BMW M8 Competition Coupe (2019) International Launch Review

The eagerly-awaited BMW M8 Competition Coupe will arrive in South Africa shortly, locked and loaded with M’s full arsenal of horsepower and tech… Our correspondent Shane O' Donoghue tested it on road and track in Portugal.

About this time last year, we came back from Portugal and our first drive in the then-new BMW M850i xDrive and, if memory serves, we were left gobsmacked by its abilities and performance… We wondered how in the world BMW would be able to improve on that car by enough of a margin to justify the bestowment of full-on M-car status on the car that would succeed it. Well, now we’re back from Portugal, again and we've spent a few days driving the 2020 BMW M8 Competition. Without wishing to spoil the surprise, we think you’ll find this write-up makes for interesting reading.

Evil-looking kidney grille up front gives the M8 a sinister face.

Let’s start with the exterior. In isolation, you’d possibly wonder is there much difference between the M Sport versions of the 8 Series and the M8 Competition, especially as buyers of the former can specify a carbon exterior pack. Nonetheless, the M8 Competition gets a carbon roof as standard, along with special wheels, a unique and evil-looking take on the BMW kidney grille, more aggressive styling for the bumpers, a rear spoiler and, of course, quad exhaust outlets. What you might not spot at first glance is the wider wings, which add serious muscularity to the M8 M8 Competition's road presence. The Competition version we tested gets lots of black detailing, too, which extends to the badging.

Inside, the M makeover is predictable but still welcome. Two-tone leather and Alcantara sports seats feature illuminated M8 logos up front, while the (still ornamental) rear seats mimic their style. The steering wheel looks modest as it does without the marketing-lead disease of a flat bottom, but it feels good in the hand and the metallic gearchange paddles behind are a tactile delight (if a little small). You’ll spot the bright red M1/M2 buttons on the wheel, too. That colour is repeated on the engine-start button, which gets copious amounts of lacquered carbon fibre in the Competition version. And, if you shield your eyes from the glare of that adornment you may spot a few new driving mode buttons that aren’t in the regular 8 Series. More on that in a moment. Meanwhile, the transmission lever is a new design, with built-in illumination and a toggle switch to alter the Drivelogic settings.

New gear lever design and red engine start button match the M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel.

The rest of the dashboard is the same as that in the 8 Series, more or less, with its two large screens and BMW’s latest iDrive system replete with voice, touch and gesture control functions, along with the perfectly good old-fashioned rotary controller. Spend time with the M8 Competition and you’ll discover it has its own instrumentation design layout and head-up display, along with M-specific menu and readout options for the central touchscreen. In fact, there’s a new M Mode button that allows the driver to switch from the default Road setting to Sport and then Track, with various levels of comfort and assistance sub-systems disabled accordingly. In track mode, the central display and audio are switched off to minimise distraction as well. That’s a promising feature, as it suggests that BMW M’s people expect M8 drivers to well, you know, drive. Really drive.

What’s it like to drive?

The M8 Competition uses the same engine as the M5 Competition – 466 kW and 750 Nm from the 4.4-litre twin-turbo.

While there’s nothing massively new in the powertrain of the M8 Competition that we’ve not already experienced in the BMW M5 Competition, it’s still worth poring over its technical specification, as it’s rather special. The twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 produces peak outputs of 466 kW and 750 Nm of torque, via an M-developed version of the company’s usual 8-speed automatic transmission. As ever, you can use that as a fully automatic transmission or almost fully manual (i.e. it will never change up a gear for you, but will change down eventually if you slow without shifting down), while the Drivelogic system has 3 levels of gearshift speed, ranging from soft and smooth to downright violent. That feeling is enhanced by the extra stiff engine mountings exclusively fitted to the Competition version of the M8, making it all feel very urgent indeed.

