Nissan SA has quietly expanded its Magnite range, adding a new base engine and thus slashing the line-up’s starting price. Here’s how much you’ll pay…
The Nissan Magnite range in South Africa has been quietly expanded from 6 derivatives to 9 thanks to the introduction of a new base engine plus a fresh entry-level grade. As a result, the line-up’s starting price falls from R296 500 to R227 900.
Previously, all variants in the local Magnite range were powered by the Japanese firm’s 74 kW turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 160 Nm when linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox and 152 Nm when mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
However, the 3 newly added derivatives each employ a naturally aspirated 3-pot of the same displacement, which generates a more modest 53 kW and 96 Nm. Offered exclusively in conjunction with a 5-speed manual cog-swapper, this motor results in a claimed 0-100 kph time of 16.0 seconds (4.3 seconds tardier than the turbo version) and a listed combined fuel economy figure of 5.9 litres per 100 km.
So, how much do these new atmospheric variants cost? Well, the Magnite 1.0 Visia kicks off at R227 900 (hat-tip to the vehicle information specialists over at duoporta.com!), and introduces a new Visia trim level to the line-up. Unfortunately, we have found only a single (low-resolution) image of the newcomer thus far, which we’ve embedded below.
The new entry-level Visia trim is pictured on the left.
Despite what you see above, we understand the Visia grade does without alloy wheels (featuring steel wheels instead) and LED daytime running lights, while also ditching the touchscreen infotainment system (settling for a double-din radio), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the driver display, the start-stop button (instead relying on an ignition barrel), height adjustment for the driver’s seat and the 60:40 split function for the rear bench.
Meanwhile, the Magnite 1.0 Acenta comes in at R242 900, gaining the items mentioned above, while the Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus starts at R257 900, adding features such as LED headlamps, a 2nd 12-volt power outlet (handily sited for rear passengers), leather trim for the steering wheel, cruise control and Nissan’s around-view monitor.
As before, the turbocharged models are priced thus: Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta (R296 500), Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Red Edition (R304 300), Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta CVT (R324 000), Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus (R326 000), Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Red Edition CVT (R331 800) and Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus CVT (R353 500).
As a reminder, Nissan launched the front-wheel-drive Magnite locally in April 2021, before adding the Red Edition variants late in 2022. Over the opening 4 months of 2023, the Indian-built Magnite was Nissan SA’s 2nd best-selling vehicle overall with 2 419 registrations (beaten only by the NP200, which moved 4 492 units), and easily the firm’s most popular passenger car. Sales peaked in January, when 756 units were registered.
How much does the Nissan Magnite cost in South Africa?
Magnite 1.0 Visia – R227 900
Magnite 1.0 Acenta – R242 900
Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus – R257 900
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta – R296 500
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Red Edition – R304 300
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta CVT – R324 000
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus – R326 000
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Red Edition CVT – R331 800
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus CVT – R353 500
The prices above include a 6-year/150 000 km warranty and a 3-year/30 000 km service plan (with intervals of 10 000 km).
Isuzu has listened to customer feedback and given its MU-X 7-seat SUV a subtle update for 2023. Here’s what has changed, updated pricing and what it’s like to drive.
Up to this week, the Isuzu MU-X was in real danger of being overshadowed in 2023. Following the launch of the new (and recently expanded) Ford Everest and some tweaks being made to the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu’s bakkie-based SUV needed a fillip to help it keep pace with the segment leaders. Well, here it is!
What has changed?
As a reminder, the Isuzu MU-X is a ladder-frame-based 7-seater that is produced in Thailand. The big news is that Isuzu South Africa has confirmed the introduction of a pocket-friendly 1.9 LS derivative that will be hitting showrooms in the 3rd quarter of 2023. Its engine has peak outputs of 110 kW and 350 Nm.
For now, however, the Isuzu MU-X range gains another 4×4 derivative (in the shape of the 3.0 LSE), which brings the entire range count to 5, but what’s actually changed in this model-year update?
Visually, the MY23 Isuzu MU-X features colour changes to its frontal elements (such as the darker hue of the grille), plus tweaks to the headlights, fog- and taillamps. There are new (and larger) alloy wheels too: LS derivatives are fitted with 18-inch items, while the flagship Onyx version sports new 20-inch rims.
There’s a new colour option: Norwegian Blue, which replaces the brown exterior finish. Privacy glass is standard across the range, as are leather seats, which Isuzu says have been tweaked for added comfort.
As far as updated features are concerned, the LSE and Onyx are fitted with a hands-free tailgate (with step sensor), while the LS gets front/rear park assist and a 4-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat. Furthermore, the LSE comes with ‘wheel-mounted shift paddles, an auto-dim rearview mirror and, for the first time, the ability to start the engine remotely (the latter feature is also fitted to the Onyx flagship).
