This race isn't a foregone conclusion. The M2 Competition may have more power and more torque but it's heavier than the Supra and only claims to be 1-tenth faster to 100 kph. Factor in Killarney's slippery drag race strip where the M2's torque becomes uncontrollable and an upset could well be on the cards.
Enjoy the drag race.
Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus has announced the Business Plus package for the Mercedes-Benz V250d. Comprising a cabin overhaul as well as some performance upgrades, the Brabus van becomes a next-level offering. So, what do you get for your 300 000 Euros? Yes, that is the price! Yikes.
First up are the engine upgrades. The 4-cylinder diesel engine now produces 173 kW (up from the standard 140 kW) and Brabus claims a 0-100 kph run in just 8.8 seconds with a top speed of 210 kph. It's the cabin that has us the most interested. It looks like a luxury business jet on the inside and Brabus has worked some serious magic here, making it a seriously premium place to hang out.
There are gorgeous leather seats which are heated, ventilated and offer massage and memory functionality. Also of interest are heated and cooled cupholders throughout the cabin, as well as privacy curtains. There are plenty of USB ports for customers to charge their devices as well as a roof lining that resembles a starry night. Thrown into the mix is a 21-inch TV, LTE internet router, Apple TV as well as a Playstation 4 Slim. Other changes range from a subtle bodykit, badging and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Mercedes-Benz V-Class (2019) International Launch Review
We like: Styling, raw performance, driving thrills, connectivity.
We don't like: Weird steering feel, can be a handful at the handling limit.
Own a BMW? Tell us about your experience here.
The profile of the 3rd-generation Z4 is unmistakable; it's vented front fenders sprout delectable swage lines along the car's flanks.
This is the all-new BMW Z4, tested here in flagship M40i guise. Most contemporary compact roadsters have focused on lifestyle applications (most notably the previous Z4, its potent sDrive35iS flagship notwithstanding), but this particular iteration of the Z4 (codenamed the G29, in case some anoraks were wondering) aims to buck the trend and show that stylish roadsters can deliver the goods in terms of performance and dynamism.
Essentially, the newcomer has been given a distinct sporty directive. The Z4's track is wider and the wheelbase shorter, and the vehicle is said to be a lot stiffer than the model it replaces. While the M40i is not marketed as a full-blown M car, there has been some component-borrowing. The tyres are the same as those found on the M4 and BMW claims that its M division has had a hand in developing the M40i's braking system. There's a B58 engine too, which also does duty in the M240i and a few of the M40i-badged SUVs. It sounds a lot like BMW is desperate to prove that the Z4 didn't suffer the same image issue as its Mercedes-Benz SLK/SLC rival – the Bavarians demand Sheer Driving Pleasure from compact ragtops too.
Available with just two engine choices in South Africa, this is the flagship G29 derivative and we spent some quality time with it to get to know its idiosyncrasies. Oh, before someone brings it up, much has been said about a Japanese brand's revival of a certain sportscar name (Toyota and the Supra, in case you've just returned from outer space), but we're going to try our best to evaluate the Z4 M40i as a standalone entity. Here goes!
Performance & Efficiency
Eye-catching double-spoke 19-inch rims are wrapped in Michelin rubber; the blue brake callipers are courtesy of the M Division.
In BMW performance parlance, one particular letter is sacrosanct. If a Bimmer has an M in any part of its nomenclature, you know that it'll have performance as one of its KPIs. Indeed, this Z4 M40i is not a soft poseurmobile and has aspirations of being a proper driver's car. With the popular B58 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder lurking under the bonnet, rear-wheel drive and a quick-shifting transmission, the M40i's performance would never be piecemeal. It offers 250 kW and 500 Nm, with a twin-scroll turbocharged setup designed to eliminate lag, which it near-as-dammit does.
BMW claims a 4.5-second sprint time from 0 to 100 kph for the M40i and it'll run to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph. We tried the off-the-line acceleration test in the Z4's sportiest driving mode on a few occasions (with and without launch control engaged) and found that the terrific engine's sheer torque delivery was prone to overwhelm the rear 275/35 rubber. Fun? You bet, especially as we weren't expecting it to be so wild!
