Lancia Thema 8.32: Classic Drive

When an owner asks if you fancy driving his Ferrari-engined Lancia Thema 8.32 from Cape Town to Johannesburg, there can be only one answer! Guillaume Muller goes on an epic road trip with the once glorious Italian brand’s 4-door flagship.

It all started with a phone call. “My Lancia Thema 8.32 has been serviced in Cape Town, and it needs to come back to Johannesburg,” said the owner. “Perhaps you’d like to drive it back?”

Now, I’m exposed to new cars almost every week, but I’m sad to say that until recently, the furthest I’d ever driven a classic car – a Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 – was approximately 50 km.

The prospect of a 3-day road trip in a Ferrari V8-engined executive sedan once favoured by Enzo Ferrari himself sounded adventurous, romantic… and simply too good to pass up.

As a country, South Africa may serve up a wide variety of landscapes, but most of its major routes are still in good condition, so I wasn’t anticipating many unexpected road hazards.

However, the uniqueness of the Lancia Thema 8.32 made me wonder: “What would I do if it developed a problem, or suffered a breakdown, on our journey?” After all, this is not the type of car any rural town mechanic would be able to fix; lest we forget, the Lancia was sent away 1 500 km just to be serviced!

But given the golden opportunity, I gave the owner a confident “yes”.

Shortly before our departure, the car had a comprehensive engine-out service (that cost R65k, including a new exhaust system), the knowledge of which settled my nerves somewhat.

I’d never driven a Thema, nor a Ferrari 308 GTB Quattrovalvole – the Lancia Thema 8.32’s motor is derived from the Prancing Horse’s celebrated (if not overly powerful) 2.9-litre V8 engine. However, I was looking forward to getting acquainted with the car throughout the more than 1 500 km road trip.

Collecting the Lancia Thema 8.32

After picking up the car at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on a Friday afternoon, I decided to head up Signal Hill, one of the main attractions in the “Mother City”. It meanders up a steep climb and offers perfect vistas of the city, Table Mountain and even the coastline if you drive all the way around the hill.

It is here that I had my first opportunity to take a closer look at this Giugiaro-penned machine.

A twist of the wiper-operating stalk prompts the rectangular spoiler to deploy from the bootlid. Today, it might look laughable, but downforce of 12 kg at 140 kph and 20.5 kg at 220 kph was not to be sniffed at in the ’80s. It also makes for an unexpected party trick, impressing those who might at first look down their noses at this angular ’80s Italian executive sedan.

Specification:

Model: Lancia Thema 8.32
Engine: 2.9-litre, 32-valve V8, petrol
Power: 158 kW at 6 750 rpm
Torque: 285 Nm at 4 500 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, FWD
Weight: 1 419 kg
0-100 kph: 6.8 sec (claimed)
Top speed: 240 kph (claimed)

The Prancing Horse centre caps on the 5-spoke wheels also make it clear that this is no ordinary Thema. The 8.32 moniker denotes the 8-cylinder, 32-valve configuration of the 308 engine, but it wasn’t simply shoehorned into the Lancia and left untouched. Compared with its cousin’s motor, the Thema’s V8 has smaller valves, a cross-plane (as opposed to flat) crankshaft and a different firing order.

Whereas in the Ferrari 308 GTB the V8 develops 177 kW at 7 000 rpm, it punches out 158 kW at 6 750 rpm. But, importantly, a much higher percentage of its peak torque (285 Nm) is available at low revs (80% by 2500 rpm), which makes the Lancia Thema 8.32’s powerplant more flexible and responsive for everyday driving (particularly in a large, front-wheel-drive car), as I was to find out for myself.

To fit the V8 into the Thema’s engine bay (which was originally designed to house 4- and 6-cylinder units), the sedan’s grille – with a new egg-crate design – was pushed forward to accommodate an enlarged radiator, reinforced front suspension and stiffer springs. Fifteen-inch wheels and thicker, ventilated front discs helped it to cope with the extra weight.

I returned to the Lancia‘s cabin, replete with its plush, full-leather trim. The moment I twisted the ignition key, the Thema 8.32 emitted a deep-chested burble, which remained audible at idle and even at low speeds. It was a pleasingly constant reminder of the special engine under that discreet bonnet.

As the sun started to set, I took it easy and cruised home, a 60 km drive from Cape Town. At 6:00 AM the next morning, I loaded my luggage into the Lancia’s sizeable 462-litre boot, which is where I found the parts that were replaced during the service. After that, I set off on the 950 km drive to Kimberley.

The road trip begins

The first day’s excitement started an hour into the drive. I decided to avoid the N1 toll road, which heads diagonally from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and take the tunnel for the longer Du Toitskloof Pass. It’s not the smoothest stretch of tarmac, but the Lancia’s suspension absorbed the bumps with ease.

From here onwards, it would only be long, straight stretches of road all the way to Johannesburg, so I thoroughly tested the Lancia‘s dynamic handling through some of the last corners as I descended the pass. The Thema 8.32 is not particularly agile – after all, it is laden with such luxuries as electrically adjustable rear headrests and seats; this one even has the (optional) heated front seats.