The engine has been carried over without mechanical changes. As a reminder, it’s a 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 140 kW/450 Nm and is paired exclusively with a 6-speed auto transmission. Three of the 5 derivatives have an electronically-controlled 4×4 system with 2H, 4H and 4L (low-range).
We got a brief experience with the updated Isuzu MU-X when we drove the model on a 25-km route in and around Johannesburg’s northern suburbs of Rivonia and Midrand.
We’re well acquainted with the Japanese 7-seater and appreciate what it offers at the price. There was no off-road component to the route, but as it turned out, the Isuzu’s suspension coped admirably with Gauteng’s poorly maintained roads in what would, for many owners, be the equivalent of a school run.
As before, the performance of the 3.0-litre engine requires some familiarisation, especially if you’ve experienced the 2.8-litre and 2.0-litre biturbo motors in the Fortuner and Everest. It sounds a touch unrefined and its power delivery is, well, workmanlike. Let’s just say the MU-X’s powertrain is “willing”.
Still, there’s 450 Nm of torque on tap – in-gear performance proved more than adequate. The 6-speed automatic transmission works well (it responds promptly and changes gears smoothly) plus, while the MU-X has paddle shifters, we felt the Isuzu’s transmission timed its up- and downshifts well enough.
The MU-X’s ride and handling are decidedly comfort-focused, but the price for that is some body roll, especially if you’re too eager with steering inputs. The ‘wheel’s action is swift and light – in fact, it seems as if the Isuzu was entirely set up to make long trips on varying road surfaces as comfy as possible.
Granted, its driving experience is rather anodyne, but as is the case with its D-Max siblings, the MU-X instils the feeling that it will take you to places where you need to “make your own roads” and then bring you home again safely. Also, as a family car, its sense of solidity and (relative) refinement is reassuring.
How much does the updated Isuzu MU-X cost in SA?
The updated Isuzu MU-X is sold with a 5-year/90 000 km service plan and a 5-year/120 000 km warranty, as well as roadside assistance. A 5-year/unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty has been included, and service intervals are every 15 000 km/12 months.
3.0 LS 4×2 AT
R784 300
3.0 LS 4×4 AT
R826 200
3.0 LSE 4×2 AT
R867 600
3.0 LSE 4×4 AT (new)
R909 500
3.0 Onyx 4×4 AT
R928 100
Summary
The changes to the MY23 Isuzu MU-X 7-seat adventure SUV may be minor and not immediately noticeable, but it’s all about giving the customers what they want, of which the introduction of the 4×4-capable LSE derivative is a prime example. The update also serves to remind South African consumers that, even though the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest hog the limelight, the MU-X is still a credible and capable product. We’ll be keen to get behind the ‘wheel of the updated model when it joins our test fleet.
How much market share have Chinese car brands grabbed in SA?
Chinese car brands are more popular than ever in South Africa. But just how much market share have these fast-growing firms grabbed? Let’s examine 2023’s year-to-date sales figures…
Spend just a few minutes on a busy highway in any major South African city and you’ll surely spot a number of swoopily styled new Chinese vehicles. Yes, automotive wares from what is now the world’s 2nd-most populous nation (after India) are suddenly resonating – and very strongly indeed, the figures suggest – with local car-buyers.
Haval, for instance, is now a regular on the monthly list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling automakers, while Chery’s 2nd stab at the local market is fast paying dividends, too (the Wuhu-based manufacturer is knocking on the top-10 door, routinely finding itself in 11th place). With aggressive pricing, plenty of standard kit and generally svelte styling, these 2 automakers in particular seem to have shaken the stigma that saw the likes of FAW, Foton, Geely and Landwind failing to make an impact on SA’s passenger-car market.
So, just how much market share have the Chinese brands operating in South Africa managed to secure? Well, let’s take a gander at the year-to-date sales figures, break out the calculator and determine exactly that.
For the record, we can’t include BAIC and Chery’s Omoda here, since these firms unfortunately don’t report monthly sales figures to Naamsa. In addition, we’ve opted to concentrate on the passenger and light-commercial vehicle (LCV) spaces, therefore excluding a handful of medium- and heavy-duty trucks from the likes of FAW and Powerstar. In essence, we’ll focus on Haval (including GWM), Chery and JAC Motors.
How much overall market share do Chinese brands have in SA?
The popular Haval Jolion range includes a hybrid-powertrain option.
Let’s start with a look at the overall picture. After the first 4 months of 2023, South Africa’s total domestic sales stood at 175 411 units. Remove medium- and heavy-duty trucks from the equation and that tally shifts to 165 908 units. During the same reporting period, Chinese automakers registered 12 175 units in the passenger and LCV segments, which translates to a considerable year-to-date market share of 7.34%.
For some context, that combined unit total means the trio of Chinese brands – Haval (including GWM), Chery and JAC Motors – together comfortably outsold mainstream automakers such as Nissan (10 792 units), Hyundai (10 643 units), Ford (9 957 units), Isuzu (7 708 units), Renault (7 588 units) and Kia (6 908 units).
