Reports are suggesting the next-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class will only have 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer's request, have watermarked them.
A report by Mercedes-Benz page JESMB suggests the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be powered by 4-cylinder motors, with the big V6 and V8 motors have been put out to pasture. Other Mercedes-Benz product portfolios will continue to use these motors, so there's no need to panic for now.
The report claims the new model will continue to be assembled in Merc's facilities of Bremen, East London (South Africa), Beijing and Tuscaloos. Customers will be receiving their new cars in spring 2021, which we assume is a European spring so around the first and second quarter of 2021.
In terms of engine lineup, there'll be 7 models with 4 diesels and 3 petrol engines to choose from. Kicking off the range will be the C180d with 90 kW, followed by the C200d with 120 kW. There'll be a C220d with 145 KW and finally at the top of the pile will be the C300d with 182 kW (with Integrated Starter-generator (ISG) of 15 kW). The motor is the OM654, a modular diesel engine designed by Mercedes-Benz in 2016.
For those wanting a petrol-powered Mercedes-Benz C-Class, there will be a C180 with mild-hybrid belt-driven starter generator tech to develop 116 kW (with an additional 12 kW thanks to the hybrid system) as well as a C200 using the same tech to produce 146 kW (plus 12 kW). There will also be a C350 model producing 202 kW (and 16 kW) from a M254 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and 48-Volt ISG. There will also be a plug-in hybrid model using the same M254 engine, but the electric motor's output has been increased to around 100 kW and it will have a WLTP range of over 100 km on pure electric. We'd assume all models will feature the 9-speed automatic transmission.
What about the AMG models, you ask? Well, it appears the V8 turbo engine is gone, as is the V6 turbo motor. Replacing them will be the M139 motor, the same as the one used in the A45 S. In C43 AMG 4Matic application, it will be tuned to deliver 290 kW. The C63 AMG will also get the 2.0 M139 motor, but will gain an AMG EQ-Power hybrid module. The report suggests that there will be 2 output versions, one with 355 kW and the S model packing 390 kW. Expect the AMG models a few months after the debut of the base-spec Mercedes-Benz C-Class models.
Is this the cabin of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Hyundai has dropped short teaser video showing the Veloster N featuring a DCT.
While some purists prefer to extract a car’s performance using a manual transmission, others prefer an automatic to get the job done.
We recently sampled the manual Hyundai i30 N on road and track and a major highlight was the quality shift action offered by that transmission. We know that an 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) will make it into the i30 N in due course, but Hyundai has dropped a cheeky teaser video of the Veloster N fitted with an 8-speed DCT.
We also know that the Veloster N is under consideration for South Africa but if you consider how long it took for the i30 N (it arrived earlier this year) to reach our shores and with all the global uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of the Veloster N remains to be seen.
The standard Veloster is a bit of a performance dud but thankfully the Veloster N appears to be yet another impressive product from Hyundai’s successful N Division and draws power from same turbocharged 2.0-litre engine used in the i30 N with 205 kW and 353 Nm of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission will now be joined with the option of a DCT and the accompanying steering-mounted shift paddles. While zero to 100 kph in 6.2 seconds is achievable with the manual, the DCT should be marginally quicker.
Volkswagen played it safe with the exterior design of the Golf 8 but that creates the opportunity for tuners to bring the new Golf to life.
Many Golf fans might be disappointed by the look of the new Golf 8 and while South Africans have to wait until the end of 2020 to get their hands on the latest Golf, some tuners are already developing styling kits for the new Golf 8.
The creation you see here is by German tuning specialists, JMS Fahrzeugteile, who have taken a standard Golf 8 and turned it into something far more striking. Note the subtle red GTI-style detailing and the extended spoiler lip adds an additional 3 cm to the front apron. Flared side sills add a dash of aggression to the overall look. At the rear, a custom diffuser is fitted and it can be adapted to suit either a single or double custom exhaust system.
JSM also decided to fit 19-inch, Y-spoke Barracuda Tzunamee EVO light-alloy wheels with a brushed gunmetal finish and red racing bolts. You’ll notice that this Golf 8 is sitting low thanks to a coilover suspension from KW.
The JMS Racelook Exclusive Line styling package is expected to go on sale in September 2020 and in addition to the kit, there may be some performance enhancements and bespoke exhaust options in the works too.
