All-new Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Review – Is this the most practical family car money can buy?
There’s a brand-new Volkswagen Caddy now on sale in South Africa. We review the flagship Caddy Maxi version and see just how practical it is.
The previous generation VW Caddy found homes on many South African driveways, not only as a commercial vehicle but as a family car too.
VW has brought 0 variants of the latest Caddy to market, from a bog-standard panel van to this, the top-of-the-range Caddy Maxi.
With 7 seats, most of which are foldable and completely removable, as well as a huge boot even when all 7 seats are in place, the Caddy Maxi represents incredibly flexibility and practicality as a family vehicle.
In this review, our video guy Ciro De Siena takes a detailed look at the top-spec VW Caddy Maxi 2.0Tdi variant, and does his best to not put his back out while removing and replacing all the seats.
Jaguar has announced a bespoke limited edition F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 of which only 394 will be produced and only 5 will be available in South Africa.
The Jaguar F-Pace SVR is a beast of an SUV that’s fitted with a powerful 405 kW / 700 Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine and is capable of accelerating from zero to 100 kph in 4.0 seconds and can reach a top speed of 286 kph.
Now, for the first time, Jaguar will be offering a limited edition F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 and the model will make its debut at the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans from 8-12 June 2022 and will thereafter take part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 23-26 June 2022.
Only 394 units will be produced by Jaguar’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO), one for each lap completed by the winning Jaguar XJR-9 LM at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988. Only 5 will be available in South Africa!
The Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 by SV Bespoke will be offered in an exclusive, specially-formulated Midnight Amethyst Gloss body colour and it will ride on Champagne Gold Satin 22-inch alloy wheels with Sunset Gold Satin details seen inside and out. A “One of 394” graphic highlights each vehicle’s special build number.
Only 394 will be built and only 5 are coming to South Africa.
The Edition 1988 can also be identified by its Sunset Gold Satin Jaguar leaper and script on the tailgate or by the laser-etched Edition 1988 logos seen on each of the front wing panels.
Mark Turner, Commercial Director of Special Vehicle Operations, Jaguar, said: “Since its introduction in 2019, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR has established itself as a highly characterful and rewarding high-performance car. Pairing these qualities with a level of SV Bespoke personalisation and exclusivity never offered before on F-PACE makes Edition 1988 an even more captivating proposition. With strictly limited availability, we’re confident this will quickly become the most sought-after F-Pace SVR yet.”
Inside, the special edition F-Pace SVR features semi-aniline Ebony leather upholstery with exclusive Sunset Gold Satin detailing on the dashboard, steering spokes, gear-shift paddles and on the ventilated Performance seats. SV Bespoke and Edition 1988 branding is seen on the tread plates and dashboard while the Jaguar leaper and horn ring on the steering wheel has a Satin Black finish.
Availability and local pricing details will be made available at a later date.
This is the all-electric BMW iX1 and will be sold in one derivative; xDrive30. It’s the brand’s first all-wheel drive EV to compete in this growing premium compact segment.
Under the skin, the all-electric BMW iX1 features two electric motors that produce 230 kW and 494 Nm. It should be quite brisk, with a claimed 0-100 kph of just 5.7 seconds and it’ll run to a top speed of 180 kph. There’s a 64.7 kWh battery pack located on the vehicle’s floor and the all-electric BMW iX1 supports 130 kW DC fast charging.
This means you can get 120 km of range in just 10 minutes. It’ll go from 10%-80% in 30 minutes. There’s also single and 3-phase AC charging at up to 11 kW. A range of between 413 km and 438 km is claimed.
Visually, the electric BMW iX1 is remarkably similar to its conventionally-powered X1 siblings. You’ll spot a blue halo around the BMW logo, BMW i branding on the front and rear and there are blue accents on the grille, side skirts and rear bumper.
Inside, the cabin is remarkably similar to that of the recently-unveiled X1. A large curved infotainment screen stretches across the dashboard and integrates the latest iDrive 8 operating system.
Electric BMW iX1 for SA?
The all-new iX1 will be touching down in the first quarter of 2023, with the standard BMW X1 arriving in the fourth quarter of 2022. We’ll have pricing and specification details then.
Meet the brand-new 2023 BMW X1. It has changed considerably and is confirmed for an SA market introduction before the end of 2022.
The BMW X1 is the entry-point into the Bavarian brand’s range of SUVs, but this all-new model can no longer be considered compact.
