After being confirmed by Hyundai, we're starting to see the first Hyundai Kona N prototypes running around.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
After the rampant success of the Hyundai i30 N, the Korean brand has turned its attention to sharing the N magic with the rest of its portfolio. Spotted on the Nurburgring is the Kona, complete with i30 N wheels, large brakes and we can see a large intercooler too. At the rear, there's twin exhausts too.
It still retains the standard Kona bodywork for now, but we do know there's the potent i30 N powertrain lurking under that body. Final performance is yet to be determined. As in the case of the i30 N, there are two versions available, both powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. In the most powerful form, there's 202 kW and 353 Nm on tap and 184 kW and 353 Nm in standard form. Given those outputs, we estimate the Kona to be capable of around 6 seconds to 100 kph.
We're less than 24 hours away from Volkswagen revealing the all-new Golf 8 and already photos have started appearing online.
Thanks to Instagram user CocheSpias, we're able to see the newcomer in a bit more detail, although the images are low resolution. What we can see confirms our speculative render based on existing mules and prototypes which have been spotted cruising the globe over the past few months.
The new headlight unit is arguably the most interesting part of it, and really gives the new Golf a fresh and modern appeal. It's a simple and uncluttered design, which we like. As for the models you can see here, we suspect the white car is the GTE, while the green car is a mid-spec offering.
There are a handful of images of the interior, but the one that has us intrigued is the DSG-equipped model which appears to do away with a conventional gear selector, adopting a small gear button, like the one seen in the current Porsche 911. We can also see a 2-layer dashboard that appears to lose many physical buttons. These screens look like they're driver-focused, which raises the most important question of them all: what about the GTI?
We'll have all the info after dinner on the evening of the 24th October 2019. Stay tuned.
The new Volkswagen Golf 8 gear selector. How wonderfully minimalist!
The world has changed a great deal since 1951 – the year in which Toyota built its original Land Cruiser. Lance Branquinho travelled to Angola in a Toyota Land Cruiser, the original vehicle that conquered Africa.
In 1951 few people owned personal vehicles. In 2019, we can’t find enough space to drive and park them. You’d expect that a world with more paved roads and surging urbanisation would see the Land Cruiser’s success waver, but quite the opposite has happened.
Toyota sells nearly 400 000 Land Cruisers per year in 170 different markets. And its customers are some of the most demanding owners imaginable: people who use their vehicles to run businesses and emergency services where there are none. For them, vehicle durability is sacrosanct and breakdowns, simply intolerable.
In an automotive world where brands are drowning in the technological anxiety of evolving customer expectations, Land Cruiser remains the outlier. Its range manages to hold true to the most fleeting marketing concept: authenticity. These are vehicles that sell strongly, (with respect) little marketing effort on the part of Toyota.
The Namib edition’s lift kit and larger volume tyres give it a terrifically purposeful stance.
There is no pretence with a ‘Cruiser and they are definitely not designed-to-follow-the-trend vehicles. The 70 Series might have some novelty appeal due to its 1980s styling, but both Prado and Land Cruiser 200 are neither fluid nor particularly attractive designs. Contrasted with any urban environment, Land Cruiser luxury SUVs look ungainly – unlike their European rivals, which merge gracefully into cityscapes or lifestyle-estate architecture.
But what happens when you take a ‘Cruiser where it is supposed to go? Toyota was keen to provide an answer to that. Instead of celebrating 10-million Land Cruiser sales in 68 years with a jaunt around some local nature reserve, they opted for a place without virtually any European SUVs: República de Angola.
The Death Acre is not just a name
In the deep canyons north of Tombua, the only way to can get out is in a Cruiser ?
Angola is a harsh place. Withered by civil war and containing some of the most astounding geographies you’ll ever encounter, it is about as true a test for off-road exploring as you’ll ever find. If you get stuck, lost or have a mechanical issue in southwestern Angola, nobody is going to come help you.
In the country’s coastal border corner with Namibia, there are towering sand dunes and deep wind-erosion-sculpted canyons: both inspiring and forbidding. At the helm of a ‘Cruiser, you feel strangely at ease in this unforgiving, but evocative landscape.
Land Cruiser 200s are the only luxury SUVs you see in Angola’s deep south.
The Namibe province of Angola also contains a treacherous stretch of coastline, which is unofficially known as the Death Acre. It runs from Foz do Cunene to Tombua and over the years, many vehicles have been lost here.