Drive then goes to the M xDrive system with a fully variable central differential, an open front axle diff and the electronically controlled Active M differential on the rear to control side-to-side split of the torque. But no matter how you drive this car, it never feels anything other than rear-biased. The default mode is simply 4WD, but 4WD Sport is much more fun, sending more power, more of the time, to the rear axle, and allowing more slip in the progress. Even in the mid-setting of the traction control, it’s possible to get a satisfying drift going for a moment on the exit of a tight corner (on track only, obviously). If vaporising rear tyre-tread is how you get your kicks, then you’ll appreciate the inclusion of a 2WD mode, a fully rear-wheel-drive setup without any electronic traction safety net. Enthusiasts will love that! Insurance underwriters? Less so.

Even in 4WD Sport mode, the M8 Competition feels rear-biased.

As fun as the M8 Competition can be to drive in the right conditions, the newcomer is at its best when you’re playing with the grip levels rather than gratuitously overstepping the limits. For such a heavy car, it’s remarkably agile and ever-obedient to driver inputs. And it does without the rear-wheel-steering of its xDrive-equipped 8 Series brethren. Nonetheless, its variable-ratio steering works in conjunction with the increased front camber and solid ball joints (in place of rubber mounts in the toe links) to give M8 Competition's whole front end a more precise and communicative feel than any other 8 Series. The level of feedback coming through to your hands on the steering wheel is commendable.

The best thing is that BMW's M Division has managed to combine this engagement and communication with raw cornering speed thanks to the wide track and overall stiffness. It moves all apiece in the tight corners and body control is superb. Naturally, all that is with the various sub-systems turned up to their sportiest. As is BMW M’s way, the M8 Competition’s driving manners can be tweaked by its driver to suit their mood or the road conditions. Press the Setup button on the centre console and a simple menu pops up on the touchscreen, which shows the current settings and allows the driver to make changes. Engine response and damping have 3 levels, while the steering has 2. As does the braking system…

You can now set up different levels of brake feel in the M8 Competition.

That’s a first from BMW – offering 2 distinct levels of brake pedal feel thanks to the creation of a new integrated braking system that also saves weight, reduces drag on the engine and works quicker with driver assistance functions. Unnervingly, this system purports to offer consistent brake pedal feel, regardless of brake temperature and other factors, but we’re not sure we like the sound of that. There is a discernible difference between the Comfort and Sport modes for the brakes, but we’re doubtful that it’ll be something owners alter all that often. Our test cars used the mighty (and optional) carbon-ceramic brakes, so we had no issues with stopping power no matter how hard we tried.

Back on the road, the M8 Competition proves to be tidy and fast; it covers ground with indecent pace when the road opens up. And yet, it never feels teeth-jarringly firm, either, so it plays the grand tourer (GT) role seemingly as well as its lesser sibling.

Verdict

The M8 Competition has found another level of performance and magic, making it a proper M Car with distinctive attitude.

We thought the M850i played the role of sports car and GT to good effect, but the new BMW M8 manages to put even that in the shade with its breadth of ability. Sure, it’s still a big, heavy coupe, but M has worked its usual magic to give the M8 Competition personality galore to go along with its dramatic performance. If you love driving, then it’s not difficult to recommend that you pay the premium over the M850i – this is a proper M car.

BMW M8 Price in South Africa

BMW M8 Competition Coupe R2 958 053

BMW M8 Gran Coupe Revealed

There's now a third model in the BMW M8 family. Meet the biggest of them all, the BMW M8 Gran Coupe.

The BMW M8 Gran Coupe will be the biggest of the family and retains the thundering 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It's available in two flavours: M8 and M8 Competition. In standard guise, there's 441 kW and 750 Nm, with the M8 Competition serving up 460 kW.

Mated to an xDrive all-wheel-drive setup by an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, performance is rated at 3.3 seconds and it'll hit 200 kph in 11.2 seconds. The M8 Competition is even more ferocious, with 3.2 seconds to 100 kph and 11 seconds to 200 kph. Top speed is claimed at 250 kph, but you can opt for the M Driver's package which moves that limiter to 305 kph. Perfect for those late-night autobahn runs then.

The vehicle comes with an Active M Differential which works in conjunction with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system to ensure sporty handling. For those brave enough, the vehicle can disengage its front axle and send all that power to the rear, for those wanting proper rear-wheel-drive theatrics. The BMW M8 Competition model gains specific chassis tuning to give it a track focus, although it's unlikely customers would be taking them to the race circuits.

