In its standard guise, the Supra’s BMW-sourced straight-6 turbocharged 3.0-litre engine develops 250 kW and 500 Nm of torque and is capable of running from zero to 100 kph in 4.3 seconds, Even so, it’s evident that the Supra’s full potential has yet to be unlocked.
Nonetheless, a hot Supra GRMN is what enthusiasts are clamouring for and if rumours ring true, we may see it in 2020 packing in the region of 294 kW according to Japan’s Best Car Web.
It’s also suggested that the Supra GRMN will be lighter thanks to the adoption of carbon fibre componentry. The chassis will likely be stiffened to harness the additional power and the Supra GRMN will most certainly be more aggressively styled.
It’s known that Toyota will look to introduce new variants of the Supra on a regular basis and most recently, it’s been confirmed that a turbocharged 2.0-litre Supra is on the way with at least 190 kW and 400 Nm. This baby Supra will also be up to 100 kg lighter than the Supra GR and will feature 50:50 weight distribution which should make for a very entertaining driving experience.
Rumours or not, we can’t think of any worthy reason for Toyota not to develop a fully-fledged Supra GRMN, it's simply a matter of time. Bring it on, Toyota!
SentiMETAL, Cars.co.za's car culture sub-brand continues to expand with the addition of a line-up of carefully selected scale model cars, a regularly updated blog, as well as a self-collect option for customers in Cape Town.
"South Africans are passionate about cars," says Hannes Oosthuizen, Cars.co.za's Consumer Experience Manager and SentiMETAL Project Head. "The rapid growth in the number of attendees to our 'Gatherings', as well as the number of people visiting the young brand's on-line shop are clear indications of a vibrant local car culture," he says.
In recent times Sentimetal.Shop has expanded significantly, offering a range of scale model cars, literature and apparel in addition to the Heritage Limited-Edition Print series. "We are very selective in which models and other items we offer on SentiMETAL, so we encourage fans to come back regularly as it will continue to expand as we find suitable products."
From the masters at Otto Mobile come these BMW M3 CSL and Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG 1:18 scale models.
One example is the addition of a stunningly detailed 1:18 scale OttoMobile model of a car loved by many South Africans, the BMW (E46) M3 CSL. "Land Rover items are also very popular," says Oosthuizen, "as are Mercedes-Benz-themed products."
"We are also continuously looking at ways to bring costs down for our customers, and we've made a number of changes on that front already, but the most recent and significant one is the addition of a self-collect shipping option for Cape Town customers." When this option is selected, there is no additional packaging or courier costs, as the customers will receive Cars.co.za's Cape Town office address details by e-mail, and can simply pick up their items when it suits them. "When visiting our office they're also welcome to view the other products on offer," says Oosthuizen.
A big driver of audience growth for SentiMETAL has been its blog, also hosted on the on-line shop. "We publish retro test drives, our video series, classic car news and updates on our events on this blog," says Oosthuizen, "and it's proven to be very popular." Fans can also subscribe to the SentiMETAL newsletter (go to Sentimetal.shop and scroll to the bottom) to receive their weekly dose of classic car news, video releases and event notifications.
Our video guy Ciro De Siena wanted to film the new C63S. The problem was, he was in Joburg with the car, and our crew were in Cape Town. Without the car.
And so he came up with a novel solution which has never been attempted on the internet, ever, in the history of YouTube… he filmed the car himself.
In this paradigm-shifting production, Ciro confirms for himself that he really likes the C63S, and will probably continue to like it for the foreseeable future.
This is the first video in our new Vlog series. Although if you don't like it we'll just pretend it didn't happen and do something else.
Toyota extended the life of the previous-generation Corolla by offering the Corolla Quest as a budget-oriented compact sedan range in South Africa. As a result, the Prospecton-based firm now dominates the C-segment of the new-vehicle market. We spent an afternoon with the new version, which is based on the 11th-generation model, to find out how much it has improved.
What is it?
