Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (2020) International Launch Review

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has been updated with new technology, a slightly revised look and a number of other changes. Do the changes help this bakkie-based Adventure SUV stand out in a segment dominated by the Toyota Fortuner? Matt Campbell drove the updated 7-seater in Australia ahead of its arrival in South Africa later this year.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – for the uninitiated – is a 7-seat Adventure SUV based on the Triton bakkie. It carries over a lot of the Triton’s technology and equipment, not to mention the same underpinnings (aside from the rear suspension). Revised pricing and equipment levels are still to be announced for South Africa, but here’s an early taste of what to expect of the updated model.

New look, but is it improved?

The rear light design has been trimmed down somewhat but remains a polarizing aspect.

One of the most interesting things about car design is just how subjective it can be. You might see this new-look Pajero Sport and think: “That’s hideous.” Alternatively, you might be in the other camp and say: “That looks a lot better than before.” Comment below to let us know into which camp you fall…

The exterior styling changes aren’t far-reaching, but somehow they are substantial.

The front-end design has been adapted to suit the “Dynamic Shield” finish already applied to some of the other models in the range. Essentially, there are now large fog lights where there were previously plasticky finishes, as well as broader chrome trim and a higher bonnet line as a result of the reworked grille. For the record, all Aussie derivatives of the Pajero Sport have LED headlamps and -daytime running lights.

The rear-end has seen those “crying clown” tail-lights trimmed a tad, thanks to a revised design and re-shaped lower rear bumper. There are new wheel designs offered in international markets, and in Australia, there’s also a more rugged all-terrain tyre design for the range-topping derivative.

Creature comforts

Now kitted with more modern tech, the Pajero Sport is a stronger match for the Everest.

The top-of-the-range derivate in the Australian market sports a number of new additions inside the cabin, including a larger (8.0-inch) touchscreen infortainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as built-in satellite GPS navigation (for the first time), not to mention Bluetooth and USB connectivity. There’s also a new 8.0-inch driver LCD display with a sizeable configurable layout and a speed display – very handy to keep an eye on your pace.

Aside from a couple of other minor trim changes inside the cabin, it’s otherwise a carryover offering. That means nice-to-have elements such as dual-zone climate control, smartphone-charging USB ports and a 12V power outlet in the 2nd row, electically-folding mirrors, electric windows and a leather-trimmed steering wheel (with audio and cruise control buttons) are retained.

An easy to use off-road system and multiple charging and power outlets have been added in the new model.

As before, the Pajero Sport has a 7-seat layout. However, the 2nd row doesn’t slide fore and aft, as it does in most of the Mitsubishi's rivals. Instead, the 2nd row flips and tumbles forward to allow access to the 3rd-row occupants.

The rearmost row retains its “stowaway” seat bases, which makes their operation fiddlier than in, say, an Isuzu MU-X or Ford Everest. You need to click the seat bases into place separately to the seatbacks, which means it’s arguably a harder job to do with your hands full.

But the Pajero Sport does retain good practicality overall. With the 3rd row in place, 131 litres of luggage capacity is at your disposal (which is enough for a pram or some small suitcases). With the 3rd row stowed, space increases to 502 litres and, when the 2nd and rearmost row are folded away, a claimed 1 488 litres of utility storage becomes available.

Note, however, that if you’re buying the Pajero Sport as an alternative to a conventional people-mover, the positions of the tether points for child seats could be an issue. The 2nd row features a pair of ISOfix mounting points, with a trio of anchorage points mounted far back in the ceiling above the 3rd row. That means when child seats are correctly mounted, their extended tethers render the last row (which doesn't feature ISOfix points itself), unusable for seating.

On the road

It remains powered by a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine.

There haven’t been any notable changes to Pajero Sport's driving experience – that wasn’t the focus of this update, but that doesn’t really matter much, because it was already one of the most agreeable bakkie-based SUVs to drive.

The 2.4-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel Mivec engine produces the same peak outputs (133 kW and 430 Nm of torque) and is still mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, whether you opt for the 4×2 rear-wheel-drive derivative, or the flagship 4×4 version (as I drove in Oz).

The engine is a quiet and reliable; it offers reasonable pulling power and feels unflustered at cruising speeds. At lower speeds, however, it can be a little less eager, but it’s never slow and, come to think of it, considerably more refined than some of the other agricultural motors in this segment.

The 8-speed auto does a nice job of shifting between the gears, and hardly ever gets caught in the wrong gear (it's well calibrated to the engine's performance characteristics). Overall, it’s smooth and inoffensive.

