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!
Not dead yet! Decade-old Ford EcoSport outsells fresher Indian-built rivals
Ford’s EcoSport is long in the tooth and its future unclear, so it shouldn’t be a strong seller, should it? Well, South African buyers seem to disagree.
The BK-generation Ford EcoSport was revealed a full decade ago, before hitting the South African market a year later. Locally, the small Fiesta-based crossover quickly skipped up the sales charts, endearing itself to South Africans with its compact exterior dimensions, penchant for fuel efficiency and attractive entry price (back in 2013, you could have one for R199 000).
Over time, the EcoSport supplanted the Fiesta and Figo as the Blue Oval brand’s most consistent volume driver in the passenger-vehicle space, playing a crucial support role to the popular light-commercial Ranger. Thing is, the little crossover has been afforded just a single major update (along with a smattering of minor tweaks and an obligatory special-edition variant) over the past 10 or so years, with its mid-cycle refresh having rolled around in 2018.
Today, the landscape in this part of the market looks markedly different, having since erupted with pint-sized, high-riding competitors, most of which are imported from India (and are a little more compact at around four metres long). In addition, the EcoSport’s local future seems somewhat uncertain since the Chennai plant from which base-spec derivatives are sourced is currently winding down its operations, with the doors scheduled to shut in the second quarter of 2022.
The Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite appear to have risen to the top of the segment’s sales charts.
So, with more – not to mention exceedingly fresher – competitors than ever and a starting price that’s crept to the wrong side of R300 000, one might think EcoSport sales would falter. Based on December 2021’s sales statistics, the opposite is in fact the case. Ford registered as many as 765 units of the EcoSport during the month (up 135 units on November’s figures), which was enough to make it the sixth best-selling passenger car in the country. That’s no mean feat.
Sifting through Naamsa’s detailed sales figures and picking out its slightly smaller rivals shipped over from India, we see the closest competitor was the Nissan Magnite (679 units), which couldn’t quite match the EcoSport despite boasting a lower starting price of R269 800. The Renault Kiger – which is closely related to the aforementioned Magnite but starts at just R204 900 thanks to the option of a lower-spec powertrain – ended the month on 555 units.
Toyota’s Urban Cruiser was next on 488 units, slipping slightly from a strong effort of 699 units in November but just managing to keep its nose ahead of the Hyundai Venue (482 units). The Kia Sonet range – which is tipped to grow with the addition of 1.0T derivatives and perhaps even a new flagship GT Line trim level at some point in 2022 – ended the month on 360 units. Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza wasn’t far behind, finishing on 332 units. The Honda WR-V, meanwhile, could muster only 38 units, while Mahindra registered a mere two examples of its XUV300.
What about rivals originating from countries other than India? Well, the Spanish-built Volkswagen T-Cross found 766 owners (yes, one more than the EcoSport) in the final month of 2021, while the giant-killing Jolion from China contributed 390 registrations to Haval’s cause.
We should point out, of course, that Ford’s local division currently sources its EcoSport units from two plants. The Ambiente variants fitted with Ford’s atmospheric 1.5-litre three-pot come from the soon-to-be-shuttered Chennai facility, while the mid- and top-spec Trend and Titanium derivatives powered by the brand’s 1.0-litre turbo-triple engine are shipped in from Romania.
So, what does the future hold for this ageing product? Well, a local Ford spokesperson confirmed to us the EcoSport would “remain on sale in South Africa throughout 2022”, which would suggest the company has at least secured some additional stock from the ill-fated Indian plant and will continue to import units from Europe, too. Don’t be surprised to see the EcoSport outperforming its more youthful rivals on the sales charts for a few more months yet.
Ford EcoSport versus Indian-built rivals in December 2021
1. Ford EcoSport – 765 units
2. Nissan Magnite – 679 units
3. Renault Kiger – 555 units
4. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 488 units
5. Hyundai Venue – 482 units
6. Kia Sonet – 360 units
7. Suzuki Vitara Brezza – 332 units
8. Honda WR-V – 38 units
9. Mahindra XUV300 – 2 units
BMW X3 M40i: A Real-World Review
The X3 is produced right here in South Africa and while we’ve sampled various derivatives of BMW’s recently revised executive SUV, there’s nothing quite like an extended test to really get to grips with a vehicle. To that end, David Taylor spent a few weeks with the 3.0-litre inline-6 turbopetrol-engined M40i.
