When the facelifted Jeep Gladiator is coming to SA
Stellantis has confirmed when the recently facelifted Jeep Gladiator bakkie is scheduled to arrive in South Africa…
Stellantis recently revealed a facelifted version of the Jeep Gladiator. Now the multinational automotive group has confirmed when the refreshed version of the Wrangler-based off-roading bakkie is due to arrive in South Africa.
According to Stellantis SA, the updated Gladiator is scheduled to make local landfall only “from Q3 2024 onwards, as the final production timelines have not been confirmed as yet”. That means we’re facing a wait of at least a year.
Note the new grille design.
Unwrapped at the 2023 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the refreshed Gladiator double-cab bakkie gains “greater capability, advanced technology and more refinement”, according to the automaker.
The styling tweaks are subtle. For instance, the slimmer 7-slot grille scores an updated look featuring black textured slots, “neutral grey metallic” bezels and a body-colour surround. There’s also a new “trail-ready stealth antenna” integrated into the front windshield (replacing the previous steel mast item), along with fresh alloy-wheel designs.
The larger touchscreen is the main update to the Gladiator’s cabin.
Though specifications for South Africa have yet to be confirmed, the US-spec Gladiator will be offered in a choice of 9 exterior hues (including a fresh “Anvil” colour), while the updated cabin features a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, 12-way power adjustable front seats, a smattering of added soft-touch surfaces and a pair of extra airbags. In North America, the renewed Gladiator will be available in Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave, Mojave X, Rubicon and Rubicon X guise.
Power again comes from the American brand’s naturally aspirated 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine. From what we understand, this motor’s peak outputs are unchanged at 209 kW and 347 Nm. Drive is delivered to all 4 wheels via either a 6-speed manual gearbox (a cog-swapper not currently available in SA) or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
This is the US-spec Gladiator Willys derivative, complete with an upfit package by AEV.
The pre-facelift model was revealed in November 2018 but arrived in South Africa only in June 2022, offered exclusively in Rubicon form. At launch, it was Mzansi’s most powerful and most expensive double-cab bakkie, labels that have both since been inherited by other models (the Ford Ranger Raptor and Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster, respectively).
Over the opening 8 months of the year, Jeep has sold 187 examples of the Gladiator in South Africa, translating to a monthly average of about 24 units. The single derivative offered locally is currently priced at R1 329 900.
Volvo is a quintessentially understated premium car brand that exudes sophistication and champions its safety tech… Okay, so what on earth is this then? Meet the Volvo XC60 Beast, a wild one-off derivative that’s unique to the South African market.
We like: Murdered out look, outrageous sports exhaust, performance and efficiency
We don’t like: Not for sale
FAST FACTS
Model: Volvo XC60 T8 Beast 2.0
Price: R1 314 000 (before accessories)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged, supercharged, electric-assist 4-cylinder petrol
The Beast is so much more than just a kitted Volvo XC60.
The 2nd-gen Volvo XC60 is a perennial frontrunner in the executive SUV segment. The model has a World Car of the Year title and a few CarsAwards category wins under its belt and offers safety, tech, refinement and luxury in abundance. Like most of the Swedish brand’s models, the XC60 errs on the side of conservativism; it quietly embodies Volvo’s values of providing safe transport in a sustainable way…
Well, cue the “record scratch” sound! What do we have here, then? Looking every bit like Sweden’s contribution to the Mad Max and Death Race movies set in a stark dystopian future, this unique one-of-a-kind vehicle is Volvo Car South Africa’s “accessories brochure on wheels”. This is not the brand’s first venture into building one-offs, previously there was an off-road and adventure-focused Volvo XC90.
Officially called the Volvo XC60 T8 Beast 2.0 (the XC90 was Beast 1.0), this creation features numerous cosmetic and mechanical enhancements. Right now, there’s nothing else quite like it on the market, but the Volvo XC60 rivals the German trio of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. If you’re after something different in this segment, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and new Lexus NX are worth a look too.
We loved the “murdered out” look and so did many onlookers.