The Corolla Quest is a slick effort from Toyota SA. When the production cycle of the current-generation Corolla ends, the sedan lives on in the shape of the new Corolla Quest. Instead of discontinuing its production line (as most manufacturers would), Toyota effectively extends the superseded Corolla's life by bolting on a Quest badge, incorporating some parts shared with the IMV vehicles (Hilux and Fortuner, which are also built in Durban), finding local suppliers for parts and reducing production cost, to the benefit of customers. Okay, that’s a very basic summary, but Toyota isn’t the only firm that does this: Volkswagen does the same when it turns the Polo into the Polo Vivo every 7 years or so.
What’s different?
The bottom slats in the bumper is the easiest way to spot on the new Corolla Quest.
The chassis of the Corolla Quest is updated to that of the venerable 11th-generation Corolla, which means it’s of a much more modern design compared with its predecessor's. The 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine has been replaced with a more powerful (yet more fuel-efficient) 1.8-litre petrol. Customers can choose between a 6-speed manual 'box and an automatic transmission (the previous 4-speed auto has finally been replaced with a CVT).
The new Corolla Quest is most easily recognisable by its front grille, which is something of a local design that’s been made to give it an updated look. The treatment of the upper segment of the grille also denotes the trim level of your car (Standard and Prestige versions get a matte-black section, while the top-spec Exclusive model gets colour coded treatment). For the details on the Corolla Quest trim grades, take a look at our Specs & Price article.
As for the newcomer's interior, more parts are now shared with the Hilux and Fortuner and the seat materials have been sourced locally, which has helped to bring down the unit prices of the various derivatives.
Is it better than before?
Now with a 1.8-litre engine, which replaces the 1.6-litre petrol unit.
Yes, very much so. The on-road refinement (especially in terms of sound suppression) is excellent, for example, and the ride and suspension setup delivers a comfortable driving experience. The 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine bucks the downsizing trend, but its implementation was a no-brainer considering it’s more powerful (13 kW more) at 103 kW and 173 Nm of torque and more efficient (7.0 L/100 km for the manual and 6.3 L/100 km for the CVT).
We drove manual- and automatic derivatives over the course of the 200-km launch evaluation route. The manual version has a light action to its shift, but there’s a bit of an annoying rise in the revs when you depress the clutch on the way up the 'box, which can make changes less than slick to execute. The CVT proves a boon in congested traffic and when being driven in a calm/measured manner, but once you plant the accelerator pedal, it drones on and feels less eager to execute overtaking manoeuvres than its manual-shift equivalent. For this sort of vehicle though, I would recommend the CVT as the fuel savings are worth the (largely perceived) dropoff in performance.
What’s it like inside?
The Exclusive trim level represents a major step up from the previous Quest.
We only got to sample the top-spec Exclusive derivative, which is jam-packed with all the spec that the Corolla Quest range has to offer. The overall quality of the cabin is a huge improvement on that of the outgoing model with plenty of soft-touch materials and some quite nice silver-coloured plastic inlays here and there. There are admittedly a few easy-to-spot cases of cost-saving, particularly the plastics on the steering wheel, which feel hard and scratchy.
The infotainment system is pulled from the Hilux/Fortuner, but disappointingly, it's the one that doesn’t have a manual volume knob – you have to stab the touchscreen or the utilise the steering wheel-mounted control to quickly turn the sound down (or up). Also, no Apple Carplay or Android Auto compatibility is available on the Corolla Quest. There is, however, a USB port up front for charging devices, as well as integral Bluetooth connectivity.
The space inside is ample; both front and rear passengers are afforded plenty of legroom, headroom and shoulder space. The boot is big too (a carry-over from the normal Corolla) and a full-size spare wheel is standard.
Is it safer?
Vehicle stability control is standard across the range.
As a car that's expected to transport a multitude of passengers (yes, Corolla Quests are indeed popular with Uber drivers), the safety upgrades incorporated in the new model are commendable. For a start, the biggest reducer of accidents, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is standard across the range. Driver-, front passenger- and a driver knee bags are standard, as are ABS with EBD, ISOfix child-seat anchor points and hill-start assist.
The Prestige derivative also features a reverse-view camera and rain-sensing lights and wipers (although the wipers screeched when trying to rid the 'screen of a Highveld thunderstorm's deluge… and not only in one of the launch cars).
Is it priced well?