However, once it settles and is stable in a corner, it feels more planted than I had expected. Although I never had to brake particularly hard, the anchors did a good job of reducing speed.

The V8 and its ancillaries add 54 kg, resulting in a claimed kerb weight of 1 400 kg. Of that, 64% is balanced over the front axle, so the most luxurious Lancia of its era can understandably feel nose-heavy.

On the other side of the mountain, I spotted a troop of baboons crossing the serpentine road. They didn’t seem too bothered by the presence of the 8.32. Perhaps they mistook it for a standard Thema.

Back on the highway, I knew that the Lancia’s long-distance cruising ability would be tested to the utmost. Before settling in for the ride, I planned a quick stop another 130 km up the national highway.

Matjiesfontein is one of the smallest but most interesting towns I would encounter on the way to Johannesburg. It has a Transport Museum and an old colonial hotel named the Lord Milner. The hotel’s doorman proudly posed next to the Lancia Thema 8.32 – he recognised it was an extraordinary car.

During the next few hundred km, I began to think that my earlier worries were unfounded – the Lancia was running perfectly. However, a few hours later, my confidence sank as 2 dashboard warning symbols illuminated, 1 being the suspension light. This was not ideal – the dampers are electronically controlled.

At the next fuel stop, I phoned the owner. Fortunately, my fears were laid to rest when he explained that the suspension light shouldn’t result in any major problem. The other light, he explained, indicated that 1 or more of the exterior bulbs had blown. He was right – a front fog lamp and a tail light were out.

Between Laingsburg and Beaufort West, average speed cameras monitor traffic on the N1. I settled into an indicated 127 kph, using my modern GPS for a more accurate reading than the Lancia’s speedometer. The car felt happy to hum along at this speed.

To overtake slower traffic, I could keep the gearbox in 5th, put my foot down and make full use of the torque. For a brisker overtake, dropping down to 4th saw the revs increase smoothly (but vigorously), and the Lancia surged past before settling back into cruising mode.

With the exterior temperature gauge nudging 26°C, most people would use the aircon, but I preferred to fully embrace classic motoring and dropped the windows when I needed a blast of fresh air. It made for a noisy cabin, but feeling closer to the landscape rushing past was an adequate payoff.

The Lancia Thema 8.32 would happily gallop at higher speeds, and my chance came once I left the N1 for the quieter N12. Knowing the distance between our last 2 fill-ups, I calculated that over the past 200 km, the Italian sedan had averaged a very respectable 8.5 litres per 100 km.

I decided to venture a little off the beaten track and drove through the isolated town of Orania. The roads through this little town have undoubtedly never seen a Thema 8.32, and I had never seen so many minors driving their parents’ cars – likely the consequence of them driving tractors from a very young age…

The day would soon come to an end, but not before I needed to make another fuel stop at Strydenburg. Whenever I re-entered the Lancia’s cabin, I was surprised by how posh it still felt by modern standards.

The door cards are trimmed in padded leather, and the roof lining is suede. All of this undoubtedly helps to minimise engine and road noise. And it’s always a joy to caress the rim of the leather-covered 3-spoke steering wheel.

Before reaching Kimberley, I encountered a stop-and-go roadblock where repairs to a section of the N12’s asphalt were underway. The blue and pink horizon added to the relaxed ambience, contrasting with the dark cabin and the brown and yellow landscape outside.

That evening, I informed a friend, who had been convinced that we would have a breakdown at some stage, that I had arrived safely. He, in turn, warned that I should never pull away too quickly because the Lancia Thema 8.32’s front driveshafts might get damaged by the effort.

As I parked the car at the guesthouse, I was impressed that the Lancia had brought us this far.

The final stretch

The next morning, the Lancia’s engine turned over the 1st time of asking, and I visited two of Kimberley’s Anglo-Boer War memorials before setting off on the final leg of the 570 km trip.

Although I knew the road to Johannesburg along the N12 – the safe, but ultimately monotonous route – I decided to see what Google Maps could offer as an alternative. This turned out to be the only mistake I made on the road trip…

I was directed to take a shorter, quieter route, starting with the R64 towards Boshof. Outside Boshof, I was instructed to turn left and head north on a gravel road, which soon started deteriorating.

With no alternative, I pushed on and completed the 100 km detour, my nerves increasingly frazzled. At times, I couldn’t help but wince because it was impossible to avoid all the potholes, but somehow the Lancia survived unscathed.

I was relieved when I crossed the Vaal River at Christiana and got the Italian sedan’s 205/55 tyres back on the N12, because, while the country’s arterial routes are smooth and well-maintained, the back roads in this part of the Republic are littered with broken tarmac, as well as nasty ruts and bumps.

With a newfound appreciation for the N12, I resumed enjoying the dulcet tones of the rumbling V8. The timbre is noticeable throughout the rev range. It sounds perfectly in tune, not remotely as harsh or intense as that of modern machines. It’s the perfect soundtrack to the Thema 8.32 experience.