How the Volvo XC60 Beast fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
The Volvo XC60’s styling is best described as neat and elegant or, if we have to be critical, inoffensive… or “safe”. So, Volvo Car SA – which clearly had a “Hold my Aquavit” moment – decided to adorn its executive SUV with black 21-inch 5-spoke diamond cut alloys, a glossy black wrap, yellow edge detailing and -brake callipers, a custom set of bumpers, as well as a subtle “Polestar Engineered” badge on the tailgate. An aero-tuned branded roof box rounds off the package but, in case you missed them, the four large-bore ends of the sports exhaust system protrude from the rear valance, but more on those later.
A subtle badge to let you know this is not a boring Swede.
Inside, it’s business as usual for Volvo. The XC60 Beast (2.0) has a smart, well-appointed cabin that looks luxurious and feels suitably upmarket. Volvo Car SA played it safe here, but you know you’re in something special when the leather-trimmed sports seats are flanked by yellow Polestar seatbelts!
We loved the yellow seatbelts.
Performance and Efficiency
Start the Volvo XC60 Beast up and you get… silence. See, if you look past the wild add-ons, this is still a T8 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid (PHEV). A PHEV utilises an internal combustion engine as well as an electric motor, but, unlike conventional hybrids, the Volvo can operate on battery power alone for longer (up to certain speeds); its default setting at start-up is electric, which explains the lack of aural drama.
As is the case with the XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD PHEV, the XC60 Beast features a 233 kW/400 Nm 2.0-litre turbo- and supercharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, while the hybrid component (including an 18.8-kWh battery) adds 107 kW and 309 Nm. The combined outputs are respectable: 340 kW/709 Nm.
The software upgrade adds a Polestar driving mode.
Unique to this derivative, however, is a Polestar software upgrade. While increases in power and torque aren’t mentioned, the brand claims a more responsive engine and quicker gear shifts. To be fair, the derivative on which the XC60 Beast is based is quite potent as is. How does this translate to the road?
With the battery at full capacity (you can charge via a home power socket, make use of one of the many charging stations dotted around SA’s big cities or let the Volvo’s petrol engine top up the hybrid battery) and Polestar mode activated (to make full use of the powertrain), it was time to unleash the XC60 Beast.
A roof box is a criminally underrated accessory!
Using our test equipment, we recorded a best 0-to-100-kph sprint time of 4.96 seconds, which was fractionally off Volvo’s claim for the T8 Twin Engine AWD. It was a bit slower than we expected, so we can’t speak for the claim that the Polestar tuning delivers sharper, more responsive performance.
Perhaps the additional aerodynamic drag (created by the roof box) and -weight (added by the sports exhaust system and body kit) contributed to the test unit’s slightly slower acceleration time, but there’s no denying that a sub-5 second run is still ballistically fast for a 2.1-tonne family car. Just to remind you, Volvo fitted all of its vehicles with a top speed limiter capped at 180 kph, in the interests of safety.
Well played Heico Sportiv!
The exhaust note, on the other hand, is deeply satisfying. To open the flaps of the Heico Sportiv-sourced sports exhaust, all you need to do is press a subtle button located behind the multifunction ‘wheel.
In case you’ve never heard of it, Heico Sportiv is a German tuning company that has specialised in producing Volvo addenda since 1972 and its stainless steel plumbing creates a meaty roar when the XC60 Beast is accelerating hard (punctuated by raucous pops when you shift up at the redline). Push the button again, though, and the pipes’ valves close to emit a more civilised, neighbourhood-friendly tone.
A discreet button to activate that tasty exhaust.
Spiderman taught us that “with great power comes great responsibility”; if you drive “enthusiastically” quote often (with the sportiest drive mode engaged), the Volvo’s fuel consumption will spike. In our experience, the twin-charged XC60 Beast can consume unleaded at 10 L/100 km if you’re “always in a hurry”, but then, the T8 Twin Engine does allow you to get the best of both worlds… if you know how.
When you activate the Hybrid mode, the powertrain adopts a more relaxed demeanour, which is to say that the mapping prioritises efficiency. The hybrid battery pack (with an effective capacity is 14.4 kWh) is said to allow up to 81 km of pure-electric range and, by driving with due restraint (using the accelerator pedal sparingly), the author commuted to the office (a 20-km return trip) on battery alone – with ease.
The Google-powered digital display.
