VW ID.Buzz (2023) International Launch Drive

While he was in Germany, Calvin Fisher took a road trip in the evocative VW ID.Buzz, which is the 2nd battery-electric vehicle that Volkswagen will launch in South Africa.

It’s 7.30 am, I’m in a hotel in Munich and trying to concentrate on my breakfast. However, I am fixated on a Volkswagen key fob that’s resting (next to my coffee) on the table. Gleaming with potential, it belongs to a shiny new VW ID.Buzz and, with it, the freedom to go anywhere its 77-kWh battery pack will take us.

*The author found instant rapport with the VW ID.Buzz, courtesy of the BEV’s “smiling face”.*

On paper, the model that’s said to be an all-electric re-imagining of the Microbus/Kombi/Caravelle should be good to travel 415 km on a full charge – keep that distance in mind; it will become important later.

Being a South African, I found the prospect of a road trip very exciting. We’re travellers at heart, but in 2023, we want at least climate control and cupholders at our disposal, plus the modern conveniences of our era – navigation, smartphone connectivity and wireless charging. Thus, the ID.Buzz is the bus for digital nomads, like us. With our pastries dutifully consumed, the trip could commence – we were off!

*The trio of ventilation inlets on the VW ID.Buzz’s C-pillars are stylistic nods to the T3-generation model.*

Unlike anything else, yet instantly familiar

Finding the Volkswagen ID.Buzz that was assigned to us in the hotel’s parking lot was not difficult whatsoever. It’s both bigger than you imagined, yet smaller than you’d guess – occupying that space between large expectation and compact stature. I walked around it several times before declaring, like Goldilocks, that it was just right – making the Renault panel van alongside it look archaic and utilitarian.

I was beaming with “this one is mine” pride and energy, even though my custodianship of the bus would be fleeting and… what’s the word? Electric! I hopped aboard and immediately initiated a relationship between my ‘phone and the ID.Buzz’s brain and began navigating to a little Alpine town in Switzerland.

*The ID.Buzz cabin is a study in minimalism, but anything but short on creature comforts.*

This would be a 200-km trip each way but, “Hey! What’s this?” Our bus indicated it only had 79% of its range left, which would transport us 228 km. More probing revealed a lack of a charge card to replenish our reserves, but no matter – we had Visa. And this was Europe. Still, it wouldn’t hurt being cautious, so we opted to travel to a small town in Austria, which was endowed with a handful of EV chargers. Sorted.

What’s the VW ID.Buzz like to drive?

With the admin taken care of it was time for the fun part – the actual road trip. We left the city of Munich, meandered through the suburbs and then pointed the VW ID.Buzz’s bonnet (which has very little to obscure) towards the Autobahn. Not having an engine up front (much like the original Volksiebus) means that the MPV boasts an enviable turning circle of just 11.1m, so it was a pleasure to negotiate tight turns.

*If you’re travelling in an unfamiliar area, the nav system is very handy… when you are looking for a charging station.*

The VW ID.Buzz already felt quite special, but seeing locals rubberneck as it passed by was something to experience – the bus felt beloved. The original bus was only the second passenger car that Volkswagen ever produced, and in parallel, this model is shaping up to be the second ID product in VW South Africa’s portfolio, after the ID.4 Pro, which will be launched soon. Read Cars.co.za’s launch review of the ID.4.

The electrobus’ neat aesthetics carry over quite sweetly into the cabin. There’s no “retro for retro’s sake” embellishments here, it’s all very contemporary, practical and bathed in sunlight. Did I mention that that part of Germany reached a peak of 27 °C that day? No matter, we had technology to take care of that.

We also had technology on board to tell us how far we could drive and where we’d be able to “fill up” (so to speak) – very pertinent information, as our stint on the Autobahn was quickly diminishing our range. And the closer we got to the German border, the fewer charging points were sprouting from the map.

*The ID.Buzz’s interior trim consists of recycled materials, such as polyester, as well as animal-free leather.*

A common complaint regarding BEVs (battery-electric vehicles) is their excessive kerb weights and, as a consequence, lacklustre dynamics. But in a van, that extra weight and the resulting ride and handling characteristics are a feature – not a bugbear. The VW ID.Buzz seems confidently planted to the road; its helm feels notably substantial and the 150 kW output of its electric powertrain complements it.

Having a floor pan comprising heavy batteries means that it has a low centre of gravity; after we left the highway (after crossing the border) we scythed through farm roads and village centres. We had covered 128 km to get to the town of Braunau am Inn, Austria – with 38% charge or 118 km of range remaining.

That’s when we got the ‘wake-up call’

We tried to hook up our VW ID.Buzz to the first EV charger we could find but alas, no luck. I suspect that if we had a dedicated “charge card”, the process would have been easier, if not seamless. But we could not find a way – or app – that could help us purchase the “juice” we needed to make it back.

*Once the author arrived in Braunau am Inn, the ID.Buzz’s range was insufficient for the return trip.*

It was such a pity, because the town was quite picturesque. A quick Google search on the town’s history, however, inspired me to find another locale on the other side of the border; I won’t expand on the reason.

Ten minutes later we were hooked up to a 12-kWh charger, which thankfully communicated with our credit card, in quaint Simbach am Inn, Germany. Hardly a downgrade, Simbach is often named one of the loveliest towns to visit in Germany; I’d love to see it one day… when I’m not experiencing range anxiety.

