The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) has released new vehicle sales figures for June 2020. Take a look at what transpired under Level 3 Lockdown…
June 2020 was the first full month of vehicle sales since the national lockdown. Although dealerships were open, many industries are still not back up to full speed so there is no doubt that has a knock-on effect on national vehicle sales.
June 2020 new vehicle sales still reflect a substantial decline of 14 086 units or 30.7% from the 45 953 vehicles sold in June last year compared to the aggregate domestic sales of 31 867 units in June 2020. Export sales, at 18 796 units, also registered a fall of 11 871 units or a decline of 38.7% compared to the 30 667 vehicles exported in June 2019.
New Car Sales Summary: June 2020
Aggregate new vehicle sales at 31 867 units down by 30% (-14 086 units) compared with June 2019
New passenger car sales of 19 264 units down by 33% (-9 667 units) compared with June 2019
Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales of 10 189 units down by 29% (-4 308 units) compared with June 2019
Exports of 18 796 units down by 38.7% (-11 871 units) compared with June 2019
Top-Selling Car Brands in South Africa for June 2020
Toyota – 8 442 units
Volkswagen – 4 448 units
Hyundai – 2 457 units
Ford – 2 138 units
Isuzu – 2 040 units
Sales outlook
The outlook on domestic demand for new vehicle continues to remain under severe pressure. Middle-class disposable income was already under huge strain prior to the national lockdown resulting from COVID-19, which has significantly exacerbated the already weak macro-economic climate in the country. National Treasury now expects the local economy to shrink by 7,2% in 2020, its largest contraction in almost a century. Although the ABSA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) shows that conditions continued to improve in the South African manufacturing sector, this should be seen in the context that most of the sector came to a near standstill during the nationwide Level 5 lockdown in April and only partially returned to normal production levels in May 2020. Despite the monthly uptick, production still remained below pre-COVID-19 capacity. The uncertainty of the anticipated impact and extent of COVID-19 cause planning constraints and the industry’s responsiveness to react and adapt to market changes remain imperative going forward. 2020 will be a difficult year for the industry with a significant projected decline in the new vehicle market and will be testing the renowned resilience of the industry.
As far as vehicle export sales are concerned, economic activity has declined drastically in countries and regions where lockdowns have been enforced and the recovery timeframe is difficult to predict. The industry’s export sales for the year will be impacted by the health of global economy and vehicle exports will likely decline due to the projected fall in global vehicle demand as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
The new BMW M3 and its M4 coupe sibling are just months away from production, but international correspondent Greg Kable has already been behind the wheel of a very-nearly finished version of the business-class performance sedan. He drove it on the Sachsenring circuit in Germany back-to-back with the old model. Has the new version moved the game on? Find out here…
BMW M3 render image credit: Duwyne Aspeling – Cars.co.za
Despite the broad disruption to its operations brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, BMW’s M division still plans to reveal both the all-new M3 and M4 this September, prior to the start of production and sales by the end of the year. Before they get that far, though, there’s a final phase of development testing to be completed and a validation sign-off by the BMW board later in the summer, ahead of which we’ve been invited to drive them both in prototype form here.
Wearing heavy camouflage, the high-mileage M3 and M4 development units that BMW M has brought to the Sachsenring have clearly had a hard life, but we’re assured they represent the latest technical standing of the car. Ignore the heavy cladding and plastic wrap in our pictures and you’ll be able to make out certain styling elements, including the new, deep kidney grille and the widened front and rear wing panels, necessitated by the adoption of wider tracks and some rather serious-looking wheel and tyres.
The M3 will likely get a bigger grille, but not like that of the 4-Series.
As they stand in the pitlane, both cars have a squat, hunkered-down stance that instantly marks them out as something a bit special. They’re quite a bit larger than their predecessors: the 5th-generation M3 and 1st-generation M4, too. Each takes on its own distinctive form: the 2021-model year M3 appears significantly more upright next to its lower M4 sibling. The rear-wheel-drive saloon and coupe models here represent only half of the planned body styles for BMW’s mid-level M-car line-up. As before, there will be an M4 cabriolet by the middle of next year and, for the first time, a new M4 Gran Coupé introduced around the same time.