The way the Pajero Sport drives on the road is, funnily enough, quite similar to the Triton. The front suspension is the same (double wishbone), but the rear suspension (3-link coil spring with stabiliser bar) feels more road-focused.

The ride is decent if not perfect, with a bit of roughness if the surface isn’t perfect. But overall, it is nicely settled at pace, and easy to drive around town. The steering is accurate, and the action is easy, too – the turning radius is smaller than most other SUVs of this size (5.6 metres), making it easier to park than most of its rivals.

The model sampled in Australia had the full gamut of safety technology, including auto emergency braking with forward-collision warning (but not pedestrian or cyclist detection), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and 7 airbags (dual front-, side-, driver’s knee- and full-length curtain units).

Off the road

It remains a sure-footed off-roader with 2 lockable diffs.

The Pajero Sport is not only an effective and comfortable on-road option, but it’s also surprisingly adept at serious off-road driving. The 4×4 version has Mitsubishi’s excellent Super Select II 4WD system, which allows you to lock the centre diff and choose specific modes if you’re in high-range (Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock [4L only]). In low range, if you lock the rear diff as well, you can’t choose the mode you want – but it should theoretically get through just about anything with everything engaged, based on our testing.

It has a steep 30-degree approach angle, reasonable 23.1-degree ramp-over angle, and a good 24.2-degree departure angle. That, combined with a clever and not-too-obtrusive hill descent control system, a 700-mm wading depth, 218 mm of ground clearance, and the new Toyo A/T Open Country tyres fitted to the derivative I drove, made for pretty impressive off-road progress.

Over an arduous, angular hill climb with deep ruts, an at-times slippery surface, washouts and fallen trees to dodge, the Pajero Sport proved capable, if lacking a bit of wheel articulation. In some instances it fell deep into ruts and holes, leading its rear-end to kick up and lose contact with the surface below.

However, it was easy to place the Pajero Sport where you needed to: its steering offers good feel, forward visibility is good and the powertrain operates very predictably in low-range.

During high-range four-wheel-driving on loose gravel tracks, the Pajero Sport was nicely resolved and felt ready to eat up the kilometres. But just keep in mind, with a fuel tank capacity of only 68 litres, longer drives in the great outdoors might require you to take extra fuel with you, just in case. Most rivals have 80-litre – or larger – fuel tanks.

Summary

The Pajero Sport still has a smaller fuel tank than its rivals, which is something to think about when venturing far out.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport was already a commendable option for those looking at a reasonably affordable 7-seat Adventure SUV, and its appeal hasn’t been hampered as a result of this mid-life facelift – quite the opposite, in fact.

Mitsubishi South Africa has historically priced itself extremely keenly against locally-produced rivals. Expect this model to continue that trend, but with its improved visual appearance and updated tech features, it certainly offers a stronger proposition than before…

Lamborghini Teases New V12 Track Hypercar

The Italian supercar maker is working on a track-only high-performance model. Listen to that V12 motor!

What you see in the video is Lamborghini's racing team Squadra Corse carrying out the first shakedown. Set to be a limited-edition track-only hypercar, this new Lamborghini will have a naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 motor developing around 620 kW. interestingly, the project is claimed to be co-developed by Squadra Corse and Centro Stile Lamborghini, so you know it's going to be properly engineered for race circuits.

The new Lamborghini will feature a large rear wing, airscoop on the roof and a racing hood with dual air intakes – things you won't find on Lamborghini's road-going range. The copy supplied with the video also made mention of an aluminium front frame and a carbon fibre monocoque, as well as an innovative self-locking type differential which allows better driveability on the circuit. Rubber is to be supplied by Pirelli and the wheels are single-nut units.

Lamborghini and Squadra Corse are aiming to reveal the new track-toy later in 2020.

Porsche wastes no time to mod Turbo S

The 478-kW 911 Turbo S was recently unveiled and will hopefully land in South Africa in May, but Porsche is already availing Sport Design and Lightweight packages for its newcomer.

Powered by a state-of-the-art twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-6 engine that develops peak outputs 478 kW and 800 Nm, the all-wheel-driven 911 Turbo S offers nothing less than meteoric performance: It is said to dispatch the 0-to-100 kph dash in a mere 2.7 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 330 kph.

Cars.co.za recently reported that the Turbo S would arrive on the local market in 2 months’ time (ideally, of course) and that the coupe version would cost R3 542 000, with its cabriolet sibling retailing for R3 716 000.

Meanwhile, Porsche’s Exclusive Manufactur division has been rolling out purposeful-looking optional accoutrements for the Turbo S, which can be seen in detail on the Lava Orange example of the Turbo S Cabriolet shown here.

