The new BMW X2 arrived in South Africa earlier this year and Jacob Moshokoa recently spent some time with the range-topping X2 M35i. In our latest video review, Jacob questions whether the new X2 is worthy of wearing an M badge. Watch the video!
When the first generation BMW X2 luxury compact SUV hit the market back in 2018, it received a lukewarm welcome from local buyers. With its focus on style rather than practicality, the X2’s appeal was restricted in a market offering a range of more practical, common-sense offerings.
Fast forward to 2024 and BMW has unleashed an all-new X2 and from the outside it looks significantly bolder than its predecessor. Importantly though, the new BMW X2 now has a larger footprint (it’s 194 mm longer and 21 mm wider). Importantly, it features a 22mm longer wheelbase, resulting in a more practical cabin for passengers and luggage. In fact, the load bay offers 560 litres of space, an increase of 90 litres over the previous generation X2!
Is the new BMW X2 worthy of an M badge?
So, the new X2 M35i has visual appeal and enhanced practicality but is its performance worthy of an M badge? Jacob Moshokoa wanted answers and he put the X2 M35i’s turbocharged 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine to the test. With 233 kW and 400 Nm of torque mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the X2 M35i is capable of a claimed zero to 100kph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 250kph.
With pricing as of August 2024 starting from R1 223 936, the new X2 M35i is significantly pricier than the outgoing iteration of the luxury compact SUV, but the question remains, is it worth your consideration or are you better off looking elsewhere for your kicks? Note that a more affordable X2 sDrive18i M Sport is also available from R879 738.
This video review will help you decide, watch the video!
Also, be sure to watch our New BMW X2 Walkaround Review published earlier this year for more insight into the X2’s improved practicality.
Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two (2024) Price & Specs
Pricing for the freshly revealed Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two has already been announced. Here’s what this BMW-powered 467 kW performance SUV will cost in SA…
Remember the limited-run Edition One? Well, meet the Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two, which has already been confirmed for South Africa. In fact, the British automaker’s local division has even added pricing to its website.
So, how much will this new SV-badged Edition Two cost in Mzansi? Well, according to Land Rover South Africa’s website, pricing will kick off at R3 971 500, representing a R6 500 increase over the Edition One announced more than a year ago.
The front splitter features relatively subtle “Edition Two” branding.
So, what sets the Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two apart? Well, this latest version is offered in a choice of 4 new themes, each “carefully curated to ensure its assertive presence and sporting personality on the road”, according to Land Rover. The themes are Blue Nebula Matte, Marl Grey Gloss, Sunrise Copper Satin and Ligurian Black Gloss.
Each theme includes specific exterior paint colours, new carbon-fibre components and SV Performance seats in a range of colours (available in a choice of knit textiles or Windsor leather). Each unit furthermore gains “Edition Two” branding on items such as the front splitter, centre console and treadplates, with this lettering repeated in the puddle-lamp projection.
The Marl Grey Gloss theme.
The Blue Nebula specification (as shown in the main gallery above) features a matte paint finish paired with the new Satin Forged Carbon exterior pack, a painted carbon-fibre bonnet and black 23-inch forged alloy wheels (framing Blue Nebula brake callipers). Inside, this derivative’s SV Performance Seats are finished in Light Cloud and Ebony Windsor leather.
Meanwhile, the Marl Grey Gloss theme comes with the Gloss Carbon Twill exterior pack, an exposed carbon bonnet, 23-inch gloss carbon wheels and copper-coloured brake callipers, offered in conjunction with a Rosewood and Ebony Windsor interior.
This is the Sunrise Copper Satin theme.
Then there’s the Sunrise Copper Satin option, which furthermore features the Satin Carbon Twill exterior pack, a painted carbon-fibre bonnet and a black 23-inch forged alloys (this time complemented by red anodised callipers). Inside, the seats are upholstered in Ebony Windsor leather as standard.
Finally, the Ligurian Black Gloss theme mixes the Satin Carbon Twill exterior pack with an exposed carbon bonnet, 23-inch gloss carbon wheels and yellow brake callipers, plus a Cinder and Ebony interior in knit textiles and “Ultrafabrics PU”. In each case, the buyer has the choice to specify alternative wheel designs and brake-calliper hues, plus different interior upholstery.
Ligurian Black Gloss theme, anyone?
Just like the Edition One, this latest version employs the so-called P635 powertrain, a BMW-sourced (S63-series) twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 electrified petrol engine. As the hottest Range Rover Sport yet, the 8-cylinder mild-hybrid motor sends 467 kW and 750 Nm (or 800 Nm for a brief period in Dynamic Launch Mode) to all 4 corners via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
That sees this model outgun the previous-generation Range Rover Sport SVR, which offered 423 kW and 700 Nm courtesy of its supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine. Like the Edition One, maximum speed for the Edition Two stands at 290 kph and the 0-100 kph sprint is completed in a claimed 3.8 seconds, a figure that improves by 1-tenth when the vehicle is “fitted with all lightweight options”.
