Tabla de contenidos para March 2024 en CAR

Honda announced its Honda 0 Series – a new global EV line-up underpinned by a modular platform – at this year’s CES with the unveiling of two concepts: the Saloon and the Space Hub. The firm plans to launch a production-ready version of the Saloon in several markets (Japan, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America) by 2026. The firm also debuted a new H mark logo earmarked for its upcoming EV models. THINNER THINKING The 0 Series models will be underpinned by variations of the firm’s new modular EV platform that Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe describes as “thin, light and wise”, as opposed to the current approach to EV development, which is “thick, heavy and smart”. He references the Saloon concept’s low-height platform, incorporating a shallow battery…

EV PAGES In this section, we highlight local advancement, innovation and news pertaining to the South African market’s adoption of electric vehicles On the back of the South African Government’s recent publication of its White Paper on new energy vehicles (NEV), Chinese automotive manufacturer Chery has unveiled ambitious plans to introduce a range of NEVs into international markets during 2024, and the firm believes the South African market is fertile ground for such an endeavour. The strategic move, which encompasses hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV) models, aligns with numerous aspects of the roadmap for NEV adoption set out in Minister for Trade and Industry Ibrahim Patel’s White Paper, most notably the emphasis placed upon improved EV charging infrastructure and the potential for long-overdue consumer incentives for…

Historically, there has been a close correlation between South Africa’s economic growth and vehicle sales, with years of low GDP growth explaining the flat vehicle market in the time leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicle sales in 2023, while showing a slight year-on-year improvement, have yet to reach prepandemic levels. Myriad factors, such as low consumer confidence, tightening household budgets owing to higher interest rates, fuelprice increases, a weaker currency and load shedding-related expenses, have hindered market growth. In fact, the overall market performance would undoubtedly have been significantly worse were it not for two important factors: the emergence of a strong buy-down trend and the fact that vehicle-finance service providers have introduced numerous innovative financing options developed to curtail monthly motoring expenses. The buy-down trend has seen a…

LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 P400E PHEV ETA: NOW Price: R2 135 900 Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbopetrol + electric motor Transmission: 8-speed automatic Power: 297 kW @5 500 r/min Torque: 640 N.m @1 500–4 400 r/min 0–100 km/h: 5.6 seconds Top speed: 209 km/h Fuel consumption: 2.8 L/100 km CO2 Emissions: 74 g/km + Arguably in its own league thanks to hybrid drivetrain matched with impressive off-road ability - Offers less electric driving range than close competitors The Land Rover Defender 110 P400e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) might have been introduced to the local market in 2021, but after recently spending time getting acquainted with it, I’ve quickly come to appreciate just how convenient hybrid motoring can be. Getting right into the oily bits, the P400e PHEV is powered by a 2.0-litre…

Price: R1 245 000 0–100 km/h: 5.62 seconds Top speed: 180 km/h Power: 230 kW r/min Torque: 494 N.m CAR energy consumption index: 21.96 kWh/100 km CAR Estimated range: 295 km Even in its regenerative-braking mode, the iX1 is a pleasure to pilot Gareth Dean It’s great to see an accomplished product such as iX1 form part of what’s now a comprehensive powertrain line-up Ian McLaren While a leaf through the CAR guide section at the back of the magazine may give the impression that we, as the South African motoring market, have a wide variety of vehicles to choose from, appealing variants offered in other locales often slip by us. How often have you read about a peppy little turbopetrol that is available overseas while we’re relegated to an archaic…

Price: R1 285 854 0–100 km/h: 5.21 seconds Top speed: 250 km/h Power: 225 kW Torque: 400 N.m CAR Fuel index: 10.68 L/100km CO2 : 180 g/km The A35 is a lot less polarising than the A45 hyper hatch Kyle Kock Solid road-holding and plenty of power, but a very firm ride Ian McLaren The history of hot hatches has been littered with varying interpretations from different manufacturers, and the formula isn’t an exact one. A decade ago, there was none quite as hot as Affalterbach’s A45 AMG. With a seven-speed dualclutch transmission that shifted faster than anything else on the market and an unthinkable-for-the-time 265 kW and 450 N.m from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine sent to all four corners via an performance AWD system, many considered it the progenitor…

10 054 km 8.5 L/100 km Versatility, configurable interior Nearly time to say goodbye By now, I’ve become an expert at removing and replacing this Kia’s second row of seating. It is a slightly cumbersome affair because of their individual weight and, after some negotiation with my children, it was decided they would once more face forwards in the outer two seats of this row, with a table and individual drinks holders separating them. From this vantage point, they each have access to roof-mounted air vents and charging points (positioned on the sides of the front seats) for their mobile devices. With the third row of seats folded flat behind them, there was more than enough luggage space for everything from clothes to board games, beach regalia and even bicycles,…

