Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (2022) Launch Review

The Tiggo 7 Pro is the 3rd new model from the rejuvenated Chery brand to land on our shores and it slots into the family-car segment just below the Tiggo 8 Pro. We got the chance to drive the new model at its local launch in Gauteng.

What is a Chery Tiggo 7 Pro?

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro front
The new model is not quite as long as Volkswagen Tiguan, but it’s larger than a Kia Seltos.

For those following the progress of Chery since its reintroduction in Mzansi at the end of 2022, the Tiggo 7 Pro is the 3rd model that the brand has launched in the local market (following the Tiggo 4 Pro compact family car and the 7-seater Tiggo 8 Pro medium SUV).

Compared with the latter, the Tiggo 7 Pro is more of a traditional family car, which is to say it has a 5-seat layout over and above a raised ride height and a capacious load bay, which are, of course, prerequisites. There’s a turbopetrol engine under the bonnet and, as has become the norm with contemporary Chinese models, it has a comfortable, upmarket cabin and features a host of tech- and safety features as standard.

Natural competitors to the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro are a little hard to pin down, because while it’s a little shorter than traditional family SUVs such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan, it’s also a little bigger than the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta, which are two of the larger offerings in the compact family-car segment. The newcomer’s exterior dimensions are actually quite similar to those of the Haval Jolion.

Currently, there are 2 derivatives of the Tiggo 7 Pro available – Distinctive and Executive (the only difference between them is the level of spec they offer).

Is the Tiggo 7 Pro a good family car?

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro seats down
The level of spec on the Tiggo 7 Pro is excellent.

If it’s practicality you’re looking for, the Tiggo 7 Pro seems to cut the mustard. It’s spacious in the front and there’s a good leg- and headroom at the back. The load bay is spacious too – it matches those of its rivals at a claimed 475 litres and 1 500 litres, once you fold the rear seats down.

Claimed luggage capacity doesn’t always tell the true story as there’s no standard for how to measure load-bay size exactly, but using my well-trained eye, I would say Chery’s newcomer has one of the larger loading spaces in the segment. There are even shopping hooks on both sides of the hold… if that gets you excited.

Leather trim is standard on both models and it feels really plush, as do almost all the materials in the Tiggo 7 Pro. You don’t feel like you’re being short-changed with shoddy plastics or subpar materials; it’s certainly full of high-end finishes.

As for other storage areas, there are dual drinks holders up front and a reasonably sized centre console. Much like the Tiggo 8 Pro, the wireless charger is on a shelf underneath the climate control screen, which is good if you want to store your ‘phone out of sight, but not so good if you’re going to use Apple Carplay or Android Auto, because you have to run a cable from the USB port in the centre console. It would have made sense to update the system for wireless access…

What engine does the Tiggo 7 Pro have?

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Rear tracking
The Tiggo 7 Pro develops decent power, but its torque output is a little on the low side.

The Chery’s 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor produces 108 kW and 210 Nm. It has reasonable pulling power, but it will be interesting to see how well the powertrain copes once the Tiggo 7 Pro is loaded up with passengers and their detritus, which is something we will only be able to test once we get the model back for a full evaluation.

The continuously variable automatic transmission, with 9 pre-programmed steps, facilities smooth progress. The engine does make a bit of racket when it’s required to accelerate at full throttle, but it performs gamely when called to do so.

The Tiggo 7 Pro holds 120 kph on the highway without any real hassle, but it’s not all that punchy when it needs to perform quick overtaking manoeuvres at that speed. Having said that, compared with the naturally-aspirated rivals in the segment, I’d say the Chery’s better at dispatching slower traffic quickly and efficiently.

Mediocre fuel economy has been one of the drawbacks of the Tiggo 4 Pro and -8 Pro and I found the Tiggo 7 Pro was somewhat thirsty when navigating the city and suburbs, but once you let it run on the freeway it returns decent efficiency. If you’re doing short trips to schools, shops or driving in town (not in thick traffic), you’re likely to see 10L/100 km quite easily. On the freeway (on an 80-km trip to Bakwena Game Reserve), the Tiggo 7 Pro returned an acceptable 7 L/100 km.

The Tiggo Pro 7’s ride/handling balance is impressive too. The suspension can feel a little stiff over harsher bumps, but, for the most part, the newcomer rides comfortably without any cause for concern. The steering is perhaps a little on the slow side, especially around the centre; I found making small corrections with the ‘wheel required a little more steering input than I expected. It’s not a deal-breaker, but may contribute to driver fatigue on long stints on the freeway.

High level of standard spec

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro interior
A well-appointed interior with soft-touch materials and leather seats.

Throughout the past 2 years, Chinese SUVs have been the talk of the family-car segment, purely because they offer high levels of standard specification at prices the rest of the market can’t match (or maybe doesn’t want to match).

The Tiggo 7 Pro continues that trend with a full suite of safety features that includes stability control, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park distance control, hill hold and ABS and EBD. Compared with Distinctive trim, the top-spec Executive version additionally features a 360-degree camera, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, as well as auto emergency braking.

Communication tech is covered with Bluetooth telephony and streaming and a cable connection for Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system covers all of your media needs and its menu system incorporates myriad settings that you can adjust to your preference. There is a lower screen that deals with the climate control settings, but those can also be fine-tuned from the infotainment screen.

