Toyota’s new ladder-frame bakkie has been spotted in what appears to be production-ready guise in Thailand. And, fascinatingly, it’s wearing the “Hilux Champ” badge…
We’ve already seen Toyota’s upcoming workhorse bakkie concept in several forms, but now what appears to be the production version has been spotted in Thailand. And, rather fascinatingly, it’s wearing the “Hilux Champ” badge.
As a reminder, Toyota revealed the IMV 0 Concept in Thailand towards the end of 2022, before showing off a few interesting applications of the ladder-frame bakkie concept – since christened “Rangga” in that country – in August 2023. Further iterations were then unwrapped at the recent Japan Mobility Show 2023.
Now, Kurdistan_Automotive_Blog has published spy photographs of the vehicle on Instagram. While the seemingly production-spec bakkie doesn’t appear too far removed from the basic concept version, the images do show the vehicle sporting “Hilux Champ” plates.
According to the Instagram post, Toyota is scheduled to show the production version in Thailand on 27 November 2023. Based on that timing, the bakkie may well be available in initial markets as early as next year.
Of course, South Africans will associate the Champ nameplate with the Rosslyn-built Nissan 1400 bakkie that preceded the NP200, with the former nicknamed the “Champion of Africa” (or Champ, for short). But the moniker has been used by Toyota before, applied to an updated version of the 7th-generation Hilux offered in Thailand from 2012 (with the official name of that model being the “Toyota Hilux Vigo Champ”).
So, what do we know about the new Hilux Champ? Well, though powertrain details have yet to be released – indeed, we have very little official technical information (so, no word on payload capacity, for instance) at all – the Japanese automaker has confirmed the bakkie’s exterior dimensions.
The wheelbase is listed as 3 085 mm, precisely the same distance between the axles of the current-generation Hilux. In concept form, the bakkie measures 5 300 mm from nose to tail, which is 30 mm longer than a single-cab Hilux but 25 mm shorter than extended- and double-cab versions of Toyota’s big-selling bakkie. It’s 1 785 mm wide (a touch narrower than a standard Hilux) and stands 1 740 mm tall.
Whether or not the Hilux Champ is on the cards for South Africa remains to be seen (nor whether it will wear this badge in all markets), but it’s worth keeping in mind that earlier in 2023, as reported by IOL Motoring, Toyota SA Motors executives hinted at an upcoming model that could slot in below the Hilux and likely be built at the same factory in KwaZulu-Natal. Considering the new Champ seemingly shares its underpinnings with the current-generation Hilux, could that mean local production is indeed on the horizon?
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: October 2023
We have the latest sales figures, bakkie fans! Here’s your monthly look at South Africa’s best- and worst-selling bakkies for October 2023…
In October 2023, South Africa’s new-vehicle industry registered a year-on-year decline of 2.0% to finish on 45 445 units. The light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment likewise experienced a fall, with registrations in this space coming in at 12 361 units, or 3.0% down on the same month in 2022.
So, what happened on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies? Well, the Prospecton-produced Toyota Hilux (a new widebody GR Sport derivative is currently “under study” for SA) was predictably again way out in front, ending October 2023 on a heady 3 110 units. For the record, this was the 6th time this year the Japanese stalwart had crossed the 3 000-unit barrier.
Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger shed 560 sales month on month to finish on 1 853 registrations, though that was still enough for the Silverton-made bakkie to retain 2nd place. The Straundale-built Isuzu D-Max (1 464 units) also experienced a decline in sales compared with its September effort, but nevertheless again completed the podium. Though a facelifted D-Max has broken cover overseas, we likely won’t see it here for some time still.
The Nissan NP200 – production of which is scheduled to come to a close at Rosslyn in March 2024, with Nissan SA having entered a “formal consultation phase to restructure the business” as it seeks a replacement model – held steady in 4th position with 961 units. Recently bolstered by new S6 Karoo single-cab derivatives, the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (565 units) range again grabbed 5th.
The new VW Amarok’s 7th-place finish in October was its best yet.
With a hardcore Warrior derivative on the cards and a new generation starting to appear on the horizon, the Nissan Navara (354 units) moved up 2 places to 6th. The Volkswagen Amarok (352 units), though, was right on its tail in 7th. That’s the highest ranking the new-generation (Ford-built) Amarok has managed since launching in Mzansi in March 2023, when it placed 8th with 401 registrations (though that figure likely included a few 1st-gen units).
