Following on from our regular review of the 2022 Isuzu D-Max, we decided to review it in a proper 4×4 scenario. Thankfully, we have just the person for the job as Ciro handed over the keys to our in-house off-road enthusiast Dieter.
Dieter Pey is one of our filmmakers here at Cars.co.za and he is a proper offroad enthusiast. And so our usual video journalist, Ciro De Siena, handed over the keys to the new Isuzu and Dieter headed out to the Honingklip 4×4 trails, about an hour and a half from Cape Town, outside Hermanus.
In this video, watch the new Isuzu D-Max tackle a cross-axle obstacle, cruise over some dunes and soft sand, and tackle some steep inclines. Dieter discusses the D-Max’s approach and departure angles, the diff-lock, and tries not to beat up the running boards.
We hope you find this review useful, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Haval to Ditch Petrol and Diesel Engines by 2030 – Report
Chinese automotive giant GWM has seemingly given its Haval brand until the end of the decade to completely ditch petrol and diesel power…
Chinese SUV brand Haval will reportedly abandon petrol and diesel engines as early as 2030 under Great Wall Motor’s freshly announced “new energy strategy”.
According to various publications, GWM made the proclamation at a dedicated event in China marking the “start of a comprehensive transition” to a new energy strategy for Haval. A fresh Haval logo was furthermore unveiled at the press conference, along with the latest version of the marque’s popular H6, this time featuring a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.
Though the 2030 deadline isn’t mentioned in GWM’s official press material, images showing the target date on a big screen at the Beijing event have been widely published in Chinese media. From what we understand so far, the cut-off is a global one rather than something restricted to the automaker’s domestic market.
The freshly revealed plug-in hybrid version of the H6 (also note the new Haval logo in the background).
“As the largest vehicle segment of Great Wall Motor, Haval has ushered in a comprehensive transformation of new energy. This will be a milestone for Haval, and it is also a milestone for Great Wall Motor on the road of comprehensive transformation to new energy,” said Mu Feng, President of GWM.
In the next few years leading up to the end of the decade, GWM says its powertrain development strategy will include “multiple technical routes”, including hybrid, pure electric and hydrogen energy. In fact, the Haval brand expects that 80% of its global sales will comprise electrified vehicles (including fuel-cell models) by as early as 2025.
What does Haval’s apparent looming shift away from internal combustion engines mean for the South African market? Well, as much as 2030 is just around the corner in automotive lifecycle terms, it’s perhaps a little too early to say. Regardless, it’s worth noting the Chinese brand’s impressive local growth has been built on the sales success of petrol-powered crossovers such as the Jolion and H6 (though a hybrid version of the latter is earmarked to launch locally relatively soon). But we can’t help but point out the South African market is crying out for affordable fully electric vehicles…
The Kia EV6 GT is the Korean brand’s most powerful production vehicle and the good news is the EV6 family is on its way to SA.
The Kia EV6 GT is a frighteningly fast and advanced vehicle. Packing 430 kW and 740 Nm, this interestingly-styled car can sprint to 100 kph in 3.4 seconds and maxes out at 258 kph.
Under the skin, there’s 800V charging architecture, a 77.4 kWh battery, a front mounted 160 kW motor and a rear mounted 270 kW motor. The handling and stopping list is also impressive, with huge brakes featuring 4-piston callipers, quicker ratio steering, electronically adjustable suspension, stiffened chassis, as well as an electronic limited-slip differential. There’s even a drift mode!
As far as charging is concerned, if you’re plugged into a 350 kW DC charger, you’ll go from 10-80% in under 20 minutes. South Africa doesn’t have chargers that potent yet, so expect slower charging times when the vehicle makes its way here. There are more and more chargers being installed in SA, view them here.
The Kia EV6 GT gets gorgeous sports seats
The Kia EV6 is highly lauded in European car markets, and we’re interested to see how its received and what the take up is locally. Yes, that’s right, it is coming to South Africa.
