Francisco Nwamba and Jacob Moshokoa present an in-depth comparison between 2 new medium SUVs – the Ford Territory and Jaecoo J7 – both of which hail from China.
The Ford Territory (the successor to the Kuga) and Jaecoo J7 (the first model in SA of the Chery Group’s O&J division) are recent entrants to the family car segment. Both are built in China (yes, even the Ford) and feature loads of modern features at a price point that you might call “decent value for money”.
In this comparison, our presenters, compare the 2 newcomers in every department and pick a winner. In this comparison, Francisco first takes the ‘wheel of the Ford Territory, while Jacob pilots the Jaecoo J7.
The Jaecoo J7, by contrast, is very much a boutique offering that is designed to lure buyers away from premium brands’ crossovers. It combines classic SUV cues with a tech-intensive (futuristic, even) cabin treatment. It may share a powertrain with the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro/Pro Max, but its execution is distinctive.
See how these family cars perform in terms of practicality, performance, rear seat- and load-bay space, what they are like to drive, and what sort of backup Ford and Chery / Omoda & Jaecoo SA offer.
The derivatives in this comparison – Ford Territory 1.8T Trend and Jaecoo J7 1.6T Glacier – cost R632 600 and R599 900 respectively (June 2024). We pick our winner, but which car would get your nod?
Ciro De Siena pits his 6.2-litre, V8-powered and naturally aspirated Mercedes-AMG C63 against the latest Mercedes-AMG A45 S. Which car wins? Is it even close
When the latest Mercedes-AMG A45 S arrived at the office, someone came up with the idea to race it against the W204 Mercedes C63 AMG we had parked outside. The thing is, that C63 AMG belongs to our presenter, Ciro De Siena. Luckily, he was on board!
And so we hired the Killarney Race Circuit, the quarter-mile drag strip specifically, and set up what has become one of our favourite drag races ever produced.
We hope you enjoy watching this as much as we enjoyed making it! And, of course, please engage with us in the comments and on our social media channels!
The Renault Megane RS 300 Trophy will be the last hot Renault as the French brand goes electric. Ciro de Siena gives the model one last blast on one of his favourite driving roads.
Renault’s hot hatch arm, Renault Sport will cease to exist as the brand enters an electric future. From the early 2000s, Renault Sport upped the hot hatch game with some incredible specimens that often wiped the floor with the competition in the front-wheel-drive handling stakes.
As the game moved on, so the hot hatch goalposts moved with it and AWD super hatches from Merc, VW and BMW became the hot ticket items that ruled the hatchback world.
Renault stuck with its front-driven philosophy and continued to make cars that were thrilling to drive and defied the laws of physics at times.
The Renault Megane RS Trophy is one of those cars, and one Ciro decided to take to one of his favourite roads and give it a good hammering. Watch as he decides if this might just be the best hot hatch ever.
The petrol-electric flagships of the GWM P500 and its 7-seat SUV equivalent – the GWM Tank 500 – may cost R1 million and beyond, but they come equipped with enough luxury features to make SA’s other luxury bakkies blush, writes Calvin Fisher.
In 2024, GWM launched a new pair of heavy hitters – the GWM P500 double cab and GWM Tank 500 – in a near-perfect setting – the Garden Route – and, well, they arrived with a proverbial thud! I will cut through all the double-speak and rigmarole and give you the most direct anecdotal comparison I can…
The GWM (P-Series) P500 and Tank 500 are to each other what Ford’s Ranger is to the Everest; what Toyota’s Hilux is to the Fortuner; what Isuzu’s D-Max is to the MU-X. The former is based on the latter – the P500 is a ladder-frame-based full-sized pickup and the Tank 500 is its 7-seat Adventure SUV sibling.
And, while neither are as large as the giants that roam the United States (think Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra – no name a few examples), the GWMs are notably larger than the aforementioned bakkies and SUVs that prowl the asphalt- and gravel road networks of our beloved Republic.
Who would have guessed that when our collective Government Agent-style fantasies finally came true, we’d have a Chinese automotive manufacturer to thank for it? One would most certainly be petrified at the prospect of having half a dozen of these, all clad in black from rim to roof, roll up on the driveway.
It’s a numbers game
Men in black fantasies aside, there’s a lot to unpack here. Such as how GWM does, as a matter of fact, have way more equity in the game of producing 4x4s than you think. And it’s via this not-so-humble flex, that Great Wall Motor SA has attached similarly monolithic sticker prices to the P500 and Tank 500.