*The author recharged the ID.Buzz for an hour in Simbach am Inn, Germany.*

No, a 12-kWh charger does not recharge quickly, and we needed quite a lot of electricity “in the tank” to make it back home. So, no fancy restaurants for us – having a supermarket Pretzel and Cola on a bench (while we stared at the ID.Buzz) had to suffice. And you know, as far as scenery goes, I didn’t hate it. After an hour of charging (and some sour candy later), our range crept north of 53%. We could go home.

Summary

On the route back to Munich we did our best to avoid the highway for as long as we could and enjoyed seeing the German countryside as we travelled along back roads. As we did so, fast chargers (50 kWh, 150 kWh and even 200 kWh) blipped into view on our nav map and I couldn’t help pondering the efficacy of electrification. This article is no condemnation – far from it. The VW ID.Buzz is one of the most exciting cars I’ve driven this year. As a vehicle, it is wholly seductive – South Africans are going to adore it.

*BEV ownership isn’t something one should wade into uninformed, but it could be a very satisfying experience.*

Look, our BEV charging infrastructure needs work, including significant investment from Government (which says it’s serious about reducing carbon emissions from automotive vehicles). Wider efforts to educate potential BEV buyers about ownership experiences they’re likely to have would be welcome too.

On a positive note, the “Electric-car Challenge” isn’t unique to South Africa, with its wide open spaces – even in Germany, which is the VW ID.Buzz’s home country, a road trip in a BEV requires planning, so it’s hardly spontaneous. If you’re serious about adopting this new tech, you’ll want a wall box at home.

You need to do your homework – take note of which chargers are on your routes, further investigate which ones actually work – and plan accordingly. I thought I’d come away saddened by the experience but instead, I’m more hopeful than before; perhaps that was partly because the VW ID.Buzz wears such an optimistic “face” that you can’t help but love it. These challenges are not insurmountable – we live in a world where we’ve found a way to keep all our devices, most notably our smartphones, charged up and connected all the time. And it will be the same for our cars. Yes, even with load shedding.

Kia SA’s best-seller is no longer the Picanto

Which model is Kia’s best-seller in South Africa? The answer used to be the Picanto, but another of the Korean firm’s vehicles has quietly overtaken the little hatchback…

Back in 2022, Kia South Africa’s best-selling model was the Picanto, followed by the Rio hatchback. However, over the opening 8 months of 2023, a different nameplate is leading the passenger-car sales charge for the Korean firm’s local division.

Yes, as many as 3 964 examples of the Sonet have been registered across Mzansi year to date (end of August 2023), putting the Indian-built baby crossover some 857 units ahead of the Picanto. The latter finished the reporting period on 3 107 passenger-vehicle units, excluding Runner-badged panel-van sales, which are registered in the light-commercial vehicle segment (along with the K2500 and K2700).

*The Sonet arrived in SA back in May 2021.*

That means the Sonet is already well ahead of its 2022 tally of 3 319 units. The Picanto, meanwhile, looks unlikely to reach the heights of last year, when it attracted 7 137 new sales. Of course, a facelifted version of the Picanto was revealed in July 2023, though there’s no indication of timing for a local introduction just yet.

As a reminder, the Sonet line-up comprises 6 derivatives (offered with either a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder motor or a turbocharged 1.0-litre 3-pot), currently priced from R338 995 to R431 995. Meanwhile, the 12-strong Picanto passenger-car range (plus the 2 Runner variants in the LCV space) runs from R219 995 to R283 995.

*LX derivatives provide the entry point to the Sonet range.*

For the record, the Seltos (1 519 units) was next on the list of Kia’s strongest sellers year to date, followed by Rio hatchback (1 380 units). We expect a facelifted version of the Seltos to arrive in South Africa in the relatively near future, while the Rio nameplate is due to exit Mzansi towards the end of 2023, after some 22 years on the local market.

The Chinese-produced Pegas sedan totalled 687 units year to date, closely followed by the Sportage (676 units). Next came the Carnival (215 units) and Sorento (170 units), while Kia SA also registered 4 units of the Niro, 2 examples of the Carens and a single unit of the EV6 (seemingly all for “consideration” rather than sale purposes).

Buy a used Kia Sonet on Cars.co.za!

Mazda SA to launch 187-kW 6-cylinder turbodiesel CX-60

Mazda Southern Africa will add a flagship Takumi derivative, powered by a 3.3-litre inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel with mild-hybrid tech, to its CX-60 line-up early in 2024.

This move will see the local subsidiary of the Hiroshima-based brand make a more deliberate push into the Executive SUV segment (where the highly-specced and suitably powerful top-of-the-range CX-60 will compete against the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60) than it did when it launched a pair of 4-cylinder petrol derivatives of the model in Mzansi earlier this year.

The CX-60 was conceived to promote Mazda into a higher market segment than its ageing CX-5 sibling (it was part of a global product strategy on the part of the Japanese brand), but the first 2 derivatives of the CX-60 that were launched in Mzansi (powered by the brand’s familiar 2.5-litre naturally aspirated motor) seemed equipped – and priced – to a level that would see the model compete with upper-end medium SUVs and slightly bigger family cars such as the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander.

In fact, the model’s less-than-spectacular launch line-up inspired regular Cars.co.za opinionista – Lance Branquinho – to pen an article titled ‘Did Mazda give the CX-60 the wrong engine?’ in which he speculated that the Japanese brand may have been dissuaded from introducing its inline 6-cylinder engine in its South African line-up of the CX-60 because of fuel quality- and price-positioning issues.