Compared with the outgoing Corolla Quest, the base version is around R14k more expensive than before. You are getting a lot more car for your money, however, with a lot more standard specification and a notable safety upgrade. At the top of the range, what was basically a R370k Corolla flagship is now a R307 400 Corolla Quest that doesn’t actually feel like it has undergone a huge drop in quality…
Summary
The new Corolla Quest pushes the vehicle much further upmarket, but without a hefty price increase.
Toyota is wise to continue the local production of the Corolla Quest. It would be dead simple to take a Corolla, toss out all the expensive bits and safety equipment and then drop the price, but Toyota's avoided that. The safety spec across the range is good (VSC stands out as real life-saver) and the interior appears well-built with upmarket materials. Yes, there’s the odd bit of plastic that’s scratchy, but at this price point, it’s not unreasonable, nor worthy of harsh criticism.
The new Corolla Quest is reasonably satisfying to drive with adequate oomph thanks to the more powerful engine, plus the introduction of the CVT is certainly an upgrade from the previous 4-speed auto. The range's asking prices are still competitive and while many buyers with families are making a beeline for compact family cars, there’s still a lot of value to be found in a more spacious sedan such as this Corolla Quest, especially at a comparable price point.
Pricing and warranty
All Corolla Quests are sold with a 3-services/45 000 km service plan. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is included.
The all-new Toyota Corolla Quest has landed in South Africa. Herewith the full specifications and pricing for the latest iteration of the popular budget-oriented sedan range.
It's a qualified success story – in combination with its Corolla sibling, the Corolla Quest has enabled Toyota to corner 71% of the compact family car market in South Africa. And, for 2020, Toyota SA (TSAMM) has revealed a new iteration of its budget-oriented sedan, which is based on the outgoing (11th-generation) Corolla 4-door. The good news is that it will still be assembled in South Africa, at TSAM's facility in Durban and it will hit showroom floors from March 2020.
By virtue of being based on a newer (albeit legacy) product, the new Corolla Quest brings with it modernised styling, improved specification levels and enhanced safety features compared with its predecessor. It's not simply a de-specced rehash of the outgoing Corolla, though. The newcomer went through a detailed development programme, which aimed to maintain the Quality, Reliability and Durability (QDR) level, while cost-saving measures were implemented. For example, the Corolla Quest makes use of the IMV (locally-built Hilux and Fortuner) colour palette, headliner material and seat fabric, while its floor silencers, seat cross-braces and bracketry, have been sourced from local suppliers.
From launch, there are 3 grades of trim: standard, Prestige and Exclusive and all 6 derivatives are powered by a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. Compared with the previous model's 1.6-litre motor, the 103 kW 1.8-litre unit not only produces more torque (173 N.m) but 1 200 rpm earlier in the rev range (4 000 r/min), for improved drivability.
Customers can choose between a 6-speed manual or a continuously-variable (automatic) transmission. Toyota SA claims an average fuel consumption figure of 7.0 L/100 km for the manual and 6.3 L/100 km for the CVT.
A total of 3 trim levels are offered for the Corolla Quest.
Toyota Corolla Quest trim levels:
Standard
Features matte-black grille/bumpers, daytime running lights (DRLs), rear fog lamps and 15-inch steel wheels. The cabin is trimmed in black and blue combination fabric. The rear seatback is fixed.
Multifunction steering wheel
Electric windows
Remote central locking
Manual aircon
Radio/CD with 4 speakers, USB+Aux+Bluetooth
Headlamp levelling (manual)
Follow-me-home lighting function
Toyota Corolla Quest Prestige
Features colour-coded exterior details, DRLs, rear fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels. The cabin is trimmed in a combination of fabric and leather – in blue/black or grey with red accents. The rear seatback is fixed.
Leather-trimmed steering wheel
6-speaker audio system
Touchscreen infotainment system/DVD player
Reverse-view camera
Cruise control
Toyota Corolla Quest Exclusive
Features chrome detailing, colour-coded front bumper treatment, LED headlamps and DRLs, rear fog lamps and 16-inch alloys. The cabin is trimmed in black leather with silver contrast stitching. The rear seat splits 60/40.
