Peugeot has revealed a new 1-tonne Landtrek bakkie which is destined for the South American and sub-Saharan African markets. The good news is that it has been confirmed for introduction in South Africa in 2021!
Peugeot has revealed a new bakkie and it’s called Landtrek, born of a collaboration between Peugeot and Chinese manufacturer, Changan. It's built on a new platform that also underpins the China-only Changan Kaicheng F70.
The Peugeot Landtrek is offered in 3 body shapes including single-cab, double-cab and chassis cab, catering for both the workhorse and lifestyle market. The Landtrek has a payload of 1.2 tons and a notable towing capacity of up to 3.5 tons. Ground clearance is pegged from 214 mm to 235 mm, depending on the derivative.
The Landtrek's interior appears to be quite nice, don't you think?
Inside, the Landtrek actually looks quite impressive and many of the features are taken straight from Peugeot’s parts bin including a steering wheel from the 3008 and the 10-inch touchscreen from the 508 along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability and a 10GB hard drive. Standard feature specification appears to be quite generous with a 360-degree camera system (up to 4 cameras can be fitted) and dual-zone climate control included in the mix. A total of 6 airbags, electronic stability control, lane departure warning, Trailer Swing Control and hill descent control are also part of the standard kit.
Notably, the backrest can fold down in a 60:40 split and buyers will be able to choose between 2 individual front seats (with an armrest) or a 3-seater multiflex bench. As a result, the Landtrek can accommodate up to 6 passengers depending on the derivative. A total of 27-litres of storage space is offered in the cabin.
The Landtrek can be had in either 4×2 or 4×4 guise and is powered by either a petrol or diesel engine. The 2.4-litre turbopetrol engine offers outputs of 157 kW and 320 Nm of torque while a 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine develops 112 kW and 350 Nm of torque. The petrol engine is mated with either a 6-speed Getrag manual or 6-speed automatic transmission while the diesel engine is mated exclusively with the manual ‘box. 4×4 derivatives are equipped with 4H and 4L modes to tackle various terrain as well as a rear differential with a eLocker system that can disengage automatically to gain more traction. Wading depth is rated at 600 mm.
Peugeot South Africa has confirmed that the Landtrek will come to South Africa in 2021 and it will likely be offered in both single-cab and double-cab guise.
Porsche is renowned for making great sportscars, but when it installed a 2.0-litre turbo engine in its 718 Boxster and Cayman (in response to tightening emissions standards), the models lost some lustre. The GT4, however, is pure brilliance – an intoxicating throwback to the days of big motors, stratospheric redlines and true driver involvement.
We like: Revs for days, rewarding driving experience, manual gearbox.
We don’t like: Infotainment system and buttons could be modernised.
Fast Facts:
Price: R1 834 000 before options (November 2020)
Engine: 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated 6-cylinder
Power/Torque: 309 kW/420 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.9 L/100 km (claimed)
Top speed: 300 kph
?Performance: 0-100 kph in 4.4 sec.
What is it?
It’s fair to say there was a lot of commotion when Porsche delivered this generation of Cayman (718) with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. Was it still going to feel like a Porsche? Would it make all the right sounds? Would Porsche do the same to the beloved 911? These were just some of the concerns around it, which Porsche tried to allay by reminding us of the 718 and its flat-4 engines of the late ’50s and early ’60s. Most people gave the brand the benefit of the doubt… The new 718’s 4-pot was efficient, if a bit characterless, which is, one could argue, the price of progress.
Now, armed with a bunch of particulate filters to reduce emissions and consumption, Porsche has unleashed this 4.0-litre flat-6 sizzler of a Cayman GT4, with zero turbos. That’s right, it’s not a forced-induction engine (as most premium cars’ petrol engines now are) – it’s powered purely by natural air (and tears of joy and yelps of jubilation) as you steam towards the 8 000 rpm redline and slot home another inch-perfect gearchange.
The Cayman GT4 uses a fair amount of trick performance parts from the GT3.
Here’s a little info about what makes a Cayman GT4 different from the rest of the range: It has the engine from the current 911, but Porsche upped the capacity to 4.0 litres, upgraded the internals and tossed the turbos into the rubbish bin. The front axle is lifted from the GT3 as are the control arms and subframe for the rear end. It’s shod with semi-slick, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and the newcomer generates 50% more downforce than the previous GT4 thanks to the new rear wing, optimised underbody and rear diffuser. It also sits 30 mm lower than a standard Cayman. If you’re up for improving on the Porsche engineers’ efforts, you can tweak the setup by adjusting the anti-roll bars, toe, camber and the ride height.