What do you think of the look of this Golf 8 by JMS?
Toyota South Africa has given its RAV4 SUV some tech upgrades. Here are some details, plus how much the Toyota RAV4 range costs.
Since it's launch, the Toyota RAV4 has proven immensely popular not just in SA, but on a global scale. In light of recent customer feedback and what Toyota terms 'ever-evolving market requirements', the RAV4 gains some upgrades.
The changes are all in the tactile and feature departments, with the GX-grade RAV4 models receiving leather steering wheel- and shift-lever coverings.
The VX-grade of Toyota RAV4 gets an update to the Adaptive Cruise Control system. It now caters for all speeds, where previously it only operated at speeds above 40 kph. There's also an update to the Lane Keeping System. All new Toyota RAV4 models will gain smartphone integration in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Apple CarPlay (Pictured) and Android Auto allow for app integration like maps, streaming music and of course, your Toyota app.
Toyota RAV4 Price in South Africa
All RAV4 models are sold with a 6-services/90 000 km service plan (service intervals at 12 months or 15 000 km) and a 3-year/100 000 km warranty. Toyota Connect telematics service and in-car Wi-Fi connectivity (with a complimentary once-off 15 GB) also feature as standard.
RAV4 2.0 GX 2WD – R445 600*
RAV4 2.0 GX CVT 2WD – R457 500 *
RAV4 2.0 GX-R-CVT AWD – R541 800 ^
RAV4 2.0 VX CVT 2WD – R541 600 *
RAV4 2.5 VX AT AWD – R618 400 ^
* Available with upgraded multimedia system as of 6 April 2020
^ Multimedia roll-out will be in the form of a running change
If you are in the market for a naturally-aspirated V8 grand tourer, the options are few. Amongst those is the Lexus LC500 and the Japanese luxury brand has announced some upgrades for its strikingly styled grand tourer
Starting inside, Lexus has finally added Android Auto to the big coupe's infotainment capability, with full screen mirroring.
There aren’t any substantial exterior styling changes, but the available colour palette has been improved. Lexus will now offer its formerly exclusive Nori Green Pearl paint finish as an option for all LCs and there’s a new Cadium orange hue, too.
Lexus can also now supply a contrasting wheel colour on your LC coupe, with a darkened 20-inch alloy wheel design.
Beyond the new swathe of colours, Lexus has applied some mechanical engineering improvements to the LC range. The suspension components are updated with a new rear stabilizer bar and the electronic absorber controls have now software parameters.
Perhaps the most exciting news for Lexus fans who regard the LC coupe range as a driver’s car, is a new ACTIVE Cornering Assist function. This is effectively the Lexus name for torque vectoring and should enable any LC to exhibit sharper lateral dynamics, by trimming the brakes on its inside wheels, when cornering.
The new suspension components have also enabled Lexus to trim the LC coupe’s weight by 10 kg and further enhancing the LC’s driver appeal is a reprogrammed ten-speed automatic gearbox.
Lexus drivetrain engineers have tested and validated new software, which will hold gears for longer during peak acceleration. The gearbox has been tuned to more regularly gear down to second gear, at lower-speeds with a lot of steering angle, to allow appropriate acceleration through the apex of corners.
Honda India has announced that the production of the BR-V will come to an end, but the BR-V will still be offered in South Africa.
Honda’s 7-seater BR-V is on the rocks as production comes to an end in India but the versatile 7-seater will forge on in the local market.
"Honda Motor Southern Africa has no plans to discontinue the BR-V and is currently securing sufficient stock of the BR-V from India while the alternate factory is being set up for production," says Dinesh Govender, General Manager of Automobiles at Honda Motor Southern Africa.
Honda SA, however, has not divulged where the BR-V will be sourced from going forward. Other than India, the BR-V is also produced in countries such as Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The BR-V is still powered by the same 1.5-litre petrol engine with 88 kW and 145 Nm and can be had with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Honda BR-V Price in SA
BR-V 1.5 Trend Manual – R262 600
BR-V 1.5 Comfort Manual – R295 400
BR-V 1.5 Comfort CVT – R314 100
BR-V 1.5 Elegance Manual – R318 300
BR-V 1.5 Elegance CVT – R336 800
The Honda BR-V is sold with a 5-year/200 000 km warranty, 4-year/60 000 km service plan (BR-V Comfort/Elegance only, optional on Trend) and 3-year AA Roadside Assistance.
