New M3: Why did BMW ‘mess with Coke’?

For BMW aficionados, an M3 badge was once the holy of holies, but since the 4 Series and M4 came along, it no longer is. Not only is the M3 lumped with its coupe sibling’s controversial grille design, but the Munich-based brand’s next model is likely to make the super sedan obsolete.

New Coke. It’s the most storied corporate blunder in modern history. In 1985, Coca-Cola infamously reacted to a successful campaign by its competitor Pepsi and decided to change the recipe for-, and branding of, the world’s bestselling soft drink. This marketing broadside was met with an unprecedented public outcry and plummeting sales. The extent of the disaster was such that 78 days after the launch of New Coke, Coca-Cola reverted to its old formula and launched Classic Coke.

The original (E30-generation) M3 was the progenitor of BMW’s touring car championship-dominating race car in the ’80s.

Subsequently, a saying developed in the industry: “(You) don’t mess with Coke.”

In the automotive world, and more to the point, the sportscar market, the Porsche 911 is the closest equivalent of Coca-Cola. Launched in the Sixties (considered for replacement by the 928 grand tourer in the Seventies, but that never happened), the 911 is a rear-engined coupe that (to be unkind) looks a bit like a stretched VW Beetle; with or without turbos, air- or watercooled, rear- or all-wheel-drive, Porsche’s definitive sportscar’s basic packaging and elemental driving experience have remained constant. That is why it is a motoring icon.

A 4-door M3 is not a new concept, even the 2nd-generation (E36-based) M3 had a sedan variant.

BMW M3, from hero to whipping boy

For BMW, the M3 badge is hallowed, at least it was. Launched in 1985, the boxy E30-generation M3 became world-famous by virtue of its giant-slaying abilities and touring car championship successes around the globe. When the 2nd generation (E36-based) M3 came out, BMW introduced sedan and cabriolet versions to broaden the sportscar’s already considerable appeal, then skipped the sedan version with the E46-generation, only to offer the E9x version in all 3 configurations yet again; they were endowed with the same motors and ‘boxes; an M3 was an M3, no matter what body it had.

When BMW decided to can the 3 Series Coupe and Convertible nomenclatures and replace them with 4 Series variants in 2013, including the Gran Coupe, which, incidentally, became the best-selling body shape in the range, “M3” became a rather awkward topic of after-dinner conversation.

Having gone to the trouble of splitting the 3- and 4 Series, the front end of the first M4 (left) looked identical to that of the M3 (right).

You see, the “3” was supposed to denote a sedan product under the new naming regime, so from that point onward, an M3 badge could only feature on a 4-door M car, nothing else.

M4 m-shmore

The sedan and convertible variants of the M3 have always played second fiddle, in terms of sales, to the svelte coupe versions, so BMW effectively decided against leveraging its most revered nameplate by making the M3 exclusively a sedan. Then, after cooking up all the fuss and fanfare about differentiating between 3 Series and 4 Series, the previous generation M3 and M4 (co-launched in 2014) looked virtually identical from the front anyway, so there really was nothing going for the M3 apart from “space for kids”, which, for something as utterly indulgent as a performance car, is not a USP in the least.

Okay, so BMW launched the new M3 and M4 recently and, having risked so much and been so ballsy to festoon the 4 Series with those “tall kidneys” (ostensibly to truly set it apart from the buttoned-up 3 Series sedan), the M Division slapped the grille on the M3 too, which reduced the once-beloved nameplate to variant status once more. BMW may argue that buyers wouldn’t want to drive something that looked like just another warmed-up or M-badged 3 Series and, apparently, that twin-turbo 3.0-litre I6 needs the extra cooling that only that gaping maw of a grille and air-scooped bumper can provide.

As with the previous generation M3 and M4, the new models’ (G80 and G82) front ends look identical.

