The electric Jaguar I-Pace has won the 2019 World Car of the Year title, making it one of the most awarded vehicles of recent times.
The win is Jaguar Land Rover's second overall victory as the F-Pace won back in 2017. Aside from taking the overall title, the Jaguar I-Pace also bagged the World Green Car award which is the first time JLR has won in this category. Completing the trifecta was the World Car Design Award. The string of victories comes on the back of the Jaguar I-Pace winning the European Car of the Year title.
Other noteworthy wins went to the McLaren 720S for World Performance Car, Audi A7 took the World Luxury Car category and the Suzuki Jimny took top honours in the Urban Compact Car.
Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It is an honour that the Jaguar I-PACE has received such an accolade from the prestigious World Car jurors.“We started with an ideal, to move towards our Destination Zero vision; zero emissions, zero accidents and zero congestion. I-Pace is our first step to achieving this, and it was conceived when EVs were little more than a niche choice.“So we started from a clean sheet of paper to create a new benchmark –the world's best premium electric vehicle, and a true Jaguar driver's car. “For I-PACE to be awarded 2019 World Car of the Year gives our first all-electric vehicle the ultimate recognition it deserves. I would like to thank the team who have created I-Pace for their passion in making it so outstanding.”
The 2019 Top Three in the World finalists are the Audi e-tron, the Jaguar I-Pace and the Volvo S60/V60. The vehicles were selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 86 prominent automotive journalists from 24 countries around the world, including Cars.co.za's Hannes Oosthuizen. "I drove the I-Pace late last year for the first time," says Oosthuizen, "and I must say it was immediately a frontrunner in my books. It is a very 'resolved' offering and seems to offer a marriage of genuine range and performance capability," he added.
Renault has finally added some safety features to its entry-level Kwid hatchback. Here are the specifications and pricing details for the 2019 Renault Kwid.
Since its launch back in November 2016, the Renault Kwid has received criticism for offering derivates fitted with only 1 airbag and no ABS. Budget-minded new-car buyers do prioritise affordability over safety, but given the French car's erstwhile standard specification, it would not be considered for nomination in the Budget Car category of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards – powered by WesBank, for example. However, the Datsun Go was recently updated with the introduction of an anti-lock braking system and now it's the Renault Kwid's turn to receive improved stopping power.
The Kwid has enjoyed a fair degree of sales success (more than 20 000 vehicles have been sold in South Africa) and the Renault continues to sell strongly (around 1 000 units a month). For 2019, the model has received some updates, with the critical one being the introduction of ABS across the entire range. Smartphone mirroring in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now available from the Dynamique derivative and up.
The engine and transmission are carried over and for the record, the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine produces 50 kW and 91 Nm. There's an option of a 5-speed manual gearbox and an automated manual transmission (AMT). Fuel efficiency is pegged at 4.7 litres/100 km and 4.4 litres/100km for the AMT
Renault Kwid Price in South Africa (April 2019)
The vehicle comes standard with a 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty, plus a 2-year service plan, with services scheduled at15 000 km intervals. 1-year’s Comprehensive Insurance Cover is also included. Metallic paint is available for R2 522.
SentiMETAL OutRun: Fantastic Beasts & Why We Drive Them
More than 50 classic cars of various brands, eras and levels of originality took part in the inaugural Cape Town SentiMETAL OutRun, an event that reminded everyone why we love cars.
Gordon's Bay is on my right, the water an electric blue while the cliff walls to my left are being rendered in blurry beige, an echo chamber for exhaust and engine noises. I’m in the middle, right foot barely on the noisemaker behind less enthused traffic on Clarence Drive, circa Rooi Els. This is truly one of the most pristine drives in the land, albeit often frustratingly chock-a-block with tourist traffic and slow-moving trucks.
