The sporty Toyota MR2 name could be making a comeback if reports are to be believed. An all-new sportscar is apparently in development.
With the world leaning towards SUVs, electricification and sustainability, Toyota appears to be working on its performance range as well as its hybrid offerings. With the return of the Toyota GR Supra, the jaw-dropping excellence that is the GR Yaris and the imminent reveal of a GR Corolla, the Japanese brand is undergoing its own personal performance renaissance.
We already know that Toyota has GR Sported pretty much its entire range, with even the Prius getting macho looks and a sporty suspension setup. Now the Japanese car website Spyder7reckons the iconic Toyota MR2 name will be revived and this new model will be pitched against the next-generation Nissan Z sportscar. Interestingly, you’d think the GR 86 would be the de-facto sportscar in the Toyota lineup, but despite its fun-to-drive nature, its outright performance won’t be enough to match its JDM rivals.
If the rumours are true, engine choices are understood to be a mighty V6 engine paired to an electric battery setup. Estimated power output of 298 kW should be adequate to see off most rivals, plus the added benefit of being a plug-in hybrid should ensure silent running in cities. In comparison, the new Nissan Z sportscar features rear-wheel drive, a twin-turbo V6 engine with 285 kW and a 9-speed automatic, as well as the option of a manual. The all-new Subaru WRX STI is expected to be revealed around the middle of 2022, packing a new 2.4-litre turbo motor with at least 285 kW.
So, how much truth is there in the above? Well, we do know that Toyota has been keen to revive its older iconic names and we’ve already seen considerable success with the Supra. Back in 2019, Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada told Evo Magazine that Toyota’s strategy would resemble the Celica, Supra, MR2 lineup from the early 1990s. Are you feeling nostalgic, because we certainly are!
If the Toyota MR2 project is greenlit, expect to see further news about it in 2022.
BMW South Africa will be launching its new iX electric vehicle locally in November 2021. See pricing details here!
The BMW iX is a radically-styled electric Sports Activity Vehicle, and is the first vehicle to be built on a new, modular and scalable toolkit that will underpin future vehicles from the BMW Group.
There’s been an intense focus on sustainability in the BMW iX project with the German carmaker claiming there’s ‘compliance with strict environmental and social standards in the extraction of raw materials, plus the use of electricity from renewable sources and a high proportion of recycled materials in the mix. The resulting carbon footprint is stated in a validation document endorsed by independent auditors. The certificate for the BMW iX xDrive40, for instance, shows its global warming potential is around 45 per cent lower than that of a Sports Activity Vehicle with a comparable diesel engine over 200,000 kilometres of use.’
While questions have been raised about the sustainability of building a green car, BMW is keen to point out the cobalt and lithium for the batteries comes from controlled sources in Australia and Morocco, the cells are manufactured using green power and the aluminium is made using electricity sourced from solar. There’s extensive use of recycled plastics and aluminium, while the cabin features FSC-certified wood, leather tanned with olive leaf extracts and other natural materials. Among the raw materials used for the floor coverings and mats are recovered fishing nets.
The new BMW iX will be available in two flavours; BMW iX xDrive50 and BMW iX xDrive40. In the flagship 50 model, there’s one electric motor on the front axle and another at the rear. There’s over 370 kW on tap and BMW claims a 0-100 kph of just under 5 seconds. The xDrive40 has just over 240 kW and is said to dash to 100 kph in just over 6 seconds.
As far as economy and range go, BMW claims less than 21 kWh per 100 kilometres for the BMW iX xDrive50 and under 20 kWh per 100 kilometres n the case of the BMW iX xDrive40, based on the WLTP cycle. The BMW iX xDrive50 has a range in excess of 600 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle, and the WLTP-calculated range of the BMW iX xDrive40 is more than 400 kilometres. In comparison, the current BMW i3 can only muster 260-310km on a single charge.
The BMW iX xDrive50 can recharge its high-voltage battery at up to 200 kW, while the maximum charging capacity of the BMW iX xDrive40 is 150 kW. Essentially, this means a 10min plug-in time provides 120 kilometres / 90 kilometres of range depending on the model. In both model variants, the high-voltage battery’s charge can be increased from 10 to 80 per cent of its full capacity in under 40 minutes.