GWM is number one in China and has been producing pickups for more than 3 decades. That’s more skin in the game than Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz combined, Peugeot too… unless you really start delving back into history at the odd rarity (or rare oddity). Yet, even armed with these lofty credentials, you might be as staggered as we were at the price tags of the pair of new Chinese offerings.
Before you do, perhaps I should drop some clues to the Tank 500’s specification: the roughly 2.5-tonne behemoth propels its enlarged frame with a hybridised 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine; the sheer amount of technology and gear on board is enough to make your IT manager shudder in awe – and tremble in fear.
Would you play it safe and land somewhere in between the Everest and Fortuner’s price points? Would you recoil in horror at the notion that an Adventure SUV produced in China costs R1 million? But no, you would, in fact, be quite modest with your estimation, seeing as the GWM Tank 500 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4×4 has a stratospheric R1 222 900 price tag, which positions it just R50k shy of the new Toyota Prado.
What then of the P500 double cab, you may ask? Well, thankfully, there’s a range of variants to choose from; prices start from R799 900 and top out at R999 900 (for the 2.0T HEV Ultra Luxury 4×4, in which you’ll encounter an extensive list of mod cons and extra features to humble a flagship Hilux and Ranger).
And for scale, the GWM P500 is 120 mm longer than the Hilux and 75 mm longer than the Ranger. It’s 135 mm wider than the Toyota and 73 mm broader than the Ranger – and taller than both.
How much does the GWM P500 cost in SA?
And what you may lose out in potential aftersales security, GWM has mitigated with a commendable 5-year/75 000km service plan and 7-year/200 000 km warranty with 7-year roadside assistance. For the HEV model, GWM includes an 8-year/150 000 km “high-volt(age) warranty”.
Now that we’ve established that both new vehicles can be had for a great deal of money, let’s discuss what your fortunes get you.
We tested both the flagship P500 and the solitary Tank 500 variant (both of which feature hybrid powertrains) so that we could experience the full effect of their 255 kW and 648 Nm of torque.
Those outputs are derived from a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine in combination with a 9-speed hybridised auto transmission. A hybrid battery helps both HEVs achieve an 8.3-sec sprint from zero to 100 kph, which is impressive… considering there’s still a mere 4-pot at the heart of these obelisks on wheels.
International Tank 500 model shown.
The P500 will later receive a robust alternative powertrain in the form of a 135 kW/480 Nm 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel paired with a 9-speed auto. It will be available in Luxury and Super Luxury grades.
The P500 and Tank 500 have respective party tricks, with the bakkie featuring a pretty nifty split tailgate, which is great for forklifts and general access. Like the P-Series (P300), it also remains the only double-cab in SA that can park itself, thanks to some clever driver-assistance systems, as well as Level 2 ADAS.
The Tank 500, in turn, gets an equally impressive ability to automatically retract its side steps, and a spare wheel located on its horizontally opening tailgate.
Hop aboard either and you’ll encounter a very similar cabin – and near identical controls, each dominated by a larger-than-life 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Where the GWM P500 favours dark plastics, its Tank 500 sibling boasts a more retro aesthetic with wood trim and an analogue clock.
Nappa leather abounds in both vehicles, with triple-zone climate control across multiple rows keeping driver and passengers cooled (or heated) to exacting standards. All seats are heated and cooled, with the front occupants being further treated to extensive massage functions. There’s a lot to love here!
There’s also a lot that can go wrong
This is the cynical bit, so I’ll keep it brief and polite. As we see our beloved four-wheeled sources of vehicular transport grow ever more digital, and being over-engineered to higher levels, it’s only common sense to be wary of the potential problems that tend to accompany this sort of automotive “progress”.
We live in an era in which vehicle components are repaired less and replaced more, with components growing in size and complexity. Once we breach that R1-million mark, it’s only natural to worry more about what life will be like when things go wrong, which they will, one day. What then of resale value?
Even if our 2-day, 500-km evaluation of the P500 and Tank 500 (on some spectacular dirt and tar roads) were completely incident-free, I still have mild reservations about recommending these new GWMs. A few minor gremlins did rear their heads, such as a tailgate that wouldn’t always open the way it should.
The performance figures may look impressive, but the hybrid power unit felt somewhat breathless when ascending inclines. At other times, the HEV felt quite punchy, especially on flatter sections and downhills, where it would barely scrub off momentum as we weaved through natural chicanes and switchbacks.