How much will the Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two cost?
Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two – R3 971 500
The price above includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan of the same duration.
The latest Bentley Continental GT Speed drops the iconic W12 in favour of a new V8 hybrid powertrain. Here’s how much the most powerful Bentley ever will cost in SA…
In June 2024, the latest Bentley Continental GT Speed was revealed, debuting as the most powerful road-going series-production Bentley ever built. Now, ahead of its arrival in South Africa – in both GT coupé and GTC convertible body styles – Cars.co.za can reveal local pricing.
As a reminder, the Continental GT Speed has ditched Bentley’s legendary turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine (485 kW/900 Nm) in favour of a likewise twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) powertrain, complete with 400-volt electrical architecture. With peak system outputs rising to a whopping 575 kW and 1 000 Nm, this model becomes the most powerful series-production Bentley yet.
Similar to the PHEV powertrain offered in other high-end Volkswagen Group models (such as the Lamborghini Urus SE), the 441 kW V8 petrol engine combines with a 140 kW electric motor nestled within the housing of the standard 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Courtesy of a 25.9 kWh battery pack mounted behind the rear axle, the all-paw Continental GT Speed has a claimed all-electric range of 81 km.
The Crewe-based automaker says the 4-seater coupé will complete the obligatory 0-100 kph sprint in just 3.2 seconds (4-tenths quicker than the outgoing W12 version), with the cabriolet taking a claimed 3.4 seconds (an improvement of 3-tenths). The Continental GT Speed’s listed top speed is a heady 335 kph, while the GTC-badged version maxes out at an electronically limited 285 kph.
For the record, the open-top GTC features a 7-bow fabric roof system that will be available in a range of 7 colours. According to Bentley, the roof is deployable in 19 seconds at speeds up to 48 kph.
So, how much will the latest Continental GT Speed cost in South Africa? Well, the base pricing we managed to dig up was kindly confirmed by the ever-knowledgeable vehicle-information specialists over at duoporta.com.
The Continental GT Speed V8 Hybrid Coupé will start at R7 500 000 with the standard 3-year Driveplan, or at R7 700 000 should the customer specify the 5-year Driveplan instead. The Continental GTC Speed V8 Hybrid Convertible, meanwhile, will kick off at R8 225 000, a figure that rises to R8 425 000 with the longer maintenance contract selected.
Both 2-door models benefit from the British firm’s new “Performance Active Chassis”, which includes an electronic limited-slip differential, all-wheel steering, torque vectoring (front to rear and across the axles), an active anti-roll system and a new generation of electronic stability-control software. Furthermore, the latest Continental GT Speed debuts a fresh dual-valve damper system as well as new dual-chamber air springs.
How much will the latest Continental GT cost in SA?
Finding a value-for-money family sedan in the new vehicle market is difficult enough, but add superb efficiency as a prerequisite and you’re left with the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR. Not to worry, however, it may well be all the car that you’ll ever need…
The Corolla Hybrid and its petrol-electric stablemates owe their existence to the 1st-gen Prius – the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid car, which was launched in Japan in 1998. But even when the brand started selling an updated model in some overseas markets, the Prius was still regarded as a novelty. Eventually, it became known as the vehicle of choice for the environmentally conscious (and often ridiculed, because of it). That was before the arrival of the battery-electric vehicle (EV), of course.
Since then the Prius has arguably become even more obscure, perhaps mostly due to its bizarre styling. The (admittedly more attractive) 5th-gen Prius is not available in Mzansi, but the lessons learnt with Prius are at the heart of a range of Toyota vehicles. Want a hybrid medium SUV? There is a RAV4 for you. A crossover? Consider the Corolla Cross! And if, for some reason, you are unwilling to jump on the crossover or SUV bandwagon, you can still have a Toyota hybrid, in the shape of the Corolla sedan.
In many ways, the Corolla Hybrid Sedan’s continued existence seems a bit odd. The decline in popularity of the sedan body shape in general is well known. Toyota also builds the smash-hit Corolla Cross (including the hybrid variants) in South Africa, and they’re more affordable. It begs the question; who is the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan aimed at?
To set the scene for this review, a couple of years ago, we spent a few weeks evaluating the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid SX variant (then equipped with the older, 4th-gen petrol-electric drivetrain) – you can read more about it and watch a video review here: Toyota Corolla Hybrid – What it’s like to live with.