The new BMW M8 Gran Coupe is 231 millimetres longer than its two-door siblings. There's also a 200-millimetre increase in wheelbase length for rear cabin space, where passengers can sit in two full-size individual seats. The boot has a capacity of 440 litres, which is good enough for golf clubs.

For those wanting the ultimate, there's the BMW M8 Gran Coupe First Edition, which features some really classy touches. The BMW kidney grille and badges are in high-gloss black, there are forged M light-alloy wheels with a high-sheen milled 3D pattern and bi-colour paint finish, a black rear spoiler and an M Sport exhaust system with black chrome tailpipes. If you want more, then go for the optional M Carbon exterior package, comprising inserts for the front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, M gills on the flanks, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler all made from CFRP. There'll be just 400 units available for the global market.

The BMW M8 Gran Coupe will be arriving in South Africa in the first quarter of 2020.

The interior of the BMW M8 Gran Coupe

Alfa Romeo Tonale Production Model Leaks Early

The production version of Alfa Romeo's Tonale small SUV has leaked early, ahead of its reveal in 2020. Take a look!

Alfa Romeo is banking on its SUVs to pull them out of the doldrums and while the bigger Stelvio has received good reviews, sales haven't exactly taken off. Now Alfa Romeo has been looking at the smaller luxury SUV market. The Alfa Romeo Tonale concept was revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and it was striking!

However, as is mostly the case, the production version loses some of the concept's flamboyance. Thanks to these images from an Italian car forum, we now get a good look at what's to come. The source suggests these photos came from an internal meeting where the Tonale's rivals were compared and you can see other cars in the background.

Speaking of rivals, this is likely to be Alfa Romeo's answer to the likes of the Audi Q3, Jaguar E-Pace, BMW X1/X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.

We're still some way away from seeing the production Alfa Romeo launched as the vehicle is expected to be revealed in 2021 and offer Alfa Romeo's first plug-in hybrid powertrain. Alfa Romeo does have a large arsenal of engines to call upon though and it wouldn't surprise us to see compact capacity turbocharged petrol engines such as the 1.4 turbo motor found in many FCA products, although there is a much newer 1.3 turbo with 110 kW and 270 Nm to call upon. Let's not forget that there's still a market for compact diesel motors either and something like the Multijet could make an appearance.

The Journey Karoo: To Hell and Back in the Opel Crossland X

Cars.co.za, in association with Opel, recently embarked on a Journey to the Karoo in search of adventure and fine food. Watch the video!

In this latest iteration of The Journey, we went 'Crosslanding' into the heart of the Karoo behind the wheel of the recently introduced diesel-powered Opel Crossland X 1.6TD Enjoy. Our 2 stylish Opel Crossland X's were kitted out with very useful accessories from Thule (locally distributed by Sport & Cargo), including a large roof box which helped transport gear and luggage as well as a dual bike carrier for our mountain bikes.

We visited the quaint Karoo town of Prince Albert and tackled the well-known and spectacularly beautiful Swartberg Pass to get to the remote Karoo village of Die Hel or ‘The Hell’ where we took part in a unique potjie cooking competition. More so, this was the first time that we travelled to such a remote location (and on such treacherous terrain) in front-wheel-drive vehicles, proving that you don’t always need a 4×4 to reach remote destinations.

Special guest appearances were made by talented Karoo chef, Hendry 'Kokkedoor' Olivier, whom you will recognise from the Kokkedoor TV series on kykNET, as well as Fashionista and TV presenter, Danine Naidoo, and captivating model and actress, The Little Harlequin (Bianka Hartenstein). Our guests were hosted by Journey veterans, Cars.co.za Co-Founder, Ross McIlroy and our very own motoring journalist and photographer, Gero Lilleike.

As for the Opel Crossland X diesel, it performed admirably on this Journey, proving that you don't need necessarily need a 4×4 to explore more remote regions of South Africa. Opel claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.4 L/100km but we saw real-world returns of 6.2 L/100km, which is good.