Kia has become the first Korean manufacturer to win the World Car of the Year title. Its Telluride 7-seater premium SUV was chosen ahead of the Mazda3 and CX-30 by a jury of 86 motoring journalists, including Cars.co.za's Consumer Experience Manager, Hannes Oosthuizen, from 24 countries across the globe. The Soul EV also bagged the World Urban Car of the Year title.
The announcement would have been made at the New York Auto Show, but the event was cancelled because of COVID-19, therefore the World Car Awards judging panel announced the winners via an online presentation.
“Everyone at Kia is truly honoured to receive not just one, but two awards from the World Car Awards judging panel,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice-president and product head of Kia Motors. “These accolades are a testament to the talents and efforts of a worldwide team, who all strive to create desirable, high-quality and practical cars that drivers love.”
The Telluride is Kia's flagship SUV offering. Kia says demand for it is so strong that the brand can't offer it in RHD guise yet.
The Telluride, which is unfortunately not offered in right-hand-drive markets (although the all-new Sorento 7-seater is scheduled to arrive in South Africa during the course of 2020), was chosen from an initial World Car of the Year entry list of 29 vehicles, which was subsequently narrowed to 3 finalists in the category, including the Mazda3 premium hatchback (a losing 2019/20 #CarsAwards premium hatchback finalist) and the CX-30 all-electric family car.
As is the case with the Telluride, the new-generation Soul EV is left-hand-drive only, but its win is significant in that the Kia was chosen ahead of the Mini Electric and Volkswagen T-Cross, which recently won its #CarsAwards category.
Consolation win for Mazda3
Mazda did not go home empty-handed from the 2020 World Car Awards, however. An expert panel including Anne Asensio, Gernot Bracht, Ian Callum, Patrick le Quément, Tom Matano, Gordon Murray and Shiro Nakamura narrowed the candidates for the World Car Design of the Year award to the Mazda3, Peugeot 208 compact hatchback and Porsche Taycan electric performance sedan. The WCOTY jury then picked the Mazda3 as the winner in the category.
The Taycan may not have won the World Car Design of the Year award, but it was a double winner on in the 2020 WCOTY programme. First, the Taycan was named the World Performance Car of the Year, which the Zuffenhausen-based firm was guaranteed to win because the 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4 and the Porsche 911 were the other finalists. Porsche had previously won the World Performance Car category in 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017.
The all-electric Porsche Taycan is scheduled to be introduced in South Africa during the second half of 2020.
Porsche's first pure EV product beat its 911 sibling and the Mercedes-Benz EQC all-electric executive SUV, which is also bound for the South African, to take the World Luxury Car of the Year title for 2020.
Previous overall winners of the World Car of the Year programme include the Audi A6 (2005), BMW 3 Series (2006), Lexus LS 460 (2007), Mazda2 (2008), Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (2009), Volkswagen Polo (2010), Nissan Leaf (2011), Volkswagen Up (2012), Volkswagen Golf 7 (2013), Audi A3 (2014), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2015), Mazda MX-5 (2016), Jaguar F-Pace (2017), Volvo XC60 (2018) and Jaguar I-Pace (2019).
Cars.co.za's Hannes Oosthuizen has served as WCOTY jury member for South Africa from 2006 to 2013 and from 2016 to the present day.
Epic Mercedes-AMG G63 Yachting Edition by Carlex Design
Polish design and tuning firm, Carlex Design, has released renderings of a Mercedes-Benz G63 Yachting Edition and it looks quite impressive, would you agree?
Just a few weeks ago, we were mightily impressed by the fine detailing of the Mercedes-AMG G63 Steampunk Limited Edition by Carlex Design and now a luxurious, maritime-inspired G63 Yachting Edition has been brought to life with a set of render which highlights what this upgrade package could offer.