China’s GWM P-Series (281 units) slipped 2 places to 8th, while the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – which has received an update overseas, including the option of the familiar 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission – fell 2 spots to 9th, with 248 registrations. Finally, the GWM Steed (99 units) returned to the table to seize the final position.
Best of the rest in October 2023: bakkies outside the top 10
Sales of the Peugeot Landtrek were boosted month on month by rental-industry purchases.
So, which bakkies didn’t crack the top 10 in October 2023? Well, the Peugeot Landtrek improved its tally to 63 units – 35 of which came via the rental-sales channel. While this model is currently imported from China, local production is due to start in Coega (near Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape) by “early 2026”.
After making the cut in September, the Mitsubishi Triton was relegated from the top 10 in October, with just 48 examples sold. Meanwhile, JAC’s T-badged bakkies (the Chinese automaker unfortunately reports only a combined figure for its T6, T8 and new T9 line-ups) managed 96 registrations.
The rationalised Mahindra Bolero range had to settle for just 27 sales in October 2023, while the Jeep Gladiator (7 units) and Mazda BT-50 (5 units) again failed to make it into double figures. For the record, the facelifted Gladiator is likely to make local landfall only towards the end of 2024.
Export winners in SA’s bakkie segment in October 2023
The Toyota Hilux remained SA’s top performer on the bakkie-export charts in October.
What about the export market? Well, the Toyota Hilux kept its nose ahead of the Ford Ranger in this race too, with 7 149 units of the Prospecton-built bakkie and 6 544 examples of its Silverton-produced rival shipped off to overseas markets in October 2023.
The D-Max (544 units), Navara (327 units) and NP200 (11 units) again made up the numbers on the export charts. As has been the case for several months now, the official Naamsa report furthermore showed a couple of imported models being exported from local shores in October 2023, this time in the form of the Mitsubishi Triton (28 units) and GWM P-Series (27 units).
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for October 2023
SA’s best-selling brands and vehicles in October 2023
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales fell 2.0% year on year in October 2023. Here’s your full overview, including Mzansi’s most popular brands, best-selling vehicles and much more…
In October 2023, South Africa’s new-vehicle industry registered a year-on-year drop of 2.0% to finish on 45 445 units. That made it 3 consecutive months of year-on-year declines in sales (and the 5th drop overall in 2023), with October furthermore representing a 1.3% fall compared with September 2023’s effort of 46 021 registrations.
Industry representative body Naamsa said the “persisting economic strain on businesses and consumers continued to impact directly on new-vehicle sales”.
Out of the total reported industry sales of 45 445 vehicles, Naamsa estimated 36 468 units (or 80.2%) represented sales via the dealer channel, while 12.9% were sales to the vehicle-rental industry, 4.1% to government and 2.8% to industry corporate fleets.
In October 2023, the new passenger-vehicle market registered a 3.5% year-on-year fall to 29 912 units (with sales to the rental industry accounting for 18.3%). Even the usually robust light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment couldn’t escape the decline, with sales in this space sliding 3.0% to 12 361 units.
It was only the medium-commercial vehicle segment (up 8.3% to 807 units) and heavy truck-and-bus segment (up 26% to 2 365 units) that achieved year-on-year growth in the domestic market, though these are relatively low-volume spaces.
Export sales were up nearly 40%, year on year (though off a low base).
Meanwhile, export sales climbed a whopping 39.5% year on year to 40 302 units, though Naamsa cautioned that October 2022 represented a low base thanks to the Transnet strike of the time (and the “consequent supply chain disruptions”). Still, vehicle exports year to date were a considerable 12.7% ahead of the same period in 2022.
Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank, was a little more optimistic about the market’s overall performance in October 2023, saying it should not be seen “as a curse”.
He pointed out South Africa’s new-vehicle market showed year-to-date growth of 2.1% to 446 877 units compared with the first 10 months of last year, representing a slow recovery. “This is a healthy 9 027 more new vehicles sold so far this year than 2022, which remains a positive step in the market’s recovery.”
“Looking at sales for the 12 months from November 2022 to October 2023 compared to the same period a year previously shows a market performing 4.1% better. This displays the sensitivity of the market to impacting forces and the need for industry to take a longer view of growth as the market recovers,” Gaoaketse added.
Thembinkosi Pantsi, National Vice-Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), further said declines in key market segments were “generally smaller than the industry had anticipated”.