And just like that, a gap springs into view. The traffic ahead has parted just long enough to bare sufficient naked asphalt for me to dip the clutch, engage third gear and tear past Ciro's pristine original Mazda MX5, the sound of my six pistons overrunning his four. The affair is wholly, deliciously analogue with a resounding metallic thunk as my left palm navigates the gear lever home, a raspy straight-six screaming beneath me as I neatly slot my 36-year old Toyota Celica Supra behind the rear bumper of Hannes's Citroën DS, my favourite view of the Goddess in motion. My hands are being thrummed by the gentle vibration of the old girl's helm (itself teeming with flavour and feedback) and then there's that very important of senses, the olfactories being tickled with the smell of spent 95 octane as it fills my lungs. This is classic motoring, dialled up to eleven, among like-minded individuals in idyllic conditions. I can't believe my luck.
The spectacular Clarence Drive is a perfect setting for a classic car drive. Citroën DS chases a Mercedes 350 SEL and Golf Mk1 Cabriolet.
The net result of all of this sensory overloading could be felt in the pit of my stomach where the viscera was being stirred with quite some violence. The single lane widens into a dual carriageway and I'm on it again, tearing through to the higher rev range and snatching 4th gear to begin the orchestra once more, this time as I chase a classic Porsche 911 in the distance, the staccato wail from its flat-six reverberating off the walls, growing louder as I reeled its whale tail into view.
What's this? A noise so alien, I simply cannot place it. Until I see it in my rear view mirror, the unmistakable metallic blue sliver of a Dodge Viper GTS with its tell-tale white stripes running from bonnet to tail. My simple car-loving heart explodes at the sight of this ten-cylindered unicorn, one of the first model cars I'd ever owned, now hard charging down the fast lane leaving a gushing loon (me) in its wake. This was the motoring enthusiast's equivalent of swimming with dolphins and I was by now quite soaked. Still, the hits kept on coming as a trio of locally-built Harper sports cars stream by with a Shelby Cobra hot on their tails. No point but for me but to clutch, shift, throttle and repeat.
Once more, with feeling
Cars of all eras and brands are welcome at SentiMETAL OutRuns, the only requirement is passion!
Now, I don't want to come across as a delusional boy racer trying to dice alongside some truly epic machinery, my old Toyota is hardly rarified metal after all. Yet here, on these roads, rolling 50 classics deep on a scenic meander to Kleinmond it was holding it's own and not just in terms of performance but also regard. Respect, even… The morning had started some two hours prior in a parking lot where all of the cars and drivers had assembled and the shared passion was tangible as older gentlemen in an array of Lotus 7s, a young lady in her Subaru WRX STi and another in a 1970s era BMW 5 Series parked their prides and joys.
The Dodge Viper GTS was a real show stopper and drew huge crowds wherever it found parking.
We were joined by even more classic BMW saloons and convertibles, a rare Audi 200 5E, an immaculate and highly desirable Volvo 850R, plus many more so as not to even attempt listing them all. Yet it was one of the Lotus 7 gents who strode across the parking lot to confront me about my Supra, and how he "owned its twin sister, a Lotus Excel", a British sportscar beloved by its very British owner. Oh how we laughed.
I'd see him later as we entered Kleinmond, in his little Lotus, looking like nothing more than a helmet and a grin, with his wife beaming beside him. This theme continued over the next 8 hours, car lovers of every age and demographic mixing and merging to form loose groups, disband and pair up yet again. Where else could you find a New York Checker Cab alongside a Jaguar XK150, or an original VW Golf Cabriolet partnered with a Peugeot Rally replica, and all the owners having a laugh together in a parking lot? Is it too late to coin the term car-maraderie?
About the last leg
The joy of driving… that's what unites petrolheads on SentiMETAL OutRuns.
It was a cool day thankfully, as my Supra is sans air-conditioning, yet as the distance to our final destination reached single digits the clouds above us had swollen to bursting. The rain quickly turned the asphalt into a mirror, with diminishing grip levels to boot. Then there's the fact that 99% of us were pushing power to the rear wheels alone and apart from that Viper owner, to fairly skinny rubber. Right, fifty very old cars in the rain, what could possibly go wrong? In truth? Nothing at all. We arrived with no hassle to Kleinmond. Then we made it back to Gordon's Bay for lunch. And then all drivers and cars completed their journeys home with absolutely no drama to report. That's sort of a miracle, especially when you consider that nobody, nobody exhibited what the youngsters like to call "chill."
