Honda has introduced the new Civic RS in South Africa! Take a look at the specification and pricing details for the newcomer below!
The Honda Civic sedan’s biggest rival is the Toyota Corolla and while the latter dominates the local sedan market, the introduction of the new Civic RS will give buyers something to think about.
What makes the styling special on the Civic RS?
The Civic RS is equipped with sporty features such as RS bumpers and side skirts, gloss black mirror housings and black door handles, 18-inch black alloy wheels, sunroof, LED headlights, smoked rear LED taillights, boot lid spoiler and a dual exhaust system.
The Civic RS is available in 5 colours including Platinum White, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Cherry Red Metallic and Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic.
What features are found inside the Honda Civic RS?
The Civic RS is equipped with leather and suede combination upholstery as well as red ambient lighting and sport pedals. The front seats also have a heating function as well as 8-way electronic seat adjustment.
In terms of infotainment, a 9-inch HMI infotainment system is fitted and it offers integrated navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The system adopts an easy-to-use smartphone-style menu layout. The Civic RS is also equipped with a wireless smartphone charger.
A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster is also fitted and the information is easily toggled using the mounted controls on the steering wheel. Music lovers will also appreciate the presence of a 12-speaker BOSE sound system.
Other key features include cruise control, smart entry, climate control air conditioning, 2 rear USB ports, front and rear park distance control and a reverse parking camera.
In terms of safety, 6 airbags is standard as is ABS with EBD, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, Driver Attention Monitor and Lanewatch. Further driver assistance comes in the form of Honda Sensing which includes Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Following (LSF), Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS) and Automatic High Beam.
What engine powers the Honda Civic RS?
The Honda Civic RS is powered by an improved 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that now offers 131 kW and 240 Nm of torque and comes paired with an enhanced Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This combination returns a claimed fuel economy of 6.2 L/100km.
Using the Drive Mode switch, the drive is able to toggle between 3 drive modes including ECON (to maximise efficiency), Normal (for general use) and Sport (to enhance performance).
The wheelbase of the new Civic RS has grown by 35 mm over its predecessor while the track has increased by 12 mm. This has led to improvements in straight line and turning stability. Honda has also refined the Civic’s overall ride comfort and handling ability.
How much does the new Honda Civic RS cost in South Africa?
Honda Civic 1.5T RS CVT – R669 000
The Honda Civic RS is sold with a 5-year / 200 000 km warranty, 5-year /90 000 km service plan and 3-year roadside assistance. Service intervals are at every 10 000 km or every 12 months.
The all-new Range Rover took its sweet time to reach our shores. Now that it’s here, what does the British model offer over and above its German rivals and how does it fit into a new world that’s increasingly concerned with zero-emission motoring? We drove the R3-million first-class SUV around the Western Cape during its local launch.
What’s new on the Range Rover?
The new Range Rover is slightly longer and taller, but a touch narrower, than the outgoing model.
The new Range Rover may look a lot like its predecessor, but it’s an all-new SUV and whereas the previous model’s major update was the lightweight aluminium architecture that saved 450 kg, this model is all about modern tech and comfort, plus the range includes an excellent hybrid derivative. That’s not to say this Range Rover has been at the Cornish Pasties, it’s only a few kg heavier than the outgoing car despite being longer and taller (marginally).
There’s a new inline-6 turbodiesel engine borrowed from the Discovery and Defender. Meanwhile, a big turbopetrol 4.4-litre V8 does the heavy lifting on the unleaded front and it’s partnered by a straight-6 hybrid version with a claimed pure-electric range of 113 km. A fully electric derivative is scheduled to arrive in 2024 (for those looking to avoid filling up altogether), so even if the Range Rover appeals to the same crowd it always has, it’s more efficiency-oriented than before.
Four-wheel steering has also been deployed in the new model, which allows the 5-metre SUV to turn much tighter at slow speeds, such as when it’s being manoeuvred in parking lots or made to perform U-turns.
Inside, connectivity has been brought up to modern standards with all the wireless functions you would expect, as well as App connectivity for gimmicks such as remote-controlled parking. Software updates will also be continually sent to the vehicle throughout its life cycle to ensure that it remains up to date (for ostensibly for as long as it is in service).
Inside the new Range Rover
Subtle but luxurious, note the return of a ‘”traditional'”gear lever.
There’s quite nothing quite like walking up to a Range Rover for the first time. The new model has an immense visual presence from the outside with clean flat lines. The door handles lay flush with the sheet metal until you press the unlock button on the key fob, at which point they elegantly pop out along with the running boards that are stored under the car. At first glance, those “side steps” seem hazardous to your shins, but they fold out just far enough – a smart bit of design.