“It’s quite clear that the ongoing buydown trend continues as the Chinese brands gain more momentum, alongside affordable mobility options from other brands. The tough economic conditions, policy uncertainty and the high cost of living are massive problems. The increase in new car prices on certain brands has also contributed to the drop in October numbers, leading consumers to opt for demo models or pre-owned vehicles,” suggested Pantsi.
“Nevertheless, we were surprised and proud that the retail sales channel, which sells vehicles through franchised dealers, managed to sell 36 468 units, accounting for 80.2% of the total for October,” he added, before pointing to the positive performances of the medium-truck and heavy truck-and-bus segments as a “measure of underlying confidence in the business sector”.
New-vehicle sales summary for October 2023
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 45 445 units decreased by 2.0% (905 units) compared to October 2022.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 29 912 units decreased by 3.5% (1 068 units) compared to October 2022.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 12 361 units decreased by 3.0% (387 units) compared to October 2022.
Export sales of 40 302 units increased by 39.5% (11 411 units) compared to October 2022.
10 best-selling automakers in South Africa in October 2023
Hyundai reclaimed 4th place in October, with the facelifted Grand i10 leading the charge.
Though Toyota experienced a small month-on-month fall, its tally of 12 440 units (or 27.4% of the total market) again put it far ahead of the 2nd-placed Volkswagen Group, which nevertheless improved its showing to 6 595 units. Suzuki (4 480 units) continued its remarkably consistent performance to again complete the podium, setting a new dealer-sales record of 3 857 units in the process.
After surrendering 4th place to Ford in September, Hyundai reclaimed this spot in October 2023, finishing the month on 2 638 units. That saw the Blue Oval brand fall a place to 5th, on 2 318 units. Nissan (2 178 units) and Isuzu (1 848 units) held steady in 6th and 7th, respectively.
Meanwhile, Renault (1 606 units) moved up a position to 8th, forcing Kia (1 417 units) down a spot to 9th. Chinese firm Haval completed the table, finishing the month on 1 389 units. A mere 87 registrations behind on 1 302 units, Chery again had to settle for 11th position, ahead of the BMW Group (with a Naamsa estimate of 1 179 units), Mahindra (827 units), Stellantis (778 units) and Mercedes-Benz (669 units).
1. Toyota – 12 440 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 6 595 units
3. Suzuki – 4 480 units
4. Hyundai – 2 638 units
5. Ford – 2 318 units
6. Nissan – 2 178 units
7. Isuzu – 1 848 units
8. Renault – 1 606 units
9. Kia – 1 417 units
10. Haval – 1 389 units
10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa in October 2023
The Toyota Hi-Ace climbed to 5th on the list of SA’s best-selling vehicles last month.
As was the case in the preceding month, the Toyota Hilux (3 110 units) led the charge in October 2023 as the only model to breach the 3 000-unit mark – a feat the Prospecton-built bakkie has now achieved a remarkable 6 times this year. The Kariega-produced Volkswagen Polo Vivo – with 2 280 registrations, of which 796 were sales to the rental industry – again placed 2nd.
The Toyota Corolla Cross (2 100 units) climbed a place to 3rd, which saw the Silverton-manufactured Ford Ranger (1 853 units) slip a ranking to 4th. The Toyota Hi-Ace (1 546 units) moved up a spot to 5th, while the Struandale-made Isuzu D-Max (1 464 units) dropped a position to 6th.
Mzansi’s best-selling imported vehicle in October 2023 was the Toyota Starlet (1 363 units), which gained a spot month on month to end in 7th. The Suzuki Swift (1 248 units) was down a place to 8th, just ahead of the Volkswagen Polo hatch (1 235 units), which retained 9th. The soon-to-depart Nissan NP200 (961 units) again completed the table in 10th.
So, what about vehicles bubbling under in October? Well, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (856 units) was just outside of the top 10 once more, while the Toyota Vitz (779 units) – currently billed as South Africa’s cheapest new vehicle thanks to an ongoing “deal assist” promotion – achieved its best showing yet, with 425 units sold through the rental channel alone. The Nissan Magnite (715 units), Hyundai Grand i10 (680 units) and Renault Kwid (661 units) completed the top 15.
The Volkswagen Polo continues to do the heavy lifting for SA’s new-vehicle export market.