Now, however, Mazda Southern Africa has clearly indicated that there is no impediment to the local introduction of a CX-60 derivative with a 3.3-litre inline-6 e-Skyactiv D diesel engine equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology. Pricing and the full specification of the Takumi-spec flagship derivative will only be confirmed closer to the time of local introduction (February 2024), however.

In terms of its exterior execution, the flagship turbodiesel CX-60 Takumi variant features an exclusive front bumper design, a piano black grille, a bright metallic finish to the front signature wings, side signatures and glazing surrounds, as well as 20-inch, black metallic, diamond-cut alloy wheels.

The newcomer’s interior treatment might be Mazda’s crowning achievement, however. In other markets (such as Australia), Takumi is a lavish optional trim package that is available on top-spec derivatives. Takumi trim incorporates pure white nappa leather seats, suede fabric-trimmed dashboard panel with detailed stitching and light-coloured maple wood inserts on the centre console and door trims…

But what about the engine’s outputs? According to a Mazda Southern Africa spokesperson, the CX-60 Takumi will produce maximum power of 187 kW and peak torque of 550 Nm – outputs that correspond with those of the (all-wheel-drive) derivative overseas (also equipped with a 3.3-litre inline-6 turbodiesel and 48V mild-hybrid tech). So, yes, the flagship derivative will probably be offered in AWD guise in SA.

In terms of performance, Mazda Motor Europe claims the 3.3 e-SkyActiv D MHEV AWD (as the derivative is known in continental markets) can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 7.6 sec and reach a 219-kph top speed.

The 48V mild-hybrid system (M Hybrid Boost) consists of, inter alia, a 0.33 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 12.4 kW/153 Nm electric motor/generator, the latter of which is integrated with the 8-speed transmission. The motor supports the engine at low loads and -engine speeds, while its battery is recharged by the engine or regenerative braking. Mazda quotes an average consumption figure of 5.3 L/100 km (WLTP).

Suffice it to say, the Mazda CX-60 that we reviewed earlier this year impressed the test team with its stylish cabin, impressive build quality and rear-wheel-drive handling dynamics. The addition of a 3.3-litre inline-6 turbodiesel motor – introduced as part of the Japanese brand’s “right-sizing” concept, which optimises displacement to improve both fuel and power efficiency – should suit the package very well.

Watch Ashley Oldfield’s video review of the new Mazda CX-60 below:

2025 Mini Countryman JCW: A First Look

While all eyes were on the brand-new electric Countryman, Mini Germany quietly released information about the performance-focused 2025 Mini Countryman JCW.

We were in Munich last week for the unveiling of the all-new Mini Countryman and the conversation was dominated by electrification, but petrol and diesel will continue to be offered. It almost snuck under the radar, but information has been released about the 2025 Mini Countryman JCW, the petrol-powered performance flagship.

The 2025 Mini Countryman JCW will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine with 221 kW and 400 Nm. Performance fanatics will notice that the outgoing model was a touch more powerful at 225 kW and 450 Nm, and we’ll put this decrease in power down to ever-tighter economy and emissions regulations.

Given the All4 badge, it should come as no surprise that the 2025 Mini Countryman JCW features all-wheel drive. It appears the 8-speed torque converter transmission has been replaced by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The new JCW-powered Countryman is claimed to sprint to 100 kph in just 5.4 seconds.

If this is all sounding very familiar, don’t be surprised as the BMW X1 M35i uses the same powertrain and is capable of near-identical performance. Interestingly, for some markets, the engine output is rated at 233 kW and 400 Nm. Fingers crossed the SA market gets the more powerful version.

Inside, expect the sporty theme in abundance with racy seats and red/carbon fibre trim. Mini has yet to reveal a comprehensive image gallery or press release about its sportiest Countryman, so we don’t have many images to go on.

Mini Countryman JCW arrival in South Africa?

The new Mini Countryman JCW will built in Leipzig, Germany, along with its BMW siblings, the X1 and iX1. It is expected to arrive in South Africa in 2024, along with the rest of the brand-new Mini range.

Want to purchase a new or used Mini Cooper? Browse stock for sale.

Check out the latest specifications and prices for Mini vehicles.

It’s Official: New Ford Mustang Coming to SA in 2024

When will the 7th-gen Ford Mustang blast into SA? Well, the Blue Oval brand has finally confirmed a 2024 launch, though it’s no longer building the outgoing model…

When the wraps came off the 7th-generation Ford Mustang a full year ago, there was no indication from the Blue Oval brand’s local division of when the fresh-faced version of the pony car would arrive in South Africa. Now, however, we finally have some clarity.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has confirmed to Cars.co.za the new S650-series Mustang “is expected to arrive in South Africa sometime during 2024”. Though that’s not terribly specific in terms of timing, it’s at least an official confirmation the new Mustang is indeed on its way to local roads.

In addition, we asked the automaker whether its Flat Rock assembly plant in Michigan was still churning out examples of the outgoing S550 model. The Dearborn-based company’s local division confirmed to us that “production of the 6th-generation Mustang has ended”.

Judging by the latest sales figures from industry representative body Naamsa, there’s still stock of the outgoing model in Mzansi, with August 2023 – when 44 units were registered locally – proving to be the nameplate’s best month of the year thus far (just edging out July’s 42 units). Over the opening 8 months of 2023, as many as 194 examples of the 6th-gen Mustang have been sold in SA.