What’s natural aspiration, grandpa?
It does feel like turbos have taken over the automotive world and we’ve forgotten about the purity of well-sorted naturally aspirated engines. Mass producers still eschew turbos in entry-level and budget cars to keep production costs at a minimum and a few Italian supercar makers still let their V10s and V12s breathe freely, but unless you’ve spent most of your motoring life driving non-turbo cars, it’s easy to forget the joy of throttle feel.
No, the Porsche 4.0 won’t give you a fat smack when the power kicks in, in fact, you have to work the engine all the way to 5 000 rpm before you’re afforded anything resembling a “kick”. That’s down to the linear precision with which this motor races through its rev range to the rpm limit (8 000 rpm), which you will want to hit repeatedly. An engine like this requires a very different driving style to a turbo motor; you can constantly test the throttle at the edge of grip, ready for that exit, at which point you can flatten the accelerator pedal and let the engine howl its way back to the limiter.
The new rear wing and functional diffuser help in generating 50% more downforce than before.
Granted, it doesn’t sound particularly sonorous at full chat, even with the exhaust button engaged. It’s more metallic and natural – unfettered by sound-enhancing software and “symposers”. You hear the engine right behind you, with the exhaust note further back. The 4.0 has a mechanical tick-over too, similar those old air-cooled engines that reminded me of my dad’s replica 718 RSK – which had a Beetle engine at the start of its life.
The Cayman’s 6-speed manual, meanwhile, has no rivals. Performance aficionados often praise the Japanese brands for their snip-snap manual gearboxes, but when it comes to fast-shifting and engaging the driver with every input, this Porsche’s “stick shift” has them floored. Even with the rev-matching software, which effectively takes care of heel-and-toe downshifts for you, it still makes you feel like a hero. If anything, at slow speeds, 2nd gear feels too high while first is a bit busy, so you have to work between the 2 often. Out on the twisties, however, 2nd is the perfect cog with which to catapult out of just about any corner, plus the Cayman GT4 will accelerate beyond the national speed limit in that gear too.
The right recipe for a driver
According to Porsche, the brakes on the GT4 may be a little bit too big, but nobody has ever complained about better stopping power.
Mid-engined, lightweight, rear-wheel drive and with a high-revving, beefy naturally aspirated engine… For the purists and dyed-in-the-wool driving enthusiasts, the Cayman GT4 is proof that the ideal small sportscar is alive and well, albeit at a rather unattainable price point for the vast majority of car buyers. The Cayman GT4 has it all and while its asking price may be high, most cars that meet that criteria command double the premium.
To drive the Cayman GT4 at speed on a good road is nothing short of automotive bliss; it’s probably a must-do for every petrolhead who’d like to experience genuine driving pleasure before they get too old to drive/shuffle off this mortal coil. From the chassis, the steering, the beefed-up brakes and the profound handling balance, the GT4 will reel in your focus and connect your every sense to it. It’s unbelievably engaging in a way that will make you drive up and down the best piece of road you can find until you run the tank dry. You won’t even hear the low-fuel-level ping.
I set my alarm earlier than I had this entire year just so I could get out on clear roads and drive this GT4. I drove it to Stellenbosch (Hellshoogte pass) and then when I got there I thought I may as well push on to Franschhoek and lapped the town’s alpine-style pass multiple times before being late for an online meeting. Then I did it all over again, in reverse. I realised I was addicted to the car… I had binge-driven an entire day away.
Spot the best manual shifter in the business.
From the moment you command it to turn in its front end, the GT4 responds quickly, but not aggressively; you can coax it – or force it – into bends and you’ll get the same balance and secure feeling of being in complete control. The whole experience is like being plugged into the car; once you turn the key fob to fire up the GT4, it’s linked to your nervous system and it reacts like it’s part of you. It’s raw and uninterrupted by electronics and fancy systems to help you drift or corner more tightly. There’s a purity in the GT4’s dynamics that can’t be matched and what’s more, it never feels too fast (like most modern sportscars can). The GT4 offers attainable performance, where something like a GT3 or Turbo S will scare you to death.
Is there a downside?
No, when you’re driving it, everything about the car is perfect. The infotainment system and the buttons that surround it could do with an update, though. The system is very functional and has plenty of connectivity options, but it feels decidedly old school compared to the setups from Audi, BMW and Jaguar etc. Porsche has always preferred buttons to touchscreens, but everything in front of the gear lever could be condensed into a better touchscreen interface.
