GWM is on the move, now, it’s going after a 4×4 icon.
GWM is consolidating its SUV product strategy with a new vehicle that aims at an established market leader.
Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado is one of the most regarded luxury 4x4s, and GWM’s new Tank 500 is designed to be a Chinese Prado alternative. The new Tank 500 made its debut at the recent Chengdu Motor Show, where GWM was also showcasing its Fortuner-rivalling Tank 400 and the sporty Haval H6S.
Tank is a new standalone offroad marque (which we could see in SA in 2022/23), and this Tank 500 is similar to the Prado and dissimilar to most other luxury 4×4 of the same size.
It’s built on a steel ladder frame platform instead of being a unibody. Although this is a less sophisticated design, Toyota has proved its validity with the Prado and GWM has certainly paid attention to the continued demand for a luxury ladder-frame vehicle.
The overall exterior design of GWM’s Tank 500 isn’t terribly original. Its front section clearly interprets the Land Cruiser 200, whilst the rear features a horizontally opening swing tailgate, with a full-sized spare wheel. The front-end has oodles of presence though with a thick-rimmed chrome grille and a bulging bonnet that hints at it powerful petrol engine that lurks below.
In terms of size, the Tank 500 is large measuring 5 070 mm long, 1 934 mm wide, 1 905 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2 850 mm. For context, the new Land Cruiser 300 measures 4 965 mm long, 1 990 mm wide, 1 945 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2 850 mm.
Luxury interior for Tank 500
If you’re not entirely convinced by the exterior of the Tank 500, perhaps its luxuriously equipped interior will change your mind? The Tank 500 gains a sophisticated and uncluttered interior design with a large free-standing 14.6-inch infotainment screen taking pride of place in conjunction with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The multi-function steering wheel looks classy and upmarket, in fact, the same can be said for the entire cabin! It looks fantastic!
What’s under the bonnet of the GWM Tank 500?
Where the Tank500 differs from its Prado inspiration is powertrain is that there is currently no diesel engine option, with the Tank 650 featuring a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, boosting 260 kW and 500 Nm with a 48V mil-hybrid system.
Drive is to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, and with the broad turbopetrol powerband, the Tank 500 should potentially be a very accomplished dune driving vehicle.
Range and fuel consumption could be an issue for potential South African customers, as evidenced by most Prado sales being diesel instead of petrol.
Haval (GWM’s premium brand) also recently showed the updated H9, which would fall underneath the Tank 500, competing against the Fortuner/Everest segment.
Do you want to see GWM”s Tank brand in South Africa?
This week’s news you need to know (September 2021, week 1)
In this week’s automotive news you need to know: Isuzu goes hunting for Raptors, Porsche helps a celebrated local artist to paint his car, AMG finds a way to transfer 1 400 Nm to terra firma in 2.9 sec and Ford’s local sticker department ramps up production for another special edition.
Isuzu D-Max AT35 – Big D to the Max!
When General Motors decided to shut up shop in the Friendly City a couple of years ago, South Africans were mightily relieved that GM’s former associate brand opted to stay. Mzansi has had a long love affair with Isuzu and the Japanese brand looks to be capitalising on that with the latest collaboration with Arctic Trucks. I believe that all those old Isuzu diehard fans will be frothing out of the corners of their mouths to get hold of a next-gen AT35. We needed a more purposeful-looking (read: less generic) Isuzu bakkie and the new D-Max (coming here in 2022) embodies the brand’s slogan of “Isuzu Delivers”.
Yeah, the AT35 prototype looks the part, but is it all just for show? No, it’s not just a makeover – the AT35 incorporates several beefed-up components to make the bakkie a contender in the South African bakkie fight, from heavy-duty suspension to properly specified tyres. Will it make a dent in the Raptor’s dominance? Perhaps not, but it certainly has the recipe to be a threat to all competitors. Be warned.
Porsche art car – Porsche SA doing BMW-like things
South Africa’s rich cultural diversity gets celebrated in a fusion with car culture. Perhaps not new – but new to many, “art cars” have long been a thing… from Andy Warhol’s BMW M1 Procar to various other BMWs including local artist Ester Mahlangu’s transformation of an E34-generation 5 Series (the late Eighties/early Nineties model) with her exquisite Ndebele art. Porsche is a lifestyle-oriented brand, but one wouldn’t say it’s avant-garde; the brand isn’t known to allow esteemed artists to decorate its iconic sportscars. Therefore, the OEM’s collaboration with local artist, Nelson Makamo, is quite refreshing.
