Super Cruiser! SA-modified Land Cruiser 79 is something special (and you can order one)
In our latest video, we check out a one-of-a-kind Toyota Land Cruiser 79 that packs a 350 kW punch!
The Toyota Land Cruiser 79 is a living legend, but let’s face it, it’s hard to live with. The awesome folks at US Trucks decided they might be able to improve on this age-old formula, and build something special.
With a revised turbo and management, power is up from 151 kW to a staggering 350 kW, with torque nearly doubling to 880 Nm. But the big news is an auto-swop, which until recently is something Toyota has never offered from factory.
Additional nice touches include a 13-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, as well as modified elbow-rests with cupholders and even USB ports! Certainly beats the after-market radio that the car comes fitted with as standard.
And then of course there is the new front-end treatment which totally modernises the look of the vehicle
We absolutely love this conversion and we salute the folks at US Trucks for pursuing their vision, and we have no doubt this is going to be a popular conversion for Land Cruiser lovers in SA.
The Proton X90 has arrived in South Africa. Here’s all you need to know about the new 7-seater hybrid SUV.
Proton is a Malaysian brand that’s owned by the Geely Group (who also own Volvo and Lotus). Locally, there’s a three-model lineup (X50, X70 and Saga), but a fourth model has just arrived.
This is the Proton X90 and is the largest vehicle offered by the brand and also sees the debut of hybrid technology. The Proton X90 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V electric motor synergy system. Outputs of 130 kW and 255 Nm are claimed, with 14 kW and 52 Nm from the electric setup.
All X90 units are two-wheel driven and feature a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s a 60 litre fuel tank. Proton South Africa is offering its new 7-seater SUV in a four-model lineup priced from R559 900 and going to R679 900. There are six colours on offer.
X90 Trim Levels
Standard
18-inch alloy wheels
Electric parking brake
LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights
LED Fog lamps
Leather steering wheel
Cruise control
Driving modes
Intelligent entry with start button
Remote engine start
Power windows
Fabric seats
Auto dual zone climate control
12.3 inch infotainment screen with voice command, smartphone connectivity, 6 speakers, 7x USB ports
6 airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, hill hold assist, hill descent
Front and rear parking sensors
Executive (the above content plus:)
Automatic headlamps
Automatic rain sensing wipers
Power tailgate
Leatherette trim
Driver seat adjustment 6 way
Tyre pressure system
360-degree camera
Premium (the above content plus:)
19-inch alloy wheels
Auto tailgate with nearby auto open
Nappa leather steering wheel
Auto dimming rear mirror
Nappa leather
Driver seat lumbar 2 way
Front ventilated seats
Autonomous emergency braking
Auto park assist
Forward collision warning
Adaptive cruise control
Lane keep/lane departure
Intelligent high beam
Wireless device charging
Flagship (the above content plus:)
Panoramic sunroof
Captain’s seats in a 2-2-2 configuration
How much does the new Proton X90 cost in South Africa?
Standard
R559 900
Executive
R589 900
Premium
R644 900
Flagship
R679 900
The new X90 is sold with a 5-year / unlimited kilometer warranty. It appears that a service plan is sold separately.
Suzuki Auto SA has exhibited the eagerly awaited 5-door variant of the Jimny in Johannesburg ahead of the small off-roader’s local introduction late in 2023.
When the (then new) 4th-gen Jimny was launched in South Africa in 2018, Suzuki was overwhelmed with demand for the Japanese-built off-roader; many months passed before the brand was able to clear stock shortages and deliver vehicles to buyers. In truth, demand for the model has often outstripped supply.
However, shortly before rolling out a revised Jimny line-up early in 2022, the local subsidiary of the Hamamatsu-based firm began sourcing its Jimny stock from Maruti’s Gurgaon production line in India, which is also the facility that started producing the new 5-door variant of the pint-sized SUV this year.
The longer, more practical iteration of the Jimny was first shown in New Delhi at the beginning of the year. The 5-door, which is designed to broaden the appeal and, therefore, boost sales of the range, is ostensibly the same height and width as the 3-door version, but gains 360 mm in overall length (3 985 mm vs 3 625 mm), mostly by virtue of a wheelbase that has been stretched by 340 mm to 2 590 mm.
