The flagship performance derivative of the updated Jaguar F-Pace has landed in South Africa. See how much the facelifted F-Pace SVR with a supercharged V8 costs, plus just how fast is it?
Performance SUVs are all the rage currently. With big capacity turbocharged petrol engines, all-wheel drive and space for the whole family, many would say the performance SUV is all the vehicle you’d ever need.
With the segment dominated by the German trio, many forget that the British have some pretty potent offerings too. The SVR range features a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine and it sounds absolutely magnificent.
Jaguar has shoved this engine into its facelifted F-Pace and created the F-Pace SVR. In this application, the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 is tuned to deliver 405 kW and 700 Nm, giving it a claimed 0-100 kph of 4 seconds and a top speed of 286 kph. In comparison, the outgoing model featured 20 Nm less and could muster a 4.3-second run to 100 kph.
Jaguar says its additional performance comes from the same 8-speed torque converter transmission that’s found in the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 super sedan plus a new dynamic launch feature that helps maintain engine power to the wheels during gear shifts. The vehicle is driven by all 4 wheels and is available with adaptive dampers, which have been recalibrated to offer a comfier ride at slower speeds.
Other noteworthy mechanical upgrades range from the new electronic power-assistance steering system and improved brakes which is said to offer a sportier feel. There’s also additional cooling for the brakes, which you can imagine is vital as they work hard to bring this vehicle to a stop.
You can spot the updated Jaguar F-Pace SVR with its enhanced aerodynamics package. There are plenty of vents and ducts to improve cooling and how it cuts through the air. Jaguar says its new aero reduces aero lift by 35% and its drag coefficient has improved slightly. Jaguar is offering its updated F-Pace SVR with the Black Pack styling option.
Inside, the updated Jaguar F-Pace SVR features a redesigned cabin with new trim and materials, a new 12.3-inch digital dashboard, new Pivi Pro infotainment system as well as a new Jaguar Drive Selector, complete with SVR logo. There’s also a new SVR steering wheel with zinc-alloy gear shift paddles.
How much does the F-Pace SVR cost in South Africa?
The new Jaguar F-PACE SVR is available in South Africa now with a starting price of R1 835 700. The vehicle is sold with a standard 5-year/100 000km Jaguar Care Plan and warranty.
We spent a weekend getting to know the Ford EcoSport 1.5 Ambiente Black a bit better. Do the cosmetic changes enhance the appeal of this long-serving compact family car?
The Ford EcoSport has been the segment’s top-seller for quite some time and, in response to recent arrivals of fresh-faced competitors, Ford has given its base Ambiente 1.5 Auto derivative a makeover.
Considering that the newcomer’s nomenclature is EcoSport (1.5 Ambiente) Black, you would expect it to feature some dark visual enhancements, but whereas the cosmetic embellishments of the Sport versions of the Ranger and Everest models are part of an optional add-on package (or pack, in Ford parlance), the Blue Oval’s latest small crossover is a new, standalone mid-range derivative.
In time-honoured tradition, the Ford EcoSport Black looks even sportier by virtue of its “go-faster stripes”.
At first glance, you’re likely to notice the black decals on the EcoSport’s flanks and bonnet, with matching finishes for the grille, bumpers, side sills, wing mirrors, roof, 16-inch alloy wheels (which replace the standard 15-inch steel units) and even the spare wheel cover on the tailgate. Our test unit was finished in very bright red, which, interestingly, doesn’t seem to be available on Ford SA’s local configurator.
The EcoSport Black is powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine that drives the vehicle’s front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission. The motor’s stated peak outputs are 91 kW and 151 Nm and, like most compact family cars, there’s no part-time 4×4; the Ford relies on its 206 mm of ground clearance to get you through – or up and over – the rough stuff.
Standard equipment covers the basics, including a (particularly effective) air-conditioner, power steering, electric windows all around, rear parking sensors, and a 4.2-inch infotainment system with 2x USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity and 6 speakers. Safety-wise, the EcoSport Black has 6 airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic traction- and stability control.
The Ford EcoSport Black is adept at travelling on the dirt.
What is the Ford EcoSport like to drive?
Thanks to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, new-vehicle launches have changed dramatically. Suffice to say large gatherings of people in one place (such as the country’s motoring journalists assembling at a new-vehicle launch venue) is a rarity these days, so smaller regional events have become the norm. In our case, we were asked to drive to Montagu and set off on a weekend adventure in the EcoSport.
A weekend-long road trip presents a great opportunity to find out what a car’s all about. You get to travel your own route – at your own pace and can discover a vehicle’s various strengths and foibles on the way to and from your destination. We also put the Ford’s practicality to the test – with some careful packing, we managed to squeeze in a full-sized mountain bike as well as sufficient luggage for 2 adults.
