Tuning bakkies seems to be the next craze, but there's a risk of losing warranties. Not to be outdone, Ford Performance has released a package for the Ranger.
Sadly, this is for the US-spec Ford Ranger EcoBoost, but with a bit of luck, Ford South Africa will get the hint that hotter bakkies are the real in-thing right now and release an SA-spec kit. Sadly, we don't even get this EcoBoost in our SA-built Ford Rangers, which is a shame as it would add additional appeal to the Ranger portfolio. Also, it would be an apt send off for this generation of Ranger, as the new model (co-developed with the new Volkswagen Amarok) is due for reveal in the next 2 years.
As for the performance kit, it comprises a power upgrade and improves the throttle response. There's also Ford Performance Pro Cal 4 calibration device and a high-flow air filter thrown in. The results are a 34 kW and 81 kW increase over the standard outputs of 201 kW and 420 Nm. The performance pack is claimed to be legal in 50 states and comes with a 3-year/36 000 mile warranty. What's interesting is once the upgrade is installed, you'll need to run the Ranger on premium grade fuel which is anything with octane in the 90s.
British sports car manufacturer, Lister, has developed a raging-mad SUV called the Stealth (previously called LFP) and the firm claims it's the fastest SUV in the world. Yes, even faster than a Lamborghini Urus…
Lister has released a teaser video of its beastly Stealth and it sounds glorious! Give the video a watch.
The Lister Stealth is based on the already-hardcore Jaguar F-Pace SVR which in standard guise, develops 405 kW and 680 Nm of torque from its supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine. Lister has presumably tinkered with the SVR’s bits to now produce 666 horsepower or 497kW! The torque figure for the Lister Stealth is not yet known but will likely exceed the SVR’s 680 Nm by a fair margin.
In comparison, the potent Lamborghini Urus, which offers 478 kW and 845 Nm from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, is capable of sprinting from standstill to 100 kph in 3.6 seconds and will rage on to a top speed of 305 kph.
The Lister Stealth is said to sprint from zero to 100 kph in 3.5 seconds with the help of carbon fibre modifications and reach a blistering top speed of 322 kph, which if true, will make it the fastest SUV in the world. Few cars, supercars included, will be able to keep up with such brutal performance.
Are you a fan of high-performance SUVs? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Volkswagen’s mid-size SUV is set to launch overseas in the next quarter, however it will only land in SA in 2021.
The Tiguan has been a top-seller for the VW in recent years, in fact, it has sold so well that in 2019 it was the best-selling VW on the planet. That’s right, better than a Polo and better than a Golf. Most of the uptick in sales has been in China and the US where the SUV market has captured the imagination of buyers.
The current model has been on sale since 2016 and is due for its facelift this year. We have seen plenty of spy shots and test mules doing the rounds but during a Skype meeting with Hendrick Muth, marketing boss for the Tiguan, he mentioned that the design would be much more masculine and include a totally new front end. Muth also made mention of an expressive R-Line kit that would be available to buyers.
VW showed us the teaser image you see above, which shows the new lighting design at the front and the more masculine design. There are also camouflaged cars currently in the final phase of testing, which you can see here.
Into the nitty-gritty details of what’s likely to be new with the facelifted Tiguan. The engines will be updated, and particularly the diesel units have been improved to produce far less CO2 and NOx emissions using a technique called twin-dosing. The system uses two catalytic converters to make reduce NOx by up to 80%.
The updated Tiguan will also get the new 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine that is due on the new Golf and which we should see first on the T-Cross this year. Volkswagen SA hasn’t stated which models SA will get but expect a varied lineup that will be phased in over a year or two.
The interior connectivity is getting a full makeover with an entirely new infotainment system. MIB 3 (not the film) is the new media system VW first installed on the Passat and has a few neat tricks available to users. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto is part of the system. It also has the ability to turn certain Samsung phones into vehicle keys, automatic accident notification and anti-theft alerts.
Tiguan Allspace updated too
Fans of the longer wheelbase Tiguan – the Allspace – will be pleased to know that it too will be updated with the same treatment as the regular Tiguan. It will be introduced after the standard car though.