The placement of the settings isn’t always intuitive and you’ll have to spend a bit of time working your way through the menus to get to some basic functions (such as resetting the trip computer), but both the centre screen and the digital instrument cluster are high-res and easy to read.

The Chery’s in-car electronic system exhibited a few software glitches (as opposed to faults, to be clear) during our evaluation drive, which could be quite irritating for those who like things to work exactly the way that they are supposed to. For example, every time we drove under a bridge, the shadow pinged the dark-mode sensor (which detects that it is dark outside), which caused the infotainment screen to darken momentarily before returning to light mode shortly thereafter.

The adaptive cruise control could react a little faster too, especially upon resumption – it seems to take an age to get back up to the set speed. There are a few other little gripes, but these are things that Chery should be able to rectify.

Pricing and after-sales service

The new Chery Tiggo 7 Pro comes with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km service plan. There is also a 10-year/1 million km engine warranty for the first owner.

Tiggo 7 Pro Distinctive R409 900
Tiggo 7 Pro Executive R444 900

Summary

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro front tracking
It will be interesting to see how well the Tiggo 7 Pro fares against its rivals.

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro looks set to continue the forward momentum the resurgent Chinese brand has created in the local passenger-car market. There’s a lot to like, with the Tiggo 7 Pro offering a high specification level allied with excellent cabin quality. The powertrain feels adequate and the newcomer’s fuel efficiency seems better matched with those of its segment rivals, at least more so than what seems the case with other Tiggo models.

Aside from a few minor software glitches, the Tiggo 7 Pro seems a pretty good buy at its introductory price point. It would appear the market’s legacy brands will face uphill from more than the Haval Jolion in the compact family-car segment.

How badly will KZN damage impact Toyota SA?

Toyota SA’s Prospecton plant was severely impacted by recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal. Now South Africa’s biggest vehicle brand must begin its recovery… but it won’t be a simple task.

There might be many brands that trade locally, but Toyota is the cornerstone of the South African new-vehicle market. It dominates, with a 30% market share.

Every day, Quantums mobilise most of the country’s labour force; Hilux bakkies make the mining, engineering and agricultural industries work. And, in a market that has lagged badly in terms of electrification – with few petrol-electric, let alone battery-electric vehicles available to consumers – well, Toyota has set new hybrid sales records with its Corolla Cross.

Toyota South Africa rarely makes mistakes. Okay, the Innova was one, but insofar as product strategy and shaping model ranges to South African customers’ needs are concerned, the Prospecton-based firm schools most of its rivals.

For other product marketeers, Toyota is a nightmare. Toyota’s vehicles aren’t technically superior to those of its rivals, but they are durable, perfectly specced, and distributed through a well-resourced, respected dealer network.

But even Toyota can’t control the weather. The company’s South African production asset is an anchor of KZN industry and employment. And it’s not going to be building any new Hilux, Fortuner, Ses’fikile or Corolla Cross units for a while.


Corolla Cross hybrid production was another benchmark project for Toyota South Africa and its KZN assembly facility. 

Record sales – then a big drop

The tragic flooding has impacted all aspects of life in KZN and, for Toyota South Africa Motors (Toyota SA), it represents the company’s most severe production disruption in South Africa.

Toyota SA’s success best illustrates the scale of this issue. For the first three months of this year, the Japanese brand tallied new-vehicle sales of 12 480, 13 458 and 15 008 units. That last number was for March and set a new record – despite a global supply chain issue due to a shortage of microchips. About two-thirds of Toyota SA’s sales volume is also locally built and, if you follow this logic, you start to understand the problem.

How bad is the disruption? Toyota’s sales fell by 40% from March to April. And that’s due purely to supply disruption. In a recent news interview, Toyota CEO Andrew Kirby mentioned a total production disruption of 45 000 units being possible. For context, that’s nearly three times the size of Isuzu’s entire South African new-bakkie business.


Imports will come to the rescue, to an extent. But the Hilux won’t have a record sales year in 2022. 

Where else will they get Hilux?

Going from a record sales month to nearly half of that is not something that can be smoothed over. Parts suppliers predict that Toyota’s South African production will be out of commission for three months.

Local executives have admitted that the plant is still being cleared, and a comprehensive damage assessment is yet to be made. A realistic timeline for restarting production is not even on the table, at least not yet. That said, Toyota has experience managing climate and natural disaster emergencies across its global portfolio of production assets.

A total of 57 maintenance engineering experts from Toyota’s global pool of specialists are now on-site in KZN. They understand severe weather-related damage and restarting complex automotive assembly and restoring supply chains… Lessons were learned after the 2011 tsunami disaster in Japan.

Toyota customers are going to experience significant disruptions. The company has a powerful global network of facilities that produce Hilux, but none of them is close to us. Global shipping remains a mess and the port of Durban, not to mention KZN’s road infrastructure, will require a lot of repair work.

Cars don’t have to be parked in containers for shipping. The container shortage afflicting much of global trade is one less thing for Toyota SA to worry about, but the logistics of landing and distributing a vast number of imports, many times more than has been done before, will be challenging.


Toyota had raised and insulated electronic modules after previous floods, but this time, the water level rise was immense. 

Is SA-spec a unique challenge?