About 160 km before Johannesburg, the frequency of the towns started to increase and I relished the chance to work through the Lancia gears more. Cog-swapping is an indulgent experience in the Thema 8.32, which was only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

I can only assume the action is not as direct as an open-gate Ferrari lever, but there is a reassuring accuracy to it; you’re never in doubt about which gear the car is in or where the next notch is.

I was also impressed by how low in the rev range the engine starts to show its pedigree. At times, I’d leave the transmission in 2nd or 3rd gear and let the revs drop down past 1 500 rpm, but the moment I put my right foot down, the engine progressively picked up speed.

However, I’d promised myself that I would only properly rev the engine out as we got closer to the owner’s residence, just in case something went wrong.

Even on this Sunday afternoon, I was glad that the owner didn’t live too close to the heart of Johannesburg because that would have meant dealing with even more traffic.

The joy of revving that Italian V8

The quiet roads near his home allowed me to rev the engine out in the first few gears – a perfect way to end this memorable 3-day Lancia Thema 8.32 experience. This engine may have a much heavier body to move than in the Ferrari 308, but the torque delivery is creamy throughout the rev range.

The needle pushes past 5 000 rpm with zest for the final 2 000 rpm. This car is quick, make no mistake.

Summary

Once I parked the Lancia Thema 8.32 for the last time and transferred my luggage into a new, modern SUV, I took time to reflect on the experience, especially because the owner claimed that he was never in doubt that the car would comfortably complete the 1 600 km trip.

I now have zero doubts about the exquisite machine’s long-distance credentials. It is utterly comfortable, and the drivetrain is perfect for covering distances quickly. It’s more suited to long, open roads than twisty mountain passes; its contemporary German competitors would most probably out-handle it, but a part of me wished I could have spent a part of this trip stretched out and relaxed on the car’s rear bench.

At the time of the Thema 8.32’s launch, CAR magazine South Africa ended its driving impression in 1987 by stating, “The 8.32 is an exciting recruit to the ranks of the world’s finest cars; not so much a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as a greyhound in a mink coat…”

I think I left my mink coat in Cape Town. I wonder if the 8.32’s owner would advocate another 3 000 km?

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Datsun race-car collection in Mpumalanga

We take a peek inside The Datsun Shop – the best collection of classic Datsun and Nissan race cars in South Africa, and meet the pair of brothers behind this special selection of South African-built Japanese racing machines.

When you first walk into the workshop of the Jacobs family, who run The Datsun Shop business in Mpumalanga, there can be no doubt about their main interest.

Apart from the collection of locally-built Datsun and Nissan race cars, there are wheels, signs, trophies, memorabilia and model cars in the workshop and other parts of the building. It is also clear, however, that this collection was not built up overnight.

The Jacobs brothers’ interests in cars, and especially Datsuns and Nissans, started when their father used to drive a 1986 Nissan Skyline GTX 2-door. It was already in those years that their father was a keen supporter of Nissan Motorsport.

As the brothers guide me through the collection, it is evident that they have done their research over the years and that their passion runs deep. They readily share specifications of the cars, mention specific parts, racing drivers’ names, historical dates and information at the drop of a hat.

In some cases, they have had to rescue cars and specially search for correct parts, which in some instances, took several years. In other cases, when they set their minds to finish a project and had the correct parts available, it progressed rather quickly.

New vehicles have rarely interested them, however. “When we were old enough to buy our first cars, my brother and I didn’t want new vehicles,” said Thinus Jacobs. “We each got ourselves a Datsun 1200 GX Coupe. Mine needed restoration before I could drive it.

“This was my first project, and during my first 2 years at university, I walked everywhere and saved money to bankroll the restoration. Two years later, it was complete and I could enjoy the 1200 GX.”

Riaan Jacobs enthusiastically tells me about the car that started the collection: “It was a 1977 Datsun 140Z Coupe. I found it in Witbank in pieces, but it was a one-owner car with just 15 000 km on the odo.

That was about 19 years ago. Until 2012, it was my only car. From there, I bought a 1980 160Z Coupe. This now belongs to my brother, and he has done everything to convert it into a full race car that can also be driven on the road.”

Thinus has completely rebuilt it, and it now features a reworked KA24 2.4-litre engine with the best performance parts they could find. Thinus always focuses on one car, and the result is quite impressive.

What is great about this project is that Thinus doesn’t need to concern himself with originality, but rather with what will work best in terms of performance.

That said, there are many original and period-correct parts that pay homage to the original race cars.

It is not often that you find a collection of vehicles where the focus falls mainly on racing cars. I ask the brothers about the car with the most historical significance, and they quickly point me to the 1978 Datsun 140Z, which is a recreation of the original car which won the Wynn’s 1000 at Kyalami.

Riaan searched long and hard and then found a selection of the original race car parts and bought the whole lot. “This is an original car that has been re-shelled. In that race, the 140Z came first, the 140Y second and the 1200 GX third.”

In the one corner is a pretty 1967 Datsun Roadster racing car, while I also walked along the other walls where there are rare Datsun prints, wall-mounted parts and memorabilia.

Riaan mentions he recently sold his large collection of Hot Wheels to a fellow enthusiast. He has kept his doubles, though, and they are neatly stacked against the wall.