Don’t expect to see many on the roads as demand globally has been exceptionally high and like most brands, stock shortages are likely to come into play. According to a communication from Kia SA towards the end of August 2022, the brand said “while a local launch date has not been set, the available number of units will be small initially”
“We sense a healthy appetite not only for electric vehicles as a whole in South Africa, but also for the EV6 specifically,” says Gary Scott, CEO, Kia South Africa, highlighting that there are many factors influencing the decision, not least of which a consistent supply. “We are mindful that we must bring in products to cement Kia’s EV leadership position in the local motorist’s mind, but it will not make that impact as a niche passion project. People must not only desire the product, it must also be attainable.”
2023 EV6 GT is one very quick performer
Pricing will be critical, of course, but given the current crop of EVs in SA, we reckon something like the EV6 would be priced right amongst things like the BMW iX and Audi e-tron SUV. The EV6 GT is on another level in terms of performance and range, and will be priced accordingly. Consider where the Audi e-tron RS GT is positioned as a guideline.
Some would argue there’s a perception that Kia is a cheap brand, but we reckon the current raft of products buck that notion quite easily. “Kia is not a luxury brand,” he says. “We’re an alternative to luxury, with an undeniable blend of quality, design and technology. We will look to launch EV6 in limited volumes, and to introduce further models that will establish a more diverse powertrain offering across varying segments for private, commercial and fleet use.”
South Africa’s best and worst family cars are 7-seaters… and they are priced across a broad spectrum of the market, from very affordable to rather expensive.
South Africa’s default upper-middle-class family vehicle is the Toyota Fortuner, which is a 7-seater. But how often are the Japanese adventure SUV’s 3rd-row jump seats put to use? Very infrequently. That’s why there are so many of those “extra seats” stacked up against the walls of garages in upper-income security estates…
As a concept, the 7-seater vehicle configuration has merit, but it has drawbacks in terms of engine power (at the more affordable end of the market) and packaging (at the top end of the price range). Third-row seating was never really a thing for family cars until Chrysler launched the original Voyager in the 1980s. Packaged within the cabin architecture of this long-wheelbase MPV, the 3rd row of seats made terrific sense, but it also created a false expectation going forward…
Ladder-frame SUVs don’t play nice with 7 seats
Fortuner is an ideal all-terrain family vehicle, but it rarely serves as a 7-seat people carrier.
When SUVs started displacing large MPVs in the early 2000s, designers were tasked with incorporating people movers’ 3rd-row seating in ladder-frame-based vehicles. It’s an unenviable task, MPVs are designed to have 3 rows of seats, with good legroom and passenger access. SUVs, by contrast, don’t have floorpans and require additional ground clearance with greater suspension travel, creating a greater extent of wheel-well intrusion – it’s one of many packaging issues.
And that’s why contemporary ladder-frame-structure SUVs have horribly compromised 3rd-row seating. When you inspect the 3rd-row seats in a ladder-frame SUV, your first thought is probably: “I’m glad I’m driving and not sitting there.”
Frankly, 3rd-row seating in Toyota’s Fortuner is a world of discomfort compared to that in the marque’s legacy Previa MPV. Or, if you want a more current example, the long-distance travelling comfort in the 3rd row of a Quantum VX.
At the expensive end of the price spectrum, bakkie- or off-roader-based 7-seater SUVs’ compromised 3rd-row accommodation renders the idea of transporting more than a driver and 4 passengers on long trips virtually invalid. But then there’s a potentially worse scenario in South Africa, but at the affordable end of the 7-seater vehicle spectrum.
The issue with small engines and 7 passengers
The Triber, with Joburg’s skyline in the background. But when the Renault’s fully loaded, at Joburg altitude, it struggles.
Honda’s Mobilio and Toyota’s Avanza are no longer available locally, but Renault markets a 7-seater Triber and Datsun has the Go+ (while inventory lasts). Both these vehicles are afflicted by the combination of the performance dropoff that their tiny naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) petrol engines suffer on the Highveld (because the air is less dense upcountry than at sea level) and their ballooned kerb weights when they’re used to their full people-carrying potential.
Budget 7-seater MPVs are much more likely to drive with a full complement of passengers on board than any Fortuner, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X or Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. And that means their modest naturally-aspirated petrol engines have to work very hard to keep up with traffic, not to mention consume a lot more fuel than what their manufacturers claim they will. Run the numbers, and the issue becomes evident.