The M40i real strength is in-gear, where the engine's torquey nature comes into play. With all 500 Nm available from 1 600 to 4 500 rpm, you don't need to frantically shift down through the gears to summon urgent acceleration. In full auto mode, the car will kick down once or twice, depending on the angle of throttle-pedal travel, but seeing as this is a baby M roadster, we wanted full control and made the most of the steering wheel-mounted paddles. They're really a joy to use and feel pleasingly tactile, plus they're on the wheel itself, not the column. The engine delivers impressively flexible performance as the M40i surges along at a deceptively quick pace. Without too much effort at all, you can get to "straight-to-jail" speeds…
If there was a winning combination for a happy motoring life, it would be a soulful engine note mated with a convertible body. This straight-6 engine is best enjoyed with the roof down in Sport Plus, so that you can perfectly savour the induction bark emanating from the front and the majestic howl emitted by the twin exhausts. Even better, if you come off the throttle, the Z4 obliges with pops, bangs and gurgles galore. In an age where cars are becoming bland and predictable (blame the herd mentality), it's fantastic to find a vehicle that offers a smorgasbord of emotional and sensory stimuli.
The best part? Drive sedately and in Eco mode and you'll get not-too-unreasonable economy from the 3.0-litre mill. At the end of our tenure, we saw an indicated 9.0 L/100 km, which we consider fair, given the extensive, repeated testing through mountain passes. One must be thorough, not so?
Ride & Handling
The Z4 has a handsome front-end treatment, aided by distinctive LED headlamps and a front bumper with elaborate air intakes.
The laws of physics cannot be broken, despite humanity's best efforts. Speaking in general terms, most convertibles suffer from an affliction known as scuttle shake, where the lack of a solid metal roof diminishes a vehicle's structural rigidity (and poise). In previous iterations of BMW convertibles, for example, you could hear the cars' chassis flexing and twisting when cornering on a bumpy road. Fortunately, engineering advances have made it possible to dial this affliction back significantly. The G29 BMW Z4, despite our efforts to test it on some marginal roads, does not exhibit this trait. The M40i's grip levels are impressively high; if you show any interest in extracting some tail-sliding action, however, the roadster responds in kind.
Whereas the flagship Z4's rear-end can get a little squirrelly even when you abuse the throttle pedal in Comfort mode, the tail will readily slide out in the Sport setting, but the dynamic stability control (DSC) and electronic-differential keep things from spiralling out of control. This is a vehicle that commands respect: although it's mostly forgiving, the M40i will take no prisoners if you're foolish (or brave) enough to disengage DSC… Ideally, you're in for one of the most thrilling driving experiences of your life. If you get it wrong, you may need to break bad news to your insurance provider.
The Z4's "shoulders" are broader than they appear to the naked eye, but the slimline LED tail lamps flatten out the BMW's rear aspect.
Performance vehicles call for steering wheels so moulded that they can be merrily wielded by enthusiasts' hands, yet the M40i's thick-rimmed M Sport steering wheel doesn't feel perfect in everyone's hands. Interestingly, the entry-level Z4 sDrive20i's wheel rim (of a thinner girth) is terrific. Speaking of steering, this is one of our few criticisms: the Z4's steering is a textbook example of how artificial/software interference can detract from the overall driving experience. It's direct, but there's a disappointing lack of feel when you're trying to balance direction, stability and performance.
Fortunately, the Bimmer's well-sorted chassis and adaptively damped suspension are delightful. The chassis is more than capable of handling all that power/torque and the inherent grip levels at a driver's disposal are lofty – until you reach a patch of damp and cool tarmac, of course. In its softest mode, the suspension delivers a smooth and pliant ride, even on some awful and damaged roads. This ability increases the breadth of the Z4 M40i's talents. While most of this review thus far has focused on the Z4's performance and prowess on the limit, the average customer will likely spend the majority of their time commuting to work with the roof up on dreary weekdays, with their minds focused anywhere but on the car. For what it's worth, it is completely possible to drive the M40i daily without ever dialling up its most hardcore modes, but you'd be missing out on quite a lot!
Well hewn and engagingly laid out, the Z4's cockpit offers kicks for driving enthusiasts and comfort for lazy weekend cruisers.
Design & Packaging
The BMW Z4 is a strict 2-seater, but unlike other compact roadsters, it offers a modicum of practicality as well. The boot serves up a reasonable amount of luggage space (around 280 litres) and you can actually go away for a weekend and pack more than a wallet, sunglasses and toothbrush. Try that with a Jaguar F-Type Convertible or a Mazda MX-5 – their boot spaces are woefully small by comparison! Our test unit came in a gorgeous near-matte dark silver finish. Dubbed Frozen Grey metallic, this R49 500 paint option makes the Z4 M40i look like a military-grade weapon.
