Tabla de contenidos para November 2023 en CAR

At the IAA Mobility Show, a short distance away from where its traditional rival BMW unveiled its interpretation of the next 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz used the occasion to showcase its Concept CLA. The latter is a design and innovation study that will realise a new family of C-Class-based products, as well as the next EQA and EQB models. As the first car to be built on the brand’s new MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform, the big news is that the next CLA line-up will not only host a choice of either battery-electric or internal-combustion propulsion, but also both rear-wheel-drive- and all-wheel-drive drivetrain configuration options. DAZZLING DESIGN Sleek in its show-stopping design, the Concept CLA introduces a dazzling display of LED lighting technologies, from its iconic star-shaped head- and taillamp executions…

• ORA YOU READY? Following test drives at August’s Festival of Motoring, GWM’s all-electric Ora brand is set to launch in South Africa. While the first product to reach our shores is known in some markets as The Funky Cat, GMW South Africa will follow the Australian naming convention and simply adopt the Ora marque for its four-derivative local line-up. The Ora is set to become the most affordable passenger EV in South Africa, with pricing starting from R686 950. This entry-level model comes with a 48 kWh battery and is capable of a usable range of up to 310 km. A flagship GT Ultra luxury model (R835 950) promises racier styling, a 126 kW/250 N.m electric drivetrain and even launch control. Highlights of the Ora’s cabin include a full-colour…

WHERE WE DROVE IT Price: R2 500 000 Engine: 3,5-litre, supercharged V6 Transmission: 6-speed manual Power: 298 kW @6 000 r/min Torque: 420 N.m @3 500 r/min 0–100 km/h: 4,3 seconds Top speed: 290 km/h Fuel consumption: 11,0 L/100 km CO2 emissions: 258 g/100 km + Sophisticated styling; vastly more usable cabin than before; collectibility − SA pricing I was still courting my wife when I collected her for a date in a bright-red Lotus Elise. With the engine still feverishly warm from my exuberant, long-way-round drive to her home, her vivacity at the prospect of clambering over the car’s wide and tall side sills and landing into a deep-set passenger seat waned somewhat once we arrived at our popular sidewalk-sited destination to find parking directly opposite the bustling venue. While…

Price: R942 900 0–100 km/h: 11,31 seconds Top speed: 180 km/h Power: 150 kW Torque: 500 N.m Fuel index: 9,48 L/100km CO2 : 209 g/km New styling paired with a trusted platform helps sweeten its appeal Ryan de Villiers Extra adornments have successfully lifted the Fortuner’s look and feel Kyle Kock Spacious, versatile and capable off-road, it’s no surprise that the Fortuner is loved by all South Africans Damian Adams The popular Toyota Fortuner has yet to be usurped by its competitors in the local sales race – and for good reason. It may be quality, or durability, or just a simple case of peace of mind for owners attempting to find a workshop while on an adventurous family safari, safe in the knowledge that Toyota has the largest network in…

NEW ARRIVAL 1 600 km | 8,9 L/100 km + Sophistication, versatile interior − Erratic parking sensors What better way to get acquainted with a new-vehicle purchase than a weekend-away road trip? In my case, as the temporary custodian of a new Kia Carnival MPV, this meant a very welcome getaway – ironically without children on this occasion, despite this vehicle’s people-moving mandate – to the luxurious tented lodge within the vast Sanbona Wildlife Reserve outside Montagu, hosted by Kia South Africa. Our test route was composed of a 280 km drive from Somerset West to the main entrance of the reserve, followed by a short spell of gravel driving to reach the facility’s reception boma. From there, guests were shuttled to their accommodation, with their private vehicles parked securely…