Verdict
Truly a car to remember, landing right up there with the all-time greats.
If you’re okay with not having a 911 because people say “that’s the only real Porsche” then the Cayman GT4 won’t leave you hankering for a 911. It’s just about the best, most complete sportscar this side of a GT3. Heck, you even get GT3 bits and pieces in the GT4 at half the cost of one. The Cayman GT4 is nothing short of a visceral road machine and one that will compel you to drive it as often as you can. It’s built to be driven on great roads, so its ride can be a little firm when negotiating the local Woolies parking lot or potholed road, but that’s to be expected from a sportscar.
The Cayman GT4 might be impractical for everyday use, but it puts you well and truly at the centre of the experience. The simple formula of sticking a turbo-free engine amidships, sending power to the rear axle only and installing a spine-tinglingly good manual ‘box has produced an extraordinary result. In short, if you’re a keen driver and want to know what a pure, emotional driving experience is all about, this is the car to get.
Audi SQ5 Sportback Shown
Hard on the heels of last week's Audi SQ5's reveal comes the SQ5 Sportback! Here are some quick details.
Despite the Volkswagen Group's infamous diesel dealings, the black stuff is still clearly of interest as the new SQ5 and SQ5 Sportback is offered with a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine. With 251 kW and a monstrous 700 Nm on tap, the Audi SQ5 Sportback is no slouch, capable of sprinting to 100 kph in a claimed 5.1 seconds. It'll hit a limited top speed of 250 kph and despite it having a diesel engine, there'll be none of that clattering noise as Audi has fitted an actuator in the exhaust system, so you'll get some meaty noise.
This engine has been around for some time, but for the 2021 Audi SQ5 Sportback, it has been updated. There are new forged steep pistons, revised valve injectors and some trick plumbing in the turbocharger to make it even more responsive and efficient. A 48 V mild hybrid system is fitted, as is an electric-powered compressor.
As with the 3.0 TDI version of the Q5 Sportback, a fast and smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic is fitted. A quattro permanent all-wheel drive can cleverly transfer the torque variably as needed to the front and rear axles. For some fun, an optional sports differential is available. The suspension has been given some work too, and a five-link setup connects the 20-inch wheels to the car. Adaptive air suspension is also available as an option.
The Audi Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback will be assembled at the San José Chiapa plant in Mexico. The facelifted Audi Q5 is due to land in South Africa in 2021, with the current engine offerings for the Q5 will carry over which means the Q5 will be offered with a choice of a petrol and diesel engine and all Q5’s feature Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive. A turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine in the Q5 45 TFSI offers 185 kW and 370 Nm of torque, while diesel fans will be catered for with the Q5 40TDI, outputs of which are 140 kW and 400 Nm. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission will be standard on all Q5 derivatives.
Polish automotive design firm, Carlex Design, has once again used the Mercedes-Benz X-Class as its muse, creating a Racing Green monster of note. Check it out!
We have seen Carlex Design create some spectacular designs for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the X-Class, but this latest creation is perhaps the most striking of all.
Yes, we know, the X-Class has failed spectacularly for the Stuttgart-based firm, but that hasn’t stopped Carlex from going all-out to create this green monster. The firm has officially called it the X-Class Racing Green for obvious reasons and it wears a carbon fibre body kit with flared wheel arches which give it a wide, purposeful stance.
The body is painted in a Racing Green hue which was applied using a custom technique that showcases a hand-brushed pattern that blends with the carbon finish for a unique look. The vibrant green body is contrasted with white stripes running down the middle length of the vehicle. The chunky tyres also feature white lettering denoting ‘Carlex Design Racing Green’ and also add additional contrast against the green body.
The interior is just as bold as the exterior featuring black and white combination upholstery with sport seats with green accents to match. The headliner is green too and the steering wheel features perforated leather and carbon fibre rim. Carbon fibre is also seen on the dashboard and on the door trim. The cabin is also dotted with ‘Racing Green’ lettering to remind you that this is no ordinary X-Class.
Is this what the final version of the current-gen Ford Ranger will look like? Incorporating recent updates made to the Thailand-made Ranger (which aligns the bakkie's appearance with SA-spec Thunder derivatives), this striking 2021 Wildtrak X version for the Aussie market sets up the Blue Oval's final sales push for its outgoing bakkie.