Unique Springbok Range Rover Sport SVR shows what SVO team can do.
British racing green might be a colour more famously associated with sister brand Jaguar, but Land Rover has built a one-off Range Rover Sport SVR for our boys in green (and gold).
Due for its public debut at the Simola hill climb this coming weekend, this unique Range Rover Sport SVR was commissioned as a tribute to the Springbok rugby team, as they start preparations for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Beyond the patriotic novelty value of this Range Rover Sport SVR, it does serve a very clear marketing purpose for Land Rover South Africa. The aim of this project was to illustrate to potential customers of the brand, who seek greater customisation, exactly what is on offer via Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations team (SVO) in the U.K.
The specific Springbok tribute Range Rover is not a vinyl wrap job. Great care was taken to match the exact Pantone hue of the current team jersey’s green and replicate that to the Range Rover Sport SVR’s aluminium shell, at the initiation of the build process. Springbok logos were then added and yellow brake callipers (signifying the ‘gold’ element of the team’s colours) complete the tribute SVR’s exterior detailing.
Inside there are plaques on the B-pillars and door entry tread plates, featuring Springbok insignia and scripting. The SVR’s steering wheel mounted column shifters are also finished gold, whilst yellow stitching holds the leather seats and door panel trim together. Land Rover’s SVO technicians have also adjusted cabin mood lighting to glow an appropriate Springbok green.
Mechanically there have been no changes to the very rapid Range Rover Sport SVR hardware, which means this Springbok tribute commission vehicle is powered by a 5-litre supercharged V8, good for 423 kW and 700 Nm. The kind of power which should ensure storming 0-100 kph acceleration, even if you have the current Springbok tight-five aboard, occupying this Range Rover’s five seats.
The new Ford Ranger has just gone on sale and many of you have been asking what's actually new? Well, here are 5 key changes.
The new Ford Ranger bakkie is available in single-, crew- and double-cab configurations. It's been on the market for some time in South Africa and has been a finalist in the #CarsAwards – powered by WesBank numerous times. The Ford Ranger is sold in 149 countries and a substantial number of those vehicles are assembled right here in Pretoria, South Africa.
The latest generation of bakkies have really begun to move into the leisure and premium markets, so Ford has had to raise its game in the segment. The 2019 Ford Ranger has been subjected to an in-depth overhaul and while changes on the outside appear minimal, we can assure you there is a lot of new goodness under its sheet metal.
Engine
Ford's new 2.0-litre bi-turbo unit is fitted to a 10-speed gearbox.
There are 2 new engines offered in the Ford Ranger, although the outgoing engines are still for sale. The new-gen 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engines are available in 2 flavours; single turbo and bi-turbo, and both are assembled in South Africa at Ford's plant in Port Elizabeth. The single turbo option offers up 132 kW and 430 Nm, with the bigger bi-turbo setup delivering 157 kW and 500 Nm. The latter engine is available only in the Wildtrak and the soon-to-be-launched Ranger Raptor. We have experienced both powerplants at the vehicle's local launch and have come away impressed with the power delivery and refinement. Both engines are also surprisingly quiet and fuel efficient.
Gearbox
The new Ford Ranger 10-speed automatic gearbox, with 10 low-range gears as well in 4×4 offerings.
Joining the new engines is an all-new 10-speed automatic gearbox. This 10-speed transmission will also be available in the soon-to-be-launched updated Ford Mustang and it currently does duty overseas in the popular Ford F-150 pickup. You'd think a 10-speed automatic gearbox would battle to correctly find the right ratio, but amazingly the software and what Ford calls 'real-time adaptive shift-scheduling' ensures the Ranger is always in the most appropriate gear for performance and efficiency. Another benefit of having the additional ratios is the engine doesn't have to work as hard, resulting in a slight improvement in fuel economy.