Still, the P500 HEV and Tank 500 were awfully fun to pilot – they offer numerous drive modes, including Drift Mode and Off-road Racing. Because of all the “fun” that we had, the hefty GWM test units’ indicated fuel consumption figures rivalled those of comparable 6- or 8-cylinder vehicles during the trip.
But, in defence of our high-18 L/100 km returns, we were pushing some serious tin along the Outeniqua and Phantom Passes – they’re epic slivers of road that downright encourage a heavy right foot.
The Tank 500’s price includes a 7-year/200 000 km warranty (plus 8-year/150 000 km coverage for the hybrid battery), as well as a 5-year/75 000 km service plan.
The GWM P500 and Tank 500 models have me vexed. They challenge that adage of “being worth more than the sum of (their) parts”. Both models are appointed to the rafters with ambient lighting, panoramic roofs, heated helms and smartphone connectivity, Harman Infinity audio and a host of safety acronyms.
They might have the most impressive luxury feature lists offered in the local bakkie and Adventure SUV segments. Ever. But R1 million or R1.22 million might still be more than you should be willing to part with.
The Audi RS6 Avant costs over R2 million but offers supercar levels of performance in a spacious wagon design. Is this a worthy alternative to the SUV trend? Jacob Moshokoa puts the RS6 Avant to the test!
The Audi RS6 Avant is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that offers 445 kW and 850 Nm of torque in this Performance version, which also includes the increased top speed option allowing it to reach 305 kph.
In this Audi RS6 Avant video review, Jacob Moshokoa drives one of his hero cars, comparing it with the previous generation RS6 while considering if the new model is worth the extra money.
One of his favourite things about the new Audi RS6 is the sound, which Audi has configured to provide more driving delight than ever before.
The new Kia Syros will soon be unveiled in India, likely positioned just above the Sonet. Judging by a local trademark filing, this boxy little SUV could be on the cards for SA…
Think there’s no space between the Sonet and the Seltos? Well, a certain South Korean automaker disagrees, with the new Kia Syros set to slot in between these nameplates in the relatively near future.
Yes, Kia in India – the country that manufactures the Sonet and Seltos for the South African market – has released a fresh teaser video confirming the upcoming small SUV’s name, with a full reveal likely to take place relatively soon. So, will we see this newcomer in Mzansi?
Well, while it’s too early for Kia South Africa to comment specifically on the Syros, the firm’s local division did tell Cars.co.za that it “will look at all product made available to SA in right-hand drive and evaluate all possibilities” to ensure it brings in “the right product at the right price” for the local market.
In addition, it’s interesting to note the automaker’s head office in Seoul applied to trademark the “Syros” badge locally in March 2024, with the status currently listed as “pending”. Of course, we should point out that an application to protect a badge is by no means a guarantee the brand will use the nameplate in question.
What do we know about the upcoming Kia Syros? Well, official information is hard to come by, with the teaser video simply describing the model as a “a new species of SUV”. The brand did, however, previously release a couple of shadowy teaser shots that confirm the new model will adopt particularly boxy proportions.
In addition, the folks over at Autocar India suggest this design – which isn’t dissimilar to the Soul still offered in certain international markets – will see interior space maximised, with a firm focus on rear-passenger room (despite likely measuring under 4 metres in length, making it similar in size to the Sonet).
The Indian publication furthermore speculates that the new Syros – which bears an internal codename of “AY” – will launch with internal combustion engines, with a fully electric version slated to follow (in India, at least) at a later date. Expect a full reveal either before the end of the year or early in 2025…
New Suzuki Dzire revealed: will it come to SA in 2025?
The new Suzuki Dzire has been revealed, sporting fresh styling and new features. While it’s not yet been confirmed for SA, this small sedan seems likely to arrive in 2025…
Meet the new Suzuki Dzire. The latest version of the Japanese firm’s Indian-built small sedan adopts a fresh exterior design and various new features, further differentiating it from its Swift hatchback sibling.
Interestingly, though the new Swift recently hit the market in Mzansi, Suzuki Auto South Africa is keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to the related small saloon, opting not to confirm the freshly unveiled new Dzire – nor any other potential future products, for that matter – for the local market.
Note the front-end styling is far removed from that of the new Swift.