In late 2022, Toyota South Africa gave the Toyota range a mild update, which included installing the 5th-gen petrol-electric drivetrain in its hybrid derivatives. We recently spent 3 months testing the range-topping Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR derivative and herewith are our findings…
What we like about the Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan
Efficiency
Let’s kick off with what is likely to be the most obvious purchasing consideration – fuel efficiency. As with the Prius and the Corolla Cross Hybrid, the hybridised Corolla Sedan is powered by a combination of a 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor drawing power from a Lithium-Ion battery pack.
Maximum system output is 103 kW and 142 Nm. Note: the combined power output of the hybrid system in the Corolla Sedan is 13 kW more than that of its Corolla Cross counterpart, but the torque is the same.
You can monitor the hybrid system’s energy flow on the Corolla’s infotainment screen.
Power goes to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and, provided a sufficient charge level is available, the Corolla can be driven on electric power alone at lower speeds (such as in traffic), for notable distances. Toyota claims a, well, brilliant average consumption figure of 3.9 L/100 km!
During our test period, we consistently averaged around 4.5 L/100km, which is truly exceptional in the real world. One of the testers managed to achieve 3.1 L/100 km with an ultra-conservative driving style.
During the Corolla Hybrid Sedan’s tenure in our test fleet, we averaged under 5 L/100 km with little difficulty.
Again, it is worth noting that the Corolla Hybrid Sedan is claimed to be more efficient than the Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid. And if you’re really counting the kilometres between fuel stops, then keep in mind that the capacity of the Sedan’s fuel tank is a not-insignificant 7 litres higher than that of the Corolla Cross.
The Corolla Hybrid Sedan doesn’t feature the Prius’ outlandish styling, which gives it far greater general appeal.
Overall, the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR is a vehicle that rewards relaxed, smooth driving with exceptional efficiency and comfort. That’s not to say that it is underpowered, however…
Select “Power” mode and it certainly becomes more responsive to throttle inputs, and with a (tested) 0-100 kph time of 9.88 seconds, it can’t exactly be described as slow. It just doesn’t pretend to have any sporty pretensions. A CVT drone is your “reward” for driving it in a ham-fisted manner.
The left console button activates pure-electric mode (when available) and the right one toggles between drive modes.
Out on the open road, and loaded with passengers and luggage (as well as items on the roof), fuel consumption predictably suffers. On one 800-km round trip, we averaged (a still excellent) 6 L/100 km.
Features and Comfort
Toyota offers 2 derivatives of the Corolla Hybrid Sedan in South Africa, the XS and the XR. The difference between the two is that the pricier XR (by around R20 000), as featured here, comes fitted with features such as; built-in navigation, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror. It has to be noted that even the XS is a comprehensively equipped vehicle, and you may very well want to consider taking the R20k saving…
The Corolla Hybrid Sedan’s cabin exuded excellent build quality, especially after we drove on gravel roads for quite a while.
As you would expect, the Corolla is a beautifully built machine. We ventured onto rough gravel roads rather often, and its cabin never emitted creaks or rattles. What helps is the fitment of 205/55 tyres on 16-inch wheels. Yes, bigger wheels would have significantly added visual appeal, but the upside is that the plump tyres certainly play a role in delivering exceptional ride comfort, across a variety of terrain.
Whereas 16-inch alloys seem puny by modern standards, they’re fitted with plump tyres that help to absorb road imperfections.
And if you are going to traverse routes with broken surfaces often, then the fact that the fitment of 16-inch wheels is paired with the inclusion of a full-size spare wheel is even more welcome. Corollas fitted with 18-inch wheels, for example, come with space savers (including the Corolla Cross…)
The Corolla Hybrid Sedan has a neat cabin layout and offers superb comfort for all occupants.
Finding a comfortable driving position shouldn’t be a problem; the driver’s seat is electrically adjustable (including height) and the steering column has generous scope for rake- and reach adjustment. The seats themselves are superb on the long road and seat heating in front is standard (a nice touch).
With a 2.7m-long wheelbase, the Corolla offers excellent front and rear occupant space. Moreover, the sedan’s quoted luggage capacity is no less than 470 litres, which makes its boot more capacious than the Corolla Cross’ load bay (a claimed 440 litres). There are 2 minor criticisms of the load area, however.
Owing to the Corolla Hybrid Sedan’s generous wheelbase, rear occupants are afforded reasonable legroom.
Firstly, while the rear seatback is split 60:40 and can fold down to increase load space, the opening is rather shallow, limiting the ultimate versatility on offer. What’s more, the boot lid’s arms extend deep into the luggage area, so be careful not to pack easily damaged items towards the sides of the compartment.
Front seating heating and a wireless charging pad were 2 of the Corolla Hybrid Sedan’s most popular features.