The roadster's cabin is tight (as one would expect it to be), but BMW has cleverly worked some storage solutions into the mix. There's also a wireless charging pad for those who need to charge their devices. We get the impression that everything in the cabin has been ergonomically arranged around the Z4's driver. Most buttons are within easy reach and if all else fails, say "Hey BMW" and the electronic assistant will be able to assist with navigation, trip data and so on. The all-new BMW infotainment system is a revelation… We've had the chance to sample it a few times before in the new 3 Series, 8 Series and X5/X7, and each time we've come away deeply impressed with how sophisticated, yet intuitive, it is. It took BMW some time to update its centre cluster, but it was worth the wait. We'd also rate the digital instrument cluster in the top three of its kind.
The roof mechanism's performance often slips under reviewers' scrutiny, but not today. What we really liked was the speed at which the Z4's canvas top opened/closed. BMW claims it can be done in 10 seconds and at speeds up to 50 kph, so if it starts to rain while you're in gridlock traffic, there's no need for a frantic dive into the emergency lane to put the roof up. We've always been wary of the material quality of the canvas roof, but it took the brunt of some fierce Cape winter storms and insulated the cabin nicely. In our opinion, the best times to have "convertible experiences" are during the cooler months, when there's less risk of direct sun exposure, plus it offers many opportunities to make use of the seat-heating function.
The BMW Z4 M40i retails for R1 036 699, which includes a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
It would have been understandable if BMW decided to shelve the low-volume Z4, but we're relieved that the firm chose not to.
Compact roadsters, such as the G29-generation Z4, are sadly becoming less important to manufacturers as the cars' profit margins and sales volumes are minimal (Audi is set to discontinue the TT/TT Roadster in future and it's unclear what will happen to the Mercedes-Benz SLC when its production ends). Therefore, it's completely understandable that BMW chose to team up with Toyota to share development costs and produce the Z4 and Supra in tandem. BMW South Africa offers the Z4 Roadster in 2 flavours, but they are poles apart. At the entry point to the range is the sDrive20i, which offers a relaxed and refined boulevard cruising experience with just enough performance to offer an engaging driving experience.
The M40i, on the other hand, is as subtle as using a hammer to squash a mosquito. Don't mistake those smart looks for graceful elegance, because its performance is potent. This is a serious driving machine and it will evoke many emotions in its pilot. Your adrenaline will cascade like a waterfall when you accelerate out of a corner and explore that oh-so-fine line between grip and tail-out action. Plus, your heart rate will soar the first time you engage Sport Plus and open the taps. As far as visceral experiences go, the BMW Z4 M40i is right up there, although Porsche Boxster owners will argue, with some merit, that their machines are ultimately better sportscars. Yeah, we hope they enjoy the thrum of their cars' 4-pot motors too…
Should you buy one? If you're looking for a compact roadster that offers performance that widens eyes and whitens knuckles, you'd be hard-pressed to find an offering that matches the Z4 M40i's unfettered thrills. Its wild side is scarily accessible and it'll take some dexterity coupled with talent and confidence to get the best out of it. Many ragtop sportscars could easily be accused of being poser vehicles, but this Bimmer is far from it. We get the impression that it has been engineered to be a thrilling sportscar from the ground up, replete with its 50/50 weight distribution and thumping 6-cylinder engine. It's little wonder (here's the last mention of the Supra) that ever-resourceful Toyota elected to use this platform for its newcomer.
While armchair pundits will crudely lump the Z4 and Supra together (as if they are clones), the reality is yes, they share a number of components, but their executions and driving experiences are divergent. This author recalls reading that if you gave 2 skilled chefs the same set of ingredients and asked them to prepare dishes, their creations wouldn't be identical, but they'd be tasty all the same. That's pretty much what's happened here.
Find one on Cars.co.za by clicking here
The AA puts the blame squarely on the weakness of the South African Rand, which according to them, has "left South African fuel users at the mercy of international oil markets."
The forecast for September 2019 is not great, with current indications showing a petrol increase of up to 10c/litre and diesel increasing by as much as 16c/litre. "International oil prices have dropped markedly since the beginning of the month, with crude oil having consistently traded below 60 US dollars per barrel. In recent days though, there have been signs of an uptick, which could see fuel prices come under renewed pressure," says the AA.
