CARMarch 2023的目錄

It’s a bakkie bonanza in this month’s issue of CAR. We get behind the wheel of the new Volkswagen Amarok to see just how the German carmaker has gone about differentiating its new double-cab from the Ford Ranger (we also drove the Ford on the local launch) upon which it’s based. Insight News peers into a fascinating, electrified future; Japanese tech giant Sony and Honda reveal the first fruits of their venture into the automotive sphere in the guise of the tech-laden Afeela. Peugeot’s Inception and BMW’s iVision DEE concepts are similarly bristling with eco-friendly powertrains and innovative features but thankfully, there’s also some old-school performance-car muscle on show with last hurrahs for the Renault Mégane RS and Nissan GT-R. Our Featured Drives place us in the lap of luxury,…

CADILLAC AND ANDRETTI AIM AT F1 ENTRY General Motors subsidiary Cadillac and racer Michael Andretti have put together a renewed F1 bid. Andretti, who was the last American to score points in F1, plans to extend the grid in motorsport’s top tier in time for the 2026 season. There’s been some highly publicised opposition to the partnership from certain parties in the paddock. Aside from the speculation the new outfit would poach all the American sponsors currently in F1, another works entry can only bode well for the sport. RAM TRUCKS INTRODUCES EXTENDABLE LOAD BED Stellantis subsidiary Ram Trucks launched its Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept. Basically, when it goes into production, it will take on traditional rivals such as the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV. The likes…

GarethD_CARmag The pictures you see from the press release of a new model are seldom a true reflection of what you encounter when you get behind the wheel of said car on the day of a product launch. These sun-kissed images you see here are a far cry from the meteorological hissy fit that Cape Town threw as Mercedes granted us a taste – well, more of a round-the-block nibble – of some of its latest EV models. Roads glimmered slick from a burst of rain and brooding clouds flickered with lightning as thunder reverberated outside Mercedes’ Century City dealership. Not ideal driving conditions, but the electricity crackling in the atmosphere seemed fitting given the impact these models are set to have on the Stuttgart luxury carmaker’s upcoming plans. I…

RyanOConnorZA Award-winning radio and TV presenter Ryan O’Connor – or ROC, as he is affectionately known – has dominated the airwaves for 21 years on some of the Mother City’s best-loved stations. Catch him on the HEART FM Drive, weekdays, 3 to 6 pm. The beauty of restomod, or restoration and modification, vehicles is they breathe new life into old cars. They allow us to commemorate the classics in a contemporary market. A famous example is the Singer 911, introduced by Robert Dickinson. Singer has been doing modifications to Porsches for years, and there have been some incredible cars to roll off its “production line”. I suppose therein lies the allure … there is no production line. A car that has been restored and modified will never be one that…

Petridish_Mooks 18 673 km 11,75 L/100 km I would never admit to being a rugged bakkie fan, but having had the pleasure of driving the 2,0 Bi-Turbo Double Cab 4x4 Raptor over the festive season, it’s easy to see why this high-performance version of the Ford Ranger ranks among the most popular pick-up trucks on our market. As one of the largest, most aggressively styled bakkies currently plying South African roads, it’s quite the head-turning unit, but there is more to that Raptor than just its jacked-up bodywork and off-road bragging rights. I love to venture out of Cape Town with my family during the busy holiday season. Bredasdorp is a family favourite. This area is pure bakkie country, and for good reason, too. There is just so much you…

In today’s competitive market, reducing costs and improving efficiency is key to vehicle manufacturers achieving profitability. To do so, they maximise the sales of each model range by offering derivatives at various price points and specification levels to increase their appeal and sales potential. This approach enables them to offer products that meet differing customer needs. However, in the 4x4 market, customer requirements are often too diverse, and sometimes too specialised, for this approach to be practical. Manufacturers cater for common 4x4 customer requirements by presenting a range of approved accessories. Typically, these include items like nudge bars, towbars, tonneau covers, bonnet- and headlamp protectors, load-box liners and rubber mats. Beyond these items, customers can select accessories from a range of aftermarket specialists. Canopies are a good example, with almost…