Featuring a two-tone brushed-silver and black body, the G63 Yachting Edition is striking. The look is further accentuated with large 22-inch wheels and a specially-designed rear wheel cover. For the interior, Carlex Design provides 2 distinct options including a white-leather interior and a brown leather theme. Light and dark wood finishes resembling the decking of a yacht are seen in the load bay and both options give the G63 a classy look. The headliner appears to be finished in Alcantara with a special Yachting Edition emblem which is a visual reminder that this is indeed a bespoke vehicle.
The AMG G63 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine with 430 kW and 850 Nm of torque and can sprint from zero to 100 kph in 4.5 seconds. There’s no word on whether the G63 Yachting Edition will offer additional power but we wouldn’t be surprised if Carlex Design squeezes more grunt from this engine.
Do you like the look of this Mercedes-AMG G63 Yachting Edition?
Mitsubishi has given its ageing ASX compact family car a significant cosmetic update in an attempt to ensure the Japanese crossover remains competitive in a crowded segment. Are the changes enough to convince buyers to purchase the venerable ASX, however? We spent some time behind the 'wheel of the 2.0 Automatic derivative to find the answer…
We Like: Updated styling, ride quality, good standard spec
We Don’t Like: Old, high fuel consumption, unexciting/bland interior design
The ASX now incorporates the brand's bold "Dynamic Shield" design language. It's certainly the most progressive update so far.
The ASX is a compact family car that came to market as long ago as 2011 and Mitsubishi since been updated its crossover on numerous occasions to keep it relevant in a booming segment, which now includes rivals such as the Haval H2, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Qashqai and Suzuki Vitara – to name just a few of its competitors.
While this latest version of the ASX is far from all-new, it marks perhaps the most significant styling update for the ageing model, which now adopts the same "Dynamic Shield" design language that has been so successfully applied to the Triton bakkie and Pajero Sport adventure SUV. Apart from its considerably stronger aesthetic appeal, the ASX gains a larger infotainment system inside as well as an improved standard specification.
We spent some time with the ASX 2.0 automatic to see if all these improvements amount to a convincing buying proposition. Let’s take a closer look…
How it performs in terms of…
Engine performance and fuel economy
The ASX's performance is average, but we found its fuel consumption higher than expected.
Despite the far-ranging changes to its exterior styling, the ASX forges on with the tried-and-tested 2.0-litre non-turbo petrol engine (110 kW and 197 Nm of torque), mated with a 6-step continuously variable automatic transmission.
We found the engine and transmission well-matched in general use; despite its ageing powertrain, the ASX performs admirably both on the highway and in urban driving situations. The 2.0-litre's performance is reasonably good and the ASX does a fair job of getting up to – and then maintaining – speed. No, it’s not sluggish and average family car buyers should find its performance adequate for the daily commute.
The CVT can be a bit lurchy (and noticeably noisier) under harder acceleration, however; it's a trait common to most CVTs and not something you ever really become accustomed to. CVTs are becoming quite prominent in our market as the Japanese brands prefer them to torque-converter auto 'boxes. The ASX's CVT is average compared with the those of the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester, which are quieter and "shift speeds" in a more refined manner.
This is an old engine and while it’s not as refined as newer products on the market, it’s also not as efficient. Mitsubishi claims an average fuel consumption figure of 7.9 L/100 km and during our test, we saw an indicated 8.9 L/100 km after an extended stint of highway driving, while figures closer to 11 L/100 km were the norm in town, both of which were notably higher than we expected.
Nonetheless, one of the things we liked most about the ASX was its comfortable and forgiving ride quality. We drove the ASX on gravel (for a while) too and came away impressed with how well it copes on uneven road surfaces. Moreover, the ASX offers a positive steering feel, with a relatively good level of feedback to the driver.
Interior execution and features
A larger infotainment system is now fitted and heated seats are a nice-to-have feature.
Step inside the ASX and you are met with a rather sombre black interior featuring a mix of hard and soft plastics and trims of average quality. While the perceived build quality is good, the ASX can’t hide its ageing interior compared with those of newer offerings in this segment. However, the most welcome update is indeed the larger 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in conjunction with a pair of USB ports up front to connect devices. While these are useful features to have, they do feel like add-ons plugged into an older cabin design (it reminds us of the last update to the Ford Kuga's fascia).