Suspension
With a tweak to the suspension, the Ford Ranger is claimed to ride better
One of the annoying features of bakkie ownership is the ride quality. Typically, body-on-frame assembly doesn't make for the smoothest ride and unless you're willing to put some weight on the rear axle, the ride quality will always be a bit jiggly. Ford claims to have solved some of the ride issues by tweaking the suspension. The front anti-roll bar has been repositioned aft of the axle which improves roll control and in turn decreases the front spring rates. Does it work? Yes, to an extent, as the ride feels a bit more poised and less wallowing. Ford has also changed the damper rates and the standard tyre pressure has changed from 2.4 bar to 2.1 bar.
Safety Features
The Ford Ranger is one of the better-equipped bakkies on the market when it comes to safety features.
Ford has never been one to skimp on safety features and we'd go as far to say that the Ranger is one of the better-equipped bakkies out there when it comes to safety tech. Making its debut in the Ford Ranger is the semi-automatic parallel park assist, which joins adaptive cruise control with forward collision alert, lane-keeping alert, lane-keeping assist, electronic stability control (ESC) system with traction control (TC), trailer sway control (TSC), hill start assist (HSA), hill descent control (HDC), adaptive load control (ALC) and roll over mitigation (ROM) and auto high beam on Wildtrak specification.
Convenience Features
The new Ford Ranger tailgate has a torsion rod, meaning its effortless and easy to lift it up.
There have been many complaints about how easy it is to steal a Ranger and Ford has introduced Category 1 Thatcham-specification alarm, which is now standard on all Ranger XL, XLS, XLT and Wildtrak models. According to the Thatcham Alarm Scale, the Category 1 alarm features ignition detection, perimeter detection and the alarm will go off if a window is broken or the vehicle is tilted. The alarm also has its own battery supply, so if criminals manage to disconnect the car's battery, the alarm will continue to sound. Ford has also added a push button start, so the key can remain in your pocket. Finally, Ford has added a torsion rod to the tailgate, meaning its no longer a mission to lift the heavy tailgate and you can effortlessly open and close it.
Mercedes-Benz’s bakkie business is in trouble as the X-Class has been less of a success than the original hype suggested.
More consequences have been added to the unfolding corporate scandal involving former Renault-Nissan alliance business architect and chairman, Carlos Ghosn.
Mercedes-Benz’s youthful new boss, Swede Ola Källenius, is understood to be reviewing the German brand’s balance sheet and its business ventures involving Nissan are under pressure of dissolution.
Nissan and Mercedes signed a cooperation agreement way back in 2009. Vehicles delivered from this joint research and development project include the Mercedes GLA/Infiniti XQ30 and Mercedes-Benz’s X-Class bakkie, evolved from the Navara platform.
Strict German corporate governance principles are pressuring Mercedes-Benz to divorce itself from any business dealings done with Nissan under Ghosn’s tenure. The implications of this are potentially massive for Mercedes-Benz’s bakkie operations. By 2022, when the current X-Class and Navara are due to be replaced, Mercedes will not be able to continue with the next-generation Navara as its bakkie platform.
Nissan and Mitsubishi have come to an agreement that their next-generation Navara and Triton bakkies will be platform twins. With VW having signed a deal with Ford to produce the next Amarok, Mercedes will struggle to find a bakkie platform partner.
Developing its own dedicated double-cab platform will also prove very costly, at a time when electrification and autonomous driving technologies are pressuring Mercedes-Benz’s research and development budget.
Battery power and autonomous driving technologies have little appeal or application for bakkie customers and Mercedes project managers could find it challenging convincing the company’s board that a platform investment in new product not using either, is justifiable.
The German business media have reported that Mercedes leadership are unimpressed by the commercial performance of X-Class to date. This could mean that Mercedes might be forced to concede defeat regarding its bakkie project, after only one generation of X-Class – unless it considers the huge and potentially profitable American bakkie market, an adequate incentive to spend the development budget on an independently engineered X-Class 2.0.
Our spy photographers in Europe have spotted a hardcore Mini Cooper prototype running around the Nurburgring. If rumours are to be believed, this will be the John Cooper Works GP – the most hardcore Mini to go on sale. Here's what we know so far.