Riaan modestly says that this is “not a showroom”, but that they have been working hard, over several years now, to make it a special place. They have succeeded, and are housing and restoring some of the most significant cars from South Africa’s rich motorsport history.

Riaan shows us the Jacobs family’s replica 1982 Stanza race car:

Their expertise and knowledge are obvious to see, and I do not doubt that many more Datsuns and Nissans will pass through their hands at The Datsun Shop in the coming years.

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VW Golf 1 GTI – the original pocket rocket

Is the Volkswagen Golf 1 GTI – the original Golf GTI – the perfect attainable classic car? Johannesburg’s Stuart König believes it is!

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is arguably one of the most loved cars in South Africa. Consider the fact that more than half of the new Golfs sold in South Africa are GTI variants, then you realise just how successful this model was, and is. We’ve even got a nickname for the sound the (modern) GTIs make: Vrrr-pah!

Volkswagen Golf 1 GTI rear three-quarter tracking shot

Interestingly, the idea to develop a performance variant of the Golf 1 was not very high on the agenda back in the mid-‘70s. Instead, the concept was largely driven by 6 people at Volkswagen in Germany.

Originally named the “Sport Golf”, the idea was presented to the management board in March 1975, after which it officially became the development order EA195.

The world premiere occurred only a few months later, in September 1975 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. It went on sale the next year, and in Germany, it retailed for DM13 850.

Names considered for the sportiest iteration of the Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Golf 1 included TS and even GTS, but VW eventually settled for GTI. The chief product designer, Herbert Schäfer, who was a keen golfer, got his way by changing the hatchback’s gearknob to what is now the legendary golf ball.

Specifications

Car: 1984 Volkswagen Golf 1 GTI
Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder, petrol
Power: 82 kW at 5 800 rpm
Torque: 153 Nm at 3 500 rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Weight: 860 kg
0-100 kph: 9.3 sec (as tested by CAR magazine)
Top speed: 182 kph (as tested by CAR magazine)

Volkswagen planned (or, perhaps, hoped?) to sell 5 000 units to recoup the expense of the development and investment in this new compact model, but in the end, 461 690 units were manufactured.

It was several years later, near the end of 1982, that the Golf 1 GTI was finally launched in South Africa. The 1.8-litre 4-cylinder fuel-injected engine was good for 82 kW and 153 Nm at the time. CAR magazine South Africa tested it in January 1983 and achieved a top speed of 182 kph and a zero to 100 kph sprint time of 9.3 sec. What’s more, the car credited as the original hot hatch sprinted to a 1 km in 30.7 sec.

The König family of Johannesburg are all motoring enthusiasts, and Stuart explains how they ended up owning this special hot hatch: “My dad always had this goal of participating in motorsport with my brother and me. After teaching us how to drive, he got us Golf 1s that we raced for a few years.

“After a while, my brother said to me we needed to find an original Golf 1 GTI, just to experience it.”

Volkswagen Golf 1 GTI front tracking shot

Stuart, with his brother and father, finally found the Golf 1 GTI featured here and purchased it. Since then, they’ve tried to keep the car in as good a condition as possible, as well as entirely original.

Apart from participating in breakfast runs or meeting up with fellow enthusiasts, the longest trip they have done with the car was from Johannesburg to Durban.

“It was a very relaxed trip, as we drove down over the course of a weekend. We have really made some quality memories with both the car and people involved in the motoring world,” Stuart adds.

There was more to the 1st-gen Golf GTI than outright performance. It was a practical car with a punchy powertrain. Not only did it not cost too much, but it was just quick enough to thrill driving enthusiasts.

The Golf 1 GTI featured some notable styling differences from standard Golf variants, such as the now-iconic GTI badge, the red lining around the grille, the rubber front spoiler and wheel-arch extensions.

CAR magazine ended its January 1983 road test with the following statement: “It is a prince among the light cars and sure to cause a wide ripple of excitement.” Its legend lives on.

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BMW 530 MLE: South Africa’s “early M car”

Sometimes the resurrection of a car or the start of a collection can be attributed to a single individual or two. This was the case with BMW South Africa’s restored 530 MLE.

Speaking in 2019, Diederick Reitsma, the former head of BMW South Africa’s local communications team, told us: “A part of my role is to understand the brand’s heritage and these special cars (such as the BMW 530 MLE) play such a key role in how we look to the future”.

It is no secret that South Africa has delivered some unique performance cars through the years. This is particularly true of BMW Group SA, with its “special” E30 models, the 333i, 325is Evo “1” and Evo 2.

Reitsma continued: “The SA-spec E30s are part of the reason why BMW is so popular in South Africa and the 530 MLE is a very significant model in the global timeline of BMW Motorsport. It was during my first year in South Africa that I saw one of these road cars in a private collection in Johannesburg.

“Following talks with the local BMW clubs, and after a visit to the Franschhoek Motor Museum outside Cape Town, I realised that we as BMW South Africa needed to establish a heritage collection. With these cars in hand, we can keep them for a generation of enthusiasts to come,” he added.

The seed was planted, and Reitsma quickly learned about the existence of the locally developed E12-series 530 MLE (Motorsport Limited Edition).

