GM range on the road

Did you know GMSA's passenger vehicle portfolio has a staggering 14 cars to choose from? And that excludes commercial vehicles.

Last week GMSA took time out with the media and went on a relaxed drive in the Port Elizabeth area to try out the range.

Lumina SS UTE

I am starting with this brute as it is the vehicle I chose to climb into first instead of a Spark that was also vacant.

It is powered by a 6-litre V8 engine and has a load bed at the rear.

However, this one is not for distributing cool drinks.

Rather it's the proverbial Corvette super car dressed in donkey's clothing. Offers start from R413700.

Cruze diesel

Owners looking for a neatly styled, affordable and big-booted diesel sedan should include the Cruze on their shopping list.

It is packed with impressive features, is spacious and the design is almost class leading. Driving in LT guise- revealed that it also offers a decent luxury ambiance.

The torque-filled 2.0-litre diesel engine (110 kW/320 Nm) makes for effortless driving and it is both punchy and fairly refined. It is priced at R266400.

Lumina SS sedan

The appropriate Lumina and an alternative to the German sedan onslaught.

It's not as digitally equipped as the average BMW 5 Series, yet goes for 3 Series money.

The Chev is powered by the same V8 as the Ute and can be ordered in either six-speed manual or automatic form.

Opt for the manual-box car for heaps of fun and regular visits to your tyre repair centre. Priced from R441930

Isuzu D/Cab

This was driven on a fairly engaging off-road track at the Lalibela Game Reserve.

Here the 300 LX 4X4 D-TEQ simply romped over whatever the rangers threw at it.

Also lurking in the background were the Spark and Aveo models. All were in high demand from the female media contingent. No complaints from me - it left the boys to play with true toys such as the Lumina SS.