In a continuation of familiar BMW M derivative strategy, standard and Competition versions of both the M3 and M4 are planned. The promised rise in performance comes after the introduction of the four-wheel-drive M340i xDrive and M440i xDrive, which plug the gap to the rest of the 3 Series and 4 Series line-up. At the heart of each new model is the M division’s new S58 engine. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder successor to the longrunning S55 unit delivers 353 kW and 600 Nm in the standard M3 and M4 – 21 kW and 50 Nm more than the outputs of the outgoing models.
The rear-wheel-drive derivatives will come with the choice of either a standard 6-speed manual or optional 8-speed (torque-converter, not dual-clutch) automatic transmission in combination with BMW M’s electronically controlled M Sport locking rear differential. In the new M3 Competition and M4 Competition, the output is increased by a further 22 kW to a headlining 375 kW through what BMW M describes as “some specific software changes”, although torque remains at 600 Nm. That will make the top-line versions of the BMW M3 and M4 a match for any of their direct rivals on peak power.
Unlike the standard models, though, the M3 and M4 Competition will be sold exclusively with the 8-speed auto-box and, in a big break with tradition, they will be offered with the option of BMW M’s fully variable xDrive four-wheel-drive system. It will be the first time that either the M3 or M4 has been sold with anything but traditional rear-wheel drive.
Aural pleasures
The new 6-cylinder engine sounds deeper, more brutish.
As we hit the starter button on the centre console and set the M3 prototype to ‘M1’ mode (the first of 2 preset driving modes accessed by buttons on the new multifunction steering wheel), it’s reassuring to hear that BMW M’s latest inline 6-cylinder produces a more evocative exhaust note than the engine it replaces… It’s less raspy in character than its predecessor, with a deeper, more guttural tone.
We amble past the pit garages in 1st gear and head out on to the circuit. First impressions? The new M3’s S58 engine is quite a bit sharper than the old S55 unit. Not only does it sound great, with a soaring combination of hard mechanical thrashing and a resounding exhaust as the revs rise, but it also punches with real purpose in lower gears. With added torque concentrated across a wider rev range and a useful lift in power at the top end, there’s both greater urgency and even more linearity to the delivery than the last M3 offered (which was already a particularly even revving performance engine).
The change in character is subtle – but noticeable. And the throttle response is improved, too. It is not exactly rabid, but offers greater sensitivity to inputs for more precise metering of reserves. Less well resolved is the manual gearshift. It’s quite long in throw and rubbery in feel.
Traditionalists will argue, but the truth is that the conventional 6-speed is a long way from matching the speed and precision you’d expect from a gearbox on a car bearing the BMW M badge. And that’s a pity, because the rest of the driveline feels wonderfully engineered and full of focus.
Potent performance
Plenty of choices now with RWD or AWD with manual or automatic gearboxes.
Although we have yet to see any performance claims, you can expect a 0-100 kph time under 4 seconds and, in combination with the traditional optional M Driver’s package, a top speed approaching 280 kph for the standard rear-wheel-drive version. But while the engine impresses, it’s the chassis that really moves the M3’s game along. It’s described as being all new and largely bespoke, with only the pickup points for the suspension – which will come as standard with adaptive damping – being shared with the 3 Series.
In a familiar move, BMW M has developed a new engine strut brace, which serves to stiffen the entire front end structure quite significantly, providing the basis for even more fluidity and handling poise than with standard 3 Series and prototype versions of the 4 Series we drove recently. At the same time, it has given the new M3 a much wider front track than ever before.
As it did on the M3 CS, BMW has also fitted staggered forged aluminium wheels front and rear – 19-inch front and 20-inch rear as standard – in the search of added steering response. They wear 275/35 and 285/30 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, making for more rubber on the road than any M3 or M4 has had previously.
In a development first unveiled on the M8 and recently brought to the facelifted M5, the new M3 and M4 gain a function that gives access to the individual driving mode options for the engine, suspension, steering and brakes via the iDrive controller. On four-wheel-drive xDrive models, it will also allow you to alter the apportioning of the drive to give you pure rear-wheel- drive qualities on a track when desired.
The interior is still well under wraps, but don't expect it to have any surprises in store.