Since May 2019, Suzuki Kyalami has been at the forefront of the exceptional expansion and success of the Suzuki brand in SA, under the remarkable leadership of “Uncle Clive” – Clive van Kerckhoven, the Head and owner of this Family business. Their uncompromising commitment to their clients has seen them win numerous awards over the years. They are not only the 2022/2023 Suzuki Elite Dealer, but also the current Dealer of the Year – the youngest dealer to achieve this feat. Suzuki Kyalami is perfectly situated just down the road from the main entrance to the historic Kyalami Race Track. This enviable and convenient location is where they proudly offer you all their expertise, Suzuki Products and Services. As you enter their impressive open-planned showroom, you are greeted with all…

The Vision Neue Klasse, the result of what BMW tells us has been its biggest investment to date, is an evolution of the i Vision Dee unveiled at the CES tech show in Las Vegas earlier this year. Neue Klasse, or “New Class”, refers to the family of brand-reshaping vehicles the company launched in the 1960s. It’s touted to showcase the design, interior ergonomics, user interface and under-the-skin technologies that will appear in the company’s future 3 Series-based products, including the X3. Per BMW AG CEO Oliver Zipse, “the Vision Neue Klasse combines our ability to innovate in the core areas of electrification, digitalisation and circularity. From SUV to sedan, we will have something for every customer.” Expect the first production model to go on sale in 2025. DESIGN LANGUAGE…

Set to arrive in South Africa in the second quarter of 2024, Audi’s updated Q8 range will deliver fresh styling and several technological enhancements, not least with the introduction of HD Matrix LED headlamp units. With Audi as a pioneer of lighting technology for many years, these innovative units comprise a laser beam as well as an additional high beam, with digital daytime running lights and bespoke animated signature lighting arrangements. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform, the Q8 has also received a digital enhancement to extend access to third-party apps like Spotify. A full-HD virtual cockpit is now standard throughout. Available in S Line, Black, and now Black Plus derivatives, the updated Q8 will also be available in three new exterior colours, including Sakhir gold. Available wheel…

On the back of a seemingly non-stop stream of new model introductions over the past 18 months, Chery has been riding a wave of popularity in the South African new-car market. Clearly, the line-up is well accepted, too, if you consider that over 20 000 new Cherys have found new homes locally since re-introduction to the country in 2021. Incidentally, 1.23 million Chery automobiles were sold worldwide in 2022. Of these, more than 450 000 had been manufactured for the global market, making Chery China’s most prolific vehicle exporter for the year. But how do those numbers stack up against the original expectations set out by the Chinese automaker when it made its return to SA in an official capacity? “If the full score is five then the first two…

WHERE WE DROVE IT Price: R360 900 Engine: 1,5-litre, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder, petrol Power: 77 kW @6 000 r/min Torque: 138 N.m @4 400 r/min Transmission: 4-speed auto 0–100 km/h: N/A Top speed: 165 km/h Fuel consumption: 6,1 L/100 km CO2 emissions: 144 g/km Rivals: Honda BR-V, Mitsubishi Xpander, Toyota Rumion + Supple suspension ideal for poor road surfaces − Only two airbags and vague steering feel on the open road Suzuki South Africa has been on a product offensive over the past few months. Since the arrival of the new Grand Vitara (the replacement for the Brezza), we have welcomed the Fronx crossover (tested on page 66) and now there is the XL6. There’s also a highly anticipated five-door Jimny on the horizon. Hinting towards both its “extralarge” dimensions and an…

01 Budget car  02 Budget Crossover 03 Small car 04 Compact Crossover  05 Midsize SUV  06 Premium midsize car 07 Premium midsize SUV 08 Adventure SUV 09 Luxury car 10 Luxury SUV  11 Performance car 12 Double-cab bakkie JUDGING CRITERIA Only vehicles that the majority of the CAR editorial team have driven We factor in the findings of road tests and driving impressions we’ve published up until this November issue. That said, it’s always intriguing to note what products are on the horizon that could shake up next year’s results… Ranges, not individual models Apart from the Budget- and Performance-car segments, we consider an entire range, not merely one particular derivative per line-up. For your benefit, we’ve then listed our favourite variant within the winning range. While, for example, it…