Climb on in and you’ll find automotive luxury in its finest form… The soft quilted leather seats are so comfortable, they cosset you like a big hug from your mum. The two digital screens are now much more prominent; the centre infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster feature high-definition glass displays that produce vivid colours along with easy-to-read icons. Somewhat surprisingly, the rotary gear knob has been replaced with a more traditional transmission lever.
The entire centre console has, in fact, been reimagined with much more intuitive ergonomics and no shortage of storage spaces. There’s a 4-bottle fridge in the centre console and a two-tier storage compartment below the cupholders for stashing things like phones or keys (there are USB ports in there for charging devices too). Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto integrate seamlessly with the car, although you may want to spend some time digging through the plethora of options in the infotainment system – vehicle settings, cameras, seat massaging, towbar deployment and just about everything you can do with the car can be accessed through the screen.
The long-wheelbase 5-seater version provides an abundance of space and tech to get you through a long drive in comfort.
While the overall interior ambience is second to none in a Range Rover and that sense of “effortless reality” comes across perfectly, some of the material choices seem to be a bit below par for a vehicle that has a starting price of around R3 million. Fancy-looking plastic has substituted real metal finishes in the centre console and while it looks nice, I don’t think it has that same sensory appeal as real aluminium, for example, and the same goes for the touch points on the steering wheel. I might be being a little picky here, but surely the “ultimate luxury SUV” (well, this side of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan) shouldn’t have anything less than the best?
Driving the Range Rover
Air suspension allows the Range Rover to get just about anywhere you want, along with Terrain Response off-road modes.
Straight-six turbodiesel and V8 turbopetrol derivatives were made available to us to drive; the petrol-electric hybrid version will only be arriving later this year. We completed the first 300 km of driving in the V8, which positively wafts down the road; the twin-turbo 4.4-litre motor has no problem propelling the 2.6-tonne road-ship swiftly. There’s 390 kW and 750 Nm of torque available, but the mind-bending number is the claimed 0-100 kph time of 4.6 seconds. That’s Volkswagen Golf R pace (at least from a standstill to 100 kph), but imagine doing that in your stately British living room.
It’s all the power you will ever need… In fact, the V8 sometimes feels a little too eager to accelerate, at which point a fair amount of force to the brake pedal is required to slow the Rangie down to a calmer velocity. For those worried about fuel consumption (which is rather unlikely if you’re looking to spend 3 bar on a car) we managed just over 14 L/100 km over 300 km in the V8. Compare that to the turbodiesel, which returned 11.2 L/100 km on the return journey.
You won’t miss much in terms of performance if you opt for the turbodiesel. The inline-6, which we first sampled in the new Defender, has plenty of shove and is well suited to this stately cross-continental cruiser. With 257 kW/750 Nm, the wave of torque facilitates short, sharp bursts of acceleration. The most noticeable difference between the engines is that, when overtaking at speed, the petrol’s acceleration feels more sustainable than what the diesel can muster.
Ride and handling
Insanely large (23-inch) wheels try their best to hamper the ride, but certainly look the part on the new model.
The word wafting is synonymous with Range Rover dynamics and that’s still the case with this new-generation model. Air suspension has always been the key to what makes a Range Rover’s ride so plush and even when fitted with the ridiculously large (23-inch) wheels shod with low-profile tyres, the first-class SUV’s ride is beautifully composed and quiet. You do, however, get the impression that the computers that govern the workings of the air-suspension setup are working overtime to maintain that perfect ride, while a set of 19-inch wheels and plumper rubber would probably be a more practical option. Having said that, 19s may possibly be considered “poverty spec” by other Range Rover owners…
I don’t think I have ever been as impressed by an SUV’s ride quality (while driving it on a dirt road) as I was in the Range Rover. What’s more, its cabin is brilliantly insulated from exterior noise… even when stones were being flicked up into the wheel wells, there was nothing more than a light tinkling of sound to be heard. On the tarmac, you do discern a little bit of road noise and wind buzzing at around the 120 kph mark.
The addition of 4-wheel steering is certainly beneficial when navigating the confines of narrow roads or parking lots; it makes getting in and out of regular parking bays much simpler/less stressful. It also means you can perform a U-turn within the confines of most single-lane roads without having to 3-point turn your way out.
Range Rover pricing and after-sales support
Note that pricing is accurate as of May 2025.
All Land Rover vehicles come with a standard 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care Warranty and Maintenance Plans. * Prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax.