WTF: Why The Face

Oh, whatever… Enough has been written about that grille; there’s little point to revisit the topic, but, for what it’s worth, yes, it looks better in the metal and, in combination with a dark exterior finish and when “blacked out”, the kidneys look really distinctive. The biggest problem that the new (G80-generation) M3 has, in fact, is that it may soon be superfluous… irrespective of its dramatic front-end treatment.

Remember that nugget about the 4 Series Gran Coupe (GC) being the best-selling variant of the previous 4 Series (the new one technically debuted with the unveiling of the i4, but that’s another story)? When the next iteration of the 4 Series GC comes out in the near future, and we have this on good authority, there will finally be an M4 version of it. For the M3, this is a major problem: the M4 GC will a) have that front-end treatment too, b) have a sportier silhouette than the 3 Series sedan – on which the M3 is based and c) usurp the M3’s only real selling point: its multitude of doors.

Camouflaged pre-production units of the 4 Series Gran Coupe have already been photographed. There will be an M4 too.

An opportunity missed

If you thumb through marketing material for the new M3 and M4 (figuratively), it’s all a blur of contrasting colours, red buttons and paddles, gaping vents/scoops and brash carbon-fibre embellishments; BMW’s M Division is going through its second puberty and it’s not pretty – even a trifle unbecoming. Some reviewers say that the new M3 has become “the new M5”. Well, it could only wish to measure up to the rapid-but-restrained M5s of BMW’s past.

If BMW had done something refreshing, instead of grille-a-fying its sports executive sedan out of sheer hubris, the M3 could have been something unique. Imagine a potent-but-understated M-car, which is what it used to be. Consider the appearance of the M340i xDrive, which yes, probably skirts the limits of good taste anyway; now picture that 3 Series sedan dialled up to 10. I’d want a car like that.

Why could the BMW M3 not look like a more muscular version of the M340i xDrive?

Back to Coca-Cola…

The western world’s favourite soft drink has, of course, diversified through the years (I still can’t figure out why Coke Light/Diet Coke and Coke Zero exist in the same universe), just as the Porsche 911 has. However, their monikers/brands still signify exactly what they used to.

Not so the M3. When shopping for a classic car, it’s striking that the convertible, coupe and even estate versions of models seem to be the most collectable. In years to come, I think I might have trouble explaining how an M3 is the dog’s proverbials, but only up to 2014, after that, you should shop for an M4. The cool kids are going to say I’m a crazy old coot.

Porsche: focused on the future, but true to its past

Pandemic, what pandemic? Porsche set a new revenue record in its 2020 financial year! In fact, its value grew to 28.7 billion euros, surpassing the previous year’s figure by more than 100 million euros. But in a rapidly changing world, how does a company so rooted in tradition adapt to ensure its survival in the future?

In terms of deliveries and, it's worth noting, despite a temporary shutdown of production, Porsche delivered more than 272 000 vehicles to customers worldwide last year, just 3% less than the previous (best-ever) year, in 2019. The profit before tax was 4.4 billion euros, which was higher than 2019's figure.

“The financial year 2020 was successful for Porsche, despite challenging circumstances,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “There are 4 reasons for this: our attractive product range, convincing electric models, our brand’s innovative strength and the determination with which we approached our crisis management.

"More than 20 000 units were delivered of the Taycan, the first all-electric Porsche sports car. This makes it the most successful electric sportscar in its class. More than 50 international awards attest to this. Among other things, the Taycan was named the ‘world’s most innovative car’. Porsche stands for a robust core business, sustainable action, social responsibility and innovative technology,” he added.

Leaner, but no compromises on investing in the future

More than 20 000 units of the all-electric Taycan were sold in 2020.

According to Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of the Executive Board and member of the Executive Board for Finance and IT at Porsche, the fact that such record figures were achieved despite the difficult global situation was made possible by a very swiftly established cost and liquidity management system.