Price: R708 000 0–100 km/h: 13,11 seconds Top speed: N/A Power: 110 kW Torque: 350 N.m CAR fuel index: 8,4 L/100 km CO2 : 185 g/km Amply specced, feels rocksolid with copious space and the most usable third row of seats in its class Kyle Kock The 1,9-litre engine lacks torque on paper but performs well, with excellent real-word efficiency and an unstressed character Damian Adams Stemming from the cultlike following of the DNAdonating bakkies they each sprout from, while harnessing their toughness and go-anywhere ability, nameplates like Fortuner, Everest and Pajero Sport are every bit as hallowed in our market as Hilux, Ranger and Triton. Keen to make up for some ground lost to these rivals in recent years, the D-Max-based Isuzu mu-X has some tricks up its sleeve. Sharing…

WRAP UP 3 months | 3 630 km | 7,14 L/100 km + Compliant suspension, passenger and luggage space, slick manual gearbox − Gets bullied by strong winds at highway speeds, no rear window wiper, Leading up to the arrival of LC 80 JL GP in our long-term testcar garage, I sought to remind myself of the first-generation Urban Cruiser’s impact on the South African market when it launched in 2021. A clone via a commercial agreement with Suzuki of that brand’s Vitara Brezza, the combination of an enviable reputation for after-sales service and reliability, together with the inherent qualities this Suzuki product already possessed, meant that the first Urban Cruiser quickly surpassed the 1 000-units-per-month sales mark. The second-generation car boasts a larger, arguably more sophisticated-looking stance, including a…

The shifting sands of local motorsport popularity have seen many a rise and fall. As entertainment options and social interests evolve, the sport also has to adapt to stay relevant. In its heyday, motorsport in South Africa was a spectacle to behold. But in this constantly changing landscape, newer forms of sports and entertainment have risen to prominence, leaving modern motorsport to fight much harder for eyeballs than before. This year, we’ve been introduced to a name that doesn’t come from motorsport royalty, and whose origins are not by way of the traditional route. It is a journey of a mere car enthusiast who has evolved into a contender for the top spot in the Toyota GR Cup challenge for selected South African motoring journalists. His is a story that…

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BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT HOT HATCH PROPORTIONS Based on the ID. 2all concept car that was unveiled earlier in 2023, the new ID. GTI Concept previews a return to the compact exterior proportions of its performance-focused forebears. Slightly longer than the current Polo hatch, the exciting news as it relates to the new car’s stance and dynamic potential is a 2 600 mm-long wheelbase and wider track widths, made possible by its all-electric front-wheel-drive powertrain. As confirmed, this packaging would not have been possible if it were to house an internal combustion engine. At the vehicle’s unveiling, lead designer and ex-Audi and Bentley man Andreas Mindt enthused that while Volkswagen’s revised mandate was to once again produce stable-looking and likeable designs, he wants to add what he calls…

Alfa Romeo has tasked Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera with constructing 33 modern examples of the Stradale, paying tribute to the limited-edition 33 Stradale created in 1967. The new model is produced on a carbon-fibre monocoque with an aluminium H-frame. The butterfly doors are just one of many throwbacks to the original. In addition, customers have been encouraged to personalise their collector’s items by opting for unique interior touches. The special 33 Stradale is sold with a choice of a 460 kW twin-turbocharged V6 engine or, remarkably, as an EV with 560 kW and a 450 km range. “With the new 33 Stradale, we wanted to create something that lived up to our past, to serve the brand and to make the Alfisti fandom proud. Such a result could only…

AUGMENTED REALITY HEAD-UP DISPLAY New to the Tiguan is Volkswagen’s latest-generation head-up display technology that incorporates augmented reality within its animated functionality, including clearer navigation instructions. BIGGER AND BETTER INFOTAINMENT Up to 15 inches in size, new touchscreen infotainment displays will run the brand’s newest operating system and feature two “home rows” of easy-to-access functions. NEW TRANSMISSION LEVER POSITION The Tiguan’s transmission lever has been relocated to the steering column, freeing up space on the car’s centre console. A twist of the lever forwards or backwards engages Drive or Reverse, respectively. AMBIENT LIGHTING The newest Tiguan will introduce a broad selection of “atmosphere settings,” linked with ambient lighting neatly incorporated throughout the cabin. ONE-TOUCH FUNCTIONALITY A new rotary dial housed on the centre console not only acts as the volume…