Volvo states an extraordinarily low average consumption figure of 1.6 L/100 km for this derivative, but you’re more likely to see returns of around 4 L/100 km, mostly because the hybrid system has less of an effect at highway speeds. Drive like us with the exhausts open, and you’ll get 7.8 L/100 km. We’ve previously achieved 2.9 L/100 km with this derivative’s standard sibling.
Ride and Handling
The gloss wheels wrapped in tasty Pirelli P Zero rubber.
Despite the XC60 Beast’s hardcore looks, there’s still a comfy and luxurious Volvo under the sheet metal, so we weren’t expecting the test car to corner like a “track car”. Volvo Car SA says the Polestar tune includes tweaks to the vehicle’s air suspension- as well as all-wheel-drive settings (ostensibly in aid of enhanced cornering ability), but the test unit’s handling didn’t feel much different to that of its sibling.
Still, despite being fitted with decidedly large wheels, the XC60 Beast delivered an impressive ride quality. The suspension favours pliancy – a refreshing alternative to the overly sporty German setups.
The Beast is a practical and luxurious family car.
Comfort and Features
Volvo XC60 derivatives are well equipped, at least to levels befitting their respective price points. As a reminder, the car’s infotainment system is powered by Google. Right now, Volvo Car SA offers its executive SUV in 4 trim levels, but there are a number of option packs available to, shall we say, enrich the ownership experience. We’ll mention a few examples here:
The power seat pack (R7 850) adds power adjustability and memory function; the light pack (R11 750) adds LED headlights with active cornering and front fog lights; and the lounge pack (R33 500) adds 4-zone climate control with a cooled glove box, panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon audio, air purification.
Heated seats and heated steering wheel are a treat in winter.
Prospective buyers can specific numerous single options too, such as the head-up display (R15 750), a 360-degree camera (R15 550), air suspension (R27 750) and massage functionality (R10 600). The roof box retails for R13 455, while the Polestar performance software upgrade is said to cost R18 745.
Price and After-Sales Support
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD Plus Dark (Sept 2023)
R1 314 000
The Volvo XC60 derivatives come standard with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan.
Verdict
The one-of-a-kind Volvo XC60 Beast.
As Volvo, um, charges towards an all-electric and emission-free future, it’s comforting to see that enthusiast-oriented and radically packaged derivatives such as the Volvo XC60 Beast can still see the light of day. That exhaust note is wicked and those outrageous looks turned heads wherever we went.
Should you buy one? Sadly, you can’t, because this creation isn’t for sale. But, don’t let that stop you from taking a 2nd look at the standard Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine AWD – a fantastic PHEV that blends efficiency, performance and luxury in one well-appointed package. Most of the Beast’s fun bits are available individually as accessories, so a buyer could, in fact, create their own XC60 Beast.
Toyota’s cheapest new car is now available in a fresh form: meet the Vitz X-Cite. Here’s how much this jazzed-up budget hatchback will cost you in South Africa…
Toyota South Africa Motors has quietly rolled out the new Vitz X-Cite, a fresh version of the Indian-built budget hatchback that features a raft of visual updates.
Of course, the Japanese firm’s “X-Cite” badge is by no means new to Mzansi, with the since-discontinued Aygo having once worn this nameplate. In that case, however, it was applied to a derivative set apart by its black canvas roof.
First spotted on Toyota’s website by IOL Motoring, the Vitz X-Cite is offered in both base and XR guise, and its arrival sees the range expand to 5 derivatives. Interestingly, the new X-Cite variants are available in a choice of 5 colours, compared with the 7 offered on the standard models.
The X-Cite is distinguished by its orange trim accents – which have been applied to the rear spoiler, black side-mirror caps, side mouldings and front foglamp surrounds (the latter in the case of the higher-spec XR) – along with black plastic trim running along the wheel arches, side skirts and lower bumpers, fore and aft. “X-Cite” decals have also been applied to the rear doors.
Inside, you’ll find yet more orange detailing (which the brand describes as a “refreshing citrus hue”), including to components around the air vents, gear-lever base, window switches and on the interior door panels. According to the specifications listed on Toyota SA Motors’ website, the Vitz 1.0 X-Cite furthermore gains a single-din audio system (a feature missing from the standard base model) that includes Bluetooth, an auxiliary port and a USB port. The XR version, though, retains its touchscreen system.