The Sport Design Package adds a beefier front splitter with distinctive side fins, more elaborate side skirts, and a reshaped rear spoiler with upturned edges. Compare the details of the orange car with images of the red Turbo S Coupe (specified with a sport exhaust) to note the subtle aesthetic differences between them…

For buyers who have specified the sport exhaust, which substitutes the standard car’s quad rectangular pipes with two large-bore oval ends, the Sport Design Package also includes a redesigned, colour-coded rear apron. In the case of the orange cabriolet, however, that part is finished in optional gloss black, as are the centre of its front splitter, the lower trims of side skirts and the inner, extending part of its active rear wing.

It’s been reported that the Sport Design catalogue will include bespoke tail-light clusters, additional gloss-black accents, dark-silver 10-spoke alloy wheels (see below), as well as a lightweight carbon-fibre roof (for coupe versions).

The new Lightweight Package meanwhile, is exclusively available for the coupe and said to result in a kerb weight reduction of 30 kg and, as far as we can deduce, a much more cacophonous cabin~

The revisions include the removal of the Turbo S’ rear seats – as well as a wad of interior sound-deadening material – and the installation of a pair of lightweight bucket front seats and slimmer acoustic glass. The PASM sport suspension and aforementioned sport exhaust come included as part of the package, however.

SentiMETAL Shop: Buy 3 items or more and get 15% off

The SentiMETAL online store, the shop for Petrolheads, continues to expand its offering. Customers who buy 3 items or more now also automatically qualify for a 15% discount.

"The SentiMETAL store is currently having its best month on record," says project manager, Hannes Oosthuizen. "Our expanding line-up of scale model cars, carefully selected with the South African audience in mind, is doing particularly well," he adds.

One of the most popular recent additions has been this 1:18 scale version of the BMW M2 Competition, by Minichamps.

Relatively new additions to the catalogue include the BMW M2 Competition and the Volkswagen Golf VR6 – real-world interest in these cars appears to be mirrored on the local scale model scene.

The Heritage Print series, focusing on uniquely South African cars, continues to perform well, too, with particularly the BMW 325iS "Gusheshe", Opel Kadett Superboss and Alfa Romeo GTV6 3.0 selling strongly. A new addition to the line-up is a striking print featuring the Opel Kadett 200t S.

"The store's best-seller," says Oosthuizen, "is, however, the BMW M3 Collection artwork." This giant piece features just about every iteration of the iconic M3, even one-offs and specials like the E30 and E92 bakkies. It sells for R450.

SentiMETAL store during the Lockdown Period

The store's top-seller is this magnificent A1-size print featuring 30 years of BMW M3s.

The SentiMETAL online store will still be taking orders during the lockdown period, but shipping is prohibited. "Customers should be aware that there will be a delay in getting their products to them, but at the same time must also be cognisant of the fact that we deal in limited-edition items," Oosthuizen says. "We are still seeing a significant number of orders being placed by customers who want to secure an item and not risk the possibilty of it being 'sold out' before the lockdown concludes."

To make use of the current 15% discount offer, go here.

Digital Power Boost for Ford Focus ST

You can download more power for the MK4 Focus ST. Well, if you're lucky enough to get the ST in your country.

British Ford performance car specialist, Mountune, is offering a compelling power upgrade for Focus ST owners.

If you are fortunate enough to own the fourth-generation Focus ST and find its urgency of performance a touch lacking, then Mountune is here to help.

Having extensively mapped the 2.3-litre turbocharged engine, Mountune evaluated elements where control software could be optimised. The result is a tidy power and torque increase.

Marketed as the Mountune M330 update (denoting its output in horsepower, if you are wondering), this upgrade will boost 243 kW and 515 Nm from a 2020 model year Ford Focus ST. Those totals are a very respectable increase of 37 kW and 95 Nm over the standard factory tune.

Mountune has not only improved the Focus ST’s power output but also sharpened its ability to deliver lower-speed driving drama. As part of the M330 upgrade, there is are no-lift ignition timing and exhaust overrun features too (crackles and pops), which are sure to appeal to those customers who value the entire hot hatchback ownership experience.

Best of all, the Mountune M330 power surge is an entirely digital product. You are not required to deliver your Focus ST to a technical centre to have it done. Simply download the Mountune Smartphone App and install the M330 software to your car.

Pricing

All the power and convenience, for only an estimated R12 000. Such a shame that Ford’s fourth-generation Focus ST is not available in South Africa.

