As things stand, motorists are set to benefit from petrol and diesel price reductions.
Based on the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund, the Automobile Association of South Africa reckons the price of petrol is set to come down by between 14 and 17 cents a litre, while diesel should come down by 20 cents a litre. The only bad news is the price of illuminating paraffin could go by 5 cents a litre.
"So far in October we have seen both the Rand/US dollar exchange rate and international oil prices working in South Africa's favour. After a large spike in the daily exchange rate in the second half of September, the Rand has returned to its previous leisurely strengthening trajectory, improving from around R16.70 to the dollar at the start of October to its current level of about R16.55," the AA says.
Let's keep our fingers crossed both the exchange rate and the price of crude oil remain stable for the rest of October 2020.
A prototype of Volkswagen's upcoming Golf 8 R hot hatchback has been spied performance testing at the legendary Nurburgring.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer's request, have watermarked them.
Update: Footage of the Volkswagen Golf 8 R has turned up online and thanks to this video, we can hear the new car's engine and exhaust. There are some trademark pops, however, it's not as vocal as hoped. Perhaps it doesn't have the Akrapovic exhaust (something VW offered as an option), but we live in hope that the finished product delivers that killer vrrpha we love.
Update 2: Photos of this relatively undisguised blue Volkswagen Golf 8 R surfaced and it shows how close to a reveal we are.
Update 3: Volkswagen has confirmed the all-new Golf 8 R will be revealed on the 4th of November 2020.
Many of you are eagerly waiting for the full reveal of the new Golf 8 R and truth be told, so are we. In the meantime, Volkswagen is hard at work testing and preparing its potent hot hatch for production.
The prototype is largely undisguised and the blue brake callipers and obligatory dual quad exhausts allude to the intent of Wolfsburg’s hot hatch.
The Golf R will combine the potency of a revised 245 kW, 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine and all-wheel-drive capability that should see the Golf R rocket from zero to 100 kph in about 4.5 seconds using a dual-clutch transmission.
Interior comforts should include a specially-designed sports seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel and the latest connectivity features housed in Volkswagen’s latest Innovision Cockpit as seen in the GTI which comprises a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
While the Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI is due to arrive in South Africa in early 2021 with the Golf R following after. A full reveal is expected later this year. As always, we will keep you up to date as soon as more information becomes available.
Just when it seemed the Golf 8 GTI would be overshadowed by its rivals in terms of outright performance, Volkswagen has unveiled a Clubsport derivative of its iconic hot hatch, replete with sportier looks, beefed up peak outputs (221 kW and 400 Nm) and a claimed 0-to-100 kph time of "under 6 seconds". Sadly though, it's not destined to reach South Africa.
The recent unveilings of the Hyundai i30 N N-DCT and BMW 128ti, which produce 206 kW/392 Nm and 195 kW/400 Nm respectively, have made the SA-market-bound Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI’s peak outputs of 180 kW and 370 Nm seem rather… well, middling. Right from the onset, the Wolfsburg-based firm’s 8th-generation hot hatch trailed the Renault Megane RS 280’s 205 kW/390 Nm (let alone the Trophy version) and the Honda Civic Type R’s 228 kW/400 Nm…
But, just as was the case with the Golf 7 and "7.5" facelift, there will indeed be several iterations of the Golf 8 GTI. Whereas the standard version is configured for typical premium compact hatchback buyers who primarily want to be seen at the ‘wheel of a GTI (and, sure, enjoy its superb ride/handling balance from time to time), the Clubsport version caters for the true performance aficionados.
But we must interject here, to bring you some unsavoury news. Volkswagen South Africa has confirmed that the Golf 8 GTI Clubsport is not destined for South Africa.
A VWSA spokesperson said, “We will not get the Golf 8 GTI Clubsport in South Africa as it is only available for the European fuel emission levels”. This is disappointing news for local GTI fans.
The Clubsport rides 15 mm lower than the standard GTI and features oval, as opposed to round, exhaust ends.
Apart from a sportier exterior execution, the Golf 8 GTI Clubsport features a number of mechanical upgrades and handling improvements over its standard sibling which, according to Volkswagen, facilitates “even more cornering grip, increased driving stability and even more driving fun”, although the derivative is not too comprised as a source of everyday transport.