The Jimny 5-door – still based on a ladder-frame chassis – is powered by Suzuki’s familiar 75 kW/130 Nm 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol motor mated with a 5-speed manual ‘box or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Torque is distributed to all 4 wheels by the AllGrip four-wheel-drive system that allows for a change between 2WD and 4WD on the fly, but low range (4L) is also available for trickier off-road conditions.
Although it has lengthened the Jimny, Suzuki says it has made the 5-door’s off-road capabilities as close to those of the 3-door variant as possible. Apart from 210 mm of ground clearance, the newcomer has an approach angle of 36 degrees, a breakover angle of 24 degrees and a departure angle of 50 degrees. By comparison, the 3-door Jimny offers 37 degrees, 28 degrees and 49 degrees respectively.
Suzuki has not only added another pair of doors – it has also lengthened the load compartment (slightly) and allowed the front seats to fold flat to create two cushioned sleeping spaces (in conjunction with the rear bench) for adventurers who want to spend the night inside the Jimny on rugged adventures.
Although it remains to be seen whether the Jimny 5-door will be offered in South Africa in GL and GLX specification (or just in the latter grade), expect the newcomer to be fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels and offer standard features such as electric windows, electrically adjustable side mirrors, alloy wheels, audio controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth functionality and remote central locking in GL guise.
The GLX version is likely to feature automatic LED headlamps, automatic climate control, cruise control, a touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality), a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a rear cargo “convenience package”, which includes an additional 12V socket, rear interior light and flat-floor luggage box. Interestingly, it’s been reported that the Jungle Green Jimny 5-door on display at the 2023 Festival of Motoring in Midrand has an upgraded (9-inch) touchscreen.
The model will also be offered in a couple of new – and ostensibly exclusive to the 5-door variant – paint colours, namely Celestial Blue, Granite Grey and a Sizzling Red in combination with a metallic black roof.
According to our info, the Jimny 5-door will be launched in South Africa in November. We will update this story as soon as local specifications and pricing details have been confirmed, but considering that the current range-topping Jimny costs R419 990, expect the newcomer’s prices to start around that mark.
Before the recent arrival of the Suzuki XL6, the Japanese brand already had a compact people-mover in its line-up. But, unlike the dutiful Ertiga, the SUV-flavoured 6-seater XL6 is more appropriately packaged to make the most of the small crossover craze.
I know what you’re thinking. Where have all the new Suzukis gone? I am, of course, kidding. We’re living in a time when it feels like we’re getting a new car from the Hamamatsu-based brand every few days, and that’s mostly true because last week saw the arrival of the Fronx budget crossover!
Like that car, the XL6 is equipped with the K15B 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, which has quickly become a ubiquitous motor in the SA new-vehicle market. It does duty in a plethora of Suzuki cars and, if we’re being honest, their Toyota-badged counterparts as well. But, what the heck is an XL6? Let’s talk about it.
The Suzuki XL6 is an MPV that attended SUV classes at the weekend. When viewed from the front, you’d be forgiven for thinking it is yet another compact crossover from the marque, but if you make it all the way to the rear you’ll encounter a more van-like flank, culminating in a familiar rear end that will have you mouthing the name “Ertiga”. But no, it’s not that car, even though it is based on the same platform.
The XL6 is positioned above the Ertiga and is priced accordingly; it’s intended for small families rather than a lifetime of Uber duty. There are other fundamental differences here, such as the fact that it’s a 6-seater as opposed to a 7-seater, with two individual captain-style chairs in the middle row instead of a conventional bench, as per the rear row. What it does share, however, is the aforementioned petrol engine, which churns out the now-familiar peak outputs of 77 kW and 138 Nm.
It’s no rocket ship, but it delivers tried and tested performance, here paired with a 5-speed manual ‘box or a 4-speed automatic transmission. In a bold move, Suzuki Auto SA decided against making range-topping GLX derivatives available for our evaluation drive, which left us to test versions of the entry-level GL. The firm’s reasoning for this was that “the base car is so well equipped, you’ll barely miss a feature.”
Well, the GL’s extensive equipment list includes – but is not limited to – machine-polished 15-inch alloy wheels tucked into each arch, LED headlamps, daytime running lamps and clear rear lamps.
Also standard is keyless entry and push-button start, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a reverse-view camera, cruise control and climate control with rear air-con outlets.