“Our top priority in the crisis was liquidity. We needed to reduce all costs that were not absolutely necessary.” At no stage did Porsche lose sight of its long-term strategic direction. “We didn’t scrimp at all when it comes to the future topics. We continue to proceed at full speed on transformation, digitalisation and electrification. Attempting to economise in these areas will very quickly result in a loss of competitiveness. Our cost and liquidity management provided a benchmark. We protected our business so we can get going again at full steam once the crisis ends,” he added.

Targeting CO2 neutrality by 2030

“Sustainability is an important part of our Strategy 2030 – holistically: economically, ecologically and socially,” said Blume. “We launched a comprehensive decarbonisation programme with a firm target in mind: Porsche wants to have a CO2-neutral balance sheet throughout the entire value chain by 2030. We will achieve this by systematically avoiding and reducing CO2 emissions. All of the major sites like Zuffenhausen, Weissach and Leipzig have been CO2-neutral since 2021. We’ve earmarked more than a billion euros for decarbonisation over the next 10 years. We’ve reached the first milestone: the Taycan Cross Turismo, which had its world premiere at the beginning of March, is the first vehicle that will be CO2-neutral throughout the use phase.”

The new eFuels project is of particular importance to Porsche, as it predicts the internal-combustion engine will be around for quite some time to come.

Importantly, according to Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board, Sales and Marketing, the "image of sustainability" is increasingly important for consumers. "It's not enough to produce EVs to be seen as sustainable. Increasingly, especially younger consumers buy into brands because of what those brands are doing for the environment. Porsche must be seen as actively taking responsibility."

In 2020, a 3rd of all Porsche vehicles delivered in Europe were fully or partially electric; worldwide it was 17%. By 2025, half of all new Porsche vehicles sold will have an electric motor and, by 2030, more than 80% of the Zuffenhausen-based firm's new vehicles will be electric. These are bold claims for a company that has its core appeal so deeply rooted in motorsport, the internal-combustion engine etc.

What about Porsche's "traditions"?

Fear not, Porsche fans, the company is not going to abandon the things we love most of the brand. It has already stated that the 911 is very much last in line for electrification. But, remember, this is also a brand that is proud to claim that 70% of the vehicles it has ever produced, are still on the roads today. How do those vehicles fit into Porsche's future plans? Well, it recently announced a major investment in e-fuels (synthetic fuels), which it claims can make an internal-combustion engine as clean as an EV.

Porsche plans to continue with its tradition of using motorsport as a test-bed for future road-car technologies.

"It's not the internal combustion engine that's the problem, it's the fuel it burns," said Dr Michael Steiner, member of the Executive Board, Research and Development. One of the major benefits of eFuels is that it can be used without any adjustment to an existing engine, and offers a reduction of about 85% in CO2 when viewed from a "well to wheel" perspective. This dramatic decrease makes them eFuel-powered vehicles as "clean" as EVs. Porsche plans to start running eFuels in its GT3 racing cars soon…

On that front, Porsche's relationship with motorsport looks set to continue for many decades to come…

"Absolutely yes," responded Steiner to a question of the ongoing relevance of motorsport for Porsche in this changing world. "Take the example of the Taycan," he explains. "We used the lessons learnt from the 919 racer, about the 800V system, and implemented them. Then, in Formula E, you have to run a vehicle as efficiently as possible. So, for example, if you can be better on the brakes, in terms of the regenerative system, you are more efficient. Also, there are many lessons to be learnt about the thermal management of batteries, so absolutely, motorsport continues to play an important role for us."

You may also be interested in:

Porsche 911 Turbo S Review + Video

Porsche Cayenne Coupe GTS Review + Video

Porsche Cayman GT4 Review + Video

Nissan Reveals Another Godzilla

This Patrol Nismo wants to be a GT-R SUV.

Nissan has revealed its latest Nismo vehicle, and it isn’t what you would expect…

The Japanese brand has now attached the Nismo badge to its enormous ladder-frame 4×4, creating the Patrol Nismo.