Set to be launched Down Under early in 2021, the Wildtrak X is, like local Thunder versions, available in 3.2-litre 5-cylinder turbodiesel and 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbodiesel guises, in combination with 6-speed- and 10-speed automatic transmission respectively. We recently reported that Ford Thailand had given the Ranger a quick update and, seeing as that's the country from which Australia imports its Rangers, the Wildtrak X, which sits between the standard Wildtrak and below the range-topping Raptor, incorporates those visual tweaks and, of course, is laced with extra features.
A plethora of black accents contrasts tastefully with the orange metallic exterior finish. Note the standard nudge- and light bars.
The Ranger Wildtrak X features the Thunder's black grille, replete with two "nostrils" (located at the outer edges of the surround), only in the case of the Aussie bakkie, they're accented in orange, not red. The Ford double cab's headlights are Bi-LED units, augmented with a 20.5-inch slimline LED Light Bar mounted on a black nudge bar (these don't feature on the Thunder either). However, like the South African special edition, it features 18-inch black alloy wheels (with a 35-mm offset), matched with similarly coloured wheel-arch flares, fender garnishes, mirror caps, door handles, running boards, roof rails, a sports/roll bar (with orange, not red accents). Which wore it best, though… The Wildtrak X or the Thunder?
The Wildtrak X also features a roller shutter (Ford calls it the "Wildtrak cargo area management system with side rails"), but, as opposed to the South African special edition, it's electrically powered and can be controlled by either the key, a button in the load bin or a switch on the dash.
The orange band on the sports/roll bar is an acquired taste, but no worse than the red band on the Ranger Thunder…
Inside, the Wildtrak X features additional (derivative-specific) orange detailing on the seats, as well as extra leather accents on the side bolsters. As in the Thunder, illuminated scuff plates on the front door sills provide additional visual impact when the front occupants step into the bakkie's cabin.
Given that Toyota recently beefed-up the line-up of its Hilux range, including a cosmetic update, a more powerful 2.8-litre turbodiesel motor, a suspension retune and an upgraded infotainment system, we'd be very surprised if Ford doesn't raise its game further in the run-up to the replacement of this, the T6 Ranger, whose successor will be produced at FMCSA's Silverton production facility in late 2021 or early 2022.
The Wildtrak X needs to strive through the desolate Outback at night, which is why the light bar is particularly handy.
Just last month, Ford's local subsidiary beefed up its XL-specification Ranger (single-, super- and double-cab versions) with attractive options to consider, including a Sport Pack and an optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
The extent of the competition that the Ford Ranger will face over the next 12 to 18 months (if not a little longer) is now much clearer; GWM will shortly introduce its P-Series bakkie in South Africa and next year, the facelifted Nissan Navara (to be produced in Rosslyn) and all-new Mazda BT-50 will debut, followed in 2022 by the Isuzu D-Max, which will be built in Port Elizabeth. Renault and Peugeot are also readying bakkies for SA.
Ford SA's most deliberate ploy to keep the Ranger top-of-mind is the Thunder special edition, but there should be more to come.
Both the Wildtrak X and the Thunder are packed with technology; the SYNC3 infotainment system boasts Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and, safety-wise, Ford’s full suite of Driver Assist Technology features is fitted. This includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise- and hill-descent control, hill-launch assist, electronic diff lock, a tyre-pressure monitoring system and active park assist.
The biggest tech difference is that the Wildtrack X additionally features FordPass Connect "connected car" technology, which pairs with the FordPass smartphone app to unlock new connected services and remote vehicle functions to simplify the Ranger ownership experience.
Will some or many of the Wildtrak X and Thunder accoutrements be rolled out to the rest of the Ranger range soon? Watch this space.
Pricing and specifications of the all-new Hyundai Creta have been announced via the Hyundai South Africa website. Here's what's new and how much you can expect to pay for the Korean compact SUV.
The 2nd-generation Hyundai Creta has touched down in South Africa and will be going on sale from the end of November 2020. The new model brings a bold new styling direction, while the range gets some newer engines. For those wanting a bit more shove, Hyundai has introduced a 1.4-litre turbocharged motor into the mix.
The Hyundai Creta charges into a congested segment, with rivals like the Volkswagen T-Cross, Kia Seltos, Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport, and Suzuki Vitara all vying for a slice of the pie.
There are three engines on offer. Kicking off the range is a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 84 kW and 143 Nm. Diesel fans will be pleased to know there's something for them in the form of a 1.5-litre turbo with 84 kW and 250 Nm. Finally, for the first time, the Creta range gains a sporty turbocharged powertrain in the form of a 1.4-litre motor that pumps out 103 kW and 242 Nm. When it comes to transmissions, both a manual and a CVT are available, however the flagship 1.4-turbo is exclusively offered with a dual-clutch transmission.
