Volkswagen Lamando L Revealed but Sadly Its China-Only
The Volkswagen Lamando is proof that the sedan body style is not quite dead.
This rather good-looking car is the Volkswagen Lamando L and while there are some visual similarities between it and the striking Peugeot 508, there’s nothing shared mechanically between them.
It’s a sedan but not quite as we know it, with it technically being classed as a 5-door liftback. Think of the Audi A5 Sportback, with its 5-door setup, but it looks a bit like a coupe.
The Volkswagen Lamando features a sloping roofline and frameless side windows, and this new generation of Lamando is underpinned by the MQBevo platform, which can also be found under the current Golf and Caddy. As far as dimensions go, the Lamando is 4.78 metres long, which is just shorter than the big Volkswagen Touareg.
The exterior is good-looking, with lots of interesting quirks. As red is a deeply symbolic colour for the Chinese market with associations to luck, joy, and happiness, this Lamando is finished in Kings Red Metallic. Inside, the cabin gets the brand-new infotainment system that we’ve seen and experienced in the new-spec Volkswagen Tiguan and Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI.
You’d think a car of this size and stature would get a commanding engine range, but it appears that the only engine on offer is the turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol with 120 kW. Pity.
Sadly, this vehicle is earmarked for the Chinese market, which still has a strong desire for the sedan body style. The last sedan sold in South Africa was the Volkswagen Arteon, which was withdrawn from our market on the back of poor sales. There are still a few units floating around on our listings, with both petrol and diesel being available.
A teaser image suggesting a high-performance Volkswagen Golf is due to be revealed soon, but what could it be?
The current Volkswagen Golf family has something for everyone. The standard Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI offers a great blend of performance, luxury, and tech, while the all-wheel-drive Golf 8 R will be touching down in SA in 2022.
For the European market, there’s a Clubsport model that’s based on the standard GTI, but with more performance. This teaser raises a few questions, however.
From what we can see, the wing looks very close to the one found on the Volkswagen Clubsport and the shape is not too radically different.
The current Clubsport 45, which is offered in Europe.
We know Volkswagen is capable of making quick and specialised performance weapons, as witnessed with the introduction of the VW Golf Clubsport S, which made its way to SA in very limited numbers. Could this be the all-new Clubsport S, complete with trick tyres and a stripped-out cabin, ready for the Nurburgring?
As UK publication Evo pointed out, 2022 does mark 20 years since the debut of the original Mk4 R32. That car featured a thundering 6-cylinder petrol engine and SA Veedub fans will rejoice if there’s an R32/VR6 successor.
Another possibility is this platform will gain the 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. We used to think this powertrain was exclusive to Audi, but seeing as its available for the SEAT Cupra Formentor sports SUV, we can’t rule it out. It’s unlikely, but not impossible, but the idea of around 290 kW in a hot Golf sounds like a recipe for a lot of fun.
We’ll find out exactly what exactly this high-performance Golf is in a few weeks.
The GWM Tank 100 has leaked early and looks to be pitched directly at the Suzuki Jimny.
Update: So it turns out that the images you see here are in fact cheeky Photoshop efforts and not the real GWM Tank 100. It has yet to be revealed, so we’ll look out for it in the future.
What you see here is the latest product from the Chinese carmaker. It’s the GWM Tank 100, and it looks to be inspired by and will be taking on the Suzuki Jimny. GWM’s Tank brand focuses on high-end offroad capability, and the range will comprise of multiple differently-sized SUVs. The Tank brand was revealed in 2021, and already over 84 000 units were delivered that year.
The current model lineup comprises the Tank 300, a mid-sized SUV as well as the big Tank 700 and Tank 800 – two large flagship SUV offerings. The Tank 500 is a steel ladder frame platform SUV that’s aimed at the Prado. The Tank 500 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, boosting 260 kW and 500 Nm with a 48V mil-hybrid system.
What you see here thanks to CarsGuide, is the GWM Tank 100 which is likely to be the smallest Tank offering. Now we’re not design specialists, but there look to be quite a few similarities between the Tank 100 and the vehicle it’s aimed at, the Suzuki Jimny.
As far as engines and offroad capabilities go, rumours suggest it will feature a low-range system with three differential locks. Impressively, the rumoured engine could be punchy with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol motor with 167 kW and 387 Nm. These outputs are more than double the Suzuki Jimny’s.
