgiven. The 1.3 litre, 4 cylinder power plant develops 63kW and 110Nm of torque. Despite the figures, that’s more than enough. The Jimny encourages you to push further, climb higher and never ceases to amaze. Awesome!
The track leads to obstacles of various dimensions and proportions, from thrilling drops to challenging climbs consisting mostly of loose sand and hardened rock. The pathway then led through some thick bush and twisted over and into several pathways across the small river. The Jimny made mincemeat of most of the obstacles and even attracted the attention of the noisy quad gang.
On the Pocket
At R189 900 the Jimny is the cheapest, proper 4x4 money can buy. Included is a 4year/60 000km service plan and a 3year/100 000km warranty. It also boasts with the best fuel efficiency in its class and represents good value for money, if practicality is not an issue.
On Our Short List
We can easily compare our experience at In the Gorge Adventures to any of the adrenaline pumping track days that we attended. The thrill of not knowing what to expect as you creep over each obstacle is just as thrilling as the skidpan doughnuts in that BMW M3 at Zwartkops.This is the ideal vehicle for that well deserved weekend break, away from it all. If you can find a more capable, brand new off-roader for less than R200 000, I will lick the dust off its wheels.
Thanks to In the Gorge Adventures for giving us the freedom to explore. To book your 4x4 adventure, feel free to contact Walter on 076 156 7492 or visit www.inthegorge.co.za for more information.
By Brendon Carpenter
“If you wanna play with the big dogs, don’t pee like a puppy”. Nowhere is this phrase more appropriate than in the testosterone filled world of off-roading. So, at the very first glance of the new Suzuki Jimny, I thought I’d better cover the driveway with some old newspapers...
Fact is that this is the very first 4x4 review that the UJ Observer Motoring Section has ever attempted. So, if the Jimny’s off-road capability wouldn’t let us down, our lack of proper off-road driving experience would. Nevertheless, we decided to head to In the Gorge Adventures in the Cradle of Humankind and test our skills in the Jimny over an array of 80 obstacles.
On the Eye
If I had to describe the design of the Jimny using only one word, it would definitely be, Funky! The short and stubby overhangs, widened wheel arches and relatively large wheels situated at the far end of every corner, shows that this little 4x4 means business. The Jimny’s silly face however, suggests that you shouldn’t take it too seriously. It looks like a cheeky Jack Russel showing its teeth in an attempt to frighten the neighbours Doberman. Although the colour of our test vehicle is classic and hides any amount of dirt rather well, we suggest that a darker, more masculine colour would fit the underdog appearance rather well.
The inside can only be described as “Old School 4x4” and in my book, that’s a good thing because there is less to go wrong. It feels solid and to a large extent even unbreakable. The interior houses all the necessities and nice-to-haves. The door panels are solid and the seats provide adequate comfort for a vehicle in this class. One nice addition is the red needles on the icy-white instrument panel as you travel at night. All of these features, however is not enough to distract your attention from the sheer lack of interior space.
On the Spec Sheet
The Jimny is equipped with most of the comfort and safety features that you would expect from a vehicle in this price category. Comfort features include air conditioning, electric windows and an mp3 CD front loader radio, while safety features include remote central locking, front fog lights ABS brakes with EBD and both driver and passenger airbags. The real party piece however, is the three buttons in the centre consol labelled “2WD”, “4WD” and “4WD-L”.
On the Road
The road going ability of the Jimny borders on acceptable. The soft, long travelling suspension absorbs most of the big bumps but the short wheel base makes urban travel a rather bumpy experience. The high driving position and tight dimensions make the Jimny easy to park. The gear shifts are rubbery, unlike the sleek secure action that we came to love in other Suzuki models. On the highway the Jimny settles at around 100km/h. You don’t really want to travel faster than 110km/h. That’s the “Joy” of 4x4 driving, I guess. The owner’s manual suggests using “2WD” mode for urban travel.
Off the Road
At first we were anxious to test the Jimny off road. The gentleman at In the Gorge Adventures told us that we had the freedom to explore all of the eighty obstacles in his resort at our own discretion. Is that a good thing? Here we are, two students, alone, on a daunting 4x4 track with eighty odd obstacles ahead of us and with very little off-road driving experience. Time to activate four wheel drive, low range, I think... Gulp!