From an individual brand perspective, Haval Motors SA led the Chinese charge with 6 472 registrations in the opening 3rd of the year, while Chery wasn’t far behind on 5 389 units. JAC Motors, meanwhile, made up the numbers with 314 sales (a figure that would rise to 349 units were we to include trucks).
As an aside, Haval posted total sales of 22 644 units in 2022, an improvement of 18.79% compared with 2021. The company thus climbed a place to 9th overall (just behind Kia), while also edging its share of the total market forward from 4.10% to 4.28%.
Chinese market share of SA’s passenger-vehicle segment
Nearly 1 300 examples of the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro have been sold in SA, year to date.
What about the passenger-vehicle space? Well, from the start of January to the end of April 2023, the South African industry total in this segment came in at 116 421 units. Chinese vehicles made up 10 313 of those registrations, converting to an even more formidable market share of 8.86%. Of course, that percentage would only rise (and significantly) were we to narrow this exercise to the crossover segment.
Still, it’s an impressive slice of the pie considering just 10 years ago a tiny handful of Chinese cars would have been sold over the corresponding period (though these brands didn’t report sales figures to Naamsa in 2013, GWM and Geely would likely both have registered a few examples of their rough-around-the-edges passenger cars, while Chery might have moved a smattering of QQ3 units – remember those?).
Year to date in 2023, however, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro is the best-selling Chinese vehicle, racking up 3 438 units, with a high of 962 registrations in February. The Haval Jolion is in hot pursuit on 3 069 units, peaking with 940 sales in March. Next comes the Haval H6 (1 845 units), followed by the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (1 288 units) and Chery Tiggo 8 Pro (663 units), with the soon-to-launch fully electric GWM Ora (8 units, likely press-fleet or demonstrator cars) and seemingly discontinued Haval H9 (2 units) bringing up the rear.
Chinese market share of SA’s light-commercial vehicle segment
The GWM P-Series is SA’s strongest-selling Chinese bakkie, year to date.
Fascinatingly, the Chinese haven’t made quite as significant an impact on South Africa’s LCV segment, though it’s worth keeping in mind only GWM and JAC Motors currently play in this space (Chery, however, reportedly has an eye on the bakkie market). Of course, local bakkie buyers tend to be exceedingly brand-conscious beings, so tempting them out of their Hilux, Ranger or D-Max bakkies is certainly no easy task.
Over the opening 4 months of the year, South Africa’s LCV tally came in at 49 487 units. Just 1 862 of those sales took the form of Chinese vehicles, resulting in a market share of 3.76%. Despite sales slowing markedly since the 1st half of 2022 (ostensibly owing to sustained supply issues), the GWM P-Series leads the way with 1 160 registrations.
Next comes the GWM Steed (388 units) – which interestingly outsold the P-Series in 2022, finishing 7th on the list of SA’s most popular bakkies last year – followed by JAC’s X-Series (164 units) and T-Series (150 units).
Plenty more models from China are on the way to SA
GWM will hope to draw in fresh customers with its upcoming Tank 300.
It’s telling these 3 Chinese companies were able to achieve the above results despite offering a decidedly limited number of model ranges (just 11 from our example above, based on figures reported to Naamsa). That’s all set to change, however, as plenty more products from the East Asian giant are earmarked for local shores in the coming months.
Chery, for instance, looks set to expand its newly launched Omoda C5 range with fresh derivatives, while there’s also talk of the automaker introducing the Jaecoo J7 as well as a flagship “Max” version of the Tiggo 7 Pro (a treatment already rolled out to the Tiggo 8 Pro). We’ve also heard murmurs of hybrid derivatives joining the local Chery stable.
Meanwhile, Haval is said to be mulling the launch of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants, which would surely slot in at the summits of the respective Jolion and H6 line-ups. Of course, both nameplates are already available locally in traditional hybrid form. There’s also still at least a small possibility of a freshened-up H9 making local landfall.
Will the GWM Ora arrive as SA’s cheapest EV?
GWM is poised to add a special-edition P-Series to its bakkie portfolio, while the slightly larger Shanhai Cannon is seemingly also on the cards. Then there’s the battery-powered GWM Ora – which may well launch as South Africa’s cheapest EV – as well as the ruggedly styled Tank 300 (with the Tank 500 likely hot on its tail).
BAIC has been threatening to launch the Geländewagen-aping B80 for quite some time, while JAC Motors plans to introduce its T9 bakkie (in turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel guise) in the 2nd half of 2023. In addition, the company says fully electric and PHEV versions of the T9 “will follow in 2024”. Finally, rumour has it BYD is considering entering SA’s passenger-car space, too.