“At this stage, we are unable to provide specific details or projected launch dates for the new vehicles Suzuki Auto South Africa plans to introduce in 2025. As always, we remain committed to bringing exciting new products to the South African market, and we will share more information when we are able to do so,” Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager, Suzuki Auto SA, told Cars.co.za.
Still, considering the Dzire nameplate has carved out a healthy sales niche in Suzuki’s local line-up – initially in 2nd-generation form (when it still used the “Swift” prefix) and then in its current, standalone guise – we’d speculate a local introduction is likely to take place at some point in 2025.
In India, the new Dzire is available with a sunroof.
Indeed, over the opening 10 months of 2024, Suzuki Auto SA registered 2 007 units of the Dzire – a model that has proven particularly popular with the local rental industry – in South Africa, hitting a high of 412 units in October. Whether or not the outgoing model (currently priced from R217 900) will continue to be sold alongside the new version, as is the case in India according to Autocar India, remains to be seen.
But back to the new Suzuki Dzire. Whip out the measuring tape and you’ll find the new model is virtually identical in size to the outgoing version, again featuring a length of 3 995 mm, a wheelbase of 2 450 mm and a width of 1 735 mm. In fact, the only change is the addition of 10 mm to the listed height, taking this figure to 1 525 mm.
Dimensions are virtually unchanged compared with the outgoing model.
Unsurprisingly, the latest version of this small saloon employs the same naturally aspirated 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine as the new Swift. In India, this Z-Series (Z12E) motor delivers 60 kW and 112 Nm to the front axle via either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (AMT) with the same number of cogs. Considering the new Swift launched here with a CVT option rather than India’s AMT, it seems likely the same approach would be taken with any SA-spec Dzire.
Inside, the new Dzire’s dashboard is clearly based on that of the latest Swift, though features a dual-tone finish (combining black and beige) as well as silver-hued accents and even faux-wood textures. The Indian-spec model is furthermore available with a “segment-first” electric sunroof, a 360-degree camera system, a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone charging and dedicated rear air-conditioning vents.
In the world’s most populous nation, the new Dzire ships standard with 6 airbags, electronic stability control, ABS (with EBD) and hill-hold assist. Despite having just been revealed, the sedan has already been assessed by Global NCAP, scoring 5 stars for adult-occupant safety and 4 stars for child-occupant safety, setting what the organisation describes as a “significant safety benchmark”.
Amarok ‘Dark Label’ return? VW trademark hints at special edition
A fresh local trademark application suggests Volkswagen might revive the “Dark Label” badge in SA, potentially hinting at a special-edition version of the 2nd-gen Amarok…
Remember the “Dark Label” badge Volkswagen used on a special-edition version of the original Amarok? Well, a fresh trademark filing in South Africa suggests the German firm might be thinking about reviving this nameplate.
Yes, Cars.co.za has discovered that VW’s head office in Wolfsburg filed to trademark the “Dark Label” badge in South Africa as recently as June 2024, with the application currently listed as “pending”.
The original Dark Label special edition was available overseas with the V6 engine.
Though this moniker could theoretically be applied to any of the German automaker’s products, we’d speculate that a limited-run version of the Amarok is the most likely candidate. After all, that’s the model – albeit in previous-gen form – on which this badge was used locally before (though, for the record, it’s since been applied to the Caddy in some markets, too).
Interestingly, Volkswagen also filed to trademark the “Black Label” nameplate in Mzansi, making this application a month earlier, in May 2024. However, this badge seems a little less likely to be rolled out locally considering alcoholic-beverage company Carling has long used the same name for a popular beer.
The SA-spec Dark Label featured a locally sourced styling bar and a 4-cylinder engine.
So, if a new Amarok Dark Label were to see the light of day, what should we expect? Well, it’s worth looking at the original special edition, which debuted in South Africa late in 2018 in double-cab form (though was offered in various other markets earlier, including in pre-facelift guise).
That model was set apart by its matte-black styling bar (complete with “Amarok” lettering), while also scoring black finishes for items such as the exterior door handles, side-mirror caps, B-pillars, side sills and elements of the front bumper. In addition, it featured tinted rear windows, smoked taillights, 18-inch “Rawson” alloy wheels and “Dark Label” decals along its flanks.
The 2nd-gen Amarok is produced alongside the Ranger at Ford’s Silverton facility.
As a reminder, the current version of VW’s 1-tonne bakkie is based on the Ford Ranger, with the Blue Oval brand’s Silverton plant being the only facility in the world producing the 2nd-generation Amarok. A refreshed version of the original Amarok, however, is interestingly still in production in Argentina.