No, not really. Few companies are quite as skilled at industrial engineering as Toyota and the Japanese company has amazing global integration, with the ability to build what it needs, wherever it wants.

Beyond KZN, Toyota’s global production assets for Hilux are in Thailand, Argentina, Malaysia, Pakistan and India. Since the millennium, Thailand has positioned itself as a global centre of excellence for mid-sized bakkies.

The market most similar to South Africa is Australia. Toyota Down Under’s Hilux bakkies come from Thailand. This could be from where the local Hilux shortfall might be supplemented… Australian Hilux customers are of a similar user profile to South African double-cab owners and enjoy high-level ownership satisfaction with their Thai-built bakkies.

What could be different? Possible limitation on Dakar spec graphic kits? As a purely cosmetic add-on, it should hardly be an issue.


Prado is imported. So is RAV4. But the loss of Fortuner supply will be notable.

Who’ll benefit from Toyota’s misfortune?

Despite the best alternative sourcing, Toyota will have a shortfall of Hilux supply during the next few months. The discrepancy between demand and supply will be available for conquest by rivals, but which brands are likely to swoop in?

Ford is navigating the complexities of preparing to produce the new-generation Ranger at its Silverton facility, which could limit any potential surge in supply. Nissan Navara? Despite the brand’s Rosslyn facility having greater product diversity than before, its sales numbers remain low – the Navara has hardly threatened the Hilux’s dominant position in the market, so why would buyers flock to Nissan dealerships unless they absolutely had to have new bakkies right away?

The big winners could be Isuzu (new D-Max) and GWM (P-Series). After making local bakkie customers wait a ridiculous two years beyond the model’s global launch, the D-Max is finally in stable production locally. And Isuzu possesses the brand legacy and product portfolio to rival Hilux and act as a fair substitute for customers who want a new bakkie – and don’t want to wait.

GWM’s competitive pricing (allied with generous specification) could see those who are desperate for a new Hilux, but can’t get one, pivot to a Chinese brand. Granted, it’s something that a legacy Toyota Hilux customer would not ordinarily consider, even at the lower spec grades. But long waiting lists could tempt some to switch brands – and there’s no arguing with GWM’s value offering.

Toyota should recover some of its 40% Hilux shortfall (from March to April) in the coming months, so don’t expect that 40% discrepancy between demand and supply to continue. However, there might be a few hundred units of Toyota bakkie customer demand up for grabs in the local market for the next quarter.

Loss of export credits could unbalance pricing structures

What might influence Toyota South Africa’s total business quite adversely, however, is a loss of export credits. For all those Hilux units it exports, Toyota South Africa earns export credits on the percentage of localisation. And that localisation has increased a lot, constituting about 30% under the latest government incentives.

What happens with those export credits? They can be used to reduce tariffs on imported vehicles (usually premium models) in the broader Toyota product portfolio. Export credits can also be sold to other brands that wish to reduce the import-tax burden on their vehicles.


Trading at record residuals even before the production disruption. Expect full-spec Hilux values to soar. 

Will customers wait? Or move to other models?

For Toyota dealers, who are easily the most profitable in the local industry, the disruption of Hilux, Fortuner and Corolla Cross supply spells disaster. Record demand has enabled Toyota outlets to run an enormously successful business.

The RAV4 is imported and could be an acceptable alternative for some Fortuner customers, but the latter’s volumes are huge. With Hilux, there’s little option but to wait. Few double-cab customers will consider trading up into a Land Cruiser 79.

Stock-issue shortages will be the biggest challenge Toyota’s local operations and dealers have faced in decades. Future planning around better containment of the Umlazi River, when it floods, must be an infrastructure project of the highest priority for Durban authorities.

One thing is for certain. There will be no discounting on any Hilux price negotiations, new or used, for the next few months.

VW Confirms Electric Bakkie and SUV, Revives Scout Badge

The Volkswagen Group has officially revived the Scout nameplate as a sub-brand, confirming plans to build an electric bakkie and a battery-powered SUV wearing this badge…

Remember recent comments from a Volkswagen executive suggesting the German firm was “actively” looking at building an electric bakkie? Well, turns out that vehicle – along with a battery-powered SUV – will fall under the revived Scout name rather than wear a VW badge.

Yes, the VW Group has announced plans to launch vehicles it describes as an “all-electric pick-up and rugged SUV”. However, the newcomers will be limited to the North American market (at first, at least), with the automaker saying they will be “designed, engineered and manufactured” in the United States for American customers.

Interestingly, a “separate, independent company” will be established in the US, which is where the Scout name comes in. As a reminder, the Scout was a Jeep rival produced in the US by International Harvester from the early 1960s to around 1980. The VW Group acquired the Scout trademark in 2021 and will now use the moniker to enter the electric off-roader scene.

The first Scout prototypes are due to be revealed in 2023, with production scheduled to start in North America by 2026. Fascinatingly, VW says it won’t use existing underpinnings from within the Group (nor Ford’s Ranger platform as part of the Amarok tie-up), revealing instead the electrified Scout brand will be “built upon a new technical platform concept”.

Arno Antlitz, CFO of Volkswagen AG, confirmed the new company would become “a separate unit and brand within the Volkswagen Group to be managed independently”.