The steering of our rear-driven M3 prototype is excellent – precise in action and weighted to perfection for the more demanding sections of the Sachsenring circuit. Having run a number of laps in its predecessor to form a benchmark earlier on, we can confidently say the new M3 offers greater driver involvement than the car it replaces, even in its most basic form. True, the new model lacks the compactness that once marked the M3 out among its 4-door performance car rivals; but it’s extraordinarily agile for its dimensions, with an incisive change of direction and a very direct feel to the way it turns in to corners.
There’s added grip as well. The wider front tyres deliver great adhesion, allowing the new model to carry high speed up to the apex and beyond with impressive neutrality and superb body control despite a quite heady weight transfer. There’s a generous amount of wheel travel given the performance car billing, but the car feels magnificently settled and well within its limits when hustled hard through the Sachsenring’s Castro Omega curve – a tricky off-camber downhill constant-radius right-hander that exits uphill into the equally challenging Sternquell curve.
Push the chassis hard and the car’s M Sport differential does its usual neat trick, apportioning drive to each individual rear wheel in search of optimum traction. All of which allows you to exploit the inherent balance and assuredly work up to and, with the DSC turned off, beyond the limits. And because of its added muscle and improved response, the M3’s new engine can be relied on to alter your cornering line on the throttle.
Summary
Set to arrive in SA in 2021, the new M3 looks likely to be a firm challenger for best-in-class.
It’s always tricky attempting to form an accurate impression of a new car from a handful of miles on a smooth-surfaced circuit. In this case, though, we’re confident BMW M has succeeded in injecting its revered business-class performance sedan with an added dose of performance and handling prowess. There’s still a lot to learn about it but, in back-to-back runs with the old model, it felt not only a good deal faster in a straight line – but also a more accommodating car to drive at or near its limits thanks to a new-found sense of handling delicacy. We’ll know for sure when we get to test a production version on the road later this year, but you might just be looking at the most dynamically accomplished M3 yet – one that’s bigger and heavier than ever before but, on the strength of this first encounter at least, also inherently more exciting to drive.
A Ford product presentation has revealed that the forthcoming Bronco and F-150 bakkie might be produced for right-hand-drive markets. Should you get excited?
Ford is due to launch the new Bronco in the U.S. soon and we have already seen and covered the new F-150which was revealed last week and provides some useful insight into what we can expect from the new Ford Ranger bakkie.
Many local bakkie fans are clamouring for a full-size double cab bakkie such as the F-150 to be offered in South Africa but the main prohibiting factor is that the F-150 and indeed the Bronco are left-hand-drive only models and are not offered in right-hand-drive markets such as South Africa.
Australia is right-hand-drive though and often an indicator of what’s to come for South Africa and a report from CarExpert has suggested that both the new Bronco and F-150 might be produced in right-hand-drive for the IMG market which includes Australia, New Zealand, India, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East, Africa and ASEAN.
The product presentation you see here indicates that ‘plant preparedness’ is a key driver of success which means that Ford will either have to build a new plant dedicated to producing the Bronco and F-150 in right-hand-drive or a current plant needs to be expanded and retooled for the job. The Bronco will be built on a modified version of the Ford Ranger’s T6 platform which already caters for right-hand-drive markets.
You will recall that Ford and Volkswagen recently joined forces to collaborate on a number of new products including the next-generation Volkswagen Amarok which Ford will engineer and build in South Africa for the local and export markets. We also know that Ford is focusing more of its efforts into commercial vehicles and by offering a vehicle such as the F-150 and even the Bronco for right-hand-drive markets could indeed represent huge profits for the Blue Oval.
We know bakkies are hugely popular in South Africa and even the faint possibility of seeing the large-and-in-charge Ford F-150 in South Africa should get enthusiasts frothing.
At this stage, neither the Bronco nor the F-150 have been confirmed for right-hand-drive but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen and if this product slide is anything to go by, maybe there is a glimmer of hope out there, somewhere…
The new Ford Bronco will be revealed on 13 July 2020.
As always, we will keep you updated as soon as more details become available.
The Ford Ranger gets some goodies to give it even more capability and desirability.