While Chinese brands appear keen to push into fresh segments, they will no doubt persevere with a strategy that has worked exceedingly well in recent times: appealing primarily to value-seeking buyers. With South African new-car shoppers being forced to further tighten their belts as economic turbulence continues, Chinese brands have the opportunity to push consumer acceptance to unprecedented levels in the coming months (and years), no doubt grabbing yet more market share in the process.
Watch Ciro break an electric-car record in a BMW i4 M50
In early 2022, BMW South Africa was looking to make a splash with its new all-electric sedan – the i4 M50 – and asked our very own Ciro De Siena if he’d like to race one up the hill at the 2022 Simola Hillclimb. It proved a momentous occasion.
The car was specially flown in for this event (at the time of racing, it was the only i4 M50 in South Africa and literally priceless!). No pressure then. The 2-day event opened on a very wet Saturday; with 400 kW under his right foot, Ciro began his campaign in the potent all-electric, all-wheel-drive BMW.
At some point over the course of the weekend, we had a feeling that we might be getting close to the electric car record for the hill. The record stood at 49.5 seconds and Ciro was running in the 49’s.
But the rules stated that he would have two opportunities to set the record, one in the Class Final and one in the Supercar Shootout. Ciro had to pull out the stopsWe hope you enjoy this story of personal and mechanical triumph, it’s a great memory for us, for Ciro and for BMW SA.
This year, 2023, our very own Ashley Oldfield will be sending the brand new BMW XM up the hill, while highly experienced racer Thomas Falkiner will be in the same i4 M50 hoping to take the record home for BMW once again.
Hilux ‘Quest’ – Would you buy a brand-new ‘old’ Toyota bakkie?
As bakkies become increasingly sophisticated – and therefore, pricier – the demand for more affordable new double-cab bakkies will only increase. Chinese manufacturers’ models offer one solution, but another one might come from within South Africa…
New vehicle affordability is an issue. That’s obvious. South Africans aren’t getting wealthier and their disposable spend is constrained. But the strange thing is that South Africa’s best-selling vehicle isn’t entry-level or particularly affordable – at all.
That’s because there is no such thing as a cheap Toyota Hilux. When you are priced out of budget for the current 8th-gen Hilux, you’ll find that 7th-gen Hiluxes, even those that have racked up huge mileages, command high prices. But the bakkie market might be due for reshaping, with old becoming… new.
New Chinese bakkies are very good. And inexpensive.
Chinese car brands have redefined “value”
Product-wise, Chinese car brands have raised their games significantly in a relatively short space of time, yet they have never lost focus on affordability. Great Wall Motor’s Haval sub-brand has proven what credible product quality and bold price positioning can achieve in the South African small- to medium crossover and SUV segments and a number of their fellow Chinese brands look set to follow suit.
Chinese bakkies are much better than a decade ago and it’s unlikely that legacy bakkie producers, which need to fulfil the needs of buyers in mature markets (insofar as powertrain, in-car and safety tech are concerned) will meet the challenge of GWM (and its, um, countrymen) with all-new budget-oriented (or “value”) products. But that doesn’t mean more affordable Hiluxes (or Ford Rangers) couldn’t materialise.
How will they come to be? The key lies in continuation models and this strategy’s variability for the local market. In business school, they teach you about product adjacency and the risk of cannibalisation. You wouldn’t pass your automotive MBA assignment by suggesting a business case for selling 2 generations of the same model concurrently. But theory and reality often diverge. Especially in South Africa.
Volkswagen has proved that you can, very successfully, sell 2 generations of the same model without losing market share – or cannibalising the newer, more expensive model. In the ’80s, the Kariega-based manufacturer began producing the Citi Golf (a cut-price version of the discontinued Golf 1) while building and marketing the Golf 2 at the time. Volkswagen South Africa has also been doing that for nearly 2 decades with the Polo and Polo Vivo (the latter based on the preceding Polo) with much success.
Toyota’s passenger car division, which kept once kept a long-discontinued Corolla hatchback (known as the Conquest) alive as the Tazz, has done much the same with the Corolla Quest. Building and marketing continuation cars alongside its newer vehicles have not limited Toyota’s market share, which continues to expand to record levels, quarter after quarter. And, if it works for passenger cars, what about bakkies?
The Polo platform proves how viable continuation cars are, in South Africa.
New ‘old’ bakkies – it’s not a new concept
Why don’t automotive product specialists apply the continuation business strategy to bakkies? South Africa’s most robust and actively traded vehicle segment has excellent potential for continuation bakkies.
Toyota, Ford, Isuzu and Nissan already produce double-cab bakkie models locally, so assembly and component sourcing constraints should not be of concern.
In theory, product planners responsible for locally built bakkie models could keep the supplier order books open so that production may continue. In theory. Nissan proved this strategy for years with the NP300 Hardbody, which it sold alongside the newer Navara. For 2 generations of the Navara, in fact.