There was a time not too long ago when more than half of the CAR editorial team had a close female family member who owned and drove a Honda Jazz. Over the years, the knowledge that these loved ones were behind the wheel of a comfortable, safe and reliable hatch has been shared with thousands of fellow South Africans who grew up trusting this established Japanese brand. What was always interesting, however – and is a topic raised as an opening gambit with the general manager of Honda SA, Dinesh Govender – is the relative disconnect and, indeed, broad lack of interest, between the average Jazz (now Fit) owner and this brand’s notable motorsport heritage and any iteration of the lauded, high performance Civic Type R. Although Govender agrees this…

+ Spacious, impressive ride quality and NVH levels - Look and feel of some interior trim items aren’t Ford family-familiar The news in early 2021 of the termination of talks between Ford and Mahindra for the latter to develop Blue Oval-badged products for so-called emerging markets stifled many of the plans Ford South Africa had for a continued local presence within several key passenger car segments. With products including EcoSport, Fiesta and, indeed, Fiesta Figo having reached the end of their respective production cycles, any plans for replacement offerings were temporarily scuppered. As tested in our February issue, the Puma crossover represents a first step back into the passenger car playing field for this brand. While Puma is likely to remain a relatively niche offering, Ford is hoping the rebirth…

Price: R1 723 100 0–100 km/h: 5.99 seconds Top speed: 210 km/h Power: 273 kW Torque: 550 N.m CAR Fuel index: 7.80 L/100km CO2 : 148 g/km Lexus continues to impress with its segment-leading interior build quality and choice of materials Ian McLaren Features a surprising turn of pace for a package that so unapologetically favours comfort and sophistication Gareth Dean It’s intriguing to note the stages of evolution that the modern luxury sport utility vehicle has undergone. What began as a customer-driven desire to enjoy a more commanding driving position with maximum ground clearance and an appropriate sense of adventure has, over the years, shown every indication of attempting to reverse this original mandate by offering firmer, sportier suspension setups, sleeker rooflines and, by all accounts, more focused dynamics that…

Price: R609 900 0–100 km/h: 8.66 seconds Top speed: 175 km/h Power: 145 kW Torque: 290 N.m CAR fuel index: 9,36 L/100 km CO2 : 186 g/km Chery has successfully addressed some of the 1,5T Pro Max’ shortcomings while undercutting some stiff competition Kyle Kock Overzealous active safety features aside, the latest addition to Chery’s line-up is a polished product Siyavuya Mbaduli Upon its introduction to CAR readers in an October 2022 road test, we said that while the Tiggo 7 1.5T Executive was quite accomplished in many areas, its powertrain did not gain many plaudits. Chery has since addressed the matter (and the gap between the 1.5 Tiggo 7 models and Tiggo 8 Pro) by introducing the 7 Pro Max, featuring a more sophisticated 1.6 turbopetrol engine and seven speed…

As an impressively refined and sophisticated package, one of the noteworthy features that we like about the Lexus 500h tested on page 68 of this issue is the incorporation of a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission within this vehicle’s hybrid powertrain. In other derivatives, including the 350h, Lexus has defaulted to the use of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a popular transmission solution among many other brands from the Far East, including Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and, more recently, Chery. Some of the reasons for the broadly negative press linked with CVTs include the so-called ‘rubber-band effect’ that it has on straightline performance, as well as the audible drone associated with hard acceleration. So, why does it remain so popular? A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CVT From a refinement point of view,…

Notes The PRICES shown are the latest available at the time of going to press. Our deadline occurred on 23 January 2024. 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 and E = electric.…

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Volkswagen’s iconic Golf nameplate and the 48th birthday of the car widely considered the progenitor of the hot-hatch segment, the Golf GTI. As expected, the Golf 8.5 hasn’t undergone any dramatic changes – it is, after all, a winning formula – but with more power, improved cabin ergonomics and connectivity systems powered by artificial intelligence, it looks like a fitting last hurrah for what may be the last internal-combustion-engined Golf. SUBTLE SKIN As expected, the 8.5’s exterior treatments are very subtle, mainly encompassing revised headlamps with a less scalloped lower section, more pronounced ‘fangs’ on an updated front valance, a deeper rear bumper and restyled taillamps with updated LED elements. SIMPLER WITHIN The current GTI’s cabin hasn’t met with unanimous praise, mostly owing…