Scout electric SUV

Lexus NX (2022) Specs & Price

The new Lexus NX range has touched down in South Africa and we’ve uncovered local pricing. Here’s what you need to know, including how much this fresh-faced luxury crossover will cost you…

The new Lexus NX has made its way to South Africa, though the line-up interestingly comprises just a pair of purely petrol-powered models at launch in March 2022 [UPDATE: hybrids variants have been added in May 2022; see dedicated section below].

Whereas the outgoing three-strong range was topped by a hybrid derivative, the second-generation line-up features (for now) only the NX 250 EX and NX 350 F Sport, neither of which benefits from any sort of electrification. Considering Toyota South Africa Motors’ recent hybrid offensive, we’re guessing such a powertrain option is on the horizon.

Revealed in mid-2021, the new NX rides on a fresh platform, allowing it to sport a longer wheelbase, wider tracks and a lower centre of gravity. While the exterior design changes are fairly subtle, the cabin has received quite an overhaul.

Priced from R860 000, the NX 250 EX employs a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine sending 152 kW and 243 Nm to all four wheels courtesy of an 8-speed automatic transmission. This model will reach 100 kph from standstill in a claimed 9.1 seconds, before topping out at 200 kph. Lexus lists a fuel economy figure of 7.1L/100 km.

The NX 350 F Sport, meanwhile, uses a turbocharged 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit, which sends its 205 kW and 430 Nm to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic cog-swapper, too. Although it’s a little thirstier at a claimed 8.1 litres per 100 km, Lexus says it will reach three figures in 7.0 seconds. The NX 350 F Sport kicks off at R1 075 400.

Despite effectively functioning as the base model, the NX 250 EX is generously equipped, shipping standard with items such as a powered tailgate, tyre-pressure monitoring, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable (and heated) front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, a 14-inch touchscreen system, a 10-speaker sound system and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The NX 350 F Sport upgrades to model-specific styling items (such as the F Sport grille and bumpers on the outside and the F Sport steering wheel, alloy pedals and shift lever on the inside), along with 20-inch alloys, adaptive high-beam LED headlamps, blind-spot monitoring, cornering lamps, sequential indicators, a digital rear-view mirror, genuine leather upholstery, an extra (Sport S+) driving mode, a panoramic sunroof, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and a 360-degree camera system.

Hybrid derivatives added to the range in May 2022

Lexus NX 350h

The freshly added hybrid derivatives are the NX 350h EX, NX 350h SE and NX 350h F Sport. The latest hybrid arrangement is build around Toyota’s familiar naturally aspirated 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. With the help of an electric motor, total system power is pegged at 179 kW.

Lexus claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.0 L/100 km, along with a 0-100 kph sprint time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 200 kph. The company says the hybrid system design has been “improved” thanks to a new front transaxle and a compact lithium-ion battery.

How much does the new Lexus NX cost in South Africa?

Lexus NX 250 EX – R860 000

Lexus NX 350h EX – R888 500

Lexus NX 350h SE – R1 040 700

Lexus NX 350h F Sport – R1 065 500

Lexus NX 350 F Sport – R1 075 400

The new NX range includes a 7-year/105 000 km warranty along with a maintenance plan of the same length.

Flat out in Porsche’s Cayman GTS, 911 GTS & Taycan GTS on track

The Porsche GTS badge takes an already complete offerings and enhances its dynamic abilities. We put some of the latest Porsche GTS models to the test on track.

What makes a Porsche GTS a GTS? The badge has been around for a long time but was brought back to life with the Cayenne in the 2000s. 

Besides a few neat option pieces, what else do you get in a Porsche GTS and why should you be interested in the model?

In this video, our racing ace Ashley Oldfield drives the full range of GTS Porsches on a track he doesn’t know to see what they’re all about and decide which is his favourite.

Looking for a used Porsche in South Africa? We have over 320 to choose from!


Cars.co.za’s Youtube channel is powered by Budget Insurance. For an instant quote, click here.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (2022) Specs and Price

The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro has landed in SA. Here are the specs and prices.

Chery has seen impressive growth since its re-launch last year. With two solid offerings in the form of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro and Tiggo 8 Pro backed by a substantial warranty and an ever-increasing dealership footprint, the brand is on the up. 

Now Chery SA has confirmed that its mid-range model is on its way to South Africa with the first shipment of Tiggo 7 Pro units due soon. “Chery is a much-loved brand in many countries that have a similar buying profile, road network and infrastructure as South Africa. For instance, in Russia, the model has been so successful that it has become one of the most popular SUVs in its class.” says Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery South Africa.

The 7 Pro will be positioned between the budget-friendly 4 Pro and the family-focused 8 Pro, and all models in the range will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder unit. This motor develops 108 kW and 210 Nm, and is paired to a CVT. This transmission features 9 steps to create that gearshift sensation.

Much like the rest of the range, the Tiggo 7 Pro will come fully loaded with an array of features, such as a digital instrument cluster, full HD infotainment system as well as digital controls from climate control. “Many of the features that our South African customers have come to love, will also be available on the Tiggo 7 Pro range. These include our omnidirectional airbag system, our 360-degree camera array for easy low-speed manoeuvring and parking and our Chery Voice Command system,” says Liu.

A cursory glance at the tech data suggests this new model is about the same size as a Hyundai Creta, with a wheelbase of 2670 mm and a total length of 4500 mm. This will bring Chery SA’s portfolio to a 3-model lineup, with no confirmation as yet for the entry-level Tiggo 2 Pro.