Sadly this is for the American market right now, but we're hoping Ford SA gets the message that customers want to accessorise their bakkies and bakkie modification is a way of life. “Our goal is to inspire customers by giving them capabilities and styling options from the aftermarket brands they love,” Eric Cin, global director of Ford Vehicle Personalization, comments. “The three new Ford Performance Packs empower our adventure-loving Ranger customers to explore even further with even more freedom with the added off-roading capability right from the dealership.”
These upgrades are great as they're OEM and therefore do not compromise your warranty. There are 3 packages which offer mechanical, hardware and graphic upgrades. All kits include Fox shocks, new 17-inch Dyno gray wheels, and special graphics for the bed and windscreen.
Performance Level 1 package
FOX “Tuned by Ford Performance" 2.0 Performance Series internal floating piston monotube front and rear shocks tuned by Ford Performance Engineers to optimize on and off-road performance
Ford Performance bedside graphics and Ford Performance windshield banner
$2,495 MSRP / R43 041.48 (before installation)
Performance Level 2 package (on top of Level 1 content)
Ford Performance engine calibration, which increases power to 235 kW and torque to 501 Nm.
BFGoodrich KO2 265/70-17 tires
Rigid off-road fog light kit
Blue tow hooks
Ford Performance stainless steel license plate frame
$4,495 MSRP / R77 543.66 for Level 2
Performance Level 3 package (on top of Levels 1 and 2 content)
Rigid 40-inch LED lightbar kit
Red tow hooks
Ford Performance by ARB winch-capable front bumper
Sharper looks and dramatic exhaust acoustics give the Volkswagen Tiguan R a performance focus.
VW has revealed the updated version of its second-generation Tiguan and followers of the brand who value performance, will be pleased.
Aware of its importance to VW’s global business – where Tiguan is now more popular than Golf – the designers have been subtle in their approach. The Tiguan gains a broader grille with four horizontal slats and VW’s latest signature LED headlights.
Inside there are is a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, supported by VW’s 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Drivers of the new Tiguan will grip a redesigned helm with greater ergonomic intuition, thanks to haptic sensitive satellite controls.
For those new Tiguan customers who are given to mood sensitivity by proxy of colour, this latest version of VW’s mid-sized SUV offers no less than 15 ambient cabin light variations. Music and media influences the mood for all, and new Tiguan will be offering a premium sound system supplied by Fender. Although the new Tiguan is targeted as a family vehicle, VW has released details and images of its high-performance derivative – and the numbers are impressive.
The Volkswagen Tiguan R is powered by a potent 2-litre turbocharged engine, managing to boost 235 kW and 420 Nm from its 4-cylinder setup. Those outputs are channelled to all four wheels, via VW’s renowned DSG dual-clutch transmission.
No performance claims have been made, as yet, but there is no doubt that Tiguan R will deliver a very rewarding experience for owners who value driving dynamics. Interesting details pertaining to the new Tiguan R are its model-specific 21-inch alloy wheels, which feature slim spokes and an open design, whilst at the rear, there are Akrapovic exhaust ends.
For VW to upgrade the new Tiguan to an R-specification which includes the raucous Slovenian-sourced Akrapovic performance exhaust, is a sure indication of its importance to the brand.
Volkswagen SA confirmed the facelifted Tiguan is due in the first quarter of 2021, while the performance Tiguan R will arrive towards the end of 2021.
With big wheels, quad exhausts and blue paint, there's no mistaking this for anything other than a Tiguan R.
Ineos Automotive has finally taken the covers off its Grenadier – a rugged and capable 4×4 that's designed for the world's toughest and harshest environments.
We've been tracking the story of the Ineos Grenadier for some time and being fans of startups, are fascinated by its gestation. The quick summary thus far is one of the UK's wealthiest men Jim Ratcliffe (founder of Ineos, the chemical giants) announced bold plans to make a vehicle as rugged and capable as the previous-generation Land Rover Defender.
Given how the market has moved away from the hardcore offroad and semi-military applications and there are just a handful of models playing in this space (think of your non-AMG Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota Land Cruisers), Ratcliffe and Ineos reckon they're onto something. Impressively, BMW is the engine supplier and the Grenadier will be powered by Munich's petrol and diesel 3.0 straight-6 engines. Production will be in the United Kingdom.