That’s it as far as criticisms go, however, because the rest of the Corolla’s cabin environment is very well thought out. There is a convenient charging pad at the base of the fascia, the automatic climate control works a treat and the touchscreen infotainment system’s menu is intuitive. This XR variant also features built-in navigation, so it’s not even necessary to pair your phone (which, of course, you can still do).
Built-in navigation seems old-school, but you’ll appreciate it when navigating in areas where cellular data is unavailable.
Another area in which the Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR shines is safety. Yes, the number of airbags (7) and the fitment of a multitude of active safety features is impressive, but even more so is the fact that none of the systems are intrusive or overly “nannying”.
The Corolla Hybrid Sedan comes equipped with numerous safety features, which are thoughtfully implemented.
In modern cars, we often find that active lane keeping, for example, gets implemented with such vigour (and alarm bells) that instead of preventing an accident, it almost causes one (through distraction). But in the Corolla, the steering just gently nudges you back into your lane… no bells, or flashing lights.
Similarly, the rear cross-traffic alert (one of the most underrated safety features), works when needed and not in a way that causes shock. It’s very refined, very considered and very measured… We like that.
Purchasing considerations
As highlighted elsewhere in this article, the Corolla Hybrid Sedan will appeal to sensible buyers who place a priority on safety, efficiency and comfort. In all those areas it delivers brilliantly. At face value, it may appear to be a conservatively specced vehicle – and one could easily argue that it is – but there is something deeply appealing about a car that eschews the fads of fashion in favour of common sense.
What makes the purchasing argument for the Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR even more compelling is that it is a product of Toyota – the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa Brand of the Year. It means owners (not journalists) rate this brand the highest for customer service, reliability and product satisfaction and, that’s before we mention the variant’s comprehensive warranty and service plan…
Price and After-sales support
The Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid XR sells for R570 200 (Aug 2024). The price includes a 3-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, 8-year/195 000 km hybrid battery warranty and 6-services/90 000 km service plan.
If you’re looking for a fashionable crossover – as many new-vehicle buyers do – consider the Corolla Cross variant, but keep in mind that spec-for-spec the Sedan’s higher price appears to be justified. If you specifically want a comfortable, safe and super-efficient sedan, you have to spend nearly R1 million on a small turbodiesel model from a premium brand. The Corolla Hybrid Sedan simply doesn’t have any competition in the local market. This is an excellent car that deserves to sell in far greater numbers.
Lexus has introduced its 2nd plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) as the flagship variant of the NX range. Considering the newcomer costs “only” R110k more than its hybrid sibling, does the NX 450h+ F Sport represent this segment’s ideal starter EV?
Lexus has had considerable skin in this electric game for quite some time now. It conceived the world’s first hybridised SUV with the RX450h in 2008 and lest we forget, the marque is the premium arm of the same manufacturer that blessed (we’re being polite) us with the underappreciated Toyota Prius.
Fast forward to today (about 9 years since the launch of the original AZ10-series NX) and I find myself, quite favourably, at the helm of the 2nd-gen NX – a mid-sized luxury SUV that straddles the line between suburban EV and petrol-swilling warm hatchback. I like it very much, but we’ll get to that just now.
Don’t think alt fuels, think all fuels
I’ve been droning on how EVs are great, fun-to-drive even – but no long-term solution for powering our passenger cars. Rather, I think we should adopt as many means as we can so as not to create another resource bottleneck. Fortunately, TMC has recognised the value in diversifying its product portfolios, hence fossil fuel options live on alongside EVs and the occasional dalliance in hydrogen and synthetics.
This brings us neatly to the plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the flagship NX 450h+ F Sport PHEV, yours for R1 336 200 (August 2024). Look, I did say premium, and you could call it sporty too in terms of aesthetics and athleticism. Combined outputs of 227 kW and 227 Nm are on offer here thanks to a 2.5-litre 4-pot petrol engine working hand in hand with a new electric motor and generator across the front axle.
The reward is a claimed 0-100 kph sprint time of just 6.3 seconds with an almost laughable (but in a good way, mind you) greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions of between 20 and 29 g/km. And an even more hilarious stated average fuel consumption of 1.3L/100 km. No, this isn’t a typical gas-guzzling SUV.
For that claimed efficiency, you can thank, in part, the new fully electric EV mode selectable via the HV Control System, enabling the Lexus NX with a pure electric range between 50 km and 70 km, making it quite useful as a “daily”. One sans range anxiety since the electric motor is always ready to take over.
In fact, it can be deployed in CHG (Battery Charge) mode to hold the charge in the 18.1 kWh Lithium-ion battery as is, thus eliminating the fear of a one-way trip. You can charge it at home too, in 8 hours via the 10A charging cable. At a public power point, you can accomplish the same in 2.4 hours via a 32A cable.
A Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport specified with the F Sport Hazel interior scheme.
Once you’re all powered up, the aforementioned performance is available to you via your right foot and a leather-trimmed ‘wheel, as the team of motors do their electric slide via Lexus’ all-wheel drive system dubbed E-Four. So, you’ve got loads of grip to exploit in what is quite a dynamic package for an SUV.
The typical array of drive modes is still available (including Eco, Sport and Sport+) since this flagship variant is, in fact, part of the F Sport family. Consequently, it is also styled like one – instead of using a compass and protractor, the artist seems to have wielded a chisel and calligrapher’s brush in penning the aggressively raked lines. The result is immediately familiar: a Lexus looks like a Lexus, looks like a Lexus.
But then, little else does – from that gaping F Sport maw, striking brightwork and distinctive LED lighting elements that incorporate adaptive high beams fore, and an LED bar at the rear (to bookend its iconic profile). The exterior can be had in 10 colours including White Nova and Poseidon Blue – 2 of which are exclusive to the F Sport. I chose one in Sonic Titanium, perched on darkened 20-inch alloy wheels.
When I slip into the bolstered sport seats of the leather-clad cabin, I find it stylish and sharp, yet cossetting and welcome, loaded to the gills with tech and features. The interior has been finished off in 4 distinct colours, and you can appreciate them bathed in natural lighting via a tilt-and-slide sunroof.
There are heated seats (electrically adjustable at the front, with memory function for the driver), a head-up display, an Apple CarPlayAndroid Auto-compatible 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system with surround-view monitor, as well as a wealth of safety equipment and tech (incl Lexus Safety Sense).
A Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport specified with the optional F Sport Flare Red interior scheme.
Connectivity abounds thanks to a wireless phone charger and 5 USB ports, but audiophiles will have to make do with Lexus’ own premium audio sound system for now. The more high-end Mark Levinson items only arrive next year. Oh, and before I forget… Thanks to a clever deployment of parking sensors and help from the Brake Assist feature, the Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport PHEV can essentially park itself.
Beyond this, there are still reams and reams of perks and hop-ups to be enjoyed, but perhaps the nicest surprise for road-tripping South Africans is the fact that luggage space has not been adversely affected by the inclusion of hybrid batteries in this plug-in derivative, load capacity still sits pretty at 520 litres.
A Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport specified with the optional F Sport Flare Red interior scheme.
The prices above include a 7-year/105 000 km warranty and a 7-service/105 000 km maintenance plan. Hybrid derivatives furthermore benefit from an 8-year/195 000 km warranty on the battery pack.
In a motoring world that’s highly curious about the kind of power that comes from a plug, Lexus offers an attractive prospect with a safety net in the shape of the existing petrol-brandishing network of service stations across the land. That it’s an accomplished Executive SUV is a wonderful bonus. For premium-car buyers, the Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport represents a range-anxiety-free gateway to EV ownership.
Which top-10 automakers rely most on a single model?
Which of South Africa’s 10 best-selling automotive brands in July 2024 relied most on a single model? Let’s take a closer look at some intriguing sales statistics to find out…
Some automotive brands rely heavily on a single model, while others see their sales spread across several nameplates. Just how does this phenomenon play out between the most popular marques in South Africa? Well, we broke down the figures for Mzansi’s 10 best-selling brands in July 2024 to find out.
The calculation is a straight-forward one: simply take the sales effort of each firm’s best-selling model and divide it by that brand’s overall total for the month. Keep in mind that we used brand tallies here (for example, Volkswagen rather than the overall VW Group) and restricted this exercise to a single month. Right, let’s take a closer look at what turned out to be a fascinating set of figures…
1. D-Max for Isuzu – 79.2%
Yes, the top-10 brand that relied most on a single model in July 2024 was Isuzu with its D-Max. In the end, the Struandale-built bakkie (1 641 units) accounted for nearly 80% of the Japanese firm’s total (2 072 units) last month. It’s hardly surprising considering the only other nameplates in Isuzu Motors SA’s line-up are the MU-X plus a few similarly low-volume medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
2. Ranger for Ford – 77.8%
As is the case with Isuzu, plenty of Ford’s local success rests squarely on the shoulders of the Ranger, with the Silverton-produced bakkie having made up almost 78% (2 258 units) of the Blue Oval brand’s total (2 901 units) in July. Though Ford has lost several nameplates over the past few years – think Figo, Fiesta and EcoSport, for starters – the company has diversified its range somewhat of late, adding models such as the Puma and Territory.