The 2023 BMW X1 is 43 mm longer, 22.9 mm wider and 43 mm taller. The wheelbase has grown by 22.9 mm and the track width increased by 20.3 mm. This means that while the vehicle has grown in size, cabin space has increased too.
Visually, it’s not as bold-looking as some of the other recent BMW products, but that’s understandable as the X1/X3/X5 are part of BMW’s more traditional and conservative client base. There are some new bold colours on offer, like the Utah Orange you see here and customers can spec wheels up to 20-inch in size. Standard units are 18-inch.
Inside, the futuristic-looking curved digital dashboard is fitted and it comes with the new iDrive Operating System 8 which sees many physical buttons fall away. There are 4x USB-C ports, Hey BMW digital assistant, augmented reality navigation, Over-the-Air updates, and a digital ckey to name but a few. Keen-eyed readers will notice the traditional gear knob has been replaced by a gear selector.
There is an array of engines to choose from, ranging from petrol and diesel, to electrified hybrids as well as a pure electric iX1 model for the global market. The SA market is likely to get the X1 sDrive18i with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering 115 kW and 230 Nm, as well as the sDrive18d, which is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel producing 110 kW and 360 Nm.
The all-new BMW X1 and iX1 will be available in South Africa from the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively. We’ll have pricing and specification details then.
New Lexus RX Brings Hybrid Style and Tech to the Road
Lexus has unveiled its fifth generation RX crossover and the newcomer boasts new hybrid technology as well as a striking design execution. Take a look at what the new Lexus RX has to offer!
The Lexus RX crossover is a core model for the Japanese luxury car brand and since its inception in 2008, the RX has racked up approximately 3.5 million sales worldwide across 4 generations.
The new RX is built on the firm’s GA-K platform and stands 4 890 mm in length (the same as the outgoing RX) but is 25 mm wider at 1 920 mm and stands some 10 mm lower. Lexus has stretched the RX’s wheelbase by some 60 mm to 2 850 mm. Importantly, the new RX is 90 kg lighter than its predecessor.
For the new RX, Lexus wanted to develop a car that’s not only fun to drive while retaining high levels of refinement but also to transform the design by adopting a “spindle body” that exudes a new look while also providing the necessary cooling of the powertrain.
As for the interior, it follows the human-centered Tazuna concept which aims to create a more meaningful connection between the driver and the vehicle while also providing a comfortable and spacious cabin for passengers.
The new Lexus RX adopts familiar interior styling seen on the new NX.
The interior look and feel has been significantly improved and the RX features both a digital instrument cluster as well as a large touchscreen infotainment system. Note that most of the vehicle’s functionality has migrated to the infotainment system which means that the cabin is far less cluttered with buttons, as was the case with the previous RX. We love the look of the new RX’s interior!
Lexus will offer 6 levels of trim for the RX including the Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, F Sport Handling and the range-topping F-Sport Performance.
What powertrains are offered on the new Lexus RX?
The RX range starts with the RX350 which now employs a turbocharged 2.4-litre petrol engine with 205 kW and 429 Nm of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. For reference, the outgoing RX350 has a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 221 kW and 370 Nm… The RX350 will be offered in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configuration and note that this is the only non-hybrid RX on offer.
The hybrid RX350h replaces the outgoing RX450h and combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with Lexus’ latest fourth-generation hybrid system to develop 183 kW and 316 Nm of torque and will only be offered in all-wheel-drive guise.
A RX450h+ PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid) is also offered with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and 3 electric motors which combine to produce 222 kW and in conjunction with a 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the RX450h+ can travel up to 60km in pure electric drive. The RX450+ is only offered in all-wheel-drive guise.
The RX F Sport Performance sits at the top of the range with a 274 kW, all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain.
At the top of the range is the new RX 500h F Sport Performance and as its name implies, it offers significantly more grunt than the rest of its siblings. It combines a turbocharged 2.4-litre turbopetrol engine and a high output electric motor over the rear axle to produce 274 kW and 550 Nm of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission directs power to all-four wheels and lexus claims 5.9 seconds in the sprint from zero to 100kph.
The RX 500h F Sport Performance is also distinguished by a sportier exterior design execution which includes a unique mesh spindle grille and more aggressively styled front and rear bumpers.
In terms of driver assistance, all RX derivatives will feature the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 which includes features such as radar-guided cruise control with Curve Speed Management, pre-collision system with pedestrian and motorcycle detection, intersection support, and lane departure warning with steering assist.
Lexus South Africa has confirmed that the new RX can be expected on local soil in the first quarter of 2023. Local specification and pricing details will be communicated closer to launch.
