Road tests
Updated Almera offers
Value for Money
In these tough economic times, and with the spectre of higher
taxes next year, the more prudent amongst us start looking
around for good solid motoring, rather than frittering our
money away on unnecessary frills. Fitting the bill perfectly is
the updated Nissan Almera.
O
ur test vehicle was delivered just
on time, as we were on our way
to Pietermaritzburg to attend
a trade show. We needed to transport
banners, magazines and pamphlets,
together with two people and their
luggage, so we were concerned that
storage space would be an issue, but
we needn’t have worried. The Almera
has a big boot, and it swallowed most
of our luggage, and the rear seats
accommodated the rest. With all this
extra weight, how would the test car,
the1.5 Acenta 5-speed manual powered
by the 73kW/134Nm petrol engine,
handle the challenge? No problem. With
judicious use of the gears, we made the
trip down to KZN in good time, and we
loved the fact that the Almera cruises at
120 km/per hour with ease.
Whilst this vehicle is not going to win the Le
Mans 24 hour, it is a good, honest vehicle
and an incredibly sound proposition for the
value conscious motorist, and its price of
R177 500 is remarkable, as you are getting
a C segment car for a B segment price.
Add to this some fancy technological
features, solid safety features, and class
leading warranty and service plans, and
your accountant will nod in approval.
Not Breaking the Bank
Carrying on the theme of affordable motoring, or mare accurately an affordable workhorse, a single cab
Foton Tunland has reached our shores.
W
e had this vehicle for one week,
and we put it through its paces
as far as city slickers could go,
and all we can say is that for R199 950,
this is an extremely competitively priced
vehicle. Powered by a robust 2.8-litre
Cummins diesel engine, the single cab
Tunland is pure workhorse, and a no
nonsense vehicle for the budget minded
businessman. Whilst ideally suited for the
small business environment, it is also no
slouch on-road, ticking the boxes with
a car-like interior and features such as
air-conditioning, electric windows and
anti-skid ABS brakes with electronic brake
force distribution (EBD), a driver’s side
airbag, height-adjustable front seatbelts,
motion-sensing door locks, remote central
locking, and height-adjustable halogen
headlamps.
The designers have clearly kept the
work side in mind with a cargo capacity
of more than four cubic meters and a
payload capability of 1 105kg. The heart
of this vehicle is the Cummins ISF 2.8
turbo-diesel power unit, which puts out
96kW of power and 280N.m of torque
for optimum performance and economy
when it counts. The manufacturers claim
a fuel consumption on the combined
cycle of 8 l/100km, so with its 75 litre
tank visits to the pumps are curtailed.
And to set the fleet guys’ minds at rest,
sales and service for the Foton light
commercial vehicle range is available
from 36 dealers in South Africa, and the
vehicle comes with a 3-year/100 000km
warranty, 3-year roadside assistance
and a 3-year/unlimited anti-corrosion
warranty.
| Wheels in Action
78
december 2014 / January 2015