It’s still early days for now, but as soon as we get official confirmation from GWM, we’ll update this story.
Ford is developing an all-new Ford Mustang which is expected to be revealed this year.
The Mustang is a huge money-spinner for Ford and it has consistently been crowned as the world’s best-selling sports car. Production for right-hand-drive markets has contributed to the Mustang’s overall success and it has sold strongly ever since the 6th-generation Mustang landed in South Africa back in 2016.
Now, a new 7th-generation Mustang (known internally as the S650) is in the making and Ford will undoubtedly look to build on the success of the iconic muscle car. No pressure.
What you see here is a heavily camouflaged Mustang prototype in a production body, giving us a first look at what to expect from the new Mustang. At first glance, it doesn’t appear to be a radical design departure from the current generation but the Mustang’s front-end will likely be more angular while retaining its muscular bonnet and vertical front-end design albeit with a new bumper and headlight design. Also, note the larger air dams seen at the corners of the lower grille… The rear-end is also likely to sport a new rear bumper design and while this prototype has the familiar taillight design with 3 vertical bars, it remains to be seen whether they will be carried over to the new generation Mustang.
What will power the new Ford Mustang?
Official powertrain details have not yet been revealed but the guesswork gets a little more interesting in terms of layout and powertrains for the new Mustang. The rumour mill suggests that the new Mustang will forego its current rear-wheel-drive layout and will instead adopt an all-wheel-drive layout and may also be powered by a hybrid powertrain which is indeed a major shift from the big, burly V8-engined and rear-tyre-shredding Mustangs we know and love today.
Furthermore, there is the possibility of an all-electric Mustang that could come to fruition too, possibly with an enhanced electric powertrain sourced from the Mustang Mach E.
The new Ford Mustang is expected to go into production in 2023 which means that a reveal can be expected later in 2022. This is a developing story and we will keep you updated as soon as more details about the new Mustang emerge.
Despite the big electric powertrain push, not all brands are completely doing away with their internal combustion engines.
Global electric vehicle sales are ever increasing and while South Africa does lag behind as far as choice is concerned, there’s no denying that the past few years have been dominated by the electric car revolution.
Many European brands have already confirmed they’ll be ditching petrol and diesel, in favour of electricity, like Fiat. Given the coverage, you’d think the end of the petrol and diesel engine is near, but this is not quite the case.
While electric-powered cars have risen in prominence, one of the legacy carmakers has confirmed it has not abandoned its internal-combustion engine program. This is surprising, considering the fanfare around the new BMW iX and BMW i4.
BMW Development Director Frank Weber told German website Auto Motor und Sport that BMW is currently working on a new generation of petrol and diesel engines that will range from six-cylinder to eight-cylinder. No models were mentioned, but if we go on what’s due for revision in the next few years, you can expect to see these shoe-horned into the bigger vehicles.
“One thing is certain for us: we still need the state-of-the-art combustion engine for a few more years to effectively reduce CO2 emissions in the passenger car sector globally. That’s why we’re working on a new generation of engines: petrol, diesel, six-cylinder, eight-cylinder. They will then also be technologically prepared for the coming emission standards. With the six-cylinder engine alone, we are reducing CO2 emissions more massively than has ever been the case with a generation change. We are helped here by the fact that legislation is beginning to be standardized around the world. In order to reconcile emission requirements on the one hand and performance requirements on the other, we looked at the entire charge cycle and found a promising approach there.” said Weber.
Ford will soon reveal its 3rd-generation Everest in full. The Blue Oval’s next 7-seater Adventure SUV, which is based on the new Ranger, will be unveiled during the first quarter of 2022, which raises hopes that the upcoming Toyota Fortuner rival might arrive in Mzansi before the end of the new year…
Update: The camouflage is falling away as spy photographs taken in January 2022 show the Ford Everest in a bit more detail. What’s very clever is that if you zoom in, the camouflage used is not your ordinary mix of swirls and shapes, but rather clever use of letters, spelling out Everest. This mule was spotted near Ford’s facility near Dearborn, Michigan in the US. Pics by S. Baldauf/SB-Medien.
Ford has released images of the next Everest undergoing the final testing phase of the Blue Oval’s global testing programme for the new model. The finer details of the newcomer’s exterior execution, which was penned by Lee Imrie – an exterior designer at Ford Australia – remains hidden under a cloak of digitised camouflage that incorporates “clever reflective strips”, however.