Features

  • Black leather with contrasting stitching
  • The driver’s seat features six-way electric adjustment, and in the Executive model, the passenger seat has four-way electrical adjustment as well.
  • Leather-clad steering wheel which is adjustable in 4 directions
  • Start-stop
  • 7-inch digital centre information panel in front of the driver
  • 10.25-inch LCD screen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth
  • Standard reverse camera
  • Two USB ports in front, 1 USB port in the rear
  • Wireless charging
  • Multiple colour ambient lighting
  • Four airbags
  • ABS brakes on all four disk wheels (ventilated in front) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA), Hill Start Assistance (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC). All models have Rear Traffic Alert (RTA) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).

Executive model adds:

  • Electric panoramic sunroof
  • Front passenger 4-way electrically adjustable seat
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and a 360-degree around-view monitor.
  • Six airbags

How much does the Chery 7 Pro cost in South Africa?

A source close to Cars.co.za has said the new model will be offered in two models. We understand the vehicle will be hitting showrooms in May 2022. We’ll have more info when the vehicle launches.

Tiggo 7 Pro Distinctive R409 900
Tiggo 7 Pro Executive R444 900

Want to purchase a new or used Chery? Browse vehicles for sale here.

Further Reading

Chery Tiggo 8 Pro facelift announced for the Chinese market

Cars.co.za Announces Sim Racer Search

Cars.co.za is looking to make a dream come true for a local Sim Racer with a unique sponsorship opportunity. Consisting of a monthly cash contribution and content creation pieces, our chosen Sim Racer will get to make a significant step forward in their racing career.

As South Africa’s leading automotive online platform, Cars.co.za is always looking to build on this in everything it does. The next step in this process sees it looking to the gaming sector, with a talent search to identify South Africa’s next big thing in the world of Sim Racing.

“The increase in popularity of shows such as Drive to Survive has resulted in an explosion of petrolhead passion. And with our background of always finding new and exciting ways to extend the Cars.co.za brand, we want to be involved in uncovering more of SA’s e-racing superstars that are evolving racing as we know it”, says Ross McIlroy, co-founder of Cars.co.za

Sim racing may be in its infancy in South Africa, but for those who are involved in it, the sport is already well in its stride. In 2019, professional e-sports organisation ATK created the ATK Pro Series – it features online sim races that are contested in conjunction with intercontinental GT races around the world. The series is even recognised by the SRO Motorsport Group, affiliated with the Kyalami 9 Hour (arguably the premier event on the South African motorsport calendar) and endorsed Motorsport South Africa. In fact, the ATK Pro Series attracted the notable sponsorship of Mercedes-Benz South Africa in 2021. 

Founder of ATK Warren Barkhuizen feels this is a great time for South African brands like Cars.co.za to get involved in this rapidly growing online sport. “When we initially had a plan for starting a dedicated Sim Racer platform in South Africa, we certainly didn’t envision the quality of talent that has risen so quickly to the top of our sport. We have young local racers already competing on the world stage, and with Cars.co.za looking to put a further spotlight on the talent out there, the standard of competition is only going to improve further,” says Barkhuizen.

How To Apply

Cars.co.za is looking for someone that gives their all in pursuit of the chequered flag, while also being a dedicated car person that can seamlessly fit in with our brand culture. 

Sim Racing stars to be eligible for selection, need to follow a simple profile build via the MatchKit.co platform. 

MatchKit is an online sporting profile builder allowing athletes in all sports to package all their online sporting attributes from social media credentials to the best of their recent content created.

By clicking on the Cars Sim Racer sponsored link https://bit.ly/carssimracer, they start the process. Applicants will need to link their Facebook/Instagram accounts first, then populate their profiles and publish. Once done with that, they then share their unique MatchKit URLs on social media with #CarsSimRacerSearch to stand a chance to be chosen.

A final three will be chosen by the Cars.co.za team, with the winner being announced on June 6th via the Cars.co.za social media accounts. 

The Prize

Cars.co.za is offering a monthly cash contribution of R10 000 to our chosen racer during the racing season of June – November. They will race in the ATK Pro Racing GT series in the colours of the brand. Together with that our racer will get to be involved in content pieces with the brand to boost their profile within the sport during the racing season of June – November 2022. 

For more on the Mercedes-Benz ATK Pro Racing Series – https://www.proseries.co.za/

Terms and Conditions

THE SEARCH IS CONDUCTED BY RETRO VIRAL ONLINE BRANDING PROPRIETARY LIMITED (REGISTRATION NO. 2014/257064/07) (“RETROVIRAL”) ON BEHALF OF CARS.CO.ZA. 

BY APPLYING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN OR PARTICIPATING IN THE SEARCH, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND THAT YOU ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 OR DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, YOU MAY NOT APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN OR PARTICIPATE IN THE SEARCH.

YOUR ATTENTION IS SPECIFICALLY DRAWN TO CLAUSES 4.2.6 AND 5.2 THAT LIMIT THE RISK AND LIABILITY OF RETROVIRAL AND/OR THIRD PARTIES, AND IMPOSE AN OBLIGATION ON YOU TO INDEMNIFY RETROVIRAL AND/OR THIRD PARTIES.

