The super station wagon won’t be an authentic left foot drift machine.
The M3 Touring is one of the most anticipated performance cars in recent memory. BMW knows that Audi has achieved significant success and customer loyalty with its RS4 Avant and wants a share of that business.
The main question has been how the Touring will differ in specification from its two- and four-door BMW M3 and M4 siblings.
BMW’s latest generation of M3/4 aren’t lightweight performance cars, by any standard. And the M3 Touring’s additional glass and metal aft section are sure to increase weight.
Not only will the long roof structure add kilograms to the vehicle’s overall mass, but as with all modern luxury vehicles, there will have to be a lot of sound-insulating material.
A station wagon’s open load area creates the problem of greater acoustic intrusion into the cabin, compared to a sedan or coupe, with the majority of its wheel arch vibration resonating into a boot, which is sealed off from the passenger cabin area.
What the M3 Touring will gain in weight, it should compensate for in truly brilliant loabability. The M3 Touring should be an even more practical M-car with a much lower load sill than BMW’s X3 M.
BMW has not confirmed the exact production specification for M3 Touring. Still, all indications are that the camouflage validation vehicles running around the Nurburgring, are all-wheel drive and equipped with eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The business case for an M3 Touring most definitely exists, but product planners at BMW are cautious of possibly diluting the demand for their six-speed manual M3 sedan, in rear-wheel drive.
To prevent cannibalization of the sedan, M3 Touring will not offer a six-speed manual gearbox or rear-wheel drive, leaving that purist set-up for M3 sedan owners. Speed won’t be an issue for M3 Touring owners, as it is expected to be powered by the high-output 375 kW engine option.
Considering the additional loadability of the Touring, it makes sense to only offer it in automatic and with all-wheel drive, as this rapid station wagon is the M3 variant most likely to venture onto snowy Alpine or high Eastern Cape roads, fully loaded.
Jaguar’s mid-size XF sedan has received a major update including enhanced styling inside and out as well tech upgrades and updated powertrains. See the changes plus SA pricing below!
Jaguar’s latest-generation XF sedan came to market in 2016 to rival products such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Now, the updated Jaguar XF has landed in SA and will be going up against some stiff competition in the segment.
What’s changed?
Jaguar has refined the look of its XF, but the interior updates are more substantial.
In terms of styling, Jaguar has gone to work by fitting a new front bumper with larger air intakes that sit lower than before. The grille is wider too and features a mesh design while the side fender vents now feature the iconic leaper emblem. The XF also benefits from new slim LED headlights with ‘Double J’ daytime running lights (Pixel LED headlights are optional) and adaptive driving beam ability. Premium LED technology is standard across the XF range while automatic high beam assist will be offered in SE and HSE derivatives.
The XF’s rear-end has been enhanced with a wider bumper and a body-coloured rear valance. The taillight surrounds have also been darkened. For a more distinct look, R-Dynamic specification will offer a sportier look while an Exterior Pack will also be offered with elements finished in gloss black.
Moving inside, the XF gains a new cabin design along with improved materials such as open-pore wood veneers and aluminium. A new curved 11.4 inch Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment system is fitted as well as a new drive selector. The infotainment system is not only larger but the screen is also 3-times brighter and features a simplified menu structure and can be updated over the air. It’s also Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible. A new 12.3-inch interactive driver display and Head-up display is also fitted for the driver’s convenience.
A wireless smartphone charger will also be offered as an option. The XF’s interior also boasts new door casings with 360-degree grab handles and improved storage while the new seats offer wider cushioning, new massage functions and enhanced heating and cooling functions. Cabin Air Ionisation, for improved cabin air quality, will be offered as an option.
Other cool features include Active Road Noise Cancellation technology (fro improved refinement), ClearSight Interior Rear View Mirror and the latest-generation Activity Key which now incorporates a watch.
Updated Jaguar XF Engine Power
A more powerful diesel engine will be offered when the XF arrives locally in early 2021.
The updated Jaguar XF will be offered a choice of 2 petrol engines and a new, more powerful turbodiesel engine from Jaguar’s Ingenium engine range. All XF’s are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.
Useful driver assistance technology includes Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and a 3D Surround Camera.
The 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine choices include a 183 kW/365 Nm engine offered in rear-wheel-drive guise while the more powerful 221 kW/400 Nm engine will be offered with all-wheel-drive.
As for the new 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, it offers some 15 kW more than the outgoing 132 kW version and it offers outputs of 147 kW and 430 Nm.