WHERE WE DROVE IT Price: R304 700 Engine: naturally aspirated 1,6-litre, four-cylinder petrol Power: 77 kW @5 250 r/min Torque: 153 N.m @3 800 r/min Transmission: 5-speed manual 0–100 km/h: N/A Top speed: 188 km/h* Fuel Consumption: 6,2 L/100 km* CO2 emissions: 147 g/km* Rivals: Hyundai i20, Kia Rio, Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Starlet + Exterior additions add to the look; smooth manual transmission − Interior feels a bit dated; some ergonomic quirks Introduced in 2010 as the spiritual successor to the venerable CitiGolf, the Polo Vivo quickly picked up where its forebear left off in offering the budget-conscious South African buyer the peace of mind of German engineering, in a carefully considered value proposition. The current model (derived from the fifth-generation Polo platform) continues its market dominance and having last road-tested…

Celebrating 50 years of vehicle production in South Africa in 2023, BMW’s current selection of vehicles, ranging from the Mini brand and its own 1 Series to the mighty XM, is one of the most comprehensive and, indeed, varied of any motoring brand in South Africa. Within its portfolio, this German automaker continues to offer its customers the choice between traditional internal combustion engines, featuring the latest generation of petrol and diesel powertrains, a shift to hybrid drivetrain technology or even the option to adopt an all-electric lifestyle. The locally assembled X3 SUV, for example, is offered in 20i petrol, 18d, 20d and 30d turbodiesel, M40i and M Competition and all-electric iX3 guise. Although the XM proposes a glimpse into the future of BMW’s performance division, for the time being…

Price: R759 995 0–100 km/h: 10,48 seconds Top speed: 208 km/h Power: 135 kW Torque: 245 N.m CAR fuel index: 9,7 L/100 km CO2 : 185g/km Exciting styling and plush interior make up for the lacklustre drivetrain Damian Adams Outlander is better than ever, but the brand is lacking an identity Kyle Kock Even with Mitsubishi’s enduring reputation and legacy of impressively competent, adventure-focused offerings in our market, the Outlander package has to date struggled to find the kind of market favour it enjoys in other parts of the world, including New Zealand and Australia. The all-new fourth-generation Outlander seeks to buck this trend from the outset by offering head-turning styling cues that were first touted in 2019 on this Japanese brand’s Engelberg Tourer Concept. This includes an elongated roofline as…

NEW ARRIVAL 2 463 km | 25,4 kWh/100 km + Eye-catching exterior design, minimalist yet quality interior − Dark tint on all windows hampers low-light visibility Such has been the pace of development in the local EV space that three years after we first ran an all-electric vehicle in our long-term fleet (the characterful Volkswagen eGolf), the arrival of a second unit in the form of the beautifully crafted Volvo C40 has us notably more prepared to live with a vehicle featuring this future-focused technology. Including a significantly more accessible (and faster) grid of public charging options, we now also have a shiny new three-phase wall box installed in our test-car garage, courtesy of GridCars. This will allow us to live with an EV as an owner of one of…

Notes • The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred on 14 September 2023. Readers should check with a dealer before making a decision. • The HP payment calculations are based on a 10% deposit, current prime interest rate @11.75% and a 5-year (60-month) repayment period, with no residual value at the end. • Under ENGINE we list the number of cylinders and the cubic capacity in cm3. Here, V = V-shaped engine layout; H = horizontally-opposed engine layout; The absence of an initial symbol implies an in-line engine layout. • FUEL SUPPLY abbreviations are P = petrol-engined; D = diesel-engined; T = turbocharged, a compressor driven by exhaust gases; S = supercharged, a compressor driven by the engine; P/H = petrol-hybrid…