Commercial director Mark Tennant explained the Ineos Grenadier will be an “uncompromising 4×4 with a ladder chassis, beam axles and locking differentials.” It would initially be in station wagon guise, but other bodies would follow, starting with a twin-cab bakkie. “Aftermarket specialists would be encouraged to come up with their own configurations and accessories. There will be long and short wheelbases.” Expect some solid offroad credibility with a low-range transfer case, differentials and impressive approach and departure angles.
It looks like a blend of classic Land Rover Defender and classic Mercedes-Benz G-Class, both vehicles renowned for their offroad prowess.
Now we're finally getting to take a look at the Ineos Grenadier, which the brand claims will be a "capable, durable and reliable 4×4 designed and built to handle the world’s harshest environments." There's a focus here on creating a vehicle that's to do a job, as opposed to being a lifestyle accessory – a workhorse if you will. There's no denying the hints of Defender in there and we expect the design to be overshadowed by the array of abilities.
“The brief was simple. We set out to design a modern, functional, and highly capable 4×4 vehicle with utility at its core”, said Toby Ecuyer, Head of Design. “A design that is ‘easy-to-read’, with no ambiguity about the Grenadier’s role in life. There to do everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Nothing is for show. Modern engineering and production techniques ensure the Grenadier is highly capable, but we have been able to stay true to the essence of creating a utilitarian vehicle that will stand the test of time”.
With the design formally revealed and we can look at the shape and style of the Ineos Grenadier in great detail, attention now turns to the prototypes, which will be sent to the far-flung regions of the world to complete a claimed 1.8 million kilometres for testing. The Ineos Grenadiers will be put through their paces in all conditions to see if they live up to expectations.
It's an interesting project as it's quite unlike any mainstream vehicle. Think of it as a blank canvas or open-source even, with the hope customers will tailor their Grenadier to suit their requirements. The details are terrific, things like the front lights are the same units on the left and the right, making service and parts availability easier. There'll be accessories galore, both from Ineos itself and for 3rd party companies to make compatible componentry. It will be practical too, with space for a Euro-spec pallet.
It's expected the Ineos Grenadier will go into production towards the end of 2021 and if you as a South African reader are wondering why this matters, there's been considerable local interest in this vehicle and Ineos is already talking to potential importers. The best part? It's not going to be too expensive, with Ineos confirming it will be aiming at the Toyota Fortuner/Ford Everest price point.
Luxury carmaker Bentley has shown off its updated Bentayga SUV, which is the first vehicle launched under its Beyond100 business plan. Here's all you need to know about it.
Despite being priced highly, Bentley has sold more than 20 000 units since the car's launch in 2015. Impressively, 45% of Bentley's sales in 2019 were just Bentaygas showing how much demand there was for a high-end luxury SUV.
Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments: "From its moment of launch nearly five years ago, the Bentayga has been the very definition of the luxury SUV. Like the Continental GT, the Bentayga created an entirely new part of the market, and since we set the benchmark many others have joined the sector, but no other car can offer a breadth of ability to rival the Bentley Bentayga. With the new Bentayga, we're repositioning the pinnacle of the luxury SUV segment to be even higher, even further away from the competition. We've listened to our customers and made improvements to the areas most important to them, and the new Bentayga is a thoroughly modern and beautiful extension of the original car's abilities and achievements."
The looks have changed considerably and with elements clearly inspired by the 3rd generation Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur, the new Bentley Bentayga is unmistakable. The front gains LED Matrix headlamps, new-look grille while the rear gains new taillamps, repositioned licence plate and new-look performance exhaust tips. There's also an increase of 20mm to the rear track and there are new wheel designs. Inside, there's a new fascia, steering wheel, door trims, as well as new seats.
A new infotainment system has been installed and this features a 10.9-inch display. The car gains an all-new digital display too, plus there's wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Rear passengers get more legroom (depending on the configuration) as well as a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet.
Under the bonnet is the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 404 kW and 770 Nm, with a plug-in hybrid and W12-powered Speed versions to be revealed before the year is out. The V8-powered Bentayga is good for a 0-100 kph in a claimed 4.4 seconds and boasts a top speed of 290 kph.