So, how much do the new X-Cite models cost? Well, back in the 2nd week of August, we noticed Toyota SA Motors had effectively cut Vitz pricing by R20 000 with a special “deal assist” offer, which remains in place today (September 2023). The X-Cite derivatives, meanwhile, are listed at the pre-deal prices: the Vitz 1.0 MT X-Cite thus costs R189 900, while the Vitz 1.0 XR MT X-Cite comes in at R219 900.
As with other derivatives in the Vitz line-up, the X-Cite models draw their urge from a naturally aspirated 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine. This motor sends 49 kW and 89 Nm to the front axle through either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission with the same number of cogs (though X-Cite variants are currently offered in 3-pedal form only).
Reviving a nameplate that has roots stretching back to 1998 and was once applied to the Yaris offered in the automaker’s domestic market of Japan, the Vitz arrived in South Africa in April 2023 to replace the Agya. Built by Maruti Suzuki in India (and effectively little more than a rebadged Celerio), the Vitz is yet another result of Toyota’s collaboration with its likewise-Japanese alliance partner.
How much does the Toyota Vitz X-Cite cost in South Africa?
Toyota Vitz 1.0 MT: R169 899 on special offer
Toyota Vitz 1.0 MT X-Cite: R189 900
Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR MT: R199 900 on special offer
Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR MT X-Cite: R219 900
Toyota Vitz 1.0 XR AMT: R214 900 on special offer
The prices above include a 2-service/30 000 km service plan and a 3-year/100 000 km warranty.
After months of teasers and spy shots, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan breaks cover with updated powertrains, new tech and a fresh look.Herewith the key details…
The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan has been revealed and it brings a number of upgrades to the party. Volkswagen has taken note of the feedback from customers and product testers, and the result is a thoroughly updated new model.
The third-generation 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan gets a bold new look and the Wolfsburg-based brand released images detailing a standard model in green and an R-Line derivative in red. There’s a lightbar at both the front and the rear, and depending on trim, different bumpers.
The new Tiguan is now more sophisticated than the model it replaces.
In terms of footprint, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan stands 4 539 mm long (30 mm longer than before), 1 639 mm tall (4mm taller), 1 842 mm wide (same as before) and has the same wheelbase of 2 680 mm. Under the skin, the third-generation Volkswagen Tiguan rides on the new MQB Evo platform and features 10 mm additional legroom while space in the load bay has increased by 33 litres, up to 648 litres.
The Tiguan’s interior represents a marked improvement over its predecessor.
The cabin architecture is all-new and in pictures, at least, represents a significant improvement over its predecessor in terms of design and material quality. Many of the current Volkswagen products suffer from quirky touch-sensitive buttons but Volkswagen has listened to customer feedback and opted for tried-and-trusted physical buttons instead.
There’s a brand-new 12.9-inch (15-inch on higher grades) tablet-style touchscreen with the firm’s latest MIB operating system with OTA update capability while a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster adds extra flair to the cabin.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Engines
A wide range of powertrains will be offered for the new Tiguan.
Volkswagen has given the Tiguan range a diverse array of engines for customers to choose from. The front-wheel Tiguans feature two mild-hybrid 1.5 turbocharged petrol engines, as well as a 2.0 diesel. Outputs range from 95 kW to 110 kW for the two petrol-hybrid derivatives while the diesel engine offers 110 kW.
In addition to the front-wheel drive derivatives mentioned above, the Tiguan will also be available in 4Motion all-wheel-drive guise powered by an updated 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine with either 148 kW or 192 kW while the 2.0-litre turbodiesel 4Motion derivative will offer 140 kW. The new Tiguan makes use of a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Volkswagen says the new Tiguan features updated 4Motion hardware to reduce vibrations. The new Tiguan is available with the optional DCC Pro adaptive dampers for additional comfort and sportiness, depending on mode.
There are also new plug-in hybrid powertrains with a 19.7 kWh battery giving 100 km of pure electric range. The charging speed is up too, with DC charging now possible. There will be 2 PHEV models and both will be front-wheel driven and feature 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engines with electric assist. Outputs are 148 kW and 197 kW respectively. The plug-in hybrid Tiguans are paired with a 6-speed DSG.
A 232 kW Tiguan R is also in development with the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine found in the new Golf 8 R.