For the 6th month in a row, the Volkswagen Polo hatchback topped the export charts, with 12 309 Kariega-built examples shipped off in October 2023. The Toyota Hilux’s export figure climbed to 7 149 units, allowing the Prospecton-built bakkie to retain the runner-up place in this space, ahead of the Silverton-made Ford Ranger (6 544 units).
Yet again, the Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan NP200 and Toyota Corolla Quest made up the export numbers. We should point out BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not submit detailed figures, so it’s unclear how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported during the month (but for the record, Naamsa’s estimates for October 2023 stood at 5 500 and 7 364 units, respectively).
1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 12 309 units
2. Toyota Hilux – 7 149 units
3. Ford Ranger – 6 544 units
4. Isuzu D-Max – 544 units
5. Nissan Navara – 327 units
6. Toyota Fortuner – 208 units
7. Toyota Corolla Cross – 116 units
8. Nissan NP200 – 11 units
9. Toyota Corolla Quest – 6 units
Vehicle-sales outlook in SA for the rest of 2023
With just 2 months to go, what’s next for South Africa’s new-vehicle market in 2023? Well, Naamsa says the country’s “weak economic growth rate, although still marginally positive, remains a key challenge for the new-vehicle market going forward in view of the close correlation between new-vehicle sales and the GDP growth rate”.
“Alongside faster economic growth, moderate inflation and lower interest rates would go a long way to support the new-vehicle market over the medium term,” the industry body points out, adding vehicle export momentum “remains upward for the balance of the year” despite a global economic outlook which “remains clouded by risks to the inflation trajectory”.
Meanwhile, WesBank’s Gaoaketse says the recovery of the market “continues to gain traction”, returning to pre-pandemic levels and sale volumes last experienced in 2019.
“More room for optimism includes levels of demand that exceed market performance. Despite the decline in volumes, the appetite for a new vehicle is strong, with applications up nearly 7% year-on-year,” says Gaoaketse, adding that this “pent-up demand” provides opportunities on which manufacturers can capitalise with incentivised deals, “if banks can accommodate consumer affordability”.
“There is no denying the economic headwinds that continue to face South Africans and the impact these will have on purchase decisions in the new-vehicle market. The market remains under pressure, but at relatively stable and reassuring levels,” says Gaoaketse.
Finally, NADA’s Pantsi cautions the macro-economic climate in South Africa is currently not conducive to “consumers making significant purchasing decisions”, pointing to “key issues” such as unemployment, poverty and inequality, along with daily disruptions such as “frequent power outages” and “water shortages and intermittent supply”.
However, Pantsi likewise remains optimistic, saying: “As we enter the last 2 months of 2023, we are still 2.1% ahead of 2022 in terms of our year-to-date total sales figures. We are confident that we should be able to maintain a positive figure at the end of December”.
New Isuzu MU-X 1.9TD Video Review – At R700k is this the SUV bargain of the year?
In a market dominated by the Fortuner and Everest, does the Isuzu MU-X 1.9TD represent a better buying proposition for buyers prioritising value-for-money? Ciro De Siena investigates…
However, for 2023, Gqeberha-based Isuzu Motors SA has introduced a model-year update for its Adventure SUV and launched an entry-level 1.9TD LS 4×2 derivative at a VERY keen price point.
It’s a big week for the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, with 39 finalist vehicles in 13 categories of the 2023/24 programme – as well as 20 judges – heading for the Gerotek testing facility to complete two days of back-to-back, real-world testing.
Furthermore, the 39 contenders (and some of the judges) will appear at the Mall of Africa in Johannesburg this weekend!
“We are thrilled to add another element to the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards,” says Head of Special Projects at Cars.co.za, Hannes Oosthuizen.
“As the name indicates, these awards exist to assist consumers in their car buying journey, and by taking all 39 vehicles to a busy, public space such as the Mall of Africa, our message is clear – these are the top vehicles you should consider in 13 of the most important categories of the new-vehicle market. It’s a mammoth logistical challenge, but consumer awareness of CarsAwards is critical to its success.”
Several CarsAwards-themed displays will be dotted throughout the Mall of Africa on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of November. What’s more, several of the CarsAwards judges will be in attendance, and doing interviews with Cars.co.za video presenter Ciro De Siena.
Expect to see judges Juliet McGuire, Kumbi Mtshakazi, Muzi Sambo, Mpho Mahlangu, MrHowMuch, Rebaneilwe Semakane, Brendon Staniforth, Tshidi Malebana, Jacob Moshokoa and, of course, Cars.co.za’s very own Ashley Oldfield, David Taylor and Gero Lilleike in attendance.