Art should stir the senses and this work is no exception. Whether it’s your thing or not, what’s great is that Porsche endorsed a uniquely South African creation, which is sure to garner attention abroad. Imagine Scuderia South Africa had entertained something like this with one of the Prancing Horse-bearing machines (new or old) – the top brass in Maranello would have choked on their espressos and promptly issued a cease-and-desist letter to their Mzansi-based representatives! Instead, “My Life in Motion” is a well-conceived and -executed project. Bravo, Porsche, for facilitating Mzansi magic.
AMG Hybrid – Shock Therapy
1 400 Nm. Read that again. One would imagine that peak-torque figure would be sufficient to tow a container vessel… at least until the vehicle’s chassis snapped in half! Spare a thought for the Mercedes-AMG’s drivetrain components; 620 kW is the kind of power that creates time-travel opportunities and is beyond what a road car should have, but this is typical of Benz – and don’t we just love them for it?
With the supremely potent, technologically complex – and less than snappily named – GT63 S E Performance, Mercedes-AMG is implementing a type of replacement therapy that will gradually erase remnants of “naturally aspirated V8 nostalgia” by incorporating hybrid technology in the brand’s much-loved larger models. The idea is to slowly convert sceptics into believers; Benz is clearly handling its devoted fanbase with kid gloves by not culling the V8 unceremoniously. That would be cold and brutal. We’re all still a bit sensitive about not having V8s in the future, so it’s a rather thoughtful move.
Ford Ranger Raptor special edition – Another one…
In the words of DJ Khaled: “Another one”. The Ranger Raptor Special Edition is a (rather unimaginatively named) limited-edition release from the Blue Oval that offers purely aesthetic modifications and, therefore, nothing new of consequence. Ford seems good at it, although – in truth – many brands unashamedly launch marketing campaigns that create hype around a few stickers here and some contrast stitching there. It’s tantamount to slathering on make-up. I understand how important it is to scale up and create demand by offering something different, but why don’t they leave that for the aftermarket?
I am not advocating that manufacturers and importers cease paying attention to packaging, but the car market desperately needs cars that are definitively fit for purpose and to which the adage of “form follows function” can be applied. Stop with the distractions of cosmetic surgery and give the masses bakkies that are better and more potent than their immediate predecessors. That way, premiums on top of (already steep) asking prices might even be justifiable. The Raptor is already such a formidable package but at some point, this needs to stop before every bakkie looks like something out of Brakpan.
Battery sparks for Series II
Battery power, but not much range, for the classic Landy.
Land Rover might not offer a battery-powered version of its latest Defender (yet), but you can electrify a classic.
With original Land Rover Defender values continuing to soar, owners in some global markets are attempting to futureproof their vehicles against emissions regulations.
The best way of accomplishing this is not by trying to modify the existing petrol or diesel engines. Completely replacing the internal combustion powertrain with a battery-electric set-up is the answer.
Cleverly named Everrati is a British aftermarket engineering consultancy specialising in battery-electric powertrain conversions for collectable vehicles.
Its latest product offering concerns the Land Rover Series II. Yes, that one with solid axles and leaf springs.
To help select Land Rover Series II owners retain the use of their vehicles in heavily regulated cities and districts, Everrati replaces the standard Land Rover Series II engine with a 60 kWh battery pack and electric motor system.
Peak power output is 113 kW, with 300 Nm of torque. Those numbers are way more than what a Series II engine produces. Everatti has boosted the brake system and added power-steering to harmonise vehicle dynamics to make its electrified classic Defender conversion driveable.
The Everatti electric Defender also happens to be an interesting study in aerodynamics.
Despite having quite a generously sized 60 kWh battery pack and mild-output electric moto, the range is only 200 km, which shows just how parasitic classic vehicle aerodynamic drag can be.
During the past 12 months, Hyundai has introduced several new SUVs in Mzansi. The product rollout reaches its climax with the arrival of the Palisade – a big, American-looking 7- or 8-seater – that could well stir up the premium segment. We drove it in the Cape during its local launch.
What is a Hyundai Palisade?
The Palisade design looks very Americanised with a big grille up front and long sides.
In 2021, the SUV overtook the hatchback as the most popular body style in the passenger-car segment of the local new-vehicle market. By introducing a slew of crossovers and SUVs in the past 12 months or so, Hyundai has been a major contributor to the trend. Its line-up now includes the Venue, Kona, Creta, Tucson, Santa Fe and… Palisade. Thanks to the newcomer’s arrival, every nook and cranny of the family-car market is occupied by a Hyundai.
The Palisade shares its chassis with the Kia Telluride, which was the 2020 World Car of the Year. They’re essentially the same cars, but the Hyundai has come to market because Hyundai Australia convinced the mother company to produce its big rig in right-hand-drive guise. As things stand, the Telluride will remain a left-hand-drive-only model.
Suffice to say that the Palisade is a sizeable SUV; it’s approximately the same size as a BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE, give our take a few mm in favour of the Korean. It’s powered by a turbodiesel engine sourced from the Santa Fe range and features some very clever seating tricks. It is available in 8- and (most notably) 7-seater configurations.
