On the back of the full reveal of BMW’s new 4 Series last month, spy shots of the 4 Series Cabriolet have now surfaced.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer's request, have watermarked them.?
The new BMW 4 Serieshas caused quite a stink on social media with most of the love and hate directed at the new oversize kidney grille.
It’s no surprise then that the convertible 4 Series wears the same face and the prototype in these latest spy shots is quite revealing as it’s wearing minimal camouflage which is an indication that BMW is inching closer to finalising testing and will likely reveal the final product relatively soon.
The 4 Series Cabriolet will inevitably share much of its design with its coupe sibling and as you can see, it will feature a fabric soft-top roof.
More so, in terms of engines, the forthcoming 4 Series Cabriolet is likely to feature the same engines as the 4 Series Coupe which includes a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine with 190 kW and 400 Nm of torque as well as a range-topping 3.0-litre turbocharged, 6-cylinder engine packing 275 kW and 500 Nm of torque.
You can expect the full reveal of the BMW 4 Series Cabriolet before the end of 2020 and as always, we will keep you in the loop as soon as it happens.
As Volkswagen expands its electric car lineup over the next decade, we will see performance versions coming to the fore.
VW ID3 R render courtesy Duwyne Aspeling – Cars.co.za
While electric cars have been around for a long time, no manufacturer has been able to produce them for widescale production (bar maybe Tesla) until now. As stricter emissions laws are enforced this year we will see more electric cars being pushed to market in order for manufacturers to avoid costly fines. Volkswagen plans to have 300 electrified vehicle derivatives, across 12 model ranges, 10 years from now. This seems to include R models as well. Volkswagen Board Member, Jürgen Stackmann, was quoted in an interview that “The future of R needs to be, and will be, electric. We’re still working on what we started two and a half years ago – which was obviously not electric, though exciting – but the work going forward is and will be electrified.”
While your Golf 8 R will likely remain combustion engine powered, the 9 R (quite possibly last Golf) will likely have some form of electrification. But what about the ID range of electric cars? How does VW go about transforming a ‘green’ car into something that conjures up the same thrill as a Golf R? This is where the ID3 R comes in.
Tech from the ID.R will trickle down into VW's future electric R models.
The names of VW’s electric range can be a little confusing but cast your mind back to the VW ID.R. It’s not a hatch, but a full-blown race car and a demonstration of just what can be done with batteries, a few electric motors and a lot of wiring loom. The car broke the Nurburgring lap record immediately, and then unofficially (the lap time was done in practice) broke the Goodwood Hillclimb record that was held by a 1998 McLaren MP4/13 F1 car.
Some of the tech from this marketing machine will trickle down into the ID3 R. The batteries, in particular, is where much of the performance is found in electric cars. Electric motors are easy to tune to get power out of but batteries need to be managed, cooled and drained very specifically to get the best out of them. What you don’t want is something which has high power outputs but short range. These are just some of the technical difficulties VW engineers will have to figure out in the next 4 to 5 years if the 2024 deadline is to be met for the ID3 R.
In terms of drivetrain, the ID3 R will almost certainly use all-wheel-drive with a motor at each end of the car. Trying to offset the inherent weight of an electric car will also prove tricky when it comes to making it handle like a hot hatchback. A vehicle like the Jaguar i-Pace is dynamically excellent but it’s more of an outlier in a segment where 2 tons is a featherweight contender. That’s certainly not feisty hot-hatchback territory.
The Cupra el Born is VW testing the public's appetite for an electric hot hatch.
In terms of actual numbers, VW has been tight-lipped, probably because it hasn’t developed the tech enough to know what is capable yet. Electric cars are quick off the mark, but it’s the acceleration after 60 kph that VW wants to develop. The ID3 is as quick as a current GTI to 60 kph but from then on the petrol car streaks away. If we were to speculate though, it’s likely the ID3 R will hit the 200 kW number.
VW is already testing out public opinion of an electric hot hatch with its Cupra brand (the fancy version of Seat). The Cupra el Born was shown in early July 2020 and looks superb, but without any power figures or performance to go on, it's just a nice piece of fantasy for now.