That rear-hinged door is not the easiest to use, but we eventually got the bike and luggage in.
On paper, the engine’s outputs seem adequate; the EcoSport’s performance should compare well with those of its fellow naturally-aspirated rivals, but we suspect the 6-speed automatic transmission blunts the vehicle’s forward urge. It’s interesting, as the same engine felt more energetic in the Ford Figo Freestyle, but that was paired with a manual gearbox. The EcoSport’s engine also tended to be quite noisy under full acceleration (such as when overtaking at freeway speeds). The gearbox doesn’t help matters: it’s far too eager to kick down a ratio when you depress the accelerator more than a 3rd of the way.
Alas, this powertrain is not the punchiest, but, to be fair, it’s all about offering value for money at this end of the segment. If you want more performance, then you need to look to EcoSport derivatives powered by the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine, but you’ll be paying more, both in terms of list price and poorer fuel economy. The diesel engine makes a good case for itself, but we have yet to test it.
After a 455-km round trip, the test unit indicated an average fuel consumption figure of 7.2 L/100 km, which was reasonably close to Ford’s claim of 6.2 L/100 km.
The Ford EcoSport Black replaces the stock 15-inch steel units for these black 16-inch alloys.
As far as ride quality is concerned, the EcoSport does the basics right; on this trip, it rode comfortably on a variety of surfaces. We even drove on farm roads; the Ford proved more than adept at traversing gravel routes.
The refinement is not great, however – the 16-inch wheels and tyres seemed to generate a lot of road noise and the interior panels emitted quite a few rattles. What we did like about the EcoSport was its driving position… You sit well perched, from where you have excellent forward visibility. To its credit, the driver’s seat is also height-adjustable.
The vibrance of the EcoSport Black was only matched by the spring flowers.
How much does the Ford EcoSport cost in South Africa?
The Ford EcoSport range kicks off at R303 900 and this Black derivative costs R337 400. The 1.0-litre turbo engine range comes with more standard specification and starts from R346 000.
A 4-year/120 000 km warranty, 3-year/unlimited-km roadside assistance and 5-year/unlimited-km corrosion warranty. A 4-year/60 000 km service plan is included, with intervals every 15 000 km.
Summary
There seems no end in sight to the expansion of the compact family car segment. Considering that Ford has managed to keep its EcoSport fresh and specified in line with customer expectations. The Blue Oval is well aware that new offerings from Kia (Sonet), Nissan (Magnite), Suzuki/Toyota (Vitara Brezza/Urban Cruiser, Honda (WR-V) and Haval (Jolion) all want a slice of the segment leader’s share.
The Ford EcoSport does show its age in some ways (it’s been in Mzansi since 2013) and, given the stiff competition in this segment, customers are spoilt for choice. That said, the EcoSport does blend the roles of urban runabout and gravel cruiser rather well. Despite some cheap-feeling finishes, it feels like it can handle rough roads (mechanically speaking) and its packaging makes quite a visual statement.
This week’s news you need to know (August 2021, Week 3)
In this week’s automotive news you need to know: Lamborghini’s throwback Thursday causes a stir among purists, Nissan further extends the life of its long-serving Z-car, Chinese brand Chery gets a second bite at Mzansi and Toyota SA may just make “driving green” more affordable.
Countach Revival – Let sleeping dogs lie?
Nothing polarises car enthusiasts’ opinions and sets the petrolhead community abuzz quite like the unveiling of a Lamborghini. Such is the mystique of the mid-engined super- and hypercars produced by VW’s St’Agata-based vanity brand (well, it’s technically Audi-owned, ja ja) that every new model is expected to be more outrageous than the one that came before it. Sure, I’m all for improvements, but I do feel that we might all be expecting too much of the “new” Countach, which will be produced in limited numbers and is based on the Sian, which, in turn, is an Aventador with a 48-Volt supercapacitor.
The newcomer simply draws its inspiration from the car that appeared on millions of children’s bedroom walls; it’s not an all-new model that repurposes a famous name. Lamborghini never said it was, because, as a rule, it doesn’t re-use model names. Besides, revival cars aren’t taboo. There were revivals of the Lancia 037 and Delta Integrale, both of which allowed a defunct brand’s legendary models to live on through niche manufacturers. We didn’t throw our arms up then, did we? No, they weren’t genuine 037s or Delta Integrales, but hardcore enthusiasts who could afford them, couldn’t care less.
The original Countach was a game-changer, but this new/re-imagined one exists because Lamborghini is leveraging its 47-year-old intellectual property while simultaneously squeezing more profit out of a long-serving platform. Why? So that it can continue producing ludicrous machines for years to come. Call it a cynical repackaging exercise or flagrant nostalgia-mining; in my book, it’s just business.