For the record, the outgoing Mustang range in South Africa – representing the only true passenger car from Ford still offered locally, with the likes of the Figo and Fiesta having since been discontinued – currently comprises a trio of variants, all powered by the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine: a fastback, a convertible and the limited-run California Special (which is interestingly still listed). Pricing currently runs from R1 139 900 to R1 217 900.

So, what about the new version? Well, we expect the 7th-gen Mustang to again be available locally in both coupé and convertible body styles. Though the engine line-up for SA is not yet confirmed, we wouldn’t be surprised if our market received only the 8-cylinder Coyote motor and did without the updated version of the turbocharged 2.3-litre, 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine (a powerplant that was dropped in 2019 as it didn’t prove particularly popular with local buyers).

In the United States, the updated version of this V8 engine – which generates 330 kW and 529 Nm in the outgoing SA-spec Mustang – churns out 362 kW and 566 Nm when breathing through the GT’s sports exhaust system. Of course, it bears repeating that local engine specifications have yet to be confirmed. In the States, a 6-speed manual gearbox (complete with a rev-matching function) and a 10-speed automatic transmission are offered.

There’s also a 373 kW Mustang Dark Horse derivative and a circa-600 kW Mustang GTD limited-run variant (the latter boasting a supercharged 5.2-litre V8), though it’s thought neither is currently planned for right-hand-drive production, effectively ruling them out for a local introduction (for the time being, anyway).

As a reminder, back in August 2014, Ford announced its engineers had finished construction of the very first right-hand-drive 6th-generation Mustang, confirming the production version would be exported to more than 25 right-hand-drive markets, including South Africa.

In December of the following year, the Mustang officially launched locally, with the range comprising 6 derivatives. There were fastback and convertible body styles, manual and automatic transmissions, and 4-cylinder and V8 engines. In July 2019, the refreshed Mustang arrived, with the line-up gaining the Bullitt special edition. The Mach 1 followed in 2021, before the aforementioned California Special touched down in 2022.

Buy a used Ford Mustang on Cars.co.za!

Chasing the dream! How I built the car I always wanted (Custom Toyota 86)

The Toyota 86 is a fun rear-wheel drive coupe offered by the Japanese brand. One owner took hers to an all-new level with visual upgrades and mechanical enhancements.

Kiara van Vuuren grew up in a petrolhead household; her dad built a beautiful Subaru GC8 in his youth and she has always had fond memories of that car. Her dream was to one day customise her own car, and she set her heart on a Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ.

In this video she shares her story with us, and goes into great detail about the incredible lengths she has gone to to make her car exactly as she wanted it, including importing body kits from the UK.

Kiara, we salute you! And we wish you many happy miles in your ride.

Want to purchase a new or used Toyota? Browse stock for sale.

Check out the latest and specifications for Toyota new cars.

The cars and bakkies SA’s government bought in August 2023

Which vehicles were most popular with South Africa’s government buyers in August 2023? Let’s take a look at the cars and bakkies the state bought last month…

In August 2023, around 1.2% of South Africa’s new-vehicle sales total of 45 679 units represented purchases by government, according to industry representative body Naamsa. So, which vehicles were most popular with the state last month?

Well, we’ve combed through the sales figures to identify the new cars and bakkies bought by government in August (though we’ve excluded the handful of purchases in the medium- and heavy commercial vehicle segments). Note, too, that the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz didn’t report detailed sales statistics, so these marques unfortunately can’t be included in this exercise.

*The imported VW Polo Sedan placed 2nd on the list of best-sellers to government in August.*

Fascinatingly, the vehicle most popular with government buyers last month was a bakkie. Yes, the state procured as many as 181 units of the Isuzu D-Max, representing around 11% of the Struandale-manufactured bakkie’s total of 1 632 sales.

Next came the Indian-built Volkswagen Polo Sedan (67 units), followed by the Kariega-produced Volkswagen Polo Vivo (39 units). The government also acquired 35 units of the Prospecton-built Toyota Hilux – which was Mzansi’s best-selling vehicle in August with 3 309 registrations – along with 33 examples of the Toyota Quantum.

The Rosslyn-manufactured Nissan Navara (19 units) was the final vehicle to crack double figures, with the Audi A4 (8 units), Nissan NP200 (8 units), Audi Q5 (5 units), Mahindra Pik-Up (5 units), Audi Q3 (4 units), Audi A3 Sedan (3 units), Ford Ranger (3 units), Volkswagen Golf 8 (3 units), Audi A1 Sportback (2 units), Volkswagen Polo hatch (2 units), Volkswagen T-Cross (2 units), Volkswagen Tiguan (2 units) and Volkswagen Transporter Crew Bus (2 units) making up the numbers.

*The state purchased 19 units of the SA-built Nissan Navara last month.*

In addition, the state bought a single unit of each of the following vehicles last month: the Audi A3 Sportback, Audi Q7, Suzuki DZire, Suzuki Ertiga, Volkswagen Caddy, Volkswagen Kombi and Volkswagen T-Roc.

Out of the 542 sales (including trucks) to government in August 2023, Isuzu was the dominant brand with 204 units. The Volkswagen Group (also incorporating Audi sales) was next on 182 units, followed by Toyota (68 units), truck-maker Iveco (51 units), Nissan (27 units), Mahindra (5 units), Ford (3 units) and Suzuki (2 units).