Consumers will not only be able to view the finalist vehicles, but also enter some exciting competitions with fantastic prizes, including a weekend getaway valued at R20 000, simply by indicating their preferences in the vehicle categories. “We expect a very busy weekend, and a very ‘Cars.co.za red’ Mall of Africa,” says Oosthuizen.
The importance of Gerotek testing
Unlike other automotive award programmes, the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards considers all vehicles that are available in the domestic new-vehicle market on a given date (1 September 2023, in the case of the 2023/24 instalment). From this pool, the judges pick 65 semi-finalists and the list is whittled down to 39 finalists using a rigorous set of criteria, including the feedback from owners and market insight from Cars.co.za’s deep knowledge of the automotive market.
The 3 finalists in each category are then pitted against one another during a two-day test at Gerotek, with specific judges assigned to each category. Their inputs are weighted, based on the category, and combined with the customer data from the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Lightstone Consumer, to truly find the best vehicle in each category.
This process means that if a manufacturer offers poor service support or sub-par durability, it will show up in the Ownership Satisfaction Survey and act as a counterbalance to excellent on-track and -road performance at Gerotek. Similarly, a car brand may prove to offer exceptional service and durability (based on the gathered survey data), but if its product doesn’t stand out above its peers on merit, it could fall short in the final phase.
“Once we have determined the category winners and awarded trophies to the manufacturers of those vehicles (including Brand of the Year), we will start an intensive marketing campaign to spread the CarsAwards message to consumers. After all, our goal with CarsAwards is to impact consumer behaviour by assisting in the decision-making process,” concludes Oosthuizen.
Ford has revealed a new overlanding package for the Ranger, debuting the extensive ARB-sourced off-roading kit at SEMA 2023 in the United States…
Keen to take your Ford Ranger on an overlanding adventure? Well, the Blue Oval brand has previewed a new off-road package for the double-cab bakkie at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
The kit was conceived by the Ford Performance division and is billed as a “first taste of what’s to come” for buyers in North America, though the accessories come from Australian off-roading experts, ARB.
“Ford customers love to personalise the performance and appearance of their vehicles, especially Mustang, Bronco and Ranger,” said Mark Wilson, Ford North America Vehicle Personalisation manager. “The Ford Performance parts packages we’re debuting combine the latest design trends with aftermarket accessories engineered to work with these vehicles out of the box.”
Known as the Ford Performance Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) offering, the package is described as a “turn-key solution” to transform the Ranger into an “even more highly capable off-roading vehicle”.
Targeting the overlanding space and available on 4×4 Ranger derivatives (featuring the XLT or Lariat trim levels offered in the US), the package includes an ARB-sourced overland suspension kit. ARB furthermore provides new front and rear bumpers with additional (red-painted) recovery points, while an onboard air compressor, a trio of SOLIS lights and a fridge/freezer combo are also available.
The vehicle on show at SEMA 2023 furthermore features a “Ford Performance” decal applied across the top of its windscreen, along with bold graphics (including the “ORV” logo) for the bonnet and above the rear wheel arches. All-terrain tyres have also been fitted.
For now, it seems this package will be limited to the North American market, applied to models manufactured at Ford’s Michigan assembly plant. However, there’s always a chance such a kit will spark similar action in other markets (it’s worth keeping in mind the automaker already offers various factory-backed ARB options Down Under).
For the record, the Silverton-built Ranger sold in South Africa is already available with an Off-Road Pack, but it’s relatively tame in comparison to this latest kit, comprising only steel underbody protection, 17-inch alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres. In addition, of course, the new Wildtrak X and Raptor cater to local off-road buyers.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is important to keep your perspective and carefully follow procedures to file a successful car insurance claim – and stay on the right side of the law! Budget Insurance recommends that you take the following steps.
Step 1: Checking for injuries & calling for help
Budget Insurance reminds drivers that it is considered a criminal offence if you fail to stop your vehicle at the scene of an accident, especially if their passengers, other commuters or pedestrians have been injured, or if any property has been damaged. A driver who fails to stop after an accident is liable to be prosecuted, fined up to R36 000 or sent to prison for up to 9 years (or both). Car insurers advise that you stop your vehicle in a safe area (to the side of the road, so that you won’t obstruct traffic), switch on your hazard lights and call for professional medical assistance, if necessary. Wait for help to arrive.