Renault’s Triber is powered by a modest 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 52 kW and 96 Nm. Those numbers aren’t awful for a non-turbocharged engine of that capacity and entirely reasonable for a compact hatchback. But the Triber isn’t a compact hatchback… It’s an affordable mini-MPV, with seating for 7; buyers purchase the model with the express intention of using its full seating capacity – and often.
The reality of 7-seater vehicles at altitude
For what you pay, the Tiber seems a great 7-seater. Until you try and drive up an upcountry mountain pass, with 6 passengers in situ.
Renault’s engineering specification for the Triber provides a fully-loaded vehicle mass of 1 522 kg (that’s the prescribed limit with 7 occupants and their luggage on board). The Triber has an impressively trim kerb weight of under 1 000 kg, which gives it a power-to-weight ratio of about 54 kW/tonne. Would you be satisfied with the overtaking ability of a compact hatchback, with similar power-to-weight numbers as the Renault, if it had 7 people on board? No, I didn’t think so.
At its full operating weight, the Triber’s power-to-weight number reduces to 34 kW/tonne. And it potentially gets worse.
Altitude becomes a real issue if you operate a fully loaded Triber on Gauteng, North West or Limpopo road infrastructure. In a naturally-aspirated petrol engine, the reference figure for altitude-adjusted power loss is about 10% per 1 000 m of elevation. In Gauteng, that’s a loss of nearly 16.8%.
In theory, the real-world power resources of a completely loaded Triber, at altitude, could be down to 28.3 kW/tonne. If you were offered a new compact hatchback with those numbers, you’d think twice about venturing near a highway…
The numbers don’t make sense in SA
The Datsun Go+ is well suited to India, where driving conditions limit cruising and commuting speeds.
Tribers sell in relatively healthy numbers – just as the Datsun Go+ once did – and they are used by drivers and owners, who move people about as a matter of routine, out of necessity or for business. And that means those, um, plucky engines, at altitude, facilitate a very compromised driving experience.
The Renault Triber and Datsun Go+, which are related, aren’t the happiest 7-seater motoring outcomes for South African users. Sheer affordability drives Triber and Go+ sales, but at altitude, those vehicles are a challenge to drive when they’re fully loaded, due to their underpowered engines.
Toyota, Suzuki, Honda and Mitsubishi offer markedly better 7-seater options, a segment above the Triber and Go+. With 1.5-litre engines, the Rumion, Ertiga, BR-V and Xpander all cope more confidently with the reality of carrying 7 occupants across the Highveld.
The ‘RAV4 7-seater’ we really need
Toyota’s Kluger. It has 7-seats and mild gravel-travel ability. An ideal South African configuration.
Oh, the irony – South Africa’s most popular 7-seater model has sufficient power to transport a full complement of passengers with consummate ease, plus it suffers negligible performance depreciation at altitude because its engine is turbocharged. However, the turbodiesel-engined Fortuner is rarely used in a 7-seater role, because its body-on-frame configuration creates an uncomfortable third-row passenger experience.
And therein lies the great 7-seater passenger vehicle quandary for South African car buyers. The 7-seaters that are powerful enough to transport their full complement of occupants lack proper 3rd-row seating ergonomics, while the affordable ones are woefully underpowered for their purpose. Consider that South Africa’s average highway speeds (at altitude) are much higher than those in India, where the Triber and Go+ are made, that’s why the Renault and Datsun seem gutless.
Honda’s solution to the dearth of compact fit-to-purpose 7-seater MPVs in the local market is the BR-V. It is powered by the most powerful 1.5-litre engine in its class (it produces 88 kW/145 Nm) and its 3rd-row seating is reasonably usable.
It’s such a pity Toyota does not offer the Kluger as part of its local product range. Available in Australia, it is a much better 7-seater family vehicle than the Fortuner and it’s unencumbered by the bulk and “minibus” silhouette of the Quantum.
The Haval H6 GT 2022 is expected on local Haval showroom floors in September 2022 and the newcomer will bolster the Chinese firm’s tightening grip on the South African market.