There is charming madness to this Patrol Nismo and Nissan even mentioned that some of the exterior styling changes have very real aerodynamic benefits, despite the fact that the Patrol Nismo remains a 2 690 kg luxury SUV with a relatively high centre of gravity.

New side skirts and bumpers, with red accents, are the main Nismo differentiators, although the massively imposing Patrol grille has gained hexagon patterning. Strange aerodynamic claims aside, the reshaped front bumper should improve cooling airflow to the engine and brakes. At the rear, an integrated diffuser is also part of the Nismo kit.

The Patrol Nismo also rolls huge 22-inch alloy wheels, but these are 4.5kg lighter than the standard alloys. Rotational weight and inertia savings are worth noting.

Inside the Nissan Patrol Nismo you’ll find red Alcantara and leather on the seats and door panels. Naturally, the shifter and steering wheel trim is also held together with red stitching.

Powering the Patrol Nismo is Nissan’s large-capacity 5.6-litre V8 engine. It does without turbocharging and produces 319kW and 560Nm. To Nissan’s credit, it has allowed for a touch more power on this Nismo Patrol, with the company’s engine specialists managing to raise the V8 output from 298- to 319kW.

In an attempt to balance the handling of this gargantuan Nismo product, Nissan’s engineers have also added Bilstein shock absorbers as an upgrade to all four-wheel corners.

Do you like the look of this Patrol Nismo?

Buy a Nissan Patrol on Cars.co.za

Nuts & Bolts – A Properly Useful Review of the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class 400d

Introducing a new video! We take a more in-depth look at the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class 400d.

A few weeks ago we published a video which we really enjoyed making, and it seems you enjoyed it too. We took the new Mercedes G-Wagon from a strip club in the middle of Cape Town all the way out to an offroad racetrack in the middle of nowhere, to prove that the G-Class really does fit in anywhere and everywhere.

In this follow-up video, we take a more in-depth look at the new G-Class 400d. Our video guy Ciro De Siena takes us through the new tech, the differences between this generation and the generation it replaces, we compare it in some ways to the new Land Rover Defender, and we help you with visual cues as to how to tell the old G-Wagon appart from the new one (which is a little tricky).

This video also represents a new format of video from us here at Cars.co.za, and we'd love to know what you think of it.

Looking for a used Mercedes Benz in South Africa? We have over 4300 to choose from!

If you'd like to purchase the shirt that Ciro is wearing in this video, head over to our online store: www.cars.co.za/shop

We also have a new tiktok account which you should totally follow!

https://www.tiktok.com/@carssouthafrica

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World Car Awards 2021 – Top 3 Finalists Announced

The top 3 finalists in the prestigious World Car Awards program have been announced, and it looks like the Land Rover Defender, new Toyota Yaris and Honda-e are strong frontrunners in their respective categories.

The awards program, which made its debut as far back as 2005 (which the Audi A6 won) will announce the final winners on Tuesday 20 April 2021. A jury of 93 distinguished international automotive journalists, including Cars.co.za's own Hannes Oosthuizen, selected the finalists by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work. KPMG tabulated the vote results.

The Top 3 finalists for each category are:

World Car of the Year

Volkswagen's crucial new EV, the ID.4 could add another World Car of the Year trophy to the German brand's cabinet.

World Urban Car of the Year

Honda's cute little "e" electric city car is a finalist in three categories!

World Luxury Car of the Year

Is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class the king of luxury once again? We'll find out soon!

World Performance Car of the Year

World Car Design of the Year

You may also be interested in;

Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – Powered by WesBank, winners 2020/21

Lexus Reveals LF-Z EV Concept

Lexus has revealed a new electric vehicle concept called the LF-Z Electrified1 which previews technology that will become reality by 2025.

The Lexus LF-Z Electrified1 is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) concept that provides an indication of where the brand is headed in terms of electrification.

The concept features what Lexus calls Direct4 which is a new 4-wheel driving force control technology that utilises the instantaneous response of electric power to individually control each wheel in an effort to deliver enhanced and flexible performance. The concept is able to deliver front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive capability to suit the prevailing driving conditions.