P460e HSE Standard Wheelbase – R3 395 000 P460e HSE Long Wheelbase – R3 498 500 P460e Autobiography – R3 885 400 P460e SV Long Wheelbase – R4 968 900
D350 HSE Standard Wheelbase – R3 419 700 D350 Autobiography Standard Wheelbase – R3 926 200 D350 Autobiography Long Wheelbase – R4 022 900 D350 Autobiography Long Wheelbase (7 seats) – R4 058 100 D350 SV – R4 536 500
P530 HSE Standard Wheelbase – R3 807 700 P530 Autobiography Standard Wheelbase – R4 338 000 P530 Autobiography Long Wheelbase – R4 439 600 P530 Autobiography Long Wheelbase (7 Seats) – R4 476 600
The new Range Rover effectively maintains the appeal of the British brand’s eponymous model – the German premium marques’ models are simply not in the same league. The presence and respect that the badge brings to the table offer prospective buyers something extra special, which is exactly what they are after at this price point. The Rangey still has unquestionable off-road ability, which many of its rivals no longer offer, and its on-road dynamics are better than ever.
The interior, meanwhile, is opulent and has been modernised with all the latest connectivity options you could possibly want, but some of the material choices feel like they don’t quite match up to the price tag the Range Rover demands.
The engines and ride quality are from the top drawer; they provide the perfect backing to the Range Rover’s luxurious underpinnings and play no small role in defining its regal character.
Range Rover – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Range Rover a good car? If you can afford it, the Range Rover offers high levels of comfort, technology and refinement while also offering powerful performance.
2. Why is Range Rover so expensive? The Range Rover sits at the pinnacle of the Range Rover stable and is considered to be a high quality, luxury SUV that offers strong performance and high levels of technology, comfort and overall refinement.
3. Why buy a Range Rover? There are many reasons to buy a Range Rover (if you can afford it) but the main reasons include ultimate luxury, comfort, refinement, kerb appeal and performance. The Range Rover is a status symbol that shouts success!
New BMW M240i xDrive Review – What has the 2 Series become?
BMW’s 2 Series Coupe is the last small rear-driven car in its lineup. The only thing is, it’s not really that small anymore and it’s not all that light either. Ciro De Siena reviews the latest sports coupe from BMW to see if he can figure out what’s going on at BMW.
When BMW pursued a front-wheel-drive layout for their popular 1 Series model, it certainly made sense from a business point of view. The platform could underpin the Mini products and an xDrive version could underpin some of the smaller BMW SUVs.
However, this left the 2 Series high and dry. With no compact, rear-wheel-drive platform available, BMW had to base the new 2022 2 Series on the underpinnings of the 3 Series.
The result is a much heavier, much more expensive 2 Series. So we sent our video journalist, Ciro De Siena, out to the world-famous Franschoek Pass to try and answer the question, what has the 2 Series become?
Looking for a used BMW 1 Series or 2 Series for sale in South Africa?
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: July 2022
The Toyota Hilux still found itself outside the top three on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for July 2022. Let’s take a closer look at the figures…
While Toyota South Africa Motors recently confirmed production at its Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal had resumed after the facility was forced to halt assembly back in mid-April 2022 owing to severe flood damage, it will take some time for the company to ramp up. So, the Hilux had to again settle for fourth place on the list of SA’s best-selling bakkies in July 2022.
We should point out, too, that domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses fell 6.9% year on year to 9 547 units in July 2022, thanks in part to a lack of production of the Hilux and Hi-Ace at Prospecton for much of the month.
So, if the Hilux wasn’t at the top in July, what was? Well, the outgoing Ford Ranger (the first units of the new model are scheduled to start rolling off the line at Silverton towards the end of October 2022) took first place – just as it did in June 2022 – with 1 838 units registered during the month.
Ford’s outgoing Ranger enjoyed its third consecutive month at the top.
The Isuzu D-Max (1 602 units) grabbed a strong second place, though this figure seemingly includes the prolonged lifecycle model known as the Gen 6. The Nissan NP200 (1 213 units) was again third, ahead of the aforementioned Toyota Hilux (1 012 units), while the fifth-placed Mahindra Pik Up (recently bolstered by the launch of a trio of special-edition models) put in another impressive showing with 847 registrations.
The Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (561 units) held steady in sixth spot, while the GWM Steed (365 units) climbed two places to seventh, pushing its sibling, the GWM P-Series (279 units), down one to eighth. The now ninth-placed Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (252 units) likewise dropped a spot, with the outgoing Volkswagen Amarok (115 units) again rounding out the table.
Best of the rest in July 2022
Peugeot registered 58 examples of the Landtrek in July 2022.
Wondering how the bit-part players performed? Well, wonder no more. The Peugeot Landtrek (58 units) graduated to the position of “best of the rest” in July 2022, just ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton (56 units). The Mahindra Bolero had to settle for 45 registrations, while the R1 259 900 Jeep Gladiator finished on 27 units in its first full month on sale. Finally, Mazda could find homes for just 26 examples of its D-Max-based BT-50.
Export winners in July 2022
Ford exported 6 587 units of its Ranger in July, far ahead of the Nissan Navara (479 units) and Isuzu D-Max (421 units). Toyota’s Hilux export figure, meanwhile, was a mere three units, though is expected to ramp up considerably over the next two or three months. As is often the case, the Nissan NP200 (81) made up the numbers here.
