Peugeot’s polished performer

The R&D department at PSA headquarters back in France certainly know a thing or two about advanced diesel technology because this week I’ve been evaluating the face-lifted, 110 kW/340 Nm, 2,0-litre, 308 turbodiesel hatchback, that sells for well below the R300K mark. Under the bonnet is to be found arguably one of the best diesel motors around — while it’s most certainly one of the quietest ... 

The four-cylinder motor pulls like an express train, no turbo lag revealed itself at sea level, for the record I’d say a 0-100 km/h time can be achieved in around nine seconds — why bother owning a sports car!

There are two turbodiesels in the recently realigned seven-model 308 line-up so there’s lots of good reasons to consider a Peugeot these days because they offer something a little extra for your money: panache!

Hatchbacks, by their very nature, are so adaptable, little wonder then that they are a popular choice of body style when the SA motorist looks for wheels. Full leather upholstery with comfortable bucket seats make the 308 a good place to be — factor in every luxury available as standard fitment, including a full-length, but non-opening sunroof.

Take a close look at the interior shot of the 308, with half a tank of diesel still left the perky pug still offers a crusing range of 600 km — pictures do not tell a lie! Considering all the safety, technology and modern looks to be found in this particular Peugeot, the ticket price of which is R259 000, and represents fair value for money, I believe.

Peugeot might well have invented the safety car for all I know — the 308 is loaded with life-saving gear including multiple airbags up front and side curtain ones as well. Factor in ABS and EBA … there’s a full-sized spare wheel to be found in the boot — none of that run-flat technology junk with a Peugeot!

All Peugeot owners are assured peace of mind with ownership, and as such offer a 5-year/90 000 km service plan; a 3-year factory warranty in addition to the 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. All vehicles first registered in South Africa and purchased from a Peugeot Dealer benefit from a free additional 2 years of warranty (this additional warranty carries a mileage limit of 100 000 km.)

Heavy Metal II

South Africans love their bakkies, that’s for sure! Quite naturally, I suppose, there’s a fair range available these days from the recognized players — but also from the East … China, that is.

I’ve yet to evaluate those, but am happy to wait because they’ve yet to prove themselves, I reckon. There’s just no substitute for experience in the field — and the current Izuzu KB 300 D-Teq LX (extended cab version seen above), a case in point. There’s lots to like with this particular KB — even the ticket price seems rather reasonable at R347 000.

One thing certainly worth mentioning within the context of this website is how quiet the motor is — something that Isuzu took rather a long time to rectify.  I looked for vast quantities of dampening layers under the bonnet and on the bulkhead but it seems the new ‘quietness’ comes from within the three-litre 120 kW/360 Nm motor — and for me, that’s great news!

Other technical highlights discovered included twin overhead camshafts, common rail with electronically controlled fuel-injection pump and an intercooled, variable vane turbocharger thus fitted. This fifth-generation Isuzu pickup is sold in vast volumes in more than 80 countries worldwide wearing, for example, the Holden badge in Australia.

Not only does it have a 37% market share in Thailand where it is built and selling a staggering 167 000 units in 2006, but Isuzu has been the No. 1 bestseller in the one-ton bakkie market over there since 1983. Elsewhere in Africa the KB has a 79% market share in Egypt, and enjoys 43% in Israel and more than 32% in Australia and New Zealand.

Interestingly, Isuzu is the biggest diesel engine producer in the world and back in 2006 signed a business agreement with Toyota of Japan giving Isuzu authority to take the lead in small diesel engine research and development. Toyota’s share in Isuzu is 5,9%, incidentally.

Getting to back to the South African LX model as recently evaluated it is completely understandable why so many of them are seen on our roads — they are tough, good looking and rather desirable. With the amount of road deterioration found on the main roads here in the Western Cape — imagine what they are like on ‘lesser roads.’

Here the Isuzu, in my opinion, can stand proud because the suspension and driving dynamics are perfectly balanced for blacktop stuff or the harshest dirt track.  Factor in low- and high-range switchability on the fly via buttons on the dash, the Isuzu KB range has it all.

• Prices at the time of going to press for the Isuzu range start at R266 200, rising to R390 300 for the top-of-the-range model. 

Navara comfort zone

King of the bakkies in South Africa right now is arguably the Nissan Navara — there’s an imminent launch of something from Ford any day soon — which might even surpass ‘the boss’ — so we’ll just have to wait and see!

I managed to spend a few days with the 2,5 dCi LE 4 x 2 auto version last week, a vehicle that left me mightily impressed. The 4x2 D/C Navara is a bold and aggressive looking vehicle, thanks to its big and imposing grille and lofty stance. From the rear, a traditionally squarish look adds to the overall impression of strength and toughness.

What’s more, despite it bold and rugged appearance the Navara boasts interior comfort and finish quality levels that could rival many upmarket SUV’s. In town or on the open road it boasts huge ability to conquer all before it … is it just a coincidence that there seems to be so many of them around!

This particular Navara has a six-speed manual transmission, and is powered by a 2 488 cc second-generation high output, four-cylinder, common-rail, turbodiesel engine, which churns out an impressive 106 kW of power at 4 000 rpm, and a monstrous 356 Nm of torque from just 2 000 rpm.

The vehicle is equipped with driver- and front passenger air bags, and impact protection bars to guard against a side collision. The cabin has a zone body construction, which ensures a strong and protective safety cell, and height adjustable seat belts with pre-tensioners to provide additional safety.

As with the 4x2 versions, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are standard features, while the bigger-engined 4x4 is equipped with a brake bssist function, which senses when the driver is making an emergency stop and automatically increases braking effort, reducing the stopping distance.

• The entire Navara range is backed up by a 3-year/100,000 km warranty and a three-year/100 000 km service plan, and all prices include Nissan’s new Microdot security technology.

Prices start at R316 000 to join the Navara family — and there’s a range of 12 vehicles in the rather exclusive line-up.