Selecting “4WD” and “4WD-L” is as easy as pressing a button. The drive train and gear ratios change automatically and then all hell breaks loose. One single button transforms the little Jack Russel into a furious mountain goat, with agile manoeuvrability and rock climbing abilities to match. Our lack of off-road driving ability was quickly compensated by the sheer ease of drivability. The Jimny belongs in the Cradle of Human kind. All its sins of daily impracticality and bounciness are forgiven. The 1.3 litre, 4 cylinder power plant develops 63kW and 110Nm of torque. Despite the figures, that’s more than enough. The Jimny encourages you to push further, climb higher and never ceases to amaze. Awesome!
The track leads to obstacles of various dimensions and proportions, from thrilling drops to challenging climbs consisting mostly of loose sand and hardened rock. The pathway then led through some thick bush and twisted over and into several pathways across the small river. The Jimny made mincemeat of most of the obstacles and even attracted the attention of the noisy quad gang.
On the Pocket
At R189 900 the Jimny is the cheapest, proper 4x4 money can buy. Included is a 4year/60 000km service plan and a 3year/100 000km warranty. It also boasts with the best fuel efficiency in its class and represents good value for money, if practicality is not an issue.
On Our Short List
We can easily compare our experience at In the Gorge Adventures to any of the adrenaline pumping track days that we attended. The thrill of not knowing what to expect as you creep over each obstacle is just as thrilling as the skidpan doughnuts in that BMW M3 at Zwartkops.This is the ideal vehicle for that well deserved weekend break, away from it all. If you can find a more capable, brand new off-roader for less than R200 000, I will lick the dust off its wheels.
Thanks to In the Gorge Adventures for giving us the freedom to explore. To book your 4x4 adventure, feel free to contact Walter on 076 156 7492 or visit www.inthegorge.co.za for more information.
Serene Sundays... NOT!
By Brendon Carpenter
It’s spring! Birds are chirping, blossoms are blooming, braais are sizzling and bikini lines are browning, but the first rains have yet to wash away the dust and dirt of the dry winter. Nothing describes the joy of the Jozi summer better than the scorching mid-day temperatures, cooled by the sudden afternoon showers. I cannot wait!
On the topic of afternoon showers, it is important to prepare your vehicle and yourself for the changing weather conditions that are sure to make driving a daunting experience for those who are unprepared. Preparing your car is easy, just remember to check the condition of your tires, wiper blades, ventilation system and window demisters. Remember to keep a small umbrella at hand too. You don’t want to run from D Les to the first year parking lot with your economics hand book over your head. Chances are you might save your hair-do, but end up ruining your handbook, failing your exams and inevitably repeating the year.
Preparing yourself though, could be a time consuming and expensive experience. Luckily, you don’t have to spend your (or daddy’s) hard earned cash on expensive advanced driving courses, although the learning and experience gained will be invaluable. For those of us who don’t have the R2000+ to spend on these courses, there is an affordable alternative.
Every second month, Zwartkops Raceway hosts their “Super Trax Day” where you can spend the day on the racetrack and skidpan using your own pride and joy. The skidpan area is where Gavin and I spent most of our time. Drivers pay R150 to take their cars on the skidpan for the whole day and passengers pay R10. The great thing is that, as a passenger, you can ask any of the drivers to ride shotgun as they strut their stuff on the water soaked skidpan. Between the two of us we drove shotgun in a BMW M3, an Impreza STi, BMW Z4 M and a Mazda MX-5, just to name a few.
Driving on the skidpan, however is another experience altogether. Not only does the soaked skidpan test your driving skills in rainy conditions, but it also provides the opportunity for drivers to better control their vehicles in slippery driving conditions. Added to the excitement is the layout of a challenging gymkhana track designed by the track official. Two cars start identical gymkhana tracks at the same time, adding a competitive edge to the learning experience.
At lunch time, drivers usually make their way to the Pits lane to grab some boerie rolls and check out the eye candy. Some of the candy could include Nissan GTRs, Mercedes AMGs, Impreza STIs, Lotus Evoras and Exiges. Yummy! All these drivers only pay R300 to take their cars out on the racetrack for the day and only require a helmet to do so. Passengers pay R50 for the day and also require a helmet in order to ride shotgun. We’ll post another article as soon as we take our own vehicles onto the racetrack.
Back at the skidpan, cars are lining up to race around the new gymkhana track. As the excitement grows, the driving style transforms from safe, controllable slides into hardcore, pedal-to-the-metal, under- and oversteers, to the amusement of spectators, passengers and drivers alike. It looks like an extraction of a deleted scene from the movie “Blades of Glory”. The manoeuvrability of my front wheel drive Suzuki depends largely on the “bite” of my handbrake, while Gavin’s rear wheel drive Beemer was tamed by the careful and precisely timed action of his right foot.