Porsche 356 B Super 90 – SentiMETAL Ep 15

The first restoration by a franchised Porsche dealership in South Africa belongs to one of the marque's most fervent supporters, the one and only Porsche Girl Cape town, Michelle Hambly. Watch the film featuring the Porsche 356 B Super 90.

A SentiMETAL episode featuring Michelle was on the cards from the first day the video project started, for 2 main reasons. Firstly, Michelle is so passionate about the brand (her collection includes even a classic tractor) and secondly… well, let's just say we had a lot of cars we could pick from!

It took a while, however, because we wanted to choose the right car, and the right car was not immediately ready. You see, we settled on her cute 356 Super 90 as a feature vehicle, then being restored by Porsche Classic in Cape Town.

Eventually, however, the car was ready and looking splendid in its new coat of silver. Even on a cloudy, misty day in Cape Town, the 356 B is a visual delight, with almost impossibly many curves packed into such diminutive dimensions. Michelle's car is a 1962 model, and only 899 Super 90s were built in that year.

This being a Super 90, it had a bit more grunt than most 356s – the 1.6 boxer engine delivers – you guessed it – 90 hp (just shy of 70 kW) at 5 500 rpm, which seems like very little, but then you must remember that the 356 weighs less than 1 000 kg. So it's an eager little car, responsive to the throttle and Michelle has no qualms about "giving it stick".

According to Porsche, the top speed is 115 mph (185 kph). No wonder it made an effective racer back in the day – it's deceptive speed was coupled with dynamic finesse. Carrera and Super 90 models, like this one, had compensating transverse single-leaf springs to aid handling ability.

This particular car has had 2 owners prior to becoming a part of Michelle's collection. As she explains in the video, every piece of paper and accessory that originally came with the car has been preserved, including a box with light bulbs, a medicine kit and a Porsche badge.

After acquiring the car, it was decided that a full restoration would be needed – it was no longer in its original colour, and some mechanical components were in dire need of replacement. And so began the first restoration conducted by a franchised Porsche dealer in South Africa.

The result is a spectacular-looking car, back in its original silver, and with an engine bay as neat and tidy as the minimalist dashboard. Following some further work, primarily on the gearbox, by Porsche expert Tim Abbott in Johannesburg, this 356 B Super 90 is now back to as-new condition and driven regularly (and hard) by Michelle.

Land Rover Defender (2020) International Launch Review

Land Rover was brave enough to let motoring journalists loose in its all-new Defender on one of the world’s toughest 4×4 terrains: Namibia’s Kaokoland. Danie Botha put the eagerly-awaited off-roader through its paces to find out if it truly represents the successful rebirth of a 4×4 icon…

There we were, in Land Rover’s new Defender. Like adventurers of yore, we were powering through mud, sand and water, clambering over rocks, tiptoeing past some desert elephants. This was a real 4×4 challenge – not a watered-down 4×4 media drive designed to showcase a vehicle’s specific features. In fact, of the nearly 800 km we covered, only about 3 km was on tarmac.

Just a week earlier, the Hourasib River, in Namibia’s Kaokoland, had been in flood. Before the rain, it had been a straightforward 4×4 sand drive in a dry riverbed. And now we were winching 110s out of the mud, forging through deep water, and changing off-road tyres that were destroyed on unseen rocks.

Unexpected flooding in Namibia made the usually straightforward river crossing a much tougher challenge.

Even from that early stage, it was clear that Land Rover’s goal – to endow the new Defender with authentic 4×4 abilities – had been realised. Designed for a global market, the Defender features Land Rover’s latest D7x light-weight aluminium monocoque construction – it is said to be the stiffest body structure Land Rover has ever created. The newcomer rides on an independent air suspension set-up (coil-sprung derivatives will only become available in 2021).

A low-range transfer case, hill descent control, up to 291 mm of ground clearance, excellent approach and departure angles and traction- and stability control systems are all standard. The Terrain Response 2 system is also part of the package and besides the normal choice between Auto, Mud & Ruts, Grass, Gravel & Snow, Sand and Rock Crawl modes, a new Wade function has been added specifically for traversing water crossings. The new Defender can cross water up to 900-mm deep, which is actually the same specification as the Discovery.

Additionally, there are 4 custom settings with which the driver can set up the traction control, throttle response and other parameters to best suit their driving style and, of course, the prevailing conditions.

In the muddy, sandy river, we found that the Sand setting indeed worked best, the 8-speed automatic transmission felt better primed/in the ideal gear for those moments you need to punch through a particularly bad section.