The South African market gets petrol and diesel powertrains, and for the first time, an all-wheel-drive derivative.
How much does the updated Jaguar XF cost in SA?
The updated Jaguar XF range is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km service plan.
We can expect the first electric Rolls-Royce to be revealed in 2023, but this is not the first time the brand has shown an interest in alternate power.
Sir Henry Royce was interested in everything electrified and before getting into cars, his first company F.H. Royce and Company sold dynamos, electric crane motors and held the patent for the bayonet-style light bulb. In April 1900 Charles Rolls had a go in a very early electric car called the Columbia and “declared its electric drive to be ideal”. When the two merged to form what’s arguably the most luxurious car brand in the world, electric power was put on the backburner.
With the electric Rolls-Royce 102EX concept from 2011, the brand indicated it would be investigating electrification. On paper at least, this concept looked fascinating. With a range of just 200 km with dual motors, it was never going to be feasible. The 2016 103EX electric Rolls-Royce concept looked wild and underlined the brand’s attitude towards going green.
Now, we see the first real step forward with these teaser images. This is the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre, which looks to be a similar shape and size to the current Wraith. Interestingly, it will not be based on a BMW platform like the current Wraith but rather use Rolls-Royce’s Architecture of Luxury which currently forms the base of the Ghost and Phantom.
There are very few details, like projected range and estimated performance figures, but the brand did say its electric Rolls-Royce will be undergoing 2.5 million km in testing, which is more than any other product in its portfolio.
The Goodwood-based brand said the new Spectre will be at the forefront of the electric Rolls-Royce revolution and will make its production debut in 2023.
Given the general size of its products and needs of its ultra-high net worth clientele, Rolls-Royce will no doubt be considering a large battery pack to offer a substantial range. With high-end electric cars offering ranges of around 450 km, Rolls-Royce will have to trump that without compromising on its prestige.
Following the reveal of the new Grand Cherokee L 7-seater earlier this year, Jeep has now revealed the 5-seater Grand Cherokee as well as a new plug-in hybrid derivative.
With design cues straight from the mammoth Grand Wagoneer, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee looks bold and imposing and will be offered in either 5- or 7–seater guise. As far as trim levels go, there will be at least 7 for the American market including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Trailhawk, Summit and Summit Reserve.
Inside, the cabin is smart-looking and luxurious with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and similarly-sized instrument cluster as well as a 10-inch head-up display. An optional 10.25-inch screen can also be fitted ahead of the front passenger. Driver assistance features include emergency braking with collision warning and pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, active lane management, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, active brake assist and blind-spot monitoring, to name a few.
In terms of engines, the Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 soldiers on, and in this application it develops 216 kW and 348 Nm. The engine we suspect most will go for is the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 which pumps out 266 kW and 528 Nm. But that’s not all, Jeep will also offer a new 4xe plug-in hybrid derivative comprising a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, 2 electric motors and 17 kWh battery pack. Total output is pegged at 280 kW and 637 Nm with an all-electric driving range of 40 km, An 8-speed automatic gearbox is standard across the range.
If you’re an offroad enthusiast, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will offer the most capability and comes equipped with a Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension that can raise the vehicle’s ground clearance to over 280mm. Using a Quadra-Drive II active transfer case in conjunction with an electronic limited-slip rear differential and sway bar disconnect system (for better suspension articulation), the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will be able to tackle tough terrain.
When will the Jeep Grand Cherokee come to South Africa?
The new Jeep Grand Cherokee 5- and 7-seater is expected to arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2022 and local specification and pricing has yet to be confirmed. We will keep you updated as and when we receive further details. s.
The revised Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio have touched down in SA and we travelled to Gauteng to get behind the ‘wheels of arguably the prettiest cars in their respective segments. However, “good looks can only take you so far”, as they say… and the Italian pair is certainly up against some stiff competition!
This author had the privilege of travelling to Milan in June 2015 to attend the global reveal of the then all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan. FCA (now absorbed into Stellantis) pulled out the stops and many Italian cliches came to mind: fine cuisine, Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma etc. The charismatic Sergio Marchionne (the late Fiat boss, clad in his characteristic black jersey) led proceedings.
There was renewed hope for the Milanese brand. The rear-wheel-drive Giorgio platform was all-new; Marchionne insisted that the rebirth of Alfa Romeo would not be spearheaded by a car based on an existing Jeep/Chrysler platform. And the Giulia? It was gorgeous from every angle – even base-spec derivatives, although unadorned by the Quadrifoglio’s sporty embellishments, were head-turners.