Is the Palisade’s engine good enough?
The Palisade uses the same 2.2-litre turbodiesel as its Executive SUV sibling, the Santa Fe.
With turbodiesel engines no longer being developed for passenger vehicles (due to Dieselgate and the car market’s move towards electrification), Hyundai has just the one diesel to choose from: the 147 kW/440 Nm 2.2-litre unit. The figures tell a story: the Fortuner and Everest, which weigh the same as the Palisade, offer more power and torque.
You’d expect Hyundai’s premium SUV to offer more than enough overtaking performance (when brisk acceleration is needed), but it tends to labour in that regard. When fully loaded, the Palisade may even struggle if you want to cruise briskly on long trips. For day-to-day use (such as on school runs), however, it should be well up to the task.
While power and speed isn’t everything, the Palisade proved reasonably fuel-efficient on our 250-km evaluation drive through the Tulbagh Valley and back, after which it indicated a consumption figure of around 8.5 L/100 km.
The newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission is good at extracting what performance the engine has to offer; it shifts slickly up and down the ‘box without fuss. The transmission’s dashboard-mounted console is lifted from the Santa Fe; we think that it is quite nifty, because it frees up handy storage space in the centre console.
How practical is the Palisade?
The rearmost row in the Palisade seats 3 people with enough legroom for all.
The unique seating arrangement that’s available in the Palisade is one of its best features. While the 8-seater’s minibus-like seating configuration requires no explanation, its 7-seater equivalent has quite a novel setup… Unlike most conventional 7-seater SUVs (which offer a 2-3-2 seating formation), Hyundai uses a 2-2-3 formation, which may sound like a Barcelona FC attacking lineup, but actually makes it easier to get in and out of the rearmost row.
In the 7-seater Palisade, the middle row features 2 “captain’s” chairs – they are individual chairs with built-in armrests – while a conventional bench is utilised for the foldaway 3rd row. What’s more, the middle occupant of the rearmost row is afforded the added benefit of being able to stretch their legs out between the middle row of chairs.
Speaking of legroom, we found that all rows offered excellent occupant space. The middle-row seats can recline if required and 2 USB ports are installed in the rear of the front seats so that electronic devices can be recharged.
The 3rd row can be accessed by either shuffling through between the 2nd-row seats (on the 7-seater) or folding the 2nd row’s seatbacks down and sliding the chairs forward, all of which can be done at the touch of a button.
The newcomer’s luggage capacity appears to be cavernous too. Hyundai claims the Palisade can carry 509 litres with all seats up, 1 297 litres with the 3rd row folded down and a massive 2 447 litres with 2nd and 3rd rows folded.
What’s the Palisade like inside?
A simple yet elegant interior with decent material choice and solid build quality.
High-end Hyundais have become well-renowned for their cabins’ admirable build quality and tasteful choice of materials, which match up well to the big-name premium players and often feature extra soft-touch- and more “authentic-looking” materials (plastic dressed as carbon fibre or brushed aluminium is a personal bugbear).
Indeed, the Palisade’s cabin is bound to be a pleasant place to spend long journeys by virtue of the newcomer’s comfortable seats, which offer loads of adjustability and an upmarket feel to the switchgear and various surfaces. You get heated and cooled front seats, as well as dual-zone climate control and separate rear ventilation controls.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s flagship features an integrated infotainment system that extends from the instrument cluster as one panel (it reminds of the “Widescreen Cockpit” setup in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or GLE). The system is familiar to Hyundai users and equipped with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, but only through a wired connection.
A wireless charging pad is placed neatly out of the way – it’s located under the top of the centre console, which features enough space for 2 cupholders and several sets of keys or other small items one tends to toss into that bin.
What’s the Palisade like to drive?
The 20-inch wheels on lower-profile tyres make the ride a bit harsh over bumpy surfaces.
Fittingly, the boldly styled Palisade rides on 20-inch wheels as standard. There’s no option to go smaller, so you’re saddled with quite thin 50-profile tyres too. That means it rides a little harshly over bumps, especially on dirt roads. A smaller wheel and higher-profile tyre would take some of the edge off the stiff ride quality, but it’s not available.
The Palisade sits on coil springs rather than air suspension, which is generally offered as an option at this end of the market. To their credit, the coil springs are good and do an admirable job of mitigating body roll in tighter bends. It’s also comfortable out on the freeway where the Hyundai settles down nicely and provides a comfortable long ride.
By virtue of being equipped with H-Track all-wheel drive, the Palisade offers some off-roading ability, but only if you plan to undertake light dirt-road journeys. Over and above Comfort, Eco, Sport and Smart drive modes, the Multi-Terrain Mode system incorporates Snow, Sand and Mud traction control settings. It has hill-descent control too, but I say “light off-roading” because the 203 mm of ground clearance is actually less than what the Santa Fe offers.