Don't want a diesel SQ8? Audi has now introduced a petrol-powered version.
Audi has expanded the engine options for its RHD high-performance SUVs.
The German brand’s SQ7 and SQ8 models now feature Audi’s 4-litre turbocharged V8 engine, which makes them more direct rivals to BMW’s new X5/6 M and various similarly sized SUV offerings from AMG.
In terms of styling and overall design, there is little difference between the petrol and diesel-powered SQ7/8 vehicles. Around the rear you will find large diameter quad exhausts and rolling in the wheelarches, are a choice of enormous alloy wheel options, up to 23-inches in size.
What really matters is under the bonnet. Audi’s 4-litre bi-turbo V8 is in a 373 kW and 770 Nm state of tune with these new SQ SUVs, driving all four wheels, via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Despite the size of both SQ7 and SQ8, performance is very impressive. Audi claims 0-100 kph in 4.1 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 kph. To ensure it has the required acoustic drama, Audi has fitted an active exhaust, with flaps that open under during heavy acceleration.
To increase efficiency in traffic, the V8 engine features cylinder deactivation at modest throttle loads, and it sits on active engine mounts, which mitigate vibration.
Balancing the performance of these new V8 turbopetrol Audi SUVs are huge 400 mm front brakes and S-specific adaptive air suspension. Customers who upgrade to the ‘Vorsprung’ package, only available the SQ8, will gain active roll stabilisation and sport diff, which attempts to mimic a rear-wheel-drive bias to the drivetrain’s torque distribution.
The SQ7 and SQ8 V8 petrol models are being produced in RHD, which bodes well for the potential availability in the South African market. Audi SA is looking into the possibility of introducing these petrol engines in the future but has not confirmed them. For 2020, only the diesel-powered SQ7 and SQ8 will be sold locally, arriving in the last quarter of the year.
The Corolla sedan is not typically associated with sportiness or dynamic driving ability but Toyota is producing a Corolla Apex Edition that will have you thinking otherwise.
The 12th-generation arrived in South Africa earlier this year and while such sedans are no longer as popular as they used to be due to the rise in popularity of SUVs and crossovers, the Corolla, however, has managed to corner much of the market.
While the new Corolla, which is built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform offers enhanced driving dynamics and improved ride comfort over its predecessor, to describe it as overtly sporty might be a push too far.
However, that doesn’t mean that the Corolla can’t be sporty or more performance-orientated.
The latest Corolla Apex Edition you see here is proof of that.
It’s due for the U.S. market and only 6 000 units will be produced. The Corolla Apex Edition makes use of the Corolla’s 2.0-litre Dynamic Force engine with 125 kW and 200 Nm of torque and will mostly be offered with a CVT while only 120 units will be available with a 6-speed manual transmission. The treatment is only offered on SE and XSE trim grades with 3 colour choices to choose from.
The Corolla Apex Edition gains a black body kit with bronze elements while a front spoiler, rear diffuser and flared side skirts give it some striking visual presence. There’s also an optional spoiler for boot lid which elevates the look even further. The Corolla Apex Edition rides on 18-inch cast aluminium wheels which reduce overall weight by 4 kg. A sport-tuned exhaust system with a 3.5-inch stainless steel tip is also fitted.
Other upgrades include a sports suspension with coil springs that lower the car by 15 mm and improve cornering ability by reducing roll angle. Along with tuned shock absorbers rebound springs, solid stabiliser bars, jounce bumpers, roll stiffness has increased by as much as 47% at the front and 33% at the rear. Furthermore, Toyota has recalibrated the electronic power steering system to offer a sportier driving feel to match.
While this might be enticing for fans of the Corolla, we can’t help but wonder if this special edition Corolla is a way for Toyota to test the appetite for a sportier Corolla. Perhaps it’s a preamble to something more exciting, like a fully-fledged Toyota Corolla GRMN model? Time will tell…
It looks a lot like the price of petrol, diesel and paraffin are going up in August 2020. Here's the latest forecast from the Automobile Association of SA.