The ASX is also equipped with nice-to-have features such as keyless entry, a panoramic glass roof, leather upholstery with ventilated front seats, a multifunction steering wheel with rake/reach adjustment, cruise control, electric windows, automatic aircon, electric folding mirrors, rear park distance control and a reverse-view camera. If you're the sort of buyer purely interested in function over form, the ASX's interior ticks a lot of boxes.
Family car buyers will also be happy to know that the ASX is well-sorted in terms of safety features with 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control with traction control as well as hill-start assist.
Practicality
A large, useable load bay makes the ASX a practical choice in this segment.
The ASX performs strongly in terms of practicality by offering a relatively capacious load bay, which is claimed to have a 406-litre capacity and, with the 60:40 split rear seats folded down, expands to a useful 1 206 litres. That puts the ASX's luggage space right in the ballpark with rivals such as the Kia Seltos (433 litres) and the Suzuki Vitara (375 litres).
Rear passenger legroom is generous too, but with the bench's near-upright seating position, taller passengers may find it more difficult to sit comfortably on longer journeys. The ASX is equipped with 2 cupholders up front, along with bottle storage in the door mouldings and additional storage space in the central bin.
Price and warranty
The Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 automatic is priced from R399 995 and is sold with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan.
While not prohibitively flawed in any way, the ASX is old, but still capable of serving its owner well. We can't wait to see an all-new ASX!
Of all the iterations of the Mitsubishi ASX we have seen over the years, this latest update is by far the most visually-striking. More than that though, the upgraded infotainment system brings the ASX up to date with its rivals. Apart from offering average overall performance, the Japanese crossover comes well equipped with standard features and remains a relatively practical choice in this segment.
However, the raft of changes can’t hide the fact that the ASX is almost a decade old. Buyers have myriad choices available to them in the compact family-car segment and while the changes to the ASX are welcome, in our opinion, there's nothing particularly special about it – it's just average. Because it's a reasonable all-rounder, but not a standout offering in any particular facet of its package (the Mitsubishi doesn't even have newness in its favour), the ASX is likely to remain an afterthought in this segment until a new, more exciting model comes to market. Time to get back to the drawing board, Mitsubishi!
Lexus South Africa has announced updates to a few models in its portfolio. Here's what's changed, as well as SA pricing.
The 4 models which have been updated for 2020 are the Lexus IS, NX, RC and LS. Lexus SA classes these updates as minor improvements, so you're not going to see radical differences.
The Lexus IS range currently features 3 models; the flagship IS 350 F Sport, IS 300 EX and the IS 300 Hybrid EX. The changes include the addition of the 15-speaker Mark Levinson setup in the Hybrid and F Sport, the F Sport gains improved LED headlamps and a rear sunshade. There's also a new paint finished called Manganese Luster.
The Lexus NX range consists of the NX 300 EX, NX 300h EX, NX 300h SE and NX 300 F Sport. The updates include: The F Sport and SE hybrid get updated LED lamps as well as an LED adaptive high beam system, SE Hybrid gains headlamps cleaners, headlamp levelling, power-enabled rear boot and auto re-retractable side mirrors. There are some trim changes and the SE Hybrid gets some wooden dashboard inserts as well as a panoramic sunroof and 60:40 power-adjustable second-row seats. Both the F Sport and SE hybrid models now come standard with the Lexus Safety System which includes Pre-crash System, Lane Trace Assist and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Finally, the NX gains a slightly bigger screen and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The sporty Lexus RC receives the least updating as a new version of the vehicle was launched about a year ago. However, it gets an electronic parking brake and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Sound System, as well as Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The flagship LS sedan is available in two derivatives – the LS 500 and LS 500 F Sport. It gains Cruise Control: Adaptive Cruise Control – All Speed (previously High Speed only) and the Lane Keeping Assist have been improved.
Lexus IS Price in South Africa
IS 300 EX R733 100
IS 350 F Sport R863 200
IS 300h EX R826 500
Lexus NX Price in South Africa
NX 300 EX R722 600
NX 300 F Sport R826 500
NX 300h EX R819 100
NX 300h SE R933 500
Lexus RC Price in South Africa
RC F Sport R1 009 100
Lexus LS Price in South Africa
LS 500 R2 022 000
LS 500 F Sport R2 200 800
All Lexus vehicles come with a 7-year/105 000km warranty and full maintenance plan with intervals every 15 000 km.
