VW Golf 8 R Review – Is the most powerful Golf ever worth the hype?
In this in-depth, South African first video, our video guy Ciro De Siena and our race-ace Ashley Oldfield test the latest Golf 8 R extensively on road and at the famed Aldo Scribante race circuit.
Volkswagen South Africa afforded Cars.co.za an exclusive test drive of the all-new Mk8 Golf R and here is one of three videos we made while we had the car.
The Cars.co.za video team including race-ace Ashley Oldfield travelled to Gqeberha, which very much feels like the Volkswagen Capital of South Africa.
The new Golf 8 R has been significantly delayed in launching in our market. Volkswagen SA tells us they are facing major supply issues, with many woes caused by the war in Ukraine.
As such, the price of the Golf 8 R has not been revealed, and even though the Golf R media launch is taking place today, Monday 3 October 2022, the retail launch has unfortunately been pushed back to March 2023.
So, what is the price of the Golf R in South Africa? Well, we wish you could tell you, but it’s like VW SA hasn’t even settled on a price, given the volatility of world exchange rates and shipping issues. But as soon as we know, we’ll share it with you.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this detailed and thorough review of the new Golf 8 R on local South African soil.
This year is the 20th anniversary of Porsche’s Cayenne and, to mark the occasion, the Zuffenhausen-based brand has introduced special “Platinum Edition” versions of selected derivatives of its premium SUV. We drove an S Coupe example of the Cayenne Platinum Edition in the Western Cape recently.
Since its introduction in 2002, the Cayenne has been a mainstay of the Porsche line-up; it’s raked in big profits and bankrolled the further expansion of the brand’s line-up (and ensured the continued existence of some of its models).
Porsche South Africa has now introduced a special “Platinum Edition” specification line on selected Standard and Coupe derivatives of the 3rd-generation Cayenne, which was launched in our market in 2018. The line-up encompasses variants of the 250 kW/450 Nm Cayenne, 324 kW/550 Nm Cayenne S and the 340 kW/700 Nm Cayenne e-hybrid – prices range from R1 740 000 to R2 228 000.
There are no mechanical changes to the Platinum Edition derivatives; the focus of the package is a distinctive, aesthetically pleasing presentation, as well as the addition of a few extra standard features, notably a Bose audio system, 8-way electrically adjustable seats, a panoramic sunroof and LED headlights featuring PDLS (Porsche Dynamic Light System).
You can distinguish the Platinum Editions from standard Cayennes by their striking (and standard) 21-inch RS Spyder alloy wheels, Satin Platinum finishes for the badges, intake slats etc, black Sport exhaust tips and high-gloss black window trim. A similar theme continues inside, with chalk-coloured seatbelts, special aluminium trim pieces and Platinum Edition door sill guards.
My launch drive was in a Cayenne S Coupe Platinum Edition, which looked striking in a Jet Black finish and adorned with those multi-spoke 21-inch wheels. As is the case with all Cayennes, the cabin is superbly hewn with a solid feeling to all the controls and beautifully detailed finishes. A minor irritation is that the centre vents are positioned quite low, so be wary that your hand may brush the controls beneath the rightmost outlet and activate an onboard function unintentionally.
Despite its rakish lines, the Cayenne Coupe remains a practical car with good rear legroom and even -headroom. The load bay is capacious (625 litres) and its capacity can expand to 1 540 litres if you fold the rear seats down.
Given the Cayenne’s sizeable wheels (shod with ultra low-profile tyres) and its decidedly sporty suspension set-up, the SUV’s ride comfort is impressively supple over all surfaces. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels are also very low.
Under the bonnet is the VW Group’s always-impressive twin-turbo 2.9-litre 6-cylinder engine, which pumps out 324 kW and 550 Nm of torque from 1 800 to 5 500 rpm. The powerplant emits a nice, raspy, sound and is said to propel the 2-tonne-plus Porsche from standstill to 100 kph in 5.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 263 kph.
One of the Cayenne’s most impressive talents is its ability to be a superbly refined, comfortable daily driver, but one that comes alive when driven with verve on a challenging piece of road, such as the Franschhoek Pass. The 8-speed automatic transmission provides slick, fast shifts and there’s just so much grip on offer that the Cayenne never feels nose-heavy – it remains adjustable on the throttle deep into corners. The brakes, too, are superbly confidence-inspiring.
