Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label The Torque Talk

The Torque Talk Episode 7 (Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX5)

Battle of the Giants: Subaru Forester SJ5 vs. Mazda CX-5 – Kenyan Edition! Here's the thing , we have the Subaru Forester SJ5 2017 model, a vehicle that’s practically a Swiss Army knife on wheels. In the other corner, the Mazda CX-5 2017—sleek, stylish, and always ready to give you side-eye like your secret admirer-crush. Let’s start with the Forester. This beast is like that one friend who insists on going on safari every weekend. With enough space for a whole family (or that Kadebe thing), it’s perfect for those kanga road trips to Diani. Plus, it has a fabulous symmetrical all-wheel drive system—because the last thing you need on a rainy day in Nairobi is a car that decides it's taking a detour to the nearest pothole. Now, the CX-5 is like the cool guy who eats mutura and chafuas meza ya kalocal. It’s stylish, it’s got curves in all the right places, and gives you the rich uncle/aunt vibes! With a plush interior and impressive tech features and premium music sytem, it might ...

The Torque Talk Episode 6 ( Range Rover Sport SV)

 Range Rover Sport SV 2024 by Mandla Lubanzi The all-wheel-drive Range Rover Sport SV is the most powerful Rover ever, crushing the previous 575-hp Range Rover Sport SVR in the process. Flying a fox hunt with its 626-hp twin-turbo V-8 is like flying fighter jets. The Range Rover Sport SV, which has a top speed of 180 mph, receives supercar treatment in the form of lightweight carbon fibre wheels and massive eight-piston Brembo callipers to grip its carbon ceramic brake rotors. Aside from its quad exhausts, the Range Rover SV is designed to represent Land Rover luxury. Its knob-free infotainment panel has gone completely digital, and its bolstered front bucket seats house components for its 29-speaker surround sound system. There's nothing earthly about this high-performance utility vehicle, even if it sits over an inch lower than previous Range Rover Sports. The Range Rover Sport SV is Land Rover's wholly new manifestation of performance-luxury transportation for 2024. Taking a...

The Torque Talk Episode 5 (KIA Sorento)

KIA Sorento 2025 could be cheaper than the 2024 model by Mandla Lubanzi Image by: Motor1 Mid last month, Kia revealed the pricing and details for the 2025 Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid, both of which have received the same updates as the 2024 pure combustion model. Unsurprisingly, prices have increased compared to last year—quite significantly in some instances. However, there's an unexpected twist. The base price of the new Sorento plug-in hybrid is actually lower than it was. This is because a new entry-level trim has been released. The plug-in hybrid's base price, which includes a $1,375 shipping charge, is now $49,365 for the EX model. This preserves the same hybrid drivetrain with 261 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but it comes with a $2,300 lower starting MSRP than the model from the previous year. In summary, it has a 14-kilowatt-hour battery pack, a single electric motor, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2025 Sorento has a 30-mile ele...

The Torque Talk - Episode 3 (the old buddies)

The old buddies  By Mandla Lubanzi Carl Benz's development of a gasoline-powered vehicle and subsequent fabrication of several identical replicas in 1886 marked the introduction of the first modern car- a useful, marketable vehicle for daily use- as well as the first automobile in series production. Lets look at some of the mid nineties buddies  Austin Maxi The Austin Maxi, mocked by many today, was a decent car with a 1.5-liter E-series engine that was let down by some initial quality issues and a mismatch between engine and gearbox. It also had a terrible cable-operated shift that was fixed in later models with more powerful motors. The Maxi was the first hatchback in the UK and had fold-down rear seats to make tones of luggage space, even enough to make a double bed, as Austin pointed out.  The Hydraulic suspension, later Hydra gas, provided a plush ride, but during its 12-year existence, the Maxi never quite met its sales targets. Dino 246 Although the Dino 246 freque...

The Torque Talk - Episode 2

The strangest driving laws in the world by Mandla Lubanzi Driving laws are influenced by the cars in a particular country, the people who drive them, and the environment in which they operate. For instance, while not a regulation, but rather a recommendation, officials in some of South Africa's hostile areas advise motorists not to look under the bonnet if their vehicle breaks down. It is safer to stay in the car and phone for help than to walk down the side of the road and risk being robbed, hit, or both. Also, unlike in most other countries, South African drivers are not required to have insurance when driving a car. As a result, approximately 70% of vehicles in the country do not have it. But it's probably a good idea: South African roads are dangerous by developed-world standards, and car theft is a major issue. Law of potatoes ! The Marketing Act of Potatoes, passed in Australia in 1946, prohibits motorists who are not members of the Potato Marketing Corporation or one of...

The Torque Talk - Episode 1

EVs By Mandla Lubanzi Hi, I'm Erick Mandla Lubanzi,  I call Bloemfontein, South Africa, my home. Known as the "City of Roses," Bloemfontein is a charming city with a rich history, beautiful parks, and a vibrant cultural scene. Talk less of the beautiful landscapes,  the Naval Hill, with its panoramic views and wildlife reserve, is a popular destination for locals and foreigners. It is quite a busy City with everything seemingly moving rapidly. It's a place where tradition meets modernity, and I love being part of this dynamic community. One day before infinity, I'll tell you about Bloemfontein.  I'm thrilled to announce my partnership with Sunset Saga to run the 'Torque Talk' column. In this column, we'll be diving deep into the fascinating world of cars—exploring everything from classic models to the latest innovations in the automotive industry. The host said a bit about me earlier, what he didn't tell you is that I'm here indefinitely. M...

Torque Talk by Mandla Lubanzi

Mandla Lubanzi turned 27 in April. If you can't tell the car he drives or the last time he put on a suit, at least you can already guess his country. He is South African, living in Bloemfontein - The City of Roses in Central south Africa. His best athlete in the world is Cheslin Kolbe and you can tell him nothing about it. His best drive is Land rover. Mandla is here to talk about cars. Btw he told me he can talk to cars ... And they listen ! Photo credit: Architectural Digest  We are thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our blogging team, Mandla Lubanzi. Mandla brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for everything on four wheels, and we're excited to have him share his insights, reviews, and expertise with you. Mandla has been an avid car enthusiast since childhood. His journey began with toy cars and has evolved into a full-blown love affair with the automotive world. With years of experience as a car reviewer and a deep understanding of automotive technology, ...