You know Mini is planning a hardcore track derivative when the camouflage wrap on its prototype is iconic racing circuits. Look closely and you'll see what we mean. According to our spy photographers, what you see here is the 2020 Mini John Cooper Works GP whizzing around the Nurburgring. Note the massive rear wing!
When it comes to performance Mini products, there's quite a hierarchy. Cooper S and Cooper JCW are quick and agile, but when you're after true go-kart handling, you need to look at the Works GP editions. Previous iterations have been ballistic. Not only do they feature trick suspension and more power, but the car goes on an extreme diet, shedding its back seats and gaining a strut bar to help rigidity.
BMW Group confirmed there will be a new Mini John Cooper Works GP earlier in 2019. It's not going to be a run-of-the-mill offering either, as Mini will be building just 3 000 units. The big news is the engine. With a 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol setup, the output is claimed to sit at 220 kW – putting it right in the hotly-contested hatch segment. Mini is claiming this new John Cooper Works GP will be the fastest and most powerful Mini to reach the roads. We think Mini is tired of seeing the likes of the Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane RS and so on running rampant, and the new GP will be taking them on. Don't be surprised to see a Nurburgring lap record attempt either. Expect to see the vehicle revealed before the end of 2019.
Mini teased us with this image in February 2019. The Mini John Cooper Works GP is coming!
From the naturally aspirated free-revving era to the turbocharged generation, the ST nameplate has spawned some incredible Ford performance models over the years. We look back on some of the best STs that the Blue Oval has produced (thus far) and discuss what we can expect from the forthcoming Focus ST.
Contrary to popular belief, fast Fords have been around a lot longer than their VW counterparts, but when the Blue Oval began rolling out ST (Sport Technology) models, it launched a direct assault on the hot hatch segment – a hotly contested space where models keep getting better, faster and way more powerful. The ST moniker, however, hasn’t exclusively comprised hot hatches… Oh no, we’ve seen some of its bigger offerings such as the Territory SUV and Mondeo compact sedan bear ST badging too. In South Africa, however, the most popular ST models have naturally all stemmed from the hot hatch persuasion, the result of which has delivered a direct assault on the 3-letter (GTI) thoroughbreds from Wolfsburg. And, in anticipation of a local launch of the Ford Focus ST Mk4, I’ve compiled a list of the best ST offerings (so far) and ranked them accordingly.
5. Racing Stripes – Ford Fiesta ST150
Armed with a naturally aspirated 110 kW/190 Nm 2.0-litre mill, the Fiesta ST made no bones about what it was designed for – taking the challenge to the Clio RS, Peugeot 206 GTI and Mini Cooper S. The ST150's Zetec engine (a broadly employed Ford motor at the time) underwent myriad changes to liberate extra ponies from under the bonnet, such as a less-restrictive exhaust system and a lighter flywheel for sharper throttle responses. The result culminated in a pretty nippy machine capable of an 8.3 second 0-100 kph sprint time. Available in a choice of several bright hues festooned with racing stripes, the Fiesta was visually rousing, but despite its squat and stocky appearance, it didn't conjure as much interest from the local audience as it did in Europe. As a result, it lived in the shadow of its brawnier Focus ST225 sibling.
4. Hamstrung Hammer – Ford Mondeo ST220
The Mk3 Ford Mondeo’s tenure in South Africa didn’t last particularly long, but we were at least treated to a string of models, the most influential of which was the ST220. Featuring a subtly styled body kit, twin exhaust tailpipes and 18-inch alloy wheels, the Mondeo had stealth feel to it. The visual treatment was backed by a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre V6 good for 166 kW and 280 Nm of torque (respectable numbers for the time) that enabled it to accelerate to 100 kph from standstill in under 8 seconds (7.5 secs).
It didn’t stop there… The interior space was also crafted with performance in mind – it featured Recaro sports seats, with ST garnishing/"trinketry" scattered throughout the cabin. Despite its lowered ride height, sportier damper rates and spunky engine, the ST220 was ultimately let down by a front-wheel-drive configuration that hampered its dynamics, as well as its chances of challenging the BMW 3 Series for sports sedan bragging rights.