In SA soon: An affordable electric ‘car’ from Spain!

The Silence S04 quadricycle promises to be one of the most affordable road-legal battery-electric vehicles in South Africa. But it is smaller than a Smart ForTwo, so is it even a car? Justus Visagie interviewed Robbie Schmidt, who drove the model in Spain.

There was much hope that GWM’s Ora Cat would bring affordable electric motoring to South Africa. These hopes were dashed when the Chinese brand announced that prices of the Golf-sized hatchback would range from R716 900 to R915 900. But don’t crucify GWM for those price tags; blame our fragile currency and a South African government that burdens electric vehicles (EVs) with additional tax.

Before getting to the Silence S04 itself, you might want to know more about the manufacturer. Silence is a Spanish automotive company based in Barcelona, where it builds its S01 and S02 scooters for various markets, including Britain and South Africa.

A notable feature of the S01 (which is about the same size as a 125 cm³ Japanese scooter) is its removable battery, which weighs a hefty 41 kg, but it has 2 wheels and a telescopic handle. This means you can wheel it around like a small (heavy) suitcase to charge it separately – if you need to.

Why should you care? Because two of these 5.6 kWh batteries power the S04’s motor and they can be swapped out in about 2 minutes. And, if all goes to plan, the Spanish quadricycle should reach South Africa at the end of November 2023.

What is a Silence S04?

Because of its small size, the S04 is classed in the same category as the Bajaj Qute, Eleksa CityBug, and Citroën Ami. It is tiny – just 2.28m long, 1.29m wide and 1.59m high. It is tiny, even when compared to the Smart ForTwo (2.7m x 1.66m x 1.56m) and is positively dwarfed by a Fiat 500 (3.57m x 1.63m x 1.49m).

With both removable batteries slotted in, the S04 weighs 517 kg, compared to the 875 kg mass of a Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL manual, for example.

A 14 kW (22 kW peak) electric motor drives the rear wheels, compared to 4 kW and 9 kWh for the Eleksa CityBug. Silence quotes an optimal range of 149 km, based on the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC).

It has three drive modes: City, Economy, and Sport. In Sport mode, the claimed range is 90 km.

There are two versions of the S04: the L7e, with its speed limited to 90 kph, and the L6e, limited to 45 km/h. The L7e is classified as a heavy quadricycle and the latter as a light quadricycle.

These 2 versions have different road usage limitations and license requirements in Europe. No doubt the L7e, with its higher top speed, will be more appealing to South Africans than the L6e.

The local agents say it may be possible for licensed 16-year-olds to drive the S04, which could be good news for wealthy parents who are sick of the school run.

Safety, interior, and build quality

Since it is a quadricycle with the main purpose of low-speed city driving, it does not have to meet the safety requirements of regular cars. It does have disc brakes all round and ABS is an optional extra.

“For the needs it aims to fulfil, the pre-production S04 I drove was well-designed and built,” says Robbie.

The passenger seat is set back to the maximum and cannot move forward. This is to maximise space due to the narrow width of the vehicle. The passenger sits diagonally from the driver, instead of next to them (the Citroen Ami uses the same configuration). The dashboard and doors had quite luxurious suede-like material with stitching and the 274-litre load bay should accommodate about 2 “carry-on” suitcases.

“There was no audio equipment or Bluetooth (Silence will include the features in the production version) and, although the S04 does not have an infotainment screen for Google Maps and other apps, it does include a well-integrated holder for a smartphone or tablet. The car also had built-in charging cables with various connectors, USB ports, electric windows and -side mirrors (there is no centre mirror) and aircon.”

The easy-to-use Silence smartphone app allows drivers to see the state of charge and control certain functions, such as locking and unlocking, pre-heating, and opening and closing the windows. Using the app, the registered driver can even allow someone else to drive the S04 – without the key.

Driving the Silence S04

“Bear in mind that the S04 I drove was not a production model, but a prototype,” adds Robbie. “I drove it as far as 10 kilometres along the streets of Barcelona, which is its intended type of habitat.

“Silence claims the S04 can sprint from 0 to 50 kph in less than 7 sec… and it felt that fast. Performance is more than sufficient, especially in Sport mode. It is lots of fun to drive and quite a head-turner.

“The car’s small size makes it super easy to find suitable on-street parking. Unlike the prototype, the production car will have power steering (tyre size is a modest 155/65 R14).

“Outward visibility is good, but drivers must familiarise themselves with the S04’s compact dimensions when manoeuvring. You can almost touch all four corners of the car by extending your arms. The seats are comfortable, and since you will not be doing 6-hour road trips, they are more than acceptable.

“Don’t expect car-like sound insulation, though. Road noise is noticeable and so is the sound of the electric motor. But again, given the S04’s intended purpose, that’s okay.

“I was told the production version will have better brakes and an improved suspension. That would be a welcome development, because the suspension felt quite stiff,” he concludes.

About those batteries…

The Silence S04 certainly won’t be the first electric quadricycle to come to Mzansi, but its batteries make a compelling proposition, especially for commercial applications. Since the batteries are sold separately, or will be available on lease from Silence South Africa, a commercial enterprise can set up its own battery swap station. This is ideal where range requirements exceed the distance the car can drive on a charge.

To charge a battery – whether it’s slotted into the S04 or not – simply plug the supplied cable into a standard 220V domestic plug point.