Summary
Of course, the option remains to spec a Porsche Cayenne to your own preferences (there are many options to choose from), but these Platinum Edition derivatives do provide a turn-key solution to putting a distinctively different (without going overboard) Cayenne on your driveway. All Platinum Edition-spec Cayennes come with a 3-year/100 000 km maintenance plan as standard, which can optionally be extended to 5 years.
Volkswagen has confirmed that the Tiguan R is now available in local showrooms, as of October 2022.
What engine powers the VW Tiguan R?
The Tiguan R is due to arrive in local Volkswagen showrooms in October 2022.
The VW Tiguan R features an uprated turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that develops no less than 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque. 4Motion all-wheel-drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring ensures notable improvements in agility and dynamic handling ability.
In terms of acceleration, Volkswagen says that the Tiguan R will be able to propel itself from zero to 100kph in 5.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 250 kph using a snappy 7-speed DSG transmission. An R driving mode further sharpens performance and this can be accessed via the multi-function sports steering wheel.
Stopping power comes courtesy of an 18-inch braking system with blue R calipers and the Tiguan R sits some 10 mm lower than the standard Tiguan. An adaptive suspension system is also fitted.
What features are offered on the VW Tiguan R?
The Tiguan R will feature sporty interior finishes to complement its performance.
The Tiguan visually differentiates itself with R design bumpers, matt chrome mirror housings, high-gloss black rear diffuser, black wheel housing extensions and the fitment of 20-inch Misano alloy wheels. Volkswagen offers up to 6 exterior body colours for the Tiguan R.
The Tiguan R is also fitted with a panoramic sunroof, front and rear park distance control and a Lights and Vision Package (with an automatic dimming rear view mirror and rain-sensing wipers).
Moving inside, the Tiguan R gains Nappa leather seats with R logos making a sporty statement as well as Carbon Grey trim and a customisable Digital Cockpit with a lap timer. Volkswagen’s Discover Pro infotainment system with integrated navigation is standard as is Wireless App-Connect, Voice Control, Active Info Display, Keyless Entry and an electronic tailgate.
Optional features available for the Tiguan R include a tow bar, IQ.Light LED Matrix Headlights, Akrapovič Exhaust, 21-inch Estoril alloy wheels, Head-Up Display, Mobile Inductive Charging System, Harman Kardon sound system, area view camera system with Park Assist and Park Distance Control, Rear view camera system with Park Assist and Park Distance Control, IQ.Drive Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Change System, Park Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking, IQ.Drive Adaptive Cruise Control with Pedestrian Monitoring and Autonomous Emergency Braking, IQ.Drive Adaptive Cruise Control with Autonomous Emergency Braking and Front Assist as well as the Trailer Manoeuvring System with Park Assist.
How much does the VW Tiguan R cost in South Africa?
Volkswagen Tiguan R – R999 900
The price includes a 3-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
DJ Speedsta on the cars he’s owned, how he taught himself to drive and his craziest car ever
DJ Speedsta – or Speedsta Bro, to his many fans – is a highly regarded South African radio DJ, club DJ, music producer and businessman.
With his laid-back demeanour (he arrived on our set on a skateboard!) mixed with sharp social commentary, he has built an army of fans, with his shows selling out and his singles topping charts.
In this episode, he joins us in the Cars.co.za #CarCulture studio for a chat about his love of cars and South African car culture.
Here’s what Episode 4 of #CarCulture entails: DJ Speedsta looks back on his experiences of meet-ups and park-offs, “going back to the ‘hood”, he and his dad’s shared passion for motoring, how he learnt to drive (clue: it did not involve driving lessons) and the long list of cars he’s owned.
Suffice it to say, you’ll never guess which car is his favourite… and which one he thinks is the craziest car he’s ever owned.
In our latest podcast, Ciro De Siena is joined by Kabelo Rabotho, from Nissan South Africa. What does the future hold for this Japanese brand in SA?
What’s the future of Nissan? Wide-ranging chat with Kabelo Rabotho, Country Director Nissan SA
What do you want to know about the Nissan brand in South Africa? You’ll probably find the answer in this interview.