When is the new 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Coming to South Africa?
The new 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan is due in South Africa in 2024. Local pricing and specification will be communicated closer to the launch.
This is the Ford Ranger PHEV and will feature a pure electric range of 45 km along with a 3.5 ton tow rating. Here are the early details!
The Ford Ranger PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) has just been revealed, but not every technical detail is available. Right now, we know that it will be going on sale globally in early 2025, is powered by petrol, offer a tow rating of 3.5 tons and have a pure electric driving range of around 45 km.
The Ranger PHEV is powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, paired to an electric motor and battery. Ford says its latest creation features more torque than any Ranger before, but didn’t mention power and torque amounts. If we look at the current Ranger lineup, that means the PHEV will have more than the 600 Newtons offered by the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel.
Ford has said that it has worked on the chassis and suspension to cope with the additional weight of the battery and electric motor. For what its worth, the standard 2.3-litre offers 210 kW and 415 Nm, and it will be interesting to see how big the battery and motor combination are.
The PHEV componentry is not just for reduced consumption as Ford says it can power and recharge your tools, meaning you won’t need to bring along extension cables and generators. Dubbed “Pro Power Onboard”, this optional feature is also perfect for camping.
Ranger PHEV Technology
Right now, the Ford factory in Silverton, Pretoria assembles the new Ranger (and Volkswagen Amarok) for both local consumption and for export. Europe is the primary customer of Ford SA’s wares and it’s only a matter of time before we hear from Ford SA about the local debut of the Ranger PHEV.
We’ve already looked at year-to-date double-cab sales in South Africa, but what about 1-tonne single-cab bakkie figures? Let’s see which workhorses are Mzansi’s favourites…
Recently, we revealed which bakkie was the most-popular double cab in South Africa in 2023 thus far. So, what about the single-cab bakkie sales race? Well, let’s take a closer look at year-to-date registrations for 2-door 1-tonne bakkies.
Since Naamsa’s monthly sales figures unfortunately don’t include a breakdown of the available bakkie body styles (single-, extended- and double-cab shapes), we’ve again turned to the statistics experts over at Lightstone Auto for some help identifying Mzansi’s best-selling 1-tonne single-cab bakkies over the opening 8 months of 2023.
Year to date, the Toyota Hilux is SA’s best-selling single-cab bakkie.
Before we examine the figures, we should take a step back and consider what the overall picture – including all body styles – looks like, year to date. In 2023 thus far, the Prospecton-built Toyota Hilux is leading the pack on 25 092 units, followed by the Silverton-made Ford Ranger (16 182 units) and the Struandale-produced Isuzu D-Max (13 174 units).
Lightstone Auto’s figures, however, show the Toyota Hilux is currently South Africa’s favourite 1-tonne single-cab bakkie, with 9 017 units – or around 36% of the Japanese vehicle’s total – registered over the opening 8 months of 2023. That’s more than even the Nissan NP200 – which is the market’s only half-tonne (as opposed to than 1-tonne) contender, but will be put out to pasture in Q1 2024 – managed, with the latter reaching 8 862 units.
About 44% of total Isuzu D-Max sales in 2023 thus have been single-cab units.
The Isuzu D-Max claims 2nd position on the list of SA’s best-selling 1-tonne single cabs, with 5 781 units (about 44% of a total that includes both the current-generation D-Max as well as the prolonged-lifecycle Gen 6 line-up) registered so far this year. Fascinatingly, the final spot on the podium goes to the Mahindra Pik Up, which managed 4 322 units – or nearly 75% of the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled bakkie’s total – in the 2-door body style.
The Mahindra Pik Up completes the single-cab sales podium, year to date.
What about the Ford Ranger? Well, the single-cab version of the Blue Oval brand’s bakkie is well off the pace, with just 932 units (or not even 6% of the Ranger’s grand total) sold in the reporting period. According to Lightstone Auto, single-cab derivatives of all other 1-tonne bakkies available in this body style come to 6 722 units, year to date.
And extended cabs? Well, the Hilux Xtra Cab leads the charge here with 3 762 units (approximately 15% of Hilux sales), followed by the Ranger SuperCab (1 358 units or about 9% or Ranger registrations) and D-Max Extended Cab (1 265 units or around 10% of D-Max sales).