Hyundai hasn’t specced our local Palisade with any semi-autonomous technology such as adaptive cruise control, in-traffic following or lane-keeping assist. While I’m not a fan of lane-keeping assist systems, I do think that adaptive cruise control is a must-have at this end of the market.
After sales support
Hyundai sells the Palisade with its 5-year/150 000 km vehicle warranty and 7-year/200 000 km drivetrain warranty. A 7-year/105 000 km service plan is also standard, which can be upgraded to a maintenance plan if desired.
Can the Hyundai Palisade upset the premium SUV apple cart?
For prospective buyers of large luxury family cars, the Palisade ticks the practicality and value-for-money boxes at a time when most Premium SUVs cost well in excess of R1 million – in fact, their asking prices can easily creep up to R1.5 million once you specify them with many of the features that are standard on the Hyundai. The configuration of the 7-seater version, in particular, will find favour with big families that don’t want to buy a van for the school run.
The newcomer has some off-roading credentials too, but we’d humbly suggest that the Korean marque’s big rig be limited to light dirt road use rather than diving deep into the Kalahari sand or overlanding to the Drakensberg.
The Palisade’s engine could do with more oomph considering the rivals it is up against (and the cargo it’s likely to haul during holidays), but it’s not so sluggish that you’ll struggle to get up inclines when the vehicle’s loaded up.
Pricing has been set at R1 million, which may sound like a lot, but it actually represents good value. Time will tell though if buyers at this end of the market will choose the Korean option over British and German premium models.
5 Things We Learned from Driving the Toyota GR Yaris (Again)
Having previously sampled the rally-inspired GR Yaris – one of the hottest models that Toyota has produced in recent memory – at Aldo Scribante, we attended the local media launch of the newcomer in Gauteng. So, having driven the Toyota on a few racetracks, are we still smitten?
In case you didn’t already know this, the Toyota GR Yaris is one of the greatest driver’s cars to land in Mzansi. It’s quite a bold statement; is the newcomer truly among “the greats”? Well, we don’t know what the team who dreamt up this little rocket ate for breakfast on the day they conceptualised it, but we hope they’ll order that dish again and again.
Sell your kidneys if you have to, this is THE performance bargain of the year
Don’t be fooled into thinking the GR Yaris is a standard Yaris that has been endowed with a more powerful engine, nice alloy wheels and some stickers. This has been built from the ground up to be a performance vehicle and, to add more impetus to the project, Toyota called upon the folks who build its rally cars to join the development team.
The differences between the standard Yaris model and the limited-edition GR Yaris are considerable. While the latest iteration of the European-spec Yaris isn’t offered in our market, a comparison between the two makes for interesting reading nonetheless. The GR Yaris chassis is not actually even a Yaris’, but rather a combination of half Yaris/half Corolla and C-HR. There are no rear doors, there’s a genuine carbon-fibre roof, while the doors, bonnet and tailgate are made out of aluminium. The roofline has even been redesigned, to help with aerodynamics.
The entire package is has been put on a diet, with the world-rally-championship-inspired newcomer tipping the scales at only 1 280 kg. By comparison, a Volkswagen Polo GTI weighs 1 355 kg, and it doesn’t come equipped with a complex all-wheel-drive system! The components used in the GR Yaris are all high-end; the standard Yaris’ torsion beam rear suspension has been ditched in favour of a proper multi-link setup, and the brakes are 356-mm grooved front discs with four-pot callipers. Impressively, these anchors are bigger than those found on the GR Supra…
2. The GR Yaris engine is special in many ways
198 kW and 360 Nm from a 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol
The 1.6-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine at the heart of the GR Yaris is the world’s most powerful 3-pot motor (in series production, anyway) and it punches out 198 kW and 360 Nm. Now, if you’re an enthusiast, you’ll quickly realise that those engine outputs, paired with the Toyota’s low kerb weight, should result in mega performance. Sprints? 0-100 kph in 5.5 sec, thanks to a trick all-wheel-drive system. Also, there’s no dual-clutch automatic transmission… This little car is all about a hands-on experience, which is why it has a 6-speed manual ‘box.