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for July 2022
Pricing and some spec details have been loaded into the Range Rover South African configurator, giving us a first look at what’s headed to our shores in October 2022.
Jaguar Land Rover is claiming this all-new Range Rover Sport is ” the most desirable, advanced and dynamically capable yet.” The Electrical Vehicle Architecture (EVA 2.0) supports Software Over the Air updates and the award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment system is back, this time with a high-res floating 13.1-inch curved touchscreen.
There’s a 13.7-inch digital dashboard, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a 15w wireless charger, Emergency Braking, 3D Surround Camera, including front and rear parking sensors, Wade Sensing, ClearSight Ground View6, Manoeuvring Lights, Driver Condition Monitor and Lane Keep Assist.
Powertrains on offer
Range Rover is offering customers a choice of three 6-cylinder engine options for South Africa. There will be a plug-in hybrid petrol, conventional petrol and a diesel. All Range Rover Sports feature 8-speed automatic transmissions and all-wheel drive.
The 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo PHEV develops 375 kW / 700 Nm and is good for a 0-100 kph in a claimed 5.4 seconds while consuming just 1.6 L/100 km on the WLTP cycle.
The 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel produces 258 kW / 700 Nm and can do 0-100 kph in 5.9 seconds and will use 7.4 L/100 km.
The 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder petrol makes 294 kW / 550 Nm and can sprint to 100 kph in a claimed 5.7 seconds and use 9.4 L/100 km.
For those wanting something special and fast, JLR SA has confirmed the twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain (P530) will be coming too. There’ll be just 60 units of the 390 kW Range Rover Sport and it’s said to sprint to 100 kph in just 4.5 seconds.
Based on the configurator, we can see multiple trim levels like Dynamic S, Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, First Edition and Autobiography. Wheel sizes range from 20-inch to 23-inch.
How much does the new Range Rover Sport cost in South Africa?
The below prices are before optional extras and include VAT, but exclude CO2 tax.
Just how well are Chery vehicles selling in South Africa?
It’s been almost a year since Chery announced its return to South Africa. But just how well are its vehicles selling? Let’s take a closer look at July 2022’s figures…
Chery officially announced its return to the South African market in August 2021, this time entering the space directly as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese automotive giant. So, have local buyers taken to the 25-year-old brand?
Well, now that Chery is finally reporting its sales figures to Naamsa, we have a firm idea of how well its range is selling. As a reminder, the current line-up comprises three crossover models: the Tiggo 4 Pro that touched down in November 2021, the Tiggo 8 Pro that arrived in February 2022 and the Tiggo 7 Pro that launched in May 2022.
According to Naamsa, Chery registered 1 262 units in July 2022, with every single one sold through the dealer channel. That was enough to see the brand rank 13th on the list of best-selling automakers in South Africa, behind fellow Chinese firm Haval (1 502 units) and Indian manufacturer Mahindra (1 327 units).
Chery SA sold 372 examples of the Tiggo 7 Pro in July 2022.
To give you a better idea of where that sort of volume sees it slot in, Chery’s tally meant it easily beat the likes of Stellantis (which comprises the Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot brands, and ended up on 904 units), as well as Mazda (421 units) and Honda (297 units).
In the passenger-vehicle space (so, excluding light-commercial and truck sales), Chery ranked eighth overall, 404 units ahead of Haval (which relies on the P-Series and Steed bakkies for a large chunk of its volume).
If we drill down to individual model sales, we find the Tiggo 4 Pro was Chery’s best-selling vehicle in July 2022, with 689 units registered. Next came the Tiggo 7 Pro (372 units), with the flagship Tiggo 8 Pro (201 units) bringing up the rear. We’ll be tracking Chery’s growth closely in the coming months now that it’s reporting sales figures to Naamsa…
The Tiggo 8 Pro managed to cross the 200-unit mark in July 2022.
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales for July 2022 reflect what appears to be a healthy year-on-year increase, though off an admittedly low base. Here’s what you need to know, including SA’s best-selling car brands and models…
New-vehicle sales in South Africa for July 2022 increased 30.9% year on year to 43 593 units, representing the fourth consecutive month of growth for the industry. However, as Naamsa points out, this came off a low base considering where the market was a year ago, dealing with disruptions caused by unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, a cyber-attack on Transnet operations and the adjusted COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown restrictions.
Still, July 2022’s total was up slightly on the previous month’s tally, which is certainly encouraging. Overall, out of the 43 593 vehicles registered, an estimated 83.6% represented dealer sales, with 10.4% coming courtesy of the rental industry. The new passenger-car market finished on 31 455 units, with the aforementioned rental channel accounting for 13.2% of these sales.
However, domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses fell 6.9% to 9 547 units. Exports, meanwhile, jumped 177.7% year on year to 31 242 units, pushing the year-to-date figure into positive territory for the first time in 2022 (2.9% ahead of the corresponding period in 2021).
WesBank echoed Naamsa’s heed to view the latest market figures with July 2021’s KZN unrest and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions firmly in mind, describing year-on-year comparisons as “skewed”.
“It would be easy to get over-excited about July sales when looking just at the numbers. However, the context of July last year is critical to appreciating the slow and steady growth being experienced in the market,” said Lebogang Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communications at WesBank.
New vehicle sales summary for July 2022
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 43 593 units increased by 30.9% (10 281 units) compared to July 2021.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 31 455 units increased by 50.2% (10 517 units) compared to July 2021.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 9 547 units decreased by 6.9% (-710 units) compared to July 2021.
Export sales of 31 242 units increased by 177.7% (19 990 units) compared to July 2021.
10 best-selling car brands in South Africa for July 2022
The new Taigo (528 units) helped VW grow its monthly tally past the 6 000-unit mark.
Although most assembly lines at Toyota’s flood-damaged Prospecton plant finally started moving again towards the end of July 2022, the gradual return to production would have had virtually no impact on sales for the month (full capacity is expected to be reached only in September, after all). That said, the Japanese brand again managed to hold its title of SA’s best-selling automaker, registering 7 110 units in July thanks largely to the performance of its imported models.
The Volkswagen Group (6 204 units) was again second, though closed the gap considerably compared with June. Suzuki held steady in third place with yet another record showing, this time registering 4 734 units (up on its previous best of 4 622 units achieved in June). Meanwhile, Nissan (2 625 units) climbed one place to fifth and Renault (2 552 units) one spot to sixth, forcing Ford (2 473 units) down two to seventh. The BMW Group entered the top 10 (though its figure is technically an estimate), meaning Haval fell from the official table in July 2022. Interestingly, Chery started reporting its sales statistics to Naamsa in July, with its final tally of 1 262 units enough for it to rank 13th.
1. Toyota – 7 110 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 6 204 units
3. Suzuki – 4 734 units
4. Hyundai – 2 965 units
5. Nissan – 2 625 units
6. Renault – 2 552 units
7. Ford – 2 473 units
8. Kia – 2 087 units
9. Isuzu – 1 951 units
10. BMW Group – 1 512 units
10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for July 2022
Demand for the Ford Ranger remains strong, despite a new model being close.
With the Toyota Hilux (1 012 units) having to settle for tenth place, South Africa crowned a new best-selling vehicle for July 2022. Yes, the Suzuki-built Toyota Urban Cruiser (1 854 units) grabbed first just ahead of the Ford Ranger (1 838 units), with the likewise locally produced Volkswagen Polo Vivo (1 820 units) close behind in third.
The Isuzu D-Max (1 602 units) climbed three places to seize fourth, while the Suzuki Swift fell from June 2022’s first place to fifth with a still-impressive tally of 1 521 registrations. The Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo (1 166 units), meanwhile, found itself in unfamiliar territory all the way down in eighth.
Top 5 vehicles exported from South Africa in July 2022
As many as 11 526 units of the Polo were exported from VW’s Kariega facility in July 2022.
Although the Polo hatchback didn’t have its best sales month in South Africa, the VW-badged supermini triumphed by quite some margin in the export market, with a whopping 11 526 examples shipped from our shores. The Ford Ranger (6 587 units) was again second, while the Nissan Navara (479 units), Isuzu D-Max (421 units) and Nissan NP200 (81 units) made up the numbers. Just three examples of the Toyota Hilux were exported in July.
As always, we should point out BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not submit detailed figures, so it’s unclear exactly how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported from SA during the reporting period. For the record, however, Naamsa’s estimates stand at 3 700 units and 8 147 units, respectively.
1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 11 526 units
2. Ford Ranger – 6 587 units
3. Nissan Navara – 479 units
4. Isuzu D-Max – 421 units
5. Nissan NP200 – 81 units
Sales outlook
What’s next for the South African new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa warns that the South African Reserve Bank’s recent 75 basis point interest-rate hike – the biggest since September 2002 and the fifth increase since November 2021 – will “impact consumer and business sentiment negatively”, and “consequently the new vehicle market”, too. This will likely be compounded by further interest-rate increases expected for the remainder of the year.
WesBank’s Gaoaketse likewise cautions that “the significant increase” in interest rates may dampen August sales as “new deals confront an affordability challenge or consumers simply delay purchase decisions”. However, he maintains interest rates are still “relatively low”, meaning a new-vehicle purchase will remain an “appealing financial opportunity” for some.