Safety features are about par for the course for a model at this price point: dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and electronic stability control. There’s also an array of 12V sockets and USB charging points, a 4.2-inch info panel in the instrument cluster and, if you’ve opted for the automatic, it comes with hill-hold assist.
But, if you absolutely must have a top-grade XL6 for some reason, GLX derivatives further feature a leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats, dual-tone paint finish, automatic headlamps and auto-folding mirrors. But, be warned, this comes at a R21 900 premium, which you feel on a car at this affordable end of the segment. On that note, pricing is keen at R326 900 for a row-your-own gears 5MT GL, with the auto selling for R345 900. The GLX, therefore, can be had at R341 900 (manual) or R360 900 (auto).
I drove both manual and auto versions of the XL6 in the thinner air of the Highveld, where naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) lose about 15- to 17% of their power outputs. Personally, I’d have the manual- over the automatic version, because it somehow feels less afflicted by the Reef conditions, but trust me – they’re both more than up to the task of transporting a small family safely – and quite briskly.
I may have gone off route a little… and I may have commandeered an XL6 for the evening to have some extra time behind the ‘wheel (and to run a personal errand) in thick peak hour traffic from Hartbeespoort to Randburg. I can confidently report that Suzuki’s newcomer handled the task with real-world ease.
How much does the Suzuki XL6 cost in South Africa?
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GL MT
R326 900
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GL AT
R345 900
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GLX MT
R341 900
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GLX AT
R360 900
The prices include a 5-year/200 000 km (promotional) warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.
So the Suzuki XL6 is a good proposition, but who is it for? I touched on that before and, perhaps this is an inelegant oversimplification, but the XL6 is aimed at small families, not the ride-hailing app and private shuttle markets. Whereas some of its rivals are, well, frumpy, the XL6 comes across as stylish – but also comfy, roomy and well-appointed with premium touches. That it remains affordable, well that’s a Suzuki hallmark and certainly one of the factors that have drawn so many customers to the brand.
V-Class Rival? New Volvo EM90 Luxury MPV Confirmed!
Yes, Volvo is launching a luxury MPV. Here’s an early look at the fully electric Volvo EM90, which could be positioned to take on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class (or, more specifically, the EQV)…
Volvo has confirmed plans to add a fully electric luxury MPV – set to be badged as the Volvo EM90 – to its line-up. The Swedish firm will whip the wraps off the new EM90 on 12 November 2023, opening pre-orders in China at the same time.
From what we understand, the newcomer has been developed with the Chinese market chief in mind, though looks likely to be offered in some other countries, too. If it gets the global green light, the Volvo EM90 may well be positioned to take on the likes of the recently updated Mercedes-Benz V-Class – or, more specifically, the fully electric EQV derivative.
A 30-second teaser clip provides us with a bird’s eye view of the upcoming premium people-mover, showing 2 glass sections – a smaller traditional sunroof up front and a larger panoramic version for the rear quarters. Expect similar front-end styling to that of the likewise electric EX90 flagship SUV.
We also spy handles for (powered?) sliding doors on either side of the vehicle, along with distinctive taillamps and what appears to be an illuminated “Volvo” badge on the tailgate. Though Volvo has yet to confirm any specific details, we’d speculate the EM90 is large enough to handle 3 rows of spacious seating, perhaps with the option of captain’s chairs in the middle bank (judging by what we can see through the glass roof).
According to the Gothenburg-based automaker, the new EM90 has been “designed for you to make the most of the time spent in the car, like a Scandinavian living room on the move”. Volvo promises it will be a “place where you can connect with your loved ones, create, relax, work or just think”.
Interestingly, some reports claim the EM90 will be closely related to the Zeekr 009, an MPV offered in China by another of Volvo parent company Geely’s brands. For the record, the Zeekr 009 boasts a dual-motor electric powertrain generating somewhere in the region of 400 kW.
While official information – regarding everything from exterior dimensions and number of seats to electric powertrain specifications – are still thin on the ground, Volvo does says it will “reveal a lot more details around the car in the coming months”…
Can Land Rover thrive without the Land Rover brand?
Land Rover wants to be known as JLR in the future, but if few buyers, not least those in China, know that the brand used to be the name of a model famed for its off-road prowess (before it became the Defender), there’s a method to the firm’s madness.