The 530 MLE enjoyed a highly successful racing career on local tracks in the late ’70s, but before it could be raced, a limited run of road-spec cars (110 Type 1 models in 1976 and 117 of Type 2 in 1977) had to be created for homologation purposes – though fewer than 10 of these are rumoured to have survived!

An established relationship with respected BMW owner and restorer Luis Malhou of Custom Restorations in Vereeniging (the presenter of this video) led to the discovery of the 100th car of the MLE Series 1.

Malhou explained: “I chased car number 100 for a number of years and, fortuitously, just before BMW SA made enquiries, the car’s owner allowed me to come and collect it.

“I knew of the car, but only thought of it as a useful donor car. It stood outside for close to 20 years. The previous owner always wanted the car restored, but he has several cars, and this just wasn’t at the top of his priority list. When he started to scale down, he contacted me as he knew we’d do a proper job.”

Keeping in mind that only 110 of the Series 1 cars were ever produced, one quickly realises that this was quite a find. As a homologation special (only one race car remains and, fortunately, it’s still in South Africa), these road cars were made lighter for improved performance.

Various panels, such as the C-pillars, parcel shelf and even the clutch pedal, were drilled to lower overall mass. In fact, so many panels were drilled that a naked 530 MLE looks like a slice of Swiss cheese…

Combined with other weight-saving measures such as manual windows, lighter hinges and seat cushions, marginally thinner glass, pedals and the deletion of air-conditioning, up to 50 kg was saved.

Reitsma recalled with a smile the day Luis informed him of car number 100 (chassis number 770100): “I remember the day very well. He explained that it was a numbers-matching car and that the owner was Peter Kaye Eddie, an ex-racer who played a vital role in the brand’s local motor sport history.

Once BMW Group South Africa stopped managing the racing team, Peter took it over. This, of course, added to the significance of MLE number 100.”

“When I finally got the car in my workshop, I initially didn’t know if it was restorable – it was in a terrible state. There was not much left of the interior,” explained Malhou. “Money and time, however, can fix a lot of things, and fortunately, BMW Group South Africa set aside a decent budget for this project.”

Himself the owner of MLE numbers 21 and 13 (Series 1 cars), Malhou was also grateful for the assistance of BMW Classic during the restoration of number 100. It is at this point that we should mention that apart from owning two 530 MLEs, Luis has restored 2 more of these cars and has also sourced more than 5 of them over the years. He is undoubtedly the “go-to-guy” when it comes to these rare sedans. One of his cars is also totally original, so it could be used as a reference for the restoration project.

After less than a year (in late 2019), the car was completed and made its appearance at BMW South Africa’s M Festival. Watch Cars.co.za’s Gero Lilleike’s Classic BMW 530 MLE: Track Drive [w/Video]

Today, it forms part of the company’s heritage fleet and is proudly parked at the welcome centre at BMW’s plant in Rosslyn, outside Pretoria.

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Firenza Can Am – The Little Chev with big muscle

South Africa’s car history, especially racing history, runs deeper than many of us realise. Combine that with homologation specials, such as the Chevrolet Firenza Can Am, and some truly remarkable cars have graced our racetracks and roads.

We headed to Bloemfontein, where Frikkie Esterhuizen opened his garage doors for us. Frikkie has not one, but 3 Chevrolet Firenza Can Ams.

It was racing legend Basil van Rooyen (who at the time raced a Ford Capri Perana) who understood the value of working with rival General Motors when it came to local motorsport. To convince the company of his idea, he took 2 Firenza GT coupes and fitted each of them with a 307 ci (5.0-litre) V8 engine.

Bear in mind that Chevrolet Firenzas came standard with modest 2.5-litre, inline-4 petrol engines…

General Motors enthusiastically approved the project, and the plan to build 100 cars for homologation purposes started in 1972. Ultimately, however, a 302 ci (4.94-litre) V8 was used to comply with racing regulations. Fitted with Holley carburettors, the engine delivered a healthy 216 kW (290 bhp) and around 400 Nm of torque.

Although the Firenza Can Am was lightened further for racing, in road trim, these small muscle cars tipped the scales at only 1 100 kg anyway. The black fibre-glass bonnet shaved some weight, while also allowing additional airflow into the engine compartment through its bonnet vents. Possibly the most recognisable body addition was the American Racing Equipment wing on the boot lid.

The Firenza Can Am was seriously fast. The 0-100 kph dash was blitzed in around 5.4 seconds, which was an astounding level of performance for the era. Power went to the rear axle (where there was a Borg-Warner limited slip differential) through a 4-speed manual gearbox.

Specifications

Model: 1973 Chevrolet Firenza Can Am
Number made: 106 (including 6 race cars)
Engine: 4.94-litre V8, petrol
Power: 216 kW at 5 800 rpm
Torque: 393 Nm at 4 200 rpm
Gearbox: 4-speed manual
Weight: 1 100 kg
0-100 km/h: 5.4 sec (claimed)
Top speed: 225 kph (claimed)

Additional performance parts for the Firenza Can Am included the updated braking system, while the cabin was fitted with sports seats, as well as a sporty 3-spoke steering wheel. Apart from the 100 road cars made, another 6 race cars were built for local racing.