PeterPalm12 Visit Car Magazine at carmag.co.za/cars-for-sale To find the latest New & used cars for sale CASE STUDY: THIS YEAR IS THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT Our fertile minds spring into action with another seemingly hare-brained idea; looking at some of the first Chinese vehicles to reach our shores space safety & aids cost of 4 tyres road test long-term test GWM Steed 5 Diesel 5 seats, 675 kg payload 2 airbags, ABS, EBD R8 768 February 2015 (Steed 5E 2,0 VGT) 0–100 km/h: 14,79 seconds Top speed: n/a Power: 105 kW Torque: 305 N.m Fuel consumption: 9,96 L/100 km The most common engines in the Steed range are the 2,2-litre- and 2,4-litre petrol units. The diesels were soon added as these are much more popular for powering bakkies in South Africa,…

+ FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION & FREE DELIVERY OF YOUR MAGAZINE SIMPLY CONTACT US AND QUOTE 23/03/SP/CAR HOW TO SUBSCRIBE email: subscribe@habarimedia.com call: 087 550 0329 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This offer applies to print subscribers with a South African address only. By providing your personal details, you are giving CAR permission to communicate with you via email or SMS. For foreign rates and other great offers, visit subs.arena.africa/magazines.asp…

Peugeot’s upcoming EV line-up will make its way to showrooms during 2025 and will be heavily inspired by this Inception Concept. The Inception rides on Stellantis’ largest platform – the STLA – and measures over 5,0 m long and just 1,3 m tall. The low-slung look is enhanced by the sharp angles and hard lines created by its aluminium- and carbon-fibre bodywork, all part and parcel of the company’s Predator design language. The visual aggression is backed up by dual electric motors that send 500 kW and 811 N.m of torque to the tarmac via all four wheels. This is enough to propel the Inception from 0–100 km/h in only three seconds. The motors are powered by a 100-kWh battery, which Peugeot claims can power the Inception for up to…

ianmclaren76 While it is named after a fearsome, colossal wolf from Inuit mythology, and the first-generation Volkswagen Amarok introduced a broader stance than had been seen in the double-cab market, Wolfsburg’s first family-focused double-cab quickly established itself as a docile, easy-to-live-with proposition. An ever-popular segment in our part of the world, few could argue that the arrival of Amarok in 2011 introduced newfound levels of SUV-rivalling comfort and convenience (and efficiency). Was this the dawn of the lifestyle bakkie? It registered more than 830 000 global sales of predominantly high-end derivatives (70% of SA customers favour the V6). Whereas the announcement of a successor product may have seemed obvious, the Volkswagen Group’s focus was firmly fixed on its shared-platform all-electric future. So, the in-house development of a new body-on-frame double-cab…

@BraamPeens1 *Claimed figures Price: R799 900 Engine: 1,5-litre, inline-four, turbopetrol + electric Transmission: seven-speed DCT Power: 118 kW @5 750 r/min + 15 kW/55 N.m electric Torque: 240 N.m @1 500 r/min 0–100 km/h: 8,8 seconds Top speed: 210 km/h Fuel consumption: 5,7 L/100 km (combined) CO2 emissions: 130 g/km Rivals: Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus UX, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40 + high-riding haute-couture hotness − lethargic engine and lardy power-to-weight ratio In our modern world, the phrase “transitioning” has come to take on a growing number of meanings. However, few are as far-reaching as Alfa Romeo’s declared metamorphosis into a producer of only electric cars from 2027 onwards. By its very definition, when it comes to cars, transitioning presupposes a stepped process whereby certain milestones are fulfilled as part of…

Deonskidmark Deon Joubert is no stranger to CAR readers. He has worked with the team over the years as the go-to track-test driver. As with most professional racing drivers, Deon started karting at a young age and racing and cars seem to be a part of his DNA. This thing we call the motor car has been around since the late 1800s, but right now, we are living through the most amazing era of motoring. On any level, an automobile is a technological marvel. It doesn’t matter whether it’s powered by an electric motor or an internal combustion engine, when you consider what has gone into that vehicle in terms of getting you to your destination, the modern car is an engineering masterpiece. New engines are remarkable creations, with many…