Impressive hybrid

Talking about punch: we got to sample 2 engine derivatives in Namibia. The first was the D240, a 2.0-litre 4-pot turbodiesel with 177 kW and 430 Nm that managed really well on the rocky terrain, and everywhere else too actually.

The D240 is certainly more powerful than the 2.2-litre turbodiesel motor in the last of the body-on-frame Defenders, but with all the extra weight the new Defender carries (it weighs 2.4 tonnes in its entirety), there were a handful of times we wished for "a few more horses under the bonnet".

We spent the majority of our time in the P400 MHEV – a mild hybrid that delivers 294 kW and 550 Nm of torque. The numbers sound impressive, but the driving experience exceeds that by virtue of clever technology under the bonnet.

The engine is a 3.0-litre inline-6 turbopetrol, allied with an electric supercharger and Land Rover’s Belt-Integrated Starter Generator (BiSG), which is linked to a 48V system that charges fourteen 8Ah lithium-ion pouch cells. The generator harvests energy whenever you lift your foot off the accelerator and redeploys this energy by charging the supercharger (it can spool from 0 to 65 000 rpm in half-a-second) to massively bolster torque at engine speeds below 2 000 rpm.

The hybrid delivers instant power that makes it very responsive in deep sand.

The result is instantaneous punch, irrespective of how many revs the engine's pulling when you nail the accelerator pedal… the P400 emits a wail (through its snorkel), the straight-six howls and the Landy shoots forward like a sportscar.

But the mild-hybrid derivative is not only very capable on sand, in mud and in water. The previous day we had conquered Van Zyl’s Pass with low-range engaged, the transmission in manual and the Terrain Response 2 system in Rock Crawling mode. The big P400 easily dispatched the daunting rock sections, the liberal ground clearance and 38-degree approach- and 40-degree departure angles really proved their worth.

Thanks to the automatic locking centre- and rear differentials, it was simply a case of aiming true… the Defender sorted out the rest of the details, irrespective of whether any of its wheels were airborne – or not.

Interior tech upgrade

The new cabin is vastly more luxurious than the original.

The Defender's cabin features the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system; its touchscreen is located in the centre of the fascia and incorporates a number of 4×4 assistance displays, of which Land Rover’s All-Terrain Progress Control and ClearSight Ground View technologies are new. All-Terrain Progress Control allows you to select the "outside view" of your Defender – literally the outside view of your vehicle shown in the environment that you are driving.

The ClearSight Ground View technology is a little less gimmicky: it solves that age-old issue of not being able to see over your vehicle's bonnet when you're cresting a steep ascent (that's right, when the vehicle’s nose pointing at the heavens). ClearSight offers a surprisingly realistic and clear view of the route ahead.

The cabin is a near-perfect mix of retro-cool and modern functionality. The D240 gets analogue dials, the transmission lever lives in the dashboard next to the 4×4 controls, and various grab handles and stowage spaces are provided. The P400’s instrument panel is fancier, but it’s not nearly as high tech as you’d find in a new Range Rover Sport, for example. It’s all cool, modern and practical, but without being ostentatious.

All-Terrain Progress gives you an outside view from inside the car.

The 110 features a trio of seating configurations: you can have a 6-seater (with a jump seat between the front seats), a traditional 5-seater, or a 7-seater, with a pair of jump seats in the cargo area.

There is plenty of room and space for the front occupants and the driver no longer needs to hang his right elbow out of the window just to fit in. Second-row passengers have it particularly good too, they're availed acres of legroom. A claimed 1 075 litres of cargo space is available (with the second row of seats in place), which is easily accessible through the side-hinged rear door, which also carries the spare wheel (in true Defender tradition).

Another Defender tradition that has been incorporated is the Alpine windows in the roof in the back of the cabin…

Living up to the hype

Does the new Defender live up to the legend that the old one created?

The arrival of the new Defender is certainly one of the most anticipated motoring introductions of 2020. Does it live up to the expectations, however?

Our pre-production units did a spectacular job in Namibia, considering the punches that they were dealt. We did get bogged down in the mud. We did lose a few tyres along the way. The heavily accessorised D240 did feel out of breath in some conditions. On its highest setting, the air suspension was no longer particularly comfortable on the rough stuff.

At speeds higher than 80 kph, the air suspension automatically drops down to its normal height – which is not an absolute train smash in the new Defender (with its handy approach and departure angles), but not always ideal when you are attempting to crest big dunes at speed. Some punters may also rue the fact that there will be no manual gearbox option.

Steel wheels can still be specced, a classic nod to the original.

And there were some electronic glitches that the Land Rover technicians managed to sort out en-route by plugging in a laptop and clearing the errors.