The most notable racing success of these cars came in 1972 at the 9-Hour Endurance race when Van Rooyen and Geoff Mortimer claimed 11th place while Van Rooyen achieved no fewer than 11 wins in a row (!) in 1973.

Frikkie explains when his interest in this car started: “The car arrived in 1973 when I was 22. This car was just, and still is, different to other cars – the driving experience is wild!

“The first time you plant the accelerator pedal, you realise the car is sliding left, and then right, and you struggle to keep it in a straight line. It is then that you realise you need to feather the throttle in first gear. The car even pulls strongly once you’ve slotted it into 3rd or 4th gear.

“It is unlike today’s cars that do everything for you – here you must keep the car on the road yourself.

“I was so impressed with the car when I bought it and with the condition it was in, that I decided that if I were to find another one in such a condition, I would buy it.”

One of the 3 Can Ams that Frikkie owns is not a matching numbers car (where the engine and chassis numbers correspond), but is fitted with a race engine that delivers an even more exhilarating experience.

“From the age of 6, I’ve been interested in cars and have collected Dinky Toys. Today, I have over a thousand little models.

“My late father used to work for Ford in Bloemfontein, and he used to bring newly released models home, pick me up and then we would go for a test drive – that’s where I developed my love for cars.

“Through the years, I’ve realised I like cars that have been manufactured here in South Africa, and secondly, I like numbered cars, meaning cars of which only a certain, limited number were made.

“If I find another Can Am in a good condition, I’ll add number four to the collection, that is how passionate I am about these cars,” Frikkie concludes.

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Mazda CX-60 Updated for 2025

The Mazda CX-60 updates are primarily focused around the ride quality, handling and refinement. Here’s pricing and details.

The Mazda CX-60 is the Japanese brand’s foray into the premium segment. There are three derivatives on offer, starting off with the Dynamic which is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. There’s 141 kW and 265 Nm driving the rear wheels. The Individual offers additional content plus the same engine paired to an all-wheel-drive setup.

The flagship Takumi offers an incredible engine. Its a 3.3-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel with mild-hybrid technology. It too is all-wheel drive and thanks to 187 kW and 550 Nm, it pretty brisk with Mazda claiming a 0-100 kph time of 7.3 seconds. We managed 7.41 – yes, it is that brisk!

Read our review of the Mazda CX-60 Takumi

But, if there was one dynamic element holding the CX-60 back, it was the ride quality, handling and refinement, something which Mazda Southern Africa has addressed. The Mazda CX-60 updates stem from global driver feedback and aim to make the car more comfortable and refined.

On the suspension side of things, the springs are softened and there’s increased damping force. The front knuckle on the steering setup has been adjusted which Mazda reckons gives the car ‘greater precision and confidence.’

The all-wheel drive calibration has been revised with the software ensuring smoother power delivery and optimised traction. Finally, the gearbox noise has been reduced for a quieter drive. Visually, Mazda SA has added a new colour, called Zircon Sand to the palette.

How much does the Mazda CX-60 update cost in South Africa?

The Mazda CX-60 is backed is sold with a 5-year unlimited kilometre service and warranty plan, along with 5-year Roadside Assistance.

CX-60 2.5 Dynamic	R778 500
CX-60 2.5 AWD Individual	R888 700
CX-60 3.3 AWD Takumi	R1 085 100

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Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X (2025) Price & Specs

The Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X has launched in South Africa, bringing high levels of standard equipment and luxury trim to the range.

The Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X is the flagship of the Blue Oval’s MPV portfolio. When the Tourneo Custom landed in SA in 2024, Ford confirmed further models would be on their way.

The range previously comprised the Active and Trend derivatives, but this has increased to four with the arrival of the Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X and the Sport. The latter are offered in short wheelbase setups, while the entry-levels make do with a long wheelbase for additional cargo carrying capability.

The more prestigious derivatives are offered with punchier engines. The 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine makes 125 kW and 390 Nm, which is up from the Active and Trend’s 100 kW and 360 Nm. All models in the range are front-wheel driven and have an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Trim Gradewalk

Tourneo Custom Sport

Sport honeycomb-style grille & body-colour front bumper
Rear spoiler
Black and blue sport stripes & side decals
17-inch sport alloy wheels (19-inch optional)
Blue accent stripes on the seats with partial leather trim
Leather-trimmed steering wheel
13-inch landscape touchscreen with SYNC 4, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
10-speaker audio system
Mobile office package (optional)
Front/reverse parking aids
ADAS package: Adaptive Cruise Control, Reverse Brake Assist, Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System

Tourneo Custom Titanium X

Unique front grille
Matrix LED headlamps
19-inch alloy wheels
Front and second row heated seats
360-degree camera
Luxe Pack optional (14-speaker B&O audio, panoramic roof, ambient lighting)
Mobile office package (optional)

How much does the Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X cost in South Africa?

The price includes a six-year/90 000 km Ford Service Plan, four-year/120 000 km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. In addition, over the counter (OTC) parts and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two-year/unlimited distance. The recommended service interval is 15 000 km or annually, whichever occurs first.