GarethD_CARmag 12 224 km 7,98 L/100 km Just over halfway through its tenure in our long-termer fleet, the EcoSport continues to find favour among the CAR team. This month, I spent a couple of weeks sampling an interesting feature some may not be aware of. I’ve driven many variants of Ford’s compact crossover since their arrival on our market 10 years ago and it was great to reacquaint myself with the model. My last stint was at the helm of the stylish, leisurely, modestly equipped 1,5 Ambiente Black derivative in August 2021. Our Active’s 1,0-litre turbopetrol unit continues to set the standard. The 92 kW and 170 N.m render it one of the strongest performers in its segment. Allied with proven Ford B2E platform underpinnings, light but responsive controls and…

PeterPalm12 Model: Ford Granada V8 (by Basil Green) 0–100 km/h: 8,6 seconds Top speed: 210 km/h Fuel index: 12,1 L/100 km Price: R5 730 CAR test: January 1973 plus two others This “executive” Ford replaced the Zephyr in Europe and Fairmont and 17M/20M in South Africa. The first-generation Granada was sold from 1972 and was succeeded by the series 2 in 1978. While renowned for their upmarket trimmings and their refined manners on the road, the Granada line also spawned two standout performance versions: the Basil Green Motors V8 and the elegant two-door coupé. PACKAGING The first iteration of the coupé’s styling used a “kick-up” over the rear wheelarches, but this was soon upgraded to straight side lines and a sloping rear line somewhat reminiscent of the Alfetta GT’s profile.…

BraamPeens1 The MP4/13 wasn’t just the car that best acquiesced to 1998’s change to grooved tyres and 1 800 mm “Thin Lizzy” spec (down from 2 000 mm). As with most championship-winning F1 cars, it did not shy away from controversy. It was the first McLaren fully penned by Adrian Newey, who had arrived the previous year after falling out with Williams. Over 16 races, the MP4/13 netted 12 poles, nine fastest laps and victories as well as 20 podiums. It was otherwise unremarkable, but sported a simple yet effective rear-brake steering mechanism. A second pedal and cockpit-switchable hydraulics operated either the inner right or left rear brake in anticipation of whichever direction the upcoming corner demanded. Oversteer during corner entry and exit was all but eliminated as the car…

KyleSpliceZA Japanese technology firm Sony has announced its joint venture with Honda for a new automotive brand called Afeela, a name that’s supposed to convey mobility. After the initial Sony Vision-S concept debuted in 2022 at the Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas, Sony Honda Mobility launched a dedicated brand, with the intention of taking orders in 2025. HONDA HANDLES THE CAR STUFF Honda’s tackling the exterior design and underpinnings, presumably relying on all its experience developing and building its previous five EV concepts; the most recent was the Honda e in 2021. It looks like Honda’s made some revisions to the design, opting for a sleeker, less traditional style. The wraparound daytime running light (DRL) remains, but is more prominent as it stretches beyond the front wheelarches in a fashion…

BMW has recently developed a knack for dropping jaws. Whether it’s the kidney grille on the M4 or the altogether squared-off XM, everyone has something to say about the brand. And the new iVision DEE is no exception. This concept’s uncluttered three-box design reminds us of the E30 sedans of yore, but brought into the age of EVs. It doesn’t even look like a BMW from right ahead in all-white because the kidney grille can colour shift. Those, along with the headlamps, will change to produce different facial expressions to convey moods such as “joy, astonishment or approval”. The iVision features the German firm’s upcoming Neue Klasse electric car platform, and these dedicated underpinnings mark a departure from trying to adapt a car designed to use an internal combustion engine…

IMMINENT BAIC BJ80 Honda Civic Type R Lotus Emira Maserati Grecale McLaren Artura Mitsubishi Outlander Nissan Qashqai e-Power Suzuki Grand Vitara Toyota Crown Toyota Supra manual Q2 Chery Omoda 5 BMW M2 BMW Z4 BMW XM Fiat Doblo Jaguar i-Pace Kia Seltos Lexus RX Mahindra Scorpio N Porsche 911 Dakar Volvo C40 Recharge Q3 Hyundai Grand i10 Renault Arkana Subaru Crosstrek Subaru Outback XT Q4 Audi Q8 e-tron BMW 7 Series Mazda BT-50 Mercedes-AMG C 63 E performance Rolls-Royce Spectre TBC Aston Martin Valhalla Ferrari Purosangue Jaguar F-Type 75 Lamborghini Urus Performante Land Rover Defender 75 Mazda CX-60 Mitsubishi ASX Toyota GR Corolla *Please note this list is in no way exhaustive and dates may be impacted by production and delivery delays.…