What IS evident, however, is that the next-generation Everest shares the new Ranger’s prominent new grille (replete with a strikethrough crossbar) and C-clamp headlight treatment, its wheel arches seem more elaborate, and the rear three-quarter lights appear larger, than on the current model (the latter cue suggests this version will be longer than the outgoing model) and lastly, the tailgate features wraparound LED tail-light clusters (with a boomerang-shaped lighting signature); they are connected by what is either an LED light bar or a cosmetic trim strip that’s covered by the black tape.
“We created an artistic pattern that hints at adventure,” said Imrie. “The camouflage consists of a series of rectangles (tilted on a 45-degree angle) that were inspired by mountain peaks.
“We made sure the vehicle’s design remains hidden by designing the camouflage pieces in isolation. This means when it’s applied to the vehicle, it’s a completely random pattern,” he added.
So far, the outgoing Everest (and its fellow bakkie-based SUVs – the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Haval H9, for that matter), have failed to trouble the Toyota Fortuner in terms of sheer sales numbers in the South African market (even though the high-end versions of the Ford are liberally equipped). However, the Isuzu and upcoming Ford will soon be much newer than the segment leader.
The new model’s flagship is likely to be powered by the new Ranger’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, which produces peak outputs of about 186 kW and 597 Nm, while more affordable derivatives will feature Ford’s YN2S-series 157 kW/500 Nm twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel. All engines will be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
It’s feasible that the model’s independent front- and solid rear-axle (with Watt’s linkage) suspension will be retained; AWD versions will again offer Terrain Management off-road drive modes.
Inside, the new Everest’s cabin will again feature a roomy 7-seater configuration, but its ambience will be more upmarket, thanks to the fitment of a fully digital instrument panel, and a 10.1- or 12.0-inch SYNC4-equipped touchscreen infotainment system (which operates many of the functions that were selectable via hard buttons the on outgoing model’s fascia).
The setup also incorporates mobile internet connectivity and a new off-road display mode that provides driveline, steering angle, pitch and roll angles and other info. A 360-degree camera and the ability to start, check various functions of-, as well as lock/unlock the vehicle via the FordPass Connect mobile app will probably be carried over from the new Ranger.
The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has not announced exactly when it will launch the new Ranger, but it should be during the latter half of 2022. Given that the new Everest will be revealed months before that, we don’t believe the 7-seater Adventure SUV will arrive in our market long after its bakkie sibling. Will it be produced in FMCSA’s Silverton plant, like its predecessor was, however? Perhaps, but considering the Blue Oval will also produce the new-generation Volkswagen Amarok in Mzansi, not necessarily; Ford may opt to import the newcomer from Thailand instead. We’ll keep you posted!
As part of its presence at the Tokyo auto show, Toyota has shown a new interpretation of its legendary GT2000, with a 2022 road racer feel. The original Toyota sportscar, which had a starring role in the 1967 James Bond movie ‘You Only Live Twice’, is regarded as the start of Toyota’s ascendence to a global automotive superpower.
The new concept car is called the GR GT3, which doesn’t align closely with any of the brand’s historical or current performance car models.
Although the front-engined proportions are similar to Toyota’s J29, it appears to be a much more focussed driver’s car, than even the current Supra. And it is too large, to be considered a reborn MR2 – not to mention the issue of GR GT3 not appearing to be mid-engined.
Hidden streak headlights, a wraparound lightbar at the rear, huge wings, winglets and intake streaks are all the kind of design features we are more accustomed to seeing on Lamborghinis, than Toyotas.
The overall design theme is dramatic. A long bonnet (hinting at a large displacement powertrain) and sloping roofline are classic GT road racer. But the GT3 affix alludes to something that is very driver-focussed, in the spirit of Porsche’s most rewarding 911s.
Toyota might be angling to increase customer participation in its GT3 customer car racing business. Still, there is no question that GR GT3 will have the imagination of Gazoo road car fans interested, too.
Hot on the heels of the launch of the new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, the Chinese firm has announced that the 7-seater Tiggo 8 Pro will be arriving on local soil much sooner than originally planned.
Now, Chery has announced that following increased customer and dealer demand, the firm has expedited the launch of the forthcoming flagship Tiggo 8 Pro which was expected to arrive in Q2 of 2022 but will now likely make landfall in Q1.