Step 2: Assessing the damage to vehicles
Car insurers further recommend that once the injured parties (driver and/or passenger/s) have been attended to, you should assess the damage to your car and any other vehicles or property involved in the collision/incident. It’s advisable to take several detailed photos of the damaged areas and objects (with your smartphone, if you can) from a variety of angles.
Step 3: Exchanging important information
While the situation might be quite stressful, Budget Insurance recommends that you remain as calm as possible. Avoid a confrontation with any other driver/s, and do not discuss who may be at fault, because this may escalate into a situation in which you or other parties may be harmed. Rather keep your wits about you. You will need to exchange the following information with the other driver(s):
Full name and surname as it appears on their South African identity card
ID numbers
Contact details (cellphone number, email address, business details, postal and/or physical address)
Vehicle registration
Description of the vehicle (model, make and colour)
Location of the car accident (street number and suburb)
The time of the incident
Road conditions and any other noteworthy points to consider
Name and description of any attending authorities, like paramedics, police officers or tow-truck drivers
Car insurers recommend you take some notes about what happened, before, during and after the accident (in case you forget specific details). All these points are very important if you decide to submit a car insurance claim to your insurer or the Road Accident Fund.
If your car needs to be towed, make sure you are using your car insurer’s authorised towing company to avoid an out-of-pocket expense.
Step 4: Report the car accident to the police
You are required to report any car accident to the police within 24 hours. You will be required to submit your name, address and vehicle registration details. You can also get a copy of the accident report upon request. It is an offence not to report an accident, especially if there are injured parties or damage to property, regardless of whether anyone intends to take legal action or file an insurance claim.
If you were injured during the accident and had to be hospitalised for treatment, report the accident as soon as possible thereafter and explain the reason for the delay.
Step 5: Report the car accident to your car insurer
Having followed the correct steps listed, you can now go ahead and report the accident to your car insurer and submit a claim, if necessary. Remember that you need to report the accident regardless of whether or not you will be claiming against your policy.
Car insurance to cover car accidents and collisions
Make sure that you select the right kind of insurance to insure your (or your dependent’s) vehicle, and that you fully understand the type of coverage you’re getting and what kind of options are available. Comprehensive car insurance from Budget Insurance will cover accident damage, theft, hijacking and third-party cover. Get a car insurance quote online.
Mahindra South Africa has quietly expanded its light-commercial vehicle range with the launch of the XUV300 Xprez panel van. Here’s how much the newcomer costs…
Mahindra has launched the XUV300 Xprez panel van in South Africa, positioning the newcomer in its light-commercial vehicle (LCV) stable alongside the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Pik Up and the Indian-built Bolero bakkies.
Based on the XUV300 crossover, the Xprez-badged version is likely converted to panel-van specification at Mahindra’s special fitment centre in Gauteng – just as the automaker did with its since-discontinued KUV100 Xprez. The company bills this latest model as the “ultimate urban delivery van” (angling for a slice of the soon-to-depart Nissan NP200’s pie, perhaps?).
Note the black grille and bumper trim (and the lack of foglamps).
Offered exclusively in entry-level W4 guise, the XUV300 Xprez is powered by the Mumbai-based brand’s familiar turbocharged 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 81 kW and 200 Nm to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. Mahindra claims a combined fuel-economy figure of 6.3 L/100 km, matching that of the passenger version.
With the rear bench binned to create a load area, the XUV300 Xprez is listed as a 2-seater vehicle. We’ve yet to unearth an exact payload capacity, with Mahindra saying only that the figure is “impressive” (it further describes the cargo space as “versatile and adaptive”). However, based on a spot of rudimentary maths, we’d speculate the payload capacity is somewhere in the region of 320 kg.
The rear seats have been ditched to create a load bay.
Judging by the images we found, the Xprez gains a safety barrier to separate the passenger- and load areas, likely along with a netting system to help keep cargo in place. Meanwhile, the rear screen as well as the windows in the rear doors feature some sort of film, perhaps applied to keep the load bay’s contents from prying eyes.
Despite its positioning in the LCV segment, the Xprez is by no means the cheapest XUV300 on offer. In fact, priced from R294 999, the panel van is more expensive than the W4 variants of the passenger-vehicle version, as well as pricier than the likewise petrol-powered W6 passenger model.