How much money does it take to establish an iconic car brand? Toyota is the world’s biggest car company, selling in most markets, and it has an estimated brand value of about R900bn. If it costs so much money and time, to establish something iconic, then why would you give it away?
Land Rover is unquestionably iconic, with a legacy that spans nearly 8 decades and a product funnel that has triumphed despite quality issues throughout the 1990s and 2000s. But even the most iconic adventure vehicle brand can’t survive solely on its legacy.
Although the 911 remains Porsche’s defining car, without Cayenne and Macan, the German brand wouldn’t have the revenues or profitability to fund all those RS-edition 911s we hold so dear.
Land Rover has the same problem: its revenue reality and brand legacy have diverged – radically. Virtually no one buys a Land Rover as a farm vehicle anymore. All the models in the Solihull-based brand’s line-up are luxury cars, which require a different brand voice and marketing approach.
Scale is important for car companies because they have all become beholden to external suppliers. Even luxury vehicle brands – and Land Rover is no exception – must achieve specific sales volumes to purchase sophisticated componentry in adequate numbers, enabling a discount.
Land Rover has struggled with production since lockdown, with a huge volume of backorders. Demand for its model mix has also become deeply asymmetric, with too many buyers for Range Rover and Defender, and far too few for Discovery.
To simplify its business and branding structure, Land Rover wants to be known simply as JLR in future and focus on Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar as sub-brands. But is that a good idea?
When memory doesn’t matter anymore
In China, this is a European luxury car. Its Land Rover legacy is largely irrelevant.
To some, the decision to “un-name” the brand’s official corporate identity is inexplicable. Land Rover traditionalists would see it as brand treason. But there is a method to Land Rover’s madness.
What happens with the Land Rover rebrand? Minimalist Land Rover on-vehicle branding and a quartet of sub-brands, positioned as Range Rover, Discovery, Defender and Jaguar. But why?
Land Rover’s future is in China. It’s already the most important market for Land Rover’s SUVs, but also one without owners of classic Defenders. In China, Range Rover and Discovery are considered British luxury cars, they aren’t desired in the context of being loosely associated with the classic Defender.
To survive and thrive, Land Rover needs to move beyond its legacy. For decades, it had precious few rivals in markets which were important to it. Land Rovers and Ranger Rovers effectively sold themselves in the late 1970s and 1980s – customers were loyal and had no interest in the superior offerings from Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, or Toyota. But since the 1990s, things have changed dramatically.
German luxury brands have targeted the segments once dominated by Range Rover and Discovery, due to build-quality and reliability issues, the Defender conceded market share to Toyota’s Land Cruiser.
The truth is that much of the hysteria around Land Rover’s legacy being undone by rebranding is memory, not fact. Land Rover’s brand equity was always due to first-mover advantage. Engineering excellence aside, it made several strategic blunders, participated in some peculiar mergers (Honda, BMW and Ford), and… unfortunately, built poor-quality vehicles for nearly 2 decades.
Range Rover, Discovery and Defender as ‘sub-brands’?
Older Discoveries had prominent Land Rover bonnet badging. The newer ones don’t.
Is Land Rover crazy to sacrifice that green badge’s implied brand equity? Well, maybe not. For all the criticism about its future powertrain approach, Toyota is the world’s most diverse and successful legacy car brand. Toyota produces everything from affordable city cars to mining bakkies, luxury SUVs and traditional limousines. But it doesn’t always do it with a Toyota badge. And that’s important.
Lexus is arguably the world’s most successful sub-brand. Its success in conquering the North American luxury vehicle market remains one of the most remarkable and notable automotive product strategies. And it was done without any Toyota badging.
Does that prove that Land Rover might be doing the right thing? Maybe.
Lexus is an example of success beyond brand alignment. Although it must be said that for all the success Toyota achieved with Lexus, there have been similarly configured failures, such as Nissan and Infinity.
South Africa is a legacy market for Land Rover. The brand is entrenched locally, with excellent customer loyalty and many owners with both a legacy and modern Land Rover. And that’s important because if you think of how local Land Rover owners speak about their vehicles, it’s always model name, never brand.
You’ll hear “Disco”, “Rangey”, “Defender” or “Series II”, but rarely will you hear people refer to their “Landy” anymore. And, that is the argument from Land Rover’s head office in defence of its new brand strategy: Land Rover owners are aligned with its models, not the idea of an overarching brand.