“The success of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro has surprised our dealer network, who reports increasing interest and sales of all models in the range. We have also welcomed five more dealers in the short few months since its introduction, which means that customers can now choose from one of 42 dealers across South Africa to test drive and purchase their new Chery,” says Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery South Africa.
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – Main Features
Chery will offer 2 derivatives for the Tiggo 8 Pro and both will be powered by a 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine with 136 kW and 290 Nm of torque.
Apart from offering 7-seat capability, the Tiggo 8 Pro will also be equipped with features such as a Surround View Monitor, 8-speaker Sony sound system, up to 3 high-definition TFT displays, climate control air conditioning and a pharmaceutical-grade N95 air filtration system.
Further specification and pricing details will be confirmed closer to launch.
The Japanese brand has shown three aggressive-looking STI concepts at the Tokyo Auto Salon Event.
Petrolheaded fans of the Subaru brand haven’t had much to get excited about over the past few years. The golden era of big-winged, gold wheel rally weapons may be on a downhill trajectory, but the energy and passion of its fans is still very much there.
The Subaru STI Concepts that were shown this week should get the hearts racing again as the brand gives some of its existing products an aggressive makeover. The three concepts were based on the new WRX S4, BRZ and Levorg wagon. Now while these vehicles already have some degree of a performance theme about them, the STI bolt-ons really up the ante.
The Subaru WRX S4 STI Concept gets bright red detailing, STI wheels and a large rear wing on the boot. Inside, there are proper Recaro sport seats with red leather bolsters.
The Subaru BRZ STI Concept also gets a cosmetic upgrade with an extended front lip with red detailing, STI wheels finished in bronze and wrapped in trick Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber as well as a rear wing and larger exhaust pipes. The cabin gains red contrast stitching.
Finally, the Subaru Levorg STI Concept is a sportier take on the wagon. It features a similar set of upgrades like the WRX like the red detailing on the exterior, with the addition of STI wheels, stainless steel exhausts and Yokohama rubber. Inside, the Levorg gets red and black leather, as well as STI badging.
For all 3 of these vehicles, there was no mention of performance upgrades, but the key takeaway here is some of these elements preview the all-new Subaru WRX STI, which is due to be revealed at some point in 2022.
Subaru South Africa has already confirmed it will be bringing its new WRX to our shores this year.
If you’re smitten with the GR Yaris then the new, sharper Toyota GRMN Yaris will bowl you over.
The Toyota GR Yaris is widely regarded as one of the best performance hot hatches you can buy right now.
Toyota has, however, taken the proven formula a step further and has now introduced a finely-honed, more hardcore GRMN Yaris that will have enthusiasts salivating.
Before we get to the good stuff, let’s first get some bad news out of the way. The GRMN Yaris is only being offered in Japan and only 500 units will be built. That means that if you live in South Africa, the GRMN Yaris will sadly be out of reach. Sorry.
GRMN Yaris is stiffer, sharper, more agile
Same engine and power outputs, but the GRMN Yaris is lighter, stiffer and more agile.
In Japan-spec, the GRMN Yaris employs the familiar and fantastic 3-cylinder, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 200 kW and 390 Nm of torque which is paired with a revised 6-speed manual transmission with closer gear ratios and is further equipped with front and rear mechanical limited-slip differentials which will undoubtedly sharpen the dynamic ability of this pocket-rocket.
The GRMN Yaris’ chassis has also been stiffened and no less than 545 additional spot welds serve to improve body rigidity. Weight has been reduced and the GRMN Yaris features a carbon fibre bonnet, roof and rear spoiler. The rear seats have also been removed and 2 Recaro bucket seats are fitted. The GRMN Yaris is also slightly wider and sits lower than the regular GR Yaris.
In addition, buyers in Japan can choose from 2 packages including the Circuit Package and the Rally Package. The Circuit Package gains upgraded suspension with adjustable Bilstein shocks, larger brakes and 18-inch BBS wheels. Further upgrades include wide side skirts and a lip spoiler. Only 50 units with this specification will be offered.
The Rally Package includes Gazoo Racing shock absorbers, stabiliser bars as well as GR underbody protection and a GR roll bar.
Based on our experience with the GR Yaris, those who are fortunate enough to own a GRMN Yaris will surely be in for a major treat…
If you have not done so yet, watch and read our review of the Toyota GR Yaris below!