Interesting facts

The Swartberg Pass is roughly 24 km long and was the last major pass constructed by renowned South African road engineer and pioneer, Thomas Bain, in 1884 and was completed in 1887. It's considered to be the crown jewel in Bain’s historically significant roadbuilding career and was constructed using convict labour.

The remote cultural heritage site of Gamkaskloof, also known as ‘Die Hel’, forms part of the Swartberg Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site. The valley was first occupied by the San Bushmen and the first Boer farmers inhabited the valley in the 1830s and lived there in isolation for over 100 years. The only road into the village was constructed in 1962 and the first car was ironically brought into the valley with great difficulty in 1958 and is on display at Fonteinplaas.

Watch all our previous Journey episodes here!

Buy a new or used Opel Crossland X on Cars.co.za

Special Thanks

Pieter and Marinette Joubert: Fonteinplaas Die Hel – www.diehel.com

Sudden Comfort B&B Prince Albert – www.suddencomfort.co.za

Thule (Sport & Cargo) – www.sportandcargo.co.za

BMW unveils restored 530 MLE

Following a year-long rebuild by Luis Malhou of Custom Restorations, BMW South Africa unveiled its finished 530 MLE to the media this week.

Heritage – some brands have it, and others simply don’t. In a motoring future where all cars are just about equally good, history and pride are factors of a brand’s DNA that can’t be bought or replicated. In this regard, a brand such as BMW has a significant advantage, because it has heritage in spades. And increasingly, heritage is seen as a valuable point of differentiation. That’s why classic cars are increasingly creeping onto motorshow stands…

BMW South Africa is well aware of this. It has one of the most fanatical followings in South Africa, a proud motorsport history and a legacy of local “specials” – 333i, 325iS Evo 1 and 2, 745i…. No wonder the upcoming M Festival is likely to be the biggest of its kind in the world.

BMW’s restored 530 MLE was unveiled to the media in a very fitting way – rolling off the production line where it was built in the first place.

Locally the brand is also investing in heritage by building a fleet of classics. Last year it bravely allowed us to drive its painstakingly restored E30 333i and 325iS (Gusheshe), the latter sadly written off in a road accident some months later. But this week it added another icon to its collection, the 530 MLE.

Buy a stunning Limited Edition print of the 530 MLE (only 50 to be produced), here.

“It is not only the 530 MLE that was exclusively produced at this plant,” says Johan Mouton, Director: Technical and Logistics at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, speaking at the unveiling event. “Legendary cars such as the Gusheshe – the second generation BMW 3 Series (also known as the E30) – in particular the 325iS and the South Africa-only 333i, rolled off the assembly line at this plant more than 30 years ago.

“We are a future oriented company, but we take immense pride in where we come from,” Mouton adds.

When it was found, number 100 was not in the greatest shape.

The restored product was unveiled at an emotional ceremony at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn on Tuesday, attended by not only the media and dignitaries from Germany, but also 4 “associates” that worked on the factory floor when the 530 MLE was first built in the late ‘70s – William Mokwape, Walter Mahlangu, Jacob Matabane and Cassie Calaca.

The restoration, which took slighly more than a year, was led by Luis Malhou of Custom Restorations, with frequent guidance coming from the 4 factory staff that put it together so many years ago.

Tim Abbott, CEO of BMW Group South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, added: “The success of the 530 MLE was a pure example of ‘What wins on Saturday sells on Monday’, and it paved the way for BMW South Africa as a sporty brand and a serious motorsport contender in the country. To this day, M remains the most powerful letter in the world!”

The birth of M?

530 MLE number 100 slowly came back to life at Custom Restorations.

Increasingly regarded as the car that led to the birth of BMW’s hallowed M-division, the 530 MLE was born to race – it is the first BMW road car to feature an “M” stamped onto its engine plate.

BMW wanted a contender in local circuit racing and turned to BMW motorsport legend, Jochen Neerpasch, for guidance. Very quickly 2 of the first-generation BMW 5 Series (E12) race cars were prepared to compete in South Africa’s popular Modified Production Series.