It’s not a question of if but rather when this rather good-looking Haval H6 GT will go on sale in South Africa. Images of the H6 GT on Haval’s stand at 2022 NAMPO in Bothaville, Free State, earlier this year caused a stir on social media platforms, hinting that perhaps its local introduction was much closer than we initially thought and that might very well be the case.
Back in January 2022, a representative from Haval SA had this to say: “I can confirm we will indeed be getting this car, the homologation is occurring at the moment so there’s one in SA already. We will hopefully have our press launch in around mid-2022 dependent on production and shipping which is still to be confirmed. So we hoping to have more fixed timings by mid-February.”
Reports from Australia confirm that supply restrictions have delayed the introduction of the Haval H6 GT Down Under but mass production of the model commenced in May 2022 and it will finally now go on sale in July 2022. This is likely to be the reason why the H6 GT has not yet been launched in South Africa.
The Haval H6 family car (and other models such as the Haval Jolion) are proving to be hugely popular in SA, so much so that supply is outstripping demand and with its sportier disposition, the H6 GT is likely to sell well in Mzansi.
What is the new Haval H6 GT?
The H6 GT is a sportier version of the popular H6 and is due in SA soon.
The Haval H6 GT is a sportier derivative of the standard Haval H6, much like the X4 is to the BMW X3, and Q5 Sportback is to the standard Audi Q5.
In the Chinese market, it’s known as the Haval H6S and while the H6 GT shares the same wheelbase (2 738 mm) as the H6, it’s bigger in every other dimension with a length of 4 727 mm (+74 mm), width of 1 940 mm (+54 mm) and height of 1 729 mm (+5mm). The front-end design is more aggressive with a larger grille and the coupe-like silhouette gives the model a sporty look which is complemented with dual spoilers and 2 exhaust tips. The H6 GT also rides on Michelin rubber and Brembo brakes are also fitted.
Buyers can expect a tech and feature laded cabin when the H6 GT arrives locally.
The sportiness continues inside where the latest Haval SUV gains unique cabin trim with Comfort Tek leather sports seats as well as a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Driver assistance and safety features are carried over from the H6 and you can expect features such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning.
Final SA trim levels are yet to be confirmed but we’re certain the model will have most of the following:
19-inch alloy wheels
LED headlamps, tail lamps, DRL and rear fog lamps
10.25-inch colour LED instrument cluster
10.25-inch colour multimedia touchscreen / 12.3 inch colour multimedia touchscreen
Intelligent Cruise Assist with Stop and Go
Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection
Lane Keep Warning and Assist with Blind Spot Monitoring
360 degree camera
Comfor-Tek Seats
Leather steering wheel
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Electric Tailgate
Panoramic Sunroof
Heated Steering Wheel
Wireless Charging
Front Ventilated/Heated Seats
4-way electrically adjustable passenger’s seat
Heads Up Display
Rear Cross Traffic Alert with brake
What engine is offered with the Haval H6 GT?
Under the bonnet of the Haval H6 GT is a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine with 150 kW and 320 Nm and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. We understand that the SA-spec models will feature all-wheel drive.
How much does the Haval H6 GT cost in South Africa?
The new H6 GT will be sold with a comprehensive warranty and service plan, with one particular dealer claiming a 7-year / 180 000 km warranty and a 5-year 60 000 km service plan.
The brand-new Subaru WRX faces the latest hot hatch to make landfall in SA, the Hyundai i30 N DCT. Which one is quicker? Watch now!
When the latest 2022 Subaru WRX arrived in the Cars.co.za garage at the same time as the latest 2022 Hyundai i30 N DCT, we felt we had the ingredients for a pretty tight drag race.
And so we headed out to the Saldanha airstrip outside Cape Town and lined them up…and here is the result!
We now offer a painless way to sell your car on Cars.co.za!
Lamborghini has unwrapped the refreshed Urus, giving its strongest-selling model the Performante badge, reducing its weight and uprating the V8’s peak power…
Italian firm Lamborghini has finally whipped the covers off its Urus Performante, with first customer deliveries of the facelifted “Super SUV” scheduled to take place before the end of 2022.