Our trip formed part of Land Rover’s development programme, and the data accumulated from our units will be used to update the software on production models. That’s another Defender party trick: Software-over-the-air (Sota) technology, with up to 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates.

That means that your Defender’s software can be updated while it is parked in your garage. And, if your Defender has a mechanical malady of sorts, it can send a report to your local Land Rover dealership before you even take it there, which ensures that technicians will have ample opportunity to order replacement parts (if necessary) ahead of time.

Local pricing

The new Defender 110 will be available in South Africa in June, while the slightly more affordable 90 will follow later in the year.

The Defender 90 D240 AWD AT is expected to be the most affordable new Defender at R948 000 when it eventually arrives, but recent calamities across the world may still have some bearing on that asking price.

The Defender will initially only be available with the air suspension set-up – coil-sprung versions, which will probably be slightly easier on the pocket, will only follow in 2021.

The 110 will go on sale with 3 engine options: a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel mill with 177 kW and 430 Nm (D240), a twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol with 221 kW and 400 Nm (P300) and the aforementioned clever mild hybrid that develops 294 kW and 550 Nm of torque (P400 MHEV). The top-of-the-range 110 is claimed to sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 6.1 seconds…

Steep base price may make the new Defender less attractive but could end up stealing sales from the New Discovery.

Summary

The new Land Rover Defender does indeed seem to be an icon reborn. It is as capable off-road as its body-on-frame predecessor, but it so much more accomplished in every other area, including comfort, safety, luxury, refinement, performance and looks. It’s the complete modern 4×4 package.

But, there is the matter of price, which may be the Defender’s biggest stumbling block. The 110 range, which goes on sale here, will start at R999 000 for the entry-level D240. The P400 MHEV tops the range at R1.5-million.

Those prices are for stock standard units, which aren't liberally specced on entry-level versions. Four accessory packs (Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban) and myriad optional accessories will further add to those asking prices.

Unfortunately, the new Defender is no longer the quintessential 4×4 to discover the wonders of Africa or the world. Well, perhaps it is… if your name is Bill Gates.

It remains a highly capable 4×4 and an extremely accomplished vehicle in its own right, but at the price you are more likely to spot it in the parking lot of a posh private school, or with a R200 000 mountain bike on a towbar-mounted carrier. You’d probably see some in game reserves and on established gravel tracks too.

Time will tell if the huge interest in the new Defender wanes or if the thousands of potential customers who expressed interest will actually put their (big wads of) money on the table.

Next-gen Toyota 86 coming in 2021

A leaked screenshot from an internal presentation to Toyota dealers in the States suggests the next 86 coupe will debut next year. But, compared with the elemental, naturally-aspirated driver's car we know (and many, love) it will be infused with Gazoo Racing DNA and is most likely to feature a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer motor.

The image, which was posted on the GR86.org forum, all but confirms that the next-generation coupe, which will again be a collaborative effort between Subaru and Toyota, will have a mid-2021 launch – in the US, anyway – although the impact of COVID-19 may invariably delay the release date somewhat.

The next 86 is literally in the middle of Toyota's product plans for 2021/2022. Image credit: GR86.org

The current generations of the 86 (and its discontinued – in South Africa – Subura BR-Z cousin) were launched in 2012. Powered by a 2.0-litre non-turbo 4-cylinder boxer petrol motor with a rear-end set up for easily accessible tail-sliding fun (helped by skinny Prius-spec tyres at the back) the coupe was the embodiment of a purist-pleasing rear-wheel-drive compact coupe.

It was a car singular in purpose, if not particularly powerful (even for the time). Recently, a limited run (of 86 units, fittingly) of the 86 was released in the Japanese market to pay tribute to special-edition AE86s of yesteryear and, unofficially, that the lifecycle of the current-gen sportscar would soon be at an end.

This limited-edition derivative of the current-generation 86 was released in the Japanese market recently.

Since the introduction of the 86, forced-induction engines have become ubiquitous and Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsport division has grown into a fully-fledged sub-brand. The Supra, for example, purposely bears a GR prefix in our market, the division has already released a GRMN version of the previous Yaris, as well as a 192-kW Euro-spec GR Yaris. Heck, if reports are to be believed, GR versions of the C-HR, Corolla hatchback and even RAV4 are coming!

The next-gen 86, which may be named the GR 86 (as per the Supra), is likely to be underpinned by a rear-wheel-drive version of Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, while it's understood that Subaru will supply the motor.