When is the BMW iX coming to SA and how much will it cost?
According to BMW’s local website, the iX will go on sale in November 2021 with a starting price of R1 650 000, As part of the deal, BMW will offer customers a preferential interest rate, 1-year comprehensive insurance and a complementary wallbox to conveniently charge your vehicle at home.
Compression ignition could keep the next-gen Mazda MX-5 naturally-aspirated
Engine innovation is at the heart of what Mazda does.
Rotaries. A commitment to atmospheric engines (when not rotaries). A late entry to turbodiesels. Mazda does it very differently, with engines, following its own logic, instead of trends.
One trend that cannot be ignored is the transition to electrification. In a future where nearly every new vehicle will be fully or partially battery-powered, Mazda’s most iconic platform might suffer.
The MX-5 is one of the few true lightweight driver’s cars that remain in production. Its low mass is an integral part of the vehicle’s appeal. But a hybrid powertrain would add a lot more mass to any future MX-5, anaesthetizing its road feedback and agility.
According to Autocar, the solution could be using Mazda’s SkyActiv-X engine technology to prevent turbocharging or hybridization of the next-gen Mazda MX-5.
SkyActiv-X is a deeply innovative compression-ignition technology for petrol engines. It claims impressive fuel consumption and emissions reduction and produces nearly 30% more torque than an equivalent 2-litre engine, with conventional direct-injection.
What does this mean for the future of Mazda? The latest 2-litre SkyActiv engine produces 132 kW and 224 Nm. Those might not be impressive outputs for a contemporary 2-litre turbocharged engine, but they aren’t too bad for something without turbocharging.
This week’s news you need to know (October 2021, Week 4)
In this week’s automotive news you need to know: Porsche builds a Cayman that might be a bit too close to a 911 GT3 for owners’ liking, Subaru turns to its legendary ‘wagon to create an appealing WRX, BMW updates its AWD hot hatch and the new Range Rover looks every bit like a Cullinan rival.
Porsche Cayman GT4 RS – The Mexican Standoff
Okay, so cue an appropriate anticipation-building spaghetti western tune… Now, imagine this Mexican standoff: the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS versus its 911 GT3 sibling on the Zuffenhausen-based brand’s legendary (some, like Sir Jackie Stewart, would say “treacherous”) playground of choice: the Nürburgring. One needs to pause and appreciate the emotive high-revving engine note that Porsche extracts from these cars’ flat-6 motors. It’ll bring out the inner child in even the sternest of serious people and the imminent Cayman GT4 RS will be astonishingly good, but where does that leave the iconic 911?
Let’s get down to the facts. The 911 is the one sportscar that virtually every petrolhead covets at some point in their life, but there’s no denying the Cayman has caused serious waves by offering a 911-esque experience at a fraction of the price. Porsche has nailed that subsection of the market (one in which BMW and Jaguar have dabbled with the Z4 and the F-Type) and the return of the free-breathing flat-6 has proved decisive. However, the GT3 will remain the car that driving enthusiasts flock to. Porsche will make sure of that – the GT3 will be the last, um, car standing at the end of this standoff.
Subaru WRX Sportwagon – Needs more Benoni
It’s so unfortunate that Subaru lost its way during the past decade. The brand deservedly gained a cult following on the back of its success in the WRC and the slew of turbocharged boxer-engined WRX and WRX STI models it produced. Meanwhile, all-wheel-drive Subaru ‘wagons (some of which were performance-oriented) were adored by families. These cars were utterly critical to Subaru’s success.
Earlier WRX and WRX STI models were distinctive by virtue of their outlandish styling and visceral nature (you could hear their flat-4s rumbling and grumbling in the distance). They were loud, in-your-face and borderline tacky – those gold wheels, big bonnet scoops and ironing-board rear wings certified boy-racer status. This design looks to combine the attitude of those performance models with the hold-all wholesomeness of, um, legacy ‘wagons. The crowd, however, is silent. Despite Subaru’s admirable attempt to test the waters with a performance ‘wagon, we need more aggro from the WRX nameplate.