On the exports front, Naamsa points out global economic growth prospects “have been revised downwards” in recent times. This includes significantly weaker demand in Europe, which is the South African automotive industry’s largest export region. Still, as mentioned above, the year-to-date export figure is currently 2.9% in the positive.
Fuel Price Cuts for August 2022
Fuel price adjustments for August 2022 are confirmed and after a long bout of brutal increases, motorists will finally see fuel prices slashed.
Fuel prices in South Africa have ballooned in the first half of 2022 putting huge strain on household budgets while also having a negative impact on commodity prices.
At the halfway mark of July 2022, mid-month fuel price is indicated that the price of fuel would be slashed in August 2022. That indication came to fruition at the end of July following the announcment of fuel price cuts that would bring some relief to heavily over-burdeoned motorists.
Numerous factors impacted the reduction including the drop in the price of Brent Crude oil and petroleum products during the period under review and falling demand for Brent Crude oil. However, the Rand weakened against the dollar during the same period which eroded the depth of the fuel price decrease. Furthermore, the government-imposed reduction of the General Fuel Levy (75c/l) is set to come to an end on 2 August 2022.
Fuel Price Decreases for August 2022
The fuel price adjustments will take effect on Wednesday, 3 August 2022.
Petrol (93 / 95 ULP and LRP) will decrease by R1.32 per litre.
Diesel (0.05% sulphur) will decrease by 88 cents per litre.
Diesel (0.005% sulphur will decrease by 91 cents per litre.
Illuminating Paraffin will decrease by R1.44 per litre.
Earlier in July 2022, the Automobile Association (AA) noted that despite the forecast decreases, fuel prices in South Africa remain high and that the previous sizable increases will still impact the economy in coming months.
“Decreases offer immediate relief but increases filter into the economy over time, especially as those sectors affected by them don’t immediately adjust their prices downward but instead wait for more consistent fuel cuts that lower their input costs. We stand by our call that a review of the fuel price structure, and an audit of the components that comprise the fuel price, is essential and long overdue to offer sustainable solutions that mitigate against rising fuel costs in the country,” said the AA.
The facelifted version of the flagship BMW X7 has been confirmed for SA. Here’s when it’s arriving and which models we’re getting.
The BMW X7 is the Bavarian brand’s take on a flagship luxury SUV. As a rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the X7 brings luxury in abundance, paired to powerful engines.
The design gets a rework with horizontally split LED headlights with the upper section featuring daytime running lights and matrix LED headlights seen in the lower section. The large kidney grille gains an optional Iconic Glow illuminated grille and for the first time the X7 can be equipped with 23-inch BMW Individual wheels. The rear end gains new LED light units with 3D graphics and BMW has also updated its M Sport packages and added a new Sparkling Copper Grey metallic body colour to the range.
Key interior features include a large 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an even larger 14.9-inch infotainment system with the latest BMW Operating System 8. BMW has also added standard features such as Comfort Access, panoramic glass sunroof and heated front seats. If you look carefully, you’ll spot the gear knob has been removed, in favour of a much more discrete gear selector.
The X7 can seat 7 passengers as standard but it can be had as a 6-seater with 2 comfort seats in the second row as an option.
BMW X7 South African arrival
The facelifted BMW X7 will be arriving in the 4th quarter of 2022 and customers will be able to choose from two engines. For the diesel fans, the xDrive40d features 259 kW and 720 Nm from a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder. Headlining the X7 range is the M60i xDrive, a petrol-powered rocketship. A 4.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 390 kW and 750 Nm.
As far as performance goes, the diesel powered xDrive40d is good for a 0-100 kph in 6.1 seconds while the M60i xDrive is said to sprint to 100 kph in 4.7 seconds. Both models feature automatic 8-speed gearboxes.
There will be 3 levels of trim for the xDrive40d (Design Pure Excellence, M Sport Package, M Sport Package Pro) and 2 trim levels for the M60i xDrive (M Performance, M Sport Package Pro)
How much does the updated BMW X7 cost in South Africa?
Not since the launch of the first-generation Cayenne has there been quite as much uproar about a new high-riding Porsche as with this, the new Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT. The reason? For the first time, Porsche’s premium SUV bears the evocative GT badge, which is usually reserved for the brand’s purest driver’s cars. The question is, can an SUV really justify it?
We like: Stonking performance, build quality, ride/handling balance, superb dynamics
We don’t like: Four-seat only, some of the extra-cost options should be standard
The Coupe Turbo GT is distinguished by its sportier front bumper, black cladding and a host of carbon-fibre addenda.
Where does the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT fit in?