As it stands, the current data suggests the fuel price increase will be 'around 35 cents a litre for petrol, 68 cents for diesel, and 63 cents for illuminating paraffin.'
The Automobile Association (AA) cites the recent oil price advance which has slowed which helps matters, but the exchange rate has not played ball as the main reason we're seeing this potential increase.
"This will still leave our fuel prices below their pre-lockdown highs notwithstanding the Rand currently being pegged about two Rand weaker to the dollar than it was then. Despite our cautious optimism that stability is creeping back into the market, we still advise motorists to expect further fuel price rises in the short term," the AA says.
“In the past ten days, though, oil has been priced in a narrower band, and we believe this might represent a more stable price plateau as the world oil market continues to rebound from the dramatic price plunges of April," says the AA
"Since 19 June, the local currency has traded in a daily band between R16.40 and its current level of around R16.80 to the dollar, which is a narrow range by comparison to what we have seen since March. It seems that there was some Rand over-reaction to much of the bad news – both globally and domestically – over the past three months. We're hopeful the correction will continue towards more optimistic valuation levels," the AA concludes.
Mercedes-Benz has given its G-Class a mild update for 2021.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the more desirable premium SUVs. Bulletproof offroad capability combined with sheer road presence combine and the result is one serious offering. For the new model year, Mercedes-Benz has announced a few updates for the European market.
The G400d motor is now available for all levels of trim. As it stands, this model is on sale in South Africa as the G400d Stronger Than Time limited edition. We're yet to drive this model and are eager to put 243 kW and 700 Nm to the tar and gravel, and sand.
Under the skin, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new Desert drive mode, which is aimed at improving traction on sandy surfaces. The ESP and throttle responses have been recalibrated to cope with the trickiness of soft sand, and this mode is selected via the Dynamic Select switch.
Inside, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the digital cockpit as standard as well as a frameless rearview mirror, both of which were optional extras before. Speaking of options, Mercedes-Benz has tweaked the options list for those who want to customise their cars.
Visually, there's a new 20-inch alloy wheel which is offered in either high-gloss black or himalaya grey and there are 3 new exterior colours which Mercedes-Benz says are legendary colours from the model's past.
Note this update applies to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, not the Mercedes-AMG G63 model. We're expecting a similar update from the performance arm soon.
BMW Anywhere is a new digital-first purchase experience that gives prospective buyers the ability to start their car-buying journey online from wherever they are, 24/7.
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BMW has recently introduced a host of new products in the South African new-vehicle market, including the new 1 Series, 2 Series Gran Coupé, the X3 M- and X4 M Competition derivatives and an expanded 8 Series range, including the M8 Competition and various 8 Series Gran Coupé derivatives.
Over and above the expanded range of new vehicles, BMW dealers stock a wide selection of Approved Used BMWs that conform to the exacting standards set by the brand.
Introducing BMW Anywhere
In recognition of an evolution in the way that consumers are researching, finding and, ultimately, purchasing their cars, BMW is redefining the way in which you can buy its products. In a prime example of BMW putting the customer at the centre of everything it does, the brand has created a seamless experience that brings prospective buyers closer to BMW than ever before.
BMW Anywhere gives you, the buyer, all the benefits of a physical dealership, and more… So, wherever you go, BMW goes with you.
The benefits:
BMW Anywhere offers users nationwide access to stock, so that buyers can choose from every new or approved used BMW in the country.
Get an instant trade-in valuation; BMW Anywhere connects you to every franchised BMW dealership in South Africa.
Get an offer you can trust with BMW Anywhere, safe in the knowledge that you won’t find a better offer anywhere else (you will be offered the same price, regardless of which dealership you choose).
You can find the right finance option with BMW Anywhere in a matter of just a few clicks…
How it works:
Step 1: Set your budget
Get a BMW on your terms with a range of different finance options from cash to instalment and rental plans.
Step 2. Trade-in
Do you have a vehicle to trade in? If so, you can get an estimated trade-in online to use towards the purchase of your new BMW.
Step 3. Choose a BMW
Find your perfect BMW with a range of vehicle models, colours, engine variants and more to choose from – or build your own.