What happened then is unlikely to ever be repeated again. The 530 MLE (Motorsport Limited Edition) lined up for its first outing in 1976 and simply dominated – 15 consecutive wins and 3 championships followed! When it retired in 1985, the 530 MLE was the most successful 5 Series to race, in the world, ever. It likely remains so to this day.

Ready to roar again, this 530 MLE will be used by BMW at selected events.

But before it could race, however, BMW South Africa had to sell 100 road-going versions of the 530 MLE to the public. Developed by BMW Motorsport as a limited edition “homologation” model for South Africa, 110 units of the Type 1 were produced in 1976, while 117 versions of the Type 2 rolled off the production line in Rosslyn in 1977.

The powerplant chosen for the 530 MLE was a factory-tweaked version of the same 6-cylinder motor found in the 3.0L, boasting figures such as 147 kW, 277 Nm of torque, a 208 kph top speed and a 0-100 kph time of 9.3 seconds.

Number 100

The interior, as it was found… Another E12 had to be bought and its facia was used to restore the 530 MLE to its former glory.

BMW had been looking for a 530 MLE for years, but finally found one in 2018 – and this proved to be quite a special MLE at that! Car number 100 comes with an enviable pedigree – it was owned by race driver and the racing 530 MLE’s team manager Peter Kaye-Eddie, and its engine and chassis numbers are a matching set.

Unique features to the 530 MLE were not just for show, they were specifically developed to help the 530 MLE on the track. As such, it featured weight-reduction measures that included bodywork and pedals drilled by hand, manual windows, no air-conditioning and those iconic, lightweight, Mahle wheels.

Heritage is something BMW has in spades, and this 530 MLE can be regarded as the birth of “M”.

BMW South Africa created quite a touching moment on Tuesday when those 4 factory workers strolled down the brightly lit final quality check area of the company’s high-tech factory (which builds the X3 for the local market, as well as export), to meet the rebuilt 530 MLE. Fittingly, examples of the company’s other local “specials”, such as the 333i and 745i, were also on display.

But in the end, the focus was on the now pristine 530 MLE, clearly the result of a no-cost-spared rebuild. I couldn’t help but notice, however, the somewhat worn (and clearly original) BMW Club of South Africa sticker in the rear window. I appreciate touches like that.

You may also be interested in;

SentiMETAL launches limited edition Heritage Print Series

BMW 333i: SentiMETAL Episode 4 (video)

Classic Drive: BMW 333i and 325iS

Audi Q3 35 TFSI S tronic (2019) Review

Audi’s 2nd-generation premium family car is raring to remind buyers why its predecessor was such a success, but it faces substantially stronger competition than it used to. We spent a few weeks with the new Q3 to see what it offers.

We like: Smooth drive, more spacious than you think, great interior tech.

We don't like: Plain design.

Fast Facts

Price: R585 000 (R748 050 as tested October 2019)
Engine: 1.4-litre turbopetrol
Power/Torque: 110 kW/250 Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (S tronic)
Fuel consumption: 5.9 L/100 km (claimed)
?Load capacity: 530/675-1 525 litres

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Some Audi dealers regularly offer specials: Have look here.

Where does it fit in?

Up until the local introduction of the Q2 in 2017, the 1st-generation Q3 was the entry point to Audi's SUV lineup in South Africa. Now in its 2nd iteration, the Q3 fulfils the role of a premium compact SUV with a bent towards practicality and inoffensive/try-to-please-everyone styling. It can be argued the Q2 is more of a quirky, design-oriented crossover, whereas the Q3 is positioned as a "family-focused, easy on the eye" entry-level SUV.

New Q3 is currently only available as a 1.4-turbo.

The multitude of Q3 rivals includes the Volvo XC40, Range Rover Evoque, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Jaguar e-Pace and the Lexus UX. And.. those are just the direct rivals; volume manufacturers weigh in with the upmarket Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 3008 etc.

For now, there is a single (1.4-litre turbopetrol) derivative available and Audi has reduced the number of options to choose from by combining extra-cost features into packs to offer better value (and make it easier for buyers to understand what they're buying, no doubt). What we have here is the Advanced Line with the Comfort and Technology package, but more on that later.