New Nissan Z – ‘Z’ marks the spot
Okay, so you get 2 types of car people in this world – those who love the Nissan Z and… those who don’t. It’ll be a huge relief to performance-car aficionados – and the producers of future Fast and Furious films, I’m sure – that with the gradual decline of ICE offerings in the sportscar sector, Nissan has decided to stick to its knitting with this one; the new Z is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6-engined coupe with a close-ratio 6-speed manual ‘box (if you must, a 9-speed automatic transmission is available too) that drives the newcomer’s rear wheels via a mechanical limited-slip diff. In short, it’s one for the purists.
Nissan decided against doing what Toyota did when it enlisted BMW’s help to develop the new Supra (in doing so, TMC saved on research and development costs of a low-volume model). Nissan’s not flush with cash – that’s no secret, so it repurposed an existing Infiniti powerplant and freshened up the platform of the previous Z (Z34, which arrived on the local market in 2009) to produce the “2023 Z” – an elemental fun car that incorporates just enough subtle styling cues of its famous sportscar progenitors… and fills a vacuum created by manufacturers pursuing greener aspirations and emission targets.
Nissan and Toyota (GT86, Supra) seem to be the only ones making new fun cars in the modern age. These relatively uncomplicated machines keep the Japanese sportscar heritage alive and well, which we should all be thankful for. By the year 2040, when 80% of all cars on the road will be electric, I bet the Japanese will still be making fun cars, and by then, we’ll all be Z fans. Now, bring on that new Skyline!
Chery – the second coming
The great Chinese takeover is happening! This time, Chery’s back and instead of catering for the budget end of the market as before, they’re targeting the ever desirable compact crossover/SUV segment. Call it “fishing where the fish are”, but after Chery’s less than auspicious performance the first time around in Mzansi, the now fully-owned subsidiary of the Chinese powerhouse is armed with the lessons they’ve learnt, plus they have a cheat sheet provided by the ex-Haval SA employees who have joined their ranks. This is a potent blend of business experience that can only result in a serious offering.
As consumer confidence in Chinese brands grows stronger (perhaps the resurgent Haval SA should send Chery SA an invoice for that), Chinese models become a bigger threat to their European, Korean and Japanese counterparts, because they no longer have to rely on too-low-to-say-no pricing as their unique selling proposition. Another masterful move is the knock-down plants Chery plans to set up on local soil in the future; it remains to be seen how these facilities will slot into the country’s broader automotive manufacturing industry, but job creation and lower landed costs create favourable headlines.
Corolla Cross – Finally, a locally-made hybrid family car
A good example of wealth disparity in South Africa is the vast difference in incomes between those who can afford new hybrids and battery-electric vehicles and those who can’t. So-called “green(er) cars” are ruinously expensive in Mzansi (as I’ve discussed before, because of a luxury-car tax levied on top of import duties and other taxes), but that may be changing soon courtesy of a nameplate that has had a major impact on SA motoring for more than 4 decades: the Toyota Corolla. It’s only fitting and almost poetic that the Corolla will make its precedence felt again, this time in the new age of green motoring.
The Corolla Cross, which will be built at Prospecton in KZN, will include at least one hybrid derivative. It’s a fillip for the motor manufacturing sector and an investment that will do its bit to facilitate South Africa’s transition from ICE to electrified vehicles. Some of those aforementioned luxury taxes won’t apply to the Hybrid, which will help from an affordability perspective. This means the Corolla Cross could be the first option for a greener commuter with mass appeal, plus it will fill a gap while tech firms find more cost-effective battery solutions and our country’s charging station infrastructure gets upgraded.
All-new Honda Fit Review – Goodbye Jazz, hello to a proper JDM Honda
Honda has rebadged its popular but ageing Jazz with Fit stickers. It’s also imported from Japan now instead of India, has that made it a more desirable product? We review it over the course of 2 weeks in the Cape.
The Honda Jazz has been a mainstay on the South African market for decades now but for whatever reason, Honda South Africa has decided to retire the nameplate in favour of this, the Fit.
On sale as of June 2021 in South Africa, the Fit has impressed us with its super build quality, ride quality and impressive warranty.
In this video, Ciro De Siena takes an in-depth look at this latest generation of Honda’s venerable practical hatchback, compares it to its rivals and gives you a detailed overview of the interior spec and features, as well as the Magic seats in the rear.
Fiat – the Turin-based carmaker – has hit the refresh button on its 2nd-generation Fiat 500, a refreshed version of which is now available in South Africa. Cars.co.za journalist Gero Lilleike attended the local launch to find out what’s changed…
The Fiat 500 is what you could call a bread-and-butter model for the Italian marque, or better still, “the gift that keeps on giving”. The 2nd-generation Fiat 500 was launched as long ago as 2007 and has undergone numerous updates throughout its model life, so you could say it’s been around the block (more than a few times).