Step 4. Checkout
Purchase your new BMW at the click of a button with our simple checkout process. BMW will guide you every step of the way and keep you updated via email and your account.
BMW Anywhere allows you to enjoy a purchase experience personalised to your needs… on your own terms, in your own time. It's a reinvented car-buying process that brings you simplicity, convenience and choice. But, it goes without saying that you can still visit the dealership to experience BMW's latest vehicles – there will be retail staff to support you through the online process
As promised, Kia has introduced a diesel-powered Seltos to market in South Africa! See specifications and pricing below…
When Kia launched the Seltos compact family car locally late in 2019, iit was only available with a pair of petrol engines, but Kia did promise to introduce a diesel engine to the Seltos range and now, 8 months since the initial Seltos launch, that promise has now come to fruition.
“South Africa was the first export market for the Seltos, and its combination of sharp design, generous space and solid build quality has proved great sales success,” comments Gary Scott, CEO, KIA Motors South Africa. “We are confident that the new turbodiesel variants will continue to surprise and delight customers.”
The new diesel Seltos is powered by a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 86 kW and 250 Nm of torque and is offered in conjunction with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.
Furthermore, this new diesel derivative will be offered in 2 trim levels including EX and the higher-spec EX+.
However, the EX grade can be had in both manual and automatic guise while the EX+ grade is offered in automatic guise only.
Standard Features
The diesel-powered Seltos is offered in EX or EX+ guise, with the latter only offered with an automatic transmission.
In terms of standard features, the Seltos diesel in EX guise offers air-conditioning, automatic headlight control, electrically adjustable side mirrors with integrated indicators, cloth upholstery, steering wheel-mounted controls, electric windows and cruise control. An 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system is fitted and incorporates a radio with RDS, linked to 6 speakers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone mirroring is part of the package as well as Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition and USB ports for front and rear passengers. A full-sized spare wheel is standard.
In addition to the features offered on the EX grade, the EX+ grade adds leather upholstery, electrically-folding side mirrors and a armrest in the centre console with an integrated storage bin.
On the safety front, all Seltos derivatives are equipped with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist. Isofix child seat mounts are also standard. More than this, rear park distance control along with a rear reverse camera is a useful addition to the standard features list as is central locking and immobiliser. EX+ derivatives are further equipped with hill-start assist and electronic stability control.
It’s worth noting that we were mostly impressed by both the petrol-powered Seltos derivatives and we look forward to putting this diesel Seltos to the test soon. Be sure to check out our reviews on the Seltos for some valuable insights.
The Range Rover Sport has been given a few updates and upgrades for the 2021 model year. Here's a guide to the changes.
Headlining the changes is a new generation of engines. These new straight-six Ingenium diesel motors bring 48V mild-hybrid diesel tech to the range for the first time and are available in a multitude of flavours. The new engines are badged as D250, D300, D350 and will have power outputs from 183 kW to 258 kW.
These new engines meet Real Driving Emissions Step 2 (RDE2) standards and Euro 6d standards, meaning they're cleaner than before. At the top of the range sits the D350 which boasts a monstrous 700 Nm and is good for 0-100 kph in 6.9 seconds. There will also be a plug-in hybrid model, badged as a P400e. It has a 221 kW Ingenium petrol motor mated to a 105 kW electric motor, giving it an acceleration figure of 6.7 seconds, but impressively it can travel up to 41 km on pure electric power.
The 21 model year range Range Rover Sport also gains enhancements to its connectivity and security. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard across the range and Range Rover claims you can have up to 8 wifi connections for the driver and passenger. Spotify is embedded into the car and subscribers of that service have instant access to the online audio library. The introduction of an uprated cabin air ionisation system will keep the air of the cabin cleaner and healthier than before.
Range Rover is offering its entire arsenal of safety and driver assistance tech for the new Sport and customers can opt for the Drive Pro packs, plus Park and Park Pro packs. Being a premium product, gadgets such as a configurable Interactive Driver Display and Head Up Display are available.
South African availability
Jaguar Land Rover SA has said the Ingenium diesel engines with 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) tech will be introduced to the South African market at a later stage.