So, what’s new with Lamborghini’s best-selling model? Well, the big news is yet more power from the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, which now generates a heady 490 kW (up 12 units) and an unchanged 850 Nm. The Urus Performante has furthermore lost 47 kg, resulting in what the Italian company bills as a “best-in-class” power-to-weight ratio.
The claimed 0-100 kph time falls three tenths to 3.3 seconds, matching the sprint time of the 500 kW Aston Martin DBX 707, while its top speed climbs one unit to 306 kph (interestingly, four units behind the AMG-powered British high-performance SUV). Lamborghini furthermore says the SUV’s aerodynamic efficiency has been improved, with overall downforce increasing by 8%.
Meanwhile, torque distribution has been “optimised” thanks to the fitment of a new differential, delivering a ratio increase from 3.16 to 3.4 in drive conditions and from 3.02 to 3.33 when coasting. Specially developed semi-slick Pirelli P Zero tyres (285/40 R22 up front and 325/35 R22 at the rear) have also been adopted for “increased versatility”.
The front-wheel steering has been recalibrated to “enhance the connection with the road”, while the rear-wheel steering gains increased turn-in agility, which is complemented by torque vectoring of the rear differential. The Sant’Agata Bolognese-based automaker has also re-engineered the drive modes (Strada, Sport and Corsa) as well as added a new Rally selection. Designed for high-speed gravel driving, the latter “amplifies” the Urus Performante’s oversteer character thanks to optimised anti-roll and damping systems.
Styling changes for the 25 mm-longer Performante (now measuring 5 137 mm from nose to tail), meanwhile, include a more prominent bonnet and front-bumper design. The bonnet (including the air outlet) is forged from lightweight carbon fibre and offered as standard in body colour or as an option in partially visible carbon. The roof is also optionally available in carbon fibre. Lamborghini claims the “extensive use” of composite materials makes the Urus Performante the vehicle with the “highest number of carbon-fibre parts in its segment”.
New front air-intakes deliver increased engine cooling while a redesigned air curtain draws more flow over the front wheels. Round back, the updated rear spoiler increases rear downforce by a claimed 38%. The chassis has been lowered by 20 mm, with a wheel track that is broader by 16 mm, over which wider carbon-fibre wheel arches frame new 22- or 23-inch lightweight wheels (with titanium bolts). The lower rear bumper and diffuser also ship standard in carbon fibre, with a lightweight titanium Akrapovič sports exhaust likewise included in the purchase price.
Inside, you’ll find Nero Cosmus black Alcantara as standard with a new hexagonal seat stitching design. In addition to a range of new cabin finishing options, Lamborghini has added a fresh HMI graphic, complete with a dedicated design for the Urus Performante.
“The Urus Performante takes the supreme performance and distinctive looks of Lamborghini’s ground-breaking Super SUV to the next level, retaining its luxurious versatility and delivering the most engaging driving experience: not only on road but in every environment, distinguished through an alluring design that denotes new benchmarks for driving dynamism in what is already a remarkable car,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO.
“The Urus set a new standard at its launch, taking Lamborghini’s design DNA and technological talent and delivering the world’s first Super SUV for a new era: the Urus Performante sets the bar even higher for the SUV segment.”
Jeep Grand Cherokee L (2022) Launch Review
It has been quite a while since a brand-new Jeep Grand Cherokee made its way to our shores, but the new, 5th-generation model has finally touched down in South Africa. We got a taste of the new three-row model in Mpumalanga.
In the Republic, the Grand Cherokee has been quite the success story for the Jeep brand. The model, which first appeared back in 1993, combines elements of luxury, comfort, practicality and, of course, notable off-road capability – the latter is, after all, a Jeep calling card! The outgoing 4th-generation model offered considerable appeal, which is why there are many of them on our roads, so what can the longer 5th-gen model offer to enhance the talents of the American premium SUV?
What’s on offer?
At over 5 metres long, this Jeep may not fit into all garages.
What you see here is the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the one-letter suffix implies that it has a longer-than-usual wheelbase. No one will be surprised to learn that the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a large and imposing vehicle, but its length (all of 5.2 metres) makes some garages unsuitable to accommodate it. Thanks to that large, bold grille, there’s no denying the Jeep’s immense front-end presence; it will probably fill the rear-view mirrors of other road users’ vehicles from quite a distance!