Lexus says that the LF-Z Electrified1 concept boasts at least 400 kW of power and 700 Nm of torque. Equipped with a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is assembled longitudinally in the vehicl floor, an estimated range of 600 km is achievable. More so, Lexus also says that zero to 100 kph is possible in just 3.0 seconds!

As is typical of Lexus design, the exterior features sharp and angular lines while the interior is said to feature a ‘Tazuna’ cockpit with a spacious, minimalist design. ‘Tazuna’ in Japanese means ‘rein’ which draws inspiration from the relationship between a horse and its rider and as such, the LF-Z features a yoke-like steering wheel and a sophisticated head-up display that enables the driver to perform all major functions directly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will learn preferences and behaviours and will use this information to provide support to the driver via voice communication and can suggest routes or restaurants.

More Models Coming from Lexus

The reveal of the LF-Z forms part of Lexus’ wider electric strategy which will be rolled out in years to come.

Lexus has announced that it will bring at least 20 new vehicles to market by 2025 with more than 10 of those destined to be electric as part of the ‘Lexus Electrified’ strategy. Lexus says that 2 new models will be revealed this year.

By 2025, Lexus aims to have an electric variant for each model range and it’s said that electric sales will outperform both petrol- and diesel-only sales. The EV mix will include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles (HEVs) which will be supplied to relevant markets.

Furthermore, Lexus aims to be entirely carbon-neutral by 2050 by reducing its impact in production, material production, parts and vehicles, vehicle logistics as well as recycling and disposing of older vehicles.

A new Shimoyama Technical Centre is scheduled to open in March 2024 in Japan which will push the boundaries of innovation in terms of manufacturing and processes.

Koji Sato, President and Chief Branding Officer, Lexus International commented, “"While fulfilling our social mission of realising a carbon-neutral society, we will continue to provide the fun and joy that cars bring, and we will contribute to the happiness and smiles of our customers and everyone involved with Lexus. Starting with two new models to be released this year, we will continue to develop innovative products that will add colour to the diversifying lifestyles of our customers. We hope you will look forward to the future of Lexus with its strong will to create the future toward the realisation of a hopeful mobility society."

Buy a Lexus on Cars.co.za

April 2021 Petrol Price Increases Coming

SA motorists are in the crosshairs yet again as the Automobile Association (AA) forecasts massive fuel price hikes in April 2021.

The key factor behind this painful increase is the General Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund levy will be coming into play this month. As it stands, the petrol price is going up by 73 cents a litre, diesel an increase of 39 cents, and illuminating paraffin and increase of 37 cents.

With the levies of 27 cents a litre added on, we're looking at a petrol price increase by as much as R1 a litre, and diesel by 66 cents a litre. The levies are not added to the cost of illuminating paraffin.

“This means that the fuel price for April will be in the region of R17.32 a litre for ULP 95 inland, comfortably surpassing the previous high of R17.08 set in late 2018,” says the AA. With the increases to the levies, motorists will, from April, be paying R5.96 per litre of fuel to the GFL and RAF levies, or between 35% and 40% to taxes on every litre purchased.

"The unfortunate reality is that the expected hikes will still be substantial. The minor relief of the pullback in petroleum and the exchange rate will be cold comfort to South Africans reeling from the ongoing economic damage being inflicted as a result of COVID-19, and a decade of economic decline," says the AA.

Suzuki Vitara Brezza vs Toyota Urban Cruiser: Key Differences

Suzuki and Toyota have launched the Vitara Brezza and Urban Cruiser respectively and while they are essentially the same vehicle, there are some key differences to take note of. See how they differ below…

The compact SUV segment is growing in South Africa and some brands, such as Suzuki and Toyota, are keen to meet this increasing demand with the recently-launched Vitara Brezza and Urban Cruiser.