As reported in previous articles, there will be a plug-in hybrid version of the Tiguan, capable of more than 50 km of pure electric driving. Whether this will make it to SA remains to be seen as it will no doubt be the most expensive Tiguan available. Volkswagen has already committed its future to electric vehicles and even the South African arm has been piloting an electric car project by handing over a few e-Golfs to certain publications.
Tiguan R confirmed
There is going to be a Tiguan R and it is likely to come very soon after the facelifted Tiguan is launched. VW was not very forthcoming with details other than to say that it will be particularly exciting. You can read about the current Tiguan R rumours here, and get a glimpse of what it might look like.
We’ve known an all-new Nissan X-Trail was in the pipeline when images of a Brazilian patent filing surfaced earlier this month, but now, thanks to leaked promotional (or brochure) images we can see what the newcomer will look like in the metal.
The facelift to the X-Trail – a former finalist in the 2015/16 as well as 2016/17 iterations of the #CarsAwards (in the guise of the 2.5 SE CVT AWD) – was introduced in South Africa towards the end of 2017. Then, in 2018, Nissan’s family car was updated with a host of Intelligent Mobility active safety technologies (on Tekna-spec derivatives), including intelligent blind-spot warning and intervention, -lane intervention, -forward collision warning and emergency braking, as well as an –around-view monitor.
In the climates with harsher winters than ours, AWD is virtually a prerequisite on family cars, such as on this Platinum-spec derivative.
But, considering that the current-generation car was launched in South Africa in the first half of the previous decade (in 2014, to be precise), it stands to reason that a new model of the X-Trail (or Rogue, as it is known in North America) will be coming out soon. The Brazilian patent images gave us an inkling of the newcomer’s overall shape and major design cues, but now, these grainy images have appeared on the Worldscoop forum…
These images confirm that although Nissan has suitably contemporised and smartened up the look of its family car, the newcomer still has chunky proportions and “squared-off” edges to underline the off-road pretensions of the range-topping AWD derivatives.
Nissan has resisted the temptation to give its X-Trail a cutesy and overly curvy softroader look.
The front-end treatment is characterised by an expansive V-Motion grille replete with a wide chrome look-insert, the latter of which is complemented by the shiny lip spoiler below the large air-intake in the bumper. The LED lighting elements have been split; we assume the daytime running lights are housed in the slit-eyed top clusters and the main beams in the lower ones, which are mounted in front of sculpted side air intakes.
At the rear, the X-Trail’s wraparound tail-lights are mounted high up on the bodywork, while the tailgate features a subtle roof spoiler and the now ubiquitous raised band that facilitates a reduced rake to the screen and emphasises the SUV’s “square shoulders”. The sculpted rear bumper, meanwhile, features a large aluminium-look kick plate.
The new X-Trail's interior would not look out of place on an executive SUV, although, to be fair, this is probably a top-spec example.
The upmarket dual-tone interior, with its swooping tiered dashboard and quilt-pattern black leather trim, however, marks a major departure from the current model’s neatly-finished – but rather conventional – fascia. It features a digital (and, ostensibly, customisable) instrument cluster flanked by an enlarged infotainment touchscreen.
The fascia features a dual-climate control console below a pair of slim air vents and the centrol console, trimmed in piano-black, of course, features a recess for a wireless charging pad, a stubby transmission lever and a rotary off-road drive mode selector.
The Platinum spec (probably unique to the US market) includes a panoramic sunroof and electrically-adjustable front seats.
The 2021 X-Trail is expected to be unveiled in North America (badged as the Rogue) in coming months, ahead of a confirmed launch in the ‘States later this year. It’s our educated guess that the model will arrive in South Africa at some point during 2022…
We expect the new X-Trail will again be available in 5- and 7-seater configurations, but the current engine line-up of a 1.6-litre turbodiesel and 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol motors (mated with either manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions) may change. Some reports suggest the 2.5-litre will be carried over, but a variable-compression 2.0-litre turbopetrol (from the Infiniti QX50) is also a possibility. We'll update this story as soon as more details become available…
Here it is, the first-ever episode of our new weekly show. Welcome to the Cars.co.za Show!