Join us in the Cars.co.za podcast studio where Kabelo Rabotho joins Ciro De Siena for an in-depth discussion of Nissan’s future both globally and particularly in South Africa.
Kabelo Rabotho was candid in his answers and gave us some exclusive insight into the future of the brand, and what they have planned for South Africa.
Ciro and Kabelo chat about the upcoming launch of the Qashqai ePower in South Africa, which will become a rare new energy drivetrain for South Africans to benefit from. Ciro also asks if we will ever see a hybrid Nissan bakkie and the answer is interesting…
They also discuss Nissan’s electrification strategy, Nissan’s manufacturing success in South Africa and the African continent, and why the new Nissan Z Cars might not come to South Africa, and why the Nissan NP200 has been such a success story.
Yet another one bites the dust. The Nissan Micra has been discontinued in South Africa, with the well-known nameplate quietly riding off into the sunset after 18 years on the local market…
The Nissan Micra has exited the South African market. Yes, the Japanese firm’s local division has pulled the B-segment hatchback from sale, bringing an end to the badge’s 18-year run in the country.
Although Nissan South Africa didn’t respond to our queries on the topic by the time of publishing (though since has; see the statement below), we understand the Micra – which is also known in some markets as the March – was discontinued locally at some point in August 2022. For the record, the nameplate made its debut in South Africa back in 2004 (our market missed out on the first two generations), when the K12 model touched down.
The first Micra to be launched in South Africa was the third-generation (K12) model.
The fourth-generation (K13) Micra followed in 2011, before morphing into the prolonged lifecycle Micra Active in 2017. Finally, the fifth-generation (K14) model – which is closely related to the Renault Clio IV – launched locally in mid-2018, with the Active version continuing to be sold alongside its fresher 66 kW sibling for a couple more years.
At launch, Nissan SA promised the fifth-gen Micra would “revitalise the small car segment in South Africa”, pointing out that it played in “one of the most popular segments in the country”. The range expanded with a new flagship trim level in early 2019, before a more powerful 84 kW engine option arrived towards the end of that year.
However, local buyers didn’t ever really take to the Micra 5, which found itself struggling for scraps in a segment dominated by the Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo hatchback. Though the little Nissan was likely in a run-out phase over the past two months or so, it’s telling that just 95 units were registered in South Africa over the first eight months of 2022.
The fourth-gen Micra lived on in South Africa for a couple more years as the Active.
As an aside, the next-generation Micra is expected to be a fully electric vehicle, tipped to borrow the upcoming Renault 5’s platform and be manufactured by the French company alongside that model. However, it’s not yet confirmed this successor will indeed use the Micra badge.
The local demise of the Micra follows that of another once-popular B-segment hatchback, the Ford Fiesta. Back in March 2022, the Blue Oval brand confirmed to Cars.co.za the Fiesta had been discontinued locally. Other Nissan models axed this year include the 370Z, NP300, NV350 and GT-R, while the Japanese firm’s Datsun line-up (comprising the Go and Go+) also exited South Africa in 2022.
UPDATE: Nissan SA has issued a statement from Country Director, Kabelo Rabotho, to Cars.co.za. It reads as follows: “In line with the Nissan Next mid-term plan which focuses on rationalisation whilst maintaining a customer-centric strategy, the Nissan Micra has reached the end of production. This strategy has been supported by the introduction of new products in 2021 which included the globally award-winning Magnite and the locally built Nissan Navara, which won the ‘2022 Car of the Year in the 4×4 Double Cab Segment’.
“In September 2022, the all-new Qashqai re-entered the crossover segment and customers can look forward to the addition of the e-Power version of Qashqai in early 2023, followed by the introduction of the all-new Nissan X-Trail. Nissan is committed to ensuring that Micra customer services needs continue to be met through the availability of service parts after the production of the current Micra ends.”
New Lamborghini Urus S Unveiled with Performante Power
Lamborghini has unleashed the new Urus S, which matches its Performante sibling on power (but weighs a little more) and sports slightly less extreme exterior styling…
When Lamborghini unwrapped the refreshed Urus in August 2022, it detailed only the Performante derivative. Now, a new Urus S variant has been unleashed, with the same peak power and torque figures as the Performante.