Lag (sluggish performance low in the engine’s rev range, in other words) is often the Achilles’ Heel of highly-tuned turbocharged performance vehicles, in which boost and, consequently, torque arrive in a gigantic wave of crazy from 3 500 rpm. This is not the case in the GR Yaris (with its ball-bearing turbocharger)… The turbo spools quickly and continues to deliver a strong surge all the way to the red line. Want to overtake in 6th gear at 100 kph? Simply put your foot down and the pick up is near-instantaneous. Fuel economy? Drive it like you’re in a qualifying session and the worst you’ll see is 11 L/100 km. For context, most V8 AMG offerings consume more than that in Eco mode…
Normal for day to day driving, Sport/Track to humiliate other hot hatches in corners
If you’re a driving enthusiast who likes to feel the force of acceleration (yee-hah!), you’d be well aware that thanks to speed limits, you can only apply full throttle for a few seconds before your vehicle achieves triple-digit speeds.
Fortunately, the GR Yaris is thrilling to drive at whichever speed you’re doing. Cornering at 60 kph on a public road is as delightful as powering out of a hairpin bend on a race track. Speaking of which, Toyota gave us a chance to sample its new GR Yaris at the go-kart circuit Formula K, as well as Red Star Racing, both on Johannesburg’s East Rand. The former is a proper karting circuit (it’s not designed for passenger cars), yet the GR Yaris felt right at home on the tight track’s impressive layout, which comprised deceptive elevation changes and wincingly narrow corners.
Yet, despite the minimal margin for error afforded by both tracks, the GR Yaris never felt uncontrollable or wild. This is a refreshingly uncomplicated go-fast machine that delivers and enthrals irrespective of its driver’s skill level. The trick all-wheel-drive system offers 3 modes (Normal, Sport and Track) that balance the power between the axles. Normal is 60:40 front to rear, Sport dials up some rear-wheel theatrics with 30:70 and, finally, Track offers 50:50.
The clutch and shift actions are reassuringly positive, with not much effort required to get the most out of the 6-speed ‘box. Toyota has fitted the car with its iMT system which cleverly blips the throttle to aid smoother shifts.
We had the chance to drive both derivatives and while the 1.6T GR-Four is one already quick and complete offering, the range-topping Rally version is evidently for performance connoisseurs…
4. GR Yaris: Spicy or Hot?
It covers the basics well, but there’s nothing to set your heart racing
Toyota South Africa offers the GR Yaris in 2 flavours: GR-Four and GR-Four Rally. The derivatives have identical motors and claimed performance figures, but the devil is in the detail. Visually, the Rally comes with slightly different wheels, red brake callipers and some additional venting at the front (which we’re told are brake-cooling ducts).
The Rally, however, features limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles, a performance-tuned suspension, a reworked power-steering setup, plus 18-inch BBS forged alloy wheels wrapped in trick Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
Inside, the Rally derivative additionally features Alcantara sports seats, a head-up display, Toyota’s Safety Sense (which incorporates features such as active cruise control and lane-keeping assist) and, finally, there’s Active Noise Control, which helps to amplify the engine’s note by dialling out other noises, the Japanese manufacturer says.
Is there a discernable difference between the two versions’ driving experiences? On the road, the pair feel much the same to pilot, but when you drive them back to back on a circuit, the Rally really stands out. Its trick differentials allow you to bolt out of tighter corners faster and, thanks to extra-sticky tyres, there’s a lot more grip, even if the standard version is anything but scrabbly. If ultimate performance and track days are your poison, opt for the Rally.
5. Drive one before you decide
That gaping bumper funnels air into the 1.6-litre 3-cylinder.
The Toyota GR Yaris is a car that even some enthusiasts may not understand until they drive one. It’s so far removed from a standard Yaris that we actually wish the newcomer was named something else. Toyota GR-Four, anyone?
Then there’s the price. R606 000 gets you into the GR Yaris family and the Rally derivative costs an eye-watering R715 600. Now, remember this isn’t a souped-up Yaris – the level of precision engineering and expertise that’s been devoted to this vehicle is “next level”. Again, this is not a base car that’s been made faster like the usual crop of hot hatchbacks, this is a race/rally car for the road. It was developed, from the ground up, to be a performance machine.
Is the GR Yaris worth the premium? These levels of attention to detail, engagement, corner-carving ability and sheer grin factor are usually only offered by high-end supercars. If you can access such sheer magic for R700 000, well, then it’s a bargain. The closest thing we can think of that offers this level of a driving thrill is the Honda Civic Type R.
Compromises? This homologation special’s interior doesn’t look, well, special and, in an era when quick-shifting dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) are de rigueur, a 6-speed manual ‘box feels old-school. Many of our social media followers were asking if a DCT version was on the cards, but given the nature of the GR brand, no, probably not.
Summary
The Toyota GR Yaris is one very special car
So, where to from here? If you, like us, are considering cashing in your pension early and/or blowing the savings you put away for your offspring’s university tuition in order to grab this one-of-a-kind toy, we have good and bad news.
Toyota SA says the first allocation of GR Yaris units is spoken for; eager, well-heeled customers evidently dashed to their local dealers to buy the newcomer. The fact that the first batch (of around 180 cars) was snapped up quickly demonstrates how hungry the market was/is for a model that subverts the formula of traditional performance cars.