Keyless entry and push-button start
Speedometer with TFT colour display
Automatic aircon (climate control)
Speedometer with TFT colour display
Auto-dipping (self-dimming) rear-view mirror
Auto wipers & headlamp levelling
Upgraded safety specification
All Quest derivatives now come equipped with driver-, front passenger- and driver-knee airbags – while the Prestige and Exclusive versions feature additional side airbags.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Hill Assist Control (HAC), ABS with EBD, ISOfix child-seat anchors and a rear seatbelt buzzer/lamp are standard throughout the range.
Toyota Corolla Quest price in SA (January 2020)
The new Toyota Corolla Quest is sold with a 3-services/45 000 km service plan with intervals pegged at 12 months/15 000 km. A 3-year/100 000 km warranty is included.
Awesome Mercedes-AMG G63 Steampunk Limited Edition by Carlex Design
As if the Mercedes-AMG G63 wasn’t awesome enough, Carlex Design drew inspiration from steampunk to create an amazing work of art dubbed the G63 Steampunk Limited Edition.
For those of you who are confused as to what steampunk is, it can be defined as a “retrofuturistic subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery” according to Wikipedia.
With that in mind, cast your gaze upon the Mercedes-AMG G63 Steampunk Limited Edition by Carlex Design. The workmanship is phenomenal in our opinion and according to Carlex, no less than 5 000 hours went into creating this unique vehicle.
Bronze detailing has been extensively used as seen on the wheels, exhaust tips, side trim, spare wheel cover and most notably the roof, which features detailed artwork depicting skulls, roses and diamonds.
Bronze accents and brown leather finishes coupled with detailed artwork makes for an impressive interior.
Step inside and the detailing cranks up a notch. Extensive brown leather is used and the bronze theme continues as seen on the steering wheel, air vents, door handles, centre console and switches. The headliner is finished in Alcantara with incredible steampunk artwork blazoned on the roof. Further artwork is found throughout the cabin and the front seats have been specially designed for this vehicle.
The G63 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine that develops 430 kW and 850 Nm of torque and makes use of a 9-speed automatic transmission.
If the numbered plaque on the interior is anything to go by, Carlex Design will only make 10 examples of the G63 Steampunk Limited Edition.
What do you think of this build, is it something that you can see yourself driving?
Suzuki is reportedly killing production of its Alto budget car in favour of the S-Presso which is due in South Africa soon.
The Alto budget car came to market in South Africa in 2009 and was later discontinued in early 2015 to make way for the Celerio, which has proven popular locally.
Suzuki’s latest budget offering, the S-Presso budget crossover, recently went on sale in its home market, India, and has consequently made the Alto somewhat redundant and Maruti Suzuki is, therefore, looking to scrap the Alto altogether.
The S-Presso will face off against the popular Renault Kwid and will come to market with a 3-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine with 50 kW and 90 Nm of torque.
The Suzuki S-Presso is due to arrive in South Africa in March 2019 and it will slot in below the Celerio in Suzuki's lineup which means it might be priced at around or below R140k. We will confirm pricing and specification closer to launch.
Lincoln to benefit from Ford's partnership with Rivian
Ford is leveraging its R7bn investment in California electric vehicle technology company, Rivian, to help the brand’s ailing luxury division. With the investment in Rivian allowing Ford access to some of the most advanced bakkie/SUV battery platform technology in the world, it makes sense to try and be ahead of the trend and deliver an electric SUV, with traditional branding legacy.
For decades Lincoln was Ford’s luxury division, selling limousines and boulevard cruisers. The market for those vehicles has narrowed to nothing and in 2020 most of Lincoln’s portfolio consists of luxury SUVs.
Of the brand’s 6 current models, four are SUVs (Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator and Navigator). Realising that large SUVs still offer an appealing profit opportunity and charge strong demand from consumers, Ford must keep these vehicles relevant in a future where heavy CO2 counts won’t be feasible.
The solution is to reinvigorate Lincoln with technology from Rivian. Although there are plug-in hybrid versions of the Aviator and Corsair, this is merely an intermediary solution. What Ford envisions is a new all-electric Lincoln, riding on a dedicated battery platform, without any of the packaging and drivetrain integration compromises, which bedevil most hybrids.