We have been working towards this project for many years now – a proudly South African long format, multi-segment car show. A show which celebrates South Africa and our rich car history.
We toyed with broadcasting on terrestrial television or launching on a streaming network, but with us so close to the finish line we got blindsided by the global COVID-19 crisis, which required a global lockdown. Our talks, production and country halted.
But this extraordinary moment in time also creates opportunity. With South Africa ordered to stay home, online content consumption is on the rise and content creation dwindling. As a company which takes great pride in being nimble, we simply couldn’t resist the urge to fill this content void and give South Africa, and the world, something beautiful to watch.
And so in a moment of inspiration, we decided to adapt our long-format car show concept, using some techniques that may have been unthinkable before lockdown, and get it ready in record time to release it for free to the world.
With this show, we aim to entertain, inform, inspire and hopefully make our audience smile. We have also committed to donating all revenue generated off our Cars.co.za YouTube channel for the rest of 2020 to charitable causes in support of the fight against COVID-19.
For this show, all of our content was either filmed pre-lockdown or safely under lockdown conditions by our presenter himself – Ciro De Siena; it turns out a lounge and dining room can be an excellent TV studio.
In Episode 1, we find a way to shoot a car review in a basement, the BMW M5 takes on the Mercedes E63 AMG in a drag race, Maps Maponyane joins us for a zip-lining adventure in the Cederberg, we spend time with one of the rarest cars on earth, and lastly, the Toyota Supra takes on the BMW M2 Competition in a head-to-head track race.
New episodes will debut every Thursday at 8 pm and all episodes will remain on the channel indefinitely.
From everyone at Cars.co.za, stay safe, stay home, look after yourselves, and each other.
The Kia Stinger is due for an update and more power is on the cards.
An article from South Korean magazine Top-Rider suggests the updated Kia Stinger is just a few months away. The big news is more power from the engines. While the lower-spec 4-cylinder motor didn't make its way to South Africa, the bigger 3.3-litre V6 turbo did. In current iteration, it produces 272 kW and 510 Nm, with all that shove going to the rear wheels via an automatic gearbox.
The new engine is said to be the 3.5-litre GDI turbocharged V6 which produces 283 kW and 528 Nm. The engine has the Smartstream tag, which means it has improved efficiency and emissions. Another interesting change is the addition of a variable exhaust system, which will be Kia's first application of such tech. Inside, there will be updates to the trim, as well as the addition of a digital dashboard. The infotainment screen size has grown from 8-inch to 10-inch. The article went on to say that updated Kia Stinger will be revealed in Korea in July 2020.
Volkswagen has teased its 2021 Nivus urban crossover yet again. The Nivus is aimed at the South American and European markets.
The teasers don't stop with the Volkswagen Nivus. First announced back in September 2019, the Volkswagen Nivus is a Polo-based cross coupe. Previously, a video showing some details of the Nivus, including the interior, was released by Volkswagen and now a pair of revealing teaser images show the Nivus wearing a psychedelic wrap.
A generously proportioned rear end ensures competitive luggage capacity at a claimed 415 litres, despite the tapered roofline, plus the Nivus' tailgate features a slightly broader taillamp design than the T-Cross. Developed on the very accomplished VW MQB A0 platform (the same one that underpins the T-Cross), the Nivus should have all the ride, handling and refinement attributes of a Polo, but with additional ground clearance. The Nivus will be powered by a 94 kW / 200 Nm, 1.0-litre 3-cylinder TSI turbopetrol engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission may also be offered.
The Nivus will be fully revealed later this year and a European market introduction is likely in 2021. Given how much love there is locally for the T-Cross and the imminent launch of the T-Roc, it's hard to see where the Volkswagen Nivus would fit in, but if Audi SA can make provision for both a Q3 and Q3 Sportback, then anything is possible.
Toyota never has to try with its Land Cruiser range. Global customer demand for these off-roading icons remains strong and ardent fans of the brand are easily excited by even the most marginal of updates.