  1. Definitions
    1. “Applications” refers to applications to participate in the Campaign received by Retroviral.
    2. “ATK Pro Series” refers to the 2022 Mercedes-Benz ATK Pro Series online racing (sim) event run under the auspices of Mercedes Benz South Africa, ATK SimRacing and ProSeries in partnership with Gran Turismo South Africa.
    3. “Business Day” refers to any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or official public holiday in the Republic of South Africa.
    4. “Cars.co.za” refers to Cars On The Internet (Pty) Ltd t/a Cars.co.za (registration number 2016/041496/07).
    5. “Campaign” refers to marketing and promotional campaign undertaken by Cars.co.za in connection with the ATK Pro Series in order to promote the Cars.co.za brand and products, including the granting of the Sponsorship.
    6. “Matchkit” refers to Matchkit Inc. (registration number 85-0522481).
    7. “Personal Information” refers to personal information as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2012 (“POPIA”).
    8. “Search” refers the search for a suitable candidate to participate in the Campaign conducted by Retroviral in accordance with these Terms.
    9. “Sponsorship” refers to the sponsorship to be granted by Retroviral on behalf of Cars.co.za to a local South African sim racer to participate in the ATK Pro Series, more fully set out in clause 4.1 below.
    10. “Sponsorship Period” refers to the duration of the Sponsorship, which unless terminated earlier by Retroviral shall be from 1 June 2022 to November 2022 or such longer period as may be agreed in writing.
    11. “These/the Terms” refers to these terms and conditions.
  2. Eligibility and Application Requirements
    1. In order to be eligible to apply to participate in the Search and the Campaign, you must be a South African citizen and 18 years or older. 
    2. Applications are required to be submitted by 31 May 2022 by way of the following:
      1. the creation of an account on the Matchkit website using the following link:

https://bit.ly/carssimracer

  1. the completion and publication of your personal Sim-Racer Matchkit profile; and
  2. posting your unique profile URL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or TikTok using #CarsSimRacerSearch,
  1. Only applications submitted in accordance with the aforegoing will be valid. The determination as to the validity of any Application shall be within the sole discretion of Retroviral. Retroviral accepts no liability for any Applications that may be lost.
  2. Unless otherwise stated, you may only submit one application. Where more than one application is received from you, only the first Application received will be deemed valid. If it is established that you used multiple aliases to apply multiple times, Retroviral reserves the right to terminate your participation in the Search and/or the Campaign.
  1. Selection Process
    1. Cars.co.za will, within its sole discretion, select one applicant to participate in the Campaign based on the Applications. The decision of Cars.co.za in this regard is final and binding on all persons who submit Applications.
    2. The successful applicant will be announced on 6 June 2022 on Cars.co.za’s Instagram page and notified by means of the contact details provided to MatchKit and you consent to the disclosure by Matchkit of your Personal Information to Retroviral and/or Cars.co.za for this purpose. If Cars.co.za and/or Retroviral is, or a third-party supplier is, unable to contact the successful candidate within 5 Business Days of the date of publication of the aforesaid Instagram post, Cars.co.za shall be entitled, but not obliged, to select another applicant under the same conditions. 
    3. Retroviral reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to vary, postpone, suspend or cancel the Search or the Campaign or any aspect thereof, at any time and for any reason whatsoever, or modify or amend these Terms. In the event of such variation, postponement, suspension or cancellation, modification or amendment, you agree to waive any rights, interests and expectations that you may have in relation to the Search, the Campaign and/or the Sponsorship and acknowledge that you will have no recourse against Retroviral, Cars.co.za, Matchkit or any of their affiliates, sponsors and third-party suppliers.
    4. Retroviral and/or Cars.co.za’s decision on any matter concerning the Search, the Campaign or the selection process shall be final and binding on all applicants (including you), and no correspondence will be entered into.
  2. The Sponsorship
    1. The Sponsorship shall be for the period from June 2022 to November 2022 and consist of the following sponsorship benefits:
      1. The recipient of the Sponsorship will be paid an amount of R10,000 per month, the first payment shall be made within 5 Business Days of receipt of the successful candidate’s banking details and, thereafter, the remaining payments shall be made on the first Business Day of each following calendar month falling within the Sponsorship Period. 
      2. The recipient of the Sponsorship will race in the ATK Pro Series in a Cars.co.za branded car and using Cars.co.za’s branding.
    2. Should you be granted the Sponsorship, you acknowledge and agree for the duration of the Sponsorship Period:
      1. You will participate in all of the races forming a part of the ATK Pro Series.
      2. You will not conduct yourself or enjoy the above benefits in any manner which compromises or reflects unfavourably on the good name, reputation and image of Cars.co.za or in any manner which is contrary to applicable laws and regulations. 
      3. You will provide Retroviral and/or Cars.co.za with all such reasonable assistance as they may require in connection with the Campaign, including but not limited to cooperating with Retroviral and/or Cars.co.za in media and other promotional opportunities forming a part of the Campaign, the creation of monthly content for Cars.co.za’s online channels and attending such promotional events as may be agreed with Retroviral from time to time.
      4. You will not, for the duration of the Sponsorship, promote or advertise the products or services of any third party which competes with the products and/or services of Cars.co.za without Retroviral’s prior written approval.
      5. You grant to Retroviral and Cars.co.za the royalty free right to use your name, image and likeness in connection with the Campaign and the promotion of the products and/or services of Cars.co.za. 
      6. Your participation in the Campaign and the ATK Pro Series and use and enjoyment of the sponsorship benefits is at your own risk. Retroviral and Cars.co.za shall not be liable for, and you hereby indemnify Retroviral and Cars.co.za against, any loss, damage, personal injury or death incurred, suffered or sustained (including but not limited to that arising from any person’s negligence, including gross negligence) by you in connection with the Campaign, the ATK Pro Series or the sponsorship benefits.
      7. You consent to your name and involvement in the Campaign being made available to the public.
      8. Retroviral shall be entitled to terminate the Sponsorship forthwith on written notice to you in the event that you breach the provisions of this clause 4.2 or any other provision of these Terms. Upon termination of the Sponsorship, your entitlement to receive any sponsorship benefits will likewise terminate.
  3. Personal Information
    1. In terms of POPIA, Retroviral has a legal duty to process the Personal Information provided by you in a lawful, legitimate and responsible manner. To this end, you agree that Retroviral will process your Personal Information for purpose of evaluating your Application and share your Personal Information with third parties pursuant thereto, including but not limited to Cars.co.za and Matchkit.
    2. You hereby give Retroviral permission to use, store and process your Personal Information, as provided to Retroviral and/or Matchkit, in accordance with the provisions of Retroviral’s privacy policy (which is available on Retroviral’s website) and acknowledge that you understand the purposes for which it is required and for which it will be used. You unconditionally indemnify Retroviral against any liability that may result from the furnishing of your Personal Information in this regard.
    3. You declare that all Personal Information provided by you to Retroviral and/or Matchkit is accurate, up to date, is not misleading and that it is complete in all respects. You undertake to immediately advise Retroviral of any changes to your Personal Information and acknowledge that if it is found that any information that has been supplied is false, your Application may be disqualified.
  4. General
    1. Applicable Law and Jurisdiction: These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with South African law. You consent to the jurisdiction of South African courts and agree that any dispute arising out of these Terms or the interpretation thereof, both while in force and after its termination howsoever arising shall be submitted to and determined by a court of law in the Republic of South Africa.
    2. Changes: Retroviral may, from time to time, and in its sole discretion, amend these Terms. Such changes will be effected by way of publication, and you waive any right you may have to receive specific notice of such changes or modifications. 
    3. Waiver: No latitude, extension of time or other indulgence which may be given or allowed by Retroviral to you in respect of the performance of any obligation or enforcement of any right arising from these Terms and no single or partial exercise of any right by Retroviral shall under any circumstances be construed to be an implied consent by Retroviral or operate as a waiver or a novation of, or otherwise affect any of Retroviral’s rights in terms of or arising from these Terms or estop Retroviral from enforcing, at any time and without notice, strict and punctual compliance with each and every provision of these Terms.
    4. Notices: You choose the e-mail address submitted in connection with the creation of your Matchkit profile as your domicilium citandi et executandi at which all notices, legal processes and other communications must be delivered for the purposes of these Terms.