Worse still, the AA is predicting that there's more pain on the horizon. "The South African economy is in a parlous state, with ongoing policy uncertainty and a growing debt burden. The country is ill-placed to weather its domestic challenges, let alone developments on the international front, and this leaves fuel users increasingly exposed to movements in the Rand," concludes the AA.
Fuel Price Breakdown: What do you pay for?
5 Ways to Beat the Fuel Price Hike
Most Fuel Efficient Budget Cars in SA
Most Fuel-Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA
5 Fuel-Saving Car Features & How They Work
Most Fuel Efficient Budget Cars in SA
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Ford’s reintroduction of the Ranger bakkie to its home market has been met with strong approval and demand.
Buyers in the world’s biggest bakkie market, especially those who live in American cities, are finding value and better utility in the Ranger’s more manageable size and ease of parking.
But what does it mean for the rest of us? Well, the possibility that American demand and sales numbers could justify a spate of new Ranger derivates. And the first of these is the FX2.
South African followers of the Ranger nameplate will be familiar with Ford’s Fx4 bakkie branding: essentially a value package Ranger XLT. With FX2, Ford is offering its American Ranger buyers a rear-wheel-drive bakkie with better tyres and trail driving ability.
The FX2 package can be added to any Ranger model and for an equivalent of R9 000 and you get a lot of additional kit: an electronic locking rear differential, off-road-tuned suspension, grippier high-volume tyres, a front underbody guard and Ford’s off-road screen display function in the FX2’s instrumentation cluster. The latter offers digital vehicle pitch and roll icons, allowing a driver to see when the FX2 is approaching its balance limits off-road.
An off-road spec 2wd bakkie? Maybe that's what the agriculture sector really wants.
Although Ford does not divulge exact details pertaining to what FX2’s ‘off-road-tuned’ suspension modification comprises, the addition of Hankook tyres, which feature a more aggressive tread pattern, should improve traction. The FX2’s approach angle will also be slightly better than other rear-wheel-drive Rangers, thanks to Ford’s deletion of its front bumper air dam.
What is the FX2’s appeal? For those drivers who do a lot of mileage on bad rural gravel roads, the upgrades are certainly beneficial. If you were to configure the features and apply them to a standard Ranger, as options, it would be far dearer than Ford’s pricing on its FX2 package.
In the South African context, an FX2 would be very popular, as it provides the necessary rough road upgrades for farmers and other rural gravel road users – without requiring the upgrade to four-wheel drive, which is for many, a needless expense. Fuel economy will also be marginally better on a 2wd version compared with a 4wd.
Although there is no strategy or confirmation of this FX2 package being launched into other global Ranger markets, it would be a boundlessly popular option – if available.
Bakkie Comparison: Nissan Navara vs Ford Ranger Fx4 [with Video]
The new B-Class has the same underpinnings as the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, but it boasts loads more practicality. Given how MPVs have never been the prettiest of cars, Mercedes-Benz has tried to make its new B-Class interesting. In an effort to make its cabin more spacious, the B-Class has an extended wheelbase of 2 729 mm which is about 30 mm longer than the A-Class. Mercedes-Benz says it will be adding in a model that will feature a sliding second row of seats, which will do wonders for practicality. Inside, the smart and futuristic MBUX infotainment system makes its debut. We've had experience with it in the new A-Class / CLA and can only say good things about it. It's truly a huge leap forward for in-car connectivity.
For South Africa, we'll be getting 4 derivatives of the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. There'll be 2 engines, with 2 levels of trim. Kicking off the range is the B200 style with a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 120 kW and 250 Nm, mated to a 7-speed DCT. Mercedes-Benz claims a combined fuel economy of 5.6 L/100 km. The new B200d boasts a modern 2.0 diesel motor packing 110 kW / 320 Nm and it's claimed to be exceptionally frugal with a combined consumption of 4.5 L /100 km. It also boasts an 8-speed DCT driving the front wheels.
Both engines will be made available with 2 trim levels: Style and AMG Line. We'll have final confirmation on features when the vehicle launches soon.
Mercedes-Benz B200 Style R526 900
Mercedes-Benz B200d Style R 559 100
Mercedes-Benz B200 AMG Line R577 075
Mercedes-Benz B200d AMG Line R 609 275
Mercedes-Benz B-Class B250 (2015) Review
Amarok fans have reason to get excited with the limited edition Amarok Canyon due to arrive in South Africa very soon. The offroad-inspired Amarok Canyon will be on display at the upcoming Festival of Motoring.