Sub-branding since the 1970s…
The original Range Rover. Not much Land Rover badging to be seen…
Land Rover as Land Rover changed a very long time ago. If you want a date, it was the moment that the first Range Rover was introduced in 1970. When Land Rover gained a second model line, the Land Rover name became problematic because since 1948, “Land Rover” denoted a model range – not a brand. This is why the company renamed its original product line “Defender” in 1983.
If the Land Rover name has been a legacy issue since the introduction of Range Rover, why has it taken so long to change? The lagging recognition of Land Rover’s changing customer profile could be a reason. Land Rover was financially vulnerable for so long, that it never dared to risk anything that endeared it to the brand’s legacy customers, mostly based in the United Kingdom.
As Land Rover became a resurgent brand in the 2010s, thanks to Indian auto giant Tata’s recapitalisation, the growth has been powered by new customers in China. And without any legacy regarding Land Rover’s 1st-generation products, the brand cachet of “Land Rover” is lost on Chinese buyers.
Land Rover history doesn’t decode in China
A convoy like this would be revered in some parts of the world, but certainly not everywhere.
To some, it might be curious that Land Rover, who spent a tidy sum of legal money unsuccessfully challenging Ineos Automotive (the producer of the Defender-inspired Grenadier) in court, is now “un-naming” itself. But what’s the point of pillaring all your brand videos, social media posts and everything else in the marketing funnel with “Land Rover” if it risks confusing your most important customers?
Ultimately, the effort and investment required to educate buyers about what “Land Rover” is, with its backstory, is not worth the effort. Chinese buyers are impressed by luxury, design and European build quality. They don’t care about yellow 20th-century Land Rovers that conquered jungles and pioneered expeditions. To the world’s most important car market, Land Rover isn’t a thing, but Range Rover is.
And that’s why the Land Rover badge might still be present on future Rangeys, Discos and Defenders, but it will be much smaller – and nobody’s allowed to say Land Rover anymore… It’s all JLR. And, to be perfectly honest, the first letter of that acronym (J, for Jaguar) is where Land Rover’s real problem lies.
The Suzuki XL6, which offers a mix of crossover styling and MPV practicality, has arrived in South Africa. Check out the local pricing and specifications of the Japanese firm’s 3-row budget people-mover.
The Suzuki XL6 has made local landfall in South Africa, touching down as the latest addition to the Japanese firm’s burgeoning passenger-vehicle range and offering seating for 6 as standard.
Arriving hot on the heels of the new Fronx, the 3-row XL6 – which measures 4 445 mm long and has a wheelbase of 2 740 mm – has been around in some other markets for a few years now. Based on the 7-seater Ertiga, it launched in India (where it is produced) in 2019, before receiving a refresh in 2022. It’s the latter, updated version that has now launched locally.
In South Africa, the newly launched XL6 line-up comprises 4 derivatives (in the GL and GLX trim levels), starting at R329 900 and running through to R360 900. For the record, the 3-strong (closely related) Ertiga range is currently priced from R265 900 to R325 900, though comprises only base GA and mid-tier GL derivatives.
While the XL6 is offered in India with a mild-hybrid powertrain, here in Mzansi it is instead available with Suzuki’s familiar naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. As it does in the likes of the Baleno, Ciaz, Ertiga, Grand Vitara and indeed Fronx, this K15B motor delivers 77 kW and 138 Nm to the front wheels via either a 5-speed manual gearbox (resulting in a claimed consumption of 6.0 L/100 km) or a 4-speed automatic transmission (which Suzuki says sees the figure rise slightly to 6.1 L/100 km).
Standard safety features across the range include ABS (with EBD), dual front airbags, electronic stability control and a pair of ISOfix child-seat anchors.
In terms of standard specification, the GL grade comes with machine-polished 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, LED taillamps, daytime running lights, keyless entry (with push-button start), a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with wireless Apple CarPlay), a reverse-view camera, automatic climate control (with dedicated rear vents), cruise control and leather-and-cloth upholstery.
The GLX trim level adds automatic headlamps, power-folding side mirrors, full leather upholstery, dual-tone paint options (effectively adding a black finish for the roof, a section of the tailgate and the side-mirror caps) and leather trim for the steering wheel. Both derivatives with the automatic transmission, meanwhile, ship standard with hill-hold control.