In a coastal zone where there has never been human habitation or development, the dune fields remain undisturbed in their position, sloping down right to the hightide watermark. This leaves virtually no passable beach for driving. You can only attempt this stretch of coast during a full moon, at low tide and, if you get it wrong, the consequences are severe…
In 2007 a convoy including the former sergeant major of South Africa’s special forces brigade was forced to abandon their vehicles up a dune slope after the surging surfline trapped them. Barely escaping with their vehicles intact, during the next low tide, this group christened the area ‘Death Acre’ – a name which has stuck.
The Death Acre is a 60km stretch of coast between the Cunene river mouth and Tombua. It has claimed many vehicles and egos.
For those most hardcore 4×4 adventurers, the Angolan Death Acre is akin to an off-road Nürburgring. In distance, it equates to about three laps of the ‘Ring (just over 60 km) and is seen as one of the world’s ultimate off-road risk routes. To prove how confident Toyota is in its Land Cruisers, we did what you are never supposed to: two Death Acre runs in one day.
Most 4×4 convoys time the tide and then rush to clear the Death Acre in haste, either going north or south, but never returning on the same day. Once you enter the Death Acre there are only 1 or 2 escape points – and statistically, they will not be where you need them. Even the escape routes feature treacherous dune portages.
Right tool for the trade
Namib edition double-cab is the envy of many global off-roading enthusiasts – and exclusively for local customers.
Having all 3 variants of the Land Cruiser range in 1 testing environment was a unique opportunity to experience the evolution and legacy of these remarkable vehicles.
There are components in the "new" 70 Series Namib edition double-cab which could qualify for classic vehicle status, but it remains charmingly effective in the same way a chronograph timepiece is superior to any Smartwatch.
When you are churning along the narrowest space between a surging tide and inescapable dune slope, in the unambiguously named "Death Acre", you don’t want driver assistance systems blunting your inputs or an overload of technology to distract your attention.
GX-R at the front, building the tracks for others to follow through the Death Acre.
It’s the purity of mechanical interaction and trust between driver and ‘Cruiser that make these Namib double-cabs so beguiling. The long-throw gear lever might initially feel awkward, but it never fails to engage, even when you are shifting under full power, in low-range. And a ‘Cruiser Namib’s V8 turbodiesel will run all day long, in searing heat, breathing the iron oxide-contaminated air churned up by the convoy, without even a trace of complaint from any of its engine sensors.
Unlimited capability limousines
Transitioning from the Namib bakkie to a 200 VX-R is like upgrading from Edge to 5G: you gain a lot of speed and convenience.
Like any Land Cruiser, the 200 Series is entirely dismissive of terrain. And that is exactly what you want in a place like Angola’s Namibe province: a vehicle that allows you to be awestruck by the scenery you are navigating through, without having to become a victim of it.
Land Cruiser 200 VX-R along the Death Acre.
Most of its luxury SUV rivals have transitioned to monocoque construction, but Toyota believes that separating bodywork, cabin and platform is vital for a true Safari specification overlander. After 200km of corrugated gravel terrain that would vibrate the tracks of a battle tank, the Cruiser 200 didn’t have a single spec of dust in its cabin. Or any trim squeaks. Or annoying system check lights illuminated between the dials.
In a world where people are paradoxically buying more SUVs, yet becoming increasingly intertwined with their sanitised urban existence, the Land Cruiser range offers its South African followers a reason to use your passport without passing through an airport.
There is no other Land Cruiser market that has the diversity of domestic terrain for exploring and escaping urban life that we have. And beyond our borders, in places like Angola, that diversity just keeps compounding in value. American, Australian and European adventurers dream of the kind of year-end journeys that South African Land Cruiser owners can easily undertake.
The first amongst equals
Two Namib edition 70s, ready for duty in Angola iconic Red City cliff formations.
A Land Cruiser 70 or 200 makes no sense in Europe. Which is why they don’t really bother even trying to sell them there anymore. But in South Africa, if you make the sacrifices to adjust your schedule, these remain unrivalled exploration vehicles.
It is amazing that Toyota manages to sell so many Land Cruisers because if you buy one, you’ll probably never need another. And in a world where the digital detox is becoming a necessary purge to rediscover your own personality, a Land Cruiser can take you to places where your Smartphone doesn’t work – and real adventure memories are made. Naturally, it can bring you back too – which is why they are so popular.