Six years on from that momentous evening, updated versions of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Alfa Romeo Stelvio have arrived in Mzansi. It’s fair to say that local sales numbers of the pre-facelift models were very disappointing (although the Quadrifoglio versions certainly generated a lot of fanfare and got enthusiasts’ proverbial juices flowing)… Could the revised pair fair any better? Well, they ought to…
Several recall announcements and tech bulletins published on websites such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (and others) reveal that the first-gen Giulias were plagued by electronic glitches, which was perhaps symptomatic of the sedan being rushed to market in 2016. Fortunately, one of the best aspects of a facelift model is that a manufacturer can assess all the data and learnings that it accumulates while a model is on the market (usually for about 5 years) and address them to ensure that the updated version is free of such issues or gremlins. It’s not purely an Alfa Romeo issue – most brands have had elements of their products that needed to be improved for subsequent models. We hope the niggles that beset the 1st-gen cars have been rectified, but only time will tell…
What’s New?
The updated Alfa Romeo range has taken its time to get to SA (thanks Covid-19!), but the 2020 model year updates are mostly focused on tech/safety updates and upgrades of cabin trim and quality.
Alfa Romeo South Africa is offering its Giulia and Stelvio with two derivatives in each range. For the Giulia sedan, the range kicks off with the Veloce. This has a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine punching out 206 kW and 400 Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels via an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and Alfa Romeo claims the Veloce is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph in 5.7 sec.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio, with its thundering Ferrari-fettled 2.9-litre biturbo V6 that produces 375 kW/600 Nm, is back. Its claimed 0-100 kph time of 3.9 sec makes it one of the quickest sports sedans around.
As for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it follows a similar strategy with the Super also featuring the 206 kW/400 Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol motor, but it additionally features all-wheel drive (and a neat Q4 badge on the tailgate). The same 2.9-litre biturbo V6 makes its way into the Stelvio Quadrifoglio and, thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, it can bolt from 0-100 kph faster than its sedan sibling – just 3.8 sec.
Levels of Trim
It appears Alfa Romeo South Africa has been taking notes from Lexus when it comes to offering cars with comprehensive specification lists. That’s right, the seemingly steep prices listed at the bottom of this article are for generously equipped derivatives. There are no optional extras – the cars are fully loaded with virtually everything you’d need as far as convenience and comfort features are concerned.
The Giulia Veloce, for example, comes with adaptive dampers, selectable drive modes, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, a new 7-inch digital TFT screen in the instrument cluster, a bigger 8.8-inch infotainment screen (which is now Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatible), leather sport seats, dual-zone climate control, park distance control, a reverse-view camera, tyre-pressure sensors, USB ports for front and rear passengers, a wireless charging pad, auto lights and -wipers, as well as a heated steering wheel.
Where the local Alfa Romeo lineup has made a particularly big stride is in the provision of semi-autonomous safety systems (with the brand claiming Level 2). The vehicle comes with active cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning and autonomous emergency braking.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super largely follows the above offering, with the addition of an all-wheel-drive system, hill descent control, an electrically powered tailgate and larger (20-inch) wheels.
What are the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio like to drive?
The Giorgio platform is renowned for its clever packaging and the engine’s positioning has resulted in 50/50 weight distribution. What’s more, the Giulia’s body is lighter than its traditional rivals due to things like a carbon-fibre prop shaft, and this has resulted in the delivery of one of the more engaging driving experiences in the segment, which applies to the taller Stelvio as well.
The Giulia’s on-road demeanour has always pleased us and this updated model is no different. Our route through the Magaliesberg highlighted that the accurate steering setup remains a stand-out feature; it offers directness and “feel” in abundance. It’s quick too… you can whip the ‘wheel around with minimal effort; it endows the car with a darting, nimble feel. It may be a bit too lively for some, however.
The chassis and the adaptive dampers are a brilliant combination. There’s engagement galore, lots of grip and you feel connected to the car (as cliched as that sounds). The ride quality is good too, but the 19-inch wheels generate quite a bit of road noise… the Giulia’s cabin isn’t as well insulated as the Audi A4’s, for example, but then the Ingolstadt-based brand’s model is comparatively dour to pilot.
The DNA driving modes make a notable difference to the Giulia’s on-road manners. While in the default N (Normal), the ZF transmission seems to shift almost imperceptibly, but when D (Dynamic) is engaged, a gentle bolt-action bump accompanies each change. Feel free to use the gearshift paddles for maximum engagement – they are not only pretty to look at, but a tactile pleasure to use.