3. Jolion for Haval – 75.3%
In July 2024, the Jolion line-up (868 units) – which now includes new Jolion Pro derivatives – accounted for more than 75% of Haval sales. Note we’re using the Haval brand tally of 1 153 units here, rather than the GWM group total of 1 562 units. As a reminder, the Haval portfolio currently comprises only the H6 and Jolion.
4. Tiggo 4 Pro for Chery – 67.8%
Like its Chinese counterpart above, the Tiggo 4 Pro (1 153 units) was the single model that performed the bulk of the heavy lifting for the Chery brand (1 701 units) last month, ultimately being responsible for almost 68% of the automaker’s local registrations. Note that Chery’s total does not include Omoda or Jaecoo sales.
5. Magnite for Nissan – 55.8%
With the NP200 having been put out to pasture, the Magnite has seemingly stepped up as Nissan’s volume driver in Mzansi. In July, the Indian-built crossover (1 052 units) put in its best sales performance of the year to account for more than 55% of the Japanese firm’s 1 884 sales in South Africa.
6. Grand i10 for Hyundai – 51.2%
Having just benefitted from a price cut, the Grand i10 (1 383 units, a figure that includes light-commercial vehicle sales of the Cargo panel-van derivative) made up more than half of the Hyundai brand’s total (2 699 units) last month.
7. Polo Vivo for VW – 45.2%
Though July 2024 was the Polo Vivo’s best showing of the year thus far (thanks in part of a healthy chunk of sales to the rental industry), the Kariega-manufactured hatchback (2 591 units) accounted for less than half of the Volkswagen brand’s tally. Interestingly, the likewise locally built Polo hatch represented 21.1% of the brand’s 5 737 sales last month.
8. Kiger for Renault – 40.2%
These days, the Indian-made Kwid, Kiger and Triber make up the bulk of Renault sales in South Africa. In July 2024, the Kiger was the strongest-selling nameplate from the French automaker, with its 486 registrations translating to a little over 40% of Renault’s 1 210 sales.
9. Hilux for Toyota – 27.9%
Yes, South Africa’s best-selling vehicle accounted for less than a third of its maker’s tally last month. Though the Hilux (3 021 units) crossed the 3 000-unit mark in July, it formed just 27.9% of the Toyota brand’s 10 809-unit total (excluding Lexus and Hino sales). The likewise Prospecton-built Corolla Cross made up a further 14.3%, followed by the Starlet (11.3%).
10. Swift for Suzuki – 21.7%
Suzuki Auto SA’s range is characterised by the fact that there are very few low-volume models, with the sales load generally shared among a broad variety of nameplates. In short, virtually all models pull their weight. Still, the Indian-built Swift hatchback was again easily the marque’s top seller (despite posting its lowest tally of the year so far), with its 1 045 registrations counting as around a 5th of the Japanese firm’s 4 816-unit total.
No time to die? Jaguar’s big EV leap into the unknown
Jaguar is destined to become a niche all-electric premium brand, but its first all-new model will only arrive in Mzansi in 2026. Will the few local enthusiasts who appreciate the allure of “The Leaper” be ready to embrace the brand’s EV future?
In 2021, Jaguar announced its intention to be an all-electric (EV) brand by 2025. With more than half of 2024 now in our rear-view mirror, that countdown towards the company’s rebirth has started in earnest.
For the company – and its customers – built on a storied history of large-capacity, octane-burning, coaches (not to mention the 4th-most Le Mans wins, a forgettable spell in F1 and the odd Bond movie appearance), the Jaguar brand’s so-called Reimagine EV strategy is a brave – and uneasy – prospect.
On the plus side, no one will miss the current confusing similarly-sounding model codes (all the -Paces). More dramatically – and underscoring the company’s clean break with its past – industry whispers also point to the leaping cat logo (“The Leaper”) being abandoned at the proverbial automotive SPCA.
The implementation of the Jaguar EV plan comes amidst a plateauing consumer appetite for EV models. With just 1 in 5 cars sold worldwide in 2023 being battery-electric, an increasing number of automotive marques are putting the brakes on previously announced all-EV product timelines, with Ford, Hyundai, General Motors and others citing hybrids as an increasingly prolonged stopgap before full electrification.
Among Jaguar’s more direct rivals, Mercedes-Benz has reversed its plans to be all-electric by 2030, while Aston Martin has benched its EV SUV. And crucially, although EV sales are proportionally increasing following internal combustion sales peaking in 2017 – demand is stubbornly stuck in a few key markets.
Of all EVs globally sold in 2023, 60% were in China, 25% in Europe and 10% in the United States.
Segment angst and nostalgia aside, other immediate medium- and long-term challenges lie ahead for Jaguar. For a start, production of all internal combustion (ICE) models – the E-Pace and F-Pace SUVs, F-Type sportscar and XF sedan – ended in June; with the I-Pace EV being put to pasture by year’s end.