Having received a notable update in 2016, the Cinquecento continues to dutifully serve buyers looking for a more expressive city car with loads of charm. In fact, the 2nd-generation Fiat 500 has notched up in excess of 3 million sales since it came to market 14 years ago.
The business environment at Fiat changed dramatically earlier this year when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with the PSA Groupe to form the world’s 4th-largest automaker – Stellantis.
While Fiat’s product rollout in South Africa has been a trifle underwhelming in recent times, the merger has seemingly injected fresh energy into the brand and that includes its talismanic Fiat 500.
What’s changed?
The 2nd-generation Fiat 500 boutique city car still has charm… even if it’s nearly 14 years old.
In terms of styling, the Fiat 500 remains much the same as before, but Fiat has updated the front-end with a studded lower grille section and a revised LED daytime running light (DRL) design. Moreover, a wide range of new and vibrant colours have been made available across the range.
Inside, the most notable change is the fitment of a larger 7-inch infotainment touchscreen which now offers improved connectivity (courtesy of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility), as well as a fully digital instrument cluster on higher-spec derivatives.
Fiat has rationalised the 500 range, which now incorporates 4 distinct trim lines, each with its own personality reflected in distinct exterior styling elements, updated upholstery and trim.
The Fiat 500 Cult is the entry-level derivative followed by the Fiat 500 Connect, Fiat Sport and the Fiat 500 Dolcevita. The Sport and Dolcevita derivatives are available in hatchback and cabriolet guise.
Under the bonnet, the Fiat 500 forges on with its familiar 2-cylinder 0.9-litre (875cc) turbocharged petrol engine that produces 62.5 kW and 145 Nm of torque, mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a Manual Transmission Automatic (MTA), which is exclusively offered in the 500 Dolcevita hardtop and 500C Dolcevita cabriolet. Fiat claims an average fuel consumption figure of 4.0 L/100 km.
What’s the Fiat 500 like to drive?
The interior of the Fiat 500 remains vibrant and youthful.
We started the evaluation-drive section of the launch in the Fiat 500 Sport and the launch route took us through the suburbs of Johannesburg as well on the city’s extensive network of highways.
The cabin has an airy feel thanks to the fixed panoramic sunroof and the Cinquecento’s cabinseemed to exhibit a sturdy build quality. The interior is mostly finished in harder plastics, but there is some soft-touch trim on the insides of the doors. The seats are relatively comfortable and the Fiat 500 Sport does feature a height-adjustable driver’s seat, which makes it easier to find a comfortable driving position.
The small-capacity 2-cylinder turbopetrol engine does have a distinct thrum to it and it somehow sounds quite entertaining under full-throttle acceleration. The manual transmission has a positive action; indeed, gear changes are fun to make and confidence-inspiring. The Fiat 500 is fairly nippy in urban spaces and due to its diminutive size, it’s also easily manoeuvrable in tighter spaces.
The Fiat 500 continues to offer class-less appeal, plus it appeals to young and old alike.
We must highlight the Fiat 500’s pliant and forgiving ride quality. The roads in the suburbs of Johannesburg are generally of poor quality, but the Cinquecento delivered a comfortable ride. In terms of handling though, Fiat’s little firebrand does show its age somewhat… The steering setup is quite vague and bereft of feel by modern standards. Also, during our launch drive, we saw indicated fuel consumption figures of between 7 and 8 L/100 km, which were higher than we expected from the once-award-winning TwinAir motor.
We also had a go in the entry-level Fiat 500 Cult and while it rides on smaller 14-inch steel wheels (with wheel covers), the overall driving experience is much the same. Being an entry-level derivative, the Fiat 500 Cult has a smaller 5-inch infotainment system, manual aircon and a single USB port (as opposed to 2 USB ports offered in the Sport derivative).
As you would expect, the petite Fiat 500’s rear bench is compromised in terms of leg and headroom and the load bay has a claimed luggage capacity of 188 litres, which expands to 688 litres with the 60/40- split rear bench folded down. With that said, the Fiat 500 isn’t as practical as a typical compact hatchback, but if practicality is of major concern, the Cinquecento is probably not the car for you anyway.
Summary
Even though the Fiat 500 can be criticised for being long-in-the-tooth and in need of replacement (its successor is an electric vehicle, which is already available in Europe, but unlikely to be offered in South Africa in the near future), it still manages to offer a certain boutique charm that no other conventional and similarly-priced hatchback can match. With the revised range and keen pricing, Fiat is hoping to attract new customers to the fold; it will certainly be interesting to see if local buyers will respond positively to the revised line-up. See pricing details below…
How much does the updated Fiat 500 cost in South Africa?