The Veloce’s 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine produces a hearty 206 kW, which eclipses the outgoing Super derivative’s 147 kW. While it doesn’t quite offer the aural stimulation produced by its V6-powered brother, the motor delivers strong performance and revs eagerly to the redline. We suspect that, when Dynamic mode is engaged, some augmented engine sound is fed into the 2.0-litre derivative’s cabin.
After driving the Giulia sedan, we climbed into the Stelvio Super. Despite its Executive SUV designation (which means it comes with a reasonably hiked-up ride height), the Stelvio handles in quite a sporty manner. It too benefits from the Giorgio platform, has the same gorgeous steering setup as its sedan sibling and despite being fitted with larger (20-inch) wheels, its ride quality is generally good too.
It’s only when you’re in a real hurry – and start to compel the Stelvio to corner quickly and sharply – that the laws of physics come into play. At the end of the day, the Alfa’s executive SUV is still a 1.6-tonne vehicle with an upright stance, so a fair bit of body roll makes itself known. Still, this is not really a negative as the Stelvio is lighter and more engaging than any of its rivals (this side of the Porsche Macan).
The main reason you’d rather buy a Stelvio than a Giulia is its superior practicality, as well as the ability to traverse dirt roads more assuredly. The Q4 system favours the rear wheels, but if the car’s ECU detects some slip, up to 50% of the available power will be sent to the front wheels to compensate. The Stelvio Super should cope with moderately slippery road surfaces, but is it an off-roader? No, it isn’t.
Summary
In much the same fashion as before, the Alfa Romeo pairing of the Giulia and Stelvio appeals to driving enthusiasts and Italian-car lovers, thanks to distinctively stylish looks plus excellent driving manners. We do think Alfa Romeo has missed a trick by not offering a turbodiesel option for the SUV, as – by its own admission during the presentation – diesel power is still relevant in the R1-million SUV segment.
Downsides? It’s only upon closer inspection of the models’ cabins that some flaws become apparent. While the Giulia and Stelvio’s cabins are ergonomically fine, the upgraded infotainment system’s screen is a bit too dark for our liking. Most of the interior materials are of good quality, but there are a couple of cheap-feeling elements here and there, such as the insubstantial electronic handbrake switch.
Then there’s the question of after-sales and backup. We all know Alfa Romeo owners have a love/hate relationship with their cars and while we as journalists report on new vehicle launches, we cannot predict what the ownership experience of a car will be like in 3 years’ time. We hope things will be different under Stellantis, as Alfa Romeo’s PSA sister brands appear to be doing quite well in Europe.
Then there’s depreciation… there are some rather tempting low-mileage pre-facelift Giulias and Stelvios available at extraordinarily low prices in the used-car market. Still, we did an online configuration of a BMW 330i M Sport (a direct rival to the Giulia Veloce) to the Alfa Romeo’s spec level and found there wasn’t a very big price difference at all. A competitively priced new Alfa Romeo… Who’d a thunk it?
How much does the new Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio cost in South Africa?
The updated duo from Italy is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan as standard.
The alternative to the Land Rover Defender will be touching down in SA towards the end of next year and the brand has confirmed its dealership/servicing plans.
The Ineos Grenadier is said to be an alternative offroad-capable SUV. Inspired by the original Land Rover Defender, Ineos founder Jim Ratcliffe initially tried to buy the rights/plans for the Defender, but naturally Jaguar Land Rover fought tooth and nail to protect one of its most iconic nameplates.
So, Ratcliffe decided to create his own version. Given how the market has moved away from the hardcore offroad and semi-military applications and there are just a handful of models playing in this space (think of your non-AMG Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota Land Cruisers), Ratcliffe and Ineos reckon they’re onto something. Impressively, BMW is the engine supplier and the Grenadier will be powered by Munich’s petrol and diesel 3.0 straight-6 engines.
During a recent online meeting, Ineos shared its plans and strategy for the global market, but crucially confirmed its plans for Sub-Saharan Africa. That’s us! With the first customer cars tentatively scheduled to touch down in South Africa in October 2022, attention now turns to dealership sales and servicing.
With Ineos partnering with BMW when it comes to powertrain, it makes total sense to make use of specialists who are already fluent in such tech. In this case, Ineos will be turning to Bosch Car Service outlets.