In terms of performance and economy, Hyundai SA claims the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine consumes 6.5 L/100 km and gives the Creta a top speed of 170 kph. The diesel boasts a slightly higher top speed of 173 kph, while consuming just 5.9 L/100 km. Finally, the range-topper is said to hit Vmax at 185 kph, while returning a consumption figure of 7.1 L/100 km. Acceleration figures were not given.
Features
Standard specification loadout is generous across the range, with air conditioning, an infotainment system that's CarPlay compatible, electric side mirror adjustment, park assist, park camera, and cruise control. Executive grade adds larger 17-inch wheels, wireless charging pad, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and artificial leather trim.
In terms of safety, the base model has driver & passenger airbags ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Programme and Hill-start Assist Control. The range-topper adds curtain and side airbags for additional peace of mind.
We'll be driving the new Hyundai Creta before the end of November 2020, stay tuned for our thoughts.
Hyundai Creta Price in South Africa (November 2020)
The new Hyundai Creta is sold with a 5-year / 150 000 km Manufacturer's Warranty + Additional 2-year / 50 000 km Powertrain Warranty, 5-year / 160 000 km Perforation Warranty, 7-year / 150 000 km Roadside Assist, 4-year /60 000 km Service Plan with servicing every 15 000 km.
The 7-seater SUV from Nissan has been revealed in its updated form, complete with a new name. Here's a look at the changes.
The Nissan Terra is a 7-seater family SUV based on a ladder-frame platform. Now for 2021, the Terra has seen a name change and a whole lot more. It's now called the X-Terra and it now uses the same underpinnings as the latest iteration of Nissan Navara bakkie. The Navara itself was recently revealed in updated guise and most importantly will be assembled in South Africa from 2021.
As for the Nissan X-Terra, there's a new platform and a new look, complete with LED headlights and tail lamps, as well as a new front bumper and grille. Inside, the cbain gains a new infotainment setup and some of the switchgear has been modernised. There's now an 11-inch flip-down screen with HDMI connectivity to provide entertainment to the 2nd and 3rd of passengers. There are new seats for the front and middle rows, which Nissan claims to reduce fatigue on longer journeys. There's leather trim all-round on the higher-end models.
In terms of practicality, the cabin layout offers a 60/40 second row of seats, while the third row folds down in 50/50 fashion. Fold them all down for maximum cargo carrying capacity. Nissan says the updated X-Terra has now fewer than 10 cup holders. When it comes to powertrain, Nissan is offering the new X-Terra with a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 123 kW and 241 Nm, and there's a 7-speed auto gearbox. It may not sound like much, but the vehicle makes up for it with some trick offroad features in the form of an electronic locking rear diff, a low-range transfer case as well as Hill Descent Control and Hill Start. For those that don't need the 4×4 capability, there will also be 2-wheel drive configurations.
As it stands, the Nissan X-Terra will only be offered in the Middle East, but Nissan South Africa is keen to put up some resistance to the dominance of the Toyota Fortuner – itself recently updated. Nissan South Africa confirmed this model will be coming to SA in 2021. For it to succeed against such entrenched rivals like the Fortuner and Everest, we think there has to be a diesel-powered offering. Do you want to see the new Nissan X-Terra in South Africa?
The cabin of the Nissan X-Terra gets a mild update.
Audi has taken the wraps off this, the TTS Competition Plus and it packs a 235 kW punch.
Petrolheads will be quick to point out that Ingolstadt's latest offering matches the recently revealed Volkswagen Golf 8 R in terms of power. While the Golf has a touch more torque, there's no denying this special Audi will be quick. The EA888 motor now produces 235 kW and 400 Nm, and Audi claims a 4.5-second sprint to 100 kph is possible.
There's a 7-speed S tronic transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel drive as well as plenty of tech, such as Audi magnetic ride and that stylish minimalist interior. This special edition model is differentiated from lesser models with its LED headlights, Audi logo on the side sills, privacy glazing, red brake callipers, and 20-inch alloy wheels. There's a neat fixed rear wing and you can get the vehicle in just 4 colours, including the Tango red you see here.
The Competition Plus edition, as well as the bronze selection, give customers a chance to own an individualised Audi TT. With rumours rife the Audi TT's days are numbered, these limited editions could become quite sought after. As it stands, this Audi TT Competition Plus is earmarked for Germany only, but we suspect that Audi SA may give its TT lineup a little rejig in 2021.