These new taillights look like they're straight from the Continental GT.
Brace yourselves as the fuel price is increasing for the month of July 2020. Here are the changes.
Update: Petrol will increase by R1.63 for unleaded 93 and R1.72 for unleaded 95 per litre. Diesel will increase by R1.69 (0.005%) and R1.73 (0.05%).
On the back of the price of international crude oil prices which have been increasing, sadly we have to report there will be substantial increases to the price petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin. "The rebound in international oil prices has been as remarkable as their fall earlier in the year. The basic fuel price for petrol and diesel in South Africa jumped from around R3 a litre on 1 May to nearly R6 a litre by 25 June,” the AA says.
The AA is forecasting that petrol will be increasing by around R1.73 a litre, diesel by R1.74, and illuminating paraffin by a massive R2.14 when fuel prices are adjusted next week.
Despite our Rand strengthening, the increase was inevitable and that paraffin increase is particularly bad news. “This will be an especially huge blow to citizens who use paraffin for cooking, lighting, and especially heating during Winter," the Association notes. "We cannot overstate the effect that the Rand's collapse is currently having on fuel users: if the Rand had remained at its pre-COVID-19 levels, fuel users would likely be seeing a reduction in fuel prices in the order of 75 cents a litre next month," the AA says.
562 kW Electric Rivian Bakkie Goes Desert Drifting [w/video]
California-based electric bakkie startup, Rivian, has released a series of videos showing its forthcoming electric bakkie, the R1T, testing (and drifting) in the Arizona desert and it’s performance looks mighty impressive.
How far has the world come that we can watch a 562 kW electric bakkie drifting at high speed in the desert? Isn’t it just wonderful?
Rivian is preparing to bring its R1T to market towards the end of 2020 and the Tesla-rivalling electric bakkie has been doing performance testing in the Arizona desert. If you have ever doubted the performance of an electric bakkie, just watch the videos below before passing judgment too soon.
Apart from its impressive electric road presence, the Rivian R1T features a quad motor system with an electric motor at each wheel and with a total output of 563 kW 1 124 Nm of torque and equipped with active torque vectoring, the R1T is able to adapt to the demands of the terrain it finds itself in. A battery pack size of up to 180 kWh (105 kWh and 135 kWh also offered) allows for an electric range of over 644 km. In terms of acceleration, Rivian says the R1T can sprint from zero to 100 kph in just over 3 seconds which is incredibly fast for a bakkie. More so, the R1T is said to have a towing capacity of 4 990 kg!
Of interest to outdoor enthusiasts, and in particular, those of you who like to take the kitchen with you when you go camping, well, with the Rivian, you can. The R1T can be equipped with a pull-out kitchen with a dual hotplate, a sink, countertop and a set of drawers. Very cool indeed!
Anyway, watch the 4 short videos below to see how the Rivian R1T performs in the dirt.
If you need a huge production V8 engine in your life, then Ford could provide the solution.
The American auto giant is now offering its massive 7.3-litre petrol V8 as an engine-only purchase option. Although the current 7.3-litre V8 is a three-decade evolution of Ford’s original modular V8 architecture, launched in the late 1980s, it still features a single camshaft.
Displacing a significant 7.3-litres between its eight-cylinders, this engine would appear strangely out of date compared to modern overhead camshaft designs. Fans of the pushrod valve-gear configuration will point to its reliability and more compact size, as primary design benefits.
Without having to accommodate camshafts atop the cylinder banks, Ford’s 7.3-litre V8 is actually not that tall, for an engine of its capacity. That enables it to potentially be fitted to a diverse array of vehicles, which is why Ford is now offering it as a direct purchase.
For R140 000 (estimated price) Ford will ship you one of its 7.3-litre V8s, complete with exhaust manifolds, ignition coils, flex plate and a throttle body. In factory tune, your 7.3-litre V8 will arrive capable of 320 kW and 644 Nm, with the potential for much more.
Those who prefer to keep their 7.3-litre pushrod V8s unmodified will have the use of a petrol engine which could run huge mileages as a bakkie workhorse and hauling powerplant, with negligible wear or reliability issues.