This new product is the first three-row Grand Cherokee, which is to say it comes with seating or 6 or 7 occupants, depending on the derivative. Speaking of derivatives, there are 3 to choose from (Limited, Overland and Summit Reserve). Jeep SA has said the 2-row 5-seater variant is under consideration for our market, but did not provide an ETA.
Standard specification is comprehensive, even in the lower-tier versions. There are nice-to-haves such as a digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, up to 12 USB ports (Type A and Type C), heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel and much, much more.
There is only one powertrain available – a petrol-fed 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that produces 210 kW/344 Nm and is paired with an 8-speed auto ‘box. Jeep claims its new offering will consume an average of 10.6 L/100 km (it has an 87-litre tank).
The cabin is modern, luxurious and dripping with features.
What is the Jeep Grand Cherokee L like to drive?
When you step inside the Grand Cherokee L’s cabin, you’re greeted by one of the most luxurious and well-appointed cabins we’ve ever seen in any Jeep product. It looks upmarket with extensive use of leather and wood trim. There are buttons galore, which might intimidate some users, but once you familiarise yourself with the layout, you should find that it’s ergonomically sound.
The V6 petrol engine produces a pleasant noise (if you apply the accelerator pedal liberally), but it’s not the punchiest motor around. While the engine gets you up to the national speed limit without too much hesitation, executing overtaking manoeuvres (80-120 kph) requires forethought and careful timing.
See, with just 344 Nm on tap, which needs to propel an almost 2.2-tonne premium SUV, performance and responsiveness are not the Grand Cherokee L’s strengths. We were also at altitude, where naturally-aspirated engines suffer a 17% power deficit, so, in fact, we had around 170 kW available. We suspect that most customers will, like us, rather savour the Jeep’s relaxed and refined cruising ability.
The cabin is remarkably quiet and refined; we got the impression that the Grand Cherokee L’s occupants could travel a few hundred kilometres in the Jeep at a time and emerge at the end of their journey still feeling fresh. The 8-speed transmission is augmented with shift paddles on the steering wheel, but we felt it best to leave the auto ‘box to its own devices – it invariably delivered smooth, fuss-free ‘shifts.
The Grand Cherokee L offers a buttery smooth ride quality – it excels at open-road cruising.
Our launch route took us from Pretoria to the eNtokozweni (formerly Machadodorp) area. We had an opportunity to make an offroad detour, during which we sampled the Grand Cherokee L’s “gravel-travel” (dirt road) prowess. Given the prestige, luxurious adornments and heft price tag of Jeep’s newcomer, it didn’t feel quite appropriate to take such a vehicle onto the rough stuff – Range Rover owners could probably relate to that. It is nice to know that the vehicle has sufficient tech and capability to venture off the beaten track, however. Its off-road capabilities are impressive, with selectable 4×4 terrain modes, adjustable air suspension, low range and more. The clearance of 277 mm is particularly useful.
Given the outrageous number of mobile speed traps that were positioned on the N4 at the time that we drove along the route, we engaged cruise control at a, well, stately 120 kph. The Grand Cherokee L hides its speed well – there were times we had to double check that we were actually travelling at 120 kph. The level of the premium SUV’s NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) suppression is so lofty that it felt like we were driving much slower than 120 kph. We also had the opportunity to sample a few of the gadgets in the car, ranging from the front passenger-only entertainment screen (it’s not visible to the driver), to the premium McIntosh audio system, replete with 19 speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer.
Gripes? Well, we think the lack of a diesel powertrain in the range may deter a few customers… besides the premium price of 95 unleaded, those who wish to tow larger trailers would appreciate the benefit of the extra torque a diesel motor would deliver. We understand that the limited availability of 10 ppm diesel in Mzansi is the reason behind this “omission” from the range. Oh, and there is also that very American way of sounding an alert for just about everything. Door open? Ding. Seat belt undone? Ding. Drifting out your lane? Ding. GPS alerts of known speed camera spots? Ding. We tried in vain to mute them all, but without success. That particular audible alert will forever be etched onto my brain.
