March 11, 2021 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

New on the Tarmac: Meet the new Kia Picanto X-Line

vuyi on March 11, 2021

Just three years after its initial invitation to South Africa to Get In, the Kia Picanto has undergone a subtle mid-life refresh as the brand embarks on an exciting journey to the future.

Just three years after its initial invitation to South Africa to Get In, the Kia Picanto has undergone a subtle mid-life refresh as the brand embarks on an exciting journey to the future. Extending the invitation to now also Go There, Kia South Africa also introduces the all-new Picanto X-Line with modern and distinctive crossover styling.

“The Picanto is a mainstay in the Kia product-line up and has for many years been recognised by industry experts and members of the press alike as one of the best cars you can buy in the entry-level A-segment,” says Stephen Crosse, Sales Director, Kia South Africa. “The introduction of the new X-Line derivative sees Picanto gain an adventurous spirit perfect for those who believe in seizing the day and sharing experiences beyond their daily lives. It’s the perfect car for here, there and anywhere.”

From the city to the open road

The new Picanto X-Line features a series of bespoke design details that make it stand out from its siblings. At the front, a redesigned radiator grille – a new interpretation of Kia’s well-known ‘tiger nose’ – and aggressive front bumper gives the X-Line a sporty stance, perfectly augmented by its eye-catching LED headlights.

At the rear, a bespoke and completely redesigned rear bumper completes the picture, with faux skid-plate detailing and full LED rear lights ensuring it looks the part from all angles. Crossover-inspired cladding, mud guards and 15-inch alloy wheels gives X-Line a true ‘Go There’ stance.

Customers have a choice of 10 exterior colours, including a new shade of Astro Grey. An optional sunroof is available on special order.

Pricing

Model Price incl. VAT

Picanto 1.0 Manual START	R187 995
Picanto 1.0 Automatic START	R201 995
Picanto 1.0 Manual STREET	R201 995
Picanto 1.0 Automatic STREET	R215 995
Picanto 1.0 Manual STREET	R211 995
Picanto 1.0 Automatic STYLE	R225 995
Picanto 1.2 Manual STYLE	R210 995
Picanto 1.2 Automatic STYLE	R224 995
Picanto 1.2 Manual STYLE	R220 995
Picanto 1.2 Automatic STYLE	R234 995
Picanto 1.2 Manual X-Line	R237 995
Picanto 1.2 Automatic X-Line	R251 995
Picanto 1.0 Manual Runner	R207 995

All Picanto models ship as standard with KIA’s industry-leading Unlimited Kilometre, 5-year warranty (inclusive of Roadside Assistance), as well as a prepaid 2-year / 30,000km service plan. The 2021 KIA Picanto range is on sale immediately.

Demystifying vehicle finance lingo: Part 2

vuyi on March 11, 2021

It’s all very well to find a car that you both like and can afford, but you also need to understand all the financial jargon that comes with making the purchase.

There is no shame in admitting you don’t know about the warranty, total cost of ownership or service plan. While all these terms can be intimidating the first-time round, asking questions will ensure you become vehicle finance savvy.

Here’s the second installment of our 2-part guide to understanding vehicle finance jargon which will help you make the right choices:

“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to structuring a car finance deal. By being totally honest with yourself and knowing how much you can realistically afford on the vehicle repayment, you are on the best-informed path to owning a car. As a responsible lender, WesBank will only provide credit for an amount that you can afford to pay back.”
– Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motor’s Communication Specialist