How much does the Suzuki XL6 cost in South Africa?
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GL MT
R326 900
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GL AT
R345 900
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GLX MT
R341 900
Suzuki XL6 1.5 GLX AT
R360 900
The prices include a 5-year/200 000 km (promotional) warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.
The Volvo S90 range offered in South Africa now includes a T8 Twin Engine AWD powertrain offering a whopping 340 kW and 709 Nm. Here’s how much it costs…
The Volvo S90 line-up in South Africa has been quietly adjusted, with the mild-hybrid B6 motor falling away and the 340 kW T8 Twin Engine AWD plug-in hybrid powertrain making its local debut.
As before, the S90 flagship sedan range kicks off with the B5 powertrain, which comprises a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor (and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system) delivering 183 kW and 350 Nm to the front axle via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
However, the 220 kW/420 Nm B6-badged version has been removed from the line-up, replaced by a powerful new plug-in hybrid arrangement wearing the T8 moniker. Thanks to the friendly folks over at duoporta.com, we now know pricing for these new S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD derivatives.
The S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD is available locally in both the Plus and Ultimate trim levels, with either the Gothenburg-based automaker’s Dark or Bright styling packs. The S90 T8 Plus Dark kicks off at R1 319 000, while the S90 T8 Plus Bright is priced from R1 323 000. The S90 T8 Ultimate Dark comes in at R1 357 000, with the S90 T8 Ultimate Bright topping the range at R1 361 000.
So, let’s take a quick look at the T8 powertrain. The 2.0-litre petrol mill is both turbo- and supercharged and combines with a 107 kW/309 Nm electric motor to deliver maximum system outputs as lofty as 340 kW and 709 Nm. Aficionados of the Swedish brand will recognise those peak figures from the T8 versions of the XC60 and XC90, which employ the same powertrain.
In the S90 T8 – which features an 8-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive (with the electric motor powering the rear axle – these outputs facilitate an even quicker 0-100 kph sprint time of 4.6 seconds, according to Volvo, with top speed capped at 180 kph. Thanks to an 18.8 kWh battery pack, this plug-in hybrid model’s pure electric range comes in at 90 km (on the WLTP cycle), which sees the claimed combined fuel consumption fall to a mere 1.4 L/100 km.
How much does the Volvo S90 cost in South Africa?
Volvo S90 B5 Essential – R950 000
Volvo S90 B5 Plus Dark – R1 029 000
Volvo S90 B5 Ultimate Dark – R1 067 000
Volvo S90 T8 Twin Engine AWD Plus Dark – R1 319 000
JAC Motors SA has introduced a pair of facelifted T8 double-cab bakkies in Super Lux grade. The 2023 4×2 and 4×4 derivatives are said to offer “R50k worth of extra features” over – while maintaining price parity with – the pre-facelift Lux versions.
The JAC T8 2.0CTi Super Lux double-cab 4×2 and 4×4, which are positioned between the T6 double-cab workhorse and the imminent T9 flagship, are priced under R500k, which includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and service plan. This introduction follows the 2021 launch of Lux-spec T8 derivatives.
Compared with its predecessor, the 2023 model is distinguished by a chrome-plated grille, Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, black wheel arches, running boards, a style bar, fog lamps (both front and rear), as well as characteristic “Double C” LED taillamps.
Two-tone 18-inch alloys shod with 265/60 R18 are standard and the 4×4 derivative additionally features a black off-road style bar, rear step bumper, plus side steps.
Inside, the JAC T8 2.0CTi Super Lux comes standard with features such as keyless entry, central locking with auto door locks, multi-function steering wheel, adjustable steering column, cruise control, aircon, electric windows (with one-touch up/down for the driver), heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, as well as newly-designed front seats with power adjustment for the driver’s seat.
The infotainment system utilises a 9-inch touchscreen, supports Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and incorporates a reverse-view camera that works in conjunction with rear parking sensors. USB and 12V power sockets are said to be “discreetly placed within a closable compartment in the centre console”.
In response “to customer feedback, T8 Super Lux derivatives come standard with electric sunroofs,” says Karl-Heinz Göbel, the CEO of JAC Motors South Africa.
The model is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which produces peak outputs of 104 kW at 3 600 rpm and 320 Nm torque from 1 600 to 2 600 rpm.
