Monthly Motor - September 2014

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TEST DRIVE litres. We all know car manufacturers toy with these numbers, nonetheless it doesn’t chug dinosaur juice. Meandering roads expose a well-sorted chassis with doggedly good grip, and in the corners this Audi finds its mojo. Although it’s not the brand’s most powerful car (not by a long shot) the all-wheeldrive S3 is possibly its most fun to drive because it’s so compact, light and nimble. If it were a medieval weapon, think sword, not bludgeon, if it were a hero think Spiderman, not Hulk. It delivers all the right sensations when piloted in eyes-focused, teeth-gritted mode: the steering (which is flattened on the bottom (in the de rigueur racing style) loads up nicely, and the brakes bite like a Rottweiler. Traditionally in this car size category a hatchback carries more design flair, but Audi’s stylists have massaged a very appealing shape out of this saloon, with almost coupé-like curves. In standard trim the fastest version of the A3 saloon looks subtly sporty, and the S3 badge, quad exhausts and the slightly more aggressive bumpers/spoilers not making too flamboyant a styling statement; not that Audi ever really does. The optional 18” black rubbers fitted to our test car really brought out the car’s dark side, however. As a daily ride the car’s easy to live with. Rear seating space is a little cramped for taller adults but it’s acceptable, and the boot gulps a respectable 390 litres of luggage. The bottomflattened steering wheel and shiny pedals add some racy flair to the interior. Sports seats (a Ksh. 91,200 option) clad in a diamond pattern leather are a styling highlight, and are as supportive as a bear hug. Along with a generous luxuries list, Audi’s typically rich-feeling textures are in evidence everywhere. The dash looks almost too bare - with its minimalistic scattering of buttons, but having the functions rolled up into one controller is admittedly user-friendly. VERDICT A price tag of nearly Ksh. 5.3 Million might make your buttocks clench, but when you consider the giant-killing performance on offer, the S3 saloon is a relative bargain. There’s news of an even more potent RS3 coming next year, reportedly powered by a 2.5-litre turbo with around 270kW. FACTS Audi S3 saloon quattro Engine: 2-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol Gearbox: Six-speed dual-clutch Power: 206kW @ 5500-6200rpm Torque: 380Nm @ 1800-5600rpm 0-100km/h (tested): 5.1 seconds Top speed (claimed): 250km/h Consumption (claimed): 6.9 litres per 100km Price: Ksh. 5,295,000 LOCAL ALTERNATIVES Volkswagen Golf GTI Volkswagen Golf R Subaru WRX Subaru WRX STI Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Volvo S60 T6 14 MOTOR SEPTEMBER 2014
All-New RANGER BEST-IN-CLASS BACK TO CONQUER OUR TOUGH TERRAINS DAANN For more details contact: CMC Motors Group Ltd (Lusaka Road) P. O. Box 30135 – 00100 Nairobi. Tel: +254 6932345, 6932301/2, 6932000 Fax +254 20 650795, Mombasa: 041-2230490/1/2/3. Kisumu: 057-2023752/0138. Nakuru: 051-2211875/6/7. Eldoret: 053-2062565/6/7. Kitale: 054-30382/3. Meru: 064-30984/991. Nanyuki: 062-2030033 MOTOR SEPTEMBER 2014 15
Page 1: MONTHLY KSH 350/- SEPTEMBER 2014 AL
Page 4 and 5: from the publisher Checking Yoursel
Page 6 and 7: CONTENTS Santiusae demrae Volume 22
Page 8: Santiusae HEADLIGHT demrae Checklis
Page 11 and 12: Now I realise that a sample of two
Page 14 and 15: Santiusae TEST DRIVE demrae AUDI S3
Page 18 and 19: FIRST IMPRESSION Hyundai Elantra Ke
Page 20 and 21: Santiusae FIRST IMPRESSION demrae T
Page 22 and 23: WISH LIST Alfa 4C Feisty Italian Sc
Page 24 and 25: READERS’ CHOICE JEEP CHEROKEE Ref
Page 26: Santiusae READERS’ CHOICE demrae
Page 29 and 30: the test - I looked at the typical
Page 32 and 33: Santiusae REVIEW demrae Hyundai Gra
Page 34: REVIEW between the front and rear a
Page 37 and 38: sion out of the way, let’s take a
Page 39 and 40: ENGINES For the time being, the Qas
Page 41 and 42: For extra bling you can order the D
Page 43 and 44: model due to its 220mm ground clear
Page 45 and 46: EXPERIENCE THE BENCHMARK IN ONLINE
Page 47 and 48: features will assist with trying to
Page 49 and 50: The new X1 will be offered as a cho
Page 51 and 52: Mercedes describes the potential op
Page 53 and 54: already been recalled four times. T
Page 55 and 56: Verdict Even though BMW has concent
Page 57 and 58: Acceleration: 0-100kph in 8.7sec T
Page 59 and 60: many cat faces while serenading the
Page 61 and 62: But sometimes it pays to look aroun
Page 63 and 64: plenty of electric adjustment, incl
Page 65 and 66: modes to choose from, plus paddles.

Monthly Motor - September 2014

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