We are usually afforded 7 to 14 days to review a vehicle, during which time members of our team take brief turns to assess a test unit (as well as film and photograph it); believe it or not, it’s easy to miss some of the car’s finer nuances/details. However, end-of-year breaks avail us with opportunities to drive vehicles on irregular routes and for greater distances – we’ve had some illuminating experiences!
For this test, BMW supplied us with an X3 M40i, which looked striking in its Brooklyn Grey finish – it complements the brand’s performance-orientated derivatives well and drew many positive responses from onlookers during our journey. Grey hues are still very much in vogue; Audi Sport favours Nardo Grey for some of its sportier models. The 21-inch bi-colour wheels really look the part too and add to the vehicle’s kerb presence. There’s no mistaking the M40i for anything else in the range, thanks to its subtle M badges on the grille, flanks and rear… and don’t forget those trademark big-bore exhaust ends!
The BMW M40i’s dark grille finish contrasted beautifully with its Brooklyn Grey paint finish.
Inside, the M40i offers a great blend of sportiness and luxury. Our unit featured the standard black sport seats, with blue contrast-stitching, a black M logo embedded in each of the front headrests, as well as M-branded seat belts. Meanwhile, the updated X3’s infotainment system offers expanded functionality – it now supports both wireless Android Auto compatibility and over-the-air software upgrades.
Does this derivative successfully bridge the gap between the (forgive us, BMW) run-of-the-mill X3 derivatives and the performance-focused X3 M Competition flagship? Can it justify its lofty list price? We travelled more than 1 900 km in the BMW X3 M40i on a mixture of road surfaces… and herewith our findings.
An overall consumption figure of 10.2 L/100 km. For the vast majority of our time with the X3 M40i, we drove it in Eco Pro mode.
Things We Like about BMW X3 M40i
That glorious engine and engaging driving experience
The M40i’s 3.0-litre inline-6 turbopetrol motor is a legendary powerplant and it’s easy to see why – the single-turbo motor’s 285 kW and 500 Nm translate into stunning performance. BMW claims the M40i can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 4.5 sec and a quick test of the launch-control function (in conjunction with a smartphone app) suggested the Bimmer can comfortably eclipse 100 kph in under 5 sec.
The BMW’s a rapid machine, yes, but the sheer flexibility of the powertrain is arguably the most impressive part of the package – the 8-speed automatic transmission is smartly calibrated with the engine’s power/torque delivery. As a result, there’s minimal lag and maximum aural satisfaction as the revs climb. Even when turbocharged, BMW’s inline-6 is one of the motoring world’s greatest sounding motors.
By selecting the Reduced engine sound setting, the exhaust note is not nearly as vociferous as it could be.
If the inline-6’s induction howl doesn’t grab you, the charismatic exhaust pops will, but during its first few days in our test fleet, the Bimmer sounded rather subdued, even when its Sport drive mode was engaged. How so? We trawled through the iDrive menus to see if a setting was dialling out all of that aural goodness. Indeed it was – once the Reduced setting had been unchecked and replaced with Depending on Driving Mode, normal service resumed. There was much relief – the M40i had been far too quiet for our liking; for a while, we suspected European noise regulations had muzzled the M40i.
As for the driving experience, the X3 is not purported to be a sportscar… it’s more of a spacious, practical luxury family car with a sporty bent. However, the M40i certainly has a wider range of talents than its lesser siblings, especially in terms of dynamism. It delivers quite astonishing in-gear acceleration and performs 80-120 kph overtaking manoeuvres with little effort – even in its most relaxed settings.
These sporty front seats look good and offer a good balance of comfort and support.
The X3 M40i features adaptive suspension, which means the damping can be firmed up for a more engaging drive, or softened, should the road surface deteriorate badly. Given our weekend sojourns on some gravel roads, we did think the overall setup was rather firm. But, if you spend the majority of your time driving on asphalt, you’ll enjoy how this family SUV mimics a sportscar when you’re in a hurry.