That means the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine in the Urus S generates 490 kW and 850 Nm, outputs that are delivered to all four corners through an 8-speed automatic transmission. However, since the latest version doesn’t benefit from various of the Performante’s weight-saving measures (the Urus S has a listed kerb weight of 2 197 kg, which is 47 kg more), it’s a touch tardier to three figures.
Still, the claimed 0-100 kph time of 3.5 seconds (two-tenths down on the Performante) is hardly pedestrian. The 200 kph mark is reached in a claimed 12.5 seconds, while top speed is listed as a heady 305 kph (a mere unit behind the lighter version). Lamborghini says the exhaust system, meanwhile, has gained a “more distinct sound at start-up and a sharper note in each drive mode”.
Since it employs the same powertrain calibration as the Performante, the Urus S delivers what the Italian firm describes as “optimum responsiveness and performance when required, alongside luxurious everyday driving pleasure”.
How else does the Urus S differ from its Performante sibling?
Where the Urus S does differ is in its exterior styling, which is a little less extreme. For instance, the newcomer gains a fresh front-bumper design (incorporating a matte-black stainless steel skidplate as standard). The new carbon-fibre painted bonnet, meanwhile, comes with matte-black air vents, with optional finishes to the vents in gloss black, body colour or carbon fibre. There’s also an optional exposed carbon-fibre roof available.
Revised rear-bumper styling includes a matte-black-painted lower section with a fresh twin-pipe exhaust design in brushed steel as standard (or various other optional finishes). New alloy wheel options are also offered alongside the standard 21-inch items, including 22-inch Nath rims (titanium matte with a diamond polish finish) and 23-inch Taigete wheels (bronze with a diamond polish finish).
The Sant’Agata Bolognese-based automaker furthermore offers five style configuration options, each featuring unique combinations of body paint colour, black trim and carbon-fibre components (in shiny or matte finishes). Inside, the Urus S gains a “fully revised” colour and trim offering.
“The Urus has proven its appeal for those seeking the decisive combination of the sportiest SUV and a Lamborghini to drive every day: the Urus S sits perfectly alongside the new Urus Performante, for those choosing the purest sublimation of performance, luxury and versatility,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.
“The Urus’ commercial success, with more than 20 000 vehicles produced, is testament to its credentials as the first and enduring Super SUV: the Urus S elevates that reputation.”
Hyundai Staria Multicab (2022) Review
It may look like a vehicle that was procured from the set of a science-fiction movie, but Hyundai’s futuristically styled MPV – the Staria – has proved a revelation. As the model finds success in the local market, new derivatives are being introduced to the line-up – and the Multicab might just be one of the most practical family cars on the market.
We like: Practicality of a 5-seater family car and a panel van. Modern infotainment and tech.
The Staria Multicab combines a family car and panel van into one.
Upon its South African introduction in late 2021, the Hyundai Staria replaced the long-serving H1 model. With all due respect to the H1, it was an all-too-conventional shuttle for people (or goods) that lacked the design flair or mod cons to genuinely attract buyers of large family cars. The Staria looks interesting in a way that it combines elements of a Dalek (a robot-like creature from the Dr Who series), the lighting from a fibre router and, at the rear, one of those fancy gas-fire contraptions that outdoor restaurants use in winter. I doubt those influences featured on the Staria design team’s mood board, but they do stimulate discussion… van drivers aren’t accustomed to commenting on the shapes of their vehicles.
The Hyundai Staria 2.2D Multicab combines 5 seats (2 up front and 3 in the rear) with an enclosed panel-van load bay behind the rear passengers. If you think about it, it’s an ideal combination – you get the comfort of a family car up front and then nearly 3 000 litres of load space at that back (in the panel-van section). In terms of value, it’s a veritable bargain at R770k, at least when compared to your traditional SUV options. Surely there must be a catch? Well, let’s find out…
How the Staria Multicab fares in terms of…
Practicality
You can stack the load bay until to your heart’s content. The Staria has a humungous load bay.
It’s difficult to accurately describe just how practical it is to have a panel-van section at the back of your family car. There’s a lot of peace of mind in having a completely enclosed loading area that can be locked and isn’t exposed to prying eyes. The sill is nice and low, which makes it easy to load heavy items into the bay; it also enables you to stack things up until you reach the height of the roof. In fact, there’s so much room in the load bay you may pack things you don’t really need.