Of course, as we always point out in articles that involve trademark filings, an application by an automaker to protect a badge (in South Africa or indeed abroad) is by no means a guarantee the brand will use the nameplate in question. So, we’ll just have to wait to see if a new Amarok Dark Label emerges…
All-new GAC Emzoom Review – Dressed to impress, but does it convince?
The new GAC GS3 Emzoom has zoomed into South Africa boasting a unique design and Jacob Moshokoa recently spent time with the newcomer to find out if there’s merit in considering the Emzoom. Watch the our video review!
Chinese brand GAC Motor recently entered the South African new-vehicle market with a brace of new models, one of which is the GS3 Emzoom.
This new small crossover has a head-turning appearance, sporty packaging (in range-topping R-Style guise) and loads of features, but does it have the substance to back up the style?
To help us find out, Jacob Moshokoa puts the GS3 Emzoom to the test and discusses the newcomer’s history, price, driving experience, interior features, practicality, performance and more. GAC Motor South Africa has 13 active dealerships – based in Gauteng, KZN, Limpopo and Mpumalanga (November 2024), with more to come soon. The model comes standard with a 5-year/60 000 km service plan, as well as a 5-year/150 000 km warranty.
The updated BMW M2 coupé has touched down in SA, arriving with more oomph from its twin-turbo straight-6 engine and a higher top speed. Here’s what it costs…
Revealed as recently as June 2024, the updated BMW M2 has already arrived in South Africa, boasting extra power, a loftier top speed and a few subtle styling changes. So, how much does this revised rear-wheel-drive sportscar cost?
Well, BMW SA lists a price of R1 570 988 for the 8-speed automatic derivative, which represents an increase of R65 000 compared with the outgoing version of the M2. A 6-speed manual gearbox is again optional, available for an additional R8 500 (previously, this difference was R10 346) and thus pushing the price of the 3-pedal variant to R1 579 488.
Switching to a 6-speed manual will cost you R8 500 more compared with the standard auto.
What do you score for the extra outlay? The big news is the fact the M2’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-6 engine now offers even more oomph, with peak outputs having been hiked by 15 kW and 50 Nm to 353 kW and 600 Nm, respectively (note, however, that the manual version sticks with the old maximum twisting-force figure of 550 Nm).
Furthermore, the auto-equipped coupé’s increased peak torque is now on tap across a wider rev range, available from 2 650 all the way to 6 130 rpm (in the previous iteration of this S58 motor, maximum twisting force began to fall away from 5 870 rpm).
The “M2” badges are now finished in black with a silver-coloured border.
As a result, the updated M2 auto sees off the 0-100 kph sprint a tenth of a second quicker than before at a claimed 4.0 seconds, while also cutting 6-tenths from its 0 to 200 kph time, which improves to 12.9 seconds, according to the Munich-based automaker. The manual derivative is likewise a tenth faster than its forebear to 3 figures, taking a claimed 4.1 seconds. In South Africa, the M Driver’s Package is now included as standard, pushing the top speed from 250 kph to 285 kph.
Styling changes include subtle exterior revisions such as black tailpipe trim and black model lettering (on the boot lid and grille), the latter with silver-hued borders. Fresh paint colours include Sao Paulo Yellow solid, Fire Red metallic, Portimao Blue metallic and Skyscraper Grey metallic, while the selection of BMW Individual finishes has also been expanded.
M Sport seats ship standard in South Africa.
The updated M2 ships standard on new M light-alloy wheels – measuring 19 inches in diameter at the front and 20 inches at the rear – in a double-spoke design and with a “Jet Black” finish (silver versions of these wheels are available at no extra cost). In Mzansi, M Sport seats come standard (as does an M Carbon roof), while M Carbon Bucket seats cost an additional R95 000.
Inside this Mexican-built model, you’ll find a newly designed steering wheel with a flat-bottomed rim and a red centre marker. An Alcantara-trimmed tiller (R10 000) is also available as an option, as is a steering-wheel heating function (R3 000) and front-seat heating (R6 000). Furthermore, the 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display now feature the latest BMW Operating System 8.5.
How much does the updated BMW M2 cost in SA?
BMW M2 Coupé 8AT – R1 570 988
BMW M2 Coupé 6MT – R1 579 488
The prices above include a 2-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