All notices, legal processes and other communications must be delivered to Retroviral for the purposes of these Terms by e-mail to the following address:

E-mail: [email protected] 

Any notice to a party delivered by email to its chosen e-mail address, unless the contrary is proved, shall be deemed to have been received on the day of delivery or transmission as the case may be.

Midsize Hatchbacks Fading Away? What SA’s Sales Figures Say

With only a handful of midsize hatchbacks still available in South Africa, what was once a thriving segment appears to be on its last legs. Let’s take a closer look at the figures for April 2022…

Remember the days when the C-segment hatchback was the default option for family transport? Well, a glance at the latest sales figures in South Africa illustrates just how far this once-bustling segment has fallen.

Yes, the crossover craze has crushed more than just the traditional sedan segment, with the midsize hatch (we’re talking about cars with exterior dimensions similar to those of a Volkswagen Golf) also suffering the effects. In fact, there’s a laundry list of hatches from this segment that have been put out to pasture in the local – and in some cases global – market over the past few years due to flagging sales.

The Ford Focus and Opel Astra are two of the most prominent relatively recent examples of locally discontinued C-segment hatchbacks (despite new-generation versions being offered in European markets), though the register of dearly departed also includes traditionally less popular models such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Kia Cerato, Renault Mégane and Peugeot 308, along with premium players like the Lexus CT200h and Volvo V40.

Mazda3 hatchback rear three-quarter view

So, what midsize hatchback options remain – for the time being, at least – on the South African market? Well, there are only a few, and none is selling particularly well. In fact, the best-performing player in the country in April 2022 was the Toyota Corolla Hatchback, with a mere 40 units registered (remember the sort of numbers the Auris used to achieve?). Of course, the slack has been well and truly picked up by the Prospecton-built Corolla Cross, which has proven immensely popular in SA. Next came the Mazda3 (34 units), ahead of the Audi A3 Sportback (25 units).

Interestingly, the remaining three models are all performance variants in their respective ranges, with the cooking derivatives no longer offered locally: the Hyundai i30 N (24 units), Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI (17 units) and Honda Civic Type R (1 unit, though technically this single registration could have come courtesy of the Civic sedan line-up since Honda Motor Southern Africa reports a combined figure for the two body styles). Of course, as halo models, hot hatches tend not to be volume drivers, so these fairly meagre numbers are to be expected (and were likely further reduced thanks to global supply constraints).