Asking which Land Cruiser is best would be like choosing between Springbok try-scoring phenomenons (Makazole) Mapimpi or (Cheslyn) Kolbe. I admire the Namib edition for its sheer strength and trio of lockable differentials. The 200 VX-R is a competent luxury SUV that will go places most adventure off-road motorcyclists won’t.
This is the chosen one, Toyota’s GX-R specification Land Cruiser, overlander perfect, straight from the factory.
The one which truly blends the best bits of luxury and robustness would be the ‘Cruiser GX-R. It is lighter than the VX-R, with a slightly more responsive throttle- and transmission mapping, which is what you want to conquer huge dune fields. It also rolls on steel wheels and comes equipped with a snorkel.
I would never recommend that anyone try and do the "Death Acre" solo, but if I had to, my choice of vehicle would definitely be a GX-R.
Hyundai Veloster Grappler Concept to debut at SEMA
Hyundai has made an extreme offroad version of its Veloster hatchback for the SEMA show. Check out the Veloster Grappler!
With the SEMA show in the first week of November, the weird and wacky custom creations are going to start filling your timelines. SEMA is an annual show held in Las Vegas and focuses on the customisation and aftermarket industries.
As for this Hyundai Veloster Grappler concept, it boasts increased ground clearance, combining superb approach and departure angles for confident off-road driving capability, while the front and rear brush guards to protect the vulnerable underbelly of the vehicle. There are also ridiculously oversized all-terrain tyres as well as rally wheels to give it a hardcore offroad edge. For those wanting the car to sound the part, there's a Borla cat-back exhaust system, while elements from Thule give it a practical edge.
Looking like something out of a Mad Max movie, the Veloster Grappler boasts powerful lightbars as well as a removable solar panel which powers an all-electric portable power station. Inside, there's a roll bar to protect passengers, Recaro seats and a dome tent for those wanting to experience the wild outdoors.
Should Hyundai make a production version of the Veloster Grappler?
Nissan Ariya Concept Shows Sleek Electric Crossover
Nissan has unveiled an electric crossover concept called Ariya at the Tokyo Motor Show and it showcases not only the future design direction for the brand but also highlights the technology that the brand will offer in the not-too-distant future.
The Ariya concept shares design elements with the 2017 IMx concept and some of these include the electrified V-motion ‘shield’, a rear light blade, short overhangs and a spacious lounge-like cabin that’s packed with technology.
While this is just a concept, Nissan does state that the unconventional interior and exterior elements could make it into production in the near future.
On the inside, a flat floor creates a sense of space and the dashboard features a minimalist design that’s devoid of buttons and switches you would typically see in a conventional car. Instead, integrated haptic touch controls on the instrument panel, a start button, a single knob to for the 12.3-inch display and climate controls are the only controls to be seen, most of which integrate into the surfaces when they are not in use.
A thin seat design creates more space inside the Ariya concept and the seats are positioned in a way to maximise visibility. A mix of materials are used for the interior including perforated leather, copper fabric, synthetic leather and satin copper-coloured aluminium accents, to name a few.
Details regarding the Ariya’s electric powertrain are slim but Nissan does say that it’s powered by dual front/rear electric motors that ensure “powerful acceleration”. More so, Nissan claims that the Ariya’s power delivery is equal to or better than many premium sports cars.
As the embodiment of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the Ariya is equipped with ProPILOT 2.0 which combines navigated highway driving with hands-off single-lane driving capability. Using the navigation and 360-degree sensing, the vehicle can autonomously execute actions such as overtaking, lane diversions and lane exits.
Honda has used the Tokyo Motor Show to reveal its all-new Jazz compact MPV.
The Honda Jazz is well known for its bulletproof reliability and practical interior. Now, Honda has revealed a new 4th-generation Jazz which aims to build on the success of its predecessor.
The new Jazz is easily recognised by its revised cross-sectioned A-Pillar which affords the driver and passengers enhanced forward visibility.
The big news, however, is that the Jazz is now powered by a 2-motor hybrid powertrain for the first time and will wear the new ‘e:HEV’ badge. The hybrid drivetrain is said to offer “effortless driving performance and impressive fuel economy”. Honda, however, has yet to reveal specific details regarding the powertrain.
The interior features a new LCD touchscreen interface that can be used much like you use a smartphone with swipe functionality and features such as smartphone mirroring using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are particularly useful.