Fiat 500 Cult 0.9L
R219 900
Fiat 500 Connect 0.9L
R260 900
Fiat 500 Sport 0.9L
R269 900
Fiat 500 Dolcevita 0.9L
R274 900
Fiat 500 Sport Cabriolet 0.9L
R319 900
Fiat 500 Dolcevita Cabriolet 0.9L
R324 900
The Fiat 500 is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, but note that a service plan is not standard.
Kia Introduces Pocket-Friendly Entry-Level Sonet LX
Kia South Africa has introduced an LX trim derivative of its stylish and well-appointed Sonet compact SUV. Here’s how much it costs, plus what you get for your money.
Just 3 months after its debut on South African soil, the Kia Sonet gains a new member. The cute Sonet has proven popular, thanks to its good driving manners, a generous level of equipment and value for money.
Speaking of value for money, the new model comes in under the current Sonet EX derivative. What you see here is the Kia Sonet LX, which is available in both manual and CVT options.
Being an entry-level model leads to the assumption that the vehicle is bare and lacking in modern convenience features, but based on the info that Kia has sent us, the Kia Sonet LX still appears to have desirable levels of tech and features.
8.0-inch HD touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Remote central locking
Air-conditioning
Bluetooth
Front and rear electric windows
Electric mirrors
6 speakers
15-inch steel wheels
Height-adjustable driver’s seat
Automatic headlamp activation
Rear-view camera
Combination artificial leather and cloth seat trim
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
ABS with EBD
Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
Dual front airbags
ISOFIX child-seat anchoring points
From our Cars Compare tool, the only advantage the EX has over the new LX is the addition of 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and rear park distance control.
Under the bonnet, the same 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine is used. It develops 85 kW and 144 Nm, and customers have the choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT.
“The popularity of the Kia Sonet has been overwhelming, and we’re delighted that so many customers are choosing Kia’s newest model to begin their SUV life,” comments Stephen Crosse, Sales and Marketing Director of Kia South Africa. “There is nothing ‘entry-level’ about the Sonet LX derivatives when it comes to comfort, convenience and features, and we’re confident that the LX’s value proposition will further bolster the Sonet’s popularity.”
Kia Sonet LX Price in South Africa
The Kia Sonet is sold with an Unlimited Kilometre, 5-year warranty (inclusive of Roadside Assistance), as well as a prepaid 4-year / 60,000 km service plan.
Could the diesel, come to South Africa? Nope, definitely not.
Honda has given its most affordable sedan an upgrade.
The evolved Amaze has debuted in India and features a host of cosmetic and cabin functionality improvements.
Honda has done the expected and integrated new daytime running LEDs to the front of the Amaze, while the taillights are reshaped into a C-pattern.
The cabin sees silver satin trim and a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and integration of both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Convenience is improved on the VX-grade Amaze, with keyless entry and engine starting, while all variants get dual airbags, ABS but no mention of ESP.
Engines are Honda’s 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel.
The smaller engine is good for 66 kW and 110 Nm. It drives the front wheels via a manual or CVT transmission.
What will be of particular interest to South African Honda followers is that 1.5-litre turbodiesel. When configured with the manual gearbox option, the new Amaze turbodiesel draws upon 73 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque.
If you wish to use the two-pedal convenience of Honda’s CVT transmission, power drops to 59 kW, with a reduction in torque down to 160 Nm.
Honda South Africa has not confirmed any dateline for the local introduction of its updated Amaze, or the status of a turbodiesel derivative.
Fiat South Africa has introduced an updated 500 to the market. Here’s pricing and specifications of the cute city slicker.
The Fiat 500 is an iconic city car and despite the market moving quite rapidly in favour of SUVs, the little cutie continues to sell in big numbers. Since its introduction back in 2007, 3 million units have been sold around the world.
Now for 2021, the 3rd generation Fiat 500 has been given a refresh and there are new trim levels, new colours on offer as well as new-look interiors.
The new trim levels are Cult, Connect, Dolcevita and Sport. There’s also a convertible model on offer, badged as the Fiat 500C.
500 Cult
14-inch steel wheels Black exterior mirrors LED daytime running maps Halogen headlights Blue fabric seats Body colour dashboard Uconnect infotainment screen with 5-inch screen + DAB + USB ports Manual air conditioning
500 Connect
The above, plus: 15-inch alloy wheels Side skirts Rear spoiler Foglights Bi-colour options Height adjustable seats Multi-function steering wheel Cruise control Uconnect with 7-inch screen + Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Additional speakers
500 Dolcevita
The above, plus: 16-inch alloy wheels Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel Glass roof Leather details on the seats 50/50 rear split seats
500 Sport
Sport badging 16-inch alloy wheels Sporty bodykit Seven-inch digital cluster Automatic air conditioning Sporty interior trim
Fiat 500 Powertrain
The updated Fiat 500 is powered by the 0.9-litre 2-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which delivers 62.5 kW and 145 Nm. Fiat SA claims a 0-100 kph of just 11 seconds and fuel consumption is rated at 4 L/100 km.