For the South African market, Ineos has signed deals with SMH Group to cover the Pretoria and Johannesburg regions, while SMG will be used to cover Durban and Cape Town. These groups will be responsible for sales and servicing, with further locations to be announced later for servicing only.
Interestingly, the man at the top for our region is none other than former BMW SA boss Tim Abbott. Not only does he understand the South African motoring landscape, but his expertise from BMW which powers the Grenadier will be coming in handy.
It’s quite cheeky to be testing your new offroader in the G-Class’ back yard
Ineos Grenadier Price in South Africa
As far as how much the new Ineos Grenadier will cost, indicative pricing has been pegged at R1 395 000. So far, 75 000 people have indicated they’re interested in the purchase of the new Ineos Grenadier. Prototypes of this offroad-ready vehicle will be arriving in South Africa for testing and we look forward to spotting them out in the wild.
You might recognise this car’s owner/builder… Quentin Boylan has been on our channel before; he is also the man behind the AMG Hilux we featured a few weeks ago.
However, in many ways, this striking yellow creation is even more special than the AMG Hilux which the internet loved so much. While it looks like a Lotus Exige, it is actually a completely custom carbon fibre mould. It is longer and wider than a standard Exige to accommodate the huge Mercedes-AMG engine and the transmission.
Quentin sourced an SLS AMG motor from the Netherlands, and basically built the car around the powerplant. Boylan and his team left it naturally aspirated, but even so, it’s touching 650hp or 478 kW in a car that weighs just over a tonne with the owner on board.
This is quite simply a yellow and black rocket, and we’re so happy to bring this proudly South African creation to you on our channel!
A huge thank you to Quentin for his time and generosity with his cars, and a big congratulations to him and his team for creating this one-off masterpiece.
And a big thank you to Stefan Kotze for producing and making this film. Enjoy!
The current generation of Chinese bakkies are no joke, as GWM has proved.
But can a Chinese bakkie become a true Hilux GR Sport or Ranger Raptor rival? To answer this question, there is the new GWM Black Bullet and according to Carexpert AU, it’s the real deal.
Using the current P-Series as a platform, this is a Chinese double-cab 4×4 unlike any other. Designed for exploration and following – or leading – any convoy across technical terrain, the GWM Black Bullet has been developed by Yunliang.
Operating as an independent 4×4 accessories business in China, Yunliang has spent two years perfecting its GWM Black Bullet project – and it looks deeply impressive.
Yunliang’s ‘Mark Road’ accessories are present on this most capable of Chinese 4×4 bakkies and denoted by their ‘MR’ badging.
The most notable aspect of this bakkie, aside from its stance, is the improved approach angle front bumper and bullbar – the latter being an MR component. This bullbar houses a 5.5-tonne recovery capacity Warn winch and LEDs.
Around the rear, there is a step-up bar and along the flanks, tucked running boards ease cabin access. The Black Bullet also features that obligatory clean/cold air circulating snorkel.
Rolling BFGoodrich 285/70 R17 KO2 all-terrain tyres, this Chinese hardcore 4×4 benefits from significant suspension upgrades. The ATLAS adjustable dampers help achieve a 50 mm lift and there are stronger forged upper and lower control arms, helping to keep those front wheels in place.
Boosting the Black Bullet’s traction are front and rear lockable differentials supplied by Easton.
Where things go slightly off-theme is the cabin – which has an abundance of ivory trim. Not the most practical hue, for a hardcore exploration vehicle.
Power and torque numbers have not been confirmed. The GWM P-Series uses a 2-litre turbodiesel, boosting 120 kW and 400 Nm. Those are fair outputs, but this Black Bullet version will definitely be heavier than the standard P-Series and possibly require a slightly more potent engine tune.
Traditional double-cab 4×4 followers might find the GWM Black Bullet an oddity, but with China having the Gobi desert, jungles and enormous mountains in its backyard, there is a potential market for the GWM Black Bullet.
Having plied his trade in the finance industry for 20 years (during which time he worked for Accenture, Discovery, FNB and Wesbank), Alan Quinn has an intimate understanding of vehicle finance. In this instalment, he weighs up the pros and cons of getting a vehicle loan on either a fixed- or variable interest rate.
You may soon be making a finance application for a new car at your friendly local dealership. One question they will ask is whether you want a variable or fixed interest rate. What should you say?
The choice between a variable- and a fixed interest rate depends on whether you’re willing to allow market forces to affect your instalments or whether you want the certainty of preset monthly payments.