By virtue of reprogrammed engine management, a new turbocharger (sourced from Continental, rather than Garrett, as in standard GTI) plus an enlarged intercooler, the Clubsport produces an additional 41 kW and 30 Nm compared with its standard sibling for peak outputs of 221 kW and 400 Nm. What’s more, its 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) automatic transmission has derivative-specific shorter gear ratios, which helps the Clubsport accelerate from 0 to 100 kph about 0.3 sec faster, hence the manufacturer's “under 6 seconds" claim.
Note the subtle Clubsport script in the newcomer's red headlamp trim.
The Clubsport can be distinguished from its lesser Golf 8 siblings by its sportier, aerodynamically-optimised exterior addenda. At the front, the bumper has redesigned air intakes (sans the standard car’s 5-piece LED foglamp clusters), an extended honeycomb grille, black and satin-silver fins and a bigger chin spoiler.
The newcomer’s black-cladded side skirts are subtly flared out, with racy black striping applied to the bottom edges of the front doors. At the rear, the bumper features a more elaborate diffuser that neatly ties in with side-skirt trims. Oval exhaust ends are positioned at its outer extremities (the standard GTI has round tailpipes) and the eye-catching tail spoiler has a gloss black finish.
Apart from the aerodynamic accoutrements, Volkswagen has fitted an electromechanical limited-slip diff and beefier brakes.
The newcomer comes shod with 18-inch “Richmond” alloys wrapped in 225/40 R18 rubber, but there are 19-inch options too, which can be specified with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. With the bigger wheels in combination with the French rubber, the Clubsport can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife 13 sec quicker than the standard GTI (in a time of 7:54 min), Volkswagen claims.
That rapid lap time is not all down to the sticky Michelins however; the Wolfsburg-based firm says the Clubsport’s chassis has been “completely retuned and significantly further developed”.
Okay, the newcomer does have a “Special” profile in the driving mode selector that tailors the car’s settings specifically for the Nordschleife, but the Clubsport also has an electromechanical limited-slip diff instead of the electronic XDS system of the standard GTI, new axle kinematics with “significantly increased” camber at the front, plus a new control arm and wheel mounts, as well as a revised spring configuration, damper bearings and hydraulics on its rear axle.
The interior execution is largely similar to the GTI's although perforated leather with red piping is standard.
The Clubsport also rides 15 mm lower than – although its spring rates are identical those of – the standard GTI. The braking system is beefed-up too, with 18-inch ventilated discs in combination with 2-piston callipers at the front. The ABS and stability control system calibration is such to increase the Volkswagen’s slip thresholds for shorter braking distances and boost overall braking stability.
As a final thought, bear in mind that Volkswagen’s stated performance figures were achieved using 98 RON fuel, rather than the 95 RON fuel that is more widely available.
British carmaker Bentley has given its new Flying Spur the popular and compact V8 motor from the VAG Group.
Usually, Bentley products are powered by the iconic twin-turbocharged W12 motor, but there's another motor from the Group that is just as deserving of recognition. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine can be found in a variety of offerings, including Bentley's SUV the Bentayga. This powertrain can also be found in many Porsche products as well as Audis like the RS6.
The new Flying Spur is now offered with this engine as Bentley claims the V8 brings a 'more driver-centric experience via increased agility and a more characterful engine note'. Outputs are rated at 404 kW and 770 Nm, and the Bentley Flying Spur is good for a 4.1 second sprint time to 100 kph. This new motor is 100 kg lighter than its W12 counterpart and Bentley reckons the Flying Spur is a tad more agile and responsive. Cleverly, the V8 engine can shut off 4 cylinders when the engine is under light load to save fuel.
Being a high-end luxury vehicle, its brimming with tech like Adaptive Air Suspension, Torque Vectoring by Brake, Drive Dynamics Control, and Electric Steering, all of which are standard features. Customers can optionally add Bentley’s pioneering 48V electric active anti-roll technology (Bentley Dynamic Ride), and Electronic All-Wheel Steering for even greater agility. The standard visual kit for the Bentley V8 Flying Spur includes 20-inch, 10-spoke painted alloy wheel, a V8 wing badge and quad exhaust pipes.
The first Bentley Flying Spur V8 units will be rolling off the Crewe plant and will be delivered to European customers before the end of 2020.
Audi TT RS Special Edition Celebrates 40 Years Of Quattro
Audi has revealed a limited-edition TT RS to celebrate 40 years of quattro – Audi's all-wheel-drive technology. Take a look!