The new generation Honda HR-V is now available in South Africa! Take a look at what you can expect in terms of local specifications and pricing for the new HR-V!
Honda revealed its third-generation HR-V in early 2021 and we think Honda has hit the styling on the head! Would you agree?
The Japanese brand is keen to defend its position in the compact crossover market and this redesigned HR-V should give a good account of itself, in that role.
New look and improved safety for the Honda HR-V
The cabin of the new HR-V is not as radical as its exterior design might suggest.
A colour-coded grille, which appears integrated as part of the bumper moulding, and slim headlamps give the HR-V a very futuristic appearance. Hidden rear door handles, intricate pattern LED and a light strip connecting the taillamps, are all design details meant to give the HR-V a more upmarket look.
The HR-V silhouette also features a distinct taper beyond the C-pillar, with a nearly flat aft window giving it the requisite Sportback profile.
In South Africa, the new HR-V will be offered in 2 trim grades, namely the base HR-V Comfort and the range-topping HR-V Elegance.
Honda’s designers haven’t been as radical with the cabin architecture, but the new HR-V does have a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with a conventional audio volume dial) and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The display can also be customised with shortcuts to your most preferred functions. A configurable 7-inch LCD instrument cluster is also fitted.
The Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance features will also be offered in the new HR-V. The system incorporates a new, wider-angle monocular camera that’s able to more accurately monitor the road and traffic situation to inform functions such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, enhanced road departure mitigation and rear-cross traffic alert to name a few. Other safety features include Collision Mitigation Braking (CMBS) and low-speed braking which uses sonar sensors to detect potential collisions.
In terms of practicality, those quite brilliant magic seats, one of Honda’s best ergonomic comfort and convenience components, are also fixed to the HR-V’s cabin. More so, Honda claims class-leading levels of cargo space and says that surfboards can be carried with ease (this is something we would love to test) and that you can load not 1 but 2 mountain bikes upright (with the front wheels removed) into the HR-V. The load bay also has an additional storage facility under the boot floor for storing items out of sight.
What powertrains are available for the new Honda HR-V in South Africa?
The new HR-V will be launching in South Africa in May 2022!
In South Africa, the new Honda HR-V Comfort and HR-V Elegance is powered by an 89 kW 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, the same that powers the Honda Fit. This engine is paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that will direct power to the front wheels.
In other markets, a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive hybrid HR-V is available for the first time and delivers 96 kW and 253 Nm, with the non-hybridized 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine offering 87 kW, but significantly weaker on torque, at only 142 Nm (outputs vary depending on the market). While the HR-V hybrid won’t be offered at launch, it can’t be ruled out for introduction in the future and Honda may see this as an opportunity to capitalise on the growth that hybrid models have seen in this segment since the introduction of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, which is selling strongly in South Africa.
We are currently driving the new Honda HR-V at its local launch so be sure to look out for our Launch Review soon!
How much does the new Honda HR-V cost in South Africa?
Honda HR-V Comfort CVT – R469 000
Honda HR-V Elegance CVT – R554 500
The new Honda HR-V is sold with a 5-year/200 000km warranty, 4-year/60 000km service plan and 3-year roadside assistance.
782 kW Mercedes-AMG One Debuts as Road-Legal Hypercar
It’s been an agonisingly long wait but the road-legal Mercedes-AMG One has finally been fully revealed, packing a whopping 782 kW and a heady top speed of 352 kph. Let’s take a closer look…
The wait is over! The production version of the Mercedes-AMG One has been unveiled, finally fulfilling the German brand’s promise to bring Formula 1 hybrid technology to the road.
Let’s get right to the headline numbers. The two-seater hypercar generates a hefty 782 kW courtesy of a single combustion engine and four electric motors, culminating in a top speed of 353 kph. Interestingly, Mercedes-AMG doesn’t list a peak torque figure, saying that quoting such a specification is “not possible due to [the] complex drivetrain”.
As you might have guessed, however, acceleration is impressive, with the 0-100 kph sprint taking a claimed 2.9 seconds in the angriest of the six drive modes, the 200 kph mark arriving in just 7.0 seconds and the speedometer reading 300 kph in a mere 15.6 seconds. If you’re wondering just how much the Mercedes-AMG One weighs, we can tell you its kerb weight is listed as 1 695 kg.