The aforementioned forum post sensationally suggests the upcoming 86 will be powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine, which features in the new Subaru Legacy/Liberty and Outback models in North America. That powerplant produces 194 kW at 5 600 rpm and 375 Nm at 2 000 rpm in those models.

The centrally-mounted exhaust end will certainly please the fanboys if it's retained for the production version.

Another report says the turbocharged 1.8-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine that will feature in the next iteration of the Levorg station wagon is also an option. We’ve driven the current-generation Subaru Levorg… check out our video!

Toyota currently offers the 86 in our market exclusively with a 6-speed manual ‘box, but the next-gen model is likely to be offered with a choice of stick-shift and automatic transmissions, the latter probably derived from the Sports Lineartronic CVT unit that is available in the current WRX and WRX STI.

We still can't figure out why auto transmission buttons on the fascia are combined with a 6-speed gear lever, but it's just for the look.

As for what the next 86 will look like, we expect it will incorporate cues from the 2017 Toyota GR HV Sports Concept, whose proportions (let alone interior architecture) is closely related to those of the current car.

The substantial performance upgrade mooted for the Aichi-based manufactures upcoming sportscar (remember, the current 86 model’s 2.0-litre engine produces “only” 147 kW and 205 Nm) will undoubtedly whet the appetites of horsepower-obsessed performance-car aficionados, but all that new forced-induction goodness will add complexity to the package and, therefore, come at a premium.

As a result, the 86 will transform from a back-to-basics (and relatively affordable) driver’s car to a baby Supra, which means its asking price will certainly eclipse R632 200, which is what the current model costs.

Aston Martin builds own 500 kW-plus V6

Aston Martin has released details of its all-new 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol hybrid motor. It’s the first all-new engine that the Gaydon-based firm has designed and built in-house since 1968 and it will debut in the upcoming Valhalla mid-engined supercar.

Unlike most supercar makers, Aston Martin has relied on the supply of engines from other manufacturers, which are then fettled and modified for their installation in the British marque’s various models, throughout the years.

Mercedes-AMG supplies its 4.0-litre V8 turbopetrol for Vantage, DB11 and DBX first-class SUV, but before that, when Aston Martin was part of the now-defunct Premier Automotive Group (along with Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln and Volvo) in the early 2000s, it utilised engines from the Ford stable. In fact, Aston Martin's current 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 still comes from the Ford plant in Cologne…

The compact V6 can be utilised for front- or mid-engined installations and it is said to produce in excess of 500 kW in its raciest configuration.

However, although the TM01 – named in honour of legendary Aston Martin engineer Tadek Marek – will debut in the mid-engined Valhalla in 2022, it will eventually be implemented in a number of Aston Martin models, ostensibly to replace the AMG-supplied 4.0-litre V8. The motor has already undergone extensive dyno testing and will be offered in conjunction with either hybrid- or plug-in hybrid systems.

Even though it will be the smallest Aston Martin engine in recent memory (in terms of the number of cylinders and capacity), the V6 is said to be able to produce peak power in excess of the DBS Superleggera's 533 kW (Autocar reports) in its highest state of tune.

The motor features a dry-sump and a “hot V” configuration – the turbochargers are mounted between the engine’s 2 banks of 6 cylinders. It weighs less than 200 kg and, by virtue of its compact nature, Aston Martin expects to utilise the powerplant in both front and mid-mounted applications.

We expect that the new hybrid V6 will appear in everything from the Vantage to the next Vanquish, as well as the DBX at some point.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said of the new engine: “Investing in your own powertrains is a tall order, but our team have risen to the challenge. Moving forward, this power unit will be integral to a lot of what we do and the first signs of what this engine will achieve are incredibly promising.”

Meanwhile, the upcoming Valhalla will be the latest V-named model in Aston Martin’s history; it follows a 70-year tradition dating back to the 1951 Aston Martin DB2 “Vantage”. Apart from Vantage, the Gaydon-based marque has produced the Virage, the Vanquish, the Vulcan, as well as the Valkyrie.

The Valhalla is very much a micronised Valkyrie, only it has half as many

In many ways, the Valhalla is a “baby Valkyrie”. It is also a collaborative effort between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing (and the F1 team’s chief designer, Adrian Newey, in particular), based on a carbon-fibre monocoque and clad in a plethora of carbon fibre panels to keep kerb weight to a minimum. What’s more, the Valhalla adopts the Valkyrie’s elaborate bumpers and haunches, but it doesn't; resemble an "F1 car with a body shell" to the same extent.