We used the Staria 2.2D Multicab to take a week-long trip to the Overberg. Usually, a mountain bike comes along for the ride (ahem!), as well as your usual holiday gear and assorted detritus, but this time the road bike was loaded up too, well, because it also fits in the back, as well as an indoor cycling trainer, a fan, some golf clubs and all the usual luggage, for 4 people. The separate load bay also means you can throw dirty items in the back without having to worry about the leather upholstery getting covered in dust or grime. To give you more examples, the load-bay keeps sand, from surfboards and wetsuits, or mud, from mountain bikes, out of the passenger space – and the space can easily be cleaned later.
Rear passengers have plenty of space, even with the front seats in their rear-most settings.
Besides the obvious benefits of the panel-van section, passengers have plenty of room in the rear and the sliding doors open on both sides of the Staria Multicab. The doors are easy 1-touch open and close, which eliminates the hassle of having to heave them closed when the MPV is parked on an incline. They aren’t electrically-operated doors per se, but there is an assist function that makes sliding them closed much easier.
The rear passengers are closed off from the load-bay area creating a passenger “bubble” that does a good job of muffling the noise you get from the floor of the panel van (amplified road noise and the literal echo-chamber effect you usually encounter in a panel van). This seating configuration does mean that the rear seats don’t recline – their backs are quite upright – but there weren’t many complaints from aft passengers, even after they’d spent 2 hours sitting on the bench.
The Staria isn’t an SUV, but it drives better than most other vans.
Considering that the Staria is a light commercial vehicle at its core, it’s quite good to drive. It doesn’t exhibit as much body roll as others models in the segment and it rides out bumps – and other road imperfections – relatively well. There is a little bit of crashiness to the suspension when the Multicab traverses bigger bumps, but you don’t get that floaty/boaty feeling that seems so characteristic of very long wheelbase vehicles.
The steering is on the lighter side, but provides enough feedback that you can easily place the Staria and keep it centred in its lane. With vans, you can often feel like you’re driving in a ‘90s sitcom, which is to say constantly sawing at the ‘wheel to correct the van as it gets buffeted/crabs across the road. The Staria feels more planted and straight-tracked in that regard. It’s far more car-like to drive than almost any other van (this side of a pricey Mercedes-Benz V-Class).
The seating position is still cab-forward like in a van, so there’s no hiding the fact that you’re driving an MPV – not an SUV. It’s also particularly difficult to park in a regular parking space so you tend to have to look at the outer limits of a parking lot to find an easier spot to, um, dock. That said, the reverse camera is high-res and helpful enough to manoeuvre the Staria with some ease. It’s a must-have feature, considering you don’t get a view out of the rear of the Staria Multicab.
Performance and economy
The Staria makes use of the same engine and transmission as the Hyundai Santa Fe, but with different outputs.
We’ve gained a lot of experience with the 2.2-litre turbodiesel Hyundai/Kia motor throughout the past few years. The engine is used in many of Hyundai’s SUVs and is usually up to the task, well, to a lesser extent in the gargantuan Palisade.
In this format, the 2.2 litre produces 130 kW and 430 Nm of torque and we found the Multicab’s performance more than adequate on the freeway. Even when fully loaded, the MPV can maintain the national speed limit with little difficulty, with surfeit torque available if you need to execute overtaking manoeuvres. Around town, it’s got enough “get up and go” to keep up with traffic, while the well-calibrated auto ‘box facilitates a smooth and comfortable driving experience.
The test unit’s fuel economy was good during its tenure in our fleet – after clocking up 1 000 km over 2 weeks, the indicated consumption figure was 8.9 L/100 km. In town, the Staria’s going to be thirsty because it’s a hefty vehicle, but it’s quite efficient once you’re out on the freeway or open roads. An SUV with similar power/torque will almost certainly be more fuel efficient than the Multicab, and that’s an area where you may have to accept that it won’t be as effective as an SUV.