How it fares in terms of…

Kerb appeal

In a segment where you have to drop a wad of cash to make (at least a bit of) a statement, the Audi Q3 seems a little, well, conventional. It’s not ugly and when compared with the previous version doesn’t look as frumpy and offers more utility space. Those looking to show off are more likely to lean towards the XC40 or the more expensive Evoque. Against its German rivals, it’s much of a muchness, but the Audi seems a bit more modern.

Looks-wise, the Q3 is probably not the most desirable in the segment, but it's an improvement over the original Q3.

Our test unit came specced with optional 19-inch five-spoke wheels (sizes range from 17- to 19-inches). The colour palette of the new Q3 goes some way towards livening up its road presence and while this 35 TFSI S Tronic is finished in Chronos Grey, if you want your Q3 to pop a bit more, you can specify Pulse Orange or even personalise your own colour at an optional cost of R38 000.

Performance

There’s a theory that goes something along the lines of "having too much choice leads to no choice". Audi is steering well clear of that in the case of the Q3. If you want to buy one today, you can only have a 1.4-litre turbopetrol automatic version. It’s a familiar engine, which is carried over from the previous Q3, but this time fitted with a 6-speed self-shifting ‘box (S tronic). With peak outputs of 110 kW and 250 Nm, it sounds like it might be a little light on that premium power you expect when paying over half-a-mill. But it isn't; the engine is capable in traffic, on the freeway and when loaded up. It's languid power delivery hardly inspires driving engagement, but there’s enough shove for what’ll likely be the future entry point to the Q3 lineup.

The 35 TFSI badge refers to the range of power (110 – 120 kW).

Having said that, the 6-speed transmission mated to this 1.4-litre turbopetrol motor is one of the best we’ve sampled to date. Its shifts are nearly imperceptible and aside from occasionally choosing a fuel-saving high gear in a hurry, it makes the best use of the power and torque available. As a front-wheel-drive only model (currently), the Q3 feels light on its, um, wheels and returns excellent fuel economy for a petrol-engined family car. On long trips, 35 TFSI S Tronic dipped into the 6L/100 km range, while in the confines of the city it stabilised around the high 7L/100 km mark…

Ride and comfort

The Q3’s is based on the much-lauded MQB architecture, which underpins so many VW Group compact cars. Everything from a Polo, to a TT and a Tiguan, makes use of the platform and there are almost no complaints about "MQB cars'" ride quality. The Q3 is no exception – its ride quality is supple, even if on the firmer side (by virtue of rolling on 19-inch wheels)… It's comfortable enough on our country's "mixed" road conditions.

What's more, the newcomer is responsive enough to brisk steering inputs; it feels more agile than an XC40 or Evoque. It has a small city car feel about it when you hustle the Audi on urban routes, but the measuring tape confirms it’s spacious enough – at least for a moderately-sized family.

From inside, it’s supremely well insulated – at cruising speeds the cabin is largely bereft of road noise or irritating tyre roar. We tackled a few farm roads during the Q3's tenure in our test fleet and it handled unsealed surfaces easily, even if the going was a little on the firm side.

Interior design and practicality

Upmarket interior with lots of equipment from more expensive Audis installed.

Audi’s contemporary interiors incorporate a specific set of components from a shared parts bin with a few touches here and there to give each model its own identity. The layout is easy to understand and the touchscreen interface is slick and intuitive to operate.

It’s encouraging to see a German manufacturer (especially one of the premium-marque variety) adding more standard features to its offerings. Rear PDC, auto lights and wipers, cruise control and Virtual cockpit (Audi’s digital instrument cluster) are all standard, to give a few examples. The Phone Box option (R5 500) is a must-have – it includes a wireless charging bay, dual USB ports and Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility.

If you want an interior upgrade, then the Comfort Package (R27 500) offers a good selection of kit, including electrically-adjustable seats, a powered tailgate, seat heating, lumbar support and parking aid plus (front and rear parking sensors).

The Audi Phone Box option includes a wireless charging bay and dual USB ports up front.