A closer look at the Mercedes-AMG One’s powertrain
Though the centrepiece is the F1-derived, turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 plug-in hybrid petrol engine (driving the rear axle through a freshly developed 7-speed automated manual gearbox), a 90 kW electric motor has also been integrated into the turbocharger, with another 120 kW unit installed directly on the combustion engine with a link to the crankcase. The two remaining 120 kW electric motors, meanwhile, drive the front wheels.
The V6 engine is mid-mounted in front of the rear axle and revs up to a lofty 11 000 rpm. On its own, the six-cylinder unit churns out 422 kW at 9 000 rpm. Mercedes-AMG says the powerplant provides “lightning-quick” responses (far “faster than a naturally aspirated V8 engine”, it claims).
Interestingly, the electric exhaust gas turbocharger in the Mercedes-AMG One is also able to use part of the surplus energy from the exhaust gas flow to generate electrical energy as a generator. This is then stored in the 8.4 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery (good for a pure electric range of 18.1 km, says Mercedes) or fed to either the front-mounted electric motors or the electric motor on the combustion engine.
Thanks to those two electric motors (each reaching rotor speeds of up to 50 000 rpm) on the front axle, the Mercedes-AMG One features a new flavour of all-wheel drive. The front axle operates wheel-selectively, thus benefitting from individual torque distribution.
Under the new Mercedes-AMG One’s skin
What sort of size is the most powerful AMG-badged road car yet? Well, the One measures 4 756 mm long, 2 010 mm wide and stands 1 261 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2 720 mm. It features a carbon-fibre monocoque and a carbon-fibre body.
Suspension comprises a multi-link arrangement (both front and rear) with push-rod spring struts installed across the direction of travel, along with adaptive damping. As part of the vehicle’s active aerodynamics, the chassis can be lowered hydraulically by 37 mm fore and 30 mm aft.
What about the wheels? Well, the One rides on 10-spoke forged aluminium centre-lock wheels as standard, with 9-spoke magnesium forged items available as an option. Up front, the wheels are shod in specially developed 285/35 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R M01 tyres, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R M01 rubber in size 335/30 ZR20 employed at the rear.
Braking is taken care of by a carbon-fibre ceramic high-performance composite system. The front axle sports 6-piston fixed callipers and internally ventilated and perforated 398 x 38 mm discs, while the rear axle is fitted with 4-piston fixed callipers and 380 x 34 mm discs.
Let’s take a look at the Mercedes-AMG One’s cabin
Mercedes-Benz’s Affalterbach-based performance division says the interior design concept “follows function on the racetrack”, which results in “bold minimalism” for the monocoque interior.
The backrests of the AMG Motorsport seat pans can be adjusted to two positions, the steering column is electrically adjustable and the pedal box is mechanically adjustable in eleven steps. You’ll also notice two high-resolution, free-standing 10-inch displays, which are finished in what AMG describes as “real metal parts”.
Then there’s the F1-style race steering wheel, complete with a shift light at the very top of the rim. Flattened at the top and bottom and fitted with an integrated airbag, the special tiller furthermore features two integrated steering wheel buttons. In an effort to improve rear visibility (which likely isn’t the best thanks to that towering wing), the interior mirror has been replaced by a screen showing real-time footage.
“With the Mercedes-AMG One, we have more than pushed the envelope. The immense technical challenges of making a modern Formula 1 powertrain suitable for everyday road use have undoubtedly pushed us to our limits. Over the duration of the development period, many may have thought that the project would be impossible to implement. Nevertheless, the teams in Affalterbach and the UK never gave up and believed in themselves,” says Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“I have the highest respect for all those involved and am proud of this team achievement. To put such a hypercar on wheels is certainly unique. This applies to us as Mercedes-AMG not only from a technical point of view, but also in terms of the close exchange with our loyal customers. Together with us, they have gone through ups but also downs in the course of development. They were an integral part of Project One from the very beginning and can now look forward to the highly exclusive and unique Mercedes-AMG One, which has now also been able to clear the next hurdle and passed all ECE certification tests.”
From what we understand, fewer than 300 units will be produced, each in left-hand-drive form. There is no official information on pricing from Mercedes-AMG, though as you might expect, all are reportedly already sold.
Fuel Prices Going Up Yet Again in June 2022
Despite the SA Treasury granting an extension of the reduction of the general fuel levy, motorists are still in line for yet another increase in the price of fuel in June 2022.
If you may recall, the petrol levy was cut by R1.50 in April and May, in an effort to try reduce the financial hit of fuel price increases. The good news is this relief will be extended until 6th July, with a downward adjustment to 75 cents a litre from the 7th July until the 2nd August.