In an effort to promote long-term cooperation, Suzuki and Toyota signed a capital alliance agreement in 2019 which will see Suzuki acquire 2 hybrid vehicles from Toyota while Suzuki will provide Toyota with its Baleno and Vitara Brezza, both of which are now available locally as the Toyota Starlet and Urban Cruiser.

Yes, the recently-launched Vitara Brezza and Urban Cruiser are essentially the same car, but apart from the obvious rebadging, there are some key differences between them that South African consumers may want to be aware of. Let’s take a closer look…

1. Same Same But Different

Similar, but not quite the same. Which look do you prefer?

Beyond the badges on the nose, the Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Toyota Urban Cruiser don’t wear the same face.

The Vitara Brezza has a predominantly chrome grille with a distinct inverted U-shaped lower grille section which you may recognise from other Suzuki models such as the Ignis and S-Presso.

As for the Urban Cruiser, it adopts a more understated look, with less chrome treatment. The grille features two horizontal slats which are complemented with vertical chrome accents. A matte black bumper with a silver bumper guard completes the look. If you have a keen eye, you will also notice that the fog light design on both cars is different too…

2. Minor Specification Differences

There are minor differences in specification, but for the most part, the interiors are near-identical.

Consumers might find it interesting to note that there are in fact some specification differences between these two seemingly identical cars. Firstly, the Suzuki Vitara Brezza is offered in 2 trim levels namely GL and GLX whereas the Urban Cruiser is available in 3 trim levels namely Xi, Xs, and Xr.

If you compare the specifications of the 2 entry-level offerings (GL and Xi) from Suzuki and Toyota, you will notice that the Suzuki actually offers slightly better specification with extra features such as a rear camera, climate control, and electric mirrors. The Urban Cruiser, however, has keyless entry. The Suzuki is also marginally cheaper than its Toyota counterpart.

If you look at specifications for the range-topping Vitara Brezza GLX and the Urban Cruiser Xr, however, the features are near-as-damn identical.

3. Pricing and Warranty

Your choice will depend on what look you prefer but also what brand you feel will serve you best.

Toyota offers a 3-year/100 000km warranty but Suzuki is offering a promotional 5-year/200 000km warranty! Suzuki also offers a stronger 4-year/60 000 km service plan whereas Toyota offers a 3-services/45 000 km service plan. However, Toyota will allow you to extend the warranty at the point of purchase to 6-year/unlimited km for an additional R3 750 which you can add to your finance deal. It’s also worth noting that Toyota has a much larger dealership network countrywide.

For the record, Toyota has won the prestigious #CarsAwards powered by WesBank Brand of the Year Award 3 times while Suzuki has won it twice, so both brands offer strong aftersales support to customers.

As for pricing, see the differences below.

Suzuki Vitara Brezza	Price	Toyota Urban Cruiser	Price
1.5 GL	R244 900	1.5 Xi	R247 900
1.5 GL Auto	R264 900	1.5 Xs	R267 800
1.5 GLX	R289 900	1.5 Xs Auto	R289 000
1.5 GLX Auto	R309 900	1.5 Xr	R294 500
		1.5 Xr Auto	R315 700

Buy a Suzuki Vitara Brezza on Cars.co.za

Buy a Toyota Urban Cruiser on Cars.co.za

Mercedes-Benz Vito (2021) Specs & Price

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a facelifted Vito to market in South Africa. Take a look at the specification and pricing details below…

A newly updated Vito is now available to take care of your business needs. The Vito can be had in either Panel Van, Mixto or Tourer guise.

Exterior changes are subtle and the Vito now wears an updated grille design which can be had with or without a chrome option as well as painted bumpers in conjunction with optional active brake assist and the driver assist package.

As for the interior, a new “Caluma” upholstery is offered with a white stripe pattern seen on the seat cushion and backrest. The Vito now features turbine-look ventilation nozzles, much like the V-Class. Piano lacquer dashboard trim is offered in conjunction with the chrome package and this package also includes trim finished for the ventilation nozzles. The Vito is also equipped with a heavy-duty waterproof floor cover.