When it was revealed 40 years ago, no-one could have predicted what an iconic piece of motoring heritage the Audi Quattro was going to become. It utterly dominated the rally scene and to celebrate 40 years of the quattro, the German carmaker has revealed a special edition Audi TT RS.
It's called the Audi TT RS 40 Years of Quattro and there will be just 40 units for sale, one for each year since the Audi Quattro's launch. As you can see from the pictures, Audi has gone all out with this limited-edition TT RS. It features Alpine white paint as well as special decals which are similar to those used by the original Audi Sport quattro S1. There are also glossy black accents throughout as well as a bonnet scoop.
The white 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake callipers look menacing, while there's additional aerodynamic kit in the form of winglets on the front and a DTM-style spoiler on the rear. Inside, there's a monster carbon fibre strut cross-brace which replaces the rear seats. These seats weren't of much use anyway with minuscule legroom, this carbon fibre strut brace looks way cooler! Audi claims it improves torsional rigidity as well as reduces weight by 16 kg. Every Audi TT RS 40 Years of Quattro features an individual number on the gear lever.
Speaking of gears, the Audi TT RS 40 Years of Quattro features the same 2.5-litre turbocharged 5-cylinder motor producing 294 kW and 480 Nm, and Audi claims a 0-100 kph in just 3.7 seconds. This is the same engine as the one found in the RS3 and the RS Q3. It's unlikely to come to South Africa, but the real stinger is the price. For €114 040, it's almost double the price of a base-level TT. We're pretty sure you could get a demo Audi R8 for that price too!
Think of it as a Ford Ranger Raptor, for the road…
Volkswagen’s Amarok V6 double-cab has a terrifically loyal following.
As the only V6 turbodiesel double-cab bakkie you can buy, it offers an unrivalled blend of comfort, utility and performance. It's no surprise that most of VW’s Amarok bakkie sales, are delivered to customers with the 3.0-litre V6 engine option and it has scooped the Leisure Double-Cab category title of the #CarsAwards powered by WesBank on numerous occasions.
Unfortunately, the Amarok V6 is being retired in the not too distant future, scheduled for replacement by a new joint-venture Ford/VW bakkie platform in 2022. But that doesn’t mean Volkswagen is ignoring the time-honoured tradition of producing some limited-edition variants, as production starts to taper.
The latest example of this, is the Amarok W580. It's a project initiated by VW Australia to build the best road-going Amarok possible.
Imagining the Amarok as a high-performance tarmac bakkie might sound odd, but that was the brief by product planners to engineers and technicians at Walkinshaw racing.
The result is a bakkie that looks a lot more purposeful and promises to reward with superior on-road driving dynamics. Most noticeable is the unique grille treatment and Black exterior styling details. This W580 Amarok has black bodywork decals and fender extensions, whilst those 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, are black too.
Around the rear section of this high-performance Amarok you’ll find an aerodynamic sports bar behind the car, which has no structural rollover protection properties or fastening points. The W580 also features a dual-tip exhaust system.
For those dedicated followers of all things Amarok, the stance of the W580 double-cab will be noticeable. And that is because front-end ride height has increased by 40mm, achieved courtesy of a mild lift kit and 275/50 Pirelli Scorpion tyres. The suspension configuration has also been adapted, ostensibly improving steering feel.
The W580’s powertrain remains untouched, which means 200kW and 580Nm is on tap, driving via ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
Tell us what you think of this W580 Amarok, do you like it?
Nissan Qashqai Midnight Edition (2020) Specs and Price
Nissan South Africa has announced a special-edition Qashqai. See what's new plus how much it costs.
The Nissan Qashqai is a popular compact SUV that has been sold in tremendous numbers globally since its launch back in 2006. Now in 2020, there's a special model. It's called the Nissan Qashqai Midnight Edition.
The Nissan Qashqai Midnight Edition features a black roofline, darkened front bumper insert, 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black mirror caps on the exterior, while the cabin gets the same black treatment to the black air vents and gear knob. There are also Alcantara seats and foor mats with red “Qashqai” stitching. The technology enhancements include Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and infotainment with onboard navigation
The Nissan Qashqai features the latest in Nissan Intelligent Mobility such as Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Forward Collision Warning. In terms of safety, the vehicle comes with Forward Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Cross Traffic Alert. In terms of engines, the Nissan Qashqai is offered with a 1.2-litre turbo with 85 kW and 165 Nm, as well as a 1.5-litre turbodiesel offering 81 kW and 260 Nm.