Without this reduction, motorists were looking at an increase of almost R4 a litre for the month of June 2022, taking the price of 95 octane unleaded to above R25 a litre. There was hope the price of international oil would stabilise by the end of May 2022, but this has not happened,w ith the current price of brent crude hovering above $120 per barrel, which is the highest it has been in two months. Russia is the world’s third-largest producer of crude and the recent military activity in Ukraine has unsettled things.
So, for the month of June 2022, South African motorists are looking at increases, with petrol going up by R2.33 for 95, R2.34 for 93 and diesel by R1.07 for 0.005% sulphur. Paraffin will go up by R1.56 a litre.
Over the past year, SA motorists have seen the cost of petrol and diesel rise by a third and the knock-on effects are huge. Transportation customers will be increasing costs, which are then in turn passed onto the consumer. Expect the price of food items to go up yet again.
Mercedes-AMG E63 S Final Edition Says Goodbye to V8 Power
It’s time to say goodbye to Merc’s glorious 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Mercedes-AMG has unleashed the limited edition E63 S Final Edition which will be the last E63 to feature V8 power and only 999 units will be offered worldwide.
It’s both a sad and great day for AMG fans as the E63 S 4Matic Final Edition has been revealed, marking the end of the formidable 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine that does duty under the bonnet with 450 kW and 850 Nm of torque. Variable all-wheel drive with rear-wheel bias and a Drift Mode allows for spirited driving in capable hands and the E63 S is no slouch as it’s capable of accelerating from zero to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds.
With a limited production run of just 999 units worldwide, this hot number is bound to become a collectors item.
For this swansong creation, the boffins at AMG have left the V8 engine untouched but the model’s appearance has been appreciably enhanced to make it extra special.
For starters, it will only be available in matt graphite grey magno and is equipped with an AMG Night package which adds high-gloss black elements to emphasise its mean look. The model gains 20-inch AMG wheels with a cross-spoke design and with a high-sheen black and gloss-tinted clearcoat finish and the trapezoidal twin tailpipes feature black chrome finishers. The AMG emblem on the C-Pillar and foiling on the side of the car add further visual appeal and buyers will also be able to choose Carbon Packages I and II for a more hardcore look.
Inside, the E63 S Final Edition adopts an overtly sporty look and feel to match its exterior treatment. The standard AMG Performance seats are wrapped in AMG nappa leather titanium grey pearl/black with contrasting yellow stitching while the instrument panel and beltline trim is also finished in nappa leather. The driver is further treated to a flat-bottomed, nappa leather and microfibre combination AMG Performance steering wheel. There are also carbon trim elements in the cabin as well as a numbered AMG Final Edition badge bearing the vehicle’s production number.
As part of every purchase, Mercedes-AMG will also include a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover with AMG E 63 Final Edition lettering.
An all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is currently in development with the next-generation E 63 expected to adopt a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
If that makes you sad, now is the time to get on the V8 train!
Availability in South Africa has not yet been confirmed but considering that Mercedes-AMG does brisk business in South Africa, we’re confident that a few units will be made available to local buyers.
The popular 7-seater Toyota Fortuner will reportedly gain a mild-hybrid diesel powertrain as of 2023.
Toyota has extensive hybrid experience and the Japanese automotive giant has made a commitment to produce as many as 30 new electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. As the firm moves towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral, we can expect to see more new energy Toyotas coming to market.
The latest Toyota hybrid news, however, has come from Thailand. It’s no secret that a new generation Toyota Fortuner SUV is in the works and it will reportedly arrive in 2023 boasting a mild-hybrid powertrain.
The new Fortuner will be based on the Toyota TNGA F platform, the same which underpins the new Land Cruiser 300.
Toyota’s 1GD engine family will be hybridised which means that a mild-hybrid 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine is expected to make its way into the new Fortuner and it will be the first Toyota model to feature this powertrain. This new hybrid diesel powertrain (with an integrated starter generator) will not only improve efficiency but will also offer a performance boost for short periods.
Outputs for this mild-hybrid powertrain remain unknown but considering that the current 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine found in the Hilux, Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado produces 150 kW and 500 Nm, buyers can expect higher outputs in the next-generation Fortuner.
Toyota is expected to announce official details this year and based on the firm’s recent hybrid success in South Africa, it’s likely that the mild-hybrid diesel Fortuner will be offered locally. We will keep you updated as soon as more details become available.