The 600W charger built into each battery can charge it from empty (“flat”) to 100% charged in about 4.5 hours. Faster charging is not currently possible, however.

Swapping batteries should be easy. As you remove the battery from the S04, 2 small wheels pivot out from under its casing. Note that the battery is not as easy to drag or push as cabin baggage… It weighs about 40 kg and you have to be mindful of the way the battery block is balanced when moving it around.

Perhaps the best feature of a Silence battery is that it is a large-capacity power bank too. Owners can use it to power or charge electronic devices during load-shedding or when camping, for example.

In other words, you could charge your smartphone and laptop, keep the WiFi router and a few lights going, and still have enough power to get to work the next day. If you use it to run a hairdryer, microwave or any other power-intensive appliance or device, well, you’ll have to hail a ride to your next destination…

Using the battery as a power source does, however, require the use of an inverter that Silence sells separately (the local price of which has yet to be confirmed).

How much will it cost?

Silence South Africa has indicated a target price of R448 000 for the Silence S04. Barend Engelbrecht, a director at the company, says numerous factors will influence the purchase price. “We have not yet received any firm dates from Spain for the availability of these units nor any final costs, he adds.

For that price, the two required batteries will be included. Additional batteries cost R79 350 each. Silence is planning battery leasing for 2024 onward. A customer who opts to buy the S04 without the batteries (in other words, chooses to lease them instead) will pay 30% less for the car itself.

Service intervals and the servicing cost are still unknown – but the latter is likely to be very affordable.

Summary

With its easy battery swapping and attractive design, the all-electric S04 is an intriguing proposition. It is a vehicle that SA businesses and individuals should consider for deliveries, security patrols, running errands, or the daily commute. But, considering its 90-kph top speed, that precludes highway driving.

To be competitive, Silence will have to keep the price of the S04 low, to compete with possible entrants like the Wuling mini EV (under USD 5 000 in China), and BYD Seagull (USD 11 400). Bear in mind that those are domestic Chinese prices; the landed prices in South Africa would be considerably higher.

We will test the S04 in South Africa in due course. In the meantime, you can visit Silence SA’s website.

Volvo XC40 Recharge (2023) Review

The Volvo XC40 premium compact crossover range incorporates a pair of all-electric derivatives; we review the Recharge Single Motor Plus version (the more affordable of the two) to find out if it represents a strong buying proposition for EV buyers.

We like: Exterior and interior design, refinement, performance

We don’t like: Ride quality is on the firm side, not much to dislike here

FAST FACTS

Model: Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus
Price: From R1 108 000 (September 2023)
Engine: Single electric motor, RWD
Power/Torque: 170 kW/330 Nm
Transmission: Automatic
0-100 kph: 7.3 seconds (claimed)
Energy consumption: 20 kWh/100 km
Range: 423 km (claimed)
Load capacity: 460-893-1 328 litres

Volvo XC40 Recharge — *The XC40 Recharge offers significant design appeal.* Do you agree?

Although the Volvo XC40 range now offers 2 battery-electric Recharge derivatives, their combustion-engined siblings have been on sale in South Africa for about 5 years, during which time the Swedish brand’s model has been well-received by local buyers looking for a stylish and safe premium compact crossover. In fact, the XC40 is just about twice as popular as its larger XC60 sibling in South Africa.

Volvo is rapidly transitioning into a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) brand; by 2030, it will only sell electric cars. To that end, Volvo Car South Africa has begun rolling out its latest electric wares, starting with the XC40 Recharge in 2022 and, more recently, with the arrival of the C40 Recharge, which received high praise during our recent test. Volvo will soon follow that up with the introductions of the compact EX30 Recharge in 2024 (which will slot in beneath the XC40 Recharge) and the EX90 – the firm’s flagship BEV.

In 2022, when the 300-kW XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate went on sale, the first consignment sold out in less than 24 hours! Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the flagship all-electric XC40. Now, Volvo is offering BEV buyers some more choice and has bolstered its local offering with the 170-kW XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus derivative (on test here), which has a claimed range of 423 km.

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How the Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus fares in terms of…

Design and Packaging

Just look at it! Who wouldn’t want to drive and own a vehicle with that design every day? The boxy and edgy contours of the XC40 Recharge translate into significant kerb presence, especially in this Fjord Blue body colour. Plus, not only does the Volvo look elegant – it exudes some sportiness thanks to its bulging bonnet, upright body-coloured grille and stylish 19-inch, 5-spoke black diamond cut alloy wheels.

The style statement continues with a smart and minimalistic interior design. Our test unit came fitted with the optional Microtech and textile fabric combination upholstery (R30 300) and we found the seats to be sufficiently bolstered; they provided excellent overall comfort. The topographical-themed inserts seen on the dashboard and doors are a nice aesthetic touch; they lend the interior a soothing natural ambience.

The central dashboard is dominated by a portrait-style 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which has a simple and easy-to-navigate menu layout. The menu’s text is rather small though, which negatively impacts usability, but we’d consider that a minor gripe. The navigation system integrates battery-energy projections to help you plan your route and locate public charging stations. The Range Assistant menu tab is also useful to keep an eye on current energy consumption and range while you are driving.

A 12-inch digital instrument cluster is standard, while the minimalistic steering wheel is nicely complemented by a sculpted transmission lever. A wireless charging pad is also fitted as as you’d expect from a Volvo, safety features abound. There are 6 airbags and driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping aid, oncoming lane mitigation, front and rear park assist and a rear park-assist camera.