In terms of infotainment, the Vito is offered with a basic Audio 10 digital radio with Bluetooth functionality but a new Audio 30 and Audio 40 infotainment system is also offered featuring a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.

The Vito has received a subtle interior update with new material and trim finishes. The infotainment systems have been updated too…

What engines are on offer for the Vito?

Depending on the type of Vito you decide to go for, the Vito is powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with 84 kW and 270 Nm of torque on offer or it can be had with a more powerful 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine with either 100 kW and 330 Nm or 120 kW and 380 Nm. A 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission is also offered.

The top-of-the-ranger Vito 119 Tourer Select, however, offers 140 kW and 440 Nm from its 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine.

What is the price for the Mercedes-Benz Vito in South Africa?

Vito 111 CDI Panel Van – R573 041

Vito 114 CDI Panel Van – R597 056

Vito 116 CDI Panel Van – R677 085

Vito 111 CDI Mixto – R668 489

Vito 116 CDI Mixto – R895 584

Vito 111 CDI Tourer (Base) – R621 283

Vito 111 CDI Tourer Pro – R762 263

Vito 114 CDI Tourer Pro – R794 399

Vito 116 CDI Tourer Pro – R901 634

Vito 116 CDI Tourer Select – R1 071 429

Vito 119 CDI Tourer Select – R1 109 788

The Vito is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000km ServiceCare BestBasic service contract.

Buy a Mercedes-Benz Vito on Cars.co.za

#CarsAwards landmark for Toyota

Toyota South Africa Motors recently became the first automotive manufacturer to win the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank’s prestigious Brand of the Year title for a 3rd time. The Japanese marque also won 5 out of the 13 categories in the 6th iteration of the awards programme.

PARTNERED CONTENT

The #CarsAwards was conceived to be South Africa’s definitive automotive awards programme and the list of vehicles it recognises is meant to guide car buyers to make the best-informed purchasing decisions… The judging panel evaluates vehicles directly against their peers in categories, each of which has particular requirements. What’s more, 50% of the final scores is based on brand-specific after-sales data taken from the ongoing Cars.co.za Consumer Satisfaction Survey (in conjunction with Lightstone Auto), which incorporates customer feedback from thousands of local vehicle owners.

Since 2015/16, the winners of the annual #CarsAwards – supported by WesBank, the largest provider of vehicle finance in South Africa – had been announced at a gala staged early in the year; in fact, it had become a highlight on the automotive calendar. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the planned 2021 event could unfortunately not be staged live without putting attendees’ health at risk…

Therefore, the 2020/21 #CarsAwards winners were presented in a television programme, which was formatted to retain the excitement of a live show, and broadcast on DStv on multiple occasions during February 2021. During that show, the audience heard the name “Toyota” many times over…

Fortuner wins for 4th time in a row

The still-new Toyota Starlet 1.4 XR won the Budget Car category at the first time of asking, while the Toyota RAV4 2.0 AWD GX-R, Toyota C-HR 1.2T Luxury and Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 4×4 Legend Auto took the honours in the Family Car, Crossover and Leisure Double Cab categories respectively. What’s more, the Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4×4 VX Auto continued its domination of the Adventure SUV category, by securing the winner’s trophy for an unprecedented 4th consecutive year.

“We are delighted to accept the #CarsAwards Brand of the Year trophy as well as the 5 other trophies for product categories,” TSAM’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Leon Theron says. “As a company that is entirely committed to providing best-in-class solutions for our customers, we are truly pleased that the market we are serving is acknowledging our efforts. We, therefore, extend our gratitude to our customers, without whom, no accolade would be possible.”

Survey puts Toyota on top

This means Toyota buyers are very happy with the reliability of their vehicles and the after-sales service that they have received from the marque’s dealers, because, as opposed to the 13 category winners, which are decided by a combination of judges’ scores and consumer data, the recipient of the #CarsAwards Brand of the Year title is determined entirely by market data and the findings of the survey (brands’ respective sales and after-sales service ratings are particularly impactful, as are the percentages of purchase-price value the brands’ finalists retained after three years of ownership).