Passenger comfort has been improved with wider, body-stabilising front seats with mat-structure support which replaces the previous spring design. The rear seats are also more comfortable and now feature thicker seat pads and the new Jazz retains its Magic Seats from the previous Jazz which allows for fold-flat or flip-up functionality.
Honda has quipped all Jazz derivatives (there are 5 to choose from in the Japanese market) with Honda Sensing technology which now features a new and wider front camera. Honda has also improved its Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) which can now detect pedestrians and cyclists at night and can apply the brakes automatically when vehicles cut across or turn into the path of the Jazz. With the new camera, Adaptive Cruise Control can be used at low speeds in high congestion situations in conjunction with Lane Keep Assist.
The new Honda Jazz will go on sale in Europe in mid-2020 but its arrival in South Africa has yet to be confirmed.
Meet the finalists in the Executive SUV category of the 2018/19 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank!
Now in its 4th year, the #CarsAwards was conceived to be South Africa's definitive automotive awards programme and is backed, for the 3rd year running, by the country's leading supplier of vehicle finance, WesBank.
The Executive SUV category is guided by both eligibility factors and Pillars of Success. Eligibility factors include a listed price between R700 000 and R900 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2018) and it must be a medium-sized SUV (Audi Q5/Merc GLC size) with their ‘coupe’ derivatives also being considered.
Pillars of Success for this category include powertrain technology, luxury features, brand strength, design and quality appeal, driving dynamics and space and practicality.
Compared with its predecessor, the Audi Q5 is larger than before, but also lighter, thanks to the use of lightweight materials. Interior comfort has increased and the general ride and drive has been geared towards supple comfort, making it a strong contender in this segment.
The X3 features larger dimensions and improved refinement but is some 55 kg lighter than its predecessor. BMW’s executive SUV is a well-balanced product, with a lot to offer in this segment.
Gothenburg-based brand, Volvo, is on a roll at the moment. The XC60 is an all-new model of its most popular SUV and runs on the same platform as the XC90. It’s superbly refined to drive and offers one of the most luxurious cabins in the segment. Volvo has put a lot of thought into the versatility needed in a midsize SUV and there are clever packaging solutions that make it feel very practical.
The Internet is abuzz with this photo which is doing the rounds. It looks a lot like the all-new BMW M3 has leaked early.
Appearing first on a tuner's page, this image has created quite the stir. We're not 100% sure if it's the real deal, but the hallmarks of an M car are there, such as the quad exhausts.
As far as powertrain goes, we are expecting the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder, but with substantial revisions. Power and torque will increase, and to be fair they'll need to jump substantially to match its rival from AMG. Based on what the BMW X3 M and X4 M have to offer, it would be a surprise to see the new M3 powered by a different engine. In SUV guise, that powertrain delivers 375 kW and 600 Nm in its Competition spec.
There's an interesting school of thought doing the rounds which suggest that the xDrive all-wheel-drive system (like the BMW M5) will make its debut in the all-new BMW M3. This will upset many purists, but there's also news of a potential entry-level "Pure" model which will feature rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox.
The next-generation Hyundai Tucson has been spotted again, this time testing on track.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
The last time we saw the Tucson mules, the vehicle's rear was covered and hiding some of its shape. Now, we get an even better look at what's to come. Expected to be launched globally in the middle of 2020 as a 2021 model, the all-new Hyundai Tucson's proportions are clearly visible.
It's too early to talk about powertrains, but we would be surprised if there was not some of electrification thrown into some models. The global market is lapping up SUVs at an impressive rate and this segment, in particular, is jampacked with competitors such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan to name but a few.
What we're interested in is why the vehicle being tested on the Nurburgring. Could there be a sportier Tucson on its way? Perhaps Hyundai global has noted the South Africa-only Tucson Sport's success?
BMW M5 Competition Review – Do we need a faster M5?
We're not sure anyone on earth drove the standard M5 and thought, hmmm, this is a bit slow. We drag raced it last year against the more powerful E63 S and it really held its own.
But BMW obviously thought they could crank it up a bit and so we have this, the M5 Competition. The tweaks have mostly been made to the suspension to improve handling, and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine has been tweaked to produce an extra 19 kW.
But for R300 000 more than a standard M5, is there any reason to opt for the Comp?
In this video, Ernest Page takes it out to, erm, find out. He also pulls off a quite impressive 2WD launch control…