BMW M135i xDrive… No more Mr Nice Guy
When the BMW 128ti arrived on the scene, it took the fight to the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI and lit a fire under its big brother (metaphorically speaking, obvs). Initially, the all-wheel-drive M135i xDrive received a lukewarm response from motoring hacks, but now it’s balling its fists at the Golf 8 R and Mercedes-AMG A35 again, courtesy of a timely suspension update. BMW’s performance division has historically focused on coupes, sedans and SUVs with 6- and 8-cylinder motors, but now its 4-cylinder hatchbacks are getting some love too. I approve, because BMW is paying attention to its most fresh-faced fans.
What’s more, the 128ti and revised M135i xDrive, even if history won’t judge them as class-leading cars, are a breath of fresh air in a hot- and performance hatch market that has become somewhat stale. It’s sad that, with the waves of change that EV transformation is bringing, this may be the last epic battle for German AWD hatches powered by ICE engines. Don’t expect VW to take this laying down, however. The world needs these Bimmers more than it needs another hyper hatch – I much prefer a sweet-handling car (of which BMW knows a thing or two) to the point-and-shoot Mercedes-AMG A45 S.
Range Rover – Rover Gang leaks
For years, the Range Rover (model, not brand) enjoyed the top spot in the uber-luxurious SUV sector; unbothered and unrivalled, it looked down on basically everything and was enjoyed by footballers, top-ranking executives and people who make lots of money… somehow. That is until Bentley and Rolls-Royce released the Bentayga and Cullinan to provide those with deeper pockets… more opulent options.
The 5th-gen Range Rover needed to be re-imagined for the 3rd decade of the 21st century. It must have been a challenge to come up with a design that respects the model’s 50-year heritage, anticipates a more sustainable era of motoring and will appeal to “old money”, “new money” and “silly money” simultaneously. Judging by the leaked images, it looks every bit the part; I feel that the type of person who’d buy this car is an individual who usually looks past the high numbers and clicks on the links that read POA. This Range Rover appears to fit that profile. Best I go break my piggy bank. Ha, if only…
Mercedes-AMG E63 S Review – Is this much power really necessary, or worth it?
With 460 kW courtesy of the wizards at AMG, this is the most powerful Mercedes-Benz E-Class ever. Watch Ciro De Siena get to grips with it.
In the latest development in what seems to be an ever-escalating German power war, Mercedes-AMG has released this, the most powerful E-Class ever.
With 460 kW on tap from a bi-turbo V8, this car absolutely rockets off the line, and when we put it head-to-head with the latest RS6, it came out tops – quite comfortably.
This is a brutally fast car and having driven it for a few days, our video journalist Ciro De Siena was left thinking, is all this power necessary, or even worth it?
To really stretch the car’s legs without the risk of being handcuffed and spending the weekend in a holding cell, we took our test unit to the Saldanha airstrip outside Cape Town.
Many of China’s electric vehicles will never be seen outside of the world’s most populous country. But Geely’s Zeekr, is not one of those domestic heroes.
As an established Chinese automotive company with global reach and Volvo’s technical resources, Geely plans to rival Tesla in many markets.
The first step to achieving this is Geely’s Zeekr sub-brand. Its debut electric vehicle is the numerically badged 001 and it projects no ambiguity about Tesla being a target.
Overall proportions are what you would expect from a five-door electric vehicle, without any radical design features. There is even an implied grille, instead of a solid panel nose section.
Beyond the mildly handsome overall appearance, the Zeekr 001 has some impressive core vehicle numbers. Power sources from a 100 kWh battery pack and Geely claim this will give the 001 a very generous 700 km of driving range.
If you want to deplete that range number rapidly, you could use all the 001’s available performance. An electric motor at each axle nets the 001 a total system output of 400 kW and 768 Nm. Those numbers are potent enough for a benchmark 0-100 kph sprint of only 3.8 seconds.
Geely has equipped the 001 with an 880v vehicle architecture. That means if you do happen to find a 360 kW rapid-charger, the 001 will replenish battery energy from 10- to 80% of capacity in only 30 minutes.