We did bear in mind that this is a sizeable family SUV – the laws of physics still apply, but we came away impressed with how well the M40i handled. The xDrive system works well and, should you decide to make the Bimmer take a few corners at a heady pace, there is no shortage of grip available. It’s not quite as involving as, say, an M340i, but there’s enough to keep the average enthusiast entertained.
The tech and connectivity
The slick-looking BMW Operating System 7 heralds new levels of connectivity for the X3.
The recent LCI update saw the introduction of a number of firsts in the X3. The M40i features a large (12.3-inch) new touchscreen infotainment system powered by the slick-looking BMW Operating System 7. Its interface has a refreshingly clean and easy-to-use layout, the functionality of which is enhanced by the rather smart voice-control system known as “Hey BMW”.
Meanwhile, wireless Android Auto has debuted in BMW’s executive SUV – it joins Apple CarPlay as a (virtual) must-have feature for the digitally-savvy generation. In the M40i, numerous USB ports are provided, as well as a wireless charging pad (at the front), but note that larger devices won’t necessarily fit in the latter. We also had a chance to test the MyBMW app during the BMW’s tenure in our fleet.
We used the app to remotely unlock the M40i, toggle its climate control settings and even locate the vehicle… For example, if you cannot find the BMW in a big parking lot, you can use the app to sound the hooter and flash the lights – it’s nice to have. Even now, with BMW Fleet services having collected the vehicle, we can see exactly where it is (we’re rather tempted to “sound the horn” from 50 km away).
The BMW Live Cockpit Professional (shown below), which is what the Bavarian marque calls its digital instrument panel, is an upmarket addition and replaces the partial analogue dial setup from the pre-facelift model. The layout of the instrument panel changes depending on which drive mode you’ve selected; the display scheme features gentle blue highlighting in Eco and purposeful red accents in Sport.
The infotainment system allows for over-the-air updates, which means you don’t have to manually update the car’s “firmware” by downloading a file from the internet and installing it via a portable storage device… at the very least, you won’t need to visit the dealer’s workshop to “get updated”. These range from software upgrades of various in-car systems to new content and even “Easter eggs”. We received 2 video clips from BMW via the infotainment screen – one wished us Happy Holidays and the other was a Happy New Year message. The updates don’t take long, but only happen when the car’s parked.
The infotainment system will alert you when over-the-air updates are available from BMW.
As befitting a vehicle at this end of the market, the M40i comes standard with Driving Assistant Professional, which incorporates, inter alia, active cruise control, lane-keeping assist and steering assist.
The systems work well, but we did find the lane-keeping assist a little too intrusive. On one occasion, when we were driving on a dual-carriageway and moved over to let a motorbike past, the car nudged itself back into the middle of the lane. If we weren’t expecting it, the correction could have been a little startling. Fortunately, you can dial back the intensity of the system while keeping vital safety features (like emergency auto brake) active. Given that a bumper bashing is the most common kind of accident, this tech will intervene if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops and you don’t react in time.
You can adjust the intensity of the safety systems’ interventions, plus the car is always keen to throw tips your way to improve your user experience.
Value for money
“R1.5 million seems a lot for a family SUV.” Armchair critics will say you could buy a bigger BMW X5 30d for about the same price, but the M40i is not meant to appeal to conventional luxury-car buyers.
A quick glance at the M40i’s rivals, courtesy of the Cars.co.za Comparison tool, suggests the Bimmer goes up directly against the Audi SQ5 – which is comparatively cheaper, but also slower and not as liberally equipped – as well as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. The Benz, for its part, offers similar performance to its Bavarian rival, but is quite long in the tooth. If you’re performance-oriented, the Porsche argument comes into play, with the Macan GTS costing a touch more money, but packing 324 kW. Despite its power advantage, the GTS’ claimed performance figures are on-par with those of the X3.
The M40i is hardly keenly-priced, but its standard specification is not meagre.
