It looks as though Mercedes-Benz is targeting the younger driver with plenty of money with their South African car models. Following on from the A-class hatchback and the CLS four-door coupé, the new CLA class combines elements of both.

The CLA range uses the same chassis and mechanicals as the A-class, but is inspired by the design and lines of the CLS range to give a vehicle aimed directly at the younger executive.

Externally, the typically flowing coupé roof lines, coupled with high belt lines, give a streamlined, futuristic appearance designed to appeal to the sporty driver, while the interior enhances that impression. Starting with the sports seats, the instrument cluster with its impression of an airplane cockpit, through to the three-spoke steering wheel and the silver dials with red needles, the CLA interior screams luxury and performance.

There are four models available in South Africa, starting with the entry level CLA 180, with a four-cylinder, 1595 cc petrol engine coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or a 7G-DCT automatic transmission system. This model has a top speed of 210 km/h and can reach 100 km/h in just 9.3 seconds from a standing start.

Next up the line is the CLA 200, which has the same engine and gearbox options, but has enhanced performance with a top speed of 230 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. Handling is also tweaked on the CLA 200, compared with the CLA 180, with the former having spring strut and wishbone suspension at the front and wishbone and control arm suspension on the rear, while the CLA 180 has spring strut and transverse link front and control arm and trailing arm at the rear.

The only diesel option in the CLA range is the CLA 220 CDI, fitted with a 2143 cc diesel power plant and the 7G-DCT automatic transmission. Despite these, the CLA 220 CDI still manages a top speed of 230 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 8.2 seconds.

Top of the range is the permanent all-wheel drive CLA 45 AMG 4MATIC model. Fitted with a 1991 cc, four cylinder, turbo-charged petrol engine and the 7G-DCT automatic transmission, this beast reaches 100 km/h in a stunning 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. The interior is enhanced with contrasting red stitching on the sports seats and a futuristic centre console to bring an F1 feel to everyday motoring.

So, if you’re an up and coming young executive with a longing for the sporty feel of a coupé, you could do far worse than try one of the new CLA class Mercedes-Benz models. You’re sure to create an impression when you drive any one of these!

While there are many models on the market to choose from, here are five of the top contenders.

Garmin Forerunner 110:
The Forerunner can store approximately 180 hours of data and with a battery life of around three years – and you can easily replace the battery yourself – it’s an excellent device. As a bonus you can download your data to your PC for later analysis with the included USB cable.

Timex Ironman Target Trainer:
This Timex device has the advantage of touchscreen controls, but in the size of the screen limits its use. Most people will revert to the side button controls. Battery life in the device is around two years, but Timex recommend professional replacement. You can, however, replace the battery in the chest sensor yourself – useful, as this lasts around six months. Memory capacity for the Timex is around 50 miles of training.

Polar RS100:
One of the best fitness watches around, the Polar RS100 is simple to set up and use. A sensor straps around your chest and this sends heart rate data to the watch. You can set alarms for different heart rates – useful to monitor specific exercise types – and can review your data for specific laps to plan your exercise schedule for maximum results.

Battery life is around two years, but it does need to be changed by a Polar professional. Although classed as water resistant to 50 meters, you shouldn’t use this watch while swimming.

Soleus GPS 3.0:
Unlike several other fitness watches, the Soleus comes with a rechargeable battery and GPS capabilities. Before initial use, you’ll need to charge the battery for around four to five hours, but this is enough for around two months of use.

You can download data to your PC for later analysis by using the included USB cable. The chest strap is comfortable and non-intrusive.

Suunto Quest:

The Suunto Quest is among the most expensive fitness watches available, but it does have most of the features you will need. Batteries in the unit and chest monitor are easily replaced without professional help and each have a useable life of around a year. Although not equipped with GPS, an optional extra ‘POD’ can give this capability.

So, why not replace that watch on your wrist with a fitness watch that can help you keep fit, looks good – and tells you the time!

Choosing the right bike

Choosing the right bicycle is crucial and you want to decide carefully based on your cycling needs as a family. Here’s a brief overview:

• Road bikes: Meant for cycling on pavements and roads, these bikes are usually lightweight and have skinny tyres. Road bikes are usually single-speed bikes meant for light everyday use around town.
• Mountain bikes: Mountain bikes have thick, sturdy tyres and a very durable feel. These are perfect for biking in rugged terrains and have great steering control, but don’t go as fast as road bikes.
• Hybrid bikes: A combination of standard and mountain bikes, hybrid cycles have become immensely popular in the last few years. They feature skinny tyres and can ride fast on pavements like road bikes and also allow the biker to sit upright, like mountain bikes.

If you want to roam around town for a leisurely weekend activity, you’re better off with road bikes. However, since mountain bikes are more stable and easier to steer, they might be a better choice for beginner cyclists.