As for how the new Q3 fares as a family car, it’s spacious in the front and rear; the back seats can slide fore and aft, as well as recline for added comfort. The load bay is large: the minimum capacity is a claimed 530 litres, but with the rear bench pushed as far forward as it will go, it increases to 675 litres. With all the seats down you get 1 525 litres of utility space, making it one of the more practical models in its segment.

Price and warranty

As standard, the Q3 35 TFSI S Tronic Advanced Line costs R585 000 (October 2019). By virtue of being specified with almost all the options available in Audi's premium family car, the test unit's asking price totalled a hefty R748 050. A 1-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan are included.

Verdict

Audi 6-speed auto is one of the best on the market.

The new Q3 plays it safe in terms of design. Audi's newcomer is more angular and sporty-looking than its predecessor, but it's obvious the 2nd-gen Q3 is not meant to be "a stunner". That role may be fulfilled by the upcoming Q3 Sportback; the Q3 is tailored for practically-minded buyers.

In spite of only being available with 1 engine at present, it performs well (even when loaded up) and its 6-speed S tronic 'box is one of the best on the market. Inside, it’s quiet, uncluttered and typically well-made. The increased standard specification is welcome and the available in-car tech is on-trend and comprehensive. It’s also bigger and more practical than you expect; it offers similar levels of packing space to the "bigger" Q5!

The Q3 is a very competent and well-built premium family car, but does it stand out enough in a (very) big crowd? Perhaps not.

Facelifted BMW X1 Revealed (SA Pricing Update)

BMW has given its X1 crossover a makeover and the SA pricing has been loaded up onto the local arm's website.

The second-generation X1 came to market in 2015 and now the smallest X offering from BMW has gone under the knife for a refresh.

In case you haven’t noticed, BMW kidney grilles have been getting larger lately and the X1 now follows the trend with a bigger grille which is also flanked by newly designed headlights. Larger air intakes and integral LED foglights are also seen in the new front bumper.

BMW has also thrown in a party trick in the form of an X1 projection that shines onto the floor from the driver’s side mirror while also illuminating the door handle recess to provide easier access in the dark.

The rear of the X1 now benefits from redesigned LED taillights as well as larger-diameter exhaust tips (from 70 mm to 90 mm). There are also new wheel designs on offer as well as some new colours to choose from including Jucaro Beige metallic, Misano Blue metallic and BMW Individual Storm Bay metallic.

The X1's interior remains familiar but BMW has added more choice in terms of upholstery and infotainment.

The interior remains much the same and a wide range of options are on offer to build your X1 just the way you want it. Trim lines include Base, Sport Line, xLine and M Sport. New features include contrast stitching on the instrument panel, a choice of 3 new upholstery options and up to 13 colour and material choices on offer. When navigation is specified, buyers will also have the choice between an 8.8-inch or 10.25-inch Touch Control Display.

The 3-cylinder, 1.5-litre turbopetrol with 103 kW and 220 Nm and the 4-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbopetrol with 141 kW and 280 Nm are confirmed. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel is offered in 2 states of tune with the 18d producing 110 kW and 330 Nm, while the 20d pushing with 140 kW and 400 Nm is also confirmed. The latter is the only model offered with all-wheel drive xDrive capability.

The big news, however, is that a plug-in hybrid X1 is due for production in March 2020 which will combine a 92 kW / 220 Nm turbocharged combustion engine to drive the front wheels and a 70 kW / 165 Nm electric motor to drive the rear wheels using a 9.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which allows for an electric range of up to 50 km. It’s not yet confirmed if South Africa will receive the hybrid X1.

BMW X1 Facelift Price in South Africa (October 2019)

BMW X1 sDrive 18i SAV R562 036

BMW X1 sDrive 20i SAV R602 668

BMW X1 sDrive 18d SAV R590 644

BMW X1 sDrive 20d SAV R631 024

BMW X1 xDrive 20d SAV R662 162

Buy a new or used BMW X1 on Cars.co.za

Aston’s New Gold Standard DBS

Aston Martin is leveraging its legacy with Italian design house Zagato.

British sportscar brand Aston Martin can perhaps claim, more so than any other, to only have beautiful cars in its product portfolio.