Customers can choose from a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automatic transmission. All four trim levels are available as hatchbacks, with the 500C convertible being available in Dolcevita and Sport trim levels only. The manual gearbox is earmarked for Cult, Connect, and Sport hatchbacks, as well as the 500C Sport, while the auto is reserved for 500 and 500C Dolcevita models.
When it comes to safety, the Fiat 500 comes with 7 airbags, ABS, Hill Assist, and Electronic Stability Control.
How much does the updated Fiat 500 cost in South Africa?
Nissan has confirmed that the all-new, 3rd-generation Qashqai will go on sale in South Africa towards the end of 2021. Our UK correspondent recently visited the acclaimed Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, England, to shake down the Japanese brand’s compact family car and filed this first-drive impression.
The combination of an elevated driving position, stylish, rugged looks and down-to-earth running costs made the original Nissan Qashqai a huge global hit following its arrival in 2008. Its popularity continued unabated with the arrival of the 2nd-generation in 2014 and, as the production run of that model concluded just a few weeks ago, a scarcely believable 5 million Qashqais had found homes across the globe.
Nissan revealed its 3rd-generation Qashqai in February this year. Last month, I became more acquainted with it at one of the world’s harshest proving grounds – Millbrook. For openers, I would respectfully suggest that rival manufacturers assume the brace position because things are going to get a little uncomfortable for them…
What’s new?
As with almost all new models, the Qashqai is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor.
Pretty much everything. The Japanese manufacturer has updated the Qashqai formula with sharper styling and a much more modern infotainment system.
Like the generations before it, this Qashqai was styled by Nissan’s London studio, developed at its Cranfield Technical Centre and gets assembled in its Sunderland factory. It is slightly larger than before, being 35-mm longer, 32-mm wider and 25-mm taller, while its wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) is 20-mm longer.
This new Qashqai rides on the Common Module Family (CMF) C-platform, which is shared with Mitsubishi and Renault. It allows for a range of electrified powertrains – none of which (according to Nissan SA) are heading to South Africa, at least for now.
The platform is claimed to feature more lightweight materials and utilise advanced stamping and welding techniques in its construction to increase body rigidity and reduce kerb weight. The bonnet, front fenders and doors are made from aluminium and are 21-kg lighter, while the tailgate is made from composite, which saves 2.3 kg.
To improve visibility, Nissan engineered thinner A-pillars and mounted the wing mirrors on the doors instead of the A-pillars. Elsewhere, rear knee room has grown by 28 mm to 608 mm, while headroom has been increased by 15 mm. The load bay is a significant 74-litres bigger due to the lower load floor and the redesigned rear-suspension configuration.
Exterior
Quite a vast update for this Qashqai as modern family SUVs push the styling boundaries.
The new Qashqai sports a considerably more bold and chiselled appearance than the previous iteration, but it remains unmistakably identifiable as a (bang-up-to-date) Nissan.
Up front, it features a completely redesigned front end emblazoned with the now-familiar V-Motion grille along with full LED matrix headlights and signature boomerang-shaped daytime running lights. Deep creases along the full waistline of the car and lower down on the doors enhance the styling improvements.
It arguably still looks conservative next to the new Hyundai Tucson, but may steal admiring glances from drivers of other rival family cars, including the now-ageing Kia Sportage and BMW X1.
Interior
Plenty of soft-touch surfaces within the cabin, something you don’t get much of in this segment.
The previous-generation Qashqai was on sale for 7 years, but during that time, its interior design had become quite dated. The touchscreen was one of the most noticeably outdated aspects, as it was small and had rather basic graphics. In line with current trends, the new touchscreen now sits proud of the dashboard. It’s bigger and is complemented by a fully digital instrument cluster on most models.
There are extra soft-touch materials on show and double-stitching, which give the Qashqai a welcome uplift in quality. Granted, you won’t feel like you’re in an Audi or a BMW when behind the Nissan’s ‘wheel, but the freshness of the more upmarket interior will certainly impress current Qashqai drivers.
The infotainment touchscreen is not only bigger, but where it’s located – atop the dashboard – is likely to be closer to the driver’s eye line. It’s arguably a safety feature, because it means your eyes are away from the road for less time, while information can also be displayed on the digital dial cluster and, on top-spec Tekna versions, a large head-up display in the windscreen.
Fortunately, Nissan has chosen to keep physical dials and buttons for the climate control panel, rather than burying the climate settings in the touchscreen menu. You’ll find that physical controls are much easier and more intuitive to use while you’re driving. In fact, proper buttons still have their place throughout the Qashqai’s cabin. It’s good to know that common sense is becoming more, um, common.