“But production of the NP300 was eventually discontinued due to the local Navara build programme”, I hear some of you say. Yes, that’s correct, but what about Isuzu?
NP300 made the case for continuation bakkies working in the local context. Price trumped crash safety spec.
You can build new and ‘old’ bakkies at the same plant
Isuzu’s local business is bakkies, which makes the Japanese brand very sensitive to the influence of cheaper – and rapidly improving – Chinese alternatives. Isuzu’s solution? A dual-product strategy.
Exactly a year ago, Isuzu Motors South Africa confirmed that both the 6th and 7th-gen D-Max would be built in parallel and sold together, in an “old-and-new” product portfolio.
What this has done for Isuzu is give it more bakkies priced at, and below, R500 000. The cheapest continuation bakkie you can now buy from Isuzu is the 6th-gen base spec single-cab, at only R346 800. That’s much less than the most affordable 7th-gen D-Max single-cab, which is priced at R421 200.
Aside from the value offering Isuzu is giving budget-constrained customers, the D-Max continuation-bakkie production proves that it can be done. Which begs the question: will Ford and Toyota follow?
Old is new, with Isuzu’s GEN6 bakkie range. Built alongside new D-Max.
New ‘old’ bakkies won’t influence top-end DC sales
South African legacy car brands have learned that customer loyalty has a price. And, to reiterate, nobody is going to win a price war with the Chinese. That much is clear from the sheer percentage of market share that Chinese brands have conquered in the various segments of the new passenger-car market.
It is unlikely that most local customers of Chinese cars, who are virtually all conquests instead of first-time car buyers, will exit their Havals or GWMs when the time comes to replace their vehicles.
Why would Toyota, for example, invest in the risk and complication of producing a continuation bakkie, alongside their current-gen bakkie? Let’s first debunk the risk issue. A previous-generation continuation D-4D double-cab bakkie, in SRX-equivalent trim, will not cannibalise those profitable 2.8 GD-6 sales.
Customers who are willing to pay R1 million for a double-cab bakkie want to experience contemporary design and trending technology – not to mention high status. Lifestyle specification double-cab bakkies are now luxury vehicles, replete with all the social wealth signalling that paying premium prices implies.
The risk of cannibalisation is quite low, but the potential defensive product strategy benefits are high. In reasonably basic specification, continuation bakkies would, theoretically, be priced around or below R500 000. We have evidence of this with Isuzu’s D-Max dual product strategy specification and pricing.
Toyota can do continuation cars with great competence. As Quest has proven, for nearly a decade.
New ‘old’ bakkies to slow Chinese brands’ ascendancy?
Derivatives of the continuation Isuzu D-Max double-cab are base-specification vehicles. They have steel wheels, no touchscreen infotainment systems and 5-speed gearboxes. However, they come with ABS and ESC. And the requisite cabin airbags. To some, they are ideal double-cab workhorse vehicles.
If Ford and Toyota apply something like what Isuzu is doing, their continuation bakkies would be rather basic. That would position them as technology-aged – but well-proven rivals – to new Chinese double-cabs, which are targeted at buyers who can no longer afford the legacy brands’ lifestyle-spec bakkies.
For Toyota, a Hilux continuation bakkie might be challenging to execute considering that the Hilux is so mature in its lifecycle. But when a 9th-generation model eventually replaces the current Hilux, it might create an opportunity to keep the 8th-generation 2.4 GD6 SR double-cab around in some form.
The Corolla Quest proves that Toyota SA can successfully roll out continuation models for the local market. But will the Prospecton-based brand produce a “Quest” version of the current Hilux?
It’s time for the Simola Hillclimb taking place from 5-7 May 2023 in the picturesque town of Knysna! Here’s how you can watch the action!
The 2023 Simola Hillclimb is revving up to wow spectators over 3 days (5-7 May 2023) starting with Classic Car Friday followed by the King of the Hill taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
The 1.9 km Simola Hill will see a large variety of cars blasting up the curvy tar to claim victory, including a wide range of local and international racing legends. WRX/WRC champion, Petter Solberg, will pilot a 419 kW Polo R WRX Supercar up the hill while 4-time King of the Hill winner and reigning Modified Saloon Car champion, Franco Scibante, will guard the title with his attack-inspired Nissan GT-R.
Ashley Oldfield will be racing the new BMW XM at the 2023 Simola Hillclimb.
Cars.co.za’s very own race ace, Ashley Oldfield, will be piloting the new BMW XM which offers a mighty 480 kW and 800 Nm from its Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. Zero to 100 kph is claimed at 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 250 kph (270 kph optional) The XM is due to go on sale in South Africa in 2023 with expected pricing starting at about R3.4-million.
“So… I am excited to see how this new BMW XM goes up the Simola hill. It’s the first time the car will have been used in a competitive format globally so I’m not sure what to expect from it. BMW makes excellent-handling cars but I will be fighting to overcome the 2.8 tons working against me”, says Oldfield.