“At Nissan, we want to bring customers products that are innovative, beautiful, by bringing ingenuity into the areas of vehicle engineering, development and production. Through this latest special version, we introduce to our customers a very modern and stylish personality to own the road in confidence – that is what the Qashqai Midnight Edition is to its drivers and passengers who’ll appreciate a lavish drive in the city behind the wheel,” said Kabelo Rabotho, Marketing Director, Nissan Group of Africa.
Jaguar has tweaked its XE sedan for 2021 and the good news is that the baby cat is confirmed for South African market introduction. See what the updates entail.
The Jaguar XE is the British alternative to the German trio of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. For the 2021 model year, the Jaguar XE has been given some updates, both inside and out. This update comes after the recent changes to the bigger Jaguar XF.
Visually, it won't be easy to spot the newcomer as it retains the same exterior as the current-shape model. Inside, there's a new split-rim steering wheel design as well as a new quilt design is available for the seating. There's Enhanced Cabin Air Ionisation which is said to improve interior air quality.
The real changes are in the infotainment and connectivity departments as the updated XE gains the new Pivi Pro infotainment system. There's a 10-inch central touchscreen with a 5.5-inch touchscreen below it. Interestingly, this infotainment system has its own power source, which Jaguar claims helps the system start instantaneously. The driver benefits from a 12.3-inch HD interactive display that features enhanced graphics and a customisable layout. The best part is undoubtedly the over-the-air updates meaning customers will not have to visit dealerships to get the latest software. Pivi Pro is fitted as standard to the SE and HSE models, and also incorporates Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
In terms of engines, the updated Jaguar XE is powered by the Ingenium 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine paired with Jaguar’s eight-speed automatic transmission. In terms of outputs, you're looking at 184 kW and 365 Nm, and Jaguar says its good for a 6.7 second sprint to 100 kph. When it comes to economy and efficiency, 7.9 L/100 km is the claim.
The updated Jaguar XE will be available in South Africa in the first half of 2021 with pricing to be announced closer to the launch. South African customers can choose from S, R-DYNAMIC SE and R-DYNAMIC HSE specification packs.
If you ever wanted to see a Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV let loose in the desert then your time has come! Watch the video below…
Like oil and water, Rolls-Royce and offroading just don’t mix, or do they? Unless you are super-rich, most people can only dream of owning a Rolls-Royce, nevermind taking it for a run offroad.
There are, however, people out there who are willing and able to indulge in such acts and the video below is a fine example of just how much fun you can have in a Rolls-Royce, even if it looks or feels wrong.
However, the video below features a black Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV going for a spirited drive in the desert on the outskirts of Dubai. Our guess is that this might be a normal activity in Dubai considering the sheer amount of high-end machinery on the streets.
Nonetheless, watching the Cullinan putting its 420 kW/850 Nm 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine to good use is both beautiful and cringe-worthy. If you have ever driven on desert sand, you will know that sand gets into every nook and cranny and it’s near-impossible to have the all the sand removed afterwards.
Anyway, enough moaning from me, enjoy the video below.
As if there weren’t enough SUVs in the world, Volkswagen has revealed a new SUV for the US market and it’s called the Taos.
Bigger than a T-Cross, smaller than a Tiguan, this is the new Taos compact SUV that’s now been revealed and destined to reach the North American market next year. In fact, it's also slightly bigger than the soon-to-be-launched T-Roc SUV.
Built on Volkswagen MQB platform, the Taos features typical VW SUV design cues with a sculpted bonnet, striking LED lighting signature with adaptive LED headlights and an illuminated line stretching outwards from the prominent VW logo, much like we have already seen on the recently-revealed ID.4 electric SUV. The Taos will ride on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard and will be offered with a total of 8 exterior colours.
Moving inside, the Taos features a smart cabin design familiar from the T-Cross, incorporating a digital cockpit instrument cluster and Volkswagens MIB3 infotainment system with wireless charging and wireless app connect as well as in-car WiFi. Two-tone upholstery is also offered in either cloth or leather. Some key standard features include dual-zone climate control air conditioning, 8-way electric driver’s seat, heated steering wheel and ventilated seats.
The Taos is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with 118 kW and 250 Nm of torque and will be offered with an 8-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive derivatives while all-wheel-drive Taos gains a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.
A host of driver assistance features are also offered on the Taos including Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Braking (Front Assist), Active Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control with a Stop and Go feature, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.
The Taos will be produced at Volkswagen’s Puebla production facility in Mexico and will not be offered in South Africa.