The good news is that Toyota SA knows that the demand for its little fighter remains huge and is securing a second batch, which is due in early 2022. Some dealers have already listed a GR Yaris unit or two on Cars.co.za. See here.
If you’re still not convinced, simply request and take a test drive in a GR Yaris; there are very few cars that are as hands-on engaging – and blisteringly quick in corners – as the Toyota. The hype is completely justified. As we move into an era of more sustainable and semi-autonomous motoring, this little rocket will go down as an all-time great.
Top 10 Most Popular Used Cars in SA for the Past Decade
Fresh used-car data released by leading automotive portal Cars.co.za reveals just how much South Africa’s pre-owned vehicle market has changed during the past decade.
Working with local data journalism initiative, Media Hack, Cars.co.za has released a racing bar chart that shows how the make-up of the Top 10 list of most popular used cars in South Africa has changed during the past 105 months (from December 2012 to August 2021).
The data is based on actual user enquiries (known in the retail sector as “leads”) per month and the individual bar graphs reflect the percentage (for that brand/model) of the overall enquiries achieved. It is worth noting that Cars.co.za currently lists just shy of 70 000 vehicles for sale.
“I think the main take-away from the data is the sheer dominance of the Volkswagen Polo,” says Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager, Hannes Oosthuizen. “Not only was the Polo on top of the chart, every month, for the entire span of the 105 months measured, it was also the only model to achieve an enquiry share of over 5% (sometimes as high as 10%) every month.”
The rise of the bakkies
As double-cab bakkies (or pick-ups) have become more popular as family and/or lifestyle vehicles, it should come as no surprise that those vehicles have surged up the rankings during the past 9 years. At the start of the data measurement period, the Toyota Hilux was in a solid 9th place, but by August 2021 it had shot up to second – and looks quite secure in that position.
The Hilux is no longer the only bakkie in the Top 10, however. The Ford Ranger made its first appearance in the Top 10 in early 2016 and currently sits in a strong fourth place. Isuzu’s KB (now D-Max) has also popped into the Top 10 several times and could do so again in future.
The enduring appeal of luxury sedans
In recent years, sales volumes of traditional D-segment luxury sedans (such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class) have plummeted in the new-car market due to, inter alia, steep price-hikes as well as pressure from premium-badged crossovers and SUVs. However, the 3 Series and C-Class, in particular, remain highly popular in the used-car market.
The BMW 3 Series kicked off its ranking performance in December 2012 with a solid second place, and nearly a decade later it is still on the podium (third). The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has, comparatively, been less consistent but looks secure inside the Top 10 for now (in 7th), while Audi’s A4 and smaller A3 premium hatchback/sedan have both dropped in popularity.
“Looking at the kind of vehicles that sit just outside of the Top 10, we can confidently predict that the chart will look rather different in another year or two,” says Oosthuizen. “The rise of small crossovers is likely to elevate at least two or three new nameplates into the list. Models such as the Ford Ecosport, Hyundai Creta and Tucson and Volkswagen T-Cross, could well make an appearance quite soon.” As it stands, the Toyota Fortuner is the only SUV in the Top 10 list.
But which vehicles could be next to bow out of the Top 10? “Not so long ago, compact hatchbacks such as the Toyota Yaris and Opel Corsa were regulars in the Top 10, but both have since tumbled down the rankings. The Ford Fiesta could be next, particularly given its slide down the new-car sales charts,” adds Oosthuizen. “Meanwhile, Toyota’s ‘old faithful’ – the Corolla – may still be in the Top 10 for the moment (in tenth spot), but bear in mind that the model was competing for a podium position less than a decade ago; it may also be in decline.”
Another South African “art car”, but this time it’s a Porsche!
Renowned South African artist, Nelson Makamo, has applied his artistic talent to his very own Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.
When it comes to the rarified world of the internationally acclaimed “art car”, South Africa’s Esther Mahlangu has led the way through her work with BMW, initially with her Ndebele-inspired E34 5 Series. But now there’s a new name being applauded internationally, and he’s taken the bold step of applying his art to his own car, a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.
Nelson Makamo is a world-renowned South African visual artist whose work has featured on the cover of TIME magazine, and who has successfully sold his works to various international celebrities and collectors. He recently took ownership of his 911 Carrera Coupe, and decided to create his most personal artwork yet…
For Makamo, taking delivery of his own 911 was a moment to savour. He was captivated by the iconic rear-engine sports car while growing up in rural Modimolle, Limpopo in the ’80s, and has always dreamt of owning his own Porsche, one day. That day arrived recently when he ordered his own Jet Black Metallic 911 Carrera Coupe, and decided to set about personalising it into a moving canvas.