Gero Lilleike will be looking for a podium finish in the 1931 Ford Model A Speedster.
But that’s not all, Cars.co.za Journalist, Gero Lilleike, will be representing the oldies in the Classic Car Friday event where he will be driving a 1931 Ford Model A Speedster up the hill for the second consecutive year. The Model A is one of many highlights to be seen on Classic Car Friday and is one of 4 cars being raced by Knysna-based amateur racing outfit, Classique Edge Racing, which will also be fielding a 1964 Ford GT4 Mk II Replica, 1956 Jaguar D-Type Replica and a 1946 Austin A40 Special.
“It’s a true honour and privilege to drive this 92-year-old Ford Model A up the hill at Simola. It’s like nothing I’ve ever driven in my life and it’s a completely unique and exhilarating driving experience. The team at Classique Edge Racing has done a fantastic job preparing the car for this event and I am hoping to drive the Model A to a podium finish. I can’t wait”, says Lilleike.
How to watch the 2023 Simola Hillclimb
If you aren’t able to get to Knysna to watch the action live, you will be able to watch the entire event via the Cars.co.za YouTube Channel or the Simola Hillclimb livestream at simolahillclimb.com. The Livestream will be hosted by Cars.co.za’s YouTube sensation, Ciro De Siena, and popular radio DJ and F1 presenter Sasha Martinengo.
The Isuzu MU-X 7-seater adventure SUV has received an update in SA, including the introduction of a fresh derivative. We have local pricing ahead and details…
Not content to let the recently revised Toyota Fortuner range and the freshly expanded Ford Everest line-up hog the 7-seater adventure SUV limelight, the Isuzu MU-X has received a minor refresh. In South Africa, the update includes the arrival of a new derivative.
As a reminder, the 2nd-generation MU-X – again based on the D-Max bakkie – launched in SA in November 2021, with the local range comprising 4 derivatives. For 2023, however, the line-up expands to 5 variants thanks to the addition of a new LSE 4×4 model (this trim level was previously available only in 4×2 configuration). In addition, Isuzu Motors SA says an entry-level 1.9TD LS 4×2 variant will arrive in the 3rd quarter of the year.
So, what about pricing? Well, while we don’t yet know how much the upcoming 1.9TD LS 4×2 will cost, the rejigged range for now kicks off with the 3.0TD LS, starting at R784 300. Next is the 3.0TD LSE 4×2 (R826 200), followed by a trio of all-wheel-drive derivatives: the 3.0TD LS 4×4 for R867 600, the freshly added 3.0TD LSE 4×4 for R909 500 and the flagship Onyx 4×4 for R928 100.
From what we understand, the MU-X powertrain is untouched. That means all variants (before the arrival of the 1.9-litre version, that is) still employ the Japanese firm’s 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which generates an unchanged 140 kW and 450 Nm. A 6-speed automatic transmission is again standard across the range.
A look at the updated Onyxflagship version of the MU-X.
So, what has changed? Well, the Thailand-built MU-X scores a handful of blink-and-miss-it exterior styling changes, including the adoption of darkened trim for items such as the subtly redesigned grille, foglamp bezels, taillamp surrounds and roof rails. There is also a new 2-tone 20-inch alloy-wheel design (again wrapped in 265/50 R20 tyres) for the range-topping Onyx and 18-inch items for other trim levels, plus a fresh paint colour (Norwegian Blue, which replaces Santos Brown).
Inside, Isuzu Motors SA has introduced some fresh cabin trim on the dashboard and doors. The LS trim level gains power-adjustable leather seats up front, privacy glass at the rear and parking sensors (fore and aft). LSE, meanwhile, scores an electro-chromatic rearview mirror, paddle shifters and remote engine start.
How much does the updated Isuzu MU-X cost in South Africa?
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LS 4×2 – R784 300
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LSE 4×2 – R826 200
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LS 4×4 – R867 600
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LSE 4×4 – R909 500
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD Onyx 4×4 – R928 100
The prices above include a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: April 2023
The Toyota Hilux has been toppled – but only just! Let’s take a closer at South Africa’s best- and worst-selling bakkies for April 2023…
Despite South Africa’s overall new-vehicle market shrinking slightly year on year to 37 107 units in April 2023, the light-commercial segment (where volume is driven primarily by bakkies) posted 11% growth, ending the month on 10 611 units.
The big news, though, is the fact the Ford Ranger grabbed the monthly sales crown from the vehicle that has long been South Africa’s strongest seller. Yes, the Toyota Hilux found itself in an unfamiliar 2nd place in April 2023, with the Japanese bakkie’s total of 2 187 units seeing it finish a mere 14 registrations behind the Ranger (2 201 units).