With entirely passable looks, potent performance and adequate driving range, the Zeekr 001 could become a breakthrough global electric vehicle from China. And it is not an advanced concept. Geely is already busy building the first consignment of Zeekr 001s, in China. Ready for export.
Teasers of the new Ford Ranger are coming in thick and fast and the latest batch of teaser images show the new Ranger doing off-road testing.
The next-generation Ranger, which will be produced in South Africa at Ford’s upgraded Silverton facility, is due for reveal before the end of 2021.
Ford is regularly releasing teasers of the next-generation Ranger ahead of its official reveal so you can expect to see a few more teasers in the near future.
Latest Teaser: Rugged Testing for new Ford Ranger
The next Ford Ranger is currently undergoing severe testing to meet quality standards to be sold in over 180 markets worldwide.
Double-cab bakkies, by nature, are required to be tough and durable. It’s no surprise then that Ford is going all out to make sure that the next-generation Ranger is tougher than ever before. In fact, Ford says that the new Ranger has been “Built from the ground up to be the toughest, smartest, most versatile and most capable Ranger yet, the truck is being subjected to more physical and virtual testing than ever before.”
“It’s important that our customers are able to rely on Ranger to deliver years of dependable service. So, we’ve gone to great lengths to subject next-gen Ranger to extreme tests – stressing it much more than a typical consumer would – to help ensure it is ready to face everything life throws at it. Whether it’s tackling muddy bush tracks, coping with the rigours of extreme tropical weather, towing over alpine passes, or enduring temperatures of more than 50° Celsius, Ranger has to do it all,” said John Willems, Ford Ranger Chief Program Engineer.
To date, the new Ranger’s testing regime all over the world has covered over 10 000 km of desert testing which Ford says is the equivalent to 1.25 million kilometres of customer driving and 625 000 km of rugged offroad durability testing at maximum load capacity.
In addition to real-world testing, Ranger prototypes are also subjected to extensive computer simulations and lab simulations to cover critical areas of development such as aerodynamics and component and structure durability.
“Computer simulations have helped us speed up development, while lab testing has helped us refine and test specific components – but there really is no replacement for real-world testing to really see how it stands up to years of customer use,” Willems explains.
The Ranger will be sold in more than 180 markets globally and rigorous testing ensures that the final product is up to scratch when it finally reaches customers.
“Our job as engineers is to translate the customer experience insights into a clear product definition brief for the engineering group, which becomes the absolute reference for engineers. This is particularly important for the Ranger, given we are developing it to be sold across the globe,” Willems concluded.
Previously: Camouflaged Ranger Hits the Streets
This teaser shows the new Ranger dressed in a “Bronco R-inspired block-style camouflage” designed by Lee Imrie (Ranger Exterior Designer), incorporating optic science to mask key design secrets and reflective elements means that the Ranger will also be visible at night as it conducts road tests in public spaces. The camouflage also incorporates a QR code.
“Inspiration for the camo originally came from the Baja livery Ford has been using. I’m a huge fan of motorsport and it’s hard not to be obsessed with machinery like that. Because the Ranger is strong and rugged looking, I felt the scattered block design would be a natural fit to help break up the exterior surfaces. When you stand back, the camo has a clear connection to a digitized military-style livery with a connection to nature that echoes the lifestyle orientation of the Ranger” says Imrie.
New Ranger Shows its Face
The image you see here was published on the Ranger6g forum and it clearly shows the front-end of the new Ranger for the first time. The face of the forthcoming Ranger is very similar to that of the Ford Maverick which was revealed earlier this year. Like the Maverick, the grille is split with a single bar that extends into the large C-shaped headlights. With this look, the new Ranger will be more closely aligned to Ford’s latest American pickup designs which is a smart move considering how smitten South Africans are with products such as the F-150.
Let us know if you like what you see and look out for more information on the new Ranger coming soon!
The Hyundai Creta Facelift has been teased by the Korean carmaker, hinting that an update is on the way.
The SA-spec Hyundai Creta has been on sale in our market since late 2020, and already work has begun on updating it. If these teaser images are anything to go by, the Hyundai Creta facelift will be getting a similar front end to that of the Hyundai Tucson.