Although Toyota failed to win a single category during the first two instalments of the #CarsAwards, the Prospecton-based manufacturer famously won the programme’s very first Brand of the Year title in 2015/16. After Suzuki claimed the Brand of the Year title for two consecutive years (2016/17 and 2017/18), Toyota secured the most prestigious trophy again in the 2018/19 programme but finished well behind Volkswagen in 2019/20.

However, having moved up no fewer than 8 places in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey rankings since last year, Toyota won the #CarsAwards Brand of the Year title for a 3rd time. In doing so, it became the most prolific winner of the programme’s most prestigious trophy.

“The Brand of the Year trophy is the ultimate accolade in the local automotive industry… It represents validation from the people who matter most: car owners,” says Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager, Hannes Oosthuizen. “By providing consistently superior after-sales support through the most extensive dealer network in the country, Toyota has put South African consumers first and – based on the feedback by thousands of vehicle owners – they evidently appreciate that.”

Cars.co.za congratulates Toyota on a phenomenal year for the brand – we're certain the Prospecton-based company will be looking to defend its Brand of the Year title in the 2021/22 programme.

For more information on this year's programme and previous iterations of the #CarsAwards, visit www.carsawards.co.za.

New M3: Why did BMW ‘mess with Coke’?

For BMW aficionados, an M3 badge was once the holy of holies, but since the 4 Series and M4 came along, it no longer is. Not only is the M3 lumped with its coupe sibling’s controversial grille design, but the Munich-based brand’s next model is likely to make the super sedan obsolete.

BMW M3, from hero to whipping boy

M4 m-shmore

WTF: Why The Face

An opportunity missed

Back to Coca-Cola…

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Porsche: focused on the future, but true to its past

Leaner, but no compromises on investing in the future

Targeting CO2 neutrality by 2030

What about Porsche's "traditions"?

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Nissan Reveals Another Godzilla

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Nuts & Bolts – A Properly Useful Review of the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class 400d

Introducing a new video! We take a more in-depth look at the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class 400d.

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World Car Awards 2021 – Top 3 Finalists Announced

The top 3 finalists in the prestigious World Car Awards program have been announced, and it looks like the Land Rover Defender, new Toyota Yaris and Honda-e are strong frontrunners in their respective categories.

World Car of the Year

World Urban Car of the Year

World Luxury Car of the Year

World Performance Car of the Year

World Car Design of the Year

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Lexus Reveals LF-Z EV Concept

Lexus has revealed a new electric vehicle concept called the LF-Z Electrified1 which previews technology that will become reality by 2025.

More Models Coming from Lexus

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April 2021 Petrol Price Increases Coming

SA motorists are in the crosshairs yet again as the Automobile Association (AA) forecasts massive fuel price hikes in April 2021.

Further Reading

Suzuki Vitara Brezza vs Toyota Urban Cruiser: Key Differences

Suzuki and Toyota have launched the Vitara Brezza and Urban Cruiser respectively and while they are essentially the same vehicle, there are some key differences to take note of. See how they differ below…

1. Same Same But Different

2. Minor Specification Differences

3. Pricing and Warranty

Mercedes-Benz Vito (2021) Specs & Price

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a facelifted Vito to market in South Africa. Take a look at the specification and pricing details below…

What engines are on offer for the Vito?

What is the price for the Mercedes-Benz Vito in South Africa?

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#CarsAwards landmark for Toyota

Toyota South Africa Motors recently became the first automotive manufacturer to win the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank’s prestigious Brand of the Year title for a 3rd time. The Japanese marque also won 5 out of the 13 categories in the 6th iteration of the awards programme.

Fortuner wins for 4th time in a row

Survey puts Toyota on top

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