The Staria Multicab is only available in front-wheel-drive guise and that might be its only major drawback as a family vehicle. South Africans love to travel to difficult-to-reach locations and an all-wheel-drive version of the Multicab would further entice contemporary family-car buyers. Nevertheless, it will still get you to the same places that a regular two-wheel-drive SUV would, because its ground clearance (186 mm) is similar to that of a medium SUV, such as the Hyundai Tucson.
In-car technology and safety
The cabin is very modern with all the features of a new SUV.
The majority of “vans” draw the short straw on the technology front, but the Staria feels like a modern car in that regard. It gets a full digital infotainment system (with Bluetooth, plus Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility), which is the same as you get in Hyundai’s SUV lineup. There are 2 USB ports up front, 2 in the rear and a wireless charging bay for front occupants. Strangely, when it comes to climate control (auto aircon), the Multicab is single-zone only.
In terms of safety, the Hyundai is fitted with 6 airbags in the passenger cell and comes equipped with the full suite of ABS, EBD, traction control and electronic stability control. Nice-to-have features include daytime running lights, folding side mirrors, cruise control and park distance control (front and rear) in conjunction with a reverse-view camera, as we mentioned above.
The Hyundai Staria 2.2D Multicab costs R764 900 (September 20222) and comes with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty with a 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty. The service plan is valid for 6 years/90 000 km.
The Staria Multicab could be in with a shout as the most practical family car on the market.
The Hyundai Staria 2.2D Multicab represents a bit of a bargain when compared with family SUVs in its price range. There isn’t another van offering we can think of that is a family car at one end and a (separate) panel van at the other.
South Africans tend to choose bakkies at the R750k price point, but the Multicab makes an extremely good case for itself by virtue of offering more passenger space, more (fully enclosed) loading space, and better fuel efficiency than double cabs do. All of your stuff isn’t on display in the MPV either – it’s still more practical than utilising a canopy on your bakkie. The only area in which it may be deficient is the lack of all-wheel drive, but how often do you really need 4×4 capability?
Overall, the Staria Multicab offers a lot of vehicle for the price. It’s got a capable drivetrain, a car-like infotainment and onboard tech setup, as well as a full house of safety features. With your thinking cap on, it could easily be the most practical family car on the new-vehicle market. Considering the Staria comes with a 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan, this genuine multipurpose vehicle is a good proposition for long-term ownership.
Refreshed BMW Z4 Revealed, Coming to SA in 2023
BMW has whipped the covers off its facelifted Z4, with the subtly updated roadster scheduled to arrive in South Africa in 2023. Here’s what we know so far…
The third-generation BMW Z4 has been handed a mild facelift, including exterior design tweaks, added standard equipment and a few fresh options. Though BMW Group South Africa says it has yet to nail down final specifications, it has confirmed the updated Z4 will be available locally in the second quarter of 2023.
First up, we should point out the powertrain range in Europe carries over unchanged. That means the flagship derivative is again the Z4 M40i, which draws its urge from the Munich-based firm’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre, straight-6 petrol engine, driving the rear axle through an 8-speed automatic transmission.
However, it’s interesting to note the European press material lists this engine’s peak power output as 250 kW (along with maximum torque of 500 Nm), while the current Z4 M40i offered in South Africa boasts a figure of 285 kW (the power update for our market took place in 2020, just over a year after the Z4 arrived). Whether the facelifted version of the SA-spec Z4 M40i retains this loftier output or reverts to the Euro-spec figure remains to be seen.
BMW also made no mention of the rumoured option of a 6-speed manual gearbox for the Z4 M40i. Considering Toyota now offers this cog-swapper in the closely related GR Supra, it’s theoretically possible, at the very least. That said, even if it materialised, we wouldn’t expect such a gearbox to be available in South Africa considering BMW Group SA’s range features only automatic transmissions.
What about other engine options? Well, the current G29-generation line-up in South Africa also includes the sDrive20i powertrain, which comprises a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit sending 145 kW and 320 Nm to the rear rubber. This engine option also carries over without alterations, as does the sDrive30i (190 kW/400 Nm) available in Europe.
A few minor updates for the G29-generation BMW Z4
So, what has changed? Well, 4-cylinder versions of BMW’s open-top 2-seater now receive the M Sport package as standard (suggesting the Sport Line trim level has been nixed), while three new exterior paint colours (Thundernight metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic) are offered.