The Ranger clinched the top spot despite the Blue Oval brand’s Silverton facility grappling with production interruptions in April owing to vandalised electricity pylons in Pretoria. In addition, the Hilux benefited from 315 sales to the rental industry last month, while Ford moved just 13 Ranger units through this channel.
For the record, the last time the Ranger outsold the Hilux was in July 2022, when Toyota’s Prospecton factory was still out of commission thanks to the devastating KwaZulu-Natal floods. According to our maths, the Hilux remains well ahead in the year-to-date race, having sold 12 211 units compared with the Ranger’s 7 523 units.
The close-fought Ford-Toyota battle at the very top saw the Struandale-built Isuzu D-Max – which slumped from March’s 2 289 units to 1 183 units in April – drop a place to 3rd, quite some way off the pace. In a protracted market, almost all contenders shed sales month on month, though the Nissan NP200 (910 units) and Mahindra Pik Up (548 units) managed to remain in 4th and 5th place, respectively.
The Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (369 units) climbed a position to 6th, with the 2nd-generation Volkswagen Amarok (339 units) close behind in 7th (also a spot up on March’s effort). The GWM P-Series (257 units) was likewise up a place to 8th (a facelifted version was recently revealed in China), with the Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (218 units) falling 3 positions to 9th. The Mitsubishi Triton (71 units) returned to the table to seize the final spot.
Best of the rest in April 2023
The GWM Steed fell from the top 10 in April 2023.
So, what about the bakkies that failed to crack the top 10? Well, local sales of the GWM Steed fell to 68 units, which saw it pushed off the table by the Triton. The Jeep Gladiator, meanwhile, finished April on 11 units, ahead of the Peugeot Landtrek (10 units), Mazda BT-50 (7 units) and Mahindra Bolero (4 units).
Meanwhile, JAC’s T-badged bakkies – the Chinese automaker unfortunately reports a combined figure for its T6 and T8 line-ups – ended the month on a total of 30 units.
Bakkie export winners in April 2023
Nearly 7 000 examples of the Toyota Hilux were shipped overseas in April 2023.
What about the bakkie export market? Well, the figures suggest Toyota SA Motors prioritised exports over local sales in April 2023, sending 6 918 examples of the Prospecton-built Hilux overseas, a heady month-on-month increase of 3 330 units. That saw the Ranger fall to 2nd, as 2 951 units were shipped from Silverton.
The D-Max (603 units), Navara (302 units) and NP200 (21 units) again made up the numbers on the export charts. The official Naamsa report interestingly also showed a handful of imported models being exported from local shores in April 2023, in the form of the P-Series (15 units), Triton (10 units) and Steed (3 unit).
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for April 2023
Volkswagen is preparing to unleash a 245 kW Golf R 333 Limited Edition. The full reveal is expected at the end of May 2023.
The long-awaited Volkswagen Golf 8 R recently arrived in South Africa and local fans can finally unleash its 235 kW / 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine on local roads.
However, Volkswagen is preparing to unleash a more powerful, Limited Edition Golf R 333 at the end of the month which is expected to offer no less than 245 kW and 420 Nm, the same as the 2022 VW Golf R 20 Years.
Apart from the modest power bump and as seen in the teaser video above, the incoming Golf R 333 Limited Edition will be dressed in yellow body paint and fitted with an Akrapovic exhaust system as standard (which is a R73 000 option on the standard Golf 8 R).
Other notable features include 333 decals, black mirror housings, black 19-inch wheels, blue brake callipers and blue R badges. The interior is also expected to feature unique elements but the extent of the interior changes remains to be seen.
The full reveal of the VW Golf R 333 Limited Edition is due to take place on 31 May 2023 and it’s not yet clear whether the Golf R 333 will see the light of day in South Africa.
The Kia Sportage range has gained a trio of 1.6-litre turbodiesel derivatives. We drove a Kia Sportage diesel in Cape Town recently and these are our initial impressions…
The timing couldn’t have been better. As Kia South Africa was launching diesel versions of the Sportage, local motorists were facing dramatic fuel-price changes: petrol was set for a big increase, while diesel was set to come down substantially. A good time to promote a new diesel-powered family SUV, then.
We’ve made no secret of the fact that we rate the Kia Sportage highly. Not only does it look fresh and modern, but its lineup ticks many boxes. Launched locally in September 2022, the Sportage had one minor shortcoming: there was just one engine/gearbox combo. “Worry not”, said Kia SA, who promised that a diesel-powered Sportage would be touching down in Mzansi Africa soon enough. And here it is!
When it comes to turbodiesel-engined family SUVs, there aren’t that many to choose from these days. The Toyota RAV4 is no longer offered in diesel guise, a Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI was recently launched and Hyundai offers a Tucson 2.0D Elite (with an all-wheel-drive N-Line version waiting in the wings).
Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-5 2.2DE AWD Akera is soldiering on and, if you want an all-new model from a premium brand (and are willing to compromise on cabin space), consider BMW’s X1 sDrive18d M Sport.