Customers can extend their plans with the Ford Protect Service or Maintenance Plan upgrades which can extend to 8 years or 165 000 km. The warranty can be extended by up to 7 years or 200 000 km and Roadside Assistance extended for an additional one or two years.

Tourneo Custom 2.0L Active LWB 8AT	R1 063 000
Tourneo Custom 2.0L Trend LWB 8AT	R1 104 500
Tourneo Custom 2.0L SWB Bus Sport 8AT	R1 218 000
Tourneo Custom 2.0L SWB Titanium X 8AT	R1 264 000

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Recalls Issued: Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz

The NCC has sent out another recall bulletin, this time affecting the Range Rover Evoque and a few Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Here’s the latest.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued a recall to owners of the Range Rover Evoque and a number of Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Range Rover Evoque

Jaguar Land Rover confirmed a recall of the Range Rover Evoque from the 2021-2024 model years as well as specific derivatives of the 2025 Evoque. The recall centers around the passenger airbag. The supplier says, “he airbag may tear during deployment as a result of improper folding during the airbag assembly process. A torn airbag may reduce occupant protection and increase the risk of injury in a crash. Additionally, a torn airbag could allow hot gases to escape, potentially causing burns to occupants.”

Mercedes-Benz Models

There are a number of Mercedes-Benz vehicles due for recall. The W232 SL cabriolet, all-electric W297 EQS, W254-generation GLC SUV, W223 S-Class limousine and W206 C-Class sedan sold in 2023 are affected by a fuse box. The supplier says “the fuse box might not have been reworked as intended; as a result, systems connected to the fuse might fail. The vehicle might lose power without prior warning, restraint functions or the instrument cluster might be impaired, increasing the risk of an accident. In addition, the risk of a thermal event cannot be ruled out”

What’s Next?

“Affected consumers are urged to immediately contact any nearest authorised dealership of these motor vehicles to have the defect repaired at no charge”, said Acting Commissioner, Mr. Hardin Ratshisusu.

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Best BMW M Sedans and Coupes Available in SA

In the market for a full-fat BMW M product but aren’t keen on a crossover or SUV? Here are the 5 bona fide M sedans and coupes you can buy new in South Africa…

The “M” in BMW M stands for “motorsport”, as this high-performance division was conceived to facilitate the German firm’s racing programme. Today, of course, the brand’s road-car range includes all manner of full-fat BMW M derivatives.

While the local line-up of performance variants includes SUVs in the form of the X4 M Competition, X5 M Competition, X6 M Competition and XM (as well as convertible versions of the M4 Competition and M8 Competition plus an estate car in the M3 Competition Touring), we’re going to focus on sedans and coupes here.

Browse for a new BMW on Cars.co.za here!

We’ve also excluded M Performance derivatives (such as the M240i, Z40 M40i and i5 M50i) from this exercise, instead concentrating on locally available full-fat BMW M products. Note that all pricing is correct at the time of writing (July 2025).

BMW M Sedans and Coupes Available in SA

1. BMW M2

Priced from R1 570 988, the BMW M2 effectively serves as the entry point to full-fat BMW M ownership. The turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-6 engine delivers 353 kW and 600 Nm to the rear wheels, allowing a 0-100 kph sprint in a claimed 4.0 seconds.

Interestingly, while an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, local buyers can order a 6-speed manual gearbox instead for an extra R10 346. Though peak torque drops by 50 Nm, that makes this coupe the only manual derivative in BMW’s entire local line-up.

New M2 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Find a new/used M2 listed for sale on Cars.co.za

2. M3 Competition

Keen on a full-fat BMW M sedan? Well, you’ll have to part with at least R2 198 002 for the privilege. In this latest iteration, the turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 motor has been tuned to deliver 390 kW and 650 Nm. However, drive is sent to all 4 corners as standard, with an 8-speed auto doing duty. The obligatory sprint to 3 figures, meanwhile, takes a listed 3.5 seconds.

New M3 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Find a new/used M3 listed for sale on Cars.co.za

3. M4 Competition

Effectively the coupe version of the M3, the M4 Competition kicks off at R2 238 002. The powertrain is precisely the same as that of the all-paw M3 Competition, as is the coupe’s claimed 0-100 kph time.

Of course, while the M3 is also available as an estate (badged as the “Touring”), the M4 can be specified in convertible form. However, opting for the soft-top sees the 0-100 kph time slow slightly to a claimed 3.7 seconds.

New M4 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Find a new/used M4 listed for sale on Cars.co.za

4. BMW M5

Need a sedan larger than the M3? Well, the BMW M5 starts at R2 745 000 and offers whopping peak outputs courtesy of its electrified 8-cylinder heart. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain is built around a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine, with the electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission drawing its urge from an 18.6 kWh battery pack.

The all-wheel-drive M5 generates staggering maximums of 535 kW and 1 000 Nm. However, thanks to the added weight of the PHEV set-up, this performance sedan’s listed 0-100 kph time of 3.5 seconds is slightly slower than that of its 460 kW predecessor. Still, at least it offers an all-electric range of up to 69 km.