Nissan’s infotainment systems were lagging behind, the new system brings it up-to-date.
The latest Qashqai has a longer wheelbase, which has improved the space in the rear (20 mm more knee room, 28 mm more shoulder room and 15 mm more headroom), all of which makes it feel spacious at the back. What’s more, the new car has doors that open wider than its predecessor. That makes it easier to install bulky child seats and for children (and granny) to get in and out.
Inside, there are more storage spaces, so you’ll find plenty of places to stash your odds and ends. Meanwhile, the front cup holders have been relocated so you’re less likely to knock over your drink when changing gear.
The Qashqai offered plenty of luggage space when it was launched, but the previous generation model was soon overtaken by more practical rivals. A re-jigged rear suspension design has resulted in a bigger load bay with a lower floor than before. Compared with its predecessor, this model offers an additional 74 litres of space (with the rear seats in place) for a claimed capacity of 504 litres.
The load floor is reversible and can be raised or lowered, depending on what you need. Raising the floor allows you to have a completely flat surface when the rear seats are folded. Doing so frees up around 1 435 litres of utility space, which is more than useful!
Trim grades
No details were forthcoming from Nissan South Africa regarding the intended trim grades for the new Qashqai when it arrives in early 2022, but there is little reason to believe that the manufacture will depart from the existing local range of Acenta, Acenta Plus and top-spec Tekna derivatives.
It may be that 1 or 2 special editions of the new Qashqai could make their way to Mzansi along the lines of the outgoing Midnight Edition, but that remains to be seen.
Powerplants and drivetrains
Nissan SA is going to have to make a brave decision to either use old engines or source them from within the Renault group.
Here in the UK, the 1.5-litre dCi diesel has been discontinued for the new Qashqai and the entire line-up utilises a tried-and-tested 1.3-litre turbopetrol unit (now equipped with fuel-saving 12V mild-hybrid technology), offered in 104-kW and 119-kW states of tune.
The Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid is due to be launched in Britain in 2022. It’ll use a 1.5-litre petrol engine as a generator to charge the battery and an electric motor to assist with powering the driven wheels. Combined, the pair of power sources produce 140 kW, so we’d expect the hybrid to offer the fastest acceleration in the range. Regenerative braking, like you get in a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, will mean you’ll be able to drive the car using just the accelerator – the Qashqai will slow down as soon as you take your foot off the rightmost pedal.
However, Nissan South Africa did confirm that it will not be offering the 12V mild-hybrid unit to South African buyers. Indeed, other than that confirmation, no further information was made available when requested regarding petrol or diesel engines and accompanying drivetrains for the new Qashqai.
The 1.2-litre petrol engine currently available with the outgoing South African Qashqai is ageing somewhat, so perhaps – and this is, of course, mere speculation – either a non-hybrid variant of the 1.3-litre engine or the all-new 1.5-litre e-Power Hybrid could make its way to South Africa to replace it.
As is the norm with new car launches, we’ll just have to wait and see what information is contained when Nissan South Africa eventually makes it available closer to the time of order books opening.
On the road
The ride comfort remains the major strength of the Qashqai.
Compact family cars aren’t designed to be the best-handling cars on the road and the Qashqai’s popularity shows that handling is quite a way down the list of priorities for many buyers.
However, the new model is significantly better to drive. Clearly, Nissan has favoured smoothness and stability over driver involvement, which for a family-centric car isn’t at all surprising. Admittedly, there’s little steering feel and the manual ‘box could be a tad more precise, but refinement is truly exceptional. Furthermore, a 60-kg weight reduction helps the new Qashqai feel a little more agile than before.
Front-wheel-drive derivatives get a standard rear suspension setup and, for the majority of the time, the car rides supremely well. It’s never uncomfortable over crusty surfaces and remains composed even when I tried (very hard, I might add) to get it unsettled over Millbrook’s “alpine route”.
Safety
While the new Qashqai’s safety rating hasn’t yet been confirmed by the crash-test experts at Euro NCAP, it would be surprising if Nissan’s newcomer scores anything other than the full 5 stars. Why? Because Nissan has fitted a comprehensive array of safety features as standard, the likes of which you’d often be expected to pay for by other manufacturers – well, on UK models anyway.
There are systems that monitor your blind spots, check that the driver is awake and alert, and scan for any traffic crossing your path behind you. The auto emergency braking function includes junction-assist and pedestrian- and cyclist detection, while the high beams are automatically activated and the lane-keeping system prevents you from leaving your lane accidentally. That’s on top of all the features that are now obligatory, such as ABS with ESC, ISOFIX child seat points and a full suite of front, side and curtain airbags.
