Peugeot 407
With its sleek and slender lines and large, inclined windscreen, the Peugeot 407 has been described by some as one of the most attractive cars ever to come out of France.
Initially, customers will have a choice of three petrol-engine models: the 2,0 ST Comfort, the 2,2 ST Sport, and the three-litre V6 ST Executive. A powerful 2,0 diesel option is in the pipeline and is due to arrive before the end of the year.
The steering on the vehicle has electro-hydraulic power steering, while the 407’s athletic pace is arrested by an anti-lock braking system (ABS), with electronic brake distribution (EBD) for each wheel. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with emergency braking assistance (EBA), and the latest generation electronic stability programme, which combines all the technology of ABS, traction control, stability control, and the EBA.
Safety is provided by air bags all-round for the driver and passenger, and pre-tensioning seat belts with load limiters. Automatic climate control is standard on all models, as are automatic headlights, windscreen wipers with rain sensors, electric fold-away rearview mirrors, a state-of-the-art sound system, an on-board computer, tyre-pressure sensors with a warning on the instrument panel and follow-me-home lights.
The 2,2 ST Sport version has electrically operated front seats, rear parking sensors and interior with leather trim. The 3,0 ST Executive is fitted with full leather and heated front seats.
The range is backed by a three-year/100 000km factory warranty and a five-year/100 000km full maintenance plan. The service intervals are set at 30 000km. Prices start at R203 900.
Mazda3
The new Mazda3 line-up has enough quality features to make it a worthy contender against Volkswagen’s Golf V and the new 1-Series from BMW. The Mazda3 is currently available in two distinct versions: a five-door sport hatchback and four-door Sedan, each with 1,6-litre and 2-litre petrol engine variants.
The 1,6-litre engine delivers 77kW at 6 000rpm and torque of 146Nm at 4 000rpm, while the 2-litre has 104kW at 6 500rpm and 182Nm at 4 500 rpm. Both drive the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox.
The Mazda3 also offers buyers a package of features, which include auto headlights and windscreen wipers and water-repellant glass.
The Mazda3’s 2-litre Individual models have a sporty appearance, with body-coloured slotted front grilles, sports-type front and rear bumpers, side-skirts, rear roof (on the Sport) or boot (on the Sedan) spoilers, front fog lamps and unique rear-combination lamps. Other features include a fully automatic air-conditioning system, an in-dash six-CD changer, and an innovative blackout lighting system, which provides indirect blue lighting for the instrument panel when a door is opened. The instrument panels are neat and uncluttered and include a speedometer, rev counter and a multi-dial that includes water temperature and fuel gauges.
The steering wheel is height- and distance-adjustable. There is electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering on the 2-litre Individual models.
Under the “skin” is a McPherson-type front suspension system that employs a four-point rubber mounting system to provide crisp handling, while there is a multi-link rear suspension with separately positioned springs and shock absorbers to reduce damper friction.
ABS brakes with EBD and brake assist are standard across the range, while 1,6-litre models get 278mm ventilated front discs and the 2-litre 300mm. Driver and passenger-side air bags are fitted to all models to provide a high level of safety.
The Mazda3 has 15 000km service intervals, three-year/100 000km warranty, and the Mazda Motion five-year/60 000km maintenance plan and roadside assistance. Prices start at R159 990 for the Mazda 1,6-litre Original.
Renault Kangoo Multix
Renault has expanded its presence in the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) market, this time with the edition of the Kangoo Multix — a minivan with a whole lot of class. The van offers useful sliding rear passenger doors with fixed windows on both sides, ensuring uninhibited rear-seat access.
The Authentique model has a long list of standard equipment, including an air-conditioner with a pollen filter, power steering, a fully integrated 4x15W radio/CD front-loader with four speakers, remote central locking, tinted windows and a multifunctional display for the clock, odometer and oil level.
The options list comprises items such as electrically operated and heated door mirrors, electric front windows and metallic paint.
Safety is provided by a driver’s air bag, and there is an option of one for the front passenger. There is also a seating package for the rear with a three-point centre seat belt, among other features.
Braking is provide by ABS, and there are also EBD and EBA systems to guarantee the optimum braking force and stopping performance.
The 1 390cc engine features a power output of 55kW at 5 000rpm, with a torque peak of 114Nm developed at just 2 800rpm. Linked to a five-speed manual gearbox, the Kangoo Multix 1,4 is credited with a 0 to 100kph acceleration time of 13,7 seconds, and a top speed of 153kph.
In city driving, Multix owners can expect an average consumption figure of 9,5 litres per 100km, dropping to 6,3 litres per 100km on the open road. The suspension comprises McPherson struts with coil springs and an anti-roll bar in front, while a torsion bar and anti-roll bar feature at the rear.
The vehicle’s maintenance requirements dictate 15 000km service intervals. A three-year/100 000km maintenance plan is available as an optional extra. It reaches showroom floors at R135 000, and has a three-year/100 000km warranty.
Nissan Micra
Whether you want to view it as spunky, retro, classic or new-wave, with its very rounded edges, the new Nissan Micra is eye-catching.
Its massive polycarbonate headlights make a bold statement and fit in perfectly with Nissan’s ethos of creating a young, fresh-looking runaround.
The steeply raked windscreen adds to the look, although the abrupt rear end makes it seem as if materials were in short supply at the plant. The tail-light cluster is smallish, with clear lenses — not ugly, just different, and positioned reasonably high for good visibility.
It is not much larger than the classic Uno, but, once inside, you’ll realise that Nissan has done its homework, bar the dashboard. The headroom offered is taller than your average luxury German saloon, while the rear seats move, too, accommodating long-legged passengers.
This takes its toll on luggage space, but clever packing should sort that out. But the hard plastic of the dashboard disappoints slightly, and I introduced my chin to it while reaching down to fetch an errant object — it is rock-hard and reflects on the windscreen.
For the rest, the Micra is great. Getting it going takes little effort, although some cog-swapping was required as we beetled down the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal toward Umhlanga. It is, after all, a 1 386cc, four-cylinder petrol engine with variable timing control developing 65kW of power at 5 200rpm and 128Nm of torque at 3 200rpm, mated to a rather smooth five-speed gearbox.
It won’t win any land-speed records with a claimed 172kph top speed, but the claimed economy of 6 litres per 100km should make up for the comparatively low top end. It also makes up for any shortfalls in the steering compartment, and the electrically assisted steering is sharper and almost more precise than that of a race kart.
As far as safety goes, there are driver and passenger air bags plus front-side air bags in the Elegance model. All seats have three-point safety belts, including the middle passenger position in the rear bench seat. The front belts have pre- tensioners and load limiters, while the Micra also uses the internationally recognised ISO-FIX child-seat anchorage system.
More peace of mind is provided by ABS, brake assist and EBD, all standard equipment.
The entry level Comfort version lacks the additional air bag, as well as the trip computer and steering wheel mounted audio-control buttons.
With only one engine derivative, the range is somewhat limited, but for comfort, drivability and versatility, the Micra should be a good call. It reaches showroom floors at R123 500 for the Comfort version, while the higher spec Elegance models will be available from August at R132 747.
Nick Bates test-drove the Nissan Micra. All other information was provided by the manufacturers