Vehicle Finance interest rates explained:
When you take any loan from the bank; as well as paying back the loan in monthly instalments, you also pay an additional amount in interest. Naturally, you want this interest rate to be as low as possible…
Your interest rate is basically determined by how much of a risk the bank considers you to be. Having a good credit record will lower your interest rate, while a lower credit record will raise your interest rate.
Variable vs Fixed interest rate: Which is in your best interest?
When you take out a vehicle finance loan with a “variable” interest rate, there’s another factor that will affect your interest rates: market forces. As the market interest rate (known as the “prime” interest rate) rises and falls, so does your interest rate.
What do you mean by “market forces” and how do they affect the interest rate?
1. The SARB (South African Reserve Bank) meets every few months and decides upon the “prime” lending rate for the country.
2. The banks, in turn, adjust their interest rates for their loans to their customers to align with the Reserve Bank.
If you take out a loan with a “fixed” interest rate, then the bank is making a promise that the interest rate you pay will stay exactly the same – no matter what happens in the market.
Good to know:
The current prime rate of 7% is at its lowest level in recent memory. This follows 4 interest rate cuts in quick succession by the SARB during 2020 in anticipation of the negative impact the Covid-19 pandemic would have on the economy.
This has caused an increasing number of customers to ask for “fixed” interest rates over the term of their finance agreement because they are trying to guarantee a lower interest rate – and, therefore, smaller repayments – for the duration of their finance agreements.
Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each approach.
Variable interest rate
Pro: If the prime interest rate goes down in response to market forces (as it just did with the 2020 interest rate cuts by the SARB), the interest on your vehicle finance goes down with it, and you save money.
Con: On the other hand, if the prime interest rate goes up, so do your repayments. The fluctuating interest rates can make it difficult to budget accordingly.
Fixed interest rate
Pro: You keep paying the same vehicle finance repayment amount monthly, regardless of fluctuations in the market, for an initial agreed period. You will thus be able to factor your repayments into your budget with 100% accuracy.
Con: A fixed interest rate may be less of a risk for you, but it’s more of a risk for the bank, so they’re likely to charge you a higher rate out the gate.
Tip: Always get your Dealer to quote you on both variable and fixed rates so you can see how much extra you will pay for a fixed rate.
So ultimately, the best choice depends on your situation. The fixed interest rate is probably the right choice if your budget is tight and you can’t afford any fluctuation in your expenses.
Even though the fixed interest rate you are offered today is higher than the variable rate, if you want to be able to plan your budget without worrying about your car repayments going up, then the fixed rate is the best option for you.
Another factor to consider: Managing your Credit Score
The difference between the interest rate offered by the banks for a good credit score vs a lower credit score for vehicle finance can be as much as 8%. The prime interest rate has only varied by 3% over the last decade. You have no control over the market forces that determine the prime rate, but you CAN control your credit score and save yourself a lot of money with lower interest rates over the long term.
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class / GLS Edition 100 Announced
Ultra-luxury brand, Mercedes-Maybach is celebrating its 100-year production milestone with bespoke Edition 100 iterations of the S-Class sedan and GLS SUV.
In September 1921, the then Maybach Motorenbau GmbH presented its first mass-produced car, the W 3, at the Berlin motor show. As such, the brand is celebrating its 100-year production milestone and to mark the occasion, the luxury firm is offering the Maybach S-Class Edition 100 and the Maybach GLS Edition 100 to well-heeled customers. Only 100 examples of each will be produced, ensuring their exclusivity.
Both models wear an elegant, hand-painted two-tone colour scheme with a Cirrus Silver body and Nautical Blue bonnet and roof. The special forged alloy wheels feature obligatory “Edition 100” lettering, which is also found on the C-Pillars, serving as a reminder that these are not ordinary Mercedes-Maybach models. Customers will also receive a car cover and a handmade case in either black leather or soft crystal white to store keys and paperwork.
On the inside, both Edition 100 models are fitted with bespoke Crystal White and Silver Grey Pearl leather upholstery. Every conceivable luxury feature you would want is present, including a noise insulated rear cabin, ventilated seats with full massage functionality and a high-end Burmester 4D surround sound system as well as the obligatory top-end touchscreen infotainment systems.
The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Edition 100 is offered exclusively with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 463 kW and no less than 1 000 Nm of torque. As for the Mercedes-Maybach Edition 100, it makes use of a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 415 kW and 730 Nm of torque.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Mercedes-Maybach EQS Concept was revealed recently too, previewing the firm’s forthcoming luxury electric SUV which is due in 2023.