3. Beast on a Leash – Ford Focus ST Mk3
Ford’s ever-improving go-faster formula continued with the Mk3 Focus ST, in which a smaller, greener and more powerful 2.0-litre 4-pot EcoBoost engine replaced the thirsty force-fed 2.5-litre 5-cylinder of its forebear. Employing such innovations as recalibrated electric power steering and stiffer suspension, it was easily the sharpest Focus ST produced up to that point. While it possessed an entertaining chassis with a good handling balance in the bends, the lack of a dedicated LSD made it incredibly difficult to tame, especially with 184 kW directed through the front wheels.
Its trump card, however, was its propensity to please and an ability to adapt to every situation thanks to its frugal and pragmatic tendencies. Could it have done with a bit more spice? Of course. It may have lacked the effervescence of some of its more focused rivals – the Megane RS and Honda Civic Type R – but more power and zip may have resulted in a pseudo-RS and that would have defeated its role in the hot-hatch foodchain.
2. Snap, Crackle, Pop – Ford Focus ST225
While the ST170 is widely considered as the genesis for the contemporary ST recipe, it was only when Ford introduced the ST225 in 2006 that enthusiasts really began to take note of the Blue Oval’s foray into the hot hatch space. In terms of engine configurations, it tore up the script by introducing a fire-breathing 166 kW/320 Nm 2.5-litre 5-pot turbo mill. With the ST225, the company went all out to make this a complete success; as a consequence, everything from the Focus' interior and exterior to the underpinnings underwent a performance makeover.
ST badges featured heavily in its composition, while sporty seats, a collection of gauges (including for boost) and optional racing stripes formed the crux of the ST225's appeal. Its most notable feature was its fiery 5-cylinder soundtrack, replete with crackles, pops and impressive pyrotechnics!
1. Furiously Fast – Ford Fiesta ST200
The 6th-generation Ford Fiesta ST knocked it out of the park as far as dynamics, power and visual impact were concerned, but it was only when Ford South Africa announced it would be bringing the limited-edition ST200 to our shores that its rivals began to take note.
With power and torque outputs more in line with that of its rivals the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Clio RS, the ST200 took all the awesomeness of the base ST and made it even better. For starters, its 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder powerplant received a software upgrade to boost peak power from 134 kW to 149 kW, with a further 11 kW available for up to 20 seconds on overboost. The underpinnings also received upgraded springs and stiffer damper rates. Together with the electronic limited-slip differential, the ST200 was everything the standard ST should have been – faster, sharper and more responsive in terms of handling, it was also more fun to drive, with hilariously entertaining lift-off oversteer.
Preview: Mean Machine – Ford Focus ST Mk4
It’s clear that Ford is looking to tackle the latest iterations of the Renault Megan RS, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R head on with the all-new Focus ST. It’s expected to pack 12 per cent more power and 17 per cent more torque, making it the most lethal Focus ST of all time.
It will use a detuned version of the 2.3-litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine found in the current Focus RS, with maximum power and torque figures standing at 206 kW and 420 Nm respectively. Other high-tech trick additions include anti-lag (originally developed for the Ford GT supercar), which keeps the throttle plate open at all times for improved spool-up, as well as an e-differential to marshal power/torque and keep things tidy. There will also be a host of other go-faster bits available in the form of a Performance Pack that includes continuously controlled damping, selectable drive modes, rev matching and a gearshift indicator for added boy racer kudos.
But before I rile up too much excitement, Ford SA has been tight-lipped about the next ST's inclusion to the local car market. After the premature death of the Fiesta ST lineage locally, the local branch of the Blue Oval has only said that the Focus ST is "under consideration" for our market.
Toyota South Africa, which refreshed its Aygo last year, has made further tweaks to its compact city car for 2019. Herewith the consolidated specifications and prices of the updated range.
The Toyota Aygo – now in its 2nd generation, was launched back in 2015. However, in 2018 it underwent some design tweaks and received more features. The aesthetic updates incorporate larger projector-type headlamps with LED daytime running lights, as well as new-look tail lamps.