Volvo XC40 Recharge rear seats — Space for rear passengers is fair for a vehicle of this size.

As far as practicality is concerned, the XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus offers sufficient space for adult occupants at the rear and the electrically powered tailgate provides access to a 460-litre (claimed) load bay with extra storage beneath the foldable floor. The 60:40-split rear seat configuration adds flexibility; when the seatback is folded down, up to 1 328 litres of utility space is available, Volvo says. Plus, there’s an additional 31 litres of storage space under the bonnet, which is useful for housing charging cables.

Volvo XC40 Recharge boot — *The load capacity is good and additional storage is offered beneath the boot floor.*

View the full specification for the Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus

Performance

The author of this review did quite a bit of driving during this test; he thoroughly put the XC40 Recharge through its paces in terms of range, efficiency and charging. But his nerves were put to the test too…

Let’s get some numbers out of the way first. This derivative features a single front-mounted electric motor that generates 170 kW and 330 Nm of torque and is paired with a low-mounted 69 kWh lithium-ion battery, combined with an 11-kW onboard charger. Volvo claims a 423 km range on a single charge.

Volvo also claims a 0-to-100 kph sprint time of 7.3 sec, but thanks to its seamless (single-speed), shift-by-wire transmission, the XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus feels much more sprightly than its official outputs suggest. It sprints eagerly from a standstill and, combined with its firmer ride quality, feels decidedly sporty to drive.

With our testing gear hooked up, we recorded a 0-100 kph of 7.68 seconds, which is enough urge to put a smile on your face. We’d go so far as to say that this version’s performance is so good that most buyers are unlikely to need the additional punch of the 300-kW XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Ultimate.

Acceleration is smooth and refined and, like in most BEVs, surges in acceleration occur in near-silence; when you pin the Volvo’s accelerator pedal, only a vague electric whoosh makes its way into the cabin.

Efficiency and charging

Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus — *The Volvo XC40 Recharge features a body-coloured grille to give it more of an EV look.*

At this point of the review, the author (seasoned motoring journalist, CarsAwards judge, photographer and adventurer Gero Lilleike) recounts his personal experience of driving the XC40 Recharge…

“At the start of my driving stint in Cape Town, the test unit’s instrument cluster indicated a range of 390 km. The XC40 seemed to revel in urban traffic conditions, where slower speeds and more scope for brake regeneration (to replenish the battery’s charge) helped to keep energy consumption in check.

“On the highway, however, the situation changed rather rapidly. I would soon be reminded that longer trips in a BEV require forethought/planning…

“If you buy an XC40 Recharge, Volvo will install an 11-kW charger at your home, which will allow you to charge your car conveniently (and more affordably). Because I was a visitor in Cape Town, I didn’t have that luxury; I was at the mercy of public charging infrastructure and Eskom’s load-shedding schedule.

“My first attempt to charge the XC40 Recharge at Audi’s 75-kW fast charger at Canal Walk was foiled. As I plugged in, the area suffered load shedding and the charger shut down abruptly. It was very frustrating.

“On the following morning, I had to travel 56 km to Gordon’s Bay. When the trip began, the Volvo displayed a battery charge of 64% and a range of 260 km. But while I was travelling to my destination on the highway (with an average speed of about 100 kph), the test unit’s charge/range dropped notably.

“When I arrived, the Volvo had 48% charge left (and an indicated range of 180 km), but there still was a whole day of driving to be done. It was then that I realised that the car needed to be recharged – fast!

“I used www.chargestations.co.za to find the nearest fast charger, which was a 60kW DC charger in Stellenbosch. I made the trip and arrived to find that a Mini Cooper SE was being recharged in the bay.

“My heart sank, again… The charge level was down to 40% and the day was running away from me. I pulled into the nearby BMW dealership and plugged into an 11-kW charger while I made another plan. I was shocked to see (on the site) how many public charging stations were inoperative at the time…

“I decided to make the trip back to Cape Town and charge the XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus at the 60 kW DC fast charger in Gardens. The navigation system estimated that, by the time I’d arrive at my third destination, the Volvo’s charge level would be down to 28%.

“Then, while I was travelling along the N1, I got a notification that the Gardens charging station was no longer in service. My anxiety spiked to new heights and my nerves were well and truly shot.

“I redirected the test vehicle to the Audi Claremont dealership, where a pair of 75 kW DC fast chargers were available and working fully. I arrived with 27% charge left and I felt hugely relieved that the Volvo was finally plugged in – and charging. I had spent 3.5 hours trying to charge the XC40, but thankfully it would only take about 40 minutes to recharge fully, which was enough time for me to have lunch.

“It’s worth mentioning that the XC40 P6 Recharge Single Motor Plus returned consistent efficiency of around 20-21 kWh/100 km, which was, to be perfectly fair, in line with Volvo’s claimed consumption.

Volvo XV40 Recharge front — Fjord Blue is an optional body colour (R5 000) and we think it looks fantastic!

“I had experienced the gnawing anxiety that first-time BEV buyers may face if they don’t have a home charger. The friendly salesperson at the BMW dealership in Stellenbosch gave me excellent advice to avoid a similar experience in future: ABC (Always Be Charging). If you’re not driving your BEV, recharge it!