In addition, since BMW and Mercedes-Benz have made a habit of not reporting individual model sales figures on a monthly basis, it’s not clear how many examples of the 1 Series and A-Class hatchbacks were sold locally in April. Still, we’re willing to bet the numbers were modest at best…

All-New Range Rover Sport Revealed

The all-new Range Rover Sport has been revealed, bringing new levels of sporting luxury to the segment. Here’s all you need to know about the 3rd-generation Range Rover Sport.

The Sport has been a phenomenal success for Jaguar Land Rover and the all-new Range Rover Sport brings new powertrains, a fresh look and a luxurious cabin. The good news is it is confirmed for South Africa, and will be reaching showrooms by the end of 2022. 

Jaguar Land Rover is claiming this all-new Range Rover Sport is ” the most desirable, advanced and dynamically capable yet.” As far as engines go, the Sport will feature electrification with hybrids and a pure-electric model in 2024. There’s also petrol and diesel engines on offer, as well as a new V8. There’ll be S, SE, HSE, Autobiography levels of trim, with a special First Edition model available during the first year of production.

Visually, you can spot the all-new Range Rover Sport with its bold face. There’s nothing groundbreaking in terms of design here, an indication the Sport has aged rather well. At the rear, it’s a different story, with a radical new look. The tail lights have narrowed and there’s an air of minimalism. It’s not too dissimilar to the rear of the Evoque, but it looks upmarket. The overall design is sleek and the Range Rover Sport is said to offer excellent aerodynamic performance. 

There’s also an all-new interior featuring the latest tech and upmarket materials used. Land Rover has mentioned the use of ‘innovative and sustainable material choices, like tactile and lightweight Ultrafabrics.’ 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. 

Under the skin, the mixed-metal architecture (MLA Flex) is now 35% stiffer than the outgoing model and the vehicle features a new specially-tuned version of the Integrated Chassis Control system. There’s a new Dynamic Response Pro system that works with the Dynamic Air Suspension to provide ultimate roll control. This 48-volt electronic active roll control system is able to apply up to 1 400 Nm of torque across each axle to ensure new levels of cornering and body control. Every new Range Rover Sport will come with the new Dynamic Air Suspension. Other noteworthy tech includes all-wheel steering, torque vectoring by braking and an electronic active differential. 

Every Range Rover Sport will come with all-wheel drive and an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. The SA engine line up will comprise an extended-range Electric Hybrid, 6-cylinder petrol and diesel Ingenium engines and a new twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine. The P510e Electric Hybrid boasts an all-electric range of 113 km, thanks to a 105 kW electric motor and 38.2 kWh battery. This is paired to a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder petrol, resulting in a total output of 375 kW and 0-100 in 5.4 seconds

This new twin-turbo V8 is good for 390 kW and thanks to Dynamic Launch Control, is good for 0-100 in 4.5 seconds. Other notable engines include the P400 mild hybrid straight-6 and the 6-cylinder D350 diesel motor.

Want to buy a Range Rover Sport? Browse stock for sale now.

Further Reading

Range Rover 2023 Specs and Pricing Announced

Land Rover Discovery Review

Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Offers Business Class Rear Legroom

The luxury British carmaker has expanded its Bentayga family with the addition of a stretched model which focuses on rear passenger comfort.

This stretched-out Bentayga is said to fill the gap left by the Bentley Mulsanne, which is no longer in production. Some clever engineering has resulted in an extension of the wheelbase from 2 995 mm and 3 175 mm. The difference is all in the rear seating area and Bentley claims there’s more interior space than any of its traditional rivals.

It’s not just about space as Bentley has fitted what it calls Airline Seats. There’s an array of adjustment options, just like a Business-Class jet and the entire suite is controlled by a touchscreen. The seats can recline by 40 degrees and there’s some clever climate tech involved. Heating and cooling just isn’t enough for the average millionaire these days.

The Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase has sensors that measure your temperature, ambient temperature and surface humidity, and then the vehicle will decide on how much heating and cooling you’ll need for that perfect comfort level.

There are also sensors in the seats to detect where you’re positioned, and it will make incremental adjustments to reduce fatigue on long trips. No more numb butt cheeks then. Other wow features include power closing doors for the first time in a Bentley, heated rear door rest and arm rests, special lighting and this is all wrapped in one beautifully finished cabin that has diamond quilting and other fancy trim.

Visually, the newcomer can be identified by its extra-long rear doors. Only one engine is available and thats the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged petrol with 404 kW and 770 Nm. Despite its large size, its quick with 0-100 kph dispatched in 4.6 seconds.

That extra long rear door should be easy to spot, but to help differentiate the EWB from lesser Bentaygas Bentley has added a vertical vane grille from the the Flying Spur sedan and also offers the existing 22-inch wheels with a mirror-finish option.

Is it too much? We think not. The Bentley Bentayga is a vital model in the portfolio and already accounts for just over a third of Bentley sales. The more variants of Bentayga on offer will result in better sales. The first deliveries of this Bentayga EWB will start later in 2022.

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

Further Reading

Bentley Continental GT Speed Review