A set of 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in a double-spoke design is now standard and fitted with mixed-size tyres (225/45 R18 fore and 255/40 R18 aft). Additional M light-alloy wheels – bearing a new V-spoke design, a Jet Black matte finish and diamond polished rim edges – measuring 19 inches in diameter also enter the list of options.
Other updates include a redesigned version of the grille (the kidneys now take on a horizontal inner structure) and revised side air intakes. The M lights Shadow Line option is also now available and can be ordered in conjunction with the likewise optional adaptive LED headlights.
The current BMW Z4 has been on the global market since 2018 and is built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. BMW says more than 55 000 examples have been sold worldwide since launch, with the M40i accounting for in excess of 30% of sales “in recent times”.
“In a generally diminishing vehicle segment, the BMW Z4 has maintained extraordinarily consistent sales volumes since it went on sale. From day one, it has been by far the highest-selling model in a hotly contested class populated exclusively by German premium brands. And it has consistently increased its market share ever since,” says BMW.
A report from earlier this year, however, suggests Z4 production will end in 2025, with no successor in sight.
Expect pricing and final specifications to be released closer to the upgraded Z4’s arrival in South Africa in the second quarter of next year.
More Than Just Insurance – The Importance of Added Insurance Products
Buying a vehicle is a long-term decision and we want to help you make an informed one with our Street Smart series, brought to you by Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. In this episode, we chat with Absa’s Pascal Siphugu about the importance of value-added insurance products.
PARTNERED CONTENT
While taking out vehicle insurance is vitally important, consumers don’t always understand the importance of value-added insurance products when taking out a vehicle finance loan. These include solutions such as mechanical breakdown warranty and tyre and rim cover. However, two solutions play a particularly significant role – extended cover and credit protection. Pascal Siphugu, General Manager: Bancassurance, Absa Insurance company, tells us more…
What is Extended Cover?
SIPHUGU: Extended Cover, which is also known as credit shortfall insurance, top-up- or gap insurance cover, is designed to cover the difference between your vehicle’s retail value or the amount for which the car is insured and the outstanding balance or amount that you owe on your loan. Extended Cover kicks in if your vehicle is stolen or written off as a result of an accident.
Why is Extended Cover so important?
SIPHUGU: Financing a car means paying monthly instalments to the bank. A vehicle’s value depreciates the older it gets – it will depreciate by between 15- and 20 percent in the first year and by approximately 50 percent after 5 years. Therefore, you’ll have a gap between what your comprehensive policy pays out and what you owe to the bank. If your car is stolen or written off, you’d still need to continue paying your car instalments.
And just because your car is worth less does not mean that there will be a drop in the amount that you owe on the loan. Your insurance payout may not be enough to cover what is owed on your finance agreement.
Extended Cover will assist in covering the shortfall, the last thing you want is to keep paying off a car that you don’t own anymore.
Another value-added product, the value of which may be underestimated, is Credit Protection. Can you tell us what that is?
SIPHUGU: Credit Protection is a type of insurance that can be used to pay debts or make monthly repayments on a customer’s behalf in the event of an unforeseen life event. It can be used to pay off a range of debts, including vehicle finance loans, home loans, personal loans, credit cards and so on.
Which life events can be covered by Credit Protection?
SIPHUGU: Depending on the option you choose, Credit Protection plans can cover your debt in the event of loss of income, critical illness, temporary disability, permanent disability, terminal illness or death.
It will either settle your outstanding vehicle loan or pay your monthly repayments for a limited period of time when your obligations become due after an insured event has occurred.
Can a credit provider insist on a customer taking out credit life insurance during the contract period of the loan?
SIPHUGU: Yes, they can, so that the loan can be paid off if anything happens to the customer that limits their ability to pay their debt.
For extra information on how you can become a better consumer, keep a lookout for more episodes from our Street Smart series and be sure to visit the Absa blog.
Absa’s Fulufhelo Mandane discusses what you need to consider before you start shopping for a vehicle, the costs of ownership and your various finance options. Absa First-time Buyer Guide to Vehicle Finance
Absa’s Gordon Wood details how the new Aftermarket Guidelines, which were introduced in the motor industry last year, affect you as a vehicle owner. Absa’s Guide to Responsible Vehicle Ownership