The release makes extensive mention of Indonesia, where Hyundai announced it will be building the new B-segment SUV.
The new-look Hyundai Creta Facelift with the Tucson front will be quite a bold-looking vehicle, with the parametric grille and integrated headlamps and daytime running lights. The rest of the vehicle’s design like the silhouette and rear bumper look largely identical, but as these are teaser sketches, things tend to be exaggerated, like the outrageously big wheels.
When a car company releases teaser sketches, it’s a rarity that you get to see some interior hints and in this case, it appears the Hyundai Creta Facelift cabin continues as before, with a large infotainment system in the middle, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and neat climate control vents.
The engine lineup is yet to be confirmed, but currently, the Hyundai Creta range comprises a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 84 kW and 143 Nm, a 1.5-litre turbodiesel with 84 kW and 250 Nm as well as a 1.4 turbo petrol with 103 kW and 242 Nm. Both manual and automatic transmissions are offered.
When will the Hyundai Creta Facelift be revealed?
The new model will be revealed at the Indonesia International Auto Show scheduled for November 2021.
If you own a vehicle with an engine bay too large for its current engine and want to address the issue, the ZZ632/1000 V8 is your solution.
Chevrolet will now sell you this 10.35-litre naturally-aspirated V8 from early next year, at a yet undisclosed price.
That core displacement number of 10.35-litres is difficult to comprehend. The engine construction materials and technology are very traditional, too. The only thing aluminium is its forged pistons and cylinder heads.
For an engine of this size, you can’t risk the temperature warping of an aluminium block. That’s why Chevrolet opted for a cast-iron ZZ632/1000 block, bedding a steel crankshaft. The high-volume intake manifold is a custom CNC machined part.
Chevrolet isn’t telling us what the new engine weighs, but they are keen to share its power numbers. You are essentially getting Bugatti Veyron power, with the 10.35-litre V8 making 749 kW and 1 188 Nm of torque.
You might think that with such huge internals and overall engine capacity, that this V8 would have quite a low engine speed ceiling, But you’d be wrong.
Chevrolet engineers have worked at making the ZZ632/1000 V8 very responsive, with a generous powerband. Precisely the characteristics that anyone interested in a large-capacity naturally-aspirated V8 would desire.
The 749 kW peak power number occurs at 6 600 rpm, with the engine rated to spin all the way through to 7 000 rpm.
Gearbox specifications to link all that power to the wheels is another detail that Chevrolet has not divulged. Yet.
BMW has begun work on a performance derivative of the X1 compact SUV. Here’s what we know so far about the 2023 X1 M35i.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer’s request, have watermarked them.
What you see here is the 2023 BMW X1 M35i, the high-performance version of the next-generation of X1 compact SUV. While it’s not going to be touted as a pure M car, BMW has seen considerable success with its M-lite models and it’s easy to see why.
The price positioning of these performance models has meant the barrier to entry has been lowered and petrolheads can afford these offerings, while out-and-out pure M models remain at the top of the pile.
Interestingly, this 2022 BMW X1 M35i features quad exhausts, which is usually one of the key indicators of a full M model, but our photographers say that all M-Performance derivatives will be getting this setup going forward.
Of course, to be classed as an M-Performance model it will need the powertrain to match. BMW has quite an array of engines at its disposal and the current 2.0 M35i engines deliver 180 kW and 225 kW depending on the model.
With the Audi SQ2 and GLA 35 AMG lurking around, we reckon BMW will shove the 225 kW / 450 Nm engine from the X2 M35i into the 2023 BMW X1 M35i.
Paired to an 8-speed automatic and xDrive all-wheel drive, the new model should be able dispatch the 0-100 kph sprint in a shade under 5 seconds.
We also know that BMW will be using its latest front-wheel-drive platform known as FAAR to underpin the 3rd-generation X1. This architecture is electric compatible, so while petrolheads will be looking forward to the M35i, eco-conscious customers can expect an iX1 in the near future.
When will the 2023 BMW X1 M35i be on sale?
The new performance BMW will be revealed in 2022 as part of the all-new 3rd generation X1 range.