The powerplant is mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission and the bakkie’s importer claims that the 4×2 derivative has an average fuel consumption of 7.8 L/100 km (combined cycle). Considering that the bakkie has a 76-litre tank, that would give it a theoretical range of about 1 000 km from filled to the brim to empty.
The JAC T8 2.0CTi Super Lux is 5 325 mm long (with a wheelbase of 3 090 mm), 1 880 mm wide, stands 1 830 mm tall, has a turning radius of 6.2 meters and a braked tow rating of 2 000 kg. Its double-skinned load box’s payload capacity is 900 kg.
The 4×4 derivative is equipped with an electronically-controlled part-time four-wheel-drive system supplied by BorgWarner. At the touch of a button, the driver can switch between two-wheel drive (2H) and four-wheel drive (4H) at speeds up to 80 kph.
Apart from low-range four-wheel drive (4L), 4×4 enthusiasts can utilise a rear diff-lock when traversing truly challenging off-road terrain. The bakkie has an approach angle of 29.6 degrees, a break-over angle of 23.5 degrees and a departure angle of 22.4 degrees; the stated ground clearance is 220 mm.
Safety-wise, all derivatives are equipped with dual front airbags and (as of the facelift) a pair of ISOfix child-seat mounting points. ABS with EBD and brake assist is complemented by an electronic stability programme, which incorporates traction-, vehicle dynamics- and hill-start hold control, plus a tyre pressure monitoring system.
JAC Motors, which entered the South African market in 2017, currently has 60 dealers across Southern Africa. These prices include 24-hour roadside assistance, a 5-year/100 000 km manufacturer’s warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan. Service intervals are every 10 000 km.
Which models are Audi SA’s best-sellers in 2023 so far?
Which models are Audi’s best-sellers in South Africa in 2023 so far? A few short years ago, the A4 would have been top, but the sedan now finds itself down in 5th place…
Over the opening 7 months of 2023, Audi South Africa registered 3 713 sales across as many as 15 nameplates. But which models are the German brand’s best-sellers on local soil, year to date? If you guessed Audi A4 was in the top spot, you’ll be a little surprised to hear the compact executive sedan actually found itself down in 5th position.
Yes, we collated the year-to-date sales figures and applied some basic arithmetic to identify Audi’s best- and worst-sellers. Unlike BMW and Mercedes-Benz – the other 2 members of the Teutonic Trio – detailed Audi sales figures are indeed reported to Naamsa every month, courtesy of Volkswagen Group South Africa.
The Q3 was Audi’s most popular nameplate over the opening 7 months of 2023.
Of course, that means we can have a close look at just how well (or poorly) the Ingolstadt-based firm’s wares are currently selling in Mzansi. This is what we found.
From the start of January to the end of July 2023, the Q3 was Audi SA’s most popular nameplate, with 759 units registered. That figure comprised 492 units of the standard SUV body style and 267 units of the Sportback configuration.
A little surprisingly, the A3 Sedan outsold the A3 Sportback.
The A3 wasn’t too far behind, ending the reporting period on 694 units. Fascinatingly – and, we must admit, somewhat unexpectedly considering the general decline in saloon sales – the A3 Sedan (356 units) managed to outsell the A3 Sportback (338 units), though only just.
The final podium spot went to the Q2 (485 units), which narrowly beat the Q5 (462 units). The latter’s tally comprised 267 units of the regular SUV and 195 units of the Sportback version. The A4 thus had to settle for 5th position with 448 registrations, 434 of which came in the form of the sedan with a further 14 units courtesy of the high-performance RS4 Avant.
The A1 Sportback placed 6th on the list of Audi’s strongest sellers.
Next came the A1 Sportback (387 units), followed by the A5 family with 162 units (136 in Sportback guise and 26 in either Coupé or Cabriolet form). The Q8 was the final Audi model to reach 3 figures in the 7-month reporting period, finishing on 112 sales.
That meant the slower-selling Audi nameplates were the Q7 (81 units), TT (47 units) and A6 (40 units; 25 in RS6 Avant form plus 15 sedans). The fully electric e-tron family finished on 22 sales (9 e-tron units, 7 e-tron Sportback units and 6 e-tron GT units), while the R8 managed 7 registrations. Finally, the A7 Sportback (4 units) and A8 sedan (3 units) brought up the rear.