The debutant in the Coventry-based marque’s upcoming, more upmarket range of 3 all-new models (yes, it appears that the Jaguar EV strategy is to rival Bentley!) is a Porsche Taycan/Audi e-tron GT-aping 4-door grand tourer alleged to be Coventry’s most muscular ever, sporting a claimed 700 km range.
Jaguar intends to go even more upmarket and rival the likes of the VW Group’s Bentley brand.
Its 2 siblings – a large (imagine Bentayga-grade) SUV and a limousine (think XJ-that-is-not-an-XJ) will share its Jaguar Electric Architecture platform and not that of the outgoing I-Pace. All 3 of the models will be AWD and, when using the appropriate hardware, rapidly charge up to 80% in around 13 minutes.
It’s a clear move towards a more focused line-up, forgoing participation in traditional segments in exchange for targeting more profitable niches, though inevitably at the risk of reduced volumes.
In 2019, Cars.co.za’s Ash Oldfield won the SUV class of the Simola Hillclimb in an F-Pace SVR
However, as a consequence of the existing manufacturing plants being re-tooled for EVs in the wake of ICE production ending, the Jaguar EV GT is only set to be launched abroad next year and in SA in 2026.
That means that worldwide, dealers will have to tread water with run-out ICE stock at least until then. To this end, Jaguar in South Africa recently took delivery of a pair of F-Type ZP Edition coupes – from a batch of 150 global examples. Read more:Just 2 units of Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition for SA
The ZP is set to be the last-ever ICE Jaguar sportscar, painted in special 1960s E-Type heritage colours and dressed in some minor cosmetic trinketry; though is mechanically identical to non-limited edition R75 versions, which are powered by a 423 kW/700 Nm supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with all-wheel drive.
The 11-year-old Jaguar F-Type has been hailed as one of the most attractive cars of the millennium, though was never the threat to the Porsche 911 on the sales chart or the racetrack that Jaguar had imagined it would be. As the next Porsche Cayman will be all-electric, could Jaguar at some point in the future once again risk trying its hand at a similarly-powered competitor?
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
For some fringe car brands based in South Africa that are mandated to tow their mother companies’ “EV-only from [insert date here]” party line, our near-zero sales of electric vehicles are surely set to be a death knell in the years to come.
Jaguar protected by Land- and Range Rover stable
In the JLR group, Jaguars, Land Rovers and Range Rovers are sold out of the same dealerships globally, and this will continue to be the case under the Reimagine strategy, which is precisely why Jaguar can pursue a low-volume product strategy in the future, safe in the knowledge of cross-group subsidies.
Certainly, a car brand like Volvo, which aims to also be all-electric by 2030 – that sells only a handful of EVs in South Africa each month and almost all at near seven-digit prices, with no assistance to call upon from sister brands, may not be as fortunate…
Jaguar TCS Racing won the FIA Formula E Teams’ Championship last month. SA-born James Barclay (pictured) is the team’s director.
Jaguar is ready for an EV future, but are consumers?
To mangle a movie metaphor, Jaguar’s dilemma is this: the world deserves to have more EVs on the road, but as the revisionary adoptions around ICE of other OEMs have shown of late, it also doesn’t need them quite as badly as had been initially thought.
On the other hand, neither dying a hero nor living long enough to become the villain would have been feasible options. So, for the Coventry-based feisty feline, its metamorphosis was mandatory: sometimes the best option comes from knowing there was never a choice to be made at all.
VW Polo climbs list of SA’s 10 best-selling cars & crossovers
In July 2024, the Volkswagen Polo hatch registered its best sales performance of the year so far. Here are South Africa’s 10 best-selling cars and crossovers for last month…
We’ve already shared our list of Mzansi’s most-popular bakkies for July 2024, so now it’s time to turn our attention to the passenger-vehicle market. So, let’s identify South Africa’s best-selling cars and crossovers for last month.
As a reminder, SA’s new-vehicle market finally registered some (marginal) year-on-year growth in July, with total sales increasing 1.5% to 44 229 units. The new passenger-vehicle segment was responsible for much of that momentum, with this sector gaining 6.8% year on year to 29 934 units. Interestingly, car-rental sales accounted for a considerable 17.1% of that figure.
The Grand i10 snuck onto the passenger-vehicle podium in July.
After sorting through the sales data, we found that the Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo Vivo not only held onto the top spot but also registered its best effort of 2024 thus far, with as many as 2 591 units sold. The rental market played a considerable role in this model’s success, with 1 042 examples (or 40.2%) of the Vivo sold via this channel. A further 199 units were purchased by government, while 155 more were listed as so-called “single” registrations (vehicles licensed by VW for its own use).