The passenger TV screen is an interesting and useful feature.
How much does the Jeep Grand Cherokee L cost?
The new Grand Cherokee L is sold with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and roadside assistance. A 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan is also included, with intervals every 12 months or 12 000 km.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited
R1 299 900
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland
R1 479 900
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit Reserve
R1 679 900
Summary
Could this be the best version of Grand Cherokee yet? We certainly think so.
Detractors may be quick to bemoan the Grand Cherokee L’s decidedly premium pricing, but the reality is when you consider other luxuriously appointed 3-row offerings from the likes of Mercedes-Benz (GLS), BMW (X7), Land Rover (Discovery) and Toyota (Land Cruiser 300), the Jeep’s new premium SUV starts to look like a relatively good value-for-money proposition. You don’t even need to fork out for the flagship Summit Reserve, because the Overland derivative is likely to be all the big family SUV you’ll ever need.
Our first taste of the American brand’s newcomer may have been short, but it was certainly sweet, plus we’re keen to get to know it much better in the coming weeks when a test unit arrives here at sea level (for context, Cars.co.za’s content team is based in Cape Town). First impressions suggest that Jeep has absolutely nailed the brief of providing a luxury 3-row offroad-capable large family SUV.
In the first of a new four-part video series, we are celebrating Continental’s 75th birthday in South Africa. We will be featuring cars that were originally fitted with Continental tyres and we kick off with this mint 1973 BMW 2002tii.
Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms, Photos: Justin Pinto
There is not a lot that Jaques Wessels doesn’t know about BMW 2002, and that includes the iconic Bavarian model’s general history and its racing pedigree. It’s the result of a true passion for this particular car and, consequently, Jaques has devoured every bit of reading material on the 2002 and, of course, also benefits from the intimate knowledge that comes from owning one.
His love of cars
“I got my love of cars from my dad. I was born in 1971, and from 1971 to 1985 we spent every year at Kyalami circuit. Back then you could spend a week there while the teams came down with their Formula One cars. That was kind of my first introduction to engines and petrol and has stayed with me my entire life.
“My dad was a BMW fan. However, I actually come from a family of dyed-in-the-wool Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, and he was kind of the rebel and decided to go with BMW. We had an E12 518 in a horrendous orange colour. And I remember being very embarrassed when he dropped me off at school because it had this very psychedelic hue. But then I grew to love the vehicle. We then moved on to E30 3 Series BMWs. In actual fact, my dad’s dream car was a 2002.
“One day in the mid-80, I remember this very well, there was a BMW dealership in the Free State town I grew up in, and a truck came through the town and on the back was a 2002 and my dad pointed the car out to me – and it was love at first sight. I said to him, I never ever wanted a new car, or a different car, when I get to the age that I can drive. We made a pact back then that my first car would be a 2002 – which it was.
“So, I had my first 2002 from the late-80s until 1994. We had two, I had a 2002ti and my dad had the bog-standard 2002. My dad passed away in 1994, unfortunately. At that time, I finished my studies and started working while the cars were just standing at my mother’s house. During the course of the ’90s we decided to sell both. But, I made myself a promise that I would find another one. My dream was always to get a tii because it had a mechanical fuel-injection system.
Acquiring the 2002tii
“In 1999 my company sent me to the UK for work. There is a large following in the UK for the 2002 as well as a specialist company, Jaymic, that maintains and restores these cars for the rest of the world. I thought to myself, this is your prime opportunity to buy a good one. I was lucky that after a four year search I came across this one – and I’m only the second owner. It used to… really… belong to an old lady.
“It was Easter weekend of 2003 when I saw this car advertised. I phoned the gentleman and he didn’t answer his phone. I literally left around ten messages. After the Easter weekend he returned my call and said he had about 15 enquiries, but I was the first person to leave a message, so I could come and have a look at the car first. I went to have a look and bought it. And it has been in my ownership ever since.
“I absolutely love the styling to start off with. I like German Bauhaus styling. Everything on this car serves a purpose – there are no fripperies. The other thing that I enjoy is that it has enough power, because it weighs under a tonne, and then the analogue feel of the steering. It is a heavy steering feel, but once you get going it has a very precise feel to it. The gearbox is also a delight, even though it is a four-speed ‘box.