No multi-function controls for the steering wheel.
So, what do you get for the money? Well, the XUV300 Xprez features black bumpers (fore and aft), a black grille, 16-inch steel wheels, “#Xprez” decals (along its flanks and on the tailgate), fabric seat upholstery, air conditioning and a 4-speaker, Bluetooth-enabled audio system (though sans Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
The LCV version of the XUV300 furthermore does without items such as front foglamps, roof rails and rear wipers. Safety features include rear parking sensors, dual front airbags and brake discs (front and rear), though note this model misses out on traction control.
How much does the Mahindra XUV300 Xprez cost in SA?
Mahindra XUV300 1.2T W4 Xprez – R294 999
The price above includes a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/50 000 km service plan.
The first images of the 2025 Kia Carnival family minivan have been released, giving us a first look at what we can expect for the facelift.
What you see here is the facelifted 2025 Kia Carnival, after the Korean carmaker announced some early details ahead of the stylish and practical 4th-generation minivan’s Korean market debut at the end of 2023.
The facelift is visually comprehensive, with some sharp revisions to the exterior design. Kia’s latest design language is on full display with horizontal LED light strips, bigger tiger-nose grille, a repositioned registration plate, new bumpers and new alloy wheel designs. There’s a new colour too.
There were no interior images accompanying the release, but we expect the cabin to gain the curved digital screens that we’ve seen in other Kia models. We don’t think the seat layout will change either, and as a reminder, the Kia Carnival is available in 7- and 8-seater configurations.
Kia has been in the news recently with its array of electric EV vehicles and the Carnival is to gain its first taste of electrification with the addition of a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain. Petrol and diesel engines will continue to be offered.
Locally, the Kia Carnival is priced from R896 995 and there are five derivatives to choose from, all powered by the 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine.
When will the 2025 Kia Carnival arrive in South Africa?
More info about the 2025 Kia Carnival is expected once the vehicle has been revealed in detail. The full reveal is scheduled to take place before the end of 2023 and we’ll update this article once more information has come to light.
Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI set for ‘major overhaul’ – report
A fresh report claims the upcoming facelift for the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTIwill be a “major overhaul” comprising extra power, an upgraded chassis and a revised cabin…
The facelifted Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI is expected to be revealed “early” in 2024, with the hot hatch’s mid-cycle update taking the form of a “major overhaul” comprising extra power, an upgraded chassis and a revised cabin, according to a new report.
Yes, the refreshed version of the Wolfsburg-based firm’s C-segment hot hatch – informally known as the Golf 8.5 GTI – is likely to be the final Golf GTI with pure-petrol power as the Golf 9 GTI is excepted to feature some sort of electrification (with a fair chance it will be fully electric).
A facelifted version of the Golf 8 GTI is expected to be revealed in early 2024.
According to Autocar, the VW Group’s familiar EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine will be “significantly updated for its final years”, with the British publication speculating the hot hatch’s peak outputs could rise from the current 180 kW and 370 Nm to about 195 kW and around 400 Nm.
Such improvements in power and torque would see the front-wheel-drive Golf 8 GTI’s claimed 0-100 kph time fall from the current version’s 6.4 seconds to “below 6.0 seconds”, says Autocar. The 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (branded DSG) is likely to remain the default choice for most markets.
More power and a revised chassis are on the cards.
The publication furthermore reports the refreshed Golf 8 GTI will adopt a raft of chassis tweaks, including a stiffer rear-axle carrier (meant to “improve rolling refinement and cornering performance”) and a more advanced version of the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) adaptive suspension system, dubbed the “DCC Pro”.
And the cabin? Well, Autocar claims the Golf 8 GTI’s interior will benefit from a “wide-reaching revamp” to improve “usability and reliability problems” that surfaced with the pre-facelift model. A new 12.9-inch touchscreen and a revised 10.4-inch instrument display are on the menu, while the German firm is almost certain to ditch the divisive haptic controls used on the current model’s steering wheel.
The most significant changes will likely be those rolled out to the cabin.
As a reminder, the Golf 8 GTI debuted globally in February 2020, though arrived in South Africa only in September 2021. The Jacara Edition of the GTI then touched down in Mzansi in October 2022.
Look out for a full reveal of the Golf 8.5 GTI in the opening quarter of 2024. In the meantime, check out these spy shots to get an idea of how Volkswagen will revise the hot hatch’s styling…