Kia’s all-new, 4th-generation Sorento will be arriving in South Africa during the first half of 2021 and while it doesn't have the off-road pretensions of its bakkie-based rivals, such as the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, the Korean firm's North American subsidiary has unveiled a pair of concepts that highlight the model's adventurous side.
Having secured the 2020 World Car of the Year title with its biggest SUV, the Telluride (built in the US in left-hand-drive guise only, which is why it's not available to markets such as ours), Kia has set its sights on consolidating a robust and reimagined SUV line-up. Kia Motors SA recently expanded its Seltos line-up with turbodiesel derivatives, will launch the Sonet compact family car soon and the new Sorento 7-seater next year.
As the next step in the brand's capability-focused product strategy (more about this later), the new Sorento is "poised to bring customers a new level of trail-ready toughness not yet seen from the brand", Kia says. To this end, Kia Motors America has unveiled a pair of custom-built Sorentos – the Yosemite Edition and the Zion Edition, which are based on the Sorento X-Line package, which features 20-inch wheels, increased ride height to 210 mm, improved approach/departure angles, more advanced AWD with snow-mode, and more heavy-duty roof rails than the current model.
The Yosemite Edition, which has a matte “Pine Green” finish with gloss and matte black accents, is meant for "elevation adventuring and mountain living", while the Zion Edition (with a gloss “Desert Sand” finish with gloss black accents) is "a desert escape vehicle made for stomping dunes".
Both concepts feature custom fender flares that cup 20-inch wheels shod with 32-inch all-terrain tyres. Exterior accoutrements include custom skid plates and brush guards in a satin chrome finish. The Yosemite Edition has a beefed-up roof rack and the Zion Edition a full-length cargo top.
Suffice to say Kia Motors America (KMA) has no plans to put the Yosemite and Zion Editions into production, although they are undoubtedly ideal rolling advertisements for LGE-CTE Motorsports of San Dimas, California, which built the vehicles for KMA. Kia will, however, offer a range of dealer-installed accessories, such as roof rack crossbars, tow hitches for trailers and side steps for the new model, in North America anyway.
Why these concepts are significant
For Hyundai Kia to truly break into the rugged off-roader market, its current crop of unibody SUVs, of which the Venue and Sonet are the smallest and Hyundai Palisade and Telluride, the largest, is just the starting point. To grow its off-roader portfolio, the Korean firm would need to produce vehicles with ladder-frame architectures because chassis-based SUVs deliver excellent durability and robustness in off-road conditions. Although cornering dynamics and high-speed stability are the debits, there is no question that a great many SUV customers see this as a fair trade-off.
Cheaper to engineer and assemble than monocoque SUVs, Toyota's ladder-frame vehicles, such as the Fortuner, Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser 200 are handsomely profitable. It's well known that Hyundai Kia is currently developing a body-on-frame pick-up to take on the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara (and a rumoured Cruiser-rivalling off-roader) in which its new 6-cylinder turbodiesel might work well.
Whereas some other brands would struggle with the issue of launching "rudimentary vehicles" to rival Toyota’s Land Cruiser business, in terms of marketing legacy, Hyundai Kia has no such issue. Both Hyundai and Kia have produced and sold authentic ladder-frame SUVs in the past. Just last year, Kia unveiled the Mohave Masterpiece concept, which was based on a ladder-frame chassis, so something's undoubtedly in the pipeline!
SVI MAX 9 Review – Driving the unstoppable South African 8-tonne military vehicle
Our video man Ciro De Siena gets to drive something completely out of his comfort zone. Meet the SVI MAX 9 – a proudly South African creation and one badass military vehicle.
When you get an exclusive invite to drive something like the MAX 9, you jump on a plane. And so we dispatched our video guy, Ciro De Siena, to Pretoria and the headquarters of SVI engineering.
The MAX 9 is a completely South African developed and built warzone-ready, troops- and gun-carrying military vehicle that is sought after all over the world.
Weighing in at 8 tonnes, or the same as four Range Rovers, it is made of 8mm Swedish armour plate, capable of stopping pretty much everything except an anti-tank missile.
With a 1000 Nm Cummins turbo-diesel engine and lowered gearing, it is capable of driving up walls and possibly through them too.
Join Ciro as he attempts to pilot this marvel of engineering. And not only did he shoot the car, he got to shoot it as well…