Power comes courtesy of the familiar 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine with 165 kW and 550 Nm of torque on offer with an 8-speed automatic transmission. An overboost function increases outputs to 180 kW and 580 Nm.
In terms of features, the Amarok rides on 17-inch Aragua alloy wheels and features a black-painted grille with 2 horizontal chrome strips and 6 vertical chrome bars, Bi-Xenon headlights, black styling bar and side tubes and heated power side mirrors in body colour. The model is rounded off with ‘Canyon’ decals seen down the side of the vehicle.
On the inside, features include special ‘Canyon’ seat covers, Composition Media system with 6 speakers (Discovery Media with navigation is optional), climate control air conditioning, black comfort headliner and a multifunction steering wheel. Heated seats are offered as an option as part of the Winter Package.
Safety features include 4 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, stability control with traction control, hill start assist and hill descent assist. Front and rear park distance control along with a rearview camera are also included.
Customers will be able to purchase the Amarok Canyon as of October 2019 but will be able to view the vehicle at the Festival of Motoring.
VW Amarok Canyon – R799 000
The Amarok Canyon is sold with a 3-year/100 000 km and 5-year/90 000 km service plan.
Buy a new or used VW Amarok on Cars.co.za
Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI (2017) Video Review
Volkswagen Amarok to the Rhino Rescue
In a bizarre instance of semantic principle meeting marketing opportunity, Jaguar is pressuring the world’s authority of all things English, to change its definition of a ‘car’.
When you are in doubt, the Oxford English Dictionary is your reference guide to understanding, checking and correctly using 600 000 different English words.
One of those 600 000 words is presenting an issue for automotive companies which are transitioning from internal-combustion to battery-powered vehicles.
For decades the word ‘car’ has hardly generated a complaint to Oxford English Dictionary staff. But if you read the definition, there is an issue.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a car as:” ‘a road vehicle powered by a motor (usually an internal combustion engine) designed to carry a driver and a small number of passengers, and usually having two front and two rear wheels, esp. for private, commercial, or leisure use’.
What Jaguar would like, is an amendment to include the terms battery and/or electric power. It is an entirely reasonable request, in lieu of current developments in vehicle electrification and Jaguar’s own status as a vanguard EV company, with its I-Pace battery-powered crossover.
Jaguar feels so strongly about this, they have even established a hashtag for like-minded followers to express their thoughts on the issue – and show support.
So, if you want the Oxford English Dictionary people to do some work around their definition of ‘car’, contact Jaguar on your favourite social channel with the #RedefineTheCar tag.
With no less than 500 kW on tap, the Volkswagen ID.R electric race car made news headlines last year at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where it set a new electric vehicle record of 7m 57.148 seconds with Romain Dumas behind the wheel.
The VW ID.R then went on to smash a new electric lap record at the famous Nurburgring in Germany this year with a time of 6m 05.336 seconds. But that’s not all, because the car then proceeded to claim the all-time record at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed with a time of 39.90 seconds.
It’s clear then that Volkswagen is on a mission to break records with the ID.R and the next record attempt will take place in September 2019 where a red ID.R will head to China to attempt a new record for the ascent of Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road which is one of the most challenging driving roads on earth. Carved into Tianmen Mountain, the road is just under 10 km long and has no less than 99 corners.
Spectators at the Festival of Motoring will be able to see the static VW ID.R in the metal as well as the soon-to-be-launched Volkswagen T-Cross and the special edition Volkswagen Amarok Canyon.
Buy a new or used Car on Cars.co.za
Volkswagen T-Cross (2019) International Launch Review [w/Video]
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
These 2 images show the 2020 BMW 4 Series coupe on the Nurburgring. Given the subtle hints of design, we suspect the 4 Series is going to adopt a more GT approach than just a 2-door version of the 3 Series sedan.
In terms of engines, it would be surprising to us to not have the entire 3 Series powertrain portfolio carried over. This would mean you'd have the choice of 420i, 430i, M440i xDrive as well as diesel options. We suspect the model you see here is the M440i xDrive as the rear exhaust style is identical to that of the soon-to-be-launched M340i xDrive. That model packs a 275 kW and 500 Nm punch from a 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder and with all-wheel drive, it's capable of blitzing to 100 kph in a claimed 4.4 seconds.
Inside, we think the new BMW 4 Series will receive a near-identical cabin to the 3 Series, but with a few more luxury and sporty touches. When it goes on sale, it'll rival the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and Audi A5 coupe. Keep an eye out for the eventual BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe too.
BMW 4 Series (2017) Launch Review