While we have seen a few South African manufacturers take a somewhat, well, thrifty approach to the safety and well-being of passengers within their cars, Nissan SA is not one of them. Buyers should expect much of the above technology to accompany their new Qashqai when it goes on sale later this year.
Summary
In a busy segment, Qashqai will hope to gain back some of its market share with this new model.
Nissan will hope that this latest Qashqai continues the global success of its predecessors and there is little reason to suppose that it won’t. The manufacturer has updated its phenomenally successful formula with sharper styling, a much more modern infotainment system and a ride quality so refined it arguably belongs in a higher (and more expensive) class of car.
Yes, the new, 3rd-generation Qashqai is the best it’s ever been. Okay, so the Peugeot 2008 is funkier inside, but what matters most is that the millions of people who love the Qashqai will love this one even more. Besides, I am most grateful to Nissan for keeping the Qashqai around long enough so that I can finally spell its name correctly on the first attempt…
Chery – A 2nd Bite of the SA Market
Chinese brand Chery is making a comeback in South Africa and has announced a corporate shift, an all-new business strategy, plus a raft of modern products that will be introduced in the local new-vehicle market in the near future.
Chery is a brand that some South Africans know well. At one stage, the Chery QQ was SA’s cheapest new car, but it was probably one of the best examples of why Chinese models weren’t taken seriously before 2010. Chery South Africa has now been established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the automotive giant; previously, Chery models had been distributed by a dealer group (Imperial) under licence.
There have been dramatic improvements in the quality – and sales figures – of Chinese models in South Africa in 2020/2021. With Haval SA shooting up the new-vehicle sales charts by virtue of the strong uptake of its outstanding value-for-money offerings, it was only a matter of time before other Chinese manufacturers (of right-hand-drive vehicles) took notice and attempted to pull off a repeat performance.
Interestingly, a number of members of the new Chery SA team are all ex-Haval SA employees and they’re confident that they can replicate a Haval-like performance with Chery. With a head office in Bryanston, Johannesburg, Chery SA will soon be introducing its Tiggo range of compact crossovers/SUVs in Mzansi.
But the brand’s business interest in South Africa goes far beyond launching new products. There will be a big investment in developing the dealership footprint, as well as establishing Knock-Down (KD) assembly plants. Essentially, the cars will arrive in the Republic in kit form, with a local workforce completing the final assembly of the vehicles. This will mean job creation, which is always a good thing.
The timeline for Chery SA demonstrates urgency and eagerness to make inroads in the local automotive market. The first phase of the plan starts from now and will continue until 2023, during which time the firm hopes to retail 10 000 units. From then (2023) to 2026, Chery will start pushing into the rest of Southern Africa, while the 3rd phase will see the planning of the aforementioned KD facilities.
Right now, the focus is on appointing the first 30 dealerships in South Africa, with the first new vehicles due to make landfall in the final quarter of 2021. Chery SA will be backing up their new wares with a comprehensive warranty/service plan, 24-hour roadside assistance, and will establish a large parts warehouse.
Chery products coming to our market
As far as products go, Chery SA has quite an array of vehicles earmarked for South Africa. First to land will be the Tiggo 4, a compact family car that’s roughly the same size as a Kia Sonet. It will be available in manual and automatic guise, as well as with naturally-aspirated and turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engines. Expect this model to reach South African showrooms in the 4th quarter of 2021.
The Tiggo Cross and Tiggo 7 will be launched in Mzansi in the 3rd quarter and 2nd quarter of 2022 respectively, and they’ll be pitched in the family car segment. Interestingly, a bakkie is on the cards for SA too. It’s due in the 2nd quarter of 2023 and will be called the Tiggo Pup. For the big SUV fans, the Tiggo 8 will be touching down early in 2022 and it seems roughly the same size as the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Final specs and prices have yet to be confirmed, but at the presentation, we had a chance to inspect the vehicles on display. While styling is completely subjective, there’s nothing too radical-looking in the line-up. The Tiggo range appears fresh, with upmarket-looking interiors. When he looked inside the vehicles, the levels of fit and finish we saw were comparable with those of established brands’ products.
The level of specification in the Tiggo 8 Pro, in particular, looked quite impressive, with plenty of tech features and digital user interfaces on offer. While we weren’t allowed to drive the vehicles, we rode to and from the launch venue in a base-spec Tiggo 4 Pro and found the vehicle’s on-road refinement (especially the hushed cabin) quite impressive.
Can Chery SA duplicate or eclipse Haval’s market performance? Time will tell, but if similar strategies are followed and the market receives products that are well priced, boast enough features to satisfy the connected generation and there’s good support from the after-sales division, we don’t see why not. We look forward to bringing you road tests and video reviews of the all-new Chery South Africa range.