James Bond’s signature car company has always prioritised design and aesthetic purity and it shows. Aston Martin management has also recognised that classic cars are surging in price and as such, decided to do its own continuation series.

Aston Martin will produce no more than 19 pairs of Zagato celebration models, which net the lucky owners a DBS GT Zagato and DB4 continuation car.

Built to the most exacting standards, whilst respecting the Zagato heritage, these new Astons are sure to become hugely valuable in future.

The modern equivalent of Aston’s Zagato cars is a detailed DBS Superleggera with some Zagato heritage bits. Most noticeable is the new grille and that classic Zagato double-bubble roof.

Around the rear, you’ll find circular taillights and there are new styling creases running along the sides. To underscore the rarity and value of these new DBS Zagatos, all their exterior badges are 18-carat gold plated.

Rolling in the wheel arches are a Zagato edition specific alloy wheel, which also features gold detailing to its spoke structure.

This gold theme extends to the cabin, which blends carbon-fibre and textured gold elements, whilst red leather dominates the interior architecture. The ventilation dials and centre-console surround are also gold.

Mechanically the DBS GT Zagato does not differ much from a standard Aston Superleggera car. Above the front axle is a twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engine, boosting 566 kW and 900 Nm. Both outputs are sent to the to rear wheels only, via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

If you want a DBS GT Zagato, you’ll have to get a DB4 continuation car too, as they only sell as a pair. And the price is a not insignificant R110m (estimated).

Isuzu D-Max X-Rider Black for SA

Isuzu has reintroduced the limited-edition D-Max X-Rider Black in South Africa. Details below…

If you pay attention to the cars you see every day on your way to your grindstone, you will probably see a lot of Isuzu X-Riders on the road. They are hugely popular and this lates 4×2 D-Max X-Rider Black is bound to be a hit with local consumers.

Almost everything is black and this limited-edition bakkie features a Black Meet Kettle body colour and rides on 18-inch blacked-out alloy wheels with red contrasting Isuzu badges. The front-end receives a black bumper guard, projector headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights and fog lights.

Can you guess what colour the roof rails, sports bar and side steps are? Yes, black, of course. A factory-fitted tonneau cover and a 2.1-tonne towbar are also standard.

On the inside, you are met with black leather seats with red stitching seen on the bolsters and ‘X-Rider’ embroidery seen on the headrests. The leather steering wheel also gains red stitching and a red Isuzu badge. Black piano trim on the centre console, air vents, radio and doors add some shine to the cabin. A Bluetooth-capable, 8-inch AX2 touchscreen infotainment system is fitted.

Engine Power

The Isuzu D-Max X-Rider Black is offered in 4×2 guise only and is powered by Isuzu’s familiar 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine with 100 kW and 320 Nm of torque. Isuzu claims a fuel consumption figure of 7.7 L/100km.

Isuzu D-Max X-Rider Black – Price in South Africa

D-Max X-Rider Black – R462 000 (including VAT)

A 5-year/120 000 km warranty, 5-year/90 000 km service plan, 5-year/unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty and Roadside Assistance is standard.

Buy a new or used Isuzu D-Max on Cars.co.za

Volkswagen R Logo gets new look

The Volkswagen R brand is one of the most iconic and the design of the logo has undergone a slight change. What do you make of the redesign?

The performance arm of Volkswagen has been around since 2002 and the R logo has adorned the rears of iconic vehicles such as the Golf R, Scirroco R and Touareg R50. Now for 2019, and along with the main Volkswagen logo being changed, the R logo has been redesigned to showcase the brand's fresh start.

Jost Capito, Managing Director, Volkswagen R, says: “Volkswagen R is all about excitement and thrill, and in the future, we will continue to focus our efforts on integrating theseemotions into the Volkswagen brand. We are taking a strategic and operative approach to working on great products and creating a unique customer experience. The new logo for the R models and the R-Lines also goes hand in hand with the realignment of the Volkswagen R brand. Our entire team is intensely working on the brand and product image and we are looking forward to continuing to roll these out in the coming months.”

The first product to gain this new R logo will be the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport R-Line, which is for the American market and will be officially revealed on the 11th October 2019.

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