So, what do you get for your R1 415 042 (as standard, January 2022) in terms of standard features? Contrary to the past practice of offering basic cars with extensive options lists, German premium brands are switching to “subscription models” that enable buyers to effectively activate some features on their cars and use them as long as they like – it’s a way for manufacturers to reduce complexity and save buyers from paying for features that they will hardly ever use… BMW claims its new X3 range sees “the complexity of the equipment lines and optional extras has deliberately been reduced by 30%”.
The X3 M40i trim comes liberally equipped with a delicious Harman Kardon audio system, wireless phone charging, USB ports for the rear passengers, heated seats, head-up display, panoramic roof, reclining rear seats, tyre pressure sensors, adaptive dampers, parking sensors, parking cameras and the previously mentioned safety tech. All that connectivity/app integration is also included.
So, what options are available for this derivative? A quick look at the online configurator suggests that you can spec the BMW Laserlights (R16 500), a heated steering wheel (R3 050), front and rear heated seats (R6 100), BMW Gesture Control (R4 000), Parking Assist Plus (R7 200) as well as red-calipered M Sport brakes (R6 600).
The X3 M40i was a consummate long-distance cruiser, but we wished the indicated consumption figure could be closer to the manufacturer’s claim.
Dislikes?
During its tenure in our test fleet, the X3 M40i performed impressively, but a few things warranted criticism. Apart from the previously mentioned firm ride quality, we noted a heavier-than-expected fuel consumption. Granted, if you’re shopping for a R1.5-million luxury car, the petrol price is unlikely to be a major factor, but we did sense that the Bimmer emptied its 65-litre tank faster than we thought it would. Interestingly, BMW claims an optimal range of 730 km, but we were lucky if we got around 550 km from a full tank. After 1 960 km, the trip computer indicated 10.2 L/100 km (claim: 8.9 L/100 km).
The BMW M40i produces more than enough performance to justify its sporty packaging and on-road presence.
Buying Advice
The great thing about the recently revised BMW X3 range is that there’s a powertrain to suit virtually every need. If you’re after the most extreme performance, BMW offers the X3 M Competition, which delivers sportscars-rivalling pace. If frugality and long-haul comfort are what you’re after, one of the turbodiesel derivatives should fit the bill nicely. Plus, if all-wheel-drive capability is not a must-have, the sDrive18d with its 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor (and a claimed optimal range of 1 308 km from a full tank) is a tempting proposition indeed; you could get one, with a few options added, for under R1 million.
Noble Makes Return with M500 Supercar
Small-scale British supercar maker, Noble, is preparing to bring its new M500 supercar to market in 2022.
Based in Leicester, UK, Noble Automotive is perhaps not as widely publicised as other supercar makers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren but the small British firm has a strong reputation for remaining true to driving purity and the forthcoming M500 will be no different.
Since 2009, Noble produced the M600 supercar boasting a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre Yamaha V8 engine that produced maximum outputs of 485 kW and 819 Nm of torque and with a Graziano 6-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Production of the M600 ended in 2018.
At 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Nobel showed the M500 concept supercar, essentially a ‘baby M600’ and a working prototype, pictured here, is currently undergoing testing. Nobel is hoping to have first customer deliveries before the end of 2022 with a target production of 50 units per annum.
The rear-wheel-drive Noble M500 2-seater, mid-engined supercar will be powered by Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, the same that powers the Ford GT, and will offer around 410 kW and 813 Nm of torque and will also employ the Graziano 6-speed manual transmission with a metal gate.
The tubular steel chassis is 70% derived from the M600 and while both the M600 and M500 share the same length, the M500 is slightly wider. The M500 features a double-wishbone suspension with coilover springs and passive dampers all around. The steering is hydraulically-assisted but no ABS or airbags will be fitted to the M500, which is a rarity in this day and age.
The target weight for the M500 is roughly 1 250 kg and if that is achieved, it will feature a tantalising power-to-weight ratio that could give the Maserati MC20 and the Porsche 911 Turbo S a solid run down the drag strip.
Also, while official pricing has not yet been confirmed, Noble is aiming to bring the M500 to market for roughly £150,000 or approximately R3.2 million which would make it very competitively priced against its rival offerings.