Total cost of ownership: As mentioned, there’s more to owning a car than paying the monthly instalment. You need to budget for the running costs too – fuel, insurance, licence, servicing, maintenance, tyres and brakes, tolls, maybe the odd speeding fine! It’s important to buy a car you can afford even if it’s not yet the car of your dreams.
Insurance: There are plenty of tempting insurance offers to choose from, however, WesBank recommends comprehensive insurance cover for a first-time car owner. This will cover you in the unfortunate event of accident damage, theft or vehicle write-off, plus you are covered for third party damage, which is damage to another vehicle in the case of an accident. The high risk of driving an uninsured vehicle is just not worth it.
Warranty: A new car usually comes with a manufacturer’s warranty that would cover a faulty fuel gauge for example, but not general wear and tear on the brakes. It lasts for a certain time period but the finance provider, such as WesBank, can extend the warranty period, and can also offer you a warranty when buying a used car.
Service plan: Usually covering the cost of a standard service, a service plan pays for your car’s regular services at set intervals (period of time or kms driven) as stipulated by the manufacturer. Be sure to understand what repairs or parts are excluded from the plan to avoid a nasty bill following a service.
Maintenance plan: Maintenance plans differ in what they offer but most include the cost of servicing plus general vehicle wear and tear repairs to keep your car running efficiently. Again, make sure you are 100% clear on exactly what the plan covers and what is excluded.

“Now that you understand the jargon and consider yourself to be vehicle finance savvy, all that’s left is to check the vehicle finance agreement, including the small print, and sign on the dotted line – but, only once you’re satisfied with all the terms and conditions. Then, you are ready to safely take to the open road in your very own car,” says Mogatusi.

Demystifying vehicle finance lingo: Part 1

vuyi on March 11, 2021

It’s all very well to find a car that you both like and can afford, but you also need to understand all the financial jargon that comes with making the purchase.

There is no shame in admitting you don’t know what a balloon payment is, or the difference between fixed and linked interest rates. While all these terms can be intimidating the first-time round, doing research will ensure you get the best financial deal on your set of wheels.

Before you get to the part where you drive off in your car, let’s get back to understanding the payment deal to make sure you sign up for the best financial plan that suits your needs and more importantly, your pocket.

“Car ownership is more than the initial price tag. A customer will need to consider monthly repayments, plus the added costs of fuel, comprehensive insurance cover and general maintenance and service expenses when buying a car.”

– Kutlwano Mogatusi, WesBank Motor’s Communication Specialist.

Here’s the first of our 2-part guide to understanding vehicle finance jargon which will help you make the right choices:

1. Interest rate: The interest rate affects the amount a bank charges you for borrowing money and the amount you need to pay back is determined by the interest rate on your finance agreement. The current low interest rate is good news for anyone repaying a vehicle finance loan.

2. Fixed or linked interest rate: You can choose between a fixed or linked (variable) interest rate on your vehicle finance agreement. As it says, a fixed interest rate remains the same, as does your monthly instalment. A linked rate fluctuates with the prime interest rate set by the South African Reserve Bank – if the rate increases, so will your payment but if the rate goes down, you will benefit from a lower monthly payment.

3. Deposit: This is a cash amount you pay upfront before the vehicle finance agreement starts. This amount is deducted from the price tag, so it makes sense that the bigger the deposit you can pay, the less you will owe on the car in the long run.

4. Finance period: The finance period is the length of time you agree to in the contract to pay off the car. It affects your monthly instalment and interest amount. A longer period may mean a lower instalment but the interest adds up so you could end up paying more. A shorter payment period might incur a slightly higher monthly payment but lessens the interest paid out in the long term, which is a good thing.

5. Balloon payment: A balloon payment is a lump sum amount that still needs to be paid at the end of the vehicle finance contract. So, on the upside, while it reduces your monthly instalment for the contract period, you will need to settle it in full at the end, so be cautious of this payment option. Because you may end up paying more interest in total in the long term, you need to make sure you have budgeted and saved enough to pay off the outstanding balloon payment. This amount however can now be refinanced, which will extend your term to pay back the car loan.

Volkswagen’s best-selling Tiguan SUV receives a new look

vuyi on March 11, 2021

The Volkswagen Tiguan, which was launched in the South African market for the first time in 2008, will be getting a new look in 2021.

