WeeklySA_AdminEXTER: The local range comprises 5 derivatives starting at R269 900 but its edgy looks and funky styling may not be to everyone’s liking
By Ali Mphaki
The styling is unique, edgy, and you may even say funky. Unique looks with the H-shaped LED DRLs & tail-lamps, it is a well-positioned overall package and priced competitively against rivals, but whether it is a head-turner, the jury is still out there.
Yes, the new Hyundai Exter with its crossover styling has officially hit the market in South Africa, positioned as the South Korean firm’s smallest and most affordable crossover, slotting in below the Venue
Coming to South Africa, the Indian-built local Exter range comprises 5 derivatives, 3 of which are furthermore offered in dual-tone form (effectively adding an optional black roof). Starting at R269 900 and running through to R334 900, the Exter slots in below the Venue, which currently has pricing bookends of R309 900 and R499 900 (after a handy price cut).
The Exter is offered in a trio of grades: entry-level Premium, mid-tier Executive and top-spec Elite. All variants employ the automaker’s naturally aspirated 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which is familiar from the Grand i10, i20 hatchback and aforementioned Venue.
In terms of size, the Eter is around 180 mm shorter from nose to tail than the likes of the Venue, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger (and 166 mm stubbier than the CC21-generation Citroën C3, too), but about 115 mm longer than the diminutive Suzuki Ignis. The Exter’s ground clearance is 185 mm, which, in combination with the generous amount of rubber on the 15-inch wheels, gives the EXTER the ability to tackle excursions on gravel roads without worries. Thanks to the Exter’s McPherson strut suspension at the front and a coupled torsion beam suspension at the rear, this to ensure the ride over small potholes and uneven roads at city speed is compliant.
Criticism of its looks, however, range from its cuts and creases being overdone with some thinking its small size robs the Exter of road presence.
Inside, the Exter boast excellent ergonomics with light and well-placed controls with spacious
interiors with very good legroom and headroom for a car in this segment.
A closer look at the Exter line up;
The Exter 1.2 Executive MT at R289 900 and the Exter 1.2 Executive AMT for R314 900, gain features such as 15-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, mud guards, cruise control, a reverse-view camera, leather trim for the steering wheel and tilt adjustment for the steering column.
The top-spec Exter 1.2 Elite AMT is priced at R334 900 and upgrades to items such as automatic air conditioning, bi-function projection headlamps, a powered sunroof and cloth-and-vinyl upholstery. Paint colours in South Africa include Titan Grey, Shadow Grey, Fiery Red, Moonlight Blue, Cosmic Blue, Atlas White and Ranger Khaki, with the final 3 hues also available in conjunction with a black roof (though only on Executive and Elite variants).
Average sound system is no match for some of the rivals like the Suzuki Fronx, and some of the missing items includes rear centre armrest, auto-dimming IRVM, 60:40 split rear seat, 6-speaker sound system (Exter has just 4), full-sized spare tyre, etc.
But for its price, the boxy, off-road-inspired styling base Exter 1.2 MT for instance.
ships standard with features such as manual air conditioning, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, ISOfix child-seat anchors, automatic headlamps, 15-inch steel wheels (with plastic covers), cloth seats and a polyurethane steering wheel. A full complement of 6 airbags is standard, too.
The Exter 1.2 Premium AMT furthermore scores electronic stability control, hill-assist control and an electric folding function for the side mirrors, in addition to the self-shifting transmission, of course.
The new Exter is offered with a 3-year/45 000 km service plan and Hyundai’s 7-year/200 000 km manufacturers’ warranty.
Motoring:Briefs
FORD CEO BLOWN AWAY
Ford CEO Jim Farley was shocked by what he discovered during his most recent study trip to China. In a story published by The Wall Street Journal, Farley, surprised by the strength and sophistication of that country’s domestic auto industry, described the situation as “an existential threat” to a fellow Ford board member upon his return to Detroit. With heavy state subsidisation of raw materials and the key industries that supply auto manufacturers, China’s car industry has risen to a level that, according to Farley, could alter the fortunes of America’s largest automaker and one of the oldest car brands on the planet. It’s not just heavy support from the Chinese government that Farley is worried about either: after sampling some of China’s most recent battery-electric vehicles, the Ford CEO was reportedly blown away by their engineering, ride quality and features. The products are simply good.-WHICHCAR?
SAY GOODBYE
Mercedes is weighing up the discontinuation of several cars, according to a report from German outlet Handelsblatt. Sources within the company told the publication that the company is cutting down its petrol and diesel range as it looks to invest more in EVs. Reports suggest that the “portfolio of the brand is considered internally to be far too complex”, with as many as 45 models on sale at the moment. The GLC and GLE Coupes are said to be “top of the list” of models facing down the end of the road. They would follow the CLS and C, S and X-Classes, all of which have been phased out in the recent past.
NOBODY WANTS THE BMW XM
USA: The BMW XM has had a troubled life since production started in December of 2022. Sales of the performance SUV have been slow, and that trend continued in quarter three of this year. In those three months, the automaker sold just 307 XM SUVs, a decrease of 30.7% compared to the same quarter last year when it sold 443 examples. This is especially noteworthy in the context of other slow-selling BMWs. For reference, the Bavarian automaker sold 543 Z4s this quarter. That makes the XM less popular than a two-seat roadster, a notoriously low-volume segment. Sure, Z4 sales are up nearly 64%, but that’s only an increase of 212 units. The XM news isn’t so noteworthy in the broader context of BMW sales, though, which are down across its brands. Passenger cars are down 5%, SUVs dipped 8.5%, and the Mini brand has dropped a truly shocking 33% versus the same quarter last year. The automaker’s iconic 3 Series is down 13.7% despite receiving a recent refresh. Not good news.- Motor1.com
MOTOR MYSTERY
FIVE supercars worth over half a million pounds have been stolen from a company offering racetrack driving experiences by a planned “gang heist”. Disappointed racing fans were turned away from Car Chase Heroes in Norfolk after the luxury motors were taken in a daring raid on Friday night along with the keys to 50 others. The five cars taken on Saturday morning are estimated to be worth £500,000 collectively Only one of the five cars has been recovered so far. The firm believe the thieves struck between midnight and 4am. The cars stolen were a red Lamborghini Huracan, a white Porsche Cayman, bronze Audi R8, a white and blue Volkswagen golf GTI and a Mercedes AMG GT. Tools and equipment were also stolen.-The Sun UK
ONE MORE THING…
A pioneering effort to launch an electric powered minibus taxi is about to unfold with the imminent launch of the eKamva electric minibus. Billed as South Africa’s first electric minibus taxi model, the project is being launched by GoMetro, which is leading a partnership of companies and research institutions which have been investigating the feasibility of electric taxis in South Africa since 2023. The 15-seater eKamva has a claimed range of “more than 200km” between charges, GoMetro says. Furthermore, it can be fast-charged within 75 minutes at a 60kW DC charger, while conventional overnight charging is said to take about 10 hours. “Most taxis spend up to three hours a day between morning and evening peak hours at the ranks we have analysed, more than sufficient time to fast-charge an eKwamva,” GoMetro CEO Justin Coetzee said. The eKamva is currently undergoing local homologation, and a prototype was on display at Smarter Mobility Africa at Gallagher Convention Centre from October 2 to 4.-IOL