“It offers fantastic visibility, is very practical and you can use it every day, and I use it as often as I can. It is not a trailer queen, I don’t believe in just storing cars. When they stand you doing them a complete disservice. In the summer time, I commute with it to Cape Town which is a 100 km round trip once or twice a week. The mechanical fuel injection especially needs a workout as they can become quite complex if you just leave them.
Maintenance
“This car is fitted with the M10 engine, it is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit. They are generally bulletproof, but it is a 50-year-old car. A couple of years ago I had a technician go through the car back to front. I would say the most problematic thing on these is the mechanical fuel injection system – they are complex and to work on them is time-consuming and there is not a lot of expertise in South Africa to work on them.
“I’ve done the brakes, I’ve replaced the pistons and rings and overhauled the entire suspension system. This was more preventative maintenance than anything else. The car has never left me stranded next to the road and is as reliable as any other car. Because I want to keep it, and keep it on the road, I believe in doing preventative maintenance.
“The wheels are period-correct 15-inch Alpinas. When these cars came out they had 13-inch wheels. I searched for these Alpinas for about three to four years and eventually came across a lady in Berlin who advertised them. I put in a bid on the auction and thankfully won it. The interior features period-correct Recaro seats. It is an upgrade a lot of enthusiasts did as the standard seats in a 2002 are quite flat. I’ve also fitted the fog light at the back and the two Cibie Oscar lights at the front.
“The best trip I’ve done in this car was actually in the UK when I bought it. In 2003, there was an Ayrton Senna festival at Donington Park and I drove the car there from London. That was very special because of my connection and love for Ayrton Senna.
To find out more about why so many car manufacturers fit Continental tyres to their cars, go here.
Electric M Incoming: BMW Reveals Quad-Motor Prototype
BMW’s high-performance M division has revealed details of a new fully electric prototype vehicle, which debuts a quad-motor powertrain. Does this preview a battery-powered M3 and M4?
We already know the soon-to-be-revealed new BMW M2 coupé will be the final full-fat M car powered by a pure combustion engine. So, what’s next? Well, the upcoming BMW XM will be the M division’s first hybrid, before things go fully electric.
In fact, BMW M has now – in its 50th year of existence – revealed a few details of a fresh prototype vehicle, based on the i4 M50 but upgrading to four electric motors. The Munich-based firm’s high-performance division says this concept opens the “next chapter in its transformation towards electric mobility”. Are we looking at a test bed for a battery-powered M3 and M4?
Well, the clues are certainly there. The prototype’s all-wheel-drive system comprises four electric motors and an integrated driving dynamics control system, which together provide what BMW M terms “an unprecedented level of performance and experience”.
BMW M says it is in the “midst of a transformation process towards electric mobility” which not only “preserves the unmistakable performance characteristics of its models, but at the same time enriches them with new facets”.
“On our anniversary, we are not only looking back, but above all also looking forward. Before the end of the year, production of the BMW XM, our first high-performance car featuring a V8 M hybrid drive, will commence,” said Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH.
A closer look at the quad-motor electric prototype
The prototype’s i4 M50 body has been modified “in typical BMW M style”, gaining wider wheel arches over specifically manufactured high-performance front and rear axles. The vehicle’s front end features an adapted M4 body strut concept for “particularly high torsional rigidity in extremely dynamic driving situations”.
But the core of the high-performance drive system is the electric M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, with the four electric motors connected to a central control unit. BMW M claims the fact each wheel is independently driven by an electric motor “opens up completely new possibilities for infinitely variable, extremely precise and at the same time very fast distribution of drive torque”. The result, says the company, is a level of dynamics “unattainable using conventional drive systems”, complete with “significantly higher cornering speeds”.
“Electrification opens up completely new degrees of freedom for us to create M-typical dynamics. And we can already see that we can exploit this potential to the maximum, so that our high-performance sports cars will continue to offer the M-typical and incomparable combination of dynamics, agility and precision in the locally emission-free future,” promised Dirk Häcker, Head of Development at BMW M GmbH.