Newey’s influence is best demonstrated by the Valhalla’s active aerodynamic addenda, including FlexFoil technology – claimed to be a first for a production car. FlexFoil, which has already been proven in the aerospace industry and has been tested by Nasa, enables the Valhalla’s rear wing to improve the amount of downforce it generates by physically altering its shape at speed.

How's that for racy? The Valhalla's diffusers appear to protrude further than its Flexfoil rear wing.

Compared with the Valkyrie, however, the Valhalla’s interior is far more comfort-oriented – after all, it was designed to be a road car. A section of the roof has been incorporated into the scissor doors to make ingress/egress easier, while a 3D-printed centre console affords occupants more room.

Meanwhile, AutoExpress reports that a digital instrument cluster sits atop the steering column… "Aston Martin’s solution to in-car entertainment is to 'bring your own', with the Valhalla offering a smartphone mount in place of an integrated infotainment system for maximum simplicity and flexibility”.

Aston Martin will build 500 units of the Valhalla, but whereas the Valkyrie will cost R50 million, the former is believed to cost a much more reasonable R20 million.

Watch the Valkyrie and the Valhalla take to the track:

Europe to SA in a Porsche Cayenne?

A South African couple in Austria is planning on returning home by driving their modified Porsche Cayenne to South Africa.

If you can’t fly, why not drive? With major airlines cancelling passenger air travel in an effort to curb the spread of Coronavirus, many people all over the world are now forced to stay put until the virus is contained. Despite all the disruption, a South African, Shane Oosthuizen along with his fiancé is devising a plan to drive from Austria to South Africa in a modified, offroad-ready first-generation Porsche Cayenne.

In an interview with Crazy About Porsche, Oosthuizen explains how he modified his Porsche Cayenne for the journey. Key modifications include a Front Runner roof rack for additional packing space (tent, jerry cans etc), lockable drawer system in the boot, full-size spare wheel and numerous PIAA rally lights for driving at night.

Oosthuizen also slightly modified the Cayenne’s air suspension to provide some more lift and the while wheel options were limited due to the size of the front brake rotors, with the help of Delta4x4, a set of 20-inch wheels and Cooper rubber were fitted.

Oosthuizen says all the modifications took about a year to complete and the final stages of planning are now underway with a planned departure date set for end of June, but he admits that the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic could further interfere with his plans.

Oosthuizen also mentions that they will likely travel off the beaten track and the journey could take anywhere between 3 to 4 months to complete. Good luck and bon voyage!

Buy a new or used Porsche Cayenne on Cars.co.za

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (2020) International Launch Review

New look, but is it improved?

Creature comforts

On the road

Off the road

Summary

Related content

Lamborghini Teases New V12 Track Hypercar

The Italian supercar maker is working on a track-only high-performance model. Listen to that V12 motor!

Further Reading

Porsche wastes no time to mod Turbo S

The 478-kW 911 Turbo S was recently unveiled and will hopefully land in South Africa in May, but Porsche is already availing Sport Design and Lightweight packages for its newcomer.

Related content:

SentiMETAL Shop: Buy 3 items or more and get 15% off

The SentiMETAL online store, the shop for Petrolheads, continues to expand its offering. Customers who buy 3 items or more now also automatically qualify for a 15% discount.

SentiMETAL store during the Lockdown Period

Digital Power Boost for Ford Focus ST

You can download more power for the MK4 Focus ST. Well, if you're lucky enough to get the ST in your country.

Pricing

Related content

Porsche 356 B Super 90 – SentiMETAL Ep 15

The first restoration by a franchised Porsche dealership in South Africa belongs to one of the marque's most fervent supporters, the one and only Porsche Girl Cape town, Michelle Hambly. Watch the film featuring the Porsche 356 B Super 90.

Further Reading

Land Rover Defender (2020) International Launch Review

Land Rover was brave enough to let motoring journalists loose in its all-new Defender on one of the world’s toughest 4×4 terrains: Namibia’s Kaokoland. Danie Botha put the eagerly-awaited off-roader through its paces to find out if it truly represents the successful rebirth of a 4×4 icon…

Impressive hybrid

Interior tech upgrade

Living up to the hype

Local pricing

Summary

Related content:

Next-gen Toyota 86 coming in 2021

Related content:

Aston Martin builds own 500 kW-plus V6

Aston Martin has released details of its all-new 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol hybrid motor. It’s the first all-new engine that the Gaydon-based firm has designed and built in-house since 1968 and it will debut in the upcoming Valhalla mid-engined supercar.

Related content:

Europe to SA in a Porsche Cayenne?

A South African couple in Austria is planning on returning home by driving their modified Porsche Cayenne to South Africa.

Related Content