In an environment that has become increasingly hostile towards large displacement internal combustion engines, Mercedes-AMG’s long standing performance leviathan sidestepped the downsizing trend to retain a V8 for 2024. The SL63 E Performance features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 supplemented by an AMG Electric Drive Unit, an electric motor/two-speed transmission combination that is fed by an F1-developed 400 V battery and brings 150 kW to the table. Coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission, this combination channels 600 kW and 1 420 N.m to all four corners, letting the SL63 crack 0–100 km/h in 2.9 seconds on the way to its 317 km/h top speed. Keeping all that firepower in check is an AMG Active Ride Control suspension setup featuring a semi-active roll stabilisation system with adjustable dampers that counter body roll…

Lamborghini High-Performance Headsets R9 774–R12 951 Lamborghini has joined forces with Master & Dynamic to produce a trio of headsets that draw inspiration from the marque’s vibrant colours. The lineup includes the Wireless MW08 Sport Earbuds and MG20 Wireless Gaming Headphones, as well as the top-tier MW75 Wireless Headphones, each with distinct features. The Wireless MW08 Sport Earbuds, priced at R9 774, mirror the sleek design of Lamborghini’s super-sport models. Featuring the firm’s iconic ‘Y’ motif and durable sapphire glass, they are housed in a tough Kevlar case that holds up to 42 hours of charge. Moving up the ladder, at R10 953, the MG20 Wireless Gaming Headphones are the first luxury gaming headphones inspired by Lamborghini’s super-sport colours. Crafted with lambskin leather and sapphire glass, they feature a detachable…

TANK 300 HEV ETA: NOW Price: R851 950 Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl turbopetrol hybrid Transmission: 9-speed automatic Power: 255 kW Torque: 648 N.m Fuel consumption: 8.4 L/100 km* Towing Capacity (Braked): 2 500 kg Ground Clearance: 224 mm Rivals: Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, Isuzu mu-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport + build quality, rugged looks, plenty of tech, plush suspension - higher-than-claimed fuel consumption, no parcel-shelf cover, limited powertrain options My first encounter with GWM’s Tank 300 was on a cold, overcast and windy day last April at the firm’s R&D facility just outside Baoding, China. With the howling gale rendering our windbreakers useless, our party of journalists was ushered through electric glass doors into the warmth of a palatial atrium. It was there my eyes caught sight of a doorway that led into…

Price: R674 800 0–100 km/h 12.47 seconds Top speed: 175 km/h Power: 110 kW Torque: 400 N.m CAR fuel index: 9.12 L/100 km CO2 : 199 g/km A compelling combination of a rugged, proven package and drivetrain with modern nice-to-have appointments Ian McLaren Given the economic climate, the Raider X’s value-based proposition will likely help the Hilux keep its nose ahead of its rivals Braam Peens Although the intensity of the Ranger-versus-Hilux debate has ratcheted up by several notches since the Ford’s launch at the end of 2022, it can also be argued that the misalignment of the life cycles of the country’s two biggest bakkie brands is depriving disciples of what could be an even bigger braaiside bun fight. The current eighth-generation Toyota Hilux turns eight years old in 2024,…

3 348 km 8.4 L/100 km Sharp styling, ideal dimensions for a compact crossover, involving handling Thirstier than expected about town, lack of driver’s-side footrest Let it never be said we here at CAR give the vehicles that end up in our long-term test fleet an easy time of it, and Ford’s stylish Puma crossover is no exception. Its engine had barely cooled down after an impressive showing in a rigorous road test featured in last month’s issue when the Desert Island Blue ST-Line Vignale saw its belly filled with unleaded and its nose pointed towards the Eastern Cape for a 2 000-oddkilometre round trip as part of editorial intern Siya Mbaduli’s festive-season travels. To briefly recap our February road-test findings, in the wake of the EcoSport’s departure, the Puma…

Motorsport fans might recall a video on YouTube a few years back in which the young F1 prospect Carlos Sainz Jr – who was signed with Red Bull’s junior outfit Toro Rosso – was pitted against his father, WRC legend Carlos Sainz. The Red Bull film crew had visited the Sainz family ranch just outside Madrid and the younger Carlos was set to show up his dad in buggies on an off-road course on the estate. The old man won, with the two joking at the end about a follow-up race on asphalt. After Sainz Jr was signed to the Renault F1 team, a promotional video was released that featured both men, this time coaching Mark Webber and David Coulthard in Clio RS rally cars before the two F1 alumni…

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