The Prospecton-produced Toyota Corolla Cross (1 547 units) retained a comfortable 2nd place, while the Hyundai Grand i10 – which recently benefited from a price cut – climbed 3 positions to grab the final spot on the podium. The Indian-built model’s figure of 1 269 units excludes light-commercial vehicle sales (the Grand i10 Cargo panel van), which further amounted to 114 units last month.
The Starlet held steady in 4th position in July.
The Toyota Starlet (1 222 units) held onto 4th place, while the Kariega-manufactured Volkswagen Polo hatch – just like its Vivo sibling – put in its strongest showing of the year so far, climbing 4 rankings to 5th with a tally of 1 211 units. Benefiting from 323 sales to the rental industry, the Polo hatch finally crossed back into 4 figures for the first time since January 2024.
The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (1 153 units) thus slipped 3 places to 6th in July, though still finished ahead of the Nissan Magnite (1 052 units) in 7th. The Indian-built Magnite was another model to hit a 2024 high last month, cracking 4 figures for the first time this year (a feat it didn’t manage to achieve in 2023).
The Swift posted its lowest tally of 2024 thus far but still cracked 4 figures.
In contrast, the Suzuki Swift (1 045 units) – which is due to be replaced by an already revealed new-generation model at a thus-far unspecified date – put in its weakest effort of the year, which saw it slide 3 positions to 8th spot.
Meanwhile, the Haval Jolion (868 units) range – which now includes new Jolion Pro derivatives – climbed a place to 9th, making it past the 800-unit mark for the first time in 2024. With yet another best-of-the-year showing, the Suzuki-made Toyota Vitz (864 units) grabbed the final spot on the table, effectively booting the locally built Fortuner from the list.
SA’s 10 best-selling cars & crossovers in July 2024
Thanks to our friendly dealer network, we can confirm pricing, specifications and timings for the new BMW M5.
The new BMW M5 will be going on sale locally in South Africa in November 2024, with a price tag of R2 690 000.
Powered by a plug-in hybrid V8 twin-turbocharged petrol engine which makes 535 kW and 1 000 Nm, the latest-gen super sedan is claimed to sprint to 100 kph in just 3.5 seconds and run to a top speed of 305 kph. Interestingly, the hybrid mode features a pure electric range of 70 km. The vehicle features an xDrive all-wheel system with rear-wheel steer and an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
From the product bulletin, we can see that BMW South Africa has adopted an all-in approach with very few options. The optional extras include heated seats for front and rear, heated steering, M carbon brakes, sun protection glazing and panoramic glass roof (which we suspect replaces the carbon fibre roof).
The standard equipment list is substantial with things like Bowers & Wilkins surround sound, wireless charging, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, M Drivers Package, M Carbon exterior package, M Roof Liner in Alcantara, built-in e-sim, M safety belts, 4-zone climate control, illuminated grille, tyre pressure monitor, heated front seats with ventilation, automatic tailgate, multi functional sport seats,
What about timings? The new BMW M5 production has already begun with the first units rolling off the line in early July 2024. Its local public debut will be at the BMW M Fest, which is being held at Kyalami Grand Prix circuit and customers will start to receive their cars in November 2024.
How much does the new BMW M5 cost in South Africa?
The new BMW M5 price includes VAT and Motorplan, but excludes CO2 tax.
The updated GR Corolla Automatic gets more torque on top of a quick-shifting two-pedal setup. Here’s a look at the changes.
The Toyota GR Corolla hot hatchback has been updated for 2025 and the biggest change sees the debut of an automatic gearbox.
The gearbox in question is an 8-speed Gazoo Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) and it comes with gearshift paddles located on the steering wheel. It’s not just the transmission as the updated GR Corolla Automatic also features additional torque.
The 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine makes 221 kW and 400 Nm, 30 Nm more than the previous manual gearbox-equipped GR Corolla. The vehicle now features launch control enabling those perfect starts. The manual-equipped GR Corolla had a claimed 0-100 kph time of just 5.3 seconds and we reckon this auto version should do the same sprint in just under 5 seconds.
There are also enhancements to the suspension with improvements to the cornering traction by adding rebound springs to the front and rear. Improved rear coils and stabilizers were also added to aid response and turning controllability. The trailing arm mounting point has been raised to reduce rear squat during hard acceleration. As before, a front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials will be standard.
Visually, the GR Corolla Automatic gains a new-look front bumper to facilitate additional cooling to the intercooler, brakes and radiator and the cabin gets new trim finishes.
In terms of spec, the international model will be available in three trim levels, but South African specifications and availability are yet to be confirmed.