You Can Recover Your Insurance Excess if an Accident Wasn’t Your Fault
If you’re the owner of an insured vehicle, you will know that when a claim you submit to your car insurance company is approved, you’re obligated to pay an excess – even if the accident wasn’t your fault. However, it might be possible for your car insurance company to recover your excess and make you – and your budget – smile again.
PARTNERED CONTENT
If a claim you submit after an accident is successful, your insurance company will cover the costs of the repairs (once you’ve made a small co-payment – the excess), but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll never see that money again.
How to recover an insurance excess
If you were involved in an accident and it wasn’t your fault, there’s a chance you may be able to get your excess back (or at least a portion of it). Your insurance company can help you recover this money. The reverse applies – if you were at fault, the other party’s insurer may attempt to recover their costs from you and your insurer.
The first rule for the best chance to recover your excess money is: “Gather as much information as possible.”
At the time of the accident, fish out that notebook and pen gathering dust in the cubby hole and write down:
Date and time
Weather conditions
Road conditions
All the relevant personal details of the parties involved in the accident, as well as any witnesses.
Full name
ID number
Contact number
Address
Vehicle description
Vehicle registration number
Vehicle licence details
Take photographs of the accident from as many different angles as possible and the licence discs of the vehicles involved.
Report the accident at the nearest police station to open a case as soon as possible.
When you are unlikely to recover your insurance excess
Obviously, if the accident was your fault there is no point trying to recover an excess – but, unfortunately, there are situations where recovery isn’t possible even if it wasn’t your fault, for example:
If you’re the only person involved in an accident. (That pillar might have jumped out at you, but we can’t claim from it.)
If you did not get the complete details of the person at fault.
You didn’t report it to the police station.
The guilty person doesn’t have income or assets with which to pay.
The legal costs of recovering the money outweigh the excess amount.
The guilty party cannot be traced
The merits of the claim are too tricky to be worth the recovery of the excess.
Conclusion
Being involved in a road accident is, at the very least, inconvenient and just not worth the time, money, and headaches. Remember that if you were speeding when the accident happened, you are a guilty party, no matter what the other circumstances might be.
Do you want to learn more about car insurance or review your car insurance requirements with the help of experts? Budget Insurance’s team is always ready to assist; contact them on 086 1600 120 or utilise their online car insurance calculator, which gives you an accurate and budget-friendly quote in minutes.
The Renault Arkana is due to hit South African showrooms in 2024 and we’ve had a preview of this new hybrid compact coupe SUV.
What is it?
It’s quite the looker! Renault is the latest brand to jump on the coupe-SUV bandwagon; that is why the Arkana’s sweeping exterior design is quite distinct from those of the French marque’s other models.
The Arkana sports Captur-like front-end styling and black cladding all round, but the similarities don’t stop there – the model rides on a tweaked version of the small crossover’s CMF-B HS platform.
Assembled in South Korea (in the same factory that produced the Koleos), the Arkana looks set to offer a long list of standard features, including a digital instrument cluster, portrait-style infotainment screen and advanced safety equipment. Based on our first impression, the cabin looks and feels quite upmarket.
Globally, the Arkana is offered with a choice of two engines: a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor with 113 kW and 270 Nm, and a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid, which is the derivative shown here.
How does this powertrain work?
We could explain how E-Tech works in detail, but for the sake of brevity, the Arkana Hybrid is propelled by a 70 kW petrol engine in combination with an electric motor, while a 2nd electric motor works as the starter, manages the regeneration and balances the transition between the engine and the other motor.
Combined outputs of 108 kW and 148 Nm are on offer and an automatic transmission drives the front wheels. The electric setup comprises a 36 kW motor and a 15 kW starter generator, and there’s a 1.2 kWh hybrid battery. There’s good news: the electric system is internal and doesn’t need an external charging source. The vehicle’s self-charging and will use braking and coasting to recoup energy.
There’s also a dedicated brake regeneration mode, which can be activated via the transmission lever. Renault claims the Arkana Hybrid can zip from 0 to 100 kph in 10.8 sec and reach a top speed of 172 kph.
Is it that efficient?