When Porsche first unveiled the Cayenne SUV in 2002, brand enthusiasts were up in arms. According to many of them, a company with such a storied history as a manufacturer of purist driving machines (exclusively sportscars, up to that point) simply had no business building high-riding SUVs. Nevertheless, the company persevered and the Cayenne quickly became Porsche’s cash cow, allowing the brand to not only survive, but thrive. And, as many have subsequently discovered, the Cayenne was indeed the “Porsche of SUVs”, with exceptional dynamics given its proportions and weight. These days, most of those folk who lamented the model’s introduction… drive Cayennes as their daily cars.
But now Porsche aficionados are upset once more, this time because the Zuffenhausen-based company has dared to apply the GT badge to a Cayenne for the first time. You see, in Porsche’s long and illustrious history of incredibly focused driving machines, a GT badge symbolises a Porsche distilled to its purest form. The fact that the GT team that usually works on Porsche’s hardcore road cars was involved in this new flagship Cayenne’s development should provide some hope that the company has made it work, but the question remains… Can a Porsche SUV truly be worthy of the GT badge?
The 22-inch satin Neodyme (matte gold) wheels are standard on the flagship Cayenne.
How the 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT fares in terms of…
Design and Packaging
The Cayenne Turbo GT is only available in the Coupe body shape and is the new flagship of the range. Our test unit came specified in striking Arctic Grey paint (a R54 390 option), which contrasted nicely with the massive (22-inch) satin Neodyme (matte gold) wheels, which are standard fitment.
Look closer and you’ll spot a whole host of other distinguishing features – and many of them are functional, not merely cosmetic. The carbon-fibre roof, for example, is there to lower the centre of gravity. You also get a GT-specific front apron and spoiler lip, as well as larger side air dams. Black wheel-arch extensions add visual width (muscle) to the car, and there’s a neat carbon-fibre roof wing, in addition to an adaptively extendable rear spoiler lip that’s 25mm larger than the one fitted to the Turbo. Consequently, Porsche claims a downforce increase of around 40kg at the Turbo GT’s top speed. At the rear is a carbon-fibre diffuser panel, which frames the massive titanium exhaust outlets.
The elaborate roof wing and diffuser are fashioned from carbon fibre, while the adaptively extending spoiler is upsized.
Even so, our test team was of the opinion that the Cayenne Turbo GT didn’t present as “brash” or “blingy” (as is the case with its aforementioned rivals). In fact, those who don’t really know their Porsches might consider it a (tastefully) upgraded “normal” Cayenne Coupe. This endows the Turbo GT with considerable sleeper appeal…
Inside, there are many, many little details to remind you that you’re in something special, such as Turbo GT lettering on the headrests of all 4 (yes, only 4) seats, lovely Alcantara upholstery and contrasting trim elements. As ever, build quality feels rock-solid and comfort levels are exceptional. The fascia is mostly unchanged from what you’ll see in the current-generation Cayenne, but it does debut the company’s new PCM 6.0 infotainment system, which has a revised user interface and “improved operating logic”, says Porsche. We found its interface pretty straightforward to get used to. Of course, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility is standard.
The interior is highlighted with applications of Alcantara upholstery and contrasting trim elements.
Space is good for the 4 occupants, with a 1.8m-tall adult able to sit comfortably behind a similarly tall driver. Lanky occupants may struggle with the downward sloping roof impinging on rear headroom, however. The load bay is spacious (at 549 litres), but is nevertheless bested by those of the BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Utility space (with the rear seats folded down) is also slightly down on the class leaders, but we’d still rate the Turbo GT as a surprisingly spacious, practical car.
Performance and Efficiency
The Turbo GT is powered by the most powerful version of the marque’s bi-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine (which is also used in various other Volkswagen Group products). For use in the Turbo GT, it pumps out a heady 471 kW at 6 000 rpm and 850 Nm of torque from 2 300 to 4 500 rpm. These outputs compare favourably with its rivals from BMW and Mercedes-AMG, with the Cayenne having the most power of the trio and only the AMG being able to match the Porsche’s torque.
The Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT holds the official Nurburgring lap record for an SUV (7:38.9 minutes).
Importantly, however, keep in mind the Cayenne is relatively light compared with its rivals – by around 250 kg. Therefore, its significant performance advantage should not come as too much of a surprise. Fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission (not a PDK dual-clutch), the Turbo GT can blast from 0 to 100 kph in 3.3 sec, while its rivals take around 3.8 sec… Astonishingly, this 2.2-tonne beast will hit 200 kph in only 12.2 seconds and go on to a top speed of 300 kph.
Porsche’s engineers haven’t only worked their magic on the engine in the pursuit of more power; they have also upgraded it for better durability. Compared with the standard Turbo, the Turbo GT’s engine differs in such parts as the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, timing-chain drive and torsional vibration dampers. The standard sports exhaust system, which is unique to this derivative, is made from lightweight and heat-resistant titanium. To save weight, there is no centre silencer. Due to the presence of a soft limiter when the vehicle is parked, you can’t quite get it to bark very loudly at a standstill, but on the go, the crackles and pops from those large 2 central exhaust outlets are particularly pleasing.