Makamo’s art brings life and colour to his Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.
At his Johannesburg studio, Makamo painted a number of selected components and panels of the car, before returning them to Porsche Centre Johannesburg for final lacquer coating and fitting. These elements included the rear bumper, front seat mouldings, door panel inserts and handles, dash panel inserts, park brake console and side mirror covers. The left side door panel insert bears a personal inscription ‘Mma’. These three letters mean ‘Mother’ in Makamo’s home language of Sepedi.
Makamo says the project, titled “My Life in Motion”, is not just a representation of his success, but also of various people he has encountered throughout his life: “I always knew I was going to own a Porsche, I just never knew that my relationship with the brand would start this way – and it’s only the beginning.”
Toby Venter, CEO of Porsche South Africa, says the project has provided great motivation: “Working with Nelson Makamo has been inspirational and this commission is on a level we’ve never seen before. This is a truly bespoke art installation worthy of any gallery. In addition, it illustrates the lengths Porsche South Africa will go to; the creativity and flexibility of our team to accommodate a request as personal as this. Porsche customers have a virtually endless array of options available through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur to make their Porsche completely individual, but then when a unique customer such as Nelson chooses to do something extraordinary, we are delighted to accommodate his wishes.”
The Hyundai Palisade premium SUV is now officially on sale in South Africa! Herewith specifications and pricing details…
Hyundai has entered the local premium SUV game with its flagship 7/8 seater Palisade which is now on sale in South Africa.
The Palisade faces off against stiff competition such as the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, to name a few, and slots in above the recently-launched and thoroughly revised Santa Fe.
The newcomer will be offered as either a 7-seater or an 8-seater if you wish (at no additional cost) and both derivatives will be powered by the familiar 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine found in the Santa Fe with 148 kW and 440 Nm of torque. Power is directed to an active on-demand all-wheel-drive system via an 8-speed automatic transmission. In terms of fuel efficiency, Hyundai claims 8.2 L/100km.
Key Features
The cabin of the Palisade comes luxuriously equipped. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard with the obligatory Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, Bluetooth and voice control. A 7-inch SuperVision instrument cluster is also standard on both derivatives.
Nice-to-have features include fully electrically adjustable and heated front seats (2nd row seats are also heated) with lumbar support wrapped in artificial leather, automatic climate control with adjustable vents in the 2nd and 3rd rows, dual sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry and push-button start. USB and power socks are also conveniently available in all seating rows.
The driver will appreciate features such as cruise control, park assist, a rear parking camera, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert. A total of 6 airbags is standard (driver, passenger, side and curtain).
As far as practicality goes, the 7-Seater Palisade features 2 individual seats in the second row and 3 seats in the third row while the 8-seater has a 3-seat bench in the second row. Load space behind the third row is rated at 509 litres, behind the second row 1 297 litres and with all the seats folded down space increases to a claimed 2 447 litres. A cargo screen, luggage net and luggage hooks are also included.
Look out for our local launch report which will be published soon…
How much does the Hyundai Palisade cost in South Africa?
The automotive sector showed some signs of recovery in August 2021 but the impact of the recent unrest and Transnet cyberattack is still having a negative impact particularly on exports, according to the Automotive Business Council (Naamsa).
The road to recovery is long and arduous for the automotive sector but despite the recent challenges the numbers for August 2021 aren’t all doom and gloom.
Year-on-year new car sales are up and both the passenger car sales and Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales also recorded positive results during August 2021. Exports, however, remained under pressure, registering a year-on-year decline of 15.6%.
New Car Sales in South Africa for August 2021
Aggregate new car sales of 41 425 units up by 24.6% (8 166 units) compared to August 2020
New passenger car sales of 27 157 units up by 40.5% (7 822 units) compared to August 2020
New LCV sales of 11 749 up by 3.6% (407 units) compared to August 2020
Export sales of 19 446 units down by 15.6% (3 583 units) compared to August 2020
Best-Selling Car Brands in South Africa for August 2021
Toyota – 10 543 units
Volkswagen – 6 930 units
Nissan – 3 332 units
Hyundai – 2 749 units
Suzuki -2 470 units
Ford – 2 201 units
Renault – 2 010 units
Haval – 1 885 units
Kia – 1 703 units
Isuzu 1 599 units
BMW – 1 020 units
Mazda – 728 units
Mercedes-Benz – 631 units
Mahindra – 501 units
Stellantis – 452 units
New Car Sales Outlook
The automotive sector will remain under pressure for the short to medium term but positive factors for the sector include a positive macro-economic outlook, rental fleet rejuvenation, subdued consumer price inflation and a low interest rate environment.