In places with lots of sand, no surface water and towering dune fields, the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 is unrivalled. No other luxury SUV is trusted in terrain where getting home, is often a question of life or death.
To celebrate its reputation as the only true luxury off-road vehicle which is true to its original design purpose, Toyota has released a tiny consignment of Land Cruiser 200 Heritage Edition models.
Part of Land Cruiser’s global 10 million unit sales celebration, the Heritage Edition adds some terrifically retro styling graphics. That’s about it. But those yellow-orange-red stripes are wonderfully symbolic, and yes, they draw inspiration from an era when Toyota fielded one of the world’s most memorable movie cars: the Hilux single-cab which starred in Back to the Future.
Beyond those exterior graphics, the cabin has some embossed Heritage Edition seat badges. A neat technical upgrade is the presence of an onboard air-compressor for managing tyre pressure, which is crucial for any sand or dune driving adventure.
These Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition vehicles are available in two petrol engine configurations that will be unfamiliar to local ‘Cruiser fans. The 4-litre V6 version is good for 202 kW and paired to a five-speed manual, whilst the 4.6-litre V8 produces 227 kW and links to a six-speed auto.
Distinguishing the V6 and V8 Heritage Edition ‘Cruisers are their wheels, which although both 17-inches in size, are made from differential materials. The V6 has steel wheels, whilst the V8 rolls alloys. Toyota will only be supplying 20 versions of each for the Middle Eastern market, which should ensure that these Heritage Edition Land Cruisers, become future classics.
Pricing
Cruisers are particularly popular in the Emirates so prices of standard Cruisers are much cheaper than in SA, but if we do a basic currency conversion it would look something like this:
Born out of a collaboration between Toyota and BMW, the Supra draws power from a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine that develops 250 kW and 500 Nm and lays it down using an 8-speed automatic transmission.
What makes the Supra so attractive, however, is that it’s a highly tunable car and it serves as a brilliant canvas for aftermarket tuners to beef it up and create something far more powerful.
German tuning specialists, Manhart, are perhaps best known for their BMW tuning work and while they offer a tuning program for the new BMW Z4 roadster, they have turned their attention to its Japanese counterpart, the Toyota Supra, to create what the tuning firm calls the Mannhart GR 450.
With an ECU remap (MHtronik Powerbox) and a stainless steel rear silencer with valve control, Manhart has increased outputs to 336 kW and ramped up torque output to 650 Nm. The exhaust tips can be had in either black carbon fibre.
Fitted with H&R lowering springs and a KW Variant 3-coilover suspension, the GR 450 has a dynamic stance with a lower centre of gravity.
The visual appeal is enhanced with decorative red accent stripes and rides on 20-inch diamond-polished, double-spoke Concave One alloy wheels. Wheels in glossy black and matte black are also available.
Do you like the look of this tuned Manhart GR 450?
Volkswagen is preparing a high-performance variant of its Arteon sedan. Here's what we know so far.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer's request, have watermarked them.
Not so long ago, we showed you photos of a Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake which would be released as part of a facelift to the Arteon range. Now we can share photos of the rumoured Volkswagen Arteon R, the high-performance version of the good-looking sedan. When it was launched to the South African public in 2018, there were 2 engines on offer. There was a range-topping 206 kW/350 Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 130 kW/350 Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine.
The R version of the Volkswagen Arteon would gain a sportier suspension setup, quad exhausts and as you can see in the photo, blue brakes. We also suspect the engine would be given the full R treatment and like other Volkswagen R products, it would be the 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder delivering 220 kW and 400 Nm. However, we do know that the next-gen Volkswagen Golf R will get 245 kW, so that could also be an option for the newcomer. Power will continue to go to all 4 wheels via a dual-clutch transmission. Expect 0-100 to be in the late 4 second ballpark.
Expect the Volkswagen Arteon R to be revealed alongside the Arteon Shooting Brake as part of a facelift to the model range before the end of 2020.
The quad exhausts are a giveaway that this is no ordinary Volkswagen Arteon