Track days such as these promote safe driving by allowing ordinary drivers to test their driving skills in a safe and controlled environment. Not only is it a learning experience, but also a fun activity where family and friends can learn the importance of car control. All in all, it was an opportunity to understand how a car reacts in slippery driving conditions and to push the car’s ability beyond the laws of physics.
Various racetracks in and around Johannesburg host events like these. Visit www.zwartkops.co.za for more information on “Super Trax Days”.
It’s spring! Birds are chirping, blossoms are blooming, braais are sizzling and bikini lines are browning, but the first rains have yet to wash away the dust and dirt of the dry winter. Nothing describes the joy of the Jozi summer better than the scorching mid-day temperatures, cooled by the sudden afternoon showers. I cannot wait!
On the topic of afternoon showers, it is important to prepare your vehicle and yourself for the changing weather conditions that are sure to make driving a daunting experience for those who are unprepared. Preparing your car is easy, just remember to check the condition of your tires, wiper blades, ventilation system and window demisters. Remember to keep a small umbrella at hand too. You don’t want to run from D Les to the first year parking lot with your economics hand book over your head. Chances are you might save your hair-do, but end up ruining your handbook, failing your exams and inevitably repeating the year.
Preparing yourself though, could be a time consuming and expensive experience. Luckily, you don’t have to spend your (or daddy’s) hard earned cash on expensive advanced driving courses, although the learning and experience gained will be invaluable. For those of us who don’t have the R2000+ to spend on these courses, there is an affordable alternative.
Every second month, Zwartkops Raceway hosts their “Super Trax Day” where you can spend the day on the racetrack and skidpan using your own pride and joy. The skidpan area is where Gavin and I spent most of our time. Drivers pay R150 to take their cars on the skidpan for the whole day and passengers pay R10. The great thing is that, as a passenger, you can ask any of the drivers to ride shotgun as they strut their stuff on the water soaked skidpan. Between the two of us we drove shotgun in a BMW M3, an Impreza STi, BMW Z4 M and a Mazda MX-5, just to name a few.
Driving on the skidpan, however is another experience altogether. Not only does the soaked skidpan test your driving skills in rainy conditions, but it also provides the opportunity for drivers to better control their vehicles in slippery driving conditions. Added to the excitement is the layout of a challenging gymkhana track designed by the track official. Two cars start identical gymkhana tracks at the same time, adding a competitive edge to the learning experience.
At lunch time, drivers usually make their way to the Pits lane to grab some boerie rolls and check out the eye candy. Some of the candy could include Nissan GTRs, Mercedes AMGs, Impreza STIs, Lotus Evoras and Exiges. Yummy! All these drivers only pay R300 to take their cars out on the racetrack for the day and only require a helmet to do so. Passengers pay R50 for the day and also require a helmet in order to ride shotgun. We’ll post another article as soon as we take our own vehicles onto the racetrack.
Back at the skidpan, cars are lining up to race around the new gymkhana track. As the excitement grows, the driving style transforms from safe, controllable slides into hardcore, pedal-to-the-metal, under- and oversteers, to the amusement of spectators, passengers and drivers alike. It looks like an extraction of a deleted scene from the movie “Blades of Glory”. The manoeuvrability of my front wheel drive Suzuki depends largely on the “bite” of my handbrake, while Gavin’s rear wheel drive Beemer was tamed by the careful and precisely timed action of his right foot.
Track days such as these promote safe driving by allowing ordinary drivers to test their driving skills in a safe and controlled environment. Not only is it a learning experience, but also a fun activity where family and friends can learn the importance of car control. All in all, it was an opportunity to understand how a car reacts in slippery driving conditions and to push the car’s ability beyond the laws of physics.
Various racetracks in and around Johannesburg host events like these. Visit www.zwartkops.co.za for more information on “Super Trax Days”.
Suzuki Alto GLS
By Gavin Myers
Photos: Gavin Myers/Brendon Carpenter
There are a plethora of micro-mini city-type cars around, most of them packing a mix of small capacity motors and bags of funk-appeal in an affordable package. We sample a relatively new competitor from one of the smaller Japanese manufacturers
Photos: Gavin Myers/Brendon Carpenter
There are a plethora of micro-mini city-type cars around, most of them packing a mix of small capacity motors and bags of funk-appeal in an affordable package. We sample a relatively new competitor from one of the smaller Japanese manufacturers
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