According to Ford’s official position, Rivian has been commissioned to build an ‘all-new fully electric vehicle,’ which will obviously be a large SUV. Rivian’s platform is excellently suited to this purpose, as its own double-cab bakkie and SUVs, aren’t small. Ford can be a lot more daring with new electric all-terrain vehicles, under is Lincoln sub-brand, without risking its core bakkie and SUV business, which generates most of the company’s profits.
Building a battery-powered SUV is going to be expensive and there is a price ceiling, for what Ford customers are willing to pay. By the same token, early adopters might be a lot more wiling to pay higher debut technology prices for a Lincoln branded electric vehicle. Rivian’s most notable technical advantage is its huge battery pack, which rates at 180kWh, much bigger than anything currently available from Tesla or Porsche. And these enormous battery packs, are key to achieving the performance and range required, in a heavy luxury SUV.
An updated version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has been announced and it's coming to South Africa.
The 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has gone official and the changes are numerous, both inside and out. It's a rival to the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and Haval H9.
Visually, it gains new daytime running lights, bumpers and a grille that's not too dissimilar to the updated Mitsubishi Triton double-cab bakkie. There are also all-new alloy wheel designs and repositioned side steps, which Mitsubishi claims adds more ground clearance.
Inside, there's a new 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and top-spec variants gain TomTom navigation and a digital dashboard. Mitsubishi claims more specification is standard and includes things like hill descent control, trailer stability control, reversing camera, rear parking sensors, digital radio, four USB ports, one 220-volt socket, one HDMI socket and three 12-volt outlets, a proximity key fob, rear air-vents, side steps and roof rails. Standard safety equipment has also been increased with 7 airbags and autonomous braking.
Finally, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport's engine has received a small tweak with the 2.4-litre turbodiesel motor. It produces 133 kW and 430 Nm, and now features new fuel injectors, revised combustion chamber as well as a new aluminium alloy block which is claimed to save weight. It retains the Super Select 4WD-II 4×4 system with its 5 offroad modes.
We reached out to Mitsubishi South Africa who confirmed that this updated model is scheduled to hit showroom floors in the middle of 2020. Final specifications and features will be confirmed then.
Think of it as a French safari-spec (Porsche) Cayman. For its A110 SportsX crossover concept, Renault's sportscar subsidiary Alpine drew inspiration from its competition-car history.
It might appear the antithesis of everything that Renault’s revival of the Alpine brand is supposed to represent, but the SportsX is purported to be a modern reinterpretation of the original A110 rally car.
Although the Alpine A110 is classed as one of the purest sportscars in the market, with a mid-engined configuration and low kerb weight, even Renault’s performance vehicle engineers realise that crossovers are the hottest ticket in town.
To appease the surging trend for vehicles that offer additional ground clearance, for no particular (or apparent) reason, the A110 SportsX concept features a host of modifications.
Its stance is the most obvious change, with a suspension upgrade raising the A110 platform by 60 mm. That means this Alpine will ride much more comfortably when traversing gravel roads and rolling over speedbumps, than a standard A110, but there is, of course, also the dynamic penalty of a much higher centre of gravity.
Beyond the increased ride height, Alpine’s designers have swapped out the standard fenders for wide mouldings, which accommodate the additional wheel stroke and facilitate the option of running larger tyres. These new wheel arches add 80 mm of width to the A110 platform, with the SportsX version being appreciably wider than the car's it's based on.
A novelty upgrade for this Alpine crossover is the presence of a rear window rack carrying system, which appears to have the purpose of carrying equipment such as skis.
Like all other A110s, the SportsX concept is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine with peak outputs of 185 kW and 320 Nm of torque.
Despite its crossover configuration and stance, the A110 SportsX is not all-wheel driven. It shifts gear via a 7-speed Getrag dual-clutch transmission, which drives the rear wheels only.
Alpine has not specified a kerb weight for its latest sportscar concept, but with the different fenders, racking system and suspension upgrade, the SportsX will certainly be a touch heavier than a factory A110’s 1 098kg.