New M5 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Find a new/used M5 listed for sale on Cars.co.za

5. BMW M8 Competition

The priciest full-fat BMW M car that isn’t an SUV is the M8 Competition. The gran coupé version – which is essentially a 4-door fastback – starts at R3 374 849. The 2-door iteration is priced from R3 424 178, while the Bavarian automaker also offers a convertible.

In each case, a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 mill sends 460 kW and 750 Nm to all 4 corners via an 8-speed automatic cog-swapper. The hard-top derivatives take a claimed 3.2 seconds to reach 100 kph, making them the fastest accelerating variants in the current M line-up.

New M8 Specs & Prices in South Africa

Find a new/used M8 listed for sale on Cars.co.za

Find a used BMW on Cars.co.za!

More Recalls: VW Golf, Volvo, Toyota

The National Consumer Commission has issued recall notices for Volkswagen, Volvo and Toyota. Here’s which cars are affected.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has sent out notices regarding the Volkswagen Golf 8, Volvo XC90 PHEV and on the commercial side of things, the Toyota Hino 500.

Volkswagen Golf 8 Recall

Volkswagen has announced a recall of 159 Golf 8 R and Golf 8 GTI sold between 16th April 2025 and 30 June 2025. The reason behind the recall is due to the front passenger seat belt being defected. The brand said the belt is not properly attached to the lower anchoring point due to a fault in the sewing process. In the event of an accident, the seat belt’s functionality is affected.

Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid

Volvo South Africa has confirmed that 26 XC90 PHEV in the model year 2025-2026 are affected by a braking issue when the vehicle is in its brake regeneration mode / one pedal drive after coasting downhill for a period of time. According to the NCC, ‘this could lead to a collision with potentially serious safety consequences.’

Toyota Hino 500

Toyota SA has confirmed the recall of 6 662 Hino SKD and 77 Hino 55 CBU vehicles, assembled between 11 May 2017 and 14 December 2023 and 31 May 2018 to December 2024 respectively. Toyota says ‘an incorrect cage bolt spanner was supplied in the Hino 500 SKD vehicles, while the Hino 500 CBU came without the cage bolt spanner.’ The parking brake will continue to operate during a vehicle failure, but it won’t be possible to release the parking brake as the tool is incorrect.

Comment from the National Consumer Commission: “The NCC has noted the recent rise of recalls of motor vehicles or related components of such motor vehicles and is engaging affected suppliers for further information to determine the required steps to address this. In the meantime, consumers with affected vehicles are urged to urgently book their vehicles with their nearest approved dealerships for a thorough vehicle check, at no cost”, said Acting Commissioner, Mr. Hardin Ratshisusu.

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Lancia Thema 8.32: Classic Drive

When an owner asks if you fancy driving his Ferrari-engined Lancia Thema 8.32 from Cape Town to Johannesburg, there can be only one answer! Guillaume Muller goes on an epic road trip with the once glorious Italian brand’s 4-door flagship.

Collecting the Lancia Thema 8.32

Specification:

The road trip begins

The final stretch

The joy of revving that Italian V8

Summary

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Datsun race-car collection in Mpumalanga

We take a peek inside The Datsun Shop – the best collection of classic Datsun and Nissan race cars in South Africa, and meet the pair of brothers behind this special selection of South African-built Japanese racing machines.

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VW Golf 1 GTI – the original pocket rocket

Is the Volkswagen Golf 1 GTI – the original Golf GTI – the perfect attainable classic car? Johannesburg’s Stuart König believes it is!

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BMW 530 MLE: South Africa’s “early M car”

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Firenza Can Am – The Little Chev with big muscle

South Africa’s car history, especially racing history, runs deeper than many of us realise. Combine that with homologation specials, such as the Chevrolet Firenza Can Am, and some truly remarkable cars have graced our racetracks and roads.

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Mazda CX-60 Updated for 2025

The Mazda CX-60 updates are primarily focused around the ride quality, handling and refinement. Here’s pricing and details.

How much does the Mazda CX-60 update cost in South Africa?

Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X (2025) Price & Specs

The Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X has launched in South Africa, bringing high levels of standard equipment and luxury trim to the range.

Trim Gradewalk

How much does the Ford Tourneo Custom Titanium X cost in South Africa?

Recalls Issued: Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz

The NCC has sent out another recall bulletin, this time affecting the Range Rover Evoque and a few Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Here’s the latest.

Range Rover Evoque

Mercedes-Benz Models

What’s Next?

Best BMW M Sedans and Coupes Available in SA

In the market for a full-fat BMW M product but aren’t keen on a crossover or SUV? Here are the 5 bona fide M sedans and coupes you can buy new in South Africa…

BMW M Sedans and Coupes Available in SA

1. BMW M2

2. M3 Competition

3. M4 Competition

4. BMW M5

5. BMW M8 Competition

Related content

More Recalls: VW Golf, Volvo, Toyota

The National Consumer Commission has issued recall notices for Volkswagen, Volvo and Toyota. Here’s which cars are affected.

Volkswagen Golf 8 Recall

Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid

Toyota Hino 500