Choosing the right cycling gear

After choosing your cycles, the next step is to choose your biking accessories. Biking essentials include a digital tyre pressure gauge, bike cleaner, mini bike pumps, cycle headlights and tail lights, reflective vests, and of course, a hard body cycling helmet with features such as flow vents, easy adjust, matching visors and moisture wicking. You might also want to invest in good bike wear for the whole family. Active soft-shell jackets, biking shorts and comfortable biking shoes are highly recommended.

Baby seats, bike trailers, and tag-along bikes

You can put your baby in a bike seat or trailer when s/he is at least one year old. Invest in a good baby helmet and follow all directions that come with the trailer/seat. You can also use a tag-along bike – a single wheel cycle that attaches to the seat of your cycle – so that your child can ride behind you.

Tandem bikes

Tandem bikes – meant for two people to cycle together – can be a lot of fun. It can make for a romantic ride but, it can be tricky to have a conversation!

This is the perfect time to discover the joys of cycling together as a family. Use the information above to choose the right bike, good cycling gear and have fun bonding with each other as you take on the trails.

But with the excitement comes danger, so when I took up motorbiking again later in life, I made sure that I took a practical course in motorbike safety – in particular, defensive riding – to remind me of just those dangers and how to avoid them.

It may seem obvious, but riding a motorbike leaves you much more exposed to danger than driving a car. An accident on a motorbike can be far more serious than a similar accident in a car, simply because of the lack of protection with a motorbike compared with a car.

The best way to practice motorbike safety is to develop your defensive riding skills – in other words, be aware of potential dangerous situations and think ahead of ways to avoid them.

So what does defensive riding mean in practical terms?

You should develop the attitude that other road users are out to get you. This sounds dramatic, but using this approach, rather than assuming another’s intentions, can help you avoid an accident. Anticipating that a car will pull out in front of you, rather than expecting it to wait until you have passed, enables you to be prepared should the worst happen.

You should know – and practice – the basic motorbike manoeuvres, like braking and turning, before heading out on to the highway and mixing in with other road users. Practice until emergency braking becomes automatic and you can swerve around objects without having to think about it.

Make sure that you can be easily seen by other road users. Wear brightly coloured clothing – but make sure it’s protective, of course – and try to make eye contact with other drivers before overtaking, so you know that they have seen you.

Be aware of the road and weather conditions while riding. The blast of air from a passing truck on the highway can force you out of your lane, or a pothole which may cause just a bump in a car can have serious consequences for a motorbike rider. Rainy weather can cause difficulties with your goggles or visor misting up, so use anti-misting sprays on these before the bad weather strikes.

Try to maintain a safe zone around you when riding. Don’t ride too close to other vehicles and if you find yourself being tailgated, allow the vehicle to pass, so it becomes someone else’s problem.

Motorbiking is great fun, but safety must come first. Anticipate and be prepared and you’ll enjoy yourself and stay safe at the same time. Happy biking!

For a start, Volkswagen has developed a strategy they call MQB – Modularer Querbaukasten, or Modular Transversal Matrix to us not fluent in German. Basically, this strategy aims to have a common mounting platform for all transverse engine models throughout the Group. This has enabled Volkswagen to share the same architecture on the Golf 7 and the Audi A3.

With all-wheel independent suspension and the MQB design characteristics, the Golf 7 is an all-new creation. It’s not just an upgrade to the already highly praised previous Golf model, but is bigger, has more room and yet at the same time is 100 kg lighter than before, thanks to new materials and a clever design team.

The wheelbase has been stretched by 59 mm to 2,637 mm and, while that doesn’t sound like much, it equates to a much roomier interior. The lighter weight and longer wheelbase combine to give the kind of handling only dreamed about by the Golf’s rivals, with a big car feel in a  hatchback.

Engine choices available are the usual suspects – the TSI or TDI alternatives. The TSI (turbocharged petrol) is available in a 1.2 or 1.4-litre version, while the TDI (turbocharged diesel) comes in a 2.0-litre version. Furthermore each engine is quite frugal and keeps CO2 emissions quite low.

The pick of the bunch, particularly if you prefer a manual gearbox, is the 1.4-litre TSI coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox. For the more sporty drivers, the GTI is now available with the Golf R coming soon.

Volkswagen has ensured that the new Golf comes with a full audio system and the ability to use your MP 3 device in the vehicle.

Safety has also been addressed in the Golf 7. The adaptive cruise control features an emergency braking function, while the braking system itself has been upgraded to a multi-collision avoidance system that automatically brakes the car in the event of an accident to avoid any further collisions.

Couple these innovations with a driver fatigue detection system and a lane changing assistant and you’ll not only enjoy driving the new Golf 7, but you’ll feel safer too.