The cabin features 1-piece moulded bucket seats with multi-tone fabric, a combination of black and dark grey dashboard plastics (with a smattering of exterior-colour-coded panels), as well as a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and gear lever.
The 2018 Toyota Aygo comes with a slick infotainment system which features USB, Aux and Bluetooth.
Although the Aygo is a budget-oriented offering, all versions have a touchscreen audio system with USB and auxiliary audio inputs and Bluetooth connectivity, a trip computer, electric windows (front), remote central locking, power-adjustable side mirrors, air-con and a 12V power socket.
In terms of safety systems, the diminutive Toyota comes with ABS with brake assist, plus (since 2018) vehicle stability control and hill-assist control. There is a total of 4 airbags (dual front and side), ISOfix child-seat mounts and 3-point seatbelts with force limiters and pre-tensioners.
Although the Aygo's cabin is less than luxurious, the leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob add an upmarket feel.
Compared with the 2015-spec cars, the engine now offers a tiny bit more power, 2 kW more in fact. For the record, the engine is a 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated 3-cylinder petrol engine, but it now pushes out 53 kW and 93 Nm. Despite the tiny increase in power, fuel economy has decreased and now sits at 4.3 L/100 km. Toyota claims that the noise, vibration and harshness have also been reduced, resulting in a quieter drive.
Revised line-up
The 5-door range begins with the simply-named Aygo entry-level derivative, followed by the dual-tone X-Play Black, while the previously offered X-Play Silver has been replaced by a new X-Clusiv derivative, which is available exclusively in Black with silver-coloured exterior accents (fog lamps are standard). The interior features a combination of Quartz Grey and Piano Black interior trims, while the door handles have a chrome-plated look.
The X-Play X-Cite represents the most affordable source of open-topped motoring in the SA new vehicle market…
Flagship X-Cite versions feature power-retractable canvas sunroofs and 15-inch alloy wheels, whereas the lesser models ride on 14-inch wheels. Whereas the X-Cite Black features a more traditional black folding roof, Toyota now also offers buyers the option of a vibrant orange-hued canvas top, which can be paired with any of the 6 exterior colours (White, Silver, Ash Grey, Cherry Red, Caribbean Blue or Black) at no extra cost.
Toyota Aygo Price in South Africa
All Aygo models come standard with a 3-year/100 000 kilometre warranty. A range of service plans is available for purchase from Toyota dealer.
Another crossover has evolved from Hyundai's humble hatchback platform and it may be on its way to South Africa.
Hyundai has added another quirky crossover to its compact vehicle line-up and it's called the Venue.
Hyundai South Africa is in the process making a business case for the Venue's local introduction and if the numbers play ball, we may very well see the Venue launched locally before the end of 2019.
This new Korean front-wheel drive high-rider will position itself below the Kona in Hyundai’s product portfolio and can be thought of as a slightly more refined and sophisticated Creta alternative.
Styling elements include LED embedded cube headlights and secondary thin-slit headlamps mounted at the bonnet-to-grille shutline. This is an obvious evolution of the daring styling Hyundai first applied to Kona. Venue’s tailgate features a pronounced kink and crease treatment, also anchored by cube taillights. Viewed as a design purpose, Venue is Hyundai’s attempt to bring large SUV styling elements to an A-segment crossover buyer.
Inside there is an 8-inch touchscreen which mirrors all your Smartphone functions via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and dual USB ports for device recharging. Vehicle information other than road and engine speed is relayed via TFT instrumentation and the driver directs the Venue with a leather-covered steering wheel.
True to its pseudo-adventure vehicle billing, the Venue’s rear seats feature a 60/40 split function, to enable the loading of oversized items or weekend away activity gear.
Powering the Venue will be Hyundai’s latest naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine, good for 90 kW. Shift options are either a six-speed manual or continuously-variable two-pedal transmission.
Hyundai’s Venue will feature a credible level of driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert when backing out of a parking bay and a reverse assistance camera.
We will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.