1.6 CRDi versions of the Kia Sportage range look identical to their petrol-powered siblings.
What’s on offer?
The Kia Sportage diesel derivatives slot neatly between their petrol-powered siblings, and they are available in 3 trim levels. The engine is a 100 kW/320 Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder unit that drives the South Korean family car’s front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
If the engine configuration sounds familiar, that’s because it’s an updated version of the motor that served in the discontinued Kia Soul. As far as performance is concerned, Kia says the diesel-powered Sportage can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 11.4 seconds. Given the claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km and the Sportage’s 54-litre fuel capacity, Kia reckons a tank range of around 1 100 km is possible.
The diesel-powered Sportages’ trim levels are near-identical to those of their petrol-powered siblings, with even the base LX offering an impressive level of standard kit – it’s anything but “entry-level”!
A driver can toggle between the various drive modes on the Sportage’s digital instrument cluster.
Sportage diesel LX
LED Headlights, daytime running lights, front fog lights, taillights
17-inch alloy wheels
Drive modes (Eco, normal, sport, smart)
Cloth upholstery
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter
40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
Dual automatic temperature control
Curved 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
Reverse camera / rear parking sensors
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / Bluetooth with voice recognition
2x USB-C rear charging points, front USB charging points
6x airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, Hill Start, Trailer stability assist, downhill brake control
The Sportage’s cabin feels thoroughly modern and well-made, with numerous upmarket finishes.
What is it like to drive?
You cannot tell a diesel-engined Sportage apart from its petrol-powered equivalent based on its exterior execution – they look identical. It’s only when you start the engine, which emits a muted clatter at start-up, that you’ll realise that there’s a turbodiesel under the Kia’s bonnet. The powerplant’s relatively gentle idle speaks volumes of the Smartstream motor’s refinement and the model’s excellent noise insulation.
For the record, Sportage diesels are the only derivatives in the range to feature auto start/stop tech.
The majority of our test-drive route comprised open-road driving, with minimal interruptions. The 1.6 CRDi’s engine and transmission work well together; the gear shifts are well-calibrated and smooth.
Contrary to expectation, the “small-capacity turbodiesel” does not seem to labour in the 1.5-tonne Sportage; the engine delivers a nice dollop of torque from quite low down in the rev range (2 000 rpm).
If you need to summon brisk overtaking acceleration, there’s no need to apply full throttle or engage the Sport drive mode – even in its default drive mode, the 1.6 CRDi is sufficiently responsive. There’s minimal hesitation; it just picks up pace fairly rapidly… certainly more rapidly than its on-paper outputs suggest.
The Sportage’s alloys are very eye-catching, but the ride quality remains on the firm side of pliant.
As far as the diesel-powered Sportage’s ride quality and steering setup were concerned, they’re much the same as we experienced with its petrol-engined counterpart. As we said in our review of the 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line S, the Kia’s suspension feels tuned for smooth road surfaces (the ride’s a bit firmer than expected). However, the EX’s 18-inch alloys probably strike the best blend between comfort and style.
Occupant comfort levels are high; this generation of Sportage has always created the impression that it can cover long trips with ease and now, with its diesel engine, it may consume even less fuel when doing so. We executed many overtaking manoeuvres on the 74-km launch route, but by the end of the trip, the Sportage indicated a fuel consumption figure of just 5.9 L/100 km. With a more considered driving style (and the use of Eco mode), we reckon one could come close to achieving that claimed 4.9 L/100 km.
We achieved a 5.9 L/100 km consumption figure without needing to drive all that conservatively.
How much does the Kia Sportage diesel cost in South Africa?
All Sportage derivatives are sold with a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with roadside assistance. A 6-year/90 000 km service plan is included.
The introduction of a turbodiesel engine only sweetens the Sportage package further.
Summary
While our test drive of the Kia Sportage diesel was brief, it was illuminating nonetheless. While there’s no denying that the petrol-powered Sportages are accomplished, the turbodiesel powertrain offers plenty of in-gear punch, which should (in theory) be matched with excellent fuel economy over longer distances.
Thanks to this product expansion, the Kia Sportage range now offers a derivative to suit virtually every new family-car buyer’s needs and budget. We’re keen on spending more time with the new diesel engine in a wider variety of scenarios, such as congested city traffic, to assess the powertrain’s smoothness.
Some may question why Kia South Africa would launch 1.6 CRDi derivatives of the Sportage at a time when diesel-powered passenger cars are being phased out in Europe, but consider this: Until the SA Government can implement a well-considered strategy to facilitate (or, better yet, incentivise) the uptake of electric or electrified vehicles, all-electric-, hybrid- or plug-in hybrid versions of models such as the Sportage simply won’t be viable in our market. If they were to be sold right now, the lofty taxes/duties levied on such vehicles would inflate their asking prices; therefore, they’d be prohibitively expensive.