With Renault SA claiming a combined fuel consumption of just 5L/100 km and emissions of 108g of CO2/km (for the sake of comparison, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is said to consume 4.3 L/100 km and emit 98g/km), the Arkana Hybrid has all the makings of a stylish and efficient urban-based compact family car. Considering it has a 50-litre fuel tank, the E-Tech model has a theoretical range of 1000 km.
That sounds almost too good to be true for a petrol vehicle! We know that the Renault Duster (which also has a 50-litre tank) could travel about 1 000 km without needing to be refuelled, but that’s a turbodiesel.
To demonstrate the Arkana E-Tech Hybrid’s efficiency, Renault set up an endurance event at Zwartkops Raceway. The reason for choosing a circuit to host this challenge was twofold: firstly, the pair of Arkana units weren’t road-registered and secondly, the track was a controlled and consistent environment. To compare the hybrid and ICE-only technologies, a standard Renault Captur 1.3 EDC also took part.
The objective of the endurance event was simple… You have 8 hours to complete as many laps of Zwartkops as you can while consuming as little fuel as possible. The author was paired with Naresh Maharaj (Bizcommunity), Brendon Staniforth (Maroela Media) and Reuben van Niekerk (freelance).
The author was first on track and tried to make the indicated fuel consumption dip as low as possible. Unfortunately, his return of 4.6 L/100 km came with a drawback – his team fell behind on laps, so the other drivers increased the pace to make up the deficit, which came at the expense of consumption.
With over 250 laps run, the author’s team finished 2nd overall with an average of just over 7 L/100 km; they were disappointed, but relieved to have finished ahead of the conventionally-engined Captur!
In the real world, however, we expect the hybrid-powered Arkana to be even lighter on fuel, especially if you’re likely to spend the majority of your time commuting (or running errands) in the urban environment.
When will the Renault Arkana arrive in South Africa?
Has the Arkana E-Tech Hybrid piqued your interest? Do you want more local details about this sharp-looking, efficient coupe SUV? Sadly, we don’t have more info to share; the Arkana won’t go on sale in SA any time soon, mainly because of the unfavourable weak Rand/Euro exchange rate, Renault SA says.
To compound matters, because the French brand doesn’t have manufacturing operations in South Africa, it does not earn export credits that it could use to offset the duties levied on the vehicles it imports. And, don’t forget that electrified vehicles are subject to additional government taxation.
Right now, the Renault Arkana retails for £31 000 (United Kingdom) and €32,600 (France) to give you some idea of where it’s positioned elsewhere in the world. Remember these prices do not factor in the previously-mentioned additional taxes.
Renault South Africa is hoping to bring the Arkana to market in 2024. There’s also the option of a Captur with the same powertrain and that too is poised to arrive in Mzansi, market viability permitting, of course.
It’s a question we’re often asked: which bakkie leads the double-cab sales race in South Africa? Well, we finally have the answer. Check out year-to-date sales for Mzansi’s most popular double cabs…
Month in and month out, we collate a list of South Africa’s most-popular bakkies, based on sales figures that incorporate all 3 body styles. But there’s a question that’s often left unanswered: which is the best-selling double-cab bakkie in the land? Yes, you asked and we listened.
Since Naamsa’s monthly sales figures unfortunately don’t include a breakdown of the available bakkie body styles (single-, extended- and double-cab shapes), we’ve turned to our studious friends over at Lightstone Auto for a little help to identify Mzansi’s best-selling double-cab bakkies over the opening 8 months of 2023.
Year to date, the Ford Ranger is SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkie.
Before we dive into those figures, let’s take a step back and consider what the overall table – including all body styles – looks like year to date. So far in 2023, according to Naamsa figures, the Prospecton-built Toyota Hilux is leading the bakkie pack with 25 092 units, followed by the Silverton-made Ford Ranger (16 182 units) and the Struandale-produced Isuzu D-Max (13 174 units).
Lightstone Auto’s figures, however, show the Ford Ranger is ruling the double-cab bakkie sales roost in South Africa so far this year, with 13 892 units (1 884 of which came in August 2023) registered – or fascinatingly about 85% of its total. Note this figure includes the flagship Raptor derivative, which is imported from Thailand rather than built at Silverton alongside all other variants of the Ranger.
