Top Car

January 2016 |TOPCAR.CO.ZA 35

Fivemodes exist here, thisoneis

Offroad.Not tobeconfusedwith

Rocking,which presumablyaffects

your iPod’splaylist

Mercedes 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/height
4 656/1890/1 639mm>Weight1 845kg
Performance7.6sec0-100kph, 222kph,
5.5ℓ/100km, 143g/km CO 2 >On saleNow

LEXUS IS200T

T

HELEXUSIS200t marks the start

of th e company’s progressive

rollout of its 2.0-litr e 4-cylinder

turbocharged engine, a

configuration we’ve already experienced

in th e NX. While some may squawkat its

downsized capacity the new 2.0-litr e

is a very competent engine delivering

ample power and torque – 180kW and

350Nm to be precise. Compared to its

stablemate, the 3.5-litr e V6

IS350, there’s no denying

the 2.0T falls short

in terms of sound

and emotion but it

makes up for that

in othe r areas. It’s

just as sprightly,

needing only

seven seconds to

make the sprint

from 0-100kph.

Fuel ec onomy

is alsovery good

with of ficial figures

of just 7.5ℓ/100km on

the combinedcycle with C0 2

emis sions pegged at 175g/km.

Visually not much has changed over

the IS350 – razor-sharp Origami-

inspired sheet metal and outlandish

head- and tail-li ght arrangements are

still th e order of th e day. Two equipment

grades are available , both ofwhich

are characterise d by 17-inch wheels.

Interior appointments are impressive

with seat heating and ventilation, a

7-inch centra l colour display, full leather

upholstery, elec tric front seats and PD C

all standard. The EX adds such niceties

as sat-nav and a reverse camera.

Decent body contro l also comes

standard. The IS200t has one of th e best

ride qualities in th e segment. It manages

to soakup bumpsand road imperfections

with ease, all withou t sacrificing handling

and ride contro l, thanks largely to the

Yamaha-tuned dampers. The steering –

while partiallydevoid of feel – is accurate

meaning the IS200t can betossed

from side-to-si de with ease,

all the while managing

to track clean lines

through corners.

In a highly

competitive segment

ruled by mainstays

such as the Merc

C-Cl ass, BMW 3

Seri es and Audi A4,

the Lexus IS200t for

the first time poses

a genuine threat – it’s

that good. However, the

only way to really know if it

has the credentials to cause an

upset isto test it in th e same conditions

agains t its adversaries. Bring on the

group test. @AaronBorrill

The Lexus IS200t is a po lished pe rformer equipped with

all the right ingredients to challengeits executive saloon

rivals.ByAaronBorrill

Hot on the heels

Lexus IS200t E

>PriceR 518 80 0 >Engine2.0-litre 4cyl turbo,

180kW @ 5 80 0rpm,350Nm @ 1650-4 400rpm>

Transmissioneight-speed auto, rear-wheel

drive>SuspensionDoublewishbonefront,

multi-link rear>Length/Width/Height

4 665mm/1 810mm/1 430mm>Weight1 405kg

>Performance7sec0-100kph, 230kph top speed,

7. 5ℓ/100km, 175g/km CO 2 >On saleNow

dial -in system that co mprises five

programmes including slippery, off-

road, incline and the wittily named

rocking, which, in conjunction with

the optional air suspension, raises

ground clearance from 181mm to a

maximum of 227mm at the touch of

a button (there’s also a heavier

underguard protecting the car). All

these off-road driving modes are

indi vidually repres ented on the

central media display.

The pick of the models would be

the 250d Exclusive with th e off-road

package (an extra R15500) and the

air suspension (R14000), a sensible

blend of ability, economy, verve and

comfort. Of th ose the last is most

noticeable on the ro ad, GLC hands

down the most wafty of the new

smaller Benzs, especially with th e air

suspension. The handling is decent too, as are

the ot her dynamics, most notably steering

feel, which is similar to the C-Class, a good

electric setup that dial s in plenty of feel,

even if, strictly speaking, it’s not real. Interiors

too are impres sive, the current vogue of

piano black and chrome offset here with a

number of to ned down veneer finishes that

suggest a move towa rds a less rapp er-inspired

aesthetic. Ha llelujah. Detailing is getting ever

better, with fit and finish now challenging

Audi for top spot.

Mercedes has been slow to enter this

segment but GLC should see it clean up – it has

as much ability as necessa ryfor this weekend

market and the added bonus of being the new

kid on the block. Right size, right price, right

concept. Lift-o ff.tc

@pefrost