Now in its third generation, the Tiguan has sold over six million units globally since launch and over 41 000 units in South Africa. The Tiguan was the best-selling medium SUV in South Africa last year, with 4 280 units sold and a 16.2% share of the A SUV segment.

The Tiguan is currently manufactured at four Volkswagen plants spread across four time zones; China, Germany, Mexico and Russia. The Tiguan for the local market, which will be manufactured in Germany, will go on sale from the third quarter of this year.

New interior and exterior features.

The Tiguan will come with a host of new interior features; a new steering wheel with touch controls is among the key interior highlights. The air conditioning functions have also been digitalised by means of touch sliders and touch buttons. A first for the Tiguan and the Volkswagen model range is the premium and optional Harmon Kardon sound system, with a 16-channel amplifier, eight speakers and a subwoofer.

One of the striking new exterior features of the Tiguan includes the redesigned front bumper. The bonnet is more concise in its appearance and the new radiator grille with LED headlights is also wider. The Tiguan’s new IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights features 22 individual LEDs per headlight offering enhanced convenience for night-time driving At the rear, the Tiguan lettering is now central below the Volkswagen badge. New exterior metallic colours include Ginger Brown, Kings Red, Lapiz Blue, Night Shade Blue and Dolphin Grey.

New specification lines for the Tiguan model range.

The model range comes in three specification lines; the base derivative called the Tiguan, the Tiguan Life and the Tiguan R-Line.

The base derivative Tiguan comes standard with features like 17-inch Montana alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather multi-function steering wheel, cruise control and the new MIB3 Infotainment system’s Composition radio (with eight speakers).

Positioned above the base derivative is the “Life” specification line. In addition to the standard features on the base derivative, the Tiguan Life comes standard with 18-inch Frankfurt alloy wheels, LED headlights with cornering lights, Climatronic air conditioning, Park Distance Control in the front and rear as well as an electric tailgate for easy opening and closing. Optional alloy wheels on the Tiguan Life include 18-inch Nizza and 19-inch Victoria Falls.

The top-of-the-range derivative is the Tiguan R-Line. Standard features include the R-Line exterior package, 19-inch Valencia alloy wheels, ambient lighting with 30 interior lighting options, Vienna leather seats with the R-line Logo in the two front seats, Active Info Display, Composition Media Radio with App Connect, multi-functional steering wheel with touch and swiping actions and the R-line logo as well as keyless entry. Optional alloy wheels on the R-Line derivative are the 20-inch Suzuka alloy wheels in chrome and black.

The new Tiguan can also be upgraded with optional features such as the panoramic sunroof, trailer hitch, Black Style Package (black roof rails and decorative trims, black exterior mirror housing, privacy glass for the rear windows, and black 20-inch Suzuka alloy wheels), Discover Pro entertainment system with wireless App-Connect, Heads-up display, Harmon Kardon sound system, IQ Lights: Matrix LED, Area view camera system with Park Assist, IQ Drive Package (Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Park Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking) and the Trailer Manoeuvring System which includes Park Assist.

One diesel and two petrol engines.

The Tiguan model range will come with a choice of three engines which are carried over from the previous model; two petrol and one diesel with power outputs ranging from 110kW to 162kW.

1.4 TSI with 110kW of power. The entry engine in the Tiguan model range is a 6-speed DSG with a power output of 110kW and torque of 250Nm. With a top speed of 200km/h, it reaches 0 – 100km/h in
9.2 seconds.

2.0 TDI with 130kW of power. The only diesel engine in the Tiguan model range has a power output of 130kW and 380Nm of torque. The 7-speed DSG has a top speed of 207km/h and completes the
0 – 100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.

2.0 TSI with 162kW of power. The most powerful engine in the model range has a power output of 162kW and torque of 350Nm. It takes just 6.5 seconds for it to complete 0 – 100km/h. This 7-speed DSG engine’s top speed is 225km.

New Tiguan pricing.

Pricing for the new Tiguan will be announced closer to the launch date.