After the 1st 8 months of 2023, the Hilux is 1 601 units behind the Ranger in the double-cab sales race.
The Toyota Hilux thus currently finds itself in 2nd place on the list of SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkies, with 12 291 units – or around 49% of its total – sold around the country over the opening 8 months of the year (including 1 684 units in August 2023). For the record, that puts the Japanese stalwart 1 601 units off the pace when only 4-door derivatives are considered.
The final spot on the double-cab bakkie podium goes to the Isuzu D-Max, with 6 125 units sold, year to date (so, 6 166 units behind the 2nd-placed Hilux). From what we understand, this figure – which represents approximately 46% of total D-Max sales this year – includes 4-door versions of both the current-generation D-Max as well as the prolonged-lifecycle Gen 6 line-up.
Isuzu’s D-Max completes the double-cab bakkie sales podium, year to date.
According to Lightstone Auto, double-cab derivatives of all other bakkies available in this body style total 11 609 units, year to date.
These are the 65 semi-finalists – 5 in each of 13 vehicle categories – of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. The 39 finalists of the 7th iteration of South Africa’s definitive automotive awards programme will be chosen from this list.
The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards (CarsAwards – or #CarsAwards in social media posts) recognises the best purchasing propositions in 13 categories of the South African new-vehicle market.
The list of 65 vehicles includes model derivatives from no fewer than 25 brands represented in the South African market. 9 brands have at least 3 semi-finalists in the running for category honours. The brands with the most nominations are: Toyota (8), BMW (6) and Suzuki (5). Chery, Omoda (a Chery sub-brand) and Ora (GWM’s new EV brand) appear on the list for the first time.
All vehicles available on the South African market on September 1, 2023, were eligible, not only new products launched during the past 12 months.
Some models that had not been launched by that date were considered, provided that they had already been priced, could be ordered by consumers and Cars.co.za extended editorial team had sufficient experience with the vehicles.
The first phase of CarsAwards saw the extended Cars.co.za editorial team select the five best vehicles in each of the 13 categories devised for this year’s programme. Careful attention was paid to the respective categories’ “Filters of Eligibility” and the “Pillars of Success” in order to come to a consensus on the list of semi-finalists.
“Another unique aspect of the CarsAwards is that the categories are re-evaluated every year,” says Cars.co.za’s Hannes Oosthuizen. “With so much activity in the lower-priced crossover segments, we decided to sacrifice some of the higher-priced categories in favour of those segments where consumers are actually currently buying.”
“But the 2023/24 CarsAwards must also educate and, as such, we’ve introduced an EV category focused on the most affordable electric vehicles in the market,” he adds.
In the next round (due to take place in early October 2023), the extended Cars.co.za editorial team will score the semi-finalists individually, taking into account various criteria set out for each of the respective categories. Following that, the 3 finalists per category will be announced and subjected to back-to-back testing at the Gerotek proving ground in Gauteng by the judging panel on 2 and 3 November 2023.
Combined judging panel for the 2023/24 CarsAwards:
In building the judging panel, the goal was to achieve a balance of motoring expertise (particularly in the first two phases of the programme, which determine the finalists) and respected non-motoring, highly analytical media professionals.
“It is absolutely crucial that motoring journalists’ opinions are supplemented by those of non-motoring media professionals, who, in many ways, represent the consumer at the test days,” explains Oosthuizen.
“As these Awards are designed to be of maximum benefit to the consumer, it is critical that as many South Africans as possible know about the results,” says Oosthuizen. “Our panel of judges has been selected with that in mind, and therefore comprises a mix of new and traditional media, print, broadcast and social media specialists,” he explains.
The 20 judges’ scores for each of the 39 finalists of the 2023/24 CarsAwards will only count for 50% of the final standings, however. The other 50% will be based on rankings that the respective vehicle brands represented by the finalists achieved in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey. The data incorporates feedback from thousands of vehicle owners, based on their experiences of their vehicles (less than four years old and serviced through franchised outlets).
“The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards programme is designed to be a guide for all new passenger vehicle buyers, not only those who follow motoring publications,” Oosthuizen concludes. “With 50% of the final scores determined by brands’ rating in the survey, a vehicle only really stands a very good chance of winning if it is a good product in the eyes of the judges and if its brand delivers solid after-sales service.
