Top Car

January 2016 |TOPCAR.CO.ZA 35``````Fivemodes exist here, thisoneisOffroad.Not tobeconfusedwithRocking,which presumablyaffectsyour iPod’splaylistMercedes Benz GLC 250d 4Matic Exclusive>PriceR650 760>Engine2 143cc 4cyl turbodiesel,150kW@3 800rpm, 50 0Nm@1 600-1 800rpm>Transmission9-speed automatic, all-wheeldrive>Suspension: Multi-link, coilsprings, frontandrear(air suspension optional)>Length/width/height4 656/1890/1 639mm>Weight1 845kg>Performance7.6sec0-100kph, 222kph,5.5ℓ/100km, 143g/km CO 2 >On saleNowLEXUS IS200TTHELEXUSIS200t marks the startof th e company’s progressiverollout of its 2.0-litr e 4-cylinderturbocharged engine, aconfiguration we’ve already experiencedin th e NX. While some may squawkat itsdownsized capacity the new 2.0-litr eis a very competent engine deliveringample power and torque – 180kW and350Nm to be precise. Compared to itsstablemate, the 3.5-litr e V6IS350, there’s no denyingthe 2.0T falls shortin terms of soundand emotion but itmakes up for thatin othe r areas. It’sjust as sprightly,needing onlyseven seconds tomake the sprintfrom 0-100kph.Fuel ec onomyis alsovery goodwith of ficial figuresof just 7.5ℓ/100km onthe combinedcycle with C0 2emis sions pegged at 175g/km.Visually not much has changed overthe IS350 – razor-sharp Origami-inspired sheet metal and outlandishhead- and tail-li ght arrangements arestill th e order of th e day. Two equipmentgrades are available , both ofwhichare characterise d by 17-inch wheels.Interior appointments are impressivewith seat heating and ventilation, a7-inch centra l colour display, full leatherupholstery, elec tric front seats and PD C``````all standard. The EX adds such nicetiesas sat-nav and a reverse camera.Decent body contro l also comesstandard. The IS200t has one of th e bestride qualities in th e segment. It managesto soakup bumpsand road imperfectionswith ease, all withou t sacrificing handlingand ride contro l, thanks largely to theYamaha-tuned dampers. The steering –while partiallydevoid of feel – is accuratemeaning the IS200t can betossedfrom side-to-si de with ease,all the while managingto track clean linesthrough corners.In a highlycompetitive segmentruled by mainstayssuch as the MercC-Cl ass, BMW 3Seri es and Audi A4,the Lexus IS200t forthe first time posesa genuine threat – it’sthat good. However, theonly way to really know if ithas the credentials to cause anupset isto test it in th e same conditionsagains t its adversaries. Bring on thegroup test. @AaronBorrillThe Lexus IS200t is a po lished pe rformer equipped withall the right ingredients to challengeits executive saloonrivals.ByAaronBorrillHot on the heelsLexus IS200t E>PriceR 518 80 0 >Engine2.0-litre 4cyl turbo,180kW @ 5 80 0rpm,350Nm @ 1650-4 400rpm>Transmissioneight-speed auto, rear-wheeldrive>SuspensionDoublewishbonefront,multi-link rear>Length/Width/Height4 665mm/1 810mm/1 430mm>Weight1 405kg>Performance7sec0-100kph, 230kph top speed,7. 5ℓ/100km, 175g/km CO 2 >On saleNowdial -in system that co mprises fiveprogrammes including slippery, off-road, incline and the wittily namedrocking, which, in conjunction withthe optional air suspension, raisesground clearance from 181mm to amaximum of 227mm at the touch ofa button (there’s also a heavierunderguard protecting the car). Allthese off-road driving modes areindi vidually repres ented on thecentral media display.The pick of the models would bethe 250d Exclusive with th e off-roadpackage (an extra R15500) and theair suspension (R14000), a sensibleblend of ability, economy, verve andcomfort. Of th ose the last is mostnoticeable on the ro ad, GLC handsdown the most wafty of the newsmaller Benzs, especially with th e airsuspension. The handling is decent too, as arethe ot her dynamics, most notably steeringfeel, which is similar to the C-Class, a goodelectric setup that dial s in plenty of feel,even if, strictly speaking, it’s not real. Interiorstoo are impres sive, the current vogue ofpiano black and chrome offset here with anumber of to ned down veneer finishes thatsuggest a move towa rds a less rapp er-inspiredaesthetic. Ha llelujah. Detailing is getting everbetter, with fit and finish now challengingAudi for top spot.Mercedes has been slow to enter thissegment but GLC should see it clean up – it hasas much ability as necessa ryfor this weekendmarket and the added bonus of being the newkid on the block. Right size, right price, rightconcept. Lift-o ff.tc@pefrost