@ianmclaren76 WHERE WE DROVE IT The fact that the average age of a BMW 7 Series owner in China is 38 is significant. It highlights the rate at which this flourishing market has been creating wealth within its population. More than 45% of annual 7 Series sales is focused within that country’s borders, which goes a long way towards the German brand’s positioning of its flagship proposition. The X7 SUV has very quickly established itself as the favoured premium BMW product within the still-important US market. However, the need to appease a younger, more flamboyant emerging 7 Series sedan audience than historically acknowledged has prompted a number of tough board-level decisions in Munich. According to Sebastian Simm, lead designer on the new (G20) seventh-generation project, this included sign-off on the…

BraamPeens1 WHERE WE DROVE IT *Claimed figures Price: R953 500 Engine: 3,0-litre, V6 turbodiesel Transmission: 10-speed automatic Power: 184 kW @3 250 r/min Torque: 600 N.m @1 750–2 250 r/min 0–100 km/h: n/a Top speed: n/a Fuel consumption: 8,4 L/100 km (combined) CO2 emissions: 222 g/km Rivals: Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Peugeot Landtrek, Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Amarok + next-level design, refinement and user utility − V6 acoustics could be a bit throatier Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, but if you are any other bakkie maker in SA right now, you should be panicking, because the Blue Oval means business … like never before. As part of its research for this new, second-generation T6 Ranger, Ford fielded over 5 000 customer interviews and under-took…

WLutjeharms Petridish_Mooks Compact, elegant and sporty. These are some of the words that came to mind as I laid eyes on the rare 1957 Fiat 1200 Trasformabile for the first time. This beautiful and compact convertible is arguably one of the rarest classic Fiat models in South Africa. Owner Ivo Sega has a wicked sense of humour that constantly keeps you laughing. He is the restorer and manager behind Carrozzeria Ferrari, Scuderia South Africa’s official panel shop. To most folks taking in this particular Trasformabile, it looks as though it has been meticulously restored to near-concours condition. Ivo pointed out a thing or two that don’t quite meet his exacting standards, but for a car from the late 1950s restored several years ago, it presents itself as a beautiful classic.…

GarethD_CARmag 5 026 km 7,62 L/100 km + spacious boot, compliant ride, useful sport mode in drivetrain management system − some unexpected trim noise on coarse surfaces There are few better ways to get acquainted with your car than heading out of the suburban sprawl and taking to the open road, something I undertook during the festive season with a trip to the picturesque West Coast town of Paternoster. While the arrow-straight R27 was never going to challenge the Sportage dynamically, the varying road surfaces, high temperatures (the mercury brushed the 35-degree mark) and 320 km of motorway-speed travel would be a good testbed to unearth any dormant quirks in round-town driving. Although our excursion party was limited to two, you can always count on at least one person being…

GarethD_CARmag We’re all familiar with the regenerative brake-energy harvesting technology on many hybrids and EVs. BMW is taking a new tack with the development of a suspension system that siphons electric energy from a vehicle’s shock absorbers. The recently submitted patent shows a set-up similar to the 48V roll-mitigating hardware found in heavy, high-performance SUVs, which is connected to the shocks via a stabiliser bar. When the suspension springs are compressed, the bar twists in one direction, acting on an actuator disc. On the rebound, any energy stored on the compression stroke is released, spinning the actuator in the opposite direction. A clutch then allows the actuator to drive through a small gearbox, spinning a compact flywheel that generates electricity fed into the vehicle’s battery. BMW hasn’t yet released a…

Being unable to register the Piranha name, the spelling was switched to Perana. The Granada V8 was the only Basil Green car not to receive the Perana name. The chairman of Ford in the 1970s was the hugely influential Lee Iacocca, who was a great fan of the Granada V8. This was before he moved to save the ailing Chrysler corporation in 1978. If our modern coupés such as the Audi A5 and A7, BMW’s 4 and 6 Series models and others come to be considered half as exotic as the coupés of the ‘60s and ‘70s, enthusiasts should start collecting them now. Apart from the Granada, other rarities of the era include the Alfa Romeo GTV, Audi 100 Coupé, BMW 2002ti and CSL, Opel Manta, GT, and Rekord Coupé,…