The Turbo GT’s not only more powerful than its siblings; its 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 powerplant has several bespoke upgrades.
Impressively, and again probably largely down to the Cayenne’s relatively low weight, the Turbo GT has the lowest claimed consumption figure of vehicles of its type (11.9 L/100 km). You’ll probably average closer to 13.5 L/100 km, however.
Comfort and Features
Priced at R3.5 million before options, the flagship Cayenne is significantly more expensive than its Audi/BMW/Mercedes-AMG rivals, and once you start adding options (of which there are several), you might get to a point where a Lamborghini Urus or Bentley Bentayga are not unreasonably out of range, but having said that, you’ll still have to go through a speccing-up process with the Porsche’s Italian and British cousins anyway. So, in reality, the Cayenne Turbo GT is positioned neatly between its “mainstream” German rivals and those more evocative prestige-brand offerings.
The “turbo GT” embroidered headrests add a sense of occasion to the Porsche’s interior.
The Cayenne Coupe is an inherently comfortable vehicle with great NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) control and a cabin that, even before options, ticks the most important boxes in terms of luxury and entertainment. You get heated seats front and rear as standard, for example, but if you want ventilation (for the front seats), that’ll be an extra R32 140. As mentioned before, Porsche’s latest infotainment system offers full Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, but if you want a wireless charging pad, Porsche charges an additional R13 310 for that.
And so the list goes on… Yes, a reverse-view camera and rear park assist are standard, but if you want a surround-view (360-degree) monitor, which is increasingly common on cars priced at around the R500 000 mark, you will have to fork out another R16 850. You get cruise control, but if you want adaptive cruise control with autonomous braking, the extra charge is R38 890. You can also have rear-seat entertainment fitted for R43 890. So it’s very easy to go overboard and end up with a seriously pricey car that would have to be extremely good in some other aspect to justify the outlay…
The Turbo GT’s cabin has a four-seater configuration. Note the Neodyme-coloured seat belts and trim accents.
Ride and Handling
And so, welcome to the section that will detail that “other aspect” needed to justify this car’s heady pricing (options included). Fettled by the same team that works on Porsche’s GT sportscars, the Cayenne Turbo GT’s underpinnings have been significantly revised. The result? A Nurburgring lap time of 7:38.9 minutes, which is an official new record for an SUV around the Green Hell. That’s impressive…
The Turbo rides 17mm lower than the Cayenne Coupe Turbo, and the Turbo GT’s development team substantially re-engineered the car’s passive and active chassis systems to improve its dynamic performance. The rigidity of the 3-chamber air suspension has been increased by up to 15% and, as for the damping characteristics of the active suspension management system, they’ve been altered significantly.
The engineers took an all-inclusive approach to the development, and nothing that had an impact on the Turbo GT’s dynamic ability was left untouched – even the power steering characteristics were modified and rear-axle steering was added to the mix. The active roll stabilisation system now operates with new performance-oriented software.
Traditionalists will appreciate the (gold accented) analogue rev counter that’s flanked by 2 pairs of digital dials.
The result of all the fiddling is, quite frankly, mind-blowing. No big, hefty SUV such as this should be able to feel so light-footed, eager to change direction and, dare we say it, “engaging” to drive. Porsche Torque Vectoring is also part of the package, which includes a “comprehensively optimised front axle” and greater negative camber for the massive front wheels; they’re shod with 22-inch Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres specifically developed for the Turbo GT.
It is really quite an experience to drive this Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT on a particularly challenging piece of road and experience it virtually “shrinking around you”. The steering feel reminds us very much of Porsche’s sportscars, and the way it pivots around its centre is something we have not yet experienced in any other SUV. This Porsche just never feels like a lumbering SUV – in terms of its handling dynamics, the Turbo GT is, in a word, magnificent…
Drivers can easily toggle between drive modes using the rotating knob on the Porsche’s multifunction sports steering wheel.
Price and After-Sales Support
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT is only available in the Coupe bodyshell and sells for R3.5 million (before options), which includes a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and 3-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. As mentioned in other parts of this article, there are numerous optional extras to pick from.
At R3.5-million, the Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT is pricey, but it does undercut its cousin, the Lamborghini Urus, by R500k.
Verdict
Porsche has done it again. By delivering an SUV that justifies the GT badge, the Zuffenhausen-based brand has proved the naysayers wrong once more. It occupies a very specific niche in the market and will likely be a rare sight on our roads, but for buyers who crave the practicality and comfort of a large SUV, but who are unwilling to compromise on the thrill of driving promised by Porsche’s GT badge, nothing in this class will come close to the Cayenne Coupe Turbo GT.