Nissan has revealed the new Ariya EV crossover as part of its Nissan Next transformation plan, blending the brand's crossover strength and vast EV experience. See details for the Ariya below…
Many car manufacturers are focusing their strategies on the development of Electric Vehicle (EV) technology which is expected to become more prolific in coming years as traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles receive less attention and budget.
Nissan is no stranger to electric mobility and the LEAF has been spearheading the brand’s electric efforts for many years already. The forthcoming Ariya, however, is an important vehicle for Nissan as it will represent Nissan’s EV future which will also lead the way for future autonomous driving technology. Nissan plans to launch 12 new models over the next 18 months and the Ariya will play an important role in capitalising on the rising growth of EVs worldwide with the expectation of EV/e-Power sales of over 1-million units to materialise by the end of the fiscal year 2023.
“The Nissan Ariya opens a new chapter in our history as we begin our journey of transformation in our business, in our products, and in our culture,” Uchida said. “It defines what matters to Nissan, represents what we stand for, and embodies the essence of who we are: a passionate, innovative challenger.”
Key design features
With an aerodynamic, coupe-like silhouette, the Ariya is sleek-looking.
In terms of design, the Ariya shares much of the design cues from the Ariya Concept on which it's based. Firstly, as this is a new chapter for the brand, Nissan has taken the opportunity to unveil its new logo which is seen for the first time on the Ariya. The Ariya features a sleek yet powerful design that intends to communicate the clean and powerful energy that Ariya represents.
As for the interior, the production Ariya has adopted most of the concept's clean and minimalistic interior design features, including the large digital screens and the integrated haptic touch controls on the instrument panel. The Ariya features a spacious interior with a flat cabin floor and lounge-like seating. Much of the Ariya's functions can be managed with voice activation and comes equipped with Amazon Alexa as well as an intelligent route planner. The touchscreen works much like a smartphone with swiping, pinching and so forth. More so, the Ariya's software is updated over-the-air without having to visit a dealership.
Luggage space is claimed at between 408 litres (4WD) and 466 litres (2WD).
The interior retains much of the design from the Ariya Concept and features high levels of connectivity.
Technology and Power
The production Ariya is a showcase of Nissan Intelligent Mobility and incorporates a host of advanced driver assistance systems. The Ariya is equipped ProPilot 2.0 which combines navigated highway driving with hands-off single-lane driving capability. Using the navigation and 360-degree sensing, the vehicle can autonomously execute actions such as overtaking, lane diversions and lane exits. Other features include Remote Park, an e-Pedal as well as Nissan's safety shield which incorporates Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking technology.
Built on a new EV platform, the Ariya features a dual electric powertrain with an electric motor over each axle, effectively giving it all-wheel-drive capability. However, Nissan will offer 4 derivatives of the Ariya to customers with a choice of either 2 – or 4-wheel-drive layout and with a choice of 2 battery outputs of either 65 kWh or 90 kWh.
New Nissan logo showcases a more modern, electrified future for the brand.
As for outputs, the Ariya 2WD with a 65 kWh will offer 160 kW and 300 Nm, while the 90 kWh battery in 2WD guise will offer 178 kW and 300 Nm. With 4WD, outputs increase to 250 kW and 560 Nm with the 65 kWh battery while the 90 kWh Ariya will offer 290 kW and 600 Nm. Those numbers look mightily impressive on paper and it will be interesting to see how the Ariya performs in the real world.
Nissan previously said that the electric motors would ensure “powerful acceleration” and that power delivery would be equal to or better than many premium sports cars. In fact, Nissan says that the most potent Ariya can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 5.1 seconds, which is faster than Nissan's 370Z sports car.
As for electric range, Nissan estimates 610 km based on the Japan WLTC and is subject to homologation. Nissan also pointed out that 375 km of charge can be recovered in 30 minutes using a high-power charger.
The new Nissan Ariya will go on sale in Japan in mid-2021 before being offered in other markets such as Europe, China and North America towards the end of 2021. Nissan South Africa has yet confirm if the Ariya will be offered in South Africa.