However, there are challenges that will continue to stifle growth and these include low consumer and business confidence as well as the ongoing semi-conductor shortages which is severely disrupting vehicle supply worldwide. Locally, household finances and disposable income remain constrained with many car buyers flocking to the used car market in search of value amidst a high new vehicle pricing environment.
An unstable supply of electricity as a result of the ongoing challenges faced by Eskom will continue to hamper the recovery of the economy in general.
Exports are expected to improve, assisted by the rebound of the global economy and favourable conditions abroad.
Looking to trade in your car? What you need to know
Is it better to trade in your car at a dealer or sell your vehicle privately? How are trade-ins valued? What does trading in your car really mean? Where does one start the process? Here’s what you need to know about trading in your car…
PARTNERED CONTENT
When buying a new or pre-owned car, your first option is to trade in your current vehicle; should you accept what the trader offers for it, that value will effectively reduce the sum that you’ll need to pay – or look to have financed – to acquire your next car. Might it be better to sell your car privately? How are trade-ins valued? What does trading in your car really mean? Where does one start the process?
motus.cars, supported by Motus Nissan (previously known as Imperial Select), breaks down what you need to know about trading in your car, from the real car people…
What does it really mean to trade in your car?
No matter how long you’ve owned your vehicle, whether it is in fair or excellent condition, whether you bought it outright (cash) or still owe money on it, it has value and, in the case of a bank-financed car, as long as it is deemed to be worth more as a trade-in than it would cost to settle the existing finance agreement, that value can be used in exchange for a credit towards the car you intend to purchase.
How does my trade-in car get assessed and valued?
When taking the vehicle to the dealer for an assessment (the process through which the trader determines what they’ll offer for your vehicle), it is important that you provide as much information as you can.
A good idea is to enquire about the book value of your vehicle, as this may give you an idea of what it is worth (the “book” is an industry-determined price guide that dealers use for reference, it lists the recommended trade and retail values of cars – based on their mileage and condition – up to 10 years of age, or even older than that).
You can buy a report from TransUnion, for example. However, remember that this will only be an approximate value and the final price offered will be dependent on various criteria.
Some important details you should provide:
Vehicle make and model, the exact derivative
Is the vehicle still financed and how much do you owe the bank (or institution) from which you borrowed the funds to buy the car?
Full-service history – it is a good idea to keep all service and maintenance receipts for this reason
Any existing warranty, service, and maintenance plans still in place – if there is any time remaining on your service plan, maintenance plan or warranty, it will add to the value of your vehicle
The spare key and other items that came with the car – pin numbers for the audio systems, Bluetooth-device instructions and details referring to immobilisers, alarm and tracking systems
The dealership wants to know how well the vehicle has been cared for – so it is a very good idea to make sure your car is clean. A clean and well-looked-after car is likely to attract a higher trade-in value.
Other things the vehicle valuator takes into consideration are:
The popularity of the car’s make and model
Year of first registration
Mileage, ideally it should not be higher than 25 000 km per year since the car was initially registered.
The vehicle’s overall condition
Any additional accessories or non-standard specifications
The exterior colour of the car may also play a role. Tip: white cars have the best resale value and lowest insurance premiums due to their high visibility on the road
If your car has been in a major accident, it would be best to get a reputable panel beater to repair the damage before you sell your car. Any sign of a major accident will decrease the value of your vehicle.
The motus.cars network has a unique electronic valuation system, which enables a motus.cars dealer to compile a report that includes a detailed verification of the make and model of your car. They also establish the correct value and can offer you the best price, thanks to motus.cars‘ broad and diverse dealer network, which covers all the major car makes and models.
How long does the process take?
The dealer will be able to give you an indication of the trade-in value immediately after the vehicle assessment is completed. As for the rest of the vetting and verification (to give you a complete report and solid offer)… that should not take longer than a few hours.
Disadvantages and advantages of trading in your car?
Disadvantages:
Many people have the misconception that you will get more money if you sell your car privately, but there are risks, hassles and even costs involved with the process; it can also be very time-consuming.
Advantages:
Ease of service – the dealer will handle everything that needs to be done from settling the outstanding balance with the bank to ensuring the vehicle is taken out of your name, to delivering your new vehicle
It is fast and convenient – you will not need to worry about the task of advertising the car, meeting with potential buyers and transferring ownership
It is safer – you will not be at risk of being scammed between processes
As a rule of thumb, it works out cheaper to let a dealer recondition your car after you’ve traded it in. What you would lose on the trade-in value will be marginal compared to trying to repair the car yourself before you dispose of it/sell it on.
If you would like to get your car valued as a trade-in, why not book a test drive, or enquire about your new dream car on motus.cars and get your current car valued at the same time!
Make use of free tools available to further help you decide what the best vehicle finance option is for you. Use these simple affordability and finance calculators to help you determine what you can afford and what finance option will be best for your needs.