“The above experience highlighted a few important points. Firstly, it underlined how important it is to have a home charger installed because it will allow you to charge your BEV overnight and reduce your reliance on public charging infrastructure. A home charger will cut your charging cost significantly; most public fast charging stations command over R7 per kWh which equates to roughly R500 for a full charge.

“Secondly, public charging stations can be inoperative at any given time and, with so few public fast chargers available, it’s clear that charging infrastructure still needs to be developed across South Africa to ensure that a fast and reliable charging service is readily available to ensure a pleasant EV experience.

“Thirdly, driving a BEV can – and will – shake up your daily routine and take you to places where you never planned to go. In that sense, a BEV can either enrich or have a negative impact on your lifestyle.

“I was happy, however, to have gone through that experience in such a well-rounded BEV.”

How much does the Volvo XC40 Recharge cost in South Africa?

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus is priced from R1 108 000 (September 2023), which includes a pair of warranties – 5-year/100 000 km for the vehicle and 8-year/160 000 km for the battery – as well as a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Services are scheduled every 30 000 km.

Book a test drive

Buy a used Volvo XC40 on Cars.co.za

Verdict

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus offers excellent performance that’s unlikely to disappoint. It’s fast enough and certainly offers the necessary refinement and style to justify its price tag. Also, as a compact luxury crossover that will mostly be used in an urban environment, the Volvo’s claimed range of 423 km is reasonable (provided that you habitually recharge your vehicle at home overnight, we guess).

Considering that this svelte Swedish BEV goes up against the BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz EQA and is more affordable than its German rivals, we can’t think of any good reason not to put the Volvo XC40 Single Motor Recharge on your shortlist if you’re shopping for a premium-badged small family car.

If you just want to buy a BEV with which to commute, however, the new-vehicle market will soon see the arrival of the GWM Ora all-electric compact hatchback and, in April 2024, the new J01-generation Mini Cooper will make its local debut in BEV guise, when it will replace the current-gen Cooper SE.

The range-topping 126 kW/250 Nm Ora 400 GT Ultra Luxury is said to offer approximately 400 km of range from its 63 kWh battery, plus a host of impressive tech and is expected to cost about R915 900.

Having said that, the Ora has a smaller footprint than the Volvo and, while we have yet to drive the BMW iX1, my colleague has sampled the Mercedes-Benz EQA‘s sibling, the EQB, and, based on our limited experience, the XC40 Recharge is the leading all-electric premium compact crossover at the moment.

New Kia Carens brought into SA for ‘study’ but won’t be sold here

Kia South Africa has confirmed it imported a couple of 4th-gen Carens units for “study” but adds this latest crossover-styled 3-row MPV will “not be introduced” to the local market…

While sifting through South Africa’s detailed new-vehicle sales figures for August 2023, we noticed Kia South Africa had registered 2 units of the 4th-generation Carens, a crossover-styled 3-row MPV not currently marketed locally. So, we asked the South Korean firm’s local division whether plans were afoot to introduce this sub-Carnival vehicle to SA.

Though the Indian-built Carens – which is offered in the South Asian country in both 6- and 7-seater guise – was indeed under consideration for a local re-introduction (remember, this nameplate exited SA’s new-vehicle market back in 2009), Kia SA has confirmed it will not be sold here.

“These 2 units were brought into the country a while ago for homologation, study and consideration. This model will not be introduced to the South African market,” Kia SA told Cars.co.za.

So, what are we missing out on? Well, the 4th-generation Carens was revealed at the end of 2021, built on a stretched version of the Seltos platform. Measuring 4 540 mm from snout to rump (so, slightly longer than the current Sportage), the 3-row family vehicle boasts a generous 2 780 mm wheelbase. Unlike its decidedly MPV-shaped predecessors, the KY-series Carens features a distinctly crossover-inspired exterior design.

In India, the Carens is available with a choice of 1.5-litre engines, each driving the front axle: a naturally aspirated petrol unit (with a 6-speed manual gearbox), a turbopetrol motor (with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission) and a turbodiesel mill (using either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque-converter automatic cog-swapper).

Standard safety equipment offered across the Indian-market range includes 6 airbags, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill-assist control, downhill brake control, brake assist, tyre-pressure monitoring, front parking sensors and rain-sensing wipers.

Incidentally, Kia SA also registered 2 units of the Niro last month, in addition to the 2 examples imported in May 2023 alongside a single unit of the EV6.

VW ID.Buzz (2023) International Launch Drive

While he was in Germany, Calvin Fisher took a road trip in the evocative VW ID.Buzz, which is the 2nd battery-electric vehicle that Volkswagen will launch in South Africa.

Unlike anything else, yet instantly familiar

What’s the VW ID.Buzz like to drive?

That’s when we got the ‘wake-up call’

Summary

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Safety, interior, and build quality

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How much will it cost?

Summary

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Volvo XC40 Recharge (2023) Review

The Volvo XC40 premium compact crossover range incorporates a pair of all-electric derivatives; we review the Recharge Single Motor Plus version (the more affordable of the two) to find out if it represents a strong buying proposition for EV buyers.

FAST FACTS

Serious about buying/selling?

How the Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus fares in terms of…

How much does the Volvo XC40 Recharge cost in South Africa?

Verdict

Related content:

New Kia Carens brought into SA for ‘study’ but won’t be sold here

Kia South Africa has confirmed it imported a couple of 4th-gen Carens units for “study” but adds this latest crossover-styled 3-row MPV will “not be introduced” to the local market…

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